cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of chromatofocusing in the purification of tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase from Bacillus stearothermophilus.

Abstract We have used chromatofocusing as the final stage in purifying tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase from Bacillus stearothermophilus. Partially purified protein containing approximately 12% (w/w) synthetase was applied to the resin as a precipitate suspended in application buffer since both the desired enzyme and other proteins in this fraction were insoluble at low ionic strength. Nevertheless, homogeneous enzyme of higher specific activity than that previously published was achieved using a linear pH gradient and slightly elevated ionic strengths. The band width and apparent isoelectric (eluting) pH both varied systematically with the ionic strength of the eluting buffer, as did the resolution of the desired enzyme fractions from the remaining proteins. Repeated use of the ion-exchange resin resulted in some deterioration of performance. This purification procedure used only two chromatographic steps as did the previously published procedure ( T. Atkinson, G. T. Banks, C. J. Bruton, M. J. Comer, R. Jakes, T. Kamalagharan, A. R. Whitaker, and G. P. Winter, 1979 , J. Appl. Biochem.1, 247–258). Moreover, chromatofocusing resolved the tryptophan enzyme from histidyl-tRNA synthetase, variable amounts of which had contaminated previous otherwise homogeneous preparations.
Squeezed optical solitons.

We have experimentally demonstrated the squeezing of optical solitons, resulting in a detected photocurrent noise power (32\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3)% (1.7 dB) below the shot-noise limit over a broadband of frequencies. The squeezing is accomplished using the Kerr nonlinearity of a polarization-preserving single-mode optical fiber at liquid-nitrogen temperature. Squeezed solitons, 1.1 dB below the shot-noise limit, were observed at room temperature.
Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK3): Inflammation, Diseases, and Therapeutics

Deciphering what governs inflammation and its effects on tissues is vital for understanding many pathologies. The recent discovery that glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) promotes inflammation reveals a new component of its well-documented actions in several prevalent diseases which involve inflammation, including mood disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer. Involvement in such disparate conditions stems from the widespread influences of GSK3 on many cellular functions, with this review focusing on its regulation of inflammatory processes. GSK3 promotes the production of inflammatory molecules and cell migration, which together make GSK3 a powerful regulator of inflammation, while GSK3 inhibition provides protection from inflammatory conditions in animal models. The involvement of GSK3 and inflammation in these diseases are highlighted. Thus, GSK3 may contribute not only to primary pathologies in these diseases, but also to the associated inflammation, suggesting that GSK3 inhibitors may have multiple effects influencing these conditions.
Laterality effects in dichotic listening.

THE hypothesis of a laterality effect in dichotic listening (D-L) has been challenged by Oxbury, Oxbury and Gardiner1. The authors concluded that the right ear superiority may have been the result of an attentional bias toward the right ear when free recall methods are used. This argument is based on the following data. When different half-spans of digits are presented in simultaneous pairs to each ear through stereo headphones, and at rapid rates, Ss tend to recall the messages (under free recall) by an ear order of report rather than by a temporal order of report2. Furthermore, information presented to the ear reported first (perceptual channel) is more accurately recalled than information presented to the ear reported second (delayed or storage channel). If therefore Ss, under free recall, tend to report more often from the right ear first, an ear asymmetry in favour of the right ear would be expected because of the failure to control for a bias in the order in which messages are reported. This hypothesis also assumes that the right ear superiority should disappear when the order of report is controlled1,3.
Enhancing early detection of exotic pests in agricultural and forest ecosystems using an urban‐gradient framework

Urban areas are hubs of international transport and therefore are major gateways for exotic pests. Applying an urban gradient to analyze this pathway could provide insight into the ecological processes involved in human-mediated invasions. We defined an urban gradient for agricultural and forest ecosystems in the contiguous United States to (1) assess whether ecosystems nearer more urbanized areas were at greater risk of invasion, and (2) apply this knowledge to enhance early detection of exotic pests. We defined the gradient using the tonnage of imported products in adjacent urban areas and their distance to nearby agricultural or forest land. County-level detection reports for 39 exotic agricultural and forest pests of major economic importance were used to characterize invasions along the gradient. We found that counties with more exotic pests were nearer the urban end of the gradient. Assuming that the exotic species we analyzed represent typical invaders, then early detection efforts directed at 21-26% of U.S. agricultural and forest land would likely be able to detect 70% of invaded counties and 90% of the selected species. Applying an urban-gradient framework to current monitoring strategies should enhance early detection efforts of exotic pests, facilitating optimization in allocating resources to areas at greater risk of future invasions.
Relativistic klystron amplifier III: dynamical limiting currents, nonlinear beam loading, and conversion efficiency

The limiting current that can flow across a parallel, planar gap under ac conditions is computed. As the limiting current is approached, the intense space charge of the beam may increase the gap capacitance by a factor of two to three over the vacuum value. Our numerical calculations show that a fully modulated beam may deliver up to 60 percent of its beam power to a load without forming a virtual cathode.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A radiochemical assay for N-acetyl-L-aspartate amidohydrolase (EC 3.5.1.15) and its occurrence in the tissues of the chicken.

