cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Geochemical constraints for coexisting CO2 gas hydrate and calcite: implications for sheet cracks, stromatactis, zebra and tepee-like structures

Abstract The Ordovician Meiklejohn Peak mud-mound in western Nevada contains sedimentary structures (e.g., stromatactis and “zebra-rock”) that resemble features found in modern methane hydrate deposits. However, the δ13C of the mud-mound carbonates (−1 to 1‰ PDB) does not suggest interaction with δ13C-depleted methane. Consequently, Krause (Sedimentary Geology 145 (2001) 189) proposed that the Meiklejohn structures might have been produced by the formation and dissociation of CO2 gas hydrate rather than methane gas hydrate. Structures in Neoproterozoic cap carbonates, sheet cracks and tepee-like structures have also been suggested to represent gas hydrate interaction with carbonate sediments (Geology 29 (2001) 443), but, similarly, δ13C values do not suggest direct interaction with methane. The objective of this contribution is to see if the presence of CO2 gas hydrate is plausible for either setting. To test the feasibility of CO2 gas hydrate involvement in the formation of these structures, necessary concentrations of TCO2 were calculated based on required phase equilibria using the quadruple points Q1 (−1.73 °C, 10.2 atm) and Q2 (10.2 °C, 44.5 atm) from the phase diagram for CO2 gas hydrate (Miller, S.L., 1974. The Nature and Occurrence of Clathrate Hydrates. In: Kaplan, I.R. (Ed.), Natural Gases in Marine Sediments. Plenum, New York, NY, pp. 151–178). A limit for Ca+2 was established based on the lack of evidence for gypsum formation in this environment and the assumption that sulfate was up to 100% of its present oceanic value; the calculated TCO2 concentration, however, is relatively insensitive to the concentration of SO4−2 used. The lowest permissible value of pCO2 and TCO2 were found at Q1, where TCO2 must be at least 300 times the present value. These conditions are implausible for the formation of the Meiklejohn Peak mud-mound. Although some models for Neoproterozoic “Snowball Earth” require highly elevated atmospheric CO2, these models predict pCO2 that is still too low to permit the formation of CO2 gas hydrates in carbonate sediments. In addition, if the required conditions could be achieved during “Snowball Earth”, one would expect to find the associated structures only at the base of the section, while they are commonly observed meters to tens of meters above the base. Therefore, we conclude that it is unlikely these structures were produced by the formation and dissociation of CO2 gas hydrate.
Conservative Treatment of Localized Juvenile Spongiotic Gingival Hyperplasia

Introduction: Localized juvenile spongiotic gingival hyperplasia (LJSGH) is a recently described uncommon and distinctive form of inflammatory hyperplasia. Treatment of this condition has varied from surgical excision to no treatment followed by spontaneous remission. This case report demonstrates successful management of the lesion using a conservative treatment approach.Case Presentation: A 14-year-old male with negative medical and dental histories presented with LJSGH. The vivid red lesions involved the papillary and marginal gingiva of all maxillary anterior teeth. Initially, the lesion developed as a single red patch-like area involving the maxillary left cuspid. Subsequently, the lesion displayed a linear pattern of spread to involve successively more teeth in the anterior sextant. Biopsy revealed hyperplastic elongated epithelial rete pegs, atrophy of the overlying stratified squamous epithelium with mild spongiosis, neutrophilic exocytosis, and a highly vascular connective tissue with a dominant ...
An empirical examination of the dispersion and accuracy of analyst forecasts surrounding option listing

Abstract Prior theoretical and empirical research indicates that option trading enhances the availability and timeliness of market information, and that the market's earnings expectation (belief) is influenced by characteristics of the information environment. Motivated by these research findings, we investigate whether option listing is associated with changes in the market's expectations about future earnings. Assuming that the distribution of analysts' earnings forecasts serves as a proxy for the market's earnings expectations and using I/B/E/S consensus analyst forecasts, we examine two properties of analyst forecasts: accuracy and dispersion. The results indicate that consensus analyst forecast accuracy improves after option listing and that the variability of analyst forecasts increases after option listing. The accuracy and dispersion results are somewhat weaker but still present after controlling for firm size and analyst following.
Translocation of fixed carbon from symbiotic bacteria to host tissues in the gutless bivalve Solemya reidi

