cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FEMALE AND MALE ENTREPRENEURS' USE OF BOOTSTRAP FINANCING

Women-owned businesses are increasingly important to the U.S. economy in terms of numbers of firms owned, revenues and employment. Despite the growing role of female-owned business, the ownership, growth and size of female-owned firms is lower than that of male-owned firms. Differences in access to capital have been one reason attributed as an obstacle to women launching and growing small firms. This paper presents the results of an empirical study that examines differences of the use of bootstrap financing between female- and male-owned small firms. Research on the use of bootstrap financing among small firms is limited. The findings show that bootstrap finance methods were similar among female- and male-owned small firms; however, differences were found relative to age, education, sales and overdraft privileges. The results have implications for female entrepreneurs, support persons or agencies and government agencies providing assistance. Female owners should become more informed about financing options available beyond the traditional sources of capital. During periods of declining sales, especially during recessionary periods, female owners may rely on bootstrap sources to supplement capital needs, as well as proactively developing contingency plans for accessing bootstrap capital. These policies could be incorporated into training programs for female business owners. Educators and consultants could help female owners better understand financing alternatives and the importance if developing contingency plans. Government policy may be able to alleviate capital shortages through programs that better inform female entrepreneurs about the capital acquisition process.
Familial transmission of cognitive abilities in offspring tested in adolescence and adulthood: A longitudinal study

As part of a follow-up study of now-adult offspring who originally participated in the Hawaii Family Study of Cognition (HFSC) from 1972 to 1976, 49 females and 46 males from 73 families of Caucasian ancestry and 63 females and 55 males from 92 families of Japanese ancestry were retested (average test-retest interval, 13 years) on the battery of cognitive abilities tests they took as adolescents. Age-corrected scale scores for verbal ability, spatial ability, perceptual speed, visual memory, and unrotated first principal component were calculated for the offspring's fathers and mothers, for their original HFSC testing, and for the retesting. Model-fitting procedures for a univariate model of familial transmission indicated significant differences in the parameters between the two racial/ethnic groups for all five cognitive abilities scales. These procedures also demonstrated no significant differences in familialities for offspring abilities in adolescence vs. mature adulthood across all five abilities scales and both racial/ethnic groups.
Theory of diamondlike amorphous carbon.

First-principles methods are used to study diamondlike amorphous carbon. Several structural models are introduced, and the topological, electronic, and vibrational properties are discussed. We explore the nature of defects in the amorphous network, and particularly the atomistic origin of the virtually defect-free optical gap. We observe that threefold-coordinated defects pair, and that this is important for obtaining a gap free of localized defect states as seen in experiments.
SPIRE: a retiming-based physical-synthesis transformation system

The impact of physical synthesis on design performance is increasing as process technology scales. Current physical synthesis flows generally perform a series of individual netlist transformations based on local timing conditions. However, such optimizations lack sufficient perspective or scope to achieve timing closure in many cases. To address these issues, we develop an integrated transformation system that performs multiple optimizations simultaneously on larger design partitions than existing approaches. Our system, SPIRE, combines physically-aware register retiming, along with a novel form of cloning and register placement. SPIRE also incorporates a placement-dependent static timing analyzer (STA) with a delay model that accounts for buffering and is suitable for physical synthesis. Empirical results on 45nm microprocessor designs show 8% improvement in worst-case slack and 69% improvement in total negative slack after an industrial physical synthesis flow was already completed.
Quantitative phloridzin analysis

Abstract A rapid, accurate, and reproducible method for phloridzin analysis is described and compared with other methods. The method developed involves spotting a chromatogram with the ethanolic plant extract, developing in isopropanol:ammonia:water, elution in hot water, and subsequent reading in a spectrophotometer at 283 mμ.
Evaluation of clustering algorithms for gene expression data.

Background Cluster analysis is an integral part of high dimensional data analysis. In the context of large scale gene expression data, a filtered set of genes are grouped together according to their expression profiles using one of numerous clustering algorithms that exist in the statistics and machine learning literature. A closely related problem is that of selecting a clustering algorithm that is "optimal" in some sense from a rather impressive list of clustering algorithms that currently exist.
A Heterogeneous Arrival and Service Queueing Loss Model.

