cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Latent variable analysis of Raman spectra for structural characterization of proteins

Abstract Latent variable analysis of deep UV resonance Raman spectra was demonstrated to be a powerful tool for characterizing protein secondary structural composition. Non-negative independent component analysis (ICA) and pure variable methods, such as stepwise maximum angle calculation (SMAC) and simple-to-use interactive self-modeling mixture analysis (SIMPLISMA), were employed for examination of 10 deep UV Raman (DUVRR) spectra of lysozyme obtained at various stages of its partial denaturation, the first stage of amyloid fibril formation. The non-negative ICA allowed for extracting the spectrum of the β-sheet from deep UV resonance Raman spectra of lysozyme while principle component analysis (PCA) and multivariate curve resolution (MCR) could not separate the β-sheet constituent as an individual component. No initial guess about the features of the β-sheet spectrum was used. Pure variable methods SMAC and SIMPLISMA were found to resolve three independent spectral components assigned to β-sheet, random coil, and native lysozyme.
Importance of aeolian processes in the origin of the north polar chasmata, Mars

Abstract A detailed examination of the location and orientation of sand dunes and other aeolian features within the north polar chasmata indicates that steep scarps strongly influence the direction and intensity of prevailing winds. These steep scarps are present at the heads and along the margins of the north polar chasmata. Topographic profiles of the arcuate head scarps and equator-facing wall of Chasma Boreale reveal unusually steep polar slopes ranging from ∼6°–30°. The relatively steep-sloped (∼8°), sinuous scarp at the head of two smaller chasmata, located west of Chasma Boreale, exhibits an obvious resistant cap-forming unit. Scarp retreat is occurring in places where the cap unit is actively being undercut by descending slope winds. Low-albedo surfaces lacking sand dunes or dust mantles are present at the base of the polar scarps. A ∼100–300 m deep moat, located at the base of the scarps, corresponds with these surfaces and indicates an area of active aeolian scour from descending katabatic winds. Small local dust storms observed along the equator-facing wall of Chasma Boreale imply that slope wind velocities in Chasma Boreale are sufficient to mobilize dust and sand-sized particles in the Polar Layered Deposits (PLD). Two amphitheater forms, located above the cap-forming unit of the sinuous scarp and west of Chasma Boreale, may represent an early stage of polar scarp and chasma formation. These two forms are developing within a younger section of polar layered materials. The unusually steep scarps associated with the polar chasmata have developed where resistant layers are present in the PLD, offering resistance during the headward erosion and poleward retreat of the scarps. Steep slopes that formed under these circumstances enhance the flow of down-scarp katabatic winds. On the basis of these observations, we reject the fluvial outflood hypothesis for the origin of the north polar chasmata and embrace a wind erosion model for their long-term development. In the aeolian model, off-pole katabatic winds progressively remove materials from the steep slopes below chasmata scarps, undermining resistant layers at the tops of scarps and causing retreat by headward erosion. Assuming a minimum age for the onset of formation of Chasma Boreale (105 yr) results in a maximum volumetric erosion rate of 0.35 km 3 yr −1 . Removal of this volume of material from the equator-facing wall and head scarps of chasma would require a rate for scarp retreat of 0.5 m yr −1 .
Resolution of a Signal Transfer Region from a General Binding Domain in Gβ for Stimulation of Phospholipase C-β2

Signaling by guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) involves sequential protein-protein interactions. G protein-betagamma subunit (Gbetagamma) interactions with phospholipase C-beta2 (PLC-beta2) were studied to determine if all Gbeta contacts are required for signaling. A peptide encoding Gbeta amino acid residues 86 to 105 stimulated PLC-beta2. Six residues (96 to 101) within this sequence could transfer signals and thus constitute a core signal transfer region. Another peptide, encoding Gbeta amino acid residues 115 to 135, did not substantially stimulate PLC-beta2 by itself but inhibited Gbetagamma stimulation, indicating that residues 115 to 135 constitute a general binding domain. Resolution of signal transfer regions from general binding domains indicates that all protein-protein contacts are not required for signal transfer and that it may be feasible to synthesize agonists and antagonists that regulate intracellular signal flow.
Candida-Host Interactions in HIV Disease Implications for Oropharyngeal Candidiasis

Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), caused primarily by Candida albicans, is the most common oral infection in HIV+ persons. Although Th1-type CD4+ T cells are the predominant host defense mechanism against OPC, CD8+ T cells and epithelial cells become important when blood CD4+ T cells are reduced below a protective threshold during progression to AIDS. In an early cross-sectional study, OPC+ tissue biopsied from HIV+ persons had an accumulation of activated memory CD8+ T cells at the oral epithelial–lamina propria interface, with reduced expression of the adhesion molecule E-cadherin, suggesting a protective role for CD8+ T cells but a dysfunction in the mucosal migration of the cells. In a subsequent 1-year longitudinal study, OPC− patients with high oral Candida colonization (indicative of a preclinical OPC condition), had higher numbers of CD8+ T cells distributed throughout the tissue, with normal E-cadherin expression. In OPC+ patients, where lack of CD8+ T cell migration was associated with reduced E-cadherin, subsequent evaluations following successful treatment of infection revealed normal E-cadherin expression and cellular distribution. Regarding epithelial cell responses, intact oral epithelial cells exhibit fungistatic activity via an acid-labile protein moiety. A proteomic analysis revealed that annexin A1 is a strong candidate for the effector moiety. The current hypothesis is that under reduced CD4+ T cells, HIV+ persons protected from OPC have CD8+ T cells that migrate to the site of a preclinical infection under normal expression of E-cadherin, whereas those with OPC have a transient reduction in E-cadherin that prohibits CD8+ T cells from migrating for effector function. Oral epithelial cells concomitantly function through annexin A1 to keep Candida in a commensal state but can easily be overwhelmed, thereby contributing to susceptibility to OPC.
The effects of natural category size on memory for episodic encodings.

Previous findings indicate that natural category size affects cued recall but not recognition per­ formance. Words that define or belong to larger categories are not as likely to be recalled in the presence of an extralist cue. However, category size has no effect on recognition in the presence of the target as the cue. Theoretically, this difference could be due to inherent differences be­ tween these tasks, to the use of different types of test cues, or to differences in the nature of the required responses (naming compared with "yes/no"decisions). Three experiments indicated that none of these factors is a sole determinant. Natural category size effects were found in cued-recall and recognition tasks, with extralist and target cues and regardless of the required response. The critical factor is whether the testing conditions require or encourage subjects to search the category defined by the cue. With the initiation of such a search, information represented in seman­ tic memory is likely to influence memory for episodic information. Each word of a study list in a memory experiment is likely to become associated with the general experimen­ tal context and with other words in the list (e.g., Ander­ son & Bower, 1974; Smith, Glenberg, & Bjork, 1978).
A Dynamically Adaptive Multilevel Wavelet Collocation Method for Solving Partial Differential Equations in a Finite Domain

A dynamically adaptive multilevel wavelet collocation method is developed for the solution of partial differential equations. The multilevel structure of the algorithm provides a simple way to adapt computational refinements to local demands of the solution. High resolution computations are performed only in regions where sharp transitions occur. The scheme handles general boundary conditions. The method is applied to the solution of the one-dimensional Burgers equation with small viscosity, a moving shock problem, and a nonlinear thermoacoustic wave problem. The results indicate that the method is very accurate and efficient.
Do serotonin-containing dorsal raphe neurons possess autoreceptors?

The potential role of autoreceptors in regulating the activity of serotonin-containing dorsal raphe (RD) neurons was examined by recording the activity of these neurons under a variety of conditions both in vivo and in vitro in the mouse. RD neurons recorded in vivo displayed the characteristic slow, rhythmic discharge pattern previously described for rat and cat RD cells. The activity of these neurons was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner by tryptophan, LSD and chlorimipramine administered intravenously. The inhibitory effect of tryptophan and chlorimipramine was abolished by pretreatment with p-chlorophenylalanine, while that of LSD was not. There were no significant changes in the spontaneous discharge rate of raphe neurons over time when recorded in vitro, even though tissue serotonin and its metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, decreased dramaticaly. Prior depletion of brain serotonin by p-chlorophenylalanine administration resulted in no significant change in RD neuron activity recorded in vitro. Elevation of brain serotonin by monoamine oxidase inhibition produced a total suppression of raphe cell activity in vitro. Similarly, increasing the concentration of serotonin in the tissue slice by adding serotonin directly to the incubation medium resulted in a profound, though transitory, depression of RD neuron activity. This depressant effect of serotonin was rapidly reversible upon drug wash-out. Serotonin receptor blockers, methiothepin, cyproheptadine and methysergide produced no significant change in RD cell activity. The 5HT reuptake blocker, fluoxetine, produced a total suppression of RD neuron activity in vitro. These data suggest that excess serotonin suppresses the activity of raphe neurons, apparently by an action on autoreceptors, but that a deficiency, or normal concentration, of serotonin does not influence the spontaneous activity of dorsal raphe neurons.
Improvement of the shock-wave-induced resistance-temperature signature for superconducting Y-Ba-Cu-O by silver additions

