Converting heterogeneous statistical tables on the web to searchable databases

Much of the world’s quantitative data reside in scattered web tables. For a meaningful role in Big Data analytics, the facts reported in these tables must be brought into a uniform framework. Based on a formalization of header-indexed tables, we proffer an algorithmic solution to end-to-end table processing for a large class of human-readable tables. The proposed algorithms transform header-indexed tables to a category table format that maps easily to a variety of industry-standard data stores for query processing. The algorithms segment table regions based on the unique indexing of the data region by header paths, classify table cells, and factor header category structures of two-dimensional as well as the less common multidimensional tables. Experimental evaluations substantiate the algorithmic approach to processing heterogeneous tables. As demonstrable results, the algorithms generate queryable relational database tables and semantic-web triple stores. Application of our algorithms to 400 web tables randomly selected from diverse sources shows that the algorithmic solution automates end-to-end table processing.     

Characterization of one-step,chromate-free,primer systems using liquid-state Si and C NMR

Coatings derived from organofunctional silanes have been investigated as possible replacements for the chromate-based systems used in the aerospace industry. In this study, organofunctional silanes [bis-(triethoxysilylpropyl)ethane and bis(triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide] were reacted with commercially available acrylate (ECO-CRYL™ 9790) and epoxy (EPI-REZ™ WD-510) resins, resulting in a one-step, low-VOC, chromate-free primer. Liquid-state ²⁹Si and ¹³C NMR were used to determine structural characteristics of various optimized formulations.     

Gap Geometry Measurements in Oil-Filled Gaps Using Laser Diffraction Techniques

This paper describes an experimental investigation of utilizing laser diffraction method for gap geometry measurements of oil-filled gaps with gap widths in the range of a few hundred microinches up to 0.03 inches, with applications to research areas, such as journal bearings, seals, and EHD lubrication. Diffraction patterns are obtained for various gap widths and depths of gaps for dry gaps and oil-filled gaps with different kinds of lubricating oils in the gaps. It is shown that, for dry gaps, a good correlation is obtained between diffraction patterns and gap widths, for narrow depth of gaps. An increase in depth of gap yields significant differences between experimental results and classical theoretical results, probably due to internal reflections of the light beam within the deeper gaps. For oil filled gaps, experimental results yield smaller gap widths than those calculated from simple diffraction theory, because of distortion of diffraction patterns due to the presence of oil in the gaps. Correcting factors are obtained to account for the optical characteristics of oils in the gaps. It is shown that the values of correcting factors approach asymtotic values with an increase in gap widths, due to change in optical characteristics of the lens formed by oil meniscus in the gaps. It is established that the laser diffraction technique can be applied for gap measurement of small oil-filled gaps. The limitations of the technique are also established.     

Increased incidence of spina bifida occulta in fluorosis prone areas

Spina bifida, a congenital deformity of the posterior wall of vertebrae of the spine, is a midline defect of skin, vertebral arches and neural tube, usually in the lumbosacral region. Its incidence is reported to be 0.2 to 0.4 per 1000 live births. Various hypotheses have been put forward as etiological factors for spina bifida including consumption of potato affected by blight and hardness of drinking water but these have not been proven. Two groups of 50 randomly chosen children were established. The study group consisted of children aged 5 to 12 years, weighing 15 to 30 kg, consuming fluoride rich drinking water (4.5 and 8.5 ppm fluoride; WHO permissible limit is 1.5 ppm fluoride), and manifesting either clinical, dental and/or skeletal fluorosis. The control group consisted of age and weight-matched children, consuming less than or equal to 1.5 ppm fluoride in drinking water and not showing any evidence of fluoride toxicity. These children were evaluated for antenatal history, general clinical examination (especially for dimples, tufts of hair, haemangioma on skin throughout the length of spine), other congenital abnormalities, evidence of fluoride toxicity, biochemical estimation for fluoride levels in blood and serum and by skiagrams of the spine to examine for the presence of spina bifida occulta. A total of 22 (44%) of the 50 children in group A, the study group, and 6 (12%) of the 50 children in group B, the control group, revealed spina bifida occulta in the lumbosacral region.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Evidence against a direct role for the induction of c-jun expression in the mediation of drug-induced apoptosis in human acute leukemia cells

