cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrophoretic and Biochemical Comparison of Casein and Whey Protein from Porcine Colostrum and Milk

Porcine colostrum casein contained at least one major polypeptide band in both acid gel and sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis that did not appear in patterns of casein prepared from porcine milk. In sodium dodecyl sulfate gel patterns, this polypeptide possessed a molecular weight of 62,000 and stained positively with "Stains-all" but not with periodic acid-Schiff reagent. Several minor caseins that appeared in acid and alkaline gel patterns from colostrum could not be detected in casein prepared from milk. Seven minor polypeptides in sodium dodecyl sulfate gel patterns of whey proteins prepared from porcine colostrum could not be detected in milk. Identical acid and alkaline gel patterns were obtained for whey proteins prepared from colostrum and milk. Only the sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoretic pattern of casein prepared from milk, and possibly the alkaline gel electrophoretic pattern of whey protein prepared from milk, contained polypeptides not in patterns from colostrum. Total phosphorus contents of colostrum and milk casein were 2.96% and 3.78%. Casein prepared from porcine colostrum contained almost twice as much hexosamine and slightly elevated N-acetylneuraminic acid as casein prepared from milk. Hexose content was nearly equivalent. Whey protein prepared from milk contained more total hexose than casein prepared from colostrum, whereas N-acetylneuraminic acid and hexosamine contents were nearly equivalent.
Applying rough set theory to information retrieval

Rough set theory is a useful mathematical tool that deals with vagueness and uncertainty in data. It has been applied to many computer scientific fields, such as data mining, machine learning, pattern recognition, and expert systems. The main objective of this paper is to investigate the applications of rough set theory in the field of information retrieval. By classifying and analyzing the existing approaches with regard to this topic, the advantages of using rough set theory become clear. Using rough set approach enables us to improve the information retrieval system performances in terms of document ranking, recall level and may provide more user oriented search strategies. Possible improvements are suggested as potential research directions.
Detection of flickering edges: absence of a red-green edge detector.

Abstract Kelly ((1975) Science, 188, 371–372) showed that a centrally-fixated, contrast-reversing edge has a very different effect on the detection of luminance and red–green flicker. Red–green flicker sensitivity was ∼3-fold greater for a uniform field than for a ‘split’ field with the two sides flickering out-of-phase. Just the opposite effects were observed for luminance flicker — the split field yielded a 7-fold advantage over the uniform field at 2 or 4 Hz and a 3-fold advantage at 12 Hz. Contrary to Kelly, we find that the split field offers only a very small advantage of 40% for luminance flicker at 2 Hz and virtually no advantage at 4 Hz and above. Kelly’s chromatic results are surprising since one might expect that the larger color difference (or step) across the central edge would aid chromatic discrimination rather than strongly suppressing sensitivity. We show that the central chromatic edge only weakly impairs detection. Further results show that the two sides of the chromatic split field are detected essentially independently by red or green ‘blob’ detectors, which do not take advantage of the color difference across the edge. This has a remarkable implication: when wavelength discrimination is measured with a bipartite field whose two side are slowly modulated in opposite directions, then one side may be deleted with little adverse effect.
Reflection-Enhancing Regulative Communication: How Do Parents Vary Across Misbehavior Situations and Child Resistance?

This study examines parental regulative communication across misbehavior situations and child resistance. Regulative messages are analyzed using Applegate et al.'s (1985) hierarchical scheme for coding `reflection-enhancement', or the degree to which parents encourage their child to reflect on psychological consequences of misbehavior. We explore several questions about regulative communication that have been de-emphasized in previous research, including how parents mix power-assertion and reflection-enhancement within the same message, how parents as a group vary their responses depending on how their child has misbehaved, how parents also differ individually in the degree to which they vary across situations and how parents respond after child resistance. Our findings tentatively suggest the need to develop more detailed and contingent views of parental regulative communication.
Mesenchymal/epithelial regulation of retinoic acid signaling in the olfactory placode.

Abstract We asked whether mesenchymal/epithelial (M/E) interactions regulate retinoic acid (RA) signaling in the olfactory placode and whether this regulation is similar to that at other sites of induction, including the limbs, branchial arches, and heart. RA is produced by the mesenchyme at all sites, and subsets of mesenchymal cells express the RA synthetic enzyme RALDH2, independent of M/E interactions. In the placode, RA-producing mesenchyme is further distinguished by its coincidence with a molecularly distinct population of neural crest-associated cells. At all sites, expression of additional RA signaling molecules (RARα, RARβ, RXR, CRABP1) depends on M/E interactions. Of these molecules, RA regulates only RARβ, and this regulation depends on M/E interaction. Expression of Fgf8, shh, and Bmp4, all of which are thought to influence RA signaling, is also regulated by M/E interactions independent of RA at all sites. Despite these common features, RALDH3 expression is distinct in the placode, as is regulation of RARβ and RALDH2 by Fgf8. Thus, M/E interactions regulate expression of RA receptors and cofactors in the olfactory placode and other inductive sites. Some aspects of regulation in the placode are distinct, perhaps reflecting unique roles for additional local signals in neuronal differentiation in the developing olfactory pathway.
Global monsoon: Dominant mode of annual variation in the tropics

