cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Monk of the Bitter Cucumber

That's why Mr. Weiss was a miUionaire. When he bought a building he knew it was sound. And that's why he was staring at the door next to the elevator. Because it was painted white he had almost missed it. He had opened the one upstairs in the lobby, an empty room, had expected at least a sink. Now he figured there was one of these rooms to each floor. But why? And as he stared the elevator door and the white door became matching scars in the patterned whiteness of the brick. That was it! The measurements of these rooms and those of the elevator shaft must be the same. Take out the ceilings and they'd form a second shaft. Certainly a building this size could use a second elevator. Why hadn't they put it in? Probably something to do with the Depression. He'd known lots of builders who'd run out of money. And Mr. Weiss got out his tape measure, knocked, didn't think anybody was inside but waited. Then he turned the old metal knob, was surprised to see a light, and he stuck his head into the crack made by his own weight. What the hell! he thought. If the door was a scar the tiny room was a wound, the walls red and blue and yellow but mostly red. It was really startling. Mr. Weiss pushed it open all the way. But he didn't go inside. If only they'd paint something real, he thought, something that could be understood. But he knew they made lots of money this way, wondered if these would make lots of money, didn't think so. Then his eyes settled on a canvas standing on the desk. Except for a few lines it was blank. Yet Mr. Weiss could tell it had something to do with the picture in the open book beneath it, an old Chinaman in a funny hat. The caption said his name was Tao-chi, and that he was sometimes called the Monk of the Bitter Cucumber, greatest of early Ch'ing landscape mas ters. Mr. Weiss liked him, thought his appearance refined, large staring eyes, a pale face, and yet determined, a noble expression befitting, as the caption said, the cousin of the last Ming Emperor. But Mr. Weiss didn't see that the face also showed defeat, not just the defeat of advanced age or the downfall of his family, but something much more immediate. It's doubtful that the Ming ouster at the hands of the Manchu had ever really defeated Tao-chi. In the Orient, under certain circumstances such as those prevailing at the outset of a foreign dynasty, retirement was not seen as defeat. Further resistance was useless, collaboration distasteful, disengagement the
A Subjectivist’s Guide to Objective Chance

We subjectivists conceive of probability as the measure of reasonable partial belief. But we need not make war against other conceptions of probability, declaring that where subjective credence leaves off, there nonsense begins. Along with subjective credence we should believe also in objective chance. The practice and the analysis of science require both concepts. Neither can replace the other. Among the propositions that deserve our credence we find, for instance, the proposition that (as a matter of contingent fact about our world) any tritium atom that now exists has a certain chance of decaying within a year. Why should we subjectivists be less able than other folk to make sense of that?
Cinematic representations of the Mexican Narco War

This essay provides an overview of the eras of Mexican cinema followed by an analysis of 10 Spanish-language narco cinematic representations, an overview of the eras of American cinema followed by an analysis of 10 English language narco cinematic representations, and a conclusion that compares and contrasts the Mexican and US narco war cinematic experience. Due to divergent national trajectories – Mexico is engulfed in narco violence and corruption while the United States is not – more differences than similarities exist between these national cinematic genres. Dark spirituality themes are also increasingly evident in more recent narco war films.
Search for isotropic resolution in CT from conventional through multiple-row detector.

Computed tomography (CT) is a method of acquiring and reconstructing the image of a thin cross section on the basis of measurements of attenuation. In comparison with conventional radiographs, CT images are free of superimposing tissues and are capable of much higher contrast due to elimination of scatter. Most of the developments in CT since its introduction can be considered as attempts to provide faster acquisition times, better spatial resolution, and shorter computer reconstruction times. From the early designs, the technology progressed with faster scanning times and higher scanning plane resolution, but true three-dimensional (3D) imaging became practical only with helical scanning capabilities. The recent advent of multiple-row detector helical scanners has the capability to produce 3D images that approach the ideal of a true "3D radiograph." Current multiple-row detector scanners can scan 40-cm volume lengths in less than 30 seconds with near-isotropic resolution and image quality that could not be envisioned at the time of Hounsfield's invention.
SDV/sup 2/: dynamic visualization of VERILOG simulations

Gives an introduction to SDV/sup 2/ (SMU Dynamic Verilog Visualization), a software tool for dynamic visualization of Verilog simulations currently developed at SMU. Conventional Verilog simulators focus on computing and displaying waveforms for selected signal values over time. The SDV/sup 2/ tool additionally allows to schematically visualize the module structure of a system described in Verilog and to animate signal propagations between module interfaces as dynamic transitions in the schematics. The dynamic visualization enhances conventional debugging of systems developed in Verilog hardware description language and simplifies the understanding of their dynamic behavior, which is useful both in educational and in industrial settings. In this paper we are describing the basic functionality of the SDV/sup 2/ tool and we give some insight regarding the implementation structure.
Impact of a Brief Literacy Intervention on Urban Preschoolers

