cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 2 Capsid Antigens by a Monoclonal Antibody-Based Antigen Capture Assay

We have tested the ability of a monoclonal antibody-based simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) p27 capsid antigen assay to detect SIV antigen in supernatants from a variety of infected cell cultures. The antigen capture assay has a sensitivity of approximately 30 pg of SIV p27 capsid antigen/ml. The assay detected SIV p27 capsid antigen in cell culture supernatants from all six strains tested, detected the replication of SIV following the inoculation of the virus in peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures earlier compared to reverse transcriptase assay, and was more sensitive in detection of the SIV antigen compared to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) antigen capture assays. The SIV antigen capture assay was used to detect SIV antigen from serum samples and tissue cultures from eight of eight SIVB670-infected rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Similar samples from four control rhesus macaques were negative when tested by the assay. The SIV antigen was detected in virus-infected monkeys during ...
Asymmetric Postmating Isolation: Darwin's Corollary to Haldane's Rule

Asymmetric postmating isolation, where reciprocal interspecific crosses produce different levels of fertilization success or hybrid sterility/inviability, is very common. Darwin emphasized its pervasiveness in plants, but it occurs in all taxa assayed. This asymmetry often results from Dobzhansky–Muller incompatibilities (DMIs) involving uniparentally inherited genetic factors (e.g., gametophyte–sporophyte interactions in plants or cytoplasmic–nuclear interactions). Typically, unidirectional (U) DMIs act simultaneously with bidirectional (B) DMIs between autosomal loci that affect reciprocal crosses equally. We model both classes of two-locus DMIs to make quantitative and qualitative predictions concerning patterns of isolation asymmetry in parental species crosses and in the hybrid F1 generation. First, we find conditions that produce expected differences. Second, we present a stochastic analysis of DMI accumulation to predict probable levels of asymmetry as divergence time increases. We find that systematic interspecific differences in relative rates of evolution for autosomal vs. nonautosomal loci can lead to different expected F1 fitnesses from reciprocal crosses, but asymmetries are more simply explained by stochastic differences in the accumulation of U DMIs. The magnitude of asymmetry depends primarily on the cumulative effects of U vs. B DMIs (which depend on heterozygous effects of DMIs), the average number of DMIs required to produce complete reproductive isolation (more asymmetry occurs when fewer DMIs are required), and the shape of the function describing how fitness declines as DMIs accumulate. Comparing our predictions to data from diverse taxa indicates that unidirectional DMIs, specifically involving sex chromosomes, cytoplasmic elements, and maternal effects, are likely to play an important role in postmating isolation.
A large-scale study of automated web search traffic

As web search providers seek to improve both relevance and response times, they are challenged by the ever-increasing tax of automated search query traffic. Third party systems interact with search engines for a variety of reasons, such as monitoring a website's rank, augmenting online games, or possibly to maliciously alter click-through rates. In this paper, we investigate automated traffic in the query stream of a large search engine provider. We define automated traffic as any search query not generated by a human in real time. We first provide examples of different categories of query logs generated by bots. We then develop many different features that distinguish between queries generated by people searching for information, and those generated by automated processes. We categorize these features into two classes, either an interpretation of the physical model of human interactions, or as behavioral patterns of automated interactions. We believe these features formulate a basis for a production-level query stream classifier.
Peripheral–conscious energy–efficient scheduling for weakly hard real–time systems

In this paper, we study the problem of reducing the energy consumption for a weakly hard real–time system. The weakly hard real–time system is modelled by the (m, k)–constraints, which require that at least m out of any k consecutive jobs of a task meet their deadlines. Since the system energy is consumed not only by the processor alone but also in a large part by other peripheral devices, we first propose a static approach, with the specifications of peripheral devices taken into consideration, to partition the jobs into mandatory/optional jobs to achieve the dual goals of (m, k)–guarantee and overall energy minimisation. Based on that, we present a dynamic scheduling algorithm that adopts preemption control technique and dynamic mandatory/optional partitioning strategy to reduce the energy consumption of the whole system dynamically. Our approach can effectively minimise the system–wide energy consumption and guarantee the (m, k)–deadlines at the same time. The novelty and effectiveness of our techniques are demonstrated through extensive simulation studies.
Prehepatic β-Cell Secretion During the Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test in Humans: Application of a Combined Model of Insulin and C-Peptide Kinetics*

A previously introduced method by which prehepatic β-cell secretion is calculated in vivo from plasma measurements of insulin and C-peptide was applied to data derived from iv glucose tolerance tests performed in normal women. Prehepatic secretory rates calculated using the combined model appeared biphasic in nature after glucose injection. Basal insulin secretion was 63.9 ± 9.8 pmol/min. The duration of first phase was approximately 5 min, with secretion reaching a peak of 2033 ± 342 pmol/min. The first phase was followed by a significant refractory period in which the secretory rate fell below basal values. The magnitude of second phase secretion was small relative to first phase secretion and appeared pulsatile in nature. Total integrated insulin secretion was 22.2 ± 2.7 nmol, of which first phase accounted for 32%, and second phase accounted for the remaining 68%. Total incremental integrated secretion was 10.6 ± 1.4 nmol, accounting for approximately half of the total insulin secretion. Proportions o...
Petrophysical parameters affecting NMR relaxation times and cementation factor; artificial neural network analysis

