cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stimulation of the antigen-induced contraction of guinea-pig trachea and immunological release of histamine and SRS-A from sensitized guinea-pig lung by (2-isopropyl-3-indolyl)-3 pyridyl ketone (L8027) and indomethacin.

Abstract 1 (2-Isopropyl-3-indolyl)-3 pyridyl ketone (L8027) and indomethacin reduced basal tension and enhanced the antigen- and histamine-induced contractions of tracheal spirals obtained from actively sensitized guinea-pigs. The stimulating effect of L8027 required the presence of the drug, while that of indomethacin persisted after its removal from the organ bath. 2 L8027 and indomethacin stimulated the immunological release of histamine and slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) and inhibited the de novo synthesis and release of malondialdehyde from actively sensitized guinea-pig lung fragments. 3 L8027 was 2,800 times more potent than indomethacin in both in vitro models of anaphylaxis. 4 A selective antagonist of SRS-A (FPL 55712) inhibited contractions produced by antigen, but had no effect on contractions produced by histamine. 5 Prostaglandins E and F2 alpha were continuously released into the organ bath fluid by the resting trachea. Contractions induced by antigen or histamine increased the rate of prostaglandin efflux. 6 L8027 had no effect on the efflux of prostaglandins E and F2 alpha at rest and during contraction. Indomethacin inhibited prostaglandin efflux at rest and during contraction while present in the organ bath. Prostaglandin efflux was restored to 80% of control after removal of indomethacin. 7 The results suggest that prostaglandins E and F2 alpha have no role in the stimulation by L8027 and indomethacin of the contractile responses of guinea-pig trachea. The possible mechanism for the effects of these drugs is discussed.
Aspects of electromagnetic nuclear physics and electroweak interactions

This chapter is a continuation of the material presented in a previous Summer School. Some of the basic formalism needed in discussions of parity-conserving and parity-violating electron scattering is repeated here to make the notes reasonably self-consistent, although in several instances the main results are merely summarized and the reader is encouraged to find the details. This chapter is organized in the following way. In Section 2 the nature of the leptonic tensor is reviewed and extensions to include both incident and scattered electron polarizations incorporated. The general problem was treated. Here the author has chosen to present some new results for the leptonic polarization transfer process. In Section 3 the nature of the hadronic tensor and the electromagnetic hadronic (nuclear) response functions are again discussed. Recent work on the inclusive process A(e,e{prime}) is reported in the first part of the section, after repeating the familiar arguments leading to the unpolarized inclusive electron scattering cross section. The subject of inclusive scattering from polarized targets, on the other hand, is not discussed here and the reader is referred to treatments of those concepts. 45 refs., 5 figs.
Hear Today, God Tomorrow?: To Be in But Not of The Law With Moses, And Milner Ball

Milner Ball may be the most active, intense, quiet, careful listener in the entire world. In hearing and writing about varied voices and the voiceless, he undoubtedly is foremost within the realm of American law-and far beyond law and the United States as well. Yet Milner is no mere passive, tolerant listener. He hears with his heart. With masterful artistry, he gleans the meanings that others convey, no matter how halting or varied the means used. Then Milner's own eccentric, punctilious, and proper passion creates anew through words and wonder-and the world is better for it.
Writing to learn and learning to write across the disciplines: Peer-to-peer writing in introductory-level MOOCs

This study aimed to evaluate how peer-to-peer interactions through writing impact student learning in introductory-level massive open online courses (MOOCs) across disciplines. This article presents the results of a qualitative coding analysis of peer-to-peer interactions in two introductory level MOOCs: English Composition I: Achieving Expertise and Introduction to Chemistry. Results indicate that peer-to-peer interactions in writing through the forums and through peer assessment enhance learner understanding, link to course learning objectives, and generally contribute positively to the learning environment. Moreover, because forum interactions and peer review occur in written form, our research contributes to open distance learning (ODL) scholarship by highlighting the importance of writing to learn as a significant pedagogical practice that should be encouraged more in MOOCs across disciplines.
Adaptive spectral conditioning for improved radar detection

In moving target radar scenarios temporal nonstationarities can profoundly effect performance of spatial target detectors. These nonstationarities are often ignored simply because it has been computationally inefficient, or mathematically intractable to handle them. This nonstationary noise, however can often be localized in spatial frequency. A spatial multiresolution Markov structure can thus be used to isolate these temporal nonstationarities. In this paper we employ a multiresolution-Markov matched filter detection scheme that integrates Kalman conditioning criteria to remove temporal nonstationarities and thereby improve radar detection performance.
Applications of Statistical Physics to Mixing in Microchannels: Entropy and Multifractals

