cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Far-infrared spectrophotometer for astronomical observations

A liquid-helium-cooled far infrared spectrophotometer was built and used to make low resolution observations of the continua of several kinds of astronomical objects using the Kuiper Airborne Observatory. This instrument fills a gap in both sensitivity to continuum sources and spectral resolution between the broadband photometers with lambda/Delta lambda approximately 1 and spectrometers with lambda/Delta lambda greater than 50. While designed primarily to study planetary nebulae, the instrument permits study of the shape of the continua of many weak sources which cannot easily be observed with high resolution systems.
Simulations of the viking gas exchange experiment using palagonite and Fe-rich montmorillonite as terrestrial analogs: Implications for the surface composition of Mars

Abstract Simulations of the Gas Exchange Experiment (GEX), one of the Viking Lander Biology Experiments, were run using palagonite and Fe-rich montmorillonite as terrestrial analogs of the Martian soil. These terrestrial analogs were exposed to a nutrient solution of the same composition as that of the Viking Landers under humid (no contact with nutrient) and wet (intimate contact) conditions. The headspace gases in the GEX sample cell were sampled and then analyzed by gas chromatography under both humid and wet conditions. Five gases were monitored: CO 2 , N 2 , O 2 , Ar and Kr. It was determined that in order to simulate the CO 2 gas changes of the Viking GEX experiment, the mixture of soil analog mineral plus nutrient medium must be slightly (pH = 7.4) to moderately basic (pH = 8.7). This conclusion suggests constraints upon the composition of terrestrial analogs to the Mars soil; acidic components may be present, but the overall mixture must be basic in order to simulate the Viking GEX results.
Ultrasonic Mapping And Signal Processing In Diagnostic Medicine

Although ultrasound has been used in medicine since the 1930's, it is only recently that this technology has been widely used and its potential fully recognized. Medical ultrasonics is now in a period of rapid growth and is on the verge of making a significant impact on clinical medicine. The field provides challenging and important engineering problems, which are unique to medicine and biology. This review describes ultrasonic techniques presently used in the clinic, discusses several new techniques presently under development in the laboratory, and notes several promising procedures for processing ultrasonic data. The review is limited to pulse-echo techniques or parameter mapping systems which produce pictorial representations of the location of reflectors and scattering sites but which do not "image" in the generally accepted optical sense.
A comparison of the molecular dynamic method and energy minimization methods for modeling the structure of amorphous metals

Abstract We have used the molecular dynamics computer simulation method to generate model structures of amorphous metal alloys and have compared the results with those obtained by two other theoretical methods: the energy minimization of dense random clusters of atoms and the energy minimization of dense random periodic structures. The energy minimization of dense random clusters can give structures very different from those of the other two methods even when exactly the same interatomic potentials are used in the calculations, and we give reasons for not trusting this method to generate structures to be compared with experiment. The molecular dynamics method is the only one of the three methods that provides a valid technique for studying both the structure of amorphous metals and structural relaxation these materials.
Updating The Jacobi SVD For Nonstationary Data

An effective updating algorithm for singular value decomposition (SVD), based on Jacobi rotations, has recently been proposed (Moonen et al., 1992). This algorithm is composed of two basic steps: QR updating and rediagonalisation. The authors are concerned with the behaviour of this algorithm for nonstationary data, and the effect of the updating rate on tracking accuracy. To overcome the trade-off between accuracy and updating rate intrinsic in the original algorithm, the authors propose two schemes which improve the overall performance when the rate of change of the data is high. In the ‘variable rotational rate’ scheme, the number of Jacobi rotations per update is dynamically determined. In the ‘variable forgetting factor’ approach, the effective width of the observation adjusts to the data nonstationarity. Behaviour and performance of the two schemes are discussed and compared. Applications to direction-of-arrival estimation and speech processing are given.
Unrestraining Genetic Processes with a Protein–DNA Hinge

Abstract Genetic processes require direct interactions between proteins bound at nonadjacent cis elements. Because duplex DNA is rigid, either the protein–protein interactions are strong enough to deform the double helix or some feature of the intervening DNA must encourage juxtaposition of separated sites. For example, bent DNA can bring together only certain precisely positioned cis elements with the same helical phase. Interposing a DNA segment that both bends and twists easily to create a universal joint would provide an even more general mechanism to promote the association of separated sites regardless of position. A cis element of the human c-myc gene, known to be melted in vivo, and its associated single-strand DNA binding protein were examined and found to comprise just such a protein–DNA hinge.
The results of a survey of hybrid computer laboratories

This paper presents the results of a survey of hybrid computer laboratories in the United States and abroad. The survey included personal visits to 15 hybrid computer laboratories and a mailing of 195 questionnaires. The survey questionnaire was design ed to determine the current status of hybrid computer facility configurations, management policies, and facility utilization levels.
Nebulized oil-in-water nanoemulsion mists for pulmonary delivery: development, physico-chemical characterization and in vitro evaluation

