cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The meaning of mitochondrial movement to a neuron's life ☆

Cells precisely regulate mitochondrial movement in order to balance energy needs and avoid cell death. Neurons are particularly susceptible to disturbance of mitochondrial motility and distribution due to their highly extended structures and specialized function. Regulation of mitochondrial motility plays a vital role in neuronal health and death. Here we review the current understanding of regulatory mechanisms that govern neuronal mitochondrial transport and probe their implication in health and disease. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Mitochondrial dynamics and physiology.
Zinc, Cadmium, and Lead Separation from Aqueous Streams Using Solid-Phase Extractants

The separation of cadmium, zinc, and lead from aqueous solutions using inorganic solid-phase extractants has been examined. An inorganic solid-phase extractant (ISPE-302) was prepared by attachment of bis (2,4,4-trimethyl)monothiophosphonic acid on a functionalized silica surface. Results of preparation and characterization studies are presented here. FTIR spectral studies show van der Waals type interactions between the alkyl chain of the extractant and the functional groups bonded to the silica surfaces. ISPE-302 exhibits the selectivity series of cadmium > lead > zinc. The initial capacity of 0.175 × 10-3 mol of cadmium/g of ISPE-302 achieved is 89% of the theoretical capacity. The capacity of ISPE-302 decreases to 0.5 × 10-4 mol/g, which is likely due to loss of extractant. Cadmium, lead, and zinc were separated by selective stripping from the bed saturated with these metal ions. These results indicate ISPE-302 has potential for separation of these metal ions from dilute aqueous solutions.
Microwave-Carrier Modulation-Demodulation Amplifiers and Logic Circuits

Modulation-demodulation (M-D) amplifiers are four-terminal unidirectional amplifiers in which amplitude modulators with conversion gain are followed by demodulators. This paper describes wideband video M-D amplifiers (voltage-gain-bandwidth product = 1.5 Gc), low-noise RF M-D amplifiers (signal frequency = 1.2 Gc, voltage-gain-bandwidth product = 70 Mc, noise figure < 3 db), and ultra-high-speed M-D logic circuits (possible pulse repetition rates of the order of 109 per second). The wideband video M-D amplifier is analyzed and satisfactory agreement between theory and experiment is obtained.
Hydrosat: An instrument platform for hydrology

This paper discusses a multisensor satellite approach for the study of hydrological applications. Spectral as well as spatial and temporal characteristics of specific operational and planned instruments applicable to hydrology are presented. A hydrology specific series of sensors are proposed to fill the gaps not covered by the current and planned systems. We have called this hypothetical platform HYDROSAT. In addition, the trade-offs between a geostationary satellite and a polar orbiter are explored.
Environmental behavior structure and socio-economic conditions of hillside farmers: A multiple-group structural equation modeling approach

Abstract Using structural equation modeling and a health belief model within a conceptual economic framework, we examined the effects of perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers on farmers' awareness of and attitudes towards environmental degradation. Perception of the severity of land degradation had a positive effect on individuals' awareness and attitude, regardless of socio-economic status. Farmers' perceived susceptibility to land degradation on household well-being positively affected attitude at low economic levels, whereas perceived benefits of land improvement positively influenced attitude of higher economic groups. Awareness of environmental degradation affected all economic groups' environmental behaviors. Attitude towards the problems affected behavior only for high income categories.
Ab‐initio and approximately rigorous calculations on small, medium, and large systems

We have explored two areas of approximately rigorous calculations for computing nonempirical wave functions for heavy and/or large molecules orders of magnitude faster than with conventional ab-initio methods but with the same chemical accuracy. First, we have developed and used a series of programs (starting from our new fast sets of ab-initio Gaussian SCF and SCF-CI programs) incorporating ab-initio effective core model potentials (MOD-POT) which allow one to treat only the valence electrons explicitly, plus a charge conserving integral prescreening, which cuts down significantly on the number of integrals that have to be calculated, stored, or processed for a large molecule. We have named this latter procedure VRDDO (variable retention of diatomic differential overlap). With these MODPOT and MODPOT/VRDDO methods we have explored a variety of small, medium, and large systems ranging from electron affinities of atoms through to molecules of biological interest and large boron hydrides. The results compared to ab-initioSCF or SCF/CI calcuations are very good, usually within 0.001 to 0.002 a.u. for orbital energies and gross atomic populations (GAPS) and even better along potential energy curves. Secondly, we have explored the use of the MS-Xα method for less conventional molecules and properties than those for which it is customarily employed.
Another view of the surface properties of high surface area α-alumina

Abstract Proton adsorption isotherms derived from potentiometric titration of high surface area alpha aluminas were deconvoluted to yield proton affinity distributions. The results reported provide another view and additional support to the conclusion reached by Mao and Vannice [Appl. Catal. A, 111 (1994) 151] that these materials prepared by topotactic transformation of diaspore have surface properties unlike those of either low surface area α-Al2O3 or transition aluminas.
Measurement of Frequency Response of LBL Stochastic Cooling Arrays for TeV-I Storage Rings

Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL) has developed electrodes for the stochastic cooling system which is used in the anti-proton source in TeV-I at Fermilab. The electrodes are in the form of a pair of stripline couplers or loops, the elements of which are mounted on opposite sides of the beam. We have made two different couplers of similar design, the one to operate in the frequency range 1-2 GHz, the other, 2-4 GHz. We have made two different types of measurements; the one involving the response of a single loop pair to a wire signal simulating the beam signal; the other, the response of a 16 loop-pair array to an actual beam. Both sets of measurements were made in the frequency domain, and both involved taking both the so-called sum and difference responses, in which the signals from the two elements of the loop pair are added and subtracted, respectively. The former response shows little variation as the beam or wire is displaced from the midplane of the loop-pair; the latter exhibits a roughly linear variation with displacement, and is used to detect the position variation of the particles in cooling systems. In general, the beam and wire measurements were found more » to be in excellent agreement. « less
The effect of spin generated torsion on the early universe's evolution

The earliest phase of cosmological evolution is studied in a universe where spin-generated torsion effects are important. The evolution of the scale factor is studied in cosmologies with a Robertson-Walker line element and a spin density aligned in the radial direction (±r). Solutions are found for the cases of stiff matter, radiation, pressureless matter and decompressive matter admitting a spin density.
Single-chain fragment variable antibody piezoimmunosensors

In this paper, we describe a novel nonlabeled biosensor with high diagnostic potential for rapid and sensitive detection of antigens in complex biological samples. The biosensor comprises a piezoimmunosensor (PZ) displaying a specially constructed recombinant antibody on its surface. The recombinant single-chain fragment variable (scFv) antibody contained a cysteine within the linker amino acid sequence used to join the scFv variable heavy and light chains. The presence of cysteine induced the scFv construct to self-assemble as a densely packed rigid monolayer on the gold surface of a quartz crystal microbalance. scFv molecules in this self-assembled monolayer (SAM) exhibited a defined orientation and high areal densities, with scFv-modified microbalance surfaces displaying 35 times as many variable antigen-binding sites per square centimeter as surfaces modified with whole antibody. Experimental data show that the scFv SAM PZ is superior to Fab fragment, Fab fragment containing a free sulfhydryl group (i...
Behavioural suppression of female pine voles after replacement of the breeding male

Abstract Examination of the mechanism of reproductive suppression includes determining which cues are involved and the context in which they occur. We studied groups of pine voles, Microtus pinetorum , that were disrupted by the replacement of the breeding male and compared them with intact family groups. If reproductive suppression is mediated by chemical cues, then soiled bedding should be sufficient to prevent production of litters by daughters. If reproductive suppression involves a behavioural component, we should observe aggressive behaviours or those indicative of dominance interactions directed from the mother towards the daughter or the replacement male. If replacement of the breeding male leads to conflict between the breeding female and her daughter, then more aggression or dominance interactions would be expected in disrupted than in intact families. The presence of the mother decreased reproduction by daughters, but chemical cues alone were not sufficient to prevent the daughter from mating with the replacement male. Rather, this decrease in reproduction seemed to be mediated by behavioural interactions. We propose that the mother's tugging on the daughter may lead to subordination of the daughter. The mother's presence may also alter the behaviour patterns of the male and daughter, which could delay reproductive activation of the daughter, prevent the formation of pair bonds or inhibit sexual behaviour. These behavioural interactions appear to depend on the presence of an unfamiliar male, because tugging, for example, was less frequent in intact family groups.
Medication effects: Conceptual and methodological issues in schizophrenia research

Abstract The majority of schizophrenia research is conducted with patients medicated with neuroleptics. This medication has powerful and widespread effects on various neurotransmitter systems. A review of the cognitive and motor side effects of neuroleptics, as well as the cognitive side effects of anticholinergic medication, leads to the conclusion that such side effects must be acknowledged as potentially serious confounds. Strategies available to researchers to assess, control for, or avoid these medication effects are discussed and their limitations noted. Finally, recent developments are discussed that may afford researchers an opportunity to more readily obtain drug-free patients; also, recommendations are provided for research conducted with medicated participants.
Lipid metabolism in helminth parasites—V. Absorption of fatty acids and monoglycerides from micellar solution by Hymenolepis diminuta (cestoda)

