cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monitoring surface thermal transitions of ABA triblock copolymers with crystalline segments using phase contrast tapping mode atomic force microscopy.

Variable-temperature tapping mode atomic force microscopy was used to follow thermal transitions in nanoscale phase separated triblock copolymers containing partially crystalline poly(octadecyl methacrylate) or poly(docosyl methacrylate) and glassy (poly(tert-butyl acrylate)) segments. Melting/crystallization and devitrification/vitrification transitions in phase separated domains were followed with the aid of “phase shift thermograms” constructed from cantilever phase shift maps acquired at different temperatures. This type of analysis turned out to be particularly useful in following melting/crystallization and devitrification/vitrification transitions occurring in the same temperature range and thus difficult or impossible to resolve using differential scanning calorimetry.
Migrants and Mutineers: The Rebellion of Kong Youde and Seventeenth-Century Northeast Asia

This article analyzes the 1631-33 mutiny led by Kong Youde against the Ming state on the Shandong peninsula and argues that the conflict emerged directly out of the social tensions between local populations and the displaced migrant refugees of the Bohai gulf region. The maritime integration of the Shandong coast city of Dengzhou with the commercial networks of the Liaodong peninsula and the island archipelagoes of the Bohai, together with the militarization of this regional space, created the social conditions in which Kong Youde could mobilize migrant discontent and attempt to construct his own independent military regime. Cette contribution examine la revolte de 1631-1633 dans la presqu'ile de Shantung (Shangdong) mene par Kong Youde contre l'Empire Ming. L'auteur estime que ce conflit est en rapport direct avec les tensions sociales entre les populations locales et des migrants deplaces, des refuges de la region du Golfe de Bohai. D'une part l'integration maritime de Dengzhou, ville cotiere de Shantung avec les reseaux commerciaux de la presqu'ile Liaodong, et d'autre part celle avec les archipels de Bohai, ainsi que la militarisation de la region en surcroit, creerent des conditions sociales qui permirent a Kong Youde de mobiliser des migrants mecontants qui lui servirent dans son regime militaire independant prevu.
Analysis of the 3'-variable region of the cagA gene from Helicobacter pylori strains infecting patients at New York City hospitals.

Abstract Helicobacter pylori infects the gastric mucosa in humans and is a causative agent for peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastric cancer (GC). CagA is produced by H. pylori and is associated with more severe outcomes. cagA genes vary at the 3′-region with respect to phosphorylation motifs (EPIYA-A, -B, -C, or -D) and CagA multimerization motifs (CM). This variability may be associated with the clinical outcomes. We examined the variable region of cagA genes expressed in H. pylori-infected patients treated at three NYC Hospitals. DNA was isolated from gastric biopsies of patients undergoing upper endoscopy. Most H. pylori-infected patients were Black or Hispanic. The cagA 3′-region of CagA-positive samples was amplified by PCR, purified and sequenced. The patterns of EPIYA and CM motifs were examined and related to clinical outcomes. We obtained 42 CagA sequences from our sample collection. The EPIYA phosphorylation motif pattern was ABC in 81.0% of our samples. Western (W) and Eastern (E) CM motifs have also been defined. CagA proteins lacking an Eastern CM motif and possessing one or two Western CM motifs were observed more frequently in patients with PUD and GC when compared with non-ulcer gastritis (50.0% vs 11.8%, respectively), suggesting that these CM motif patterns are more virulent than those containing at least one Eastern CM motif. We conclude that In H. pylori-infected patients treated at NYC Hospitals, CM motif patterns in the CagA 30-variable region may be more significant than EPIYA motif patterns with respect to clinical outcomes.
Reading Resistance: The Record of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi's Interrogation by Wartime Japan's “Thought Police”

This article examines the record of Tsunesaburo Makiguchi's interrogation as a thought criminal following his arrest in July, 1943. By comparing and contrasting his responses and statements against the official government positions, I hope to clarify the nature of his critique of the wartime fascist regime. Makiguchi himself was an educator, and the public education system was a prime vehicle for militarist indoctrination; thus his outspoken criticism of the prevailing belief system represents an implicit and explicit protest against an extreme abuse of the educational process for militarist purposes.
Effect of Knowledge of Response on the Self‐Control of Heart Rate

At an initial session groups of Ss either were (1) correctly informed of the response to be controlled, HR, and given visual feedback of it, or were (2) correctly informed of the response but given no feedback, or were (3) incorrectly informed of the response and given feedback of HR, or were (4) not informed of the response and given feedback of HR. At a second session half of the misinformed and uninformed Ss were correctly informed. Trials on which Ss were to raise and to lower HR were both given. Between group comparisons generally supported the proposition that correct knowledge of response facilitates learning to lower HR when given external feedback. Results on raising HR, although generally indicating the facilitative role of correct knowledge of response, were not as consistent as those for lowering. Within group comparisons showed trends for correct knowledge of response to improve HR control. Further within group comparisons of raise HR and lower HR trials consistently showed that Ss who knew the correct response and received feedback of it, achieved control of HR, whereas those who were misinformed or who received no feedback did not achieve control.
Critical and finite-size behavior of the Heisenberg model with face-centered-cubic anisotropy.

