cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Business ethics: Some observations on the relationship between training, affiliation, and disciplinary drift

This paper undertakes an inquiry into the relationship between the disciplinary training of business ethicists, their institutional affiliations, those whose work they cite, those with whom they collaborate, and — to some degree — the kind of work they do. It is intended as a response to both the historic injunction that we examine ourselves and to what is seen as the considerable disarray of the field.
PARTIAL EQUILIBRIUM IN AN ARC SPECTRUM.

Time resolved spectra have been taken of a pulsed arc operating in 2 Torr of helium, C${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, air, or argon. Wall confinement aided by close-fitting return conductors produce a 3.5-eV arc plasma in local thermodynamic equilibirum (LTE) during the first 10 \ensuremath{\mu}sec. The electron density is ${10}^{17}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$. Thereafter, the plasma cools and the silicon impurity rises. The arc temperature is limited by radiation losses. LTE is found among eight species, as expected at these values of ${N}_{e}$; but neutral helium is found to be about 1.5 eV cooler than the rest of the plasma. Such a result could cause large temperature errors in plasma diagnostics using He II/I line ratios.
Controlling an Autonomous Racing Vehicle: Using Feedforward and Feedback to Control Steering and Speed

This paper describes the algorithms used for controlling an autonomous vehicle that operates at the limits of tire adhesion. The controller is designed to imitate a racecar driver by using both feedforward and feedback to command the steering, throttle, and brakes of the vehicle. The feedforward steering is based on the vehicle handling diagram, while the lanekeeping steering feedback is added to ensure vehicle stability and reduces tracking errors caused by disturbances or modeling errors. The feedforward speed is estimated based on the available friction, while the proportional speed feedback is introduced to mimic a race-car driver modulating the speed to trim the vehicle orientation. Two different speed feedback designs based on lookahead error and heading error are compared. The experiments demonstrate the superiority of heading error feedback, which enables the vehicle to operate at its limits while maintaining minimal lateral and heading errors from the desired trajectory.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Bench to bedside: HMGB1-a novel proinflammatory cytokine and potential therapeutic target for septic patients in the emergency department.

Overwhelming gram-negative bacterial infection and lifethreatening systemic inflammation are widespread problems in critically ill emergency department patients. Currently, the treatment of these patients is largely supportive, focusing on antibiotics, fluids, hemodynamic and ventilatory support, and intensive monitoring. The only Food and Drug Administration-approved pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of sepsis is activated protein C, with its use largely relegated to the intensive care unit. The subject thus remains an active area of exploration for emergency medicine research. During sepsis and inflammation, innate immune cells release excessive amounts of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1b. If delivered early enough, antiTNF antibodies can be an effective therapy in experimental models of septic shock. Anti-TNF antibodies have been developed for clinical use in rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. However, anti-TNF treatment for sepsis has been difficult to achieve in the clinical setting, perhaps because TNF’s early release and transient appearance in the serum create a narrow therapeutic window. An alternative strategy would be to identify ‘‘late’’ mediators that may be clinically more accessible. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a protein previously known only as a nuclear transcription factor, is now implicated as a late mediator of sepsis. Targeting late mediators of lethal systemic inflammation represents a novel approach that may widen the therapeutic window and lead to new strategies for inhibiting the deleterious effects of the inflammatory cascade. Here the authors review the studies that led to the discovery of HMGB1 as a late mediator of systemic inflammation and discuss the possibility of HMGB1 as a therapeutic target for septic patients in the emergency department. Key words: HMGB1; cytokines; sepsis; inflammation. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2004; 11:867‐873.
196Hg and 202Hg isotopic ratios in chondrites

Abstract An apparent discrepancy has been observed in the isotopic composition of 196 Hg and 202 Hg in a few of the fractions collected during volatilization of Hg from chondritic meteorites. So far, a generally acceptable radiochemical explanation of these occurrences has not been found but this search should be further exhausted before these results are accepted as anomalies.
A Multiplexed Fragment Analysis-Based Assay for Detection of JAK2 Exon 12 Mutations

Mutations within exon 12 of the JAK2 gene occur in most cases of JAK2 V617F-mutation negative polycythemia vera. Several methods have been developed to identify exon 12 mutations, with both Sanger sequencing and high resolution melting (HRM) being widely used. However, mutations can occur at allelic levels lower than 15%, which may hamper detection by these methods. We developed a novel fragment analysis-based assay capable of detecting nearly all JAK2 exon 12 mutations associated with polycythemia vera down to a sensitivity of 2% mutant allele. Test results were reviewed from a set of 20 reference cases and 1731 consecutive specimens that were referred to our laboratory for testing. Assay performance was compared to sequencing and HRM across a series of 27 specimens with JAK2 exon 12 mutations. Positive cases consisted of 22 with deletion mutations, four with duplications, and one with K539L. Nine cases had mutation levels between 6% and 15% that may not be reliably detected by sequencing or HRM. All cases were easily interpreted in the fragment analysis assay. Sequencing, HRM, and fragment analysis each represent viable platforms for detection of JAK2 exon 12 mutations. Our method performed favorably by providing a simple, robust, and highly sensitive solution for JAK2 exon 12 mutation testing.
The effects of arousal on the amplitude of evoked potentials.

