cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional Metal Matrix Composites: Self-lubricating, Self-healing, and Nanocomposites-An Outlook

Many different types of advanced metal matrix composites are now available, some of which possess functional properties. Recent work on particle-reinforced, self-lubricating and self-healing metals and metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) synthesized by solidification synthesis is reviewed. Particle-based MMNCs have been developed by several modern processing tools based on either solid- or liquid-phase synthesis techniques that are claimed to exhibit exciting mechanical properties including improvements of modulus, yield strength, and ultimate tensile strength. This article presents a brief and objective review of the work done over the last decade to identify the challenges and future opportunities in the area of functional nanocomposites. Increasing interest in lightweight materials has resulted in studies on hollow particle-filled metal matrix syntactic foams. Syntactic foams seem especially suitable for development with functional properties such as self-healing and self-lubrication. The metal matrix micro and nanocomposites, and syntactic foams having combinations of ultrahigh strength and wear resistance, self-lubricating, and/or self-healing properties can lead to increased energy efficiency, reliability, comfort of operation, reparability, and safety of vehicles. The focus of the present review is aluminum and magnesium matrix functional materials.
Permissive Hypoxemia Versus Normoxemia for Critically Ill Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation

©2015 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4037/ccn2015578 Study Description and Results This summary is based on a Cochrane systematic review that aimed to review the existing evidence supporting the use of permissive hypoxemia to improve outcomes in critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation. The reviewers searched for randomized control trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs that compared an intervention group of patients with hypoxemia relative to the control group and a control group of patients with either normoxemia or mild hypoxemia (not hyperoxemia). They did not specify the criteria or clinical parameters defining hypoxemia or the methods for achieving permissive hypoxemia. Their search included all patients, in any critical care setting, at least 1 year of age, excluding neonates and infants exposed to hypoxia in utero. The primary outcomes included mortality at the longest follow-up and overall 28day mortality. Secondary outcomes included the following: 1. Number of days of ventilation (invasive and noninvasive) 2. Ventilator-free days 3. Requirement for inotrope support Review Question Does permissive hypoxemia in critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation affect patient morbidity and mortality?
Perimortem calcaneal and talar fractures sustained in a military air crash in Vietnam

The authors report on the skeletal elements of a minimum of 37 men who died in 1965 when their C-123 cargo airplane crashed into a mountainside in South Vietnam. Natural environmental processes reduced their bodies to skeletons; these osseous remains were recovered from the crash site nearly 10 years later. Among the remains were the calcanei and tali of at least 37 people. These bones, devoid of soft tissue, provide a rare opportunity to examine and document the pattern of perimortem fractures in multiple individuals who died in the same incident. This case also provides information on a range of variability of skeletal fractures that is unavailable in comparative skeletal collections, and that might be overlooked with radiography or during physical examination.
Risk Assessment of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Construction: State-of-the-Art Review

AbstractWork-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have long been a primary cause of non-fatal injuries in construction. They involve sudden or continuous stresses on a worker’s musculoskeletal system (e.g., muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones) and may impair the ability of the worker to perform his or her job, or even cause permanent disability. Although assessing exposure to risk factors of WMSDs has proven to be feasible to alleviate the incidence rate of this injury, the field remains underdeveloped because of a lack of knowledge among construction professionals regarding the enabling techniques and their performance and limits. This paper reviews the available techniques for WMSD risk assessments, summarizes their benefits and limitations, and identifies areas in which further studies are still needed. Current techniques are categorized into self-report, observation, direct measurement, and remote sensing assessment. Particular interests are revealed in the wearable-sensor and vision-based techniq...
Commentary: Center for promoting research to practice: Moving from findings to implementation

Center for Promoting Research to Practice—Schools, Families, Communities (CPRP) at Lehigh University is described. The CPRP was designed to serve as an institutional commitment to the concept of moving empirically supported research into practice. Focused on students with or at risk for disabilities, the CPRP at Lehigh University engages faculty across disciplines and establishes partnerships with schools to provide a working laboratory for bringing research to practice. Links to the other articles in the mini-series are included. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 42: 585–591, 2005.
Gradient Descent Interference Avoidance for Uplink CDMA Systems with Multipath

In this paper we present an algorithm for joint codeword and power adaptation in uplink code division multiple access (CDMA) systems with multipath channels between users and the base station. The algorithm is based on gradient descent (GD) interference avoidance (IA) and adapts user codewords and powers incrementally to meet specified targets for the signal- to-interference+noise-ratio (SINR). The proposed algorithm is illustrated with numerical examples obtained from simulations.
Measuring and Modeling the Effects of Long-Term Buyer–Seller Relationships in Corporate Financial Services Markets

