cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of sulfur on Mo2C and Pt/Mo2C catalysts: Water gas shift reaction

Abstract Molybdenum carbide (Mo 2 C) and Pt/Mo 2 C catalysts were evaluated for the water gas shift reaction without and with 5 ppm H 2 S. The Mo 2 C catalyst was quickly poisoned by sulfur, achieving a rate that was ∼10% of that prior to sulfur exposure. The Pt/Mo 2 C catalyst was initially more active than the Mo 2 C catalyst and deactivated more gradually to a level similar to that for the Mo 2 C catalyst. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed Mo 2 C, MoS 2 , and S–Mo on the spent catalysts; the Pt/Mo 2 C catalyst also contained PtS. The results are consistent with Mo 2 C sites on the Mo 2 C and Pt/Mo 2 C catalysts being partially sulfur tolerant, in that these sites could be reactivated on treatment in 15% CH 4 /H 2 at 590 °C. High activity sites associated with Pt nanoparticles were irreversibly deactivated. Residual activities for the Mo 2 C and Pt/Mo 2 C catalysts in the presence of H 2 S appeared to be associated primarily with the presence of MoS 2 domains.
Acquired Fanconi syndrome is an indolent disorder in the absence of overt multiple myeloma

Adult-acquired Fanconi syndrome (FS) is a rare complication of monoclonal gammopathy. We retrospectively reviewed 32 patients diagnosed with adult-acquired FS between April 1968 and June 2002 at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN). At diagnosis, most patients had monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) or smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM), with a median creatinine level of 176.8 μM (2.0 mg/dL; range, 79.56-327.08 μM [0.9-3.7 mg/dL]) and evidence of osteomalacia. During the average 65 months (range, 2-238 months) of follow-up, 5 patients developed end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and only 1 of 14 patients with MGUS transformed to multiple myeloma (MM). Also, 14 deaths occurred, with only 1 from ESRD but 4 from alkylator-related leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. Chemotherapy offered little benefit on renal functions of MGUS or SMM patients. In conclusion, FS associated with monoclonal gammopathy does not appear to confer an additional risk of subsequent evolution to MM. ESRD occurs late in the disease process.
Abstract 3545: Alterations of molecular mechanisms in newly selected 5-fluorouracil resistant pancreatic cancer cell line and the effect of biochanin A thereon

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Resistance to drugs is one of the major contributor to the high mortality rate of pancreatic cancer. The molecular mechanisms of pancreatic cancer drug resistance are not well understood. We generated and characterized a 5FU resistant pancreatic cancer cell line (AsPC1/R). 5FU resistant pancreatic cancer cells (AsPC1/R) were selected with the increasing concentration of the drug till 6-fold resistance was achieved. Our dose response studies show that the resistant cells were cross-resistant to the gefitinib; however, the sensitivity to gemcitabine was not altered. Western blot analysis shows lower level of EGFR in the AsPC1/R as compared to AsPC1 cells. In addition, our results indicate that the resistant cells have high levels of activated Erk 1 and Akt. Levels of c-fos and c-jun in the nuclear fraction were upregulated in the resistant cells. Furthermore, invasive mechanisms such as uPAR and MMP activity are upregulated in the AsPC1/R cells compared to the parent cells. We also determined the effect of biochanin A on 5FU resistance and found that it reverses the 5FU resistance in AsPC1/R cells. Our previous studies have shown that biochanin A reduces the levels of thymidylate synthase and the levels of activated Erk and Akt. We conclude that biochanin A may overcome 5FU resistance in pancreatic cancer and could be used in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents in treating pancreatic cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3545.
Dynamic and static strain aging effects in Fe-modified Ll2 Al3 Ti

Abstract Serrations have been observed in the stress-strain curves of Fe-modified Ll2 Al3 Ti-based alloys at intermediate temperatures and related to dynamic interactions between mobile dislocations and solute atoms, i.e. dynamic strain aging effects. Serrations appear only at intermediate, not at high or low temperatures, because of the following reasons: at high temperatures the diffusivity of the solute atoms is high enough that the solute atoms and dislocations move together, thereby requiring no break-away of the dislocations. At low temperatures the diffusivity of the solute atoms is so low that no dynamic interaction can occur, but a static interaction is observed, instead. Thus the entire range of yielding phenomena can be consistently explained in terms of interactions between solute atoms and mobile dislocations and requires no assumptions about changes in the nature of dislocation cores. The solutes giving rise to this effect are likely of substitutional type but have not been identified.
Where Is the Anterior Temporal Lobe and What Does It Do

The anterior temporal lobe (ATL) is thought to be critical for semantic memory–our knowledge of objects, people, words, and facts. However, there is substantial disagreement over the precise role of the ATL in semantic memory, and there is considerable variability in the anatomic findings that
A fly in the ointment: reassessing mitotane's role in the treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma

Mitotane (2-[o-chlorophenyl]-2-[p-chloro phenyl]-1,1-dichloroethane or o,p´-DDD), an isomer of the banned pesticide 1,1,1-trichloro2,2-di(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), is the current standard of care for patients presenting with advanced and metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) [1–3]. Mitotane or combinations containing mitotane have remained the standard of care for patients with ACC for over 30 years despite a lack of understanding regarding its mechanism of action or interactions with other agents and a suboptimal effectiveness. The results from the recently reported FIRM-ACT trial [4] and evidence from a study of urine steroid profiles of patients with ACC cast further doubt on the broad use of mitotane in treating ACC patients [5]. These studies highlight a need to identify markers of mitotane resistance and put significant effort into the development of new treatments, and possibly treatment paradigms, in order to improve outcomes for patients with ACC. Why mitotane is the standard of care for the treatment of ACC ACC is an aggressive cancer of the adrenal cortex. The outcome for patients with ACC has remained unchanged in the past 25 years, with the overall 5-year survival of patients undergoing surgical resection being approximately 40% [6]. The disease may have a variable course. Certain patients generally fare better, including those with stage II disease whose 5-year survival rates approach 60%, and improve to greater than 95% if their tumor does not recur within 16 months [7]. However, patients who present with large, locally invasive tumors, have involved surgical margins or present with metastatic disease fare considerably worse with 5-year survival rates of 10–20% [6]. The rationale for using mitotane as treatment for ACC stems from early observations of the adrenolytic effect of the pesticide DDT
Sprint speeds of juvenile scorpions: among family differences and parent offspring correlations.

Sprinting from predators is an important part of the defensive repertoire of some scorpions. This study examined sprint speed in juvenile scorpions and its relation to sprint speed of the mothers. Sprint speeds of juvenile scorpions, Centruroides vittatus, were determined by repeated trials on a small racetrack. Speeds were repeatable across trials within individuals and differed among individuals. There were marked among family differences in juvenile sprint speeds. Juvenile sprint speeds were correlated with maternal sprint speeds. Although the effect of common maternal environment may inflate the measures of heritability to an unknown extent, these results suggest that sprint may respond to natural selection and there is an underlying genetic basis to observed performance differences among scorpions.
Very small embryonic-like stem cells are present in adult murine organs: ImageStream-based morphological analysis and distribution studies.

Recently, we purified a population of CXCR4+/Oct-4+/SSEA-1+/Sca-1+/Lin−/CD45− very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) from adult murine bone marrow (BM). After using flow cytometry, ImageStream analysis, confocal microscopy, and real time RT-PCR, we report that similar cells could be also identified and isolated from several organs in adult mice. The highest total numbers of Oct-4+ VSELs were found in the brain, kidneys, muscles, pancreas, and BM. These observations support our hypothesis that a population of very primitive cells expressing germ line/epiblast markers (Oct-4, SSEA-1) is deposited early during embryogenesis in various organs and survives into adulthood. Further studies are needed to determine whether these cells, after being isolated from various adult human organs similarly to their murine BM-derived counterparts, are endowed with pluripotent stem cell properties. © 2008 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Controlling a computer via facial aspect

Control of a computer workstation via face position and facial gesturing would be an important advance for people with hand or body disabilities as well as for all users. Steps toward realization of such a system are reported here. A computer system has been developed to track the eyes and the nose of a subject and to compute the direction of the face. Face direction and movement is then used to control the cursor. Test results show that the resulting system is usable, although several improvements are needed. >
Minireview: Alternative Activation Pathways for the Androgen Receptor in Prostate Cancer

Advanced prostate tumors, which are androgen dependent, are often initially treated in the clinic with hormone ablation therapy, either through surgical castration or administration of small-molecule antiandrogens. Most tumors respond favorably to these treatments, exhibiting regression of the tumor, amelioration of symptoms, and a decrease of prostate-specific antigen in patient sera. However, with time, the majority of tumors recur in a more aggressive, castration-resistant (CR) phenotype. Currently, no effective treatment exists for this stage of the cancer, and patients ultimately succumb to metastatic disease. The androgen receptor (AR), which is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of proteins, is the transcription factor that is responsible for mediating the effects of androgens upon target tissues, and it has been demonstrated to play a central role in the development and progression of prostate cancer. Despite CR tumor cells being able to continue to grow after hormonal therapy in which testosterone and dihydrotestosterone are markedly reduced, they still require the expression and activity of the AR. The AR can become transactivated in this low-androgen environment through a number of different mechanisms, including amplification and mutation of the receptor, cross talk with other signaling pathways, and altered regulation by coregulatory proteins. This review will summarize the most current data regarding non-ligand-mediated activation of the AR in prostate cancer cells. Developing work in this field aims to more clearly elucidate the signals that drive AR activity independently of androgens in CR disease so that better therapeutic targets can be developed for patients with this stage of highly aggressive prostate carcinoma.
Constant wall heat flux boundary conditions in porous media under local thermal non-equilibrium conditions