It is now well established that explosive fabrication and shock wave compression produces residual degradation of superconductivity in Y-Ba-Cu-O and other high T{sub c} oxide superconductors. This degradation manifests itself most prominently in alterations in the resistance-temperature (R-T) signatures which are characterized mainly by a semiconducting normal-state behavior and a broadening of the superconducting transition with increasing peak shock pressure. Transmission electron microscope observations have shown shock-induced microstructural changes including clusters or precipitate-like defects which increase with increasing shock pressure. These features are also similar in some respects to observations of radiation-induced variations in the R-T signatures of Y-B-Cu-O. Contrary to these observations of degraded superconductivity, silver additions to oxide ceramics have generally improved superconducting properties. Here we report the effects of silver doping on the shock-wave degradation of R-T signatures in the high - T{sub c} superconductor system Y-Ba-Cu-O. The suppression of normal-state semiconducting behavior and superconducting transition broadening in silver-doped Y-Ba-Cu-O provides some encouragement for the production of explosively-fabricated, bulk superconducting prototype having a zero resistance T{sub c} intercept above liquid nitrogen temperature ({gt}77K). This paper reports on silver-doped Y-Ba-Cu-O superconducting, sintered bars made by solid-state reaction of the constituent oxides Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Cu and BaO (ormore » Ba(OH){sub 2}) with approximately 25 wt% Ag.« less
Coordinated leading and lagging strand synthesis during SV40 DNA replication in vitro requires PCNA

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a cell cycle and growth regulated protein required for replication of SV40 DNA in vitro. Its function was investigated by comparison of the replication products synthesized in its presence or absence. In the completely reconstituted replication system that contains PCNA, DNA synthesis initiates at the origin and proceeds bidirectionally on both leading and lagging strands around the template DNA to yield duplex, circular daughter molecules. In contrast, in the absence of PCNA, early replicative intermediates containing short nascent strands accumulate. Replication forks continue bidirectionally from the origin, but surprisingly, only lagging strand products are synthesized. Thus two stages of DNA synthesis have been defined, with the second stage requiring PCNA for coordinated leading and lagging strand synthesis at the replication fork. We suggest that during eukaryotic chromosome replication there is a switch to a PCNA-dependent elongation stage that requires two distinct DNA polymerases.
The origin of trigeminal response components elicited by electrical stimulation of the tooth pulp of the cat.

Abstract Field potentials were recorded in the trigeminal sensory complex in response to monopolar and bipolar stimulation of the tooth pulp to characterize the resultant activity of pulpal and extrapulpal origin. Monopolar and bipolar stimulation of pulpal elements resulted in identical responses. Using monopolar stimulation, cathodal thresholds were usually but not universally less than anodal thresholds. Spread of activity to include periodontal afferents occurred at intensities somewhat above that necessary for maximal pulp responses. No spread of activity was found either to gingival afferents using monopolar stimulation or to gingival or periodontal afferents using bipolar stimulation at any stimulus intensity.
An inconvenient vote: Hillary Clinton's Iraq war image repair debate strategies and their implications for representative democracy

Abstract Hillary Rodham Clinton was one of four 2007–2008 Democratic presidential candidates who had voted to authorize U.S. military use in Iraq. Given her status as the front-runner, Clinton's vote, in particular, presented a public relations problem for her among primary voters who strongly opposed the war and favored its prompt end. This study analyzes Clinton's attempts in debate performances to repair her image among voters. Clinton attempted to reduce offensiveness through differentiation, attempted to evade responsibility through defeasibility, and employed qualified mortification. Clinton's strategies were rated as inconsistent and their effectiveness is questionable.
Myoepitheliomas of the head and neck: Case report and review

The clinical, light, and ultrastructural features of a myoepithelioma occurring on the hard palate of a 24-year-old woman are presented and compared with 41 myoepitheliomas of the head and neck described in the English literature. These 42 tumors (39 benign and 3 malignant) occurred in individuals from 14 to 81 years of age, affected both sexes about equally, and most often presented as a slowly enlarging, asymptomatic mass. The parotid gland and palate were the most common sites of occurrence. The tumors are typically circumscribed and encapsulated, vary from 1 to 5 cm in the greatest dimension, and are composed of spindled and/or plasmacytoid myoepithelial cells. Prognosis correlates with histologic appearance and parallels that of the pleomorphic adenoma. Conservative excision with a margin of uninvolved tissue is curative. The differential diagnosis and histogenetic relationship with other closely related neoplasms are discussed.
Glucose starvation-induced turnover of the yeast glucose transporter Hxt1

Abstract Background The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae possesses multiple glucose transporters with different affinities for glucose that enable it to respond to a wide range of glucose concentrations. The steady-state levels of glucose transporters are regulated in response to changes in the availability of glucose. This study investigates the glucose regulation of the low affinity, high capacity glucose transporter Hxt1. Methods and results Western blotting and confocal microscopy were performed to evaluate glucose regulation of the stability of Hxt1. Our results show that glucose starvation induces endocytosis and degradation of Hxt1 and that this event requires End3, a protein required for endocytosis, and the Doa4 deubiquitination enzyme. Mutational analysis of the lysine residues in the Hxt1 N-terminal domain demonstrates that the two lysine residues, K12 and K39, serve as the putative ubiquitin-acceptor sites by the Rsp5 ubiquitin ligase. We also demonstrate that inactivation of PKA (cAMP-dependent protein kinase A) is needed for Hxt1 turnover, implicating the role of the Ras/cAMP-PKA glucose signaling pathway in the stability of Hxt1. Conclusion and general significance Hxt1, most useful when glucose is abundant, is internalized and degraded when glucose becomes depleted. Of note, the stability of Hxt1 is regulated by PKA, known as a positive regulator for glucose induction of HXT1 gene expression, demonstrating a dual role of PKA in regulation of Hxt1.
Analysis of the Cytotoxic Properties of Linoleic Acid Metabolites Produced by Renal and Hepatic P450s

