cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Angiopoietin-like protein 3 supports the activity of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow niche

The physiologic roles of angiopoietin-like proteins (Angptls) in the hematopoietic system remain unknown. Here we show that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in Angptl3-null mice are decreased in number and quiescence. HSCs transplanted into Angptl3-null recipient mice exhibited impaired repopulation. Bone marrow sinusoidal endothelial cells express high levels of Angptl3 and are adjacent to HSCs. Importantly, bone marrow stromal cells or endothelium deficient in Angptl3 have a significantly decreased ability to support the expansion of repopulating HSCs. Angptl3 represses the expression of the transcription factor Ikaros, whose unregulated overexpression diminishes the repopulation activity of HSCs. Angptl3, as an extrinsic factor, thus supports the stemness of HSCs in the bone marrow niche.
A classical trajectory study of the angular momentum coupling model the influence of anisotropic polarizability on the lifetimes of complexes formed in ion—molecule collisions

Abstract The influence of the anisotropic polarizabilities of the neutral molecule on the lifetimes of complexes formed in ion—molecule collisions of Na + with N 2 and CO 2 were determined using a classical trajectory calculation. Lifetimes are found to be increased substantially over those calculated for the same systems having isotropic polarizabilities. The findings lend further support to the angular momentum coupling model of Ferguson and co-workers proposed to account for factors influencing the vibrational relaxation of ions.
A 50-Year-Old Woman With Disabling Spinal Stenosis

Dr Delbanco: Miss W is a 50-year-old woman who has a long history of low back pain. Divorced, she lives in an apartment by herself and works as a medical technician in a community-based doctor's office. She is insured through a large not-for-profit managed care organization. At 4 years of age, Miss W fell off a horse, but she did not have subsequent problems until 18 years of age when she experienced low back pain. Since then, she has had intermittent pain and multiple therapeutic recommendations from chiropractors, orthopedists, and a neurosurgeon in addition to her primary care doctor. At times, she has been on prolonged periods of bed rest and has had to miss work. Approximately 8 years ago, Miss W developed symptoms of fibromyalgia with generalized pain focused on her knees, bunions, elbows, wrists, shoulders, and pelvic region. She has been treated with multiple nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs),
An electrophoretic investigation of six species of darters in the subgenus Catonotus

Abstract The electrophoretic patterns of lactate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase and total muscle proteins distinguished the species Etheostoma flabellare, E. kennicotti and E. squamiceps from each other and from three species of the E. virgatum group ( E. virgatum, E. obeyense and E. barbouri ), which all possessed identical patterns. Etheostoma flabellare , the species with the widest geographic range, possessed the greatest amount of genetic variation in all three protein systems studied. Patristic distances were calculated via an unrooted Wagner network. Using this method it was shown that E. flabellare was the most divergent species, E. kennicotti and E. squamiceps were less divergent, and the members of the E. virgatum group clustered closely.
The effect of 2-oxoglutarate or 3-hydroxybutyrate on pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in isolated cerebro-cortical mitochondria

The oxidation of pyruvate is mediated by the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHC; EC 1.2.4.1, EC 2.3.1.12 and EC 1.6.4.3) whose catalytic activity is influenced by phosphorylation and by product inhibition. 2-Oxoglutarate and 3-hydroxybutyrate are readily utilized by brain mitochondria and inhibit pyruvate oxidation. To further elucidate the regulatory behavior of brain PDHC, the effects of 2-oxoglutarate and 3-hydroxyburyrate on the flux of PDHC (as determined by [1-14C]pyruvate decarboxylation) and the activation (phosphorylation) state of PDHC were determined in isolated, non-synaptic cerebro-cortical mitochondria in the presence or absence of added adenine nucleotides (ADP or ATP). [1-14C]Pyruvate decarboxylation by these mitochondria is consistently depressed by either 3-hydroxybutyrate or 2-oxoglutarate in the presence of ADP when mitochondrial respiration is stimulated. In the presence of exogenous ADP, 3-hydroxybutyrate inhibits pyruvate oxidation mainly through the phosphorylation of PDHC, since the reduction of the PDHC flux parallels the depression of PDHC activation state under these conditions. On the other hand, in addition to the phosphorylation of PDHC, 2-oxoglutarate may also regulate pyruvate oxidation by product inhibition of PDHC in the presence of 0.5 mM pyruvate plus ADP or 5 mM pyruvate alone. This conclusion is based upon the observation that 2-oxoglutarate inhibits [1-14C]pyruvate decarboxylation to a much greater extent than that predicted from the PDHC activation state (i.e. catalytic capacity) alone. In conjunction with the results from our previous study (Lai, J. C. K. and Sheu, K.-F. R. (1985) J. Neurochem. 45, 1861–1868), the data of the present study are consistent with the notion that the relative importance of the various mechanisms that regulate brain and peripheral tissue PDHCs shows interesting differences.
Failure Properties of the Simian Inferior Glenohumeral Ligament

Several animal models of the shoulder are currently in use, including the rat, sheep and goat, as a means to model shoulder pathology[1]. Cynomolgus monkeys have served as nonhuman primate models in several studies including monkey models of menopause [2], reproductive support structures [3] and the knee joint[4]. Anatomical comparisons of simian and human shoulders have demonstrated that the simian shoulder is similar to that of the human in both musculature and bony structures[5]. A preliminary study concluded that there exists a high degree of similarity between the simian and human glenohumeral joint (GHJ)[6]. Biomechanical studies have been performed on the human IGHL to determine its tensile properties [7] yet there are few comparative studies of the biomechanical properties of the simian and human GHJ. The objective of this study was to determine the geometric and tensile properties of the simian IGHL as compared to those of the human IGHL.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Neuropeptide Y, leptin, and cholecystokinin 8 in patients with advanced cancer and anorexia: a North Central Cancer Treatment Group exploratory investigation.

