cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temporal join processing with the adaptive Replacement Cache - Temporal Data policy

Management of data with a time dimension increases the overhead of storage and query processing in large database applications especially with the join operation, which is a commonly used and expensive relational operator. The join evaluation can be time consuming because temporal data are intrinsically multidimensional. The problem can be even harder since tuples with longer life spans tend to overlap a greater number of joining tuples thus; they are likely to be accessed more often. The proposed Adaptive Replacement Cache-Temporal Data (ARC-TD) buffer replacement policy is built upon the Adaptive Replacement Cache (ARC) policy by favoring the cache retention of data pages in proportion to the average life span of the tuples in the buffer. By giving preference to tuples having long life spans, a higher cache hit ratio can be achieved. The caching priority is also balanced between recently and frequently accessed data. An evaluation and comparison study of the proposed ARC-TD algorithm determined the relative performance with respect to a nested-loop join, a sort-merge, and a partition-based join algorithm. The metrics include the processing time (disk I/O time plus CPU time), cache hit ratio, and index storage size. The study was conducted with comparisons in terms of the Least Recently Used (LRU), Least Frequently Used (LFU), ARC, and the new ARC-TD buffer replacement policy.
Emerging tools for measuring and modeling the in situ activity of soil extracellular enzymes

Current soil enzyme methods measure potential enzyme activities, which are indicative of overall enzyme concentrations. However, they do not provide insight in the actual rates of enzymatically catalyzed reactions under natural in situ conditions. The objectives of this review are to (1) clarify what is being measured by current standard soil enzymology methods; (2) present an overview of the factors that control in situ activities of soil enzymes; and (3) evaluate how emerging technologies and modeling approaches could enhance our understanding of in situ extracellular enzyme activity (EEA). Genomic studies targeting functional genes coding for extracellular enzymes can identify the genetic potential of microbial communities to produce enzymes. Microbial regulation of enzyme production can be assessed with transcriptomic studies of mRNA. Emerging proteomic tools could be used assess the pool sizes, diversity, and microbial source of soil enzymes. New mass-spectrometry approaches can be used to quantify the products of enzymatic degradation. The insights gathered from these approaches will foster improved models of decomposition that explicitly include enzymes and microbial species or functional groups. A comprehensive approach to measuring in situ activity and elucidating the regulation of enzyme production and stabilization is required to advance our understanding of the biochemistry of decomposition.
Biological Bases of Maternal Attachment

In recent years, there has been growing interest in investigating the processes affecting caregiving behavior. Recent studies of human and nonhuman primates have suggested that hormones can account, at least in part, for changes in caregiving motivation during pregnancy and the postpartum period and for variability in caregiving motivation and behavior among individuals. Although hormones may not be the primary determinants of caregiving, future research cannot afford to overlook the contribution that biological processes can make to normative and pathological attachment and parenting.
Effects of S-(1, 2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine on amino acid composition of proteins of Escherichia coli B.

Abstract When Escherichia coli B cells growing in the logarithmic phase were exposed to S -(1,2-dichlorovinyl)- l -cysteine (1 × 10 −5 M ) during subsequent growth, the amino acid composition of the mixed bacterial proteins changed significantly. The molar proportions of lysine and phenylalanine decreased greatly (in spite of an exogenous supply of l -phenylalanine), whereas the molar proportions of proline, serine, and threonine increased.
Disabilities and Health: Toward a National Agenda for Research

The authors believe that a coordinated national agenda on health and wellness research regarding persons with disabilities that (a) focuses disparate national efforts and (b) advances a unified holistic model is needed. They propose a framework for such an agenda that includes five core principles and six issue areas, with recommendations. The five principles address good health as a normative expectation, a theory-driven knowledge base, heterogeneity of the disability experience, translation of research to practice, and coordinated research. Funding entities, scientific researchers, and disability communities must begin working with an integrated conceptualization of disability; facilitating diagnostic-specific and cross-disability research; recognizing diversity within the disability population; promoting opportunity, accessibility, and accountability; prioritizing application of research into practice; and coordinating research agendas among funding entities. It concludes with identifying key responsib...
The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rheb G-protein is involved in regulating canavanine resistance and arginine uptake.

