cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of the three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain method to the analysis of planar microstrip circuits

A direct three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is applied to the full-wave analysis of various microstrip structures. The method is shown to be an efficient tool for modeling complicated microstrip circuit components and microstrip antennas. From the time-domain results the input impedance of a line-fed rectangular patch antenna and the frequency-dependent scattering parameters of a low-pass filter and a branch-line coupler are calculated. These circuits were fabricated and the measurements made on them are compared with the FDTD results and shown to be in good agreement. >
Three-Dimensional Architecture of the Rod Sensory Cilium and its Disruption in Retinal Neurodegeneration

Defects in primary cilia lead to devastating disease because of their roles in sensation and developmental signaling but much is unknown about ciliary structure and mechanisms of their formation and maintenance. We used cryo-electron tomography to obtain 3D maps of the connecting cilium and adjacent cellular structures of a modified primary cilium, the rod outer segment, from wild-type and genetically defective mice. The results reveal the molecular architecture of the cilium and provide insights into protein functions. They suggest that the ciliary rootlet is involved in cellular transport and stabilizes the axoneme. A defect in the BBSome membrane coat caused defects in vesicle targeting near the base of the cilium. Loss of the proteins encoded by the Cngb1 gene disrupted links between the disk and plasma membranes. The structures of the outer segment membranes support a model for disk morphogenesis in which basal disks are enveloped by the plasma membrane.
Gonadotropin Receptors of the Primate Corpus Luteum. II. Changes in Available Luteinizing Hormone- and Chorionic Gonadotropin-Binding Sites in Macaque Luteal Membranes during the Nonfertile Menstrual Cycle

The gonadotropin receptor population of the primate corpus luteum was examined at specific stages of the nonfertile menstrual cycle via [125I]iodohuman LH ([I25I]iodohLH)/ hCG binding to 15,000 × g particulate fractions of luteal tissue obtained from rhesus monkeys 2, 4-5, 6-9, 10-12, 13-15, and 16-18 days after the midcycle LH surge. The number (maximum binding capacity) and affinity (dissociation constant) of available LH-CG receptors were determined from Scatchard analyses of equilibrium binding data. Available receptors displayed comparable affinity for both hLH and hCG throughout the lifespan of the corpus luteum (dissociation constant, 0.88± 0.04 × 10,-10 and 0.79 ± 0.03 × 10-10 M, respectively). In contrast, the number of receptors increased from the early luteal phase to maximal levels (8.9 7± 0.75 fmol LH bound/mg tissue) during the midluteal phase (6-9 days post-LH surge) of the cycle. Luteal weight and se um progesterone content reached maximal levels 4-5 days after the LH surge, before the dev...
Multiuser tools architecture for group collaboration in computer networks

Abstract With the widespread availability of data communications networks and powerful workstations, there is a strong and growing need to support collaboration among geographically distributed users. This paper describes an architecture for constructing multiuser software tools for real-time collaboration among a group of remote users. A prototype implementation of a multiuser tool, called CoDraw, based on this architecture is described. CoDraw allows a group of remote users to collaborate in drawing figures and graphs. It is built using the X window system and the internet communications in UNIX environment.
Vegetative and Bird Community Response to Management in a Mountain Longleaf Pine Forest

ABSTRACT: Over the last century, logging, land conversion, and fire suppression have reduced longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystems to a small fraction of their original range. Fire suppression, in particular, has facilitated encroachment by non-fire-tolerant trees and heavy litter buildup, leading to shifts in the native plant and animal community. In 2001, efforts were initiated to re-establish parts of Berry College's (Floyd County, GA) fire-suppressed mountain longleaf pine forest using combinations of prescribed fire, clear-cutting, planting, and herbicide application. We designed this study to determine the effects of management practices thus far on vegetation structure and the bird community. In 2009, vegetation structure data were collected in longleaf pine stands comprising three management classes ranging from low- to high-intensity management. Bird surveys were conducted from summer 2009 to spring 2010, and avifaunal community structure was related to vegetative characteristics withi...
Artificial antigen-presenting cells engineered by recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing antigen, MHC class II, and costimulatory molecules elicit proliferation of CD4+ lymphocytes in vitro.

