cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Essential role of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in the inflammatory response and mucosal injury after hemorrhagic shock (HS)

Introduction: Activation of RAGE by alarm ligands including HMGB1 stimulates the inflammatory response. We hypothesized that HS activates RAGE in injured tissues, specifically the intestinal epithelium. We previously showed that soluble(s) RAGE blocks ligand-RAGE interactions and prevents HS-induced mucosal damage/inflammation. We utilized RAGE deficient (KO) animals to definitively test the hypothesis that RAGE mediates intestinal injury following HS. Methods: RAGE KO mice and controls (n = 5/group) underwent 3h HS followed by 24h resuscitation. Intestinal mucosal permeability to fluorescein-labeled dextran (FD4) was determined using everted gut sacs; bacterial translocation (BT) to mesenteric lymph nodes was quantified. Serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels were measured by ELISA. In vitro, Caco-2 enterocytic monolayers grown in bicameral diffusion chambers were subjected to 16h hypoxia (0.2%O2) and reoxygenation. Monolayers were pretreated with sRAGE or anti-RAGE antibody; FD4 permeability was measured. Using ANOVA, p<0.05 significant. Results: RAGE KO mice post-HS had significant reductions in both HS-induced injury and inflammation vs controls. Permeability (pL/min/cm) was 0.0620 ± 0.008 vs 0.130 ± 0.02, 52%-(p<.001), BT(cfu/g) was 102 ± 50 vs 1280 ± 407, 92%-(p<.001). IL-6, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, was suppressed in HS RAGE KO. IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, was increased in HS RAGE KO vs controls. In vitro, pretreatment with sRAGE or anti-RAGE antibody prior to hypoxia dramatically reduced monolayer permeability to FD4 after 24h reoxia vs hypoxia/reoxia alone (17.5 ± 2.9, 18.3 ± 3.9 vs 44.65 ± 5.4-p<0.001). Conclusions: These studies identify RAGE as an essential receptor for inflammatory response induction and gut mucosal injury following HS. Preventing the RAGE-ligand interaction is critical for maintaining gut barrier function after HS; RAGE may represent a new therapeutic target to prevent end-organ damage in HS.
Electrocardiographic correlates of absent septal q waves

Compared with 100 consecutive electrocardiograms with septal q waves, 100 consecutive electrocardiograms without septal Q waves were otherwise normal only 4 times (vs 28 times; p <0.001). The strongest electrocardiographic correlate was QS in lead V1 (68 vs 4; p <0.001).
Sites of mercury inhibition of amino acid transport in fish gut

Abstract In polluted waters, mercury accumulation in the intestine and other tissues of marine and estuarine fish can reach several orders of magnitude above those found in the water column. Entrance of mercury compounds, especially HgCl 2 , via food and drink into the lumen of the gut can inhibit the normal absorption of amino acids and sugars. 1–5 When applied as HgCl 2 to the mucosal side of fish intestine, mercury binds strongly to the apical membrane facing the lumen and is transferred at a low rate across the gut epithelium to the blood. 6–8 The site(s) of mercury inhibition of amino acid absorption may be on the luminal face of the apical membrane, intracellular, or on the basolateral membrane facing the interstitial fluid in equilibrium with blood. A combination of these sites is not ruled out. The relative effect of the application of HgCl 2 to the mucosal, and separately, to the serosal sides of the gut during leucine transport was investigated. 14 C-Leucine transfer in toadfish midgut was measured in two sets of Ussing chambers. 9 The results showed a 70–74% inhibition of net mucosal-to-serosal (M → S) transfer and an 89% inhibition of tissue accumulation when HgCl 2 was on the mucosal side. In the parallel series, when HgCl 2 was applied on the serosal side only, the net mucosal-to-serosal transfer was reduced by 48–52% while tissue accumulation was only slightly below the control. Tissues preloaded with 14 C-leucine were investigated with respect to cell-to-mucosal (→ M) or cell-to-serosal (C → S) efflux. Mucosal HgCl 2 had a minimal and complex inhibitory effect on C → M efflux and no effect on C → S efflux. By contrast, serosal HgCl 2 had no effect on C → M efflux and caused only a weak reduction in C → S efflux. These results indicate that HgCl 2 inhibits amino acid transport mainly by blocking transfer channels at the extracellular face of the apical (mucosal), and to a lesser degree, basolateral (serosal) membrane of the gut epithelium.
Silicon nano-fabrication by using silica nanosphere lithography technique for enhanced light management

We present a complete silicon (Si) nano-fabrication process to provide controlled shapes of nanostructures over large-scale Si surface area by combining our novel solvent controlled silica nanosphere (SNS) spin-coating method with reactive ion etching. Our novel spin-coating method shows that the introduction of N,N-dimethyl-formamide solvent for SNS spin-coating can greatly enhance the uniformity of spin-coated 2-dimensional SNS layer and its coverage with significantly less sensitivity to deposition area. The enhanced quality and coverage of SNS provided excellent nano-patterning for diverse etching applications. With our SNS lithography, reactive ion etching (RIE) has been applied with fluorine (F) and chlorine (Cl) based gases to provide (1) controlled etching selectivity between SNS (SiO 2 ) and Si substrate and (2) desired etching orientation depending on target shape of structure. Here we focus on the fabrication of Si nanopillar structures with various top diameters but fixed height which show significantly improved anti-reflection effect. In addition, computational optical modeling with rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA) shows that well-tapered nanocone structures can provide greatly reduced incident light angle dependence for surface reflection.
Using Dependency Order Templates to Improve Generality in Translation

