cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Global Tourism and Real Estate

A rapid increase in travel and tourism has been an integral part of the ongoing wave of globalization. Patterns of global economic growth are impacting tourism activity worldwide. With growing affluence in emerging economies, the pool of international travelers is expanding to include visitors from a broader variety of countries. Increasing cross-cultural contacts and greater access to information regarding tourism attractions in hitherto lesser known parts of the world, increasing fascination with the emerging and developing economies, new forms of tourism activity, such as ecotourism, and increased investment in infrastructure further broaden the destinations of travelers. At the same time, due to the changing business environment and evolving technological and logistical changes, the tourism industry is undergoing major structural changes. Firms historically viewed as tourism-related are shedding and outsourcing non-core activities, and firms in peripheral industries are moving into tourism-related activities. An emphasis on branding and franchising has emerged in concert with an increasingly fragmented ownership pattern of branded tourism facilities, giving flexibility to involvement of different types of owners within the industry.
The roles of domain specific hope and depressive personality in predicting depressive symptoms

The present study extended the research on hope (Snyder, 2002) and depression by assessing the impact of domain specific hope on depressive symptoms using a completely cross-lagged longitudinal design across 2-week and 5-week time intervals while controlling for depressive personality. Results from an undergraduate sample (n = 363) indicated that across a 2-week time interval, hope in the social/peer and academic domains, depressive personality and depressive symptoms had reciprocal causal influences on each other, whereas across a 5-week time interval, only hope in the family domain had a significant one-way influence on depressive symptoms. The implications for working with young adults are discussed and suggestions made for future research relating to the personality-based prediction of depressive symptoms. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Joint digital signal processing for superchannel coherent optical communication systems.

Ultra-high-speed optical communication systems which can support ≥ 1Tb/s per channel transmission will soon be required to meet the increasing capacity demand. However, 1Tb/s over a single carrier requires either or both a high-level modulation format (i.e. 1024QAM) and a high baud rate. Alternatively, grouping a number of tightly spaced “sub-carriers” to form a terabit superchannel increases channel capacity while minimizing the need for high-level modulation formats and high baud rate, which may allow existing formats, baud rate and components to be exploited. In ideal Nyquist-WDM superchannel systems, optical subcarriers with rectangular spectra are tightly packed at a channel spacing equal to the baud rate, thus achieving the Nyquist bandwidth limit. However, in practical Nyquist-WDM systems, precise electrical or optical control of channel spectra is required to avoid strong inter-channel interference (ICI). Here, we propose and demonstrate a new “super receiver” architecture for practical Nyquist-WDM systems, which jointly detects and demodulates multiple channels simultaneously and mitigates the penalties associated with the limitations of generating ideal Nyquist-WDM spectra. Our receiver-side solution relaxes the filter requirements imposed on the transmitter. Two joint DSP algorithms are developed for linear ICI cancellation and joint carrier-phase recovery. Improved system performance is observed with both experimental and simulation data. Performance analysis under different system configurations is conducted to demonstrate the feasibility and robustness of the proposed joint DSP algorithms.
Functional blockade of the voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.3 mediates reversion of T effector to central memory lymphocytes through SMAD3/p21cip1 signaling.

The maintenance of T cell memory is critical for the development of rapid recall responses to pathogens, but may also have the undesired side effect of clonal expansion of T effector memory (TEM) cells in chronic autoimmune diseases. The mechanisms by which lineage differentiation of T cells is controlled have been investigated, but are not completely understood. Our previous work demonstrated a role of the voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.3 in effector T cell function in autoimmune disease. In the present study, we have identified a mechanism by which Kv1.3 regulates the conversion of T central memory cells (TCM) into TEM. Using a lentiviral-dominant negative approach, we show that loss of function of Kv1.3 mediates reversion of TEM into TCM, via a delay in cell cycle progression at the G2/M stage. The inhibition of Kv1.3 signaling caused an up-regulation of SMAD3 phosphorylation and induction of nuclear p21cip1 with resulting suppression of Cdk1 and cyclin B1. These data highlight a novel role for Kv1.3 in T cell differentiation and memory responses, and provide further support for the therapeutic potential of Kv1.3 specific channel blockers in TEM-mediated autoimmune diseases.
Calcium Dependent Regulation of Kinesin Function using Binding System of CaM and M13 Peptide

Kinesin is known as a dimeric motor protein, which carries cellular cargoes along microtubules by hydrolyzing ATP. Calmodulin (CaM) is a calcium binding protein that participates in cellular regulatory processes. CaM undergoes a conformational change upon binding to calcium, which enables it to bind to specific proteins for a specific response. We have previously demonstrated that kinesin fused with CaM at the C-terminal binds reversibly to M13-Qdots in a calcium dependent manner. In this study, we have tried to make the calcium dependent reversible dimerization of kinesin utilizing CaM- target peptide M13 binding system in order to control motility of kinesin. First we have designed and prepared the cDNA of the truncated kinesin (355 amino acids) that does not form dimer. Subsequently we prepared the cDNA encoding two kinesin chimeric proteins in which C-terminal of kinesin355 was fused with calmodulin (kinesin355-CaM) and fused with M13-GFP (Kinesin355-M13-GFP). The cDNAs of the kinesin chimeras were cloned into expression vector pET21a and transformed into E.coli BL21. The kinesin chimeras were successfully expressed and purified by Co-Chelate column. These kinesin chimeras showed normal ATPase activities. Furthermore, K355-CaM bound to M13-YFP in a calcium dependent manner. And the calcium dependent interaction between kinesin355-CaM and kinesin355-M13-GFP was examined.
Is the Present Definition of Health Care–Associated Pneumonia the Best Way to Define Risk of Infection with Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogens?

