cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subsidized sacrifice: State support of religion in Israel

This paper offers three economic arguments for ending discriminatory religious law in Israel. First, current subsidies have created massive poverty and welfare dependence in the Israeli Haredi community. With men remaining in Yeshiva till an average age of forty and the Haredi population doubling each 16 years, that community is dangerously dependent on subsidies and charity, which are unlikely to increase fast enough to support it. Previous work developed a model to explain why fathers with families in poverty choose Yeshiva over work. This paper explores policy implications of that analysis, stressing the extremely inefficient economic incentives in subsidizing membership in a community that requires personal sacrifice. Subsidies are largely dissipated by the induced increase in sacrifice. A second argument for ending discriminatory religious law is that monopoly status granted to a religious denomination limits competition in the religious services market, resulting in low quality services for the remainder of the Jewish population. Finally, by allowing discriminatory subsidies, the State encourages political-religious parties to organize. These have destabilized Israeli politics. The paper proposes equitable reforms which compensate the Haredi community for lost subsidies and religious monopoly status by expanding needs-based social programs. These reforms would foster a self-sufficient Haredi community, benefit a wider disadvantaged population, help restore a functioning political system and encourage a healthy relationship between branches of Jewish tradition within Israel.
Influence of Matrigel-overlay on constitutive and inducible expression of nine genes encoding drug-metabolizing enzymes in primary human hepatocytes

1. Previous studies reported that rat hepatocytes overlaid with extracellular matrix components (Matrigel) maintain the expression and responsiveness of drug-metabolizing enzymes. However, whether Matrigel provides similar advantages in human hepatocytes remains largely uncertain.2. The influence of Matrigel-overlay on the constitutive and phenobarbital- and oltipraz-inducible expression of nine biotransformation enzymes, cytochrome P450s 1A1, 1A2, 2B6, 3A4, and glutathione S-transferases A1, A2, M1, T1, P1, in primary human hepatocytes was evaluated.3. Hepatocytes from five livers were maintained on a rigid collagen substratum with or without Matrigel overlay and treated for 48?h with two doses of each inducer. Quantitative RT-PCR, and for selected genes, immunoblot and enzyme activity analyses, demonstrated that human hepatocytes overlaid with Matrigel showed consistently higher constitutive and inducible expression of biotransformation genes. 4. Phenobarbital-mediated responsiveness of cytochrome P450 2B6, a potential indicator of hepatocyte differentiation status, was markedly higher in overlaid relative to non-overlaid hepatocytes. 5. It is concluded that an Matrigel overlay facilitates the maintenance and induction of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in primary cultures of human hepatocytes.
The communication of corporate social responsibility: United States and European Union multinational corporations

This study explores corporate social responsibility (CSR) by conducting a cross-cultural analysis of communication of CSR activities in a total of 16 U.S. and European corporations. Drawing on previous research contrasting two major approaches to CSR initiatives, it was proposed that U.S. companies would tend to communicate about and justify CSR using economic or bottom-line terms and arguments whereas European companies would rely more heavily on language or theories of citizenship, corporate accountability, or moral commitment. Results supported this expectation of difference, with some modification. Specifically, results indicated that EU companies do not value sustainability to the exclusion of financial elements, but instead project sustainability commitments in addition to financial commitments. Further, U.S.-based companies focused more heavily on financial justifications whereas EU-based companies incorporated both financial and sustainability elements in justifying their CSR activities. In addition, wide variance was found in both the prevalence and use of specific CSR-related terminology. Cross-cultural distinctions in this use create implications with regard to measurability and evidence of both strategic and bottom-line impact. Directions for further research are discussed.
Generalizing the method of Kulish to one-dimensional unsteady heat conducting slabs

aj = values of (0 or 1), j 1, 2 b = slab width, m bj = values of (0 or 1), j 1, 2 C = heat capacity, kJ= kg C F = arbitrary heat source, C=m fmax = forcing function, C=m G = Green’s function g x = initial condition, C k = thermal conductivity, W= m C q00 = dimensional heat flux,W=m s = dummy time variable, s T = temperature, C To = initial temperature, C t = time, s to = dummy time variable, s u = dummy time variable, s wx = weight function x = spatial variable, m xo = dummy spatial variable, m = thermal diffusivity [k= C ], m=s = small increment, s = fixed position, m = density, kg=m
Two Principles of Broadcast Media Ownership for a Democratic Society

Technological advances in media communications have raised questions about the appropriateness of media ownership rules for traditional TV and radio broadcast. This article contributes to this debate by defending a set of principles that ought to govern the distribution of broadcast spectrum. In particular, it defends principles reflecting the ‹public interest’ constraint currently informing broadcast media ownership rules, and argues against a free-market procedure for distributing spectrum use. The argument relies upon the application of a political constructivist approach typical to many political theories. In applying this approach, the author illustrates the strengths and weakness of constructivism and in the process provide an example for how constructivism can be applied to other subjects. As a result, the article has two aims. First, it defends a set of broadcast ownership principles. Second, it provides a model for how philosophers might apply constructivism to other subjects.
Age, rank, and personality effects on the cortisol sedation stress response in young chimpanzees