Summary Using the stimulus conditions of classical defensive conditioning as the independent variables, the effects of arousal on EPs were followed. Five cats with implanted cortical and thalamic electrodes were trained in 3 phases: habituation, conditioning and extinction. The dependent variables, 1/sec photically-evoked responses were always present in the background. EPs occuring both before and during the CS were analyzed by a computer. Two control subjects, instead of having CS-US (tone-shock) pairing were exposed to an equal number of tone trials wtih shock presented randomly. Results showed that conditioning increased the amplitude of all EPs including pre-CS EPs and extinction attenuated all EPs. Onset of the tone did not significantly alter the morphology of the EPs even though a conditioned flexion reflex was formed. In control animals, no flexion reflex was formed and the amplitude of EPs was attenuated during ‘situational conditioning’. During ‘extinction’ these EPs became even smaller. The results suggest that some EP amplitude changes observed during conditioning experiments might be due to the effects of a tonic activation associated with the total experimental situation rather than the immediate effects of the conditioned stimulus.
The Role of Self-Efficacy, Trust, and Experience and the Mediating Effects of Satisfaction in the Choice of C2C E-Commerce among Young Adults

There are many avenues for consumers to transact with one another. Consumers are increasingly trying to find ways to interact and transact with other consumers via the Web. This study utilizes young adults to assess a consumerâ€™s choice to use consumer-to-consumer (C2C) electronic commerce by examining a consumerâ€™s computer self-efficacy, Web experience, and C2C electronic commerce trust. In addition, mediating effects of C2C electronic commerce satisfaction between the above-mentioned variables and C2C electronic commerce choice is investigated. The findings indicate only Web experience predicts a young adultâ€™s choice for C2C electronic commerce. In addition, satisfaction was found to be a mediator between Web experience and choice. Implications for both practitioners and researchers are provided.
Nucleutide- and temperature- induced changes in myosin subfragment-1 structure

Abstract The effects of nucleotide binding and temperature on the internal structural dynamics of myosin subfragment 1 (S1) were monitored by intrinsic tryptophan phosphorescence lifetime and fluorescence anisotropy measurements. Changes in the global conformation of S1 were monitored by measuring its rate of rotational diffusion using transient electric birefringence techniques. At 5°C, the binding of MgADP, MgADP,P and MgADP,V (vanadate) progressively reduce the rotational freedom of S1 tryptophans, producing what appear to be increasingly more rigidified S1-nucleotide structures. The changes in the luminescence properties of the tryptophans suggest that at least one is located at the interface of two S1 subdomains. Increasing the temperature from 0 to 25°C increases the apparent internal mobility of S1 tryptophans in all cases and, in addition, a reversible temperature-dependent transition centered near 15°C was observed for S1,S1-MgADP and S1-MgADP,P, but not for S1-MgADP,V. The rotational diffusion constants of S1 and S1-MgADP were measured at temperatures between 0 and 25°C. After adjusting for the temperature and viscosity of the solvent, the data indicate that the thermally induced transition at 15°C comprises local conformational changes, but no global conformational change. Structural features of S1-MgADP,P, which may relate to its role in force generation while bound to actin, are presented.
Measurement issues in family assessment: the case of the Family Environment Scale

The internal consistency reliabilities of 5 subscales of the Family Environment Scale were re-examined in a study of 311 stressed and 74 control families. The reliability coefficients generated were lower than those originally reported for this instrument; most coefficients generated were below the acceptable level for practical or research use, and there was considerable variation in the reliabilities across type of stressed family. An attempt to generate more reliable scales using the original items was unsuccessful, and questions about the validity of the subscales were raised. Our results illustrate the importance of examining reliabilities of instruments, even well-known and widely used instruments, for each sample studied.
Hippocampal heterotopia with molecular and electrophysiological properties of neocortical neurons.

