cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lipid Properties of Carex aquatilis from Hot Spring and Permafrost-Dominated Sites in Alaska: Implications for Nutrient Requirements

Selected lipid properties were compared between populations of Carex aquatilis occupying adjacent hot spring and permafrost-dominated sites in interior Alaska. Analyses were carried out on a variety of plant parts and results correlated with prevailing ambient temperature. Phospholipid concentrations were higher in plants from permafrost than from hot spring areas, even though there was no consistent interpopulation difference in total lipid content. The population differences in phospholipid content were greatest in those plant parts that experienced the greatest interpopulation temperature difference. Despite lower soil phosphorus availability, permafrost plants had higher total phosphorus concentrations, and a larger proportion of their phosphorus was contained in phospholipid than in hot spring plants. There was no consistent relationship between the proportion of various classes of phospholipids present and prevailing ambient temperature. Fatty acid chain length and degree of unsaturation of the phospholipid fraction were inversely correlated with temperature both between populations and among plant parts. No such relationship was found in the fraction containing neutral lipids. We suggest that the high tissue phosphorus content that characterizes northern plants may be necessary in part to maintain large quantities of phospholipid-containing membrane. Increased amounts of membrane in turn may be a prerequisite for the high rates of membrane-associated processes characteristic of plants in the cold subarctic environment.
The Economic Impact of Regulatory Decisions in the Dairy Industry: A Case Study In Okeechobee County, Florida,

Abstract This report summarizes a study of the impact of a regulatory rule, the Dairy Rule and Dairy Easement Program, in Okeechobee County, Florida. Countywide economic impacts of the regulatory policy were measured. The dairy industry represents a basic or export industry in the economy of Okeechobee County that produces a product for sale outside the local area. The sale of goods outside the local area (export or external sale) channels outside (new) dollars into the local economy. External sales then generate additional economic activity as local respending takes place. Total countywide impacts of the regulatory rule indicated a decrease of $47.6 million in sales, 465 full-time equivalent jobs, and almost $9.0 million in earnings. This decrease represents almost 20% of county economic activity and jobs, and the impact will occur annually until another economic activity replaces the dairy industry.
Supervisory Power Management Control Algorithms for Hybrid Electric Vehicles: A Survey

The growing necessity for environmentally benign hybrid propulsion systems has led to the development of advanced power management control algorithms to maximize fuel economy and minimize pollutant emissions. This paper surveys the control algorithms for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in HEVs (PHEVs) that have been reported in the literature to date. The exposition ranges from parallel, series, and power split HEVs and PHEVs and includes a classification of the algorithms in terms of their implementation and the chronological order of their appearance. Remaining challenges and potential future research directions are also discussed.
A numerical investigation of ice-lobe-permafrost interaction around the southern Laurentide ice sheet

Permafrost existed around and under marginal parts of the southern Laurentide ice sheet during the Last Glacial Maximum. The presence of permafrost was important in determining the extent, form and dynamics of ice lobes and the landforms they produced because of influences on resistance to basal motion and subglacial hydrology. We develop a two-dimensional time-dependent model of permafrost and glacier-ice dynamics along a flowline to examine: (i) the extent to which permafrost survives under an advancing ice lobe and how it influences landform development and hydrology, and (ii) the influence of permafrost on ice motion and surface profile. The model is applied to the Green Bay lobe, which terminated near Madison, Wisconsin, during the Last Glacial Maximum. Simulations of ice advance over permafrost indicate that the bed upstream of the ice-sheet margin was frozen for 60-200 km at the glacial maximum. Permafrost remained for centuries to a few thousand years under advancing ice, and penetrated sufficiently deep (tens of meters) into the underlying aquifer that drainage of basal meltwater became inefficient, likely resulting in water storage beneath the glacier. Our results highlight the influence of permafrost on subglacial conditions, even though uncertainties in boundary conditions such as climate exist.
A large deformation finite element model for soil compaction

Soil compaction involves a reduction in volume of the soil mass, which has been considered as one of the most important methods to increase geomaterials' strength in geotechnical engineering practice. This paper presents a numerical model to simulate soil compaction using a finite deformation finite element approach. The fundamental formulations for soil compaction are introduced first. Then the model is employed to simulate the compaction process and predict spatial density, in which the soil is modelled as elastoplastic material. The Drucker-Prager/Cap model is integrated in the large deformation finite element code and used to model the gradual compaction process of soil. Representative simulations of practical applications in geotechnical/pavement engineering are provided to demonstrate the feasibility of predicting soil compaction density using the proposed large deformation finite element model.
A simple osmometer for the rapid determination of molecular weights.

Abstract An easily constructed osmometer for the determination of molecular weights is described. The design is such that only 2–3 ml. of solution is required for a measurement. Osmotic equilibrium is rapidly reached, 3–8 hr. sufficing, depending upon the osmotic concentration, temperature, initial hydrostatic head, and membrane. Significant data may be obtained with pressures of 10 mm. or more of toluene. The method of preparation of the collodion membranes used is outlined. Molecular weights of 66,500 for bovine serum albumin and 36,000 for swine pepsin are reported.
Glycoprotein metabolism in developing mouse brain.

