cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ionization volumes by means of direct dilatometry

A rapid and convenient new technique is described to determine ionization volumes directly by means of dilatometry. In this method, acid and base solutions of appropriate strength are ‘stacked’ and mixed after an initial reading is made. Each solution is also treated similarly with solvent alone. The ionization volumes of water and of several weak acids and bases in water have been calculated from the data. They generally compare quite well with literature values determined by more elaborate means; several new results are also reported.
Observation of high-lying vibrational predissociation states of H+5

Abstract A photodissociation spectrum of H + 5 between 5400 and 10000 cm −1 has been measured by monitoring the H + 3 photofragment yield. Four new bands have been observed at 6690, 7130, 7490, and 7770 cm −1 , and they are interpreted to be vibrational predissociation bands resulted from excited 2ν 2 , ν 1 + ν 2 , 2ν 1 and 2ν 1 + ν 8 modes of H + 5 . The observed bands are broad; their rotational structures were not resolved by the 1 cm −1 linewidth of the laser. Combining the results of this work with those of Okumura et al., we have obtained harmonic frequencies and anharmonicity constants of the v 1 and v 2 bands: ω 1 = 4400 cm −1 , ω 2 = 4060 cm −1 , x 11 = −170 cm −1 , x 22 = −190 cm −1 , and x 12 = −310 cm −1 . Comparison of these results with the available theoretical results is given.
The Polg Mutator Phenotype Does Not Cause Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration in DJ-1-Deficient Mice.

Abstract Mutations in the DJ-1 gene cause autosomal recessive parkinsonism in humans. Several mouse models of DJ-1 deficiency have been developed, but they do not have dopaminergic neuron cell death in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage occurs frequently in the aged human SNpc but not in the mouse SNpc. We hypothesized that the reason DJ-1 -deficient mice do not have dopaminergic cell death is due to an absence of mtDNA damage. We tested this hypothesis by crossing DJ-1 -deficient mice with mice that have similar amounts of mtDNA damage in their SNpc as aged humans ( Polg mutator mice). At 1 year of age, we counted the amount of SNpc dopaminergic neurons in the mouse brains using both colorimetric and fluorescent staining followed by unbiased stereology. No evidence of dopaminergic cell death was observed in DJ-1 -deficient mice with the Polg mutator mutation. Furthermore, we did not observe any difference in dopaminergic terminal immunostaining in the striatum of these mice. Finally, we did not observe any changes in the amount of GFAP-positive astrocytes in the SNpc of these mice, indicative of a lack of astrogliosis. Altogether, our findings demonstrate the DJ-1 -deficient mice, Polg mutator mice, and DJ-1 -deficient Polg mutator mice have intact nigrastriatal pathways. Thus, the lack of mtDNA damage in the mouse SNpc does not underlie the absence of dopaminergic cell death in DJ-1 -deficient mice.
Each join-completion of a partially ordered set in the solution of a universal problem

The main result of this paper is the theorem in the title. Only special cases of it seem to be known so far. As an application, we obtain a result on the unique extension of Galois connexions. As a matter of fact, it is only by the use of Galois connexions that we obtain the main result, in its present generality.
Optimal control of mechanical systems subjected to periodic loading via chebyshev polynomials

Controllers using full-state feedback and observer-based feedback for mechanical systems subjected to periodic follower loads are designed in this paper. The designs are accomplished using an algebraic method incorporating Chebyshev polynomials coupled with principles of optimal control theory. The major advantage of this method is that it transforms differential equations with periodic coefficients to linear algebraic equations. Also, a dual-system approach to design observers for such periodic systems turns out to be a novel technique and appears to have been employed for the first time. As an example of a mechanical system a triple inverted pendulum subjected to a periodic follower load is chosen and it is shown that both types of controllers can be successfully designed. The computational aspects and the suitability of this method for higher-order mechanical systems are studied by applying it to one through five-mass inverted pendulum models. The efficiency of the method is checked against the Runge–Kutta, Adams–Moulton and Gear numerical algorithms available in the IMSL software package by comparing the CPU time taken to evaluate the characteristic exponents of the Floquet transition matrix (FTM) as well as the norm of the control vector at the end of one period. It is shown that the proposed technique becomes much more efficient for higher-order systems.
Tools and techniques for transferring know‐how from boomers to gamers

How well boomers transfer their knowledge to younger employees (gamers∥ may well determine which organizations maintain their competitive edge during the next decade. But boomers' and gamers' preferred learning styles are as different as night and day, and conventional approaches may hinder rather than aid knowledge transfer. Fortunately, companies can learn a lot from gamers about sharing knowledge. Instant messaging, blogs, wikis, RSS feeds, and podcasts—technologies gamers already use extensively outside the work environment to obtain information—are efficient, low-cost tools for informal learning that companies can incorporate into an enterprise strategy for capturing and distributing business- and job-critical know-how before it's too late. © 2007 Karl M. Kapp.
The clinician educator

