cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract P5-01-04: Activation of toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) confers protection in human breast cancer

Background: Inflammation and angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment play a role in human breast cancer. We previously showed that tumors with high M2 macrophages and high microvessel density (MVD) have a shorter overall survival. The antitumor effect of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) has been previously described whereby its activation can alter the tumor microenvironment to adopt an antitumorigenic (Th-1) immune response and inhibit angiogenesis, with a potential immune mediated benefit in breast cancer. To our knowledge, there are no studies that evaluated TLR7 and its relationship to macrophages and angiogenesis in human breast cancer. Methods: Breast tumors were obtained from the University of Chicago Breast Cancer SPORE tissue bank under IRB approved protocols. Tissue microarrays were constructed and molecular subtype was assigned based on immunohistochemical (IHC) staining into the following groups: luminal A (ER+, PR+, HER2-), luminal B (ER+, HER2+ or ER+, PR-), HER2-like (ER-, HER2+) and basal-like (ER-, HER2-, EGFR+ and/or CK5/6+). Macrophage density was determined using double staining with CD68/CD163. Microvessel density (MVD) was measured by IHC staining using anti-CD34. Staining quantification was performed by a trained pathologist and scoring performed independently by two pathologists. Based on median distribution, we assigned M2 macrophage content and MVD into high vs. low, and the TLR7 expression into faint vs. strong. To evaluate the association between M2 macrophages and TLR7, Spearman9s rho correlation coefficients were calculated. Survival analysis was done using Tarone ware statistics. Results: After removal of duplicate cores, we had 100 tumors available for scoring. There was an equal distribution of M2 macrophage content, MVD, and TLR7 expression (p = 0.074, p = 0.908, p = 0.145 respectively). The tumor subtypes were 53.2% luminal A, 34.0% basal-like, 7.4%, luminal B, and 5.3% Her2-like. We found a significant correlation between high number of M2 macrophages and high MVD (spearman9s rho correlation coefficient = 0.343, p = 0.004). There was an association between M2 macrophages and TLR7 expression (Pearson χ2 = 4.425, p = 0.025). Compared to tumors with faint TLR7 expression, those with strong TLR7 expression exhibited a longer overall survival (Tarone ware statistic 5.053, p = 0.025) and this continued to be significant when adjusted for M2 macrophage content (Tarone ware statistic = 4.049, p = 0.044) and for MVD (Tarone ware statistic = 4.042, p = 0.044). There was no statistically significant association between TLR7 expression and molecular subtypes of breast cancer. Conclusion: Tumor associated macrophages (M2 macrophages) and angiogenesis (high MVD) are known to contribute to worse outcomes in human breast cancer. Our results suggest that activation of TLR7 can have a protective effect in human breast cancer even in tumors harboring features of more aggressive disease. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P5-01-04.
A study of the dynamics of K42 uptake by sunflower plants with the aid of a scintillation count-rate meter

The time sequential mechanism of K42 uptake by sunflower plants from an osmotic pressure series of K42 HCO3 solutions was analyzed with the aid of a localizing scintillation count-rate meter. A range of osmotic pressures from 0.3 to 28.2 atm was selected. Three phases of potassium uptake could be distinguished; an initial, exponential, rapid uptake; a period of saturation; a final phase, of renewed rapid uptake. Solutions with osmotic pressures of < 1.5 atm did not cause appreciable leaf scorching but tended to reduce uptake rates. An osmotic pressure of 7.6 atm resulted in a maximum potassium accumulation in the damaged leaves. All kinetic trends were reversed at 28.2 atm, causing rapid death by dessication. Plasmolytic effects of potassium were discussed in view of uptake stimulation.
Between Two Fires: Gypsy Performance and Romani Memory from Pushkin to Postsocialism

Between Two Fires: Gypsy Performance and Romani Memory from Pushkin to Postsocialism. Alaina Lemon. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2000. vii. 308 pp., photographs, appendixes, notes, bibliography, index.
New developments in actinide alkoxide chemistry

Abstract Much new information on the synthesis, physicochemical properties, solid state structures, and reaction chemistry of actinide alkoxide complexes has begun to emerge in the last decade. We have developed several new starting materials that facilitate easy entry into thorium and uranium alkoxide chemistry. Synthetic pathways employed in our laboratories to obtain alkoxide and aryloxide complexes of the actinides include (1) metathesis of the iodide ligands in Ul 3 (THF) 4 and Thl 4 (THF) 4 with potassium salts of the desired ligand, or (2) protonolysis of metal-nitrogen or metal-carbon bonds by alcohols or phenols. The rich structural and reaction chemistry of these new complexes is described along with prospects for future developments in the field.
Emergency Control Cockpit