We apply rigorous measures of mixing based on entropy in conjunction with fractals to the field of microfluidics. First we determine the entropy and multifractal dimensions of images of mixing a fluorescent and a non-fluorescent fluid in a microchannel. We find the microstructures to be self-similar (fractals). Second we propose a new approach for patterning the walls of microchannels using the Weierstrass function. We have evidence from numerical simulations that by properly adjusting the dimension of the Weierstrass function one can get microfluidic devices that exhibit better mixing than the current ones.
Aristotelian Commentaries and Scientific Change: The Parisian Nominalists on the Cause of the Natural Motion of Inanimate Bodies

Following the lead of Pierre Duhem, historians of medieval science have long studied the work of medieval natural philosophers with an eye to seeing how it led or did not lead to the emergence of modern science in the seventeenth century.1 If one accepts the view of Duhem and others that quite a lot of good natural philosophy was done by fourteenth-century scholastic Aristotelians such as John Buridan, Nicole Oresme, and Albert of Saxony at Paris, and Thomas Bradwardine, William Heytesbury, and Richard Swineshead at Oxford, then the question may arise why it took so long for modern science to break away from scholastic Aristotelianism to produce the new physics of the likes of Galileo, Descartes, and Newton. Edward Grant has proposed that it was, in part, the commentary form that brought it about that scholastic Aristotelians absorbed a multitude of small variations on
The relationship between plasma and brain quinolinic acid levels and the severity of hepatic encephalopathy in animal models of fulminant hepatic failure

Quinolinic acid is an excitatory, neurotoxic tryptophan metabolite proposed to play a role in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy. This involvement was investigated in rat and rabbit models of fulminant hepatic failure at different stages of hepatic encephalopathy. Although plasma and brain tryptophan levels were significantly increased in all stages of hepatic encephalopathy, quinolinic acid levels increased three-to sevenfold only in the plasma, CSF, and brain regions of animals in stage IV hepatic encephalopathy. Plasma-CSF and plasma-brain quinolinic acid levels in rats and rabbits with fulminant hepatic failure were strongly correlated, with CSF and brain concentrations approximately 10% those of plasma levels. Moreover, there was no significant regional difference in brain quinolinic acid concentrations in either model. Extrahepatic indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase activity was not altered in rats in stage IV hepatic encephalopathy, but hepatic L-tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase activity was increased. These results suggest that quinolinic acid synthesized in the liver enters the plasma and then accumulates in the CNS after crossing a permeabilized blood-brain barrier in the end stages of liver failure. Furthermore, the observation of low brain concentrations of quinolinic acid only in stage IV encephalopathy suggests that the contribution of quinolinic acid to the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy in these animal models is minor.
MO‐G‐BRC‐04: Normal Liver Tissue Density Dose‐Response in Patients Treated with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Liver Metastases

Purpose: To investigate normal livertissue density changes as a function of dose and time for patients with metastatic livertumorstreated with stereotactic body radiation therapy(SBRT). Methods: Seventy‐one non‐ contrast follow‐up computed‐tomography (CT) scans of 18 patients with liver metastases were retrospectively analyzed from the time of treatment to their final follow‐up scan [range, 1–24 months] [median, 8.2 months]. All patients received a prescription dose of 40–60 Gy [median, 57 Gy] in 3–5 fractions delivered with 3DCRT or dynamic conformal arcs. The follow‐up scans were binned into the following time periods: 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. The liver volume was contoured on all scans for each patient and registered to the planning CT.Dose‐response curves (DRC) were calculated by averaging Hounsfield unit changes (HU) in liver regions (excluding PTV) receiving the same dose in 5 Gy intervals. Results: For early follow‐ ups, a small decrease in normal liverCT numbers (up to −10 HU) was observed from the first to the second follow‐up periods (3 to 6 months); however, this decrease was not observed from treatment to the first follow‐ up period. For later follow‐ups (9, 12, and 18 months), a significant increase in liverCT numbers was seen [up to 20 HU]. A return to the baseline planning CT values was observed for the last follow‐up period (24 months), but only within lower dose regions [< 25 Gy]. Conclusions: The early pathologic veno‐occlusive disease response [Olsen et al., IJROBP 2009] in normal liver after SBRT produces minimal quantitative density change despite its characteristic hypodense CT appearance. The subsequent tissue regenerative process involves transiently increased density that appears to consolidate over time. The high dose region tissue changes are possibly triggered by the mechanism of sinusoidal endothelial cell disruption described in preclinical models [Yamanouchi et al., Hepatology 2009].
Dinitrochlorobenzene immunotherapy for verrucae resistant to standard treatment modalities

Using a different protocol from previous studies with dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), an 87% cure rate was achieved for difficult warts. All patients who entered in the study had failed to respond to prior conventional treatment modalities. Morbidity from the treatment was insignificant. We conclude that immunotherapy for warts is an important addition to current modalities, but we do not recommend its routine use or as initial treatment of ordinary warts.
Electron-stimulated desorption of silicates: A potential source for ions in Mercury's space environment