Health care-associated pneumonia (HCAP) is associated with an increased risk of infection with multidrug-resistant pathogens compared with community-acquired pneumonia. Recent studies suggest that the designation of HCAP is a poor predictor of resistant pathogens and that antibiotic coverage for multidrug-resistant pathogens is not necessary in all patients with HCAP. This article reviews existing literature on HCAP, discusses the utility of the current definition of HCAP in identifying patients at risk for potentially drug-resistant pathogens, and compares how well the current HCAP designation predicts the risk of drug-resistant pathogens with other proposed algorithms for doing so.
Batch size modeling in a multi-item, discrete manufacturing system via an open queuing network

An open Queuing Network Analyzer (QNA) is often used in areas such as communication systems and discrete parts manufacturing systems. It uses the parametric decomposition method to approximately calculate the performance measures. The core of the method involves solving two systems of linear equations to calculate the first two moments of the effective arrival rate and service time. In this paper, we consider the effects of batch size on the parametric decomposition procedure of the QNA and modify the two sets of linear equations accordingly. The concept of a relative batch size is proposed for the purpose of modeling the effects of batch size. Experimental results are shown to illustrate the effectiveness of the method.
Transport process of TNT from flooded highly contaminated surface soil bed

Abstract Remediation of TNT contaminated soil by phytoremediation and bioremediation in aqueous medium is often limited by TNT desorption from the soil. Understanding the desorption of TNT from the contaminated soil is needed in order to employ effective soil remediation strategies. TNT (2,4,6‐Trinitrotoluene) desorption was investigated using a flat sheet flow leaching bed reactor in the laboratory. Deionized water advective flow was pumped over the contaminated soil matrix in the form of a sheet flow. Concentrations of TNT in the collected water samples was determined by HPLC. The result is presented as the flux of TNT from the soil matrix to the water phase. The results showed a decrease in TNT concentration and flux with time. The rates of leaching were compared to the prediction of a simple mathematical model that was developed for this type of the reactors. The model accurately fits the rate of removal of TNT from soil under various experimental conditions. The effective diffusivity was calculated b...
Range-Doppler Resolution of Electromagnetic Walsh Waves in Radar

A number of papers have appeared during recent years about electromagnetic waves produced by antenna currents with the time variation of Walsh functions rather than that of sinusodial functions. Experimental transmitters and receivers for such waves have been developed. There are a variety of effects of Walsh waves that do not exist for sinusoidal waves or are so obscure that they are generally not recognized. This makes a discussion of these effects difficult for the nonspecialist. The range-Doppler resolution in radar lends itself more readily to a discussion, since Walsh waves bring in this case not a new effect, but only a substantial improvement of a well-known one. It is shown that our present technology should permit an improvement of about one order of magnitude in the Doppler resolution by using carriers derived from Walsh or other two-valued functions rather than sinusoidal functions. The theoretical improvement of the relative range resolution is substantially greater since it no longer depends upon the duration of the modulating signal but upon the period of the carrier and the switching time of the carrier. The absolute range measurement is not changed.
On the solution of a partial differential equation related to neurophysiology

Abstract The solution of a partial differential equation obtained by Lorente de No in his recent studies on the longitudinal polarization of the core of nerve fibers is presented. In particular, for the limiting steady state and in the absence of longitudinal polarization, both the equation and his solution reduce to known expressions.
Electronic Resources in a Next-Generation Catalog: The Case of WorldCat Local

In April 2007, the University of Washington Libraries debuted WorldCat Local (WCL), a localized version of the WorldCat database that interoperates with a library's integrated library system and fulfillment services to provide a single-search interface for a library's physical and electronic content. This brief will describe how WCL incorporates a library's existing e-resource access methods into its interface and also discusses additional e-resource access services that are not typically found in the library catalog.
Multiple factors affect renal dietitians' use of the NKF-K/DOQI Adult Nutrition Guidelines.