Solemya reidii (Bernard, 1980) were collected by Van Veen grab near a sewage outfall in California, USA, in spring/early summer of 1984 and 1985. Fixation of carbon dioxide by symbiotic chemoautotrophic bacteria in the gills, followed by translocation of the fixed carbon to symbiontfree tissues of the clam has been demonstrated using NaH14CO3 in two types of experiments. The first approach used the technique of tissue autoradiography to determine the exact sites of fixation of carbon dioxide and subsequent utilization of the fixed carbon compounds. Initial deposition (>95% after 10 min) was in the well defined portion of the gill filaments where the symbiotic bacteria reside. The heaviest redeposition of labeled carbon after a 2 d chase period was in the various glandular tissues of the clams (8 to 38% of the gill level). Levels in two of these glandular tissues decreased after a 5 d chase period, probably due to secretion. Significant labeling of muscle tissue, gonads, and the tips of the gill filaments occurred only after the chase periods. In the second approach, rates of initial carbon fixation by symbiotic bacteria and translocation into clam tissues were determined using pulse-chase experiments followed by dissections and assay of the clam tissues for radioactivity. Freshly caught clams fixed carbon at an average rate of 0.8 μmol CO2 g-1 wet weight h-1. In these fresh clams, 88% of the fixed carbon was found in the gills after 2 min incubation periods, with only 44% remaining in the gills after 1 to 1.7 h incubations. Individuals maintained in the laboratory for 100 d had only 5.8% of the RuBP carboxylase (a diagnostic enzyme for autotrophs) activity in their gills compared to freshly caught clams. After 2 min incubations in NaH14CO3, only 21% of the carbon fixed by the “old” clams was found in their gills, and the rate of incoporation into gill tissue was 5.7% of the rate in fresh individuals. These experiments demonstrate that the symbiotic bacteria fix carbon at a high rate, that a significant portion of the carbon fixed by the symbiotic bacteria (>45%) is translocated to the host, and that the translocated carbon is used by the host.
Vitamin D and intervention trials in prostate cancer: from theory to therapy.

Studies of vitamin D and prostate cancer have advanced rapidly from the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of prostate cancer to intervention trials of vitamin D administration in clinical cancer. The hormonal form of vitamin D, 1,25(OH) 2 D, exerts prodifferentiating, antiproliferative, anti-invasive, and antimetastatic effects on prostate cells. Moreover, normal prostate cells synthesize 1,25(OH) 2 D from serum levels of the prohormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D. The autocrine synthesis of 1,25(OH) 2 D by prostatic cells provides a biochemical mechanism whereby vitamin D may prevent prostate cancer. Many prostate cancer cells have lost the ability to synthesize 1,25(OH) 2 D but still possess 1,25(OH) 2 D receptors. This suggests that whereas vitamin D (e.g., cholecalciferol) might prevent prostate cancer, existing prostate tumors likely would require treatment with 1,25(OH) 2 D and/or its analogs. The major obstacle to the use of 1,25(OH) 2 D in patients therapeutically is the risk of hypercalcemia. Several maneuvers to reduce this risk, including pulse dosing and the use of less calcemic 1,25(OH) 2 D analogs, have been explored in Phase I-III clinical trials. Once merely a promise, vitamin D-based therapies for prostate cancer may soon be medical practice.
Sliding Mode Tracking Control of Underactuated Surface Vessels

This paper presents a position tracking controller for underactuated autonomous surface vessels. An asymptotically stable model-based tracking control algorithm is proposed for surface vessels based on sliding mode control approach since it is capable of handling large parameter uncertainties, unmodeled dynamics, and disturbances. A simple three-degree-of-freedom planar model of a surface vessel is presented with two actuator inputs providing surge and yaw motions. Two sliding surfaces are defined based on the vessel’s tracking errors. A first order surface is defined in terms of the surge position and velocity tracking errors. This leads to the calculation of the surge control force. A second order surface is then defined in terms of the vessel’s lateral position, velocity, and acceleration tracking errors. This surface lets us determine the required yaw control moment based on the surge force. The derivation includes integration of parameter uncertainties and disturbances into the formulation. The proposed sliding controller is tested through simulation of several different position tracking problems of an autonomous surface vessel with relatively large parameter uncertainties and environmental disturbances such as waves and wind. The wind and wave models are defined in terms of environmental parameters (wave period, length, wind speed, direction, etc.) and included in the formulation. Suitable nominal values and bounds are defined in two sliding mode controllers for the model parameters and wave and wind disturbances in order to insure the control law’s robustness.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Thymus gland and heparin influences on renal electrolyte excretion in male hooded rats

Abstract Ammonium heparin injections increased renal excretion of sodium, water and inorganic phosphorus in thymectomized, but not in sham-thymectomized or unoperated rats drinking tap water. Heparin also increased the excretion of potassium in sham-operated animals and of chloride in all surgical groups. When the animals drank 1% NaCl, heparin increased excretion of sodium, potassium, chloride, and water in shamthymectomized as well as thymectomized rats. In studies on rats drinking saline during July, August, September, October, and January, thymectomized-adrenalectomized rats excreted less sodium, potassium, chloride, and water, but more inorganic phosphorus, than did sham-thymectomized-adrenalectomized rats, and excretion of sodium, potassium, and chloride was increased with heparin. During February and March, the increase in electrolyte excretion was greater in thymectomized-adrenalectomized than in sham-thymectomized-adrenalectomized rats, and heparin tended to bring values for thymectomized-adrenalectomized rats closer to those of sham-thymectomized-adrenalectomzzed controls. Phosphorus excretion was not influenced in adrenalectomized rats by either timing of the experiments or by injections of heparin. It is concluded that heparin exerts influences on electrolyte excretion which are not dependent upon suppression of aldosterone secretion, and that removal of the thymus gland increased the sensitivity to heparin.
Abstract P5-01-03: MRI vs Breast Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) in Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer: A Prospective Head-to-Head Trial

