cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synergy and strategy in e-business

This article explores the theme of synergy in relation to business strategy, with specific reference to e‐business. After exploring the extent to which e‐business strategy needs to be integrated with corporate and functional area strategies, the article continues the theme of synergy by viewing the extent of integration between the functions of multiple channels. Another dimension of synergy arises in the context of the supply chain. Issues such as alliances, and disintermediation and re‐intermediation contribute to the debate concerning synergy between companies. The central role of alliances in e‐business is such that businesses need to consider the concept of the virtual organisation, and the implications of strategy formulation and delivery not only within an organisation, but also across the alliances that make the virtual organisation. The article is interspersed with short case vignettes that elucidate some of the challenges for strategy and synergy.
Is Infantile Autism a Universal Phenomenon? an Open Question:

What we have tried to do in this paper is to question the universality of Infantile Autism as implied by the various definitions which have been provided. Our research of the literature has convinced us that infantile autism appears to be an illness of Western Civilization, and appears in countries of high technology, where the nuclear family dominates. We indicated that no research studies were located in the U.S.A. on Hispanics, in spite of their large number. Furthermore, it was found to be quite rare among Black families. We also saw that the illness seems to be quite infrequent in Latin American countries, Africa, and India, while the rate is high in Japan, but only in westernized families. Tinbergen (1974) likewise feels that infantile autism is "actually on the increase in a number of Western and westernized societies". Two major variables which are interconnected seem to be responsible for the confusion in the findings. One of them is the problem of diagnosis. It would seem that many researchers have extended the definition of infantile autism to include other seriously afflicted children, including those who are brain-damaged. This is no surprise, since such conflicts exist as Ritvo (1981) estimating that there are 300,000 autistic children in the U.S., while a report by the National Institute for Handicapped Research estimates the number of autistic children to be 71,000 (1981). Another aspect of the findings which has been contradictory is that some investigators have found that parents of autistic children tend to be of higher S.E.S., particularly in European studies, while some studies in the U.S.A. did not find such a difference among the parents of autistic and non-autistic children. We have provided some illustrations to indicate that studies which have found no differences were not dealing exclusively with autistic children as defined by Kanner, and often used childhood schizophrenia and autism interchangeably. Cantwell, Baker, and Rutter (1978) have pointed out that this persistent difference of superior S.E.S. of parents of autistic children is an embarrassing finding which is very hard to explain if one holds that the disease is organically determined. In conclusion to his review of the literature on the universality of adult schizophrenia, Torrey (1973) wrote the following: "Studies must be done soon or it will be too late to do them at all. But, until the universal prevalence of schizophrenia becomes an open question, this task is unlikely to be undertaken". The writer of this paper is of the same opinion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Involving Stakeholders to Optimize a Study Protocol on Secondhand Tobacco Smoke and Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Adults

BackgroundEpidemiological evidence evaluating the association between secondhand smoke exposure and diseases of the upper airway in adults is limited by a small number of studies and a lack of esta...
Efficient Large-Scale Synthesis of Picolinic Acid-Derived Nickel(II) Complexes of Glycine

An efficient, large-scale method for the preparation of 2-[N-(α-picolyl)amino]acetophenone (PAAP) and 2-[N-(α-picolyl)amino]benzophenone (PABP), the hitherto unknown 4-methyl-2-[N-(α-picolyl)amino]benzophenone (4-Me-PABP) and 4-nitro-2-[N-(α-picolyl)amino]benzophenone (4-NO2-PABP), and their corresponding NiII complexes with glycine is described. The key step of the method is the formation of the mixed anhydrides derived from o-picolinic acid and ethyl chloroformate or p-toluenesulfonyl chloride. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003)
Relations between the functions of autobiographical memory and psychological wellbeing

Researchers have proposed that autobiographical memory serves three basic functions in everyday life: self-definition, social connection, and directing behaviour (e.g., Bluck, Alea, Habermas, & Rubin, 2005). However, no research has examined relations between the functions of autobiographical memory and healthy functioning (i.e., psychological wellbeing). The present research examined the relations between the self, social, and directive functions of autobiographical memory and three factors of psychological wellbeing in single and recurring autobiographical memories. A total of 103 undergraduate students were recruited and provided ratings of each function for four autobiographical memories (two single, two recurring events). Results found that individuals who use their autobiographical memories to serve self, social, and directive functions reported higher levels of Purpose and Communion and Positive Relationships, and that these relations differ slightly by event type.
Complementary Kernel Density Estimation

