cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DETERMINANTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG FEMALE ADOLESCENTS

Introduction Women, and particularly African-American women, may be less physically active than what is ideal. Knowledge of factors that influence physical activity is valuable information to those planning and administering exercise promoting interventions. Methods The associations of 25 variables with current global physical activity were assessed via regression analysis. Eight hundred and fifty-two young women, 14-18 years of age, were sampled. Each completed a 7-day recall of physical activity and an 83-item survey. The sample was further subdivided by ethnic group, and then ethnic group and age to ascertain whether determinants of physical activity differ across these groups. Results Ethnic group (Caucasians more active) and age (younger more active) were significant influences on physical activity. Overall, nurture from biological fathers and participation in organized sports associated with physical activity. Viewing two or more hours of television per night negatively influenced physical activity. Among African-American girls (n = 626), participation in organized sports, friend support, and nurture from biological fathers significantly associated with physical activity. However, following sports through the media negatively influenced physical activity. Among Caucasians (n = 226), attitudes were the sole significant correlate of physical activity. Conclusions Those planning interventions targeting female adolescents should consider employing distinct strategies for specific ethnic group and age subgroups. Opportunities for physicians to have an impact on the physical activity of female adolescents includes using their community standing to influence school policies and to counsel female patients individually during office visits.
Evaluating Transport Protocols for Real-Time Event Stream Processing Middleware and Applications

Real-time event stream processing (RT-ESP) applications must synchronize continuous data streams despite fluctuations in resource availability. Satisfying these needs of RT-ESP applications requires predictable QoS from the underlying publish/subscribe (pub/sub) middleware. If a transport protocol is not capable of meeting the QoS requirements within a dynamic environment, the middleware must be flexible enough to tune the existing transport protocol or switch to a transport protocol better suited to the changing operating conditions. Realizing such adaptive RT-ESP pub/sub middleware requires a thorough understanding of how different transport protocols behave under different operating conditions. This paper makes three contributions to work on achieving that understanding. First, we define ReLate2, which is an evaluation metric that combines packet latency and reliability to evaluate transport protocol performance. Second, we use the ReLate2 metric to quantify the performance of various transport protocols integrated with the OMG's Data Distribution Service (DDS) QoS-enabled pub/sub middleware standard using our FLEXibleMiddleware AndTransports (FLEXMAT) prototype for experiments that capture performance data. Third, we use ReLate2 to pinpoint configurations involving sending rate, network loss, and number of receivers that show the pros and cons of the protocols.
INTERPROFESSIONAL APPROACHES TO SYMPTOMS OF DEMENTIA

Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Interdisciplinary teams of professionals are called upon to provide a variety of treatment modalities using evidence-based practice. Nursing and social work team members are frequently called upon as professional team members on the front line of service delivery for persons with dementia. This study uses audio and audiovisual simulation experiences of persons with dementia in the preparation of nursing and social work students. Measures utilized included The Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS) and the Kiersma-Chen Empathy Scale (KCES). Results demonstrated significant change in attitudes and level of empathy toward persons with dementia.
The role of EM modeling in integrated packaging

R&D in industry and government laboratories has initiated an effort to address the critical problems of packaging in a way which links electrical performance with thermal and mechanical properties. MIC (microwave integrated circuit) and MMIC (monolithic MIC) packages that are capable of good performance at frequencies as high as 60 GHz need to have the following characteristics: low insertion loss and voltage standing wave ratio per lead feedthrough, good isolation between leads, microstrip or coplanar line compatibility, low cost in reasonable volume, thermally acceptable, hermetically sealable, and small volume and low weight. Lastly but most importantly they should exhibit negligible electrical interference with the rest of the circuit. A variety of techniques which can be employed to analyze packaging effects in the frequency and time domains have been examined. >
Reducing Cesarean Birth Rates With Data-driven Quality Improvement Activities

Reduction of cesarean section rates has been a difficult process that has not been easily accomplished by the institution of guidelines. It is more a process of changing physician behavior rather than of medical education. This article analyzed the role of intensive feedback of outcomes to bring about such changes. Two large private obstetric services in San Francisco, CA, were studied. Intensive outcomes feedback using a computerized information system, The Perinatal Data Center, regarding cesarean birth rates and a variety of obstetric outcomes was provided to the medical and nursing staff at one hospital. The other center served as a control. After the first observation period, the outcomes system was introduced to the second hospital. Finally, “open label” feedback, intradepartmental release of everyone9s key statistics with names attached, was performed. Active management of labor was not practiced at either hospital. Results. Cesarean birth rates were stable in the baseline period from 1980 through 1988 at 24% to 25%. Introduction of the Perinatal Data Center outcomes system was associated with a reduction to 21% at the first hospital with no change in the control hospital. Subsequent introduction of the system 3 years later in the control hospital resulted in a decline from 25% to 20.5%. After merger of the two obstetric units and the institution of “open label” feedback, an additional decline to 18.5% was observed. Conclusion. Physician practice patterns and cesarean birth rates can be altered with the intensive use of comparative outcome data and strong physician leadership. Nonblinded, intradepartmental distribution of outcomes is an even more effective tool.
Factors affecting the tensile ductility of a metastable beta titanium alloy

