cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The anomalous solubility of cholesterol in oils.

SummaryInsoluble-clathrate formation occurs between cholesterol and certain dicarboxylic acids or imidazole in a number of natural or synthetic triglycerides only when the initial concentration of cholesterol is in excess of one-half of saturation. The possibility that cholesterol is present in oils in two separate states of dispersion is discussed.
Second-harmonic generation as a probe of conformational change in molecules

Abstract Optical second-harmonic generation has been used to detect a ligand-induced conformational change in a protein. The protein was made second-harmonic active by labeling it with a second-harmonic active dye. The conformational change was detected in a monolayer of the protein at the air–water interface.
PTEN transcript variants caused by illegitimate splicing in “aged” blood samples and EBV-transformed cell lines

PTEN is one of the most frequently mutated tumor suppressor genes in human cancers. Mutations occur in either heritable or sporadic fashion. Sequencing of cDNA from patients and normal individuals often reveals splicing variants (SVs) of PTEN, some of which are non-mutation related. To investigate whether these SVs were the result of illegitimate splicing (a general decrease of fidelity in splicing site selection in “aged” samples), we tested “aged” blood from individuals who had normal PTEN transcripts in their “fresh” mononuclear cells. Blood from 20 normal individuals was collected and split into two aliquots. Total RNA and DNA were extracted immediately (“fresh”) and 48 h later (“aged”), respectively. Using RT-PCR, subcloning and sequencing, we found seven types of SVs. No mutation was detected in the related intron–exon flanking region in genomic DNA in either “fresh” or “aged” samples. Some of the SVs were also consistently present in both the “fresh” and “aged” EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cells from six normal individuals. Western blot data indicated that the PTEN protein level (in full length) was not altered in the “fresh” EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cells with SVs. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that PTEN illegitimate splicing often occurs in “aged” blood and EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cells. Therefore, it is critical to note the time point of RNA extraction when investigating for PTEN aberrant transcripts. We hope that our data will increase awareness about the sample status, because gene expression data may be potentially flawed from “aged” samples, particularly when dealing with clinical samples.
Magnetic transitions and scaling behavior in Gd-rich glasses

The magnetic properties of amorphous alloys with composition ${\mathrm{Gd}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{La}}_{72\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{18}$${\mathrm{B}}_{10}$ have been investigated using ac-susceptibilty and dc-magnetization techniques in the temperature range 4.2--300 K. This system shows double-transition behavior for x\ensuremath{\gtrsim}67 and paramagnetic--spin-glass transition behavior for x67. Time-dependent magnetization effects are present in the spin-glass phase and these effects vanish in finite fields, in qualitative agreement with mean-field theory. The magnetic isotherms around both the paramagnetic-ferromagnetic and ferromagnetic--spin-glass transitions scale according to the scaling hypothesis, and these results are discussed in some detail. A magnetic phase diagram for this system is obtained from the transition temperatures determined from scaling.
Viscosity of Coal-Derived Liquids. 1. A Group Contribution Method for Pure Model Compound Liquids

Viscosity of coal-derived liquids is an important property useful in the design of coal liquefaction processes as well as for understanding the flow characteristics of coal liquids. A new model for the prediction of viscosity of coal liquid model compounds has been developed. The model uses Andrade equation with the constants A and B given by a well-defined group contribution method. The group contribution method uses the group definitions, group parameters, and procedure for property calculation, such that all the heteroatom functionalities and some significant molecular structures prevalent in coal-derived liquids are included. The model was tested using experimental data from literature and the average error was determined to be 11.55%. Two of the prominent liquid viscosity models available in the literature were also evaluated using the same experimental data set of coal model compounds. These models could not be applied to all the compounds, as some model parameters were not available. Both the model...
The thermodynamic effect of shear stress on the ortho-clino inversion in enstatite and other coherent phase transitions characterized by a finite simple shear

The transition of orthoenstatite to clinoenstatite which has been observed experimentally under conditions of nonhydrostatic stress by many workers is interpreted to be a coherent polymorphic transition involving a transformation strain of simple finite shear. Depending on whether the angle of shear is 13.3 or 18.3°, thermodynamic treatment predicts that the transition temperature is raised 177 or 248° C respectively per kilobar of shear stress on (100) parallel to [001] if the change of entropy is arbitrarily assumed to be 1 cal/° C-mole. The rareness with which clinoenstatite is found in naturally deformed terrestrial rocks containing orthoenstatite may mean that shear stresses are rarely large enough in nature to cross the thermodynamic phase boundary. The orthoferrosilite-clinoferrosilite and parawollastonite-wollastonite transitions are thought to be analogous, and similarly large thermodynamic effects of shear stress are predicted.
A Global Surface Albedo Model

