cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increased expression of cholesterol 24S-hydroxylase results in disruption of glial glutamate transporter EAAT2 association with lipid rafts: a potential role in Alzheimer’s disease

J. Neurochem. (2010) 113, 978–989. Abstract The glial glutamate transporter EAAT2 (excitatory amino acid transporter 2) is the major mediator of glutamate clearance that terminates glutamate-mediated neurotransmission. Loss of EAAT2 and associated glutamate uptake function has been reported in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We previously reported that EAAT2 is associated with lipid raft microdomains of the plasma membrane. In the present study, we demonstrated that association of EAAT2 with lipid rafts is disrupted in AD brains. This abnormality is not a consequence of neuron degeneration, oxidative stress, or amyloid beta toxicity. In AD brains, cholesterol 24S-hydroxylase (CYP46), a key enzyme in maintenance of cholesterol homeostasis in the brain, is markedly increased in astrocytes but decreased in neurons. We demonstrated that increased expression of CYP46 in primary astrocytes results in a reduction of membrane cholesterol levels and leads to the dissociation of EAAT2 from lipid rafts and the loss of EAAT2 and associated glutamate uptake function. These results suggest that a disturbance of cholesterol metabolism may contribute to loss of EAAT2 in AD.
Early Clinical Experience with the Rechargeable Cardiac Pacemaker

Abstract After five years of laboratory development and experimental testing in animals, a rechargeable cardiac pacemaker powered by a specially designed nickel cadmium power cell was ready for human use. The bipolar coaxial pacing catheter connects to the pulse generator with a twist-lock mechanism, obviating the need for tools or ties. The small size of the pulse generator makes it easier to implant than conventional units. Recharging is performed by the patient at home for 90 minutes a week. This report details the early clinical experience with 26 patients who received this unit. All units are functioning and recharging according to specifications, and further clinical evaluation is now under way.
Relationships of Leydig cell characteristics and intratesticular testosterone levels to sexual activity in the African elephant.

Histological characteristics of testis tissues from 25 African elephants (Loxodonta africana) collected in Uganda, showed no consistent relationships among the following variables: Leydig cell size, cytoplasmic characteristics, and abundance; testicular testosterone content; and age. From these findings, plus field observations of sexual behavior, emerges the hypothesis that individual cyclicity in Leydig cell function was inherent in the elephant population studied. Testosterone content of testes from 32 elephants (including the 25 studied histologically) suggested that lone bulls were not of a senile nature since they contained relatively large quantities of testosterone and were relatively young (from about 12 to 25 years of age). Also, lone bulls were observed searching out estrous females. Among bulls collected from family units and herds, testosterone levels and behavior differed conspicuously. Behavior appeared to be directly related to testosterone content in several instances. Nonaggressive behavior among members of bull herds, plus the high proportion of such aggressive behavior among members of bull herds, plus the high proportion of such individuals with low testosterone content, suggest that some of these animals were in a depressed phase of sexual activity whereas others were undergoing pubertal development.
Anaerobic growth and improved fermentation of Pichia stipitis bearing a URA1 gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Respiratory and fermentative pathways coexist to support growth and product formation in Pichia stipitis. This yeast grows rapidly without ethanol production under fully aerobic conditions, and it ferments glucose or xylose under oxygen-limited conditions, but it stops growing within one generation under anaerobic conditions. Expression of Saccharomyces cerevisiae URA1 (ScURA1) in P. stipitis enabled rapid anaerobic growth in minimal defined medium containing glucose when essential lipids were present. ScURA1 encodes a dihydroorotate dehydrogenase that uses fumarate as an alternative electron acceptor to confer anaerobic growth. Initial P. stipitis transformants grew and produced 32 g/l ethanol from 78 g/l glucose. Cells produced even more ethanol faster following two anaerobic serial subcultures. Control strains without ScURA1 were incapable of growing anaerobically and showed only limited fermentation. P. stipitis cells bearing ScURA1 were viable in anaerobic xylose medium for long periods, and supplemental glucose allowed cell growth, but xylose alone could not support anaerobic growth even after serial anaerobic subculture on glucose. These data imply that P. stipitis can grow anaerobically using metabolic energy generated through fermentation but that it exhibits fundamental differences in cofactor selection and electron transport with glucose and xylose metabolism. This is the first report of genetic engineering to enable anaerobic growth of a eukaryote.
The 1973 Hawaii earthquake: a double earthquake beneath the volcano Mauna Kea

