cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A colorimetric procedure for the determination of aldehydes in seawater and in cultures of methylotrophic bacteria

Abstract A spectrophotometric procedure for the determination of aldehydes was optimized for use in seawater, it involves the sequential reaction of aldehydes with 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone hydrochloride (MBTH) and FeCl 3 to produce a colored compound which is soluble in 50% acetone. The standard curve obeyed Beer's law to 90 μM formaldehyde in 0.7 m NaCl. The molar absorptivity of 21 800 absorbance units μM −1 cm −1 at 635 nm was not affected by changes in salinity. The limit of detection was 180 nM HCHO l −1 when a pathlength of 1 cm was used, and 72 nM HCHO l −1 when a pathlength of 5 cm was used. The MBTH procedure was used to compare formaldehyde production in cultures of the marine methanotroph, Methylomonas pelagica , growing on methane or methanol. The average rate of formaldehyde production, normalized to cell number, was almost 20 times greater in cultures grown on methanol than in cultures grown on methane. A depth profile of aldehyde concentrations from a station in the Peru upwelling region (10°S, 79°W) showed one peak in the oxygen gradient in the photic zone (80 m), two in the oxygen minimum (200 and 300 m), and one in the oxygen gradient below the minimum (800m). Aldehyde concentrations ranged from 0.6 to 8.8 μM formaldehyde equivalents l −1 . Except for the maxima where the aldehydes account for 13–15% of expected DOC concentrations, the background level of aldehydes was approximately 1% of DOC.
Clinical features and psychosocial factors in young adults with genital herpes

Summary. Clinical features of genital herpes, perceived causes, stress symptoms, treatments, and psychosocial factors in 70 young adults as compared to normative data for non-patient controls are described. The clinical features of the disease were congruent with those of other groups studied. Stress was viewed as the major cause of recurrence, headaches the major stress symptom, and acyclovir (an antiviral drug), was the major treatment. Statistically significant differences were found between scores obtained from the sample of young adults with genital herpes on three of four standardized psychological instruments when compared with normative data for non patient controls. Young adults with genital herpes had a lower self concept, more psychopathology, a greater frequency of daily hassles, and less intensity of uplifts. No differences were found, however, between the two groups in scores on depression.
Diagnostic efficacy of stress technetium 99m-labeled sestamibi myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography in detection of coronary artery disease among patients over age 80*

Because symptoms of myocardial ischemia in elderly patients are often atypical, accurate noninvasive assessment of the presence, extent, and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) would be especially useful to avoid unnecessary catheterization or invasive intervention. This study assessed the safety and diagnostic efficacy of 99mTc-labeled sestamibi (99mTcsestamibi) exercise and pharmacologic myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with adenosine or dipyridamole in patients age 80 years or older. Stress 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT was performed in 75 consecutive patients who were 80 years old or older (range: 80 to 91 years) with suspected CAD and who underwent coronary angiography within 6 months of the nuclear study. Of these patients, 51 underwent a pharmacologic (adenosine=42; dipyridamole=9) stress study and 24 underwent an exercise treadmill study. A normalcy rate was derived from an additional 36 patients (ages 83±3 years) who had undergone stress 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT and who had a relatively low likelihood (<20%) of CAD. No serious adverse events occurred during or after the exercise or the pharmacologic stress test. The overall sensitivity and specificity for detecting CAD with ≥70% stenosis was 95% (52/55) and 75% (15/20), whereas the corresponding results were 87% (55/63) and 83% (10/12) for detecting patients with ≥50% stenosis. The sensitivity and specificity for pharmacologic stress 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT were 95% (35/37) and 71% (10/14) for detecting ≥70% stenosis, and 86% (37/43) and 75% (6/8) for detecting CAD with ≥50% stenosis. The sensitivity and specificity of treadmill testing were 94% (17/18) and 83% (5/6) in detecting CAD with stenosis ≥70% and 90% (18/20) and 100% (4/4) in detecting CAD with stenosis ≥50%. The normalcy rate among the low likelihood patients was 83% (30/36). The accuracy of stress sestamibi testing was similar for patients with or without angina. Our findings suggest that exercise or pharmacologic myocardial perfusion SPECT with 99mTc-sestamibi is safe and diagnostically accurate for CAD detection in very elderly patients, irrespective of symptoms. Pharmacologic myocardial perfusion SPECT with adenosine or dipyridamole appears to be a valuable alternative to treadmill stress in very elderly patients incapable of performing adequate exercise.
An introduction to web scale discovery systems.

