cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Capillary electrophoresis microchips with thick-film amperometric detectors: separation and detection of phenolic compounds

Abstract A miniaturized analytical system for separating and detecting toxic phenolic compounds, based on the coupling of a micromachined capillary electrophoresis (CE) chip with a thick-film amperometric detector is described. The integrated microsystem offers a rapid (4 min) simultaneous measurement of seven priority chlorophenolic pollutants. Such compounds could be detected down to the 1×10−6–2×10−6 M level, with linearity up to the 2×10−4 M level examined. The highly stable response observed for repetitive injections (R.S.D.=3.7%, n=20) reflects the negligible surface passivation due to the injection of extremely small sample volumes. Additional phenols were separated and detected upon raising the pH of the running buffer from 8.0 to 10.5. Applicability to river water samples is demonstrated. While the concept of miniaturized separation/detection systems is presented within the framework of phenolic contaminants, such devices should be attractive for field monitoring of other classes of priority contaminants. The development of fast-responding miniaturized systems with negligible waste production holds particular promise for meeting the requirements of field ‘Green Analytical Chemistry’.
Activation of Peritoneal Macrophages by Orally Administered Ether Analogues of Lysophospholipids

Oral administration of dodecylglycerol, inflammatory product of cancerous tissues, and the alkyl lysophospholipid derivative, 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine (ET-18-OCH3-choline), greatly activated mouse peritoneal macrophages. The activation was dose related and was assessed as increased Fc-mediated ingestion of red blood cells, superoxide production, chemiluminescence activity, and incorporation of radioactive thymidine and leucine. Furthermore, the data show that dodecylglycerol or ET-18-OCH3-choline was capable of inducing equally high levels of macrophage activation and cytotoxic action on tumor cells, just as occurs with intraperitoneal administration. Dodecylglycerol appeared to activate the macrophages at a relatively lower dose (5 micrograms/mouse) than ET-18-OCH3-choline (15 micrograms/mouse). The optimal oral doses required to activate macrophages for ingestion and cytotoxic activities were relatively higher than previously observed when these agents were administered intraperitoneally. Thus, the dose difference provided crucial information for correlating oral dosages with in vivo concentration of these agents as bioassayed by macrophage activation. These observations have extended and further support our earlier findings that these agents are effective immunopotentiators and thus could therapeutically be used to activate macrophages for cytotoxic effects on tumor cells via the oral route.
Further Studies of Pressure-Modulated Infrared Absorption

A “pressure modulator” has been constructed for use in studies of modulated infrared emission and absorption spectra. The modulator provides sinusoidal variation of the volume of a gas sample at a frequency of 8 cps with compression ratios of 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, and 6:1. The general results obtained in grating studies of the fundamental and first-overtone absorption bands of carbon monoxide can be satisfactorily interpreted on the basis of an adiabatic modulation cycle, although detailed checks of the expected behavior for transitions between high rotational states were not entirely successful. In the adiabatic modulation of a gas for which γ=1.66, temperatures as high as 640°K and as low as 225°K are attained in the present modulator with a compression ratio of 5:1 without raising the cell temperature more than 45 K deg above room temperature.
Conceptualizing Recovery Capital: Expansion of a Theoretical Construct

In order to capture key personal and social resources individuals are able to access in their efforts to overcome substance misuse, we introduced the construct of recovery capital into the literature. The purpose of this paper is to further explore the construct and include discussions of implications unexplored in our previous writings. In this paper we reveal the relationship between access to large amounts of recovery capital and substance misuse maintenance and introduce the concept of negative recovery capital. In doing so, we examine the relationships between negative recovery capital and gender, age, health, mental health, and incarceration.
Changes in Pharmacy Practice Faculty 1995–2001: Implications for Junior Faculty Development

Objective. To compare changes in United States pharmacy practice faculty demographics from 1995–2001 and to discuss the implications for junior faculty development. Methods. Demographic data were extracted from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy institutional research system for academic years 1995–1996 and 2000–2001. Results. In 2000–2001, pharmacy practice was the largest faculty discipline, 3.8 times larger than the next three disciplines. Junior pharmacy practice faculty occupied 65% of all junior full-time pharmacy faculty positions. Tenure track assistant professors decreased 4% from 283 to 271, and nontenure track assistant professors increased 58% from 427 to 677 (χ2 = 20.0, p<0.05). In 2000–2001, 72% of all pharmacy practice assistant professors were nontenure track, up from 59% in 1995–1996. Women assistant professors in pharmacy practice outnumbered men by 2:1. Challenges faced by new faculty include balancing teaching, practice, and research demands; selecting a nontenure or tenure track and understanding its expectations; limiting teaching preparation time; developing productive writing habits; setting performance goals; managing time; and handling the mental and physical stress of academic life. Senior faculty must actively help new members appreciate the many positive aspects of academic life by sharing their strategies and success stories. Conclusion. Schools and colleges of pharmacy relied heavily on increasing the number of nontenure track junior pharmacy practice faculty to meet increased clinical education demands.
Passive detection of moving targets