—Incorporation of [14C]fucose or [14C]glucosamine into the glycoproteins of developing mouse brain was studied using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Between 1 and 10 days after birth two fractions of soluble glycoproteins were extensively labelled, but by 15 days after birth incorporation into these fractions was no longer prominent. These glycoproteins have apparent molecular weights in the range of 150,000-250,000, as estimated by the electrophoretic procedure. The more rapidly migrating fraction has a half-life of about 1 week whereas the other is far more stable.
AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY MODEL FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Community college leaders must manage an increasingly complex institutional accountability environment. In this environment, accountability demands may be based on explicit or implicit standards and presented by a variety of stakeholders (Alfred, 1997; Kearns, 1998; Lannan, 2001). Practitioners must identify, analyze, and prioritize diverse accountability demands while respecting the institution's culture, history, and commitments to open access and the comprehensive mission. In this article I propose a model for managing a community college's accountability environment and show how it can be applied. This model incorporates an accountability framework developed by Kearns (1998) to show how specific demands can be analyzed. It also integrates contributions by Christensen (1997) and Vaughan (1985) to explain how the college's mission, culture, and history should be considered in this process.
Esophageal dysmotility and gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) produces a spectrum of symptoms ranging from mild to severe. While the role of the lower esophageal sphincter in the pathogenesis of GERD has been studied extensively, less attention has been paid to esophageal peristalsis, even though peristalsis governs esophageal acid clearance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the following in patients with GERD: (1) the nature of esophageal peristalsis and (2) the relationship between esophageal peristalsis and gastroesophageal reflux, mucosal injury, and symptoms. One thousand six consecutive patients with GERD confirmed by 24-hour pH monitoring were divided into three groups based on the character of esophageal peristalsis as shown by esophageal manometry: (1) normal peristalsis (normal amplitude, duration, and velocity of peristaltic waves); (2) ineffective esophageal motility (IEM; distal esophageal amplitude 30% simultaneous waves); and (3) nonspecific esophageal motility disorder (NSEMD; motor dysfunction intermediate between the other two groups). Peristalsis was classified as normal in 563 patients (56%), IEM in 216 patients (21%), and NSEMD in 227 patients (23%). Patients with abnormal peristalsis had worse reflux and slower esophageal acid clearance. Heartburn, respiratory symptoms, and mucosal injury were all more severe in patients with IEM. These data show that esophageal peristalsis was severely impaired (IEM) in 21% of patients with GERD, and this group had more severe reflux, slower acid clearance, worse mucosal injury, and more frequent respiratory symptoms. We conclude that esophageal manometry and pH monitoring can be used to stage the severity of GERD, and this, in turn, should help identify those who would benefit most from surgical treatment.
AGE VARIATION IN FEMALE CRIME: IN SEARCH OF THE NEW FEMALE CRIMINAL

Abstract A study of police arrests in two mid-western communities between 1962 and 1980 indicates that age is an important variable specifying the convergence of male and female arrest rates. Comparison of age-adjusted arrest ratios and age-specific rates suggests that the greatest increase in female arrests has been among the middle-aged. Inspection of arrest rates by type of offense and of changing police force characteristics suggests that the “new female criminal” is more a product of economic pressure and police practices than of economic opportunity and attitude change.
PTEN regulates retinal interneuron morphogenesis and synaptic layer formation.

The lipid phosphatase PTEN is a critical negative regulator of extracellular signal-induced PI3K activities, yet the roles of PTEN in the neural retina remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the function of PTEN during retinal development. Deletion of Pten at the onset of neurogenesis in retinal progenitors results in the reduction of retinal ganglion cells and rod photoreceptors, but increased Muller glial genesis. In addition, PTEN deficiency leads to elevated phosphorylation of Akt, especially in the developing inner plexiform layer, where high levels of PTEN are normally expressed. In Pten mutant retinas, various subtypes of amacrine cells show severe dendritic overgrowth, causing specific expansion of the inner plexiform layer. However, the outer plexiform layer remains relatively undisturbed in the Pten deficient retina. Physiological analysis detects reduced rod function and augmented oscillatory potentials originating from amacrine cells in Pten mutants. Furthermore, deleting Pten or elevating Akt activity in individual amacrine cells is sufficient to disrupt dendritic arborization, indicating that Pten activity is required cell autonomously to control neuronal morphology. Moreover, inhibiting endogenous Akt activity attenuates inner plexiform layer formation in vitro. Together, these findings demonstrate that suppression of PI3K/Akt signaling by PTEN is crucial for proper neuronal differentiation and normal retinal network formation.
Effect of prostaglandin precursors, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid on the vasoconstrictor response to norepinephrine in the dog paw

