cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How the FLOSS Research Community Uses Email Archives

Artifacts of the software development process, such as source code or emails between developers, are a frequent object of study in empirical software engineering literature. One of the hallmarks of free, libre, and open source software (FLOSS) projects is that the artifacts of the development process are publicly-accessible and therefore easily collected and studied. Thus, there is a long history in the FLOSS research community of using these artifacts to gain understanding about the phenomenon of open source software, which could then be compared to studies of software engineering more generally. This paper looks specifically at how the FLOSS research community has used email artifacts from free and open source projects. It provides a classification of the relevant literature using a publicly-available online repository of papers about FLOSS development using email. The outcome of this paper is to provide a broad overview for the software engineering and FLOSS research communities of how other researchers have used FLOSS email message artifacts in their work.
SnO2 and TiO2-supported-SnO2 lithium battery anodes with improved electrochemical performance

Li-ion battery anodes made of SnO2 nanoparticles and a TiO2-supported SnO2 nanocomposite formed of equimolar amounts of the Sn and Ti oxides were investigated, respectively. By limiting the voltage window of the charge/discharge cycles to the range 50 mV–1.0 V, both the SnO2-based anode and the SnO2/TiO2-based anode show improved cycling stability. Compared to the SnO2 nanoparticle based anodes, the TiO2-support-SnO2 nanocomposite anodes exhibit better cyclability and higher Coulombic efficiency. During the first lithiation process, Li+ conducting LixTiO2 is formed in the SnO2/TiO2 composite, which structurally/mechanically supports the electrode. The anode made of amorphous TiO2-cassiterite SnO2 retained a reversible capacity of ∼500 mAh g−1 (based on the weight of SnO2) or ∼320 mAh g−1 (based on the weight of SnO2/TiO2) at 0.2 C after 100 cycles and at a rate as fast as 5 C retained a stable reversible capacity of ∼340 mAh g−1 (based on the weight of SnO2) or ∼220 mAh g−1 (based on the weight of SnO2/TiO2).
SUPEROXIDE RADICALS, SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASES AND THE AEROBIC LIFESTYLE

— The superoxide radical (O-2) is a commonplace product of the biological reduction of molecular oxygen and plays an important role in oxygen toxicity. Superoxide dismutases (SOD) catalytically scavenge this radical and are the primary defense against its cytotoxicity. The data which support these statements have been briefly reviewed. Oxygen enhances the lethality of certain antibiotics, such as streptonigrin, and of ionizing radiation as well. The role of O-2 in the enhancements is presented and the basis of the radioprotective effects of SOD discussed. Several more recent developments are presented in detail including: (a) The induction of the MnSOD of E. coli upon exposure to very low levels of oxygen, (b) The changes in SOD in E. coli as a function of nutritional state, during culture in a chemostat. (c) A convenient new assay and activity stain for SOD.
Outpatient alcoholics view group therapy

Eight chronic alcoholic outpatients who completed six months of a biweekly therapy group returned questionnaires based on Yalom's concepts of group therapy curative factors. The questionnaire data revealed that the most helpful factors were instillation of hope, altruism, group cohesiveness, interpersonal output and universality. These results are discussed with reference to other studies using Yalom's technique.
Patient preferences and willingness to pay for tinnitus treatments.

Purpose There will likely be several different tinnitus treatments necessary, and it is important to understand patient preferences and factors that might contribute to treatment acceptability. This study explores the acceptability of a wide range of different tinnitus treatments, from noninvasive wearable devices to surgically implanted devices in the brain. Understanding how tinnitus sufferers consider and rank such options and how they might be influenced by their own perception of the severity of their tinnitus could help clinicians, researchers, and companies plan future efforts for approaching new treatments. Data collection and analysis 197 tinnitus self-help group attendees rated their acceptance of treatments on a scale from 0 (not acceptable) to 100 (fully acceptable). The treatments included external devices, medications, cochlear implants, an implant on the brain surface, and an implant in the brain. They were also asked how much they would pay for successful treatments. Results There was a significant correlation between loudness and annoyance (r = .78). To reduce tinnitus by half, an "acceptable" response between 91 and 100 was reported by 30% of the respondents for devices, by 52% for pills, by 25% for cochlear implants, by 13% for implants on the brain surface, and by 13% for implants in the brain. To reduce tinnitus completely, a 91-100 acceptable response was reported by 42% for devices, by 62% for pills, by 38% for cochlear implants, by 21% for implants on the brain surface, and by 19% for implants in the brain. To reduce tinnitus completely, participants most commonly selected to pay at least $5000, and 20.3% were willing to pay as much as $25,000. The ratings of tinnitus loudness and annoyance were positively correlated with the likelihood of using any treatment. Surprisingly, there was a weak relationship between annoyance and the amount they were willing to pay. Conclusions Tinnitus patients are prepared to accept a wide variety of treatments. Medications are the most acceptable. Invasive procedures can also be acceptable to many, particularly if they provide complete relief.
A comparative study of the native fluorescence of human dentine and bovine skin collagens

Abstract Human dentine and bovine skin collagens were subjected to partial acid hydrolysis, and the hydrolysates were fractionated in an effort to isolate the fluorescent components. Sufficient amounts of fluorescent fractions were obtained for amino acid analysis. There were no marked differences in chromatographic patterns, nature of fluorescence, or amino acid content between dentine and skin collagen fractions.
Antibody-mediated injury to proximal tubules in the rat kidney induced by passive transfer of homologous anti-brush border serum.

