cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Music score approval plans in research libraries: A survey of librarian satisfaction with and without approval plans

In this study, the researchers submitted a music score approval plan survey to all ARL libraries. Two surveys were created, one for libraries with music score approval plans, one for those without. Forty-four surveys were returned. The authors' purpose was to analyze and discuss the survey results, incorporating elements of the scholarly work preceding this study. Discussions, roundtables, and listservs participated in by music librarians over the years formed the basis of the topic at hand. The goal was to ascertain whether these discussions and underlying assumptions of approval plans held true to the real world.
Bounds on Elevation Error Estimates of a Target in Multipath

The Cramer-Rao bound for an unbiased estimate of the elevation angle of a target in the presence of multipath is calculated for the symmetric (target and image symmetric about the elevation symmetry plane of antenna) and nonsymmetric cases for an antenna consisting of 21 elements. These bounds are compared to the maximum likelihood estimates and it is found that the rms error of the maximum likelihood estimate (which has a bias) is below the Cramer-Rao bound for unbiased estimates.
Arguments for and against the Common Core State Standards.

This article identifies the arguments for and against the common core state standards in English language arts and mathematics. Although the standards need to be differentiated for gifted students, the author suggests that these standards may offer a way to transform education in the classroom, so that all students are able to fulfill their learning potential.
Neural Networks for Full-Scale Protein Sequence Classification: Sequence Encoding with Singular Value Decomposition

A neural network classification method has been developed as an alternative approach to the search/organization problem of protein sequence databases. The neural networks used are three-layered, feed-forward, back-propagation networks. The protein sequences are encoded into neural input vectors by a hashing method that counts occurrences of n-gram words. A new SVD (singular value decomposition) method, which compresses the long and sparse n-gram input vectors and captures semantics of n-gram words, has improved the generalization capability of the network. A full-scale protein classification system has been implemented on a Cray supercomputer to classify unknown sequences into 3311 PIR (Protein Identification Resource) superfamilies/families at a speed of less than 0.05 CPU second per sequence. The sensitivity is close to 90% overall, and approaches 100% for large superfamilies. The system could be used to reduce the database search time and is being used to help organize the PIR protein sequence database.
The Determination of Wind Speeds in the Boundary Layer by Monostatic Lidar

Abstract Vertical profiles of the horizontal radial wind component in the lowest kilometer of the atmosphere have been measured remotely with lidar. Wind speed determinations were made by observing the motion of naturally occurring aerosol density inhomogeneities. Lidar wind measurements compare favorably with simultaneous pilot balloon observations of the wind.
Hyperviscous shock layers and diffusion zones: monotonicity, spectral viscosity, and pseudospectral methods for very high order differential equations

We solve two problems ofx∈[−∞, ∞] for arbitrary orderj. The first is to compute shock-like solutions to the hyperdiffusion equation,u1=(−1) j+1 u 2j,x. The second is to compute similar solutions to the stationary form of the hyper-Burgers equation, (−1) j u 2j.x+uu x=0; these tanh-like solutions are asymptotic approximations to the shocks of the corresponding time dependent equation. We solve the hyperdiffusion equation with a Fourier integral and the method of steepest descents. The hyper Burgers equation is solved by a Fourier pseudospectral method with a polynomial subtraction. Except for the special case of ordinary diffusion (j=1), the jump across the shock zone is described bynonmonotonic, oscillatory functions. By smearing the front over the width of a grid spacing, it is possible to numerically resolve the shock with a weaker and weaker viscosity coefficient asj, the order of the damping, increases. This makes such “hyperviscous” dampings very attractive for coping with fronts since, outside the frontal zone, the impact of the artificial hyperviscosity is much smaller than with ordinary viscosity. Unfortunately, both the intensity of the oscillations and the slowness of their exponential decay from the center of the shock zone decrease asj increases so that the shock zone is muchwider than for ordinary diffusion. We also examined generalizations of Burgers equation with “spectral viscosity”, that is, damping which is tailored to yield exponentially small errors outside the frontal zone when combined with spectral methods. We find behavior similar to high order hyperviscosity. We conclude that high order damping, as a tool for shock-capturing, offers both advantages and drawbacks. Monotonicity, which has been the holy grail of so much recent algorithm development, is a reasonable goal only for ordinary viscosity. Hyperviscous fronts and shock zones in flows with “spectral viscosity” aresupposed to oscillate.
Lexical frequency and third-graders' stress accuracy in derived English word production

This study examined the effects of lexical frequency on children's production of accurate primary stress in words derived with nonneutral English suffixes. Forty-four third-grade children participated in an elicited derived word task in which they produced high-frequency, low-frequency, and nonsense-derived words with stress-changing suffixes (i.e., -tion, -ic, -ity). Derived word frequency affected stress production accuracy; however, the individual suffix also played an important role in stress placement, with -tion productions more accurate than either -ic or -ity productions. For the real words, derived word frequency relative to stem frequency was related to performance. Stress was less accurate on derived words that were much lower in frequency than their stems (e.g., tranquil/tranquility) and more accurate on derived words that approximated or exceeded their stem frequency (e.g., motivate/motivation). In addition to derived word and stem frequency, results are discussed with reference to several phonological characteristics that may also influence stress production accuracy.
Convexity theorem for subthreshold stimuli in linear models of visual contrast detection

