cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The UNLV Libraries Collaborative Learning Center: They came to look and stayed to learn

Purpose – To provide an update on the impact of new instructional spaces and technologies on the class offerings and professional development efforts of the Lied Libraries' Instruction Department.Design/methodology/approach – Reviews the data on increased numbers of instructional sessions and students reached. Discusses new technologies available in the classrooms and the impact on students and instructors. Provides examples of new professional development opportunities for librarians, program developments, and class offerings.Findings – Provides information on how the Instruction Department was able to take advantage of the campus community's interest in seeing the new library and its resources to market information literacy programs and build lasting relationships with faculty. The Department has used increased contacts to sustain growth and development in programming and services.Research limitations/implications – This is not a research study, but might point to a need for further research on topics s...
Applications of an iteration algorithm for shearographic fringe pattern analysis

This paper employs the iteration algorithm proposed in reference to process shearography fringe patterns. The algorithm processes speckled fringe pattern several times until the quality of the processed fringe pattern is acceptable. Examples and description of the algorithm are presented.
Geometry response of glaciers to changes in spatial pattern of mass balance

The effect of the spatial pattern of mass balance on the steady-state geometry of a glacier is examined using a Vialov -Nye glacier-flow model based on non-linear internal deformation of the ice with no basal motion. Surface profiles are predicted using a range of spatial variations of mass balance that include uniform shifts that cause a change in the mean and spatial patterns with zero mean representing changes in balance gradient and curvature. The corresponding effect on geometry induced by the different mass-balance patterns are described in terms of the volume and measures of surface slope and convexity. The change in glacier volume, slope and convexity induced by uniform changes in mass balance with non-zero mean are more than one order of magnitude larger than corresponding changes caused by spatial patterns of similar amplitude, but with zero mean. These results show that the mean mass balance contains most of the mass-balance information relevant to the dynamic changes of a glacier. An important consequence is that the memory of a change in climate, which is controlled by the consequent volume change, should be insensitive to the spatial pattern other than how that affects the mean. The spatial pattern of mass balance does induce small changes in the shape of the steady-state profile, which indicates the spatial pattern could affect the short time-scale response characteristics.
High-resolution mismatch-shaping digital-to-analog converters

We present a low-complexity digital encoder for the implementation of mismatch-shaping DACs of arbitrary high resolution. High-resolution signals can thereby be D/A converted linearly despite mismatch of electrical parameters. In effect, high-performance DAC systems can be implemented without high-order analog reconstruction filters, which are the characteristic drawback of delta-sigma DACs. All required filtering can be implemented in the digital domain, and the proposed technique thus facilitates the implementation of high-performance DACs in basic digital CMOS technologies.
Comparison of chemotherapy with chemohormonal therapy as first-line therapy for metastatic, hormone-sensitive breast cancer: An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group study.

PURPOSE: Although hormonal therapy represents standard therapy for metastatic hormone-sensitive disease, many patients receive initial chemotherapy because of the location, bulk, or aggressiveness of their disease. It is uncertain whether simultaneous hormonal therapy provides additional benefit compared with chemotherapy alone. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group trial E3186 was initiated to explore this question. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1988 and December 1992, 231 patients with estrogen receptor (ER)–positive or ER-unknown metastatic breast cancer were randomized to receive either chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and fluorouracil [CAF]) or chemohormonal therapy (CAF plus tamoxifen and Halotestin [fluoxymesterone; Pharmacia-Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI] [CAFTH]) as front-line therapy for metastatic breast cancer. Patients who experienced a complete response to induction therapy either received or did not receive maintenance cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, fluorouracil, prednisone, and T...
Piezoelectric power generation for civil infrastructure systems

Civil infrastructure systems (CIS) employ various small electronic components ranging from temperature and humidity sensors used in buildings to acoustics emission sensors used for damage detection in bridges. Other than solar energy that has already found several applications in CIS; moving loads, surface strain fluctuations, and wind energy available in the vicinity of CIS constitute important sources of energy that can be converted into electricity. This paper focuses on low power generation from these energy sources using piezoelectric transduction. Moving loads caused by travelling vehicles can be used for exciting piezoceramics located on the road. Structural vibrations resulting from various sources such as support motions and interaction of CIS with the surrounding fluid may yield local surface strain fluctuations. Wind energy is available not only due to regular atmospheric flow but also due to the motion of vehicles travelling at relatively high speeds. This paper investigates and formulates (1) the electromechanical moving load problem for slender bridges with a piezoelectric cantilever and with embedded piezoceramics, (2) the problem of piezoelectric power generation from surface strain fluctuations using a piezoceramic patch, and (3) piezoelectric energy harvesting from wind excitation through aeroelastic flutter.
FORMATIVE OBSIDIAN PROCUREMENT AT TRES ZAPOTES, VERACRUZ, MEXICO: IMPLICATIONS FOR OLMEC AND EPI-OLMEC POLITICAL ECONOMY

