cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An interleukin 12-related cytokine is up-regulated in ulcerative colitis but not in Crohn's disease.

Background & Aims: Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is a heterodimeric, macrophage-derived cytokine that is elevated in Crohn’s disease (CD). Epstein-Barr virus‐induced gene 3 (EBI3) is a recently characterized human glycoprotein that is homologous to the 40-kilodalton chain of IL-12 and forms a heterodimer with the 35-kilodalton chain of IL-12. We investigated the expression of EBI3 in colonic mucosa of normal control subjects, patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and patients with CD. Methods: Colonic tissue was analyzed for messenger RNA (mRNA) expression by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and for protein expression by immunohistology and Western blotting. Results: EBI3 mRNA was present in intestinal biopsy specimens from healthy subjects and patients with CD but was elevated only in active UC. EBI3 levels in UC specimens correlated with histological scores of activity and T-cell infiltration. EBI3-positive cells that had a shape consistent with that of macrophages were identified in the lamina propria, and protein was detected by Western blotting. Conclusions: EBI3 is a novel IL-12‐related cytokine that is expressed by macrophage-like cells in normal intestine and CD and has enhanced expression in active UC but not in active CD.
Pancreatic β-Cell Lipoprotein Lipase Independently Regulates Islet Glucose Metabolism and Normal Insulin Secretion

Lipid and glucose metabolism are adversely affected by diabetes, a disease characterized by pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction. To clarify the role of lipids in insulin secretion, we generated mice with beta-cell-specific overexpression (betaLPL-TG) or inactivation (betaLPL-KO) of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), a physiologic provider of fatty acids. LPL enzyme activity and triglyceride content were increased in betaLPL-TG islets; decreased LPL enzyme activity in betaLPL-KO islets did not affect islet triglyceride content. Surprisingly, both betaLPL-TG and betaLPL-KO mice were strikingly hyperglycemic during glucose tolerance testing. Impaired glucose tolerance in betaLPL-KO mice was present at one month of age, whereas betaLPL-TG mice did not develop defective glucose homeostasis until approximately five months of age. Glucose-simulated insulin secretion was impaired in islets isolated from both mouse models. Glucose oxidation, critical for ATP production and triggering of insulin secretion mediated by the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel, was decreased in betaLPL-TG islets but increased in betaLPL-KO islets. Islet ATP content was not decreased in either model. Insulin secretion was defective in both betaLPL-TG and betaLPL-KO islets under conditions causing calcium-dependent insulin secretion independent of the KATP channel. These results show that beta-cell-derived LPL has two physiologically relevant effects in islets, the inverse regulation of glucose metabolism and the independent mediation of insulin secretion through effects distal to membrane depolarization.
Towards the nonstick egg: designing fluorous proteins

Anyone who has made scrambled eggs will have had cause to praise the properties of Teflon. Teflon's highly chemically inert and nonstick nature derives from the perfluorinated polymer polytetrafluoroethylene. Perfluorocarbons have unique and valuable physical properties not found in nature. By incorporating fluorine into proteins, it might be possible to produce biological molecules with novel and useful properties.
Comparative thermal denaturation of Thermus aquaticus and Escherichia coli type 1 DNA polymerases

Thermal denaturations of the type 1 DNA polymerases from Thermus aquaticus (Taq polymerase) and Escherichia coli (Pol 1) have been examined using differential scanning calorimetry and CD spectroscopy. The full-length proteins are single-polypeptide chains comprising a polymerase domain, a proofreading domain (inactive in Taq) and a 5' nuclease domain. Removal of the 5' nuclease domains produces the 'large fragment' domains of Pol 1 and Taq, termed Klenow and Klentaq respectively. Although the high temperature stability of Taq polymerase is well known, its thermal denaturation has never been directly examined previously. Thermal denaturations of both species of polymerase are irreversible, precluding rigorous thermodynamic analysis. However, the comparative melting behaviour of the polymerases yields information regarding domain structure, domain interactions and also the similarities and differences in the stabilizing forces for the two species of polymerase. In differential scanning calorimetry, Klenow and Klentaq denature as single peaks, with a melting temperature T(m) of 37 and 100 degrees C respectively at pH 9.5. Both full-length polymerases are found to be comprised of two thermodynamic unfolding domains with the 5' nuclease domains of each melting separately. The 5' nuclease domain of Taq denatures as a separate peak, 10 degrees C before the Klentaq domain. Melting of the 5' nuclease domain of Pol 1 overlaps with the Klenow fragment. Presence of the 5' nuclease domain stabilizes the large fragment in Pol 1, but destabilizes it in Taq. Both Klentaq and Klenow denaturations have a very similar dependence on pH and methanol, indicating similarities in the hydrophobic forces and protonation effects stabilizing the proteins. Melting monitored by CD yields slightly lower T(m) values, but almost identical van't Hoff enthalpy Delta H values, consistent with two-state unfolding followed by an irreversible kinetic step. Analysis of the denaturation scan rate dependences with Arrhenius formalism estimates a kinetic barrier to irreversible denaturation for Klentaq that is significantly higher than that for Klenow.
The Case for Light Constituents of Quarks and Leptons