Abstract This paper discusses the concept of global monsoon. We demonstrate that the primary climatological features of the tropical precipitation and low-level circulation can be represented by a three-parameter metrics: the annual mean and two major modes of annual variation, namely, a solstitial mode and an equinoctial asymmetric mode. Together, the two major modes of annual cycle account for 84% of the annual variance and they represent the global monsoon. The global monsoon precipitation domain can be delineated by a simple monsoon precipitation index (MPI), which is the local annual range of precipitation (MJJAS minus NDJFM in the Northern Hemisphere and NDJFM minus MJJAS in the Southern Hemisphere) normalized by the annual mean precipitation. The monsoon domain can be defined by annual range exceeding 300 mm and the MPI exceeding 50%. The three-parameter precipitation climatology metrics and global monsoon domain proposed in the present paper provides a valuable objective tool for gauging the climate models’ performance on simulation and prediction of the mean climate and annual cycle. The metrics are used to evaluate the precipitation climatology in three global reanalysis products (ERA40, NCEP2, and JRA25) in terms of their pattern correlation coefficients and root mean square errors with reference to observations. The ensemble mean of the three analysis datasets is considerably superior to any of the individual reanalysis data in representing annual mean, annual cycle, and the global monsoon domain. A major common deficiency is found over the Southeast Asia-Philippine Sea and southeast North America-Caribbean Sea where the east–west land–ocean thermal contrast and meridional hemispheric thermal contrast coexist. It is speculated that the weakness is caused by models’ unrealistic representation of Subtropical High and under-represented tropical storm activity, as well as by neglecting atmosphere–ocean interaction in the reanalysis. It is recommended that ensemble mean of reanalysis datasets be used for improving global precipitation climatology and water cycle budget. This paper also explains why the latitudinal asymmetry in the tropical circulation decreases with altitude.
An Experimental Study of Thermoelastic Effects in Scuffing Failure of Sliding Lubricated Contacts

Etude experimentale des effets thermoelastiques dans le cas du grippage d'un contact glissant lubrifie
Abstract SY36-01: Functional genomics and cancer dependencies

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Recent advances in genomics continue to elucidate the genetic lesions that occur in specific cancers and are increasingly being applied prospectively to patient samples in the clinic. These efforts have already identified a large number of mutations that occur at low frequency. Systematic approaches to identify cancer vulnerabilities will provide critical information about the function of these low frequency mutations and will allow the identification of cancer co-dependencies and synthetic lethal interactions. Over the past several years, we have developed genome scale RNAi libraries and open reading frame expression libraries that permit a systematic evaluation of genes involved in cancer initiation and maintenance. Using these libraries, we have now performed screens in a large panel of human cancer cell lines to systematically identify cancer vulnerabilities. By combining these functional approaches with information derived from mapping the structural abnormalities present in cancer genomes, we have identified several new oncogenes that contribute to cancer development as well as co-dependencies that are required for the survival of cancers harboring specific mutations. The ability to systematically manipulate gene expression at genome scale now provides opportunities to investigate the function of genes involved in cancer initiation and maintenance, which will provide a framework for therapeutic strategies. Citation Format: William C. Hahn. Functional genomics and cancer dependencies. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr SY36-01. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-SY36-01
Effects of knowledge that attributions will be observed by others.

Abstract The current study was conducted to determine if attribution statements would be affected by subjects' knowledge that their attributions of success or failure would be observed by an opposite-sex peer. At the time subjects recorded their attributions, half of them anticipated that their attributions would soon be observed in their presence by an opposite-sex peer, while the other half recorded their attributions anonymously. Results indicated that attributions of success and failure were affected by the social context. Observed subjects evidenced less tendency to attribute their failure to low ability than did nonobserved subjects. Subjects who succeeded on an identity-relevant task reported higher ability attributions under observation conditions than under nonobservation conditions. Observed subjects evidenced significantly greater willingness to attribute failure to lack of effort than did nonobserved subjects. For a task intended to be of minimal relevance to subjects' identities, nonobserved subjects attributed failure to task difficulty to a significantly greater degree than did observed subjects. Results were discussed in relation to Bradley's contention that self-serving biases in attribution can usefully be conceptualized as strategic self-presentations.
Condition measures and properties of the central trajectory of a linear program

