cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal effects on adhesively bonded composite repair of cracked aluminum panels

Abstract This study introduces the two-dimensional finite element analysis involving three layer technique to investigate the adhesively bonded composite repair of cracked metallic structure under thermo-mechanical loading. The thermal loading involves, in this study, the temperature drop such as seen during the bonding process. Three patch materials having different stiffnesses and coefficients of thermal expansion are investigated to analyze the thermal effects on the damage tolerance of the crack in the repaired structure and of the debond in the adhesive bondline. For the single sided repair, the patch material having the maximum mismatch in the coefficient of thermal expansion with that of the cracked aluminum plate provides the better damage tolerance capability for both the crack in the panel and the debond in the adhesive. On the other hand, for double sided repair, the patch material having the minimal mismatch in the coefficient of thermal expansion with that of the cracked plate provides the better damage tolerance capability.
Emerging concepts in bioanalytical chemistry of trace elements

The emerging discipline of Biological Trace Element Research (BTER) demands that adequate considerations be given to both biological and analytical standardization while planning an investigation. Unfortunately, the "bio" dimension of the analytical problem in the BTER area, has been rather slow in unfolding. This lack of appreciation has been a major setback since the early days of BTER, delaying the onset of multidisciplinary approaches that are vital for conceiving meaningful investigations. The presampling factors e.g., biological variations, environmental influences, post-mortem changes and intrinsic (e.g. differences in residence times of various elements in the blood stream) and inadvertent situations (e.g. medico-legal restrictions), are potential sources of serious errors, and require careful evaluation and data interpretation. Yet, these are poorly identified and currently, very little effort is expended to evaluate them. Concerning analytical standardization, progress in technical aspects of sampling are preparation, instrumentation, calibration procedures, increased awareness of matrix interferences and preparation of primary standards have collectively contributed to several improvements. However, information on long-term storage (several years) and its impact on the validity of the stored biomaterial, and experimental findings on the quantitative recovery of biominerals during acid decomposition of different types of sample matrices are still scarce.
Effects of irradiance during growth on tolerance of geranium to sub- and supra-optimal boron supply

In our previous study on geranium, we showed that increases in growth irradiance from sub-optimal to near-optimal could delay boron deficiency effects on photosynthesis. In this study, we further investigated the effects of growth irradiance on tolerance to B stress by growing geranium (Pelargonium × hortorum cv. Maverick White) under sub- to supra-optimal B concentrations (4.5, 45, and 450 μM) and under three irradiances of 100, 300, or 500 μmol m−2 s−1 PAR for 30 d. In general, at low and medium irradiances, sub- and supra-optimal B availability decreased root and shoot dry masses, but at high irradiance, the B stress was prevented. Net photosynthetic rate decreased by the supra-optimal B concentration at the high irradiance only suggesting B-related photoinhibition. Tissue B content and root specific B uptake only modestly decreased by the low B treatment, but increased greatly by the high B availability, and the higher irradiance decreased the tissue B content and the root B uptake only at the low and medium B supplies. Interestingly, the increases in irradiance decreased the content and uptake of all other nutrients, except Fe uptake. Effects of the B stress on the content of other nutrients were variable, but the B stress often exacerbated decreases in nutrient content with the increasing irradiance which would be especially important under nutrient-limiting conditions. Hence, in this study, the B stress effects on growth were mitigated by the increases in growth irradiance, which offset negative effects on physiology, and the protective effects of irradiance were likely caused by its positive effects on plant carbon/energy status rather than on tissue B content or B uptake.
EFFECT OF SOIL PROPERTIES ON DEGRADATION AND SORPTION OF METHYL BROMIDE IN SOIL

Methyl bromide (CH3Br) is currently the most widely used soil fumigant, and its emission into the atmosphere after application reportedly contributes to ozone depletion in the stratosphere. Irreversible degradation and partially reversible sorption reactions affect the quantity of this furnigant reaching the soil surface and escaping into the atmosphere. Incubation studies in closed headspace vials under controlled conditions showed that degradation of CH3Br was highly dependent on soil organic matter content, and to a lesser extent, on the moisture level in the soil. Methylation of CH3Br on organic matter was suggested to be the major reaction that CH3Br undergoes in the soil environment. Other soil constituents such as clay did not contribute to the degradation under moist or air-dried conditions, though enhanced degradation was observed on oven-dried montmorillonite and kaolinite clays. Within soil profiles, degradation of CH3Br decreased with soil depth mainly due to the reduction of soil organic matter content with depth. In both Greenfield and Wasco sandy loams, the degradation rate of CH3Br in soil layers from 0 to 270 cm could be estimated from soil organic matter content. Sorption of CH3Br on moist soils was generally limited, and varied with soil depth. The degree of sorption could be predicted from soil moisture alone or soil moisture and organic matter content.
Muscle or fat? Rho bridges the GAP

Mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into muscle or fat cells, depending on the exposure to growth factors. The Rho GTPase appears to play a crucial role in this decision of cellular fate, promoting myogenesis and inhibiting adipogenesis.
Substances that protect cultured hepatocytes from the toxic effects of microcystin-LR.