Abstract Study of the natural history of Heymann nephritis in rats has led to the suggestion that antibodies to brush border are responsible for injury to proximal tubules. To obtain direct evidence that antibodies to brush border are cytotoxic to cells of the proximal tubular epithelium, passive transfer experiments were performed. Rats with serum sickness glomerulonephritis were recipients of homologous anti-brush border serum. Forty-eight hours after the first injection of anti-brush border serum, immunoglobulin was bound to the luminal border of proximal tubules. Fixation of immunoglobulin was associated with loss of microvilli and proliferation of cells of the tubular epithelium. The changes in proximal tubules observed in passive transfer experiments were similar to those seen in rats with Heymann nephritis and were not observed in animals which received injections of normal rat serum. It appears that damage of renal tubules may be the consequence of deposition of antibodies along the plasma membrane of tubular cells.
Eolian particulates from oceanic and rural areas—their lipids fulvic and humic acids and residual carbon

The lipids of eolian particulates from oceanic areas (primarily the Atlantic) consist of predominantly terrestrial higher plant waxes and microbial lipid residues of mainly a lacustrine origin. Their solvent-insoluble organic matter has been separated into fulvic acid, humic acid and residual carbon fractions. The humic acids exhibit properties typical of terrestrial soil humates. The residual carbon consists primarily of amorphous carbon (soot). The lipids of rural particulate samples consist primarily of higher plant wax (based on the distributions of the n-alkanes, n-fatty acids and n-alcohols), with lesser amounts of higher plant terpenes and of microbial lipid residues from various sources. Some minor anthropogenic pollutants are also present. These samples were collected during summer and winter in the western United States. These data indicate that primary biogenic residues (i.e. plant waxes and terpenes, etc.) are major components of eolian particulates in the troposphere away from urban areas. This natural background of eolian organic matter is a significant component in the global cycling and flux of carbon.
Impact of Behavioral Interventions in the Management of Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Research on the role of behavior change as an efficacious intervention for adults with type 2 diabetes is evolving. Searching PubMed and Ovid Medline, we identified and reviewed primarily randomized controlled trials from 2010 to 2013 of adults managing type 2 diabetes without insulin. All studies are evaluated in terms of the rigor of their design and their impact on glycosylated hemoglobin. The most efficacious interventions appear to be low-carbohydrate/glycemic load diets, combined aerobic and resistance training, and self-monitoring of blood glucose, which educates patients about the impact of their food selections and physical activity on their blood glucose.
Actin Sliding Velocities are Influenced by the Driving Forces of Actin-Myosin Binding.

Unloaded shortening speeds, V, of muscle are thought to be limited by actin-bound myosin heads that resist shortening, or V = a · d · τ on −1 where τ on −1 is the rate at which myosin detaches from actin and d is myosin’s step size. The a-term describes the efficiency of force transmission between myosin heads, and has been shown to become less than one at low myosin densities in a motility assay. Molecules such as inorganic phosphate (P i ), and blebbistatin inhibit both V and actin-myosin strong binding kinetics suggesting a link between V and attachment kinetics. To determine whether these small molecules slow V by increasing resistance to actin sliding or by decreasing the efficiency of force transmission, a, we determine how inhibition of V by P i and blebbistatin changes the force exerted on actin filaments during an in vitro sliding assay, measured from changes in the rate, τ break −1 , at which actin filaments break. Upon addition of 30 mM P i to a low (30 μM) [ATP] motility buffer V decreased from 1.8 to 1.3 μm s−1 and τ break −1 from 0.029 to 0.018 s−1. Upon addition of 50 μM blebbistatin to a low [ATP] motility buffer, V decreased from 1.0 to 0.7 μm s−1 and τ break −1 from 0.059 to 0.022 s−1. These results imply that blebbistatin and P i slow V by decreasing force transmission, a, not by increasing resistive forces, implying that actin-myosin attachment kinetics influence V.
A message from the editor-in-chief: best paper award recipients

The reputation of the IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON SIGNAL PROCESSING rests on the high quality of its articles and on the dedicated service and expertise of its editorial board and reviewers. In this yearly column, we are pleased to announce the TRANSACTIONS articles that have been selected to receive 2003 Best Paper Awards. We would also like to encourage our readers to nominate TRANSACTIONS papers for awards. Nominations can be submitted online through the TRANSACTIONS website.
Herbage measurement in situ by electronics. 3. Calibration, characterization and field application of the earth‐plate forage capacitance meter: a prototype