The ductility of extruded heavy-section Ti-base--Mo--V--Fe--Al alloy was studied. Metallographic evidence for the large effect of grain size on ductility is presented. Fracture was found to occur in large-grain material after less deformation than in smaller grain size specimens. (JRD)
A Lifelong Learning Courses Based on Learning Objectives

This paper describes our approach for developing a second level course that provides a strong foundation in information technology. The course was designed as a follow-up course to one often described as Computer Literacy. The course focuses on a hands-on-use of the technology in different complex, research and information-rich environments for students who are not computer and information science majors. In this paper we discuss how the course was developed after the authors carefully delineated the pedagogical goals they wanted to achieve. Both the advantages and disadvantages of organising a course in this manner are discussed.
Effect of hydroxyurea on virus development. I. Electron microscopic study of the effect on the development of bacteriophage T4.

Abstract Margaretten, William (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, N.Y.), Councilman Morgan, Herbert S. Rosenkranz, and Harry M. Rose. Effect of hydroxyurea on virus development. I. Electron microscopic study of the effect on the development of bacteriophage T4. J. Bacteriol. 91:823–833. 1966.—Double fixation in gluteraldehyde and osmium tetroxide and the application of lead staining revealed details of viral structure not previously observed in thin sections. Bacteriophage presumed to have injected its deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) exhibited a dense, hollow, disc-shaped core. Within the cytoplasm of infected bacteria, the peripheral membrane of the viral heads was clearly visible. Aberrant forms containing the hollow core and believed to be devoid of DNA were encountered in studies of the normal course of development. Hydroxyurea, which is believed to interfere with the production of infective bacteriophage by inhibiting DNA synthesis, resulted in the appearance of viral particles with the hollow disc or with bizarre, distorted cores. However, a significant number of viral heads looked entirely normal and presumably contained a full complement of DNA. Hypotheses are presented to explain these observations.
Parallel stochastic robustness synthesis for control system design

Stochastic robustness synthesis is used to evaluate compensator robustness numerically and to automate the design of stochastic optimal controllers. Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) is applied to quantify robustness, and a genetic algorithm (GA) searches for the optimal controller. The overall algorithm is computationally expensive, and parallel computing is utilized to reduce execution times. Parallel stochastic robustness analysis and design (PSRAD) is introduced as a viable solution for real-time controller design. A dynamic scheduler is proposed to alleviate stochastic load imbalances. Results are presented for a shared-virtual-memory computer.
The Global City: Strategic Site, New Frontier

The master images in the currently dominant account of economic globalisation emphasize hypermobility, global communications and the neutralization of place and distance. There is a tendency to take the existence of a global economic system as a given, a function of the power of transnational corporations and global communications.
The solubility of Ag2S in near-neutral aqueous sulfide solutions at 25 to 300°C☆

Abstract The solubility of Ag2S (acanthite/argentite) was measured in vapor-saturated aqueous sulfide solutions at 25–300°C, total sulfide = 0.2−1.4 m, and pH25° = 5.8−7.3. Under these conditions, Ag2S was found to dissolve according to the following reaction: 1 2 Ag 2 S(s) + 1 2 H 2 S(aq)+HS −= Ag(HS) − 2 for which the following log K's were obtained: −3.82 ± 0.10 (25°C), −3.26 ± 0.10 (100°C), −2.91 ± 0.10 (150°C), −2.55 ± 0.10 (200°C), −2.32 ± 0.10 (250°C), and −2.11 ± 0.10 (300°C). These data are in good agreement with previous work at 20°C ( Schwarzenbach and Widmer , 1966), and 100–180°C ( Melent'yev et al., 1969), but not with the dinuclear complex stoichiometries recently obtained by Sugaki et al. (1987). Although Seward (1976) has shown that considerable silver can be dissolved as chloride complexes, our data indicate that Ag(HS)2− is the dominant silver species in hydrothermal fluids with near-neutral to alkaline pH, relatively low oxidation state, high total sulfide, and T Brown , 1986). Silver transported as Ag(HS)2− is precipitated in response to a decrease in aqueous sulfide concentration, a change in pH away from the pK1 for H2S, or, in the native silver field, a decrease in oxidation state. Cooling is a less important depositional mechanism, particularly for solutions whose pH is buffered by feldspar alteration reactions.
Estrogen Acutely Stimulates Nitric Oxide Synthase in Fetal Pulmonary Artery Endothelium via Activation of Endothelial Estrogen Receptors and Calcium-dependent Potassium Channels |[bull]| 1531

