cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Special Section on Automotive Electromechanical Converters

The 11 papers in this special section focus on automotive electromechanical converters. The special section addresses design, advanced control, integration of drive electronics, and application of adjustable-speed motor drives in automotive subsystems.
Expression and Action of Hepatocyte Growth Factor in Human and Bovine Normal Ovarian Surface Epithelium and Ovarian Cancer

More than 95% of ovarian cancers originate from the epithelial cells on the surface of the ovary, which are termed ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). These OSE cells are modified peritoneal mesothelial cells separated from underlying ovarian surface stromal tissue by a basal lamina of dense collagenous connective tissue. Mesenchymal-epithelial cell interactions between stromal cells and OSE cells are postulated to be important for normal OSE biology and for the onset of ovarian cancer. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a mesenchymal-derived growth factor that mediates mesenchymal-epithelial cell interactions in a number of different tissues. The current study was an investigation of the expression and actions of HGF in normal OSE and ovarian cancer. Human epithelial cells from borderline and stage III ovarian cancer cases were found to express HGF protein in the epithelial cell component by immunocytochemistry analysis. The stromal cell component of human ovarian tumors contained little or no HGF immunostaining. Normal bovine ovaries have a similar physiology and endocrinology to human ovaries and are used as a model system to investigate normal OSE functions. HGF protein was detected in the OSE from both normal human and bovine ovaries. Adjacent ovarian stromal tissue contained light but positive HGF immunostaining. RNA was collected from normal bovine ovarian stromal cells to examine HGF gene expression. HGF transcripts were detected in cultured OSE and stromal cells by Northern blot analysis. Using a quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction procedure, HGF gene expression was found to be high in freshly isolated OSE but low in freshly isolated stroma. Levels of HGF gene expression after culture of stroma increased. Observations indicate that normal OSE express high levels of HGF in vivo and in vitro. Expression of HGF by normal epithelial cells versus stromal cells was unexpected and suggests that HGF may be important in an autocrine regulation of OSE. HGF actions on normal OSE cells and ovarian cancer cells were investigated. HGF was found to stimulate the growth of normal OSE cells in a manner similar to such growth stimulated by epidermal growth factor. Two ovarian cancer cell lines, SKOV3 and OCC1, were also stimulated to grow in response to HGF. This observation suggests that HGF may be involved in sustaining growth of ovarian tumors. These results are the first to demonstrate the production and action of HGF in normal OSE cells and ovarian cancer cells. This appears to be an example of HGF production by an epithelial cell, such that a mesenchymal-epithelial mixed phenotype is present. The autocrine stimulation of OSE growth by the local production and action of HGF provides insight into how the OSE may develop abnormal growth characteristics involved in the onset and progression of ovarian cancer.
Biological, chemical, and nuclear terrorism readiness: major concerns and preparedness of future nurses.

Introduction The nursing profession is developing educational resources to improve their response to victims of nuclear, biological, and chemical terrorism. Future nurses may differ from practicing nurses in their perspective of what is critical information. The purpose of this study was to identify student nurses' major concerns in relation to working with victims of terrorism. Method A descriptive study was used to identify how future nurses might practice as caregivers for victims of terrorism. The study population consisted of a convenience sample of 95 junior and senior baccalaureate nursing students at a mid-south state university. The students were given an anonymous questionnaire regarding their concerns and how their lives had changed after September 11, 2001. The questionnaire consisted of 19 major items that identified demographics and perceptions and concerns regarding preparedness, willingness to work, expectation of future terrorism events, effect on lifestyle, and other fears related to terrorism or caring for victims of terrorism. A Cronbach alpha coefficient of reliability on standardized items was .745. Results Students' primary concern was for the safety of themselves and their families. They were primarily concerned about having adequate protection for all types of terrorist agents and indicated they would not be willing to care for victims if there was a lack of protection for both themselves and family. Although the nursing school faculty had provided self-education information about terrorism, students did not demonstrate an accurate understanding of the pathogenic nature of many agents.
Evaluating the use of learning objects in CS1

Learning objects (LOs) have been previously used in computer science education. However, analyses in previous studies have been limited to surveys with limited numbers of LOs and students. The lack of copious quantitative data on how LOs impact student learning makes detailed analysis of LO usefulness problematic. Using an empirical approach, we have studied a suite of LOs, comprehensive in both the content covered and the range of difficulty, deployed to CS1 courses from 2007-2010. We review previous work on predictors of achievement and impact of active learning and feedback. We also provide a high-level overview of our LO deployment. Finally, based on our analysis of student interaction data, we found that (1) students using LOs have significantly higher assessment scores than the control group, (2) several student attributes are significant predictors of learning, (3) active learning has a significant effect on student assessment scores, and (4) feedback does not have a significant effect, but there are variables with significant moderating effects.
Concise synthesis of a taxol A-ring synthon : formation of a 1,2-alkylidene linkage via acetylene chemistry

