cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Macroscale assembly of peptide nanotubes

Simple oligopeptides that self-assemble into homogeneous nanotubes can be directed to further assemble into macroscale parallel arrays through protein “salting out” strategies.
Raman studies on the interaction of the reactants with the platinum nanoparticle surface during the nanocatalyzed electron transfer reaction.

Raman studies are conducted to understand the specific interactions between the individual reactants and the platinum nanoparticle surface during the nanocatalyzed electron transfer reaction betwee...
Partial Fractions, Binomial Coefficients, and the Integral of an Odd Power of sec θ

(2002). Partial Fractions, Binomial Coefficients, and the Integral of an Odd Power of sec θ. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 109, No. 8, pp. 746-749.
Na+/K+-ATPase Pumping Mechanism: Insights from Simulations

The Na+/K+-ATPase resides in the plasma membrane and maintains the physiological K+ and Na+ concentration gradient across the cell membrane. It functions via a ping-pong mechanism, making iterative transitions between inward-facing (E1) and outward-facing (E2) conformations. The E1 conformation binds three Na+ from the cytosol and exports them using the energy from ATP hydrolysis. The release of Na+ and the binding of K+ at the extracellular side trigger the structural transition to the E2(K2) state, which imports two K+, followed by the pump returning to the E1 conformation. Although the broad features of the pumping cycle are known, the transition mechanisms between the conformational states and why a given state preferentially binds K+ or Na+, two monovalent cations of very similar radius, is not understood. Starting from the available x-ray structures of the Na+/K+-ATPase and the SERCA Ca2+-pump, we use anisotropic network model pathway calculations and targeted molecular dynamics simulations to generate atomic models of the outward facing Na+/K+-ATPase, Na3E2-P and K2E2-P. Qualitative support of the models comes from a recent Na+/K+-ATPase x-ray structure and previous mutagenesis data. In addition to this, the gating charge and dissociation constants of the extracellular Na+/K+ binding calculated using the models are in excellent agreement with experimental data as well. The model generation process also produces the occlusion/de-occlusion transition pathways upon ion binding. To study the change in ion selectivity during the occlusion/de-occlusion process, free energy perturbation calculations are performed. The results reveal the molecular determinants of the 3Na-2K stoichiometry of the Na+/K+-ATPase.
Acculturation and Alcohol Treatment in Ethnic Minority Populations: Assessment Issues and Implications

ABSTRACT The roles of culture and ethnicity are crucial for understanding the relevance of personal and social factors involved in the drinking patterns of individuals. Research has shown that acculturative stress is associated with poorer health outcomes and may be linked to problematic drinking. This article briefly outlines issues including the construct of acculturation, measuring acculturation, and understanding the implications that it has with alcohol use in ethnic minorities. A study is presented that illustrates the association between acculturation and drinking patterns in older White and Hispanic veterans. Greater levels of past drinking were associated with more acculturation into the mainstream U.S. society for the Hispanic veterans. For the White veterans, greater levels of past drinking were associated with greater perceived discrimination and less comfort in mainstream U.S. society. Based on the literature, implications for clinical treatment are presented. Clinicians are called upon to un...
The electrocardiogram as a diagnostic discriminator for acute tricyclic antidepressant poisoning.

Ever since the “classic” or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have been used in clinical medicine, the potential for cardiac toxicity and subsequent life-threatening dysrrhythmias has been recognize...
Prototypic disorders of gastrointestinal mucosal immune function: Celiac disease and Crohn's disease

Celiac disease is a disorder of the small intestine characterized by chronic inflammation of the mucosa and protean clinical manifestations caused by loss of tolerance to dietary antigens. Two strongly associated cofactors have been identified: the presence of HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 in the host and specific antigenic peptides in the diet that are present in wheat, rye, and barley. Most patients have complete remission after dietary elimination of these foods. Crohn's disease is characterized by chronic, relapsing, recurrent, focal, transmural inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that can lead to multiple serious problems requiring chronic medical and surgical therapy. Crohn's disease is associated with multiple genetic mutations, at least one of which has been clearly implicated in innate immunity. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that the disease involves abnormal immune responses to gut microbial flora.
History and evolution of TMD concepts

Historically the field of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) has been based on testimonials, clinical opinion, and blind faith rather than on science. Reparative procedures to the joints, jaws, or occlusal surfaces of the teeth to develop idealized structural relationships that may be required for dental health and function are less likely to be required for the management of chronic musculoskeletal disorders. Because of the concerns of many people today regarding professional credibility and intellectual honesty, the need for a scientific foundation to support the various belief systems is of paramount importance. In fact, therapeutic approaches for TMD are undergoing a major evolution away from the traditional mechanistic dental concepts of the past to the more current biopsychosocial medical concepts that emphasize multidisciplinary approaches. Recent advances in the understanding of pain mechanisms and management of chronic pain have improved long-term treatment outcome. The emphasis is on treatment that involves the patient in the physical and behavioral management of their own problem. The majority of patients with TMD achieve good relief of their symptoms with noninvasive, conservative therapy.
Hemodynamic and electrophysiologic effects of combined infusion of lidocaine and propafenone in humans.

