cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preparation of tissue extracts for glycogen phosphorylase assay

Abstract The conditions for preparing heart and skeletal muscle extracts for phosphorylase assay following homogenization and centrifugation have been investigated. It is concluded that extracts should be kept at room temperature to avoid cold inactivation of the phosphorylase b component of total phosphorylase activity. Prolonged delay in assaying total phosphorylase activity especially in dilute solution also results in the loss of phosphorylase b activity but not phosphorylase a activity. The accurate determination of phosphorylase a activity is dependent on an efficient means to reduce the AMP concentration. Although dilution of extracts several-fold has been effective in the past for this purpose, Dowex 1 treatment is recommended. Norit A, another agent used to remove AMP, is less satisfactory because it results in a loss of enzyme activity. Several buffers have been investigated and MES or maleate appear to give the best results.
Market Conditions Favoring Master International Franchising

Master international franchising is among the fastest growing methods for international franchisors to expand abroad because this method involves minimal financial risk and a quick go‐to‐market strategy. This article reviews the extant literature and develops propositions relating specific environmental factors to the propensity of franchisors to use master international franchising. We propose that master international franchising is more likely when the economic potential and level of corruption are low; and when the competitive intensity, demand variability, franchise knowledge, masculinity and individualism in society, geographical and cultural distance, country risk, and level of legal protection are high
H2O2 metabolism during sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osb.) 'Hamlin' Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri interaction

Abstract Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osb.) ‘Hamlin’ is a canker (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri: Xac) susceptible citrus genotype grown commercially worldwide. Canker causes severe economic losses and restricts the marketability of crop for export. Little is known about the role of oxidative stress in canker development. In the present investigation, sweet orange ‘Hamlin’ leaves were artificially inoculated with Xac to determine the impact of Xac infection on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) metabolism. Characteristic symptoms following artificial inoculation were water soaking of the infiltrated zone between 2 and 8 days after inoculation (dai); raised epidermis accompanying tiny yellow colored bacterial colonies at 8 dai; and yellowing and necrosis of the infected zone by 12–16 dai. In planta Xac population increased 1000 fold by 14 dai from an initial population of 7.3 × 106 cfu cm−2 (0 dai). Peak concentrations of H2O2 were observed at 24 h and between 8 and 10 dai and coincided with higher activity of total superoxide dismutase (SOD). Lower levels of H2O2 in infected leaves were maintained by Xac induced higher activities of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APOD), and guaiacol peroxidase (POD). It appears Xac altered H2O2 metabolism in C. sinensis L. Osb. ‘Hamlin’ to enhance survival and growth.
The Merchants of Zigong: Industrial Entrepreneurship in Early Modern China – By Madeleine Zelin

Naysayers of China's indigenous economic development doubt the ability of merchants and entrepreneurs to overcome the lack of a modern banking system, the absence of commercial laws, an overly extr...
Psychological distress and treatment adherence among children on dialysis

Among 23 pediatric renal dialysis patients, we obtained self-reported assessments of psychological adjustment and biochemical and subjective ratings of adherence. Findings indicate elevated levels of depressive symptoms and substantial nonadherence. Depressive symptoms were associated with higher levels of hopelessness, more negative self-perceptions, and more depressogenic attributional style. The psychological adjustment measures did not significantly correlate with adherence. Nonsignificant associations among different measures of adherence underscore its multifaceted nature. Implications for monitoring the adjustment of children on dialysis, assessing adherence, and future research are discussed.
Polyphosphates as synergistic antioxidants

The antioxidant activities of a number of synergists were measured in aqueous fat systems at several pH values. A group of polyphosphates not previously investigated was most promising of the synergists tried. Orthophosphates were ineffective but antioxidant activity increased from pyrophosphate through tri and “heptaphosphate” and finally to the most active “hexametaphosphate” and Maddrell's salt. Citrate compared with triphosphate and pyrophosphate in antioxidant activity; all other synergists tried were less effective than pyrophosphate.
Abstract 1253: Dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 in combination with AKT inhibitor MK2206 in esophageal carcinoma cells

