cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploration of non-hierarchical classification methods combined with linkage analysis to identify loci influencing clusters of co-regulated transcripts

Extensive studies have been performed to analyze variation in gene expression data by using multistage approaches, including a combination of microarray and linkage analysis. Such a method was recently used in the analysis of normal variation in gene expression by Cheung et al. (Nat. Genet. 2003, 33: 422–425) and Morley et al. (Nature 2004, 430: 743–747). Using these data, we also explored a multistage method by first performing non-hierarchical clustering for 3554 genes, which identified 114 clusters with number of genes ranging from 2 to 113. Heritabilities of the first principal component of each cluster were then estimated and 29 highly heritable clusters (i.e., h2 > 0.35) were further analyzed using variance components linkage analysis. The highest LOD score was observed on chromosome 1 (LOD = 5.36, 111.71 cM) for a cluster containing two genes [glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and glutathione S-transferase M2 (GSTM2)] that are both located on chromosome 1p13.3. These results show the method followed in our analysis of performing cluster analysis followed by linkage analysis is another useful approach to identify chromosomal locations for genes affecting expression levels of multiple transcripts.
Investigation of Unsteady Flow Field in a Low-Speed One and a Half Stage Axial Compressor: Effects of Tip Gap Size on the Tip Clearance Flow Structure at Near Stall Operation

The primary focus of this paper is to investigate the effect of rotor tip gap size on how the rotor unsteady tip clearance flow structure changes in a low speed one and half stage axial compressor at near stall operation (for example, where maximum pressure rise is obtained). A Large Eddy Simulation (LES) is applied to calculate the unsteady flow field at this flow condition with both a small and a large tip gaps. The numerically obtained flow fields at the small clearance matches fairly well with the available initial measurements obtained at the Johns Hopkins University with 3-D unsteady PIV in an index-matched test facility which renders the compressor blades and casing optically transparent. With this setup, the unsteady velocity field in the entire flow domain, including the flow inside the tip gap, can be measured. The numerical results are also compared with previously published measurements in a low speed single stage compressor (Maerz et al. [2002]). The current study shows that, with the smaller rotor tip gap, the tip clearance vortex moves to the leading edge plane at near stall operating condition, creating a nearly circumferentially aligned vortex that persists around the entire rotor. On the other hand, with a large tip gap, the clearance vortex stays inside the blade passage at near stall operation.With the large tip gap, flow instability and related large pressure fluctuation at the leading edge are observed in this one and a half stage compressor. Detailed examination of the unsteady flow structure in this compressor stage reveals that the flow instability is due to shed vortices near the leading edge, and not due to a three-dimensional separation vortex originating from the suction side of the blade, which is commonly referred to during a spike-type stall inception. The entire tip clearance flow is highly unsteady. Many vortex structures in the tip clearance flow, including the sheet vortex system near the casing, interact with each other. The core tip clearance vortex, which is formed with the rotor tip gap flows near the leading edge, is also highly unsteady or intermittent due to pressure oscillations near the leading edge and varies from passage to passage. For the current compressor stage, the evidence does not seem to support that a classical vortex breakup occurs in any organized way, even with the large tip gap. Although wakes from the IGV influence the tip clearance flow in the rotor, the major characteristics of rotor tip clearance flows in isolated or single stage rotors are observed in this one and a half stage axial compressor.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Profile Differences Between Successfully and Unsuccessfully Mainstreamed Violent and Assaultive Youth

The purpose of this research is to examine the statistical relationship between psychoeducational profiles of violent and assaultive youth and their success or failure in being mainstreamed into public schools. The research hypothesis was that specific variables contained in a student's psychoeducational profile may contribute significantly to differences between his being successfully or unsuccessfully mainstreamed. Uncorrelated t tests indicated that follow-up contacts with the public school system, numerical ratings on an ecological measure, Verbal IQs, one of the WISC—R subtests (Similarities), and the PIAT Reading Comprehension, Reading Recognition, and Spelling scores differentiated significantly between the two groups.
Femoral and coronary angiographic trials

Abstract A number of large-scale clinical trials have demonstrated that lipid-altering therapy is associated with a reduced risk of coronary artery disease events. The mechanism of benefit has been postulated to be related to favorable effects at the level of the arterial wall. Angiography allows direct examination of the effects of lipid-altering therapy on the arterial wall and extensive angiographic trial data are now available. Coronary angiographic trials, employing various patient populations, therapies and endpoint measures, have demonstrated slowed progression and increased regression of atherosclerosis in the coronary tree. Femoral artery trials (which might be considered as surrogate for coronary artery trials) have also shown significant regression of atherosclerosis in treated patients. There are pros and cons for all of the various atherosclerosis change measurement techniques, but coronary artery disease events remain the “bottom line” of concern. In this regard, the Program on the Surgical Control of the Hyperlipidemias (POSCH) trial is valuable since the 3-year human consensus panel-derived global coronary change score predicted subsequent coronary events. Yet to be determined are which quantitative coronary angiography measures predict events. Finally, given the number of therapeutic questions that remain, the most promising opportunity for future antiatherosclerosis research may lie in the use of ultrasound to evaluate changes in the carotid arteries.
Das Molekulargewicht von Silbersulfat und das Atomgewicht von Schwefel