We report the results of chemical sourcing of obsidian artifacts from Tres Zapotes using X-ray fluorescence analysis. This is the first obsidian sourcing study for this major Olmec and Epi-Olmec center in which samples are drawn from secure archaeological proveniences specifically assigned to Early, Middle, Late Formative, and Protoclassic periods. We employed a stratified random sampling strategy to select 180 obsidian artifacts from excavated assemblages, supplementing the random sample with another 24 specimens drawn from rare visual categories. Consequently, we are able to characterize changes in the relative importance of different obsidian sources in the political economy of Tres Zapotes across the critical transition from Olmec to Epi-Olmec society with greater confidence than has been possible for the Gulf lowlands while extending our observations to the full sample of 5,713 visually characterized obsidian artifacts—2,695 of which come from the well-dated Formative contexts examined in this article. Our study confirms the absence of obsidian from Otumba and from Guatemalan sources in the excavated Olmec assemblage in favor of sources from eastern Puebla and Veracruz, supporting a model of overlapping autonomous networks for obsidian procurement at Gulf Olmec sites. Presence of the Guatemalan San Martin Jilotepeque source in Epi-Olmec contexts may relate to the reestablishment of trans-Isthmian contacts, while increasing prevalence of Zaragoza-Oyameles obsidian from eastern Puebla marks the beginning of a long-term trend. Although more even representation of obsidian sources in Epi-Olmec contexts is consistent with the hypothesized transition from an exclusionary Olmec political economy toward a more “corporate” system associated with power sharing among factional leaders at Tres Zapotes, neither Olmec nor Epi-Olmec elites monopolized a particular obsidian source or technology.
SEQUENCE-SPECIFIC OLIGODEOXYRIBONUCLEOTIDE CLEAVAGE BY A MAJOR-GROOVE-POSITIONED METAL-BINDING LIGAND TETHERED TO C-5 OF DEOXYURIDINE

Abstract Highly efficient cleavage of the single-stranded oligonucleotide 5′-d(CTGGCTCACAAATACCAC TGAGATCTTTTTC)-3′ ( O1 ) at nucleotides G20, A21, and G22 was achieved by an iron-bipyridine complex linked to a targeting oligonucleotide 5′-d(AAA AAG ATC T ∗ CA)-3′ ( O2 ) through -SCH 2 CH 2 NHC(O)- at C5 of a 2′-deoxyuridine (T ∗ ).
Development and Testing of a Rotary-Vane Two-Phase Refrigerating Expander

Rotary-vane positive displacement machines have played an important role for many years in refrigeration and air compression applications because of their inherent simplicity and reliability. This paper details the development and testing of a rotary-vane two-phase expander for the purpose of work recovery in an air-cooled chiller. The paper describes the methodology used to design an expander for two-phase flow from a single-phase compressor and an air-motor. Input from detailed analytical models developed by the authors are used to improve the expander design with respect to internal leakage losses and friction. Controls and performance testing are also presented. Directions for future research are highlighted.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Terrorist threats, information disclosures, and consumer sovereignty

Abstract This paper proposes the use of consumers’ preferences in formulating policies for keeping secret information about terrorist activities and threats that might compromise future security. We report the results from two surveys indicating that support for government secrecy varies across situations depending on the threat and context. A majority of respondents preferred full disclosure of some information related to terrorist threats regardless of the consequences for specific industries or future threats, in particular threats involving attacks on commercial airlines. However a majority of respondents were willing to allow government authorities to withhold information about the details of threats to the financial system and to buildings if revealing the information might compromise future investigations. While the public generally recognizes the importance of keeping some information secret, a democratically elected government should seek to understand the preferences of its citizens on important policy issues related to public safety and security.
Overlooked metastatic lesions of the occipital condyle: a missed case treasure trove

Radiologic images obtained in nine patients with known primary cancer and occipital or head and neck pain were retrospectively reviewed after having been initially interpreted as normal. Imaging studies included head computed tomography (CT) in five cases, brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in six cases, cervical spine CT and MR imaging in five cases, radiography in two cases, and scintigraphy in two cases. This reevaluation demonstrated lesions of the occipital condyles in all patients. Seven patients had unilateral occipital condyle masses, and two patients had bilateral condyle lesions. Lesions were found to either involve only the occipital condyle (n = 4), extend to the adjacent occipital bone (n = 3), or extend to the ipsilateral clivus (n = 2). Misinterpretation of radiologic examinations resulted in an average delay in diagnosis of 10 weeks from the onset of symptoms to definitive therapy (irradiation). It is important to evaluate the occipital condyles in all patients with occipital pain, espe...
The Nonprofit Almanac: what are the issues?