We live in a world of very large-scale systems which can be described as global, very fast, and often saturated with uncertainty. Talking about global communication and energy supply systems, interconnected financial markets, global business operation platforms or contemporary large social networks, we usually deal with normal operating regimes (~99% of time) while systems might switch into unstable regimes (~1% of time). Very rarely those systems end in emergency state which might degenerate into major catastrophe (huge human, material, environment losses). In this paper we describe the architecture and design details of an emergency control cockpit system, enabling better management of various system crises.
The Effect of Host on Pleochroic Dye Order Parameter

Abstract The order parameters of three dyes in seven nematic liquid crystalline hosts have been measured. A correlation between a dye's length and its order parameter could be seen. Variations of as much as 50% in a dye's order parameter occurred on changing host.
Centromeric dots in crane-fly spermatocytes: meiotic maturation and malorientation

During the first meiotic division in crane-fly spermatocytes, the two homologs of a metaphase bivalent each bear two sister kinetochores oriented toward the same pole. We have previously reported treatments that increase the percentage of metaphase bivalents in which one or both homologs have bipolar malorientations: kinetochore microtubules] extending from a homolog toward both poles. The maloriented homologs lag at anaphase. Treatments that induce this behavior include: (a) recoverey from exposure to low temperatures or Colcemid or Nocodazole concentrations that prevent spindle formation but allow nuclear membrane breakdown, and (b) exposure to 6° C, a temperature that permits spindle assembly but slows progression through meiosis. Giemsa staining methods reveal two 0.5 μm diameter dots at the centromeric region of each metaphase homolog; these often are more separated in maloriented homologs. This investigation was undertaken to assess whether this separation precedes the establishment of bipolar malorientation, and hence may be a cause of it, or is only a consequence of forces resulting from bipolar malorientation. Analysis showed that, in untreated cells, the average center-to-center distance between sister centromeric dots increases during the course of meiosis I. After the above-mentioned treatments, center-to-center distances similar to those normally seen in untreated half-bivalents at anaphase I were seen in bivalents, both after and before nuclear membrane breakdown. Longer exposure to temperatures that arrested meiosis increased the degree of dot separation. Based on our data, we conclude that normal orientation during the first meiotic division is aided by the close apposition of centromeric dots, and that a time-dependent maturation occurs causing centromeric dots to separate for the second meiotic division and facilitating orientation of sister kinetochores to opposite poles. If centromeric maturation occurs either prior to or during early stages of the first meiotic division, then it may contribute to persisting bipolar malorientation.
Experimental and computational studies on propane-propylene separation by adsorption and variable-temperature stepwise desorption

Abstract An experimental adsorption and desorption study was carried out using propane-propylene gas mixtures adsorbed onto 13X molecular sieves in order to obtain a better understanding of a variable-temperature stepwise desorption (VTSD) method that has been found to have potential for industrial separations. The experimental conditions used were based on estimates of possible industrial importance. Both desorption rates and desorption equilibrium data were obtained at one atmosphere with no dilution gases, in small U-tube columns (0.012 m diameter). The desorption rates appeared to be relatively rapid and not an important factor in pilot-scale desorption in comparison with heat transfer rates. A computational method has been developed in order to calculate the composition and amounts of gases that are desorbed during variable-temperature stepwise desorption. The computed predictions ofa pilot-scale system, based on equilibrium data from small scale column experiments, were compared with pilot-scale (0.04 m diameter × 1.8 m length) experimental results and were found to provide reasonable approximations.
Evaluative Responses to Communicators: The Effects of Speech Rate, Sex, and Interaction Context.

This study investigated the effects of speech rate level, speaker sex, and interaction context on listeners’ evaluative responses to speakers. Subjects (N = 214) listened to remarks by a male or female voice at one of five speech rate levels. Also, subjects were induced to believe the passages were excerpts from either an informal conversation or employment interview. After hearing the stimulus voice, the subjects evaluated the speakers on competence and social attractiveness measures. Consistent with previous research, speech rate was positively related to competence judgments for both male and female speakers. However, for social attractiveness, a speech rate level × speaker sex interaction indicated that speech rate had a significant impact on judgments of the male speaker (a preference for moderate to relatively faster rates) but was unrelated to judgments of the female speaker. A context main effect was also observed on the competence measure. Theoretical implications are discussed.
De Novo High-Resolution Protein Structure Determination from Sparse Spin labeling EPR Data

As many key proteins evade crystallization and remain too large for nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy combined with site-directed spin labeling offers an alternative approach for obtaining structural information. Such information must be translated into geometric restraints to be used in computer simulations. Here, distances between spin labels are converted into distance ranges between beta carbons by using a "motion-on-a-cone" model, and a linear-correlation model links spin-label accessibility to the number of neighboring residues. This approach was tested on T4-lysozyme and alphaA-crystallin with the de novo structure prediction algorithm Rosetta. The results demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining highly accurate, atomic-detail models from EPR data by yielding 1.0 A and 2.6 A full-atom models, respectively. Distance restraints between amino acids far apart in sequence but close in space are most valuable for structure determination. The approach can be extended to other experimental techniques such as fluorescence spectroscopy, substituted cysteine accessibility method, or mutational studies.
Meetings: A cultural perspective

