cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unbiased Ratio Estimators

RATIO estimators are frequently employed in sample surveys when estimating the population mean Ȳ of a variate y with the help of the known population mean X of a correlated variable x. Confining ourselves to the case of a simple random sample of n pairs y i, X i from a population of N pairs, various ratio estimators of Ȳ can be formed of which the most important ones are y = Xȳ/x and ŷ = Xr, where ȳ, x and r are the arithmetic means of the sample of y i/x i and y i/x i, respectively.
The complexeng of Ca(II), Co(II), and Zn(II) by polymethacrylic and polyacrylic acid

An experimental method proposed for the accurate estimate of the nonideal behavior of metal ions in the course of their complexation by polyacids has been shown to be valid. This nonideal behavior, due to the large and variable electrical field at the surface of the polyelectrolyte in the polyion domain, is ascertained from direct examination of the nonideality of mobile hydrogen ions during potentiometric examination of the competing polyacid dissociation reaction. As a consequence of this approach, it has been possible to show that the dominant complex species in Ca(II)-, CO(II)-, and Zn(II)-polymethacrylic (PMA) and polyacrylic (PAA) acids is an ion pair. The respective formation constants of the ion-pair species have been determined as well.
Microelectrode studies of spontaneous potentials from chick embryo telencephalon in vitro

A l'aide de micro-electrodes, des potentiels rythmiques spontanes ont ete enregistres dans du tissu telencephalique d'embryons de poulets âges de 14 jours, in vitro. Ces potentiels sont semblables a ceux precedemment decrits en utilisant des electrodes de 80μ en platine. La possibilite pour ces potentiels d'etre produits par les neurones de l'explant est discute.
Existence of the scattering matrix for the linearized Boltzmann equation

Following Hejtmanek, we consider neutrons in infinite space obeying a linearized Boltzmann equation describing their interaction with matter in some compact setD. We prove existence of theS-matrix and subcriticality of the dynamics in the (weak-coupling) case where the mean free path is larger than the diameter ofD uniform in the velocity. We prove existence of theS-matrix also for the case whereD is convex and filled with uniformly absorbent material. In an appendix, we present an explicit example where the dynamics is not invertible onL+1, the cone of positive elements inL1.
Dissemination of collection wide information in a distributed information retrieval system

We find that dissemination of collection wide information (CWI) in a distributed collection of documents is needed to achieve retrieval effectiveness comparable to a centralized collection. Complete dissemination is unnecessary. The required dissemination level depends upon how documents are allocated among sites. Low dissemination is needed for random document allocation, but higher levels are needed when documents are allocated based on content. We define parameters to control dissemination and document allocation and present results from four test collections. We define the notion of iso-knowledge lines with respect to the number of sites and level of dissemination in the distributed archive, and show empirically that iso-knowledge lines are also iso-effectiveness lines when documents are randomly allocated.
Iron and the athlete

Iron is an important mineral necessary for many biologic pathways. Different levels of deficiency can occur in the athlete, resulting in symptoms that range from none to severe fatigue. Iron deficiency without anemia may adversely affect athletic performance. Causes of iron deficiency include poor intake, menstrual losses, gastrointestinal and genitourinary losses due to exercise-induced ischemia or organ movement, foot strike hemolysis, thermohemolysis, and sweat losses. A higher incidence of deficiency occurs in female athletes compared with males.
“Total” proton-proton cross sections☆

Abstract The cross section for the scattering of protons by protons into the angular range of 6° to 84° (laboratory system) has been measured for several proton energies using a “good-geometry” absorption technique. The results are Average energy (MeV) Cross section (mb) 147 23.7±0.1 5 134 24.9±0.2 122 25.9±0.2 108 28.3±0.3 91 32.7±0.4 70 38.5±0.5
Effects of Selected Neuroactive Chemicals on Calcium Transporting Systems in Rat Cerebellum and on Survival of Cerebellar Granule Cells

This investigation examined the relationship between alteration of Ca(2+)-transport systems and cytotoxicity in vitro for a number of neuroactive chemicals including environmental pollutants. 45Ca2+ uptake as a measure of Ca2+ sequestration was determined in mitochondria and microsomes isolated from cerebella of adult male Long-Evans hooded rats by differential centrifugation. Ca2+ extrusion, measured as Ca(2+)-ATPase activity, was determined in synaptosomes prepared by sucrose density gradient. Cytotoxicity (lactate dehydrogenase leakage) was assessed in primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells from 6- to 8-day-old Long-Evans rats. N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) did not alter synaptosomal Ca(2+)-ATPase activity or 45Ca2+ uptake in mitochondria and microsomes. However, chlorpromazine (CPZ), aluminum (Al), permethrin (PER), and deltamethrin (DEL) inhibited Ca2+ sequestration by mitochondria and microsomes. The IC50 values (microM) for CPZ, Al, PER, and DEL were 67.8, 671, 4.2, and 91.2 for mitochondrial 45Ca2+ uptake, and 129.9, 1384, > 50, and > 200 for microsomal 45Ca2+ uptake, respectively. CPZ, PER, and DEL also inhibited synaptosomal Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 values of 62.5, > 400, and 246.9 microM, indicating an effect on the Ca(2+)-extrusion process. Al increased Ca(2+)-ATPase activity (EC50 = 833 microM). Although NMDA did not inhibit Ca(2+)-transport systems, it was cytotoxic at 250 microM and higher concentrations after 2 hr of exposure. Similarly, CPZ was cytotoxic at concentrations of 25 and 10 microM after 4 hr exposure. However, PER, DEL, and Al were not cytotoxic at any concentration up to 500 microM. Of all the chemicals tested, CPZ was the most potent in inhibiting Ca(2+)-transporting systems and was also cytotoxic.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for quantification of nevirapine and its five metabolites and their pharmacokinetics in baboons

