cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coercive Nonproliferation: Israel's Use of Coercive Diplomacy to Prevent the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

Since the 1960s, Israel has used coercive diplomacy in an attempt to foil its adversaries’ efforts to develop strategic weapons, including nuclear weapons, advanced ballistic missiles and biological weapons. Israel’s airstrike against the Al Kibar reactor in Syria in September 2007 was the most recent example of this strategy, which I call coercive nonproliferation. Unable to rely on the traditional tools of nonproliferation, such as bilateral negotiations and economic sanctions, Israel has shown a greater willingness to use force, including covert operations, to achieve its nonproliferation objectives. Surprisingly, most studies of Israeli security policy neglect to examine the strategy of coercive nonproliferation beyond a discussion of Israel's 1981 raid against Iraq’s Osiraq reactor. The paper examines eight cases where Israel has used diplomacy, covert operations, and/or military force to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems to hostile states. The literature on coercive diplomacy provides a suitable theoretical framework for assessing the effectiveness of Israel’s coercive nonproliferation strategy. While Israel was able to delay strategic weapons programs in several cases, coercive nonproliferation has been unable to alter the fundamental motivation of hostile states to acquire these weapons.
Instructional Strategies for Group and Independent Learning: Social Media for Business Education

Electronic channels of communication and social networking are effective tools in the process of teaching and learning and have increasingly improved the quality of students’ learning outcomes in higher education in recent years. The process encourages students’ active engagement, collaboration, and participation in class activities and group work and provides a flow of information dissemination in a sophisticated method that yields measurable results. Faculty can monitor collaborative and independent activities of their students and can also provide timely feedback. Studies identified some issues associated with social networking and students’ learning ability, but argue that performance assessment and learning outcomes can be adequately managed because of social media tools. This paper concludes that electronic technology enhances group learning activities, enables students to engage in ongoing communication with one another in the learning process. Effective use of social networking tools in the learning environment by faculty can sustain the quality of instructions and skills-development in business education.
Structural Policies for the International Competitiveness in Manufacturing: the Case of Cameroon

In this study, a new sample of 38 manufacturing firms from Cameroon is examined for the period 1980-95. A production function and an export function are estimated in order to study the determinants of Total Factor Productivity (TFP) and export performance. The results demonstrate a mutually reinforcing relation between productivity and manufacturing export performance. Moreover, the study provides evidence indicating that adequate management of the real exchange rate is a crucial factor for the promotion of manufacturing exports. The performance of the manufacturing sector in Cameroon has deteriorated substantially since the mid 1980s. This decline is to a large degree explained by Dutch disease symptoms and inward looking policies for the manufacturing sector, resulting in a highly overvalued Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER). Based on the estimated export and production functions, a model is constructed to assess the cost of this REER evaluation, both in terms of productivity and exports.
s- and p-wave neutron spectroscopy: Part VIII. Subshell effect on nuclear level spacing near A = 50

Abstract The neutron total cross sections of separated isotopes of several even A targets near A = 50 have been measured with high resolution using the Li7(p, n)Be7 reaction as the neutron source for a 20° collimator. The measurements on Ca40, Cr52, Fe54, and Fe56 are characterized by a number of narrow l > 0 resonances superimposed on much wider but easily distinguishable s-wave resonances. The Ti46, Ti48, and Ti50 nuclei exhibit a large enough proportion of these l > 0 resonances to complicate identification of s-wave resonances. Since the usefulness of area analysis is limited by strong resonance-resonance and resonance-potential interference, a multilevel formula obtained from the R-matrix formalism has been used to fit the wide s-wave resonances. After correcting the resulting 1 2 + level spacings to zero angular momentum and for variations in excitation energy, two other important influences on level spacing were observed; the neutron excess effect observed earlier by Newson and the subshell effects predicted by Rosenzweig. The former phenomenon has been verified beyond reasonable doubt and the latter which results from the influence of ground-state subshell occupation on the level spacing at higher excitation energy is consistent with Rosenzweig's predictions. The moment of inertia of some of these nuclei when excited to the neutron separation energy have been determined. They apparently fluctuate widely around the rigid body value but on the average are slightly higher. We have also found the distributions of widths and spacings to be in reasonable good agreement with the respective Porter-Thomas and Wigner predictions.
Lectures on Groups of Symplectomorphisms

