cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
aSister: scheduling for homeless women with special needs

Homeless women need special care and attention especially during pregnancy or while trying to overcome substance abuse. We present a solution to help counselors working with these women. The solution allows the counselor to send text messages, which can be used to remind women of their daily schedule, as well as provide them with health and nutritional information. The system will also serve as a persuasive tool to help them develop positive behavior through the delivery of encouraging messages. Cell phone technology usage is increasing rapidly among the homeless population. The system uses text messaging which is an inexpensive and non-obtrusive method of communication. Our study contains details on the design of such a system and also attempts to evaluate the efficacy of such a text messaging system.
Terranes and the tectonic assembly of South America: The fifth Circum-Pacific terrane conference

Abstract A central theme of the 5th Circum-Pacific Terrane Conference held at Santiago, Chile, 11–14 November 1991, was the new theory that Australia and Antarctica separated from western North America during the Late Proterozoic, then crashed into Africa and South America to form Gondwana in the Late Cambrian. Particular interest centered on the Precordillera Terrane, which came from central North America and was accreted to Argentina during the Ordovician, and on the Avalon Terrane, derived from northern South American and accreted to Laurasia during the Taconic Orogeny. The mobility of plates and terranes has been so great that before the Mesozoic the Circum-Pacific and Circum-Atlantic regions were one and the same.
ETHNICITY AND EXPERTISE Racial-Ethnic Knowledge in Sociological Research

Analysis of an interview conducted by a white researcher with an African American nutritionist points to the significance of racial-ethnic dynamics in the conduct of qualitative research. Interviewers who follow the standard methodological rule—to let findings “emerge” from their data—may fail to hear the significance of race-ethnicity in the accounts of informants. Close analysis suggests that talk will sometimes reveal racial-ethnic dynamics even when these are not explicit topics and that active attention to such structured inequalities produces a more robust analysis. Institutional ethnography and narrative analysis are discussed as alternatives to the grounded-theory approach to qualitative analysis.
A Staggered-Grid Multidomain Spectral Method for the Compressible Navier-Stokes Equations

We present a flexible, non-conforming staggered-grid Chebyshev spectral multidomain method for the solution of the compressible Navier?Stokes equations. In this method, subdomain corners are not included in the approximation, thereby simplifying the subdomain connectivity. To allow for local refinement of the polynomial order or subdomain subdivision, non-conforming subdomains are treated by a mortar method. Spectral accuracy is shown in one- and two-dimensional linear and non-linear problems. Application is made to four compressible flow problems: the Couette flow, a steady boundary layer over a flat plate, steady transonic flow in a nozzle, and unsteady flow over a cylinder at a Reynolds number of 75.
Treatment of chronic pancreatitic pleural effusion by percutaneous catheter drainage of abdominal pseudocyst

A 53-year-old man entered the hospital with a large, right chronic pancreatitic pleural effusion. Computed tomographic examination of the abdomen and chest demonstrated a pancreatic pseudocyst that had extended into the mediastinum. After conventional closed-chest tube thoracotomy drainage failed to empty the pleural space, percutaneous abdominal pseudocyst drainage was instituted using computed tomographic guidance. The pleural effusion cleared promptly, and the pancreatic pseudocyst resolved gradually over seven weeks. Following termination of pseudocyst drainage, the patient has remained well for over two years with no recurrence of pancreatitis, pseudocyst, or pleural effusion. In contrast, three earlier patients with a chronic pancreatitic effusion managed conventionally had a complicated hospital course and required surgical intervention; two had recurrent pancreatitis following hospital discharge. Percutaneous catheter placement was unsuccessful in one of these three and, in retrospect, was infeasible in the other two. It is recommended that thoracoabdominal computed tomography be performed in all patients with a chronic pancreatitic pleural effusion, and that percutaneous abdominal catheter drainage be attempted in all patients with an accessible pancreatic or mediastinal pseudocyst. Such treatment may relieve respiratory insufficiency, minimize the risk of empyema or fibrothorax, and may promote pseudocyst closure without the need for surgery.
Disciplining top‐performing unethical salespeople: Examining the moderating effects of ethical seriousness and consequences

Managers take many factors into account in deciding the level of discipline to administer to subordinates who have engaged in some form of undesirable work behavior. In general, performing other job tasks well, such as being a top sales producer, has been shown to be more likely to bring about an external attribution (attributing the cause of the undesirable behavior to some person or thing other than the performer) and, in turn, more lenient forms of discipline. However, other factors may be taken into account that might alter a manager's diagnosis of, and response to, undesirable employee behavior. This study examines the general tendency of sales managers to treat top sales performers more leniently than poor sales performers when these salespeople engage in unethical selling. Specifically, the study sought to determine if unethical acts of a more serious nature and unethical acts associated with more serious consequential outcomes would offset the general tendency to treat top sales performers more leniently. Findings revealed that top sales performers are still disciplined more leniently than poor sales performers despite engaging in more serious behaviors that produce more serious consequences. Implications for sales managers are presented. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The synthesis of RNA and protein by nongerminating zygotes of the aquatic fungus, Allomyces macrogynus

