cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictions of effective physical properties of complex multiphase materials

Abstract Theoretical prediction of effective properties for multiphase material systems is very important not only to analysis and optimization of material performance, but also to new material designs. This review first examines the issues, difficulties and challenges in prediction of material behaviors by summarizing and critiquing the existing major analytical approaches dealing with material property modeling. The focus then shifts to some recent advances in numerical methodology that are able to predict more accurately and efficiently the effective physical properties of multiphase materials with complex internal microstructures. A random generation-growth algorithm is highlighted for reproducing multiphase microstructures, statistically equivalent to the actual systems, based on the geometrical and morphological information obtained from measurements and experimental estimations. Then a high-efficiency lattice Boltzmann solver for the corresponding governing equations is described which, while assuring energy conservation and the appropriate continuities at numerous interfaces in a complex system, has demonstrated its numerical power in yielding accurate solutions. Various applications are provided to validate the feasibility, effectiveness and robustness of this new methodology by comparing the predictions with existing experimental data from different transport processes, accounting for the effects due to component size, material anisotropy, internal morphology and multiphase interactions. The examples given also suggest even wider potential applicability of this methodology to other problems as long as they are governed by the similar partial differential equation(s). Thus, for given system composition and structure, this numerical methodology is in essence a model built on sound physics principles with prior validity, without resorting to ad hoc empirical treatment. Therefore, it is useful for design and optimization of new materials, beyond just predicting and analyzing the existing ones.
Gastric duplications in infancy

Abstract A duplication of the stomach arising in the tail of the pancreas was found in two female infants. In one patient, the duplication had caused peptic ulceration, hemorrhage, and fistula formation to the anterior abdominal wall, and in the second an asymptomatic abdominal mass was discovered on routine examination. The pathology, clinical features, and surgical management are discussed.
Strain instability and fracture at the surface of upset cylinders

A refined method has been developed for measurement of the localized surface strains during axial compression of cylinders. The method has been applied to 1045 steel cylinders in various conditions to study fracture under combined stress states. Because the refined measurement method is used, perturbations are observed in the strain path which would otherwise not be apparent. These perturbations precede surface fracture in every case. It is shown that geometric similarities exist between the strain perturbations in upsetting and those in trough formation preceding fracture in stretch forming of sheet material. In addition, metallographic examination of transverse sections of the upset cylinders reveals the presence of subsurface void formations prior to fracture. It is concluded that the surface fractures in upset cylinders involve localized necking of material between inhomogeneities, and it is suggested that an accurate model of this behavior may give some understanding of the influence of material parameters on fracture.
Cultural and Behavioral Consonance in a Tlaxcalan Festival System

An innovative aspect of consensus analysis is that it provides quantitative and culturally “correct” models of semantic domains. These models can then be compared with behavioral data to examine the relationship between culture and behavior. In this article, the author compares a consensus model of participation in the festival (cargo) system in a small village in Tlaxcala, Mexico, with church records of actual participation. Informants strongly agreed on how the system is organized. Participants’ actual behavior correlates moderately with the shared cultural model.
An Experimental Study of Low Prandtl Number Natural Convection in an Array of Uniformly Heated Vertical Cylinders

An experimental program was conducted to study natural convection heat transfer in an array of uniformly heated vertical cylinders in mercury. The cylinders were arranged in an equilateral triangular pattern, and three bundle spacings, P/D = 1.5, 1.3, and 1.1, were studied. The heat transfer results are presented as local Nusselt number--modified Grashof number correlations. The results indicate a strong dependence on cylinder spacing and the somewhat lesser effects of heat flux and circumferential position. In addition, mean radial temperature profiles were recorded for various conditions as well as the fluctuations in the fluid temperatures which were encountered. The influence of cylinder spacing and axial, radial, and circumferential position on these profiles and disturbances is discussed. (auth)
Protein kinase C inhibits epidermal growth factor-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase Cγ and activation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis

Recent studies have shown that the receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGF) can associate with and tyrosinephosphorylate the γ-isozyme of phosphoinositide (Ptdlns)-specific phospholipase C (PLCγ), suggesting a possible mechanism for activation of Ptdlns hydrolysis by EGF. In the present study, the coupling between Ptdlns hydrolysis and PLCγ tyrosine phosphorylation in WB liver epithelial cells was examined. Peak levels of [P-Tyr]PLCγ, measured by anti-P-Tyr immunoblotting, occurred at 0.5-2 min of EGF treatment and coincided with the onset of [3H]inositol phosphate production. The termination of Ptdlns hydrolysis after EGF stimulation was accompanied by return of [P-Tyr]PLCγ to near-basal levels. Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) with a phorbol ester inhibited (IC50 = 3-10 nM) both EGF-dependent Ptdlns hydrolysis and PLCγ phosphorylation by more than 90%. Both EGF-stimulated responses were potentiated in cells depleted of PKC by prolonged phorbol ester treatment. At physiological ionic strength, mono...
The West Coast Picket Fence Experiment during STORM-FEST