Abstract Cytochrome P450 epoxidation of linoleic acid produces biologically active metabolites which have been associated with many pathological conditions that often lead to acute renal failure. In the present study, we evaluated the ability of specific cytochrome P450s to produce linoleic acid monoepoxides. We then tested the cytotoxic properties of linoleic acid, linoleic acid monoepoxides, and corresponding diols in a rabbit renal proximal tubule model. CYP1A2, CYP2E1, CYP2J2, CYP2J3, CYP2J5, and CYP2J9 metabolized linoleic acid at rates comparable to arachidonic acid and produced linoleic acid monoepoxides as major products. Cytotoxicity studies showed that linoleic acid, linoleic acid monoepoxides, and corresponding diols are toxic at pathologically relevant concentrations (100–500 μM). Concentration-dependent studies showed that linoleic acid and linoleic acid monoepoxides are the most toxic and induce mitochondrial dysfunction prior to cell death. Cytoprotectants known to block cell death associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress did not prevent cell death induced by linoleic acid and linoleic acid monoepoxides. This study shows that P450s in the CYP1 and CYP2 gene families metabolize linoleic acid to linoleic acid monoepoxides and that the monoepoxides, as well as linoleic acid, disrupt mitochondrial function without causing oxidative stress.
Race/Ethnicity is predictive of lymph node status in patients with early gastric cancer

Race/ethnicity has long been suspected to affect survival in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. However, the clinicohistopathological impact of race or ethnicity on early gastric cancer (EGC) is not known. From 2000 to 2013, 286 patients underwent gastrectomy and 104 patients had pathological confirmation of EGC. A retrospective analysis of pathological and clinical prognostic indicators was performed. The study population consisted of 38 (37 %) Asian Americans and 66 (63 %) non-Asian Americans. Of these, 2 (5.3 %) Asian Americans and 19 (28.8 %) non-Asian Americans had pathological confirmation of lymph node metastasis (LNM) (p = 0.004). Univariate analysis comparing the clinicohistopathological characteristics in each group did not reveal significant difference regarding histotype, tumor size, grade, location, morphology, or lymphovascular invasion, except for the LNM rate and mean body mass index (23.2 versus 26.6, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that non-Asian race/ethnicity (odds ratio (OR), 9.09; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.12–71.43; p = 0.038), younger age (OR, 1.11; 95 % CI, 1.01–1.12; p = 0.046), and lymphovascular invasion (OR, 13.9; 95 % CI, 2.40–79.99; p = 0.003) were significant predictors for LNM. This study demonstrated that Asian American race in EGC is associated with a significantly decreased rate of LNM in comparison to non-Asian Americans, despite similar histopathological characteristics of each group.
Towards improved forklift safety: white paper

There are over 1 million forklifts in operation in the United States with an estimated 2 million operators (6 million including part time operators) [Chugh] and nearly 2 000 automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in use in the US. Forklifts are a necessary piece of material handling equipment for many industries. If used properly, they can reduce employee injuries. Unfortunately, they can also pose some safety risks to drivers, pedestrians, and other equipment and goods. This White Paper summarizes presentations and discussions from the PerMIS 2009 Special Session on "Performance Measurements to Improve Forklift Safety." Papers presented during this special session are listed in the references section.
RF photonic filters with 20-ns bandwidth reconfiguration based on optical frequency combs

We present bandwidth reconfigurable RF photonic filtering with 20-ns reconfiguration speed based on a frequency comb with rapidly switched optical bandwidth.
Carcino Embryonic Antigen and long-term follow-up of mucinous pancreatic cysts including intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm

Abstract Background and aims The utility of Carcino Embryonic Antigen (CEA) in differentiating malignant from benign pancreatic cysts is controversial. We sought to examine the role of CEA in differentiating benign from malignant cysts and its utility in progression of cyst size in follow-up. Methods Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent Endoscopic Ultrasound with Fine Needle Aspiration for mucinous cysts between 1998 and 2010. CEA was measured in benign and malignant mucinous cysts. Coefficient of determination ( R 2 ) was used to measure the association between change in cyst size and CEA. Mann–Whitney test was used to compare the median values of CEA. Results 143 patients (38.4% males) were included (mean age 68.9 ± 0.8 years). 105 patients had intra-cystic CEA measured. 63 patients underwent surgery while 80 patients were in the follow-up group. In the surgical group, median CEA value for benign and malignant mucinous neoplasms was 796 and 438 ng/ml, respectively ( p = 0.79). The median follow-up was 21 months. There was no correlation between CEA level and progression in cyst size in patients who had >6 months of follow-up, R 2 = 0.0002. Malignant transformation was observed in 5 (5.9%) patients. Conclusion CEA level was not predictive of malignant cyst nor cyst size progression over follow-up.
Exploring Boyer's scholarship of application for submissions to the IEEE transactions on education