The feasibility of using artificial neural networks (ANN) to model complex relationships between petrophysical parameters, porosity (ϕ), permeability (k), volume-to-surface ratio (Vp∕S) and the exchange cation molarity Qv and measurable geophysical properties, cementation factor m and NMR relaxation times T1 is investigated. Existing laboratory measurements of petrophysical and geophysical properties are used in modeling the relationships. The relative importance of the petrophysical parameters in influencing the geophysical measurements is assessed using the weights of the trained neural network. The results of the analyses indicate that the most influential parameter affecting NMR relaxation time is porosity followed by cation exchange molarity. The least affected parameter is permeability. The most important parameter influencing measurements of m is the porosity followed closely by permeability. The percentage of clay, which is quantified by the cation exchange molarity, has significant influence on b...
Experimental study of SBS mitigation and transmission improvement from cross-phase modulation in 10.7 Gb/s unrepeatered systems

We experimentally study the effects of cross-phase modulation and stimulated Brillouin scattering limitations in long unrepeatered transmission systems at 10.7 Gb/s. We find significant SBS suppression in wavelength-division multiplexed systems and investigate system performance for different numbers of channels and channel spacing. We find greater than 4 orders of magnitude improvement in bit error rate (BER) with a WDM system in comparison to single channel transmission due to SBS impairment mitigation. Unrepeatered transmission over 323 km with a simple system configuration using low-attenuation fiber, NRZ modulation, and only EDFA amplification is demonstrated with more than 5 dB system margin over the forward error correction (FEC) threshold.
Tick paralysis in the Eastern United States

Summary 1. A resume of some known facts and unanswered questions about tickparalysis is presented. 2. Reference is made to fourteen cases previously published from the eastern United States. 3. Four new cases from Georgia are reported, from two of which D. variabilis was identified. 4. It is suggested that additional cases may be expected throughout therange of D. variabilis. 5. Tick paralysis is likely to be confused with poliomyelitis. The differentialdiagnosis is discussed.
VEGF improves survival of mesenchymal stem cells in infarcted hearts

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are a promising source for cell-based treatment of myocardial infarction (MI), but existing strategies are restricted by low cell survival and engraftment. We examined whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) improve MSC viability in infarcted hearts. We found long-term culture increased MSC-cellular stress: expressing more cell cycle inhibitors, p16(INK), p21 and p19(ARF). VEGF treatment reduced cellular stress, increased pro-survival factors, phosphorylated-Akt and Bcl-xL expression and cell proliferation. Co-injection of MSCs with VEGF to MI hearts increased cell engraftment and resulted in better improvement of cardiac function than that injected with MSCs or VEGF alone. In conclusion, VEGF protects MSCs from culture-induce cellular stress and improves their viability in ischemic myocardium, which results in improvements of their therapeutic effect for the treatment of MI.
GEOGRAPHY IN THE PHILIPPINES

(1984). GEOGRAPHY IN THE PHILIPPINES. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 36, No. 4, pp. 480-482.
Localization and absorption of waves in a weakly dissipative disordered medium.

The effect of a small imaginary part ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}$ to the dielectric constant on the propagation of waves in a disordered medium near the Anderson localization transition is considered. The n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0 replica-field representation of the averaged Green's function leads to a nonlinear \ensuremath{\sigma} model with a symmetry-breaking perturbation proportional to ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}$. In d=2+\ensuremath{\epsilon}, the renormalized energy absorption coefficient is shown to increase anomalously with frequency \ensuremath{\omega} near the mobility edge ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{\mathrm{*}}$ as \ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\sim}(${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{\mathrm{*}}$-\ensuremath{\omega}${)}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}(d\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2)\ensuremath{\nu}/2}$, \ensuremath{\nu}=1/\ensuremath{\epsilon}. It is shown that the wavelength ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{\mathrm{*}}$ below which localization occurs is related to the elastic mean free path l by (l/${\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{\mathrm{*}}$${)}^{d\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$\ensuremath{\sim}1/\ensuremath{\epsilon} (dg2). This may occur near the limit of attainable disorder from a quenched random array of small dielectric or metallic spheres.
Standardized note template improves screening of firearm access and driving among veterans with dementia.