Abstract This provides the conditions and equations for predicting the position and velocity of a moving aircraft as detected from a second moving aircraft.
Synovial activation of chondrocytes: evidence for complex cytokine interactions

Synoviocytes secrete factors which induce the synthesis of neutral metalloproteinases (NMP) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by chondrocytes in a response called “chondrocyte activation”. We analyzed synovial chondrocyte activating factors (CAF) for the presence of cytokines which modulated the NMP production by articular chondrocytes. These studies suggested the presence of several other cytokines in addition to interleukin-1 (IL-1). Both resting and activated synoviocytes contained mRNA for basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) which is a synergist for IL-1 induced NMP production, and secreted bFGF into their culture media. They also expressed mRNA for transforming growth factorβ (TGFβ) which inhibits IL-1 induced NMP production. These cells also produce tumor necrosis factorα (TNFα) and trace amounts of interleukin-6 (IL-6). In addition to these there is evidence for a synovial activator of chondrocytes which is distinct from IL-1. Since a number of recombinant cytokines including TNFα, IL-6 and bFGF failed to activate chondrocytes, this could be a novel cytokine.
Mass spectrometric analyses and characterization of Kepone in environmental and human samples

A specific portion of our environment has been contaminated with Kepone, or chlordecone. Additionally, some specific human exposures to high concentrations of Kepone have been confirmed. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry involving chemical ionization and high resolution mass spectrometry were used to detect, identify and confirm the presence of Kepone, Kepone photoproducts and a reduction product of Kepone in environmental and human samples. Field desorption, field ionization and electron impact mass spectrometric methods, as well as infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques were used to characterize and identify Kepone hydrate and hemiketal in benzene and methanol solutions, respectively.
Expected performance of cryogenic silicon monochromator for high power density and high coherence ERL beamlines

With small emittance and a high degree of X-ray coherence, the Energy Recovery Linac beamlines, proposed at Cornell, need excellent optics to preserve the high quality of X-ray beam. In this paper, thermal deformation of cryogenic silicon monochromators and its effect on wavefront deformation are studied. For crystal thermal deformation analysis, we introduce the so-called modified linear power density as a universal parameter of heat load. For the wavefront simulation, using synchrotron radiation workshop, we study the focusing of source under one-to-one demagnification ratio, for the full central cone of undulator radiations. The studies conclude that cryogenic Si monochromators, in general, are suitable for Cornell energy recovery linac beamlines.
Reaction Sequence and Structural Changes in Cordierite Refractories

In order to determine temperatures of mullitization and cordierite formation, to outline the reaction sequence by which cordierite is formed, and to determine the effects of prolonged heating on cordierite development and structure, two separate series of experiments were performed. Specimens were fired for 1 hour at temperature intervals between 1000° and 1360°C. and analyzed for cordierite and mullite by X-ray diffraction for the purpose of correlation with differential thermal analyses. Specimens were also fired at four different temperatures for periods of 1 to 192 hours and analyzed by X-ray diffraction for cordierite content and structural changes. Mullitization occurred by exothermic reaction at 1267°C. Endothermic peaks at 1238° and 1330°C. are attributed to the formation of cordierite. Prolonged-heating studies indicated that a progressive change takes place in cordierite by which a metastable hexagonal form is converted with time, through all intermediate stages, to the orthorhombic form which is stable at that temperature. Temperature was apparently the critical factor in cordierite development, time being of greater importance at lower temperatures.
Characterization of Colony Morphology Variants Isolated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms

In this study, we report the isolation of small, rough, strongly cohesive colony morphology variants from aging Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms. Similar to many of the P. aeruginosa colony morphology variants previously described in the literature, these variants autoaggregate in liquid culture and hyperadhere to solid surfaces. They also exhibit increased hydrophobicity and reduced motility compared to the wild-type parent strain. Despite the similarities in appearance of our colony morphology variant isolates on solid medium, the isolates showed a range of responses in various phenotypic assays. These variants form biofilms with significant three-dimensional structure and more biomass than the wild-type parent. To further explore the nature of the variants, their transcriptional profiles were evaluated. The variants generally showed increased expression of the psl and pel loci, which have been previously implicated in the adherence of P. aeruginosa to solid surfaces. When a mutation in the psl locus was introduced into a colony morphology variant, the colony morphology was only partially affected, but hyperadherence and autoaggregation were lost. Finally, similar colony morphology variants were found in isolates from cystic fibrosis patients. These variants displayed many of the same characteristics as the laboratory variants, suggesting a link between laboratory and cystic fibrosis biofilms.
Liquid chromatographic and flow injection analysis of tetracycline using sensitized europium(III) luminescence detection

