cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mycobacterium haemophilum: An Emerging Pathogen

Mycobacterium haemophilum is emerging as a pathogen of immunocompromised patients particularly those with AIDS and organ transplants. Infection has also occurred in healthy children. Adults usually present with cutaneous manifestations, septic arthritis or occasionally pneumonia. Children have perihilar, cervical or submandibular adenitis. The organism grows on mycobacterial media supplemented with ferric ammonium citrate or hemin, incubated at 30 degrees C to 32 degrees C, two to three weeks after inoculation. The most active antimicrobial agents in vitro are amikacin, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, rifabutin and rifampin. Development of resistance to the rifamycins has been demonstrated after patients were treated for several months with several antimycobacterial agents, including the rifamycins. Treatment for several months with at least two agents demonstrated to have low MICs for the organism has been shown to be effective.
Importance Sampling for Weighted-Serve-the-Longest-Queue

This paper considers buffer overflow probabilities for stable queueing systems with one server and different classes of arrivals. The service priority is given to the class of customers whose current weighted queue size is the largest (weighted-serve-the-longest-queue policy). We explicitly identify the exponential decay rate for the rare-event probabilities of interest and construct asymptotically optimal importance-sampling schemes for simulation.
Diffuse competition can be reversed: a case history with birds in Hawaii

Diffuse competition, based on niche overlap of an invader with most native species in a community, is considered a mechanism preventing its successful establishment in the community. However, native species must themselves have extensive niche overlap, implying that diffuse competition can be reversed if some external force increases numbers of the introduced species while native community numbers remain unchanged. Reverse diffuse competition, defined as an invader that outcompetes most of the native community, can then lower numbers of native species. We illustrate these principles by documenting diffuse competition between the introduced Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus) and eight species of Hawaiian forest birds at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge followed by reverse diffuse competition. Competition was based on extensive overlap of multiple foraging substrates with native species. The external force which reversed diffuse competition was a restoration area contiguous with much of the old...
Low Reynolds number shear flow past a rotating circular cylinder. Part 2. Heat transfer

Heat transfer from a cylinder placed symmetrically in a constant shear field is considered experimentally for low values of the shear Reynolds number, but for Peclet numbers Pe as large as 2000. With the cylinder held stationary, the experimentally obtained Nusselt number Nu is found to be in excellent agreement with the theoretically derived asymptotic expression, , for Peclet numbers in excess of 100. In contrast, with the cylinder rotating at a speed corresponding to zero torque, the Nusselt number becomes effectively independent of the Peclet number for Pe > 70. This surprising behaviour, predicted theoretically by Frankel & Acrivos (1968), results from the presence of a region consisting entirely of closed streamlines which surrounds the freely rotating cylinder.
A comparison of selected methods for forecasting monthly alfalfa hay prices

Alfalfa hay is one of the most important field crops in the United States; however, data limitations make it difficult to analyze and forecast hay prices. This research applied nine alternative procedures to generate postsample forecasts of California alfalfa hay prices. The procedures tested were: classical decomposition, exponential smoothing, univariate stochastic, multiple regression, bivariate stochastic, vector autoregression (unrestricted, Bayesian restricted and stepwise variable selection), and a structurally based system. Postsample predictive accuracy was evaluated; results indicated the simple procedures performed well in forecasting hay prices and limited improvement in accuracy with increased model complexity and information set.© 1992 John Wiley & Sons. Inc.
Cucurbitacin I inhibits Rac1 activation in breast cancer cells by a reactive oxygen species-mediated mechanism and independently of Janus tyrosine kinase 2 and P-Rex1.

The small GTPase Rac1 has been widely implicated in mammary tumorigenesis and metastasis. Previous studies established that stimulation of ErbB receptors in breast cancer cells activates Rac1 and enhances motility via the Rac-guanine nucleotide exchange factor P-Rex1. As the Janus tyrosine kinase 2 (Jak2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) pathway has been shown to be functionally associated with ErbB receptors, we asked if this pathway could mediate P-Rex1/Rac1 activation in response to ErbB ligands. Here we found that the anticancer agent cucurbitacin I, a Jak2 inhibitor, reduced the activation of Rac1 and motility in response to the ErbB3 ligand heregulin in breast cancer cells. However, Rac1 activation was not affected by Jak2 or Stat3 RNA interference, suggesting that the effect of cucurbitacin I occurs through a Jak2-independent mechanism. Cucurbitacin I also failed to affect the activation of P-Rex1 by heregulin. Subsequent analysis revealed that cucurbitacin I strongly activates RhoA and the Rho effector Rho kinase (ROCK) in breast cancer cells and induces the formation of stress fibers. Interestingly, disruption of the RhoA-ROCK pathway prevented the inhibitory effect of cucurbitacin I on Rac1 activation by heregulin. Lastly, we found that RhoA activation by cucurbitacin I is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ROS scavenger N-acetyl l-cysteine and the mitochondrial antioxidant Mito-TEMPO rescued the inhibitory effect of cucurbitacin I on Rac1 activation. In conclusion, these results indicate that ErbB-driven Rac1 activation in breast cancer cells proceeds independently of the Jak2 pathway. Moreover, they established that the inhibitory effect of cucurbitacin I on Rac1 activity involves the alteration of the balance between Rho and Rac.
Prognostic value of initial renal ultrasound in patients with posterior urethral valves