Today's statistical machine translation systems generalize poorly to new domains. Even small shifts can cause precipitous drops in translation quality. Phrasal systems rely heavily, for both reordering and contextual translation, on long phrases that simply fail to match out-of-domain text. Hierarchical systems attempt to generalize these phrases but their learned rules are subject to severe constraints. Syntactic systems can learn lexicalized and unlexicalized rules, but the joint modeling of lexical choice and reordering can narrow the applicability of learned rules. The treelet approach models reordering separately from lexical choice, using a discriminatively trained order model, which allows treelets to apply broadly, and has shown better generalization to new domains, but suffers a factorially large search space. We introduce a new reordering model based on dependency order templates, and show that it outperforms both phrasal and treelet systems on in-domain and out-of-domain text, while limiting the search space.
Nuclear Data Sheets Update for A = 203

Abstract Experimental results of nuclear reaction and radiative decay for A=203 nuclides are evaluated. Adopted properties for all the nine isobars, Au, Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi, Po, At, Rn, Fr of mass 203 are presented. Nothing is yet known for 203 Os.
Near-field scanning photocurrent microscopy of a nanowire photodetector

A near-field scanning optical microscope was used to image the photocurrent induced by local illumination along the length of a metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetector made from an individual CdS nanowire. Nanowire MSM photodetectors exhibited photocurrents ∼105 larger than the dark current (<2pA) under uniform monochromatic illumination; under local illumination, the photoresponse was localized to the near-contact regions. Analysis of the spatial variation and bias dependence of the local photocurrent allowed the mechanisms of photocarrier transport and collection to be identified, highlighting the importance of near-field scanning photocurrent microscopy to elucidating the operating principles of nanowire devices.
Climatic Ecotypes in Trioxys complanatus , A Parasite of the Spotted Alfalfa Aphid

Stocks of Trioxys complanatus from California, Iran and Italy were compared to detect differences in climatic adaptation. Results showed the Italian stock was significantly less tolerant of extreme heat, suffering more mortality and displaying a slower developmental rate than the other 2. The Italian ecotype also failed to enter into the heat-induced, semi-protective aestival diapause that characterized portions of the other populations. Significant portions of all stocks entered a cold-induced diapause, although the Italian strain had a lower induction threshold. Daylength had no effect on diapause induction. All stocks interbred but a lower female-to-male ratio of offspring was found in all matings with Italian females. Responses reflect the climates of each stock's origin and indicate potential field success in the biological control of their host, the spotted alfalfa aphid.
Nanoporous Polymers Containing Stereocontorted Cores for Hydrogen Storage

This paper reports synthesis of several nanoporous polymers containing stereocontorted cores for hydrogen storage. The spirobifluorene and tetraphenylmethane cores were used as the building blocks for the cross-linked polymers. Trimerizations of acetylinic compounds or oxidative coupling of thiophenyl compound were used for the polymerization. Characterizations on structures and hydrogen storage capacities of the resulting polymers were performed. It was found that the polymers thus prepared generally have a narrow pore size distribution, and specific surface areas up to 1000 m2/g were obtained. It was shown that the reaction conditions affect the size of nanopores and the surface areas. Hydrogen adsorption capacities at liquid nitrogen and ambient temperatures were measured using a Sievert isotherm apparatus.
Neuronal activity up-regulates astroglial gene expression.

Abstract Neuronal gene expression is known to be modulated by functional activity. This modulation is thought to play a key role in determining the differentiation of developing neurons and regulating the operation of mature neurons. Here we describe a regulation of astroglial gene expression by neuronal activity. We report that intense neuronal activity (electrically induced seizures) in rat hippocampus leads to rapid and dramatic increases in mRNA for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an astroglia-specific intermediate filament protein. GFAP mRNA levels increased at sites of stimulation as well as in areas that were synaptically activated by the resultant seizures. When seizures were induced repetitively for many days, levels of GFAP mRNA remained chronically elevated. However, GFAP mRNA returned to control levels within a few days after the cessation of stimulation. The coupling between astroglial gene expression and neuronal activity may be a mechanism through which neuronal activity modulates the function of supporting cells that are responsible for regulating the extracellular microenvironment of the brain.
Asymptotic Solution for Viscous, Absorbing, Emitting Shock Layer