A highly sensitive and specific LC-MS/MS assay was developed and validated to quantify nevirapine (NVP) and its five metabolites (2-, 3-, 8-, 12-hydroxyl NVP [OHNVP] and 4-carboxyl NVP [CANVP]) simultaneously in baboon serum and the assay was used to characterize their pharmacokinetic studies of an oral-dose escalation study in baboon. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) for NVP and its four hydroxyl nevirapine metabolites is 1.0 ng/mL, at least 10-fold higher than reported methods. The LLOQ for 4-CANVP is 5.0 ng/mL. The between-run and within-run precisions and accuracies at the following quality control concentrations (1, 5, 50 and 500 ng/mL) were evaluated in baboon serum with less than 14% variation and 93% to 114% accuracies (n=6) except LLOQ for 2-OHNVP, which had an accuracy of 115.8% for between-run validation. The pharmacokinetics of NVP and its five metabolites in non-pregnant baboons by single dose escalation study were also profiled. The major metabolites detected were 4-CANVP and 12-OHNVP. 3-OHNVP and 2-OHNVP were the minor metabolites with only a trace amount of 2-OHNVP detected in some PK samples. No 8-OHNVP was observed in all of the PK samples. In addition, the fragmentation for the four hydroxyl metabolite isomers was also discussed.
Production of a new pyridine N-oxide by bioconversion with Cunninghamella echinulata var. elegans

A new N-oxide was produced from 3-(N-Boc-aminomethyl)-5-bromopyridine by bioconversion with Cunninghamella echinulata var. elegans ATCC 9245, and its structure was established based on the spectral data. The microbial N-oxidation is efficient and highly selective. The substrate was transformed into the product in 7 days.
Oviposition of European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Impact of Natural Enemy Populations in Transgenic Versus Isogenic Corn

In a 1994 field experiment, oviposition, predation, and parasitism of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), were recorded in transgenic and isogenic corn, Zea nays L. Plots of plants expressing the CrylA(b) protein of Bacillus thuringiensis Kurstaki and plots of isogenic plants both had 2nd-generation O. nubilalis egg mass densities of =1.1 per plant, indicating a lack of antixenosis by transgenic plants. Distribution and size of egg masses on plants also was unaffected by corn type. Size of plants was the same in both treatments. Levels of egg mass predation were 24.75 and 19.35%, respectively, but not significantly different between the transgenic and isogenic plots. Parasitism of egg masses was not significantly different between transgenic and isogenic plots, and was low at 6.31 and 4.41%, respectively. Percentage of eggs within masses which hatched was 10.2% lower in transgenic than in isogenic plots. However, neither predation, parasitism, or sloughing of eggs from plants were significantly different between the 2 treatments. Densities of O. nubilalis predators were not different between the 2 treatments throughout the O. nubilalis oviposition period. Parasitism of O. nubilalis larvae by Eriborus terebrans (Gravenhorst) and Macrocentrus grandii Goidanich was not significantly different between plots and ranged from 2.4 to 7.0%. Although most differences between transgenic and isogenic plants were nonsignificant, all observed differences in natural enemy population parameters under our conditions were in the direction opposite to that expected if transgenic plants had an adverse impact.
On the separation of carbon nanotubes

Abstract The energy density and forces required to separate nanoropes into individual nanotubes was examined by studying both the dilatation separation of arrays and the peeling of a pair of single wall carbon nanotubes. The cohesive energy per unit length was determined from the universal graphitic potential. The magnitude of the peeling force for a pair of tubes configured in a double cantilever beam was calculated over a range of peeling lengths using a cohesive zone model, and compared to predictions from linear elastic fracture mechanics. The results of the analysis reveal that a linear elastic fracture model that incorporates an inherent initial crack length yields a reasonable estimation of the peeling force–deformation response. The energy of separation for the dilatation mechanism was shown to be a strong function of the array size with twice the energy density necessary to separate an array of three CNT as compared to separation of a large array. Estimates of the energy of peeling separation of 0.30 nJ/m is in good agreement with previous work.
Four Health Data Networks Illustrate The Potential For A Shared National Multipurpose Big-Data Network

Information in electronic health data that are drawn from large populations of patients is transforming health care, public health practice, and clinical research. This article describes our experi...
Preoptic area unit activity during sleep and wakefulness in the cat.