Abstract A simple and rapid radiochemical method for the determination of N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid amidohydrolase (EC 3.5.1.15) activity using ion exchange chromatography has been developed. The activity of this enzyme in the developing brain and some non-nervous tissues of the chicken has been determined. No activity of the enzyme could be detected in the brains of chick embroys prior to 14 days of gestation; activities gradually increased thereafter to adult levels which are about 60% of that found in the adult rat. In non-nervous system tissues of the adult chicken, activities varied from high levels in the kidney to low levels in heart and breast muscle. Treatment of the homogenates of the adult tissues with a detergent significantly increased the enzyme activity, suggesting that a portion of the enzyme is membrane bound.
Shoemaker on emergence

Sydney Shoemaker has recently given an account of emergent properties according to which emergent properties are a special type of structural property and the determination relation holding between emergent properties and their base properties is one of “mere nomological supervenience.” According to Shoemaker, emergent properties are what he calls type-2 microstructural properties, whereas physical properties are type-1 microstructural properties. After highlighting the advantages of viewing emergent properties as a special class of microstructural properties, I show how according to his own causal theory of properties type-2 microstructural properties actually reduce to type-1 microstructural properties, and thus do not truly count as emergent. I then suggest an alternative view according to which emergent properties are actually a third type of microstructural property, one not considered by Shoemaker. I conclude with reflections why we might view the dependence relation between emergent properties and their physical base properties as a causal relation rather than one of mere supervenience.
Effect of transesterification of lard on stability, antioxidant-synergist efficiency, and rancidity development

Glyceride rearrangement of lard did not affect its resistance to oxidation or alter the efficiency of antioxidants and synergists. Changes in stability were due to the decomposition of tocopherol and the formation of reducing substances. The position of unsaturated fatty acids in the glyceride may influence the free volatile carbonyl compounds present in autoxidized lard and in rancidity development, Interesterification under vacuum produced an odorless and colorless randomized lard with natural stability in the range of the parent lard.
Utilizing Massively Multiplayer Online Games to foster collaboration and learning

Successful integration of traditional learning objectives with elements of entertainment becomes the goal for the design and application of video games used for educational purposes. Oftentimes assumptions are made that students who are not gamers can play video games and reap the pedagogical benefits of gameplay without experiencing a learning curve relative to understanding game objectives. We argue that inexperienced players encounter two different trajectories of learning: the cognitive process associated with understanding how to play the game and the cognitive processes embedded in gameplay activities that correspond to domain specific learning goals. These dissimilar trajectories of learning create competing goals for the player who portrays dual roles of student and novice gamer. We examine this dilemma in the context of second language students who play a Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games for the purpose of improving their English proficiency skills. We utilize statistical analysis to evaluate English as Second Language (ESL) students' ability to acquire second language vocabulary. Results indicate positive learning outcomes for vocabulary acquisition of ESL students who participate in collaborative gameplay with Native English Speakers, emphasizing the role of social interactions in second language acquisition. However, visual analysis of game logs measures the learning trajectory associated with completing game tasks and reveals that ESL students who play EQ2 independently achieve increasing levels of virtual character progression in less time than their peers.
Stability of simultaneous modified LeFort III/LeFort I osteotomies

The objective of this study was to examine maxillary skeletal stability after simultaneous modified LeFort III/LeFort I osteotomy in patients who presented for the simultaneous correction of midface and maxillary hypoplasia. Eleven patients underwent simultaneous modified LeFort III/LeFort I osteotomies using transoral and transconjunctival surgical approaches. The mean net surgical movement at A point (A pt) was 5.2 mm anteriorly and 2 mm inferiorly. Titanium mini-plates were used to stabilize both the midface component and the LeFort I segment; iliac crest or calvarial bone grafts as well as freeze-dried cancellous blocks were used at the zygoma and lateral orbital rim regions. All patients had lateral cephalometric radiographs taken immediately postoperatively, and at their sixth week, sixth month, and one year follow-up visits. Five maxillary landmarks (CI, A pt, ANS, PNS, and 2M) were used to examine the horizontal and vertical changes occurring at each time period. The central incisor relapsed vertically 2.8 mm at six months, A pt relapsed vertically 2.3 mm at six months, ANS relapsed posteriorly 1.6 mm at 6 weeks, PNS relapsed 1.5 mm anteriorly at one year. This study demonstrated that the maxilla moved anteriorly 1.5 mm and superiorly 2.8 mm in simultaneous modified LeFort III/LeFort I osteotomies performed with mini-plate fixation and bone grafts. This movement should be considered when planning and performing simultaneous surgical movement of the maxilla and midface using modified LeFort II/LeFort I osteotomies. Appropriate occlusal overcorrection at the time of surgery is necessary.
Effects of Marine-Derived Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Systemic Hemodynamics at Rest and During Stress: a Dose–Response Study

Background Omega-3 fatty acids reduced heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) in some studies, but dose–response studies are rare, and little is known about underlying mechanisms.
Effects of tannic acid on antigenicity and membrane contrast in ultrastructural immunocytochemistry.

