cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects on tubulin polymerization and associated guanosine triphosphate hydrolysis of aluminum ion, fluoride and fluoroaluminate species.

Summary The effects of aluminum ion, fluoride, and fluoroaluminate species on the assembly of tubulin in the presence of guanine nucleotides and the consequences of these ions on the associated GTPase of microtubules was investigated. Combinations of GDP and fluoroaluminate species were incapable of activating tubulin for polymerization, in contrast to other guanine nucleotide binding proteins, in which these species produce a functional GTP equivalent. Fluoride alone has an effect on GTP-magnesium-promoted microtubule assembly, causing an increased amount of polymer formation and a reduced rate of associated GTP hydrolysis. It is concluded that aluminum ion and fluoroaluminate species possess distinct mechanisms in inhibiting GTP hydrolysis of GTP-binding proteins and that subpopulations of GTP-binding proteins must exist based on differential sensitivities to these ions.
The dementia syndrome.

Abstract Dementia is often assumed to be a chronic, irreversible condition, but it is better considered a syndrome of heterogeneous aetiology. Physicians should be aware of the many potentially treatable functional and organic illnesses which may cause the dementia syndrome.
New soybean oil–styrene–divinylbenzene thermosetting copolymers. II. Dynamic mechanical properties

A variety of new polymeric materials ranging from soft rubbers to hard, tough, and brittle plastics were prepared from the cationic copolymerization of regular soybean oil, low saturation soybean oil (LoSatSoy oil), or conjugated LoSatSoy oil with styrene and divinylbenzene initiated by boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BF 3 OEt 2 ) or related modified initiators. The relationship between the dynamic mechanical properties of the various polymers obtained and the stoichiometry, the types of soybean oils and crosslinking agents, and the different modified initiators was investigated. The room-temperature storage moduli ranged from 6 x 10 6 to 2 x 10 9 Pa, whereas the single glass-transition temperatures (T g ) varied from approximately 0 to 105 °C. These properties were comparable to those of commercially available rubbery materials and conventional plastics. The crosslinking densities of the new polymers were largely dependent on the concentration of the crosslinking agent and the type of soybean oil employed and varied from 74 to 4 x 10 4 mol/m 3 . The T g increased and the intensity of the loss factor decreased irregularly with an increase in the logarithmic crosslinking densities of the polymers. Empirical equations were established to describe the effect of crosslinking on the loss factor in these new polymeric materials. The polymers based on conjugated LoSatSoy oil, styrene, and divinylbenzene possessed the highest room-temperature moduli and T g 's. These new soybean oil polymers appear promising as replacements for petroleum-based polymeric materials.
Short-term variations in calving of a tidewater glacier: LeConte Glacier, Alaska, U.S.A.

Knowledge of iceberg calving is important for understanding instabilities of tidewater glaciers and ice sheets. Since 1995 the terminus of LeConte Glacier, Alaska, U.S.A., has retreated about 2 km and the glacier has thinned approximately 120 m at its 1999 terminus position. Our focus is short-term (hours to weeks) variability of the frequency and magnitude of calving events and calving flux. Both photogrammetric and visual observations are employed in a temporal analysis over a several-week period. We combined these data with measurements of ice speed, tide level, surface water input and water-storage estimates in an attempt to better understand the calving process. Contrary to results obtained over longer time-scales on other glaciers, our results show no correlation between ice speed and the frequency of calving. However, calving events do not appear to occur randomly; often they are a response to measurable changes in other parameters within the terminus region. Caclving can often be attributed to buoyancy perturbations and possibly flexure of the nearly floating terminus. Given the multiple possibilities for buoyancy perturbations, we have found no simple relationship between any specific forcing parameter and calving at short time-scales.
A highly accurate and precise method for the assay of chromium metal and chromium(III) oxide

Abstract A method capable of a precision of 3 to 5 parts in ten thousand has been developed for the routine assay of high purity chromium metal and chromium trioxide. Use has been made of the favourable gravimetric factor of ferrous ammonium sulfate and of an amperometric end-point. Comparison with the arsenic trioxide method was made.
Hopkinson Techniques for Dynamic Recovery Experiments

Novel techniques are introduced to render the classical split Hopkinson bar apparatus suitable for dynamic recovery experiments, where samples can be subjected to a single pulse of pre-assigned shape and duration, and then recovered without any additional loading, for post-test characterization; i.e., techniques for fully controlled unloading in Hopkinson bar experiments. For compression dynamic recovery tests, the new design generates a compressive pulse trailed by a tensile pulse (stress reversal), travelling toward the sample. Furthermore, all subsequent pulses which reflect off the free ends of the two bars (incident and transmission) are rendered tensile, so that the sample is subjected to a single compressive pulse whose shape and duration can also be controlled. For tension recovery experiments, the new design provides for trapping the compression pulse reflected off the sample, and the tensile pulse transmitted through the sample. In addition, a sample can be subjected to compression followed by tension, and then recovered, allowing the study of, e.g. the dynamic Bauschinger effect in materials.
Three-dimensional optical tomography