The new member of the Ras superfamily of G-proteins, Rheb, has been identified in rat and human, but its function has not been defined. We report here the identification of Rheb homologues in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ScRheb) as well as in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Drosophila melanogaster, zebrafish, andCiona intestinalis. These proteins define a new class of G-proteins based on 1) their overall sequence similarity, 2) high conservation of their effector domain sequence, 3) presence of a unique arginine in their G1 box, and 4) presence of a conserved CAAX farnesylation motif. Characterization of an S. cerevisiae strain deficient in ScRheb showed that it is hypersensitive to growth inhibitory effects of canavanine and thialysine, which are analogues of arginine and lysine, respectively. Accordingly, the uptake of arginine and lysine was increased in the ScRheb-deficient strain. This increased arginine uptake requires the arginine-specific permease Can1p. The function of ScRheb is dependent on having an intact effector domain since mutations in the effector domain of ScRheb are incapable of complementing canavanine hypersensitivity of scrheb disruptant cells. Furthermore, the conserved arginine in the G1 box plays a role in the activity of ScRheb, as a mutation of this arginine to glycine significantly reduced the ability of ScRheb to complement canavanine hypersensitivity of ScRheb-deficient yeast. Finally, a mutation in the C-terminal CAAX farnesylation motif resulted in a loss of ScRheb function. This result, in combination with our finding that ScRheb is farnesylated, suggests that farnesylation plays a key role in ScRheb function. Our findings assign the regulation of arginine and lysine uptake as the first physiological function for this new farnesylated Ras superfamily G-protein.
Detection of Microbial Pathogens in Shellfish with Multiplex PCR

Multiplex PCR amplification of uidA, cth, invA, ctx, and tl genes was developed enabling simultaneous detection in shellfish of Escherichia coli, an indicator of fecal contamination and microbial pathogens, Salmonella typhimurium, Vibrio vulnificus, V. cholerae, and V. parahaemolyticus, respectively. Each of the five pairs of oligonucleotide primers was found to support PCR amplifications of only its targeted gene. The optimized multiplex PCR reaction utilized a PCR reaction buffer containing 2.5 mM MgCl2 and primer annealing temperature of 55 degrees C. Oyster tissue homogenate seeded with these microbial pathogens was subjected to DNA purification by the Chelextrade mark 100 (BioRad) method. The sensitivity of detection for each of the microbial pathogens was </=10(1)-10(2) cells following a "double" multiplex PCR amplification approach. Amplified target genes in a multiplex PCR reaction were subjected to a colorimetric GeneCombtrade mark (BioRad) DNA-DNA hybridization assay. This assay was rapid and showed sensitivity of detection comparable to the agarose gel electrophoresis method. The colorimetric GeneCombtrade mark assay avoids use of hazardous materials inherent in conventional gel electrophoresis and radioactive-based hybridization methods. Multiplex PCR amplification, followed by colorimetric GeneCombtrade mark DNA-DNA hybridization, has been shown to be an effective, sensitive, and rapid method to detect microbial pathogens in shellfish.
Immunohistochemical localization of somatostatin receptors sst2A in human tumors

Human tumors frequently express somatostatin receptors. However, none of the receptor subtype proteins have been individually visualized in normal or neoplastic human tissues. Here, the distribution of the sst2A receptor was investigated using immunohistochemistry with the specific anti-peptide antibody R2–88 in 47 human tumors. All tumors selected for their abundance of sst2 mRNA and/or strong binding of the sst2-preferring ligand 125 I-labeled Tyr 3 -octreotide were specifically immunostained with R2–88. Conversely, all tumors without somatostatin binding or expressing predominantly other somatostatin receptor subtype mRNAs (sst1 or sst3) were not specifically immunostained by R2–88. Specificity was shown in immunoblots, demonstrating receptor migration as a 70-kd broad band. In immunohistochemical and immunoblotting experiments, the abolition of staining after antibody blockade with antigen peptide was demonstrated. Immunostaining was identified in cryostat and in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections. Heat-induced epitope retrieval was necessary to visualize sst2A receptors in formalin-fixed sections. Moreover, because of occasional high nonspecific staining, the demonstration of complete abolition of immunostaining by treatment with antigen peptide was a prerequisite for the correct identification of sst2A-positive tumors. The sst2A receptors were clearly located at the membrane of the tumor cells. These results provide the first localization of a somatostatin receptor subtype in human tissues at the cellular level. The sst2A receptor identification and visualization in tumors with simple immunohistochemical methods in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded material will open new diagnostic opportunities for pathologists.
Moral Identity versus Moral Reasoning in Religious Conservatives: Do Christian Evangelical Leaders Really Lack Moral Maturity?

Research using moral dilemmas has consistently found religious conservatives make poorer moral decisions than liberals. A sample of 104 Evangelical Christians leaders were found to score poorly in moral reasoning using this approach, but were also found to have high moral identity. Their moral identity correlated highly with self-reported moral behavior, yet their moral decision-making did not, suggesting moral identity is more salient than decision-making in their moral development. A subsample of 10 who scored low on moral decision-making but high on other moral indicators was qualitatively found to have a sophisticated morality based on different assumptions than used in past research. These findings are discussed in terms of bias in past research using moral dilemmas that denigrate religious conservatives.
Generalized ellipsometry in-situ quantification of organic adsorbate attachment within slanted columnar thin films