16 Rhinehardt, J., private communication, Dec. 1969, Air Force Weapon-Lab. Albuquerque. 16 Langmuir, I., "Chemical Reactions at Low Pressures," Proceedings of the American Chemical Society, 1915, p. 1139. 17 Matting, F. W. and Chapman, D. R., "Analysis of Surface Albation of Noncharring Materials With Description of Associated Computing Program," TN-D-3758, 1966, NASA. 18 Hirschfelder, J. O., Curtiss, C. F., and Bird, R. B., Molecular Theory of Gases and Liquids, Wiley, New York, 1954, p. 283. 19 Altman, R. L., Unpublished Paper, 1970, NASA. 0 Fogaroli, R. P. and Brant, D. N., "Re-Evaluation of Graphite Thermochemical Ablation," Fundamentals Memo TFM-9151-060, 1968, Thermodynamics Lab., General Electric. 21 Doltori, T. A., Maurer, R. E., and Goldstein, H. E., "Thermodynamic Performance of Carbon in Hyperthermal Environment," AIAA Paper 68-754, Los Angeles, Calif., 1968. Schoessow, G. J., "Graphite Triple Point and SolidusLiquidus Interface Experimentally Determined up to 1000 Atmospheres," CR-1148, 1968, NASA. 23 Zavitsanos, P. D., "Experimental Study of the Sublimation of Graphite at High Temperatures," Final Report Contract AT(929-1 >789, 1969, Sandia Labs., Albuquerque. 24 Boehringer, J. C. and Spindler, R. J., "Radiant Heating of Semi-Transparent Materials," AIAA Journal, Vol. 1, No. 1, Jan. 1963, p. 84.
Size-Dependent Elastic State of Ellipsoidal Nano-Inclusions Incorporating Surface∕Interface Tension

The determination of elastic states of an embedded inclusion is of considerable importance in a wide variety of physical problems. In the classical elasticity context this problem was first solved rigorously by 1. The latter work, both with and without modifications, has been employed to tackle a diverse set of problems: Localized thermal heating, residual strains, dislocationinduced plastic strains, phase transformations, overall or effective elastic, plastic and viscoplastic properties of composites, damage in heterogeneous materials, quantum dots, interconnect reliability, microstructural evolution, to name a few. The classical solution of an embedded inclusion neglects the presence of surface or interface energies and indeed, the effects of those are negligible except in the size range of tens of nanometers, where one contends with a significant surface-to-volume ratio. Clearly, the influence of surface/interface energies only extends to the nanoscale regime, as illustrated by various mechanical and optoelectronic applications
Electron Acceleration by a Laser Wakefield in a Relativistically Self-Guided Channel

Acceleration of electrons to relativistic energies by a multidimensional self-modulated laser wakefield is discussed. Above a power threshold, a relativistically self-guided channel from an intense ultrashort laser pulse ( $I\ensuremath{\sim}4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{18}\mathrm{W}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, $\ensuremath{\lambda}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}1\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$, $\ensuremath{\tau}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}400\mathrm{fs}$) was found to increase the laser propagation distance, decrease the electron beam divergence, and increase the energy of the electrons. These electron beam effects occurred even though the propagation distance became significantly longer than the conventional dephasing length.
A Losing Strategy: The Impact of Nondisclosure in Social Media on Relationships

Using a posttest-only experimental design with control (N = 409), this study investigated the role of nondisclosure and its impact on perceived relational maintenance strategies in the context of social media campaigns through the relational theory of public relations. As one of the first studies investigating what an organization can do to damage—rather than build—a relationship with their publics, this experiment manipulated a single ethical construct to determine whether that unethical behavior degraded the organization–public relationship. Results indicate that unethical behavior (i.e., lack of disclosure) indeed damaged the organization–public relationship within several relational maintenance strategies: communicated relational commitment, responsiveness/customer service, positivity/optimism, and responsiveness to criticism. Implications to both the practice and the further development of relationship management theory are discussed.
Neuronal Calcium Activates a Rap1 and B-Raf Signaling Pathway via the Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate-dependent Protein Kinase

Activity-dependent regulation of neuronal events such as cell survival and synaptic plasticity is controlled by increases in neuronal calcium levels. These actions often involve stimulation of intracellular kinase signaling pathways. For example, the mitogen-activated protein kinase, or extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), signaling cascade has increasingly been shown to be important for the induction of gene expression and long term potentiation. However, the mechanisms leading to ERK activation by neuronal calcium are still unclear. In the present study, we describe a protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent signaling pathway that may link neuronal calcium influx to ERKs via the small G-protein, Rap1, and the neuronal Raf isoform, B-Raf. Thus, in PC12 cells, depolarization-mediated calcium influx led to the activation of B-Raf, but not Raf-1, via PKA. Furthermore, depolarization also induced the PKA-dependent stimulation of Rap1 and led to the formation of a Rap1/B-Raf signaling complex. In contrast, depolarization did not lead to the association of Ras with B-Raf. The major action of PKA-dependent Rap1/B-Raf signaling in neuronal cells is the activation of ERKs. Thus, we further show that, in both PC12 cells and hippocampal neurons, depolarization-induced calcium influx stimulates ERK activity in a PKA-dependent manner. Given the fact that both Rap1 and B-Raf are highly expressed in the central nervous system, we suggest that this signaling pathway may regulate a number of activity-dependent neuronal functions.
Spontaneous mutagenesis in mammalian cells is caused mainly by oxidative events and can be blocked by antioxidants and metallothionein.

