cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Orientation and Properties of Polypropylene

The orientation characteristics of polypropylene are studied with respect to annealing temperature, orientation temperature, stretch ratio and mode of extension, in order to determine optimum orientation conditions. Specific relationships between optical properties and orientation conditions are presented along with the dependence of mechanical, thermal and morphological properties on annealing temperature and the extent of orientation.
Multichannel quantum wave packet propagation in the interaction picture: application to gas-surface scattering

Abstract Propagation of quantum wave packet in the interaction picture substantially improves the efficiency of time-dependent quantum mechanical (TDQM) methods for solving various scattering or half scattering problems. This paper generalizes the idea in a straightforward manner to treat coupled channel quantum wave packet propagation when basis set expansions of the total wavefunction in certain degrees of freedom are desired.
Early hydration of cement constituents with organic admixtures

The hydration of C2S, C3S, C3A, C4AF and type 1 portlant cement in the presence of calcium lignosulfonate and salicylic acid was studied at a high(20/1) water-cement ratio. The effect of these admixtures on the development, microstructure and surface area of the hydration products was investigated.
Lunasin, a novel seed peptide for cancer prevention

Carcinogenesis is a multistage process derived from a combination of multiple heritable and environmental factors. It has been reported that populations consuming high levels of soybean products have both lower cancer incidence and mortality rates in the western countries. Lunasin is a novel and promising peptide initially discovered in soy and now found in wheat, barley and other seeds. Its cancer-preventive efficacy has been shown in mammalian cells which were induced by chemical carcinogens and viral oncogenes. Moreover, this peptide has been found to prevent skin cancer in a mouse cancer model induced by chemical carcinogens. Its bioavailability after oral administration makes it a perfect candidate as a chemopreventive agent. The purpose of this article is to review the discovery of this seed peptide and the most recent evidence on its possible benefits as an anticancer agent.
Age and Gender Differences in Health Services Utilization

The purpose of this study was to examine the health service utilization patterns of elderly male and female enrollees of a large urban staff model Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). This HMO offered a wide spectrum of managed care services for its beneficiaries. A cross-sectional design was employed. The 759 randomly sampled elderly enrollees ranged in age from 66 to 99, with an average of 77.15 years. Approximately 60% were male and 40% were female; thus, the sample was not representative of the national older adult population. Three utilization patterns indicated that there were (a) nonsignificant relationships between age or gender and urgent care visits, prescribed pharmaceuticals, and out-of-pocket costs for pharmaceuticals; (b) linear relationships between age and gender and visits to HMO primary care providers (-), home-health care visits (+), emergency care visits (+), hospitalizations (+), and MD visits during hospitalizations (+); and (c) age was curvilinearly related to use of both HMO specialists and non-HMO specialists. These findings suggest that use of acute care services, including hospitalizations, inpatient physician visits, and emergency services increase with age but the use of primary care providers decreases with age. Gender was not a significant modifier of the relationship between age and utilization.
Lack of correlation between frontalis electromyography and self-ratings of either frontalis tension or state anxiety.

Since training in deep muscular relaxation is common to most behavioral treatments for anxiety and tension-related disorders, muscle tension measures, such as electromyography (EMG), would provide ...
An integrated system for optimal structural synthesis and remodelling

Abstract The paper presents an integrated system approach to efficient structural synthesis. It is based on a production analysis program (EAL), two general purpose optimization programs (CONMIN and NEWSUMT) and several problem-independent processors (some available with PARS and a few recently developed on EAL). The approach makes it possible to resize structures which can be “generically” modelled. The paper describes the advantages of following this integrated approach, the process of incorporating PARS (Programs for Analysis and Resizing of Structures) into EAL (Engineering Analysis Language) to form EAL/PARS and some of its newly added capabilities. An advanced synthesis system with enhanced generality and flexibility is achieved by taking advantage of the EAL higher order language commands and data base. The EAL modular structure and the ease with which new processors can be added to EAL make this system potentially adaptable to a wide spectrum of structural optimization problems.
Presentation and stage-specific outcomes of lifelong never-smokers with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Background Tobacco smoking leads to lung cancer. Approximately 10% of patients with lung cancer are life long never-smokers. There are only limited data available on the clinical characteristics and outcomes of lung cancer in never-smokers from the Western hemisphere. Methods Demographic and survival information was collected on 254 never-smokers with a confirmed pathologic diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by reviewing their medical records and the Social Security database. Results The study population consisted of 182 (71.6%) women and 72 (28.3%) men. The median age was 70 years (range: 31–91 years). Adenocarcinoma was the most common histology accounting for 60.8% of all patients, followed by NSCLC not otherwise specified (14.4%), bronchoalveolar carcinoma (13.6%), squamous cell carcinoma (8.8%), and large-cell type (2.4%). Majority of patients presented with stage III or IV disease (62.5%). We compared survival between never-smokers and smokers with NSCLC matched for gender, histology, tumor stage, and years of diagnosis. No significant difference in 5-year survival was seen between never-smokers (27.2%) and smokers with NSCLC (31.3%; p = 0.73). Conclusions Two thirds of patients with lung cancer who report no history of tobacco smoking are women. In the matched case–control analysis, we report no significant survival difference between lung cancer in never-smokers and those with history of tobacco smoking and lung cancer.
DOES MILD AORTIC REGURGITATION IN PATIENTS POST-TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT IMPACT MORTALITY?

