cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hardware-efficient design of real-time profile shape matching stereo vision algorithm on FPGA

A variety of platforms, such as micro-unmanned vehicles, are limited in the amount of computational hardware they can support due to weight and power constraints. An efficient stereo vision algorithm implemented on an FPGA would be able to minimize payload and power consumption in microunmanned vehicles, while providing 3D information and still leaving computational resources available for other processing tasks. This work presents a hardware design of the efficient profile shape matching stereo vision algorithm. Hardware resource usage is presented for the targeted micro-UV platform, Helio-copter, that uses the Xilinx Virtex 4 FX60 FPGA. Less than a fifth of the resources on this FGPA were used to produce dense disparity maps for image sizes up to 450 × 375, with the ability to scale up easily by increasing BRAM usage. A comparison is given of accuracy, speed performance, and resource usage of a census transform-based stereo vision FPGA implementation by Jin et al. Results show that the profile shape matching algorithm is an efficient real-time stereo vision algorithm for hardware implementation for resource limited systems such as microunmanned vehicles.
Hemodynamic Patterns of Blunt and Penetrating Injuries

Background The aims of this prospective observational study were to describe early hemodynamic patterns of blunt and penetrating truncal injury and to evaluate outcomes prediction using noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring with a mathematical model tested against actual in-hospital outcomes. The hypothesis was that traumatic shock is a circulatory disorder that can be monitored by noninvasive hemodynamic parameters that reflect cardiac, pulmonary, and tissue perfusion functions. Study design The cardiac index (CI), heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse oximetry (SapO 2 ), transcutaneous oxygen tension indexed to FiO 2 (PtcO 2 /FiO 2 ), and carbon dioxide (PtcCO 2 ) tensions were monitored beginning shortly after emergency department admission in 657 emergency patients with severe blunt and penetrating chest, abdominal, and extremity trauma. Of these, 113 patients had associated head injury, and these patients also were analyzed separately. A search and display mathematical model, with a decision support program, was based on continuous online, real-time, noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring. Results There were similar patterns in the blunt and penetrating injuries; the cardiac index, mean arterial pressure, pulse oximetry, transcutaneous oxygen tension indexed to FiO 2 , and survival probability values of the survivors were significantly higher (p Conclusions Early noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring with a computerized information system provided a feasible pattern recognition program for outcomes prediction and therapeutic decision support.
Charismatic Economies: Pentecostalism, Economic Restructuring, and Social Reproduction

Pentecostalism is one of the world's fastest growing religions, expanding most quickly in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of Asia. To make sense of this expansion in so many developing regions, I suggest that Pentecostalism fosters norms and behaviors that harmonize with neoliberal economic restructuring. I frame this theoretically with Polanyi's notion of double movement. In our current era of weakened state governance vis-a-vis neoliberal trade and fiscal policy, non-state sites of reaction have emerged. Pentecostalism is one such site, and, in contrast with Polanyi's example, I suggest that Pentecostalism has embedded the self-regulated aspects of neoliberal capitalism. I make this argument by using the feminist political economy theorization of social reproduction to interpret a number of empirical studies of Pentecostalism. Pentecostalism addresses dilemmas of social reproduction engendered by neoliberalism, and so may be said to embed this form of economic organization in human social l...
A Reconstructed Discontinuous Galerkin Method for the Euler Equations on Arbitrary Grids

A reconstruction-based discontinuous Galerkin (RDG(P1P2)) method, a variant of P1P2 method, is presented for the solution of the compressible Euler equations on arbitrary grids. In this method, an in-cell reconstruction, designed to enhance the accuracy of the discontinuous Galerkin method, is used to obtain a quadratic polynomial solution (P2) from the underlying linear polynomial (P1) discontinuous Galerkin solution using a least-squares method. The stencils used in the reconstruction involve only the von Neumann neighborhood (face-neighboring cells) and are compact and consistent with the underlying DG method. The developed RDG method is used to compute a variety of flow problems on arbitrary meshes to demonstrate its accuracy, efficiency, robustness, and versatility. The numerical results indicate that this RDG(P1P2) method is third-order accurate, and outperforms the third-order DG method (DG(P2)) in terms of both computing costs and storage requirements.
The preparation and efficacy of manually emulsified Newcastle disease oil-emulsion vaccines

Experimental Newcastle disease oil-emulsion vaccines were prepared by manually shaking small quantities of antigen, surfactant, and mineral oil and compared with oil-emulsion vaccines made by the more conventional mechanical methods. Emulsion stability (prolonged emulsification of aqueous antigen) of the manually prepared vaccines was achieved by four different processes and tested for efficacy in broilers. White rock broilers were vaccinated at 3-5 weeks of age and bled at 1- to 2 week intervals thereafter for 8 weeks. Cumulative 8-week hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) mean titers (reciprocals) ranged from 15 to 250 for manually emulsified vaccines and from 18 to 240 for mechanically emulsified vaccines. Eight-week cumulative mean HI responses induced by manually emulsified vaccines were never significantly (P less than 0.05) lower than their specific mechanically emulsified comparison vaccines and were occasionally significantly higher. Highest HI titers were induced when hydrophile-lipophile balances of 7, 9, and 6 were used for the preparation of manually emulsified vaccines. In general, most of the vaccine emulsions were stable for more than 30 days. Vaccine efficacy, however, was not always diminished by poor emulsion stability. These results indicate that manual emulsification can be used for the production of oil-emulsion vaccines of high efficacy that can provide benefits over existing mechanical methods.
Mdm2 and MdmX partner to regulate p53