Little is known about endogenous processes causing spontaneous mutagenesis in mammalian cells. To study this problem, a mathematical model and method developed previously in our laboratory was used to measure the spontaneous mutation rate in mammalian cells at the transgenic gpt locus in Chinese hamster G12 cells. We found that spontaneous mutagenesis increased when cells were cultured in low (< 0.25%) serum. These cells also contained higher oxidant levels, measured by dichloroflourescein (DCF) fluorescence, suggesting that the elevated spontaneous mutagenesis resulted from endogenous oxidants which are normally quenched by serum antioxidants. This was found to be the case. Spontaneous mutagenesis was significantly reduced in serum-depleted as well as control cells when catalase (100 ng/ml) or the antioxidants ascorbate (50 μg/ml) or mannitol (100–500 μg/ml) were added to the medium. Overexpression of metallothionein in these cells also suppressed spontaneous mutagenesis and mutagenesis induced by oxygen radical-generating compounds. Cells expressing metallothionein antisense RNA become mutators. Taken together, these results suggest that the major cause of spontaneous mutagenesis in mammalian cells is endogenously-generated oxidative DNA damage which can be blocked by metallothionein or by dietary antioxidants carried by the blood supply.
Information literacy and embedded librarianship in an online graduate programme

This paper reports on an embedded librarian project aimed at providing incoming online graduate students with essential information literacy skills to succeed in an online programme. It describes the design and implementation of the project, the results of pre- and post-instruction surveys of students’ information literacy skills and students’ perceived ability, confidence, and anxiety when accessing information using library resources. The assessment of the embedded librarian project is discussed in the context of the methods used and the needs of online students.
A Unified Two-Fluid Model for Multiphase Flow in Natural Gas Pipelines

A unified two-fluid model for multiphase natural gas and condensate flow in pipelines is presented. The hydrodynamic model consists of steady-state one-dimensional mass and continuity balances for each phase and a combined energy equation to give a system of five first-order ordinary differential equations. The hydrodynamic model is coupled with a phase behavior model based on the Peng-Robinson equation of state to handle the vapor-/liquid equilibrium calculations and thermodynamic property predictions. The model handles single and two-phase flow conditions and is able to predict the transition between them. It also generates profiles for pressure, temperature, and the fluid velocities in both phases as well as their holdups. The expected flow patterns as well as their transitions are modeled with emphasis on the low liquid loading character of such systems. The expected flow regimes for this system are dispersed liquid, annular-mist, stratified smooth as well as stratified wavy.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
The road to chiral amplification in polymers originated in Italy

The fact that stereoregular polymers produced by Ziegler-Natta polymerization methods could be crystallized and studied by X-ray diffraction methods lead to the discovery that these polymers adopted helical conformations in the crystalline solid. In addition to the nearly perfect asymmetric synthesis demonstrated by the highly isotactic stereoregularity produced by the catalyst, the conformation adopted in the crystalline state also involves chirality. The large number of units polymerized produced though gives rise to a cryptochiral material in which the mirror helical conformations are necessarily equally populated and therefore the measurement of optical activity can never be a consideration in these experiments. At that time though Natta's students began to prepare stereoregular vinyl polymers with chiral nonracemic pendant groups and discovered that the optical activities of such materials in solution showed nonlinear relationships between enantiomeric content and optical activity. This phenomenon arising from the effect of the chiral pendants on the population of the helical senses of the polymer backbone, acted to demonstrate that these stereoregular polymers adopted helical conformations in solution comparable to those investigated in the solid state. In recent times this effect has reached an extreme in the polyisocyanates which show a much larger sensitivity to chiral effects than found for the vinyl polymers although the underlying forces at work are identical to those studied earlier by the Italian School. Chirality 9:424–427, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Laminar Burning Speeds and Markstein Lengths of n-Decane/Air, n-Decane/O 2 /He, Jet-A/Air and S-8/Air Flames

Laminar flame speeds and Markstein lengths of premixed n-Decane/air, n-Decane/O2/He, Jet-A/air and S8/air flames were measured at fuel equivalence ratios ranging from 0.7 to 1.6, at an initial temperature of 400K and pressure of 1 atm using a preheated spherical combustion chamber. The experimental results were compared with numerical simulations using the 1-D laminar premixed flame code PREMIX with existing detailed reaction mechanisms. For n-Decane/air flames the computations were performed using detailed kinetic mechanisms of Zhao et al., Honnet et al. and the JetSurF 0.2. The measured laminar flame speeds are best predicted by the mechanism of Honnet et al. over most of the range of experiments except at the extreme equivalence ratios. For Jet-A/air flames, the computations were performed based on the Aachen surrogate model and the computed flame speeds are lower than the measurements. The flame speed of Jet-A/air and S8/air flames are very similar for a given fuel equivalence ratio, while the flame speed of n-Decane/air flames is slightly higher at fuel lean conditions. Markstein lengths for these all the fuels considered decreases with increase in equivalence ratio and the transition from stable flames to unstable flames occurs at a fuel equivalence ratio of 1.2-1.3. This trend is consistent with other large hydrocarbon fuels and is opposite to that of light fuels such as hydrogen and methane. Substituting nitrogen in air with helium resulted in a fourfold increase in flame speed of n-decane and an approximately three-fold increase in the Markstein lengths.
Strongly clean triangular matrix rings over local rings