AbstractPurpose: Increased cortical echogenicity and loss of corticomedullary differentiation on the initial renal ultrasound study are said to be predictive of poor renal function in patients with posterior urethral valves. We reviewed ultrasound results in a group of patients with posterior urethral valves to test this hypothesis.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the radiology records of 19 patients in year 1 of life with posterior urethral valves seen since 1976 for whom records were available. The degree of corticomedullary differentiation and cortical echogenicity was compared with serum creatinine after 4 days of catheter drainage and creatinine clearance at the most recent followup.Results: Median followup was 96 months. At the last followup the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of increased cortical echogenicity and loss of corticomedullary differentiation for predicting creatinine clearance less than 69 ml. per minute per 1.73 m. (2) were 90, 57, 75 and 80, an...
The membrane transport factor p115 recycles only between homologous compartments in intact heterokaryons.

Summary Cytosolic proteins that participate in membrane traffic are assumed to be recruited from the cytosol onto specific membrane sites where they perform their function, and then released into cytosol before rebinding to catalyze another round of transport. To examine whether the ER to Golgi transport factor p115 recycles through release into a cytosolic pool, we formed heterokaryons between rat NRK and simian COS-7 cells and examined the dynamics of rat p115 transfer from the rat to the simian portion of the heterokaryon. The heterokaryons shared a common cytosolic pool, as shown by the efficient relocation of a cytosolic green fluorescent protein (GFP) from the COS-7 to the NRK part of the heterokaryon. Unexpectedly, even 24 h after cell fusion, rat p115 did not redistribute to the COS-7 part of the heterokaryon. This was not due to the inability of the rat p115 to associate with simian membranes since rat p115 expressed in COS-7 cells was efficiently targeted to and associated with simian Golgi complex. Furthermore, rat p115 associated with heterologous simian membranes after the NRK and COS-7 Golgi fused into a single chimeric structure. Our results indicate that p115 is not freely diffusible in intact cells and might remain tethered to membranes throughout its life cycle. These findings suggest that p115, and perhaps other cytosolic proteins involved in membrane traffic, recycle not by being released into cytosol, but in association with recycling membranes.
Multiple Interactions of Unsaturated Fatty Acids with Opiate and Ouabain Binding Sites and β-Adrenergic Sensitive Adenylate Cyclase System

AbstractThe unsaturated fatty acids oleic, linoleic and arachidonic inhibited binding of ligands to the ouabain, opiate, and β-adrenergic plasma membrane receptors. Low concentrations of fatty acids slightly increased the binding of ouabain to its binding sites. The effect of these fatty acids on β-adrenergic sensitive adenylate cyclase was more complex. 0.2–0.3 mM fatty acids increased adenylate cyclase activity, while higher concentrations of arachidonic and linoleic acids, but not oleic acid
Charge imbalance waves and nonequilibrium dynamics near a superconducting phase-slip center

Using a generalized two-fluid picture to describe a quasi-one-dimensional superconductor near T c,we provide a heuristic derivation for a set of equations governing the temporal and spatial evolution of the charge imbalance (or branch imbalance) in the quasiparticles. We show that these equations are isomorphic to those that describe a simple electrical transmission line, so that charge imbalance waves may propagate in the superconductor in analogy with electrical signals that propagate down the transmission line. We propose as a model for a phase-slip center in a superconducting filament a localized Josephson oscillator coupled to the transmission line. Applying standard transmission-line theory to solve the problem, we show that the Josephson oscillations in the center generate charge imbalance waves that propagate out to a frequency-dependent distance of the order of the quasiparticle diffusion length λ Q *= (D Τ Q *)1/2 before they damp out. The time-averaged behavior of the model reduces to the earlier model of Skocpol, Beasley, and Tinkham. A novel consequence of the model is a prediction of intrinsic hysteresis in the dc current-voltage relation. The model also provides a convenient framework for dealing with ac effects in phase-slip centers, including resonance and synchronization in systems of closely spaced phase-slip centers and microbridges.
High image-density particle image velocimetry using laser scanning techniques

Laser scanning, corresponding to time-dependent deflections of laser beam across a field of interest, can provide relatively high illumination intensity of small particles, thereby allowing implementation of high image-density particle image velocimetry (PIV). Scanning techniques employing a rotating (multi-faceted) mirror, an oscillating mirror, and an acousto-optic deflector are addressed. Issues of illumination intensity and exposure, rate of scan of the laser beam, and retrace time of the scanning beam are assessed. Representative classes of unsteady separated flows investigated with laser-scanning PIV are described.
Calnexin Fails to Associate with Substrate Proteins in Glucosidase-deficient Cell Lines