Summary. The 1973 Hawaii earthquake occurred north of Hilo, at a depth of 40 to 50km. The location was beneath the east flank of Mauna Kea, a volcano dormant historically, but active within the last 4000 yr. Aftershocks were restricted to a depth of 55–35km. The event and its aftershock sequence are located in an area not normally associated with the seismicity of the Mauna Loa and Kilauea calderas. The earthquake was a double event, the epicentres trending NE-SW. The events were of similar size and faulting mechanism. The fault plane solutions obtained by seismic waveform analysis are a strike-slip fault striking EW and dipping 55° S, the auxiliary plane a NS vertical plane with a faulting plunge of 35°. The axis of maximum compressive stress is aligned with the direction of the gravity gradient associated with the island of Hawaii. The fault plane striking EW parallels a surface feature, the Mauna Kea east rift zone. The earthquakes were clearly not associated with volcanic activity normally associated with Mauna Loa and Kilauea and may indicate a deep seated prelude to a resumption of activity at Mauna Kea.
Performance and Costs in Higher Education: A Proposal for Better Data

Although virtually all universities have accounting systems that track every dollar in accordance with the accounting rules required by auditors, these systems are not adequate to inform their lead...
Temperature dependence of electron-phonon thermalization and its correlation to ultrafast magnetism

We report a systematic measurement of the electron-phonon thermalization time scale as a function of the sample base temperature in Ni using femtosecond electron diffraction. A strong temperature dependence of this time scale has been observed in the vicinity of the Curie point. By assuming that ultrafast magnetism completes well before the electron-phonon thermalization, this correlation between thermalization time and sample base temperature fits a modified three-temperature model describing the energy transfer among charge, spin, and phonon subsystems. The results indicate that charges and spins can be characterized by a unified temperature during ultrafast lattice heating.
I am not, nor have I ever been a member of a data-mining discipline

This paper argues classical statistics and standard econometrics are based on a desire to meet scientific standards for accumulating reliable knowledge. Science requires two inputs, mining of existing data for inspiration and new or 'out-of-sample' data for predictive testing. Avoidance of data-mining is neither possible nor desirable. In economics out-of-sample data is relatively scarce, so the production process should intensively exploit the existing data. But the two inputs should be thought of as complements rather than substitutes. And we neglect the importance of out-of-sample testing in the production of reliable knowledge. Avoidance of data-mining is not a substitute for tests conducted in new samples. The problem is not that data-mining corrupts the process, the problem is our collective neglect of out-of-sample encompassing, stability and forecast tests. So the data-mining issue diverts us from the crucial margin.
Plant‐Mycorrhizal Community Dynamics Associated with a Moisture Gradient within a Rehabilitated Prairie Fen

Wetland ecosystems have ecological significance in areas such as natural waste purification and nutrient cycling. Much has been accomplished in determining the floristic and edaphic characteristics of wetlands, but little is known about key structure-function relationships such as mycorrhizae. We collected descriptive data on the plant and mycorrhizal fungal community associated with a moisture gradient along a rehabilitated prairie fen to assist in ongoing restoration efforts (Zimmerman Prairie, Greene County, Ohio). Analysis of soil samples from the prairie fen indicated that significant levels of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal infection occurred within both the prairie and fen plant species (infection level means ranging from 20% to 47%). Mycorrhizal root infection was significantly correlated with all edaphic factors tested-soil moisture, organic matter, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and pH-from May to October 1994. The plant-mycorrhizal data clearly indicate the presence of mycorrhizae in soils that are saturated or even inundated. The functional role of mycorrhizae in wetlands is still unclear, however. For example, is the species interaction we are observing truly mutualistic or of some other form due to environmental conditions? Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal relationships in all classes of wetland ecosystems need to be studied further if we are to understand their potential role in the ecological restoration of wetland ecosystems.
Organization and distribution pattern of MGLR-3, a novel retrotransposon in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe grisea.

Abstract A specific telomere was deleted in spontaneous, gain-of-virulence mutants derived from a rice pathogen of Magnaporthe grisea. Three different types of transposons, including Pot2, Mg-SINE, and a novel, 6-kb-long LTR (long terminal repeat)-type retrotransposon designated MGLR-3, were identified on this chromosomal end. The 114-bp-long telomeric repeat is immediately followed by the 3′ LTR of MGLR-3. A truncated copy of Pot2 immediately flanks the 5′ LTR, suggesting that this telomere was generated by a transposition event of MGLR-3 into this Pot2 element, causing the breakage of a chromosome. The subsequent addition of a telomeric repeat to the 3′ LTR of MGLR-3 most probably repaired the broken end of the chromosome. Mg-SINE is located 25 bp away from the truncated Pot2 element. MGLR-3 exhibited strong homology to various gypsy-class retrotransposons, including grh and MAGGY in M. grisea. MGLR-3 is ubiquitous regardless of the host of origin.
Thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of hydroxypropyl cellulose films