Cortical malformations resulting from aberrant brain development can be associated with mental retardation, dyslexia, and intractable forms of epilepsy. Despite emerging interest in the pathology and etiology of cortical malformations, little is known about the phenotype of cells within these lesions. In utero exposure to the DNA methylating agent methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) during a critical stage in neurodevelopment results in animals with distinct clusters of displaced neurons in hippocampus, i.e. nodular heterotopia. Here we examined the molecular and electrophysiological properties of cells within hippocampal heterotopia using rats exposed to MAM during gestation. Molecular analysis revealed that heterotopic cells do not express mRNA markers normally found in hippocampal pyramidal cells or dentate granule cells (SCIP, Math-2, Prox-1, neuropilin-2). In contrast, Id-2 mRNA, normally abundant in Layer II-III supragranular neocortical neurons but not in CA1 pyramidal neurons, was prominently expressed in hippocampal heterotopia. Current-clamp analysis of the firing properties of heterotopic neurons revealed a striking similarity with supragranular cortical neurons. In particular, both cells were characterized by small hyperpolarizing 'sag' potentials, high input resistance values, slow spike-train afterhyperpolarizations, and the absence of a depolarizing afterpotential. Normotopic CA1 pyramidal neurons (e.g. pyramidal cells with normal lamination adjacent to a heterotopia) in the MAM brain exhibited molecular and electrophysiological properties that were nearly identical to those of age-matched CA1 pyramidal neurons from control rats. We conclude that neuronal heterotopiae in the hippocampus of MAM-exposed rats are comprised of neurons with a Layer II-III supragranular cortex phenotype. The MAM model, therefore, may serve as a useful tool in examination of the factors influencing aberrant brain development and epilepsy.
Uranium mobility during interaction of rhyolitic obsidian, perlite and felsite with alkaline carbonate solution: T = 120° C, P = 210 kg/cm2

Abstract Well-characterized samples of rhyolitic obsidian, perlite and felsite from a single lava flow are leached of U by alkaline oxidizing solutions under open-system conditions. Pressure, temperature, flow rate and solution composition are held constant in order to evaluate the relative importance of differences in surface area and crystallinity. Under the experimental conditions U removal from crushed glassy samples proceeds by a mechanism of glass dissolution in which U and silica are dissolved in approximately equal weight fractions. The rate of U removal from crushed glassy samples increases with decreasing average grain size (surface area). Initial rapid loss of a small component (≈ 2.5%) of the total U from crushed felsite. followed by much slower U loss, reflects variable rates of attack of numerous uranium sites. The fractions of U removed during the experiment ranged from 3.2% (felsite) to 27% (perlite). An empirical method for evaluating the relative rate of U loss from contemporaneous volcanic rocks is presented which incorporates leaching results and rock permeability data.
Comments on the Rydberg spectrum of pyrazine

Abstract The vacuum ultraviolet spectrum of pyrazine vapor is analyzed in terms of two Rydberg series leading to the same ionization potential, namely, 9.28 ± 0.01 eV. The absence of interference effects in the spectrum is inconsistent with predictions of previous theories, and the discrepancy is related to configuration interaction between the Rydberg states and isoenergetic valence states. It is suggested that configuration interaction is a general phenomenon and can reasonably explain the contradictions between experiment and theories based on a one-electron approximation of Rydberg states for large molecules, especially aromatic hydrocarbons and their nitrogen heterocycle analogues.
Using Metadata Standards to Improve IMF and National Data

This poster illustrates how metadata standardization in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) leads to an improvement in the quality of statistical information and a better understanding of data and metadata by users. It enables a more efficient and faster exchange of information at lower costs, which is made possible as a result of collaboration with member countries and other international organizations. Metadata standardization leads to greater efficiencies and lower costs in global exchange and internal production of data. Use of metadata standards enhances the accountability of countries for providing quality information about their economy and improves the understanding of data by users. The IMF experience, as outlined in this abstract, demonstrates how metadata standards have resulted in faster, cheaper and more consistent production and dissemination of data.
Audible noise performance of the first three-phase ultra-high voltage transmission test line at EPRI's project UHV

A three-phase ultra-high voltage transmission test line at EPRI's Project UHV was energized in January 1975. Analyses of the audible noise performance of the first six-months of energization are presented. The result of long-term energization during foul-weather are reported in terms of cumulative frequency distributions, lateral profiles and frequency spectra. Audible noise variations with voltage in rain and fair weather are also presented. Results are compared with calculations made on the basis of single-phase tests. Good agreement between measured and calculated performances is demonstrated.
SA-REST and (S)mashups : Adding Semantics to RESTful Services

The evolution of the Web 2.0 phenomenon has led to the increased adoption of the RESTful services paradigm. RESTful services often take the form of RSS/Atom feeds and AJAX based light weight services. The XML based messaging paradigm of RESTful services has made it possible to compose various services together. Such compositions of RESTful services is widely referred to as Mashups. In this paper, we outline the limitations in current approaches to creating mashups. We address these limitations by proposing a framework called as SA-REST. SA-REST adds semantics to RESTful services. Our proposed framework builds upon the original ideas in WSDL-S, our W3C submission, which was subsequently adapted for Semantic Annotation of WSDL (SAWSDL), now a W3C proposed recommendation. We demonstrate use of microformats for semantic annotation of RESTful services and then the use of such semanti- cally enabled services with better support for interoperability for creating dynamic mashups called SMashups.
Managing iatrogenic pneumothorax and chest tubes

