cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endothelial cell regulation by transforming growth factor-beta.

Pronounced changes including growth inhibition, increased matrix deposition and suppression of cell-associated proteolytic activity, take place in endothelial cells (EC) upon the application of TGF-β. Interrelationships between these effects have shed some light on the mechanism of action of TGF-β and on its role in regulating EC function vis-a-vis angiogenesis. For instance, preliminary evidence has indicated that increased levels of certain matrix components may be partly responsible for the antiproliferative action of TGF-β. In addition, TGF-β and bFGF have opposing effects on cellular proteolytic balance which may contribute to the antagonistic effect that TGF-β has on bFGF-induced EC growth and possibly to the anti-angiogenic effect exerted by TGF-β under certain circumstances. Of particular interest in this regard is the fact that physical contact between EC and vascular mural cells in EC:mural cell cocultures has been found to generate active TGF-β, thus further implicating TGF-β in the maintenance of the quiescent, differentiated aggreation of EC as found in vascular structures in vivo. While more information is needed to define what, if any, role TGF-β plays in endothelial differentiation, it is to be noted that many of the cellular and biochemical processes affected by TGF-β are linked to differentiation. It is therefore possible that the growth inhibition of EC by TGF-β primes them for differentiation and/or is critical for the maintenance of a differentiated state.
Virtual Communities as Narrative Networks: Developing a Model of Knowledge Creation for Crowdsourced Environments

This paper extends our understanding of knowledge creation in virtual communities of practice by examining crowdsourcing activities that enable knowledge creation in these social structures. An interpretive methodology, narrative networks analysis, is used to systematically study the narratives of discussion forums in a virtual community. The virtual community studied is voluntary for the participants, and open to anyone. Through the analysis of the narrative, a model of knowledge creation is developed that identifies types of evidentiary knowledge contributions, as well as conversation mitigators that help or hinder knowledge creation within the community. Knowledge is a primary attraction of a virtual community for many of its members, and this study aims to understand how knowledge is shared and created in such voluntary communities of practice. The model highlights elements that enhance and impair knowledge creation in this type of crowdsourced environment.
Generating non-standard random distributions for discrete event simulation systems

Abstract This paper introduces a novel method for generating non-standard random distributions. These distributions are required when the system cannot be modelled accurately using conventional probabilistic distributions. In the proposed method, the desired random distribution is built by splitting the density function into smaller segments which are individually approximated with simple polynomial functions. Then, the inverse transformation method is used to form the final random distribution function. This paper presents also new criteria for expediting the selection of the correct segment. The complexity of the proposed process for segment selection is O(log M ), where M is the number of segments. An example of the application of the proposed method to simulation of disk access patterns for performance evaluation of computer systems is provided.
Intraorganizational Versus Interorganizational Uses and Benefits of Electronic Mail

The success of an organization depends on rapid, reliable, and direct communications within the organization and with the outside world. To determine if electronic mail e-mail provides a competitive benefit, a sample of 99 management-level participants in 41 companies responded to a survey that assessed their intraorganizational internal and interorganizational external uses of e-mail. Through the use of factor analysis and regression methodologies, the researchers investigated whether a significant relationship exists between the internal and external uses and benefits of e-mail. The intraorganizational uses of e-mail indicated a significant and positive relationship with the organizational benefits of e-mail, thus, supporting the electronic exchange of information within organizations.However, the results indicated that interorganizational uses of e-mail did not promote corporate communication outside the company. Thus, managers need to know which communication technology is appropriate for intraorganizational and interorganizational uses.
Predicting Participation in Environmental Education by Teachers in Coastal Regions of Tanzania

Theories of responsible environmental behavior (REB) have most often been applied in developed countries and to direct forms of REB such as recycling and conserving water. This study applied a model of REB to a developing country setting in Tanzania based in part on variables from a Hungerford and Volk (1990) model and targeting an indirect form of behavior: teaching environmental education (EE) to youth. A quantitative survey was developed and administered to 397 teachers from schools in coastal regions of the country. Regression analyses revealed a sequential model in which entry level variables predicted ownership variables, and ownership variables predicted empowerment variables. In addition, cognitive variables were particularly strong in predicting behavioral intent compared to affective variables.
Relationship of age to rat lung collagen synthesis in response to ozone exposure