Zygotes of Allomyces macrogynus, maintained under conditions that do not support their germination, synthesize both protein and RNA, although at a lower rate than germinating cells. At least eight different proteins are synthesized by nongerminating zygotes. The predominant class of RNA synthesized is 4 S in size. In addition, it appears that some messenger RNAs are also transcribed because there is a selective inhibition of the synthesis of some proteins in the absence of RNA synthesis.
β-Endorphin-(1–27) inhibits the spinal beta-endorphin-induced release of Met-enkephalin

The effect of intraventricular beta-endorphin-(1-27) on the spinal release of Met-enkephalin induced by intraventricular beta-endorphin was studied using the intrathecal superfusion technique in urethane anesthetized rats. Intraventricular injection of beta-endorphin at a dose of 15 micrograms released Met-enkephalin from the spinal cord. This release of Met-enkephalin induced by beta-endorphin was significantly reduced by beta-endorphin-(1-27), 60 micrograms, injected intraventricularly. Injection of beta-endorphin (1-27) itself did not cause any release of Met-enkephalin. The finding is in line with the previous report that beta-endorphin (1-27) inhibited the analgesia induced by beta-endorphin.
Sensory inattention in rats with 6-hydroxydopamine-induced degeneration of ascending dopaminergic neurons: apomorphine-induced reversal of deficits.

Abstract Rats given intracerebral injections of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OH-DA) that damaged the ascending dopamine-containing projection showed a syndrome of sensory inattention characterized by a failure to orient toward or otherwise investigate somatosensory, visual, or olfactory stimuli. Animals that were inattentive to those stimuli on both body sides were given apomorphine (0.05, 0.10, or 0.20 mg/kg or its vehicle, i.p.) 2, 3, 5, and 8 days after bilateral intranigral 6-OH-DA injections. At the lower two doses, apomorphine resulted in a significant restoration of orientation to all modalities of stimuli. The highest dose did not improve orientation, but only induced stereotyped sniffing behavior. The restorative effects of apomorphine administration were completely abolished by pretreatment with spiroperidol (0.05 mg/kg, i.p.). These results indicate that (i) the sensory inattention syndrome seen after intracerebral 6-OH-DA injections is a consequence of damaging dopamine-containing neurons, and (ii) the occurrence of normal-appearing sensorimotor integration requires optimal brain dopamine receptor activity.
The sarcoplasmic reticulum in thyrotoxic hypoxalemic periodic paralysis

Abstract Muscle fibers from a case of thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis showed distensions of the terminal sacs of the sr with granular material. It is suggested that this may represent excessive calcium accumulation in the SR, and that studies of calcium metabolism may throw further light on the mechanisms responsible for periodic paralysis.
Measuring effect size: A non-parametric analogue of ω2

When comparing two groups of subjects, one of the many measures of effect size is omega 2. This paper suggests a non-parametric analogue of omega 2 based on the following point of view. Given an observation from one of two groups, but not knowing whether it came from the first or second group, how certain can we be that the observation came from the first group? This is in contrast to omega 2 where, given that an observation came from a specific group, say the first group, how much does this reduce our uncertainty about the dependent variable? One problem with omega 2 is that it is not robust--it is a function of the variances--so it can be misleading for reasons reviewed in the paper. Four estimators of the proposed measure of effect size are described and compared in a simulation study. Contrary to what was expected, the .632 bootstrap estimator performed best in terms of bias and mean squared error.
FINE STRUCTURE OF THE SNOW ALGA (CHLAMYDOMONAS NIVALIS) AND ASSOCIATED BACTERIA1

Chlamydomonas nivalis (Bau.) Wille is present in red snow as large spherical resting cells. Fine structural studies reveal an abundance of clear granules in the cytoplasm and occasional starch grains in the chloroplast. Individual cells display a thick cell wall with a smooth outer surface. Cells may be surrounded by a loose fibrous network in which encapsulated bacteria are seen. The bacteria have a characteristic Gram-negative cell wall and constrictive mode of division. The algal-bacterial association appears to be characteristic of red snow populations.
A new phase transition in MnTiO3: LiNbO3-perovskite structure