Mdm2 regulates the stability, translation, subcellular localization and transcriptional activity of p53 protein. Mdm2-dependent p53 inhibition is essential in regulating p53 activity during embryonic development and in adult tissues. MdmX, an Mdm2 homolog, is also essential for p53 inhibition in vivo. Recent advances in the field from biochemical and genetic studies have revealed an essential role for the MdmX RING domain in Mdm2-dependent p53 polyubiquitination and degradation. Mdm2 on its own is a monoubiquitin E3 ligase for p53, but is converted to a p53 polyubiquitin E3 ligase by MdmX through their RING–RING domain interactions. MdmX acts as an activator as well as a substrate of Mdm2/MdmX E3 complex. The insufficiency of Mdm2 for p53 polyubiquitination also demands other p53 E3 ligases or E4 factors be incorporated into the p53 degradation arena. Deubiquitinases nullify the effects of E3 actions and reverse the ubiquitination process, which permits a diverse and dynamic pattern of p53 stability control. Unsurprisingly, stress signals target MdmX to disengage the p53/Mdm2 feedback loop for timely and appropriate p53 responses to these stresses.
Insurance status and racial differences in uterine cancer survival: A study of patients in the National Cancer Database

Abstract Objective. To examine the impact of race and insurance on survival among a large cohort of uterine cancer patients from the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Methods. Women diagnosed with stages I–III uterine cancer between 2000 and 2001 were selected from the NCDB. Kaplan–Meier (KM) and multivariate Cox proportional hazards were used to estimate 4year survival rates and hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), respectively. Results. Among the 39,510 evaluable patients, African Americans had a higher risk of death compared to whites (HR=1.43 95% CI 1.31–1.56) after adjusting for age, clinical and facility factors and zip code level education. After additional adjustment for treatment, the risk death decreased among African Americans (HR=1.33 95%CI 1.21–1.46) and subsequent adjustment for insurance further reduced the hazard of death (HR=1.28 95% CI 1.17–1.40). Patients with insurance other than private had an increased risk of death (uninsured HR=1.44 95% CI 1.20–1.72, Medicaid HR=1.70, 95% CI 1.46–1.99, Medicare among patients aged 18–64 HR=2.49, 95% CI 2.10–2.95, Medicare among patients aged 65–99 HR=1.22, 95% 1.11–1.34). Conclusions. The largest contributors to African American/white survival disparities in this study were clinical factors, including stage at diagnosis, grade and histopathology. Patients without private health insurance had worse uterine cancer survival that may be improved through future health care reform aimed at improving access to preventive services and adequate treatment.
An STM and LEED study of MOCVD-prepared P/Ge (1 0 0) to (1 1 1) surfaces

Abstract Certain device applications such as high-efficiency multijunction III–V solar cells require high-quality GaAs deposition on Ge substrates. Commercially, this is done using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). If the GaAs is grown directly on Ge, pre-deposition etching of the Ge substrate by arsine can roughen the surface, producing poor GaAs/Ge epitaxy. If instead a GaAs/GaInP 2 /Ge growth sequence is used, the template for growth is a phosphine-exposed P/Ge surface. Indeed, high-quality GaInP 2 and GaAs films are routinely grown using this method, yet little is known about the initial P/Ge surface. For this reason, we have conducted a survey of MOCVD-prepared P/Ge( mnn ) surfaces, over the 54.75° range of surfaces between (1 1 1) and (1 0 0). Low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) and atomic-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images reveal interesting new reconstructions on very flat surfaces. Almost all of the surfaces support ordered defect arrays, presumably to relieve P-induced surface stress.
In Vivo Ibogaine Blockade and In Vitro PKC Action of Cocainea.

Ibogaine may have antiaddiction potential against alcohol, psychostimulant and opiate abuse, but its mechanism of action is unclear. Ibogaine, however, has been demonstrated in numerous studies to have effects in multiple central nervous system (CNS) neurotransmitters systems. We are using in vitro and in vivo systems to study the effects of cocaine and whether these effects can be blocked by ibogaine. For the in vivo studies, we first determined the acute and subacute effects of ibogaine (1-5.0 mg/kg) in mice using the plus-maze test. Acutely increasing doses of ibogaine produced a reduced aversion to the open arms. The subacute administration provoked a variable response which was characterized by fluctuations in aversive and antiaversive behavior of the animals to the open arms of the plus-maze during the 14-day treatment period. A separate group of mice received 1.0 mg/kg cocaine for 14 days, and upon abrupt cessation from cocaine treatment, ibogaine 2.5 mg/kg was administered to a subgroup of these mice. Ibogaine reversed the withdrawal aversions produced by the abrupt cessation from cocaine administration. For the in vitro studies, the expression and activity of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms and Ca2+ levels were examined following the incubation of PC 12 cells with cocaine. This is because PKC plays a key role in a number of cellular and neuronal functions. We report that cocaine disrupts signal transduction in PC 12 cells by altering the expression and activity of PKC isoforms and Ca2+ levels. The data obtained suggest (1) that the PC 12 cells may be useful in studying the neurobiology of abused drugs, like cocaine in vitro, (2) that if anxiety is a factor in drug dependency, then the antiaddictive property of ibogaine in vivo may be associated with modifying the CNS neurotransmission that may be involved in anxiety. It remains to be determined whether the signaling involving PKC is important in the antiaddictive properties of ibogaine.
RNA 3' readthrough of oncoretrovirus and lentivirus: implications for vector safety and efficacy.