We investigated the relationship of age to rat lung collagen synthesis in response to ozone (O3) exposure. Specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley male rats 24, 30, 45, 60, 94, 182 and 365 days old were exposed to either 0.8 ±.05 ppm O3 for 3 days or to 0.8 ± 0.5 ppm O3 for 3 days followed by 4.0 ±.2 ppm O3 for 8 hours and 60 days recovery in air. A matched number of rats from each age group received filtered air and served as controls. Lung dry weight, protein content, hydroxyproline content, 14C proline incorporation and 14C hydroxyproline formation were determined in control and exposed rat lungs. Rats exposed to 0.8 ppm O3 for 3 days had greater dry weight, protein content, incorporation of 14C proline, and formation of 14C hydroxyproline per lung relative to controls, with the greatest changes occurring in rats older than 60 days. Rats 24 and 94 days old, exposed to 0.8 ppm O3 for 3 days followed by 4.0 ppm O3 for 8 hours and 60 days recovery in air, had greater lung collagen content than controls: 50% and 80%, respectively. These results suggest that collagen synthesis was increased following O3 exposure and that the degree of change was influenced by age in the rat. Age, therefore, may be an important factor in the lung’s response to pulmonary injury.
Sex, Lies, and Residence Life: Delaware’s Thought Reform

Editor’s Note: In light of the residence life scandal at the University of Delaware, the National Association of Scholars decided to take a closer look at other colleges and universities. Was Delaware an isolated case? We didn’t believe so. Numerous clues suggested that what Delaware was doing was— and still is—happening at other institutions around the country. And thus in December 2007 How Many Delawares? was launched. With the assistance of NAS consultant Dr. Thomas Wood, the ongoing results of our inquiry into how ideological indoctrination has been smuggled into residence and student life programs, which rightfully should provide students with orderly and safe environments conducive to academic study, are posted on www.nas.org.
Biologic Effects of Nitrogen Dioxide in Relation to Air Quality Standards

Data on the biologic effects of nitrogen dioxide on man and lower animals over a wide range of concentrations has been reviewed and tabulated. Present evidence suggests that long-continued exposures should not exceed the range 0.5-1 ppm. This is based on the evidence of increased mortality in lower animals exposed to aerosolized microorganisms after NO/sub 2/ exposures and the pathologic effects demonstrable in animals continuously exposed to levels in the range of 4-5 ppm. Brief exposures of a general population should not exceed 3 ppm over a period of one hour. This is based on the possible potentiation of infections and on the odor threshold. The above recommendations relate to the possible effects of NO/sub 2/ on health alone. They do not consider potentiation or additive effects nor any contributions to plant damage and visibility. 55 references, 1 table.
Methodological concerns about studies on oseltamivir for flu.

We recently published a meta-analysis of published and unpublished studies on the effectiveness of oseltamivir for treating flu.1 Unlike industry sponsored meta-analyses,2 3 we found no reduction in complications requiring antibiotics (after excluding acute bronchitis, which does not require treatment with antibiotics according to current practice guidelines) and no reduction in hospital admission rates. …
Reactivity to stress and psychological adjustment in adults with pituitary insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE Hypopituitary adults who were affected during childhood have a below-average rate of marriage, a rate of unemployment that exceeds national norms, and often indicate dissatisfaction with their life circumstances. We undertook the present study to determine the effects of short stature versus those of pituitary hormone deficiency. DESIGN AND PATIENTS We compared hypopituitary adults (n= 25) with normal short adults (n= 25) who were matched for height, sex, age and socioeconomic status. MEASUREMENTS In these two groups of subjects, we compared the physiological responses to a simulated social stressor, a public speaking task, and we measured the psychometric attributes that are indicators of social assertiveness and extraversion. RESULTS Before, during and after the stress of public speaking, patients with multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies (n= 20) had lower mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures than controls, while patients with isolated growth hormone deficiency (n= 5) were equivalent to controls. The reactivity to stress, assessed using delta scores based on changes in blood pressure and heart rate, was also decreased in multiple hormone deficient patients. Psychometric test results indicated that patients with multiple hormone deficiencies showed lower openness, lower assertiveness, greater neuroticism and a tendency towards less extraversion than did controls. The responses of patients with isolated GH deficiency on the psychometric tests were not statistically different from controls, but the number of subjects in this group (n= 5) was too small to draw conclusions. CONCLUSIONS The impaired cardiovascular responses to stress in patients with multiple hormone deficiencies, compared to short control subjects and to patients with GH deficiency leads us to conclude that factors other than stature and GH are responsible for these observations. The differences might be related to insufficiency of cate-cholamines or cortisol in the patients with multiple hormone deficiencies. These hormonal deficiencies might also account for the socially inhibited behaviour of these patients. Our results suggest that more attention needs to be directed at preparing hypopituitary patients for the challenges of adulthood. Also, these patients may be helped by more intensive efforts at hormonal replacement in adulthood.
Activity patterns of a slow synapse network predicted by explicitly averaging spike dynamics