Abstract This paper focuses on attempting to identify and model the role that the long-term relationship plays in affecting future sales versus the roles of other such forces as product performance, sales activities, and price. A conceptual model of the long-term relationship is developed and empirically tested on data obtained from top level financial executives of 123 “important” customers of a major money center commercial bank. A structural equation model using multiple indicators is developed and estimated. Results indicate knowledge and perception of actively seeking customer's business affects the longevity of the relationship. Competitive pricing and past usage improve relative perceived performance. In turn, relative perceived performance and relationship longevity are positively related to future usage.
Balancing Fish Consumption Benefits with Mercury Exposure

Risk assessments relying on the U.S. EPA reference dose (RfD) for methylmercury exposure have led to restrictive fish consumption advisories in many states. These advisories fail to account for the benefits associated with fish consumption. Although the use of an RfD is valuable in efforts to regulate industrial emissions, food consumption advice should occur within a broader context that includes consideration of both risks and benefits.
Outcomes of a Weight Loss Intervention among Rural Breast Cancer Survivors

Obese breast cancer survivors have increased risk of recurrence and death compared to their normal weight counterparts. Rural women have significantly higher obesity rates, thus weight control intervention may be a key strategy for prevention of breast cancer recurrence in this population. This one-arm treatment study examined the impact of a group-based weight control intervention delivered through conference call technology to obese breast cancer survivors living in remote rural locations. The intervention included a reduced calorie diet incorporating prepackaged entrees and shakes, physical activity gradually increased to 225 min/week of moderate intensity exercise, and weekly group phone sessions. Outcomes included anthropomorphic, diet, physical activity, serum biomarker, and quality of life changes. Ninety-one percent of participants (31 of 34) attended >75% of intervention sessions and completed post-treatment data collection visits. At 6 months, significant changes were observed for weight (-12.5 ± 5.8 kg, 13.9% of baseline weight), waist circumference (-9.4 ± 6.3 cm), daily energy intake (-349 ± 550 kcal/day), fruits, and vegetables (+3.7 ± 4.3 servings/day), percent kcal from fat (-12.6 ± 8.6%), physical activity (+1235 ± 832 kcal/week; all P values 10% weight loss as well as significant improvements across multiple endpoints. The group phone-based treatment delivery approach may help disseminate effective weight control intervention to hard-to-reach breast cancer survivors.
Screening for problem drinking among college freshmen

Abstract Putpose: This study identified predictors of older adolescents at risk for problem drinking. Methods: College freshmen ( n = 492) completed a questionnaire that addressed drinking patterns, risk factors for problem drinking, the CAGE questions, the Perceived-Benefit-of-Drinking Scale (PBDS), and the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test (CAST). They also responded to questions regarding alcohol-related problems including blackouts; alcohol-related injury, illness, violence, or legal problems; driving under the influence; and missing class. 50% of students were male with a mean age of 17.9 years (SD = 0.5). Results: Higher scores on the CAGE and PBDS, use of tobacco, best friend's drinking pattern, and younger age at first drinking were associated with higher scores on a quantity/frequency drinking index and with reports of significantly more alcohol-related problems. Regression models using these variables explained 40% to 51% of the variance in drinking habits and alcohol-related problems. Conclusion: A composite screening measure had significantly better sensitivity and specificity than either the CAGE or PBDS alone in identifying older adolescents at high risk for problem drinking.
Abstract 5048: mTORC1/mTORC2 signaling in pediatric low grade glioma and pilocytic astrocytoma.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Pilocytic astrocytoma is the most frequent low grade glioma in children and young adults. Previous studies support a role for MAPK pathway signaling, and more recently AKT/mTOR, in its biology. mTOR operates as part of two different multiprotein signaling complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2. In the current study we evaluated mTORC1/mTORC2 pathway activity in pediatric low grade astrocytoma. We used formalin-fixed paraffin embedded human pilocytic astrocytomas for immunohistochemical studies in tissue microarrays. Moderate (2+) to strong (3+) immunostaining was observed for pS6 in 66/114(58%), p4EBP1 in 35/116(30%), pElF4G in 66/113 (58%), and mTOR (total) in 52/114 (46%), supporting mTOR pathway activation in a subset of pediatric astrocytomas. Specifically, there was increased immunoreactivity in pilocytic astrocytomas of the optic nerve proper (pS6 39/54(72%), p4EBP1 22/54 (41%), 4IF4G 41/53 (77%), and mTOR 28/54 (52%)), a difference that was statistically significant for pS6, p4E-BP1 and pEIF4G (p<0.05, Chi Square). Next, we studied total levels of Raptor (mTORC1 component) and Rictor (mTORC2 component). We observed moderate to strong Raptor reactivity in 81/142 (57%) and Rictor in 69/141(49%) pilocytic astrocytomas. By contrast, we observed increased Rictor immunostaining in 90/144 (63%) diffuse gliomas grade II-IV and Raptor in 28/147 (19%), a difference that was statistically significant between the two groups (p<0.001, Chi Square). Next we studied in vitro the effect of mTORC1 blockade in pediatric low grade glioma cell lines Res 186 and Res 259 with a TORC1 inhibitor. Using the MTT assay, Res 186 cell growth was inhibited with 1nM and 10nM drug concentrations, compared with DMSO (p<0.005, t-test), but the effect was less pronounced in Res 259. Additionally, pS6 levels were decreased by Western Blot in Res 186 cells, but not in Res 259, consistent with mTORC1 inhibition of Res 186 cells. The findings suggest that the mTOR pathway is active in a subset of pediatric low grade gliomas, that it varies by clinicopathologic subtype, and that it is primarily mediated by mTORC1 compared with other glioma subtypes. Furthermore, mTOR may represent a therapeutic target in pediatric low grade glioma that merits further investigation. Citation Format: Smit Shah, Marianne Hutt, Matthias A. Karajannis, Eric Raabe, Charles G. Eberhart, Fausto J. Rodriguez. mTORC1/mTORC2 signaling in pediatric low grade glioma and pilocytic astrocytoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5048. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5048
First occurrence of the goldspotted oak borer parasitoid, Calosota elongata (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), in California