Introduction: Functional breast imaging is emerging as an adjunct to mammography and ultrasound in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) is the modality most widely employed. However, it is expensive, uncomfortable for certain patients, and interpretation is variable, depending upon a radiologist9s expertise. Breast Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) has emerged as an alternative functional imaging study. While MRI evaluates differential enhancement of benign versus malignant lesions, BSGI evaluates the metabolic activity of normal versus abnormal cells by tagging mitochondria with Technecium99. In retrospective analyses, BSGI has been found to have similar sensitivity to MRI, but to date there has not been a prospective trial comparing these modalities in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. We sought to prospectively compare BSGI to MRI in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, to determine if this newer functional imaging study is as sensitive to MRI in detecting index lesions. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer from June 1, 2009 through May 31, 2010 were consented for an IRB approved protocol in which they underwent both breast MRI and BSGI. Each imaging study was read by a dedicated breast radiologist, with one radiologist reading all MRI, and another reading all BSGI studies. All subsequent biopsies were performed percutaneously, using image guidance. Patients were excluded if excisional biopsy was performed for diagnosis, or their MRI was performed at an outside facility. Patients with DCIS were also excluded. The sensitivity for each modality was calculated. Results: There were 53 patients enrolled in the study that had both MRI and BSGI for newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer. The sensitivity for MRI was 96% and for BSGI was 91% (Table 1) (P>0.5, ns). There was one index tumor not seen on either MRI or BSGI. It was a 2mm invasive ductal carcinoma diagnosed by calcifications on mammogram. The other index tumor not seen on MRI was visualized on BSGI. Two of the remaining four index tumors not visualized on BSGI were located in the posterior breast. Two studies were false negative. These four lesions were visualized on MRI. Discussion: In this prospective study comparing BSGI to MRI for newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer, BSGI was found to be as sensitive as MRI at detecting index lesions. Of the four false negative BSGI, two tumors were located near the chest wall, a known limitation of this technology. Larger prospective studies need to be performed to determine the true sensitivity and specificity of BSGI. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-01-03.
Discovery of Isonicotinamide Derived β-Secretase Inhibitors: In Vivo Reduction of β-Amyloid

β-Secretase inhibition offers an exciting opportunity for therapeutic intervention in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. A series of isonicotinamides derived from traditional aspartyl protease transition state isostere inhibitors has been optimized to yield low nanomolar inhibitors with sufficient penetration across the blood−brain barrier to demonstrate β-amyloid lowering in a murine model.
Adoption of information systems innovations by individuals: A study of processes involving contextual, adopter, and influencer actions

The extensive literature on the adoption of information systems (IS) or information technology (IT) innovations by individuals has primarily used a variance approach, focusing on individual, organizational, and technological factors that influence the level of adoption. Probably due to this focus on factors affecting adoption, little is known about the processes by which individuals adopt IS/IT innovations. Considering IS/IT adoption as an emergent process involving actions by the potential adopter, actions by individuals who might influence the adopter, and actions within the adopter's context, we examined the ways in which these actions interacted with each other over time. We conducted optimal matching and cluster analyses using data from 27 interviews about the adoption of 30 IS/IT innovations. The emergent taxonomy includes three distinct processes by which individuals adopt innovations: Conscious Quest, Requisite Compliance, and Asserted Trial. The Conscious Quest process, which results in ''full adoption,'' seems to be driven by the adopter, with no social influence and no mandate. In contrast, in Requisite Compliance and Asserted Trial processes, both of which resulted in ''partial adoption,'' the adopter encounters considerable pressure, either from a contextual mandate (Requisite Compliance) or from influencers (Asserted Trial). Implications for research and practice are examined.
Relationship between stress protein induction in rat kidney by mercuric chloride and nephrotoxicity.