We have modified our previous method for immunogold staining of unosmicated, plastic-embedded tissue by addition of tannic acid as a post-fixative to increase membrane contrast. Overall cell ultras...
Reclaiming Applied Anthropology: Its Past, Present, and Future

Growing concerns about anthropology's impact in both academia and the broader social arena have led to calls for more “public” and more relevant anthropology. In this article, we expand on these exhortations, by calling for systematic joining of critical social theory with application and pragmatic engagement with contemporary problems. We argue for the repositioning of applied anthropology as a vital component of the broader discipline and suggest that it should serve as a framework for constructing a more engaged anthropology. In revisiting disciplinary history and critiques of applied anthropology, we demonstrate the central role that application has played throughout anthropology's evolution, address common misconceptions that serve as barriers to disciplinary integration, examine the role of advocacy in relation to greater engagement as well as the relationship of theory to practice, and conclude with an assessment of the diverse work that is subsumed under the inclusive rubric of “anthropology in use.”
On an investigation of Tatarskii into the relationship between coherence theory and the theory of radiative transfer

In an investigation into the foundations of the theory of radiative energy transfer, Tatarskii (1971) postulated a certain relationship between the specific intensity of radiation and a second-order coherence function of the wavefield. It is shown in the present paper that for propagation in free space, Tatarskii’s assumption restricts the validity of his theory to fields that are statistically homogeneous.
Improving Activity in Adults With Diabetes and Coexisting Obstructive Sleep Apnea

This study in participants with type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea evaluated changes in activity, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness after 4 weeks of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This pilot study was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Sleep apnea was quantified with an overnight sleep study. Sleep quality was measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, daytime sleepiness by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, vigor and fatigue with the Profiles of Mood States, subjective activity with the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire, and objective activity with the Bodymedia SenseWear Armband. Subjects were randomized to either CPAP (n = 12) or sham-devices (n = 11). The intervention group had reduced apneas and hypopneas, daytime sleepiness, and fatigue; they also had improved sleep quality and increased objective activity and vigor. The study suggested that treatment of obstructive sleep apnea results in a modest improvement of activity in persons with type 2 diabetes.
Inflammation, Atherosclerosis, and Coronary Artery Disease: PET/CT for the Evaluation of Atherosclerosis and Inflammation:

Atherosclerosis is a prevalent cardiovascular disease marked by inflammation and the formation of plaque within arterial walls. As the disease progresses, there is an increased risk of major cardiovascular events. Owing to the nature of atherosclerosis, it is imperative to develop methods to further understand the physiological implications and progression of the disease. The combination of positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) has proven to be promising for the evaluation of atherosclerotic plaques and inflammation within the vessel walls. The utilization of the radiopharmaceutical tracer, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG), with PET/CT is invaluable in understanding the pathophysiological state involved in atherosclerosis. In this review, we will discuss the use of 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging for the evaluation of atherosclerosis and inflammation both in preclinical and clinical studies. The potential of more specific novel tracers will be discussed. Finally, we will touch on the potential benefits of using the newly introduced combined PET/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for non-invasive imaging of atherosclerosis.
Evidence for a One Dimensional Indirect Interaction between Localized Moments in Copper Phthalocyanine Iodide Mediated by Itinerant Electrons

Measurements on Copper phthalocyanine iodide Cu(pc)I indicate that this material is an excellent one dimensional conductor with parallel arrays of localized moments that interact strongly with the conduction electrons. The result is an antiferromagnetic indirect interaction between localized spins mediated by the itinerant electrons. A comparison is made between ESR, magnetic susceptibility, and NMR measurements for a number of materials with the phthalocyanine architecture: Ni(pc)I, Cu(pc) and Cu(pc)I.
Photodegradation of melanin thin films by UV lithography

Effect of ambient humidity on the photodegradation of melanin is investigated using an interferometric technique to fabricate gratings on thin films. A low power 355 nm diode laser is used to fabricate gratings on melanin thin films, while a 1 mW He-Ne laser is used to probe grating formation. Effects at several different UV intensities, ranging from 10 mW to 30 mW, and ambient humidities, ranging from 13% to 93%, are investigated on melanin thin films of two different thicknesses; 22 nm and 40nm. It is found that humidity has a great effect on the photodegradation of melanin. It is also found that existing gratings on melanin thin films can be enhanced by raising ambient humidity. These results have implications in the biological evolution of many mammals; as well as implications in fabrication and effective lifetime of organic electronics. The interferometric technique used shows great promise for fabricating grating to analyze photodegradation of different biomolecules under varying conditions. A simple mathematical model is developed to help explain the contribution of light intensity and ambient humidity to the photodegradation of melanin.nage.
The structure of Reynolds stress in the near-wall region of a fully developed turbulent pipe flow