Aortic regurgitation (AR) post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is associated with increased mortality risk. The association between mild AR degree and outcome is not established. All patients who underwent TAVR (n=407) were grouped by their post-TAVR AR degree [none (n=85); mild (n=
Conformational changes resulting from pseudophosphorylation of mammalian small heat shock proteins : a two-hybrid study

The human genome codes for 10 so-called mammalian small heat shock or stress proteins (sHsp) with the various tissues expressing characteristic sets of sHsps. Most sHsps interact with each other and form homo- and hetero-oligomeric complexes. Some of the sHsps are phosphoproteins in vivo, and phosphorylation has been implicated in the regulation of complex size and composition. In this study, we analyze, by the 2-hybrid method, the reporter gene activation pattern of several sHsp pairs that previously have been demonstrated to interact. We show that pseudophosphorylation (mimicry of phosphorylation) of the homologous phosphorylation sites Ser15 and Ser16 in Hsp27 and Hsp20, respectively, modulates characteristics of these sHsps that can be detected by their ability to activate reporter genes in suitable 2-hybrid assays. Pseudophosphorylation of the separated N-terminus of Hsp27 alone is not sufficient for the activation of the reporter genes, whereas the separated C-terminus is sufficient. We conclude that pseudophosphorylation of Hsp27 and Hsp20 at their N-termini results in conformational changes that can be detected by their interaction with other sHsps. Pseudophosphorylation of αB-crystallin at Ser19, in contrast, had no detectable consequences.
Functional and structural models of pontine modulation of mechanoreceptor and chemoreceptor reflexes

The dorsolateral and ventrolateral pons (dl-pons, vl-pons) are critical brainstem structures mediating the plasticity of the Hering-Breuer mechanoreflex (HBR) and carotid chemoreflex (CCR). Review of anatomical evidence indicates that dl-pons and vl-pons are connected reciprocally with one another and with medullary nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and ventral respiratory group (VRG). With this structural map, functional models of HBR and CCR are proposed in which the respiratory rhythm is modulated by short-term depression (STD) or potentiation (STP) of corresponding primary NTS-VRG and auxiliary pons-VRG excitatory or inhibitory pathways. Behaviorally, STD and STP of respiratory reflexes are akin to non-associative learning such as habituation, sensitization or desensitization to afferent inputs. Computationally, the STD and STP effects amount to signal differentiation and integration in the time domain, or high-pass and low-pass filtering in the frequency domain, respectively. These functional and structural models of pontomedullary signal processing provide a novel conceptual framework that unifies a wealth of experimental observations regarding mechanoreceptor and chemoreceptor reflex control of breathing.
Elastic stresses and slip intersections with f.c.c. twins

Abstract When slip takes place in f.c.c. metals containing annealing twins, slip may be reflected from a twin boundary, or it may be parallel to the twin boundary in the matrix and the twin, or it may pass continuously from matrix to twin to matrix. Finite element method (FEM) calculations permitted a determination of the matrix-twin orientation where each type of behavior would take place. Experiments were carried out on 70–30 α-brass bicrystals, tri-crystals and multi-crystals to check the calculations. Experiments were found to agree with calculations. When reflecting slip occured adjacent to a pile-up in a twin, it was possible to determine the identity of the reflecting slip system from FEM calculations and from a determination of the stresses resulting from the pile-up on the ( 11 1 ) [101]T slip system. It was also possible to identify the slip systems in the matrix, slip systems which operated as a result of the pile-up. For orientations in which slip would be reflected from a twin boundary calculations revealed that stress distributions were not the same for thick and thin twin cases, a situation which would produce transmission of slip across the thin twin but not the thick twin.
Characterization of the glucose-6-phosphate isomerase gene in Phytophthora infestans reveals the presence of multiple alleles

Glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) plays a key role in both glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. Isoforms of GPI are common, and therefore, its isozyme pattern is widely used to characterize isolates of Phytophthora infestans. Despite the importance of GPI in P. infestans studies, the gene encoding this enzyme has not yet been characterized. Furthermore, it has been suggested that P. infestans contains multiple copies of the gene but this hypothesis remains to be demonstrated. We have cloned and characterized GPI in various isolates of P. infestans as well as in several species of the genus Phytophthora. The gene contains 1671 bp and encodes a protein with a predicted molecular weight of 60.8 kDa. Multiple different alleles were identified and Southern analysis indicated certain P. infestans isolates carry several copies of the gene. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that P. infestans GPI is most closely related to sequences from Toxoplasma gondii, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Clarkia lewisii.
Stabilization of placental aromatase by dithiothreitol in the presence of oxidizing agents

