cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Growth factors modulate junctional cell-to-cell communication

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) and the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) inhibit gap junctional communication in the mammalian cell lines NRK and BalbC 3T3: cell-to-cell transfer of a 400-dalton tracer molecule is reduced and junctional conductance is reduced. The inhibition of cell-to-cell transfer is reversible and dose dependent; half-maximal effects are obtained at 10−9 and 10−11m concentrations of EGF and PDGF, respectively. The response of junctional conductance is detectable within 2 min of EGF application and reaches a maximum within 10 min. It is among the earliest cellular responses to this growth factor and may be significant in the regulation of growth. The response is lacking in EGF receptor-deficient NIH 3T3 cells. The transforming factor β (TGFβ) enhances junctional communication in BalbC 3T3: cell-to-cell transfer is increased over a period of 8 hr. But in NRK cells, where it upregulates EGF receptors, TGFβ reduces junctional communication synergistically with EGF.
The utilization of trehalose during flight by the housefly, Musca domestica

Abstract The male housefly, Musca domestica , utilizes trehalose during flight. However, the rate of utilization of treahlose is most rapid during the first few minutes of continuous flight (i.e. during the first 5 min of flight, the rate of utilization of trehalose is 187 μ g/thorax per hr; this results in a thoracic trehalose level of one-third of that of the unflown fly, after 5 min of flight). However, as the period of flight is extended, the apparent rate decreases very rapidly, so that the thoracic trehalose level actually continues to rise with increasing duration of flight period. It is concluded that, following initial rapid utilization of trehalose, a secondary metabolic pool becomes implicated, so as to restore (and maintain) the thoracic trehalose levels at as high as 50 per cent of that of unflown flies, for thoraces of flies which have been permitted to fly for as long as 4·5 hr. Flight-exhausted flies, when fed on a solution of glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose, and trehalose, resumed flight, without external stimulation, but feeding galactose, mannose, and cellobiose failed to do so. However, injection of solutions of glucose, fructose, sucrose, and trehalose did not initiate flight in such flight-exhausted flies. These data indicate that a complex, metabolic route is normally involved in the energizing of flight.
Modelling VCR-like video content navigation

Although various alternative control sets have been proposed for various purposes, VCR-like control sets remain the most commonly used for everyday video content navigation by many professional and home users, due to their predominance within popular commercial media players, such as Windows Media Player, QuickTime and RealPlayer. Consequently, this paper proposes a model of user interaction with VCR-like control sets, with the aims of better understanding the process and informing the development of future video content navigation control sets. The model is derived from the results of empirical experimentation. A digital video navigation system with a VCR-like control set was developed and subsequently used by a large sample of users (n=200), who were required to complete a number of goal-directed navigational tasks. Each user's navigational activity was tracked and recorded automatically by the system. Subsequent analysis revealed several patterns of interaction employed by users that were then used to construct the model.
Respiratory syncytial virus in healthy adults: the cost of a cold.

Abstract Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is well recognized as a major pathogen of lower respiratory tract infection and hospitalization in young infants. More recently the pathogenicity of RSV has been demonstrated in elderly adults, institutionalized individuals, and those with compromised immune function. In these populations RSV spreads with ease and frequently results in severe or fatal cardiopulmonary complications. In younger, healthy adults, however, the manifestations and importance of RSV infection have been studied little, and RSV is generally not considered as a cause of respiratory illness in this healthy, working population. RSV occurs in yearly outbreaks and is highly contagious. Immunity after infection is neither complete nor durable. Repeated infections, therefore, occur throughout life. In most cases these recurrent infections involve the upper respiratory tract and thus do not receive a specific diagnosis. However, recent studies indicate that in the younger, healthy adult these respiratory illnesses tend to be more severe than the average ‘cold’ and may have manifestations similar to influenza. An appreciable proportion results in work absence. Thus, the emerging information suggests that RSV infection clearly occurs frequently in healthy adults in contact with children, but is generally not diagnosed. The potential burden on the healthcare system is unestimated, possibly unappreciated, and should be considered in strategies being developed for preventing RSV infection.
Developing teachers' decision making

Process-product research is conceptually truncated because it ignores that teachers are cognitive beings whose behavior is mediated by decision making. This study sought to develop inservice teachers’ interactive decision making (IDM)–their ability to “think on their feet” during instruction. An experimental group of teachers was engaged in a nine-week treatment of reflection and role-taking activities focusing on their IDM. A control group read information about IDM. Both groups then conducted lessons in the natural classroom setting and data on their IDM were collected in stimulated-recall interviews. Content analyses of the protocols produced frequency distributions on four measures of IDM. One-way analyses of variance indicated a significant difference on each measure, and effect sizes were well beyond the 80th percentile of the control group.
Cooperativity leads to temporally-correlated fluctuations in the bacteriophage lambda genetic switch