A pre-post study was conducted at an urban child-care center to study the hypothesis that a brief literacy intervention would result in improved receptive vocabulary for preschoolers. Parents attended a series of 4 workshops about reading to children. The children had a significant 7-point increase in their Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test scores at 7-month follow-up. Children of college-educated parents had a higher increase in scores than did children whose parents were not college educated.
The dnaA Initiator Protein Binds Separate Domains in the Replication Origin of Escherichia coli

After binding to its four 9-mer boxes in the 245-base pair Escherichia coli replication origin (oriC), dnaA protein effects the formation of an "open complex" in an adjacent region made up of three 13-mers (Bramhill, D., and Kornberg, A. (1988) Cell 52, 743-755). This open complex formation requires the ATP form of dnaA protein assisted by HU protein (Sekimizu, K., Bramhill, D., and Kornberg, A. (1987) Cell 50, 259-265). We now provide direct evidence that dnaA protein binds the 13-mers, sequences that bear no resemblance to the 9-mer box. The evidence is (i) displacement of dnaA protein from the open complex by oriC or by a synthetic oligonucleotide containing the 13-mers, but not by a mutant of oriC lacking the 13-mers; (ii) filter binding of the synthetic (13-mer) oligonucleotide by dnaA protein; and (iii) requirement for the ATP form of dnaA protein assisted by HU protein for temperature-dependent binding to the 13-mer region. Controlled proteolysis of dnaA protein results in a prompt loss of oriC binding; an NH2-terminal 30-kDa peptide contains the domain that binds ATP and phospholipids known to destabilize the tightly bound ATP.
A 1300 × 800, 700 mW, 30 fps spectral polarization imager

We have designed, fabricated, and tested a division-of-focal-plane polarimeter capable of simultaneously imaging both spectral and polarization information at 30 frames per second. The imaging sensor, composed of 1300 by 800 imaging elements, each containing three vertically stacked photodetectors, is covered by pixelated nanowire polarization filters at four different orientations offset by 45o. The polarimeter has a dynamic range of 62 dB and captures intensity, angle, and degree of linear polarization in three visible spectrum bands while consuming 700 mW of power.
Design of IndyPET-II, a high-resolution, high-sensitivity dedicated research scanner

The IndyPET-II scanner has been developed as a high resolution, high sensitivity research PET scanner for use in small animal, intermediate sized animal, and small field of view human (brain, breast) imaging applications. The system consists of four, approximately plane detector banks mounted on a rotatable gantry which cover a transaxial range of 23 cm and an axial range of 15 cm. This configuration gives reduced parallax and approximately uniform resolution throughout the field of view. The two pairs of opposing detector banks are offset to give increased sampling density and increased resolution. Characterization measurements using the NEMA-2001 and NEMA-1994 standards are reported. The average, FWHM resolution is 2.5 mm at the center of the fov and increases to less than 3.5 mm at the edge of the field of view. The NEMA-2001 sensitivity is 9030 cps/MBq at the center of the scanner and 4250 cps/MBq at r=10 cm. The NEMA-1994 sensitivity is 23.0 cps/MBq/ml. Using the NEMA-2001 procedures, the peak true count rate is 95 kcps at an activity concentration of 10.4 kBq/ml and the peak NEC count rate is 31 kcps at an activity concentration of 5.4 kBq/ml. For the NEMA-1994 measurements, the peak true count rate is 130 kcps at an activity concentration of 18.6 kBq/ml.
Septic fields with discriminant ±2 a 3 b

We classify septic number fields which are unramified outside of {∞, 2, 3} by a targeted Hunter search; there are exactly 10 such fields, all with Galois group S7. We also describe separate computations which strongly suggest that none of these fields come from specializing septic genus zero three-point covers.
Alternative Cash Flow Measures and Risk-Adjusted Returns

This paper compares different definitions of cash flow in terms of their incremental explanatory power over historical cost earnings by reference to changes in equity share prices. Two refined definitions of cash flow as well as a crude definition are examined. The results indicate that no improvement in association with risk-adjusted security returns is obtained by using the refined cash flow definitions.
Initiating informatics and GIS support for a field investigation of Bioterrorism: The New Jersey anthrax experience.

The investigation of potential exposure to anthrax spores in a Trenton, New Jersey, mail-processing facility required rapid assessment of informatics needs and adaptation of existing informatics tools to new physical and information-processing environments. Because the affected building and its computers were closed down, data to list potentially exposed persons and map building floor plans were unavailable from the primary source. Controlling the effects of anthrax contamination required identification and follow-up of potentially exposed persons. Risk of exposure had to be estimated from the geographic relationship between work history and environmental sample sites within the contaminated facility. To assist in establishing geographic relationships, floor plan maps of the postal facility were constructed in ArcView Geographic Information System (GIS) software and linked to a database of personnel and visitors using Epi Info and Epi Map 2000. A repository for maintaining the latest versions of various documents was set up using Web page hyperlinks. During public health emergencies, such as bioterrorist attacks and disease epidemics, computerized information systems for data management, analysis, and communication may be needed within hours of beginning the investigation. Available sources of data and output requirements of the system may be changed frequently during the course of the investigation. Integrating data from a variety of sources may require entering or importing data from a variety of digital and paper formats. Spatial representation of data is particularly valuable for assessing environmental exposure. Written documents, guidelines, and memos important to the epidemic were frequently revised. In this investigation, a database was operational on the second day and the GIS component during the second week of the investigation.
Electromechanical and fluidic evaluation of the resonant microfan gas pump and aerosol collector