The expression of reporter genes driven by the same human elongation factor 1α (EF1α) promoter in murine leukemia virus (MLV)- and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-based vectors was studied in either transfected or virally transduced cells. The HIV-1 vectors consistently expressed 3 to 10 times higher activity than the MLV vectors at both the RNA and protein levels. The difference was not attributable to transcriptional interference, alternative enhancer/silencer, or differential EF1α intron splicing. Based on nuclear run-on assays, both vectors exhibited similar EF1α transcriptional activity. The reduced RNA levels of MLV vectors could not be explained by the decrease in RNA half-lives. Southern analysis of proviral DNA indicated that both HIV-1 and MLV vectors efficiently propagated the EF1α intron in the transduced cells. To decipher the discrepancy in transgene expression between MLV and HIV-1 vectors, the role of RNA 3′-end processing was examined using a sensitive Cre/lox reporter assay. The results showed that MLV vectors, but not HIV-1 vectors, displayed high frequencies of readthrough of the 3′ polyadenylation signal. Interestingly, the polyadenylation signal of a self-inactivating (SIN) HIV-1 vector was as leaky as that of the MLV vectors, suggesting a potential risk of oncogene activation by the lentiviral SIN vectors. Together, our results suggest that an efficient polyadenylation signal would improve both the efficacy and the safety of these vectors.
Capital Markets and Firm Organization: How Financial Development Shapes European Corporate Groups

We investigate the effect of financial development on the formation of European corporate groups. Because cross-country regressions are hard to interpret in a causal sense, we exploit exogenous industry measures to investigate a specific channel through which financial development may affect group affiliation: internal capital markets. Using a comprehensive firm-level data set on European corporate groups in 15 countries, we find that countries with less developed financial markets have a higher percentage of group affiliates in more capital-intensive industries. This relationship is more pronounced for young and small firms and for affiliates of large and diversified groups. Our findings are consistent with the view that internal capital markets may, under some conditions, be more efficient than prevailing external markets, and that this may drive group affiliation even in developed economies. This paper was accepted by Bruno Cassiman, business strategy.
Observation of very large electromagnetic dissociation cross sections

Abstract An electromagnetic dissociation (ED) cross section of 3.16±0.23 b was observed for 197 Au( 238 U, X) 196 Au with 0.96 GeV/ nucleon 238 U projectiles. The gross features of ED are reproduced in a Weizsacker-Williams (WW) calculation, but the projectile charge dependence is weaker than expected from WW. WW calculations are extended to the regime of energies of the next generation of relativistic heavy-ion colliders.
A New Pdms Macromonomer Stabilizer for Dispersion Polymerization of Styrene in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Free radical polymerization of styrene in supercritical CO2 requires addition of a surfactant to produce polystyrene (PS) in high conversion and molecular weight with well-defined particle sizes. In this work, we examined a new stabilizer that can provide effective stabilization for the polymerization of styrene. A commercially available poly(dimethylsiloxane) macromonomer has been employed as a stabilizer for dispersion polymerization of PS in scCO2. The reactions were conducted in a 225-mL stainless steel autoclave over the temperature range 60–80°C and under pressures of 1,500 to 3,000 psi. After 2–12 h of polymerization, the conversion determined by gravimetrical method was between 20 and 80%. These preliminary results suggest that this macromonomer offers satisfactory stabilization for the styrene system. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 545–549, 2004
Eliashberg function in an amorphous simple metal alloy Sn1-xCux determined by electron tunneling.