Generative models for vision and pattern recognition have been overshadowed in recent years by powerful non-parametric discriminative models. These discriminative models can learn arbitrary decision boundaries between classes and have proved very effective in classification and detection problems. However, unlike generative models, they do not lend themselves naturally to more general vision tasks such as rendering novel images, de-noising, and in-painting. In this paper we introduce Complementary Kernel Density Estimation (CKDE), a new generative model that adopts many of the features of non-parametric discriminative models: (1) CKDE allows complex decision surfaces and arbitrary class conditional distributions to be learned, (2) it is easy to train because the log likelihood of the model is concave, so it has no local maxima, and (3) one can train its class conditional distributions jointly to share information among the different classes. We first demonstrate that CKDE is more accurate in benchmark classification tasks than a purely discriminative method such as the SVM. We then show that the posterior probability of class labels is more accurately estimated than kernelized logistic regression. Our other results demonstrate that partial images can be accurately classified by marginalizing unobserved pixels from the class conditional distributions, and missing parts of the image can be painted in using the learned generative model.
Floating-Point Arithmetics

Three types of floating-point arithmetics with error control are discussed and compared with conventional floating-point arithmetic. General multiplication and division shift criteria are derived (for any base) for Metropolis-type arithmetics. The limitations and most suitable range of application for each arithmetic are discussed.
Irradiation of cells in tissue culture

1. Cobalt-60 gamma irradiation studies were made of neurons maintained in cultures of dorsal root ganglia of the newborn rat. Irradiation dosages to the culture chambers varied from 5000 to 100000 r, at dose rates of 1000 to 9500 r/min. 2. The morphological changes observed postirradiation were: (a) a reduction of the average cytoplasmic and nuclear areas, (b) peripheral displacements of the nuclei, and (c) alterations in cytoplasmic organization. 3. At a dose of 7200 r, manifestations of injury to the neurons were not observed until at least a week after radiation. However, at 20500 r, marked changes were seen within 4 days after irradiation. At 100000 r complete neuronal destruction occurred within 3 or 4 days. 4. Characteristic of the neuronal response to radiation was the individual variation of sensitivity. At 41000 r, some neurons were found to exhibit nuclear rotation 42 days after exposure.
Structural and biochemical insights into the regulation of protein phosphatase 2A by small t antigen of SV40

The small t antigen (ST) of DNA tumor virus SV40 facilitates cellular transformation by disrupting the functions of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) through a poorly defined mechanism. The crystal structure of the core domain of SV40 ST bound to the scaffolding subunit of human PP2A reveals that the ST core domain has a novel zinc-binding fold and interacts with the conserved ridge of HEAT repeats 3-6, which overlaps with the binding site for the B' (also called PR61 or B56) regulatory subunit. ST has a lower binding affinity than B' for the PP2A core enzyme. Consequently, ST does not efficiently displace B' from PP2A holoenzymes in vitro. Notably, ST inhibits PP2A phosphatase activity through its N-terminal J domain. These findings suggest that ST may function mainly by inhibiting the phosphatase activity of the PP2A core enzyme, and to a lesser extent by modulating assembly of the PP2A holoenzymes.
Electroless Copper Deposition Using Sn/Ag Catalyst on Epoxy Laminates

Electroless copper deposition was investigated on epoxy laminate substrates (Isola 185HR) using a silver-based catalyst, and a nonroughening surface treatment method based on sulfuric acid. The current challenges in electroless copper deposition include (i) high cost of Pd-based catalysts, (ii) deterioration of electrical performance of deposited metal at high frequency due to electron scattering at the roughened surface, and (iii) limited adhesion strength of electroless layers to substrates. We investigated an electroless copper deposition procedure composed of a H2SO4 surface pretreatment, two-step Sn/Ag nano-colloidal catalyst seeding, and immersion in a traditional formaldehyde-containing electroless copper bath. The H2SO4 pretreatment activated the epoxy surface for electroless deposition. Other strong acids did not lead to deposition. The H2SO4 treatment cleaned the substrate and provided the adhesion of the catalyst and electroless copper without increasing the surface roughness. XPS results showed a decrease in the carbonyl groups (C=O), and acid/ester functionalities (O-C=O) at the surface. Adsorbed sulfate on the substrate from the H2SO4 treatment led to Sn(II) sensitization. The tin-silver activation step resulted in Sn(IV) and Ag(0) products in the form of a Sn/Ag nano-colloidal catalyst. The Sn/Ag colloid acted as a catalyst for electroless copper deposition on the epoxy laminate substrates. © 2013 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.039312jes] All rights reserved.
Remembering women: Psychical and Historical Constructions in Film Theory

(1988). Remembering women: Psychical and Historical Constructions in Film Theory. Continuum: Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 3-14.
Vesicovaginal fistula formation in patients with Stage IVA cervical carcinoma.