[1] The potential role of electron-stimulated desorption (ESD) in the formation of Mercury's exosphere has been examined. Experimental results involving electron irradiation of Na- and K-bearing silicate glasses yielded direct desorption of H+, H2+, O+, H3O+, Na+, K+, and O2+. A simulation has also been performed to calculate electron precipitation fluxes and energies that may be used in the interpretation of measurements made by MESSENGER (Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry, and Ranging) spacecraft instruments and to better understand the formation of the ion and neutral exosphere at Mercury. The electron fluxes are estimated to be ∼1010 cm−2 s−1 with average energies up to 500 eV. The threshold energies for production/release of ions have been measured to be 25 ± 2 eV for H+; 30 ± 2 eV for O+, Na+, and K+; 40 ± 2 eV for H2+ and H3O+; and 90 ± 2 eV for O2+. The 25–30 eV thresholds correlate with deep valence holes in the O 2s levels that undergo Auger decay. The thresholds for H2+ and H3O+ correspond to two-hole states in chemisorbed water, which produce energetic protons that undergo reactive scattering on the surface. A significant increase in ESD yield of all ions is observed above a substrate temperature of 350 K. The estimated total cross section for ESD at a surface temperature of 400 K is ≥10−19 cm2, much larger than neutral production followed by electron impact ionization or photoionization in the gas phase. These results indicate that ESD may contribute to the production and release of regolith constituents, particularly in ionic form, directly into the exosphere of Mercury.
A rate of convergence result for a universal D-semifaithful code

The problem of optimal rate universal coding is considered in the context of rate-distortion theory. A D-semifaithful universal coding scheme for discrete memoryless sources is given. The main result is a refined covering lemma based on the random coding argument and the method of types. The average codelength of the code is shown to approach its lower bound, the rate-distortion function, at a rate O(n/sup -1/log n), and this is conjectured to be optimal based on a result of A.J. Pilc (1968). Issues of constructiveness and universality are addressed. >
S.S. Hope in Africa

Ruth B. Mount of Bronxville, New York is the wife of Dr. Lester A. Mount, an emineni neurosurgeon at the Neurological Institute at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York. The Mounts have recently returned from Africa where, after a two-week safari, they served as volunteers for a month with the floating medical center, S.S. HOPE, just after the ship arrived in Conakry, Guinea, for a year-long medical training and treatment mission. Mrs. Mount’s love and enthusiasm for Project HOPE is evident in this personal document and in the many speeches on the subject she has given to schools, clubs, and other groups. Additional enthusiasms which keep Mrs. Mount busy are the American Field Service Committee and the Red Cross Blood Bank in Bronxville, for both of which she has acted as Chairman. Health Opportunities for People Everywhere! This is the aim of Project HOPE, a medical mission primarily concerned with the teaching of doctors, nurses, dentists and technicians in nations around the world. Currently stationed in Guinea, West Africa, the S.S. HOPE has made previous voyages to Indonesia, Peru and Ecuador. Our own love affair with HOPE began three years ago when we viewed a documentary film showing the work of HOPE in Indonesia. We knew at once that this was a project we had to do something about, and therein lies our story! Project HOPE is the brainchild of Dr. William B. Walsh, a dedicated Washington D.C. physician, who secured from the government the loan of a former Navy hospital ship which had been retired to the mothball fleet. Then, with funds contributed by people like
A New Method to Collect Granulocytes Using a Low Dose of Hydroxyethyl Starch

A new granulocyte collection method employing discontinuous flow centrifugation and low donor dose of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is presented. Following the procedure, the increase in serum polysaccharide concentration was 100 mg/dl, about 20% of that seen after standard discontinuous flow leukapheresis. The average efficiency of granulocyte collection by this method is about 64%. The average yield of WBC from 2,600 ml of donors' whole blood is 1.64 +/- 0.54 x 10(10) (mean +/- 1 SD) and the average granulocyte yield is 1.33 +/- 0.51 x 10(10) (mean +/- 1 SD). The granulocytes were shown to migrate to the sites of infection in vivo. This approach is an improvement over standard discontinuous flow leukapheresis because of the high efficiency of granulocyte collection and because multiple procedures are possible without exposing donors to more HES than is currently given during a single procedure.
Effects of orientation information on spouses' anxieties and attitudes toward hospitalization and surgery.