Abstract This paper reports on the fluidic and electromechanical performance of the resonant microfan as an in-channel gas pump and suspended airborne particle collector. Experiments with parametric resonant fan arrays were performed in order to observe the dependence of the volumetric flow rate in a test channel with respect to changes fan length, resonant frequency and deflection. Flow rates of approximately 10 μl/min were produced by single fans with the flow increasing by 270% for three fans operated simultaneously in the same channel (the capability exists for many fans to be arrayed in a microchannel system). Because optimum operation of microfan series arrays is strongly related to frequency selectivity and non-uniformities in the fabrication process, the mechanical Q-factor was measured in order to estimate the reduction in deflection amplitude that occurs when fans are driven at frequencies slightly off resonance. The Q-factor of several different fan designs ranged from 10 to 43 in a standard air environment. The ability of the microfan to collect and transport suspended airborne particles was also experimentally studied using circular fan edge profiles and laser illumination of particles.
Emotional Stroop performance predicts disorganization in schizophrenia

Abstract An examination of emotional processing in individuals with schizophrenia may aid in understanding the heterogeneous disease states of schizophrenia. An emotional Stroop test, comprising conditions separated by both emotional valence (positive, negative) and arousal (low, high), was administered to disorganized ( N = 12) and non-disorganized ( N = 15) schizophrenic and schizoaffective participants, and 22 non-patient controls. Results indicate that the performance of disorganized versus non-disorganized participants differed particularly on the negative, high arousal condition. Understanding which symptom dimensions accompany aberrant emotion processing might be useful in understanding the mechanisms involved in the exacerbation of symptoms, particularly disorganization. Such information may lead to improved treatment and prevention strategies for schizophrenia spectrum diagnoses.
Costochondritis: a morbid complication in a survivor of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Complications from closed-chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) have been described almost exclusively on the basis of autopsy results. A survivor of CPR with clinical costochondritis resulting from resuscitation is described for the first time in the medical literature. In this case, the confounding presence of post-CPR costochondritis in a patient with documented coronary artery disease was suggested by marked local tenderness of the affected costochondral junctions. Differentiation between costochondritis and coronary artery disease was established by injection therapy of the involved costochondral joints.
THE EXTENDED COMPACT TENSION SPECIMEN

Abstract— An extended compact tension, EC(T), specimen has been developed for fatigue and fracture testing. The EC(T) specimen exhibits distinct advantages compared to other cracked specimen configurations, i.e., standard compact tension, single-edge crack, and middle-crack tension specimens. Documented herein are stress-intensity factor and compliance expressions for the EC(T) specimen.
Summer Use of Simulated Undercut Banks by Juvenile Chinook Salmon in an Artificial Idaho Channel

Abstract The effects of introducing simulated undercut stream banks on the distribution of juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were studied in a naturally vegetated, flow-regulated channel in Idaho in 1980 and 1981. In all tests, mean fish weight was greater in covered than in open sections. Preference for the covered versus uncovered experimental sections was highly significant during July and August tests. For all tests combined, 82% of the fish by numbers and 85% by biomass were collected in covered sections. The results suggest that undercut banks, as simulated by artificial shelters, are an important summer habitat component for juvenile chinook salmon that should be carefully evaluated by the manager.
The principal pivoting method revisited

The principal pivoting method (PPM) for the linear complementarity problem (LCP) is shown to be applicable to the class of LCPs involving the newly identified class of sufficient matrices.
Exploring the value of clinical pharmacy services for patients with diabetes in safety net settings

Abstract Background The role of the pharmacist in safety net settings has not been well studied, specifically in meeting unmet needs of vulnerable patients with diabetes. Objectives To identify unmet management and medication-related needs of patients with diabetes who are receiving care in two distinct underserved practices in Pittsburgh, PA. Methods Individual, semi-structured interviews with patients from a free clinic (FC) and a federally qualified community health center (FQHC) in Pittsburgh were conducted. Inclusion criteria included: adults at least 18 years old with uncontrolled diabetes (A1C > 7%) who received health care services from either the FC or the FQHC. Participants completed a short demographic survey and answered questions about their perceptions and attitudes in four thematic areas: (1) self-management of diabetes; (2) medication-related needs; (3) the role of the pharmacist in their care; and (4) how pharmacists can be better integrated in their diabetes management. Transcripts were analyzed using principles of Grounded Theory. Results Twenty-nine interviews were conducted: 15 participants were from the FC, and 14 were from the FQHC. Five main themes emerged from each site including: patients experience challenges managing their diabetes, patients identify the emotional struggle associated with living with diabetes, patients feel that they are “on their own” to care for their diabetes, patients desire a personal and caring relationship with their pharmacist, and patients value a pharmacist who is knowledgeable about diabetes care. Conclusions These results will help provide guidance to pharmacists working in safety net settings who are interested in expanding clinical pharmacy services for patients with diabetes.
Locating Noncooperative Radio Receivers Using Wideband Stimulated Emissions