The stable polymorph of MnTiO3 at room temperature and pressure has the ilmenite structure. At high temperatures and pressures, MnTiO3 ilmenite transforms to a LiNbO3 structure through a cation reordering process (Ko and Prewitt 1988). Single crystals of both phases have been studied with X-ray diffraction to 5.0 GPa. We have obtained the first experimental verification of the close relationship between the LiNbO3 and perovskite structures, first postulated by Megaw (1968). MnTiO3 with the LiNbO3 structure (MnTiO3 II) transforms directly to an orthorhombic perovskite structure (MnTiO3 III) between 2.0 and 3.0 GPa. The transition involves a change of volume of -5%, is reversible and has pronounced hysteresis. Only pressure is required to drive the transition because it involves no breaking of bonds; it simply involves rotation of the [TiO6] octahedra about their triad axes accompanied by displacement of the Mn cations to the distorted twelve-coordinated sites formed by the rotations. An unusual aspect of this transition is that twinned MnTiO3 II crystals transform to untwinned MnTiO3 III crystals with increasing pressure. The twin plane of MnTiO3 II, $$\left( {10\bar 1\bar 2} \right)$$ , corresponds to the (001) mirror plane of the orthorhombic perovskite structure. MnTiO3 III examined at 4.5 GPa is very distorted from the ideal cubic perovskite structure. The O(2)-O(2)-O(2) angle describing the tilting in the ab plane is 133.3(7)°, in contrast to 180° for a cubic perovskite and the O(2)-O(2)-O(2) angle describing the tilting in the ac plane is 109.3(4)°, as opposed to 90° in a cubic perovskite.
Manufacture of glass open-tubular columns by dehydration of the surface

Abstract Methods are described for the preparation and coating of glass open-tubular columns. By dehydration of the inner surface during the drawing operation, an oxide-type glass surface can be obtained which is completely wettable by non-polar and most polar liquid phases without further treatment. For coating the columns, a modified dynamic method was used. Squalane and OV-101 were used as non-polar phases and Ucon LB, Carbowax 20M and OV-17 as polar phases. Our procedure resulted in open-tubular columns of high efficiency, having a thin uniform film (0.03–0.1 μm) and possessing 3000–10 000 theoretical plates per metre. In order to decrease the phase ratio, small-diameter columns (0.1–0.15 mm) were used. Several of these columns have been in routine daily use for nearly 1 year without any decline in efficiency.
The role of library media services in the University Distance and Distributed Education

Purpose – This article aims to outline the functions and activities performed by California State University, Sacramento Library Media Center in the University Distance and Distributed Education (DDE) program, with an emphasis on the unique role of the library media services in partnership with other campus units in the system‐wide integrative DDE service.Design/methodology/approach – The article observes and examines the effectiveness of the library media services through the framework functions of the University DDE Program.Findings – The article finds that faculty and librarians may share benefits of information resources and university technologies through a well‐organized collaboration program in an environment of learner‐centered service.Originality/value – This paper highlights the library cooperative efforts in expanding access to library media resources in serving DDE educators and students, and the exceptional role of the library media services in collaboration with other campus units in handlin...
Threats, Promises, and Coalitions: A Study of Compliance and Retaliation in a Simulated Organizational Setting1

This research sought to examine the effects of threats and promises on compliance and the formation of subordinate coalitions in a simulated employeremployee conflict situation. It also sought to determine some of the motives underlying coalition decisions-tangible and intangible-and the conditions under which each of these possible motive types would be salient. Coalition motives were examined by manipulating the consequences for coalition members following their use of coalition power (presence vs. absence of monetary gain). A control condition was present in which no such power was available. Ninety male undergraduate business students were randomly assigned to one of six experimental conditions in a 3 × 2 factorial design. Three Ss engaged in a modified bilateral monopoly bargaining task in which two of them (the “employees”) believed they were exchanging a series of offers and counteroffers with the third (the “employer”) over a hypothetical wage increase for a maximum of eight rounds. Ss were told they would earn a sum of money proportional to the effectiveness of their bargaining. In actuality, all Ss were assigned the employee role and all employer “offers” were pre-programmed. On round six, the Ss were “sent” either a threat or promise message by the employer demanding that they accept his round five offer. Compliance-noncompliance was defined as employee acceptance-rejection of this demand, respectively. In addition to compliance behavior, S s in coalition conditions had the power to form an alliance with the other employee against the employer after the latter used his threat or promise power. Coalitions could confiscate up to 25% of the employer's earnings and, depending on experimental condition, could either keep or not keep any money their coalition acquired. It was hypothesized that threateners would elicit less compliance, and be responded to with more, and more severe subordinate coalitions than would promisers. It was further assumed that there would be less compliance when subordinates had coalition power, and that the effect of monetary reward on the likelihood of coalition formation would be contingent on the type of power (threats vs. promises) the employer used. Specifically, it was assumed that a majority of S s in the Threat condition who had this power would form coalitions against the employer regardless of whether or not they realized any tangible gain for doing so. In the promise condition, however, it was expected that coalition decisions would be based primarily on whether Ss stood to gain monetarily. The hypotheses were supported. These results were discussed in terms of the impact of power acquisition as a variable mediating perception and compliance behavior, and in terms of the role of economic vs. retaliatory motives as factors underlying subordinate coalition decisions. Some of the conditions which influence the relative salience of these two coalition motives were proposed, and the organizational implications of these findings were suggested.
Condorcet efficiency and constant scoring rules

Abstract Exact closed form relations are obtained for the Condorcet efficiencies of the four constant scoring rules on three element rankings when all profiles of rankings are assumed to be equally likely to occur. The Condorcet efficiencies of the two stage constant rules are shown to be substantially greater than those of single stage constant rules. The single stage scoring rule that picks the element that is ranked first most often is shown to have a much greater efficiency than the single stage scoring rule that selects the element that has the fewest last place rankings.
The MEK Pathway Is Required for Stimulation of p21WAF1/CIP1 by Transforming Growth Factor-β