Consider a single-server exponential queueing loss system in which the arrival and service rates alternate between the paris (γ1, γ1), and (γ2, μ2), spending an exponential amount of time with rate cμi in (γi, μi), i = 1.2. It is shown that if all arrivals finding the server busy are lost, then the percentage of arrivals lost is a decreasing function of c. This is in line with a general conjecture of Ross to the effect that the “more nonstationary” a Poisson arrival process is, the greater the average customer delay (in infinite capacity models) or the greater the precentage of lost customers (in finite capacity models). We also study the limiting cases when c approaches 0 or infinity.
Expression of fish iNOS is increased by pro-inflammatory signals and xenobiotics

Abstract Phagocytes have a pivotal role in both innate and antigen-specific immune functions. Therefore, investigators often focus on phagocytes in immunotoxicology and infectious disease research. Along with a suite of cytokines and peptides, one of the most potent products of activated phagocytes, especially macrophages, is nitric oxide (NO ), a by-product of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Expression of iNOS by macrophages and other phagocytes may be an early feature of inflammation and exposure to some xenobiotics. We obtained a nearly complete sequence of the catfish iNOS gene by using nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and by screening a catfish monocyte/macrophage cDNA library. The cDNA sequence is homologous to mammalian and rainbow trout iNOS genes. We also developed monoclonal antibodies that recognize iNOS from the library and in activated phagocytes. Following exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-104 iNOS increases in catfish phagocytes as well as a putative catfish monocyte/macrophage cell line. Moreover, enhanced iNOS expression in activated catfish phagocytes correlates with protection against TBT- and PCB-104-induced cytotoxicity. Studies are now underway to determine if there is an association between iNOS expression and Ahr-mediated signaling pathways.
Possible Sampling Bias in Genetic Studies of Genius

The data from Terman's Genetic Studies of Genius (1925-1959) relating to sample size, mean IQ, and variance of IQ scores were analyzed in terms of their conformation to the theoretically projected statistics derived from a consideration of the normal curve. Deviations from the theoretical projections lead to the probable conclusion that the sample size was too small, with the IQ scores clustered more closely about a significantly higher mean than projected. Although the major findings of the "Genius" study are not cast into doubt by this analysis, caution is urged with respect to comparisons to a normal sample when the differences are not large.
Steric and Electronic Influences on the Structures of Peroxomanganese(III) Complexes Supported by Tetradentate Ligands

We report the generation and characterization of two peroxomanganese(III) complexes supported by the L7py24-Cl and L7iso-q2 ligands {L7py24-Cl = 1,4-bis[(4-chloro-2-pyridyl)methyl]-1,4-diazepane and L7iso-q2 = 1,4-bis[(2-isoquinolinyl)methyl]-1,4-diazepane} and describe X-ray structures of corresponding manganese(II) compounds. Ground and excited state properties of these peroxomanganese(III) complexes, as well as previously reported [MnIII(O2)(L7py24-Me)]+ and [MnIII(O2)(L7q2)]+ species {L7py24-Me = 1,4-bis[(4-methyl-2-pyridyl)methyl]-1,4-diazepane and L7q2 = 1,4-bis[(2-quinolinyl)methyl]-1,4-diazepane} were probed using low-temperature electronic absorption, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), and variable-temperature, variable-field MCD spectroscopy. These data sets afford electronic transition energies and estimates of ground-state zero-field splitting parameters, which permit a detailed comparison of electronic structure. These data support the proposal that all complexes share a similar geometry, consisting of a side-on peroxomanganese(III) moiety coordinated by the tetradentate ligand in a trans fashion. However, differences in d-d transition energies offer conclusive evidence that, among this series of complexes, it is the location, and thus the steric influence, of the pyridine substituent that modulates the electronic and geometric structure of the MnIII-O2 unit. Within this series, perturbations in electronic properties of the supporting ligand have little impact on d-d transition energies. Models of peroxomanganese(III) complexes developed using density functional theory (DFT) computations support this proposal, and time-dependent DFT computations qualitatively reproduce the experimental trend in d-d transition energies.
Relationship between regional bone density measurements and the time since injury in adults with spinal cord injuries.

Abstract Clasey JL, Janowiak AL, Gater DR. Relationship between regional bone density measurements and the time since injury in adults with spinal cord injuries. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:59–64. Objectives To determine the bone mineral density (BMD) of the legs, arms, and trunk region of a group of adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to determine the relationship between regional BMD values and the time since injury. Design BMD measurements were determined by total-body, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans and percentage values (percentage-matched BMD), based on manufacturer-supplied normative data for age, sex, body weight, and ethnic group. The relationship between percentage-matched BMD values and time since injury was determined by linear regression analyses. Setting Research laboratories in a university setting. Participants Twenty-nine subjects (21 men, 8 women; mean age, 38.5y) who had sustained an SCI a mean of 10.6 years earlier (range, 0.6–35.3y). Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measure The relationship between percentage-matched BMD values and the time since injury. Results There was a significant inverse relationship between percentage-matched BMD leg ( r 2 =−.76), arm ( r 2 =−.45), and trunk ( r 2 =−.38) values and the log of time since injury. Conclusion Despite the varying levels of SCI and other relevant BMD contributing factors, the regional percentage-matched BMD values were significantly inversely related to the log of time since injury.
Hardware-accelerated regular expression matching at multiple tens of Gb/s