Abstract The spontaneous discharge of 86 preoptic area (OA) neurons was recorded extracellularly in chronically prepared cats during wakefulness (W), slow-wave sleep (SWS), and REM sleep. Of these, the percentage of units exhibiting maximal discharge rates in SWS and REM sleep (84%) was significantly greater than that of those exhibiting a maximal discharge rate in W (16%). Furthermore, those neurons that discharged rapidly in sleep (fast units) generally had a reduced discharge rate in W. Sixteen of the 86 units showed a strong tendency to discharge in bursts during SWS but not during W or REM sleep. The mean coefficient of variation and the mean discharge rate for these bursting cells in SWS were significantly greater than the corresponding values for the same cells in W and REM sleep, and for the nonbursting cells in SWS. Because POA stimulation is known to initiate behavioral and electrocortical signs of sleep, it is suggested that “fast units” in SWS with reduced discharge rates in W, may be “hypnogenic” cells.
Morphology and physiological properties of interneurons in the olfactory midbrain of the crayfish.

1. Intracellular recording and staining was used to characterize neurons in the crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) brain that respond to chemical stimuli applied to the major olfactory organs, the antennules. 2. Two distinct morphological types of neurons that have major projections in the olfactory lobes (OLs) of the brain were characterized anatomically (Figs. 1, 2, 3; Table 2) and physiologically (Figs. 4, 5, 6; Table 3). 3. Different individual neurons of one type, with similar ‘tree-like’ projections in the OLs, have somata distributed in at least 5 different cell body clusters of the brain (Fig. 3) and link different subsets of neuropilar lobes through their distributed arbors (Fig. 1, Table 2). 4. Excitatory, inhibitory and mixed responses were recorded in different neurons when odorant mixtures or individual components of these mixtures were applied to the antennules. Response spectra to individual components were broad and overlapping, but not identical in the neurons tested (Fig. 4; Table 3). Mixture interactions appear to be additive in most of the neurons that we tested, but evidence was obtained for mixture suppression in several cases (Fig. 6). 5. Most of the neurons recorded in this study responded only to stimulation of the ipsilateral antennule (Fig. 5), although subthreshold activity to stimuli applied contralaterally was recorded in several neurons that were strongly excited by ipsilateral stimuli. 6. Chemoresponsive neurons without projections in OL's that have all of their branches confined to the brain, or that project an axon in the circumesophageal connective, are described (Fig-7).
Kinetics of chlorite dissolution at elevated temperatures and CO2 conditions

Abstract Chlorite ((Mg 4.29 Al 1.48 Fe 0.10 )(Al 1.22 Si 2.78 )O 10 (OH) 8 ) dissolution kinetics were measured under far from equilibrium conditions using a mixed-flow reactor over temperatures of 100–275 °C at pH values of 3.0–5.7 in a background solution matrix of 0.05 m NaCl. Over this temperature range, magnesium was released congruently with respect to silica. The effect of variable p CO 2 levels representative of engineered geothermal systems with CO 2 as a heat-exchanging fluid (CO 2 -EGS) was explored by reacting chlorite with solutions containing a range of dissolved CO 2 concentrations (0.1–0.5 M). The dissolution rate was insensitive to CO 2(aq) concentration, with dissolved CO 2 apparently affecting dissolution only through increased acidity. Over this range of far-from-equilibrium experimental conditions of elevated temperature, mildly acidic to moderately neutral pH, and CO 2(aq) concentrations up to 0.5 M, Mg-rich chlorite dissolution can be described as a surface area-normalized rate equal to: rate = k acid ⋅ exp − E acid R ⋅ 1 T − 1 298 K ⋅ a H + n , where the apparent acid rate constant at 25 °C is k a = 10 − 9.91 mol m − 2 s − 1 , the reaction order n with respect to H + (aq) is 0.49, and the activation energy for the acid mechanism is E = 25.1 kJ mol − 1 (this value is significantly lower than previous estimates). This chlorite dissolution rate equation can be used with reaction affinity terms and kinetic laws for other minerals to estimate the impact of geochemical alteration within CO 2 -enhanced geothermal system operations or other higher-temperature subsurface systems. Over a 100–275 °C temperature range, chlorite is 2–5 orders of magnitude less reactive than has been previously predicted.
Comparative hemolytic activity of mephenesin, guaiacol glycerol ether and methocarbamol in vitro and in vivo.

SummaryMephenesin, guaiacol glyceryl ether (GG) and methocarbamol (AHR-85) have been compared as to their relative hemolytic activity in vitro and in vivo. Evidence is presented that GG and AHR-85 may be administered slowly as saturated aqueous solutions in large doses with little danger of an appreciable degree of hemolysis as indicated by the serum bilirubin and hemochromogen tests.
Microfluidic impact printer with interchangeable cartridges for versatile non-contact multiplexed micropatterning

