cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fatigue fracture of nylon polymers

The influence of glass fibres on the fatigue crack propagation rates of injection-moulded nylons has been determined. In contrast to previous results for unreinforced nylons, the cracking kinetics are independent of the oscillating load frequency. The fact that the crack growth rate per cycle is constant, when expressed in terms of the time under load, demonstrates that the contribution of creep crack extension is minimized by the glass fibres. Thus a true fatigue process is suggested for the fatigue fracture of the reinforced system, even when the glass fibres are preferentially aligned parallel to the crack growth direction. A complicating factor in characterizing the fatigue resistance of the glass-reinforced nylons is the tremendous influence of fibre orientation on crack growth rate. It is shown that the anisotropy problem can be handled by simply expressing the crack growth rate data in terms of the strain energy release rate rather than the usual stress intensity factor representation. Results for four different glass-filled nylons show that the diverse crack growth rates for cracking parallel versus perpendicular to the glass-fibre axes collapse on to individual strain energy release rate curves. Each single relationship therefore characterizes the fatigue fracture of the filled material and furthermore permits a prediction of the cracking rates for any glass-fibre orientation based upon the expected change in modulus. Finally it is demonstrated that the increased stress dependence of fatigue crack propagation (slope of the Paris plot) in filled nylons can be duplicated in unfilled samples under certain conditions. It is concluded that the fatigue fracture mechanism is matrix dominated in these chopped glass-fibre reinforced materials.
Association between Parkinson's disease and low bone density and falls in older men: the osteoporotic fractures in men study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and bone mineral density (BMD) and risk of falls. DESIGN: Cross-sectional and prospective cohort study. SETTING: Six U.S. clinical centers. PARTICIPANTS: Five thousand nine hundred ninety-five community-dwelling, ambulatory men aged 65 and older. MEASUREMENTS: History of physician-diagnosed PD was ascertained from participant self-report. BMD was measured at the hip and spine using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Incident falls were ascertained for 1 year using mailed queries. RESULTS: Fifty-two participants (0.9%) reported a history of PD. In multivariate models, PD was associated with significantly lower BMD at the spine (-4.9%, P=.04) and total hip (-5.3%, P=.007) using DEXA and at the spine (-6.7%, P=.05) and total hip (-8.2%, P=.03) using QCT. PD was associated with a nearly three times greater age-adjusted risk of multiple future falls (odds ratio (OR)=2.91, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.55-5.46). Further adjustment for history of multiple falls in the year before baseline attenuated this risk, but it remained significant (OR=2.30, 95% CI=1.15-4.59). CONCLUSION: In this cohort of older men, PD was associated with lower BMD at the hip and spine, measured using areal and volumetric BMD, as well as increased falls. Clinicians should consider screening older men with PD for osteoporosis.
Polyfunctionality of naive T cells is enhanced in older age (CCR3P.223)

Reduced number of naive T cells along with an accumulation of differentiated cell types in aging has been described but little is known about the polyfunctionality of T cells. In this study we compared the individual cytokine and polyfunctional profiles of T cell subsets, including newly described stem cell like memory T cells (TSCM) in response to stimulation with submaximal concentration of non-specific mitogen in older (median age 80, n=23) versus younger (median age 27; n=23) adults using multicolor flow cytometry. Secretion of IFN-γ, MIP-1α, TNF-α, perforin, and IL-2 were measured. Polyfunctionality was determined using FlowJo and SPICE (NIAID). Aging was associated with a marked decline in CD8+ naive cells (11% vs. 47 %; p<0.0001) and an expansion in memory cell types including central memory (p<0.05), effector memory and effectors (p<0.001 for both) compared to younger subjects. There was also a decline in CD4+ naive cells with age (33% vs. 45%; p=0.02). There were no differences in frequencies or cytokine profiles of TSCM between groups. CD8+ naive cells in the older group had increased secretion of all cytokines measured compared to the younger subjects and exhibited greater polyfunctionality (p=0.03). CD4+ naive cells among the older group also had greater polyfunctionality with a TNF-α and IL-2 dominance (p=0.001). The decline in naive T cells in aging, rather than their polyfunctional potential maybe contributing to immunosenescence.
Improving database performance through query standardization

A scheme that attempts to efficiently store and retrieve execution plans for generalized queries is proposed. The overhead of the scheme is insignificantly low. The scheme uses query graphs to represent a query. Each query graph is converted to a standardized tree which in turn is represented in a canonical vector form. The execution plan is then stored against this vector. It is concluded that the proposed technique can improve database system performance by using strategy databases. >
Rethinking Symbolic Racism: Evidence of Attribution Bias