Abstract Europium(III) can be used as a luminescent chromophore for detection in the liquid chromatographic and flow injection analysis of tetracycline. Detection is dependent upon an intramolecular energy transfer from the tetracycline to Eu(III). In liquid chromatography, the Eu(III) is added post-column as a complex with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The post-column phase also serves to adjust the pH for optimum sensitivity. The method is highly selective for tetracycline since few compounds are capable of transferring energy to Eu(III). Fluorescent impurities that would otherwise interfere in flow injection analysis can be eliminated through the use of a delay time between the source pulse and the start of data acquisition. The detection limits for tetracycline using sensitized Eu(III) luminescence are better than those obtained using ultraviolet detection. The method is applied to the analysis of tetracycline in urine, blood serum, and gingival crevice fluid.
THEORY OF COLLISION TRANSFER OF EXCITATION IN HELIUM

Abstract A theory is presented to explain the multiple state mechanism for the transfer of excitation from singlet to triplet states in helium atoms proposed by St. John and Fowler. The spin-orbit interactions produce substantial singlettriplet mixing in the F states which is responsible for the transfer. It is shown that a helium atom in an n1P state, after colliding with a normal atom, transfers primarily into the “mixed” nF states which in turn cascade to 33D. The population of the 33D state is calculated as 4.0 × 105 atoms/cm3 as compared to 1.28 × 105 atoms/cm3 from experiment.
Drillstring Stability Based on Variable Material Specific Force and Using a Sharp Three-Insert Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) Coring Bit

Previous research in stability of drillstrings was based on the assumption of constant material specific force, i.e., a bit force that is proportional to the area of cut. Moreover, earlier work used a simplified bit model that consisted of planar radial blades. In this paper, correlation between the material specific force and area of cut is obtained for Sierra White granite and Berea sandstone from test data developed at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM. These correlations, together with an improved bit model in which cylindrical cutters are arrayed in an overlapping pattern over a flat surface, are used to obtain the stability equations. Laboratory testing shows good correlation between measured bit vibrations and relative instability as predicted by the stability equations. These results are useful in predicting the appropriate operating conditions for stable drilling and serve as a basis for future development of more accurate models of PDC bits.
Prostaglandin E (PGE) control of cell proliferation in vitro: Characteristics of HT-29

PROSTAGLANDIN PRODUCTION by tumor cell lines in vitro has been documented by a number of investigators [l-6]. Using a specific radioimmunoassay for prostaglandins developed in our laboratory [7, 81, we have documented an inverse relationship between prostaglandin production in vo lowering of media PGE concentrations using indomethacin [ll, 121 resulted in stimulation of proliferation of HeLa, HEp-2, and L cells [9]. These experiments suggested that PGE may be involved in the control of cell proliferation in vitro. In the present report, these observations are extended by additional studies using HT-29, a derivative of human adenocarcinoma.
Adolescents' Views of Guns in a High-Violence Community

Firearms account for the majority of deaths among young Black men in America. This article presents a qualitative investigation of youth temptations, emotional reactions, and subsequent behavior with respect to guns. Twenty-three youth enrolled in a community-based firearm reduction program have participated in interviews on retrospective experiences with guns. Common temptations for gun carrying are protection during drug dealing, protection from disrespect, and protection from repeated aggression and bullying. Gun handling produces two diverse responses, fear and excitement. Interviews reveal a dangerous form of gunplay known as flossing and cognitive distortions of peer attitudes toward carriers. Results suggest the need to promote normal adolescent development through increased social opportunities, reduced exposure to guns, and empowering bystanders to prevent escalation of conflict.
Molecularly imprinted polymer sensors for pesticide and insecticide detection in water

Antibodies, peptides, and enzymes are often used as molecular recognition elements in chemical and biological sensors. However, their lack of stability and signal transduction mechanisms limits their use as sensing devices. Recent advances in the field of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have created synthetic materials that can mimic the function of biological receptors but with less stability constraints. These polymers can provide high sensitivity and selectivity while maintaining excellent thermal and mechanical stability. To further enhance the advantages of the traditional imprinted polymer approach, an additional fluorescent component has been introduced into these polymers. Such a component provides enhanced chemical affinity as well as a method for signal transduction. In this type of imprinted polymer, binding of the target analyte invokes a specific spectral signature from the reporter molecule. Previous work has provided molecularly imprinted polymers that are selective for the hydrolysis products of organophosphorus species such as the nerve agents sarin and soman. (A. L. Jenkins, O. M. Uy and G. M. Murray, Anal. Chem., 1999, 71, 373). In this paper the direct imprinting of non-hydrolyzed organophosphates including pesticides and insecticides is described. Detection limits for these newly developed MIP sensors are less than 10 parts per trillion (ppt) with long linear dynamic ranges (ppt to ppm) and response times of less than 15 min.
Morphology And Correlation With Defects Of Small Scale Laser-Induced Damage