Abstract Objectives. To evaluate the rate of vesicovaginal fistula formation and mortality in women with Stage IVA cervical carcinoma. Methods. Data were abstracted from the clinical records of women diagnosed with Stage IVA cervical cancer at the time of examination under anesthesia, cystoscopy, and proctoscopy (EUA/C/P) at a single institution from 1994 to 2004. Demographic and treatment characteristics were compared using either Fisher's exact test or Student's t -test, as appropriate. Survival was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results. Twenty-three patients were diagnosed with Stage IVA cervical cancer. All were diagnosed with extension of disease into the bladder; one patient had rectal involvement as well. Concurrent chemotherapy and radiation was used in 60.8%, while 30.4% received radiation alone and 8.7% elected no treatment. Fifty-six percent of the patients were smokers. Eleven patients (47.8%) developed a fistula at a median time of 2.9 months from cancer diagnosis. Fistula formation was significantly increased among smokers as compared to non-smokers (73 vs 27%; p =0.03). Two patients (8.7%) are alive without evidence of disease at a median follow-up of 19 months. The disease-specific survival is 23.1 months. Patients who developed a vesicovaginal fistula had a median survival of 11.2 months after fistula formation. Conclusions. High rates of vesicovaginal fistula formation can be expected when treating women with extension of cervical cancer into the bladder, particularly among women who smoke. The routine use of EUA/C/P at the time of initial diagnosis aids in counseling women about the likelihood of this complication. Novel strategies for managing vesicovaginal fistulae after chemoradiation are needed.
The flow due to a rough rotating disk

Von Karman’s problem of a rotating disk in an infinite viscous fluid is extended to the case where the disk surface admits partial slip. The nonlinear similarity equations are integrated accurately for the full range of slip coefficients. The effects of slip are discussed. An existence proof is also given.
The determinants of fishing vessel accident severity

The study examines the determinants of fishing vessel accident severity in the Northeastern United States using vessel accident data from the U.S. Coast Guard for 2001–2008. Vessel damage and crew injury severity equations were estimated separately utilizing the ordered probit model. The results suggest that fishing vessel accident severity is significantly affected by several types of accidents. Vessel damage severity is positively associated with loss of stability, sinking, daytime wind speed, vessel age, and distance to shore. Vessel damage severity is negatively associated with vessel size and daytime sea level pressure. Crew injury severity is also positively related to the loss of vessel stability and sinking.
Effects of the Apterous Mutation on Drosophila Melanogaster Males' Courtship

The apterous4 (ap4) mutation has pleiotropic effects on the morphology and lifespan of D. melanogaster adults. The mutation also affects one aspect of male sexual behaviour. Unlike normal, sexually...
Heterogeneity of human melanoma-associated antigens defined by monoclonal antibodies and conventional xenoantisera

Immunochemical analysis of cultured human melanoma cell detergent extracts and spent culture medium with conventional xenoantisera and monoclonal antibodies identified four types of 94,000 (94K) dalton molecules and two types of high-molecular-weight melanoma-associated antigens by the following characteristics: (1) association with other components, (2) mobility in SDS-PAGE under reducing and nonreducing conditions, (3) antigenicity, and (4) presence in spent culture medium. Conventional xenoantisera were found to contain antibody populations to antigenically distinct structures, some of which have similar apparent molecular weights. Immunodepletion studies showed that the antigenic determinant detected by the monoclonal antibody 225.28S to a high-molecular-weight melanoma-associated antigen was expressed on a subpopulation of the antigens defined by the conventional xenoantiserum #8995. These data prove that antibodies reactive with antigens of similar molecular weight cannot be assumed to identify the same structures, and indicate that tumor-associated antigens may be heterogeneous in the expression of antigenic determinants defined by monoclonal antibodies.
The ultrastructure of the plumula of the tooth of Lytechinus variegatus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)

The plumula is enclosed by a single layer of epithelial cells. There are two types of odontoblasts: syncytial and free odontoblasts. Syncytial odontoblasts are arranged linearly on the abaxial side and have a highly active Golgi complex, rough endoplasmic reticulum, large and round mitochondria, and small coated vesicles indicative of a high level of secretory activity. Free odontoblasts cluster on the adaxial side and have patchy chromatin and little cytoplasm. The free odontoblasts migrate to the abaxial side, where their structure changes to that of syncytial odontoblasts. Calcareous deposits are formed intracellularly by syncytial odontoblasts within two membranes: an outer plasma membrane and an inner vacuolar membrane. The vacuolar membrane has organic particles on the surface of the membrane. There is no trace of organic matter within the calcareous deposit. Fibroblasts are located on the adaxial side. Collagen fibers are located primarily on the adaxial side adjacent to the calcareous depositing membranes and between free odontoblasts, but they are not located in the deposits. Collagen fibers may play a role in cell migration and thus in calcification. The morphological changes of the plumulae are closely related to calcification.
Characterization of a timing mutant of Dictyostelium discoideum which exhibits “high frequency switching”