Abstract 1. 1. Hymenolepis diminuta readily absorbed oleic acid, linoleic acid and 1-monoolein through its integument when these were dissolved in sodium taurocholate micelles. 1-monostearin, which is only sparingly soluble in micelles, was not as readily absorbed. Sonicates or emulsions of these compounds, or of triglycerides, were absorbed very poorly at physiological pH. 2. 2. Monoglycerides were almost completely hydrolyzed following absorption. The concentration of lipase in isolated H. diminuta integument was sufficiently high to account for this hydrolysis. 3. 3. Glycerol and fatty acid label from absorbed and hydrolyzed monoolein was rapidly incorporated into H. diminuta neutral glycerides and less rapidly into polar lipids. Excretion of free fatty acids from the tapeworm occurred at the same time. Fatty acid label from absorbed and hydrolyzed monostearin was not readily incorporated into the tissue glycerides. 4. 4. The results support a previously stated hypothesis in that they illustrate the advanced degree to which H. diminuta has adapted to life in the rat small intestine by becoming almost wholly dependent upon an exogenous supply of fatty acids. They also suggest that the high content of unsaturated acids in the tapeworm tissues is directly related to the relatively high solubility of such acids or monoglycerides in bile sale micelles, to their relatively high rate of absorption and to the ease with which they are acylated by H. diminuta enzymes.
Inter-basin dynamics on multidimensional potential surfaces-Kinetic traps

A statistically based characterization of the topography of a standard potential surface (PS) may allow its reconstruction in basins containing monotonic sequences of local minima and saddles. Starting with this partition of the PS, one can explore kinetic properties of those basins and provide a reliable dynamical diagnosis. We found that certain topographical patterns of the standard PS underly kinetic properties which may lead the probability density to concentrate in basins of high energy, in which “wrong” structures are kinetically favored, rather than in the basin of the global minimum. We examined also considerations that link properties of the contact between the reaction coordinate and thermal bath with the efficiency of relaxation on the PS.
Explicitly infinite-dimensional Bayesian analysis of production technologies

Abstract The firm's cost function is viewed as a point in a function space and data is viewed as following some probability law that has as its parameters various functionals evaluated at the firm's cost function. The Fourier flexible form is used to represent a cost function as an infinite-dimensional vector whose elements are the parameters of the Fourier form. This representation is used to assign a prior distribution to the function space. A procedure for numerical computation of the posterior distribution of an elasticity of substitution is set forth. The ideas are illustrated with an example.
Evaluation of redox indicators for determining sulfate-reducing and dechlorinating conditions

Abstract An in situ methodology based on covalently bonded redox indicators has been developed for determining when sulfate-reducing conditions exist in environmental samples. Three immobilized redox indicators [thionine (Thi, formal potential at pH 7 ( E 7 o ′ ) equals 52 mV), cresyl violet (CV, E 7 o ′ =−81 mV), and phenosafranine (PSaf, E 7 o ′ =−267 mV)] were tested for their response to sulfide in synthetic solutions and under sulfate-reducing conditions in wastewater slurries. The byproduct of the sulfate-reducing process, sulfide, was found to couple well to CV in the concentration range of 1–100 μM total sulfide ([S(-II)]) and the pH range of 6–8. Thi, the indicator with the highest formal potential, reacts rapidly with sulfide at levels well below 1 μM while PSaf, the indicator with the lowest formal potential, does not couple to sulfide at levels in excess of 100 μM [S(-II)]. The degree of reduction of the indicators (i.e., the fraction of cresyl violet oxidized) in contact with a given level of sulfide can be modeled qualitatively with an equilibrium expression for [S(-II)]-indicator based on the Nernst equation assuming that rhombic sulfur is the product of sulfide oxidation. In a groundwater sample with dechlorinating microbes, reduction of Thi and partial reduction of CV correlated with dechlorination of TCE to cis-DCE.
Low molecular weight RNAs hydrogen-bonded to nuclear and cytoplasmic poly(a)-terminated RNA from cultured chinese hamster ovary cells

A group of RNAs 90--100 nucleotides long were isolated by melting them from poly(A)-terminated nuclear or cytoplasmic RNA from cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells. Conditions that favor hydrogen bond formation allowed the reassociation of these low molecular weight RNAs with poly(A)-terminated RNA. The nuclear poly(A)-terminated molecules contained 1.3 moles of the low molecular weight RNAs per mole of poly(A), while the cytoplasmic poly(A)-terminated RNA contained only one seventh as much. These low molecular weight RNAs were also isolated from the total 4S RNA of either the nucleus or cytoplasm by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. They formed a prominantly labeled band of RNA in the gels after cells had been labeled with H(3)32PO4 for 4 hr. The low molecular weight RNAs melted from the nuclear poly(A)-terminated RNA were slightly different (although not necessarily in primary nucleotide sequence) from those melted from the cytoplasmic poly(A)-terminated RNA.
The sedimentation constant and molecular weight of Cypridina luciferase

Abstract The sedimentation constant of Cypridina luciferase was determined with the analytical ultracentrifuge and fixed partition cell. Enzyme concentrations were calculated from automatically recorded measurements of the luminescent reaction. S20 was determined as (5.3 ± 0.2) × 10−13 sec. which, combined with the previously known value for D20 of 7.4 × 10−7 sq. cm./sec., and an assumed value for V of 0.75 ± 0.02) cc./g., yields a molecular weight of (7.0 ± 0.5) × 104.
Delayed reward discounting predicts treatment response for heavy drinkers receiving smoking cessation treatment

