cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Properties of linear estimation and filtering

Abstract Linear estimation is expressed equivalently as a curve fitting and smoothing (filtering) procedure. With this perspective a number of properties are examined. These include the nature of estimating functions with particular regard to varying versus fixed weighting coefficients, derivative estimate errors in the presence of random error, and certain conditions for minimum error and coefficient dependence related to the number and type of estimating functions.
Accounting for diversity and holding governments accountable: incorporating ethnicity into local health surveys and public health surveillance systems.

Soz.Praventivmed. 48 (2003) 211–213 0303-8408/03/040211–03 DOI 10.1007/s00038-003-3079-2 © Birkhauser Verlag, Basel, 2003 While the current issue of Social and Preventive Medicine is devoted to social, ethnic, and gender diversity in survey research, the sole research paper from the United States features patterns of body weight in middle-aged and older Americans by gender and race only (Jenkins et al. 2003). This is perhaps not surprising, as racism has been the primary form of group oppression in the United States since its founding over 200 years ago, and race relations continue to permeate virtually every aspect of U.S. life, including health and well being (Cohen & Northridge 2000). In “The condition of the working class in England” first published in 1845, Friedrich Engels noted the poor health and mortality record of the Irish living in England (Engels 2000). Contemporary research in Britain has found that adjustment for social class fails to attenuate the adult mortality differential observed according to place of birth (Davey Smith 2000). And while mortality data are not routinely published by race in South Africa and Zimbabwe – two multiracial societies that dismantled legal discrimination established during the colonial period late in the 20 th century – what data are available show a disproportionate share of black compared to white mortality, and a recent widening of the racial gap due to the growing impoverishment of Blacks, including the devastating toll of AIDS-related mortality (Bassett 2000). Today, data on race and ethnicity are routinely collected in virtually all local health surveys and public health surveillance systems in the United States, to both characterize communities demographically, and to monitor racial/ethnic disparities in population health. Missing are reliable measures of social class, although ongoing efforts to incorporate areabased socio-economic measures derived from the U.S. decennial census into public health surveillance systems hold promise for monitoring, even as they are limited for conducting etiologic research (Krieger et al. 2002). Below I discuss ethnicity with regard to the two main goals of Social and Preventive Medicine, namely: (1) informing public health surveillance systems to better monitor progress and setbacks over time and across populations in eliminating inequalities in health [including by ethnicity]; and (2) publishing data from local health surveys that are collected to inform local programs and target interventions for diverse [ethnic] subgroups.
A Transfer Function Model for Ternary Switching Logic Circuits

Ternary switching functions are formulated as transformations over vector spaces resulting in a characterization in the form of a transfer function. Ternary logic constants are modeled as vectors, thus the transfer functions are of the form of matrices that map vectors representing logic network input values to corresponding output vectors. Techniques for determination of the transfer matrix from a logic switching model or directly from a netlist are provided. The use of transfer matrices for logic network simulation are then developed that allow for multiple output responses to be obtained through a single vector-matrix product calculation.
Low frequency epithelial cells in bone marrow aspirates from prostate carcinoma patients are cytogenetically aberrant

BACKGROUND Low frequency epithelial cells occur in bone marrow aspirates of 25-50% of patients with locally confined prostate carcinoma. It is assumed that bone marrow epithelial cells derive from the primary tumor; however, it has not been established unequivocally that they are tumor cells. Immunofluorescence approaches were used to quantify the frequency of epithelial cells in bone marrow aspirates from prostate carcinoma patients and genotypic analyses were used to determine whether they contained numeric aberrations of chromosomes 1, 7, and 8. METHODS Epithelial cells in bone marrow aspirates collected after radical prostatectomy were visualized using fluorescence microscopy and fluorophore-linked antibodies against cytokeratin 8,18 (CK) and prostate specific antigen (PSA). Antibodies specific for proliferating nuclear cell antigen (PCNA) were used to evaluate the cycling status of discriminated cells. Copies of chromosomes 1, 7, and 8 in the discriminated epithelial cells were quantified using fluorescence in situ hybridization. RESULTS CK+ cells were present in bone marrow aspirates from 30 of 66 patients (approximately 45%) at a median frequency of 1.4 CK+ cells/105 mononuclear cells. Few CK+ epithelial cells in the bone marrow aspirates coexpressed PSA and none of the CK+ cells expressed PCNA. Approximately 70-75% of the CK+ cells contained 7 and 8 aneusomies. Gains of chromosome 1 occurred in 42% of the CK+ cells. CONCLUSIONS The majority of CK+ cells in bone marrow aspirates collected after surgery are cytogenetically aberrant, which is consistent with a primary tumor origin. The prevalence and frequency of CK+ cells is independent of tumor stage/grade and androgen treatment. [See editorial on pages 394-8, this issue.] Cancer 1998;83:538-546. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Epitaxial Si encapsulation of highly misfitting SiC quantum dot arrays formed on Si (001)

This work examines Si overgrowth to encapsulate 3C-SiC quantum dot arrays epitaxially grown on Si substrates. Using transmission electron microscopy, we show how the crystalline quality of the Si cap depends on the growth conditions. Overgrowth at 300 °C leads to a planar, epitaxial Si cap, but with small crystallographic rotations in the cap above each quantum dot. At 400 °C growth temperature, Si exhibits reduced sticking to the SiC, leading to a non-planar cap. However, a two-step process, with thin layer grown at 250 °C followed by growth at 500 °C, leads to a planar cap with a much-reduced density of defects.
Disruption of Eaat2b, a glutamate transporter, results in abnormal motor behaviors in developing zebrafish.