The current study was designed to test the ability of recombinant Vaccinia virus (rVV) encoding essential components of an artificial antigen-presenting cell to activate antigen-specific T cells in vitro. We have constructed a set of rVV encoding separately or in combination a CD4+ T cell-specific epitope (the 133–145 peptide of chicken conalbumin), the MHC class II molecule I-Ak, and costimulatory molecules (mB7-1 and mB7-2). Cultured cells infected with rVV encoding both the antigen and the presenting MHC, but not either one alone, could activate cloned CD4+ T cells specific for the virus-encoded epitope. Additional co-expression of mB7-1 and mB7-2 resulted in further enhancement of T cell response. Thus, our rVV vector expressing four different foreign gene products elicited the highest proliferation rates of antigen-specific cloned T cells.
Creativity and the Finding and Solving of Real-World Problems

Divergent thinking tests have been criticized for their low correlations with real-world performance. The primary objective of this study was to ascertain whether real-world problems are more predi...
Molecular mechanics calculations for dl,meso-2,3-dichlorobutanes and 2-halopropionyl chlorides

Abstract The conformational energies of dl and meso -2,3-dichlorobutanes and 2-halopropionyl chloride have been calculated employing molecular mechanics techniques. Mole fractions of the rotational isomers are calculated using conformation energies.
A new evolutionary algorithm using shadow price guided operators

The genetic algorithm (GA) is a popular global search algorithm. It has been used successfully in many fields, however, it is still challenging for the GA to obtain optimal solutions for complex problems. Another problem is that the GA can take a very long time to solve difficult problems. This paper proposes a new evolutionary algorithm that uses the fitness value to measure overall solutions and shadow prices to evaluate components. New shadow price guided operators are used to achieve good measurable evolutions. The new algorithm is used first to solve a simple optimization function and then applied to the complex traveling salesman problem (TSP). Simulation results have shown that the new shadow price guided evolutionary algorithm is effective in terms of performance and efficient in terms of speed.
OMCat: Catalog of Serendipitous Sources Detected with the XMM-Newton Optical Monitor

The Optical Monitor Catalogue of serendipitous sources (OMCat) contains entries for every source detected in the publically available XMM-Newton Optical Monitor (OM) images taken in either the imaging or "fast" modes. Since the OM records data simultaneously with the X-ray telescopes on XMM-Newton, it typically produces images in one or more near-UV/optical bands for every pointing of the observatory. As of the beginning of 2006, the public archive had covered roughly 0.5% of the sky in 2950 fields. The OMCat is not dominated by sources previously undetected at other wavelengths; the bulk of objects have optical counterparts. However, the OMCat can be used to extend optical or X-ray spectral energy distributions for known objects into the ultraviolet, to study at higher angular resolution objects detected with GALEX, or to find high-Galactic-latitude objects of interest for UV spectroscopy.
Glucocorticoid regulation of stress-induced mineralocorticoid receptor gene transcription in vivo.

The neuronal mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) binds endogenous corticosterone (B) with high affinity.' The ligand-activated MR is transported to the cell nucleus, where it is capable of affecting transcription of a wide variety of genes.2 Within the central nervous system, the MR is of highest abundance within the hippocampus, thus leading to its hypothetical association with hippocampally mediated negative feedback control of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) stress axis.3~~ Understanding regulation of the neuronal MR is critical to elucidating its true function within the nervous system. In the present experiments, we employed a semiquantitative in situ hybridization strategy to assess in vivo stress regulation of neuronal MR mRNA and gene expression. For characterization of the MR intron probe, brains of normal Sprague-Dawley rats were sectioned at 20 pm and sections through the hippocampus processed for in situ hybridization. Adjacent series were hybridized with probes complementary to 1) the 3' coding and proximal 3' untranslated region of the MR mRNA (exon probe) and 2) the 5' portion of a coding region intron lying between exons 2 and 3 (intron probe). The latter probe was designed to recognize unspliced or partially-spliced gene transcripts present in the cell nucleus as heteronuclear (hn) RNA. An additional series was preincubated with R N h e A to verify probe specificity. Sections were dipped in NTB2 liquid emulsion and counterstained with cresyl violet. For analysis of stress and glucocorticoid effects on MR gene and mRNA regulation, rats received either adrenalectomy (ADX) or sham operation (SHAM), and were subsequently implanted with pellets containing either cholesterol (ADX-C and SHAM-C rats) or 30% B/70% cholesterol (ADX-B rats). Acute restraint stress (plastic restraint cages, 60 m) was imposed 5 days following pellet implantation, and groups of animals were killed 60 and 120 m post-stress, with unstressed rats serving as controls. Blood samples from all rats were assayed for B. Localization of signal generated by MR exon and intron probes are shown in FIGURE 1.MR exon signal was located diffusely throughout the cell (FIG. 1A,B) and showed a characteristic distribution across hippocampal subfields and dentate gyrus (FIG. lC).%' Cytoplasmic localization was confirmed on Nissl-counterstained sections (data not shown). In contrast, the MR intron probe showed a punctate distribution consistent with nuclear localization (FIG. lD,E). MR intron signal (FIG. 1F) could be localized to all hippocampal subfields, and was significantly less intense than exon signal at equal exposure times. The localization data indicate 1) compart-
Ethnographic Approaches to the Internet and Computer-Mediated Communication