Die wichtigsten Resultate dieser Untersuchung konnen folgendermasen zusammengefafst werden: 1 Eine Methode zur Darstellung von reinem Silbersulfat wurde angegeben. 2 Das spezifische Gewicht von Silbersulfat (nach dem Schmelzen) ergab sich zu 5.45. 3 Es wurden Anhaltspunkte dafur gewonnen, dass Stas Silbersulfat in Wasserstoff nicht vollstandig reduzieren konnte.
Cellular and chemical changes during myelination: histologic, autoradiographic, histochemical and biochemical data on myelination in the pyramidal tract and corpus callosum of rat.

A quantitative study of myelination in the pyramidal tract and in the corpus callosum of rat was undertaken to establish the order and the possible correlation of various cellular and chemical changes in the tissue. Myelination was initiated by a period of thymidine-H3 labeling of nuclei and g±al proliferation, resulting in a rapid increase in the cell density or “myelination gliosis.” Slightly later, there was an increase in NAD-diaphorase activity and in leucine-H3 uptake in both the glia cells and throughout the tissue. The formation of myelin sheaths began when myelination gliosis was established; it overlapped the periods of high enzyme activity and high leucine-H3 uptake. Cell proliferation continued during myelin formation after the onset of myelination gliosis; the cell density in the pyramidal tract decreased during this period, probably because the spacing of the cells increased due to the growth of the myelin sheaths. Staining of myelin sheaths was estimated with a semi-quantitative method and paralleled an increase in biochemical assays of total cholestrol. The significance and possible interrelations between the morphological and chemical changes during myelination are discussed.
Orderings of the Stone–Čech remainder of a discrete semigroup

Abstract The Rudin–Keisler (and in the case the space S is countable, the Rudin–Frolik) order of the Stone–Cech remainder βS \ S of the discrete space S has often been studied, yielding much useful information about βS . More recently, the Comfort order has been introduced. If ( S ,·) is a semigroup, then the operation · extends naturally to βS , and the study of the semigroup ( βS ,·) is both fascinating in its own right and useful in terms of applications to Ramsey Theory. In this paper, we study the Rudin–Keisler and Comfort orders on βS \ S when S is a semigroup. We show, for example, that the set of Comfort predecessors of a given point p ∈ βS \ S is always a subsemigroup of βS , while if S is cancellative, the set of Rudin–Keisler predecessors of a point p is never a subsemigroup.
Evaporation rate and development of wetted area of water droplets with and without surfactant at different locations on waxy leaf surfaces

The evaporation and formation of deposit patterns from single droplets deposited at various locations on waxy leaves were investigated under controlled conditions. Leaf locations included the interveinal area, midrib and secondary vein on both adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Tests were conducted with 300 and 600 μm diameter droplets containing water and a non-ionic surfactant. The ambient temperature was 25 °C and relative humidity (RH) was 60%. Evaporation time and wetted area varied with the area where the droplets were deposited on the leaf surfaces. The variation in evaporation time for 300 μm diameter droplets without surfactant on the interveinal area, midrib and secondary vein of adaxial surface was 30% whilst the variation of wetted area was 39%. The wetted area was significantly larger on the adaxial surface than on the abaxial surface but the evaporation time between both surfaces was not significantly different. For the whole leaf, the average evaporation time of 300 μm diameter droplets decreased by 44% and the average wetted area increased by 202% when 0.25% non-ionic surfactant was added to the spray solution. The total mean evaporation time increased 279% and the wetted area increased 166% without the surfactant, 452% and 229% with the surfactant when droplet diameter was increased from 300 to 600 μm. The largest deposit area was measured on the midrib of adaxial surface with added surfactant. The 300 μm diameter droplets had longer evaporation times per droplet volume and greater wetted area per droplet volume than the 600 μm diameter droplets, thereby supporting the hypothesis that increased pesticide application efficiency could be achieved by finer spray. This study also demonstrated that the ratio between spray coverage area and the amount of spray liquid required could be increased by the use of surfactants, thereby offering possibilities of reduction in spray application rates and of increase in application efficiency.
Scanning Tunneung Microscope Studies of Initial Epitaxial Growth of YBa2Cu3O7-δ Thin Films

The initial stages of epitaxial growth of laser ablated YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) thin films on (001) SrTiO3, LaAlO3, and MgO substrates, and on slightly miscut LaA1O3 and SrTiO3, have been studied with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Surface images show that the initial YBCO growth mode can be either of the Stranski- Krastanov or the Volmer-Weber type, depending on the film-substrate lattice mismatch and the growth temperature. A small substrate miscut angle is found to strongly influence the growth mode of YBCO films. Screw dislocation-mediated growth is suppressed, and films grown at 800°C on (001) LaAlO3 substrates with miscut angle of 2.0° along or directions were found to consist of tilted platelets that are epitaxially aligned with the substrate crystal lattice.
Relativistic eikonal theory of electron capture