Abstract A taxol A ring-synthon is obtained by oxidative cyclization of homogeranic acid with mercuric triflate followed by oxidative demercuration; the Meyer-Schuster rearrangement is then employed to form the highly sterically hindered taxol 1,2-bond.
Computer Use and Needs in Foodservice Departments of Small and Medium-Size Hospitals in Texas

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: Identify computer software use and needs of small to medium-size foodservice departments of hospitals in Texas. The purpose of this study was to identify computer software use and needs of foodservice departments in small to medium-size hospitals in Texas. A questionnaire was developed focusing on current computer use and reasons for not using computer software. Respondents were asked to indicate relative importance of 17 management and clinical software applications. Two hundred hospitals ranging in size from 120 to 199 beds were randomly selected for a mail survey. Forty-two questionnaires were returned for a 21% return rate. Word processing and spreadsheets were the most frequently used computer applications. The top five foodservice management applications and numbers of users were ordering (21), inventory (17), food costing (14), recipe scaling (11) and production scheduling (8). The top five clinical applications and numbers of users were patient status (20), nutrient analysis (20), nutritional assessment (14), nourishment labels (12) and weight tracking (6). On a 5-point scale ranging from 1.0 (not useful) to 5.0 (very important), respondents ranked the following software as most important: nutrient analysis (3.90+0.94); patient status (3.81+0.98); inventory management (3.60+0.82); menu and recipe costing (3.56+0.97); and ordering (3.53+1.01). Foodservice departments not using software cited lack of funds and employees' lack of computer skills as principal reasons. This may indicate an opportunity for dietitians to assist foodservice administrators in justifying expenditures for computer software and hardware and in training employees on basic computer skills.
Echocardiographic Determination of Left Ventricular Function

l Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radionuclide ventriculography (despite limitations) are widely considered to be the gold standard for computation of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF), echocardiography is, in practice, the most commonly ordered study. In fact, evaluation of LV EF (LVEF) constitutes the primary reason that a substantial proportion of echocardiograms are ordered. Why are echocardiograms ordered instead of the gold standard noninvasive studies? They are inexpensive, readily and rapidly available in any institution (frequently performed at the patient’s bedside or in a physician’s office), and have little associated patient discomfort. In addition, echocardiograms are feasible in patients with implants that contraindicate MRI and/or who have rhythms that would make radionuclide ventriculography inaccurate. Further, there is no scintillating radiation associated with echocardiography, as distinguished from radionuclide ventriculography, which involves a small but significant amount of radiation, particularly if repeated studies are needed for follow-up. Echocardiography provides structural information unavailable with radionuclide ventriculography and adequate to obviate the need for MRI in most cases. In addition, echocardiography remains, arguably, the best modality for assessing valve function (in the vast majority of cases where an adequate study for this purpose is feasible). Frequently, studies requesting evaluation of LV function require only a qualitative reading: normal versus abnormal; severely versus mildly abnormal. For instance, in the workup of dyspnea of uncertain origin, such a qualitative reading is sufficient. In such a situation (and in many others) the additional structural and functional information provided by echocardiography (eg, valve structure and function, estimate of pulmonary artery pressure, examination
Peripheral arterial disease: review of literature related to assessment, functional impairment, and symptom experience

be performed. Duplex ultrasound of the renovascular system is able to provide data for a single moment in time and during long-term follow-up. The role of renovascular duplex scanning in a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or stent trial is to evaluate for residual changes, technical problems, stent occlusion, restenosis, and parenchymal changes postintervention. Residual changes and technical problems may be seen at 30 days (or sooner) after the procedure and may involve the aorta, renal artery, and kidney. Restenosis or myointimal hyperplasia of the renal artery may be seen several months after the procedure. Combining renovascular duplex results with clinical end points will aid in determining the outcome of interventional procedures for the treatment of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. An analysis is being completed that compares renal artery patency and renal parenchymal velocities with blood pressure changes, number of medications, creatinine levels, quality of life assessment, and MACE events.
Pop Goes the Arab World: Popular Music, Gender, Politics, and Transnationalism in the Arab World

Assumptions are often made as to the static nature of contemporary Arab politics and societies. Authors, scholars and commentators look for sociopolitical dynamism in the arenas they are used to: newspapers, television and parliament/congress, to name but a few. When they do not see or hear these debates taking place in the formal institutions that they are familiar with, they are quick to assume that these reassessments are simply not occurring. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Arab world is debating itself on matters of politics, identity and gender roles, to name but a few subjects. The debate space that is being utilized, however, is easily unnoticeable to those who are not adept at finding these forums and are instead used to being presented with them. When public space is limited, any opening will be used to the utmost. The ways in which the Arab world imagines and recreates itself is often through art. Satellite television and the strengthening of transnational media has helped the populations of this widely defined nation come into contact with each other in a realm outside of state control. Artists can become peoples' most important and trusted politicians. A medium readily accessible for consumption and easy to understand, popular music addresses important themes that speak to a collective audience and tie it together as a community. This paper seeks to examine the political, identity and gender debates that are currently occurring within the realm of popular music.
A rapid algorithm for simulating motionally averaged powder patterns