Calosota elongata Gibson (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) is a gregarious, ectoparasitic larval parasitoid that was described recently (Gibson 2010) in association with the goldspotted oak borer, Agrilus coxalis Waterhouse [now considered to be Agrilus auroguttatus Schaeffer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)] in its native range in southeastern Arizona. We have discovered this parasitoid outside of its presumptive native range on 1 December 2010 near the Pine Creek Trailhead, Cleveland National Forest in San Diego Co., California, beneath the bark of coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia Nee (Fagaceae), in association with A. auroguttatus.
Synthesize evidence and they will change

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is an outgrowth of the 20th century Western world’s embrace of modernity based on the belief that by compiling, categorizing, synthesizing, and grading the medical literature the wisdom accumulated in the synthesis would move medical practice away from its anecdotal and traditional roots into a golden age of rationalism. Clinicians guided by evidence reports, metaanalyses, and quality grades would experience the benefits of the enlightenment and embrace the progress and improvement inherent in modernity. Implicit in this sequence is an untested assumption (quality grade of “poor,” recommendation I) that physicians would desire to modernize their practice, and furthermore, inherent within the accumulation and cataloguing of evidence would be the motivation to change their behavior. This is analogous to the assumption in the movie, Field of Dreams, where the builder of a baseball stadium in the middle of a cornfield in rural Iowa repeatedly claims, “build it and they will come.” 1 Berghella et al work within this paradigm and the untested assumptions of EBM and provide readers with an excellent summation of evidence-based intrapartum care. 2 Despite the quality and thoroughness of their work, the question remains—is EBM effective at improving physicians’ practice? This hypothesis— compile and grade evidence and practice will subsequently change— has seldom been tested despite its adherents’ firm reliance on hypothesis testing as the first step to rational practice in all other endeavors. Gulmezoglu et al 3 took the brave step of scientifically evaluating that hypothesis using the premier tool available to EBM proponents: a randomized clinical trial. Using state-of-the-art design techniques with cluster randomization of hospitals, they conducted a rigorous trial that culminated in a negative result. Making practitioners aware of the quality and quantity of evidence about obstetric practice and giving them increased accessibility and training in EBM failed to change their behavior in any significant fashion. This builds on the negative results of other trialists modern enough to test EBMs embedded “build it and they will come” hypothesis. 4 I learned how little effect EBM had on clinical practice early in my career. Standing on the better performed trials of Euro
Inflectional morphology in primary progressive aphasia: An elicited production study

Inflectional morphology lies at the intersection of phonology, syntax and the lexicon, three language domains that are differentially impacted in the three main variants of primary progressive aphasia (PPA). To characterize spared and impaired aspects of inflectional morphology in PPA, we elicited inflectional morphemes in 48 individuals with PPA and 13 healthy age-matched controls. We varied the factors of regularity, frequency, word class, and lexicality, and used voxel-based morphometry to identify brain regions where atrophy was predictive of deficits on particular conditions. All three PPA variants showed deficits in inflectional morphology, with the specific nature of the deficits dependent on the anatomical and linguistic features of each variant. Deficits in inflecting low-frequency irregular words were associated with semantic PPA, with lexical/semantic deficits, and with left temporal atrophy. Deficits in inflecting pseudowords were associated with non-fluent/agrammatic and logopenic variants, with phonological deficits, and with left frontal and parietal atrophy.
BIO-ASSAY OF CALORIGEN1C SUBSTANCES USING TADPOLES OF XENOPUS LAEVIS1