Despite the issues raised here, theNonprofit Almanac represents an extremely valuable addition to the source materials on the non-profit sector in the United States. The estimates of some of the key parameters of non-profit finances and employment provided in theAlmanac represent an important contribution to research and information in this field. In addition, theAlmanac does a good job of pulling together its own research findings with those already available and presenting them within the confines of a single, coherent volume.
Validation of Nimbus-7 temperature-humidity infrared radiometer estimates of cloud type and amount

Estimates of clear and low, middle and high cloud amount in fixed geographical regions approximately (160 km) squared are being made routinely from 11.5 micron radiance measurements of the Nimbus-7 Temperature-Humidity Infrared Radiometer (THIR). The purpose of validation is to determine the accuracy of the THIR cloud estimates. Validation requires that a comparison be made between the THIR estimates of cloudiness and the 'true' cloudiness. The validation results reported in this paper use human analysis of concurrent but independent satellite images with surface meteorological and radiosonde observations to approximate the 'true' cloudiness. Regression and error analyses are used to estimate the systematic and random errors of THIR derived clear amount.
Validity of using linear alkylbenzenes as markers of sewage contamination with interference from tetrapropylene‐based alkylbenzenes

A previously developed two-component model was used to estimate the magnitude of interference from tetrapropylene-based alkylbenzenes (TABs) in measuring linear alkylbenzene (LAB) concentrations in a sediment core collected from the Palos Verdes Shelf (Los Angeles, CA, USA). The magnitude of such interference generally increased with increasing sediment core depth and was fairly high in deeper sediments, where TABs were abundant relative to LABs. Usage of LABs as sewage markers in sediments is generally valid as long as the approximate ratio of TAB to LAB concentration is less than 10.
Object identification leads to a conceptual broadening of object representations in lateral prefrontal cortex

Abstract Recent experience identifying objects leads to later improvements in both speed and accuracy (“repetition priming”), along with simultaneous reductions of neural activity (“repetition suppression”). A popular interpretation of these joint behavioral and neural phenomena is that object representations become perceptually “sharper” with stimulus repetition, eliminating cells that are poorly stimulus-selective and responsive and reducing support for competing representations downstream. Here, we test this hypothesis in an fMRI-adaptation experiment using pictures of objects. Prior to fMRI, participants repeatedly named a set of object pictures. During fMRI, participants viewed adaptation sequences composed of rapidly repeated objects (3–6 repetitions over several seconds) that were either named previously or that were new for the fMRI session, followed by single “deviant” object pictures used to measure recovery from adaptation and that shared a relationship to the adapted picture (a different exemplar of the same object, a conceptual associate, or an unrelated picture). Effects of adaptation and recovery were found throughout visually responsive brain regions. Occipitotemporal cortical regions displayed repetition suppression to previously named relative to new adapters but failed to exhibit pronounced changes in neural tuning. In contrast, changes in the slope of the recovery curves were found in the left lateral prefrontal cortex: Greater residual adaptation was observed to exemplar stimuli and conceptual associates following previously named adapting stimuli, consistent with greater rather than reduced neural overlap among representations of conceptually related objects. Furthermore, this change in neural tuning was directly related to the proportion of conceptual errors made by participants in the naming sessions pre- and post-fMRI, establishing that the experience-dependent conceptual broadening of object representations seen in fMRI is also manifest in behavior. In a follow-up behavioral experiment, we further show that recent naming experience leads to greater semantic priming when using the previously named pictures as briefly presented primes. Taken together, our results fail to support perceptual sharpening as the primary mediator between repetition suppression and behavioral priming at durations typically used to study priming and instead highlight an experience-dependent broadening of conceptual representations. We suggest that alternative mechanisms, such as increases in neural synchronization, are more promising in explaining priming in the face of repetition suppression.
A novel human phosphotransferase highly specific for adenosine

A novel nucleoside phosphotransferase, referred to as adenosine phosphotransferase (Ado Ptase), was partially purified 1230-fold from human placenta. This enzyme differed from other known nucleoside phosphotransferases in its substrate specificity. Using AMP as the phosphate donor, it readily phosphorylated Ado. Changes in the sugar moiety were tolerated. dAdo and ddAdo were phosphate acceptors and dAMP was a donor. No other nucleotide or nucleoside common in nature displayed appreciable activity as donor or acceptor substrate, respectively. In the absence of nucleoside, the enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis of AMP, typical of other nucleoside phosphotransferases. However, in the presence of Ado, little, if any, hydrolysis occurred. Ado Ptase had an absolute requirement for a metal cation, with Mg2+ and, to a lesser extent, Mn2+ fulfilling this requisite. The apparent Km for Ado was 0.2 mM. However, the donor AMP displayed cooperativity in both transfer and hydrolytic reactions. This cooperativity was eliminated by nucleotides, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, and inorganic phosphate. ADP and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate were especially potent. In the presence of these effectors, the apparent Km for AMP was 3.0 mM in the transfer reaction and 4.0 mM in the hydrolytic reaction. Kinetic data suggest that there are two nucleotide binding sites on Ado Ptase, one for the donor, the other for an effector. AMP appeared to bind to both sites. Although this novel enzyme might play a role in the anabolism of nucleoside analogues, the normal physiological role of this nucleoside phosphotransferase is not understood.
Solgel grating waveguides for distributed Bragg reflector lasers.