Estrogen (E) has nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vasodilatory effects in specific vascular beds including the pulmonary circulation. Since fetal E levels rise markedly with parturition, E may play a role in the regulation of NO-mediated pulmonary vasodilation at birth. We therefore tested the hypothesis that E stimulates endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) in fetal pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC). To examine the direct effects of the hormone, NOS activity was assessed in cultured ovine fetal PAEC by measuring3 H-L-arginine conversion to 3H-L-citrulline in intact cells over 15 min. NOS activity in the presence of 10-14 to 10 -6M estradiol-17β (E2β) rose in a dose-dependent manner, with a threshold concentration of 10-10M and a maximal increase of 294% at 10-8M E2β. This effect was also detectable within 5 min of E2β exposure (248% increase), and it was comparable to that obtained with acetylcholine (250% increase) which had a threshold concentration of 10-8M. NOS activity in cell lysates was similar in control and E2β-treated cells, indicating that there is not upregulation of NOS expression. The estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI 182,780 fully inhibited E2β-stimulated NOS activity in the intact cells. In addition, ER mRNA expression was evident in PAEC in reverse transcription-PCR assays, and ER protein expression was demonstrated by immunocytochemistry. E2β-stimulated NOS activity was also fully inhibited by removal of extracellular calcium (Ca++), and by LaCl3 (10-4M) and NiCl2 (10-3M), which are inhibitors of Ca++ influx. In contrast, intracellular Ca++ store depletion with thapsigargin (10-6M) had no effect on E2β-stimulated NOS activity. Furthermore, inactivation of Ca++-dependent potassium channels with tetraethylammonium ions (5× 10-4M) fully inhibited E2β-stimulated NOS activity. Thus, physiologic concentrations of E acutely stimulate eNOS activity in fetal PAEC by a mechanism that involves the activation of endothelial ER and Ca++-dependent potassium channels, leading to Ca++ influx. This mechanism may play a role in NO-mediated pulmonary vasodilation at birth, and it may underly E responsiveness in other vascular beds.
Multiple sclerosis and high incidence of a B lymphocyte antigen.

Multiple sclerosis patients were tested for six new antigens present on human B lymphocytes. The group 4 specificity occurred in 83.9% of the 56 patients as compared to 32.5 percent in 72 healthy controls (P less than .003). The antiserums defining the five other B lymphocyte specificities reacted at a lower frequency to B cells from multiple sclerosis patients, showing that increased reactivity to group 4 antiserum was specific. Linkage of a hypothesized multiple sclerosis susceptibility gene with certain haplotypes of HLA-A3, HLA-B7 HLA-DW2, and the new B group 4 can be inferred.
An Integrated Design System for Fans, Compressors, and Turbines: Part 3 — Fan and Compressor Airfoil Geometry Generators

A new aerodynamic design system has been developed that includes geometry generators for fans, axial compressors, and centrifugal compressors. This paper describes geometry generators for both arbitrary and flank-milled airfoils in axial, radial and mixed gas paths. Both geometry generators have the special feature that airfoil sections are constructed on construction curves, not on flow paths or streamlines. Construction curves are independent of flow path curves and streamlines, but can be defined to coincide with them. This makes high-flowing and low-flowing designs very easy. A special feature specific to the flank milled airfoil geometry generator is an undercutting analysis to reveal any unwanted contact with the conical cutter. This special feature and others have provided major savings from productivity improvements and reductions in design cycle time.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Interlevel connections and agent evolution should not be overlooked

A consideration of underlying neural dynamics and the evolutionary process producing cognitive agents should complement the development of dynamical models of behavior. The geometrical aspects of dynamical systems theory which make it useful in the description of systems acting in an environment are less useful in understanding agents interacting with a range of environments, and may call for supplementation by evolutionary insights.
Aeroacoustic Integrals Accelerated by Fast Multipole Method

The calculation of acoustic field solutions due to aeroacoustic sources is performed for a large number of observer locations. Sound is predicted by a hybrid method that uses direct calculation for near-field source computations and the Ffowcs Williams―Hawkings equation as the acoustic analogy formulation. The integrations of surface dipole and volume quadrupole source terms appearing in the Ffowcs Williams―Hawkings formulation are accelerated by a three-dimensional wideband multilevel adaptive fast multipole method. The three-dimensional wideband fast multipole method presented here applies a plane-wave expansion formulation with fast spherical filtering and interpolation and diagonal translation for calculations in the high-frequency regime and a partial-wave expansion formulation with rotational―coaxial translation in the low-frequency regime. The method is described for the solution of a three-dimensional Green's function that incorporates convective effects. The sound generated by the unsteady flow past a cylinder in the proximity of a NACA0012 airfoil is studied and the interaction of both geometries is analyzed for different cylinder positions. The developed numerical capability allows the analysis of each noise source individually. Therefore, the effects of dipoles and quadrupoles for each configuration are investigated. Results for acoustic field solutions obtained by the accelerated Ffowcs Williams―Hawkings formulation are up to 2 orders of magnitude faster than with the conventional computation of Ffowcs Williams―Hawkings equation.
The effect of selective deuteration on magnetization transfer in larger proteins