Mesoscale weather systems that develop in the central United States are often forced by environmental features that have formed far upstream over the conventional data-sparse Pacific Ocean. Although remotely sensed observations, such as satellite retrievals, are becoming more numerous and accurate, they still may not have the resolution necessary to enhance global model-based analyses and forecasts over this region. These global model products are the primary source of lateral boundary conditions that have been found to have large impacts on the downstream forecast skill of regional mesoscale models over the United States. In addition, the temporal and spatial resolution of the current rawinsonde network along the West Coast may not be sufficient to detect and measure mesoscale flow features as they move inland. During the STORM-FEST experiment in February–March 1992, a “Picket Fence” of seven special rawinsonde stations were interspersed among the seven regular rawinsonde sites from Port Hardy, British C...
Relaxation-based structure refinement and backbone molecular dynamics of the Dynein motor domain-associated light chain

The light chain 1 (LC1) polypeptide is a member of the leucine-rich repeat protein family and binds at or near the ATP hydrolytic site within the motor domain of the γ heavy chain from Chlamydomonas outer arm dynein. It consists of an N-terminal helix, a central barrel formed from six leucine-rich repeats that fold as ββα units, and a C-terminal helical domain that protrudes from the main axis defined by the leucine-rich repeats. Interaction with the γ heavy chain is likely mediated through a hydrophobic patch on the larger β sheet face, and the C-terminal region is predicted to insert into the dynein ATP hydrolytic site. Here we have used 1H−15N heteronuclear relaxation measurements obtained at 500 and 600 MHz to refine and validate the LC1 solution structure. In this refined structure, the C-terminal helix is significantly reoriented by more than 20° as compared to the control and provides a more precise understanding of the potential regulatory role of this domain. We also employed the refined structur...
Effects of oral combined hormone replacement therapy on plasma lipids and lipoproteins

Hormone replacement therapy has been shown to decrease the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in menopausal women. In this cross-sectional study, we addressed the following question: What effects would combined oral hormone replacement therapy have on plasma lipid and lipoprotein profiles independent of the other known CHD risk factors? We analyzed the plasma lipoproteins of two groups of menopausal women who were randomly selected from a large database of individuals. One group (n = 10) was not taking any hormone replacement therapy (NO HRT), while the second group (n = 8) was taking a daily dose of 0.625 mg conjugated estrogen and 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone orally (PremPro, Wyeth-Ayerst, Philadelphia, PA) for at least 6 months (HRT). The two groups were not different in age, body weight, percent body fat, body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio, blood pressure, or insulin and glucose levels. High-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol was significantly higher (P < .05) in the HRT group. The total cholesterol (TC) to HDL-cholesterol ratio was significantly lower for HRT versus NO HRT (P < .05). Apolipoprotein (apo) A-1, the apo A-1/B ratio, and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity were significantly higher in HRT (P < .05). Lipoprotein subclass profiles measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy showed an increase in larger HDL subpopulations (H3 and H4) in HRT (P < .05), which are considered antiatherogenic. No differences were seen in the cholesterol concentration or size of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subpopulations in HRT compared with NO HRT. These results indicate that the combined estrogen and progesterone treatment leads to beneficial effects on plasma lipoproteins. The beneficial effects include (1) increases in HDL-cholesterol and predominance of HDL2, (2) no adverse effects on LDL subpopulation distribution, and (3) increases in apo A-1 levels and LCAT activity, which indicate an improvement in reverse cholesterol transport.
The effect of age at diagnosis on outcome in rhabdomyosarcoma.

Background. Survival for rhabdomyosarcoma appears to be more favorable in children and adolescents compared with adults. To determine the significance of age at diagnosis as a prognostic indicator in rhabdomyosarcoma, we performed a retrospective analysis of a combined pediatric and adult rhabdomyosarcoma data base. Methods. Pertinent prognostic variables, including age, TNM stage, histopathologic subtype, anatomic site, resectability, radiation to the primary site, and dose intensity of chemotherapy, were compared in a Cox proportional hazards model with mortality as the outcome variable. Results. Age at diagnosis (P = 0.0001) and local tumor invasiveness (P < 0.0001), distant parenchymal metastases (P < 0.0001), regional lymph node involvement (P = 0.0027), and histopathologic subtype (P = 0.0446) contributed information to the proportional hazards model. Conclusions. Age at diagnosis is an independent predictor of outcome in patients with rhabdomyosarcoma along with tumor invasiveness, metastases, regional lymph node involvement, and histopathologic subtype.
EDITORIAL: A GENERAL FRAMEWORK FOR SLOW INTELLIGENCE SYSTEMS

Contrary to popular belief, not all intelligent systems have Quick Intelligence. There are a surprisingly large number of intelligent systems, quasi-intelligent systems and semi-intelligent systems that have Slow Intelligence. Such Slow Intelligence Systems are often neglected in mainstream research on intelligent systems, but they are really worthy of our attention and emulation. I will describe the characteristics of Slow Intelligence Systems and present a general framework for Slow Intelligence Systems. I will then discuss evolutionary query processing and mission control in emergency management systems as two examples of Artificial Slow Intelligence Systems. Researchers and practitioners are both invited to explore the applications of Slow Intelligence Systems in software engineering and knowledge engineering, and publish their findings in IJSEKE.
Intravascular infusion of lipid into ewes stimulates production of progesterone and prostaglandin.