The hemodynamic and electrophysiologic effect of a combined intravenous infusion of lidocaine (100 mg bolus followed by 2 mg/min infusion) and propafenone (1 or 2 mg/kg) in patients with a history of ventricular arrhythmia was studied. Lidocaine infusion alone significantly increased the mean pulmonary artery (+28%) and pulmonary capillary wedge (+17%) pressure, with no effect on cardiac index. Lidocaine alone produced no consistent change in any measured electrophysiologic parameter, except slight QTc shortening (-2%, P less than .05). Propafenone alone, particularly at the higher dose (2 mg/kg), produced significant increases in mean blood pressure (+14%), right atrial pressure (+78%), pulmonary artery pressure (+50%), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (+65%), systemic vascular resistance (+29%), and pulmonary vascular resistance (+61%) and a decrease in cardiac index (-12%). Significant prolongation of PR (+9%), AH (+29%), and HV (+23%) intervals, atrial functional refractory period (+12%), ventricular effective (+7%) and functional (+6%) refractory period, and Wenckebach cycle length (+13%) also occurred after the administration of propafenone alone. Only the effects on atrioventricular (AV) node were observed at the lower dose of propafenone (1 mg/kg). Combined infusion of lidocaine with propafenone produced a mild, statistically insignificant additional negative inotropic effect but reversed the prolongation in atrial and ventricular refractoriness produced by propafenone alone. Thus, the data show that lidocaine attenuates certain electrophysiologic effects of propafenone, which might alter its antiarrhythmic efficacy, while producing mild additive negative inotropic effects that may be of hemodynamic significance.
Coffee drinking and cigarette smoking: I. Coffee, caffeine and cigarette smoking behavior.

Abstract Two experiments designed to assess the relationship between coffee intake and smoking are reported. In Experiment I, coffee drinking smokers were randomly assigned to four groups in which they received 0, 1, 2, or 3 cups of coffee during two one-hour sessions while they worked on crossword puzzles. Results showed that subjects receiving coffee in any amount smoked more than subjects who were not provided coffee. Moderate and low rate smokers were then randomly assigned to one of five groups in Experiment II, in which they were provided no drink, water, Postum® (a coffee substitute), caffeinated, or decaffeinated coffee. These groups were selected to assess the characteristics of coffee that may have influenced increased smoking. Results for number of cigarettes smoked and puff rate generally showed that subjects receiving caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee smoked more than subjects in the no drink or water control groups. The results of this study provide experimental evidence of the role of coffee in setting the occasion for smoking, as well as ruling out the presence of a liquid or caffeine as the important characteristics of coffee in influencing smoking.
Enhanced cadmium cytotoxicity in A549 cells with reduced glutathione levels is due to neither enhanced cadmium accumulation nor reduced metallothionein synthesis.

Glutathione (GSH) depletion sensitizes human lung carcinoma (A549-727) cells to the cytotoxic effects of Cd++. The effects of GSH depletion on Cd++ accumulation and Cd+-induced metallothionein (MT) content were investigated to determine the possible role of these Cd++ responses in the sensitization process. Cellular GSH was depleted to 20% to 25% of control levels with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), or diethyl maleate (DEM), respectively. Neither treatment significantly affected Cd++-induced accumulation of exogenous35s-cysteine into intracellular MT in a dose-dependent fashion. The results indicate that neither enhanced Cd++ accumulation nor reduced MT synthesis plays a primary role in affecting enhanced Cd++ cytotoxicity in A549 cells with reduced GSH levels. Although BSO inhibition of GSH synthesis enhanced MT synthesis, it sensitized the cells to Cd++, which suggests an additive effect of GSH and MT in cadmium cytoprotection. This observation also raises the possibility that intracellular cysteine levels limit Cd++-induced MT accumulation rates.
Spallation of Aluminum by 28-GeV Protons

In the bombardment of Al foils with 28-GeV protons the following cross sections (in mb) for production of the indicated nuclides were obtained: ${\mathrm{Be}}^{7}$, 7.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5; ${\mathrm{F}}^{18}$, 6.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3; ${\mathrm{C}}^{11}$, 4.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2; ${\mathrm{Na}}^{22}$, 9.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.6; ${\mathrm{N}}^{13}$, 1.18\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.07; ${\mathrm{Na}}^{24}$, 8.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5; ${\mathrm{O}}^{15}$, 3.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.0; ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{27}$, 0.067\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.006. An upper limit for the ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{24}$ cross section of 0.6 mb was obtained. The ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{27}$ cross section has been corrected for secondary reactions and represents only production by primary protons, presumably by the ($p, p{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$) reaction. The measurements were made relative to the production of ${\mathrm{C}}^{11}$ activity in polyethylene and polystyrene foils. The production of ${\mathrm{Be}}^{7}$ in the plastic foils was also observed and corresponds to a cross section of 7.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.4 mb per carbon nucleus. By comparison of these cross sections with those at lower bombarding energies, no significant trend of the excitation functions is observable.
Biodiversity in southern Wisconsin storm-water retention ponds: Correlations with watershed cover and productivity