We present a tomography method for fluorescence and absorption biomedical optical imaging which minimizes the computational burden of three-dimensional image reconstruction and enables data conditioning on the basis of variable and possibly spatially-correlated measurement and system noise. Specifically, we present three-dimensional images reconstructed from (i) synthetic frequency-domain measurements; (ii) finite difference solution to the diffusion equation employing partial current boundary conditions; (iii) a recursive, minimum variance, optimization algorithm employing a Bayesian approximate extended Kalman filter accounting for measurement and system noise; and (iv) a unique, data-driven zonation scheme to dynamically determine parameterization and accelerate convergence. Using a synthetic data set with 0.1° standard deviation Gaussian noise added to phase, we demonstrate the ability to image multiple distinct 0.5 cm diameter absorbing/fluorescing heterogeneities within a combined transillumination/reflectance geometry comprising 8 sources and 90 detectors. Reconstruction of absorption maps owing to spatial distribution of fluorophores that were discretized onto a 9x9x9 node grid required just over 4 minutes on a 350 MHz Pentium II computer.
Presence of ribonucleic acid in human spermatozoa: differences in content between normal and abnormal spermatozoa.

Abstract Objective: Our purpose was to determine whether there are any differences in total ribonucleic acid content between normal and abnormal human spermatozoa. Study Design: Spermatozoa were obtained from men undergoing routine semen analysis at a university-based reproductive genetics laboratory. Specimens were classified as normal or abnormal according to World Health Organization criteria. Total ribonucleic acid was removed by acid-phenol extraction, and ribonucleic acid expression levels were determined by spectrophotometric analysis. Results: Abnormal spermatozoa were found to have significantly more ribonucleic acid (0.14 ± 0.02 mg/10 6 spermatozoa) than normal spermatozoa (0.05 ± 0.01 mg/10 6 spermatozoa; P Conclusion: Ribonucleic acid content is significantly altered in abnormal spermatozoa, and this alteration may be the result of some defect in the posttranscriptional pathway. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:1011-2.)
Kinetics of cAMP inhibition of DNA synthesis in bovine adrenocortical cells

Abstract cAMP-treated bovine adrenocortical cells are arrested in the G 1 phase of the cell cycle. Removal of serum also arrests bovine adrenocortical cells in G 1 . In the presence of cAMP, serum and fibroblast growth factor stimulate increases in medium cell volume, but DNA synthesis is not initiated. Under these conditions cAMP increases steroidogenic capacity 7- to 10-fold as assessed by metabolism of pregnenolone to fluorogenic steroids. When the kinetics of entry of cells into S phase are quantitated, serum- and FGF-treated cells initiate DNA synthesis at an exponential rate after a 12-h lag. In contrast when cAMP is removed, cells immediately initiate DNA synthesis without a lag at a similar exponential rate .(6.3 and 5.3% of the cells entering S/h). In the presence of growth factors, cAMP-treated bovine adrenocortical cells are thus hypertrophied with increased steroidogenic capacity, but are reversibly arrested at the G 1 /S boundary. These findings suggest that cAMP arrests cell replication by mechanisms distinct from those of serum deprivation.
Cloning and characterization of the cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase gene from the zygomycete fungus Cunninghamella.

Abstract The filamentous fungus Cunninghamella utilizes cytochrome P450 system(s) in the metabolism of a broad range of polyaromatic and aliphatic pollutants and a variety of drugs, but prior attempts at isolation of P450 system components of this fungus have been generally unsuccessful. We report upon the cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (CPR) gene from two widely studied species, C. elegans and C. echinulata. The C. elegans CPR gene was obtained by screening a genomic library using as probe a PCR amplicon obtained with degenerate primers based on known CPRs. The 2420 bp coding region contained two apparent introns (149 bp and 138 bp). Northern blot analysis showed that the CPR gene is transcriptionally expressed in C. elegans and appears to be inducible by an alkane substrate, n-tetradecane. Phylogenetic comparison of the deduced C. elegans CPR (710 aa) suggested that it is more closely related to animal CPRs (41–42%) than to yeast (38–41%) and plant (35–36%) forms. A 2074 bp sequence containing most of the CPR gene homolog from C. echinulata was also isolated.
A Test of Competing Hypotheses about Homicide Following Terrorist Attacks: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis of September 11 and Oklahoma City

There is substantial evidence that catastrophic events, including terrorist attacks, lead to increased levels of post-traumatic stress, especially in communities in close proximity to the incident. Some scholars also argue that these events disrupt social organization. On the other hand, many contend that these incidents produce social cohesion as community members coalesce to help each other in time of need. These ideas have resulted in competing hypotheses in the literature. The first is that violence will increase in the wake of catastrophic events due to heightened levels of individual stress and community disorganization. The second is that violence will decline after these events because of increased social cohesion, especially in the face of an outside threat. In order to test these competing hypotheses, we employed autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) techniques to model the impact of the Oklahoma City bombing and the September 11 attacks on monthly homicide counts at the local, state, and national level. Unlike prior studies that provided evidence of an effect but did not use rigorous time-series techniques, we found no support for either of the competing hypotheses. We conclude that while such catastrophic events may have an effect on individual and collective efficacy well beyond the immediate impact of the incidents, these effects are not strong enough to influence homicide rates.
Adapting our view of software adaptation: an architectural perspective (keynote)