Effects of infusion of a lipid emulsion into ewes during mid-to late diestrus on serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), progesterone (P 4 ), prostaglandin (PG) F 2α metabolite (PGFM), and PGE 2 , and on ovulation rate were examined. In experiment 1, ewes received infusions of either saline (S, n = 3) or soybean oil emulsion (SB, n = 3) for 5 h on each of Days 9-13 of the estrous cycle. In experiment 2, ewes received infusions of either S (n = 4), SB (n = 5), or olive oil emulsion (OO, n = 5) for 5 h on each of Days 9 through 15 of the estrous cycle. In both experiment 1 and experiment 2, infusion of lipid increased serum concentrations of TC and P 4 , which declined with time after infusion was terminated (treatment x hour interaction, experiment 1 : TC, p 4 mm did not differ among treatment groups on Day 14 of the succeeding cycle after infusion. These data indicate that lipid infusion stimulated increases in serum concentrations of TC, P 4 , and prostaglandins and may shorten the estrous cycle.
Influence of dietary fish oil on conjugated linoleic acid and other fatty acids in milk fat from lactating dairy cows.

Abstract Lactating cows were fed menhaden fish oil to elevate concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid, transvaccenic acid, and n-3 fatty acids in milk. Twelve multiparous Holstein cows at 48 ± 11 DIM were assigned randomly to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square. Each treatment period was 35 d in length, with data collected d 15 to 35 of each period. On a dry matter (DM) basis, diets contained 25% corn silage, 25% alfalfa hay, and 50% of the respective concentrate mix. Fish oil was supplemented at 0, 1, 2, and 3% of ration DM. Linear decreases were observed for DM intake (28.8, 28.5, 23.4, and 20.4 kg/d) and milk fat (2.99, 2.79, 2.37, and 2.30%) for 0 to 3% dietary fish oil, respectively. Milk yield (31.7, 34.2, 32.3, and 27.4 kg/d) increased as dietary fish oil increased from 0 to 1% but decreased linearly from 1 to 3% dietary fish oil. Milk protein percentages (3.17, 3.19, 3.21, and 3.17) were similar for all treatments. When the 2% fish oil diet was fed, concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid and transvaccenic acid in milk fat increased to 356% (to 2.2 g/100 g of total fatty acids) and 502% (to 6.1 g/100 g), respectively, of amounts when 0% fish oil was fed. There were no additional increases in these fatty acids when cows were fed 3% fish oil. The n-3 fatty acids increased from a trace to over 1 g/100 g of milk fatty acids, when the 3% fish oil diet was fed. Fish oil supplementation to diets of dairy cows increased the conjugated linoleic acid, transvaccenic acid, and n-3 fatty acids in milk.
Nonallelic members of the cytochrome c multigene family of the rat may arise through different messenger RNAs

Abstract We determined the nucleotide sequences of three nonallelic cytochrome c genes (from recombinant clones Ch4A-RC5, 6 and 8) isolated from the rat cytochrome c gene family. In contrast with a fourth gene (from Ch4A-RC4), which has an intron and correctly encodes rat cytochrome c, these three appear to be pseudogenes and resemble mRNA molecules in two respects: they are all missing the intron of clone 4, and sequence homology with clone 4 in their 3′ noncoding regions abruptly ends at two different A-rich tracts reminiscent of poly(A) tails. We also detect three cytochrome c mRNAs of sizes 1400, 1100 and 700 nucleotides in several tissues of the adult rat. The size differences among the mRNAs can be accounted for by length heterogeneity in their 3′ noncoding regions. Two of the 3′ ends map to the two points where the mRNA-like genes diverge from clone 4 at poly(A) tracts. Furthermore, short direct repeats flank the genes of clones 5, 6 and 8 at the positions where their sequences diverge. The observations suggest that these members of the cytochrome c multigene family may arise through insertion into the genome of DNA copies of cytochrome c mRNAs.
Strategic Philanthropy: Responding to Negative Portrayals of Corporate Social Responsibility

This paper examines the strategic use of corporate philanthropy to modify images of corporate social responsibility following negative media exposure. Based on an analysis of the philanthropic allocations made by 163 corporate foundations between 1988 and 1993, the authors found that total annual philanthropy and allocations to educational philanthropy tend to increase following negative media exposure of the company. The results suggest that companies may use corporate philanthropy as a strategic tool to remedy negative portrayals of their social responsibility in the media.
Relative importance of X...O=C vs. X...X halogen bonding as structural determinants in 4-halotriaroylbenzenes.