Objective We investigated the components of the National Kidney Foundation–Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative Nutrition Guidelines that are implemented by renal dietitians and the types of resources and support available to assist in implementing these guidelines. Design and Participants A 49-item survey was mailed to 1694 dietitians in the United States. who were members of the National Kidney Foundation Council on Renal Nutrition in June 2003. The survey included sections on clinical practice, tools available to perform nutrition assessments, daily activities of the dietitian, and demographic and professional questions. Results Of the 1694 surveys mailed, 951 were returned (56% response rate); 848 were useable (89%). The primary employer was for-profit dialysis units (67%) and the mean (± SD) number of patients per dietitian was 104.9 ± 48.3. Virtually all of the dietitians were aware of the nutrition guidelines (97%); 58% read all of the guidelines, whereas only 41% read some of the guidelines. Ninety-two percent of respondents implemented at least one guideline in their clinical practice; 72% and 55% had implemented 5 and 10 guidelines, respectively; but only 5% implemented all of the guidelines. Several barriers to implementation included lack of tools such as computers, calipers, and food models (57%); inadequate time including high dietitian-to-patient ratios (40%); and lack of administrative support from the dialysis unit (29%). Conclusions There are multiple barriers that prevent the adequate assessment of the nutritional status of dialysis patients. Only after these resources are provided will it be possible to determine the impact of the nutrition guidelines on patient outcomes.
Genetic Diversity of Thiamin and Folate in Primitive Cultivated and Wild Potato (Solanum) Species

Biofortification of staple crops like potato via breeding is an attractive strategy to reduce human micronutrient deficiencies. A prerequisite is metabolic phenotyping of genetically diverse material which can potentially be used as parents in breeding programs. Thus, the natural genetic diversity of thiamin and folate contents was investigated in indigenous cultivated potatoes (Solanum tuberosum group Andigenum) and wild potato species (Solanum section Petota). Significant differences were found among clones and species. For about 50% of the clones there were variations in thiamin and folate contents between years. Genotypes which contained over 2-fold the thiamin and 4-fold the folate content compared to the modern variety Russet Burbank were identified and should be useful material to integrate in breeding programs which aim to enhance the nutritional value of potato. Primitive cultivars and wild species with widely different amounts of thiamin and folate will also be valuable tools to explore their respective metabolic regulation.
A view from Mount Olympus: the impact of activity tracking tools on the character and practice of moderation

Moderation within online communities is critical. Though many guidelines are available that describe the goals of successful moderation, these often minimize the complex interplay that exists between tools and practices of moderators. This study investigates the role of moderation through the lens of the moderators in a nascent online community for adolescents. Based on an analysis of their activities, three classes of emergent behavior were uncovered when exploring how the available tools impacted the way moderator work was performed. The findings reveal a need for design considerations that take into account the appropriateness of match between the tools and work processes from a moderator perspective.
Cellulose nanoparticles: photoacoustic contrast agents that biodegrade to simple sugars

In photoacoustic imaging, nanoparticle contrast agents offer strong signal intensity and long-term stability, but are limited by poor biodistribution and clearance profiles. Conversely, small molecules offer renal clearance, but relatively low photoacoustic signal. Here we describe a cellulose-based nanoparticle with photoacoustic signal superior to gold nanorods, but that undergoes enzymatic cleavage into constituent glucose molecules for renal clearance. Cellulose nanoparticles (CNPs) were synthesized through acidic cleavage of cellulose linters and purified with centrifugation. TEM indicated that the nanoparticles were 132 ± 46 nm; the polydispersity index was 0.138. Ex vivo characterization showed a photoacoustic limit of detection of 0.02 mg/mL CNPs, and the photoacoustic signal of CNPs was 1.5- to 3.0-fold higher than gold nanorods (also at 700 nm resonance) on a particle-to-particle basis. Cell toxicity assays suggested that overnight doses below 0.31 mg/mL CNPs produced no significant (p>0.05) impact on cell metabolism. Intravenous doses up to 0.24 mg were tolerated well in nude mice. Subcutaneous and orthotopic tumor xenografts of the OV2008 ovarian cancer cell line were then created in nude mice. Data was collected with a Nexus128 scanner from Endra LifeSciences. Spectral data used a LAZR system from Visualsonics both at 700 nm excitation. We injected CNPs (0.024 mg, 0.048 mg, and 0.80 mg) via tail vein and showed that the tumor photoacoustic signal reached maximum increase between 10 and 20 minutes. All injected concentrations were statistically (p 2 >0.96 suggesting quantitative signal. CNP biodegradation was demonstrated ex vivo with a glucose assay. CNPs in the presence of cellulase were reduced to free glucose in under than four hours. The glucose concentration before addition of cellulase was not detectable, but increased to 92.1 μg/mL in four hours. CNPs in the absence of cellulase did not produce glucose. Small fragments of nanoparticle in the treated cohort were observed with electron microscopy. There are few photoacoustic contrast agents that offer both high signal intensity and obvious clearance/biodegradation profiles. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a sugar-based photoacoustic contrast agent with important implications for clinical translation of this emerging molecular imaging modality.
Wiggly sets and limit sets

We show that a compact, connected set which has uniform oscillations at all points and at all scales has dimension strictly larger than 1. We also show that limit sets of certain Kleinian groups have this property. More generally, we show that ifG is a non-elementary, analytically finite Kleinian group, and its limit set Λ(G) is connected, then Λ(G) is either a circle or has dimension strictly bigger than 1.
CT determination of tibial tubercle lateralization in patients presenting with anterior knee pain