The disordering transition of half a monolayer of chemisorbed oxygen on Ru(001) can be classified in the universality class of the two-dimensional Heisenberg model with face-centered anisotropy. Theoretical studies of this class suggest fluctuation-induced first-order-transition behavior. Experimental study of the O/Ru(001) system, on the other hand, reveals a continuous phase transition with exponents near those of the three-state Potts model. We have investigated this discrepancy via Monte Carlo simulations of the Heisenberg model using the histogram method to determine transition order, focusing on two possible resolutions of the discrepancy: (1) finite-size rounding might be expected to render the experimental transition apparently continuous even if it is actually first order; or (2) transition order might depend on the details of the interaction energies. Despite its seeming inconsistency with the standard understanding of universality, we have strong evidence for the latter explanation; there appears to be a parameter regime of second-order behavior within standard ferromagnetic Heisenberg symmetry. We delineate this breakdown of universality and speculate as to its mechanism.
Vibrational spectroscopy of the F−·H2O complex via argon predissociation: photoinduced, intracluster proton transfer?

Abstract The mid-IR vibrational spectrum of the strongly bound F−·H2O complex is reported via predissociation of the size-selected F−·H2O·Arm (m=1–3) clusters. A weak, sharp band at 3690 cm−1 confirms that this species adopts the asymmetric arrangement typical of the heavier halides, while the band arising from the ionic H-bond (IHB) is shifted very far to the red of the free H2O bands (shift ∼800 cm−1). The observed band position is actually found in the region of the predicted `overtone' of the H-bonded oscillator, where the OH stretching vibration occurs in a very strongly anharmonic O–H⋯F− potential surface in which the first excited vibrational level samples the HF–OH− proton transfer configuration.
IBM's enterprise server of Java

IBM is exploiting Enterprise JavaBeansTM in a family of compatible JavaTM application servers conforming to IBM's Enterprise Server for Java (ESJ) specification. The ESJ provides a common set of dynamic, adaptive system services to meet today's (and tomorrow's) middleware requirements. ESJ will provide a standard programming model and set of services across major server platforms so that implementations of ESJ are differentiated not by function but by quality of service. Finally, ESJ increases productivity by enabling programmers to focus on business logic rather than on infrastructure details. This paper introduces the design of ESJ, including the attributes of the common execution environment, its interaction with other middleware, and its client/server capabilities. It provides an appreciation of the value of ESJ to application developers as a means of achieving cross-platform consistency, lower costs, and faster time to market. It also outlines the features that make ESJ the server technology base for wide-scale reuse through the "write once, run anywhere" promise of Java.
Prevention of polyurethane oxidative degradation with phenolic antioxidants covalently attached to the hard segments: Structure–function relationships

Oxidative degradation of the polyurethane elastomeric (PU) components greatly reduces the efficacy of PU-containing cardiovascular devices. Covalently appending the phenol-based antioxidant, 4-substituted 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (DBP), to PU hard segments effectively reduced oxidative degradation of the PU in vivo and in vitro in prior studies by our group. In these experiments, we analyze the contribution of the tethering molecule to the antioxidant capabilities of the DBP-modified PU. Bromoalkylation chemistry was used to link DBP to the hard segment of the polyether PU, Tecothane, via our original linker (PU-DBP) or variants containing side chains with one (PU-C-DBP) or three (PU-3C-DBP) carbons. Two additional DBP variants were fabricated in which the DBP group was appended to the alkyl chain via an oxygen atom (PU-O-DBP) or an amide linkage in the middle of the tether (PU-NHCO-DBP). All DBP variant films and unmodified control films were subject to oxidative degradation via 15-day immersion in a solution of 20% H(2)O(2) + 0.1M CoCl(2). At the end of the oxidation protocol, films were analyzed for the presence of oxidation-related endpoints via scanning electron microscopy, contact angle measurements, and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). All DBP-containing variants resisted oxidation damage significantly better than the unmodified control PU. SEM analysis of oxidized PU-C-DBP and PU-O-DBP showed evidence of surface cracking, consistent with oxidative degradation of the PU surfaces. Similarly, there was a trend in increased ether crosslinking, a marker for oxidative degradation, in PU-C-DBP and PU-NHCO-DBP films. Consistent with these FTIR results, both PU-C-DBP and PU-NHCO-DBP had significant reductions in measured surface hydrophobicity as a result of oxidation. These data show for the first time that the choice of linker molecule significantly affects the efficiency of the linked phenolic antioxidant.
Measurement of ringing artifacts in JPEG images