Iatrogenic pneumothorax has become an increasingly recognized complication of routine outpatient procedures, such as transthoracic needle biopsies of the lung and transbronchial lung biopsies. Patients with clinically significant pneumothorax are typically managed with evacuation via a percutaneously placed catheter or chest tube. Tube thoracotomy and chest tube management have traditionally been performed by cardiothoracic surgeons; however, with the increasing number of interventional radiologists and interventional pulmonologists, more chest tubes are being placed by specialists who do not admit and manage patients in the hospital setting. The responsibility for the admission of these patients to the hospital service has fallen to the internist. Hospitalists caring for such patients are often expected to manage the chest tube. General internal medicine training and the existing medical literature provide few guidelines to assist with this issue. We present a discussion of the current published literature and our management algorithms for hospitalists caring for patients admitted with iatrogenic pneumothorax.
Source regions of banded chorus

[1] ELF/VLF chorus emissions are very intense electromagnetic plasma waves that are naturally and spontaneously excited near the magnetic equatorial plane outside the plasmasphere during periods of magnetic disturbance. These emissions are believed to play an important role in the acceleration of 10 to 100 keV radiation belt electrons to MeV energies during the disturbed time periods. Spacecraft observations near the magnetic equatorial plane in the regions where chorus emissions are generated show that the chorus often appears in two distinct frequency bands, one band below f ce /2 and one band above f ce /2, where f ce is the local electron gyrofrequency. This configuration is known as banded chorus. In the present paper we show that this type of configuration can be readily explained if it is assumed that the chorus is excited in ducts of either enhanced or depleted cold plasma density.
Magnetoconductance of nonequilibrium plasmas in InSb

Abstract The conductance of injected and impact-ionized plasmas in p -InSb at 77°K has been measured as a function of amplitude and direction of magnetic field relative to the electric field strength. Very large anisotropy in magnetoconductance occurs as the relative orientation between electric and magnetic fields is varied, and in the vicinity of the maxima large amplitude conductance oscillations develop with a frequency in the tens of MHz range. The plasma magnetoconductance for given magnitudes of applied fields abruptly drops to zero at a precisely defined orientation θ between the fields. The MHz oscillations have two characteristic waveforms, either rather regular for θ corresponding to the conductivity maxima or very irregular (spike-shaped) for θ corresponding to the nearly discontinuous changes in magnetoconductance. An enhancement in the conductance occurs for alignments within a few degrees of parallel and antiparallel for sufficiently small and large magnetic fields, an enhancement compared to the conductance in the absence of a magnetic field. The magnetoconductivity anisotropy is essentially independent of crystal orientation; it is strongly affected by sample surface conditions. All these properties are explained qualitatively by the well-known helical instability and by a theory for the role of a transverse component of magnetic field on the plasma distribution. Impact-ionized plasmas produce current-field strength characteristics with negative resistance regions both in the presence and absence of magnetic fields. These effects are also qualitatively explained.
Effect of Continuous versus Interrupted Administration of Nitrous Oxide-Oxygen Inhalation on Behavior of Anxious Pediatric Dental Patients: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of interrupted administration of nitrous oxide (N2O) inhalation, after obtaining profound local anesthesia, on the behavior of mild to moderately anxious pediatric patients during routine restorative dentistry. Study Design: Healthy children, 5 to 8 years old, requiring nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation sedation and bilateral mandibular restorative treatment performed in two sequential appointments under local anesthesia were recruited for this study. After profoundness of the local anesthesia was confirmed, the subject was randomly assigned to either Protocol A (50% N2O / 50% O2 ) or Protocol B (100% O2 ) and restorative dental care was completed. On the second appointment, the subject was assigned to the alternate protocol. Results: Hemoglobin oxygen saturation remained constant with no episodes of oxygen desaturation recorded. There were no statistically significant differences (P < .05) in pulse rate or behavior change noted between the two protocols...
Membrane-binding and enzymatic properties of RPE65

Regeneration of visual pigments is essential for sustained visual function. Although the requirement for non-photochemical regeneration of the visual chromophore, 11-cis-retinal, was recognized early on, it was only recently that the trans to cis retinoid isomerase activity required for this process was assigned to a specific protein, a microsomal membrane enzyme called RPE65. In this review, we outline progress that has been made in the functional characterization of RPE65. We then discuss general concepts related to protein–membrane interactions and the mechanism of the retinoid isomerization reaction and describe some of the important biochemical and structural features of RPE65 with respect to its membrane-binding and enzymatic properties.
Variation in Fetal Femur Length With Respect to Maternal Race