Anterior knee pain is commonly associated with patellofemoral malalignment. Both conventional radiographic measurements and CT measurements have been proposed to define and confirm the sometimes difficult clinical diagnosis of anterior knee pain secondary to patellofemoral malalignment. Using CT imaging with computerized technique to measure anatomic relationships, we evaluated patients (n=50) with anterior knee pain for excessive lateralization of the tibial tubercle. The symptomatic knee of each patient was compared with their asymptomatic knee as well as with the knees of patients with other causes of anterior knee pain (n=10) and with the knees of asymptomatic controls (n=10). The symptomatic knee of patients with suspected patellofemoral malalignment demonstrated significantly greater lateralization of the tibial tubercle (12.2±0.5 mm) than did the asymptomatic knee (9.0±0.7 mm). The symptomatic knees of patients with patellofemoral malalignment also demonstrated significantly greater lateralization of the tibial tubercle than did the knees of patients with other causes of anterior knee pain (5.9±0.9 mm). When a control population was added to the analysis, the patients with symptomatic patellofemoral malalignment demonstrated significantly greater lateralization of the tibial tubercle than did the controls (6.4±0.4 mm). Using a critical value of 9 mm lateralization, the CT diagnosis of patellofemoral malalignment had a specificity of 95% and a sensitivity of 85%. We conclude that CT determination of tibial tubercle position assists the diagnosis of patellofemoral malalignment.
Crystal growth, structure determination, and optical properties of new potassium-rare-earth silicates K3RESi2O7 (RE=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu)

Abstract Single crystals of K 3 RE Si 2 O 7 ( RE =Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) were grown from a potassium fluoride flux. Two different structure types were found for this series. Silicates containing the larger rare earths, RE =Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb crystallize in a structure K 3 RE Si 2 O 7 that contains the rare-earth cation in both a slightly distorted octahedral and an ideal trigonal prismatic coordination environment, while in K 3 LuSi 2 O 7 , containing the smallest of the rare earths, lutetium is found solely in an octahedral coordination environment. The structure of K 3 LuSi 2 O 7 crystallizes in space group P 6 3 / mmc with a =5.71160(10) A and c =13.8883(6) A. The structures containing the remaining rare earths crystallize in the space group P 6 3 / mcm with the lattice parameters of a =9.9359(2) A, c =14.4295(4) A, (K 3 GdSi 2 O 7 ); a =9.88730(10) A, c =14.3856(3) A, (K 3 TbSi 2 O 7 ); a =9.8673(2) A, c =14.3572(4) A, (K 3 DySi 2 O 7 ); a =9.8408(3) A, c =14.3206(6) A, (K 3 HoSi 2 O 7 ); a =9.82120(10) A, c =14.2986(2) A, (K 3 ErSi 2 O 7 ); a =9.80200(10) A, c =14.2863(4) A, (K 3 TmSi 2 O 7 ); a =9.78190(10) A, c =14.2401(3) A, (K 3 YbSi 2 O 7 ). The optical properties of the silicates were investigated and K 3 TbSi 2 O 7 was found to fluoresce in the visible.
Transient down-regulation of inhibin-βC expression following partial hepatectomy

Abstract Inhibin-βC is a recently described TGF-β family member most homologous to inhibin-βA and inhibin-βB. By Northern analysis, inhibin-βC mRNA was detected exclusively in the liver among a large number of adult mouse tissues surveyed. The expression of inhibin-βC mRNA in adult liver dropped sharply and transiently following partial hepatectomy. At 6 and 12 hours following partial hepatectomy, the levels of inhibin-βC mRNA were at least 8-fold lower than in control animals. The liver specificity of inhibin-βC expression and its down-regulation following partial hepatectomy suggest that inhibin-βC may function as a negative regulator of liver growth.
Management factors affecting trichinosis seropositivity among 91 North Carolina swine farms

Abstract Results of a prevalence survey for trichinosis, using a commercial kit adaption of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) serological test, were used to classify herds as seropositive or seronegative. The herds owners were then interviewed using a questionnaire to ascertain 85 specific management practices. Of 153 herds serotested, 91 owners completed the questionnaire. At the 6% ELISA-positive classification level, 1.22% of pigs, 41.7% of the shipment lots and 56% of the farms were seropositive, while the 15% ELISA classification level indicated only 0.48% of pigs, 22.4% of shipment lots and 35% of farms to be seropositive. Results of logistic regression analyses indicated that the access of cats to the swine houses, the purchase of gilts from commercial companies, tail biting, and the presence of wildlife (opossums and skunks) on the farm were related to serological status at the 6% ELISA level of testing. The access of cats to the swine houses, tail biting, and the importance the owner placed on trichinosis testing were related to serological status at the 15% ELISA level of testing.
Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway is involved in myeloid lineage commitment

