cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A two-stage approach to solving large capacitated task allocation problems

This paper presents a simple, two-stage method, implemented in the commonly available Excel spreadsheet program, for quickly finding high quality solutions to larger, more difficult instances of the capacitated task allocation problem (CTAP) than have been previously reported. In Stage 1, an innovative modification of the approximation method of Griffith and Stewart is used to reformulate CTAP and find a near-integer solution. Based on the partial solution from Stage 1, the remaining tasks are allocated in a greatly reduced quadratic CTAP solved in Stage 2. Our results show that this approach yields very good solutions relatively quickly to very large problems (1,000 binary variables and 49,500 quadratic terms in the objective function). Ours is the first paper to modify the continuous approximation method of Griffith and Stewart to solve 0/1 problems and the first article to demonstrate the successful use of an Excel-based approach for solving very large CTAP problems.
Noncompact-kernel integral equation for three-body scattering: Derivation of boundary conditions

We derive the necessary boundary conditions required to ensure unique solutions of a new noncompact-kernel integral equation for three-particle scattering. We give an abstract analysis to determine all solutions of this equation. Configuration space boundary conditions are derived to single out the physical solution.
Isolation of translating ribosomes containing peptidyl-tRNAs for functional and structural analyses

Recently, structural and biochemical studies have detailed many of the molecular events that occur in the ribosome during inhibition of protein synthesis by antibiotics and during nascent polypeptide synthesis. Some of these antibiotics, and regulatory nascent polypeptides mostly in the form of peptidyl-tRNAs, inhibit either peptide bond formation or translation termination. These inhibitory events can stop the movement of the ribosome, a phenomenon termed "translational arrest". Translation arrest induced by either an antibiotic or a nascent polypeptide has been shown to regulate the expression of genes involved in diverse cellular functions such as cell growth, antibiotic resistance, protein translocation and cell metabolism. Knowledge of how antibiotics and regulatory nascent polypeptides alter ribosome function is essential if we are to understand the complete role of the ribosome in translation, in every organism. Here, we describe a simple methodology that can be used to purify, exclusively, for analysis, those ribosomes translating a specific mRNA and containing a specific peptidyl-tRNA. This procedure is based on selective isolation of translating ribosomes bound to a biotin-labeled mRNA. These translational complexes are separated from other ribosomes in the same mixture, using streptavidin paramagnetic beads (SMB) and a magnetic field (MF). Biotin-labeled mRNAs are synthesized by run-off transcription assays using as templates PCR-generated DNA fragments that contain T7 transcriptional promoters. T7 RNA polymerase incorporates biotin-16-UMP from biotin-UTP; under our conditions approximately ten biotin-16-UMP molecules are incorporated in a 600 nt mRNA with a 25% UMP content. These biotin-labeled mRNAs are then isolated, and used in in vitro translation assays performed with release factor 2 (RF2)-depleted cell-free extracts obtained from Escherichia coli strains containing wild type or mutant ribosomes. Ribosomes translating the biotin-labeled mRNA sequences are stalled at the stop codon region, due to the absence of the RF2 protein, which normally accomplishes translation termination. Stalled ribosomes containing the newly synthesized peptidyl-tRNA are isolated and removed from the translation reactions using SMB and an MF. These beads only bind biotin-containing messages. The isolated, translational complexes, can be used to analyze the structural and functional features of wild type or mutant ribosomal components, or peptidyl-tRNA sequences, as well as determining ribosome interaction with antibiotics or other molecular factors. To examine the function of these isolated ribosome complexes, peptidyl-transferase assays can be performed in the presence of the antibiotic puromycin. To study structural changes in translational complexes, well established procedures can be used, such as i) crosslinking to specific amino acids and/or ii) alkylation protection assays.
Efficient pseudopotentials for plane-wave calculations

We present a simple procedure to generate first-principles norm-conserving pseudopotentials, which are designed to be smooth and therefore save computational resources when used with a plane-wave basis. We found that these pseudopotentials are extremely efficient for the cases where the plane-wave expansion has a slow convergence, in particular, for systems containing first-row elements, transition metals, and rare-earth elements. The wide applicability of the pseudopotentials are exemplified with plane-wave calculations for copper, zinc blende, diamond, \ensuremath{\alpha}-quartz, rutile, and cerium.
β-Carotene Prevents Bile Acid-Induced Cytotoxicity in the Rat Hepatocyte: Evidence for an Antioxidant and Anti-Apoptotic Role of β-Carotene In Vitro