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)can induce the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p15 in a variety of cell types. We have shown previously that Smad3 is required for the growth inhibitory activity of TGF-beta, whereas overexpression of Smads is not sufficient to activate the expression of p21 in HaCaT cells. These data suggest that an additional signaling pathway may be involved in stimulating p21 in HaCaT cells. Given the recent finding that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway can cause p21 induction and arrest cells, we examined the involvement of this pathway for p21 and p15 induction by TGF-beta. We found that TGF-beta can regulate the MAPK pathway, leading to the increased transactivation ability of transcription factor Elk. Constitutively active components in the MAPK pathway activate p21 expression, and inhibitors or dominant negative constructs for the MAPK pathway significantly decrease p21 induction by TGF-beta. Both constitutively active MEK and inhibitors for MEK have no effect on Smad activity, including DNA binding, localization, and interaction with coactivator p300/CBP. These findings suggest that the MAPK pathway may be an independent pathway that is involved in p21 and p15 induction by TGF-beta.
Fourier transform infrared characterization of a CuB-nitrosyl complex in cytochrome ba3 from Thermus thermophilus: Relevance to NO reductase activity in heme-copper terminal oxidases

The two heme−copper terminal oxidases of Thermus thermophilus have been shown to catalyze the two-electron reduction of nitric oxide (NO) to nitrous oxide (N2O) [Giuffre, A.; Stubauer, G.; Sarti, P...
An adaptive data rate controller (ADRC) for the through cloud, undersea laser communications channel

The decades-old VLF radio system used to communicate with submerged submarines is limited to a few 10's of bits per second, and the submarine must surface to respond. If radio cannot be used for reasons of covertness, the submarine is silenced.
Ca2+ binding by Myxicola neurofilament proteins.

Titrimetric, 45Ca dialysis, and autoradiographic methods were used to examine how axoplasmic proteins from the giant neuron of the marine annelid Myxicola infundibulum bind caicium. Following the autoradiographic method of Maruyama et al. [1], the 150–160 kD neurofilament subunits were identified as prominent intracellular Ca-binding peptides. Using equilibrium dialysis, extracts of axoplasmic proteins (>50% neurofilament subunits) were examined in 300 mM KCl at different concentrations of free Ca and Mg, and at different pH. Axoplasmic proteins showed a high affinity Ca binding site (K12 3–6 μM, capacity 3–7 μmole g−1 protein) at pH 6.8 or pH 7.5. Changing the Mg concentration from 0 to 5 mM had no effect on the Ca binding. Elevating the dialysis pH from 7.0 to 9.0 reduced the apparent number of binding sites for Ca. Using microelectrodes to record the free Ca, microtitrations of axopiasmic proteins were completed by adding small amounts of CaCl2 to 100 μl volumes of protein solutions. In a medium containing ionic constituents closely resembling those of the Myxicola axon, a Ca binding capacity of 5.0 μmole g−1 protein and a K12 of ∼1 μM were measured.
Surface Triangulation By Linear Interpolation In Intersecting Planes

The morphology of anatomical objects from MRI scans or X-ray CT scans can be represented efficiently using triangulated surfaces. A triangulated surface is a closed surface (consisting in triangles) which is computed from polygons in a sequence of planes. The polygons interpolate object boundaries in a sequence of MR or CT slices. We present a new algorithm to create such a triangulation which overcomes many of the currently existing restrictions for these algorithms. It automatically generates a triangulated surface from arbitrary sets of closed polygons. The surface generation is initiated by a linear interpolation of the object's boundary in a set of parallel planes intersecting the object polygons. Object boundaries in the intersection planes and in the scan sequence form a grid which is used for the final triangulation. It can be shown that the approximation will be nearly optimal with respect to the input information. Slices, in which objects are outlined, may be curved and need not be parallel to each other. Results of the automatic reconstruction of anatomical objects from cranial CT scans and MR scans are presented.
Identification of the catalytic residue of human short/branched chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase by in vitro mutagenesis.

Abstract The acyl-CoA dehydrogenases (ACDs) are a family of related enzymes which catalyze the α,β-dehydrogenation of acyl-CoA esters, transferring electrons to electron transferring flavoprotein. We have recently cloned and characterized the cDNA for human short/branched chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SBCAD). Based on homology with the other ACDs we hypothesized that E381 is the catalytic residue for this enzyme. Alteration of this amino acid to glutamine, glycine or arginine resulted in an inactive enzyme. Substitution of aspartate at this position led to an enzyme with reduced activity compared to the wild type. An E381G/G260E double mutation (which places a glutamate in a position homologous to the catalytic residue identified in other members of this gene family) restored enzyme activity. These data confirm the crucial nature of E381 to the activity of this enzyme and strongly support its role as the α-proton abstracting base.
X-ray powder diffraction analysis of ±-fenoprofen calcium dihydrate