Common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs) are lymphoid-lineage-committed progenitor cells. However, they maintain a latent myeloid differentiation potential that can be initiated by stimulation with interleukin-2 (IL-2) via ectopically expressed IL-2 receptors. Although CLPs express IL-7 receptors, which share the common γ chain with IL-2 receptors, IL-7 cannot initiate lineage conversion in CLPs. In this study, we demonstrate that the critical signals for initiating lineage conversion in CLPs are delivered via IL-2 receptor β (IL-2Rβ) intracellular domains. Fusion of the A region of the IL-2Rβ cytoplasmic tail to IL-7Rα enables IL-7 to initiate myeloid differentiation in CLPs. We found that Shc, which associates with the A region, mediates lineage conversion signals through the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Because mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitors completely blocked IL-2-mediated lineage conversion, MAPK activation, specifically via the MEK/ERK pathway, is critically involved in the initiation of this event. Furthermore, formation of granulocyte/macrophage (GM) colonies by hematopoietic stem cells, but not by common myeloid progenitors (CMPs), was severely reduced in the presence of MEK/ERK inhibitors. These results demonstrate that activation of MEK/ERK plays an important role in GM lineage commitment.
Synthesis and reactions of a chelated carbene-olefin complex of cyclopentadienyliron

Abstract Heating CpFe(CO)2(η1-CH2CH2CHCH2) in CH3NO2 yields Cp FeCO(η 1 -COCH 2 CH 2 CH CH2) in an approximate equimolar mixture with the starting material. Separation and recycling of starting material leads to isolation of the cyclic acyl in 83% yield. Alkylation of this acyl complex with Et3OBF4 yields the olefin-carbene complex [Cp FeCO(η 1 -C(OEt)CH 2 CH 2 CH CH2)]BF4. Reduction of this carbene complex with NaBH4 in the presence of base yields Cp FeCO(η 1 -CH(OEt)CH 2 CH 2 CH CH2). Treatment of this complex with trimetylsilyl triflate at −78° C yields an unstable complex tentatively assigned as the alkylidene-olefin complex [Cp FeCO(η 1 CHCH 2 CH 2 CH CH2)][CF3SO3]. Reaction of either PhLi or Ph2CuCNLi2 and [Cp FeCO(η 1 -C(OEt)CH 2 CH 2 CH CH2)]BF4 yields Cp FeCO(η 1 -C(OEt)CHCH 2 CH CH2). It did not prove possible to form analogous cyclic complexes starting with CpFe(CO)2(η1-CH2CH2CCH), CpFeCO(PPh3)(η1-CH2CH2Un) or CpFeCO(PPh3)(η1-COCH2CH2Un) (Un  CHCH2, CCH). The reaction of the CpFeCO(PPh3)(η1-COCH2CH2Un) complexes with Et3OBF4 followed by reduction with NaBH4 in the presence of base fields CpFeCO(PPh3(η1-(E-CHCHCH2Un).
A new baenid turtle from the Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Hell Creek Formation of North Dakota and a preliminary taxonomic review of Cretaceous Baenidae

ABSTRACT A fragmentary skull from the Hell Creek Formation (Maastrichtian) of southwestern North Dakota represents a new taxon of baenid turtle named herein Gamerabaena sonsalla. The length of the frontals, jugal contribution to the labial ridge, and convex contact between the vomer and the pterygoids indicate its affinities with the clade Palatobaena, but the new taxon clearly lacks the great posterior expansion of the triturating surface, complete absence of a lingual ridge, subrectangular skull, and wide angle between the maxillae that diagnose Palatobaena spp. A maximum parsimony analysis provides strong support for G. sonsalla as sister taxon to Palatobaena spp. Gamerabaena sonsalla has several morphological features that are intermediate between Plesiobaena antiqua and the morphologically disparate Palatobaena spp., including orbits that are oriented slightly dorsally and moderately expanded posterior triturating surfaces. Our phylogenetic analysis, combined with stratigraphic arguments, indicates t...
Electoral regime and trade policy

Abstract We study how trade protection varies with the electoral rules for legislative representation. In particular, we investigate different hypotheses about why trade policy differs between countries with legislatures elected by a plurality election rule in single member constituencies and legislatures elected by a proportional, or party-list, rule. Our results, which are in line with the existing literature, show that countries with list-PR systems tend to have lower trade barriers than countries with majoritarian systems. We expand on this literature by looking at the mechanisms through which this correlation can be explained. Our findings indicate that, contrary to existing theory, neither constituency size nor party strength are important when explaining this correlation. Country size does matter, but does not explain the whole of the correlation.
Molecular Motor-Based Assays for Altered Nanomechanical Function of Ca2+-Regulatory Proteins in Cardiomyopathies

We propose that a thermo-electrical control system for rapid and reversible actuation of biomolecular motors and their partner filaments can also be used to study molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases. We have previously used this device to evaluate the temperature-dependence of unregulated (absence of cardiac Ca2+-regulatory proteins tropomyosin, α-Tm, and troponin, Tn) actin filament sliding powered by myosin motors, which hydrolyze ATP. These assays using the thermo-electric controller can also be applied to regulated thin filaments (F actin plus α-Tm and Tn) to obtain energetic parameters and functional correlates of structural stability at the level of single filaments. This allows us not only to examine Ca2+-dependent sliding of thin filaments, but also to test for altered function of clinically relevant mutations of cardiac myofilament proteins such as those identified in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC).
A comparative study of history-based versus vectorized Monte Carlo methods in the GPU/CUDA environment for a simple neutron eigenvalue problem