Hydrophobic bile acids are implicated in the pathogenesis of cholestatic liver disorders through mechanisms involving oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Antioxidants ameliorate bile acid–induced cytotoxicity in rat hepatocyte suspensions. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the potential protective role of β-carotene (βC), a putative fat-soluble antioxidant that is reduced in patients with cholestasis, against bile acid–induced hepatotoxicity. In freshly isolated rat hepatocyte suspensions that were exposed to the toxic hydrophobic bile acid glycochenodeoxycholic acid (100 or 500 μM), βC (100 μM) decreased generation of reactive oxygen species by >50%, similar to the inhibition afforded by β-tocopherol. Commensurate with this antioxidant effect, 100 μM βC also protected hepatocytes against both glycochenodeoxycholic acid–induced cellular necrosis and apoptosis, which was associated with reduction in caspase 3 activation, inhibition of mitochondrial cytochrome c release in rat hepatocytes, and prevention of the mitochondrial permeability transition in both liver mitochondria and rat hepatocytes. A lower concentration of βC (50 μM) produced similar antioxidant and anti-apoptotic protection but with less inhibition against cell necrosis, suggesting that the higher concentration of βC may have conferred additional cytoprotection not directly related to its antioxidant function. These results demonstrate that the antioxidant effects of βC may provide hepatoprotection against cholestatic liver injury by preventing bile acid–induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial perturbations.
What Do Census Price-Cost Margins Measure?

PRICE-cost margins have been used in numerous industrial organization studies ever since their popularization by Collins and Preston.' Their primary appeal is the luxury they afford the researcher of working with census data, generally acknowledged to be the data set least tainted by the muddying influence of firms that are diversified across industry lines. Unfortunately, this luxury, like others, can be had only at a cost. The costs engendered by the use of census data are due primarily to the lack of a variable that directly measures accounting profitability. The very characteristic of census data most responsible for their appeal (that they are based on establishments, not firms) also makes it impossible to use profit data taken from the balance sheets of firms that are engaged in lines of business in more than one industry. In order to use census data, researchers have had to search for alternative measures of profitability. Indeed, many researchers in the field of industrial organizations seem to have accepted the census-derived pricecost margin as a legitimate measure of profitability. The following state-
Parameterization of the thermal relaxation rate in the stratosphere

The thermal relaxation rate of large vertical scale disturbances in the stratosphere is parameterized in terms of the Newtonian cooling rate, the heating rate, and a transmission function that represents opacity effects. The parameterization is based on Strobel's photochemical model for ozone (1978).
The structure of the lipid-embedded potassium channel voltage sensor determined by double-electron–electron resonance spectroscopy

A four-pulse electron paramagnetic resonance experiment was used to measure long-range inter-subunit distances in reconstituted KvAP, a voltage-dependent potassium (Kv) channel. The measurements have allowed us to reach the following five conclusions about the native structure of the voltage sensor of KvAP. First, the S1 helix of the voltage sensor engages in a helix packing interaction with the pore domain. Second, the crystallographically observed antiparallel helix-turn-helix motif of the voltage-sensing paddle is retained in the membrane-embedded voltage sensor. Third, the paddle is oriented in such a way as to expose one face to the pore domain and the opposite face to the membrane. Fourth, the paddle and the pore domain appear to be separated by a gap that is sufficiently wide for lipids to penetrate between the two domains. Fifth, the critical voltage-sensing arginine residues on the paddle appear to be lipid exposed. These results demonstrate the importance of the membrane for the native structure of Kv channels, suggest that lipids are an integral part of their native structure, and place the voltage-sensing machinery into a complex lipid environment near the pore domain.
Decision analysis concerning the application of echocardiography to the diagnosis and treatment of mural thrombi after anterior wall acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract The diagnostic and therapeutic approach to the problem of mural thrombi after acute myocardial infarction is uncertain. it is clear that the main therapeutic goal is the prevention of embolic strokes. Although it is known that the incidence of thrombi is greatest after anterior wall infarctions, there is uncertainty concerning (1) the probability of a mural thrombus; (2) the sensitivity and specificity of echocardiography in making the diagnosis; (3) the probability that a thrombus will embolize and result in a cerebrovascular accident (CVA); (4) the efficacy of warfarin in preventing embolization; and (5) the probability of bleeding with and without warfarin. To study this problem in patients who have had an anterior wall myocardial infarction, a model was created in which reasonable estimates for the unknown parameters were determined from published medical studies. The model was designed to consider patients if they were or were not treated during the initial hospitalization with heparin. The probability of thrombus was estimated at 0.30, sensitivity and specificity of echocardiography at 0.85 and 0.85, probability that a thrombus will embolize at 0.15, efficacy of anticoagulation of 0.75, probability of bleeding with warfarin at 0.03 and probability of bleeding without warfarin at 0.005. Probabilities of a CVA and of bleeding with and without warfarin were determined if all patients were anticoagulated, if patients with positive echocardiographic results were treated, if patients with negative echocardiographic results were treated and if echocardiographically guided therapy was instituted in which patients with positive echocardiographic results are treated and patients with negative results are not treated. The results revealed that the baseline probability of a CVA will be reduced from 0.045 to 0.011 with anticoagulation for all patients and to 0.016 for echocardiographically guided therapy. These models translate into anticoagulation of 30 patients to prevent 1 stroke if all patients are anticoagulated versus “treatment” of 35 patients to prevent 1 stroke if echocardiography is used to guide anticoagulation. There is a net savings in major bleeding events for echocardiographically guided therapy, allowing 111 patients to be treated for 1 bleeding event compared with 40 for the strategy in which all patients are treated. Sensitivity analysis permitted these results to be expanded and amplified. Echocardiographically guided therapy prevents most CVAs at considerable savings in bleeding episodes. This strategy is especially safe if the sensitivity is high.
Utilizing buffer management to improve performance in a healthcare environment

