cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fibroblast growth factor-2 is expressed by the bovine uterus and stimulates interferon-τ production in bovine trophectoderm

Uterine-derived factors are essential for conceptus development and secretion of the maternal recognition-of-pregnancy factor, interferon- (IFNT), in ruminant species. The objectives of this study were to determine whether fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) is expressed in the bovine uterus during early pregnancy in cattle and to determine whether FGF-2 supplementation affects IFNT mRNA and protein abundance in bovine trophectoderm. FGF-2 mRNA was present in endometriumthroughouttheestrouscycleandwaslocalizedtothe luminalandglandularendometrialepitheliumatd17–18after estrus in pregnant and nonpregnant cows. Immunoreactive FGF-2 protein was detected within the endometrium and in the uterine lumen at d 17–18 after estrus, and concentrations did not differ based on pregnancy status. In a bovine trophectoderm cell line, CT-1, supplementation of medium with at least 1 ng/ml FGF-2 increased the incorporation of [ 3 H]thymidine into DNA. Similarly, IFNT secretion from CT-1 cells increased after FGF-2 supplementation (1–100 ng/ml) for 72 h. Abundance of IFNT mRNA in CT-1 cells increased after 24 h exposure to 1, 10, or 100 ng/ml FGF-2. In bovine blastocysts, FGF-2 supplementation did not affect cell number after 72 h of culture but did stimulate IFNT protein concentrations in conditioned medium. In summary, FGF-2 is present in the uterine lumen during early pregnancy and increases IFNT mRNA and protein abundance in trophectoderm. The magnitude by which FGF-2 stimulates IFNT expression suggests that this uterine-derived factor plays an active role in regulating the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in ruminants. (Endocrinology 147: 3571–3579, 2006)
Preparation of carrier-free 55Fe and 59Fe by reactor irradiation☆

Abstract Millicurie quantities of carrier-free 55 Fe and 59 Fe were obtained from irradiated cobalt and nickel targets. The fission-neutron cross sections were determined to be 3.30 ± 0.39 mb for the 58 Ni( n , α) 55 Fe reaction, 1.06 ± 0.12 mb for the 59 Co( n, p ) 59 Fe reaction, and 0.111 ± 0.013 mb for the 62 Ni( n , α) 59 Fe reaction based on a value of 61 mb for the 54 Fe( n, p ) 54 Mn reaction. The uncertainties quoted are the standard errors at the 95% confidence level.
Chronic toxicity of diphenylamine to albino rats.

Abstract Two-year feeding of 0.5 and 1.0% dietary levels of diphenylamine (DPA) to male and female albino rats caused growth arrests which were partly due to lowered food intakes. The females' growth was slightly arrested at 0.1%, an effect apparently due to DPA itself. Any such effect at 0.1% on the males could have been obscured by the greater deviations of their weights from their mean weights than the deviations of the females' weights. Moderate degrees of anemia resulted from prolonged ingestion of 0.5 and 1.0% concentrations of the compound, but prompt recoveries of hemoglobin followed feeding of the control diet. Leukocyte numbers and percentages remained within normal ranges. DPA did not increase proteinuria or cause glycosuria. It is highly probable that apparent decreases in litter sizes and numbers of pups weaned were largely due to inadequate food intakes by their gestating and lactating mothers fed dietary DPA. The significantly decreased weights of the pups, at weaning, in but one of the nine experimental dietary categories was probably due to the same cause. The 2-year ingestion of DPA caused lesions only in the urinary tract, namely, cystic dilatation of renal tubules with interstitial inflammation. Glomeruli were never altered. Lower tubules were sometimes filled with a proteinaceous fluid, and at other times with a blood-derived pigment. These accumulations were in some cases found in the renal pelvis or bladder, accompanied by mild epithelial hyperplasia or squamous metaplasia. The break-point for the occurrence of cystic change lies in the region of the 0.1% dietary concentration; and that for chronic nephritis, between 0.1 and 0.5%. The incidence of tumors was due to the senility of the rats at autopsy, not to treatment. When DPA is properly used for apple scald control, a very wide margin of safety exists.
pLogo: a probabilistic approach to visualizing sequence motifs

Methods for visualizing protein or nucleic acid motifs have traditionally relied upon residue frequencies to graphically scale character heights. We describe the pLogo, a motif visualization in which residue heights are scaled relative to their statistical significance. A pLogo generation tool is publicly available at http://plogo.uconn.edu/ and supports real-time conditional probability calculations and visualizations.
Collecting Saliva and Measuring Salivary Cortisol and Alpha-amylase in Frail Community Residing Older Adults via Family Caregivers

Salivary measures have emerged in bio-behavioral research that are easy-to-collect, minimally invasive, and relatively inexpensive biologic markers of stress. This article we present the steps for collection and analysis of two salivary assays in research with frail, community residing older adults-salivary cortisol and salivary alpha amylase. The field of salivary bioscience is rapidly advancing and the purpose of this presentation is to provide an update on the developments for investigators interested in integrating these measures into research on aging. Strategies are presented for instructing family caregivers in collecting saliva in the home, and for conducting laboratory analyses of salivary analytes that have demonstrated feasibility, high compliance, and yield quality specimens. The protocol for sample collection includes: (1) consistent use of collection materials; (2) standardized methods that promote adherence and minimize subject burden; and (3) procedures for controlling certain confounding agents. We also provide strategies for laboratory analyses include: (1) saliva handling and processing; (2) salivary cortisol and salivary alpha amylase assay procedures; and (3) analytic considerations.
Upper bound for a three-photon excitation cross section in atomic argon in the ultraviolet regime.

