cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trichloroethene hydrodechlorination in water by highly disordered monometallic nanoiron

The small size and high surface-to-volume ratio makes nanoiron attractive for in situ remediation of groundwater contaminants that are susceptible to reductive transformation, e.g. trichloroethylene (TCE). Nanoiron synthesized from borohydride reduction of dissolved iron is the most widely studied. Its reactivity with chlorinated organics such as trichloroethylene (TCE) is unique compared to other nanoiron and to iron filings that are typically used for in situ groundwater remediation, e.g. (1) higher surface-area normalized TCE dechlorination reaction rate constants, (2) the formation of saturated reaction products, and (3) higher reaction rates in the presence of H2. The objectives of this study were to confirm the ability of monometallic Fe(B) to activate and use H2 for TCE hydrodechlorination and to determine how the nanoiron chemical composition and the degree of crystallinity influence nanoiron reactivity with TCE. Fresh (Fe(B)), partially oxidized (Fe(B)ox), and annealed (Fe(B)cr) nanoiron samples ...
What Anyone Can Know: The Privacy Risks of Social Networking Sites

For the Net generation, social networking sites have become the preferred forum for social interactions, from posturing and role playing to simply sounding off. However, because such forums are relatively easy to access, posted content can be reviewed by anyone with an interest in the users' personal information.
Social structure and energy efficiency: A preliminary cross-national analysis

This study questions the assumption that there is an immutably positive relationship between per capita GNP and per capita energy consumption among human societies. A ratio of per capita GNP to per capita energy consumption ($U.S./kg coal equivalent) is proposed as a measure of energy efficiency for a cross-national analysis of 118 world nation-states and a subset of 25 developed market economies. This ratio is found to vary considerably, between 0.19 and 9.80. A review of literature suggests possible relationships among several sociodemographic characteristics of nations and levels of efficiency with which energy is converted into goods and services. Among the total sample, level of production (measured in terms of per capita GNP) bears a substantial inverse association with energy efficiency. When per capita GNP is held constant, agricultural share of gross domestic product and percentage of labor force in agriculture continue to be positively associated with energy efficiency among the total sample. Variables measuring defense expenditure, urbanization, and population density exhibit somewhat smaller multivariate relationships with energy efficiency when per capita GNP is controlled, i.e., these variables have significant multivariate parameters, but are less closely related to energy efficiency than level of production and agricultural composition of the economy and labor force. Agricultural composition of the economy and labor force is the major predictor of energy efficiency among the subset of 25 developed market economies. The results suggest that among the developed industrial societies level of production is less important than the composition of production activities in determining aggregate energy efficiency.
AEA and evaluation: 2006 (and beyond)

At the twentieth birthday of the American Evaluation Association, its twentieth-year president looks back at the growth of the association and the field of evaluation, and identifies where AEA and evaluation might go in the future.
Influence of partial replacement of starch by sucrose in high fat-cholesterol diet on serum lipoprotein responses of cynomolgus monkeys☆

Abstract The influence of partial replacement of starch by sucrose on dietary cholesterol-induced serum lipoprotein responses was examined in 10 male cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). In a crossover design two semipurified diets provided either starch or starch and sucrose (1:1) as carbohydrate (49% by calories) with 0.4 mg cholesterol/kcal. Six weeks of starch + sucrose diet resulted in significantly reduced levels (mean ± SE, mg/dl) of serum total cholesterol (264 ± 9 vs 244 ± 8) and apo B (110 ± 6 vs 96 ± 6) when compared with starch diet, whereas serum triglyceride levels remained similar between diets. With respect to changes in lipids and apolipoproteins (A-I or B) of very low (VLDL), low (LDL), intermediate (IDL), and high (HDL) density lipoproteins, starch + sucrose diet significantly increased VLDL-apo B (+34%), and decreased LDL-cholesterol (−18%) and LDL-apo B (−15%) as compared with starch alone; no differences were found in IDL and HDL between diets. The relative proportion of starch to sucrose in a diet appears to influence the magnitude of response of lipoproteins to dietary cholesterol.
Composition and synthesis of gangliosides in mammary gland and milk of the bovine

Gangliosides were identified as constituents of milk and mammary gland of cows. On a sialic acid basis, the average concentrations of gangliosides in mammary gland and milk were 88.4 and 5.6 nmoles/g wet weight. Nearly 90% of the milk gangliosides were contained in milk fat globule membrane. The same six chromatographically distinguishable gangliosides were found in mammary gland and the fat globule membrane. Structures of three of the gangliosides were shown to be ceramide-glucose-galactose-sialic acid, ceramide-glucose-galactose-(sialicacid)-N-acetyl-galactosamine, andceramide-glucose-galactose-sialicacid-sialicacid. The latter was the most abundant ganglioside, accounting for more than 50% of the lipid-bound sialic acid in mammary gland and milk. Both N-acetyl- and -N-glycolylneuraminic acids were found in mammary ganglioside fractions. Fatty acids with even carbon numbers from C14 to C24 were contained in gangliosides. Appreciable amounts of n-tricosanoic acid were also present. Mammary gland had all glycosyltransferases involved in synthesis of N acetylneuraminyl2 -galactosylglucosyl ceramide (GD3) starting with ceramide.
Structural and functional characterization of Runx1, CBFβ, and CBFβ-SMMHC