This article explores the basic principles of web-scale discovery systems and how they are being implemented in libraries. “Web scale discovery” refers to a class of products that index a vast number of resources in a wide variety formats and allow users to search for content in the physical collection, print and electronic journal collections, and other resources from a single search box. Search results are displayed in a manner similar to Internet searches, in a relevance ranked list with links to online content. The advantages and disadvantages of these systems are discussed, and a list of popular discovery products is provided. A list of library websites with discovery systems currently implemented is also provided.
On the mutuality of interest between bureaus and high demand review committees: The case of joint production

If we combine my result with those of Niskanen and Mackay/Weaver, we have three necessary conditions for interests to be mutual. First, review committees are composed of high demanders of their bureau's outputs; the committee seeks to maximize the interests of the group it represents, subject to majority approval of the full legislature. Second, the ideal point of the committee must not be ‘too extreme’ in terms of mix. Finally, the multiproduct bureau must be the least-cost institution for public supply of the services, in the sense that joint production is efficient, for the review committee interested in two or more outputs. If any of these does not hold, the interests of the bureau and its review committee diverge. The incentives for the bureau to expand across outputs without regard to efficiency means that in general we could expect the bureau to perceive the review committee as an adversary, because for the committee efficiency in production is an important consideration. What are the implications of this result? There must exist an optimal structure for bureaucratic production of services. Further, there exist substantial incentives for discovering and implementing this structure when legislators create bureaus. Diseconomies of scope imply separate bureaus are better; economies of scope the opposite. If committees optimally structure the bureaucracy in accordance with this result, they ensure that interests do not diverge. So we see that the initial design of bureaucratic organization may be more important than was previously recognized, and calls for closer examination.
Forward genetics screens using macrophages to identify Toxoplasma gondii genes important for resistance to IFN-γ-dependent cell autonomous immunity

Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, is an obligate intracellular protozoan pathogen. The parasite invades and replicates within virtually any warm blooded vertebrate cell type. During parasite invasion of a host cell, the parasite creates a parasitophorous vacuole (PV) that originates from the host cell membrane independent of phagocytosis within which the parasite replicates. While IFN-dependent-innate and cell mediated immunity is important for eventual control of infection, innate immune cells, including neutrophils, monocytes and dendritic cells, can also serve as vehicles for systemic dissemination of the parasite early in infection. An approach is described that utilizes the host innate immune response, in this case macrophages, in a forward genetic screen to identify parasite mutants with a fitness defect in infected macrophages following activation but normal invasion and replication in naive macrophages. Thus, the screen isolates parasite mutants that have a specific defect in their ability to resist the effects of macrophage activation. The paper describes two broad phenotypes of mutant parasites following activation of infected macrophages: parasite stasis versus parasite degradation, often in amorphous vacuoles. The parasite mutants are then analyzed to identify the responsible parasite genes specifically important for resistance to induced mediators of cell autonomous immunity. The paper presents a general approach for the forward genetics screen that, in theory, can be modified to target parasite genes important for resistance to specific antimicrobial mediators. It also describes an approach to evaluate the specific macrophage antimicrobial mediators to which the parasite mutant is susceptible. Activation of infected macrophages can also promote parasite differentiation from the tachyzoite to bradyzoite stage that maintains chronic infection. Therefore, methodology is presented to evaluate the importance of the identified parasite gene to establishment of chronic infection.
Purification of psittacosis agent with anion exchange cellulose--"ECTEOLA".

IN our investigations of the 6BC(7 strain of psittacosis it became necessary to obtain large quantities of highly purified suspensions of organisms with a high infectivity titre. At first we used a line of the 6BC strain adapted to growth in the allantoic cavity of embryonated eggs from which the organisms were extracted by differential centrifugation and trypsinization. The yield of organisms was always small and the final preparations were heavily contaminated with host material. The use of fluoro-carbon (‘Genetron 113’) according to the method of Gessler et a1.1 resulted in almost complete loss of infectivity.
If We Seek, Do We Learn?: Predicting Knowledge of Global Warming

Derived from the risk information seeking and processing model (RISP), this study sought to isolate predictors of the public's knowledge of global warming. Using a national sample ( N = 805), multi...
Officers of the US Army Venture into Research, 1840–60

The engineering skills taught at the West Point military academy in the mid-nineteenth century left officers of the US Army’s scientific corps ill-prepared for the research they would undertake when assigned to design large cast-iron cannon and control of floods on the Mississippi River. They succeeded where close observation and qualitative reasoning sufficed; had difficulty where the necessary principles in mechanics, hydrology and geology were not yet in textbooks; and lacked adequate means of testing their designs. Massive amounts of partially analysed data in their reports obscured critical omissions. The river research led to flood control with a levees-only scheme that proved difficult to revise even after disastrous floods. The iron research delayed adoption of steel artillery. A few 20-inch bore cannon were successfully cast for coast defence but could neither be loaded nor trained rapidly enough to be useful weapons.
Moving to the cloud: Workload migration techniques and approaches