The eikonal theory of electron capture by relativistic projectiles is developed. It is shown that as long as the electron spin is not measured, a density-matrix formalism can greatly simplify the calculation. The exact eikonal cross section is expressed in terms of two-dimensional integrals. For 1s-1s capture an approximate closed-form expression valid for not too high nuclear charges is also given. This form explicitly displays contributions from magnetic capture and from relativistic modifications of the electron orbits. At each stage of the development the corresponding Oppenheimer-Brinkman-Kramers (OBK) result can be retrieved as a special case. It is concluded that the multiple-scattering contributions described by the eikonal approach are crucial in reducing the calculated cross section significantly below the OBK and second-Born-approximation values. In this way, good agreement with experimental data is obtained.
Enhanced small-molecule assembly through directional intramolecular forces.

Directional intramolecular interactions play a critical role in the self-assembly of donor-σ-acceptor molecules in solution. Amide functions on the periphery of the tricyclic core stabilize a C3-symmetric monomer conformation by intramolecular hydrogen bonding and dipole−dipole interactions. The molecules are effective organogelators and show long-range ordering in the bulk.
Getting the Median Faster

Median filters and rank-order filters are generally considered to be more time consuming than, e.g., averaging filters. With the new algorithm presented in this report the opposite turns out to be true. The median (or any other rank-order value) is obtained by examining the bits of the arguments columnwise starting with the most significant bits. Hardware implementations suitable for parallel processing are presented.
Inclusion Biogenesis and Reactivation of Persistent Chlamydia trachomatis Requires Host Cell Sphingolipid Biosynthesis

Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular pathogens that must coordinate the acquisition of host cell-derived biosynthetic constituents essential for bacterial survival. Purified chlamydiae contain several lipids that are typically found in eukaryotes, implying the translocation of host cell lipids to the chlamydial vacuole. Acquisition and incorporation of sphingomyelin occurs subsequent to transport from Golgi-derived exocytic vesicles, with possible intermediate transport through endosomal multivesicular bodies. Eukaryotic host cell-derived sphingomyelin is essential for intracellular growth of Chlamydia trachomatis, but the precise role of this lipid in development has not been delineated. The present study identifies specific phenotypic effects on inclusion membrane biogenesis and stability consequent to conditions of sphingomyelin deficiency. Culturing infected cells in the presence of inhibitors of serine palmitoyltransferase, the first enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of host cell sphingomyelin, resulted in loss of inclusion membrane integrity with subsequent disruption in normal chlamydial inclusion development. Surprisingly, this was accompanied by premature redifferentiation to and release of infectious elementary bodies. Homotypic fusion of inclusions was also disrupted under conditions of sphingolipid deficiency. In addition, host cell sphingomyelin synthesis was essential for inclusion membrane stability and expansion that is vital to reactivation of persistent chlamydial infection. The present study implicates both the Golgi apparatus and multivesicular bodies as key sources of host-derived lipids, with multivesicular bodies being essential for normal inclusion development and reactivation of persistent C. trachomatis infection.
Interaction of the Calcium-sensing Receptor and Filamin, a Potential Scaffolding Protein

In many cases, the biologic responses of cells to extracellular signals and the specificity of the responses cannot be explained solely on the basis of the interactions of known signaling proteins. Recently, scaffolding and adaptor proteins have been identified that organize signaling proteins in cells and that contribute to the nature and specificity of signaling pathways. In an effort to identify proteins that might organize the signaling system(s) activated by the extracellular Ca2+ receptor (CaR), we used a bait construct representing the intracellular C terminus of the human CaR and the yeast two hybrid system to screen a human kidney cDNA library. We identified a clone representing the C-terminal 1042 amino acids (aa) of the cytoskeletal protein filamin (ABP-280). Analysis of truncation and deletion constructs of the CaR C terminus and the filamin cDNA clone demonstrated that the CaR and filamin interact via regions containing aa 907–997 of the CaR C terminus and aa 1566–1875 of filamin. Interaction of the two proteins in mammalian HEK-293 cells was demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation and colocalization of them using immunofluorescence microscopy. The functional importance of their interaction was documented by transiently expressing the CaR in M2 melanoma cells that lack filamin, or in A7 melanoma cells that stably express filamin, and demonstrating that the CaR activated ERK only in the presence of filamin. Co-expression of the CaR with a peptide derived from the region of the CaR C terminus that interacts with filamin reduced the ability of the CaR to activate p42ERK in a dose-dependent manner, but did not inhibit the ability of the ETA receptor to activate ERK. The fact that filamin interacts with the CaR and other cell signaling proteins including mitogen-activated protein kinases and small GTPases, indicates that it may act as a scaffolding protein to organize cell signaling systems involving the CaR.
Food Aid Impacts in Rural Kenya