A substantial percentage of the manuscripts submitted to the IEEE Transactions on Education as well as a substantial percentage of the papers that have been published fall within the scholarship of application as described by Boyer. The scholarship of application in electrical and computer engineering education might be briefly described as the scholarship of teaching practice in these disciplines. While this is a critical arena for electrical and computer engineering education, standards and criteria across the scholarly community for this area of scholarship have not been well established. Thus, this workshop at FIE 2013 offers opportunities for dialog about these issues. A starting point for the conversation will be the new review criteria that the Transactions has established for the scholarship of application. The intent of the workshop is to explore how authors interpret the new criteria, how authors might address the new criteria, and how support for authors can be fostered. Small groups will explore in greater depth the meaning of review criteria for the scholarship of application for education in electrical and computer engineering. Then, small groups with share their results with the large group for broader conversations.
Deep Brain Stimulation for Dystonia.

Dystonia refers to movement disorders characterized by sustained muscle contractions that produce abnormal postures, twisting movements, and other abnormal involuntary movements. A spectrum of etiologies underlies the various dystonia syndromes, ranging from genetic conditions to brain injury. First-line therapy for dystonia consists of pharmacologic agents of several classes and, particularly for focal dystonia, chemodenervation therapy with botulinum toxin. Many patients with dystonia realize an inadequate response to those treatments, and for such patients whose symptoms are sufficiently troublesome, surgical treatment can be used to reduce symptoms and improve function. Previously, the ablative procedures of thalamotomy and pallidotomy were used, in which a permanent destructive lesion was made in the motor territory of the thalamus or the globus pallidus. More recently, the device-based therapy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as the preferred surgical treatment for dystonia and other movement disorders for most patients who require operative intervention. DBS uses a surgically implanted brain lead connected to an implanted neurostimulator to deliver chronic, high-frequency electrical stimulation to one of several deep nuclei. For dystonia, stimulation directed at the globus pallidus internus has been the most thoroughly studied to date. Advantages of DBS include its relatively non-destructive nature, its adjustability and reversibility, and its capacity to be used bilaterally in a safe manner. Use of DBS to treat dystonia is a rapidly evolving area, and preliminary evidence suggests that primary dystonia linked to genetic mutation, other primary dystonias, and tardive dystonic syndromes respond most dramatically to treatment with DBS, whereas secondary dystonia tends to be less responsive.
Shock wave interactions with nano-structured materials: a molecular dynamics approach

Porous materials have long been known to be effective in blast mitigation strategies. Nano-structured materials appear to have an even greater potential for blast mitigation because of their high surface-to-volume ratio, a geometric factor which substantially attenuates shock wave propagation. A molecular dynamics approach was used to explore the effects of this remarkable property on the behavior of traveling shocks impacting on solid materials. The computational setup included a moving piston, a gas region, and a target solid wall with and without a porous structure. The materials involved were represented by realistic interaction potentials. The results indicate that the presence of a nano-porous material layer in front of the target wall reduced the stress magnitude and the energy deposited inside the solid by about 30 %, while at the same time substantially decreasing the loading rate.
A Simple Television Demonstration System

The circuits and apparatus of a simple 150-line television demonstration system are described. The equipment employs the small type 1847 iconoscope as camera tube, remotely operated from the transmitter control panel. The transmitter is connected by cable to receiving equipment of which the principal item is a modified conventional oscilloscope. Some photographs taken of pictures on the kinescope screen are shown. It is shown that the low-frequency characteristic of a video cable driven from an amplifier plate circuit differs considerably from the characteristic of the usual interstage coupling.
Analysis of the cone-plate viscometer

Abstract In order that there be only one non-zero component of the stress tensor for a non-Newtonian fluid in a cone-plate viscometer, inertial forces must be neglected with respect to viscous forces in the equation of motion. This is justified when the angle between the cone and plate is very small.
Uniaxial cell stretcher enables high resolution live cell imaging

Imaging adherent cells cultured on commercially available stretchable substrates presents challenges for high-magnification objectives. Namely, short working distances between the objective and focal plane, a moving focal plane due to Poisson's contraction with stretching, and issues of optical transparency or non-matching refractive indices. Beyond the advantages of visualizing biological structures in detail, we seek to implement specialized high-resolution fluorescence microscopy techniques such as Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) microscopy while stretching. Enabling FRET imaging of stretched cells provides a powerful tool for modern cell biology and mechanobiology [1]. FRET techniques require high magnification as well as a stable focal plane for imaging. Here, we address this requirement for stretchable substrates with a microfabricated cell strain device suitable for live cell imaging while allowing high-resolution FRET microscopy of cells. We adapt a uniaxial cell stretching concept previously demonstrated by Huh [2] for high magnification imaging by using thin bottom channels and membranes supported above an inverted oil immersion objective. This work presents a major advance for research in cell mechanobiology as it enables direct mechanical actuation combined with imaging of FRET probes engineered to report strained proteins in live cells.
Software demonstration: Professional Writing Online

