cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Industry or Academia. This Is the Question

A successful career in science can be launched accidentally. With a BS in Psychology, I only knew that I wanted a career that was empirical rather than warm and fuzzy. The concept that chemicals could have predictable effects on human thinking intrigued me enough to pursue a Ph.D. in Biochemistry.
Forced-convection boiling and critical heat flux from a linear array of discrete heat sources

Forced-convection boiling experiments were performed with FC-72, a 3M Fluorinert, at 1.36 bar on a linear array of nine discrete heat sources simulating microelectronic chips, which were flush-mounted in a vertical, rectangular channel. The inlet velocity and liquid subcooling were varied from 13 to 400 cm s−1 and 3 to 36°C, respectively. Special design of the experimental apparatus allowed each test to continue until all chips had reached critical heat flux (CHF) without damaging the test section. Boiling incipience and CHF were delayed to higher heat fluxes with increasing velocity and/or subcooling. In general, the position of the last chip to reach CHF moved upstream with increasing subcooling. The average bandwidth of CHF values for the multi-chip array, however, was only ± 12.3%, proving that the discontinuity in wall heat flux between consecutive chips helped to interrupt the growth of the vapor blanket which commonly results in dryout at the downstream edge of long, continuously heated walls. Also, the small CHF bandwidth allows a correlation previously developed for CHF on an isolated chip to be used for an array of chips as well.
Testing whether lifetime distribution is decreasing uncertainty

Abstract A distribution-free test is proposed for testing the hypothesis H 0 that uncertainty about the residual lifetime of a component does not change (i.e., the life distribution F is an exponential) against the alternative hypothesis H 1 that uncertainty decreases over time. Asymptotic properties of our proposed test are discussed. In particular, the test is shown to be a consistent test of the null hypothesis for all alternatives without singular continuous point. Small sample null tail probabilities are derived, critical values are also tabulated, and the use of it is shown in two illustrative examples.
Significance of a reduced cerebral blood flow during the first 12 hours after traumatic brain injury

Background: It is controversial whether a low cerebral blood flow (CBF) simply reflects the severity of injury or whether ischemia contributes to the brain’s injury. It is also not clear whether posttraumatic cerebral hypoperfusion results from intracranial hypertension or from pathologic changes of the cerebral vasculature. The answers to these questions have important implications for whether and how to treat a low CBF.
The Past, Present, and Future of Assessing Continuing Competency for Midwives

BACKGROUNDConsumers deserve to know th at health care professionalsnot only are competent as they b egin their careers, but alsothat they are exerting every effort to ensure that they remaincompetent throughout their careers. The fundamental basisfor any health profession’s interaction with the public mustbe demonstrable competence. Health care occurs withina health care system that is continually seeing new advancesin technology and science, as well as changes in health caremanagement and consumer expectations. The critical task ofmaintaining and proving competence at regular intervals willremain a challenge for health care providers for the foresee-able future. According to the Institute of Medicine, theknowledge explosion in medicine is one of the factors thatcan reduce the quality of care to consumers.
An electrocardiographic demonstration of atrial dissociation.

Abstract Electrocardiograms revealing atrial dissociation occurring during an episode of ventricular standstill are presented and described.
Emerging applications of aptamers to micro-and nanoscale biosensing

Micro- and nanofabrication has allowed the production of ultra-sensitive, portable, and inexpensive biosensors. These devices generally rely on chemical or biological receptors which recognize a particular compound of interest and relay this recognition event effectively by transduction. Recent advances in RNA and DNA synthesis have enabled the use of aptamers, in vitro generated oligonucleotides, which offer high affinity biomolecular recognition to a theoretically limitless variety of analytes. DNA and RNA aptamers have gained so much attention in the biosensor community, that they have begun competing with more established affinity ligands including enzymes, lectins, and most notably, immunoreceptors such as antibodies. This article reviews the current state-of-the-art of aptasensors, or biosensors that use aptamers as molecular recognition elements, emphasizing the synergy between aptamer-based biosensing and micro- and nanotechnology. Aptasensors developed on micro- and nanoscale platforms based on mass changes, electroanalytical techniques, optical transduction, and purification and separation methods will be covered.
An Evolutionary Game Theory Approach for Intelligent Patrolling

Abstract In order to achieve a secure country, many security policies and strategies have been implemented and numerous security force s have been enlisted such as regular police forces, Army, and Navy, among others. Each security force has different roles and responsibilities. One important area of concern related to national security is border security. Border protection is a chall enging problem due to the different types of illegal activity that must to be controlled such as drug smuggling, terrorist attacks, illegal immigration, etc. One common approach to achieve border security is patrolling. Patrolling can be defined as the act of traveling an area in regular intervals in order to secure it against different threats. This paper presents a hybrid method that combines an evolutionary approach and game theory concepts in order to define the multi-agent patrolling strategy that simultaneously optimizes maximum idleness, infiltration ratio, and total patrolling cost.
Sodium sulfate: Deposition and dissolution of silica