Abstract An efficient algorithm is presented for calculating motionally averaged powder patterns for two- or three-site exchange. It reduces the required CPU time by constructing a matrix which describes the change in chemical shift with exchange for all orientations to the field. The powder pattern is then calculated from this matrix via Bloch's equations including exchange. This approach allows the mean chemical shift of the species undergoing exchange to be eliminated from the calculation, which is then only dependent on the chemical-shift difference between the species, and the exchange rate. The application of the algorithm to motional averaging by molecular jump reorientations is described in detail.
A Computational Study of the Interactions among the Nitro Groups in Octanitrocubane

Ab initio molecular orbital and density functional calculations on isodesmic disproportionation reactions of nitrated cubanes indicate that the repulsion between nitro groups on adjacent carbons in octanitrocubane (ONC) is surprisingly small and that the energy required for successive substitutions of nitro groups on the cubane frame diminishes progressively with increasing substitution. Mulliken population analyses show that, as a consequence of the inductive effects of the nitro groups on one another, the negative charges on the oxygens also decrease with increasing substitution reducing the magnitudes of the Coulomb repulsion between nearest-neighbor nitro groups. The computed D4 symmetric equilibrium conformation of ONC, which is essentially the same as the conformation found in the crystalline state, effectively interdigitates the nitro substituents, thereby avoiding close O···O contacts. The O···O interactions remain very small throughout 180° rotations about the C−NO2 bonds, a process that is compu...
Structural and functional role of leucine residues in proteins.

Abstract Circular dichroism and potentiometric titration studies of leucine random copolymers in aqueous solutions, as well as a comparison of the conformational stability in poly-α-amino acids, indicate that leucine may possibly be the amino acid with the highest propensity for forming α-helical structures. This suggests that leucine might be found most frequently in the helical regions of proteins. A survey was made on 15 different proteins containing 2473 residues with known sequence and conformation determined by X-ray crystallography: carboxy-peptidase A, α-chymotrypsin, cytochrome b 5 , elastase, ferricytochrome c , α- and β-hemoglobin, insulin, lysozyme, myogen, myoglobin, papain, ribonuclease A, staphylococcal nuclease, and subtilisin BPN′. It was found that 888 residues in these proteins are in helices, and 422 of them reside in the internal turns of helical regions. While Glu, Ala, Leu and His were found to be present with the highest percentages in helical regions, Leu was clearly the most abundant residue in the inner helical cores of proteins. Polar residues are found preferentially at the helix-coil boundary regions; Asp and Glu at the N-terminal and His, Lys and Arg at the C-terminal helical ends. These findings agree with Ptitsyn's (1969) analysis on seven proteins containing 1132 residues. A more comprehensive analysis in the present survey showed that Ile, Met and Val occur with the greatest frequency in the β-regions of proteins. Leu was also found as the strongest structure-forming residue in proteins (total helical and β-regions). The functional-structural role of leucine was established by showing that it occurs most frequently among residues surrounding the heme in five of the heme proteins. In addition, the greater abundance of leucine as neighbors to active-site residues in enzymes provides strong evidence that hydrophobic residues create a non-aqueous environment, aiding the polar residues in substrate binding and enzymic catalysis. Examples of conservative and non-conservative mutations of leucine in heme proteins are given to illustrate the structure—function relation of proteins, and explain why most leucine residues in the insulin, hemoglobin, and cytochrome c homologs are invariant. Finally, the strong helical-forming power of leucine, as demonstrated experimentally in synthetic copolypeptides and its high occurrence in the inner helical cores of proteins, suggests that it could have a major role as nucleation centers in the folding and evolution of large protein molecules.
The Honeymoon Effect: Does It Exist and Can It Be Predicted?

The population-level decrease over time in newlyweds’ marital satisfaction is well established. Yet decreasing marital satisfaction does not occur for all spouses to the same extent, if at all. In the present article, we test for the presence and predictability of a “honeymoon effect”—initially high, but rapidly decreasing, marital satisfaction in newlywed couples. Community couples (N = 395) were studied from 1 month prior through 2.5 years after marriage. A supermajority of couples showed initially high marital satisfaction that either slowly decreased (women: 86 %) or remained steady (men: 78 %). Smaller groups of men and women showed initially high (men) and moderately high (women), rapidly decreasing marital satisfaction or steady, low levels of marital satisfaction. Membership in these latter less optimal, classes was most consistently predicted by spouses’ own intimate partner violence (IPV) and depression, as well as by their partners’ marital satisfaction, IPV, and depression. The findings suggest that men at risk for the honeymoon effect (~14 %) can be identified for selective prevention based on such predictors. Women at risk for decreasing marital satisfaction (~10 %) can also be identified based on risk factors, but may also exhibit somewhat attenuated marital satisfaction at engagement.
Tunable VO2/Au hyperbolic metamaterial

We have fabricated and studied thin films of VO 2 and lamellar VO 2 /Au metamaterials. Optical properties of VO 2 /Au metamaterials are consistent with the transition between hyperbolic and metallic phases occurring at elevated temperatures.
Quinone formation as a chemoprevention strategy for hybrid drugs: balancing cytotoxicity and cytoprotection.