The assay of thyroidal and other calorigenic preparations in amphibia has not been completely satisfactory. Recently Deanesly and Parkes (1945 a, b) have devised a new method for thyroidal assay utilizing the eruption of the fore limbs in tadpoles of Xenopus laevis. The many obvious advantages of their method may establish it as the most useful procedure for work in this field. However, the time required for the assay (seven days) and the relative insensitivity of the test are disadvantages for certain special problems involving the thyroid. By using the appearance of the fore limb buds as an endpoint we have been able to modify the procedure so that the time required has been shortened from seven to three days and the sensitivity has been increased about twentyfold. materials and methods The details of the care, handling and feeding of the adult toads were essentially those described by Deanesly and Parkes.
Substance abuse treatment for HIV infected young people: An open pilot trial

Abstract The purpose of this study was to test an integrated cognitive behavioral and contingency management (CBT/CM) intervention for young people living with HIV (YPLH) with an alcohol and/or cannabis use disorder in an open pilot trial. Seventeen participants (ages 18–24) were recruited from three HIV community clinics. Assessments were completed at pre-and post-treatment as well as 3month follow-up. Eighty percent of participants were retained in the study. Results suggest that the CBT/CM intervention was acceptable, feasible, and could be delivered with fidelity. Further, participants reported significant reductions in alcohol use, withdrawal symptoms, dependence symptoms and related problems, as well as co-occurring depressive symptoms and delinquent behavior across assessment periods. A trend was evident for reductions in marijuana use and related problems. Overall, these preliminary results suggest that a substance abuse CBT/CM intervention tailored to YPLH is acceptable, feasible, and holds promise for symptomatic improvement. Further testing of this type of protocol is warranted.
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy in pediatric patients: results of surgical treatment.

Abstract Between April 1975 and May 1995, 25 pediatric patients on one hospital service underwent extended left ventricular septal myectomy because of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Ages ranged from 2 months to 20 years (mean, 11.2 years). Seventeen patients had moderate to severe mitral valve insufficiency. Medical therapy had failed in all patients and one patient had undergone dual-chamber pacemaker implantation without improvement. Left ventricular outflow tract gradients ranged from 50 to 154 mm Hg (mean, 99.9 ± 25.2). Concomitant cardiac procedures included mitral valve repair (n = 2), automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation (n = 1), and closure of atrial septal defect (n = 1). Intraoperative premyectomy left ventricular outflow tract gradients ranged from 20 to 117 mm Hg (mean, 60.4 ± 26.2) and postmyectomy gradients ranged from 0 to 20 mm Hg (mean, 6.6 ± 5.9). Postmyectomy mitral insufficiency was reduced to a regurgitant fraction of 0% to 12%, and no patient required mitral valve replacement. One patient required a pacemaker because of complete heart block; on subsequent follow-up, normal sinus rhythm had returned. There was no early mortality and no instance of aortic or mitral valve injury or ventricular septal defect. Follow-up ranged from 10 months to 20 years (mean, 6.4 years). There were no late deaths. Left ventricular outflow tract gradients by echocardiography were a mean of 14.2 mm Hg with a median of 5.0 mm Hg. All patients had normal sinus rhythm. Reoperation because of recurrent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction was necessary in two patients at 3.2 years and 12.4 years after initial myectomy, respectively. All patients but one have New York Heart Association class I or II function. We conclude that extended septal myectomy is a safe and effective means of relieving cardiac symptoms and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in pediatric patients with severe hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy unresponsive to medical management, and late survivorship compares favorably with the natural history of the disease. (J T horac C ardiovasc S urg 1996;112:1589-99)
What is the role of SNARE proteins in membrane fusion

Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor activating protein receptor (SNARE) proteins have been at the fore-front of research on biological membrane fusion for some time. The subcellular localizat...
Sensitivity of arterial spin labeling perfusion MRI to pharmacologically induced perfusion changes in rat kidneys.

Purpose To investigate whether arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI is sensitive to changes by pharmacologically induced vasodilation and vasoconstriction in rat kidneys. Materials and Methods Changes in renal cortical blood flow in seven rats were induced by adenosine infusion (vasodilation) and L-NAME injection (vasoconstriction). All imaging studies were performed on a 3 Tesla scanner using a FAIR-TrueFISP sequence for the ASL implementation. The acquisition time for each ASL scan was 6 min. Cortical perfusion rates were calculated using regions of interest analysis, and the differences in perfusion rates during baseline, vasodilation, and vasoconstriction were compared and assessed for statistical significance. Results Compared with the baseline, an average of 94 mL/100 g/min increase and 157 mL/100 g/min decrease in cortical perfusion was observed following adenosine infusion and L-NAME administration, respectively. The changes in cortical perfusion were significant between baseline and vasodilation (P < 0.05), baseline and vasoconstriction (P < 0.01), and vasodilation and vasoconstriction (P < 0.01). Conclusion ASL is sensitive to pharmacologically induced perfusion changes in rat kidneys at doses comparable to current use. The preliminary results suggest the feasibility of ASL for investigating renal blood flow in a variety of rodent models. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:1124–1128. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Combining Experts: Decomposition and Aggregation Order