Core binding factors (CBFs) are heterodimeric transcription factors consisting of a DNA-binding CBF alpha subunit and non-DNA-binding CBF beta subunit. DNA binding and heterodimerization is mediated by a single domain in the CBF alpha subunit called the Runt domain, while sequences flanking the Runt domain confer other biochemical activities such as transactivation. On the other hand, the heterodimerization domain in CBF beta is the only functional domain that has been identified in this subunit. The biophysical properties of the Runt domain and the CBF beta heterodimerization domain, and the structures of the isolated domains as well as of the Runt domain-DNA, Runt domain-CBF beta, and ternary Runt domain-CBF beta-DNA complexes, have been characterized over the past several years, and are summarized in this review.
Coronary artery anatomy before and after direct revascularization surgery: clinical and cinearteriographic studies in 67 selected patients.

Abstract This report relates the postoperative clinical and cineangiographic status of 67 patients selected from a total of 202 patients who underwent coronary artery surgery at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital from July, 1970, to July, 1972. The mean interval after operation was 12.6 months. Ninety-one per cent of the 67 patients were improved from their preoperative status. Forty-eight patients (71 per cent) were studied to evaluate recurrence of mild to moderate angina or occurrence of interval myocardial infarction, and 19 patients (29 per cent) were entirely asymptomatic. In the 67 patients studied, 112 coronary arteries received a total of 115 grafts. (There were 89 ungrafted coronary arteries). Total graft patency rate for the 58 patients in whom angina was totally or significantly relieved was 65 per cent. However, one or more grafts were patent in 52 (90 per cent) of these 58 patients. In grafted arteries, progression was found in segments proximal to the graft in 37 per cent of arteries, at the site of anastomosis in 10 per cent, and distal to the site of anastomosis in 17 per cent. The frequency of obstruction distal to the site of anastomosis was not significantly different from the frequency of progression in nongrafted arteries, in contrast to preliminary data from this laboratory. Overall and regional progression in grafted arteries appeared to occur primarily within the first four months after surgery and was found, thereafter, in a constant percentage of vessels studied. Progression in coronary arteries was independent of patency or occlusion of the graft to the vessel. It is hypothesized that while proximal progression is probably a consequence of altered hydraulic factors, distal lesions seem to represent natural progression of atherosclerotic disease.
A spatial decision support system to identify species-specific critical habitats based on size and accessibility using US GAP data

Abstract The Gap Analysis Program (GAP) is a nationwide effort to find areas of suitable habitat in the US, which if protected from habitat degradation, may help to preserve the native animal and plant biodiversity. In recent years, the GAP protocols used to analyze habitat data have become more scale and species dependent. This research describes the creation of a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) that applies species-specific parameters of Individual Area Requirement (IAR) ( Vos et al., 2001 ), Minimum viable population (MVP), and Reach ( Allen et al., 2001 ) to determine critical habitats for animal species, thereby eliminating those areas that are effectively unusable because of size or inaccessibility. The utility of the SDSS, and the three algorithms contained within it (i.e., core area, core area growth and aggregate), is demonstrated by creating distribution maps of usable habitat for five species (i.e., alligator, black bear, bobcat, gray fox and wild turkey) commonly found in the state of Arkansas. This knowledge can then be used to guide and prioritize conservation efforts towards protecting usable, and often critical, habitats.
SIMILARITY SOLUTIONS FOR HEAT CONDUCTION IN A SEMI-INFINITE MEDIUM WITH POWER LAW THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY

Similarity transformation technique is applied to a general 1-D heat conduction problem for a semi-infinite media with arbitrary temperature dependent thermal conductivity. The general similarity equation is derived. The attention is paid to a commonly used power law thermal conductivity assumption. The similarity equation is simplified and solved for power law thermal conductivity. The temperature distribution and wall heat fluxes for both wall heating problem and wall cooling problem are solved and discussed for arbitrary power indices
The relationship between geology and geochemistry in the Undarum/Spumans/Balmer region of the Moon

Based on regional maps of orbital geochemical variables, major geochemical heterogeneities in the Undarum/Sumans/Balmer region of the moon are found which are usually associated with distinct geological features, and which reveal a north/south dichotomy. The mapped mare and plains units are often the site of heterogeneity, and the plains units in the Balmer basin are probably composed of volcanic material, possibly KREEP-enriched basalt. Data suggest that the northeastern part of the region may contain a minor spinel component. Major mare units of the region are found to have two distinct compositions, possibly indicating two different source regions for the basalts deposited there, but more likely indicating contamination with different amounts of highland debris.
Separate and Coupled Testing of Meteorological and Hydrological Forecast Models for the Susquehanna River Basin in Pennsylvania