Little is known about screening used in clinical practice to assess driving and firearm safety among patients with dementia. A case-controlled study was performed, including 22 patients with dementia seen in a geriatric evaluation and management clinic and 22 matched patients with dementia seen in a memory assessment clinic. Data about prevalence of firearm use and driving were obtained. In geriatric evaluation and management clinic, 57.9% of patients had dementia, compared with 71.0% in memory assessment clinic, and more patients were diagnosed with Alzheimer dementia in memory assessment clinic (P = .005). In geriatric evaluation and management clinic, 65% of patients had driving screening compared with 100% in memory assessment clinic (P = .07). Four percent in geriatric evaluation and management clinic were screened for firearm access versus 100% in memory assessment clinic (P Language: en
Flow control for capillary-pumped microfluidic systems

Advantages of performing analytical and diagnostic tasks in microfluidic-based systems include small sample volume requirements, rapid transport times and the promise of compact, portable instrumentation. The application of such systems in home and point-of-care situations has been limited, however, because these devices typically require significant associated hardware to initiate and control fluid flow. Capillary-based pumping can address many of these deficiencies by taking advantage of surface tension to pull fluid through devices. The development of practical instrumentation however will rely upon the development of precision control schemes to complement capillary pumping. Here, we introduce a straightforward, robust approach that allows for reconfigurable fluid guidance through otherwise fixed capillary networks. This technique is based on the opening and closing of microfluidic channels cast in a flexible elastomer via automated or even manual mechanical actuation. This straightforward approach can completely and precisely control flows such as samples of complex fluids, including whole blood, at very high resolutions according to real-time user feedback. These results demonstrate the suitability of this technique for portable, microfluidic instruments in laboratory, field or clinical diagnostic applications.
Identification and characterization of atrioventricular parasympathetic innervation in humans.

AV Parasympathetic Innervation.Introduction: We hypothesized that in humans there is an epicardial fat pad from which parasympathetic ganglia supply the AV node. We also hypothesized that the parasympathetic nerves innervating the AV node also innervate the right atrium, and the greatest density of innervation is near the AV nodal fat pad. Methods and Results: An epicardial fat pad near the junction of the left atrium and right inferior pulmonary vein was identified during cardiac surgery in seven patients. A ring electrode was used to stimulate this fat pad intraoperatively during sinus rhythm to produce transient complete heart block. Subsequently, temporary epicardial wire electrodes were sutured in pairs on this epicardial fat pad, the high right atrium, and the right ventricle by direct visualization during coronary artery bypass surgery in seven patients. Experiments were performed in the electrophysiology laboratory 1 to 5 days after surgery. Programmed atrial stimulation was performed via an endocardial electrode catheter advanced to the right atrium. The catheter tip electrode was moved in 1-cm concentric zones around the epicardial wires by fluoroscopic guidance. Atrial refractoriness at each catheter site was determined in the presence and absence of parasympathetic nerve stimulation (via the epicardial wires). In all seven patients, an AV nodal fat pad was identified. Fat pad stimulation during and after surgery caused complete heart block but no change in sinus rate. Fat pad stimulation decreased the right atrial effective refractory period at 1 cm (280 ± 42 msec to 242 ± 39 msec) and 2 cm (235 ± 21 msec to 201 ± 11 msec) from the fat pad (P = 0.04, compared with baseline). No significant change in atrial refractoriness occurred at distances > 2 cm. The response to stimulation decreased as the distance from the fat pad increased. Conclusion: For the first time in humans, an epicardial fat pad was identified from which parasympathetic nerve fibers selectively innervate the AV node but not the sinoatrial node. Nerves in this fat pad also innervate the surrounding right atrium.
Pigmented basal cell carcinoma in Hispanics

Abstract Background: Pigmented basal cell carcinoma (PBCC) may occasionally be misdiagnosed as melanoma. In the Hispanic population, PBCC is common. Objective: We attempted to determine the prevalence of PBCC in a Hispanic population. Methods: A randomized, blinded, retrospective study was designed to assess histologic slides for the presence of microscopic pigment. Basal cell carcinoma (BCCs) from 30 patients with a Hispanic surname were compared histologically with BCCs from 30 patients with a northern European surname. In the prospective phase of the study, 15 Hispanic and 44 non-Hispanic patients with clinically suspected BCC or PBCC completed a questionnaire about their ethnic background and skin type to determine whether PBCC is more common in Hispanics. Results: Pigment was identified twice as frequently in BCCs from patients with a Hispanic surname than in BCCs from patients with a northern European surname. In the prospective clinical study, 66% of clinically diagnosed PBCCs were found in Hispanic patients, whereas only 11% of nonpigmented BCCs came from Hispanic patients ( p Conclusion: In patients with a BCC, PBCCs are more common in Hispanics than non-Hispanics. This may reflect an increased incidence of PBCCs in the Hispanic population.
Electromagnetic properties of proximity systems.