The structure of the Reynolds stress in the near-wall region of a fully developed turbulent pipe flow, at a pipe Reynolds number of 8,923, was investigated. Because the closed circuit tunnel used glycerine as a working fluid, measurements could be readily made inside the viscous sublayer. Two laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) systems were combined to measure the two point spatial correlation, R 12, between the stream wise and radial velocities in a radial plane of the pipe. The correlation measurements extended over the region from y + of 2 to 64 in the direction normal to the pipe wall and covered more than 800 wall units in the streamwise direction. Two-dimensional maps of the correlation coefficient were established for six different distances of the streamwise velocity probe from the wall. The use of LDV systems allowed the measurements to be made for small spatial separations of the probes without fear of probe interference effects. A characteristic feature of the correlation contour maps, that maxium correlation arises for small non-zero separation of the probes, may not have been observed had invasive techniques been employed.
Über Die Wirkung von 2,4-Dinitrophenol auf Nitratreduktion und Atmung von Grünalgen

1. Durch Anwendung von 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP) gelingt es, im gesamten physiologischen pH-Bereich die Nitratreduktion der GrunalgeAnkistrodesmus braunii im Dunkeln auf der Nitritstufe zu blockieren. 2. Zur vollkommenen Hemmung der weiteren Reduktion des Nitrits sind bei pH4,02·10−5 mol DNP, bei pH6,52·10−3 mol DNP erforderlich. Da durch diese DNP-Konzentrationen die Reaktion Nitrat→Nitrit kaum beeinflust wird, wird unter diesen Bedingungen das Nitrat quantitativ zum Nitrit reduziert und als solches ausgeschieden. 3. Die Grose der Atmung ist dabei etwa normal. Geringere DNP-Zusatze fuhren zu sehr starken Atmungssteigerungen (gelegentlich bis uber 500% der Kontrollen), wahrend durch hohere DNP-Konzentrationen die Atmung zunehmend gehemmt wird. 4. Die sonst durch Nitrit im sauren pH-Bereich hervorgerufene Atmungssteigerung wird durch DNP unterbunden. 5. Auch beiChlorella cf.ellipsoidea, einer Alge, die sich bezuglich ihrer Nitratreduktion sonst erheblich vonAnkistrodesmus braunii unterscheidet, bewirkt DNP (2·10−4 mol bei pH 4,0) eine vollstandige Hemmung der Nitritreduktion. — Die bei dieser Alge in Anaerobiose stattfindende Reduktion von Nitrat bis zur Nitritstufe wird demgegenuber durch DNP nicht gehemmt. 6. Diese Befunde sind ein weiterer Beweis dafur, das innerhalb der Nitratreduktion insbesondere die weitere Reduktion des Nitrits in Dunkeln energetisch an die aerobe Atmung gekoppelt ist, hochstwahrscheinlich unter Vermittlung von energiereichen Phosphatbindungen.
The Diagnostic Utility of the Minimal Carcinoma Triple Stain in Breast Carcinomas

Pathologists are expected to accurately diagnose increasingly smaller breast carcinomas. Correct classification (ie, lobular vs ductal or in situ vs invasive) directly affects subsequent management, especially when the focus is near a surgical margin or present in a needle core biopsy and is further challenging if the lesion is morphologically ambiguous. We assessed the diagnostic utility of a multiplex, trichromogen immunostain of 3 commonly employed antibodies (CK7, p63, and E-cadherin) developed in our laboratory to evaluate these small lesions. Of the 147 specimens containing minimal (defined as ≤3 mm in size) invasive carcinoma, 81 also contained in situ carcinoma. In each case, the Minimal Carcinoma Triple Stain was prepared with a parallel H&E-stained slide. Observations of staining characteristics in the focus of interest were recorded. The Minimal Carcinoma Triple Stain was diagnostically useful in all but 1 case. In a case of invasive lobular carcinoma in an excisional biopsy, the Minimal Carcinoma Triple Stain stained only the surrounding breast tissue (appropriately) and not the focus of interest. Also, a subset of 29 of 81 excisional biopsies had minimal invasive carcinoma located 2 mm or less from the inked surgical margin, in which in all cases the Minimal Carcinoma Triple Stain was fully interpretable despite morphologic distortion due to concomitant cautery artifact and tissue disruption in some cases. The Minimal Carcinoma Triple Stain offers an accurate and tissue-conserving method to diagnose small, morphologically problematic foci of breast carcinoma while ideally leaving more tissue for additional adjunctive studies.
Unsupervised segmentation of noisy and textured images using Markov random fields

