cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial Effects of Ibuprofen Combined with Standard of Care Antimicrobials against Cystic Fibrosis Pathogens

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a common fatal genetic disease caused by mutations happened to cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Lungs of CF patients are often colonized or infected with microorganisms. Drug resistant bacterial infection has been problematic in cystic fibrosis patient. The chronic bacterial infections and concomitant airway inflammation could damage the lung and lead to respiratory failure. Several clinical trials have demonstrated that high-dose ibuprofen reduces the rate of pulmonary function decline in CF patients. This beneficial effect has been attributed to the anti-inflammatory properties of ibuprofen. Previously, we have confirmed that high-dose ibuprofen demonstrated antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa in in vitro and in vivo. However, no study has examined the antimicrobial effect of combining ibuprofen with standard-of-care (SoC) antimicrobials. Here, we evaluated possible synergistic activity of combinations of common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), namely, aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen, with commonly used antibiotics for CF patients. The drug combinations were screened against different CF clinical isolates. Drugs that demonstrated efficacy in the presence of ibuprofen were further verified synergistic effects between these antimicrobials and NSAIDs. Finally, the survival analysis of an P. aeruginosa murine infection model was used to demonstrate the efficacy of synergistic combination. Our results suggest that combinations of ibuprofen with commonly used antibiotics demonstrate synergistic antimicrobial activity against drug resistant, clinical bacterial strains in in vitro. The efficacy of combination ceftazidime and ibuprofen was demonstrated in in vivo.
Ranks for representations of GLn over finite fields, their agreement, and positivity of Fourier transform

Abstract In 1896 Frobenius showed that many important properties of a finite group could in principle be examined using formulas involving the character ratios of group elements, i.e., the trace of the element acting in a given irreducible representation, divided by the dimension of the representation. In recent years, the current authors introduced the notion of rank of an irreducible representation of a finite classical group. One of the motivations for studying rank was to clarify the nature of character ratios for certain elements in these groups. In fact, two notions of rank were given. The first is the Fourier theoretic based notion of U -rank of a representation, which comes up when one looks at its restrictions to certain abelian unipotent subgroups. The second is the more algebraic based notion of tensor rank which comes up naturally when one attempts to equip the representation ring of the group with a grading that reflects the central role played by the few “smallest” possible representations of the group. Following numerical and theoretical evidences, we conjectured that the two notions of rank agree on a suitable collection called “low rank” representations. In this note we review the development of the theory of rank for the case of the general linear group G L n over a finite field F q , and give a proof of the “agreement conjecture” that holds true for sufficiently large q . Our proof is Fourier theoretic in nature, and uses a certain curious positivity property of the Fourier transform of the set of m × n matrices over F q of low enough fixed rank. In order to make the story we are trying to tell clear, we choose in this note to follow a particular example that shows how one might apply the theory of rank to certain counting problems.
Affect, Support, and Personal Factors: Multimodal Causal Models of One-on-one Coaching

Human one-on-one coaching involves complex multimodal interactions. Successful coaching requires teachers to closely monitor students' cognitive-affective states and provide support of optimal type, timing, and amount. However, most of the existing human tutoring studies focus primarily on verbal interactions and have yet to incorporate the rich aspects of multimodal cognitive-affective experiences. Meanwhile, the research community lacks principled methods to fully exploit complex multimodal data to uncover the causal relationships between coaching supports, students' cognitive-affective experiences, and their stable individual factors. We explore an analytical framework that is explainable and amenable to incorporating domain knowledge. The proposed framework combines statistical approaches in Sparse Multiple Canonical Correlation, causal discovery, and inference methods for observations. We demonstrate this framework using a multimodal one-on-one math problem-solving coaching dataset collected in naturalistic home environments involving parents and young children. The insights derived from our analyses may inform the design of effective technology-inspired interventions that are personalized and adaptive.
Role of Retrovirus-Induced Transactivator Proteins in Neuroinflammatory Disease

Human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) and human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and adult T-cell leukemia, respectively, and these viruses have also been identified as the etiologic agents of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Pathogenic processes associated with these diseases are due to HIV-1 and HTLV-1 infecting not only cells of the host immune system but also cells of the central nervous system (CNS). For each of these viruses (HIV-1 and HTLV-1), the major viral regulatory proteins, Tat and Tax, respectively, have been shown to be implicated as extracellular neurotoxic proteins. This chapter will provide an overview of the structure and function of Tat and Tax and describe their role in viral replication focusing on their interaction with their viral promoters. Information will then be presented that describes known modifications of these important regulatory and neurotoxic proteins and the current understanding with respect to how these proteins are secreted into the extracellular environment. The specific roles that Tat and Tax play as extracellular proteins especially their role in neuropathogenesis are discussed with a focus on comparing their functional similarities and differences. Finally, the review will discuss the immune response in the CNS with respect to these two essential viral transactivator proteins.
Ovarian lipoma of teratomatous origin