A scheme of evaluating a generalized three-photon excitation cross section sigma/sub (3)/ in neutral atomic argon at 3144.67 A is outlined. Three photons at this wavelength can excite the neutral argon atoms from the ground 3p/sup 6/ /sup 1/S/sub 0/ state to the 3p/sup 5/4s'(1/2)/sub 1//sup 0/ state. The fourth photon will ionize the argon atoms. Assuming linear polarization of the incident laser radiation, contributions from several channels in various energy-level schemes are summed in the evaluation of the transition probability. For a laser linewidth of ..delta..lambda/sub L/ = 1 A, our maximum numerical value of the computed result for the three-photon excitation cross section is sigma/sub (3)/ = 1.414 x 10/sup -80/ cm/sup 6/ s/sup 2/. .AE
Analysis of the ENSO cycle in the NCEP coupled forecast model

Abstract Simulations from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) coupled model are analyzed to document and understand the behavior of the evolution of the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. The analysis is of importance for two reasons: 1) the coupled model used in this study is also used operationally to provide model-based forecast guidance on a seasonal time scale, and therefore, an understanding of the ENSO mechanism in this particular coupled system could also lead to an understanding of possible biases in SST predictions; and 2) multiple theories for ENSO evolution have been proposed, and coupled model simulations are a useful test bed for understanding the relative importance of different ENSO mechanisms. The analyses of coupled model simulations show that during the ENSO evolution the net surface heat flux acts as a damping mechanism for the mixed-layer temperature anomalies, and positive contribution from the advection terms to the ENSO evolution is dominated by the lin...
Identification of prey of Myotis septentrionalis using DNA-based techniques

Identifying and characterizing trophic linkages is fundamental to understanding how prey availability affects predator behavior, distribution, and density, and to elucidating the extent to which predators regulate prey populations. Vertebrate insectivores, such as bats, are a pervasive top-down force on insect populations in forest ecosystems. Bats are predators sensitive to habitat perturbations, whose prey selection behavior warrants further study. We identified trophic connections between a forest bat (Myotis septentrionalis) and its prey by isolating and sequencing cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) fragments of insect prey obtained from bat fecal samples. Prey identities were inferred using GenBank and the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD). We also identified prey remains morphologically from the same fecal samples, allowing comparisons across novel (GenBank and BOLD) and traditional (morphological) techniques. Lepidopterans were the most frequently detected prey in all approaches. Detection of common insect orders varied across procedures (P , 0.001), suggesting methodological bias at coarse taxonomic resolutions. Of the DNA-based approaches, GenBank provided the more diverse assessment of prey. We reveal trophic linkages for northern bats by identifying 20 prey genera and species using BOLD, more than one-half of which were smaller lepidopterans. The disproportionate number of smaller lepidopteran prey (mean [6SE] wingspan 24.2 6 2.05 mm) exceeded expectations based on field-based assessments. M. septentrionalis is known to use both aerial-hawking and gleaning behaviors. Lepidopteran prey consumed by M. septentrionalis were smaller than reported for conspecfic genera, suggesting this species differentiates itself from sympatric insectivorous bats with the prey it selects.
Credit ratings and disclosure channels

Abstract We study the relation between analysts’ ratings of firms’ credit worthiness and ratings of the quality of firms’ (1) annual report disclosures, (2) quarterly and other disclosures, and (3) manager-analyst communications. We find that credit ratings are better for firms with higher rated annual report disclosures. We also find that marked increases in analyst ratings of annual report quality are accompanied by improvements in credit ratings. We find no relation between credit ratings and analysts’ ratings of either quarterly report disclosures or management-analyst communications. Overall, the results suggest that a commitment to better annual report disclosure is related to a lower cost of credit capital.
Time resolved harmonic generation from noble-gas cluster explosions

We have studied the dynamics of noble-gas clusters heated with high intensity lasers using pump-probe techniques. Enhanced third harmonic production has been observed for a particular time delay between the pump and the probe based upon the relative cluster size.
Classroom and Home Study Times and Grades While at College Using a Single-Subject Design

In a single-subject design one white male in his late twenties who was a nontraditional student and attending college for the first time recorded the amount of time he spent in each class and outside of class on preparation. The grades were taken from his transcript for approximately six years. 52 grades were collected (45 As, 7 Bs). Chi squared indicated that as the number of class hours increased, grades tended to drop to Bs. Pearson correlations indicated, when class hours increased, grades decreased. Also, when class hours increased or decreased, home hours increased and decreased. There was no significant correlation between home times and grades, but a significant negative correlation obtained between number of graduate hours and GPA, showing GPA decreased when graduate hours increased.
Identification of HPV 16 early genes retained in cervical carcinoma