Cooperative interactions are widespread in biochemical networks, providing the nonlinear response that underlies behavior such as ultrasensitivity and robust switching. We introduce a temporal correlation function—the conditional activity—to study the behavior of these phenomena. Applying it to the bistable genetic switch in bacteriophage lambda, we find that cooperative binding between binding sites on the prophage DNA lead to non-Markovian behavior, as quantified by the conditional activity. Previously, the conditional activity has been used to predict allosteric pathways in proteins; here, we show that it identifies the rare unbinding events which underlie induction from lysogeny to lysis.
Patterns of endemic extinctions among island bird species

The relationship between island biogeography and the vulnerability of island biota to extinction as a result of human activities was examined. In particular, this study analyzed whether island area, maximum elevation of an island, isolation from the nearest continental landmass, or date of human colonization had statistically significant relationships with the proportion of endemic island bird species that have become endangered or extinct. The study examined islands or island groups with endemic bird species, and which have never been connected to a continental landmass. Both modern and fossil bird species were incorporated into the analysis. Islands that were colonized by humans earliest had the lowest proportion of modern species alone, and modern and fossil species combined, that have gone extinct. However, date of human arrival was not correlated with the proportion of modern species that are endangered. Maximum elevation of an island was negatively correlated with the proportion of modern species that are extinct, and was positively correlated with the proportion of modern species that are endangered. Area was negatively correlated with the proportion of modern species that are endangered. Isolation of islands was not significantly correlated with the proportion of modern species extinct or endangered, but was positively correlated with the proportion of modern and fossil species combined that have gone extinct. These results indicate that the initial spasm of island bird extinctions due to human contact may have, in part, passed. They also indicate that bird species on islands colonized earliest by humans may have had more time to adapt to the presence of man and his commensal species, resulting in reduced extinction rates.
THE DEMAND AND SUPPLY OF QUANTITATIVE METHODS DOCTORATES IN THE SOUTH

Of critical importance to educators, students, and their colleges and universities are the demand for and supply of new Ph.D.'s in the quantitative methods field. This study examines projected academic employment conditions, over the period 1977-1981, for such doctorates in the southern region of the United States.
Designing toys with automatic play characterization for supporting the assessment of a child's development

In this paper, we describe the design considerations and implementation of the Child'sPlay system, a technology for supporting the automatic recording, recognition, and quantification of a child's object play behaviors for retrospective analysis. Our prototype system consists of six varieties of toys augmented with wireless sensing capabilities and a mobile computing platform which uses statistical pattern recognition techniques to automatically classify sensed play behaviors. This paper discusses our choices in toy design both in form factor as well as sensing capabilities. In addition, we also describe the play activities the system supports and provide an overview of our initial recognition algorithms.
Regulation of matrilysin expression in cells of squamous cell carcinoma by E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell contact.

A critical attribute of invasive carcinomas is their ability to degrade components of the extracellular matrix, a process achieved by the matrix metalloproteases. In the human squamous cell carcinoma cell line II-4, mRNA and protein expression of the matrix metalloprotease matrilysin was observed to be significantly higher in confluent than in log-phase growth conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the basis for this switch in constitutive matrilysin expression. Conditioned medium from confluent cultures did not induce matrilysin in log-phase cultures, nor did conditioned medium from log-phase cultures repress matrilysin expression in confluent cultures. Thus, matrilysin expression was found not to be controlled by factors autocrine product. Matrilysin protein levels were, however, found to be directly correlated to the degree of cell-cell contact. Incubation of confluent cultures in 30 μM calcium medium, which disrupts E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell contact, was subsequently found to inhibit matrilysin expression, as did treatment with an anti-E-cadherin-neutralizing antibody. These results demonstrate that the degree of cell-cell contact mediated by the E-cadherin cell-adhesion molecule can influence constitutive metalloprotease expression levels in cultured squamous cell carcinoma cells.
Variability of the pattern electroretinogram

Conflicting results have been obtained concerning the parametric properties of the pattern electroretinogram. These discrepancies may be due to the large amount of variability inherent in recording amplitudes. We have found the variability within a single stimulus condition to be so large (ranging from 30% to 67% of the mean value) that it could mask any underlying spatial frequency tuning. Changing the stimulus conditions failed to significantly reduce the observed variability, although changing recording conditions produced some reduction. The use of a narrower rejection band, a greater number of sweeps, and placement of the reference electrode on the ipsilateral ear (as opposed to the ipsilateral temple) combined to decrease variability of the pattern electroretinogram within a single recording session; however, intersession variability remained high. Therefore one must be careful in evaluating data from this technique, and caution is advised in its clinical use.
Effects of aging on food-entrained circadian rhythms in the rat.