Ringing artifacts refer to the noisy-looking vicinity of edges that are supposed to belong to a smooth object. In this paper, we propose a no-reference method to measure the visual impact of ringing artifacts for JPEG images. Unlike previous work, we perform a global analysis on the smooth regions in a JPEG image and classify them into different objects according to their colors and texture characteristics. We study the region activity for each type of the object in the image and assign an appropriate proxy object to each potential ringing region adjacent to an edge. The contrast between the noise levels of the ringing regions and their proxies are used to determine the visual impact of the ringing artifact. Finally, a ringing feature is computed for each edge pixel based on the feature values of the ringing artifacts in a local window. We thus obtain a ringing map to indicate the visibility of local ringing artifacts. Our preliminary results show a consistency between our model and the visual impact of the ringing artifacts.
Anomalies in the resistivity of thin Bi films

Abstract For film thickness less than 400 A, the value of the electron wavelength in Bi, hysteresis and other anomalies in the resistivity versus temperature curves are observed.
β-Glucans inhibit intracellular growth of Mycobacterium bovis BCG but not virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis in human macrophages.

Abstract The yeast polysaccharide, β-glucan, has been shown to promote both anti-microbial and anti-tumor activities through its interaction with macrophages. Here we analyzed the effects of an insoluble whole glucan particle (WGP), a 1,3/1,6-β-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and a soluble poly-1-6-β- d -glucopyranosyl-1-3-β- d -glucopyranose (PGG), a hydrolytic product of WGP, on the anti-microbial response of human macrophages against mycobacterial infection. Treatment of macrophages with WGP and PGG significantly decreased cell association and intracellular growth of Mycobacterium bovis BCG, but not Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) when compared to untreated controls. We characterized the influence of β-glucans on the generation of macrophage oxidative products and pro-inflammatory cytokines, two important anti-microbial defense mechanisms. WGP but not PGG treatment enhanced the oxidative response of macrophages as determined by the 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin (DCF) assay. WGP treatment also induced macrophages to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines. The β-glucan receptor, Dectin-1, was found to be involved in the WGP-induced macrophage oxidative burst and intracellular growth inhibition of M. bovis BCG. This report indicates that although some forms of β-glucan are able to stimulate the respiratory burst and cytokine production in human macrophages, and exhibit anti-microbial properties against M. bovis BCG, the β-glucans tested here did not inhibit growth of M.tb within human macrophages.
Ab initio multicenter tight-binding model for molecular-dynamics simulations and other applications in covalent systems

A new, approximate method has been developed for computing total energies and forces for a variety of applications including molecular-dynamics simulations of covalent materials. The method is tight-binding-like and is founded on density-functional theory within the pseudopotential scheme. Slightly excited pseudo-atomic-orbitals are used to derive the tight-binding Hamiltonian matrix in real space. The method is used to find the electronic states and total energies for a variety of crystalline phases of Si and the Si{sub 2} molecule. Excellent agreement is found with experiment and other first-principles methods. As simple applications of the method, we perform a molecular-dynamics simulated-annealing study of the Si{sub 3} molecule to determine the ground-state configuration, and a molecular-dynamics simulation of the spectral density function of the Si{sub 2} molecule at high and low excitation levels.
Nonlinear Optical Response of Nematic Droplets

We have used a finite element method to calculate the nonlinear polarization of small nematic droplets, for both the radial and bipolar director configurations. The nonlinear polarization of droplets with a radial director is concentrated along the droplet axis, while for the bipolar droplets, the nonlinear polarization is more uniform across the droplet. The nonlinear polarization of the bipolar configuration has also been shown to be sensitive to the angle between the droplet axis and the applied field.
Estrogenic environmental endocrine-disrupting chemical effects on reproductive neuroendocrine function and dysfunction across the life cycle

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are natural or synthetic compounds that interfere with the normal function of an organism's endocrine system. Many EDCs are resistant to biodegradation, due to their structural stability, and persist in the environment. The focus of this review is on natural and artificial EDCs that act through estrogenic mechanisms to affect reproductive neuroendocrine systems. This endocrine axis comprises the hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), pituitary gonadotropins, and gonadal steroid hormones, including estrogens. Although it is not surprising that EDCs that mimic or antagonize estrogen receptors may exert actions upon reproductive targets, the mechanisms for these effects are complex and involve all three levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) system. Nevertheless, considerable evidence links exposure to estrogenic environmental EDCs with neuroendocrine reproductive deficits in wildlife and in humans. The effects of an EDC are variable across the life cycle of an animal, and are particularly potent when exposure occurs during fetal and early postnatal development. As a consequence, abnormal sexual differentiation, disrupted reproductive function, or inappropriate sexual behavior may be detected later in life. This review will cover the effects of two representative classes of estrogenic EDCs, phytoestrogens and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), on neuroendocrine reproductive function, from molecules to behavior, across the vertebrate life cycle. Finally, we identify the gaps of knowledge in this field and suggest future directions for study.
Managing pressure ulcers: learning to give up cherished dogma.

