cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measures of discrimination for latent group-based trajectory models

In clinical research, patient care decisions are often easier to make if patients are classified into a manageable number of groups based on homogeneous risk patterns. Investigators can use latent group-based trajectory modeling to estimate the posterior probabilities that an individual will be classified into a particular group of risk patterns. Although this method is increasingly used in clinical research, there is currently no measure that can be used to determine whether an individual's group assignment has a high level of discrimination. In this study, we propose a discrimination index and provide confidence intervals of the probability of the assigned group for each individual. We also propose a modified form of entropy to measure discrimination. The two proposed measures were applied to assess the group assignments of the longitudinal patterns of conduct disorders among young adolescent girls.
Alpha-fetoprotein derived synthetic peptides: assay of an estrogen-modifying regulatory segment

Abstract This study describes the estrogen bioassay of a synthetic peptide fashioned after an amino acid sequence from human alpha-fetoprotein (HAFP). The synthetic peptide (P149), modeled after a portion of the estrogen binding pocket of rat/human AFP chimeras, was produced via F-MOC solid phase chemistry. Bioassay of P149 in the estrogen-sensitive immature rodent uterus demonstrated an anti-estrogenic (40–50% inhibitory) activity in the 23 h but not the 3–4 h uterine response. In contrast to purified HAFP, incubation of the peptide with estrogen was not a prerequisite for inhibitory activity. The estrogen-dependent increase in uterine thrombin and tissue factor, as determined by an enzymatic esterase assay, was inhibited by 30% in rat uterine cytosols. In an in vitro bioassay of estrogen-induced focus formation in MCF-7 human breast cancer cultures, focus development was inhibited by 70% following peptide exposure. The mechanism of the AFP-derived peptide inhibition of estrogen-dependent growth remains to be determined.
Mechanism of Ubiquitin-Chain Formation by the human Anaphase-Promoting Complex

Summary The anaphase-promoting complex (APC/C) orchestrates progression through mitosis by decorating cell-cycle regulators with ubiquitin chains. To nucleate chains, the APC/C links ubiquitin to a lysine in substrates, but to elongate chains it modifies lysine residues in attached ubiquitin moieties. The mechanism enabling the APC/C, and ubiquitin ligases in general, to switch from lysine residues in substrates to specific ones in ubiquitin remains poorly understood. Here, we determine the topology and the mechanism of assembly for the ubiquitin chains mediating functions of the human APC/C. We find that the APC/C triggers substrate degradation by assembling K11-linked ubiquitin chains, the efficient formation of which depends on a surface of ubiquitin, the TEK-box. Strikingly, homologous TEK-boxes are found in APC/C substrates, where they facilitate chain nucleation. We propose that recognition of similar motifs in substrates and ubiquitin enables the APC/C to assemble ubiquitin chains with the specificity and efficiency required for tight cell-cycle control.
Stereospecific synthesis of specifically deuterated metoprolol enantiomers from chiral starting materials

Enantiomers of metoprolol (1) containing six deuterium atoms in the isopropyl methyl groups [(2R-2], two deuterium atoms at C-2 and C-6 of the aromatic ring [(2S)-3], and two deuterium atoms at C-3 of the propanolamine side chain [(2S)-4] were prepared. Chiral 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-methanols [(4R)-5 and (4S)-5] were key synthons. Sources of deuterium were [2H6]-isopropylamine, 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-2,6-[2H2]-phenol (12), prepared by 2HCl/2H2O exchange, and (4S)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-[2H2]-4-methanol (19), prepared by LiAl2H4 reduction of (4S)-methyl 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylate. Enantiomeric excess was greater than 94% for each of the prepared enantiomers, as determined independently by 1H NMR spectroscopy on diastereomeric derivatives and by chiral column HPLC.
Using language-retrieved pictures to support intercultural brainstorming

Group brainstorming is a commonly practiced technique to enhance creative outcomes. Cultural differences in knowledge and perspectives are valuable sources for diversity essential to creative outcomes, while cultural discrepancy in communication and language may impede idea sharing. My dissertation research aims to reconcile the tension between the benefits and obstacles of intercultural brainstorming. The design approach is to augment conversational brainstorming with language-retrieved pictures. Pictures may provide rich stimulation and mediate concepts in a relatively language-independent manner, which may complement the still imperfect machine translation, and make inter-cultural and multi-lingual idea sharing more feasible.
Physicochemical, kinetic and energetic investigation of coal–biomass mixture pyrolysis