Abstract This research is based on the management principle that watershed land cover is a better predictor of pond biodiversity than primary productivity. Ponds in watersheds with more than 30% lawn cover have few zooplankton species, no macrophytes, no snails, and no amphibians. A recent meta-analysis generated the hypothesis that watershed (catchment basin) land cover is a better predictor of lake biodiversity than traditional predictors (such as in-lake primary productivity) if the watershed includes human development (agriculture, residential, or urban). This hypothesis was tested via a field survey of 23 similar-sized artificial ponds in southern Wisconsin. The ponds had similar climate and geology, but differed in the relative proportions of land cover in the watershed. Twelve environmental variables (including pond area, depth, and primary productivity surrogates) and seven watershed land cover variables were correlated with biodiversity measures of seven major aquatic communities. Percent lawn co...
Social Cognition and Social Responsiveness in 10-month-old Infants

In this study, we investigated relations between infants’ understanding of intentional actions and measures of social responsiveness during a transitional period, 9- to 11-months. Infants (N = 52) were tested in visual habituation paradigms tapping their understanding of the relation between a person and the object of her attention. Measures of social responsiveness included orienting to the target of another’s attention, point production, and supported joint attention in parent–child play. Infants’ responses to the habituation events were related to their social responsiveness. Distinct factors for understanding actions and social responsiveness as relational were revealed. Infants who produced object-directed points were more likely to understand pointing as relational, and infants who engaged in high amounts of shared attention were more likely to understand gaze. Infants’ tendency to orient in response to an adult’s gaze shifts and points was unrelated to their understanding of gaze and pointing. These findings elucidate the ways in which social cognition and social responsiveness, although distinct, are related in development.
The “Great Issues” Course at Dartmouth College

Dartmouth's new required course for seniors, called “Great Issues,” is avowedly an exercise in training for more effective citizenship. Its twofold purpose is to arouse in students a greater sense of public-mindedness and to make them more competent in the use and evaluation of the common sources of public information. Thus the Great Issues course, dealing with college students at the moment of their greatest undergraduate maturity, is pointed toward the problems of citizenship which beset a person in his adult years, just as it is also pointed toward the problems of adult education. It might, therefore, be described as an attempt to facilitate the transition from the methods of undergraduate instruction to the methods which adult citizens have to rely upon in securing the information necessary for making well-informed decisions.The principal textbook in the course is the daily and Sunday editions of either the New York Times or the New York Herald Tribune, according to the students choice. Other reading assignments are such official or semi-official publications as the Acheson-Lilienthal report, the Supreme Court decision and minority opinion in Everson v. The Board of Education of the Township of Ewing, and To Secure These Rights. Students are required also to read in entirety designated numbers of such magazines as the Atlantic, Harper's, Saturday Review of Literature, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, The Nation, and Foreign Affairs, as well as a few particularly apposite current books.
Molecular-dynamics simulations of collisions between energetic clusters of atoms and metal substrates.

The collisional dynamics between clusters of Cu, Ni, or Al atoms, with energies of 92 eV to 1.0 keV and sizes of 4 to 92 atoms, and substrates of these same metals were studied using molecular-dynamics computer simulations. A diverse behavior was observed, depending sensitively on the size and energy of the cluster, the elastic and chemical properties of the cluster-substrate combination, and the relative mass of the cluster and substrate atoms. For the 92-atom Cu clusters impacting a Cu substrate, the cluster can form a ``glob'' on the surface at low energy, while penetrating the substrate and heavily deforming it at high energies. When the cluster energy exceeds \ensuremath{\approxeq}25 eV/atom, the substrate suffers radiation damage. The 92-atom Al clusters do not much deform Ni substrates, but rather tend to spread epitaxially over the surface, despite the 15% lattice mismatch. For 1-keV collisions, several Al atoms dissociate from the cluster, either reflecting into the vacuum or scattering over the surface. 326-eV Ni clusters embed themselves almost completely within Al substrates and form localized amorphous zones. The potentials for these simulations were derived from the embedded-atom method, although modified to treat the higher-energy events. IAb initioP linear-combination-of-atomic-orbitals--molecular-orbitals calculations were employed to test these potentials over a wide range of energies. A simple model for the expected macroscopic behavior of cluster-solid interactions is included as an appendix for a comparison with the atomistic description offered by the simulations.
NA ABSORPTION ACROSS ENDOMETRIAL EPITHELIAL CELLS IS STIMULATED BY CAMP-DEPENDENT ACTIVATION OF AN INWARDLY RECTIFYING K CHANNEL

Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that Na absorption across the porcine endometrium is stimulated by PGF2α and cAMP-dependent activation of a barium-sensitive K channel located in the basolateral membrane of surface epithelial cells. In this study, we identify and characterize this basolateral, barium-sensitive K conductance. Porcine uterine tissues were mounted in Ussing chambers and bathed with KMeSO4 Ringer solution. Amphotericin B (70 μm) was added to the luminal solution to permeabilize the apical membrane and determine the current-voltage relationship of the basolateral K conductance after activation by 100 μm CPT-cAMP. An inwardly rectifying current was identified which possessed a reversal potential of −53 mV when standard Ringer solution was used to bathe the serosal surface. The K:Na selectivity ratio was calculated to be 12:1. Administration of 5 mm barium to the serosal solution completely inhibited the current activated by cAMP under these conditions. In addition to these experiments, amphotericin-perforated whole cell patch clamp recordings were obtained from primary cultures of porcine surface endometrial cells. The isolated cells displayed an inwardly rectifying current under basal conditions. This current was significantly stimulated by CPT-cAMP and blocked by barium. These results together with our previous studies demonstrate that cAMP increases Na absorption in porcine endometrial epithelial cells by activating an inwardly rectifying K channel present in the basolateral membrane. Similar patch clamp experiments were conducted using cells from a human endometrial epithelial cell line, RL95-2. An inwardly rectifying current was also identified in these cells which possessed a reversal potential of −56 mV when the cells were bathed in standard Ringer solution. This current was blocked by barium as well as cesium. However, the current from the human cells did not appear to be activated by cAMP, indicating that distinct subtypes of inwardly rectifying K channels are present in endometrial epithelial cells from different species.
The detection of clinically relevant contact allergens using a standard screening tray of twenty-three allergens

Abstract Background: The current standard tool for diagnosing allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in the United States is the T.R.U.E. test panels, which consist of 23 allergens. Previous studies have raised concern regarding the adequacy of these panels in fully assessing patients with possible ACD. Objective: We sought to examine the use of the T.R.U.E. test allergens as the primary diagnostic method for detecting ACD. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients with possible ACD who presented to the University of Kansas' Section on Occupational and Contact Dermatitis in Kansas City, Kansas, and subsequently underwent patch testing from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 2001. Patients with positive allergic reactions were stratified into 3 groups: (1) reactions only to allergens on the T.R.U.E. test; (2) reactions only to allergens not present on the T.R.U.E. test; and (3) reactions to allergens on the T.R.U.E. test and additional allergens. These 3 groups were further analyzed to assess clinical relevance. Results: Of the 898 patients who were patch tested, 616 (68.6%) had at least 1 positive allergic reaction. Among these 616 patients, 25.5% would have been fully evaluated using the T.R.U.E. test allergens only. Of the remaining patients, 22.4% would not have had any of their allergens detected and 52.1% would have only been partially evaluated had only the T.R.U.E. test allergens been used. Similar percentages were observed when only patients with clinically relevant reactions were included. Conclusions: In our study, the current T.R.U.E. test series of 23 allergens would have completely identified all allergens in only 25.5% of patients and clinically relevant allergens in 28% of patients. Expanding the number of allergens used according to a patient's environment and history will lead to improved outcome in the treatment and prevention of ACD. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2003;49:65-9.)
Optimization of foraging multi-agent system front: A flux-based curve evolution method

Numerous social foragers form a foraging front that sweeps through the aggregation of prey. Based on this strategy, and using variational arguments, we develop an algorithm to provide a group-level specification of the shape of the sweeping front for a foraging multi-robot system. The presented flux-based algorithm has the desired property of generating more regular shapes than previously introduced algorithms.
Chronic Subjective Dizziness Versus Conversion Disorder: Discussion of Clinical Findings and Rehabilitation

Purpose Audiologists frequently encounter patients who complain of chronic dizziness or imbalance, in the absence of active vestibular or neurological deficits. Knowledge about conditions that cause this clinical presentation will allow audiologists to make important contributions to accurate diagnosis and effective management of these patients. This article reviews 2 such conditions, chronic subjective dizziness (CSD) and conversion disorder. Method A case of CSD and another of conversion disorder are presented, with a literature review of their clinical presentations, key diagnostic features, and treatment strategies. The role of the audiologist in assessing patients with these conditions and facilitating appropriate treatment referrals is discussed. Conclusions The audiologist is in a key position to identify individuals with CSD and conversion disorder, 2 conditions that can be effectively managed if properly recognized. The authors demonstrate an effective team approach program that includes the audi...
Direction of Assimilation in Child Consonant Harmony