The preaggregative period of Dictyostelium discoideum is composed of two sequential rate-limiting components. The timing mutant FM-1 exhibits a decrease in the length of the preaggregative period and the interval between the maxifinger and early culminate II stage. In contrast, it is normal in all aspects of growth, in the sequence of morphogenetic stages, in spore formation, in the capacity to rapidly recapitulate morphogenesis, and in the erasure event and subsequent program of dedifferentiation. By the reciprocal shift experiment, it is demonstrated that FM-1 is completely missing the first of the two rate-limiting components comprising the preaggregative period. The FM-1 mutation is heritable and behaves as a single mutation mapping to linkage group II. However, the FM-1 variant switches at relatively high frequency to several other timing phenotypes with longer preaggregative periods which in turn switch at high frequency. The FM-1 phenotype is considered in terms of timing regulation, and the process of high frequency switching between timing phenotypes is compared to other newly discovered switching systems.
Solutions to the 1d Klein–Gordon equation with cut-off Coulomb potentials

Abstract In a recent paper by Barton [G. Barton, J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 40 (2007) 1011], the 1-dimensional Klein–Gordon equation was solved analytically for the non-singular Coulomb-like potential V 1 ( | x | ) = − α / ( | x | + a ) . In the present Letter, these results are completely confirmed by a numerical formulation that also allows a solution for an alternative cut-off Coulomb potential V 2 ( | x | ) = − α / | x | , | x | > a , and otherwise V 2 ( | x | ) = − α / a .
A magneto-rheological fluid damper for high-mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV)

This study focuses on the theoretical analysis, design, development and testing of a magneto-rheological fluid (MRF) damper for a high-mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV). A MRF damper is designed to provide an enhanced performance over the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) damper while keeping the geometric parameters, such as outer diameter and stroke, the same as the OEM damper. The theoretical analysis is developed using a fluid mechanics model and a three-dimensional electromagnetic finite element analysis. The MRF damper is designed as a fail-safe damper, which retains a minimum damping capacity in the event of a power supply or electronic system failure. The damper is designed to achieve non-symmetrical force characteristics, i.e., different force responses in rebound and compression. This is achieved by using shims. Experimental results show that the MRF damper for the HMMWV has an improved performance than the OEM damper. Theoretical and experimental results agree well and are presented for the force-displacement and force-velocity performance of the damper under different input motions, various input magnetic fields, and different MR fluids.
Thermal imagery spectral analysis

Thermal imagery from the spatially enhanced broadband array spectrograph system was analyzed for target detection purposes. The push-broom sensor was operated as part of the WESTERN RAINBOW experiment in October 1995. Data from 7.8- 13.4 microns were collected in 128 wavelength bands, with 128 pixels in the cross-track direction. The data set had nominal ground-resolution of better than one meter. Analysis techniques normally used in the reflective domain, with traditional imaging spectrometers, were used for the thermal data. Analysis was done in both the radiance and emissivity domains, following careful thermal calibration and atmospheric compensation. The techniques utilized were principal components, spectral angle mapper, and spectral matched filter. All wee successful, with the first two showing a success rate comparable to that found in similar experiments in the reflective domain. The principal components techniques was successful in discriminating man- made objects and disturbed earth from the desert background, much as expected. It was also successful in distinguishing between different categories of man-made objects. Of the latter two techniques, the spectral matched filter was more successful. This relatively greater success is attributed to the sensitivity of the spectral angle mapper to calibration errors, particular in the conversion from radiance to emissivity.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Comparative properties of some histidases

Abstract 1. 1. The properties of histidases from seven sources have been compared and found to be very similar regardless of the organism from which histidase is isolated. 2. 2. The temporal appearance of histidase during development has been found to differ markedly when fetal and neonatal rats are compared to fetal humans.
Metal Hydride Fuel Cells, A New and Practical Approach for Backup and Emergency Power Applications

The tremendous growth of telecom services has resulted in an increased demand for backup power. Businesses and consumers are demanding continuous uptime and telecom companies must provide extended run time backup power on the order of hours and days. In addition, there is a growing need for power protection to cope with natural disasters and acts of terrorism. Conventional approaches using batteries have issues with life, footprint, maintenance, and weight. Similarly, diesel gensets have issues with startup, maintenance, noise, and emissions. As the backup power needs of telecom companies and their customers have grown, it has become evident that new backup power solutions need to be developed. Metal hydride fuel cells offer a fundamentally new approach to fuel cells that results in a practical, low cost technology with unique performance advantages, including intrinsic energy storage, instant start capability, good low temperature performance, and fuel "hot swap" capabilities. Metal hydride fuel cells use non-noble metal catalysts and can be manufactured using conventional processes similar to those used for manufacturing commercial batteries. This paper provides an overview of the current status and capabilities of metal hydride fuel cell technology, including performance, life, energy storage, and prototype hardware. The benefits of metal hydride fuel cells for Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) and emergency power applications will also be detailed.
A Study of Arsenical Residues on Apples in Pennsylvania with Respect to Efficient Spraying Practices.