Context: This study presents novel nanostructured oil-in-water (o/w) mists based on self-nanoemulsifying (SNE) mixtures capable of delivering poorly water-soluble drugs into the lungs.Objective: Fo...
Site suitability and the analytic hierarchy process: How GIS analysis can improve the competitive advantage of the Jamaican coffee industry

Abstract This paper presents a site suitability model for growing coffee in the island of Jamaica and how it can be used to assist the development of the Jamaican coffee industry as it seeks to regain the presence it once had in the specialty coffee market. Home to the Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee – one of the world's most exotic and expensive coffees, the industry has struggled in face of increased competition in the specialty coffee market and increasing costs of production. This decline in competitive advantage has forced stakeholders to seek innovative means to remain viable. This suitability model integrated the perspectives of local coffee stakeholders using the analytic hierarchy process to determine the weights for the biophysical and infrastructure criteria used in the suitability analysis. The results indicated that the most suitable locations for growing coffee in the island were in the mountainous core of central and eastern Jamaica, especially in and around the Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee region and the hills of south-central Jamaica. The results also highlighted areas with limited coffee production potential across the island. This model lays the groundwork for potential applications of the model such as its use in policy making decisions and scenario planning as the industry contemplates the possible impacts of climate change on coffee growing regions across the island. This suitability model promises to be a stepping stone in the creation of novel applications of geospatial technology in agriculture within small islands.
Comment on "Atomization Characteristics of Impinging Liquid Jets"

TECHNICAL COMMENTS are brief discussions of papers previously published in this journal. They should not exceed 1500 words (where a figure or table counts as 200 words). The author of the previous paper is invited to submit a reply for publication in the same issue as the Technical Comment. These discussions are published as quickly as possible after receipt of the manuscripts. Neither AIAA nor its Editors are responsible for the opinions expressed by the authors.
Enantiomeric separation of fluorescent, 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate, tagged amino acids.

Abstract A new derivatizing reagent, 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate (AQC), has been used successfully for chromatographic enantioseparation of 31 amino acids on cyclodextrin bonded stationary phases. AQC reacts with both primary and secondary amino acids to produce stable and highly fluorescent derivatives suitable for efficient and sensitive chromatographic determinations. The derivatization reaction proceeds without detectable racemization. The detection limit is in the femtomole range and approximately 0.0075% of the d -enantiomer in an excess of the l -enantiomer is detectable. High resolution values are needed when determining trace enantiomeric impurities.
Improvement of photoconductive response in amorphous silicon-germanium alloys produced from fluorides instead of hydrides

Evidence has been presented from several laboratories that a-Si1−xGex prepared by PECVD from mixtures of (SiF4 + GeF4 + H2) can have a photoresponse superior to that of alloys prepared from (SiH4 + GeH4). We have prepared both series of alloys with 0 < x < 0.6 in the same reactor and fully characterized them as to structure, infrared vibrational absorption, absorption edge, photoconductivity spectrum, photoluminescence spectrum, conductivity versus temperature, time-of-flight mobility and μτ product, space-charge-limited currents, Raman scattering and spin resonance. The major differences in observed properties are in structure (TEM micrographs), the magnitude of the photoconductivity, and the parameters (activation energy and pre-exponential) of the dark conductivity. Two models fitting the results are discussed. One of them involves a major difference in the island/tissue microstructure, which leads to two parallel paths for dark transport, and one dominant path for photo-transport.
Synthesis of guanosine and its derivatives from 5-amino-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-4-imidazolecarboxamide. III. Formation of a novel cycloimidazole nucleoside and its cleavage reactions.

Abstract A new cycloimidazole nucleoside, 5-(1 inch -benzamido-1 inch-hydroxymethylene) amino-2', 1 inch-anhydro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-4-imidazolecarboxamide (III) was synthesized by reaction of 5-amino-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-4-imidazolecarboxamide (AICA-riboside) with benzoyl isothiocyanate followed by methylation with methyl iodide. The structure of III was elucidated on the basis of its nmr spectra and chemical reactions. Of special interest are reactions of III with various nucleophiles. For example, guanosine (IX) was obtained by amination of III wtih ammonia in 72% yield. Analogous reactions of III with methylamine and dimethylamine gave N2-methylguanosine (X) and N2-dimethylguanosine (XI), respectively. Refluxing of III in alkaline solution afforded xanthosine (VII). The probable mechanism of formation and facile ring-opening of III is also discussed.
Children's responses to low parental mood. II: Associations with family perceptions of parenting styles and child distress.