Abstract Forecasts of river flow are traditionally performed using observed rainfall as input to a model of the surface hydrology. However, this sometimes allows for only a short forecast lead time, especially for small watersheds. One procedure by which this lead time can be increased involves the use of a meteorological model to produce forecasts of the rainfall. As a test of this approach, the Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research mesoscale meteorological model was used to produce ten 72-h precipitation forecasts for the Susquehanna River basin (SRB) in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. These forecasts were evaluated in two ways: 1) the observed and predicted hourly rainfall, averaged over the SRB, was compared, and 2) the forecast rainfall was used as input to a river-flow model, and the forecast river discharge was compared with the observed discharge. The ten study periods, from both winter and summer, each included a significant precipitation event over the SRB....
The dimension of bivariate spline spaces of smoothnessr for degreed≥4r+1

We consider spaces of piecewise polynomials of degreed defined over a triangulation of a polygonal domain and possessingr continuous derivatives globally. Morgan and Scott constructed a basis in the case wherer=1 andd≥5. The purpose of this paper is to extend the dimension part of their result tor≥0 andd≥4r+l. We use Bezier nets as a crucial tool in deriving the dimension of such spaces.
Brainlab: A Python Toolkit to Aid in the Design, Simulation, and Analysis of Spiking Neural Networks with the NeoCortical Simulator.

Neuroscience modeling experiments often involve multiple complex neural network and cell model variants, complex input stimuli and input protocols, followed by complex data analysis. Coordinating all this complexity becomes a central difficulty for the experimenter. The Python programming language, along with its extensive library packages, has emerged as a leading ``glue'' tool for managing all sorts of complex programmatictasks. This paper describes a toolkit called Brainlab, written in Python, that leverages Python's strengths for the task of managing the general complexity of neuroscience modeling experiments. Brainlab was also designed to overcome the major difficulties of working with the NCS environment in particular. Brainlab is an integrated model building, experimentation, and data analysis environment for the powerful parallel spiking neural network simulator system NCS (the NeoCortical Simulator).
Reactive Landing of Dendrimer Ions onto Activated Self-Assembled Monolayer Surfaces

The reactivity of gaseous, amine-terminated polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer ions with activated self-assembled monolayer (SAM) surfaces terminated with N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester groups (NHS-SAM) is examined using mass-selected ion deposition combined with in situ infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy. The reaction extent is determined from depletion of the infrared band at 1753 cm–1, corresponding to the stretching vibration of the NHS carbonyl groups following ion deposition. For reaction yields below 10%, NHS band depletion follows a linear dependence on the ion dose. By comparing the kinetics plots obtained for 1,12-dodecanediamine and different generations of dendrimer ions (G0–G3) containing 4, 8, 16, and 32 terminal amino groups, we demonstrate that the relative reaction efficiency increases linearly with the number of NH2 groups in the molecule. This finding is rationalized assuming the formation of multiple amide bonds upon collision of higher-generation dendrimers with NHS-SAM. Furthermo...
Attachment of bovine parvovirus to O-linked alpha 2,3 neuraminic acid on glycophorin A.

The bovine parvovirus (BPV) hemagglutinates human erythrocytes by binding to glycophorin A (GPA). The purpose of this study was to determine which carbohydrate on GPA binds BPV. Treatment of GPA with α2,3,-6,-8 neuraminidase eliminated binding of BPV to GPA. Beta-elimination of O-linked sialic acids on GPA eliminated binding, while removal of N-linked carbohydrates using the N-glycosidase PNGase F failed to eliminate binding. Treatment of GPA with a neuraminidase which specifically cleaved α2,3 glycosidic bonds eliminated BPV binding and, following this treatment, virus binding to GPA was restored by reconstitution of α2,3-linked neuraminic acids. These results indicated the O-linked α2,3 neuraminic acids of GPA bind BPV.
The GreenCut: re-evaluation of physiological role of previously studied proteins and potential novel protein functions