The pyrolyzing behavior of solid fuel mixtures was quantified from the physicochemical, kinetic and energetic perspectives using scanning electron microscope and simultaneous thermogravimetric analyzer. The effects of water leaching on biomass pyrolysis and coal–biomass co-pyrolysis were investigated simultaneously from all three perspectives and the behaviors were cross-examined. The water leaching of the biomass significantly decreased the inorganic content and reduced its char yield. The activation energy for the leached biomass was calculated to be higher than the untreated counterparts, and the heat of pyrolysis of biomass increased on water leaching due to mitigation of secondary reactions. The co-pyrolysis of coal and biomass fuel mixtures exhibited a weighted additive physicochemical, kinetic and energetic behavior for the conditions tested in this study. It was shown that the interactions between leached biomass and coal during co-pyrolysis were minimal by successful simulation of co-pyrolysis kinetics using the individual kinetic parameters of coal and biomass pyrolysis reactions. The energetic properties of the fuel samples, viz. heat of pyrolysis and heat of gasification, were calculated on per unit volatile mass basis using a pyrolysis mathematical model. It was demonstrated that these energetic properties were additive in nature for coal and leached biomass co-pyrolysis.
High-data-rate radar cross-section instrumentation system

This paper describes a high-data-rate radar cross-section (RCS) measurement system especially designed for high-angular precision and direct digital recording on magnetic tape. Particular features of this system include semiautomatic control to expedite the measurements sequence while preserving human supervision, optical indexing of model azimuth, and center of gravity adjustment on the model to suppress dynamic errors. The magnetic tape records, together with the ease and precision with which polarization and target roll angle can be set to predetermined values, make the generation of data feasible in quantities suitable for computing machine processing. This permits cross-plotting in various ways, and provides sets of curves which graphically demonstrate the effect of polarization or orientation variations on RCS.
New semiempirical method for computing nonlinear missile aerodynamics

A new semiempirical method has been developed to predict normal force, pitching moment, and center of pressure on missile configurations up to angles of attack of 30-deg and 0-deg roll angle. The method is based on linear theory and slender body techniques at low angle of attack and uses wind-tunnel data to derive nonlinear angle-of-attack corrections as angle of attack increases. The new improved theories include body alone, wing alone, and body-wing and wing-body interference. Although the new theory is databased, simple analytical formulas are derived that allow general use of the techniques. Comparison with the linearized approaches used in the former Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division aeroprediction code shows significant reductions in errors of aerodynamics above about 5- to 10-deg angle of attack. Limited comparisons to other state-of-theart engineering codes show the new theory to be as good as or better than anything known to be available for computing planar aerodynamics up to 30-deg angle of attack.
Antibiotic susceptibility of black-pigmented Bacteroides isolates from the human oral cavity.

Abstract The minimal inhibitory concentrations of penicillin and six other antibiotics were determined for 66 oral black-pigmented Bacteroides isolates by using the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards proposed standard agar dilution technique. These results plus iodometric determination of β-lactamase activity showed that oral isolates of black-pigmented Bacteroides are remaining relatively susceptible to commonly used antibiotics.
Loosely coupled nonlinear least squares

Abstract Nonlinear least squares problems where some parameters affect only some of the predicted responses while other parameters affect all the predicted responses are said to be loosely coupled. The most common example is a model that is fitted to responses from several individuals with some of the parameters being common to all individuals. Exploiting the loosely coupled structure in such problems can lead to savings in storage and computing time. Many such problems also have conditionally linear parameters. It would be desirable also to exploit the conditional linearity as done by Golub and Pereyra (SIAM J. 10, 1973) but doing so destroys the loosely coupled structure. However, it is possible to use the modified method of Kaufman (BIT 16, 1975) to exploit both loose coupling and conditional linearity.
Modification of Tobacco Leaf Glycolate Oxidase Activity by Chlorogenic Acid and Other Polyphenols

Glycolate oxidase extracted from tobacco leaves (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. NC-95) and assayed by the 2,6-dichlorophe-nolindophenol reduction method was stimulated by chlorogenic acid and other o-diphenols but not by p-diphenols such as hydroquinone. Chlorogenic acid also protected the enzyme against certain enzyme antagonists. A novel assay utilizing horseradish peroxidase with the chromogen o-dianisidine was developed for detecting glycolate oxidase in conjunction with disc electrophoresis. Dissociation of glycolate oxidase into an active monomer during ammonium sulfate fractiona-tion was confirmed electrophoretically. After electrophoresis, flavin mononucleotide was required for monomer activity whereas chlorogenic acid was inhibitory to enzyme band development.
Factors Affecting the Sensitivity of the Elastic Properties to Pressure On Carbonate Rocks