Engineers frequently neglect to carefully consider the impact of adaptation on a software system. As a result, the software system's architectural design sooner, rather than later, begins to deviate from the original designers' intent and to decay through unplanned introduction of new and/or invalidation of existing design decisions. For systems that are intended to be (self-)adaptive, this problem can be even more pronounced. A solution that was proposed over a decade ago was to keep the architectures of (self-)adaptive systems in sync with their implementations through carefully engineered implementation frameworks, and to allow implementation-level adaptations only via carefully controlled architecture-level operations. However, many approaches to (self-)adaptive software do not explicitly consider the system's architecture as the starting point for adaptation and, more generally, developers change systems in seemingly arbitrary ways all the time. This begs the question: What is the impact of system changes on a system's architecture in a general case? This keynote talk presents the results of an on-going study that has tried to shed light on this question. To date, the study has involved around 30 open-source systems and, in several cases, large numbers of versions of a given system. The keynote discusses and illustrates the challenges in extracting the architecture of a system from its implementation artifacts, the concrete problems posed by architectural decay, the difficulties of tracking the architectural impact of implementation-level changes, and the occasional arbitrariness with which the adaptation of real, widely-used software systems is approached. The keynote then identifies several promising research opportunities that present themselves for dealing with these problems in (self-)adaptive systems.
When does heat promote hostility? Person by situation interactions shape the psychological effects of haptic sensations

Abstract The current article provides evidence that the psychological consequences of incidental haptic sensations depend on motivations within the perceiver and, consequently, the effects of those sensations are moderated by motivationally relevant aspects of the individual and the immediate social context. Results from two experiments demonstrate that the physical experience of heat promotes hostile social responses, but that the strength of this effect depends on an interaction between factors in the person (level of fear of negative evaluation) and the situation (whether or not someone has just experienced rejection). People primed with heat (compared to neutral temperature) displayed increases in aggressive cognitions (Experiment 1) and aggressive behavior (Experiment 2), but those effects were observed only after rejection (not in a control condition) and only among individuals high in fear of negative evaluation (those who typically respond with agonistic motives following rejection). Findings suggest that motivationally relevant aspects of the person and situation are critical to understanding the priming effects of haptic sensations.
Localization and uptake of copper into chromatin.

Analysis of total liver, liver nuclei, and nuclear fractions obtained from mice given either deionized water (control) or deionized water containing cupric chloride (experimental) revealed the presence of copper in all samples tested including control nuclei and control heterochromatin and euchromatin. Copper content in control euchromatin appear to remain constant at approximately 0.3 μg/mg DNA, while the concentration in control heterochromatin seem to be subject to wider variations. An elevation in total liver copper followed prolonged treatment with metal (in vivo) and was accompanied by an increase in total nuclear copper. A preferential uptake of copper by heterochromatin was suggested by the majority of metal binding to this fraction; there was no significant metal accumulation in euchromatin. Dialysis equilibrium experiments were carried out at 25°C, pH 6.0 to determine in vitro binding of the two nuclear fractions. Under physiologic ionic strength (154 mm) heterochromatin binds considerable copper, whereas euchromatin fails to bind appreciable amounts. This biological specificity is lost under conditions of low ionic strength (<2 mm NaCl).
Human inhibitor antibodies specific for the factor VIII A2 domain disrupt the interaction between the subunit and factor IXa.

Factor VIIIa, a heterotrimer of the A1, A2, and A3-C1-C2 subunits, increases the catalytic efficiency for factor IXa-catalyzed activation of factor X. A significant fraction of naturally occurring, anti-factor VIII inhibitor antibodies reacts with the A2 domain. Utilizing the capacity for isolated A2 subunit to stimulate factor IXa activity, we show that a panel of these inhibitors block this activity. Inhibition of activity parallels the antibody potency as measured in the Bethesda assay. These antibodies also block the A2-dependent increases in fluorescence anisotropy of fluorescein-Phe-Phe-Arg factor IXa. Similar to the IgG fractions, a peptide representing the sequence of the inhibitor epitope (A2 residues 484–509) blocked the A2-dependent stimulation of factor IXa. These results indicate that antibodies possessing this specificity directly inhibit the interaction of A2 subunit with factor IXa, thus abrogating the contribution of this subunit to cofactor activity. Furthermore, these results also suggest that factor VIII residues 484–509 contribute to a factor IXa-interactive site.
Equilibrium of Elastic Rectangle: Mathieu-Inglis-Pickett Solution Revisited