Based on comparative genomics, a list of proteins present in the green algal, flowering and nonflowering plant lineages, but not detected in nonphotosynthetic organisms, was assembled (Merchant et al., Science 318:245-250, 2007; Karpowicz et al., J Biol Chem 286:21427-21439, 2011). This protein grouping, previously designated the GreenCut, was established using stringent comparative genomic criteria; they are those Chlamydomonas reinhardtii proteins with orthologs in Arabidopsis thaliana, Physcomitrella patens, Oryza sativa, Populus tricocarpa and at least one of the three Ostreococcus species with fully sequenced genomes, but not in bacteria, yeast, fungi or mammals. Many GreenCut proteins are also present in red algae and diatoms and a subset of 189 have been identified as encoded on nearly all cyanobacterial genomes. Of the current GreenCut proteins (597 in total), approximately half have been studied previously. The functions or activities of a number of these proteins have been deduced from phenotypic analyses of mutants (defective for genes encoding specific GreenCut proteins) of A. thaliana, and in many cases the assigned functions do not exist in C. reinhardtii. Therefore, precise physiological functions of several previously studied GreenCut proteins are still not clear. The GreenCut also contains a number of proteins with certain conserved domains. Three of the most highly conserved domains are the FK506 binding, cyclophilin and PAP fibrillin domains; most members of these gene families are not well characterized. In general, our analysis of the GreenCut indicates that many processes critical to green lineage organisms remain unstudied or poorly characterized. We have begun to examine the functions of some GreenCut proteins in detail. For example, our work on the CPLD38 protein has demonstrated that it has an essential role in photosynthetic function and the stability of the cytochrome b 6 f complex.
Development of intervention materials for individuals with limited English proficiency: lessons learned from "Colorectal Cancer Screening in Chinese Americans".

Background:According to recent US census data, 52 million people reported speaking a language other than English at home, and almost 45% of this population reported limited English proficiency (LEP). Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the top 3 most common cancers for several Asian ethnic groups, y
The Effect of Level of Skin on the Quality of Chicken Frankfurters

Abstract INTRODUCTION IN RECENT years the depreciation of the hen has become the second largest cost of producing a dozen eggs, second only to feed costs. In order to increase the demand for fowl and thus increase the price the poultryman receives for them, new uses for the meat must be found through further processing. With this aim in view, several companies are exploring the feasibility of using chicken meat in some of the same ways that the red meats are used, in sausage or emulsion products, for example. It has been the authors’ experience that regardless of the protein-water-fat ratio, one seldom finds a frankfurter made from chicken alone which has the same texture as a good red meat frankfurter. One of the principal ways in which chicken meat differs from beef, pork and lamb is that the skin is generally considered an integral part of the meat, while with . . .
Outnumbered but Well-Spoken: Female Commenters in the New York Times

Using eight months of online comments on New York Times articles, we find that only 28% of commenters of identifiable gender are female, but that their comments receive more recommendations from other readers. Comments from women are more common on forums about parenting, fashion, and health, and on articles written by women. The number of recommendations comments from women receive is positively correlated with the percentage of men on a forum, and the number of recommendations men receive is negatively correlated with the percentage of men on a forum. Female commenters are more likely to remain anonymous and anonymous commenters receive fewer recommendations. Male and female commenters differ in their choice of topics to emphasize, backgrounds, and language; we find three specific examples in responses to articles about sexual assault, contraception, and farm subsidies. We discuss the implications of these gender differences for democratic discourse and suggest ways to increase gender parity.
Reliability in the context of design

Abstract The major purpose of this paper is to formulate the structural reliability problem in the context and objectives of the structural designer. In this formulation, the reliability of the structural system is represented in network form, allowing the designer to control global behavior of the system as a whole through the selection of a critical pathway through this network. This approach differs from that of a member-by-member local optimization scheme in that the selected pathway, representing a particular failure mode, is maximized, within certain bounds, relative to other modes. This type of approach to designing for global behavior is fundamentally old; yet, the reliability computations presented herein are new. Recent developments in object-oriented programming languages provide opportunities for effective computational modeling of these networks.
Biologic Response Modifiers and Pediatric Psoriasis

The efficacy and safety of biologic response modifiers such as etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, and ustekinumab have been demonstrated in the treatment of psoriasis in adults, but none are currently approved for the treatment of psoriasis in children in the United States, and only etanercept is approved for the treatment of psoriasis in children in the European Union. Through case reports, case series, and a large clinical trial of the use of etanercept, the literature supports the use of these agents to treat psoriasis in children. Data on the use of the tumor necrosis factor-α antagonists etanercept, adalimumab, and infliximab in the treatment of other inflammatory diseases in children-namely Crohn's disease, juvenile arthritis, and uveitis--support their safety profile in children.
Projector-camera systems for telepresence

Projector-camera systems provide tools for telepresence that enable novel experiences not possible with currently available schemes for remote interaction including video conferencing systems, virtual reality, and augmented reality systems. Projector-camera systems have the potential not only to allow remote individuals to view each other's environments but also to communicate in new ways by overlaying and embedding information and visualizations on real objects and surfaces in the remote environment, without requiring people in the remote environment to "wire" the space or wear special devices. We demonstrate some of this potential with an initial implementation.
Design methodology of magnetostriction-based actuators for smart structure applications

Magnetostriction-based actuators are finding increased applications in the general area of smart structures. This paper deals with the design methodology of magnetostriction- based actuators that use magnetostrictive material in the bulk or particulate form emphasizing the interaction between various design parameters. The design methodology is discussed under two categories, viz., constant internal stress actuators and variable internal stress actuators with examples. The simulation plots show how the parameters such as volume fraction, stiffness ratio, curing field, and internal stress affect the overall performance of the actuators.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Flavokawain B, a kava chalcone, induces apoptosis via up‐regulation of death‐receptor 5 and Bim expression in androgen receptor negative, hormonal refractory prostate cancer cell lines and reduces tumor growth