The complex pore structure of carbonate rocks controls their velocity-pressure dependence, resulting in a wide range of pore compressibility. This complexity calls for a proper prediction of carbonate reservoir properties due to changes in the stress during drilling and production. A comprehensive laboratory study on 247 carbonate samples has been previously undertaken to understand how mineral composition, pore type, and rock-fluid chemical interactions control seismic wave propagation. This study described the roles of pore type and mineral composition on the large scatter observed around the main velocityporosity trend, and the suitability of Gassmann’s theory to quantify fluid effects on velocity of carbonate rocks. During those studies a scatter in the pore stiffness versus porosity plot for the low porosity plugs was observed. The goal of this study is to understand the main cause of such a scatter and to start a systematic study of the control of the pore type on the sensitivity of elastic wave velocity to pressure changes. After analyzing the velocity and pore stiffness versus porosity crossplots, obtained by previous bench-top measurements, we selected and measured the elastic properties of 12 dry carbonate plugs characterized by similar porosities but different pore stiffness values, at variable confining pressure up to 20 MPa (small steps increments of 2.5 MPa) and zero pore pressure. This paper focuses on understanding the main factors affecting the pore stiffness scatter of low porosity carbonate plugs and their sensitivity to pressure effects. Results show an inverse relation between velocity sensitivity to pressure and pore stiffness: the sensitivity is high for low pore stiffness plugs and low for those with high pore stiffness. The thin sections of the analyzed core plugs show an increase in the amount of compliant pores for more sensitive plugs, while the less sensitive plugs are dominated by stiff pores.
Energy and spectral dynamics in forced compressible turbulence

Numerical simulations are used to study compressible turbulence with microscale Reynolds numbers up to 40 and rms Mach numbers M up to 0.9. The flows are randomly forced, with energy supplied to either the rotational or compressive components of kinetic energy, which is then transferred to internal energy through the pressure-dilatation interaction and viscous dissipation terms. Coupling between the two components of kinetic energy by the advection term is relatively weak, and most energy introduced to either component by the external force is transferred, without passing through the other component, to internal energy. A statistically quasi-equilibrium of kinetic energy is realized while internal energy increases steadily. The spectral form of the rotational component of velocity, which hardly depends on M, is very close to that for incompressible flow. On the other hand, the compressive component depends strongly on M, especially at large wave numbers.
Cryptosporidiosis: An Unrecognized Cause of Diarrhea in Elderly Hospitalized Patients

Human infection with Cryptosporidium species has been increasingly noted in the past decade. We conducted a broad-based longitudinal review in a community setting and found that a Cryptosporidium species was detected in one-third of the specimens screened over a 5-year period. Thirty-six patients were identified, comprising three distinct clinical groups: persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (18 patients); young, otherwise healthy persons (5 patients); and, surprisingly, chronically ill elderly persons (13 patients). In six (46%) of the 13 elderly patients, both Cryptosporidium and Clostridium difficile toxin was identified, suggesting that Cryptosporidium may be a copathogen in some instances of nosocomial diarrhea. Acquisition in an institutional setting was suspected for nine (69%) of the elderly and three (17%) of the HIV-infected patients. Elderly patients with chronic illnesses constitute a newly recognized category of persons at risk for cryptosporidial infection. In this group cryptosporidiosis may be far more common than previously recognized, may be acquired institutionally, and can mimic and occur with Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.
Improving maintenance medication adherence in adult inflammatory bowel disease patients: a pilot study

Medication nonadherence in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may lead to suboptimal control of the disease, decreased quality of life, and poor outcomes. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility, intervention mechanism, and potential effectiveness of a three-month continuous self-improvement (CSI) intervention to enhance medication adherence (MA) in adult nonadherent IBD patients. Adult IBD patients taking a daily or twice-daily dosed maintenance medication were screened electronically for two months to determine baseline MA levels. Nonadherent IBD participants were randomized to the CSI or the attention control (AC) intervention and monitored for three months. The CSI intervention consisted of a data evaluation and system refinement process in which system changes were identified and implemented. The AC group was given educational information regarding IBD disease process, extra-intestinal manifestations of IBD, and medical therapy. Demographic statistics, change scores for within and between- group differences, and effect size estimates were calculated. Nine nonadherent participants (medication adherence score <0.85) were eligible for randomization. The intervention was found feasible and acceptable. Although no statistically significant improvement in MA was found (P=0.14), adherence improved in 3 of 4 of the CSI group and 1 of 2 in the attention control group. The effect size calculation of 1.9 will determine the sample size for future study. The results of this pilot study showed the intervention was feasible and had a positive effect on MA change score and adherence levels. A larger fully powered study is needed to test of the effectiveness of this innovative intervention.
Dynamic capabilities in operations management: An empirically grounded model

Modern manufacturers run product mixes in which different products are subjected to very different economic environments that can fluctuate dramatically over time. Profitability for many manufacturers is thus contingent upon dynamic capabilities — the ability to reconfigure assets rapidly in response to environmental change. An empirically grounded model of a semiconductor manufacturing facility's production plan provides insight into the nature of these dynamic capabilities. The model suggests that a knowledge infrastructure rather than dynamic capabilities is the true source of competitive advantage.
PLANT-DERIVED ANTIBODIES FOR ACADEMIC, INDUSTRIAL, AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS

Molecular pharming can be defined as an expression of a commercially valuable protein with specific therapeutic or diagnostic activity outside its natural source of origin. The process of molecular pharming requires prior knowledge of the sequence of the target protein, its structure requirements, and the ability to express the target protein in the heterologous host system [1]. Several key discoveries led to the development of molecular pharming. In 1869, Johann Miescher identified DNA, a weakly acidic substance in the human cell nucleus. The relationship between DNA and protein biosynthesis was hypothesized for the first time by Archibald Garrod in 1909. Subsequently, James Watson, Francis Crick, and Sidney Brenner discovered the molecular structure of DNA (1953) and established the notion that different codons are used to specify individual amino acids (1961). The next step toward molecular pharming was Hamilton Smith’s discovery of restriction enzymes that digest DNA at well-defined locations (1970). By combining restriction digestion and ligation of the DNA fragments, Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer created the first recombinant DNA in 1972. Six years later, somatostatin became the first human protein to be manufactured using prokaryote recombinant technology [2].
Interferon-inducible chemokines reflect severity and progression in sarcoidosis

Background Identification of serum proteins that track with disease course in sarcoidosis may have clinical and pathologic importance. We previously identified up-regulated transcripts for interferon-inducible chemokines CXCL9, and CXCL10, in blood of sarcoidosis patients compared to controls. The objective of this study was to determine whether proteins encoded by these transcripts were elevated in serum and identified patients with remitting vs. chronic progressive sarcoidosis longitudinally.
Understanding our origins

What would happen if tomorrow, scientists were to rediscover the entire hominid fossil record, without any preconceptions inherited from the last century? According to Ian Tattersall, curator emeritus of anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History, the resulting picture of human evolution would differ dramatically from that bequeathed to today's paleontologists by their predecessors. In The Strange Case of the Rickety Cossack , he traces the contingencies, false starts, and diversity of opinions that have characterized the intellectual history of paleoanthropology from Darwin to today.
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored Proteins Play an Important Role in the Biogenesis of the Alzheimer's Amyloid β-Protein

The Alzheimer's amyloid protein (Abeta) is released from the larger amyloid beta-protein precursor (APP) by unidentified enzymes referred to as beta- and gamma-secretase. beta-Secretase cleaves APP on the amino side of Abeta producing a large secreted derivative (sAPPbeta) and an Abeta-bearing C-terminal derivative that is subsequently cleaved by gamma-secretase to release Abeta. Alternative cleavage of the APP by alpha-secretase at Abeta16/17 releases the secreted derivative sAPPalpha. In yeast, alpha-secretase activity has been attributed to glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored aspartyl proteases. To examine the role of GPI-anchored proteins, we specifically removed these proteins from the surface of mammalian cells using phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). PI-PLC treatment of fetal guinea pig brain cultures substantially reduced the amount of Abeta40 and Abeta42 in the medium but had no effect on sAPPalpha. A mutant CHO cell line (gpi85), which lacks GPI-anchored proteins, secreted lower levels of Abeta40, Abeta42, and sAPPbeta than its parental line (GPI+). When this parental line was treated with PI-PLC, Abeta40, Abeta42, and sAPPbeta decreased to levels similar to those observed in the mutant line, and the mutant line was resistant to these effects of PI-PLC. These findings provide strong evidence that one or more GPI-anchored proteins play an important role in beta-secretase activity and Abeta secretion in mammalian cells. The cell-surface GPI-anchored protein(s) involved in Abeta biogenesis may be excellent therapeutic target(s) in Alzheimer's disease.
Transport of iron into leaves following iron resupply to iron‐stressed sugar beet plants

Abstract Iron‐stressed sugar beets were resupplied with ferrous salts and ferric EDTA and the transport of iron into leaves was monitored with time. After 24 hours of iron resupply, leaf iron concentrations increased 11‐fold whether iron was resupplied as ferrous sulfate or ferric EDTA. There was a substantial increase in leaf iron during the first two hours with the maximum rate of accumulation occurring during the first six hours after resupply began. The massive transport of iron into leaves following iron resupply was associated with iron movement into interveinal areas as well as into petioles and veins. The results suggest that the phenomenon of enhanced iron uptake by iron‐stressed plants occurs even when the ferric to ferrous reduction step at the root is bypassed.
Power Converter and Control Interface for a GEM Fuel Cell Vehicle

In this paper, we discuss the design and performance of a low cost, fully integrated power conversion and control system for a modified Global Electric Motors (GEM) fuel cell hybrid vehicle. The need for a custom converter and control system has become apparent as the commercial DC-DC market seems to have a void in the ranges of power and voltage required for fuel cell vehicle applications. The system incorporates a custom designed DC-DC boost converter which steps up the nominal 26 VDC fuel cell stack voltage to interface with the 72 VDC vehicle battery bus at an input power level of 1.2 kW. Additionally, several embedded control functions are implemented to integrate a Ballard Nexa™ fuel cell power module into the GEM vehicle. Design equations supported by preliminary performance data indicates that the DC-DC power converter achieves a conversion efficiency approaching 98% for a single fuel cell power module operating at full output power (1.2kW). The high efficiency allows for a simple and flexible air-cooled design with minimal heat sink requirements and cooling system weight. The control system incorporates algorithms to perform battery charging and power ramp rate, as well as fuel cell voltage, and current limiting algorithms. The control system exhibits stable performance characteristics throughout the entire vehicle load range and battery state of charge range, while tracking vehicle transient conditions.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Toward Functional Classification of Neuronal Types