Increasing evidence shows that calnexin, a membrane-bound chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum, is a lectin that binds to newly synthesized glycoproteins that have partially trimmed N-linked oligosaccharides. It specifically attaches to core glycans from which two glucoses have been removed by glucosidases I and II. Several recent reports suggest, however, that it can also bind to proteins devoid of N-linked glycans. To investigate the extent of glycan-independent binding, we have analyzed two mutant cell lines (Lec 23 and PhaR 2.7) that are unable to process the core glycans because they lack glucosidase I or glucosidase II, respectively. In contrast to parental cell lines, calnexin binding of substrate proteins was found to be virtually nonexistent in these cells. Neither cellular nor viral proteins associated with the chaperone. It was concluded that glycans are crucial for calnexin association and that the vast majority of substrate proteins are therefore glycoproteins.
Parameter estimation for the reliability of load-sharing systems

Consider a multi-component system connected in parallel. In this system, as components fail one by one, the total load or traffic applied to the system is redistributed among the remaining surviving components, which is commonly referred to as load-sharing. This develops parameter estimation methods for these type of systems. A closed-form Maximum Likelihood Estimator (MLE) and Best Unbiased Estimator (BUE) are provided under a general load-sharing rule when the underlying lifetime distribution of the components in the system is exponential. As an extension, it is assumed that the underlying lifetime distribution of the components is Weibull and it is shown that, after the shape parameter is estimated by solving the one-dimensional log-likelihood estimating equation, the closed-form MLE and conditional BUE of the rate parameter are easily obtained. The asymptotic distribution of the proposed MLE is also provided. Illustrative examples and Monte Carlo simulation results are also presented and these substan...
Illuminating surface atoms in nanoclusters by differential X-ray absorption spectroscopy

We use differential extended X-ray absorption fine structure (Δ-EXAFS) to monitor the Ar-induced surface restructuring of silica-supported Pd nanoclusters (1 nm diameter) at 77 K. Δ-EXAFS analysis shows 9 ± 2 nearest-neighbor Pd–Pd bonds expand by 0.104 ± 0.005 A as a result of Ar adsorption. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations provide evidence for a model in which Ar drives restructuring of under-coordinated Pd atoms, leading to an increased Pd–Pd bond length of surface Pd atoms with no change in overall nearest-neighbor Pd–Pd coordination number. Based on observations from the atomistic simulations, it is likely that under-coordinated atoms are trapped in metastable states at 77 K and Ar provides the kinetic energy needed to overcome the barrier for surface restructuring. Together, experiment and theory highlight the ability of Δ-EXAFS to probe surface atoms of Pd nanoclusters.
American Kinesiology Association: A National Effort to Promote Kinesiology

The American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education (AAKPE) and The American Kinesiology Association (AKA) should work together to help kinesiology thrive. Data are provided about kinesiology that reflects its visibility in PubMed and Google. Survey data from AKA show the rapid growth of the undergraduate major and graduate programs. In particular, growth in the undergraduate kinesiology major has reflected students who plan to pursue careers in allied health as well as traditional professions—fitness, teaching, athletic training. AKA and AAKPE can work effectively to help the field thrive given the very positive changes in enrollment as well as the value of regular physical activity in a healthy society.
Progressive enrichment of island arc mantle by melt-peridotite interaction inferred from Kamchatka xenoliths

Abstract The Pliocene (7 Ma) Nb-enriched arc basalts of the Valovayam Volcanic Field (VVF) in the northern segment of Kamchatka arc (Russia) host abundant xenoliths of spinel peridotites and pyroxenites. Textural and microstructural evidence for the high-temperature, multistage creep-related deformations in spinel peridotites supports a sub-arc mantle derivation. Pyroxenites show re-equilibrated mosaic textures, indicating recrystallization during cooling under the ambient thermal conditions. Three textural groups of clinopyroxenes exhibit progressive enrichment in Na, Al, Sr, La, and Ce accompanied by increase in Sr/Y, La/Yb, and Zr/Sm. Trace elements in various mineral phases and from felsic veins obtained through ion microprobe analysis suggest that the xenoliths have interacted with a siliceous (dacitic) melt completely unlike the host basalt. The suite of xenoliths grade from examples that display little evidence of metasomatic reaction to those containing an assemblage of minerals that have been reproduced experimentally from the reaction of a felsic melt with ultramafic rock, e.g., pargasitic amphibole, albite-rich plagioclase, Al-rich augite, and garnet. The dacitic veins within spinel lherzolite display a strong enrichment in Sr and depletion in Y and the heavy rare earth elements (e.g., Yb). The dacites are comparable to adakites (melts derived from subducted metabasalt), and not typical arc melts. We believe that these potential slab melts were introduced into the mantle beneath this portion of Kamchatka subsequent to partial melting of a relatively young (and hot) subducted crust. Island arc metasomatism by peridotite-slab melt interaction is an important mantle hybridization process responsible for arc-related alkaline magma generation from a veined sub-arc mantle.
Perspective view reconstruction of partially occluded objects by using computational integral imaging