The hot-corrosion process for SiO2-protected materials involves deposition of Na2SO4 and dissolution of the protective SiO2 scale. Dew points for Na 2SO4 deposition are calculated as a function of pressure, sodium content, and sulfur content. Expected dissolution regimes for SiO2 are calculated as a function of Na2SO4 basicity, hence $$P_{SO_3 } $$ generated by fuels with 0.5% and 0.05% S. Controlled-condition burner-rig tests on quartz verify some of these predicted dissolution regimes. However, the basicity of Na2SO4 is not always a simple function of $$P_{SO_3 } $$ (Na2O) show that carbon creates basic conditions in Na2SO4, which explains the extensive corrosion of SiO2-protected materials containing carbon, such as SiC.
Arsenic-implanted thin film PECVD semi-insulating polysilicon (SIPOS) resistors

Thin film (2000A) PECVD SIPOS resistors were fabricated using arsenic implantation and rapid thermal annealing. The current-voltage characteristics are symmetrical and field-dependent. The resistivity (as low as 0.2 ohm-cm) is shown to be a function of the oxygen content of the as-deposited material, the implant dose, and the annealing temperature. The variation of resistance with operating temperature also decreases with increasing dose and annealing temperature. As expected, the lowest resistivity is obtained for films with high refractive indices or alternatively, low oxygen content.
Practicing What I Teach: Does a Career as a Higher Education Professor Inform My Work as a Dean?

In this 2008 ASHE presidential address, Linda Eisenmann explores connections between research and practice by using her own situation as a long-term professor of higher education now serving as a university dean. Eisenmann shows how her scholarly specialty as a historian of education helps her understand shifts in the student body, curriculum growth, and the context for institutional change. She then examines how her background as a higher education generalist guides her work with faculty. Using the example of a revised first-year seminar program, she explores campus change using several conceptual ideas from higher education literature.
The Association of Celiac Disease, Diabetes Mellitus Type 1, Hypothyroidism, Chronic Liver Disease, and Selective IgA Deficiency

C-1 eliac disease is a disorder of the proximal small bowel characterized by an abnormal small intestinal mucosa and caused by permanent intolerance to gluten. Gluten is the protein found in wheat and some other cereals. Patients usually exhibit high serum concentrations of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG antigliadin and IgA antiendomysial antibodies. There is a genetically determined susceptibility to celiac disease, and an association with certain human leukocyte antigens (HLA), especially DR3, DQw2, has been shown.' Celiac disease has been associated with HLA-linked autoimmune endocrinopathies such as type 1 diabetes mellitus2 and thyroid dysfunction.3 There is also an increased prevalence of selective IgA deficiency among celiac disease patients.4 We describe a 13-year-old female with diabetes type 1, hypothyroidism, celiac disease, chronic liver disease, and selective IgA deficiency.
Magnetic monopoles in Kaluza-Klein theories

Abstract We demonstrate that the five-dimensional Kaluza-Klein theory of unified gravity and electromagnetism admits soliton solutions. These are regular, static and stable solutions of the field equations which correspond, upon quantization, to particles. The solitons include magnetic monopoles, which obey the Dirac quantization condition, as well as magnetic dipoles which are topologically stable. The inertial mass of the solitons is typically of order mp/e, where mp is the Planck mass and e the electric charge. These solitons have bizarre gravitational interactions; in fact they exert no newtonian force on slowly moving test particles, thus they have zero gravitational mass. We explain how the inequality of the gravitational and inertial masses is due to the violation of Birkhoff's theorem in Kaluza-Klein theories and is consistent with the principle of equivalence.
Factors affecting sentinel lymph node identification rate after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer patients enrolled in ACOSOG Z1071 (Alliance)

Objective To evaluate factors affecting sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with initial node-positive breast cancer.
Incentive control of spinning reserve in electricity multi-markets

Reliable and efficient operation of deregulated electricity markets requires supply and demand elasticity. This paper presents incentive control of spinning reserves in electricity multi-markets using game theory. Interruptible load contracts (ILC) could reduce the amount of spinning reserve requirements during system contingencies such as transmission congestion. It is shown that the power utilities (PU) with ILC could increase their benefits in time-separated energy and spinning reserves markets (e.g., inter-temporal market gaming among day-ahead, hour-ahead and real-time markets).
Using learning style data in an introductory computer science course

Because learning styles affect how students approach new material, a deeper comprehension of these styles can help professors enhance student learning experiences. In this paper we discuss how learning style data can be used to help guide student study habits and instructional strategies. Additionally, we examine whether or not there is a correlation between learning style and academic performance in an introductory computer science course.
Effects of decreasing source/sink ratio in soybeans on photosynthesis, photorespiration, transpiration and yield