Superconducting tunneling measurements for amorphous Sn[sub 1[minus][ital x]]Cu[sub [ital x]] (0.08[le][ital x][le]0.41) have been inverted to determine the Eliashberg function [alpha][sup 2][ital F]([omega]) as the electron-phonon coupling parameter [lambda] and the superconducting transition temperature [ital T][sub [ital c]] decrease from 1.8 to 1.0 and 6.87 K to 3.91 K, respectively, with the Cu content. The best fit to the experimental tunneling data was given with a linear dependence for [alpha][sup 2][ital F]([omega]) at low frequencies for all compositions. This linear dependence is consistent with the model for phonon damping proposed by Belitz and Wybourne (following paper) which properly incorporates electronic damping but also includes a strong nonelectronic contribution.
The Influence of Carbon Dioxide Variations on the Atmospheric Heat Balance

Net fluxes of radiation in the 15 micron carbon dioxide band at the top and bottom of the atmosphere have been calculated for several atmospheric models and with various cloud heights. The variation of the fluxes with carbon dioxide amounts is determined, and its effect on temperature discussed. Plass' estimate of a temperature drop of 3.8° C due to a halving of the carbon dioxide concentration appears to be too high by a factor of two or three. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1960.tb01301.x
A uniform geometrical theory of diffraction for an edge in a perfectly conducting surface

A compact dyadic diffraction coefficient for electromagnetic waves obliquely incident on a curved edse formed by perfectly conducting curved ot plane surfaces is obtained. This diffraction coefficient remains valid in the transition regions adjacent to shadow and reflection boundaries, where the diffraction coefficients of Keller's original theory fail. Our method is based on Keller's method of the canonical problem, which in this case is the perfectly conducting wedge illuminated by plane, cylindrical, conical, and spherical waves. When the proper ray-fixed coordinate system is introduced, the dyadic diffraction coefficient for the wedge is found to be the sum of only two dyads, and it is shown that this is also true for the dyadic diffraction coefficients of higher order edges. One dyad contains the acoustic soft diffraction coefficient; the other dyad contains the acoustic hard diffraction coefficient. The expressions for the acoustic wedge diffraction coefficients contain Fresenel integrals, which ensure that the total field is continuous at shadow and reflection boundaries. The diffraction coefficients have the same form for the different types of edge illumination; only the arguments of the Fresnel integrals are different. Since diffraction is a local phenomenon, and locally the curved edge structure is wedge shaped, this result is readily extended to the curved wedge. It is interesting that even though the polarizations and the wavefront curvatures of the incident, reflected, and diffracted waves are markedly different, the total field calculated from this high-frequency solution for the curved wedge is continuous at shadow and reflection boundaries.
Construction and Legitimation in Literary History

'Literary history' continues to be commonly practised even though it is widely regarded with scepticism or contempt. This article examines approaches and assesses the options open to scholars. 'Bottom up' is an exploded positivist delusion, but lacking widely accepted historiographical principles 'top down' is not an alternative. Practical problems in attempting to write literary history are (1) defining a practicable aim; (2) justifying the process of selection that must be imposed; (3) determining principles of construction; and (4) establishing the basis on which validity is claimed. What can a literary historian legitimately attempt to do? Documented contextual description and analysis is feasible. 'Explanation' of change is best attempted at the level of particular detail over relatively short spans of time. Only within the confines of a very restricted subject can a historian attempt to be comprehensive. Literary history is often far from tidy, rational, or explicable. To pretend that it is these things is to falsify the past and to trivialize our subject.
Cyclosporine A at reperfusion fails to reduce infarct size in the in vivo rat heart

We examined the effects on infarct size and mitochondrial function of ischemic (Isch), cyclosporine A (CsA) and isoflurane (Iso) preconditioning and postconditioning in the in vivo rat model. Anesthetized open-chest rats underwent 30 min of ischemia followed by either 120 min (protocol 1: infarct size assessment) or 15 min of reperfusion (protocol 2: assessment of mitochondrial function). All treatments administered before the 30-min ischemia (Pre-Isch, Pre-CsA, Pre-Iso) significantly reduced infarct as compared to control. In contrast, only Post-Iso significantly reduced infarct size, while Post-Isch and Post-CsA had no significant protective effect. As for the postconditioning-like interventions, the mitochondrial calcium retention capacity significantly increased only in the Post-Iso group (+58 % vs control) after succinate activation. Only Post-Iso increased state 3 (+177 and +62 %, for G/M and succinate, respectively) when compared to control. Also, Post-Iso reduced the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production (−46 % vs control) after complex I activation. This study suggests that isoflurane, but not cyclosporine A, can prevent lethal reperfusion injury in this in vivo rat model. This might be related to the need for a combined effect on cyclophilin D and complex I during the first minutes of reperfusion.
An Internet opportunity for museums: ‘.museum’

A new top-level domain, ‘.museum’, will soon be available to museums. The advantages and procedures for registering as a ‘.museum’ are outlined in the paper. Copyright © 2002 Henry Stewart Publications
A new stochastic model of episode peak and duration for eco-hydro-climatic applications