Abstract An element of a ring is called strongly clean if it can be written as the sum of a unit and an idempotent that commute. A ring is called strongly clean if each of its elements is strongly clean. In this paper, we investigate conditions on a local ring R that imply that T n ( R ) is a strongly clean ring. It is shown that this is the case for commutative local rings R, as well as for a host of other classes of local rings. An example of a local ring A for which T 2 ( A ) is not strongly clean is also given.
Validation of a novel dielectric constant simulation model and the determination of its physical parameters

Precise determination of the dielectric constant of microelectronic packaging materials is critical for the performance optimization of high frequency devices. Accurate empirical data, however, is difficult to obtain and often not available for these complex composite materials. In order to provide a basis for predictive model verification, dielectric analysis of a series of model microelectronic packaging materials was conducted. Physical characteristics of the composite constituents, including the morphology of the dispersed phase as well as the dielectric constant of the dispersed and host phases, were used to define the indeterminate variables. The results of these analyses provide a systematic verification of a newly developed physical model for predicting the effective dielectric constant of complex composite systems. The model considers an interphase zone surrounding each dispersed particle having unique physical and electrical characteristics. A physical interpretation is presented to explain the indeterminate variables incorporated in this model.
An improved method for preparation of samples for the simultaneous assay of some antiepileptic drugs by gas-liquid chromatography

Abstract A new simple extraction method, e.g., for subsequent quantitative determination of some antiepileptic drugs by GLC is described. HCl and an internal standard are added to 100 μl of plasma or any biological fluid. This mixture is applied directly to an Extrelut ® column. Lipophilic substances (i.e. the antiepileptic drugs diphenylhydantoin, primidone and phenobarbital) are then extracted into 20 ml of ether and the solvent is evaporated to dryness. Direct GLC analysis of the on-column methylated drugs is performed using a P-N-detector.
The role of agents in enterprise system management: a position paper

The size and complexity of enterprise computer systems are growing rapidly. As a result, system management has become increasingly difficult and expensive. In fact, management costs are typically estimated at 50%-70% of the total cost of ownership. Despite large investments in management software and personnel, enterprise computer systems are usually managed sub-optimally. This situation calls for a fundamental change in the way systems are managed.Recent studies suggest that systems manage themselves autonomously. Initial studies towards that goal reside in the fields of Autonomic Computing and Self* Systems. Many of those studies devise mechanisms for system monitoring, data filtering, problem determination, problem fixing and system adjustment and reconfiguration. The mechanisms are based, in large part, on methods from Artificial Intelligence, Statistics, Operations Research and Software Engineering.Current enterprise system management solutions --- theoretical and practical --- are centralized. However, the typical enterprise system is distributed. We claim that a centralized solution presents several risks. For instance, it introduces a management bottleneck, it incurs communication overheads, etc. We hence advocate that enterprise system management should be addressed in a distributed manner. Combining distribution and Al, we believe that an agent-based solution is appropriate. In this paper we present in more detail the suggested approach.
The significance of the Papanicolaou smear diagnosis of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion.

BACKGROUND Cervical cytologic specimens that show a low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) occasionally contain a few cells that are suspicious for, but not diagnostic of, a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). In such cases, a diagnosis of LSIL cannot exclude HSIL is rendered. The objective of the current study was to assess the positive predictive value (PPV) for HSIL in follow-up cervical biopsies for these cases. METHODS One hundred forty-four women with a Papanicolaou (Pap) diagnosis of LSIL cannot exclude HSIL and their follow-up cervical biopsies were reviewed. Results were compared with a control group of 155 women with a Pap diagnosis of LSIL. A subset of biopsies was tested and typed for human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA by polymerase chain reaction amplification using consensus primers followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. HPVs were scored as low-risk or high-risk types. RESULTS Women with LSIL cannot exclude HSIL had a higher incidence of HSIL (PPV = 29%) on follow-up cervical biopsy than the control group (PPV = 15%, P < 0.01). In addition, SIL, indeterminate grade was diagnosed in 10% of cervical biopsies in the study group as compared with 4% in controls. Review of Pap smears from the study group showed that there were 3 types of cells suspicious for a high-grade lesion: atypical squamous metaplastic cells (62%), atypical keratinized cells (20%), and dysplastic cells of borderline nuclear-to-cytoplasm ratio (18%). HPV analysis confirmed the presence of high-risk HPV types in the study cases with high-grade cervical biopsies. CONCLUSIONS Women with a Pap diagnosis of LSIL cannot exclude HSIL appear to be more likely to harbor a high-grade lesion than those diagnosed with LSIL alone. Its use appears warranted. Women with this diagnosis merit appropriate clinical follow-up to exclude HSIL. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2003. © 2003 American Cancer Society.
Shock-wave-induced enhancement of optical emission in nitrogen afterglow plasma.