The structures of 4-chloro- and 4-bromotribenzoylbenzene, as well as a solid solution prepared from these two components, are isomorphous and dominated by C–X⋯OC interactions, whereas type-II I⋯I interactions are important in the 4-iodo derivative.
Polymer-Derived Ceramic Sensors for Temperature Measurement in Harsh Environment

Development of an ultra-high temperature sensor advocates numerous applications in a variety of diverse fields. Combustion turbine engine advancements are predominately the benefactors of high temperature measurement capabilities; founded upon the principle of higher combustion reaction efficiency. The interior combustion chamber of a gas turbine is an extremely hostile environment for any typical material, especially a measurement component. Implementing the conductive properties and high temperature stability of a polymer derived ceramic (PDC) offers a solution to this predicament. Complementing the virtuous mechanical properties of the unique ceramic is micro-machinability and tunable electric characteristics established from the precursor compounds. The thermo-electric qualities of the PDC prepare formulation of a relationship between the changing temperatures of the research environment with respect to the internal resistance of the ceramic. An elected measurement system will actively monitor a PDC sensory circuit as well as reference thermocouple temperature. Series of response experiments were performed to characterize the functionality of the sensor within the high temperature environment.© 2013 ASME
On the species and substrate specificity of conditioned medium enhancement of neuritic outgrowth from spinal cord explants

Abstract Medium conditioned by rat muscle and fibroblast cultures dramatically enhances the outgrowth of neurites from fetal rat spinal cord slices in vitro3. Enhancement of neuritic outgrowth occurred on both collagen and polylysine-collagen substrates. Media conditioned by rat, mouse or chick muscles or fibroblasts all enhanced neuritic outgrowth from rat and chick spinal cord slices. Rat and mouse conditioned media always produced more enhancement than chick conditioned media.
Efficient replicated remote file comparison

The author improves on some previous work involving data transfer to find the location of disagreements between two or more large remote data files. Some procedures that permit a significant reduction in the number of back-and-forth interchanges are described, one of which significantly reduces the total amount of data transfer required. The older scheme could locate a disagreeing page with an extremely high degree of confidence more than one interchange. The new procedures require at most one back-and-forth interchange for each disagreeing page, often considerably less. >
Immunological approach to hepatocellular carcinoma

Summary. A library of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) has been produced against a human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line designated FOCUS in order to study the antigenic properties of transformed hepatocytes. Several monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) were initially selected for study since they bound to antigens which were overexpressed in HCC tissues compared with the adjacent uninvolved normal liver counterpart; in addition, these MoAbs revealed low level antigen expression on other normal human tissues. Subsequently, HCC cell lines were metabolically labelled and the antigens further characterized by immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis. If the MoAb recognized a primary linear epitope on a protein, cloning was performed using a ΛGT11 cDNA expression library prepared from the FOCUS HCC cell line. These studies characterized the HCC associated antigen(s) at the molecular level. This review illustrates the value of such an experimental approach to search for and identify HCC associated antigens and emphasizes the biological properties of novel proteins may be defined and characterized by these techniques. More important, our investigations have described unique proteins that may not only be important in the pathogenesis of HCC but also demonstrates how such antigen-antibody systems may be used to develop strategies for immuno-targetting and gene therapy of HCC.
An Experiential Approach to Benchmarking Curriculum.

Continuous curriculum improvement derives from a variety of perspectives, opportunities, and approaches. In this brief, we describe a process that facilitated student participation in curriculum development. We took our Supply Chain Management students to a regional conference affiliated with APICS and had them assess their knowledge readiness compared to professional standards. We used these data to identify our curriculum's strengths and weaknesses and to encourage faculty collaboration to adjust it accordingly. Our approach can be generalized to any academic discipline.
Accurately measure phase-locked loop lock time in production

This paper introduces the method to accurately measure phase-locked loop (PLL) lock time in a multi-site production environment. This method is also applicable for measuring RF transceiver frequency settling time, frequency and phase errors after settling for multiple devices under test (DUT) in parallel using either on board frequency mixers and RF signal generators or using RF receivers of automated test equipment (ATE).
Identification of the Gene Encoding Sulfopyruvate Decarboxylase, an Enzyme Involved in Biosynthesis of Coenzyme M

The products of two adjacent genes in the chromosome of Methanococcus jannaschii are similar to the amino and carboxyl halves of phosphonopyruvate decarboxylase, the enzyme that catalyzes the second step of fosfomycin biosynthesis in Streptomyces wedmorensis . These two M. jannaschii genes were recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli , and their gene products were tested for the ability to catalyze the decarboxylation of a series of α-ketoacids. Both subunits are required to form an α 6 β 6 dodecamer that specifically catalyzes the decarboxylation of sulfopyruvic acid to sulfoacetaldehyde. This transformation is the fourth step in the biosynthesis of coenzyme M, a crucial cofactor in methanogenesis and aliphatic alkene metabolism. The M. jannaschii sulfopyruvate decarboxylase was found to be inactivated by oxygen and reactivated by reduction with dithionite. The two subunits, designated ComD and ComE, comprise the first enzyme for the biosynthesis of coenzyme M to be described.
Interactive jamming with Shimon: a social robotic musician