Based on cognitive dissonance theory, the effects of orientation information on spouses' anxieties and attitudes toward hospitalization and surgery were investigated using an experimental design. It was hypothesized that spouses given orientation information would experience fewer anxieties and show more favorable attitudes toward hospitalization and surgery than those who did not receive orientation information. The Solomon four-group design was used, and 48 spouses were randomly assigned to one of the four experimental and control groups. The experimental treatment consisted of structured information and a question-and-answer session that oriented each spouse to the surgical experience. The control treatment consisted of each spouse visiting with the patient for 20 minutes. Immediately following the treatment, anxiety and attitude were measured by the State Anxiety Inventory, the Spouses' Perception Scale, and the Spouse Questionnaire. The results show that spouses in the experimental group had significantly more positive attitudes toward hospitalization and surgery and reported significantly fewer anxieties on one of two anxiety measures than did spouses in the control group.
The Relation Between Research and the Scholarship of Teaching

The author explores the relation between research and the scholarship of teaching, with an emphasis on the central role of the creation of pedagogical content knowledge.
Human Herpesvirus 8 Viral Interleukin-6 Signaling through gp130 Promotes Virus Replication in Primary Effusion Lymphoma and Endothelial Cells

The contributions of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) viral interleukin-6 (vIL-6) to virus biology remain unclear. Here we examined the role of vIL-6/gp130 signaling in HHV-8 productive replication in primary effusion lymphoma and endothelial cells. Depletion and depletion-complementation experiments revealed that endoplasmic reticulum-localized vIL-6 activity via gp130 and gp130-activated signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling, but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation, was critical for vIL-6 proreplication activity. Our data significantly extend current understanding of vIL-6 function and associated mechanisms in HHV-8 biology.
The pontine reticular formation is part of the output pathway for amphetamine- and apomorphine-induced lateral head movements: Evidence from experimental lesions in the rat

Electrolytic lesions in the caudal part of the medial pontine reticular formation (PRF) in the rat abolished apomorphine- or amphetamine-induced stereotypic lateral head movements and turning to the damaged side. Rats with unilateral PRF lesions turned and circled only to the intact side, and rats with bilateral lesions did not turn at all. PRF lesions were also effective in abolishing or reducing amphetamine-induced circling in rats with unilateral nigrostriatal bundle damage. Thus, head movements induced by dopamine agonists are added to the class of head movements mediated by the PRF. It is proposed that the decussations of the motor pathways for drug-induced turning are located between the midbrain and caudal pons.
Chiral corrections to hyperon vector form factors.

We show that the leading chiral corrections to the [Delta][ital S]=1 [ital f][sub 1] vector form factors of hyperons are [ital O]([ital m][sub [ital s]]) and [ital O]([ital m][sub [ital s]][sup 3/2]), and are expected to be [similar to]20--30 % by dimensional analysis. This is consistent with the Ademollo-Gatto theorem. We compute the [ital O]([ital m][sub [ital s]]) corrections and a subset of the [ital O]([ital m][sub [ital s]][sup 3/2]) corrections using an effective Lagrangian in which the baryons are treated as heavy particles. All of these corrections are surprisingly small, [similar to]5%; combining them, we obtain [similar to]5--10 % corrections. The pattern of corrections is very different from that predicted by quark models.
Molecular genetics of human multiple myeloma

Abstract Molecular methods of defining gene rearrangements and DNA alterations that effect gene expression offer additional insights into malignant transformation of lymphoid cells. The highly clonal nature of myeloma is revealed by characterization of the unique Ig and TcR rearrangements. Whereas detection by DNA blot hybridization requires 2–5% clonality, more recent methods of DNA analysis, such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), can now increase the sensitivity of detection by several orders of magnitude. With improvement in therapies to treat myeloma, the issue of detection of minimal residual disease may be an important consideration in clinical management of the disease. The unique combinations of immunoglobulin gene segments and additional nucleotide alterations at junctional regions can be determined, and DNA probes can be synthesized that are clone-specific (Figure 1). By combining PCR amplification with detection methods employing clone-specific probes, significant improvements in disease detection are possible. As we begin to understand the functional consequences of genetic alterations associated with growth promoting genes such as the oncogenes myc and ras, and their role in myeloma, more promising therapies may be devised.
Lightning Casualties and Property Damage in Colorado from 1950 to 1991 Based on Storm Data

Abstract Forty-two years of lightning casualty and damage reports in Colorado are summarized. The data are from NOAA's Storm Data, which is compiled monthly by the National Weather Service. The dataset contains 103 deaths, 299 injuries, and 191 damage reports from 1950 through 1991. Time fluctuations of these lightning events are shown by classifying the data by year, month, and hour of the day. Additional information is provided on age and gender of lightning victims. Houses were the most common objects reported as damaged by lightning. Fire was the most common source of lightning damage to structures or objects. Comparisons are made of these and other results, when possible, with previous studies of lightning in other locations around the world. Geographical patterns of lightning incidents for the state are shown in maps of total number of casualties, and number of casualties normalized by population density for each county. Much higher casualty rates per population and area occur over the mountains and...
The Past Is Prologue