Abstract Composite models of quarks and leptons constructed from light, confined subconstituents (preons) can naturally satisfy all the constraints imposed by present experimental data. Such models may lead to the existence of relatively light excited states of quarks and leptons; thus experiments to be performed in the near future should provide sensitive tests of these models.
Concordance between decision analysis and matching systematic review of randomized controlled trials in assessment of treatment comparisons: a systematic review

Systematic review (SR) of randomized controlled trials (RCT) is the gold standard for informing treatment choice. Decision analyses (DA) also play an important role in informing health care decisions. It is unknown how often the results of DA and matching SR of RCTs are in concordance. We assessed whether the results of DA are in concordance with SR of RCTs matched on patient population, intervention, control, and outcomes. We searched PubMed up to 2008 for DAs comparing at least two interventions followed by matching SRs of RCTs. Data were extracted on patient population, intervention, control, and outcomes from DAs and matching SRs of RCTs. Data extraction from DAs was done by one reviewer and from SR of RCTs by two independent reviewers. We identified 28 DAs representing 37 comparisons for which we found matching SR of RCTs. Results of the DAs and SRs of RCTs were in concordance in 73% (27/37) of cases. The sensitivity analyses conducted in either DA or SR of RCTs did not impact the concordance. Use of single (4/37) versus multiple data source (33/37) in design of DA model was statistically significantly associated with concordance between DA and SR of RCTs. Our findings illustrate the high concordance of current DA models compared with SR of RCTs. It is shown previously that there is 50% concordance between DA and matching single RCT. Our study showing the concordance of 73% between DA and matching SR of RCTs underlines the importance of totality of evidence (i.e. SR of RCTs) in the design of DA models and in general medical decision-making.
The structure of orthogonal transformations

(1991). The Structure of Orthogonal Transformations. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 98, No. 4, pp. 349-352.
Circulating antibodies in patients with ovarian carcinoma

Abstract Sera from 91 patients with ovarian malignancy were examined by the indirect and the complement fixation fluorescent antibody techniques for the presence of antibodies to ovarian carcinoma antigens using cryostat sections of four ovarian carcinomas as substrates. Four sera stained the cytoplasm of ovarian carcinoma cells, but three of these also reacted with mitochondria and the fourth with microsomes at the same or at higher titers. The staining of ovarian carcinoma by these four sera was abolished by absorption with purified rat liver mitochondria or microsomes, respectively. Thus, no ovarian carcinoma-specific antibodies were demonstrable by the fluorescent antibody technique. The overall incidence of non-organ-specific autoantibodies was increased in patients with ovarian carcinoma.
Failure and damage identification in woven composites with fiber Bragg grating sensors

In this study, measurements from low-impact velocity experiments and embedded and surface mounted optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors were used to obtain detailed information pertaining to damage progression in two-dimensional laminate woven composites. The woven composites were subjected to multiple strikes at 2m/s until perforation occurred, and the impactor position and acceleration were monitored throughout each event. From these measurements, we obtained dissipated energies and contact forces. The FBG sensors were embedded and surface mounted at different critical locations near penetration-induced damaged regions. These FBG sensors were used to obtain initial residual strains and axial and transverse strains that correspond to matrix cracking and delamination. The transmission and the reflection spectra were continuously monitored throughout the loading cycles. They were used, in combination with the peak contact forces, to delineate repeatable sensor responses corresponding to material failure. From the FBG spectra, fiber and matrix damage were separated by an analysis based on signal intensity, the presence of cladding modes, and the behavior of individual Bragg peaks as a function of evolving and repeated impact loads. This provided an independent feedback on the integrity of the Bragg gratings. A comparison by number of strikes and dissipated energies corresponding to material perforation indicates that embedding these sensors did not affect the integrity of the woven systems and that these measurements can provide accurate failure strains.
Optimal dynamic parking pricing for morning commute considering expected cruising time