The current JCPDS powder pattern for the racemic compound fenoprofen calcium dihydrate (card No. 44-1790) is unindexed. Previously we reported the single crystal data, determined at −100 °C, for this material (Zhu et al., 2001). Using 2θ values obtained from a powder pattern spiked with internal standards, we indexed the room temperature powder pattern. The resulting unit cell values for the monoclinic P21/n cell are a=19.018 A, b=7.738 A, c=19.472 A, β=91.66°.
On stretching, twisting, pure bending and flexure of pretwisted elastic plates

Abstract Previously derived results for the mentioned canonical load cases for pretwisted rectangular plates (or shallow helicoidal shells) of rectangular cross section are generalized so as to include arbitrarily prescribed cross wise thickness variations. The present method of derivation is simpler than the earlier one in terms of Marguerre's equations for transverse deflection and Airy stress function, and consists in applying a semi-inverse solution procedure to the system of equilibrium and compatibility equations of shallow shell theory. A particular case of the results of this paper concerns the problem of pure bending of a pretwisted plate with elliptical thickness variation. The results for this case coincide with recent results obtained by Goodier and Griffin through use of three-dimensional elasticity theory.
Isolation of rat bone marrow mast lineage cells using Thy 1.1 and rat stem cell factor

Recent reports have shown that various marrow-derived cell populations respond vigorously to recombinant rat stem cell factor (rrSCF164), one form of the kitligand. In the present study, we isolated cell populations from rat bone marrow using the Thy 1.1 antigen (an antigen that in the rat is differentially expressed on primitive hemopoietic progenitor cells) and fluorescently conjugated rrSCF164 (rrSCF164-PE). We show that rrSCF164 only stimulates cells that are enriched in the brightest Thy 1.1 populations (Thy 1.1bright). Numerous cell lines were generated by serial passage in rrSCF164 containing medium, and the prototypic cell lines have been designated SRT002 and SRT003. Each cell line retains the Thy 1.1bright phenotype and does not respond to interleukins (IL) 1–8, IL-10, granulocyte (G) colony-stimulating factor (CSF), granulocyte macrophage (GM) CSF, M-CSF, or crude preparations of mitogen-stimulated T-cell supernatants. The Thy 1.1bright population of rat marrow was subdivided into a subset that binds rrSCF164-PE (Thy 1.1bright, rrSCF164+). The majority of these cells possess certain characteristics in common with marrow-derived mast cells and the Thy 1.1bright, rrSCF164 responsive cell lines, having similar granule morphology, being metachromatic, and reacting positively with alcian blue. Moreover, rats treated with rrSCF164 displayed significant increases in Thy 1.1bright, rrSCF164+ cells in the bone marrow. These studies show that the combination of Thy 1.1 and rrSCF164 makes possible the isolation of a unique subset of rat bone marrow cells that differentially express the Thy 1.1 antigen and the cell surface receptor c-kit, the majority of which are morphologically similar to marrow-derived mast cells. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Electrical Conductivity of Quartz

HYDROXYL ions diffuse slowly in silicas and motion of these ions through a quartz network, or the formation of defects for this motion, involves breaking silicon-oxygen bonds which have a bond energy of more than 100 kcalories mol−1. Thus it is unlikely that White1 observed hydroxyl ion motion in quartz. His low activation energy of 13 kcalorie mol−1 is closer to that for the motion of monovalent cations2.
Vertical Distribution of Nitrogen-Fixing Phylotypes in a Meromictic, Hypersaline Lake

We investigated the diversity of nitrogenase genes in the alkaline, moderately hypersaline Mono Lake, California to determine (1) whether nitrogen-fixing (diazotrophic) populations were similar to those in other aquatic environments and (2) if there was a pattern of distribution of phylotypes that reflected redox conditions, as well as (3) to identify populations that could be important in N dynamics in this nitrogen-limited lake. Mono Lake has been meromictic for almost a decade and has steep gradients in oxygen and reduced compounds that provide a wide range of aerobic and anaerobic habitats. We amplified a fragment of the nitrogenase gene (nifH) from planktonic DNA samples collected at three depths representing oxygenated surface waters, the oxycline, and anoxic, ammonium-rich deep waters. Forty-three percent of the 90 sequences grouped in nifH Cluster I. The majority of clones (57%) grouped in Cluster III, which contains many known anaerobic bacteria. Cluster I and Cluster III sequences were retrieved at every depth indicating little vertical zonation in sequence types related to the prominent gradients in oxygen and ammonia. One group in Cluster I was found most often at every depth and accounted for 29% of all the clones. These sequences formed a subcluster that contained other environmental clones, but no cultivated representatives. No significant nitrogen fixation was detected by the 15N2 method after 48 h of incubation of surface, oxycline, or deep waters, suggesting that pelagic diazotrophs were contributing little to nitrogen fluxes in the lake. The failure to measure any significant nitrogen fixation, despite the detection of diverse and novel nitrogenase genes throughout the water column, raises interesting questions about the ecological controls on diazotrophy in Mono Lake and the distribution of functional genes in the environment.
Influence of Hormones and Hormone Metabolites on the Growth of Schwann Cells Derived From Embryonic Stem Cells and on Tumor Cell Lines Expressing Variable Levels of Neurofibromin