In this paper, we present a system to reconstruct perspective view of a partially occluded object by using computational integral imaging. The system is analyzed to extract information of off-centered views from a elemental images set. To obtain unobstructed images with high resolution, low focus error, and large depth of focus, synthetic aperture integral imaging utilizing a digital camera has been adopted.
CLINICAL ASPECTS OF JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

This paper reviews studies in epidemiology, differential diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) that have appeared during the past year. One epidemiologic study suggested a decreased incidence recently; however, changes over time in the ethnic and racial characteristics of the patients studied may also have played a role. Findings from an Australian study suggested that some studies may underestimate the true incidence of JRA if visits of physicians are the only basis for the studies. Finally, a Canadian study of incidence showed no seasonal correlations--except for the Prairie region--raising the possibility that the disease varies by region because of environmental factors or variations in ethnic background. Differential diagnostic issues were covered in several reports. One study suggested that elevations in lactate dehydrogenase levels identified children with malignancies who presented with musculoskeletal symptoms. Another study of children with Lyme disease failed to find any patients with asymmetric joint involvement, in contrast to JRA patients. Two studies from Europe reached opposite conclusions regarding whether the incidence of celiac disease was increased in JRA patients. Clinical studies included a French study showing increased production of interleukin-6 and interleukin-1-Ra during fever spikes in children with systemic JRA. An Italian study explored the potential role of interleukin-6 in the anemia of JRA patients. An American study confirmed decreases in markers of bone formation in JRA patients. Two treatment studies addressed the use of intravenous gamma globulin in JRA. Another report described two JRA patients who developed nodules while receiving methotrexate. Finally, a report added confirmation to the successful use of cyclosporine for macrophage activation syndrome in JRA.
Observer performance for JPEG vs. Wavelet image compression of x-ray coronary angiograms

Development of “filmless” cardiac catheterization laboratories is eminent. The problems of implementing a digital catheterization laboratory involve archiving large amounts of data per procedure and high transfer rates to retrieve previous procedures. Lossy compression can accommodate these changes, but at the cost of possibly impairing detection of clinically important angiographic features. Our study involves the observer detection and classification of features in clinical images and the effects that JPEG and wavelet compression have on the detectability of these features. We found no significant degradation in human observer performance with 7:1 and 15:1 JPEG compressed images in 6 clinically relevant visual tasks. Human observer performance for wavelet compression degraded significantly for 2 out of 6 tasks at 7:1 compression and 4 out of 6 tasks at 19:1 compression.
Transport of hydroxyzine and triprolidine across bovine olfactory mucosa: Role of passive diffusion in the direct nose-to-brain uptake of small molecules

Hydroxyzine and triprolidine have both been reported to reach the CNS following nasal administration. The objective of this study was to investigate their in vitro permeation across bovine olfactory mucosa in order to further characterize the biological and physicochemical parameters that influence direct nose-to-brain transport. In vitro experiments were conducted using Sweetana-Grass (Navicyte) vertical diffusion cells to evaluate the effect of directionality, donor concentration and pH on the permeation of hydroxyzine and triprolidine across excised bovine olfactory mucosa. These studies demonstrated that the Jm-s (mucosal-submucosal flux) and Js-m (submucosal-mucosal flux) of hydroxyzine and triprolidine across the olfactory mucosa were linearly dependent upon the donor concentration without any evidence of saturable transport. Hydroxyzine inhibited the efflux of P-gp substrates like etoposide and chlorpheniramine across the olfactory mucosa. Both hydroxyzine and triprolidine reduced the net flux (Js-m-Jm-s) of etoposide with IC50 values of 39.2 and 130.6 microM, respectively. The lipophilicty of these compounds, coupled with their ability to inhibit P-gp, enable them to freely permeate across the olfactory mucosa. Despite the presence of a number of protective barriers such as efflux transporters and metabolizing enzymes in the olfactory system, lipophilic compounds such as hydroxyzine and triprolidine can access the CNS primarily by passive diffusion when administered via the nasal cavity.
Purification and characterization of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex from broccoli floral buds

Abstract The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) was purified from Brassica oleracea var. italica floral buds to a specific activity of approximately 6 μmol of NADH formed/min/ mg of protein. The PDC had cofactor requirements for NAD+, thiamine pyrophosphate, coenzyme A, and a divalent cation (Mg2+, Ca2+, or Mn2+). The enzyme catalyzed the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate at a rate threefold faster than 2-oxobutyrate but was inactive toward 2-oxoglutarate. The PDC was competively inhibited by acetyl-CoA against CoA and NADH against NAD+. The enzyme was shown to be more sensitive to regulation by NADH than acetyl-CoA.
Abstract 3433: Molecular regulation of RKIP, a tumor metastasis suppressor in breast cancer

