cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant properties of carrot oil

A modified technique for the assay of antioxidants and a method for the preparation of carrot oil have been described. The antioxidant effect of carrot oil has been analyzed by molecular distillation and chemical treatment of the oil. Tocopherols appear to be chiefly responsible for the protection of the autoxidizable substrate and of carotene from oxidation. The effect of pure tocopherol and of pure carotene, and various mixtures of both, produced by molecular distillation, on the autoxidation of the substrate has been studied. The effectiveness of increasing tocopherol concentrations in reducing the initial rate of peroxidation of the substrate showed a maximum at 5 mg.% tocopherol concentration. Carotene was an inhibitor of this reaction in concentrations of less than 3 mg.%, but a pro-oxidant in higher concentrations. The antioxidant activity of the molecular distillate fractions of both the carrot oil and the mixture of pure tocopherol and carotene showed a maximum around a distillation temperature of 190° under the conditions of the experiment. The tocopherol content of carrot oil is considerable; it has been estimated at about 0.5 to 1%.
Eruption pathway formation in the presence of experimental tooth impaction in puppies.

Eruption of permanent premolars in puppies was studied by implanting stainless steel wires through the mandible to stop eruptive movement well before the teeth were to appear in the oral cavity. Histologic and radiologic comparisons of operated with normal (unoperated) sides disclosed that the eruptive pathway forms for the impacted teeth although their eruptive movements were effectively prevented. This clearly shows that the mechanism of eruption pathway formation is not dependent upon direct and continual pressure on the bone from the erupting teeth. The genesis of pathway formation appeared to be the same for the impacted teeth as for the controls i.e., through continued ostetoclasis in the margin of the stalk of the dental follicle.
Thermal conductivity of bismuth telluride nanowire array-epoxy composite

Electrodeposition of nanowire array in porous anodic alumina (PAA) templates combine the performance benefits offered by crystallographic texture control, lattice thermal conductivity suppression through boundary scattering of phonons, elastic relaxation of misfit strain, and scalablity essential for high efficiency thermoelectric devices. The template material, however, can serve as a thermal shunt thereby reducing the effective thermoelectric performance. Here, we demonstrate a process of minimizing the parasitic thermal conduction by replacing the PAA matrix with SU-8 (κ∼0.2 W/m K). We report a reduction in the performance penalty from 27% for Bi2Te3/PAA to ∼5% for Bi2Te3/SU-8 nanocomposite by thermal conductivity measurements using a photoacoustic technique.
The Impact of Transfer Setup on the Performance of Independent Wheelchair Transfers

Objective:The aim of this study was to determine how selected environmental factors affect transfers and to compare our results to the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG).Background:Few data are available to support standards development related to transfers in the built environment.Method:Participants were 120 wheeled mobility device (WMD) users who transferred to and from a modular transfer station that consisted of a height-adjustable platform with a lateral grab bar, optional obstacle to the transfer, and an optional height-adjustable front grab bar. Maximum and minimum vertical heights of the transfer surface, maximum gap distance between the WMD and transfer surface, grab bar use, and WMD space needs were recorded.Results:The 95th percentile lowest and highest heights attained were similar to the median WMD seat-to-floor height (56 cm). We found that 42% (47/113) could not perform a transfer with the obstacle present. Participants transferred higher when the front grab b...
Fluidity, Promiscuity, and Mash-Ups: New Concepts for the Study of Mobility and Communication

Despite the work of prophets calling (and texting, and IMing) from the desert, it is fair to say that most of us are surprised by the reach and impact of cell phones and other mobile digital communication devices. Their ubiquity, their integration into social life, the intensity with which they have come to define the millennial generation is truly astonishing. In most research on mobility, attention is focused on the device and in particular, on mobile phones. And deservedly so, for, as Fortunati (2001) makes clear, mobile phones are a ‘‘charasmatic technology’’ (p. 85). The devices we carry with us, though, represent only the most visible layer of an entire technological system that is being transformed by mobility. In this essay, I focus on the changes occurring below the surface; that is, changes in the infrastructure of internet applications. These, I argue, will compel a fundamental change in the conception of mobility itself.
Fluorescence-PCR assays and isolation of luminescent bacterial clones using an automated plate reader