Hardware acceleration of regular expression matching is key to meeting the throughput requirements of state-of-the-art network intrusion detection systems (NIDSs) dictated by fast growing link speeds. This paper presents extensions to a programmable state machine, called B-FSM, which was initially optimized for string matching. These extensions enable direct support in hardware for essential regular expression features, such as character classes and case insensitivity. Moreover, they also allow the exploitation of regular expression properties that show up at the data structure level as common transitions shared between multiple states, resulting in storage reductions of up to 95% for five NIDS pattern sets analyzed. Additional instruction support based on a flexible integration within the B-FSM data structure increases the processing capabilities and enables the scaling to larger pattern collections. The new IBM Power Edge of NetworkTM processor employs the B-FSM technology to provide scanning capabilities at typical rates of 20–40 Gb/s.
MO-FF-A4-01: Effect of Focal Spot Sizes and Magnification on the Total System Performance for a High Resolution Detector System Using Generalized Linear System Metrics (GMTF, GDQE)

Purpose: The generalized linear system metrics(GMTF, GNNPS, and GDQE) provide measures of the total system performance including the effects of the image detector, scatter from the object, focal‐spot size, and magnification. In this study, these generalized metrics were used to evaluate the effect of focal‐spot size and magnification on system performance when using a high‐resolution image detector.Method and Materials: The micro‐angiographic fluoroscope (MAF)(35 micron pixel and 300 micron thick CsI), a newly developed high‐resolution detector with very low instrumentation noise and large variable gain was used for the study. The detectorMTF was measured using the slanted edge method and the focal spot MTF's were measured using a standard pin‐hole assembly. The scatter fraction was measured for a head‐equivalent phantom. For the comparison analysis, the GMTF, GNNPS and GDQE were determined for different magnifications corresponding to different planes within the phantom and for three different focal spots(0.3 mm, 0.5 mm and, 0.8 mm). Results: Results showed the MAF performance is affected significantly by the choice of focal‐spot size because of its very small pixel size. We found about 29, 66 and 87% decrements in MTFs at 50% of the Nyquist(i.e.,7.1 cycles/mm in object plane) for the small, medium and large focal spots, respectively, at the mid‐object plane with a magnification factor of 1.1. The corresponding decrements in DQEs were 63, 92 and 98%. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the significance of focal‐spot size and magnification on the system performance when using a high‐resolution detector and shows a need to choose the optimum focal spot based on the location of the object plane to be imaged. Similar studies based on the generalized linear system metrics can serve as an efficient tool to evaluate total system capabilities under different realistic conditions to enable optimal design for the specific imaging tasks. (Support:NIH‐Grant R01EB002873)
Improved progression-free and overall survival in advanced ovarian cancer as a result of a change in surgical paradigm

Abstract Objective To determine the impact on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of a programmatic change in surgical approach to advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods Two groups of patients with stage IIIC and IV ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal carcinoma were compared. Group 1, the control group, consisted of all 168 patients who underwent primary cytoreduction from 1/96 to 12/99. Group 2, the study group, consisted of all 210 patients who underwent primary surgery from 1/01 to 12/04, during which time a more comprehensive debulking of upper abdominal disease was utilized. Results There were no differences between the groups in age, primary site of disease, surgical stage, tumor grade, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, preoperative serum CA-125 and platelet levels, percentage with or amount of ascites, size or location of largest tumor mass, or type of postoperative chemotherapy. Patients in Group 2 vs Group 1 more frequently had extensive upper abdominal procedure(s) (38% vs 0%, respectively; P P P =0.01]; and 5-year OS rates were 47% vs 35%, respectively (HR, 0.764; 95% CI, 0.592–0.987; P =0.03]. Conclusion The incorporation of extensive upper abdominal procedures resulted in increased optimal cytoreduction rates and significantly improved PFS and OS. A paradigm shift toward more complete primary cytoreduction can improve survival for patients with advanced ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal carcinomas.
Organized molecular assemblies in supercritical fluids; Metal ion chelates and reverse micelles

Abstract Organized molecular assemblies provide the basis for solubilization of otherwise intractable ionic or hydrophilic compounds in supercritical fluids at moderate temperature. Metal ion chelates and reverse micelles in supercritical fluids are representative of the broad range of organized assemblies which may be created in supercritical fluids. Metal chelates were studied using UV-visible spectroscopic methods. The Fe(II) (1,10-phenanthroline) 3 2+ complex was readily formed in CO 2 with 5 mol % methanol, but was not observed in pure CO 2 or CO 2 mixtures with isopropanol. No solvatochromic shifts in the absorbance maxima of the chelate complex were observed with pressure, but substantial thermochromic shifts were observed for both the 1,10-phenanthroline complex and Fe(III) (2,4 pentanedione) 3 . Studies of the density and conductivity of reverse micelle solutions formed with the surfactant AOT in supercritical ethane and propane are also reported. In addition, the dependences of the maximum water-to-surfactant ratio for ethane and propane are given as a function of supercritical fluid (continuous phase) density. These initial studies suggest that a wide range of processes exploiting the pressure dependent solvating properties of supercritical fluids may be feasible by invoking organized assemblies.
Temper embrittlement in a Ni-Cr steel containing phosphorus as impurity