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA The long-term goal of our research is to investigate the molecular carcinogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and to develop strategies for esophageal cancer prevention. Previous studies in our laboratory demonstrated an association between activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways and the development of N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA)-induced tumors in the rat esophagus. The objective of current study is to evaluate the effects of NVP-BEZ235, a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, and MK2206, an AKT inhibitor, alone or in combination in esophageal cancer cell lines, KYSE-70, -150, -270 and -410. The cancer cell lines were treated with different doses of NVP-BEZ235 (1, 10, 50, 100, 1000 nMol/L) and MK2206 (0.5, 1, 3, 10, 20 uMol/L), or NVP-BEZ235 100 nMol/L plus MK2206 3 uMol/L. Western blot was performed to assess the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by WST1 and flow cytometry. We found that the combination of NVP-BEZ235 and MK2206 significantly reduced the phosphorylation of p-AKTT308, p-AKTS473, p-mTORS2448, p-S6S235/236 and p-4EBP1T37/46, when compared to NVP-BEZ235 (1000 nMol/L) and MK2206 (20 uMol/L) alone (p<0.05). The cell proliferation rate was reduced by NVP-BEZ235 1000 nMol/L, MK2206 20 uMol/L, or NVP-BEZ235 plus MK2206 to 20% (p<0.01), 24% (p<0.01) and 17% (p<0.01), respectively. The NVP-BEZ235 1000 nMol/L and MK2206 10 uMol/L induced apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells to 30% and 20% (p<0.01), respectively. NVP-BEZ235 plus MK2206 induced apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells to 45% (p<0.01). The combination treatment increased the proportion of cells at G/G1 phase compared to cells treated with NVP-BEZ235 or MK2206 alone. Our results indicate that co-targeting the PI3K/mTOR and AKT signaling pathways produces synergistic activity against esophageal carcinoma cell growth. This in-vitro study provides evidence to test the efficacy of NVP-BEZ235 in combination with MK2206 in inhibition of esophageal tumor development in vivo. (Supported by NIH/NCI R01 CA131073-01A1). Citation Format: Hao Yu, Ni Shi, Zui Pan, Tong Chen. Dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 in combination with AKT inhibitor MK2206 in esophageal carcinoma cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1253. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1253
Substance P Delays Apoptosis, Enhancing Keratitis after Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection

PURPOSE: Apoptosis was examined after Pseudomonas aeruginosa corneal infection in C57BL/6 (B6, susceptible) and BALB/c (resistant) mice. METHODS: TUNEL staining, real-time RT-PCR, polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and macrophage (Mphi) depletion, and immunostaining were used. RESULTS: Intense TUNEL staining was seen in BALB/c versus B6 cornea at 1 versus 3 days after infection (PI) and correlated with mRNA levels for caspase-3. TUNEL staining (with or without PMN depletion) and PMN immunostaining revealed the PMN as the major apoptotic cell for both groups. Next, B6 mice with high corneal levels of the antiapoptosis neuropeptide, substance P (SP), were treated with the SP antagonist, Spantide I (with/without Mphi depletion), resulting in earlier apoptosis and diminished disease only when M(phi)s were present. SP interactions with M(phi)s were explored further by eliciting cells from both groups and stimulating them with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), with or without SP. LPS with SP treatment decreased the number of apoptotic M(phi)s in B6 but not BALB/c mice and correlated with reduced mRNA expression of NK-1R (major SP receptor) on BALB/c cells. In addition, mRNA expression for IL-12 was upregulated in LPS-stimulated B6 M(phi)s, although cells from BALB/c mice expressed more IL-10. CONCLUSIONS: These studies provide evidence that PMN apoptosis is delayed in the cornea of B6 versus BALB/c mice after bacterial infection; that in B6 mice, blocking SP interaction with the NK-1R promotes earlier apoptosis and improves disease outcome; that M(phi)s regulate PMN apoptosis; and that M(phi)s from B6 versus BALB/c mice differ in expression of the NK-1R and cytokines produced after LPS challenge.
Femtosecond ground state dynamics of gas phase N2O4 and NO2

Abstract Non-resonant femtosecond time-resolved four-wave mixing (FWM) data on gas phase NO 2 and N 2 O 4 are presented. The initial rotational dephasing is observed during the first picosecond after excitation. Fast vibrational dynamics (average value 133±1 fs beats) are observed for dinitrogen tetroxide and are assigned to the ν 3 N–N stretching mode in the ground state ( 1 A g ) . Rotational revivals on the picosecond time scale are recorded for both samples. No evidence of a long-lived excited state participation was found using photon echo (PE) or virtual echo (VE) pulse sequences with 800 nm laser pulses, however, NO 2 photoproducts were observed following N 2 O 4 excitation.
Retail Managers: Laissez-Faire Leadership Is Synonymous With Unsuccessful Conflict Management Styles

Retail managers were examined to determine their leadership styles and any potential correlations to conflict management styles. Research findings suggest that successful retail managers exhibit transformational leadership styles, and those that exhibit laissez-faire leadership is strongly correlated with avoidance conflict management style. The Conflict Management Style (CMS) and Multi Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) instruments were used to survey participants in this study. A MLQ scoring manual was used to identify leadership styles, and a CMS scoring manual was used to determine conflict management styles. Pearson correlation (SPSS, version 17.0) was used to correlate between MLQ and CMS findings.
Intracellular ionic activities in frog skin.