Analysis of zebrafish mutants that have defects in motor behavior can allow entree into the hindbrain and spinal cord networks that control locomotion. Here, we report that zebrafish techno trousers (tnt) locomotor mutants harbor a mutation in slc1a2b, which encodes Eaat2b, a plasma membrane glutamate transporter. We used tnt mutants to explore the effects of impaired glutamate transporter activity on locomotor network function. Wild-type larvae perform robust swimming behavior in response to touch stimuli at two and four days after fertilization. In contrast, tnt mutant larvae demonstrate aberrant, exaggerated body bends beginning two days after fertilization and they are almost paralyzed four days after fertilization. We show that slc1a2b is expressed in glial cells in a dynamic fashion across development, which may explain the abnormal sequence of motor behaviors demonstrated by tnt mutants. We also show that tnt larvae demonstrate enhanced excitation of neurons, consistent with the predicted effects of excessive glutamate. These findings illustrate the dynamic regulation and importance of glutamate transporters during development. Since glutamate toxicity caused by EAAT2 dysfunction is thought to promote several different neurological disorders in humans, including epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases, tnt mutants hold promise as a new tool to better understand these pathologies.
Possible observational windows for quantum effects from black holes

Quantum information transfer necessary to reconcile black hole evaporation with quantum mechanics, while approximately preserving regular near-horizon geometry, can be simply parametrized in terms of couplings of the black hole internal state to quantum fields of the black hole atmosphere. The necessity of transferring sufficient information for unitarization sets the strengths of these couplings. Such couplings via the stress tensor offer apparently significant advantages, and behave like quantum fluctuations of the effective metric near the horizon. At the requisite strength, these fluctuations, while soft (low energy/momentum), have significant magnitude, and so can deflect near-horizon geodesics that span distances of order the black hole radius. Thus, the presence of such couplings can result in effects that could be detected or constrained by observation: disruption of near-horizon accretion flows, scintillation of light passing close to the black hole, and alteration of gravitational wave emission from inspirals. These effects could in particular distort features of Sgr A* expected to be observed, e.g., by the Event Horizon Telescope, such as the black hole shadow and photon ring.
The Consequences of Participant Satisfaction With Energy Conservation Programs

The relationship between satisfaction with a residential energy audit and reported subsequent energy conservation behavior is investigated in a stratified random sample of 500 Illinois audit recipient. Results demonstrate a weak relationship between audit satisfaction and energy conservation behavior, a finding consistent with similar satisfac tion-behavior relationships studied in the literature of social and organizational psychology. Although impacts upon energy conservation behavior do not justify concern with participant satisfaction with energy conservation programs, other theoretical justifications for such concern are identified. It is concluded, therefore, that satisfaction should be measured as part of the comprehensive evaluation of an energy conservation program.
Guided growth of the trochanteric apophysis combined with soft tissue release for Legg–Calve–Perthes disease

During the initial fragmentation stage of Perthes disease, the principle focus is to achieve containment of the femoral head within the acetabulum. Whether by bracing, abduction casts, femoral and/or pelvic osteotomy, the goals are to maximize the range of hip motion and to avoid incongruity, hoping to avert subsequent femoro-acetabular impingement or hinge abduction. A more subtle and insidious manifestation of the disease relates to growth disturbance involving the femoral neck. We have chosen to tether the greater trochanteric physis, combined with a medial soft tissue release, as part of our non-osteotomy management strategy for select children with progressive symptomatology and related radiographic changes. In addition to providing containment, we feel that this strategy addresses potential long-range issues pertaining to limb length and abductor mechanics, while avoiding iatrogenic varus deformity caused by osteotomy. This is a retrospective review of 12 patients (nine boys, three girls), average age 7.3 years old (range 5.3–9.7), who underwent non-osteotomy surgery for Perthes disease. An eight-plate was applied to the greater trochanteric apophysis at the time of arthrogram, open adductor and iliopsoas tenotomy, and Petrie cast application. We compared clinical and radiographic findings at the outset to those at an average follow-up of 49 months (range 14–78 months). Six plates were subsequently removed; the others remain in situ. Eleven of twelve patients experienced improvement in pain, and alleviation of limp and Trendelenburg sign at latest follow-up. The majority had improved or maintained range of motion and prevention of trochanteric impingement demonstrated by near normalization of abduction. Neck-shaft angles, Shenton’s line, extrusion index, center edge angles and trochanteric height did not change significantly. One patient underwent subsequent trochanteric distalization and no other patients have undergone subsequent femoral or periacetabular osteotomies. Leg length discrepancy worsened in four patients and was treated with contralateral eight-plate distal femoral epiphysiodesis. As a group the mean leg length discrepancy did not change significantly. There were no perioperative complications. six trochanteric plates were subsequently removed after an average of 43.7 months (range 28–69) due to irritation of hardware; the others remain in situ, pending further growth. We employed open adductor and iliopsoas tenotomy and Petrie cast application and guided growth of the greater trochanter as a means of redirecting the growth of the common proximal femoral chondroepiphysis. The accrued benefits of preventing relative trochanteric overgrowth with a flexible tether are the avoidance of iatrogenic varus and weakening of the hip abductors. The goals are to preserve abductor strength and avoid trochanteric transfer or intertrochanteric osteotomy.
Chlorine stabilizer T-128 enhances efficacy of chlorine against cross-contamination by E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in fresh-cut lettuce processing.