This paper reports measurements of optical emission enhancement at the shock front of Mach 1.5 to Mach 3.5 shockwaves propagating in the afterglow of a 0.75 Torr nitrogen glow discharge. Electrically-generated shocks pass through the afterglow and create noticeable enhancements of the B {sup 3}{pi}{sub g}-A {sup 3}{sigma}{sub u}{sup +} and C {sup 3}{pi}{sub u}-B {sup 3}{pi}{sub g} transitions of nitrogen. Under our discharge conditions, the electron Debye length was approximately the same magnitude as the shock thickness; this allows the possibility of a space-charge region extending beyond the neutral shockwave discontinuity. Previous researchers have measured enhancement in the B {sup 3}{pi}{sub g}-A {sup 3}{sigma}{sub u}{sup +} optical emission at the shock front, but only in the active discharge. Fibers connected to photomultipler tubes measure the optical emission from the discharge. Laser deflection measures the shock velocity. The data reveals that the emission enhancement increases with Mach number, and also indicates that the emission enhancement decreases exponentially with time in the afterglow. Since the discharge voltage has already been shut off, the energy needed to create the emission enhancement cannot come from the power supply. We conclude that under our discharge conditions there is an increase in the already non-equilibriummore » energy of the electrons at the shock front via a shockwave-induced strong double layer.« less
Is lower extremity strength gain associated with improvement in physical performance and disability in frail, community-dwelling elders?

Abstract Background: Strength loss is strongly associated with functional decline and is reversible with exercise. The effect of increased strength on function has not been clearly established. The purpose of this study was to determine whether strength gain is associated with improvement in physical performance and disability. Methods: One hundred functionally impaired community-dwelling men and women (77.6 ± 7.6yrs) were tested at baseline and outcome for lower extremity strength, physical performance, and disability. After random group assignment, exercise participants received strengthening exercises in their homes three times a week for 10 weeks while control subjects continued their normal activities. Using multiple regression techniques, the relationship between strength gain and improvement in physical performance and disability was assessed, controlling for age, depression, and baseline strength. Results: A significant impact of strength gain on mobility skills ( p = .0009) was found. The impact of strength gain on chair rise performance was significant in participants who were more impaired ( p = .04). Strength gain was associated with gain in gait speed ( p = .02) and in falls efficacy ( p = .05), but not with other balance, endurance, or disability measures. Conclusions: Lower extremity strength gain is associated with gains in chair rise performance, gait speed, and in mobility tasks such as gait, transfers, stooping, and stair climbing, but not with improved endurance, balance, or disability. Strength gain is also associated with improvement in confidence in mobility. Factors that may influence the ability of strength gain to affect function are initial level of frailty and specificity of exercise. These results support the idea that strength training is an intervention that can potentially improve physical health status in many frail elders.
Ethanol consumption and reward are decreased in mu-opiate receptor knockout mice.

Rationale: Differences in µ-opiate receptor (MOR) gene expression may modulate the rewarding effects of ethanol. Objective: The effects of MOR gene knockout (KO) were examined in wild-type (+/+), heterozygote MOR KO (+/–), and homozygote MOR KO (–/–) mice on voluntary ethanol consumption, conditioned place preference produced by ethanol, and locomotor responses to ethanol in separate groups of mice. Methods: Voluntary ethanol consumption (2–32% v/v) was examined in a two-bottle home-cage consumption test. The conditioned place preference paradigm was a biased design. Mice received four pairings of ethanol (2.0 g/kg IP) on the initially preferred side and four pairings on the initially non-preferred side with saline. The difference in time spent on the initially non-preferred side (pre- versus post-conditioning) was the measure of drug-induced preference. After habituation to a novel locomotor test chamber mice were tested, on subsequent sessions, for ethanol induced locomotion (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg IP). Results: Heterozygous and homozygous MOR KO mice consumed less ethanol than wild-type mice. These effects appeared to be greater in female KO mice than in male KO mice. MOR KO mice, especially females, exhibited less ethanol reward in a conditioned place preference paradigm. These effects on ethanol reward were produced by reductions in MOR expression levels as small as 50%. MOR KO mice exhibited less ethanol-stimulated locomotion than did wild-type mice, an effect that was also largest in females. Conclusions: These data fit with the reported therapeutic efficacy of MOR antagonists in the treatment of human alcoholism. Allelic variants that confer differing levels of MOR expression could provide different degrees of risk for alcoholism.
Control of current-induced spin-orbit effects in a ferromagnetic heterostructure by electric field

We study the effects of electrostatic gating on the current-induced phenomena in ultrathin ferromagnet/heavy metal heterostructures. We utilize heterodyne detection and analysis of symmetry with respect to the direction of the magnetic field to separate electric field contributions to the magnetic anisotropy, current-induced fieldlike torque, and damping torque. Analysis of the electric field effects allows us to estimate the Rashba and the spin Hall contributions to the current-induced phenomena. Electrostatic gating can provide insight into the spin-orbit phenomena, and enable new functionalities in spintronic devices.
The Franc in War and Reconstruction