ABSTRACT Objective In an earlier article (part I) the authors identified four patterns of children's responses to parental low mood: Active Empathy, Emotional Overinvolvement, Indifference, and Avoidance. They then hypothesized that these response patterns were related to parenting styles and to discrepancies in family members’ perceptions of parenting and child mental distress. Method A normal population sample of 990 twelve-year-old Finnish children and their mothers (843) and fathers (573) was used. Within-family multivariate analyses conducted in mother-father-child triads (470) were used to examine whether quality of parenting varied according to children's responses and whether parents’ and children's perceptions of parenting and child distress were different. Results Children in the Active Empathy and Indifference groups experienced more positive parenting than those in the other two groups. Discrepancies in family members’ perceptions of child distress and mothering and fathering were especially characteristic of the Emotional Overinvolvement group. Typical for the Avoidance group was a within-family agreement on poor parenting and severe child distress. Conclusions Children's response patterns as regards parental low mood are related to family dynamics. The study suggests that discrepancies in parents’ and children's perceptions of parenting and child distress can be meaningful in understanding family interactions and child development and well-being.
Catch of the day : zebrafish as a human cancer model

Zebrafish are making big waves in the field of cancer research. The effect has been widespread and continues to gain speed as more and more cancer researchers ride the wave of zebrafish biology. This has been largely due to the development of transgenic and xenograft models of cancer, which recapitulate many aspects of different human cancers including lymphoblastic T-cell leukemia, pancreatic cancer, melanoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. These models are already being utilized by academia and industry to search for genetic and chemical modifiers of cancer with success. The attention has been further stimulated by the amenability of zebrafish to pharmacological testing and the superior imaging properties of fish tissues that allow visualization of cancer progression and angiogenesis in live animals. This review summarizes the current zebrafish models of cancer and discusses their utility in human cancer research and future directions in the field.
BF2 ion implantation in silicon through surface oxides, behaviour of the fluorine with rapid thermal annealing

Abstract BF2 ion implantation through surface oxides has been investigated to form shallow p+/n junctions. BF2 ion implantation was performed at 25 keV at a dose of 5.4 × 1014cm−2 through surface oxides of different thicknesses into crystalline silicon. Rapid thermal annealing (1000°C/10 s) was used for dopant activation and radiation damage removal. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) was used to obtain the boron and fluorine distribution profiles. p+/n junctions as shallow as 0.12 μm were formed with reasonable sheet resistance. The study shows that, as expected, dopant loss in the surface oxide during ion implantation results in higher values of sheet resistance. Out-diffusion of fluorine during RTA resulted in a fluorine loss of 50 to 65% from the silicon. Also, fluorine was found to segregate at the oxide/silicon interface.
Environmental light and heredity are associated with adaptive changes in retinal DHA levels that affect retinal function

Retinas of rats and mice react to environmental and genetic stimuli by altering the level of DHA in their rod outer segment membranes. We propose that this adaptation is a neuroprotective response to control the number of photons captured by rhodopsin and the efficiency of visual transduction, under conditions where excessive activation of the transduction cascade could lead to cell death.
Rigid-ion-model treatment of the vibrational spectra of calcium and strontium chloride hexahydrate crystals

Single-crystal Raman spectra at 77 K in the 80-3500 cm−1 range are reported for CaCl2·6H2O(D2O) and SrCl2·6H2O(D2O). Excellent fits to the experimental spectra were obtained with the use of a thirteen-parameter force field based on the rigid-on model supplemented with stretching and bending force constants for the water molecules and selected short-range force constants in the Bravais cell. The libration frequencies of both the bridging (four-coordinate) and the terminal (three-coordinate) water molecules were found to depend almost exclusively on their partial charges.
Cervical Cancer Knowledge and Prevention Among College Women

The purpose of this study was to assess cervical cancer knowledge and prevention practices among college women and to determine predictors of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in this group. A quantitative approach using two varying groups of women was undertaken. College women and women visiting a local community health center were surveyed on items assessing cervical cancer knowledge and prevention practices. Altogether, 410 women were sampled, 217 college women and 193 from the local community health center. HPV vaccine initiation was higher among the college group (36 %) compared to (5 %) among the community health center group. Seventy three (73 %) percent of women in the community group had a Papanicolaou test in the preceding 3 years compared to (61.8 %) in the college group. College women reported higher cervical cancer knowledge than community women. This study highlights that cervical cancer knowledge and preventive practices are variable among women and that significant differences exist among college and community women. This calls for more strategic and accessible services incorporating group specific messages and interventions.
The presence of Helicobacter pylori is not associated with long-term anastomotic complications in gastric bypass patients