Magnetic screening in the proximity system ${S}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$-${M}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}$, where ${M}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}$ is a normal metal N, semiconductor (semimetal), or a superconductor, is studied. Main attention is paid to the low-temperature region where nonlocality plays an important role. The thermodynamic Green's-function method is employed in order to describe the behavior of the proximity system in an external field. The temperature and thickness dependences of the penetration depth \ensuremath{\lambda} are obtained. The dependence \ensuremath{\lambda}(T) differs in a striking way from the dependence in usual superconductors. The strong-coupling effect is taken into account. A special case of screening in a superconducting film backed by a size-quantizing semimetal film is considered. The results obtained are in good agreement with experimental data.
Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon's Histoire naturelle in English, 1775–1815

Published in French to considerable acclaim between 1749 and 1767, the 15-volume opening sub-series of Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon's Histoire naturelle was first translated into English in near entirety in 1775–1776. Over the next 40 years, two further comprehensive English-language translations were prepared and published in four editions each. This paper describes the three major English translations of Buffon's Histoire naturelle and compares their coverage, order, style, accuracy and footnotes. Supplemented with information from reviews, advertisements and partial translations and adaptations, the history of the large-scale English-language translations of Histoire naturelle provides clues about Buffon's reception in the Anglophone world.
Design and Evaluation of Frequency Weighted LQG—Maximum Entropy Controllers on an Experimental Truss Structure

This paper will discuss the experimental evaluation of a structural control system designed using a combination of Frequency Weighted LQG and Maximum Entropy. The experimental implementation was performed on an experimental truss structure, the Sandia Truss, which is described in the paper. The control design model was obtained via experimental system identification using the eigensystem realization algorithm with data correlation. The control design used frequency weighting to stabilize the unstructured uncertainty of the system due to low signal-to-noise and uncertain system dynamics in various frequency ranges. Maximum entropy is used to provide robustness for structured uncertain system dynamics within the controller bandwidth. The experimental implementation of the controllers designed with this approach show the ability to design controllers with a specified bandwidth, gain stabilization of unstructured uncertainty, and robustness to structured uncertainty within the controller bandwidth.
Abstract 2125: Circadian crosstalk modulation of estrogen receptor alpha promoter activity

The proper timing of cell division is a major factor contributing to the regulation of normal growth and emerges as a fundamental process in the development of most cancers. The existence in most, if not all, living organisms of many behavioral and physiological events that occur at well-defined and controlled times argues for the presence of time-keeping systems that allow them to adapt to cyclic changes in environmental conditions. Disruption of circadian rhythm has recently emerged as a new potential risk factor in the development of cancer, pointing to the core gene period 2 (per2) as a tumor suppressor. Circadian disruption has been epidemiologically linked to a raising number of estrogen dependent tumors identified in night-shift workers. In the present study, we investigate the signaling molecules that modulate the circadian expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERa). ERa mRNA oscillates in a 24 h period and, unlike the circadian factor Per2, ERa peaks during the light phase of the day. Because up regulation of ER relates to tumor development, defining the mechanisms of ERa expression will contribute to our comprehension of cellular proliferation and regulation of normal developmental processes. Transcriptional activation of ERa was measured using a reporter system in Chinese Hamster Ovary and MCF-7 cell lines. Data show that Per2 influence ERa transcription through a non-canonical mechanism independent of its circadian counterparts. Promoter analysis using the Alibaba 2.0 suite revealed the presence of various putative novel partners. Among them, OCT-1 was found to directly interact with Per2 and with corresponding response element within the ERa promoter bit in vitro and endogenously in CHO and MCF-7 cells. The predicted binding site of OCT-1 is 867 bps downstream of the promoter. Pull-down assays were used to map direct interaction of various Per2 recombinant proteins and the DNA-binding domain of OCT-1. Radiolabeled OCT-1 was found to bind to the C-terminal end of Per2. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to determine direct binding of OCT-1 to the promoter and chromatine immunoprecipitation validate the interactions in cells. Fluorescence anisotropy and surface plasmon resonance were employed to establish the binding affinity of OCT-1 to the ERa promoter and Per2. OCT-1 was found to have a high affinity for the ERa promoter (∼10 nM). Overall, our data points towards a direct regulation of estrogen receptor signaling by circadian modulators. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2125. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2125
Application of atomic-force microscopy to phase-shift masks

In recent years, optical phase shifting masks (PSM) have become of interest for the enhancement of submicron lithographic techniques. Various schemes of PSMs have been published in the literature demonstrating improvement in performance of optical lithography techniques for 0.5 micrometers features and below. Some of these schemes require features on the PSMs that are micron or submicron in size. Monitoring the depth as well as the lateral dimensions of these small features is important in order to meet the dimensional tolerances. In this paper we report the application of an atomic force microscope (AFM) to obtain both quantitative as well as qualitative information about the etched features in a PSM.
Rethinking Social Inquiry: Diverse Tools, Shared Standards

