cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From documents to tasks: deriving user tasks from document usage patterns

A typical knowledge worker is involved in multiple tasks and switches frequently between them every work day. These frequent switches become expensive because each task switch requires some recovery time as well as the reconstitution of task context. First task management support systems have been proposed in recent years in order to assist the user during these switches. However, these systems still need a fairly big amount of investment from the user side in order to either learn to use or train such a system. In order to reduce the necessary amount of training, this paper proposes a new approach for automatically estimating a user's tasks from document interactions in an unsupervised manner. While most previous approaches to task detection look at the content of documents or window titles, which might raise confidentiality and privacy issues, our approach only requires document identifiers and the temporal switch history between them as input. Our prototype system monitors a user's desktop activities and logs documents that have focus on the user's desktop by attributing a unique identifier to each of these documents. Retrieved documents are filtered by their dwell times and a document similarity matrix is estimated based on document frequencies and switches. A spectral clustering algorithm then groups documents into tasks using the derived similarity matrix. The described prototype system has been evaluated on user data of 29 days from 10 different subjects in a corporation. Obtained results indicate that the approach is better than previous approaches that use content.
Economic Burden of Venous Thromboembolism in Hospitalized Patients

Venous thromboembolism, a condition that includes deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a significant medical problem that affects more than 1 million patients each year. In addition to the immense impact of venous thromboembolism on morbidity and mortality, the economic burden of the disease is considerable, costing the health care system in the United States more than $1.5 billion/year. The cost of managing an initial episode of deep vein thrombosis is estimated at $7712-10,804, and for an initial pulmonary embolism event $9566-16,644. Management of acute venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer costs more than $20,000. Although much of the costs of venous thromboembolism are associated with managing the acute event, there are also significant costs associated with its long-term complications such as recurrent venous thromboembolism, postthrombotic syndrome, and pulmonary hypertension. Data from numerous robust clinical trials have demonstrated that with appropriate prophylaxis, many of these venous thromboembolism events can be prevented in both surgical and medical patients. Even though the strong evidence supporting venous thromboembolism prophylaxis spans several decades, a number of large American and global registries have documented very poor use of appropriate venous thromboprophylaxis. Because of increasing regulatory requirements, hospitals nationwide are developing necessary documentation of appropriate venous thromboembolism prophylaxis programs for both surgical and medical patients. Hospitals and clinicians must have a firm understanding of not only the clinical impact but also the economic impact of failing to use appropriate prophylaxis and of the cost-effectiveness of different venous thromboprophylaxis methods.
Potentiation of oxotremorine lethality by antihistamines.

Antihistamines, representing the major chemical classes, administered intraperitoneally to mice in non-toxic doses potentiated the lethal effects of an LD10 dose (3·5 mg/kg) of oxotremorine in a dose related manner. Atropine and methylatropine were highly effective in blocking oxotremorine lethality alone and when it was potentiated by antihistamines. The antagonism by methylatropine suggests a peripheral site of toxicity. Antihistamines might enhance lethality by interfering with the inactivation of oxotremorine by liver microsomal drugs enzymes in a manner similar to SKF 525A.
Generation of Available Potential Energy of an Extratropical Cyclone System

Abstract Generation of available potential energy of an extratropical cyclone system moving across the United States is computed for the period 20–21 March 1962 using standard rawinsonde data. A quasi-Lagrangian frame of reference is used and only the baroclinic component of generation, which is based on specification of a reference state and efficiency factors for the cyclone system, is considered. Parameterization schemes are used to estimate diabatic heating distributions due to convective and stable latent heat release and long-wave radiation. The heating fields are found to be in good agreement with observed weather patterns and computed kinematic parameters. Available potential energy generation estimates appear to be more representative than those from other similar studies of extratropical cyclones. Longwave radiation is a dominant source of available potential energy generation during the system's early development in the southwestern United States. Latent heat release rapidly becomes the major s...
Effect of spatiotemporal jitter on time-sequentially sampled imagery

Aliasing noise can be controlled in time-varying imagery by the inclusion of spatiotemporal jitter in the scanning process and/or by the appropriate choice of a scanning pattern. A three-dimensional nonseparable model for jittered sampling is derived by taking into account the periodicity of the spatiotemporal sampling function and the time to scan each picture element. From the use of this model, the severity of aliasing noise can be predicted by the proper choice of the jitter random variables and the pattern used to obtain the image samples. The signal-to-aliasing-noise power ratio is used as a performance measure. Aliasing noise reduction is analyzed for different scanning patterns with and without spatiotemporal jitter.
Circularly Polarized RF Magnetic Fields for Spin-1 NQR