Limited success has been achieved in extending the survival of patients with metastatic and hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). There is a strong need for novel agents in the treatment and prevention of HRPC. We have shown that flavokawain B (FKB), a kava chalcone, is about 4- to 12-fold more effective in reducing the cell viabilities of androgen receptor (AR)-negative, HRPC cell lines DU145 and PC-3 than AR-positive, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer cell lines LAPC4 and LNCaP, with minimal effect on normal prostatic epithelial and stromal cells. FKB induces apoptosis with an associated increased expression of proapoptotic proteins: death receptor-5, Bim and Puma and a decreased expression of inhibitors of apoptosis protein: XIAP and survivin. Among them, Bim expression was significantly induced by FKB as early as 4 hr of the treatment. Knockdown of Bim expression by short-hairpin RNAs attenuates the inhibitory effect on anchorage-dependent and -independent growth and caspase cleavages induced by FKB. These findings suggest that the effect of FKB, at least in part, requires Bim expression. In addition, FKB synergizes with TRAIL for markedly enhanced induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, FKB treatment of mice bearing DU145 xenograft tumors results in tumor growth inhibition and increases Bim expression in tumor tissues. Together, these results suggest robust mechanisms for FKB induction of apoptosis preferentially for HRPC and the potential usefulness of FKB for prevention and treatment of HRPC in an adjuvant setting.
The mammalian target of rapamycin signaling network and gene regulation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key integrator of signals from nutrients, energy and insulin. TOR is a protein kinase originally identified in yeast by the genetic selection of rapamycin-resistant mutants. Over the past decade mTOR research has progressed dramatically. Although mTOR is known as a controller of messenger RNA cap-dependent translation initiation, new advances implicate mTOR in the regulation of ribosomal protein gene transcription. The aim of this review is to highlight recent findings on mTOR regulatory networks, focusing on articles published from December 2003 to December 2004. RECENT FINDINGS mTOR was recently knocked out in mice; the embryonic lethal phenotype demonstrates a critical role of mTOR in early embryo development. Intriguingly, the homozygous deletion of ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1), an mTOR target, in mice results in hypoinsulinemia and glucose intolerance. Despite elevated levels of plasma free fatty acids, S6K1 knockout mice are protected from the metabolic syndrome, indicating a role of S6K1 in glucose homeostasis. Current research indicates that mTOR integrates input from multiple upstream pathways, including insulin, growth factors, nutrients, mitogens and energy. Furthermore, the discovery of mTOR binding partners adds to the intricacies of mTOR as a master switch in cell signaling. SUMMARY Rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, has emerged as an immunosuppressive and antiproliferative drug, and is considered a novel antitumor agent. A better understanding of mTOR signaling would enhance the clinical usefulness of rapamycin and inform consideration of mTOR as a target for the development of new therapies.
A review of separation methods for the determination of estrogens and plastics-derived estrogen mimics from aqueous systems

Recent methods of separation and detection for the quantification of trace-level concentrations of selected endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) from aqueous systems are reviewed. A brief introduction of the selected EDCs (natural and synthetic estrogens and plastics-derived xenoestrogens), including their characteristics and importance, is presented. Sample preparation and extraction trends are discussed. Various types of separation techniques are presented, with the express goal of emphasizing time and cost-effective methods that isolate and quantify trace-levels of multiple endocrine disruptors from aqueous systems.
Fatty acids antagonize bupivacaine - induced INa blockade

Theories regarding the mechanism of intravenous fat emulsion for bupivacaine cardiotoxicity include creation of an intravascular lipid sink into which the cardiotoxic drug is sequestered, an improvement of impaired cardiac metabolism, and restoration of cardiomyocyte function by increasing intracellular calcium. However, work in this area is inconclusive and a more mechanistic explanation is desirable. We used a heterologous expression system (HEK-293 cells) and voltage clamp techniques to study the electrophysiologic effects of bupivacaine, polyunsaturated, and saturated fatty acids on sodium current (I(Na)) in stable cell lines expressing human cardiac sodium channels. Linolenic (polyunsaturated) and stearic (saturated) fatty acids were selected for study as they are components of commonly used lipid infusions. Bupivacaine-induced significant tonic and use dependent I(Na) block, as expected. Linolenic and stearic fatty acids directly modulated I(Na), inducing primarily tonic block. Greater block was seen with linolenic acid as compared with stearic acid. Simultaneous exposure to bupivacaine and fatty acids reduced both the tonic and use dependent block compared with bupivacaine alone. Reduction of bupivacaine-induced I(Na) block was greatest in cells treated with linolenic acid. These results suggest that the salutary effects of intravenous fat emulsion may be, in part, due to a direct modulatory effect of fatty acids on cardiac sodium channels.
Surveillance venous scans for deep venous thrombosis in multiple trauma patients.