Assessing the potential role of food aid in economic development requires that analytical attention be given to both household production and consumption consequences of food aid projects. Effects of a food-for-work (FFW) project in rural Kenya are assessed using a peasant-household-firm model which incorporates a linear programming model and an almost ideal demand system. The results indicate that program participants have net returns 52 percent higher than nonparticipants, most of which is due to induced effects of capital formation on own-farm production. Greater capital formation increases the opportunity cost of participants' time, encouraging a transition over time from FFW activities to greater own-farm production. FFW increases food demand, employment, and marketable surplus.
Incipient motion of solid particles in horizontal pneumatic conveying

Abstract A technique for finding the minimum pickup velocity of solid particles in horizontal pneumatic conveying has been developed. A general semi-empirical correlation based on the Archimedes number which is valid over a range of particle size from 10 to 1000 μm is presented for the prediction of the minimum gas velocity required to pick up particles. Experiments have been carried out with fine particles (glass beads, alumina and coal) in a 52 mm i.d. transparent pipeline. Noteworthy is the existence of a minimum point in the curves of minimum pickup velocity as a function of particle diameter for particle diameters of approximately 100 μm. Maximum conveyability is expected to occur at this particle size. Above and below this minimum point, higher gas velocities are required to pick up particles lying on the bottom of a pipe. Experiments in an actual pneumatic conveying system clarify the practical significance and usefulness of the minimum pickup velocity. Thus, it is suggested that the proposed test procedure be used as a unified technique in determining the minimum transport velocity of solid particles in horizontal pneumatic conveying systems.
Randomized controlled trial of a Spring Break intervention to reduce high-risk drinking.

Objective While recent studies have documented high-risk drinking occurring during Spring Break (SB), particularly on SB trips with friends, published intervention studies are few. The present study evaluated the efficacy of Event Specific Prevention (ESP) strategies for reducing SB drinking among college students, compared to general prevention strategies and an assessment-only control group, as well as evaluated inclusion of peers in interventions and mode of intervention delivery (in-person vs. web).
Acid Rain on Acid Soil: A New Perspective

Acid rain is widely believed to be responsible for acidifying soil and water in areas of North America and northern Europe. However, factors commonly considered to make landscapes susceptible to acidification by acid rain are the same factors long known to strongly acidify soils through the natural processes of soil formation. Recovery from extreme and widespread careless land use has also occurred in regions undergoing acidification. There is evidence that acidification by acid rain is superimposed on long-term acidification induced by changes in land use and consequent vegetative succession. Thus, the interactions of acid rain, acid soil, and vegetation need to be carefully examined on a watershed basis in assessing benefits expected from proposed reductions in emissions of oxides of sulfur and nitrogen.
Evaluation of the energetics of electron trap states at the nanocrystalline titanium dioxide/aqueous solution interface via time-resolved photoacoustic spectroscopy

Abstract Time-resolved photoacoustic spectroscopy (TRPAS) has been employed to probe directly the trap state energetics of photogenerated electrons in nanocrystalline colloidal titanium dioxide dispersed in aqueous solution. Deconvolution of the photoacoustic signals obtained following bandgap excitation allowed for separation of components associated with conduction band electron trapping, trapped electron–hole recombination, and a slower recombination step. The results indicate that the lifetime of the electron–hole pair is on the order of 25 ns with about 60% of the trapped electrons recombining on this time scale. The electron trapping sites were determined to lie, on average, 0.8 eV below the conduction band edge.
The structure of C2b, a fragment of complement component C2 produced during C3 convertase formation

The second component of complement (C2) is a multi-domain serine protease that provides catalytic activity for the C3 and C5 convertases of the classical and lectin pathways of human complement. The formation of these convertases requires the Mg2+-dependent binding of C2 to C4b and the subsequent cleavage of C2 by C1s or MASP2, respectively. The crystal structure of full-length C2 is not yet available, although the structure of its C-terminal catalytic segment C2a has been determined. The crystal structure of the N-terminal segment C2b of C2 determined to 1.8 A resolution presented here reveals the arrangement of its three CCP domains. The domains are arranged differently compared with most other CCP-domain assemblies, but their arrangement is similar to that found in the Ba part of the full-length factor B structure. The crystal structures of C2a, C2b and full-length factor B are used to generate a model for C2 and a discussion of the domain association and possible interactions with C4b during formation of the C4b–C2 complex is presented. The results of this study also suggest that upon cleavage by C1s, C2a domains undergo conformational rotation while bound to C4b and the released C2b domains may remain folded together similar to as observed in the intact protein.
THE THREE R'S OF RURAL NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