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori prior to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has been advocated as a measure to reduce the complications of anastomotic ulceration. However, evidence to support a causal relationship between preoperative H. pylori status and postoperative anastomotic ulceration is weak. Intraoperative gastric biopsies were obtained on consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic RYGB at our institution from December 2007 to June 2010. These samples were analyzed by Warthin–Starry stain for H. Pylori organisms. Retrospective chart review was conducted to determine the preoperative presence of acid dyspepsia and acid suppression therapy and to determine postoperative ulcer symptoms, smoking, NSAID or steroid use, and compliance with ulcer prophylaxis. The incidence of ulcer visualization, perforation, and stricture were obtained from a prospectively collected database. Fisher’s exact test was used for analyzing associations between discrete groups. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess associations between anastomotic ulcer complications and potential predictors. Histologic evaluation for H. pylori was available in 708 of the 728 patients who underwent RYGB. Fourteen patients were lost to follow up leaving 694 patients available for review. H. pylori was positive in 66 (9.5 %) patients who did not go on to receive definitive treatment for eradication. Marginal ulcers or related late complications were seen in a total of 113 (16.3 %) patients. In the H. pylori positive group, five patients (7.6 %) developed ulcer complications compared to 108 (17.1 %) in the H. pylori negative group (p = 0.05). Groups were not different in terms of preoperative demographics, postoperative ulcer prophylaxis compliance, steroid, NSAIDs, and cigarette use. The presence of H. pylori infection at the time of RYGB was found to be associated with a significantly lower incidence of anastomotic ulcer complications postoperatively. This study brings into question efforts and expense allocated to identify and eradicate H. pylori prior to RYGB.
Grammatical approaches to engineering design, part II: Melding configuration and parametric design using attribute grammars

Parametric design tools are applicable in engineering design when the configuration is known a priori. Grammatical approaches to design, on the other hand, are useful for considering a range of configurations but do not accommodate the consideration of engineering parameters and design requirements. We discussattribute grammars, which were developed for the semantic analysis of computer languages, and show how engineering design can be facilitated by modest extensions of the attribute grammar formalism. We demonstrate with examples how a component-based design artifact language can be augmented with engineering parameters and how such a language can be parsed to evaluate conformance with design requirements. We also demonstrate how grammatical attributes can be used to represent design requirements and can direct the generation of design alternatives.
Healthcare Providers’ Beliefs and Attitudes About Electronic Cigarettes and Preventive Counseling for Adolescent Patients

Purpose: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered nicotine delivery systems that may serve as a “gateway” to tobacco use by adolescents. Use of e-cigarettes by U.S. adolescents rose from 3% in 2011 to 7% in 2012. We sought to describe healthcare providers’ awareness of e-cigarettes and to assess their comfort with and attitudes toward discussing e-cigarettes with adolescent patients and their parents. Methods: A statewide sample (n ¼ 561) of Minnesota healthcare providers (46% family medicine physicians, 20% pediatricians, and 34% nurse practitioners) who treat adolescents completed an online survey in April 2013. Results: Nearly all providers (92%) were aware of e-cigarettes, and 11% reported having treated an adolescent patient who had used them. The most frequently cited sources of information about e-cigarettes were patients, news stories, and advertisements, rather than professional sources. Providers expressed considerable concern that e-cigarettes could be a gateway to tobacco use but had moderately low levels of knowledge about and comfort discussing e-cigarettes with adolescent patients and their parents. Compared with pediatricians and nurse practitioners, family medicine physicians reported knowing more about e-cigarettes and being more comfortable discussing them with patients (both p < .05). Nearly all respondents (92%) wanted to learn more about e-cigarettes. Conclusions: Healthcare providers who treat adolescents may need to incorporate screening and counseling about e-cigarettes into routine preventive services, particularly if the prevalence of use continues to increase in this population. Education about e-cigarettes could help providers deliver comprehensive preventive services to adolescents at risk of tobacco use.
Spin-labelled human platelets.

Abstract Human platelets were labelled with a variety of lipophilic and thiol reagent spin probes. Aggregation was not affected by the lipid probes but was blocked by the covalent protein-directed probes. ESR spectra before and after thrombin treatment indicated that lipid structure of the platelet membrane was not affected to any measurable extent by the thrombin interaction, although there was a change in the partition coefficient of the probe between solution and the membrane. From the fact that four different probes for different parts of the membrane lipid showed the same result, we conclude that thrombin interaction and resultant changes in the platelet membrane do not involve any substantial change in lipid organization.
Tripeptides as selective inhibitors of src-SH2 phosphoprotein interactions

This paper describes the synthesis of phosphorylated peptides of the general structural Ac-Tyr(PO3H2)-Glu-Xaa_NH2, where Xaa represents a hydrophobic γ-amino acid of d-configuration. These peptides displayed activities in the micromolar range in inhibiting src-SH2 domain/epidermal growth factor receptor interactions.
FIERY1 encoding an inositol polyphosphate 1-phosphatase is a negative regulator of abscisic acid and stress signaling in Arabidopsis