One of the authors of a forthcoming web-based professional communication textbook (Professional Writing Online) will provide a description of its contents and a demonstration of its uses. He will talk about instructional and design issues in developing web-based training materials for use in writing courses and distance education. He will also seek input and suggestions from session participants.
Disruption of historical patterns of isolation by distance in coastal steelhead

When natural populations exchange migrants at a rate proportional to their geographic distance, population genetics theory leads to the expectation of a pattern of isolation-by-distance (IBD), whereby geographic and genetic distance are correlated. However, the presence or absence of such patterns in modern populations may not fully reflect the historical relationships among those populations. Thus, historical samples, collected prior to modern human impacts, can often provide a critical baseline for comparison with modern populations. Steelhead, the anadromous form of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, are native to western North America and are endangered or threatened throughout most of California, near the southern extent of their native range. Population samples of steelhead collected in 1897 and 1909 in Central California rivers provided the opportunity to evaluate the historical genetic composition and population structure of these threatened fish. Here we show that these steelhead populations had a historically strong correlation between genetic and geographic distance that has been virtually erased in modern populations, suggesting that current relationships among modern steelhead populations are no longer reflective of natural migratory pathways. This demonstrates the critical role of migration in maintaining population relationships of threatened species and highlights the importance of natural history museums in providing historical baseline information.
The Puzzle of Party Identification: Dimensionality of an Important Concept

The current unidimensional conceptualization of party identification contains many ambiguities. Most troubling, however, has been the debate over the dimensionality of this important concept. This article further examines the defects of the unidimensional conceptualization of party identification using the National Election Studies party thermometers. The results repeatedly demonstrate that the current conceptualization inadequately expresses individual affect toward the political parties and political independence. An alternative conceptualization is discussed that would eliminate the anomalies of the unidimensional concept.
Ludwig's angina in pregnancy

Ludwig's angina is an infectious process involving the submental, sublingual, and submandibular spaces that can rapidly progress to hemodynamic instability and airway loss. Treatment involves antibiotics, incision, drainage and the placement of extraoral drains. This is the first reported recent case of Ludwig's angina in a pregnant patient.
The evolutionary significance of phase-separated microsystems.

The source, preparation, and properties of phase-separated systems such as lipid layers, coacervate droplets, sulphobes, and proteinoid microspheres are reviewed. These microsystems are of interest as partial models for the cell and as partial or total models for the protocell. Conceptual benefits from the study of such models include clues to experiments on origins, insights into principles of action, and, in some instances, presumable models of the origin of the protocell. The benefits to evolution of organized chemical units are many, and can in part be analyzed. Ease of formation suggests that such units would have arisen early in primordial organic evolution. Integration of these various concepts and the results of consequent experiments have contributed to the developing theory of the origins of primordial and contemporary life.
The relationship between problematic Internet use, God attachment, and psychological functioning among adults at a Christian university

In the present study, we utilised structural equation modelling (SEM) to investigate the relationship between God attachment and problematic Internet use, mediated by emotional distress. Findings supported the proposed hypothesis that anxious God attachment (i.e., anxiety about God's abandonment) predicts both problematic Internet use (i.e., obsessing about the Internet, neglecting tasks and relationships due to the Internet, struggling to control Internet use) and psychological distress (i.e., depression, anxiety, stress, worry). In addition, weak-to-moderate correlations emerged between depression, anxiety, stress, and worry and problematic Internet use. Further research is needed to generalise and replicate these preliminary results.
Performance of lithium tetrafluorooxalatophosphate (LiFOP) electrolyte with propylene carbonate (PC)

Abstract The cycling performance of LiPF 4 (C 2 O 4 ) (LiFOP) electrolyte with propylene carbonate (PC) as a cosolvent is compared with LiPF 6 electrolyte with ethylene carbonate (EC) as a cosolvent in the presence of different cathode materials, such as LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 O 2 and LiFePO 4 . The cycling performance of cells with LiFOP and PC is similar to cells with LiPF 6 with EC at room temperature and superior at low temperature (−10 °C). After thermal abuse the room temperature performance of cells with LiFOP electrolyte and PC is worse than cells with LiPF 6 and EC. A detailed analysis of the surface films on both the anode and the cathode via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) in the attenuated total reflection (ATR) mode was conducted to provide a better understanding of performance differences.
Improvement of productivity in acetic acid fermentation with Clostridium thermoaceticum