Accurately determining the position of radio receivers can aid in the rapid discovery of radio-controlled explosives. Prior research has demonstrated that superheterodyne receivers unintentionally emit low-power radio signals during normal operation. By using a weak stimulation signal, it is possible to inject a known signal into these unintended emissions. This process is known as stimulated emissions. In this paper, a method is developed using radarlike techniques to determine the range to the radio receiver. Unlike conventional radar, it depends on the modification of the unintended emissions from the device and not on a passive reflection. High-bandwidth stimulated emissions measured from a typical superheterodyne receiver-which was not designed to be located-are used to make high-resolution time-of-arrival measurements. A continuous-wave radarlike system was designed, and its hardware realization is discussed. The accuracy of the radar is tested in a noisy multipath-rich indoor environment. Results indicate that the proposed radar can locate superheterodyne radio receivers that are 50 m away or more. The root-mean-square position error is less than 5 m when the signal-to-noise ratio is 15 dB or above. The proposed system offers a viable alternative to existing techniques for locating radio-controlled explosives.
Variants in the gene encoding acyloxyloacyl hydroxylase (AOAH) are associated with total IgE (tIgE)

Abstract Rationale CD14 is a cell surface antigen preferentially expressed on mature monocytes which functions as an LPS-binding receptor. A variant (C–159T) in the CD14 gene is associated with low serum tIgE in independent populations. We used cDNA microarray technology to identify constitutively and differentially expressed innate immunity genes in resting PBMCs from asthmatic patients according to their CD14(C-159T) genotype. Downstream validation further implicated the gene acyloxyloacyl hydroxylase (AOAH), an enzyme that hydrolyzes the secondary acyl chains of LPS. The aim of the current study was to test for association of AOAH variants in a family-based study of asthma in Barbados. Methods Following informed consent approved by the Johns Hopkins University IRB, genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of 863 subjects and screened for two intronic AOAH variants (SNP 1 C>T, SNP 2 T>A) by the TaqMan probe-based 5' nuclease assay (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). Results Minor allele frequencies were 25.3% (SNP 1) and 11.8% (SNP 2). Both SNPs were in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. Minor variant homozygotes had lower mean tIgE levels (ng/mL) compared to other genotypes (SNP 1: CC=453.4, CT=437.0, TT=384.5; SNP 2: TT=463.7, AT=394.3, AA=378.3). The Family Based Association Test demonstrated a significant association between SNP 1 TT ( P =0.0029) and SNP 2 AA ( P =0.0030) genotypes and low tIgE levels. Conclusions Our findings of association between two AOAH variants and tIgE in this population suggests that variants in this gene may play a significant role in regulating tIgE levels and implicate this gene as a possible susceptibility locus for allergic disease.
A convenient computer program for fitting enzymatic rate laws to steady-state data.

Abstract A computer program for the estimation of kinetic parameters in enzymatic rate laws is described. The program includes statistical tests for the reliability of the optimal parameter values and for bias error due to a poor model. A set of criteria for selecting between models is given. The program is easy to learn, convenient to use and modify, inexpensive to use, and widely applicable. The behavior of the program with the correct and an incorrect model was examined using simulated test data. The effects of experimental design and experimental error were investigated.
Paediatric pseudoxanthoma elasticum with cardiovascular involvement

Background Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is characterized by aberrant mineralization of connective tissues, causing considerable morbidity and mortality. The disease is typically of late onset, the skin manifestations first being noted in teens or later. Another aberrant mineralization disorder, generalized arterial calcification of infancy (GACI), is present at birth and can demonstrate a phenotypic overlap with PXE.
Mononuclear phagocytes and bone resorption : identification and preliminary characterization of a bone-derived macrophage chemotactic factor