Given a data instanced=(A, b, c) of a linear program, we show that certain properties of solutions along the central trajectory of the linear program are inherently related to the condition number C(d) of the data instanced=(A, b, c), where C(d) is a scale-invariant reciprocal of a closely-related measure ρ(d) called the “distance to ill-posedness”. (The distance to ill-posedness essentially measures how close the data instanced=(A,b,c) is to being primal or dual infeasible.) We present lower and upper bounds on sizes of optimal solutions along the central trajectory, and on rates of change of solutions along the central trajectory, as either the barrier parameter μ or the datad=(A, b, c) of the linear program is changed. These bounds are all linear or polynomial functions of certain natural parameters associated with the linear program, namely the condition number C(d), the distance to ill-posedness ρ(d), the norm of the data ‖d‖, and the dimensionsm andn.
PPPS-2013: Impulse voltage testing of high voltage cermaic resistors

Summary form only given. High voltage ceramic resistors are used in many pulse power applications because of their ability to absorb a significant amount of power due to their low inductance. The objective of this research was to explore the behavior of these resistors towards their maximum rated power and energy. These resistors were analyzed through a numerical model prior to testing in order to predict the internal and surface temperatures. During these experiments, the resistors were used as a load for a capacitive discharge in order to test its maximum impulse limitations before any physical damage or thermal failure. A short impulse duration was used while maximizing the energy and power of the resistor. The results of these experiments are discussed in the paper.
HIV-associated (non-thymic) intrathoracic lymphoepithelial cyst in a child

An unusual case of a juxtabronchial lymphoepithelial cyst in an HIV-positive child with post-obstructive pneumonia is presented. The pathogenesis and similarity with parotid lymphoepithelial cysts is discussed.
EFFECT OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION ON CARCASSES FROM STRESSED AND UNSTRESSED STEERS

Twelve steers of known breeding and management history were assigned to two antemortem treatment groups (stress or no stress). After evisceration and splitting, sides in each group were randomly assigned to two electrical stimulation treatments (no stimulation or stimulated intermittently with one amp current for 2 min). ES did not affect any of the carcass characteristics in the stressed group except lean and overall maturity. Although ES did not affect lean color in stressed carcasses, they were darker in color than unstressed carcasses. The unstressed stimulated carcasses were more tender and contained less panel detectable connective tissue than the unstressed-unstimulated carcasses. ES did not improve tenderness of stressed carcasses. Thus, it appears that ES will be effective only on carcasses that have not severely depleted their stores of muscle glycogen.
Atlantic-type carbonate stratigraphy in the late Miocene Pacific

In previous attempts to correlate fluctuations of climate with the carbonate content of deep-sea sediments, using the ratio 18O/16O as an indicator of palaeotemperature, conflicting patterns have emerged between Pacific and Atlantic deep-sea cores. Although there is controversy about the relative importance of the primary productivity of calcareous microorganisms1–3 and their dissolution at depth4–10, in Pacific Pleistocene cores high-carbonate sediments correlate with glacial episodes and low-carbonate sediments with interglacials1–4,7–10. In Atlantic Pleistocene cores, on the other hand, the correlation seems to be re versed4,5,7,10–12. We report here that a late Miocene (6.14–6.53 Myr) deep-sea sediment core from the eastern equatorial Pacific (DSDP Site 158) shows a negative correlation between carbonate content and benthic oxygen isotopes which is similar to that found in Quaternary records of the Atlantic rather than the Pacific. The explanation may be that Atlantic and Pacific waters differed in HCO3− concentration at depth as they do today, and that in the late Miocene, Atlantic water flowed over the submarine sill at the Isthmus of Panama and at least periodically, reached the location of Site 158.
Electromagnetic bias at off‐nadir incidence angles

[1] Measurements of the electromagnetic (EM) bias in altimeter sea surface ranges at nadir and off-nadir incidence angles were made during the Brigham Young University (BYU) Off-Nadir Experiment (Y-ONE) in the months of March and April, 2003. Tower-mounted C- and Ku-band radars were deployed along with laser rangefinders and a weather station to measure sea surface profiles and environmental parameters. The incidence angle range was nadir to 17°. An off-nadir bias model incorporating the effects of hydrodynamic modulation of short waves and tilt modulation of long waves was also developed. Both the experimental data set and the theoretical model led to a bias of decreasing magnitude as the incidence angle moves away from nadir. The average measured EM bias at C-band was approximately zero at 14° incidence, and a small positive mean bias (1% SWH) was observed at 17°. By extrapolating from the Ku-band measurements, the mean bias vanished at 18.5° for the higher frequency.
Bovine chromaffin cells for CNS transplantation do not elicit xenogeneic T cell proliferative responses in vitro