Abstract The low sensitivity of nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) of powders is due, in part, to the inability to efficiently excite and detect nuclei at all crystal orientations. Here we describe the use of circularly polarized RF magnetic fields for excitation followed by detection of the resultant circular RF magnetization in I =1 NQR to increase the fraction of nuclei excited and detected. We show that the technique can greatly improve the effective RF field homogeneity and increase the largest signal amplitude by a factor of 1.72. In favorable cases, the resulting circularly polarized NQR signal can be separated from linearly polarized magnetoacoustic and piezoelectric ringing artifacts that occur in some NQR materials detection applications.
Factors influencing the stability and film properties of acrylic/alkyd water-reducible hybrid systems using a response surface technique

Abstract Acrylic-grafted-alkyd resins were prepared by free radical chemistry. Long, medium, and short oil alkyds were prepared using soybean oil, glycerol, phthalic anhydride (PA), and tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (THPA) and used as the alkyd phase. Acrylic co-monomer formulas containing methyl methacrylate (MMA), butyl acrylate (BA), methacrylic acid (MAA), and vinyl trimethoxysilane (VTMS) were polymerized in the presence of the different alkyds using 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator to obtain the final grafted structures. Design of experiments was used to understand how different variables in the synthesis of the acrylated-alkyds affect the film performance. A Box–Behnkin design was used, varying the oil length of the alkyd phase, the degree of unsaturation in the polyester backbone, and acrylic to alkyd ratio. Acrylic–alkyd hybrid resins were reduced with an amine/water mixture. The hydrolytic stability of hybrid alkyd dispersed in water was evaluated. Cured films were prepared and basic coatings properties were also evaluated. It was found that the oil length of the alkyd is the most dominant factor for final coatings properties of the resins. The hydrolytic stability was dependent on the acrylic to alkyd ratio. The oil length of the alkyd backbone had a minimal effect on stability of the resin and film performance.
Security aspects of quantum key distribution with sub-Poisson light

The security of quantum key distribution with sub-Poisson light sources is investigated. It is shown that a quantitative analysis of the security of such sources requires only two measured values, the efficiency and second-order correlation. These two numbers represent figures of merit, which characterize the performance of such light sources. We show that sub-Poisson light sources can offer significant improvements in communication rate over Poisson light in the presence of realistic experimental imperfections. We also investigate the amount of channel loss that can be tolerated for secure communication to be possible, and show that this only depends on the second-order correlation, provided the device efficiency exceeds a critical value. If this critical efficiency is exceeded, an inefficient source can perform as well as an efficient one at sufficiently high channel losses.
Centromere separation: existence of sequences.

The centromeres of chromosomes from human lymphocytes as well as root tips ofVicia faba andCrepis capillaris release the sister-chromatids in nonrandom, genetically controlled sequences. In man chromosomes 18 and 17 are amongst the earliest and 13, 14, 15 the last. The sequences may be a universal phenomenon among eukaryotes.
On Husserl’s Approach to Necessary Truth

The aim of this paper is to investigate some aspects of what Husserl means by “A priori” in the light of recent considerations concerning the nature of necessary truth. I shall first discuss some of the results of the dispute between Carnap and Quine about analytic sentences. These results bring to the fore linguistic aspects of the problem of necessary truth. It can be shown, I believe, that Husserl’s position is substantially in accord with the basic agreements issuing from the Carnap-Quine controversy. In Husserl’s view this clarification of the analytic-synthetic distinction opens up a whole new area of investigation, an area in which phenomenology would be able to locate important necessities and universalities. I have selected an instance of the explication of such an essential necessity, and I shall relate this explication to current views of necessary truth. My position will be that Husserl is in general agreement with contemporary linguistic philosophy as regards the area toward which philosophical attention should be directed, but that Husserl fails to provide a method for such investigation. The appropriate method is that of the linguistic philosophers, and I shall close with a few comments on the way in which Husserl’s phenomenology may be construed as implicitly linguistic.
Social disorganization and police performance to burglary calls: a tale of two cities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the distribution of police response time to in-progress burglaries differ according to the level of social disorganization across different neighborhoods. Design/methodology/approach – Using 2006 calls for service data collected from the Dallas and Houston Police Departments and from the 2000 US Bureau of Census statistics, the effects of social disorganization on police performance were examined through multilevel analysis of the distribution of police response time patterns across different neighborhoods in Dallas and Houston. Findings – The analysis of the DPD and HPD in-progress calls produced somewhat consistent findings on the relationship between the level of social disorganization and police response time. Concentrated disadvantage, immigrant concentration, and residential stability are important predictors of the distribution of police response time patterns in Dallas and Houston. Practical implications – Neighborhood social disorganizatio...
"Nice Work If You Can Get It": Segmentation of White and Black Women Workers in the Post-War Period:

This article examines the convergence of black and white women's incomes, labor force participation rates in capitalist production and the state sector, and convergence of occupational distributions. It is argued that current labor market segmentation theory does not explain the existence and persistence of the racial and sexual division of paid labor. It then considers whether labor market segmentation theory can be refined to explain these changes in the labor market experiences of black and white women in the post WWII period. It is argued that since racism and patriarchy play important roles in the control of labor and the organization of work both historically and theoretically, segmentation theory can only provide an adequate explanation of the development of segmented markets and their racial and gender components by explicitly recognizing racism and patriarchy. Labor market segmentation is the historical process creating labor markets differentiated by race and sex in capitalist and government wor...
The glycoalkaloids of Solanum demissum

Abstract Two glycoalkaloids previously unreported in Solanum demissum have been isolated and identified as commersonine and neotomatine.
Rapid determination of molybdenum in botanical material by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract Low levels of molybdenum in plant samples are determined by simple digestion in nitric acid followed by electrothermal spectrometry. Sensitivity is enhanced by nitric acid whereas chloride, sulfuric acid, and perchloric acid have inhibiting effects. Recovery of molybdate added to plant samples averaged 94.3%, with a relative standard deviation of 10% for 0.50 μg Mo g -1 of plant material. Large numbers of samples can be screened for molybdenum content without tedious organic extractions or long dry ashing processes.
Secondary trajectories and the\(\overline {\rm K} \)N-KN charge-exchange cross-section difference

We present a Regge analysis of the cross-section difference for the two line-reversed reactions K−p → $$\overline {\rm K} $$ 0n and K+n → K0p in terms of the ρ, ρ′, A2 and A′2 Regge poles. As a constraint we simultaneously fit the πN charge-exchange process withSU 3-related couplings. We find that this scheme does not provide a consistent description of these processes.
Minimizing Morbidity of Hypoglycemia in Diabetes: A Review of Mini-Dose Glucagon

Type 1 diabetes is a common chronic disease of childhood and one of the most difficult conditions to manage. Advances in insulin formulations and insulin delivery devices have markedly improved the ability to achieve normal glucose homeostasis. However, hypoglycemia remains the primary limiting factor in achieving normoglycemia and is a frequent complication in children with acute gastroenteritis and/or poor oral intake. In situations of impaired carbohydrate intake or absorption, glucagon therapy is the only out-of-hospital treatment option available to families and caregivers. Glucagon is recommended for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia and rapidly increases blood glucose by increasing hepatic glucose production from glycogenolysis. Mini-dose glucagon is a widely utilized off-label treatment for managing mild or impending hypoglycemia and is administered as a small subcutaneous injection. It was initially described for use in children who were unable to tolerate or absorb oral carbohydrates but not in need of advanced medical care. Yet, mini-dose glucagon may be useful in any individual with relative insulin excess. The regimen aims to prevent severe hypoglycemic episodes and is safe, effective, and easily administered by patients and caregivers in the out-of-hospital setting. By empowering patients and their families, this important tool could help to alleviate the physical, psychosocial, and financial burden evolving from impending hypoglycemia.
Desulfurization of air at high and low H2S concentrations

Abstract Several commercially available coconut-based activated carbons were tested as adsorbents of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) at high and low H 2 S concentrations. These carbons were compared to an experimental coconut-based carbon modified by impregnation with strongly basic compounds and an oxidant. The breakthrough curves for H 2 S at 3000 ppm and 10 ppm were measured at room temperature. The effects of humidity and water content on H 2 S removal were investigated. The carbon samples were characterized before and after H 2 S adsorption using XRF, sorption of nitrogen, thermal analysis in combination with mass spectrometry (TGA–MS) and thermal desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TD–GC–MS), along with pH measurements. These methods were used to track the activated carbon surface chemical changes upon H 2 S adsorption/reactive adsorption. The amount of H 2 S adsorbed on all activated carbons was found to be dependent on the amount of surface basic groups. TGA–MS and TD–GC–MS analysis revealed H 2 S is adsorbed via reactive adsorption mechanisms. Metal sulfates, elemental sulfur, carbon sulfide, oxides of sulfur and dihydrogen disulfide are the products of surface reactions.
Electrospun silk biomaterial scaffolds for regenerative medicine

Electrospinning is a versatile technique that enables the development of nanofiber-based biomaterial scaffolds. Scaffolds can be generated that are useful for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine since they mimic the nanoscale properties of certain fibrous components of the native extracellular matrix in tissues. Silk is a natural protein with excellent biocompatibility, remarkable mechanical properties as well as tailorable degradability. Integrating these protein polymer advantages with electrospinning results in scaffolds with combined biochemical, topographical and mechanical cues with versatility for a range of biomaterial, cell and tissue studies and applications. This review covers research related to electrospinning of silk, including process parameters, post treatment of the spun fibers, functionalization of nanofibers, and the potential applications for these material systems in regenerative medicine. Research challenges and future trends are also discussed.
Rhenium-Osmium Isotope Systematics of Carbonaceous Chondrites