For nuclear reactor analysis such as the neutron eigenvalue calculations, the time consuming Monte Carlo (MC) simulations can be accelerated by using graphics processing units (GPUs). However, traditional MC methods are often history-based, and their performance on GPUs is affected significantly by the thread divergence problem. In this paper we describe the development of a newly designed event-based vectorized MC algorithm for solving the neutron eigenvalue problem. The code was implemented using NVIDIA’s Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA), and tested on a NVIDIA Tesla M2090 GPU card. We found that although the vectorized MC algorithm greatly reduces the occurrence of thread divergence thus enhancing the warp execution efficiency, the overall simulation speed is roughly ten times slower than the history-based MC code on GPUs. Profiling results suggest that the slow speed is probably due to the memory access latency caused by the large amount of global memory transactions. Possible solutions to improve the code efficiency are discussed.
Merricks on the Existence of Human Organisms

Since Merricks believes in human organisms, he needs to explain why the considerations that support BB do not support HO equally well. What is the relevant disanalogy between hypothetical baseballs and hypothetical human organisms? Merricks's answer to this question is this: If baseballs exist, all the facts about them are metaphysically determined by the microphysical facts. By contrast, human organisms, if they exist, have some properties?including consciousness and various more specific conscious mental properties?whose instantiation is not metaphysically determined by the microphysical facts. In the first part of this paper, I will make some critical remarks about Mer ricks's argument for the thesis that consciousness is special in this way. In the second, I will express some doubts about Merricks's claim that if this thesis is true, we have no reason for believing HO. Finally, I will present a dilemma for Merricks's view about the sort of causal efficacy enjoyed by human organisms.
Changes in RNA in the occipital cortex of rats as a function of light and dark during rearing

Hooded rats reared in darkness and then introduced to light showed selectively changed amounts of heavy molecular weight occipital cerebral cortex RNA, without similar changes in frontal cortex. Rats maintained in light, or dark, or changed from light to dark did not show similar effects.
Latency-Associated Nuclear Antigen (LANA) of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Interacts with Origin Recognition Complexes at the LANA Binding Sequence within the Terminal Repeats

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) DNA persists in latently infected cells as an episome via tethering to the host chromosomes. The latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) of KSHV binds to the cis-acting elements in the terminal repeat (TR) region of the genome through its carboxy terminus. Previous studies have demonstrated that LANA is important for episome maintenance and replication of the TR-containing plasmids. Here we report that LANA associates with origin recognition complexes (ORCs) when bound to its 17-bp LANA binding cognate sequence (LBS). Chromatin immunoprecipitation of multiple regions across the entire genome from two KSHV-infected cell lines, BC-3 and BCBL-1, revealed that the ORCs predominantly associated with the chromatin structure at the TR as well as two regions within the long unique region of the genome. Coimmunoprecipitation of ORCs with LANA-specific antibodies shows that ORCs can bind and form complexes with LANA in cells. This association was further supported by in vitro binding studies which showed that ORCs associate with LANA predominantly through the carboxy-terminal DNA binding region. KSHV-positive BC-3 and BCBL-1 cells arrested in G1/S phase showed colocalization of LANA with ORCs. Furthermore, replication of The TR-containing plasmid required both the N- and C termini of LANA in 293 and DG75 cells. Interestingly, our studies did not detect cellular ORCs associated with packaged viral DNA as an analysis of purified virions did not reveal the presence of ORCs, minichromosome maintenance proteins, or LANA.
Islamic bioethics: between sacred law, lived experiences, and state authority.

There is burgeoning interest in the field of “Islamic” bioethics within public and professional circles, and both healthcare practitioners and academic scholars deploy their respective expertise in attempts to cohere a discipline of inquiry that addresses the needs of contemporary bioethics stakeholders while using resources from within the Islamic ethico-legal tradition. This manuscript serves as an introduction to the present thematic issue dedicated to Islamic bioethics. Using the collection of papers as a guide the paper outlines several critical questions that a comprehensive and cohesive Islamic bioethical theory must address: (i) What are the relationships between Islamic law (Sharīʿah), moral theology (uṣūl al-Fiqh), and Islamic bioethics? (ii) What is the relationship between an Islamic bioethics and the lived experiences of Muslims? and (iii) What is the relationship between Islamic bioethics and the state? This manuscript, and the papers in this special collection, provides insight into how Islamic bioethicists and Muslim communities are addressing some of these questions, and aims to spur further dialogue around these overaching questions as Islamic bioethics coalesces into a true field of scholarly and practical inquiry.
VORTEX RINGS AND THE SOLAR GRANULATION