Abstract Fourteen cervical carcinomas containing HPV 16 DNA were analyzed by Southern blot hybridization with probes for HPV 16 E1, E2, E6, and E7 genes. All tumors hybridized with the E7 gene-specific probe while 2 tumors appear to be deleted in the E6 region. In 11 of the 14 tumors, deletions and/or rearrangements were detected in the El and E2 regions. Only one of the 14 tumors had a prototype HPV 16 restriction pattern. Our findings that the E7 gene is the most conserved region of HPV 16 in cervical carcinomas suggest it may play a role in the maintenance of the malignant state.
Restriction endonuclease cleavage of linear and closed circular murine leukemia viral DNAs: discovery of a smaller circular form

Both linear (form III) and closed circular (form I) viral DNAs obtained from mouse cells infected with Moloney murine leukemia virus were cleaved by Sal I, Sma I, Bam HI and Pst I restriction endonucleases. DNA fragments generated by these cleavages were ordered with respect to the 5' and 3' ends of the RNA genome by several techniques, including comparisons of the DNA fragments from cleavages of the linear and closed circular forms, double digestions using different combinations of enzymes and the use of an RNA probe specific for the 3' end. DNA from Hirt extractions of infected cells yielded a discrete species of linear viral DNA whose size was determined by agarose gel electrophoresis to be 5.7 x 10(6) daltons. In the course of characterizing the closed circular DNA, we observed two form I DNA molecules. The larger molecule was the same size as the linear DNA. The second molecule migrated faster on agarose gels and was the predominant species of the two closed circular DNAs. Using the restriction endonuclease maps which we derived, we demonstrate that this novel form I DNA is a smaller homogeneous species of viral DNA, missing about 600 nucleotides found in the linear and larger closed circular DNA molecules. We have localized the site of this missing DNA piece to be at either one or both ends of the linear viral DNA.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Purpose of reviewTo increase awareness about the close interrelationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and of recent diagnostic and treatment advances in the field.Recent findingsThe perception of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease as an uncommon and benign con
Surgical treatment of nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis presenting with stroke

Background Necropsy studies have shown that nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) may be associated with cerebral infarctions and antemortem diagnosis is now possible. However, the best treatment for patients with NBTE presenting with stroke is not known.
THE BAND STRUCTURE PROBLEM IN TERMS OF SCATTERED WAVES

Korringa's method for treating the band structure problem in terms of waves scattered by individual atoms may be formalized by writing an equation for these waves : [MATH] where v(r) is the potential associated with the atom at a = 0 and φ(r) is an outgoing wave from that lattice site. v(r) is not restricted to the "muffin-tin" form, but obtaining solutions is difficult unless it is. The equation above is readily modified so as to describe the electronic structure of liquids and disordered solids. The result is an approximate theory which is equivalent to those proposed by Phariseau and Ziman for liquid metals and by Beeby for alloys.
Reliable Semantics for Extended Logic Programs with Rule Prioritization

We present a new semantics for extended logic programs with rule prioritization (EPP ). The semantics, called reliable semantics (RS), generalizes the well-founded semantics which is defined for normal programs [34]. It also generalizes the extended well-founded semantics which is defined for non-contradictory extended programs [24]. Because of the classical negation in the head of the rules, the well-founded model of a program can be contradictory. RS is contradiction-free and defined for all EPPs. To avoid contradictions, only reliable rules and reliable closed world assumptions are used in the fixpoint computation of RS. A closed world assumption (CWA) is considered reliable if it is not “suspect” for any constraint violation. A rule r is considered reliable if it is not “suspect” for any constraint violation caused by rules with priority no lower than r. We define the stable r-models of an EPP and we show that the RS of a program coincides with its least stable r-model. The RS of an EPP , P , represents the skeptical “meaning” of P whereas stable r-models of P represent the possible “meanings” of P .
When aggression seems justified: Judging intergroup conflict from a distance

This research delineates several factors that may affect how likely observers are to view intergroup aggression as justified. Subjects who favored one side or the other, as well as nominally neutral subjects, rated fictional scenarios depicting an aggressive action by either Israeli or Palestinian armed forces. As hypothesized, rated justification varied with the interaction of an observer's perspective and the relative power of the aggressor and the target, and with the interaction of perspective and the outcome of an action. Also as predicted, power and outcome were found to have no effects on judgments for observers having a neutral perspective. Based on these findings, the extent to which intergroup aggression is perceived as justified is explained in terms of motivational biases theorized to maintain positive social identity.
A Comparison of Tacrolimus and Cyclosporine in Liver Transplantation: Effects on Renal Function and Cardiovascular Risk Status