In this article we ask, if quantities in an elicitation have been decomposed, is it better to combine experts before or after recomposing the quantities? We find that combining experts earlier, before recomposition of the quantities, leads to smaller errors with less variance. A simulation shows that these differences may be quite small on average; while an application to actual data shows that the differences can be significant in individual decision problems.
Glyoxylate Metabolism Is a Key Feature of the Metabolic Degradation of 1,4-Dioxane by Pseudonocardia dioxanivorans Strain CB1190

The groundwater contaminant 1,4-dioxane (dioxane) is transformed by several monooxygenase-expressing microorganisms, but only a few of these, including Pseudonocardia dioxanivorans strain CB1190, can metabolize the compound as a sole carbon and energy source. However, nothing is yet known about the genetic basis of dioxane metabolism. In this study, we used a microarray to study differential expression of genes in strain CB1190 grown on dioxane, glycolate (a previously identified intermediate of dioxane degradation), or pyruvate. Of eight multicomponent monooxygenase gene clusters carried by the strain CB1190 genome, only the monooxygenase gene cluster located on plasmid pPSED02 was upregulated with dioxane relative to pyruvate. Plasmid-borne genes for putative aldehyde dehydrogenases, an aldehyde reductase, and an alcohol oxidoreductase were also induced during growth with dioxane. With both dioxane and glycolate, a chromosomal gene cluster encoding a putative glycolate oxidase was upregulated, as were chromosomal genes related to glyoxylate metabolism through the glyoxylate carboligase pathway. Glyoxylate carboligase activity in cell extracts from cells pregrown with dioxane and in Rhodococcus jostii strain RHA1 cells expressing the putative strain CB1190 glyoxylate carboligase gene further demonstrated the role of glyoxylate metabolism in the degradation of dioxane. Finally, we used (13)C-labeled dioxane amino acid isotopomer analysis to provide additional evidence that metabolites of dioxane enter central metabolism as three-carbon compounds, likely as phosphoglycerate. The routing of dioxane metabolites via the glyoxylate carboligase pathway helps to explain how dioxane is metabolized as a sole carbon and energy source for strain CB1190.
The Fermat equation over quadratic fields

Abstract Kummer's method of proof is applied to the Fermat equation over quadratic fields. The concept of an m-regular prime, p, is introduced and it is shown that for certain values of m, the Fermat equation with exponent p has no nontrivial solutions over the field Q(√m).
Performance of the CESR high luminosity interaction region

In November 1995, the Cornell Electron Storage Ring (CESR) began Phase II operations. The CESR/CLEO Phase II upgrade involved the installation of a silicon vertex detector for the CLEO experiment, and an interaction region optimized for a small-radius (2 cm) beampipe and bunch-train collisions at total beam currents of 600 mA. The operating experience of the CESR Phase II interaction region is reviewed.
Community pediatrics research.

The Issue. Increasing recognition of the complexity and importance of social determinants of child health has changed dramatically the scope, direction, and purpose of pediatric research. Considered in the context of the evolving research on the role of the human genome in determining the functional status of children and adults, the increasing focus on the social determinants of health emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary collaboration in research endeavors. The changing roles of children and youths in developed societies will require an understanding of the complexity and impact of their social, economic, political, and cultural roles in society on health status and outcomes. Globalization, the shrinking scope of national governments, the growing irrelevance of national borders, and our inexorable march toward a more integrated and interdependent world will have health consequences that as yet are not understood. These factors set the stage for the coming century and form the backdrop against which the formulation of research priorities must be staged.
Effective jump-pointer prefetching for linked data structures

Current techniques for prefetching linked data structures (LDS) exploit the work available in one loop iteration or recursive call to overlap pointer chasing latency. Jump pointers, which provide direct access to non-adjacent nodes, can be used for prefetching when loop and recursive procedure bodies are small and do not have sufficient work to overlap a long latency. This paper describes a framework for jump-pointer prefetching (JPP) that supports four prefetching idioms: queue, full, chain, and root jumping and three implementations: software-only, hardware-only, and a cooperative software/hardware technique. On a suite of pointer intensive programs, jump pointer prefetching reduces memory stall time by 72% for software, 83% for cooperative and 55% for hardware, producing speedups of 15%, 20% and 22% respectively.
Sequential binding of αVβ3 and ICAM-1 determines fibrin-mediated melanoma capture and stable adhesion to CD11b/CD18 on neutrophils.