Abstract Boundary conditions for constant wall heat flux in the absence of local thermal equilibrium conditions are analyzed in this work. Effects of variable porosity and thermal dispersion are also analyzed. Different forms of constant heat flux boundary conditions found in the literature were investigated in this work. The effects of pertinent parameters such as porosity, Darcy number, Reynolds number, inertia parameter, particle diameter and solid-to-fluid conductivity ratio were analyzed. Quantitative and qualitative interpretations of the results are utilized to investigate the prominent characteristics of the models under consideration. Limiting cases resulting convergence or divergence of the models are also considered. Results are presented in terms of the fluid, solid and total Nusselt numbers.
Applicability of certain organo phosphorus extractants to environmental and biological radioactivity surveys

Abstract The applicability of certain organo phosphorus extractants to environmental and biological radioactivity surveys has been demonstrated. Specifically, a solution of mono 2-ethyl hexyl phosphoric acid, H2MEHP, in a hydrocarbon and/or chlorinated hydrocarbon diluent has been shown to extract radioactive Ce(III), Pm(III), Y(III), Am(III), Pu(III), Th(IV), Np(IV), Pu(IV) and U(VI) from acidified human urine with sufficiently high K values to permit basing a scheme of analysis for such radioelements upon liquid-liquid extraction. The specific K value is strongly dependent upon the valence of the element, permitting a partial mutual separation of the above set of elements through use of the H2MEHP (hydrocarbon and/or chlorinated hydrocarbon) vs. HCl system. These separation possibilities are multiplied by introduction of negative synergist, specifically 2-ethyl hexanol-1, which serves to progressively inactivate H2MEHP. Consequently, under certain conditions, M(III) may be scrubbed from an extract leaving M(IV) and M(VI) in the organic phase; but under another set of conditions involving a greater relative concentration of negative synergist, M(VI) may be scrubbed from the extract leaving M(IV) in the organic phase. Further mutual separation is accomplished by means of extraction with di 2-ethyl hexyl phosphoric acid, HDEHP, this extractant serving to separate Y from Pm, Ce(III) and Am and to separate Ce(IV) from Pm and Am. Finally, extraction with tri n-octyl phosphine oxide, TOPO, is utilized in the separation of U(VI) from Pu(III). Through use of selected diluents of different densities, the organic phase has been made the upper or lower phase in accordance with maximum ease of manipulation. Flow sheets have been devised and tested. Advantages of the techniques are discussed, and other areas of application are suggested.
The Honourable Robert Boyle, F.R.S. (1627-1692)

During the winter of 1641/42 the Honourable Robert Boyle, some years out of Eton and nearing his 15th birthday, was in Florence further improving himself in languages and the arts; he was also reading widely in the sciences, particularly the new celestial system of Copernicus and his followers. On 8 January 1642 Galileo, the blind and ageing astronomer, an exiled prisoner of the Church, died in his nearby villa at Arcetri overlooking the Florentine capital. The event profoundly stirred the impressionable young Englishman who later wrote* that at Florence he had encountered ‘the new paradoxes of the great star-gazer Galileo ’, adding caustically that the Pope was ‘loth to have the stability of that earth questioned, in which he had established his kingdom’. Boyle also recorded Galileo’s famous retort to ‘certain friers’ who insisted that his blindness was Heaven’s punishment for his heresy, ‘that he had the satisfaction of not being blind, till he had seen in heaven what never mortal eyes had beheld before.’
Exploring the Underlying Factor Structure of the Parent Reading Belief Inventory (PRBI): Some Caveats

Research Findings: The present study explored the underlying factor structure proposed a priori by the developer of the Parent Reading Belief Inventory (PRBI: B. D. DeBaryshe, 1995) using a local independent sample. The PRBI was developed to assess maternal beliefs about reading aloud to children and was designed to measure attitudes, perceptions, and values about how children learn, the content of what they learn, as well as parental teaching efficacy. The PRBI is purported to have 7 underlying subscales and a total score. Analyses showed internal consistency estimates that were similar to those reported by the authors of the PRBI. Using confirmatory factor analysis, we found good fit for only 2 of the 7 dimensions (Reading Instruction and Resources) and poor fit for overall models for the entire PRBI scale when modeled using a 2nd-order factor, correlated factors, or a single general factor. Practice or Policy: Limitations and future research are discussed.
Nonlinear wave mechanics from classical dynamics and scale covariance

Nonlinear Schrodinger equations proposed by Kostin and by Doebner and Goldin are rederived from Nottale's prescription for obtaining quantum mechanics from classical mechanics in nondifferentiable spaces; i.e., from hydrodynamical concepts and scale covariance. Some soliton and plane wave solutions are discussed.
Metal-binding properties of an engineered purple CuA center in azurin.