Intracellular Na+, K+, and Cl− activities (a Na ,a K ,a Cl ) and transapical membrane potentials (V o) were measured with liquid ion-exchanger and open-tip microelectrodes in isolated short-circuited frog skins (R. pipiens) incubated at 23°C in normal amphibian Ringer's solution. Under control conditionsa Na =14±3mm,a K =132±10mm anda Cl =18±3mm (sd). The value ofa Cl is 4.4 times the value corresponding to electrochemical equilibrium for this ion. Thus, Cl− is actively accumulated by epithelial cells of the frog skin. Shortly after addition of amiloride (2–5 μm) to the apical bathing medium,a K ,a Na , anda Cl were essentially unchanged althoughV o had hyperpolarized by about 30–40 mV. During long-term exposure to amiloridea K anda Cl did not change significantly,V o depolarized by about 16 mV from the maximal value anda Na decreased to 8±3mm. Immediately after exposure to amiloride the transmembrane driving force for Na+ increased from 124 to 154 mV. During further exposure to amiloride, despite changes in bothV o anda Na , this driving force remained virtually constant. SinceI sc during this period was close to zero, it is suggested that the observed driving force for Na+ under these conditions approximates the maximal driving force generated by the Na+−K+ ATP-ase pump in the basolateral cell membrane.
Acclimation to High CO2 in Monoecious Cucumbers I. Vegetative and Reproductive Growth

CO2 concentrations of 1000 compared to 350 microliters per liter in controlled environment chambers did not increase total fruit weight or number in a monoecious cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv Chipper) nor did it increase biomass, leaf area, or relative growth rates beyond the first 16 days after seeding. Average fruit weight was slightly, but not significantly greater in the 1000 microliters per liter CO2 treatment because fruit numbers were changed more than total weight. Plants grown at 1000 and 350 microliters per liter CO2 were similar in distribution of dry matter and leaf area between mainstem, axillary, and subaxillary branches. Early flower production was greater in 1000 microliters per liter plants. Subsequent flower numbers were either lower in enriched plants or similar in the two treatments, except for the harvest at fruiting when enriched plants produced many more male flowers than the 350 microliters per liter treatments.
GLUT-1 glucose transporters in the blood–brain barrier: Differential phosphorylation

Glucose is the primary metabolic fuel for the mammalian brain, and a continuous supply is required to maintain normal CNS function. The transport of glucose across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) into the brain is mediated by the facilitative glucose transporter GLUT-1. Prior studies (Simpson et al. [2001] J Biol Chem 276:12725-12729) had revealed that the conformations of the GLUT-1 transporter were different in luminal (blood facing) and abluminal (brain facing) membranes of bovine cerebral endothelial cells, based on differential antibody recognition. This study has extended these observations and, by using a combination of 2D-PAGE/Western blotting and immunogold electron microscopy, determined that these different conformations are exhibited in vivo and arise from differential phosphorylation of GLUT-1 and not from alternative splicing or altered O- or N-linked glycosylation.
PUMA and BIM Are Required for Oncogene Inactivation–Induced Apoptosis

The clinical efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors supports the dependence of distinct subsets of cancers on specific driver mutations for survival, a phenomenon called "oncogene addiction." We demonstrate that PUMA and BIM are the key apoptotic effectors of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in breast cancers with amplification of the gene encoding human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and lung cancers with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutants. The BH3 domain containing proteins BIM and PUMA can directly activate the proapoptotic proteins BAX and BAK to permeabilize mitochondria, leading to caspase activation and apoptosis. We delineated the signal transduction pathways leading to the induction of BIM and PUMA by tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Inhibition of the mitogen-activated or extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway caused increased abundance of BIM, whereas antagonizing the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT pathway triggered nuclear translocation of the FOXO transcription factors, which directly activated the PUMA promoter. In a mouse breast tumor model, the abundance of PUMA and BIM was increased after inactivation of HER2. Moreover, deficiency of Bim or Puma impaired caspase activation and reduced tumor regression caused by inactivation of HER2. Similarly, deficiency of Puma impeded the regression of EGFR(L858R)-driven mouse lung tumors upon inactivation of the EGFR-activating mutant. Overall, our study identified PUMA and BIM as the sentinels that interconnect kinase signaling networks and the mitochondrion-dependent apoptotic program, which offers therapeutic insights for designing novel cell death mechanism-based anticancer strategies.
Celsius control system