The high reported incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in trauma patients has prompted surveillance venous duplex scanning of the lower extremities. We report our retrospective experience with 183 multiple trauma patients who were admitted to the surgical intensive care unit and underwent 261 surveillance venous scans. There were 122 men and 61 women whose average age was 38 years. All patients were treated prophylactically with either extremity pneumatic compression or subcutaneous heparin to prevent DVT. Most (87%) patients suffered blunt trauma and had either head (3%), spinal (3%), intra-abdominal (9%), or lower extremity (17%) injuries or a combination of injuries (68%). Almost two thirds of the patients had no symptoms suggestive of possible DVT. Of the 261 venous scans performed, 239 (92%) were normal, 16 (6%) were positive for proximal lower extremity DVT, and six (2%) showed thrombus limited to the calf veins. Patients with symptoms of lower extremity DVT were significantly more likely to have proximal DVT compared to those without symptoms (15% vs. 5%,p <0.05).Patients with spinal injuries also had a higher incidence of proximal DVT (18% vs. 6%,p <0.05).At current hospital charges, the cost to identify each proximal DVT was $6688. If surveillance duplex scans were performed on all trauma patients in the surgical intensive care unit, the national annual expense would be $300,000,000. Routine DVT surveillance is expensive and should be reserved for symptomatic patients or those with spinal injuries.
The Empirics of Exchange Rate Regimes and Trade: Words Vs. Deeds

This paper examines the impact of exchange rate regimes on bilateral trade while differentiating the effects of "words" and "deeds". Our findings-based on an extended database for de jure and de facto exchange rate classifications-show that while fixed exchange rate regimes increase trade, there is no systematic difference in the effects of policy announcements versus actions to maintain exchange rate stability. The trade generating effect of more stable exchange rate regimes is however more pronounced when words and actions are aligned, both in the short and long-run. Policy credibility therefore plays an important role in determining the effects of de jure and de facto exchange rate arrangements such that deviations between the two could be costly. In addition, we find evidence that (i) the impact of hard pegs such as currency unions is broadly similar to that of conventional pegs; (ii) the currency union and direct peg effects evolve over time; and (iii) the effects of more stable regimes are heterogeneous across country groups.
Preparation, characterization, and electrocatalytic performance of graphene-methylene blue thin films

We report a general method to graft aromatic molecules onto graphene thin film electrodes through a simple immersion process. Large-area electroactive graphene thin films grafted with methylene blue (MB) have been developed as electrocatalytic electrodes for the oxidation of β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The oxidation of NADH starts from −0.08 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) at the graphene-MB thin film electrodes, showing a decrease of 530 mV in overpotential compared to a Ti metal electrode. The graphene-MB thin films have promising applications in biosensors and biofuel cells due to their ability to promote NADH electron transfer reaction.
Rightsizing the People's Liberation Army Navy: How Much Naval Force Will Beijing Deploy by 2016?

T he current Chinese navy—the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)— has since its founding in 1949 labored as an adjunct of the army. It was not until the end of the Cold War and the removal of the Soviet threat that Beijing felt able to direct significantly increased defense resources to modernizing what has throughout its existence been a marginally effective coastal defense force. By 2006 the People’s Republic of China (PRC) had already deployed a navy with the ships, submarines, aircraft and systems ready to serve in pursuit of specific national security objectives, with Taiwan at the head of that list. This process of modernization—which includes improved personnel education and training, further doctrinal development, and a coherent maritime strategic view from Beijing—will almost certainly continue throughout the next decade. By 2016 China will have available as an instrument of national power a navy capable of carrying out assigned missions. The PLAN of 2016, at three times its present size, will dominate East Asian navies—with the possible exception of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)—and will offer a very serious challenge to the U.S. Navy when it operates in that region’s waters. Present trends indicate that by 2016 the Chinese navy will allow Beijing to exert hegemonic leverage in maritime East Asia. This essay offers a brief review of PLAN development to 2016.
Targeting Cancer Stem Cells and Vasculature by a Novel Anti-Delta-Like 4 Ligand (DLL4) Antibody for Treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple negative (ER-, PR- Her2-) breast cancer accounts for 10% of all types of breast cancer and is known to particularly aggressive and refractory to current therapies. Chemotherapeutic agents, such as taxanes, are currently the only treatment option for this type of breast cancer, however, these treatments often result in high rates of local and systemic relapse. It has been suggested that cancer stem cells drive tumor growth and progression and are preferentially resistant to many current therapies. Delta-like 4 ligand (DLL4) is an important component of the Notch signaling pathway which is known to mediate stem cell self-renewal and vascular development. We hypothesized that targeting cancer stem cells and the tumor vasculature by interfering with the DLL4/Notch pathway will improve treatment outcome. We developed anti-DLL4 antibodies that recognize either the human or murine protein and have potent binding and antagonist activities. We have used these antibodies to investigate the role of DLL4 in triple negative breast cancer and to probe the mechanism in tumor and stromal cells in xenograft models derived from primary breast tumors. These studies showed that anti-DLL4 was efficacious as a single agent and in combination with paclitaxel (Taxol) against triple negative breast tumors including a tumor that developed paclitaxel resistance. Gene expression analysis showed that anti-DLL4 affected vascular-related genes in the stroma and Notch target genes in the tumor and stroma. Furthermore, inclusion of anti-DLL4 delayed breast tumor recurrence following termination of paclitaxel treatment. A tumorigenicity study indicated that treatment with anti-DLL4 decreased cancer stem cell frequency as measured by in vivo limiting dilution assay, whereas paclitaxel alone was ineffective. The combination of anti-DLL4 and paclitaxel further decreased cancer stem cell frequency compared to single agents. Our findings provide a rationale for targeting cancer stem cells and tumor vasculature through inhibition of the DLL4/Notch signaling for breast cancer treatment. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 5071.
Hospital Discharge against Advice after Myocardial Infarction: Deaths and Readmissions