How many types of neurons are there in the brain? This basic neuroscience question remains unsettled despite many decades of research. Classification schemes have been proposed based on anatomical, electrophysiological, or molecular properties. However, different schemes do not always agree with each other. This raises the question of whether one can classify neurons based on their function directly. For example, among sensory neurons, can a classification scheme be devised that is based on their role in encoding sensory stimuli? Here, theoretical arguments are outlined for how this can be achieved using information theory by looking at optimal numbers of cell types and paying attention to two key properties: correlations between inputs and noise in neural responses. This theoretical framework could help to map the hierarchical tree relating different neuronal classes within and across species.
H1 Receptor Mediates Inositol Phosphates Response to Histamine in Gastric Smooth Muscle of Guinea Pigs

The effect of histamine on [3H]-inositol phosphates (IPs) formation was investigated with [3H]-inositol-labeled gastric smooth-muscle cells in guinea pigs. Histamine (10−5 M) increased the formation of [3H]-IPs in the muscle cells. The increase was significantly inhibited by pyrilamine (10−5 M) but not by cimetidine (10−5 M). The contractile response to histamine was also completely inhibited by pyrilamine but not by cimetidine. Phorbol ester 12-myristate 13-acetate (10 μM) significantly inhibited histamine-stimulated [3H]-IPs formation by 56%, whereas forskolin (10 μM) decreased it by 18%. This study demonstrates that the response of [3H]-IPs formation and contraction to histamine is mediated through H1 receptor, and the formation of [3H]-IPs is negatively regulated by protein kinase C in gastric smooth muscle of guinea pigs.
High average power, high current pulsed accelerator technology

High current pulsed accelerator technology was developed during the late 60's through the late 80's to satisfy the needs of various military related applications such as effects simulators, particle beam devices, free electron lasers, and as drivers for inertial confinement fusion devices. The emphasis in these devices is to achieve very high peak power levels, with pulse lengths on the order of a few 10's of nanoseconds, peak currents of up to 10's of MA, and accelerating potentials of up to 10's of MV. New high average power systems, incorporating thermal management techniques, are enabling the potential use of high peak power technology in a number of diverse industrial application areas such as materials processing, food processing, stack gas cleanup, and the destruction of organic contaminants. These systems employ semiconductor and saturable magnetic switches to achieve short pulse durations that can then be added to efficiently give MV accelerating potentials while delivering average power levels of a few 100's of kilowatts to perhaps many megawatts. The Repetitive High Energy Pulsed Power project is developing short-pulse, high current accelerator technology capable of generating beams with kJ's of energy per pulse delivered to areas of 1000 cm/sup 2/ or more using ions, electrons, or X-rays. Modular technology is employed to meet the needs of a variety of applications requiring from 100's of kV to MV's and from 10's to 100's of kA. Modest repetition rates, up to a few 100's of pulses per second (PPS), allow these machines to deliver average currents on the order of a few 100's of mA. The design and operation of the second generation 300 kW RHEPP-II machine, now being brought on-line to operate at 2.5 MV, 25 kA, and 100 PPS will be described in detail as one example of the new high average power, high current pulsed accelerator technology.
Of What Does Self-Knowing Consist? Perspectives from Bangladesh and Pakistan

Taking my cue from two novels, Mohammad Hanif's A Case of Exploding Mangos and Zia Haider Rahman's In the Light of What We Know, I posit that their respective senses of living in Pakistan or being from Bangladesh capture a shared intuition of not knowing enough to know oneself or one's place in the world. In this review, I ask, Can we speak of an inheritance of the colonial imperative to know when the need is not to know and rule others, but to know and rule oneself? Can we speak of an overturning or transfiguring of the colonial imperative to revise the central question for new nation-states to be, “Who are we, who have done all this”? Or, is that question too quickly dispossessed of agency and made to serve development goals and utilitarian ends? And if so, how are claims to self-knowledge asserted in the face of a constant arrogation of agency?
ADVANCED THERMAL AND POWER SYSTEMS FOR THE SATCOM-KU SATELLITES

The RCA Satcom Ku-band satellites are the highest powered domestic communications satellites in service. This paper traces the growth of satellite transponder power and its impact on Thermal and Power Subsystem designs. The Satcom Ku-band Thermal and Power Subsystem designs are presented in this paper, with emphasis on components that increase efficiency, reduce weight, or enhance performance. These advanced components include heat-pipe-cooled transponder panels, thermoelectrically cooled low-noise amplifiers, silicon solar arrays, and nickel-hydrogen storage batteries.
Effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate on folding and thermal stability of acid-denatured cytochrome c: A spectroscopic approach