Insect species attacking apples in Pennsylvania necessitated six arsenical spray applications. The omission of one or more of these treatments resulted in increased injuries to the fruits. Satisfactory protection was obtained during 1926 without excessive arsenic occurring on the apples at harvest time. Rains in excess of normal tended to reduce the amount of spray deposit. Visibility of materials was no indication of the relative amounts of residual arsenic.
Kinetic segregation of AlAs-GaAs during 〈110〉 MBE

Abstract The term “kinetic segregation” is applied where the kinetics of an alloy crystal growth process induce segregation although the homogeneous mixture is the equilibrium state. MBE growth of GaAlAs on 〈110〉 surfaces has been observed to exhibit such kinetic segregation. An explanation of kinetic segregation is offered in terms of the release of energy, approximately the cohesive energy, when an atom attaches to a kink site on a growth step of the growth surface. It is asserted that for a time τ until this energy is dissipated another atom cannot attach at that kink site. Because more energy is released by Al than by Ga atoms, Al expels Ga from kink sites longer than vice versa. The kinetic segregation is derived from this asymmetry. τ is deduced to be 10 -7 s.
Metal hydrides based high energy density thermal battery

Abstract A concept of thermal battery based on advanced metal hydrides was studied for heating and cooling of cabins in electric vehicles. The system utilized a pair of thermodynamically matched metal hydrides as energy storage media. The pair of hydrides that was identified and developed was: (1) catalyzed MgH 2 as the high temperature hydride material, due to its high energy density and enhanced kinetics; and (2) TiV 0.62 Mn 1.5 alloy as the matching low temperature hydride. Further, a proof-of-concept prototype was built and tested, demonstrating the potential of the system as HVAC for transportation vehicles.
MITOTIC SYMPATHETIC NEUROBLASTS INITIATE AXONAL PATHFINDING IN VIVO

Neuronal precursor proliferation and axodendritic outgrowth have been traditionally regarded as discrete and sequential developmental stages. However, we recently found that sympathetic neuroblasts in vitro often elaborate long neuritic processes before dividing. Furthermore, these "paramitotic" neurites were maintained during cell division and neuritic morphology was consistently preserved by daughter cells after mitosis. This inheritance of neuritic morphology in vitro raised the possibility that proliferating neuroblasts engage in axodendritic outgrowth. To determine whether mitotic superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neuroblasts are engaged in pathfinding in vivo, we have combined retrograde axonal tracing of efferent nerve trunks with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling of cells in S-phase. In fact, about 13% of BrdU(+) cells were retrogradely labeled, indicating that mitotic neuroblasts often have extraganglionic axonal projections. Moreover, the presence of axons during S-phase was observed at two developmental ages (E15.5 and E16. 5), implicating an ongoing function of paramitotic axons during neuronal ontogeny. Using a calculation to account for experimental limitations, we estimate that virtually all mitotic SCG neuroblasts have direct access to extraganglionic signals during development. We conclude that mitotic neuronal precursors in vivo engage in pathfinding, raising the possibility that interaction of proliferating populations with distant signals actively coordinates cell division and neural connectivity.
The star worm

The Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Edited by William B. Wood and the Community of C. elegans Researchers. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: 1988. Pp.667. $94.
Cross-shore velocity shear, eddies and heterogeneity in water column properties over fringing coral reefs: West Maui, Hawaii

Abstract A multi-day hydrographic survey cruise was conducted to acquire spatially extensive, but temporally limited, high-resolution, three-dimensional measurements of currents, temperature, salinity and turbidity off West Maui in the summer of 2003 to better understand coastal dynamics along a complex island shoreline with coral reefs. These data complement long-term, high-resolution tide, wave, current, temperature, salinity and turbidity measurements made at a number of fixed locations in the study area starting in 2001. Analyses of these hydrographic data, in conjunction with numerous field observations, evoke the following conceptual model of water and turbidity flux along West Maui. Wave- and wind-driven flows appear to be the primary control on flow over shallower portions of the reefs while tidal and subtidal currents dominate flow over the outer portions of the reefs and insular shelf. When the direction of these flows counter one another, which is quite common, they cause a zone of cross-shore horizontal shear and often form a front, with turbid, lower-salinity water inshore of the front and clear, higher-salinity water offshore of the front. It is not clear whether these zones of high shear and fronts are the cause or the result of the location of the fore reef, but they appear to be correlated alongshore over relatively large horizontal distances (orders of kilometers). When two flows converge or when a single flow is bathymetrically steered, eddies can be generated that, in the absence of large ocean surface waves, tend to accumulate material. Areas of higher turbidity and lower salinity tend to correlate with regions of poor coral health or the absence of well-developed reefs, suggesting that the oceanographic processes that concentrate and/or transport nutrients, contaminants, low-salinity water or suspended sediment might strongly influence coral reef ecosystem health and sustainability.
Production of tunable coherent gamma rays from accelerated positronium

Two kinds of tunable coherent photons for positronium formation and annihilation can be generated by coalescing focused, high-intensity e and e+ beams which are accelerated in the same direction. Positronium formation can be enhanced by laser irradiation or by installing an undulator magnetic field in cases where the density of e and e+ plasma is not high. In the case of very high density, slender rod-type geometry plasma, positronium can be formed from the e and e+ beams cooled by synchrotron resonance maser process and by super­ radiant, super-fluorescence, or amplified spontaneous emission processes, and a coherent laser can be generated .
Algae: Amounts of DNA and Organic Carbon in Single Cells