Cumene hydroperoxide, sodium periodate and iodosobenzene were not able to support aromatization by placental microsomes in the absence of NADPH or molecular oxygen. In the presence of these oxidizing agents and NADPH, aromatase was slowly inactivated. Dithiothreitol (10mM) prevented the loss of aromatizing activity in the presence of these compounds. One function of dithiothreitol may be to protect aromatase by scavenging harmful oxidizing agents.
Picosecond studies of the cage effect and collision induced predissociation of iodine in liquids

Abstract In this work we report the first time dependent study of the role of the cage effect in the geminate recombination of iodine atoms produced by photodissociation of I 2 . We have also directly observed the rate of the collision induced predissociation of the excited iodine molecule, I 2 (B 3 Π o+u ).
Recent progress on geologic time ontologies and considerations for future works

Semantic Web technologies bring innovative ideas to computer applications in geoscience. As an essential part of the Semantic Web, ontologies are increasingly discussed in the geoscience community, in which geologic time scale is one of the topics that have received the most discussion and practices. This paper aims to carry out a review of the recent progress on geologic time ontologies, discuss further improvements, and make recommendations for other geoscience ontology works. Several models and ontologies of geologic time scale are collected and analyzed. Items such as ontology evaluation, ontology mapping, ontology governance, ontology delivery and multilingual labels are discussed for advancing the geologic time ontologies. We hope the discussion can be useful for other geoscience ontology works, and we also make a few further recommendations, such as referring to an ontology spectrum in ontology creation, collaborative working to improve interoperability, and balancing expressivity, implementability and maintainability to achieve better applications of ontologies.
Seminar series course to teach essential knowledge and skills not covered in the traditional pharmacy curriculum.

Objective. To create a required seminar series that instructed students in both clinical and non-clinical subjects that were often difficult to incorporate into the traditional pharmacy curriculum. Design. A required course was developed to introduce learners to basic professional skills, contemporary information, topics, and issues surrounding and influencing pharmacy practice Students were also required to take part in a mock board examination, construct a letter of intent and curriculum vitae, and prepare a 10-minute micro-teach on a clinical topic. Assessment. Students rated this course favorably and reported increased confidence with regards to several skill sets as well as in terms of licensing examinations. Conclusion. Through this required course students gained a better understanding of the external issues influencing and mitigating the profession of pharmacy.
The new MMT

Originally commissioned in 1979, the Multiple Mirror Telescope was a highly innovative and successful facility that pioneered many of the technologies that are used in the new generation of 8 to 10 m class telescopes. After 19 years of operations the MMT was decommissioned in March of 1998: the enclosure was modified, the optics support structure was replaced, and a single 6.5-meter primary mirror was installed and aluminized in-situ. First light for the new MMT was celebrated on May 13, 2000. Operations began with an f/9 optical configuration compatible with existing instruments. Work has continued commissioning two new optical configurations that will serve a suite of new instruments: an f/15 deformable secondary mirror and adaptive optics facility that has obtained diffraction-limited images; and an f/5.4 secondary mirror and refractive corrector that provides a one-degree diameter field of view. The wide-field instrument suite includes two fiber-fed bench spectrographs, a robotic fiber positioner, and a wide-field imaging camera.
Beyond eye movements: a role for frontal eye fields in evaluating decisions.

Much research has been dedicated to understanding how we make decisions, but decision-making does not end with the execution of choice. A fundamental feature of decision-making is fallibility: we make and learn from our mistakes. Online evaluation of performance, especially after committing an error
Oxygen transport in intraspinal fetal graffs: Graft-host relations

In the present experiments, we determined tissue oxygen tension (PtO2) levels within the injured spinal cords of adult rats following transplantation of fetal spinal cord tissue. Partial resection cavities were made at L1-L2 levels after which whole pieces of 14-day donor tissue were placed into the cavities. Analysis of recordings obtained from graft tissues at 1 and 2 months after transplantation revealed low PtO2 values in many cases. Even the more extensively developed transplants at 3 months continued to show mean PtO2 levels lower than those taken from normal, mature spinal cord tissue. Measurements from host tissue, adjacent to a lesion in which no graft was introduced, showed normal or elevated PtO2 levels. In contrast, where extensive host and graft integration had occurred, the PtO2 levels of adjacent host resembled those obtained within the transplants. On the other hand, in cases of poor host-graft integration, characterized by either cellular or fibrotic graft-host interfaces or large cysts, the PtO2 tensions exceeded normal levels. Therefore, the present results show that when fetal grafts are placed acutely into an aspiration cavity within the adult spinal cord, the transplants quickly establish an oxygen microenvironment resembling that found during normal fetal development. Oxygen transport is therefore a regulated variable in the graft neuropil as it is in the normally developing spinal cord. Furthermore, in the presence of closely approximated fetal transplants, adjacent host tissue assumes tissue oxygen levels that mimic those in the graft. This "inductive" effect gradually diminishes as development proceeds and may be the hallmark of successful graft-host integration.
The association between penis size and sexual health among men who have sex with men.