A method for compact storage of the appearance of films and surfaces is presented which allows comparisons prior to and following coating and laser damage testing. Observation of substrates coated with ZnS and ThF4 films indicates that for silica substrates the predominate failure mode is cracking and delamination, while for silicon substrates, burns, cracks, and bubble-formation is found. Scratches and dust appear to act as initiators of damage. For the coated silicon substrates, over 90% of the small-scale damage sites were found to have an observable defect (>5 μm) prior to damage testing. Elimination of scratches, voids, dust, film stress, and film defects would substantially increase the damage threshold for large spot cw-radiation applications. There also appears to be 1 μm or small sized defects which would then determine the damage threshold.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Pilzarthritis – eine seltene Komplikation systemischer Candidosen bzw. orthopädischer Eingriffe. Review der Therapieerfahrung mit Fluconazol

Zusammenfassung. Die zunehmende Implantation kunstlicher Gelenke, die breitere Anwendung aggressiver medizinischer Verfahren wie hochdosierte Chemotherapie, parenterale Ernahrung, die haufigere Verwendung zentralvenoser Katheter sowie der breitere Einsatz von Immunsuppressiva resultiert auch in einer steigenden Inzidenz von Pilzarthritiden. Meist hervorgerufen durch Erreger der Gattung Candida, erfordert diese Komplikation eine intensivere Beschaftigung mit den zur Verfugung stehenden therapeutischen Optionen. Daher wurden die publizierten klinischen Daten zum Einsatz von Fluconazol bei der Therapie der Pilzarthritis einem Review unterzogen. In 24 Publikationen wird uber den Einsatz von Fluconazol zur Behandlung der Pilzarthritis bei insgesamt 32 Patienten berichtet. Die mittlere Therapiedauer betrug 6 Monate (maximale Behandlungsdauer: 2 Jahre) bei einer mittleren Dosierung von 200–400 mg/d (maximale Dosis: 800 mg/d). Bei 27 Patienten wurde eine Arthritis des nativen Gelenks und bei 5 Patienten eine Prothesenarthritis diagnostiziert. Bei allen Patienten war ein isoliertes Gelenk infiziert; darunter am haufigsten das Kniegelenk. Fluconazol erwies sich sowohl in der Monotherapie als auch in Kombination mit der chirurgischen Behandlung sowie auch als Langzeitsuppressionstherapie als wirksam und gut vertraglich. The higher number of implanted artificial joints, the broader use of aggressive treatment regimen, e.g. high-dose chemotherapy and total parenteral nutrition, the increasing use of central venous catheters and a broader use of immunosuppressive drugs are likely to result in a higher incidence of fungal arthritis, especially caused by Candida spp. Therefore, a careful evaluation of the available therapeutic options is necessary. The published clinical data on the therapeutic use of fluconazole in the treatment of fungal arthritis were reviewed. A total of 24 publications report the use of fluconazole in fungal arthritis in 32 patients. The mean duration of therapy was 6 months (maximum duration: 2 years) with an average dosage of 200–400 mg/d (maximum dosage: 800 mg/d). Native arthritis was diagnosed in 27 patients, prosthetic arthiritis in 5 patients. In all patients an isolated joint was infected, most frequently the knee joint. Fluconazole was effective and safe in acute therapy alone or in combination with surgery as well as in long term suppression therapy.
Langmuir–Blodgett films of molecular organic materials

Langmuir–Blodgett methods are perhaps the original approach for achieving controlled deposition of organic thin films. Molecules are first organized into a monolayer array on the surface of water before transfer as a monolayer onto solid supports. Molecular monolayers, multilayers, and multilayered heterostructures can be achieved. The capability of exercising such control over thin film assemblies has attracted materials chemists and physicists to develop Langmuir–Blodgett films for studies on organic conductors, magnets, non-linear optics, rectifiers, and intermolecular electron transfer. This article reviews objectives in each of these areas and selects some specific examples from the literature to highlight the state of the art, mostly from the point of view of the chemical systems that are studied. Mixed organic/inorganic hybrid films represent a new direction for Langmuir–Blodgett films in materials science, combining conventional inorganic solid-state phenomena with the properties of the organic networks, and recent examples, taken principally from the authors' work, are highlighted.
Dissociation between sex differences in the immunological, behavioral, and physiological effects of κ- and δ-opioids in Fischer rats