Biopatterning has been increasingly used for well-defined cellular microenvironment, patterned surface topology, and guided biological cues; however, it meets challenges on biocompatibility, thermal and chemical sensitivity, as well as limited availability of reagents. In this paper, we aim at combining the desired features from non-contact inkjet printing and dot-matrix impact printing to establish a versatile multiplexed micropatterning platform, referred to as Microfluidic Impact Printer (MI-Printer), for emerging biomedical applications. Using this platform, we can achieve the distinct features of no cross-contamination, sub-microliter ink loading with a minimal dead volume, high-throughput printing, biocompatible non-contact processing, sequential patterning with self-alignment, wide adaptability for complex media (e.g., cell suspension or colloidal solutions), interchangeable/disposable cartridge design, and simple assembly and configuration, all highly desirable towards laboratory-based research and development. Specifically, the printing resolution of the MI-printer platform has been experimentally characterized and theoretically analysed. Optimal printing resolution of 80 μm has been repeatedly obtained. Furthermore, two useful functions of the MI-printer, multiplexed printing and combinatorial printing, have been experimentally demonstrated with less than 10 μm misalignment. Moreover, molecular and biological patterning, utilizing the multiplexed and combinatorial printing, has been implemented to illustrate the utility of this versatile printing technique for emerging biomedical applications.
Mechanical basis of meiotic metaphase arrest

Control of the metaphase to anaphase transition is a central component of cell-cycle regulation. Arrest at either metaphase I or II before fertilization is a common component of oogenesis in many organisms. In Drosophila melanogaster females, this arrest occurs at meiosis I with the chiasmate bivalents tightly massed at the metaphase plate and the nonexchange chromosomes positioned between the plate and the poles on long tapered spindles. Meiosis resumes only after passage through the oviduct. Thus, metaphase arrest defines an important checkpoint in the meiotic cell cycle. We report here that this arrest results from the balancing of chiasmate bivalents at the metaphase plate. Two meiotic mutations, mei-9b and mei-218a4, both of which greatly reduce the frequency of chiasma formation, bypass the metaphase block and allow stage 14 oocytes to finish both meiotic divisions without arrest. We conclude that metaphase arrest results from the balancing of kinetochore forces due to chiasmata.
Modeling Fluid-Structure Interaction

A methodology for modeling the dynamics of a structure interacting with a  uid having a free surface is addressed. In this context, a structure is either a single rigid container or a rigid container coupled to a  exible multibody system. All nonlinearities inherent in the dynamics of the structure are taken into account. Two models used to handle the  uid are described. The  rst model assumes an incompressible viscous  uid, and the second utilizes potential  ow with modi ed Rayleigh damping. Nonlinear sloshing effects are considered, and no simpli cations are made on the  eld equations and boundary conditions. The end result of the methodology is a set of  rst-order differential equations for the motion of both the structure and the  uid. Emphasis is placed on the point that the motion of the structure is not prescribed but is found as part of the solution procedure. Numerical examples and experimental results justifying the approach are presented.
Cathode voltage-gas composition-film crystallography relationships for sputter-deposited Vanadia (V2O5)

Abstract Films were grown by r.f.-excited reactive sputter deposition on -cutsilicon substrates using a vanadium target and O2-bearing discharges containing 0%–98% argon operated at four values of cathode voltage. The 4111.6 A emission line intensity from neutral excited vanadium atoms in the discharge was monitored by optical spectrometry, and these data were used to detect target surface oxidation. The region of cathode voltage-gas O2 content space over which crystalline vanadia was produced was defined. All crystalline vanadia grew with vanadyl oxygen layers oriented parallel to the substrate (b axis normal). The interlayer spacing b varied from less than to greater than b0, the value for bulk vanadia. An oxidized target surface was a requirement for an interlayer spacing b > b0 but not a guarantee of it. As the cathode voltage decreased, the critical gas O2 content at which the target surface became oxidized was shifted to lower values and the critical gas O2 content at which b > b0 was shifted to higher values, opening up a region in which crystalline vanadia with b ⪕ b0 and short-range order vanadia were produced from an oxidized target surface.
Social phobia features across the DSM-III-R anxiety disorders

One hundred sixty subjects meeting DSM-III-R criteria for the five major anxiety disorders were compared on the extent to which they reported features characteristic of social phobia. The results indicated that many patients in the anxiety disorder categories experience some degree of social anxiety. The differences between subjects with a primary diagnosis of social phobia and subjects with other anxiety disorders appear to be chiefly quantitative on this feature. Compared to the other anxiety disorders, social phobics report fear and avoidance in response to a greater number of social situations and report greater interference in their lives due to social phobic concerns. Among the anxiety disorders, generalized anxiety disorder appears to be associated with the greatest degree of social anxiety, and simple phobia with the least.
Synaptic plasticity: the effect of the action potential in the postsynaptic neuron.

Abstract Experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that the occurrence of an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron has a facilitating effect on the EPSP with which it is paired. The hypothesis was tested using intracellular recording in cells of the abdominal ganglion of Aplysia californica . In one series of experiments, a spontaneous EPSP was identified by an on-line LINC computer and was followed immediately by an induced action potential. The association of the EPSP with the action potential was measured in control periods preceding and following the periods of pairing. The spontaneous association of the EPSP with the action potential did not increase related to this pairing. In a second series of experiments, an EPSP evoked by nerve stimulation was preceded or followed by an induced action potential, and the change in amplitude of the EPSP was measured. No change in EPSP amplitude occurred. These findings do not support the hypothesis tested.
Activity-Dependent Synaptogenesis in the Adult Mammalian Cortex

Recent electron microscopic studies provide evidence that the adult cortex generates new synapses in response to sensory activity and that these structural changes can occur rapidly, within 24 hr of sensory stimulation. Together with progress imaging synapses in vivo, the stage appears set for advances in understanding the dynamics and mechanisms of experience-dependent synaptogenesis.
Local contractile and growth modulators in the myocardium.