The paper presents an important aspect of cloud computing technology, namely migrating enterprise level workloads to a cloud environment, without re-architecting or re-engineering the existing applications. How readily an application can be lifted and shifted onto a cloud platform depends on factors like nature of the application, the type of cloud etc. In this respect, the paper explores the methodology of migrations along with the challenges and issues that usually acts as a barrier for organizations trying to pursue this goal. An effort is also made to see how the cloud migration framework maps to the cloud Computing Reference Architecture model. Finally, a set of migration patterns which span the continuum from legacy IT environment to the cloud are included as a common framework for aligning the various migration approaches developed in support of using cloud as a delivery paradigm.
Identifying protein interactions with metal-modified DNA using microarray technology

Protein microarrays have been used extensively to identify protein-protein interactions; however, this technology has not been widely applied to protein-DNA interactions. In particular, this work demonstrates the utility of this technique for rapidly identifying interactions of proteins with metal-modified DNA. Protein macroarray experiments were carried out with high mobility group protein 1 (HMG-1) and cisplatin- and chromium-modified 50-mer oligonucleotides to demonstrate "proof of principle." Commercially available protein microarrays containing many different classes of human proteins were then employed to search for additional interactions with cisplatin-modified DNA. The results of the microarray experiments confirmed some known interactions and, more importantly, identified many novel protein interactions, demonstrating the utility of this method as a rapid, high-throughput technique to discover proteins that interact with metal-modified DNA.
ErbB Expression: The Mouse Inner Ear and Maturation of the Mitogenic Response to Heregulin

In humans, hair cell loss often leads to hearing and balance impairments. Hair cell replacement is vigorous and spontaneous in avians and nonmammalian vertebrates. In mammals, in contrast, it occurs at a very low rate, or not at all, presumably because of a very low level of supporting cell proliferation following injury. Heregulin (HRG), a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of growth factors, is reported to be a potent mitogen for neonatal rat vestibular sensory epithelium, but its effects in adults are unknown. We report here that HRG-α stimulates cell proliferation in organotypic cultures of neonatal, but not adult, mouse utricular sensory epithelia. Our findings support the idea that the proliferative capabilities of the adult mammalian vestibular sensory epithelia differ significantly from that seen in neonatal animals. Immunohistochemistry reveals that HRG-binding receptors (erbBs 2–4) and erbB1 are widely expressed in vestibular and auditory sensory epithelia in neonatal and adult mouse inner ear. The distribution of erbBs in the neonatal and adult mouse ear is consistent with the EGF receptor/ligand family regulating diverse cellular processes in the inner ear, including cell proliferation and differentiation.
The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill: Habitat Protection as a Restoration Strategy

Habitat protection is a major component of the Exxon Valdez oil spill restoration process. The acquisition of private lands, or partial interests in private lands, is intended to promote natural recovery of spill-injured resources and services by removing the threat of additional development impacts. The Comprehensive Habitat Protection Process is the method that was designed to achieve this objective. Over one million acres within the oil spill affected area were evaluated, scored, and ranked by a multi-criteria evaluation process. Initially, lands were divided into large parcels encompassing entire bays and watersheds. Criteria were then used to assess the habitat and human-use values associated with each parcel and the protection benefit that acquisition would provide for 19 injured resources and services. This process has been the basis for the acquisition of 41,549 acres of land on Afognak Island and 23,800 acres on the Kenai Peninsula and for agreements that, if consummated, will result in the acquisition of fee or lesser rights on over a half million acres of land in the Kodiak Archipelago, on the Kenai Peninsula, and in Prince William Sound. All of these lands or rights, if acquired, will be incorporated into parks or refuges or otherwise managed in a manner that will facilitate the recovery of the resources and services injured by the oil spill.
Molecular Structure of Acid-etched Dentin Smear Layers-in situ Study

It is commonly reported that acid etchants remove the smear layer, but to date, there has been no chemical evidence to support these observations. The purpose of this study was to determine the molecular structure of acid-etched carbide- and diamond-bur-created smear layers. This project tested the null hypothesis that such smear layers are totally removed with current etchants. Smear layer/demineralized/mineralized dentin interfaces were analyzed at 1- m intervals by micro-Raman spectroscopy. Features associated with the organic component were substantially broadened with loss of fine structure, and mineral peaks were clearly evident in the spectra of acid-etched smear layers. The organic features in the spectra of the EDTAtreated smear layer showed relative intensity ratios similar to demineralized dentin without contribution from the mineral phase. The disorganized collagen within the smear layer was not removed but was denatured by the acid treatment; the mineral was trapped in this gelatinous matrix ...
Identification of a unique guanine-7-methyltransferase in Semliki Forest virus (SFV) infected cell extracts