Under the general assumption that visual contrast detection occurs by a parallel array of linear detectors, either without probability summation or with probability summation of a commonly assumed type, it is shown that the set of functions representing subthreshold stimuli must be convex. Thus, for example, a planar plot of the threshold locus using multiples of any two functions as axes, must be convex (cannot bulge inward). If experimental evidence to the contrary were discovered, it would rule out detection by parallel linear detectors of the above type. One possible kind of such evidence would be an inward cusp of the threshold locus corresponding to one of a special class of stimuli to which the visual system might be specifically sensitive.
Some Brief Notes Toward A Functional Analysis of Reward Behavior: Reply to Lorenzi

The article is a reply to a paper by Peter Lorenzi concerning the satisfaction-causes-performance hypothesis. The author argues that Lorenzi's critique was inaccurate, that Lorenzi puts him in an anti-operant position, and that social exchange propositions are in agreement with operant concepts. Gift-giving or rewarding behavior in organizations is a variable and has consequences. The author comments on his use of a social-exchange framework to offer a plausible explanation for the phenomenology and logic in the satisfaction-causes-performance hypothesis.
Infertility: Imaging of the female

The current status of both clinical and imaging evaluation of the infertile female will be discussed. The various pathologic processes will be reviewed.
A space-efficient parallel sequence comparison algorithm for a message-passing multiprocessor

We present a parallel algorithm for computing an optimal sequence alignment in efficient space. The algorithm is intended for a message-passing architecture with one-dimensional-array topology. The algorithm computes an optimal alignment of two sequences of lengthsM andN inO((M+N) 2 /P) time andO((M+N)/P) space per processor, where the number of processors isP>=max(M, N). Thus, whenP=max(M, N) it achieves linear speedup and requires constant space per processor. Some experimental results on an Intel hypercube are provided.
Numerical Experiments With an Overlapping Additive Schwarz Solver for 3-d pArallel Reservoir Simulation

Domain decomposition methods are a major area of contemporary research in the numerical analysis of partial differential equations. They provide robust, par allel, and scalable preconditioned iterative methods for the large linear systems arising when continuous prob lems are discretized by finite elements, finite differ ences, or spectral methods. This paper presents nu merical experiments on a distributed-memory parallel computer, the 512-processor Touchstone Delta at the California Institute of Technology. An overlapping ad ditive Schwarz method is implemented for the mixed finite-element discretization of second-order elliptic problems in three dimensions arising from flow mod els in reservoir simulation. These problems are charac terized by large variations in the coefficients of the elliptic operator, often associated with short correlation lengths, which make the problems very ill-conditioned. The results confirm the theoretical bound on the con dition number of the iteration operator and show the advantage of domain decomposition preconditioning as opposed to the simpler but less robust diagonal preconditioner.
Prospective evaluation of DNA mismatch repair protein expression in primary endometrial cancer

Abstract Objectives Immunohistochemical (IHC) stains for mismatch repair (MMR) proteins help screen for Lynch syndrome and identify microsatellite unstable colorectal carcinomas, providing prognostic information. It has been suggested that colorectal and endometrial carcinomas should be screened routinely for a MMR defect, but data are lacking on the practical application of this policy. We report our experience with the prospective evaluation of MMR protein expression in endometrial cancer. Methods All cases of primary endometrial cancer at a single institution regardless of age, family history or histologic features were prospectively stained for the MMR proteins MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2. Clinical and pathologic correlates were collected from the medical record. Results A total of 140 endometrial cancer cases were studied. Over 90% of cases were of endometrioid histology. 119 patients had stage I/II disease, and 21 stage III/IV. Nineteen percent of patients were Conclusions Prospective staining for MMR proteins is feasible and allows for primary triage for the evaluation of Lynch syndrome in women with endometrial cancer. However, acceptance of genetic consultation and testing is surprisingly low and deserves further investigation.
Timing the brain: mental chronometry as a tool in neuroscience.