In this article we review ethnographic research on the Internet and computer-mediated communication. The technologically mediated environment prevents researchers from directly observing research participants and often makes the interaction anonymous. In addition, in the online environment direct interaction with participants is replaced by computer-screen data that are largely textual, but may include combinations of textual, visual, aural, and kinetic components. We show how the online environment requires adjustments in how ethnographers define the setting of their research, conduct participant observation and interviews, obtain access to settings and research subjects, and deal with the ethical dilemmas posed by the medium.
Transgender Health: Findings from Two Needs Assessment Studies in Philadelphia

HIV/AIDS, suicide, violence, and barriers to health care access among transgender people were explored using two needs assessment surveys conducted in Philadelphia in 1997. A total of 182 people responded to a face-to-face interview or self-administered mail survey: 113 male-to-female individuals and 69 female-to-male individuals. About three-fifths of respondents had engaged in unprotected sexual activity during the past 12 months. The risk for HIV infection from unprotected sex was significantly higher among respondents of color than among white respondents. About one-third (30.1 percent) of respondents had attempted suicide. More than half of respondents had been forced to have sex, 56.3 percent had experienced violence in their homes, and 51.3 percent had been physically abused. Twenty-six percent of respondents had been denied medical care because they were transgender. These findings suggest that prevention services that specifically address HIV/AIDS, suicide, and violence among transgender people are urgently needed.
Oxygen-mediated Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cell Proliferation and Adipogenesis in Culture

Major problems in stem cell biology revolve around defining the developmental potential of cell populations and understanding how their potential is maintained or progressively restricted. Oxygen (O(2)) is an obvious environmental factor which has received little attention in culturing skeletal muscle progenitor cells. In this work, we examine the effects of O(2) levels on the developmental potential, proliferative capacity, and phenotype of the adult skeletal muscle fiber progenitor population (satellite cells), and cell lines that model multipotential embryonic paraxial mesoderm from which skeletal muscle develops. Both satellite cell proliferation and survival of mature fibers increased in physiologic (6%) O(2) vs. non-physiologic 20% O(2) used in virtually all traditional cell culture. Six percent O(2) conditions also accelerated the up-regulation of multiple MyoD family myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs). An unexpected finding was that fiber-adherent satellite cells could assume a non-myogenic phenotype. By the criteria of molecular markers and gross lipid accumulation, satellite cells were found to assume an adipocyte phenotype, and did so more prominently in 20% O(2) than in physiologic O(2). Selection of the adipogenic fate and execution of adipogenesis by multipotential mesenchymal cell lines was also dramatically higher in traditional 20 vs. 6% O(2), and decreased adipogenesis in physiologic O(2) was associated with significantly less expression of the adipogenic regulator, PPAR gamma. These results suggest that regulatory pathways affected by O(2) are important for satellite cell proliferation, execution of cell fate, and parent muscle survival in culture, and so may play a role in vivo under normal or pathologic conditions.
Development of a Cold Gas Spacecraft Emulator System for the TALARIS Hopper

The TALARIS (Terrestrial Artificial Lunar And Reduced gravIty Simulator) hopper is a small prototype vehicle currently being developed as an Earth-based testbed for guidance, navigation, and control algorithms that will be used to explore lunar and other planetary surfaces remotely. It has two propulsion systems: (1) a system of four electric ducted fans to offset 5/6 of Earth’s gravity, and (2) a cold gas propulsion system which uses compressed nitrogen propellant in an impulsive emulation of the lunar propulsion system, flying in an environment dynamically similar to that of the Moon. This paper focuses on the second of these propulsion systems. It details the practical development of the cold gas spacecraft emulator (CGSE) system, including initial conception and design, methods of analysis, and test results. Details of the system’s integration into the broader TALARIS project are also presented. Finally, a path ahead for additional testing of the CGSE is discussed.
High-resolution crystallographic analysis of a co-operative dimeric hemoglobin.

Abstract High-resolution crystal structures of the co-operative dimeric hemoglobin from the blood clam Scapharca inaequivalvis have been determined in the unliganded (deoxy) and carbon monoxide (CO) liganded states. The deoxy structure has been refined at 1·6 A resolution to an R -factor of 0·158 and the CO structure has been refined at 1·4 A resolution to an R-factor of 0·159. These structures reveal details of the structural transitions involved in co-operative ligand binding that involve only a minor rotation of subunits but very striking tertiary changes at the interface. A small number of residues in the F-helix appear to mediate co-operativity in this simple hemoglobin. The oxygen affinity of each subunit appears to be largely dictated by the disposition of phenylalanine 97, whose side-chain packs in the heme pocket in the deoxy state but is extruded towards the interface in the CO-liganded structure. Direct involvement of the ligand-binding heme group is a novel feature of the subunit interface and appears important for intersubunit communication. Ligation alters the conformation of the heme propionate groups along with two interacting residues from the symmetry-related subunit. These two residues, lysine 96 and asparagine 100, link the heme of one subunit with the F-helix of the second subunit in such a way as to influence the ligand affinity of that subunit. The interface is highly hydrated by well-ordered water molecules that are likely to be important in the stabilization of the two structures.
Design challenges in transdiagnostic psychotherapy research: Comparing Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy (TBT) to existing evidence-based psychotherapy in veterans with affective disorders.