The genes responsible for luminescence in various species of the marine microorganism Photobacterium, have been used for many years as a tool by researchers and instructors. In particular, the lux operon of Photobacterium fischeri has been used by many instructors to teach recombinant DNA techniques. Two methods using an automated plate reader and multiwell plates were applied to a set of previously-published exercises. In these exercises that involve transfer of lux genes to Escherichia coli to create a luminescent phenotype, this technology was used to screen for Lux(+) colonies. It was found to be more convenient and more sensitive than the previously used method; that is, assaying bacterial plates by direct observation. Eight students synthesized four genomic libraries and isolated six Lux(+) clones. The fluorescent-detection feature of the plate reader was used to verify amplification of target sequence in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) reactions. Lux(+) E. coli colony lysates were examined. An exonuclease-activated, fluorescent DNA probe generated a signal on hybridization to an amplified portion of the luxA gene in each lysate tested. This method is suggested as a means of demonstrating the concept of real-time PCR without the expense of the specialized device typically used for this technique.
Effects of Tyrocidine on Trypanosoma cruzi Cultures

SummaryEffects of various concentrations of tyrocidine, an antibiotic substance produced by Bacillus brevis, have been tested on in vitro cultures of Trypanosoma cruzi. Concentrations of 100 γ tyrocidine/cc and over show a growth-depressing effect on T. cruzi cultures even in the presence of serum, such an effect being increased proportionately with antibiotic concentration, until with 200 γ/cc and a few hours' exposure, the lethal dosage is reached. The effects of tyrocidine in vitro on T. cruzi are only slightly influenced by temperature over a range of 20°C to 30°C. When the pH of the culture medium reaches 6.0 or lower, morphological changes in the flagellates are produced. Vacuolation and rounding up occur in both control and antibiotic-containing cultures and do not seem to be due to the influence of tyrocidine. but rather to a change in the hydrogen-ion concentration of the culture medium, with possibly the actions of metabolites in an ageing culture.
Development and validation of a risk calculator for prediction of mortality after infrainguinal bypass surgery

Objective For peripheral arterial disease, infrainguinal bypass grafting (BPG) carries a higher perioperative risk compared with peripheral endovascular procedures. The choice between the open and endovascular therapies is to an extent dependent on the expected periprocedural risk associated with each. Tools for estimating the periprocedural risk in patients undergoing BPG have not been reported in the literature. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a calculator to estimate the risk of perioperative mortality ≤30 days of elective BPG. Methods We identified 9556 patients (63.9% men) who underwent elective BPG from the 2007 to 2009 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data sets. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with 30-day perioperative mortality. Bootstrapping was used for internal validation. The risk factors were subsequently used to develop a risk calculator. Results Patients had a median age of 68 years. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.8% (n = 170). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified seven preoperative predictors of 30-day mortality: increasing age, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, chronic corticosteroid use, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dependent functional status, dialysis dependence, and lower extremity rest pain. Bootstrapping was used for internal validation. The model demonstrated excellent discrimination (C statistic, 0.81; bias-corrected C statistic, 0.81) and calibration. The validated risk model was used to develop an interactive risk calculator using the logistic regression equation. Conclusions The validated risk calculator has excellent predictive ability for 30-day mortality in a patient after an elective BPG. It is anticipated to aid in surgical decision making, informed patient consent, preoperative optimization, and consequently, risk reduction.
Comparison of diclofenac sodium and flurbiprofen for inhibition of surgically induced miosis

Abstract Purpose: To compare the efficacy of two topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, diclofenac sodium and flurbiprofen, commonly used prior to cataract surgery to inhibit surgically induced miosis. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Cornell University Medical College, The New York Hospital, New York, New York. Methods: Fifty-one patients having phacoemulsification were randomly assigned to receive topical treatment with either diclofenac sodium 0.1 % or flurbiprofen 0.03% every 15 minutes for four doses along with their dilating drops beginning 1 hour before surgery. All surgeries were videotaped, with the magnification calibrated. The videotapes were analyzed and the horizontal and vertical diameters of the pupil were measured just before the initial conjunctival incision (baseline) and then every 5 minutes during the procedure. Measurements were also made at the beginning of capsulorhexis, the beginning of phacoemulsification, the end of phacoemulsification, the end of cortical cleanup, and before and after implantation of an intraocular lens. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups in baseline pupil dilation; however, regardless of the drug received, the light irides were, on average, more dilated at baseline than the dark ones. After surgery began, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups at any time or surgical interval except at the start of phacoemulsification, at which point the flurbiprofen-treated eyes were more dilated than the diclofenac-treated eyes. Conclusion: Diclofenac sodium and flurbiprofen were equally effective in maintaining intraoperative mydriasis during cataract surgery.
Scaling up multi-touch selection and querying: Interfaces and applications for combining mobile multi-touch input with large-scale visualization displays