Abstract The present investigation was undertaken to provide further evidence for the possible role of prostaglandins in the regulation of blood flow in the dog paw. The effect of an intraarterial infusion of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DHL) and arachidonic acid (AA), the immediate precursors of prostaglandin E1 and E2, respectively on the vasoconstrictor response to norepinephrine was examined in the paw under the condition of constant flow. Infusion of AA (55 or 110 μg/min) and DHL (55 or 110 μg/min) to a lesser extent depressed the vasoconstrictor response to norepinephrine. Intraarterial infusion of the prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors eicosa-5,8,11,14 tetraynoic acid (ETA) or indomethacin antagonized the depressant effect of DHL on the vasoconstrictor response to norepinephrine. ETA had no effect on the depressant activity of AA. In a second series of experiments, utilizing the lower infusion rate of AA (55 μg/min), administration of indomethacin in addition to ETA antagonized the depressant effect of AA; however, this antagonism was less than found with indomethacin alone. Alpha linolenic acid which is not a prostaglandin precursor had no depressant effect on the response to norepinephrine. The demonstration that DHL and AA can depress the vasoconstrictor response to norepinephrine and that this can be antagonized by inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis suggests the presence in the dog paw of an enzymatic system capable of generating E prostaglandins.
Effect of halogenated vinyl cysteine conjugates on renal tubular active transport.

Abstract Addition of halogenated vinyl cysteine conjugates to isolated rabbit kidney tubule suspensions resulted in a decrease in the active transport of para-aminohippuric acid (PAH) and tetraethylammonium bromide (TEA). At 10−5 M vinyl cysteine conjugate, tubule to medium accumulation ratios (T/M) were similar to those of controls while at 10−3 M the T/M values decreased to 1, indicating complete inhibition of active acummulation of PAH or TEA. The decreased active transport was not caused by inhibition of mitochondrial oxidation since incubations in the presence of 10−3 M halogenated vinyl cysteine did not inhibit tubule O2 utilization or production of 14CO2 from [14C]glucose or [14C]succinate. A mechanism is proposed whereby toxicity may result from covalent binding of an active intermediate, produced by enzyme cleavage, to membrane associated nucleophilic groups thereby decreasing active transport.
Modeling of Failure in Metallic Thin Films Induced by Stress and Electromigration: A Multiscale Computational Analysis

A common failure mechanism in metallic thin-film interconnects is void propagation driven by electric fields and thermomechanical stresses. In this paper, a multiscale computational analysis is presented for predictive modeling of transgranular void dynamics. The modeling approach is hierarchical and involves atomistic simulations for property database development, molecular-dynamics simulations for understanding of void-tip mechanisms, and self-consistent mesoscopic simulations based on boundary-element methods and techniques for moving boundary propagation. An extremely rich void dynamical behavior is predicted, which includes faceting, facet selection, propagation of slits from the void surface, as well as formation of fine-scale crack-like features on the void surface, in agreement with recent experimental data.
Linac radiosurgery for benign meningiomas

Abstract Purpose: To review outcomes for patients treated with linac radiosurgery for benign meningiomas. Methods and Materials: Between January 1989 and July 1997, 70 patients with 76 meningiomas were treated with LINAC-based radiosurgery. In 38 patients, radiosurgery was the initial treatment. In 32 patients, radiosurgery followed surgery or conventional radiotherapy. The average treatment volume was 10.0 cm 3 (range, 0.6 to 28.6 cm 3 ). The mean peripheral dose was 12.7 Gy (range, 10 to 20 Gy). The mean clinical follow-up period was 23 months. No patient was lost to follow-up. Results: No lesions enlarged during the follow-up period; of 48 lesions in patients who had follow-up for at least one year and hence had follow-up imaging, 27 tumors remained unchanged and 21 tumors were reduced in size. Two patients experienced transient radiation-induced neurological deficits. One was treated with surgical excision of the tumor; the other responded to prolonged steroid therapy. Both patients, treated early in our experience, received doses higher than we would currently recommend. Conclusions: Early results suggest that stereotactic radiosurgery is an effective treatment for meningiomas. Long-term follow-up will be necessary to fully evaluate its efficacy.
Models and Methods for Quantitative Analysis of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectra

The quantitative analysis of surface-enhanced Raman spectra using scattering nanoparticles has shown the potential and promising applications in in vivo molecular imaging. The diverse approaches have been used for quantitative analysis of Raman spectra information, which can be categorized as direct classical least squares models, full spectrum multivariate calibration models, selected multivariate calibration models, and latent variable regression (LVR) models. However, the working principle of these methods in the Raman spectra application remains poorly understood and a clear picture of the overall performance of each model is missing. Based on the characteristics of the Raman spectra, in this paper, we first provide the theoretical foundation of the aforementioned commonly used models and show why the LVR models are more suitable for quantitative analysis of the Raman spectra. Then, we demonstrate the fundamental connections and differences between different LVR methods, such as principal component regression, reduced-rank regression, partial least square regression (PLSR), canonical correlation regression, and robust canonical analysis, by comparing their objective functions and constraints. We further prove that PLSR is literally a blend of multivariate calibration and feature extraction model that relates concentrations of nanotags to spectrum intensity. These features (a.k.a. latent variables) satisfy two purposes: the best representation of the predictor matrix and correlation with the response matrix. These illustrations give a new understanding of the traditional PLSR and explain why PLSR exceeds other methods in quantitative analysis of the Raman spectra problem. In the end, all the methods are tested on the Raman spectra datasets with different evaluation criteria to evaluate their performance.
Seasonal variation in groundwater depth does not explain structure and diversity of tropical savannas