Rethinking Social Inquiry: Diverse Tools, Shared Standards. Edited by Henry E. Brady and David Collier. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2004. 384p. 27.95 paper.This essay collection is an exceptionally important book that establishes a pluralistic vision of social science methodology. Until a few years ago, the discipline equated methods with quantitative methods and formal modeling; qualitative research was often seen as lacking precision and rigor and therefore as undeserving of the “methods” label. How things have changed—and for the better! The American Political Science Association now has a flourishing section on Qualitative Methods, which has attracted a rapidly increasing membership.
The utility metering service of the Universal Management Infrastructure

One of the main characteristics of on demand computing in general and of utility computing services in particular is the "pay-as-you-go" model. To implement this model, one needs a flexible way to meter the services and resources being used. The UMI (Universal Management Infrastructure) architecture, designed to provide common functions that are needed by most, if not all, of the utilities in a utility computing system, therefore includes a metering function. The architecture of the metering system is hierarchical and highly flexible. This paper reviews the metering service architecture and describes how UMI's metering service function is used in the context of utility computing services, for collecting and storing metered data, computing service metrics (which are useful to the data-consuming applications), and feeding the metrics to various consumer modules (e.g., for accounting and billing).
Spinning dilaton black holes in 2 + 1 dimensions: Quasinormal modes and the area spectrum

We have studied the perturbation of a spinning dilaton black hole in $2+1$ dimensions by a massless scalar field. The wave equations of a massless scalar field is shown to be exactly solvable in terms of hypergeometric functions. The quasinormal frequencies are computed for slowly spinning black holes. The stability of the black hole is discussed. The asymptotic form of the quasinormal frequencies are evaluated. The area spectrum of the quantum black holes are evaluated by using the asymptotic quasinormal frequencies and is shown to be equally spaced.
Checkpoint blocking antibodies in cancer immunotherapy.

Cancers can be recognized by the immune system, and the immune system may regulate and even eliminate tumors. The development of checkpoint blocking antibodies, such as those directed against cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death 1 receptor (PD-1), have demonstrated significant recent promise in the treatment of an expanding list of malignancies. While both CTLA-4 and PD-1 function as negative regulators, each plays a non-redundant role in modulating immune responses. CTLA-4 attenuates the early activation of naive and memory T cells. In contrast, PD-1 is primarily involved in modulating T cell activity in peripheral tissues via interaction with its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2. Unfortunately, not all patients respond to these therapies, and evaluation of biomarkers associated with clinical outcomes is ongoing. This review will examine the efficacy, toxicities, and clinical development of checkpoint blocking antibodies, including agents already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (anti-CTLA-4, ipilimumab) or in development (anti-PD-1, PD-L1). Future studies will likely uncover new promising immunologic checkpoints to target alone or in combination with other immunotherapeutic approaches, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and small molecules.
Symmetric Finite-Amplitude Rotational Water Waves

Abstract Two forms of a tw0-dimensional streamfunction solution for symmetric periodic water waves on a fluid with a vertical distribution of vorticity are presented. The magnitude of the vorticity varies linearly with the magnitude of the streamfunction, while remaining constant on a particular streamline. The analysis utilizes a numerical perturbation technique, which converges rapidly to a wave of given height and period in water of a specified depth with a given vorticity distribution. Computed results show the influence of the vorticity on the wavelength and crest elevation of the wave.
HOW KNOWLEDGE INFLUENCED TWO INTERVENTIONS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE COMPREHENSION

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to compare two interventions designed to improve students’ comprehension of a problematic text. The first involved revising the text to improve coherence, and the second was designed to promote active engagement through asking inference‐promoting questions. Three groups of 18 fifth graders read either an original social studies text, a revised version of the text, or were asked questions while reading the original text. While the quantitative results showed no differences among the three groups in amount of information recalled and the number of questions answered correctly, qualitative analyses showed that those students who were asked questions tended to recall the central points in the passage. The lack of advantage for the revised text is in contrast to findings from previous research on promoting text comprehension through text revision. Explanations for this difference are offered by considering the unexpected effects of students’ knowledge. Further, the...
Hypoellipticity of Some Degenerate Subelliptic Operators

The purpose of this paper is to establish the following result. LetL1andL2be subelliptic operators on Rnxand Rmy, respectively. Assume thatλ∈C∞(Rnx) withλ⩾0, assume thatλhas a zero of infinite order at the origin and that all other zeroes ofλare of finite order. Then the operatorL=L1+λL2is hypoelliptic.
SinkTrail: A Proactive Data Reporting Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

