cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ENERGY AND COLOR FLOW IN DIJET RAPIDITY GAPS

When rapidity gaps in high- ${p}_{T}$ dijet events are identified by energy flow in the central region, they may be calculated from factorized cross sections in perturbative QCD, up to corrections that behave as inverse powers of the central region energy. Although power-suppressed corrections may be important, a perturbative calculation of dijet rapidity gaps in $p\overline{p}$ scattering, using a valence quark approximation, reproduces the overall features observed at the Fermilab Tevatron. In this formulation, the average color content of the hard scattering is well defined. We find that hard dijet rapidity gaps in quark-antiquark scattering are not due to singlet exchange alone.
Effects of calcium, strontium, and barium as catalysts and sulphur scavengers in the steam gasification of coal chars

Effects of alkaline earths on the steam gasification of two coal chars, one of low and one of high intrinsic reactivity, were evaluated gravimetrically. The chars were derived from coal powders which had been impregnated with Ca, Sr, or Ba, pelletized, and pyrolysed in nitrogen. The additives increased the gasification rates in the order Ca < Sr < Ba. It follows from reaction kinetics that catalysis is caused by a large increase in the density of reaction sites, not by a lowering of the true activation energy. As shown by electron micrographs and elemental maps obtained by X-ray analysis, the strong catalytic effect is closely associated with the ability of the alkaline-earth species to spread over the char and to preserve contact with a freshly formed carbon surface as the gasification proceeds. The alkaline-earth catalysts are severely poisoned by hydrogen sulphide or sulphur dioxide from an external source.
The expanding use of immunosuppression in thetreatment of non-infectious ocular disease

Cyclosporin has been used for an increasing number of ocular indications. This review attempts to put into perspective the present scope of cyclosporin use in the treatment of ophthalmic disorders. This includes a review of randomized masked trials performed to date and work done to minimize and characterize cyclosporin induced renal toxicity. In addition, the ocular surface is an ideal target for topical cyclosporin therapy, and the status of this therapeutic approach is reviewed.
Demography of fluctuating vole populations: Phase homogeneity of demographic variables

Abstract Most research on fluctuations of arvicoline rodents has focused on changes in demographic variables across phases. Here, we examined whether demographic variables varied within a phase (trough, increase, and decline) across 30 fluctuations of Microtus ochrogaster and 14 fluctuations of Microtus pennsylvanicus over 25 years. For each species, we tested for phase homogeneity (i.e., values of demographic variables were invariant across all fluctuations within a given phase) for the following demographic variables: monthly survival (total, adult, young), proportion of reproductively active adult males and females, proportion of young, and proportion of immigrants. We found phase homogeneity for 96.7% of the 582 phase/fluctutation data sets for the seven variables, in the three phases of across all fluctuations in the three habitats for M. ochrogaster and 98.0% of 254 of those for M. pennsylvanicus in two habitats. We conclude that for each of these two species demographic variables are relatively invariant both within a phase and across fluctuations.
Genotypic characterization of an MHC class II locus in lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush) from Lake Superior by single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis and reference strand-mediated conformational analysis.

This study compares the genotypic information provided by reference strand–mediated conformational analysis and single-stranded confirmational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis for the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II locus in lake trout. For this study 80 wild-caught animals from the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior were genotyped using both RSCA and SSCP analysis. Their genotypes were recorded using both methods and compared. The genotypic information provided by the 2 methods was essentially the same although some inconsistencies were observed. Both methods detected approximately 65 genotypes, and both were able to distinguish heterozygous and homozygous animals. The analyses determined that only approximately 20% of alleles were shared between 2 morphologically different populations within the sample set, and identified the dominant alleles. SSCP analysis was quicker, simple, and more robust than RSCA. SSCP analysis using fluorescence technologies could be the method of choice for future genotypic analysis of the MHC II locus in salmonids.
Root proliferation in decaying roots and old root channels: a nutrient conservation mechanism in oligotrophic mangrove forests?