Larger penis size has been equated with a symbol of power, stamina, masculinity, and social status. Yet, there has been little research among men who have sex with men assessing the association between penis size and social-sexual health. Survey data from a diverse sample of 1,065 men who have sex with men were used to explore the association between perceived penis size and a variety of psychosocial outcomes. Seven percent of men felt their penis was “below average,” 53.9% “average,” and 35.5% “above average.” Penis size was positively related to satisfaction with size and inversely related to lying about penis size (all ps < .01). Size was unrelated to condom use, frequency of sex partners, HIV status, or recent diagnoses of HBV, HCV, gonorrhea/Chlamydia/urinary tract infections, and syphilis. Men with above average penises were more likely to report HPV and HSV-2 (Fisher’s exact p ≤ .05). Men with below average penises were significantly more likely to identify as “bottoms” (anal receptive) and men with above average penises were significantly more likely to identify as “tops” (anal insertive). Finally, men with below average penises fared significantly worse than other men on three measures of psychosocial adjustment. Though most men felt their penis size was average, many fell outside this “norm.” The disproportionate number of viral skin-to-skin STIs (HSV-2 and HPV) suggest size may play a role in condom slippage/breakage. Further, size played a significant role in sexual positioning and psychosocial adjustment. These data highlight the need to better understand the real individual-level consequences of living in a penis-centered society.
Cloning, expression, and catalytic triad of recombinant arylformamidase.

Abstract Arylformamidase (AFMID) is the second enzyme of the kynurenine pathway metabolizing tryptophan to nicotinic acid and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide cofactors. Inhibition of AFMID by organophosphorus insecticides in developing chicken embryos is correlated with lowered NAD levels and severe teratogenesis. The cDNA sequence previously identified for mouse liver AFMID (AF399717) (MW 34229) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli . Residues identified as potential catalytic triad members (S162, D247, and H279) through sequence motif and homology modeling were mutated to alanine to probe their contributions to enzyme activity. The wild-type and mutant AFMIDs were expressed as amino terminal 6× His-tagged recombinant proteins to facilitate purification. Three chromatography steps isolated highly purified proteins for enzyme activity comparisons. Expressed AFMID showed high activity, 42 ± 1 μmol/min/mg protein, for its natural substrate, N -formyl- l -kynurenine. The same K m (0.18–0.19 mM) was observed for expressed and native cytosolic AFMID. The single mutants (S162A, D247A, and H279A) lost essentially all (>99%) activity. The predicted catalytic triad of S162, D247, and H279 is therefore confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis.
A characterization of 3-nets

Abstract Laskar introduced 3-nets as a 3 dimensional analogue to Bruck's notion of net. Affine 3-spaces are an example of 3-nets, and cubic lattice graphs provide another example. Freeman introduced and Laskar extended a class of examples of 3-nets, here called Freeman-Laskar 3-nets. We show that every finite 3-net is either a cubic lattice 3-net or a Freeman-Laskar 3-net. We also show that every infinite 3-net either is a cubic lattice 3-net or arises from a vector space over a skew field.
The Prevention of Social Aggression Among Girls

This study represents the first systematic attempt to examine a theory-based program designed to reduce girls' social aggression and increase positive leadership among peers. Fifth-grade girls from six public schools were randomly assigned within classrooms to the social aggression prevention program (SAPP) and the comparison reading clubs. A school-based small group program, the SAPP was demonstrated to have a positive impact for all students in the domain of social problem solving. For students with high baseline social problems, teachers reported positive changes in SAPP participants' prosocial behavior. In addition, the content of the program was critical: reading club participants improved their reading achievement at greater rates than SAPP participants. Targeting female students in a program focused on resolving social conflicts from multiple perspectives may be an important addition to broader, multilevel initiatives to prevent aggression and promote leadership in schools.
The uncovered set and indifference in spatial models: A fuzzy set approach

The uncovered set was developed in order to predict outcomes when spatial models result in an empty core. In contrast to conventional approaches, fuzzy spatial models induce a substantial degree of individual and collective indifference over alternatives. Hence, existing definitions of the covering relationship return differing results. We develop a definition for a fuzzy covering relation. Our definition results in an uncovered set that is, in most cases, contained within the Pareto set. We conclude by characterizing the exceptions.
Evolution of ocean climate and the record of planktonic foraminifera

THE planktonic foraminiferal fossil record reveals two major evolutionary radiations, one in the Palaeogene and another in the Neogene. Preceding each radiation, at the beginning and middle of the Cainozoic, there were severe reductions in faunal diversity. Both reductions involved an elimination of tropical and sub-tropical forms and the radiations involved their restoration1.
Ethanol-host interactions determined by radiorespirometry of 14C glucoses