Abstract This paper proposes a general unsupervised segmentation algorithm which estimates all model parameters, including the number of regions, as part of the segmentation. The general image model is a hierarchical one, consisting of Markov random fields as components of the model. The MAP criterion is adopted, in principle, for the simultaneous image segmentation and parameter estimation procedures. Due to the difficulty of implementing the MAP segmentation with a large number of unknown parameters, a novel modification of the MAP criterion is proposed. For the model parameters having closed-form ML estimates, these estimates are substituted back into the objective function to reduce the difficulty of the maximization. The remaining maximization is implemented by a recursive segmentation-parameter estimation algorithm, which yields a partial optimal solution (POS) to the maximization problem. In the special case where all model parameters have closed-form ML estimates, the proposed algorithm is equivalent to implementing the MAP criterion. The number of regions in the image is determined through a model fitting criterion tagged on to the segmentation algorithm. Special forms of the general unsupervised segmentation algorithm are developed for the segmentation of noisy and textured images. For noisy images, the image is assumed to consist of uniform graylevel regions modeled by a class of Gibbs random fields and corrupted by additive, white, region-dependent, Gaussian noise. For textured images, the image is assumed to consist of regions, modeled by a class of Gibbs random fields, which are filled with textures, modeled by Gaussian Markov random fields. The algorithms for both classes of images are applied to a wide range of images—generated according to the model, hand-drawn, natural and Brodatz textures, their combinations, and outdoor images—with notable success. Despite the large number of unknown parameters (as many as 14 for some noisy images and 36 for some textured images), the algorithms yield good segmentations, accurate estimates for the parameters, and the correct number of regions.
Update on infliximab: an intravenous biologic therapy for psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common, chronic disease with a significant impact on patients and is frequently under-treated. Approval of infliximab for use in plaque psoriasis by the US FDA in late 2006 represents the second tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) antagonist approved for patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to and inactivates the TNF- alpha receptor, an important mediator of inflammation in psoriasis. Infliximab, when infused intravenously at regular intervals, has impressive efficacy as a potent systemic treatment for psoriasis. Although long-term safety questions persist, infliximab is well tolerated and appears to be safe with appropriate monitoring. While no single biologic may be best for all patients, infliximab has some distinct advantages over other biologic therapies and is an important treatment option for patients with psoriasis.
Al-MCM-41 sorbents for bovine serum albumin: relation between Al content and performance

The adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) onto Al-MCM-41 samples with different Si/Al ratio and pore width about 36 A was studied. It is shown that the adsorption capacity of Al-MCM-41 increased with decreasing of the Si/Al ratio, probably due to the increased affinity of BSA for the external surface of the adsorbents. The materials synthesized are agglomerates of primary particles, with high external surface area. The external area plays a predominant role in BSA adsorption on Al-MCM-41. The effect of pH on the adsorption of BSA has been studied at four pHs, namely 5, 6.1, 7.2 and 7.6. All pH values are above the isoelectric points of BSA. The adsorption capacity for BSA was found to be highest at pH 5, among those tested in this work, and decreased with increasing pH. This is postulated to be due to electrostatic repulsion between BSA and the surface of the adsorbents, as both are negatively charged when the pH is above 5. In addition, increasing repulsion between adsorbed BSA molecules with the increase of pH from 6.1 to 7.6 was found to reduce the adsorption capacity. The acid sites of the Al-MCM-41 seem to have no significant influence on the BSA adsorption.
Mdmx promotes genomic instability independent of p53 and Mdm2.

The oncogene Mdmx is overexpressed in many human malignancies, and together with Mdm2, negatively regulates the p53 tumor suppressor. However, a p53-independent function of Mdmx that impacts genome stability has been described, but this function is not well understood. In the present study, we determined that of the 13 different cancer types evaluated, 6–90% of those that had elevated levels of Mdmx had concurrent inactivation (mutated or deleted) of p53. We show elevated levels of Mdmx-inhibited double-strand DNA break repair and induced chromosome and chromatid breaks independent of p53, leading to genome instability. Mdmx impaired early DNA damage-response signaling, such as phosphorylation of the serine/threonine-glutamine motif, mediated by the ATM kinase. Moreover, we identified Mdmx associated with Nbs1 of the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 (MRN) DNA repair complex, and this association increased upon DNA damage and was detected at chromatin. Elevated Mdmx levels also increased cellular transformation in a p53-independent manner. Unexpectedly, all Mdmx-mediated phenotypes also occurred in cells lacking Mdm2 and were independent of the Mdm2-binding domain (RING) of Mdmx. Therefore, Mdmx-mediated inhibition of the DNA damage response resulted in delayed DNA repair and increased genome instability and transformation independent of p53 and Mdm2. Our results reveal a novel p53- and Mdm2-independent oncogenic function of Mdmx that provides new insight into the many cancers that overexpress Mdmx.
Statistical advances in environmental science

We discuss selected applications of statistical theory and practice as motivated by and applied to environmental sciences. Included in the presentation are illustrations on how the interaction between environmental scientists and quantitative researchers has been used to enhance and further learning in both areas, and how this interaction provides a source of further challenges and growth for the statistical community.
Growth and food utilization parameters of germ-free house crickets, Acheta domesticus