RESUME La distinction qu'on etablit generalement entre les genres de vie ruraux et urbains perd de son sens si on tente de Ľappliquer a la region du nord-est des Etats-Unis. De vastes etendues de terrain, autrefois cultivees, sont maintenant utilisees a des fins domiciliaires et de recreation, et les terres demeurees agricoles sont soumises a des cultures de plus en plus specialisees. Ľauteur etablit une distinction importante entre les terrains defriches (terres en culture, paturages non-boises et fermes) et les terrains agricoles (tels que les definit le Bureau du Recensement des Etats-Unis), puisque, dans la region du nord-est, environ le tiers des terres dites agricoles sont boisees et ne produisent que de maigres recoltes. De tous les comtes de cette region, peu nombreux sont ceux dont la moitie ou plus etait classee comme terrains defriches en 1959 et la plupart des comtes ont perdu plus du quart de leurs terrains defriches entre 1910 et 1959. Sur les terres qui sont encore en culture, on produit surtout de la volaille, des legumes, des fruits, des noix et ?autres denrees horticoles dans les comtes urbains de la zone cotiere, tandis quaĽinterieur on fait surtout de Ľelevage laitier. Entre 1950 et 1960, de vastes secteurs de la region du nord-est ont subi une certaine perte de population, ?autres sont demeures stationnaires, ?autres enfin ont connu un taux ?accroissement inferieur a la moyenne generate du pays; par contre, certains districts ruraux a proximite des grandes villes ont vu leur population s'accroitre considerablement, tandis que plusieurs villes ont subi un declin ou sont demeurees stationnaires. Durant cette meme periode, le tourisme estival s'est accru de 20 pour cent et Ľintensite des sports ?hiver a double. Le ski est devenu de plus en plus populaire surtout depuis Ľetablissement de manufactures de neige a proximite des centres urbains meridionaux.
Optical activity of the f–f transitions in trigonal dihedral (D3) lanthanide(III) complexes. II. Calculations

Calculations of dipole strengths, rotatory strengths, and dissymmetry factors associated with the 4f↔4f transitions of trigonal dihedral (D 3) lanthanide(III) complexes are reported. These calculations, based on a theoretical model described in the previous paper [J. Chem. Phys. 76, 1595 (1982)], represent the first attempt to quantitatively account for the chiroptical properties of lanthanide systems. As model systems, tris‐terdentate chelate structures formed by oxydiacetate (ODA2−) ligands and the trivalent lanthanide ions Pr3+, Eu3+, Tb3+, and Ho3+ are considered. Calculations are reported for both isotropic and oriented samples of the Ln(ODA)3 3− systems. Parameters varied in the computational model include ligand geometry, ligand charges and polarizabilities, and lanthanide crystal field coefficients. The results of the calculations are applied to the interpretation of lanthanide CD/absorption and CPL/emission spectra. Special emphasis is given to the r e l a t i v e chiroptical strengths predicted for term‐to‐term transitions and to the ligand structure parameters having the greatest influence on the chiroptical properties. The calculated results demonstrate that the theoretical model correctly accounts for most of the qualitative aspects of lanthanideoptical activity as observed by experiment. In a few cases, the calculations also achieve quantitative or semiquantitative agreement with experimental observation. However, the model as applied in this study is not sufficiently refined to permit reliable calculations of lanthanide chiroptical spectra at the level of crystal field component resolution.
Ultrasonic annular array system for detecting tissue motion

We are developing ultrasonic strain-flow imaging instrumentation specifically to facilitate improved diagnosis of breast tissue disease. An 8-ring, 30-mm-diameter, f/1.5, spherically focused annular array was built to generate broadband, 10 MHz pulses at a rate up to 10 KHz. This transducer uses the synthetic receive aperture technique to record echoes while being mechanically steered by a linear positioner under microprocessor control. Specifically, a 200Vpp signal is applied to all rings simultaneously on transmission. Individual rings are then sequentially multiplexed to a receiver. Echoes are dynamically delayed and coherently summed off-line to adjust the receive focus and extend the depth of focus. The aperture material is a 1-3 composite built by Imasonic SA, Besancon, France. One advantage of the design is that it provides a well-focused axisymmetric beam with an improved depth of focus to acquire images at a high spatial resolution. Pulse-echo simulations of our array using the Field II software package show a -6dB beam width at 0.24 mm and -6dB depth of focus at 2.4 mm that can be extended to 3.2 mm with dynamic focusing. These simulations agree with later measurements performed on the transducer. Our flexible aperture design allows us to drop outer rings significantly increasing the depth of focus (up to 56% increase by dropping 3 rings) with a tolerable decrease in lateral resolution (27% increase in beam width). We expect that our probe will enable us to examine detailed biological processes throughout the malignant growth period of a tumor tissue that exhibits elastic anisotropy, thus providing high resolution ultrasound images over an extended and adjustable depth of field.
Age and Growth of the Common Thresher Shark in the Western North Atlantic Ocean

Abstract Age and growth estimates were generated for the Common Thresher Shark Alopias vulpinus in the western North Atlantic (WNA) using vertebral centra from 173 females and 135 males ranging in size from 56 to 264 cm FL. Assuming that vertebral band pairs were deposited annually, we estimated ages up to 22 years (228 cm FL) for males and 24 years (244 cm FL) for females. The growth of both sexes was similar until approximately age 8 (185 cm FL), after which male growth slowed. The growth of females slowed at a later age (∼age 12) than that of males. Relative goodness of fit for all candidate models supported the separate modeling of sexes. For males, von Bertalanffy growth parameters generated from the vertebral data using a set size at birth (81 cm FL) provided the best fit for the band counts (asymptotic length [L∞ ] = 225.4 cm FL; growth coefficient [k] = 0.17). For females, the standard three-parameter von Bertalanffy growth model provided the best fit to the band counts (L∞ = 274.5 cm FL; k = 0.09...
In Vitro Growth and Oxygen Uptake of Fibroblasts From Cleft and Normal Palate Tissues