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) were used to characterize the morphology of solvent cast hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) films. DSC results were indicative of a semicrystalline material with a melt at 220°C and a glass transition at 19°C (T1), although an additional event was suggested by a baseline inflection at about 80°C (T2). Corresponding relaxations were found by DMTA. A secondary relaxation at −55°C was attributed to the interaction between hydroxyl groups of the polymer and residual diluent. The tan δ peak at T2 was found to arise from an organized phase, presumably from a liquid-crystal mesophase formed while in solution. Crosslinking with a diisocyanate increased the peak temperature of the two primary relaxations, and resulted in a more clearly defined peak for the T2 transition. From this behavior it was concluded that both T1 and T2 are similar to glass transitions (Tg's) associated with an amorphous component and a more highly ordered phase (due to a residual liquid crystal superstructure) in the HPC bulk.
Higher-order explicit numerical methods for laser plasma interactions

Summary form only given. The evolution of a short, intense laser pulse propagating in an underdense plasma is of particular interest for laser-plasma accelerator physics. This case is well-modeled by the cold, Maxwell-fluid equations but, using conventional second-order explicit methods, a three-dimensional simulation for experimentally relevant configurations is prohibitively expensive. This motivated a search for numerical methods that might be used to solve the fluid equations more efficiently. Explicit methods tend to suffer from stability constraints which couple the maximum allowable time step to the spatial grid size. If the dynamics of the system evolves on a time scale much larger than the constrained time step, an explicit method may require many more update cycles than is physically necessary. In these circumstances implicit methods, which tend to be unconditionally stable, may be attractive. However, in many physical situations (e.g., Raman processes) it is necessary to fully-resolve the fast dynamics. In this case, implicit methods are unlikely to exhibit much improvement over explicit methods. Thus, we look for methods of higherorder in space that would allow the use of coarser spatial grids and thus larger time steps. We restrict our discussion to the one-dimensional case and present a comprehensive survey of a wide range of numerical methods one might use to solve the fluid equations, including methods of order two through six in space and two through eight in time. There is no a priori way to determine whether a method will work and there are surprisingly many methods that turn out to be unconditionally unstable. We present a systematic approach to determine stability conditions using linear stability analyses of the numerical dispersion relations from these methods. This illustrates how the time step couples with the grid spacing, and we use examples to show how the numerical error of the group velocity depends on the time step. We briefly discuss extensions to two and three spatial dimensions.
Energy Methods for Quasilinear Hyperbolic Initial-Boundary Value Problems. Applications to Elastodynamics

The aim of this paper is to show how energy methods can be used to establish local (in time) existence of smooth solutions to certain initial-boundary value problems for systems of quasilinear hyperbolic partial differential equations. Our particular objective is to treat the equations of nonlinear elastodynamics.
Pushnet sampling as a supplement to seine sampling in rivers

Abstract A pushnet, a surface-fishing trawl mounted on the front of a small boat, was tested as a fish-collecting device to supplement seine sampling on the Ohio River. Both seine and pushnet catch rates were highly variable, with seine catch rates related to sampling conditions and pushnet catch rates related to habitat quality. The pushnet, which primarily sampled limnetic habitats, captured fewer species and smaller-sized individuals than the seine, which primarily sampled littoral habitats. The pushnet is a useful addition to faunal survey equipment because it samples differently from a seine and is useable where steeply-sloping shorelines, fast currents, shoreline obstructions and soft substrates prevent seining.
Orbital remote sensing for geological mapping in southern Tunisia: Implication for oil and gas exploration

Abstract Southern Tunisia is dominated by early to middle Triassic continental sandstones inter-bedded with shales and conglomerates followed by late Triassic shallow marine carbonates, lower Jurassic evaporates, and upper Jurassic to lower Cretaceous clastic sedimentary rocks. These constitute the Dahar Plateau (which is part of the Ghadames Basin and it is the focus of this study) that was developed in association with regional uplift of the Saharan Platform. Efforts in mapping the details of surface geology in southern Tunisia are hindered by the lack of continuous bedrock outcrops, where some of the formations are buried under the sand of the Sahara Desert. Remote sensing data including multi-spectral optical (Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) and the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER)), radar (RADARSAT), and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) extracted from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data are used to trace along strike continuity of different lithological units as well as mapping morphologically defined structures in southern Tunisia. Landsat ETM+ and ASTER Red–Green–Blue (RGB) color combination images (both band and band-ratio images) have been used for the identification of various lithological units when they are exposed on the surface. On the other hand, RADARSAT images have been utilized for tracing geological formations and geological structures that are buried under thin (∼1 m) sand. Fusion of optical and radar remote sensing data using Color Normalization Transformation (CNT) has been effectively implemented to further identify lithological units and geological structures. Hill-shading techniques are applied to SRTM DEMs to enhance terrain perspective views and to extract geomorphological features and morphologically defined structures through the means of lineament analysis. Results from remote sensing analysis are in good agreement with results obtained from in situ investigations including geological mapping and seismic exploration. Identifying lithological and structural features using remote sensing studies incorporated with surface and sub-surface geological investigations in southern Tunisia can aid exploration for new oil and gas fields. Such an approach of integrating remote sensing and in situ geological studies can be successfully adopted in other parts of North Africa and arid regions in general.
Rapid paper chromatographic separation of [14C] angiotensin II from some metabolites: application to organ distribution