Abstract Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes were used in a screen in vitro for agents which protect against the toxic effects of the hepatoxin microcystin-LR. Exposure of cells to microcystin-LR, a cyclic heptapeptide produced by blue-green algae, resulted in clustering of hepatocytes within 15 min of addition. This initial response was followed by disruption of cellular function (measured by a protein synthesis assay) and eventual loss of membrane integrity, resulting in leakage of cytosolic enzymes (measured by LDH release). The antibiotic rifampicin was effective in reducing LDH release and preventing cell clustering at concentrations as low as 2.0 μ m . Cytochalasins provided some protection at 10 μ m . However, microscopy revealed disruption of hepatocytes in the presence of cytochalasins alone, at or above this concentration. Bile acids, cholic acid and deoxycholate were protective at higher concentrations (0.1 m m ), but when given alone caused some leakage of cytosolic enzymes. Di-naphthalene dyes, trypan blue and trypan red, had no detrimental effects on hepatocytes and showed some protection at 20 μ m . Hepatic uptake of tritium-labelled microcystin-LR was suppressed by bile acids and rifampicin, providing further evidence that blocking or competing with bile acid uptake also prevents microcystin-LR association with, and toxicity in, isolated hepatocytes. Although all drugs tested worked to varying degrees, rifampicin was most effective in providing protection of hepatocytes from toxin at lower concentrations while having no detrimental effects on the cells when added alone.
Recent progress on source-term containment analysis

Abstract A brief review of the history of the source term for the analysis of highly improbable nuclear reactor accidents is given, along with a short description of the other two papers that comprise the special issue of Progress in Nuclear Energy devoted to Containment Analysis for Nuclear Source Terms.
Preeclampsia: an inflammatory syndrome?

Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder that is unique to human pregnancy. The cause of preeclampsia is unknown. For the past decades many theories regarding its etiology have been proposed and challenged, whereas several others remain the subject of ongoing investigation. Some of these theories that are still under consideration include defective placental vascular remodeling early in pregnancy (presumably secondary to impaired trophoblast invasion), abnormal genetic polymorphisms, (thrombophilias), immune intolerance (rejection of the placenta by the maternal immune system), vascular endothelial cell activation, and exaggeration of a systemic inflammatory process. During the past decade, our understanding of the molecular basis for the pathophysiologic abnormalities in preeclampsia has reached an unprecedented level. There is now clear appreciation for the role of cell adhesion molecules, angiogenic proteins, and activation of the inflammatory system in the pathogenesis of microvascular dysfunction in patients with preeclampsia. There is now enough evidence for an exaggerated inflammatory response (abnormal cytokine production and neutrophil activation) in women with the clinical findings of preeclampsia. Despite the above-mentioned evidence, this enhanced inflammatory response is absent before subsequent development of preeclampsia. In a previous report, Faas et al developed an experimental animal model for preeclampsia by using a very low dose of endotoxin infusion (1 mg/kg body weight) into pregnant rats. In this rat model, low-dose endotoxin produced pathologic findings similar to those seen in preeclampsia (increased blood pressure, pro-
Quantum computing using single photons and the Zeno effect

We show that the quantum Zeno effect can be used to suppress the failure events that would otherwise occur in a linear optics approach to quantum computing. From a practical viewpoint, that would allow the implementation of deterministic logic gates without the need for ancilla photons or high-efficiency detectors. We also show that the photons can behave as if they were fermions instead of bosons in the presence of a strong Zeno effect, which leads to an alternative paradigm for quantum computation.
Systematic observations on tropical Asian medakas or ricefishes of the genusOryzias, with descriptions of four new species

The so-calledOryzias melastigma (McClelland, 1839), reported from India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Malaysia by numerous authors beginning with Day (1877), is based mainly or entirely onAplocheilus panchax (Hamilton, 1822). India and Bangladesh have two species ofOryzias, both large. The deeper-bodied of these two species is reported for the first time asO. dancena (Hamilton, 1822). The other is identified asO. carnaticus (Jerdon, 1849). Myanmar has one large species,O. dancena, and one tiny species,O. uwai new species.Oryzias minutillus Smith, 1945 andO. uwai differ from all otherOryzias in having 4/5 instead of 5/6 principal caudal fin rays.Oryzias uwai differs fromO. minutillus in being more conspicuously pigmented and having large, 6-rayed pelvic fins often extending to anal fin origin instead of much smaller and shorter 5-rayed pelvic fins. In Thailand (including its part of the Mekong basin) three species are known: a large estuarine species tentatively identified asO. javanicus (Bleeker, 1854) and two tiny inland species,O. mekongensis Magtoon & Uwa, 1986, andO. minutillus. Oryzias minutillus from many localities are more or less melanoproctic, i.e. have a darkly pigmented genital or vent area not seen in other species. The Mekong basin in Laos has two large species,O. latipes (Temminck & Schlegel, 1846) andO. pectoralis new species, distinguished by a prominent black blotch on the pectoral fin base, both recently collected in the Nam Theun watershed in central Laos; and two tiny species,O. mekongensis andO. minutillus. Only one species ofOryzias is known from the Mekong delta in Vietnam, the small moderately deep-bodiedO. haugiangensis new species, with 19–22 anal and 9–10 pectoral fin rays. The Indonesian island of Java has one large species,O. javanicus (Bleeker, 1852) with 21–25 anal and 11 pectoral fin rays, and one small species,O. hubbsi new species, with only 17–21 anal and 9 pectoral fin rays.
Caribbean and Mexican Additions to the Dasymutilla bioculata Species-Group (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae)