Abstract Background To address the limitations of disorder-specific approaches, newer transdiagnostic approaches to psychotherapy have been developed to provide a single treatment that is capable of addressing several, related disorders. However, the recruitment of multiple diagnoses presents many challenges to the traditional design of psychotherapy randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Objective The goal of the manuscript is to present the challenges and rationale for designing a RCT for transdiagnostic treatment to inform and aid in the development of future investigations. Methods A recently funded and ongoing RCT for Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy (TBT) is used as an example to discuss the related design challenges. The TBT study involves the recruitment of 96 veteran participants with any of the following eight principal diagnoses: posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia, major depressive disorder, or persistent depressive disorder. Within the TBT study, participants will complete a semi-structured diagnostic interview and a series of transdiagnostic self-report measures to determine eligibility and assess baseline symptomatology. Qualifying participants will be randomized to TBT or control psychotherapy. Additional assessments will be completed at post-treatment and 6-month follow-up. Conclusions Due to the transdiagnostic nature of the sample, adjustments to the recruitment and randomization procedures, selection of measures, selection of control psychotherapy, and analysis plan were required. These adjustments have implications to future trials on transdiagnostic psychotherapy protocols as well as future research in line with the transdiagnostic focus of the National Institute of Mental Health's Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) funding strategy.
A Dynamic Labor Market: How Political Science is Opening Up to Methodologists, and How Methodologists are Opening Up Political Science

If disciplines can be likened to living things, then perhaps political science is best characterized not by familiar symbols—e.g., the elephant, the donkey, or the eagle—but by a small sea creature: the hermit crab. Rather than generating its own protective cover, the hermit crab adopts the foreign shells that it comes across; it makes a home for itself by utilizing the previous works of other crustaceans. For many years, the discipline of political science—like other areas within the social and behavioral sciences—built its own frameworks using the analytical tools found in outside disciplines. Borrowing heavily from econometrics, psychometrics, and biometrics, political scientists examined empirical data as they tested theories about individual behavior, organizational dynamics, and governmental processes. The substantive ends were of primary interest, and therefore less attention was paid to the means of inquiry.The authors wish to thank Michael Brintnall for sharing the American Political Science Association's data on job postings, and David Campbell, Tom Carsey, Suzanna DeBoef, Jeff Gill, John Jackson, Jonathan Nagler, Herb Weisberg, and Sarah Wilson for helpful comments and suggestions on previous versions of this article.
Roles for agent assistants in field science: understanding personal projects and collaboration

A human-centered approach to computer systems design involves reframing analysis in terms of the people interacting with each other. The primary concern is not how people can interact with computers, but how work systems (facilities, tools, roles, and procedures) can be designed to help people pursue their personal projects, as they work independently and collaboratively. Two case studies provide empirical requirements. First, an analysis of astronaut interactions with CapCom on Earth during one traverse of Apollo 17 shows what kind of information was conveyed and what might be automated today. A variety of agent and robotic technologies are proposed that deal with recurrent problems in communication and coordination during the analyzed traverse. Second, an analysis of biologists and a geologist working at Haughton Crater in the High Canadian Arctic reveals how work interactions between people involve independent personal projects, sensitively coordinated for mutual benefit. In both cases, an agent or robotic system's role would be to assist people, rather than collaborating, because today's computer systems lack the identity and purpose that consciousness provides.
Depletion of mitochondrial DNA and enzyme in estrogen-induced hamster kidney tumors: a rodent model of hormonal carcinogenesis.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes for 13 polypeptides critical for normal functioning of the electron transport chain and damage to mtDNA has been associated with aging, and implicated in several disease processes. Although damage to mtDNA is being implicated in mutagenesis and carcinogenesis, there are limited studies demonstrating the role and extent of mtDNA damage in human or rodent cancers. Using serial dilution and competitive polymerase chain reaction analysis, we have quantitated the amount of total mtDNA and analyzed the extent of mtDNA damage in estrogen-induced and estrogen-dependent hamster kidney tumors. The hamster kidney tumor model is a useful and widely investigated rodent model of hormonal carcinogenesis, which shares several characteristics with human breast and uterine cancers, and point to a common mechanistic pathway. Our data indicate a significant decrease in the copy number of total mtDNA and the activity of a nuclear-encoded mitochondrial enzyme citrate synthase in hamster kidney tumors compared to age-matched controls. Since there are several hundred mitochondria in a cell and each mitochondrion has multiple copies of mtDNA, a very small percentage of somatic deletion mutation may not be enough to result in a decreased capacity of the mitochondrial genome. However, a significant increase in deletion mutations or a decrease in the mtDNA copy number can result in a decreased oxidative phosphorylation capacity of the mitochondria and decreased energetics, and thus increased susceptibility to the disease process. Therefore, estrogen-induced hamster kidney tumor model can be a useful rodent model of carcinogenesis to understand the role of mtDNA damage in cancer progression and development. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 16:1–9, 2002; DOI 10.1002/jbt.10017
Applicability of Conventional p-y Relations to the Analysis of Piles in Laterally Spreading Soil