1. Theoretical considerations in continuous flow analysis by Walker, Shepherdson and McGowan have been applied to continuous flow radiorespirometry of 14C-glucoses to demonstrate ethanol response differences between water- and ethanol-preferring mice. 2. Ethanol dosages in the n mols/kg range stimulated glucose utilization rates more in ethanol- than in water-preferring mice, while intermediate dosages (μmol and low mmol/kg) produced equal stimulation but at different dosages. Pharmacological dosages (20–88 mmols/kg) inhibited glucose rates in water-preferring mice. The inhibition was released at 44 mmols/kg in ethanol-preferring mice. 3. Inhibition release was shown to be associated more with glucose carbons other than one, and considered consistent with a sodium-plus potassium-activated ATPase mechanism. 4. Intermediate ethanol dosage changes could be assigned to differences induced in glucose carbon one metabolism with H2O2-catalase and/or microsomal-ethanol-oxidizing systems (MEOS) mechanisms. 5. Our studies suggest that measurements of adenylate deaminase activities might clarify shifts in transaminations (human) and shifts in mononucleotides seen following chronic ethanol ingestion.
Leucoanthocyanin formation in buckwheat seedling hypocotyls

Abstract The leucoanthocyanin content of hypocotyls of buckwheat seedlings cultured in continuous darkness increases until the seventh day of growth and then decreases. The maximum content occurs in seedlings which are also at a peak in their ability to form anthocyanin following exposure to light. However, the synthesis of anthocyanin is accompanied by no change in leucoanthocyanin content, and 11-day-old hypocotyl materials of different anthocyanin-forming abilities do not show corresponding differences in leucoanthocyanin content. Also, augmentation of anthocyanin formation by supplying sucrose does not result in a change in the leucoanthocyanin level. These observations do not permit a clear conclusion to be drawn concerning the relation of the leucoanthocyanin to anthocyanin synthesis in this plant.
Nonparametric Estimation of Intensity Maps Using Haar Wavelets and Poisson Noise Characteristics

We present a method for the nonparametric (model-free) estimation of an intensity map underlying two-dimensional count data with Poisson noise characteristics. Specifically, we extend the so-called TIPSH (translation invariant Poisson smoothing using Haar wavelets) methodology, which was formulated for denoising Poisson time series data in the context of γ-ray bursts. In addition to the obvious extension of TIPSH to the two-dimensional context of image data, the primary contribution of this paper is in showing the extreme generality under which exact thresholding may be done when using the Haar transform. This generality allows for the efficient evaluation of arbitrarily complex models for observed data within a multiscale framework. This latter characteristic has played a critical role in a recent analysis of EGRET data which provided strong evidence for anomalous large-scale emission in high-energy γ-rays (the so-called γ-ray halo). Here we concentrate on describing the details of the new thresholding scheme as well as exploring the results of a number of simulation studies.
Some Normative Data for the Spiral Aftereffect

67 college students were exposed to the spiral aftereffect (SAE) in varied combinations of stimulation time and direction of rotation to observe the frequency and duration of SAE for a normal popul...
Early Holocene Vegetation Record from the Salton Basin, California

Abstract Plant and vertebrate macrofossils in an early Holocene fossil packrat ( Neotoma sp.) midden with a radiocarbon age of 8640 ± 100 14 C yr B.P. are reported from the Chocolate Mountains, near the Salton Sea, Riverside County, California. An inventory of the midden has permitted a comparison of the modern flora and fauna of the site with that extant during the early Holocene. Whereas the biota had assumed most aspects of its modern Sonoran desert aspect by this date, statistically significant evidence of differences is attributed to an increased flow of surface water in Salt Creek, a high-standing, low-salinity Lake LeConte, and the late arrival of some characteristic Sonoran desert plants. These observations are consistent with models of significant fall-winter precipitation in the Sonoran Desert, although we cannot exclude alternative explanations.
SU‐E‐T‐153: Proton Linearity and Energy Dependence Studies of Optically Stimulated Luminescent Detectors for Remote Audits of Proton Beam Calibrations by the Radiological Physics Center