Calibration of an earth-plate forage capacitance meter was conducted on pure stands of Festuca arundinacea Schreb., Medicago sativa L., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. and Trifolium repens L. and a mixture of Trifolium repens and Dactylis glomerata L. Dry weight (DW) prediction equations were developed using the instrument capacitance reading modified by visual estimates of height, stand density and species percentage. In general, meter readings (MR) correlated better with DW than with fresh weight or weight of water and especially when the area harvested exceeded 0·537 m2. Correlation between MR and DW improved with increasing top plate area and with decreasing distance between the top plate (suspended sheet of aluminium) and the earth-plate ground. The use of a plastic shield to suppress the forage to a uniform height caused a reduction in the correlation between MR and DW. The use of MR to predict DW from selected settings, their linear and curvilinear relationships and several auxiliary observations gave results with R2 values ranging from 0·94 to 0·99, depending on species and mixture.
Ice ball fractures during percutaneous renal cryoablation: Risk factors and potential implications

The authors present two cases of ice ball fractures with associated hemorrhage during percutaneous renal cryoablation procedures. Although this is a rare occurrence, it is important to be able to identify ice ball fractures on monitoring noncontrast computed tomography (CT) scans during cryoablation, because they can result in significant bleeding, and recognition allows prompt intervention. Risk factors for ice ball fractures and potential implications are discussed.
Lamport on mutual exclusion: 27 years of planting seeds

Mutual exclusion is a topic that Leslie Lamport has returned to many times throughout his career. This article, which is being written in celebration of Lamport's sixtieth birthday, is an attempt to survey some of his many contributions to research on this topic.
Cardiac Lymphoma Presenting with Pericardial Effusion in a Pediatric Patient: Case Report, Management, and Literature Review

A 31/2-year-old boy was transferred to Children’s National Medical Center for evaluation of a pericardial effusion. He had initially presented with a 2week history of decreased activity, anorexia, and intermittent fever. Physical examination showed an alert, afebrile child with mild tachycardia and tachypnea. No cyanosis, bruising, or petechiae were present. There was no palpable lymphadenopathy. Auscultation of the lungs showed decreased breath sounds at the right lung base. Cardiac examination showed decreased heart sounds without a murmur, gallop, or rub. Abdominal examination showed a firm liver edge palpable 3 cm below the right costal margin. No splenomegaly was present. Laboratory evaluation showed a hemoglobin of 10.6 g/dL and white blood cell count of 10,8OO/pL with 59% segmented neutrophils, 2 % bands, 25% lymphocytes, 13% monocytes, and 1% basophils. The platelet count was 218,00O/pL. Electrolytes, urea nitrogen, creatinine, bilirubin, phosph6rus,
Note on independence of arcs in antiparallel for network flow problems

Given a transportation flow network with two arcs in antiparallel, if the capacities of all other arcs are fixed and the demands at sinks are fixed, at least one of the two arcs will be irrelevant to the problem of flow feasibility. As a consequence, in a stochastic setting, two arcs in antiparallel whose capacities are independent of other network capacities and demands may be treated as having independent probability distributions regardless of their actual correlation.
New microsatellite loci for the endangered scalloped hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini

We isolated 15 microsatellite markers for the scalloped hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini. Loci were tested on 80 specimens of S. lewini from four Eastern Pacific samples. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 6 to 31 (mean = 14). Observed and expected levels of heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.39 to 0.91 (mean = 0.70) and from 0.54 to 0.90 (mean = 0.76), respectively. No pairs of loci were in gametic disequilibrium after Bonferroni correction of α. One locus showed significantly lower heterozygosity than expected under Hardy-Weinberg proportions in two populations, possibly caused by null alleles.
An alternative two stage least squares (2SLS) estimator for latent variable equations

The Maximum-likelihood estimator dominates the estimation of general structural equation models. Noniterative, equation-by-equation estimators for factor analysis have received some attention, but little has been done on such estimators for latent variable equations. I propose an alternative 2SLS estimator of the parameters in LISREL type models and contrast it with the existing ones. The new 2SLS estimator allows observed and latent variables to originate from nonnormal distributions, is consistent, has a known asymptotic covariance matrix, and is estimable with standard statistical software. Diagnostics for evaluating instrumental variables are described. An empirical example illustrates the estimator.
Upper Limits on the Top Quark Mass in Models with New Gauge Bosons

The experimental value of the ρ parameter is used to obtain an upper limit on the top-quark mass (mt) in models with extended gauge sectors. This limit is found to be generally stronger than that obtained from similar considerations in the Standard Model (SM). This bound, however, is shown to depend strongly on the particular extension of the usual SM gauge sector under consideration. Improved experimental lower limits on mt can also be used to rule out large regions of the parameter space of extended electroweak models.
The neuroglia in the spinal cord of the newt, Triturus viridescens.