We apply generalized ellipsometry, well-known to be sensitive to the optical properties of anisotropic materials, to determine the amount of fibronectin protein that adsorbs onto a Ti slanted columnar thin film from solution. We find that the anisotropic optical properties of the thin film change upon organic adsorption. An optical model for ellipsometry data analysis incorporates an anisotropic Bruggeman effective medium approximation. We find that differences in experimental data from before and after fibronectin adsorption can be solely attributable to the uptake of fibronectin within the slanted columnar thin film. Simultaneous, in-situ generalized ellipsometry and quartz crystal microbalance measurements show excellent agreement on the amount and rate of fibronectin adsorption. Quantitative characterization of organic materials within three-dimensional, optically anisotropic slanted columnar thin films could permit their use in optical sensor applications.
Value of Sunflower Seed Protein

SummaryThe protein of sunflower seed is a complete single source of amino acids for the growth of the young chick, when fed to provide 20% protein in the diet.
New Insights into CFTR as GSH Transporter

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) chloride channel is an important member of the ATP-binding cassette superfamily because dysfunction or low expression of CFTR was found in patients with human cystic fibrosis. Further studies show low mitochondrial GSH levels in the CFTR-knockout mouse lung. Because impaired mitochondrial oxidative metabolism plays a critical role in lung diseases, CFTR has been proposed to be expressed on the mitochondria to promote GSH transportation across mitochondria to protect the lung from oxidative damage. However, it has not been well-established that CFTR functions as GSH transporter under the physiological conditions. Here, patch clamp studies demonstrate that only outward GSH currents across inside-out membrane patches were found with WT CFTR while both inward and outward GSH currents were observed with the constitutively active K190C/K978C CFTR construct with a high open probability. Thus, asymmetric GSH permeation may be state-dependent. Further studies show that the constitutively active CFTR mutant T338C/K190C/K978C was completely inhibited by extracellular Cu2+ and inhibition was fractionally reversed by 10mM intracellular membrane-impermeant GSH and completely by intracellular membrane-permeant TPEN. In contrast, extracellular Cu2+ failed to suppress the activity of the CFTR mutant K190C/K978C. The application of 10mM GSH or TPEN to the intracellular side of this construct did not increase the channel activity, either. These results suggest that native CFTR may function as GSH transport under the physiological condition and designed transition metal binding sites at the channel pore can be used to define its GSH permeability.
Investigations in meta-GAs: panaceas or pipe dreams?

A meta-GA (GA within a GA) is used to investigate evolving the parameter settings of genetic operators for genetic and evolutionary algorithms (GEA) in the hope of creating a self-adaptive GEA. We report three findings. First, the meta-GA can adapt its genetic operators to different problems and thereby perform well on average across diverse problems. Second, the meta-GA can change its parameters during the course of a run—seemingly a good idea—but this behavior may actually decrease performance. Finally, the genetic operator configurations the meta-GA evolves are far from optimal. We conclude that, while meta-GAs show promise for automating some parameter configurations, they are not likely to replace manually configured genetic and evolutionary algorithms without innovative alteration.
Terpenoids of Pinus strobus cortex tissue

Abstract The diterpenes, strobol, strobal, manoyl oxide, and cis- and trans-abienols, were isolated as major constituents of the extract of Pinus strobus L. cortex tissue. The known triterpene, 3β-methoxy-14-serraten-21-one, was also found. A polyprenol was isolated from the needle extractives.
Subject indexing and citation indexing—part I: clustering structure in the cystic fibrosis document collection

Abstract The presence of clustering structure in the cystic fibrosis Document Collection is evaluated as a function of the exhaustivity of four subject representations and two citation representations. Experimental results show that for each representation the evidence for clustering structure diminishes as the exhaustivity of the representation decreases. Three of the four subject representations show no evidence of clustering structure at the least exhaustive representations. Although many documents have no references or citations, the citation representations demonstrate the presence of clustering structure over a wider range of exhaustivity levels than the subject representations. Both citation indexes show evidence of clustering structure at the least exhaustive representations. The structures imposed on the CF Document Collection by the subject and citation indexes satisfy the necessary condition for a meaningful clustering outcome.
Nucleic acid-based approaches to STAT inhibition

Silencing of abnormally activated genes can be accomplished in a highly specific manner using nucleic acid based approaches. The focus of this review includes the different nucleic acid based inhibition strategies such as antisense oligodeoxynucleotides, small interfering RNA (siRNA), dominant-negative constructs, G-quartet oligonucleotides and decoy oligonucleotides, their mechanism of action and the effectiveness of these approaches to targeting the STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) proteins in cancer. Among the STAT proteins, especially STAT3, followed by STAT5, are the most frequently activated oncogenic STATs, which have emerged as plausible therapeutic cancer targets. Both STAT3 and STAT5 have been shown to regulate numerous oncogenic signaling pathways including proliferation, survival, angiogenesis and migration/invasion.
Synthesis and Characterization of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Chromatographic Separations