It has recently been proposed that seasonal fluctuations in groundwater depth drive spatial patterns of tree density and diversity in Neotropical savannas. Here I consider three major problems in the analysis that led to this conclusion, providing examples that demonstrate that groundwater levels do not constrain the establishment of woody communities and, therefore, cannot be used to explain patterns of tree density and diversity in savannas.
College-bound teens’ decisions about the transition to sex: Negotiating competing norms

The normative influence of parents, close friends, and other peers on teens' sexual behavior has been well documented. Yet, we still know little about the processes through which these oftentimes competing norms impact teens' own sexual norms and behaviors. Drawing on qualitative data from 47 interviews conducted with college-bound teens, we investigate the processes through which perceived parental, close friend, and other peer norms about sex influenced teens' decisions about whether and when to have sex. Although virtually all teens perceived that most of their peers were having sex and that parents were almost universally against teen sex, some teens had sex and others did not. Our findings demonstrate that teens who remained virgins and those who were sexually active during high school often negotiated different sets of competing norms. Differences in understandings of age norms, in close friends' sexual norms and behaviors, and in communication about sex with parents, close friends and other peers were related to different levels of sexual behavior for teens who otherwise shared many similarities in social location (e.g.. class, race, and educational status). While virgins reported an individualized process of deciding whether they were ready for sex, we find that their behavior fits within a traditional understanding of an age norm because of the emphasis on avoiding negative sanctions. Sexually experienced teens, on the other hand, explicitly reported abiding by a group age norm that prescribed sex as normal during high school. Finally, parents' normative objections to teen sex - either moral or practical - and the ways they communicated with their teen about sex had important influence on teens' own sexual norms and behaviors during high school.
Automated CD measurements with the Hitachi S-6280

The Hitachi Model S-6280 high resolution field emission Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is used at Motorola's MOS-12 facility for Critical Dimension (CD) measurements of less than 1 micrometer in size. This tool is used to measure 200-mm diameter wafers with a low accelerating voltage in the range 0.7-1.0 kV. During new process development the tool is run in both manual mode and in a fully automated mode utilizing patten recognition for global alignment as well as feature CD measurement. Results on the reproducibility of fully- automated measurements show that this technique provides a significantly improved measurement capability compared to the standard manual technique.
A comparison of methods used in measuring finite strains from ellipsoidal objects

Abstract The available methods for measuring strains in two and three dimensions from passive ellipsoidal objects are compared in an attempt to determine the most useful and precise procedure for the structural geologist. A comparison of data collection techniques showed that the use of thin orthogonally cut slabs or mylar overlays used with a monocomparater provides the most reproducible data. Lisle's theta-curve and Shimamoto and Ikeda's algebraic methods provided the most precise, and probably most accurate, two-dimensional data while Miller and Oertel's procedure and possibly Dunnet's PHASE 5 program gave the best three-dimensional results. An examination of errors encountered in strain analyses suggests that all of the available methods give accurate orientations of the finite strain ellipsoid. However, the magnitudes of strain ratios show large variations that are dependent on the sample size and procedure used. Shimamoto and Ikeda's method again proved to be the most precise, giving reproducible results with as few as ten elliptical objects. The samples used in the above comparison are part of a larger analysis of strains occurring in southeastern Maine. Structural elements observed in four selected areas of Avalonian belt rocks and the strain data collected suggest that the region has undergone at least three non-coaxial deformations with D1 >D2 >D3.
Real-time multiple linear regression for fMRI supported by time-aware acquisition and processing.

Real-time parametric statistical analysis of functional MRI (fMRI) data would potentially enlarge the scope of experimentation and facilitate its application to clinical populations. A system is described that addresses the need for rapid analysis of fMRI data and lays the foundation for dealing with problems that impede the application of fMRI to clinical populations. The system, I/OWA (Input/Output time-aWare Architecture), combines a general architecture for sampling and time-stamping relevant information channels in fMRI (image acquisition, stimulation, subject responses, cardiac and respiratory monitors, etc.) and an efficient approach to manipulating these data, featuring incremental subsecond multiple linear regression. The advantages of the system are the simplification of event timing and efficient and unified data formatting. Substantial parametric analysis can be performed and displayed in real-time. Immediate (replay) and delayed off-line analysis can also be performed with the same interface. The capabilities of the system are demonstrated in normal subjects using a polar visual angle phase mapping paradigm. The system provides a time-accounting infrastructure that readily supports standard and innovative approaches to fMRI. Magn Reson Med 45:289-298, 2001.
The Efficacy of Optical and Pharmacological Penalization