The methylation of the 5' terminal guanosine residue of the cap structure of Semliki Forest virus (SFV) mRNAs has been shown to occur in vitro concomitantly with their synthesis (R. K. Cross and P. J. Gomatos, Virology, 114, 542-554, 1981). The enzyme responsible for this methylation, a guanine-7-methyltransferase, is associated with the SFV replication complex which contains both the virus-specified polymerase and RNA template in a mitochondrial pellet fraction, P-15, from infected cell lysates. In the present report, evidence has been obtained demonstrating that a virus-specified function is required for this methylating activity. First, the methyltransferase enzyme in these infected P-15 extracts has been found to differ in substrate specificity from that of the BHK host cell enzyme. This enzyme was able to catalyze the methylation of GTP to m7GTP in vitro whereas the cellular enzyme could not methylate GTP. The incorporation of a methyl group onto GTP occurred linearly for at least 2 hr at 30 degrees under conditions of neutral pH and added GTP substrate. Second, a study of the kinetics of appearance of this activity, has demonstrated that the capacity to methylate GTP did not appear until 1 hr after infection and reached maximal levels by about 3 hr. Third, de novo protein synthesis was required. Addition of the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, prevented the appearance and subsequent increase in the methylating activity. However, once formed the methyltransferase was found to be stable for at least 3 hr. These results suggest that an early viral function, perhaps a nonstructural polypeptide is required for this novel guanine-7-methyltransferase activity in SFV infected cell extracts.
P01-22 Lorazepam, tiapride and pregabalin in alcohol withdrawal: A multicenter, randomised, comparison trial

Introduction In this multicenter, randomised, single-blind, parellel group, comparison trial we aimed to investigate the efficacy of lorazepam, tiapride and pregabalin in alcohol withdrawal. Craving and psychiatric symptoms improvements were the secondary endpoints. Methods One-hundred-nine alcohol dependent subjects (DSM-IV) were detoxified and subsequently randomised into three groups, respectively receiving 200-400 mg of tiapride (TIA; mean dosage 300 mg), 2-5 mg of lorazepam (LOR; mean dosage 3 mg) and 150-450 mg of pregabalin (PRE; mean dosage 280 mg). Withdrawal symptomatology was determined by the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-Ar), whereas the level of craving for alcohol was evaluated by a 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Italian -version of the Obsessive and Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS). Psychiatric symptomatology was evaluated by the Symptom Check List 90 Revised (SCL-90 R). Results All the three medications have shown efficacy on reducing alcohol drinking indices, craving scores and withdrawal symptomatology. The reduction observed in the PRE group was significantly higher than those in the LOR and TIA groups. In terms of safety and tolerability, all the compounds were generally well-tolerated. Only one patient has reported an epileptic episode during the treatment with tiapride. Discussion Results from this study globally place the three medications at the same range of efficacy, with the PRE group reporting an higher reduction of withdrawal symptoms. Another point in favour of the employment of pregabalin was represented by a better outcome in those patients reporting a comorbid psychiatric disorder.
The plea for balance in the public funding of science

Abstract Recent calls from within the scientific community for a more “balanced portfolio” of public investment in science have argued the need to complement an increased funding of biomedical research with increases in physics, computers, and materials research, along with enhanced support for higher-level science education. Such arguments presume that science is an unqualified public good. The present paper, however, suggests that science may more properly be conceived as a qualified good, one that on occasion exists in tension with other goods. In any general consideration of the relation between science and government and of what constitutes an optimal balance in the public funding of intellectual activity, it is desirable to include perspectives from the arts and the humanities alongside those of the sciences.
Parental Behavior Patterns and Conduct Disorders in Girls

Conduct-disordered (CD) girls, 9 to 11 years old, were compared to nonconduct-disordered (NCD) girls of the same age using parental reports about themselves and their children and child reports of themselves and their parents. Correlations were obtained between parental behavior patterns and the behavior patterns of the girls as perceived by three family members: mother, father, and the target child. The results indicated that (1) parents of CD girls were more hostile in some contexts than parents of NCD girls, (2) relationships between parental behavioral characteristics and children's behavioral characteristics were stronger and more numerous for mothers than for fathers, and (3) the children's perception of their own behaviors and the parents' marriages tended to correspond with their parents' perceptions. In general, the pattern of results suggests that, in terms of aggressive behavior patterns, female children may be modeling the behavior of their parents, particularly that of their mothers.
Reduction of intrapulmonary shunt and resolution of digital clubbing associated with primary biliary cirrhosis after liver transplantation.

This report describes a patient with marked hypoxemia caused by intrapulmonary shunt associated with primary biliary cirrhosis. Liver transplantation resulted in resolution of digital clubbing and reduction of intrapulmonary shunt as demonstrated by normalization of room air arterial blood gases, reduction in shunt fraction and normalization of the indocyanin-enhanced echocardiogram and perfusion lung scan. This patient's course challenges the conventional notion that intrapulmonary shunting associated with chronic liver disease does not reverse after liver transplantation. (HEPATOLOGY 1990; 11: 54–58.)
Optimal thresholds of feature tracking for blood velocity and tissue motion estimation