Abstract Adverse environmental stimuli increase the synthesis of a class of proteins referred to as stress proteins. The effect of mercuric chloride, a model nephrotoxin, on protein synthesis in male rat kidney has been evaluated. Renal slices from exposed rats were incubated with [ 35 S]methionine for 1 hr and subjected to SDS-PAGE, after which 35 S-labeled proteins were detected by autoradiography. Enhanced de novo synthesis of 70- and 90-kDa relative molecular mass ( M r ) proteins were detected 2 hr after exposure to 1 mg Hg/kg, with maximum activity occurring at 4–8 hr. By 16 hr postinjection, synthesis of these two proteins had decreased. Dose-related increases in synthesis of these proteins, and of a 110-kDa protein, were observed 4 hr after iv injection of 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg Hg/kg, with concomitant inhibition of synthesis of proteins of M r 38 and 68 kDa. At a dose of 1 mg/kg, kidney proximal tubules exhibited progressive degenerative changes from 4 to 24 hr. A functional deficit, decreased uptake of [ para - 3 H]aminohippurate into renal slices, was not observed until 16 hr after iv injection of 1 mg/kg. No significant histopathologic changes were observed in kidneys 4 hr after treatment with 0.25 or 0.5 mg Hg/kg, iv. No changes in liver protein synthesis were apparent until 16–24 hr, where an increase in the 70- and 90-kDa proteins was observed. A concomitant increase in plasma sorbitol dehydrogenase activity occurred at 16–24 hr; however, there was no histopathological evidence of liver injury. The 72-kDa inducible member of the 70-kDa stress protein family and the 88-kDa member of the 90-kDa protein family were detected by immunoblotting techniques using monoclonal antibodies. The data demonstrate that Hg induces alterations in the expression of renal gene products in vivo as evidenced by enhanced stress protein synthesis and inhibition of synthesis of constitutive proteins. These changes in renal protein synthesis preceded overt renal injury, occurring in the early stages of nephropathy. Altered patterns of stress protein synthesis appeared to be target organ specific. The data suggest that altered protein synthesis patterns may serve as biomarkers of renal injury.
Statistical methodology for predicting the life of lithium-ion cells via accelerated degradation testing

Statistical models based on data from accelerated aging experiments are used to predict cell life. In this article, we discuss a methodology for estimating the mean cell life with uncertainty bounds that uses both a degradation model (reflecting average cell performance) and an error model (reflecting the measured cell-to-cell variability in performance). Specific forms for the degradation and error models are presented and illustrated with experimental data that were acquired from calendar-life testing of high-power lithium-ion cells as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOEs) Advanced Technology Development program. Monte Carlo simulations, based on the developed models, are used to assess lack-of-fit and develop uncertainty limits for the average cell life. In addition, we discuss the issue of assessing the applicability of degradation models (based on data acquired from cells aged under static conditions) to the degradation of cells aged under more realistic dynamic conditions (e.g., varying temperature).
Asymptotic decorrelation of between-Scale Wavelet coefficients

In recent years there has been much interest in the analysis of time series using a discrete wavelet transform (DWT) based upon a Daubechies wavelet filter. Part of this interest has been sparked by the fact that the DWT approximately decorrelates certain stochastic processes, including stationary fractionally differenced (FD) processes with long memory characteristics and certain nonstationary processes such as fractional Brownian motion. It is shown that, as the width of the wavelet filter used to form the DWT increases, the covariance between wavelet coefficients associated with different scales decreases to zero for a wide class of stochastic processes. These processes are Gaussian with a spectral density function (SDF) that is the product of the SDF for a (not necessarily stationary) FD process multiplied by any bounded function that can serve as an SDF on its own. We demonstrate that this asymptotic theory provides a reasonable approximation to the between-scale covariance properties of wavelet coefficients based upon filter widths in common use. Our main result is one important piece of an overall strategy for establishing asymptotic results for certain wavelet-based statistics.
A new method for the measurement of relative multiple scattering on high energy electron pairs

The limitation of the «dipole effect» (electron-positron screening) as a method for determining the energy of electron pairs in nuclear emulsion is discussed. It is then shown that the multiple scattering, which is mainly responsible for the separation of the trajectories at a great distance from the origin (∼ 1 mm) can be evaluated from the measurement of the «geometrical effect». This phenomenon is studied experimentally on electron pairs of energy between 0.6 and 1 GeV, for trajectory separations up to 0.6 µm.
The incidence of major complications after the performance of extensive upper abdominal surgical procedures during primary cytoreduction of advanced ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal carcinomas.

Abstract Objective. To assess the morbidity and mortality associated with extensive upper abdominal surgery (EUAS) performed during primary cytoreduction for advanced ovarian carcinoma. Methods. We identified all patients who underwent EUAS during primary cytoreduction for advanced ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer at our institution from 1/01 to 12/06. Major grade 3–5 complications were those that led to invasive radiologic intervention, re-operation, unplanned ICU admission, chronic disability, or death within 30days of surgery. Results. There were 141 eligible patients, with a median age of 60years (range, 38–82). The majority of patients had stage IIIC disease, 103 (73%); serous histology, 131 (93%); and ascites, 118 (84%). There were 229 EUAS procedures performed—diaphragm peritonectomy, 101 (72%); splenectomy, 45 (32%); full-thickness diaphragm resection, 19 (14%); partial hepatectomy, 18 (13%); distal pancreatectomy, 17 (12%); cholecystectomy, 15 (11%); and resection of porta hepatis tumor, 14 (10%). Cytoreductive outcomes were: no gross residual, 42 (30%); residual≤1cm, 85 (60%); and residual >1cm, 14 (10%). Grade 3–5 complications occurred in 31 (22%) patients, including 2 mortalities (1.4%). In 21/31 (68%), the complication was successfully managed with percutaneous drainage of infected or non-infected collections. Overall median survival for all patients was 57months. Conclusions. Rates of major morbidity and mortality following EUAS for primary cytoreduction were 22% and 1.4%, respectively. Approximately two-thirds of complications were readily managed by percutaneous drainage of collections. With an overall median survival of 57months in a cohort of patients with a large tumor burden, this rate of morbidity and mortality appears acceptable.
Imaging Features of Midface Injectable Fillers and Associated Complications