Abstract We draw on Helen Schwartzman's seminal work on meetings to make the case for studying meetings and studying them from a cultural perspective. In a global context marked by the increasing interdependence of social groups of all sizes, scholars need ways to study and interpret local phenomena; a cultural approach to meetings provides a means for discovering local practices and theories of communication, and for enabling cross-cultural comparison to generate empirically grounded multi-cultural perspectives. After reviewing how scholars have used Schwartzman's work, we revisit her scheme for studying meetings and demonstrate how it orients researchers to local cultural practices and processes. To illustrate the kind of theoretical innovation that can follow from the application of her scheme, we reformulate her work on the relationship between meetings and social order to argue that egalitarianism and hierarchy should be theorized as strategic communicative accomplishments that serve the locally rele...
Evaluation of vertebral fractures on lateral chest radiographs of inner-city postmenopausal women.

We assessed the prevalence of vertebral fractures as a marker for osteoporosis on lateral chest radiographs in inner-city, minority, postmenopausal women. We reviewed outpatient lateral chest radiographs on all women 55 years and older at an inner-city hospital during two randomly selected months, August 2000 and April 2002. There were 106 women with a mean age of 65 (range 55–89) years, 45 were Hispanic, 42 Black, 9 White, 10 of other ethnicity. Deformity was graded on a 0–3 scale with Grades 2 (moderate) and 3 (severe) deformities considered fractures. Interval lateral chest radiographs within 1–2 years were evaluated. Of the group 25% (26/106) had vertebral fractures. The fracture prevalence increased with age: 13% (17/54) of women under 65 years and 37% (19/52) of women 65 years and older had fractures (P < 0.05). The fracture was described as part of the radiographic report in only 15% (4/26) of the women. Of the group 15% (16/106) had interval lateral chest radiographs. Among those with interval lateral chest radiographs, 19% (3/16) developed new fractures. In this series 29% (31/106) of women were scheduled for bone density studies, but the studies were only completed in 6% (6/106). Lateral chest radiographs showed that vertebral fractures occurred commonly, increased with age, and progressed on follow-up. In a population of underserved minority women, the lateral chest radiograph provides an opportunity to identify women with osteoporosis for possible treatment.
Aspects of mating, oviposition, and flight in the satin moth, Leucoma salicis (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

Mating, oviposition, and flight in the satin moth, Leucoma salicis (L.), were studied in an aspen forest in Maine during 1975 and 1976. Adult eclosion normally occurred between 0800 h (EST) and 2300 h, with males emerging earlier both daily and seasonally. Female calling behavior and mating occurred shortly after sunset on the day of eclosion. Mating lasted ca. 19 h, terminating prior to sunset; low temperatures extended the period of mating. Multiple mating was observed in males and females. Oviposition normally occurred between 1600 and 2330 h. The largest egg masses were the first laid, with sequentially smaller masses laid on following days. Confined females laid an average of 4.6 egg masses containing a total of 650 eggs. Female flight normally followed oviposition of the first egg mass; thereafter, the period of daily flight often preceded oviposition. Male flight started at 0500 h, peaked between 1600 and 2100 h, and ended at 0130 h. Adult longevity under confined field conditions averaged 8.6 days for males and 9.4 days for females.
Education and the location of work: a continued economic role for central cities?

Using data on individuals from the 2008 American Community Survey, we examine the relationship between educational attainment and the location of jobs in fifteen large metropolitan areas in the United States. We focus on whether individuals with higher educational attainment tend to work in the central city versus the suburbs, and we do so taking into account the residential location of households (central city vs suburb). We show that central cities tend to be the work site of more highly educated workers—those with a bachelor’s degree and above. Workers with less than a high school degree also tend to work in the city. Taking account of the residential location preferences of highly educated workers mildly diminishes the direct effect of higher education on city job location, but it does not negate it. In contrast, central city job opportunities for workers with less than a high school education are not so abundant; these workers tend to work in the city mostly because they also live there.
Corrigendum to “American Society of Clinical Oncology 2011 Annual Meeting Update: Summary of Selected Gynecologic Cancer Abstracts” [Gynecol Oncol 122 (2011) 209–212]