We present a mobile multi-touch interface for selecting, querying, and visually exploring data visualized on large, high-resolution displays. Although emerging large (e.g., ~10m wide), high-resolution displays provide great potential for visualizing dense, complex datasets, their utility is often limited by a fundamental interaction problem - the need to interact with data from multiple positions around a large room. Our solution is a selection and querying interface that combines a hand-held multi-touch device with 6 degree-of-freedom tracking in the physical space that surrounds the large display. The interface leverages context from both the user's physical position in the room and the current data being visualized in order to interpret multi-touch gestures. It also utilizes progressive refinement, favoring several quick approximate gestures as opposed to a single complex input in order to most effectively map the small mobile multi-touch input space to the large display wall. The approach is evaluated through two interdisciplinary visualization applications: a multi-variate data visualization for social scientists, and a visual database querying tool for biochemistry. The interface was effective in both scenarios, leading to new domain-specific insights and suggesting valuable guidance for future developers.
Meeting Minutes as Symbolic Action

Postmodern assumptions employed by some organizational theorists recognize that “administrators' greater power lies not in their ability to control resources but in their ability to manipulate symbols—the ceremonies, rituals, images, and language of the organization” (Graham and David 9). Thus, even a genre that is often considered neutral and objective, such as meeting minutes, can become a tool of managerial control. This article presents data from an ethnographic case study that describes how an administrator in a theater organization manipulated language by using the minutes from a board of directors meeting to influence board members to vote to disband the organization.
Potential effects of dietary folate supplementation on oral carcinogenesis, development and progression.

Folates are associated with a variety of human health benefits, while folate deficiency has been identified as a potential risk factor for many health problems and cancers, due to its role in dysregulation of DNA synthesis, repair and methylation. The US Food and Drug Administration adopted requirements for folate fortification in some food products, which has resulted in an increase in mean dietary folate intake and a concomitant reduction in the incidence of adverse health effects associated with folate deficiency. This includes a significant reduction in the incidence of folate deficiency-associated birth defects, such as spina bifida. Although dietary folate supplementation protects normal, non-neoplastic cells from turning cancerous by preventing folate deficiency, more recent evidence suggests that folatesupplementationmayalsocontributetosomenegativehealtheffects.Forexample, recent studies found that dietary folate supplementation resulted in the increasing rate at which some slow-developing, early-stage colon cancers proliferate. The role of folate supplementation, and its effects on already developing colorectal cancers, now raises the question of whether folate might play a similar and significant role in the growth and proliferation of other slow-developing, early-stage cancers. Another group of slow-developing cancers, oral cancer, may take many years or decades to develop and are often undetected and undiagnosed until later stages. How- ever, no studies to date have adequately examined the potential ability of folate sup- plementation to alter the proliferative phenotype of established oral cancers, although growing epidemiologic evidence now suggests this may be a distinct possibility. The relatively long time horizon for development of oral cancers provides an opportunity
Social Capital, Race, and Personal Fundraising in Evangelical Outreach Ministries

This study examines the relationship between social capital inequality, race, and personal fundraising within evangelical outreach ministries (EOMs). Drawing on quantitative and qualitative data that assess the personal fundraising experiences and outcomes of a large sample of EOM workers (N = 715), I demonstrate that the fundraising challenges and deficits faced by EOM workers are best understood as deficits in the social capital of these individual workers. Multivariate analyses affirm that social capital deficits (that is, having smaller social networks and networks with fewer resources) negatively affect the fundraising experiences and outcomes of EOM workers, especially for racial minorities. Findings also evidence a strong correlation between the paucity of minority EOM workers’ social capital and the extent to which they must seek bridging social capital from white individuals and churches. This study concludes with implications for the financing of American evangelical parachurch organizations, the sustained racial and socioeconomic homogeneity of EOMs, and theories of social capital exchanges within interracial religious organizations.
Comparison of in vitro and in vivo splice site selection in kappa-immunoglobulin precursor mRNA.

Abstract The processing of a number of kappa-immunoglobulin primary mRNA (pre-mRNA) constructs has been examined both in vitro and in vivo. When a kappa-immunoglobulin pre-mRNA containing multiple J segment splice sites is processed in vitro, the splice sites are used with equal frequency. The presence of signal exon, S-V intron, or variable (V) region has no effect on splice site selection in vitro. Nuclear extracts prepared from a lymphoid cell line do not restore correct splice site selection. Splice site selection in vitro can be altered by changing the position or sequence of J splice donor sites. These results differ from the processing of similar pre-mRNAs expressed in vivo by transient transfection. The 5'-most J splice donor site was exclusively selected in vivo, even in nonlymphoid cells, and even in transcripts where in vitro splicing favored a 3' J splice site. The in vitro results are consistent with a model proposing that splice site selection is influenced by splice site strength and proximity; however, our in vivo results demonstrate a number of discrepancies with such a model and suggest that splice site selection may be coupled to transcription or a higher-order nuclear structure.
Prediction of Medium-Frequency Skywave Field Strength in North America