Phosphorus segregates to prior austenite grain boundaries in ferrite during embrittling treatments (below 1000°F) and contributes to temper embrittlement of a Ni-Cr-C-P steel. The phosphorus is confined to a width of 5 to 10A, at a very high concentration of approximately 5 wt pct (0.1 monolayer) in the vicinity of the grain boundaries; segregation of nickel is also observed to a lesser degree and spread over a distance somewhat larger than 50a. Nickel segregation to the grain boundaries appears to be of minor consequence either in terms of its own effect or in terms of its interaction with phosphorus. Fracture appearance transition temperatures of the various samples are directly correlatable to the phosporous content at grain boundaries through a linear plot. Deembrittlement of the steel is found to consist of reversing the boundary segregation and driving the phosphorus and nickel away from the prior austenite boundaries. The amount of phosphorus segregated at grain boundaries of the embrittled Ni-Cr-C-P steel is found to be compatible with an equilibrium segregation model.
Economic assessment of the general thoracic surgery outpatient service.

Background One aspect of the definition of institutional value for any program is based on the return on investment (ROI) for that program. Program requests for future resource allocations depend, in part, on that information. The purpose of this project was to determine the ROI for initial outpatient visits only for our General Thoracic Surgery (GTS) program. Methods The number of GTS outpatient visits, studies, and requested consultations ordered by GTS surgeons only was determined after review of the hospital database and office records for the calendar year 2003. Only charges associated with the initial outpatient visits (no inpatient or physician charges) were included. Charges were based on hospital finance department data. The ROI for GTS outpatient services was calculated using total hospital costs and hospital collections. Results There were 689 initial outpatient GTS visits. The majority were for lung cancer (48%), benign lung diseases (21%), and esophageal diseases (14%). Total outpatient charges were $1.25M and by disease process were lung cancer ($644,000), benign lung disease ($90,000), esophageal disease ($159,000), and other ($357,000). The most significant hospital charges were the following: radiology ($850,000), laboratory studies ($82,000), gastrointestinal medicine studies ($59,000), and cardiology ($42,000). Total operational costs for the GTS clinic were $415,000 and hospital collections were $513,000, yielding an ROI of $98,000 or an operating margin of 19%. Conclusions An operating margin of 19% for GTS outpatient services is better than most Fortune 500 companies. Acquisition of this type of information by GTS surgeons may be helpful for future program development and institutional resource allocation.
Molecular Mechanisms of Ghrelin-Mediated Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Activation

Metabolic syndrome accelerates the atherosclerotic process, and the earliest event of which is endothelial dysfunction. Ghrelin, a newly discovered gastric peptide, improves endothelial function and inhibits proatherogenic changes. In particular, low ghrelin concentration has been associated with several features of metabolic syndrome, including obesity, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying ghrelin vascular actions remain largely unclear. Here, we showed that ghrelin activated endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) in cultured endothelial cells (ECs) and in intact vessels. Specifically, ghrelin rapidly induced phosphorylation of eNOS on an activation site and production of NO in human umbilical vein ECs and bovine aortic ECs. The eNOS phosphorylation was also observed in mouse aortas ex vivo perfused with ghrelin and in aortic tissues isolated from mice injected with ghrelin. Mechanistically, ghrelin stimulated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Akt activation in cultured ECs and intact vessels. Inhibiting AMPK and Akt with their pharmacological inhibitors, small interference RNA and adenoviruses carried dominant-negative mutants, markedly attenuated ghrelin-induced eNOS activation, and NO production. Furthermore, ghrelin receptor/Gq protein/calcium-dependent pathway mediates activation of AMPK, Akt, and eNOS, and calmodulin-dependent kinase kinase is a potential convergent point to regulate Akt and AMPK activation in ghrelin signaling. Importantly, eNOS activation is critical for ghrelin inhibition of vascular inflammation. Together, both in vitro and in vivo data demonstrate a new role of ghrelin signaling for eNOS activation, and highlight the therapeutic potential for ghrelin to correct endothelial dysfunction associated with atherosclerotic vascular diseases and metabolic syndrome.
Derivatization for electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. 4. Alkenes and alkynes

A survey of derivatization strategies and prospective derivatization reactions for conversion of simple alkenes and alkynes to ‘electrospray-active’ species is presented. General synthetic strategies are discussed and illustrative examples of prospective derivatives prepared from model compounds are presented along with their electrospray ionization (ES) mass spectra. The identified derivatives of these neutral, nonpolar analytes are either ionic or are ionizable in solution through Bronsted acid/base chemistry, by Lewis acid/base chemistry, or by chemical or electrochemical electron-transfer chemistry. Once ionized, the derivatives are expected to be amenable to detection by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. Derivatives are identified for positive and negative ion analysis of both alkenes and alkynes. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ADAM-9 is an insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 protease produced and secreted by human osteoblasts