This paper demonstrates that cognitive tendencies related to political sophistication produce an attribution bias in the widely accepted symbolic racism scale. When this bias is controlled statistically, the effect of symbolic racism on racial policy attitudes is greatly diminished. Our theory posits that high sophisticates tend to make global/distal attributions, allowing them to associate racial inequality with broader sociopolitical causes. Less sophisticated individuals, conversely, tend to make local/proximal attributions, thus biasing them against ascribing responsibility systemically. Consequently, less sophisticated individuals tend to be classified as intolerant by the symbolic racism scale, even when controlling for factors such as ideology and anti-black affect.
A Critical Role of the Transcription Factor Fli‐1 in Murine Lupus Development by Regulation of Interleukin‐6 Expression

Objective The Fli-1 transcription factor is implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), both in humans and in animal models. Dysregulation of interleukin-6 (IL-6) is also associated with SLE. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Fli-1 directly regulates the expression of IL-6. Methods Sera were collected from wild-type and Fli-1–heterozygous (Fli-1+/−) MRL/lpr mice, and the concentration of IL-6 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression of IL-6 in the kidney was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. T cells were isolated from wild-type and Fli-1+/− MRL/lpr mice and stimulated with CD3/CD28 beads, and the concentration of IL-6 in the supernatants was measured by ELISA. MS1 endothelial cells were transfected with Fli-1 and control small interfering RNA, and the production of IL-6 was compared after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. A chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was performed to determine whether Fli-1 binds to the IL-6 promoter region. Transient transfections with the NIH3T3 cell line were performed to examine whether Fli-1 regulates the expression of IL-6. Results Fli-1+/− MRL/lpr mice had significantly decreased IL-6 levels in sera and reduced expression of IL-6 in kidneys as compared to their wild-type littermates. T cells isolated from Fli-1+/− MRL/lpr mice produced less IL-6 than did those from wild-type mice. Inhibiting the expression of Fli-1 in endothelial cells resulted in reduced production of IL-6. The ChIP assay revealed direct binding of Fli-1 to 3 regions within the IL-6 promoter. Fli-1 activated transcription from the IL-6 promoter in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion The direct regulation of IL-6 expression by Fli-1 represents one possible mechanism for the protective effect of decreased Fli-1 expression in lupus.
Improved method for the colorimetric determination of glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase activity.

A modification of the Cabaud et at. method (1) for the determination of SGOT activity is described. The proposed modification consists of the elimination of the interference of unreacted DNPH by extracting the pyruvate dinitrophenyihydrazone with aqueous bicarbonate. The proposed method also employs a lower concentration of alpha-ketoglutarate, thus reducing its competition for the available DNPH.
Fleet Walker's Divided Heart: The Life of Baseball's First Black Major Leaguer

"A mesmerizing tale, reminding us - if we need to be reminded - of the blasted hopes and lives that have been and are being produced by the inequitable and indefensible way some Americans treat people who are racially different." - "Nation". "Zang has done truly excellent work to rescue his subject from a shadowy past and to illuminate him as an 'imperishable human presence' trapped in a heartbreaking era." - "Sporting News". "Zang reconstructs his story convincingly...a first (and undoubtedly definitive) biography of an all-but-forgotten figure in the history of American sports and race matters." - "Washington Post". "A dramatic portrait that reflects the nation's turn-of-the-century racial milieu." - "Library Journal". "Zang's book is about more than baseball. He effectively places Walker's multifaceted life in the context of the racial climate of the late nineteenth century." - "Journal of American History". Moses Fleetwood Walker was the first black American to play baseball in a major league. He achieved college baseball stardom at Oberlin College in the 1880s. Teammates as well as opponents harassed him; Cap Anson, the Chicago White Stockings star, is blamed for driving Walker and the few other blacks in the major leagues out of the game, but he could not have done so alone. A gifted athlete, inventor, civil rights activist, author, and entrepreneur, Walker lived precariously along America's racial fault lines. He died in 1924, thwarted in ambition and talent and frustrated by both the American dream and the national pastime. David W. Zang has taught sports studies and American studies at the University of Maryland, The Pennsylvania State University, and Towson University.
Chronic bronchitis, cardiomegaly and medial hypertrophy of small pulmonary arteries in a dog

A 10-year-old male Labrador Retriever had a history of chronic cough which was refractory to antibiotic and steroid therapy. Cytologic and bacteriologic examinations of transtracheal washings were unremarkable. Thickening of the bronchial mucosa was observed by bronchoscopy. Routine thoracic radiographs were interpreted as indicative of thickening of the bronchial walls and mild cardiomegaly. The dog was killed 2 years later at the owner's request. Chronic bronchitis and medial hypertrophy of the small muscular pulmonary arteries were observed on histopathologic examination.
Argon laser micro-irradiation of mitochondria in rat myocardial cells in tissue culture. IV. Ultrastructural and cytochemical analysis of minimal lesions.