Abstract: During fresh-cut produce processing, organic materials released from cut tissues can rapidly react with free chlorine in the wash solution, leading to the potential survival of foodborne bacterial pathogens, and cross-contamination when the free chlorine is depleted. A reported chlorine stabilizer, T-128, has been developed to address this problem. In this study, we evaluated the ability of T-128 to stabilize free chlorine in wash solutions in the presence of high organic loads generated by the addition of lettuce extract or soil. Under conditions used in this study, T-128 significantly (P < 0.001) decreased the rate of free chlorine depletion at the presence of soil. T-128 also slightly decreased the rate of free chlorine depletion caused by the addition of lettuce extract in wash solution. Application of T-128 significantly reduced the survival of bacterial pathogens in wash solutions with high organic loads and significantly reduced the potential of cross-contamination, when contaminated and uncontaminated produce were washed together. However, T-128 did not enhance the efficacy of chlorinated wash solutions for microbial reduction on contaminated iceberg lettuce. Evaluation of several produce quality parameters, including overall visual appearance, package headspace O2 and CO2 composition, and lettuce electrolyte leakage, during 15 d of storage indicated that iceberg lettuce quality and shelf life were not negatively impacted by washing fresh-cut lettuce in chlorine solutions containing 0.1% T-128. Practical Application: Reported chlorine stabilizer is shown to enhance chlorine efficacy against potential bacterial cross-contamination in the presence of high organic loads without compromising product quality and shelf life.
Resonant tunneling and hopping through a series of localized states in a two-dimensional electron gas.

We report measurements of the temperature and length dependence of the conductance of a wide two-dimensional electron gas in a strongly localized regime. Our results indicate that the conduction occurs via resonant tunneling below about 0.1 K and, at higher temperatures, via hopping through channels that contain more than one localized state
Status of the AGS Polarized Negative Ion Source

Development of an intense polarized H- source for the AGS continues at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Initial tests with about one milliampere, 40 keV pulsed neutral cesium beam, colliding with more than two milliampere polarized hydrogen atoms, produced about one-half microampere polarized negative ions, extracted at 20 keV. A new pulsed cesium source with an anticipated output of 5-15 mA and an improved neutralizer are under construction.
Unilateral polyposis and mucoceles in children

Children presenting with unilateral opacification of one or more of the paranasal sinuses must be considered at risk for serious disease. If an expansile lesion is noted, the most likely diagnosis is that of mucocele. Six children are presented with such findings and the diagnosis and treatment discussed. In five polyps were noted, indicating a probable allergic origin. Radiographic evaluation of the lesion is stressed with emphasis on the value of tomograms.
Physical Processes Affecting Natural Depletion of Volatile Chemicals in Soil and Groundwater

A Fickian model is described for dispersive vapor transport due to “pumping” induced by barometric pressure fluctuations and periodic water table fluctuations. The approach is appropriate for time scales that are large relative to the period of induced airflow variations. Comparisons of the magnitude of dispersive fluxes with those due solely to molecular diffusion indicated that dispersive vapor transport becomes increasingly important as soil porosity decreases and as the depth to groundwater and the contaminant source increases. For soils with low air-filled porosity, barometric pumping is likely to dominate transport even for shallow soils. Barometric pumping may predominate for soils with moderate to high air-filled porosity with deeper groundwater ( >5–15 m). Water table pumping is predicted to predominate over diffusion only for high-frequency fluctuations, such as tidal conditions. A steady-state model for contaminant volatilization from groundwater is presented that considers diffusive and dispersive vapor transport, unsaturated zone aqueous phase advection, and dispersive mixing in groundwater, yielding an apparent first-order decay coefficient with respect to groundwater. Predicted volatilization coefficients for perchloroethene (PCE) range from 0.02 d −1 for various soil conditions and groundwater depths. Highest values are predicted for the most permeable soils. Volatilization rates are predicted to decrease with depth up to a point at which dispersive fluxes dominate over diffusion and then to increase to the extent that barometric pressure fluctuations propagate to greater depths. Vertical mixing within the saturated zone has a significant influence on volatilization from groundwater. Simple moving front and mixing cell models are presented to estimate depletion rates of soil contamination due to volatilization and leaching. Results indicate that natural depletion of residual soil NAPL may take many decades and is markedly influenced by soil conditions, hydraulic flux, and contaminant properties.
An HPLC system for the automatic sampling and analysis of time-series kinetic studies