SUMMARY: Injectable fillers are increasingly used for midface augmentation, which can be performed for facial rejuvenation and treatment of HIV facial lipoatrophy. A variety of temporary and permanent filler agents has been developed, including calcium hydroxylapatite, collagen, liquid silicone, polytetrafluoroethylene, hyaluronic acid, poly-l-lactic acid, and polyacrylamide gel. Facial fillers are sometimes encountered on radiologic imaging incidentally and should not be mistaken for pathology. Alternatively, patients with facial fillers may undergo imaging specifically to evaluate associated complications, such as infection, overfilling, migration, foreign-body reaction, and scarring. Therefore, it is important to be familiar with the imaging appearances of the various filler materials and their complications.
Optimal configuration of p-cycles in WDM optical networks with sparse wavelength conversion

In this paper, we study the optimal configuration of p-cycles in survivable WDM optical mesh networks with sparse wavelength conversion while 100% restorability is guaranteed against any single failures. We formulate the problem as an integer linear program. In our optimization model, working paths are known before protection configuration is done. p-cycles and wavelength converters are then optimally determined subject to the constraint that only a given number of nodes have wavelength conversion capability. The objective is to minimize the cost of link capacity used by all p-cycles to accommodate a set of traffic demands. In the proposed p-cycle configuration architecture, we take into account converter sharing: (a) when converters are used for accessing p-cycles and for wavelength conversion between two adjacent on-cycle spans; (b) when converters are used among disjoint straddling spans incident to the same node for accessing p-cycles. Converter sharing enables the network to require as few converters as possible to attain a satisfactory level of performance. Our simulation results indicate that the proposed approach significantly outperforms the approach for WP networks in terms of protection cost and can obtain the optimal performance as achieved by the approach for VWP networks, but requires fewer wavelength conversion sites and fewer wavelength converters.
High dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell support for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer

The overall median survival of women with advanced or high risk primary disease has not changed with conventional chemotherapy. Regimens employing high dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell support (ABMT) have been developed with the hope of optimizing tumor response and increasing survival. Early Phase I studies of patients with advanced refractory disease demonstrated the feasibility of administering agents in doses 5-30 times higher than those conventionally used. These studies achieved high response rates of short duration. Second generation studies combined an induction phase followed by one high dose intensification at the time of maximum tumor response
Facilitating police–minority youth attitude change: The effects of cooperation within a competitive context and exposure to typical exemplars

Previous community programs have been unsuccessful in changing youths' attitudes toward police, and have thus far not addressed police attitudes toward youth. In this pilot study, police (n = 26) competed together with minority youths (n = 51) on heterogeneous basketball teams. Pre- and postintervention attitudes toward youths/officers and posttest attitudes toward team members were examined. Police reported positive ratings of out-group team members, and demonstrated a positive shift in attitude toward minority youth in general. Generalization of positive attitude was more likely when officers perceived their team members as typical exemplars of minority youth. Minority youths did not show a significant improvement in attitude toward police but reported favorable attitudes toward team members. Results suggest that a short-term competitive tournament exposing individuals to typical exemplars may be effective for addressing hostile police attitudes toward minority youths. A controlled study is recommended to replicate and expand on our findings. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Differential sectoriality in long-distance transport in temperate tree species: evidence from dye flow, 15N transport, and vessel element pitting

The capture of patchily distributed nutrients by tree roots has received extensive research, but the fate of those nutrients has not. We performed experiments to determine if nutrient transport within tree species is preferentially transported from specific roots to specific branches. Saplings of five species with contrasting growth requirements were examined: two Betula species (B. papyrifera and B. lenta), Populus tremuloides, and two Acer species (A. saccharum and A. rubrum). To quantify patterns of long-distance transport, we examined the accumulation of safranin-O dye and 15N in branches when these tracers were applied to isolated lateral roots (dye and 15N) and to the main root system (15N). Because transport of nutrients between sectors requires flow through intervessel pit pairs of adjacent xylem vessel elements, we quantified the area of intervessel pits, the number of pits per unit vessel wall area, and the % vessel wall area as pits in Acer and Betula. We found that the two Betula species were integrated (tracers applied to isolated roots were likely to accumulate in all branches), while P. tremuloides and the two Acer species were sectorial (tracer accumulation was more concentrated in particular branches). Betula had the largest number of intervessel pits per unit vessel wall area and the largest percentage of vessel wall area as pits. The high density of bordered pits may explain the ease of tracer movement throughout the two Betula species. Greater integration may allow certain trees (e.g., Betula) to exploit nutritionally patchy environments such as rocky soils, and may alter plant-herbivore interactions.
Dynamics of Currency Substitution, Asset Substitution and De facto Dollarisation and Euroisation in Transition Countries