As has been demonstrated (1), the Celsius Control system can effectively and quickly reduce and maintain target temperatures. The ability to effectively achieve and maintain strict temperature control is an important goal that has been previously unachievable in the neurological intensive care unit. As a result, this new technology may provide an important breakthrough in the ability to reduce fever-associated morbidity in the neurological intensive care unit. What remains to be seen is whether the advantages of this technology will outweigh the inherent disadvantages of the necessary femoral approach.
Growth and development of Metridia pacifica (Copepoda: Calanoida) in the northern Gulf of Alaska

from March to October and typically ranged between 0.004 and 0.285 day � 1 , averaging 0.114 ± 0.007 day � 1 (mean ± SE). After standardization to 5� C( Q10 of 2.7), growth rates averaged 0.083 ± 0.005 day � 1 and were significantly correlated to chlorophyll a, with saturated growth rates of 0.149 day � 1 for C1‐C3, 0.102 day � 1 for C4‐C5 and 0.136 day � 1 for all stages combined. Measured juvenile growth rates were comparable with specific egg production rates in this species. The comparisons of our rates in this study with those predicted by the global models of copepod growth rates suggested that further refinement of these models is required.
Understanding and mitigating the impact of load imbalance in the memory caching tier

Distributed memory caching systems (e.g., memcached) offer tremendous performance improvements for multi-tiered applications compared to architectures that directly access the storage layer. Unfortunately, the performance improvements are artificially limited by load imbalance in the memcached server pool. Specifically, we show that skewed key popularity induces significant load imbalance, which in turn can cause significant degradation in the tail (i.e., 90+th %ile) latency. Based on this understanding, we design and implement SPORE -- an augmented memcached variant which uses self-adapting, popularity-based replication to mitigate the effects of such load imbalance. SPORE uses reactive internal key renaming as a basic mechanism to efficiently achieve replication without excessive communication and/or coordination among servers and clients. Further, our SPORE design offers the same consistency model (with added time-bounds on write propagation) as a system with memcached. Based on evaluations on a "wimpy-node" testbed and on Amazon EC2, we show that SPORE achieves significantly higher performance than the baseline memcached.
Identification and characterization of humic substances-degrading bacterial isolates from an estuarine environment.

Bacterial isolates were obtained from enrichment cultures containing humic substances extracted from estuarine water using an XAD-8 resin. Eighteen isolates were chosen for phylogenetic and physiological characterization based on numerical importance in serial dilutions of the enrichment culture and unique colony morphology. Partial sequences of the 16S rRNA genes indicated that six of the isolates were associated with the α subclass of Proteobacteria, three with the γ-Proteobacteria, and nine with the Gram-positive bacteria. Ten isolates degraded at least one (and up to six) selected aromatic single-ring compounds. Six isolates showed ability to degrade [14C]humic substances derived from the dominant salt marsh grass in the estuary from which they were isolated (Spartina alterniflora), mineralizing 0.4–1.1% of the humic substances over 4 weeks. A mixture of all 18 isolates did not degrade humic substances significantly faster than any of the individual strains, however, and no isolate degraded humic substances to the same extent as the natural marine bacterial community (3.0%). Similar studies with a radiolabeled synthetic lignin ([β-14C]dehydropolymerisate) showed measurable levels of degradation by all 18 bacteria (3.0–8.8% in 4 weeks), but mineralization levels were again lower than that observed for the natural marine bacterial community (28.2%). Metabolic capabilities of the 18 isolates were highly variable and generally did not map to phylogenetic affiliation.
Total nuclear reaction probabilities and average cross sections for 16 to 23 MeV 6Li in silicon

Abstract Total reaction probabilities for 16 to 23 MeV 6Li with Si, for reactions with Q outside the range −3.5 to +1.2 MeV, were measured by injecting 6Li ions into silicon detectors. Partial cross sections for direct three-body 6Li breakup (with or without a spectator) were determined by standard coincidence methods. A novel αd coincidence technique was used to measure the cross section (24 ± 2 mb) for inelastic scattering to the 6Li(2.184 MeV) level. These combined measurements give an average reaction cross section of 1200 ± 320 mb in this energy range, which is in agreement with optical model predictions. Reaction losses of 6Li in silicon detectors are found to be less than 0.05% for incident energies below 23 MeV.
Soluble cytokine receptors: novel immunotherapeutic agents.

Being mediators of immune and inflammatory reactions, abnormal or excessive production of cytokines is often the main cause of the pathology in many types of disease. Targeting cytokines by means of inhibitory drugs may thus offer a valid therapeutic approach in particular diseases. Soluble forms of cytokine receptors (sCR) normally participate in the control of cytokine activity in vivo by inhibiting the ability of cytokines to bind their membrane receptors and from generating a biological response. The ability of sCR to act as cytokine inhibitors, coupled to their specificity, high affinities and low immunogenicities have prompted considerable interest in their use as immunotherapeutic agents. In fact, many types of sCR have been shown to inhibit the biological activity of their cytokines in vitro and in different experimental models. Several sCR, particularly the soluble TNF receptors sTNFR-I (p55) and sTNFR-II (p75), have been modified by linking them to the Fc portion of human immunoglobulin (e.g., ‘...
A method for gastrostomy fixation.