Abstract Twenty-four hour schedules of restricted food availability entrain a component of the circadian activity rhythm in rats via a food-entrainable pacemaker separate from the light-entrainable pacemaker. The effect of aging on food-entrained circadian rhythms was examined in 6 rats maintained on a restricted diurnal feeding schedule from age 3–21 months and again from 24–25 months. Food-entrainment, measured as behavioral anticipation of a 1-hr daily mealtime during the middle of the light period and persistence of this anticipation rhythm during food deprivation, was apparent in the aged rats when recorded in wheel-running cages from 20–21 months of age. Despite the long duration of restricted diurnal food access, the aged rats, like young rats, rapidly reverted to nocturnal activity when transferred to ad lib feeding. When restricted diurnal feeding was reinstated at 24 months age, these rats, now recorded in food-bin monitoring cages, required more time for a food anticipation pattern to emerge and showed a lower amplitude food anticipation rhythm compared to a group of young adult rats. These age-related changes are similar to those that characterize photically entrained circadian rhythms and suggest that both components of the rat's multioscillatory circadian timekeeping system deteriorate in parallel over the life span.
Distal femur nonunion patients can expect good outcomes.

The purpose of this study is to describe our experience with distal femur nonunions and to report on the functional recovery of patients treated for these injuries. Twenty-two patients with an established distal femur nonunion were identified and followed prospectively. Results were compared with a control group consisting of 18 similar patients who had sustained an acute distal femur fracture. Compared with acute fracture patients, patients with a nonunion were more likely to have had an open fracture at initial injury ( p = 0.02) and required a longer time to heal after final surgery ( p = 0.054). No demographic variables were found to be predictive of complications, Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment scores, or time to union. These results show that patients with a distal femoral nonunion can expect to attain similar ultimate outcomes to patients receiving treatment for an acute distal femur fracture. Unlike the development of nonunions following other types of fracture, such as the hip, distal femur nonunions do not portend poor functional outcomes as long as bone union is achieved.
Grain boundaries and ionic conduction in sodium beta alumina

Grain boundary morphology and structure has been examined by means of transmission electron microscope lattice imaging, and a plausible correlation is advanced between the grain boundary structure and its transgranular ionic resistivity and capacitance. The geometrical aspects and resistance of the grain boundaries depend on whether or not dislocations with ab=1 spinel block can accommodate the misorientation. Such dislocations are shown to exist in a wide range of grain boundaries. The wide spread in grain boundary structure and the complexity of the microstructure, making parallel current path considerations necessary, can account qualitatively for the deviation from the ideal Maxwell dispersive behaviour. However, a physically relevant interpretation of equivalent circuit parameters determined from dispersive type measurements seems not justified. Several model circuits are used to illustrate the interpretational difficulties. The structure and effects of intergranular phases also have been studied and are discussed.
Numerical Analysis of the Basketball Shot

This paper numerically analyzes the dynamics of the basketball shot. The focus of the paper is on the development of a general formulation for the dynamics of the shot beginning when the ball leaves the shooter's hand andending when the shot is made or missed. The numerical analysis developed in this paper can be used to conduct a parametric study of the dynamics of the basketball shot, which in turn, can be used to improve individual shooting and team strategy. The individual skill level of the shooter enters the formulation through the statistical accuracy of the release. The paper then shows how to determine the shooter's probability of making a given shot.
Rab11-FIP3 is a Rab11-binding protein that regulates breast cancer cell motility by modulating the actin cytoskeleton

Cell adhesion and motility are very dynamic processes that require the temporal and spatial coordination of many cellular structures. ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (Arf6) has emerged as master regulator of endocytic membrane traffic and cytoskeletal dynamics during cell movement. Recently, a novel Arf6-binding protein known as FIP3/arfophilin/eferin has been identified. In addition to Arf6, FIP3 also interacts with Rab11, a small monomeric GTPase that regulates endocytic membrane transport. Both Arf6 and Rab11 GTPases have been implicated in regulation of cell motility. Here we test the role of FIP3 in breast carcinoma cell motility. First, we demonstrate that FIP3 is associated with recycling endosomes that are present at the leading edge of motile cells. Second, we show that FIP3 is required for the motility of MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells. Third, we demonstrate that FIP3 regulates Rac1-dependent actin cytoskeleton dynamics and modulates the formation and ruffling of lamellipodia. Finally, we demonstrate that FIP3 regulates the localization of Arf6 at the plasma membrane of MDA-MB-231 cells. Based on our data we propose that FIP3 affects cell motility by regulating Arf6 localization to the plasma membrane of the leading edge, thus regulating polarized Rac1 activation and actin dynamics.
Comparing public and private high schools using three SAT data sets