Observations indicate that solar granules have the flow topology of updraft vortex loops. We interpret granule behavior in terms of the mutual and self-interactions of such loops. In particular, the expansion phase that granules commonly undergo is explained by the self-expansion of a vortex ring in a stratified fluid. For a range of granular parameters, we find that the expansion velocity of a vortex ring varies from 0.7 to 1.5 times the maximum surface flow velocity, in agreement with granule observations. We also present speculation on the nature of granule fragmentation.
Molecular Mechanisms for CMT1A Duplication and HNPP Deletion

As the best characterized human genomic disorders, 118 CMT1A and HNPP illustrate several common mechanistic features of genomic rearrangements. These features include the following: (1) Recombination occurs between homologous sequences flanking the duplicated/deleted genomic segment. (2) The evolution of the mammalian genome may result in an architecture consisting of region-specific low-copy repeats that predispose to rearrangement secondary to providing homologous regions as substrate for recombination. (3) Strand exchange occurs preferentially in a region of perfect sequence identity within the flanking repeat sequences. (4) Double-strand breaks likely initiate recombination between the flanking repeats. (5) The mechanism and rate of homologous recombination resulting in DNA rearrangement may differ for male and female gametogenesis. (6) Homologous recombination resulting in DNA rearrangement occurs with high frequency in the human genome. (7) Genomic disorders result from structural features of the human genome and not population specific alleles or founder effects; therefore, genomic disorders appear to occur with equal frequencies in different world populations.
Erosion and Deposition in Turbomachinery

This paper presents a review of erosion and deposition research in turbomachines and the associated degradation in engine performance caused by particulate matter ingestion. Parameters affecting surface material losses as a result of erosion and development of experimental and analytical approaches to predict flowpath erosion and deposition are discussed. Tests results that quantify the effects of temperature, impact particle composition, impact velocity and angle, and surface material composition are reviewed along with particle restitution data (ratios of rebound to impact velocities and angles). Development and application of models using these data to calculate surface erosion in turbomachinery are described. These models predict particle trajectories in turbomachinery passages to determine impact rates, impact velocities, impact angles and uses the experimentally-obtained erosion data to calculate material losses. Literature on the effects of erosion on turbomachine performance and life is surveyed. Mechanisms of particle delivery and attachment upon arrival at turbomachine flowpath surfaces are also discussed along with experiential models that have been developed to predict surface deposit buildup. Delivery to turbine surfaces can occur as a result of inertial flight, as for erosion, but also through transport mechanisms involving turbulence, Brownian diffusion, and thermophoresis. The particle size range, where each of these mechanisms is dominant for delivery to surfaces, is described. The history and experience of developing models that use these mechanisms to quantify particle delivery rates to turbine flow path surfaces is discussed, along with the use of sticking fraction data to determine the amount of material retained on the surfaces after delivery and the resulting deposit buildup rates. Finally, factors that control whether extreme rates of deposition can occur in turbomachinery are described.
Influence of terrestrial vegetation on sediment-forming processes in kettle lakes of west-central Minnesota

The composition, magnetic characteristics, and pollen content of sediments from two small kettle lakes near the prairie-forest border in west-central Minnesota were used to infer changes in terrestrial vegetation, shoreline erosion, eolian inputs, carbonate deposition, and aquatic productivity. Several important changes in sediment stratigraphy coincide closely with changes in the terrestrial pollen assemblage. Accumulation rates of organic, inorganic, and carbonate sediment fractions as well as the concentration of magnetic particulates increased abruptly as prairie replaced pine forest, and decreased gradually throughout the subsequent transitions to oak scrub, and later, mixed woodland. Results suggest that by its mediation of wind exposure, local vegetation may affect (1) influx of eolian particulates, (2) erosion of shorelines, (3) water circulation, and (4) carbonate equilibria. In addition, low rates of accumulation of organic matter and increased humidicity during periods of conifer vegetation suggest that humic matter leached from forest soils may influence lake-water chemistry and reduce productivity. Changes in lake level caused by differential rates of evapotranspiration of the various vegetation types (conifer forest, deciduous hardwood forest, brush scrub, and prairie) could not be detected. Sediment-forming processes can therefore be altered by changes in local terrestrial vegetation through several mechanisms that are independent of changes in lake level.
Commentary: the next generation is overdue.

In effect, this article flicks a deft glove in the face of traditional research approaches that proceed in lock-step fashion from early proof-of-concept studies to small pilot studies and controlled investigations, eventually culminating in large-scale tests across multiple communities. But before either picking up or ignoring Rotheram-Borus and Duan’s (2003) gauntlet, let us examine the merits of their arguments. The justification undergirding their argument is that “efficacious” interventions most often are not disseminated, a problem likely to worsen as more interventions are developed. No argument here, and their concerns mirror those of many others, including the Surgeon General (U.S. Public Health Service, 2000). Rotheram-Borus and Duan suggest that our failure to disseminate interventions rests with four principal barriers: (1) dependence of successful disseminations upon efforts of persistent investigators (which most investigators are not, from the authors’ dissemination perspective); (2) failure to specify all theories and behavior change ingredients embedded in the intervention; (3) failure to consider the necessary steps to secure consumers’ participation in the intervention, as well as other factors needed to sustain the intervention over time; and (4) problems related to intervention fidelity, worsened by the absence of clear
Equipoise and the criteria for reasonable action.