Background: Lipomatous tumors of ovarian origin are rare and may arise from overgrowth of metaplastic fat cells in the stroma. Case: A 5-cm, circumscribed, grossly yellow tumor was an incidental finding at the time of hysterectomy for endometrial cancer. The ovarian tumor was composed almost exclusively of benign adipocytes. Small collections of benign sweat glands were present at the periphery of the tumor. Conclusion: This predominantly lipomatous ovarian tumor likely represents a fat-rich solid teratoma.
FOR THE LOVE OF ENZYMES

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights various experiments conducted to study biochemical characteristics of enzymes. Severo Ochoa was embarked on the isolation and purification of enzymes of the citric acid cycle in January 1946. By coupling aconitase to isocitric dehydrogenase, spectrophotometric assays, based on TPN reduction, took only a few minutes. Many ideas could be tested and discarded in the course of a day. After failing in a few attempts to crystallize the enzyme, Arthur Kornberg rebelled at continuing. Enzymes of astonishing specificity and catalytic potency linked the combustion of foodstuffs to the generation of ATP that made the cell grow and the muscle move. Severo Ochoa was embarked on the isolation and purification of enzymes of the citric acid cycle when Arthur came to his laboratory in January 1946. He suggested that Arthur work on aconitase, the enzyme that catalyzes the equilibrium. The purification of nucleotide pyrophosphatase from potatoes furnished a means for degrading TPN and distinguishing the location of its third phosphate.
New bounds on optimal binary search trees

Binary search trees (BSTs) are a class of simple data structures used to store and access keys from an ordered set. They have been around for about half a century. Despite their ubiquitous use in practical programs, surprisingly little is known about their optimal performance. No polynomial time algorithm is known to compute the best BST for a given sequence of key accesses, and before our work, no o(log n)-competitive online BST data structures were known to exist. In this thesis, we describe tango trees, a novel O(log log n)-competitive BST algorithm. We also describe a new geometric problem equivalent to computing optimal offline BSTs that gives a number of interesting results. A greedy algorithm for the geometric problem is shown to be equivalent to an offline BST algorithm posed by Munro in 2000. We give evidence that suggests Munro's algorithm is dynamically optimal, and strongly suggests it can be made online. The geometric model also lets us prove that a linear access algorithm described by Munro in 2000 is optimal within a constant factor. Finally, we use the geometric model to describe a new class of lower bounds that includes both of the major earlier lower bounds for the performance of offline BSTs, and construct an optimal bound in this new class. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
The Common Heritage Principle

An effort is underway to apply the common heritage principle to certain unique global resources while promoting economic development Under this precept, property rights to such resources are said to belong to all nations and their citizens rather than being subject to national sovereignty The doctrine is examined in theory and as applied in the outer space and law of the sea treaties Its possible application to Antarctica is explored in relationship to the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) which is now considering a minerals regime for the continent Assessing the international political situation suggests the powerful bloc of ATS nations will ignore the common heritage principle However, a different outcome is possible, given a convergence of the Antarctic mining and global atmospheric issues of the greenhouse and ozone varieties Under this scenario, the global atmosphere and Antarctica would be common property resources whose property rights are owned by all nations
Consider the Source

Business activities generate a vast amount of diversified information products. The volume and variation in format, regularity, availability, and content of business information products presents the librarian with a unique collection development situation. To further complicate matters, much of this information is poorly documented and only fleetingly available.
Role of Flow Cytometry in Plasma Cell Neoplasms

Plasma cell neoplasms (PCN) are a heterogeneous group of disorders with a spectrum of clinical presentations from asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) to smoldering multiple myeloma to symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM). Other less common categories of PCN include AL amyloidosis, POEMS syndrome, and plasma cell leukemia. Typically, the gold standard for diagnosis has been to correlate morphologic assessment with clinical information (hypercalcemia, renal failure, anemia, and lytic bone lesions) and serologic data, including protein and urine electrophoresis with immunofixation, along with serum-free light chain assay data. As technology has improved, especially monoclonal antibody production and instrumentation, multicolor flow cytometry has become an important tool to demonstrate that the plasma cells present in a bone marrow/tissue/fluid specimen are clonal or immunophenotypically abnormal.
Degeneration of the Mucosal Surface of the Small Intestine of the Chicken in Salmonella Infection

Day-old chicks were infected with Salmonella typhimurium. The impact on the intestinal mucosa was observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Salmonella infected birds were characterized as having areas on their intestinal mucosal cells devoid of microvilli. The absence of microvilli probably interferes with absorption of the digesta.
Complex partial status epilepticus Case report and proposal for diagnostic criteria