In large-scale Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), leveraging data sinks' mobility for data gathering has drawn substantial interests in recent years. Current researches either focus on planning a mobile sink's moving trajectory in advance to achieve optimized network performance, or target at collecting a small portion of sensed data in the network. In many application scenarios, however, a mobile sink cannot move freely in the deployed area. Therefore, the precalculated trajectories may not be applicable. To avoid constant sink location update traffics when a sink's future locations cannot be scheduled in advance, we propose two energy-efficient proactive data reporting protocols, SinkTrail and SinkTrail-S, for mobile sink-based data collection. The proposed protocols feature low-complexity and reduced control overheads. Two unique aspects distinguish our approach from previous ones: 1) we allow sufficient flexibility in the movement of mobile sinks to dynamically adapt to various terrestrial changes; and 2) without requirements of GPS devices or predefined landmarks, SinkTrail establishes a logical coordinate system for routing and forwarding data packets, making it suitable for diverse application scenarios. We systematically analyze the impact of several design factors in the proposed algorithms. Both theoretical analysis and simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithms reduce control overheads and yield satisfactory performance in finding shorter routing paths.
Frey On Why Animals Cannot Have Simple Desires

In his Interests and Rights: The Case Against Animals, 1 R. G. Frey advances a number of arguments which, he thinks, show that animals 'cannot have desires' (e.g., p. ioi). Some of these arguments turn on Frey's analyses of desires in terms of beliefs and beliefs in terms of thinking that certain sentences are true (pp. 53 ff.). Other arguments against the possibility of animals having desires are marshalled independently of these analyses. My present interest is limited to these latter arguments. Frey acknowledges that a critic of his view that animals cannot have desires will protest that, at the very most, the arguments that turn on his analysis of desire and belief show that animals cannot have some kinds of desires, not that they cannot have any. 'Specifically', Frey writes (p. ioi), 'this critic is likely to have in mind that, however many kinds of desires there are, there is a class of desires-let us call them "simple desires"which do not involve the intervention of belief . . .'. Thus, for example, Fido may, on the critic's view, simply desire a bone, and the attribution of this desire to Fido need not imply that Fido has any beliefs about anything. Now, it is, I think, doubtful that anybody, including Frey's patient critic, believes this of Fido, since it is unclear what it could mean to say that Fido desires a particular bone but that he does not believe anything whatsoever about the object he selects by way of fulfilling his desire. That is, it is unclear how one could make sense of the attribution of desires to some individual, A, while denying that A believes that what A selects to fulfil A's desire is what A desires (e.g., is a bone). But let us suppose, for the sake of argument, that this is possible. We are to imagine Frey's critic saying that Fido simply desires the bone. Frey, since he believes that animals cannot have desires, must believe that Fido cannot simply desire this. Why? Those who attribute simple desires to animals, Frey believes, are faced with a dilemma. Assuming that Fido is said to desire a bone, the question arises: 'Is (Fido) aware that it has this simple desire? It either is not so aware or it is' (p. I04). In either case, Frey believes, the attribution of simple desires to Fido in particular, and to animals in general, is impaled by a horn of the dilemma he poses. Let us first consider Frey's argument against those who would attribute simple desires to Fido but who would deny that Fido is aware that he has this desire. Here is Frey's principal argument against this view.
Financial Rewards for Social Responsibility: A Mixed Picture for Restaurant Companies

This study empirically examines the effects of publicly traded U.S. restaurant companies' social responsibility activities on the following two financial performance measures: accounting performanc...
Estimating Components of Population Change from Census Data for Incongruent Spatial/ Temporal Units and Attributes

When calculating the components of population change over time, the spatial units of analysis must remain constant. However, the boundaries of these units often change from one census to the next Another limiting factor is the absence of data values for the time period. Net migration figures might be available for a five year interval in a census but not for a twenty year interval. GIS and areal interpolation are used here to rectify boundary changes that occur from one census to the next and shift‐share analysis is used to estimate the components of population change from the census data. These methods are applied to a county level study of population change in China between 1982 and 2000.
Optical-resolution confocal photoacoustic microscopy

A confocal photoacoustic microscope with improved lateral resolution has been developed by employing stronglyfocused bright field optical illumination and spherically focused 75-MHz ultrasonic detection. The lateral resolution was experimentally measured to be 5 μm and the axial resolution was estimated to be 15 μm. The maximum imaging depth was demonstrated to be greater than 0.7 mm. In in vivo experiments, microvessels with a diameter of ~ 5 μm are imaged in small animals.© (2008) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
(Ng)amukRevisited: Emotional Expression and Mental Illness in Central Java, Indonesia

Researchers of ‘amuk’ behavior in Southeast Asia have normally adopted either a psychiatric or ethno-behavioral position, both of which impose an outside theoretical model. An ethnopsychological vi...
Immunotherapy with a Combination of Intravenous Immune Globulin and P4 Peptide Rescues Mice from Postinfluenza Pneumococcal Pneumonia