Loss of neurofibromin, the protein product of the tumor suppressor gene neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), is associated with neurofibromas, composed largely of Schwann cells. The number and size of neurofibromas in NF1 patients have been shown to increase during pregnancy. A mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) model was used, in which mESCs with varying levels of neurofibromin were differentiated into Schwann-like cells. NF1 cell lines derived from a malignant and a benign human tumor were used to study proliferation in response to hormones. Estrogen and androgen receptors were not expressed or expressed at very low levels in the NF1+/+ cells, at low levels in NF1+/−cells, and robust levels in NF1−/−cells. A 17β-estradiol (E2) metabolite, 2-methoxy estradiol (2ME2) is cytotoxic to the NF1−/− malignant tumor cell line, and inhibits proliferation in the other cell lines. 2ME2 or its derivatives could provide new treatment avenues for NF1 hormone-sensitive tumors at times of greatet hormonal influence. Developmental Dynamics 237:513–524, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
On Barenblatt's model of spontaneous countercurrent imbibition

Water imbibition is a critical mechanism of secondary oil recovery from fractured reservoirs. Spontaneous imbibition also plays a significant role in storage of liquid waste by controlling the extent of rock invasion. In the present paper, we extend a model of countercurrent imbibition based on Barenblatt's theory of non-equilibrium two-phase flow by allowing the model's relaxation time to be a function of the wetting fluid saturation. We obtain two asymptotic self-similar solutions, valid at early and late times, respectively. At a very early stage, the time scale characterizing the cumulative volume of imbibed (and expelled) fluid is a power function with exponent between 1.5 and 1. At a later stage, the time scaling for this volume approaches asymptotically classical square root of time, whereas the saturation profile asymptotically converges to Ryzhik's self-similar solution. Our conclusions are verified against experiments. By fitting the laboratory data, we estimate the characteristic relaxation times for different pairs of liquids.
Uptake of the components of phenylalanylphenylalanine and maltose by intestinal epithelium

The observed rate of phenylalanine absorption into rat intestinal rings with 0.5 or 5.0 mM phenylalanine is greater than that for absorption of phenylalanine from 0.25 or 2.5 mM Phe-Phe, respectively. With the amino acid phenylalanine, V for absorption is the same whether Na+ is present (149 mM) or absent, but the concentration at which the half-maximal transport rate occurred (Kt) is greater in the absence of Na+. For Phe-Phe, the V decreases in the absence of Na+ whilst Kt is not influenced by the Na+ concentration. The different effect of Na+ on Phe and Phe-Phe transport indicates that the absorptive mechanism for Phe-Phe is different from that for phenylalanine. Absorption of a mixture of [U-14C]Phe-Phe and Phe-[G-3H]Phe showed identical rates of uptake of the carboxyl and amino terminal amino acids. Studies of transport of radioactive maltose showed that the rates of uptake of the reducing and non-reducing glucosyl moieties are identical. Radioactive maltose absorption is not inhibited by glucose oxidase. These results provide evidence that in intestinal epithelium, hydrolysis of Phe-Phe and maltose does not occur on the cell surface with release of the hydrolyzed products to the medium. Rather, hydrolysis and release of the reaction products occur at a point on the cytosol side of a diffusion barrier located in the brush border membrane.
On the relationship between supplemental balances in two theories for pure interface motion

A matched asymptotic analysis is used to exhibit the connection between supplemental balance equations arising in sharp-interface and phase-field theories for transformations between two rigid phases distinguished only by their constant free-energy densities. The analysis exposes the relationship between the forces and balances arising in the two theories.
Effective properties of two-phase disordered composite media: II. Evaluation of bounds on the conductivity and bulk modulus of dispersions of impenetrable spheres

We evaluate third-order bounds on the effective conductivity ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{e}$ and effective bulk modulus ${K}_{e}$ of a random dispersion of equal-sized impenetrable spheres in a matrix up to sphere volume fractions near the random close-packing value. The third-order bounds, which incorporate an integral ${\ensuremath{\zeta}}_{2}$ that depends upon the three-point probability function of the two-phase medium, are shown to significantly improve upon second-order Hashin-Shtrikman bounds, which do not utilize this information, for a wide range of phase property values and volume fractions. The physical significance of the microstructural parameter ${\ensuremath{\zeta}}_{2}$ for general microstructures is briefly discussed. The third-order bounds on ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{e}$ and ${K}_{e}$ are found to be sharp enough to yield good estimates of the bulk properties for a wide range of sphere volume fractions, even when the phase property values differ by as much as two orders of magnitude. Moreover, when the spheres are highly conducting or highly rigid relative to the matrix, the third-order lower bound on the respective effective property provides a useful estimate of it for a wide range of sphere volume fractions.
Infrared spectroscopy of the neutral zinc double-acceptor in silicon