These notes combine material from short lecture courses given in Paris, France, in July 2001 and in Srni, the Czech Republic, in January 2003. They discuss groups of symplectomorphisms of closed symplectic manifolds (M,\om) from various points of view. Lectures 1 and 2 provide an overview of our current knowledge of their algebraic, geometric and homotopy theoretic properties. Lecture 3 sketches the arguments used by Gromov, Abreu and Abreu-McDuff to figure out the rational homotopy type of these groups in the cases M= CP^2 and M=S^2\times S^2. We outline the needed J-holomorphic curve techniques. Much of the recent progress in understanding the geometry and topology of these groups has come from studying the properties of fibrations with the manifold M as fiber and structural group equal either to the symplectic group or to its Hamiltonian subgroup Ham(M). The case when the base is S^2 has proved particularly important. Lecture 4 describes the geometry of Hamiltonian fibrations over S^2, while Lecture 5 discusses their Gromov-Witten invariants via the Seidel representation. It ends by sketching Entov's explanation of the ABW inequalities for eigenvalues of products of special unitary matrices. Finally in Lecture 6 we apply the ideas developed in the previous two lectures to demonstrate the existence of (short) paths in Ham(M,\om) that minimize the Hofer norm over all paths with the given endpoints.
Developments in CPM, PERT, and Network Analysis

The historical background of the various network techniques and the extensions of the basic techniques into cost and resource areas are examined. The development of computer systems as they relate to the applications of network programs are traced, and some speculation into interactive systems and their future impact in the construction industry is included. The disparity between current state of development in network techniques and their applications in the construction industry is pointed out, and an explanation of this disparity is attempted. A flow chart of the logical steps in preparing and processing the networks in batch processing is included.
Regional differences in constitutive and induced ICAM-1 expression in vivo

The aim of the present study was to characterize and compare the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) on unstimulated and endotoxin-challenged endothelial cells in different tissues of the rat. ICAM-1 expression was measured using 125I-labeled anti-rat ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody (MAb) and an isotype-matched control MAb labeled with 131I (to correct for nonspecific accumulation of the binding MAb). Under baseline conditions, ICAM-1 MAb binding was observed in all organs. The binding of 125I-ICAM-1 MAb varied widely among organs, with the largest accumulation (per g tissue) in the lung, followed by heart (1/30th of lung activity), splanchnic organs (1/50th of lung activity), thymus (1/100th of lung activity), testes (1/300th of lung activity), and skeletal muscle (1/800th of lung activity). Endotoxin induced an increase in ICAM-1 MAb binding in all organs except the spleen. Endotoxin-induced upregulation of ICAM-1 was greatest in heart and skeletal muscle (5- to 10-fold), whereas the remaining organs exhibited a two- to fourfold increase in ICAM-1 expression. Maximal upregulation of ICAM-1 occurred at 9-12 h after endotoxin administration. A dose-dependent increase in ICAM-1 expression was elicited by 0.1-10 microgram/kg, with higher doses (up to 5 mg/kg) producing no further increment. Induction of ICAM-1 mRNA after endotoxin was observed in all tissues examined (lung, heart, intestine), peaked at 3 h, and then rapidly returned to control levels. These findings indicate that ICAM-1 is constitutively expressed on vascular endothelium in all organs of the rat and that there are significant regional differences in the magnitude and time course of endotoxin-induced ICAM-1 expression.
A new free-will defence

This paper argues that if creatures are to have significant free will, then God's essential omni-benevolence and essential omnipotence cannot logically preclude Him from creating a world containing a moral evil. The paper maintains that this traditional conclusion does not need to rest on reliance on subjunctive conditionals of free will. It can be grounded in several independent ways based on premises that many will accept.
Recombinant soluble human tissue factor secreted by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and refolded from Escherichia coli inclusion bodies: glycosylation of mutants, activity and physical characterization

Tissue factor (TF) is the cell-surface transmembrane receptor that initiates both the extrinsic and intrinsic blood coagulation cascades. The abilities of TF to associate with Factor VIIa and Factor X in a ternary complex and to enable proteolytic activation of Factor X by Factor VIIa reside in the extracellular domain of TF. We describe the expression of the surface domain of TF (truncated TF, tTF) in both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli and the biochemical and physical characterization of the recombinant proteins. Wild-type tTF and several glycosylation-site mutants were secreted efficiently by S. cerevisiae under the control of the yeast prepro-alpha-signal sequence; the T13A,N137D double mutant was the most homogeneous variant expressed in milligram quantities. Wild-type tTF was expressed in a non-native state in E. coli inclusion bodies as a fusion protein with a poly(His) leader. The fusion protein could be fully renatured and the leader removed by proteolysis with thrombin; the correct molecular mass (24,729 Da) of the purified protein was confirmed by electrospray mass spectrometry. Recombinant tTFs from yeast, E. coli and Chinese hamster ovary cells were identical in their abilities to bind Factor VIIa, to enhance the catalytic activity of Factor VIIa and to enhance the proteolytic activation of Factor X by Factor VIIa. Furthermore, CD, fluorescence emission and NMR spectra of the yeast and E. coli proteins indicated that these proteins are essentially identical structurally.
Comparison between ATP BioluminescenceTechnique and Traditional Microbiological Method to Detect Contamination within Food Facilities in Saudi Arabia (Jiddah)