A retrospective chart review of 1065 consecutive liver allograft recipients in 11 centers from January 1997 to September 1998 was performed. Patients were followed for 3 years or until graft loss. Patients received either tacrolimus (n = 594), cyclosporine (n = 450) or no calcineurin inhibitor (n = 21). Model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores at time of transplant were similar between the two groups. During follow-up, more patients switched from cyclosporine to tacrolimus (26.7%) than from tacrolimus to cyclosporine (12.8%; p < 0.0001). Patient and graft survival were equivalent. Corticosteroid use was more common in cyclosporine-treated patients (p < 0.00001). Patients receiving tacrolimus experienced lower serum creatinine levels at months 3 through 36 (p < 0.0001). Systolic blood pressure was lower in patients receiving tacrolimus (p < 0.001) despite a reduced requirement for anti-hypertensive agents (p < 0.0001). In addition, tacrolimus was associated with lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels for months 3 through 24 and 3 through 12, respectively (p < 0.01), despite a reduced requirement for anti-hyperlipidemic agents. The incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus was similar in both groups. While both calcineurin inhibitors were associated with excellent patient and graft survival, renal function, blood pressure and serum lipid levels were significantly better with tacrolimus treatment.
Fusion of automatic target recognition algorithims

In this paper, we investigate several fusion techniques for designing a composite classifier to improve the performance (probability of correct classification) of FLIR ATR. The motivation behind the fusion of ATR algorithms is that if each contributing technique in a fusion algorithm composite classifier) emphasizes on learning at least some features of the targets that are not learned by other contributing techniques for making a classification decision, a fusion of ATR algorithms may improve overall probability of correct classification of the composite classifier. In this research, we propose to use four ATR algorithms for fusion. We propose to use averaged Bayes classifier, committee of experts, stacked-generalization, winner-takes-all, and ranking-based fusion techniques for designing the composite classifiers. The experimental results show an improvement of more than 5 % over the best individual performance.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An Interview with Terry Reese

AbstractIn July 2005, Bonnie Parks spoke with Terry Reese, digital production unit head at Oregon State University’s Valley Library (Corvallis). In this interview, Reese shares his views on topics ranging from electronic journal management to the impact Google Scholar might have on the way libraries provide access to information.
Watt-hour meter for two phases of a 4-wire y 3-phase system

A newly developed watt-hour meter for measuring energy in two phases of a 4-wire Y 3-phase system is essentially a single-phase meter with L-R phase-shifting networks in the current circuits. This paper describes the meter and shows performance and operating characteristics.
Feature Extraction for Defect Detection in Strands by Guided Ultrasonic Waves

Multi-wire strands are widely used in civil structures as tensioning members in prestressed concrete, cable-stayed and suspension bridges. In recent years, various researchers including the authors have investigated guided ultrasonic waves as a tool for monitoring the health of the strands. Magnetostrictive ultrasonic transducers have been successfully used to excite and detect the guided waves in these components.This study improves the general guided-wave technique with magnetostrictive transducers for the detection and sizing of defects in strands. The improvement consists of extracting sensitive and robust features of the wave signals, and then using these features to construct a damage index (D.I.). The proposed D.I. is unaffected by accidental variations in the excitation power or by changes in the electromechanical coupling efficiency of the transducers. The specific defect under investigation is a notch cut at varying depths in a strand that is subjected to a typical operational load. Features ext...
Computer simulation of a test rig to model sloshing in spin-stabilized satellites

Certain communications satellites carry liquid stores on board For station tending and attitude adjustment. However, sloshing of the liquid can cause an undesirable nutational motion of the spin-stabilized vehicle. In previous work a test rig was designed, built and instrumented to study the interaction between the rotating structure and liquid. To augment that experimental project, a computer model of the test rig has been developed to simulate the dynamic motion of the system For various parameter values. The sloshing liquid was replaced by a two degree-of-freedom pendulum in the mathematical model
Kinetic study of gas phase olefin polymerization with a TiCl4/MgCl2 catalyst. II. Kinetic parameter estimation and model building

Monomer transport and polymerization kinetics are two key phenomena in olefin polymerization with heterogeneous transition metal catalysts. To have a better understanding of these interrelated kinetics and diffusion phenomena, a quantitative calculation of the monomer diffusion directly from experimental study is essential. In this work, a novel temperature-perturbation technique is developed to systematically study the kinetic and diffusion limitations in catalyzed gas phase olefin polymerization. A physical model of the particle growth mechanism as well as its mathematical representation is presented and the diffusion limitations occurring in the system at high temperature are characterized and quantitatively analyzed. Finally, the practical implications of the results of this study on the operation of industrial scale polyolefin reactors are examined.
Early metabolic crisis-related brain atrophy and cognition in traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury often results in acute meta- bolic crisis. We recently demonstrated that this is associated with chronic brain atrophy, which is most prominent in the frontal and temporal lobes. Interestingly, the neuropsycholog- ical profile of traumatic brain injury is often characterized as 'frontal-temporal' in nature, suggesting a possible link between acute metabolic crisis-related brain atrophy and neurocognitive impairment in this population. While focal lesions and diffuse axonal injury have a well-established role in the neuropsychological deficits observed following trau- matic brain injury, no studies to date have examined the possible contribution of acute metabolic crisis-related atrophy in the neuropsychological sequelae of traumatic brain injury. In the current study we employed positron emission tomogra- phy, magnetic resonance imaging, and neuropsychological assessments to ascertain the relationship between acute meta- bolic crisis-related brain atrophy and neurocognitive outcome in a sample of 14 right-handed traumatic brain injury survi- vors. We found that acute metabolic crisis-related atrophy in the frontal and temporal lobes was associated with poorer attention, executive functioning, and psychomotor abilities at 12 months post-injury. Furthermore, participants with gross frontal and/or temporal lobe atrophy exhibited numerous clin- ically significant neuropsychological deficits in contrast to participants with other patterns of brain atrophy. Our findings suggest that interventions that reduce acute metabolic crisis may lead to improved functional outcomes for traumatic brain injury survivors.
The influence of heat treatment and solidification time on the behavior of small-fatigue-cracks in a cast aluminum alloy