Abstract Gastrostomy, frequently indicated in pediatric surgery, and often of major therapeutic importance, is not without hazard, although the complications can be minimized by careful attention to technical details and appropriate tube care. Most serious complications result from leakage about the gastrostomy tube; 1 intraperitoneal leak may be fatal, but external leakage leads to wound breakdown, infection, dislodgement of tube, etc. The importance of a proper dressing has been emphasized, 1–5 and is probably the most critical factor in preventing complications. Recently, we have adopted a new method of fixation which is of particular advantage in the small neonate.
Effects of crosslinking on thermal and mechanical properties of polyurethanes

The effects of chemical crosslinking on the thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of a polyurethane system were examined. The polyurethanes were prepared from poly(propylene glycol), a diol; trimethylolpropane propoxylate, a triol; and poly(propylene glycol), tolylene 2,4-diisocyanate terminated, a diisocyanate monomer. The crosslink density was controlled by varying the triol concentration from 10 to 70 mol % and the isocyanate-to-hydroxyl (NCO/OH) ratio from 1.0 to 1.3. All the samples had one glass-transition temperature and no crystalline regions. In addition, there were larger increases in glass-transition temperature over the range of triol concentrations studied than over the range of NCO/OH ratios studied. For all samples, the Dibenedetto equation relating glass-transition temperature to extent of crosslinking fit the data very well. Also, samples with higher crosslink densities had much larger elastic moduli for temperatures above the glass-transition temperature. By assuming the system was a phantom network, approximate crosslink densities for stoichiometric samples were obtained from the dynamic mechanical data and these agreed fairly well with theoretical predictions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 212–223, 2002
Managing Complex Change in Clinical Study Metadata

In highly functional metadata-driven software, the interrelationships within the metadata become complex, and maintenance becomes challenging. We describe an approach to metadata management that uses a knowledge-base subschema to store centralized information about metadata dependencies and use cases involving specific types of metadata modification. Our system borrows ideas from production-rule systems in that some of this information is a high-level specification that is interpreted and executed dynamically by a middleware engine. Our approach is implemented in TrialDB, a generic clinical study data management system. We review approaches that have been used for metadata management in other contexts and describe the features, capabilities, and limitations of our system.
Social work practice in the chronic care model: Chronic illness and disability care

SummaryMaintaining good quality of life and health in face of living and/or aging with a chronic illness and/or disability can be challenging. The health care and related education and training of these individuals to become proactive partners in their ongoing care is the cornerstone of most chronic care models.FindingsSocial workers are not specifically mentioned in most chronic care models. However, as the health and social care processes can become complicated if the individual has barriers to partnering roles necessitated by chronic care models, a role for the social worker should be more clearly defined. Examination and application of the ecosystems perspective defines a clear role for social work to work collaboratively with other health professionals within a chronic care model.ApplicationThis paper explores how social work’s ecosystems model can interface with Wagner’s Chronic Care Model to fill the void that some individuals may experience in seeking and maintaining care to provide a useful frame...
Nonlinear modeling of glucose metabolism: comparison of parametric vs. nonparametric methods

This paper presents the results of computational studies that compare simulated parametric and nonparametric models in terms of their ability to obtain reliable quantitative descriptions of the dynamic effects of variable infusions of insulin on blood glucose concentration in human subjects. In the nonparametric modeling approach, we employ the general class of Volterra-type models that are estimated from input- output data. The parametric models considered are the extensively studied "minimal model" and an augmented variant of the latter that incorporates the process of insulin secretion by the pancreas in response to elevated blood glucose. This model represents the actual closed-loop operating conditions of the system. The presented results demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining data-driven (i.e. inductive) nonparametric models in a realistic operating context, without resorting to the restrictive prior assumptions of model structure that are necessary for the numerous parametric (compartmental) models proposed previously. The rationale underpinning the nonparametric approach is that prior assumptions regarding the model structure may lead to results that are improperly constrained or biased by preconceived notions. Thus, it may be preferable to let the data guide the inductive selection of the appropriate model within the general class of Volterra-type models that imposes no such constraints.
Multidimensional Scaling of Breathy Voice Quality: Individual Differences in Perception