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Breast cancer mortality is primarily due to metastasis to organs including bone, lungs, liver and brain. Tumor metastasis suppressors are metastasis inhibitors but do not affect the ability of the transformed cells to produce a tumor at the primary sites. Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP) has been identified as a metastasis suppressor for a number of cancers including breast, prostate, liver, colon, skin, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. RKIP overexpression in hepatoma, melanoma, and prostate metastatic cell lines diminished their invasiveness and motility in vitro. The molecular mechanism by which RKIP transcription is regulated in breast cancer is largely unknown. Interestingly, RKIP expression was highly and positively correlated with patient's metastasis-free survival after radiotherapy. Likewise, when RKIP was reduced in human prostate cancer cells, radiation-induced apoptosis was reduced in xenograft tumors. Moreover, RKIP expression levels have been induced upon chemotherapeutic drug treatment in human breast cancer cells, sensitizing the tumor cells to apoptosis. These studies indicate that chemotherapy and radiotherapy are more effective when RKIP is present in the metastatic cancer cells. Therefore, high RKIP levels are desirable to prevent metastasis of breast tumor cells and to sensitize tumor cells for chemotherapy. Our goal is to understand the mechanism by which RKIP is regulated in order to restore its levels. Previously, we have observed that let-7 negatively regulates two target genes, BACH1 and HMGA2 that promote breast cancer metastasis in a xenograft mouse model. Here we demonstrate that BACH1 and HMGA2 are themselves negative regulators of RKIP. Specifically, we have delineated molecular mechanisms by which BACH1 and HMGA2 inhibit RKIP expression in breast cancer cell lines using both luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. We are also analyzing whether BACH1 and HMGA2 are dysregulated by chemotherapy in highly metastatic breast cancer cells and whether suppression of these RKIP regulators can potentiate sensitivity of the breast cancer cells to chemotherapy. These studies provide valuable mechanistic insights for potentiating chemotherapeutic sensitivity as well as potential biomarkers for metastatic breast cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3433. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3433
Novel Low-Loss Interdigitated Filters for Microwave and Millimeter-Wave Applications Using Micromachining Techniques

We report on the design and measurement of a new class of stripline filters for millimeter-wave applications. The novelty in this work is to suspend the interdigitated lines on a thin dielectric membrane to eliminate the dielectric losses and to render the interdigitated filter physically realizable at millimter-wave frequencies. A wide band filter with a center frequency of 13.7 GHz and a bandwidth of 45% has been fabricated. The filter exhibits a port-to-port insertion loss of 0.7dB at 13.7 GHz. This fabrication technique can be easily used at higher frequencies to result in planar low loss filters suitable for monolithic integration or surface mount devices up to 40-60 GHz.
Changes in Phytoplankton Size-class Abundance and Species Composition Coinciding with Changes in Water Chemistry and Zooplankton Community Structure of Lake Michigan, 1983 to 1992

Phytoplankton and zooplankton were collected at offshore sites of Lake Michigan during 37 cruises in the spring and summer from 1983 to 1992. For the period, 39 common phytoplankton species accounted for 96.0% of the total abundance and 85.6% of the biomass. Over the 10-year study, the lake-wide average spring and summer phytoplankton biomass in the pelagic waters ranged from 0.27 to 1.2 g/m3 (mean ± S.E. = 0.54 ± 0.03 g/m3) and phytoplankton abundance ranged from 5,132 to 39,780 cells/mL (mean ± S.E. = 18,291 ± 822 cells/mL). Mesotrophic diatoms accounted for 47.2% of the total phytoplankton biomass. The lack of a trend in the ratio of mesotrophic to eutrophic diatom indicator species suggested that no change in trophic status of the pelagic region occurred during the 1983 to 92 period; that is, the water quality of the offshore of Lake Michigan did not change. A year-to-year shift in dominance from one mesotrophic diatom species to another was evident. Over the 10-year period, flagellates accounted for 52.2% of the summer phytoplankton biomass. The data support the concept of a shift in summer species composition away from blue-green algae dominance to flagellates prior to 1982. However after 1987, the relative importance of the > 70 μm size class increased to over 21% of the phytoplankton abundance in the spring and over 55% in the summer. In particular, the colonial blue-greens, Anacystis and Aphanothece, became substantially more prevalent during the summer, while the flagellates, Chromulina and Ochromonas, decreased in abundance. The changes in the relative abundance of phytoplankton size classes and species composition were examined to determine if they correlated with either the top-down mediated changes in the zooplankton community during the 1980s and 1990s or with any bottom-up variability in nutrient chemistry. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) suggested a significant portion of the variability of the spring and summer phytoplankton size classes from 1983–1992 (88.0% and 99.2%, respectively) was explained by environmental axis 1. Primary determinants of relative abundance of phytoplankton size class included nutrients (silica, total phosphorus, and N:P ratio) and abundance of some species of zooplankton. Specifically, Diaptomus minutus, D. ashlandi, D. sicilis, and Daphnia galeata mendotae were inversely correlated with the 0 to 10 μm size class, which we interpret as a grazing effect on phytoplankton size structure, and positively correlated with an increase in abundance of the > 70 μm size class of phytoplankton. CCA suggested that top-down and bottom-up effects were affecting phytoplankton size composition and abundance simultaneously.
BaT2As2 single crystals (T = Fe, Co, Ni) and superconductivity upon Co-doping