Gynecologic Oncology 123 (2011) 451 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Gynecologic Oncology j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w. e l s ev i e r. c o m / l o c a t e / y g y n o Corrigendum Corrigendum to “American Society of Clinical Oncology 2011 Annual Meeting Update: Summary of Selected Gynecologic Cancer Abstracts” [Gynecol Oncol 122 (2011) 209–212] Krishnansu S. Tewari a , Bradley J. Monk b, ⁎ a b The Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of California, Irvine Medical Center, Orange, CA, USA The Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Creighton University School of Medicine at St Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA The authors regret that Conﬂict of Interest Statement is incorrect. For the readers' convenience, the correct Conﬂict of Interest Statement appears below. Dr. Bradley Monk discloses that he has received research grants from GlaxoSmithKline, PharmaMar, Sanoﬁ–Aventis, Merck and Novartis along with honoraria for speaker bureaus from GlaxoSmithKline, Roche and Johnson and Johnson. Additionally Dr. Monk has been a consultant for Qiagen, Roche, GlaxoSmithKline, Boehringer Ingelheim and Merck. Dr. Krishnansu Tewari discloses that he has received research grants from Precision Therapeutics, Amgen, Imclone, and Biogen Idec and honoraria for speaker bureaus from Genzyme, Vermillion, Qiagen, Centocor Ortho Biotec, and Merck. Additionally Dr Tewari has been a consultant for Qiagen and Pathwork Diagnostics. DOI of original article: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2011.06.028. ⁎ Corresponding author. E-mail address: Bradley.monk@chw.edu (B.J. Monk). doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2011.07.029
The BH3 mimetic ABT-737 increases treatment efficiency of paclitaxel against hepatoblastoma

Background The primary goal of current chemotherapy in hepatoblastoma (HB) is reduction of tumour volume and vitality to enable complete surgical resection and reduce risk of recurrence or metastatic disease. Drug resistance remains a major challenge for HB treatment. In some malignancies inhibition of anti-apoptotic pathways using small BH3 mimetic molecules like ABT-737 shows synergistic effects in combination with cystotoxic agents in vitro. Now we analysed toxicology and synergistic effects of this approach in HB cells and HB xenografts.
Interaction between dislocations and alloying elements and its implication on crystal plasticity of aluminum alloys

Abstract It is well known that plastic deformation of single crystals becomes highly non-uniform at relatively small plastic strains, especially in metal alloys. One of the examples is the appearance of coarse slip bands under monotonic uniaxial stressing of a crystal. Triggering of such non-uniform plastic flows has been analyzed in the past mainly in terms of secondary slips and non-Schmid effects in a framework of rate-independent crystal plasticity formulation. Here we focus on the interaction of dislocations and alloying elements in an aluminum alloy and its role in setting the constitutive rules on individual slip systems of the aluminum crystal. A rate-dependent crystal plasticity formulation which accounts for such interactions will be used to analyze the formation of coarse slip bands in aluminum under both single- and multiple-slip conditions.
The Effects of Variable Practice on the Performance of a Basketball Skill

(1993). The Effects of Variable Practice on the Performance of a Basketball Skill. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport: Vol. 64, No. 2, pp. 232-237.
DARPA high-resolution display technologies

Much of the information of interest to pilots in flight is display-limited, and is undergoing substantial expansion due to improved sensor output and signal processing; attention is accordingly given to digitally-based instrument display imaging in the present evaluation of high-resolution cockpit display technologies. Also noted are the advantages of digitally transmitted sensor data in cases where the airborne reconnaissance user may be able to analyze telemetered airborne data in real time and respond with requests to the pilot for more detailed information of specific battlefield sites.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A survey on percutaneous endoscopically placed gastrostomy in the Northwest: influence of work setting.

OBJECTIVE: A survey was undertaken to determine the influence of practice setting on the way Pacific Northwest gastroenterologists perform and manage percutaneous endoscopically placed gastrostomy (PEG). METHODS: A 12-question survey was distributed to 196 members of the Pacific Northwest Gastroenterology Society (PNWGS) regarding their specifics of placing and managing PEG. The responses were compared according to work setting, i.e., private practice, armed services, staff model HMO’s, and university affiliated hospitals. The data were analyzed using the χ2 test. RESULTS: Sixty-nine of 126 practicing gastroenterologists responded; 75% were in private practice (PP) and 25% in the combined other work settings (non-PP). The mean number of PEG placed by all groups was 23. Seventy-three percent of PP performed PEG without a second physician. Antibiotics were used prophylactically in both PP and non-PP by 96%. There was no difference between groups in use of standardized forms or in time before instituting feedings. The non-PP groups used preprocedure labs (p = 0.037) and loosening skin surface bumpers (p = 0.035) more frequently. The uniform impression was that PEG was associated with the same or fewer complications currently than in the past. CONCLUSIONS: In the PP setting, gastroenterologists tend to place PEGs without a second physician and use standardized forms and bumper loosening less frequently than non-PP gastroenterologists. These variations reflect that teaching institutions as well as staff model HMOs make access to an assistant easier. Respondents expressed confusions on billing for PEG. They perceived the procedure to be as safe or safer than in the past. The PEG has evolved into a frequently performed procedure whose practice variations are outgrowths of one’s work environment as well as one’s training.
Double-orifice tricuspid valve in association with complete atrioventricular septal defect.