Critics of clinical equipoise have long argued that it represents an overly permissive, and therefore morally unacceptable, mechanism for resolving the tensions inherent in clinical research. In particular, the equipoise requirement is often attacked on the grounds that it is not sufficiently responsive to the interests of individual patients. In this paper, we outline a view of equipoise that not only withstands a stronger version of this objection, which was recently articulated by Deborah Hellman, but also plays important roles in clarifying the discussion.
Simulation of hemodynamics and regulatory mechanisms in the cardiovascular system based on a nonlinear and time-varying model

Software is developed to simulate pressure- flow relationships and regulatory mecha nisms in the cardiovascular system. The core of the software is a set of state equations that characterizes the c...
Investigation of periodicity in crisis intervention calls over an eight-year span.

Over an 8-yr. period 36,268 calls were received by the Crisis Intervention Center of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between lunar phases and crisis calls. Pearson correlations were performed but no significant values were obtained. Exploratory Fourier analyses showed trends in the data not related to lunar phases. Findings appear consistent with those of other investigations of lunar influence on human behavior.
Expression of the nuclear transport protein importin ß-1 and its association with the neurokinin 3 receptor in the rat hypothalamus following acute hyperosmotic challenge

The tachykinin NK3 receptor (NK3R) is a G-protein coupled receptor that is activated, internalized, and trafficked to the nuclei of magnocellular neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) in response to acute hyperosmolarity. The lack of information on the nuclear import pathway raises concerns about the physiological role of nuclear NK3R. NK3R contains a nuclear localizing sequence (NLS) and this raises the possibility that importins are involved in transport of NK3R through the nuclear pore complex. The following experiments utilized: (1) co-immunoprecipitation to determine if NK3R is associated with importin s-1 following activation in response to acute hyperosmolarity in vivo, and (2) immuno-neutralization of importin s-1 in vitro to determine if nuclear transport of NK3R was blocked. Rats were given an i.v. injection of hypertonic saline (2 M) and 10 min after the infusion, the PVN was removed and homogenized. Importin s-1 co-immunoprecipitated with the NK3R following treatment with 2 M NaCl, but not following isotonic saline treatment. Immuno-neutralization of importin s-1 decreased the transport of NK3R into the nuclei in a time dependent fashion. The results indicate that in response to acute hyperosmotic challenge, NK3R associates with importin s-1 which enables the nuclear transport of NK3R. This is the first in vivo study linking importin s-1 and the nuclear transport of a G protein coupled receptor, the NK3R, in brain.
Platybasia associated with an unusual case of pulmonary tuberculosis; report of a case with necropsy.

(1)Platybasia associated with an unusual case of pulmonary tuberculosis is reported and the possibility of a congenital mediastinal defect is also discussed. (2)The basilary invagination in this case apparently influenced the respiratory center by a depressing effect on the response of the respiratory rate to stimulation. (3)It is advisable that careful search for platybasia be made in every case with degenerative changes of the spinal cord. (4)The necropsy in this case confirmed our clinical diagnoses of platybasia and pulmonary tuberculosis with bilateral pneumothorax and pneumoperitoneum.
Religiosity/spirituality: Relationships with non-suicidal self-harm behaviors and attempted suicide.

Background:The relationships between religiosity/spirituality (RS) and self-harm behavior, including non-suicidal self-harm behavior (NS-SHB) and suicide attempts/completions, remain of keen intere...
Tracer curves and the residence time distribution

Abstract For a pulse input the shape of the output tracer curve depends on the way tracer is distributed across the flowing fluid, and the way it is measured. This paper properly relates the different curves which may be obtained for flows with negligible cross diffusion, and shows which one of these represents directly the residence time distribution of the flowing fluid.
Perceived Built Environment and Physical Activity in U.S. Women by Sprawl and Region

Background A number of studies have demonstrated relationships between the perceived built environment and physical activity among adults. However, little is known about whether these associations differ by U.S. region and level of urban sprawl. Purpose To examine associations between the perceived built environment and physical activity in U.S. women by region and urban sprawl. Methods Nurses' Health Study II participants (N=68,968) completed four perceived neighborhood environment survey items in 2005. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations with meeting physical activity recommendations, adjusting for demographic and weight-status variables, and stratifying by region and sprawl. Data analyses were completed in 2011. Results Perceived proximity to shops/stores was positively associated with physical activity across regions and levels of sprawl (ORs=1.21–1.46). Perceived access to recreation facilities was also a positive physical activity correlate in most region–sprawl strata, with strongest relationships found in the West (ORs=1.31–1.70). Perceived crime and presence of sidewalks did not show statistically significant associations with physical activity in most region–sprawl strata, although ORs for perceived crime showed a consistent pattern of negative associations (ORs=0.60–0.95). A higher number of positive environmental attributes was associated with a greater odds of meeting physical activity recommendations. Conclusions Findings indicate that perceived proximity to shops/stores and access to recreation facilities are important correlates of physical activity for women, irrespective of region or sprawl.