Cellular defense mechanisms that respond to damage from oxidative and electrophilic stress, such as from quinones, represent a target for chemopreventive agents. Drugs bioactivated to quinones have the potential to activate antioxidant/electrophile responsive element (ARE) transcription of genes for cytoprotective phase 2 enzymes such as NAD(P)H-dependent quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) but can also cause cellular damage. Two isomeric families of compounds were prepared, including the NO-NSAIDs (NO-donating nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) NCX 4040 and NCX 4016; one family was postulated to release a quinone methide on esterase bioactivation. The study of reactivity and GSH conjugation in model and cell systems confirmed the postulate. The quinone-forming family, including NCX 4040 and conisogenic bromides and mesylate, was rapidly bioactivated to a quinone, which gave activation of ARE and consequent induction of NQO1 in liver cells. Although the control family, including NCX 4016 and conisogenic brom...
Features of Leao’s Spreading Depression in Patients with Lesions Near Sensory Cortex

Abstract Although it has been produced experimentally only in animal models, Leao's spreading depression has been postulated as the basis for the slowly expanding scintillating scotoma of migraine aura, but has never been directly observed in human cortex. In the present report, two patients with lesions near somatosensory cortex are described who developed episodes of slowly spreading numbness reminiscent of migraine aura. Quantitative comparison was made between these symptoms and experimental models of Leao's spreading depression. The rate of spread, duration, and characteristics of the sensory deficits suggested that cortical spreading depression underlies the pathophysiology of these episodes. Even though their symptoms more resembled those described in migraine than in epilepsy, anticonvulsant medication prevented further episodes in both patients. These two cases provide further, albeit indirect evidence for the existence of spreading depression in human cortex. Clinical criteria are suggested to differentiate the symptoms of migraine aura and epilepsy in the sensory cortex.
The Dynamics of Private Security in Senegal

The privatisation of security has recently attracted much attention, particularly in light of abuses by private military companies in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most of this attention sensationalises pr...
On cubic polynomials III. Systems ofp-adic equations

We study systems of equations $$\mathfrak{F}_1 = \ldots = \mathfrak{F}_r = 0,$$ where\(\mathfrak{F}_1 , \ldots ,\mathfrak{F}_r \) are cubic forms withp-adic coefficients. Such a system has a nontrivialp-adic solution if the number of variables is at least 50,000 ·r3. Further we will give estimates for the number of solutions of certain systems of cubic congruences.
High brightness imaging system using vertical cavity surface-emitting laser micro-arrays- results and proposed enhancements

Laser illumination systems for high brightness imaging through the self-luminosity of explosive events, at Aberdeen Proving Ground and elsewhere, required complex pulse timing, extensive cooling, large-scale laser systems (frequencydoubled flash-pumped Nd:YAG, Cu-vapor, Q-switched ruby), making them difficult to implement for range test illumination in high speed videography. A Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) array was designed and implemented with spectral filtering to effectively remove self-luminosity and the fireball from the image, providing excellent background discrimination in a variety of range test scenarios. Further improvements to the system are proposed for applications such as imaging through murky water or dust clouds with optimal penetration of obscurants.
Tissue oxygenation in low flow states and during hypoxemia

BACKGROUND AND METHODS Tissue oxygenation during ischemia and hypoxia is critical to cellular viability. Adequate tissue oxygenation reflects a balance between oxygen delivery (DO2) and oxygen demand. At critical levels of DO2, oxygen consumption (VO2) declines due to supply dependency, indicating inadequate tissue oxygenation and impaired cellular metabolism. The mechanism by which DO2 is compromised (hypoxia vs. ischemia) determines the level of delivery at which VO2 becomes supply dependent. Tonometry is a method used to assess the adequacy of gut oxygenation. RESULTS Studies using tonometric monitoring of intramural pH have shown that tonometry detects early tissue anaerobiosis and net adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis. A decrease in intramural pH strongly correlates with the onset of supply dependency in tissue VO2. Inadequate intestinal oxygenation determined by tonometry has predicted clinical outcomes and complications in patients at risk. CONCLUSIONS Gut tonometry may provide an early indication of inadequate tissue oxygenation. This early recognition is necessary to mitigate adverse consequences, including ATP catabolism, the production of reactive oxygen metabolites, and the activation of the inflammatory process, which can lead to progressive cellular dysfunction and cell death.
The domain composition method applied to Poisson's equation in two dimensions