The patient described is a girl born at full-term with normal chromosomes. She manifested clinical signs of congestive heart failure within the first month of life, and an echocardiogram demonstrated a complete atrioventricular (AV) septal defect. There was mild to moderate regurgitation of the left-side AV valve and trace insufficiency of the rightside AV valve. The girl was started on anticongestive therapy at that time. At the age of 4 months, the patient (then 4.8 kg) underwent complete repair of her congenital heart defect. Figure 1 demonstrates the complete atrioventricular septal defect. The demarcation between the rightand left-side AV valve was identified and sutured directly to the crest of the septum. There was a prominent cleft in the anterior leaflet of the left-side AV valve, which was repaired with a series of 6-0 Prolene sutures. The repair was completed by closure of the large primum type atrial septal defect with a pericardial patch. At this juncture, the right-side AV valve was retested, and it was then evident that the valve had a double orifice, as shown in Fig. 2. Because this valve did not leak, no effort was made to repair it. The patient was weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass without difficulty, and the postoperative transesophogeal echocardiogram demonstrated trace regurgitation of the left-side valve and the double-orifice inflow of the right-side valve (Fig. 3) with no regurgitation. The patient was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 13. The double-orifice tricuspid valve is an exceptionally rare congenital heart defect. Only a few case reports exist currently in the literature [1–3]. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a double-orifice tricuspid valve in association with a complete AV septal defect. Fortuitously, this valve functioned quite well of its own accord and did not require surgical intervention.
An unexpected paradox in the Kelvin ponderomotive force theory

Abstract We show that the ubiquitous formula for ponderomotive forces due to a distribution of a polarized substance implies a non-vanishing self-force. This constitutes a striking paradox since this prediction is in startling contrast with observed phenomena. A recorded lecture on the paradox can be found on the authors’ website.
Understanding Voter Vengeance

This article proposes that, in electoral contexts, decision makers may experience a desire for vengeance or a desire to “get even” with an entity, such as a political candidate, in response to a perceived wrongdoing. This article draws on research from the domains of psychology and sociology to develop a theoretical framework for examining factors that may influence the extent to which voters exact revenge on political candidates with their voting behavior. The results of 3 experiments are reported in which voters are shown to exact revenge on a candidate who has won an earlier round of elections by defeating a favored candidate. This process is mediated by damage to self-identity and is strengthened by perceived share of blame attributed to the perpetrator candidate. This research shows how vengeful voters are delighted when a perpetrator candidate later performs poorly while in office. This research also shows how making salient a shared affiliation with the perpetrator candidate (such as race or university major) can attenuate vengeful voting behavior. The research builds on a growing body of work that explores negative and potentially counterproductive emotions in choice contexts.
The effect of denervation on feline esophageal function and morphology

Abstract Denervation of the feline esophagus leads to a severe motility disorder which is different from that recorded after denervation of the dog and monkey esophagus. Bilateral cervical vagotomy resulted in complete paralysis of the body of the esophagus, but peristalsis returned to that portion composed of smooth muscle. Esophageal dilatation occurred, and the incidences of relaxation and contraction of the inferior sphincter in response to swallowing were markedly reduced. These sphincteric abnormalities returned to normal after 6 months, but those in the body of the esophagus were unchanged for periods of 9 months. Esophageal dilatation occurred after vagotomy in all cats. Esophagomyotomy did not prevent this. Periesophageal vagotomy had a very inconstant effect. Sympathectomy had little effect on esophageal motility but caused marked diminution in the resting pressure of the inferior sphincter. When combined with vagotomy, sympathectomy prevented the effect of vagotomy on the sphincter but not on the body of the esophagus. None of these procedures induced a loss of ganglion cells in Auerbach's plexus.
Formation of secondary organic aerosol from the reaction of styrene with ozone in the presence and absence of ammonia and water