Abstract. Shading of all side leaflets of a determinate soybean cultivar during pod filling significantly increased rates of photosynthesis in the unshaded centre leaflets, compared to centre leaflets of controls. Higher rates were associated with both higher stomatal and mesophyll conductances, and were reversible within 2 days when shades were removed. These higher rates of photosynthesis were not associated with decreased percentage enhancement by low oxygen, indicating that treatment effects were probably not associated with changes in photorespiration relative to photosynthesis. Percentage enhancement did, however increase as the plants approached physiological maturity, chiefly because of a decrease in photosynthesis. In spite of these increases in rates of photosynthesis seed weight per plant was decreased by 37% in plants with side leaflets shaded for the entire pod-filling period and by 28% in plants shaded for only the second half of the period. In plants where shades were removed during the second half of pod filling seed yield was reduced by only 19% because shade removal delayed leaf senescence. The four treatments reduced yield by different mechanisms. Plants shaded continuously during pod filling produced fewer seeds than controls, but the weight per seed was similar. When shading was applied during the second half of pod fillings seed number was unchanged but weight per seed was significantly reduced. In contrast when shades were removed for the second half of pod filling, seed number remained similar to that of continuously shaded plants, but seed weight increased. Although all shading treatments reduced yield, the reduction was not proportional to the 63% reduction in leaf area available for photosynthesis. This was because (1) photosynthetic rates in the centre leaflet of shaded plants were higher than rates in controls, (2) stem and lower surface photosynthesis in shaded leaf-lets contributed to whole leaflet photosynthesis.
Performance of the Gen-Probe Transmission-Mediated Amplification Research Assay Compared to That of a Multitarget Real-Time PCR for Mycoplasma genitalium Detection

Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) can cause nongonococcal urethritis and is potentially associated with urethritis, endometritis, and cervicitis. Several assays have been developed to detect MG. Molecular amplification assays for organism detection can be problematic due to the potential for false-positive and false-negative results. Confirmatory testing is often required in these situations, requiring additional time and resources. Use of multigene targets could integrate both detection and verification at lower cost. Utilizing two targets, the MgPa adhesion gene and the 16S rRNA gene, a multitarget real-time (MTRT) PCR for the detection of MG was developed. Samples from patients attending sexually transmitted disease clinics were collected in duplicate. Urine samples from males (n = 286) and self-collected vaginal swabs from females (n = 321) were analyzed by MTRT PCR for MG and the Gen-Probe transmission-mediated amplification (TMA) assay, which targets MG rRNA for detection (TMA-MG research use only). Utilizing the criteria of any two targets being positively amplified, the MTRT PCR had a sensitivity and specificity of 91.8% (101 positive samples/110 samples tested) and 99.5% (495/497), respectively, with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 98.1% (101/103) and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 98.2% (495/504). The Gen-Probe TMA-MG assay had a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 98.1% (108/110), 98.1% (488/497), 92.3% (108/117), and 99.5% (488/490), respectively. Comparison between the MTRT PCR and TMA-MG assay by kappa statistic analysis indicated that an overall kappa value was 0.941 (95% confidence interval, 0.907 and 0.976). Both assays demonstrated accuracy in the detection of MG from urine samples from male patients and self-collected vaginal swabs from female patients.
The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Complex and the Control of Gene Expression

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that controls the expression of a diverse set of genes. The toxicity of the potent AhR ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin is almost exclusively mediated through this receptor. However, the key alterations in gene expression that mediate toxicity are poorly understood. It has been established through characterization of AhR-null mice that the AhR has a required physiological function, yet how endogenous mediators regulate this orphan receptor remains to be established. A picture as to how the AhR/ARNT heterodimer actually mediates gene transcription is starting to emerge. The AhR/ARNT complex can alter transcription both by binding to its cognate response element and through tethering to other transcription factors. In addition, many of the coregulatory proteins necessary for AhR-mediated transcription have been identified. Cross talk between the estrogen receptor and the AhR at the promoter of target genes appears to be an important mode of regulation. Inflammatory signaling pathways and the AhR also appear to be another important site of cross talk at the level of transcription. A major focus of this review is to highlight experimental efforts to characterize nonclassical mechanisms of AhR-mediated modulation of gene transcription.
A Modelling Study of Flux Imbalance and the Influence of Entrainment in the Convective Boundary Layer

It is frequently observed in field experiments that the eddy covariance heat fluxes are systematically underestimated as compared to the available energy. The flux imbalance problem is investigated using the NCAR’s large-eddy simulation (LES) model imbedded with an online scheme to calculate Reynolds-averaged fluxes. A top–down and a bottom–up tracer are implemented into the LES model to quantify the influence of entrainment and bottom–up diffusion processes on flux imbalance. The results show that the flux imbalance follows a set of universal functions that capture the exponential decreasing dependence on u */w *, where u * and w * are friction velocity and the convective velocity scale, respectively, and an elliptic relationship to z/z i , where z i is the mixing-layer height. The source location in the boundary layer is an important factor controlling the imbalance magnitude and its horizontal and vertical distributions. The flux imbalance of heat and the bottom–up tracer is tightly related to turbulent coherent structures, whereas for the top–down diffusion, such relations are weak to nonexistent. Our results are broadly consistent with previous studies on the flux imbalance problem, suggesting that the published results are robust and are not artefacts of numerical schemes.
Ion trap electric field measurements using slab coupled optical sensors