When postsynaptic conductance varies slowly compared to the spike generation process, a straightforward averaging scheme can be used to reduce the system's complexity. Our model consists of a Hodgkin-Huxley-like membrane description for each cell; synaptic activation is described by first order kinetics, with slow rates, in which the equilibrium activation is a sigmoidal function of the presynaptic voltage. Our work concentrates on a two-cell network and it applies qualitatively to the activity patterns, including bistable behavior, recently observed in simple in vitro circuits with slow synapses (Kleinfeld et al. 1990). The fact that our averaged system is derived from a realistic biophysical model has important consequences. In particular, it can preserve certain hysteresis behavior near threshold that is not represented in a simple ad hoc sigmoidal input-output network. This behavior enables a coupled pair of cells, one excitatory and one inhibitory, to generate an alternating burst rhythm even though ...
Male mate choice favors more colorful females in the gift-giving cabbage butterfly

While the phenomenon of male mate choice has attracted considerable attention in the last two decades, whether this sexual selection mechanism could drive the evolution of female ornaments remains poorly understood. Here, we used experimental manipulation of female wing coloration to investigate male mate choice in Pieris rapae, a gift-giving butterfly. Further, we tested whether males’ nutritional status influenced their mating preferences by subjecting larvae to short periods of starvation. We found that males showed significantly more mating approaches toward control females with more colorful wings (higher pteridine content), and that this preference was strongest in low-nutrition males. Additionally, a study of field-collected females revealed that pteridine-based wing coloration was positively correlated with female egg load, which suggests such ornaments may signal female quality. Pteridine-based ornaments are widespread in nature, however their potential as honest signals in male mate choice remains largely unexplored. This work furthers our understanding of how male mate choice and female ornamentation may evolve in species whose mating systems include nutritional nuptial gifts.
Coated microvesicles in central nervous system myelinated axons

Abstract The distribution of coated and uncoated 50 nm microvesicles was determined for five CNS regions of myelinated axons of adult rats comparing two methods of fixation. On the average, we found 1.3 microvesicular profiles per axon of which 9.4% were bristle coated. The proportion of microvesicles with coated profiles in myelinated axons was 1.2 to 2 times that observed among microvesicles of nerve terminals depending on fixation method. Relative abundance of coated vs. uncoated vesicles among various brain regions was not significantly different. The results demonstrate for the first time the presence of coated vesicles in axons other than at their terminals. Not only were vesicles present, but the relative proportions in terminal and somal portions were similar.
Supraspinal fatigue is similar in men and women for a low-force fatiguing contraction.

Purpose: This study determined the contribution of supraspinal fatigue to the sex difference in neuromuscular fatigue for a low-intensity fatiguing contraction. Because women have greater motor responses to arousal than men, we also examined whether cortical and motor nerve stimulation, techniques used to quantify central fatigue, would alter the sex difference in muscle fatigue. Methods: In study 1, cortical stimulation was elicited during maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) before and after a submaximal isometric contraction at 20% MVC with the elbow flexor muscles in 29 young adults (20 ± 2.6 yr, 14 men). In study 2, 10 men and 10 women (19.1 ± 2.9 yr) performed a fatiguing contraction in the presence and absence of cortical and motor nerve stimulation. Results: Study 1: Men had a briefer time to task failure than women (P = 0.009). Voluntary activation was reduced after the fatiguing contraction (P 0.05) for both men and women. Conclusions: Supraspinal fatigue was similar for men and women after the low-force fatiguing contraction, and the sex difference in muscle fatigue was associated with peripheral mechanisms. Furthermore, supraspinal fatigue can be quantified in both men and women without influencing motor performance.
Role of the pigment epithelium in inherited retinal degeneration analyzed with experimental mouse chimeras

Abstract In the study of inherited photoreceptor cell degenerations, a difficult problem is to determine the site of the primary genetic defect. It could be either intrinsic to the photoreceptor cells, the pigment epithelial cells or both, or extrinsic to these cells or to the eye as a whole. This problem was studied in mice with inherited retinal degeneration ( rd rd ) by analyzing the interaction of mutant and normal pigment epithelium with the underlying normal or degenerated retina in the eyes of experimental chimeric mice. Chimeras were produced by fusing eight-cell embryos of albino SJL ( rd rd ) mice with those of pigmented C57BL 10 (+/+) mice. The eyes of the resulting chimeric mice at 1·5–26·5 months of age had patches of normal retina interspersed with patches lacking photoreceptor cells. Pigment epithelial cells of both normal and mutant strains, identified by the presence or absence of melanosomes, were found overlying areas of both normal and degenerated retina. The same findings were obtained using two other strain combinations, C3H (pigmented, rd rd ) fused with BALB c (albino, +/+) and SJL (albino, rd rd ) fused with C57BL 10 × CBA F 1 hybrids (pigmented, +/rd). The synthesis of rod outer segment dises proceeded normally in photoreceptor cells underlying mutant pigment epithelial cells, as determined by autoradiographic analysis, and phagosomes were found in both mutant and normal pigment epithelial cells. The findings indicate that the pigment epithelial cell is not the primary target of the mutant rd gene in the mouse and localize the site of mutant gene action to the neural retina, presumably but not necessarily, to the photoreceptor cells.
Interlaboratory comparison of mode transition matrices