The molten globule (MG) state can be an intermediate in the protein folding pathway; thus, its detailed description can help understanding protein folding. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), an anionic surfactant that is commonly used to mimic hydrophobic binding environments such as cell membranes, is known to denature some native state proteins, including horse cytochrome c (cyt c). In this article, refolding of acid denatured cyt c is studied under the influence of SDS to form MG-like states at both low concentration and above the critical micelle concentration using Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) and ultraviolet and visible absorption as well as fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD). Thermal denaturation monitored with FTIR and CD shows distinct final high temperature states starting from MG-like states formed with different SDS/protein ratios. The results suggest that the SDS/protein ratio as well as the actual SDS (or protein) concentration affects structure and its thermal stability. Thermal denaturation monitored with CD and FTIR for cyt c at neutral pH but denatured with SDS showed that at a high SDS/protein ratio, the thermal behavior of MG-like states formed at low and neutral pH are quite similar. Based on the results obtained, the merits of two models of the protein–surfactant structure are discussed for different SDS concentrations.
Estimating accuracy in optimal deconvolution of synthetic AMSR-E observations

Abstract Optimal deconvolution (ODC) utilizes the footprint overlap in microwave observations to estimate the earth's brightness temperatures (TB). This paper examines the accuracy of ODC-estimated TB compared with a standard averaging technique. Because brightness temperatures cannot be independently verified, we constructed synthetic True TB for accuracy assessment. We assigned TB at a high spatial resolution (1 km) grid and computed the True TB by spatial averaging of the assigned TB to a lower resolution earth grid (25 km), selected to match the resolution of products generated from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for the Earth Observing System (AMSR-E). We used the sensor antenna response function along with the 1-km assigned TB to generate synthetic observations at AMSR-E footprint locations. These synthetic observations were subsequently deconvolved in the ODC technique to estimate TB at the lower resolution earth grid. The ODC-estimated TB and the simple grid cell averages of the synthetic observations were compared with the True TB allowing us to quantify the efficacy of each technique. In areas of high TB contrast (such as boundaries of water bodies), ODC performed significantly better than averaging. In other areas, ODC and averaging techniques produced similar results. A technique similar to ODC can be effective in delineating water bodies with significant clarity. That will allow microwave observations to be utilized near the shorelines, a trouble spot for the currently used averaging techniques.
Methodologies and study designs relevant to medical education research

Research is an important part of educational scholarship. Knowledge of research methodologies is essential for both conducting research as well as determining the soundness of the findings from published studies. Our goals for this paper therefore are to inform medical education researchers of the range and key components of educational research designs. We will discuss both qualitative and quantitative approaches to educational research. Qualitative methods will be presented according to traditions that have a distinguished history in particular disciplines. Quantitative methods will be presented according to an evidence-based hierarchy akin to that of evidence-based medicine with the stronger designs (systematic reviews and well conducted educational randomized controlled trials) at the top, and weaker designs (descriptive studies without comparison groups, or single case studies) at the bottom. It should be appreciated, however, that the research question determines the study design. Therefore, the onus is on the researcher to choose a design that is appropriate to answering the question. We conclude with an overview of how educational researchers should describe the study design and methods in order to provide transparency and clarity.
Receptor tyrosine phosphatases control tracheal tube geometries through negative regulation of Egfr signaling

The formation of epithelial tubes with defined shapes and sizes is essential for organ development. We describe a unique tracheal tubulogenesis phenotype caused by loss of both Drosophila type III receptor tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs), Ptp4E and Ptp10D. Ptp4E is the only widely expressed Drosophila RPTP, and is the last of the six fly RPTPs to be genetically characterized. We recently isolated mutations in Ptp4E, and discovered that, although Ptp4E null mutants have no detectable phenotypes, double mutants lacking both Ptp4E and Ptp10D display synthetic lethality at hatching owing to respiratory failure. In these double mutants, unicellular and terminal tracheal branches develop large bubble-like cysts that selectively incorporate apical cell surface markers. Cysts in unicellular branches are enlargements of the lumen that are sealed by adherens junctions, whereas cysts in terminal branches are cytoplasmic vacuoles. Cyst size and number are increased by tracheal expression of activated Egfr tyrosine kinase, and decreased by reducing Egfr levels. Ptp10D forms a complex with Egfr in transfected cells. Downregulation of Egfr signaling by the RPTPs is required for the construction of tubular lumens, whether extracellular or intracellular, by cells that undergo remodeling during branch morphogenesis. The Ptp4E Ptp10D phenotype represents the first evidence of an essential role for RPTPs in epithelial organ development. These findings might be relevant to organ development and disease in mammals, because PTPRJ (DEP-1), an ortholog of Ptp4E/Ptp10D, interacts with the hepatocyte growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase. PTPRJ corresponds to the murine Scc1 (suppressor of colon cancer) gene.
Ultrasonic Vibration-Assisted Pelleting of Cellulosic Biomass for Biofuel Production