I have taken this opportunity to review several challenges that have faced veterinary medical education in my time, to recount how they were dealt with, and to probe what lessons might be learned that might frame responses to some of the current challenges facing veterinary education. To lay the background for this discussion, I would like first to comment briefly on my view of the present state of veterinary medicine and veterinary education. Taking a long-term perspective, the veterinary profession today, by all measures, is fulfilling its role of service to society better than at any other time in its long and illustrious history. Although improvements are needed, and we shall refer to some of them, veterinary medicine can proudly take its place as one of the most competent, effective, and service-oriented of all the world’s professions. The veterinary education establishment also is highly accomplished and generally successful in its teaching, research, and public service activities, but it faces some difficult problems that largely have been created by the changing needs of some of veterinary medicine’s most important constituencies. Veterinary medical colleges also are confronted with serious funding problems for bricks and mortar, operations, and training stipends for post-DVM students.
2-D mesh adaption and flux discretizations for dopant diffusion modeling

Mesh generation and adaption for solving dopant diffusion in process simulation is a difficult task, complicated by both the moving boundaries of oxide growth and the time dependence of the solutions. For both computational and ease of use reasons, automatic mesh generation and discretization error control is desirable. This paper describes an approach based on local error estimates to refine the mesh. The results presented in this paper extend our previous work to two-dimensional problems. The implementation of this approach is done in a process simulator, the Florida Object-Oriented Process Simulator. Several test cases are described to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithms.
X-ray Solution Scattering Combined with Computation Characterizing Protein Folds and Multiple Conformational States: Computation and Application

Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is an increasingly powerful technique to characterize the structure of biomolecules in solution. We present a computational method for accurately and efficiently computing the solution scattering curve from a protein with dynamical fluctuations. The method is built upon a coarse-grained (CG) representation of the protein. This CG approach takes advantage of the low-resolution character of solution scattering. It allows rapid determination of the scattering pattern from conformations extracted from CG simulations to obtain scattering characterization of the protein conformational landscapes. Important elements incorporated in the method include an effective residue-based structure factor for each amino acid, an explicit treatment of the hydration layer at the surface of the protein, and an ensemble average of scattering from all accessible conformations to account for macromolecular flexibility. The CG model is calibrated and illustrated to accurately reproduce the experimental scattering curve of Hen egg white lysozyme. We then illustrate the computational method by calculating the solution scattering pattern of several representative protein folds and multiple conformational states. The results suggest that solution scattering data, when combined with a reliable computational method, have great potential for a better structural description of multi-domain complexes in different functional states, and formore » recognizing structural folds when sequence similarity to a protein of known structure is low. Possible applications of the method are discussed.« less
Detoxication of paraoxon by rat liver homogenate and serum carboxylesterases and A‐esterases*

Paraoxon, the active metabolite of parathion, can be detoxified through a noncatalytic pathway by carboxylesterases and a catalytic pathway by calcium-dependent A-esterases, producing p-nitrophenol as a common metabolite. The detoxication patterns of carboxylesterases and A-esterases were investigated in vitro in the present study with a high tissue concentration (75 mg/mL rat liver homogenate or 50% rat serum solution) to more closely reflect enzyme concentrations in intact tissues. A final paraoxon concentration of 3.75 microM was used to incubate with liver homogenates or serum solutions for 5 seconds or 3, 5, 15, or 25 minutes; also 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 3.125, 3.75, or 5.0 microM paraoxon (final concentration) was incubated with liver homogenates or serum solutions for 15 minutes. Phenyl saligenin cyclic phosphate and EDTA were used to inhibit carboxylesterases and A-esterases, respectively. Significant amounts of p-nitrophenol were generated with or without either inhibitor during a 15 minute incubation with paraoxon from low (0.625 microM) to high (5.0 microM) concentrations. The amount of p-nitrophenol generated via carboxylesterase phosphorylation was greater than via A-esterase-mediated hydrolysis in the initial period of incubation or when incubating with a low concentration of paraoxon. Plateau shape curves of p-nitrophenol concentration versus time or paraoxon concentration indicated that carboxylesterase phosphorylation was saturable. When incubated for long time intervals or with high concentrations of paraoxon, more p-nitrophenol was generated via A-esterase-mediated hydrolysis than from carboxylesterase phosphorylation. The ratio of paraoxon concentration to tissue amount used in in vitro assays of this study was equivalent to dosing a rat with toxicologically relevant dosages. These in vitro data suggest that both carboxylesterases and A-esterases detoxify paraoxon in vivo; carboxylesterases may be an important mode of paraoxon detoxication in initial exposures to paraoxon or parathion before they become saturated, whereas A-esterases may contribute to paraoxon detoxication in repeated exposures to paraoxon or parathion because they will not become inhibited and will remain catalytically active unlike the carboxylesterases. The importance of carboxylesterases in detoxication of paraoxon was verified by an in vivo study. In rats pretreated with tri-o-tolyl phosphate, an in vivo carboxylesterase inhibitor, brain acetylcholinesterase was significantly inhibited after intravenous exposure to parathion. No significant inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase was observed in rats pretreated with corn oil.
Recent insights in phosphatidylinositol signaling