Adrenal chromaffin cells have been utilized for several neural grafting applications, but limitations in allogeneic donor availability and dangers inherent in autografting limit the widespread use of this approach clinically. While xenogeneic donors offer promise as a source for cell transplantation in the central nervous system (CNS), immunologic responses to cellular components of the adrenal medulla have not been well characterized. To further study the host T cell xenogeneic response to chromaffin and passenger cells of the adrenal medulla, an in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assay was used. Lymphocyte proliferation was determined by mixing rat lymphocytes with potential stimulator cell subpopulations of the bovine adrenal medulla: isolated chromaffin cells, isolated endothelial cells, or passenger nonchromaffin cells, which include a mixture of fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. As a positive control, bovine aortic endothelial cells were also used. 3[H]-thymidine incorporation, corresponding to lymphocyte proliferation, was measured. Results indicated that isolated bovine chromaffin cells produce only a mild, statistically insignificant stimulation of rat lymphocytes. In contrast, there was a significant response to passenger nonchromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla, especially endothelial cells. The inclusion of low levels of cyclosporin A in the cultures completely eliminated the mild proliferative response to isolated bovine chromaffin cells, while near toxic levels were necessary to abrogate the response to endothelial cells. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that routine chromaffin cell isolation procedures result in the inclusion of a small percentage of endothelial cells, which may be responsible for the slight lymphocyte stimulation. The results of this study indicate that isolated chromaffin cells possess low immunogenicity, and suggest that passenger cells in the adrenal medulla, particularly endothelial cells, may be primarily responsible for progressive rejection in CNS grafts. Thus, removal of passenger nonchromaffin cells from xenogeneic donor tissues prior to transplantation may produce a more tolerated graft in rodent models of neural transplantation.
Polymorph-dependent titanium dioxide nanoparticle dissolution in acidic and alkali digestions

Multiple polymorphs (anatase, brookite and rutile) of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) with variable structures were quantified in environmental matrices via microwave-based hydrofluoric (HF) and nitric (HNO3) mixed acid digestion and muffle furnace (MF)-based potassium hydroxide (KOH) fusion. The environmental matrices included stream bed sediments, kaolinite and bentonite. The percentage of titanium (Ti) recovered from the mixed acid digestion was not statistically different from KOH fusion when anatase and brookite TiO2-NPs were blended in all three environmental matrices. However, the percentage of Ti recovery of rutile TiO2-polymorph from the samples digested using the mixed acid digestion method was significantly lower [23 (±5), 12 (±6), 11 (±0.6)] than those digested using KOH fusion method [74 (±4), 53 (±7), 75 (±2)]. The recovery percent values reported are for Ti in sediment, kaolinite, and bentonite matrices, respectively. Exposing the TiO2-NP spiked samples to elevated heat and pressure reduced the recovery of Ti from all three polymorphs via mixed acid digestion. In contrast, Ti recoveries from KOH fusion improved after heat and pressure treatment. A narrowing of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) peaks for anatase and brookite after heat and pressure treatment indicated an increase in the aggregation or particle interaction of the TiO2-NPs. The XRD peaks for rutile TiO2-NP polymorph was similar before and after heat and pressure treatment. In summary, regardless of the selected environmental matrix type, the mixed acid digestibility of TiO2-NPs is polymorph-dependent; whereas, the KOH-fusion digestibility is polymorph independent. Therefore, when analyzing environmental samples containing TiO2-NPs with unknown polymorphs, a KOH-fusion digestion method is recommended for yielding consistent results.
A Risk Assessment Scoring System Predicts Survival Following the Norwood Procedure

No one set of characteristics has been consistently predictive of perioperative mortality and morbidity associated with the Norwood procedure. The purpose of the current study is to further validate a scoring system shown to be predictive of mortality following the Norwood procedure. We performed a retrospective review of all infants with the diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) who underwent the Norwood procedure at St. Louis Children’s Hospital from July 1, 1994, to December 31, 2002. A weighted score for each of six factors comprised the scoring system. The factors included ventricular function, tricuspid regurgitation, ascending aortic diameter, atrial septal defect blood flow characteristics, blood type, and age. A score of ≥7 points indicated lower reconstructive mortality risk, and a total score of 7 gives the best sensitivity and specificity for survival. When applied retrospectively, the survival outcomes predicted by our scoring system significantly correlated with actual outcomes. This supports the conclusion that a specific population of HLHS patients may have a higher mortality risk independent of surgical technique and postoperative care based on factors that can be assessed preoperatively.
THE RORSCHACH AND SHADING: CITATION OUTPUT FROM PSYCHOLOGIAL ABSTRACTS (1987-1992)

A comprehensive computer search is indicated when a review of the literature is desired. On the issue of shading on the Rorschach, a search of Psychological Abstracts over the past 5 years indicated a potential pool of 72 articles and 5 chapters or books. Contemporary bibliographic instruction strongly supports use of multidatabase searching
Effect of N-methyl-thiotetrazole on rat liver microsomal vitamin K-dependent carboxylation