Solgel grating waveguides and their application to the fabrication of external-cavity distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) lasers are demonstrated. A new composition of aluminosilicate material is developed for the fabrication of single-mode waveguides and Bragg reflectors. An average loss of <0.2 dB/cm is measured in the single-mode waveguides at 1550??nm. The reflectors show filtering greater than 97% near 1530??nm, with a bandwidth of ?0.6 nm. The Bragg reflectors are used as feedback resonators for DBR lasers. Single-mode lasing with a sidemode suppression of better than 25??dB is demonstrated.
Cystometry. I. Introduction.

Abstract Cystometry, a clinical test for assessment of detrusor function, may be used as a supplement to history and physical examination in patients with neurologic dysfunction of the urinary bladder. The test is based on the implicit assumption that the detrusor reflex response is a necessary prerequisite to efficient voiding. Since some patients may void by straining, cystometry should be supplemented by urodynamic and neurologic procedures for evaluation of micturition.
β-Siloxy unsaturated nitriles: stereodivergent cyclizations to cis- and trans-decalins

β-Siloxy unsaturated nitriles are excellent precursors to enolate and nitrile anions that cyclize to cis- and trans-decalins, respectively. The stereoelectronic requirements of endocyclic enolates and exocyclic nitrile anions are complementary, providing cis- and trans-decalins from a common intermediate. This cyclization allows the synthesis of diastereomeric cis- and trans-decalins containing a contiguous array of quaternary−tertiary−quaternary stereocenters.
Role of hydrogen bond networks and dynamics in positive and negative cooperative stabilization of a protein.

Cooperativity mediated through hydrogen bond networks in yeast iso-1-cytochrome c was studied using a thermodynamic triple mutant cycle. Three known stabilizing mutations, Asn 26 to His, Asn 52 to Ile, and Tyr 67 to Phe, were used to construct the triple mutant cycle. The side chain of His 26, a wild-type residue, forms two hydrogen bonds that bridge two substructures of the wild-type protein, and Tyr 67 and Asn 52 are part of an extensive buried hydrogen bond network. The stabilities of all variants in the triple mutant cycle were determined by guanidine hydrochloride denaturation methods and used to determine the pairwise, Δ2Gint, and triple interaction energies. His 26 and Ile 52 interact cooperatively (Δ2Gint is 1−2 kcal/mol), whereas the two other pairs of mutations interact anticooperatively (Δ2Gint is −0.5 to −1.5 kcal/mol). Previously reported structural data for iso-1-cytochrome c variants containing these mutations show that changes in the strength of the His 26 to Glu 44 hydrogen bond, apparent...
A strictly conservative spatial approximation scheme for the governing engineering and physics equations over irregular regions and inhomogeneously scattered nodes

Abstract This paper reports the progress made in multiquadrics (MQ) as a spatial approximation scheme for systems of governing equations of engineering and physics by minimizing the spatial truncation errors without excessive refinement. Although MQ is defined over the general n -dimensional real space, this paper is limited to two spatial dimensions defined over a general non-convex irregular region containing inhomogeneously scattered nodes. We have developed a strictly conservative interpolation scheme over such irregular regions from which the partial derivative estimates are obtained. In addition, we developed a non-iterative scheme to be used with domain decomposition to ensure derivative continuity over contiguous regions. Jump discontinuities for shock and material interfaces are likewise treated by appropriate modification of the algorithm. We have compared the relative errors of the derivative estimates defined over an irregular region consisting of inhomogeneously scattered nodes obtained by the MQ and Voronoi mesh schemes. The MQ relative errors of the derivative estimates are three orders of magnitude better than those obtained from the Voronoi mesh method. (In our previous papers, we have shown that MQ is superior in its derivative estimates over regular gridded regions.) We have also used MQ to estimate derivatives within a very narrow “shock” region with similar excellent results. While comparing spatial approximation schemes for PDE's, we found the MQ results to be superior in accuracy and were calculated by far fewer operations than standard finite difference schemes. Other authors have likewise used MQ successfully to solve integral equations.
Molecular basis of congenital erythropoietic porphyria: Mutations in the human uroporphyrinogen III synthase gene

Congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP) is an autosomal recessive inborn error of metabolism that results from the markedly deficient activity of the fourth enzyme in the heme biosynthetic pathway, uroporphyrinogen III synthase (URO-synthase). To date, 17 mutations have been described including 11 missense, one nonsense, two mRNA splicing defects, one deletion and two coding region insertions. Most mutations have been identified in one or a few unrelated families with the exception of C73R and L4F which occurred in 29.6% and 9.3% of the 54 mutant alleles studied, respectively. Interestingly, analysis of the mutant alleles identified only 83% of the causative mutations, suggesting that about 20% of the mutations causing CEP lie elsewhere in the gene. Of note, mutation V82F, resulting from a G to T transversion of the last nucleotide of exon 4, caused both a missense mutation and an aberrantly spliced RNA transcript. Prokaryotic expression of the mutant URO-synthase alleles identified those with significant residual activity, thereby permitting genotype/phenotype predictions for this clinically heterogeneous disease.
Neutrophilic dermatoses associated with hematologic disorders.