Primates and other mammals exhibit a glucocorticoid response to somatic and psychosocial stressors. The pattern and degree of response varies both within and between species, but the factors affecting within-species variability have rarely been considered. Here we describe the 90-min serum cortisol response of 14 juvenile and adolescent chimpanzees to the stress of sedation with ketamine hydrochloride. We show age differences in both baseline cortisol and time of peak cortisol, with younger individuals (ages 4-5 years) showing higher baseline levels and an earlier peak response than older individuals (ages 8-9 years). However, we found no sex or rank-related differences in any of the sedation measures: baseline cortisol, cortisol peak time, peak cortisol level, or cortisol change from baseline. We also examined the relationship between these sedation stress measures and behavioral style score, and found that individuals scoring high in the "mellow" behavioral style component showed a greater stress response than individuals scoring lower in this component. Future studies should consider the role of individual differences in age and personality in the cortisol response to stress.
622 The Use of Intravenous Warfarin after Heartmate II Ventricular Assist Device Implantation Does Not Affect 30 Day Neurologic or Bleeding Outcomes

etiology and incidence in our single-center experience of GIB following rotary blood pump insertion. Methods and Materials: In a retrospective review from February 2007 through September 2010, 62 patients, ages 28-77 years, were implanted with rotary blood pumps (54 Thoratec HeartMate II and 8 HeartWare), at our center. GIB rates and etiologies were analyzed. GIB was defined as one guiac – positive stool with the requirement of blood transfusion of two units or more. Results: A total of 62 patients had a mean duration of mechanical support of 316 301 days. The mean age was 59 11 years with 40 bridge to transplant patients (BTT) and 22 destination therapy (DT) patients. 23 GIB, 0.39 events per patient year, were documented in 14 patients, four female and ten male with an onset of 11-405 days with a median of 31 days. Of those fourteen patients, 7 patients were DT and 7 were BTT. 4 of the 14 patients had prior history of GIB prior to pump implant. GIB etiologies varied with 8 incidences of AVMs in 5 patients, 3 incidents of radiation proctitis in 1 patient, 8 incidents of erosive or ulcerative disease in 6 patients, 3 incidents of intestinal polyps or tumors in 3 patients, and 1 incident of diverticulitis in 1 patient. Some patients had greater than one GI bleeding event with varied etiologies. Conclusions: Although GI bleeding was found in 14 patients post rotary pump implant, greater than 60% were non-AVM related. Further investigation needs to be done to evaluate the impact of LVAD and acquired VWB and how that contributes to GIB.
Stable Periodic Orbits for a Class of Three Dimensional Competitive Systems

Abstract It is shown that for a dissipative, three dimensional, competitive, and irreducible system of ordinary differential equations having a unique equilibrium point, at which point the Jacobian matrix has negative determinant, either the equilibrium point is stable or there exists an orbitally stable periodic orbit. If in addition, the system is analytic then there exists an orbitally asymptotically stable periodic orbit when the equilibrium is unstable. The additional assumption of analyticity can be replaced by the assumption that the equilibrium point and every periodic orbit are hyperbolic. In this case, the Morse-Smale conditions hold and the flow is structurally stable.
Improved Injector Metrics for Supersonic Combustors

A S MACH number increases, an airbreathing device requires supersonic through flow to preclude excessive pressure loss, air static temperature, and device weight. Losses that are negligible in subsonic combusting propulsion systems become drivers of supersonic combusting cycle design. In a subsonic system, the performance loss associated with incomplete combustion is great enough to make this a primary design driver. At supersonic combustor velocities, entropy generation from Rayleigh effects, mixing, and friction become of first-order importance [1]. An optimal combustor designwill achieve high performance (Rthrust and ISP) by balancing, subject to thermal constraints, combustion efficiency with entropy generation, and weight. Heat load, weight, and drag all make a short combustor duct desirable. These same issues also make a low aspect ratio, or low surface area to cross-sectional area, combustor desirable. Therefore, the injector must provide a uniform fuel distribution across the relatively large transverse extent of the duct and high combustion efficiency with minimum length. The trouble with stating the goal in this fashion is that it ignores additional loss associated with the mixing process and hardware. It is clear that losses associated with mixing and combustion are of a first-order importance to overall engine performance [1], mixing and combustion efficiencies approaching unity are not generally desirable [2], and that incremental improvements to mixing or combustion efficiency do not necessarily equate to improved specific impulse or thrust [3]. The accounting of thrust lost due to a given entropy generation is subject to the current state of the gas and concurrent lossmechanisms, but entropy generation does necessarily relate to lost thrust [4]. Therefore, mixing or combustion enhancement needs to relate to enhancement per some loss metric. A system designer is not necessarily interested in achieving a high combustion efficiency as much as maximizing thrust or specific impulse, which requires low loss in addition to high combustion efficiency. Historically, the relative merits of multiple injection schemes are compared on the basis ofmore rapidmixing or combustion. Common practice is to present mixing or combustion efficiency data and loss data as a function of distance along the combustor. However, comparison of these data in a space with the metric of interest (e.g., efficiency) as the ordinate and an appropriatemetric of loss (e.g., total pressure deficit) as the abscissa provides a unique approach for examining performance; we will refer to this as a loss-enhancement space. This technique elucidates the cost of improved performance between injection schemes. Any computational study of mixing or combustion should have the requisite data for this, and many experimental studies also have these data. Depiction of data in this fashion is rare [5,6]. This technique is useful for clarifying combustor component data; quantifying system level impact necessitates the addition of a nozzle process calculation that relates to an engine cycle.
Comment on “On AGU's Position Statement, ‘Human Impacts on Climate’”