Abstract Long series of observations on environmental processes provide a baseline record to better gauge recent episodes relative to prior ones. In this context, episodes are consecutive observations either above or below a reference level. Such episodes can be quantified in terms of three random variables: duration (the number of time intervals in the episode), magnitude (the sum of all process values for a given duration), and peak value (the absolute maximum reached by the process within a given episode). In this paper we present a new stochastic model for the bivariate distribution of episode duration and maxima (peak values). The model follows naturally (in the mathematical sense) from the definition of episodes, it properly reflects the randomness of duration, and it answers an explicit call made by several authors for a theoretical (rather than empirical) modeling of episode parameters. The model, which is based on the stochastic theory of random maxima, is called BTLG because it is Bivariate and has Truncated Logistic and Geometric marginals. Such mixture of discrete and continuous components reflects the discrete nature of duration and the continuous nature of the peak value. A similar approach was used for our previously published bivariate stochastic model of episode duration and magnitude [Biondi, F., Kozubowski, T.J., Panorska, A.K., 2005. A new model for quantifying climate episodes, Int. J. Climatol., 25, 1253–1264; Kozubowski, T.J., Panorska, A.K., 2005. A mixed bivariate distribution with exponential and geometric marginals. J. Stat. Plann. Inference, 134, 501–520]. The BTLG model was applied to a 2300-year long dendroclimatic record from the eastern Sierra Nevada headwaters of the Walker River, between California and Nevada. After testing the sensitivity of this proxy record as a moisture (water-year precipitation) indicator, positive (wet) and negative (dry) episodes (467 each) were stochastically modeled. Maximum likelihood estimates of model parameters, as well as expected and observed distributions, were computed, showing an overall good fit. The practical use of the model was illustrated by computing the likelihood of extended dry and wet episodes, including the 1930s drought and the early 1900s pluvial. Our results show that the chance of an extreme dry period is much greater than the chance of an extreme wet spell.
Observation of Ramsey Fringes Using a Stimulated, Resonance Raman Transition in a Sodium Atomic Beam

Ramsey fringes have been observed using a stimulated, resonance Raman transition at 1772 MHz excited by two dye lasers in a sodium atomic beam. The width of the central fringe is 650 Hz (half width at half maximum), corresponding to a 30-cm interaction-region separation. The fringes are free from laser jitter because the jitters in both laser beams are correlated. Applications to frequency standards as well as to high-resolution spectroscopy in the microwave to far-ir regions are discussed.
On the effect of grain size on yield stress: extension into nanocrystalline domain

Abstract Four principal factors contribute to grain-boundary strengthening: (a) the grain boundaries act as barriers to plastic flow; (b) the grain boundaries act as dislocation sources; (c) elastic anisotropy causes additional stresses in grain-boundary surroundings; (d) multislip is activated in the grain-boundary regions, whereas grain interiors are initially dominated by single slip, if properly oriented. As a result, the regions adjoining grain boundaries harden at a rate much higher than grain interiors. A phenomenological constitutive equation predicting the effect of grain size on the yield stress of metals is discussed and extended to the nanocrystalline regime. At large grain sizes, it has the Hall–Petch form, and in the nanocrystalline domain the slope gradually decreases until it asymptotically approaches the flow stress of the grain boundaries. The material is envisaged as a composite, comprised of the grain interior, with flow stress σfB and grain boundary work-hardened layer, with flow stress σfGB. The predictions of this model are compared with experimental measurements over the mono, micro, and nanocrystalline domains. Computational predictions are made of plastic flow as a function of grain size incorporating differences of dislocation accumulation rate in grain-boundary regions and grain interiors. The material is modeled as a monocrystalline core surrounded by a mantle (grain-boundary region) with a high work hardening rate response. This is the first computational plasticity calculation that accounts for grain size effects in a physically-based manner.
Use of the pediatric EZ-IO needle by emergency medical services providers.

Objective:The aim of this study was to examine emergency medical services providers' use of a new intraosseous needle designed for pediatric patients.Methods:This prospective pilot study was conducted between May 2006 and October 2007. After completing an initial training session, the EZ-IO PD was d
Abstract 2538: HIF1α regulated expression of XPA contributes to cisplatin resistance in lung cancer

Factors regulating nucleotide excision repair (NER) likely contribute to the heterogenous response of advanced stage lung cancer patients to drugs such as cisplatin. Studies to identify the genes in the NER pathway most closely associated with resistance to cisplatin have not been conclusive. We hypothesized that Xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group A (XPA) because of its dual role in sensing and recruiting other DNA repair proteins to the damage template would be critical in defining sensitivity to cisplatin. Studies were conducted to identify factors regulating transcription of XPA, to assess its role in modulating sensitivity to cisplatin, and its expression in primary lung tumors. HIF1α was found to bind with strong affinity to a hypoxia response element sequence in the promoter of XPA. Modulating expression of HIF1α by siRNA or cobalt chloride markedly reduced or increased transcription of XPA in lung cancer cell lines, respectively. Protein levels of XPA were strongly correlated with sensitivity to cisplatin (r = 0.868; p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2538. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2538
Econ4: economics for people, the planet and the future

Econ4 – economics for people, the planet, and the future – responds to the growing demand from students and the wider public for innovative economics education that makes sense of how the economy works and offers a powerful vision of how it should work. Econ4's animated videos will serve as both a springboard for classroom discussion and a means for viral transmission of reality–based, ethically–grounded alternatives to prevailing economic orthodoxy. The Econ4 network for innovative economics teaching will provide a vehicle for sharing of ideas, tools, and practises in the educational community.
An aerobic recA-, umuC-dependent pathway of spontaneous base-pair substitution mutagenesis in Escherichia coli