The neutrophilic dermatoses are a group of disorders characterized histologically by dermal neutrophilic infiltrates, having no infectious or other identifiable etiology. These entities include acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, pyoderma gangrenosum, erythema elevatum diutinum, subcorneal pustular dermatosis, and neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis. The neutrophilic dermatoses are frequently considered to be part of a continuous spectrum because they share many features including cutaneous neutrophilic infiltrates, similar clinical eruptions, systemic involvement, association with systemic diseases, and responsiveness to immunosuppressive agents.1 When evaluating patients with the clinical lesions of a neutrophilic dermatosis, infection, leukemic cell infiltration, and allergic contact dermatitis must be excluded as causes.2 The pathogeneses for these disorders are still unclear, but they are recognized paraneoplastic phenomena.3,4 The neutrophilic dermatoses may be associated with a variety of systemic disorders including myeloproliferative disorders, monoclonal gammopathies (especially IgA), inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.4 This report discusses the neutrophilic dermatoses and their associations with hematologic disorders. Acute Febrile Neutrophilic Dermatosis Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (AFND) was described by Dr. Robert Sweet in 1964 and soon came to be known as Sweet’s syndrome.5 It is a clinically and pathologically distinct entity of unknown etiology6 and is characterized by fever, neutrophilia, erythematous plaques on the limbs, face and neck, and dense dermal neutrophilic infiltration.5 Additional criteria include absence of infection and responsiveness to corticosteroids.5 Although most cases are thought to be idiopathic,7 AFND can be associated with a variety of disorders, including malignancies, infections, autoimmune disorders, pregnancy, drugs, trauma, subacute thyroiditis, Behcet’s syndrome, acute renal failure, and human im
Emerging roles of tissue factor in viral hemorrhagic fever.

Activation of coagulation by tissue factor (TF) is frequently observed in sepsis syndrome and is documented in certain viral hemorrhagic fevers. Coagulation protease complexes signal by activating the G-protein coupled, protease-activated receptors that regulate inflammation. Blockade of TF attenuates lethality in experimental models of Ebola virus infection but – similar to findings in bacterial sepsis – reduction of inflammation, rather than attenuation of coagulation, predicts survival of treated animals. Thus, targeting TF appears to aid the antiviral immune response in hemorrhagic fevers, and further studies are encouraged to define how TF-dependent signaling regulates immunity.
Developmental changes in free recall and serial learning of categorically structured lists

Free recall performance with both constant and varied input orders was compared to serial recall performance across three grade levels. Categorized lists composed of frequent instances from categories familiar to young children were presented under both blocked and nonblocked conditions. Results revealed high levels of recall performance and semantic clustering with 'no evidence of production deficiency. Both the amount recalled and the number of instances per category increased with increasing grade level, while the degree of clustering did not. :Seruu ana tree recall performance did not differ due to the high use of semantic clustering in free recall, which made the previously facilitative provision of :m ordering strategy during serial learning no longer useful. Developmental assessments of free recall (FR) learning have generally reported relatively low overall performance levels and corresponding low organizational scores for clustering and/or subjective organization (e.g., Laurence, 1966, 1967). Jablonski (1974) has suggested that organization in the FR learning of children should be diminished to the degree that a large verbal repertoire has not yet developed. Additionally, Nelson (1969) has postulated fhat poor performance on categorized lists may result from children's conceptual categories containing instances which differ from those in adult categories. An alternative, but compatible, explanation of the low recall and organizational levels has been offered by Flavell (1970) with the formulation of a production deticiency hypothesis. The latter proposes that the poor performance is due to a failure to produce semantic mediators during storage and/or retrieval. Such a failure may be due to the reduced development of the verbal repertoire and/or the differences in adult and children's ' conceptual hierarchies. However, a production deficiency need not depend upon either factor. The production deficiency explanation of FR also fits well with developmental differences in serial and FR performance. Posnansky (l974a) has noted that children exhibit high performance levels during serial learning (SL) as compared to typical FR. For example, Posnansky showed that children as young as first graders could master a 9·item serial list in an average of six. trials, while in Nelson's (1969) free·recall study, second·grade
Potential Role of Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Antagonists in Cerebrovascular Disorders