Ion traps are widely used in the field of mass spectrometry. These devices use high electric fields to mass-selectively trap, eject, and count the particles of a material, producing a mass spectrum of the given material. Because of their usefulness, technology pushes for smaller, more portable ion traps for field use. Making internal ion trap field measurements not yet feasible because current electric field sensors are often too bulky or their metallic composition perturbs field measurements. Using slab coupled optical sensor (SCOS) technology, we are able to build sensors that are compatible with the spacing constraints of the ion trap. These sensors are created by attaching a nonlinear crystal slab waveguide to an optical fiber. When a laser propagates through the fiber, certain wavelengths of light couple out of the fiber via the crystal and create “resonances” in the output light spectrum. These resonances shift in proportion to a given applied electric field, and by measuring that shift, we can approximate the electric field. Developing a sensor that can effectively characterize the electric fields within an ion trap will greatly assist in ion trap design, fabrication, and troubleshooting techniques.
Linking PTEN with genomic instability and DNA repair

Comment on: Cell cycle checkpoint defects contribute to genomic instability in PTEN deficient cells independent of DNA DSB repair.Arun Gupta, Qin Yang, Raj K. Pandita, Clayton R. Hunt, Tao Xiang, Sandeep Misri, Sicong Zeng, Julia Pagan, Jessie Jeffery, Janusz Puc, Rakesh Kumar, Zhihui Feng, Simon N. Powell, Audesh Bhat, Tomoko Yaguchi, Renu Wadhwa, Sunil C. Kaul, Ramon Parsons, Kum Kum Khanna and Tej K. Pandita
Clamp loaders and replication initiation

Clamp loaders are ATP-driven multiprotein machines that couple ATP hydrolysis to the opening and closing of a circular protein ring around DNA. This ring-shaped clamp slides along DNA, and interacts with numerous proteins involved in DNA replication, DNA repair and cell cycle control. Recently determined structures of clamp loader complexes from prokaryotic and eukaryotic sources have revealed exciting new details of how these complex AAA+ machines perform this essential clamp loading function.
The relationship of loss of heterozygosity to tobacco exposure and early recurrence in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Tobacco usage contributes to carcinomas of the lung, bladder, esophagus, uterine cervix, and head and neck, and can induce specific genetic lesions. Studies of the above tumor types have documented allelic deletions affecting 3p, 5q, 9p, 9q, 10q, 11p, 13q, 17p, and 18q. Relationships between genetic loss, tobacco exposure, and patient outcome have not been described. Patients and methods: To confirm and further define loss of heterozygosity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and to examine relationships between loss of heterozygosity and both tobacco exposure and early recurrence, we undertook this study on previously untreated patients with HNSCC. We performed a Southern blot analysis using 11 probes specific for loci deleted in tobacco-associated cancers. We have investigated 42 prospectively collected, paired samples of HNSCC and peripheral blood. Demographic and follow-up data were collected on these patients. Results: Significant loss of heterozygosity was observed in descending order of frequency at 11p, 9p, 17p, 3p, 10q, and 13q. All nonsmokers showed loss of heterozygosity on one or more loci compared with only 53% of smokers ( P P Conclusion: Multiple deletions occurred more frequently in nonsmokers and predicted a higher risk of early recurrence.
Neuromuscular junctions in the leech.

Neuromuscular junctions on leech body wall muscle have been described. Based on vesicle morphology, there are two types of junctions, (I) clear vesicle terminals, and (II) dense core vesicle terminals. Further, the dense core terminals are-of two types, (1) small terminals which appear to directly innervate body wall muscle cells, and (2) large terminals which appear to synapse on clear vesicle terminals which in turn innervate body wall muscle cells. The clear vesicle ending resembles known cholinergic junctions in other systems. The cores in the dense core vesicle terminals are regarded as containing 5-HT because (1) they are structurally identical with the 5-HT containing cores in granules of the Retzius cells, (2) they contain a chromaffin substance, and (3) they become radioactive when tritiated 5-HT is present but not when 5-HTP or noradrenaline is present.
Sim Huddles: A Team STEPPS Approach for Emergency Preparedness

Childbearing Poster Presentation Background Obstetric nurses and team members need rapid responses and a coordinated team effort when emergencies arise. Maintenance of emergency preparedness skills, including advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), is critical for patient safety, yet few obstetric nurses feel confident in these high-risk, low-frequency skills. Case Sim huddles involve melding Team STEPPS principles and practices with simulation to increase nurse confidence and preparedness for emergency skills. Team STEPPS principles are proven to enhance teamwork and improve patient safety. Short random in situ simulations of obstetric critical events involve huddling to review key elements, completing a simulated mock code, and then completing a debriefing experience for the students. The debriefing evaluation of the simulation is a practical and effective way to provide the perinatal team the opportunity to refresh their knowledge, perfect their skills, and increase their confidence in response to a patient with an obstetric emergency. Every sim huddle has uncovered at least one latent safety threat, such as equipment or process issue, that is immediately corrected to support safety and preparedness. This process is consistent with current resources and the educational culture of hospital obstetric units across the country, regardless of size or resources. Sim huddle scenarios are designed as a collaborative multidisciplinary team response of obstetric nurses, obstetricians, midwives, anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, neonatologists, respiratory therapists, and scrub technicians who are present for the educational experience. By participating in a challenging patient simulation, participants develop critical thinking skills, learn teamwork, and increase self-confidence. Conclusion Through the implementation of sim huddles, participants develop a higher level of readiness that contributes to optimal outcomes when emergencies arise. Improved performance, knowledge, and confidence gained through simulation-based training with the application of modifications for pregnancy will facilitate the prompt initiation basic life support and ACLS, which are critical for the survival of the mother and the fetus during a maternal code. With a foundational knowledge of the changes and challenges that occur in pregnancy, appropriate treatments can be instituted, and two lives saved.
Layered perovskites as ‘soft-ceramics’