Purpose: Implement Optically Stimulated Luminescent Detectors (OSLD) into Radiological Physics Center's (RPC) remote audit quality assurance (QA) program for protons. Methods: The OSLDs were aluminum oxide (Al2O3:C) nanoDots™ from Landauer, Inc. (Glenwood, IL.). A standard RPC remote audit electron phantom with detector inserts at two different locations with three scatter rings and slabs of water equivalent plastic phantom, added on top of the phantom to place both dosimeter locations within the SOBP, were used. Two nanoDots™ were placed in each detector insert of the phantom. For the linearity study, a 250 MeV proton beam with reference setup (FS = 10 × 10 cm2, 10cm SOBP) was used with the beam isocenter located between the two detector depths. Doses of 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 350 cGy at isocenter were delivered. For the energy dependence study, doses of 200 cGy each were delivered with the reference setup for 250, 200, and 160 MeV proton beams. Co‐60 measurement was performed as a standardization process. The OSLDs were read on a MicroStar reader from Landauer between 5 to 7 days after irradiation. Results: The OSLD irradiated had a linear dose response of y=−8.3513E−5x+1.0084 with an R2 = 1.000 over the dose range where y=Kl (dose linearity factor) and x=dose. The energy dependence of the OSLD for the three different energies was less than 3% for the irradiation conditions and fluctuation for different OSLDs less than 1% for the same energy used for the RPC remote audit program. Conclusions: The OSLD showed a linear dose response and consistent energy dependence for three proton energies at the MD Anderson Cancer Center Proton Center. OSLD can be used to replace the TLD for RPC's remote audit QA program for proton beam output. Work supported by PHS CA0 10953 and CA081647 awarded by NCI, DHHS
Intracellular Calcium Signaling Pathways during Liver Ischemia and Reperfusion

ABSTRACTCalcium plays a major role in intracellular signaling mechanisms during ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury of a liver cell. Under ischemic conditions, the absence of oxygen arrests oxidative phosphorylation, thereby eliminating the energy source by which hepatocellular mechanisms maintain homeostasis of calcium. This, in turn, leaves nonselective plasma membrane influx pores unopposed and results in a net increase in intracellular calcium concentrations. Subsequent reperfusion marks the onset and progression of apoptosis and necrosis, as it involves inflammatory responses as well as free-radical formation due to re-oxygenation of cells. These processes destroy the structural integrity of organelles, leading to disruptive redistribution of calcium between cellular and subcellular compartments. This initial elevation and later imbalance of intracellular calcium concentrations associated with I/R induce various molecular responses within each organelle. In the cytoplasm, a series of pro-apoptotic path...
Modeling and measuring friction effects

Friction may well be nature's most useful phenomenon. In machinery in which it is not the driving force, however, friction is an undesirable parasitic phenomenon, generating heat and wasting energy. Large sums are spent each year on lubricants to eliminate as much friction as possible in mechanical devices. On the other hand, when friction is the source of traction and braking, it is important to keep friction at a high level. To achieve this end, much effort and funding are expended on projects such as improving tires and antilock brakes. The goals of this article are first to review some of the physical characteristics of friction, especially the need for state-space dynamic models; then to describe apparatus for measuring friction effects and to present the results achieved using this apparatus; and, finally, to discuss some of the issues relating to measurement of friction effects.
Compressed Kernel Perceptrons

Kernel machines are a popular class of machine learning algorithms that achieve state of the art accuracies on many real-life classification problems. Kernel perceptrons are among the most popular online kernel machines that are known to achieve high-quality classification despite their simplicity. They are represented by a set of B prototype examples, called support vectors, and their associated weights. To obtain a classification, a new example is compared to the support vectors. Both space to store a prediction model and time to provide a single classification scale as O(B). A problem with kernel perceptrons is that on noisy data the number of support vectors tends to grow without bounds with the number of training examples. To reduce the strain at computational resources, budget kernel perceptrons have been developed by upper bounding the number of support vectors. In this work, we propose a new budget algorithm that upper bounds the number of bits needed to store kernel perceptron. Setting the bitlength constraint could facilitate development of hardware and software implementations of kernel perceptrons on resource-limited devices such as microcontrollers. The proposed compressed kernel perceptron algorithm decides on the optimal tradeoff between number of support vectors and their bit precision. The algorithm was evaluated on several benchmark data sets and the results indicate that it can train highly accurate classifiers even when the available memory budget is below 1 Kbit. This promising result points to a possibility of implementing powerful learning algorithms even on the most resource-constrained computational devices.
Area efficient vector multiplication for IDDT test calibration

This paper proposes an area efficient signal processing architecture to perform Iddt test calibration through vector multiplication. The design follows the Field Programmable Array organization, and capitalizes on the unique behavior of binary encoded signals to implement compact multiply elements. Vectors with 8 bit values were multiplied at a rate of 300kHz, independently of vector size.
Effects of green manure use on sweet corn root length density under reduced tillage conditions