We sought to evaluate whether the expected fetal femur length, based on biparietal diameter, varies in second-trimester fetuses with respect to maternal race. The study population was composed of all fetuses scanned from 15 to 20 completed weeks' gestation during a 2-month period (June to August 1998). Maternal race was documented at the time of the ultrasonographic examination. Biparietal diameter and femur length were prospectively documented. The variance from the expected femur length, given the biparietal diameter, was calculated, and the mean variations were compared according to maternal race. The study subgroups were composed of the fetuses of 39 Asian mothers, 31 black mothers, and the first 100 white mothers. The mean values of the variance from the expected fetal femur length by biparietal diameter +/- 1 SD for the various racial groups were as follows: fetuses of Asian mothers, -0.66 +/- 1.64 mm; fetuses of black mothers, 0.88 +/- 1.57 mm; and fetuses of white mothers, 0.13 +/- 1.66 mm (P = .0007). To isolate the differences among the 3 racial groups, the mean values of the variance from the expected femur length by biparietal diameter for the fetuses of Asian and black mothers were compared with the mean value for the fetuses of white mothers (Asian versus white mothers, P = .014; black versus white mothers, P = .026). A significant difference in the mean variance from the expected femur length by biparietal diameter was identified among the fetuses of women in the second trimester with respect to racial group. Less-than-expected femur lengths were noted among the fetuses of Asian mothers, and greater-than-expected femur lengths were noted among the fetuses of black mothers, compared with the femurs of fetuses of white mothers. The implications for the use of fetal femur length as a component of the genetic sonogram in patients of various races require further study.
Determination of tyrosine, tryptophan and their metabolic derivitives by liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection: Application to post mortem samples from patients with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease

A procedure is described for the rapid determination of the major indoles and catechols. Analysis with picogram detection limits was done by high-pressure liquid chromatography on a C18 reverse-phase column using electrochemical detection (LCEC). This method provides a comprehensive list of compounds which can be simultaneously determined in brain samples and for which there is no necessity of derivatization or pre-column purification. The regional distribution of 9 neurochemicals from rat brain and the levels of 10 neurochemicals from human brain are presented. DOPA, TYR, NE, MHPG, DOPAC, 5-HIAA, TRP, DA, HVA, 3-MT and 5-HT were detected in the caudate nucleus and putamen. The levels of neurochemicals from the caudate and putamen of a demented patient with Parkinson's disease were variably decreased; catechol and indole losses were greatest in the putamen. The levels of neurochemicals in the caudate and putamen of patients with Alzheimer's disease (SDAT) were also variably decreased; loss of NE was seen only in putamen and losses of DA, HVA and 5-HT were uniform across both caudate and putamen. The CSF of SDAT patients showed changes in NE only.
Phase II study of accelerated fractionation radiation therapy with carboplatin followed by PCV chemotherapy for the treatment of anaplastic gliomas.

Abstract Purpose: To conduct a Phase II one-arm study to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of accelerated fractionated radiotherapy combined with i.v. carboplatin for patients with previously untreated anaplastic gliomas. Methods and Materials: Between 1988 and 1992, 90 patients received 1.9–2.0-Gy radiation 3 times a day with 2-h infusions of 33 g/m 2 carboplatin for two 5-day cycles separated by 2 weeks. After radiotherapy, patients received procarbazine, lomustine (CCNU), and vincristine (PCV) for 1 year or until the tumor progressed. Results: Ninety patients were evaluable for analysis. Histologically, 69 had anaplastic astrocytoma; 14, anaplastic oligoastrocytoma; and 7, anaplastic oligodendroglioma. Gross total resection was performed in 20 (22%), subtotal resection in 45 (50%), and biopsy in 25 (28%); reoperation (total or subtotal resection) was performed in 50 (56%) patients. A multivariate analysis showed that a younger age ( p = 0.026), Karnofsky performance score (KPS; p = 0.009), and brain necrosis ( p = 0.0002) were predictive of a better survival. Results from analysis of extent of surgery (biopsy, subtotal resection, gross total resection) approached significance ( p = 0.058). Radiation dose, irradiated tumor volume, and techniques used (boost and fields) were not significant variables. The median survival (MS) of all anaplastic glioma patients was 28.1 months; for anaplastic astrocytoma patients, MS was 28.7 months and 40.8 months for the combined anaplastic oligodendroglioma/oligoastrocytoma patients. Long-term survival occurred in 25% of anaplastic glioma patients who were alive 8.6 years after treatment was initiated. Treatment-induced necrosis was documented by surgery or autopsy in 19 (21%) patients; 21 (23%) had a mixed pattern of necrosis and tumor; and an additional 13 (14%) patients who did not have surgical or autopsy demonstration of predominant radiation necrosis had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of radiation necrosis. Serious clinical neurologic deterioration and/or dementia requiring full-time caregiver attention were observed in 9 (10%) patients. Conclusion: When comparable selection criteria are applied, the rate of MS in this study is inferior to results attainable with current radiation and chemotherapy approaches, although the rates of long-term survival are comparable. Theoretically, patients failing therapy and dying earlier than anticipated may be because of excessive central nervous system (CNS) toxicity resulting from the combination of accelerated fractionated irradiation, intensive carboplatin chemotherapy before each radiation fraction, and postirradiation PCV chemotherapy. On the other hand, patients with treatment-induced necrosis survived significantly longer than patients who did not demonstrate MRI or histologic evidence of necrosis (MS, 106 months vs. 18–33 months).
Recall norms of common spaces and activities of college students

To collect normative data on familiar spaces and behaviors of college students, two recall tasks were performed. In Experiment 1, 219 undergraduates recalled spaces where they spend time. In Experiment 2,155 undergraduates recalled the kinds of activities they do in familiar spaces. The norms provided here include 40 spaces and 123 different behaviors. Gender differences and transituational behaviors are also reported.
Characterization of antibody binding to three cancer-related antigens using flow cytometry and cell tracking velocimetry.