Proponents of private schooling claim that private high schools, on the average, more effectively promote measured academic achievement than public high schools. They have also argued that private high schools increase high school completion rates and improve college enrollment rates among high school graduates. Their antagonists, typically, hold that there is little or no difference between public and private high schools with respect to any of these outcomes. We address two of these school effectivenes issues by applying multiple-regression analysis to two SAT data sets for Florida and a national SAT data set. We ask whether there are differences between public and private high schools in promoting achievement as measured by the high-profile SAT verbal and math tests. At the same time, we are asking, at least implicity, if either public or private high schools provide an SAT soore advantage in promoting college enrollments. Our analysis finds a consistent advantage for public high schools with respect to SAT math attainment. For high schools generally, however, it seems clear that school effects outweigh the impact of socially ascribed traits, such as race, ethnicity, gender, and social class.
Informatics and mass spectrometry challenge.

For the first time this year, we would like to invite you to participate in the Analytical Challenge, which is a series of puzzles to entertain and challenge our readers. We hope that you not only find this feature stimulating but that it provides you with points of further interest for your work and study. And please note: there is a prize to be won (a Springer book from our catalogue up to a value of € 75). These Analytical Challenges are published every two months. Two years ago, we first began with a series of spectroscopy challenges by Erno Pretsch and Renato Zenobi, which may still be viewed on the ‘Springer’ chemistry website www.springeronline.com. Mass spectrometry is the topic in the present challenge. Please read on...
Selective inhibition of cytochrome P450 isozymes by the herbicide synergist tridiphane

Abstract Tridiphane [2-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2,2,2-trichloroethyl)oxirane] cross-reacts as a synergist to both herbicides and insecticides. As reported herein, tridiphane inhibited the monooxygenase activity of one or more mouse hepatic cytochrome P450 isozymes. With hepatic microsomes isolated from mice pretreated with phenobarbitol (PB) as well as with purified P450 enzymes, tridiphane efficiently inhibited demethylase and deethylase activities catalyzed by PB-induced P450 enzymes, i.e., I 50 values of approximately 4.0 μ M . However, tridiphane was a weak inhibitor of enzyme activities catalyzed by hepatic microsomes isolated from 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC)-pretreated mice. Type I binding spectra were obtained with hepatic microsomes isolated from uninduced mice ( K s = 12.6 μM ) and PB-induced mice ( K s = 1.0 μM ), and with a purified enzyme isolated from PB-induced mice ( K s = 0.12 μM ). However, tridiphane did not form difference spectra with microsomes isolated from 3-MC-treated mice or with a purified P450 enzyme isolated from 3-MC-treated mice. Inhibition of p -nitroanisole O -demethylase suggested that tridiphane acted as a competitive inhibitor of enzyme activity and produced a K m of 440 μ M with a K i between 0.72 and 1.04 μ M .
Hormonal manipulation in women with chronic, cyclic irritable bladder symptoms and pelvic pain.

Abstract Objective: Chronic, painful bladder symptoms are diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for urologists and gynecologists. The aims of this study were to evaluate women with menstrual cycle-related changes in their interstitial cystitis symptoms, to treat them with hormonal manipulation, and to follow them long term. Study Design: The cases of women who were referred to a tertiary care center with interstitial cystitis and menstrual cycle exacerbation of symptoms were evaluated in a retrospective study. Fifteen women had undergone laparoscopy that was followed immediately by cystoscopy and bladder hydrodistension. Patients were then treated with leuprolide acetate or oral contraceptive pills. Results: Patient age ranged from 23 to 48 years. The duration of symptoms ranged from 1 to 26 years. Ten patients (67%) had findings of both interstitial cystitis and peritoneal endometriosis. Five of 15 patients (33%) had interstitial cystitis, but no endometriosis was found. Symptoms improved for 8 of 9 women who were treated with leuprolide acetate and for 5 of 6 women who were treated with oral contraceptive pills. Patients were followed up for an average of 55 months. Conclusion: Diagnostic laparoscopy should be considered together with hydrodistension of the bladder for women with pelvic pain and irritative bladder symptoms that are exacerbated premenstrually. Endometriosis is often present in patients with these complex symptoms. This is the first report of hormonal treatment for chronic, cyclic irritative bladder symptoms; improvement appears to occur even when endometriosis is not identified by laparoscopy. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186:1268-73.)
Green's functions for transversely isotropic piezoelectric solids

Closed-form expressions are obtained for the infinite-body Green's functions for a transversely isotropic piezoelectric medium. The four Green's functions represent the coupled elastic and electric response to an applied point force or point charge. The Green's functions are obtained using a formulation where the three displacements and the electric potential are derivable from two potential functions. When piezoelectric coupling is absent, the results reduce to those for uncoupled elasticity and electrostatics.
Solution of the two-star model of a network.