Abstract We have shown in the past that the radiative-convective energy balance atmospheric model used at the General Motors Research Laboratories in our atmospheric physics research is extremely sensitive to the input value of surface albedo used. In response to this we developed a new global model of the surface albedo based on a detailed analysis of land use. The model has been used to determine the average surface albedo of the earth's surface in latitudinal bands for the four seasons of the year (January-March, April-June, July-September and October-December). In addition, global maps of surface albedo for elements 10° latitude by 10° longitude are provided. Our model involves: assigning one of 49 different types of surface to each of 77 040 areas for each of the four seasons. Each type of surface is assigned a different albedo for each season. The average surface albedo for a given latitudinal band is obtained by averaging the albedos for the areas in the desired latitudinal band. The average surfac...
Ambiguities in powder pattern indexing: A ternary lattice metric singularity

A lattice metric singularity occurs when unit cells defining two (or more) lattices yield the identical set of unique calculated d -spacings. The existence of such singularities, therefore, has a practical impact on the indexing of powder patterns. Lattice metric singularities often involve lattices that are in a derivative relationship one to another. A variety of types of singularities are possible depending on the number of different lattices involved (i.e., binary, ternary, quaternary), on the nature of the derivative lattice relationship (i.e., subcell/supercell, composite), on the Bravais type of each of the lattices, and on the the volume ratio(s) of primitive cells defining the lattices. In the laboratory, an encounter with a singularity can lead one into a trap; viz. , the investigator using an indexing program, or by other means, may determine only one of the lattices with a high figure of merit. When this happens, it is critical to recognize that there exists more than one indexing solution. In a previous work, a binary singularity was described involving a monoclinic and a rhombohedral lattice. In the present work, we describe a second type of singularity—a ternary singularity—in which the two of the three lattices are in a derivative composite relationship.
Signal Recovery and computational sensing and imaging: introduction to the feature issue.

The fall 2009 conference of the Optical Society of America was held in San Jose, California, 11–15 October. The collocation of topical meetings on Computational Optical Sensing and Imaging (COSI), and Signal Recovery and Synthesis (SRS) with the Frontiers in Optics (FiO) Annual Meeting brought together a diverse group of scientists and engineers sharing a common interest in the processing of information carried by optical fields. The papers featured in this issue highlight several important trends.
Measurement of the Lattice Parameter of Wustite at High Temperatures

The lattice parameter of wustite (Fe2O) single crystals was measured at high temperatures. Plots of both lattice parameter vs composition and lattice parameter vs temperature were linear, and no appreciable changes in slope were detected at the boundaries of the subphases suggested by Vallet and Raccah.
Cosmetic Problems in Skin of Color

Practitioners are confronted with a myriad of cutaneous diseases affecting skin of color. Skin of color, which encompasses the pigmented skin of those of African American, Asian and Hispanic descent is susceptible to several unique and cosmetically disfiguring problems. Acne vulgaris, pseudofolliculitis barbae, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and photoaging are diseases which commonly necessitate visits to the dermatologist and are of major cosmetic concern for those with skin of color. Effective treatments are needed to quickly resolve the inflammatory lesions of acne and pseudofolliculitis. The number of agents available for the treatment of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation is limited, and some agents are minimally effective. In addition to more effective therapeutic agents, development of enhanced camouflaging techniques are also necessary. Finally, sunscreens which provide more complete protection for skin of color are needed to address the issue of both photoaging and hyperpigmentation. We look to the cosmetic industry to develop new products and to improve currently existing products to address the cosmetic concerns of skin of color.
Sensitivity study of bio-aerosol cross-sections

ABSTRACT There is wide variability in measured optical cross-sec tions for bio-aerosols. This variability may be due to avariety of causes, such as multiple scatter, particle agglom eration, etc. There are wide variations in numerically predictedcross-sections as well. In this case, the variability may be du e to uncertainties in particle size distributions and complexrefractive indices. Another source of variability in the numerical predictions that places them at odds with measuredcross-sections is unrealistic assumptions ab out shape. For example, it is well know n that spheres of a given volume aremaximally efficient in backscatter. Thus, such an assumption produc es unrealistically high backscatter cross-sectionestimates.In an attempt to elucidate some of th e variability in measured and calculated data, we explore the sensitivity tothe various parameters affecting these cross-sections. We explore the effects from the near into the far IR, of variationsin particle size distribution, refractive in dex, and shape. Refractive index data are from the literature as well as our ownlaboratory. Numerical cal culations are made using T -matrix algorithms for random ly oriented particles. Calculatedresults are compared with experimental measurements from the literature and with measurements in our own laboratory.Results of this sensitivity study are important in any remote measurement system designed to discriminatebetween particular bio-aerosol species and ambient aerosols.Keywords: Biological Aerosol, T-matr ix, BG, Biological Remote Sensing1.
Intramedullary tuberculoma of the spinal cord: case report.