Proper antibody labeling is a fundamental step in the positive selection/isolation of rare cancer cells using immunomagnetic cell separation technology. Using either a two-step or single-step labeling protocol, we examined a combination of six different antibodies specific for three different antigens (epithelial specific antigen, epithelial membrane antigen, and HER-2/Neu) on two different breast cancer cell lines (HCC1954 and MCF-7). When a two-step labeling protocol was used (i.e., anti-surface marker-fluoroscein-isothiocyanate [FITC] [primary Ab], anti-FITC magnetic colloid [secondary Ab]) saturation of the primary antibody was determined using fluorescence intensity measurements from flow cytometry (FCM). The saturation of the secondary antibody (or saturation of a single-step labeling) was determined using magnetophoretic mobility measurements from cell tracking velocimetry (CTV). When the maximum magnetophoretic mobility was the primary objective, our results demonstrate that the quantities necessary for antibody saturation with respect to fluorescence intensity were generally higher than those recommended by the manufacturer. The results demonstrate that magnetophoretic mobility varies depending on the types of cell lines, primary antibodies, and concentration of secondary magnetic colloid-conjugated antibody. It is concluded that saturation studies are a vital preparatory step in any separation method involving antibody labeling, especially those that require the specificity of rare cell detection.
The Involvement of Bax in Zinc-Induced Mitochondrial Apoptogenesis in Malignant Prostate Cells

Background The development and progression of prostate cancer requires the transformation of normal zinc-accumulating epithelial cells to malignant cells that have lost the ability to accumulate zinc. This metabolic transformation is essential so that the tumor suppressive effects of zinc can be eliminated and the malignant process can proceed. One of the major effects of zinc is its prevention of prostate cell growth by its induction of apoptosis. The accumulation of cellular zinc has a direct effect on the mitochondria that results in the release of cytochrome c, which initiates the caspase cascade that leads to apoptosis. This effect is associated with the mitochondrial pore-forming process, but the mechanism by which zinc induces the release of cytochrome c and induces mitochondrial apoptogenesis has not been resolved. The present report provides for the first time information that implicates Bax in the zinc induction of mitochondrial apoptogenesis.
The circumsporozoite gene of the plasmodium cynomolgi complex

An analysis of the circumsporozoite (CS) genes of six closely related plasmodia is presented. Like other plasmodial antigens, the CS protein contains tandem repeats flanked by conventional nonrepeated sequences. Our analysis shows that the repeats, which encode the immunodominant epitope of the CS protein, diverge more rapidly than the remainder of the gene, and that the maintenance and evolution of the repeats cannot be explained as the result of selection at the protein level. We argue that a mechanism acts directly on the DNA sequence to constrain the internal divergence of the repeats, and as a result promotes their rapid divergence between taxa.
Epidemiologic data and pathogen genome sequences: a powerful synergy for public health.

Epidemiologists aim to inform the design of public health interventions with evidence on the evolution, emergence and spread of infectious diseases. Sequencing of pathogen genomes, together with date, location, clinical manifestation and other relevant data about sample origins, can contribute to describing nearly every aspect of transmission dynamics, including local transmission and global spread. The analyses of these data have implications for all levels of clinical and public health practice, from institutional infection control to policies for surveillance, prevention and treatment. This review highlights the range of epidemiological questions that can be addressed from the combination of genome sequence and traditional ‘line lists’ (tables of epidemiological data where each line includes demographic and clinical features of infected individuals). We identify opportunities for these data to inform interventions that reduce disease incidence and prevalence. By considering current limitations of, and challenges to, interpreting these data, we aim to outline a research agenda to accelerate the genomics-driven transformation in public health microbiology.
Integration Host Factor Positively Regulates Virulence Gene Expression in Vibrio cholerae

Virulence gene expression in Vibrio cholerae is dependent upon a complex transcriptional cascade that is influenced by both specific and global regulators in response to environmental stimuli. Here, we report that the global regulator integration host factor (IHF) positively affects virulence gene expression in V. cholerae. Inactivation of ihfA and ihfB, the genes encoding the IHF subunits, decreased the expression levels of the two main virulence factors tcpA and ctx and prevented toxin-coregulated pilus and cholera toxin production. IHF was found to directly bind to and bend the tcpA promoter region at an IHF consensus site centered at position -162 by using gel mobility shift assays and DNase I footprinting experiments. Deletion or mutation of the tcpA IHF consensus site resulted in the loss of IHF binding and additionally disrupted the binding of the repressor H-NS. DNase I footprinting revealed that H-NS protection overlaps with both the IHF and the ToxT binding sites at the tcpA promoter. In addition, disruption of ihfA in an hns or toxT mutant background had no effect on tcpA expression. These results suggest that IHF may function at the tcpA promoter to alleviate H-NS repression.
Racial/Ethnic Differences in Early Life Risk Factors for Childhood Obesity