The $p$-star model or exponential random graph is among the oldest and best known of network models. Here we give an analytic solution for the particular case of the two-star model, which is one of the most fundamental of exponential random graphs. We derive expressions for a number of quantities of interest in the model and show that the degenerate region of the parameter space observed in computer simulations is a spontaneously symmetry-broken phase separated from the normal phase of the model by a conventional continuous phase transition.
The role of relationship inequity in marital disruption

This study examines whether subjective or objective inequity in marriage is associated with later marital disruption. The sample of 1500 couples is from Waves 1 (1987—1988) and 2 (1992—1994) of the National Survey of Families and Households. The only subjective index of inequity associated with disruption is women's sense of being underbenefited, with greater underbenefit raising the risk of divorce. However, husbands' individual-level, as opposed to communal, orientation to the marriage also elevates the hazard of a break-up. Husbands' relative objective contributions to the relationship in the areas of freedom from disability, kinkeeping, domestic and paid labor, and organizational activities involving the children had either main or interactive effects on the risk of disruption.
Securing Broadcast Based Ad Hoc Routing Protocols

Security, particularly integrity and confidentiality, is a prerequisite for using mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) in sensitive or hostile environments. Existing MANET routing protocols, however, are commonly not designed to ensure, that only authorized nodes can join the MANET. The topology of the MANET and potential points of attack are revealed to (unauthorized) listeners if control messages are sent unencrypted. We propose a modification of the optimized link state routing (OLSR) protocol. In a reference implementation we replaced OLSR's broadcast messages with a set of unicast messages. To provide peer access and control in the mobile environment we issued certificates to all participating nodes and used these for mutual authentication. Additionally, we encrypted all OLSR messages using Internet protocol security (IPsec). This method adds additional traffic to the network. We discuss the complexity of our approach and estimate network parameters for which the impact can be considered tolerable
An analysis of lawsuits relating to emergency physician performed point-of-care ultrasound

Patients and methods The WESTLAW database is a repository of case law, state and federal statues, public records and other information sources used by legal professionals. The database was retrospectively reviewed for cases involving emergency physicians and US exams which fall under the ACEP core emergency US applications from January 2008 to August 2012. Cases were reviewed by emergency physicians with advanced US training. Cases were included if an emergency physician was named, the patient encounter was in the ED, the interpretation or failure to perform US was a central issue and the application was within the ACEP core applications.
Electrical reliability of conductive adhesive joints: curing conditions and current density dependence

Electronic packaging is increasingly becoming a vital part of the electronics industry, representing a key barrier to cost reduction and performance improvement. Flip-chip joining using conductive polymeric adhesives have been identified as a key technologies for future electronics assembly and manufacturing. The purpose of this study is to investigate optimum conditions to achieve the best electrical performance in conductive adhesive joints. Therefore, the quality and reliability tested in conductive adhesive joints were performed at various current densities with different curing conditions. Differential scanning calorimetry and resistance measurement were used to monitor curing condition in conductive adhesives. Accelerated life testing of conductive adhesive joints made of the selected conductive adhesive using different curing conditions was performed with various current densities. The current-induced degradation of conductive adhesive joints was investigated through optical microscope and resistance measurements. Results show a shift in contact resistance depending on curing condition and current density. The contact resistance shift is found to be due to the migration of conducting particles in the adhesive joint.
The search for life in the solar system

The purpose of this account is to review the search for extraterrestrial life in the solar system in the light of present knowledge of the physical state of the planets. It is being written on the eve of the launch (August 1975) by the U.S. of two Viking spacecraft to Mars. These unmanned spacecraft, each consisting of an orbiter and an instrumented lander, are to perform the first biological exploration of another planet. The Viking mission, if successful, will answer. many of the questions posed in this paper. Furthermore, since Mars is the most plausible extraterrestrial habitat of life in the solar system, the Viking results are likely to have a strong influence on future explorations of this kind.
Inner ear of a notoungulate placental mammal: anatomical description and examination of potentially phylogenetically informative characters