Delayed reward discounting (DRD) is a behavioral economic index of impulsivity that reflects the extent to which an individual devalues a reward based on its delay in time (i.e., preference for smaller immediate rewards relative to larger delayed rewards). Current smokers exhibit greater DRD compared to non-smokers, but also exhibit greater DRD compared to ex-smokers, suggesting that either DRD is inversely associated with successful smoking cessation or that smoking cessation itself reduces DRD. In a sample of treatment-seeking smokers (n=57, 61% male, 85% Caucasian) participating in a randomized controlled smoking cessation trial, the current study prospectively examined DRD for money in general and at three magnitudes in relation to time to the participants' first lapse to smoking. Survival analysis using Cox proportional-hazards regression revealed that DRD predicted days to first lapse (ps<.05-.01) and did so beyond nicotine dependence, sensation-seeking, and income in covariate analyses, with the exception of small magnitude discounting. In addition, dichotomous comparisons revealed significantly more impulsive baseline discounting for individuals who had lapsed by the two-week and eight-week follow-up visits. These findings indicate that high levels of DRD reflect a risk factor for poor smoking cessation treatment response. Interrelationships among the variables assessed and clinical strategies to improve outcomes for smokers who are high in DRD are discussed.
Monitoring of Antithrombotic Therapies in Interventional Cardiology

Percutaneous coronary intervention causes rupture of atherosclerotic plaque, which leads to platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. Antiplatelet and antithrombotic therapies are routine in the catheterization laboratory, but the optimal use of these agents during PCI continues to evolve. Central to the performance of procedures in the catheterization laboratory is the goal of decreasing ischemic complications while simultaneously minimizing bleeding complications. Dosing of medications for most disease processes involves some assessment of physiologic response to the medication. Despite the availability of multiple simple, point-of-care methods to monitor antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies the utilization of these methods is almost never routinely performed and most anticoagulants are no longer monitored except for unfractionated heparin (UFH). As the use of more unique combinations of antithrombotic agents becomes commonplace, the need for effective monitoring will become even more important, making a thorough understanding of the limitations and benefits of present-day monitoring in the cath lab crucial.
Fault-tolerant routing in mesh architectures

It is important for a distributed computing system to be able to route messages around whatever faulty links or nodes may be present. We present a fault-tolerant routing algorithm that assures the delivery of every message as long as there is a path between its source and destination. The algorithm works on many common mesh architectures such as the torus and hexagonal mesh. The proposed scheme can also detect the nonexistence of a path between a pair of nodes in a finite amount of time. Moreover, the scheme requires each node in the system to know only the state (faulty or not) of each of its own links. The performance of the routing scheme is simulated for both square and hexagonal meshes while varying the physical distribution of faulty components. It is shown that a shortest path between the source and destination of each message is taken with a high probability, and, if a path exists, it is usually found very quickly. >
Demand Access Protocol Design and Validation with SPIN

In order for distributed systems to communicate reliably engineers standardize on communication rules (or protocols). Unforeseen behavior in communication protocols can push faults up to applications resulting in uncontrollable systems and should not be tolerated. However, while most modern protocols undergo extensive testing, rigorous formal methods, such as model checking, are rarely used due to complexity and intractable state spaces. Nevertheless, starting formal validation early in the development cycle provides less-complexity, significantly smaller state spaces and can allow for full validation. As a side benefit early error detection and correction costs significantly less than redesigns later in a system's life-cycle.This paper discusses the preliminary design and validation of the Demand Access Protocol (DAP) using the SPIN model checker. Using English language specifications and flow charts, the author developed a PROMELA (the language used by SPIN) specification and tested basic safety properties. Used correctly, a model checker can thoroughly validate complex systems and guarantee absence of fault conditions.
Medical complications associated with earthquakes

Major earthquakes are some of the most devastating natural disasters. The epidemiology of earthquake-related injuries and mortality is unique for these disasters. Because earthquakes frequently affect populous urban areas with poor structural standards, they often result in high death rates and mass casualties with many traumatic injuries. These injuries are highly mechanical and often multisystem, requiring intensive curative medical and surgical care at a time when the local and regional medical response capacities have been at least partly disrupted. Many patients surviving blunt and penetrating trauma and crush injuries have subsequent complications that lead to additional morbidity and mortality. Here, we review and summarise earthquake-induced injuries and medical complications affecting major organ systems.
Protocol service decomposition for high-performance networking

In this paper we describe a new approach to implementing network protocols that enables them to have high performance and high flexibility, while retaining complete conformity to existing application programming interfaces. The key insight behind our work is that an application's interface to the network is distinct and separable from its interface to the operating system. We have separated these interfaces for two protocol implementations, TCP/IP and UDP/IP, running on the Mach 3.0 operating system and UNIX server. Specifically, library code in the application's address space implements the network protocols and transfers data to and from the network, while an operating system server manages the heavyweight abstractions that applications use when manipulating the network through operations other than send and receive. On DECstation 5000/200 systems connected by 10Mb/sec Ethernet, this approach to protocol decomposition achieves TCP/IP throughput of 1088 KB/second, which is comparable to that of a high-quality in-kernel TCP/IP implementation, and substantially better than a server-based one. Our approach achieves small-packet UDP/IP round trip latencies of 1.23 ms, again comparable to a kernel-based implementation and more than twice as fast as a server-based one.
Epithelial coating techniques in the treatment of interstitial cystitis.