Abstract This paper investigates how recurrent parking demand can be managed by dynamic parking pricing and information provision in the morning commute. Travelers are aware of time-varying pricing information and time-varying expected occupancy, through either their day-to-day experience or online information provision, to make their recurrent parking choices. We first formulate the parking choices under the User Equilibrium (UE) conditions using the Variational Inequality (VI) approach. More importantly, the System Optimal (SO) parking flow pattern and SO parking prices are also derived and solved efficiently using Linear Programming. Under SO, any two parking clusters cannot be used at the same time by travelers between more than one Origin–Destination (O–D) pairs. The SO parking flow pattern is not unique, which offers sufficient flexibility for operators to achieve different management objectives while keeping the flow pattern optimal. We show that any optimal flow pattern can be achieved by charging parking prices in each area that only depend on the time or occupancy, regardless of origins and destinations of users of this area. In the two numerical experiments, the best system performance is usually achieved by pricing the more preferred (convenient) area such that it is used up to a terminal occupancy of around 85–95%. Optimal pricing essentially balances the parking congestion (namely cruising time) and the level of convenience.
The Macroscopic Elasticity of 3D Woven Composites

The elastic properties of graphite/epoxy composites with three-dimensional interlock weave reinforcement have been measured over length scales somewhat greater than the characteristic length of the weave pattern. Orientation averaging models similar to those developed elsewhere over the last twenty years provide estimates of elastic constants that are in fair agreement with the experimental data. However, in-plane Young's moduli are consistently too high and properties related to the through-thickness reinforcement show considerable scatter. Most of the discrepancies can be attributed to waviness and other geometrical irregularities in nominally straight tow segments. Much improved agreement with in-plane properties is obtained by measuring and accounting for the out-of-plane waviness of in-plane tows. Other observed distortions of in-plane tows and irregularity in through-thickness tows are very difficult to quantify experimentally. There results a significant and apparently unavoidable uncertainty in pr...
Deposition and dolomitization of Upper Knox carbonate sediments, Copper Ridge district, East Tennessee

The upper part of the Cambro-Ordovician Knox Group in the fault-bounded Copper Ridge zinc district, East Tennessee, consists of interbedded limestones and dolostones, with very minor sandy and cherty horizons. The nature of allochems suggests that the limestones formed in marine peritidal environments. Other features, such as granular interallochem cements, dolomite inclusions in calcite, low Na content, and low Sr/Cr ratio, suggest stabilization of the limestones in the presence of fresh water. There are two textural varieties of dolostone: (1) fine grained and (2) medium to coarser grained. Fine-grained dolostones, composed of unzoned 0.02- to 0.05-mm dolomite crystals, represent penecontemporaneous dolomitization of calcareous sediments in upper intertidal to supratidal environments. Evidence for this includes the presence of continuous cryptalgal laminae, mud cracks, birdseyes and oolitic units, the probably former presence of evaporites, and the absence of normal marine fauna. The oolite units may be analogous to modern shoreline occurrences in Laguna Madre and Baffin Bay, Texas. The low Na and Sr concentrations, as well as the nearly stoichiometric Ca/Mg ratio of the fine-grained dolostones, compared to Holocene supratidal dolomites, are attributed to the formation or neomorphism of the fine-grained dolostones in the presence of fresh water. The medium and coarser grained dolostones consist of 0.1- to 0.8-mm dolomite crystals that show textural and compositional zoning. These dolostones formed by early diagenetic replacement of limestones due to dilution of marine pore water by fresh water. A mixing-zone environment of dolomitization is indicated by the following features of the constituent dolomite crystals: textural zoning with cloudy centers and clearer rims, concentric luminescent zoning, increase of Fe content toward the rims, and low Na contents and Sr/Ca ratios untypical of the marine environment. The depositional setting within the area of study was a coastal, tidal flat environment toward the northwest, adjacent to a very shallow marine environment dotted with tidal islands toward the southeast. In the rock record, the former presence of these islands is indicated by thickening of fine-grained dolostones and a corresponding thinning of underlying limestone units.
Joining Clauses with Subordinate Conjunctions: One Type of Complex Syntax