IGF binding protein-5 (BP-5) is an important bone formation regulator. Therefore, elucidation of the identity of IGF binding protein-5 (BP-5) protease produced by osteoblasts is important for our understanding of the molecular pathways that control the action of BP-5. In this regard, BP-5 protease purified by various chromatographic steps from a conditioned medium of U2 human osteosarcoma cells migrated as a single major band, which comigrated with the protease activity in native PAGE and yielded multiple bands in SDS−PAGE under reducing conditions. N-Terminal sequencing of these bands revealed that three of the bands yielded amino acid sequences that were identical to that of α2 macroglobulin (α2M). Although α2M was produced by human osteoblasts (OBs), it was not found to be a BP-5 protease. Because α2M had been shown to complex with ADAM proteases and because ADAM-12 was found to cleave BP-3 and BP-5, we evaluated if one of the members of ADAM family was the BP-5 protease. On the basis of the findings that (1) purified preparations of BP-5 protease from U2 cell CM contained ADAM-9, (2) ADAM-9 is produced and secreted in high abundance by various human OB cell types, (3) purified ADAM-9 cleaved BP-5 effectively while it did not cleave other IGFBPs or did so with less potency, and (4) purified ADAM-9 bound to α2M, we conclude that ADAM-9 is a BP-5 protease produced by human OBs.
The relevance of the Chinese experience for third world economic development

If the ten elements of Chinese development strategy discussed earlier are to provide object lessons relevant for other third world nations, they must be potentially transferable to other societies. The extent to which each element of the strategy is transferable depends on the conditions under which it can be successfully implemented, and on the degree to which these conditions are satisfied in other third world nations. I had also sought to determine what political-economic, geographical, and historical conditions are required for the successful implementation of each of the ten elements of strategy. The results of this analysis are summarized in the form of a matrix in Table 1. Each of the ten elements of strategy under discussion requires at least one - and often many more - of the major features of China's political-economic system. In all cases an effective and extensive system of public administration and/or a massoriented class structure are required, and in most cases a considerable degree of public ownership of the means of production and administrative control of resource allocation is either necessary or helpful. Less often required, but crucial in a few cases, are a central government with the power to mobilize resources on a large scale, a political leadership capable of influencing and involving people on a wide scale, and a ruraloriented class structure.
The GATA-4 transcription factor transactivates the cardiac muscle-specific troponin C promoter-enhancer in nonmuscle cells.

The unique contractile phenotype of cardiac myocytes is determined by the expression of a set of cardiac-specific genes. By analogy to other mammalian developmental systems, it is likely that the coordinate expression of cardiac genes is controlled by lineage-specific transcription factors that interact with promoter and enhancer elements in the transcriptional regulatory regions of these genes. Here, we demonstrate that the slow/cardiac-specific troponin C (cTnC) enhancer contains a specific binding site for the lineage-restricted, zinc finger transcription factor, GATA-4 and that GATA-4 mRNA and protein is expressed in cardiac myocytes. In addition, GATA-4 binding sites were identified in several previously characterized cardiac-specific transcriptional regulatory elements. The cTnC GATA-4 binding site is required for transcriptional enhancer activity in primary cardiac myocytes. Moreover, the cTnC enhancer can be transactivated by over-expression of GATA-4 in non-cardiac muscle cells such as NIH 3T3 cells.Taken together, these results are consistent with a model in which GATA-4 functions to direct tissue-specific gene expression during mammalian cardiac development.
Tension in secretory granule membranes causes extensive membrane transfer through the exocytotic fusion pore.

Abstract For fusion to occur the repulsive forces between two interacting phospholipid bilayers must be reduced. In model systems, this can be achieved by increasing the surface tension of at least one of the membranes. However, there has so far been no evidence that the secretory granule membrane is under tension. We have been studying exocytosis by using the patch-clamp technique to measure the surface area of the plasma membrane of degranulating mast cells. When a secretory granule fuses with the plasma membrane there is a step increase in the cell surface area. Some fusion events are reversible, in which case we have found that the backstep is larger than the initial step, indicating that there is a net decrease in the area of the plasma membrane. The decrease has the following properties: (i) the magnitude is strongly dependent on the lifetime of the fusion event and can be extensive, representing as much as 40% of the initial granule surface area; (ii) the rate of decrease is independent of granule size; and (iii) the decrease is not dependent on swelling of the secretory granule matrix. We conclude that the granule membrane is under tension and that this tension causes a net transfer of membrane from the plasma membrane to the secretory granule, while they are connected by the fusion pore. The high membrane tension in the secretory granule may be the critical stress necessary for bringing about exocytotic fusion.
A general theory of steady state phytoplankton growth in a nutrient saturated mixed layer