BACKGROUND Anorexia is a noxious symptom, and over half of patients with advanced cancer experience it. Neuropeptide Y (NPY), leptin, and cholecystokinin 8 (CCK8) have been implicated. METHODS This exploratory study 1) compared circulating concentrations of NPY and leptin between anorectic cancer patients and historic controls and 2) explored whether NPY, leptin, or CCK8 may serve as correlates of anorexia severity. Cancer patients met predefined eligibility criteria: 1) weight loss ≥ 2.3 kg over the preceding 2 months and/or a physician-estimated caloric intake of < 20 calories per kilogram of body weight per day and 2) patient acknowledgment that appetite or weight loss was an ongoing problem. RESULTS Seventy-three cancer patients were studied, and > 90% reported a ≥ 50% decline in appetite from baseline in the preceding 2 months. NPY levels were lower than control values: mean ± standard deviation, 466 pg/mL ± 161 pg/mL versus 560 pg/mL ± 151 pg/mL, respectively (P = 0.004). Because a few (but not all) earlier studies suggested an age-related decline in NPY levels, a subgroup analysis was performed and found no age-adjusted difference in NPY levels between groups. Similarly, leptin concentrations were not different between groups. Significant correlations were not observed between anorexia severity and NPY, leptin, or CCK8 levels. CONCLUSIONS There were no differences in leptin and CCK8 levels between anorectic cancer patients and historic controls. Circulating concentrations of NPY, leptin, and CCK8 did not correlate with anorexia severity. However, the current results suggest a need for further examination of NPY in cancer-associated anorexia. Cancer 2001;92:629–33. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
The Evolution and Propagation of Quasigeostrophic Ocean Eddies

AbstractThe long-term evolution of initially Gaussian eddies is studied in a reduced-gravity shallow-water model using both linear and nonlinear quasigeostrophic theory in an attempt to understand westward-propagating mesoscale eddies observed and tracked by satellite altimetry. By examining both isolated eddies and a large basin seeded with eddies with statistical characteristics consistent with those of observed eddies, it is shown that long-term eddy coherence and the zonal wavenumber–frequency power spectral density are best matched by the nonlinear model. Individual characteristics of the eddies including amplitude decay, horizontal length scale decay, and zonal and meridional propagation speed of a previously unrecognized quasi-stable state are examined. The results show that the meridional deflections from purely westward flow (poleward for cyclones and equatorward for anticyclones) are consistent with satellite observations. Examination of the fluid transport properties of the eddies shows that an...
Dextromethorphan as a potential rapid-acting antidepressant.

Dextromethorphan shares pharmacological properties in common with antidepressants and, in particular, ketamine, a drug with demonstrated rapid-acting antidepressant activity. Pharmacodynamic similarities include actions on NMDA, μ opiate, sigma-1, calcium channel, serotonin transporter, and muscarinic sites. Additional unique properties potentially contributory to an antidepressant effect include actions at s, alpha-2, and serotonin 1b/d receptors. It is therefore, hypothesized that dextromethorphan may have antidepressant efficacy in bipolar, unipolar, major depression, psychotic, and treatment-resistant depressive disorders, and may display rapid-onset of antidepressant response. An antidepressant response may be associated with a positive family history of alcoholism, prediction of ketamine response, increased AMPA-to-NMDA receptor activity ratio, antidepressant properties in animal models of depression, reward system activation, enhanced erythrocyte magnesium concentration, and correlation with frontal μ receptor binding potential. Clinical trials of dextromethorphan in depressive disorders, especially treatment-resistant depression, now seem warranted.
Quantitative structure-activity relationships for the developmental toxicity of haloacetic acids in mammalian whole embryo culture.