A child had complex partial status epilepticus after resection of a craniopharyngioma. The status epilepticus was manifested by confusion and documented electroencephalographically by continuous focal seizure patterns in the right temporal region. Complex partial status epilepticus is an electroclinical syndrome of prolonged or repetitive complex partial seizures (with continuous interictal confusion) accompanied by electroencephalographic seizure patterns, which are either focal (usually temporal lobe) or secondarily generalized from a focal pacemaker.
Positivity in qualitative research: examples from the organized field of postmodernism/poststructuralism

This article emphasizes the essential role of positivity, an organized field of knowledge, in qualitative research and how positivity enables and limits qualitative data, design, and research proce...
Processing tissue and cells for transmission electron microscopy in diagnostic pathology and research

In transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electrons are transmitted through a plastic-embedded specimen, and an image is formed. TEM enables the resolution and visualization of detail not apparent via light microscopy, even when combined with immunohistochemical analysis. Ultrastructural examination of tissues, cells and microorganisms plays a vital role in diagnostic pathology and biologic research. TEM is used to study the morphology of cells and their organelles, and in the identification and characterization of viruses, bacteria, protozoa and fungi. In this protocol, we present a TEM method for preparing specimens obtained in clinical or research settings, discussing the particular requirements for tissue and cell preparation and analysis, the need for rapid fixation and the possibility of analysis of tissue already fixed in formalin or processed into paraffin blocks. Details of fixation, embedding and how to prepare thin and semi-thin sections, which can be used for analysis complementary to that performed ultimately using TEM, are also described.
Thinking with Deleuze in qualitative research

This special issue that we are calling, ‘Thinking with Deleuze in qualitative research’, presents writings from qualitative researchers across various disciplines and contexts who are attempting to work with these new analytics and practices made possible through their engagement with Deleuzian concepts and processes. These researchers engage epistemological questions and try out methodological practices inspired by thinking with Deleuze in qualitative research. In response to our call for proposals, contributors to this issue are using or thinking with the philosophical concepts and processes of Deleuze, not focusing on them in the abstract, but instead engaging the implications of those concepts and processes for research methodology and ethics in educational research.
Oxygen as a New Factor controlling Reproductive Growth

IT is well recognized from short term experiments that the photosynthetic and vegetative growth rates of plants with high rates of photorespiration, the so-called C3 or inefficient plants, are elevated 50 to 100% by sub-atmospheric concentrations of O2, while those of plants with low rates of photorespiration, the so-called C4 or efficient plants, is essentially unaffected1,2. The long term effect of O2 concentrations on vegetative and reproductive growth of either C3 or C4 plants has not, however, been reported.
Optimal hand locations for safe scaffold-end-frame disassembly.

Abstract Overexertion and fall injuries comprise the largest category of injuries among scaffold workers. A significant portion of these injuries is associated with scaffold-end-frame dismantling tasks, which require both muscle strength and postural balance skills. The commonly used tubular scaffold end frame is 1.52-m wide×2-m high and weighs 23 kg. Previous studies have indicated that a great muscle strength can be generated when scaffold workers placed their hands symmetrically at knuckle height. However, adequate postural stability can only be reached when the workers placed their hands at the chest or shoulder height, which is near to the height of scaffold-end-frame center-of-mass. A reasonable approach to solve this dilemma is to develop an assistive lifting device, such as a light-weight clip-and-lift bar, that allows workers to place their hands at the height of the center-of-mass of end frames and concurrently allows an optimal hand separation for them to generate an adequate maximum isometric muscle force to safely accomplish the task. This study was conducted to determine the optimal hand location for a conceptual assistive lifting device to mitigate potential postural imbalance while reducing overexertion hazards during scaffold disassembly. This location would be within a window defined by a vertical hand placement between shoulder height and knuckle height and by a horizontal hand separation distance of shoulder width to end-frame width. The whole-body maximum isometric strength of 54 construction workers was measured in nine symmetric scaffold-end-frame disassembly postures, defined by a combination of three vertical hand placements by three horizontal hand separation distances within the aforementioned window. The study apparatus include a computer-controlled data-acquisition system, a custom-fabricated scaffold fixture, and two Bertec force platforms. An analysis of variance showed that the interaction effect of vertical hand placement and hand separation on workers’ maximum isometric strength was significant (p
Accumulation of technetium-99m pyrophosphate in experimental infarctions in the rat

Cardiac accumulation patterns of pyrophosphate labelled with techetium-99m (TcPyP) in rats one hour to 7 days after coronary artery ligation were studied by light microscopy, myocardial scintigraphy, imaging the isolated heart and by direct measurement of tissue activity. Results suggest that myocardial cells taking up TcPyP are irreversibly damaged and that the disappearance of TcPyP uptake coincides with the removal of necrotic cells by phagocytes.
Library of synthetic transcriptional AND gates built with split T7 RNA polymerase mutants