A green manure (GM) is a crop grown primarily as a nutrient source and soil amendment for subsequent crops. In environments such as Florida, combined use of GM and reduced tillage may improve soil water and nutrient retention and reduce potential groundwater pollution. In the first 3 years of a long-term experiment, use of GM in a reduced-tillage system on a sandy Florida soil benefited the season-long growth of sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. Rugosa) much more than final ear yields. To help understand these patterns, we evaluated response of sweet corn roots when in rotation with GM of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.; summer) and cahaba white vetch (Vicia sativa L.; winter 2002–2003) and a multi-species mixture of hairy vetch (V. villosa Roth.) and cereal rye (Secale cereale L.; winter 2003–2004). Treatments included sweet corn with combinations of 0 or 133 kg chemical N ha−1 (as NH4NO3) and with or without GM. A highly fertilized treatment (267 kg chemical N ha−1) without GM was also included. Soil cores were sampled from three depths (0–15, 15–30 and 30–60 cm) both between and within corn rows. Data from two experiments showed that use of GM increased sampled corn root length density (RLD) by 44–54%, although only within the upper 15 cm of soil in one of the two experiments. Corn following GM plus 133 kg chemical N ha−1 produced up to 44% greater RLD than corn with 267 kg chemical N ha−1. Sampled RLD decreased with distance away from corn plants (from in-row to between-row positions, and from shallow to deeper depth), with roughly 85–95% of sampled RLD existing in the top 30 cm of soil across all treatments. During the 2004 experiment, we found that broadcast, as opposed to banded (placed along corn row only), chemical N application resulted in more even distribution of corn RLD between in-row and between-row positions during late-season without regard to GM crop. Although GM permitted optimal sweet corn growth with a 50% reduction in chemical N application, ear fill during the final 1–2 weeks before harvest may have been reduced in GM treatments. GM effects on the amount and spatial distribution of sweet corn RLD may help explain these trends. Provision of greater N from GM residues and/or altered distribution of supplementary chemical N and irrigation may be required to achieve greater ear yield benefit from GM.
Blitzkrieg education: Finding a system for transforming education

For decades people have been promising that technology was going to radically change education. Despite large investment and much research little deep change is evident at most institutions. This paper will argue that it is not enough just to add new technologies to an existing system; we must completely change the system to one built around a set of new technologies and methods. An initial framework for such a system is proposed based around educational approaches that have complementary technologies. The framework is based around five main components: transferable skill development, collaboration, open content, reverse teaching and user-centered design.
Epstein–Barr nuclear antigen leader protein coactivates transcription through interaction with histone deacetylase 4

Epstein–Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA) leader protein (EBNALP) coactivates promoters with EBNA2 and is important for Epstein–Barr virus immortalization of B cells. Investigation of the role of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in EBNALP and EBNA2 promoter regulation has now identified EBNALP and EBNA2 to be associated with HDAC4 in a lymphoblastoid cell line. Furthermore, a transcription-deficient EBNALP point mutant did not associate with HDAC4. HDAC4 and 5 overexpression repressed EBNA2 activation and EBNALP coactivation, whereas other HDACs had little effect. Moreover, EBNALP expression decreased nuclear HDAC4. Expression of 14-3-3 anchors HDAC4 in the cytoplasm, increased EBNALP effects, and reversed HDAC4 or 5 repression. HDAC4 reversal depended on the HDAC4 nuclear export sequence. Consistent with EBNALP coactivation being mediated by nuclear HDAC4 depletion, HDAC4 overexpression increased nuclear HDAC4 and specifically repressed EBNA2-dependent activation as well as EBNALP-dependent coactivation. Also, EBNALP, HDAC4, and 14-3-3 could be immunoprecipitated in a single complex. Thus, these data strongly support a model in which EBNALP coactivates transcription by relocalizing HDAC4 and 5 from EBNA2 activated promoters to the cytoplasm. The observed EBNALP effects are likely also in part through HDAC5, which is highly homologous to HDAC4.
Smallmouth Bass Reproduction in Elevated Temperature Regimes at the Species' Native Southern Limit

The effects of elevated temperatures on reproduction of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieui were evaluated in large outdoor channels (112 m long; 0.05 hectare) on the Tennessee River in Alabama, the southern limit of the species native range. Replicated treatments were the ambient temperature of the Tennessee River and 3, 6, and 9 C above ambient (December 1978-October 1979). Peak egg deposition was advanced about 8 days per 3 C increase over ambient but occurred at temperatures (18-22 C) within the normal range reported for spawning by this species (15-26 C). Peak spawning time ranged from March 22 in the +9 C treatment to April 16 in the ambient regime. Duration of spawning periods (11 to 19 days) in the four temperature treatments was similar to those reported for natural populations. Survival rates from egg deposition to emergence from the nest were about 90% in all treatments. A maximum weekly average temperature of 26 C during the spawning season will allow survival of smallmouth bass eggs and larvae. This study indicated that the southern limit of the original range of smallmouth bass was not determined by the influence of temperature on reproduction and that above-normal temperatures would not affect reproduction andmore » recruitment to the extent that low temperatures affect northernmost populations. 19 references, 2 figures, 3 tables.« less
Sicker and Poorer: The Consequences of Being Uninsured for People With Disability During the Medicare Waiting Period.