Abstract Optical transitions from the ground to bound excited states of the neutral helium-like double acceptor zinc in silicon are reported for the first time. The excitation spectrum is characteristic of an effective-mass-like acceptor, and is similar to the spectrum of neutral beryllium and of hydrogenic group-III acceptors. The optical ionization energy of Zn 0 - has been determined to be 319.53 meV. The optical cross-section for the hole transition is estimated to be greater than 10−17 cm2.
Sol Plaatje Reconsidered: Rethinking Plaatje's Attitudes to Class, Nation, Gender, and Empire 1

(2003). Sol Plaatje Reconsidered: Rethinking Plaatje's Attitudes to Class, Nation, Gender, and Empire 1. African Studies: Vol. 62, No. 1, pp. 33-52.
A determination of the fracture toughness of EGCR-type AGOT graphite☆

A first step was taken towards the application of fracture mechanics concepts to the design of graphite components to prevent brittle fracture. Tests were performed on notched bend specimens of EGCR-type AGOT graphite, and the results were used to determine values of Gc, the critical rate of strain energy release for fracture. Relationships established both by the theory of elasticity and by experimental compliance testing were used for determining the Gc values. The critical rate of strain-energy release for specimens parallel to the axis of extrusion of the material was found to be approximately 0.39 in.-lb/in.2 (6.8 × 104erg/cm2), and for specimens oriented transverse to the axis of extrusion the value was approximately 0.29 in.-lb/in.2 (5.1 × 104erg/cm2). The Gc values based on the analytical and compliance analysis relationships were in good agreement. This agreement serves as a useful cross-check and adds confidence in the fracture toughness values obtained. This initial study indicates that the concept of a critical strain-energy release rate being a condition for rapid crack propagation applies to graphite. The final proof, however, can come only from the successful application of fracture mechanics to a component with a geometry and loading widely different from that of the notched bend laboratory specimen.
Compound gamma, beta and F distributions

In this paper a compound gamma distribution has been derived by compounding a gamma distribution with another gamma distribution. The resulting compound gamma distribution has been reduced to the Beta distributions of the first kind and the second kind and to theF distribution by suitable transformations. This includes theLomax distribution as a special case which enjoys a useful property. Moment estimators for two of its parameters are explicitly obtained, which tend to a bivariate normal distribution. The paper contains expressions for a bivariate probability density function, its conditional expectation, conditional variance and the product moment correlation coefficient. Finally, all the parameters of the compound gamma distribution are explicitly expressed in terms of the functions of the moments of the functions of random variables in two different ways.
The effectiveness of valacyclovir in preventing reactivation of herpes gladiatorum in wrestlers.

ObjectiveTo determine whether nucleoside analogues can suppress recurrent outbreaks of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in wrestlers, commonly called herpes gladiatorum.DesignDouble-blind and open study using valacyclovir over two wrestling seasons from 1996 through 1998.SettingWrestling communit
MediaBroker: A pervasive computing infrastructure for adaptive transformation and sharing of stream data

MediaBroker is a distributed framework designed to support pervasive computing applications. Key contributions of MediaBroker are efficient and scalable data transport, data stream registration and discovery, an extensible system for data type description, and type-aware data transport that is capable of dynamically transforming data en route from source to sinks. Specifically, the architecture consists of a transport engine and peripheral clients and addresses issues in scalability, data sharing, data transformation, and platform heterogeneity. Details of the MediaBroker architecture, implementation, and a concrete application example are presented in this article. Experimental study shows reasonable performance for selected streaming media-intensive applications. For example, relative to baseline TCP performance, MediaBroker incurs under 11% latency overhead and achieves roughly 80% of the TCP throughput when streaming items larger than 100 kB across our infrastructure. The EventWeb application demonstrates the utility and graceful scaling of MediaBroker for supporting pervasive computing applications.
Effects of Antibiotics on Egg Production When Chickens are Naturally Infected with Chronic Respiratory Disease

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION ANTIBIOTIC supplements have been reported to give variable effects on egg production, mortality, and elimination of symptoms when fed to laying flocks under stress of chronic respiratory disease (Van Roekel et al., 1952; Cover 1955; Crawley and Fahey, 1955; and Brandly, 1955). It appears that some of the variable results obtained may be due to (1) the strain of pleuropneumonia-like organisms present, (2) the presence of other bacteria, (3) the amount of protein in the ration and (4) the type and level of antibiotic used (Sullivan, Thompson and Osteen, 1956; White-Stevens and Zeibel, 1954; Heuser, 1956; and Carlson et al., 1955). Yamamoto and Adler (1956) have reported that differences in sensitivity to antibiotics do occur between strains of avian PPLO when studied in vitro. They indicated that the tetracycline type of antibiotics were comparable in activity with achromycin, however terramycin was the most active. EXPERIMENTAL Studies have been made . . .
A TG/DTG kinetic model and its application in an in-situ combustion reservoir simulator