An interlaboratory measurement round-robin was conducted by the University of Colorado and three industrial members of the Electronic Industries Association. A computational definition of mode transition matrices (MTM’s) is presented, and its relationship to the basic theory of power propagation in multimode fibers is detailed. Measured data from the round-robin were used to calculate MTM’s for the test components, which included four connectors, two sections of fiber cable, two power splitters, and two short fiber segments. The diagonal elements of the (2 × 2) MTM’s determined from the near-field data were found to have a laboratory-to-laboratory standard deviation of approximately 10% of the average value. The off-diagonal elements were found to have a standard deviation approaching their mean value. The inherent launch dependence of MTM’s is investigated as a source of the observed variation. Other sources of uncertainty such as errors in determining the core radius are also considered. Finally the implications of these results for the problem of characterizing components’ intensive multimode fiber systems are discussed.
Effects of anatabine and unilateral maximal eccentric isokinetic muscle actions on serum markers of muscle damage and inflammation

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of anatabine supplementation in conjunction with unilateral, maximal eccentric isokinetic muscle actions on serum markers of muscle damage and pro-inflammatory cytokines in humans. Seventeen men (mean±S.D. age=22.4±3.2 yrs) participated in this double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Participants were randomly assigned to two 10-day conditions (anatabine and placebo) separated by a 2–4 week washout period. After seven days of supplementation, blood was sampled immediately prior to PRE, immediately following POST, and 24, 48, and 72 h after 6 sets of 10 repetitions of unilateral, maximal eccentric isokinetic forearm flexion exercise. Concentrations of serum creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, myoglobin, high sensitivity c-reactive protein, and TNF-α were measured. Creatine kinase, myoglobin, and lactate dehydrogenase increased ( P P >0.05) after the eccentric exercise during both conditions. Lactate dehydrogenase was higher ( P
Reaffirming accreditation through application of Baldrige performance excellence criteria: a case study of a private, faith-based school of business

This case study is based on the eight-year journey towards performance excellence of a private, faith-based university business school working to achieve reaffirmation of its business programme accreditation. During this transition, the school converted from traditional input-based to Baldrige-based criteria, the accreditation association comprehensively revised its business programme criteria, and the business programme began offerings in extended academic programme formats. The business school created a strategic plan grounded in the Baldrige performance excellence criteria, faculty and administrators became trained Baldrige examiners, progress/award applications were made to the state Baldrige programme, and the business school was the first ACBSP-accredited school to submit its Baldrige application in lieu of the traditional self-study. The outcomes of this process include a series of best practices which can be applied across cultures that are presented in the conclusion of the paper.
Infrared laser induced chemical reactions

Abstract It is shown that a high power infrared laser can enhance a chemical reaction (by lowering the activation energy) even if the reactants are infrared inactive.
The minor's role in consent for mental health treatment.

Abstract The evolution of legal criteria used to determine the rights of minors to pediatric care is reviewed. It is noted that little thought has been given to deciding when a minor can or should be able to request psychiatric care without parental consent. A developmental framework is suggested which would allow such treatment at the discretion of the psychiatrist when the minor is able to understand the particular treatment sufficiently to give informed consent. Clinical and legal issues raised by such a policy are discussed.
Early readmission for congestive heart failure predicts late mortality after cardiac surgery.

Objective Early readmission in patients hospitalized for medical congestive heart failure is common, expensive, and associated with a worse late survival. Our objective was to compare late survival in patients' readmission for congestive heart failure with readmission for other causes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods Of 3654 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery at a single institution between April 2004 and June 2010, 3492 (96%) were discharged from the hospital before 30 days and analyzed. Survival curves by readmission reason were compared using the log-rank test. Multivariable analyses adjusted for patient demographics, known preoperative cardiac risk factors, and surgical characteristics. Results The readmission rate at 30 days was 13% (465/3492): 23% for arrhythmias/heart block, 12% for congestive heart failure, 40% for surgery related causes, 14% for infection, and 11% for noncardiac causes. Independent risk factors for readmission include age, gender, congestive heart failure, and cardiopulmonary bypass time. Eight percent (268/3492) of discharged patients died within the 6-year study: 14% in the readmission group versus 7% in the nonreadmission group ( P Conclusions Readmission within 30 days after cardiac surgery for congestive heart failure predicts late mortality. Targeted postoperative management may be warranted in patients with surgical congestive heart failure.
Novel Insight into KLF4 Proteolytic Regulation in Estrogen Receptor Signaling and Breast Carcinogenesis

Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), a zinc finger-containing transcriptional factor, is a pivotal regulator of cellular fate. KLF4 has attracted considerable attention for its opposing effect in carcinogenesis as tumor suppressor (e.g. colorectal cancer) or oncoprotein (e.g. breast cancer), depending on tissue context, with the underlying mechanism remaining largely unknown. Here we report that KLF4 mediates estrogen signaling in breast cancer formation. Accumulation of KLF4 by inhibiting its turnover triggers estrogen-induced transactivation. We identified Von Hippel-Lindau, pVHL, as the protein that governs KLF4 turnover in breast cancer cells and demonstrated that estrogen-induced down-regulation of pVHL facilitates accumulation of KLF4. We provide mechanistic insights into KLF4 steady-state degradation as well as its elevation in the presence of estrogen and show that elevated levels of pVHL or depletion of KLF4 attenuates the estrogen-induced transactivation and cell growth. Finally, immunohistochemical staining revealed reduced concentration of pVHL and accumulation of KLF4 in breast cancer tissues. We thus propose that suppression of pVHL in response to estrogen signaling results in elevation of KLF4, which mediates estrogen-induced mitogenic effect.
Characterization of Multipartite Entanglement for One Photon Shared Among Four Optical Modes

Access to genuine multipartite entanglement of quantum states enables advances in quantum information science and also contributes to the understanding of strongly correlated quantum systems. We report the detection and characterization of heralded entanglement in a multipartite quantum state composed of four spatially distinct optical modes that share one photon, a so-called W state. By randomizing the relative phase between bipartite components of the W state, we observed the transitions from four- to three- to two-mode entanglement with increasing phase noise. These observations are possible for our system because our entanglement verification protocol makes use of quantum uncertainty relations to detect the entangled states that span the Hilbert space of interest.
Balancing the Rhetorical Tension Between Right to Know and Security in Risk Communication Ambiguity and Avoidance

This study examines tensions between participants’ roles as emergency planners and as points of contact for public access to chemical reports. The two organizations in this study, both Texas Local ...
Influence of selected variables on adhesion testing

Three variables associated with adhesion testing were examined: (1) the test mode, shear and tension; (2) design of the tensile apparatus; and (3) tooth substrate, human and bovine. Findings revealed no significant differences in bond strength by one tensile test and a shear test. However, the shear test produced more true adhesive failures; thus it may be preferable to use a shear test for adhesion testing. Bond strengths with some adhesive systems differed significantly when tested by two different tensile apparatus. Design of the test apparatus appeared to affect values. Bond strength measurements obtained with human and bovine enamel were essentially comparable. Values with dentin varied. There appeared to be a trend for higher bond strength values with bovine than with human dentin.
Vagaries of Transcapillary Albumin Flux

lmost a century ago, Starling’ proposed a scheme intended to describe and explain the movement of water across tissue capillaries. In this scheme, water remained within the capillary lumens owing to the OsmoLic effect of plasma albumin. Water was accordingly restrained from moving out under the intracapillary pressure; the filtering pressure over plasma albumin osmotic pressure led to transmutation of albumin-free water, in proportion to any such excess. At the time this scheme was proposed, it was held to be both valid and incredibly simple. Today it is held to be simply incredible, and anything but valid. Discussions of the behavior of plasma alburpin in tissue capillaries, although it usually involves the osmotic pressure of the albumin, came even more commonly to involve what was called its “oncotic presspre.” The term “oncptic pressure” is so poorly defined in physical terms as to be either useless or misleading; its dictionary definition states that it signifies notliing but a propensity to cause swelling. (The root of oncotic is more often used in oncology, oncogenic, and the like, with no connotations related to osmosis. As such it is worthless for physiologic discussions.) The so-called plasma expanders dextran and hexastarch, having no anionic electric charges, have no osmotic pressure, in
Forty-Five Years of Society