This paper presents a kinematic analysis of a single pile embedded in a laterally spreading layered soil profile and discusses the relevancy of conventional analysis models to this load case. The research encompasses the creation of three-dimensional (3D) finite-element (FE) models using the OpenSees FE analysis platform. These models consider a single pile embedded in a layered soil continuum. Three reinforced concrete pile designs are considered. The piles are modeled using beam-column elements and fiber-section models. The soil continuum is modeled using brick elements and a Drucker-Prager constitutive model. The soil-pile interface is modeled using beam-solid contact elements. The FE models are used to evaluate the response of the soil-pile system to lateral spreading and two alternative lateral load cases. Through the computation of force density-displacement (p-y) curves representative of the soil response, the FE analysis (FEA) results are used to evaluate the adequacy of conventional p-y curve rel...
The effects of natural and manipulated density regimes on Alliaria petiolata survival, growth and reproduction

Summary Knowledge of the ecology of Alliaria petiolata, an alien invasive species in the USA, is essential to predict the efficacy of introduced biological control agents. Accordingly, we examined the growth and reproduction of second-year A. petiolata rosettes under natural and manipulated density regimes. Plant survival was also studied under natural conditions. Similar survivorship patterns were observed for high- and low-density populations, although survival in the low-density populations was c. 10% higher. Under natural conditions, low-density plants were larger and more fecund, on average, than high-density plants; however, on a per-area basis, high-density populations were much more productive. When plant density was experimentally reduced, average seed production and plant size increased with thinning intensity, suggesting that thinning released plants from intra-specific competition. Additionally, plants in thinned plots were able to recover from past competition and could approach production of the plants in un-thinned lower density plots that had not experienced prior competition. However, seed production per unit area was lower in thinned versus un-thinned plots of the same initial density. Results suggest herbivore-induced plant mortality late in the life cycle, as might occur following the introduction of biological control agents, may reduce the contribution to the A. petiolata seedbank.
Developmental changes in short-term synaptic depression in the neonatal mouse spinal cord.

We examined age-dependent changes in short-term synaptic depression of monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) recorded in lumbar motoneurons in hemisected spinal cords of neonatal ...
Shelterin dysfunction and p16(INK4a)-mediated growth inhibition in HIV-1-specific CD8 T cells.

HIV-1-specific cytotoxic T cell responses are expanded during advanced HIV-1 infection but seem unable to effectively protect the host against disease progression. These cells are able to produce gamma interferon and remain metabolically active but have defective proliferative activities, shortened telomeric DNA, and other signs of accelerated aging. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the premature senescence of HIV-1-specific T cells, we focused here on the expression and function of a group of six nucleoproteins that are responsible for protecting and maintaining the structural integrity of telomeric DNA and are commonly referred to as “shelterin.” We show that in progressive HIV-1 infection, the two major shelterin components TRF2 and TPP1 are selectively reduced in HIV-1-specific CD8 T cells, but not in T cells recognizing alternative viral species. This coincided with increased recruitment of 53BP1, a prominent DNA damage response factor, to telomeric DNA sites and was associated with elevated expression of the tumor suppressor p16INK4a, which causes cellular growth inhibition in response to structural DNA damage. Notably, defective shelterin function and upregulation of p16INK4a remained unaffected by experimental blockade of PD-1, indicating a possibly irreversible structural defect in HIV-1-specific CD8 T cells in progressors that cannot be overcome by manipulation of inhibitory cell-signaling pathways. These data suggest that shelterin dysfunction and ensuing upregulation of the tumor suppressor p16INK4a promote accelerated aging of HIV-1-specific T cells during progressive HIV-1 infection.
Nanotribology, Nanomechanics and Materials Characterization Studies Using Scanning Probe Microscopy

Nanotribology and nanomechanics studies are needed to develop a fundamental understanding of interfacial phenomena on a small scale, and to study interfacial phenomena in micro/nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS), magnetic storage devices, and many other applications. Friction and wear of lightly loaded micro/nanocomponents are highly dependent on surface interactions (a few atomic layers). These structures generally are coated with molecularly thin films. Nanotribology and nanomechanics studies are also valuable in the fundamental understanding of interfacial phenomena in macrostructures, and provide a bridge between science and engineering. An atomic force microscope (AFM) tip is used to simulate a single asperity contact with a solid or lubricated surface. AFMs are used to study the various tribological phenomena, which include surface roughness, adhesion, friction, scratching, wear, detection of material transfer, and boundary lubrication. In situ surface characterization of local deformation of materials and thin coatings can be carried out using a tensile stage inside an AFM. Mechanical properties such as hardness, Young’s modulus of elasticity, and creep/relaxation behavior can be determined on micro- to picoscales using a depth-sensing indentation system in an AFM. Localized surface elasticity and viscoelastic mapping near surface regions can be obtained of with nanoscale lateral resolution. Finally, an AFM can be used for nanofabrication/nanomachining.
Selective Querying for Adapting Hierarchical Web Service Compositions Using Aggregate Volatility