The mission of a traditional academic medical center with a medical school typically includes excellent patient care, education of future physicians, and the creation of new medical knowledge. In the last twenty-five years, as academic medical centers rapidly expanded their clinical services, they began to hire more full-time clinician educators to meet the demands for clinical services and the education of future physicians. When I started my medical career, traditional academic medical centers hired a small cadre of physicians who were full-time faculty, who saw patients for two half-days per week and/or operated one or two days a week, who supervised inpatient patient care, and who provided education of medical students and residents. As the competition for research funding intensified in the last few decades, many of these faculty members devoted even more time to research and restricted their already limited activities in clinical care and education. Academic physicians engaged in the traditional triad have rapidly disappeared, especially in tenure tracks. In academic medicine, the research portion still predominates in the reward and promotion systems of traditional academic medical centers. The emphasis on research as the basis for the promotion of clinician scientists and tenured faculty has left the clinical care and education to clinician educators. Most clinician educators, especially surgeons, spend 85% to 90% of their time caring for patients and teaching residents and medical students. Clinician educators, while excelling at teaching and clinical care, now have little time to conduct any type of research. In the last two …
Flavonoids Are Inhibitors of Human Organic Anion Transporter 1 (OAT1)–Mediated Transport

Organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1) has been reported to be involved in the nephrotoxicity of many anionic xenobiotics. As current clinically used OAT1 inhibitors are often associated with safety issues, identifying potent OAT1 inhibitors with little toxicity is of great value in reducing OAT1-mediated drug nephrotoxicity. Flavonoids are a class of polyphenolic compounds with exceptional safety records. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of 18 naturally occurring flavonoids, and some of their glycosides, on the uptake of para-aminohippuric acid (PAH) in both OAT1-expressing and OAT1-negative LLC-PK1 cells. Most flavonoid aglycones produced substantial decreases in PAH uptake in OAT1-expressing cells. Among the flavonoids screened, fisetin, luteolin, morin, and quercetin exhibited the strongest effect and produced complete inhibition of OAT1-mediated PAH uptake at a concentration of 50 μM. Further concentration-dependent studies revealed that both morin and luteolin are potent OAT1 inhibitors, with IC50 values of <0.3 and 0.47 μM, respectively. In contrast to the tested flavonoid aglycones, all flavonoid glycosides had negligible or small effects on OAT1. In addition, the role of OAT1 in the uptake of fisetin, luteolin, morin, and quercetin was investigated and fisetin was found to be a substrate of OAT1. Taken together, our results indicate that flavonoids are a novel class of OAT1 modulators. Considering the high consumption of flavonoids in the diet and in herbal products, OAT1-mediated flavonoid-drug interactions may be clinically relevant. Further investigation is warranted to evaluate the nephroprotective role of flavonoids in relation to drug-induced nephrotoxicity mediated by the OAT1 pathway.
Can Cancer Drugs Treat Immunodeficiency

The usual arduous path to the discovery and implementation of a new medical therapy is to start at the “bench” with the characterization of a molecular aberration in a specific disease (such as a type of cancer), assess its function, design a drug, and eventually bring that intervention to “bedside” through clinical trials. Rarely, if ever, does the path start at bedside with patients who share a profile of symptoms, lead back to the bench where the gathering of mutation data defines a new disease, and then move forward again to bedside. But on page 866 of this issue, Angulo et al. ( 1 ) show that just such a route has led to the discovery of a new genetic immune deficiency disease, with a drug that is potentially at-the-ready for therapy (see the figure). The study emphasizes the power of exome (DNA coding regions) sequencing to identify causative mutations in rare diseases.
Place Value: An Explanation of Its Difficulty and Educational Implications for the Primary Grades

Abstract Recent research has shown that place value remains difficult in third and fourth grade, in spite of the fact that it is taught repeatedly in every primary grade. This study was conducted to understand the cognitive processes underlying this difficulty. A counting task was devised, based on Piaget's theory of number, to find out if children in grades 1–5 are constructing a system of tens on a system of ones. Only some children in grades 2–5 evidenced this construction. The implications of the findings for place value instruction are discussed, with observations from second grade classrooms in which children are encouraged to invent their own ways of doing double-column addition.
Generalized quasilinearization method and higher order of convergence for second-order boundary value problems

The method of generalized quasilinearization for second-order boundary value problems has been extended when the forcing function is the sum of -hyperconvex and -hyperconcave functions. We develop two sequences under suitable conditions which converge to the unique solution of the boundary value problem. Furthermore, the convergence is of order . Finally, we provide numerical examples to show the application of the generalized quasilinearization method developed here for second-order boundary value problems.
Low sulfur content in submarine lavas: An unreliable indicator of subaerial eruption