This paper addresses a general analytical method for investigating the two-dimensional distributions of stresses set up in a rectangular plate by a load applied along its sides in any arbitrary manner. Proposed independently by Mathieu (1890), Inglis (1921) and Pickett (1944), and later named the 'superposition method', it has been applied with success to the study of distribution of stresses inside a rectangle. The object of this paper is to prove the advantages of that approach when studying a stress field near the boundaries, including specific cases of discontinuous and concentrated normal and shear loadings. The method is illustrated by several numerical examples, the rapidity of convergence and the accuracy of results are investigated. The distribution of stresses along some typical lines in the plate are computed and shown graphically.
Upregulation of aspartoacylase activity in the duodenum of obesity induced diabetes mouse : Implications on diabetic neuropathy

Aspartoacylase (ASPA) hydrolyzes N-acetylaspartic acid (NAA) into aspartate and acetate. Normal hydrolysis of NAA is important to maintain healthy neurons. Since enteric neuropathy is one of the events seen in diabetes, whether ASPA activity is affected in diabetic condition is not known. In order to investigate the possibility, ASPA activity was examined in the duodenum and brain of obesity induced diabetes model mouse. Aspartoacylase activity was high in the diabetic mouse duodenum compared to control duodenum. The same result was also observed by immunostaining of the mouse duodenum. The activity of ASPA was found to be elevated in the brain of diabetic mouse compared to the control brain. These data suggest that normal hydrolysis of NAA is affected by ASPA activity seen in the type 2 diabetes model mouse and this change is likely to contribute to neuropathy seen in diabetes, if documented also in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Evaluating The Integration of Computer-Based Learning Modules Into The First Year Medical School Nutrition Curriculum

Abstract To present nutrition concepts in a way that is innovative and integrative, we recently introduced and evaluated self-directed computer-based educational learning formats in the Medical Nutrition Course required for the past 10 years. Three interactive, case-based CD-ROM computer modules (Nutrition in Medicine ® series, Medical Nutrition Curriculum Initiative, University of Chapel Hill, North Carolina) on cancer, stress and anemias were identified and evaluated for content, format, and effort required. Standardized pre-tests covered nutrition knowledge application. Students used the pre-test to focus their attention on major concepts before viewing each module. Six case-based questions were also assigned for class discussion. A comprehensive post-test was scheduled at the completion of the three modules. The computer program tracked the percent of each module completed and the time spent. Attitude questions measured the students' responses to the new format. Presented are the final results of the completed cancer module and the partial results of the in-progress stress and anemia modules. For the cancer, anemia and stress modules the mean pre-test scores were 32.5%, 29.5% and 32.2%, respectively. The students completed 93.1±9.1% and spent a mean of 3.0±2.7 hrs on the cancer module. For the attitude questions on cancer and nutrition, the students found 1) the issues essential (85%), 2) a strong interest in furthering their knowledge (69%), and 3) ranked the module useful in learning about them (57%). Also helpful were the case-based problem solving questions (67%) and the class discussion on key points (60%). The use of interactive learning through computer modules has fostered an increased sense of student independence and facilitated subject mastery, as well as enhanced computer skills applicable to the new board exams.
A complete ileo-tumor-colic fistula in a child with Burkitt's lymphoma

A boy with abdominal Burkitt's lymphoma developed rectal bleeding, abdominal distension, pain, and fever three weeks after diagnosis. Imaging studies revealed a necrotic tumor mass allowing a fistulous pathway from the ileum to the proximal colon. A laparotomy was performed, with resection of the large necrotic tumor. The child recovered, and has had no further evidence of Burkitt's disease. The radiological evaluation performed in this case ensured proper medical management and surgical intervention during a life-threatening event. the possibility of bowel perforation as a complication of therapy for abdominal lymphoma must be recognized.
Valve-Sparing Replacement of the Noncoronary Sinus of Valsalva in Patients With a Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Progressive dilatation of the aortic root and ascending aorta is frequent in patients with bicuspid aortic valve, and isolated dilatation of the noncoronary sinus has been reported. We describe our technique for the selective replacement of the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva in patients with bicuspid aortic valve.
Dynamic response of an infinite plate subjected to a steadily moving transverse force

Es wird das dynamische Verhalten einer dunnen unendlichen Platte studiert unter dem Einfluss einer fortschreitenden transversalen Kraft. Die Untersuchung geschieht mit Hilfe der Theorie der Platten, welche Schubdeformation und Tragheitsmomente berucksichtigt. Es wird angenommen, dass die Kraft sich mit einer konstanten Geschwindigkeit bewegt, die grosser als die beiden wellengeschwindigkeiten in der Platte ist. Indem man die Kraft als Delta-Funktion ansetzt, wird die Green'sche Funktion fur das dynamische Verhalten der Platte unter dem Einfluss einer Klasse von fortschreitenden Kraften in der Form von bestimmten Integralen konstruiert. Die Green'sche Funktion ist regular mit Ausnahme der Rander der beiden «Mach» Sektoren, wo sie singular wird. Die Green'sche Funktion ist ausserhalb des ausseren Sektors identisch Null. Die Singularitaten der Green'schen Funktion werden ebenfalls untersucht.
Isolation and characterization of recombinant human apolipoprotein C-II expressed in Escherichia coli