Developmental toxicity in mouse whole embryo culture assay has been reported for acetic acid (AA) and a series of ten haloacetic acids, including mono-, di-, tri-fluoro (MFA, DFA, TFA), chloro (MCA, DCA, TCA), bromo (MBA, DBA, TBA), and monoiodo (MIA) acetic acids. Benchmark concentrations (BCm), calculated as the lower 95% confidence limit of molar acid concentration producing a 5% increase in embryos with neural tube defects, provided potency estimates for development of quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs). The best overall regression was obtained for the ten halo-acids (excluding AA) and related log (1/BCm) to the energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (Elumo) and acid dissociation constant (pKa) with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.97, and a sample size-adjusted r2 = 0.92. This QSAR suggested a common basis for the mechanism of HA activity, which would imply additivity for mixtures of these acids. Examination of QSARs for subsets of the total data set (e.g., monohaloacids) highlighted parameter relationships embedded in the total QSAR, helping to unravel the separate contributions of Elumo and pKa to the overall potency. The relevance of these parameters is discussed in terms of postulated mechanisms of developmental toxicity involving changes in intercellular pH and redox metabolism. The whole embryo assay results pertain to direct embryo exposure and toxicity without the confounding influence of maternal factors. The resulting QSAR model offers possible insight into the mechanism of embryo toxicity that will hopefully contribute to understanding of the more complex, in vivo teratogenicity problem. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A review of Burkitt's lymphoma. Importance of radiographic diagnosis.

Summary Burkitt's lymphoma is a malignant proliferation of undifferentiated B lymphocytes that most often affects children. In endemic areas of Africa, the jaws are the sites most frequently involved. In non-endemic areas of North America, the jaws are involved in only 15–18 per cent of the cases. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon can play an important role in the early diagnosis of Burkitt's lymphoma by recognizing the clinical signs of multiple loose teeth and jaw tenderness coupled with the radiographic signs of generalized destruction of tooth crypts and diffuse disruption of jaw trabeculation. Successful treatment results from a combination of early diagnosis and controlled chemotherapy.
A catastrophe theory model of technological and structural change

Abstract The relationship between organizational structure and company technology has often been viewed from a static, cross-sectional perspective. However, there are few examples of theoretical development regarding changes in technology combined with changes in structure. This article develops a catastrophe theory model which provides a framework for examining technological change and corresponding structural adaptation.
Ideal Teacher Concepts: Attitude Shift after Practice Teaching

Gough, Durflinger, and Hill (1968) developed a scoring formula, based on California Psychological Inventory scales, that discriminated between student teachers rated "good or "poor" by training supervisors. Cross-validation studies showed that the student-teacher scoring formula (STSF) predicted student teacher success fairly well. The researchers also wished to identify personal characteristics related to high and low scorers on the STSF, and asked fraternity and sorority members to rate one another on the Gough's Adjective Checklist. The present study concerned the 12 adjectives most chosen by these Ss to describe high female scorers on the STSF: dominant, persevering, persistent, serious, opinionated, ambitious, demanding, logical, rigid, clear-thinking, determined, responsible. The 12 adjectives most chosen to describe low female scorers were: curious. affectionate. careless, easy-going, unconventional, dreamy, understanding, irresponsible, cheerful, natural, individualistic, thoughdul. The present study undertook to determine whether supervisors of elementary teachers would characterize "an ideal female elementarv teacher" in a similar manner to the above-listed peer perceptions of high scorers, and whether students in practice teaching would be closer to supervisors' perceptions of this ideal than would students taking their first course in the teacher-training sequence. A 30-item forced-choice test was constructed of the 2 lists of adjectives, each pair consisting of an adjective from the high scorer's list and one from the low scorer's list. Pairing coupled positive adjectives with positive adjectives and negative adjectives with negative ones. The resulting list was administered to 16 female supervisors of elementary teachers, 16 female elementary student teachers, and 16 female smdents in educational psychology classes who were asked to select the adjective in each pair that best characterized the ideal elementary teacher. When responses were scored according to a key based on the high scorer's list, mean scores were: supervisors 15.3, student teachers 13.3, and educational psychology students 9.27. The corrected (Spearman-Brown) split-half reliability of the questionnaire was 34. Analysis of variance gave an F ratio of 5.66 (p = .02). Results suggest that ideal-teacher concepts held by practice-teaching supervisors are closer to the personality stereotype that emerges from the peer judgments of high scorers on the STSF than are the concepts held by students entering the teacher-education program. Students actually engaged in practice teaching, however, score closer to the supervisors' mean than those who have not had this experience. Such results are consistent with what one would expect from social learning theory in that exposure to a powerful model elicits imitation. It is also possible that experience with actual classroom problems led student teachers to change some of their preconceptions regarding the personal qualities needed to be an effective teacher. This should be studied.
Human Type 2 Phosphatidic Acid Phosphohydrolases SUBSTRATE SPECIFICITY OF THE TYPE 2a, 2b, AND 2c ENZYMES AND CELL SURFACE ACTIVITY OF THE 2a ISOFORM