Abstract The primary objective of this investigation was to discover the optimum solution‐phase synthesis conditions for preparing molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) against Boc‐L‐Trp using a binary monomer system. Methacrylic acid (MAA) and 2‐vinylpyridine (2‐Vpy) were used as the two functional monomers with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross‐linker. Polymers prepared from two monomers showed improved binding strength and recognition capabilities compared to polymers that were prepared using a single monomer. The synergistic effect on binding was most pronounced for polymers prepared from a starting MAA∶2‐Vpy molar ratio of about 1∶5. A correlation was developed based on molecular interaction scales to relate the template‐MIP binding strength to MIP composition. This correlation provides insights on the most important interaction types for the system studied; it also provides an explanation for the improved binding seen with a mixed monomer system. Polymerization temperature and cros...
Comment on "Field emission as a probe of the surface density of states"

It is shown that the primary contribution to the field-emission current comes from electrons with total momentum equal to zero in a direction parallel to the metal surface and that the field-emission current measures the density of states at a point several angstroms from the metal surface. An explicit expression is derived for the error made in using the transfer-Hamiltonian technique to calculate the tunneling probability of an electron through a one-dimensional barrier, and it is pointed out that the error is small in the case of field emission.
Intrauterine growth: correlation of infant birth weight and maternal postpartum weight.

The influence of increasing maternal "nutrient pool," as postpartum weight for height, on infant birth weight was investigated. Two hundred ninety-four uncomplicated, term pregnancies were studied. Each gravida was categorized by height and postpartum weight as underweight (group 1, 70.0 to 119.9%), normal weight (group II, 120.0 to 159.9%), or overweight (group III, 160.0 to 209.9%). Within group I, mean infant birth weights increased 214 g with each 10% increase in maternal postpartum weight (correlation coefficient = +0.936). In group II, the same increase in maternal postpartum weight paralleled an increase of 41.9 g in infant birth weight (correlation coefficient = +0.467). In group III, a negative relationship was shown between increasing maternal postpartum weight and birth weight (correlation coefficient = -0.130). With each increase of 10% in maternal postpartum weight there was a decrease of 29.8 g in infant birth weight. Maternal metabolic needs must take preference over fetal requirements at the extremes of the maternal nutrient pool, resulting in some degree of intrauterine growth retardation. Only when the maternal nutrient pool is brought into the normal range (group II) can optimal intrauterine growth be realized. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 33: 2311-2317, 1980.
Kanamycin-Furosemide Ototoxicity in the Mouse Cochlea A 3-Dimensional Analysis

ObjectiveAdministration of an aminoglycoside antibiotic and loop diuretic causes damage to hair cells in the organ of Corti, resulting in their death and the death of their corresponding spiral ganglion neurons. While this phenomenon has been studied previously, analysis of its effects in the whole cochlea has not been reported. The authors sought to evaluate the effects of a combination dose of kanamycin and furosemide in mice cochlea using an imaging system and computer analysis that allowed for nondestructive, whole-cochlea visualization.Study DesignStudy using an animal model.SettingCochlear analysis laboratory.Subjects and MethodsFive mice received kanamycin and furosemide and 3 mice received saline. Cochleas were harvested and imaged with scanning thin-sheet laser imaging microscopy (sTSLIM) to analyze sensory cells and cochlea structures.ResultsThe drug-treated animals showed substantial loss of inner hair cells and complete outer hair cell loss. All treated mice showed spiral ganglion neuron loss ...
Integration Host Factor and Cyclic AMP Receptor Protein Are Required for TyrR-Mediated Activation of tpl in Citrobacter freundii

The tpl gene of Citrobacter freundii encodes an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of L-tyrosine to phenol, pyruvate, and ammonia. This gene is known to be positively regulated by TyrR. The amplitude of regulation attributable to this transcription factor is at least 20-fold. Three TyrR binding sites, designated boxes A, B, and C, centered at coordinates -272.5, -158.5, and -49.5, respectively, were identified in the upstream region of the tpl promoter. The results of mutational experiments suggest that TyrR binds in cooperative fashion to these sites. The nonavailability of any TyrR site impairs transcription. Full TyrR-mediated activation of tpl required integration host factor (IHF) and the cAMP receptor protein (CRP). By DNase I footprinting, it was shown that the IHF binding site is centered at coordinate -85 and that there are CRP binding sites centered at coordinates -220 and -250. Mutational alteration of the IHF binding site reduced the efficiency of the tpl promoter by at least eightfold. The proposed roles of CRP and IHF are to introduce bends into tpl promoter DNA between boxes A and B or B and C. Multimeric TyrR dimers were demonstrated by a chemical cross-linking method. The formation of hexameric TyrR increased when tpl DNA was present. The participation of both IHF and CRP in the activation of the tpl promoter suggests that molecular mechanisms quite different from those that affect other TyrR-activated promoters apply to this system. A model wherein TyrR, IHF, and CRP collaborate to regulate the expression of the tpl promoter is presented.
Indirect effects of 12-session seeking safety on substance use outcomes: Overall and attendance class-specific effects