The behavior of explants and fibroblasts from human cleft palate and normal palate tissues were studied with reference to growth and respiratory activity.
Linear-mapping based cooperative relaying protocol design with optimum power and time allocation

Cooperative communication has emerged as a new wireless network communication concept, in which parameter optimization such as power budget and time allocation plays an important role in cooperative relaying protocol designs. While most existing works on cooperative relaying protocol designs considered equal-time allocation scenario, i.e. equal time duration is assigned to each source and each relay, we intend to design and optimize cooperative communication protocols by exploring all possible variations in time and power domains. In our recent work [18], we explored an ideal non-equal-time cooperative relaying protocol where the system can use arbitrary re-encoding methods at the relay and adjust time allocation arbitrarily, in which we showed that with optimum power and time allocation the cooperative relaying protocol has significant performance improvement compared to the equal-time relaying protocol. In this paper, with more realistic consideration, we design a practical cooperative relaying protocol based on linear mapping, i.e. using linear mapping as the re-encoding method at the relay and considering integer time slots in the two phases. Furthermore, we develop an optimum linear mapping to minimize the outage probability of the linear-mapping based cooperative relaying protocol. Numerical and simulation results show that the performance of the proposed cooperative relaying protocol based on the optimum linear mapping is close to the performance benchmark of the ideal cooperative protocol.
Videocassette Course Development Using Microcomputer Graphics

The blackboard may hold a time-honored place in the classroom, but for videocassette courses a properly integated computer graphics display is vastly superior
3D imaging of tomato seeds using frequency domain optical coherence tomography

A fast imaging system that can reveal internal sample structures is important for research and quality controls of seeds. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive optical imaging technique that can acquire high speed, high resolution depth-resolved images in scattering samples. It has found numerous applications in studying various biological tissues and other materials in vivo. A few studies have reported the use of OCT in studying seed morphology. However, 3D imaging of internal seed structure has not been reported before. In this study, we used a frequency domain OCT system to image tomato seeds. The system has a central wavelength of 844nm with a 46.8 nm FWHM bandwidth. The requirement for depth scan was eliminated by using a Fourier domain implementation. The B-scan imaging speed was limited by the spectroscopic imaging CCD at 52 kHz. The calibrated system has a 6.7μm depth resolution and a 15.4μm lateral resolution. Our results show that major seed structures can be clearly visualized in OCT images.
Balloon pulmonary valvotomy: Palliation for cyanotic heart disease

Abstract Balloon pulmonary valvotomy was attempted in eight children with cyanotic congenital heart disease and pulmonic stenosis who were scheduled for a palliative procedure (shunt). In seven patients the balloon could be positioned across the pulmonary anulus, and valvotomy was performed. Five of the patients had tetralogy of Fallot with multiple levels of pulmonary outflow obstruction. For all patients in whom the balloon could be properly positioned the valvotomy was successful, as judged by arterial hemoglobin saturation, which increased from 72% ± 5% to 83% ± 5% ( p p p
Adaptation of red blood cell lysis represents a fundamental breakthrough that improves the sensitivity of Salmonella detection in blood

Aims Isolation of Salmonella Typhi from blood culture is the standard diagnostic for confirming typhoid fever but it is unavailable in many developing countries. We previously described a Microwave Accelerated Metal Enhanced Fluorescence (MAMEF)-based assay to detect Salmonella in medium. Attempts to detect Salmonella in blood were unsuccessful, presumably due to the interference of erythrocytes. The objective of this study was to evaluate various blood treatment methods that could be used prior to PCR, real-time PCR or MAMEF to increase sensitivity of detection of Salmonella. Methods and Results We tested ammonium chloride and erythrocyte lysis buffer, water, Lymphocyte Separation Medium, BD Vacutainer® CPT™ Tubes and dextran. Erythrocyte lysis buffer was the best isolation method as it is fast, inexpensive and works with either fresh or stored blood. The sensitivity of PCR- and real-time PCR detection of Salmonella in spiked blood was improved when whole blood was first lysed using erythrocyte lysis buffer prior to DNA extraction. Removal of erythrocytes and clotting factors also enabled reproducible lysis of Salmonella and fragmentation of DNA, which are necessary for MAMEF sensing. Conclusions Use of the erythrocyte lysis procedure prior to DNA extraction has enabled improved sensitivity of Salmonella detection by PCR and real-time PCR and has allowed lysis and fragmentation of Salmonella using microwave radiation (for future detection by MAMEF). Significance and Impact of the Study Adaptation of the blood lysis method represents a fundamental breakthrough that improves the sensitivity of DNA-based detection of Salmonella in blood.
P.I. Jane: Predictors of women's representation in private investigations