ABSTRACT Williams et al. (Syst. Entomol. 36: 180–191) discovered that all former members of the Dasymutilla bioculata species-group were synonymous. Here we present a study of Mexican and Caribbean species that closely resemble D. bioculata (Cresson). Dasymutilla bouveiri (Andre), Dasymutilla chionothrix Manley & Pitts, Dasymutilla concordia Manley & Pitts, Dasymutilla insulana Mickel, Dasymutilla latebalteata (Cameron), Dasymutilla nocticaro Manley & Pitts, Dasymutilla truxali Manley & Pitts, and Dasymutilla Veracruz Manley & Pitts are transferred to the D. bioculata species-group based on morphological similarities with D. bioculata. Placement in the D. bioculata species-group, coupled with overlapping disparate ranges, facilitate the following synonymies. D. truxali is a junior synonym of D. chionothrix. D. Veracruz is a junior synonym of D. latebalteata. D. concordia is a junior synonym of D. nocticaro. Genaro (Caribbean J. Sci. 33: 263–268) provided a key to the males of the Caribbean species, includ...
Intrinsic multiplicity in hadron-hadron collisions and its impact-parameter dependence

As an improvement on the geometrical description of multiparticle emission in hadron-hadron collisions, a concept of intrinsic multiplicity n0 at fixed impact parameter is introduced. The observed large fluctuation in multiplicity distribution is attributed to (i) the large spread in the intrinsic multiplicity n0, and (ii) the Poissonian fluctuation about n0 for each b. The dependence of the intrinsic multiplicity on the impact-parameter is estimated for collisions at 540 GeV.
Advance Care Planning in the Primary Care Setting: A Comparison of Attending Staff and Resident Barriers:

Advance directive completion rates remain poor in the ambulatory setting. The purpose of this study was to explore and contrast staff provider and resident physicians' experiences with advance care planning (ACP) and to identify barriers to this process in the primary care setting. A 17-item survey was administered to staff primary care providers and categorical internal medicine residents. Staff providers were more likely to discuss ACP after prompting from patients' family members (P < .02) or after a change in health status (P < .02) and were more likely to believe that non-physician members of the care team should counsel patients about ACP. The majority of respondents cited system-based barriers as major obstacles to ACP. Strategies aimed at systematizing the ACP process for both patients and providers are needed.
Managing I/S Design Teams: A Control Theories Perspective

The control relationship between project managers and team members is a central aspect of the working of any Information System I/S design team. This paper combines research on managerial control and team-member control in order to explore a range of control behaviors that can affect the performance of an I/S design team. Measures are developed and validated for managerial control and team-member control from both an outcome and a process perspective. Results from a study of 41 actual I/S design teams indicate that high-performing teams exhibit high process control by managers and high outcome control by team members. The results also support the proposition that both managerial and team-member control coexists and that increases in the total level of control behavior is positively correlated with performance.
SS21 Dialysis Access-Associated Steal Syndrome Management and Outcomes: A 10-Year Experience

mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.03; P < .001). Compared with patients with IHC (N 1⁄4 419,009), overall risk-adjusted mortality was lowest in patients with AVF (N 1⁄4 71,328; HR, 0.65; P < .001), followed by AVG (N 1⁄4 17,544; HR, 0.83; P < .001). AVF was superior to IHC and AVG for all age groups (P < .001; Fig 1). However, there was a significant change in the relative efficacy of AVG at age 45 based on spline modeling: there were no differences comparing AVG to IHC for patients aged 18 to 44 years (adjusted HR, 0.90; P 1⁄4 .12), but AVG was superior to IHC for patients aged $45 years (adjusted HR, 0.82; P < .001). Conclusions: Contrary to previous reports, our data suggest that AVF is superior to AVG and IHC regardless of patient age, including in octogenarians. In contrast, the mortality benefit of AVG over IHC may not apply to younger age groups. All patients aged <45 years should receive AVF for dialysis access whenever possible.
Production of pelagic Sargassum and a blue‐green epiphyte in the western Sargasso Sea1