Rhenium and osmium concentrations and Os isotopic compositions of eight carbonaceous chondrites, one LL3 ordinary chondrite, and two iron meteorites were determined by resonance ionization mass spectrometry. Iron meteorite 187Re/186Os and l87Os/l86Os ratios plot on the previously determined iron meteorite isochron, but most chondrite data plot 1 to 2 percent above this meteorite isochron. This suggests either that irons have significantly younger Re-Os closure ages than chondrites or that chondrites were formed from precursor materials with different chemical histories from the precursors of irons. Some samples of Semarkona (LL3) and Murray (C2M) meteorites plot 4 to 6 percent above the iron meteorite isochron, well above the field delineated by other chondrites. Murray may have lost Re by aqueous leaching during its preterrestrial history. Semarkona could have experienced a similar loss of Re, but only slight aqueous alteration is evident in the meteorite. Therefore, the isotopic composition of Semarkona could reflect assembly of isotopically heterogeneous components subsequent to 4.55 billion years ago or Os isotopic heterogeneities in the primordial solar nebula.
OrbId: Origin-based identification of microRNA targets.

MicroRNAs coordinate networks of mRNAs, but predicting specific sites of interactions is complicated by the very few bases of complementarity needed for regulation. Although efforts to characterize the specific requirements for microRNA (miR) regulation have made some advances, no general model of target recognition has been widely accepted. In this work, we describe an entirely novel approach to miR target identification. The genomic events responsible for the creation of individual miR loci have now been described with many miRs now known to have been initially formed from transposable element (TE) sequences. In light of this, we propose that limiting miR target searches to transcripts containing a miR’s progenitor TE can facilitate accurate target identification. In this report we outline the methodology behind OrbId (Origin-based identification of microRNA targets). In stark contrast to the principal miR target algorithms (which rely heavily on target site conservation across species and are therefore most effective at predicting targets for older miRs), we find OrbId is particularly efficacious at predicting the mRNA targets of miRs formed more recently in evolutionary time. After defining the TE origins of > 200 human miRs, OrbId successfully generated likely target sets for 191 predominately primate-specific human miR loci. While only a handful of the loci examined were well enough conserved to have been previously evaluated by existing algorithms, we find ~80% of the targets for the oldest miR (miR-28) in our analysis contained within the principal Diana and TargetScan prediction sets. More importantly, four of the 15 OrbId miR-28 putative targets have been previously verified experimentally. In light of OrbId proving best-suited for predicting targets for more recently formed miRs, we suggest OrbId makes a logical complement to existing, conservation based, miR target algorithms.
Factors Affecting Dalapon Absorption and Translocation in Johnsongrass

The factors affecting the absorption and translocation of 14C-dalapon (2.2-dichloropropionic acid) in johnsongrass were studied. Johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] was first pot-grown in a greenhouse and then treated and placed in controlled-environment chambers. Absorption of 14C-dalapon into johnsongrass leaves and subsequent translocation occurred continuously within the plant during a 48-h period after treatment. Gas chromatographic analysis of johnsongrass extracts showed that the dalapon molecule was translocated intact. Absorption and translocation of 14C-dalapon increased as the droplet volume of the diluent was increased from 0.2 to 5.0 μl per treated spot. At 21 and 32°C, translocation of 14C-dalapon from a 2-cm treated leaf section into the plant was greater at 100% than at 35% relative humidity. At 38°C, translocation was greater at 35% than at 100% relative humidity. The addition of 0.5% surfactant to the dalapon solution increased translocation under all environmental conditions studied. The addition of 0.1 M KH2PO4 to dalapon-surfactant solutions increased 4-dalapon translocation under high temperature (38°C), especially at 35% relative humidity.
Distribution free two-sample methods for judgment post-stratified data

A distribution-free procedure is developed to test a stochastic order relation between two distributions based on judgment post-stratied (JPS) data. The proposed inference relies on Mann-Whitney rank sum statistics. Two classes of test statistics are provided. The
Effect of Slit Width on Background Correction in Photographic Photometry

Slope of the characteristic curve drawn from measurements of a narrow-lined spectrum is less than that of a curve drawn from broad lines or from continua. This is due to 1) the lateral diffusion of lines within the emulsion, 2) narrow lines being subject to Schwarzschild-Villiger Effect in the densitometer, which particularly tends to change the shape of the toe. (This effect is minimized in dense lines due to diffusion), and 3) the spreading of dense lines, which causes errors in reading background if the area read is too close to the line. Each of the three effects lowers the line-to-background ratio.
Acid−Base Bifunctional and Dielectric Outer-Sphere Effects in Heterogeneous Catalysis: A Comparative Investigation of Model Primary Amine Catalysts