Abstract The layered perovskite KCa 2 Nb 3 O 10 is shown to possess large elastic and fracture anisotropies which are explained on the basis of its structure. Its fracture toughness was measured relative to the in-basal and basal-normal directions. Combined with previously determined elastic moduli, the fracture energy release rates and associated anisotropy were determined and discussed in terms of crack deflection characteristics. The general mechanical characteristics of KCa 2 Nb 3 O 10 were discussed relating to what is described as a ‘soft’ ceramic capable of sustaining considerable mechanical damage. Its high thermal stability, T m =1464°C, and its oxidation resistance are additional features that make it attractive for high temperature applications. Anecdotal demonstrations of its softness and low damage thresholds are presented, such as might be important for cerarnic–matrix composites or machinable ceramic applications.
Sugar Content of Baked Sweet Potatoes from Different Cultivars and Lengths of Storage

Sugar concentrations in baked roots of six different sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) cultivars were determined at harvest, after curing (32°C, 90% RH for 10 days), and during 46 wk of storage at 15.6°C. Maltose was the major sugar and sucrose the secondary sugar in all cultivars at harvest. Maltose decreased during curing and over long term storage. Sucrose, glucose, and fructose concentrations increased during curing and through at least 4 wk of storage in the orange-flesh cultivars. Sucrose concentration was always greater than either monosaccharide. Cultivars differed in sugar concentration and pattern of sugar change during storage.
Biosynthesis and Release of Proteins by Isolated Pulmonary Clara Cells

The major proteins synthesized and released by Clara cells were identified and compared with those synthesized and released by mixed lung cells. Highly purified Clara cells (85.9 +/- 2.4%) and mixed lung cells (Clara cells 4%, Type II cells 33%, granulocytes 18%, macrophages 2.7%, ciliated cells 1.2%) were isolated from rabbit lungs, incubated with Ham's F12 medium in collagen/fibronectin-coated plastic culture dishes in the presence of 35S-methionine for periods of 4 and 18 hrs. Radiolabelled proteins were isolated from the cells and from the culture medium, electrophoresed on polyacrylamide gels in the presence of SDS under reducing conditions, and then autoradiographed. After 4 and 18 hr of incubation of the Clara cells the major radiolabelled cell-associated proteins were those with molecular weights of 6, 48, and 180 Kd. The major radiolabelled proteins released by Clara cells into the medium after 4 hrs of incubation had molecular weights of 6, 48, and 180 Kd, accounting for 42, 16, and 10%, respectively, of the total extracellular protein-associated radioactivity. After 18 hr of incubation the 6 and 48 Kd proteins represented 30 and 18% of the total released radioactivity, and the relative amount of the 180 Kd protein had decreased to 3%. With the mixed lung cells, the major proteins released into the medium had molecular weights of 6 and 48 Kd. Under nonreducing conditions the 6 Kd protein released by Clara cells had an apparent molecular weight of 12 Kd. Labelling isolated Clara cells with a mixture of 14C-amino acids also identified this low molecular weight protein as the major secretory product of the Clara cell. The 6 Kd protein did not label when the cells were incubated with 14C-glucosamine indicating that it was not a glycoprotein. These data demonstrate the release of several proteins from isolated Clara cells but the major protein had a molecular weight of 6 Kd.
In Orvieto: new insights into liver biology and disease therapy

Abstract 8th Biennial International Congress on Liver Development, Gene Regulation and Disease Orvieto, Italy, 2–5 June 1999
Adiabaticity in first-principles molecular dynamics

Car-Parrinello-like simulations critically depend on the ability to control the drift of the electronic wave functions away from the instantaneous ground state. This problem, particularly severe for metals, is gaining more importance as the time scale of such simulations increases. Here a method is proposed that solves the problem by introducing two separate thermostats for ions and electrons, without adding to the computational cost. A detailed analysis of the nonadiabatic behavior leads to a strategy that minimizes the resulting errors. An application of the method to molten aluminum is presented.
Evidence Consistent With the Multiple-Bearings Hypothesis From Human Virtual Landmark-Based Navigation