Abstract Laser irradiated mitochondria in rat myocardial cells were analysed cytochemically for succinic dehydrogenase and with the electron microscope for ultrastructure. The least severe lesion type did not alter the SDH activity of the mitochondria. The major ultrastructural alteration observed was an electron-dense region corresponding to a phase-dark spot in the light micrographs. This lesion appeared to be restricted in depth and width within the irradiated structure. The damage was primarily localized to the intercristae matrix. The cristae appeared normal.
Economic impact of air pollution on vegetation in New Jersey and an interpretation of its annual variability

New Jersey sustained a $128,019 loss to agricultural crops and ornamental plantings as a direct result of air pollution damage in 1972. The loss was only 11% of that estimated for the previous year by a similar method. Air pollutant concentrations did not decrease from 1971 to 1972 in the agricultural regions of the state during the growing season. Therefore an explanation for the reduction in plant damage was sought in a consideration of several environmental factors that have been known to increase plant resistance to a given dosage of a pollutant in greenhouse experiments. Primarily, the unusual rainfall pattern in 1972 could have induced a water and/or oxygen stress in the plants in the field that protected them from air pollution injury. Other factors, such as temperature, humidity, nutrition, the presence of disease and the use of systemic fungicides, may also have enhanced plant resistance to air pollutants.
Shear rate and viscosity corrections for a Casson fluid in cylindrical (Couette) geometries

Shear rate and viscosity correction factors for a Casson fluid in cylindrical (Couette) geometries--type I, concentric cylinder with a narrow gap, and type II, cylinder in a semi-infinite medium--are developed in this work. The analytical correction factors compare well with published data corrected by general methods. Corrected viscosities were also compared to viscosity-shear rate data on chocolate in an absolute viscometer (cone-and-plate), which requires no corrections. This comparison showed excellent agreement of the corrected data in the higher shear rate range, but not very good agreement in the lower shear rate range. Reasons for this are discussed. In addition, a Reiner-Riwlin type formulation was developed for determination of model constants directly from rotational viscometry data without the need to correct for non-Newtonian shear rate, but this method is less accurate than existing slope-intercept methods for determining model constants. The analytical correction procedure developed here is expected to be useful wherever the Casson model is used to describe the rheology of a fluid, particularly one exhibiting yield-stress pseudoplastic behavior.
Valence and electoral outcomes in Western Europe, 1976–1998

Abstract Do events such as scandals, intra-party squabbling, and acts of perceived incompetence affect political parties' valence images, and thus, their electoral fortunes? If so, how great is their effect? Building upon a growing body of literature that explores the concept of valence, we develop a valid measure of valence based upon content analysis of Keesing's Record of World Events that scores parties along three valence dimensions – competence, integrity, and unity/division. The results of regression analyses designed to test this relationship for parties in nine Western European democracies are reported, and suggest that the answer to the first question posed above is yes . Specifically, evidence is found that events such as political scandals and party divisions cause parties to lose vote share, and that these effects are both statistically and substantively significant. These findings have important implications for understanding the dynamics of electoral competition, for parties' election strategies, and for political representation.
NOAA Looks for Advice to Make Its Data Easier to Use

“There is no sector in American business that wouldn't like to have better environmental information,” said Joseph Klimavicz, chief information officer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Perceptions of physical activity and personal barriers and enablers in African-American women.

Objective To examine perceptions of physical activity and physical activity barriers and enablers in African-American women. Design and methods Six focus groups were conducted with 42 African-American women, aged 19-51 years, who resided in South Carolina. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using NUD*IST. Results Women initially thought of physical activity in terms of structured exercise but identified lifestyle physical activities when prompted. Participants held strong negative views of sedentary African-American women, and strong positive views of active African-American women. However, women cited several undesirable outcomes that could result from physical activity, including appearing too masculine. Body weight and physical activity were generally viewed as independent: participants stressed that one could be both fit and heavy. As a result, women believed the physical and mental health benefits of physical activity should be emphasized over weight-related outcomes in physical activity interventions. Factors found to be correlates of physical activity in adults in general were also cited by this population, including attitudes, perceived benefits and barriers, knowledge, self-motivation, and enjoyment. Additional themes included the priority placed on the needs of the family at the expense of one's own needs, the positive association between a healthy diet and being physically active, and equating being "busy" with being active. Conclusions Physical activity interventions with African-American women may benefit from targeting correlates that are well-established with other populations, as well as correlates that appear unique to this population.
Student and Institutional Characteristics as Determinants of the Prompt and Subsequent Four‐Year College Graduation of Race and Sex Groups*