Environments in which Web service compositions (WSC)operate are often dynamic. We address the problem of which service to query for up-to-date information in order to adapt a hierarchical WSC, given that queries are not free. Previously,the value of changed information (VOC) has been proposed to select those services for querying whose revised non-functional information is expected to bring about the most change in the composition. In this paper, we present an approach for utilizing VOC in the context of a WSC composed of services and lower level WSCs, which induces a natural hierarchy over the composition.
Predicting Remission of Diabetes After RYGB Surgery Following Intensive Management to Optimize Preoperative Glucose Control

Background The purpose of the study is to investigate the association of preoperative glucose optimization prior to a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and diabetes remission. Methods The study is a retrospective review of 245 patients with a history of diabetes type II and a RYGB from 2008 to 2012 at UMass Memorial Hospital. Results Patients that benefited from glucose optimization prior to RYGB were more likely to achieve diabetes remission 1 year after surgery. The preoperative glucose optimization intervention demonstrated that when patients decreased their HbA1c prior to surgery by 1 %, these individuals were 68 % more likely to remit (p=0.015). Duration of diabetes (p=0.005) and insulin use (p<0.001) were also significant predictors of remission, whereas age, race, and gender were not. Conclusions Ourstudyresultsindicatethatagreater degreeof glycemic improvement in response to presurgical medical intervention is associated with higher rates of diabetes remission post-operatively among obese adults with diabetes type II. Conversely, the lack of favorable glycemic response to intensification of medical management predicts a poor glycemic response to bariatric surgery. Further research is needed to determineif this difference is due to physiological factors or is simply an indicator of patient behavior.
Capital Structure in Transition: The Transformation of Financial Strategies in China's Emerging Economy

During economic transition, firms must dramatically reduce their financial dependence on the state and begin to borrow from nonstate capital sources. This paper draws on institutional and resource dependence theories to examine this fundamental transformation of firm capital structure during China's transition. I propose that managers borrowed from external sources even when internal funds were available because retained earnings were considered state assets. Firms used retained earnings to signal financial health but borrowed externally to reduce dependence on the state. Uncertainty during transformation produced interfirm imitation of borrowing strategies, particularly imitation of local and high status others. I argue that the dynamics of market development shaped firm borrowing strategies and that these strategies are best viewed as trajectories over time. Analysis of survey data on the 1980-1989 capital structure of formerly state-owned firms provides support for these arguments and highlights the importance of institutional context in understanding corporate borrowing and strategic decision making.
Diminutives and augmentatives in Mexican Spanish: a prosodic analysis

This paper argues for a prosodic constraint on the formation of diminutive and augmentative forms in Mexican Spanish. Specifically, the stem preceding diminutive (dim) and augmentative (aug) suffixes in this dialect must comprise an absolute minimum of two syllables. When a stem melody cannot satisfy the two-syllable minimum, an epenthetic vowel (V) [e] surfaces at the right edge of the stem (e.g. panesito ‘little bread’ ← pan). In the analysis proposed here, a disyllabic template f[σ σ] is mapped to stems from left to right as part of dim/aug-formation. Whether or not a consonant (C)/s/ surfaces before the suffix will be analysed as a consequence of syllabification in some cases (e.g. koronita/koronota← korona ‘crown’ vs.
Human cytomegalovirus induces cellular tyrosine kinase signaling and promotes glioma cell invasiveness

Given our previous findings that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) nucleic acids and proteins are expressed in human malignant glioma in vivo, we inves- tigated cellular signaling events associated with HCMV infection of human glioma and astroglial cells. HCMV infection caused rapid activation of the phosphatidylinosi- tol-3 kinase (PI-3K) effector AKT kinase in human astro-glial and fibroblast cells, and induced tyrosine phos- phorylation of phospholipase Cc (PLCc). Co-immunopre- cipitation experiments revealed association of the p85 regulatory subunit of PI-3K with a high-molecular weight protein phosphorylated on tyrosine, following short-term exposure to HCMV. In contrast to a previous report, we were unable to confirm the identity of this high-molecular weight protein as being the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Stimulation of glioma and fibroblast cell lines over-expressing EGFR with HCMV (whole virus) or soluble glycoprotein B did not induce tyrosine phosphor- ylation of the receptor, as did the genuine ligand, EGF. Furthermore, we found that expression levels of the human ErbB1-4 receptors were not rate-limiting for HCMV infection. Dispensability of EGFR function during early HCMV infection was substantiated by demonstration of viral immediate early gene expression in cells lacking the EGFR gene, indicating that HCMV may promote onco- genic signaling pathways independently of EGFR activa- tion. Among non-receptor cellular kinases, HCMV infection induced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) Tyr397, which is indispensable for integrin-medi- ated cell migration and invasion. HCMV-induced FAK activation was paralleled by increased extracellular matrix- dependent migration of human malignant glioma but not normal astro-glial cells, suggesting that HCMV can selectively augment glioma cell invasiveness.
Seasonal variation in water sources of the riparian tree species Acer negundo and Betula nigra, southern Appalachian foothills, USA