A full-length recombinant human apolipoprotein C-II (ApoC-II) has been successfully expressed in Escherichia coli using the T7 expression system. The recombinant ApoC-II. which was expressed intracellularly in the inclusion bodies, was solubilized with 8 M urea and purified using Sephadex G-75 gel permeation chromatography. Four liters of the bacterial culture yielded 16-20 mg of purified recombinant ApoC-II. Sequencing and mass spectrometric analyses indicated that the isolated recombinant ApoC-II contained predominantly (64%) the native form with threonine as the N-terminus, but also contained a minor (36%) molecular form of ApoC-II with an additional methionine at the N-terminus (Met-ApoC-II). Analysis of the recombinant ApoC-II by tryptic digestion and high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry provides additional conclusive evidence that, with the exception of the N-terminus of Met-ApoC-II, the expressed ApoC-II has the expected peptide sequence. However, this extra N-terminal methionine residue can be excised by further in vitro treatment with methionine aminopeptidase. The purified recombinant ApoC-II was found to be competent in the activation of bovine milk lipoprotein lipase. Thus, the recombinant ApoC-II prepared from E. coli may have a pharmacological application for the treatment of patients with genetic hypertriglyceridemia caused by ApoC-II deficiency.
Retrofitting larval neuromuscular circuits in the metamorphosing frog

Maturation of vertebrate neuromuscular systems typically occurs in a continuous, orderly progression. After an initial period of developmental adjustment by means of cell death and axonal pruning, relatively stable relationships, with only subtle modifications, are maintained between motoneurons and their appropriate targets throughout life. However, among a restricted group of vertebrates (amphibians and especially the anuran amphibians) the sequential maturation of neuromuscular systems is altered by an abrupt reordering of the basic body plan that encompasses cellular changes in all tissues from skeleton to nervous system. Many anuran amphibians possess neuromuscular circuits that are remarkable by virtue of their complete reorganization during the brief span of metamorphosis. During this period motor systems initially designed for the behavioral patterns of aquatic tadpoles are adjusted to meet the drastically different motor activities of postmetamorphic terrestrial life. This adjustment involves the deletion of neural elements mediating larval specific activities, the accelerated maturation of neural circuits eliciting adult-specific activities and the retrofitting of larval neuromuscular components to serve postmetamorphic behaviors. This review focuses on the cellular events associated with the neuromuscular adaptation in the jaw complex during metamorphosis of the leopard frog, Rana pipiens. As part of the metamorphic reorganization of the jaw apparatus there is a complete turnover of the myofiber complement of the adductor mandibulae musculature. Trigeminal motoneurons initially deployed to the larval myofibers are redirected to new muscle fibers. Simultaneously the cellular geometry and synaptic input to these motoneurons is revamped. These changes suggest that trigeminal neuromuscular circuitry established during embryogenesis is updated during metamorphosis and reused to provide the basis for adult jaw motor activity that is far different than its larval counterpart.
Li+ conductivity of polysiloxane-trifluoromethylsulfonamide polyelectrolytes

Lithium ion conducting polymers containing trifluoromethylsulfonamide anions and oligoether side chains bound to a polysiloxane backbone exhibit a room-temperature Li+ conductivity of 1.2 × 10-6 S cm-1 and a Tg of −67 °C. Apparently, the flexible comb polymer architecture results in a high concentration of charge carriers and good ionic conductivity.
Serum-free media for cultures of primitive and mature hematopoietic cells.

The in vitro culture of human hematopoietic cells has many research and therapeutic applications. Traditionally, human hematopoietic cultures have been conducted using serum-containing media. The disadvantages inherent in the use of serum could be eliminated by the use of serum-free media. In this review, we summarize and discuss the current status of serum-free media for both mature and immature human hematopoietic cells. The mature hematopoietic cells discussed are of lymphoid (e.g., lymphokine activated killer cells and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes) and myeloid origin (e.g., monocytes/macrophages). The cultures of immature hematopoietic cells discussed are clonogenic and long-term cultures. In addition, we briefly review the types of human hematopoietic cells, their clinical applications, and the basic strategies and components used to formulate serum-free media, Finally, we outline future requirements and directions in the development of serum-free media for primitive hematopoietic cells.
The circadian clock and cell cycle: Interconnected biological circuits

The circadian clock governs biological timekeeping on a systemic level, helping to regulate and maintain physiological processes, including endocrine and metabolic pathways with a periodicity of 24-hours. Disruption within the circadian clock machinery has been linked to numerous pathological conditions, including cancer, suggesting that clock-dependent regulation of the cell cycle is an essential control mechanism. This review will highlight recent advances on the ‘gating’ controls of the circadian clock at various checkpoints of the cell cycle and also how the cell cycle can influence biological rhythms. The reciprocal influence that the circadian clock and cell cycle exert on each other suggests that these intertwined biological circuits are essential and multiple regulatory/control steps have been instated to ensure proper timekeeping.
A failure analysis of the limitation of suffixing in an online environment