A rapid, inexpensive method for the separation of 5-1-isoleucyl[14C] angiotensin II (A-II) from its various metabolites has been devised. A-II was extracted from tissues with absolute methanol (recovery 96%) and paper chromatographed in a butanol-acetic acid-water (18:2:5) medium for two ascents at 60 degrees C. The resulting RF for A-II of 0.45 was then compared with the RF values of three A-II metabolites produced by enzymatic degradation of the 14C-A-II and [14C]isoleucine. Trypsin degradation produced the [14C]hexapeptide metabolite, chymotryptic degradation produced the [14C]tetrapeptide metabolite and carboxypeptidase A degradation produced the [14C]heptapeptide. Increases in temperature produced a continuous increase in RF values for all the substances examined but the resolution decreased above 60 degrees C. Similarly, increases in the temperature caused the appearance of secondary peaks with some but not all peptides. The tryptic digest (hexapeptide) and the chymotryptic digest (tetrapeptide) are apparently acid- and heat-stable under the experimental conditions. All of the peptides examined failed to produce secondary peaks when heated at neutral pH. The method was used to study the tissue distribution of 14C-A-II after intravenous injection.
The First Extracellular Loop Domain Is a Major Determinant of Charge Selectivity in Connexin46 Channels

Intercellular channels formed of members of the gene family of connexins (Cxs) vary from being substantially cation selective to being anion selective. We took advantage of the ability of Cx46 to function as an unapposed hemichannel to examine the basis of Cx charge selectivity. Previously we showed Cx46 hemichannels to be large pores that predominantly conduct cations and inwardly rectify in symmetric salts, properties suggesting selectivity is influenced by fixed negative charges located toward the extracellular end of the pore. Here we demonstrate that high ionic strength solutions applied to the extracellular, but not the intracellular, side of Cx46 hemichannels substantially reduce the ratio of cation to anion permeability. Substitution of the first extracellular loop (E1) domain of Cx32, an anion-preferring Cx, reduces conductance, converts Cx46 from cation to anion preferring, and changes the I-V relation form inwardly to outwardly rectifying. These data suggest that fixed negative charges influencing selectivity in Cx46 are located in E1 and are substantially reduced and/or are replaced with positive charges from the Cx32 E1 sequence. Extending studies to Cx46 cell-cell channels, we show that they maintain a strong preference for cations, have a conductance nearly that expected by the series addition of hemichannels, but lack rectification in symmetric salts. These properties are consistent with preservation of the fixed charge region in E1 of hemichannels, which upon docking, become symmetrically placed near the center of the cell-cell channel pore. Furthermore, heterotypic cell-cell channels formed by pairing Cx46 with Cx32 or Cx43 rectify in symmetric salts in accordance with the differences in the charges we ascribed to E1. These data are consistent with charged residues in E1 facing the channel lumen and playing an important role in determining Cx channel conductance and selectivity.
A UHV chopper design for SSRL

Abstract A UHV beam chopper has been designed at SSRL. It features incremental attenuation settings that can span a range of 30 db or more and is designed to handle up to 100 W input power. In this paper, the design of the chopper is outlined and discussed.
Spatial and temporal structure of chaotic instabilities in an electron-hole plasma in Ge

Helical instabilities in an electron-hole plasma in Ge in parallel dc electric and magnetic fields are known to exhibit chaotic behavior. By fabricating probe contacts along the length of a Ge crystal we study the spatial structure of these instabilities, finding two types: (i) spatially coherent and temporally chaotic helical density waves characterized by strange attractors of fractal dimension dapprox.3, and (ii) beyond the onset of spatial incoherence, instabilities of indeterminately large fractal dimension d>8. A transition between these two types of behavior is observed as the applied fields are increased.
Two-spin dephasing by electron-phonon interaction in semiconductor double quantum dots

We study electron-phonon interaction induced decoherence between two-electron singlet and triplet states in a semiconductor double quantum dot using a spin-boson model. We investigate the onset and time evolution of this dephasing, and study its dependence on quantum dot parameters such as dot size and double dot separations, as well as the host materials (GaAs and Si). At the short time limit, electron-phonon interaction only causes an incomplete initial Gaussian decay of the off-diagonal density matrix element in the singlet-triplet Hilbert space; a complete long-time exponential decay due to phonon relaxation would eventually dominate over two-spin decoherence. We analyze two-spin decoherence in both symmetric and biased double quantum dots, identifying their difference in electron-phonon coupling and the relevant consequences.
Long-Term Follow-up of the Björk-Shiley Prosthetic Valve Used in the Mitral Position