A CuA center engineered into Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin was studied by metal substitution. Metal-binding properties were determined by electronic absorption (UV-vis) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The metal-binding site readily binds thiophilic metal ions, such as Hg(II), Ag(I), Cu(I), Cd(II), and Au(I). Harder metal ions, like Co(II), bind to apo-CuA-azurin only under basic conditions (pH 9.1–9.2). The results obtained from these studies indicate that two factors influence metal binding in CuA azurin: (1) the site favors metal combinations which produce an overall +3 charge, and (2) the site binds soft, thiophilic metal ions. The results demonstrate the remarkable ability of the CuA center to maintain valence delocalization of its native metal ions and to ensure redox accessibility of only one of the two redox couples (i.e., [Cu(1.5)···Cu(1.5)]⇋[Cu(I)···Cu(I)]) under physiological conditions. These findings may lead to the preparation of new metal ion derivatives and can serve as a basis for understanding this efficient electron transfer center.
The State Park Movement in America: A Critical Review

Essentially a phenomenon of the twentieth century, America's pioneering state park movement has grown rapidly and innovatively to become one of the most important forces in the preservation of open spaces and the provision of public outdoor recreation in the country. During this time, the movement has been influenced and shaped by many factors - social, cultural, and economic - resulting in a wide variety of expressions. While everyone agrees that the state park movement has been a positive and beneficial force on the whole, there is an increasing divergence of thought as to exactly what direction the movement should take in the future. In The State Park Movement in America, Ney Landrum, recipient of almost two dozen honors and awards for his service to state and national parks, places the movement for state parks in the context of the movements for urban and local parks on one side and for national parks on the other. He traces the evolution of the state park movement from its imprecise and largely unconnected origins to its present status as an essential and firmly established state government responsibility, nationwide in scope. Because the movement has taken a number of separate, but roughly parallel, paths and produced differing schools of thought concerning its purpose and direction, Landrum also analyzes the circumstances and events that have contributed to these disparate results and offers critical commentary based on his long tenure in the system. As the first study of its kind, The State Park Movement in America will fill a tremendous void in the literature on parks. With more than five thousand state parks in the United States, compared with fewer than five hundred national parks and historic sites, this history is long overdue. It will be of great interest to anyone concerned with federal, state, or local parks.
The KM-Algorithm Identifies Regulated Genes in Time Series Expression Data

We present a statistical method to rank observed genes in gene expression time series experiments according to their degree of regulation in a biological process. The ranking may be used to focus on specific genes or to select meaningful subsets of genes from which gene regulatory networks can be built. Our approach is based on a state space model that incorporates hidden regulators of gene expression. Kalman (K) smoothing and maximum (M) likelihood estimation techniques are used to derive optimal estimates of the model parameters upon which a proposed regulation criterion is based. The statistical power of the proposed algorithm is investigated, and a real data set is analyzed for the purpose of identifying regulated genes in time dependent gene expression data. This statistical approach supports the concept that meaningful biological conclusions can be drawn from gene expression time series experiments by focusing on strong regulation rather than large expression values.
Interactions between cholinergic mechanisms and the salt arousal of drinking

Abstract Rats received injections of chemicals into parts of the limbic system in combination with a subcutaneous injection of 1.0 or 3.0 ml of a 15% salt solution. Injections of carbachol into cholinergic drinking sites increased water intake above that to salt alone. However, the increase was greater in animals stimulated with 1.0 ml of salt. Brain injections of either atropine (bilateral) or carbachol in combination with atropine (into contralateral sites) reduced water intake below that to the salt injections alone. These reductions were similar in size for both doses of salt solution.
Effects of gadopentetate dimeglumine and gadodiamide on serum calcium, magnesium, and creatinine measurements

Purpose To investigate the in vivo effects of gadodiamide (Gd-DTPA-BMA) and gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) on the laboratory measurements of serum calcium, magnesium, and creatinine. Materials and Methods Medical records from 1993 to 2004 were reviewed to identify inpatients for whom laboratory data were available regarding serum calcium, creatinine, and magnesium levels before and within one day after gadodiamide and gadopentetate dimeglumine enhanced MRI. Patients who underwent both gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced MRI and iodinated contrast-enhanced examinations on separate days within a six-month period were also identified to compare changes in serum creatinine. Results Serum creatinine did not increase in 2788 cases following gadopentetate dimeglumine and gadodiamide injection. By comparison, serum creatinine increased from 1.21 to 1.28 mg/dL following iodinated contrast, and there were 20 cases (2.6%) of contrast-induced nephrotoxicity (P < 0.01). Gadopentetate dimeglumine did not affect serum calcium or magnesium measurements. Following 1157 gadodiamide-enhanced examinations, measured serum calcium spuriously dropped from 8.65 to 8.33 mg/dL (P < 0.0001) and 34 patients had spurious critical hypocalcemia (<6 mg/dL). Of 60 patients with high-dose gadodiamide injection and renal insufficiency, 36.7% (N = 22) had spurious critical hypocalcemia immediately post MRI. In 216 patients with renal insufficiency, the mean serum magnesium level increased slightly from 1.69 to 1.77 mEq/L following gadodiamide injection (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Gd-based contrast agents are safe for MRI and MR angiography (MRA), and do not induce nephrotoxicity. However, gadodiamide interferes with serum calcium and magnesium measurements—particularly at high doses and/or with renal insufficiency. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Structural and catalytic properties of enzymes in reverse micelles.