Recent national data were used to examine the impact of individual and institutional level variables on the ability of race and sex groups to complete a four-year college promptly (i.e., within three to four consecutive years) versus six to seven years after having entered college in 1972 or 1973. The results showed that black students were less successful than whites in prompt and in subsequent four-year college completion. In addition, males were far less successful than females in completing college on schedule. Initial race and sex differences favoring whites and females remained when examining subsequent college graduation rates. The magnitude of the race and sex disparities was reduced, however, when taking these rates into consideration. In addition, the proportion of blacks and males completing their B.A. degree increased substantially when college re-entry rates were examined. This finding indicates the importance of including college re-entry rates when describing the educational attainment of students. College grade performance was a major determinant of prompt and subsequent college completion for all race and sex groups. In addition, high school rank was an important determinant of prompt graduation for white males and prompt and subsequent graduation for black females. Attending a private college had a significant positive effect on prompt college graduation for white and black males but no significant effect for females; however, attending a selective college did not have a significant effect on prompt or subsequent graduation for any of the four race/sex groups examined.
Current Status Of The Multiple Mirror Telescope

The multiple mirror Telescope is a project being carried out by the Smith-sonian Astrophysical Observatory and by the University of Arizona where the Steward Observatory, Lunar and Plane tary Laboratory, and Optical Sciences Center are participating in the project.© (1974) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The structure of potassium germanate glasses by EXAFS

Abstract Extended X-ray absorption fine structure has been obtained to determine the interatomic distance, R, coordination number (CN) and degree of disorder, Δσ2, around the mobile alkali (K), as well as the network forming (Ge) cations of binary xK2O · (1 − x)GeO2 glasses with x=0.247. The spectra were measured at around liquid helium temperature to eliminate the thermal contribution to the observed structural disorder. For all x ≤ 0.2, non-bridging oxygens (NBOs) are produced, as well as GeO6 with the addition of K2O. For x > 0.2, NBOs continue to increase at the expense of GeO6 units. Much larger structural disorder is found around K in the present glass series than around Na in silicate glasses, which suggests that the modified random network structure model is less appropriate for these germanate glasses.
Diversifying Science: Underrepresented Student Experiences in Structured Research Programs.

Targeting four institutions with structured science research programs for undergraduates, this study focuses on how underrepresented students experience science. Several key themes emerged from focus group discussions: learning to become research scientists, experiences with the culture of science, and views on racial and social stigma. Participants spoke of essential factors for becoming a scientist, but their experiences also raised complex issues about the role of race and social stigma in scientific training. Students experienced the collaborative and empowering culture of science, exhibited strong science identities and high self-efficacy, while developing directed career goals as a result of “doing science” in these programs.
SciVal Experts: A Collaborative Tool

SciVal Experts is a resource for finding experts and fostering collaboration. The tool creates researcher profiles with automatically updated publication and grant information and faculty-inputted curriculum vitae, more fully capturing a researcher's body of work. SciVal Experts indexes campus-based “experts” by research topic, allowing faculty to find potential research partners and mentors, furthering translational research opportunities and dissemination of knowledge.
A Fully Projective Formulation to Improve the Accuracy of Lowe's Pose-Estimation Algorithm

Both the original version of David Lowe's influential and classic algorithm for tracking known objects and a reformulation of it implemented by Ishiiet al. rely on (different) approximated imaging models. Removing their simplifying assumptions yields a fully projective solution with significantly improved accuracy and convergence, and arguably better computation-time properties.
Round pneumonia: imaging findings in a large series of children.

Although round pneumonia is a well-known clinical entity, there have been no large case reviews, with most knowledge based on case reports and small series from the 1960s and 1970s. To review the imaging findings of a large series of children with round pneumonia. A retrospective review of radiographic and CT findings in all children reported to have round pneumonia at a large children’s hospital from 2000 to 2006 was performed. Children with underlying medical conditions were excluded. Epidemiologic characteristics, radiographic and CT findings, and follow-up imaging were reviewed. The review identified 109 children (mean age 5 years, range 4 months to 19 years). Round pneumonias tended to be solitary 98% (107/109), have well-defined borders 70% (77/109), and be posteriorly located 83% (91/109), with the following lobar distribution: left lower lobe (36), right lower lobe (33), right upper lobe (28), left upper lobe (7), right middle lobe (4), and lingula (2). Round pneumonia tended to resolve on follow-up imaging (95%, 41/43) as compared to progression to lobar pneumonia (4.6%, 2/43). Three patients (2.6%, 3/112) originally suspected to have round pneumonia were later shown to have other diagnoses: cavitary necrosis in pneumonia (two) or pleural pseudocyst (one). Round pneumonia occurs in young children (mean age 5 years), tends to be a solitary lesion, and is most commonly posteriorly located. Misdiagnosis of other pathology as round pneumonia is uncommon.
Toward ubiquitous mining of distributed data

The demand for understanding and exploring large quantity of data is growing fast in many domains. Scientific research is one among them. While the role of high performance computers in scientific data analysis is important, networks of workstations and the so called “thin” computing devices like the laptops, palmtops, and wearable computers are playing increasingly important roles in this domain. This chapter presents an overview of a collection of techniques that are designed for analyzing heterogeneous data distributed over a network of different computing and storage devices. The collective data mining approach presented here, pays careful attention to the overhead of data communication in a heterogeneous network and offers the capability of ubiquitous mining from distributed data.
A study of the effect of earthwire materials on lightning induced voltages and currents in transmission lines