In this issue of the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, Jones and Fennie report on pressure ulcer treatments observed over six months across several health care settings, including long-term care. The results are both confirmatory of previous observations and surprising. The analysis focused on complete healing as the primary outcome measure. Not surprisingly, those patients with larger ulcer size and a higher wound severity score healed less often than others. Surprisingly, the use of a pressure relieving device, documentation of a turning schedule, or the use of nutritional supplements was associated with less likelihood of healing. Furthermore, the application of topical antiseptics, use of enzymatic debridement, and administration of antibiotics all significantly reduced the chances of healing. Nearly all of these modalities are considered dogma by “wound experts.” Pressure ulcers that healed in this study used more “modern” dressings (such as a hydrocolloid dressing), used more exudate management dressings, had fewer wound debridements (especially mechanical debridement), and had fewer changes in dressing type over the course of healing. Nursing home subjects with pressure ulcers in this series were less likely to use a hydrocolloid dressing and were more likely to have no dressing applied to the wound. Patients residing in a nursing home had more enzymatic debridement and more were given antibiotics, despite having fewer documented infections. Despite these differences in management, the rate of healing in the nursing home population was not different from the community dwelling patients. The multivariate analysis of factors associated with healing demonstrated that patients having Medicaid coverage, cardiovascular disease, frequent changes in dressing type, application of a topical antiseptic, or who were given antibiotics, or who used a pressure relief device had a reduced likelihood of healing. Only the use of an exudate absorptive dressing was associated with an increased likelihood of healing. These results seem to fly in the face of our cherished notions. Of course, no conclusions about cause and effect can be drawn from this retrospective analysis. Many factors not
Enrichment of Mutations in Multiple DNA Sequences Using COLD-PCR in Emulsion

Background: Multiplex detection of low-level mutant alleles in the presence of wild-type DNA would be useful for several fields of medicine including cancer, pre-natal diagnosis and infectious diseases. COLD-PCR is a recently developed method that enriches low-level mutations during PCR cycling, thus enhancing downstream detection without the need for special reagents or equipment. The approach relies on the differential denaturation of DNA strands which contain Tm-lowering mutations or mismatches, versus ‘homo-duplex’ wild-type DNA. Enabling multiplex-COLD-PCR that can enrich mutations in several amplicons simultaneously is desirable but technically difficult to accomplish. Here we describe the proof of principle of an emulsion-PCR based approach that demonstrates the feasibility of multiplexed-COLD-PCR within a single tube, using commercially available mutated cell lines. This method works best with short amplicons; therefore, it could potentially be used on highly fragmented samples obtained from biological material or FFPE specimens. Methods: Following a multiplex pre-amplification of TP53 exons from genomic DNA, emulsions which incorporate the multiplex product, PCR reagents and primers specific for a given TP53 exon are prepared. Emulsions with different TP53 targets are then combined in a single tube and a fast-COLD-PCR program that gradually ramps up the denaturation temperature over several PCR cycles is applied (temperature-tolerant, TT-fast-eCOLD-PCR). The range of denaturation temperatures applied encompasses the critical denaturation temperature (Tc) corresponding to all the amplicons included in the reaction, resulting to a gradual enrichment of mutations within all amplicons encompassed by emulsion. Results: Validation for TT-fast-eCOLD-PCR is provided for TP53 exons 6–9. Using dilutions of mutated cell-line into wild-type DNA, we demonstrate simultaneous mutation enrichment between 7 to 15-fold in all amplicons examined. Conclusions: TT-fast-eCOLD-PCR expands the versatility of COLD-PCR and enables high-throughput enrichment of low-level mutant alleles over multiple sequences in a single tube.
Who is ``You''? Combining Linguistic and Gaze Features to Resolve Second-Person References in Dialogue

We explore the problem of resolving the second person English pronoun you in multi-party dialogue, using a combination of linguistic and visual features. First, we distinguish generic and referential uses, then we classify the referential uses as either plural or singular, and finally, for the latter cases, we identify the addressee. In our first set of experiments, the linguistic and visual features are derived from manual transcriptions and annotations, but in the second set, they are generated through entirely automatic means. Results show that a multimodal system is often preferable to a unimodal one.
Accuracy of Injection Site Identification Among Children with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus: A Comparison of Traditional and New Visual Aids

Children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) typically self-inject insulin twice daily. Injection sites must be rotated with each insulin administration to avoid lipohypertrophy. Lipohypertrophy results in erratic insulin release and threatens metabolic stability. To aid rotation, children are usually provided with a picture of a human figure with injection sites identified within a grid. Children often have difficulty using the charts or lack the skills necessary to identify injection sites. An alternative three-dimensional visual aid, a pair of "injection bears," simplifies injection site identification. Fifty-eight 6- to 11-year-old children with IDDM identified 10 injection sites using both the injection chart and the injection bears. Accuracy of injection site identification was compared on five subcomponents. Forty-four percent of informants recalled that their doctors recommended using injection charts. Of those recalling the recommendation, 81 % never or rarely used charts at home. Thi...
Progressivism and Modernism in South Asian Fiction: 1930–1970