Abstract For over 50 years, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service has aspired to provide universal access to quality health care. However, as evidenced by huge backlogs and lengthy waiting times for many services, the NHS is showing the strain of accommodating rising contemporary expectations within a constrained budget. This paper describes the concept of buffer management, its origins in manufacturing applications, and how it can be applied to generate improvements in health care systems. The successful implementation of buffer management is illustrated with recent applications in the Accident and Emergency departments and the hospital admissions process of three NHS facilities.
A Versatile Comparator for Encoding Devices

The complexity, speed, and accuracy of encoding systems depend strongly upon the type of voltage amplitude comparator used. Encoding techniques such as successive approximation and time base use only a single comparator while parallel encoding and nonprogrammed feedback encoding require at least one comparator for each stage. This paper presents a versatile voltage amplitude comparator with suggestions for its use in all basic encoder types and with design procedures which will provide increased voltage sensitivity. To indicate further the use of the comparator, a three-bit encoder design is presented.
(Help): Life stresses and psycho-social problems in the hospital emergency unit

The prevalence and significance of recent life stresses among patients presenting at the general hospital emergency unit is studied. Such stresses were found in 86% of sample patients, most reporting more than one, but they were rarely the presenting complaints. Emotional stresses were often recognized as problems but rarely brought for help. Physical stresses were often brought as complaints and most complaints were of a physical nature, as if this were the ticket of admission to the emergency unit. A few, gross stress factors were related to patient psycho-social complaints, and did not significantly account for them. A slightly wider range of stress factors was related to the attending physician's diagnosis of psycho-social problems, and did help to account for this diagnostic decision. A much wider range of stress characteristics, including more subtle ones, was associated with the research psychiatrist's findings of psychosocial problems, and accounted for an even larger proportion of this diagnostic decision. Aspects of the most recent stress were related to his judgment that psychosocial problems influenced this visit to the emergency unit. Crisis Theory suggests that the life stress produces a disequilibrium in the patient's life adjustment, which results either in illness or symptoms to aid in attracting professional help. The application to the emergency unit is the outcome.
On-Line Identification of Modal Parameters Using Artificial Neural Networks

Using a neural network concept, an algorithm has been developed that can be employed to conduct on-line identification of modal parameters of a structure such as natural frequency, damping ratio, and mode shape coefficients at measurement locations. Using a band-pass filter, the algorithm extracts from the measurement signal the frequency contents in the vicinity of a desired mode. The filtered signal is then used to train a neural network which consists of a linear neuron with three weights. The structure of the neural network has been designed to allow direct identification of modal parameters from the weights and to enhance efficiency for on-line implementation. The algorithm has been implemented on a DSP (digital signal processor) system for performance evaluation. Modal parameter identification tests have been conducted for a laboratory circular plate structure. The algorithm runs approximately at a sampling frequency of up to 50 kHz for the DSP system used for the study and correctly identifies modal properties of the first two modes of the circular plate. This high performance on-line identification algorithm is expected to be useful in improving the performance of control systems that require knowledge of time-varying plant dynamic characteristics.
Serum Cholesterol and the Progression of Parkinson's Disease: Results from DATATOP

Background Recent studies have suggested that higher serum cholesterol may be associated with lower occurrence of Parkinson's disease (PD). This study is to test the hypothesis that higher serum cholesterol correlates with slower PD progression.
Promising Newer Molecular-Targeted Therapies in Head and Neck Cancer

Despite advances in multimodality therapies for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), survival rates, functional outcomes and toxicities of therapy remain poor. The recognition of the prognostic value of human papillomavirus (HPV) status, and the advent of biologically targeted therapies with potential for decreased toxicities and increased selectivity, represent significant developments in our understanding of SCCHN. Targeted agents currently approved or under investigation for SCCHN include epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies (cetuximab, panitumumab, zalutumumab, nimotuzumab), EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (gefitinib, erlotinib, lapatinib, afatanib, dacomitinib), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitors (bevacizumab, sorafenib, sunitinib, vandetanib) and various inhibitors of other pathways and targets, including phosphatidylinositol 3′ kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), MET and insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R). On-going clinical trials are evaluating these emerging agents and their combinations in the treatment of SCCHN.
Regeneration in peripheral nerve grafts to the cat spinal cord.