Women's equitable inclusion in police work is a pre-requisite to a functioning democracy and while scholars have identified a number of variables associated with women's employment in policing, private policing has received comparatively little attention. Herein, correlates of women's representation in private investigations agencies are identified and empirically assessed. Women's service in private investigations is predicated based on two factors: external (including regional demographics and women's presence in local law enforcement agencies) and internal (that is, women as agency owners). Preliminary analyses suggest that internal factors had a stronger association with women's representation. Specifically, the gender of the agency's owner and the owner's previous law enforcement experience are predictors of the proportion of women working as private investigators.
Modulation of immune responses following solid organ transplantation by microRNA.

Organ transplantation, an accepted treatment for end stage organ failure, is often complicated by allograft rejection and disease recurrence. In this review we will discuss the potential role of microRNAs in allograft immunity especially leading to rejection of the transplanted organ. microRNAs (miRNAs), originally identified in C. elegans, are short non-coding 21–24 nucleotide sequences that bind to its complementary sequences in functional messenger RNAs and inhibits post-translational processes through RNA duplex formation resulting in gene silencing (Lau et al., 2001). Gene specific translational silencing by miRNAs regulates pathways for immune responses such as development of innate immunity, inflammation, T-cell and B-cell differentiation and signaling that are implicated in various stages of allograft rejection. miRNAs also play a role in development of post-transplant complicacies like fibrosis, cirrhosis, carcinogenesis often leading to graft loss and poor patient outcome. Recent advancements in the methods for detecting and quantifying miRNA in tissue biopsies, as well as in serum and urine samples, has led to identification of specific miRNA signatures in patients with allograft rejection and have been utilized to predict allograft status and survival. Therefore, miRNAs play a significant role in post-transplant events including allograft rejection, disease recurrence and tumor development impacting patient outcome.
An Integral Solution for Thermal Diffusion in Periodic Multilayer Materials: Application to Iron/Copper Multilayers

A closed-form solution for heat transfer through a periodic multilayer material utilizing a transfer matrix technique is presented. The benefit of this technique for periodic multilayer samples is that the use of eigenvector decomposition significantly simplifies the solution. Experimental results, obtained in the vicinity of 1200 K on samples composed of 10 bilayers of nominally 2/3 μm copper and 4/3 μm iron on 75-μm molybdenum substrates, are presented.
Observer-based backstepping with weak nonlinear damping

Due to the absence of a separation principle, it is necessary to ensure robustness of a control law against the observer error. We present a new backstepping design which renders the system integral input-to-state stable (iISS) with respect to the observer error. The advantage of the new design over conservative ISS designs is that it employs "weak" nonlinear damping terms, which grow slower than those used for achieving ISS. Stability is established from a recent cascade result for iISS systems, by exploiting the exponential convergence of observer estimates.
Observation of Water Vapor Greenhouse Absorption over the Gulf of Mexico Using Aircraft and Satellite Data

Through its interaction with radiation, water vapor provides an important link between the ocean and atmosphere. One way this occurs is through the greenhouse effect; observations of water vapor greenhouse absorption in the Gulf of Mexico during the Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers— Florida Area Cirrus Experiment during July 2002 are reported here. The quantity dGa/dTs is the change in the amount of upwelling infrared flux absorbed by water vapor as the sea surface temperature increases, and therefore parameterizes the strength of the evaporative feedback between the ocean and atmosphere. Using hemispherical infrared broadband (IRBR) and narrow field of view (NFOV) radiometers aboard a NASA ER-2 aircraft, dGa/dTs was measured during flights on 9 and 26 July marked by large-scale convective and quiescent conditions, respectively. Using the NFOV over the wavelength range 4‐40 mm, dGa/dTs 5 13.4 6 1.0 Wm 22 K21 on 9 July, while on 26 July dGa/dTs 5 9.7 6 0.3 Wm 22 K21. The NFOV measurement of dGa/dTs in the 8‐12-mm wavelength range yielded values of ; 2.5 Wm 22 K21 for both days, indicating that most of the change in greenhouse absorption with increasing ocean temperature occurs in the rotational and vibrational spectral regions of water vapor. The IRBR measurements yielded higher values of dGa/dTs on both days, but were likely affected by cold clouds in the hemispherical radiometer field of view. These results support the link between greenhouse efficiency, mid- to upper-tropospheric water vapor concentration, and convection.
RMS bandwidth constrained signature waveforms that maximize the total capacity of PAM-synchronous CDMA channels