How do we relate human thought processes to measurable events in the brain? Mental chronometry, which has origins that date back more than a century, seeks to measure the time course of mental operations in the human nervous system [1]. From the late 1800s until 1950, the field was built almost entirely around a single method: measuring and comparing people's reaction times during simple cognitive tasks. As far back as 1868, Franciscus Donders [2] subtracted the time taken to make a single response to an unvarying stimulus—what he called an instructed reflex—from the time it took to make the same response to one of two events, obtaining the time required to discriminate between the two stimuli. Further, he subtracted the time to discriminate two stimuli from a situation in which there were also two possible responses in order to obtain the time required for choice.
Competing with Whom? Where? and Why (Not)? an Empirical Study of U.S. Online Newspapers’ Competition Dynamics

AbstractAs a newspaper Web site theoretically may compete with anything and everything, online and offline, this study empirically examines the nature, degree, and locale of online newspaper competition. Based on online reader survey data collected from users of 27 local U.S. newspaper Web sites, this study seeks to capture the competitive relationship between the local newspaper site and other online/offline news sources among local and long-distance users. A competitive relationship between the newspaper site and its print counterpart in the local market was found among about one third of the cases, after controlling for demographics and Internet use. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
Transfectomas provide novel chimeric antibodies

Methods have been developed to transfect immunoglobulin genes into lymphoid cells. The transfected genes are faithfully expressed, and assembly can occur both between the transfected and endogenous chains and between two transfected chains. Gene transfection can be used to reconstitute immunoglobulin molecules and to produce novel immunoglobulin molecules. These novel molecules can represent unique combinations of heavy and light chains; alternatively, by means of recombinant DNA technology, genes can be assembled in vitro, transfected, and expressed. The end products of such manipulations include chimeric molecules with variable regions joined to different isotypic constant regions; this is possible both within and between species. It is also possible to synthesize altered immunoglobulin molecules, as well as molecules having immunoglobulin sequences fused with nonimmunoglobulin sequences (for example, enzyme sequences).
The properties of the large subunit of maize ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase synthesised in Escherichia coli

The maize chloroplast gene for the large subunit of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase has been expressed in Escherichia coli in vivo. This enables the properties of the native large-subunit polypeptide to be examined in the absence of small-subunit polypeptides, and avoids the use of denaturing agents. The product synthesised in bacteria is slightly larger (Mr 54300) than the form present in the chloroplast (Mr 53 300), suggesting the involvement of a precursor polypeptide. In addition several smaller polypeptides are synthesised, predominantly of molecular mass 41 and 30 kDa, but also some of 44 and 12-14 kDa. Pulse-chase experiments with [35S]methionine indicate that all the immunoprecipitable polypeptides are stable. The smaller products are probably the result of premature termination of translation. Virtually all of the large subunits are insoluble, whether synthesised at levels of 100-200 molecules per cell, or up to 60 000 molecules per cell. A small amount of the full-length polypeptide is soluble, but the major soluble product, as determined by sucrose gradient centrifugation, is a polypeptide of molecular mass 12-14 kDa. Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase activity was undetectable in cell extracts, and binding of a mixture of the radiolabelled transition state analogues carboxyribitol 1,5-bisphosphate and carboxyarabinitol 1,5-bisphosphate could not be detected. It is proposed that other components are required to prevent the large subunit from adopting an inactive, insoluble conformation after, or during, synthesis.
Blogs and the attention market for public intellectuals

Public intellectuals are successful suppliers of commentary in the attention market for serious thought. Blogs are a relatively new technology that substantially alters this market. More people can now nurse aspirations to be public intellectuals, but blogs also make plain the difficulties of actually reaching a public in ways that books do not. Blogs also vitiate other romantic ideas about the public intellectual as transcendent figure. Even so, blogs may well provide the services for which transcendent public intellectuals are often lauded better than these figures ever did.
Knowledge Acquisition in Computer-Based Learning Environments Among Elementary Children.

The need to understand how children acquire knowledge in computer-based learning environments led the researcher to undertake this study. The purpose was to develop a conceptualization of what learning strategies children frequently use to process conceptually demanding material. The goal was to expose children to different categories of courseware that featured multimedia, drill and practice, simulations, tutorials, spreadsheets, and databases; and to determine learning strategies including elaboration, organization, integration, and recall. The object was to compare the types of learning strategy and nature of knowledge forms acquired during the process of learning the given material in a subject area. The study was conducted at Washington Elementary School; and participants were children in the third through sixth grades. Data was collected by using surveys, formal observations, and formative and summative evaluation procedures. Results show that 80 percent of the time the students had attention focuse...
Evaluation of endoscopic full-thickness plication on anti-reflux valve competency.

Background We sought to investigate the efficacy of endoscopically created, full-thickness plications on the competency of the anti-reflux barrier when placed at different positions on the stomach adjacent to the gastroesophageal junction. Methods Explanted human cadaver stomachs and esophagi were used. An endoscopic plication system (Plicator, NDO Surgical, Mansfield, Massachusetts) was then fitted over a pediatric gastroscope and passed through the esophagus into the stomach. A full-thickness plication implant was then deployed at 1 of 3 positions (fundus, anterior, and between the anterior and the lesser curvature) on the explanted stomach within 1 cm of the gastroesophageal junction. Intragastric pressure was measured before and after plication at the time of visible reflux from the esophagus (reflux threshold) using a water-perfused manometer. Results Five explanted stomachs were used. The mean reflux threshold before plication (baseline) was 1.7 mm Hg. A single plication at each position resulted universally in a significantly increased reflux threshold over the baseline value (p Conclusions These results suggest that an endoscopic, full-thickness plication system can inhibit gastroesophageal reflux effectively in an explanted stomach model. Although anterior plication resulted in the greatest intragastric pressure at reflux, it was not significantly different from intragastric pressure recorded at the other plication positions. A second plication adjacent to the first showed incremental effect, but larger studies are warranted to understand its clinical significance.
The distribution of J1/tenascin and its transcript during the development of the avian cornea