The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays a wide range of important roles in plant growth and development, including embryogenesis, seed dormancy, root and shoot growth, transpiration, and stress tolerance. ABA and various abiotic stresses also activate the expression of numerous plant genes through undefined signaling pathways. To gain insight into ABA and stress signal transduction, we conducted a genetic screen based on ABA- and stress-inducible gene transcription. Here we report the identification of an Arabidopsis mutation, fiery1 (fry1), which results in super-induction of ABA- and stress-responsive genes. Seed germination and postembryonic development of fry1 are more sensitive to ABA or stress inhibition. The mutant plants are also compromised in tolerance to freezing, drought, and salt stresses. Map-based cloning revealed that FRY1 encodes an inositol polyphosphate 1-phosphatase, which functions in the catabolism of inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate (IP3). Upon ABA treatment, fry1 mutant plants accumulated more IP3 than did the wild-type plants. These results provide the first genetic evidence indicating that phosphoinositols mediate ABA and stress signal transduction in plants and their turnover is critical for attenuating ABA and stress signaling.
Factors Regulating the Encystment Enhancing Activity (EEA) of Acanthamoeba castellanii

Summary: An extracellular encystment enhancing activity (EEA) greatly stimulates cyst formation by Acanthamoeba castellanii under several different conditions. The activity appears when conditions are suboptimal for growth. EEA does not induce encystment by itself, but enhances differentiation initiated by other factors. EEA titres and their relationship to differentiation are described for encystment induced by: (1) berenil: (2) glucose starvation; and (3) total nutrient starvation. Extracellular EEA was required for maximum encystment by low density cultures in (1) and (2), but not in (3). It was required during the period of visible cyst wall formation rather than for earlier events in encystment. The effectiveness of EEA was reduced under some conditions by spontaneous changes in cellular sensitivity, and by extracellular inhibitors.
A Duct-Tape Manipulator for Polishing Thin Sections

ABSTRACT Common duct tape can be used to inexpensively and conveniently fashion a manipulator to polish thin sections. This procedure has two parts: (1) affixing a piece of duct tape to the back of the thin section and (2) affixing a handle composed of folded duct tape to the tape applied in step one. This produces a manipulator that remains attached to the glass slide under wet conditions. When polishing is completed, the duct tape can be removed easily from the glass slide. This method improves manual dexterity during polishing and reduces loss of, or damage to, thin sections. Materials needed for this procedure are duct tape and a single-edge razor blade. Both items are inexpensive and easily obtained.
A comparative study of the contents of the gelatinous accumulations of the culture media and the contents of the cytoplasm of Amoeba proteus and Arcella vulgaris

Comparative data give the basis for reinterpreting alleged chromidia, mitochondria and Golgi material described for certain rhizopods. Three distinct groups of granules can be demonstrated in both Amoeba and Arcella by techniques ordinarily employed for revealing chromatin elements of a cell, mitochondria or Golgi material. With respect to physico-chemical properties the granules appear identical with certain forms of bacteria in the culture media. They are not destroyed by alcohol, ether, or Altmann's fluid containing 5% acetic acid. These granules are apparently bacteria; two groups representing permanent cytoplasmic entities either as symbionts or commensals, the third possibly temporary invaders. None of the cytoplasmic inclusions of these rhizopods have given the characteristic mitochondrial reaction when treated with Janus green. Spherules and granules, or alleged Golgi material, in Amoeba blackened with osmic acid can be revealed by techniques ordinarily employed for demonstrating the chromatin elements of a cell. Similar spherules and granules occur in the gelatinous material of the culture media, free or in bodies similar to those sometimes found in food vacuoles. In Arcella, neutral-red-stainable and osmiophilic bodies, apparently identical with granules or small globules found individually distributed in the cytoplasm, can be observed both in food bodies in food vacuoles and in similar food organisms in the medium. Those occurring in the cytoplasm may represent indigestible material.
1.40 eV emission band in GaAs

Photoluminescence techniques have been used to detect and characterise the ∼ 1.40 eV emission band in an Mn-doped GaAs MBE epilayer and heated semi-insulating Cr-doped GaAs. An activation energy ∼ 110 ± 5 meV is obtained from the temperature quenching of the emission intensity, and evidence indicated that physical movement of the Mn atom is responsible for type conversion.
Study of Service Delivery by Community Mental Health Centers as Perceived by Adult Protective Services Investigators

ABSTRACT This article provides the results of a qualitative research study to determine the views of Indiana Adult Protective Service (APS) investigators regarding the services and staff of Indiana Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) with which they interact. Service difficulties and strengths are identified as well as recommendations for improving coordination between the two programs. Many of the problems experienced by APS investigators relate to gaps in services for older adults. Multidisciplinary teams providing in-home evaluations, referral, and treatment are recommended.
Counterpoint: The Quest for Clean Competition in Sports: Deterrence and the Role of Detection