In child language, consonants often assimilate in primary place of articulation across intervening vowels. In adult language, primary place assimilation occurs only between adjacent consonants. In both cases, the first consonant usually assimilates to the second. The standard analysis of directionality of local assimilation in Optimality Theory uses positional faithfulness to protect the second consonant. In this article, it is argued that directionality in child language assimilation is due not to positional faithfulness, but to a markedness constraint that specifies that a consonant preceding a dorsal must agree in place of articulation with it. Along with directionality, this constraint accounts for cases in which dorsals, but not labials, trigger assimilation, which occurs in Korean as well as in child language. Differences between the attested types of assimilation in adult and child language can be explained by differences in the activity of positional faithfulness in the two domains. Dans le parler de l'enfant, l'assimilation consonantique du lieu principal d'articulation se produit souvent independamment de la presence d'une voyelle entre les consonnes. Chez les adultes, cette assimilation ne se produit qu'entre consonnes adjacentes. Dans les deux cas, la premiere s'assimile generalement a la deuxieme. L'analyse standard de la directionnalite de l'assimilation locale dans la theorie de l'optimalite veut que la seconde consonne soit protegee par la «preservation positionnelle.» Dans cet article, il est propose que la directionnalite dans l'assimilation chez les enfants ne releve pas de la preservation positionnelle, mais bien d'une contrainte de marque specifiant qu'une consonne precedant une dorsale doit prendre son point d'articulation. De plus, cette contrainte rend compte des cas ou les dorsales, mais non les labiales, causent l'assimilation, un phenomene observable tant en coreen que dans le langage des enfants. Certaines differences entre les types d'assimilation attestes chez les adultes et chez les enfants peuvent etre expliquees par des differences dans l'effet de la preservation positionnelle dans chacune des populations.
Place and route for massively parallel hardware-accelerated functional verification

Hardware acceleration is a critical component in any modern functional verification methodology. To achieve the best possible utilization, a compiler must intelligently map a logical netlist to the various resources available in the machine architecture. For instance, instructions that serve to route signals between processors must be carefully balanced with those that encode Boolean operations. In addition, chip-to-chip communication should be reduced whilst also ensuring that logic is appropriately partitioned to be executed concurrently. This process is exacerbated by hard constraints on accelerator capacity, as well as rapidly growing industrial designs that approach billions of gates in size. In this paper, we present several compilation strategies that optimize resource allocation to curtail simulation depth, leverage design hierarchy to reduce runtime and memory, and exploit parallel processing to further improve performance. We also review the history of hardware acceleration within IBM, and describe the evolution in architecture that has driven many of these advances in compilation.
Cultural Differences in the Impact of Social Support on Psychological and Biological Stress Responses

Social support is believed to be a universally valuable resource for combating stress, yet Asians and Asian Americans report that social support is not helpful to them, resist seeking it, and are underrepresented among recipients of supportive services. We distinguish between explicit social support (seeking and using advice and emotional solace) and implicit social support (focusing on valued social groups) and show that Asians and Asian Americans are psychologically and biologically benefited more by implicit social support than by explicit social support; the reverse is true for European Americans. Our discussion focuses on cultural differences in the construal of relationships and their implications for social support and delivery of support services.
Size Reduction of Clay Particles in Nanometer Dimensions

This research work focuses on combining ball milling and ultrasonication to produce nano-size clay particles. Our work also emphasizes on increasing the specific surface area of montmorillonite clay particles by reducing the particle size to nanometer dimensions. We have characterized the as-received clay particles by using particle size analysis based on laser diffraction and found that the size of the clay particles is not consistent and the particle size distribution is very broad. However, after the unique treatment and processing, the clay particles were obtained in nanometer dimensions with narrowed particle size distribution.
Collagen reorganization at the tumor-stromal interface facilitates local invasion

Stromal-epithelial interactions are of particular significance in breast tissue as misregulation of these interactions can promote tumorigenesis and invasion. Moreover, collagen-dense breast tissue increases the risk of breast carcinoma, although the relationship between collagen density and tumorigenesis is not well understood. As little is known about epithelial-stromal interactions in vivo, it is necessary to visualize the stroma surrounding normal epithelium and mammary tumors in intact tissues to better understand how matrix organization, density, and composition affect tumor formation and progression. Epithelial-stromal interactions in normal mammary glands, mammary tumors, and tumor explants in three-dimensional culture were studied with histology, electron microscopy, and nonlinear optical imaging methodologies. Imaging of the tumor-stromal interface in live tumor tissue ex vivo was performed with multiphoton laser-scanning microscopy (MPLSM) to generate multiphoton excitation (MPE) of endogenous fluorophores and second harmonic generation (SHG) to image stromal collagen. We used both laser-scanning multiphoton and second harmonic generation microscopy to determine the organization of specific collagen structures around ducts and tumors in intact, unfixed and unsectioned mammary glands. Local alterations in collagen density were clearly seen, allowing us to obtain three-dimensional information regarding the organization of the mammary stroma, such as radiating collagen fibers that could not have been obtained using classical histological techniques. Moreover, we observed and defined three tumor-associated collagen signatures (TACS) that provide novel markers to locate and characterize tumors. In particular, local cell invasion was found predominantly to be oriented along certain aligned collagen fibers, suggesting that radial alignment of collagen fibers relative to tumors facilitates invasion. Consistent with this observation, primary tumor explants cultured in a randomly organized collagen matrix realigned the collagen fibers, allowing individual tumor cells to migrate out along radially aligned fibers. The presentation of these tumor-associated collagen signatures allowed us to identify pre-palpable tumors and see cells at the tumor-stromal boundary invading into the stroma along radially aligned collagen fibers. As such, TACS should provide indications that a tumor is, or could become, invasive, and may serve as part of a strategy to help identify and characterize breast tumors in animal and human tissues.
Assessment of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Status and Potential for Biomarkers