Summary 1 In oligotrophic habitats, proliferation of roots in nutrient-rich microsites may contribute to overall nutrient conservation by plants. Peat-based soils on mangrove islands in Belize are characterized by the presence of decaying roots and numerous old root channels (0.1–3.5 cm diameter) that become filled with living and highly branched roots of Rhizophora mangle and Avicennia germinans. The objectives of this study were to quantify the proliferation of roots in these microsites and to determine what causes this response. 2 Channels formed by the refractory remains of mangrove roots accounted for only 1–2% of total soil volume, but the proportion of roots found within channels varied from 9 to 24% of total live mass. Successive generations of roots growing inside increasingly smaller root channels were also found. 3 When artificial channels constructed of PVC pipe were buried in the peat for 2 years, those filled with nutrient-rich organic matter had six times more roots than empty or sand-filled channels, indicating a response to greater nutrient availability rather than to greater space or less impedance to root growth. 4 Root proliferation inside decaying roots may improve recovery of nutrients released from decomposing tissues before they can be leached or immobilized in this intertidal environment. Greatest root proliferation in channels occurred in interior forest zones characterized by greater soil waterlogging, which suggests that this may be a strategy for nutrient capture that minimizes oxygen losses from the whole root system. 5 Improved efficiency of nutrient acquisition at the individual plant level has implications for nutrient economy at the ecosystem level and may explain, in part, how mangroves persist and grow in nutrient-poor environments.
A national internet-based survey of cerebral aneurysm preference-based quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: Preference-based quality of life (QOL) instruments integrate all factors contributing to QOL and provide a comprehensive valuation of a health state. QOL values of the general public for cerebral aneurysm health states are not well understood. METHODS: In an internet-based survey of a nationally representative sample of the United States population, we measured standard gamble QOL values for the subjects' own health and for low-, medium-, and high-risk cerebral aneurysm health state scenarios and determined the effect of depicting aneurysm-associated stroke and death risk as annual or cumulative. RESULTS: The 1654 subjects matched the United States population demographics. The subjects' mean (standard deviation) QOL for their current health was 0.82 (0.19), and for a cerebral aneurysm it was 0.78 (0.19) (P < 0.001). Mean low-, medium-, and high-risk aneurysm QOL values were 0.01, 0.06, and 0.13 lower than for current health, respectively (P < 0.001). The average discrepancy between aneurysm QOL and current health narrowed with age: 18 to 25 years, 0.09; 24 to 44 years, 0.06; 45 to 64 years, 0.03; and 65+ years, 0.01 (trend P < 0.001). Subjects who received only annual risk data provided the highest mean aneurysm QOL values (0.81 [0.18]); those who received both annual and 20-year cumulative risk information gave intermediate values (0.79 [0.18]), and those who received only data on cumulative 20-year risk provided the lowest values (0.76 [0.20]) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Preference-based QOL values for cerebral aneurysms derived from the general public vary with the subjects' age, the risk of aneurysmal stroke and death, and the mathematical terminology used to convey the risk of stroke and death.
Allometric scaling and taxonomic variation in nutrient utilization traits and maximum growth rate of phytoplankton

Nutrient utilization traits can be used to link the ecophysiology of phytoplankton to population dynamic models and the structure of communities across environmental gradients. Here we analyze a comprehensive literature compilation of four traits: maximum nutrient uptake rate; the half-saturation constant for nutrient uptake; the minimum subsistence quota, measured for nitrate and phosphate; and maximum growth rate. We also use these traits to analyze two composite traits, uptake affinity and scaled uptake affinity. All traits tend to increase with cell volume, except for scaled uptake affinity and maximum growth rate, which tend to decline with cell volume. Most scaling relationships are the same for freshwater and marine species, although important differences exist. Most traits differ on average between major taxa, but between-taxon variation is nearly always due to between-taxon variation in volume. There is some evidence for between-trait correlations that could constrain trait evolution, but these correlations are difficult to disentangle from correlation driven by cell volume. These results should enhance the parameterization of models that use size or taxonomic group to structure physiological variation in phytoplankton communities.
The opportunities for engineering and technology in addressing the environmental, institutional, and economic constraints of marine aquaculture in the united states

Profound changes have taken place in agriculture over the past 50 yr. Science, engineering, and innovation have transformed agriculture from a way of life into a business. Most of these changes occurred during an era when the public took the environment for granted, accepting the practices of agriculture. Aquaculture has entered a similar period of rapid expansion over the last decade; however, the public (and their governments) are now acutely aware of the environment. Aquaculture will face scrutiny unknown during the development of agriculture. Science and technology have opportunities to address the environmental, institutional, and economic constraints associated with marine aquaculture, including the interface between the environment and production, technology to assist with problems of production and environmental impacts, and the pursuit of new options in siting and culturing.
Studies on Histamine Sensitivity and Anaphylactic Response. The Effect of Thyroid Extract

ConclusionsIn our experiments, administration of thyroid extract to normal guinea pigs greatly enhanced their sensitivity to histamine shock. We believe that the enhanced sensitivity to histamine which follows administration of thyroid extract explains the enhanced anaphylactic response observed after administration of this hormone.Administration of thyroid extract to normal guinea pigs led to marked decrease of the ascorbic acid content of the adrenals. Depletion of the ascorbic acid stores of the adrenals of guinea pigs leads to depletion of their cholesterol and cortin contents. We suggest that the enhanced sensitivity to histamine observed in our guinea pigs is due to depletion of the cortin content of their adrenals.
Surface and bulk electronic structure of thin-film wurtzite GaN