Feature tracking is an algorithm for estimating blood flow velocity and tissue motion using pulse-echo ultrasound. In contrast to cross-correlation speckle-tracking techniques, feature tracking identifies features at discrete locations and corresponds them from frame to frame. Prior studies have demonstrated that feature-tracking estimates exhibit lower variance than those obtained by the conventional autocorrelation method and require less computational complexity than either speckle tracking or autocorrelation. To date, not much attention has been paid to the process by which trackable features (normally local maxima) are selected from the set of all available features. In the selection process, it is desired to minimize flow estimate variance while providing sufficient spatial and temporal coverage of flow area. Flow studies were performed with a blood flow phantom, 3.5-MHz spherically focused transducer, and a pulser/receiver. Values were selected for the amplitude threshold (based on the RMS value) and width thresholds (based on the wavelength corresponding to transducer center frequency). The performance of this method using different threshold values was evaluated by the estimate standard deviation and number of features available to track. Results show that an optimal width threshold occurs at about 40 to 45% of the transmission wavelength, while a trade-off exists between amplitude thresholds and spatial flow field coverage. Both the standard deviation of estimated velocities and number of available features decrease with increasing threshold (either amplitude or width). This affords a user a method of determining optimal feature tracking thresholds depending on the specific flow application. Judicious selection of feature thresholds can decrease the estimate standard deviation by more than 25%.
Microstructure and Grain-Boundary Effect on Electrical Properties of Gadolinium-Doped Ceria

The microstructural evolution and grain-boundary influence on electrical properties of Ce 0.90 Gd 0.10 O 1.95 were studied. The nanoscale powders synthesized from a semibatch reactor exhibited 50% green density and 92% sintering density at 1200°C (∼200°C lower than previous studies). Impedance spectra as a function of temperature and grain size were analyzed. The Ce 0.90 Gd 0.10 O 1.95 with finest grain size possessed highest overall grain-boundary resistance; this contribution was eliminated at temperatures >600°C, regardless of grain size. The grain conductivity was independent of grain size and was dependent on temperature with two distinct regimes, indicative of the presence of Gd' Ce -V o complexes that dissociated at a critical temperature of ∼580°C. The activation energy for complex dissociation was ∼0.1 eV; the value for the grain-boundary was ∼1.2eV, which was size independent.
Oral antibiotics at discharge for children with acute osteomyelitis: a rapid cycle improvement project

Background Substantial evidence demonstrates comparable cure rates for oral versus intravenous therapy for routine osteomyelitis. Evidence adoption is often slow and in our centre virtually all patients with osteomyelitis were discharged on intravenous therapy. Objective For patients with acute osteomyelitis admitted to the hospital medicine service, we aimed to increase the proportion of cases discharged on oral antibiotics to at least 70%. Methods The setting for our observational time series study was a large academic children's hospital. The model for improvement and plan-do-study-act cycles were used to test, refine and implement interventions identified through our key driver diagram. Our multifaceted intervention included a shared decision-making tool, an order set in our electronic health record, and education to faculty and trainees. We also included an identify and mitigate intervention to target providers caring for children with osteomyelitis in near-real time and reinforce the evidence-based recommendations. Data were analysed on an annotated g-chart of osteomyelitis cases between patients discharged on intravenous antibiotics. Structured chart review was used to identify treatment failures as well as length of stay and hospital charges in preintervention and postintervention groups. Results The osteomyelitis cases between patients discharged on intravenous antibiotics increased from a median of 0 preintervention to a maximum of 9 cases following our identify and mitigate intervention. The direction and magnitude of successive improvements observed satisfied criteria for special cause variation. Improvement has been sustained for 1 year. Treatment failure and complications were uncommon in preintervention and postintervention phases. No significant differences in length of stay or charges were detected. Conclusions Even for uncommon conditions, rapid and sustained evidence adoption is possible using quality improvement methods.
Analysis techniques for amorphous silicon solar cells

The dependence of photocurrent (I ph ) on voltage (V) and light intensity (o) in p-i-n a-Si solar cells was studied, showing flatband voltage (V fb ) and conversion efficiency to increase with o. To isolate the i-layer properties, we utilized Crandall's uniform-field collection efficiency model and tested its applicability limits. We found that p-layer properties and p-i interface can affect the fill factor (FF). Behavior of I(V) curves near the maximum power point (MPP), however, was not well-described by the model, leading us to propose a new metric: the MPP curvature of the I(V) curve normalized to I=1, V=1 at MPP (MPP K). Simulated and measured data show no unique relationship between FF and MPP K. Our analysis reveals that gradients in cross-flow PECVD growth chamber and the choice of transparent conductive oxide (TCO) substrates can affect i-layer properties and the overall quality of p-i-n solar cells.
Preventing p38 MAPK-Mediated MafA Degradation Ameliorates β-Cell Dysfunction under Oxidative Stress