Purpose:Disabled individuals younger than 65 years are entitled to Medicare coverage through the Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) program, but only if they have completed a 2-year waiting ...
Estimating Anthropometry and Pose from a Single Uncalibrated Image

In this paper, we present a four-step technique for simultaneously estimating a human's anthropometric measurements (up to a scale parameter) and pose from a single uncalibrated image. The user initially selects a set of image points that constitute the projection of selected landmarks. Using this information, along with a priori statistical information about the human body, a set of plausible segment length estimates is produced. In the third step, a set of plausible poses is inferred using a geometric method based on joint limit constraints. In the fourth step, pose and anthropometric measurements are obtained by minimizing an appropriate cost function subject to the associated constraints. The novelty of our approach is the use of anthropometric statistics to constrain the estimation process that allows the simultaneous estimation of both anthropometry and pose. We demonstrate the accuracy, advantages, and limitations of our method for various classes of both synthetic and real input data.
Catalytic Chemistry of Hydrocarbon Conversion Reactions on Metallic Single Crystals

The ability to be able to follow the chemistry of adsorbates on model catalyst surfaces has, in principle, allowed us to peer inside the “black box” of a catalytic reaction and understand the pathway. Such a strategy is most simply implemented for well-ordered single crystal model catalysts for which the catalytic reaction proceeds in ultrahigh vacuum. Thus, in order to be a good model for the supported catalyst, the single crystal should catalyze the reactions with kinetics identical to those for the supported system. This chapter focuses on catalytic systems that fulfill these criteria, namely alkene and alkyne hydrogenation and acetylene cyclotrimerization on Pd(111). The surface chemistry and geometries of the reactants in ultrahigh vacuum are explored in detail allowing fundamental insights into the catalytic reaction pathways to be obtained.
Dynamic analysis of microturbine/fuel cell for peak power shaving

This paper addresses a possible solution to the problem of blackouts that occur on the grid due to increased loads during peak periods. The objective of this research is to identify technologies that could be employed to stabilize the grid by minimizing power fluctuations during peak load periods. In order to achieve this objective, distributed generating sources share the load during peak periods with the utility. These sources are called peak power shavers (PPS). The proposed system consists of a microturbine driving a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). The AC power generated from the PMSG is rectified and, along with a fuel cell, is connected to the DC-link. A PWM inverter delivers AC power to the grid connected load. For large steady state power demand changes, controlling the fuel flow rate to the microturbine and/or the hydrogen flow rate to the fuel cell can control the power flow from the PPS. For small load variations, changing the inverter modulation index can change the reactive power output while changing the phase angle of the output voltage can change the real power output.
Novel HIV vaccine strategies: overview and perspective

A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine remains a central component in the quest to control the worldwide epidemic. To examine the status of the development of HIV vaccines, we review the results of the efficacy trials carried out to date and the immunologic principles that guided them. Four vaccine concepts have been evaluated in HIV-1 vaccine efficacy trials, and the results of these trials have provided significant information for future vaccine development. While one of these trials demonstrated that a safe and effective HIV vaccine is possible, many questions remain regarding the basis for the observed protection and the most efficient way to stimulate it. Novel HIV vaccine strategies including induction of highly potent broadly neutralizing antibodies, use of novel homologous and heterologous vector systems, and vectored immunoprophylaxis seek to expand and build upon the knowledge gained from these trials.
Heterogeneous lithium niobate photonics on silicon substrates

A platform for the realization of tightly-confined lithium niobate photonic devices and circuits on silicon substrates is reported based on wafer bonding and selective oxidation of refractory metals. The heterogeneous photonic platform is employed to demonstrate high-performance lithium niobate microring optical resonators and Mach-Zehnder optical modulators. A quality factor of ~7.2 × 104 is measured in the microresonators, and a half-wave voltage-length product of 4 V.cm and an extinction ratio of 20 dB is measured in the modulators.
Galanin receptor-expressing dorsal horn neurons: Role in nociception

Abstract Galanin, along with enkephalins and neuropeptide Y, has been hypothesized to negatively modulate nociception in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord. In the present study, we sought to determine the role of presumably excitatory dorsal horn galanin receptor-expressing neurons in nociception by selectively destroying GalR1-expressing superficial dorsal horn interneurons using lumbar intrathecal injections of the targeted cytotoxin, galanin–saporin (Gal–sap). Lumbar intrathecal injection of Gal–sap (500 ng) reduced immunoperoxidase staining for GalR1 in the superficial dorsal horn without affecting primary afferent neurons in lumbar dorsal root ganglia. Lumbar intrathecal Gal–sap also: 1 – reduced nocifensive reflex responding on the thermal plate at 0.3 °C, 44 °C, and 47 °C; 2 – increased hot side occupancy in a thermal preference task (15 °C vs 45 °C); and, 3 – decreased escape from 44 °C and 47 °C, but not 20 °C. Thus, similar to lesions of mu opiate receptor-expressing dorsal horn interneurons, selective destruction of GalR1-expressing superficial dorsal horn neurons produces heat hypo-algesia, likely due to loss of GalR1-expressing excitatory interneurons leading to reduced activation of nociceptive projection neurons in response to aversive heat. These results are different than those seen with intrathecal neuropeptide Y–saporin and suggest the potential value of selectively targeting GalR1-expressing dorsal horn neurons to control pain.