Abstract Two materials commonly used for overhead static conductors are compared for their response to voltages and currents induced in a transmission line by a lightning stroke in the proximity. Mean characteristics of initial and subsequent strokes form the basis of the necessary field calculations. Frequency domain solution techniques are used to compute the total field, considering both the lightning source field and the reaction field of the induced currents. The results indicate only slight differences in the voltages induced in lines using either aluminum or steel overhead earthwires. However, the magnitudes of induced currents are very sensitive to the type of earthwire material.
Hunting for the Achilles' heel of CLL.

Baskar and colleagues take translational immunology to another level by applying a sophisticated antibody library cloning process to identify a novel tumor-specific antigen derived from CLL patients cured by allogeneic stem cell transplantation. The application of this approach to other diseases cured by allogeneic stem cell transplantation is immense.
The role of drift mass in the kinetic energy and momentum of periodic water waves and sound waves

For two-dimensional periodic water waves or sound waves, the kinetic energy per wavelength is 1/2 m d c 2 , and the momentum per wavelength is ± m d c, where c is the wave velocity, and m d is the drift mass per wavelength. These results also hold for three-dimensional periodic waves, for which the kinetic energy, momentum, and drift mass are all for one wave cell, the area of which is the product of the wavelengths in two perpendicular directions. The results obtained are rigorous, and not restricted to linear waves or even to nonlinear symmetric waves. For linear water waves, in particular, the kinetic energy can be shown to be equal to the sum of the potential energy and the surface energy (due to surface tension), so that the total energy E is twice the kinetic energy, and E = m d c 2 . McIntyre's (1981) contention that wave momentum is a myth is discussed at length for both water waves and sound waves.
Formative assessment: transforming information literacy instruction

Purpose – This paper aims to describe the use of a pre‐assessment exercise and in‐session assessment questions to determine graduate students' existing information literacy skills and to adjust the content of the instruction session accordingly. The paper seeks to propose that the use of assessments to inform instruction increases the practicality of research instruction. The use of formative assessment creates effective information literacy instruction by acknowledging variation in information literacy skills among students.Design/methodology/approach – A librarian partnered with a faculty member to create instruction sessions for graduate level business courses. An open‐ended pre‐assessment exercise was administered prior to the session, and students' responses were used to determine the content of the instruction session. Assessment questions administered during the session provided the librarian with a measure of the effect of the pre‐assessment exercise on students' information literacy skills, and p...
Use of older donors for lung transplantation-you can't get there from here.

The expansion of inclusion criteria and relaxation of the age limit for lung transplantation have resulted in substantial growth of the transplant waiting list. Even with an increase in overall organ donation rates, lung donations and transplant rates have been unable to keep pace with the growth in the numbers of patients seeking a transplant. The pre-lung allocation score (LAS) allocation system favored patients able to wait 2 to 3 years for lungs. The LAS, seeking to alleviate deaths of acutely ill patients on the list, provides much improved access to transplantation for patients with grave disease and great urgency. After an initial drop in waiting list deaths after the introduction of the LAS, the waiting list death rate is rising again, suggesting that increased access is insufficient to reduce waiting list deaths from diseases that may be treated by lung transplantation. One method to address rising waiting list death rates is to increase the donor supply, specifically, with donor lungs previously deemed unacceptable. The 2003 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) Consensus Statement on lung donor acceptability criteria reports a negative effect on post-transplant survival with increased donor age (4 60 years). With only modest increases in the donation of ideal organs and a more rapidly expanding candidate list, the age limit for donor use is being pressed. The 2012 ISHLT Registry reports the median age of lung donors steadily increased during the past decade, from 34 years in 2000 to 39 years in 2010. In part, this reflects the increased use of donors previously classified as too old for lung donation. In 2000, 5.7% of all lung donors were aged 60 years or older. By 2010, this number had risen to 10.9%. Reported survival outcomes for recipients of older lungs are conflicting. In this issue of the Journal, Bittle et al present the latest and probably most extensive study of transplant outcomes using older donor lungs. They used the United Network of Organ Sharing database to examine the
Deregulation of miR-146a expression in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer affecting EGFR signaling

Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) plays important roles in the development and progression of pancreatic cancer (PC). Expression analysis of miR-146a in human PC tissues showed decreased expression in about 80% of samples compared to corresponding non-cancerous tissue. Moreover, expression of miR-146a in eight PC cell lines, and in pancreatic tissues obtained from transgenic mouse models of K-Ras (K), Pdx1-Cre (C), K-Ras;Pdx1-Cre (KC) and K-Ras;Pdx1-Cre;INK4a/Arf (KCI), showed down-regulation of miR-146a expression in KCI mice which was in part led to over-expression of its target gene, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Treatment of PC cells with CDF, a novel synthetic compound, led to re-expression of miR-146a, resulting in the down-regulation of EGFR expression. Moreover, re-expression of miR-146a by stable transfection or treatment with CDF in vivo (xenograft animal model) resulted in decreased tumor growth which was consistent with reduced EGFR, ERK1, ERK2, and K-Ras expression. Further knock-down of miR-146a in AsPC-1 cells led to the up-regulation of EGFR expression and showed increased clonogenic growth. In addition, knock-down of EGFR by EGFR siRNA transfection of parental AsPC-1 cells and AsPC-1 cells stably transfected with pre-miR-146a resulted in decreased invasive capacity, which was further confirmed by reduced luciferase activity in cells transfected with pMIR-Luc reporter vector containing miR-146a binding site. Collectively, these results suggest that the loss of expression of miR-146a is a fundamental mechanism for over-expression of EGFR signaling and that re-expression of miR-146a by CDF treatment could be useful in designing personalized strategy for the treatment of human PC.
The identification of N-acetylglycine as a contaminant of glacial acetic acid

Abstract This paper provides evidence by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) that N-acetylglycine is present, in varying amounts, as a contaminant of all samples of analytical grade glacial acetic acid that have been examined in our laboratory. Supportive evidence for the GC-MS data was obtained by amino acid analyses of evaporated samples of acetic acid which were subjected to acid hydrolysis and then analyzed by ion-exchange chromatography. Although the identification of N-acetylglycine has been established with certainty, small quantities of other amino acid derivatives which have not yet been identified are also present in glacial acetic acid. These additional amino acids have been identified after acid hydrolysis. It should be pointed out that although amino acids are of chief interest here, they comprise approximately 1% or less of the total organic contamination. A very marked reduction of the concentration of N-acetylglycine and all other contaminants was accomplished by slow distillation of the glacial acetic acid through a column of packed Raschig rings.
BPS operators in Script N = 4 SYM: Calogero models and 2D fermions

A connection between the gauge fixed dynamics of protected operators in superconformal Yang-Mills theory in four dimensions and Calogero systems is established. This connection generalizes the free Fermion description of the chiral primary operators of the gauge theory formed out of a single complex scalar to more general operators. In particular, a detailed analysis of protected operators charged under an su(1|1) psu(2,2|4) is carried out and a class of operators is identified, whose dynamics is described by the rational super-Calogero model. These results are generalized to arbitrary BPS operators charged under an su(2|3) of the superconformal algebra. Analysis of the non-local symmetries of the super-Calogero model is also carried out, and it is shown that symmetry for a large class of protected operators is a contraction of the corresponding Yangian algebra to a loop algebra.
Wind streaks : geological and botanical effects on surface albedo contrast

Abstract Two wind streaks in the eastern Mojave Desert of California were examined to gain insight into the origin of the surface brightness contrast that makes them visible, both on the ground and in remote sensing data. The two localities are: a 4-km-long dark streak oriented S43E from the Amboy cinder cone (34°32′N, 115°46′W), located on a Quaternary basalt flow covered with aeolian sand, and a 2-km-long dark streak oriented S22E from a low hill near the southwestern base of Sleeping Beauty Mountain (34°48′N, 116°20′W), located on a sand-covered alluvial surface. In both cases, the dark streaks have enhanced rock abundances on the streak surface, relative to the surroundings. At the Amboy streak, slope wash likely contributed to the rock concentration on the streak surface, shielded from burial under aeolian sand by the cinder cone. At the Sleeping Beauty streak, the relative albedo contrast is strongly emphasized by the presence of Big Galleta grass only outside of the streak. The albedo contrast of the Sleeping Beauty streak can be effectively eliminated by the seasonal presence of annual grass preferentially within the streak. Some plants may have reflectances that are strongly dependent upon viewing and illumination geometry, raising the possibility that certain terrestrial aeolian features may appear variable on a diurnal basis. Alluvial processes appear to have been important at both localities for redistributing surface materials, even given the infrequent rain conditions present in the Mojave Desert.
The genetics of a mutator gene in Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract The genetic properties of an apparently new mutator gene in Drosophila melanogaster are described. The mutator gene causes the recessive, sex-linked mutant gene, yellow -2 ( y 2 ), to revert to wild-type at an inordinately high rate (about 1 2500 y 2 genes). At a somewhat lower frequency it induces partial reversions of y 2 as well as mutations to a phenotypically more extreme allele. The mutator is not locus-specific causing the recessive, sex-linked mutant forked -3 N to revert frequently to wild-type and white-apricot to mutate to a phenotypically white-eyed allele. Linkage analysis has localized the mutator to map position 57 on chromosome 3 as a probable allele of c 3 G . The mutator functions only in females, is partially dominant and appears to be incapable of reverting or mutating mutations it causes. The possible mechanism of mutator action is conjectured in the light of current knowledge on the mechanism of action of bacterial and bacteriophage mutator genes.
Symmetry of electrical conduction