Abstract Structural and catalytic properties of two enzymes—α-chymotrypsin and horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (LADH)—are studied in bis (2-ethylhexyl) sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT)-isooctane reversemicelle solutions. Circular dichroism (CD) and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) studies show little change in α-chymotrypsin structure upon incorporation into reverse micelles. For LADH, large perturbations in structure are seen upon solubilization in reverse micelles. These structural properties explain, in part, the observed activity of these two enzymes in reverse micelles. α-Chymotrypsin retains activity in reverse micelles and, in some cases, displays enhanced activity. A sixfold increase in the turnover number was observed in w 0 = 10 reverse micelles. LADH has low activity in reverse micelles compared to that in aqueous solution. At w 0 = 70, the turnover number of LADH is 18% of the aqueous value. Active-site titrations show a decrease in active enzyme concentration for both enzymes upon incorporation into reverse micelles. Little change in the structure of both LADH and α-chymotrypsin is observed with change of water content in the reverse-micelle system.
Exact solutions for networks of queues with blocking-after-service

Akyildiz, I.F. and H. von Brand, Exact solutions for networks of queues with blocking-after-service, Theoretical Computer Science 125 (1994) 111-130. The paper has two major parts. The first part deals with two-station networks with blockingafter-service (BAS) mechanism and different station types. In this part only single class of jobs is allowed. The contribution here is to show that exact solutions exist for two-station queueing networks with BAS mechanism having different station types. The exact equilibrium state probability distributions are derived. Insensitivity is investigated and formulas for performance measures are obtained. It is demonstrated that the throughput, mean number of jobs and mean number of Cblocked jobs depend on the scheduling discipline. A queueing network model with more than two stations is analyzed in the second part. Multiple-job classes with job class change, and different station types are allowed in the model. Exact solutions for equilibrium state probabilities and performance measures are obtained under the condition that only a certain total number of jobs is allowed in the network.
Breast Cancer Treatment in the Era of Individualized Care

Breast cancer management has entered the era of personalized medicine. It is widely appreciated that breast cancers differ in their biology and treatment needs. It is also understood that there are “subsets of subsets”: divisions within the broad separations of tumor type that are increasingly appreciated as clinically relevant. Indeed, the realization that breast cancer is not a single disease is so broadly recognized that phrases like “one size doesn’t fit all” or “tailored therapy” have rapidly transitioned from powerful insight to tired cliche. But individualized care for breast cancer patients is not just a slogan; it is the current reality and represents the alignment of scientific discoveries with clinical practice. As we are in the age of tailored approaches to care, we have a whole new set of questions. Who is the tailor, and how good are they? Who picked out the cloth, and where was it made? When does the client show up to be measured? Who handles the alterations? Does the garment really fit better than one off the rack? And can we afford bespoke care? For breast cancer patients expecting tailored treatment, those questions hold powerful resonance. The articles in this issue of Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America seek to address these many questions. Classifying the breast cancer is the first step in individualized care. As more of our treatment decisions hinge on the fundamental biology of the cancer, and not on the surgical or anatomical stage, the correct classification of the tumor is a sine qua non for appropriate therapy. This realization moves the pathologist to the center of the treatment team in breast cancer medicine. High-quality pathology and diagnostic testing are critical for correctly assigning tumors into the various treatment subsets. Rigorous pathology can still make for fraught clinical decisions; tumors are rarely homogeneous, and natural variations in “simple” things like histological grade,
The isolated polycystin-1 COOH-terminal can activate or block polycystin-1 signaling

Much of what is known of the activities of polycystin-1 has been inferred from the effects of the isolated cytoplasmic COOH-terminal domain, but it is not clear whether the truncation acts like polycystin-1, as a dominant negative, or in unrelated pathways. To address this question, we have examined functional interactions between the intact and truncated forms of polycystin-1 in one cell system. In cells expressing only native polycystin-1, introduction of the truncation replicated the activity of the full-length protein. Conversely, when background levels of polycystin-1 were modestly elevated, the truncation acted as a dominant negative. Hence, the truncation acts in the polycystin pathway, but with effects that depend upon the background level of polycystin-1 expression. Our data raise the possibility that the cytoplasmic carboxyl terminus, either through cleavage products or intramolecular interactions, might feed back to modulate the activity of parent or intact polycystin-1.
A semi-supervised learning method for remote sensing data mining