With this issue, Vol. 45, No. 1, Society presents a new masthead, with Senior Editors, an Advisory Editorial Board, and an International Advisory Board. This expanded range of advisors and contributors marks the significant transition in Society’s presence both internationally and online with its new publisher Springer Science + Business Media. I am pleased and honored to continue, after my decade of work with Transaction Publishers, as Editorin-Chief with Springer. The collaboration of editor and publisher is always a work in progress, and both readers and contributors of Society should be assured that its mission remains consistent with all that has gone before. The transition to a new publisher also marks the occasion to acknowledge the nearly forty-five years that Irving Louis Horowitz gave shape and form, as Editor-inChief, then Editor-at-Large, and as publisher, to Society. Having worked with Irving for the past decade, it is with pride and affection that this acknowledgment is made. In his dedicated and able stewardship, Irving led Society as it informed the larger world about the findings of social science, showing equanimity and grace toward many points of view and opening debate about a broad range of issues and controversies that professional societies either ignored or refused to address. Society defines a special relationship between the general reading public and the expertise of social scientists, public policy specialists, and many other commentators, both academic and journalistic, who have contributed to these pages, some for many years. If there is a new mandate for Society in the coming years, it is to achieve the fullest representation possible of new voices and ideas, new perspectives and directions, among the rising generation of thinkers and writers for whom the social, cultural, and historical reference points of one generation have been succeeded by new reference points of their own. What binds Society to the past and commits it to the future is the ability of this new generation to bring us all fresh insight about the common sense that social science and social commentary ought to provide. Towards its 50th anniversary, then, we will endeavor to continue to live up to Society’s legacy as an independent and strong voice in social science and public policy. Soc (2008) 45:1 DOI 10.1007/s12115-007-9044-6
Carrie Judd Montgomery: Pioneering Contributor to Three Religious Movements

When on February 26, 1879 a young woman was miraculously raised from her deathbed at the prophetic word of an obscure healer some three hundred miles away, 1 it was heralded as one of the most amazing miracles of modern times.2 Little did Carrie Faith Judd know, that as she took her first steps in more than two years, she would soon be propelled into a life of ministry that would destine her to become "one of the best known women in America. "3 No one could have predicted that a frail, sickly, timid teenager, who so narrowly escaped death, would become known around the world for her innovative leadership within three Evangelical movements. In the "Age of Enterprise," Carrie Judd Montgomery (1858-1946) symbolized the American religious leader as an entrepreneur. Her innovative ministries were born out of a deep love for God that expressed itself by seeking out and serving human need in a variety of creative forms. Montgomery was a unique mixture of gentle refinement and trailblazing pragmatism, quiet dignity and efficient promotion, tender compassion and tough-minded executive abilities. Historical amnesia, has frequently cloaked the contributions of women to the thought and life of religious movements. Regardless of that fact, Montgomery was, in her time, one of the most celebrated proponents of the divine healing message. As a gifted writer, public speaker, and religious entrepreneur, she led the way for numerous other evangelical ministries. This creative Episcopalian woman exercised a profound influence within three evangelical movements: the faith healing movement, the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA), and the fledgling Pentecostal movement. Although little is remembered or known about Montgomery in religious circles today, as an evangelical pacesetter and a Pentecostal forerunner, her life and work deserve renewed reflection and serious study.
Regenerable MgO-based sorbents for high-temperature CO2 removal from syngas: 1. Sorbent development, evaluation, and reaction modeling

Abstract Highly reactive and mechanically strong low-cost regenerable MgO-based sorbents were prepared by modification of dolomite which involved partial calcinations followed by impregnation with a potassium-based salt. The sorbents are capable of removing CO 2 from gasification-based processes such as Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC). The sorbents have high reactivity and good capacity toward CO 2 absorption in the temperature range of 300–450 °C at 20 atm. and can be easily regenerated at 500 °C. The reaction appears to be first order with respect to CO 2 concentration with an activation energy of 44 kJ/mol. The reactivity and the absorption capacity of the sorbents increase with increasing temperature, as long as the partial pressure of CO 2 is above the equilibrium value for sorbent carbonation. The reactivity of the sorbents appears to improve in the presence of steam, which is likely due to the increase in the BET surface area and the porosity of the sorbent. A two-zone expanding grain model, consisting of a high-reactivity outer shell and a low-reactivity inner core is shown to provide an excellent fit to the TGA experimental data on sorbent carbonation at various operating conditions.
Modified Mercalli intensity scaling of the frequency dependent duration of strong ground motion

Abstract New empirical models of the duration of strong ground motion in terms of the Modified Mercalli intensity at the recording station are presented. Two groups of regression equations are considered: one explicitly includes the dependence of the duration on the distance to the source, and the other excludes this dependence. The Modified Mercalli intensity serves as a parameter in both types of models. The models of the first type are more descriptive, but are also more region dependent, because the regional dispersion and attenuation laws are ‘built into’ the frequency dependent regression coefficients. For a given site intensity, the duration grows when the distance from the source to the recording site increases. For a given distance from the source, the dependence of the duration on the site intensity is more complex. At low frequencies, the duration of strong motion decreases when the intensity increases, while at high frequency it grows with increasing intensity. A smooth transition from one type of dependence to another occurs at intermediate frequencies. When compared to basement rock sites, the duration of strong motion at sedimentary sites is prolonged by about 5 s at frequencies near 1 Hz. The prolongation of the duration on the soft soils can be as much as 7 s. The influence of the type of soils on the duration is stronger at higher frequencies ( f = 0.3−25 Hz), while the effect of the presence of sedimentary deposits can be observed at lower frequencies ( f = 0.15−2 Hz). The residuals of the empirical regression equations were also studied, and their distribution function is proposed.
Development of monoclonal antibody-based assays for the detection of Vibrio tubiashii zinc-metalloprotease (VtpA)