Medium-frequency skywave propagation is a very complicated matter. As a result, it has been very difficult to predict the skywave field strength, particularly for propagation paths in North America. The existing method in the FCC Rules and Regulations offers reasonable accuracy only when the sunspot number is low. A more recent method proposed by CCIR Interim Working Party 6/4 works well for other regions of the world but displayed certain limitations when applied to propagation paths in North America. Its treatment of frequency is exactly the opposite to observations made from measurements taken in North America. Its treatment of solar activity is also oversimplified. A new method developed by this author mathematically takes care of the uniqueness of North American paths, consequently, better results have been obtained. This paper presents the derivation of the new method together with a comparative study of the three methods that are now available. Extensive FCC data has been used as a common base.
Neo-nationalism seeks strength from the gods: Yasukuni Shrine, collective memory and the Japanese press:

This article examines Japanese press coverage of Premier Koizumi’s controversial visits to Yasukuni Shrine from 2001 to 2006. The shrine memorializes war dead, including 14 Class-A Second World War...
The Retention of Women in the Architectural Engineering Workforce

Retention of women in the architectural engineering workforce is important to the diversity and future success of the profession. This is an issue that is not only important to those involved in the formal education of architectural engineers but is also important to employers that invest significant resources in the recruitment and development of these professionals. However, little research has been done on specific disciplines of engineering, especially the field of architectural engineering, related to gender and retention in the workforce. This paper summarizes a research study consisting of a written survey mailed to all female graduates between the years 1990 and 2005 from Kansas State University’s architectural engineering program. The data compiled from this research revealed the retention rate of these women in the architectural engineering workforce following graduation. In addition to establishing a retention rate the study also presents a strong correlation between attaining professional engineering licensure and retention in the architectural engineering workforce. Retention of women in the architectural engineering workforce is important to the diversity and future success of the profession. This is an issue that is not only important to those involved in the formal education of architectural engineers but is also important to employers that invest significant resources in the recruitment and development of these professionals. However, little research has been done on specific disciplines of engineering, especially the field of architectural engineering, related to gender and retention in the workforce. Increasing Female Representation As a result of the feminist movement and increased concerns with diversity in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce, increasing the number of females in the engineering industry has been the focus of research since the late 1970s. At that time, engineering was a male-dominated career path but was regarded as an interesting and well-paid employment opportunity to which women should have equal access (Roberts & Ayre, 2002). As a result, many programs to encourage women to pursue engineering as a field of study were developed (Bates & Stublen, 1993). Many of the programs began at the primary and secondary school level by introducing girls to engineering. Later efforts actively
Advances in adaptive nonlinear control

We present a brief account of recent advances in adaptive nonlinear control. Using simple examples, we illustrate design tools like adaptive backstepping, overparametrization, tuning functions, and nonlinear damping, and the new properties that they bestow upon the resulting adaptive systems, such as boundedness without adaptation and systematic transient performance improvement through trajectory initialization.
Delayed Cure With Ionizing Radiation1

The use of ionizing radiation as the delayed step in a durable-press process has been investigated. Methylol acryl article is reacted monofunctionally with cotton by a pad- dry-cure procedure, using acid catalysis. The fabric is washed free of all unreacted chemicals, made into garments, and cross-linked at room temperature with β rays 2 from a machine irradiator. The machine used in the experiments is capable of finishing up to 8,000 pairs of slacks in an 8-hr shift.
Modeling and control design of distributed power flow controller based-on per-phase control

The distributed power flow controller (DPFC) based-on Emitter Turn-Off (ETO) light converter is one newly proposed solid state power electronics technology based Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) devices which is effective to control the active power flow through the transmission lines. This modular DPFC has low cost, high reliability and makes it possible to have the transformerless connection to the existing power grid. In this paper, the development and analysis of modeling techniques and feedback schemes based on per phase control of DPFC are proposed. The simulation results and experimental results show the consistency of the propose model and the feasibility of the feedback control design for the DPFC per-phase operation.
MicroRNAs emerging as mediators of remodeling with atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is now established as an independent risk factor for stroke. Moreover, a concomitant diagnosis of AF greatly complicates treatment for a number of disease processes such as diabetes and congestive heart failure. Given the recognized additional burden that AF places on the health-care system, significant research has been performed in an attempt to delineate mechanisms that contribute to AF initiation as well as progression. Understandably, there is an extensive body of research that has identified abnormalities in ionic channels/electrogenic processes that occur with AF (reviewed in References 2 and 3). For example, abnormalities in the abundance of sodium, potassium, and calcium channels have been reported with AF. Therefore, the determination of cellular mechanisms that regulate protein abundance may shed new light on the pathogenesis of AF. Recent interest in the field of regulation of protein abundance has focused on microRNAs, which are small, single-stranded, noncoding regulatory RNAs approximately 19–23 nucleotides in length. First described in nematodes and plants, microRNAs have been shown to modulate major regulatory mechanisms in eukaryotic cells involved in a broad array of cellular functions. MicroRNAs are transcribed in the nucleus and then undergo a multistepped “maturation” process involving truncation, exportation from the nucleus, and incorporation into a complex (termed the RNA-induced silencing complex [RISC]) that includes endonuclease activity from the Argonaute family of proteins. Once incorporated into a RISC, the microRNAs regulate the targeted mRNA by degradation either through direct cleavage or by inhibiting protein synthesis. Therefore, there is—almost always—a negative relationship between the levels of a particular microRNA and the abundance of the protein(s) targeted by that microRNA. The impact of microRNA-mediated regulation of cellular/ extracellular processes is only just being realized. Presently, over 2000 human microRNA sequences have been identified (miRBase, Release 19), and these numbers are steadily
Diallyl sulfoxide: A convenient source of thioacrolein for diels-alder trapping