ABSTRACTA CASE REPORT of intramedullary tuberculoma is presented. Only one other case of intramedullary tuberculoma has been reported in the North American literature in the last 30 years. It is also unique because it is the only documented case of the paradoxical enlargement of an intramedullary tu
Distributing queries over low-power wireless sensor networks

Over the past few years, a great deal of attention in the networking and mobile-computing communities has been directed towards building networks of ad-hoc collections of sensors scattered throughout the world. The UC Berkeley SmartDust project [2], as well as researchers at UCLA and MIT [3, 1, 4] have embarked on projects to produce small, wireless, battery-powered sensors and low-level networking protocols. These projects have brought us close to the the vision of ubiquitous eompnting [6], in which computers and sensors assist in every aspect of our lives. To fully realize this vision, however, it will be necessary to combine and query the sensor readings produced by these collections of sensors. In this demo, we show how database-style declarative queries can be executed over data streaming from sensor networks. Our demo consists of two major components: a set of Berkeley TinyOS battery-powered, wireless sensor "motes" (see Figure 1) that produce and process data, and a desktop-based query processor which parses queries, distributes them over motes, and collects and displays answers. Specifically, we allow conference attendees standing at our query processing workstation to query a number of motes distributed throughout the demo space. Queries are posed via a simple graphical user interface that offers a number of features:
Galileo evidence for rapid interchange transport in the Io torus

Anomalous plasma signatures were detected by the Galileo particles and fields instruments during the initial transit through the Io torus. These unusual events are characterized by abrupt changes in the magnetic field, enhanced levels of broadband low frequency electromagnetic waves and a pronounced change in both the flux and pitch angle anisotropy of energetic particles. Here we present a coordinated study of one of the events which occurred near 6.03Rj just after 17:34 UT on December 7, 1995. The available data are consistent with the concept of rapid inward transport, and this is interpreted as the first evidence for the predicted interchange motions in the region exterior to the orbit of I o. Theoretical arguments indicate that the interchanging flux tube is characterized by substantially reduced plasma density, a spatial scale comparable to 10 3 km, and an inward radial velocity comparable to 102 km/s.
The repertoire diversity and magnitude of antibody responses to bacterial antigens in aged mice: I. Age-associated changes in antibody responses differ according to the mouse strain

Aging influences the host immune responses in various ways. In aging mice we have studied the antibody responses to two unrelated bacterial antigens. Streptococcus pneumoniae R36a vaccine (Pn) and TNP coupled to Brucella abortus (TNP-BA). Aged animals (20-24 months old) of the C57BL/6 strain had markedly reduced numbers of IgM antibody plaque-forming cells (PFC) to Pn as compared to young/adult mice (2-3 months old). In contrast, the anti-Pn IgM PFC responses of aged BALB/c mice were consistently higher than they were in the young/adult mice. The increased anti-Pn responses were not due to a nonspecific immunostimulation, because the responses of aged BALB/c mice to TNP-BA were lower as compared to the adults. However, the aged BALB/c mice responded relatively poorly to Pn challenge, and their IgG responses (as determined by ELISA plaque assay) demonstrated a very high individual variability. The clonotypic diversity of anti-Pn response in young BALB/c and C57BL/6 is limited, such that the majority of PFC produce antibody that express all idiotopes (Id) of the T15 immunoglobulin encoded in the VH-S107/Vk22 genes. In contrast, the PFC from aged mice are diverse, expressing incomplete T15 Id or none at all, suggesting that the antibodies are encoded by altered T15 genes and by different, non-T15 genes. Our data demonstrate that the age-related changes in the magnitude of antibody response to certain antigens are influenced by the host genetic make-up, and that the changes in magnitude and diversity of antibody response may be unrelated to each other.
Synthesis and Characterization of Linear Boron−Silicon−Diacetylene Copolymers

Boron-silicon-diacetylenic copolymers ([C≡C-C≡C-SiMe 2 (OSiMe 2 ) x ] y [C≡C-C≡C-BPh] z ) n have been synthesized and characterized. The diecetylenic functionalities were found to crosslink thermally to give stable networks at high temperatures. The effects of silicon and boron incorporated into the host diacetylenic polymers were found to enhance their oxidative stabilities. Aging studies showed these materials to have exceptional oxidative stabilities
Thermal conductivity of tetrathiafulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF-TCNQ) near the metal-insulator transition

The thermal conductivity of tetrathiafulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF-TCNQ) has been determined through a simultaneous measurement of the specific heat and thermal diffusivity using an ac method. A steplike anomaly has been observed which coincides in temperature with anomalies in the specific heat and electrical conductivity. Interpreting ths step to be due to the loss of the electronic contribution to the thermal conductivity at the metal-insulator transition, we show that the Lorentz number is very close to the free-electron value for conductivity enhancement factors in the range 10-30. A mean-field calculation of the thermal current due to paraconductive fluctuations demonstrates that this contribution is negligible. The conclusion follows, assuming the free-electron Lorentz number to be appropriate for this material, that all of the observed electrical conductivity is the result of normal heat-carrying electrons.
The effect of surface transport on the evolution of film microstructure in plasma etching and deposition