Can we catch every person violating anti-doping rules through just a random drug test given the current resources? No. The police cannot catch every impaired driver, so should they stop trying? Regulators cannot catch every incidence of insider trading on Wall Street, so should we cease regulation of the finance industry? And should we stop performing Internal Revenue Service audits because some people successfully cheat on their taxes? The fundamental problem with the question posed based on a Bayesian analysis of testing numbers is that it assumes that catching every cheater through random drug testing is the sole purpose of an antidoping program. It is not. But before focusing on the role of drug testing in an antidoping program, why are antidoping rules important? To live together and achieve societal goals, we agree to a set of rules to govern our work and play. We accept rules against impaired driving, for example, because of the potential harm to others. We accept rules that the basketball rim is 3.05 m high and the court is 28 by 15 m to have a level playing field. Violating the rules that the athlete agrees to abide by to have equitable competition has its own name: cheating. When an individual cheats, whether in sport, at work, or on their taxes, it defrauds or takes something away from others. It is ethically and morally wrong, no matter how the individual tries to rationalize it. Cheating by violating antidoping rules is not a victimless crime. Cyclist Scott Mercier was forced to make the choice to quit the sport he loved because he was unwilling to become a fraud and risk his health. Shotputter Adam Nelson recently received his gold medal 9 years after the 2004 Olympic contest because reanalysis of the samples with new technology revealed …
Universal proteolysis and MSn for N- and O- glycan branching analysis

The continually growing list of critical glycosylation-related processes has made analytical methodology for detailed glycan characterization an area of increasing interest. Glycosylation is a post translational modification of unsurpassed complexity due to the variety of compositions and linkages formed by these biopolymers. Structural characterization of glycan isomers has been achieved using ion trap mass spectrometry and MS(n) of released, permethylated glycans. However, N- and O-glycans require different sample preparation strategies; and release of the glycans may be hindered, result in degradation of the glycan, and/or produce limited yields of permethylated product. In the current report, we demonstrate universal proteolysis of both N- and O-linked glycoproteins to individual glycoamino acids. These samples were shown to be directly amenable to permethylation and MS(n) analysis for isomeric structural determination. Universal proteolysis and permethylation provides an identical sample preparation strategy for both classes of glycans that avoids potential pitfalls of commonly used release methods. This methodology should be applicable to all glycoproteins and serve as an alternative to glycan release for MS(n) branching analysis. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Effects of Omalizumab on Basophil and Mast Cell Responses using an Intranasal Cat Allergen Challenge

Background Omalizumab treatment suppresses FceRI expression faster on blood basophils than skin mast cells. Objective We used omalizumab to elucidate the relative contributions of basophil versus mast cell FceRI activation in a nasal allergen challenge (NAC) model. Methods Eighteen subjects with cat allergy were enrolled in a 3.5-month, double-blind, randomized (3.5:1), placebo-controlled trial of omalizumab using standard dosing. At baseline, subjects underwent NAC with lavage for prostaglandin D 2 measurement, skin prick test titration (SPTT), and blood sampling for basophil histamine release (BHR) and basophil IgE/FceRI measurements. Basophil studies were repeated at day 3 and then weekly until cat allergen–induced BHR was Results Subjects treated with omalizumab who completed all NACs (n = 12) demonstrated significant mean reduction in BHR to an optimal dose of cat allergen by midstudy NAC compared with baseline (74% decrease; P = .001). In addition, these subjects demonstrated significant decreases in mean combined nasal symptom scores (50% decrease; P = .007) and total sneeze counts (59% decrease; P = .01) by midstudy NAC relative to baseline NAC. In contrast, measures of mast cell response (SPTT and nasal lavage prostaglandin D 2 ) were only significantly reduced by the final NAC. Subjects on placebo (n = 4) did not experience a shift in basophil, NAC symptom, or mast cell measures. Conclusion Reduction in nasal symptom scores occurred when the basophil, but not mast cell, response was reduced on omalizumab, implicating a role for basophils in the acute NAC response.
Diel variation in the difference in air temperature between the forest edge and interior in the Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

The difference in air temperature between the forest edge and interior was simultaneously compared at ten sites at 2-h intervals over a 229-day period in the East and West Usambara Mountains in Tanzania. Measurements were recorded with data loggers placed 1.5 m above the ground on the shaded side of trees and positioned 1–2 and 100 m from the forest edge. The difference in air temperature between the forest edge and interior varied regularly over a 24-h period with mean maximum difference in air temperatures of 0.85°C occurring at 15:00 h and mean minimum diel difference in air temperature of 0.02°C occurring at 21:00 h. Diel variation in the difference in air temperature between the forest edge and interior varied little by season and was unrelated to elevation. Resume La difference dans la temperature atmospherique au bord et a l'interieur de la foret fut comparee simultanement sur une periode de 229 jours dans dix sites aux intervalles de 2-h dans les montagnes Usambara en Tanzanie. On a releve les mesures avec des enregistreurs de donnees positionnes 1.5 m au-dessus du sol sur le cote ombre des arbres et situes 1—2 et 100 m du bord de la foret. La difference dans la temperature atmospherique entre le bord et l'interieur de la foret changeait regulierement sur une periode de 24-h avec une difference moyenne maximum entre les temperatures atmospheriques de 0.08°C a 15:00 h, et une difference moyenne diurne minimum de 0.02°C a 21:00 h. La variation diurne dans les differences de temperature atmospherique entre le bord et l'interieur de la foret changeait tres peu selon la saison et n’etait pas liee a l'altitude.
Effect of commonly used herbicides on the virulence factor CDR1 in Candida albicans.