Alternate therapies are needed for treatment of secondary bacterial pneumonia following influenza. The immunomodulatory peptide P4 has shown promise in mouse models of primary pneumococcal infection. Mice infected with influenza virus and then challenged with Streptococcus pneumoniae were treated with a combination of P4 peptide and intravenous immune globulin. Survival was improved from 20% to 80% in treated mice relative to controls. Clinical cure correlated with increased clearance of bacteria and decreased lung consolidation. Greater trafficking of professional phagocytic cells to the site of pneumococcal infection coupled with enhanced opsonophagocytosis as manifest by decreased surface display of Fcγ receptors (FcγR) on neutrophils and macrophages were associated with P4 peptide treatment. This suggests that the mechanism of action for improved clearance of bacteria engendered by P4 is through improved uptake by phagocytes mediated by IgG Fc-Fcγ receptor interactions following antibody-mediated opsonophagocytosis of bacteria. Antibody-based therapies, when coupled with immune modulators, such as P4 peptide, may be an effective tool together with antibiotics in our armamentarium against severe pneumonia.
Anxiety and stress reduction in medical education: an intervention.

OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of a stress reduction elective on Year 2 medical students and to assess the sustainability of any noted improvement. METHODS A new elective entitled 'Mind-Body Medicine: an Experiential Elective' was offered to Year 2 medical students. It was based on a course developed by the Center for Mind-Body Medicine. Enrolled students were surveyed on the first (time 1) and last (time 2) days of the elective and again 3 months later (time 3). Four validated self-report instruments were used to examine effects on anxiety, stress, mood states and depression. A comparison group of non-enrolled classmates completed the same instruments during the same timeframes. The study began in autumn 2004 and ended in June 2005. RESULTS Participating students had higher initial anxiety scores than students in the comparison group. Anxiety in the study group declined significantly during the course, with enrolled students becoming indistinguishable from non-enrolled counterparts. These decreased anxiety levels were sustained for 3 months following the conclusion of the course. CONCLUSIONS This elective was successful in attracting students who were more anxious than their peers. Enrolees had higher baseline anxiety levels than their peers. The course decreased anxiety levels. The significant drop in anxiety scores of the study group suggests that this mind-body elective was an effective way to decrease anxiety in these pre-clinical medical students. Decreases in anxiety were sustained 3 months after the course ended, indicating that the benefits of the course may be longlasting.
Expression of a Gibberellin-Induced Leucine-Rich Repeat Receptor-Like Protein Kinase in Deepwater Rice and Its Interaction with Kinase-Associated Protein Phosphatase

We identified in deepwater rice (Oryza sativa L.) a gene encoding a leucine-rich repeat receptor-like transmembrane protein kinase, OsTMK (O. sativa transmembrane kinase). The transcript levels of OsTMK increased in the rice internode in response to gibberellin. Expression of OsTMK was especially high in regions undergoing cell division and elongation. The kinase domain of OsTMK was enzymatically active, autophosphorylating on serine and threonine residues. A cDNA encoding a rice ortholog of a kinase-associated type 2C protein phosphatase (OsKAPP) was cloned. KAPPs are putative downstream components in kinase-mediated signal transduction pathways. The kinase interaction domain of OsKAPP was phosphorylated in vitro by the kinase domain of OsTMK. RNA gel-blot analysis indicated that the expression of OsTMK and OsKAPP was similar in different tissues of the rice plant. In protein-binding assays, OsKAPP interacted with a receptor-like protein kinase, RLK5 of Arabidopsis, but not with the protein kinase domains of the rice and maize receptor-like protein kinases Xa21 and ZmPK1, respectively.
Marine range shifts and species introductions: comparative spread rates and community impacts

Aim Shifts in species ranges are a predicted and realized effect of global climate change; however, few studies have addressed the rates and consequence of such shifts, particularly in marine systems. Given ecological similarities between shifting and introduced species, we examined how our understanding of range shifts may be informed by the more established study of non-native species introductions. Location Marine systems world-wide. Methods Database and citation searches were used to identify 129 marine species experiencing range shifts and to determine spread rates and impacts on recipient communities. Analyses of spread rates were based on studies for which postestablishment spread was reported in linear distance. The sizes of the effects of community impacts of shifting species were compared with those of functionally similar introduced species having ecologically similar impacts. Results Our review and meta-analyses revealed that: (1) 75% of the range shifts found through the database search were in the poleward direction, consistent with climate change scenarios, (2) spread rates of range shifts were lower than those of
Heat stress evaluation of two-layer chemical demilitarization ensembles with a full face negative pressure respirator.