Abstract Surface transport models proceeding via surface re-emission and surface diffusion are briefly described. The important dimensionless parameter for re-emission is the sticking probability, whereas for surface diffusion, profile evolution is governed by the Damkohler number. The results of our continuum-based models are presented for low pressure deposition. These transport phenomena also occur during etching, and simulation results for the evolution of surface roughness during RIE are presented. Etching of periodic surfaces is considered first. It is shown that for etching, unlike for deposition, surface roughness always decays with time; the greater the sticking probability, the greater the rate of decay. Results for etching of self-affine surfaces are presented. During deposition, it is found that the presence of surface diffusion removes sharp edges from the film profile, especially in the early stages of film growth. During RIE, on the other hand, this “cauliflower” morphology is reduced to sharper asperities, though the “peak-to-peak” roughness decays with time. This microstructure is simulated in patterned features and is particularly important when the characteristic length scale is the same order of magnitude as the critical feature dimension. Experimental results on the evolution of roughness for a PVD process (sputter-deposition of titanium) obtained through AFM are presented, and the growth of rms roughness indicates the relative absence of surface transport.
Combining muscle-sparing serratus flap with acellular dermal matrix in immediate breast reconstruction

Submuscular placement of tissue expanders is a common method of reconstruction in the postmastectomy patient. Though the pectoralis muscle provides ample coverage of the expander superomedially, it is insufficient for complete coverage. Inferior coverage has been described using both local muscle and fascial flaps as well as the more recently introduced acellular dermal matrix (ADM). Each method possesses advantages and disadvantages, while the use of both in conjunction may serve to provide a superior, cost-effective result. A retrospective review was undertaken of all patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction from January 2008 to December 2011. Patients who underwent reconstruction with the use of combined ADM and muscle-sparing serratus flap were selected for further review. A total of 16 patients (27 reconstructed breasts) were identified. Data were collected regarding patient demographics, operative details, and complications. Of the 16 patients, 6 received postoperative radiation and 9 received perioperative chemotherapy. Mean follow-up was 20.8 months. A single 8 × 16-cm sheet of ADM was sufficient for bilateral reconstruction. Complications included infection (three patients), mastectomy flap necrosis (two patients), expander exposure (one patient), wound dehiscence (one patient), hematoma (one patient), and seroma (one patient). There were no cases of capsular contracture. All patients were noted to have sufficient lateral fullness and optimal contour. Combined use of a muscle-sparing serratus anterior flap with ADM is a safe and viable method of complete inferior expander coverage in immediate breast reconstruction, which has not yet been described in the literature. Potential advantages include decreased donor site morbidity, improved lateral fullness, and greater efficiency in ADM use. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study.
Electric field-assisted grafting of 4-vinylpyridine on an activated cation exchange membrane

The influence of forced diffusion by a d. c. electric field on the graft polymerization of ionic 4-vinylpyridine onto a host membrane was determined. The host was a commercial cation exchange membrane. Initiation was by a redox couple of titanious ions at the exchange sites of the membrane and t-butylhydroperoxide in the bulk solution along with the monomer. Undesirable effects of electrode reactions were avoided by isolation of the electrode compartments with permselective membranes. Measurements were at monomer concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2M and d.c. current densities of 0.08 and 0.16 mA/cm2. Applying the field accelerated the graft rate and provided greater control of the amount and distribution of the polymer than when free diffusion alone directed the reaction. This suggests possible value of forced diffusion by an electric field to tailormake membranes to special properties such as in the case of ampholytic mosaic membranes.
Inorganic micronutrient requirements of chlorella. II. Quantitative requirements for iron, manganese, and zinc.

Abstract The quantitative inorganic micronutrient requirements of Chlorella pyrenoidosa for iron, manganese, and zinc were determined by obtaining plots of yield versus amount of added micronutrient in media devoid of added chelating agents. It is estimated that for growth of 1 g. of dried Chlorella, there is required a minimum of approximately 30 μg. iron, 2.5 μg. manganese, and 4.5 μg. zinc under the experimental conditions employed. In the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), much larger quantities of all required micronutrients must be supplied for a defined yield, with the sole exception of iron; the iron requirement is the same in the presence or absence of EDTA. In the absence of EDTA, iron added in the form of potassium ferricyanide was up to twice as effective for growth per unit of iron as was iron as ferrous sulfate; this advantage was most marked in alkaline solutions. Both iron sources were equally effective in the presence of EDTA.
Approximate Doubling of Numbers of Neurons in Postnatal Human Cerebral Cortex and in 35 Specific Cytoarchitectural Areas from Birth to 72 Months