Abstract Peripheral nervous system grafts have long been known to promote CNS axonal elongation in the rodent. To investigate whether these principles also apply to a higher order animal, more suitable for physiologic studies, we performed autogenous sciatic nerve grafts to the adult spinal cord. This report is a brief, initial study of these grafts. In an effort to study both descending and ascending fibers as separately as possible, laminectomies were performed at both thoracic (T2–T9) and lumbar (L2–L4) levels. Aspiration lesions were made in the left side of the cord and the sciatic grafts were introduced. Three cats were studied with standard histological techniques, confirming previous reports of glial scar formation, collagen deposition, and cyst formation at the graft-CNS junction. In 7 other animals, at 146–179 days after the initial operation, the axonal origins were traced retrogradely using horseradish peroxidase and the tetramethyl benzidine technique. Reinnervation of the graft was found by intrinsic spinal cord neurons and dorsal root ganglia neurons. The number of reinnervating neurons was found to be greater than previously reported in the rodent. There was, however, no evidence of regeneration from brainstem nuclei when the grafts were placed at spinal levels where this has been seen in the rat. This may support an absolute maximum for regenerative distances vs a relative one. Although the amount of data was limited, it did support previous reports that peripheral axotomy enhances the regenerative response seen in primary sensory neurons.
Quantifying complexity and variability in phase portraits of gait

article i nfo Background: Injuries to the lower extremity often cause limitations to joint motion and alter movement patterns of limb segments during gait. We hypothesized that complexity and variability of limb segment motion during gait would increase in both limbs due to unilateral injury. Using simulated injury to generate asymmetric gait, we developed new methods to quantify changes in the complexity and variability of limb segment angular phase portraits. Methods: To simulate reduced range of motion associated with knee injury, the right knee was constrained to full extension by an external brace. Thigh, shank and foot segment angular phase portraits were generated from 20 healthy male subjects walking for 3-minute trials with and without the brace. Using Fourier-based methods, complexity was quantified by the number of harmonic frequencies suitable for fitting the phase- portrait shape — with a larger number of harmonics indicating greater complexity. Variability was characterized by the drift and confidence area generated by the inter-cycle excursion of the phase-portrait centroid. Findings: Significant differences were found in complexity and variability measures due to bracing. Phase- portrait shape complexity and variability increased in the right (braced) limb, compared to the unbraced condition; while only variability increased for the left (contralateral) limb during bracing. Interpretation: These new methods proved successful at quantifying changes in the complexity and variability that have been visually observed in phase portraits during asymmetric gait. This work provides a method that can be incorporated into clinical assessments to provide quantifiable measures of more precise differences in gait dynamics. Published by Elsevier Ltd
Modeling fluid spread in thin fibrous sheets: Effects of fiber orientation

Abstract In this paper, a dual-scale model is developed to simulate the radial spreading of liquids in thin fibrous sheets. Using 3-D microscale simulations, the required constitutive equations, capillary pressure and relative permeability, have been determined at each saturation level and used in a macroscale model developed based on the Richards’ equation of two-phase flow in porous media. The dual-scale approach allowed us to include the partially-saturated region of a porous medium in calculations. Simulating different fibrous sheets with identical parameters but different in-plane fiber orientations, it is revealed that the rate of fluid spread increases with increasing the in-plane alignment of the fibers. Our simulations are discussed with respect to existing studies in the literature.
Life Prediction of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Under Thermal Cycling Conditions

Typical operating temperature of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is above 600°C, which leads to severe thermal stresses caused by the difference in coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) during thermal cycling. Interfacial and peeling stresses are two types of thermal stress that cause the mechanical failure of the SOFC. The paper develops a mathematical model to estimate thermal stresses in a typical electrolyte-supported SOFC (NiO/8YSZ-YSZ-LSM). The proposed model is then utilized to obtain analytical expressions for interfacial and peeling stresses. This model provides insight into the distribution of interfacial and peeling stresses of SOFCs and the cause of catastrophic failure. A model for crack nucleation in multi-layered structures under thermal cycling is generalized and utilized in this study for the life prediction. It is found that the peeling and interfacial shear stresses are more concentrated near free edge areas. The relevant damage evolution rate accelerates as the crack propagates. The work also provides a foundation for future SOFC reliability and life prediction research.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Innovation in Local Government and Fiscal Austerity