The effects of selective deuteration on calculated NOESY intensities have been analyzed for the structure of theE. coli trp aporepressor, a 25 kDa protein. It is shown that selectively deuteratedtrp aporepressor proteins display larger calculated NOESY intensities than those for the same interproton distances in the natural abundance protein. The relatively larger magnetization transfer is demonstrated by a comparison of the NOE build-up curves for specific proton pairs, and for the calculated NOE intensities of short-range NOEs to backbone amide protons. This increase in intensity is especially pronounced for the NH1−NH1+1 cross peaks in the α-helical regions, and particularly for amide protons of two sequential deuterated residues. The effect is shown to be further intensified for longer mixing times. It is also shown that in all cases, each amide proton exhibits stronger NOEs to its own side chain, with an enhanced effect for deuterated derivatives. This theoretical analysis demonstrates that an evaluation of the relative NOE intensities for different selectively deuterated analogs may be an important tool in assigning NMR spectra of large proteins. These results also serve as a guide for the interpretation of NOEs in terms of distances for structure calculations based on data using selectively deuterated proteins.
Elucidating encounters of atypical ductal hyperplasia arising in gynaecomastia

Aims Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) rarely arises in gynaecomastia. We set out to understand more clearly the clinical, histological and immunohistochemical features of ADH in this setting. Methods and results Twenty-five cases of ADH arising in gynaecomastia, nine cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and 36 cases of gynaecomastia with usual ductal hyperplasia (UDH) were studied. Reviews of clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical findings were performed. The extent of cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6) luminal epithelial cell staining was assessed (0% = 0, 50% = 3). Oestrogen receptor (ER) was evaluated using the H-scoring system. The average age of ADH patients was 35 years (range 14–78). ADH was bilateral in 20% and less frequent in active gynaecomastia (24%). ADH often showed a cribriform pattern (72%), with less nuclear variation/size and similar frequency of mitoses than UDH cells. CK5/6 luminal epithelial staining was decreased in ADH (68%) versus UDH (11%). ADH showed high ER expression compared to UDH (H score >270 in 88% and 14%, respectively). Conclusions ADH in gynaecomastia can be distinguished from UDH by morphological and immunhistochemical features. We also identified a subset of young patients (<25 years) with extensive bilateral ADH. More studies are needed to characterize this patient subset more clearly.
Numerical Simulations and Design of Shearing Process for Aluminum Alloys

This work combines experimental studies with finite element simulations to develop a reliable numerical model for the simulation of shearing process in aluminum alloys. The critical concern with respect to product quality in this important process is burr formation. Numerical simulations are aimed at understanding the role of process variables on burr formation and for recommending process design parameters. The commercial code ABAQUS-Explicit with the arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian kinematic description is used in this study for numerical simulations. An elastic-plastic constitutive model with experimentally validated damage models are incorporated through the user subroutine VUMAT in ABAQUS, for modeling deformation and ductile fracture in the material. Macroscopic experiments with microscopic observations are conducted to characterize the material and to calibrate the constitutive and damage models. Parametric study is done to probe the effect of process parameters and finally, a genetic algorithm (GA) based design method is used to determine process parameters for minimum burr formation.
Temperature-strain rate dependance of compressive strength and damage mechanisms in aluminium oxide

The results of compression tests of Al3O3 performed over a wide range of temperatures and strain rates are interpreted in terms of dominant damage mechanisms. It is shown that compressive failure in Al2O3 is caused by one of three different mechanisms, each based on tensile (Mode I) growth of predominantly axial microcracks, and each characteristic of a specific temperature-strain rate regime. The concepts developed should be applicable to other strong ceramics.
Comparative Nonclinical Assessments of the Proposed Biosimilar PF-05280014 and Trastuzumab (Herceptin®)

Background and Objectives Trastuzumab (Herceptin®) is a humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) that binds to the HER2 protein. PF-05280014 is being developed as a potential biosimilar to trastuzumab products marketed in the United States (trastuzumab-US) and European Union (trastuzumab-EU). Nonclinical studies were designed to evaluate the similarity of PF-05280014 to trastuzumab-US and trastuzumab-EU using in vitro structural and functional analyses, and in vivo pharmacokinetic and immunogenicity assessments.
"You don't get no help": The role of community context in effectiveness of evidence-based treatments for people with mental illness leaving prison for high risk environments

Community reentry interventions for persons with serious mental illness leaving prison have operated under the tenet that linkage to mental health services is a paramount priority to achieving successful reentry. However, these interventions have produced mixed outcomes, especially related to psychiatric or criminal recidivism. As mental health evidence–based treatments are applied to this population, other environmental or community-level factors such as social disadvantage and poverty may enable or suppress the effectiveness of such intervention models. Such factors need to be considered as possible impediments to the effectiveness of these interventions as perhaps demonstrated in trials with other populations. Explicitly addressing these factors may help improve outcomes in some cases. In others, the impact of the risk environment may be stronger than what could be overcome with clinically focused intervention.
Magnetic Reconnection in Plasmas

Magnetic reconnection is one of the most fascinating subjects in plasma physics. It is basically a process by which the close tie between plasma motions and magnetic fields is broken. This enables plasma to penetrate magnetic boundaries; for instance, to enter into the Earth's magnetosphere from the solar wind. It is also a key process in explosive processes, converting magnetic energy into plasma kinetic and thermal energy, such as solar flares, magnetospheric substorms, as well as current disruptions in laboratory devices. The concept of magnetic reconnection was first introduced in 1946 by Ronald G. Giovannelli as a suggested mechanism for particle acceleration in solar flares. Consistent with modern definitions of reconnection, he related this process to the presence of an electric field in a region of low-magnetic field strength or parallel to the magnetic field, both of which require the breakdown of the ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) “frozen-in” field concept and enable charged particle acceleration.
Enterprise Zones Seeking the Neighborhood Nexus