Abstract Conventional and germ-free larvae of Acheta domesticus are reared under three diet conditions varying in nutritional quality in order to assess possible roles of the gut microbial community in these insects. Although growth rates, adult size, and maturation times were nearly identical for the two groups across all diet treatments, conventional larvae digested and converted food into biomass more efficiently than germ-free larvae in all cases. Enhanced food utilization efficiency in conventional animals was related to the scavenging of soluble carbohydrates by gut microorganisms. Comparisons of enzymatic activity in both groups also indicated that the gut bacteria increased the level of several carbohydrase classes in conventional larvae and were the sole source of α-galactosidase activity. The microorganisms may also have aided in conservation of nitrogenous compounds, but this was influenced by age and diet. Microbial metabolism of uric acid could not consistently be related to overall food utilization or nitrogen economy, and did not appear to be an important means of conserving nitrogen.
The Properties of Pure Liquids

By a semiempirical approach, a method is found to calculate the specific heat of a normal pure liquid at constant pressure form the specific heat of the gaseous state at the same temperature. It is also found that the coefficient of thermal expansion, the compressibility, and the velocity of sound of the liquid can be calculated accurately if the density, the molecular weight, and the normal boiling temperature of the liquid at atmospheric pressure are known. Finally, a method of computing the thermal conductivity of all liquids, except liquid metals, from compressibility and density is developed. For normal liquids, the thermal conductivity can again be determined if only the normal boiling temperature, the density, and the molecular weight are known.
CHFR protein expression predicts outcomes to taxane-based first line therapy in metastatic NSCLC

Purpose: Currently, there is no clinically validated test for the prediction of response to tubulin-targeting agents in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we investigated the significance of nuclear expression of the mitotic checkpoint gene checkpoint with forkhead and ringfinger domains (CHFR) as predictor of response and overall survival (OS) with taxane-based first-line chemotherapy in advanced stage NSCLC. Methods: We studied a cohort of 41 patients (median age 63 years) with advanced NSCLC treated at the Atlanta VAMC between 1999 and 2010. CHFR expression by immunohistochemistry (score 0-4) was correlated with clinical outcome using Chi-Square test and Cox proportional models. A cutoff score of 939 was determined by ROC-analysis for "low" CHFR expression. Results were validated in an additional 20 patients who received taxane based chemotherapy at Emory University Hospital and the Atlanta VAMC. Results: High expression of CHFR is strongly associated with adverse outcomes: the risk for progressive disease (PD) after first-line chemotherapy with carboplatin-paclitaxel was 52% in patients with CHFR-high vs. only 19% in those with CHFR-low tumors (p=0.033). Median OS was strongly correlated with CHFR expression status (CHFR low: 9.9 months; CHFR high: 6.2 months; p =0.002). After multivariate adjustment, reduced CHFR expression remained a powerful predictor of improved OS (HR 0.24 (95% CI 0.1-0.58, p=0.002). In the validation set, low CHFR expression was associated with higher likelihood of clinical benefit (p=0.03) and improved OS (p=0.038). Conclusions: CHFR expression is a novel predictive marker of response and OS in NSCLC patients treated with taxane-containing chemotherapy.
Effect of Esmolol on hemodynamics and intraocular pressure response to succinylcholine and intubation following low-dose alfentanil premedication

Abstract Study Objective: To determine the effectiveness of esmolol hydrochloride (Brevibloc) as an additional adjunct to low-dose alfentanil premedication in controlling the hemodynamic response (heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and intraocular pressure (IOP)J to succinylcholine and endotracheal incubation. Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective study. Setting: Ambulatory gynecologic surgery at a university medical center. Patients: Twenty ASA physical status I and 77 female patients scheduled for outpatient laparoscopy under general anesthesia. Interventions: All patients received alfentanil 10 μg/kg as a preoperative medication 4 minutes prior to induction of anesthesia. Study patients (n = 10 in each group) received either esmolol 1.5 mglkg or a placebo (normal saline) 30 seconds prior to induction (210 seconds after alfentanil and 90 seconds prior to endotracheal intubation). Anesthesia was induced with thiopental sodium 5 mglkg and succinylcholine 1 mg/kg. Postintubation, 70% nitrous oxide, 30% oxygen, and 1 % isofurane were administered. Measurements and Main Results: Time of study drug administration was defined as time zero. Measurements of HR, MAP, and IOP were made at baseline (patient awake) and at each minute from minutes 1 through 6 after administration of the study drug (time zero). Analysis of variance was used to analyze the data, with a value of p Conclusions: In an eye patient with coronary artery disease, or in any patient in whom tachycardia may be detrimental, esmolol may be a useful adjunct in combination with low-dose alfentanil to attenuate the increase in HR due to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation.
Surfactant Removal for Colloidal Nanoparticles from Solution Synthesis: The Effect on Catalytic Performance