An analysis of ten different unicellular algae, varying in size and containing from 10 to 6000 picograms of carbon per cell, indicates that the amount of DNA per cell is in direct proportion to cell size. The content of DNA is equal to approximately 1 to 3 percent af the cellular organic carbon.
CSF albumin and immunoglobulin analyses in childhood neurologic disorders

Objective: To evaluate the utility of qualitative and quantitative analyses of CSF immunoglobulins as part of the diagnostic workup of CNS inflammatory conditions. Methods: One hundred eighty-nine children who underwent CSF investigation for their neurologic condition had CSF and serum testing to (1) qualitatively identify oligoclonal band (OCB) patterns and (2) quantitatively measure the immunoglobulin (Ig) G index and albumin quotient (Q Alb ). Case notes were retrospectively reviewed and patients were grouped according to whether their primary diagnosis was due to an inflammatory (n = 104) or noninflammatory (n = 85) etiology. Results: CSF-restricted OCBs were found in 20/104 (19%) of the inflammatory group compared with 4/85 (5%) of the noninflammatory group ( p = 0.0036). Mirrored OCBs were found in 13/104 (12.5%) of the inflammatory group compared with 5/85 (6%) of the noninflammatory group ( p = 0.14). IgG index and Q Alb were significantly higher in patients with an inflammatory etiology. However, a raised IgG index (>0.85) and Q Alb (>0.049) were seen in both groups, with Q Alb abnormalities seen more frequently in the inflammatory group ( p = 0.0028). Conclusions: Both methods were informative in identifying inflammatory mechanisms. Abnormalities were more commonly, but not exclusively, seen in primary inflammatory conditions. The qualitative and quantitative evaluation collectively revealed additional positive results than when done in isolation.
Evidence for domesticated and wild populations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is predominantly found in association with human activities, particularly the production of alcoholic beverages. S. paradoxus, the closest known relative of S. cerevisiae, is commonly found on exudates and bark of deciduous trees and in associated soils. This has lead to the idea that S. cerevisiae is a domesticated species, specialized for the fermentation of alcoholic beverages, and isolates of S. cerevisiae from other sources simply represent migrants from these fermentations. We have surveyed DNA sequence diversity at five loci in 81 strains of S. cerevisiae that were isolated from a variety of human and natural fermentations as well as sources unrelated to alcoholic beverage production, such as tree exudates and immunocompromised patients. Diversity within vineyard
Bridges: a tool for identifying local similarities in long sequences.

Summary: Bridges is a heuristic search tool that uses short word matches to rapidly identify local similarities between sequences. It consists of three stages: filtering input sequences, identifying local similarities and post-processing local similarities. As input sequence data are released from memory after the filtering stage, genome-scale datasets can be efficiently compared in a single run. Bridges also includes 20 parameters, which enable the user to dictate the sensitivity and specificity of a search. Availability: Bridges is implemented in the C programming language and can be run on all platforms. Source code and documentation are available at http://github.com/rassis/bridges. Contact: kondrash@umich.edu.
Detecting changes in riparian habitat conditions based on patterns of greenness change: A case study from the Upper San Pedro River Basin, USA

Abstract Healthy riparian ecosystems in arid and semi-arid regions exhibit shifting patterns of vegetation in response to periodic flooding. Their conditions also depend upon the amount of grazing and other human uses. Taking advantage of these system properties, we developed and tested an approach that utilizes historical Landsat data to track changes in the patterns of greenness (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) within riparian zones. We tested the approach in the Upper San Pedro River of southeastern Arizona of the US, an unimpounded river system that flows north into the US from northern Mexico. We evaluated changes in the pattern of greenness in the San Pedro River National Conservation Area (SPRNCA), an area protected from grazing and development since 1988, and in a relatively unprotected area north of the SPRNCA (NA). The SPRNCA exhibited greater positive changes in greenness than did the NA. The SPRNCA also exhibited larger, more continuous patches of positive change than did the NA. These pattern differences may reflect greater pressures from grazing and urban sprawl in the NA than in the SPRNCA, as well as differences in floodplain width, depth to ground water, and base geology. The SPRNCA has greater amounts of ground and surface water available to support a riparian gallery forest than does the NA, and this may have influenced changes during the study period. Estimates of the direction of greenness change (positive or negative) from satellite imagery were similar to estimates derived from aerial photography, except in areas where changes were from one type of shrub community to another, and in areas with agriculture. Change estimates in these areas may be more difficult because of relatively low greenness values, and because of differences in soil moisture, sun-angle, and crop rotations among the dates of data collection. The potential for applying a satellite-based, greenness change approach to evaluate riparian ecosystem condition over broad geographic areas is also discussed.
Generation of Nanovortices in Electroosmotic Flow in Nanochannels