The sex of the individual can have a profound effect on sensitivity to the effects of opioids. Recently, our laboratory provided the first evidence that females may be more sensitive to the immune-altering effects of μ-opioids than males. However, it remains unknown whether κ- and δ-opioids produce sexually dimorphic effects on immune responses. The present study sought to determine whether κ- and δ-opioids produce differential immunological effects in males and females using the memory-T-cell-dependent in vivo inflammatory response contact hypersensitivity (CHS). As sex differences in the magnitude of opioid effects can be outcome-specific, additional experiments were conducted to compare the immunological effects of κ- and δ-opioids with other behavioral and physiological effects. Contact hypersensitivity was induced in male and female Fischer rats. Prior to elicitation of CHS, animals were administered selected doses of the κ-opioid spiradoline (0.2–20 mg/kg), δ-opioid SNC80 (1–10 mg/kg), or vehicle. The antinociceptive and diuretic effects of spiradoline were also assessed in males and females, as were the locomotor effects of SNC80. Spiradoline produced significantly greater enhancement of CHS in females than males, but produced comparable antinociceptive and diuretic effects in both sexes. By contrast, SNC80 did not significantly affect the course of CHS in either sex, but females were significantly more sensitive to its locomotor stimulatory effects. These results demonstrate that females are more sensitive than males to the CHS-altering effects of spiradoline and that sex differences in the magnitude and direction of opioid-induced sex differences are outcome dependent.
Normal offspring produced after transfer of hamster embryos grown from two- to eight-cells in a chemically-defined culture medium

Abstract Following identification of the causes of the “two-cell block” to in vitro development, phosphate and glucose, two-cell hamster embryos can now be grown in vitro through at least two cleavage divisions (1). The purpose of this study was to determine whether such embryos are capable of developing into normal offspring. Two-cell hamster embryos (34 to 35 h post egg activation) collected from superovulated females were cultured in 100 μl drops of HECM-1 (1). Following 28 to 31 h culture, eight-cell to morula stage embryos were transferred to recipient females that had been mated to vasectomized males 2 d previously. Each uterine horn received 15 to 20 embryos that were morphologically normal in appearance. Of the 10 transfers attempted, five resulted in pregnancies. Forty-two pups were born from the 178 embryos transferred to these five females (24%), not significantly different from the number born from five successful control transfers ( 35 178 , 20%). This result demonstrates that the culture of preimplantation hamster embryos in chemically-defined medium devoid of phosphate and glucose (HECM-1) not only eliminates the two-cell block but also allows the production of normal, viable offspring. This result may have implications for the culture of embryos of other species that show in vitro developmental blocks.
Interaction of LDL and Lp[a] with human skin fibroblasts

Abstract We have studied the interaction of LDL and Lp[a] with fibroblasts. Our studies suggest that Lp[a] does not effectively compete with LDL for binding to the LDL receptor, and does not efficiently suppress the activity of the intracellular enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. However, Lp[a − ], formed by reduction of the disulfide bond between apo[a] and apoB, behaves much like homologous LDL, whether or not apo[a] is removed from the mixture, and in spite of the fact that one or more apoB disulfides may also have been cleaved. In our studies we also noted that Lp[a] often enhanced binding of 125 I-LDL by fibroblasts. Further investigation has suggested that this interaction is time-dependent. Experiments in receptor-negative fibroblasts indicate that the enhancement is not related to the presence of the LDL receptor; however, it is inhibited by the removal of calcium from the medium. The presence of sialic acid at millimolar concentrations in the medium inhibits much of the Lp[a]-enhanced binding of 125 I-LDL to the cells. These studies suggest that Lp[a] may in some way enhance LDL binding to cells, perhaps via interaction with cell surface glycosaminoglycans or proteoglycans or with collagen.
Clocks on top: The role of the circadian clock in the hypothalamic and pituitary regulation of endocrine physiology

Recent strides in circadian biology over the last several decades have allowed researchers new insight into how molecular circadian clocks influence the broader physiology of mammals. Elucidation of transcriptional feedback loops at the heart of endogenous circadian clocks has allowed for a deeper analysis of how timed cellular programs exert effects on multiple endocrine axes. While the full understanding of endogenous clocks is currently incomplete, recent work has re-evaluated prior findings with a new understanding of the involvement of these cellular oscillators, and how they may play a role in constructing rhythmic hormone synthesis, secretion, reception, and metabolism. This review addresses current research into how multiple circadian clocks in the hypothalamus and pituitary receive photic information from oscillators within the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), and how resultant hypophysiotropic and pituitary hormone release is then temporally gated to produce an optimal result at the cognate target tissue. Special emphasis is placed not only on neural communication among the SCN and other hypothalamic nuclei, but also how endogenous clocks within the endocrine hypothalamus and pituitary may modulate local hormone synthesis and secretion in response to SCN cues. Through evaluation of a larger body of research into the impact of circadian biology on endocrinology, we can develop a greater appreciation into the importance of timing in endocrine systems, and how understanding of these endogenous rhythms can aid in constructing appropriate therapeutic treatments for a variety of endocrinopathies.
Accretion of Unstable Heterochromatin as the Origin of Double Minute Chromosomes: Evidence from Bloom Syndrome