Abstract We report on a comprehensive investigation of the influence of ammonia and water on secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from the styrene–ozone system. The presence of ammonia and water each affected the gas-phase chemistry leading to SOA formation, thereby impacting the total aerosol yield for the system. Two lumped products using the classic semi-empirical gas–particle equilibrium model ( α 1 , K 1 , α 2 , and K 2 were estimated as 0.0490, 0.3410, 0.1439, and 0.0040, respectively) were sufficient to predict SOA formation in the dry styrene–ozone system. We propose 3,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-trioxolane and a hydroxyl-substituted ester as the major aerosol-forming products in the dry, ammonia-free styrene ozonolysis system. Addition of excess ammonia after SOA formation rapidly and significantly reduced the aerosol volume suspended in the chamber. We believe this is due to rapid decomposition of the 3,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-trioxolane and the hydroxyl-substituted ester by nucleophilic attack from the ammonia molecule. Additional experiments with α -methylstyrene/ozone produced SOA that was unaffected by ammonia, suggesting that the addition of a methyl group led to SOA that stearically hindered nucleophilic attack by the ammonia molecule. The presence of water vapor prior to styrene oxidation was found to reduce SOA formation, likely due to inhibition of the formation of 3,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-trioxolane.
Synthesis and characterization of a new layered lithium zinc phosphate hydrate

Abstract A new layered lithium zinc phosphate hydrate, Li2Zn(HPO4)2·0.66H2O, isostructural with Na2Zn(HPO4)2·4H2O was prepared by the direct ambient pressure and temperature reaction between zinc 2,4-pentanedionate, phosphoric acid, and lithium hydroxide. The as-prepared sample is monoclinic (a=8.896(8) A, b=13.092(5) A, c=10.882(9) A, and β=115.760(6)°). The prepared solid undergoes three thermal transformations when it is heated from 110 to 600°C. The first two transformations are due to the release of intercalated water molecules and the third one is due to the HPO2−4–P2O4−7 transition.
A GPU-based Approach for Massive Model Rendering with Frame-to-Frame Coherence

Rendering massive 3D models in real-time has long been recognized as a very challenging problem because of the limited computational power and memory space available in a workstation. Most existing rendering techniques, especially level of detail (LOD) processing, have suffered from their sequential execution natures. We present a GPU-based approach which enables interactive rendering of large 3D models with hundreds of millions of triangles. Our work contributes to the massive rendering research in two ways. First, we present a simple and efficient mesh simplification algorithm towards GPU architecture. Second, we propose a novel GPU out-of-core approach that adopts a frame-to-frame coherence scheme in order to minimize the high communication cost between CPU and GPU. Our results show that the parallel algorithm of mesh simplification and the GPU out-of-core approach significantly improve the overall rendering performance. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adolescent Preventive Health Care: What Do Parents Want?

Objective To understand parental opinions about which topics should be discussed during adolescent preventive health visits and how best to incorporate adolescent confidentiality into these visits. Study design Cross-sectional, web-based survey of a national sample of 1025 parents of adolescents. Results Response rate was 71%. From a list of 18 possible topics, the 3 most frequently selected as being "very important for the doctor to discuss during adolescent well child examinations" were "diet/nutrition" (75%), "exercise/sports" (67%), and "physical changes of puberty" (60%). There was variability in topic popularity by parents' race/ethnicity and gender and by adolescents' age, health status, and gender. Most parents (66%) believed it was "very/somewhat" important for adolescents to have private time with the doctor during these visits, yet a substantial proportion of parents (46%) preferred that the doctor disclose to them the confidential information obtained during these private encounters. Conclusions Parents find numerous topics important for discussion during well adolescent health care visits suggesting that parents might value a broad range of preventive care services for adolescents. However, some parents appear conflicted about incorporating adolescent confidentiality into prevention-focused visits.
Electroreduction of O2 on Cytochrome c Oxidase Modified Electrode for Biofuel Cell

Bovine cytochrome c oxidase is immobilized in a gold substrate- supported lipid bilayer membrane to investigate reduction of oxygen using flow through detection technique. The results shown that system temperature, pH and component of solution affect the electroreductive rate of oxygen. In each case the reduction rate of oxygen is controlled by electron transfer. The oxidase modified electrode can be used for the direct electroreduction of oxygen to water in a biofuel cell.
Chronic exposure to beta-blockers attenuates inflammation and mucin content in a murine asthma model.

Single-dose administration of beta-adrenoceptor agonists produces bronchodilation and inhibits airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and is the standard treatment for the acute relief of asthma. However, chronic repetitive administration of beta-adrenoceptor agonists may increase AHR, airway inflammation, and risk of death. Based upon the paradigm shift that occurred with the use of beta-blockers in congestive heart failure, we previously determined that chronic administration of beta-blockers decreased AHR in a murine model of asthma. To elucidate the mechanisms for the beneficial effects of beta-blockers, we examined the effects of chronic administration of several beta-adrenoceptor ligands in a murine model of allergic asthma. Administration of beta-blockers resulted in a reduction in total cell counts, eosinophils, and the cytokines IL-13, IL-10, IL-5, and TGF-β1 in bronchoalveolar lavage, and attenuated epithelial mucin content and morphologic changes. The differences in mucin content also occurred if the beta-blockers were administered only during the ovalbumin challenge phase, but administration of beta-blockers for 7 days was not as effective as administration for 28 days. These results indicate that in a murine model of asthma, chronic administration of beta-blockers reduces inflammation and mucous metaplasia, cardinal features of asthma that may contribute to airflow obstruction and AHR. Similar to heart failure, our results provide a second disease model in which beta-blockers producing an acutely detrimental effect may provide a therapeutically beneficial effect with chronic administration.
An Abrasion Machine for Evaluating Single Fiber Transfer