Domain composition, a recently described method for formulating continuum field problems, removes certain restrictions on the construction of finite element models such that it is possible to solve a finite element problem without using a global compatible mesh. The domain composition method couples or otherwise constrains meshes in local regions to obtain a solution equivalent to that produced by conventional finite element methods. In particular, the domain composition method enables finite element models to be formulated with overlapping elements. Several advantages come from this, including an ability to automatically generate a finite element model from a solid geometric model, an ability to use a variety of element types in a single finite element model and an ability to exactly match element boundaries to the local geometry. This paper shows in detail a finite element formulation of Poisson's equation using domain composition and presents certain key algorithms that incorporate the domain composition method into well-established finite element procedures.
Direct psychological therapies for nightmares: A review.

Abstract Following an historical and theoretical overview and introduction, reports on the direct psychological treatments of nightmares are reviewed. The majority of the reviewed reports are case studies, although there are several controlled and group studies. Many techniques, including desensitization, operant procedures, hypnosis, analysis, story line alteration, and “face and conquer” approaches were all noted as helpful for some subjects. Advantages and limitations of the different methods, as well as the ways the therapies impact on the anxiety, uncontrollability, perceived importance, or realism of the nightmares, are discussed. The article concludes with suggestions far both the clearer reporting of case studies are for further research.
Another approach to asymptotics and bootstrap of randomly trimmed means

A unified, empirical processes based approach to the central limit theorem and to the bootstrap for randomly trimmed and Winsorized means is developed, with emphasis on Hampel's means.
Landscape composition influences patterns of native and exotic lady beetle abundance

Aim Coccinellid beetles are important predators that contribute to pest suppression in agricultural landscapes. Since the introduction of the exotic coccinellids Coccinella septempunctata L. and Harmonia axyridis Pallas into the USA, several studies have reported a decline of native Coccinellidae in agroecosystems. We aimed to investigate the influence of landscape composition on native and exotic coccinellid abundance within soybean fields. Location Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Methods As part of a 2-year study (2005–06) on the biological control of the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, we examined coccinellid communities in 33 soybean fields using yellow sticky card traps. Landscape heterogeneity and composition were measured at multiple spatial scales ranging 1–3.5 km from focal soybean fields where coccinellid sampling took place. Results Exotic species made up 90% of the total coccinellid community in Michigan soybean fields followed by Wisconsin (84%), Minnesota (66%) and Iowa (57%). Harmonia axyridis was the dominant exotic coccinellid in all states comprising 45–62% of the total coccinellid community, followed by C. septempunctata (13–30%). Two additional exotic species, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) and Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L.) were also found in the region. Overall, the most abundant native coccinellid was Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville; however, its abundance varied across the region, comprising 0% (Michigan) to 28% (Iowa) of the total coccinellid community. Landscape structure significantly influenced the composition of coccinellid communities in soybean agroecosystems. We found that native coccinellids were most abundant in low-diversity landscapes with an abundance of grassland habitat while exotic coccinellids were associated with the abundance of forested habitats. Main conclusion We propose that grassland dominated landscapes with low structural diversity and low amounts of forested habitat may be resistant to exotic coccinellid build-up, particularly H. axyridis and therefore represent landscape-scale refuges for native coccinellid biodiversity.
The Ordeal of the Jews: Civil or Uncivil? A Review-Essay

I T is John Cuddihy's astonishing contention that the ideologies developed by Jewish thinkers are Jewish ideologies. That is, no matter how remote from Jewish concerns an intellectual construction appears, if it were of Jewish devising its origin could be traced to the masking of a particular Jewish failing: the inability to learn "the Protestant Esthetic and the Protestant Etiquette." Apart from an uncomfortable shudder of recognition for hasn't one, after all, heard all this before in a context quite foreign to that of a purported science of Verstehen doesn't the charge seem trivial, hardly worth mentioning? Why should a well-intentioned observer at this point in time risk a swipe at so magisterial a sub-culture of the West on the matter of manners? But Cuddihy's intentions seem, to say the least, ambiguous and, in any case, he argues otherwise: manners are not manners, that is, merely manners; manners are morals. Social behavior is the index of a deeper nexus of contractual agreement and hidden assumption which make social life possible at all. Thus a breach of etiquette is tantamount to an attack upon the fabric of society and upon the commonweal. Cuddihy means us to read etiquette in a Confucian sense as observance of the tacit premises lived by a society, its prescriptions and its interdicts, so that they function in sum as a heuristic principle holding the social order together. Thus any violation of etiquette traduces social intercourse and, as a corollary, the possibility ofjurisprudence. To say therefore that Jews don't know how to behave is to level a deeper charge, one that is not unfamiliar and hardly innocuous. In a word, Jews constitute the heterogeneous element, the class of outsiders, the alien in one's midst who undermines the civic sanctities of Western society. "Die Juden sind unser Unglack," blared the loudspeakers of the Third Reich; that charge and its consequences must still resonate in Western ears. Cuddihy develops his hypothesis that Jewish thought in our time can be traced to its origins in the struggle with the etiquette of secularized Protestant
Covalently Bound Lipids of Human Stratum Corneum