Colloidal nanoparticles prepared by solution synthesis with robust control over particle size, shape, composition, and structure have shown great potential for catalytic applications. However, such colloidal nanoparticles are usually capped with organic ligands (as surfactants) and cannot be directly used as catalyst. We have studied the effect of surfactant removal on the electrocatalytic performance of Pt nanoparticles made by organic solution synthesis. Various methods were applied to remove the oleylamine surfactant, which included thermal annealing, acetic acid washing, and UV-Ozone irradiation, and the treated nanoparticles were applied as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction. It was found that the electrocatalytic performance, including electrochemically active surface area and catalytic activity, was strongly dependent on the pretreatment. Among the methods studied here, low-temperature thermal annealing (∼185 °C) in air was found to be the most effective for surface cleaning without...
Stress relief in ion-beam deposited ZnO thin films due to post-deposition thermal treatment

Abstract We have deposited ZnO thin films on glass and silicon substrates using ion-beam sputtering. Although the quality of the films obtained by this method depends on the deposition parameters, even the best films obtained show evidence of internal stress. We demonstrate here by X-ray diffraction and Auger depth profiling that a post-deposition thermal treatment decreases the internal stress and produces a more stoichiometric ZnO film.
Administrative assistants as interruption mediators

When designing automated systems that make decisions about when to allow or deny interruptions, the methods of professional interruption mediators are an important source of information. Administrative assistants are, by the nature of their jobs, expert interruption mediators. They make decisions every day about whether to allow interruptions to the person they support. We have conducted a series of interviews with administrative assistants whose ability has been publicly recognized. Based on their responses, we present a production-rule model of the decision process they use when deciding whether to deliver interruptions to the person they support.
Cloning, chromosomal assignment, and regulation of the rat thyrotropin receptor: expression of the gene is regulated by thyrotropin, agents that increase cAMP levels, and thyroid autoantibodies.

Abstract A rat thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone, TSH) receptor cDNA was isolated that encoded a protein of 764 amino acids, Mr 86,528. Transfection of the cDNA caused COS-7 cells to develop a TSH-sensitive adenylate cyclase response and the ability to bind 125I-labeled TSH; both activities were similar to those of rat FRTL-5 thyroid cells and not duplicated by lutropin. The gene represented by the cDNA was assigned to mouse chromosome 12 and human chromosome 14. Northern analyses identified two species of mRNA, 5.6 and 3.3 kilobases, in FRTL-5 thyroid cells; the transcripts appeared to differ only in the extent of their 3' noncoding sequences. There were minimal amounts of the two mRNAs in rat ovary, and neither was detected in RNA preparations from rat testis, liver, lung, brain, spleen, and FRT thyroid cells, which do not have a functional TSH receptor. TSH decreased both mRNA species 3- to 4-fold within 8 hr in FRTL-5 thyroid cells; down-regulation was dependent on TSH concentration and duplicated by forskolin, cholera toxin, or 8-bromo-cAMP but not by a phorbol ester. Down-regulation was also duplicated by thyroid-stimulating autoantibodies, which increased cAMP levels, but not by thyrotropin binding-inhibiting auto-antibodies, which actually increased TSH receptor mRNA levels.
Is the firm an individual

This paper shows how three new institutionalist theories try, but ultimately fail to support the firm-as-individual thesis. First, Marx/Hart's idea of property rights and Coase/Williamson's notion of transaction costs are insufficient to substantiate the market/firm dichotomy. Second, Hayek's constructionist view presents the firm, as opposed to the market, as a designed order—no different from artifacts such as tables and cars. Third, Vanberg's constitutionalist theory also fails to support the firm-as individual thesis. The paper suggests that the 'consented goal' notion is a fruitful ground upon which to build the firm-as-individual thesis.
Adolescent sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases: Attitudes, beliefs, knowledge, and values

This study described rural adolescents' attitudes, beliefs, knowledge, and values with regard to sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Rotter's Social Learning Theory (1954) provided the theoretical framework for this descriptive, correlational design. The convenience sample consisted of 170 students from one rural high school. Consistent with past studies, results included the following: participants had more correct than incorrect knowledge related to sexual intercourse and STDs; the majority had positive attitudes toward condom use and believed it was OK for peers to have sex with a “steady”, the value of an exciting life correlated positively with attitudes toward sex; knowledge of sexual intercourse correlated positively with attitudes toward condom use; and the value health correlated positively with knowledge of sex and attitudes toward condom use, and negatively with attitudes toward sex. The findings in this study suggest the need for ongoing research with adolescents in the area of sexuality and STDs. Additionally, the findings support past studies, which revealed that knowledge of sexual intercourse and STDs has little impact on attitudes toward sexual intercourse. With the serious nature of some of the undesired consequences of adolescent sexual behavior, current and accurate information on this population is needed to assist health educators in developing interventions in this area.
Violence against psychiatric nurses: sensitive research as science and intervention