Dielectric and acid−base bifunctional effects are elucidated in heterogeneous aminocatalysis using a synthetic strategy based on bulk silica imprinting. Acid−base cooperativity between silanols and amines yields a bifunctional catalyst for the Henry reaction that forms α,β-unsaturated product via quasi-equilibrated iminium intermediate. Solid-state UV/vis spectroscopy of catalyst materials treated with salicylaldehyde demonstrates zwitterionic iminium ion to be the thermodynamically preferred product in the bifunctional catalyst. This product is observed to a much lesser extent relative to its neutral imine tautomer in primary amine catalysts having outer-sphere silanols partially replaced by aprotic functional groups. One of these primary amine catalysts, consisting of a polar outer-sphere environment derived from cyano-terminated capping groups, has activity comparable to that of the bifunctional catalyst in the Henry reaction, but instead forms the β-nitro alcohol product in high selectivity (∼99%). Th...
Humanitarian responses to mass violence perpetrated against vulnerable populations.

This multidisciplinary review links three areas of legitimate inquiry for practitioners of medicine and public health. The first is occurrences of mass violence or genocide perpetrated against vulnerable populations, with a focus on the failure of national and international mechanisms to prevent or predict such violence. The second is evolving concepts of national sovereignty and an emerging framework in which the imperative to assist vulnerable populations supersedes a state's right to self determination. The last is how medical, public health, and other systems of surveillance and rapid assessment of mass violence can accelerate public awareness and facilitate structured, consistent political decision making to prevent mass violence and to provide international humanitarian assistance. Let no one be discouraged by the belief there is nothing one man or one woman can do against the enormous array of the world's ills--against misery and ignorance, injustice and violence…. Each time he stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. Robert F Kennedy The principles of medicine and public health may help decision makers determine the timing and level of intervention to protect vulnerable populations from mass violence. Mass violence occurs overtly through warfare and civil strife, or covertly through the creation of morbid conditions, and here refers not only to homicide and genocide through direct injury but also to the promotion of other threats to the survival of populations, such as famine, drought, communicable disease, migration, and imprisonment. Mass violence and genocide are not homogeneous: their manifestations are quite diverse.1 Vulnerable populations include peoples identifiable by common …
Repetitive vergence training improves precision

A `random walk' visual training system was developed to be presented on a haploscope. This test entailed a series of 2 and 4 deg step changes located at different vergence angles presented for an unpredictable amount of time. This training sequence was designed to serve as a control measurement for future comparison to evaluate whether three dimensional gaming stimulates adaptation to the vergence system. The random walk haploscope training is core of this paper. Five binocular normal controls participated in 12 hours of training consisting of visual tracking stimuli at near vergence angles (16, 18, 20 degrees), at far vergence angles (1, 3, 5 degrees), and smooth visual tracking (ramps) from near to far stimulating different tracking speeds. Significant improvements were not observed in peak velocity and the time to peak velocity for most subjects. The subject within the group studied who exhibited the longest reaction time to attain peak vergence velocity did exhibit a significant decrease in the amount of time to attain 90% of the steady state after 12 sessions of vergence training. Results suggest that subjects who have longer reaction times may improve their ability to fuse new targets or improve precision after repetitive vergence training.
Sprinkler selection for line-source irrigation systems

Line-source sprinkler irrigation systems have been widely used in plant water relations studies, but lack guidelines for selection of appropriate sprinklers for specific applications. The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate different sprinkler types for potential application in a special line-source sprinkler system for a specific plot size. During its course, a general procedure was developed that can be used to analyze can-catch data from tests on single sprinklers run at different combinations of pressures and nozzle heights. This allows the water application gradient away from the sprinkler to the determined and provides data for selecting the best spacing and sprinkler pattern for maximum uniformity in a line-source application.
Giga-stack: A method for visualizing giga-pixel layered imagery on massively tiled displays

In this paper, we present a technique for the interactive visualization and interrogation of multi-dimensional giga-pixel imagery. Co-registered image layers representing discrete spectral wavelengths or temporal information can be seamlessly displayed and fused. Users can freely pan and zoom, while swiftly transitioning through data layers, enabling intuitive analysis of massive multi-spectral or time-varying records. A data resource aware display paradigm is introduced which progressively and adaptively loads data from remote network attached storage devices. The technique is specifically designed to work with scalable, high-resolution, massively tiled display environments. By displaying hundreds of mega-pixels worth of visual information all at once, several users can simultaneously compare and contrast complex data layers in a collaborative environment.
Supernatural Capital: A Note on the Žižek-Milbank Debate