Summary Experiments on disordered voice quality with multidimensional scaling (MDS) have resulted in solutions with low R-square and have failed to show consistent dimensions across different listeners. These findings have been suggested to indicate large individual differences in the perception of voice quality. However, these inconsistencies may originate from several factors, including random stimulus selection, instructions that encourage listeners to respond to global difference in pairs of voices, and noisy perceptual data. This experiment used MDS techniques to study individual differences in perception of breathiness. The voices in the experiment were selected to have a relatively wide variation in breathiness but only minimal variation in roughness, strain, and fundamental frequency. Additionally, listeners were instructed specifically to rate similarities in breathiness rather than judging global differences in voices, and several judgments from each listener were averaged to minimize noise in the data. It was hypothesized that these modifications would result in an MDS solution that accounted for greater variance in perceptual data than previously shown. Results show that averaging multiple responses from each listener increased the R-square from 45% to approximately 75%. The poor R-square and large individual differences in voice quality perception observed in past research may have partly resulted from the experimental procedures in previous studies. These findings suggest that individual differences in the perception of voice quality are not as large as previously thought, and a model of voice quality perception for an “average” listener may be a good representation for the general population.
Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria as transplant amendments and their effects on indigenous rhizosphere microorganisms

Field trials were conducted in Florida on bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) to monitor the population dynamics of two plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains (Bacillus subtilis strain GBO3 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain IN937a) applied in the potting media at seeding and at various times after transplanting to the field during the growing season. In-field drenches of an aqueous bacterial formulation were used for the mid-season applications. The effects of the applied PGPR and application methods on bacterial survival, rhizosphere colonization, plant growth and yield, and selected indigenous rhizosphere microorganisms were assessed. The Gram-positive PGPR applied to the potting media established stable populations in the rhizosphere that persisted throughout the growing season. Additional aqueous applications of PGPR during the growing season did not increase the population size of applied strains compared to treatments only receiving bacteria in the potting media; however, they did increase plant growth compared to the untreated control to varying degrees in both trials. Most treatments also reduced disease incidence in a detached leaf assay, indicating that systemic resistance was induced by the PGPR treatments. However, treatments did not result in increased yield, which was highly variable. Application of the PGPR strains did not adverselyaffect populationsofbeneficialindigenousrhizospherebacteria includingfluorescent pseudomonadsand siderophoreproducing bacterial strains. Treatment with PGPR increased populations of fungi in the rhizosphere but did not result in increased root disease incidence. This fungal response to the PGPR product was likely due to an increase in nonpathogenic chitinolytic fungal strains resulting from the application of chitosan, which is a component of the PGPR formulation applied to the potting media. # 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Continuity and differentiability of expected value functions in dynamic discrete choice models

This paper explores the properties of expected value functions in dynamic dis- crete choice models. The continuity with respect to state variables and parame- ters, and the differentiability with respect to state variables are established under fairly general conditions. The differentiability with respect to parameters is proved when some state variables do not affect the state transition probabilities and, thus, the expected value functions. It is shown that such variables are needed so as to apply the implicit function theorem used in the proof. The results are of particular relevance to estimable dynamic discrete choice models. Keywords. Dynamic discrete choice models, continuity, differentiability. JEL classification. C35, C61.
Eosinophils, eosinophil ribonucleases, and their role in host defense against respiratory virus pathogens.

Eosinophils remain among the most enigmatic of cells, as our appreciation of their detrimental activities--e.g., asthma and allergic disease--far outweighs our understanding of their beneficial effects. Among the major secretory effector proteins of eosinophils are the ribonucleases eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in primates and their orthologs, the eosinophil-associated ribonucleases (EARs) in rodents. The rapid diversification observed among these ribonucleases suggested that the ultimate target(s) might be similarly efficient at generating sequence diversity while maintaining an unalterable susceptibility to ribonucleolytic cleavage. This has prompted us to consider a role for these proteins and by extension, for eosinophils, in host defense against single-stranded RNA virus pathogens. We detail our studies of the antiviral activity of eosinophils and eosinophil ribonucleases against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in vitro and the related, natural rodent pathogen, pneumonia virus of mice (PVM), in vivo, and consider the possibility that antiviral host defense and the dysregulated responses leading to asthma represent opposing sides of an eosinophil-mediated double-edged sword.
Reconfiguration methods for mobile sensor networks

Motion may be used in sensor networks to change the network configuration for improving the sensing performance. We consider the problem of controlling motion in a distributed manner for a mobile sensor network for a specific form of motion capability. Mobility itself may have a high resource overhead, hence we exploit motility, a constrained form of mobility, which has very low overheads but provides significant reconfiguration potential. We present an architecture that allows each node in the network to learn the medium and phenomenon characteristics. We describe a quantitative metric for sensing performance that is concretely tied to real sensor and medium characteristics, rather than assuming an abstract range based model. The problem of determining the desirable network configuration is expressed as an optimization of this metric. We present a distributed optimization algorithm which computes a desirable network configuration, and adapts it to environmental changes. The relationship of the proposed algorithm to simulated annealing and incremental subgradient descent based methods is discussed. A key property of our algorithm is that convergence to a desirable configuration can be proved even though no global coordination is involved. A network protocol to implement this algorithm is discussed, followed by simulations and experiments on a laboratory test bed.
Commentary on "Improving the seasonal cycle and interannual variations of biomass burning aerosol sources" by Generoso et al.