This paper presents new evidence on the dynamics of dollarisation and euroisation for 25 transition countries. Estimates of the amount of foreign currency in circulation (FCC) in transition countries are used to develop a new comprehensive dollarisation index (CDI) and separate indices of currency substitution (CSI) and asset substitution. When the CDI is compared to the traditional dollarisation index that relies solely on foreign currency deposits as a proxy for the extent of dollarisation, I find that the comprehensive dollarisation measure provides a more complete picture of the extent of de facto dollarisation and euroisation, and that it better reflects the separate influences of currency substitution and asset substitution. I find that the dynamic evolution of currency substitution and asset substitution in transition countries is both more variable and complex than is usually believed to be the case. These new dollarisation indicators enable researchers to examine the causes of the dollarisation process and its tendency to lead to irreversibility (hysteresis). Moreover, the currency substitution and asset substitution indices shed light on the dynamic consequences of these processes for the effectiveness of monetary policy. Finally, the new estimates of FCC make possible the measurement of effective currency/deposit ratios that can be used to develop new estimates of the size and growth of underground economies in transition countries.
The Manuscript Review Process: The Proper Roles of Authors, Referees, and Editors

Drawing on a 28-item survey, this article reports the editorial experiences of 173 lead authors of articles published in theAcademy of Management Journal andAcademy of Management Review, over the period 1999 to 2001, to explore some relatively new dynamics that have changed the character of the manuscript review process and given rise to a mounting debate over the proper roles of authors, referees, and editors. Among the survey’s more disturbing findings, more than one third of the responding authors reported that recommended revisions in their manuscripts were based on an editor’s or referee’s personal preferences, and almost 25% indicated that in revising their manuscripts they had actually made changes they felt were incorrect.
Notch signaling in bulge stem cells is not required for selection of hair follicle fate

Notch signaling plays an important role in hair follicle maintenance, and it has been suggested that Notch is also required for follicular fate selection by adult hair follicle stem cells in the bulge. Here we demonstrate that, on the contrary, Notch signaling in bi-potential bulge stem cells or their uncommitted descendents acts to suppress the epidermal fate choice, thus ensuring follicular fate selection. To examine the role of Notch signaling in adult hair follicle stem cells, we used a Krt1-15-CrePR1 transgenic mouse line to delete Rbpj or all Notch proteins specifically in the bulge stem cells. We conclusively determined that in the absence of Notch signaling, bulge stem cell descendents retain their capacity to execute the follicular differentiation program but fail to maintain it owing to their genetic deficiency. The defect in terminal differentiation caused the diversion of Notch-deficient hair follicles to epidermal cysts, and the presence of wild-type cells could not prevent this conversion. Importantly, our analysis revealed that a functional Notch signaling pathway was required to block bulge stem cells from migrating into, and assuming the fate of, interfollicular epidermis. Taken together, our findings yield detailed insight into the function of Notch signaling in hair follicle stem cells and reveal the mechanism of the replacement of Notch-deficient adult hair follicles by epidermal cysts.
Exercise-induced bronchospasm: Effect of adrenergic or cholinergic blockade

Abstract To assess the role of the autonomic nervous system in the bronchospasm which occurs in asthmatic children following exercise, β-adrenergic, α-adrenergic, or cholinergic blockade was induced by the intravenous injection of propranolol, phentolamine, or atropine, respectively, with saline as a control. Treatments were given by random assignment once to each of 10 asthmatic children on each of four successive afternoons, with each child acting as his own control. Measurement of peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) before injections, 15 minutes later before standard treadmill exercise, and 10 minutes after completion of 8 minutes of exercise disclosed a significant decrease in PEFR following injection with propranolol only. Pulse rate alterations were consistent with the various kinds of blockade sought. None of the treatments affected the decrease in PEFR induced by exercise. It seems unlikely, therefore, that exercise-induced bronchospasm is mediated in major fashion by the autonomic nervous system.
Enhancing reality in the operating room

Three dimensional computer models of the anatomy generated from volume acquisitions of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are useful adjuncts to 2D images. This paper describes a system that merges the computer generated 3D models with live video to enhance the surgeon's understanding of the anatomy beneath the surface. The system can be used as a planning aid before the operation and provide additional information during an operation. The application of the system to a brain operation is described. >
The Pros and Cons of Strengthening Intellectual Property Protection: Technological Protection Measures and Section 1201 of the US Copyright Act