The paper introduces Shimon: a socially interactive and improvisational robotic marimba player. It presents the interaction schemes used by Shimon in the realization of an interactive musical jam session among human and robotic musicians.
Modeling space charge in beams for heavy-ion fusion

A new analytic model is presented which accurately estimates the radially averaged axial component of the space-charge field of an axisymmetric heavy-ion beam in a cylindrical beam pipe. The model recovers details of the field near the beam ends that are overlooked by simpler models, and the results compare well to exact solutions of Poisson's equation. Field values are shown for several simple beam profiles and are compared with values obtained from simpler models.
MINIMIZATION OF FURTHER LIPID PEROXIDATION IN THE DISTILLATION 2‐THIOBARBITURIC ACID TEST OF FISH AND MEAT

The effect of adding propyl gallate (PG) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in the distillation 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test of fish and meat samples was determined with the purpose of minimizing further oxidation of lipids during the test. Also determined was the effect of chilled blending on TBA values. The addition of PG and EDTA to the distillation mixture substantially lowered TBA values of catfish samples, while it did not show any significant effect on beef, pork, and chicken samples. Chilled blending also was effective for fish samples, although less effective than adding PG and EDTA in distillation; it did not have perceptible effect on meat samples. The addition of PG and EDTA in the blending process (the initial Step of the test) was most effective for both fish and meat samples. The differences in the results between fish and meat samples have been discussed in terms of general differences in fatty acid composition of fish and meat. Finally, the addition of PG and EDTA in the blending process is recommended in the distillation TBA test of fish and meat, particularly of fish, to minimize further lipid oxidation occurring during the test.
Measuring gratitude in youth: Assessing the psychometric properties of adult gratitude scales in children and adolescents.

Before the developmental trajectory, outcomes, and related interventions of gratitude can be accurately and confidently studied among the youth, researchers must ensure that they have psychometrically sound measures of gratitude that are suitable for this population. Thus, considering that no known scales were specifically designed to measure gratitude in youth, this study aimed to answer an important question: Are the existing gratitude scales used with adults valid for use with youth? The present study is an empirical investigation, based on a large youth sample (N = 1,405) with ages ranging from 10 to 19 years old, of the psychometric properties of scores of the Gratitude Questionnaire-6 (GQ-6; M. E. McCullough, R. A. Emmons, & J.-A. Tsang, 2002), the Gratitude Adjective Checklist (GAC; M. E. McCullough, R. A. Emmons, & J.-A. Tsang, 2002), and the Gratitude Resentment and Appreciation Test (GRAT)-short form (M. Thomas & P. Watkins, 2003). Single-group and multiple-group confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the factor structures of these gratitude scales resemble those found with adults and were invariant across age groups. Scores of all three gratitude scales revealed acceptable internal consistency estimates (i.e., >.70) across age groups. Results showed that whereas scores of all three gratitude scales were positively correlated with each other for 14- to 19-year-olds, GRAT-short form scores tended to display relatively low correlations with scores of the other two measures for younger children (10-13 years old). Furthermore, the nomological network analysis showed that scores of all three gratitude scales were positively correlated with positive affect and life satisfaction scores across the age groups. The relationships with negative affect and depression scores, however, seemed dependent on the child's age. Pending results from subsequent research recommendations for researchers interested in studying gratitude in youth are offered.
Constructive Feature Learning and the Development of Visual Expertise

We present a framework for learning features for visual discrimination. The learning system is exposed to a sequence of training images. Whenever it fails to recognize a visual context adequately, new features are sought that discriminate further between the true and false classes. Features consist of hierarchical combinations of primitive features (local edge and texture characteristics) that are sampled from example images. The system continues to learn better features even after all recognition errors have been eliminated, similarly to mechanisms underlying human visual expertise. Whenever the probabilistic recognition algorithm returns any posterior class probabilities greater than zero and less than one, the system attempts to find new features that improve discrimination between the classes in question. Our experiments indicate that this procedure tends to improve classification accuracy on independent test images, while reducing the number of features used for recognition.
Uroplakin II outperforms uroplakin III in diagnostically challenging settings.