Abstract Antimutator alleles indentify genes whose normal products are involved in spontaneous mutagenesis pathways. Mutant alleles of the recA and umuC genes of Escherichia coli, whose wild-type alleles are components of the inducible SOS response, were shown to cause a decrease in the level of spontaneous mutagenesis. Using a series of chromosomal mutant trp alleles, which detect point mutations, as a reversion assay, it was shown that the reduction in mutagenesis is limited to base-pair substitutions. Within the limited number of sites than could be examined, transversions at AT sites were the favored substitutions. Frameshift mutagenesis was slightly enhanced by a mutant recA allele and unchanged by a mutant umuC allele. The wild-type recA and umuC genes are involved in the same mutagenic base-pair substitution pathway, designated “SOS-dependent spontaneous mutagenesis” (SDSM), since a recAumuC strain showed the same degree and specificity of antimutator activity as either single mutant strain. The SDSM pathway is active only in the presence of oxygen, since wild-type, recA, and umuC strains all show the same levels of reduced spontaneous mutagenesis anaerobically. The SDSM pathway can function in starving/stationary cells and may, or may not, be operative in actively dividing cultures. We suggest that, in wild-type cells, SDSM results from basal levels of SOS activity during DNA synthesis. Mutations may result from synthesis past cryptic DNA lesions (targeted mutagenesis) and/or from mispairings during synthesis with a normal DNA template (untargeted mutagenesis). Since it occurs in chromosomal genes of wild-type cells, SDSM may be biologically significant for isolates of natural enteric bacterial populations where extended starvation is often a common mode of existence.
The Functional Display of Interleukin-2 on Filamentous Phage

We report the novel display of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and an IL-2 analog, D126, on the surface of filamentous bacteriophage using a phagemid vector system. A synthetic human IL-2 gene and its D126 analog were fused to the carboxyl-terminal domain of the gene III minor phage coat protein. Expression of IL-2 and D126 was verified by their reactivity with an IL-2-specific antibody. Biological response of IL-2 phage on murine CTLL-2 cells was comparable to that of recombinant soluble IL-2, while the D126 phage displayed a reduced biological response similar to that previously measured by soluble D126 protein. Biosensor surface plasmon resonance was employed to verify binding of the IL-2 and D126 phage to the IL-2 alpha beta cc receptor complex. A 41-fold enrichment of IL-2 phage over R408 helper phage was demonstrated in biopanning affinity selection studies employing biotinylated alpha beta cc receptor complex. These biopanning studies are the first reports of affinity selection of IL-2 phage and demonstrate a novel use for the alpha beta cc receptor complex. Together, these studies confirm that the structural integrity of IL-2 and D126 is maintained when they are displayed as a gIIIp fusion protein on phage particles and provide the foundation for further selection studies employing IL-2 analog phage libraries.
Thermal stability of an SCS-6/Ti-22Al-23Nb composite

Abstract Titanium aluminide matrix composites were subjected to isothermal exposure treatments in an inert atmosphere at temperatures up to 800 °C and for times up to 1000 h. Specimens were examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopy to investigate the effect of these treatments on the fiber-matrix interfacial reaction. The reaction layer increases a little in thickness with increasing exposure times and temperatures. The products of these reactions were identified and, at shorter times and lower temperatures, are primarily carbides and silicides based on TiC and Ti 5 Si 3 . After isothermal treatments at the longest times and highest temperatures, a new phase based on Ti 3 Si appears. The thermal stability characteristics of this composite appear to be superior to those of comparable systems.
Cancer disparities among Alaska native people, 1970-2011.

Introduction Cancer is the leading cause of death among Alaska Native people. The objective of this study was to examine cancer incidence data for 2007-2011, age-specific rates for a 15-year period, incidence trends for 1970-2011, and mortality trends for 1990-2011. Methods US data were from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program SEER*Stat database and from the SEER Alaska Native Tumor Registry. Age-adjusted cancer incidence rates among Alaska Native people and US whites were compared using rate ratios. Trend analyses were performed using the Joinpoint Regression Program. Mortality data were from National Center for Health Statistics. Results During 2007-2011 the cancer incidence rate among Alaska Native women was 16% higher than the rate among US white women and was similar among Alaska Native men and US white men. Incidence rates among Alaska Native people exceeded rates among US whites for nasopharyngeal, stomach, colorectal, lung, and kidney cancer. A downward trend in colorectal cancer incidence among Alaska Native people occurred from 1999 to 2011. Significant declines in rates were not observed for other frequently diagnosed cancers or for all sites combined. Cancer mortality rates among Alaska Native people during 2 periods, 1990-2000 and 2001-2011, did not decline. Cancer mortality rates among Alaska Native people exceeded rates among US whites for all cancers combined; for cancers of the lung, stomach, pancreas, kidney, and cervix; and for colorectal cancer. Conclusion Increases in colorectal screening among Alaska Native people may be responsible for current declines in colorectal cancer incidence; however; improvements in treatment of colon and rectal cancers may also be contributing factors.
De novo synthesis and axoplasmic transport of [35S]methionine-substance P in explants of nodose ganglion/vagus nerve.