Abstract Robotics were used to automate a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system which was designed for the unattended sampling and analysis of time-series kinetic studies. The system allowed for the direct injection of samples containing whole cells and particulates witout plugging the analytical column. Coarse debris was removed from the injected sample by a 0.5 μm inline filter. Finer particulates were removed by a guard column that was layered with three different size packing resins. To demonstrate the system's capabilities, data are presented from an 8 day progress curve showing the anaerobic biodegradation of p -cresol by a sulfate-reducing enrichment. On fitting the data to the Michaelis-Menten equation by nonlinear regression, the apparent kinetic constants K m and V max were calculated to be 126 μM and 4.0 μM/h, respectively, for p -cresol metabolism by the enrichment.
Results on degrees and the structure of 2-factors

Abstract The object of this paper is to review the general problem of using degree conditions to determine the structure of 2-factors in graphs. We shall discuss open problems and developments in this area and to a very limited extent, provide examples of the proof techniques used. We shall also consider some of the corresponding questions and development for digraphs. This is not intended as a complete survey, but rather an overview, indicating some new directions and open problems.
Genetic population structure within streams: microsatellite analysis of bull trout populations

– We used six polymorphic microsatellite loci to investigate a potential metapopulation system in bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) from five spawning localities in the Lightning Creek drainage, a tributary to Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho. The number of spawners as estimated by redd counts is low in all populations sampled. Analytic viability models indicate that local isolated populations of these sizes are unlikely to persist. We tested two hypotheses: (1) these are remnant populations that are vulnerable to local extinction, or (2) these populations are interconnected by migration and are being maintained at larger effective sizes than indicated by the redd counts (i. e. metapopulation dynamics). All populations within the Lightning Creek basin are significantly differentiated (P > 0.005), and the allele frequencies appear to be stable among temporally separated subsamples within locations. It is therefore unlikely that extensive dispersal has linked tributaries in a manner consistent with a metapopulation structure. The low number of spawning individuals combined with the degree of isolation indicated by the genetic data suggest that extinction of the tributary populations is probable if temporal variability and small size is prolonged. However, these populations contain amounts of genetic variation similar to populations throughout the range of bull trout. Therefore, if the apparent demographic trends are reversed, these populations may recover without suffering the detrimental effects of a severe bottleneck.
Noradrenergic Modulation of Wakefulness/Arousal

The locus coeruleus-noradrenergic system supplies norepinephrine throughout the central nervous system. State-dependent neuronal discharge activity of locus coeruleus noradrenergic neurons has long-suggested a role of this system in the induction of an alert waking state. Work over the past two decades provides unambiguous evidence that the locus coeruleus, and likely other noradrenergic nuclei, exert potent wake-promoting actions via an activation of noradrenergic β- and α₁-receptors located within multiple subcortical structures, including the general regions of the medial septal area, the medial preoptic area and, most recently, the lateral hypothalamus. Conversely, global blockade of β- and α₁-receptors or suppression of norepinephrine release results in profound sedation. The wake-promoting action of central noradrenergic neurotransmission has clinical implications for treatment of sleep/arousal disorders, such as insomnia and narcolepsy, and clinical conditions associated with excessive arousal, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
A collaborative solution for SNMP traces visualization

RFC 5345 proposed by NMRG of the IRTF, outlines a consistent methodology for SNMP traffic measurements and analysis. However, it does not address how to visualize the SNMP traffic being observed, i.e., network operators are left with no proper resources to visually recognize behaviors and patterns on SNMP traffic traces. In this sense, Information Visualization concepts have been investigated, thus complementing RFC 5345. Although previous work showed the feasibility of Information Visualizations as an end-user tool on top of RFC 5345 methodology, an important aspect has not been exploited: collaboration among users (e.g., network operators). In this paper we present the design, implementation, and a proof of concept of a solution to support SNMP analyses using a collaborative approach and visualization techniques.
Evaluating the performance effects of Miles' and Snow's strategic archetypes in banking, 1983 to 1987: Big or small?