Low S content (< 250 ppm) has been used to identify subaerially erupted Hawaiian and Icelandic lavas. Large differences in S content of submarine-erupted lavas from different tectonic settings indicate that the behavior of S is complex. Variations is S abundance in undegassed, submarine-erupted lavas can result from different source compositions, different percentages of partial melting, and crystal fractionation. Low S concentrations in highly vesicular submarine lavas suggest that partial degassing can occur despite great hydrostatic pressure. These processes need to be evaluated before using S content as an indicator of eruption depth.
Potential animal model of multiple chemical sensitivity with cholinergic supersensitivity.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a clinical phenomenon in which individuals, after acute or intermittent exposure to one or more chemicals, commonly organophosphate pesticides (OPs), become overly sensitive to a wide variety of chemically-unrelated compounds, which can include ethanol, caffeine and other psychotropic drugs. The Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) rats were selectively bred to be more sensitive to the OP diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) compared to their control counterparts, the Flinders Resistant Line (FRL) rats. The present paper will summarize evidence which indicates that the FSL rats exhibit certain similarities to individuals with MCS. In addition to their greater sensitivity to DFP, the FSL rats are more sensitive to nicotine and the muscarinic agonists arecoline and oxotremorine, suggesting that the number of cholinergic receptors may be increased, a conclusion now supported by biochemical evidence. The FSL rats have also been found to exhibit enhanced responses to a variety of other drugs, including the serotonin agonists m-chlorophenylpiperazine and 8-OH-DPAT, the dopamine antagonist raclopride, the benzodiazepine diazepam, and ethanol. MCS patients report enhanced responses to many of these drugs, indicating some parallels between FSL rats and MCS patients. The FSL rats also exhibit reduced activity and appetite and increased REM sleep relative to their FRL controls. Because these behavioral features and the enhanced cholinergic responses are also observed in human depressives, the FSL rats have been proposed as a genetic animal model of depression. It has also been reported that MCS patients have a greater incidence of depression, both before and after onset of their chemical sensitivities, so cholinergic supersensitivity may be a state predisposing individuals to depressive disorders and/or MCS. Further exploration of the commonalties and differences between MCS patients, human depressives, and FSL rats will help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying MCS and could lead to diagnostic approaches and treatments beneficial to MCS patients.
Sea Grant's role: sharing with the community the goal of fostering ecologically-sound, and economically-viable, aquaculture

US aquaculture is one of the fastest growing segments of US agriculture; however, as aquaculture expands, a number of environmental, regulatory, and socioeconomic concerns threaten to constrain further development of the industry. This presents unique challenges to the Sea Grant network. Although Sea Grant encourages the commercial development of aquaculture, it must work with local communities to promote the goal of fostering ecologically-sound and economically-viable aquaculture in the USA. Sea Grant supports aquaculture through an integrated method of research, education and extension. Both National and State Sea Grant Programs support competitive research programs. State Sea Grant programs also employ a number of extension specialists who work directly with the aquaculture industry and various other stakeholders including industry associations, regulatory agencies, researchers, educators, and the general public. These specialists facilitate communication among stakeholders, and offer technology transfer, technical assistance, and educational programs to further the development of the industry in their respective States. Extension specialists communicate industry issues, research needs, and challenges back to the Sea Grant network. Sea Grant, through its research, education, and extension programs, has made significant progress in identifying and solving key problems impeding the expansion of USA.
Disparate Effects of Calmodulin Inhibitors on Corneal Epithelial Migration in Rabbit and Rat

We investigated the effects of two calmodulin inhibitors, trifluoperazine and N-6-aminohexyl-5-chloro-l-naphthalenesulfonamide, on corneal epithelial wound closure in rabbits and rats. Measured, round
Cog-Fi: A cognitive Wi-Fi Channel Hopping architecture for urban MANETs

The success of wireless networks has increased the competition for wireless resources in unlicensed bands by a plethora of wireless devices. Mobile devices that operate in the unlicensed band and are not semi-permanently associated with an access point (either residential or business) find it increasingly difficult to compete in the crowded spectrum. An interesting solution is to equip the mobiles with cognitive radios and allow them to identify the set of least occupied channels and hop across them. In our previous work, we have developed the Cognitive Channel Hopping (CCH) protocol, which utilizes a subset of multiple lightly loaded channels, avoiding channels with heavy external interference. While any routing protocol can work with CCH, conventional protocols like DSR and AODV are not well-suited for CCH networks, as they are not designed to work with multiple channels (in the same MANET) and do not take into account other factors that affect the network performance, such as link rates and channel load. In this work, we define a network architecture Cog-Fi, which exploits CCH over multiple channels in MANETs. We devise a routing protocol called CH-LQSR, which further increases the network performance when used in conjunction with CCH. Our evaluation shows that Cog-Fi can exploit channel diversity without explicit coordination. It outperforms conventional approaches in MANET scenarios with multiple flows and heavy external interference.
The Impact of Field Trips and Family Involvement on Mental Models of the Desert Environment.