Abstract Vibrio tubiashii has been linked to disease outbreaks in molluscan species, including oysters, geoducks, and clams. In particular, oyster hatcheries in the Pacific Northwest have been plagued by intermittent vibriosis since 2006. Accurate detection of vibrios, including V. tubiashii , is critical to the hatcheries in order to allow for rapid remediation efforts. The current methods for detection of Vibrio spp. are not ideal for use at the hatchery. Plating samples require time and is not sensitive to extracelluar pathogenic products, such as the secreted zinc-metalloprotease, VtpA. Other sensitive methods to detect bacteria, such as qPCR, require a high level of laboratory skills and expensive supplies that are prohibitive for use at hatchery sites. Thus, hatcheries would benefit from a sensitive, simple method to detect V. tubiashii and its secreted toxin. Here, we describe the development of two inexpensive and highly specific tests for the shellfish—toxic zinc-metalloprotease secreted by V. tubiashii: enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISA) and a lateral flow immunoassay (dipstick assay). Both technologies rely on a set of monoclonal antibodies used in a sandwich format, with the capture antibody recognizing a different epitope than the detection antibody on the mature VtpA protein. Both assays are quantitative and give colorimetric readouts. The sandwich ELISA was sensitive when VtpA was diluted into PBS, but was markedly less sensitive in conditions that correlate with the environment of hatchery-derived samples, such as in the presence of seawater, algae, or oyster larvae. In contrast, the dipstick assay remained very sensitive in the presence of these contaminants, is less work-intensive, and much more rapid, making this format the preferred assay method for detecting VtpA on site in a hatchery or environmental setting.
Combining computation and communication optimizations in system synthesis for streaming applications

Data streaming is a widely-used technique to exploit task-level parallelism in many application domains such as video processing, signal processing and wireless communication. In this paper we propose an efficient system-level synthesis flow to map streaming applications onto FPGAs with consideration of simultaneous computation and communication optimizations. The throughput of a streaming system is significantly impacted by not only the performance and number of replicas of the computation kernels, but also the buffer size allocated for the communications between kernels. In general, module selection/replication and buffer size optimization were addressed separately in previous work. Our approach combines these optimizations together in system scheduling which minimizes the area cost for both logic and memory under the required throughput constraint. We first propose an integer linear program (ILP) based solution to the combined problem which has the optimal quality of results. Then we propose an iterative algorithm which can achieve the near-optimal quality of results but has a significant improvement on the algorithm scalability for large and complex designs. The key contribution is that we have a polynomial-time algorithm for an exact schedulability checking problem and a polynomial-time algorithm to improve the system performance with better module implementation and buffer size optimization. Experimental results show that compared to the separate scheme of module select/replication and buffer size optimization, the combined optimization scheme can gain 62% area saving on average under the same performance requirements. Moreover, our heuristic can achieve 2 to 3 orders of magnitude of speed-up in runtime, with less than 10% area overhead compared to the optimal solution by ILP.
Comparison of Estimators for Parameters of Gamma Distributions with Left-Truncated Samples

Abstract When fitting a raindrop size distribution using a gamma model from data collected by a disdrometer, some consideration needs to be given to the small drops that fail to be recorded (typical disdrometer minimum size thresholds being in the 0.3–0.5-mm range). To this end, a gamma estimation procedure using maximum likelihood estimation has recently been published. The current work adds another procedure that accounts for the left-truncation problem in the data; in particular, an L-moments procedure is developed. These two estimation procedures, along with a traditional method-of-moments procedure that also accounts for data truncation, are then compared via simulation of volume samples from known gamma drop size distributions. For the range of gamma distributions considered, the maximum likelihood and L-moments procedures—which perform comparably—are found to outperform the procedure of method-of-moments. As these three procedures do not yield simple estimates in closed form, salient details of the...
Radial Transformation-Associated Recombination Cloning from the Mouse Genome: Isolation of Tg.AC Transgene with Flanking DNAs