The use of a number of antibiotics which contain an N-methyl-thiotetrazole (NMTT) side chain has been reported to be associated with an increased incidence of hypoprothrombinemia. The suggested role of NMTT as an inhibitor of the liver microsomal vitamin K-dependent carboxylase has been investigated. In standard incubations, NMTT had no effect on carboxylation when vitamin KH2 was a substrate but was a weak inhibitor when [vitamin K + NADH] was a substrate. Microsomal vitamin K reductases, however, were not inhibited by NMTT. Preincubation of the incubation mixture with NADH and NMTT resulted in inhibition of carboxylase activity when either vitamin KH2 or [vitamin K + NADH] was the substrate. A fraction of the microsomal membrane which was not readily solubilized by dilute detergent protected the enzyme from this inhibition. The data suggest that NMTT is metabolized to an active inhibitor or is able to covalently inactivate the enzyme in the presence of NMTT. The vitamin K responsiveness of the clinically observed hypoprothrombinemia suggests that it is not related to this in vitro inhibition of the vitamin K-dependent carboxylase.
Intelligent control of complex materials processes

A blackboard based intelligent control system has been developed for a family of complex non-equilibrium materials processes. The system is being tested in the laboratory for control of a particular high risk, high value-added step in the manufacture of carbon-carbon composites. The system uses knowledge based methods in several fundamental ways to fill gaps left by control theory and process models. The system has been demonstrated to substantially reduce processing time
Indirectly Measuring the Convective Heat Transfer Coefficient Utilizing Thermistors for Education and Research

A primary parameter of interest in many heat transfer problems is the convective heat transfer coefficient, which is dependent upon several fundamental parameters like fluid properties, velocity, temperature distribution, etc. As such, empirically determining this parameter can be complicated, especially in educational settings. The classical method includes many physical temperature sensors and heating pads distributed throughout a body that necessitates complex control schemes and data acquisition systems. This paper details a far simpler method of indirectly measuring the convective heat transfer coefficient by utilizing thermistors of various geometries. In calibrating these thermistors for their temperature-resistance characteristics, the convective heat transfer coefficient can be backed out without directly measuring the temperature of the thermistror itself, which has the effect of simplifying the experimental requirements to a large enough degree to make the technique suitable for introductory educational courses in heat transfer. In addition, the technique is also accurate enough to where the experimental data is worthy of publication in the archival literature.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Structure of the vacuum singularity in reggeon field theory

Abstract We use the methods of the renormalization group to analyze the behavior of all Reggeon proper vertex functions in a Reggeon field theory when all angular momenta are near one or all Reggeon momenta are small. This behavior is governed by an infrared stable Gell-Mann-Low zero which arises when the triple Pomeron coupling is imaginary. A renormalized trajectory must be singular at t = 0, and a variety of scaling laws for the vertex functions are obeyed. Coupling particles to the Reggeons and using the scaling laws we find to high accuracy that σ T (s) ∼ A( log s) 1 2 X [1 − B( log s) case1 2 …] where A factorizes.
Thermal convection of an internally heated infinite Prandtl number fluid in a spherical shell

A Galerkin technique is used to study the finite-amplitude axisymmetric steady convective motions of an infinite Prandtl number Boussinesq fluid in a spherical shell. Two types of heating are considered: in one case, convection is driven both by internal heat sources in the fluid and by an externally imposed temperature drop across the shell boundaries; in the other case, only internal heat sources drive convection and the lower boundary of the shell is adiabatic. Two distinct classes of axisymmetric steady states are found to be possible: states characterized by temperature and radial velocity fields that are symmetric about an equatorial plane; and a class of solutions that does not possess any symmetry properties about the equatorial plane.
Resolving the cosmological missing energy problem

Some form of missing energy may account for the difference between the observed cosmic matter density and the critical density. Two leading candidates are a cosmological constant and quintessence (a time-varying, inhomogeneous component with negative pressure). We show that an ideal, full-sky cosmic background anisotropy experiment may not be able to distinguish the two, even when non-linear effects due to gravitational lensing are included. Because of this ambiguity, microwave background experiments alone may not determine the matter density or Hubble constant very precisely. We further show that degeneracy may remain even after considering classical cosmological tests and measurements of large scale structure. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Release and recycling of calcium by the sarcoplasmic reticulum in guinea-pig portal vein smooth muscle.