An improved theory relating steady-state phytoplankton density, primary production, and growth rate to environmental variables and to phytoplankton parameters is presented and developed in detail for a nutrient saturated, well mixed layer.’ For this cast, mathematical statement of the theory requires seven equations: two expressing crop density and primary production as functions of environmental variables and phytoplankton parameters; one stating the depcndencc of the upper limit for daily production on incident light and phytoplankton parameters; three stating the dcpcndence of phytoplankton parameters on growth rate; an d one describing phytoplankton losses to primary consumers. The first six can be quantitatively stated on the basis of existing experimental information. The seventh cannot, and it is tentatively assumed that consumption is regulated in a way that maximizes the steadystate harvest. For a nutrient saturated layer that absorbs all incident light, calculations arc relatively simple. Graphs of predicted crop density and primary production, as general functions of nonphytoplankton absorption and sedimentation rate, are used to predict the quantitative consequences of changes in seasonal date, sedimentation rate, nonphytoplankton light absorption, and mixed layer udepth.
Differential Expression of E-Cadherin in Lobular and Ductal Neoplasms of the Breast and Its Biologic and Diagnostic Implications

We studied the pattern of E-cadherin expression in 183 invasive carcinomas (100 ductal, 42 lobular, 41 with mixed ductal and lobular features) and 198 in situ carcinomas (131 ductal, 53 lobular, 14 in situ with ductal and lobular features) by immunohistochemistry. We found a highly significant correlation of E-cadherin membrane expression with the histologic phenotype of the tumors. While moderate to strong membrane expression of E-cadherin was seen in all invasive and in situ ductal carcinomas, 41 of 42 invasive and 50 of 53 in situ lobular carcinomas showed complete loss of expression. All in situ carcinomas diagnosed histologically as showing mixed ductal and lobular features demonstrated complete loss of staining. Invasive carcinomas with ductal and lobular features showed 3 staining patterns: (1) complete or almost complete lack of membrane staining similar to that seen in lobular carcinomas, (2) uniform membrane expression throughout the tumor similar to ductal carcinomas, and (3) focal loss of E-cadherin staining, which correlated well with the histologic impression of focal lobular features. In tumors with histologically equivocal features, immunohistochemical detection of E-cadherin expression can be a useful diagnostic tool for the differentiation of ductal and lobular carcinomas of the breast.
Detection of microcalcification clusters using neural networks

One of the earliest mammographic signs of breast cancer, a cluster of microcalcifications, is difficult to detect visually, due to the small size of microcalcifications and their resemblance to other bright structures in mammograms. A fully automated algorithm that we developed for detecting clusters of microcalcifications extracts features that represent individual microstructures using the contour map of the mammogram. This allows computations without using predetermined areas of interest (kernels). The extracted features quantify visual recognition criteria. Microcalcifications are discriminated from other microstructures using multi-layer feedforward neural networks whose inputs are the extracted features. >
Compartmental relaxation and diffusion tensor imaging measurements in vivo in lambda-carrageenan-induced edema in rat skeletal muscle.

Integrated diffusion tensor-T2 measurements were made on normal and edematous rat muscle, and the data were fitted with one- and two-compartment models, respectively. Edematous muscle exhibited a short-lived component (T2 = 28 ± 6 ms) with diffusion characteristics similar to that of normal muscle and a long-lived component (T2 = 96 ± 27 ms) with greater mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and lower fractional anisotropy (FA). With this two-component description of diffusion and relaxation, values of ADC and FA estimated with a conventional pulsed-gradient spin echo sequence will depend on the echo time, relative fraction of short- and long-lived water signals, as well as the intrinsic ADC and FA values within the tissue. Based on the relative differences in water diffusion properties between long-lived and short-lived water signals, as well as the similarities between the short-lived component and normal tissue, it is postulated that these two signal components are largely reflective of intra- and extra-cellular water.
Placental Protein 14 Functions as a Direct T-Cell Inhibitor

Human placental protein 14 (PP14, also referred to as glycodelin and progesterone-associated endometrial protein) inhibits phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated T-cell proliferation and monokine secretion within PBMC populations. However, the mechanisms underlying these and other PP14 immunoinhibitory activities remain unclear. In the present study, we asked whether PP14's T-cell inhibitory effect is a direct one or, alternatively, an indirect consequence of accessory cell (AC) perturbation. Using either immunopurified PP14 or first-trimester amniotic fluid (AF) as a rich source of PP14, we documented inhibition of the proliferation of highly purified peripheral blood T-cells when stimulated with anti-CD3 mAbs or PHA in the presence of paraformaldehyde-fixed AC. Significantly, PP14 inhibited T-cell proliferation and IL-2 secretion induced by immobilized anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 mAbs in the absence of AC. PP14 depletion (via immunoprecipitation) abrogated AF's T-cell inhibitory activity, indicating that the PP14 within the amniotic fluid is required for this immunoregulatory effect. These findings establish that PP14 can inhibit T-cell proliferation in the absence of AC and thus add PP14 to the relatively restricted set of immunoinhibitory proteins that are known to target T-cells directly. Additional data demonstrate that PP14's inhibitory effect can be overridden by stimuli which circumvent early events during T-cell receptor (TCR) activation, namely, protein kinase C activators in combination with Ca2+ ionophores. These latter results suggest that PP14 inhibits early events in the TCR signaling pathway.
Heterosexual Identity and the Heterosexual Therapist An Identity Perspective on Sexual Orientation Dynamics in Psychotherapy