Aims We performed a head-to-head comparison of an antibody against uroplakin III (UP3) and a new uroplakin II (UP2) antibody that remains untested in diagnostically challenging settings. Methods and results We immunostained high-grade bladder neck carcinomas (n = 35), high-grade upper tract urothelial carcinomas (UC) and renal carcinomas (n = 85), metastases of UC (n = 30) and a multicancer tissue microarray (n = 88) for UP3 and UP2, and scored staining intensity and proportion. UP3 showed membranous plaque-like expression, while UP2 staining showed both membranous and cytoplasmic positivity. Significantly greater intensity (P = 0.003) and proportion (P = 0.03) of staining was noted for UP2 among bladder neck lesions, with UP2 staining showing greater sensitivity (63% versus 19%) and similar specificity (95% versus 100%) for UC over prostate carcinoma (P = 0.02). Among upper tract lesions, UP2 staining showed greater intensity and proportion than UP3 (both P < 0.001), including improved sensitivity (68% versus 23%) and equal specificity (both 100%) for UC (P = 0.006). Among UC metastases, UP2 staining showed greater intensity and proportion (both P < 0.001) with higher sensitivity (73% versus 37%, respectively, P = 0.001). Of 88 additional cases tested, no non-urothelial cases stained for either UP. Conclusions The UP2 antibody outperforms the UP3 antibody, including in diagnostically challenging settings, and is a useful addition to the armamentarium of biomarkers for UC.
A chemically inducible cucumber mosaic virus amplicon system for expression of heterologous proteins in plant tissues

A novel cucumber mosaic virus inducible viral amplicon (CMViva) expression system has been developed that allows for tightly regulated chemically inducible expression of heterologous genes in plant hosts. Transient production of recombinant alpha(1)-antitrypsin (rAAT), a human blood protein, was demonstrated in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The highest production levels were obtained by co-infiltrating leaves with Agrobacterium tumefaciens cells containing CMViva carrying the AAT gene and A. tumefaciens cells carrying a binary vector constitutively expressing the gene silencing suppressor p19. Accumulation of up to thirty-fold more rAAT was observed in leaves (24 mg per 100 g leaf tissue) when compared with the expression levels observed using the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter. Significantly, 70% of the rAAT produced using the CMViva expression system was found to be biologically active, a 170-fold increase in functional protein compared with the CaMV 35S expression system.
In situ generation of nitroxide from alkoxyamines for controlled acrylate polymerization

A general strategy for the controlled nitroxide-mediated polymerization of acrylates from alkoxyamines without addition of excess free nitroxide is outlined. 2,2-Dimethyl-3-(1-phenylethoxy)-4-phenyl-3-azapentane (1), prepared in one pot by the addition of 1-phenylethyl radicals to 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane, is heated prior to the addition of monomer to afford a mixture of alkoxyamine 1, free nitroxide, and 2,3-diphenylbutane. With a 30 min preheating period at temperatures up to 125 °C, the kinetics of the subsequent polymerization of n-butyl acrylate at 125 °C appear largely unaffected, though the ultimate molecular weight of the polymers is dependent upon the preheating temperature. The poly(n-butyl acrylate) samples, that result from this process, have much narrower molecular weight distributions than those which result in the absence of the preheating process.
Modulations of signal transduction pathways during sepsis and the effects of insulin and mifepristone.

Objectives: The phosphorylation states and the inferred activation of specific members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways (p42/44, p38, and SAI'K/JNK) were quantitated in the livers of rats by Westernblot analysis during the progression of sepsis. In addition, the authors examined the effects of insulin and mifepristone (RU-486) administration on these signal transduction pathways during sepsis. Methods: Sepsis was brought about by the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) method. The control group underwent sham operation. C)ne experimental group was injected with insulin (0.5 U/kg, IV); prior to the CLP or sham procedure, the second group was injected with RU-486, a glucocorticoid antagonist (mifepristone, 20 mg/kg, IP), and the third group was injected with saline (control). Results: The activities of SAPK/JNK were unaltered throughout the course of sepsis, while those of p42/44 MAPK increased four-fold after 24 hours of sepsis. The activation of p38 MAPK was also increased after 0.5 and 1.5 hours of sepsis, but returned to normal during late sepsis (24 hours). Rats that had received RU-486 before CLP showed no change in p42/44 MAPK compared with the untreated group, but the drug appeared to suppress the activation after 24 hours post-CLP. SAI'K/JNK activa tion, on the other hand, was slightly enhanced by RU-486 pretreatment after 1.5 and 24 hours of CLP compared with the untreated CLP and the treated sham-operated rats. Insulin, given preoperatively, had no effect on the activation of SAPK/JNK, although p42/44 MAPK pathways were activated by the hormone at 0.5 hours and 1.5 hours post-CLP only, but not in the sham-operated controls or at 24 hours post-CLP. The p38 MAPK activation seen after 0.5 and 1.5 hours of CLP was sup pressed by RU-486. Insulin pretreatment appears to suppress the phosphorylation of p38 in both the CLP and sham-operated groups. Conclusions: The data suggest that sepsis induces two phases of MAPK activation, an early phase in which p38 is active, followed by a second, more pronounced phase of p42/44 MAPK activation that occurs only late in sepsis. Hormonal administration results suggest that RU-486 suppresses the activation of p38 seen in early sepsis, and the activation of p42/44 MAPK seen in late sepsis.
A topological analysis of the C60 buckminsterfullerene and C70 based on distance matrices