Symptomatic congestive heart failure is the culmination of a process that evolves over many years. The long preclinical, or «incubation,» period is the setting for a broad range of so-called local activities, including those involved in myocardial remodeling. Growth factors, cytokines, and vasoactive substances are central to this dynamic process, as are different populations of myocardial and circulating cells. The effects of angiotensin, endothelin, endothelin-derived relaxing factor, transforming growth factor-beta, and platelet-derived growth factor on myocardial structure, contractile function, and blood flow are outlined. The mechanisms involved in the activation of interleukin-1 and of tumor necrosis factor are examined within the context of the pathologic process
Changes in interhemispheric amplitude relationships in the EEG during sleep

Abstract The method of integrative EEG analysis has been used to establish ratios between amplitudes in the left and right cerebral hemispheres during spontaneous sleep in man, in cats and in rabbits. The data indicate that coincident with each occurrence of a shift from a period of slow wave sleep to a period of rapid-eye movement sleep a reversal of the deviations of the individual ratios from the overall mean ratio established for the whole period of recording took place. This indicates a change in interhemispheric amplitude relationships and might be related to the differences in brain function during the two kinds of sleep.
Cell surface changes associated with cellular immune reactions in Drosophila

In Drosophila melanogaster a temperature-induced change in immune competence accompanies cell surface alterations that cause its blood cells to adhere and to encapsulate a parasite. At 29 degrees C the blood cells of the tumorous-lethal (Tuml) mutant show a high degree of immune competence and encapsulate the eggs of the parasitic wasp Leptopilina heterotoma. At 21 degrees C the blood cells are essentially immune incompetent. High percentages of lectin binding cells were found under conditions which potentiated cellular encapsulation responses. Some immune reactive blood cells did not bind lectin. The low percentages of lectin binding cells in susceptible hosts suggest that developing parasites alter the cell surface of the blood cells of immune reactive hosts.
Some Classification Results for Hyperbolic Equations F(x, y, u, ux, uy, uxx, uxy, uyy)=0

Abstract We provide a contact invariant characterization for equations of the form u xy +a(x, y, u) u x +b(x, y, u) u y +c(x, y, u)=0, u xy +a(x, y) u x +b(x, y) u y +c(x, y, u)=0, uxy+c(x, y, u)=0,uxy=0. We classify all equations of the form uxy+f(x, y, u, ux, uy)=0 for which the two Ovsiannikov's invariants are constants. These results include characterization of the Klein–Gordon equation uxy=u, the Liouville equation uxy=eu, and the class of Euler–Poisson–Darboux equations. It is shown that the wave equation uxy=0, Liouville equation, and the linear equation uxy=2u/(x+y)2 are the only variational equations Darboux integrable at level one. We also show that a hyperbolic Monge–Ampere equation Darboux integrable at level one is equivalent to an equation of type uxy+f(x, y, u, ux, uy)=0. We prove that the hyperbolic Fermi–Ulam–Pasta (FPU) equation uyy=κ(ux)2 uxx is contact equivalent to a linear equation of type uxy=c(x+y) u and we classify all FPU equations Darboux integrable at level one. We also apply our results to equations of type uxy=F(u, ux) that describe pseudo-spherical surfaces.
Extended Hardy-Littlewood inequalities and some applications

We establish conditions under which the extended Hardy-Littlewood inequality RN ∫ H(|x|, u 1 (x),..., u m (x)) dx ≤ RN ∫ H(|x|, u* 1 (x),...,u* m (x))dx, where each u i is non-negative and u* i denotes its Schwarz symmetrization, holds. We also determine appropriate monotonicity assumptions on H such that equality occurs in the above inequality if and only if each u i is Schwarz symmetric. We end this paper with some applications of our results in the calculus of variations and partial differential equations.
Proteomic Identification of 14-3-3ζ as an Adapter for IGF-1 and Akt/GSK-3β Signaling and Survival of Renal Mesangial Cells