Abstract Numerous investigations have suggested a complex interaction between bone resorption, mononuclear phagocytes and various cellular and humoral elements of the immune system. It is shown in this study that macrophages participate in the process of bone resorption by eroding or removing intact bone when cultured with newborn mouse calvaria. Furthermore, the observation of macrophages coming into contact with bone and participating in its resorption seemed to relate to the viability of the bone and to the presence of an intact periosteum and/or to areas of active resorption. These observations led to an hypothesis that a macrophage chemotactic factor was present in bone and related somehow to the process of bone resorption. An in vitro model system was developed to test the hypothesis of a bone derived macrophage chemotactic factor which combined the advantages of the sensitive Boyden transfilter chemotactic assay with the versatility of bone organ culture. Using this system a bone derived macrophage chemotactic factor was identified in newborn mouse calvaria. The factor was also present in bones placed in organ culture for up to six days and was released into their culture media. Parathyroid hormone treatment in vitro caused an increase in resorption and an increase in the content of chemotactic factor. Calcitonin caused a decrease in resorption and a diminution of chemotactic factor. This bone derived chemotactic factor did not appear to be the result of contamination with serum chemotactic factors, was inactivated by heating at 56°C for 45 minutes, was precipitated without inactivation by 10% ethanol, and appeared to have a molecular weight in the range from 10,000 to 18,000 daltons.
A numerical simulation of Kelvin-Helmholtz waves of finite amplitude

A number of initial- and boundary-value problems for the Boussinesq equations are solved by a finite-difference technique, in an attempt to see how a stably-stratified horizontal shear layer rolls up into horizontally periodic billows of concentrated vorticity, such as are frequently observed in the atmosphere and oceans. This paper describes the methods, results and accuracy of the numerical simulations. The results are further analysed and approximately reproduced by a simple semi-analytic model in Corcos & Sherman (1976).
The Internalization of Exports: Firm- and Location-Specific Factors in a Middle-Income Country

Firms make strategic choices about foreign market access on the basis of location factors in the home and export countries, as well as on their ownership advantages. The empirical analysis is based on a sample of 837 manufacturing companies in a typical middle-income country (Spain), in which firms are starting to internationalize through investments or alliances in distribution. Following theoretical expectations, the greater the level of such ownership factors as intangible technological assets, product variability, and resource availability, the higher the likelihood of internalization, and in particular internalization by proprietary distribution instead of by commercial alliance. But most importantly, location factors in the home country and in the export market have an independent effect on the likelihood and mode of internalization. Proprietary distribution channels are preferred when the firm's competitors are based in richer countries than the home country, and when the export market is well known to the firm.
“Observation” of dislocation motion in single crystal and polycrystalline aluminum during uniaxial deformation using photoemission technique

Abstract We report measurements of photostimulated electron emission (PSE) from single-crystalline aluminum (99.995%) and high-purity polycrystalline aluminum (>99.9%) during uniaxial tensile deformation. Photoelectron intensities are sensitive to changes in surface morphology accompanying deformation, including slip line and slip band formation. In the single crystalline material, the PSE intensity increases linearly with strain. In the polycrystalline material, the PSE intensity increases exponentially with strain. In both materials, time-resolved PSE measurements show step-like increases in intensity consistent with the heterogeneous nucleation and growth of slip bands during tensile deformation. In this sense, we have “observed” dislocation motion by this technique. Slip bands on the surfaces of deformed samples were subsequently imaged by atomic-force microscopy (AFM). Photoelectron measurements can provide reliable, quantitative information for dislocation dynamics.
Collagen and mucopolysaccharides in the hypertrophic scar.

The hypertrophic scar occurs in healed skin from deep burns or equivalent injury in humans. It is erythematous, elevated, hard to the touch, and can produce severe contractures. This scar is characterized by marked increases in collagen and chondroitin-4-sulfate. Transmission electron microscopy, including localization of ruthenium red, scanning electron microscopy and appropriate biochemical assays have served to evaluate the relationship between collagen and interstitial mucopolysaccharide material in the hypertrophic scar. These results have been compared to those obtained for normal skin, mature scar, and granulation tissue, and are interpreted from the standpoint of explaining some of the clinical aspects of the scar. Two basic forms of interstitial material are observed, globular and filamentous. The globular forms predominate in normal skin, mature scar and granulation tissue. Hypertrophic scar demonstrates a marked dominance of the filamentous forms, which often appear to link collagen in chain-li...
STRIKE-INDUCED CHEMOSENSORY SEARCHING BY THE ANGUID LIZARD ELGARIA COERULEA

Strike-induced chemosensory searching (SICS), including a post-strike elevation in tongue-flick rate (PETF) and searching movements following experimental removal of prey from the predator's mouth, is demonstrated to occur in an anguid lizard, Elgaria coerulea. This finding confirms predictions based on the previously established widespread occurrence of SICS in scleroglossan (especially autarchoglossan) lizard families and on a strong association between SICS and active foraging. Reasons why SICS should be favored by natural selection in active foragers are discussed, but the presence of SICS in anguids is attributed to phylogenetic inertia rather than adaptation. SICS was statistically significant only during the first two minutes in E. coerulea. Its limited duration in an anguid and much greater duration in helodermatids, varanids, and snakes suggest that prolonged SICS may have had a single origin in the common ancestor of Varanoidea or, much less likely, of (Varanoidea + Xenosauridae). Uncertainties about origins due to missing data on certain taxa and to unresolved phylogenetic relationships within Seleroglossa are discussed.
Tolerance to Putrescine Toxicity in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells Is Associated with Altered Uptake and Export

When Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were cultured with low concentrations of putrescine (< 5 mM) their cell cycle time increased significantly and a fraction of the cells died. A cell line tolerant to the cytotoxic and growth inhibitory effects of millimolar concentrations of putrescine was developed by growing CHO cells over many months in increasing concentrations of the polyamine. A putrescine-tolerant cell line was obtained which was capable of growing in concentrations up to 25 mM putrescine and displayed growth and cell division rates similar to the original untreated/parental CHO cells. The tolerant cells grown in putrescine displayed relatively high intracellular putrescine yet the cell-associated putrescine concentration was estimated to be 10-fold less than the culture medium level. This high concentration of cellular putrescine diminished within 60 min when the cells were changed to non-putrescine-containing media. The putrescine-tolerant phenotype was further characterized in regards to the mechanisms involved in putrescine uptake, efflux, and biosynthesis. The parental and tolerant cell lines had similar or identical levels of cellular spermidine and spermine and no differences in the acetylated polyamine pools or diamine oxidase activity. The activity of ornithine decarboxylase was also similar in the two cell lines in both the presence and the absence of ornithine. The tolerant cells, however, had a decreased uptake rate for putrescine. The tolerant cell line also showed a greatly enhanced ability to export putrescine, especially when treated with ornithine, suggesting that an upregulated polyamine export system may be present in the tolerant cells which could be responsible for the increased cell survival in high putrescine concentrations. The data are discussed in regard to the potential for identifying the transport protein(s) responsible for the maintenance of nontoxic intracellular concentrations of putrescine in a tolerant cell line grown in putrescine.
Neurofilament breakdown products in degenerating rat and human peripheral nerves.

The fate of neurofilament (NF) proteins was examined in sections of nerves from rats that survived for 3 to 90 days following nerve transection, using anti-NF monoclonal antibodies and immunohistochemical techniques. The same methods were also applied to twenty-three human nerve biopsy specimens. Granular debris with NF immunoreactivity was observed in the rat nerves for up to 21 days after transection. Similar granular debris with NF protein immunoreactivity was observed in nerve biopsy speciments from patients with axonal degeneration. This change was most evident in specimens that demonstrated abundant ovoids in teased fiber preparations and in a patient with a recent traumatic nerve transection. Similar granular debris was not observed in normal rat or human nerves. We conclude that degenerating NF proteins have a distinctive granular appearance and that NF immunoreactivity can be demonstrated in NF breakdown products with immunohistochemical techniques for prolonged periods of time in rat and human nerves undergoing axonal degeneration. Immunohistochemical studies with anti-NF monoclonal antibodies offer a novel approach to the evaluation of human nerve biopsy specimens.
Validation of a next-generation sequencing assay for clinical molecular oncology.

Currently, oncology testing includes molecular studies and cytogenetic analysis to detect genetic aberrations of clinical significance. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) allows rapid analysis of multiple genes for clinically actionable somatic variants. The WUCaMP assay uses targeted capture for NGS analysis of 25 cancer-associated genes to detect mutations at actionable loci. We present clinical validation of the assay and a detailed framework for design and validation of similar clinical assays. Deep sequencing of 78 tumor specimens (≥1000× average unique coverage across the capture region) achieved high sensitivity for detecting somatic variants at low allele fraction (AF). Validation revealed sensitivities and specificities of 100% for detection of single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) within coding regions, compared with SNP array sequence data (95% CI=83.4–100.0 for sensitivity and 94.2–100.0 for specificity) or whole-genome sequencing (95% CI=89.1–100.0 for sensitivity and 99.9–100.0 for specificity) of HapMap samples. Sensitivity for detecting variants at an observed 10% AF was 100% (95% CI=93.2–100.0) in HapMap mixes. Analysis of 15 masked specimens harboring clinically reported variants yielded concordant calls for 13/13 variants at AF of ≥15%. The WUCaMP assay is a robust and sensitive method to detect somatic variants of clinical significance in molecular oncology laboratories, with reduced time and cost of genetic analysis allowing for strategic patient management.
The solubility of coal fly ash and marine aerosols in seawater

Abstract The elemental solubilities of three coal fly ash samples and two coastal marine-aerosol samples in seawater are different. The coal fly ash samples were collected from the electrostatic precipitators on coal-fired power plants. The air particulates were collected by a high-volume air sampler located near the Washington coast. Samples were neutron-activated then contacted with seawater for several hours. The elements that were partially solubilized from both fly ash and aerosols included As, Sb, Se, Br and Cr. Zinc and Co were more soluble in aerosols then fly ash.
The basic color factor, the C locus, encodes a regulatory gene controlling transcription of chalcone synthase genes in onions (Allium cepa)

In onions (Allium cepa), a variety of bulb colors exist ranging from white, yellow, to red, with different intermediate shades. In order to identify the function of the basic color factor, the C locus, which is required for any color production, a candidate gene approach was attempted utilizing anthocyanin synthesis pathway genes. RT-PCR was carried out to examine differential expression of the genes involved in the anthocyanin synthesis pathway among four different bulb colors: recessive white, dominant white, yellow, and red. The transcription of two homologous chalcone synthase (CHS) genes (CHS-A and CHS-B) was significantly reduced in both dominant and recessive white onions. The reduced transcription of CHS genes was also observed in white, but not yellow, F2 plants originating from the cross between white and yellow onions. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers tagging parental alleles of CHS genes were utilized to determine whether the reduced transcription of CHS genes was caused by mutations in CHS genes or other regulatory genes. In the F2 populations originating from the cross between recessive white and yellow or red parents, the SNP markers tagging two parental alleles of the CHS-A and CHS-B genes did not co-segregate with the genotype of the C locus. These results suggest that the basic color factor is likely to be a regulatory gene controlling CHS gene transcription.
Electrolyte Changes in Ileal Contents and in Feces during Restriction of Dietary Sodium with and without the Administration of Cation-Exchange Resin

Sodium and potassium levels of the contents of the terminal ileum and feces were determined for four dogs at different dietary sodium intakes, both before and during administration of a carboxylic cation-exchange resin. With restriction of dietary sodium, there was more sodium bound by the resin in the terminal ileum than was provided by the diet. There was considerable conservation of sodium in the upper gastrointestinal tract, but the colon always absorbed a major part of the sodium presented to it. During resin administration with very low sodium diets there was more sodium in the feces than in the diets.
Physical and mechanical metallurgy of high purity Nb for accelerator cavities

In the past decade, high $Q$ values have been achieved in high purity Nb superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavities. Fundamental understanding of the physical metallurgy of Nb that enables these achievements is beginning to reveal what challenges remain to establish reproducible and cost-effective production of high performance SRF cavities. Recent studies of dislocation substructure development and effects of recrystallization arising from welding and heat treatments and their correlations with cavity performance are considered. With better fundamental understanding of the effects of dislocation substructure evolution and recrystallization on electron and phonon conduction, as well as the interior and surface states, it will be possible to design optimal processing paths for cost-effective performance using approaches such as hydroforming, which minimizes or eliminates welds in a cavity.
Efficiency analysis of sampling protocols used in protein crystallization screening

Abstract In an effort to objectively compare the efficiency of protein crystallization screening techniques, a probability model of sampling efficiency is developed and used to calculate sampling efficiencies from experimental data. Three typical sampling protocols (grid screening, footprint screening, and random screening) are used to crystallize each of five proteins (Phospholipase A 2 , Thaumatin, Catalase, Lysozyme, and Ribonuclease B). For each of the three sampling protocols, experiments are chosen from a large set of possible experiments generated by systematic combination of a number of parameters common in crystallization screens. Software has been developed to generate and select from the combinations with each of the three sampling protocols examined in this study. The protocols differ only in the order samples are chosen from the set of possible combinations. Random sampling is motivated by the “Incomplete Factorial” screen (Carter and Carter, J. Biol. Chem. 254 (1979) 12 219); sampling with subsets of four is motivated by the “Footprint” screen (Stura et al., J. Crystal Growth 122 (1992) 273) and sampling with subsets of twenty-four is motivated by the “Grid” screen (McPherson, Prepartion and Analysis of Protein Crystals, Wiley, New York, 1982). For the five proteins examined, random sampling has the greatest average efficiency. Additional benefits of random sampling are discussed.
Hydrophobic Pairwise Interactions Stabilize α-Conotoxin MI in the Muscle Acetylcholine Receptor Binding Site

The present work delineates pairwise interactions underlying the nanomolar affinity of alpha-conotoxin MI (CTx MI) for the alpha-delta site of the muscle acetylcholine receptor (AChR). We mutated all non-cysteine residues in CTx MI, expressed the alpha(2)betadelta(2) pentameric form of the AChR in 293 human embryonic kidney cells, and measured binding of the mutant toxins by competition against the initial rate of (125)I-alpha-bungarotoxin binding. The CTx MI mutations P6G, A7V, G9S, and Y12T all decrease affinity for alpha(2)betadelta(2) pentamers by 10,000-fold. Side chains at these four positions localize to a restricted region of the known three-dimensional structure of CTx MI. Mutations of the AChR reveal major contributions to CTx MI affinity by Tyr-198 in the alpha subunit and by the selectivity determinants Ser-36, Tyr-113, and Ile-178 in the delta subunit. By using double mutant cycles analysis, we find that Tyr-12 of CTx MI interacts strongly with all three selectivity determinants in the delta subunit and that deltaSer-36 and deltaIle-178 are interdependent in stabilizing Tyr-12. We find additional strong interactions between Gly-9 and Pro-6 in CTx MI and selectivity determinants in the delta subunit, and between Ala-7 and Pro-6 and Tyr-198 in the alpha subunit. The overall results reveal the orientation of CTx MI when bound to the alpha-delta interface and show that primarily hydrophobic interactions stabilize the complex.
Sources of organic aerosol: Positive matrix factorization of molecular marker data and comparison of results from different source apportionment models