One of the more interesting points of contention between Slavoj Žižek and John Milbank in their recent debate, The Monstrosity of Christ, is over the nature and status of belief in the supernatural. For Žižek belief in the supernatural is an ultimate symptom of capitalist domination; for Milbank it is a sign of the reality of the elusive promise of a world whose beneficence exceeds both the imagination and the administrative powers of empire and capital. I contend that even without Milbank's orthodox perspective, Žižek's reduction of magic to fantasy obscures the black magic of capitalism itself and so arbitrarily and unnecessarily forecloses on modes of resistance that are allied to liturgical, theurgical, and spiritual practices.
Technical Note: The Effect of Xenon Implantation on the Corrosion Behavior of Fe-Cr Alloys

Ion implantation is a technique that has been used frequently to investigate the corrosion behavior of metastable alloys. The implantation process results in a chemically and structurally modified surface layer. The implanted layer is generally less than several thousand amgstroms deep. Inert gases (Xe, Ar, etc.) are sometimes implanted to act as markers for studies involving these surface modified materials. This study shows that in the case of xenon in Fe-6Cr, the introduction of a dense dislocation network as a result of implantation damage appears to enhance the initiation of revice corrosion. The crevice corrosion problem can be addressed by using proper masking techniques which eliminate the crevice.
O006 Role of nucleic acid-binding polymers in TLR activation and autoimmune disease development

Introduction Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a critical role in innate and adaptive immune responses by responding to pathogenic nucleic acids. Moreover, they have recently been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) due to their ability to recognize self-antigens. There has been growing evidence suggesting that blocking of nucleic acid-sending TLRs such as TLR7 and 9 results in ameliorated disease. Although effective in blocking autoimmune disease progression, TLR inhibitors are not ideal given that they interfere with normal responses to pathogens. Our goal is to create compounds that bind nucleic acids prior to their entry into the cell and engagement of TLRs. Here we determined the role of nucleic acid-binding cationic polymers in neutralizing the proinflammatory effects of nucleic acids on a variety of immune cells implicated in autoimmune disease development. Methods B cells and dendritic cells (DCs) of wild type and lupus prone mice were exposed to TLR7 and 9 synthetic agonists. Supernatants were subsequently assessed for nucleic acid-driven proinflammatory cytokine release, plasma cell differentiation and antibody production. Cells were also assessed for their ability to respond to encapsulated viral particles in the presence of nucleic-acid binding cationic polymers. Results Nucleic acid-binding polymers inhibit TLR activation and subsequent cytokine production by both dendritic cells (DCs) and B cells of wild type and lupus prone mice. They also block nucleic acid-driven plasma cell differentiation and antibody production. Additionally, they modulate co-stimulatory cell surface marker expression (CD80, CD86) in stimulated DCs and B cells. Stimulation of immune cells by encapsulated viral particles is unaffected in the presence of polymers. Conclusion These findings provide a new avenue in drug development as nucleic acid-binding agents can potentially be utilized to block overt autoimmune disorders while allowing normal immune responses to occur.
Neural mechanisms underlying direction-selective avoidance behavior

Avoiding looming objects (possible predators) is essential for animals'survival. This article presents a neural network model to account for the detection of and response to a looming stimulus. The generation of an appropriate response includes five tasks: detection of a looming stimulus, localization of the stimulus position, computation of the direction of the stimulus movement, determination of escape direction, and selection of a proper motor action. The detection of a looming stimulus is achieved based on the expansion of the retinal image and depth information. The spatial location of the stimulus is encoded by a population of neurons. The direction of the looming stimulus is computed by monitoring the shift of the peak of neuronal activity in this population. The signal encoding the stimulus location is gated by the direction- selective neurons onto a motor heading map, which specifies the escape direction. The selection of a proper action is achieved through competition among different groups of m...
An electronmicroscopic study of microtubules in the development of marginal cells of the mouse stria vascularis

Abstract This study provides an ultrastructural evaluation of cytoplasmic microtubules during the maturation of marginal cells of the mouse stria vascularis. Postnatal marginal cells are cuboidal in structure and over a period of days develop the numerous cellular processes typical of transporting epithelia. Immediately after birth, marginal cells contain numerous microtubules randomly oriented throughout the cytoplasm. Golgi bodies and vesicles are also abundant. The initiation of cellular extension is characterized by the presence of sheet-like extensions of plasma membrane about areas of the cell periphery. Subsequently, large organelle-containing processes form, whose plasmalemma appear pleated due to the presence of the above mentioned sheet-like extensions. Typically, these processes contain microtubules oriented parallel to the direction of their extension. Within these processes, microtubules are closely associated with organelles, such as mitochondria, and may function to displace and stratify these organelles within the processes. The number and length of microtubules increase as the processes grow larger. In the adult mouse, the strial marginal cell processes are attenuated and contain almost exclusively microtubules and mitochondria. The membrane pleats unfold, apparently to provide plasma membrane for cellular extension. The data strongly implicate microtubules in strial development. Furthermore, it is suggested that the depolymerization of microtubules in the adult may underlie strial atrophy.
The Enterprise-Web portal for life-cycle support