This article relates a rich and diverse existing body of literature concerning innovation to an area of research on which it has yet to be brought to bear – the response of local governments to fiscal austerity. After reviewing innovation research literature with respect to its applicability to local government innovation as a response to fiscal stress, it sets forth six research questions for exploring the relationship between innovation and local fiscal austerity. The innovation research literature is then examined with respect to each of these questions to determine what findings or hypotheses emerge from this existing body of research which are relevant to these newly formulated questions.
R-Symmetry and the Power Functions of the Tests for Inverse Gaussian Means

The two-parameter Inverse Gaussian (IG) distribution is often appropriate for modeling non negative right-skewed data due to the striking similarities with the Gaussian distribution in its basic properties and inference methods. There are about 40 such G-IG analogies developed in literature and were most recently tabulated by Mudholkar and Wang. Of these, the earliest and most commonly noted similarities are the significance tests based on student's t and F distribution for the homogeneity of one, two or several means of the IG populations. However, unlike the corresponding tests in Gaussian theory, little is known about the power function of the basic tests. In this article, we employ the IG-related root-reciprocal IG distribution and a notion of Reciprocal Symmetry to establish the monotonicity of the power function of the test of significance for the IG mean.
Effects of various phytase sources on phytic acid content, mineral extractability and protein digestibility of tarhana

Abstract Changes in phytic acid (PA), HCl-extractability (HCl-E) of some minerals and in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) during the production of tarhana prepared with the addition of different phytase sources (bakers’ yeast, barley malt flour and microbial phytase) were investigated. PA content of tarhana decreased significantly (p
Optimal location of dwell points in a single loop AGV system with time restrictions on vehicle availability

Since the workload of a manufacturing system changes over time, the material handling equipment used in the facility will be idle at certain time intervals to avoid system overload. In this context, a relevant control problem in operating an automated guided vehicle (AGV) system is where to locate idle vehicles. These locations, called dwell points, establish the response times for AVG requests. In this article, a dynamic programming algorithm to solve idle vehicle positioning problems in unidirectional single loop systems is developed to minimize the maximum response time considering restrictions on vehicle time available to travel and load/unload requests. This polynomial time algorithm finds optimal dwell points when all requests from a given pick-up station are handled by a single AGV. The proposed algorithm is used to study the change in maximum response time as a function of the number of vehicles in the system.
Regulation of developmental processes: insights from mass spectrometry-based proteomics

Mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics has become an indispensable tool for protein identification and quantification. In this paper, common MS workflows are described, with an emphasis on applications of MS-based proteomics in developmental biology. Progress has been made in the analysis of proteome changes during tissue differentiation and in various genetic perturbations. MS-based proteomics has been particularly useful for identifying novel protein interactions by affinity purification-mass spectrometry (AP-MS), many of which have been subsequently functionally validated and led to the discovery of previously unknown modes of developmental regulation. Quantitative proteomics approaches can be used to study posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of proteins such as phosphorylation, to reveal the dynamics of intracellular signal transduction. Integrative approaches combine quantitative MS-based proteomics with other high-throughput methods, with the promise of a systems level understanding of developmental regulation.
The Fun Palace as Virtual Architecture

Abstract In his Fun Palace project, Price turned not to traditional architecture or fantasy but to the discourses and theories of his own time, such as the emerging sciences of cybernetics, information technology, and game theory, as well as Situationism and theater, to develop a radically new concept of improvisational architecture capable of negotiating the uncertain social terrain of postwar Britain. As socially interactive architecture, the Fun Palace integrated concepts of technological interchangeability with social participation and improvisation as innovative and egalitarian alternatives to traditional free time and education, giving back to the working classes a sense of agency and creativity. The three-dimensional structure of the Fun Palace was the operative space-time matrix of a virtual architecture. The variable “program” and form of the Fun Palace were not conventional architecture but much closer to what we understand today as the computer program: an array of algorithmic functions and log...
Intrathecal morphine pump as a treatment option in chronic pain of nonmalignant origin.

BACKGROUND Implantable pumps for the delivery of intrathecal morphine have become a common option for administering opiate medication for the management of pain in patients with terminal cancer. Options for treating chronic pain of non-malignant origin are more controversial. This study describes responses to intrathecal morphine administration for managing chronic pain in patients without an underlying malignancy. METHODS Eleven patients between the ages of 29 and 81 years, nine with failed back syndrome (FBS) and two with neuropathic pain (NP) from other causes, were chosen from 15 consecutive individuals referred to neurosurgery clinic. The presenting levels of pain and a functional-economic outcome level were determined for each patient. Patients were admitted to the hospital for therapeutic trials and were assessed for the appropriateness of their analgesic response and for adverse responses to the medication. A morphine pump was implanted in five males and six females who were followed for up to 3 years. RESULTS A good to excellent analgesic response was seen in 8 (73%) patients (6 FBS; 2 NP). In the remaining three patients (27%), the analgesic response was judged poor (3 FBS). In patients with FBS, the total effective response was 67%. Two patients experienced bladder dysfunction requiring pump removal. Other adverse effects of pump placement were rare. CONCLUSIONS The morphine pump was found to be a viable alternative in the management of failed back syndrome. Its use in long-term therapy, however, is not without limitations and should be a last choice option.
Antioxidants Inhibit the Ability of Lysophosphatidylcholine to Regulate Proteoglycan Synthesis