Fibrin (Fn) deposition defines several type 1 immune responses, including delayed-type hypersensitivity and autoimmunity in which polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) are involved. Fn monomer and fibrinogen are multivalent ligands for a variety of cell receptors during cell adhesion. These cell receptors provide critical linkage among thrombosis, inflammation, and cancer metastasis under venous flow conditions. However, the mechanisms of Fn-mediated interactions among immune cells and circulating tumor cells remain elusive. By using a cone-plate viscometer shear assay and dual-color flow cytometry, we demonstrated that soluble fibrinogen and Fn had different abilities to enhance heterotypic aggregation between PMNs and Lu1205 melanoma cells in a shear flow, regulated by thrombin levels. In addition, the involvement of integrin αvβ3, ICAM-1, and CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1) in fibrin(ogen)-mediated melanoma–PMN aggregations was explored. Kinetic studies provided evidence that ICAM-1 mediated initial capture of melanoma cells by PMNs, whereas αvβ3 played a role in sustained adhesion of the two cell types at a shear rate of 62.5 s−1. Quantitative analysis of the melanoma–PMN interactions conducted by a parallel-plate flow chamber assay further revealed that at a shear rate of 20 s−1, αvβ3 had enough contact time to form bonds with Mac-1 via Fn, which could not otherwise occur at a shear rate higher than 62.5 s−1. Our studies have captured a novel finding that leukocytes could be recruited to tumor cells via thrombin-mediated Fn formation within a tumor microenvironment, and αvβ3 and ICAM-1 may participate in multistep fibrin(ogen)-mediated melanoma cell adhesion within the circulation.
Prorenin receptor is critical for nephron progenitors

Deficient nephrogenesis is the major factor contributing to renal hypoplasia defined as abnormally small kidneys. Nephron induction during kidney development is driven by reciprocal interactions between progenitor cells of the cap mesenchyme (CM) and the ureteric bud (UB). The prorenin receptor (PRR) is a receptor for renin and prorenin, and an accessory subunit of the vacuolar proton pump H(+)-ATPase. Global loss of PRR is lethal in mice and PRR mutations are associated with a high blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy and X-linked mental retardation in humans. To circumvent lethality of the ubiquitous PRR mutation in mice and to determine the potential role of the PRR in nephrogenesis, we generated a mouse model with a conditional deletion of the PRR in Six2(+) nephron progenitors and their epithelial derivatives (Six2(PRR-/-)). Targeted ablation of PRR in Six2(+) nephron progenitors caused a marked decrease in the number of developing nephrons, small cystic kidneys and podocyte foot process effacement at birth, and early postnatal death. Reduced congenital nephron endowment resulted from premature depletion of nephron progenitor cell population due to impaired progenitor cell proliferation and loss of normal molecular inductive response to canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling within the metanephric mesenchyme. At 2 months of age, heterozygous Six2(PRR+/-) mice exhibited focal glomerulosclerosis, decreased kidney function and massive proteinuria. Collectively, these findings demonstrate a cell-autonomous requirement for the PRR within nephron progenitors for progenitor maintenance, progression of nephrogenesis, normal kidney development and function.
What Hath 9/11 Wrought?

In the article What Hath 9/11 Wrought? Professor Arnold Loewy provides a critique of the TSA and to some extent the FBI’s treatment of United States’ citizens, and suggests that much of it is inconsistent with the Fourth Amendment.Focusing on the violations of the Fourth Amendment in airports, Professor Loewy recounts personal experiences with the TSA as examples of arbitrariness of the searches and decisions as to what is and is not considered safe. An American woman’s ordeal on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 is shared to illustrate the “government run amuck” and the TSA abusing its power for no apparent reason other than the race of the individual. Finally, Professor Loewy recounts the ordeal of apparently “ordinary” looking Americans who were detained for several hours after their plane landed because of a temporarily unclaimed arguably suspicious suitcase.In conclusion Professor Loewy emphasizes the importance of government officials operating under law and not above it. And while concluding the Fourth Amendment should be relaxed at airports, it should not be irrelevant.
Special purpose computers

Describes computers designed and built for solving specific scientific proble comparing these computers to general purpose computers in both speed and cos Computers described include: hypercube, the QCD machine, Navier-Stokes hydrodynamic solvers, classical molecular dynamic machines, Ising model c
Elevated shear strength of sediments on active margins: Evidence for seismic strengthening

Earthquakes are a primary trigger of submarine landslides, yet some of the most seismically active areas on Earth show a surprisingly low frequency of submarine landslides. Here we show that within the uppermost 100 m below seafloor (mbsf) in previously unfailed sediment, active margins have elevated shear strength by a factor of 2–3 relative to the same interval on passive margins. The elevated shear strength is seen in a global survey of undrained shear strength with depth as well as a normalized analysis that accounts for lithology and stress state. The enhanced shear strength is highest within the uppermost 10 mbsf. These results indicate that large areas of modern day slopes on active margins have enhanced slope stability, which may explain the relative paucity of landslides. These findings lend support to the seismic strengthening hypothesis that the repeated exposure to earthquake energy gradually increases shear strength by shear-induced compaction.
EVALUATION OF THE ASSUMPTION OF WATERTIGHT BEDROCK UNDERLYING AN EXPERIMENTAL WATERSHED

