cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reconfiguring South Asian Islam: From the 18th to the 19th Century

Distinctive shifts in the character of South Asian Islamic culture took place between eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This article tracks these changes through two notable examples, Ghulam ‘Ali Azad Bilgrami (d. 1786) and Hajji Imdad Allah Muhajir Makki (d. 1899). Analysis of writings by and about these two figures demonstrates shifting models of what it meant to be a South Asian Muslim intellectual. The confident cosmopolitanism of Bilgrami, on the cusp of the British colonial conquest, yields to a much more defensive posture in Hajji Imdad Allah, who was indeed engaged in resistance against the ultimately victorious British rule. Loss of traditional Muslim patronage coincided with the decline of philosophical traditions and interest in Hindu culture, along with the rise of the scriptural reformism typified by the Deoband school, which addressed a broader Muslim public. The relatively short time during which these changes occurred emphasizes the significant cultural gap between the pre- and post-colonial periods of South Asian Islam.
Aeroacoustic Evaluation of Flap and Landing Gear Noise Reduction Concepts

Aeroacoustic measurements for a semi-span, 18% scale, high-fidelity Gulfstream aircraft model are presented. The model was used as a test bed to conduct detailed studies of flap and main landing gear noise sources and to determine the effectiveness of numerous noise mitigation concepts. Using a traversing microphone array in the flyover direction, an extensive set of acoustic data was obtained in the NASA Langley Research Center 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel with the facility in the acoustically treated open-wall (jet) mode. Most of the information was acquired with the model in a landing configuration with the flap deflected 39 deg and the main landing gear alternately installed and removed. Data were obtained at Mach numbers of 0.16, 0.20, and 0.24 over directivity angles between 56 deg and 116 deg, with 90 deg representing the overhead direction. Measured acoustic spectra showed that several of the tested flap noise reduction concepts decrease the sound pressure levels by 2 - 4 dB over the entire frequency range at all directivity angles. Slightly lower levels of noise reduction from the main landing gear were obtained through the simultaneous application of various gear devices. Measured aerodynamic forces indicated that the tested gear/flap noise abatement technologies have a negligible impact on the aerodynamic performance of the aircraft model.
Live/Real Time Three‐Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiographic Findings in an Adult with Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defect

Live/real time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography provided incremental value over two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography in an adult patient with complete atrioventricular (AV) septal defect by (1) making a confident diagnosis of Rastelli type A defect, (2) providing en face view of all the five leaflets of the common AV valve, (3) diagnosing left ventricle to right atrial shunt, and (4) permitting more accurate quantitative assessment of regurgitant lesions.
Fast Image Coding Using Simple Image Patterns

We present a very fast image coding algorithm that employs the recently-developed visual pattern image coding (VPIC) algorithm embedded in a multi-resolution (pyramid) structure. At each level in the hierarchy, the image is coded by the VPIC algorithm [1]. The low-resolution images coded at the upper levels of the pyramid are used to augment coding of the higher-resolution images. The interaction between the different resolution levels is both simple and computationally efficient, and yields a significant increase in compression ratio relative to simple VPIC with improved image quality and with little increase in complexity. The resulting hierarchical VPIC (HVPIC) algorithm achieves compression ratios of about 24:1 and in the implementation demonstrated here, requires only 22.8 additions and 3.84 multiplications per image pixel.
Endoscopic identification and quantification of aberrant crypt foci in the human colon

Abstract Background: Aberrant crypt foci may be precancerous lesions in the human colon. The occurrence of aberrant crypt foci was compared in patients with an endoscopically normal colon, known adenomatous polyps, and known colorectal cancer. Methods: In 90 patients (30 colonoscopically normal, 30 with adenomatous polyps, 30 with colorectal cancers) magnification chromoscopy was performed to identify aberrant crypt foci in the distal 10 cm of the rectum. Representative biopsy specimens were obtained for histopathologic assessment. Results: Aberrant crypt foci were readily identified. Median and (mean) numbers of aberrant crypt foci were as follows: endoscopically normal colon, 3.5 (5.0); adenomatous polyp(s), 4.0 (6.9); and colorectal cancer, 7.5 (9.9). The number of aberrant crypt foci detected was significantly associated ( p = 0.02) with an increased odds that a patient would be in the group with known colorectal cancer (odds ratio = 1.11; 95% CI [1.02, 1.21]), but not in any other group. Conclusions: Despite a stepwise increase in the number of aberrant crypt foci across the 3 groups, aberrant crypt foci was significantly associated only with comorbid colorectal cancer. Aberrant crypt foci was not associated with adenomatous polyp(s) or normal colon. Additional studies are needed to further elucidate the role of aberrant crypt foci in the development of colorectal neoplasia in humans. (Gastrointest Endosc 2002;56:657-62.)
The effect of temperature on the drip, denaturation and extracellular space of pork longissimus dorsi muscle

Pork longissimus dorsi muscles were cut across the muscle into slices as soon as possible after slaughter. The slices were held at temperatures ranging from 10 to 37°C during the first 24 h post-mortem. 1–2% drip was obtained from slices held at 10°C and increased to 10–14% at 37°C. As the amount of drip increased, the protein concentration of the drip fell from about 150 mg/ml to 100 mg/ml. Some of this decrease could be attributed to the denaturation of sarcoplasmic protein, which amounted to a maximum of 19% in the samples with the highest drip. It is also suggested that diffusion of fluid from the myofilaments or sarcoplasmic reticulum could dilute the sarcoplasm. Denaturation of the myofibrillar proteins, as measured by their ATPase activity, was also observed but this was measurable only at holding temperatures above 30°C. The extracellular space which was 2–5% of the muscle section when the holding temperature was 10°C and drip was low, increased to a maximum of 16–25% at 37°C when drip was high. It is suggested that this is a contributory factor to the increase in drip with increasing temperatures.
Chromosomal abnormalities detected by multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization in fine-needle aspirates from patients with small lymphocytic lymphoma are useful for predicting survival.

BACKGROUND. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of lymph nodes is commonly used to assess disease progression in patients with small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). Although cytologic features are helpful for diagnosing typical SLL and transformed large-cell lymphoma (tLCL), SLL in accelerated phase (SLLacc) is more difficult to diagnose. Additional tests are needed to identify those patients who are transforming to a higher-grade lymphoma. This study evaluated the use of a multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probe panel specifically designed for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/SLL and assessed the association between FISH findings and cytologic diagnosis, proliferation index, and risk of death. METHODS. FNA specimens from 50 patients (32 men and 18 women; mean age, 57 years [range, 36–77 years]) with histologically confirmed CLL and/or SLL were evaluated in this study for chromosomal abnormalities of 11q22 (ATM), 12, 13q14.3, 13q34.3 (LAMP1), and 17p13.1 (p53) by using a multiprobe FISH kit. One of the 50 cases was excluded because of an insufficient number of cells for FISH analysis. The FISH findings were compared with the cytologic diagnoses (26 SLLs, 12 SLLaccs, and 11 tLCLs), Ki-67 immunostaining, and risk of death. RESULTS. Abnormal signal patterns for 17p13.1 and 13q34.3 were associated with tLCL. Aberrations of 17p13.1 were found to be significantly associated with Ki-67 staining. Of the 49 patients with interpretable FISH results, 22 (45%) had died at the time of the study, with a mean overall survival time of 17 months after FNA. Patients with aberrations of 17p13.1 and 11q22 had 3.7 and 2.7 times the risk of death, respectively, compared with patients with normal patterns. CONCLUSIONS. FISH can be performed on FNA specimens from patients with a history of SLL/CLL. Chromosomal aberrations of 17p13.1 and 11q22 are associated with an increased risk of death. Knowledge of genetic abnormalities from FNAs may be useful in deciding when and how to treat indolent or progressive SLL. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
An application of Chebyshev estimation

Whereas previous studies have indicated that Chebyshev estimation procedures should be readily applicable to parameter identification problems, little experimental work has been reported. To this effect, a quasilinearization-linear programming approach was used to estimate the elements appearing in the discrete transition matrix for a stabilized missile roll control system. Results indicate that Chebyshev estimation is best for a system with bounded measurement noise (i.e., quantization or roundoff noise) and gives improved estimates as the number of samples increases.
Makey Makey: improvising tangible and nature-based user interfaces

Makey Makey is a new platform for improvising tangible user interfaces. It enables people to make nature-based interfaces, it is compatible with all software, and it does not require the user to program or to assemble electronics. It is designed for a wide range of audiences, supporting ideation for experts and access for beginners. In the studio, participants will rapidly create several different user interfaces incorporating a wide variety of found objects, both physical and digital. There will also be opportunities to test out the newly created interfaces with each other, and reflect on the design of UI prototyping toolkits.
Tillage and nitrogen fertilizer influence on carbon and soluble silica relations in a pacific northwest mollisol

Long-term experiments are ideal for evaluating the influence of agricultural practices on soil organic carbon (SOC) accretion. Little is known about the influence of tillage and N fertilization on SOC distribution and silica (Si) movement in a soil. This study: (i) determined the effect of tillage and N fertilizer on SOC accretion in a Walla Walla silt loam (coarse-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Typic Haploxeroll), and (ii) examined the subsequent influence of fine organic matter (FOM) on Si movement. A long-term wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-fallow experiment was established in 1940, in a randomized block with split-plot design. Soil cores (2-cm increments) from two tillages (moldboard plow, MP; and sweep, SW) and two N rates (45 and 180 kg N ha -1 ) were used to measure coarse organic matter (COM), FOM, pH, bulk density (ρ b ), water-soluble C (C m ), and water-soluble Si (Si ws ). The FOM fraction (&6 kg C m -2 ) in SW was 14% higher (5.8 kg C m -2 ) than in MP for the 180 kg N ha -1 rate. After 44 yr of N additions, the SOC storage (6.2 kg C m -2 ) for the 180 kg N ha -1 rate increased 3% above that for the 45 kg N ha -1 (6.0 kg C m -2 ). Total Si,, in the B horizon were 34 and 39% greater than in the Ap horizon for the MP and SW systems, respectively. Interaction of tillage and N with Si ws suggests that SOC provides a mechanism to suppress Si solubility, which impacts siliceous pan formation, reduces soil mechanical resistance, and enhances drainage and plant growth.
The Use of Standardized Test Batteries in Assessing the Skill Development of Children With Mild-to-Moderate Sensorineural Hearing Loss

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of using standardized psychoeducational diagnostic instruments on children with mild-to-moderate bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Historica...
Structure and dynamics of current sheets at Alfvén resonances in a differentially rotating plasma

Alfven resonances, where the local flow speed relative to the boundary is equal to the local Alfven speed, introduce novel dynamical features in a differentially rotating plasma. The spatial structure and dynamics of current sheets in such plasmas is investigated analytically as well as numerically. The current sheets at Alfven resonances tend to power-law singularities. The growth of current sheets is algebraic in time in the linear regime and saturates in the presence of dissipation without the intervention of nonlinear effects. These results have significant implications for forced reconnection and Alfven wave dissipation in laboratory and space plasmas.
History and the National Sensorium: Making Sense of Polish Mythology

Based on archival and ethnographic data from the Polish case, this article argues that national mythology is structured by historical events and embodied in visual and material cultures, which in turn frame national subjects’ understanding of the present. It suggests that the convergence and exchange between diverse sites of material expression and sensory perception, and their compression into trans-temporal nodes—what I call the “national sensorium”—makes them especially resilient. Even so, as historically constructed, contingent and contested systems of myths, the extent to which national mythologies can shape national identity or mobilize toward nationalist action depends on the specific historical contexts in which they are deployed. Theoretically, this article joins historical and phenomenological approaches to propose a framework for thinking about the constitution, persistence and shifting social and political valences of national mythologies.
Frame selection techniques for the Magellan adaptive optics VisAO camera

The Magellan AO system will begin commissioning in early 2012. Its VisAO camera will provide 20 mas FWHM images with mean Strehl ratios of ∼ 0.2 in R band on a 6.5m telescope. Depending on seeing conditions, Strehl ratio may reach temporary peaks as high as 0.5 at these wavelengths. To take advantage of these brief periods of high performance, we plan to adopt lucky imaging style data taking and reduction techniques. As part of this effort we have developed a novel real-time frame selection technique, which will use AO system telemetry and a fast shutter to limit CCD exposure to these very brief moments of higher Strehl. Here we describe the expected benefits of our frame selection techniques in various operating modes. We also present the results of laboratory characterization of the shutter, and describe the performance of predictive algorithms used to control it.
Temperature and Common Ion Effects on Effective Acid Penetration in a Fracture

Developpement d'un modele mathematique de l'ecoulement de l'acide dans la fracture. Associe a des modeles de distribution de la temperature dans la fracture, de vitesses d'ecoulement et de cinetique de reaction a l'interface roche/acide, ce modele permet de calculer l'influence de l'ion commun, de la concentration en acide, la temperature de formation et de la chaleur de reaction sur la longueur de penetration de l'acide
Chromosome breakage and reunion: action of azaserine and x rays.

1. Mitotic inhibition and chromosome aberrations were induced in roots ofVicia faba treated with azaserine. Aberrations were scored 1, 2, and 3 days after treatments with 0.01 mM solutions. 2. The aberrations were exclusively between chromatids; no chromosome breakage and reunion was induced by azaserine. 3. B″+SR and B′+R occurred in S and M chromosomes but not at random. Aberrations were seen predominantly in S chromosomes and were localized in heterochromatic regions. 4. Following treatment with azaserine and X rays, chromosome breakage and reunion, which produced dicentric and ring chromosomes, was found. It did not occur however, in cells with aberrations induced by azaserine. 5. Azaserine, and perhaps other radiomimetic chemicals, does not act on the chromosome before the period of synthesis and splitting. The evidence from combined treatments is that azaserine acts during the postsynthetic period of interphase. 6. Aberrations induced by azaserine probably result from an effect on some normal process. Apparently it does not induce beaks, physical discontinuities, but does prevent normal restitution.
Ab initio transition structures for hetero Diels-Alder cycloadditions to furan

Abstract Ab initio calculations at the RHF/3–21G and RHF/6–31G ∗ //RHF3–21G theory levels provide data on the reactivity and stereoselectivity of hetero dienophile additions to furan. The calculated activation energies for the hetero Diels-Alder reactions are usually small, and the newly formed bonds are shorter than in the corresponding all carbon Diels-Alder reactions. The formation of the endo isomer is predicted to be energetically more favorable due to n-π repulsion between the heteroatom lone pair and the π system of the furan ring. The activation energy for some hetero dienophiles is very low and the reaction is suggested to be of synthetic interest in the preparation of natural chiral compounds.
Limitations of Heavy Ion Synchrotron Acceleration for Inertial Fusion

The potential benefits from heavy ion inertial fusion motivate the rapid development of a program to test the principle.1,2,3 To define the program, accelerator parameters which have not hitherto been commonly considered must be studied interactively with basic questions of space charge limitations and charge exchange. Beam lifetime and power output efficiency may ultimately lead to a linear accelerator as the choice for an ignition device. For proof of principle, however, at power levels way beyond present inertial fusion experience, synchrotrons may have applicability at lower cost. The power and energy which can be delivered by the accelerating system to the reaction chamber are limited by space charge defocussing and intra beam charge exchange scattering, both of which are beam density dependent. These put constraints on linac injector energy, synchrotron aperture, synchrotron magnetic rigidity, acceleration time, ion species and charge to mass ratio. The accelerator system considered is classical. A linear accelerator injects into a synchrotron which accelerates the ion beam to the full energy delivered to the target. The maximum energy deliverable by a synchrotron is treated in section I. The targetting parameters and the energy gained through synchrotron acceleration completely determine the synchrotron aperture. These are discussed in sections II and III. The ion range in material is treated in section IV. The problem of intrabeam scattering is considered in section V. Finally, in section VI is a discussion of examples to meet specified goals.
Deletion without rebalancing in balanced binary trees

We address the vexing issue of deletions in balanced trees. Rebalancing after a deletion is generally more complicated than rebalancing after an insertion. Textbooks neglect deletion rebalancing, and many database systems do not do it. We describe a relaxation of AVL trees in which rebalancing is done after insertions but not after deletions, yet access time remains logarithmic in the number of insertions. For many applications of balanced trees, our structure offers performance competitive with that of classical balanced trees. With the addition of periodic rebuilding, the performance of our structure is theoretically superior to that of many if not all classic balanced tree structures. Our structure needs O(log log m) bits of balance information per node, where m is the number of insertions, or O(log log n) with periodic rebuilding, where n is the number of nodes. An insertion takes up to two rotations and O(1) amortized time. Using an analysis that relies on an exponential potential function, we show that rebalancing steps occur with a frequency that is exponentially small in the height of the affected node.
SU‐GG‐T‐374: Update On Digital Data Integrity Quality Assurance for Multi‐Institutional Advanced Technology Clinical Trials

Purpose: Report on that part of the cooperative group clinical trial quality assurance (QA) review process referred to as Digital Data Integrity QA (DDIQA). Method and Materials: Participants in advanced technology clinical trials supported by the Image‐guided Therapy QA Center (ITC) must be able to submit 3D digital datasets (images, contours, and dose distributions) to the ITC. Protocol QA review responsibility has been divided between ITC (DDIQA review) and the cooperative group (CG) for Protocol Compliance QA Review (PCQA). DDIQA consists of review of the completeness of protocol required elements, format, spatial registration, and data corruption. For consistency, structures are renamed and dose volume histograms are recalculated. Data are posted to the web‐based Remote Review Tool (RRT) a component of the ITC's clinical trial QA system (called QuASA2R) for PCQA review, which includes compliance review of target volume and organ at risk contours as well as review of dose compliance by CG reviewers. Results: ITC has over 13 years experience in receiving/processing over 6000 digital datasets submitted by institutions participating in advanced technology clinical trials. DDIQA metrics show that approximately 30 % of submissions are problematic. Problems can be divided into three categories: (1) misunderstanding of protocol requirements, (2) misuse of treatment planning system (TPS) data export feature, and (3) updated TPS software whose data export feature is no longer compliant with QuASA2R requirements. The time and effort required to perform DDIQA and prepare a case for PCQA varies, depending on protocol complexity. Conclusion: DDIQA has proven to be essential for QA of advanced technology clinical trials. Thus, total automation of data submission for rapid QA review of clinical trial datasets is not realistic at this time. Work is currently focused on developing tools that help ITC personnel perform DDIQA more efficiently. Supported by NIH U24 CA81647.
Generating hierarchical summaries for web searches

Hierarchies provide a means of organizing, summarizing and accessing information. We describe a method for automatically generating hierarchies from small collections of text, and then apply this technique to summarizing the documents retrieved by a search engine.
Hierarchy and Centralization in Free and Open Source Software Team Communications

Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) development teams provide an interesting and convenient setting for studying distributed work. We begin by answering perhaps the most basic question: what is the social structure of these teams? We conducted social network analyses of bug-fixing interactions from three repositories: Sourceforge, GNU Savannah and Apache Bugzilla. We find that some OSS teams are highly centralized, but contrary to expectation, others are not. Projects are mostly quite hierarchical on four measures of hierarchy, consistent with past research but contrary to the naive image of these projects. Furthermore, we find that the level of centralization is negatively correlated with project size, suggesting that larger projects become more modular, or possibly that becoming more modular is a key to growth. The paper makes a further methodological contribution by identifying appropriate analysis approaches for interaction data. We conclude by sketching directions for future research.
Oligomers of bacteriochlorophyll and bacteriopheophytin with spectroscopic properties resembling those found in photosynthetic bacteria

Abstract Oligomers of bacteriopheophytin (BPh) and bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) were formed in mixed aqueous-organic solvent systems, and in aqueous micelles of the detergent lauryldimethylamine oxide (LDAO). Conditions were found that gave relatively homogeneous samples of oligomers and that allowed quantitative comparisons of the spectroscopic properties of the monomeric and oligomeric pigments. The formation of certain types of oligomers is accompanied by a large bathochromic shift of the long-wavelength (Qy) absorption band of the BChl or BPh, and by a substantial increase in its dipole strength (hyperchromism). The hyperchromism of the Qy band occurs at the expense of the Soret band, which loses dipole strength. The Qx band shifts slightly to shorter wavelengths and also loses dipole strength. The CD spectrum in the near-infra-red (Qy) region becomes markedly nonconservative. (The net rotational strength in the Qy region is positive.) This also occurs at the expense of the bands at shorter wavelengths, which gain a net negative rotational strength. The spectroscopic properties of the oligomers resemble those of some of the BChl-protein complexes found in photosynthetic bacteria. The oligomerization of BPh in LDAO micelles is linked to the formation of large, cylindrical micelles that contain on the order of 105 LDAO molecules. However, the spectral changes probably occur on the formation of small oligomers of BPh; they begin to be seen when the micelles contain about 10 molecules of BPh. The BPh oligomers formed in LDAO micelles fluoresce at 865 nm, but the fluorescence yield is decreased about 40-fold, relative to that of monomeric BPh. The fluorescence yield is insensitive to the BPh/LDAO molar ratio, suggesting that the oligomers formed under these conditions are predominantly dimers. When the oligomers are excited with a short flash of light, they are converted with a low quantum yield into a metastable form. This transformation probably involves alterations in the geometry of the oligomer, but not full dissociation.
The effect of a short course of calcium and vitamin D on bone turnover in older women

Calcium and vitamin D (1200 mg/day + 800 IU) has been shown to reduce hip fracture incidence in older women living in long-term care facilities who had borderline low vitamin D levels. We examined the effect of a short course of calcium and vitamin D on biochemical markers of bone turnover in older community-living women. Twelve community-living women (mean age 75 years) in good general health, without diseases or on medications known to affect bone, were entered into the study. All women were treated with calcium citrate (1500 mg/day of elemental calcium) and vitamin D3 (1000 IU/day) (Ca + D) for 6 weeks. Biochemical markers of bone turnover were measured in serum and urine collected at baseline (two samples), 5 and 6 weeks on Ca + D, and 5 and 6 weeks after termination of Ca + D. Markers of bone formation were osteocalcin, bone alkaline phosphatase and type I procollagen peptide. Markers of bone resorption were urinary hydroxyproline, free pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline crosslinks, and N-telopeptides of type I collagen. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were also measured at baseline, 6 weeks on treatment and 6 weeks after termination of treatment. All markers of bone resorption decreased on Ca + D and returned to baseline after termination of Ca + D (p<0.05). Markers of bone formation did not change with Ca + D treatment. PTH decreased on Ca + D and returned to baseline after treatment, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D increased with treatment and remained elevated 6 weeks after the end of treatment. We conclude that Ca + D reduces bone resorption in older women, possibly by suppressing PTH levels.
The novel JAK-3 inhibitor CP-690550 is a potent immunosuppressive agent in various murine models

JAK-3 has been shown to play a key role in cytokine signaling via gammac, e.g. IL-2, 4, 7, 9, 15, 21. The current study describes the immunosuppressive effects of CP-690550, a novel, small molecule inhibitor of JAK-3, in various murine models. In vitro, CP-690550 effectively inhibited a murine mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) (IC50= 91 nm). Mice chronically dosed with CP-690550 (1.5-15 mg/kg/day) demonstrated dose- and time-dependent alterations in lymphocyte subsets when examined by flow cytometry. The most dramatic change observed was a 96% reduction in splenic NK1.1 + TCRbeta- cell numbers following 21 days of treatment. Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses in sensitized mice were reduced in a dose-dependent manner following treatment with the JAK-3 inhibitor (1.87-30 mg/kg, s.c.). Extended survival of neonatal Balb/c hearts implanted into the ear pinna of MHC mismatched C3H/HEN mice was observed with CP-690550 monotherapy (10-30 mg/kg/day), but improved upon combination with cyclosporin (10 mg/kg/day). These data support the participation of JAK-3 in various lymphocyte homeostatic functions in mature mice. Furthermore, the ability of CP-690550 to extend cardiac allograft survival in murine models suggests it may afford a new treatment for prevention of transplant rejection.
Sites Important for PLCβ2 Activation by the G Protein βγ Subunit Map to the Sides of the β Propeller Structure

Abstract The βγ subunits of the heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) that couple heptahelical, plasma membrane-bound receptors to intracellular effector enzymes or ion channels directly regulate several types of effectors, including phospholipase Cβ and adenylyl cyclase. The β subunit is made up of two structurally different regions: an N-terminal α helix followed by a toroidal structure made up of 7 blades, each of which is a twisted β sheet composed of four anti-parallel β strands (Wall, M. A., Coleman, D. E., Lee, E., Iniguez-Lluhi, J. A., Posner, B. A., Gilman, A. G., and Sprang, S. R. (1995)Cell 83, 1047–1058; Lambright, D. G., Sondek, J., Bohm, A., Skiba, N. P., Hamm, H. E., and Sigler, P. B. (1996) Nature 379, 311–319). We have previously shown that sites for activation of PLCβ2, PLCβ3, and adenylyl cyclase II overlap on the “top” surface of the propeller, where Gα also binds (Li, Y., Sternweis, P. M., Charnecki, S., Smith, T. F., Gilman, A. G., Neer, E. J., and Kozasa, T. (1998)J. Biol. Chem. 273, 16265–16272). The present study was undertaken to identify the regions on the side of the torus that might be important for effector interactions. We made mutations in each of the outer β strands of the G protein β1 propeller, as well as mutations in the loops that connect the outer strands to the adjacent β strands. Our results suggest that activation of PLCβ2 involves residues in the outer strands of blades 2, 6, and 7 of the propeller. We tested three of the mutations that most severely affected PLCβ2 activity against two forms of adenylyl cyclase (ACI and ACII). Both inhibition of ACI and activation of ACII were unaffected by these mutations, suggesting that if ACI and ACII contact the outer strands, the sites of contact are different from those for PLCβ2. We propose that distinct sets of contacts along the sides of the propeller will define the specificity of the interaction of βγ with effectors.
Incremental versus total-strain theories for proportionate and nonproportionate loading of torsion-tension members

Incremental and total-strain theories have been presented in the literature for hollow and solid circular torsion-tension members. The differential equations obtained for the incremental theory have been solved only for the conditions that the torsion-tension member is made of a nonstrain-hardening material and is subjected to restricted deformation histories. Computer programs were written to obtain numerical incremental solutions for hollow and solid circular torsion-tension members made of strain-hardening materials and subjected to any deformation or loading path. Test data were obtained for three different materials: (a) a nonstrain-hardening steel, annealed SAE 1035 steel, with identical properties in tension and compression; (b) a strain-hardening steel, annealed rail steel, with identical properties in tension and compression; (c) a strainhardening alumimum alloy, 2024-T4, with different properties in tension and compression. In all cases, the average of the tension and compression stress-strain diagram was approximated by two straight lines to obtain material properties.
On two arguments for the indeterminacy of personal identity

Both arguments are based on the breakdown of normal criteria of identity in certain science-fictional circumstances. In one case, normal criteria would support the identity of person A with each of two other persons, B and C; and it is argued that, in the imagined circumstances, ‘A=B’ and ‘A=C’ have no truth value. In the other, a series or ‘spectrum’ of cases is tailored to a sorites argument. At one end of the spectrum, persons A and B are such that ‘A=B’ is clearly true; at the other end, A and B are such that the identity is clearly false. In between, normal criteria of identity leave the truth or falsehood of ‘A=B’ undecided, and it is argued that in these circumstances ‘A=B’ has no truth value. These arguments are to be understood counterfactually. My claim is that, so understood, neither establishes its conclusion. The first involves a pair of counterfactual situations that are equally possible or ‘tied’. If ‘A=B’ and ‘A=C’ have no truth value, a counterfactual conditional with one of them as consequent and an antecedent that is true in circumstances in which either is true should have no truth value. Intuitively, however, any such counterfactual is false. The second argument can be seen to invite an analogous response. If this is right, however, there is an important disanalogy between this and the classical paradox of the heap. If the disanalogy is only apparent, the argument shows at most that the existence of persons can be indeterminate.
Solution of linear state-space equations and parameter estimation in feedback systems using laguerre polynomial expansion

Abstract This paper analyzes the application of Laguerre polynomial expansion to linear systems. It can be applied to the solution of linear state equations by using an algebraic matrix to determine the coefficients of the Laguerre expansion. It also can be applied to system identification by using the expansion to determine the coefficients in the transfer function. Examples are given to demonstrate the accuracy of finite order expansion by Laguerre polynomials.
Supporting cognition in systems biology analysis: findings on users' processes and design implications

Background Current usability studies of bioinformatics tools suggest that tools for exploratory analysis support some tasks related to finding relationships of interest but not the deep causal insights necessary for formulating plausible and credible hypotheses. To better understand design requirements for gaining these causal insights in systems biology analyses a longitudinal field study of 15 biomedical researchers was conducted. Researchers interacted with the same protein-protein interaction tools to discover possible disease mechanisms for further experimentation.
A placental-derived tissue matrix as a bowel wall substitute in rats: preliminary study.

Background: Occasionally, conventional closure of an intestinal wall defect (fistula) is not possible. The development of a biologic material that can be used in this setting would solve a significant clinical problem. We hypothesized that a collagen patch (connective tissue matrix [CTM]) designed to allow tissue regeneration was such a material. Methods: To test this hypothesis, we performed a laparotomy on 75 male Sprague-Dawley rats (experiment A) and removed 25% of the anterior cecal wall (1 cm in diameter) to compare intestinal wound healing in four situations: (1) control (no repair), (2) fibrin glue repair, (3) primary repair, and (4) repair with CTM (human placental bilayer, types I, III, and IV). Animals were killed at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Healing was graded by bursting pressure expressed in millimeters of mercury, histologic score (0 to 4), and mortality rates. After this, we used the same protocol to remove 80% of the cecal wall (1.5 × 2.0 cm) in 19 animals (experiment B) to compare (5) fibrin glue repair alone with (6) CTM repair in a situation in which the defect was too large for primary repair. Results: CTM repair of a lethal cecal wall defect (experiment A) is equivalent to either primary repair or fibrin glue repair. When the defect is too large for primary repair (experiment B), repair with fibrin glue also does not work. However, in this same setting, CTM repair is successful (p < 0.00001). Conclusions: Intestinal wall defects not suitable for conventional closure can be repaired successfully with a collagen patch, with histologic characteristics similar to those seen with primary repair. (Surgery 1998;124:87-91.)
Preschoolers’ Establishment of Mutual Knowledge During Scripted Interactions

Previous research indicates that preschoolers’ knowledge of routine events, or scripts, benefits their communication during pretend play enactments of those events. This study examined preschoolers...
Momentum transfer to atoms by a standing light wave: Transition from diffraction to diffusion.

Momentum transfer to atoms by a standing light wave is measured in the presence of spontaneous decay. As the number of spontaneous decays is increased, the well-known Kapitza-Dirac diffractive structure observed in the absence of spontaneous decay evolves into a smooth diffusive pattern. Theoretical treatments based on a diffusive model adequately describe the rms momentum transfers and the envelopes of the momentum distributions. However, we observe significant persistence of diffractive structure at our long interaction times and find that details of the deflection profiles are accurately predicted only when several spontaneous decays occur during the interaction.
Lefschetz's principle

In this paper we describe a language in which the statements of algebraic geometry can readily be cxpresscd and for which Lefschetz’s principle can be proved. We describe the language in detail and prove the mctamathematical results in Section 1. The results of Section 1 are applied to algebraic geometry in Section 2. In Section 3 WC make some brief historical remarks. We wish to express our appreciation to Professor Abraham Robinson for many interesting discussions during the course of this work. What WC call Lcfschetz’s principle’ has been stated by Weil as follows ([II], p. 306): “f or a g ivcn value of the characteristicp, every result, involving only a finite number of points and of varieties, which has been proved for some choice of the universal domain remains valid without restriction; there is but one algebraic geometry of characteristic p for each value of p, not one algebraic geometry for each choice of the universal domain.” Weil says that a formal proof of this principle would require “a formal ‘metamathematical’ characterization of the type of proposition” to which it applies; “this would have to depend upon the ‘metamathematical’ i.e. logical analysis of all our definitions.” In this paper we attempt to carry out this program. Thus in contrast to previous metamathcmatical formulations of the Lefschetz principle which arose from general logical considerations (see Section 3) our starting point has been an analysis of the definitions of algebraic geometry. The result is a language which from the logical point of view is somewhat complex (it is a higher-order, infinitary language), but which is closely akin to the natural language of algebraic geometry. Thus, for example, in models of the language, variables standing for ideals range over sets of polynomials, and variables standing for varieties in affine n-space range over sets of n-tuples.
A synthesis of pertinent research relating to technical information systems

This article investigates, evaluates, and summarizes pertinent research on technical information systems (TIS) — the vehicle by which technology is disseminated and acquired by potential users of that technology. Since the TIS is a critical element in the transfer process, it is recommended as the place to begin — employing the principles of systems analysis and design — to optimize transfer of technology.
Maximum likelihood estimation of econometric frontier functions

The estimation of production functions has been one of the more popular areas of applied econometrics. Recent work in duality theory which has linked production and cost functions has made this topic even more attractive. Typically, least squares (or some variant, such as two stage or generalized least squares) is used to estimate the model of interest in accordance with the assumption of a normally distributed disturbance in the model. However, definitions of a production function are given in terms of the maximum output attainable at given levels of the inputs. Similarly, a dual cost function gives the minimum cost of producing a given level of output at some set of input prices [See Christensen and Greene (1976).] It has thus been argued that the disturbances specified in these models, and techniques used to estimate them should account for that fact. These considerations have motivated the recent literature on frontier functions. Numerous studies have been devoted to the respecification of empirical production and cost models to make them more compatible with the underlying theory, and to the derivation of appropriate estimators. In some cases, this has amounted to minor modifications of least squares results. The remaining estimators are based on two distinct specifications. The very recent work on composite disturbances has relaxed somewhat the orthodox interpretation of the underlying function as a strict frontier with all observations lying on one side of it, and has produced well behaved maximum likelihood estimators with all of the usual desirable properties. Other authors, following the more strict interpretation, have employed what we shall call full frontier estimators which allow only one sided residuals. It
A review of note-taking: The encoding storage paradigm and beyond.

This review article investigates the encoding and storage functions of note-taking. The encoding function suggests that the process of taking notes, which are not reviewed, is facilitative. Research specifying optimal note-taking behaviors is discussed as are several means for facilitating note-taking, such as viewing a lecture multiple times, note-taking on a provided framework, or generative note-taking activities. The storage function suggests that the review of notes also is facilitative. Research addressing particular review behaviors, such as organization and elaboration, is discussed as are the advantages of reviewing provided notes, borrowed notes, or notes organized in a matrix form. In addition, cognitive factors related to note-taking and review are discussed. The article concludes with an alternative means for defining and investigating the functions of note-taking, and with implications for education and for research.
Temperature Distribution and Pressure Response of GIS on Partially Overheated State

Abstract A feasible way to detect the partially overheated disfigurement of GIS is provided by Beattie-Bridgman equation which depicts the relationship between the temperature and pressure of SF6. According to the actual structure of GIS, we build a model for simulating the temperature and pressure distribution of GIS on its overheated state, and the simulated results are investigated by experiments. The studied results show that on the partially overheated state of GIS, the temperature distribution of SF6 and heat-section is uneven, which is responded by the pressure of SF6, namely the temperature-pressure response. The temperature-pressure response is influenced by the varieties of ambient temperature and the heat-section power. If the ambient temperature rises, the gas pressure increases obviously too even if the heat-section temperature is constant. The influence of heat-section power to the temperature-pressure response is negligible in the engineering calculation.
A theory-based measure of acculturation: The shortened cultural life style inventory

Abstract This paper describes a model of acculturation for classifying minority consumers into distinct categories depending on their attitudes and behaviors toward their minority culture and toward the majority culture. These categories are assimilation, segregation, and integration. The model differs from previous models of acculturation in consumer research in that it does not assume a linear progression toward assimilation. The acculturation categories identified by the model can be used to segment minority markets. A reduced version of a previous scale based on that acculturation model is developed and validated in two empirical studies in a consumer research setting. Our scale can be used by managers to segment minority populations.
Examining cardiomyocyte development with spectral domain phase microscopy

Phase-sensitive detection has long been recognized as a mechanism for increasing imaging contrast. The proliferation of quantitative phase contrast techniques and the breadth of emerging applications reflects the potential for achieving subdiffraction- limited resolution of cellular structure and dynamic phenomena with phase. Our laboratory developed spectral domain phase microscopy (SDPM) as a simple, phase-stable tool for studying cell dynamics and structure. As a functional extension of optical coherence tomography (OCT), SDPM inherited the high-resolution depth-sectioning capabilities for which OCT is well known, but adds to this an ability to discriminate sub-coherence length changes in optical pathlength within target samples at discrete axial positions. Early demonstrations of SDPM showed it to be extremely sensitive to thickness changes in biological and non-biological samples; the results of our previous studies investigating cell surface motion in cardiomyocyte contractility, cytoplasmic streaming rates in single-celled organisms, and rheological properties of the cytoskeleton suggest that SDPM can contribute insights of biological relevance. The principal aim of this work is to refine SDPM to enable imaging, interrogation, and quantification of parameters of interest in developing cardiomyocytes. In this manuscript, we report on the technology advances that enable multidimensional SDPM, and the results of new inotropic imaging studies of chick embryo cardiomyocytes.
Slow Dynamics of Earth Materials: An Experimental Overview

In 1996 Johnson et al. were the first to identify peculiar rate effects in resonant bar experiments on various earth materials. The effects were evident on time scales of minutes to hours. They were also seen in both sedimentary and crystalline rocks, and have since been seen in geomaterials like concrete. Although these effects resemble some aspects of creep and creep recovery, they can be induced by a sinusoidal acoustic drive at strains three orders of magnitude below typical creep experiments. These strains are only a few tenths of a microstrain. Moreover, unlike most creep behavior, the effects have been shown to be macroscopically reversible and repeatable, over hundreds of experiments spanning nearly a year. The unique excitation and character of these rate effects cause them to be called slow dynamics. A review and discussion of slow dynamics is presented, pointing out similarities and differences with ordinary creep and focusing on laboratory experiments. A brief description of some possible mechanisms is included, and a new experiment on a sample of Berea sandstone in ultra high vacuum is shown to point out new research that hopes to help ascertain the role of water as a potential mechanism.