Abstract In-situ combustion is a thermal oil recovery process in which crude oil undergoes a large number of physical and chemical transitions. The chemical reactions involved are to a great extent responsible for the heat generation needed to sustain the combustion front. The kinetic model used to predict the performance of the process needs therefore to be as accurate as possible. To date, all kinetic models used in in-situ combustion simulators have assumed Arrhenius-type reaction rate constants and constant activation energies and heats of reaction. In this study the TG/DTG curve of the crude oil under study is used to derive a kinetic model suitable for the simulator. The model does not include the assumption that the specific reaction rate constants be of Arrhenius type and thus does not require explicit values of activation energies and frequency factors. An in-situ combustion tube test was simulated using the present kinetic model and compared with the simulated results obtained by incorporating a commonly used kinetic model. Process variables predicted from the present model were significantly closer to the actual experimental values than those predicted by the old approach. More importantly, to arrive at a reasonable predicted performance for the process using the old technique, the values of activation energies in the kinetic model had to be lowered to unrealistic levels.
Jasmonate-mediated induced plant resistance affects a community of herbivores.

Summary 1. The negative effect of induced plant resistance on the preference and performance of herbivores is a well-documented ecological phenomenon that is thought to be important for both plants and herbivores. This study links the well-developed mechanistic understanding of the biochemistry of induced plant resistance in the tomato system with an examination of how these mechanisms affect the community of herbivores in the field. 2. Several proteins that are induced in tomato foliage following herbivore damage have been linked causally to reductions in herbivore performance under laboratory conditions. Application of jasmonic acid, a natural elicitor of these defensive proteins, to tomato foliage stimulates induced responses to herbivory. 3. Jasmonic acid was sprayed on plants in three doses to generate plants with varying levels of induced responses, which were measured as increases in the activities of proteinase inhibitors and polyphenol oxidase. 4. Field experiments conducted over 3 years indicated that induction of these defensive proteins is associated with decreases in the abundance of all four naturally abundant herbivores, including insects in three feeding guilds, caterpillars, flea beetles, aphids, and thrips. Induced resistance killed early instars of noctuid caterpillars. Adult flea beetles strongly preferred control plants over induced plants, and this effect on host plant preference probably contributed to differences in the natural abundance of flea beetles. 5. The general nature of the effects observed in this study suggests that induced resistance will suppress many members of the herbivore community. By linking plant biochemistry, insect preference, performance, and abundance, tools can be developed to manipulate plant resistance sensibly and to predict its outcome under field conditions.
Selection for central excitatory state (CES) in the blow fly Phormia regina

Food-deprived but water-satiated blow flies (Phormia regina) were tested for their central excitatory state (CES) response. Bidrectional selection based on individual differences for CES expression resulted in separate high- and low-CES strains in only one generation in three replicate experiments. This suggests that differences in CES expression are correlated with allelic differences at a single locus. The use of such selected lines in a component analysis of classical conditioning is discussed.
Different partners, different places: mathematics applied to the construction of four-couple folk dances

We describe the solution to a mathematical question that arises in the context of constructing four-couple dances in which there is no repetition in the positions and partnerships formed by the dancers during the intermediate stages of the dance. Our description makes use of various properties of permutations and cycle notation which are well known to mathematicians but probably less so more broadly. An implementation of the mathematical solution as an actual dance is discussed. We also consider generalizations of the original problem and explain a connection with the theory of orthogonal Latin squares.
The effects of pentoxifylline on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) fever, plasma interleukin 6 (IL 6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the rat

The purpose of these studies was to test whether pentoxifylline, a drug that can inhibit the production and action of cytokines hypothesized to be endogenous pyrogens (for example, interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]), is antipyretic. We also tested the effects of pentoxifylline on plasma activities of interleukin 6 (IL 6) and TNF in response to an injection of a fever-inducing dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Our results showed that a high dose of pentoxifylline (200 mg/kg) caused hypothermia in control rats and blocked LPS fever, while a low dose (50 mg/kg) did not have these effects. Injection of the high dose of pentoxifylline in control rats caused a rise in plasma IL 6 but not in plasma TNF. However, the peak levels of plasma IL 6 and TNF activities following an injection of LPS were significantly reduced by pretreatment with pentoxifylline. Overall, the data are consistent with the hypothesis that pentoxifylline is an antipyretic drug, which may act at least in part by inhibiting the secretion of pyrogenic cytokines.
Conditional transactions: a model of computation for active databases

A transaction model for active databases is introduced. Concurrent execution of rules needs to be carefully managed to ensure consistent semantics. It is shown that serializability is not always sufficient for correctness. A new criterion, conditional conflict serializability (CCS) is developed and shown to ensure the desired correctness. A graph-based scheduler for it is presented. Practical schedulers should also be recoverable, which the graph-based scheduler is not. The authors prove that conventional two-phase locking also achieves CCS, and can thus be used in practice. >