From 1939 to 1967, J.L. Conel quantitatively studied the microscopic features of the developing human cerebral cortex and published the findings in eight volumes. We have constructed a database using his neuroanatomical measurements (neuronal packing density, myelinated large fiber density, large proximal dendrite density, somal breadth and height, and total cortical and cortical layer thickness) at the eight age periods (0 [term birth], 1, 3, 6, 15, 24, 48, and 72 postnatal months) he studied. In this report, we examine changes in neuron numbers over the eight age-points for 35 von Economo areas for which Conel gave appropriate data. From birth to 3 months postnatal age, total cortical neuron number increases 23-30%, then falls to within 3.5% of the birth value at 24 months, supporting our previous work showing that the observed decrease in the number of neurons per column of cortex under a 1-mm2 cortical surface from birth to 15 months is almost entirely due to cortical surface expansion. The present study also shows a 60-78% increase in total cortical neuron number above the birth value from postnatal ages 24 to 72 months. The generalization, to humans at least, of the finding of no postnatal neurogenesis in rhesus macaques, a species belonging to a superfamily that diverged from that of Homo sapiens more than 25 million years ago, is not warranted until explicitly proven for humans. The data of the present study support the existence of substantial postnatal neurogenesis in humans for the 35 cortical areas studied.
Community-based studies of Alzheimer's disease: Statistical challenges in design and analysis

Alzheimer's disease is a chronic disease, primarily of the elderly, characterized by progressive dementia and eventual death. Community-based studies will likely provide a better representation of the spectrum of disease than will studies drawn solely from clinical sources, because an unknown and possibly substantial fraction of the cases do not come to the attention of the medical care system, or are diagnosed only very late in the disease. Community-based studies will provide not only more accurate estimates of prevalence and incidence, but also more directly comparable unaffected people for studies of risk factors for onset and progression. Such studies are likely to consist of a census component where relatively inexpensive but useful auxiliary information is collected and a probability sample from the census, with the detailed and costly clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease restricted to the sample. The statistician faces challenges both in designing a sample that meets multiple objectives efficiently and in analysing data from the resulting complex survey designs.
Adenomatous polyposis coli, protein kinases, protein tyrosine phosphatase: the effect of sulindac.

A putative explanation of the effect of sulindac on adenomatous colon and duodenal polyps from clinical observations and related in vitro experiments is presented. In cells with mutant APC genes, persistent high prostaglandin content of polyps leads to desensitization, downregulation of adenylate cyclase, uncoupling of cAMP synthesis from prostaglandin, and inactivation of protein kinase A (PKA). It is suggested that in normal cells, (APC) protein binds to catenins and microtubules to maintain structure and contribute to cell-cell communication, adherence, and the dephosphorylated state, a necessary condition for such functions. Cells with mutant APC product become isolated, deprived of communication and adhesion to other epithelial cells, overphosphorylated, and without corrective capability. The latter is largely due to downregulation of cAMP synthesis and protein kinase A activity secondary to high prostaglandin. Three main biochemical defects ensue: (1) the restrictive influence of PKA catalyzed phosphorylation of Raf-1 kinase and resultant effects on the MAP kinase cascade and transcription is lost, (2) the transcription of immediate early genes, including cyclooxygenase is stimulated, and (3) the stimulation of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) by PKA is in abeyance. These putative abnormalities are reversed by inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 by sulindac. cAMP synthesis and PKA activity return to normal. PKA catalyzed phosphorylations block Raf-1 kinase at the confluence of the Ras and protein kinase C pathways. The MAP kinase cascade is inhibited as is transcription of immediate early genes. At the same time PKA stimulates PTPase, which dephosphorylates the cytoskeleton and restores cell-cell communication, adherence, and structure. The transformed phenotype is circumvented by adjustment of the phosphorylation state and mutant cells rejoin the epithelial community. The redox state of cytoplasm in mutant cells may be shifted toward reduction. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A Collimated Total Radiation Probe for Arcjet Measurements

The total energy radiation of an argon arcjet was measured by a simple collimated thermopile. Radiation from the luminous jet was found to vary as T7.2 when the peak (centerline) temperature at the arcjet exit plane was 12,600°K. Total radiated energy from the arcjet, including the downstream-directed component from the cathode face, was found to agree quite well with theoretical estimates given in the present paper. The use of a purified helium atmosphere and lithium fluoride optical components permitted achievement of transmissivity down to 1060 angstroms on all measurements.
Age and type of procedure influence the choice of patients for laparoscopic colectomy.