Phosphatidic acid (PA), lysophosphatidic acid, ceramide 1-phosphate (C1P), and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) are lipid mediators generated by phospholipases, sphingomyelinases, and lipid kinases. The major pathway for degradation of these lipids is dephosphorylation catalyzed by members of two classes (types 1 and 2) of phosphohydrolase activities (PAPs). cDNAs encoding two type 2 PAPs, PAP-2a and -2b, have been expressed by transient transfection and shown to catalyze hydrolysis of PA, C1P, and S1P (Kai, M., Wada, I., Imai, S., Sakane, F. and Kanoh, H. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 24572–24578). We report the cloning and expression of a third type 2 PAP enzyme (288 amino acids, predicted molecular mass of 32.6 kDa), PAP-2c, which exhibits 54 and 43% sequence homology to PAPs 2a and 2b. Expression of HA epitope-tagged PAP-2a, -2b, and 2c in HEK293 cells produced immunoreactive proteins and increased membrane-associated PAP activity. Sf9 insect cells contain very low endogenous PAP activity. Recombinant expression of the three PAP enzymes using baculovirus vectors produces dramatic increases in membrane-associated Mg2+-independent,N-ethylmaleimide-insensitive PAP activity. Expression of PAP-2a but not PAP-2b or -2c resulted in high levels of cell surface PAP activity in intact insect cells. Kinetic analysis of PAP-2a, -2b, and -2c activity against PA, lysophosphatidic acid, C1P, and S1P presented in mixed micelles of Triton X-100 revealed differences in substrate specificity and susceptibility to inhibition by sphingosine, Zn2+, and propranol.
Body mass scaling of peak oxygen uptake in 20- to 79-yr-old adults.

ABSTRACTBody mass scaling of peak oxygen uptake in 20- to 79-yr old adults.Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 29, No. 12, pp. 1602-1608, 1997. Despite growing evidence in support of the power function ratio (PFR) for body mass (MB) scaling of peak oxygen uptake (˙VO2PEAK), research literature preferentia
The effect of guanidinosuccinic acid on in-vitro carbohydrate metabolism

Da Guanidinosuccinsaure in der Uramie akkumuliert, wurde angenommen, dass dieses Stoffwechselprodukt bei Niereninsuffizienz die bekannte Glukoseintoleranz verursachen konnte. In-vitro-Versuche am Rattenzwerchfell haben diese Hypothese jedoch nicht bestatigen konnen, da Guanidinosuccinsaure in der Konzentration von 3 mg/100 ml keinen Einfluss auf die basale oder insulinstimulierte Glucoseaufnahme durch dieses Gewebe zeigte.
Effect of water-borne copper on physiological responses of bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) to acute hypoxic stress and subsequent recovery

Abstract 1. Bluegill were exposed for 7 days to 261 μg 1−1 free copper before being subjected to a drop in dissolved oxygen over 60 min from 7.8 to 1.3ppm and then allowed to recover in aerated water. 2. Cu-exposure alone caused elevated plasma glucose and depressed liver ATP and plasma chloride. 3. Cu-exposed fish in response to hypoxia exhibited greater hyperglycemia, lower plasma sodium, lower liver ATP, and higher plasma potassium than in non-copper-exposed controls. 4. After 24 hr recovery, only plasma glucose was still elevated in Cu-exposed fish. 5. It is concluded that previous copper exposure causes some hypoxia responses to be accentuated in an additive manner.
Aminopenicillins in urology.

Abstract The use of ampicillin and amoxicillin remains a mainstay of urologic prophylaxis and therapy, however ampicillin's of fectiveness against aerobic gram-negative bacilli, especially Escherichia coli has steadily decreased over time due to increasing β-lactamase-induced resistance. Presently, up to 40–60 percent of E. coli may be ampicillin resistant. Since there have been no major resistance problems with enterococci, ampicillin remains the preferred anti-enterococcal antibiotic in penicillin-tolerant patients. Ampicillin/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations are preferred when penicillins are used to treat ampicillin resistant aerobic gram-negative bacillary urinary tract infections (UTIs). One response to the problem of resistance has been short-course or single-dose therapy for uncomplicated cystitis in immunocompetent adults, which is less likely to cause side effects, bacterial resistance, or alterations in bowel flora. Another response has been to combine the aminopenicillins with β-lactamase inhibitors such as clavulanate or sulbactam.
Knowledge Efficacy as a Preventive Strategic Paradigm for Addressing the HIV/AIDS Pandemic

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is having a devastating effect world-wide and particularly in Africa. Over the past two decades, the focus of most government HIV/AIDS initiatives has been on prevention through strategies based on the knowledge efficacy paradigm, and have been unsuccessful in reducing the rate of infection. The authors draw comparisons between a study of African-American women of low socio-economic status and research carried out in Malawi and Zimbabwe, where they found that high-risk groups, especially women, perpetuate at risk behaviour despite their knowledge of HIV/AIDS, due to economic and other factors. They recommend that governments should implement additional complementary strategies to address the pandemic more effectively. Africa Insight Vol. 36 (2) June 2006: 91-101
A comparison of crossover versus parallel-group design in the evaluation of analgesic efficacy after molar extraction

This study compares the analgesic effects of two standard combinations (Empirin with codeine versus Mersyndol) and placebo as measured by crossover versus parallel-group design. The analgesic results obtained with three groups of 12 to 13 crossed over subjects with two extractions divided into six subgroups of five to seven subjects for each sequence were qualitatively the same and statistically at least as strong as those obtained by analysis of parallel groups of 38 to 42 extractions per group. By both methods the analgesics were statistically significantly more effective than placebo. The difference between the two products was not statistically significant, although the score for Mersyndol was somewhat better by both methods of study. The crossover data did not allow judgments concerning side effects in spite of its greater efficiency in quantifying pain relief.
Smooth and strongly smooth points in symmetric spaces of measurable operators