BCAAs are not synthesized in the body in humans, but they are crucial in protein and neurotransmitter synthesis. The protein anabolic role of BCAAs seems to be mediated not only by their important role as a promoter of the translation process (and possibly acting at the transcription level) but also by inhibition of protein degradation. Leucine may play a critical role in these signaling pathways. Supplementation with BCAAs spares lean body mass during weight loss, promotes wound healing, may decrease muscle wasting with aging, and may have beneficial effects in renal and liver disease. BCAA supplementation is extensively used in the athletic field with the assumption of improved performance and muscle mass. Measuring serum BCAAs has limited clinical utility beyond the controlled setting because levels are affected by a variety of clinical states, and optimal levels in these scenarios have not been completely elucidated. We discuss the effects diet, hormones, stress, aging, and renal or liver dysfunction have on BCAA levels and how understanding the biological effects of BCAAs may help to develop biomarkers of BCAA status. We also discuss potential biomarkers of BCAA status.
Energy-Aware Duplication Strategies for Scheduling Precedence-Constrained Parallel Tasks on Clusters

Optimizing energy consumption has become a major concern in designing economical clusters. Scheduling precedence-constrained parallel tasks on clusters is challenging because of high communication overhead. Although duplication-based strategies are applied to minimize communication overhead, most of them merely consider schedule lengths, completely ignoring energy consumption of clusters. In this regard, we propose two energy-aware duplication scheduling algorithms, called EADUS and TEBUS, to schedule precedence-constrained parallel tasks. Unlike existing duplication-based scheduling algorithms that replicate all possible predecessors of each task, the proposed algorithms judiciously replicate predecessors only if the duplication can help in conserving energy. Our energy-aware scheduling strategies are conducive to balancing the scheduling length and energy consumption of precedence-constrained parallel tasks. Extensive experimental results based on real-world applications demonstrate the effectiveness and practicality of the proposed scheduling strategies.
Distance Education and Special Education: Promises, Practices, and Potential Pitfalls

Shortages of trained personnel in special education are widely recognized. This need typically translates to special education programs as efforts to increase the numbers of professionals who are appropriately prepared to teach students with disabilities. The difficulty of increasing on-campus sections to respond effectively to the escalating need for more and better trained teachers, has in some cases led to an increased emphasis on alternative ways to deliver required course work. Distance learning is one such alternative. Distance learning can be defined as the separation of the learner from the instructor in location (learner and instructor in different rooms or at different sites), and, in some instances, by time. The promise of distance learning offers an attractive alternative for increasing the numbers of appropriately prepared special education personnel by making college-level instruction easier to receive. Current practices support synchronous communication (e.g., two-way audio, two-way video i...
Engineering change (EC) technology for thin film metallurgy on polyimide films

Engineering change in multichip modules such as the IBM Thermal Conduction Module (TCM) requires making new nets on the top surface of the module. This is done either to repair opens or shorts in the internal nets or to correct design errors. Since the trend in multichip packaging in the high end is towards thin-film wiring with polyimide as the dielectric, wire-bond and laser delete processes compatible with thin-film metallurgy on polyimide films are required to carry out engineering change. The authors describe the results of a technology-development effort to optimize these processes on a metal/polyimide thin-film structure. >
Japan's Dual Civil Society: Members Without Advocates

Japan's Dual Civil Society: Members Without Advocates. By Robert Pekkanen. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2006. 280p. 24.95 paper.How does a state regulate or promote civil society? Does a non-Western, industrialized state play a different role in this regard than that of advanced industrialized states in the West? How does an unconventional form of civil society affect polity? Robert Pekkanen's book touches on these and other questions of great interest to the field of comparative politics.
Agricultural Production and Output per Worker in Hungary, 1870–1913

The countries of non-Russian “Communist Eastern Europe” present the economic historian with a fascinating field for study. This opportunity has, judging from English-language journals at least, largely gone unexploited. Moreover, although Eastern Europe remained a predominantly agrarian region up to the most recent times, the existing literature concentrates heavily on finance, trade, and industry. It is in the hope of contributing to the discussion of Eastern European economic history, most particularly some of its agricultural aspects, that this article has been written.
Durable clinical, cytogenetic, and molecular remissions after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for refractory Sezary syndrome and mycosis fungoides.