This essay aims to periodize South Asian literary modernism in fiction, noting its several identifiable phases and arguing that its stylistic peak occurred after independence, in the era of the ‘New Story’ movement of the 1960s. Earlier phases in South Asian modernism included the Bengal Renaissance, as well as the Progressive Writers’ Movement, which began in the early 1930s. The strides made by the Progressive Writers clearly nourished the emergence of the New Story movement in the 1950s, and a number of authors might well be located in both or can be seen transitioning from the social realism of the Progressive Writers era to a more introspective and experimentalist mode beginning in the late 1950s. The goal here is to develop a non-exclusive analytic for studying the Progressive Writers’ and New Story movements as species of transnational modernism without foreclosing their links to other literary movements, both within India and abroad.
Coronary Flow Velocity Reserve After Successful Balloon Angioplasty and Directional Atherectomy

Background: To ascertain whether transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) allows for measurement of coronary flow velocity “reserve” in patients with disease of the left anterior descending artery (LAD), and to establish the flow velocity response following angiographically successful angioplasty and atherectomy. Methods: Four groups of patients were studied: normal controls (n = 15) consisted of patients without obstructive coronary artery disease, a LAD stenosis group (n = 15) consisted of patients with > 70% stenosis, an LAD postangiographically successful balloon angioplasty group (n = 12), and an LAD postangiographically successful directional atherectomy group (n = 6). Two-dimensional horizontal plane TEE was used to image the proximal left coronary arterial system. Pulsed Doppler recordings were made of proximal LAD flow velocities at rest, and following an infusion of 0.56 mg/kg IV dipyridamole. Results: The peak diastolic flow velocity ratio (hyperemic flow/baseline flow) for normal controls was 3.46 ± 0.48 (mean ± standard deviation), for the LAD stenosis group was 1.35 ± 0.26, for the balloon angioplasty group was 2.08 ± 0.45, and for the directional atherectomy group was 2.10 ± 0.82. Conclusions: We conclude that: (1) it is feasible to record with TEE Doppler, flow velocity and flow reserve in normals, in obstructive coronary artery disease, and following revascularization; (2) coronary flow velocity ratio (CFVR) is decreased in patients with LAD stenosis; (3) CFVR remains subnormal in patients with angiographically successful directional atherectomy and balloon angioplasty; and (4) that flow velocity ratios following directional atherectomy were not significantly different from those following balloon angioplasty.
Why Do Dolphins Carry Sponges

Tool use is rare in wild animals, but of widespread interest because of its relationship to animal cognition, social learning and culture. Despite such attention, quantifying the costs and benefits of tool use has been difficult, largely because if tool use occurs, all population members typically exhibit the behavior. In Shark Bay, Australia, only a subset of the bottlenose dolphin population uses marine sponges as tools, providing an opportunity to assess both proximate and ultimate costs and benefits and document patterns of transmission. We compared sponge-carrying (sponger) females to non-sponge-carrying (non-sponger) females and show that spongers were more solitary, spent more time in deep water channel habitats, dived for longer durations, and devoted more time to foraging than non-spongers; and, even with these potential proximate costs, calving success of sponger females was not significantly different from non-spongers. We also show a clear female-bias in the ontogeny of sponging. With a solitary lifestyle, specialization, and high foraging demands, spongers used tools more than any non-human animal. We suggest that the ecological, social, and developmental mechanisms involved likely (1) help explain the high intrapopulation variation in female behaviour, (2) indicate tradeoffs (e.g., time allocation) between ecological and social factors and, (3) constrain the spread of this innovation to primarily vertical transmission.
Why Massive Resistance

This paper seeks to explain the phenomenon of southern massive resistance to Brown v. Board of Education. Given that there were white racial moderates in the South - people who favored compliance with court orders, opposed school closures, and would have tolerated gradual desegregation - why did Brown so radicalize southern politics, leading temporarily to a fairly unified effort by southern states to defy the Court? One explanation focuses on southern politicians. Either because they miscalculated their constituents' preferences or because they demagogically capitalized on their constituents' fears, politicians became extremists and created an environment that chilled the expression of moderate sentiment. On this view, massive resistance was not inevitable, at least outside of the Deep South. This paper takes a different tack, arguing that the political dynamics of the segregation issue, combined with certain features of southern politics, ineluctably propelled public debate toward extremism, independently of the machinations of politicians. Several factors helped foster massive resistance. Diehard segregationists had stronger preferences than did most moderates. They also had the capacity and the inclination to use repressive tactics to create the appearance that southern whites were united behind massive resistance. Diehard states similarly exerted pressure on more moderately inclined neighbors to support massive resistance. Further, legislative malapportionment exaggerated the political power of extremists. Perhaps most important, the desire of nearly all southern whites to preserve segregation if possible virtually ensured an attempt at massive resistance. Differences among whites concerned the costs that they were willing to bear to preserve segregation, not their preference for it. Finally, the use of federal troops, which proved necessary to suppress massive resistance, ironically bolstered it in the short term.
Phagocytosis mediated by Yersinia invasin induces collagenase-1 expression in rabbit synovial fibroblasts through a proinflammatory cascade.