Electroosmotic flow in nanochannels is characterized by low Reynolds number in which flow mixing is difficult because of the dominant of molecular diffusion. Previous work shows that a heterogenerous surface potential can generate a vortical region within the bulk flow near the surface. But all of this work requires that the ionic species be pairs of ions of equal and opposite valence and the distribution of ions is not considered. In this work the electroosmotic flow in a rectangular nanochannel with non-uniform zeta potential is examined. This non-uniform wall potential creates a vortical structure having size proportional to the magnitude of the potential nonuniformity. The distributions of potential, velocity and mole fractions are calculated numerically. A circulation region within the bulk flow is observed near the non-uniform zeta potential which suggests mixing of the flow can be enhanced. The parameters that affect the circulation are investigated as well.
Insertion of peptide chains into lipid membranes: An off‐lattice Monte Carlo dynamics model

A combination of dynamic Monte Carlo simulation techniques with a hy- dropathy scale method for the prediction of the location of transmembrane fragments in mem- brane proteins is described. The new hydropa- thy scale proposed here is based on experimen- tal data for the interactions of tripeptides with phospholipid membranes (Jacobs, R.E., White, S.H. Biochemistry 266127-6134, 1987) and the self-solvation effect in protein systems (Rose- man, M.A., J. Mol. Biol. 20051W522, 1988). The simulations give good predictions both for the state of association and the orientation of the peptide relative to the membrane surface of a number of peptides including Magainin2, M26, and melittin. Furthermore, for Pfl bacterio- phage coat protein, in accord with experiment, the simulations predict that the C-terminus forms a transmembrane helix and the N-ter- minus forms a helix which is adsorbed on the surface of the bilayer. Finally, the present se- ries of simulations provide a number of insights into the mechanism of insertion of peptides into cell membranes. o 1993 Wiey-Liss, Inc.
An Ecosystem Approach for Healthcare Services Cloud

Patient-centric healthcare and evidence-based medicine with the emphasis on prevention and wellness promise to deliver better and more affordable healthcare. At minimal, they require health related information to be shared among a community including patients, providers, payers, and regulators. It is important for IT systems to facilitate information sharing within such communities. Furthermore, we argue that it is highly valuable to develop IT technologies that can foster sustainable healthcare ecosystems for collaborative, coordinated healthcare delivery. The emerging cloud computing appears well-suited to meet the demand of a broad set of health service scenarios. In particular, the concept of shared infrastructure and services provides the foundation for supporting healthcare service ecosystems. This paper proposes an ecosystem approach to identify high-level requirements for cloud computing technologies to provide hosting environments for sustainable healthcare ecosystems. We draw the lessons and principles from the sustainable ecological ecosystems, review some of the existing IT-enabled healthcare ecosystems, and provide our view on the imperatives for cloud computing research to support future healthcare IT needs.
Factors Related to ST-Segment Depression after Exercise in Middle-Aged Chinese Men

Ninety-four or 7% of 1,346 healthy middle-aged Chinese men who underwent a graded treadmill test of maximal exercise showed post-exercise ST-segment depression. Stepwise linear discriminant function analysis showed that the major factors associated with this response were systolic blood pressures at maximal exercise, age, and certain resting ECG abnormalities, and to a lesser extent, systolic and diastolic pressure at rest, resting heart rate, and cigarette smoking. Hypertensive subjects showed at least a fourfold increase of post-exercise ST depression as compared with age-matched normotensive controls. Since coronary atherosclerosis is rare among Chinese, the study is of particular interest in demonstrating some factors related to ST depression after maximal exercise, particularly the effect of higher systemic pressure, in a group of middle-aged Chinese men.
Optical content addressable memories for data/knowledge base processing

This paper describes the principles and architectures of a one- and a two-dimensional optical content addressable memory (OCAM). These architectures are based on optical matrix multipliers which use free space interconnections in optics. They work as a CAM due to spatial coding used to perform bit matching and masking. A 1-D OCAM can perform a single (one-to-many) search operation and a 2-D OCAM can perform multiple (many-to-many) search operations in one step. An optical database machine (ODM) based on a 2-D OCAM along with a page-oriented holographic memory (POHM) is proposed for the execution of relational database operations. >
Variations in major minerals of human milk during the first 5 months of lactation