Objective— We previously have shown that lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) regulates proteoglycan synthesis by vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Given the accumulating evidence for reactive oxygen species (ROS) as mediators of a variety of effects of lysoPC, the present study evaluates the potential role of ROS as intermediate molecules in the regulation of proteoglycan synthesis by lysoPC. Methods and Results— LysoPC (10 μmol/L) was found to stimulate rapid and sustained generation of ROS by SMC, as indicated using a fluorescent probe for measuring intracellular oxidants and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. This was not associated with cytotoxicity, as evaluated by fluorescence microscopy using MitoTracker Red or propidium iodide, cell number, cell protein, or lactate dehydrogenase release. Pretreatment with catalase or superoxide dismutase, specific scavengers of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, respectively, blocked the ability of lysoPC to stimulate both accumulation of ROS and proteoglycan synthesis. Most importantly, these enzymatic antioxidants prevented lysoPC from stimulating the synthesis of proteoglycans with enhanced lipoprotein-binding properties, as quantified by a gel shift binding assay. Conclusions— These findings strongly suggest that ROS are key mediators in the ability of lysoPC to regulate proteoglycan synthesis and that these effects can be inhibited by antioxidants.
Preschoolers' Engagement with Reading Behaviours: A Statistical Discourse Analysis of Peer Buddy-Reading Interactions.

Developing reading behaviours in early childhood is essential for later reading comprehension. This study explored how peer buddy reading could potentially support emergent readers’ engagement with reading behaviours. Across 40 buddy-reading events, 14 preschoolers (ages 4.0–5.5 years) produced 1,359 conversation turns, which were coded for a variety of reading behaviours including comprehension, thematic vocabulary use and concepts about print. Using statistical discourse analysis, we examined how children's engagement with reading behaviours was related to their buddies’ engagement with reading behaviours in subsequent conversation turns during buddy-reading events. Findings suggest that some of preschoolers’ reading behaviours, such as literal text representation, inferential text interpretation, character development and comprehension monitoring were related to their buddies’ engagement with reading behaviours; others, such as vocabulary and concepts about print, were not. Implications include that buddy reading can be used to support preschoolers’ engagement with some reading behaviours, such as certain aspects of comprehension.
Strain compensated GaAsP/GaAsSb/GaAs 1.3 /spl mu/m lasers grown on GaAs using MBE

Summary form only given. GaAs-based 1.3 /spl mu/m vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) are highly desirable for optical data communication. One of the most promising approaches is to use GaAsSb/GaAs quantum wells as the laser active region. Due to the large compressive strain necessary for the GaAsSb layer to reach 1.3 /spl mu/m, it can be prohibitive to use multiple QWs without compensating the strain. This paper reports GaAsSb/GaAs active layers sandwiched by tensilely strained GaAsP layers. The larger bandgap, of the GaAsP layers also provide stronger electron confinement.
Induction and Suppression of an Autoimmune Disease by Oligomerized T Cell Epitopes: Enhanced In Vivo Potency of Encephalitogenic Peptides

T cell epitope peptides derived from proteolipid protein (PLP139–151) or myelin basic protein (MBP86–100) induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in “susceptible” strains of mice (e.g., SJL/J). In this study, we show that the encephalitogenic effect of these epitopes when injected subcutaneously in complete Freund's adjuvant was significantly enhanced if administered to the animal in a multimerized form as a T cell epitope oligomer (i.e., as multiple repeats of the peptide epitope, such as 16-mers). Oligomer-treated SJL/J mice developed EAE faster and showed a more severe progression of the disease than animals treated with peptide alone. In addition, haplotype-matched B10.S mice, “resistant” to EAE induction by peptide, on injection of 16-mers developed a severe form of EAE. Even more striking, however, was the dramatic suppression of incidence and severity of the disease, seen after single intravenous injections of only 50 μg of the PLP139–151 16-mer, administered to SJL/J mice 7 d after the induction of the disease. Although relapse occurred at about day 45, an additional injection several days before that maintained the suppression. Importantly, the specific suppressive effect of oligomer treatment was also evident if EAE was induced with spinal cord homogenate instead of the single peptide antigen. By contrast, the PLP139–151 peptide accelerated rather than retarded the progression of disease.
Measuring Practicing and Prospective Elementary Teachers' Efficacy for Classroom Management: A Preliminary Development and Validation Study.