Abstract Jl/tenascin is a glycoprotein that is associated with mesenchymal cell motility and proliferation in a variety of embryonic systems. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to determine if Jl/tenascin is present in developing eye tissues, especially in the developing cornea at the times when the neural crest-derived precursors of the corneal endothelium and kera-tocytes invade the corneal anlage. Anti-Jl/tenascin staining was found in both the primary and secondary corneal stromata, Descemet's membrane, the lens capsule, and in the vitreous body. The distribution of Jl/tenascin appears to be limited to a subset of eye matrix that is stained by anti-fibronectin. The cellular origin of Jl/ tenascin was determined by in situ hybridization. Jl/ tenascin transcript was detected in the developing corneal endothelium, in corneal fibroblasts just before and during their migration, in the ciliary body, and in the lens. This supports the notions that migrating cells synthesize Jl/tenascin as they migrate through matrices rich in collagen and fibronectin, and that some epithelia are also a source of Jl/tenascin.
The ν4Band of Ammonium, NH+4

Abstract The ν 4 band of NH + 4 was observed with a diode laser spectrometer. The molecular ions were generated in a water-cooled, concentration-modulated, hollow-cathode discharge of hydrogen and ammonia gases. Forty lines were measured and assigned to NH + 4 . These new data were combined with 56 previously published ν 4 transitions, and 24 ground state combination differences from the ν 3 band. The combined data set was fit with a fourth-order spherical rotor Hamiltonian to provide improved molecular parameters for the v 4 = 1 and ground states.
THE DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRESS LEADING TO THE INSTALLATION OF A THOUSAND FEET OF SUPERCONDUCTING CABLE

The principles underlying the design of a flexible superconducting power transmission cable are described. The development program required the construction of seven cables before the design was sufficiently verified to permit construction of a 300 m superconducting cable. Three of the seven cables were made with superconductor and evaluated at low temperature. The remaining four served as mechanical models to refine construction techniques and evaluate bending performance.
Don't dump the didactic lecture; fix it

Numerous articles have been published on the merits of active learning, and collectively they present a body of compelling evidence that these methods do enhance learning. In presenting arguments for active learning, it is often suggested that the traditional didactic lecture is more passive in nature and less effective as a teaching tool. However, a well organized lecture remains one of the most effective ways to integrate and present information from multiple sources on complex topics, such as those encountered in the teaching of physiology. This article presents an argument for enhancing lectures by incorporating active learning activities within their framework, and it is noted that engagement of the student is a key element making active learning activities work. Finally, suggestions are provided on the basis of the author's experience of things instructors can do to make lecture-based courses more engaging to students and, hence, promote learning.
Nonresponders to Previous Chronic Hepatitis C Treatment.

The main strategy governing treatment of chronic hepatitis C is the prevention of future liver complications. There is good evidence that curing hepatitis C infection prevents progression of liver disease and allows histologic regression to occur. Therefore, the primary goal of medical treatment is to cure the viral infection. Combination therapy with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin is the current standard of care; there are no other medical therapies currently available. Those who failed to respond to an earlier version of antiviral therapy should strongly consider treatment with peginterferon/ ribavirin if possible. Nearly half of patients who start peginterferon/ribavirin are unable to achieve a sustained disappearance of infection. If there were problems related to dosing or adherence the first time around, it is reasonable to consider retreating with more aggressive support. Nonresponders to the current therapy who have early-stage liver disease can afford to wait until new antiviral agents come along in the next 5 to 10 years. However, physicians should encourage nonresponding patients with advanced fibrosis to consider experimental alternatives in the meantime, provided there is a logical rationale for the treatment proposed. Some re-treatment strategies still aim to cure the hepatitis C virus infection whereas others focus on limiting liver damage. The best candidates for the first strategy are patients who had temporary clearance of the virus during previous treatment and those with hepatitis C virus genotype 2 or 3 infection. Logical candidates for the second strategy are those who already have advanced fibrosis. It is preferable to pursue further attempts at treatment within the framework of a controlled trial. Studies with strong rationales include those investigating high-dose peginterferon/ribavirin, long-term peginterferon suppression, potential immune modulators, and potential inhibitors of liver fibrosis. The rationales are weaker for re-treatment with a second brand of peginterferon/ ribavirin, daily standard interferon plus ribavirin, and ribavirin monotherapy.
Acyclic matrices with a small number of distinct eigenvalues