In the present study, we demonstrate that human stratum corneum contains covalently bound lipids accounting for 1.4% of the dry weight of the tissue. The major component (53.3% of the total by weight) is a ceramide (CER-A) consisting of 30 through 34-carbon omega-hydroxyacids amide-linked to sphingosine. The other bound lipids in human stratum corneum include fatty acids (12.7%), omega-hydroxy acids (9.4%), and a second, more polar, omega-hydroxyacid-containing ceramide (CER-B, 24.8%). The predominant omega-hydroxyacids in both ceramides, as well as the free hydroxyacid fraction, are the 30-carbon saturated and 32- and 34-carbon monoenoic species. The bound fatty acids consist largely of 14 through 22-carbon saturated species, but significant proportions of monoenoic species and linoleic acid are also present. Psoriatic scale contains a similar total concentration of the same covalently bound lipids, but the proportions of the individual bound lipids are different from those found in normal stratum corneum. It is suggested that the principal function of the covalently bound lipids in human stratum corneum is the formation of a lipid envelope on the outer surface of the keratinized cells.
Compaction behavior of Al6061 and SiC binary powder mixture in the mushy state

Abstract Synthesis of ceramic particle reinforced metal composites in the semi-solid state enables fabrication of fully dense composites at relatively low pressures. Only limited study, however, has been found on the compaction behavior and mechanism of the ceramic-metal, binary powder system in the semi-solid state. In this study, the effects of silicon carbide (SiC) volume fraction (0–60%) and aluminum alloy 6061 (Al6061) liquid fraction (0–100%) on the compaction behavior of Al6061–SiC binary powder mixture were investigated. The results showed that the Al6061 liquid fraction significantly influenced the liquid factor (KL), reinforcement factor (KH), and final density of the powder compact. The liquid factor decreased exponentially as the liquid fraction of Al6061 increased. Higher liquid content can weaken the powder structure and lower the reinforcement factor. On the other hand, excessive amount of liquid will lower the final density because of the squeeze out of the liquid from the die. A full density, Al6061–50 vol.% SiC composite can be obtained with 150 MPa compaction pressure when the liquid fraction is between 25% and 40%.
Investigating the effect of discussion forum interface affordances on patterns of conversational interactions

We investigate how the affordances provided by alternative interfaces for on-line discussion forums affect the structure of the discourse that unfolds. In order to investigate this impact, we compare the predictive power of time related and text similarity related features for identifying parent-child links between messages. The results from this work using this methodology suggest that interfaces that make parent-child relationships between messages explicit and do not constrain the choice of previous messages that users can reply to allow patterns of conversational behavior that violate the assumptions of traditional, tree-structured models of discourse where time related and similarity related features are highly predictive. An implication for future work is that because there is evidence that interface affordances affect the form of conversational contributions, techniques that process on-line communication data may need to be adapted for different communication interfaces.
Quantitative measurements of HO2/H2O2 and intermediate species in low and intermediate temperature oxidation of dimethyl ether

Abstract As two of the most important species that characterize hydrocarbon low temperature ignition, HO2 and H2O2 formation during dimethyl ether (DME) oxidation was quantified using the same experimental conditions, for the first time, in an atmospheric flow reactor at low and intermediate temperature range. Dual-Modulation Faraday Rotation Spectroscopy (DM-FRS) and Molecular Beam Mass Spectrometry (MBMS) were used to measure HO2 and H2O2 respectively. DME and other important intermediate species such as CH2O and CO are also measured by MBMS between 400 and 1150 K at different fuel concentrations. Species profiles in the reactor were calculated by using both zero- and two-dimensional computations with different detailed kinetics for cross-validation and comparison with experimental results. The models predict adequately the low and intermediate oxidation temperature windows near 600 and 1000 K, respectively. However, both models over-predicted the DME consumption as well as CO, HO2 and H2O2 formations at the low temperature oxidation window by more than a factor of four. Moreover, although the model predicted reasonably well the formation of CH2O and CO/CO2 at the intermediate temperature oxidation window, the concentration of H2O2 was also over-predicted, suggesting the large uncertainties existing in the DME low temperature chemistry and in H2O2 chemistry at intermediate temperature. Furthermore, to analyze the uncertainty of the low temperature chemistry, a branching ratio of QOOH decomposition to CH2O was derived using measured DME, CH2O and CO concentrations. The large difference between the modeled and measured branching ratios of QOOH decomposition suggests an underestimated QOOH decomposition rate to form CH2O in the current DME models.
Tool Surface Topographies for Controlling Friction and Wear in Metal-Forming Processes