Abstract Human milk samples were obtained at intervals over the first five months of lactation from 6 women. The samples were analyzed for major minerals (Ca, Mg, K, Na, and P) using the method of Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma Spectroscopy (ICAPS). Mean concentrations of the minerals on an individual basis for Ca varied from 348.8 to 191.6 ppm, for P from 159.6 to 113.5 ppm, for K from 601.4 to 491.3 ppm, for Na from 235.8 to 129.8 ppm, and for Mg from 38.4 to 25.5 ppm. These differed significantly among individuals. Daily changes over the 5 months lactation trended downward in four of the five minerals and an exponential model (Y=Ae −bX ) was chosen to describe the reduction in concentration. The exponent revealed the change in concentration on a daily basis. For Ca, the equation was Y, Ca (ppm)=303.3 e −.00115X ; for P, it was Y=161.5 e −.00246X ; for K, it was Y=556.2 e −.000551X ; for Na, it was Y=211.5 e −.00382X ; and for Mg, it was a positive regression as follows: Y=30.75 e +.0736X . Data from the literature were calculated according to the exponential model for comparative purposes. Considerable variation was found among studies. Variability in individuals and stages of lactation should be taken into account when balancing dietary needs of the offspring.
Counseling and Psychoanalysis: Advancing the Value of Diversity

Arguably, the defining feature of the counseling profession is an appreciation for human diversity. Early counseling movements emphasized individual diversity, while multiculturalism and social justice highlighted cultural diversity. The author maintains that contemporary psychoanalytic thought can supply a needed intraindividual diversity perspective, which has been suppressed by dominant ideologies. Podria decirse que el rasgo definitorio de la profesion de la consejeria es la apreciacion por la diversidad humana. Los movimientos iniciales en el campo de la consejeria enfatizaron la diversidad individual, mientras que el multiculturalismo y la justicia social pusieron de relieve la diversidad cultural. El autor sostiene que el pensamiento psicoanalitico contemporaneo puede proporcionar una perspectiva necesaria sobre la diversidad intraindividual, que ha sido suprimida hasta ahora por las ideologias dominantes.
Simulating metabolism in Escherichia coli K-12 — A circuit-based approach

Computational methods for describing, understanding, and manipulating biological pathways continue to be a heavily researched area [1]–[3]. Many researchers use constructs based in electrical circuit design in the modeling and analysis of biological systems [4], [5], but few draw on and exploit parallels between electrical circuits and biological circuits for simulation purposes. We develop a biological simulation framework using Xyce™, a large-scale electrical circuit simulator, that is capable of simulating the complete metabolic system of Escherichia coli K-12. Using our framework we are able to model large-scale hybrid systems as demonstrated in successful simulation of E.coli central metabolism, a system that includes metabolic and corresponding genetic regulatory networks.
Using public libraries to provide technology access for individuals in poverty : A nationwide analysis of library market areas using a geographic information system

Public libraries are in the policy-making spotlight as a means for insuring equitable information access. Equitable access is important because it is substantially lower in most minority populations as well as in populations with low income. Federal and private donation monies are being made available and earmarked for public libraries to help equalize technological access. To allocate these funds optimally, it is important to know the market areas served by each individual library outlet. This article reviews the common methods used for assigning market areas to library outlets and examines the calculated percentage of poverty around public library outlets nationwide. The assumptions behind these market assignments are discussed. The implications of these poverty calculations for private and federal funding attempts to equalize technological access through public libraries are discussed in light of this article's findings and recommendations.
Sex-specific developmental changes in amygdala responses to affective faces

It is hypothesized that adolescent development involves a redistribution of cerebral functions from lower subcortical structures to higher regions of the prefrontal cortex to provide greater self-control over emotional behavior. We further hypothesized that this redistribution is likely to be moderated by sex-specific hormonal changes. To examine developmental sex differences in affective processing, 19 children and adolescents underwent fMRI while viewing photographs of faces expressing fear. Males and females differed in the pattern of their amygdala vs prefrontal activation during adolescent maturation. With age, females showed a progressive increase in prefrontal relative to amygdala activation in the left hemisphere, whereas males failed to show a significant age related difference. There appear to be sex differences in the functional maturation of affect-related prefrontal-amygdala circuits during adolescence.
Energy Losses within Sheared Fiber Assemblies

A theoretical treatment of fiber-to-fiber frictional character and internal energy losses within an oscillating fibrous mass is presented. Experimental evaluation of the theoretical result is given and discussed in terms of the correlations ob tained by extending over a wide range of the variables involved. A single measurable parameter obtained from the energy loss mechanism is derived which characterizes the processibiliy of the fibrous material.
The Functional Resource Hypothesis as a Basis for Understanding Cognitive Workload in Immediate Interactive Behavior

Understanding workload requires understanding the control of cognition at the 1/3 to 3s time span during which cognitive, perceptual, and motor operations become bound together into interactive routines. Interactive routines constitute unit tasks (3 to 30 s), and unit tasks constitute subtasks (30s to 3min). To reduce cognitive workload and overload, the Functional Resource Hypothesis maintains that an optimal allocation of interactive routines to task performance would be based on the functional resource of time not modality. Some of the implications of this hypothesis are investigated in an empirical study that varied memory load as well as the demands on the eyes, visual attention, auditory cognition, and motor operations. A microanalysis of the data revealed tradeoffs between groups in their pattern of resource allocation that were compatible with the Functional Resource Hypothesis.