Previous reports have demonstrated that a variety of anticancer drugs, e.g., 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C), mitoxantrone, etoposide, camptothecin, and cisplatin, induce the expression of c-jun oncogene in leukemic cells prior to producing internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and the morphological features of apoptosis. This has led to the impression that the induction of c-jun expression may be directly involved in the molecular signaling of the final common pathway of programmed cell death or apoptosis. In the present study, we examined the role of c-jun expression in three different settings of anticancer drug-induced apoptosis in human leukemic cells. First, exposure of human myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells to high-dose ara-C for 4 h produced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation preceded by c-jun induction. However, pretreatment of HL-60 cells with staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor, repressed c-jun yet enhanced DNA fragmentation and apoptosis due to ara-C. Second, in human pre-B leukemia 697/BCL-2 cells which are transfected with the cDNA of the bcl-2 oncogene and overexpress p26BCL-2, although ara-C or mitoxantrone treatment caused greater c-jun induction than in the 697/neo cells, significantly reduced endonucleolytic DNA fragmentation and apoptosis was observed in 697/BCL-2 cells. Finally, taxol-induced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and morphological features of apoptosis in HL-60 cells were not associated with the induction of c-jun expression. These lines of evidence indicate that the induction of c-jun expression may not have a direct role in the molecular signaling of anticancer drug-induced apoptosis, and that the anticancer drug-induced apoptosis can occur by a mechanism that does not involve the induction of c-jun expression.     

2.5 A resolution crystal structure of the motile major sperm protein (MSP) of Ascaris suum

We have determined the structure of the Ascaris major sperm protein (MSP) to 2.5 A resolution using X-ray crystallography. The MSP polypeptide chain has an immunoglobulin-like fold based on a seven-stranded beta sandwich. In two strands, cis-proline residues impart distinctive kinks, and overall the structure most closely resembles that of the N-terminal domain of the bacterial chaperonin, PapD. In the C2 crystal form which we have solved here, two MSP chains are tightly associated in the asymmetric unit and are related by a non-crystallographic 2-fold rotation axis. This arrangement almost certainly represents the MSP dimer that is present in solution. Additionally, the arrangement of two MSP dimers at one of the crystallographic 2-fold axes in the 215 A unit cell suggests a possible mode for the assembly of MSP into the filaments which promote cell movement. This dimer-dimer association is based on a beta sheet extension mechanism between adjoining MSP monomers which resembles the interaction between PapD and its protein substrate.     

Solution structure of the origin DNA-binding domain of SV40 T-antigen

The structure of the domain from simian virus 40 (SV40) large T-antigen that binds to the SV40 origin of DNA replication (T-ag-OBD131-260) has been determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The overall fold, consisting of a central five-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet flanked by two alpha-helices on one side and one alpha-helix and one 3(10)-helix on the other, is a new one. Previous mutational analyses have identified two elements, termed A (approximately 152-155) and B2 (203-207), as essential for origin-specific recognition. These elements form two closely juxtaposed loops that define a continuous surface on the protein. The addition of a duplex oligonucleotide containing the origin recognition pentanucleotide GAGGC induces chemical shift changes and slows amide proton exchange in resonances from this region, indicating that this surface directly contacts the DNA.     

Experimental component analysis of a behavioral HIV–AIDS prevention intervention for inner-city women.

A component analysis of a behavioral HIV risk reduction intervention was conducted among 87 women recruited from an inner-city community. Women were randomly assigned to an intervention consisting of (a) sexual communication skills training, (b) self-management skills training, (c) a combination of sexual communication and self-management skills, or (d) HIV education and risk sensitization. Results showed that all 4 intervention conditions increased AIDS knowledge and intentions to reduce risk behaviors. Communication skills training resulted in higher rates of risk reduction conversations and risk refusals. However, the combined skills training condition showed the lowest rates of unprotected sexual intercourse at the 3-month follow-up. This study is the first to experimentally control HIV risk reduction elements in an analysis of a skills-based HIV prevention intervention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Disappearance of antibodies to Cromer blood group system antigens during mid pregnancy

We are reporting the case of a 94-year-old male patient with a 10-year history of Parkinson's disease, who was admitted to our hospital with acute obstruction of esophageal passage. Esophageal obstruction was refractory to endoscopic intervention. However, discontinuation of the pre-existing levodopa medication led to its resolution within hours. While dysphagia is commonly encountered in patients with Parkinson's disease, the observed succession of drug discontinuation and resolution of obstruction in this case suggests an as yet rarely described side effect of levodopa. This potential side effect should be included in the differential diagnosis of dysphagia in Parkinson's disease, especially in the case of older patients, who may exhibit an increased rate of intestinal absorption of levodopa.