This study examined the mental models of the desert environment held by fourth‐ and seventh‐grade students in the USA and whether those mental models could be affected by: (1) classroom field trips to a desert riparian preserve, and (2) interaction with family members at the same preserve. Results generally indicated that students in this study were resolute in their models and that field trips did not impact the types of models students adhered to. Twenty‐three seventh‐grade students who self‐selected to participate in a Family Science Club with their parents did demonstrate a shift in their mental models and developed significantly more sophisticated models over time. A critical implication of the study is that unless transformation of mental models of the environment is an explicit goal of instruction, simple exposure to the environment (even within the context of life science instruction) will not transform understandings of how organisms within an environment act and interact interdependently.
Optical and vibrational dephasing in crystals: Theory and experiment

The linewidths of both optical and vibrational transitions in crystals are often dominated by adiabatic coupling to phonons. We have recently developed a nonperturbative theory of dephasing due to the above, and have considered models for coupling to acoustic, optical, and pseudolocal phonons. We apply our theoretical results to optical experiments on NaF:Cu+ by Pack and McClure, and to vibrational experiments on the 766 cm-1ϵ8 mode of pure naphthalene by Hess and Prasad and Schosser and Dlott.
Why the Universe started from a low entropy state

We show that the inclusion of backreaction of massive long wavelengths imposes dynamical constraints on the allowed phase space of initial conditions for inflation, which results in a superselection rule for the initial conditions. Only high energy inflation is stable against collapse due to the gravitational instability of massive perturbations. We present arguments to the effect that the initial conditions problem cannot be meaningfully addressed by thermostatistics as far as the gravitational degrees of freedom are concerned. Rather, the choice of the initial conditions for the universe in the phase space and the emergence of an arrow of time have to be treated as a dynamic selection.
The application of computerized content analysis of speech to the diagnostic process in a psychiatric outpatient clinic

Twenty-five new psychiatric outpatient were clinically evaluated and were routinely administered a brief psychological screening battery which included measures of symptoms, personality, and cognitive function. Included in this assessment procedure were the Gottschalk-Gleser Content Analysis Scales on which scores were derived from five-minute speech samples by means of an artificial intelligence-based computer program. Intercorrelations of these content analysis measures with scores obtained from the MMPI-2, SCL90, and other measures confirmed previously published construct validation findings. The use of this computerized content analysis procedure for initial, rapid diagnostic neuropsychiatric appraisal is supported by this research.
Nitrosative stress and redox-cycling agents synergize to cause mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death in endothelial cells.

Nitric oxide production by the endothelium is required for normal vascular homeostasis; however, in conditions of oxidative stress, interactions of nitric oxide with reactive oxygen species (ROS) are thought to underlie endothelial dysfunction. Beyond canonical nitric oxide signaling pathways, nitric oxide production results in the post-translational modification of protein thiols, termed S-nitrosation. The potential interplay between S-nitrosation and ROS remains poorly understood and is the focus of the current study. The effects of the S-nitrosating agent S-nitrosocysteine (CysNO) in combination with redox-cycling agents was examined in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). CysNO significantly impairs mitochondrial function and depletes the NADH/NAD+ pool; however, these changes do not result in cell death. When faced with the additional stressor of a redox-cycling agent used to generate ROS, further loss of NAD+ occurs, and cellular ATP pools are depleted. Cellular S-nitrosothiols also accumulate, and cell death is triggered. These data demonstrate that CysNO sensitizes endothelial cells to redox-cycling agent-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death and identify attenuated degradation of S-nitrosothiols as one potential mechanism for the enhanced cytotoxicity.
Bromine-associated defect centers in irradiated ZrF4-based glasses

ZrF4BaF3LaF3AlF3NaF (ZBLAN) glasses batched with small additions of NaBr were examined by electron spin resonance (ESR) following their exposure to 100-keV X-rays at 77 K or 60Co γ-rays at room temperature. Two sets of radiation-induced ESR spectral features observed for certain of the doped glasses, but not for the undoped control samples, are identified, with the assistance of computer line shape simulation methods, as arising from B2− and FBr− molecular ions. It is suggested that ESR detection of these species may serve as a diagnostic for bromide impurities in fluoride glasses. The method is used to investigate the retention of bromides by ZBLAN glasses melted under various conditions.
Rheolytic thrombectomy in patient with massive pulmonary embolism: a case report and review of literature.