Abstract This study analyzes 547 patients who had mitral valve replacement with a Bjork-Shiley prosthesis over a 9-year period (mean follow-up, 46.5 months). Operative mortality was 7.3%, and 5-year survival was 76.9%. Serious anticoagulation problems occurred in 1.8% (10 patients) and serious thromboembolic episodes in 5.3% (28 patients) (1.3 per 1,000 patient-months). The study includes 257 patients with isolated mitral valve replacement (Group 1) and 290 who had associated procedures (Groups 2 through 5). Hospital mortality in Group 1 was 2.7% compared with 11.7% in Groups 2 through 5 ( p p In the patients in Group 1 with pure mitral insufficiency (MI), 5-year survival was 70.9%, significantly lower ( p Significantly lower ( p
Changes in respiratory functions during metamorphosis of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana☆

Abstract Blood pH and Pco2, were measured in tadpoles of R. catesheiana from stages XVIII through XXV and in adults. All animals were kept at 23°C for at least 2 weeks before samples were taken for analysis. Bicarbonate concentrations of the blood were calculated using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation with appropriate corrections for constants. Carbon dioxide tension increased from about 5 torr at stage XX to about 15 torr at stage XXIII with no significant increase thereafter. Bicarbonate concentration increased progressively from a low of 8.4 mM/L at stage XX to a high of 27.6 mM/L in adults. In vivo pH of cardiac blood decreased from 7.82 in stage XX tadpoles to about 7.65 at stage XXI and thereafter remained essentially unchanged even in the adult (pH = 7.68). The critical phase of respiratory metamorphosis occurs during stages XXI and XXII and takes place in about 5 days.
Field studies of the motion of sediments in the coastal zone of the sea

We present the results of measurements carried out with the help of the “Donnaya Stantsiya” complex of equipment in the coastal zone of the Crimean shelf near Evpatoriya and near the southeast end of the Kosa Tuzla Island. For the same intensity of winds in these regions, the intensities of waves and turbulence in the coastal zone near Evpatoriya are much higher and, hence, the fluxes of suspended sediments are more intense. The accumulated data are intended for the correction of the kinetic model used for the evaluation of the characteristics of the field of suspended sediments in the shallow-water areas.
Throughput Enhancement for Phase Change Memories

Phase Change Memory (PCM) has emerged as a promising candidate for future memories. PCM has high cell density, zero cell leakage, and high stability in deep sub-micron technologies. Although PCM has limited endurance, recent endeavors have shown that its lifetime can be improved by orders of magnitude. However, a major hurdle for PCM is the long write latency and high write power. For this reason, PCM cannot deliver satisfactory memory bandwidth for high-end computing environment such as multi-processing and server systems. In this paper, we develop a non-blocking PCM bank design such that subsequent reads or writes can be carried in parallel with an on-going write. This is effective in removing long blocking time due to serial operations. Moreover, we propose novel memory request scheduling algorithms to exploit intra-bank parallelism brought by our non-blocking hardware. Our non-blocking hardware with scheduling enhancement improves PCM memory throughput by 51% on average. Finally, we propose a fine-grained power budgeting scheme to achieve more throughput improvement under power budgets. Experiments show that our scheduler enhanced with power budgeting scheme can achieve a throughput improvement of 118% on average.
Pharmacologic treatment of male breast cancer.

Male breast cancer is an uncommon condition. It often occurs in settings in which there is an imbalance between androgens and oestrogens. Genetics plays an important role, as many cases are associated with mutations in BRCA2 or other genes. Male breast cancer occurs at an older age than female breast cancer and is frequently diagnosed at a later stage. Tumors are predominantly oestrogen and progesterone positive. Prognosis is approximately equivalent to that of breast cancer in females when matched for age, stage and hormonal receptors. The recommended treatment for male breast cancer is similar to that for breast cancer in postmenopausal females. However, the presence of androgens in males has a strong effect on the hormonal milieu and the ability of male patients to respond to hormonal agents. When pharmacologic treatment is required, tamoxifen is effective for first-line therapy. Other hormonal approaches such as orchiectomy, aromatase inhibitors and androgen ablation may be useful in later lines of th...
Gene Therapy for Lysosomal Storage Diseases (LSDs) in Large Animal Models

Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are inherited metabolic disorders caused by deficient activity of a single lysosomal enzyme or other defects resulting in deficient catabolism of large substrates in lysosomes. There are more than 40 forms of inherited LSDs known to occur in humans, with an aggregate incidence estimated at 1 in 7,000 live births. Clinical signs result from the inability of lysosomes to degrade large substrates; because most lysosomal enzymes are ubiquitously expressed, a deficiency in a single enzyme can affect multiple organ systems. Thus LSDs are associated with high morbidity and mortality and represent a significant burden on patients, their families, the health care system, and society. Because lysosomal enzymes are trafficked by a mannose 6-phosphate receptor mechanism, normal enzyme provided to deficient cells can be localized to the lysosome to reduce and prevent storage. However, many LSDs remain untreatable, and gene therapy holds the promise for effective therapy. Other therapies for some LSDs do exist, or are under evaluation, including heterologous bone marrow or cord blood transplantation (BMT), enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), and substrate reduction therapy (SRT), but these treatments are associated with significant concerns, including high morbidity and mortality (BMT), limited positive outcomes (BMT), incomplete response to therapy (BMT, ERT, and SRT), life-long therapy (ERT, SRT), and cost (BMT, ERT, SRT). Gene therapy represents a potential alternative, albeit with its own attendant concerns, including levels and persistence of expression and insertional mutagenesis resulting in neoplasia. Naturally occurring animal homologues of LSDs have been described in all common domestic animals (and in some that are less common) and these animal models play a critical role in evaluating the efficacy and safety of therapy.
Self-Regulation Behaviors in Underprepared (Developmental) and Regular Admission College Students

Although there is evidence that self-regulated learning processes, such as self-efficacy and goal setting, are significantly related to academic success most studies have not included participants from the one third of the entering college students who must take remedial college courses. The purpose of our research was to examine the differences between the self regulation reported by regular admission students and by underprepared students. We hypothesized that self regulating behaviors could predict developmental, that is underprepared, status or regular admission status among postsecondary students. Self regulation processes in randomly selected developmental and regular admission college students were identified using a structured interview. A discriminant function analysis tested the predictive ability of three measures of self regulating behavior. Developmental and regular admission students differed significantly in their self regulatory strategy deployment. The results suggest that self regulation may be a distinguishing characteristic between some developmental and regular admission students.
Modifying the X-Matrix to Capture the Joint Capability Architecture

Abstract The Department of Defense (DoD) manages programs of systems from concept through development to production with Joint Capability Areas (JCAs). JCAs are a standardized grouping of capabilities that enable DoD decision makers to allocate resources based on a programs contribution to joint operations. Additionally, the DoD has established Universal Joint Tasks (UJTs) to serve as a common language for describing functions a system performs across the four services. Similar to JCAs, a system performs one or more UJTs in support of the joint war fight. Although JCAs and UJTs are well described and understood by the joint community within the DoD, the DoD lacks a method for visualizing the links between program, JCAs, and UJTs at the enterprise level. Enterprise Architecting is an approach for analyzing an enterprise level system and developing candidate architectures for the enterprise to deliver value. Enterprise Architecture tools, specifically, the X-Matrix provides an opportunity for the DoD to visualize these links to ensure alignment of programs to JCAs and UJTs. Additionally, the X-Matrix enables DoD decision makers to understand potential gaps or unnecessary redundancies at the enterprise level. Given the current fiscal reality in the DoD, analysts must provide leaders with data based recommendations on systems to ensure that the DoD is being efficient with their limited resources. This modification of the X-Matrix enables the visualization of essential links between programs, the form of the enterprise, and the JCAs and UJTs, the function of the enterprise. It provides DoD leadership with a tool to visualize the impacts of resourcing decisions and potentially make better investments in programs to support the joint warfighter.
A fresh look at the catenary

A hanging chain takes the familiar form known as the catenary which is one of the most ubiquitous curves students encounter in their daily life. Yet most introductory physics and mathematics texts ignore the subject entirely. In more advanced texts the catenary equation is usually derived as an application of the calculus of variations. Although the variational approach is mathematically elegant, it is suitable for more advanced students. Here we derive the catenary equation in special and rectangular coordinates by considering the equilibrium conditions for an element of the hanging chain and without resorting to the calculus of variations. One advantage of this approach is its simplicity which makes it accessible to undergraduate students; another is the concurrent derivation of a companion equation which gives the tension along the chain. These solutions provide an excellent opportunity for undergraduates to explore the underlying physics. One interesting result is that the shape of a hanging chain does not depend on its linear mass density or on the strength of the gravitational field. Therefore, within a scale factor, all catenaries are copies of the same universal curve. We give the functional dependence of the scale factor on the length and terminal angle of the hanging chain.
Candida endophthalmitis after intravenous drug abuse.