As we enter the new millennium, the approach to product development is evolving rapidly. Companies are in the process of creating a distributed design and manufacturing environment that enables integrated product, processes, and protocols development (IP3D). Certain strategies and some specific technologies are required to create such an environment. One such strategy is finding effective methods for communication and sharing of information, especially those related to design and manufacturing, throughout the entire enterprise and the supply chain. The technologies that support such a strategy must be able to deal with distributed environments and databases, must ensure reliability and security, and must be practical. Therefore, to accomplish this task efficiently, we need a roadmap that spells out the communication infrastructure (with a practical access interface) and defines the administration and management methodology. We suggest here that electronic access to design and manufacturing information within the extended enterprise must be Web-based because of its universal interface, open standards, ease of use, and ubiquity. To effectively deal with the distributed data, we recommend combining the distributed object standards (e.g. CORBA/DCOM) with the Web standards and protocols (e.g. Java, XML, IIOP) to create the Object Web. Finally, we propose that the Object Web must be combined with an enterprise's information authoring and management systems (e.g. CAD, PDM, ERP) to create the Enterprise-Web (E-Web) portal, with the mission of providing the right information to the right person at the right time and in the right format anywhere within the extended enterprise. In this paper we identify a majority of the components needed to implement the E-Web and provide user scenarios (based on actual working prototypes) to demonstrate the effectiveness of such a system. Using the scenarios and the prototypes, we will show how E-Web can provide support for everyone associated with a product during its life cycle, thus creating a true IP3D environment.
TREATMENT OF AIDS WITH INTRAVENOUS GAMMAGLOBULIN

Top of pageAbstract B cell abnormalities have been reported in adults with AIDS. These abnormalities include poor antibody responses to neo-antigens, and poor in vitro lymphocyte mitogenic responses to Pokeweed Mitogen. Similar abnormalities have been reported by us in infants with AIDS and AIDS related complex. These infants have had multiple bacterial infections including sepsis. 16 patients, 11 infants and 5 adults have been treated with i-v gammaglobulin (Cutter Laboratories) 200mg/kg biweekly for 3 months to 3 years. Clinically, a significant reduction in bacterial infections was noted in all patients. 2 infants developed new opportunistic infections while on treatment. In most patients an increase in the OKT4/T8 ratio and in lymphocyte blasttransformation to phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen was noted. In 2 out of 4 studied patients suppressor T cell functions were restored. During the first infusions of gamma-globulin transient elevations of serum immune complexes and a drop in total hemolytic complement were sometimes noted. However, with time serum immune complexes decreased to normal levels. None of these changes have been observed in 19 untreated infants with AIDS. I-V gammaglobulin in conjunction with other immunotherapeutic modalities may be of benefit for AIDS patients.
GW25-e4532 Effects of EPC-derived Microvesicles on Ang II-induced Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy and Apoptosis

Cell-released microvesicles (MVs) are implicated in mediating cell-to-cell communication and are able to modulate target cell functions. Previous evidence indicates that endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) -derived MVs can modulate endothelial cell survival and proliferation. In this study, we
Microbial metabolic exchange—the chemotype-to-phenotype link

The function of microbial interactions is to enable microorganisms to survive by establishing a homeostasis between microbial neighbors and local environments. A microorganism can respond to environmental stimuli using metabolic exchange-the transfer of molecular factors, including small molecules and proteins. Microbial interactions not only influence the survival of the microbes but also have roles in morphological and developmental processes of the organisms themselves and their neighbors. This, in turn, shapes the entire habitat of these organisms. Here we highlight our current understanding of metabolic exchange as well as the emergence of new technologies that are allowing us to eavesdrop on microbial conversations comprising dozens to hundreds of secreted metabolites that control the behavior, survival and differentiation of members of the community. The goal of the rapidly advancing field studying multifactorial metabolic exchange is to devise a microbial 'Rosetta stone' in order to understand the language by which microbial interactions are negotiated and, ultimately, to control the outcome of these conversations.
A New Way of Thinking about Social Location in Science

The Durkheimian concept of the density of social relationships may prove more fruitful than the historical materialist notion of a social hierarchy for thinking about the social location of epistemic agents in science. To define a scientist’s social location in terms of the density of her professional relationships with other scientists permits us to give a more precise characterization of marginalization and thus to formulate more testable hypotheses about marginalized groups in science. The notion of social density helps to explain not only how some individual scientists are more likely than others to get a hearing for their ideas, but also how scientific inquiry flourishes more in some societies than in others.
Comparison of Water Vapor Sorption by Milk Powder Components