The interaction of suffixing algorithms and ranking techniques in retrieval performance, particularly in an online environment, was investigated. Three general purpose suffixing algorithms were used for retrieval on the Cranfield 1400, Medlars, and CACM collections, and the results analysed with several standard evaluation measures. An examination of the retrieval performance using suffixing suggested two modifications to ranking techniques: variable weighting of word variants and selective stemming depending on query length. The experimental data is presented, and the limitations of suffixing in an online environment is discussed.
Effect of sputtering conditions, annealing and the microstructure of Cr underlayer on the magnetic properties of CoNiCr/Cr thin films

The effects of RF power P, substrate heating, and substrate bias V/sub b/ on the structure and magnetic properties of CoNiCr thin films were studied. The films were deposited on glass and Cr/glass substrates by RF diode sputtering. For films deposited at higher P and at elevated substrate temperature T/sub s/, the grain size increased. The texture in the Cr underlayer increased at higher Ts; this was accompanied by an increase in the texture in the CoNiCr film. In-plane coercivity H/sub c/ also increased with P and T/sub s/; this is probably related to the increase in grain size as well as in CoNiCr texture. In the samples deposited with an applied V/sub b/, the grains were considerably larger than in those prepared without bias. The H/sub c/ value and the magnetic domain morphology also changed with V/sub b/; this is probably related to the increase in grain size. The H/sub c/ of CoNiCr thin films also increased following annealing in vacuum. >
Maximum likelihood estimates for fate map locations of behavior in Drosophila.

Abstract Further analysis of the mosaic fly method of Hotta and Benzer shows that the fate map position of behavioral foci affecting all or none of the fly can be estimated in a variety of ways. Maximum likelihood estimation allows one to determine whether or not a given behavioral mutant fits the model of submissive foci or domineering foci or neither.
Does the size of the surgical margin in partial nephrectomy for renal cell cancer really matter

Purpose: Although many groups recommend a surgical margin of 1 to 2 cm., to our knowledge the amount of normal renal parenchyma that must be excised during partial nephrectomy for stages T1-2N0M0 renal cell carcinoma to ensure a safe margin has never been critically evaluated. We investigated whether the size of the surgical margin has any effect on recurrence.Materials and Methods: All partial nephrectomies performed for localized renal cell carcinoma at our institution from 1988 to 1999 were retrospectively analyzed via a review of hospital records, pathology reports and histological slides. Parenchymal margin status was assessed and quantified by microscopy. Followup data were obtained via patient chart review and telephone interview. Average negative margin size and postoperative followup were determined, and renal cell carcinoma recurrence was assessed.Results: A total of 44 partial nephrectomies were performed with a mean followup of 49 months (range 8 to 153). Mean tumor size was 3.22 cm. (range 1....
A distributed agent-based approach to intrusion detection using the lightweight PCC anomaly detection classifier

In this paper, a novel agent-based distributed intrusion detection system (IDS) is proposed, which integrates the desirable features provided by the distributed agent-based design methodology with the high accuracy and speed response of the principal component classifier (PCC). Experimental results have shown that the PCC lightweight anomaly detection classifier outperforms other existing anomaly detection algorithms such as the KNN and LOF classifiers. In order to assess the performance of the PCC classifier on a real network environment, the relative assumption model together with feature extraction techniques are used to generate normal and anomalous traffic in a LAN testbed. Finally, scalability and response performance of the proposed system are investigated through the simulation of the proposed communication architecture. The simulation results demonstrate a satisfactory linear relationship between the degradation of response performance and the scalability of the system.
Stochastic power control with bit estimation and base station processing

A distributed power control algorithm for a stochastic system when the estimates of the measured quantities are noisy has been proposed in Ululkus and Yates(1998). In this paper, we propose two different modifications of this algorithm that aim at lowering the noise variance of the measured quantities in order to achieve a faster rate of convergence. In the first approach, the received (possibly erroneous) bit of the desired user is used to obtain a more accurate estimate of its interference power. While in the second approach, the local information available at each base station is used to simulate an estimate of the interference power experienced by each one of its own users. Then a weighted average of this simulated interference power and the actual measured one is taken, effectively resulting in an average over a larger window, which lowers the noise variance. We demonstrate through simulations that both of these modifications achieve a faster rate of convergence compared to that of the existing algorithms for a distributed and stochastic system.
RISE-based adaptive control of an uncertain nonlinear system with unknown state delays

A continuous robust adaptive control method is designed for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems with unknown constant time-delays in the states. Specifically, a robust adaptive control method, a gradient-based desired compensation adaptation law (DCAL), and a Lyapunov-Kravoskii (LK) functional-based delay control term are utilized to compensate for unknown time-delays, linearly parameterizable uncertainties, and additive bounded disturbances for a general nonlinear system. Despite these disturbances, a Lyapunov-based analysis is used to conclude that the system output asymptotically tracks a desired time varying bounded trajectory.
Trends in research support and productivity in the changing environment of academic surgery.