The bulk and surface valence-band electronic structure of thin-wurtzite GaN has been studied using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The bulk band dispersion along the {Gamma}{Delta}A, {Gamma}{Sigma}M, and {Gamma}TK directions of the bulk Brillouin zone was measured. Our results indicate the local-density approximation band-structure calculations using partial-core corrections for the Ga 3d states predict the relative dispersion of many of the observed bands with a high degree of accuracy. Furthermore, a nondispersive feature was identified near the valence-band maximum in a region of k space devoid of bulk states. This feature is identified as emission from a surface state on GaN(0001)-(1{times}1). The symmetry of this surface state is even with respect to the mirror planes of the surface and polarization measurements indicate that it is of sp{sub z} character, consistent with a dangling-bond state. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
A sample-based cache mapping scheme

Applications running on the StrongARM SA-1110 or XScale processor cores can specify cache mapping for each virtual page to achieve better cache utilization. In this work, we describe a method to efficiently perform cache mapping. Under this scheme, we select a number of loops for sampling. These loops are selected automatically based on clock profiling information. We formulate the optimal cache mapping problem as an Integer Linear Programming (ILP) problem. Experiments performed on 14 test programs show speedups in 13 of them (over the default mapping) after applying our sample-based cache mapping scheme. The geometric mean of program speedups for all the 14 test programs is 1.098. Furthermore, compared with a previous heuristic method which uses the full memory trace, the sample-based method performs cache mapping faster by an order of magnitude without sacrificing the quality of mapping.
Can prenatal screening for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder be justified? A commentary.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is the leading cause of non-genetic mental retardation in the USA, possibly exceeding even Down syndrome, which is currently approaching 1 in 500 live births. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy results in brain, craniofacial and heart defects, neurotoxicity, and immune dysfunction. The preferred action taken to prevent alcohol consumption during pregnancy is abstinence. However, the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of FASD remain a major public health need in this country and throughout the world. The biochemical molecules involved in the developmental anomalities encompass a vast array of signal transduction and synaptic pathways which involve neurotransmitters and neurotrophic peptides. Recent advances in medicine-based therapies for FASD have been reported, and include the use of small molecule agonists, antagonists, and competitive inhibitors. Since biomarkers for FASD have previously been identified in clinical research reports, multicenter screening feasibility studies now seem warranted and could be initiated following adequate funding, protocols, procedures, and institutional review board approvals.
Co-management in the Maine Lobster Industry: A Study in Factional Politics

One of the most promising mechanisms to conserve fish stocks is co-management, a type of ICCA (Indigenous Peoples' and Community Conserved Territories and Area), in which responsibilities are shared by resource users and the government. In Maine, the lobster co-management system, established in 1995, divides the coast into seven zones. It permits license holders in each zone to recommend rules on four issues to the commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources. This article describes the history of the Maine lobster co-management system, emphasising the role of factional politics in determining the development of policies and rules. In the Maine co-management system, political outcomes depend on the power of factions of fishermen and the coalitions of those factions with government units at higher scales. Cross-scale cooperation is necessary. In the cases where such a cross-scale coalition existed, rules were passed and policies went into effect. In those cases where no such coalition existed, gridlock reigned. If we wish to understand the production of rules for the lobster industry, we must focus not only on the actions of different industry factions, but also on the byzantine relationships between lower levels of management (i.e., the zone councils and the Lobster Advisory Council) and higher scale institutions (i.e., legislature, Maine Department of Marine Resources, etc.). In this paper, special attention is paid to the reasons that stricter trap limits have not been devised, despite the fact that such limits would solve a variety of serious problems.
Analytical model for grating dynamics in surface-charge-dominated Pockels readout optical modulator devices

An analytical model is developed to describe transient grating formation in surface-charge-dominated Pockels readout optical modulator devices for long exposures. It is shown that, under a short-transport-length approximation, solutions to the one-dimensional transport equations reveal the existence of thin carrier accumulation and depletion regions in the inner photoconductive layer near the dielectric–photoconductive interfaces. Rate equations for the accumulation of the net surface charge at these interfaces are derived and are solved self-consistently in a small-modulation approximation. The temporal behavior of the internal field and the grating-spacing dependence of the time response and of the grating amplitude are examined. It is shown that field fringing significantly affects the time response and the device resolution at small grating spacings. The general dependence of device performance on geometry is also discussed.
The effects of interaction frequency on the optimization performance of cooperative coevolution