Recent investigations in this laboratory have lead to the formulation of the hypothesis that the mechanism of sister chromatid exchange formation does not involve breakage and rejoining of segments of chromosomes. According to the hypothesis, heterochromatin exists on the chromosome surface exclusively. Sister chromatid exchanges occur when this heterochromatin exists in an unstable state and sections are transposed or translocated between sister chromatids. In order to study this phenomenon further, cells from a high sister chromatid exchange frequency disorder, Bloom syndrome, were analyzed for the presence of unstable heterochromatin. In addition to confirming the presence of unstable heterochromatin, Bloom syndrome cells were often found to contain double minute chromosomes, and these were observed to form by accretion of unstable heterochromatin from the chromosome surface, possibly solving the enigma of their origin and formation.
A fact/opinion classifier for news articles

Many online news/blog aggregators like Google, Yahoo and MSN allow users to browse/search many hundreds of news sources. This results in dozens, often hundreds, of stories about the same event. While the news aggregators cluster these stories, allowing the user to efficiently scan the major news items at any given time, they do not currently allow alternative browsing mechanisms within the clusters. Furthermore, their intra-cluster ranking mechanisms are often based on a notion of authority/popularity of the source. In many cases, this leads to the classic power law phenomenon -- the popular stories/sources are the ones that are already popular/authoritative, thus reinforcing one dominant viewpoint. Ideally, these aggregators would exploit the availability of the tremendous number of sources to identify the various dominant threads or viewpoints about a story and highlight these threads for the users. This paper presents an initial limited approach to such an interface: it classifies articles into two categories: fact and opinion. We show that the combination of (i) a classifier trained on a small (140K) training set of editorials/reports and (ii) an interactive user interface that ameliorates classification errors by re-ordering the presentation can be effective in highlighting different underlying viewpoints in a story-cluster. We briefly discuss the classifier used here, the training set and the UI and report on some initial anecdotal user feedback and evaluation.
Application of critical-region scaling to pure-component equations of state

A critical scaling method for equations of state developed by Fox at the National Bureau of Standards has been extended to predict thermodynamic properties and all of the first and second derivatives of the chemical potential and density. This is done by using a new damping function and developing expressions which avoid all numerical evaluations of the derivatives needed in calculating thermodynamic properties. Using this procedure, an analytical 32-constant equation of state was scaled in the critical region for pure light hydrocarbons and for carbon dioxide. The BWRS equation was scaled for heavier hydrocarbons. Calculations of the saturated vapor and liquid densities of methane in the region from 175 K to the critical temperature of 190.5 K were improved, and the mean absolute error decreased from 0.153 without scaling to 0.031 with scaling. Other derivative properties were also improved in the critical region for several of the lighter pure hydrocarbons.
Does Spousal Support Moderate the Association Between Perceived Racial Discrimination and Depressive Symptoms among African American Couples.

Social stress theory proposes that stress resulting from one’s social position in society leads to fewer coping resources, and subsequently causes an increase in mental health problems. Guided by this framework, we investigated whether the relationship between perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms was moderated by spousal social support in a sample of 487 African American heterosexual couples. Using the actor-partner interdependence model, findings suggested that female partner’s perceived racial discrimination was predictive of her depressive symptomology irrespective of spousal support and male partner’s perceived racial discrimination was predictive of depressive symptomology only among men with low levels of spousal support. No partner effects were present. The results demonstrate the need to examine variability in social stress and mental health outcomes for those in close relationships.
Sleep duration and hypercholesterolaemia: Results from the National Health Interview Survey 2008.

Background Previous studies have shown an inconsistent association between sleep duration and hypercholesterolaemia. This study examined the association between sleep duration and hypercholesterolaemia in a nationally representative sample of US adults.
Separation of dose-gradient effect from beam-hardening effect on wedge factors in photon fields

It is known experimentally that a wedge transmission factor depends upon the field size and depth of measurement in particular. Dependence of the transmission upon depth has been attributed to a hardening of the incident beam through the filter, which preferentially absorbs the low‐energy photon of the bremsstrahlung component of that beam. We have attempted to separate this hardening effect from that of increased phantom scatter due to dose gradient induced by the wedge filter. Using an experimental wedge machined from cerrobend, the filter transmission at depth is measured and redefined relative to an ‘‘equally hardened’’ beam, obtained by filtering through a flat slab of equal thickness at the center of the wedge. Results of the Co‐60, 4‐, and 8‐MV wedged beams indicate that nearly half of the increase in the transmission at depth is due to the effect of dose‐gradient scatter in polystyrene phantom. Based on a simple relationship between primary and scattering radiation, an algebraic presentation is indeed in support of the dose gradient resulting in apparent increase in the wedge factors, at depth. Key words: wedge factor, beam hardening, Co‐60, x ray, dose gradient
Variants of the receptor/channel clustering molecule gephyrin in brain: distinct distribution patterns, developmental profiles, and proteolytic cleavage by calpain.