One approach to explaining the conditions under which additional landmarks will be learned or ignored relates to the nature of the information provided by the landmarks (i.e., distance versus bearings). In the current experiment, we tested the ability of such an approach to explain the search behavior of human participants in a virtual landmark-based navigation task by manipulating whether landmarks provided stable distance, stable direction, or both stable distance and stable direction information. First, we incrementally shaped human participants’ search behavior in the presence of two ambiguous landmarks. Next, participants experienced one additional landmark that disambiguated the location of the goal. Finally, we presented three additional landmarks. In a control condition, the additional landmarks maintained stable distances and bearings to the goal across trials. In a stable bearings condition, the additional landmarks varied in their distances but maintained fixed bearings to the goal across trials. In a stable distance condition, the additional landmarks varied in their bearings but maintained fixed distances to the goal across trials. Landmark stability, in particular, the stability of landmark-to-goal bearings, affected learning of the added landmarks. We interpret the results in the context of the theories of spatial learning that incorporate the nature of the information provided by landmarks.
Community Proteomics of a Natural Microbial Biofilm

Using genomic and mass spectrometry-based proteomic methods, we evaluated gene expression, identified key activities, and examined partitioning of metabolic functions in a natural acid mine drainage (AMD) microbial biofilm community. We detected 2033 proteins from the five most abundant species in the biofilm, including 48% of the predicted proteins from the dominant biofilm organism, Leptospirillum group II. Proteins involved in protein refolding and response to oxidative stress appeared to be highly expressed, which suggests that damage to biomolecules is a key challenge for survival. We validated and estimated the relative abundance and cellular localization of 357 unique and 215 conserved novel proteins and determined that one abundant novel protein is a cytochrome central to iron oxidation and AMD formation.
Retrovirus-mediated expression of preprosomatostatin in rat pituitary GH3 cells: targeting of somatostatin to the regulated secretory pathway

Somatostatin (SRIF) is a 14-amino acid peptide hormone that is synthesized as part of a larger precursor, prepro-SRIF, consisting of a signal peptide and a proregion of 80-90 amino acids; mature SRIF is located at the carboxyl-terminus of the precursor. We have used a recombinant retroviral expression vector encoding anglerfish prepor-SRIF-I to infect rat pituitary GH3 cells. The aim of these studies was to investigate the intracellular storage and secretion of the total pool of endogenous GH compared to that of SRIF. Several clonal lines of GH3 cells expressing high or low levels of SRIF were treated with TRH, forskolin, or depolarizing concentrations of potassium, and the levels of intracellular and secreted GH or SRIF were determined using highly sensitive RIAs. Approximately 65% of the total GH was secreted basally, whereas less than 20% of the SRIF-immunoreactive material was basally secreted. Forskolin treatment or potassium depolarization stimulated GH release, but only about 50% above basal levels. In contrast, SRIF secretion was stimulated approximately 5-fold in response to these secretagogues. Based on its lower basal rate of secretion compared to GH and its enhanced release in response to a variety of secretagogues, we conclude that the heterologously expressed SRIF is preferentially targeted to the regulated pathway in GH3 cells.
Global secretome analysis identifies novel mediators of bone metastasis

Bone is the one of the most common sites of distant metastasis of solid tumors. Secreted proteins are known to influence pathological interactions between metastatic cancer cells and the bone stroma. To comprehensively profile secreted proteins associated with bone metastasis, we used quantitative and non-quantitative mass spectrometry to globally analyze the secretomes of nine cell lines of varying bone metastatic ability from multiple species and cancer types. By comparing the secretomes of parental cells and their bone metastatic derivatives, we identified the secreted proteins that were uniquely associated with bone metastasis in these cell lines. We then incorporated bioinformatic analyses of large clinical metastasis datasets to obtain a list of candidate novel bone metastasis proteins of several functional classes that were strongly associated with both clinical and experimental bone metastasis. Functional validation of selected proteins indicated that in vivo bone metastasis can be promoted by high expression of (1) the salivary cystatins CST1, CST2, and CST4; (2) the plasminogen activators PLAT and PLAU; or (3) the collagen functionality proteins PLOD2 and COL6A1. Overall, our study has uncovered several new secreted mediators of bone metastasis and therefore demonstrated that secretome analysis is a powerful method for identification of novel biomarkers and candidate therapeutic targets.
Utilization of Electron Beam Irradiated Almond Skin Powder as a Natural Antioxidant in Ground Top Round Beef

Defatted Carmel variety almond skin powder (ASP) irradiated at 0, 10, 20, and 30 kGy was mixed with ground top round beef at 0.5% (w/w) and stored at 4 degrees C. Color stability, peroxide values (PV), conjugated dienes (CD), thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), and hexanal were determined periodically over a 2-wk period. The L values were not affected by time or treatment. Initially, the redness (a value) was higher for both the negative control with no ASP (a value of 21.83) and positive control with 0.01% BHT (a value of 22.33) compared to samples that contained the ASP (a values from 17.70 to 20.17) on day 1. This decrease in redness was attributed to the presence of the ASP. Similar to day 1, the a values were not significantly different between the 2 controls over the duration of the study. All the samples with ASP exhibited lower lipid oxidation when compared to the negative control, with greatest oxidation retardation observed at 20 and 30 kGy. Over the treatment period, a 13% to 85% reduction in PV and a 40% to 80% reduction in TBARS were observed in the sample with 30 kGy ASP compared to the negative control. Generally, PV and TBARS of samples with ASP decreased with an increase in irradiation dose. While a difference due to irradiation dose was not observed in CD and hexanal content, the values were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the controls over time. This study demonstrates that almond skin power could be used to extend the shelf life of refrigerated ground raw beef.
Equal Performance of Self-Collected and Health Care Worker-Collected Pharyngeal Swabs for Group A Streptococcus Testing by PCR