Purpose: Optical and pharmacological penalization of sound eyes are infrequently used alternatives to occlusion for treating amblyopia. The authors evaluated the efficacy of penalization as their primary treatment of amblyopia. Methods: One hundred sixty-six patients underwent penalization treatment for strabismic or anisometropic amblyopia for a minimum of 3 months. Both atropine and optical penalization methods were used. Results: Visual acuity improved in 67 (77%) of 87 patients treated with optical penalization. There was a significant improvement of the geometric mean visual acuity of the amblyopic eyes from 20/38 to 20/28 ( P P Conclusions: This study demonstrates that penalization methods are effective methods for the treatment of amblyopia, with a low risk of occlusion amblyopia. Patient acceptance of these methods was excellent. Penalization should be considered more often for the primary treatment of amblyopia.
Insecticide sprays and granules for control of the sugarcane borer on grain sorghum

One and 2 applications of spray or granular formulations, or both, of 15 insecticides were made to grain sorghum (1st crop and “stubble crop”) for control of the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.). All insecticides reduced the number of borers per stalk. The use of endrin, endosulfan, carbaryl, SD 7438 ( S,S' -benzylidene bis-( O,O -dimethyl phosphorodithioate)), phosphamidon, carbophenothion, and methyl parathion resulted in greatest grain yields. Significantly fewer broken heads (caused by larvae bring in stalk near grain head) occurred in plots treated with 2 applications of 5D 7438. endrin, endosulfan, phosphamidon, and carbaryl.
Two types of chloroplast gene promoters in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Structures of the promoters of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii plastid atpB and 16S rRNA-encoding genes were analyzed in vivo. Chimeric constructs, containing the Chlamydomonas chloroplast atpB or 16S rRNA-encoding gene promoter coupled to the Escherichia coli uidA (beta-glucuronidase, GUS) reporter gene and bordered by C. reinhardtii chloroplast sequences, were stably introduced into the chloroplast of Chlamydomonas by microprojectile bombardment. Activity of the promoters in the chloroplast of GUS gene-positive transformants was assayed by measuring the abundance of GUS transcripts and determining the relative rates of GUS transcription in vivo. Deletion analyses of the 16S rRNA gene and atpB promoter fragments showed that the two promoters differ structurally. The 16S rRNA gene promoter resembles the bacterial sigma 70 type with typical -10 and -35 elements. The atpB promoter, on the other hand, lacks a conserved motif in the -35 region but contains, in the -10 region, a characteristic octameric palindrome (TATAATAT) that is conserved in the promoter sequences of some other C. reinhardtii chloroplast genes. For maximum activity, the atpB promoter requires sequences of approximately 22 base pairs upstream and approximately 60 base pairs downstream of the transcription start site.
Long-term effects of deer browsing: Composition, structure and productivity in a northeastern Minnesota old-growth forest

Abstract Although the immediate impacts of elevated deer ( Odocoileus spp.) browsing on forest regeneration have been well documented, few studies have examined the longer term consequences. A deer exclosure experiment was initiated in 1991 in an old-growth northern mixed mesic forest in northeastern Minnesota, and resampled in 2008 to examine changes in composition, structure and productivity. Decades of overbrowsing by white-tailed deer have led to almost complete recruitment failure in size classes >2.5 cm dbh for preferred deer browse species Thuja occidentalis and Pinus strobus in unprotected plots. Other palatable browse species have been severely limited in understory development ( Populus tremuloides , Betula papyrifera , Fraxinus nigra ). Within exclosures, P. strobus gained in all size classes F. nigra , B. papyrifera , T. occidentalis all showed significant gains. Non-preferred Picea glauca increased outside exclosures, but has also gained within exclosures. The increase in P. glauca across treatments indicates a long-term legacy effect of preferential browsing. Browsing induced suppression of subcanopy density of preferred species and failure of canopy tree replacement may lead to a more open woodland structure dominated by P. glauca . Browsing pressure may negatively impact productivity, as whole tree biomass in exclosures increased at a rate twice that of unprotected plots. The low biomass levels recorded in 2008 (unprotected: 98.0 mg/ha −1 , exclosure: 104 mg/ha −1 ) are approximately 1/2 of values typically recorded in later successional forests in this region indicating lower productivity may be another longer-term legacy of elevated deer population. Continued high browsing pressure is one of many factors contributing to the restructuring of northern Great Lakes forests away from historical variability conditions towards a novel and more homogeneous forested landscape. These simplified forests may be less resilient to the suite of emerging stressors such as climate change and less able to provide ecosystem services such as carbon storage, biological diversity and forest products. Sustained restoration efforts, along with reductions in deer density will be needed to restore species and structural diversity.
Regulation of Receptor Fate by Ubiquitination of Activated β2-Adrenergic Receptor and β-Arrestin