The construction of synthetic gene circuits relies on our ability to engineer regulatory architectures that are orthogonal to the host’s native regulatory pathways. However, as synthetic gene circuits become larger and more complicated, we are limited by the small number of parts, especially transcription factors, that work well in the context of the circuit. The current repertoire of transcription factors consists of a limited selection of activators and repressors, making the implementation of transcriptional logic a complicated and component-intensive process. To address this, we modified bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) to create a library of transcriptional AND gates for use in Escherichia coli by first splitting the protein and then mutating the DNA recognition domain of the C-terminal fragment to alter its promoter specificity. We first demonstrate that split T7 RNAP is active in vivo and compare it with full-length enzyme. We then create a library of mutant split T7 RNAPs that have a range of activities when used in combination with a complimentary set of altered T7-specific promoters. Finally, we assay the two-input function of both wild-type and mutant split T7 RNAPs and find that regulated expression of the N- and C-terminal fragments of the split T7 RNAPs creates AND logic in each case. This work demonstrates that mutant split T7 RNAP can be used as a transcriptional AND gate and introduces a unique library of components for use in synthetic gene circuits.
The Lake Khasan affair of 1938: Overview and lessons

(1973). The Lake Khasan affair of 1938: Overview and lessons. Soviet Studies: Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 51-65.
A study of proton-proton coupling constants in cis,cis-1,4-dialkyl-1,3-butadienes

Reported herein are the results of iterative spectral analyses based on 100 MHz P.M.R. spectra of three cis,cis-1,4-dialkyl-1,3-butadienes. The couplings thus obtained are discussed in terms of finite perturbation theory calculations on various rotamers and distorted configurations of the butadiene framework. The results are discussed in terms of the proposals of Albriktsen et al. [5]. Partitioning into σ and π contributions is also considered.
Restoration Of Noisy Images With Adaptive Windowing And Nonlinear Filtering

Restoration of Noisy Images With Adaptive Windowing and Nonlinear Filtering*Woo -Jin Song and William A. PearlmanRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteElectrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering DepartmentTroy, New York 12180AbstractA general problem with statistically -based estimators for images degraded by additivenoise is their dependence on average quatities when image intensities vary rapidly andwidely. The Wiener estimator, for example, given the stationary power spectrum on the ob-ject image and the noise, is known to produce a noisy effect in the flat intensity regionsand a blurring or fuzzy effect in the edge regions on the restored image. The power spectraare usually estimated over regions containing both edges and flat regions and therefore arenot truly representative of either regional type. In this work, we accept a nonstationaryimage model and utilize a novel adaptive windowing technique in conjunction with a nonlinearestimator to overcome the cited defects of other estimators. This technique is appliedsuccessively to simulated noisy one -dimensional feature waveforms, an arbitrarily selectednoisy image scan line,noisy images with one -dimensional windowing, and noisy images withtwo -dimensional windowing. In each case, features of the edge and flat regions both arefaithfully reconstructed. In fact, the restored images are remarkably sharp and clean.They appear far superior to the comparable Wiener restorations despite the fact that theirmean -squared error is about the same or slightly larger.IntroductionParameter or spectral estimates required for image estimators are usually derived fromfixed regions of the image. The object image, however, is nonstationary or, at best, quasi -or locally stationary. Hence an image estimate based on such regional averages can not fol-low rapid statistical changes within a region. For example, the Wiener (minimum mean -squarelinear) estimator requires the image power spectrum, which averages quantities belonging tobusy and flat contrast areas of the image. The effect of averaging between these two re-gional types is manifested in restorations which are noisy in the flat areas due to insuf-ficient smoothing and fuzzy in the edge regions due to oversmoothing. If the analysis win -dow for parameter or spectral estimates contains elements truly representative of the sta-tistical class of the current picture element, then the desired estimate of the true objectintensity at that point would be obtained. Here we shall present a scheme for adaptivelychanging the analysis window so that it embraces elementsof the current pixel's statistical
INFLUENCE OF SILICA ON GROWTH, QUALITY, AND WEAR TOLERANCE OF SEASHORE PASPALUM

Wear is a predominant stress affecting growth of turfgrass. Silica, which is deposited in epidermal cells of leaf blades, may potentially increase rigidity of a turfgrass stand. This research was undertaken to determine if application of silicon (Si) would enhance turfgrass wear tolerance, growth, and quality. This research was conducted during two consecutive field trials in 1998 on two greens-quality ecotypes established on a native Applying (Typic Kanhapludult) soil at the University of Georgia Experiment Station in Griffin, GA. Silica was applied to two ecotypes of seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz.) as potassium (K) silicate at two foliar rates (1.1 and 2.2 kg Si ha−1) and as a soil drench rate of 22.4 kg Si ha−1. Potassium chloride, which added K at the amount in the drench treatment (15.6 kg K ha−1), was also applied as a K check. Best turf quality responses on nonwear plots resulted from highest rates of Si application as well as from the K only treatment. A positive association was fou...
Benign nasopharyngeal teratomas in the neonate

Two cases are described of benign teratoma arising in the nasopharynx and presenting with difficulty breathing in the neonatal period. Preservation of the airway is paramount during assessment. Radiology and subsequent examination under anaesthetic, precede removal of the teratoma by snare. This is usually uncomplicated but bleeding has been reported. Complete removal cures the airway problem and follow-up is usually uneventful. A review of the classification and aetiology by these lesions is included.
Kawasaki Syndrome: A New Infectious Disease?