This study of the fine structure of the neuroglia in the spinal cord of the newt, Triturus viridescens, has permitted the identification of three types of glial elements. One type is the ependymal cell whose processes are rich in filaments and glycogen and end on the pia in the deeper portion of the fissures of the cord. The two other types of glial cells display some morphological similarities to typical mammalian neuroglia although they appear to be more primitive. These are the astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The astrocytes contain glial filaments, glycogen, specialized mitochondria, few ribosomes, and probably send end feet to the surface of the cord and to the intramedullary vessels. The oligodendrocytes present some variation in morphology but always exhibit an abundance of ribosomes. They are located either near the neurons, the intramedullary vessels, the pia, or the myelin sheath.
Lawrence J.Vale, Purging the Poorest: Public Housing and the Design Politics of Twice‐Cleared Communities. By (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2013).

As early as the late 1950s, public housing, the 1937 and 1949 Housing Acts’ solution to providing all Americans with a ‘decent home and suitable living environment’, was becoming increasingly stigm...
The values of minority carrier diffusion lengths and lifetimes in GaN and their implications for bipolar devices

Abstract The wide bandgap semiconductors GaN and AlGaN show promise as the high voltage standoff layers in high power heterostructure bipolar transistors and thyristors due to their electric breakdown characteristics. Material properties which significantly influence the design and performance of these devices are electron and hole diffusion lengths and recombination lifetimes. We report direct measurements of minority carrier diffusion lengths for both holes and electrons by electron beam induced current. For planar Schottky diodes on unintentionally doped n-type and p-type GaN grown by metal organic vapor phase deposition (MOCVD), the diffusion lengths were found to be (0.28±0.03) μm for holes and (0.2±0.05) μm for electrons. Minority carrier lifetimes of approximately 7 ns for holes and 0.1 ns for electrons were estimated from these measured diffusion lengths and mobilities. In the case of GaN grown by halide vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) diffusion lengths in the 1–2 μm range were found. We attempt to correlate the measured diffusion lengths and lifetimes with the structural properties of GaN and to explain why linear dislocations might act as a recombination centers. We calculate the performance of nitride based bipolar devices, in particular thyristor switches. The forward voltage drop across standoff layer of the nitride based thyristor switch is shown to significantly depend on the minority carrier (hole) lifetime.
Amplification of cytokine-specific ELISAs increases the sensitivity of detection to 5-20 picograms per milliliter.

Abstract The ability to detect a protein is always limited to the sensitivity of the assays available. Progress in improving the sensitivity of protein detection will allow a more complete understanding of biological systems. Of particular interest to the field of immunology is the ability to characterize an immune response based upon the pattern of cytokines that are released in response to antigen. A Th1 response is characterized by the presence of IL-2, IL-12, TNF and IFN-γ, whereas a Th2 response is characterized by IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10. Often, these cytokines are present in in vitro-derived culture supernatants at extremely low concentrations and are therefore very difficult to detect. Although a number of improvements have been made to the sensitivity of the relevant detection assays, the most successful assays involve the presence of the cells being cultured thereby limiting the number of tests per culture to one. Here we describe an enhanced ELISA protocol where the sensitivity is equivalent or better than corresponding cell-based assays. This protocol will permit the sensitive measurement of multiple cytokines per single culture supernatant.
Modeling Prostate Cancer in Mice: Limitations and Opportunities

The complex dynamics of the tumor microenvironment and prostate cancer heterogeneity have confounded efforts to establish suitable preclinical mouse models to represent human cancer progression from early proliferative phenotypes to aggressive, androgen-independent, and invasive metastatic tumors. Current models have been successful in capitulating individual characteristics of the aggressive tumors. However, none of these models comprehensively mimics human cancer progression, establishing the challenge in their exploitation to study human disease. The ability to tailor phenotypic outcomes in mice by compounding mutations to target specific molecular pathways provides a powerful tool toward disruption of signaling pathways contributing to the initiation and progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer. Each model is characterized by unique features contributing to the understanding of prostate tumorigenesis, as well as limitations challenging our knowledge of the mechanisms of cancer development and progression. Emerging strategies utilize genomic manipulation technology to circumvent these limitations toward the formulation of attractive, physiologically relevant models of prostate cancer progression to advanced disease. This review discusses the current value of the widely used and well-characterized mouse models of prostate cancer progression to metastasis, as well as the opportunities begging exploitation for the development of new models for testing the antitumor efficacy of therapeutic strategies and identifying new biomarkers of disease progression.
Perceived Personality Similarity and Perceptions of Expert Testimony

This study examined perceived similarity in a mock juror-expert witness paradigm. Using a Five-Factor Model (FFM) perspective, 328 mock jurors provided self-rated personality characteristics and rated the expert witness on personality as well as testimony-related outcomes of credibility and agreement (as indicated by sentencing recommendations). Results showed that perceived similarity in all FFM traits predicted perceptions of expert credibility. Openness and Conscientiousness predicted agreement with the witness. Global perceived personality similarity was associated with credibility, but not agreement with the witness, when simultaneously evaluated with trait-level similarity. Findings support the utility of a multidimensional trait-based model of perceived similarity.
Light-Activated Affinity Micropatterning of Proteins on Self-Assembled Monolayers on Gold

We describe a method to pattern proteins onto a photolabile “caged” biotin-derivatized self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on gold, which we term light-activated affinity micropatterning of proteins (LA...
3DQRS: a method to obtain reliable QRS complex detection within high field MRI using 12-lead electrocardiogram traces.