Food-contact surfaces are potential sources for the transmission of foodborne pathogens. Thus, it is important to eliminate bacteria by using proper sanitizing methods in order to reduce cross-contamination during food preparation and/or consumption. The objective of this study is to determine the level of contamination within certain food facilities in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, using the traditional microbiological culture (aerobic plate count) and the ATP-bioluminescence assay methods and to establish if any correlation exists between the conventional direct surface plating and an ATP reading. Different samples obtained from food processing surfaces (sampling point) such as a cream mixer, cutting boards, an orange squeezer and knives at the salad section, and also a marble worktop at the pastry site were examined. All samples that were taken from the food processing equipment/surfaces showed high levels of contamination before the cleaning stage, but reduced sharply after cleaning and sanitizing. The correlation coefficient (R) values between the traditional microbiological culture (aerobic plate count) and the ATP-bioluminescence assay methods were in the range of 0.72 - 0.99 after the cleaning stage for all the samples, whereas before the food preparation equipment/surfaces had been cleaned, the R value was very low; this is possibly due to the differences between the two detection methods. The ATP-bioluminescence assay method can detect the presence of food debris, and this was translated to a high number of Relative Light Unit (RLU) indicative of a high level of contamination, whereas the traditional microbiological culture (aerobic plate count) method can only detect microorganisms. Therefore, the correlation coefficient (R) values after the cleaning stage have shown to reach a high value of 0.72-0.99 in all the samples due to the removal of food debris during the cleaning stage. Moreover, the results indicate that the ATP-bioluminescence assay is a good tool for monitoring the cleanliness of surfaces and hygiene practices at food premises.
DETERMINATION OF VOLATILES BY VAPOR HEADSPACE ANALYSIS IN A MULTI-PHASE SYSTEM: d-LIMONENE IN ORANGE JUICE

Headspace analysis of volatile compounds is complicated when components are present above their limit of solubility and/or when a second solid or liquid phase exists. A technique is presented which is based upon controlled dilution to a concentration where the solubility limit is no longer exceeded, coupled with a correction for extraction into the additional solid or liquid phase(s). The method is demonstrated for the determination of d-limonene contents of synthetic emulsions and orange juice.
Effect of grating on IR LED device performance

Abstract The electroluminescence in the range of 3–4.5 μm and 6–10 μm from a Sb-based type II interband quantum cascade structure is reported. We measured the light emission from the top surface of the LED device with different grating structures. We used different etch depths for the grating formation. The light–current–voltage (LIV) characteristics measured at both room and cryogenic temperatures show that the device with 45° angle grating and 1.0 μm deep etch onto the GaSb surface has the highest emission power.
Electronic spectroscopy of highly-polar aromatics. XIII. absorption and luminescence of nitroanilines

Abstract The absorption spectra of the nitroanilines have been reexamined. The experimental data favor those models which predict that the lowest-energy absorption band of the p -derivative encompasses two or more electronic transitions whereas that of either the o - or m -derivative encompasses only one electronic transition. The unique luminescence characteristics of these molecules is discussed.
Visual scanning of line segments: Object superiority and its reversal

The object superiority and object line effects were investigated with a visual scanning, task. Scanning times for two target lines were ordered as follows from fastest to slowest: no context, unconnected-lines context (flat), object context (three-dimensional), and disorganized context (flat). These results substantiate previous work (Klein, 1978) that demonstrated a reversal of the object superiority effect under speed stress when the unconnected-lines context was compared with the object context. However, these results also demonstrate that this reversal does not generalize to comparisons between disorganized and object contexts.
EQUILIBRIUM OXYGEN TRANSFER AT METAL OXIDE SURFACES

Abstract Heterogeneous catalytic reactions have long been recognized as multistep processes, consisting of a sequence of gas-surface transfers and exchanges of atoms or atomic groups and reactions in the adsorbed phase. Generally, from the study of the overall reaction
Great earthquakes and slab pull: interaction between seismic coupling and plate-slab coupling