Studies have confirmed the benefit of established antiplatelet therapies [aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), clopidogrel, or a combination of aspirin and dipyridamole] in cerebrovascular disorders such as stroke. Recent data indicate that glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) receptor antagonist antiplatelet agents (which are currently marketed or are being investigated for their efficacy in cardiovascular indications) may also be beneficial in patients who have had a stroke. These agents may have potential value as monotherapy or as adjuncts to thrombolytics or interventional procedures. However, GPIIb/IIIa antagonists carry a risk of cerebral haemorrhage, which may be higher in patients with acute stroke than in patients with transient ischaemic attack or partial occlusion.
Comparison of Bi1 +, Bi3 + and C60 + primary ion sources for ToF-SIMS imaging of patterned protein samples

Imaging time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) has been used to study protein bound to a photolithographically-patterned, commercial poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based polymer film. The effect of different ion sources on the fragmentation pattern from this sample was analyzed with respect to the surface sensitivity of characteristic protein fragments and contrast in the ion images. The method demonstrates that, under similar fluence (below the static limit), Bi(3) (+) provides better surface sensitivity for low mass fragments and the best image contrast as compared to Bi(1) (+) and C(60) (+) cluster sources. Principal component analysis (PCA) was utilized to process depth profiles for this sample and shows that a primary ion fluence of approximately 20 × 10(12) ions/cm(2) is required to etch through the adsorbed protein layer.
Automated Probabilistic Analysis of Air Traffic Control Communications

Abstract : Initiatives to integrate autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with regular airport operations require automated onboard situational awareness to maintain safety at all times. More specifically, this requires the capability to sense, interpret, and predict what other aircraft are doing, based on the same incoming data that are available to a human pilot. This includes not only baseline knowledge of the airport layout, operational practices and landmarks, but also an ability to interpret radio communications with Air Traffic Control (ATC) and correlate them with observable movements and positions of other aircraft. This analysis informs an autonomous UAV's control mechanisms which ultimately regulate its kinetic behavior at the airport. As with any operational domain governed by human actions and control, there are many inherent challenges in interpreting ATC communications -- a noisy data stream not only in terms of signal quality, but more significantly in the range of human deviations from the strictest procedures. This makes the analysis a natural application for Artificial Intelligence techniques, where the goal is to support automated reasoning that mimics a human pilot's decision processes. This paper provides a detailed discussion of a probabilistic reasoning approach using Bayesian Networks to classify ATC communications and synthesize them with baseline knowledge of an airport and produce real-time hypotheses about the states and trajectories of other aircraft. This provides a key component for automated situational awareness, which also requires correlation with sensor data, and ultimately a functional set of behaviors to act accordingly, although these latter capabilities are beyond the scope of this paper. The probabilistic communications analysis methodology is described, along with testing results using a real-world sample data set annotated for ground truth, to evaluate performance.
AnonymousCloud: A Data Ownership Privacy Provider Framework in Cloud Computing

A means of reliably concealing ownership of cloud data without impeding computation over the data is presented and evaluated. This facilitates information privacy enforcement in cloud environments by withholding data ownership information from cloud nodes that compute using the data. As a result, nodes that have access to private data in unencrypted form do not know who owns it, what role their computations play in the larger computational task, or to whom their computation results are ultimately delivered. To provide this data ownership privacy, the cloud's distributed computing resources are leveraged to implement an anonymizing circuit based on Tor, through which users submit private data and jobs. A tunable parameter k controls a trade-off between the degree of anonymity and the computational overhead imposed by the system. Anonymous authentication based on publickey cryptography safely links jobs and data to customers for billing purposes without revealing these associations to untrusted computation nodes. Simulation results demonstrate the potency of the system in presence of attackers.
Separation and quantitative analysis of serum lipoproteins by means of electrophoresis on cellulose acetate

Abstract A method for lipoprotein electrophoresis on cellulose acetate is described. Features which distinguish this method are: (1) It affords complete resolution of chylomicrons, β-lipoproteins, pre-β-lipoproteins, and α-lipoproteins into distinct bands and allows the relative magnitude of each to be estimated by transmission microden-sitometry. (2) Lipoproteins can be eluted quantitatively from separated bands for analyses. (3) Intact chylomicrons can be recovered by ultrasonic treatment. (4) The procedure is rapid, reproducible, and does not require addition of albumin to the buffer.
Surface analysis of supported heterogeneous catalysts

Abstract During the past decade, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS or ESCA) has become a common tool for characterizing heterogeneous catalysts. ESCA is able to provide both qualitative and quantitative information about the nature of chemical species on catalyst surfaces. It is both surface sensitive and chemically specific.
Formative and Summative Assessments for Dance Interarts/Interdisciplinary Projects

Arts integration is an interdisciplinary strategy that enables students to gain knowledge and skill in one or more content areas simultaneously. For an interarts focus, more than one art form—in th...
A radiative transfer model for planetary atmospheres

Abstract The method of matched asymptotic expansions is applied to the analysis of infrared radiative energy transfer within a planetary atmosphere. The goal is to illustrate, by means of a simple mathematical model, qualitative features of atmospheric thermal structure. The matched asymptotic expansion is employed in the upper portion of the atmosphere, and the analysis illustrates that the temperature distribution in the lower portion of the atmosphere is independent of both concentration of absorbing gas and rotational line structure of the vibrational-rotation bands.
Creatine supplementation improves muscular performance in older women