Abstract Spectral properties of the set of all symmetric matrices whose graph is a given tree T are further studied. A new technique based on Smith Normal Form and Hamming Distance is introduced and used to characterize such matrices that have at most four distinct eigenvalues and such matrices that have at most two multiple eigenvalues and whose sum of multiplicities is the maximum possible.
Adult Aortic Valve Interstitial Cells Have Greater Responses to Toll-Like Receptor 4 Stimulation

Background Aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of calcific aortic valve disease. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) possesses antiinflammatory effects. Given that calcification occurs in adult valves, we hypothesized that AVICs from adult valves more likely undergo a proosteogenic phenotypic change than those from pediatric valves and that may be related to different Stat3 activation in the response of those two age groups to toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Methods AVICs from healthy human aortic valve tissues were treated with TLR4 agonist lipopolysaccharide. Cellular levels of TLR4, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, bone morphogenetic protein 2, and alkaline phosphatase, as well as phosphorylation of p-38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-κβ (NF-κβ), and Stat3, were analyzed. Results Toll-like receptor 4 protein levels were comparable between adult and pediatric AVICs. Adult cells produce markedly higher levels of the above markers after TLR4 stimulation, which is negatively associated with phosphorylation of Stat3. Inhibition of Stat3 enhanced p-38 MAPK and NF-κβ phosphorylation and exaggerated the expression of the above markers in pediatric AVICs after TLR4 stimulation. Conclusions Adult AVICs exhibit greater inflammatory and osteogenic responses to TLR4 stimulation. The enhanced responses in adult AVICs are at least partly due to lower levels of Stat3 activation in response to TLR4 stimulation relative to pediatric cells. Stat3 functions as a negative regulator of the TLR4 responses in human AVICs. The results suggest that Stat3 activation (tyrosine phosphorylation) may be protective and that TLR4 inhibition could be targeted pharmacologically to treat calcific aortic valve disease.
Decoy methods for assessing false positives and false discovery rates in shotgun proteomics.

The potential of getting a significant number of false positives (FPs) in peptide-spectrum matches (PSMs) obtained by proteomic database search has been well-recognized. Among the attempts to assess FPs, the concomitant use of target and decoy databases is widely practiced. By adjusting filtering criteria, FPs and false discovery rate (FDR) can be controlled at a desired level. Although the target-decoy approach is gaining in popularity, subtle differences in decoy construction (e.g., reversing vs. stochastic methods), rate calculation (e.g., total vs. unique PSMs), or searching (separate vs. composite) do exist among various implementations. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of these differences on FP and FDR estimations using a rat kidney protein sample and the SEQUEST search engine as an example. On the effects of decoy construction, we found that, when a single scoring filter (XCorr) was used, stochastic methods generated a higher estimation of FPs and FDR than sequence reversing methods, likely due to an increase in unique peptides. This higher estimation could largely be attenuated by creating decoy databases similar in effective size, but not by a simple normalization with a unique-peptide coefficient. When multiple filters were applied, the differences seen between reversing and stochastic methods significantly diminished, suggesting multiple filterings reduce the dependency on how a decoy is constructed. For a fixed set of filtering criteria, FDR and FPs estimated by using unique PSMs were almost twice those using total PSMs. The higher estimation seemed to be dependent on data acquisition setup. As to the differences between performing separate or composite searches, in general, FDR estimated from separate search was about three times that from composite search. The degree of difference gradually decreased as the filtering criteria became more stringent. Paradoxically, the estimated true positives in separate search were higher when multiple filters were used. By analyzing a standard protein mixture, we demonstrated that the higher estimation of FDR and FPs in separate search likely reflected an overestimation, which could be corrected with a simple merging procedure. Our study illustrates the relative merits of different implementations of the target-decoy strategy, which should be worth contemplating when large-scale proteomic biomarker discovery is to be attempted.
Room temperature phosphorescence from a platinum(II) diimine bis(pyrenylacetylide) complex.

Room temperature phosphorescence has been observed in a synthetically facile Pt(II) complex, Pt(dbbpy)(C⋮C-pyrene)2 (dbbpy = 4,4‘-di(tert-butyl)-2,2‘-bipyridine; C⋮C-pyrene = 1-ethynylpyrene), in fluid solution. The static and time-resolved absorption and luminescence data are consistent with phosphorescence emerging from the appended C⋮C-pyrenyl units following excitation into the low energy dπ Pt → π* dbbpy metal-to-ligand charge transfer absorption bands.
T-cell subsets: Recruiting the right kind of help

The qualitative features of immune responses are influenced by the polarization of helper T cells towards two distinct phenotypes, Th1 and Th2. Recent evidence suggests that these helper cell subsets may be differentially recruited to the sites of different types of inflammatory reaction.
Beneficial Use of Sediments from Dredging Activities in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Dredging activities are a potential source of sediment and should be considered in any conservation and restoration planning process. Wise use of sediment resources from dredging is integral to accomplishing the conservation and restoration initiatives and objectives being recommended under the Gulf of Mexico Alliance. Keeping dredged sediments within the natural system or using it in the construction of restoration projects can improve environmental conditions, provide storm damage protection, and contribute to habitat creation and restoration goals. Hundreds of millions of cubic yards of sediments are dredged each year from Gulf ports, harbors, and waterways, much of which could be used beneficially. Currently it is estimated that about 30% of all material dredged from federal channels in the Gulf states is used beneficially and very little of the privately funded dredging is used for beneficial purposes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) conducts dredging under its navigation maintenanc...
Monokines produced by macrophages stimulate the growth of osteoblasts.