Studies of phosphatidylinositol signaling pathways are entering a new phase in which molecular genetic techniques are providing powerful tools to dissect the functions of various metabolites and pathways. Studies with phospholipase C are most advanced and clearly indicate that phosphatidylinositol turnover is critical for vision in Drosophila and cell proliferation in various cultured cells. Expression of cDNA constructs and microinjection of PLC or antibodies against it clearly establish a role for PtdIns signaling distinct from its role in calcium mobilization and protein kinase C activation. The importance of inositol cyclic phosphates is also beginning to be realized from the study of cyclic hydrolase using similar techniques. Elucidation of the function of the 3-phosphate inositol phospholipid pathway awaits similar studies. The recent cDNA cloning of inositol monophosphatase (Diehl et al., 1990), Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase (Choi et al., 1990), and inositol polyphosphate 1-phosphatase (York and Majerus, 1991) should provide tools to define further the cell biology of the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway.
Update in Endocrinology: Evidence Published in 2013

This Update summarizes studies published in 2013 that the authors consider highly relevant to the practice of endocrinology. Topics include thyroid disease, diabetes, and bone disease.
CHEMICAL, PALATABILITY AND COOKING CHARACTERISTICS OF NORMAL AND LOW QUALITY PORK LOINS AS AFFECTED BY FREEZER STORAGE

Loins of normal (Wisc. score 3) and low (Wisc. score 1) quality were compared for pH (fresh only), thiamine (fresh and 120 days), organoleptic and tenderness scores and cooking losses while fresh and after 60 and 120 days' freezer storage. pH was significantly lower for PSE than for normal loins. Thiamine content also was lower for the PSE loins and decreased for both quality groups during storage. TBA values indicated a greater degree of rancidity for PSE loins, but contrary to expected outcome they tended to decrease with freezer storage. Normal loins received significantly higher organoleptic evaluation scores for flavor, juiciness and overall satisfaction. On the other hand, PSE loins tended to be slightly more tender. Tenderness increased with freezer storage time. There were no differences in flavor, juiciness or overall satisfaction scores due to freezer storage. PSE loins had significantly more total cooking and evaporative loss than normal loins. There was a significant increase in evaporative loss as storage time increased.
Helium and neon in lunar ilmenites of different antiquities

Helium and neon were extracted from individual lunar ilmenite grains, approximately 100 micrometers in diameter, using a pulsed step-heating technique. Grains from lunar samples 71501 and 79035, believed to have been exposed to solar corpuscular radiation at greatly different times, were studied. The results found were consistent with the hypothesis that in addition to solar-wind-implanted gas, a second more deeply implanted component was present in both species of grains. Average isotopic ratios were determined giving equal weight to each of the particles. As found in depth studies employing chemical etching, both the He-3/He-4 and Ne-20/Ne-22 ratios were lower in the more deeply implanted gas than in the solar wind component. The He-3/He-4 ratio in the solar wind component of the more ancient grains was lower than that in the more recently exposed ones, whereas no difference was found for the more deeply embedded He. In the deeply embedded component of the ancient grains, the He-4/Ne-20 ratio was approx. 2x that found in the more recently exposed grains. In the shallowly implanted component, the ratio varied greatly from grain to grain, preventing comparison with the solar wind elemental composition.
Implementing Six Sigma in a Distance Learning Application

This paper presents the results of a six sigma study that targets the issue of measuring the current performance of a new online delivery system that is offered by the College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and assessing its capabilities. The objective of the study is to improve the faculty and studentsâ?? satisfaction and ensure a leaner process in delivering online courses. The results and recommendations of the study are also presented.
Silicon nanopores as bioelectronic devices: a simulation study

Solid-state aqueous pores of nanoscale dimensions are now a reality, thanks to the advancing fabrication techniques. The interest in such devices has been high in the last decade, due to their potential as molecular sensing elements (Kirby and Hasselbrink in Electrophoresis 25(2):187–202, 2004) and in fast DNA sequencing (Smeets et al. in Nano Lett. 6(1), 2006). This work focuses on the theoretical characterization and numerical modeling of the role of oxidated surface electric charge in the ionic conduction process through man-made silicon nanopores. We have extended the model presented in (Behrens and Grier in J. Chem. Phys. 115(14), 2001) by including potassium adsorption on the oxidated silicon (silica) surface, as well as taking the cylindrical curvature of the surface into account. Being able to calculate the surface charge density, we have used a particle-based Brownian dynamics simulation tool to characterize the ionic population in nanopores and simulate conduction through nanopores at various bulk electrolyte concentrations.
Spin-on end-functional diblock copolymers for quantitative DNA immobilization.