The synthesis and transport of substance P, the widely distributed undecapeptide, was studied in the vagus nerve of the guinea pig. In preliminary in vivo studies, the cervical vagus nerve was ligated 2 cm distal to the nodose ganglion. Twenty-four hours later, the content of immunoreactive substance P (IR-SP) in the 3-mm nerve segment proximal to ligature was2147 ± 207pg(mean±S.E.M.)vs133 ± 31pg in an equal segment of unligated nerver or243 ± 55pg in the nodose ganglion. When the vagus nerve was crushed above the ganglion and simultaneously ligated 2 cm distally, the IR-SP content proximal to the ligature was reduced 50% to1131 ± 99pg (P < 0.01), while nodose ganglion content increased to420 ± 140pg(n.s.). To confirm that residual transport following supranodose crush was derived from nodose ganglion-synthesized SP, SP synthesis and transport were studied in explants of nodose ganglion and attached distal vagus nerve removed from perfused animals and maintained in vitro for up to 24 h. At the time of resection, nerves were ligated 1.5 cm distal to the ganglion. Twenty-four hours following explantation, IR-SP content in proximal segments was1022 ± 142pg vs155 ± 22pg in unligated segments and560 ± 72pg in the nodose ganglion. Accumulation in the proximal segment was time dependent. In separate experiments, [35S]methionine was added to explant medium and the explants maintained for varying time intervals. nerve tissue was extracted and subjected to either serial reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), or immunoprecipitation with SP antiserum followed by a single HPLC separation. By 4 h, radiolabeled SP was present in nodose ganglia and lesser amounts in the proximal segments. By 12 h, [35S]SP was present equally in ganglia and proximal segments whereas by 18 h, two-thirds or more of the newly synthesized peptide was present in proximal segments. At 18 h, the quantity of radiolabeled SP covaried with IR-SP content in the individual nerve segments. The addition of cycloheximide to explant medium reduced [35S]SP synthesis by 90%. These studies demonstrate that: (1) approximately 50% of immunoreactive SP transported efferently within the vagus nerve of the guinea pig is derived from the nodose ganglion, (2) de novo SP synthesis within and export from the nodose ganglion occurs within 4 h, (3) the changes in IR-SP content demonstrated in in vivo and in vitro ligation studies accurately reflect ongoing SP synthesis within the nodose ganglion. This transport model may provide one useful tool for studying the regulation of synthesis of SP, or other neuropeptides, within the sensory vagus nerve.
Drinking water and cancer mortality

Abstract The problem of understanding the possible adverse health effects of organic chemical contaminants in drinking water is not new, but national concern has intensified in recent years. Despite this concern and regulatory efforts, no definitive relationship has been established between organic contamination and human health effects. This paper examines some of the sources of possible organic contamination, current knowledge concerning human health effects and the most current epidemiological data. Historic CCE and CAE data were extracted from STORET and used in regression analyses. Age-adjusted 20-year average cancer mortality rates were regressed against the sum of CAE and CCE for those counties with STORET monitoring data of their drinking water source. Results indicate statistically highly significant relationships particularly for GI-urinary tract cancers.
Patient centeredness in medical encounters requiring an interpreter.

Abstract PURPOSE: Patient-centered interviewing is associated with greater patient satisfaction and better medical outcomes than traditional encounters, but actively seeking patients' views of their illnesses and encouraging patients to express expectations, thoughts, and feelings is difficult in encounters that require an interpreter. We sought to examine physicians' use of the patient-centered approach with patients who required the assistance of an interpreter. SUBJECTS and METHODS: A cross-sectional sample of patients was videorecorded during visits with physicians at a multi-ethnic, university-affiliated, primary care clinic. Nineteen medical encounters of Spanish-speaking patients who required an interpreter and 19 matched English-speaking encounters were coded for frequency that patients mentioned symptoms, feelings, expectations, and thoughts (collectively called "offers"). Physicians' responses were coded as ignoring, closed, open, or facilitative of further discussion. RESULTS: English-speaking patients made a mean (± SD) of 20 ± 11 offers, compared with 7 ± 4 for Spanish-speaking patients ( P = 0.001). Spanish-speaking patients also were less likely to receive facilitation from their physicians and were more likely to have their comments ignored ( P CONCLUSION: Spanish-speaking patients are at a double disadvantage in encounters with English-speaking physicians: these patients make fewer comments, and the ones they do make are more likely to be ignored. The communication difficulties may result in lower adherence rates and poorer medical outcomes among Spanish-speaking patients.
On the Born approximation for perturbations of a spherical star and the Newman—Penrose constants

The field equations governing perturbations of a spherical star in general relativity are solved by means of a weak field or Born approximation. Formal expressions for the far field of a non-stationary source are obtained and used to discuss the Newman-Penrose constants.
A search for poliomyelitis virus in house dust and a study of the effects of drying on the viability of the virus.