The ubiquitous yeast Candida albicans becomes a troublesome pathogen by inducing virulence factors in response to environmental stimuli. Among these virulence factors is a drug-exporting transport protein, Cdr1p, which renders cells resistant to certain antifungal drugs. The expression of the CDR1 gene responds to a wide spectrum of stimuli, including drugs, heat shock, and steroid hormones. The aim of the present study is to characterize the effects of commonly used herbicides on the expression of CDR1. Following exposure of C. albicans cultures to varying doses of herbicides and azole drugs, CDR1 expression was quantified by flow cytometry using a reporter strain in which expression of a green fluorescent protein is under the control of the CDR1 promoter. Correlating CDR1 expression with cell growth and survival revealed that—similar to antifungal azole drugs— herbicides induce CDR1 expression only at inhibitory doses. It is concluded that none of the tested herbicides mimics the worrisome action of hormones, which increase virulence without reducing survival.
Universally composable signature, certification, and authentication

Recently some efforts were made towards capturing the security requirements from digital signature schemes as an ideal functionality within a composable security framework. This modeling of digital signatures potentially has some significant analytical advantages (such as enabling component-wise analysis of complex systems that use signature schemes, as well as symbolic and automatable analysis of such systems). However, it turns out that formulating ideal functionalities that capture the properties expected from signature schemes in a way that is both sound and enjoys the above advantages is not a trivial task. This work has several contributions. We first correct some flaws in the definition of the ideal signature functionality of Canetti, 2001, and subsequent formulations. Next we provide a minimal formalization of "ideal certification authorities" and show how authenticated communication can be obtained using ideal signatures and an ideal certification authority. This is done while guaranteeing full modularity (i.e., each component is analyzed as stand-alone), and in an unconditional and errorless way. This opens the door to symbolic and automated analysis of protocols for these tasks, in a way that is both modular and cryptographically sound.
1/N Expansion and the Theory of Composite Particles

Dynamical structures of nonlinear spinor and bosonic theories are studied in the framework of the 1/N expansion. It is shown that a wide class of four-fermion theories contains composite particles and that they can be cast into equivalent field theories with the so-called compositeness condition. With the formation of composite particles, the ultraviolet behavior of a large class of four-fermion theories is improved so that they become renormalizable and well-defined field theories beyond two (but less than four) dimensions in spite of their apparent nonrenormalizability in the conventional perturbation expansions.
Negotiating Agreements Using Policies in Ubiquitous Computing Scenarios

The emerging ubiquitous computing vision is characterized by decentralized and ad hoc interoperation among devices and networks for access to services. Interacting devices or groups have highly heterogeneous resources and security and privacy concerns, and invariably belong to different security or administrative domains. Flexible and automated mechanisms are needed to achieve effective cross-domain interoperation that leads to a service or resource sharing agreement. We describe how policies representing system state, requirements and intent can be used to negotiate agreements between mutually unknown and untrusted systems that differ widely in their characteristics. Our negotiation protocol uses a small number of message types, which we have found to be sufficient for supporting a wide variety of application scenarios that occur on the Web, and that will likely be important in the ubiquitous computing environments of the future.
Dietary Diindolylmethane Suppresses Inflammation-Driven Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Mice

Inflammatory conditions of the lung such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are known to increase lung cancer risk, particularly lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). In the present study, we developed a mouse model of inflammation-driven LSCC that was induced by N-nitroso-trischloroethylurea (NTCU) and enhanced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a potent proinflammatory agent contained in tobacco and tobacco smoke, and determined the chemopreventive effects of BioResponse diindolylmethane (DIM) in the same model. Compared with mice treated with NTCU alone, mice treated with the combination of NTCU and LPS had a 9-fold increase in the number of bronchioles with LSCC. Also, compared with mice treated with LPS alone, mice treated with NTCU plus LPS showed significantly increased expression of the inflammatory cytokines IL1α, IL6, and TNFα (all three increased about 7-fold). Parallel to the increased cytokine gene expression, the NTCU plus LPS-treated group exhibited significantly enhanced activation of NF-κB, STAT3, ERK, p-38, and Akt, expression of p53, COX-2, and Mcl-1, and NF-κB- and STAT3-DNA binding in the lung. Dietary administration of DIM (10 μmol/g diet or 2,460 ppm) to mice treated with NTCU plus LPS reduced the incidence of LSCC by 2-fold, suppressed activation/expression of proinflammatory and procarcinogenic proteins and NF-κB- and STAT3-DNA binding, but not the expression of cytokines and p53. This study highlights the potential significance of our mouse model to identify promising drugs or dietary agents for the chemoprevention of human LSCC and that DIM is a very good candidate for clinical lung cancer chemoprevention trials.
Enhanced light emission from dye doped polymer layers using surface plasmons