We demonstrate a simple means to covalently bond DNA to both hard (i.e., glass and silicon wafers) and soft (i.e., polymeric) substrates that provides quantitative and precise control of the DNA areal density. The approach is based on spin coating an alkyne-end-functional diblock copolymer, α-alkyne-ω-Br-poly(tBA-b-MMA), that self-assembles on both types of substrates as an ordered monolayer and thereby directs alkyne groups to the surface. Azido-functionalized DNA is covalently linked to the alkyne functionalized substrates by means of a “click” reaction between azide and alkyne groups. The density of immobilized DNA can be quantitatively controlled by varying the parameters used for spin-coating the copolymer film, that is, solution concentration and rotational speed, or by varying the copolymer molecular weight. We find the yield of the DNA coupling reaction to be dependent on the nature of the polymer underlying the reactive alkyne functional groups, being higher for more hydrophilic polymers.
RESPLA: A decision support framework for emergency resource planning

In this paper, we propose a web based framework, RESPLA that can assist resource managers in emergency resource planning during the preparedness phase of the emergency management cycle. This framework computes the deployment schedule and associated response times of the required resources to a specific disaster site, given the location and available resources at each depot. Using a web based interface to Google maps, RESPLA enables the users (e.g. emergency managers) to change the resource depots' location, add/delete resource depots, and change the number and type of available resources at each depot. This framework can help resource planners analyze how moving the resources from one location to another and adding new depots will affect the response times for a particular region. Moreover, analyzing the information about the response times will help communities in requesting additional resources.
Democratic reinforcement: A principle for brain function

We introduce a simple ``toy'' brain model. The model consists of a set of randomly connected, or layered integrate-and-fire neurons. Inputs to and outputs from the environment are connected randomly to subsets of neurons. The connections between firing neurons are strengthened or weakened according to whether the action was successful or not. Unlike previous reinforcement learning algorithms, the feedback from the environment is democratic: it affects all neurons in the same way, irrespective of their position in the network and independent of the output signal. Thus no unrealistic back propagation or other external computation is needed. This is accomplished by a global threshold regulation which allows the system to self-organize into a highly susceptible, possibly ``critical'' state with low activity and sparse connections between firing neurons. The low activity permits memory in quiescent areas to be conserved since only firing neurons are modified when new information is being taught.
Nonlinear light scattering accompanying multiphoton ionization

We confirm in computer experiments the presence of unexpected plateau and cutoff features in high-order harmonic generation accompanying multiphoton ionization. We show the connection between these features and above-threshold ionization.
Evidence for atmosphere–ocean forcing of yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea) recruitment in the Middle Atlantic Bight

We investigated the relationship between large-scale climate variability (the North Atlantic Oscillation, NAO), continental shelf hydrography, and year-class strength of yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea) in the Middle Atlantic Bight. Using long-term environmental time series (1963–98), dominant winter NAO phase in the northeast region of the United States was correlated with local air temperature records from Block Island, Rhode Island (December–March). Air temperature also influenced the characteristics of a pool of remnant winter cold water on the continental shelf, such that negative NAO winters produced a colder-than-average summer cold pool, and vice versa. Smoothed data sets of L. ferruginea recruitment over the 36-yr period (using Southern New England VPA and hindcast data) were highly correlated with the NAO and air temperature, highlighting the influence of multi-year variability. Although less robust, the relationship with the NAO remained significant after removing equal-but-opposite long-term linear trends from the series. Surprisingly, recruitment and cold pool bottom temperature were only marginally correlated. Data from independent 2-m beam trawl and submersible sampling in the region (1994, 1996–2000) indicated a strong relationship between the abundance of recent settlers and cold pool temperature; however, this pattern was often modified by subsequent changes in cold pool stratification (fall overturn). These results underscore the dynamic role thermal habitats play in the lives of early stage benthic fishes. For yellowtail flounder, the generation of recruitment variability represents one endpoint of a complex interaction between large-scale phenomena (climate) and more localized, event-scale features (cold pool).
On Call: An Institutional Initiative to Explore Students' Understandings of and Responses to Vocation

Who among us has not, at one time or another, asked ourselves these questions? For many students, these questions persist throughout their college years as they seek to explore, identify, and clarify what they want to do with the remainder of their adult lives. Students’ responses to these questions vary widely: some let their parents answer them, others respond more to the promise of financial and social rewards than to the questions themselves, and still others chose to ignore the questions altogether. Some college students, however, take these questions seriously, trying, in the words of St. Ignatius Loyola, to remember that “only one thing is important - to seek and find what God calls me to at this point in life.” These students - however rare or common - are interested in understanding and following their calling or vocation, what Frederick Buechner (1973) has defined as “the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
Plant chip for high-throughput phenotyping of Arabidopsis

We report on the development of a vertical and transparent microfluidic chip for high-throughput phenotyping of Arabidopsis thaliana plants. Multiple Arabidopsis seeds can be germinated and grown hydroponically over more than two weeks in the chip, thus enabling large-scale and quantitative monitoring of plant phenotypes. The novel vertical arrangement of this microfluidic device not only allows for normal gravitropic growth of the plants but also, more importantly, makes it convenient to continuously monitor phenotypic changes in plants at the whole organismal level, including seed germination and root and shoot growth (hypocotyls, cotyledons, and leaves), as well as at the cellular level. We also developed a hydrodynamic trapping method to automatically place single seeds into seed holding sites of the device and to avoid potential damage to seeds that might occur during manual loading. We demonstrated general utility of this microfluidic device by showing clear visible phenotypes of the immutans mutant of Arabidopsis, and we also showed changes occurring during plant–pathogen interactions at different developmental stages. Arabidopsis plants grown in the device maintained normal morphological and physiological behaviour, and distinct phenotypic variations consistent with a priori data were observed via high-resolution images taken in real time. Moreover, the timeline for different developmental stages for plants grown in this device was highly comparable to growth using a conventional agar plate method. This prototype plant chip technology is expected to lead to the establishment of a powerful experimental and cost-effective framework for high-throughput and precise plant phenotyping.
7th Jan Waldenström Lecture. The Biology of Human Cancer Metastasis

The process of cancer metastasis is dynamic and consists of sequential, interrelated steps. Malignant cells that produce metastases have survived a series of potentially lethal interactions that are regulated by both the intrinsic properties of the tumor cells and host factors. Although some of the steps in this process contain stochastic elements, metastases develop from the nonrandom survival of a few subpopulations of cells that preexist within the parent neoplasm. Metastases can have a clonal origin, and different metastases can originate from the proliferation of different cells. The orthotopic implantation of human cancer cells derived from surgical specimens into nude mice provides a biological model of metastasis. Using this model, clonal analysis of a human renal carcinoma, colon carcinoma, and melanoma has revealed that these tumors are heterogeneous for metastatic properties. Damage to an organ's environment is followed by inflammation and repair, and these homeostatic processes facilitate the proliferation of normal (physiology), and in some cases, tumor cells (pathology). Accelerated growth of human colon cancer cells was found in hepatectomized nude mice, whereas accelerated growth of human renal cancer cells was found in nephrectomized nude mice. These data suggest that systemic physiological signals can be usurped by neoplastic cells. Collectively, the factors that regulate metastasis are the intrinsic properties of metastatic cells and host factors involved in homeostasis.
Concepts for a reliable multicast data link protocol for HF radio communications

Recent years have seen dramatic increases in HF network communications capacity, realized through the innovative communications protocols and techniques contained in the NATO standard STANAG 4538: automatic radio control system (ARCS). As a result of these improvements, use of HF for delivery of IP network traffic is becoming useful and practical. A major unmet challenge is that of providing an effective capability for delivering multicast data traffic (from one sender to multiple recipients) over HF channels. Lack of such capabilities is frequently an obstacle to using HF as a bearer medium for common tactical C3I applications such as FBCB2 ("blue force tracker"). This paper describes and analyzes techniques that can be used to provide an efficient HF multicast delivery capability suited to these kinds of applications
Clinical versus laboratory tumor lysis syndrome in children with acute leukemia

Renal and metabolic complications of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) were recognized frequently in the 1960s and 1970s. Strategies were designed to prevent TLS. We conducted a retrospective chart review study to identify the current TLS risk in children with acute leukemia. Children were considered to have "laboratory tumor lysis syndrome" (LTLS) if two of the following metabolic changes occurred within 4 days of the start of chemotherapy: a 25% increase in serum phosphate, potassium, uric acid, or blood urea nitrogen levels, or a 25% decline in serum calcium concentration. Clinical TLS (CTLS) was defined as LTLS plus a serum potassium level higher than 6.0 mmol/L or acute renal failure. Twenty-one of 30 children developed LTLS; one developed CTLS. Absolute blast count, pretreatment white blood cell count, pretreatment lactic dehydrogenase, and sex or tumor DNA index did not correlate with the development of LTLS. LTLS is still frequent in children undergoing chemotherapy for acute leukemia; CTLS, however, is much less common.
An observational study of emotionally disturbed and learning-disabled children in school settings.

It has been alleged that populations of learning-disabled (LD) and emotionally disturbed (ED) children are essentially indistinguishable on important intervention-related symptoms. To examine this claim, a direct observation study of social interactions during class, lunch, and recess settings in two public schools was conducted. Teacher ratings of school behavior were also collected. The results indicated that the ED boys exhibited significantly more nonphysical aggression and noncompliance than the LD boys across settings, and that the LD boys had significantly higher rates of physical and non-physical aggression and immature behavior than the LD girls. The correlations between the observations and teachers' ratings were modest but consistent with previous studies. The results are discussed with regard to their assessment and treatment implications.
Vowel raising in Basaa: a synchronic chain shift

Like many of the zone A Bantu languages of western equatorial Africa, Basaa, which is spoken over a large area to the north-east and east of Douala, Cameroon, shows an inventory of seven surface vowels (Guthrie 1953). The Basaa forms cited in this article, all of which are found in the comprehensive Dictionnaire Basaa-Franfais (Lemb & de Gastines 1973), are transcribed using the vowel symbols in (1):