Regarding the Forum by Cyril Galvin (Eos, 89(46), 459, 2008), while I understand AGU's willingness to present both sides of the coin, as it were, I am disappointed that this Forum appeared in Eos. One major point in question is the assertion by Galvin that “nowhere on the sandy ocean shores of the world is there a beach whose erosion has been documented to be caused by sea level rise.” This point disregards the fact that coastal barrier systems have been moving landward for the last several thousand years, driven by rising sea level. Yes, the picture is complex, and yes, wave action and storms, in addition to constraints on sediment supply—many of them heavily influenced in the present day by societal actions—are also important: Some beaches will erode without rising sea level if they are starved of new sediment to replace that removed by wave-driven, alongshore currents, and it is of course the waves that move the sediment around.
Nonlinear ultrasonic parameter in precipitate-hardened steels

The authors have investigated several specimens of ASTM A710 steel containing copper-rich precipitates with variations in the final aging treatment. X-ray diffraction line-broadening and small-angle neutron-scattering experiments revealed the existence of the precipitates and associated coherency strain. The authors determined the nonlinear ultrasonic parameter {Beta} for each specimen by harmonic-generation experiments and measured the ultrasonic longitudinal velocity {nu}{sub L} and attenuation {alpha}{sub L}. Although {nu}{sub L} and {alpha}{sub L} showed no consistent trends, {Beta} increased with increasing strain. This correlation is compared to a microstructural model for harmonic generation that includes a contribution from precipitate-pinned dislocations.
Machine learning in the liberal arts curriculum

Machine learning is typically considered a graduate-level course with an artificial intelligence course as a prerequisite. However, it does not need to be positioned this way, and in the liberal arts curriculum in particular, there are advantages to offering this course to undergraduate students. An undergraduate course in machine learning is easily and naturally structured to introduce research concepts and to work within a research paradigm. It also introduces the use of statistics, reflected both in the machine learning systems studied and in the experimental methodology. Furthermore, it allows for an interdisciplinary perspective, as students can be encouraged to work on problems from other departments in the college. This paper describes the benefits of offering such a course and outlines a course structure and resources for doing so.
Health Related Quality of Life in Patients with Cirrhosis

HRQOL is a multidimensional concept that usually includes self-report of the way in which physical, emotional, social, or other domains of well-being are affected by a disease or its treatment. The concept of HRQOL is a direct descendent of the World Health Organization definition of health in that HRQOL is thought to encompass multiple domains: (1) biological functioning, (2) psychological functioning, and (3) social functioning. Cirrhosis of the liver has a considerable negative impact on HRQOL. This paper describes the instruments that can be used to measure HRQOL in patients with cirrhosis, factors associated with poor HRQOL, and interventions that may result in improvement in HRQOL for patients with cirrhosis.
Meson Interactions in NMOS and CMOS Static RAMs

Nuclear interactions of heavy particles, such as neutrons, protons, and heavy ions are one of the primary causes of errors in memory chips exposed to radiation in the environment. Pions, the quanta associated with the nuclear force, and muons are produced in large quantities in such reactions and can be responsible for a portion of those errors attributed to primary particles. Pions and muons also are important constituents of cosmic rays at lower elevations. The rate of error induction in 4K static RAMs from high-energy pion and muon beams has been measured at three energies and as a function of depth in plastic. Preliminary data for 16K NMOS and 64K CMOS static RAMs were also obtained. Only two errors were observed from muon beams incident upon 4K chips for 1.4 × 1010 particles/cm2 . In contrast, energetic pion beams produced errors in the same chips at the rate of typically 5 × 10-8 errors per incident particle per cm2 . In the pion beams the rate decreased slowly with decreasing energy until the particles approached the end of their range. In the stopping region, the error rate continued to decrease for positively charged pions but increased about a factor of seven for negatively charged pions. Monte Carlo programs have been run both to simulate the production of pions in the atmosphere as a function of elevation and to simulate the inteactions of pions in the 4K chip.
Influence of thermohydrodynamic shock on He I-He II interfacial domain transport