Abstract. In a recent published paper, Generoso et al. (2003) describe a method for improving the spatial and temporal distribution of pyrogenic aerosol emission inventories. In the course of their analysis, the authors note several significant discrepancies in the seasonality of burning as observed by the Visible and Infrared Scanner (VIRS) and four other biomass burning data sets derived from satellite observations. In this commentary we explain the source of these discrepancies and clarify the origin of the VIRS observations that were used by Generoso et al.
A SPIN LABEL STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF CHOLESTEROL IN LIPOSOMES

Abstract : Cholesterol is a component of many membranes but its function is not understood. The recent introduction of spin labels has provided a new tool for studying molecular interactions in natural and model membranes. The present report indicates that in addition to restricting the motions of phospholipids, cholesterol may alter the environment of the nitroxide residue of a spin-labelled lipid intercalated in lecithin liposomes. This is taken to suggest that in natural membranes cholesterol may play a role in controlling the position of some membrane components. (Author)
Quantitation of ultrastructural changes in the mouse pineal in response to continuous illumination

Adult male mice were exposed to either alternating illumination or constant illumination for 70 days. Light and dark pinealocytes were compared as to distribution within the gland and ultrastructure. Quantitative studies with the electron microscope revealed a significant reduction in pinealocyte size and Golgi complex size in constant light treatment, as well as a marked but non-significant reduction in the concentration of lipid droplets and irregular vacuoles. Under constant light treatment the cross-sectional area of pinealocyte pericapillary terminals and the number of granulated vesicles per terminal decreased significantly. A greater number of mitochondria appeared swollen, with rarified matrix and reduced numbers of cristae, with constant light treatment. These results provide ultrastructural correlation with the known reduction of pineal weight, protein synthesis and antigonadotrophic activity that is seen with constant light treatment. The marked decrease in concentration of pinealocyte granulated vesicles in constant light treatment gives morphological support to the theory that these vesicles contain antigonadotrophic secretory material.
Melatonin action in a midbrain vocal-acoustic network

Melatonin is a well-documented time-keeping hormone that can entrain an individual9s physiology and behavior to the day–night cycle, though surprisingly little is known about its influence on the neural basis of social behavior, including vocalization. Male midshipman fish ( Porichthys notatus ) produce several call types distinguishable by duration and by daily and seasonal cycles in their production. We investigated melatonin9s influence on the known nocturnal- and breeding season-dependent increase in excitability of the midshipman9s vocal network (VN) that directly patterns natural calls. VN output is readily recorded from the vocal nerve as a ‘fictive call’. Five days of constant light significantly increased stimulus threshold levels for calls electrically evoked from vocally active sites in the medial midbrain, supporting previous findings that light suppresses VN excitability, while 2-iodomelatonin (2-IMel; a melatonin analog) implantation decreased threshold. 2-IMel also increased fictive call duration evoked from medial sites as well as lateral midbrain sites that produced several-fold longer calls irrespective of photoregime or drug treatment. When stimulus intensity was incrementally increased, 2-IMel increased duration only at lateral sites, suggesting that melatonin action is stronger in the lateral midbrain. For animals receiving 5 days of constant darkness, known to increase VN excitability, systemic injections of either of two mammalian melatonin receptor antagonists increased threshold and decreased duration for calls evoked from medial sites. Our results demonstrate melatonin modulation of VN excitability and suggest that social context-dependent call types differing in duration may be determined by neuro-hormonal action within specific regions of a midbrain vocal-acoustic network.
A spatially explicit computer model for immature distributions of Glyptotendipes paripes (Diptera: Chironomidae) in central Florida lakes

Density and spatial distribution data of immature Glyptotendipes paripes Edwards (Diptera: Chironomidae), in relation to selected water and sediment characteristics prevailing in three central Florida lakes, were used to develop and calibrate a qualitative model of G. paripes distributions with the purpose of developing more efficient sampling plans for research or population management. For the model, each lake habitat was defined by a two-dimensional matrix, while a three-dimensional matrix was used to simulate the life stage-structured population. A Lefkovitch population matrix was used to project survival and development of the population in each spatial unit. The model incorporated lake bathymetry, sediment dry weight, water level, food availability (as a function of Secchi disk transparency) and strength of density dependence as influences on immature survival and adult fecundity. Temperature-dependent development data for G. paripes were incorporated to estimate development time. A simple redistribution function was used to simulate the dispersal of adults over the simulated habitat for oviposition. Immatures and relevant environmental data taken for eight dates, at each of two other central Florida lakes were used to validate the model. The mean correct prediction rate of the model for field density distributions within 0.5 log(n+1) immatures/m2 density in spatial habitat cells was 0.64 and 0.66 for the validation lakes. Presence/absence correct prediction rates were 0.61 and 0.76, while matching to a proposed sampling stratification based on a treatment threshold was 0.85 and 0.88. These values indicate that the model is efficient for preparing stratified immature G. paripes sampling plans for central Florida lakes.
Onset of Non-Continuum Effects in Microrheology of Entangled Polymer Solutions