Purpose To develop a technique that accurately detects the QRS complex in 1.5 Tesla (T), 3T, and 7T MRI scanners. Methods During early systole, blood is rapidly ejected into the aortic arch, traveling perpendicular to the MRI's main field, which produces a strong voltage (VMHD) that eclipses the QRS complex. Greater complexity arises in arrhythmia patients, since VMHD varies between sinus-rhythm and arrhythmic beats. The 3DQRS method uses a kernel consisting of 6 electrocardiogram (ECG) precordial leads (V1-V6), compiled from a 12-lead ECG performed outside the magnet. The kernel is cross-correlated with signals acquired inside the MRI to identify the QRS complex in real time. The 3DQRS method was evaluated against a vectorcardiogram (VCG)-based approach in two premature ventricular contraction (PVC) and two atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, a healthy exercising athlete, and eight healthy volunteers, within 1.5T and 3T MRIs, using a prototype MRI-conditional 12-lead ECG system. Two volunteers were recorded at 7T using a Holter recorder. Results For QRS complex detection, 3DQRS subject-averaged sensitivity levels, relative to VCG were: 1.5T (100% versus 96.7%), 3T (98.9% versus 92.2%), and 7T (96.2% versus 77.7%). Conclusion The 3DQRS method was shown to be more effective in cardiac gating than a conventional VCG-based method. Magn Reson Med 71:1374–1380, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
HIV, Antiretroviral Therapies, and the Brain

While combination antiretroviral therapy (CART) has decreased the incidence of HIV-associated dementia, the severest form of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), mild neurocognitive disorder and asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment continue to persist, and there is evidence that neurocognitive deficits present even in acute HIV infection. Recent studies demonstrate that CART regimens with higher central nervous system (CNS) penetration effectiveness ranks may improve neurocognitive functioning. Considering these factors, earlier treatment initiation may be considered to protect the CNS. The functional impact of HAND on daily activities should be monitored. Areas that need further research are potential neurotoxicity of antiretrovirals, the eradication of potential latent reservoirs in the brain, when to start treatment to protect the CNS, and the neurological impact of HIV on the CNS in acute infection.
More than 10 years after the first 'savior siblings': parental experiences surrounding preimplantation genetic diagnosis.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to create a healthy donor for a sibling’s hematopoetic stem cell transplantation for a child with Fanconi Anemia (FA) was first reported in 2001. Yet we know little about the experiences of parents who have encountered decision making surrounding PGD and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-typing. The first aim of this study was to understand parents’ awareness, perceptions and beliefs about reproductive decision-making including emotional, cognitive, moral dimensions as well as regret surrounding the use of this technology. The second aim was to describe the experiences and rationale of parents of children with a single gene disorder regarding the factors that influenced their decision making surrounding the use of natural pregnancy and/or PGD and HLA-typing. Parents from two national FA support networks in the US and Canada responded to an emailed survey about reproductive decision making and outcomes surrounding natural pregnancy and PGD and HLA-typing. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Chi-Square tests were used to describe and compare data. Our results indicate that the most important factors in the PGD decision making process were the health of the child and cognitive appraisals followed by emotional responses and then moral judgments. A significant difference was noted in parents considering natural pregnancy before and after 2001 (p = 0.01). Unexpected findings were that less than 35 % of parents were offered PGD by any health care professional and only 70 % were aware PGD with HLA-typing was a reproductive option. Our research suggests that the option of PGD and HLA-typing may influence parents’ reproductive decision making choices.
Combating the Effects of Sedentary Work: Postural Variability Reduces Musculoskeletal Discomfort

Long periods of intense data entry office work have been linked to increased pain and musculoskeletal disorders. The current study investigated how postural changes mediated by workstation interven...
Improved change detection through post change classification: A case study using synthetic hyperspectral imagery

Change detection is a well studied problem and well accepted taxonomies, although not formalized, exist in the literature to some degree. The basic taxonomy includes pre-processing, change detection and post processing. The final stage typically addresses the selection of appropriate thresholds, this work extends it to encompass classification in order to reduce false alarms. This effort leverages synthetic data generation capabilities to investigate the feasibility of the proposed postchange classification methodology to distinguish significant and insignificant change results produced from change detection analysis. Results demonstrate that post-change classification improves false alarm performance for a principal component analysis-based change detector by nearly 2-orders of magnitude for cases when high detection rates are required.
Hagar’s Babylonian Captivity: A Roman Re-imagination of Galatians 4:21–31:

Contrary to long-established interpretations, Paul’s verdict against the slave woman Hagar and her son in Gal 4:30 is not the expulsion of “Jewishness” by “Christianity,” nor the affirmation of sla...
Expression of Prostaglandin Protective Functions in Gastric Mucosa Cells Cultured in the Presence of Ethanol: Effects on the Synthesis, Retention, Secretion, and Structure of Mucus Glycoprotein

The magnitude of prostaglandin [16, 16-dimethylprostaglandin E2 (DMPGE2)] protection against ethanol action has been evaluated by studying the intracellular events leading to synthesis, modification, intracellular retention, and secretion of mucus glycoprotein in the rat gastric mucosal cell culture. When metabolic activity of the cultured cells was expressed as the amount of radioactive tracer in purified mucus glycoprotein, it was found that ethanol at low concentration (0.1 M) caused an 8- to 9-fold increase in proline and a 5- to 6-fold increase in palmitic acid incorporation into mucus glycoprotein; however, at 1.5 M ethanol, the synthetic processes ceased to function. In the presence of DMPGE2 (10 ng/ml), a 2-fold increase in proline and a 3-fold increase in palmitic acid incorporation into mucus glycoprotein were observed. A simultaneous addition of DMPGE2 (10 ng/ml) and ethanol (0.1–1.5 M), or pretreatment with DMPGE2 (10 ng/ml) for 20 min followed by the addition of ethanol (0.1–1.5 M), resulted in the stabilization of glycoprotein synthesis and secretion, and in restoration of the function at the level observed with DMPGE2 alone. The addition of 10 ng/ml of DMPGE2 caused a 32% increase in mucus glycoprotein secretion and an 11% increase in the intracellular content of the glycoprotein. The amount of mucus apoprotein precursor rose by 18%, and the fatty acylation of the synthesized peptides was up by 38%. Addition of DMPGE2, together with ethanol, prevented depletion of the intracellular glycoprotein stores. As observed with ethanol alone, the secretion was elevated by 16–27%, whereas the intracellular glycoprotein stores remained similar to those of controls. The synthesis of the mucus apoprotein precursor was highly sensitive to ethanol, and addition of DMPGE2 only partially prevented its inhibitory action. Pretreatment with DMPGE2, however, eliminated ethanol toxicity, and the precursor pool level remained elevated (28–30%) at all concentrations of ethanol tested. The fatty acylation, although positively affected by DMPGE2, decreased steadily with increments of ethanol concentration. The results show that DMPGE2 stabilizes the cellular membrane processes and thus imposes control over mucus glycoprotein synthesis, secretion, and its intracellular retention.
Components of dynamic digital maps

Abstract The core of a dynamic digital map (DDM) is a program created to display a digital geologic map and its associated data set as a single integrated package. This DDM program core is authored using a high-level object oriented graphical programming environment, SuperCard, a Macintosh `xTalk' language. Some of the major philosophical underpinnings relevant to the job of creating DDMs in this programming environment include taking advantage of specific object's attributes, how to organize data structure effectively for this job and keeping applicable code as transportable (generalized) as possible between objects. The core components of DDMs are parts of a SuperCard `template' or map display `container' into which the various externally created digital pieces (e.g. CAD produced geologic maps, spread sheet data, digital images, text files, movies) can be inserted for integrated display and digital publication. Components of DDMs consist of windows, cards within these windows, card fields (text and data containers) and a menu structure. The paper discusses each of these major components and how they fit into a DDM and gives examples of each topic in programs whose components demonstrate the concept. These programs are available from Web (see Appendix A ); readers can refer to them as they examine these examples.
Directional sensor control for maximizing information gain

We develop tractable solutions to the problem of controlling the directions of 2-D directional sensors for maximizing information gain corresponding to multiple targets in 2-D. The target locations are known with some uncertainty given by a joint prior distribution (Gaussian). A sensor generates a (noisy) measurement of a target only if the target lies within the field-of-view of the sensor, and the measurements from all the sensors are fused to form global estimates of target locations. This problem is hard to solve exactly - the computation time increases exponentially with the number of sensors. We develop heuristic methods to solve the problem approximately and provide lower and upper bounds on the optimal information gain. We improve the solutions from these heuristic approaches by formulating the problem as a dynamic programming problem and solving it using a rollout approach.
Thrombospondins 1 and 2 function as inhibitors of angiogenesis

Thrombospondins (TSPs) 1 and 2 are matricellular proteins with the well-characterized ability to inhibit angiogenesis in vivo, and the migration and proliferation of cultured microvascular endothelial cells (ECs). Angiogenesis in developing tumors and in various models of wound healing is diminished or delayed by the presence of TSP1 or 2. Sequences within the type I repeats of TSP1 and 2 have been demonstrated to mediate the anti-migratory effects of TSPs on microvascular EC, although, paradoxically, sequences in the N- and C-terminal domains have pro-angiogenic effects. A scavenger receptor, CD36, recognizes the active sequences in the type I repeats, and is required for the anti-angiogenic effects of TSP1 in the corneal neovascularization assay. However, interactions of TSPs with growth factors, proteases, histidine-rich glycoprotein, and other cell-surface receptors on EC have the potential to modulate CD36-mediated effects. Binding of TSP1 to CD36 has been shown to activate apoptosis by inducing p38 and Jun N-terminal kinase, members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase superfamily, and subsequently the cell-surface expression of FasL. Ligation of Fas by FasL then induces a caspase cascade and apoptotic cell death. However, we have recently shown that inhibition of proliferation of microvascular EC by TSPs can occur in the absence of cell death. This finding raises the possibility that TSPs can activate separate cell death and anti-proliferative pathways.
Assessment Practices of Instructors in Community College