The recent announcement (in late November 2006) of the Copyright Office's triennial rulemaking to identify "classes of works" exempt from the § 1201(a)(1) prohibition on circumvention of a technological measure controlling access to copyrighted works in part occasions this assessment of the judicial and administrative construction of this chapter of the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The current Rulemaking appears more innovative than its predecessors, particularly in defining the exempted class of works by reference to the characteristics of the works' users. Copyright owner overreaching or misuse may also underlie the relative vigor of this Rulemaking: if producers of devices or providers of services seek to leverage into de facto monopolies over utilitarian articles the protection of access controls on computer programs that in turn control the function of these objects, then the courts and the Librarian of Congress through the Copyright Office will need to exercise countervailing vigilance in interpreting the statute. Fortunately, Section 1201 is not so hermetically drafted as to resist all attempts to introduce flexibility; this article suggests some approaches to offset overly literalist statutory construction. Notably, the emergence of fair use as a limiting norm of extra-copyright application, as evidenced in the Trademark Dilution Revision Act of 2006, suggests that judges may yet devise ways of reconciling broader intellectual property rights with principles of free expression. Those who interpret the statute should nonetheless bear in mind the many new business models that Congress foresaw and that digital rights management measures (some of them author-empowering) have in fact enabled, lest insecurity dampen the prospects for these models' development.
The NIMA kinase: A mitotic regulator in Aspergillus nidulans and vertebrate cells

CDC2 has been shown to regulate entry into mitosis in eukaryotic cells. However, in Aspergillus nidulans, activation of CDC2 itself is not sufficient to trigger mitosis if another mitotic protein kinase, NIMA, is not activated. Superficially, NIMA and CDC2 have analogous functions and are regulated in a similar manner. NIMA activity is tightly regulated during the cell cycle. Overexpression of NIMA induces germinal vesicle breakdown in Xenopus oocytes and promotes premature entry into mitosis in all eukaryotic cells examined, whereas dominant-negative mutant NIMA causes a specific G2 arrest in Aspergillus nidulans and human cells, as is the case for CDC2. However, NIMA and CDC2 have quite distinct primary sequence substrate specificities. Furthermore, the regulatory mechanisms that govern the cell cycle-dependent abundance, activity and localization are largely intramolecular for NIMA but intermolecular for CDC2. More importantly, a NIMA-like pathway is also required for the G2/M transition in vertebrate cells. Thus, NIMA may represent a new essential eukaryotic cell cycle regulator, although its homologues in other species are yet to be identified.
A Middleware for Developing and Deploying Scalable Remote Mining Services

In this paper, we consider the problem of developing service-oriented implementations of data-intensive applications that process data on remote servers. While the existing grid and web-service frameworks allow interoperability and flexible resource utilization, achieving efficiency and scalability remains a critical challenge. Similarly, the existing grid and web-service frameworks do not provide transparency in accessing and processing data from grid-based data servers. We present design and evaluation of a system that supports a high-level interface for developing data mining and scientific data processing grid- services and targets data residing on SRB servers. Results of our evaluation using two data mining and one scientific data processing applications show two important observations. First, each of applications we evaluated demonstrated good scalability with respect to dataset size, as well as changing numbers of both data host and compute nodes. Second, there is only a small overhead associated with deploying our middleware- based applications using MPICH-G2 and Globus. This overhead varied between 14% and 22% and is primarily because of a larger memory footprint. Thus, overall, our work shows that it is feasible to develop and deploy scalable and efficient grid-services that process data from remote servers.
A 1-Year Lifestyle Intervention for Weight Loss in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Reduces High C-Reactive Protein Levels and Identifies Metabolic Predictors of Change From the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) study

Abstract Objective. We examined whether a 1-year intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) for weight loss reduced elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in obese persons with diabetes and identified metabolic and fitness predictors of hs-CRP change. Research Design and Methods. Look AHEAD is an ongoing multicenter clinical trial examining the effects of weight loss achieved through ILI on cardiovascular events and overall mortality in obese/overweight adults with type 2 diabetes. We report on 1,759 Look AHEAD participants who had hs-CRP and fitness data at baseline and 1 year. Subjects were randomized to ILI or to usual care (diabetes support and education [DSE]). ILI involved frequent counseling to increase moderate-intensity exercise to 175 minutes/week, reduce caloric and saturated fat intake and change macronutrient composition to improve glycemic control. Results. ILI reduced median hs-CRP by 43.6% from baseline to 1 year, compared with a 16.7% reduction with DSE (p Conclusions. A 1-year lifestyle intervention for weight loss in obese persons with diabetes was associated with substantial reductions in hs-CRP. Improved glycemic control and reduced adiposity had comparable effects on hs-CRP change.
Evolution of Average Microstructural Properties in the Final Stage Sintering of Alumina

Models of simultaneous coarsening and densification in final stage sintering commonly assume that the coarsening process results in microstructures that evolve self-similarly from a fixed microstructural geometry, differing only in scale. This assumption is experimentally tested for alumina in the solid volume fraction range of 0.97–1 using nondimensional microstructural parameters. The results clearly show that such models based on assumed geometries often underestimate the pore size relative to the grain size. The largest differences between the model and the experiments occur for lower firing temperatures and higher doping levels. It is concluded that the coarsening reflected in the effect of temperature and dopant level is not a self-similar process from a common microstructural geometry.
Human corneal epithelial cell adhesion to laminins.