Cooperative coevolution is often used to solve difficult optimization problems by means of problem decomposition. Its performance on this task is influenced by many design decisions. It would be useful to have some knowledge of the performance effects of these decisions, in order to make the more beneficial ones. In this paper we study the effects on performance of the frequency of interaction between populations. We show them to be problem-dependent and use dynamics analysis to explain this dependency.
Children in the United States of America: A Statistical Portrait by Race-Ethnicity, Immigrant Origins, and Language

The rights that the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) enumerates include the rights to (1) an adequate standard of living, (2) an education directed toward the development of the child’s fullest potential, (3) the highest attainable standard of health, and (4) the child’s own cultural identity and use of his or her own language. The CRC states that these rights shall be ensured regardless of various statuses of children, including race, ethnic origin, national origin, and language. This article presents a statistical baseline for assessing the diversity of children in the United States with regard to these statuses, presents results for statistical indicators of well-being for children distinguished by these statuses, and discusses public policies to reduce inequalities relevant to these rights.
Model space diabatization for quantum photochemistry

Diabatization is a procedure that transforms multiple adiabatic electronic states to a new representation in which the potential energy surfaces and the couplings between states due to the electronic Hamiltonian operator are smooth, and the couplings due to nuclear momentum are negligible. In this work, we propose a simple and general diabatization strategy, called model space diabatization, that is applicable to multi-configuration quasidegenerate perturbation theory (MC-QDPT) or its extended version (XMC-QDPT). An advantage over previous diabatization schemes is that dynamical correlation calculations are based on standard post-multi-configurational self-consistent field (MCSCF) multi-state methods even though the diabatization is based on state-averaged MCSCF results. The strategy is illustrated here by applications to LiH, LiF, and thioanisole, with the fourfold-way diabatization and XMC-QDPT, and the results illustrate its validity.
Bobcatsss 2012 Conference report: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the main contents of the 20th BOBCATSSS Symposium held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in January 2012, with the theme of “Information in e‐motion”.Design/methodology/approach – The report provides a concise viewpoint of the overall impact of the conference.Findings – The conference focused on the e‐environment, and debated new challenges and roles for librarians and information professionals.Originality/value – This symposium is one of the few conferences in the world where students are the main characters and participate as organisers, reviewers, and presenters of the contributions. Reports on such conferences are of interest to students, to teachers and to professionals.
Array designs for imaging

Summary form only given. Two techniques have been used to design telescope arrays for imaging applications. The first technique is applicable to arrays with a relatively small ( approximately 10), number of apertures and is essentially an exhaustive search with a simple inline test that allows the search space to be pruned by an order of magnitude. In the second technique, arrays of a large number of apertures are designed by combining the results from several arrays with fewer apertures. The criteria is that the best array would maximize the distance from the origin to the position of the first zero in the transfer function (TF). This criterion has been selected to accommodate reconstruction of image phases from phase-difference averages, a process that is sensitive to zeros in the TF. For telescopes with a large number of individually steerable mirrors, the dominant cost moves away from the fabrication of a mirror and towards the cost of beam combination systems and civil engineering. In order to reduce these costs, a fractal-based approach that encourages modular and replicated subsystems has been adopted. >
Active Subunits of Escherichia coli Glutamate Synthase

The large and small subunits of Escherichia coli glutamate synthase were isolated. The small subunit catalyzes the NH(3)-dependent synthesis of glutamate. The large subunit exhibits glutaminase activity.
Mapped quadrats in sagebrush steppe: long-term data for analyzing demographic rates and plant–plant interactions

This historical data set consists of 26 permanent 1-m2 quadrats located on sagebrush steppe in eastern Idaho, USA. During most growing seasons from 1923 to 1957, and again in 1973, all individual plants in each quadrat were identified and mapped. This combination of a long time-series with full spatial resolution allows analyses of demographic processes and intra- and interspecific interactions among individual plants. The data provide unique opportunities to test theory about the effect of environmental variation on population and community dynamics and to describe empirical relationships between climate variables and demographic rates. We provide the following data and data formats: (1) the digitized maps in shapefile format; (2) a tabular version of the entire data set (a table with no spatial information except an x,y coordinate for each individual plant record); (3) a species list, containing information on plant growth forms and shapefile geometry type; (4) a record of changes to species names; (5) quadrat information; (6) grazing treatment information; (7) an inventory of the years each quadrat was sampled; (8) monthly precipitation, temperature, and snowfall records; and (9) counts of annuals in the quadrats. The complete data sets corresponding to abstracts published in the Data Papers section of the journal are published electronically in Ecological Archives at 〈http://esapubs.org/archive〉. (The accession number for each Data Paper is given directly beneath the title.)
Examination of worker assignment and dispatching rules for managing vital customer priorities in dual resource constrained job shop environments