We provide the first detailed description of the inner ear of a notoungulate, an extinct group of endemic South American placental mammals, based on a three-dimensional reconstruction extracted from CT imagery of a skull of Notostylops murinus. This description provides new anatomical data that should prove to be phylogenetically informative, an especially significant aspect of this research given that both the interrelationships of notoungulates and the position of Notoungulata within Placentalia are still unresolved. We also assess the locomotor agility of Notostylops based on measurements of the semicircular canals. This is the best available data on the locomotion of a notostylopid because significant postcranial remains for this group have not been described. The cochlea of Notostylops has 2.25 turns, and the stapedial ratio is 1.6. The stapedial ratio is one of the lowest recorded for a eutherian, which typically have ratios greater than 1.8. The fenestra cochleae is located posterior to the fenestra vestibuli, a condition previously only reported for some stem primates. The separation of the saccule and utricule of the vestibule is visible on the digital endocast of the bony labyrinth. The posterior arm of the LSC and the inferior arm of the PSC are confluent, but these do not form a secondary crus commune, and the phylogenetic or functional significance of this confluence is unclear at this time. Locomotor agility scores for Notostylops suggest a medium or ‘average’ degree of agility of motion compared to extant mammals. In terms of its locomotion, we tentatively predict that Notostylops was a generalized terrestrial mammal, with cursorial tendencies, based on its agility scores and the range of locomotor patterns inferred from postcranial analyses of other notoungulates.
Impact of Climate Change on Transboundary Water Sharing

The issue of climate change has surfaced as a potential impediment to effective long-range policies and management of water resources. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently published a report substantiating the argument that global warming is occurring. The IPCC reported that while sustainable water yields may or may not be reduced in the long-term average, they will almost certainly be less reliable in the short term. Climate change challenges existing water resources management practices by adding uncertainty. This will be an especially troubling issue for transboundary water sharing agreements. The risks imposed by climate change to transboundary water sharing agreements are discussed and the agreements most at risk are identified by the region in which they are located.
Longitudinal Global Positioning System Travel Data and Breach of Privacy via Enhanced Spatial and Demographic Analysis

Longitudinal Global Positioning System (GPS) travel data provide a wealth of information related to travel behavior and on-road vehicle behavior that is very valuable to researchers. Sharing the data publicly allows researchers to explore the data and create new knowledge beyond the initial research objectives. However, if any data are to be used outside a secure server, the data must be processed in such a manner that ensures that the confidentiality of the data will not be breached. High-resolution GPS data (e.g., second-by-second speed and location information), when associated with the individual households or drivers, compromise privacy and have a significant potential to harm human subjects. This paper explores how data from the Commute Atlanta study in Georgia could be processed to make it useful to researchers while participants' privacy is protected. The research developed and assessed methodologies designed to identify the individual participant's home location from processed data and then teste...
Cognitive Learning Strategy as a Partial Effect on Major Field Test in Business Results.

An experiment was developed to determine if cognitive learning strategies improved standardized university business exam results. Previous studies revealed that factors such as prior ability, age, gender, and culture predicted a student's Major Field Test in Business (MFTB) score better than course content. The experiment control consisted of identical syllabi and faculty (except for the treatment). The analysis of covariance results were statistically significant (n = 134) with a 40% effect size (and a 74% effect size using multiple regression). The study demonstrated that cognitive learning strategies (accounting for gender and course level grade point average) can influence a student's MFTB exam score. An analysis of covariance can be used to accurately measure student learning gain regardless of prior ability.
Extracellular magnesium is not required for beta adrenergic drug-receptor interactions in intact human lymphocytes

Abstract We have investigated the effect of extracellular magnesium ions on the function of beta adrenergic receptors in intact human lymphocytes. We examined adenylate cyclase stimulation by isoproterenol displacement of (-) (3H) dihydroalprenolol from beta receptor sites, and down regulation (desensitization) of beta receptors by prolonged exposure of the cells to isoproterenol. Contrary to results obtained using broken cell preparation, in none of these situations did the presence or absence of extracellular magnesium ions make any difference. The importance of selecting the most nearly physiological preparations for conducting in vitro studies that may be extrapolated to the whole organism is stressed.
Construction of the inverse transformation function for eddy current multiparameter testing devices

We have developed a method for constructing a nonlinear multiparameter model of the inverse transformation function for eddy current nondestructive testing devices. The new means of multiparameter eddy current testing, created on the basis of nonlinear processing of the response of primary eddy current converter by the inverse transformation function of the system, simplify, in principle, their implementation, software, and metrological assurance, enhancing simultaneously the accuracy of estimating the parameters of a controlled object.
Self-consistent selection of a superconducting representation for the BCS model

Taking the BCS Hamiltonian written in second-quantized form, a modified form of Umezawa's self-consistent field theory method is applied, and a unitarily nonequivalent representation is selected in which the Hamiltonian obviously describes a superconducting system. This result is not at all obvious, since the original Hamiltonian is completely symmetric, and there is no reason a priori for expecting it to describe an asymmetric superconducting configuration. All higher order terms are accounted for, and in doing so, one finds the existence of the energy-gap condition for Cooper pairs. The representation is picked out without using the adiabatic theorem or pair approximation, as is typically done in the self-consistent method for superconductivity.
Temperature dependence study of the quadrupole interaction of 111 Cd in antimony