The purpose of this article is to enhance clinicians' knowledge and skills about one complex syntax type, subordinate conjunction clauses. Children's complex syntax skills are critical to the expression of increasingly elaborate ideas and to meeting the demands of academic tasks. Complex syntax development begins in the preschool years. It is essential for clinicians to support young children's complex syntax development. To this end, the present article offers a framework to support a clinician's consideration of the range of subordinate conjunction clauses that appear in the spoken language of young children.
Clothing and Human Behavior: A Review

The research developments in the area of clothing and human behavior are re viewed in terms of relevant psychological and sociological theories. Implications of past research in the area are drawn and recommendations for further research are made.
A Cellular Memory of Developmental History Generates Phenotypic Diversity in C. elegans

Early life experiences have a major impact on adult phenotypes [1-3]. However, the mechanisms by which animals retain a cellular memory of early experience are not well understood. Here we show that adult wild-type Caenorhabditis elegans that transiently pass through the stress-resistant dauer larval stage exhibit distinct gene expression profiles and life history traits, as compared to adult animals that bypassed this stage. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments coupled with massively parallel sequencing, we found that genome-wide levels of specific histone tail modifications are markedly altered in postdauer animals. Mutations in subsets of genes implicated in chromatin remodeling abolish, or alter, the observed changes in gene expression and life history traits in postdauer animals. Modifications to the epigenome as a consequence of early experience may contribute in part to a memory of early experience and generate phenotypic variation in an isogenic population.
Application of angular correlation function of wave scattering by a random rough surface and random discrete scatterers in target detection

The authors study the angular correlation function (ACF) of a rough surface and volume scattering and apply it to the detection of a target embedded in the clutter. Both the 2D and 3D ACF are studied by using numerical simulations with frequency averaging and circular azimuthal angle averaging techniques. The 3D case has an increase of degree of freedom over the 2D case. This increase of freedom makes the circular azimuthal angle averaging more successful in suppressing the clutter, making the technique attractive in real life implementation.
Intercontinental Frequency Comparison by Very Low-Frequency Radio Transmission

Studies of signals from Rugby, England, at 16 kc and 60 kc have given evidence that a single source of standard frequency can be made available at vlf on a world-wide basis. At a distance of 5200 km the Doppler effects in transmission seldom exceed ±3 parts in 109, and a measurement can be made to 1 part in 109 in a few minutes. Accuracies exceeding 1 part in 1010 are consistently obtained by observation over several hours. Data by Allan, Crombie, and Penton, of the New Zealand Dominion Physical Laboratory, indicate that at 16 kc the diurnal Doppler effects at 18,700 km have normal maxima of the order of 1/108, and that a measurement to 3 or 4 parts in 109 can be made in an hour or less. These results are described and some of the effects of solar flares and magnetic disturbances are discussed. In addition, a brief description is given of four mechanisms that have been found useful in comparing the frequency of a local oscillator with that of a vlf standard transmission.
Constructing pairing-friendly genus 2 curves with ordinary Jacobians

We provide the first explicit construction of genus 2 curves over finite fields whose Jacobians are ordinary, have large prime-order subgroups, and have small embedding degree. Our algorithm is modeled on the Cocks-Pinch method for constructing pairing-friendly elliptic curves [5], and works for arbitrary embedding degrees k and prime subgroup orders r. The resulting abelian surfaces are defined over prime fields Fq with q ≈ r4. We also provide an algorithm for constructing genus 2 curves over prime fields Fq with ordinary Jacobians J having the property that J[r] ⊂ J(Fq) or J[r] ⊂ J(F qk) for any even k.
Mixed state ultrasonic attenuation in clean niobium near Hc2

Abstract Both longitudinal and shear ultrasonic attenuations and magnetization were measured as a function of magnetic field in the mixed state of two niobium single crystal samples with residual resistivity ratios of 68 and 2665 respectively. Particular attention was paid to the behavior of the attenuation at fields near H c2 . The higher purity sample showed marked frequency dependence of normalized attenuation at frequencies from 10 to 110 MHz. The other sample showed qualitatively similar but less pronounced frequency dependence at frequencies ranging from 10 to 435 MHz. Frequency dependence in both samples was in qualitative agreement with the theoretical results of Cerdeira and Houghton[1] . The attenuation changes near H c2 at the lowest experimental frequencies were compared quantitatively with the frequency independent theoretical results of Houghton and Maki[2] . Agreement in the less pure sample was within a factor of two of the Houghton-Maki results at both 4·2 and 1·4 K. Quantitative comparison to theory for the purer sample must be qualified by the large observed frequency dependence. However, agreement between theory and experiment was excellent at 4·2 K. At 1·4 K in the purer sample, the theoretical predictions differed from experimental results by factors from two to six for various configurations of magnetic field and ultrasonic propagation and polarization directions. Houghton-Maki predictions of the dependence of ultrasonic attenuation on the geometry of magnetic field and ultrasonic propagation and polarization direction were also examined.
Stratigraphy and Depositional Environments--Krebs Formation in Southeastern Kansas: ABSTRACT