Abstract Background We hypothesized that the changing environment of academic surgery has resulted in a decrease in surgical research funding and basic surgical research productivity of academic departments of surgery. Materials and methods Trends in National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants to Departments of Medicine and Surgery were analyzed from 1992 to 1999. To assess trends in research productivity, selected basic science journals were screened from 1988 to 1999 for the number of basic research publications where authors cited affiliation with a Department of Medicine or Surgery. Results NIH funding to Schools of Medicine increased 5.9% per year from 1992 to 1999. Funding to Departments of Medicine increased 21.1% per year, whereas funding to Surgery increased 3.1% per year. As a percentage of total funding to medical schools, NIH funding to Departments of Surgery declined slightly and funding to Departments of Medicine increased 1% per year. The number of grants awarded to Schools of Medicine and Departments of Surgery and Medicine remained constant from 1992 to 1999. The number of publications in basic science journals trended up for both Departments of Surgery and Departments of Medicine. As a percentage of departmental totals, Departments of Surgery publications increased by 9.5% yearly and Departments of Medicine increased 1.5% per year. Conclusion Support for basic surgical research has been static. Despite static grant support, basic research productivity has increased for Departments of Surgery. Basic surgical research remains an integral part of academic surgery department activity.
Hematite‐Based Solar Water Splitting in Acidic Solutions: Functionalization by Mono‐ and Multilayers of Iridium Oxygen‐Evolution Catalysts

Solar water splitting in acidic solutions has important technological implications, but has not been demonstrated to date in a dual absorber photoelectrochemical cell. The lack of functionally stable water-oxidation catalysts (WOCs) in acids is a key reason for this slow development. The only WOCs that are stable at low pH are Ir-based systems, which are typically too expensive to be implemented broadly. It is now shown that this deficiency may be corrected by applying an ultra-thin monolayer of a molecular Ir WOC to hematite for solar water splitting in acidic solutions. The turn-on voltage is observed to shift cathodically by 250 mV upon the application of a monolayer of the molecular Ir WOC. When the molecular WOC is replaced by a heterogeneous multilayer derivative, stable solar water splitting for over 5 h is achieved with near-unity Faradaic efficiency.
Qualitative Methods and Cross-Method Dialogue in Political Science

The author accepts the basic argument that recent advances in qualitative methods have had an uneven impact on the three major empirical fields in political science. He emphasizes that scholars in all three fields have made significant contributions to qualitative methodology, but these contributions have a more profound impact on the practice of qualitative work in comparative and international politics than in American politics. The author argues that the differences between qualitative and quantitative or formal research are less pronounced than some would believe. In particular, the author argues that scholars have overstated the argument that qualitative researchers are significantly more skeptical of universal generalizations, more inclined to incorporate scope conditions into their theories, and more complex in their views of social reality than are quantitative and formal researchers.
Mechanical adaptability of the Bouligand-type structure in natural dermal armour

Arapaima gigas, a fresh water fish found in the Amazon Basin, resist predation by piranhas through the strength and toughness of their scales, which act as natural dermal armour. Arapaima scales consist of a hard, mineralized outer shell surrounding a more ductile core. This core region is composed of aligned mineralized collagen fibrils arranged in distinct lamellae. Here we show how the Bouligand-type (twisted plywood) arrangement of collagen fibril lamellae has a key role in developing their unique protective properties, by using in situ synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering during mechanical tensile tests to observe deformation mechanisms in the fibrils. Specifically, the Bouligand-type structure allows the lamellae to reorient in response to the loading environment; remarkably, most lamellae reorient towards the tensile axis and deform in tension through stretching/sliding mechanisms, whereas other lamellae sympathetically rotate away from the tensile axis and compress, thereby enhancing the scale’s ductility and toughness to prevent fracture.
Innovative Use of Technology for HIV Prevention and Care: Evidence, Challenges and the Way Forward

Use of mobile technologies for HIV prevention and care is no longer a promise, but a reality. From 2006 to 2009, a simple search of technology-related HIV studies yielded 1,147 results on PubMed and 274 results on PsycINFO. The number of technology-related HIV studies grew substantially in the next four years, as from 2010 to 2013 there were 1629 on PubMed and 407 studies on PsycINFO. These findings suggest a surge of interest in the field of technology use in HIV prevention and care research.
Systematic review: The nature and extent of social work research on substance use disorders treatment interventions among African Americans:

SummaryLittle is known about the contribution made by social workers to empirical evidence on substance use disorders treatment, especially interventions for African Americans. This article presents a systematic review of 23 articles, presentations, and dissertations written by social workers that focus on substance use disorders treatment interventions with African Americans. The aim of this review is to estimate the extent of contribution made by social workers to the research knowledge base on substance use disorders treatment interventions that are effective among African Americans, and to assess the methodological quality of those studies.FindingsThe review shows social workers’ contributions to research examining substance use disorders treatment interventions with African Americans is inadequate and the methodological rigor of these studies is slightly below average. Of the 23 articles examined, few studies included only African American samples, and most investigated substance use disorders treatm...
On NCATE Standards and Culture at Work: Conversations, Hegemony, and (Dis‐)Abling Consequences

Many are unaware of the power of the NCATE standards for the accreditation of schools of education. In this article, I first trace the development of the political authority of these standards, and their imposition on hundreds of schools of education. I then focus on the discourse of these standards, particularly the emphasis on “knowledge, skills and dispositions” as personal properties to control. I conclude with a call to highlight the struggles in which all involved are engaged.
Diversity of the fsr-gelE Region of the Enterococcus faecalis Genome but Conservation in Strains with Partial Deletions of the fsr Operon

Most Enterococcus faecalis isolates carry gelE, but many are gelatinase nonproducers due to the lack of fsrC (EF_1820) to EF_1841 (fsrC-EF_1841; 23.9 kb in strain V583), including most of the locus encoding Fsr, which activates gelE expression. Analysis of 22 accessible E. faecalis genomes revealed the identity of the 53-amino-acid propeptide of fsrD across multiple MLSTs (multilocus sequence types), although 12 distinctly different variations were found in the EF_1814-to-EF_1902 region. Diversity was seen in fsrABC, in the region EF_1814 to EF_1902, and in a 700-kb region surrounding fsrC-EF_1841. However, analysis of five sequenced strains carrying the fsrC-EF_1841 deletion and the putative integrative conjugative element efaB5 showed almost identical single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in gelE and an identical junction sequence, despite their unrelated MLSTs, in contrast to those shown by strains without the deletion. Further analysis confirmed the conserved gelE SNPs in 6 additional strains (11 in total) with the deletion. While we were unable to detect evidence of spontaneous deletion using OG1RF and 8 other strains, we were able to engineer a deletion of the 37-kb fsrC-EF_1841 region of OG1RF without deleterious effects, and the 37-kb mutant showed changes in biofilm and chaining similar to those shown by fsr-gelE mutants. In conclusion, we describe the identity of fsrD despite high plasticity within the fsrC-EF_1841 region and the surrounding sequence. However, strains lacking the fsrC-EF_1841 region show a distinct conservation of the sequence surrounding this deletion and in gelE, suggesting that the deletion may result from horizontal transfer and recombination.
Activism and Identities in an East Kalimantan Dayak Organization

In 1999, the East Kalimantan Dayak Association convened a watershed conference in Samarinda, Indonesia, that was attended by indigenous people from across the province. The conference, which was intended to nurture an emerging indigenous solidarity that aimed to transcend narrower loyalties, included sessions on organizational reform. This article examines the ongoing process of organizational rationalization within the association and investigates how that process comports with the evolving vision of indigenous solidarity that its leaders promote. It addresses challenges to that vision offered by constituents and others. The article also explores the role of symbols drawn from the social and natural worlds in fostering the development of an ethnic identity. The article reveals a paradox in the way that ethnicity is framed within the organization one that invites comparison with the methods and goals of other indigenous and pan-indigenous movements.
Patterns of Medical and Nursing Staff Communication in Nursing Homes: Implications and Insights From Complexity Science

Complexity science teaches that relationships among health care providers are key to our understanding of how quality care emerges. The authors sought to compare the effects of differing patterns of medicine-nursing communication on the quality of information flow, cognitive diversity, self-organization, and innovation in nursing homes. Two facilities participated in 6-month case studies using field observations, shadowing, and depth interviews. In one facility, the dominant pattern of communication was a vertical “chain of command” between care providers, characterized by thin connections and limited information exchange. This pattern limited cognitive diversity and innovation in clinical problem solving. The second facility used an open communication pattern between medical and frontline staff. The authors saw higher levels of information flow, cognitive diversity, innovation, and self-organization, although tempered by staff turnover. The patterns of communication between care providers in nursing facilities have an important impact on their ability to provide quality, innovative care.
And Still I See No Changes: Enduring Views of Students of Color in Science and Mathematics Education Policy Reports

Federal education policy reports in science and mathematics education have treated Students of Color consistently over the past two decades, addressing the underrepresentation of minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields with little regard to actual issues of race and ethnicity. We examine how 17 federal education policy briefs focusing on STEM have addressed issues of equity with regard to Students of Color. We use a critical race theory lens to interpret and understand our findings. We find that the documents used broadly defined, racially essentializing terms; that discourse surrounding race fluctuated, perhaps cyclically, over time; and that arguments for inclusive STEM education were made predominantly from a one-sided economic perspective, favoring the owners and operators of STEM enterprises.