We have previously reported that the J774A.1 macrophage-like tumor cell line produces two potent monokines which stimulate the growth of osteoblasts and chondrocytes. These growth factors, which have an affinity for heparin-agarose, have been termed HEP I (a 30 Kd PDGF-like molecule) and HEP II (an approximately 20 Kd molecule), respectively, based on their elution profile. Unlike HEP I, HEP II does not stimulate the growth of fibroblasts. Extensive biological and chromatographic studies disclosed that HEP II appears to be a unique bone cell mitogen unlike any known growth factor, including the FGFs, IL-Is, and TNFs, EGF, IGF-I and -II, TGF-β, β2 microglobulin, G-CSF, CSF-I and GM-CSF. To characterize more fully the effects of the macrophage-derived monokines on osteoblast growth and function, clones were derived from calvaria explant cultures. Two clones, SDFRC-2.05 and SDFRC-3, were developed and found to exhibit osteoblastic characteristics, including high levels of alkaline phosphatase, synthesis of t...
Linear convergence of a modified Frank-Wolfe algorithm for computing minimum-volume enclosing ellipsoids

We show the linear convergence of a simple first-order algorithm for the minimum-volume enclosing ellipsoid problem and its dual, the D-optimal design problem of statistics. Using similar techniques, we show the linear convergence of the Frank-Wolfe algorithm with away steps applied to the simplex, under conditions different from those of Guelat and Marcotte. Computational tests confirm the attractive features of this method.
Synthesis of symmetrical triarylphosphines from aryl fluorides and red phosphorus: scope and limitations

Abstract The reaction of aryl fluorides with phosphide anion, generated in situ from the reduction of red phosphorus by lithium metal in liquid ammonia, gave symmetrical triarylphosphines in fair to good yields. Phosphonodiamide, sulfonamide, 2-oxazolyl, and nitrile groups were stable to the reaction conditions, while nitro and bromo substituents were not. para -Substituted aryl fluorides gave higher yields than meta -substituted aryl fluorides, and ortho -substituted aryl fluorides failed to react.
Late Quaternary Bison diminution on the Great Plains of North America: evaluating the role of human hunting versus climate change

Body size changes of Bison and mortality age structure data document the effects of climate-driven environmental change and human hunting pressure on large mammals in North America. Morphometric and mortality data are drawn from 58 archaeological and 9 paleontological localities dating between 37,000 and 250 calBP. Proxy information on body size is based on measurements recorded on 901 adult calcanei (os calcis) and 1026 humeri. In addition, published mortality profiles from 24 archaeological faunal assemblages spanning the last 14,000 years were used to approximate the age structure of bison populations. These results suggest that dramatic diminution in bison body size occurred in several short bursts, rather than a continuous gradual decline. These periods of rapid size reduction correlate with times of ecological reorganization, when aridity-driven changes in grasslands decreased forage quality and availability. Mortality age data indicate that the decrease in body size occurred in a context where there was no evidence for a progressively severe juvenile bias in bison populations. Overall, it appears that the changes in body size were a reaction to environmental conditions rather than the result of human predation pressure.
Determination of Fe-Cl complexing in the low pressure supercritical region (NaCl fluid): Iron solubility constraints on pH of subseafloor hydrothermal fluids