Recently we demonstrated that IGF-1 expression is increased in the diabetic kidney and that it may involve in renal hypertrophy and extracellular matrix protein (ECM) accumulation in mesangial cells as seen in diabetic glomerulopathy. The present study investigates the molecular mechanism(s) of IGF-1 and Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3β) signaling pathway in the regulation of fibronectin and cyclin D1 expression and survival of renal mesangial cells. A proteomic approach is also employed to identify protein targets of IGF-1 signaling via GSK-3β inhibition in mesangial cells. We show that IGF-1 (100 ng/ml) significantly increases the protein kinase Akt/PKB activity (1.5-2-fold, p<0.05) within 1-5 minutes, which is completely blocked by the presence of 100 nM Wortmannin (phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase inhibitor). Akt activation is coupled with Ser9 phosphorylation and inactivation of its down-stream target GSK-3β. IGF-1 increases the cyclic AMP-responsive element (CRE) binding transcription factor CREB phosphorylation at Ser 133 and CRE-binding activity in mesangial cells, which parallels cyclin D1 and fibronectin expressions. Both proteins are known to have CRE-sequences in their promoter regions upstream of the transcription start site. Suppression of GSK-3β by SB216763 (100 nM) increases CREB phosphorylation, cyclin D1 and fibronectin levels. Two dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis of mesangial proteins reveals that IGF-1 treatment or an inhibition of GSK-3β increases the expression of the phosphorylated Ser/Thr binding signal adapter protein 14-3-3ζ. Immuno-precipitation of 14-3-3ζ followed by Western blotting validates the association of phosphorylated GSK-3β with 14-3-3ζ in renal mesangial cells. Stable expression of a constitutively active GSK-3β(Ser9Ala) induces cell death while overexpression of HA-tagged 14-3-3ζ increases cell viability as measured by MTT assays. These results indicate that the Akt/GSK-3β pathway and the adapter protein 14-3-3ζ may play an important role in IGF-1 signaling and survival of mesangial cells in diabetic nephropathy.
Applied epidemiology and environmental health: Emerging controversies

Abstract This review article assesses the state of the science in environmental epidemiology, not by summarizing current scientific findings but rather by examining conceptual controversies in the study of how environmental factors influence human health. This approach seems necessary because environmental epidemiology presently stands at a crossroads—in fact, at a number of overlapping crossroads. The field teems with epistemologic debates concerning appropriate paradigms for framing research questions, interpreting data, and applying research findings to policy. The present review focuses on emerging controversies related to three questions: What is considered “environmental”? What counts as credible research in environmental epidemiology? And what does “applied epidemiology” mean in the context of environmental health? The goal is to organize the presently fragmented critical literature on these issues and to promote productive dialogue by identifying central themes in current conceptual debates.
Scenarios of Transformation: The Changing Consequences of Old and New Migrations

This book is both monograph and manifesto. If studies of international migration are too often about immigration to a single place at one time, this volume is relentlessly comparative. It bundles m...
Design of an exact nonlinear model follower for the control of large angle rotational maneuvers

The rigid body attitude control problem with external torques is transformed into equivalent linear form implementable by three double integrators. The linearizing transformations themselves are formulated in vector algebra, requiring no integrators for implementation. It is thereby shown that optimal command generation for fast slewing maneuvers can be carried out exactly in the transformed systems, together with regulator design without gain scheduling for correction of unmodelled disturbances.
fMRI activation in a visual-perception task: network of areas detected using the general linear model and independent components analysis.

The Motor-Free Visual Perception Test, revised (MVPT-R), provides a measure of visual perceptual processing. It involves different cognitive elements including visual discrimination, spatial relationships, and mental rotation. We adapted the MVPT-R to an event-related functional MRI (fMRI) environment to investigate the brain regions involved in the interrelation of these cognitive elements. Two complementary analysis methods were employed to characterize the fMRI data: (a) a general linear model SPM approach based upon a model of the time course and a hemodynamic response estimate and (b) independent component analysis (ICA), which does not constrain the specific shape of the time course per se, although we did require it to be at least transiently task-related. Additionally, we implemented ICA in a novel way to create a group average that was compared with the SPM group results. Both methods yielded similar, but not identical, results and detected a network of robustly activated visual, inferior parietal, and frontal eye-field areas as well as thalamus and cerebellum. SPM appeared to be the more sensitive method and has a well-developed theoretical approach to thresholding. The ICA method segregated functional elements into separate maps and identified additional regions with extended activation in response to presented events. The results demonstrate the utility of complementary analyses for fMRI data and suggest that the cerebellum may play a significant role in visual perceptual processing. Additionally, results illustrate functional connectivity between frontal eye fields and prefrontal and parietal regions.
Second Language Acquisition: Perceptions and Possibilities.

In this article I shall attempt to characterize some of the stresses and strains experienced by researchers in the field of second language acquisition (SLA), both intellectual and personal. I shall offer my perspective on how we are responding, and how we should be responding, to those stresses and strains. Together with this discussion of academic politics, I will interweave two research lines I consider important, research lines unique to the field of SLA, which should have impact both on linguistic theory making and on appropriate pedagogical decisions involving language classrooms.
Comparison of Pharyngeal, Fecal, and Cloacal Samples for the Isolation of Chlamydia Psittaci from Experimentally Infected Cockatiels and Turkeys

Direct comparisons were made of chlamydial isolation rates from pharyngeal swabs, fecal samples, and cloacal swabs from cockatiels and pharyngeal and cloacal swabs from turkeys experimentally infected with Chlamydia psittaci. During pathogenesis studies, 133 paired specimens were collected from cockatiels and 118 paired specimens were collected from turkeys. Of the 51 cockatiel chlamydial infections detected, 80.4% were positive by the pharyngeal swab sample, 45.1% were positive by the fecal swab sample, and 37.3% were positive by the cloacal swab sample. Of the 87 turkey infections detected, 93.1% were positive by the pharyngeal swab sample and 77.0% were positive by the cloacal swab. The pharyngeal swabs were the most reliable sample for isolation of chlamydia from live birds. However, no single sampling site yielded positive results from all infected birds. Specimens from multiple sites are recommended because a number of infected birds were identified by isolation from only 1 sample.
Failure of hysterectomy to influence the normal pattern of cyclic progesterone secretion in the rhesus monkey.