Great earthquakes, the few largest earthquakes that account for most of the Earth's seismic energy release, have occurred at only a few subduction zones around the world. Strong locking, or 'seismic coupling', of the interface between plates at certain subduction zones is often invoked to explain these great earthquakes. Although past studies have correlated strong seismic coupling with a compressional stress environment that is characterized by back-arc compression and caused by trenchward motion of the overriding plate, the consequences of this compressional environment for the tectonic forces that drive global plate motions are not yet clear. To examine these consequences, we compared subduction zone earthquake magnitudes to tectonically constrained estimates of the degree to which each slab transmits its excess weight as a direct pull force on a subducting plate. At seismically uncoupled subduction zones that generate only moderate-sized earthquakes, we find that slabs must transmit nearly their entire upper mantle weight as a pull force on the subducting plate. At seismically coupled subduction zones that produce great earthquakes, however, we find that slabs must be nearly completely detached from their subducting plates. This suggests that slabs subducting in a compressional environment experience stress-induced weakening that prevents the effective transmission of the slab pull force. Convergent mantle flow above a descending slab that becomes decoupled from its surface plate may induce additional surface compression that further locks the subduction zone and leads to additional slab decoupling and detachment. The resulting redistribution of plate-driving forces may be responsible for rapid changes in plate motion. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Prospective Study of Hyperhomocysteinemia as an Adverse Cardiovascular Risk Factor in End-Stage Renal Disease

Background—Retrospective and case-control studies show that hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis in patients with end-stage renal disease. We studied prospectively the association between total homocysteine and cardiovascular outcomes. Methods and Results—In all, 167 patients (93 men, 74 women; mean age, 56.3±14.7 years) were followed for a mean duration of 17.4±6.4 months. Cardiovascular events and causes of mortality were related to total homocysteine values and other cardiovascular risk factors. Cox regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors for cardiovascular events and mortality. Fifty-five patients (33%) developed cardiovascular events and 31 (19%) died, 12 (8%) of cardiovascular causes. Total plasma homocysteine values ranged between 7.9 and 315.0 μmol/L. Levels were higher in patients who had cardiovascular events or died of cardiovascular causes (43.0±48.6 versus 26.9±14.9 μmol/L, P=.02). The relative risk (RR) for cardiovascular events, ...
Thematic map accuracy assessment from the perspective of finite population sampling

Abstract Accuracy assessment of land-use and land-cover classifications obtained from remotely-sensed data is recognized as a critical step in evaluating thematic maps. In this Letter, thematic accuracy assessment is formulated in terms of a finite population sampling problem. Several examples are given to illustrate how this sampling perspective is applied to problems in accuracy assessment. Finite population sampling methods have the flexibility to provide estimators and variance estimators for a wide variety of sampling designs and parameters of interest in accuracy assessment.
Development and Analysis of a Probabilistic Forecasting Game for Meteorology Students

Calls for moving from a deterministic to a probabilistic view of weather forecasting have become increasingly urgent over recent decades, yet the primary national forecasting competition and many in-class forecasting games are wholly deterministic in nature. To counter these conflicting trends, a long-running forecasting game at Rutgers University has recently been modified to become probabilistic in nature. Students forecast high- and low-temperature intervals and probabilities of precipitation for two locations: one fixed at the Rutgers cooperative observing station, the other chosen for each forecast window to maximize difficulty. Precipitation errors are tabulated with a Brier score, while temperature errors contain a sharpness component dependent on the width of the forecast interval and an interval miss component dependent on the degree to which the verification falls within the interval. The inclusion of a probabilistic forecasting game allows for the creation of a substantial database of forecasts...
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor promoter polymorphisms and the clinical expression of scleroderma.

Objective To investigate the potential association between functional polymorphisms in the gene for the innate mediator, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), and the clinical expression of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods Genomic DNA samples and clinical data were collected from the Scleroderma Family Registry and DNA Repository at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. A total of 740 subjects were studied; 203 of them had diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc), 283 had limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc), and the remaining 254 healthy subjects served as controls. Association analyses were performed on the whole data set and on patient and sex subsets. Significant relationships were determined between clinical variables and MIF polymorphisms for each disease subtype in the studied groups. Results The frequency of the −173*C MIF allele, which was previously reported to be associated with high production of MIF, was lower in the lcSSc group (12.6%) than in the dcSSc (19.2%) or control (18.5%) groups (P = 0.010 and P = 0.011, respectively). Haplotype analysis for 2 closely linked polymorphisms in the MIF promoter showed that in white subjects with lcSSc or dcSSc, the lcSSc population had a significantly lower representation of the high-expression MIF haplotype defined by −173*C and −794 with 7 CATT repeats (C7) (P = 0.015, odds ratio 1.94 [95% confidence interval 1.14–3.32]). Fibroblasts encoding the C7 MIF haplotype were observed to produce more MIF upon in vitro stimulation than those with a non-C7 haplotype. Conclusion Functional promoter polymorphisms in the MIF gene affect the clinical presentation of SSc. The proinflammatory haplotype defined by C7 is underrepresented in patients with lcSSc.
Cariogenicity of Mutants of Streptococcus mutans

In this study, we induced a number of mutants of S. mutans differing in their abilities to synthesize glucan and produce acid. When tested for cariogenicity in gnotobiotic rats, "high pH" mutants caused less caries, but could not supplant a cariogenic parent strain.
Do's and don't's of poster presentation.