Experiments probing He II-He I coexistence show that in the presence of heat flow there exists a thin interfacial domain. A thermohydrodynamic shock model is proposed to predict the location of the shock domain in the4He phase diagram. Experimental domain thicknesses are reported that are consistent with the model prediction. Consequences of the model for other cases are discussed.
Contextualized learning tools: animations and robots

This paper explores the use of the two contextualized learning tools, animations and educational robots, in an introductory computer science course. We describe our experience when supplementing Greenfoot animation exercises with robotic exercises using the Scribbler and Finch robot, and compare the impact of the different learning tools on students' engagement and performance. We also outline practical considerations concerning the use of Greenfoot animations, Scribbler robots, and Finch robots.
Mechanistic study of a manganese porphyrin catalyst for on-demand production of chlorine dioxide in water

A water-soluble manganese porphyrin complex was examined for the catalytic formation of chlorine dioxide from chlorite under ambient temperature at pH 5.00 and 6.90. Quantitative kinetic modeling allowed for the deduction of a mechanism that accounts for all experimental observations. Catalysis is initiated via an OAT (Oxygen Atom Transfer) reaction resulting in formation of a putative manganese(V) oxo species, which undergoes ET (Electron Transfer) with chlorite to form chlorine dioxide. As chlorine dioxide accumulates in solution, chlorite consumption slows down and ClO2 reaches a maximum as the system reaches equilibrium. In phosphate buffer at pH 6.90, manganese(IV) oxo accumulates and its reaction with ClO2 gives ClO3-. However, at pH 5.00 acetate buffer proton coupled electron transfer (PCET) from chlorite to manganese(IV) oxo is fast and irreversible leading to chlorate formation only via the putative manganese(V) oxo species. These differences underscore how PCET rates affect reaction pathways and mechanism. The ClO2 product can be collected from the aqueous reaction mixture via purging with an inert gas, allowing for the preparation of chlorine dioxide on-demand.
Sex differences in the inference and perception of causal relations within a video game

The learning of immediate causation within a dynamic environment was examined. Participants encountered seven decision points in which they needed to choose which of three possible candidates was the cause of explosions in the environment. Each candidate was firing a weapon at random every few seconds, but only one of them produced an immediate effect. Some participants showed little learning, but most demonstrated increases in accuracy across time. On average, men showed higher accuracy and shorter latencies that were not explained by differences in self-reported prior video game experience. This result suggests that prior reports of sex differences in causal choice in the game are not specific to situations involving delayed or probabilistic causal relations.
The Carleman Approximation Approach to Solve a Stochastic Nonlinear Control Problem

This note investigates the optimal linear quadratic control problem in the discrete-time framework, for stochastic systems affected by disturbances generated by a nonlinear stochastic exosystem. The application of the maximum principle to nonlinear optimal control problems does not admit, in general, implementable solutions. Therefore, it is worthwhile to look for finite-dimensional approximation schemes. The approach followed in this note is based on the ?-degree Carleman approximation of a stochastic nonlinear system applied to the exosystem and provides a real-time algorithm to design an implementable control law. Simulations support theoretical results and show the improvements when the approximation index ? is increased.
Allelic Variation within Helicobacter pylori babA and babB

Helicobacter pylori strains show both geographic and disease-associated allelic variation. We investigated the diversity present in two genes, babA and babB, which are members of a paralogous family of outer membrane proteins. Eleven family members within a single H. pylori strain, predicted to encode proteins with substantial N- and C-terminal similarity to each other, were classified as babA paralogues. In their central regions, most are less than 54% related to one another. Examining the babA and babB central regions in 42 H. pylori strains from different geographic locales, we identified five different allele groups of babA (AD1 to AD5) and three different allele groups of babB (BD1 to BD3). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the allelic groupings of babA and babB are independent of one another and that, for both, geographic variation is present. Analysis of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions in these regions showed that babA is more diverse, implying an earlier origin than that of the same region of babB, but that the babA diversity region may have more functional constraints. Although recombination has been central to the evolution of both genes, with babA and babB showing low mean compatibility scores and homoplasy ratios of 0.71 and 0.67, respectively, recombination is not sufficient to obscure evidence of clonal descent. Despite the involvement of babA in binding to the host blood group antigen Lewis B, neither the presence of different babA allele groups nor that of different babB allele groups is a determining factor in Lewis B binding of H. pylori strains.
TupleRecommender: A Recommender System for Relational Databases

An important and challenging task in any keyword-based search system in text documents or relational databases is the capability of the system to find additional results besides the actual search results and present them to the users as recommendations. This function allows the records that might be of interest to the user to be discovered and essentially enhances the user's browsing experience. Most recommender systems such as Amazon and IMDB rely heavily on the users' ratings, previously learned patterns from the users and their selected items to achieve this goal. In this paper we present a system called Tuple Recommender which first searches a relational database for a given keyword query and then makes the search recommendations based on the similarity of the tuples with respect to the tables' attributes in which the search terms are found, without relying on the previously learned patterns or users' ratings.
What Corporations Say Matters More than What They Say They Do? A Test of a Truth Claim and Transparency in Press Releases on Corporate Websites and Facebook Pages:

This study explicates two strategic ways to enhance organizational transparency in the eyes of its public during a crisis. By using 2 (a corporate website vs. a corporate Facebook) × 2 (presence vs...
Humanware issues in a government management information systems implementation

A United States Government Defense Agency charged with the acquisition and procurement of weapons systems required a comprehensive Management Information System (MIS). The Integrated Product and Process Management Information System (IPPMIS) was expected to integrate standard procurement functions through a hardware and software application. A defense contractor was 'hired' to design, develop, build, test and deploy an integrated acquisition project MIS, including career development and the management of personnel for program managers. The information system was designed and implemented without due consideration or management of the human side of systems development. The lack of human factors generated cost overruns, time delays and ultimately a partial failure of the system. This case addresses the behavioral, managerial and organizational shortcomings of the MIS process, which ultimately led to a less than effective implementation.
The safety of anticholinergic bronchodilators for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Introduction: Poorly absorbable quaternary ammonium-inhaled muscarinic antagonists both as the short-acting ipratropium and as long-acting (12 – 24 h) agents (tiotropium, glycopyrronium, aclidinium and umeclidinium) have all demonstrated statistically and clinically significant efficacy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease compared with placebo. However, controversy has arisen concerning the safety of this class of agents principally regarding their association with both fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular toxicity.Areas covered: The safety of both ipratropium and the long-acting muscarinic antagonists is reviewed with a major emphasis on potential cardiovascular toxicity, based on published clinical trials data and results of analyses of pooled data, meta-analyses, and observational studies. Since glycopyrronium, aclidinium, and umeclidinium have become available only relatively recently, more emphasis will be placed on the more extensive literature concerning the safety of the older anticholinergic co...
Cerebellopontine angle meningioma presenting with hearing loss

We present the case of a 48-year-old woman with a cerebellopontine angle meningioma who presented with sensorineural hearing loss. The lesion was nearly 4 cm in maximum dimension and extended into the internal auditory canal. Hearing loss resulting from cerebellopontine angle tumor is most commonly caused by vestibular schwannomas, which arise directly from the sheath of the vestibular nerve (VIII) in the internal auditory canal. Our case provides a review of magnetic resonance imaging features that aid in differentiation of enhancing cerebellopontine angle masses that can have similar clinical presentations.
Memory access patterns of parallel scientific programs

A parallel simulator, PSIMUL, has been used to collect information on the memory access patterns and synchronization overheads of several scientific applications. The parallel simulation method we use is very efficient and it allows us to simulate execution of an entire application program, amounting to hundreds of millions of instructions. We present our measurements on the memory access characteristics of these applications; particularly our observations on shared and private data, their frequency of access and locality. We have found that, even though the shared data comprise the largest portion of the data in the application program, on the average a small fraction of the memory references are to shared data. The low averages do not preclude bursts of traffic to shared memory nor does it rule out positive benefits from caching shared data. We also discuss issues of synchronization overheads and their effect on performance.
Evidence for androgen-dependent intracellular binding of prolactin in rat ventral prostate gland.

In an attempt to localize endogenous prolactin (PRL) in rat ventral prostate gland at the light microscope level, the following 4-step immunohistochemical reaction sequence was applied to fixed tissue sections: I) goat anti-monkey γ-globulin (AMγG), II) NIAMDD rabbit anti-rat PRL (APRL), III) goat anti-rabbit γ-globulin: peroxidase conjugate (AR-γG-per), and IV) chromogenic substrate. AMγG was required to block the nonspecific staining pattern produced by direct binding of AR-γG-per to the tissue and unmask that produced by APRL. APRL-dependent staining occurred in the Golgi region of ventral prostate epithelial cells. Golgi region staining was attenuated and eventually disappeared with increased APRL dilution and was not reproduced when normal rabbit serum or rabbit antisera to rat LH or rat TSH replaced APRL. However, absorption of APRL with highly purified NIAMDD rat PRL (1-1) neither attenuated nor eliminated Golgi region staining. This suggested tliat the APRL-dependent staining of rat ventral prosta...
Revisiting the Baffes Operation: Its Role in Transposition of the Great Arteries

Thomas Baffes developed one of the first operations for transposition of the great arteries directing inferior vena cava flow to the left atrium using an interposed homograft in the era before open heart surgery. He performed 117 Baffes operations from 1953 to 1960, with 30% overall mortality, and an additional 85 Baffes procedures before 1968, allowing many to survive until the atrial baffle operations. During the early days before hospitals had cardiopulmonary bypass machines, Tom Baffes and colleagues purchased a heart-lung machine and transported it to various Chicago hospitals to treat patients and stimulate interest in this emerging technology.
Anomalous diffusion in asymmetric random walks with a quasi-geostrophic flow example