Abstract The focus in this study is on evaluating scheduling policies that may be used to offer a near-perfect delivery performance for vital customers in dual resource constrained (DRC) job shop environments. Prior studies in this area have modeled shops where all orders are considered to be of equal importance, and shown that any reasonable combination of worker assignment and dispatching rules that are sensitive to the shop cost factors modeled works well. However, a recent survey indicates that shops do in fact distinguish among orders on the basis of customer identity, and that certain customers have very rigid delivery guidelines which must be adhered to in order to maintain their ongoing business. The present study models such environments, and shows that the choice of scheduling policies is not inconsequential, especially if the shop aims at providing near-perfect delivery performance to a limited set of customers. In such instances, policies for deploying workers to different departments, as well as dispatching rules that use customer identity based information outperform their counterparts that are not sensitive to orders placed by vital customers. Scope and purpose In today's highly competitive marketplace, an increasing number of firms are being required to provide a high level of delivery performance by their customers. Certain types of vital customers, such as those operating under the JIT manufacturing philosophy, have very rigid delivery guidelines which must be adhered to on a consistent basis in order to retain their business in the long run. Prior studies that have considered this problem from a scheduling perspective have focused only on dispatching rules in machine constrained settings. However, in most real shops, dispatching rules are not the only means available in managing orders from vital customers. Instead, managers rely on flexible workers that can be moved to different departments as the shop load varies. The role of workers, and decision rules that govern worker assignment to different departments has not been considered in the context of managing vital customer priorities. The purpose of this study is to determine the relative importance of worker assignment and dispatching rules in offering a near-perfect delivery performance to vital customers served by the firm.
Moral Emotions from the Frog’s Eye View:

To understand the structure of moral emotions poses a difficult challenge. For instance, why do liberals and conservatives see some moral issues similarly, but others starkly differently? Or, why does punishment depend on accidental variation in the severity of a harmful outcome, while judgments of wrongfulness or character do not? To resolve the complex design of morality, it helps to think in functional terms. Whether through learning, cultural evolution or natural selection, moral emotions will tend to guide behavior adaptively in ordinary social situations. Thus, considering possible functions of morality can help us to comprehend its form.
Neuropeptide F and its expression in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti

A neuropeptide F (NPF) was isolated from an extract of adult Aedes aegypti mosquitoes based on its immunoreactivity in a radioimmunoassay for Drosophila NPF. After sequencing the peptide, cDNAs encoding the NPF were identified from head and midgut. These cDNAs encode a prepropeptide containing a 36 amino acid peptide with an amidated carboxyl terminus, and its sequence shows it to be a member of the neuropeptide F/Y superfamily. Immunocytochemistry and Northern blots confirmed that both the brain and midgut of females are likely sources of NPF, found at its highest hemolymph titer before and 24 h after a blood meal.
Dispersal dynamics of post-larval blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, within a wind-driven estuary

We examined how post-larval blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) dispersal occurs within Pamlico Sound, NC, USA, a predominantly wind-driven system. We sampled during multiple 24-h periods over 2 years (2000–01) to relate the spatial distribution of postlarvae in the water column with circulation patterns. A hydrodynamic model of the region was used to recreate dispersal trajectories and to assess potential transport mechanisms and pathways that link nearinlet and across-Sound nursery habitats. Most postlarval blue crabs were collected in surface waters at night, and were consistently distributed within the north-western region of Pamlico Sound. Particletracking simulations suggested that dispersal from the inlets to across-Sound nursery habitats only resulted from the combination of tidal and wind-driven currents. Our simulation results further indicated that the northernmost inlet (Oregon Inlet) was the primary supplier of post-larval blue crabs throughout the northern basin of Pamlico Sound, as crabs ingressing through Hatteras Inlet to the south were not retained within our study area. A dispersal pathway connecting Oregon Inlet and across-Sound settlement habitats was evident from field observations. Collectively, our results indicate how multiple forcing agents, coupled with post-larval vertical positioning within the water column, drive estuarine dispersal and connect spatially separated nursery habitats.
The Influence of Cultural Synchronization on a Teacher's Perceptions of Disruption: A Case Study of an African American Middle-School Classroom

Although a significant body of research addresses teachers’ perceptions of student disruption, the views of African American teachers remain underrepresented. In particular, little is known about African American teachers’ disciplinary practices with students of the same race. The purpose of the current study was to examine if and how the concept of cultural synchronization relates to an African American middle-school teacher’s responses to student disruption. Qualitative data were gathered from an eighth-grade classroom in a public, urban middle school. The findings suggest that cultural synchronization between the teacher and her students contributed to an effective style of classroom management that differs from traditional models. The discussion highlights the importance of cultural issues as related to effective disciplinary tactics for urban African American students.
An active gyroscopic magnetic micromixer for rapid fluid mixing in droplet based microfluidic systems