Using criteria of efficiency, equity, and efficacy to assess enterprise zones reveals several shortcomings. The success of enterprise zones in revitalizing economically distressed areas depends on whether the causes of market failures are correctly identified, whether zone incentives are sufficient to trigger zone investment, and whether the investment and jobs produced in the zones are sufficient to offset additional service costs and lost tax revenues to participating governments. As presently formulated, however, the administration's enterprise zone proposal (March 1982) is insensitive to context-dependent local investment processes. This failure to strengthen the preconditions of neighborhood investment weakens the impact of zone incentives. The economic restructuring processes attendant to zone development raise concerns about equity and efficacy with regard to the promotion of capital-intensive development, displacement of existing businesses and organizations, assistance to small business enterpris...
Fracture Trace Analysis with a Geographic Information System “GIS”

Lineaments on side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) and LANDSAT satellite imagery were mapped over the western two-thirds of Rhode Island for a study of fracture trace analysis. A total of 360 large (>1.6 km) and 13,000 small (< 1.6 km) lineaments were identified on SLAR imagery; 260 large and 8,000 small lineaments were mapped from LANDSAT imagery. The western part of the state consists mainly of brittle granites and metamorphic rocks, which yield to stress by faulting and fracturing. Most of the area is covered with glacial deposits. The Geographic Information System (GIS) with computer programs was used for storing, processing, and displaying geographic information including the lineaments, their lengths and orientations. Since the imagery is frequently slightly distorted, the location and orientation of the lineaments are corrected by a comparison of recognizable points on the imagery and a base map. One of the great advantages of GIS is the ability to update and edit files without having to start anew. Another important feature of GIS is the ability to combine different maps into one. In this project a geographic, geologic, and lineament map were combined into one map. Data associated with the geographic coordinates, such as strike and length of lineaments, can be placed into an ASCII file from where it can be imported into a LOTUS spreadsheet for further calculation and display. The main purpose of the fracture trace analysis was to assist in the search for new landfill sites. Because of the demonstrated correlation between lineaments and high permeability bedrock zones, it is recommended to place candidate sites away from lineaments, particularly if they coincide with known faults or rock boundaries. Only lineaments larger than 1.6 km were used, since the map showing all lineaments looked chaotic and left little space for a candidate site. The lineaments were categorized by their correspondence with topographic features. They also received attributes expressed in correlations with geophysical anomalies, geologic boundaries, and with areas of a high density of small lineaments. The fracture trace analysis is an integral part of a geological package which includes bedrock geology and surficial maps. Besides geologic data, legal and environmental data as well as economic and social impacts were considered. In a stepwise exclusion process a final list of 11 candidate sites were selected, which were filtered out from 115 original candidate sites. A geologic interpretation of the lineaments is tenuous at this time, as they suggest that many faults have not been mapped. The lineament orientations suggest a system of faults and fractures that was caused by complicated stress conditions.
Maternal Hypercholesterolemia During Pregnancy Promotes Early Atherogenesis in LDL Receptor-Deficient Mice and Alters Aortic Gene Expression Determined by Microarray

Background— Maternal hypercholesterolemia during pregnancy is associated with markedly enhanced fatty streak formation in human fetal aortas and accelerated progression of atherosclerosis in normocholesterolemic children. Methods and Results— To establish the causal role of maternal hypercholesterolemia in a genetically homogeneous murine model and to test the hypothesis that pathogenic events during fetal development result in persistent changes in arterial gene expression, female LDL receptor-deficient (LDLR−/−) mice were fed regular chow or high-fat diets supplemented with 0.075% or 1.25% cholesterol during pregnancy. Lesion sizes were determined in the aortic origin of their chow-fed offspring at 3 months. Maternal hypercholesterolemia more than doubled lesion sizes in male offspring (P<0.0001 for the 0.0075% cholesterol group). Microarray analysis of the expression of 11 000 murine genes in the nonatherosclerotic descending aorta by Affymetrix gene chips suggested that 139 genes were significantly re...
Short alanine-based peptides may form 310-helices and not α-helices in aqueous solution

SHORT alanine peptides, containing 16 or 17 residues, appear to form α-helices in aqueous solution1–4. But the main spectroscopic analyses used on helical peptides (circular dichroism5 and nuclear magnetic resonance6–8) cannot distinguish between an α-helix (in which the ith residue is hydrogen-bonded to residue i+4; ref. 9) and the next most common peptide helix, the 310-helix10 (i → i + 3 hydrogen-bonding). To address this problem we have designed single and doubly spin-labelled analogues of alanine-based peptides in which the nitroxide spin label forms an unbranched side chain extending from the sulphur atom of a cysteine residue. Here we report the circular dichroism, Fourier-transform infrared and electron-spin resonance spectra of these peptides under helix-forming conditions. The infrared absorbance gives an amide I' band with a frequency that is substantially different from that observed for α-helices. The electron-spin resonance spectra of doubly labelled helices show that the ranking of distances between side chains, around a single turn (residues 4–8), is inconsistent with an α-helical structure. Our experiments suggest that the more likely peptide geometry is a 310-helix.
Midazolam's effects on myocardial load and coronary perfusion: Reduced regional O2 consumption and lactate production during ischemia in dogs