The purpose of this article is to introduce a model of adult heterosexual identity that may be useful in conceptualizing heterosexual therapists’ barriers to and facilitators of effective practice with lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LBG) clients. This model incorporates concepts from theories of identity development, social identity, and attitude formation. The article includes counseling applications of the model’s components and ends with presentation of case examples and implications for research and training.
Ground-Based Infrared Remote Sensing of Cloud Properties over the Antarctic Plateau. Part I: Cloud-Base Heights

Abstract A Fourier-transform interferometer, operated throughout 1992 at South Pole Station, measured downward spectral longwave radiance from 550 to 1500 cm−1 (7–18 μm) at a resolution of 1 cm−1. Radiance measurements were usually made twice daily, coincident with routine launches of radiosondes made by the South Pole Weather Office; 223 radiance measurements (40% of the observations) were of cloudy-sky conditions. Cloud-base heights are retrieved from these data using a ground-based version of the radiance-ratioing method, which was originally developed to retrieve cloud-top heights from satellite data. Frequencies in the R branch of the 15-μm carbon dioxide band are used, exploiting the variation of atmospheric opacity with wavenumber. The annual cycle of cloud-base heights shows a bimodal distribution in all seasons except during the brief summer (December–January). Cloud-base heights are typically higher in the summer than in winter. Although retrieved cloud-base heights are uncorrelated with heights...
Inhibition of beta‐catenin signaling by Pb leads to incomplete fracture healing

There is strong evidence in the clinical literature to suggest that elevated lead (Pb) exposure impairs fracture healing. Since Pb has been demonstrated to inhibit bone formation, and Wnt signaling is an important anabolic pathway in chondrocyte maturation and endochondral ossification, we investigated the impact of Wnt therapy on Pb-exposed mice undergoing bone repair in a mouse tibial fracture model. We established that tibial fracture calluses from Pb-treated mice were smaller and contained less mineralized tissue than vehicle controls. This resulted in the persistence of immature cartilage in the callus and decreased β-catenin levels. Reduction of β-catenin protein was concurrent with systemic elevation of LRP5/6 antagonists DKK1 and sclerostin in Pb-exposed mice throughout fracture healing. β-catenin stimulation by the GSK3 inhibitor BIO reversed these molecular changes and restored the amount of mineralized callus. Overall, Pb is identified as a potent inhibitor of endochondral ossification in vivo with correlated effects on bone healing with noted deficits in β-catenin signaling, suggesting the Wnt/β-catenin as a pivotal pathway in the influence of Pb on fracture repair.
Cloud Storage Design Based on Hybrid of Replication and Data Partitioning

Most existing works on data partitioning techniques simply consider to partition data objects and distribute the shares to servers. Such pure data partitioning approaches may bring potential performance and scalability problems when used in widely distributed systems. First, it is difficult to apply lazy update. Second, the share consistency verification may incur costly communications among widely distributed servers. In this paper, we propose a two-level DHT (TDHT) approach for widely distributed cloud storage to address these problems. First, we analyze the tradeoffs on security and availability between TDHT and the conventional pure data partitioning approach (integrated with DHT and called GDHT (global DHT)). The results show that TDHT can provide better security than GDHT and almost the same level of availability as GDHT. To compare their performance, we design a two-level access (TLA) protocol for the TDHT approach and compare it with the distributed version server (DVS) protocol proposed in [Ye10] for the GDHT approach. The experimental results show that TLA can provide much better user perceived update response latency and the same level or even better read access latency compared to DVS.
Differentiation, Cognition, and Social Evolution

Equivocal findings regarding the relationship between psychological differentiation and requirements for complex social functioning are traced to Witkin and Berry's (1975; Berry, 1976, 1979a, 1979b, 1980a, 1980b) commitment to a trait-based notion of psychological differentiation. An alternative evolutionary approach is proposed which suggests the possibility of more domain-specific cognitive functioning. The authors review the pertinent literature and reinterpret prior findings from the perspective that global and articulated cognitive styles will vary as a function of the nature of environmental demands in the domain of interest and of the explicitness of knowledge regarding such demands available to the actors. Such an interpretation provides a better fit to the empirical data currently available. Hypotheses derived from the alternative model are also presented.
An innocuous tracer technique for testing the performance of ventilation systems.