We present a model of one-dimensional symmetric and asymmetric random walks. The model is applied to an experiment studying fluid transport in a rapidly rotating annulus. In the model, random walkers alternate between flights (steps of constant velocity) and sticking (pauses between flights). Flight time and sticking time probability distribution functions (PDFs) have power law decays: P(t) ∼ t−μ and t−ν for flights and sticking, respectively. We calculate the dependence of the variance exponent γ (σ2 ∼ tγ) on the PDF exponents μ and ν. For a broad distribution of flight times (μ 3, ν > 3), normal diffusion (γ = 1) is recovered. Predictions of the model are related to experimental observations of transport in a rotating annulus. The Eulerian velocity field is chaotic, yet it is still possible to distinguish between well-defined sticking events (particles trapped in vortices) and flights (particles making long excursions in a jet). The distribution of flight lengths is well described by a power law with a divergent second moment (Levy distribution). The observed transport is strongly asymmetric and is well described by the proposed model.
Organization and Modulation of Nuclear Lamina Structure

SUMMARY The nuclear lamina is a protein meshwork associated with the nucleoplasmic surface of the inner nuclear membrane, that is suggested to be important for organizing nuclear envelope and interphase chromosome architecture. To investigate the structural organization of the lamina, we have analysed rat liver nuclear envelopes by various chemical extraction procedures. From these studies, we have defined conditions that yield a nuclear envelope subtraction that is both highly enriched in the lamina and devoid of pore complexes. This fraction contains mostly lamins A, B and C, the three major lamina polypeptides that are apparently arranged in a polymeric assembly. Our chemical extraction studies also indicate that lamin B has a stronger interaction with nuclear membranes than the other two lamins, and support the possibility that lamin B is important for attaching the lamina to the inner nuclear membrane. We have examined the synthesis and assembly of the lamins during interphase in tissue-culture cells to investigate lamina structure by a second approach. We found that all three lamins are synthesized at similar rates throughout the cell cycle in synchronized Chinese hamster ovary cells, and that their biosynthesis is not temporally coupled to DNA replication. Our studies indicate that newly synthesized lamins are rapidly assembled into an insoluble lamina structure but that the apparent half-time for lamina insertion differs for individual lamins. We have also observed that lamin A is synthesized as an apparent precursor molecule that is converted to mature lamin A only after integration into the lamina structure. The lamina is reversibly depolymerized during cell division, a process that may be mediated by enzymic phosphorylation of the lamins. To investigate this possibility further, we have analysed charge-altering modifications of the lamins on two-dimensional gels, and have found that phosphorylation is the only detectable modification of these proteins that occurs specifically during mitosis. Furthermore, we have determined that when the lamins are disassembled during metaphase, each lamin has approximately 2 moles of associated phosphate/mole lamin, a value that is four to sevenfold higher than the average interphase level. Considering this information, we discuss a model by which depolymerization and reassembly of the lamina can regulate the reversible disassembly of the nuclear envelope during mitosis.
Deep RNA Sequencing Reveals Dynamic Regulation of Myocardial Noncoding RNAs in Failing Human Heart and Remodeling With Mechanical Circulatory Support

Background—Microarrays have been used extensively to profile transcriptome remodeling in failing human heart, although the genomic coverage provided is limited and fails to provide a detailed pictu...
Collisions of fluorocarbon ions at solid surfaces: electronic excitation, surface-induced dissociation and chemical sputtering

Collisions of C3F at self-assembled hydrocarbon, deuterated hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon surfaces yield fragment ions which are characteristics of both electronic excitation and vibrational excitation. Direct electronic excitation is indicated by loss of F˙, which has been shown previously to be diagnostic of this type of excitation process. Electronic excitation is favored by low-energy collisions at the hydrocarbon surface. Even the change to the corresponding deuterated surface produces a large effect in favor of the normal vibrational excitation process. This change in mechanism with the nature of the target shows up as a dramatic isotope effect in the surface-induced dissociation (SID) mass spectra. The control over the excitation process exhibited by the effective mass of the target is probably exerted through its effect on the relative velocity of the collision partners. The fluorinated surfce is more effective than the others in conversion of translational into internal energy and in minimizing ion loss through neutralization and other processes which compete with SID. The fluorinated surfaces yield spectra that are largely free from chemical sputtering, a process which occurs even at ultra-high vacuum for stainless-steel surfaces which are not rigorously cleaned. The internal energy deposition associated with chemical sputtering increases with increaisng collision energy. Several of the fluorocarbon fragment ions generated from perfluoropropylene have also been examined at self-assembled monolayer surfaces and they are well behaved in their SID and chemical sputtering reactions. This in contrast to the low efficiency of SID and high sputtering efficiency observed in previous studies at uncharacterized multi-layer hydrocarbon-covered surfaces.
SOI MOSFET modeling using an AC conductance technique to determine heating