A conceptual framework is introduced for the design of tool surface topographies in bulk metal forming processes. The objective of the design is to control friction to desired levels while minimizing wear of the workpiece and tool surfaces and adhesive metal transfer between the workpiece and tool. Central to the design framework are the tool/workpiece interface properties of lubricant retention and interface permeability. Lubricant retention refers to the capacity of an interface to retain lubricant rather than freely channel it to the exterior of the tool/workpiece conjunction. Permeability refers to the capacity to distribute lubricant to all areas within the conjunction. These properties lead to the concept of two-scale surface topography consisting of a fine scale background of interconnected channels on which is superimposed an array of coarser-scale cavities. Control of friction and wear is achieved by designing the tool surface topographies at these two scales to address the unique tribological conditions of specific bulk metal forming processes. The coarser scale is designed to ensure adequate supply of lubricant within the conjunction. The finer scale is designed to ensure adequate delivery of lubricant to all parts of the conjunction where nascent workpiece surface is being formed. The design concepts are illustrated with results from laboratory experiments using the rolling process as an example, and comparing the performance of various roll surface topographies under similar processing conditions. A two-scale surface topography consisting of hemispherical cavities distributed across a background surface of finer scale, interconnected channels was shown to reduce friction compared to a single-scale ground finish, but not as much as a single-scale coarse topography consisting of densely-packed cavities produced by an electrical discharge treatment. On the other hand, the smoother cross-sections of the cavities, especially when elongated in the direction of greatest relative motion, produced significantly less wear than either of the single-scale tool surface treatments. It is concluded that two-scale engineering of tool surface topographies based upon the concepts of lubricant retention and interface permeability can provide a broad basis for achieving desired levels of interface friction while minimizing workpiece surface wear and adhesive material transfer in many metal-forming processes.
Grain boundary diffusion in a body-centered cubic lattice

Abstract Oriented bicrystals of a 3 per cent silicon iron alloy were prepared with a common [011] direction, and were used in a study of intergranular diffusion in the body-centered lattice. The penetration of iron at the grain boundary during diffusion was obtained by an autoradiographic technique. The penetration was found to be orientation dependent, with no preferential grain boundary diffusion being observed for relative angles of disorientation below about 10 degrees. In general the penetration increased up to a disorientation of 86 degrees with a broad minimum in the neighborhood of 50 degrees. The results can be interpreted in terms of the density of atoms of misfit at the grain boundaries although little correlation seems to exist between penetration and grain boundary energy at the cusp positions.
Serum chemistry and histopathological evaluations of brown bullheads (Ameiurus nebulosus) from the Buffalo and Niagara Rivers, New York

Cholangiomas and cholangiocarcinomas were observed in brown bullheads (Ameiurus nebulosus) collected from the Buffalo and Niagara Rivers (NY) and Old Woman Creek (OH), USA. Significant increases in serum blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, triglycerides, inorganic phosphate, ALT, LDL, calcium, and iron and a significant decrease in cholesterol were found in the fish from the Buffalo and Niagara Rivers compared to the Old Woman Creek reference area. When relationships between the pathology and serum chemistry measurements were tested by correlation and discriminant function analysis, no predictive relationships were apparent.
The role of nitric oxide in tissue destruction

Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized via the oxidation of arginine by a family of nitric oxide synthases (NOS), which are either constitutive (ie. endothelial (ec)NOS and neuronal (nc)NOS) or inducible (iNOS). The production of nitric oxide plays a vital role in the regulation of physiological processes, host defence, inflammation and immunity. Pro-inflammatory effects include vasodilation, oedema, cytotoxicity and the mediation of cytokine-dependent processes that can lead to tissue destruction. Nitric oxide-dependent tissue injury has been implicated in a variety of rheumatic diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Conversely, the production of NO by endothelial cell NOS may serve a protective, or anti-inflammatory, function by preventing the adhesion and release of oxidants by activated neutrophils in the microvasculature. In this chapter we describe the multifaceted role of nitric oxide in inflammation and address the potential therapeutic implications of NOS inhibition.
Cross sections and excitation rates for electron collisions with heliumlike ions

We describe the techniques and the approximations used in extensive calculations for cross sections and reaction-rate parameters for electron-impact excitation of a number of heliumlike ions. All transitions involving the ground state and the $n=2$ states are considered. Calculations are made in the distorted-wave approximation using configuration-interaction wave functions to represent the target states. Autoionizing resonances in the scattering cross sections are included through bound-channel correlation-type functions and through quantum-defect-theory analysis of the reactance matrices. The resonances are shown to make considerable contributions to the cross sections and thereby, in many cases, to enhance the excitation-rate coefficients by a significant factor. This should have important consequences for practical applications in the analysis of laboratory and astrophysical plasmas. The accuracy of our approximations is also discussed.
2011 association of chiropractic colleges educational conference and research agenda conference.