Abstract An aerosol of uniformly sized sodium chloride particles has been used as a tracer to evaluate air flow patterns in a hospital operating room. A portable flame photometer was used to determine the concentration of the aerosol and chloride sensitive gelatin strips showed the deposition of the particles by settling at various locations in the room.
The ubiquitin-related protein PLIC-1 regulates heterotrimeric G protein function through association with Gβγ

PLIC-1, a newly described ubiquitin-related protein, inhibited both Jurkat migration toward SDF-1α and A431 wound healing, but the closely related PLIC-2 did not. PLIC-1 prevented the SDF-1α–induced activation of phospholipase C, decreased ligand-induced internalization of SDF-1α receptor CXCR4 and inhibited chemotaxis signaled by a transfected Gi-coupled receptor. However, PLIC-1 had no effect on Gs-mediated adenylyl cyclase activation, and inhibited only the Gβγ-dependent component of Gq-initiated increase in [Ca2+]i, which is consistent with selective inhibition of Gβγ function. PLIC-1 colocalized with G proteins in lamellae and pseudopods, and precipitated Gβγ in pull downs. Interaction with Gβγ did not require PLIC-1's ubiquitin-like or ubiquitin-associated domains, and proteasome inhibition had no effect on SDF-1α activation of phospholipase C, indicating that PLIC-1's inhibition of Gβγ did not result from effects on proteasome function. Thus, PLIC-1 inhibits Gi signaling by direct association with Gβγ; because it also interacts with CD47, a modulator of integrin function, it likely has a role integrating adhesion and signaling components of cell migration.
Examining the learning effects of a low-cost haptic-based virtual reality simulator on laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Virtual reality (VR) surgical training can be a potentially useful method for improving practicing surgical skills. However, the current literature on VR training has not discussed the efficacy of VR systems that are useful outside of the training facility. As such, the goal of this study is to evaluate the benefits of using a low-cost VR simulation system for providing a method to increase the learning of surgical skills. Our pilot case focuses on laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which is one of the most common surgeries currently performed in the United States and is often used as the training case for laparoscopy due to its high frequency and perceived low risk. The specific aim of this study is to examine the efficacy of a low-cost haptic-based VR surgical simulator on improving practicing surgical skills, measured by the change in the learning effect of students.
Onco-Nephrology: AKI in the Cancer Patient

AKI is common in patients with cancer, and it causes interruptions in therapy and increased hospital length of stay, cost, and mortality. Although cancer patients are susceptible to all of the usual causes of AKI in patients without cancer, there are a number of AKI syndromes that occur more frequently or are unique to this patient population. AKI also confers substantially increased risk of short-term death, and the ability to reverse AKI portends a better outcome in some cancers, such as multiple myeloma. Several trends in oncology, including increased survival, better supportive care, older patients who have received multiple chemotherapy regimens, and new therapeutic options, are driving an increase in the numbers of cancer patients who develop AKI. As a result, nephrologists should be increasingly familiar with the diagnosis, management, and treatment of AKI in this setting. Here, we summarize recent data on epidemiology of AKI in cancer patients, describe the most common AKI syndromes in this population, and highlight emerging areas in the growing field of onconephrology.
Modulatory effects of hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) tissue extracts on the in vitro growth of its pathogen QPX

Quahog parasite unknown (QPX) is a fatal protistan parasite affecting cultured and wild hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria along the northeastern coasts of the USA and maritime Canada. Field investigations and laboratory transmission studies revealed some variations in the susceptibility of different hard clam stocks to QPX infection. In this study, we used in vitro QPX cultures to investigate the effect of plasma and tissue extracts from two different clam stocks on parasite survival and growth. Results demonstrated the presence of factors in clams that significantly modulate QPX growth. Extracts from gills and mantle tissues as well as plasma inhibited in vitro QPX growth, whereas foot and adductor muscle extracts enhanced parasite growth. Investigations of anti-QPX activities in plasma from two clam stocks displaying different susceptibility toward QPX disease in vivo demonstrated higher inhibition of QPX growth by plasma from New York (resistant) clams compared to Florida (susceptible) clams. Some clams appeared to be deficient in inhibitory factors, suggesting that such animals may become more easily infected by the parasite.
Nonuniform temporal alignment of slice sequences for four-dimensional imaging of cyclically deforming embryonic structures

The temporal alignment of nongated slice-sequences acquired at different axial positions in the living embryonic zebrafish heart permits the reconstruction of dynamic, three-dimensional data. This approach overcomes the current acquisition-speed limitation of confocal microscopes for real-time three-dimensional imaging of fast processes. Current synchronization methods align and uniformly scale the data in time, but do not compensate for slight variations in the heart rhythm that occur within a heartbeat. Therefore, they impose constraints on the admissible data quality. Here, we derive a nonuniform registration procedure based on the minimization of the absolute value of the intensity difference between adjacent slice-sequence pairs. The method compensates for temporal intra-sample variations and allows the processing of a wider range of data to build functional, dynamic models of the beating embryonic heart. We show reconstructions from data acquired in living, fluorescent zebrafish embryos.