The resistance of a conductor measured in a four-probe setup is invariant if the exchange of the voltage and current sources is accompanied by a magnetic field reversal. We present a derivation of this theorem. The reciprocity of the resistances is linked directly to the microscopic reciprocity of the S-matrix, which describes reflection at the sample and transmission through the sample. We demonstrate that this symmetry holds for a conductor with an arbitrary number of leads. Since leads act like inelastic scatterers, consideration of a many-probe conductor also implies that the reciprocity of resistances is valid in the presence of inelastic scattering. Various conductance formulae are discussed in the light of the reciprocity theorem. Finally, we discuss some implications of our results for the nature of a voltage measurement and point to the difference between chemical potentials and the local electric potential.
On a generalization of linear independence in finite-dimensional vector spaces

Abstract A set X in a vector space V is said to be k-independent (where k is a positive integer) if, for each x ϵ X,X{x} admits a partition into k subsets {χgq}θ=1,…,k such that x ∉ span χθ, θ = 1,…,k. It is proved that if dim V = n and X ⊂ V is k-independent, then X cannot contain more than ( n+k−1 k ) elements; this bound is sharp for vector spaces over sufficiently large fields. A broader notion (k-independence in degrees) is considered, and similar results are obtained. Several unresolved problems are stated, some involving matroid generalizations of questions answered as yet only within vector space context.
Generalized representation and mapping for social-ecological data: Freeing data from the database

Scientific discovery increasingly requires collaboration between scientific sub-domains that often have different representations for their data. To bridge gaps between varying domain representations, researchers are developing metadata and semantic representations meaningful to broader communities. Through exploiting these representations we propose a logical model and architecture by which cross-domain researchers can more easily discover, use, and eventually archive, data. In this paper we present an architecture, intermediate data model, and methodology for mapping diverse social-ecological data sources stored in relational databases to a common representation, and for classifying textual data using machine learning. The results are visualized through client views that are built against the general logical model, and applied against a longitudinal database from social-ecological research.
Airway Management in Children with Craniofacial Anomalies

Craniofacial anomalies (CFA) predispose children to airway obstruction. A retrospective study was conducted to describe airway intervention required to manage patients with craniofacial syndromes and diseases involving the midface and mandible (i.e., Pierre Robin, Apert, Treacher Collins, Saethre-Chotzen, CHARGE, Nager, Stickler, Goldenhar, and Pfeiffer). The type of airway intervention, duration of intervention, and associated physical and medical conditions were evaluated. One hundred nine patients had charts available for review and met inclusion criteria. Sixty-five of these patients required airway management, most commonly in the first month of life, ranging from positioning to tracheotomy. Nineteen patients required a tracheotomy. Associated medical conditions and feeding difficulties were associated with airway obstruction. This study evaluates factors that predispose children with CFA to have airway problems that need treatment, as well as the types of airway management that are necessary.
Bladder opacification does not significantly influence dose distribution in conformal radiotherapy of prostate cancer.

Abstract Purpose : To compare the results of treatment planning with or without bladder contrast during simulation of three dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for prostate cancer (18 MV X-rays, six field arrangement), and to assess the potential changes in dose distribution in the target and rectal volumes. Methods and Materials : Based on CT-simulation using intravenous contrast media, 3-D conformal treatment planning was performed in five patients. To simulate a non-opacified bladder, the electron matrix density of the opacified bladder was virtually changed to water density. Two treatment plans were carried out, with and without bladder opacification. In each patient dose distributions were formally compared for both plans, and the increment in monitor units (MU) needed to compensate for the presence of contrast media was assessed. Results : A mean dose variation of −0.03% (range, −0.03–0.14%) and −1.13% (range, −1.85–0%) was observed for the prostate and the rectum, respectively. The average mean MU increment without bladder contrast normalized to the case with bladder contrast was 0.31%±0.52. Conclusions : Bladder opacification used during simulation does not significantly influence prostate or rectal dose distributions in prostate patients treated with 3D-CRT, 18 MV X-rays, and a six-beam arrangement.
Effects of genistein, tyrphostin, and pertussis toxin on EGF-induced mitogenesis in primary culture and clonal osteoblastic cells