The crystal structure and physical properties of BaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2}, BaCo{sub 2}As{sub 2}, and BaNi{sub 2}As{sub 2} single crystals are surveyed. BaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2} gives a magnetic and structural transition at T{sub N} = 132(1) K, BaCo{sub 2}As{sub 2} is a paramagnetic metal, while BaNi{sub 2}As{sub 2} has a structural phase transition at T{sub 0} = 131 K, followed by superconductivity below T{sub c} = 0.69 K. The bulk superconductivity in Co-doped BaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2} below T{sub c} = 22 K is demonstrated by resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, and specific heat data. In contrast to the cuprates, the Fe-based system appears to tolerate considerable disorder in the transition metal layers. First principles calculations for BaFe{sub 1.84}Co{sub 0.16}As{sub 2} indicate the inter-band scattering due to Co is weak.
On Amortizing Inference Cost for Structured Prediction

This paper deals with the problem of predicting structures in the context of NLP. Typically, in structured prediction, an inference procedure is applied to each example independently of the others. In this paper, we seek to optimize the time complexity of inference over entire datasets, rather than individual examples. By considering the general inference representation provided by integer linear programs, we propose three exact inference theorems which allow us to re-use earlier solutions for certain instances, thereby completely avoiding possibly expensive calls to the inference procedure. We also identify several approximation schemes which can provide further speedup. We instantiate these ideas to the structured prediction task of semantic role labeling and show that we can achieve a speedup of over 2.5 using our approach while retaining the guarantees of exactness and a further speedup of over 3 using approximations that do not degrade performance.
Vascular tissue differentiation and pattern formation in plants.

■ Abstract Vascular tissues, xylem and phloem, are differentiated from meristematic cells, procambium, and vascular cambium. Auxin and cytokinin have been considered essential for vascular tissue differentiation; this is supported by recent molecular and genetic analyses. Xylogenesis has long been used as a model for study of cell differentiation, and many genes involved in late stages of tracheary element formation have been characterized. A number of mutants affecting vascular differentiation and pattern formation have been isolated in Arabidopsis. Studies of some of these mutants have suggested that vascular tissue organization within the bundles and vascular pattern formation at the organ level are regulated by positional information.
Surface patterning of nonscattering phosphors for light extraction

A two-dimensional TiO2 photonic crystal layer is fabricated on Y3Al5O12:Ce3+(YAG:Ce) yellow ceramic plate phosphor (CPP) to enhance its forward emission. A triangle lattice pattern is defined by molecular transfer lithography with polyvinyl alcohol nanostructured templates. A 4.5 improvement in yellow emission is achieved from photonic-crystal-structure (PhC) patterned YAG:Ce CPP compared to a nonpatterned one. The PhC-patterned YAG:Ce CPP shows a collimated far-field intensity emission pattern compared to the random-patterned and nonpatterned one.
Enhanced formalin nociceptive responses following L5 nerve ligation in the rat reveals neuropathy-induced inflammatory hyperalgesia.

The development of mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity following peripheral nerve injury is well known and a great deal of research has been directed towards understanding the mechanisms underlying these phenomena. However, there has been very little research examining if hypersensitivity to an inflammatory condition following nerve injury also develops. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine if hypersensitivity to an inflammatory condition produced in the formalin test develops following ligation of the L5 spinal nerve. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats received tight ligation of the L5 spinal nerve or were given sham surgery. Following a 14-day recovery period, the threshold to produce a withdrawal response to a mechanical stimulus was measured using von Frey monofilaments and then formalin behavioral responses were measured. Compared to sham animals, L5 ligated animals exhibited significantly lower mechanical paw withdrawal thresholds as well as elevated and prolonged nociceptive responses during the second phase (20‐60 min) of the formalin test. These results reveal enhanced inflammatory nociceptive processes following peripheral nerve damage and might provide a useful approach to study underlying neural mechanisms associated with clinical neuropathic pain syndromes. q 2001 International Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Mind-Set Matters: Exercise and the Placebo Effect

In a study testing whether the relationship between exercise and health is moderated by one's mind- set, 84 female room attendants working in seven different hotels were measured on physiological health variables affected by exercise. Those in the informed condition were told that the work they do (cleaning hotel rooms) is good exercise and satisfies the Surgeon General's recom- mendations for an active lifestyle. Examples of how their work was exercise were provided. Subjects in the control group were not given this information. Although actual behavior did not change, 4 weeks after the intervention, the informed group perceived themselves to be getting significantly more exercise than before. As a result, com- pared with the control group, they showed a decrease in weight, blood pressure, body fat, waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index. These results support the hypothesis that exercise affects health in part or in whole via the placebo effect.
Cancer stem cells: controversies in multiple myeloma

Increasing data suggest that the initiation, relapse, and progression of human cancers are driven by specific cell populations within an individual tumor. However, inconsistencies have emerged in precisely defining phenotypic markers that can reliably identify these “cancer stem cells” in nearly every human malignancy studied to date. Multiple myeloma, one of the first tumors postulated to be driven by a rare population of cancer stem cells, is no exception. Similar to other diseases, controversy surrounds the exact phenotype and biology of multiple myeloma cells with the capacity for clonogenic growth. Here, we review the studies that have led to these controversies and discuss potential reasons for these disparate findings. Moreover, we speculate how these inconsistencies may be resolved through studies by integrating advancements in both myeloma and stem cell biology.
The anatomy of the parotoid gland in Bufonidae with some histochemical findings. I. Bufo marinus.