Since 1910 it has been suggested from time to time1*"3 that poliomyelitis might be transmitted by house dust, and in 1944 we reported4 experiments indicating that infection might be conveyed through the air in dry droplet "nuclei." These possibilities imply that the virus withstands the lethal effects of drying for a certain period of time. Direct evidence of its presence in dust and of its resistance to drying is, however, scanty. There is only one recorded instance in which it was recovered from house dust; this is the report by Neustaedter and Thro5 in 1911 of a positive test with sweepings from the sickroom of a patient. There are only a few studies, all of them made 40 years ago, on desiccation in vitro, and the results of these are both conflicting and inconclusive. The subject, therefore, seems to us to be of sufficient importance to warrant further exploration. Flexner and Lewis6 in 1910 found that infected cord dried over caustic potash
Extreme nonlinear optics of nematic liquid crystals [Invited]

Laser induced director axis reorientation and order parameter changes in nematic liquid crystals give rise to extremely nonlinear optical responses characterized by nonlinear index coefficients that can reach values exceeding 103 cm2/Watt. An historical account and critical analyses of the theoretical backgrounds and experimental observations of several exemplary nonlinear optical phenomena are presented. Emphasis is placed on identifying and detailing the critical roles played by unique properties of nematic liquid crystals in these processes, including self-action effects, wave mixing, and switching phenomena for a variety of interaction geometries.
Perfusion in Rat Brain at 7 T with Arterial Spin Labeling Using FAIR-TrueFISP and QUIPSS

Measurement of perfusion in longitudinal studies allows for the assessment of tissue integrity and the detection of subtle pathologies. In this work, the feasibility of measuring brain perfusion in rats with high spatial resolution using arterial spin labeling is reported. A flow-sensitive alternating recovery sequence, coupled with a balanced gradient fast imaging with steady-state precession readout section was used to minimize ghosting and geometric distortions, while achieving high signal-to-noise ratio. The quantitative imaging of perfusion using a single subtraction method was implemented to address the effects of variable transit delays between the labeling of spins and their arrival at the imaging slice. Studies in six rats at 7 T showed good perfusion contrast with minimal geometric distortion. The measured blood flow values of 152.5+/-6.3 ml/100 g per minute in gray matter and 72.3+/-14.0 ml/100 g per minute in white matter are in good agreement with previously reported values based on autoradiography, considered to be the gold standard.
The Effect of Silicon Content on Impact Toughness of T91 Grade Steels

The impact resistance of silicon (Si)-containing modified 9Cr-1Mo steels has been investigated within a temperature regime of −40 to 440 °C using the Charpy method. The results indicate that the energies absorbed in fracturing the tested specimens were substantially lower at temperatures of −40, 25, and 75 °C compared to those at elevated temperatures. Lower impact energies and higher ductile-to-brittle-transition-temperatures (DBTTs) were observed with the steels containing 1.5 and 1.9 wt.% Si. The steels containing higher Si levels exhibited both ductile and brittle failures at elevated temperatures. However, at lower temperatures, brittle failures characterized by cleavage and intergranular cracking were observed for all four tested materials.
AN INQUIRY CONCERNING THE USE OF ITEM SAMPLING AS A METHOD TO REDUCE TESTING TIME

This study employed the procedure of item sampling to reduce the time expenditure of participants when responding to a questionnaire concerned with the implementation of an innovative elementary school project. Approximately fifty student teachers and forty-two regular classroom teachers responded to one of two forms of the questionnaire. There was a total of 103 multiple-choice questions on each form with thirteen questions being common to both forms (a total of 193 different questions) . Participation time was reduced from two hours to one hour for each participant. A comparison between the perception of student teachers on form A and B using the common items showed no significant differences; the same result held for the classroom teachers. However, there were differences between the perceptions of student teachers and the classroom teachers. These data were used to estimate and compare the perceptions of both groups for all items for all participants.
Control of Flexible Structures: From Large Space Structures to Disk Drive Read/Write Arms

In the past, manipulators, machine tools, measurement and many other systems were designed with rigid structures and operated at relatively low speeds. With an increasing demand for fuel efficiency, smaller actuators, and speed, lighter weight materials are now often used in the construction of systems, making them more flexible. Flexible structures are also prevalent in space systems where lightweight materials are necessitated for fuel efficiency when carrying the structures into space. Achieving high-performance control of flexible structures is a difficult task, but one that is now critical to the success of many important applications, ranging from the shuttle remote manipulator system, satellites, robot manipulators, gantry cranes, disk drives, to atomic force microscopes. The unwanted vibration that results from maneuvering a flexible structure often dictates limiting factors in the performance of the system.
Multiple stakeholders' perceptions of critical attributes of a top performer: exploring the effects of congruency

Many IT jobs have multiple performance dimensions, requiring employees to perform several different functions. When job performance is multi-dimensional and difficult to measure objectively, employees are evaluated by subjective ratings of various traits, skills, and/or behaviors. Because IT professionals often interact with different functional groups within an organization, multiple stakeholders may evaluate their performance. This study examines the impact of congruity among different organizational stakeholders' prototypes of successful IT performers on job performance. The data was collected from a large international consulting firm. The results of this study support the hypotheses that congruence of stakeholder perceptions affects IT personnel performance. They also reinforce the frequently observed findings that performance positively affects job satisfaction while higher levels of job satisfaction leads to lower intention to turnover.