We demonstrate a magnetic micromixer designed specifically for rapid active mixing in droplets. The magnetic micromixer is fabricated with composites consisting of magnetite and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using soft lithography techniques. The micromixer spins on the droplet surface and rapidly homogenizes the solution of reagents by actively mixing. The spinning motion also enables the micromixer to balance itself on the curved droplet surface through gyroscopic effect. We have compared the micromixer-assisted mixing to the diffusion based mixing and confirmed the micromixer drastically improved the mixing speed.
Functional expression of SK channels in murine detrusor PDGFRα+ cells

We sought to characterize molecular expression and ionic conductances in a novel population of interstitial cells (PDGFRα(+) cells) in murine bladder to determine how these cells might participate in regulation of detrusor excitability. PDGFRα(+) cells and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were isolated from detrusor muscles of PDGFRα(+)/eGFP and smMHC/Cre/eGFP mice and sorted by FACS. PDGFRα(+) cells were highly enriched in Pdgfra (12 fold vs. unsorted cell) and minimally positive for Mhc (SMC marker), Kit (ICC marker) and Pgp9.5 (neuronal marker). SK3 was dominantly expressed in PDGFRα(+) cells in comparison to SMCs. αSlo (BK marker) was more highly expressed in SMCs. SK3 protein was observed in PDGFRα(+) cells by immunohistochemistry but could not be resolved in SMCs. Depolarization evoked voltage-dependent Ca(2+) currents in SMCs, but inward current conductances were not activated in PDGFRα(+) cells under the same conditions. PDGFRα(+) cells displayed spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) at potentials positive to -60 mV that were inhibited by apamin. SK channel modulators, CyPPA and SKA-31, induced significant hyperpolarization of PDGFRα(+) cells and activated SK currents under voltage clamp. Similar responses were not resolved in SMCs at physiological potentials. Single channel measurements confirmed the presence of functional SK3 channels (i.e. single channel conductance of 10 pS and sensitivity to intracellular Ca(2+)) in PDGFRα(+) cells. The apamin-sensitive stabilizing factor regulating detrusor excitability is likely to be due to the expression of SK3 channels in PDGFRα(+) cells because SK agonists failed to elicit resolvable currents and hyperpolarization in SMCs at physiological potentials.
Putting Elections in Their Place: The Limits of Their Role in a Representative Democracy

Elections are crucial for democracy, but the role they play is often overstated. Most people would probably say that elections are a major instrument through which the people exercise power over law and policy. They would say that elections are where people show they are part of the political process. They would say that election campaigns provide the occasion to weigh the options of action and deliberate on what needs to be done. Building on my book, "Reforming Democracies: Six Facts that Demand a New Agenda," my general argument in this paper is that elections have lost much of their efficacy and importance for these processes. They are a very blunt instrument for influencing policy. Those who vote are a small percentage of those involved in the politics of the country. And they seem designed to discourage deliberation about solving problems.
LAKER: learning from past actions to guide future behaviors in ad hoc routing: Research Articles

In this paper, we present a location aided knowledge extraction routing (LAKER) protocol for mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). The novelty of LAKER is that it learns from past actions to guide future behaviors. In particular, LAKER can gradually discover current topological characteristics of the network, such as population density distribution, residual battery map, and traffic load status. This knowledge can be organized in the form of a set of guiding routes, each of which consists of a chain of guiding positions between a pair of source and destination locations. The guiding route information is learned by individual nodes during route discovery phase, and it can be used to guide future route discovery processes in a more efficient manner. LAKER is especially suitable for mobility models where nodes are not uniformly distributed. LAKER can exploit topological characteristics in these models and limit the search space in route discovery processes in a more refined granularity than location aided routing (LAR) protocol. Simulation results show that LAKER outperforms LAR and DSR in term of routing overhead, saving up to 30–45p broadcast routing messages compared to LAR approach. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Action Planning: A Sequential Checklist

This note presents a six-step sequence of points to consider when preparing an action plan, including stating objectives, generating alternatives, evaluating alternatives, selecting an alternative, implementing the alternative, and assessing its impact. (The checklist alone is given in OB-0371.)
Cu and Dilute Binary Cu(Ti), Cu(Sn) and Cu(Al) Thin Films: Texture, Grain Growth and Resistivity