SOI technology is a prospect for future integrated circuits. It allows increased circuit speeds, simple device isolation, elimination of latchup, etc. However, SOI MOSFETs are susceptible to localized heating effects which reduces mobility and thus MOSFET current. We propose a new SPICE model for SOI MOSFETs which takes into account self-heating. Using an AC conductance measurement technique, we have isolated the MOSFET's IV without self-heating. Using the BSIM3 MOSFET model, we are able to model the heating-free IV characteristics. We use an RC circuit to model the heating and adjust the mobility accordingly.
Assessment of Lymphocyte Development in Radiation Bone Marrow Chimeras

The Basic Protocol utilizes congenic strains of mice that differ at the CD45 (common leukocyte antigen) locus. Bone marrow-derived cells from these strains of mice can be identified by monoclonal antibodies specific for the two allelic variants of the CD45 molecule. Because this antigen is expressed on all nucleated blood cells, it provides a convenient genetic marker for following the progeny of transplanted bone marrow cells. Transplantation of marrow between mouse strains congenic for CD45 after lethal irradiation establishes hematopoiesis driven by genetically marked cells in recipient animals. The first support protocol can be used to establish appropriate radiation doses for use in the Basic Protocol. After several weeks, peripheral blood or primary and secondary lymphoid organs of transplant recipients can be evaluated for the presence of donor-derived cells using the second support protocol. Two- or three-color flow cytometry can be used to identify the progeny of transplanted cells, to document their cell-surface phenotypes, and to follow development of T, B, and myeloid lineages in vivo.
DATA MANAGEMENT IN THE ASSET SIMULATION FRAMEWORK

The Aircraft System Simulation Environment and Toolkit (ASSET) is a software framework for rapid development and simulation of continuous systems. The central concept of ASSET is a model—analogous to a block in a system block diagram. One important way to simplify the software development process for models is to use encapsulation. Encapsulation is a software development technique that disallows one model from accessing another model's internal state; models can only communicate through their well-defined input/output interface. Unfortunately when building a simulation, the engineer will often require visibility to data values that are not part of the normal interface. The data management system of the ASSET framework attempts to solve this problem. The data management system consists of a large central repository in which all models may write data and a common set of tools to access the data.
The Multi-Dimensional Impact Of International Tourism

Most countries – be they developed or developing, rich or poor, and large or small – compete for a larger share of the international tourism dollars. They capitalize on their cultural heritage, historic landmarks, rich wildlife, ancient monuments, scenic beauty, and other distinctive attractions and invest in world class resorts, hotels, and entertainment facilities to increase their appeal to the greatest numbers and different types of international travelers. However, success in international tourism is not without a cost. Aside from the investment needed for developing, upgrading, and maintaining the tourism infrastructure, there are environmental and social costs that need to be measured and carefully managed. Although many economists point to the revenues that are earned by destination countries from international tourism, some observers in developing countries show concern about the creation of a state of economic, political and cultural dependency that may have long-term negative consequences. This article explores the history, present importance, trends, and growth patterns of international tourism. It addresses a number of questions: 1) Has international tourism been a curse or a blessing for countries that have become economically dependent on it?, 2) Have recent trends been more or less favorable to the poorest countries?, 3) What are the forces that bring about shifts and changes in international tourism?, and 4) What are the future prospects for this industry?
Retention and invention in Bhojpuri diasporic music culture: Perspectives from the Caribbean, India, and Fiji

Bhojpuri diasporic culture, especially as constituted in the Caribbean, Fiji, and secondary diasporic sites, exhibits striking consistency in its patterns of neo-traditional music making. Based on extensive research in North India and the Caribbean (including Suriname), and with Indo-Fijian communities in the USA, in this paper I explore some of the socio-musical dynamics which have conditioned music culture in the diaspora. I also explore relations of musical genres and entities to their counterparts and sources in the Bhojpuri region. I suggest a categorization of neo-traditional music entities into such groups as: marginal survivals (such as the Caribbean birha style), orthogenetic neo-traditional genres (local-classical music, tassa drumming), and entities which, though derived from India, have declined in that country and became disproportionately more widespread in the diaspora (such as chowtal and the dantal). I suggest ways in which the Bhojpuri diasporic traditional music cultures of Fiji and the Caribbean, though isolated from each other (and from Bhojpuri India), exhibit similar patterns of differentiation from ancestral North Indian Bhojpuri music culture.
Targeting Bcl-2 as Therapy for Multiple Myeloma.