The amplitude of interrupted contractions evoked by noradrenaline or caffeine in Ca2+-free, high-K+ solutions containing EGTA or La3+ was determined in small (40-60 micron thick) bundles of guinea-pig portal anterior mesenteric vein. Interrupted contractions were produced by removing the stimulating agent as soon as the amplitude of the tension record reached its peak. The distribution of intracellular Ca2+ was determined, with electron probe X-ray microanalysis, in cryosections of preparations frozen in the relaxed state and at the peak of noradrenaline-induced contractions. Interrupted contractions of maximal or near-maximal amplitudes could be evoked every 2 min for up to 15 min in the virtual absence of extracellular Ca2+. If noradrenaline was allowed to remain in the solution throughout the period of spontaneous relaxation, a subsequent contraction could no longer be evoked in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Interrupted contractions, similar to those evoked by noradrenaline, could also be stimulated by caffeine. The amplitude of reproducible interrupted contractions in Ca2+-free, high-K+ solution was graded with noradrenaline concentration. The ability of these smooth muscles to contract repeatedly and maximally in Ca2+-free solutions indicates the recycling of Ca2+ released from an intracellular store. The occurrence of these contractions in high-K+ (depolarizing) solutions supports the conclusion (Devine, Somlyo & Somlyo, 1972) that the release of intracellular Ca2+ is one of the mechanisms of pharmacomechanical coupling. The number of subplasmalemmal regions in which high Ca concentrations (greater than 10 mmol/kg dry wt.) were detected, with approximately 75 nm diameter electron probes, was reduced in muscles frozen at the peak of contraction, from 4.7/cell periphery in the relaxed to 1.4/cell periphery in the contracted preparations. In freeze-substituted smooth muscles, in which the membranes of the junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum could be visualized, the regions containing high Ca were identified as part of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (s.r.), indicating that the s.r. is the store from which noradrenaline and caffeine release Ca2+.
VORTEX : video retrieval and tracking from compressed multimedia databases : affine transformation and occlusion invariant tracking from MPEG-2 video

In this paper, we present topics related to tracking of video objects in compressed video databases, within the context of video retrieval applications. We developed a video retrieval and tracking system (VORTEX), to enable operation directly on compressed video data. The structure of the video compression standards is exploited in order to avoid the costly decompression operation. This is achieved by utilizing motion compensation - a critical prediction filter embedded in video compression standards - to eliminate and interpolate the desired method for template matching. Occlusion analysis, filtering and motion analysis are used to implement fast tracking of objects of interest on the compressed video data. Being presented with a query in the form of template images of objects, the system operates on the compressed video in order to find the images or video sequences, where those objects are present and their positions are in the image. This enables the retrieval and display of the query-relevant sequences.
Intrathecal morphine (ITM) for postoperative pain control in children: a comparison with nalbuphine patient controlled analgesia (PCA)

Summary This is a retrospective study covering the ten-year period 1984–1993. Single shot spinal morphine (ITM) is compared with PCA nalbuphine for postoperative pain relief in children having abdominal or thoracic procedures. The records of 52 patients meeting selection criteria were examined. Nursing and physician notations were reviewed for hourly pain assessments, evidence of associated complications, respiratory depression, nausea and or vomiting, pruritus, and urinary retention. ITM provided significantly better pain relief (2.2 h in pain) during the first 24 h postoperatively than PCA nalbuphine (9.2 h in pain). With the exception of urinary retention which was significantly more frequent following ITM (58.6%) compared to PCA nalbuphine (8.7%), narcotic related complications were not different between the two groups. No difference in duration of hospital stay or ICU stay could be demonstrated. We conclude that ITM provides better pain relief, without more serious complications, than PCA nalbuphine. We recommend it as a safe, effective technique to treat postoperative pain in children following thoracic or upper abdominal procedures.
Central nervous system vasculitis.

Central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis is an uncommon disease that results in vasculitis of the CNS or spinal cord and a rare cause of stroke. CNS vasculitis is categorized into primary angiitis of the CNS (PACNS) or secondary CNS vasculitis and represents a wide spectrum of neurological signs such as headache, seizure, mental changes, and focal neurological deficit. Although no diagnostic criteria has been validated prospectively, the diagnosis of CNA vasculitis is based on a combination of laboratory findings such as elevations in cerebrospinal fluidprotein and white blood cells, imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging and cerebral angiography, and histology from a brain biopsy. A variety of mimics of CNS vasculitis need to be ruled out prior to the diagnosis being made, including reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, infectious causes and malignancy. Prompt diagnosis of CNS vasculitis and urgent treatment with glucoroticoids or immunosuppressive agents such as cyclophosphamide are critical to prevent poor outcome.
Deep Reads: Strands in the History of Molecular Genetics