Microrheology has emerged as a powerful approach for elucidating mechanical properties of soft materials and complex fluids, especially biomaterials. In this technique, embedded microspheres are used to determine viscoelastic properties via generalized Stokes–Einstein relations, which assume the material behaves as a homogeneous continuum on the length scale of the probe. However, this condition can be violated if macromolecular systems form characteristic length scales that are larger than the probe size. Here we report observations of the onset of this effect in DNA solutions. We use microspheres driven with optical tweezers to determine the frequency dependence of the linear elastic and viscous moduli and their dependence on probe radius and DNA length. For well-entangled DNA, we find that the threshold probe radius yielding continuum behavior is ∼3× the reptation tube diameter, consistent with recent theoretical predictions. Notably, this threshold is significantly larger than the mesh size of the pol...
A natural language interface to a robot assembly system

Natural language interaction with robots is an important goal since it promises access to robots by non-experts. Specifically, natural language interaction with robots would allow robots to be used easily and to be taught new skills. To produce such interaction requires, however, a choice among a variety of technologies in several areas. A working natural language interface to a robotic assembly system is described that allows a user to converse with the system about both vision and manipulation and to teach the system new vision knowledge and new assembly plans. The success of this approach suggest that its technologies are an appropriate choice for future real-world natural language interfaces to robot assembly systems.
An Optically Pumped Primary Frequency Standard

An optically pumped primary frequency standard is being constructed at the National Institute for Science and Technology. To achieve the potential accuracy of this new technology a thorough reconsideration of all the potential systematic errors has been undertaken. Based on the needs of the optical pumping process and other improved technologies (ovens and cavities), a unique beam tube has been designed and fabricated. The laser performance necessary to allow full realization of the optically pumped clock’s potential has been achieved by an optical feedback technique. The design goal is a short term perfoRance of σy(τ) ≤ 5×10−13/√τ with a total frequency uncertainty of no more than 10−14
Psychiatric Rehabilitation: Key Issues And Future Policy

1This concept did not take hold in the mental health arena until decades later, when the deinstitutionalization movement gained momentum, and increased numbers of persons with severe psychiatric disabilities changed residence from the back ward to the back street to, in many cases, the main street. 2 With increasing visibility, the functional limitations of some of these persons quickly became apparent; in 1977 the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) launched the Community Support Program (CSP). The CSP was designed as a pilot federal/ state collaboration to explore strategies for delivering community-based services, including rehabilitation, to persons with severe psychiatric disabilities. National data on the persons initially served by the CSP illustrate the extreme functional limitations of this group. For example, median yearly income was $3,900; 50 percent received Social Security benefits; approximately 10 percent were competitively employed, and only 9 percent of the unemployed were actively searching for work; 88 percent were not married; and 71 percent rarely or never engaged in recreational activities with others. 3
The Conseouences of Crowding on Children

A series of studies was conducted to investigate the effects of density on childen and to determine whether there were differential effects of density on various person characteristics (age, sex, personal space preferences, and level of behavioral normalcy). The statistical procedures used, which incorporated factor analyses and multivariate analysis of variance, provided a more comprehensive analysis of the effects of density. Negative effects of density were significant for 5year-old children and greater than effects for 10-year-old boys, suggesting that negative consequences of crowding are greatest for younger children. Among 5-yearolds, there was more Negative Affect-Aggression, more Desire-to-Leave-a-Crowded-Room, and less Activity-Toy Play in the small room than in the large room (spatial-density comparisons). There was more Activity-Aggression-Anger, more Distress-and-Fear, more Negative Feelings, and less Positive Interaction among the 8-person groups of children than among the 4-person groups of children (social-density comparisons). The activity level of “hyperactive’ children was intensified in the high-density condition whereas no effect of density on activity level was found for normal children. High-anxiety and impulsive children were emotionally distressed by high density; low-anxiety and high-motorinhibitors, in contrast, reacted to high density with adaptive, coping behaviors rather than with emotional displyas of distress. Differential effects of density on sex and on personal space were found for some factors.
Landmark Study: The Relation of Solar Radiation to Cancer Mortality in North America.

See related article by Apperly, [Cancer Res 1941;1:191–5][1] . Visit the Cancer Research 75th Anniversary [timeline][2]. In 1941, Frank Apperly, a professor of Pathology at the Medical College of Virginia, published an elegant and important landmark study in Cancer Research . The purpose of this