Abstract When diallyl sulfoxide is heated with dienophiles at 90–110 °C, 3,4-dihydro-2 H thiopyrans, the thioacrolein Diels-Alder adducts, are formed in good to excellent yield.
Component vs. system burn-in techniques for electronic equipment

Simulation can be used to determine the effects of different combinations of in-process and system burn-in times. It is shown that optimal burn-in at each stage of component assembly is not always optimal for the final system. Simulation is used to evaluate a nonrepairable system and provides individual component burn-in times that optimize the mean residual life of the assembled system. >
A simultaneous reconstruction of missing data in DNA microarrays

Abstract We suggest here a new method of the estimation of missing entries in a gene expression matrix, which is done simultaneously—i.e., the estimation of one missing entry influences the estimation of other entries. Our method is closely related to the methods and techniques used for solving inverse eigenvalue problems.
Torsion Packets on Curves

Let X be a curve of genus g≥2 over a field of characteristic zero. Then X has at most finitely many torsion packets of size greater than 2. Moreover, X has infinitely many torsion packets of size 2 if and only if either g=2, or g=3 and X is both hyperelliptic and bielliptic.
HAsh-MaP-ERadicator: Filtering non-target sequences from next generation sequencing reads

Contemporary DNA sequencing technologies are continuously increasing throughput at ever decreasing costs. Moreover, due to recent advances in sequencing technology new platforms are emerging. As such computational challenges persist. The average read length possible has taken a giant leap forward with the PacBio and Nanopore solutions. Regardless of the platform used, impurities within the DNA preparation of the sample - be it from unintentional contaminants or pervasive symbiots - remains an issue. We have developed a new tool, HAsh-MaP-ERadicator (HAMPER), for the detection and removal of non-target, contaminating DNA sequences. Integrating hash-based and mapping-based strategies, HAMPER is both memory and time efficient while maintaining a high level of sensitivity. Moreover, HAMPER was designed for flexibility: reads of any size can be efficiently examined and the user can set parameters specific for the analysis of reads produced by a particular sequencer. To evaluate our method, mock sequencing runs were generated including various contaminating species and with variable rates of mutation revealing a high level of sensitivity and specificity. Reads that are not of interest can quickly be removed using HAMPER thus improving downstream analyses.
Detection and Prevention of SQL Injection Attacks

We depend on database-driven web applications for an ever increasing amount of activities, such as banking and shopping. When performing such activities, we entrust our personal information to these web applications and their underlying databases. The confidentiality and integrity of this information is far from guaranteed; web applications are often vulnerable to attacks, which can give an attacker complete access to the application’s underlying database. SQL injection is a type of code-injection attack in which an attacker uses specially crafted inputs to trick the database into executing attacker-specified database commands. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the various types of SQL injection attacks and present AMNESIA, a technique for automatically detecting and preventing SQL injection attacks. AMNESIA uses static analysis to build a model of the legitimate queries an application can generate and then, at runtime, checks that all queries generated by the application comply with this model. We also present an extensive empirical evaluation of AMNESIA. The results of our evaluation indicate that AMNESIA is, at least for the cases considered, highly effective and efficient in detecting and preventing SQL injection attacks.
Information Networks and Social Trust

Social networks can embed the necessary social information to aid in critical trust failures in Internet security. This paper argues that trust in an electronic environment is best served, not by increased complexity and new mental models, but by leveraging existing social forces. A mechanism for leveraging such trust is summarized and then modeled using an agent-based simulation. A new model of social networks based on theory and empirical results is presented and used to demonstrate the efficacy of a social-network based signaling mechanism. Simulation demonstrates that trust and common assumptions about social behavior can be leveraged to detect bad resources even in a naive population, although some initial source of information is required.
ALD titanium nitride on vertically aligned carbon nanotube forests for electrochemical supercapacitors