We have experimentally verified that the emission of visible light from dye doped polymers can be enhanced with the use of surface plasmon coupling. We have observed an eleven-fold enhancement of light emission.
Acyl-CoAs are functionally channeled in liver: potential role of acyl-CoA synthetase

Acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) catalyzes the activation of long-chain fatty acids to acyl-CoAs, which can be metabolized to form CO2, triacylglycerol (TAG), phospholipids (PL), and cholesteryl esters (C...
Comparisons of Perceptions and Behavior in Ticket Queues and Physical Queues

Ticket queues are systems that issue tickets to customers upon their arrival. Although ticket queues are preferred by many service providers, there is limited research on ticket queues, especially on customer perceptions of, preferences for, and behavior in these systems. We conducted a series of surveys to understand customer preferences and patience in a ticket queue and a physical queue stand-in-line system and to investigate whether the assumptions used in analytical queuing models for customer abandonment behavior are realistic. Study results indicate that subjects generally prefer ticket queues over physical queues and have greater patience in ticket queues than they do in physical queues. In addition, we observe that subjects are willing to wait longer than they initially were, assuming that they already have spent some time waiting in line. Using the survey results, we ran a series of simulation models by adjusting the traditional queuing assumptions and showed the impact of customer behavior on system performance measures in ticket and physical queues. Our results can assist managers, in determining the type of queue to implement under various service settings, and researchers, in modeling more realistic queuing systems.
Collaborative sensemaking during admin permission granting in wikipedia

A self-governed, open contributor system such as Wikipedia depends upon those who are invested in the system to participate as administrators. Processes for selecting which system contributors will be allowed to assume administrative roles in such communities have developed in the last few years as these systems mature. However, little is yet known about such processes, which are becoming increasingly important for the health and maintenance of contributor systems that are becoming increasingly important in the knowledge economy. This paper reports the results of an exploratory study of how members of the Wikipedia community engage in collaborative sensemaking when deciding which members to advance to admin status.
Overview of bamboo biomass for energy production

Bamboo biomass energy has great potential to be an alternative for fossil fuel. Bamboo biomass can be processed in various ways (thermal or biochemical conversion) to produce different energy products (charcoal, syngas and biofuels), which can be substitutions for existing fossil fuel products. Bamboo biomass has both advantages and drawbacks in comparison to other energy sources. It has better fuel characteristics than most biomass feed stocks and suitable for both thermal and biochemical pathways. The drawbacks of bamboo biomass includes establishment, logistic and land occupation. It can also impose negative impacts to environment if not well-managed, therefore, selection of bamboo as an energy dedicated feed stocks need to be evaluate carefully to avoid or minimized any possible risks. Bamboo biomass alone cannot fulfill all the demand for energy. It needs to combine with other sources to best exploit their potential and provide sustainable energy supply.
Orientation Dependent Compressive Response of Human Femoral Cortical Bone as a Function of Strain Rate

Under extreme environments, such as a blast or impact event, the human body is subjected to high-rate loading, which can result in damage such as torn tissues and broken bones. The ability to numerically simulate these events would help improve the design of protective gear by iterating different configurations of protective equipment to reduce injuries. Computer codes capable of simulating these events require accurate rate-dependent material models representing the material deformation and failure (or injury) to properly predict the response of human body during simulation. Therefore, the high-rate material response must be measured to allow for simulation of high-rate events. This study seeks to quantify the high-rate mechanical response of human femoral cortical bone for use in high fidelity human anatomical models. Cortical bone compression specimens were extracted from the longitudinal and transverse directions relative to the long axis of the femur from three male donors, ages 36, 43, and 50. The compressive behavior of the cortical bone was studied at quasi-static (0.001/s), intermediate (1/s), and dynamic (~1000/s) strain rates using a split-Hopkinson pressure bar to determine the strain rate dependency and anisotropic effect on the strength of bone. The results indicate that cortical bone is anisotropic and stronger in the longitudinal direction compared to the transverse direction. The human cortical bone compressive response was also rate dependent in both directions, demonstrating significant increase in strength with increase in strain rate. Additionally, as the strain rate increased from intermediate to dynamic, a decrease in the elongation at transverse orientation was observed, which would indicate the bone becomes more brittle.
Web-Enhanced Community Health Internships

Abstract This article explores the World Wide Web-enhancement of academic department community health internship programs. Specific Web techniques are identified along with their significance to Healthy People 2010. This article explains the utility of Web-enhancement during the three steps of the internship program: placement, coordination, and evaluation. Web site examples are identified using HEDIR electronic mailing list members. Community health agencies intern recruitment efforts through Web sites are acknowledged. Suggestions are presented for Web enhancing an academic department's internship program.