PURPOSE. To analyze a-integrin mediated adhesion of human corneal epithelial cells to placental and EHS laminin isoforms. METHODS. Western blot analysis was used to partially characterize commercially available preparations of laminin isolated from the mouse EHS sarcoma and from human placenta. Using the human corneal epithelial cell line HCE-T, adhesion to laminin isoforms and fibronectin was determined using a colorimetric adhesion assay. a-integrin sub-unit modulation of corneal epithelial cell interaction with laminin isoforms was analyzed using immunofluorescence microscopy and adhesion assays incorporating functional blocking antibodies. RESULTS. In short-term adhesion assays, the preferred substrate for HCE-T attachment is placental laminin. Immunofluorescence microscopy reveals that a-integrin protein localization patterns are not significantly different in HCE-T interacting with EHS or placental laminin. However, in short-term assays a3 integrin plays a major role, and a2 integrin a minor role, i...
Incognito: efficient full-domain K-anonymity

A number of organizations publish microdata for purposes such as public health and demographic research. Although attributes that clearly identify individuals, such as Name and Social Security Number, are generally removed, these databases can sometimes be joined with other public databases on attributes such as Zipcode, Sex, and Birthdate to re-identify individuals who were supposed to remain anonymous. "Joining" attacks are made easier by the availability of other, complementary, databases over the Internet.K-anonymization is a technique that prevents joining attacks by generalizing and/or suppressing portions of the released microdata so that no individual can be uniquely distinguished from a group of size k. In this paper, we provide a practical framework for implementing one model of k-anonymization, called full-domain generalization. We introduce a set of algorithms for producing minimal full-domain generalizations, and show that these algorithms perform up to an order of magnitude faster than previous algorithms on two real-life databases.Besides full-domain generalization, numerous other models have also been proposed for k-anonymization. The second contribution in this paper is a single taxonomy that categorizes previous models and introduces some promising new alternatives.
Research on Children: National Commission Says ‘Yes, If…’

T he National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research was mandated to establish guidelines to protect vulnerable populations, including children, from exploitation as research subjects. The impetus to include children in the Commission's mandate was partially a response to experiments performed at Willowbrook State Hospital in Staten Island, New York. There some newly admitted mentally retarded children were deliberately exposed to viral hepatitis to study whether the disease could be better controlled in the institution. In its deliberation and debate, the Commission reached a middle ground between a total prohibition of research involving children at one extreme and an unqualified endorsement of research at the other.
Explaining long‐distance dispersal: effects of dispersal distance on survival and growth in a stream salamander

Long-distance dispersal (LDD) may contribute disproportionately to range expansions, the creation of new evolutionary lineages, and species persistence in human- dominated landscapes. However, because data on the individual consequences of dispersal distance are extremely limited, we have little insight on how LDD is maintained in natural populations. I used six years of spatially explicit capture-mark-recapture (CMR) data to test the prediction that individual performance increases with dispersal distance in the stream salamander Gyrinophilus porphyriticus. Dispersal distance was total distance moved along the 1-km study stream, ranging from 0 to 565 m. To quantify individual performance, I used CMR estimates of survival and individual growth rates based on change in body length. Survival and growth rates increased significantly with dispersal distance. These relationships were not confounded by pre-dispersal body condition or by ecological gradients along the stream. Individual benefits of LDD were likely caused by an increase in the upper limit of settlement site quality with dispersal distance. My results do not support the view that the fitness consequences of LDD are unpredictable and instead suggest that consistent evolutionary mechanisms may explain the prevalence of LDD in nature. They also highlight the value of direct CMR data for understanding the individual consequences of variation in dispersal distance and how that variation is maintained in natural populations.
Equivalence Principle for Massive Bodies. I. Phenomenology

The experimentally measured equality of inertial mass (${m}_{i}$) and gravitational mass (${m}_{g}$) of a body indicates nothing about the $\frac{{m}_{g}}{{m}_{i}}$ ratio to the order of gravitational self-energy/total energy of the body. Experiments are discussed, using astronomical bodies, which measure $\frac{{m}_{g}}{{m}_{i}}$ to the order of the gravitational self-energy of the bodies. The configuration of the stable three-body problem of Lagrange is shown to be particularly sensitive to the possible difference $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\equiv}\frac{{m}_{g}}{{m}_{i}}\ensuremath{-}1$ of the Sun.