Hysterectomy of 4 rhesus monkeys did not influence the length of postoperative ovarian cycles or the duration of the elevated peripheral plasma progesterone concentrations during the luteal phase of the cycle. These observations lead to the conclusion that, in the rhesus monkey, the uterus does not play a major role in the regulation of luteal function. (Endocrinology 84: 464, X969)
Maat and Order in African Cosmology: A Conceptual Tool for Understanding Indigenous Knowledge

Maat is a comprehensive construct that existed throughout ancient Egyptian civilization. Cosmologically, maat is the principle of order that informs the creation of the universe. Religiously, maat ...
Odontogenic hamartomas in an inbred strain of mouse (STR-1N).

SummaryHamartomas of the incisor teeth develop in 48 of 62 mandibles of one-year or older STR/1N mice that had been fed a soft diet. Development of the lesions was further increased by incorporation of 50 PPM of NaF in the drinking water. Comparable growths were never seen in A/LN mice whether they received fluoride or not, nor in STR/IN mice eating a pelleted chow.We are indebted to Dr. Paul N. Baer for valuable suggestions and to Mrs. Priscilla Auvil for technical assistance.
Functional embedding for the classification of gene expression profiles

Motivation: Low sample size n high-dimensional large p data with n<p are commonly encountered in genomics and statistical genetics. Ill-conditioning of the variance-covariance matrix for such data renders the traditional multivariate data analytical approaches unattractive. On the other side, functional data analysis (FDA) approaches are designed for infinite-dimensional data and therefore may have potential for the analysis of large p data. We herein propose a functional embedding (FEM) technique, which exploits the interface between multivariate and functional data, aiming at borrowing strength across the sample through FDA techniques in order to resolve the difficulties caused by the high dimension p. Results: Using pairwise dissimilarities among predictor variables, one obtains a univariate configuration of these covariates. This is interpreted as variable ordination that defines the domain of a suitable function space, thus leading to the FEM of the high-dimensional data. The embedding may then be followed by functional logistic regression for the classification of high-dimensional multivariate data as an example for downstream analysis. The resulting functional classification is evaluated on several published gene expression array datasets and a mass spectrometric data, and is shown to compare favorably with various methods that have been employed previously for the classification of these high-dimensional gene expression profiles. Availability: The implementation of FEM and Classification via Functional Embedding (CFEM) as described in this article was done with the PACE package written in Matlab. The latest version of PACE is publicly accessible at http://anson.ucdavis.edu/~mueller/data/programs.html. An example MATLAB script for FEM is available at http://www.lehigh.edu/~psw205/psw205.html Contact:psw205@lehigh.edu; mueller@wald.ucdavis.edu
Are water simulation models consistent with steady-state and ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy experiments?

Vibrational spectroscopy can provide important information about structure and dynamics in liquids. In the case of liquid water, this is particularly true for isotopically dilute HOD/D2O and HOD/H2O systems. Infrared and Raman line shapes for these systems were measured some time ago. Very recently, ultrafast three-pulse vibrational echo experiments have been performed on these systems, which provide new, exciting, and important dynamical benchmarks for liquid water. There has been tremendous theoretical effort expended on the development of classical simulation models for liquid water. These models have been parameterized from experimental structural and thermodynamic measurements. The goal of this paper is to determine if representative simulation models are consistent with steady-state, and especially with these new ultrafast, experiments. Such a comparison provides information about the accuracy of the dynamics of these simulation models. We perform this comparison using theoretical methods developed in previous papers, and calculate the experimental observables directly, without making the Condon and cumulant approximations, and taking into account molecular rotation, vibrational relaxation, and finite excitation pulses. On the whole, the simulation models do remarkably well; perhaps the best overall agreement with experiment comes from the SPC/E model. � 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Enhanced IgA Class Switching in Marginal Zone and B1 B Cells Relative to Follicular/B2 B Cells

Mouse splenic marginal zone (MZ) B cells and B1 B cells enriched in the peritoneal cavity respond preferentially to T cell-independent Ags compared with follicular (FO)/B2 B cells. Despite the differential responses of B cell subsets to various stimuli, and despite the need for multiple stimuli to induce IgA class switching, the relative contribution of B cell subpopulations to IgA production is unknown. By culturing purified B cell populations, we find that MZ and peritoneal B1 cells switch more readily to IgA than do splenic FO or peritoneal B2 cells in BLyS/LPS/TGF-β. Addition of IL-4, IL-5, and anti-IgD dextran to the cultures enhances IgA switching in FO/B2 and MZ B cells to a similar frequency, but this treatment suppresses IgA class switching in B1 cells. Thus, IgA switching differs among purified B cell subsets, suggesting that individual B cell populations could contribute differentially to IgA expression in vivo, depending on available stimuli.
Anti‐Basement Membrane Antibodies in Immunologic Renal Disease