Abstract The spectra and characteristic polynomials of the distance matrix of buckminsterfullerene and C 70 are computed. Based on the distance matrix of C 60 , the distance level diagram is constructed. Topological indices such as the Wiener index, connectivity index, etc., are computed. Factorization of the distance polynomial of C 60 is also considered.
The Association of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy and Sarcoidosis

A 59-year-old woman had a right homonymous hemianopsia, memory impairment for five months, a nonenhancing area in the left parieto-occipital region on CT scan, and bilateral reticulonodular infiltrates on chest x-ray film. Lung biopsy findings were consistent with sarcoidosis, a clinical diagnosis of CNS sarcoidosis made, and prednisone therapy begun. She deteriorated neurologically and died. At autopsy characteristic histologic and electron microscopic features of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) were found. We conclude that this and other cases demonstrate an association of PML and sarcoidosis and that steroid treatment is not a precondition. We also suggest an aggressive diagnostic approach in evaluating sarcoidosis with atypical neurologic deficits.
Forelimb indicators of prey-size preference in the Felidae.

The forelimbs, along with the crania, are an essential part of the prey-killing apparatus in cats. Linear morphometrics of the forelimbs were used to determine the morphological differences between felids that specialize on large prey, small prey, or mixed prey. We also compared the scaling of felid forelimbs to those of canids to test whether prey capture strategies affect forelimb scaling. Results suggest that large prey specialists have relatively robust forelimbs when compared with smaller prey specialists. This includes relatively more robust humeri and radii, relatively larger distal ends of the humerus, and relatively larger articular areas of the humerus and radius. Large prey specialists also had relatively longer olecranon processes of the ulna and wider proximal paws. These characters are all important for subduing large prey while the cat positions itself for the killing bite. Small prey specialists have relatively longer distal limb elements for swift prey capture, and mixed prey specialists had intermediate values with relatively more robust metacarpals. Arboreal felids also had more robust limbs. They had relatively longer proximal phalanges for better grip while climbing, and a relatively short brachial index (radius to humerus ratio). Additionally, we found that felids and canids differ in forelimb scaling, which emphasizes the dual use of forelimbs for locomotion and prey capture in felids. This morphometric technique worked well to separate prey-size preference in felids, but did not work as well to separate locomotor groups, as scansorial and terrestrial felids were not clearly distinguished. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Solvent-casting deposition of chalcogenide glass for photonic applications

A solvent casting method of depositing amorphous chalcogenide materials has been developed. Films are characterized and applied to the tuning of mid-infrared photonic structures and waveguide fabrication through a combination of soft-lithography and microfluidics.
Editorial: Systems biology and personalized medicine – the future is now

This special issue on "Systems biology and personalized medicine" includes five complementary articles that highlight how functional genomics and computational physiology can contribute to the development of predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory (P4) medicine. Edited by Prof. Leroy Hood and Prof. Charles Auffray.
Cytotoxicity of sera from patients with scleroderma

Sera from patients with progressive systemic sclerosis were compared with sera from normal individuals and from patients with other connective tissue diseases for cytotoxic effects on cultured human cells. More than 40% of the sera from patients with active progressive systemic sclerosis were cytotoxic by several criteria for pulmonary arterial or umbilical venous endothelial cells, foreskin fibroblasts, and neuroblastoma cells. Cytotoxic sera caused morphologic changes, uptake of trypan blue dye, and a decrease in the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA. In contrast, only 4 sera from normal individuals or patients with other rheumatic diseases affected cell morphology, staining, or uptake of 3H-thymidine. Partial characterization of the cytotoxic factor indicated that it is sensitive to proteolysis by trypsin. The molecular weight of the factor was estimated to be similar to that of albumin.
Interaction of Osmotic Stress, Temperature, and Abscisic Acid in the Regulation of Gene Expression in Arabidopsis

The impact of simultaneous environmental stresses on plants and how they respond to combined stresses compared with single stresses is largely unclear. By using a transgene (RD29A-LUC) consisting of the firefly luciferase coding sequence (LUC) driven by the stress-responsive RD29A promoter, we investigated the interactive effects of temperature, osmotic stress, and the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) in the regulation of gene expression in Arabidopsis seedlings. Results indicated that both positive and negative interactions exist among the studied stress factors in regulating gene expression. At a normal growth temperature (22°C), osmotic stress and ABA act synergistically to induce the transgene expression. Low temperature inhibits the response to osmotic stress or to combined treatment of osmotic stress and ABA, whereas low temperature and ABA treatments are additive in inducing transgene expression. Although high temperature alone does not activate the transgene, it significantly amplifies the effects of ABA and osmotic stress. The effect of multiple stresses in the regulation of RD29A-LUC expression in signal transduction mutants was also studied. The results are discussed in the context of cold and osmotic stress signal transduction pathways.
Dysfunctional Groups: An Exploratory study