Kawasaki syndrome is a newly described, acute symptom complex of children that has a predictable clinical course. The acute febrile phase of the syndrome is characterized by multisystem acute inflammatory changes. The subacute phase follows with the rheumatic manifestations of arthritis, myocarditis, and thrombocytosis. The syndrome is self-limited in most children but is associated with coronary artery aneurysms in 15%--20% and sudden death due to coronary thrombosis in 2%. Vasculitis of coronary and other medium-sized muscular arteries characterizes fatal cases. The peak age affected is 12 months (range, six weeks to eight years). Japanese children are overrepresented among cases, whereas Caucasian children are underrepresented. Cases have been reported worldwide with the highest prevalence in Japan and among Japanese in Hawaii. Epidemic outbreaks have occurred in scattered areas of the United States and Japan. The etiology is unknown, although clinical, epidemiologic, and immunologic features suggest an acute infectious trigger to an immunologically mediated, generalized vasculitis.
Removal of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers from a UV-irradiated shuttle vector introduced into human cells.

A shuttle vector (pZH-1) carrying theE. coli lacZ gene under control of the SV40 early promoter was irradiated with UV and introduced into repair-proficient or repair-deficient human cell lines. The expression of irradiatedlacZ compared to unirradiatedlacZ was greater in repair-proficient cells (HT-1080) than in repair-deficient cells (XP12RO-SV40) belonging to xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group A. To ascertain whether the expression oflacZ in the repair-proficient cells was correlated with the removal of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), we purified DNA from the recipient cells and used the CPD-specific enzyme T4 endonuclease V to measure the frequency of CPDs remaining in the plasmid as a whole and in two restriction fragments derived from it. We found that removal of CPDs occurred in both fragments in the repair-proficient cells but not in the repair-deficient cells. Our results provide the first direct evidence for the removal of CPDs from UV irradiated plasmids introduced into human cells and support the notion that expression of the UV-damagedlacZ gene in repair-proficient human cells reflects the removal of transcription blocking lesions from the gene.
An Inexpensive, Accurate, and Precise Wet-Mount Method for Enumerating Aquatic Viruses

Viruses affect biogeochemical cycling, microbial mortality, gene flow, and metabolic functions in diverse environments through infection and lysis of microorganisms. Fundamental to quantitatively investigating these roles is the determination of viral abundance in both field and laboratory samples. One current, widely used method to accomplish this with aquatic samples is the “filter mount” method, in which samples are filtered onto costly 0.02-μm-pore-size ceramic filters for enumeration of viruses by epifluorescence microscopy. Here we describe a cost-effective (ca. 500-fold-lower materials cost) alternative virus enumeration method in which fluorescently stained samples are wet mounted directly onto slides, after optional chemical flocculation of viruses in samples with viral concentrations of <5 × 107 viruses ml−1. The concentration of viruses in the sample is then determined from the ratio of viruses to a known concentration of added microsphere beads via epifluorescence microscopy. Virus concentrations obtained by using this wet-mount method, with and without chemical flocculation, were significantly correlated with, and had precision equivalent to, those obtained by the filter mount method across concentrations ranging from 2.17 × 106 to 1.37 × 108 viruses ml−1 when tested by using cultivated viral isolates and natural samples from marine and freshwater environments. In summary, the wet-mount method is significantly less expensive than the filter mount method and is appropriate for rapid, precise, and accurate enumeration of aquatic viruses over a wide range of viral concentrations (≥1 × 106 viruses ml−1) encountered in field and laboratory samples.
The guinea pig further demonstrates that rodent superior cervical ganglia differ from those of other species.