A process employing patient- or parent-collected pharyngeal swabs for group A Streptococcus (GAS) testing would expedite diagnosis and treatment, reduce patient exposure to the health care setting, and decrease health care costs. Our aim was to determine the concordance between patient- or parent-collected (self-collected) and health care worker (HCW)-collected pharyngeal swabs for detection of GAS by PCR. From 9 October 2012 to 21 March 2013, patients presenting with a sore throat meeting criteria for GAS testing and not meeting criteria for severe disease were offered the opportunity to collect their own pharyngeal swab. The HCW also collected a swab. Paired swabs were tested by GAS real-time PCR, allowing semiquantitative comparisons between positive results. Of the 402 participants, 206 had a swab collected by the patient and 196 a swab collected by the parent. The percent positivity results were 33.3% for HCW-collected swabs and 34.3% for self-collected swabs (P = 0.41). The overall concordance between the two collection strategies was 94.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 91.3 to 96.0). Twenty-four of the paired swabs had discordant results, with 10 and 14 positives detected only with the HCW- and self-collected swabs, respectively (P = 0.41). The person collecting the swab in the self-collected arm, the order of collection, and prior swab collection training did not influence results. Among the 124 specimens that were positive by both collection methods, the amount of GAS DNA was higher in the self-collected versus the HCW-collected swabs (P = 0.008). Self-collected pharyngeal swabs provide a reliable alternative to HCW collection for detection of GAS and offer a strategy for improved health care delivery.
Sources and sinks on a β-earth

This paper is concerned with flow on a ? -earth toward a sink. A perfect-fluid solution for a strong sink at the equator midway between two rigid latitude circles shows that the streamline that divides flow from the west and flow from the east is a straight, north-south line through the sink when the ?-effect is neglected, but tilts toward the west when it is taken into account. The ?-effect also causes the sink to draw more strongly from its own latitude in the region west of the sink and less strongly from its own latitude east of the sink. This agrees with qualitative reasoning based on the vorticity equations. Solutions are also found for a weak, viscous sink at an arbitrary latitude. Approximate analytical expressions, valid far from the origin, indicate greatly different flow patterns in the western and eastern sectors. In the former the motion is divided into two components. One is a jet at the latitude of the sink, and this jet carries the entire flux into the sink. The other corresponds to motion induced by the basic rotation itself and is a flattened portion of a vortex in the same region occupied by the westerly jet. The jet component dominates at sufficiently great distances. The flow from the east dies off exponentially with distance and has a wave-like character. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1968.tb00393.x
Development and validation of a rapid method for the detection of latrunculol A in plasma.

Latrunculol A is a recently discovered 6,7-dihydroxy analog of the potent actin inhibitor latrunculin A. Latrunculol A has exhibited greater cytotoxicity than latrunculin A against both murine and human colon tumor cell lines in vitro. Currently, there are no reports regarding the bioavailability of latrunculol A in vivo. This study was undertaken as a prelude to pharmacokinetic assessments and it is the first work where bioavailability of latrunculol A was studied. In the present work, a simple plasma preparation and a rapid HPLC method have been developed. Mouse plasma containing latrunculol A was first treated by acetonitrile and then centrifuged at 14,000 rpm at 4 °C for 25 min. The supernatant was injected in an HPLC system comprising a Waters Symmetry NH2 column, a mobile phase of acetonitrile/water (95/5, v/v), a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, at 220 nm. The method was validated by parameters including a good linear correlation, a limit of quantification of 9 ng/mL, and a good precision with a coefficient variation of 1.65, 1.86, and 1.26% for 20, 400, and 800 ng/mL, respectively. With this simple method, excellent separation and sensitivity of latrunculol A are achieved, thus allowing a rapid analysis of the plasma samples for absorption, distribution, and metabolism studies.
Antenna array design for directional networking

In this paper, a dual-polarized long s is developed for directional networking. The du achieved with 2-D slot array. Additional lay terminated elements are add to the edge of minimize the edge effect. The antenna operating GHz with 70 beamwidth and 6-10 dB gain.
LEFT VENTRICULAR SYSTOLIC TIME INTERVALS BY DOPPLER-COMPARISON WITH CAROTID PULSE METHOD

We compared left ventricular systolic time intervals (L STI's) derived from pulsed Doppler(D) and from conventional(C) carotid pulse tracing(CPT) and phonocardiography(PCG) in 24 subjects, aged 1.7 to 18.5 yrs, median=12.1 yr. Using the apical 2-chamber view, D frequency-time curves from the proximal ascending aorta were recorded simultaneously with CPT,PCG and ECG. L STI's from the D tracings were measured as follows: pre-ejection period (PEP)-beginning of QRS to onset of D systolic upstroke; ventricular ejection time(VET)-onset of D systolic upstroke to maximal end-systolic flow reversal. The difference in pulse transmission time between onset and end of systole resulted in a systematically shorter PEP and longer VET by C. C PEP was best predicted by the regression equation C PEP=1.03(D PEP)-14, and C VET by C VET=0.99(D VET)+8. The cumulative distribution of the error of the predicted values and correlation coefficients(r) using these formulae were:
Influence of tiadenol, bis-(hydroxyethylthio)1,10-decane, on cholesterol metabolism in rats.

Summary The metabolic effects of three different concentrations of tiadenol (0.05, 0.10 and 0.15% of the diet) were compared in rats with those of 0.30% clofibrate. The two higher concentrations of tiadenol and clofibrate caused hepatomegaly. Neither serum cholesterol nor serum triglyceride levels were affected by the drugs. Liver cholesterol levels were reduced by the higher concentrations of tiadenol. Apparent cholesterol absorption was reduced by 0.15% tiadenol. In a second study using one dose level (0.10%) of tiadenol, cholesterol synthesis in liver slices was inhibited but hepatic cholesterol 7α hydroxylase was unaffected.
Localism in Western European Radio Broadcasting: Untangling the Wireless

This article provide an overview and a comparative framework for describing and assessing the local radio phenomenon in the countries of Western Europe. It also examines opportunities for access, control, and economic realities for three types of local radio, each of which was influences in some fashion by illegal pirate stations
Molecule of the month: miRNA and Huntington's disease (HD)

Huntington's disease (HD) has been intensely studied for many years. As we enter the miRNA age in molecular biology novel approaches are taking place in the study of HD. HD is a neurodegenerative disease and often involves depression prior to symptom onset. Symptoms include mental disorders as well as psychopathological, motor, and cognitive dysfunction. In HD, there is gliosis and loss of neurons in the brain's caudate nucleus, striatum, and frontal lobes. Dysfunction and loss of neurons involves CAG nucleotide repeats in the Huntingtin gene amino-end [1].
Mechanisms of tooth eruption in a computer-generated analysis of functional jaw deformations in man

Two mechanisms that contribute to tooth eruption are proposed from analysis of the human jaws as elastic structures which are deformed intermittently under functional occlusal loads. One possible source of eruptive force is the transient pressure gradient established within each jaw as it is deformed. The second source, suggested by the computer model, is a consequence of the tension placed on periodontal-ligament fibres as individual tooth-sockets are distorted within the deformed jaws.
Simultaneous determination of L-702,007, a HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor, and its 6-hydroxy metabolite in human plasma by column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

Abstract A method for the determination of L-702,007, a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor, and its 6-hydroxy metabolite in human plasma is described. Plasma samples are extracted using phenyl solid-phase extraction columns. The extract is analyzed by HPLC using a column-switching system to remove interferences from late-eluting endogenous components. Fluorescence detection at an excitation wavelength of 314 nm and an emission wavelength of 390 nm is utilized. The assay was validated in the concentration range of 10–200 ng/ml when 1-ml aliquots of plasma were extracted. The assay has been used to support human pharmacokinetic studies.
Augmentative biological control of whiteflies using transplants

Field studies showed that transplants can be used to move parasitoids into fields of commercially grown cantaloupe, Cucumis melo (Cucurbitaceae), and augment parasitism of sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci biotype B (= Bemisia argentifolii) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). Methods were developed to inoculate cantaloupe seedlings with newly imported Eretmocerus spp. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), then transfer plants into both organic and conventional fields of cantaloupe in the desert growing region of southeastern California. Several obstacles to inoculating “banker plants” with an adequate number of parasitized whiteflies were overcome and numbers of parasitoids per transplant increased. In 1999 the use of banker plants was compared to a standard hand-release method and a no-release control in a replicated study at an organic farm. Augmentation through releases of parasitoids increased parasitism over that in the no-release controls (p <0.05). Banker plants increased the proportion of parasitized whiteflies more than the hand-release method (0.21 vs. 0.08). During a region-wide demonstration spring 2000, plots receiving banker plants significantly increased parasitism over paired control plots at seven commercial farms of cantaloupe. Parasitism in banker plant treated plots in 2000 was higher in organic fields (seasonal average =0.30) than conventional ones (seasonal average =0.06). Differences may be due to the use of imidacloprid, a systemic insecticide, in conventional fields for whitefly control. Over the 2-year study, however, releases of parasitoids did not consistently reduce densities of B. tabaci. Only in late season at some sites in 2000 were whitefly densities lower in release plots than paired controls. Most of the parasitoids recovered and identified from plots receiving parasitoids were the same as those released, Eretmocerus spp. (ex. Ethiopia M96076), and E. hayati(M95012, ex. Pakistan).