Objective: Despite advances in management with thrombolytic therapy or open embolectomy, the mortality rate remains high in patients with massive pulmonary embolism (MPE). Background: We present a case of 51-year-female patient who collapsed while jogging and was brought to the Emergency Department. Upon arrival, she was found to have marked hypotension and hypoxia. EKG showed marked ST T abnormalities suggestive of anterior and lateral ischemia. Blood was drawn for labs. Patient received aspirin, heparin, and was transferred to cardiac catheterization laboratory. Methods: Coronary angiogram revealed normal epicardial coronaries. A pigtail catheter was inserted through right femoral vein and pulmonary angiogram was performed. It revealed bilateral MPE. Tissue plasminogen activator was initiated as per standard protocol. A 7-French aspiration catheter (Export, Medtronic Vascular, Santa Rosa, CA) was used without any success. Rheolytic thrombectomy (RT) (AngioJet, Possis, Minneapolis, MN) was performed successfully with adjunctive local and systemic thrombolytic therapy. Immediate pulmonary angiogram showed increased perfusion through right pulmonary artery. Her hemodynamic status improved significantly. Patient was discharged home after 8 days of hospitalization. Patient remains on lifelong anticoagulation therapy and she continues to remain stable at 20 months follow up. Conclusions: RT with adjunctive localized and systematic thrombolytic therapy was performed successfully in this patient with MPE and significant hemodynamic compromise. In our patient who was very unstable from cardio-respiratory perspective with maximized hemodynamic support, RT device use was life saving. RT has an advantage of not dispersing emboli particles to the distal pulmonary circulation. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Mononuclear phagocyte diversity in the intestine

Present in all organs, mononuclear phagocytes consist of a heterogeneous population of hematopoietic cells whose main role is to ensure tissue homeostasis through their ability to scavenge cell debris, promote tissue repair and maintain tolerance to self-antigens while simultaneously inducing innate and adaptive immune responses against foreign antigens that breach the tissue. The intestinal mucosa is particularly exposed to foreign antigen, through constant exposure to high loads of commensal bacteria and dietary antigens as well as providing a site of entry for viral and bacterial pathogens. The molecular mechanisms that control the intestinal ability to distinguish between “innocuous” and “dangerous” antigens remains poorly understood although it is clear that mononuclear phagocytes play a key role in this process. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of heterogeneous origin of the mononuclear phagocytes that inhabit the intestinal mucosa and discusses how developmental diversity allows for functional diversity to ensure intestinal integrity.
Factors associated with medication adherence in hypertensive blacks: a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND Rates of medication adherence are low among hypertensive blacks despite numerous interventions to increase their adherence. PURPOSE The aim of the study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to understand the factors associated with medication adherence in hypertensive blacks. METHODS A systematic computer search of qualitative and quantitative studies that examined factors associated with medication adherence in hypertensive blacks from 1966 to 2010 was performed. Studies were excluded if medication adherence was not either the primary or secondary outcome variable. RESULTS Studies (n = 18) were cross-sectional or qualitative, measured adherence via self-report, and conducted in low-income blacks. Factors that were associated with medication adherence were self-efficacy, depression, patient-provider communication, and healthcare system related. CONCLUSIONS Findings from existing studies should be interpreted with caution because of their methodological limitations. Longitudinal studies with heterogeneous samples of hypertensive blacks are imperative so that targeted interventions can be developed for this vulnerable population. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Even though there are methodological limitations associated with existing studies, clinicians may want to consider some of the factors that were associated with medication adherence in this systematic review as they provide care for hypertensive blacks. Given that self-efficacy and patient-provider communication are modifiable factors, they can be the focus of interventions to increase medication adherence. Finally, clinicians may want to screen their hypertensive patients for depression and treat, if necessary.
On Making a Good Impression

THE PROBLEMS and questions involved in "making a good impres sion" are serious and important to everyone, but perhaps especially so to adolescents, who frequently have not yet achieved a very full un derstanding, either of themselves, or of the expectations of other peo ple in general. The present study is concerned with this problem of "making a good impression, " and seeks to identify and point out the changes in emphasis and response which adolescents characteristi cally employ when attempting to present themselves in the best pos sible light. Stated in another way, the aim of the investigation is to explore the psychology of making a good impression in order to deter mine what this concept actually means to adolescents, over and above their more usual and everyday behavior. The research design utilized in this investigation would seem to be simple and straightforward, and well-suited to a study of the problem as stated above. In essence, it consisted of giving a specially designed questionnaire to adolescent samples, first in a "normal, " or conven tional testing situation, and then a second administration with instruc tions to present oneself in the best possible light. Comparing the two performances then permitted the specification of differentiating fac tors and items, and the discovery of evidence bearing directly on the general question raised. The questionnaire itself was devised partially on the basis of pre vious empirical evidence (1, 2, 3), and partially on speculative (theo retical) grounds. An especial attempt was made to secure items which would have relevance from the social-psychological and role playing points of view, since it seems obvious that "making a good impression'' falls within the purview of both. The questionnaire as finally assembled comprised 115 items, such as "I would rather let a wrong go unnoticed than start a disturbance or argument, " "I don't like to have people standing around and telling me what to do, " and "I would rather go without something than ask for a favor, " with instructions to answer each item true or false. An effort was made to avoid stilted or turgid phrasing, unusual words, or involved constructions, and to write items which would sound natural, reasonable, and comprehensible to any reader. The questionnaire was then administered to two high school senior
High-throughput antibody isolation