Abstract Fluorescence microscopic examination of five hamster superior cervical ganglia demonstrated that there were 223 ± 31 small, intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells per ganglion, equivalent to 140 ± 26 SIF cells per milligram tissue (wet weight). Incubation of hamster superior cervical ganglia (SCG) in vitro with 50 μ m l -isoproterenol increased cyclic AMP concentrations to 622% of control values. Administration of 50 μ m dopamine was without effect. Comparison with other species suggests that the superior cervical ganglia of three rodents—the hamster, guinea pig, and rat—differ significantly from those of other species in their morphologic and biochemical properties.
“Librarian's Anxiety”? How Community College Librarians Feel about Their Reference Desk Service

A survey of community college librarians in California reveals that the nature of reference service required of them, limitations on budget, staffing, technical support, resources, decision-making ability, and professional development opportunities, affect their professional attitudes. Librarians see reference service as primarily a teaching role. They experience “librarian's anxiety” when their teaching effectiveness is eroded, and satisfaction when their role is fulfilled. Librarians want clarification of practical uses of Web 2.0 applications. Community college librarians need better ways to articulate their teaching role to their institutions at large. Survey findings indicate that a larger, formal study of the topic is merited.
Immunoaffinity isolation of apolipoprotein E-containing lipoproteins

Abstract Discrete apolipoprotein E-containing lipoproteins can be identified when EDTA plasma is fractionated on columns of 4% agarose. The present study has demonstrated, by physical and metabolic criteria, that these apolipoprotein E-containing lipoprotein subclasses may be further isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography. Whole plasma was first bound to an anti-apolipoprotein E immunoadsorbent prior to gel filtration on 4% agarose. After elution from the affinity column and dialysis, the bound fraction was chromatographed on 4% agarose. Discrete subtractions of apolipoprotein E could be demonstrated within elution volumes similar to those observed in the original plasma. When whole plasma was first submitted to gel filtration and the apolipoprotein E-containing lipoproteins of either intermediate- or of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) size were subsequently bound to anti-apolipoprotein E columns, the bound eluted fractions maintained their size and physical properties as shown by electron microscopy and by rechromatography on columns of 4% agarose. The metabolic integrity of apolipoprotein E-containing very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) was examined by coinjection into a cynomolgus monkey of 125I-labeled apolipoprotein E-rich and 131I-labeled apolipoprotein E-deficient human VLDL which had been separated by immunoaffinity chromatography. The plasma specific activity time curves of the apolipoprotein B in VLDL, intermediate-density (IDL) and low-density (LDL) lipoproteins demonstrated rates of decay and precursor-product relationships similar to those obtained after injection of whole labeled VLDL, supporting the metabolic integrity of VLDL isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography.
Evaluating cost efficiency of SNP chips in genome-wide association studies

Genome-wide association (GWA) studies have recently emerged as a major approach to gene discovery for many complex diseases. Since GWA scans are expensive, cost efficiency is an important factor to consider in study design. However, it often requires extensive and time consuming computer simulations to compare cost efficiency across different SNP chips. Here we propose two simulation-free approaches to cost efficiency comparisons across SNP chips. In the first method, the overall power under a given disease model is calculated for each SNP chip and various sample sizes. Then SNP chips can be compared with respect to the sample sizes required to achieve the same level of power. In the second method, for a desired level of genomic coverage, the effective r2 threshold values are calculated for each SNP chip. Since r2 is inversely proportional to the sample size to achieve the same power, the required sample sizes can then be compared among SNP chips. These two methods are complementary to each other. The first approach provides direct power comparisons, but it requires information on disease model and may not be reliable for SNP chips that contain many non-HapMap SNPs. The second approach allows sample size comparisons based on the coverage of SNP chips, and it can be modified for SNP chips that contain non-HapMap SNPs. These methods are particularly relevant for large epidemiological studies in which enough subjects are available for GWA screening and follow-up stages. We illustrate these approaches using five currently available whole genome SNP chips.
Revolutionary Becomings: Negritude's Anti-Humanist Humanism*

In this paper I establish an alliance between the thought of Frantz Fanon and Gilles Deleuze's Philosophy of Difference. In light of Fanon's critique of Sartre's characterization of the place of the Negritude movement in terms of dialectic, I point to the inherent limitations of modern humanism's dialectical accounts for enabling genuine historical change. Alternatively, I appeal to Deleuze's distinction between history and becoming, and his concomitant idea of intensive becoming-revolutionary. I conclude that such an alliance with Deleuzian metaphysics holds far greater promises for effecting Fanon's revolutionary project of the creation of a new humanity (and therefore, of a new ethics and a new politics) than his traditional assimilation to Phenomenology and Existentialism.
The Direct Measurement of Magnetically Induced Optical Rotation in Atomic Vapors

A new instrument has been developed for directly monitoring magnetically induced optical rotation in atomic vapors. The polarization rotation induced by the atomic vapor is measured by manually rotating one of the polarizers until a minimum in transmitted intensity is recorded. The angle of this rotation is then linear with analyte concentration. Detection limits for Ag, Ca, Cu, and Li are comparable to those reported for atomic absorption spectrometry under similar analysis conditions. The new measurement approach enjoys relative immunity from background spectral interferences caused by molecular absorption and scattering.
ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS OF CARBON NANOTUBES