Although trafficking and degradation of several membrane proteins are regulated by ubiquitination catalyzed by E3 ubiquitin ligases, there has been little evidence connecting ubiquitination with regulation of mammalian G protein (heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein)-coupled receptor (GPCR) function. Agonist stimulation of endogenous or transfected beta2-adrenergic receptors (beta2ARs) led to rapid ubiquitination of both the receptors and the receptor regulatory protein, beta-arrestin. Moreover, proteasome inhibitors reduced receptor internalization and degradation, thus implicating a role for the ubiquitination machinery in the trafficking of the beta2AR. Receptor ubiquitination required beta-arrestin, which bound to the E3 ubiquitin ligase Mdm2. Abrogation of beta-arrestin ubiquitination, either by expression in Mdm2-null cells or by dominant-negative forms of Mdm2 lacking E3 ligase activity, inhibited receptor internalization with marginal effects on receptor degradation. However, a beta2AR mutant lacking lysine residues, which was not ubiquitinated, was internalized normally but was degraded ineffectively. These findings delineate an adapter role of beta-arrestin in mediating the ubiquitination of the beta2AR and indicate that ubiquitination of the receptor and of beta-arrestin have distinct and obligatory roles in the trafficking and degradation of this prototypic GPCR.
Exercise training and reduction of some coronary risk factors in female cigarette smokers

associated with very high risk of thrombotic occlusion (6 of 16, 37..5%), especially when anticoagulation was subtherapeutic, as occurred in 4 of these 6 patients. . . . The results of this study are similar to those reported in previous studies.14 Elective stents can he deployed safely with large balloon size and high pressure expansion, and the resulting stent thrombosis rate is very low. In this low-risk group, other less aggressive anticoagulation protocols, such as a combination of ticlopidine and subcutaneous heparin, or low molecular weight heparin, may be appropriate to avoid risk of groin complications and to allow patients to be discharged early after the procedure.637 However, when stents are used to treat occlusive coronary dissection, and when arteries are so small that the 3 mm balloon is used for stent deployment, “traditional” anticoagulation is essential to avoid the devastating complication of thrombotic stent occlusion. 1. Schatz RA, Barn DS, Leon MB, Goldberg S, Hirschfeld JW, Cleman MW, Cabin HS, Walker C, Stagg J, Buchbinder M, Teirstein PS, Top01 EJ, Savage M, Perez JA. Curry RC, Whitworth H, Sousa JE. Tio F, Almagor Y. Ponder R, Penn IM, Leonard B, Levine SL. Fish RD, Palmaz JC. Clinical experience with PalmazSchatz coronary stent: initial results of a multicenter srudy. Circularion 1991;83: 148-161. 2. Carroza JP Jr. Kuntz RE, Levine MJ, Pomeranz RM, Fishman RF, Mansour M, Gibson CM, Senerchia CC. Diver DJ, Safian RD, Balm DS. Angiographic and clinical outcome of inhacoronary stenting: immediate and long-term results from a large single-center experience. J Am Coil Cardiol 1992:20:328-337. 3. George BS, Voorhess WD, Roubin GS. Feamot NE, Pinkerton CA, Raizner AE, King SB, Holmes DR, Top01 EJ, Kereiakes DJ, Hartzler GO. Multicenter investigation of coronary stating to treat acute or threatened closure after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: clinical and angiographic outcomes. J Am Coil Cardid 1993;22:135-143. 4. Nath FC, Muller DWM, Ellis SG, Rosenschein U, Chapekis A, Quain L, Zimmerman C, Top01 EJ. Thrombosis of flexible coil coronary stat: frequency, predictors and clinical outcome. .I Am Coil Cardiol 1993;21:622-621. 5. Popma JJ, Satler LF, Pichard AD, Kent KM, Campbell A, Chuang YC, Clark C, Merritt AJ, Bucher TA, Leon MB. Vascular complications after balloon and new deuce angioplasty. Circulation 1993;88:1569-1578. 6. Colombo A, Hall P, Almagor Y, Maiello L, Gaglione A, Nakamura S: Bonione M, Goldberg SL. Finci L, Tobis J. Results of intravascular ultrasound guided coronay stating without subsequent anticoagulation (abstr). J Am CON Cardiol 1994:335A. 7. Morice MC, Bourdonnec C, Biron Y, Fajadet J, Glatt B, Royer T, Descaves C, Gaspard P, Lienhard Y. Marco J. Coronary stenting without coumadin: phase II (abstr). J Am Coil Cardiol 1994:335A.
Evaluation of air permeability in layered unsaturated materials.

Abstract Field estimation of air permeability is important in the design and operation of soil-vapor extraction systems. Previous models have examined airflow in homogenous soils, incorporating leakage through a low-permeability cap either as a correction to the airflow equation or as a boundary condition. The dual leakage model solution developed here improves upon the previous efforts by adding a leaky lower boundary condition, allowing for the examination of airflow in heterogeneous layered soils . The dual leakage model is applied to the evaluation of pump tests at a pilot soil-vapor extraction system at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. A thick, low-permeability, stiff clay layer divides the stratigraphy at the site into two units for evaluation. A modified version of the previous model, using the water table as the impermeable lower boundary, is used to evaluate the permeability of the low-permeability stiff clay layer (3.2 × 10− 10 cm2) and permeable sand (7.2 × 10− 7 cm2) beneath it. The stiff clay permeability estimate is used in the evaluation of the shallow unit. Permeability estimates of the shallow sand (3.8 × 10− 7 cm2 ) and kaolin cap (1.5 × 10− 9cm2 ) were obtained with the dual leakage model. The shallow unit was evaluated using the previous model for comparison. The effects of anisotropy were investigated with a series of model simulations based on the shallow unit solution. The anisotropy sensitivity analysis suggests that increased anisotropy ratio or decreased axial permeability has a significant impact on the velocity profile at the lower boundary, especially at high values of the anisotropy ratio. This result may increase estimates of SVE removal rates for contaminants located at the interface of the lower boundary, typical of chlorinated solvent contamination.
U-L block-triangular matrix and ladder realizations of subband coders