To define the proteome of an organism, there is a need for robust and reproducible methods for the quantitative detection of all the polypeptides in a cell. High-density arrays of receptors specific for each of the polypeptides in a complex sample hold great promise for the analysis of complex protein mixtures. Because of their high affinity, specificity and their ability to bind to virtually any protein, antibodies appear particularly promising as the receptor element in protein-detection arrays. For proteomic-scale analyses, the ability to isolate and produce antibodies en masse to large numbers of target molecules is critical. A variety of systems for the high-throughput isolation of antibodies from combinatorial libraries are being developed and are outlined in this review. However, there are several other important considerations to be borne in mind before such systems can realistically be applied on a large scale.
Disease Biomarker Query from RNA-Seq Data

As a revolutionary way to unveil transcription, RNA-Seq technologies are challenging bioinformatics for its large data volumes and complexities. A large number of computational models have been proposed for differential expression (DE) analysis and normalization from different standing points. However, there were no studies available yet to conduct disease biomarker discovery for this type of high-resolution digital gene expression data, which will actually be essential to explore its potential in clinical bioinformatics. Although there were many biomarker discovery algorithms available in traditional omics communities, they cannot be applied to RNA-Seq count data to seek biomarkers directly for its special characteristics. In this work, we have presented a biomarker discovery algorithm, SEQ-Marker for RNA-Seq data, which is built on a novel data-driven feature selection algorithm, nonnegative singular value approximation (NSVA), which contributes to the robustness and sensitivity of the following DE analysis by taking advantages of the built-in characteristics of RNA-Seq count data. As a biomarker discovery algorithm built on network marker topology, the proposed SEQ-Marker not only bridges transcriptomics and systems biology but also contributes to clinical diagnostics.
The United States and the revision of the 1982 convention on the law of the sea

It may now be possible to breach the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention impasse. The UN Secretary‐General's informal consultations have opened realistic discussions on the deep seabed regime. Many important changes have occurred since the Convention was signed. Dramatic developments have taken place in the international community. Nations now appreciate the limited potential of deep seabed mining. While United States reliance on customary law provides some benefits, other more important U.S. interests cannot be protected absent entry into force of the Convention with widespread participation. Many alternative procedures are available to forge an accommodation. The approach taken in the Secretary‐General's consultations is to make specific changes in deficient articles. Alternatively, the present regime might be jettisoned in favor of a framework regime. Such a regime would preserve only the essential basic policies of the Convention's seabed regime. It would contain a system for constructing a viable...
Superconducting-insulating transition in two-dimensional a-MoGe thin films.

A zero-temperature magnetic-field-tuned superconducting-insulating transition is observed in two-dimensional $a$-MoGe films. The low temperature transport properties of these films show scaling behavior consistent with a transition driven by long-range Coulomb interactions and quantum phase fluctuations in a two-dimensional superconductor. However, contrary to the theoretical predictions we find the critical resistance to be sample dependent. We suggest that the apparent lack of universality in the critical resistance is due to the finite contribution of fermionic excitations to the resistance.
Sharing the Benefits of Economic Development: What Cities Use Type II Policies?

This article asks a basic question: What set of forces or factors might lead to the use of Type II economic development policies and thus, presumably, a more equitable distribution of economic development benefits? Research employing macrodata analysis has provided conflicting findings on this point. Hence, this research explores the question using both regression and more case-specific analysis. Findings suggest that residential need, strong mayor form of government, citizen and business input, size of economic development budgets, and policy planning and evaluation activities increase the use of Type II policies. Many questions remain unanswered, however. Type II policies are not well explained by current variables. The specific roles of race, city council structure, business input, local history, and spatial location and the relationship between Type I and Type II policies appear important but not well examined in the literature to date.
Seedling response to photoperiod and temperature by smooth cordgrass,Spartina alterniflora, from Oregon Inlet, North Carolina

Seedlings ofSpartina alterniflora Loisel. from North Carolina were exposed to thermoperiods of 18–14, 22–18, 26–22, and 30–26 C under both short- and long-day photoperiods for a 14-week period. Seedling biomass increased under both photoperiods as temperatures of the thermoperiods increased, but was greater in each thermoperiod under long-day conditions. Seedlings grown under short-day conditions were shorter, contained less biomass, produced more culms and rhizomes, had less shoot moisture, and contained higher chlorophyll concentrations than those under long-day conditions at the same temperatures. Flowering occurred earlier under short-day conditions in the 26–22 and 30–26 C thermoperiods, but also occurred under long-day conditions in these thermoperiods and appeared to be related to height growth.
On the composition of cementite in equilibrium with ferrite at room temperature