New approaches are needed to extract useful patterns from increasingly large multi-spectral remote sensing image databases in order to understand global climatic changes, vegetation dynamics, ocean processes, etc. Supervised learning, which is often used in land cover (thematic) classification of remote sensing imagery, requires large amounts of accurate training data. However, in many situations it is very difficult to collect labels for all training samples. In this paper we explore methods that utilize unlabeled samples in supervised learning for thematic information extraction from remote sensing imagery. Our objectives are to understand the impact of parameter estimation with small learning samples on classification accuracy, and to augment the parameter estimation with unlabeled training samples to improve land cover predictions. We have developed a semi-supervised learning method based on the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm, and maximum likelihood and maximum a posteriori classifiers. This scheme utilizes a small set of labeled and a large number of unlabeled training samples. We have conducted several experiments on multi-spectral images to understand the impact of unlabeled samples on the classification performance. Our study shows that though in general classification accuracy improves with the addition of unlabeled training samples, it is not guaranteed to get consistently higher accuracies unless sufficient care is exercised when designing a semi-supervised classifier
The Impact of a Service-Learning Project on Student Awareness of Homelessness, Civic Attitudes, and Stereotypes Toward the Homeless

In 2008, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) joined in a community initiative with the Urban Ministry Center to provide shelter to the homeless during the winter months. A student organization was formed to sustain university support. The author created a service-learning project as part of a Citizenship and Service Practicum course. Three semesters of end-of-course student evaluations indicate that the service-learning experience had an impact on the students in three ways. It raised awareness of homelessness; helped dispel negative stereotypes and foster more positive attitudes; and promoted positive civic attitudes and desire to “make a difference.”
Did fleshy fruit pulp evolve as a defence against seed loss rather than as a dispersal mechanism

Relatively few studies have examined the evolution of the mutualism between endozoochorous plants and seed dispersers. Most seed dispersal studies are ecological and examine the role offruit pulp in promoting seed dispersal. This interaction is often assumed to have originated due to selection stemming from seed dispersers. Here I suggest a “defence scenario” wherein fleshy fruits originated as mechanisms to defend seeds and secondarily became structures to promote seed dispersal. I suggest that frugivory followed from herbivores that specialized on consuming seed defensive tissues and that enhanced seed dispersal was initially a consequence of seed defence. The proposed defence scenario is not posited as an explanation for the sequence that led to all modern frugivores. However, it is suggested that seed predation was the initial source of selection that led to fleshy fruits; the necessary precursor to frugivory. Support is described from the fossil record and from modern structures and interactions. Testable predictions are made in hope that greater interest will be focused on the defensive role of fleshy fruit pulp both in modern interactions and historically.
Large-signal performance of deep submicrometer AlGaN/AlN/GaNHEMTs with a field-modulating plate

This is the first time that the microwave performance of a 0.1-/spl mu/m gate in a silicon nitride window opening, with a field-modulating plate on an AlGaN/AlN/GaN heterojunction structure, is reported. The material structure was grown by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy on SiC substrates with an averaged channel sheet resistance of 313.5 ohms/square. Approximately 80-nm-thick plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition silicon nitride is used as the dielectric between gate metal extension and semiconductor surface. Transistors of a total gate width of 250 /spl mu/m and a 0.1 /spl mu/m gate footprint, with a 0.36 /spl mu/m long overhang on top of the silicon nitride, can be operated at a drain bias of 40-V high. Output power density of 9.5 W/mm, with 36% power-added efficiency in class AB regime, was demonstrated at 10 GHz in a continuous wave power measurement.
Secretion of Pancreatic Polypeptide in Man in Response to Beef Ingestion is Mediated in Part by an Extravagal Cholinergic Mechanism

The effect of atropine, a muscarinic cholinergic blocking agent. on the response of plasma pancreatic polypeptide (hPP) to the ingestion of beef was investigated. Six healthy subjects ingested 250 g broiled ground beef on three occasions. After beef ingestion alone, the expected biphasic plasma hPP response was observed. On the two other occasions atropine (intravenous bolus followed by infusion) was begun either at 4 or 60 min after the beginning of beef ingestion so as to coincide with the early (first) and late (second) phases of hPP response to beef ingestion. On both occasions plasma hPP concentrations returned rapidly to baseline. Mean integrated incremental hPP responses in the absence of atropine were 9.1 + 3.4 ng min ml-’ for the first phase (O-40 min) and 29.7 + 5.7 ng min ml-’ for the second phase (60-180 min); with atropine at 4 min. respective responses were 0.8 f 0.9 and - 1 .O f 1.3 ng min ml,-’ and with atropine at 60 min they were 10.6 + 5.0 and 1.3 + 1.6 ng min ml.-’ After atropine administration, the half-time of disappearance of hPP from the circulation was 4-6 min. suggesting the complete cessation of stimulated hPP secretion. We conclude that the mechanisms of both the early and late phases of beef meal-stimulated release of hPP involve muscarinic cholinergic-neural transmission. The portion of the second (late) phase response which has been shown to persist after truncal vagotomy must be mediated by a cholinergic mechanism which is extravagal in character
A Space of Vulnerability in Poverty and Health: Political‐Ecology and Biocultural Analysis