Objectives This study examined in- and post-treatment mediation effects of a 12-session dose of Seeking Safety (SS)—an integrative cognitive behavioral treatment for comorbid PTSD and SUDs—on alcohol and cocaine outcomes in comparison to Women's Health Education (WHE) in a seven-site randomized controlled effectiveness trial. Methods Women (n = 353) enrolled in outpatient substance abuse treatment, who had experienced multiple traumas in childhood and/or adulthood and who had comorbid PTSD, were randomly assigned to receive SS or WHE delivered in open enrollment groups for 12 sessions in 6 weeks (unlike the full 25-topic SS protocol). Data were analyzed under two forms of longitudinal mediation analysis, each accounting for changes over time in group membership and group context, respectively. Results Women in SS, compared to WHE, showed significantly steeper decreases in PTSD frequency and severity, which in turn, showed significant impact in reducing both cocaine and alcohol use. This pattern was strongest for those who completed most of the treatment sessions, which was the majority of patients in the trial; these patterns only emerged during the in-treatment phase. Conclusions Use of an integrated approach to PTSD/SUD such as SS can be helpful to more rapidly reduce PTSD, which consequently reduce SUD symptoms, particularly for those who attend most of the available treatment sessions. Scientific Significance This is one of the first studies to illustrate such effects in treating comorbid PTSD and SUD in the context of a highly impaired population delivered by community-based providers. (Am J Addict 2014;23:218–225)
Morphology of silicon nitride grown from a liquid phase

To explain the recent experimental observation of liquid-grown silicon nitride (Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}) crystals with a concave depression in the center of the (0001) end face, the authors propose a new growth mechanism and develop an analytical solution for the steady state. The model allows for atoms that diffuse via the liquid to the side surface but demands that the majority of these atoms be transported to the end caps to feed axial growth. The analysis shows that, for a large radius crystal, the redistribution of atoms by surface diffusion on the end caps requires a long relaxation time; hence, a nonequilibrium shape results. For an isolated Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} crystal growing in a liquid environment, the shape of the end cap is largely determined by the ratio of the supersaturation to the equilibrium surface potential, which is inversely proportional to the crystal radius. A large shape distortion is predicted to occur during the growth stage for large-radiation crystals and during the coarsening stage for a population of crystals with a large size distribution. This mechanism ceases to operate when the liquid flux to the side surface is blocked, as in silicon nitride ceramics, but is otherwise insensitive to factorsmore » such as radial growth kinetics and liquid diffusivity.« less
Fibroblast growth factors are necessary for neural retina but not pigmented epithelium differentiation in chick embryos

During eye development, optic vesicles evaginate laterally from the neural tube and develop into two bilayered eye cups that are composed of an outer pigment epithelium layer and an inner neural retina layer. Despite their similar embryonic origin, the pigment epithelium and neural retina differentiate into two very distinct tissues. Previous studies have demonstrated that the developmental potential of the pigmented epithelial cells is not completely restricted; until embryonic day 4.5 in chick embryos, the cells are able to switch their phenotype and differentiate into neural retina when treated with fibroblast growth factors (FGF) (Park, C. M., and Hollenberg, M. J. (1989). Dev. Biol. 134, 201–205; Pittack, C., Jones, M., and Reh, T. A. 1991). Development 113, 577–588; Guillemot, F. and Cepko, C. L. (1992). Development 114, 743–754). These studies motivated us to test whether FGF is necessary for neural retina differentiation during the initial stages of eye cup development. Optic vesicles from embryonic day 1.5 chick were cultured for 24 hours as explants in the presence of FGF or neutralizing antibodies to FGF2. The cultured optic vesicles formed eye cups that contained a lens vesicle, neural retina and pigmented epithelium, based on morphology and expression of neural and pigmented epithelium-specific antigens. Addition of FGF to the optic vesicles caused the presumptive pigmented epithelium to undergo neuronal differentiation and, as a consequence, a double retina was formed. By contrast, neutralizing antibodies to FGF2 blocked neural differentiation in the presumptive neural retina, without affecting pigmented epithelial cell differentiation. These data, along with evidence for expression of several FGF family members and their receptors in the developing eye, indicate that members of the FGF family may be required for establishing the distinction between the neural retina and pigmented epithelium in the optic vesicle.
Finite-Element Level-Set Curve Particles

Particle filters encode a time-evolving probability density by maintaining a random sample from it. Level sets represent closed curves as zero crossings of functions of two variables. The combination of level sets and particle filters presents many conceptual advantages when tracking uncertain, evolving boundaries over time, but the cost of combining these two ideas seems prima facie prohibitive. A previous publication showed that a large number of virtual level set particles can be tracked with a logarithmic amount of work for propagation and update. We now make level- set curve particles more efficient by borrowing ideas from the Finite Element Method (FEM). This improves level-set curve particles in both running time (by a constant factor) and accuracy of the results.
Exchange and fractionation of Mg isotopes between epsomite and saturated MgSO 4 solution