• Patients with endogenousCandidaendophthalmitis associated with intravenous (IV) drug abuse may manifest ocular and systemic signs different from those seen in other forms of endogenousCandidaendophthalmitis. There may be a sparcity of evidence of systemic candidiasis, including negative serology and normal physical examination results. Anterior uveitis and extensive vitreous involvement are common and do not necessarily have associated typical retinal lesions, which are more commonly seen in the compromised host. This may occur either because of the more transitory nature of choroidal or retinal lesions or because these patients often seek treatment at later stages. Even with a typical clinical picture, it is difficult to get culture confirmation of the diagnosis. Material obtained by vitrectomy must be concentrated before inoculation of media because of the known difficulty of culturingCandidafrom the vitreous cavity.
Auxin-Induced Hydrogen Ion Excretion from Avena Coleoptiles

Abstract Avena coleoptiles excrete hydrogen ions in response to the hormone auxin. Both auxin-induced cell elongation and hydrogen ion excretion occur after only a short lag, and both are prevented by either carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone or cycloheximide. These results support the idea that hydrogen ions act as a second messenger in auxin-induced cell elongation and can be the wall-loosening factor.
WOCE/TOGA Data Management

An ad hoc meeting to consider data handling requirements for the two major ocean climate experiments planned over the next decade, the Interannual Variability of the Tropical Ocean and the Global Atmosphere (TOGA) and the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE), was held in August 1984 in Washington, D.C. The purpose was to begin to develop an effective data management system for the large-scale ocean research programs of the World Climate Research Program. This report summarizes the presentations and gives the conclusions of the meeting. A more formal data management group is being set up, and reports on its work will appear in future editions of The Oceanography Report.
Soil organic matter effects on plant available and water soluble phosphorus

The degree of phosphorus saturation (DPS) has been shown to be a suitable initial indicator of P loss potential from agricultural soils to surface waters. In addition, several agronomic soil tests have been evaluated as environmental predictive tools. The objectives of this study were: (1) to evaluate the modified Morgan soil test, used on acid, high-aluminum soils of the northeastern United States, as a predictor of water-soluble P and (2) to determine the effect of soil organic matter (SOM) on the ability of both DPS and soil test P to predict water-soluble P. The soils were divided into three SOM classifications depending on their loss-on-ignition contents and analyzed for water-soluble P, modified Morgan soil test P, and oxalate-extractable P, Al, and Fe. The relationship between DPS and water-soluble P showed a change point at about 15% DPS, as did the relationship between DPS and modified Morgan soil test P. A DPS of 15% corresponded to about 14 mg kg−1, a threshold above which water-soluble P could be expected to increase more rapidly with additional P loading. The slopes of the regression lines of water-soluble P as a function of soil test P were 0.050, 0.036, and 0.021 (mg water-soluble P kg−1 soil/mg soil test P kg−1) for the low, medium, and high SOM classification groups, respectively. SOM level had a less significant effect on the relationship between DPS and water-soluble P. Higher levels of SOM were associated with higher levels of oxalate-extractable Fe and Al and, therefore, higher P sorption capacities and lower DPS values, resulting in less P in solution at all soil test levels.
Comparison study of feature extraction methods in structural damage pattern recognition

This paper compares the performance of various feature extraction methods applied to structural sensor measurements acquired in-situ, from a decommissioned bridge under realistic damage scenarios. Three feature extraction methods are applied to sensor data to generate feature vectors for normal and damaged structure data patterns. The investigated feature extraction methods include identification of both time domain methods as well as frequency domain methods. The evaluation of the feature extraction methods is performed by examining distance values among different patterns, distance values among feature vectors in the same pattern, and pattern recognition success rate. The test data used in the comparison study are from the System Identification to Monitor Civil Engineering Structures (SIMCES) Z24 Bridge damage detection tests, a rigorous instrumentation campaign that recorded the dynamic performance of a concrete box-girder bridge under progressively increasing damage scenarios. A number of progressive damage test case data sets, including undamaged cases and pier settlement cases (different depths), are used to test the separation of feature vectors among different patterns and the pattern recognition success rate for different feature extraction methods is reported.
Female receptivity in neonatally castrated males as a function of age and experience

Abstract Male rats castrated within 6 hr after birth were given a minimum of 7 tests for female receptivity beginning at either 35, 60, 90, or 120 days of age. Both initial and maximum responsiveness to estrogen and progesterone were found to be inversely proportional to chronological age. In contrast to a female control group, which exhibited increasing levels of receptivity over the testing sessions, males desplayed maximum responsiveness within 3–5 testing sessions and thereafter decreased. The rate of decrease was accelerated by exposure to the testing procedure.
A mechanistic link between oxidative stress and membrane mediated amyloidogenesis revealed by infrared spectroscopy.