Cellulosic biofuels have the potential to partially replace petroleum-based liquid transportation fuels. Several technical barriers hinder large-scale and cost-effective production of cellulosic biofuels, such as the low density of cellulosic biomass feedstocks (causing high transportation and storage cost), and the lack of efficient pretreatment technologies for cellulosic biomass. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) pelleting is a novel biomass feedstock preprocessing technology. UV-A pelleting is characterized by a combination of pelletizing and ultrasonic treatment into one process. This chapter reports experimental and theoretical investigations on UV-A pelleting of cellulosic biomass for biofuel production. It covers studies on pellet quality, pellet sugar yield, pelleting energy consumption, and pelleting temperature.
Reverse genetics systems as tools for the development of novel therapies against filoviruses

Filoviruses cause severe hemorrhagic fevers with case fatality rates of up to 90%, for which no antivirals are currently available. Their categorization as biosafety level 4 agents restricts work with infectious viruses to a few maximum containment laboratories worldwide, which constitutes a significant obstacle for the development of countermeasures. Reverse genetics facilitates the generation of recombinant filoviruses, including reporter-expressing viruses, which have been increasingly used for drug screening and development in recent years. Further, reverse-genetics based lifecycle modeling systems allow modeling of the filovirus lifecycle without the need for a maximum containment laboratory and have recently been optimized for use in high-throughput assays. The availability of these reverse genetics-based tools will significantly improve our ability to find novel antivirals against filoviruses.
Quantitative genetics of sexual dimorphism in body fat measurements.

A variance decomposition analysis using maximum likelihood methods was employed to examine the genetic architecture of sexual dimorphism in anthropometric traits in a large pedigreed sample of Mexican American individuals from San Antonio, Texas. For this analysis the magnitude of sexual dimorphism was viewed as arising from a special case of genotype by environment interaction (G × E), that of genotype by sex (G × S). Evidence indicates a marked G × S interaction for 9 of the 12 traits examined and 1 of the 4 indices, findings which are interpreted as indicators of a strong genetic component to the degree of sexual dimorphism expressed in these traits. Such results have important implications for the use and interpretation of these traits in an epidemiological as well as an evolutionary context. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A gateway-based approach for information retrieval from data-centric wireless sensor networks from IP hosts

It would be useful if an IP-based host could collect information from multiple remote data-centric networks using a predefined application programming interface (API). This research presents two APIs for gathering named data from remote WSNs — one API for wireless sensor nodes in the data-centric directed diffusion WSN and the other API for IP-based nodes residing on an IP network outside of the WSN. An associated WSN middleware layer used to effectively connect these two APIs through an application-layer gateway is also described. These three components work together in harmony to support gathering of sensed data from one or more remote WSNs through an application-layer gateway which connects different remote WSNs to an IP network.
Geographic Variation in Host Location Cues for a Dipteran Parasitoid of Paraponera clavata1

Abstract Parasitoid insects face considerable trade-offs in locating suitable hosts within complex environments. Apocephalus paraponerae (Diptera: Phoridae) locates its host ant Paraponera clavata (Formicidae: Ponerinae) using olfactory cues. Here, comparing two populations of A. paraponerae, I describe differences in host location cues between two sites, Barro Colorado Island (BCI) in Panama and La Selva Biological Research Station in Costa Rica. At La Selva, A. paraponerae uses the ant mandibular gland products 4-methyl-3-heptanone and 4- methyl-3-heptanol in host location, but does not do so on BCI. I propose that higher colony density of P. clavata causes A. paraponerae to use more species-specific cues on BCI. I also discuss how geographic variation in host location cues could lead to allopatric speciation.
The early history of COBOL

This paper discusses the early history of COBOL, starting with the May 1959 meeting in the Pentagon which established the Short Range Committee which defined the initial version of COBOL, and continuing through the creation of COBOL 61. The paper gives a detailed description of the committee activities leading to the publication of the first official version, namely COBOL 60. The major inputs to COBOL are discussed, and there is also a description of how and why some of the technical decisions in COBOL were made. Finally, there is a brief “after the fact” evaluation, and some indication of the implication of COBOL on current and future languages.
Mining and Environment in the Urals during the 18TH and 19TH Centuries

From about the mid 1500s onwards, the massive supply of precious metals from Spanish America totally marginalized the mining activities in much of Europe. This cycle in the European mining history came to an end during the period of 1670–1760 when several events converged to stimulate the revival of intensive mining especially in central Europe. High silver prices brought about by mining crisis in South and Central America, the equally exorbitant copper prices caused by the collapse of Swedish production in 1655, the cessation of copper imports from Japan in the 1670s, and the depressed lead prices as the expansion of the British industry flooded much of Europe with cheap supplies of the metal all combined to create a price climate conducive to mining renaissance in many European countries.
Physiological levels and action of dehydroepiandrosterone in Yucatan miniature swine.