The equilibrium Mg isotope fractionation factor between epsomite and aqueous MgSO4 solution has been measured using the three isotope method in recrystallization experiments conducted at 7, 20, and 40 C. Complete or near-complete isotopic exchange was achieved within 14 days in all experiments. The Mg isotope exchange rate between epsomite and MgSO4 solution is dependent on the temperature, epsomite seed crystal grain size, and experimental agitation method. The Mg isotope fractionation factors (D 26 Mgeps–sol) at 7, 20, and 40 C are 0.63 ± 0.07&, 0.58 ± 0.16&, and 0.56 ± 0.03&, respectively. These values are indistinguishable within error, indicating that the Mg isotope composition of epsomite is relatively insensitive to temperature. The magnitude of the isotope fractionation factor (D 26 Mgeps–sol = ca. 0.6& between 7 and 40 C) indicates
Users' conceptions of risks and harms on the web: a comparative study

In this study, we analyzed Web users concerns about potential risks and harms from Web use to themselves and to society at large. In addition, we assessed how strongly users felt something should be done to address their concerns. Seventy-two individuals, 24 each from a rural community in Maine, a suburban professional community in New Jersey, and a high-technology community in California, participated in an extensive (2-hour) semistructured interview about Web security. Results show that Web users were primarily concerned about risks to Information, and secondarily about risks to People and Technology. Different sets of concerns were identified among the rural, suburban, and high-technology communities. Our discussion focuses on implications for interface design and information policy.
A Comparison of the Police Response to Heterosexual Versus Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence

It has been argued that the police do not respond to domestic calls involving same-sex couples in the same manner as they respond to calls involving heterosexual couples. A major problem facing researchers examining the police response to cases involving same-sex couples has been the lack of adequately sized samples. In this article, the authors utilize the 2000 National Incident Based Reporting System database, which contains 176,488 intimate partner assaults and intimidation incidents reported to 2,819 police departments in 19 states. The key issue examined is whether similar cases involving same-sex and heterosexual couples result in the same police response.
Prenylation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Chs4p Affects Chitin Synthase III Activity and Chitin Chain Length

Chs4p (Cal2/Csd4/Skt5) was identified as a protein factor physically interacting with Chs3p, the catalytic subunit of chitin synthase III (CSIII), and is indispensable for its enzymatic activity in vivo. Chs4p contains a putative farnesyl attachment site at the C-terminal end (CVIM motif) conserved in Chs4p of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other fungi. Several previous reports questioned the role of Chs4p prenylation in chitin biosynthesis. In this study we reinvestigated the function of Chs4p prenylation. We provide evidence that Chs4p is farnesylated by showing that purified Chs4p is recognized by anti-farnesyl antibody and is a substrate for farnesyl transferase (FTase) in vitro and that inactivation of FTase increases the amount of unmodified Chs4p in yeast cells. We demonstrate that abolition of Chs4p prenylation causes a 60% decrease in CSIII activity, which is correlated with a 30% decrease in chitin content and with increased resistance to the chitin binding compound calcofluor white. Furthermore, we show that lack of Chs4p prenylation decreases the average chain length of the chitin polymer. Prenylation of Chs4p, however, is not a factor that mediates plasma membrane association of the protein. Our results provide evidence that the prenyl moiety attached to Chs4p is a factor modulating the activity of CSIII both in vivo and in vitro. Chitin, a linear N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) polymer, is a minor but essential structural component of the yeast cell wall, the organelle responsible for the maintenance of cell shape and osmotic stability (5, 23). The majority (90%) of chitin in the cell wall, including chitin in bud scars and in the lateral wall and the polymer converted to chitosan in spore walls, is syn
Hyporesponsiveness to Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents in Chronic Kidney Disease: The Many Faces of Inflammation

The vast majority of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) receive an erythropoietic-stimulating agent (ESA) to partially correct the almost inevitable anemia associated with renal insufficiency. However, a minority of CKD patients will require much higher than usual doses of ESA in order to maintain a reasonable hemoglobin concentration. In many instances, these patients will have either an obvious or a clinically unapparent inflammatory process to account for the hyporesponsiveness to ESA replacement therapy. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which inflammation interferes with erythroid marrow function and particularly the new information about the role of inflammatory cytokines and the small peptide, hepcidin, on altered iron metabolism.
Anomalous ductus arteriosus with aneurysm and thrombosis.

Three cases of thrombosis of the patent ductus arteriosus, complicated by embolism into the pulmonary or peripheral systemic circulation, are presented and discussed in conjunction with the 13 cases previously reported in the literature. In addition, a case of thrombosed varix of the ductus arteriosus, of partial thrombosis of the ductus, and of incomplete occlusion of the patent ductus containing thrombotic vegetation contiguous to bacterial endocarditis of the pulmonary artery are described.
Decision analysis as a synthetic tool for achieving consensus in technology assessment.