OBJECTIVE: By the preschool years, racial/ethnic disparities in obesity prevalence are already present. The objective of this study was to examine racial/ethnic differences in early-life risk factors for childhood obesity. METHODS: A total of 1343 white, 355 black, and 128 Hispanic mother–child pairs were studied in a prospective study. Mother9s reported child9s race/ethnicity. The main outcome measures were risk factors from the prenatal period through 4 years old that are known to be associated with child obesity. RESULTS: In multivariable models, compared with their white counterparts, black and Hispanic children exhibited a range of risk factors related to child obesity. In pregnancy, these included higher rates of maternal depression (odds ratio [OR]: 1.55 for black, 1.89 for Hispanic); in infancy more rapid weight gain (OR: 2.01 for black, 1.75 for Hispanic), more likely to introduce solid foods before 4 months of age (OR: 1.91 for black, 2.04 for Hispanic), and higher rates of maternal restrictive feeding practices (OR: 2.59 for black, 3.35 for Hispanic); and after 2 years old, more televisions in their bedrooms (OR: 7.65 for black, 7.99 for Hispanic), higher intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (OR: 4.11 for black, 2.48 for Hispanic), and higher intake of fast food (OR: 1.65 for black, 3.14 for Hispanic). Black and Hispanic children also had lower rates of exclusive breastfeeding and were less likely to sleep at least 12 hours/day in infancy. CONCLUSIONS: Racial/ethnic differences in risk factors for obesity exist prenatally and in early childhood. Racial/ethnic disparities in childhood obesity may be determined by factors that operate at the earliest stages of life.
Spent Resources: Self‐Regulatory Resource Availability Affects Impulse Buying

This research investigated impulse buying as resulting from the depletion of a common—but limited—resource that governs self-control. In three investigations, participants’ self-regulatory resources were depleted or not; later, impulsive spending responses were measured. Participants whose resources were depleted, relative to participants whose resources were not depleted, felt stronger urges to buy, were willing to spend more, and actually did spend more money in unanticipated buying situations. Participants having depleted resources reported being influenced equally by affective and cognitive factors and purchased products that were high on each factor at equal rates. Hence, self-regulatory resource availability predicts whether people can resist impulse buying temptations.
Quality of Fungicide Treated and Individually Shrink-Wrapped Tomatoes

Fungicide-treated mature green and pink tomatoes were individually shrink-wrapped with plastic films and stored at 13°C and 18°C. Shrink-wrapped pink tomatoes lost less water than unwrapped tomatoes, but there were no significant shelf-life or quality differences. The shelf-life of mature green tomatoes at 18°C, however, was increased 10 days by shrink-wrapping. Color development of wrapped mature green tomatoes at 18°C was delayed. Wrapped fruit at both temperatures were firmer than the controls. Titratable acidities and soluble solids of wrapped fruit were lower than those of the unwrapped fruit at 13°C, while no significant changes were observed in citric acid or monosaccharide concentrations. The differences in titratable acidities and soluble solids in the wrapped and unwrapped fruit stored at 18°C were not significant.
What Can Casual Walkers Tell Us About A 3D Scene

An approach for incremental learning of a 3D scene from a single static video camera is presented in this paper. In particular, we exploit the presence of casual people walking in the scene to infer relative depth, learn shadows, and segment the critical ground structure. Considering that this type of video data is so ubiquitous, this work provides an important step towards 3D scene analysis from single cameras in readily available ordinary videos and movies. On-line 3D scene learning, as presented here, is very important for applications such as scene analysis, foreground refinement, tracking, biometrics, automated camera collaboration, activity analysis, identification, and real-time computer-graphics applications. The main contributions of this work are then two-fold. First, we use the people in the scene to continuously learn and update the 3D scene parameters using an incremental robust (L1) error minimization. Secondly, models of shadows in the scene are learned using a statistical framework. A symbiotic relationship between the shadow model and the estimated scene geometry is exploited towards incremental mutual improvement. We illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework with applications in foreground refinement, automatic segmentation as well as relative depth mapping of the floor/ground, and estimation of 3D trajectories of people in the scene.
A cyclase-associated protein regulates actin and cell polarity during Drosophila oogenesis and in yeast