The specific volume (ρ-1 in cm3/g) versus wt.% C relationship at 23 ‡C for slow-cooled, high-purity, Fe-C alloys containing from 0.09 to 4.17 wt.% C was determined to be 0.1269907 + wt.% C× 0.0004974. The value obtained when this relationship is extrapolated to 6.6895 wt. % C (i.e., to Fe3C) is greater than the specific volume calculated for this composition on the basis of lattice parameter measurements made on the cementite in these samples. It was concluded that the composition of cementite in equilibrium with ferrite at room temperature is slightly off-stoichiometric. Several vacancy models were examined in an attempt to calculate its composition. Assuming a C-vacancy defect structure gives a value of 6.653 ± 0.020 wt. % C. This corresponds to Fe3C0.994 ± 0.003□0.006 ± 0.003 where □ represents a vacant C site. Room-temperature lattice parameters as well as a completely indexed Cr(Kα) XRD pattern are given for the cementite.
Dynamics of the West African Monsoon under Mid-Holocene Precessional Forcing: Regional Climate Model Simulations

Abstract The African Humid Period (AHP), about 14 800 yr ago [14.8–5.5 ka (ka ≡ 1000 yr ago)], was a time of increased humidity over Africa. Paleoclimate evidence suggests that the West African summer monsoon was stronger and more extensive 6 ka than today, and that the Saharan Desert was green. Here, a regional climate model that produces an excellent simulation of today’s climate over northern Africa is used to study the dynamics of the monsoon 6 ka. Changes in insolation, atmospheric CO2, and vegetation are used to impose 6-ka conditions, and the role of each forcing is isolated. Vegetation is not interactive, and the large-scale circulation and SSTs are fixed at present-day values for the 6-ka simulations. The regional model produces precipitation increases across the Sahel and Sahara that are in good agreement with the paleodata. However, unobserved drying is simulated over the Guinean coast region where paleodata are sparse. Precipitation increases in the Sahel are related to a northward shift of th...
Similarity of tuna N-acetylhistidine deacetylase and cod fish anserinase.

Abstract 1. 1. The brain and ocular fluid of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) contained high levels of N-acetylhistidine deacetylase. 2. 2. This enzyme had a molecular weight of about 120,000 and was activated by zinc or cobaltous ions. 3. 3. Cod (Gadus callarias) brain, ocular fluid and muscle contained a similar metal-activated thiol hydrolase, the muscle enzyme being known as anserinase. 4. 4. The purified enzymes hydrolyzed N-acetylhistidine, carnosine, homocarnosine, anserine and certain other dipeptides. 5. 5. Their specificity resembled that of hog kidney homocarnosinase. 6. 6. In both fish, brain and ocular fluid were rich sources of this hydrolase, whereas muscle contained only trace amounts.
Characterizing human retinotopic mapping with conformal geometry: A preliminary study

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been widely used to measure the retinotopic organization of early visual cortex in the human brain. Previous studies have identified multiple visual field maps (VFMs) based on statistical analysis of fMRI signals, but the resulting geometry has not been fully characterized with mathematical models. Here we test whether VFMs V1 and V2 obey the least restrictive of all geometric mappings; that is, whether they are anglepreserving and therefore maintain conformal mapping. We measured retinotopic organization in individual subjects using standard traveling-wave fMRI methods. Visual stimuli consisted of black and white, drifting checkerboards comprising rotating wedges and expanding rings to measure the cortical representations of polar angle and eccentricity, respectively. These representations were then projected onto a 3D cortical mesh of each hemisphere. By generating a mapped unit disk that is conformal of the VFMs using spherical stereographic projection and computing the parameterized coordinates of the eccentricity and polar angle gradients, we computed Beltrami coefficients to check whether the mapping from the visual field to the V1 and V2 cortical representations is conformal. We find that V1 and V2 exhibit local conformality. Our analysis of the Beltrami coefficient shows that selected regions of V1 and V2 that contain reasonably smooth eccentricity and polar angle gradients do show significant local conformality, warranting further investigation of this approach for analysis of early and higher visual cortex. These results suggest that such a mathematical model can be used to characterize the early VFMs in human visual cortex.
Matrix metalloproteinases as emerging targets in anticancer therapy: status and prospects

A major hallmark of malignant disease is the capacity of cancer cells to cross tissue boundaries and spread to distant sites throughout the body. Extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes are thus required to break down structural barriers to invasion and metastasis. Extensive and compelling evidence indicates that several members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family of enzymes play a key role in this regard and forms the rationale for the development and testing of compounds that can inhibit their proteolytic activity. In addition, data now indicate that MMPs contribute to other aspects of cancer, including angiogenesis and the initial stages of tumour development, thus expanding the potential clinical utility of MMP inhibitors (MMPIs). Conversely, some MMPs may defy cancer progression and others may not participate in cancer, but undoubtedly play normal physiologic roles. These possibilities and the mechanisms underlying the influence of MMPs in cancer must be understood and considered in the desig...
White Boys to Terrorist Men: Target Recruitment of Nazi Skinheads