Background The aim of this retrospective, case-matched controlled study was to determine the benefit of laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (LC) for the elderly (>75 years of age) and the young ( Methods A retrospective review of 39 patients older than 75 years of age and 38 patients younger than 75 years of age who underwent LC for colorectal cancer between 1991 and 1999 was performed. LC patients were matched with an open control group for procedure, age, gender, year of procedure, and surgeon. Procedures included right and left colectomy, anterior resection of the rectosigmoid, and abdominoperineal resection. Measured intraoperative variables included anesthesia time, operative time, and estimated blood loss. Postoperative parameters consisted of duration of intravenous or epidural narcotic usage, return of bowel function (RBF), length of stay, and independence at discharge. These variables were compared in the entire group of 154 patients. Results Mean ages were 81.4 and 81.8 years for LC and OC age >75 and 62.9 and 62.7 for LC and OC age 75 and for age 75; 6.7 vs 7.7 days for age 75 and right LC in age Conclusion The advantages of LC over OC are the same for the elderly and the young. There may be a selective benefit of laparoscopic left colectomy in the elderly and laparoscopic right colectomy in the young.
Structure-Function Relationships of Human C5a and C5aR

Using peptides that represent linear regions of the powerful complement activation product, C5a, or loops that connect the four alpha helices of C5a, we have defined the ability of these peptides to reduce binding of (125)I-C5a to human neutrophils, inhibit chemotactic responses of neutrophils to C5a, and reduce H(2)O(2) production in neutrophils stimulated with PMA. The data have defined likely sites of interaction of C5a with C5aR. The peptides had no functional activity per se on neutrophils and did not interfere with neutrophil responses to the unrelated chemotactic peptide, N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe. Although previous data have suggested that there are two separate sites on C5a reactive with C5aR, the current data suggest that C5a interacts with C5aR in a manner that engages three discontinuous regions of C5a.
Tar Characterization for Optimum Reservoir Management Strategy

Tar mats are extra-heavy bitumen that occur between aquifers and overlaying oil columns. They seal either partially or completely an oil reservoir from its aquifer and reduces aquifer support. Tar characterization includes evaluation of the tar distribution and its sealing degree. It is an important prerequisite to optimize the water injection well’s requirement and placement to maximize sweep and recovery.
X-ray phase-contrast imaging: transmission functions separable in Cartesian coordinates

In-line, x-ray phase-contrast imaging is responsive to both phase changes and absorption as the x radiation traverses a body. Expressions are derived for phase-contrast imaging of objects having transmission functions separable in Cartesian coordinates. Starting from the Fresnel-Kirchhoff integral formula for image formation, an expression is found for the phase-contrast image produced by an x-ray source with nonvanishing dimensions. This expression is evaluated in limiting cases where the source-to-object distance is large, where the source acts as a point source, and where the weak phase approximation is valid. The integral expression for the image is evaluated for objects with simple geometrical shapes, showing the influence of the source dimensions on the visibility of phase-contrast features. The expressions derived here are evaluated for cases where the magnification is substantially greater than one as would be employed in biological imaging. Experiments are reported using the in-line phase-contrast imaging method with a microfocus x-ray source and a CCD camera.
Angiopoietin-2 Stimulates Blood Flow Recovery After Femoral Artery Occlusion by Inducing Inflammation and Arteriogenesis

Objective— Recently, we have shown that shear stress regulates the angiogenic potential of endothelial cells in vitro by an Angiopoietin-2 (Ang2)–dependent mechanism; however its pathophysiological...
The Effects of Claw Removal and Cage Design on the Production Performance, Gonadal Steroids, and Stress Response in Caged Laying Hens

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of claw removal and cage design in laying hens during the course of a normal egg production period. Claw removal and cage design had significant effects on various production parameters as well as gonadal and adrenal steroids in caged laying hens. Declawed hens showed a significantly greater intensity of early egg production. They tended to consume less feed, weighed significantly less, and had significantly better livabiltiy than the intact controls. Furthermore, declawed hens demonstrated lower plasma corticosterone and higher plasma estradiol levels during the latter phases of the laying period. However, during the latter stages of the egg production cycle, foot condition was significantly poorer in declawed hens. No significant treatment effects were noted for overall egg production, egg weight, specific gravity, antibody response, or feather condition. Hens in low profile cages consumed significantly less feed than those in the high profile cages during the earlier stages of production, but this difference disappeared after 30 weeks of age. No significant cage effect was noted for overall egg production, egg weight, specific gravity, antibody response, or feather condition. Significantly lower plasma corticosterone concentrations were seen in the hens maintained in low profile cages during the latter stages of the production period.
A critical evaluation of the DT tokamak as a powerplant for the electric utilities

Twenty-five years of research on the tokamak confinement concept have revealed a number of intractable limitations. An important lesson drawn from the recent history of the tokamak is that development beyond the proof-of-principle level should not proceed unless and until all of the physical processes responsible for radial transport, confinement time scaling, equilibrium, and stability are understood and confirmed experimentally. >
Risk Factors for Hip Fracture in Men