The gross and microscopic anatomy of the venom producing parotoid glands of Bufo alvarius has been studied by light and electron microscopy. Histochemical reactions for the presence of venom constituents and of components in biochemical pathways in the synthesis and release of venom were performed. The gland is composed of numerous lobules. Each lobule is an individual unit with a lumen surrounded by a double cell layer. Microvilli of the outer layer interdigitate with microvilli of the inner layer. Cells of the outer layer resemble smooth muscle cells, are rich in adenosine triphosphatase and glucose6-phosphatase, and contain numerous pinocytotic vesicles, glycogen granules and various organelles, These organelles include “crystalloids” of what seem to be highly organized agranular reticulum. These outer layer cells probably function in some aspects of venom synthesis, active cellular transport and contraction in the discharge of the secretory product. The inner cell layer demonstrates a positive chromaffin reaction, contains steroid material, various organelles, some pinocytotic vesicles and glycogen granules, and appears devoid of a plasmalemma on its inner surface. This layer is probably involved in venom formation and release via an apocrine type of secretion. Bufo alvarius parotoid gland shows significant morphological and histochemical differences from that of B. marinus and more nearly resembles a typical steroid producing organ.
The Systematic Definition of Organic Reactions

A logical system is presented to describe organic reactions. It is based on the net structural change in a reaction, rather than on substructure searching. This system rigorously provides a place for any reaction. It is very simple to use by hand, but, since it is also numerical, it provides a basis for organizing and retrieving reactions in a database by computer. The effectiveness of a program, COGNOS, written to implement and test the system on a large database, lends confidence in this logic for organizing reactions.
Structures of carbon catabolite protein A–(HPr-Ser46-P) bound to diverse catabolite response element sites reveal the basis for high-affinity binding to degenerate DNA operators

In Gram-positive bacteria, carbon catabolite protein A (CcpA) is the master regulator of carbon catabolite control, which ensures optimal energy usage under diverse conditions. Unlike other LacI-GalR proteins, CcpA is activated for DNA binding by first forming a complex with the phosphoprotein HPr-Ser46-P. Bacillus subtilis CcpA functions as both a transcription repressor and activator and binds to more than 50 operators called catabolite response elements (cres). These sites are highly degenerate with the consensus, WTGNNARCGNWWWCAW. How CcpA-(HPr-Ser46-P) binds such diverse sequences is unclear. To gain insight into this question, we solved the structures of the CcpA-(HPr-Ser46-P) complex bound to three different operators, the synthetic (syn) cre, ackA2 cre and gntR-down cre. Strikingly, the structures show that the CcpA-bound operators display different bend angles, ranging from 31° to 56°. These differences are accommodated by a flexible linkage between the CcpA helix-turn-helix-loop-helix motif and hinge helices, which allows independent docking of these DNA-binding modules. This flexibility coupled with an abundance of non-polar residues capable of non-specific nucleobase interactions permits CcpA-(HPr-Ser46-P) to bind diverse operators. Indeed, biochemical data show that CcpA-(HPr-Ser46-P) binds the three cre sites with similar affinities. Thus, the data reveal properties that license this protein to function as a global transcription regulator.
Perinatal exposure to Aroclor 1254 impairs distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) in rats.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that are a potential health hazard to human and wildlife populations. Low-frequency auditory impairments have previously been documented in Aroclor 1254 (A 1254)-exposed rats, including elevated behavioral auditory thresholds and decreased amplitude and prolonged latency auditory evoked brain stem responses (ABRs). Furthermore, outer hair-cell loss on the basilar membrane of the cochlea has been documented, demonstrating that the cochlea is a target organ for PCB ototoxicity. The current experiment assessed the effects of A1254 on cochlear function by measuring distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). ABRs were measured to determine the effects of A1254 on the central nervous system auditory pathways. Pregnant Long-Evans rats received either 0 or 6 mg/kg A1254 (po) in corn oil from gestation day 6 to lactational day 21. The auditory function of male and female offspring was assessed at approximately 18 months of age. The rats were anesthetized and a probeunit, consisting of 2 insert earphones and a microphone, was positioned in the ear canal. DPOAE amplitudes were reduced and thresholds increased in the A1254-exposed rats. The deficits were most pronounced at the lowest frequencies tested (2.1‐3.2 kHz), but deficits were also observed at higher frequencies (3.7‐ 8.6 kHz). Males and females were equally affected at the lower frequencies, but females were more impaired at the higher frequencies. In contrast, ABR latencies and amplitudes were not altered by A1254
A Cross-National Analysis of Job Quality Characteristics and Perceived Job Satisfaction in a Changing World Economy: Implications for Public Administrators Managing a Multicultural Workforce