Determining which water sources a plant accesses throughout a year is an important step in understanding how changes in source characteristics affect utilization by plants. Water sources of Acer ne...
An Empirical Evaluation of the Compliance of Game-Network Providers with Data-Protection Law

Game consoles have become ubiquitous, not only for gaming but also as media servers, internet gateways etc. In combination with online networks, consoles feature online gaming in an unprecedented fashion. To participate in the networks and to personalize the services offered, the providers collect, process and forward personal information. This puts user privacy at risk. In this work we analyze the privacy policies of the online networks Playstation-Network, Xbox-Live and Wii, the three major providers. More specifically, we test the compliance of the policies to the current legal situation. We also evaluate if the providers fulfill the fundamental right of a user to obtain information on him. Our results are that all providers commit several violations, and in many cases their practices are not transparent.
Choline Uptake in Human Intestinal Caco-2 Cells Is Carrier-Mediated

The objective of the current investigation was to examine the transport characteristics of choline, an endogenous quaternary ammonium compound, into human intestinal Caco-2 cells; the transport of choline has not been characterized in human intestine. The cellular accumulation of choline was independent of an inwardly directed Na(+) gradient and demonstrated temperature dependence and saturability. Using the initial uptake rates, choline accumulation was best characterized by a Michaelis-Menten equation and a diffusion component with a K(m) and V(max) of 110 +/- 3 micro mol/L and 2800 +/- 250 pmol/(mg protein. 10 min), respectively. Choline uptake was significantly inhibited by an excess of choline itself and by hemicholinium-3, a structural analog of choline. However other hydrophilic organic cations, such as tetraethylammonium (TEA) and N-methylnicotinamide (NMN), did not affect choline uptake in Caco-2 cells. Additionally, two typical p-glycoprotein substrates, daunomycin and verapamil, both inhibited choline accumulation. However the opposite was not true: choline did not inhibit DNM accumulation in Caco-2 cells. These results indicate the presence of a carrier-mediated transport system for choline in Caco-2 cells. The substrate specificity of this carrier is unlike that seen in the rat intestinal epithelium, and the human transport protein is distinct from those for TEA and NMN. P-glycoprotein substrates may inhibit choline uptake through specific or nonspecific interactions with the choline transporter.
Generalized aerodynamic forces on an oscillating cylindrical shell -Subsonic and supersonic flow.

solution of problems in fluid dynamics," Proceedings of Symposia in Applied Mathematics (American Mathematical Society, Providence, Rhode Island, 1963), Vol. 15, pp. 269-288; also Hirt, C. W., "Multidimensional fluid dynamics calculations with high speed computers," AIAA Preprint 65-3 (1965). 15 Freeman, N. C., "Dynamics of a dissociating gas, Part III: Nonequilibrium theory," AGARD Rept. 133 (1957). 16 Marrone, P. V., "Inviscid nonequilibrium flow behind bow and normal shock waves, Part I," Cornell Aeronautical Lab. Rept. QM-1626-A-12 (I) (May 1963).
Differential Phosphorylation of Thylakoid Membrane Polypeptides During Chloroplast Adaptation to Light Quality

The mechanism by which higher plant chloroplasts first identify and then respond to an environmental light quality signal was investigated. in previous work from this laboratory it was demonstrated that higher plant chloroplasts adapt to the light quality of the environment in which they grow. Plants that were grown in light primarily absorbed by photosystem (PS) I (far-red enriched light or FR-E) were enriched in PSII. Conversely, plants grown in PSII-sensitizing light (far-red depleted or FR-D) were enriched in PSI (1,2). The chloroplasts thus respond to the prevailing light quality by altering the relative photosystem stoichiometry in the thylakoid membrane to compensate for unequal light absorption by the photosystems. Moreover, a correlation was established between the levels of PSI and PSII reaction center gene transcripts and the levels of functional reaction centers in plants grown under different qualities of light, suggesting that chloroplast gene expression is involved in the process of adaptation (3). in the experiments reported here the time course of chloroplast adaptation to specific light quality environments was investigated. Pea plants were grown in one light quality regime and then were transferred to another. Changes in the pattern of phosphorylation of thylakoid membrane polypeptides were detected upon changing light quality and were correlated with the photosystem stoichiometry change. It is suggested that protein phosphorylation plays a role in an early sequence of events leading to the response and adaptation of the photosynthetic membrane to light quality.
National Forest Land Exchanges and the Growth of Vail and Other Gateway Communities