Annealing Cu and dilute Cu(Ti), Cu(Sn) and Cu(Al) alloy films resulted in the strengthening of film texture, with the strongest fiber texture being found for Cu(Ti). Annealing also resulted in a decrease of electrical resistivity and the growth of grains, with the largest grain size and lowest resistivity being seen for pure Cu itself. Among the alloy films, the lowest resistivity was found for Cu(Ti) and the largest grain size for Cu(Al). Electron beam evaporated films with compositions in the range of 2.0-3.0 at% and thicknesses in the range of 420-540 nm were annealed at 400°C for 5 hours. Four point probe resistance measurement, xray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to follow the changes in film resistivity, texture and grain size.
Lactulose Hydrogen Breath Test Result Is Associated with Age and Gender

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is associated with chronic gastrointestinal diseases and structural/functional abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract. SIBO's association with clinical characteristics is unclear. This study investigates the association between clinical factors and SIBO according to lactulose hydrogen breath test (LHBT) result. Methods. A cross-sectional study in a university-based gastroenterology practice was performed. Data was abstracted from the medical records of subjects undergoing LHBT from 6/1/2009 to 6/1/2013. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between predictor variables: age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and positive LHBT, the outcome of interest. Results. LHBT was performed in 791 subjects. Fifty-four percent had a positive LHBT. There was no statistically significant difference between the LHBT results according to age or BMI. In females, the likelihood of a positive LHBT increased with age (OR 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.03). In males, the likelihood of a positive LHBT result decreased with age (OR 0.98; 95% CI: 0.97-1.00). Conclusion. There was an association between age, with respect to sex, and a positive LHBT. With increased age in females, the odds of a positive LHBT increased, while, in men, the odds of a positive LHBT decreased with age.
Abstract 5108: Silencing of Bcl-2 by liposomal siRNA enhances Doxorubicin-induced autophagy and inhibits in vivo tumor growth of ER(−) and ER(−) breast cancers

Apoptosis (type I) and autophagic death (type II) are types of programmed cell death and play important roles in development, homeostasis, and elimination of unwanted cells. Autophagy is an evolutionary conserved process of lysosomal digestion of cytoplasm, misfolded proteins and organelles and may lead to autophagic cell death depending on the duration and severity of the process. In contrast to apoptosis, autophagicdeath is caspase independent and does not involve classical DNA laddering. The Bcl-2 proto-oncogene is overexpressed in 50-70% of breast cancers, potentially leading to resistance to chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy induced apoptosis. We recently reported that silencing of Bcl-2 by siRNA leads to predominantly autophagic cell death that is associated with induction of ATG5 expression in estrogen receptor ER(+) MCF-7 breast cancer cells that express high levels of Bcl-2 but lack caspase 3, which is also not expressed in 70% breast cancer patients. Bcl-2 siRNA also enhanced doxorubicin-induced autophagy and growth inhibition in MCF-7 cells. Here we investigated whether silencing of Bcl-2 by systemically administered liposomal siRNA alone or in combination with doxorubicin induce autophagic cell death in vivo breast cancers models of MCF-7 and highly aggressive and metastatic ER(−) and low Bcl-2 expressing MDA-MB-231 tumors in mice. In vitro inhibition of Bcl-2 by siRNA in MDA-MB-231 cells inhibited colony formation and significantly enhanced (3-fold) autophagy as indicated by LC3-II protein expression (Western blot), a marker of autophagy, following doxorubicin treatment. Mice bearing orthotopic MCF-7 and luciferase expressing MDA-MB231 breast tumors received liposomal Bcl-2 siRNA (150ug/kg/mouse or 5ug/mouse twice a week i.v.) or control siRNA. Bcl-2 siRNA group had significantly smaller tumors in both models detected by tumor weight and luciferease expression (by IVIS imaging) compared to control siRNA group (p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5108.
Chemosterilizing Southern Corn Rootworm Beetles with Apholate

When both sexes of Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber adults were treated with solutions containing 50—100 ppm apholate by feeding or contact, the eggs per female and the viability of the eggs decreased. The ovaries of treated females were smaller and/or the ovarioles of the treated females were fewer and smaller. The tests of treated males showed no consistent effect and activity of the sperm seemed normal, but the accessory gland which is responsible for secreting seminal fluid was degenerated. Thus, the decrease in viability when males were treated probably was caused by failure of the male to transmit sperm to the female during copulation because of a lack of seminal fluid.
An Instance of Delayed Emergence of the Douglas-Fir Beetle and Its Effect on an Infestation in Southern Utah

A long-term infestation of Douglas-fir beetle in southern Utah was terminated by failure of brood to emerge in 1962. The weather seemed responsible for brood remaining in the infested trees for 2 winters. The proportions of brood stages entering fall became progressively more immature over a 4-year period prior to the decline.
Hippocampal abnormalities and sudden childhood death.