Abstract Titanium nitride (TiN) coating on vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) forest electrodes by means of atomic layer deposition (ALD) to store charge in electrochemical supercapacitors has been demonstrated. Experimental results show that after 400 cycles of ALD process, a roughly 20 nm-thick TiN layer is coated uniformly on individual CNTs in the forest electrodes. The electrochemical characterizations show 2000 times higher capacitance of the ALD TiN-CNT device as compared to that of a flat-shape TiN electrode. Furthermore, over 500% enhancement of electrochemical capacitance of the ALD TiN-CNT device (81 mF/cm2) as compared to bare CNT forest electrodes (14 mF/cm2) has been accomplished due to the increased oxygen vacancies on the TiN surfaces. As such, this work presents a new path to increase energy density of supercapacitors using TiN-based porous electrode materials.
Integrated Omics and Computational Glycobiology Reveal Structural Basis for Influenza A Virus Glycan Microheterogeneity and Host Interactions

Despite sustained biomedical research effort, influenza A virus remains an imminent threat to the world population and a major healthcare burden. The challenge in developing vaccines against influenza is the ability of the virus to mutate rapidly in response to selective immune pressure. Hemagglutinin is the predominant surface glycoprotein and the primary determinant of antigenicity, virulence and zoonotic potential. Mutations leading to changes in the number of HA glycosylation sites are often reported. Such genetic sequencing studies predict at best the disruption or creation of sequons for N-linked glycosylation; they do not reflect actual phenotypic changes in HA structure. Therefore, combined analysis of glycan micro and macro-heterogeneity and bioassays will better define the relationships among glycosylation, viral bioactivity and evolution. We present a study that integrates proteomics, glycomics and glycoproteomics of HA before and after adaptation to innate immune system pressure. We combined this information with glycan array and immune lectin binding data to correlate the phenotypic changes with biological activity. Underprocessed glycoforms predominated at the glycosylation sites found to be involved in viral evolution in response to selection pressures and interactions with innate immune-lectins. To understand the structural basis for site-specific glycan microheterogeneity at these sites, we performed structural modeling and molecular dynamics simulations. We observed that the presence of immature, high-mannose type glycans at a particular site correlated with reduced accessibility to glycan remodeling enzymes. Further, the high mannose glycans at sites implicated in immune lectin recognition were predicted to be capable of forming trimeric interactions with the immune-lectin surfactant protein-D.
Polymer ultrathin films via alternate self-assembly adsorption of polyelectrolyte and azo-dye molecules: photo-induced alignment and LC display properties

In this report, we describe the fabrication and photo-induced alignment of ultrathin films of small molecular azobenzene dyes and polyelectrolytes using the alternate polyelectrolyte deposition (APD) technique. The molecular self-assembly process were investigated by QCM, ellipsometry, UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray reflectometry, and other surface sensitive spectroscopic and microscopic methods to correlate with film formation parameters. The importance of layer ordering and dye aggregation phenomena is emphasized. We then utilized polarized UV-light to induce photo-alignment of these ultrathin films and observed high anisotropies dependent on the dye, layer preparation and thickness. Fabrication of hybrid LC cells using a nematic LC reveal that in-plane homogeneous alignment is influenced by the anisotropy of the dye aggregates.
The current status and future tendency of the pharmaceutical preparations made by Shanghai medical institutions

Objective:To give the suggestions for the survival and development of hospital preparations.Methods:The related data of the kinds of hospital preparations in Shanghai was collected and a statistical analysis was provided.Results Conclusion:The hospital preparations are facing recession.But as an effective complement for clinical therapy,the existence of hospital preparations is still necessary.
Quasiparticle anisotropic hydrodynamics for central collisions

We use quasiparticle anisotropic hydrodynamics to study an azimuthally symmetric boost-invariant quark-gluon plasma including the effects of both shear and bulk viscosities. In quasiparticle anisotropic hydrodynamics, a single finite-temperature quasiparticle mass is introduced and fit to the lattice data in order to implement a realistic equation of state (EoS). We compare results obtained by using the quasiparticle method with the standard method of imposing the EoS in anisotropic hydrodynamics and viscous hydrodynamics. Using these three methods, we extract the primordial particle spectra, total number of charged particles, and average transverse momentum for various values of the shear viscosity to entropy density ratio $\ensuremath{\eta}/s$. We find that the three methods agree well for small shear viscosity to entropy density ratio $\ensuremath{\eta}/s$, but differ at large $\ensuremath{\eta}/s$, with the standard anisotropic EoS method showing suppressed production at low transverse-momentum compared with the other two methods considered. Finally, we demonstrate explicitly that, when using standard viscous hydrodynamics, the bulk-viscous correction can drive the primordial particle spectra negative at large ${p}_{T}$. Such behavior is not seen in either anisotropic hydrodynamics approach, irrespective of the value of $\ensuremath{\eta}/s$.
Video-Detecting and Image-Processing the Structure of Cr12 Steel and Hot Working Processes