The purpose of this study was to examine the heat stress effects of three protective clothing ensembles: (1) protective apron over cloth coveralls including full face negative pres- sure respirator (APRON); (2) the apron over cloth coveralls with respirator plus protective pants (APRON+PANTS); and (3) protective coveralls over cloth coveralls with respirator (PROTECTIVE COVERALLS). In addition, there was a no-respirator ensemble (PROTECTIVE COVERALLS- noR), and WORK CLOTHES as a reference ensemble. Four acclimatized male participants completed a full set of five trials, and two of the participants repeated the full set. The progressive heat stress protocol was used to find the critical WBGT (WBGT crit) and apparent total evapora- tive resistance (Re,T,a) at the upper limit of thermal equilibrium. The results (WBGTcrit (°C- WBGT) and Re,T,a (kPa m 2 W −1 )) were WORK CLOTHES (35.5, 0.0115), APRON (31.6, 0.0179), APRON+PANTS (27.7, 0.0244), PROTECTIVE COVERALLS (25.9, 0.0290), and PROTECTIVE COVERALLS-noR (26.2, 0.0296). There were significant differences among the ensembles. Sup- porting previous studies, there was little evidence to suggest that the respirator contributed to heat stress.
Focus-engineered coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy: a numerical investigation

The coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) signal is calculated as a function of focal-field distributions with engineered phase jumps. We show that the focal fields in CARS microscopy can be shaped such that the signal from the bulk is suppressed in the forward detection mode. We present the field distributions that display enhanced sensitivity to vibrationally resonant object interfaces in the lateral dimension. The use of focus-engineered CARS provides a simple means to detect chemical edges against the strong background signals from the bulk.
The Structure and Properties of the Consumer Susceptibility to Interpersonal Influence Scale in Two Immigrant Populations in the U.S.

Abstract The structure, psychometric properties and mean levels of the “Consumer Susceptibility to Interpersonal Influence” scale (Bearden, Netemeyer and Teel 1989) are assessed in samples chosen from two groups of immigrants that have each recently arrived in the U.S., namely Chinese Americans and Armenian Americans. First, the structure and properties of the susceptibility to interpersonal influence trait in each group is noted and compared with that reported in the original study (Bearden et al. 1989) for Anglo-American consumers. Second, similarities in susceptibility to interpersonal influence between the two immigrant groups of this study are noted and attributed to the fact that both of these groups are comprised of first generation immigrants. Finally, differences in susceptibility to interpersonal influence between the two immigrant groups of this study are noted and attributed to the fact that each of these groups are comprised of immigrants from two very different sets of countries/cultures-of-...
Indocyanine green-assisted macular hole surgery: too pioneering?

EW STORIES TO COME OUT OF THE OLD WEST HAVE captured the imagination of the American people more than the tale of the Donner Party, who in the winter of 1846 suffered great hardships high in the Sierra Nevada. With time, the ordeals of the Donner Party passed into history and legend, but their pioneering spirit lived on in the hearts and minds of vitreoretinal surgeons living and working in the area of the Donner Pass in Sacramento, California. Neil Kelly was among the first to attempt the surgical repair of macular holes. With his partner Rob Wendell he reported a relatively high success rate in the cure of a condition previously considered beyond repair.1 Since that time, surgical techniques have improved and success rates have increased. However, it appears that recent developments in the treatment of macular holes, may be jeopardizing previous successes. The pathogenesis of macular holes is not well understood. It is likely that macular holes represent a heterogeneous group of conditions with a common final pathway and similar clinical manifestation. In the vast majority of cases, however, the posterior vitreous cortex (PVC) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of macular holes. This structure, which is the peripheral shell of the vitreous body, contains a high density of collagen fibrils and hyalocytes, mononuclear histiocytes that could be critical, albeit to date overlooked, participants in the pathogenesis of macular holes. Whether the PVC exerts anteroposterior traction, tangential traction, or both is difficult to determine in the absence of an experimental animal model. The pioneering procedures first reported by Kelly and Wendell1 were based upon the hypothesis that the PVC is important, and the surgical approach was designed to remove this tissue from the macula. In an attempt to increase the rate of macular hole closure, some surgeons grew more aggressive and sought to excise the internal limiting lamina (ILL), perhaps believing that this tissue
Redshifts and blueshifts of spectral lines caused by source correlations

Abstract We recently showed that the spectrum of light emitted by a source depends not only on the spectrum of the source distribution but also on the degree of spectral coherence of the source fluctuations. In this note we show that with a degree of spectral coherence of certain kind, specified by two parameters, the spectrum of the emitted light will be displaced relative to the source spectrum. The displacement will be either toward the lower or toward the higher frequencies, depending on the choice of the parameters.
Expression and coassociation of ERG1, KCNQ1, and KCNE1 potassium channel proteins in horse heart

In dogs and in humans, potassium channels formed by ether-a-go-go-related gene 1 protein ERG1 (KCNH2) and KCNQ1 α-subunits, in association with KCNE β-subunits, play a role in normal repolarization...
Bell Violation with Classical Non-determinism

We present some preliminary results of our current research on Bell violation with purely classical non-deterministic thermal light. Our analysis clarifies some mis-impressions among the terms: quantum mechanics, entanglement and Bell violations.