North of 30°N Sargassum production averaged about twice that to the south, possibly related to the degree of winter mixing. Production rates were relatively high in continental shelf areas or near land masses but showed no major seasonal variations nor was there an obvious relationship with concentrations of NO2, NO3, NH3, and PO4. Under normal daylight conditions in October Sargassum photosynthesizes at a maximum rate. Average carbon turnover time is no more than 40 days and Sargassum and its epiphytes contribute no more than 0.5% of the total primary production in the western Sargasso Sea. Carbon turnover rate of the epiphyte Dichothrix exceeded that of its host Sargassum by an average of fourfold. Dichothrix production on the shelf averaged as much as 15% of the pelagic macroalgal production in October. Dichothrix is most abundant in the continental shelf waters and lowest in the Sargasso Sea; this distribution may be related to the available iron in the seawater.
The tie that blinds? Developing and validating a scale to measure emotional attachment to a sport team

The emotional bond between a fan and his/her favourite team is one of the most distinct attributes of spectator sport. Yet to this point, little has been done to empirically explore this unique phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to create and validate an emotional attachment to a sport team scale. Guided by attachment theory and following a well-established scale development framework, a two-factor, seven-item scale was found to be a valid and reliable instrument. The two distinct factors termed Investment (cognitive feelings put into the team) and Dividend (affective feelings derived from the team) represent a unique contribution to the field of sport management. In addition, a construct validity test provided quantitative verification of an apparent hierarchy of the emotional attachment dimensions where those with higher Investment scores appear to place a higher (somewhat irrational) value on team success compared to those with higher Dividend scores.
Antinociceptive activity of the selective iNOS inhibitor AR-C102222 in rodent models of inflammatory, neuropathic and post-operative pain.

Abstract Nitric oxide generated by the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms contributes to pain processing. The selective inhibition of iNOS might represent a novel, therapeutic target for the development of antinociceptive compounds. However, few isoform-selective inhibitors of NOS have been developed. The present experiments examined the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of a selective inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) inhibitor, AR-C102222, on arachidonic acid-induced ear inflammation, Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced hyperalgesia, acetic acid-induced writhing, and tactile allodynia produced by L5 spinal nerve ligation (L5 SNL) or hindpaw incision (INC). AR-C102222 at a dose of 100 mg/kg p.o., significantly reduced inflammation produced by the application of arachidonic acid to the ear, attenuated FCA-induced mechanical hyperalgesia, and attenuated acetic acid-induced writhing. In the L5 SNL and INC surgical procedures, tactile allodynia produced by both procedures was significantly reduced by 30 mg/kg i.p. of AR-C102222. These data demonstrate that the selective inhibition of iNOS produces antinociception in different models of pain and suggest that the iNOS-NO system plays a role in pain processing.
Pelagic community responses to a deep-water front in the California Current Ecosystem: overview of the A-Front Study

Author(s): Landry, MR; Ohman, MD; Goericke, R; Stukel, MR; Barbeau, KA; Bundy, R; Kahru, M | Abstract: In October 2008, we investigated pelagic community composition and biomass, from bacteria to fish, across a sharp frontal gradient overlying deep waters south of Point Conception, California. This northsouth gradient, which we called A-Front, was formed by the eastward flow of the California Current and separated cooler mesotrophic waters of coastal upwelling origin to the north, from warm oligotrophic waters of likely mixed subarcticsubtropical origin to the south. Plankton biomass and phytoplankton growth rates were two to three times greater on the northern side, and primary production rates were elevated 5-fold to the north. Compared with either of the adjacent waters, the frontal interface was strongly enriched and uniquely defined by a subsurface bloom of large diatoms, elevated concentrations of suspension-feeding zooplankton, high bioacoustical estimates of pelagic fish and enhanced bacterial production and phytoplankton biomass and photosynthetic potential. Such habitats, though small in areal extent, may contribute disproportionately and importantly to regional productivity, nutrient cycling, carbon fluxes and trophic ecology. As a general introduction to the A-Front study, we provide an overview of its design and implementation, a brief summary of major findings and a discussion of potential mechanisms of plankton enrichment at the front. © 2012 The Author.
Noncytotoxic suramin as a chemosensitizer in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase II study

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of noncytotoxic doses of suramin to reverse chemotherapy resistance in advanced chemonaive and chemoresistant non-small-cell lung cancer patients. Patients and methods: Patients received paclitaxel (Taxol) (200 mg/m2) and carboplatin (area under the concentration–time curve 6 mg/ml/min) every 3 weeks. The total suramin per cycle dose was calculated using a nomogram derived from the preceding phase I trial to obtain the desirable plasma concentration range of 10–50 μM. Results: Thirty-nine response-assessable chemonaive patients (arm A) received 213 cycles. Thirty-eight cycles were administered to 15 patients with demonstrated resistance to paclitaxel and carboplatin (arm B). The pattern/frequency of toxic effects was similar to those expected for paclitaxel/carboplatin, and pharmacokinetic analyses (199 cycles) showed suramin plasma concentrations maintained between 10 and 50 μM in 94% of cycles. In arm A, response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) response rate was 36% (95% confidence interval 22% to 54%; two complete, 12 partial); 15 patients (38%) had disease stabilization for ≥4 months; median progression-free survival (intention to treat) was 6.4 months; median overall survival (OS) 10.4 months and 1-year survival rate 38%. In arm B, no RECIST responses occurred; four patients had disease stabilization for ≥4 months; median OS was 132 days and 1-year survival rate 7%. Plasma basic fibroblast growth factor levels were higher in chemopretreated/refractory patients compared with chemonaive patients (P = 0.05). Sequence analysis of the EGFR tyrosine kinase domain in a long-term disease-free survivor revealed an ATP-binding pocket mutation (T790M). Conclusions: Noncytotoxic suramin did not increase paclitaxel/carboplatin's toxicity and the suramin dose was predicted from clinical parameters. No clinically significant reversal of primary resistance was documented, but a modulatory effect in chemotherapy-naive patients cannot be excluded. Controlled randomization is planned for further evaluation of this treatment strategy.
Synthesis of Relational Web Services Based on SCDL