An abrasion machine has been developed for laboratory use based on the principle of abrading textiles at a slow rate with a small abrasive force and then evaluating abrasion damage after only minor textile structural changes have occurred. Structural change is evaluated in terms of fiber transfer, which is the release and relocation of individual fibers. The abrasion machine is described and its use is illustrated with three fabrics by evaluating the number, length, and configuration of transferred fibers. Since most textiles transfer fibers during ordinary use and care, this machine has the potential for application to a wide variety of textile problems.
Modelling the Nonlinear Dynamics of Electrically Driven Impact Microactuators

Accurate positioning in the micro or nano scale is of prime importance in the MEMS industry. Manual manipulation is difficult because of sticking due to surface adhesion forces. Regular microactuators need large actuation forces and a long driving distance. This would require large voltages to produce the desired forces. In contrast, micromachined actuators based on impulsive forces provide a solution to this problem. Impacts are a source of nonlinearity and a careful study of the dynamics is essential in order to ensure a consistent performance of the device. The present study explores the asymptotic dynamics associated with impact microactuators using both numerical integration and local analysis.
Where do Students Learn about Engineering Design

While prior work indicates that seniors near the end of their capstone design course know more about design than first-year students, it is unclear where this knowledge is gained. We study three possible sources of seniors' greater design knowledge: sophomore and junior courses, industrial experience, and the senior capstone course. The design process knowledge of seniors at the beginning of their capstone class was assessed and information about their industrial experience obtained. The results indicate that industrial experience greatly increases students' recognition that documentation needs to occur throughout a design process and decreases their recognition that idea generation is an important part of design. For most aspects of design assessed, however, seniors with experience show no greater knowledge than first-year students. Furthermore, seniors without industrial experience scored no differently than first-year students, indicating that analysis-heavy sophomore and junior classes do not impact design process knowledge.
Pharmacological Manipulation of the Akt Signaling Pathway Regulates Myxoma Virus Replication and Tropism in Human Cancer Cells

Viruses have evolved an assortment of mechanisms for regulating the Akt signaling pathway to establish a cellular environment more favorable for viral replication. Myxoma virus (MYXV) is a rabbit-specific poxvirus that encodes many immunomodulatory factors, including an ankyrin repeat-containing host range protein termed M-T5 that functions to regulate tropism of MYXV for rabbit lymphocytes and certain human cancer cells. MYXV permissiveness in these human cancer cells is dependent upon the direct interaction between M-T5 and Akt, which has been shown to induce the kinase activity of Akt. In this study, an array of compounds that selectively manipulate Akt signaling was screened and we show that only a subset of Akt inhibitors significantly decreased the ability of MYXV to replicate in previously permissive human cancer cells. Furthermore, reduced viral replication efficiency was correlated with lower levels of phosphorylated Akt. In contrast, the PP2A-specific phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid promoted increased Akt kinase activation and rescued MYXV replication in human cancer cells that did not previously support viral replication. Finally, phosphorylation of Akt at residue Thr308 was shown to dictate the physical interaction between Akt and M-T5, which then leads to phosphorylation of Ser473 and permits productive MYXV replication in these human cancer cells. The results of this study further characterize the mechanism by which M-T5 exploits the Akt signaling cascade and affirms this interaction as a major tropism determinant that regulates the replication efficiency of MYXV in human cancer cells.
Methane along the western Mexican margin

We investigated the processes controlling the water-column and sediment methane distributions at 14 stations along the western Mexican margin, in and around the Gulf of California. Stations were grouped into two categories: coastal basins and open margins. Diffusive methane fluxes from the sediment at all sites, as estimated from sediment methane gradients, were 0.24‐5.5 mmol m 22 d 21 , with the highest fluxes observed on the Pacific margin of Baja California at both basin and open-margin sites. These high rates occur despite the lack of significant terrestrial input to these sediments, reflecting the importance of upwelling-induced productivity. Methane concentrations in the upper water column were supersaturated with respect to the present atmosphere at all sites, with sea‐air fluxes of methane of 0.5‐5.9 mmol m 22 d 21 . Four of the open-margin sites had seafloor depths extending below the oxygen minimum zone (;400‐800 m) and contained low methane concentrations below the subsurface methane maximum. The remaining margin site was shallow (593 m), with a seafloor that intersected the oxygen minimum zone, and had elevated methane concentrations throughout the water column; this indicates that such sediments may be a significant source of methane to the eastern tropical North Pacific (ETNP). The seawater within silled basin sites also had supersaturated methane concentrations, reflecting the anoxic conditions within the basins. However, methane levels were low at the sill depth, indicating that the silled basins were unlikely to be significant sources of methane to the ETNP. We observed an inverse relationship between methane concentration and d 13 C-CH4 value in the basin waters, consistent with biological aerobic oxidation of methane being released from the sediment; an apparent kinetic isotopic fractionation factor of 1.0100‐0.0038 was calculated for this process. Isotopically heavy methane resulting from similar oxidation of seafloor-derived methane may be the source of large pools of heavy methane previously
Directory Enabled Policy Based Networking