Research has shown efficacy exerts a powerful influence on behavior. Classroom management represents one vehicle for demonstrations of these behaviors, yet few instruments focus solely on the measurement of this domain-specific form of efficacy. This research explored the relationship between teacher self-efficacy and classroom management through the development and validation of the Efficacy for Classroom Management Scale (ECMAN). Results indicated two factors may contribute to teachers’ self-efficacy for classroom management. Additional analyses revealed scores on ECMAN were correlated with a previously validated instrument for measuring efficacy. Implications are described relative to additional validation efforts and prospective uses for the instrument. La recherche a demontre que l’efficacite exerce une grande influence sur le comportement. Alors que la gestion de la classe represente une facon de demontrer ce comportement, peu d’outils portent uniquement sur l’evaluation de cette forme d’efficacite specifique au domaine. Cette recherche a explore le rapport entre l’auto-efficacite des enseignants et la gestion de la classe par une echelle nommee Efficacy for Classroom Management Scale (Echelle de l’efficacite en gestion de classe - ECHAM). Les resultats indiquent que deux facteurs pourraient contribuer a l’auto-efficacite des enseignants relativement a la gestion de la classe. Des analyses complementaires ont etabli une correlation entre les resultats obtenus avec l’echelle ECHAM et des resultats decoulant d’un instrument deja valide et mesurant l’efficacite. Nous discutons des incidences relatives a d’autres efforts de validation et des emplois eventuels pour l’instrument.
Subdiurnal Stratocumulus Cloud Fraction Variability and Sensitivity to Precipitation

AbstractThis paper presents an analysis of subtropical marine stratocumulus cloud fraction variability using a 30-min and 3° × 3° cloud fraction dataset from 2003 to 2010. Each of the three subtropical marine stratocumulus regions has distinct diurnal characteristics, but the southeast (SE) Pacific and SE Atlantic are more similar to each other than to the northeast (NE) Pacific. The amplitude and season-to-season diurnal cycle variations are larger in the Southern Hemisphere regions than in the NE Pacific. Net overnight changes in cloud fraction on 3° × 3° scales are either positive or neutral >77% of the time in the NE Pacific and >88% of the time in the SE Pacific and SE Atlantic. Cloud fraction often increases to 100% by dawn when cloud fraction at dusk is >30%. In the SE Pacific and SE Atlantic, a typical decrease in cloud area (median ≤ −5.7 × 105 km2) during the day is equivalent to 25% or more of the annual-mean cloud deck area. Time series for 3° × 3° areas where cloud fraction was ≥90% sometime ...
Community Long-Term Care Services What Works and What Doesn't?

To establish a context, long-term care (LTC) can be provided either through institutions or in the community; can include both formal (i.e., generally paid and often specialized) and informal (i.e., generally unpaid and often unspecialized) care; and that formal care can have either public or private funding. Within this context, a fundamental conceptual structure for addressing the topic of what works and what does not in formal community long-term care (CLTC) might be reduced to four components: • Who gets something? • What do they get? • Who pays ? • What impact does it have? Concerning who receives formal CLTC, we often have two subgroups. The first subgroup of formal CLTC users comprises those who are certified by their state officials as functionally eligible for institutional LTC. These users are often assumed to represent a type of substitution of home- and communitybased services for traditional nursing home care. This assumption of substitution persists, although for at least 25 years it has been documented that there are two or three older people with the same configuration of needs and disablements living in the community for every one person residing in a nursing home (Branch, 1976, 1977, 1980), and gerontological researchers have yet to understand clearly why the one person enters the nursing home and the other two or three do not. Those CLTC users who meet nursing home admission requirements may not represent substitution at all. The second subgroup of CLTC users comprises those whose frailty is substantial but not severe enough to qualify for state-funded nursing home care. The second subgroup is actually expanding the continuum of LTC clients.
Creating a Happy Workforce: Keeping the Right Perspective

Times sure have changed. A hundred years or so ago, the question would have been asked, “Do you expect to die on the job?” or “Do you expect to make enough to feed your family?” Now everyone is trying to figure out how to be happier. Now fast forward, in the middle of all the current financial crisis, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that with wage growth, record unemployment, and an extremely long economic expansion, job satisfaction is lower than in earlier years. Clinical depression is three to ten times more common today than it was two generations ago. The increasing body of evidence shows there is no significant relationship between how much a person earns and whether he or she feels good about life. Mounting research shows that optimism could extend your life. Research clearly shows that happiness depends on how you look at the world. In negative times, focus on the positive.
The Warp Computer: Architecture, Implementation, and Performance