To identify risk factors for hip fracture in men, the authors conducted a case-control study involving 20 hospitals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and 14 hospitals in Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program of northern California. The 356 enrolled men had been admitted with a radiologically confirmed first hip fracture. The 402 control men either were from the Philadelphia area or were members of Kaiser Permanente and were frequency matched to the cases by age and ZIP code or telephone exchange. Information on potential risk factors was obtained through personal interviews. Men in the lowest quintile of body mass had a greatly increased risk of hip fracture compared with men in the heaviest quintile (odds ratio (OR) 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3-6.4). Premorbid lower limb dysfunction was associated with increased risks for hip fracture (OR 3.4, 95% CI 2.1-5.4). Increased risks were also observed with the use of cimetidine (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.6) and psychotropic drugs (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4-3.3). Smoking cigarettes or a pipe increased the risk of hip fracture, and this association was independent of body mass. Finally, previous physical activity was markedly protective. Factors thought to affect bone density as well as factors identified as risk factors for falls appear to be important determinants of the risk of hip fracture in men. Physical activity may be a particularly promising preventive measure for men. Additional studies of the use of cimetidine on osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures are indicated. Language: en
Combined ℋ︁∞/LQG control via the optimal projection equations: On minimizing the LQG cost bound

The Optimal Projection equations for combined 7Yo/LQG control are considered. Positive semidefiniteness of the associated Lagrange multiplier is shown to be necessary for the LQG cost boumd to be minimal. It follows that all four Optimal Projection equations have have a role to play, even in the full-order case.
The damage zone in microlayer composites of polycarbonate and styrene—acrylonitrile

The irreversible deformation behavior of coextruded microlayer composites, consisting of 49 alternating layers of polycarbonate (PC) and styrene—acrylonitrile polymer (SAN), was examined in the triaxial stress state achieved at a semicircular notch during slow tensile loading. Variations in the proportions of PC and SAN were manifest as changes in the relative thicknesses of PC and SAN layers. When the SAN layers were thicker than the PC layers (PC/SAN 25/75 v/v) or the layer thicknesses were about the same (53/47 v/v) the composites were only slightly more ductile than SAN and the deformation behavior of the layers mimicked that of the components. Examination of optical micrographs showed that the damage zone closely resembled that of SAN and consisted of internal notch crazes in the SAN layers that grew out from the notch surface in conformity with a mean stress condition. Shear processes became more evident when the PC layers were thicker than the SAN layers (PC/SAN 65/35 and 74/26 v/v). An unusual transition was observed in the SAN layers from internal notch crazing to interactive crazing and shear banding. The internal notch crazes ceased to grow when they terminated in a pair of microshear bands in the SAN layer. Subsequently a macroscopic shear-yielding mode was observed as two sets of intersecting slip lines that grew out from the notch surface in both PC and SAN layers. Stress intensification caused by the plastic zone was responsible for the appearance of a second family of internal crazes in the SAN layers that originated in front of the notch tip. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Aligning representations of anatomy using lexical and structural methods.

Objective The objective of this experiment is to develop methods for aligning two representations of anatomy (the Foundational Model of Anatomy and GALEN) at the lexical and structural level.
Selective surgical approach for atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia.

Abstract From September 1986 through September 1990, 60 operations were performed in 55 patients (32 male and 23 female; age, 1 to 76 years) for ablation of accessory pathways of atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia; 6 patients had additional cardiac procedures. Between September 1986 and August 1988 the initial surgical approach was exclusively epicardial with adjuvant cryoablation (EPI) in 23 patients (group 1) for a left free wall (LFW) pathway in 11, right free wall (RFW) in 3, posteroseptal (PS) in 7, and anteroseptal in 2. During September 1988 through September 1990, 32 patients (group 2) had the initial surgical approach tailored to the location of the mapped accessory pathway: endocardial approach (ENDO) for LFW in 17 and for juxtanodal pathway in 2, EPI for RFW in 3 and for PS in 9, and combined ENDO and EPI for AS in 1. There was no early or late death in either group. In group 1, 2 patients with LFW pathway had development of recurrent preexcitation in the same compartment requiring ENDO reoperation 10 and 11 months later, 1 with anteroseptal pathway needed immediate ENDO and EPI reoperation, and another with LFW, who required pericardial patch repair of a left atrial tear, had a thromboembolic stroke 2 days later. No serious complications occurred in group 2, but 2 patients with PS required reoperation before discharge for a second accessory pathway in another compartment (1 RFW and 1 LFW). Additionally, 4 patients (2 in each group) had from the beginning ablation of two pathways in different compartments. On complete late follow-up (mean, 28 months) all patients are back to preoperative levels of activity and are free of preexcitation. Our experience indicates that with a selective approach in arrioventricular reentrant tachycardia, based on the location of the pathway and the possibilities and limitations of each technique, LFW pathways are more reproducibly ablated with the ENDO technique, whereas the EPI approach is easier for PS and RFW pathways with equally excellent results.
Harmful UV radiation may increase after volcanic eruptions