Abstract For a wide range of stress amplitudes, the fatigue life of cast aluminum specimens is dominated by propagation of small cracks that initiate predominantly from microshrinkage pores. Therefore, an understanding of the small-crack behavior and knowledge of the pore size distribution enables the prediction of fatigue properties. In order to understand the influence of processing parameters on fatigue performance, small-crack growth was monitored for three different solidification times in both peak-aged (T6) and over-aged (T7) conditions of cast W319 aluminum, a commercial Al–Si–Cu alloy used in automotive castings. Results indicate that small cracks in the T6 microstructures grow only slightly slower than those in the T7 material. A correlating parameter of the form [( eσ / σ y ) n a ] is shown to effectively characterize small-crack growth rates in both the T6 and T7 conditions for a wide range of applied stresses and solidification times.
Harmonic and statistical analyses of the gravity and topography of Vesta

Abstract We examine the gravity and topography of the asteroid 4 Vesta, as recently revealed by the Dawn mission. The observed gravity is highly correlated with the observed topography, and suggests little lateral variation in density. The variance spectra of both gravity and topography follow power laws which are very similar to those seen for the Moon, Mars, Venus, and Earth. A significant way in which Vesta differs from these larger silicate bodies is that both gravity and topography are significantly anisotropic, with more north–south variation than east–west variation. Rapid rotation plausibly contributes to this anisotropy, but only at harmonic degree two. The remainder of the anisotropy appears related to the large impacts which formed the Rheasilvia and Veneneia basins. We note that, as usual, gravitational inverse problems are non-unique. While the observed gravity and topography of Vesta do not preclude existence of a metallic core, they certainly do not require it.
Determination and analysis of the 2 A-structure of copper, zinc superoxide dismutase.

The structure of bovine erythrocyte Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase has been determined to 2 A resolution using only the larger structure factors beyond 4 A. The enzyme crystallizes in space group C2 with two dimeric enzyme molecules per asymmetric unit. All four crystallographically independent subunits were fitted separately to the electron density map at 2 A resolution on the University of North Carolina GRIP-75 molecular graphics system. Atomic co-ordinates were refined using the Hendrickson & Konnert (1980) program for stereochemically restrained refinement against structure factors, which allowed the use of non-crystallographic symmetry. The crystallographic residual error for the refined model was 25.5% with a root-mean-square deviation of 0.03 A from ideal bond lengths and an average atomic temperature factor of 12 A2. Each enzyme subunit is composed primarily of eight antiparallel β strands that form a flattened cylinder, plus three external loops. The β barrel is asymmetrical and can be viewed as having two distinct sides; β strands 5 to 8 are shorter with fewer hydrogen bonds, less regular side-chain alternation, and greater twist than strands 1 to 4. The main-chain hydrogen bonds primarily link β strand residues; side-chain to main-chain hydrogen bonds are extensively involved in the formation of tight turns, which form a major structural element of the three loops. The largest loop includes both a disulfide region and a Zn-liganding region, each of which resembles one of the other two loops in overall structure. The second largest loop includes a short section of α helix. The smallest loop forms a Greek key connection across one end of the β barrel. The single disulfide bond, which forms a left-handed spiral, covalently joins the largest loop to the beginning of β strand 8. Symmetrically related β bulge pairs fold the two large loops back against the external surface of the β barrel to surround the active channel. The active site Cu(II) and Zn(II) lie 6.3 A apart at the bottom of this long channel; the Zn is buried, while the Cu is solvent-accessible. The side-chain of His61 forms a bridge between the Cu and Zn and is coplanar with them within the current accuracy of the data. The Cu ligands ND1 of His44 and NE2 of His46, −61 and −118 show an uneven tetrahedral distortion from a square plane. The Cu has a fifth axial coordination position exposed to solvent. Zn ligands ND1 of His61, −69 and −78 and OD1 of Asp81 show tetrahedral geometry with a strong distortion toward a trigonal pyramid having the buried Asp81 at the apex. Both the side-chains and mainchains of the metal-liganding residues are stabilized in their orientation by a complex network of hydrogen bonds.
Decision Forests: A Unified Framework for Classification, Regression, Density Estimation, Manifold, Learning and Semi-supervised Learning