In this article I present a political-ecological ap- proach for biocultural analyses that attempts to synthesize per- spectives from anthropological political economy and those from ecological anthropology and human adaptability approaches. The approach is used to examine contexts and consequences of vulnerability among Andean peoples in southern Peru, and specifically the ongoing and dialectical relationships be- tween poverty, illness, and household production. Household demographic composition, class position, economic status, and interpersonal relations are all important in shaping their ex- perience with illness, and coping capacity in dealing with the consequences of illness on household livelihood. I suggest that the contexts and consequences of vulnerability among rural pro- ducers in southern Peru contributed in part to the spread of the Sendero Luminoso revolutionary movement into the region in the late 1980s and early 1990s. (vulnerability, health, Peruvian Andes, biocultural approaches, political-ecology)
The need for new methods to backcalculate soil cleanup targets in interval and probabilistic cancer risk assessments

Abstract Ordinary algebra may be used to backcalculate health‐based cleanup targets in deterministic risk assessments, but it does not work in interval or probabilistic risk assessments. Equations with interval or random variables do not follow the rules of ordinary algebra. This paper explains the need for more sophisticated methods to backcalculate soil cleanup targets when using interval or random variables.
How Effective are Treatments for Child and Adolescent Depression?: a Meta-Analytic Review

We located a comprehensive sample of studies (1980-1999) on the psychosocial and pharmacological treatment of child and adolescent depression through an extensive literature search. Articles that met the inclusionary criteria were subsequently analyzed. The outcome data from 38 studies were extracted and converted into effect sizes (ESs). Comparisons of main effects, demographic, and quality of study variables were conducted. The overall findings of this meta-analysis indicate that several different psychosocial interventions for child and adolescent depression produced moderate to large treatment gains that were clinically meaningful for many afflicted youth. However, in general, the vast majority of pharmacological interventions were not effective in treating depressed children and adolescents. Nonetheless, there is recent evidence that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine are efficacious, and will likely play an increased role in the management of affective illness in youngsters. The clinical implications and limitations of these data are discussed and suggestions for future research are provided.
Exploiting social networks for threshold signing: attack-resilience vs. availability

Digital signatures are an important security mechanism, especially when non-repudiation is desired. However, non-repudiation is meaningful only when the private signing keys and functions are adequately protected --- an assumption that is very difficult to accommodate in the real world because computers (and thus cryptographic keys and functions) could be relatively easily compromised. One approach to resolving, or at least alleviating, this problem is to use threshold cryptography. But how should such techniques be employed in the real world? In this paper we propose exploiting social networks whereby average users take advantage of their trusted ones to help secure their cryptographic keys. While the idea is simple from an individual user's perspective, we aim to understand the resulting systems from a whole-system perspective. Specifically, we propose and investigate two measures of the resulting systems: attack-resilience, which captures the security consequences due to the compromise of some computers and thus the compromise of the cryptographic key shares stored on them; availability, which captures the effect when computers are not always responsive (due to the peer-to-peer nature of social networks).
A quantitative study of electrical stimulation of central myelinated fibers

Received Jammy 29,1969 Quantitative extracellular electrical stimulation data were obtained from single fibers in the dorsal columns of anesthetized and paralyzed cats. Single-fiber responses were recorded with glass microelectrodes. The threshold current was found for fibers stimulated with a 100-p diameter monopolar electrode at the surface of the dorsal columns 0.5-2.0 cm from the recording electrode. Shock artifact was greatly reduced because of the geometry of the stimulating and recording scheme. The distance of the stimulating electrode from a recorded fiber could be determined since fibers in the medial dorsal columns maintain a relatively constant relation to the midline and the surface for several segments. The stimulus was usually a single cathodal current pulse of SO-psec duration. The conduction velocity was also determined for each fiber. Current-distance relations for threshold stimulation were determined for these fibers. In general, the further away the stimulating electrode, the greater the current required for stimulation. Moreover, fibers with larger conduction velocities required less current for stimulation. The fibers were also shown to be periodic in their longitudinal stimulation properties which probably was related to the length of their internodes. The time constant of the nodal membrane was determined from strength-duration data to be about 100120 @sec. The mean of the ratio of anodal to cathodal stimulating current was 4.57 + 1.00 (SD) and ranged from 3.19 to 7.70 for 50-,usec pulse durations.
Discovering the Sequential Structure of Thought