Over the past decade the Office of Medical Application of Research (OMAR) of the National Institutes of Health has developed the consensus development conference (18) to assess technologies in cases where the scientific community has been unable, or unwilling, to reach a firm position as to efficacy but which require some better form of assessment than expert opinion (8). Another paper in this issue describes the principles that underlie such conferences (9).
Quantitation of intraepidermal T‐cell subsets in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue helps in the diagnosis of mycosis fungoides

Differentiation between mycosis fungoides (MF) and cutaneous inflammatory processes can usually be made on clinical and histologic grounds. In difficult cases, immunohistochemical studies can be helpful since MF infiltrates usually contain a predominance of CD4+ lymphocytes, while most inflammatory lesions usually have a mixture of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes. However, this determination has traditionally required the use of frozen tissue, thus severely limiting its usefulness. Recently, antibodies that differentially label CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue have become available (OPD4 and C8/144B respectively, DAKO (Carpinteria, CA, USA). This study tests the utility of these antibodies in the pathologic diagnosis of MF and inflammatory lesions with significant exocytosis. In 9 cases of MF for which both frozen and fixed tissues were available for comparison, the OPD4+ cell count in fixed tissue was significantly lower than the Leu-3a+ cell count in frozen tissue. Also, the C8/144B+ cell count in fixed tissue was higher than the Leu-2a+ cell count in frozen tissue, although this difference was not significant statistically. In a larger series for which only fixed tissue was available, epidermal CD4:CD8 ratios were significantly greater in 23 MF cases (mean 4.0+/-4.76) than in 35 inflammatory cases (mean 0.6+/-0.42; p = 0.001). Thus, although the studied antibodies appear to detect different epitopes in frozen versus paraffin-embedded tissue, demonstration of an elevated CD4:CD8 ratio in fixed tissue supports the diagnosis of MF, and is a helpful adjunct to routine histopathology.
Generalized conditions for TE/TM reductions in electromagnetic computations

The state of knowledge concerning transverse electric/transverse magnetic (TE/TM) modes is extended in three directions. First, it is shown that a TE/TM decomposition is always possible in theory, regardless of the nature of the source or the variation of the permittivity and permeability. Second, the known conditions under which the composition can be effectively used for the computation of electromagnetic (EM) fields extended. Third, the conditions inhibiting the existence of TE/TM modes are found to apply to smooth, as well as discontinuous, transverse variations in permittivity and permeability, and source conditions are derived. >
Optimization algorithms for proxy server placement in content distribution networks

Popular Web sites receive an enormous share of Internet traffic. These sites have a competitive motivation to offer better service to their clients at lower cost. One of the solutions is to using content distribution network (CDN). When we design a CDN we need to find proxy server placement to provide its clients with the best available performance while consuming as little resource as possible. This is an optimization problem. Among the solutions greedy algorithm yields better result with low computational cost. The drawback is that it is easy to trap in the local optimum. We propose genetic algorithm to solve this problem. We mathematically model the optimization problem and then give details about how to apply genetic algorithm to proxy server placement problem. Simulation results for a simple topology are presented for both greedy algorithm and genetic algorithm.
The Technique of Chordal Singing in the Tibetan Style

The unique solo singing of chords by individual Tibetan monks can be duplicated by use of the technique of inhalation singing. Interval combinations that can be sung indicate that the chords consist not of acoustically reinforced harmonics of their lowest notes, but of distinct and separately produced tones. The singing experience is related to Tibetan yoga practices, and the listening experience to Western vocal styles.
The Judiciary in the United States: A Search for Fairness, Independence and Competence

Alexander Hamilton referred to the judiciary as “the least dangerous branch” because it could neither make nor enforce the law without help from the other two branches of government. In the years since then, however, courts and judges in the United States have assumed a much more prominent role in society. American judges preside over criminal trials and sentence those convicted, decide all kinds of civil disputes, both large and small, and make important decisions involving families, such as child custody. They have also become the primary guarantors of the civil and constitutional rights of American citizens.The case of Marbury v. Madison established the principal of judicial review, which gave courts the power to declare acts of the other branches of government unconstitutional. Then, the passage of the Fourteenth Amendment after the Civil War made many of the protections of the Bill of Rights (which was originally directed only at the federal government) applicable to the states. As a consequence, judges are in the position to protect those liberty interests provided by the Constitution from incursions by the state or federal governments. Judges also play a large role in enforcing the numerous modern civil rights statutes providing for equality in employment, housing, public accommodations, and other areas. Protecting the constitutional and civil rights of minorities, of criminal defendants, and of other unpopular groups and causes requires not only wisdom and courage, but also the ability to make difficult and unpopular decisions without fear of being removed from office.The cornerstones of any legal system, and the greatest measure of whether it can provide justice to its citizens, are its judges. The preamble to the American Bar Association (“ABA”) Model Code of Judicial Conduct states: “Our legal system is based on the principle that an independent, fair, and competent judiciary will interpret and apply the laws that govern us.” Fairness generally means that the judges must be unbiased and impartial; independence is the ability to decide cases free from political or other outside pressure; and competence requires that judges be of the highest ability, with proper training and experience. While there may not always be agreement as to the extent that the American judiciary meets these standards, most commentators agree with these aspirational goals. The most important factors that affect the fairness, independence, and competency of judges are: method of selection, term of office, compensation, code of conduct, the disciplinary process, gender and racial bias, and education and training. This Article will explore these factors and examine their effect on the quality of both the federal and state judiciary. A useful starting point should be those provisions in the United States Constitution that were designed to help make federal judges unbiased and independent.
Legal Developments: Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities

This policy paper was commissioned by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Kennedy Center. It explores developments in the Americans with Disabilities Act and social security programs that have shaped the education and employment prospects of artists with disabilities in the last ten years. Success in the arts depends on reaching certain benchmarks of excellence and talent, and often people with disabilities are overlooked and under-appreciated for this kind of selective employment. Moving from barriers in higher education to those in employment achievement, the article fills an unmet need in understanding obstacles to coveted, 'elite' jobs by framing those barriers through the example of the arts.
Stationary-traveling cross-flow mode interactions with periodic distributed roughness

We study the response of the Type 1 cross-flow instability to patterned distributed roughness, and the evolution of these modes to turbulence. The basic flow consists of the 3D boundary layer over a rotating disk. The roughness is made up of ink dots which were applied to the surface of the disk. The pattern of dots consisted of an equally spaced array in the azimuthal direction, at a fixed radius. Logarithmic spiral patterns of dots were also used to enhance azimuthal wave angles. Both subcritical and supercritical radii were explored. The dots were accurately placed using the computer controlled traversing mechanism which was equipped with an inking pen. The azimuthal number of dots was intended to excite a particular azimuthal mode number of cross-flow modes. The instability azimuthal wave number, was found to change in response to the azimuthal dot number; local angles of the cross-flow waves changed to keep the most amplified radial wave number. The particular focus of this work is on a triad coupling between pairs of traveling modes and a stationary mode. (Author)
Application of multi-region fuzzy logic to some model flow control problems

Some model flow problems described by the Burgers equation and the wave equation are controlled using a simple PD-type fuzzy logic controller. The operating range of the controller is divided into two regions: large error region and the small error or stability region. For both the regions, the same fuzzy controller is employed except for different values of the input scaling factors. The change in scaling factors for the errors is determined by another fuzzy inference called the fuzzy self-tuner (FST). Control of flows modeled by the Burgers equation and the wave equation demonstrates the excellent handling capability of the multi-region fuzzy logic control system.
Survey of Consumer Interest in Organic, Sustainable, and Local Container-grown Plants in Maine

In 2008, we administered a survey to participants at four venues in Maine to determine: 1) the degree of interest in organically, sustainably, and locally grown plants; 2) whether respondents would pay more for these plants compared with conventional plants; and 3) which demographic groups expressed the greatest interest in organically, sustainably, or locally grown plants. Respondents were highly interested in organic and sustainable vegetable/herb and ornamental plants; median interest was 9 on a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 indicated low interest and 10 indicated high interest. They were less interested in locally grown plants; respondents’ median interest in local plants was 6 on the same scale. Survey respondents stated that they would pay 15% more (vegetable/ herbs) or 10% more (ornamentals) for organic, sustainable, or local plants than they would for conventionally grown plants. Several demographic factors indicated that respondents were either willing to spend more money on nonconventional plants, or were at least more interested in these kinds of plants. Income and education were positively correlated with the amount of money respondents stated they would spend on nonconventional plants. Younger participants were more interested than older participants in sustainable and organic plants, but they were not willing to pay more for these plants than older participants. Similarly, women were more interested than men in nonconventional plants, but were not likely to spend more on them than men. This survey indicated that there is a strong market for organic and sustainable vegetable, herb, and ornamental plants. Growers could potentially charge 10% to 15% more for these plants than for conventionally grown plants. They would likely receive the highest premium for organic and sustainable plants from individuals with higher incomes and education levels.
Research on Influence of Working Conditions on On-site Parameter Setting for Power System Stabilizer

This paper introduces the principles of power system stabilizer(PSS) and its on-site parameter setting method,presents the main factors that would impact the measurement of frequency response without compensation for excitation system,puts forward the countermeasures of properly considering the influencing factors of working conditions in the on-site parameter setting for PSS after the comprehensive analysis and summarization of the differences between Eq′/ Us and Ut / Us frequency response characteristics and the influence of the working conditions of this unit in the plant including the reactive compensation setting for excitation system,active power,reactive power,terminal voltage and other units′ power output and PSS operation mode,numbers of outgoing lines on the hysteresis characteristics based on the simulation calculation.