Production of acetic acid by a mutant strain ofClostridium thermoaceticum was compared in three types of membrane cell-recycle bioreactors. A modified fed-batch bioreactor (where the product is partially removed at the end of fermentation, but the cells are retained), and a two-stage CSTR (with product being removed continuously and the cells being recycled from the second to the first stage) resulted in better performance than a one-stage CSTR or batch fermenter. The difference in performance was greater at higher acetate concentration. With 45 g/L of glucose in the feed, productivity was 0.75–1.12 g/L·h and acetic acid concentrations were 34–38 g/L. This is more than double the batch system. The nutrient supply rate also appeared to have a strong influence on productivity of the microorganism.
On the geometry ofP-convex sets for operators of real principal type

A geometric criterion ofP-convexity for supports is provided for sets whose boundary does not contain intervals of straight lines.
Compressional ULF waves in the outer magnetosphere: 1. Statistical study

Statistical properties of the ULF waves of period 2-20 min in the outer magnetosphere were studied using 14 months of magnetic field and plasma data obtained by the ISEE 1 and 2 spacecraft. It was found that intense compressional waves with typical wave periods of 10 min are a persistent feature near the two flanks of the magnetosphere; they are mainly polarized in a meridian plane with comparable compressional and transverse amplitudes and have larger amplitudes at higher latitudes. Transverse waves polarized in the azimuthal direction are found to be mainly a nightside phenomenon, and they seem to be associated with substorm activity.
Multirelational semantic maps

Research on multirelational semantic maps is laden with promise for educational applications, but the development of knowledge mapping systems has been largely unsystematic. This paper describes the distinctive features of knowledge maps, discusses their origins, and explores some of the strengths and weaknesses of the wide variety of maps and mapping approaches that have been appearing in the literature over the past several years. Research findings pertaining to maps' potential and actual uses in educational settings are summarized, with some indepth attention to the more programmatic efforts of Novak as well as to our own mapping system. Suggestions are made for future exploration of, and experimentation on, maps as unique tools for organizing, representing, and communicating a wide variety of knowledge domains.
Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate activates a channel from smooth muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) can initiate calcium release into the cytoplasm in a variety of cells1,2. From experiments using permeabilized cells3,4, membrane vesicles5–9, and patch-clamp techniques10,11, it has been suggested that InsP3 acts by directly opening calcium channels. Here, we show that InsP3 induced openings of channels in planar lipid bilayers into which vesicles made from aortic muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) were incorporated. Activation of channels by InsP3 was not observed when vesicles made from SR of cardiac or skeletal muscle were incorporated into planar lipid bilayers. The present study demonstrates for the first time unique properties of an InsP3-gated calcium channel in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles from vascular smooth muscle. This InsP3-activated channel from aortic SR differs strikingly from the calcium-gated calcium channel of striated muscle SR in single-channel conductance and pharmacology.
Technical considerations in renal CT

CT is a robust, rapid means of evaluation for a wide spectrum of urologic disorders. The evaluation of renal trauma, urologic malignancy, urolithiasis, and vascular anatomy is well suited to CT techniques. Subtle adjustments, however, in the technical parameters and timing of the study can optimize the evaluation based on the clinical setting. Because CT is more widely used, often repeatedly on an individual patient, radiation exposure must be minimized while still obtaining diagnostic image quality. This article reviews and discusses technical considerations in the performance of CT for various urologic clinical indications.
Data sampling based ensemble acoustic modelling

In this paper, we propose a novel technique of using Cross Validation (CV) data sampling to construct an ensemble of acoustic models for conversational speech recognition. We further propose using Hierarchical Gaussian Mixture Model (HGMM) and repartition training data to increase the ensemble size and diversity. The proposed methods are found to work well together for ensemble acoustic modeling. We also evaluated the quality of the ensemble acoustic models by using the measures of classification margin, average correct score and variance of correct score. We have found that the ensemble of acoustic models increases the margin and the average correct score, and reduces the variance. We compared the performance of our proposed method with a recently reported method of CV Expectation Maximization (CVEM) for single acoustic models. Our experimental results on a telemedicine automatic captioning task showed that the proposed ensemble acoustic modeling has led to significant improvements in word recognition accuracy.
Unified inversion scheme that uses light scattering for morphological parameters and optical properties of aggregated aerosols.

A robust scheme for characterizing chainlike aggregated aerosols by use of nonintrusive light-scattering measurements is presented. This scheme entails the selection of suitable scattering quantities and their optimal measurement angles; the development of an inversion algorithm to yield the complex refractive index of agglomerates m = n + ik, the primary particle diameter dp, the number of primary particles per agglomerate Np, the number density of agglomerates nA, and the volume fraction of agglomerates fv; and evaluation of the uncertainties of the inferred parameters that correspond to measuring uncertainties. The data-inversion algorithm is based on the exact formulation of light scattering for agglomerates that consist of primary particles in the Rayleigh limit and therefore has solid theoretical foundations. In addition, this approach yields all the desired parameters of the aggregated aerosols by using in situ light-scattering measurements with a minimum of possible uncertainties. Furthermore, the methodology developed here can be extended to aerosols with other types of morphology and optical property.
Mediastinal lymph-node dissection in the surgical treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Is it still worthwhile?