We investigate the relationships between smooth and strongly smooth points of the unit ball of an order continuous symmetric function space E, and of the unit ball of the space of τ-measurable operators $${E(\mathcal{M},\tau)}$$ associated to a semifinite von Neumann algebra $${(\mathcal{M}, \tau)}$$ . We prove that x is a smooth point of the unit ball in $${E(\mathcal{M}, \tau)}$$ if and only if the decreasing rearrangement μ(x) of the operator x is a smooth point of the unit ball in E, and either μ(∞; f) = 0, for the function $${f\in S_{E^{\times}}}$$ supporting μ(x), or s(x *) = 1. Under the assumption that the trace τ on $${\mathcal{M}}$$ is σ-finite, we show that x is strongly smooth point of the unit ball in $${E(\mathcal{M}, \tau)}$$ if and only if its decreasing rearrangement μ(x) is a strongly smooth point of the unit ball in E. Consequently, for a symmetric function space E, we obtain corresponding relations between smoothness or strong smoothness of the function f and its decreasing rearrangement μ(f). Finally, under suitable assumptions, we state results relating the global properties such as smoothness and Frechet smoothness of the spaces E and $${E(\mathcal{M},\tau)}$$ .
Social Support and Efficacy in Advocacy Roles: A Case Study of Two Women's Organizations

Women's involvement in community activities in the United States is not new. Since the advent of indoor plumbing, running water, wash tubs, improved stoves and canning in the mid to late 1800s, an increasing number of women have reduced their full time domestic role to become active in their communities. While in the 1800s women were excluded from established clubs and organizations, they nevertheless began to organize their own groups from literary clubs to YWCAs. Women addressed topics ranging from child care to community standards for sanitation to admission of women to college. Isolated examples of community activity increasingly took the shape of more structured social movements: the temperance movement, the settlement house movement, the organization of women as consumers and the establishment of women's unions. These social movements became the major forum for the expression of both their leadership and their influence activities. There is, then, a long history of women in the U.S. organizing for i...
Sequencing and analysis of genomic fragments from the NF1 locus

The sequence of five non-contiguous genomic fragments encompassing 14.4 kilobases from the NF1 locus have been determined by fluorescence-based automated DNA sequence analysis. These fragments included one kilobase of the NF1 coding region, which resulted in the identification of the intron/exon boundaries of five exons. Based on these sequences, five new NF1 exon-PCR assays have been developed, that could be useful for detecting new NF1 mutations. The genomic sequences were analyzed for the presence of Alu repetitive elements and their classification is described. This analysis may provide some insight into the characterization of genetic rearrangements resulting in disruption of the NF1 gene.
An Unusually Simple Technique for Sidelobe Reduction

The technique presented here consists of superposing three constant amplitude current excitations on a uniformly spaced array. The first one has constant phase and the other two have equal progressive phase but of opposite signs. The amplitude as well as the progressive phase are chosen in such a way that a high degree of sidelobe reduction is achieved. Results are comparable to those of Chebyshev arrays with the advantage that the current distribution is much simpler to compute. Because of this simplicity the designer can much more easily guess what corrections to introduce in the array excitation in case the measured patterns do not agree with the computed ones.
Misunderstandings of figure and ground. A note.

Kennedy, J. M. Misunderstandings of figure and ground. A note. Scand. J. Psychol., 1973, 14, 207–209.MdashThe hypothesis that contours and lines shape only one of their adjoining regions is shown to be erroneously attributed to Rubin. Some well-known demonstrations supporting the hypothesis are shown to be confounded.
Facebooking It to the Polls: A Study in Online Social Networking and Political Behavior

ABSTRACT As Internet use continues to become integrated into the daily lives of average Americans, it becomes necessary to understand the implications of each aspect of that use. As the majority of adults now take advantage of social network sites, understanding how they make use of those sites and what that means for American politics is increasingly important. This study considers one such social network site, Facebook, and how engaging in specific behaviors that provide personalized information, create community engagement, and generate social capital within that realm impacted users' decision to participate politically in the presidential primary of 2008. It concludes that certain Facebook behaviors can be translated into participatory political behaviors, both online and offline. Moreover, it is not whether or how often one uses Facebook, but rather the specific set of activities one engages in during such time that drives the relationship between Facebook use and various types of political participa...
New Technologies: A New Reference Search Service and a Couple of Web Browsers

Purpose – To provide a summary of the main features of some new web technologies.Design/methodology/approach – Reviews, contextualizes and provides a summary of new web technologies.Findings – The new web technologies include a new reference search engine Answers.com, and two web browsers, Firefox and Netscape 8.0Originality/value – Provides a useful summary for information professionals.
Data Analysis as Insight: Reply to Morrison and Weaver

I begin by underscoring a fundamental point of agreement between Morrison and Weaver and me: that data analysis should entail designing whatever set of techniques optimizes insight into whatever question the experiment was designed to address, rather than implementing some rote set of preordained rules and regulations. Against this shared philosophical backdrop, I then (1) reiterate problems with hypothesis testing, and (2) address some of the quite pertinent issues that Morrison and Weaver raise with respect to computation of confidence intervals.
OPTIMIZING DETECTION LIMITS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF PETROLEUM HYDROCARBONS IN COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES

To evaluate the sources, transport, bioremediation, fate, and effects of spilled petroleum and petroleum products, environmental studies often measure parent and alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), alkanes, and chemical biomarkers (e.g., triterpanes). Accurate data for low analyte concentrations are required when environmental samples contain hydrocarbons from multiple sources that need to be resolved and quantified. The accuracy and usefulness of the analyses can be improved by lowering the method detection limits (MDLs) for these compounds. Misidentification of hydrocarbon source can result when the MDLs are too high. Modifications to standard analytical methods (i.e., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Method 8270) can lower MDLs by factors ranging from 10 to 1000. This reduction has important implications for ecological-risk assessments. Modifications having the greatest impact on the MDL include GCMS analysis in the selected-ion-monitoring mode (SIM), increased sample size, column cle...
Quantitative EEG Normative Databases: Validation and Clinical Correlation

SUMMARY The quantitative digital electroencephalogram (QEEG) was recorded from 19 scalp locations from 625 screened and evaluated normal individuals ranging in age from two months to 82 years. After editing to remove artifact, one-year to five-year groupings were selected to produce different average age groups. Estimates of gaussian distributions and logarithmic transforms of the digital EEG were used to establish approximate gaussian distributions when necessary for different variables and age groupings. The sensitivity of the lifespan database was determined by gaussian cross-validation for any selection of age range in which the average percentage of Z-scores ± 2 standard deviations (SD) equals approximately 2.3% and the average percentage for ± 3 SD equals approximately 0.13%. It was hypothesized that measures of gaussian cross-validation of Z-scores is a common metric by which the statistical sensitivity of any normative database for any age grouping can be calculated. This theory was tested by comp...
Algebraic Relaxation Laws for Classical Particles in 1D Anharmonic Potentials.

Using extensive numerical analysis and exact calculations we show that the relaxation of a classical particle in 1D anharmonic potential landscapes with a leading quartic term follows a $1/t$ decay law at all temperatures, leading to a logarithmically increasing mean square displacement. For leading anharmonic terms of form ${x}^{2n}$ we find that the asymptotic relaxation is consistent with $1/{t}^{\ensuremath{\varphi}}$, where $\ensuremath{\varphi}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}1/(n\ensuremath{-}1)$ at all temperatures. We briefly comment on the possible implications of this result in the study of displacive structural transitions and in complex systems.
Energy resonances of a single quantum barrier

Abstract We show that under an applied electric field a single quantum barrier has resonance structure in the transmission coefficient. These resonances are explicitly shown to be associated with the energy levels of an infinite quantum well with an applied field. An exact calculation for the tunneling transmission probability thorugh an Al x Ga 1−x As 200 A barrier with a barrier height of 240 meV clearly confirms that the resonances arise from quasi-confined states in the pseudo-well formed in the barrier by the electric field. This result is compared to that obtained using the WKB approximation.
Structural characterizations of phosphorylatable residues in transmembrane proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana

Phosphorylation is a common post-translational modification that plays important roles in a wide range of biochemical and cellular processes. Many enzymes and receptors can be switched "on" or "off" by conformational changes induced by phosphorylation. The phosphorylation process is mediated by a family of enzymes called kinase. Currently, more than 1,000 different kinases have been identified in Arabidopsis thaliana proteome. Kinases interact with each other and with many regulatory proteins forming phosphorylation networks. These phosphorylation networks modulate the signaling processes and control the functions of cells. Normally, kinases phosphorylate serines, threonines, and tyrosines. However, in many proteins, not all of these 3 types of amino acids can be phosphorylated. Therefore, identifying the phosphorylation sites and the possible phosphorylation events is very important in decoding the processes of regulation and the function of phosphorylation networks. In this study, we applied computational and bioinformatics tools to characterize the association between phosphorylation events and structural properties of corresponding proteins by analyzing more than 50 trans-membrane proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana. In addition to the previously established conclusion that phosphorylation sites are closely associated with intrinsic disorder, we found that the phosphorylation process may also be affected by solvent accessibility of phosphorylation sites and further promoted by neighboring modification events.
Armlets and balanced multiwavelets

In the scalar-valued setting, it is well-known that the two-scale sequences { q k } of Daubechies orthogonal wavelets can be given explicitly by the two-scale sequences { p k } of their corresponding orthogonal scaling functions, such as q k = (-1) k p 1- k . However, due to the non-commutativity of matrix multiplication, there is little such development in the multi-wavelet literature to express the two-scale matrix sequence { Q k } of an orthogonal multi-wavelet in terms of the two-scale matrix sequence { P k } of its corresponding multi-scaling function vector. This paper, in part, is devoted to this study for the setting of orthogonal multi-wavelets of dimension r = 2. We will apply our results to constructing a family of the most recently introduced notion of armlet of order n and a family of the n -balanced orthogonal multi-wavelets.
FPGA-based universal embedded digital instrument