As today’s doctors of chiropractic gain increasing acceptance by other health care providers and government agencies, practitioners and educators face the challenge of developing ways to better integrate chiropractic practice into health care. Integration is occurring in many areas related to practice and education, such as inclusion in the Veteran’s Health Administration and Military Health System, hospital privileges for doctors, and rotations for chiropractic students. Successful integration requires us to develop better strategies to create working relationships with other types of providers and to define our role in health care, such as the growing needs in primary care and geriatric health. Chiropractic doctors are currently breaking through barriers that were once impossible to overcome for past generations.
A new method for purification of the thrombin-like enzyme from the venom of the eastern diamondback rattlesnake.

Crotalase, a thrombin-like enzyme from the venom of eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus), has been purified by a new procedure consisting of gel filtration on Sephadex G-100, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, benzamidine-Sepharose affinity chromatography and SP-Sephadex chromatography. Microheterogeneity was observed after either acrylamide gel electrophoresis or isoelectric focusing. Neuraminidase treatment showed the microheterogeneity to be due to varying levels of sialic acid. The isoelectric point of the desialylated enzyme is 4.6. Coagulant activity was not diminished by neuraminidase treatment. However, there was a slight increase in amidolytic activity on a synthetic chromogenic substrate (S-2238).
A Scanner Darkly: Protecting User Privacy from Perceptual Applications

Perceptual, "context-aware" applications that observe their environment and interact with users via cameras and other sensors are becoming ubiquitous on personal computers, mobile phones, gaming platforms, household robots, and augmented-reality devices. This raises new privacy risks. We describe the design and implementation of DARKLY, a practical privacy protection system for the increasingly common scenario where an untrusted, third-party perceptual application is running on a trusted device. DARKLY is integrated with OpenCV, a popular computer vision library used by such applications to access visual inputs. It deploys multiple privacy protection mechanisms, including access control, algorithmic privacy transforms, and user audit. We evaluate DARKLY on 20 perceptual applications that perform diverse tasks such as image recognition, object tracking, security surveillance, and face detection. These applications run on DARKLY unmodified or with very few modifications and minimal performance overheads vs. native OpenCV. In most cases, privacy enforcement does not reduce the applications' functionality or accuracy. For the rest, we quantify the tradeoff between privacy and utility and demonstrate that utility remains acceptable even with strong privacy protection.
The Nck SH2/SH3 adaptor protein: A regulator of multiple intracellular signal transduction events

The process generally termed signal transduction involves the coordinated relay of information from extracellular cues to intracellular effectors, subsequently leading to a specified cellular response. The formation of multimeric protein complexes is a critical step in the activation of most intracellular signal transduction cascades. In many cases, these processes are initiated by a family of molecules consisting of protein association motifs known as src homology 2 and 3 (SH2 and SH3) domains. This review focuses on a group of proteins within this family that lack intrinsic enzymatic functions and consist almost entirely of SH2 and SH3 domains. Termed "adaptors," these proteins serve to physically bridge activated cell surface receptors to various intracellular signal transduction pathways. Here, I briefly summarize current knowledge concerning the various adaptor proteins and place a particular emphasis on Nck. Various data are discussed which collectively support a role for Nck in the regulation of multiple intracellular signaling events.
ANALYSIS OF PHOTOENZYMATIC REPAIR OF UV LESIONS IN DNA BY SINGLE LIGHT FLASHES. VIII. INHIBITION OF PHOTOENZYMATIC REPAIR OF UV LESIONS IN E. COLI DNA BY CAFFEINE.

Abstract The rate of photoenzymatic repair (PER) obtained with continuous illumination of UV-irradiated E. coli Bs−1 cells is much decreased in the presence of 16 mg/ml caffeine. This inhibitory effect is usually not observed in B/r cells. It occurs in T1 phage infecting either Bs−1 or B/r, indicating that its absence in B/r cells has not a trivial explanation such as destruction or decreased uptake of the inhibitor. Experimental evidence is presented that caffeine interferes strongly with the formation of enzyme-substrate (ES) complexes, presumably by binding to DNA at, or close to, the repairable photoproducts. This results in a lower equilibrium of complex formation in the dark. A single caffeine molecule can block the formation of a complex; this effect is fully reversible when the caffeine is diluted out. Caffeine does not interfere with the photolysis of existing ES complexes. Failure to observe, under usual conditions, caffeine inhibition of PER in irradiated B/r cells is explained by the large number of UV lesions in these cells, compared to much smaller numbers in Bs−1 cells or in phage infecting either type of cell. Due to this high number, complex formation in B/r cells is so rapid that—in spite of the slowdown by caffeine—most of the PRE is tied up in ES complexes in the steady state during continuous illumination at moderate intensity. Only at very high light intensity, where the steady-state concentration of complexes is lower, is the caffeine inhibition observed. Correspondingly, illumination of irradiated Bs−1 cells at very low light intensity results in decreased caffeine inhibition of PER.