This review presents a unified, efficient model of random decision forests which can be applied to a number of machine learning, computer vision, and medical image analysis tasks. Our model extends existing forest-based techniques as it unifies classification, regression, density estimation, manifold learning, semi-supervised learning, and active learning under the same decision forest framework. This gives us the opportunity to write and optimize the core implementation only once, with application to many diverse tasks. The proposed model may be used both in a discriminative or generative way and may be applied to discrete or continuous, labeled or unlabeled data. The main contributions of this review are: (1) Proposing a unified, probabilistic and efficient model for a variety of learning tasks; (2) Demonstrating margin-maximizing properties of classification forests; (3) Discussing probabilistic regression forests in comparison with other nonlinear regression algorithms; (4) Introducing density forests for estimating probability density functions; (5) Proposing an efficient algorithm for sampling from a density forest; (6) Introducing manifold forests for nonlinear dimensionality reduction; (7) Proposing new algorithms for transductive learning and active learning. Finally, we discuss how alternatives such as random ferns and extremely randomized trees stem from our more general forest model. This document is directed at both students who wish to learn the basics of decision forests, as well as researchers interested in the new contributions. It presents both fundamental and novel concepts in a structured way, with many illustrative examples and real-world applications. Thorough comparisons with state-of-the-art algorithms such as support vector machines, boosting and Gaussian processes are presented and relative advantages and disadvantages discussed. The many synthetic examples and existing commercial applications demonstrate the validity of the proposed model and its flexibility.
Advances in the treatment of neurofibromatosis-associated tumours

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and type 2 (NF2) are distinct genetic disorders that are characterized by an increased incidence of tumour development, predominantly affecting the nervous system. The authors discuss the clinical features, genetic aetiologies, and pathogenesis of NF1 and NF2, the current treatment options as well as advances in clinical and preclinical research that will impact on the future treatment of these tumours.
Determination of strike of conductive structures from geomagnetic variation anomalies

Abstract The strike of two-dimensional conductive structures can be determined from the ratio of the anomalous north- south and east-west magnetic variation fields after the normal field has been removed from the observed variations. This method is, in contrast to others, independent of the conductivity of these structures and can be used on single events.
Xiao Gongquan (Hsiao Kung-chuan) and American Sinology

(2007). Xiao Gongquan (Hsiao Kung-chuan) and American Sinology. Chinese Studies in History: Vol. 41, No. 1, pp. 41-94.
Superficial radial nerve compression due to a scaphoid exostosis

We present a patient who developed irritation of the superficial radial nerve from an underlying scaphoid exostosis.
Gender and online health information: a partitioned technology assessment.

Objective: To examine the extent to which health information seeking behaviors vary across genders or are differentially associated with access to computers, the Internet, and online health information. Research design: Stratified survey, data analysis. Methods: Using binary logistic regression we examine information seeking differences between demographic groups. Questions addressed include: 1) Are any identified groups significantly underserved regarding access to computers, access to the Internet, and preferences for seeking online health information, and 2) have differences between gender groups in access to computers, Internet services and online health information narrowed, remained constant, or widened over recent years, following recent national initiatives to narrow the technology gap for underserved populations? Outcomes: Information seeking variation across gender groups and between technologies was at times significant. There was little difference in the access to computer between females and males. In 2002, 75.4% and 73.1% of female and male participants reported that they occasionally use computers, respectively. In 2000, the respective figures were 72.4% and 72.7%. The rates of use of Internet services among computer users, however, were quite different between female and male (Pat 2002= 0.0002 and Pat 2000= 0.0082) and the disparity in 2000 (OR = 0.7366 [0.5870, 0.9243]) increased in 2002 (OR = 0.5675 [0.4222, 0.7627]). The odds ratios (OR) indicate that females were 0.7366 and 0.5675 times less likely to use computers than male counterparts in 2000 and 2002, respectively. Conclusion: Recent technology initiatives in the US aimed at reducing disparities in access to online resources appear to have had little effect in facilitating equal access to web-based health information.
Virtue Ethics of Boot Polish and Dosti, as Compared with Slumdog Millionaire

Boot Polish. Produced by R.K. Films and Studios; directed by Prakash Arora; story, dialogue and screenplay by Bhanu Pratap; music by Shankar and Jaikishan; lyrics by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri; ...
Dialogue between RhoA/ROCK and Members of the Par Complex in Cell Polarity

Cell polarity is essential for many biological processes and is regulated by conserved protein complexes, including the Par complex, Rho GTPases, and their regulators. In this issue of Developmental Cell, studies by Nakayama et al. and Zhang and Macara examine how interplay between Rho GTPases and the Par complex control polarized cell migration and dendritic spine morphogenesis in alternate ways.
641 At AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION AND SUPERIOR VENA CAVA SYNDROME 041 SECONDARY TO NON-HODGKINS AND HODGKINS LYMPHOMA