Inactivation of pathogens from environment and inhibition of biofilm formation on various surfaces are important for biosafety, biosecurity and public health. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess antimicrobial effects in addition to their unique optical, electrical, mechanical and thermal properties. This review summarizes the antimicrobial effects of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in suspensions and on CNT contained surfaces. To increase antimicrobial effects, CNT composites containing other antimicrobial reagents are introduced. Also described are the possible antimicrobial mechanisms of CNTs.
Automatic landmark selection for active shape models

The first step in Active Shape Model (ASM) based image segmentation and processing is to create a point distribution model (PDM) during the training phase. Correct point (landmark) correspondences across each of the training shapes must be determined for a successful and effective statistical model building process. Effective and automatic solutions for this problem are needed for the practical use of ASM methods. In this paper, we provide a solution for this problem which consists of: (i) a process of generating a mean shape without requiring landmarks, (ii) a process of automatic landmark selection for the mean shape, and (iii) a process of propagating landmarks on to each training shape for defining landmarks in them. This paper describes the method of generating the mean shape, and the landmark selection and correspondence process. Although the method is generally applicable to spaces of any dimensionality, our first implementation and evaluation has been carried out for 2D shapes. The method is evaluated on 20 MRI foot data sets, the object of interest being the talus bone. The results indicate that, for the same given number of points, better compactness (number of parameters) of the ASM by using our method can be achieved than by using the commonly used equi-spaced point selection method.
The Structure and Annual Variation of Antisymmetric Fluctuations of Tropical Convection and Their Association with Rossby-Gravity Waves.

The present study explores the signature of 4-5-day-period Rossby-gravity waves in the tropical convection field across the Indian and Pacific oceans. The convergence/divergence field of these waves in the lower troposphere is anticipated to produce an antisymmetric fluctuation in tropical convection. Antisymmetric fluctuations of tropical convection are shown to exhibit a pronounced spectral peak at a 4-5-day period only during boreal fall and only within about 30 deg longitude of the date line. The peak amplitude occurs around 7.5 deg latitude. These fluctuations propagate westward at 15-20 m/s with zonal wavelength of about 7000-9000 km. The fluctuations of convections are coherent and out of phase with the equatorial meridional wind, which also exhibits a pronounced spectral peak at a 4-5-day period in the lower troposphere near the date line. The horizontal distributions of the 4-5-day power and coherence of the winds and convection are consistent with that produced by a convectively coupled Rossby-gravity wave that is confined near the date line.
A Comparison of SHR and Vital Statistics Homicide Estimates for U.S. Cities

Differences between homicide estimates for large cities from 1987 through 1991 using the Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) and the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) are reported. Large differences exist between the NVSS and the SHR estimates expressed both as counts and as rates per 100,000 residents. Three major reasons for the differences are identified. First, many cities fail to report the SHR data in some years during the study. Second, in some places the police jurisdiction used in the SHR does not correspond to the boundaries of the city used in the NVSS. Third, the SHR associates victims with the place where the assault occurs, whereas the NVSS associates victims with the place of residence. For many purposes, the NVSS provides more accurate and appropriate measures of homicide victimization than the SHR. However, because the city-level NVSS data are requested by place of residence, they measure a different concept than the SHR, which classifies victims by place of occurrence.
Induction of progesterone receptor by androgens in the mouse uterus

The comparative abilities of 3 naturally occurring androgens to compete for [3H]estradiol-17 beta ([3H]E2)-binding sites in uterine cytosol and to induce uterotrophic responses in immature female mice have been investigated. 5 alpha-Androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol (3 beta-diol), 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol (3 alpha-diol) and 5-androstene-3 beta,17 beta-diol (delta 5-diol) are all effective at diminishing cytoplasmic [3H]E2 binding. Their relative effectiveness are in the order of 3 beta-diol greater than delta 5-diol = 3 alpha-diol. When these steroids were injected intramuscularly (two 100-200 micrograms injections) into immature female mice (21 days old), they induced similar elevations of uterine dry weight, water content, cytosolic estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptor contents, and nuclear ER content as did estradiol-17 beta (E2). 3 beta-Diol was the most effective steroid at inducing cytosolic and nuclear ER, and PR production in mouse uterus. Followed in effectiveness was delta 5-diol and 3 alpha-diol. Unexpectedly, 3 beta-diol was found to be more potent than E2 in stimulating uterine ER and PR increases. Nonetheless, the androgens are poorer stimulators of uterine dry weight increase and water retention than E2 is. These results indicate that the androgens may interact with the ER system in the uterus to bring about the uterotrophic responses and 3 beta-diol is a more estrogenic steroid than delta 5-diol and 3 alpha-diol in the mouse uterus.
Developmental changes in messenger RNAs and protein synthesis in Dictyostelium discoideum