Critical thinking is an important outcome of a college education. Assessment techniques that require students to demonstrate their understanding of course concepts are referred to as authentic assessment and promote the development of critical thinking. Little research exists on the types of assessment and grading practices utilized by community college instructors. This research examined the incidence and nature of various assessment practices used by community college faculty for basing the course grade. In addition, the study also examined the percentage of course grades that was based on traditional and authentic assessment and factors that may influence the use of assessment techniques. To facilitate the study, an online survey instrument was used to obtain data from faculty employed at two community colleges in California. Study results revealed that a variety of assessment practices are used by community college instructors with differences in relation to faculty status, level of academic achieveme...
Aerosol-induced albedo change: measurement and modeling of an incident.

Abstract Many theoretical studies have shown that aerosol-induced changes in the earth-atmosphere albedo might be an important climate change mechanism. However, there has been a lack of experimental documentation of albedo changes caused by actual aerosol layers with measured properties. Here we report an incident in which the measured surface-plus-atmosphere albedo was increased by about 0.01 (from 0.11 to 0.12) by a transient aerosol layer. We also report simultaneous measurements of the aerosol by a multi-wavelength sunphotometer, a lidar, a nephelometer and other radiometers, and we use these aerosol measurements to deduce an expected albedo change for comparison to the measurements. Specifically, we combine the aerosol measurements with several assumed refractive indices to derive a time-dependent aerosol optical model for the day of the incident. We then use this model in a two-stream radiative calculation to compute the expected time-dependent aerosol-layer albedo. Finally, we compute aerosol-plus...
Repetition of errors in learning and memory as a function of their prior associative strength

In order to assess the role of prior associative strength in human learning and memory, 126 high school students were first asked to give up to four verbal responses to each of 40 word cues. Five weeks thereafter, they were given 32 words from the list as cues in a multiple-choice learning task, with response alternatives drawn from the prior responses, and 2 months later, they were given retention tests. The results in general showed reliably stronger learning and retention of errors that had been prior response associates (that is, emitted by the subject to the same cue on the 1st experimental day), compared with nonassociates. It was concluded that some place needs to be made in cognitive theories of human learning for a response-strength concept as a complement to the learning and memory strategies customarily stressed.
A microstructural correlation between the mechanical behavior of large volume fraction particulate composites at low and high temperatures

Unusually high yield strengths, up to E/110 where E is Young's modulus, and high rates of work hardening have been observed in zinc-based particulate composites at low homologous temperature (T approximately equal to 0.1 T/sub M/). These composites contain a large volume fraction (approximately 0.3) of uniformly distributed W particles (less than 0.6 m in dia.) or Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ particles (0.6 or 0.3 mu m in dia.) in a fine grained zinc matrix. At low homologous temperatures, particles are assumed to be sources of geometrically necessary dislocations, and work hardening due to these dislocations is evaluated on the basis of a single parameter, the geometric slip distance lambda/sub G/. A model previously developed by the authors for elevated temperature (up to 0.8 T/sub M/) deformation in these composites also considers the particles to be dislocation sources in a fine, stable microstructure. The geometric slip distance lambda/sub G/ is incorporated into the model for elevated temperature deformation and the mechanical behavior of these particulate composites is then consistently and accurately described for temperatures from 0.1 to 0.8 T/sub M/.
Melting Around a Horizontal Heated Cylinder: Part I—Perturbation and Numerical Solutions for Constant Heat Flux Boundary Condition

Utilisation de la methode des perturbations et de differents methodes numeriques pour la resolution du probleme de Stefan de la fusion autour d'un cylindre horizontal chaud a flux thermique superficiel constant
Elves triggered by positive and negative lightning discharges

Optical flashes in the lower ionosphere due to the transient heating caused by lightning electromagnetic pulses (EMP) are unambiguously identified with the Fly's Eye photometric array. Data from a thunderstorm over Mexico recorded at Langmuir Laboratory on August 27 1997 demonstrate that relatively common negative cloud-to-ground lightning is a previously unrecognized major cause of elves. The spatial extent of the transient heating is shown optically to be typically at least 200–700 km laterally, indicating the possibility for accumulation of ionization effects produced by successive flashes within large nighttime thunderstorm systems. One especially bright event suggests that temporal fine-structure in the causative very low frequency EMP can manifest itself in the photometric record of elves.
Residues of PCB in a Cladophora Community Along the Lake Huron Shoreline