Experiments were performed to determine Fe-Cl speciation in aqueous fluids at temperatures from 200 to 450°C, pressures from 300 to 500 bars, and total dissolved Cl concentrations from 0.03 to 1.24 molal. The experiments made use of the assemblage hematite-magnetite to buffer key aspects of fluid chemistry. FeCl+ and FeCl20 species were found to best fit the experimental data. At relatively low temperatures (e.g., 200°C), our data agree with recent spectroscopic data, which show FeCl+ to be the dominant form of dissolved Fe in low to moderate Cl-bearing aqueous fluids. At higher temperatures, however, FeCl20 becomes increasingly significant. Taking explicit account of recent revisions to the HKF equation of state for aqueous species, we determined association constants for FeCl+ and FeCl20 as a function of temperature and pressure from measured pH, as well as dissolved Fe and Cl concentrations. At 300, 350, and 400°C, 500 bars, for example, log K(FeCl20) values for the following reaction: Fe2+ + 2 Cl− = FeCl20 are 4.77 ± 0.05, 6.00 ± 0.07, and 7.51 ± 0.07, respectively. At 400°C, 400 and 300 bars, log K(FeCl20) increases from 8.21 ± 0.12 to 10.89 ± 0.12. The results indicate the degree of association of FeCl20 increases with increasing temperature and decreasing pressure. As conditions approach the supercritical region (NaCl fluid), the relative stability of the complex increases dramatically. Regression analysis of the association constant for FeCl20 against the density of water results in the following relationship: log K(FeCl20) = 16.042 (± 0.188) − 14.579 (± 0.311)d, where d is the density of water. This empirical relation can be applied to hydrothermal systems to constrain Fe mobility provided d falls within the range of 0.777 to 0.358 g/cm3. Fe-Cl complex data, along with our previously determined data for the effect of dissolved NaCl on activity coefficients of H2(aq) and H2S(aq) at elevated temperatures and pressures, permit us to constrain subseafloor hydrothermal alteration processes from dissolved Cl, Fe, H2(aq), and/or H2S(aq) concentrations of hot spring fluids. For example, assuming vent fluids at mid-ocean ridges equilibrate with pyrite-magnetite, subseafloor temperatures and pH(in situ) values of 372–394°C and 4.6-5.2, respectively, are indicated. These results are in good agreement with phase equilibria constraints involving plagioclase-epidote-quartz coexisting with Na-Ca-Cl fluids.
Predictive value sensitivity, and specificity of ultrasonic targeted imaging for fetal anomalies in gravid women at high risk for birth defects

In this report the predictive value of ultrasonic targeted imaging for fetal anomalies (TIFFA) is defined. Six hundred fifteen pregnant women at high risk for birth defects were scanned from January, 1980, to December, 1983. Follow-up evaluation was available on 569 fetuses. The pregnancies were classified into five groups according to the indications used for ultrasonic targeted imaging studies. The largest number of women were placed in group 1 and were referred because of a variety of abnormalities in previous or ongoing pregnancies. The women classified in the other four groups were examined because of maternal or fetal reasons related to specific craniospinal (29%), urinary (7.9%), gastrointestinal (6.7%), and skeletal (3.7%) defects. In our series the predictive values of abnormal and normal ultrasonic targeted imaging studies were 95% and 99%, respectively. A detailed breakdown of the accuracy of ultrasonic targeted imaging in relation to each anatomic category is presented; these data are useful in counseling gravid women with anomalous fetuses.
Overcoming M&A environmental problems

Companies contemplating mergers ignore environmental problems at their own risk, warn the authors. Environmental issues can damage the merger's value, or even torpedo the deal. But through proper research and handling, you can avoid that. The authors show you how. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Transcript-free search of audio archives for the national gallery of the spoken word

The National Gallery of the Spoken Word (NGSW) project is creating a carefully organized on-line repository of spoken-word collections spanning the 20th century. Unprecedented technical challenges are inherent in the development of an archive of such extensive scale and diversity. This paper describes research on the development of text-free search-engine technology used to locate requested content in the audio records. A companion paper in these proceedings addresses watermarking technologies for copyright protection.
Turnover of hepatic mitochondril ornithine aminotransferase and cytochrome oxidase using [14C] carbonate as tracer

Abstract The half-lives of the liver mitochondrial enzymes, ornithine aminotransferase (L-ornithine: 2-oxo acid aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.13) and cytochrome oxidase (ferrocytochrome c : oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.9.3.1), have been determined under basal conditions by injecting rats with NaH 1 4 CO 3 and following the decay in specific radioactivity of arginine isolated from the purified enzymes. This technique gave half-lives for the two enzymes of 1.9 and 5.7 days, respectively. An identical half-life was obtained for cytochrome oxidase using δ-amino [ 3 H]levulinate as a tracer, thus indicating that the heme and apoprotein moieties of this enzyme turn over at the same rate. The degradation rate constant of ornithine aminotransferase under induced, steady-state conditions, i.e. in rats fed a diet containing 80% of casein, was not significantly different from that under basal conditions; hence, the increased amount of enzyme present under these conditions must be due to an increased rate of synthesis. Fractionation of mitochondria with digitonin and Lubrol WX, and comparison with marker enzymes, indicated that ornithine aminotransferase is located within the mitochondrial matrix.
Transfusion and NHL risk: a meta-answer?