In the digital age, teams are becoming the new norm. Many groups become productive over time, but some groups also become dysfunctional over time. This paper examines groups that work together and ultimately become dysfunctional to the extent that they have to be reassigned or dismantled. We use a three stage study to explore why this happens. Groups in face-to-face and online classes mimic diversity that is often related to real life teams and can be used to study dysfunctional groups. A longitudinal experiment involving several dysfunctional groups was conducted and the results are reported. Our research revealed that groups become dysfunctional due to several factors and groups split into sub groups leading to progressively worse performance. We use Lencioni's five functional characteristics to study dysfunctional teams. Future research areas are also discussed.
A general analysis for the electrohydrodynamic instability of stratified immiscible fluids

A general solution approach for the electrohydrodynamic instability of stratified immiscible fluids is presented. The problems of two and three fluid layers subject to normal electric fields are analysed. Analytical solutions are obtained by employing the transfer relations (Melcher 1981 Continuum Electromechanics. MIT Press) relating the disturbance stresses to the flow variables at the interface(s). This approach provides a convenient alternative to the direct solution of the linearized problem. The results assume a general format. Both new dispersion relations and those from various previous works are shown to be special cases when proper simplifications are considered. As a specific example, the instability behaviour of a three-layer channel flow is investigated in detail using this framework. This work provides a unifying method to treat a generic class of instability problems.
The Role of Ballistic, Electronic, and Thermal Processes in Electron Irradiation Damage of Maximum Valence Transition Metal Oxide Surfaces

Surface-initiated radiation damage processes in a number of the maximum valence transition metal oxides - TiO 2 , V 2 O 5 , WO 3 , MoO 3 , Ta 2 O 5 , Al 2 O 3 , and Nb 2 O 5 - have been investigated by in-situ high resolution electron microscopy under UHV conditions and at incident energies ranging from 3 keV to 300 keV. The relative contributions of ballistic, electronic, and thermal effects are evaluated by a comparison of the observed structural changes and damage rates - made under various experimental conditions of incident electron energy and flux - to theoretical predictions based on thermodynamic and available energy criteria.
Transplantation: Survival benefits of incompatible living donor kidney transplants

A single-centre study found that desensitization therapy permits a good success rate of kidney transplantation with an incompatible living donor. Data from 22 US centres now suggest that this technique could be employed across multiple hospitals to prolong the lives of sensitized transplant recipients.
IMS Technology Briefings Next Generation Communication Networks

During the migration from traditional PSTN switch network to package switch network, lots of new technologies are introduced, and IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) technology is the standard direction of next generation communication network. IMS divide the communication system into 3 Tiers - Application, Control and Access, each tier talk with others tiers with standard interface protocol, this structure lead to more simple network, investment saving and easy to management.
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty and relevance of biomarkers.

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a collection of clinical conditions, including central obesity, hypertension, glucose intolerance and dyslipidemia. The long-term inflammatory and metabolic dysfunction associated with MetS may contribute to osteoarthritic processes leading up to total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The purpose of this study was to investigate levels of metabolic biomarkers and the prevalence of MetS in patients undergoing TJA. Methods Under IRB approval, citrated plasma samples were collected from 41 patients undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA) preoperatively and day 1 postoperatively. Control group consisted of 25 healthy human plasma samples (female and male, 18-35 years old) purchased from George King Biomedical Inc. (Overland Park, KS, USA). Samples were profiled for c-peptide, ferritin, IL-6, insulin, resistin, TNF-α, IL-1a, leptin, and PAI-1 using metabolic biochips purchased from RANDOX Co. (Antrim, Northern Ireland). NCEP/ATP III guidelines were used to evaluate which patients met MetS criteria. Results Levels of IL-6, resistin, TNF-a, IL-1a, leptin, and PAI-1 were significantly elevated in patients undergoing TJA compared to normal. C-peptide and insulin were both decreased in TJA compared to normal. No significance was found when comparing TJA to normal for ferritin. TNFα was significantly lower in TJA+MetS compared to TJA-MetS, while other biomarkers showed no difference in TJA±MetS populations. Insulin & c-peptide both showed a significant decrease in TJA-MetS compared to normal, but levels in TJA+MetS patients were not significantly different from controls. Resistin showed significant increases in TJA+MetS vs. normal, but not in TJA-MetS vs. normal. Conclusions Overall, the differing metabolic profile seen in patients undergoing TJA suggest ongoing metabolic dysfunction. Insulin and c-peptide patterns among the different test groups hint toward a complex and dysfunctional metabolic process involved, with leptin and underlying insulin resistance playing a role. Increased resistin in TJA+MetS, but not in TJA-MetS, compared to normal, suggests that while elevated resistin levels may be associated with the osteoarthritic process, levels are further attenuated by MetS, which is highly prevalent in this population. Increased TNFα in TJA-MetS compared to TJA+MetS may be an artifact of differing sample populations or a true complication of the complex pathophysiology and medical regimen seen in patients with both OA and MetS. The lack of difference seen in the remaining biomarkers suggest that having MetS as a comorbidity does not contribute to the elevated levels seen in patients undergoing TJA.