Muscle power and strength decrease with age leading to reduced independence and increased health risk from falls. Creatine supplementation can increase muscle power and strength. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 7 days of creatine supplementation on body composition, muscular strength, and lower-body motor functional performance in older women. Thirty 58–71 year old women performed three test sessions (T1–T3) each separated by one week. Each session consisted of one repetition maximum tests for bench press and leg press, and isometric hand-grip, tandem gait, upper-body ergometer, and lower-body ergometer tests. Following T2, subjects were assigned to a creatine monohydrate (0.3 g kg body mass−1 for 7 days) (CR: 63.31 ± 1.22 year, 160.00 ± 1.58 cm, 67.11 ± 4.38 kg) or a placebo (PL: 62.98 ± 1.11 year, 162.25 ± 2.09 cm, 67.84 ± 3.90 kg) supplementation group. CR significantly (P < 0.05) increased bench press (1.7 ± 0.4 kg), leg press (5.2 ± 1.8 kg), body mass (0.49 ± 0.04 kg) and fat free mass (0.52 ± 0.05) and decreased completion time on the functional tandem gait tests from T2–T3. No significant changes were found for PL on any of the measured variables. No adverse side-effects were reported by either group. Short-term creatine supplementation resulted in an increase in strength, power, and lower-body motor functional performance in older women without any adverse side effects
Biological and caregiver correlates of behavioral inhibition

The aim of this study was to explore the relationships among measures of behavioral inhibition, physiological reactivity, and caregiver attitudes. Measures comprised of heart rate; survey assessments of caregiver empathy with the child, appropriateness of caregiver developmental expectations of the child, and use of positive discipline techniques; and observational measures of behavioral inhibition were gathered in a laboratory setting on 72, 5–6-year old children. It was found that heart rate and behavioral inhibition were positively correlated (0.595), whereas behavioral inhibition was negatively correlated with caregiver attitudes of empathy (−0.356), appropriate expectations (−0.366), and use of positive discipline techniques (−0.275). However, there was no correlation between heart rate and caregiver attitudes. These data suggest that physiological reactivity to novel stimuli and caregiver attitudes of empathy, appropriate expectations, and use of positive discipline techniques conjointly influence behavioral inhibition in early childhood. Further, these three caregiver variables accounted for significant variance in children who had high reactive physiological profiles associated with inhibited behavior patterns, but did not display such patterns. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characteristics of liquid crystal devices with improved response times.

The response time and contrast are reported for a liquid crystal (LC) cell operated in the transmission mode. The cell yielded improved response times (e.g., of the order of 0.15 msec) that result from several features: (1) the LC material is a mixture of cholesteryl nonanoate, p-cyanophenyl p-butylbenzoate, and p-cyanophenyl p-heptylbenzoate in the weight ratio x:100:230, respectively; and (2) the cell is operated with the signal drive voltage superimposed on a low-frequency square-wave pedestal voltage. The influence of electrode surface treatment is discussed, and it is postulated that the rapid response time results from only the thin layer of LC material adjacent to the treated electrode surface.
Fermi resonance of tyrosine and related compounds. Analysis of the Raman doublet

The model compound data of Siamwiza et al. on the Fermi resonance doublet of various para-substituted benzenes is analysed theoretically to obtain the uncoupled frequencies and intensities of the ring breathing mode and the first overtone of the out-of-plane bending mode. The possibility of obtaining accurate information on the state of ionization of tyrosine hydroxyl groups in proteins from an analysis of the experimentally observed peak frequencies and intensities is discussed.
Does cholecystokinin potentiate dopamine action in the nucleus accumbens

Extracellular single unit recording and microiontophoretic techniques were used to determine whether sulfated cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8S) potentiates the inhibitory action of dopamine (DA) on neurons in the nucleus accumbens of rats. The results show that CCK-8S attenuated, rather than enhanced the action of DA. The interaction between CCK-8S and DA does not appear to be specific because similar antagonizing actions between CCK-8S and serotonin were observed. In addition to opposing the inhibitory effects of DA and serotonin, CCK-8S potentiated the activation of glutamate. It is concluded that CCK-8S and DA exerted their actions independently via depolarizing and hyperpolarizing the neuronal membrane of the NAc neurons, respectively.
Use of occlusion balloon catheter in percutaneous renal stone extraction

Using an occlusion balloon catheter during percutaneous removal of renal calculi can increase the success of obtaining a nephrostomy as well as enhance the removal of stone fragments.
On Influencing Lives

This article includes responses to a writing prompt for National Library Week. In the spring of 1994 at University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall, reference librarian Grace Mills, suggested the library try a personal approach for National Library Week. The library invited students and faculty to reveal a favorite book, movie, or song along with a brief explanation of its importance. This article includes a description of the display and excerpts from participant responses.
How much cognitive therapy, for which patients, will prevent depressive relapse?