It is hypothesized that because of its potential to increase coronary flow and simultaneously decrease myocardial performance and O2 consumption, midazolam would minimize regional metabolic impairment during myocardial ischemia. Therefore, the hemodynamic and regional metabolic effects of systemic midazolam administration were compared during moderate and severe constrictions of the left anterior descending artery (LADa) to nontreated but ischemic animals in a canine model of acute coronary occlusion. In 16 anesthetized, ventilated, surgically prepared, and catheterized dogs, resting flow in the LADa was decreased by 50% and 75% for 15 minutes with 1 hour of normal flow in between. By arbitrary assignment, 7 dogs received midazolam (0.3 mg/kg and then 0.05 mg/kg/min) before thoracotomy. In all dogs, heart rate, electrocardiogram, LADa flow, left ventricular (LV) first time-derivative, and aortic, pulmonary artery, LADa, and LV pressures were measured continuously. Before and during constrictions, cardiac output by thermodilution and regional myocardial blood flow by microspheres were measured and blood was sampled for analysis. Data (mean +/- SEM) were compared within and between groups using ANOVA. Before placement of the LADa ligature, midazolam decreased heart rate and mean aortic pressure. Before ischemia, heart rate and LADa pressure were lower with midazolam than without it, but baseline metabolic variables were similar between the two groups (except for O2 consumption in the ischemic zone, which was lower with midazolam than without it). During 75% constriction with midazolam, LV end-diastolic pressure, coronary resistance, and ischemic zone O2 consumption were lower than without midazolam. Ischemic zone O2 delivery/consumption ratio was higher.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The chemistry of xylylenes. XIV. The moldability and thermal stability of poly(p‐xylylene) and related polymers

Freshly prepared α-poly(p-xylylene) softens at 220–260°C. and then rehardens as it forms β-poly(p-xylylene). Consequently, homogeneous objects can be fabricated at this temperature range by simultaneous application of heat and pressure. This “moldable” poly(p-xylylene), however, becomes nonmoldable within a week if allowed to age at room temperature. It is speculated that this change in moldability with aging at room temperature may be due to formation of tiny areas of crystalline α-polymer which serve as seeds for rapid conversion from α- to β-polymer before melt-flow can occur in the critical temperature range of 220–260°C. of the heating cycle. The shelf life of the moldable polymer is increased considerably, however, by polymerization of the monomer in the presence of a molar equivalent of trialkylphosphines of trialkylphosphites. In vacuum, poly(p-xylylene) has excellent thermal stability below 400°C., but in air, oxidative degradation is serious even at about 225°C. The moldability of p-xylylene polymers is improved by copolymerization with a variety of olefinic and inorganic molecules, but the thermal stability, thermal oxidative stability, and sometimes the electrical properties of the resultant product are inferior to those of unmodified poly(p-xylylene). These polymers appear to be resistant to degradation by γ-irradiation.
Identifying distinctive subsequences in multivariate time series by clustering

Most time series comparison algorithms attempt to discover what the members of a set of time series have in common. We investigate a di erent problem, determining what distinguishes time series in that set from other time series obtained from the same source. In both cases the goal is to identify shared patterns, though in the latter case those patterns must be distinctive as well. An e cient incremental algorithm for identifying distinctive subsequences in multivariate, real-valued time series is described and evaluated with data from two very di erent sources: the response of a set of bandpass lters to human speech and the sensors of a mobile robot. Reference Number: 357
Role of sulfates in regional cloud-climate interactions

Abstract During the summers of 1993–1996, field experiments were conducted at Mt. Mitchell, NC, in the southeastern US. The effect of anthropogenic pollution on cloud microphysical properties such as liquid water content (ω), cloud droplet number concentration (N), effective radii (Reff), cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activation spectrum and cloud reflectivity were investigated. Cloud water sulfate concentration was used as a measure of anthropogenic pollution. Back trajectory analysis was used to categorize the cloud forming air masses that arrived at the site. The sulfates and nitrates emission inventories of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were used to classify air masses as polluted marine (PM), polluted continental (PC) or as highly polluted (HP). Empirical values for the relationships between CCN–N, CCN–sulfate, N–sulfate and Reff–N for different air masses have been obtained. A quantitative nonlinear relationship between CCN and N was obtained. The sublinear relationship between CCN and sulfate mass indicated the susceptibility of the different air masses to the sulfate content. The lesser polluted air masses exhibited greater changes in CCN concentrations for smaller increases in sulfate mass concentrations as compared to the more polluted air masses. The relationship between Reff and N for different air masses, as well as the N–sulfate mass relationship, suggested that the counteracting effect of sulfates on greenhouse warming for the southeastern US would be of magnitude greater than −4.0 W m−2 obtained by modeling studies. The nonlinear relationships between the cloud microphysical/optical properties and the sulfate content of the air mass implies the existence of an optimum level for the sulfate concentration beyond which cloud reflectivity stays unaffected. Analysis of 3 years of observational data established this level at 400–500 μeq l−1 of sulfate in the cloud water.
Dynamical component of seasonal and year-to-year changes in Antarctic and global ozone