This guide offers advice on preparing a good scientific poster. As with all communication, which is an art form, there is no single recipe for success. There are many alternative. creative ways to display and convey scientific information pictorially. Occasionally, breaking with tradition can pay off, but not always. More often than not, an iconoclastic approach will revile and repel, rather than amaze and astound. Consider yourself forewarned. Unless you have some prior experience under your belt, or feel pretty certain of your ground, it's a better idea to leave experimentation to the laboratory and stick with tried-and-true methods for your poster presentations. The suggestions here certainly won't improve your science but, if followed, may help you to communicate your message. You should, before deliberately departing from these guidelines---and they are only that---at least attempt to understand the reasoning behind the advice. Remember that when it comes to posters, style, format, color, readability, attractiveness, and showmanship all count. Take the time to get things right.
Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships of Cytochrome P-450

(1993). Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships of Cytochrome P-450. Drug Metabolism Reviews: Vol. 25, No. 1-2, pp. 1-48.
Bifurcations of relative equilibria

This paper discusses the dynamics and bifurcation theory of equivariant dynamical systemsnear relative equilibria, that is, group orbits invariant under the flow of an equivariant vector field. The theory developed here applies, in particular, to secondary steady-state bifurcations from invariant equilibria. Let $\Gamma $ be a compact group of symmetries of $R^n $ and let $x_0 $ be in $R^n $. Suppose that f is a smooth $\Gamma $-equivariant vector field and $\Sigma $ the isotropy group of $x_0 $. It is shown that there exists a $\Sigma $-equivariant vector field $f_N $, defined on the space normal to X at $x_0 $, and that the local asymptotic dynamics of f are closely related to the local asymptotic dynamics of $f_N $. Next those bifurcations of X are studied which occur when an eigenvalue of $(df_N )_x $ crosses the imaginary axis. Properties of the vector field $f_N $ imply that branches of equilibria and periodic orbits of $f_N $ correspond to trajectories of f which are dense in tori. Field [Equivaria...
Laser-Based Defect Localization on Integrated Circuits

The explosion in complexity of modern ICs resulting from reduced feature sizes, circuit density, and sophisticated electrical stimulus has made failure analysis and defect localization extremely difficult. Dense metallization and flip-chip packaging can leave only the backside of the IC available for interrogation. Laser-based methods provide some of the powerful tools analysts depend on to overcome these obstacles
Do Patient Race and Sex Change Surgeon Recommendations for TKA

Background Prior investigations have suggested that physician-related factors may contribute to differential use of TKA among women and ethnic minorities. We sought to evaluate the effect of surgeon bias on recommendations for TKA.
SPATIOTEMPORAL CHAOS AND EFFECTIVE STOCHASTIC DYNAMICS FOR A NEAR-INTEGRABLE NONLINEAR SYSTEM

We address (i) the onset of spatiotemporal chaos (STC) induced by the hyperbolic structure in a weakly perturbed nonlinear Schrijdinger equation, and (ii) its effective stochastic dynamics (ESD). We obtain the following new results: ( 1) a very small number (two for our system) of linearly unstable modes is sufficient to trigger the onset of STC as characterized by an exponential decay in space of the mutual information; (2) the construction of the ESD needs only remporal chaos, in contrast to the requirement of full STC as usually believed. @ 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.
Block time reliability and scheduled block time setting

Abstract While in ground transportation the concept of reliability has been extensively studied, there is little literature in air transportation. Scheduled block time (SBT) setting is a crucial part in airlines’ scheduling. Interviews with an airline and relevant work in ground transportation have shown that SBT and the historical block time distribution, reflecting block time reliability, have a close relationship. This paper investigates how the change in actual block time distribution will affect SBT and system performance. Firstly this relationship is studied with empirical data and multiple regression models. The distribution of the historical block time for a flight is depicted by the difference between every 10th percentiles. We found that gate delay plays a minor role in setting SBT and that SBTs have decreasing sensitivity to historical flight times toward the right tail of the distribution. To specifically link SBT setting with the flight’s on-time performance, a SBT adjustment model is further developed. Poor on-time performance leads to increased SBT in the next year. With the behavior model results showing that both the median block time and the “inner right tail” of the distribution affect SBT setting, an impact study is conducted to validate these impacts with historical data. The impact of historical block time distribution on SBT is validated with real data in year 2006–2008 and 2009–2011. Furthermore, by studying the flight performance difference based on different changes in SBT, we conclude that ignoring the impact on SBT changes when considering potential benefits of improved block time distribution could lead to inaccurate results.
Predicting the future: Can this patient with acute congestive heart failure be safely discharged from the emergency department?