Abstract Objectives To review the newer methods of treatment of interstitial cystitis using techniques that coat the epithelium to maintain its integrity relative to permeability. Methods The technique of employing sulfated polysaccharides in the treatment of interstitial cystitis both orally and intravesically were reviewed as well as the concepts supporting the use of such technology, including a review of the role glycosaminoglycans (mucus) play in the regulation of epithelial permeability. Also reviewed were the methods that can be employed to detect aberrations of epithelial permeability as seen in the interstitial cystitis syndrome. Results The techniques of detecting epithelial permeability problems and appropriate therapy for this using polysaccharides, such as heparin and pentosanpolysulfate, are presented. This article also discusses the point that these techniques will result in long-term remissions in patients with the IC syndrome who respond to these treatments. Conclusions The use of sulfated polysaccharides, both orally and intravesically, is an effective long-term treatment for many people with the interstitial cystitis syndrome.
Hypercholesterolemia Induces Oxidant Stress That Accelerates the Ageing of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Background Clinical studies suggest that hypercholesterolemia may cause ageing in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) because ageing-associated alterations were found in peripheral blood cells and their bone marrow residing precursors in patients with advanced atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that hypercholesterolemia induces oxidant stress in hematopoietic stems cells that accelerates their ageing. Methods and Results Here we show that HSCs from ApoE−/− mice, as well as HSCs from C57Bl/6 mice fed a high cholesterol diet (HCD) accumulated oxLDL and had greater ROS levels. In accordance, the expression pattern of the genes involved in ROS metabolism changed significantly in HSCs from ApoE−/− mice. Hypercholesterolemia caused a significant reduction in phenotypically defined long-term HSC compartment, telomere length, and repopulation capacity of KTLS cells, indicating accelerated ageing in these cells. Gene array analysis suggested abnormal cell cycle status, and the key cell cycle regulators including p19ARF, p27Kip1 and p21Waf1 were upregulated in KTLS cells from hypercholesterolemic mice. These effects were p38-dependent and reversed in vivo by treatment of hypercholesterolemic mice with antioxidant N -acetylcysteine. The oxidant stress also caused aberrant expression of Notch1 that caused loss of quiescence and proliferation leading to the expansion of KTLS compartment in hypercholesterolemic mice. Conclusion Taken together, we provide evidence that hypercholesterolemia can cause oxidant stress that accelerates the ageing and impairs the reconstitution capacity of HSCs.
Time-accurate simulations of a shear layer forced at a single frequency

Calculations are presented for the forced shear layer studied experimentally by Oster and Wygnanski, and Weisbrot. Two different computational approaches are examined: Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) and Large Eddy Simulation (LES). The DNS approach solves the full three dimensional Navier-Stokes equations for a temporally evolving mixing layer, while the LES approach solves the two dimensional Navier-Stokes equations with a subgrid scale turbulence model. While the comparison between these calculations and experimental data was hampered by a lack of information on the inflow boundary conditions, the calculations are shown to qualitatively agree with several aspects of the experiment. The sensitivity of these calculations to factors such as mesh refinement and Reynolds number is illustrated.
A comparative study of image reconstructions in SPECT and ultrasonic diffraction tomography

Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and ultrasonic diffraction tomography (UDT) are tomographic imaging modalities that are based upon entirely different physical processes. In SPECT, from the measured intensity of the electromagnetic wave (i.e., the gamma-ray), one seeks to determine the distribution of the gamma-ray emitter within an object. In UDT, from the measured scattered fields (i.e., the scattered ultrasonic wave), one determines the refractive index distribution. However, in this work, we demonstrate that the mathematics describing image reconstruction and the statistical analysis of image-noise properties are virtually identical for SPECT and UDT. We also conducted computer-simulation studies, which quantitatively corroborated our theoretical analysis.
The Effect of Soil Texture on Richness and Diversity of Bacterial Communities