Abstract The pattern of proteins synthesized at different stages of differentiation of the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum was studied by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Of the approximately 400 proteins detected during growth and/or development, synthesis of most continued throughout differentiation. Approximately 100 proteins show changes in their relative rates of synthesis. During the transition from growth to interphase, the major change observed is reduction in the relative rate of synthesis of about 8 proteins. Few further changes are noticeable until the stage of late cell aggregation, when production of about 40 new proteins begins and synthesis of about 10 is reduced considerably. Thereafter, there are few changes in the pattern of protein synthesis. Major changes in the relative rates of synthesis of a number of proteins are found during culmination, but few culmination-specific proteins are observed. In an attempt to understand the molecular basis for these changes, mRNA was isolated from different stages of differentiation and translated in an improved wheat germ cell-free system; the products were resolved on two-dimensional gels. The ratio of total translatable mRNA to total cellular RNA is constant throughout growth and differentiation. Messenger RNAs for many, but not all, developmentally regulated proteins can be identified by translation in cell-free systems. Actin is the major protein synthesized by vegetative cells and by early differentiating cells. The threefold increase in the relative rate of synthesis of actin during the first 2 hr of differentiation and the decrease which occurs thereafter can be accounted for by parallel changes in the amount of translatable actin mRNA. Most of the changes in the pattern of protein synthesis which occur during the late aggregation and culmination stages can also be accounted for by parallel increases or decreases in the amounts of translatable mRNAs encoding these proteins. It is concluded that mRNAs do not appear in a translatable form before synthesis of the homologous protein begins, and that regulation of protein synthesis during development is primarily at the levels of production or destruction of mRNA.
Cytoprotective Gene HO-1 and Chronic Rejection in Heart Transplantation

Abstract Chronic rejection in transplanted hearts or cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is the leading cause of late death among heart transplant recipients. We hypothesized that induction of HO-1 by D4-F, an apoA-I mimetic peptide with potent antiinflammatory/antioxidant properties, attenuated CAV. We utilized a previously characterized murine model of CAV. B6.C-H2 bml2 hearts were heterotopically transplanted into C57BL/6 mice. In the control group, recipient mice were treated with 20 μg of saline daily. In experimental group I, mice were treated daily with 20 μg of D4-F. In experimental group II, mice were treated daily with 20 μg of D4-F daily, plus CuPP, which does not have any effect on HO-1 activity. In experimental group III, recipient mice were treated with 20 μg of D4-F daily, plus SnPP, which is a competitive inhibitor of HO-1. Donor hearts were harvested on day 24 after transplantation. The donor hearts in the control group developed severe intimal lesions. In experimental group I, treatment with D4-F was associated with upregulation of HO-1 and a marked reduction in intimal lesions, which was consistent in experimental group II. In experimental group III, inhibition of HO-1 was associated with partial restoration of intimal lesions. Induction of HO-1 by an apoA-1 mimetic peptide was effective to control CAV. This class of antiinflammatory peptides, which show an ability to induce HO-1, provides a novel strategy for the treatment of CAV.
Series of fluorenoiod/fluoranthenoid hydrocarbons having a constant number of isomers

Abstract There are series of C n H s formulas for fluorenoid/fluoranthenoid hydrocarbons having equal numbers of isomers. The isomer numbers of these constant-isomer series are presented for the first time. These results were obtained by the use of the aufbau principle, excised internal structure concept, and a hexagonal-to-pentagonal ring contraction process on previously enumerated benzenoid isomers. The formula periodic table for fluorenoid/fluoranthenoid hydrocarbons is the framework which governs the application of these algorithms. Two classes of series exist; one is unique and the other forms a pairwise topologically equivalent class.
Total syntheses of oroidin, hymenidin and clathrodin

The total syntheses of oroidin, hymenidin and clathrodin are reported via the intermediacy of an imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine derivative. The chemistry described herein obviates the need for expensive guanidine reagents, multiply protected prefunctionalized 2-aminoimidazole synthons, or the need for laborious olefinations thereby achieving synthetic efficiency amenable to scale-up. The approach outlined in this manuscript provides an opportunity for further functionalizations through the imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine core and through functional groups placed strategically on the side chain.
Strategic Planning and Sales Teams

Examines the restructuring of the sales and marketing departments of Beech Aircraft Corporation, brought about by a collapsing market in a troubled economy. Details the factors necessitating the restructuring, particularly the effects of a new international market. Presents the creation of a new structure and the results produced. Argues that the experience of working in a team has great advantages over a leader/follower relationship, stating that this new kind of team approach is becoming increasingly popular with companies. Concludes that a new, more flexible and forward‐thinking breed of manager is essential to enable US business to compete on an international scale.
Stability criteria for instrument servomechanisms

ALL RUBBING SURFACES are subject to friction in three forms: the usual viscous friction; coulomb friction which is a reaction force independent of velocity; and stiction, the phenomenon that surfaces at rest stick together and require a greater force to initiate motion than is required to maintain motion.