Anti-basement membrane antibodies are now being associated with an increasing spectrum of disease, including Goodpasture's syndrome, rapidly progressive and occasionally milder forms of glomerulonephritis (GN), tubulointerstitial nephritis, pulmonary damage, and potentially other forms of tissue injury. We have developed a radioimmunoassay to detect circulating antiglomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibodies. The antigens for this assay are derived from the noncollagenous portion of the GBM remaining after collagenase digestion. After immunoabsorptive purification, the major antigens precipitated by human anti-GBM antibodies can be characterized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) into an unresolved high molecular weight fraction and two antigenic peaks of 54,000 and 27,000 daltons. The noncollagenous nature of the antigenic material has been confirmed by amino acid analysis. The radiolabelled antigen has proven useful in detecting circulating anti-GBM antibodies in over 500 patients. The assay is of use in monitoring the activity of disease and judging the patient's response to therapy. It is also useful in determining the timing of renal transplantation, if required. Differences in antigenic content of glomerular and tubular basement membranes (TBM) have been noted between individuals. These antigenic differences, under certain circumstances, can lead to the induction of anti-basement membrane antibody responses after transplantation.
Performance Assessment of the Fecal Leukocyte Test for Inpatients

Traditionally, fecal leukocyte testing detects large bowel inflammation or disruption, conditions that allow leukocytes into the stool. However, test usefulness with inpatients is unclear. Two hundred five inpatients who had undergone one to three tests were identified, and their FLT results were compared to their gastrointestinal disease diagnoses at time of discharge. A specificity of 92% for detecting intact colonic mucosae in inpatients was found.
3D Laser scan registration of dual-robot system using vision

This paper presents a novel technique to register a set of two 3D laser scans obtained from a ground robot and a wall-climbing robot which operates on the ceiling to construct a complete map of the indoor environment. Traditional laser scan registration methods like the Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm will not converge to a global minimum without a good initial estimate of the transformation matrix. Our technique uses an overhead camera on the wall-climbing robot to keep line of sight with the ground robot and solves the Perspective Three Point (P3P) Problem to obtain the transformation matrix between the wall-climbing robot and the ground robot, which serves as a good initial estimate for the ICP algorithm to further refine the transformation matrix. We propose a novel particle filter algorithm to identify the real pose of the wall-climbing robot out of up to four possible solutions to P3P problem using Grunert's algorithm. The initial estimate ensures convergence of the ICP algorithm to a global minimum at all times. The simulation and experimental results indicate that the resulting composite laser map is accurate. In addition, the vision-based approach increases the efficiency by reducing the number of iterations of the ICP algorithm.
Fenestrated Cannulae with Outflow Reduces Fluid Gain in Shoulder Arthroscopy

Soft tissue fluid retention is a common problem after arthroscopy, with as much as 2% of patients having complications develop. A fenestrated outflow cannula has been introduced to reduce interstitial swelling. We tested the ability of this outflow cannula design to reduce fluid weight gain. We enrolled 28 patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy and randomized them into two groups using fenestrated outflow versus conventional cannulae. The conventional group had greater weight gain as a function of the procedure duration than the fenestrated outflow group (slope = 0.542 ± 1.160 kg/hour versus 0.0144 ± 0.932 kg/hour). The conventional group also had greater weight gain as a function of fluid volume than the fenestrated outflow group (slope = 0.022 ± 0.038 kg/L versus 0.002 ± 0.341 kg/L). Compared with conventional nonoutflow cannulae, fenestrated outflow cannulae with negative pressure reduced weight gain associated with longer arthroscopic surgeries and increased arthroscopic fluid volume.
Pressure gradient determination by three dimensional Doppler ultrasound using a modified Bernoulli equation

Three-dimensional Doppler ultrasound was used to determine pressure gradients in an in vitro model of a velocity jet. Doppler velocity determinations were within 3.85% of actual velocities, and the pressure gradients predicted by these velocities were within 2.85% of the pressures predicted by the Bernoulli equation. A proposed modification of the Bernoulli equation was used to account for the differences between pressures predicted by the theoretical Bernoulli equation and the actual measured pressures, which varied by as much as 16.86%. The modified Bernoulli equation contains a first-order term in velocity, derived from the Navier-Stokes equations, to estimate the frictional loss in a circular tube. The application of a modified Bernoulli equation is discussed for predicting degree of stenosis in clinical applications. >
Social constructivism: Infusion into the multicultural science education research agenda

This article focuses on (a) theoretical underpinnings of social constructivism and multicultural education and (b) aspects of social constructivism that can provide frameworks for research in multicultural science education. According to the author, multicultural science education is “a field of inquiry with constructs, methodologies, and processes aimed at providing equitable opportunities for all students to learn quality science.” Multicultural science education research continues to be influenced by class, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, and different lifestyles; however, another appropriate epistemology for this area of research is social constructivism. The essence of social constructivism and its implications for multicultural science education research includes an understanding of whatever realities might be constructed by individuals from various cultural groups and how these realities can be reconstituted, if necessary, to include a scientific reality. Hence, multicultural science education should be a field of study in which many science education researchers are generating new knowledge. The author strives to persuade other researchers to expand their research and teaching efforts into multicultural science education, a blending of social constructivism with multicultural science education. This blending is illustrated in the final section of this article. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.