The most biologically harmful of the Sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the Earth's surface is UV-B, which spans wavelengths from 290 to 320 nm. In appreciable doses, UV-B harms plants and animals by damaging cellular DNA. The atmosphere's ozone layer absorbs this radiation and protects us from its more harmful effects. Recent theoretical and observational evidence shows that large volcanic eruptions, like that of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, may cause shor-term ozone depletions, thereby enhancing the amount of UV-B that reaches the Earth's surface.
Enriching AIS Courses With SOX Compliance Activities

A very significant change to the accounting profession occurred in 2002 when the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) was enacted. This legislation had a significant impact on corporations and their audit firms. The objective was to improve corporate governance and its quality of financial reporting to improve investor confidence. This paper provides instructors with a background on SOX and suggests readings and activities that reflect the requirements of SOX as it relates to the AIS environment and the analysis of internal controls. These activities can strengthen students' understandings of how corporations respond to the various reporting requirements of this Act.
Instagram #Instasad?: Exploring Associations Among Instagram Use, Depressive Symptoms, Negative Social Comparison, and Strangers Followed

Abstract As the use and influence of social networking continues to grow, researchers have begun to explore its consequences for psychological well-being. Some research suggests that Facebook use can have negative consequences for well-being. Instagram, a photo-sharing social network created in 2010, has particular characteristics that may make users susceptible to negative consequences. This study tested a theoretically grounded moderated meditation model of the association between Instagram use and depressive symptoms through the mechanism of negative social comparison, and moderation by amount of strangers one follows. One hundred and seventeen 18–29 year olds completed online questionnaires containing demographics, frequency of Instagram use, amount of strangers followed on Instagram, the Center for Epidemiological Resources Scale for Depression, and the Social Comparison Rating Scale. Instagram use was marginally positively associated with depressive symptoms, and positive social comparison was signi...
Static solutions of Einstein's field equations for compact stellar objects

In this work, we present two solutions of Einstein's field equations for compact stellar objects such as quark or neutron stars. Due to their unique stellar properties, these compact objects pose as excellent laboratories to study matter in the most extreme conditions. In part one of this paper, we solve Einstein's field equations modified for a finite value for the cosmological constant for spherically symmetric mass distributions. This solution has been presented in the literature before, but with inconsistent results. In part two, we examine the structure of deformed (non-spherical) compact objects. The stellar structure equations are derived and solved for in the limiting case of isotropic pressure and energy-density. We calculate stellar properties such as masses and radii along with pressure and density profiles for these deformed objects and investigate changes from the standard spherical models.
Psilopa leucostoma a New Leaf Miner of Sugar Beets in the United States

Psilopa leucostoma (Meigen) was first observed as a pest of sugar beets in the United States at Umapine, Oregon, in 1962. Observations made through 1965 showed it to be generally distributed in the major producing areas of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and northern Utah. Primary damage to beet plants consists of as many as 50 narrow serpentine mines, usually less than 2 cm long, on a single beet leaf; but the greatest damage is caused later by (death, from an unknown cause, of patches of leaf tissue around the mines. The insect is likely to become a more serious pest of sugar beets and table beets than the spinach leaf miner, Pegomya hyoscyami (Panzer), because it attacks the plants later in the season. It is believed to be a different biotype from the insect that attacks common lambsquarters, Chenopodium album L. It has apparently become adapted to sugar beets grown in irrigated areas on the salt or alkaline soils of the West.
ANALYSIS ON PENETRATION CHARACTERISTICS OF ASSEMBLED BLAST-RESISTANCE WALL IMPACTED BY FRAGMENTS WITH HIGH VELOCITIES

To investigate the damage levels of newly designed assembled blast-resistance wall, penetration effects of single and multiple fragments of vehicle bombs are analyzed with LS-DYNA software. The feature parameters of fragments have been calculated in advance with CONWEP programme referring to different threatening levels of vehicle bombs. The performance of assembled wall under fragment impact loadings is compared with that of concrete structure with equal thickness. The penetration process in walls is discussed. The damage pattern of walls, penetration depth, penetration velocity and penetration acceleration of fragments are analyzed. The analysis indicates that the properties of assembled wall resisting impact loadings of fragments are superior to those of the concrete structure. The damage effects on structures of multiple fragments impact loadings should be considered when discussing damage levels.
Integrating cultural competency in South Korean social work education

Multiculturalism in South Korea in recent years necessitates inclusion of cultural competency in South Korean social work education and practice. We examine the demographics of South Korea's‘diverse'population,followed by a theoretical framework of cultural competency and whether and to what degree cultural competency training can be effectively incorporated in South Korean social work education. Educational implications are also discussed.