Abstract Background Approximately 1% of patients leave hospitals against medical advice, but the clinical significance of premature hospital discharge is unknown, particularly after admission for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods We used California hospital discharge data (1998-2000) to compare readmissions and mortality among patients admitted for AMI who were discharged against medical advice with those who weren't. Effects were adjusted for age, race, income, comorbidity, insurance, and hospital characteristics. We also examined whether the effects of premature hospital discharge were partly explained by lower rates of coronary revascularization. Results There were 1079 patients (1.1% of the sample) with AMI on admission who left against medical advice. Compared with those who didn't leave against medical advice, these patients were younger, more often male, low income, black, insured through Medicaid or uninsured, and had less physical comorbidity, but greater mental health comorbidity. Their mean length of stay was shorter (4 vs 8 days) than those who stayed. They were transferred less often. They received fewer cardiac procedures, including coronary revascularization. In multivariate analyses, they had 60% higher risk for death or re-admission for AMI or unstable angina up to 2 years postdischarge than patients with standard discharge (hazard ratio 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.43-1.77). Adjustment for revascularization attenuated, but did not eliminate, this risk (hazard ratio 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-1.55). Conclusions Discharge against medical advice after AMI is associated with appreciable morbidity and mortality. These results should be used to manage AMI patients contemplating such discharge.
Providing Foster Care for Adolescents: Barriers and Opportunities

This study used quantitative and qualitative data from a larger research project regarding foster parent experiences to examine the characteristics that predict a parent’s willingness to foster an adolescent. Data collected from closed- and open-ended items related to reasons for not fostering a teen were also analyzed. Findings suggest parents who are older and were a foster child themselves, increased the likelihood they would foster a teen. When discussing reasons for not fostering an adolescent, parents identified fears of problem behaviors and concerns about negative impact on other children; findings that were corroborated in responses to the open-ended comments.
Nitric oxide-induced nuclear translocation of the metal responsive transcription factor, MTF-1 is mediated by zinc release from metallothionein.

Abstract We previously showed that the major Zn-binding protein, metallothionein (MT) is a critical target for nitric oxide (NO) with resultant increases in labile Zn. We now show that NO donors also affected the activity of the metal responsive transcription factor MTF-1 that translocates from the cytosol to the nucleus in response to physiologically relevant increases in intracellular Zn and transactivates MT gene expression. Exposing mouse lung endothelial cells (MLEC) to ZnCl2 or the NO donor, S-Nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP, 200 μM), caused nuclear translocation of a reporter molecule consisting of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fused to MTF-1 (pEGFP-MTF-1). In separate experiments, NO donors induced increases in MT protein levels (Western blot). In contrast, NO did not cause nuclear translocation of EGFP-MTF-1 in MLEC from MT knockouts, demonstrating a central role for MT in mediating this response. These data suggest that S-nitrosation of Zn-thiolate clusters in MT and subsequent alterations in Zn homeostasis are participants in intracellular NO signaling pathways affecting gene expression.
Double-Resonance Spectroscopy on Triplet States of CO

Abstract Double-resonance spectroscopy is used to investigate the v ′ = 2 level of the b 3 Σ + state and perturbing high vibrational levels ( v ′ = 40-42) of the a ′ 3 Σ + state of CO. Single rotational levels in the a 3 Π( v = 0) state are prepared via laser excitation on the Cameron band around 206 nm. Cavity-ring-down absorption spectroscopy is used to determine the absolute transition strength of this spin-forbidden transition; a value of A 0.0 = 41 ± 10 sec −1 is obtained. A laser-induced fluorescence study is performed on the metastable triplet state molecules in the region of the 2 ← 0 band of the Third Positive System of CO. From the analysis of the interacting 3 Σ + states deperturbed rotational and vibrational constants as well as interaction parameters of these states are obtained. Franck-Condon factors for the transition from b 3 Σ + ( v ′ = 2) and ( v ′ = 0) to the a 3 Π state are obtained from dispersion measurements.
Improvements of determinism in WI-FI real-time protocol for agricultural machine clusters