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been found to stimulate proliferation in a variety of cell types. The EGF receptor is known to have tyrosine kinase activity [1], however, the role of this signal mechanism has not been established in bone cells. The aim of this study was to determine whether tyrosine kinase activity and G inhibitory (Gi) proteins are involved in EGF-stimulated proliferation in the osteoblastic cell line G292 and in primary culture osteoblasts isolated from neonatal rat calvaria. Cell proliferation was measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation using liquid scintillation spectrometry. EGF stimulates a dose-dependent increase in proliferation of G292 and primary culture cells above control. Genistein was able to inhibit the effects of EGF in the G292 cells. In the primary culture cells, genistein with EGF appeared to enhance proliferation compared with EGF alone or genistein alone. Tyrphostin 25, on the other hand, inhibited the EGF response in both of these cell types. Inactivation of Gi proteins with pertussis toxin was able to inhibit EGF-induced mitogenesis in the neonatal rat osteoblasts but did not appear to specifically inhibit this response in the G292 cells. These results suggest that although both of these osteoblastic cell types increase proliferation in response to EGF, their signal pathways are different.
For many but not for all: how the conformational flexibility of the peptide/MHCII complex shapes epitope selection

The adaptive immune response starts when CD4+ T cells recognize peptide antigens presented by class II molecules of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHCII). Two outstanding features of MHCII molecules are their polymorphism and the ability of each allele to bind a large panoply of peptides. The ability of each MHCII molecule to interact with a limited, though broad, range of amino acid sequences, or "permissive specificity" of binding, is the result of structural flexibility. This flexibility has been identified through biochemical and biophysical studies, and molecular dynamic simulations have modeled the conformational rearrangements that the peptide and the MHCII undergo during interaction. Moreover, there is evidence that the structural flexibility of the peptide/MHCII complex correlates with the activity of the "peptide-editing" molecule DM. In light of the impact that these recent findings have on our ability to predict MHCII epitopes, a review of the structural and thermodynamic determinants of peptide binding to MHCII is proposed.
89 COPPER BALANCES IN YOUNG INFANTS AND PRETERMS (BREAST-FED AND BOTTLE-FED)

Nutritional copper deficiencies have been described in breast-fed and formula-fed infants, yet balance data are scarce. We compared intake and retention of copper in three groups of infants: breast-fed (I), fed with adapted but not copper-supplemented formula (II) and fed with a supplemented formula. The mean copper concentration of these milks as determined by wet ashing and atomic absorption spectrometry was in breast-milk (I) 611 - 1128 (depending on stage of lactation!), in (II) 121 and in (III) 619 μg/l. Five balance periods with 72 hours each were performed in infants during the 3rd, 5th, 9th, 12th and 16th week resulting in a total of 84 balances. The following mean intakes and retentions (± s.d.) were found (number of balances = ba, number of infants = inf): Similar data were obtained in 21 balances of preterms fed with both formulas. Conclusion: Bioavailability of copper from breast-milk is best. Nutrition with formula milk unsupplemented with copper does not render a sufficient copper supply.
Preparation of 1-thioglycosides having ω-aldehydo aglycons useful for attachment to proteins by reductive amination

Abstract A series of 1-thioglycosides containing an ω-aldehydo group (as the dimethyl acetal) on the aglycon were prepared by reaction of O -acetyl-1-thioaldoses with N -(chloroacetyl)aminoacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal, a compound readily prepared by the action of chloroacetyl chloride or chloroacetic anhydride on 2-aminoacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal. O -Deacetylation of the 1-thioglycosides, followed by deacetalation, yielded the desired products. An analogous 1-thioglycoside having a longer aglycon was prepared by reaction of 1-thio- D -galactose with (6-aminohexanoyl)-aminoacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal, obtained by condensing 6-bromohexanoic acid and aminoacetaldehyde with 3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-1-ethylcarbodiimide. These glycosides were found to be useful for modification of proteins to yield neoglyco-proteins.
Invertase in cell-free culture fluids of Streptococcus mutans strain SL-1.

Invertase from extracellular culture fluids ofS. mutans strain SL-1 was shown to have the same characteristics as intracellular invertase from the same strain. The data indicate that intracellular invertase is released into the culture fluids primarily during the late log and stationary phases of growth.
Information and telecommunication technologies in the 1990s: trends and managerial challenges

This paper offers a comprehensive review of the predicted trends of information and telecommunication technology in the 1990s. The emerging new business environment is then discussed, followed by implications for US managers. Four main trends are identified: miniaturization, higher efficiency, and lower costs; globalization; strategic alliances: and the four S's: Software, Simplicity, Services, and Systems. Some challenges and opportunities for US companies are identified, and potential managerial approaches are suggested.
A Comparison of Simulated Gas Turbine Ship Handling Characteristics With Several Different Transmission Systems

This paper describes the handling characteristics of a simulated, gas turbine powered vessel using several different transmission schemes. These include both mechanically clutched and hydrodynamic reversing reduction gears, and two modes of operation using controllable, reversible pitch propellers. Schemes for controlling the various transmission systems are described together with the necessary integration to provide “single lever” propulsion control. The response of the simulated systems are presented for both normal and emergency maneuvers.Copyright © 1971 by ASME