Abstract PCB residues were measured in samples of Cladophora, Ulothrix , net plankton, water, and fish collected in the Harbor Beach area of Lake Huron. The average concentrations of total PCB in each of the sample groups were as follows: water - 0.154 ng/g; Cladophora - 92 ng/g; Ulothrix - 126 ng/g; net plankton - 1,651 ng/g; and fish - 40 to 4,400 ng/g. The PCB patterns in the samples were found to match a mixture of Aroclo6r 1242 and 1254. Aroclor 1242 represented about 60% of the mixture in all the samples except the fish, where Aroclor 1254 represented about 75% of the total PCB measured. The accumulation factors observed in the progression from Cladophora to net plankton to fish were 1:15:30; these were similar to the concentration factors (1:14:44) developed on these ecosystem compartments in Lake Ontario during the 1972 IFYGL program.
Molecular genetic testing and the future of clinical genomics

The authors review current technologies for clinical genetic testing. Moves are being made towards whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing in the clinic, although other technologies will continue to be of value. Genomic technologies are reaching the point of being able to detect genetic variation in patients at high accuracy and reduced cost, offering the promise of fundamentally altering medicine. Still, although scientists and policy advisers grapple with how to interpret and how to handle the onslaught and ambiguity of genome-wide data, established and well-validated molecular technologies continue to have an important role, especially in regions of the world that have more limited access to next-generation sequencing capabilities. Here we review the range of methods currently available in a clinical setting as well as emerging approaches in clinical molecular diagnostics. In parallel, we outline implementation challenges that will be necessary to address to ensure the future of genetic medicine.
ortho-Palladated and ortho-platinated complexes of diaryl thioketones

Abstract The first sulfur-donor ligand ortho -metalated complexes of palladium and platinum have been synthesized from thiobenzophenones. A new and convenient preparation of mono-deuterio aromatic ketones is also reported.
Revealing the P–B coupling event in the rhodium catalysed dehydrocoupling of phosphine–boranes H3B·PR2H (R = tBu, Ph)

We demonstrate that [Rh(η6-FC6H5)(Ph2PCH2CH2CH2PPh2)][BArF4] is a competent catalyst for the dehydrocoupling of H3B·PR2H to give H3B·PR2BH2·PR2H (R = Ph, tBu). The isolation of intermediates (R = tBu, Ph) and kinetic/isotopic labelling experiments (for R = Ph) point to a mechanism, for R = Ph, in which the rate-limiting process for dehydrocoupling involves B–H activation, while the turnover limiting process for catalysis involves the substitution of the oligomeric product at the metal, which forms a strong chelate complex with a Rh(III) centre, by H3B·PPh2H. When R = tBu no chelate product complex forms, and it is speculated that the dehydrocoupling process now becomes turnover limiting. These observations provide, for the first time we believe, data on the P–B bond forming events that are central to the dehydrocoupling and dehydropolymerisation of phosphine–boranes.
High resolution comparison of Plasmodium knowlesi clones of different variant antigen phenotypes by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and computer analysis

Antigenic variation of the schizont-infected cell agglutination-antigen on erythrocytes infected by Plasmodium knowlesi is due to the expression of different malarial proteins. Here we examined whether antigenic variation is accompanied by multiple phenotypic changes in the proteins synthesized by P. knowlesi. The malarial proteins of two clones, one of which was produced by antigenic variation from the other clone in vivo, were labeled by [3H]isoleucine uptake during in vitro parasite growth. The proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, detected by fluorography and compared using the GELLAB computer system. In the molecular weight range 35 000 to 230 000 and pH range 4.55 to 6.10, we found only four qualitative differences and two robust quantitative differences among approximately 500 proteins characterizing the protein phenotype of these clones. One clone exhibited four minor protein spots absent from the other. We conclude that antigenic variation in P. knowlesi represents the differential expression of a very small number of malarial genes.
Fasting plasma insulin and the default mode network in women at risk for Alzheimer's disease

Brain imaging studies in Alzheimer's disease research have demonstrated structural and functional perturbations in the hippocampus and default mode network (DMN). Additional evidence suggests risk for pathological brain aging in association with insulin resistance (IR). This study piloted investigation of associations of IR with DMN-hippocampal functional connectivity among postmenopausal women at risk for Alzheimer's disease. Twenty middle-aged women underwent resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Subjects were dichotomized relative to fasting plasma insulin levels (i.e., > 8 μIU/mL [n = 10] and < 8 μIU/mL [n = 10]), and functional connectivity analysis contrasted their respective blood oxygen level-dependent signal correlation between DMN and hippocampal regions. Higher-insulin women had significantly reduced positive associations between the medial prefrontal cortex and bilateral parahippocampal regions extending to the right hippocampus, and conversely, between the left and right hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex. Neuropsychological data (all within normal ranges) also showed significant differences with respect to executive functioning and global intelligence. The results provide further evidence of deleterious effects of IR on the hippocampus and cognition. Further imaging studies of the IR-related perturbations in DMN-hippocampal functional connectivity are needed.