Abstract Miles and Snow postulated that although an organization's adaptability is limited, different firms, using different decision making processes can be viable in the long run, even in the same industry. Here, we describe an investigation of Miles' and Snow's viability hypothesis in the banking industry. The research includes three contributions. First, it demonstrates the initial theory is inadequate for a turbulent environment; second, it suggests a methodological reason this theory has proven so difficult to evaluate—the strategy decision process effect is small, while many researchers were looking for large effects; and, finally, this study highlights that it is not the main effects of decision process, strategy, or environment that explain performance (in the banking industry), but interactions between them.
Consistency measures revisited

Abstract Stuttering consistency measures suggested 25 yr ago are reexamined and new data are provided. Problems with the maximum difference measure as frequency of stuttering increases are discussed. The recently proposed “recurrence ratio” is shown to be a restatement of the earlier weighted percentage measure. High correlations of consistency scores with level of stuttering severity continue to be of interest. Use of the weighted percentage measure while testing significance of individual subject consistency performance in the manner suggested for the maximum difference or normal deviate measures may be the most acceptable procedure.
Dynamic crushing of aluminum foams: Part I – Experiments

Abstract The two-part series of papers presents the results of a study of the crushing behavior of open-cell Al foams under impact. In Part I, direct and stationary impact tests are performed on cylindrical foam specimens at impacts speeds in the range of 20–160 m/s using a gas gun. The stress at one end is recorded using a pressure bar, while the deformation of the entire foam specimen is monitored with high-speed photography. Specimens impacted at velocities of 60 m/s and above developed nearly planar shocks that propagated at well-defined velocities crushing the specimen. The shock speed vs. impact speed, and the strain behind the shock vs. impact speed representations of the Hugoniot were both extracted directly from the high-speed images. The former follows a linear relationship and the latter asymptotically approaches a strain of about 90% at higher velocities. The Hugoniot enables calculation of all problem variables without resorting to an assumed constitutive model. The compaction energy dissipation across the shock is shown to increase with impact velocity and to be significantly greater than the corresponding quasi-static value. Specimens impacted at velocities lower than 40 m/s exhibited response and deformation patterns that are very similar to those observed under quasi-static crushing. Apparently, in this impact speed regime inertia increases the energy absorption capacity very modestly.
Anomalously-large photo-induced magnetic response of disperse metallic nanocolloids

We demonstrate for the first time a plasmon-assisted magnetic response that occurs with disperse gold nanoparticles in aqueous solution. We observe increased Fano-like resonances and show the nonlinear interaction that occurs with matrix vortices.
Glucose-dependent turnover of the mRNAs encoding succinate dehydrogenase peptides in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: sequence elements in the 5' untranslated region of the Ip mRNA play a dominant role.

We have demonstrated previously that glucose repression of mitochondrial biogenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae involves the control of the turnover of mRNAs for the iron protein (Ip) and flavoprot...
The Hb A Variant (β73 Asp→Leu) Disrupts Hb S Polymerization by a Novel Mechanism

Abstract Polymerization of a 1:1 mixture of hemoglobin S (Hb S) and the artificial mutant HbAβ73Leu produces a dramatic morphological change in the polymer domains in 1.0 M phosphate buffer that are a characteristic feature of polymer formation. Instead of feathery domains with quasi 2-fold symmetry that characterize polymerization of Hb S and all previously known mixtures such as Hb A/S and Hb F/S mixtures, these domains are compact structures of quasi-spherical symmetry. Solubility of Hb S/Aβ73Leu mixtures was similar to that of Hb S/F mixtures. Kinetics of polymerization indicated that homogeneous nucleation rates of Hb S/Aβ73Leu mixtures were the same as those of Hb S/F mixtures, while exponential polymer growth (B) of Hb S/Aβ73Leu mixtures were about three times slower than those of Hb S/F mixtures. Differential interference contrast (DIC) image analysis also showed that fibers in the mixture appear to elongate between three and five times more slowly than in equivalent Hb S/F mixtures by direct measurements of exponential growth of mass of polymer in a domain. We propose that these results of Hb S/Aβ73Leu mixtures arise from a non-productive binding of the hybrid species of this mixture to the end of the growing polymer. This “cap” prohibits growth of polymers, but by nature is temporary, so that the net effect is a lowered growth rate of polymers. Such a cap is consistent with known features of the structure of the Hb S polymer. Domains would be more spherulitic because slower growth provides more opportunity for fiber bending to spread domains from their initial 2-fold symmetry. Moreover, since monomer depletion proceeds more slowly in this mixture, more homogeneous nucleation events occur, and the resulting gel has a far more granular character than normally seen in mixtures of non-polymerizing hemoglobins with Hb S. This mixture is likely to be less stiff than polymerized mixtures of other hybrids such as Hb S with HbF, potentially providing a novel approach to therapy.
Λ 0 production from low energy antiproton annihilations in complex nuclei

Low energy antiproton absorptions in complex nuclei were found to produce ..lambda../sup 0/ hyperons with a frequency of 1.9 +- 0.4%.
Minority students learning science well: A classroom case study