In order to test products, a multi-purpose digital instrument has been developed which can be completely embedded within on-board FPGAs. This instrument incorporates numerous features such as specialized triggering, fault capture, and pattern edge placement. To increase usability, pattern generation and protocol-aware features are included within its small footprint. The applications of the embedded instrument can include design verification, production test, and fault diagnostics in a simple and low resource implementation.
Effect of tin on immune responses of mice

Abstract The biological significance of tin has not been clearly established. We investigated the effect of four tin compounds on the immune responses of mice using plaque-forming assay, immune rosette formation, leukocyte adherence inhibition, and delayed-type hypersensitivity. Stannic chloride and methyltintrichloride injections in mice decreased the formation of plaque-forming cells during the first week after the administration of the metal. The suppression of immune rosette formation was observed only in animals treated with stannic chloride. Methyltintrichloride and dimethyltindichloride decreased the percentage of leukocyte adherence inhibition. Tin compounds had a minimal effect on delayed-type hypersensitivity and those investigated had significant effects on the immune system in at least three of the five parameters measured. There is no clear correlation between the observed effect and either the oxidation state of the tin or the degree of methylation of the stannic center. Each compound appears to have biological activity of its own.
Age, growth and natural mortality of coney (Cephalopholis fulva) from the southeastern United States

Coney (Cephalopholis fulva) sampled from recreational and commercial vessels along the southeastern coast of the United States in 1998–2013 (n = 353) were aged by counting opaque bands on sectioned sagittal otoliths. Analysis of otolith edge type (opaque or translucent) revealed that annuli formed in January–June with a peak in April. Coney were aged up to 19 years, and the largest fish measured 430 mm in total length (TL). The weight-length relationship was ln(W) = 3.03 × ln(TL) − 18.05 (n = 487; coefficient of determination [r2] = 0.91), where W = whole weight in kilograms and and TL = total length in millimeters. Mean observed sizes at ages 1, 3, 5, 10, and 19 years were 225, 273, 307, 338, and 400 mm TL, respectively. The von Bertalanffy growth equation for coney was Lt = 377 (1 − e(−0.20(t+3.53))). Natural mortality (M) estimated by Hewitt and Hoenig’s longevity-based method which integrates all ages was 0.22. Age-specific M values, estimated with the method of Charnov and others, were 0.40, 0.30, 0.26, 0.22, and 0.20 for ages 1, 3, 5, 10, and 19, respectively.
Studies of the growth and blood composition of dairy calves fed remade skim milk after three days of age.

Summary Seven Holstein and six Jersey male calves were fed an experimental ration of remade skim milk supplemented with vitamin A and D in the form of carotene and viosterol or cod-liver oil. The seven Holstein calves and five of the Jersey calves were placed on the experimental ration at 3 days of age. One of the Jersey calves received whole milk until 10 days of age. Grain and hay were fed as soon as the calves would eat it.
Leucine 18, a Hydrophobic Residue Essential for High Affinity Binding of Anthopleurin B to the Voltage-sensitive Sodium Channel

Anthopleurin B is a potent anemone toxin that binds with nanomolar affinity to the cardiac and neuronal isoforms of the voltage-gated sodium channel. A cationic cluster that includes Arg-12, Arg-14 and Lys-49 has been shown previously to be important in this interaction. In this study, we have used site-directed mutagenesis to determine the contribution to activity of two aliphatic residues, Leu-18 and Ile-43, that have previously been experimentally inaccessible. Leu-18, a residue proximal to the cationic cluster, plays a critical role in defining the high affinity of the toxin. In ion flux studies, this is exemplified by the several hundredfold loss in affinity (231-672-fold) observed for both L18A and L18V toxins on either isoform of the sodium channel. When analyzed electrophysiologically, L18A, the most severely compromised mutant, also displays a substantial loss in affinity (34-fold and 328-fold) for the neuronal and cardiac isoforms. This difference in affinities may reflect an increased preference of the L18A mutant for the closed state of the neuronal channel. In contrast, Ile-43, a residue distal to the cationic cluster, plays at most a very modest role in affinity toward both isoforms of the sodium channel. Only conservative substitutions are tolerated at this position, implying that it may contribute to an important structural component. Our results indicate that Leu-18 is the most significant single contributor to the high affinity of Anthopleurin B identified to date. These results have extended the binding site beyond the cationic cluster to include Leu-18 and broadened our emphasis from the basic residues to include the crucial role of hydrophobic residues in toxin-receptor interactions.
A State of Emergency in Alabama: Prison Overcrowding

This study examines the Alabama Department of Corrections August 2009 Monthly Statistical Report and Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report, recent articles to explain the serious public safety issue of pr...
A network model for generating differential symmetry axes of shapes via receptive fields

Some symmetries (e.g. bilateral, rotational, translational) only describe quite specialized shapes, but differential symmetry axes (e.g. Blum, J. Theoret. Biol. 38, 205-287, 1973; Brady and Asada, Int. J. Robotics Res. 3, 36-61, 1984) describe more general shapes. Such axes are of interest in part because they form the 'backbone' of generalized cylinder and other shape representations used in shape recognition (e.g. Marr, Vision, W. H. Freeman and Co., NY, 1982; Biederman, Psychol. Rev. 94, 115-147, 1987). However, despite the popularity of these representations as psychological models, algorithms from machine vision for computing them have strong limitations as psychological models. This paper presents two versions of a network model, one of which is more plausible as a psychological model because it derives symmetry axes from the activations of idealized visual receptive fields.
Plasmodium falciparum: microaerophilic requirements in human red blood cells.