The Euclidean algorithm, applied to zero-phase filters in the variable w=(z+z/sup -1/)/2 is shown to provide a ladder structure realization of perfect reconstruction digital filter banks (DFBs) and wavelets. DFB matrices in the variable w are introduced and seen to have triangular factors corresponding to the ladder sections. Two-dimensional DFBs with diamond support are obtained from the McClellan transformation, and a related transform of a DFB in w to a two-dimensional DFB matrix is obtained. A design method based on augmenting a given DFB with ladder sections is described. The application to the decomposition of biorthogonal wavelets is illustrated. >
Unscientific Beliefs about Scientific Topics in Nutrition

Humans interact with food daily. Such repeated exposure creates a widespread, superficial familiarity with nutrition. Personal familiarity with nutrition from individual and cultural perspectives may give rise to beliefs about food not grounded in scientific evidence. In this summary of the session entitled “Unscientific Beliefs about Scientific Topics in Nutrition,” we discuss accumulated work illustrating and quantifying potentially misleading practices in the conduct and, more so, reporting of nutrition science along with proposed approaches to amelioration. We begin by defining “unscientific beliefs” and from where such beliefs may come, followed by discussing how large bodies of nutritional epidemiologic observations not only create highly improbable patterns of association but implausible magnitudes of implied effect. Poor reporting practices, biases, and methodologic issues that have distorted scientific understandings of nutrition are presented, followed by potential influences of conflicts of interest that extend beyond financial considerations. We conclude with recommendations for improving the conduct, reporting, and communication of nutrition-related research to ground discussions in evidence rather than solely on beliefs.
Reflected variance estimators for simulation

We study reflected standardized time series (STS) estimators for the asymptotic variance parameter of a stationary stochastic process. These estimators are based on the concept of data re-use and allow us to obtain more information about the process with no additional sampling effort. Reflected STS estimators are computed from "reflections" of the original sample path. We show that it is possible to construct linear combinations of reflected estimators with smaller variance than the variance of each constituent estimator, often at no cost in bias. We provide Monte Carlo examples to show that the estimators perform as well in practice as advertised by the theory.
Gecko-inspired climbing behaviors on vertical and overhanging surfaces

The adhesive and frictional properties of dry adhesive materials can be described by a three-dimensional limit surface in the space of normal and tangential contact forces at the feet. We present the empirically derived limit surface for directional adhesive pads and illustrate its application to controlling the forces at the feet of a robot climbing on arbitrary slopes, including overhanging surfaces. For the directional adhesive patches that we have developed, the limit surface is convex, which permits efficient computation of the desired internal and external forces among the feet to maximize a safety margin with respect to disturbance forces on the robot. The limit surface also intersects the origin in force space, which enables efficient climbing without wasting energy in attaching and detaching the feet. These insights are applied to an experimental climbing platform demonstrating the proper use of directional adhesion and mimicking the climbing behavior seen in geckos.
Disposition of oral telithromycin in foals and in vitro activity of the drug against macrolide-susceptible and macrolide-resistant Rhodococcus equi isolates.

Javsicas, LH., Giguere, S., Womble, AY. Disposition of oral telithromycin in foals and in vitro activity of the drug against macrolide-susceptible and macrolide-resistant Rhodococcus equi isolates. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.2009.01151.x. The objectives of this study were to determine the serum and pulmonary disposition of telithromycin in foals and to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of telithromycin against macrolide-susceptible and macrolide-resistant Rhodococcus equi isolates. A single dose of telithromycin (15 mg/kg of body weight) was administered to six healthy 6-10-week-old foals by the intragastric route. Activity of telithromycin was measured in serum, pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF), and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells using a microbiological assay. The broth macrodilution method was used to determine the MIC of telithromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin and erythromycin against R. equi. Following intragastric administration, mean ± SD time to peak serum telithromycin activity (Tmax) was 1.75 ± 0.76 h, maximum serum activity (Cmax) was 1.43 ± 0.37 μg/mL, and terminal half-life (t[fraction one₋half]) was 3.81 ± 0.40 h. Telithromycin activity, 4 h postadministration was significantly higher in BAL cells (50.9 ± 14.5 μg/mL) than in PELF (5.07 ± 2.64 μg/mL), and plasma (0.84 ± 0.25 μg/mL). The MIC₉₀ of telithromycin for macrolide-resistant R. equi isolates (8 μg/mL) was significantly higher than that of macrolide-susceptible isolates (0.25 μg/mL). The MIC of telithromycin for macrolide-resistant isolates (MIC₅₀ = 4.0 μg/mL) was significantly lower than that of clarithromycin (MIC₅₀ = 24.0 μg/mL), azithromycin (MIC₅₀ =256 μg/mL) and erythromycin (MIC₅₀ = 24 μg/mL).
Consumer Choice of Retail Food Store Formats in Qingdao, China