I. Introduction, 523. — II. The fundamental role of budgetary deficits, 525.—III. The quantity theory, 528.—IV. Purchasing power parity, 533. — V. Conclusion, 536.
The effects of thermal shocking on the residual stress in Si3N4 ceramic composites

In this work, synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction results on Si3N4 ceramic composites are presented and interpreted in order to analyze the variations of the residual stress in the samples as the preparation and the thermal treatment methods are changed. Along with the elasticity theory, the shifts of the diffraction peak positions when the sample is tilted at various angles with respect to the incoming beam, are used to determine the stress in the sample. A detailed comparison of the residual stresses between the as-machined and the thermally shocked samples are made and the effects of thermal shocking temperature on the residual stress and the strength of the materials are discussed. Angle dispersive X-ray diffraction results indicated a correlation between the residual stress and the thermal shocking temperature as the compression increased in both directions parallel and perpendicular to the surface reaching a maximum around 1100°C. The increase in the compression near the surface layers is a favorable situation from the point of crack initiation on the surface since the existing cracks can be reduced in size by thermal shocking, and the developed compressive stresses can play a role in preventing the initiation and propagation of the cracks. The X-ray diffraction results were compared with various strength tests results on these materials.
FGF23, hypophosphatemia, and rickets: Has phosphatonin been found?

The mineralization of cartilage and bone matrix requires adequate supplies of calcium and phosphate. Among the causes of defective mineralization of bone (osteomalacia) and defective mineralization of cartilage (rickets) are renal phosphate-wasting disorders that produce hypophosphatemia. Phosphate wasting is either inherited as X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets or autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets, or acquired, as can occur in patients with a variety of benign mesenchymal tumors (hemangiopericytomas, fibromas, angiosarcomas, etc.) (1). Osteomalacia induced by tumors is invariably curable if the tumor can be found and resected, indicating that it has a humoral basis. A paper by Shimada et al. (2) in this issue of PNAS identifies a member of the fibroblast growth factor family, FGF23, as the humoral factor that is secreted by tumors to cause tumor-induced osteomalacia. With the discovery that a protease mutation and a cleavage site mutation may cause the same disease, the puzzle pieces could fit together nicely.
Certificate revocation list distribution in VANETs using Most Pieces Broadcast

This paper describes a novel idea for distributing certificate revocation lists (CRLs) in a vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) scenario. The idea, Most Pieces Broadcast (MPB), takes advantage of the two distinct channel types in VANETs while reducing contention for the wireless medium. Broadcast methods that reduce wireless medium contention in VANETs are highly desirable to assist in keeping the medium available for transmission of time-critical safety messages. MPB scales remarkably well using raptor coding to generate redundant file pieces.
Two-dimensional modeling of the growth of GaAs from (C2H5)2GaCl and AsH3

Abstract A two-dimensional model for the growth of GaAs from (C 2 H 5 ) 2 GaCl (DEGaCl) and AsH 3 in a horizontal CVD reactor is presented which includes the imposition of thermodynamic equilibrium at the growth front as a simplification of the growth chemistry. GaAs deposition from DEGaCl introduces HCl into the gas phase which inhibits the growth rate of GaAs further downstream on the susceptor. The reversible nature of this deposition reaction is a marked departure from the simple pyrolysis models used for (CH 3 ) 3 Ga-based GaAs growth. The growth of GaAs from DEGaCl is therefore modeled by imposing thermodynamic equilibrium between the growth nutrients near the growth front. This type of boundary condition introduces changes into the numerical procedure used to model these systems. The gas phase concentrations of GaCl and HCl, the assumed active gas phase nutrients, are related to the amounts of consumed GaCl and generated HCl through the growth reaction. These gas phase concentrations are determined and the growth rate derived from the gas phase concentration profiles. A form of marching solution with dynamic implementation of the reaction boundary condition was used to derive the numerical solution. This numerical model is compared to experimental data.
Thermochemistry of yavapaiite KFe(SO4)2: Formation and decomposition