Bacterial diversity in soil is high relative to more homogeneous environments (e.g., freshwater or marine habitats). Isolation imparted by fragmented aquatic microhabitats in unsaturated soil likely plays a large role in creating this diversity. We evaluate the role of soil texture, which determines the extent and connectivity of microhabitats, in constraining bacterial diversity. Soil samples with a range of textures were collected from sixteen sites across Connecticut and Massachusetts. Soil particle size distributions were measured to determine soil texture (% sand, % silt and % clay). Soil chemical characteristics (e.g., pH, %, %N) that might influence diversity were quantified for each site. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis was performed to characterize the diversity (richness, Shannon's H′, and evenness) of soil bacterial communities. Bacterial species richness increased significantly (p = 0.04) with the coarseness of the soil, quantified as % sand. No trend in H′ ...
Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP)-4 and BMP-7 regulate differentially Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β1 in normal human lung fibroblasts (NHLF)

Background Airway remodelling is thought to be under the control of a complex group of molecules belonging to the Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-superfamily. The Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) belong to this family and have been shown to regulate fibrosis in kidney and liver diseases. However, the role of BMPs in lung remodelling remains unclear. BMPs may regulate tissue remodelling in asthma by controlling TGF-β-induced profibrotic functions in lung fibroblasts.
Randomized trial of therapeutic massage for chronic neck pain.

Objectives Little is known about the effectiveness of therapeutic massage, one of the most popular complementary medical treatments for neck pain. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate whether therapeutic massage is more beneficial than a self-care book for patients with chronic neck pain. Methods Sixty-four such patients were randomized to receive up to 10 massages over 10 weeks or a self-care book. Follow-up telephone interviews after 4, 10, and 26 weeks assessed outcomes including dysfunction and symptoms. Log-binomial regression was used to assess whether there were differences in the percentages of participants with clinically meaningful improvements in dysfunction and symptoms (ie, >5-point improvement on the Neck Disability Index; >30% improvement from baseline on the symptom bothersomeness scale) at each time point. Results At 10 weeks, more participants randomized to massage experienced clinically significant improvement on the Neck Disability Index [39% vs. 14% of book group; relative risk (RR)=2.7; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.99-7.5] and on the symptom bothersomeness scale (55% vs. 25% of book group; RR=2.2; 95% CI, 1.04-4.2). After 26 weeks, massage group members tended to be more likely to report improved function (RR=1.8; 95% CI, 0.97-3.5), but not symptom bothersomeness (RR=1.1; 95% CI, 0.6-2.0). Mean differences between groups were strongest at 4 weeks and not evident by 26 weeks. No serious adverse experiences were reported. Conclusions This study suggests that massage is safe and may have clinical benefits for treating chronic neck pain at least in the short term. A larger trial is warranted to confirm these results.
Interlaminar Stresses by Sinc Method Based on Interpolation of the Highest Derivative

Computation of interlaminar stresses from one-dimensional equivalent-single-layer beam theories using the sinc method based on interpolation of the highest derivative is performed. The method is proposed to be an efficient tool for determining through-the-thickness variations of interlaminar stresses by the equilibrium equations of three-dimensional elasticity, because the required higher-order derivatives of displacements are accurately obtained without postprocessing, an improvement over presently used finite element methods. In functionally graded material, the sinc method offers additional benefits. Because the method employs numerical indefinite integration by double-exponential transformation, through-the-thickness integration can be performed numerically without computing additional integration weights. We obtain interlaminar stresses in symmetric cross-ply laminates and functionally graded sandwich composites using the sinc method based on interpolation of the highest derivative to approximately solve the static governing equations of the Timoshenko beam theory and the Bickford beam theory. Displacements and stresses from the present approach are compared with three-dimensional finite element method results obtained with ABAQUS/Standard. Our results indicate that the interlaminar stresses throughout the majority of the length of the beam are accurately approximated with the sinc method. The present results are significantly erroneous near the boundary because of three-dimensional edge effects not captured by the one-dimensional analysis.
Technical Note---Managing a Secret Project

We study project scheduling in a competitive setting taking the perspective of a project manager with an adversary, using a Stackelberg game format. The project manager seeks to limit the adversary's opportunity to react to the project and therefore wants to manage the project in a way that keeps the adversary “in the dark” as long as possible while completing the project on time. We formulate and illustrate a new form of project management problem for secret projects where the project manager uses a combination of deception, task scheduling, and crashing to minimize the time between when the adversary initiates a response to the project to when the project is completed. We propose a novel mixed-integer linear programming formulation for the problem and determine characteristics of optimal schedules in this context. Using a detailed example of nuclear weapons development, we illustrate the interconnectedness of the deception, task scheduling, and crashing, and how these influence adversary behavior.
The non-degeneracy of the bilinear form of m-Quasi-Invariants