Purpose Sezary syndrome (SS) and tumor-stage mycosis fungoides (MF) are generally incurable with currently available treatments. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) in this patient population. Patient and Methods From August 1996 through October 2002, eight patients with advanced MF/SS underwent allogeneic HSCT at our institution. All patients were heavily pretreated, having failed a median number of seven prior therapies (range, five to 12). Clonal T-cell populations in peripheral blood or bone marrow were detectable by polymerase chain reaction analyses of T-cell receptor γ-chain gene rearrangements in six patients and cytogenetics in three patients. The conditioning regimen included total-body irradiation and cyclophosphamide (n = 3), busulfan and cyclophosphamide (n = 1), and the reduced-intensity regimen of fludarabine and melphalan (n = 4). Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells were obtained from HLA-matched siblings (...
Developing benchmark models for studying the integration of distributed energy resources

The widespread use of distributed energy resources (DER) relies on methods and techniques aimed at facilitating the network integration of DER. In this context a methodology for the evaluation of the quality and relative merits of these methods and techniques is missing. CIGRE Task Force C6.04.02, which is affiliated with CIGRE Study Committee C6, has addressed this problem. A set of resource and network benchmarks is proposed in order to model a wide spectrum of real-world DER integration problems and to create and evaluate solutions to these problems. In the present paper, the development of these benchmarks is introduced.
Group judgment processes and outcomes in video-conferencing vs. face-to-face groups

Groups of size three completed an estimation task by interacting either face-to face or via a video-conferencing system. Results show significant differences were found in the confidence attached by groups to their decisions. Compared to face-to face groups, video-conferencing groups showed smaller increases in confidence in their decisions, especially if they were instructed to discuss their beliefs and assumptions underlying their estimates and not the estimates themselves. However, this confidence was more appropriate than that of the face-to face groups. Further, video-conferencing groups reported modifying more of their beliefs during discussion. However, there were no significant differences between the two interaction media on the following outcome dimensions: accuracy; over-confidence; size of credible intervals; or improvement over average initial individual estimates. Implications for the design and application of advanced systems for decision-making support and research are discussed.
Systematics of the Common Kingsnake ( Lampropeltis getula ; Serpentes: Colubridae) and the burden of heritage in taxonomy

3 Corresponding author Abstract We present a systematic revision of the Lampropeltis getula group, based on a recent range-wide phylogeographic analysis. We define our theoretical and operational concepts of species delimitation, and provide diagnoses based on mitochondrial DNA evidence, ecological niche modeling, morphology, and historical precedence. We find support for the recognition of five distinct species, which bear the name of the nominate subspecies found primarily within the range of each phylogeographic lineage: the Eastern lineage (Lampropeltis getula, Eastern Kingsnake), the Mississippi lineage (L. nigra, Black Kingsnake), the Central lineage (L. holbrooki, Speckled Kingsnake), the Desert lineage (L. splendida, Desert Kingsnake), and the Western lineage (L. californiae, California Kingsnake). Interestingly, all of these taxa had originally been described as distinct species and recognized as such for up to 101 years (in the case of L. californiae) before being demoted to subspecies. We discuss the impact that increasingly detailed genetic information from phylogeographic analyses may have on traditional taxonomy.
Down-regulation of inhibitor of apoptosis levels provides competence for steroid-triggered cell death

A pulse of the steroid hormone ecdysone triggers the destruction of larval salivary glands during Drosophila metamorphosis through a transcriptional cascade that converges on reaper (rpr) and head involution defective (hid) induction, resulting in caspase activation and cell death. We identify the CREB binding protein (CBP) transcriptional cofactor as essential for salivary gland cell death. We show that CBP acts 1 d before the onset of metamorphosis in apparent response to a mid-third instar ecdysone pulse, when CBP is necessary and sufficient for down-regulation of the Drosophila inhibitor of apoptosis 1 (DIAP1). It is only after DIAP1 levels are reduced that salivary glands become competent to die through rpr/hid-mediated cell death. Before this time, high levels of DIAP1 block salivary gland cell death, even in the presence of ectopic rpr expression. This study shows that naturally occurring changes in inhibitor of apoptosis levels can be critical for regulating cell death during development. It also provides a molecular mechanism for the acquisition of competence in steroid signaling pathways.
Separating physical disturbance and nutrient enrichment caused by Pacific salmon in stream ecosystems