Abstract This study analyzes Chinese consumer behavior across different retail food store formats and how household demographics affect shopping behavior. A multivariate probit model with four categories of retail food store formats (wet markets, small grocery stores, supermarkets, and hypermarkets) in Quindao, China is estimated. The results indicate that the new hypermarkets are substitutes for supermarkets, but they do not compete extensively with wet markets and small grocery stores. Furthur development of various catagories of food shopping store formats is linked to store-owner characteristics, potential interrelations among existing retail formats, as well as consumers' demographics and shipping habits.
Use of a Mycoplasma Hyopneumoniae Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction Test to Determine the Optimal Sampling Sites in Swine

A number of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic tests have been developed for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, including one from this research group. This report presents further development, optimization, and standardization of a nested PCR test. Detection sensitivity was 1 fg of M. hyopneumoniae chromosomal DNA (approximately 1 organism). This exceeded the sensitivity of or compared favorably with other published PCR tests. Polymerase chain reaction primers to porcine beta2-microglobulin were included as internal controls for amplifiable chromosomal DNA from porcine samples. To standardize the test, a number of samples from experimentally infected pigs, including nasal, tonsil, tracheobronchial swabs, lung tissue, bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and tracheobronchial brush samples, were examined by PCR. Samples obtained from BAL fluid and tracheobronchial sites were most predictive of infection, whereas nasal swabs and lung tissue were not reliable indicators of experimentally induced infection. In conclusion, the nested PCR developed for this study was found to be a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tool for M. hyopneumoniae, but the enhanced sensitivity may be unnecessary if the proper sites are sampled.
Exploring Co-Occurence Between Speech and Body Movement for Audio-Guided Video Localization

This paper presents a bottom-up approach that combines audio and video to simultaneously locate individual speakers in the video (2D source localization) and segment their speech (speaker diarization), in meetings recorded by a single stationary camera and a single microphone. The novelty lies in using motion information from the entire body rather than just the face to perform these tasks, which permits processing nonfrontal views, unlike previous work. Since body movements do not exhibit instantaneous signal-level synchrony with speech, the approach targets long term co-occurrences between audio and video subspaces. First, temporal clustering of the audio produces a large number of intermediate clusters, each containing speech from only a single speaker. Then, spatial clustering is performed in the video frames of each cluster by a novel eigen-analysis method to find the region of dominant motion. This region is associated with the speech assuming that a speaker exhibits more movement than the listeners. Thus, partial diarization and localization is obtained from the intermediate clusters. Speech from an intermediate cluster is modeled by a mixture of Gaussians and the speaker's location is represented by an eigen-blob model. In the ensuing iterative clustering stage, the diarization and localization results are progressively refined by merging the closest pair of clusters and updating the models until a stop criterion is met. Ideally, each final cluster contains all the speech from a single speaker and the corresponding eigen-blob model localizes the speaker in the image. Experiments conducted on 21 h of real data indicate that the proposed localization approach leads to a relative improvement of 40% over mutual information-based localization and that speaker diarization improves by 16% by incorporating visual information. The proposed approach does not require training and does not rely on a priori hand/face/person detection.
Existing Diversity and Judicial Selection: The Role of the Appointment Method in Establishing Gender Diversity in State Supreme Courts

Objectives. To explore differences in the appointment and election method of selecting state high court justices in promoting gender diversity, and to explore the effect of existing gender diversity within the political institutions on the selection of women to office. Methods. Our data include all justices who have been selected to state courts of last resort from 1980 through 1997. We use logistic regression analysis to test the effect of existing gender diversity on a high court on the likelihood that a woman will be selected to fill a vacancy. Results. Women are significantly more likely to be selected to a state high court when initially appointed, and this effect is particularly pronounced when the governor is Democratic. When an appointment system is used, women are much more likely to be appointed to an all-male court than to a gender-diverse court. Conclusions. Appointment systems are more likely to create gender diversity on state courts; however, this effect operates primarily to diversify all-male courts. This difference between appointment and election systems may reflect differences in knowledge between elite actors and the mass public about the composition of the institution.
Combining Exact and Heuristic Approaches for the Capacitated Fixed-Charge Network Flow Problem

We develop a solution approach for the fixed-charge network flow (FCNF) problem that produces provably high-quality solutions quickly. The solution approach combines mathematical programming algorithms with heuristic search techniques. To obtain high-quality solutions, it relies on neighborhood search with neighborhoods that involve solving carefully chosen integer programs derived from the arc-based formulation of FCNF. To obtain lower bounds, the linear programming relaxation of the path-based formulation of FCNF is used and strengthened with cuts discovered during the neighborhood search. The solution approach incorporates randomization to diversify the search and learning to intensify the search. Computational experiments demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach.