cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
BSPAT: a fast online tool for DNA methylation co-occurrence pattern analysis based on high-throughput bisulfite sequencing data

Bisulfite sequencing is one of the most widely used technologies in analyzing DNA methylation patterns, which are important in understanding and characterizing the mechanism of DNA methylation and its functions in disease development. Efficient and user-friendly tools are critical in carrying out such analysis on high-throughput bisulfite sequencing data. However, existing tools are either not scalable well, or inadequate in providing visualization and other desirable functionalities. In order to handle ultra large sequencing data and to provide additional functions and features, we have developed BSPAT, a fast online tool for bisulfite sequencing pattern analysis. With a user-friendly web interface, BSPAT seamlessly integrates read mapping/quality control/methylation calling with methylation pattern generation and visualization. BSPAT has the following important features: 1) instead of using multiple/pairwise sequence alignment methods, BSPAT adopts an efficient and widely used sequence mapping tool to provide fast alignment of sequence reads; 2) BSPAT summarizes and visualizes DNA methylation co-occurrence patterns at a single nucleotide level, which provide valuable information in understanding the mechanism and regulation of DNA methylation; 3) based on methylation co-occurrence patterns, BSPAT can automatically detect potential allele-specific methylation (ASM) patterns, which can greatly enhance the detection and analysis of ASM patterns; 4) by linking directly with other popular databases and tools, BSPAT allows users to perform integrative analysis of methylation patterns with other genomic features together within regions of interest. By utilizing a real bisulfite sequencing dataset generated from prostate cancer cell lines, we have shown that BSPAT is highly efficient. It has also reported some interesting methylation co-occurrence patterns and a potential allele-specific methylation case. In conclusion, BSPAT is an efficient and convenient tool for high-throughput bisulfite sequencing data analysis that can be broadly used.
Differential Reactivity and the Within-person Job Stressor-Satisfaction Relationship

An experience sampling methodology was used to study the direct and conditional within-person relationship between job stressors and job satisfaction. One hundred and one full-time administrative staff completed momentary measures of job stressors and job satisfaction three times a day on six different workdays over a 3-week period (N = 1818 observations). Multilevel random coefficients models were specified, and the results suggest that within-person stressors are negatively related to within-person job satisfaction. These results stand when controlling for the effects of time, demographics, work characteristics, baseline levels of job stressors and satisfaction, and between-person effects of job stressors. Furthermore, consistent with the differential reactivity model, the results suggest that the observed within-person stressors-satisfaction relationship is conditional upon locus of control and positive affect. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cost and reliability study for a large array of small reflector antennas for JPL/NASA Deep Space Network (DSN)

A study performed to estimate the cost of an array of small aperture reflector antennas to be used instead of or in conjunction with the current large reflector antennas of the JPL/NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) is described. The arrays are used for servicing present and future NASA missions that involve smaller spacecraft with limited power and smaller, lower-gain antennas. The advantages of the array configuration in terms of cost and reliability are discussed. A probabilistic determination of the reliability and availability of the array as a function of the number of array elements and the availability of individual array elements is made. The impact of additional marginal elements on the operational availability of the array is studied. Parametric cost and reliability plots are presented and directions for further investigation are outlined. >
Intracomputer optical interconnects: progress and challenges

Several interconnect Junctions within cabinets comprising high performance computers are pushing the limits of electrical interconnect technology. A widespread problem of limited interconnect density at the board-to-backplane interface has been identified, while advances in clock speed and cabinet functionality are expected to stress electrical interconnects first for high fanout applications, then for high speed point-to-point parallel interconnects. Key components are described, and from these components the design of a generic optical backplane technology is described. While components are now available to implement a practical solution, the use of proven electrical techniques is considered an important step in hastening the introduction of the technology.
Uses and capabilities of electronic capacitance instruments for estimating standing herbage

An electronic capacitance meter was used to estimate herbage yield from sown ranges in western USA. On an area in Arizona where the grass stand had heen sown broadcast, an r2 of 0.47 was obtained between the meter value and oven-dry weigbt estimate. Excluding tbose plots with very large amounts of standing dead organic matter (OM), or very succulent plants which had not been sown, improved yield estimates. Tests on pastures in Colorado in whicb seed had been drilled and tbe meter tested to evaluate performance in relation to drill rows showed that a common regression could be used for estimating yield. Metbods of placing the meter in relation to row directions are described which avoid a biased estimate of total pasture yield. Cutting the herbage in a 3-dimensional manner improved the r2 values over those obtained by the usual 2-dimensional cutting procedure. Separation of dead OM from living plant material did not significantly change the r2 values and showed that dead OM bad very little influence on the meter reading. This dead OM can contribute significantly to variation of the estimate about the regression line, however, and if differences in dead OM are substantial, sample sizes may need to be increased or sampling stratified to obtain an accurate yield estimate. Pertinent literature on the evolution of electronic capacitance instruments for estimating herbage yields has been presented in Part 1 of this series (3). Tbe present evaluation is restricted to the herbage yield estimates from mechanically sown pastures. The Neal Electronics Model 18–612 meter was used to make the yield estimates.
Apoptosis and the Proteasome

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is responsible for the regular turnover of a wide variety of proteins and is a critical regulator of many cellular processes. Although this pathway is abundant and ubiquitous, it is also discriminating. This specificity is achieved because there are multiple levels of regulation at work in the pathway. X-ray crystallographic data on the eukaryotic 20S proteasome suggest that substantial rearrangement of the alpha rings, probably mediated by the association of additional regulatory complexes, is required to allow access of substrates into the inner core of the complex. The associated complexes also confer a ubiquitin-dependence on the proteasome, requiring that potential substrates be tagged with chains of ubiquitin proteins. The presence of multiple ubiquitinating enzymes that favor distinct substrates provides a way for a cell to regulate what proteins are to be ubiquitinated. In some cases ubiquitination is not required, but we now know that other modifications, such as phosphorylation and protein-protein interactions, are also important for targeting proteins for degradation. Even with the existence of so many regulatory controls, it is difficult to imagine how one complex can perform so many tasks. As more information is gathered about the proteasome, we begin to understand that all proteasomes are not exactly the same. For example, there is strong evidence that proteasomes involved in antigen presentation differ in both composition and function from proteasomes involved in other processes. The past image of the proteasome as a static structure is being shed, and a new image is emerging that portrays the complex as dynamic and flexible, able to tailor its composition and function to meet a particular need. With this new image of the proteasome in mind, investigators are looking at the potential involvement of the proteasome in cell death. Inhibitor studies have demonstrated a requirement for proteasomes during apoptosis in noncycling and differentiated cells. Similar studies in cycling cells suggest that the proteasome may regulate a cell's decision to proliferate, differentiate, or die. It will be necessary in the future to supplement the peptide and lactacystin studies with work that is not inhibitor-driven since the specificity of an inhibitor for a particular protease is always in question. In addition, a real understanding of how proteasomes may regulate this process awaits the identification of its substrates. With cell death investigators showing increased interest in proteasomes, it may be possible in the next few years to determine the precise role of the proteasome in the pathways that lead to the death of a cell.
He scattering in the study of the initial stages of adsorption and phase transitions in two dimensions

Abstract Experiments designed to measure both the (00) peak and the elastic incoherent component during adsorption at low coverages, θ ≃ 0.15, yielded greater detail in the elastic incoherent component than the (00) peak, suggestive of information both on the behaviour of isolated atoms as well as subsequent phase changes as islands of adsorbate develop. For immobile adsorbates confined to a terrace the situation both experimentally and theoretically is fairly clear, i.e. the (00) peak falls exponentially and the elastic incoherent component shows a maximum. For mobile physisorbed gases the situation seems more complex as steps and surface features can play a role as to whether initial detail is observed in the elastic incoherent versus coverage scans. However, for the first time increases and maxima have been observed for Ar and Xe on Au(111) in such scans. Some gases also show similar details on desorption both at constant temperature and on heating to initiate desorption. The heights of maxima observed in the elastic incoherent component for some systems show a dependence upon the angle of scattering from the (00) peak — a feature not understood at the moment. The answer to this probably lies in the fine details of the scattering of He atoms from the adsorbate potential at the surface. The cross section for CO-Au(111) showed a slight dependence on incident energy.
Piezoelectric ZnO nanorod carpet as a NEMS vibrational energy harvester

Abstract A nanoelectromechanical vibrational energy harvester is reported based on a ZnO nanorod array coupled to a microelectromechanical mass-spring system. A carpet of vertically aligned crystalline zinc oxide nanorods grown using a low temperature process was characterized to determine their piezoelectric response to mechanical excitation. An atomic force microscope was operated in the force spectroscopy mode to probe ZnO nanorods applying a force in the µN range. In contrast to previously published reports using lateral tip motion (C-AFM), the motion of the AFM tip in our experiment was perpendicular to the plane of the nanorods, which closely mimics the operation of the bulk-micromachined NEMS energy harvester. Voltage pulses with amplitudes ranging from hundreds of µV to few mV were observed. The novelty of this work lies in the integration of the ZnO NEMS and Si-MEMS structures, the use of nanoimprint lithography to achieve periodic, vertical placement of the ZnO nanorods, and the demonstration of piezoelectric voltage generation through low-temperature processed ZnO nanorod carpet.
Evaluation of CMORPH Precipitation Products at Fine Space–Time Scales

Abstract In this study, a comparison of the spatial patterns of high-resolution precipitation products obtained from the Climate Prediction Center’s morphing technique (CMORPH), which is a satellite-only product, and gauge-adjusted Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) rainfall observations is performed using a variety of statistical techniques for the Little Washita watershed region in Oklahoma for a 3-yr period. Results show that 1) the performance statistics of CMORPH show tremendous variability from one hour to the next, suggesting that the performance statistics are dynamic in time, and therefore each satellite rainfall product should be accompanied by an error product to make it more meaningful; 2) CMORPH is positively biased in summer and negatively biased in winter, consistent with the findings of previous studies; 3) CMORPH spatial fields tend to be smoother than NEXRAD output; 4) the errors are temporally correlated, in particular within the range from 1 to 6 accumulation hours, implying that a...
THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF PATCH AREA AND PERIMETER–AREA RATIO TO GRASSLAND BREEDING BIRDS

Habitat fragmentation has been implicated as a major cause of population decline in grassland birds. We tested the hypothesis that a combination of area and shape determines the use of grassland patches by breeding birds. We compared both species richness and individual species presence in 45 wet meadow grasslands in the floodplain of the central Platte River, Nebraska. Bird data were collected through the use of belt transects and supplemented by walking and listening outside transects. Our data supported our pri- mary hypothesis that perimeter-area ratio, which reflects both the area and shape of a patch, is the strongest predictor of both individual species presence and overall species richness. The probability of occurrence for all six common species (Grasshopper Sparrows, Bobo- links, Upland Sandpipers, Western Meadowlarks, Dickcissels, and Red-winged Blackbirds) was significantly inversely correlated with perimeter-area ratio. The probability of occur- rence of Grasshopper Sparrows, Bobolinks, Upland Sandpipers, and Western Meadowlarks was also correlated with area. We conclude that species richness is maximized when patches are large ( .50 ha) and shaped so that they provide abundant interior areas, free from the impacts of edges.
The “negative trapping” effect in the magnetic-field dependence of absorption in high-temperature superconductors

This paper reports the first study of the absorption of an rf electromagnetic field in high-temperature superconducting samples of YBa2Cu3O7−x in the range of magnetic fields corresponding to the onset of the “negative trapping” effect. It is shown how additional annealing and degradation of the sample influence the onset of the effect. A modification of the model of dynamic interaction of superconducting loops is used to explain the observed phenomena.
Synthesis and characterization of some metal complexes of a novel binucleating ligand (IV): quinizarin

Abstract The Mn(II), Co(III), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Ru(II) complexes of the binucleating ligand, quinizarin, have been prepared and characterized by the use of elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, electronic spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. In addition the magnetic susceptibility versus temperature is subjected to a line fit for the dicopper complex and the interaction parameter 2J is −1.6 cm −1 .
Risk of Alzheimer's disease incidence attributable to vascular disease in the population

Abstract Background Although Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, there is growing interest in the influence of vascular factors on its incidence. Methods In a population-based longitudinal epidemiological study, we fit Cox proportional hazard models to examine the risk of incident dementia and AD associated with self-reported vascular disease. The population-attributable risk percent (percent of the incidence of dementia and AD in the population that would be eliminated if vascular disease was eliminated) was calculated using the adjusted hazard ratios (HR). Results Of 822 eligible participants, 94 individuals developed incident dementia, with 79 having AD (probable/possible AD) during the follow-up period of on average 8 years. Stroke/transient ischemic attack history was associated with incident dementia (HR = 2.6) as well as AD (HR = 2.4) among non-apolipoprotein E ɛ4 carriers. Conclusions At the community level, the risk of dementia could be potentially reduced by 10.8% by eliminating overt cerebrovascular disease, and the risk of AD by 9.1% for non-apolipoprotein E ɛ4 carriers.
The pH of Ascitic Fluid in the Diagnosis of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Alcoholic Cirrhosis

Fifty-six patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and ascites were studied. The ascitic fluid was analyzed for pH, PO2, PCO2 glucose, protein, specific gravity, amylase, lactic dehydrogenase, white blood cell count, polymorphonuclear count, and cytology. It was also cultured aerobically and anaerobically. Simultaneously, arterial blood was analyzed for pH, PO2, and PCO2. Venous blood was analyzed for complete blood count, protein, aspartate transaminase, and it was also cultured under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Six patients had spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), i.e., culture was positive for Escherichia coli in five and Streptococcus faecalis in one. The mean (+/- S.E.) ascitic fluid pH in the SBP group wa 7.25 +/- 0.06 with a range of 7.12 to 7.31, while the ascitic fluid pH in the group with sterile ascites was 7.47 +/- 0.07 with a range of 7.39 to 7.58. The pH of the blood in both groups was 7.47 +/- 0.03. The pH of the ascites in the SBP group was significantly different from the pH in the group with sterile ascites, p less than 0.001. It was also significantly different from the blood pH, p less than 0.001. Highly significant inverse correlations existed between the ascitic pH in the SBP group and the ascitic white blood cell count (r = 0.84, p less than 0.01) and between the ascite pH in the SBP group and the ascitic polymorphonuclear count (r = -0.87 ,p less than 0.01). The ascitic fluid pH is recommended as an easy, quick, sensitive, and specific means of diagnosing SBP and it overcomes the problem of the present SBP diagnostic methods of utilizing an absolute white blood cell count greater than 500 per mm3 or a polymorphonuclear count greater than 250 per mm3 in which false positive interpretations occur.
Guidelines to minimize variation when estimating product line commonality through product family dissection

This paper discusses two experiments conducted to investigate the variation that arises when estimating the Product Line Commonality Index (PCI) for a family of products when using data gathered from product dissection. In the first experiment, three main sources of variation were identified: (1) different levels of dissection, (2) omitted components, and (3) different values for the factors used to compute PCI. In the second experiment, guidelines for dissecting subassemblies to the lowest level possible and predefined tables listing material, manufacturing and assembly/fastening schemes were found to significantly reduce variation, leading to more systematic and consistent methods of product family analysis.
Variation of the distribution coefficient and solid solubility with temperature

Abstract The distribution coefficient of a solute having a low solid solubility should vary with temperature according to the equation, log k = B− A T . Analysis of the published solubility data involving germanium and silicon show that this form for the temperature variation of the distribution coefficient is obeyed within the accuracy of the experimental measurements, except, perhaps, in the case of lithium in silicon. The valves which are observed for the constant B can be explained by assuming that the heat of solution in the solid phase has a negative temperature coefficient. A systematic trend is noted in the behavior of solutes having different distribution coefficients. Families of solubility curves are calculated for germanium and silicon on the assumption that this behavior holds for all slightly soluble impurities in these two crystals.
Effects of heparin on the properties of solubilized and reconstituted rat brain AMPA receptors

Abstract Heparin was found to bind to α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors and to alter their functional properties. AMPA receptors solubilized in 0.4% Triton X-100 bound to a heparin-agarose column and were eluted by 0.4 M NaCl. Soluble heparin inhibited 10 nM [3H]AMPA binding to detergent-solubilized receptors by 75% (IC50 = 10 μg/ml), but had little effect on binding to membrane-associated receptors. The inhibition of [3H]AMPA binding to detergent-solubilized receptors was not observed when binding was measured in the presence of 0.4 M NaCl, and no effect of heparin was observed on binding of the AMPA receptor antagonist [3H]6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX). Scatchard analyses of [3H]AMPA binding to solubilized receptors revealed that the inhibition induced by heparin was caused by a decrease in the apparent affinity of a portion of the total binding sites. Studies on AMPA receptors reconstituted in artificial lipid bilayers indicated that 10 μg/ml heparin enhanced cooperativity between channels and prolonged the lifetime of the open channel, but did not affect the amplitude of single channel currents. Thus, heparin may be added to the list of compounds known to modulate AMPA receptor function. These data also raise the possibility that heparin-containing proteoglycans, which are known to be concentrated at synaptic junctions, might be able to bind AMPA receptors and influence their functional characteristics.
A clinical evaluation of denture adhesives.

Abstract Five hundred and seventy-six masticatory performance tests, and four hundred and eighty taste tests were conducted on twenty-four subjects in order to determine and compare the effect of the use of three denture adhesives on denture retention, on the masticatory ability of denture wearers, and on their taste thresholds. All three types of denture adhesives significantly improved the retention of both the maxillary and mandibular dentures. Differences between denture retention obtained with the three adhesives were insignificant. Improved denture retention resulting from the use of adhesives failed to show a significant increase in the masticatory performance of denture wearers, nor were the taste thresholds altered. The mandibular denture retention which resulted with the use of the denture adhesive underwent a significant loss after the subjects had used their dentures for chewing test foods or for sipping taste solutions. This was true for each of the three adhesives tested.
Uniform upper bounds (and thermodynamic limit) for the correlation functions of symmetric coulomb-type systems

Uniform upper bounds are proven for the correlation functions in the strictly charge-neutral canonical and grand canonical ensembles for charge-symmetric two-component systems. For the grand canonical ensemble the increase of the correlation functions along the thermodynamic-limit sequence is shown as well, implying the existence of the states. The particles have bounded pair interactions of positive type. Both classical and quantum systems with Boltzmann statistics are considered. Coulomb systems with regularized interactions are included as a special case.
A comparison of the microerythrocyte sedimentation rate and the macroerythrocyte sedimentation rate methods in pediatric patients.

A comparison of the micro- and macroerythrocyte sedimentation rate methods performed in disposable polystyrene tubes using venous blood from 524 pediatric patients demonstrates an excellent correlation between the methods. The micromethod produces values higher than the macromethod at values above 10 mm/h but this difference is not of sufficient magnitude at the clinical decision level to warrant a change in the traditional reference ranges. The mean difference between the two methods in the 10-25 mm/h range is 1.4 mm/h. The high bias of the micromethod is accentuated in samples with hematocrits <30%. The micro- and macromethods do not maintain a constant relationship throughout the range evaluated.
Preparation and Properties of Asymmetric Large Unilamellar Vesicles: Interleaflet Coupling in Asymmetric Vesicles Is Dependent on Temperature but Not Curvature

Asymmetry of inner and outer leaflet lipid composition is an important characteristic of eukaryotic plasma membranes. We previously described a technique in which methyl-β-cyclodextrin-induced lipid exchange is used to prepare biological membrane-like asymmetric small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs). Here, to mimic plasma membranes more closely, we used a lipid-exchange-based method to prepare asymmetric large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs), which have less membrane curvature than SUVs. Asymmetric LUVs in which sphingomyelin (SM) or SM + 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine was exchanged into the outer leaflet of vesicles composed of 1,2-dioleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylserine (POPS) were prepared with or without cholesterol. Approximately 80–100% replacement of outer leaflet DOPE and POPS was achieved. At room temperature, SM exchange into the outer leaflet increased the inner leaflet lipid order, suggesting significant interleaflet interaction. However, the SM-rich outer leaflet formed an ordered state, melting with a midpoint at ∼37°C. This was about the same value observed in pure SM vesicles, and was significantly higher than that observed in symmetric vesicles with the same SM content, which melted at ∼20°C. In other words, ordered state formation by outer-leaflet SM in asymmetric vesicles was not destabilized by an inner leaflet composed of DOPE and POPS. These properties suggest that the coupling between the physical states of the outer and inner leaflets in these asymmetric LUVs becomes very weak as the temperature approaches 37°C. Overall, the properties of asymmetric LUVs were very similar to those previously observed in asymmetric SUVs, indicating that they do not arise from the high membrane curvature of asymmetric SUVs.
Water Vapor Measurements between 590 and 2582 cm-1: Line Positions and Strengths.

Abstract This study involves measurements of H 2 16 O, H 2 17 O, and H 2 18 O vapor spectra for the region between 590 and 2582 cm −1 . The parameters derived from the data include line positions, energy levels, and linestrengths. The study involves high-resolution line-position measurements with samples at room temperature in the (000)–(000), (010)–(010), and (010)–(000) bands. The experimental frequencies were used along with microwave, far-infrared, and hot water emission measurements in an analysis to obtain high-accuracy rotational energy level values in the (000), and (010) vibrational states of H 2 16 O for J ≤ 20. The experimental linestrengths were fitted by least squares to a model in which the dipole moment was represented as a series expansion containing up to 19 dipole moment matrix elements. The measurements in this work were more extensive than reported in prior studies by this author for the (010)–(000) band.
α2 Integrin Subunit Cytoplasmic Domain-dependent Cellular Migration Requires p38 MAPK

The α2 integrin subunit cytoplasmic domain uniquely supported epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated migration on type I collagen. p38 MAP kinase- and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-specific inhibitors, but not a MEK-specific inhibitor, eliminated EGF-stimulated and unstimulated α2-cytoplasmic domain-dependent migration. Following adhesion to collagenous matrices, cells expressing the full-length α2 integrin subunit, but not cells expressing a chimeric α2 integrin subunit in which the α2-cytoplasmic domain was replaced by the cytoplasmic domain of the α1-subunit, exhibited sustained and robust phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase. Expression of dominant negative p38 MAP kinase inhibited α2-cytoplasmic domain-dependent, EGF-stimulated migration as well as unstimulated migration on collagen. Expression of constitutively active Rac1(Val-12) augmented p38 MAP kinase activation and α2-cytoplasmic domain-dependent migration. It also rescued the ability of cells expressing the α1-cytoplasmic domain to activate p38 MAPK and to migrate. These results suggest that the α2 integrin cytoplasmic domain uniquely stimulates the p38 MAP kinase pathway that is required for unstimulated and EGF-stimulated migration on type I collagen.
Synthesis of Stable Optimal Controls From Lyapunov Based Constraints

This paper presents a simple approach to synthesize optimal controls from user prescribed positive definite functions. The synthesized controls minimize a user specified objective function which is a quadratic function of the control variables. The approach followed in this paper is inspired by recent developments in analytical dynamics and the observation that the Lyapunov criterion for stability of dynamical systems can be recast as a constraint to be imposed on the system. The approach used to obtain the fundamental equation of motion for constrained mechanical systems is extended to find control forces that minimize any user-specified quadratic function of the control forces while simultaneously enforcing the stability requirement as an additional constraint. This method can also be generalized to nonautonomous dynamical system described by first order nonlinear differential equations. We further explore the possibility of extending the approach to systems in which we do not have full state control.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Extended generalized langevin equations: Calculation of the velocity autocorrelation function of a simple fluid

Abstract The use of generalized Langevin equations in the study of transport processes in simple classical liquids is extended by the derivation of the second such equation in the hierarchy of coupled phase space transport equations. The method introduced is related to the Mori continued fraction representation but poses different points of view for analysis. A truncation procedure is proposed which closes the hierarchy and permits in principle a more accurate description of the first level damping matrix than heretofore available. The theory is applied to the case of self-diffusion for which purpose a simplification of the second generalized Langevin equation is presented, along with a perturbation solution representation of the velocity autocorrelation function. The results obtained are good but still deviate from the observed velocity autocorrelation function.
Faint stellar systems in the Virgo cluster: ultracompact dwarfs and globular clusters

We examine the properties of ten compact objects in the vicinity of M87 using HST imaging and Keck spectroscopy. We find three objects to be larger and brighter than typical globular clusters; they resemble the nuclei of nucleated dEs in Virgo, having similar mass-to-light ratios, luminosities and colors. Their properties are consistent with models of tidally stripping of nucleated dEs. One object could be an old “stellar supercluster”, formed through the amalgamation of multiple young massive clusters. Two other objects appear to be massive versions of otherwise “normal” globular clusters.
Delayed conversion of squalene to sterols during development ofPinus pinea seeds

During germination of seeds of the gymnosperm,Pinus pinea, radioactivity from [2-14C]-mevalonate proceeded principally through the anaerobic reactions leading to squalene in the first 24 hr in both the haploid endosperm and the diploid embryo, and only with succeeding time (3–9 days) in both cases was label transferred to sterols in oxygen-requiring steps. The rates of turnover must be real and independent in the two tissues, since no consequential interchange of labelled lipids occurred between the endosperm and the embryo. Similar delayed conversion of squalene to sterols has been observed previously during germination of seeds of the angiosperm,Pisum sativum.
Enhancing Community Safety and Security Through Understanding Interagency Collaboration in Cyber-Terrorism Exercises

The threat of terrorism is at the forefront of security issues in the society. Terrorism must be dealt with through collaboration of multiple types and levels of agencies. Public sector interagency collaboration is explored through collective mind and beliefs of collaboration necessity in terrorism situations. It is found that the presence of a collective mind increases the likelihood that public sector representatives recognize and form beliefs that collaboration is necessary. It is also found that aggregates of representatives were more likely to actually collaborate with one another in addressing these cyber-terrorism threats when more shared the belief of collaboration necessity.
The challenge of commercial document retrieval, part II: a strategy for document searching based on identifiable document partitions

In the first article of this three-part series, three factors were identified as major influences on the effectiveness of document retrieval, where document retrieval is concerned with the access to intellectual content. These factors are, search exhaustivity, determinacy of representation and document collection size. In this article, some of the implications of these factors for document searching are discussed, and a two-part searching procedure based on identifiable partitions is proposed.
The Politics of the State Visit

State visits are one of the oldest forms of diplomatic contact between the leaders of states. Redolent of the pomp of previous ages, the modern era has seen a vertical rise in the frequency of state visits. This article examines the mechanics of the state visit and considers their purpose in contemporary diplomacy, as well as some of their unintended consequences.
W+ jets in pp collisions at 7 TeV with ATLAS

Measurements of differential cross-sections of W boson production in association with jets, and jets containing b hadrons are presented. The measurements are based on 35 pb − 1 of pp collisions at \(\sqrt{s}=7\) TeV collected with the ATLAS detector at the LHC, using the electron and muon decay channels of the W boson. The data are found to be compatible with next-to-leading order predictions. In addition, a study of the invariant mass distribution of jet pairs produced in association with a W boson is presented, based on an integrated luminosity of 1.02 \({\mbox{fb$^{-1}$}}\). The measured dijet mass shows no significant excess over the Standard Model expectation.
P-76 Value of routine liver biopsy for identification of hepatic pathology during laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGBP)

evaluated using The Impact of Weight on the Quality of Life (IWQOL-Lite) survey. The IWQOL-Lite is a 31-item survey assessing patients’ thoughts and attitudes toward their QOL. It consists of five scales: physical function, self-esteem, sexual life, public distress, and work. Patients who underwent LRYGB, LAGB, or LSG received a survey preoperatively and one year postoperatively. Pre and Post surgery scores were calculated and the differences were compared using a t-test. Results: 102 patients were surveyed preoperatively, and 74 reached one year follow-up. 53 of 74 patients responded at one year. 29 patients (54.5%) underwent LAGB, 19 (36%) LRYGB, and 5 (9.5%) LVSG. There were significant one year improvements in physical function, self-esteem, sexual life, public distress, work, and overall QOL for all patients (p 0.01). Average body weight loss was lower in the LAGB group (18.3 kg) at one year compared to LRYGB (42.8 kg) and LVSG groups (52.8 kg)(p 0.01). LAGB patients had less improvement in all scales compared to LRYGB and LSG (p 0.01). Conclusion: LRYGB, LAGB and LSG significantly improve QOL. LRYGB and LSG had greater weight loss and improvement of QOL when compared to LAGB one year postoperatively. Shortterm QOL directly correlated to weight loss. LAGB QOL improvements may equalize at three years when LAGB average weight loss usually becomes comparable to the weight loss of LRYGB and LSG at one year.
Exploring collections of tagged text for literary scholarship

Modern literary scholars must combine access to vast collections of text with the traditional close analysis of their field. In this paper, we discuss the design and development of tools to support this work. Based on analysis of the needs of literary scholars, we constructed a suite of visualization tools for the analysis of large collections of tagged text (i.e. text where one or more words have been annotated as belonging to a specific category). These tools unite the aspects of the scholars' work: large scale overview tools help to identify corpus-wide statistical patterns while fine scale analysis tools assist in finding specific details that support these observations. We designed visual tools that support and integrate these levels of analysis. The result is the first tool suite that can support the multilevel text analysis performed by scholars, combining standard visual elements with novel methods for selecting individual texts and identifying represenative passages in them.
Effect of certain anomaly correction terms on potential coefficient determinations of the earth’s gravitational field

For proper computation of the Stokes’ constants, or the evaluation of potential coefficients from terrestrial gravity data, surface free-air anomalies should be corrected to sea level. Such a correction is composed of two parts; the first, the Molodensky correction, G1, and a second, a term depending on the degree (n) and the expansion of (hΔg). This paper examines these terms numerically, computing for 1654 5° equal area blocks values of G1 and the total correction based on spherical harmonic expansions to degree 20. The largest correction found was 0.37 mgals. Corrections to potential coefficients caused by the anomaly correction were computed and compared to the original coefficients. The ratio between the coefficient corrections and the full coefficients generally increased by degree having a maximum ratio of 0.21 percent at degree 14 indicating that at the present time the corrections considered are negligible up to at least degree 20.
Phase transitions in hexane monolayers physisorbed onto graphite

We report the results of molecular dynamics simulations of a complete monolayer of hexane physisorbed onto the basal plane of graphite. At low temperatures the system forms a herringbone solid. With increasing temperature, a solid-to-nematic liquid-crystal transition takes place at ${T}_{1}=138\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ followed by another transition at ${T}_{2}=176\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ into an isotropic fluid. We characterize the different phases by calculating various order parameters, coordinate distributions, energetics, spreading pressure, and correlation functions, most of which are in reasonable agreement with available experimental evidence. In addition, we perform simulations where the Lennard-Jones interaction strength, corrugation potential strength, and dihedral rigidity are varied in order to better characterize the nature of the two transitions. We find that both phase transitions are facilitated by a ``footprint reduction'' of the molecules via tilting and to a lesser degree via creation of gauche defects in the molecules.
Preparation of thick M-type barium hexaferrite films on double side of substrates by liquid-phase epitaxy deposition technique

Abstract Liquid-phase epitaxy deposition has been investigated to obtain thick and high quality of barium hexaferrite films on (1 1 1) gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) and m-plane (1 1 0 0) aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) substrates. For films deposited on (1 1 1) GGG substrate the c -axis was aligned perpendicular to the film plane, but in the plane for films deposited on Al 2 O 3 . The films were deposited on both sides of the substrates, where the total thickness of the films ranged between 70 and 190 μm. The thickness and quality of these films meet the requirement for applications at high frequencies.
Area postrema: Abrupt EEG synchronization following close intra-arterial perfusion with serotonin

Summary The infusion of minute amounts of serotonin into the arterial circulation of the area postrema and adjacent medulla resulted promptly in low frequency shifts in the EEG. The low frequency shifts we observed are highly reminiscent of those reported to occur at the onset of slow-wave sleep in the unanesthetized animal. Infusion of similar concentrations of serotonin via other routes of administration did not produce the consistent low frequency shifts obtained by postremal perfusion. In contrast norepinephrine, another monoamine, produced a desynchronization of the EEG when infused into the postremal circulation. Acetylcholine and lactic acid were without effect under the conditions of our experiments.
New Oriental leafhoppers in the tribe Coelidiini with a revised key to the species (Homoptera: Cicadellidae: Coelidiinae)

Twenty-seven new species representing 3 genera in the tribe Coelidiini are described and illustrated. These include the following: Taharana parabifurcata, T. furca, T. hardyi, T. dentata, Lodiana perbrevis, L. furcata, L. singularis, L. viraktamathi, L. parapectinata, L. ctenostyla, L. gladia, L. spira, L. tantula, L. fissa, L. alvea, Calodia falx, C. paraobscura, C. kodikanelensis, C. siberutensis, C. pennata, C. sulawesiensis, C. paraostenta, C. iniquitas, C. grandis, C. vicina, C. quadrispinata, and C. laosensis. Revised keys to the species in the genera Taharana, Lodiana and Calodia are also given.
Outcomes associated with different intraperitoneal chemotherapy delivery systems in advanced ovarian carcinoma: a single institution's experience.

Abstract Background Despite increasing use of intraperitoneal chemotherapy the optimal delivery strategy and regimen remain undetermined. Catheter-related complications have been reported in 3–34% of cases across a number of platforms and port styles, but few data compare different catheters directly. We sought to evaluate the complication rate of two separate intraperitoneal chemotherapy port delivery systems used within a single practice. Methods We reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent port placement in our practice (two surgical centers) from January, 2006 through October, 2008. Data extracted included: demographics, medical co-morbidities, port type, timing of placement, intraoperative procedures, reasons for discontinuation of IP chemotherapy, and number of completed cycles. Results We identified 85 patients who had intraperitoneal ports placed. Four patients were excluded from this analysis: 2 declined chemotherapy and 2 were treated at other institutions and follow-up data was insufficient. Fifty-two (64%) of the 81 patients analyzed had a fenestrated port placed, and 29 (36%) had single lumen ports. In 67 cases (83%) the port was placed at the time of initial cytoreductive surgery. In 14 patients (17%) it was placed as a secondary event. The groups were well matched for age, stage, BMI, and medical co-morbidities though the group with single lumen catheters had more antecedent surgeries. We observed no significant difference between patients with single lumen or fenestrated ports with regard to: number of intraperitoneal treatments, catheter-related complications, hematologic outcomes, and rates of discontinuation. Conclusions A low rate of catheter-related complications is observed with both systems. The majority of discontinuations were due to hematologic complications and did not appear to be intrinsic to catheter choice.
Modulation by retinoic acid and corticosteroids of collagenase production by rabbit synovial fibroblasts treated with phorbol myristate acetate or poly(ethylene glycol).

Abstract Monolayer cultures of rabbit synovial fibroblasts can be stimulated experimentally to produce large quantities of latent collagenase by treatment with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or by formation of multinucleated giant cells with poly(ethylene glycol). We studied the ability of all-trans-retonoic acid and/or corticosteroids to modulate collagenase production induced experimentally. Concomitant addition of PMA along with retinoic acid (10−6 M) inhibited production of collagenase by 60–100%. 10−7 M retinoic acid was partially effective, reducing collagenase by 20%. Addition of dexamethasone (10−7 M) to cultures gave results similar to retinoic acid at 10−6 M. Inhibition of collagenase synthesis was confirmed by SDS-polycrylamide gel electrophoresis of medium from cultures treated with PMA, or with PMA and retinoic or dexamethasone. Addition of both retinoic acid and prednisolone to cultures reduced collagenase production more effectively than either drug alone; both drugs at 10t−10 M for 2 days lowered collagenase levels to 50% of control, while each drug alone at 10−10 M had no effect. Addition of retinoic acid (10−6 M) to cultures containing multinucleated giant cells lowered collagenase production by 70–85%. Removal of the drug resulted in full recovery. Our data indicate that all-trans-retinoic acid inhibited collagenase production induced by PMA or poly(ethylene glucol) and that this inhibition was additive with corticosteroids.
Histological Changes of Minimally Invasive Procedures for the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer: Clinical Implications

ABSTRACTPurpose: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is near universal in aging men, creating tremendous costs in morbidity and surgical treatment. In the last decade numerous nonsurgical minimally invasive methods have emerged for ablation of prostatic tissue.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the recently published English language literature on minimally invasive techniques for treating BPH and cancer with an emphasis on histopathological findings.Results: We compared the spectrum of contemporary minimally invasive treatments for BPH and cancer, with an emphasis on histopathological results. Clinical results were summarized briefly for each treatment method. These procedures ablate tissue by thermal, cryogenic, chemical or enzymatic injury. The 5-year results for some techniques were promising, although long-term durability is still uncertain, and other methods were in preclinical or early clinical stages. Invariably the treated tissue was devitalized with a thin border of granulation tissue and fibrosi...
Recurrent systemic embolization caused by aortic thrombi

The aorta is a commonly unrecognized source of systemic embolization. Transesophageal echocardiography is a reliable method for visualization of the intima of the thoracic aorta and identification of aortic thrombi. Balloon embolectomy of the aorta can be used to remove thrombi and prevent further embolic events.
Dipyrido[4,3-b;5,6-b]acridine derivatives and their ruthenium(II) complexes

Dipyrido[4,3-b;5,6-b]acridine and its 1,2-dihydro and 1,2,7,8-tetrahydro derivatives have been synthesized, and the corresponding [RuL2](PF6)2 complexes of these ligands have been prepared. The 1H NMR chemical shifts and the photochemical and electrochemical properties of these complexes can be closely correlated with incremental changes in structure which relate to increasing delocalization of the ligands.