The structure of Cr12 steel was evaluated by comparing to the standard plates under microscope.Such evaluation method is not precision enough for modern industrial requirements.In this paper,the video-detecting and image-processing techniques to carry out the inspection of the microstructure of Cr12 steel,was employed.Based on those results,a series of new hot working processing techniques was designed,i.e.,new forging and heat treatment processes.
Cuba y su imagen esperpéntica en Mi tío el empleado de Ramón Meza

This article analyzes Mi tio el empleado (1887) by Ramon Meza, a Cuban novel that presents a grey Cuba in which the administration is absurdly corrupt, handled by greedy and uneducated people. It shows an upper class worried only aout its own benefit, and a country ruled by the interests of people who did not know anything about Cuba or had even been. With these and other tools, Meza offers an image of Spanish identity that is defined by corruption and greed, with the ultimate message that Cuba needed to break the colonial yoke in order to develop its own national potential. Through the sudy of this novel, along with contemporary texts as well as postcolonial theory, the reader can see the grotesque portrait that Meza drew of the Cuban colonial government to emphasize his own conception of an independent Cuba that could move forward as a sovereign nation.
Phase I study of high-dose ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide with autologous hematopoietic stem cell support.

More effective high-dose combination regimens are needed which have broad cytotoxic activity, steep doseresponse relations and non-overlapping non-hematologic toxicities (to allow administration of full doses of each agent). This study was designed to define the doselimiting toxicities and maximum tolerated doses of ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide (ICE) with hematopoietic stem cell support. Ifosfamide and carboplatin were initially fixed at 75% and 80% of the single agent maximum tolerated doses, respectively, and etoposide added to the combination. After the dose-limiting toxicity of etoposide was reached, its dose was fixed and ifosfamide and carboplatin were individually dose escalated as tolerated. All agents were given by 96h continuous infusion (days -7 to -3). Autologous marrow, with or without peripheral blood progenitor cells, was reinfused on day 0. Forty eight adults with advanced malignancies were enrolled in cohorts of three to five patients. At the maximum tolerated doses of ifosfamide 16 g/m 2 , carboplatin 1.8 g/m 2 and etoposide 1.2 g/m 2 , renal toxicity precluded further dose escalation. Two patients died of organ (renal, CNS) toxicity (4%). Renal toxicity was particularly prominent in patients with prior cisplatin exposure. An early chemotherapy-stopping rule was developed, supported by pharmacologic analysis, which resulted in immediate discontinuation of ifosfamide and carboplatin if the serum creatinine, monitored twice daily during chemotherapy, exceeded 1.5 mg/dl and was >0.5 mg/dl above baseline. High-dose ICE is well tolerated if serum creatinines are carefully monitored during chemotherapy administration. The early chemotherapy-stopping rule may enhance safety of the regimen but requires validation by additional correlation with pharmacokinetic data for each of the chemotherapeutic agents. The ICE regimen is active and should be evaluated in phase II trials of patients with small-cell lung, ovarian and germ cell carcinomas, and lymphomas
Species differences in carcinogenesis

There are differences in response of different species to many carcinogens. Different organs respond to particular carcinogens, there are differences in potency (including resistance of some species), and there are varying effects of other parameters. Although animal studies identify carcinogens, it is impossible to predict accurately the potency or the target organ in humans of any carcinogen. Inter-species differences in response to carcinogens can be due to differences in metabolism and activation. However, even in the case of directly acting carcinogens, such as alkylnitrosoureas, quantitative differences in alkylation of DNA are insufficient to explain the differences in response of particular organs. Yet unknown reactions or interactions of carcinogens must be key factors in inter-species differences.
Mesha’s ryt in the Context of Moabite and Israelite Bloodletting

The Moabites had no particular qualms about killing people ritually, because done properly as determined by tradition and convention, it proved effective. For example, 2Kings 3 narrates what happened in Moab after Mesha rebelled against Jehoram, Ahabs son. The great wrath that came over Israel may have been anger at Mesha for not fighting fairly or it may have been a great fear of what might happen to them should they attack. This chapter discusses a case of blood-letting by Moabites which is reported in Meshas inscription on the Moabite Stone. It also describes another Moabite blood-letting, this time at the town of Ataroth inhabited by Gadites, whom Mesha mentions by their tribal designation. The author proposes that whatever ryt denominates may be ascertained by considering the description of what it involved and by viewing it as a religious phenomenon even if its etymology remains unresolved. Keywords: Ataroth; Israelite bloodletting; Mesha's ryt ; Moabite
Estrogen Actions in the Brain