Mitochondrial signaling is an important component of chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in cancer cells (Korsmeyer, SJ, 2004Cell, 111:205–219). Members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins regulate, in part, the release of apoptogenic factors, such as cytochrome-c from the intermembrane space into the cytosol, thereby initiating caspase-9-mediated cell-death signaling cascade (Reed, SJ 1997, 34: 9–19; Kirkin et al, 2004, Biochim Biophys Acta. 2204, 1644:229–249). Overexpression of Bcl-2 or Bcl-x(L) confers resistance to chemotherapy in cancer cells, including MM (Letai, A 2004Cancer cell, 6:241–249; Chauhan et al, 2005, Annu Rev Pharmocol Toxicol, 45:465–476). Here we utilized ABT-737 (Abbott Laboratories), a potent small-molecule inhibitor of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-x(L) and Bcl-w with markedly higher affinity than previously reported compounds (Oltersdorf, Elmore, S 677–81). We show that ABT-737 inhibits the growth of MM cells, including those resistant to conventional agents dexamethasone, melphalan or doxorubicin. Examination of purified patient MM cells demonstrated similar results. Importantly, ABT-737 also decreases the viability of CD138+ tumor cells obtained from Bortezomib-refractory MM patient. In contrast, no significant toxicity of ABT-737 was observed against peripheral blood mononuclear cells from normal healthy donors or CD138− MM patient cells. Moreover, ABT-737 does not affect the viability of MM patient-derived bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Mechanistic studies show that ABT-737-triggered apoptosis in MM cells is associated with activation of caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3, followed by proteolytic cleavage of poly (ADP) ribose (PARP) enzyme. Finally, ABT-737 enhances the anti-MM activity of Bortezomib or Melphalan, without significant toxicity in normal cells. Collectively, these findings provide the rationale for clinical evaluation of ABT-737 alone, or in combination with Bortezomib or Melphalan, to enhance MM cell killing, overcome drug-resistance, and improve patient outcome in MM.
Improving Hydrological Process Modeling Using Optimized Threshold-Based Wavelet De-Noising Technique

The extent of the noise on hydrological data is inevitable, which reduces the efficiency of Data-Driven Models (DDMs). Despite of this fact that the DDMs such as Artificial Neural Network (ANN) are capable of nonlinear functional mapping between a set of input and output variables, but refining of the time series through data pre-processing methods can provide with the possibility to increase the performance of these set of models. The main objective of this study is to propose a new method called Optimized Threshold-Based Wavelet De-noising technique (OTWD) to de-noise hydrological time series and improve the prediction accuracy while the DDM is being used. For this purpose, in the first step, Wavelet-ANN (WNN) model was developed for identifying suitable wavelet function and maximum decomposition level. Afterward, sub-signals of original precipitation time series which were determined in the first step were de-noised by using of OTWD technique. Therefore, these clean sub-signals of precipitation time series were imposed as input data to the ANN to predict the precipitation one time step ahead. The results showed that OTWD technique could improve the efficiency of WNN model dramatically; this outcome was reported by the different efficiency criterions such as Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE = 0.92), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE = 0.0103), coefficient correlation of linear regression (R = 0.93), Peak Value Criterion (PVC = 0.021) and Low Value Criterion (LVC = 0.026). The best fitted WNN model in comparison by proposed model showed weaker performance by the NSE, RMSE, R, PVC and LVC values of 0.86, 0.043, 0.87, 0.034 and 0.045, respectively.
Aerosol Therapy During Noninvasive Ventilation or High-Flow Nasal Cannula

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) are increasingly used for patients with acute respiratory failure. Some patients receiving these therapies might also benefit from inhaled drug delivery. Thus, it is attractive to combine aerosol therapy with NIV or HFNC. The purpose of this paper is to review the available evidence related to the use of inhaled aerosols with NIV or HFNC. Available evidence supports the delivery of aerosols during NIV. Inhaled bronchodilator response might be improved with the use of NIV in acute asthma, but the evidence is not sufficiently mature to recommend this as standard therapy. Evidence does support aerosol delivery without discontinuation of NIV. Clinical studies on aerosol delivery during HFNC are needed, and based on the available in vitro evidence, it is not possible to make a recommendation for or against aerosol delivery during HFNC.
A Rapid Delivery System for Microbiologic Specimens

Despite awareness that a pneumatic tube system may be utilized for the transport of microbiologic specimens, our survey of 50 Florida hospitals revealed that none of them uses such a tube system for this purpose. A “rapid specimen delivery system” using a pneumatic tube system for transport of microbiologic specimens has been in continuous operation in our hospital for the past four years. The system employs low-cost disposable Whirl-Pac Bags (Scientific Products, McGaw Park, IL) as the only special expenditure and provides a cost saving when compared to the manpower needs of a messenger system and the cost of transport media. With the “rapid specimen delivery system,” not only do specimens arrive within minutes of collection, but the elimination of large numbers of samples arriving in the laboratory at one time also facilitates rapid and orderly processing of specimens. The proper utilization of the pneumatic tube system represents a major advance in the microbiology laboratory in that it places the technologist virtually at the patient's bedside. It has proven to be a rapid, safe and inexpensive method, and its use is encouraged.