Transformation-associated recombination (TAR) cloning allows entire genes and large chromosomal regions to be specifically, accurately, and quickly isolated from total genomic DNA. We report the first example of radial TAR cloning from the mouse genome. Tg.AC mice carry a zeta-globin promoter/v-Ha-ras transgene. Fluorescence in situ hybridization localized the transgene integrant as a single site proximal to the centromere of chromosome 11. Radial TAR cloning in yeast was utilized to create orientation-specific yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) to explore the possibility that cis-flanking regions were involved in transgene expression. YACs containing variable lengths of 5' or 3' flanking chromosome 11 DNA and the Tg.AC transgene were specifically chosen, converted to bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs), and assayed for their ability to promote transcription of the transgene following transfection into an FVB/N carcinoma cell line. A transgene-specific reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay was utilized to examine RNA transcripts from stably transfected clones. All Tg.AC BACs expressed the transgene in this in vitro system. This report describes the cloning of the v-Ha-ras transgene and suggests that transcriptional activity may not require cis elements flanking the transgene's integration site.
Dr. William Thornton's Views on Sleep, Dreams, and Resuscitation

William Thornton, MD, was a polymath who designed the Capitol of the U.S. Capital and the Octagon House, present home of the American Institute of Architecture. He was the founding director of the U.S. Patent Office. His collected papers, which are now preserved at the U.S. Library of Congress, though pruned by the wife who lived almost 40 years after him, are extensive and include comments on science, education, slavery, and politics. His views on sleep and dreaming and his concepts of resuscitation are reviewed as the opinions of an educated man early in the nineteenth century.
Diversity—Making space for everyone at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center using dialogue to break through barriers

Diversity is perhaps one of the most important concepts in today's business environment. Organizations have expended significant resources in this area in an effort to improve the bottom line, to become an employer of choice, to avoid lawsuits, and to “do the right thing.” Diversity is also one of the most difficult initiatives to implement in organizations because there are such diverse views on what diversity is and how deeply it should be woven into an organization's culture. Diversity can be difficult also because the dimensions of diversity are closely tied to an individual's personal beliefs, perceptions, and life experiences. These personal beliefs often present barriers to full inclusion and participation in the workforce. At NASA/Goddard, we are using dialogue and other initiatives to break through these barriers to create and sustain an equitable and inclusive workplace. Our Diversity Dialogue Project has been key in helping us to identify and address the diversity issues and concerns at the Center and in helping us to move confidently toward the future. This article describes the diversity journey at NASA/Goddard thus far and provides insight into the challenges and opportunities of such a journey.
Factors associated with the motivation and de-motivation of health workforce in Nepal.

Background: Health workforce plays an important role in improving the health of people but its shortage is a major problem facing Nepal. This is further compounded by prolonged absence, low motivation, and improper distribution. The objective of the study is to find out the factors determining motivation of health workforce in the public sector. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted during September, 2012 to February, 2013. The health facilities were selected proportionately representing all the Illakas and then a simple random sampling was done to select individual facilities. Data was collected using questionnaire. The collected data was entered and analyzed in SPSS. Ethical approval was taken from the Nepal Health Research Council. Results: More than a half (55%) of the health workers were satisfied with their current jobs and the financial benefits they acquired. The results revealed that higher age, higher education (OR:2.6; CI:1.414-4.660) and lower service duration (OR:2.567; CI:1.193-3.306) were significant factors for the motivation of health workers along with financial rewards (OR:4.706; CI:2.961-7.478), working environment (OR:2.344; CI:1.507-3.648) and opportunity for capacity development (OR:5.437; CI:3.344-8.840). The major de-motivational factors were: low remuneration (OR:3.215; CI:2.049-5.045), limited capacity developmentopportunity (OR:4.269; CI:2.672-6.821), poor working environment (OR:4.062; CI:2.528-6.526), non-recognition of performance (OR: 2.157; CI:1.389-3.350), and political interferences (OR:2.752; CI:1.754-4.320). Conclusions: Motivation of health workers is an important factor for smooth functioning of health intuitions and increased access to quality services. The good working environment, salary and other financial benefits matter greatly for enhanced performance of health workers along with additional factors.
Men's and Women's Evaluations of Communication Skills in Personal Relationships: When Sex Differences Make a Difference and when they don't

Much recent research on gender and communication has emphasized differences in men's and women's communicative conduct, with some theorists going so far as to claim that men and women constitute different cultures. However, comparatively little research has assessed both similarities and differences in men and women's communication to determine whether the sexes are more alike or different. The present paper provides such assessments with respect to men's and women's evaluations of the importance of diverse communication skills in two relationships, friendship and romance. Two studies are reported. In Study 1, participants (N = 382) evaluated the importance of eight communication skills in same-sex friendships. Results indicated that although females rated affectively oriented communication skills as somewhat more important than males and males rated instrumentally oriented skills as somewhat more important than females, both males and females overwhelmingly viewed affectively oriented skills as more impo...
Incentive spirometry for the tracheostomy patient.

ObjectiveTo determine the feasibility of developing and using a customized incentive spirometer device for patients who have undergone a tracheostomy procedure.Study DesignThe authors performed a p...