Estrogens, including the biologically potent estradiol (E2), are involved in a variety of actions that affect physiology, cognition and behavior. Estrogens feature prominently in regulation of female reproduction physiology and behavior, but they also play a role in brain sexual differentiation, memory, feeding behavior and affective behaviors. While estrogens can be gonadally derived, they can also function as a neurosteroid and be synthesized de novo in the central nervous system via the enzyme aromatase. Estradiol synthesized in this manner is important in rapid E2 signaling. The actions of estrogens require the presence of a receptor. As a steroid, E2 can freely enter a cell and interact in the traditional manner via ligand-activated receptors to directly initiate transcription or it can initiate signal transduction pathways via extranuclear receptors. Sites of action in the mammalian brain include hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, cerebral cortex, midbrain, pituitary gland, cerebellum and brainstem.
High-Resolution Identification of Specificity Determining Positions in the LacI Protein Family Using Ensembles of Sub-Sampled Alignments

Since the advent of large-scale genomic sequencing, and the consequent availability of large numbers of homologous protein sequences, there has been burgeoning development of methods for extracting functional information from multiple sequence alignments (MSAs). One type of analysis seeks to identify specificity determining positions (SDPs) based on the assumption that such positions are highly conserved within groups of sequences sharing functional specificity, but conserved to different amino acids in different specificity groups. This unsupervised approach to utilizing evolutionary information may elucidate mechanisms of specificity in protein-protein interactions, catalytic activity of enzymes, sensitivity to allosteric regulation, and other types of protein functionality. We present an analysis of SDPs in the LacI family of transcriptional regulators in which we 1) relax the constraint that all specificity groups must contribute to SDP signal, and 2) use a novel approach to robust treatment of sequence alignment uncertainty based on sub-sampling. We find that the vast majority of SDP signal occurs at positions with a conservation pattern that significantly complicates detection by previously described methods. This pattern, which we term “partial SDP”, consists of the commonly accepted SDP conservation pattern among a subset of specificity groups and strong degeneracy among the rest. An upshot of this fact is that the SDP complement of every specificity group appears to be unique. Additionally, sub-sampling gives us the ability to assign a confidence interval to the SDP score, as well as increase fidelity, as compared to analysis of a single, comprehensive alignment—the current standard in multiple sequence alignment methodologies.
Tailoring perpendicular magnetic coupling by XMCD

The elemental perpendicular magnetic anisotropy constants of both elements of a 20 nm bcc Co88Mn12 alloy film grown on MgO(001) and capped with Al, have been determined. By fitting a Stoner-Wohlfarth astroid model to the measured Co and Mn L3 XMCD peak intensities as a function of incidence photon angle with the magnetic field applied co-axially with the photon propagation direction, the elemental perpendicular anisotropy constants were found to be −6.46 x 105 J/m3 and −6.68 x 105 J/m3, respectively. The modeling of the Co and Mn data both result in nearly the same anisotropy constant as expected for a single alloy film.
Urban studies and thinking topologically

Urban studies and thinking topologically. Territory, Politics, Governance. This paper explores how topological thinking may be a useful heuristic offering increased conceptual flexibility for those...
Extended abstract: Scripting the context of care: A script-theory approach to designing patient-centered heath communication

Meeting the communication needs of individuals requires an understanding of the contexts where they use materials. Addressing this objective requires an understanding of the complex contexts in which patients use such materials. A modified version of script theory can address such situations.
Institutional care paths: Development, implementation, and evaluation.

Purpose The Cleveland Clinic experience with care paths, including their creation and implementation, challenges overcome during development and testing, and outcomes of selected care path evaluations, is described. Summary Care paths are tools to assist healthcare professionals in practicing evidence-based medicine. The Cleveland Clinic health system has implemented or is developing approximately 100 care paths, including care paths designed to optimize management of sepsis and septic shock and to promote timely use of i.v. tissue plasminogen activator and correct dosing of antithrombotics and statins in patients with stroke. Key steps in successful care path initiatives include (1) identifying key stakeholders, (2) achieving stakeholder consensus on a standardized approach to disease or condition management, (3) cultivating provider awareness of care paths, (4) incorporating care path tools into the electronic health record and workflow processes, and (5) securing the resources to develop, implement, and maintain care paths. Electronic health records facilitate the use of and adherence to care paths. After care path implementation, revisions are typically needed due to unexpected issues not initially identified and to optimize care path features and support resources for clinical practice. Ongoing evaluation is required to determine whether an implemented care path is producing the intended patient and quality performance outcomes. Conclusion Care paths provide a standardized approach to treatment or prevention of a disease or condition, reducing unnecessary variability and expense while promoting optimal, cost-effective patient care.