A power law dependence has been observed for the temperature dependence of the quadrupole interaction of the 247 keV state of111Cd in antimony, which is similar to that observed for121Sb and123Sb in antimony.
Infrared Amide I‘ Band of the Coiled Coil†

The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of several coiled-coil proteins have been shown to possess unusual features in the amide I‘ region. Band maxima occur in the vicinity of 1630 cm-1, with component bands at higher frequency. This is well below the observed band at 1650 cm-1 found in standard α-helical polypeptides such as poly-l-alanine. Normal mode calculations on models of the coiled-coil structure have been performed to investigate this issue. We find that the observed band profile can be reproduced with very small random variations on the φ,ψ of tropomyosin. We believe that the shift to lower frequency is due to additional hydrogen bonding of the solvent accessible backbone CO groups to water.
A Follow-up Evaluation of the Houston Parent-Child Development Center School Performance

The Houston Parent-Child Development Center is a 2-year parent-child education program for low-income Mexican-American families. Families enter the program in annual cohorts when their child is 1 y...
Characteristics of the attack of cement paste by MgSO4 and MgCl2 from the pore structure measurements

This paper deals with the attack of cement paste by MgSO4 and MgCl2 solutions. The analysis of the pore structure using mercury porosimetry reveals distinct characteristics of both types of corrosion. MgSO4 is associated with the densification of the pore structure, whereas MgCl2 corrosion is associated with the opening of the pore structure. Mineral additives seem to protect somewhat 14d-cured cement paste against the MgSO4 attack. A longer initial cure is necessary as far as MgCl2 attack is concerned.
Static, vibration and stability analysis of non-uniform beams

Abstract An approximate finite element displacement method is introduced to analyze the problem of non-uniform beams. Using the displacement functions of a constant cross-section beam, an approximate stiffness and consistent mass matrices are derived. The moment of inertia and cross-sectional area of the beam can be prescribed by any power series of the axial coordinate. Using these matrices the results for static loading, vibration frequencies, and buckling load are found. The solution is compared with those obtained using other approximation techniques. The proposed method converges much faster, with fewer elements, and saves computer and data preparation time.
Changes in Orientation of Actin during Contraction of Muscle

It is well documented that muscle contraction results from cyclic rotations of actin-bound myosin cross-bridges. The role of actin is hypothesized to be limited to accelerating phosphate release from myosin and to serving as a rigid substrate for cross-bridge rotations. To test this hypothesis, we have measured actin rotations during contraction of a skeletal muscle. Actin filaments of rabbit psoas fiber were labeled with rhodamine-phalloidin. Muscle contraction was induced by a pulse of ATP photogenerated from caged precursor. ATP induced a single turnover of cross-bridges. The rotations were measured by anisotropy of fluorescence originating from a small volume defined by a narrow aperture of a confocal microscope. The anisotropy of phalloidin-actin changed rapidly at first and was followed by a slow relaxation to a steady-state value. The kinetics of orientation changes of actin and myosin were the same. Extracting myosin abolished anisotropy changes. To test whether the rotation of actin was imposed by cross-bridges or whether it reflected hydrolytic activity of actin itself, we labeled actin with fluorescent ADP. The time-course of anisotropy change of fluorescent nucleotide was similar to that of phalloidin-actin. These results suggest that orientation changes of actin are caused by dissociation and rebinding of myosin cross-bridges, and that during contraction, nucleotide does not dissociate from actin.
Detecting virulence and drug-resistance mycobacterial phenotypes in vivo.

Bacterial phenotypes are predominantly studied in culture because detection of their specific metabolic pathways in the host is challenging. Development of stable-isotope breath tests, allowing in situ phenotype analyses, may endow diagnostics with new modalities based upon direct monitoring of in vivo microbial metabolism and host–pathogen phenotypic interactions.
Sandbar formation under surface waves: Theory and experiments

[1] We report a combined theoretical and experimental study of sandbar formation under simple-harmonic surface waves. For coarse grains and weak waves, an established empirical rule of bed load transport is used with an asymptotic theory for the fluid flow. The surface waves are governed by potential theory and a depth-linear eddy viscosity is employed in the turbulent boundary layer at the seabed. The derived bed stress is used to predict the sand-bed evolution. Laboratory experiments and corresponding numerical simulations for both high and low beach reflection are discussed. For weak reflection, the shear stress associated with the return current is found to be important. Partial simulation of a field record in Cape Cod Bay is also described.
Liver cell adenoma: A multicenter analysis of risk factors for rupture and malignancy