There is an important distinction between hate crimes and hate group activity. Although reported hate crimes appear to be declining, there is evidence that hate group activity is increasing. This includes hate group consolidation, the increase in hate Web sites, and more sophisticated recruitment of youth. This research explores how hate groups, specifically racist skinheads, target specific youth populations for recruitment. Using a layman's interpretation of Durkheim's “anomie,” skinheads look for youth that live in a world of change. Based on ethnographic research and guided interviews, this research finds that older Nazi skinheads manipulate anomic teens and indoctrinate them into a world of terror.
Compositional constraints on the equation of state and thermal properties of the lower mantle

SUMMARY By extrapolating the lower mantle equation of state (EoS) to P=0, T=290 K, we determine the EoS parameters that are compatible with a mixture of (Mg, Fe)SiO3 perovskite (with a small admixture of Al2O3), (Mg, Fe)O magnesiowustite and CaSiO3 perovskite in arbitrary proportions and with arbitrary Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratio. The parameters fitted are density, ρ, adiabatic incompressibility, KS, and its pressure derivative, K′S≡(∂KS/∂P)S. The first stage is adiabatic extrapolation to P=0, T=T0, that is, to the foot of the lower mantle adiabat, at which K′0(T0) is allowed to have any value between 3.8 and 4.6, and 1500 K≤T0≤2000 K. It is important to use an equation for which the lower mantle fitting does not prescribe K′0(T0) and this rules out the third-order Birch theory, which gives a seriously wrong value. The further extrapolation to 290 K at P=0 uses thermodynamic relationships with maximum generality, allowing all of the following thermoelastic parameters to be arbitrary functions of temperature: K;ρ; Gruneisen parameter, γ;q=(∂ ln γ/∂ ln V)T, where V is volume; volume coefficient of thermal expansion, α; adiabatic Anderson–Gruneisen parameter, δS=(1/α) (∂ ln KS/∂T)P; and the mixed P, T derivative (∂K′S/∂T)P. The heat capacity at constant volume, CV, is assumed to follow the Debye function, so α is controlled by that. The temperature dependences of the dimensionless parameters γ, q and δS at P=0 are slight. We find γ to be precisely independent of T at constant V. The parameter dK′0/dT increases strongly with T, as well as with the assumed value of K′0(T0), where K′0 is K′S at P=0. The fitting disallows significant parameter ranges. In particular, we find solutions only if K′0(T0)≥4.2 and the 290 K value of K′0 for Mg perovskite is less than 3.8. Conclusions about composition are less secure, partly because of doubt about individual mineral properties. The volume of magnesiowustite is found to be between 10 and 25 per cent for respective T0 values of 2000 and 1500 K, but the Ca-perovskite volume is no more than 6 per cent and has little influence on the other conclusions. The resulting overall Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratio is 0.12 to 0.15. Although this ratio is higher than expected for a pyrolite composition, the ratio depends critically on the assumed mineral densities; some adjustment of the mineral mix may need to be considered.
Development of vacuum insulation panel systems

Rigid polyurethane foam is one of the most effective practical thermal insulation materials used in applications ranging from buildings to the domestic refrigerator. However, owing to the need to eliminate the CFC blowing agents that are hazardous to the environment, an advanced insulation must be developed. One of the most effective forms of thermal insulation, as employed in the walls of the refrigerator, is the vacuum insulation panel (VIP). VIP insulation consists of the core materials that are encapsulated at low pressure in a very thin, low gas permeability and low conducting barrier. This paper focuses on a unique panel design based on the evacuated, 100% open cell rigid polyurethane foam with getters encapsulated in laminated films under various conditions. A series of studies of the effect-factors of the batch manufacture efficiency and the thermal conductivity performance of the VIPs are discussed. Those effect-parameters are rigid polyurethane foams cell size, drying pretreatment, evacuation pressure, with or without getters and encapsulation barrier.
Endoscopic drainage of pancreatic fluid collections and pancreatic necrosis

Many endoscopists assume that any pancreatic fluid collection arising as a consequence of acute or chronic pancreatitis represents a pancreatic pseudocyst. This is incorrect and it is important to recognize that several distinct entities fall under the general term pancreatic fluid collection (PFC). This more generalized term should be used until the exact type of collection is defined, since the outcome of endoscopic drainage is dependent on the type of collection. This review summarizes the various PFCs and the endoscopic drainage methods of these PFCs.
User interface evaluation in the real world: a comparison of four techniques

evaluation; guidelines; usability testing; cognitive walkthrough A user interface (UI) for a software product was evaluated prior to its release by four groups, each applying a different technique: heuristic evaluation, software guidelines, cognitive walkthroughs, and usability testing. Heuristic evaluation by several ill specialists found the most serious problems with the least amount of effort, although they also reported a large number of low-priority problems. The relative advantages of all the techniques are discussed, and suggestions for improvements in the techniques are offered.