We show that the interaction of the Yersinia surface protein, invasin, with rabbit synovial fibroblasts mediates bead phagocytosis and induces expression of interleukin 1α (IL-1α), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and MMP-1/collagenase-1 (CL-1). Presentation of invasin as a ligand on the surface of 4.5 μm beads induced phagocytosis and increased CL-1 expression 20-fold after 24 hours. By contrast, presentation of invasin as a spreading substrate did not induce CL-1 expression. CL-1 induction following phagocytosis of invasin-coated beads was mediated by a mechanism dependent on high-affinity binding to β1 integrins and the function of the small GTPase RhoA. Expression of a function-perturbing mutant, RhoAN19, abrogated bead-induced CL-1 expression. RhoA activation coupled bead phagocytosis with signal transduction because expression of constitutively active mutant RhoV14 was sufficient to trigger CL-1 expression. The signal-transduction cascade elicited by bead phagocytosis triggered NFκB activation, stimulating a proinflammatory cellular response with transient increases in TNF-α production that peaked at 2 hours and induction of IL-1α that was sustained for at least 10 hours. Inhibition of IL-1α function by blocking antibodies or IL-1 receptor antagonist showed that IL-1α is the autocrine intermediary for subsequent CL-1 induction.
Laboratory Investigation of Mixing Hot-Mix Asphalt with Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement

This paper presents a laboratory study in which the blending process of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) with virgin mixture was analyzed through controlled experiments. One type of screened RAP was blended with virgin (new) coarse aggregate at different percentages. A blended mixture containing 20% of screened RAP was subjected to staged extraction and recovery. The result from this experiment indicated that only a small portion of aged asphalt in RAP actually participated in the remixing process; other portions formed a stiff coating around RAP aggregates, and RAP functionally acted as "composite black rock." The resulting composite layered structure was desirable to improve the performance of the hot-mix asphalt mixture.
Extramedullary multiple myeloma

Abstract Extramedullary disease (EMD), defined as a clonal plasmacytic infiltrate at anatomic sites distant from the bone marrow or adjacent soft tissue in a patient with underlying multiple myeloma, is present in a significant percentage of patients with multiple myeloma at some point during the course of their disease. The exact prevalence of EMD, however, has not been reproducibly described, with some series citing EMD in 6% of patients with myeloma, and others up to 20%. EMD is therefore an uncommon, but by no means rare, manifestation of multiple myeloma. Further observational series have suggested that EMD is a highly aggressive disease entity, with clinical behavior distinct from marrow-restricted myeloma. This article summarizes the current research on EMD and examines the opportunity for further research into the pathogenic, immunologic, cytogenetic, clinical, therapeutic and prognostic features of this hitherto poorly understood disease entity.
Role of the Media in Vascular Injury: Atherosclerosis and Dissection:

Although a metabolic role for endothelium in toxic injury has been well established, a similar role has not been as thoroughly explored for the vascular media. In this study two forms of vascular medial involvement in toxic injury are examined. Early atherosclerotic plaques are studied by immunohistochemistry for an a class glutathione-S-transferase (GST) isozyme known as hGSTA4-4, which has preferential metabolic activity for a, ss -unsaturated aldehydes derived from lipid peroxidation, especially 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal. Findings in human plaque indicate that hGST A4-4 is highly upregulated in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) within the plaque and in the medial VSMCs underlying plaque. Endothelial cells, while not expressing hGST A4-4 distant from plaques, were found to express the isozyme in cytoplasm overlying plaque. In a series of second experiments, we illustrate a developmental model of dissecting aortic aneurysm (DAA) obtained by administering semicarbazide, an inhibitor of the little-studied VSMC enzyme semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO), to pregnant rats during the last trimester of development. Newborn rats consistently developed DAA which is characterized by splitting of media of ascending thoracic aorta and extensive blood collections surrounding the vessel. These experimental examples emphasize the potential role of the media in toxic insults to blood vessels. Also, the potential importance of toxic injury to developing blood vessels by in utero exposure to xenobiotic substances is illustrated.
Schur stability radius bounds for robust iterative learning controller design