This report presents a discussion of directory-enabled policy-based networking with an emphasis on its role as the foundation for securely scalable enterprise networks. A directory service provides the object-oriented logical environment for interactive cyber-policy implementation. Cyber-policy implementation includes security, network management, operational process and quality of service policies. The leading network-technology vendors have invested in these technologies for secure universal connectivity that transverses Internet, extranet and intranet boundaries. Industry standards are established that provide the fundamental guidelines for directory deployment scalable to global networks. The integration of policy-based networking with directory-service technologies provides for intelligent management of the enterprise network environment as an end-to-end system of related clients, services and resources. This architecture allows logical policies to protect data, manage security and provision critical network services permitting a proactive defense-in-depth cyber-security posture. Enterprise networking imposes the consideration of supporting multiple computing platforms, sites and business-operation models. An industry-standards based approach combined with principled systems engineering in the deployment of these technologies allows these issues to be successfully addressed. This discussion is focused on a directory-based policy architecture for the heterogeneous enterprise network-computing environment and does not propose specific vendor solutions. This document is written to present practical design methodology andmore » provide an understanding of the risks, complexities and most important, the benefits of directory-enabled policy-based networking.« less
A Framework for Efficient Class-Based Scheduling

With an increasing requirement for network monitoring tools to classify traffic and track security threats, newer and efficient ways are needed for collecting traffic statistics and monitoring of network flows. However, traditional solutions based on random packet sampling treat all flows as equal and therefore, do not provide the flexibility required for these applications. In this paper, we propose a novel architecture called CLAMP that provides an efficient framework to implement size-based sampling. At the heart of CLAMP is a novel data structure called composite bloom filter (CBF) that consists of a set of bloom filters that work together to encapsulate various class definitions. In comparison to previous approaches that implement simple size-based sampling, our architecture requires substantially lower memory (upto 80x) and results in higher flow coverage (upto 8x more flows) under specific configurations.
Understanding Barriers to Early Intervention Services for Preterm Infants: Lessons From Two States

Abstract Objective To explore existing barriers and challenges to Early Intervention (EI) referral, enrollment, and service provision for very low birth weight (VLBW; Methods We conducted 10 focus groups with parents of VLBW children (n = 44) and 32 interviews with key informants from EI (n = 7), neonatal intensive care units (n = 17), and outpatient clinics (n = 8) at 6 sites in 2 states. We used grounded theory to identify themes about gaps in services. Results Both parents and providers found EI helpful. However, they also identified gaps in the current EI system at the levels of eligibility, referral, family receptivity, and service provision and coordination with medical care. Inadequate funding and variable procedures for evaluation may affect children's eligibility. Referrals can be missed as a result of simple oversight or communication failure among hospitals, EI, and families; referral outcomes often are not formally tracked. Families may not be receptive to services as a result of wariness of home visits, social stressors, denial about potential developmental delays, or lack of understanding of the benefits of EI. Once a child is deemed eligible, services may be delayed or terminated early, and EI providers may have little specialized training. Communication and coordination with the child's medical care team is often limited. Conclusions Systemic barriers, including funding and staffing issues, state and federal regulations, and communication with families and medical providers, have led to gaps in the EI system. The chronic care model may serve as a framework for integrating community-based interventions like EI with medical care for VLBW children and other vulnerable populations.
Synthesis of carbon‐14 labeled clomiphene

Clomiphene, 2-[4-(2-chloro-1,2-diphenylethenyl)phenoxy]-N, N-diethylethanamine, an antiestrogen, is a nonsteroidal triphenylethylene derivative. For the successful synthesis of carbon-14 labeled clomiphene it is essential to have a free radical inhibitor in the reaction medium.
Haemorrhage in Ehrlich ascites tumour.

THE presence of blood in Ehrlich's ascites tumour has been described1–6, but only Hartveit2 reported quantitative data regarding the effect of the blood content on the survival of tumour-bearing mice. Because no information was found in the literature concerning the progressive development of haemorrhage in this tumour, an experiment was performed to determine the effect of tumour implantation in intra-abdominal organs on the blood content of the ascites.