The history of molecular genetics, its precursors and descendants, is rich in events and colorful characters intertwining through the tumultuous history of the mid20th century. In this second iteration of ‘‘Deep Reads,’’ I try to trace selected strands in the ancestry of the field as told in histories, biographies, and memoirs, some of which I have, unlike Johnson, read through (Image 1). These recommendations form a tale of three successive intellectual utopias. In the first act, the precursors of molecular genetics take hold among physicists, in particular in those around Niels Bohr. In the second act, molecular genetics emerges in the 1940s, spreading out from the phage group and together with structural biology forming the nascent field of molecular biology. In the third act, a diaspora generation of geneticists applies the style of phage genetics to a menagerie of organisms: Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila, zebrafish, and Arabidopsis, among others. First though, for an epic and accessible history of molecular biology and genetics, I, like Jane Gitschier in the 2013 ‘‘Deep Reads,:Recommendations from Jane Gitschier9s Bookshelf ’’ return again to Horace Freeland Judson’s The Eighth Day of Creation (1979, expanded edition in 1996). I first read this as a teenager and remain captivated by Judson’s crisp, drama-filled accounts of discovery, based on countless interviews with the participants. As well as recounting the eureka moments, Judson also gives us the twists and turns, the blind alleys, and the failed experiments. A high point is the story of the maelstrom of experiment and theory that led to the deciphering of the genetic code (Part II, ‘‘RNA: The Functions of the Structure’’). If you read one book on the history of modern genetics, this has to be it!
Linear Estimation of Correlated Vector Sources for Wireless Sensor Networks with Fusion Center

In this letter, we consider decentralized estimation of unknown random vectors by using wireless sensors and a fusion center (FC). We adopt a linear model for decentralized estimation of vector sources where both observation models and sensor operations are linear and the multiple access channel (MAC) is coherent. Each sensor observes a different vector source, where vector sources can be correlated. Sensors are designed to minimize the total mean square error (MSE) at the fusion center subject to transmit power constraints at the sensors. While a closed form solution cannot be found, an iterative algorithm is proposed. Simulations are provided to verify the analysis and present the performance of the proposed scheme.
Standard medical device data language (MDDL): architecture and applications

A medical device data language (MDDL) is being developed by the P1073 Medical Information Bus (MIB) Standard Committee, under the auspices of the Engineering in Biology and Medicine Society (EMBS) of the IEEE. A review is presented of several significant architectural notions and application issues associated with MDDL. The conflicting requirements of comprehensiveness, flexibility, extensibility, and feasibility (cost, performance) have necessitated the use of a number of methods ranging from object-oriented abstraction to regenerative transformational grammar to substitution of other languages. As a result, significant progress has been made but further work is needed and is continuing to achieve a 'survivable' MDDL. Present emphasis is on specification of the initial version and on extensibility and compatibility of evolved versions. >
Effects of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Intervention on Speech Production in Children With Autism: A Systematic Review

Purpose This systematic review aimed to determine the effects of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention on speech production in children with autism or pervasive developmenta...
Self-organized maps in scientific data analysis

The Thermal Ion Dynamics Experiment (TIDE) investigates low energy (0 - 500 eV) plasma in the Earth's magnetosphere, especially in the polar regions. It is part of NASA's larger POLAR mission. Shortly after the POLAR spacecraft was in orbit, TIDE's mass spectrometer functionality failed. However, data from other instruments can be used to create energy vs. time spectrograms. The number of peaks in these spectrograms relates to the composition of the plasma, so determining the number of peaks in the spectrogram effectively regains the mass spectrometer functionality. Kohonen self-organized maps (SOMs,) a type of neural network, are particularly suited to this problem due to the amount of data that needs to be analyzed and the algorithm's ability to find patterns within data. The algorithm leads to clustering of similar data points on the map. Ultimately, the location of the input data point on the map allows for determination of how many peaks the data point contains, and thus the composition of the plasma at that time. The SOM correctly classified 99% of the input data, making it a viable solution to the problem. Further research is planned, namely the possibility of extending this concept to investigate energetic neural atom (ENA) images in order to determine the source of these atoms.
High resolution spectroscopy of rotating planets.

A method for the high resolution spectroscopy of rotating planets is discussed which in principle (1) uses all the light from the planet, (2) is not limited in its resolution by the rotation of the planet, (3) can produce spectra in which the only sharp lines present must be of planetary origin, (4) retains spatial resolution in latitude, and (5) uses only conventional coude spectrograph equipment. Although it is not possible to take full advantage of all these gains with presently available gratings, a significant improvement over present techniques is still possible.
Introduction to papers from the 5th Workshop on Language Production: The neural bases of language production

The papers in this special issue of Language and Cognitive Processing on the neural bases of language production illustrate two general approaches in current cognitive neuroscience. One approach focuses on investigating cognitive issues, making use of the logic of associations/dissociations or the logic of neural markers as key investigative tools. The other approach has as its primary goal identifying the cognitive and computational functions performed by specific brain areas and understanding the underlying neurobiological mechanisms. The research described in the papers of this special issue applies these approaches to the study of fundamental questions concerning sign language, multilingualism, speech motor control and the interaction between speech production, and comprehension. We discuss how, in doing so, this research sheds light on the cognitive and brain mechanisms of language production.
Evidence for a mate-attracting chemosignal in the dwarf African clawed frog Hymenochirus.