African American males, girls of all races and ethnicity, and students with special needs are frequently alienated from science and mathematics during the middle or high school years, if not earlier (Linn, 1993-1994; Malcom, 1984; Oakes, 1990). In a traditional science classroom environment, common teaching patterns include teacher lecture, triadic dialog,1 individual textbook or video-based seatwork, and occasional "cookbook" laboratory exercises (Carlsen 1991; Goodlad, 1984; Mitchell, 1995; Simpson & Erickson, 1983). Few teachers individualize the curriculum to build on student experiences or interests. Much of conventional science and mathematics content is taught out of context and appeals to a small segment of the class, most often white males. These teaching patterns contribute to the filtering process through which students of color and women reject scientific careers (Archer & McDonald, 1991; Berryman, 1983; Haw, 1991; Maple & Stage, 1991).
Removal of Heavy Metals from Aqueous Solutions Using Microgas Dispersions

Abstract Flotation by means of microgas dispersions was used to remove copper, chromium, nickel, lead, and zinc from aqueous solutions, including an industrial plating effluent. Metal removals of up to 100% were obtained from solutions of the metals ranging in concentration from 2 to 20 ppm.
Direct Quantitative Analysis of a 20 kDa PEGylated Human Calcitonin Gene Peptide Antagonist in Cynomolgus Monkey Serum Using In-Source CID and UPLC-MS/MS

PEGylation is a successful strategy to improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmaceutical properties of therapeutic peptides. However, quantitative analysis of PEGylated peptides in biomatrix by LC-MS/MS poses significant analytical challenge due to the polydispersity of the polyethylene glycol (PEG), and the multiple charge states observed for both the peptide and PEG moieties. In this report, a novel LC-MS/MS method for direct quantitative analysis of 20 kDa PEGylated CGRP[Cit, Cit] in cynomolgus monkey serum is presented. CGRP[Cit, Cit] is an investigational human calcitonin gene peptide receptor antagonist with amino acid sequence Ac-WVTH[Cit]LAGLLS[Cit]SGGVVRKNFVPT DVGPFAF-NH2. In-source collision-induced dissociation (in-source CID) of 20 kDa PEGylated peptide was used to generate CGRP[Cit, Cit] fragment ions, among which the most abundant b8+ ion was selected and measured as a surrogate for the 20 kDa PEGylated peptide. A solid phase extraction (SPE) method was used to extract the PEGylated peptides from the biomatrix prior to the UPLC-MS/MS analysis. This method achieved a lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) of 5.00 ng/mL with a serum sample volume of 100 μL, and was linear over the calibration range of 5.00 to 500 ng/mL in cynomolgus monkey serum. Intraday and interday accuracy and precision from QC samples were within ±15%. This method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of the 20 kDa PEGylated CGRP[Cit, Cit] in cynomolgus monkeys.
When inhibition goes incognito: feedback interaction between spiny projection neurons in striatal function

Theories about basal ganglia function have always been driven by our knowledge about the spiny projection neurons of the striatum. At the core of these theories lies the question of how, precisely, spiny projection neurons process cortical inputs. Most recently, studies demonstrating the role of spiny projection neurons in local synaptic GABA transmission have provided several new avenues for exploring striatal dynamics. They have also suggested new experimental directives for examining the specific ways in which spiny projection neurons both compete and cooperate through their local axon collaterals during cortical input processing.
Failure of Demand Function in Temporary Epicardial Bipolar Pacemaker Systems

Abstract Temporary pacing in the postoperative period is a valuable addition to patient management. Competition may result in ventricular arrhythmias or increases in heart rate if the pacemaker fails to sense spontaneous beats. This is due to low-voltage bipolar ventriculograms. Conversion to a unipolar system will restore normal demand function.
Simple adaptive control of large flexible space structures

Simple adaptive control procedures that do not require explicit parameter identification have been shown to be fit for control of large systems such as flexible structures. It is of interest, however, to test their robustness when fast adaptation is needed or when the resulting adaptive control system must confront finite sensor and actuator dynamics or parasitic disturbances. Flexible structures case studies using parallel feedforward and simplified adaptive controllers are used to present a robust adaptive control solution to these problems. The detailed proof of robust stability of the adaptive control system is also presented. Simulations illustrate the simplicity of implementation and the power of the proposed algorithm in difficult realistic situations. >
Risky Dispositions: Thick Moral Description and Character-Talk in Sports Culture

Popular beliefs in an ostensible relationship between superendowed physicality and dispositional trouble have made character the primary moral preoccupation of contemporary sport. Through the example of the NFL Draft, I employ thick moral description to argue for the importance of identifying problems of power and public morality in local, everyday discourses. Character-talk is analyzed as an idiomatic expression that signifies embodied, racialized notions of control and habit that position African American and white athletes in separate and unequal relationships to sports institutions and their presumed capacity to habituate rational, moral control. The importance of thick moral description for rhetorical and cultural criticism and the implications of character-talk for the public status of African American athletes are considered.
Pedagogical Agents for Web-Based Learning