This paper computes bounds on the Schur stability radius for use in designing robust iterative learning controllers. The discrete Lyapunov equation is used to compute the Schur stability radius of the ILC system for the case of parametric or interval perturbations in the system Markov parameters. This paper is distinct from the existing ILC works in that the interval robustness concepts are integrated with asymptotic stability and monotonic convergence conditions to suggest design of the learning gain matrix that makes the system robust against interval model uncertainties up to a computable bound. After derivations of the analytical stability radius, optimization schemes are suggested to design the learning gain matrix. The proposed approach allows design of causal/noncausal time-varying learning matrix gains.
Chemical weathering rates of a soil chronosequence on granitic alluvium: I. Quantification of mineralogical and surface area changes and calculation of primary silicate reaction rates

Mineral weathering rates are determined for a series of soils ranging in age from 0.2–3000 Ky developed on alluvial terraces near Merced in the Central Valley of California. Mineralogical and elemental abundances exhibit time-dependent trends documenting the chemical evolution of granitic sand to residual kaolinite and quartz. Mineral losses with time occur in the order: hornblende > plagioclase > K-feldspar. Maximum volume decreases of >50% occur in the older soils. BET surface areas of the bulk soils increase with age, as do specific surface areas of aluminosilicate mineral fractions such as plagioclase, which increases from 0.4–1.5 m2 g−1 over 600 Ky. Quartz surface areas are lower and change less with time (0.11–0.23 m2 g−1). BET surface areas correspond to increasing external surface roughness (λ = 10–600) and relatively constant internal surface area (≈ 1.3 m2 g−1). SEM observations confirm both surface pitting and development of internal porosity. A numerical model describes aluminosilicate dissolution rates as a function of changes in residual mineral abundance, grain size distributions, and mineral surface areas with time. A simple geometric treatment, assuming spherical grains and no surface roughness, predicts average dissolution rates (plagioclase, 10−17.4; K-feldspar, 10−17.8; and hornblende, 10−17.5 mol cm−1 s−1) that are constant with time and comparable to previous estimates of soil weathering. Average rates, based on BET surface area measurements and variable surface roughnesses, are much slower (plagioclase, 10−19.9; K-feldspar, 10−20.5; and hornblende 10−20.1 mol cm−2 s−1). Rates for individual soil horizons decrease by a factor of 101.5 over 3000 Ky indicating that the surface reactivities of minerals decrease as the physical surface areas increase. Rate constants based on BET estimates for the Merced soils are factors of 103–104 slower than reported experimental dissolution rates determined from freshly prepared silicates with low surface roughness (λ < 10). This study demonstrates that the utility of experimental rate constants to predict weathering in soils is limited without consideration of variable surface areas and processes that control the evolution of surface reactivity with time.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae S288C genome annotation: a working hypothesis

The S. cerevisiae genome is the most well-characterized eukaryotic genome and one of the simplest in terms of identifying open reading frames (ORFs), yet its primary annotation has been updated continually in the decade since its initial release in 1996 (Goffeau et al., 1996). The Saccharomyces Genome Database (SGD; www.yeastgenome.org) (Hirschman et al., 2006), the community-designated repository for this reference genome, strives to ensure that the S. cerevisiae annotation is as accurate and useful as possible. At SGD, the S. cerevisiae genome sequence and annotation are treated as a working hypothesis, which must be repeatedly tested and refined. In this paper, in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the completion of the S. cerevisiae genome sequence, we discuss the ways in which the S. cerevisiae sequence and annotation have changed, consider the multiple sources of experimental and comparative data on which these changes are based, and describe our methods for evaluating, incorporating and documenting these new data.
Early Enteral Nutrition and Outcomes of Critically Ill Patients Treated With Vasopressors and Mechanical Ventilation

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of early enteral feeding on the outcome of critically ill medical patients whose hemodynamic condition is unstable. METHODS Prospectively collected data in a multi-institutional medical intensive care unit database were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 1174 patients were identified who required mechanical ventilation for more than 2 days and were treated with vasopressor agents to support blood pressure. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those who received enteral nutrition (n = 707) within 48 hours of the start of mechanical ventilation, termed the early enteral nutrition group, and those who did not (n = 467), termed the late enteral nutrition group. The primary end points were overall intensive care unit and hospital mortality. Subgroup analyses were used to evaluate potential confounding variables. The data were also analyzed after adjustments for confounding by matching for propensity score. RESULTS Intensive care unit and hospital mortality were lower in the early enteral nutrition group than in the late enteral group: 22.5% vs 28.3%; P = 03; and 34.0% vs 44.0%; P < .001, respectively. The beneficial effect of early feeding was more evident in the sickest patients, that is, those treated with multiple vasopressors (odds ratio, 0.36; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-0.85) and those without early improvement (odds ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.39-0.90). When adjustments were made for confounding by matching for propensity score, early feeding was associated with decreased hospital mortality. CONCLUSION Early enteral nutrition may be associated with reduced intensive care unit and hospital mortality in patients whose hemodynamic condition is unstable.
Neurophysiological monitoring and spinal cord integrity