641 At AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION AND SUPERIOR VENA CAVA SYNDROME 041 SECONDARY TO NON-HODGKINS AND HODGKINS LYMPHOMA
Using a Trained Actor to Model Mental Health Nursing Care

Abstract Although nurse educators have integrated simulation with human actors into nursing curricula, simulation remains a relatively infrequent pedagogy in mental health nursing. This article describes the implementation of simulation using a professional actor to prepare students for their clinical rotation. Students were exposed to fundamental aspects of nursing practice such as therapeutic communication as well as high-risk clinical issues. Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and the simulation appears to be beneficial for conveying concepts regarding high-risk clinical issues that students will not likely encounter during their clinical rotations. Implications for continued use of simulation and directions for research are discussed.
Occurrence of a D-glucosyltransferase in germinating pea seeds and isolation of an endogenous acceptor.

Abstract A D = -glucosyltransferase has been found in soluble extracts of germinating pea seeds. The enzyme transfers D = -glucose from uridine diphosphate D = -glucose to a substance which also occurs in the seed extracts. The substance was the only active acceptor of D = -glucose found for this enzymatic reaction. The enzyme has been separated from the acceptor by several purification steps. The acceptor has been purified to near homogeneity. It appears to be a complex glycoside which contains L = -rhamnose, D = -galactose, and D = -glucuronic acid. The aglycone portion of the acceptor has not been characterized, but preliminary findings suggest that it is phenolic in nature.
Geographic Information System Framework for Modeling Mobile-Source Emissions

Because vehicle activities and the emissions associated with them can be correlated with specific points in time and space, the modeling capabilities of a geographic information system (GIS) are well suited to the modeling of mobile-source emissions. A GIS-based modeling approach can provide emissions estimates for both on-network and off-network vehicle activities on a modal basis (as a function of various vehicle operating modes that significantly affect vehicle emission rates). An entire metropolitan region can be modeled on a zone, link, and point basis. Vehicle subfleet composition can be tracked or estimated and combined with estimates of vehicle activity and characteristic operating modes to provide emissions estimates in a spatial and temporal context. Emissions from various modal activities are aggregated into grid cells to be used as input to an airshed model. Identifying spatial and temporal distributions of these activities adds to a greater understanding of emissions impacts. A research proto...
Polyatomic-buffered pulsed DF/HF laser using electron-beam or photolysis initiation

The initial performance of pulsed DF/HF chain lasers is presented in which the effect of polyatomic diluents on laser behavior is systematically explored. Laser energy, pulse length, and spectral output were investigated as functions of diluent gas (NF3, SF6, CF4), total mixture pressure, the partial pressure of fuel and oxidizer, O/sub 2/ concentration, and strength of initiation. Magnetically-confined electron beam and photolytically initiated systems are found to yield comparable performance. Results include 65 J/liter-atm DF output at 200 Torr cavity pressure and the ability to suppress long wavelength transitions from the free-running spectrum. 21 references.
Varieties of Misdiagnosis in ASD: An Illustrative Case Series.

The relationship between autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and psychotic disorders (PD) is a focus of continued interest. There are substantial conceptual and clinical difficulties associated with diagnosing comorbid PD in individuals who have ASD. In this case series, we report on five cases where adolescents with previously diagnosed ASD were also diagnosed as psychotic. In each case, we found that these patients’ ‘psychotic’ symptoms could be better understood as a part of their underlying ASD diagnosis, with significant implications for treatment, prognosis, and access to services. This misdiagnosis likely represents a combination of adult psychiatrists being relatively inexperienced with this population, and the system of care requiring providers to apply diagnostic labels to justify inpatient hospitalization.
Fatigue of Ferroelectric Polarization and the Electric Field Induced Strain in Lead Lanthanum Zirconate Titanate Ceramics

In this paper fatigue of ferroelectric polarization and the electric field induced strain is investigated in lead lanthanum zirconate titanate ceramics. Fatigue rate increases as the coercive field or the hysteretic nature of the electric field induced polarization of the ferroelectric ceramics increases. The ferroelectric polarization lost during fatigue can be partly restored by decreasing the frequency and increasing the amplitude of the applied ac electric field. The ferroelectric fatigue is modeled phenomenologically by an increase of the energy barrier for the ferroelectric switching and atomistically by a coupling of the spontaneous polarization with defects and/or space charge in the orientation of ferroelectric fatigue.
Drug use and sport--a commentary on: Injury, pain and prescription opioid use among former National Football League football players by Cottler et al

The accompanying paper by Cottler et al. reports on findings from a telephone survey study that examined opioid analgesic use and misuse by U.S. professional football players. The study shows high rates of misuse of these medications, and provides an opportunity to consider the intersection between sports and drug use. While in recent years there has been increasing focus upon the use of performance enhancing drugs (e.g., steroids) in athletes, the present report provides valuable information about a relatively unexplored but important topic: opioid analgesic misuse by athletes. The data provided show that misuse of opioids in this population is cause for concern, suggest that study of other groups of athletes should be undertaken, and that further assessment of opioid use in football players is also needed. The study also provides an opportunity to conceptualize drug (and non-drug) use in athletes, as a means to either return athletic functioning to a previous level of performance, or to enhance functioning. Discussions of drug use in sports need to appreciate the complexity of such use, which can be indicated and appropriate under certain circumstances, but which can also be inappropriate and problematic under others-for example, for drugs such as opioid analgesics.
Transcription start site and induction kinetics of the araC regulatory gene in Escherichia coli K-12.