Abstract [Hsieh M, Auble TE, Yealy DM. Predicting the future: can this patient with acute congestive heart failure be safely discharged from the emergency department? Ann Emerg Med. February 2002;39:181-189.]
The isolation of acyl-CoA derivatives as products of partial reactions in the microsomal chain elongation of fatty acids.

Abstract An analysis of overall chain elongation, condensation, β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrase and 2-trans enoyl-CoA reductase reactions, using the appropriate CoA derivatives as substrates which are required in the microsomal chain elongation of both palmitoyl-CoA and 6, 9-octadecadienoyl-CoA, demonstrated that in each instance, the products of these reactions were the CoA derivatives. Reverse dehydrase reactions run with 2-trans enoyl-CoA derivatives as substrates, in the absence of NADPH, revealed that the product was the β-hydroxy-acyl-CoA. In the presence of NADPH, incubations with β-hydroxyacyl-CoA demonstrated that both the 2-trans derivatives and the α, β-saturated product were recovered as their CoA derivatives. These latter findings are more consistent with the involvement of discrete dehydrase and 2-trans-enoyl-CoA reductase enzymes rather than a single protein catalyzing two reactions.
Statistical methods in experimentation recommendation models for discovering gene regulation pathways

In recent years, scientists and health professionals have become overwhelmed by the amount of genomic data available for epidemiological studies and patient care. In April 1996, the genome sequence of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was completed. By December 1999, the first plant's complete genome sequence from Arabidopsis thaliana was published. The Human Genome Project and Celera completed a working draft reference of the human genome DNA sequence in June 2000. Microarray and high throughput RNA sequence technology has opened a new era for gene expression studies. It enables us to measure the level of mRNA from different genes among different cells. Large microarray datasets provide opportunities to learn causal relationships among the genes, and compile in-depth knowledge of physiology of different diseases. We have to deal with many issues to achieve this, including: Validity of the microarray and high throughput RNA sequence measurements; Experimental design of gene expression studies; Analysis of gene expression experimental results. For meaningful interpretation of experimental results, we need to start with a sound experimental design. However, not most of the statistical methods concentrate on issues related to gene expression data analyses. They do not take into consideration experimental design of microarray studies. The main topic of this article is review of modeling methods of the expected value of experimentation for discovering gene regulation pathways. In this article, we use experimentation as both interventions (e.g., an experiment with gene knock-outs) and observations (e.g., passively observing the expression level of genes with no interventions). WIREs Comput Stat 2013, 5:121–134. doi: 10.1002/wics.1244
Determination of water retention in stratified porous materials

Predicted and measured water-retention values,θ(ψ), were compared for repacked, stratified core samples consisting of either a sand with a stone-bearing layer or a sand with a clay loam layer in various spatial orientations. Stratified core samples were packed in submersible pressure outflow cells, then water-retention measurements were performed between matric potentials,ψ, of 0 to -100 kPa. Predictions ofθ(ψ) were based on a simple volume-averaging model using estimates of the relative fraction andθ(ψ) values of each textural component within a stratified sample. In general, predictedθ(ψ) curves resembled measured curves well, except at higher saturations in a sample consisting of a clay loam layer over a sand layer. In this case, the model averaged the air-entry of both materials, while the air-entry of the sample was controlled by the clay loam in contact with the cell's air-pressure inlet. In situ, avenues for air-entry generally exist around clay layers, so that the model should adequately predict air-entry for stratified formations regardless of spatial orientation of fine versus coarse layers. Agreement between measured and predicted volumetric water contents,θ, was variable though encouraging, with mean differences between measured and predictedθ values in the range of 10%. Differences inθ of this magnitude are expected due to variability in pore structure between samples, and do not indicate inherent problems with the volume averaging model. This suggets that explicit modeling of stratified formations through detailed characterization of the stratigraphy has the potential of yielding accurateθ(ψ) values. However, hydraulic-equilibration times were distinctly different for each variation in spatial orientation of textural layering, indicating that transient behavior during drainage in stratified formations is highly sensitive to the stratigraphic sequence of textural components, as well as the volume fraction of each textural component in a formation. This indicates that prolonged residence times of water, nutrients, and pollutants are likely within finer-textured layers, whenψ conditions have resulted in drainage of underlying coarser-textured strata.
Dutch Mercenaries in the Tsar’s Service: The Van Bockhoven Clan

Historians have pointed out that the Dutch played a key role in Europe’s Military Revolution. Neither the Dutch role as the foremost international arms traders of the seventeenth century nor the significance of Dutch officers in seventeenth-century militaries has been very much studied. This essay suggests that the Dutch were rather more influential in Russia’s adoption of some of the key innovations of the Military Revolution than the historiography of late Muscovy has acknowledged. It does this by investigating the importance for Russia’ military modernization of a Dutch officers’ clan, that of the van Bockhovens. They provide a telling case study of the extent of this Dutch influence. * * *
Conformational Flexibility of a Microcrystalline Globular Protein: Order Parameters by Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy

The majority of protein structures are determined in the crystalline state, yet few methods exist for the characterization of dynamics for crystalline biomolecules. Solid-state NMR can be used to probe detailed dynamic information in crystalline biomolecules. Recent advances in high-resolution solid-state NMR have enabled the site-specific assignment of 13C and 15N nuclei in proteins. With the use of multidimensional separated-local-field experiments, we report the backbone and side chain conformational dynamics of ubiquitin, a globular microcrystalline protein. The measurements of molecular conformational order parameters are based on heteronuclear dipolar couplings, and they are correlated to assigned chemical shifts, to obtain a global perspective on the sub-microsecond dynamics in microcrystalline ubiquitin. A total of 38 Cα, 35 Cβ and multiple side chain unique order parameters are collected, and they reveal the high mobility of ubiquitin in the microcrystalline state. In general the side chains show...
Evidence for Multiple Open and Inactivated States of the hKv1.5 Delayed Rectifier

The kinetic properties of hKv1.5, a Shaker-related cardiac delayed rectifier, expressed in Ltk- cells were studied. hKv1.5 currents elicited by membrane depolarizations exhibited a delay followed by biphasic activation. The biphasic activation remained after 5-s prepulses to membrane potentials between -80 and -30 mV; however, the relative amplitude of the slow component increased as the prepulse potential approached the threshold of channel activation, suggesting that the second component did not reflect activation from a hesitant state. The decay of tail currents at potentials between -80 and -30 mV was adequately described with a biexponential. The time course of deactivation slowed as the duration of the depolarizing pulse increased. This was due to a relative increase in the slowly decaying component, despite similar initial amplitudes reflecting a similar open probability after 50- and 500-ms prepulses. To further investigate transitions after the initial activated state, we examined the temperature dependence of inactivation. The time constants of slow inactivation displayed little temperature and voltage dependence, but the degree of the inactivation increased substantially with increased temperature. Recovery from inactivation proceeded with a biexponential time course, but long prepulses at depolarized potentials slowed the apparent rate of recovery from inactivation. These data strongly indicate that hKv1.5 has both multiple open states and multiple inactivated states.
Room temperature strains in Cr2O3 scales formed at elevated temperatures on Ni-25wt%Cr and y- and Al-doped Ni-25wt%Cr

Abstract Ni-25wt%Cr, Ni-25wt%Cr-1wt%Al and Ni-25wt%Cr-0.2wt%Y alloys were oxidized at 1000°C in O 2 to form similar thicknesses of Cr 2 O 3 scales. After cooling to ambient temperatures, the residual strains in these oxide films were measured using X-ray diffraction, and qualitative indications of the interfacial strength were obtained using a micro-indenration technique. Compressive elastic strains of the order of 0.4% were measured on the Y- and the Al-doped alloys. This value agrees well with calculated thermal strains which arose from cooling. Only 0.1% compressive elastic strains were observed for the undoped Ni-25Cr alloy. Localized scale buckling and separation from the substrate is believed to have allowed relaxation of the strain in this case. The Y- and the Al-doped alloys on the other hand, have extremely strong scale/alloy interfaces, and therefore were able to retain higher strain levels.
S02: PPAR-gamma agonists: Bridging the gap between morphology and genomics

The mechanism of hepatotoxicity associated with troglitazone, a thiazolidinedione PPAR gamma agonist, has remained enigmatic despite considerable investigation. The use of conventional pathology methodology such as histopathology and ultrastructural evaluation has been unable to distinguish any unique morphological features of troglitazone relative to the other thiazolidinediones, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone. The identification of a unique drug metabolite of troglitazone has similarly been unable to draw correlation with the occurrence of hepatotoxicity. However, newer animal models may begin to provide insights relative to reactive metabolites as a potential contributory mechanism. The incorporation of toxicogenomic analysis has demonstrated a variety of gene alterations for all three compounds, with greatest number of effects being caused by troglitazone. The methods of evaluating these data have been complicated and do not provide a clear picture of how different the molecules may actually be. The use of a three-dimensional cluster display allows one to visualize this difference with respect to their genetic fingerprint. The use of this type of display may also have utility in examining and explaining differences in toxicity profiles among candidate compounds during preclinical development.
The reaction of a fire plume to a droplet spray