Staffing is one of the many challenges facing all employers today, and with the shift in the global production market and an increasingly global economy, the challenge of finding and keeping the right people for the right job becomes even greater, as organizations not only compete for a diminishing domestic workforce, but a workforce that is increasingly global in nature. This becomes an ever-increasing challenge for organizations as they fight to stay competitive in a global market and learn to effectively manage an increasingly multicultural workforce. This research uses non-panel longitudinal data from the International Social Survey Program (Work Orientations I and II 1989, and 1997) to conduct a comparative analysis of job quality and job satisfaction, in order to examine the impact of various job characteristics and dimensions of job quality on job satisfaction over time and across countries. Finally, I will provide a discussion of policy implications important to public HR administrators who wish to attract top-notch workers and more effectively manage an increasingly multicultural workforce.
Fish Movements and Passage Through a Water Control Structure: River Stage and Floodplain Connectivity

The St. John's Bayou water control structure near New Madrid, MO, connects the main Mississippi River to two large backwater areas called the New Madrid Floodway and St. John's Bayou. While this area has been altered, the New Madrid Floodway and St. John's Bayou account for the only substantial portion of the historic Mississippi River floodplain that remains and provides the only critical connection between backwater/floodplain habitat and the river. Fish passage was evaluated during April–December 2010 using ultrasonic telemetry. Stationary receivers were placed strategically at five locations above and below the structure in St. John's Bayou, in the floodway and the outlet to the Mississippi River. A total of 100 individuals representing 14 species were tagged. Total number of detections during an 8-month period was 1 264 717. Fifteen individuals representing five species moved into the Mississippi and Ohio rivers; seven individuals returned to St. John's Bayou. Thirteen of the 14 species moved upstream through the structure. Of the 85 individuals that stayed in the bayou, 29 fish passed through the structure for a total of 92 passage events. The downstream : upstream passage was roughly 50:50. Passage was correlated with river rise, with frequency of passage being higher in spring, but passage occurred each month during the study. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shock structures and bunching fronts in excitable reaction-diffusion systems

We report experimental results on the dynamics of excitation waves in a modified Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction. The waves in this system obey nonmonotonic dispersion relations. This anomaly induces the stacking of excitation fronts into patterns with stable interpulse distances. The stacking process creates either a traveling shock structure or a cascade of bunching events in which metastable wave packets are formed. The direction and the speed of the shock are explained in terms of a simple geometrical analysis. We also present experimental evidence for the corresponding instabilities in two-dimensional systems. Here, wave stacking generates atypical structures in the collision of target patterns and wave bunching is accompanied by complex front deformations.
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia: Autonomic origins, physiological mechanisms, and psychophysiological implications.

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is being used increasingly in psychophysiological studies as an index of vagal control of the heart and may be among the most selective noninvasive indices of parasympathetic control of cardiac functions. A comprehensive understanding of RSA, however, requires an appreciation of its multiple autonomic and physiological origins. We review the physiological bases of RSA and show that RSA arises from multiple tonic and phasic processes of both central and peripheral origin. These underlying mechanisms are at least partially differentiated, have distinct dynamics and consequences, and may be differentially sensitive to behavioral and cognitive events. These multiple mechanisms are relevant for psychophysiological studies of RSA, and a thorough understanding of RSA can only be achieved through an appreciation of the dynamics of its underlying origins. There is a distinction between the psychophysiological and neurophysiological domains, and conceptual and empirical bridges between these domains are needed.
Models of Democracy Elite Attitudes and the Democratic Deficit in the European Union

Most current debate about the democratic deficit equates democracy with party government and popular direction of policy (popular sovereignty). Alternative conceptions of democracy, pluralist or veto-group liberalism, are more consistent with European political and social circumstances and with EU institutions. After developing the difference between popular sovereignty and liberal models of democracy, the paper uses data from a survey of members of the European Parliament and members of the national parliaments in the EU to show that MP orientations with respect to these democratic values contribute significantly to explaining their evaluations of the quality of EU democracy and their preferences for EU institutional development.
Quadratic Systems, Blow-Up, and Algebras

Systems of quadratic ordinary differential equations such as the predator-prey, Riccati, and Euler systems may be expressed as \(\dot X = \beta (X, X) \equiv {X^2}\) where β is the multiplication in an algebra A. A common problem is to determine the blow-up of solutions in finite time. It is shown that solutions which blow up may sometimes be expressed in terms of idempotents E and equilibria N which occur in the blow-up. Examples using a Jordan algebra are given. Blow-up often occurs in reaction-diffusion-convection systems of partial differential equations. Using Fourier methods, this leads to the study of blow-up of quadratic systems of ordinary differential equations occurring in an infinite dimensional algebra.