The fully developed lesion of Alzheimer's disease is a dense plaque composed of fibrillar amyloid β-proteins (Aβ) with a characteristic and well-ordered β-sheet secondary structure. Because the incipient lesion most likely develops when these proteins are first induced to form β-sheet structure, it is important to understand factors that induced Aβ to adopt this conformation. In this review, we describe the application of polarized attenuated total internal reflection infrared FT-IR spectroscopy for characterizing the conformation, orientation, and rate of accumulation of Aβ on lipid membranes. We also describe the application and yield of linked analysis, whereby multiple spectra are fit simultaneously with component bands that are constrained to share common fitting parameters. Results have shown that membranes promote β-sheet formation under a variety of circumstances that may be significant to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
Strukturmodelle der Stimmungen

Zusammenfassung. Der Artikel gibt einen Uberblick uber Strukturmodelle des Stimmungserlebens. Zunachst werden globale Stimmungsmodelle verglichen, die Stimmungen mittels wenigen bipolaren Dimension...
Fieldwork and data collection in qualitative marketing research

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a systematic and rigorous process of data collection and fieldwork in qualitative research using four empirical studies of customer interactions in new product development (NPD) as examples. The intention is to dispel a misconception that the qualitative research lacks objectivity and methodological robustness.Design/methodology/approach – To collect data for all the four studies a preliminary process of conducting fieldwork was first developed from the extant literature. This preliminary framework was applied in the first study and subsequently revised twice in the second and third study by incorporating necessary changes and additions. Finally, the framework was tested and further refined in the fourth study.Findings – The findings from these four empirical qualitative studies have demonstrated that a theory generating idiographic research such as field interviews could be carried out systematically. These findings also provide a basis for proposing a st...
Family Satisfaction With Residential Care Provision: A Multilevel Analysis:

The goal of this study was to assess the impact of staff commitment on outcomes of quality of care in residential care facilities in a sample of 260 family members of residents and 206 direct care staff from 24 residential care/assisted living (RC/AL) homes in Kansas. Quality of care was measured as family satisfaction, and individual- and facility-level predictors were used in the model. The significant predictors of family satisfaction were the family member’s age and relationship to elder. The findings suggest that both of these variables are tied to beliefs that family members have about their own responsibility for care, which may in turn influence their satisfaction with care. This hypothesis deserves further attention in future research. Also, the failure of this study to affirm an expected relationship between staff commitment and family satisfaction should prompt further research related to staff commitment and family satisfaction.
Conditional simulation of non-Gaussian random fields for earthquake monitoring systems

Abstract The problem of conditional simulation of random fields gained a significant interest recently due to its applications to urban earthquake monitoring. In this paper, for the first time in the literature, the method of conditional simulation of non-Gaussian random fields is developed. It combines previous techniques of iterative procedure of unconditional simulation of non-Gaussian fields, and the procedure of conditional simulation of Gaussian random fields. To contrast the agreement between the simulated correlation function and targeted correlation function, the numerical error is decomposed into two parts, namely, into simulation error and mapping error. Simulation error can be reduced by increasing number of samples while mapping error is eliminated by the suitable iteration procedure. In this paper univariate and time-independent random fields are considered. Numerical example shows that the correlation structure and probability distribution of the simulated random field have excellent agreements with given correlation structure and probability distribution, respectively.
Inexact switching logic

In this correspondence, we are concerned with an algorithm used to find the set of all inexact prime implicants of an inexact switching function as defined with the help of fuzzy algebra. The principal advantage claimed over existing methods is that it is suitable for an efficient computer implementation. The steps are easy to apply and well adapted to being programmed without any heuristic methods.
Fetal middle cerebral artery Doppler fluctuations after laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Fetal middle cerebral artery Doppler fluctuations after laser surgery for twin–twin transfusion syndrome
USF1 and hSET1A Mediated Epigenetic Modifications Regulate Lineage Differentiation and HoxB4 Transcription

The interplay between polycomb and trithorax complexes has been implicated in embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal and differentiation. It has been shown recently that WRD5 and Dpy-30, specific components of the SET1/MLL protein complexes, play important roles during ESC self-renewal and differentiation of neural lineages. However, not much is known about how and where specific trithorax complexes are targeted to genes involved in self-renewal or lineage-specification. Here, we report that the recruitment of the hSET1A histone H3K4 methyltransferase (HMT) complex by transcription factor USF1 is required for mesoderm specification and lineage differentiation. In undifferentiated ESCs, USF1 maintains hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HS/PC) associated bivalent chromatin domains and differentiation potential. Furthermore, USF1 directed recruitment of the hSET1A complex to the HoxB4 promoter governs the transcriptional activation of HoxB4 gene and regulates the formation of early hematopoietic cell populations. Disruption of USF or hSET1A function by overexpression of a dominant-negative AUSF1 mutant or by RNA-interference-mediated knockdown, respectively, led to reduced expression of mesoderm markers and inhibition of lineage differentiation. We show that USF1 and hSET1A together regulate H3K4me3 modifications and transcription preinitiation complex assembly at the hematopoietic-associated HoxB4 gene during differentiation. Finally, ectopic expression of USF1 in ESCs promotes mesoderm differentiation and enforces the endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition by inducing hematopoietic-associated transcription factors, HoxB4 and TAL1. Taken together, our findings reveal that the guided-recruitment of the hSET1A histone methyltransferase complex and its H3K4 methyltransferase activity by transcription regulator USF1 safeguards hematopoietic transcription programs and enhances mesoderm/hematopoietic differentiation.