The reduction in the expression of glucose-responsive insulin gene transcription factor MafA accompanies the development of β-cell dysfunction under oxidative stress/diabetic milieu. Humans with type 2 diabetes have reduced MafA expression, and thus preventing this reduction could overcome β-cell dysfunction and diabetes. We previously showed that p38 MAPK, but not glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), is a major regulator of MafA degradation under oxidative stress. Here, we examined the mechanisms of this degradation and whether preventing MafA degradation under oxidative stress will overcome β-cell dysfunction. We show that under oxidative and nonoxidative conditions p38 MAPK directly binds to MafA and triggers MafA degradation via ubiquitin proteasomal pathway. However, unlike nonoxidative conditions, MafA degradation under oxidative stress depended on p38 MAPK-mediated phosphorylation at threonine (T) 134, and not T57. Furthermore the expression of alanine (A) 134-MafA, but not A57-MafA, reduced the oxidative stress-mediated loss of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, which was independent of p38 MAPK action on protein kinase D, a regulator of insulin secretion. Interestingly, the expression of proteasomal activator PA28γ that degrades GSK3-phosphorylated (including T57) MafA was reduced under oxidative stress, explaining the dominance of p38 MAPK over the GSK3 pathway in regulating MafA stability under oxidative stress. These results identify two distinct pathways mediating p38 MAPK-dependent MafA degradation under oxidative and nonoxidative conditions and show that inhibiting MafA degradation under oxidative stress ameliorates β-cell dysfunction and could lead to novel therapies for diabetes.
Distinguishing mislabeled data from correctly labeled data in classifier design

We have developed a method for distinguishing between correctly labeled and mislabeled data sampled from video sequences and used in the construction of a facial expression recognition classifier. The novelty of our approach lies in training a single, optimal classifier type (a support vector machine, or SVM) on multiple representations of the data, involving different "discriminating" subspaces. Results of a preliminary study on the discrimination of "high stress" vs. "low stress" facial expression data by this method confirms that our novel approach is able to distinguish subproblems where labeling is highly reliable from those where mislabeling can lead to high error rates. In helping detect data subsamples which yield misleading classification results, the method is also a rapid, highly efficient cross-validated approach for eliminating outliers.
Heterogeneous reflected light influences asymmetry in leaf anatomy and gas exchange

Soil and vegetative groundcovers reflect light heterogeneously in habitats lacking a continuous overhead canopy, however the effects of reflected light on vegetation in these habitats has received little attention. We test the hypothesis that reflected light flux affects leaf optical properties, anatomy, and photosynthesis of Ipomoea pes-caprae (Convolvulacae), a common sand dune vine with functionally symmetric leaves, by comparing leaves growing over patches of high and low reflected light flux. Patches of high reflected light were found directly over sand and reflected 26.0 ± 0.9% (mean ± 1 SE) of incident photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) while patches of low reflected light were found over vegetation and reflected 6.1 ± 0.7% of incident PAR. Using a novel in situ method to simultaneously illuminate and measure gas exchange of one leaf surface at a time, we show that abaxial surface photosynthetic maxima and palisade parenchyma in sand patches were, respectively, 2.6 times greater and 20% thicker than those found over vegetation patches. Our results suggest that reflected light strongly influences leaf anatomy and gas exchange of I. pes-caprae, demonstrating that reflected light can be an important component of the light environment for vegetation of habitats characterized by high-albedo substrates.
Exploring Ways to Enhance Student Learning During Study Abroad: Landscape Exploration of Brazil

A study abroad trip to Brazil was conducted by the University of Delaware’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences in Jan. 2008 to study diverse ecosystems in three major regions: Mata Atlantica (Atlantic forest), Pantanal (wetland), and Amazon (rain forest). Students spent time in Cuiaba, Manaus, Brasilia, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Different garden styles were studied throughout Brazil. Student learning occurred through student presentations, blog assignments, site visits, interaction with local contacts, observational exercises, reflection exercises, immediate feedback assessment test quizzes, cultural experiences, and a culminating project. Thirteen students attended the program with three faculty directors. Two courses were offered: Field Sketching of Landscape Subjects (PLSC 167) and Arts and Ecosystems (PLSC 267). Class goals were to understand the differences between ecosystems within Brazil and more familiar ecosystems in the mid-Atlantic United States; to learn how natural ecosystems inspire landscape design; and to become aware of major environmental issues in Brazil. An effective study abroad program not only exposes students to unique experiences, but also helps students use those experiences to change their perspectives and understanding. Because of the variety of human learning styles, offering a range of educational activities is important so that all students have an opportunity to respond favorably.
Doing the dirty work: progress in the search for a reliable protocol for cardiomyogenesis