Although Web service composition has been widely discussed, most approaches did not concern the two important aspects inherent to Web service composition: description of functionality and management of data flows between component Web services. This paper proposes an algorithm based on the Semantic Object Behavior Language (SOBL) combined with the Semantic Capability Description Language (SCDL) to derive execution workflows for relational services.
α-Lipoic Acid Inhibits Endotoxin-stimulated Expression of iNOS and Nitric Oxide Independent of the Heat Shock Response in RAW 264.7 Cells

The heat shock response protects against sepsis-induced mortality, organ injury, cardiovascular dysfunction, and apoptosis. Several inducers of the heat shock response, such as hyperthermia, sodium arsenite, and pyrollidine dithiocarbonate, inhibit NF-kappaB activation and nitric oxide formation. The antioxidant lipoic acid (LA) has recently been found to inhibit NF-kappaB activation and nitric oxide formation. We therefore tested the hypothesis that LA induces a heat shock response. To test this hypothesis, we determined whether exposure to LA affects expression of both heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) and nuclear heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated macrophages. LA and hyperthermia attenuated LPS-induced increases in nuclear NF-kappaB, iNOS protein, and media nitrite concentrations. LPS and hyperthermia increased HSP-70 concentrations 8-fold and 20-fold, respectively. No effect of LA treatment alone on HSP-70 protein expression was detected. Likewise, no effect of LA on HSF-1 protein expression was detected. These data suggest that LA inhibits LPS-induced activation of iNOS in macrophages independent of the heat shock response.
Efficient Task Migration for Message Driven Parallel Execution of Nonshared Memory Architectures

We discuss the design and implementation of task migration in the Charm parallel programming environment. Charm [7] is a language and run-time system for developing portable parallel applications for MIMD machines that supports a coarse-grained dataflow model of programming. We analyze the performance of migration in detail and demonstrate its efficiency on one nonshared memory machine: the nCUBE/2 hypercube.
Vitamin B-6 requirement and status assessment: young women fed a depletion diet followed by a plant- or animal-protein diet with graded amounts of vitamin B-6.

The vitamin B-6 requirement of young women consuming a high-protein diet (1.55 g/kg body wt) and the effect of protein quality on this requirement was studied. In addition, the response of clinical, functional, and biochemical measures of vitamin B-6 nutriture to short-term depletion and step-wise repletion of vitamin B-6 were evaluated. Eight healthy young women resided in a metabolic unit and were fed a formula depletion diet (< 0.05 mg vitamin B-6/d) for I 1-28 d followed by either an animal-protein (AP) or plant-protein (PP) diet with successively increasing vitamin B-6 intakes (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg/d) for periods of 14-21 d. Animal proteins were primarily from dairy and poultry sources and plant pro- teins were primarily from legumes. Vitamin B-6 status mea- sures were assessed at weekly intervals. Results showed that a PP diet does not elevate the vitamin B-6 requirement over that required for an AP diet given the high amount of dietary protein used in this study. It was also found that 0.015 rng vitamin B-6/g protein intake normalized most biochemical indexes of vitamin B-6 status (including those indicative of functional status), and that 0.020 mg/g protein normalized all biochemical measures except total urinary vitamin B-6. Adding a margin of safety to either the 0.015 or 0.020 rng/g protein intake would raise the vitamin B-6 requirement for young women above the currently recommended dietary allowance of 0.016mgjg protein. Am J Clin Nutr 1995;61:1091-l01.
Controlled planar interface synthesis by ultrahigh vacuum diffusion bonding/deposition

An ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) diffusion bonding/deposition instrument was designed and constructed, which can produce homophase and heterophase planar interfaces from a wide array of materials. The interfaces are synthesized in situ by diffusion bonding of two substrates with or without various interfacial layers, at temperatures up to about 1500 degree sign C. Substrate surfaces can be heat treated, ion-beam sputter cleaned, and chemically characterized in situ by Auger electron spectroscopy prior to deposition and/or bonding. Bicrystals can be synthesized by bonding two single-crystal substrates at a specified orientation. Interfacial layers can be deposited by electron beam evaporation and/or sputter deposition in any layered or alloyed combination on the substrates before bonding. The instrument can accommodate cylindrical and/or wafer type specimens whose sizes are sufficient for fracture mechanical testing to measure interface bond strength. A variety of planar interfaces of metals, semiconductors, and ceramics were synthesized. Examples of bonded stainless steel/Ti/stainless steel, Si/Si, and sapphire/sapphire interfaces are presented. (c) 2000 Materials Research Society.
Crystallinity Analysis of Glass-Ceramics by the Rietveld Method

The crystallinity of multicomponent glass-ceramic mixtures has been analyzed via the Rietveld method, using powder X-ray diffractometry data. The Rietveld technique uses an internal standard but requires no calibration data to determine the total amorphous phase content of a mixture. This method of analyzing the crystallinity of synthetic mixtures gives high-precision results, with an error of generally less than ±3.0%, for several glass-ceramics.
Social Justice in Teacher Education: A Qualitative Content Analysis of NCATE Conceptual Frameworks

A review of theoretical or conceptual writing on teacher education reveals numerous examples of the term “social justice” in discussions of preservice preparation. Despite this widespread use, little research documents if and how teacher education programs utilize the concept in their programs. This study examines how institutions that included “social justice” within their NCATE accreditation documents used the term in their articulation of program practices, goals, and values. Based on an extensive qualitative content analysis of NCATE conceptual frameworks, the authors assert that the social justice reform agenda is only weakly represented in accreditation artifacts and that there is little consensus on the enactment of social justice in teacher education, even among those programs that invoke the terminology.
Association of extent of local tumor invasion and survival in patients with malignant primary osseous spinal neoplasms from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database.

Background Malignant osseous spinal neoplasms are aggressive tumors associated with poor outcomes despite aggressive multidisciplinary measures. It remains unknown whether increased local tumor invasion at time of treatment predicts worse survival. The surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) registry was reviewed to determine whether extent of local tumor invasion at presentation was independently associated with overall survival. Methods The SEER registry (1973–2003) was queried to identify cases of histologically confirmed primary spinal chordoma, chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, or Ewing sarcoma. Extent of local invasion was defined at time of care by histology, radiology, or intraoperative assessment and classified as confined (tumor within periosteum), local invasion (extension to surrounding tissues), or distal metastasis. The association of extent of local tumor invasion with overall survival was assessed by Cox analysis. Results One thousand eight hundred ninety-two patients were identified (414 chordoma, 579 chondrosarcoma, 430 osteosarcoma, 469 Ewing sarcoma). Overall median survival was histology specific (osteosarcoma, 11 months; Ewing sarcoma, 26 months; chondrosarcoma, 37 months; chordoma, 50 months) and correlated with extent of local tissue invasion or metastasis at presentation. Presence of metastasis was associated with marked decrease in survival ( P P = 0.08), chondrosarcoma (HR, 0.62; P = 0.03), and osteosarcoma (HR, 0.68; P = 0.05), but not Ewing sarcoma (HR, 0.62; P = 0.27). Conclusions The preoperative radiographic recognition of local tissue invasion may identify patients with a more aggressive tumor and help guide the level of aggressiveness in subsequent treatment strategies.
Constitutive Neuronal Expression of the Immune Regulator, Programmed Death 1 (PD-1), Identified During Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis

Purpose: Programmed death-1 (PD-1) ligation downregulates active lymphocyte responses. The authors tested whether PD-1 or its ligands are expressed in the posterior segment during active intraocular inflammation. Methods: Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) was induced using interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP 161–180). Ocular inflammation was evaluated by histology and expression of PD-1 ligand tested by immunohistochemistry. PD-1 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, and Western immunoblotting. Results: Using immunohistochemistry, PD-1, but not its ligands, was constitutively expressed in retinal neurons of naive mouse retina. Both PD-1 and its ligands were observed, as expected, in sites of active inflammation. Conclusions: PD-1 and its ligands were expressed in sites of active inflammation, in accordance with many other models of inflammatory disease. Surprisingly, PD-1, not previously described outside the immune system, was constitutively expressed in retinal neur...
Texturing of Micaceous Superconductor Powder and Fabrication of Wire to Preserve the Texture

The Bi-based high-temperature superconductors are micaceous: grains cleave preferentially in the ab plane when fractured, so that powders consist of thin platelets. Superconducting current transport is similarly planar, and supercurrent flow is largely limited to the ab plane. We report studies of two methods to align the particles of such powder in a thin layer so that most particles are aligned with parallel ab planes. We are developing a `jelly-roll' method for wire fabrication that could preserve this desirable texture.
Use of whole genome sequencing to diagnose a cryptic fusion oncogene