The Warp machine is a systolic array computer of linearly connected cells, each of which is a programmable processor capable of performing 10 million floating-point operations per second (10 MFLOPS). A typical Warp array includes ten cells, thus having a peak computation rate of 100 MFLOPS. The Warp array can be extended to include more cells to accommodate applications capable of using the increased computational bandwidth. Warp is integrated as an attached processor into a Unix host system. Programs for Warp are written in a high-level language supported by an optimizing compiler. The first ten-cell prototype was completed in February 1986; delivery of production machines started in April 1987. Extensive experimentation with both the prototype and production machines has demonstrated that the Warp architecture is effective in the application domain of robot navigation as well as in other fields such as signal processing, scientific computation, and computer vision research. For these applications, Warp is typically several hundred times faster than a VAX 11/780 class computer. This paper describes the architecture, implementation, and performance of the Warp machine. Each major architectural decision is discussed and evaluated with system, software, and application considerations. The programming model and tools developed for the machine are also described. The paper concludes with performance data for a large number of applications.
Self-esteem and problem-solving behaviour in close relationships.

Three studies examined the relationship between self-esteem and responses to periodic decline in close relationships. A four-category typology of responses to dissatisfaction was utilized: exit — actively destroying the relationship; voice — actively and constructively attempting to improve conditions; loyalty — passively but optimistically waiting for conditions to improve; and neglect — passively allowing the relationship to deteriorate. It was hypothesized that individuals with stronger self-esteem would attempt to solve problems in a more active fashion — with exit and voice — whereas those with weaker self-esteem would react to problems in their relationships in a more passive manner — with loyalty and neglect. The relationship between self-esteem and generalized problem-solving styles was explored among university students in study 1, and among adults residing in the local community in study 2. Study 3 explored the relationship between self-esteem and actual problem-solving behaviour in the relationships of lesbians, gay males and heterosexual women and men. Consistent with predictions, a meta-analysis of the results of the three studies revealed that individuals with stronger self-esteem were more likely to engage in active exit behaviours and were less likely to react with passive neglect. However, self-esteem was only weakly promotive of loyalty and was unrelated to voice behaviours. Thus, self-esteem is an effective predictor of negative problem-solving behaviours in close relationships.
Trefoil Factor 3 Stimulates Human and Rodent Pancreatic Islet β-Cell Replication with Retention of Function

Both major forms of diabetes involve a decline in beta-cell mass, mediated by autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells in type 1 diabetes and by increased rates of apoptosis secondary to metabolic stress in type 2 diabetes. Methods for controlled expansion of beta-cell mass are currently not available but would have great potential utility for treatment of these diseases. In the current study, we demonstrate that overexpression of trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) in rat pancreatic islets results in a 4- to 5-fold increase in [(3)H]thymidine incorporation, with full retention of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. This increase was almost exclusively due to stimulation of beta-cell replication, as demonstrated by studies of bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and co-immunofluorescence analysis with anti-bromodeoxyuridine and antiinsulin or antiglucagon antibodies. The proliferative effect of TFF3 required the presence of serum or 0.5 ng/ml epidermal growth factor. The ability of TFF3 overexpression to stimulate proliferation of rat islets in serum was abolished by the addition of epidermal growth factor receptor antagonist AG1478. Furthermore, TFF3-induced increases in [3H]thymidine incorporation in rat islets cultured in serum was blocked by overexpression of a dominant-negative Akt protein or treatment with triciribine, an Akt inhibitor. Finally, overexpression of TFF3 also caused a doubling of [3H]thymidine incorporation in human islets. In summary, our findings reveal a novel TFF3-mediated pathway for stimulation of beta-cell replication that could ultimately be exploited for expansion or preservation of islet beta-cell mass.
Comparing the Locomotion Dynamics of the Cockroach and a Shape Deposition Manufactured Biomimetic Hexapod

We describe the locomotion dynamics of a biomimetic robot and compare them with those of its exemplar: the cockroach. The robot is a small (0.275kg) hexapod created using a layered manufacturing technique that allows us to tailor the compliance and damping of the limbs to achieve passive stabilization similar to that observed in insects. The robot runs at over 3 body-lengths per second (55 cm/s) and easily traverses hip-height obstacles. However, high-speed video and force data reveal differences between the robot’s locomotion dynamics and the inverted spring-pendulum model that characterizes most running animals, including cockroaches. Closer examination of the individual leg forces shows that these differences stem from the behavior of the middle and rear legs and points to suggestions for future designs and further experimentation.
The growing problem of obesity and the heart: the plot "thickens".

There is widespread recognition of the developing epidemic of obesity worldwide ([1][1]). Obesity imparts a major risk for the secondary complications of diabetes and is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality ([2][2]). The Framingham investigators found that after