The in vivo transcription start site of the araC message was determined by S 1 nuclease mapping of hybrids formed between labeled DNA, and RNA extracted from cells grown under a variety of physiological conditions, including the interval of transient derepression following arabinose addition. Under all conditions tested, transcription initiated from the same nucleotide position at - 148.
Altered beta-adrenergic receptor gene regulation and signaling in chronic heart failure.

J. D. Port and M. R. Bristow. Altered Beta-adrenergic Receptor Gene Regulation and Signaling in Chronic Heart Failure. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology (2001) 33, 887-905. Beta adrenergic receptors (beta -ARs) are critical regulators of cardiac function in both normal and pathophysiological states. Under normal conditions, beta -ARs and their signaling pathways modulate both the rate and force of myocardial contraction and relaxation, allowing individuals to respond appropriately to physiological stress or exercise. However, in chronic heart failure, sustained activation of the beta -AR signaling pathways can have overtly negative biological consequences. This notion is reinforced by the positive outcomes of a number of clinical trials demonstrating the usefulness of beta-blocker therapy in chronic congestive heart failure. During the last few years, significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular biological basis of beta -AR function, both at the biochemical and genetic levels. In this review, the biological basis of adrenergic signaling and how this changes in heart failure is discussed. Aspects of adrenergic receptor pharmacology relevant to heart failure are reviewed, including the recently emerging differences described for beta(1)- v beta(2)-AR signaling pathways. Highlighting these differences is recent evidence that over-stimulation of the beta(1)-AR pathway in cardiac myocytes appears to be pro-apoptotic, whereas stimulation of the beta(2)-AR pathway may be anti-apoptotic. Overview of beta -AR gene regulation, transgenic models of beta -AR overexpression, and beta -AR polymorphisms as they relate to heart failure progression are also discussed.
An algebraic equation for the steady-state response of enzyme-pH electrodes and field effect transistors

Abstract The response of enzyme-pH electrodes and field effect transistors (pH-ENFETs) is strongly affected by the pH-buffers present in the test solution, the test solution's pH, and the degree of dissociation of the acidic and/or basic products formed in the enzymic reaction. It is shown that a theoretical model for the sensor's steady-state response, which incorporates alt the above factors, leads to a single transcendental equation which provides the sensor's response. However, when the concentration of the analyte at the face of the enzymic film in contact with the pH sensor (Cos) is negligible compared to its concentration at the face in contact with the test solution (Cbs), the transcendental equation reduces to an algebraic equation. This simple equation is independent of the actual kinetics of the enzymic reaction and the diffusion coefficients of the various species. By controlling (i) the Thiele modulus of the enzymic film and (ii) the concentration of the pH-buffer in the test solution, one can design a sensor so as to have Cos ⪡ Cbs. The aforementioned transcendental equation allows one to compute the required values for these two design variables in order to satisfy the above strong inequality. The response behavior predicted by the algebraic equation is in excellent agreement with the experimental data available on penicillinase—pH and urease—pH sensors
Direct photolysis of carbonyl compounds dissolved in cloud and fog~droplets

Gas-phase photolysis is an important tropospheric sink for many carbonyl compounds; however the significance of direct photolysis of these compounds dissolved in cloud and fog droplets is uncertain. We develop a theoretical ap- proach to assess the importance of aqueous photolysis for a series of carbonyls that possess carboxyl and hydroxyl func- tional groups by comparison with rates of other atmospheric processes. We use computationally and experimentally de- rived effective Henry's law constants, hydration equilibrium parameters, aqueous hydroxyl radical (OH) rate constants, and optical extinction coefficients to identify types of com- pounds that will (or will not) have competitive aqueous pho- tolysis rates. We also present molecular dynamics simula- tions designed to estimate gas- and aqueous-phase extinc- tion coefficients of unstudied atmospherically relevant com- pounds found in d-limonene and isoprene secondary organic aerosol. In addition, experiments designed to measure the photolysis rate of glyceraldehyde, an atmospherically rele- vant water-soluble organic compound, reveal that aqueous quantum yields are highly molecule-specific and cannot be extrapolated from measurements of structurally similar com- pounds. We find that only two out of the 92 carbonyl com- pounds investigated, pyruvic acid and acetoacetic acid, may have aqueous photolysis rates that exceed the rate of oxida- tion by dissolved OH. For almost all carbonyl compounds lacking , -conjugation that were investigated, atmospheric removal by direct photolysis in cloud and fog droplets can be neglected under typical atmospheric conditions.