Multi-voxel pattern recognition techniques combined with Hidden Markov models can be used to discover the mental states that people go through in performing a task. The combined method identifies both the mental states and how their durations vary with experimental conditions. We apply this method to a task where participants solve novel mathematical problems. We identify four states in the solution of these problems: Encoding, Planning, Solving, and Respond. The method allows us to interpret what participants are doing on individual problem-solving trials. The duration of the planning state varies on a trial-to-trial basis with novelty of the problem. The duration of solution stage similarly varies with the amount of computation needed to produce a solution once a plan is devised. The response stage similarly varies with the complexity of the answer produced. In addition, we identified a number of effects that ran counter to a prior model of the task. Thus, we were able to decompose the overall problem-solving time into estimates of its components and in way that serves to guide theory.
Structural origin of polymorphism of Alzheimer's amyloid β-fibrils

Formation of senile plaques containing amyloid fibrils of Aβ (amyloid β-peptide) is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer9s disease. Unlike globular proteins, which fold into unique structures, the fibrils of Aβ and other amyloid proteins often contain multiple polymorphs. Polymorphism of amyloid fibrils leads to different toxicity in amyloid diseases and may be the basis for prion strains, but the structural origin for fibril polymorphism is still elusive. In the present study we investigate the structural origin of two major fibril polymorphs of Aβ40: an untwisted polymorph formed under agitated conditions and a twisted polymorph formed under quiescent conditions. Using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, we studied the inter-strand side-chain interactions at 14 spin-labelled positions in the Aβ40 sequence. The results of the present study show that the agitated fibrils have stronger inter-strand spin–spin interactions at most of the residue positions investigated. The two hydrophobic regions at residues 17–20 and 31–36 have the strongest interactions in agitated fibrils. Distance estimates on the basis of the spin exchange frequencies suggest that inter-strand distances at residues 17, 20, 32, 34 and 36 in agitated fibrils are approximately 0.2 A (1 A=0.1 nm) closer than in quiescent fibrils. We propose that the strength of inter-strand side-chain interactions determines the degree of β-sheet twist, which then leads to the different association patterns between different cross β-units and thus distinct fibril morphologies. Therefore the inter-strand side-chain interaction may be a structural origin for fibril polymorphism in Aβ and other amyloid proteins.
Applying a Multidisciplinary Approach Using the TeamSTEPPS Communication and Teamwork Methodology While Debriefing a Critical Event Simulation

Professional Issues Poster Presentation Purpose for the Program This innovative safety program incorporates a multidisciplinary approach to team debriefing and high-fidelity simulation-based training during a simulated critical event (shoulder dystocia). This simulation program includes all providers (physicians, midwives, nurses, and residents) associated with our obstetric unit and reinforces the concept of patient safety through practiced communication and teamwork.
Parallel fiber-optic SCI links

Parallel fiber-optic links promise to be a key enabling technology for distributed computing, substantially increasing transmission distance and bandwidth. The drive to include more and more processors and I/O devices in parallel-processor complexes has created a need for box-to-box interconnection links capable of delivering bandwidth comparable to system backplanes. Point-to-point links overcome the speed and cost constraints of shared buses. However, copper-based point-to-point links can reliably carry high-speed data only a limited distance. Parallel fiber-optic links substantially increase transmission distance and surpass copper's bandwidth capability. Our research addresses the integration of parallel fiber-optic data links into system designs that require a high-bandwidth link over moderate distances. To demonstrate the feasibility of using parallel fiber-optic technology as a fundamental building block in large-scale commercial and parallel machines, we constructed a link testbed.
A generalized affine gap model significantly improves protein sequence alignment accuracy

Sequence alignment underpins common tasks in molecular biology, including genome annotation, molecular phylogenetics, and homology modeling. Fundamental to sequence alignment is the placement of gaps, which represent character insertions or deletions. We assessed the ability of a generalized affine gap cost model to reliably detect remote protein homology and to produce high-quality alignments. Generalized affine gap alignment with optimal gap parameters performed as well as the traditional affine gap model in remote homology detection. Evaluation of alignment quality showed that the generalized affine model aligns fewer residue pairs than the traditional affine model but achieves significantly higher per-residue accuracy. We conclude that generalized affine gap costs should be used when alignment accuracy carries more importance than aligned sequence length.
Adaptive Foundations of Heroism: Social Heuristics Push Advantageous Everyday Ethical Behavior to Heroic Extremes

We argue that heroism is typically adaptive everyday ethical behavior taken to the extreme by over-generalization. We discuss three types of ethical principles with the properties of being cooperative, adaptive in the context of everyday life, but not in one’s self-interest when taken to the extreme: justice — behaviors concerned with fairly distributing resources; solidarity — behaviors concerned with group-beneficial self-sacrifice; and pacifism — behaviors concerned with the avoidance of harming others. Because these behaviors are typically individually adaptive, they become automatized as social heuristics. These heuristics may then be (mis)applied in settings where cooperating is long-run costly to the individual, resulting in heroism.