Psychiatric nurses are frequent victims of workplace violence, much of which is perpetrated by patients. In a review of literature on prevalence, perpetrators, and impact of violence on psychiatric nurses, we note that workplace violence is a virtually normative experience for the nurse, rather than a rare occurrence. Verbal violence and sexual harassment, like physical violence, are common experiences; in contrast to physical violence, these are often initiated by co-workers. The emotional impact of violence on psychiatric nurses is studied less often than frequency of exposure; we discuss hypotheses for this paucity of relevant research. Finally, we reflect on the implications of current research, concluding with recommendations for future research on violence against psychiatric nurses. In particular, we elaborate on the role of violence research in the healthcare setting as "sensitive research"--a research process that in itself may have both direct and indirect beneficial effects for the nursing profession.
Many-electron exchange Hamiltonian in the theory of ferromagnetism

Abstract A Hamiltonian describing effects of many-electron interatomic exchange in magnetic crystals is derived by application of an appropriate unitary transformation to the many-electron, many-nucleus Hamiltonian. It is expressed in terms of atomic annihilation and creation operators and j -fold exchange matrix elements for 1 ⩽ j ⩽ N , where N is the number of electrons localized on each crystal site. Explicit formulas are derived for the case of not more than half-filled shells with Hund's rule factorization. An appropriate spin algebra is introduced and the coefficient of the bilinear (Heisenberg) and biquadratic interactions evaluated in terms of single and double-exchange matrix elements. The relative magnitudes of such matrix elements are roughly estimated using determinantal wave functions.
Neighborhood size selection in the k-nearest-neighbor rule using statistical confidence

The k-nearest-neighbor rule is one of the most attractive pattern classification algorithms. In practice, the choice of k is determined by the cross-validation method. In this work, we propose a new method for neighborhood size selection that is based on the concept of statistical confidence. We define the confidence associated with a decision that is made by the majority rule from a finite number of observations and use it as a criterion to determine the number of nearest neighbors needed. The new algorithm is tested on several real-world datasets and yields results comparable to the k-nearest-neighbor rule. However, in contrast to the k-nearest-neighbor rule that uses a fixed number of nearest neighbors throughout the feature space, our method locally adjusts the number of nearest neighbors until a satisfactory level of confidence is reached. In addition, the statistical confidence provides a natural way to balance the trade-off between the reject rate and the error rate by excluding patterns that have low confidence levels. We believe that this property of our method can be of great importance in applications where the confidence with which a decision is made is equally or more important than the overall error rate.
Effects of Storage by Freezing on Concentrations of Molybdate Reactive Phosphorus in Poultry Litter Extracts

Abstract In the laboratory, excessive variability in molybdate reactive phosphorus (MRP) concentrations in water extracts of poultry litter that appeared to be associated with storage by freezing was frequently observed. In one experiment, repeated twice, the effects of a factorial combination of storage temperatures [freezing (−16 to −15°C) or room temperature (21–24°C)] was studied for 60–62 h with poultry litter type (three broiler and one pullet) on MRP concentrations in water extracts. An additional experiment was conducted to compare the effects on phosphorus (P) concentration of a 1 mg P L−1 standard of spiking with 1 mg L−1 of Fe+3 or Al+3 and storage under room temperature or freezing for two and five days. No statistical differences were observed in MRP levels of extracts kept at room temperature measured immediately after the extraction, after 62 h or eight days. Freezing, however, consistently decreased MRP concentrations measured immediately after thawing compared to measurements in extracts ...
Contributions of plant scientists to the development of the germ theory of disease

Investigations demonstrating the causal role of microbes in diseases of plants were completed decades before Pasteur and Koch presented conclusive evidence in support of the germ theory of disease in man and animals. The limited recognition of these and other contributions in understanding the nature of plant diseases has delayed recognition of the commonality that exists among pathogens in general and mechanisms of pathogenesis.
Accuracy, cost, and performance tradeoffs for floating-point accumulation

Set-wise floating point accumulation is a fundamental operation in scientific computing, but it presents design challenges such as data hazard between the output and input of the deeply pipelined floating point adder and numerical accuracy of results. Streaming reduction architectures on FPGAs generally do not consider the floating point error, which can become a significant factor due to the dynamic nature of reduction architectures and the inherent roundoff error and non-associativity of floating-point addition. In this paper we two frameworks using our existing reduction circuit architecture based on compensated summation for improving accuracy of results. We find that both these implementations provide almost 50 % exact results for most of the datasets and relative error is less than that for the reduction circuit. These designs require more than twice the resources and operate at less frequency when compared to the original reduction circuit.
Strain in Coherent Ge Quantum Islands on Si Measured by Transmission Electron Microscopy

We describe a quantitative method for measuring the strain in small islands, and show results for coherent Ge islands on Si. The method uses dark field images from backside thinned samples in the transmission electron microscope. We show that no independent strain models are needed in the measurement, which employs an excellent “abrupt displacement” approximation. Results show that the strain in Ge domes is higher than in pyramids as expected.