Abstract Background: A polarised cytoskeleton is required to pattern cellular space, and for many aspects of cell behaviour. While the mechanisms ordering the actin cytoskeleton have been extensively studied in yeast, little is known about the analogous processes in other organisms. We have used Drosophila oogenesis as a model genetic system in which to investigate control of cytoskeletal organisation and cell polarity in multicellular eukaryotes. Results: In a screen to identify genes required for Drosophila oocyte polarity, we isolated a Drosophila homologue of the yeast cyclase-associated protein, CAP. Here we show that CAP preferentially accumulates in the oocyte, where it inhibits actin polymerisation. CAP also has a role in oocyte polarity, as cap mutants fail to establish the proper, asymmetric distribution of mRNA determinants within the oocyte. Similarly in yeast, loss of CAP causes analogous polarity defects, altering the distribution of actin filaments and mRNA determinants. Conclusions: This study identifies CAP as a new effector of actin dynamics in Drosophila . As CAP controls the spatial distribution of actin filaments and mRNA determinants in both yeast and Drosophila , we conclude that CAP has an evolutionarily conserved function in the genesis of eukaryotic cell polarity.
Building a Global Health Education Network for Clinical Care and Research. The Benefits and Challenges of Distance Learning Tools. Lessons Learned from the Hopkins Center for Clinical Global Health Education

Expanding the capacity for clinical care and health research is a global priority and a global challenge. The Johns Hopkins Center for Clinical Global Health Education (CCGHE) was established in 2005 to provide access to high-quality training to health care providers in resource-limited settings. The CCGHE made a strategic decision to develop, use, and evaluate distance learning platforms to achieve its mission. In the initial years of this new program, several lessons have been learned that may be helpful to other programs considering the use of distance learning programs to expand global health clinical and research capacity.
Assessing the role of polarization in docking.

We describe a strategy for including ligand and protein polarization in docking that is based on the conversion of induced dipoles to induced charges. Induced charges have a distinct advantage in that they are readily implemented into a number of different computer programs, including many docking programs and hybrid QM/MM programs; induced charges are also more readily interpreted. In this study, the ligand was treated quantum mechanically to avoid parametrization issues and was polarized by the target protein, which was treated as a set of point charges. The induced dipole at a given target atom, due to polarization by the ligand and neighboring residues, was reformulated as induced charges at the given atom and its bonded neighbors, and these were allowed to repolarize the ligand in an iterative manner. The final set of polarized charges was evaluated in docking using AutoDock 4.0 on 12 protein-ligand systems against the default empirical Gasteiger charges, and against nonpolarized and partially polarized potential-derived charges. One advantage of AutoDock is that the best rmsd structure can be identified not only from the lowest energy pose but also from the largest cluster of poses. Inclusion of polarization does not always lead to the lowest energy pose having a lower rmsd, because docking is designed by necessity to be rapid rather than accurate. However, whenever an improvement in methodology, corresponding to a more thorough treatment of polarization, resulted in an increased cluster size, then there was also a corresponding decrease in the rmsd. The options for implementing polarization within a purely classical docking framework are discussed.2008112
Understanding the energy efficiency of simultaneous multithreading

Simultaneous multithreading (SMT) has proven to be an effective method of increasing the performance of microprocessors by extracting additional instruction-level parallelism from multiple threads. In current microprocessor designs, power-efficiency is of critical importance, and we present modeling extensions to an architectural simulator to allow us to study the power-performance efficiency of SMT. After a thorough design space exploration we find that SMT can provide a performance speedup of nearly 20% for a wide range of applications with a power overhead of roughly 24%. Thus, SMT can provide a substantial benefit for energy-efficiency metrics such as ED/sup 2/. We also explore the underlying reasons for the power uplift, analyze the impact of leakage-sensitive process technologies, and discuss our model validation strategy.
Depolarisation of spherical{membrane quantum well: Gap renormalisation for closed{shell fullerenes

An anomalous large level shift is newly found to correct the one-electron spectrum of a closed-shell carbon nanocluster, for example, the spectrum which was described within the model of a thin quantum well rolled into a sphere. As a result of the interaction with zero-point oscillations of the confined modes of the electric field, the one-electron energy levels heighten. The depolarization depends on the electron momentum, why it does not shift the rotational spectrum as a whole. Surprisingly the shift in a spherical closed-shell cluster of an arbitrary size is described by an universal law. The non-equidistant shift of the levels results in an increase of an one-electron gap by 1.4 times.
So You Want to Hire a Future Star? Student-Advisor Matching and Early Career Productivity for Economics Ph.D.S

This paper examines a unique data set containing information on a Ph.D. recipient's dissertation advisor, graduate program, and early career research productivity. We ask whether the match between an economics Ph.D. student and his or her dissertation advisor provides additional information as to the student's likelihood for early career success beyond the program from which the student graduated. Comparing the distributions of research productivity across reputation ranks suggests that substantial overlap exists, with top students from lower ranked programs outperforming a significant percentage of students from top ranked programs. It is further observed that the high performing students from less respected programs tend to work with advisors ranked higher among Coupe's (2003) top 1000 global economists than the less productive students from elite programs. Regressions that control for both program reputation and advisor rank confirm that, all else equal, students working with ranked advisors are significantly more likely to publish in their early careers, especially in top 5 and top 36 journals, than students working with unranked advisors. Moreover, adding controls for advisor rank diminishes the estimated impact of the student's Ph.D. program. Together these facts suggest that the student-advisor match provides an important signal of the student's likelihood for early career publishing success.