This presentation will discuss techniques for incorporating "guidebots," or animated pedagogical agents, into Web-based learning environments. Guidebots help keep learning on track; they offer students advice and guidance as appropriate in order to get the most out on-line learning experiences. Guidebots build on research in intelligent tutoring systems, but go further by engaging the learner in natural face-to-face interaction. Guidebots can stand on the side and discuss learning objectives with the learners; they also can work together with learners as teammates, and can play roles within interactive educational stories. They help bring the aesthetics of animated entertainment to interactive educational experiences. This talk will present recent developments in guidebot technology, and outline challenges for current research.
An insight-based methodology for evaluating bioinformatics visualizations

High-throughput experiments, such as gene expression microarrays in the life sciences, result in very large data sets. In response, a wide variety of visualization tools have been created to facilitate data analysis. A primary purpose of these tools is to provide biologically relevant insight into the data. Typically, visualizations are evaluated in controlled studies that measure user performance on predetermined tasks or using heuristics and expert reviews. To evaluate and rank bioinformatics visualizations based on real-world data analysis scenarios, we developed a more relevant evaluation method that focuses on data insight. This paper presents several characteristics of insight that enabled us to recognize and quantify it in open-ended user tests. Using these characteristics, we evaluated five microarray visualization tools on the amount and types of insight they provide and the time it takes to acquire it. The results of the study guide biologists in selecting a visualization tool based on the type of their microarray data, visualization designers on the key role of user interaction techniques, and evaluators on a new approach for evaluating the effectiveness of visualizations for providing insight. Though we used the method to analyze bioinformatics visualizations, it can be applied to other domains.
The optimized SAW humidity sensor with nanofilms of graphene oxide

Graphene oxide (GO) thin films with partial surface coating were deposited onto the surface of 160 MHz quartz SAW delay lines by SAW atomization of submicroliter droplets of GO aqueous dispersions. The delay lines were used as sensitive elements of the SAW relative humidity (RH) sensors for monitoring the process of saturation of vapor pressure of water in an enclosed volume. To explain the RH time dependence, we suggest a model, which takes into account two processes: fast adsorption of water molecules by the surface of GO, described by the first order kinetic equation, and slow volumetric adsorption, described by linear kinetic equation. The parameters of kinetic equations of the saturation process were estimated experimentally for the coatings obtained by different number of atomizations and for eleven different RH standards.
Spindle Dynamics and the Role of γ-Tubulin in Early Caenorhabditis elegans Embryos

g-Tubulin is a ubiquitous and highly conserved component of centrosomes in eukaryotic cells. Genetic and biochemical studies have demonstrated that g-tubulin functions as part of a complex to nucleate microtubule polymerization from centrosomes. We show that, as in other organisms, Caenorhabditis elegans g-tubulin is concentrated in centrosomes. To study centrosome dynamics in embryos, we generated transgenic worms that express GFP::g-tubulin or GFP::b-tubulin in the maternal germ line and early embryos. Multiphoton microscopy of embryos produced by these worms revealed the time course of daughter centrosome appearance and growth and the differential behavior of centrosomes destined for germ line and somatic blastomeres. To study the role of g-tubulin in nucleation and organization of spindle microtubules, we used RNA interference (RNAi) to deplete C. elegans embryos of g-tubulin. g-Tubulin (RNAi) embryos failed in chromosome segregation, but surprisingly, they contained extensive microtubule arrays. Moderately affected embryos contained bipolar spindles with dense and long astral microtubule arrays but with poorly organized kinetochore and interpolar microtubules. Severely affected embryos contained collapsed spindles with numerous long astral microtubules. Our results suggest that g-tubulin is not absolutely required for microtubule nucleation in C. elegans but is required for the normal organization and function of kinetochore and interpolar microtubules.
Regulation of catecholamine synthesis in rat brain synaptosomes.

— Catecholamine synthesis in synaptosomal preparations of rat striatum, cortex and brain stem was investigated. The striatum had much higher activity than either the cortex or brain stem. Equilibration of labelled tyrosine between tissue and incubation medium was completed within 2 min. The apparent Km of tyrosine hydroxylase (EC 1.14.3a) and of the overall catecholamine synthetic pathway were both approximately 5 ± 10−6m for tyrosine. The following amines were found to inhibit striatal dopamine synthesis: dopamine, 25% inhibition at 5 ± 10−7m; noradrenaline, 25% inhibition at 5 ± 10−6m;and serotonin, 30% inhibition at 10−5m. The catecholamine-induced inhibition of synthesis was antagonized by pre-incubation with cocaine. Increasing the potassium concentration from 5 to 55 mm caused a release of amines into the medium which was accompanied by a 40% increase in dopamine synthesis, when synthesis was measured during the first 5 min of exposure to elevated potassium. These results indicate that synaptosomal catecholamine synthesis is inhibited by increases in intra-synaptosomal amine levels, and that short-term exposure to depolarizing concentrations of potassium can increase synthesis.
A Multidimensional Examination of Depression among the Elderly