An integral part of a major spine surgery is the intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM). By providing continuous functional assessment of specific anatomic structures, IONM allows the rapid detection of neuronal compromise and the opportunity for corrective action before an insult causes permanent neurological damage. Thus, IONM functions not just as a diagnostic tool but may also improve surgical outcomes. Effective clinical application requires a thorough understanding of the scope and limitations of IONM modalities not only by the monitoring team but also by the surgeon and anesthesiologist. Intraoperatively, collaboration and communication between monitorist, surgeon, and anesthesiologist are critical to the effectiveness of IONM. In this study, we review specific monitoring modalities, focusing on the relevant anatomy, physiology, and mechanisms of neuronal injury during major spine surgery. We discuss how these factors interact with anesthetic and surgical management. This review concludes with the current controversies surrounding the evidence in support of IONM and directions of future research.
Reward Strategies for Franchising Organizations

Franchising organizations have peculiar characteristics that distinguish them from other organizations. In view of this, incentive systems that are effective in some organizations may not be appropriate to franchising organizations. In this article, a model is developed for rewarding managers and executives of franchising organizations. This model is based upon the concept of the organization life cycle, and examines reward strategies from the perspective of both the franchisor and the franchisee.
The Northern Sea Route vs the Suez Canal Route: An Economic Analysis Incorporating Probabilistic Simulation Optimization of Vessel Speed

While previous studies have examined the economics of shipping from Europe to Asia via the Northern Sea Route (NSR) versus the Suez Canal Route (SCR), most have not adequately accounted for the variability in input parameters such as the cost of fuel or the amount of ice encountered on a voyage. Furthermore, no prior study has attempted to utilize speed optimization as part of the analysis.Because the rate fuel consumption for propulsion is intrinsically linked with vessel speed, reducing speed can create the potential for large savings in fuel costs, along with the added benefit of reduced emissions. However, the reduced speed means a longer transit time, meaning increases in other time based costs, such as daily pay for a ship’s crew. The question then becomes what is the optimal speed?This paper examines the use of speed optimization to determine whether it is potentially more profitable for a container shipping company to ship from Rotterdam to Yokohama through the SCR year round (Option A) or to ship through the NSR during the months it is passable while using the SCR for the remainder of the year (Option B). A probabilistic model is presented to determine average per trip profits for both options A and B. This model is used in conjunction with a simulation optimization technique to determine the optimum speeds to maximize average per trip profitability for each option. The results show that probabilistic simulation optimization of vessel speed may better inform shipping companies as to the financial impacts of the speeds that they choose to use for shipping and thus enable better decision making as it pertains to both route choice and ships’ speeds. The analysis indicates that speed optimized container shipping year round through the Suez Canal appears to be the more profitable of the 2 options.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Toward a Shortened Measure of Adaptive Selling

This study investigates the psychometric properties of the adaptive selling scale (ADAPTS) developed by Spiro and Weitz (1990). A multiple industry sample of 1042 salespeople is employed, which pro...
Four Years Experiments With Chemically Treated Codling Moth Bands

Beta Naphthol-oil and alpha Naphthylamine-oil-paraffin impregnated corrugated paper bands can be used successfully as a supplementary control for the codling moth in Indiana. The alpha-Naphthylamine combination, developed during four years experiments with numerous chemical treatments, appears under Indiana conditions to be superior to the beta-Naphthol combination in effectiveness, and in attractiveness to codling moth larvae. Both materials almost entirely prevent adult emergence. Emergence never has exceeded two per cent of the larvae captured. After use on the same mature trees for three successive years neither chemical has produced any injury.
Optimizing CPAP Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common chronic illness, for which positive airway pressure remains the best treatment. Optimizing patient adherence to this treatment is often challenging. Controversies remain regarding the optimal strategy for initiating treatment, and whether the choice of specific positive airway pressure modality is important. Increasingly, treatment may be started using an auto-titrating machine without in-laboratory titration. Recent advances in technology permit monitoring of patient compliance and efficacy, but have not proven to necessarily improve outcomes.
A Particle X-ray Temporal Diagnostic (PXTD) for studies of kinetic, multi-ion effects, and ion-electron equilibration rates in Inertial Confinement Fusion plasmas at OMEGA (invited)

A Particle X-ray Temporal Diagnostic (PXTD) has been implemented on OMEGA for simultaneous time-resolved measurements of several nuclear products as well as the x-ray continuum produced in High Energy Density Plasmas and Inertial Confinement Fusion implosions. The PXTD removes systematic timing uncertainties typically introduced by using multiple instruments, and it has been used to measure DD, DT, D3He, and T3He reaction histories and the emission history of the x-ray core continuum with relative timing uncertainties within ±10-20 ps. This enables, for the first time, accurate and simultaneous measurements of the x-ray emission histories, nuclear reaction histories, their time differences, and measurements of Ti(t) and Te(t) from which an assessment of multiple-ion-fluid effects, kinetic effects during the shock-burn phase, and ion-electron equilibration rates can be made.