SUMMARY 1. Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) deliver marine-derived nutrients to the streams in which they spawn and die, and these resource subsidies can increase the abundance of stream biota. In strong contrast, physical disturbance from salmon spawning activity can reduce the abundance of benthic organisms. Previous experimental designs have not established the relative effects of these two contrasting processes on stream organisms during a salmon run. 2. We combined manipulative and observational field studies to assess the degree of nutrient enrichment, physical disturbance, and the net effect of salmon on the abundance of benthic periphyton. Related salmon-mediated processes were also evaluated for benthic macroinvertebrates. Mesh exclosures (2 · 2 m plots) prevented salmon from disturbing areas of the stream channel, which were compared with areas to which salmon had access. Sampling was conducted both before and during the late-summer spawning run of pink (O. gorbushca) and chum (O. keta) salmon. 3. Streamwater nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations increased sharply with the onset of the salmon run, and highly significant positive relationships were observed between the numbers of salmon present in the stream and these dissolved nutrients. Before the salmon run, periphyton biomass (as chlorophylla) and total macroinvertebrate abundance were very similar between control and exclosure plots. During the salmon run, exclosures departed substantially from controls, suggesting significant disturbance imparted on benthic biota. 4. Comparing exclosures before and during the salmon run enabled us to estimate the effects of salmon in the absence of direct salmon disturbance. This ‘nutrient enrichment potential’ was significant for periphyton biomass, as was a related index for macroinvertebrate abundance (although enhanced invertebrate drift into exclosures during the salmon run could also have been important). Interestingly, however, the net effect of salmon, evaluated by comparing control plots before and during the salmon run, was relatively modest for both periphyton and macroinvertebrates, suggesting that nutrient enrichment effects were largely offset by disturbance. 5. Our results illustrate the importance of isolating the specific mechanisms via which organisms affect ecosystems, and indicate that the relative magnitude of salmon nutrient enrichment and benthic disturbance determines the net effect that these ecologically important fish have on stream ecosystems.
Benchmark tests of Active Disturbance Rejection Control on an industrial motion control platform

The improvement of Active Disturbance Rejection Control over the existing industry controller is benchmarked with the state of the art industrial automation equipment, using the common PLC, drive, and the mechanical transmissions of belt, gear, and direct coupling. All together 168 tests are run at various line speeds, different levels of pulse-like torque disturbance, and with various viscous friction. The results are tabulated for comparison, in terms of integrated absolute error and maximum error observed, and the RMS and peak torque required from the drive motor. In the worst case scenarios, across all variations of mechanical configuration, we observe the performance improvement from just under 20% to 290%, with comparable control efforts. Together with simplicity in the control algorithm itself, the ease of tuning and operation, such improvement establishes ADRC as a viable replacement of the existing industry controller in manufacturing.
Phylogeny of the intertidal aleocharine tribe Liparocephalini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

The tribe Liparocephalini (genera Liparocephalus Maklin, 1853;Diaulota Casey, 1893 [ = Genoplectes Sawada, 1955];Paramblopusa Ahn & Ashe, Amblopusa Casey, 1893;Salinamexus Moore & Legner, 1977 [ = Biophytosus Moore & Legner, 1977]), all of which are exclusively restricted to the Pacific coasts of the Holarctic Region, is hypothesized to be a monophyletic group based on the following synapomorphies: seta v absent (inferred to be lost) from mentum (reversed one time in the Liparocephalus lineage), setae distributed only on mesal surface of galea and apex with setae, one medial seta present on prementum, and contiguous mesocoxal cavities. Natural history and history of the classification of the Liparocephalini are discussed. Phylogenetic analyses of the species of the Liparocephalini are presented based on larval (21 characters, 57 states), adult (49 characters, 115 states), and a combination of larval and adult characters (70 characters, 172 states). Analysis of the combined larval and adult data sets with successive approximation resulted in a single most parsimonious tree (length = 937, CI = 0.885, RI = 0.930) with the following patterns of generic relationships (outgroup (Salinamexus + Biophytosus (Amblopusa (Paramblopusa (Diaulota + Genoplectes, Liparocephalus))))).
Survival Strategies in Solidly Partisan States An Analysis of Centrist Appeals in 2012 U.S. Senate Debates

With the growing number of centrist senators diminishing on Capitol Hill, the next few election cycles will be crucial to the survival of this moderate group of lawmakers. Campaign debate scholars should investigate how vulnerable incumbents construct a centrist issue agenda and image to connect with voters in states ideologically incongruent with the incumbents’ parties. In doing so, debate scholars will also fill the lack of lower-level debate research. Utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods, this analysis examined the debate appeals of Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Scott Brown (R-MA). Findings suggest McCaskill’s issue agenda was congruent with a centrist image in contrast to Brown’s contradictory issue and image messaging. Additionally, centrist incumbents were more likely to acclaim a centrist image than attack their opponents’ partisanship.