Cardiomyocytes generated from pluripotent stem cells have the potential to facilitate our understanding of cardiac diseases and help in their treatment. However, realizing the full potential of this technology is limited by the field's inability to efficiently and reliably differentiate pluripotent stem cells into cardiomyocytes. But now, due to a massive undertaking by Burridge and colleagues in a recent issue of PLOS One, we are one step closer to the reliable creation of cardiomyocytes. By systematically addressing 45 different variables, Burridge and colleagues were able to develop a protocol that consistently produced cardiomyocytes independent of the cell source. However, work still needs to be done to increase the efficiency and definitively determine the maturity of the myocytes generated through such a protocol.
Safely train security engineers regarding the dangers presented by denial of service attacks

Witnessing, firsthand, a tornado in action is something you don't forget; likewise, seeing a Denial of Service attack underway in an isolated lab setting is something you never want to have happen within your real world. Seeing is believing. One immediate reaction is - "What can I do to keep this from ever taking place?" This is an example of IT security education at its best. Train future security engineers by introducing them to a controlled disaster, and inspire them to creatively search for a solution that will prevent such a cyber attack. If the Internet conduit to supported systems or the server resources needed to process requests become overwhelmed by invalid requests initiated by a hacker, legitimate clients will be unable to access online services. Attacks that utilize this overload technique are called Denial of Service or DoS attacks. Many mission critical services are time sensitive and can't tolerate time delays. Also, e-commerce sites can lose large sums of revenue when customers can't access their system. As a result, there is an increasing need for security engineers to fully understand the concepts behind DoS attacks in order to initiate the necessary countermeasures. This lab was created by undergraduates and shows how to successfully construct a DoS lab, as well as the methods used to isolate the lab environment from external networks. The isolated laboratory environment used is the IT Sandbox at an institution of higher education focused on educating IT engineers. The DoS lab demonstrates how TCP SYN, ICMP floods, and LAND attacks exhaust system and/or network resources. Additionally, the lab precipitates critical thought on how best to mitigate DoS and Distributed DoS attacks in the real world.
Neural network techniques applied to seismic event classification

An artificial neural network is incorporated as part of a software simulation system for the purpose of classifying seismic events from waveform data. Unprocessed seismograms are not well suited for presentation to neural networks because of the large number of data points required to represent a seismic event in the time domain. Parametric representation of the seismic event provides adequate information for accurate event classification, while significantly reducing the minimum size and is comprised of five signal classes, with 2400 samples per seismic trace. Each waveform in this database is parametrically represented by ten central moments. These moments are presented to the neural network for classification. Correct seismic event classification accuracy exceeds 98%.
Stability of extemporaneously prepared oxandrolone oral suspensions

Purpose The stability of extemporaneously prepared oxandrolone oral suspensions was studied. Methods Oxandrolone oral suspension (1 mg/mL) was prepared using oxandrolone tablets, Ora-Plus, and either Ora-Sweet or Ora-Sweet SF. Three identical samples of each formulation were prepared and stored in 2-oz amber plastic bottles with child-resistant caps at room temperature (23–25 °C). After thorough but gentle shaking by hand to prevent foaming, a 1-mL sample was withdrawn from each of the six bottles, diluted with mobile phase to an expected concentration of 200 μg/mL, and assayed in duplicate by injecting 5 μL into the high-performance liquid chromatography system immediately after preparation and at 7, 14, 35, 60, and 90 days. The samples were examined for any change in color or pH on each day of analysis. The stability of the suspensions was determined by calculating the percentage of the initial oxandrolone concentration remaining on each test day. Stability was defined as the retention of at least 90% of the initial oxandrolone concentration. Results At least 98% of the original oxandrolone concentration remained in both formulations at the end of the 90-day study period. There was no appreciable change in odor, taste, color, or pH. Both suspensions remained white in color and sweet with no aftertaste throughout the study period. The oxandrolone was easily resuspended with gentle shaking. Conclusion Extemporaneously prepared suspensions of oxandrolone 1 mg/mL in 1:1 mixtures of Ora-Plus and either Ora-Sweet or Ora-Sweet SF were stable for at least 90 days when stored in 2-oz amber plastic bottles at room temperature.
Public Health Surveillance of Non-Infectious Chronic Diseases: The Potential to Detect Rapid Changes in Disease Burden

The usefulness of surveillance in relating chronic disease trends to recent changes in risk exposures is often questioned on the grounds that these trends respond slowly, reflecting long periods between aetiological exposures and clinical onset of disease. We challenge this preconception on the basis of a review of several important risk factors and diseases: alcohol and liver cirrhosis; tobacco and stroke, cardiovascular disease, and lung cancer; and oestrogens and endometrial cancer. Data from cohort, cross-sectional, and modelling studies demonstrate that the time between removal of exposures and the onset of decline in morbidity or mortality is not defined by the time between initial exposure and disease occurrence. Rather, the pattern of lifetime exposures (with recent exposures often having a dominant effect), the dynamics of the disease process, and the segment of the population with reduced exposures determine how soon the decline begins.
A method to identify and simultaneously determine the relative quantities of proteins isolated by gel electrophoresis