We give here a new proof of the non-degeneracy of the fundamental bilinear form for S"n-m-Quasi-Invariants and for m-Quasi-Invariants of classical Weyl groups. We also indicate how our approach can be extended to other Coxeter groups. This bilinear form plays a crucial role in the original proof [P. Etingof, V. Ginzburg, On m-quasi-invariants of a Coxeter group, arXiv: math.QA/0106175 v1, June 2001] that m-Quasi-Invariants are a free module over the invariants as well as in all subsequent proofs [Y. Berest, P. Etingof, V. Ginsburg, Cherednik algebras and differential operators on quasi-invariants, math.QA/0111005; A. Garsia, N. Wallach, Some new applications of orbit harmonics, Sem. Lothar. Combin. 50 (2005), Article B50j]. However, in previous literature this non-degeneracy was stated and used without proof with reference to some deep results of Opdam [E.M. Opdam, Some applications of shift operators, Invent. Math. 98 (1989) 1-18] on shift-differential operators. This result hinges on the validity of a deceptively simple identity on Dunkl operators which, at least in the S"n case, begs for an elementary painless proof. An elementary but by all means not painless proof of this identity can be found in a paper of Dunkl and Hanlon [C. Dunkl, P. Hanlon, Integrals of polynomials associated with tableaux and the Garsia-Haiman conjecture, Math. Z. 228 (1998) 537-567. 71]. Our proof here is not elementary but hopefully it should be painless and informative.
High-power solid-state lasers

In 1985 SCHAWLOW and TOWNES [1] described the build-up of coherent light in an optical resonator, or laser. They noted that amplified coherent light would possess two desirable properties: precise, narrow wavelengths, and high brightness or focusability. The first laser, demonstrated by MAIMAN et al. [2] in 1961, produced a peak power of approximately 3kW (3 × 103 W; i.e., 0.5J of light in a pulse a few hundred microseconds long) and verified many of the Schawlow/Townes predictions.
Zinc and childhood infectious disease morbidity and mortality

Zinc is an essential mineral and deficiency results in abnormal immune function and higher rates of infectious diseases. Randomized controlled trials of zinc supplementation have been conducted in children in developing countries to determine effects on infectious disease morbidity and mortality. Zinc-supplemented children have been found to have lower rates of diarrhea, pneumonia and malaria in comparison with children not given zinc. Zinc used as an adjunct to fluid and dietary management of acute and persistent diarrhea has been found to reduce diarrheal duration and severity. Preliminary evidence suggests that zinc supplementation in children in poor developing country settings may also reduce infant mortality, but larger trials are needed to address this important issue. Preventive and therapeutic interventions should be implemented in developing countries where zinc deficiency is likely to be prevalent.
Mask-Directed Micro-3D Printing

Abstract Micro–three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies based on two-photon lithography create potentially enabling opportunities for scientists across numerous fields to explore novel problem-solving approaches. Capabilities for producing arbitrary microstructure geometries using a broad range of materials with distinct chemical and physical properties open possibilities for fabricating previously inaccessible microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip designs, arranging cells in biologically relevant, high-resolution 3D cultures, and in engineering materials for implantation. To make these and other application areas highly accessible to nonexperts in optical sciences, a goal that requires facile routes to high-throughput prototyping, simplification of design, and iterative modification of fabrication instruction sets is key. In this chapter, we describe the development of mask-based two-photon lithography strategies, a set of techniques that enable complex designs to be created rapidly using software as common as Microsoft PowerPoint. Image sequences serve as the basis to produce “fabrication movies” that allow complex designs to be converted efficiently to microstructured 3D materials.
Decency, Dignity, and Desert: Restoring Ideals of Humane Punishment to Constitutional Discourse

American punishment today is degrading, indecent, and harsher than deserved despite a Constitution designed to protect people from cruel and unusual punishment. Unfortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court's response to the increasing inhumanity of contemporary punishment has been to reduce its Eighth Amendment jurisprudence to tidy categories, legal fictions, and hollow phrases. Absent from the discourse is any acknowledgement of the actual day-to-day experience facing the convicted person, or any suggestion that, although punishments can be degrading, they need not be. The case for treating a convicted person with respect for his human dignity, and for constitutional scrutiny of punishment as it is actually experienced, is rarely made. This Article seeks to present that case. Part I demonstrates that sentences are longer and meaner, prison conditions are more degrading and dangerous, and post-release reintegration is severely hobbled by numerous barriers that guarantee a permanent underclass. The second part explains how the Court's narrow and formalistic reading of the Eighth Amendment has produced a profound legal and moral blindness to the constitutional infirmities these punishments present. In the third part, the Article suggests avenues to more robust conceptions of human dignity and decent treatment that may still be found in the Constitution and in emerging global norms.
The New Economy

The new economy refers to a unique period - mid-1990s through early 2000 - that affected economic performance in the United States and led to the tech bubble and subsequent tech bust that contributed greatly to the recession of 2001-2002. This note describes the evolution of the tech bubble, the role of the Y2K problem, and the reasons for the bubble bursting in early 2000. Data are offered to show the impact this had on the broader economy as well as on the stock market for tech stocks.
A Review of “International Marketing Ninth Edition”