Abstract Water vapor is absorbed by milk powder at sites dependent upon the relative pressure, P/Po, of the atmosphere to which the powder is exposed. Comparison of the water sorption isotherms for the protein, sugar, and mixed salts comparable with that found in milk powder indicated that at low P/Po water is bound primarily by the casein fraction in the powder. As the P/Po progresses toward 0.5, lactose becomes more active in water binding. At P/Po = 0.5 the lactose accumulates sufficient water to undergo transition from the glass to crystalline hydrate state. This phase transition is accompanied by a net loss of water by the powder and as the relative pressure rises above 0.5, the salts rapidly absorb moisture.
ENSO and non-ENSO induced charging and discharging of the equatorial Pacific

It is well established that variations in extratropical North Pacific wind stress fields can influence the state of the tropical Pacific 12–15 months prior to the maturation of boreal winter El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events. While most research has focused on accompanying variations in the North Pacific trade winds and underlying sea surface temperatures that subsequently shift equatorward via anomalous air–sea interactions—e.g. meridional mode dynamics—observational and numerical model analyses indicate empirical and dynamical links exist between these same trade-wind variations and concurrent changes in subsurface temperatures across the equatorial Pacific, which can also serve as a key initiator of ENSO events. This paper shows that within an observationally-constrained ocean reanalysis dataset this initiation mechanism—termed the trade-wind charging (TWC) mechanism—is induced by the second leading mode of boreal winter zonal wind stress variability over the tropical Pacific and operates separately from ENSO-induced recharge/discharge of the equatorial Pacific heat content. The paper then examines the characteristics and evolution of the ENSO and TWC modes. Results indicate that the oceanic evolution for both modes is consistent with wind stress induced vertically-integrated, meridional mass transport into and out of the equatorial Pacific—i.e. a charging and discharging of the equatorial Pacific—despite having distinctly different wind stress anomaly patterns. The process-based similarity between these two modes of tropical Pacific wind stress variability suggests that both can produce a charging/discharging of the equatorial Pacific, however one (the ENSO mode) represents part of the ENSO cycle itself and the other (the TWC mode) represents a separate forcing mechanism of that cycle.
Interaction of metal ions with tRNA: effects of cadmium, zinc, and magnesium ions on chromatographic behavior of tyrosine and leucine tRNA species.

The mechanism by which certain divalent cations may cause toxic effects was studied by examining the in vitro response of certain transfer RNAs to the cations. Two Drosophila tRNAs, those for tyrosine and leucine, were examined by reversed-phase column 5 (RPC-5) chromatography in the presence of each of three metal ions, Zn2+, Mg2+, and Cd2+. As Zn2+ concentration increased, both tRNAs eluted at progressively higher ionic strengths and the isoacceptor patterns collapsed and then reappeared. In contrast, when either the Mg2+ or the Cd2+ concentration increased, both tRNAs eluted at lower ionic strengths and the resolution of each of the isoacceptors was reduced. The resolution of tRNATyr from tRNALeu was best with Cd2+ and poorest with Mg2+. If the observed changes were caused by conformational changes, they should be reversed upon removal of the metal ion; this was found to be so. Recovery of the tRNA after chromatography was reduced with Zn2+, presumably through nonspecific hydrolysis. One late-eluting leucyl-tRNA species was labile to incubation in the presence or absence of metal ion, followed by heating to 95°C. This same species was labile to Zn2+ exposure in the absence of heating. We suggest that reversed-phase column 5 chromatography is useful for evaluation of the effect of divalent metal ions on tRNA conformation and that the effects of various toxic metal ions could be examined in this manner.
Economic assessment of plant cell culture for the production of ajmalicine

Cost estimates have been prepared for commercial-scale production of ajmalicine-rich Catnaranthus roseus biomass using plant cell culture. At the current state of the technology the cost would be approximately $7.30/lb dry biomass ($3215/kg ajmalicine). Naturally-grown C. roseus roots have a 50% lower ajmalicine concentration but would cost only ca. $0.70/lb ($619/kg ajmalicine). The principal reason for the high cost of the plant cell culture route is not the slow specific growth rate (0.35 day(-1)), but rather the slow specific product accumulation rate (0.26 mg/g day). This rate will have to be increased by a factor of 40 to make the process competitive.
A double layered plate method for the detection of microbial lipolysis.

SUMMARY A double layered plating procedure has been adapted for the determination of lipolysis by micro-organisms. The base layer is prepared by mixing any fat, oil or triglyceride with Victoria Blue B and agar in a blender. Layers 2–3 mm thick are poured, allowed to solidify and overlaid with a suitable nutrient medium. This procedure allows considerable flexibility in the choice of fat as well as of nutrient medium. If lipolytic counts are desired, dilutions can be placed on the surface of the base layer prior to pouring the nutrient medium. Data are presented to show that no single fat or nutrient medium is suitable for all micro-organisms. Acid production from carbohydrates in the medium rarely caused confusion in recognizing lipolysis.