This paper presents results from positive matrix factorization (PMF) of organic molecular marker data to investigate the sources of organic carbon (OC) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. PMF analysis of 21 different combinations of input species found essentially the same seven factors with distinctive source-class-specific groupings of molecular markers. To link factors with source classes we directly compare PMF factor profiles with actual source profiles. Six of the PMF factors appear related to primary emissions from sources such as motor vehicles, biomass combustion, and food cooking. Each primary factor contributed between 5% and 10% of the annual-average OC with the exception of the cooking related factor which contributed 20% of the OC. However, the contribution of the cooking factor was sensitive to the specific combinations of input species. PMF could not differentiate between gasoline and diesel emissions, but the aggregate contribution of primary emissions from these two source classes is estimated to be less than 10% of the annual-average OC. One factor appears related to secondary organic aerosol based on its substantial contribution to biogenic oxidation products. This secondary factor contributed more than 50% of the summertime average OC. Reasonable agreement was observed between the PMF results and those of a previously published chemical mass balance (CMB) analysis of the same molecular marker dataset. Individual PMF factors are correlated with specific CMB sources, but systematic biases exist between the two estimates. These biases were generally within the uncertainty of the two estimates, but there is also evidence that PMF is not cleanly differentiating between source classes.
VACA: a tool for qualitative video analysis

In experimental research the job of analyzing data is an extremely slow and laborious process. In particular, video and audio data of human behavior are particularly difficult to analyze, as this type of information does not lend itself to automation. Here we present VACA, an open source tool for qualitative video analysis. VACA presents video annotations on a timeline interface and integrates external sensor data to improve the rate at which analysis can be performed. A comparative study is run against traditional video analysis tools, and results are reported.
Development of an Instrument to Characterize Methodological and Collaborative Factors that May Influence Community-Based Clinician Post-Trial Adoption of Clinical Research Interventions

Participation in clinical research trials has been hypothesized to facilitate the adoption of evidence-based practices by community-based substance abuse treatment providers. However, little empirical information is available regarding the methodological and collaborative characteristics of research trials that may affect the chances of adoption. The current paper describes the development of the Survey of Practiced Research Efforts to Aid Dissemination (SPREAD), a standardized instrument designed to measure characteristics of clinical trials that may facilitate adoption. The survey was administered to a sample of 33 community-based research trials from the top four impact factor journals of 2007. Overall, methodological quality was high and levels of collaboration were low, with little involvement of community-based clinic staff in most study related activities. Future research to determine the predictive validity of the SPREAD instrument on post-trial adoption of studies interventions in clinical research is encouraged.
Follow the reader: filtering comments on slashdot

Large-scale online communities need to manage the tension between critical mass and information overload. Slashdot is a news and discussion site that has used comment rating to allow massive participation while providing a mechanism for users to filter content. By default, comments with low ratings are hidden. Of users who changed the defaults, more than three times as many chose to use ratings for filtering or sorting as chose to suppress the use of comment ratings. Nearly half of registered users, however, never strayed from the default filtering settings, suggesting that the costs of exploring and selecting custom filter settings exceeds the expected benefit for many users. We recommend leveraging the efforts of the users that actively choose filter settings to reduce the cost of changing settings for all other users. One strategy is to create static schemas that capture the filtering preferences of different groups of readers. Another strategy is to dynamically set filtering thresholds for each conversation thread, based in part on the choices of previous readers. For predicting later readers' choices, the choices of previous readers are far more useful than content features such as the number of comments or the ratings of those comments.
A UNIPOLAR TRANSISTOR WITH NEGATIVE OUTPUT RESISTANCE

Abstract In this work a three-terminal active solid state device, that operates well into submillimeter-wave frequencies is proposed. The activity of this device is due to negative output resistance. The origin of the negative output resistance is shown to be injection and transit-time delays that any finite sized device possesses. Generating proper injection delays utilizing specially designed tunneling junctions and combining these injection delays with transit-time delays a novel hot electron transit time transistor (HETT) is introduced and its small signal analysis is carried out. Having three terminals in an active device provides isolation between input and output and completely integrated monolithic negative resistance amplifiers can be fabricated, without the need for non-reciprocal circuit components, like circulators. It is shown that negative output resistance should also be observed in transistors due to inherent intrinsic delays.
The 37th annual meeting of the Society for Exact Philosophy

This special issue of Synthese is devoted to papers from the 37th annual meeting of the Society for Exact Philosophy (SEP). In 2009, thirty-nine years after its inaugural meeting held at McGill University in Montreal in 1970,1 the Society met in Edmonton, Alberta and showed its continued vigor with a most excellent conference organized by Bernard Linsky and F. Jeffrey Pelletier with the generous support of the University of Edmonton.