The papers by Hefti et al. [1, 2] confirm and expand upon the group’s prior report of hippocampal abnormalities found in young children with sudden unexpected death. In the present studies, the investigators take advantage of the pathologic dataset made available through the San Diego Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) research project. Eighty percent of the cases were classified as SUDC with smaller numbers associated with an explained cause, undetermined, or related to a seizure. Unexpectedly, there was a significant percentage of SUDC individuals with a history of febrile seizures or a family history of febrile seizures (nearly 50 %), and in 50 % of the cases of SUDC the hippocampal formation was found to be histologically abnormal. The authors emphasize the association of SUDC, a history of febrile seizures, and developmental abnormalities of the hippocampus including dentate granule microarchitecture abnormalities and hippocampal rotational abnormalities, and use the term hippocampal maldevelopment associated with sudden death (HMASD) to characterize the lesion. The association of a history of febrile seizures and SUCD was previously reported [3] but not clearly associated with any specific pathology. When the hippocampus was studied more closely, a relationship between pathologic abnormalities and SUCD was suggested [4, 5]. The current studies provide further evidence of a potential relationship between febrile seizures or familial tendency to febrile seizures, SUDC, and underlying hippocampal abnormalities. These observations raise some interesting, and potentially important questions.
Use of the Nonimmersed in Vitro Chicken Tracheal Preparation for the Study of Ciliary Transport Activity Cigarette Smoke and Related Components

A bioassay has been developed and used to quantitatively characterize the effects of cigarette smoke on ciliary function. Diluting smoke from 50% (40 ml) to 3% (2.5 ml) increases the number of four-second exposures required for 90% to 100% inhibition from 8 to 80 (or more) puffs. A high degree of correlation and notable similarity in slope of dose-response curves was found for regular cigarettes, cellulose acetate filter cigarettes, and cigarettes with filters of cellulose acetate with activated carbon. A 50% reduction (dose required to inhibit particle transport rate to 50% of control rate [ED50]) in transport activity was observed with 8 ml (one to ten dilution) of nonfiltered cigarette smoke after eight exposures of four seconds each, delivered at one-minute intervals. The ED50 for hydrogen cyanide under similar conditions was attained at 10μg per puff or at concentrations lower than those reported in smoke. Recovery from HCN was more rapid than after cigarette smoke. Smoke from cigarettes with filters...
Lissencephaly: EEG and Evoked Potentials

The EEGs and evoked potentials were studied in 21 Dutch patients with lissencephaly type I at the Departments of Clinical Neurophysiology and Neurology, Juliana Children’s Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Prevalence of Neuroendocrine Tumors in Rectal Biopsy

Rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) constitute approximately 27% of gastrointestinal NETs and 16% of all NETs. Rectal NETs have been rising in the United State, with an incidence of 0.86 per 100,000, according to the 2004 surveillance reports. They are more common in African American and Asian populations, with a male …
Gaining insight into tablet capping tendency from compaction simulation.

Abstract Capping or lamination is an unsolved common problem in tablet manufacturing. Knowledge gaps remain despite an enormous amount of effort made in the past to better understand the tablet capping/lamination phenomenon. Using acetaminophen – containing formulations, we examined the potential use of a compaction simulator as a material-sparing tool to predict capping occurrence under commercial tableting conditions. Systematical analyses of the in-die compaction data led to insight on the potential mechanism of tablet capping/lamination. In general, capping strongly correlates with high in-die elastic recovery, high Poisson’s ratio, low tensile strength, and radial die-wall pressure. Such insight can be used to guide the formulation design of high quality tablet products that are free from capping problems for challenging active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Detection of main-effect and epistatic QTL for yield-related traits in rice under drought stress and normal conditions

Xing, W., Zhao, H. and Zou, D. 2014. Detection of main-effect and epistatic QTL for yield-related traits in rice under drought stress and normal conditions. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 633-641. Drought-resistant cultivars play an important role in maintaining high and stable crop yields under drought-stress conditions. However, the genetic mechanism of drought resistance must first be elucidated. Therefore, 220 recombinant inbred lines from a cross between Xiaobaijingzi (upland rice) and Kongyu 131 (Oryza sativa L.) were used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for yield and yield-component traits under drought stress and control conditions in Heilongjiang and Tieli. As a result, 23 main-effect QTLs and 11 digenic interactions were detected for four traits under the above two conditions. Of the main-effect QTLs, 10 and 8 were detected under control and drought-stress conditions, respectively; and five common QTLs were observed. In addition, five QTLs were found to be responsible for the difference acros...