The biological role of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its less active sulphated conjugate DHEAS was investigated in two experiments using Yucatan miniature swine. In experiment 1, plasma levels ...
Jerkin’ the gherkin: Philip Roth’s hands-on humor

Sex, outrage, shock, and satiric humor have become Philip Roth's trademark, which this essay discusses in relation to ten of his novels, from Portnoy's Complaint (1969) to Nemesis (2010).
Novel Photocurable Materials For Spinon Dielectric Films

Poly(indanes) can be prepared by the photoinduced cationic polymerization of a variety of diisopropenyl aromatic monomers. Typically, polymerization proceeds rapidly under UV irradiation catalyzed by diaryliodonium salt photoinitiators to give hard, transparent films. Investigations have shown that the polymerization proceeds mainly by a dimerization followed by a ringclosure process to yield indane structures along the polymer backbone. Film-forming mixtures containing either pure monomer or mixtures of monomers together with a poly(indane) prepolymer can be spin coated onto silicon wafers. Measurements made on the photopolymerized coatings give low dielectric constants. These coatings also display excellent thermal stability.
On Determining Three Dimensional Regions of Significance

where J& is the value of the likelihood criterion corresponding to a chosen level of significance, ?C , i.e., oC = .01, oC = .05, etc., and 5a and $* are the absolute and relative minimum sum of squares, respectively, providing two optimum estimates of the population variance, <r* , under the conditions prescribed by the properties of the region of significance. These properties are that* for certain sys tems of values of two independent variables, x', y', the hypothesis, H(x', y/), should be rejected. This hypothesis in (16) referred to the difference between the best linear estimates of the means of two ran dom samples of observational values. The hypothesis could refer to other statistical functions of ob servational data as well. The distinction between this type of hypothesis and the usual null hypothesis may be made as follows: The usual null hypothesis specifies some fixed set of parameter values esti mated for the single system of values, say x? y,, provided by the experimental data, and the process of testing the hypothesis consists in setting up a critical region for this specified set of values, x,, yf. If the experimental value, or sample point, falls in this critical region, the hypothesis H(x? y( ) is rejected and the generalization usually obtains for the population for which the sample is presumably represent ative. The Johnson-Neyman technique distinguishes between the systems of values of x' and y' for which the hypothesis H (x', y') should be rejected and the systems for which the hypothesis should be accepted. It thus becomes possible to specify the population in terms of the basic characteristics, x and y, for which a generalization is permissible. That is, the analysis shows first if there are values of x and y for which, say, the difference in means between two groups is significant. Should such values exist for the variables x, y, they are bounded by a conic section, i.e., an ellipse, parabola, or an hyperbola. Geometrically, then, for two independent variables, the "region of significance" is represented by a conic section. The section can be plotted and the hypothesis H (x', y0 represented by any point of this region should be rejected at the level of significance, oc , chosen.
Propagation of group A Coxsackie viruses in primary human amnion cells. I. Cytopathic changes produced by 5 more serotypes.

SummarySeventeen serotypic Group A Coxsackie viruses, representing prototypes established by Dalldorf and Sickles(5,10) have been propagated in tissue cultures. Sixteen strains produced CPE in primary human amnion cells; another (type 7) which has failed thus far to affect amnion cells produced CPE in renal cells obtained from monkeys. Among these 17 Group A viruses were 5 serotypes heretofore not associated with CPE in tissue cultures.
Symmetric Boolean Functions

(1963). Symmetric Boolean Functions. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 70, No. 8, pp. 833-836.
Activity and Abundance of the Earwig, Labidura riparia , in a Winter Cabbage Production Ecosystem

The abundance and activity of the striped earwig, Labidura riparia (Pallas) (Dermaptera: Labiduridae), were measured weekly in a cabbage ecosystem in central Florida over a 1-year period. Pitfall traps were most effective for monitoring earwig activity. Wire-cage traps containing live larvae of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), adult female earwigs, or other food sources were evaluated as attractants or baits. Wire-cage traps containing cabbage looper larvae consistently caught the most earwigs, indicating that earwigs actively search for and eat these larvae. Laboratory feeding studies with caged earwigs confirmed bait preferences. The relative abundance and activity of earwigs as measured by pitfall trap catch corresponded closely to average weekly air temperature. Fewer earwigs were caught during the winter months (January through March), but earwigs were abundant and active during the entire year.
A Longitudinal Field Study of the Antecedents and Consequences of Workplace Silence

Workplace silence is a powerful force that scholars and practitioners have long believed can have detrimental effects within the organizations in which it exists. Unfortunately, there remains a dea...
Integrierte Kostenträgerrechnung und Betriebsergebnisrechnung

Die MAN B&W Diesel GmbH, eine Tochtergesellschaft der MAN AG, Munchen, stellt Grosdieselmotoren fur Schiffsantriebe und Dieselkraftwerke in der Grosenordnung von 450 kW bis 14000 kW her. In Augsburg und im dazugehorigen Service-Center Hamburg erwirtschaften ca. 3200 Mitarbeiter jahrlich ca. 500 Mio Umsatz.