In December of 1962, Vail opened as a ski area. The lodges, houses, condominiums, shops, and restaurants at its base became the nucleus of the emergent town of Vail and the prototype of the modern recreational gateway community. The term "gateway community" did not originate in Vail. It had, in fact, been employed throughout much of the twentieth century to describe a far more modest species of back country development. The small outposts on the periphery of the great national parks had for decades provided services and supplies to the seasonal tourists streaming into the parks. These were places passed through, as a peripheral means to the central objective of a national park experience. Few people actually lived there and, in the off season, they were largely dormant. These gateways are undergoing a dramatic transformation that parallels the emergence of new residential phenomena like Vail. The development of the gateways, the urbanization of the outback, and the rapid rise in high country land values, in Rocky Mountain states, have spawned multifaceted responses by the National Forest Service, state and local governments, environmental associations, and private interests. These reactions are sometimes parochial and often in conflict, but they are not incapable of coordination. The active federal agency participation and the enlightened, creative use of the discretionary exchange power can promote better planning, better protection of sensitive interests, and better adjustments of the benefits and burdens of growth and rising land values.
Mars Relay Operations Service (MaROS): Rationale and Approach

NASA has had a constant robotic presence at Mars since the arrival in 2001 of the Mars 2001 Odyssey orbiter. Since January of 2004, the twin Mars Exploration Rovers have explored the Martian surface, relying upon Odyssey and other orbiters to relay the majority of their collected scientific and operational data to Earth. In May of 2008, the Mars Phoenix Lander arrived at Mars and utilized both Odyssey and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which arrived at Mars in March of 2006, to return its data during the course of its five month mission. The ground operators of all these spacecraft have coordinated the movement of data through this network using a collection of independent software tools. Interfaces between the projects were largely developed organically. Over the last eight years of operating this network, many deficiencies in this software and in the coordination effort itself have been identified that should be corrected prior to the arrival of the next series of spacecraft at Mars. To that end, NASA’s Mars Network Office and the Multimission Ground Systems and Services Program have funded the implementation of a new system to support this network, the Mars Relay Operations Service, or MaROS. It standardizes the interfaces between current and future participants in the relay network, and provides an infrastructure to store and access all relay-related planning and operations data. By centralizing this information in a secure database and by providing appropriate interfaces, automation can be developed to reduce the cost and complexity of performing relay operations. This paper describes the roots of the original relay operations software and outlines the deficiencies inherent therein. It also describes how MaROS will address and rectify each of these deficiencies while laying the foundation for future planning efforts with a service-based infrastructure.
Boll Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Reproductive Development as a Function of Temperature

The effect of temperature on reproductive development in the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, was examined at 12.8, 18.3, 23.9, 29.4, 32.2, and 35.0°C and a 13:11 (L:D) h photoperiod through the use of dissections at specific ages. Logistic functions were used to describe age-frequencies of the presence of eggs, eggs with visible yolk, mature eggs, early reproductive testes (beginning of visible sperm accumulation in the centers of testis lobes), late reproductive testes (visible sperm accumulation in outer areas of testicular follicles), and filled seminal vesicles. Development times for 50 and 90% of the populations to attain these development stages were estimated from logistic functions. Biophysical developmental rate models were fitted to the corresponding development rates. Results indicated a marked temperature dependence of reproductive development, with both low- and high-temperature inhibition at observed temperature extremes. Exposure to lower temperatures did not induce morphological characteristics of diapause. These results suggest a need to reexamine previous studies of diapause induction in which differences in physiological ages of weevils among induction regimes were not considered.
Density, Viscosity, Speed of Sound, Bulk Modulus, Surface Tension, and Flash Point of Binary Mixtures of n-Dodecane with 2,2,4,6,6-Pentamethylheptane or 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-Heptamethylnonane

In this work, the physical properties of binary mixtures of n-dodecane with 2,2,4,6,6-pentamethylheptane or 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethylnonane were measured and compared to properties of four hydrotreated renewable jet (HRJ) and hydrotreated renewable diesel (HRD) fuels. Density and viscosity were measured at temperatures ranging from (293.15 to 393.15) K, and the speed of sound was measured at temperatures ranging from (293.15 to 333.15) K. For the mixtures, the speed of sound at 293.15 K decreased (1297.6 to 1285.7) m·s–1 as the mole fraction of 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethylnonane increased and decreased (1297.6 to 1203.6) m·s–1 as the mole fraction of 2,2,4,6,6-pentamethylheptane increased. The bulk modulus was calculated from density and speed of sound data. Flash points for the mixtures ranged from (318 to 367) K, and surface tension values ranged from (21.8 to 25.3) mN·m–1. When comparing to alternative fuels, two-component mixtures could be found to match the density and viscosity of HRJs and HRDs. The mi...