Optimum time-limited signal sets of equal and unequal energies are obtained under root mean square (RMS) bandwidth constraints. The total capacity and the total asymptotic efficiency of the PAM synchronous Gaussian CDMA (PSG-CDMA) channel are considered as the optimality criteria. The latter measure is monotonic with the determinant of the correlation matrix, R, and the former is monotonic with det(I+/spl sigma//sup -2/R), where /spl sigma//sup 2/ represents the noise level. Average as well as maximum RMS bandwidth constraints are considered in the equal-energy case, and the energy-weighted RMS bandwidth constraint is considered for unequal energy signals. For the equal-energy problem, signal sets are found that simultaneously optimize the total asymptotic efficiency under both average and maximum RMS bandwidth constraints. For the total capacity measure, such simultaneously optimal signal sets are also obtained, albeit under the restriction that the number of signals n be a Hadamard matrix dimension. When the Hadamard dimension is in particular a power of two, we obtain optimum signal sets that are shown to yield equal optimum multiuser detector asymptotic efficiencies for all users of an uncoded PSG-CDMA channel. Unequal energy signal sets are also found under an energy-weighted RMS bandwidth constraint for both optimality criteria.
Mental health needs of crime victims: epidemiology and outcomes

This paper reviews epidemiological estimates of criminal victimization derived largely from nationally based studies in the United States. Origins of conflicting rates and prevalences are explained in terms of varying methodology. Risk factors for victimization, including age, race, gender, and disability, are also outlined, and derived from both national and geographically limited U.S.-based studies. Finally, mental health outcomes of violence are documented, with conclusions drawing on both national and regionally specific studies. These outcomes focus on posttraumatic stress disorder, but also include depression, substance abuse, and panic.
Some low molecular weight polymers of d‐limonene and related terpenes obtained by Ziegler‐type catalysts

d-Limonene has been polymerized by use of Ziegler-type catalysts to give a low molecular weight polymer which is identical in structure with those prepared by cationic initiation. The evidence indicates that the polymer has more than one type of recurring unit, at least one of which is bicyclic. α- and β-pinene have also been polymerized by these catalysts. Data on optical activity and NMR spectra for all of the polymers are reported.
Action Spectra for Two Effects of Light on Luminescence in Gonyaulax polyedra

The luminescence of the marine dinoflagellate Gonyaulax polyedra shows an endogenous diurnal rhythm. The effect of light during the phase of low luminescence capacity may be observed as an enhancement of luminescence during the subsequent bright phase. During the bright phase, however, illumination diminishes the capacity for luminescence. The action spectra for these two effects of light have been determined, and the major pigments of Gonyaulax have been examined. A consideration of the action spectrum and the pigment complement of Gonyaulax suggests that photosynthesis during the day is responsible, directly or indirectly, for the enhancement of luminescence during the following night. Photoinhibition of luminescence is in part attributable to light absorbed by the photosynthetic pigments. However, activity observed in the far red region of the spectrum beyond the absorption maximum of chlorophyll a suggests that an additional pigment, present in small amounts, may also act as sensitizer for photoinhibition.
Are CRIS Cluster Patterns Differentially Associated With African American Enculturation and Social Distance

The authors examined whether Black racial identity cluster patterns, using Cross Racial Identity Scale (CRIS) scores, were differentially associated with preference for African American culture and social distance from various cultural groups. African American college students (N = 351) completed the CRIS, an enculturation scale, and a social distance measure. Six racial identity cluster patterns were identified using cluster analysis. A one-way analysis of variance indicated that individuals with an Assimilated cluster pattern endorsed African American culture less than those with an Afrocentric or Intense Black Involvement pattern; those with a Self-Hating cluster pattern endorsed African American culture less than those with an Afrocentric pattern. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance, followed by a descriptive discriminant analysis, on the social distance measure indicated that individuals with Self-Hating and Assimilated cluster patterns preferred less social distance from Whites, Asians, and ...
Combined fluorescent in situ hybridization for detection of microRNAs and immunofluorescent labeling for cell-type markers

Identification of the cell type of origin for normal or aberrant gene expression is critical for many studies, and poses a significant problem for some regulatory RNAs such as microRNAs. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate cellular function by targeting specific mRNAs and reducing the level of their protein product. Aberrant expression of miRs in cell-types where they are not normally expressed occurs in several disease conditions. Therefore, it is important to determine not only the expression level of microRNAs, but also where they are expressed. Here we describe a detailed method for fluorescent in situ hybridization combined with immunofluorescent labeling for cell-type markers in formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) sections along with modifications required to adapt the protocol for primary neurons grown in culture. We have combined the specificity and stability of LNA probes with tyramide signal amplification. To prevent loss of small RNA species, we performed post-fixation with ethylcarbodiimide. Additionally by omitting proteinase K digestion and using only high temperature with sodium citrate buffer for FFPE sections, we were able to perform immunolabeling for proteins concurrently with in situ hybridization without compromising efficacy of either procedure.
Semantics-based code search demonstration proposal

Our goal is to use the vast repositories of available open source code to generate specific functions or classes that meet a user's specifications. The key words here are specifications and generate. We let users specify what they are looking for as precisely as possible using keywords, class or method signatures, test cases, contracts, and security constraints using a simple, web-based interface. Our system then uses an open set of program transformations to map retrieved code into what the user asked for. This approach is implemented in a prototype system for Java with a web interface.