Abstract Background Although clinicians accept that relapse is probable when successful acute phase pharmacotherapy is discontinued, less is known about when to stop versus continue successful cognitive therapy. This report describes the development of “translational tools” to bridge the gap between research and practice on this and similar decisions that practitioners make daily. We aim to provide patients, clinicians, and public health administrators' practical tools to facilitate informed decisions about when to stop versus continue cognitive therapy with responders who presented with recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD). Method Data are drawn from a randomized clinical trial [Jarrett, R.B., Kraft, D., Doyle, J., Foster, B.M., Eaves, G.G., Silver, P.C., 2001. Preventing recurrent depression using cognitive therapy with and without a continuation phase: a randomized clinical trial. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 58, 381–388] showing that continuation-phase cognitive therapy (C-CT; [Jarrett, R.B., 1989. Cognitive therapy for recurrent unipolar depressive disorder: The continuation/maintenance phase]) reduced relapse more over 8 months than an assessment-only control, for responders to acute phase cognitive therapy (A-CT; [Beck, A.T., Rush, A.J., Shaw, B.F., Emery, G., 1979. Cognitive therapy of depression. New York, Guilford Press]). We provide tools to translate the additional finding that, over 2 years, responders to A-CT for recurrent depression with higher residual symptoms were more likely to require C-CT to avoid relapse/recurrence than responders with lower or no residual symptoms. Results To measure residual symptoms we provide the specific scores from six readily available measures of depressive symptom severity taken at the last acute phase session and their associated probabilities of relapse or recurrence over 8, 12, and 24 months. Conclusions These tools can aid individual patient and providers in making informed decisions when they decide to continue versus discontinue cognitive therapy. Limitations The results are limited to a 20-session trial of A-CT for recurrent depression conducted by highly experienced therapists and require replication.
Compulsive exchange method for determining soil exchange capacities: Proposed time and labor saving modifications

Abstract Although the compulsive method for measuring the cation exchange properties of soils is being widely accepted particularly for highly weathered soils, part of the procedure is rather tedious involving the addition of water in a stepwise fashion to attain the specific conductance of a standard ionic strength which approximates that of many soil solutions. A modification, which estimates this quantity of water by measuring the specific conductance of the solution before addition of water, is proposed. This estimate was based on calibrations conducted on thirty‐one top‐ and sub‐soils comprising examples from six soil orders. Results obtained by both the original and modified methods were compared over 118 top‐ and sub‐soils and were highly correlated (R2= 0.99) with a slope of 1.02. The proposed modification is accurate as well as time and labor saving.
High-field MRS study of GABA, glutamate and glutamine in social anxiety disorder: response to treatment with levetiracetam.

Abstract Objective Abnormalities in brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate may be relevant to the underlying pathophysiology of anxiety disorders including social anxiety disorder (SAD). Methods We used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (pMRS) to examine whole brain and regional GABA, glutamate and glutamine in patients (N = 10) with SAD at baseline compared to a matched group of healthy controls (HC), and changes following 8 weeks of pharmacotherapy with levetiracetam. Results For SAD subjects, there were significantly higher whole brain levels of glutamate and glutamine, though no significant differences in GABA. In the thalamus, glutamine was higher and GABA lower for SAD subjects. There was a significant reduction in thalamic glutamine with levetiracetam treatment. Conclusion Our findings provide preliminary support for impaired GABAergic and overactive glutamatergic function in social anxiety disorder and the potential relevance of changes in these systems for the anxiolytic response to levetiracetam.
Measurement of Ribose Carbon Chemical Shift Tensors for A-form RNA by Liquid Crystal NMR Spectroscopy

Incomplete motional averaging of chemical shift anisotropy upon weak alignment of nucleic acids and proteins in a magnetic field results in small changes in chemical shift. Knowledge of nucleus-specific chemical shift (CS) tensor magnitudes and orientations is necessary to take full advantage of these measurements in biomolecular structure determination. We report the determination by liquid crystal NMR of the CS tensors for all ribose carbons in A-form helical RNA, using a series of novel 3D NMR pulse sequences for accurate and resolved measurement of the ribose 13C chemical shifts. The orientation of the riboses relative to the rhombic alignment tensor of the molecule studied, a stem-loop sequence corresponding to helix-35 of 23S rRNA, is known from an extensive set of residual dipolar couplings (RDC), previously used to refine its structure. Singular-value-decomposition fits of the chemical shift changes to this structure, or alternatively to a database of helical RNA X-ray structures, provide the CS t...
Raman amplification at 800 nm in single-mode fiber for biological sensing and imaging

We report the first experimental demonstration of Raman amplification in a fiber at wavelengths near 800 nm and propose its application to fast real-time optical sensing and imaging in this technologically important band.