Fully automated agricultural field treatments and Precise Farming are coming in shortly; yet increasing production needs demand a more efficient, planned and harmonized interaction between the machinery clusters involved in the work session. Soon a strong, effective and integrated standardization will be more than needed. This is the path the ISO standardization working group ISO TC-127/SC19/WG5 has taken. The paper describes the further enhancements done from previous works [1,2]. Particularly, we focused on stabilizing performances of high priority communications at the expense of best-effort, low urgency traffic. Performances are explained as [2]. The main improvements concern some kernel modifications, especially about the networking management. The results will show significant steps forward towards a quasi-isochronous transport protocol that manages high priority flows ensuring a high level of determinism and throughput.
Recognition memory for deducible information

Recent research in language comprehension indicates a constructive encoding process in which the linguistic input is transformed into some more general semantic structure which is stored. In attempting to characterize the nature of such structures, some conflicting findings have been observed for paragraphs which describe similar set-theoretic relations, linear orderings and set inclusions. While the linear ordering research supports the constructivist theory, the set inclusion work does not. The set inclusion studies, however, employed true-false tests and not the usual recognition tests. The present study investigated the processing of set inclusion paragraphs in a self-paced study/recognition test paradigm. Results supported the constructivist theory and were contrary to predictions based upon the previous set inclusion research. Subjects were unable to differentiate between presented information and unpresented deducible information. These results were discussed in terms of accuracy constraints of different tasks on memorial performance and a possible interaction of Type of Test by Universal Quantification.
Experimental measurement of the neutron time-emission spectra at the Manuel Lujan Jr. Neutron Scattering Center

Abstract A series of neutron-beam-characterization measurements was carried out during the 2009 run cycle at the Manuel Lujan Jr. Neutron Scattering Center. The experimental data of time-emission spectra, reflecting the resolution of the neutron-beam pulses, were compared to measurements made in 2002, shortly after commissioning of the target-moderator-reflector-shield (TMRS) assembly. This comparison allows us to determine any possible changes to the performance (resolution) of the TMRS in its seven years in service (2002–2009). During our experimental campaign we were able to characterize four out of a total of six moderators installed in the TMRS system.
Late Pleistocene chronology of loess deposition near Luochuan, China

Loess near Luochuan was sampled for thermoluminescence (TL) dating simultaneously with magnetic susceptibility measurements to provide the first independent age estimates on a susceptibility record from the Loess Plateau of China. TL age estimates on late Pleistocene loess (L1) are stratigraphically consistent with no statistical difference in TL ages by the total or partial bleach techniques or by measuring ultraviolet or green wavelengths in the TL analysis. Loess below the last interglacial soil (S1) yielded disparate results and is in many localities in central and eastern China unsuitable for TL dating because of complications of TL saturation and uncertainties in estimating the environmental radiation. TL age estimates on the L1 loess are consistent with previously reported TL ages for sites near Beijing and Xian as well as in general agreement with age models for loess deposition based on paleomagnetics and magnetic susceptibility. The convergence of a variety of geochronologic indices indicate that the last major period of loess deposition in central China began 70,000 ± 10,000 yr B.P. and terminated <20,000 yr B.P. This event is probably recorded in sediments from the adjacent Pacific Ocean and possibly in dust records from the Antarctic Ice Sheet.
Scattering by a hard obstacle in a piecewise homogeneous medium

Scattering by a hard obstacle lying in a piecewise homogeneous medium is considered. The problem is reformulated as a system of boundary integral equations. A sufficient condition is established whereby the system can be solved by direct iteration. In the limiting case of a homogeneous medium, it is further shown that the results given here agree identically with known ones for the exterior Neumann scattering problem.
Neurolinguistic aspects of bilingualism

To study the brain regions and networks that underlie knowledge of more than one language, neurolinguists have traditionally compared what is impaired with what is spared in the language disturbance of aphasia. The sizable literature on polyglot aphasia suggests left-hemisphere dominance for all the languages of most polyglots. Supporting evidence comes from the literature studying lateral dominance in non-brain-damaged bilingual participants and studies of crossed aphasia. Imaging techniques such as cortical stimulation, Positron Emission Tomography(PET), and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) offer the possibility of interspersed networks for multiple languages in the left hemisphere that are largely but not entirely overlapping. The Evoked Response Potential(ERP) literature, moreover, concurs with the finding of overlap in processing for proficient bilinguals and greater differences for less proficient bilinguals. Directions for future research such as documenting the underpinnings of recent behavioral findings on polyglots' lexicons, individual variability, and language attrition are outlined.