The postsynaptic molecule gephyrin is involved in clustering neurotransmitter receptors. To test for protein variants that correspond to alternatively spliced gephyrin mRNAs, antibodies were made against 1) an amino-terminal domain of gephyrin (GNN) and 2) its invariant carboxy-terminus (GNC). Both antibodies recognized an antigen with the expected molecular weight of 93–95 kDa in rat and human brain tissue, as well as five additional proteins between 90 and 108 kDa. Most of these variants were found distributed throughout the brain, and their developmental profiles paralleled those of synaptic markers. Interestingly, the pattern of antigens immunostained across brain regions by anti-GNN was markedly distinct from that labeled by anti-GNC, a difference consistent with carboxy-terminal modification. In control experiments in which hippocampal membranes were treated to activate endogenous proteases, there was no evidence that certain gephyrin variants originate from proteolysis. A subset of the antigens was, however, rapidly degraded during the treatment. A corresponding production of stable, carboxy-terminal gephyrin fragments of 48–50 kDa occurred within 1 min of proteolytic activation and was blocked by the selective calpain inhibitor CX295. These findings suggest that multiple gephyrin proteins are active in the brain and that some of their roles may require functional modulation by limited proteolysis. J. Neurosci. Res. 49:381–388, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Isthmin is a novel secreted protein expressed as part of the Fgf-8 synexpression group in the Xenopus midbrain-hindbrain organizer.

Patterning of the central nervous system is regulated by a signaling center located at the midbrain–hindbrain boundary (MHB), or isthmus organizer. Fibroblast growth factors secreted from the MHB are required and sufficient to direct the ordered growth and regionalization of the midbrain and anterior hindbrain. In an unbiased secretion cloning screen of Xenopus gastrula embryos we identified a novel gene, which we designated as Isthmin (xIsm) due to its prominent expression at the MHB. xIsm encodes a secreted protein of 449 amino acids containing one copy of the thrombospondin type 1 repeat (TSR). We also found orthologous Isthmin genes in human (hIsm) and mouse (mIsm), as well as a gene encoding an Isthmin-like human unknown protein (hIsm-l). The conservation of a unique carboxy-terminal region between hIsm and hIsm-l suggests that Isthmin is the founding member of a new family of secreted proteins. xIsm was strongly expressed maternally in the Xenopus egg and showed zygotic expression in the ventral blastopore lip, notochord, and MHB. Additional expression domains were detected in neural crest, ear vesicle, and developing blood islands. Interestingly, xIsm was co-expressed with Fibroblast growth factor-8 (xFgf-8) at multiple sites including the MHB, indicating that these two genes are part of a synexpression group which also includes sprouty and sef homologs.
From anesthetic mechanisms research to drug discovery.

The ability to render patients insensible and amnesic to remarkably invasive procedures that are uncomfortable to watch, let alone experience, has been rightly designated as one of the greatest medical discoveries of all time. General anesthesia, introduced formally in the mid-nineteenth century, is now delivered to ~40 million patients every year in the United States alone. Given its central role in health care, it is indeed extraordinary how poorly we understand anesthesia and anesthetics. In fact, definitions are at best operational and convey little understanding of the underlying neurobiology, while the hypothetical mechanisms are surprisingly superficial. Worse, there is growing concern that the anesthetic drugs in current use, especially the inhaled anesthetics, have durable adverse effects on cognition. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2008); 84, 1, 144–148 doi:10.1038/clpt.2008.77
Tertius Iungens Brokerage and Transnational Intersectoral Cooperation

Tertius iungens brokerage is unique within the dominant brokerage conceptualizations in sociology. While most brokerage research finds that brokers reap rewards from mediating relationships in ways that keep actors apart, iungens research finds that brokers can have an interest in joining previously disconnected actors and sustaining these relationships. This paper expands the explanatory potential of iungens brokerage by building a multidimensional theoretical framework that explains transnational connecting processes, generating insights beyond the traditional focus on network structures into the under-researched area of brokerage across institutions. The paper synthesizes streams of brokerage research that have developed in relative isolation from each other to elucidate how organizational brokers and their staffs create transnational structural and cognitive connections that draw actors together into intersectoral networks that cross two or more nationally organized regulatory regimes and cultural sys...
Gateway-aware routing for wireless mesh networks

Wireless mesh networks (WMNs) provide an attractive method to provide Internet connectivity in developing regions. Traditional mesh routing protocols are designed to find high quality/throughput multihop routes in the network. However, these solutions do not consider constraints imposed by the capacity at the gateway, often the bottleneck in such rural area networks. In this paper, we demonstrate the importance of intelligent choice of gateways in WMNs. We present the design of a new gateway-aware routing metric that picks high throughput routes in the presence of heterogeneous gateways. Our evaluation in simulations as well as on a testbed show significant increase in network throughput.
Intracardiac and Intrarenal Renin-Angiotensin Systems: Mechanisms of Cardiovascular and Renal Effects