The reaction of a fire plume to an applied water spray is crucial to fire suppression. While considerable research has been devoted toward fire plumes without suppression, and some computer simulations of fire suppression have provided insight, little experimental data exist detailing how the structure of a fire plume changes during suppression. Experiments were performed in which 5, 15 and 50 kW gas burner fires were exposed to a spray from one of three spray sources. Flow rates from the nozzles or fire sprinkler ranged from 6 to 106 L/min. Contours of infrared (IR) intensity of the fire plume show that the plume decreases in height and increases in width with the increasing strength of the applied spray. Based on the height of the maximum fluctuations of IR intensity, the thermal plume height decreases with increasing spray strength, but the overall projected area of the plume changes very little. The plume height depends on the ratio of the drag of the droplets on the air to the momentum of the plume, allowing the results to be generalized to typical fire suppression applications.
Affective responses to 10-minute and 30-minute walks in sedentary, overweight women: Relationships with theory-based correlates of walking for exercise

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine affective responses to 10-min and 30-min walks among sedentary, overweight women. Secondary purposes were to: a) examine differences in theory-based correlates of future participation in walking for exercise; and b) determine if the affective responses were related to these correlates. Design/Methods Twenty-three sedentary, overweight women (M age = 26.62 years; BMI = 33.53 kg/m2) completed 10-min walk, 30-min walk, and quiet rest (QR) control conditions. Affective responses were assessed prior to, during, and following each condition. Self-efficacy and intention for regular participation in multiple 10-min walks or single 30-min walks for exercise during the next month were also assessed post-exercise. Results/Conclusions Analyses revealed that improvements in affective responses (p
Encouraging effective use of antihypertensives

Practice nurses face many challenges in identifying and managing raised blood pressure, especially in nonconcordant patients. Sheila Hardy looks at the options and recommendations
Neuroprotective effects of nicotine against salsolinol-induced cytotoxicity: Implications for parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is associated with degeneration of dopaminergic cell bodies in the substantia nigra. It has been suggested that salsolinol, an endogenous metabolite of dopamine, may be involved in this process. An inverse relationship between Parkinson’s disease and smoking (nicotine intake) has been observed in epidemiological studies. Moreover, neuroprotective effects of nicotine in various experimental models have been observed. In this study we sought to determine whether salsolinol-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, a cloned cell line which expresses dopaminergic activity, could also be prevented by nicotine pretreatment, and if so, which nicotinic receptors may mediate the actions of nicotine. Exposure of SH-SY5Y cells to 0.8 mM salsolinol for 24 hours resulted in approximately 80% cell death as determined by 3,[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Pretreatment of cells with 0.1 mM nicotine resulted in inhibition of salsolinol-induced cytotoxicity. The effects of nicotine were blocked by mecamylamine, a non-selective nicotinic antagonist as well as conotoxins with selective antagonism against alpha3-containing nicotinic receptor subunits. The effects of nicotine were not affected by dihydro-beta-erythroidine or methyl-lycaconitine, selective antagonists against alpha4-beta2 or alpha7 nicotinic receptors, respectively. It is suggested that selective nicotinic agonists may be of therapeutic potential in at least a subpopulation of Parkinsonian patients.
Activity-dependent induction of tonic calcineurin activity mediates a rapid developmental downregulation of NMDA receptor currents

Whole-cell recording in the superficial layers of the developing superior colliculus (sSC) reveals a large drop in NMDA receptor (NMDAR) current decay time synchronized across all neurons and occurring consistently between P10 and P11. We show that blocking the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase calcineurin (CaN) in the postsynaptic neuron can abolish this drop. The regulation is induced prematurely by 1-2 hr of electrical stimulation in P10 collicular slices only if CaN and NMDAR currents can be activated in the neuron. These data suggest that a long-lasting, CaN-mediated control of NMDAR kinetics is rapidly initiated by heightened activity of the NMDAR itself and demonstrate a novel developmental and tonic function of CaN that can play an important role in modulating the plasticity of the developing CNS.
Safety and efficacy of the supraclavicular approach to thoracic outlet decompression

Abstract Background Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a clinical diagnosis encountered by both thoracic and vascular surgeons. The goal of surgical therapy involves relieving compression of the neurovascular structures at the superior thoracic aperture. The traditional approach to thoracic outlet decompression has been transaxillary; however more centers are moving toward a more tailored approach through a supraclavicular incision. Methods The medical records of 67 patients who underwent surgical decompression between 1993 and 2001 for TOS were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics and early outcome were assessed through clinic follow-up. Results Seventy-two thoracic outlet decompressions were performed on 67 patients with the diagnosis of TOS. Five patients underwent bilateral thoracic outlet decompression. All operations in this time period were safely accomplished through a supraclavicular approach. The syndromes associated with thoracic outlet compression were neurogenic (n = 59), venous (n = 10), and arterial (n = 3). Forty-six of 72 (63.9%) operations resulted in complete resolution of symptoms, 17 cases (23.6%) had partial resolution, and 9 patients (12.5%) had no resolution. There were no deaths and morbidity was minimal with 6 complications (8.3%). Conclusions The supraclavicular approach is a safe and effective technique in managing all forms of thoracic outlet compression.