The long-term studies of water and chemical budgets in the Hubbard Brook watershed, White Mountains, New Hampshire, have assumed that the underlying bedrock is watertight and that all of the liquid water discharged from the experimental subcatchment areas was measured using stream gauging instrumentation. This paper reviews the evidence used by past workers to support this assumption. In a reanalysis of the reported relationship between precipitation inputs and stream outputs of chloride, the mean annual groundwater discharge beneath the stream gauging stations was computed to be at least 5–10% of the mean annual precipitation. Groundwater discharge of this quantity would change both the evapotranspiration and the rock-weathering rates reported for the Hubbard Brook watershed. On-site hydrogeological field tests are recommended in all watersheds that are assumed to be underlain by watertight bedrock. [Key words: forested ecosystems, groundwater hydrology, bedrock fractures, water budgets, evapotranspirati...
A consideration of Docutek's Electronic reserve system in a University's Courseware environment

Abstract On many college and university campuses, electronic reserve systems often operate concurrently with courseware products. In this article, consideration is made of the pros and cons of such efforts along with a table that compares features of three systems. The table can be used for advising faculty and comparing systems.
Alterations of Phospholipid Metabolites in Postmortem Brain from Patients with Alzheimer's Diseasea

To test the hypothesis that brain cell membranes degenerate in Alzheimer's disease (AD), we measured the levels of phospholipids, their water-soluble metabolites, and glycerophosphocholine (GPC) cholinephosphodiesterase activity in postmortem brain tissue from patients with AD and age-matched controls. We found significantly higher levels of the phospholipid catabolite GPC in AD brain. In contrast, choline and ethanolamine levels were significantly lower in AD, and phospholipid levels were slightly decreased. Furthermore, in AD the activity of the GPC-degrading enzyme GPC cholinephosphodiesterase was unaltered. Our results indicate that membrane phospholipid catabolism is increased in AD brain. Inasmuch as the tissue levels of initial phospholipid precursors were decreased, we suggest that phospholipid turnover is elevated in this neurodegenerative disease.
MO-DE-201-01: Introduction to the MPLA and Emotional Competencies

Medical physicists possess technical knowledge and problem solving skills required to deliver high quality diagnosis and treatment in the clinic, to provide excellence in research, or to transfer expertise in industrial or regulatory environments. As the healthcare industry rapidly evolves, medical physicists must make a case for ensuring recognition of their value. One of many ways the AAPM is working to ensure stewardship of the profession is through development of the Medical Physics Leadership Academy (MPLA). This session will provide an introduction to the MPLA and one of its focus areas of emotional intelligence. The session will make the case for emotional competencies in addition to technical competencies. MPLA work group representatives will share consolidated results from conducting 360 feedback assessments used to measure emotional competencies of medical physicists. Some emotional competencies contribute more to professional success than others, and the session will explain how to overcome shortcomings. Two specific emotional competencies will be covered: selfawareness and empathy. Learning Objectives: 1.Understand the importance of medical physics leadership in the future of health care 2.Understand emotional intelligence and emotional competencies and ways they can be measured 3.Utilize self-awareness and empathy to improve management of our own emotions and others
In Situ Rhetoric Intersections Between Qualitative Inquiry, Fieldwork, and Rhetoric

This special issue examines intersections between qualitative and rhetorical inquiry through (re)introducing rhetorical fieldwork. We define rhetorical fieldwork as a set of approaches that integra...
Chapter 11 – Fluorine chemistry—A chemical Gardener's paradise

Publisher Summary From the first personal discovery of a new fluorine compound in 1963 to exciting ongoing research on fuel cells, new materials, and useful new reagents, it was a rewarding and a fun adventure for the author. Just as the diversity in the plant kingdom is full of fascination, so is the diversity with fluorine. Based on the work by Hazeldine, the first new compound I was synthesized. Hazeldine needed a large amount to finish work on phosphorus fluorosulfates and for other reactions. While preparing, he got a byproduct, which he decided to store for future use. This proved fatal, as there was an explosion in the stored byproduct. He could not do any more work and submitted his thesis based on what he had done up to that time. The fluorocarbon peroxygen work that they pursued led to some major new developments in research directions. In 1976, the first perfluorocarbon oxaziridine by treating CF3OOH with pentafluoroazapropene was prepared. The successful arrival at new materials with strong potential for electrochemical and other applications was a particularly satisfying aspect of his fascination with fluorine. The trek from xenon–nitrogen compounds to practical polymers is an interesting example of how fundamental, curiosity-driven, basic research in academic often has unexpected outcomes.
Contributions of Neglect Subtypes and Family History in DSM-IV Disorders: Findings from the NCS-R