The dynamics of the ozone concetration components of the Antarctic ozone hole as related to seasonal and year-to-year temperature changes in August, September, October, and November during the 1979-1985 period is studied using a zonally averaged model in which all transport fields are fixed by input temperature data. The results suggest that, prior to 1984, both the seasonal and year-to year variability of the zonal-mean Antarctic ozone minimum and the surrounding maximum can be accounted for by temperature dynamics without invoking changes in chemical composition (e.g., chlorine content) or special chemistry. The same dynamical mechanism also accounts for the good simulation of the observed seasonal and latitudinal structure of column ozone in other parts of the world. However, chemical depletion of ozone may have become more important after 1984. The model also appears to underpredict the September ozone decline in years, leading to an underprediction of the recent minimum values in the Antarctic ozone hole.
Blockade of CD40–TRAF2,3 or CD40–TRAF6 is sufficient to inhibit pro-inflammatory responses in non-haematopoietic cells

SummaryInhibition of the CD40–CD154 pathway controls inﬂammatory disorders.Unfortunately, administration of anti-CD154 monoclonal antibodiescauses thromboembolism. Blockade of signalling downstream of CD40may represent an approach to treat CD40-driven inﬂammatory disorders.Blocking tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) sig-nalling downstream of CD40 in MHC II + cells diminishes inﬂammation.However, CD40–TRAF6 blockade may cause immunosuppression. Weexamined the role of CD40 –TRAF2,3 and CD40 TRAF6 signalling in thedevelopment of pro-inﬂammatory responses in human non-haematopoiet-ic and monocytic cells. Human aortic endothelial cells, aortic smoothmuscle cells, renal proximal tubule epithelial cells, renal mesangial cellsand monocytic cells were transduced with retroviral vectors that encodewild-type CD40, CD40 with a mutation that prevents TRAF2,3 recruit-ment (DT2,3), TRAF6 recruitment (DT6) or both TRAF2,3 plus TRAF6recruitment (DT2,3,6). Non-haematopoietic cells that expressed CD40DT2,3 exhibited marked inhibition in CD154-induced up-regulation ofvascular cell adhesion molecule 1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1(ICAM-1), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), tissue factor andmatrix metalloproteinase 9. Similar results were obtained with cells thatexpressed CD40 DT6. Although both mutations impaired ICAM-1 up-reg-ulation in monocytic cells, only expression of CD40 DT6 reduced MCP-1and tissue factor up-regulation in these cells. Treatment of endothelialand smooth muscle cells with cell-permeable peptides that block CD40–TRAF2,3 or CD40–TRAF6 signalling impaired pro-inﬂammatoryresponses. In contrast, while the CD40–TRAF2,3 blocking peptide did notreduce CD154-induced dendritic cell maturation, the CD40–TRAF6 block-ing peptide impaired this response. Hence, preventing CD40–TRAF2,3 orCD40–TRAF6 interaction inhibits pro-inﬂammatory responses in humannon-haematopoietic cells. In contrast to inhibition of CD40–TRAF6 sig-nalling, inhibition of CD40–TRAF2,3 signalling did not impair dendriticcell maturation. Blocking CD40–TRAF2,3 signalling may control CD40–CD154-dependent inﬂammatory disorders.Keywords: endothelial cell; epithelial cell; inﬂammation; monocyte; musclesmooth cell
Low incidence of Epstein-Barr virus-associated posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorders in 272 unrelated-donor umbilical cord blood transplant recipients.

Abstract Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is being increasingly used for transplantation, but the ability of neonatal T cells to regulate Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphoproliferation is unknown. Because UCB transplantation (UCBT) is associated with a relatively low infused dose of donor T cells, frequent donor-recipient HLA disparity, and use of antithymocyte globulin during conditioning, we hypothesized that the risk of EBV-associated posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (EVB-PTLD) after UCBT may be increased. To investigate the incidence of EBV-PTLD after UCBT, we analyzed 272 unrelated-donor UCBTs performed from August 1993 to December 1999 at Duke University Medical Center and the University of Minnesota. Five cases of EBV-PTLD were identified, with a cumulative incidence of 2% (95% confidence interval, 0.3%-3.7%) at 2 years. EBV-PTLD affected UCB recipients aged 1 to 49 years (median, 8 years), with 4 patients undergoing transplantation for leukemia and 1 for immunodeficiency. Patients received UCB grafts that were HLA matched (n = 1) or mismatched at 1 (n = 1) or 2 (n = 3) HLA loci. Diagnoses occurred at 4 to 14 months (median, 6 months) after UCBT, with 4 of 5 patients having preceding grade II to IV acute graft-versus-host disease and 1 being diagnosed at autopsy. Treatment of 4 patients consisted of withdrawal of immunosuppressive treatment and administration of rituximab, with 2 of 4 patients responding. Thus, the incidence of EBV-PTLD after unrelated-donor UCBT appears similar to that observed after transplantation using unrelated bone marrow (BM) and compares favorably with unrelated-donor T-cell-depleted BM transplantation. Because adoptive immunotherapy with donor lymphocytes is not an available option for recipients of unrelated-donor UCBT, new therapeutic strategies are needed, and rituximab appears promising. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2001;7(7):395-9.
Monte Carlo calculation of recoil spectra in 4He proportional counters