Abstract Yavapaiite, KFe(SO 4 ) 2 , is a rare mineral in nature, but its structure is considered as a reference for many synthetic compounds in the alum supergroup. Several authors mention the formation of yavapaiite by heating potassium jarosite above ca. 400°C. To understand the thermal decomposition of jarosite, thermodynamic data for phases in the K-Fe-S-O-(H) system, including yavapaiite, are needed. A synthetic sample of yavapaiite was characterized in this work by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermal analysis. Based on X-ray diffraction pattern refinement, the unit cell dimensions for this sample were found to be a = 8.152 ± 0.001 A, b = 5.151 ± 0.001 A, c = 7.875 ± 0.001 A, and β = 94.80°. Thermal decomposition indicates that the final breakdown of the yavapaiite structure takes place at 700°C (first major endothermic peak), but the decomposition starts earlier, around 500°C. The enthalpy of formation from the elements of yavapaiite, KFe(SO 4 ) 2 , ΔH° f = −2042.8 ± 6.2 kJ/mol, was determined by high-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry. Using literature data for hematite, corundum, and Fe/Al sulfates, the standard entropy and Gibbs free energy of formation of yavapaiite at 25°C (298 K) were calculated as S°(yavapaiite) = 224.7 ± 2.0 J.mol −1 .K −1 and ΔG° f = −1818.8 ± 6.4 kJ/mol. The equilibrium decomposition curve for the reaction jarosite = yavapaiite + Fe 2 O 3 + H 2 O has been calculated, at pH 2 O = 1 atm, the phase boundary lies at 219 ± 2°C.
Do the current subclassifications of stage T3 adenocarcinoma of the prostate have clinical relevance

Abstract Objectives To compare the outcome of patients with T3a and T3c adenocarcinoma of the prostate and determine the utility of these substages as defined in the current American Joint Committee on Cancer and the International Union Against Cancer (AJCC/UICC) staging system. Methods An analysis was performed of patients with T3 (clinical) prostate cancer treated with definitive irradiation at the Fox Chase Cancer Center between 1986 and 1993. The series was composed of 66 patients with T3a tumors and 44 patients with T3c tumors. The endpoints studied included freedom from biochemical relapse (bNED) and rates of clinical local and distant failure. Results No statistically significant differences in freedom from biochemical relapse were observed when comparing patients with T3a and T3c disease (3 years bNED, 41%; difference not significant). Similarly, there was no difference in the patterns of clinical failure at 3 years when comparing patients with T3a and T3c disease (21 % clinically detected distant metastases; Conclusions Anatomic substaging that is based on the findings of the digital rectal examination does not distinguish meaningful prognostic substages among patients with T3 disease. PSA should be used to establish biochemical substaging of patients who present with T3 prostate cancer.
Chiropractic spinal manipulation for low back pain of pregnancy: a retrospective case series.

Low back pain is a common complaint in pregnancy, with a reported prevalence of 57% to 69% and incidence of 61%. Although such pain can result in significant disability, it has been shown that as few as 32% of women report symptoms to their prenatal provider, and only 25% of providers recommend treatment. Chiropractors sometimes manage low back pain in pregnant women; however, scarce data exist regarding such treatment. This retrospective case series was undertaken to describe the results of a group of pregnant women with low back pain who underwent chiropractic treatment including spinal manipulation. Seventeen cases met all inclusion criteria. The overall group average Numerical Rating Scale pain score decreased from 5.9 (range 2–10) at initial presentation to 1.5 (range 0–5) at termination of care. Sixteen of 17 (94.1%) cases demonstrated clinically important improvement. The average time to initial clinically important pain relief was 4.5 (range 0–13) days after initial presentation, and the average number of visits undergone up to that point was 1.8 (range 1–5). No adverse effects were reported in any of the 17 cases. The results suggest that chiropractic treatment was safe in these cases and support the hypothesis that it may be effective for reducing pain intensity.
Surface and kinetic enhancement of selectivity and sensitivity in analysis with fast scan voltammetry at scan rates above 1000 V/s

Abstract Selectivity and sensitivity in the determination of low concentrations of dopamine (cation) in the presence of large excess of ascorbic acid (anion), and in the determination of low concentrations of uric acid in the presence of ascorbic acid, has been investigated by fast scan voltammetry at bare electrodes. In spite of similar reaction potentials of dopamine and ascorbic acid, selectivity to dopamine can be substantially improved at a bare electrode by pushing the scan rate up to 10000 V/s. Determination of dopamine in the presence of 1000 fold excess of ascorbic acid is possible at high scan rates because of the differences in the electrochemical kinetics of the two probes. In addition, fast scan voltammetry at bare electrodes can achieve improved selectivity to uric acid (anion) in the presence of ascorbic acid (anion). The effect of the method of electrode surface treatment on response (peak separation and peak current in voltammetry) to dopamine and uric acid is also discussed. Signalto-noise ratios at bare electrodes can be improved in fast scan methods because of the high temporal resolution of the method which allows acquisition of a large number of scans which can be signal averaged in a short period of time. In addition, because voltammetric peak current increases with scan rate, large signals can be measured. The limitations of fast scan voltammetry at bare electrodes are also discussed, such as the requirement for accurate background subtraction and the limited digital resolution which results from high background currents.
Glare and shadow reduction for desktop digital camera capture systems

The quality of images of objects with significant 3D structure, captured at close range under a flash, may be substantially degraded by glare and shadow regions. In this paper, we introduce an imaging system and corresponding algorithm to address this situation. The imaging system captures three frames of the stationary scene using a single camera in a fixed position, but an illumination source in three different positions, one for each frame. The algorithm includes two processes: shadow detection and image fusion. Through shadow detection, we can locate the area of shadows. After getting the shadow maps, we generate a more complete final image by image fusion. Our experimental results show that in most cases, the shadow and glare are markedly reduced.