Context Whole-genome sequencing is becoming increasingly available for research purposes, but it has not yet been routinely used for clinical diagnosis. Objective To determine whether whole-genome sequencing can identify cryptic, actionable mutations in a clinically relevant time frame. Design, Setting, and Patient We were referred a difficult diagnostic case of acute promyelocytic leukemia with no pathogenic X-RARA fusion identified by routine metaphase cytogenetics or interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The case patient was enrolled in an institutional review board–approved protocol, with consent specifically tailored to the implications of whole-genome sequencing. The protocol uses a “movable firewall” that maintains patient anonymity within the entire research team but allows the research team to communicate medically relevant information to the treating physician. Main Outcome Measures Clinical relevance of whole-genome sequencing and time to communicate validated results to the treating physician. Results Massively parallel paired-end sequencing allowed identification of a cytogenetically cryptic event: a 77-kilobase segment from chromosome 15 was inserted en bloc into the second intron of the RARA gene on chromosome 17, resulting in a classic bcr3 PML-RARA fusion gene. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction sequencing subsequently validated the expression of the fusion transcript. Novel FISH probes identified 2 additional cases of t(15;17)–negative acute promyelocytic leukemia that had cytogenetically invisible insertions. Whole-genome sequencing and validation were completed in 7 weeks and changed the treatment plan for the patient. Conclusion Whole-genome sequencing can identify cytogenetically invisible oncogenes in a clinically relevant time frame.
Selective Querying for Adapting Web Service Compositions Using the Value of Changed Information

Web service composition (WSC) techniques assume that the parameters used to model the environment remain static and accurate throughout the composition's execution. However, WSCs often operate in environments where the parameters of its component services are volatile. To remain optimal, WSCs must adapt to these changes. Adaptation requires up-to-date knowledge about the revised parameters of each of the services. One way of obtaining this knowledge is to query services for their revised parameters. Querying services for their parameters is time-consuming and expensive. We must therefore carefully manage how queries are conducted. Specifically, an adaptive WSC must know when to query for revised information, and from which service(s) to obtain information. We present a method to selectively query services using the value of changed information (VOC). VOC measures the value of the change that revised information may potentially introduce to the composition. We reduce the complexity of computing the VOC, first by anticipating values of the service parameters that do not change the WSC, and second by using parameter expiration times obtained from predefined service-level agreements. Using two scenarios, we illustrate our approach and demonstrate the computational savings theoretically and experimentally.
The role of China in mitigating climate change

Abstract We explore short- and long-term implications of several energy scenarios of China's role in efforts to mitigate global climate risk. The focus is on the impacts on China's energy system and GDP growth, and on global climate indicators such as greenhouse gas concentrations, radiative forcing, and global temperature change. We employ the MIT Integrated Global System Model (IGSM) framework and its economic component, the MIT Emissions Prediction and Policy Analysis (EPPA) model. We demonstrate that China's commitments for 2020, made during the UN climate meetings in Copenhagen and Cancun, are reachable at very modest cost. Alternative actions by China in the next 10 years do not yield any substantial changes in GHG concentrations or temperature due to inertia in the climate system. Consideration of the longer-term climate implications of the Copenhagen-type of commitments requires an assumption about policies after 2020, and the effects differ drastically depending on the case. Meeting a 2 °C target is problematic unless radical GHG emission reductions are assumed in the short-term. Participation or non-participation of China in global climate architecture can lead by 2100 to a 200–280 ppm difference in atmospheric GHG concentration, which can result in a 1.1 °C to 1.3 °C change by the end of the century. We conclude that it is essential to engage China in GHG emissions mitigation policies, and alternative actions lead to substantial differences in climate, energy, and economic outcomes. Potential channels for engaging China can be air pollution control and involvement in sectoral trading with established emissions trading systems in developed countries.
TGFβ regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases in human breast cancer cells

We demonstrate herein the ability of transforming growth factor-beta-2 (TGFbeta2) to potently activate extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) in the highly TGFbeta-sensitive breast cancer cell (BCC) line Hs578T. The ERK2 isoform was activated by 3-fold within 5 min of TGFbeta2 addition to Hs578T cells. However, TGFbeta2 only slightly activated ERK2 (1.5-fold) in the partially TGFbeta-responsive BCC line MDA-MB-23 1. The magnitude of the difference in activation of ERK2 by TGFbeta2 in the two cell lines paralleled the difference in the IC50 values for TGFbeta inhibition of DNA synthesis; the IC50 value in the MDA-MB-231 cells was 32-fold greater than that in the Hs578T cells. Further, our data demonstrate that TGFbeta2 activated the stress-activated protein kinase/Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) type of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs); maximal induction levels were 2.5-fold above basal values and were attained at 30 min after TGFbeta2 treatment. Transient co-transfection of a luciferase reporter construct (3TP-Lux) containing three AP-1 sites and the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) promoter, in conjunction with a construct that directs expression of a dominant-negative mutant ERK2 (TAYF) protein, did not block the ability of TGFbeta to induce AP-1 or PAI-1 activity. In contrast, TAYF ERK2 was able to block EGF and insulin-induced 3TP-Lux-reporter activity. These results indicate that in these BCCs, the activation of ERK2 by TGFbeta is more tightly linked to the ability of TGFbeta to inhibit DNA synthesis than to the ability to stimulate promoter regions important for TGFbeta production and control of the extracellular matrix. In addition, this is the first demonstration that TGFbeta can activate the SAPK/JNK type of MAPK in TGFbeta-sensitive human BCCs.
General Purpose Visual Simulation System: A functional description