In this issue of Blood , Castillo and colleagues conclude from a meta-analysis of observational studies that blood transfusions are associated with a 20% increase in the risk of developing NHL.[1][1] The rapid increase followed by a leveling off in the incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the
A reexamination of the internal auditors' code of ethics

This study empirically examined the views of Certified Internal Auditors (CIAs) concerning the role of Code of Ethics for members of the Institute of Internal Auditors. It is a continuation of an earlier study which examined the usefulness of the Code to CIAs. Among the questions asked were what is the primary reason for the Code of Ethics, how useful is it, have you used it, should more enforcement actions be taken against members who violate the Code, and what are the legal and moral responsibilities of the CIA to report serious ethical violations, e.g., environmental pollution, to outsiders when top management and the board of directors are aware of the matter but are not doing anything to correct it. The results indicate strong support for the Code, its enforcement, and use as an instrument to encourage the internal flow of ethical behavior by embers and others.
High expression levels of survivin protein independently predict a poor outcome for patients who undergo surgery for clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND In a previous study of gene array data, the authors identified survivin as a candidate marker of aggressiveness in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). What remained in question was whether survivin expression at the protein level is an independent predictor of disease progression and cancer-specific survival. METHODS Between 1990 and 1994, 312 patients underwent nephrectomy for ccRCC at Mayo Clinic Rochester and had paraffin tissue available. The authors performed immunohistochemistry with antisurvivin antibody, quantitated the expression by using an image-analysis system, and analyzed the association of survivin expression with disease progression and cancer-specific survival. RESULTS Within the cohort, 97 patients (31.1%) had high levels of survivin expression. Patients who had high survivin expression levels were at significantly increased risk of death from RCC compared with patients who had low expression levels (risk ratio [RR], 5.3; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 3.5–7.9). The 5-year cancer-specific survival rate was 43.0% for patients with high survivin expression and 87.2% for patients with low survivin expression. In multivariate analysis, survivin expression remained associated with death from RCC even after adjusting for the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status; 2002 Tumor, Lymph Node, Metastases (TNM) stage groupings and nuclear grade (RR, 2.4; 95%CI, 1.5–3.8); and the Mayo Clinic composite TNM stage groupings, tumor size, nuclear grade, and tumor necrosis (SSIGN) score (RR, 1.8; 95%CI, 1.1–2.9). Among 273 patients who had localized ccRCC, survivin expression was associated significantly with cancer progression (RR, 3.9; 95%CI, 2.4–6.2). CONCLUSIONS Survivin expression is an independent predictor of ccRCC progression and death from RCC. Thus, survivin has the potential to offer additional prognostic information and to provide a novel target for the development of new adjuvant therapies. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Parameter estimation aspects and the role of bandwidth in a notch filter

In this paper, the notch filter model developed for the retrieval of sinusoidal signals in noise is reexamined. A stochastic Gauss-Newton method is developed for adaptively estimating the parameters of the model. Various forms of simplifications (gradient truncation) which assure stability and convergence are then examined. The conditions under which they are applicable is discussed. The bandwidth of the notch filter which depends on a parameter ? is shown to be crucial for fast and assured convergence.
Economic analysis of stake and rack-hanging methods of farming oysters (Crassostrea iredalei) in the Philippines

Abstract The cost efficiency of stake and rack-hanging methods of farming oysters are compared. Annual costs and returns data for both methods were obtained from a socioeconomic survey conducted in 1991 at the Aquaculture Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/AQD). On average, 14 kg m −2 (shell-on) and 22 kg m −2 (shell-on) were produced using the stake and rack-hanging methods, respectively. The translog cost function for 58 oyster farms was estimated using iterative seemingly unrelated regression (SUR). Statistical analysis indicates that the higher production from the rack-hanging method is significantly different ( α =0.10) from the production using the stake method. The cost-efficient method varied based on production levels. At output levels less that 9044 kg (shell-on), the rack-hanging method had lower average cost per unit, and for higher production levels the stake method had the lower average costs. Similar conclusions were drawn from the marginal cost analysis. Results imply when production is less than 9044 kg, then the most efficient technology is the rack-hanging method and if production is greater than 9044 kg, the most efficient method is the stake method.
How well does structural equation modeling reveal abnormal brain anatomical connections? An fMRI simulation study

Abstract Many brain disorders result from alterations in the strength of anatomical connectivity between different brain regions. This study investigates whether such alterations can be revealed by examining differences in interregional effective connectivity between patient and normal subjects. We applied one prominent effective connectivity method – Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) – to simulated functional MRI (fMRI) timeseries from a neurobiologically realistic network model in which the anatomical connectivity is known and can be manipulated. These timeseries were simulated for two task conditions, a delayed match-to-sample (DMS) task and passive-viewing, and for “normal subjects” and “patients” who had one weakened anatomical connection in the neural network model. SEM results were compared between task conditions as well as between groups. A significantly reduced effective connectivity corresponding to the weakened anatomical connection during the DMS task was found. We also obtained a significantly reduced set of effective connections in the patient networks for anatomical connections “downstream” from the weakened linkage. However, some “upstream” effective connections were significantly larger in the patient group relative to normals. Finally, we found that of the SEM model measures we examined, the total error variance was the best at distinguishing a patient network from a normal network. These results suggest that caution is necessary in applying effective connectivity methods to fMRI data obtained from non-normal populations, and emphasize that functional interactions among network elements can appear as abnormal even if only part of a network is damaged.