Data from 868 eastern North Carolina elders are used to examine the effects of variables hypothesized to moderate the impact of life strain on depression. Principal components factor analysis is used to categorize depression into subdimensions of life satisfaction, withdrawal, and general depressive affect. Although independent variables such as instrumental activities of daily living limitations as an indicator of life strain are found to affect the subdimensions, differences pertaining only to certain subdimensions of depression are found. The findings support the importance of subdimensions of depression and suggest variability among subpopulations within a primarily nonurban sample.
A novel approach to the estimation of acoustic Doppler signals

This paper presents a novel approach for frequency estimation of acoustic Doppler signals for use in speed and distance estimation of acoustic sources. The basis of the proposed approach is a nonlinear adaptive algorithm capable of tracking the amplitude, phase and frequency of nonstationary sinusoids. The approach provides a real time estimation of instantaneous frequency with very high time-frequency resolution and has a high level of noise immunity. This offers advantages over traditional Fourier-based methods as well as current Wigner-Ville based approaches seen in the literature. Examples using simulated and real signals will be shown to demonstrate the capabilities and strengths of this approach; comparisons to existing techniques are presented.
Conformal designs based on vertex operator algebras

We introduce the notion of a conformal design based on a vertex operator algebra. This notation is a natural analog of the notion of block designs or spherical designs when the elements of the design are based on self-orthogonal binary codes or integral lattices, respectively. It is shown that the subspaces of an extremal self-dual vertex operator algebra of fixed degree form conformal 11-, 7-, or 3-designs, generalizing similar results of Assmus and Mattson and Venkov for extremal doubly-even codes and extremal even lattices. Other examples are coming from group actions on vertex operator algebras, the case studied first by Matsuo. The classification of conformal 6- and 8-designs is investigated. Again, our results are analogous to similar results for codes and lattices.
PU.1 and NFATc1 mediate osteoclastic induction of the mouse β3 integrin promoter

Expression of the alpha(v)beta(3) integrin is required for normal osteoclast function. We previously showed that an evolutionary conserved NFATc1 binding site is required for RANKL induction and NFATc1 transactivation of the human beta(3) promoter. The mechanism conferring specificity for RANKL induction and NFATc1 transduction of the beta(3) gene in osteoclast differentiation is unclear since NFATc1 is expressed and activated in numerous cell types that do not express the beta(3) gene. PU.1 is an ETS family transcription factor in myeloid cells associated with expression of various osteoclast genes. The present study investigates the role of NFATc1 in concert with PU.1 in osteoclast-specific transcription of the mouse beta(3) integrin gene. The mouse beta(3) promoter was transactivated by NFATc1 in RAW264.7 cells and deletion or mutation of either of the conserved NFAT and PU.1 binding sites abrogated transactivation. NFATc1 transactivation of the mouse beta(3) promoter was specifically dependent on co-transfected PU.1 in HEK293 cells, to the exclusion of other ETS family members. Direct binding of NFATc1 and PU.1 to their cognate sequences was demonstrated by EMSA and NFATc1 and PU.1 occupy their cognate sites in RANKL-treated mouse marrow precursors in chromatin immuno-precipitation (ChIP) assays. TAT-mediated transduction with dominant-negative NFATc1 dose-dependently blocked endogenous expression of the mouse beta(3) integrin and the formation of TRAP positive multinucleated cells in RANKL-treated mouse macrophages. These data provide evidence that NFATc1, in concert with PU.1, are involved in regulation of beta(3) integrin expression during osteoclast differentiation and suggest that PU.1 confers specificity to the NFATc1 response to macrophage lineage cells.
Variability in the Use of Invasive Services Sign of Poor Quality of Care or an Opportunity to Improve Care

> Variability is the law of life,…and no two individuals react alike and behave alike under the abnormal conditions which we know as disease. > > —William Osler National efforts to improve the quality of care were greatly enhanced by the Institute of Medicine’s landmark publication, Crossing the Quality Chasm .1 The report concludes that a fundamental redesign of the healthcare system is needed to achieve the core needs of health care to be safe, effective, patient-centric, timely, efficient, and equitable. One goal has been to reduce inequity in care by reducing sex, race, and socioeconomic and geographic variability because inequality was felt to represent lack of adherence to optimal standard of care. The Dartmouth Healthcare Atlas project was the first to demonstrate significant regional differences in Medicare spending in the United States without an improvement in quality.2 This group and others have also shown wide geographic variations in the use of procedures such as coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCI).2–4 The causes for this large difference in practice are unclear, but it has been speculated that it is because of both underuse and overuse of these procedures.5,6 Several factors have been shown to relate to the variation in practice, including the operator, hospital, sex, race, the availability of a cardiac catheterization laboratory, the type of hospital, rural location, the type of health insurance, and socioeconomic class.3,7–9 Efforts to reduce the variability in care have focused on overuse through adoption of appropriate use criteria (AUC), performance measures, public reporting, and pay for performance. The Rand Corporation first developed AUC in 1986 using a modified Delphi process. Based on guidelines, registry studies, and expert opinion, a panel of experts developed a consensus on several indications for common procedures including angioplasty. …