Marketing in global markets in the 21st century has been an extremely dynamic area of international business. International Marketing by Terpstra, Sarathy and Russow provides a comprehensive well o...
NOTE-LEVEL MUSIC TRANSCRIPTION BY MAXIMUM LIKELIHOOD SAMPLING

Note-level music transcription, which aims to transcribe note events (often represented by pitch, onset and offset times) from music audio, is an important intermediate step towards complete music transcription. In this paper, we present a note-level music transcription system, which is built on a state-of-the-art frame-level multi-pitch estimation (MPE) system. Preliminary note-level transcription achieved by connecting pitch estimates into notes often lead to many spurious notes due to MPE errors. In this paper, we propose to address this problem by randomly sampling notes in the preliminary note-level transcription. Each sample is a subset of all notes and is viewed as a notelevel transcription candidate. We evaluate the likelihood of each candidate using the MPE model, and select the one with the highest likelihood as the final transcription. The likelihood treats notes in a transcription as a whole and favors transcriptions with less spurious notes. Experiments conducted on 110 pieces of J.S. Bach chorales with polyphony from 2 to 4 show that the proposed sampling scheme significantly improves the transcription performance from the preliminary approach. The proposed system also significantly outperforms two other state-of-the-art systems in both frame-level and note-level transcriptions.
Reinventing Free Labor: Immigrant Padrones and Contract Laborers in North America, 1885–1925

For these highly mobile young men, the American West, region of free land and free labor, had become instead a mocking backdrop to their suffering, a place whose oppressions seemed even worse than what they had recently escaped under the Turks. Their questions to Governor Spry underscore just how profoundly Skliris had turned their expectations of free labor in "Amerika" upside down: In signing Skliris's work contracts, Greek workers found, instead of freedom, endless deductions from their wages. In seeking the best prices on Bingham's "free" market, Greeks faced a grim choice: exorbitant prices at the Panhellenic Grocery store, run by Skliris's brother, or unemployment and another round of job fees should they stay in Bingham. When Greek workers quit their jobs and left Bingham, they encountered, not freedom, but more job fees as Skliris controlled access to nearly all mining and railroad jobs in Utah. In short, rather than finding freedom and democracy in the American West, Greek workers found bondage and "despotism."
Relationship of psychiatric status to Gulf War veterans' health problems.

OBJECTIVE A growing body of research has shown that there are important links between certain psychiatric disorders and health symptom reporting. Two disorders in particular (posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression) have been the most widely implicated to date, and this association has sometimes been used to explain the occurrence of ill-defined medical problems and increased somatic symptoms in certain groups, most recently Gulf War veterans. METHODS Structured psychiatric diagnostic interviews were used to examine the presence of major psychiatric (axis I) disorders and their relation to health symptom reporting in a well-characterized, stratified subset of Gulf War veterans and a non-Gulf-deployed veteran comparison group. RESULTS Rates of most psychiatric disorders were substantially lower than national comorbidity estimates, consistent with prior studies showing heightened physical and emotional well-being among active-duty military personnel. Rates of PTSD and major depression, however, were significantly elevated relative to the veteran comparison group. The diagnosis of PTSD showed a small but significant association with increased health symptom reports. However, nearly two-thirds of Gulf participants reporting moderate to high health symptoms had no axis I psychiatric diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that rates of psychiatric illness were generally low with the exception of PTSD and major depression. Although PTSD was associated with higher rates of reported health problems, this disorder did not entirely account for symptoms reported by participants. Factors other than psychiatric status may play a role in Gulf War health problems.
Actualistic taphonomy of cyanobacteria; implications for the Precambrian fossil record

Actualistic taphonomy can elucidate aspects of the fossil record that would otherwise be uninterpretable. Investigation of taphonomic alteration patterns in modern cyanobacteria permits evaluation of preservation biases and decomposition timescales in the Precambrian rock record. In this study, a method for assessing alteration of filamentous cyanobacteria was developed, and cyanobacterial decomposition was evaluated during short-term (days to months) experiments. Results indicate that extracellular sheaths are more likely to be preserved than are trichomes, and that rates of decomposition are variable among cyanobacterial taxa. The effects of oxygen, temperature, and desiccation on taphonomic alteration were also investigated. Desiccation of cyanobacteria produces cell shriveling, a feature that may be diagnostic of evaporitic environments. Short-term decomposition of cyanobacteria by heterotrophic bacteria under anaerobic and aerobic conditions did not produce systematically different degradation patterns; thus, alteration patterns are of limited utility for constraining the oxygen content of depositional environments. Rapid rates of decomposition suggest that in order to achieve excellent morphological preservation, heterotrophic activity must have ceased within days to weeks of deposition. These results provide constraints on the timing of lithification for comparable Precambrian lagerstdtten.
Treating Transvestism: A Counselor’s Look at Diagnosing and Treatment of Cross-Dressers

There are two goals for presenting this article. The first goal is to discuss transvestism or cross-dressing, the history of diagnosis and traditional treatment, cross-dresser’s fears, and counseli...