Gel electrophoresis is often used for the primary analysis and purification of proteins, and peptide mapping by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) is a widely used technique for the rapid identification of unknown proteins. The identification is usually obtained by digesting the protein with an enzyme and matching the masses of the proteolytic peptides with those of each protein in a sequence database. Another important aspect in many proteomic experiments is the determination of the relative protein quantities (e.g. comparison between control and altered states). Usually, this is obtained by comparing the spot intensities of two independent gels. This procedure is time-consuming and not very accurate. Recently, several methodologies using isotope labeling of proteins for quantitative proteomic studies have been introduced (e.g. using ICAT reagents or growing cells in isotopically enriched nutrients). However, none of these methodologies is foolproof and there is still the need for simple and inexpensive alternatives for determining the relative quantities of proteins. Previously, we showed that a mixture of acrylamide and deuterated acrylamide could be used as cysteine alkylating reagent prior to electrophoresis, improving the coverage and the confidence of the protein identification procedure (Sechi S, Chait BT. Anal. Chem. 1998; 70: 5150). Here we show that a similar approach can be used to obtain relative quantitation at the femtomole level of proteins isolated by gel electrophoresis. Deuterated acrylamide is used to alkylate the cysteines in one sample and regular acrylamide is used to alkylate the cysteines in the second sample. The two samples are then mixed together in a 1:1 ratio and the relative protein quantities are determined from the ion intensity ratios of the two cysteine-containing peptides isotopic envelopes (regular/deuterated). The analysis of several proteins mixed in different ratios is reported showing that this approach can reliably be used for protein identification and quantification. Briefly, a simple and inexpensive method for quantifying and simultaneously identifying proteins isolated by gel electrophoresis using MALDI-MS is presented.
Exploiting inherent information redundancy to manage transient errors in NoC routing arbitration

We exploit the inherent information redundancy in the control path of Networks-on-Chip (NoCs) routers to manage transient errors, preventing packet loss and misrouting. Unlike fault-tolerant routing, our method does not drop packets when faults occur in routers and thus does not increase the burden on neighboring routers. Unlike the NoC interconnect links, the routing operation is nonlinear and standard error control coding methods cannot be used. Instead, our method exploits existing information redundancy in the router, significantly reducing the area overhead and power consumption compared to triple-modular redundancy (TMR). An analytical reliability model of our method is provided, including parameters such as circuit size, different error rates for logic gates and registers, and the location of a faulty element. Compared to TMR, the proposed method improves the arbiter reliability by two orders of magnitude while reducing the total power and area by 43% and 64%, respectively. Simulations performed on a 4×4 NoC show that our method reduces the average latency by up to 90% and 12% over no-protection and TMR methods, respectively.
Family Cancer Syndromes: Inherited Deficiencies in Systems for the Maintenance of Genomic Integrity

Familial cancer syndromes have revealed important fundamental features regarding how all cancers arise through destabilization of the genome, such that somatic evolution can select for the disruption of critical cellular coordinating and regulatory features. The authors examine those cellular genes and systems whose normal role is to preserve genomic integrity and relate them to the genetic foundations of heritable cancers. By examining how these cellular systems normally function, how family cancer genes are able to affect the process of tumor progression can be learned. In so doing, a clearer picture of how sporadic cancers arise is additionally gained.
A Hypersonic Vehicle Model Generator for MASIV

Control law design for air-breathing hypersonic vehicles requires an understanding of the strong and complex interactions between the propulsion system, aerodynamics, and aircraft structure. In an eort to advance this understanding, reduced-order modeling tools have been developed in recent years. The Michigan/AFRL Scramjet In Vehicle scramjet performance analysis tool is used to quickly analyze vehicle dynamics, determine ight envelopes, and develop control laws for X-43 class vehicles. This paper describes the development and capabilities of a vehicle model generator that can be used to create surface meshes for a wide variety of hypersonic vehicles with two-dimensional owpaths. The vehicle geometry models are compatible with MASIV, the Cart3D ow solver package, and computer-aided design programs. We discuss the methods employed in building a vehicle surface mesh and verify the ability to generate a model of a given vehicle. In addition, the validity of MASIV aerodynamic analysis is investigated through comparison to that of Cart3D.
Criminal Propensity, Social Context, and Recidivism: A Multilevel Analysis of Interactive Relationships

With almost 700,000 inmates released annually in the United States, the predictors of successful reentry have received considerable attention. Prior research documents that recidivism is influenced by both ex-inmate characteristics and social context. Little attention, however, has been paid to the role social context might play in moderating the effects of individual-level risk factors. Using inmate release data from the Florida Department of Corrections and other sources, we examine whether contextual factors that promote crime and antisocial behavior amplify the association between individual criminal propensity and recidivism. Our analysis offers limited support for the moderating effects of context, suggesting that the relationship between criminal propensity and recidivism is substantial and largely independent of community characteristics. We discuss the implications of the findings for theory, research, and policy.