CONTRIBUTIONS OF NEGLECT SUBTYPES AND FAMILY HISTORY IN DSM-IV DISORDERS: FINDINGS FROM THE NCS-R Leanne L. Heaton, Ph.D. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2010 Director: Mary Katherine O’Connor, Ph.D. School of Social Work Despite the prevalence of neglect in the child welfare system, understanding of the etiology of neglect remains limited in scope. Limitations are driven by the frequent reliance on child protective services (CPS) data which consists of identified cases and consequently, the most serious of all cases, or through a few population based studies that operationalize neglect as a homogenous phenomenon rather than as distinct subtypes. Furthermore, most studies of neglect focus on maternal deficiencies while paternal factors are largely ignored. This study is meant to address these considerations by utilizing the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), a broad population based sample of US citizens, to explore the associations between mental health disorders and neglect subtypes. The aims were to investigate distinctions between maternal and paternal psychopathology and subtypes of neglect compared to other forms of maltreatment, key differences across lifetime DSM-IV disorders between neglect subtypes and other forms of maltreatment, and how the presence of maternal and paternal psychopathology and maltreatment subtype increase the likelihood of lifetime DSM-IV diagnoses. Out of all neglect subtypes, supervisory neglect was the most prevalent form of neglect and also had the strongest association to most lifetime DSM-IV disorders. Paternal emotional neglect was associated with lifetime mood and behavior disorders as well as phobias compared to those without this experience. Conversely, maternal emotional neglect did not have a significant relationship to any disorder. Similarly, lack of care (LOC) neglect did not increase the risk of any lifetime disorder and even reduced the likelihood of substance disorders compared to those without LOC history. Findings between paternal psychopathology and neglect subtypes indicate that assessments of neglect should expand to include paternal functioning and availability. Supervisory neglect, LOC neglect, and exposure to family violence all demonstrated a greater relationship with paternal substance disorders and/or antisocial behaviors than maternal depression and anxiety. However, therapeutic service delivery and research measures for both neglect and family violence are almost exclusively targeted toward the mother. Approaches that engage, assess, and intervene with both parental figures are critical to the welfare of children.
1 – Three-Phase Alternating Current Systems

This chapter deals with the introduction of three-phase altering current systems. The choice of a three-phase transmission and distribution system over a single-phase system came early because of the increased efficiency of transmitting power. Although the use of electricity at the consuming end is in one phase low voltage (except for very large industrial use), transmission and distribution are always done in a three-phase system. The difference between transmission and distribution is that transmission lines transfer larger amounts of power at higher voltages over longer distances, while distribution lines transfer smaller amounts of power at lower voltages locally. This chapter helps understanding the efficiency of transmitting power. It discusses current in two-wire and three-wire systems and voltages.
Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy: Surgical Myectomy and Septal Ablation

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic disorder characterized by marked hypertrophy of the myocardium. It is frequently accompanied by dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and symptoms of dyspnea, angina, and syncope. The initial therapy for symptomatic patients with obstruction is medical therapy with β-blockers and calcium antagonists. However, there remain a subset of patients who have continued severe symptoms, which are unresponsive to medical therapy. These patients can be treated with septal reduction therapy, either surgical septal myectomy or alcohol septal ablation. When performed by experienced operators working in high-volume centers, septal myectomy is highly effective with a >90% relief of obstruction and improvement in symptoms. The perioperative mortality rate for isolated septal myectomy in most centers is
Correspondences and Exact Squares

The algebra of correspondences (= additive relations = homomorphic relations) in an abelian category was developed systematically1 by Mac Lane [8]. Later Puppe [11] gave a set of necessary and sufficient conditions that a category A be the category of correspondences based on an abelian category A. Puppe also showed how certain standard notions of homological algebra (the connecting homomorphism, the differentials of a spectral sequence) could be obtained by considering relations instead of just morphisms in the category.
A statistical dynamic theory of glassy polymers

The physical properties of solid polymers vary slowly in time, so that the long time behavior and thermal history become a major concern. One would like to understand how aging affects the performance of viscoelastic material. On January 8, 1993 T.S. Chow from Xerox Webster Research Center described a unified approach toward understanding the structural and mechanical properties of glassy polymers. The glassy state relaxation is derived by analysis of local configurational rearrangements of molecular segments and “hole” motion; it is based on statistical mechanical theory of glasses. He then applied his general approach to study the effects of stress-strain relationships of solid polymers, under variable conditions of aging, temperature and filler concentration in composites. The calculated results are in good agreement with experiment. This chapter is based on his presentation, his recent review article [1], and other previous articles.
Chapter 17: Hardware/software relationships in distributed computer systems

The desireability of increased synergism between the hardware and software of computer systems has become a cliche, but unfortunately without being significantly reflected in practice. One of the principle aspects of our research in distributed computer systems has been to actually apply these arguments in the implementations and explore their ramifications. The examples herein were largely derived from that experience.