Abstract Monte Carlo techniques have been used to calculate alpha particle recoil spectra in 4 He proportional counters, for incident neutron energies from 0.4 MeV to 14.0 MeV. Wall and end effects are treated explicitly. Effects of local counter inhomogeneities and external electronics are simulated by using a Gaussian distribution of the detector response in discrete energy groups. Calculated results are compared with measured recoil spectra.
A versatile and low order hybrid stress element for general shell geometry

A hybrid stress general shell element is developed based on the Hellinger-Reissner principle modified for relaxed element compatibility conditions. The element is based on a consistent first order thin shell theory with Love Kirchhoff hypotheses. It is of quadrilateral shape with only four corner nodes and five degrees of freedom per node. The geometry of the element is approximated through a bi-cubic polynomial surface patch. Numerical examples consist of torsion-loaded slit cylinder and pinched cylinder with open ends and rigid diaphragmed ends. Also, the representation of the rigid body motion is studied by series of parametric eigenvalue analysis of the stiffness matrix.
Ideal CO2/Light Gas Separation Performance of Poly(vinylimidazolium) Membranes and Poly(vinylimidazolium)-Ionic Liquid Composite Films

Six vinyl-based, imidazolium room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) monomers were synthesized and photopolymerized to form dense poly(RTIL) membranes. The effect of polymer backbone (i.e., poly(ethylene), poly(styrene), and poly(acrylate)) and functional cationic substituent (e.g., alkyl, fluoroalkyl, oligo(ethylene glycol), and disiloxane) on ideal CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4 membrane separation performance was investigated. The vinyl-based poly(RTIL)s were found to be generally less CO2-selective compared to analogous styrene- and acrylate-based poly(RTIL)s. The CO2 permeability of n-hexyl- (69 barrers) and disiloxane- (130 barrers) substituted vinyl-based poly(RTIL)s were found to be exceptionally larger than that of previously studied styrene and acrylate poly(RTIL)s. The CO2 selectivity of oligo(ethylene glycol)-functionalized vinyl poly(RTIL)s was enhanced, and the CO2 permeability was reduced when compared to the n-hexyl-substituted vinyl-based poly(RTIL). Nominal improvement in CO2/CH4 selectivity was observ...
SU-E-T-384: An Easy Use Anthropomorphic Phantom for Lung IMRT QA.

Purpose: Even though lungIMRT plans are calculated based on patient CT with heterogeneity correction, patient‐specific validations are often performed by using measurements in homogeneous solid media. In this study we developed heterogeneous phantoms for measurement‐based validation of lungIMRT.Methods: Three slabs from thorax region of anthropomorphic RANDO phantom and virtual water (VW) slabs were used to construct two versions of heterogeneous phantom, “Hetero‐1” and “Hetero‐2”. The RANDO slabs are 2.5 cm thick. A two‐dimensional diode array detector, MapCHECK and an ion chamber were used for measurements. “Hetero‐1” consisted of three RANDO slabs placed horizontally on the MapCHECK plus a 3cm VW on the top. Hetero‐2 was constructed by inserting a 2 cm VW with a chamber cavity on top of the first RANDO slab above the MapCHECK. Two lung‐IMRT plans were generated using Pinnacle TPS, including a plan for the RPC Lung‐Phantom. The point doses were compared with ion chamber measurements and planar dose were compared with MapCHECK measurements. Results: The MapCHECK measurements were performed using “Hetero‐1” on a beam‐by‐beam basis for the two IMRT plans. Passing rates under 3%/3mm Gamma criteria of were from 93.5% to 98.5% for all beams. Accumulative measurements were performed using “Hetero‐2” and the passing rates under same criteria for two IMRT plans were 96.9% and 96.3% respectively, and 95.2% and 98.5% for measurements with 5cm lateral‐IsoCenter‐shift including more lung material. The differences between Ion‐chamber‐ measurements and TPS‐calculations were 1.2% and 1.71% for two IMRT plans. In vivo results obtained from RPC‐report for two TLDs inside the PTV were 98% and 99% between measurements and calculations. Conclusions: An easy‐to‐setup heterogonous phantom for LungIMRT QA can be constructed by adopting thorax region slabs of anthropomorphic‐type phantoms. It can be implemented as a convenient and efficient tool for lungIMRT QA in a routine clinic.