Many male frogs and toads possess sexually dimorphic skin glands (breeding glands). However, in most anuran species, the functional significance of the glands is unknown. Here we show that the breeding glands of male dwarf African clawed frogs (Hymenochirus sp.) release a mate-attractant chemosignal. The mate-attractant activity was assessed using a two-choice aquatic Y-maze. Female Hymenochirus were allowed to choose between different treatment waters (e.g., plain water and water housing males) in the upstream arms of the maze, and the females' movements were monitored by computer-linked motion sensors. Females showed a positive chemotaxis to water housing males and to water containing homogenized breeding glands. Females showed no reaction to water housing conspecific females or to water housing breeding gland-ablated males. Additional choice tests demonstrated that females were more attracted to water housing males than to water housing females and to water containing homogenized breeding glands than to water housing breeding gland-ablated males. Males in the maze showed no response to water housing either females or other males, indicating that the attractant is specific for females and is therefore neither a species aggregation signal nor a food-related attractant. These results represent the first experimental demonstration of a mate-attractant function for anuran breeding glands. Because many anuran species possess breeding glands, these results suggest that pheromonal communication could be more widespread among frogs and toads than previously believed.
Functionalization of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles with targeting ligands: their physicochemical properties and in vivo behavior

Aim: To develop and evaluate two tumor-specific nanoprobes by functionalization of a polyethylene glycol-immobilized nanoparticle with arginine–glycine–aspartic acid (RGD) or chlorotoxin ligand that targets αvβ3 integrin and matrix metalloproteinase-2 receptors, respectively. Materials & methods: The nanoprobes were made of iron oxide cores, biocompatible polymer coating, and surface-conjugated RGD or chlorotoxin peptide. The tumor-targeting specificity of the nanoprobes was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Results & discussion: Both nanoprobes were highly dispersive and exhibited excellent long-term stability in cell culture media. The RGD-conjugated nanoprobe displayed a strong initial accumulation near neovasculatures in tumors followed by quick clearance. Conversely, the chlorotoxin-enabled nanoprobe exhibited sustained accumulation throughout the tumor. Conclusion: These findings revealed the influence of the targeting ligands on the intratumoral distribution of the ligand-enabled nanoprobes. Wit...
Scale space methods for climate model analysis

[1] In this paper, we introduce methods for evaluating climate model performance across spatial scales. These techniques are based on the “scale space” framework widely used in the image processing and computer vision communities. We discuss why the diffusion equation on the sphere provides a particularly attractive means of smoothing two-dimensional maps of global climate data. We establish that no structure is introduced into a map as an artifact of the smoothing procedure. This allows for the comparison of models and observations at multiple scales. As a test case for these methods, we compare the ability of high- and low-resolution versions of the Community Climate System Model (CCSM) to simulate the seasonal climatologies of surface air temperature (TAS), sea level pressure (PSL), and total precipitation rate (PR). For TAS, we find that the high-resolution model is better able to capture the boreal summer (JJA) climatological pattern at fine scales, although there is no such improvement in winter (DJF). We find the performances of the high- and low-resolution models to be similarly capable of capturing the summertime sea level pressure climatology at all scales. However, the high-resolution model PSL climatology is degraded for DJF, especially at larger scales. For both JJA and DJF precipitation climatologies, we find larger precipitation errors in the high-resolution model at the finest scales; however, performance at larger scales is improved.
VIPER: an advanced software package to support high-throughput LC-MS peptide identification

Summary: The accurate mass and time (AMT) tag approach is used for analysis of large scale experiments by combining information generated over multiple datasets and instrument types. The VIPER software package is one of the key components of the data processing pipeline and implements automated algorithms to discover LC-MS features, align and match these LC-MS features to a database of peptides previously identified in LC-MS/MS analyses, and identify and quantify pairs of isotopically labeled peptides. Availability: VIPER may be downloaded free of charge at http://
Electrochemical Characteristics of Iron in H 2 SO 4 Containing Benzotriazole

The effect of benzotriazole on the corrosion of iron in has been studied. The experimental data are consistent with the slow proton discharge step for the hydrogen evolution reaction on iron. No change in mechanism was observed by the addition of benzotriazole, but a significant decrease in the rate of hydrogen evolution was observed. The inhibitor concentration had a significant influence on the behavior of the open‐circuit capacitance. Surface coverages determined from capacitance and corrosion rate data were consistent and found to fit a Langmuir adsorption isotherm.
pH changes in various housefly media.

The pH changes occurring in different rearing media, both with and without housefly larvae (Musca domestica L.), were evaluated. In standard medium which consisted of non-fat milk, brewer's yeast, liver, agar, and water, the pH surrounding the eggs and first-stage larvae was about 5.6. As the larvae grew and agitated the medium, at 5 mm. depth the pH increased and by 72 hours read about 7.5. This 7.5 was significantly higher than the pH 5.0 recorded at the same depth and time in the standard medium without larvae.