We have read with great interest the recently published commentary by Keller [1]. The Author’s brief and concise summary focused on the therapeutic role of the ipsilateral complete mediastinal lymph-node dissection (CMLND) in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and confirms the evidence that, to date, no sufficient data are available to assess whether CMLND has a positive effect on the overall long term survival in patients who have undergone surgery for their disease. More than 25 years after Ogata’s report [2], which referred to an experience evolved in the previous 20 years, and despite the valuable but somewhat limited data reported in the more recent randomised trials exploring the role of CMLND in NSCLC as duly reported in [1], as thoracic surgeons we still face the dilemma of whether CMLND is, or is not, to be associated with any parenchymal resection in the surgical treatment of NSCLC on the basis of its supposed (but never confirmed nor widely accepted) effectiveness in terms of ‘value added’ long term overall survival. To date, and keeping in mind the ‘therapeutic effect’, the answer to this question should be no. In fact, as a therapeutic tool whose effect has yet to be demonstrated, CMLND should be performed only in appropriate phase III trials investigating the impact on long term survival and local control. However, in this setting, several other facts are to be considered. CMLND has been demonstrated to have a not significant adverse effect in terms of morbidity, mortality and quality of life [3], and, in the hands of trained surgeons, it does not significantly prolong the operation time. The incidence of the so-called ‘skip metastases’ is too high (6 /30%) to be ignored [4,5] and the evidence of the importance of nodal micrometastases enhances the limits of sampling [6]. Additional validation is needed regarding the value of the sentinel lypmh-node approach [7,8]. In regards to the extent of the nodal resection, bilateral dissections do not seem justified, especially in small tumours [9,10]. For all these reasons, and considering that CMLND is the only method to obtain a precise pathological staging [3,11] which is, to date, the most powerful means to obtain a clear prediction regarding prognosis and indication to any eventual adjuvant treatment we can conclude this brief commentary by recommending that ipsilateral CMLND should be performed in every resection for NSCLC.
Development of CBT for chemotherapy-related cognitive change: results of a waitlist control trial

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a brief cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that is being developed for management of cognitive dysfunction following chemotherapy among breast cancer survivors. Memory and Attention Adaptation Training (MAAT) is a brief CBT designed to improve the quality of life and function among cancer survivors with post-chemotherapy cognitive complaints. Methods: An initial, two-group (MAAT versus waitlist, no treatment control), randomized clinical trial (RCT) was conducted. Forty stage I and II female breast cancer survivors (mean age = 50; SD = 6.4) were randomized to conditions and assessed at baseline, post-treatment (8 weeks) and 2-month follow-up assessment points on measures of: (1) self-reported daily cognitive failures; (2) quality of life; and (3) neuropsychological performance. Participants were also assessed for satisfaction with MAAT. Results: With education and IQ as covariates, MAAT participants made significant improvements relative to controls on the spiritual well-being subscale of the quality of life measure and on verbal memory, but statistical significance was not achieved on self-report of daily cognitive complaints. However, moderate-to-large effect sizes were observed on these outcomes. Participants gave MAAT high satisfaction ratings. Conclusions: Although this initial RCT is a small study, MAAT participants appear to improve on one measure of quality of life and verbal memory performance relative to no treatment controls and rate MAAT with high satisfaction. These data are encouraging and support the continued development and evaluation of MAAT efficacy.Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Consider the lowly 2 x 2 matrix

If you're into computer graphics, you have to love matrices, but sometimes matrices are so complicated. They have determinants, eigenvalues, singular value decompositions... . What does all this stuff really mean? What does it mean, for example, to take the square root of a matrix? How about the logarithm of a matrix? I have built up my intuition about matrices by playing extensively with the simplest form, the lowly 2/spl times/2 matrix. These almost look too simple to be interesting, but they show off most of the properties of larger matrices. Better yet, you can write out explicit formulas for quantities that are harder to compute for larger matrices. Even so, some of the derivations provided in this article are probably at the limit of most people's appetite for algebra.
High resolution multidetector CT-aided tissue analysis and quantification of lung fibrosis.

Rational and Objectives Volumetric high-resolution scans can be acquired of the lungs with multi-detector CT (MDCT). Such scans have potential to facilitate useful visualization, characterization, and quantification of the extent of diffuse lung diseases, such as Usual Interstitial Pneumonitis or Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (UIP/IPF). There is a need to objectify, standardize and improve the accuracy and repeatability of pulmonary disease characterization and quantification from such scans. This paper presents a novel texture analysis approach toward classification and quantification of various pathologies present in lungs with UIP/IPF. The approach integrates a texture matching method with histogram feature analysis.