cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Far-field modulation of fluorescence decay rates in pairs of oriented semiconducting polymer nanostructures

We report on the observation of far-field dipole-dipole coupling in pairs of uniformly $z$-oriented polymer nanostructures manifested as a fluorescence lifetime modification (both enhancement and suppression relative to isolated particles) modulated by interparticle separation. The observed oscillatory modulation in the fluorescence decay rate as a function of interparticle distance (ranging from $200$ to $\ensuremath{\approx}2000\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$) results from modification of the vacuum field at the position of the probe dipole by the presence of the second radiating dipole. These results provide observation of a dipole-dipole interaction in the ``inductance'' interparticle distance scale between the near field $(\ensuremath{\approx}200\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm})$ and far field $(g500\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm})$, important for the realization of efficient active nanophotonic devices.
Regulation of endothelial cell functions by basement membrane‐ and arachidonic acid‐derived products

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from preexisting vasculature, is required for normal physiological as well as pathological events. The angiogenic process requires endothelial cells to proliferate, migrate, and undergo tubulogenesis. These multistep processes necessitate secretion of pro-angiogenic growth factors, activation of specific intracellular signaling, and interaction of endothelial cells with basement membrane (BM) extracellular matrix components. The generation and release of angiogenic molecules are highly regulated and are influenced by numerous factors, including BM-derived fragments, proteolytic enzymes, as well as metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA). The interactions between these key modulators of angiogenesis is extremely complex, as AA metabolites can regulate the synthesis of soluble angiogenic factors, BM components, as well as enzymes capable of cleaving BM components, which result in the generation of pro- and/or anti-angiogenic products. Furthermore, some BM-derived fragments can alter the expression of AA-converting enzymes and consequently the synthesis of angiogenic factors. In this review we describe the relationship between BM components and AA metabolites with respect to the regulation of endothelial cell functions in health and disease. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Antimicrobial Therapy of Experimental Intraabdominal Sepsis

Septic complications of colonic perforation involve miltiple bacteria derived from the intestinal flora. This type of mixed intraabdominal infection was produced experimentally by insertion of a standardized inoculum of rat colonic contents into the peritoneal cavity of male Wistar rats. The respective roles of coliforms and anerobic bacteria were then studied by use of selective antimicrobial therapy (with gentamicin and clindamycin). Untreated rats had a two-stage disease. Initally, there was an acute peritonitis associated with a 37% mortality rate; all animals that survived developed indolent intraabdominal abscesses. Treatment with gentamicin reduced the acute mortality rate to 4%, but 98% of the survivors had abscesses. Clindamycin acute mortalherapy was associated with a 35% mortality rate, but the incidence of intraabdominal abscess was only 5%. A combination of gentamicin and clindamycin yielded the salutary effects of each agent--7% mortality and 6% incidence of abscesses. These studies, in concert with bacteriological findings, suggest that coliforms caused early mortality while anaerobes were primarily responsible for the late complication of intraabdominal abscess formation.
Methods Used To Establish Score Comparability on the Enhanced ACT Assessment and the SAT.

Recently Marco and Abdel-fattah (1991) reported newly established relationships between scores on the enhanced American College Testing Program (ACT) Assessment and scores on the College Board's Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The current report provides a detailed description of the methodology that was used to develop the “concordance” tables reported in that study. Fourteen large universities provided data on applicants who had taken both the enhanced ACT Assessment and the SAT. The ACT Composite scores and the SAT-verbal and SAT-mathematical (SAT-V + M) scores used in the comparability study came from ACT Assessment test editions administered from October 1989 to June 1990 and SAT editions administered from March 1989 to June 1990. The total sample consisted of 40,492 students. A subsample of 40,051 students who look the enhanced ACT Assessment and the SAT no more than 217 days apart was also used in the comparability study. The equipercentile procedure, a curvilinear procedure, was used to scale the scores. Steps were taken to ensure the accuracy of the conversions by (1) weighting the scores to reduce or eliminate the effect of the time differential between ACT and SAT testings or (2) smoothing the score distributions before scaling. The score conversions derived by applying the weighting procedures provided score adjustments that were in the direction implied by the length of time between testings.
Adult stem cells in the repair of the injured renal tubule.

Age-related decline in the capacity of the kidney to repair itself is a significant contributor to mortality associated with acute renal failure. In this well-balanced overview of renal and bone-marrow stem cells, Lloyd Cantley summarizes current knowledge and speculates on mechanisms of regeneration that have therapeutic potential. The capacity of the kidney to regenerate functional tubules following episodes of acute injury is an important determinant of patient morbidity and mortality in the hospital setting. After severe injury or repeated episodes of injury, kidney recovery can be significantly impaired or even fail completely. Although significant advances have been made in the clinical management of such cases, there is no specific therapy that can improve the rate or effectiveness of the repair process. Recent studies have indicated that adult stem cells, either in the kidney itself or derived from the bone marrow, could participate in this repair process and might therefore be utilized clinically to treat acute renal failure. This review will focus on our current understanding of these stem cells, the controversies surrounding their in vivo capacity to repopulate the renal tubule, and further investigations that will be required before stem cell therapy can be considered for use in the clinical setting.
Voltammetric studies at the polycrystalline diamond grown over a graphite electrode material

Abstract Boron-doped polycrystalline diamond thin films were grown over POCO graphite by a microwave plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using a gas mixture of methane and hydrogen. As-deposited films were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for their morphology. Cyclic voltammetry has been used to evaluate the background current response corrected for the uncompensated IR drop. Redox kinetics of ferri-ferrocyanide at the boron-doped diamond/graphite electrode has been investigated. The lowest observed peak separation was observed to be 222 mV at a scan rate of 5 mV/s. The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant has been determined using the experimental data and a COOL algorithm. The rate constant was found to be ∼2×10 −4 ( α =0.5 or variable) cm/s, and subsequently, the reaction kinetics was considered to be sluggish at the diamond electrode/solution interface. The diamond films grown over graphite electrode material may have uses in electrosynthesis and electroanalysis since the doped diamond films are electrically conductive and chemically inert.
We Scrum Every Day: Using Scrum Project Management Framework for Group Projects

Collaborative group projects have documented learning benefits, yet collaboration is challenging for students because the educational system values individual achievement. This article explores Scrum, an approach to framing, planning, and managing group projects used in Web-software development. Designed for multi-faceted projects, this approach facilitates collaborative goal setting, breaks tasks into small manageable chunks over short periods of time, and encourages communication, accountability, and reflection among team members. In this article, I discuss how I have adapted and implemented Scrum in a number of my courses including examples, tips, and suggestions for using Scrum in the classroom.
HOLISTIC OBSTETRICAL PROBLEM EVALUATION (HOPE): TESTING A THEORY TO PREDICT BIRTH OUTCOMES IN A GROUP OF WOMEN FROM APPALACHIA

The purpose of this study was to test the Holistic Obstetrical Problem Evaluation (HOPE) theory by determining the effects of prenatal factors from the biophysical, psychosocial, spiritual, and perceptual domains of the HOPE theory with infant birth outcomes. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using standard and reliable questionnaires with a convenience sample of 120 pregnant women between the ages of 14 and 44 years and 16-28 weeks gestation, and attending three prenatal clinics in East Tennessee. Based on the multiple regression analysis, absence of maternal partner support during pregnancy and African-American race predicted variance for infant birth weight ( p < .05), while lower levels of self-esteem, use of drugs and alcohol, and active religiosity predicted shorter length of gestation at birth ( p < .05). The multiple logistic regression analysis model revealed that the HOPE theory was significantly related to a greater incidence of preterm birth ( p = .03), Chi 2 = 28.16, R 2 = .22. Within th...
Value Change in Oil and Gas Production VI. Buy-Out, Farm-Out, or Stand

Often a corporation has an immediate cash need, either to avoid insolvency or for further opportunities it deems to be likely highly lucrative. In such a situation a corporation will often attempt to farm-out a percentage of a profitable field, or attempt a complete buy-out so that the corporation can meet its immediate cash needs. Here we show how one can quantitatively evaluate the farm-out price and fraction, or the buy-out price, most likely to lead to acceptance by a tendering corporation, and still maintain the highest chance of realizing the immediate cash needs. When parameters involved in the estimates of future field worth, future costs, and allied field-related parameters are themselves uncertain, we also provide a stochastic procedure that enables one to determine not only the greatest probability of a range of farm-out or buy-out prices being accepted, but which also enables one to determine which of the uncertain parameters is causing the greatest uncertainty. In this way one can see where t...
Purification and partial characterization of a shed 66 kDa melanoma-associated antigen identified by autologous antibody

We have previously reported the isolation of a 66 kDa melanoma-associated antigen, identified by autologous antibody, in serum and unfractionated spent tissue culture media by Western blot analysis. The antigen, detected by autologous serum S150, was found to be broadly represented on melanoma, glioma, renal cell carcinoma, neuroblastoma and head and neck carcinoma cell lines. S150 did not react with bladder or colon carcinoma, fetal fibroblasts, pooled platelets, lymphocytes and red blood cells, autologous cultured lymphocytes or fetal calf serum. To further characterize the antigen, spent tissue culture media, obtained from autologous melanoma cell line, Y-Mel 84:420, was separated by an isoelectric focusing column. Unabsorbed control serum S150 was noted to have a maximum titer of 1:2040 against autologous melanoma cells as measured by protein A hemadsorption. Following isoelectric focusing the greatest decrease in autologous antibody titer (30-fold) occurred with fractions having a pI between 2 and 3. Further resolution of the antigen was accomplished with high-pressure ion-exchange chromatography. One of these fractions showed a significantly higher concentration of antigen and was distinctly resolved from bulk serum albumin. Subsequent Western blot analysis, with autologous antibody, of the isolated antigen-containing fraction, confirmed the presence of a single 66 kDa band. Exposure of the antigen, purified by high-pressure ion-exchange chromatography, to neuraminidase ablated recognition by autologous antibody and suggests that sialic acid is present on the protein and may be part of the antigenic epitope. Binding of antigen, obtained following DEAE anion exchange chromatography, was noted to lectins derived from Triticum vulgaris, Dolichos biflorus and Lycopersicon esculentum. Preparative purification of the antigen was accomplished by anion exchange followed by lectin affinity chromatography with a Dolichos biflorus column. Antigen obtained following lectin affinity chromatography subjected to SDS-PAGE and silver stain revealed a single band at 66 kDa. We conclude that a melanoma-associated antigen detected by autologous antibody in spent tissue culture media is an unusually acidic glycoprotein (pI 2–3).
Larval and adult nutrition effects on blood/nectar choice of Culex nigripalpus mosquitoes

The impact of nutritional variables on the development of host-seeking and biting behaviours after emergence by female Culex nigripalpus mosquitoes were studied using air-flow olfactometer and close-range biting assays, respectively. Unfed females failed to develop resting stage ovarian follicles. When offered a bird host in the absence of competing stimuli, sugar-fed mosquitoes were significantly more responsive in both host-seeking and biting than unfed controls. In a choice olfactometer assay using nectar odours (honey scented with artificial apple-blossom oil) versus host odours (a bird), unfed females preferred honey over bird odours except when honey odour was weak. After sucrose feeding, females switched from honey to bird preference. This change in behaviour was accompanied by significant accumulation of lipid and by follicular growth to the resting stage. Elevation of host responsiveness after sugar feeding was reversible; starvation ultimately resulted in females preferring honey over bird odours. When the larval diet was restricted by crowding, the wing-length and total lipid of resultant adult females were reduced. Although differences were subtle, unfed bird-responding females tended to have longer wings and more lipid than their honey-responding counterparts.
JAW MECHANISMS: RHIPIDISTIANS, AMPHIBIANS, REPTILES

mechanisms considered in this study. Other functions also have a direct relationship to jaw morphology?for example, the actions of respiration in fish. These will be intro? duced only as they pertain directly to one or another specific point in the discussions. In performance of their primary functions, the jaws necessarily have effects upon other systems; and the actions of adjacent systems modify the movement of the jaws. It is not possible to isolate these various actions or to limit or precisely define limits of morpho? logical or functional systems. Jaw mecha? nisms must be considered from this point of view. We will look at them as a more or less coherent unit with specific functions, but keep in mind that actions and changes external to this system may have strong bearing upon the course of its evolution. This study is concerned with the rhipidistian ancestors of the tetrapods, the shifts in jaw mechanisms that took place in the de? velopment of primitive tetrapods, and the initiation of evolutionary patterns among amphibians and reptiles. It will be empha? sized that the principal changes in jaw mechanisms took place after the origin of tetrapods, changes that became possible only after other modifications had occurred. The actual rhipidistian ancestors of the tetrapods are not known. Jarvik (1942) suggested that there were two sources and that these can be recognized, in general, among the osteolepiform and prorolepiform rhipidistians. Cross (1941) held the opinion that the stegocephalians came from a subgroup of rhipidistians rather different from the ones we know and that the well known rhipidistians are rather distant in structure from the actual ancestors of tetra? pods. Nilsson (1944) agreed with this posi? tion, emphasizing dental differences be? tween stegocephalians and rhipidistians.
One Learner, Two Paradigms: A Case Study of a Special Education Student in a Multiage Primary Classroom.

This article explores the literacy development over a period of 3 years of 1 child who is a member of a whole language, multiage classroom, but who also receives special education services because he is considered both “learning disabled” and “severely language impaired.” The ways in which Martin's development is perceived by his 2 teachers vary considerably, because his classroom teacher was trained in a holistic‐constructivist paradigm of language and literacy development and his special education teacher was trained in mechanistic, reductionist traditions. The author contrasts these views, discusses the implications of each, and calls for some new, positive terms that describe readers and writers who have developed slowly and seemingly with difficulty.
Screensaver: an open source lab information management system (LIMS) for high throughput screening facilities

Shared-usage high throughput screening (HTS) facilities are becoming more common in academe as large-scale small molecule and genome-scale RNAi screening strategies are adopted for basic research purposes. These shared facilities require a unique informatics infrastructure that must not only provide access to and analysis of screening data, but must also manage the administrative and technical challenges associated with conducting numerous, interleaved screening efforts run by multiple independent research groups. We have developed Screensaver, a free, open source, web-based lab information management system (LIMS), to address the informatics needs of our small molecule and RNAi screening facility. Screensaver supports the storage and comparison of screening data sets, as well as the management of information about screens, screeners, libraries, and laboratory work requests. To our knowledge, Screensaver is one of the first applications to support the storage and analysis of data from both genome-scale RNAi screening projects and small molecule screening projects. The informatics and administrative needs of an HTS facility may be best managed by a single, integrated, web-accessible application such as Screensaver. Screensaver has proven useful in meeting the requirements of the ICCB-Longwood/NSRB Screening Facility at Harvard Medical School, and has provided similar benefits to other HTS facilities.
Dynamical Spin Correlations in Many-Spin Systems. I. The Ferromagnetic Case

The quantum-statistical mechanics of an anisotropic Heisenberg spin system is studied by a temperature-time-dependent Green's-function formalism. A consistent scheme of higher-order random-phase approximations (RPA) is developed and the second-order (2nd) RPA is examined in detail. It turns out that the 2nd RPA can be defined in two alternative versions, I and II, with equal a priori justification. These two versions of the 2nd RPA have then to be supplemented with either a dynamical or a kinematical sum rule, thus leading to four possible alternative descriptions of the problem. Each of these descriptions can in principle be used to determine the spectral functions of both the longitudinal and the transverse dynamical spin-correlation functions. However, upon detailed examination of the 2nd RPA, it is found that only one of these four possible descriptions satisfies all the various consistency requirements. At low temperatures, this description reproduces the spin-wave results. To facilitate analytical solutions, an approximate version of the 2nd RPA, called the modified (mod) RPA, is introduced which leads to a satisfactory expression for the longitudinal correlation function over the entire range of temperatures. Upon examination it is found that the mod RPA determines the longitudinal correlation to the same accuracy, for the case of the isotropic exchange, as the first RPA determines the transverse correlation function. In addition to this mod RPA version of the consistent 2nd RPA, there also appears to be another relatively satisfactory solution for the longitudinal correlation function which follows from one of the less consistent versions of the 2nd RPA. This is treated as a phenomenological result. The system thermodynamics is analyzed in the region of the transition temperature in terms of both the consistent version of the mod RPA, i.e., the I mod RPA, as well as the phenomenological representation, i.e., the II mod RPA, with results which in addition to being an improvement on those following from the first RPA are also free from the inherent inconsistencies of the first RPA. In conclusion, the related work of other authors is discussed and it is shown that all these works suffer from serious internal inconsistencies which render their results for the longitudinal correlation function completely unacceptable and erroneous.
An improved Green's function for ion beam transport.

Ion beam transport theory allows testing of material transmission properties in the laboratory environment generated by particle accelerators. This is a necessary step in materials development and evaluation for space use. The approximations used in solving the Boltzmann transport equation for the space setting are often not sufficient for laboratory work and those issues are the main emphasis of the present work. In consequence, an analytic solution of the linear Boltzmann equation is pursued in the form of a Green's function allowing flexibility in application to a broad range of boundary value problems. It has been established that simple solutions can be found for the high charge and energy (HZE) by ignoring nuclear energy downshifts and dispersion. Such solutions were found to be supported by experimental evidence with HZE ion beams when multiple scattering was added. Lacking from the prior solutions were range and energy straggling and energy downshift with dispersion associated with nuclear events. Recently, we have found global solutions including these effects providing a broader class of HZE ion solutions.
Pearl's vortex near the film edge.

The problem of a vortex situated near the edge of a thin superconducting film is solved. The flux associated with the vortex is shown to be less than the flux quantum in a broad domain adjacent to the film edge. The suppression of the vortex flux is strong in narrow thin-film bridges and scales with the ratio of the strip width to the film penetration depth.
Systems Reliability Subject to Multiple Nonlinear Constraints

A simple computational procedure has been developed for maximizing reliability of multistage parallel systems subject to multiple nonlinear constraints. It appears that the procedure can be applied to a variety of optimization problems with separable objective and multiple constraint functions.
Computed tomographic-arteriographic correlates in acute basal ganglionic infarction of childhood.

Fifteen children who presented with acute hemiparesis and basal ganglionic infarction were studied by computed tomography and arteriography (11 patients). Arteriography demonstrated focal vascular disease in 10 patients. Current management of these pediatric patients requires computed tomography, arteriography and complete laboratory investigation.
MY APPROACH to detecting and managing peripheral artery disease.

Atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a prevalent disorder, affecting approximately 8 million adults in the United States. As a manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis, PAD is associated with an increased risk for myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death. Patients with PAD may be asymptomatic, but many have impaired walking capacity, symptoms of intermittent claudication, pain and numbness of the feet, skin ulcers, and necrosis threatening limb viability. When I encounter patients with suspected PAD or evaluate a patient with known atherosclerosis in the office, including those with established coronary artery disease, I query them about relevant symptoms, including walking-provoked calf, thigh, or buttock discomfort; foot pain or paresthesias; or the presence of non-healing sores of the legs and feet. A careful vascular examination focusing on palpation of peripheral pulses (femoral, popliteal, dorsalis pedis, and posterior tibial pulses) along with auscultation for abdominal and femoral bruits, will detect PAD in most patients. The examination is complemented by determination of the ankle–brachial index (ABI) using a handheld Doppler device to measure the systolic blood pressure over each brachial artery and the dorsalis pedalis and posterior tibial arteries below a pneumatic cuff placed at the ankle. An ABI r0.90 is indicative of stenosis of at least 50% in an artery of the affected leg and is usually sufficient to confirm the diagnosis of PAD.
Green Chemistry, a Pharmaceutical Perspective

As the Green Chemistry1,2 movement has gained momentum, definitions of Green Chemistry have been dominated predominantly by academic viewpoints. Green Chemistry concepts, however, apply to an incredible diversity of scientific endeavor, which has invariably led to differences between and amongst both academia and industry regarding what constitutes Green Chemistry. Speaking primarily of the pharmaceutical industry and considering the advances achieved toward promoting Green Chemistry globally,3 it is surprising how diverse the answers can be when executives, engineers, biologists, and chemists are asked the seemingly simple question “What is Green Chemistry?” Perhaps this should be expected considering that individual priorities change based upon a specific endeavor, altering the focus of Green Chemistry and consequently the message, making general definitions difficult. A common impression obtained appears to be that many do not accurately know or fully understand the true motivations, drivers, and decid...
Caroline Herschel's contributions to astronomy

Summary The nature of the contributions to astronomy of Caroline Lucretia Herschel (1750–1848) are explored in this article. Her accomplishments included new observational discoveries and the skilled and accurate transcription and reduction of astronomical data. Although she made important additions to the sum total of astronomical facts available to the scientist, she herself showed little interest or ability in applying these data to explain phenomena. Love of her brother, Sir William Herschel, motivated her achievements in astronomy. Barred from the ranks of creative astronomers by both her inability and her disinterest in abstract concepts, she substituted other qualities such as accuracy and perseverance which assured her a place in the history of astronomy.
Primary central nervous system tumors: Advances in knowledge and treatment

The ability to diagnose, monitor, and treat CNS tumors has been improved by new imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) scanning and functional MR imaging, stereotactic surgery, delivery of radiotherapy with brachytherapy and radiosurgery, and novel methods for delivering chemotherapy. These innovations combined with the new information about tumor pathogenesis and behavior revealed by molecular research give hope that more specific treatments for malignant CNS tumors will be developed in the future.
Chemokine receptor targeting efficiently directs antigens to MHC class I pathways and elicits antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell responses

Chemokines are key controllers of cell trafficking and are involved in numerous pathologic and inflammatory conditions. However, the fate of a chemokine ligand, once it is endocytosed with its receptor, remains obscure. Here, using chemokine–tumor antigen fusion constructs, we demonstrate for the first time that chemokines are internalized to early/late endosomal and lysosomal compartments through a clathrin-dependent process and subsequently delivered to the cytosol for proteasomal processing, facilitating efficient cross-presentation to the TAP-1–dependent MHC class I processing pathway. These data not only elucidate the intracellular fate of chemokine ligands upon receptor uptake, but also demonstrate the superior carrier potency of chemokines for delivering self-antigens to both class I and II processing pathways to induce CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell responses.
Cultural distance revisited: Towards a more rigorous conceptualization and measurement of cultural differences

Cultural distance is a widely used construct in international business, where it has been applied to foreign investment expansion, entry mode choice, and the performance of foreign invested affiliates, among others. The present paper presents a critical review of the cultural distance construct, outlining its hidden assumptions and challenging its theoretical and methodological properties. A comprehensive framework for the treatment of the construct is developed and concrete steps aimed at enhancing rigor are delineated.
ScoreRel CI: An Excel Program for Computing Confidence Intervals for Commonly Used Score Reliability Coefficients

An Excel program developed to assist researchers in the determination and presentation of confidence intervals around commonly used score reliability coefficients is described. The software include...
Sample Size Estimation: A Glimpse beyond Simple Formulas

Small increments in the complexity of clinical studies can readily take sample size estimation and statistical power analysis beyond the capabilities of simple mathematic formulas. In this article, the method of simulation is presented as a general technique with which sample size may be calculated for complex study designs. Applications of simulation for determining sample size requirements in studies involving correlated data and comparisons of receiver operating characteristic curves are discussed.
Relationship of antiphospholipid antibodies to cardiovascular manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective Although antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are associated with arterial and venous thrombosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the extent to which they influence other cardiovascular manifestations is either controversial or uncertain. We undertook this study to examine the relationships of aPL with valvular, myocardial, and arterial disease in SLE. Methods Two hundred patients in an SLE registry, recruited at the time of outpatient visits, underwent comprehensive interviews, physical examinations, laboratory assessments, echocardiography to assess left ventricular (LV) and valvular status, carotid ultrasonography to detect atherosclerosis (discrete plaque), and radial applanation tonometry to measure arterial stiffness. Results Antiphospholipid antibodies were present(defined as IgG or IgM anticardiolipin ≥40 IU/ml or the presence of lupus anticoagulant) in 42 patients (21%). Mitral valve nodules and moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation were more common in aPL-positive patients (both 14.3% versus 4.4%; P = 0.02). Thirty-one percent of patients with high titers of IgG aPL (>80 IU/ml) had mitral valve nodules, compared with 20% of patients with mildly to moderately elevated levels of IgG aPL (16–80 IU/ml) and 4% of patients without IgG aPL (overall P < 0.001). Levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors were higher in the presence of both aPL and mitral valve nodules. LV dimensions, systolic function, and carotid artery stiffness as well as prevalences of Raynaud's phenomenon, pulmonary hypertension, and atherosclerosis were similar in aPL-positive and aPL-negative patients. Conclusion Antiphospholipid antibodies in SLE are associated with mitral valve nodules and significant mitral regurgitation, possibly due to valvular endothelial cell activation. However, in this population, they are not associated with evidence of myocardial hypertrophy, systolic dysfunction, coronary or carotid atherosclerosis, or other vascular abnormalities.
On the condition of nearly singular matrices under rank-1 perturbations

Abstract Let A be an n -by- n nearly singular matrix with Rank( A )⩾ n − 1 and singular values d 1 ⩾⋯⩾ d n −1 > d n , where d n can be small or zero. Consider the rank-1 modification of A : A =A+αzw T , with ‖ z ‖ = ‖ w ‖ = 1. We give lower and upper bounds for the condition number of Â in terms of |α| and the angles between z and w and the singular vectors of A corresponding to d n .
Acoustic startle reduction in cocaine dependence persists for 1 year of abstinence

Rationale Chronic cocaine use results in long-lasting neurochemical changes that persist beyond the acute withdrawal period. Previous work from our group reported a profound reduction in the acoustic startle response (ASR) in chronic cocaine-dependent subjects in early abstinence compared to healthy controls that may be related to long-lasting neuroadaptations following withdrawal from chronic cocaine use.
Obionin A: A new polyketide metabolite from the marine fungus leptosphaeria obiones

Abstract Obionin A (1) has been isolated from liquid cultures of the marine fungus Leptosphaeria obiones by chromatography on Sephadex LH-20. Its structure was assigned primarily by selective INEPT and other NMR techniques.
A machine-learning approach to retrieving diabetic retinopathy images

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a vision-threatening complication that affects people suffering from diabetes. Diagnosis of DR during early stages can significantly reduce the risk of severe vision loss. The process of DR severity grading is prone to human error and it also depends on the expertise of the ophthalmologist. As a result, many researchers have started exploring automated detection and evaluation of diabetic retinal lesions. Unfortunately, to date there is no automated system that can perform DR lesion detection with the accuracy that is comparable to a human expert. In this poster, we present a novel way of employing content-based image retrieval for providing a clinician with instant reference to archival and standardized DR images that are used for assisting the ophthalmologist with the diagnosis of a given DR image. The focus of the poster is on retrieving DR images with two significant DR clinical findings, namely, microaneurysm (MA) and neovascularization (NV). We propose a multi-class multiple-instance DR image retrieval framework that makes use of a modified color correlogram (CC) and statistics of steerable Gaussian filter (SGF) responses. Experiments using real DR images with comparisons to other prior-art methods demonstrate the improved performance of the proposed approach.
The effects of adhesive strength and load on material transfer in nanoscale wear

Abstract Molecular dynamics simulation is used to study the effects of adhesive strength and load on material transfer during wear of nanoscale sliding contacts. Material transfer is quantified in terms of the number of atoms transferred from a copper substrate to a silicon dioxide tip where the interaction strength between the two materials is varied to modulate the work of adhesion. Material transfer is quantified before and after sliding, providing a means of isolating adhesive and abrasive wear mechanisms. Results reveal that both adhesion and abrasion contribute to material transfer during sliding, but that their relative contributions depend on the applied load and adhesive strength.
Soil Phosphorus and Nitrogen Predictions Across Spatial Escalating Scales in an Aquatic Ecosystem Using Remote Sensing Images

The incorporation of remote sensing (RS) data into digital soil models has shown success to improve soil predictions. However, the effects of multiresolution imagery on modeling of biogeochemical soil properties in aquatic ecosystems are still poorly understood. The objectives of this study were the following: 1) to develop prediction models for soil total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) utilizing RS images and environmental ancillary data at three different resolutions; 2) to identify controlling factors of the spatial distribution of soil TP and TN; and 3) to elucidate the effects of different spatial resolutions of RS images on inferential modeling. Soil cores were collected $(n=108)$ from the top 10 cm in a subtropical wetland: Water Conservation Area-2A, the Florida Everglades, USA. The spectral data and derived indices from RS images, which have different spatial resolutions, included the following: MODIS (500 m resampled to 250 m), Landsat ETM+ (30 m), and SPOT (10 m). Block kriging and random forest (RF) were employed to predict soil TP and TN using RS-image-derived spectral input variables, environmental ancillary data, and soil observations. The RF models showed $R^{2}$ between 0.90 and 0.93 and root mean square error between 100.4 and 115.9 $\hbox{mg}\cdot\hbox{kg}^{-1}$ for TP and between 1.45 and 1.52 $\hbox{g}\cdot\hbox{kg}^{-1}$ for TN. Soil TP was mainly predicted from RS-derived spectral indices that infer on biotic/vegetation characteristics, whereas soil TN was predicted using a combination of biotic/vegetation, topographic, and hydrologic variables. Results suggest that the spectral data informed soil models have excellent predictive capabilities in this aquatic ecosystem. Interestingly, there was no noticeable distinction among different spatial resolutions of RS images to develop prediction models for soil TP and TN in terms of error assessment. However, the variability and complexity of soil TP and TN variations were much better expressed with the finer resolution ${\rm RF}_{\rm SPOT}$ model than the coarser resolution ${\rm RF}_{\rm MODIS}$ model as demonstrated using entropy.
Desensitization, two-state receptors and pharmacological parameters.

Abstract Katz' classical desensitization theory is examined and expanded. Two possible desensitization mechanisms are found to be thermodynamically identical with drug action on a two-state receptor and capable of interpretation as escape from an instability imposed by the activation of the receptor. The expanded theory of desensitization enables classical receptor theory to accomodate unexplained experimental facts such as the “fade” of both agonistic and antagonistic drug action and the metaphilic effect; it also makes it possible to interpret the variable efficacy or intrinsic activity of partial agonists as very rapid desensitization of drug-receptor complexes.
Thermochromic phase transitions in transition metal salts

g!) Dichloro[ trans-2-(2’-quinolyl)methylene-3-quinuclidinone]~ckel(II) ..... 127 Dibromo( trans-2-(2’-quinolyl)methylene-3-quinuc~dinone]~ckel(II) ..... 133 (iii) Dichloro[ trans-2-(6’-methoxy-2’-quinolyl)methylene-3quinuclidinone]nickel(II) 133 (iv) Dichloro[bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)methane]nickel(II) 133 (v) Dichloro(2,9-dimethy1-1,1O-phenanthroline)nickel(II) 134 (vi) summary 135 C. Thermochromic compounds containing N, N-diethylethylenediamine 135
Introduction: Why are data on facilities important?

This chapter gives a broad overview of why data on facilities are important to universities and why institutional research offices are often involved with managing and using facilities data.
Quantitative secretome and glycome of primary human adipocytes during insulin resistance

Adipose tissue is both an energy storage depot and an endocrine organ. The impaired regulation of the secreted proteins of adipose tissue, known as adipocytokines, observed during obesity contributes to the onset of whole-body insulin resistance and the pathobiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In addition, the global elevation of the intracellular glycosylation of proteins by O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) via either genetic or pharmacological methods is sufficient to induce insulin resistance in both cultured cells and animal models. The elevation of global O-GlcNAc levels is associated with the altered expression of many adipocytokines. We have previously characterized the rodent adipocyte secretome during insulin sensitive and insulin resistant conditions. Here, we characterize and quantify the secretome and glycome of primary human adipocytes during insulin responsive and insulin resistant conditions generated by the classical method of hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia or by the pharmacological manipulation of O-GlcNAc levels. Using a proteomic approach, we identify 190 secreted proteins and report a total of 20 up-regulated and 6 down-regulated proteins that are detected in both insulin resistant conditions. Moreover, we apply glycomic techniques to examine (1) the sites of N-glycosylation on secreted proteins, (2) the structures of complex N- and O-glycans, and (3) the relative abundance of complex N- and O-glycans structures in insulin responsive and insulin resistant conditions. We identify 91 N-glycosylation sites derived from 51 secreted proteins, as well as 155 and 29 released N- and O-glycans respectively. We go on to quantify many of the N- and O-glycan structures between insulin responsive and insulin resistance conditions demonstrating no significant changes in complex glycosylation in the time frame for the induction of insulin resistance. Thus, our data support that the O-GlcNAc modification is involved in the regulation of adipocytokine secretion upon the induction of insulin resistance in human adipocytes.
Hospitality Recovery Strategies: Customer Preference versus Firm Use:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use and effectiveness of service recovery strategies that are employed in the hospitality industry. More specifically, this research uses the critical incident technique to analyze approximately 750 recovery incidents in restaurant and hotel industries. Eleven recovery strategies are identified and assessed by comparing customer preference to firm use. In many instances, what customers want most is not what restaurants/hotels are necessarily implementing.
Phosphoethanolamine Decoration of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Lipid A Plays a Dual Immunostimulatory and Protective Role during Experimental Genital Tract Infection

The induction of an intense inflammatory response by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and the persistence of this pathogen in the presence of innate effectors is a fascinating aspect of gonorrhea. Phosphoethanolamine (PEA) decoration of lipid A increases gonococcal resistance to complement-mediated bacteriolysis and cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs), and recently we reported that wild-type N. gonorrhoeae strain FA1090 has a survival advantage relative to a PEA transferase A (lptA) mutant in the human urethral-challenge and murine lower genital tract infection models. Here we tested the immunostimulatory role of this lipid A modification. Purified lipooligosaccharide (LOS) containing lipid A devoid of the PEA modification and an lptA mutant of strain FA19 induced significantly lower levels of NF-κB in human embryonic kidney Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) cells and murine embryonic fibroblasts than wild-type LOS of the parent strain. Moreover, vaginal proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines were not elevated in female mice infected with the isogenic lptA mutant, in contrast to mice infected with the wild-type and complemented lptA mutant bacteria. We also demonstrated that lptA mutant bacteria were more susceptible to human and murine cathelicidins due to increased binding by these peptides and that the differential induction of NF-κB by wild-type and unmodified lipid A was more pronounced in the presence of CAMPs. This work demonstrates that PEA decoration of lipid A plays both protective and immunostimulatory roles and that host-derived CAMPs may further reduce the capacity of PEA-deficient lipid A to interact with TLR4 during infection.
The effect of antioxidant vitamin supplementation on traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

BackgroundEvidence from observational epidemiologic studies has indicated that antioxidants consumed through the diet or as dietary supplements lower the risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Evidence suggesting that the major mechanism for the protective effect of antioxidants
Far-field distribution of semiconductor phase-locked arrays with multiple contacts

Experimental results of far-field patterns of semiconductor laser arrays with multiple contacts are reported. It is found that, by tailoring the distribution of the currents through the array elements, narrow single-lobe patterns—which are more useful in most applications—can be obtained from arrays that usually operate in a double-lobe mode. A diffraction-limited 1.8°-wide far-field pattern was obtained from a three-element array.
Interdependence and contributions of sun exposure and vitamin D to MRI measures in multiple sclerosis

Purpose To assess the relationships of sun exposure history, supplementation and environmental factors to vitamin D levels in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and to evaluate the associations between sun exposure and MRI measures. Methods This study included 264 MS patients (mean age 46.9±10 years, disease duration 14.6±10 years; 67.8% relapsing–remitting, 28% secondary progressive and 4.2% primary progressive MS) and 69 healthy controls. Subjects underwent neurological and 3 T MRI examinations, provided blood samples and answered questions to a structured questionnaire. Information on race, skin and eye colour, supplement use, body mass index (BMI) and sun exposure was obtained by questionnaire. The vitamin D metabolites (25-hydroxy vitamin D3, 1, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 and 24, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3) were measured using mass spectrometry. Results Multivitamin supplementation (partial correlation r p =0.29, p p =−0.24, p=0.001), summer sun exposure (r p =0.22, p=0.002) and darker eye colour (r p =−0.18, p=0.015) had the strongest associations with vitamin D metabolite levels in the MS group. Increased summer sun exposure was associated with increased grey matter volume (GMV, r p =0.16, p=0.019) and whole brain volume (WBV, r p =0.20, p=0.004) after correcting for Extended Disability Status Scale in the MS group. Inclusion of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 levels did not substantially affect the positive associations of sun exposure with WBV (r p =0.18, p=0.003) and GMV (r p =0.14, p=0.026) in the MS group. Conclusions Sun exposure may have direct effects on MRI measures of neurodegeneration in MS, independently of vitamin D.
Temporal Ordering of Events in Haptic Space

The most rapid acquisition of skill in the use of complex vibrotactile displays will occur when the capabilities of the organism are most efficiently exploited by the display code. When spatiotemporal patterns are chosen as the coding scheme, the problem of perception of temporal order is of great importance. The present paper describes the effects on the limen for order of two events, of the quality of the stimuli, their spacing on the body, and their intensive relations. The results suggest the presence of limiting conditions for the spatial and, by analogy, the temporal density of vibrotactile patterns. Comparisons are made with results reported previously, and a hypothesis is developed concerning the onset and timing of stimuli in relation to the capacity of the nervous system to augment the clarity of sensory events and to transfer the argumentation to successive locations on the sensory surface.