Abstract The respiratory requirements of Plasmodium falciparum were studied in vitro in continuous cultivation. The cultures were held in petri dishes containing the parasites incubated in different gas mixtures for periods of 72 to 144 hr with daily media changes. Atmospheres were combinations of 0.5 to 21% O2 mixed with 1 to 5% CO2 diluted with N2. Gas concentrations and the pH of media were measured with an O 2 CO 2 analyzer. Best growth was realized in all cases at 3% O2 and 1 to 2% CO2. The culture appeared to be selfperpetuating in O2 concentrations as low as 0.5% providing the CO2 was not over 2%. Oxygen concentrations of 21% proved deleterious to growth. The parasite however, failed to grow in the highly reducing atmosphere of anaerobic “Brewer Jars,” suggesting that P. falciparum is an obligate microaerophile.
Smartphone Based Autism Social Alert System

Autism currently affects 1 in every 88 American children impairing their social interactions, communications and daily living. Often, parents, educators, and researchers need to purchase expensive equipment to help autistic children cope with challenges in their daily living. In this paper, we present the Smartphone-Based Autism Social Alert (SASA) system which we design to help such children. The SASA system uses the inexpensive sensors embedded within smart phones to facilitate the study of the autistic children's behaviors by recording and analyzing data collected from such embedded sensors in smartphones carried by autistic children. Our system can automatically detect their stereotypical behaviors such that early interventions can be taken by caregivers or teachers. In addition, the system can correlate environmental sensor data streams, e.g. audio background, with the occurrence of stereotypical behaviors so as to identify potential environmental factors that may trigger such behaviors. We also include some preliminary classification results on the sensor data which we have collected from Androidbasedphones using the WEKA J.48 classifier. Our preliminary results show that simple features extracted from accelerometer readings are sufficient to give high accuracy rates when training is performed on a per user per device basis. Our audio classifier which uses 12 MFCC coefficients, average zero crossing rate, and energy can give an accuracy of 78.6% when evaluated using audio traces collected for seven audio categories. Additional extensive experiments will be carried out in the near future at a nearby secondary school for autistic children.
Increased Brain Levels of Platelet‐Activating Factor in a Murine Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Are NMDA Receptor‐Mediated

Mice infected with the LP-BM5 murine leukemia virus (MuLV) develop an immunodeficiency syndrome (murine AIDS) and an encephalopathy characterized by impaired spatial learning and memory. Because platelet-activating factor (PAF) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated dementia complex, brain PAF levels were measured in LP-BM5 MuLV-infected mice. PAF levels in cerebral cortex and hippocampus were significantly increased at 6 and 12 weeks after LP-BM5 MuLV inoculation, whereas significant increases in striatal and cerebellar PAF levels were observed only at 12 weeks after inoculation. Administration of the NMDA antagonist MK-801 significantly reduced the increased PAF levels in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of LP-BM5 MuLV-infected mice. These results indicate that the LP-BM5 MuLV-induced increases in brain PAF levels are the results of NMDA receptor activation and are consistent with the hypothesis that elevated CNS PAF levels contribute to the behavioral deficits observed in LP-BM5 MuLV-infected mice.
Instability of the zonal jets and longitudinal thermal waves in a Jovian atmosphere

Jupiter atmosphere observations conducted during the Voyager 1 and 2 encounters indicate slowly moving large-scale features; ground-based measurements with the NASA IR Telescope Facility have noted large scale waves that are either fixed or slowly moving relative to system III. These observations suggest features originating deep in the atmosphere. The present suggestion of an alternative source proceeds from a model of the jets which views the observed waves as due to the quasigeostrophic instability of the jets in the upper troposphere; these are of sufficient duration to give the impression of permanence under observational conditions.
Reflections From One Community College Leader

Research on gender provides a framework for understanding what it means to be a woman working within the community college; however, the voice of experience helps to add meaning to what it means to live as a woman leader of color within these institutions. Dr. Green provides a reflection on her career leading up to her presidency, and she outlines key areas of consideration to support women's advancement within the college system.
2D and 3D growth of carbon nanotubes on substrates, from nanometre to millimetre scales

This paper presents a suite of techniques for making Carbon Nanotube (CNT) assemblies having hierarchical two- and three-dimensional organisation: conformal films of tangled single-walled CNTs are grown on silicon microstructures, millimetre-thick films and microstructures of aligned Multi-wall CNTs (MWNTs) are grown on flat silicon substrates, large-area CNT micropatterns are fabricated by post-growth dry embossing of aligned CNT films and 3D forms of CNTs are directly grown to take the shape of microfabricated template. These growth processes use catalyst thin-films deposited by electron beam evaporation and atmospheric-pressure thermal Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD), which is scalable from academic-level prototyping to industrial-level manufacturing.