The authors describe the functionality of the general purpose visual simulation system (GPVSS), developed as part of a simulation support environment. GPVSS helps a simulationist to: (1) graphically design a simulation model and its visualization under a novel conceptual framework; (2) interactively specify submodel logic; and (3) automatically generate the executable version of the model in C programming language, while maintaining domain independence. GPVSS is developed on a Sun 3/160C computer workstation using the SunView graphical user interface. It consists of over 11000 lines of documented code. The functionality and usage of GPVSS are illustrated by an example problem. >
Attractiveness of a Four-component Pheromone Blend to Male Navel Orangeworm Moths

The attractiveness to male navel orangeworm moth, Amyelois transitella, of various combinations of a four-component pheromone blend was measured in wind-tunnel bioassays. Upwind flight along the pheromone plume and landing on the odor source required the simultaneous presence of two components, (11Z,13Z)-hexadecadienal and (3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)-tricosapentaene, and the addition of either (11Z,13Z)-hexadecadien-1-ol or (11Z,13E)-hexadecadien-1-ol. A mixture of all four components produced the highest levels of rapid source location and source contact. In wind-tunnel assays, males did not seem to distinguish among a wide range of ratios of any of the three components added to (11Z,13Z)-hexadecadienal. Dosages of 10 and 100 ng of the 4-component blend produced higher levels of source location than dosages of 1 and 1,000 ng.
Optimization of complex cancer morphology detection using the SIVQ pattern recognition algorithm.

For personalization of medicine, increasingly clinical and demographic data are integrated into nomograms for prognostic use, while molecular biomarkers are being developed to add independent diagnostic, prognostic, or management information. In a number of cases in surgical pathology, morphometric quantitation is already performed manually or semi-quantitatively, with this effort contributing to diagnostic workup. Digital whole slide imaging, coupled with emerging image analysis algorithms, offers great promise as an adjunctive tool for the surgical pathologist in areas of screening, quality assurance, consistency, and quantitation. We have recently reported such an algorithm, SIVQ (Spatially Invariant Vector Quantization), which avails itself of the geometric advantages of ring vectors for pattern matching, and have proposed a number of potential applications. One key test, however, remains the need for demonstration and optimization of SIVQ for discrimination between foreground (neoplasm- malignant epithelium) and background (normal parenchyma, stroma, vessels, inflammatory cells). Especially important is the determination of relative contributions of each key SIVQ matching parameter with respect to the algorithm’s overall detection performance. Herein, by combinatorial testing of SIVQ ring size, sub-ring number, and inter-ring wobble parameters, in the setting of a morphologically complex bladder cancer use case, we ascertain the relative contributions of each of these parameters towards overall detection optimization using urothelial carcinoma as a use case, providing an exemplar by which this algorithm and future histology-oriented pattern matching tools may be validated and subsequently, implemented broadly in other appropriate microscopic classification settings.
A deterministic least-squares approach to space-time adaptive processing (STAP)

A direct data domain (D/sup 3/) least-squares space-time adaptive processing (STAP) approach is presented for adaptively enhancing signals in a nonhomogeneous environment. The nonhomogeneous environment may consist of nonstationary clutter and could include blinking jammers. The D/sup 3/ approach is applied to data collected by an antenna array utilizing space and in time (Doppler) diversity. Conventional STAP generally utilizes statistical methodologies based on estimating a covariance matrix of the interference using data from secondary range cells. As the results are derived from ensemble averages, one filter (optimum in a probabilistic sense) is obtained for the operational environment, assumed to be wide sense stationary. However for highly transient and inhomogeneous environments the conventional statistical methodology is difficult to apply. Hence, the D/sup 3/ method is presented as it analyzes the data in space and time over each range cell separately. The D/sup 3/ method is deterministic in approach. From an operational standpoint, an optimum method could be a combination of these two diverse methodologies. This paper represents several new D/sup 3/ approaches. One is based on the computation of a generalized eigenvalue for the signal strength and the others are based on the solution of a set of block Hankel matrix equations. Since the matrix of the system of equations to be solved has a block Hankel structure, the conjugate gradient method and the fast Fourier transform (FFT) can be utilized for efficient solution of the adaptive problem. Illustrative examples presented in this paper use measured data from the multichannel airborne radar measurements (MCARM) database to detect a Sabreliner in the presence of urban, land, and sea clutter. An added advantage for the D/sup 3/ method in solving real-life problems is that simultaneously many realizations can be obtained for the same solution for the signal of interest (SOI). The degree of variability amongst the different results can provide a confidence level of the processed results. The D/sup 3/ method may also be used for mobile communications.