Liver cell adenoma (LCA) is a benign hepatic tumor with poorly characterized risk for spontaneous rupture and malignant transformation. Records from five tertiary hepatobiliary centers were reviewed for all patients treated for LCA from 1997 to 2006. Clinicopathological data were collected and analyzed, and factors that were associated with rupture and/or malignant transformation were assessed by using multivariable logistic regression. A total of 124 patients were analyzed, of which 8 (6.5%) were men; 119 patients underwent resection, and 5 patients had embolic therapy only. Mean patient age was 39 ± 11 years, and 55% had history of hormone use. Rupture occurred in 31 (25%) cases. Ruptured tumors were larger (10.5 ± 4.5 cm vs. 7.2 ± 4.8 cm; p = 0.001), and no tumor <5 cm ruptured. Patients with ruptured LCAs were more likely to require preoperative blood transfusion (32% vs. 9%, p = 0.006), preoperative embolization (16% vs. 1%, p = 0.021), and major (≥3 segments) hepatic resection (65% vs. 32%, p = 0.003). By multivariate analysis, increasing tumor size (odds ratio (OR), 7.8; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.2-26.3; p < 0.01) and recent (within 6 months) hormone use (OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.5–13.3; p < 0.01) remained independently associated with risk of rupture. Five cases (4%) had evidence of underlying malignancy, but none had LCA <8 cm in diameter. In this multicenter analysis of patients with LCAs, risk of rupture correlated with increasing tumor size and recent hormone use. Rupture is associated with greater need for preoperative blood transfusion and major hepatic resection. These data suggest that patients with asymptomatic LCAs approaching 4 cm and those requiring hormonal therapy should undergo surgical therapy.
Can pin access limit the footprint scaling

If pin density exceeds a certain threshold, pin access becomes a challenge for inter-cell signal routing and increasing the number of metal layers cannot improve routability. CMOS and FinFET layouts may never reach this threshold, but Vertical Slit Field Effect Transistor (VeSFET) ICs may exceed it. We demonstrate that VeSFET layouts are still routable within footprint using two-sided routing which achieves better wire length and via usage than one-sided routing with or without white space inserted.
Modulation of aortic protein phosphorylation by benzo(a)pyrene: implications in PAH-induced atherogenesis.

The toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo(a)pyrene, 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene, and 3-methylcholanthrene has been associated with alterations in the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and the development of lesions of mesenchymal origin. Because phosphorylation of endogenous substrates plays a central role in the regulation of smooth muscle cell growth, the present studies were conducted to evaluate the phosphorylation pattern of medial aortic protein upon repeated in vivo exposure of Japanese quail to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). Medial aortic homogenates from quail treated for 10 weeks with 10 mg/kg benzo(a)pyrene or vehicle were processed for in vitro measurements of protein phosphorylation. In vitro phosphorylation of endogenous or exogenous proteins stimulated in vitro by phorbol myristate acetate/phosphatidyl-serine or cyclic AMP, known activators of protein kinase C and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, respectively, was examined in the cytosolic and particulate fractions of homogenates from control and treated animals. Benzo(a)pyrene treatment significantly enhanced the basal phosphorylation of Mr 113, 35, and 23 kDa proteins in the cytosolic fraction. Modest increases in the phosphorylation of Mr 71, 52, and 38 kDa were also observed under basal conditions. No changes in the basal phosphorylation of particulate proteins were observed. Phosphorylation of endogenous protein substrates by protein kinase C in the cytosolic fraction was not altered by benzo(a)pyrene treatment. In contrast, inhibition of C-kinase-mediated phosphorylation of endogenous Mr 272, 72, and 45 kDa proteins was observed in the particulate fraction of aortic homogenates from benzo(a)pyrene-treated quail relative to controls. Exogenous histone phosphorylation by PKC in the particulate, but not cytosolic fraction, was decreased by benzo(a)pyrene treatment. The effects of benzo(a)pyrene on the C-kinase system were specific, since cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of endogenous proteins, as well as exogenous histone, was not altered by benzo(a)pyrene. Interestingly, benzo(a)pyrene treatment was associated with a selective increase of Mr 200, 80, and 67 kDa proteins in the cytosolic fraction. Collectively, these data are consistent with the hypothesis that medial protein phosphorylation is a significant molecular target of benzo(a)pyrene within the vascular wall.
The Relation of a Work-Based Mentoring Program to the Academic Performance and Behavior of African American Students

Abstract Using a sample of 202 African American students from four urban high schools, this study examined participation in a work-based mentoring program in relation to academic performance and behavior. Based on the program's academic goals, the unique characteristics of mentoring programs, and social learning theory, it was anticipated that participating in the program would be related positively to grades and attendance. Results indicated that participating in the program for more than half the academic year had a significant, positive relation with students' grade point averages and attendance rates after controlling for their previous-year GPA and attendance. This relation was not significant for those who participated in the program over a shorter period of time. Implications of the results for the career development of African Americans are discussed and areas for future research are identified.