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a hormonal system that controls body fluid volume, blood pressure, and cardiovascular function in both health and disease. Various tissues, including the heart and kidneys, possess individual locally regulated RASs. In each RAS, the substrate protein angiotensinogen is cleaved by the peptidases renin and angiotensin-converting enzyme to form the biologically active product angiotensin II, which acts as an intracrine cardiac and renal hormone. The components of each RAS, including aldosterone (ALDO), may be produced locally and/or may be delivered by or sequestered from the circulation. Overactivity of the cardiac RAS has been associated with cardiac diseases, including cardiac hypertrophy due to volume and/or pressure overload, heart failure, coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction, and hypertension. Overactivity of the renal RAS has been associated with various kidney diseases, including nephropathies and renal artery stenosis. The principal effects of an overactive RAS include the generation of reactive oxygen species, which leads to "oxidative stress," activation of the nuclear transcription factor kappaB, and stimulation of pathways and genes that promote vasoconstriction, endothelial dysfunction, cell hypertrophy, fibroblast proliferation, inflammation, excess extracellular matrix deposition, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis. It has been suggested that oxidative stress is the central mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of RAS-related and ALDO-related chronic cardiovascular and renal tissue injury and of cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disturbances.
Learning receptive fields using predictive feedback.

Previously, it was suggested that feedback connections from higher- to lower-level areas carry predictions of lower-level neural activities, whereas feedforward connections carry the residual error between the predictions and the actual lower-level activities [Rao, R.P.N., Ballard, D.H., 1999. Nature Neuroscience 2, 79–87.]. A computational model implementing the hypothesis learned simple cell receptive fields when exposed to natural images. Here, we use predictive feedback to explain tuning properties in medial superior temporal area (MST). We implement the hypothesis using a new, biologically plausible, algorithm based on matching pursuit, which retains all the features of the previous implementation, including its ability to efficiently encode input. When presented with natural images, the model developed receptive field properties as found in primary visual cortex. In addition, when exposed to visual motion input resulting from movements through space, the model learned receptive field properties resembling those in MST. These results corroborate the idea that predictive feedback is a general principle used by the visual system to efficiently encode natural input. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Development of a helicopter obstacle detection and air data system

This paper describes a sensor that provides the combination of obstacle detection, air data and wind velocity. This laser-based sensor, the Multi-Mode InfraRed Radar (MMIRR), has been under development for two years. An early prototype test flown in an Army helicopter in December 1999 validated the ability of the underlying technology to detect wires and measure True Airspeed (TAS) and wind velocity. This paper discusses: the results of the first demonstration flight; the technology program that reduced the technical risks in the laser, optics, scanner and signal processing areas; the technical hurdles, the tradeoffs and the resulting improvements in sensor performance; the results of tests of the improved MMIRR model that had a finer range resolution, wider field of view and an attitude-stabilized scanner. The projected performance and physical characteristics of a producible and affordable MMIRR product capable of providing obstacle detection and air data to helicopter pilots in the near future is provided.
Identification of New Water-Soluble Metabolites of Acetanilide

AbstractTwo new urinary metabolites of acetanilide in rats were shown to be the mer-capturic acid derivatives3-[(5-acetamido-2-hydroxyphenyl)thio]-N-acetylalanine and 3-[5-acetamidophenyl)thio]-N-acetylalanine. They accounted for 7–10 and 1–3% of urinary radioactivity, respectively. Their mode of formation may involve an intermediate expoxide.
A comparison of traditional and engaging lecture methods in a large, professional-level course (719.9)

Miller CJ, McNear J, Metz MJ. A comparison of traditional and engaging lecture methods in a large, professional-level course. Adv Physiol Educ 37: 347–355, 2013; doi:10.1152/advan.00050.2013.—In engaging lectures, also referred to as broken or interactive lectures, students are given short periods of lecture followed by “breaks” that can consist of 1-min papers, problem sets, brainstorming sessions, or open discussion. While many studies have shown positive effects when engaging lectures are used in undergraduate settings, the literature surrounding use of the learning technique for professional students is inconclusive. The novelty of this study design allowed a direct comparison of engaging physiology lectures versus didactic lecture formats in the same cohort of 120 first-year School of Dentistry DMD students. All students were taught five physiological systems using traditional lecture methods and six physiological systems using engaging lecture methods. The use of engaging lectures led to a statistically significant higher average on unit exams compared with traditional didactic lectures (8.6% higher, P 0.05). Furthermore, students demonstrated an improved long-term retention of information via higher scores on the comprehensive final exam (22.9% higher in engaging lecture sections, P 0.05). Many qualitative improvements were also indicated via student surveys and evaluations, including an increased perceived effectiveness of lectures, decrease in distractions during lecture, and increased confidence with the material. The development of engaging lecture activities requires a significant amount of instructor preparation and limits the time available to provide traditional lectures. However, the positive results of this study suggest the need for a restructuring of the physiology curriculum to incorporate more engaging lectures to improve both the qualitative experiences and performance levels of professional students.