End_Page 1317------------------------------The Krebs Formation (Middle Pennsylvanian-Desmoinesian) forms the lower portion of the Cherokee Group in the Cherokee basin of southeastern Kansas. The Krebs Formation near its outcrop in Cherokee and Crawford Counties consists of 78% shale and mudstone, 18% sandstone and siltstone, 3% coal, and 1% limestone, comprising a total thickness of 120 to 220 ft (37 to 67 m). Integration of data from continuous cores, outcrops, and geophysical logs provides a detailed stratigraphic framework and facilitates interpretation of depositional environments. Coal beds and associated seat-rock units, some having an areal extent of several thousand square miles, provide excellent stratigraphic marker beds for correlation of discontinuous reservoir sandstones. Radioactive dark-gray shale units and argi laceous limestone units often overlie coal beds and may be equally widespread. Net-sandstone isolith maps reveal the presence of a lobate deltaic complex in southwestern Missouri, characterized by both stacking and offset of major sandstone bodies. Coal beds commonly cap upward-coarsening, mud-dominated sequences consisting of dark-gray shale with occasional argillaceous limestones overlain by lenticular-bedded shale or wavy-bedded siltstones. This vertical transition of lithofacies is interpreted to result from the progradational infilling of large interdistributary bays. Coarsening-upward sandstone sequences--consisting of lenticular-bedded shale grading upward into wavy-bedded siltstone, flaser-bedded sandstone, and rippled or cross-bedded sandstone--represent distributary mouth-bar or crevasse-splay deposits. Fining-upward sequences--composed of a basal scou surface overlain by mud-clast conglomerates, large-scale cross-bedded sandstone, and rippled or flaser-bedded sandstone--are interpreted to be channel-fill or point-bar deposits. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1318------------
Physical and hydraulic properties of baked ceramic aggregates used for plant growth medium

Baked ceramic aggregates (fritted clay, arcillite) have been used for plant research both on the ground and in microgravity. Optimal control of water and air within the root zone in any gravity environment depends on physical and hydraulic properties of the aggregate, which were evaluated for 0.25-1-mm and 1-2-mm particle size distributions. The maximum bulk densities obtained by any packing technique were 0.68 and 0.64 g cm-3 for 0.25-1-mm and 1-2-mm particles, respectively. Wettable porosity obtained by infiltration with water was approximately 65%, substantially lower than total porosity of approximately 74%. Aggregate of both particle sizes exhibited a bimodal pore size distribution consisting of inter-aggregate macropores and intra-aggregate micropores, with the transition from macro- to microporosity beginning at volumetric water content of approximately 36% to 39%. For inter-aggregate water contents that support optimal plant growth there is 45% change in water content that occurs over a relatively small matric suction range of 0-20 cm H2O for 0.25-1-mm and 0 to -10 cm H2O for 1-2-mm aggregate. Hysteresis is substantial between draining and wetting aggregate, which results in as much as a approximately 10% to 20% difference in volumetric water content for a given matric potential. Hydraulic conductivity was approximately an order of magnitude higher for 1-2-mm than for 0.25-1-mm aggregate until significant drainage of the inter-aggregate pore space occurred. The large change in water content for a relatively small change in matric potential suggests that significant differences in water retention may be observed in microgravity as compared to earth.
Chebyshev super spectral viscosity solution of a two-dimensional fluidized-bed model

The numerical solution of a model describing a two-dimensional fluidized bed by a Chebyshev super spectral viscosity (SSV) method is considered. The model is in the form of a hyperbolic system of conservation laws with a source term, coupled with an elliptic equation for determining a stream function. The coupled elliptic equation is solved by a finite-difference method. The mixed SSV/finite-difference method produces physically shaped bubbles, on a very coarse grid. Fine scale details, which were not present in previous finite-difference solutions, are present in the solution. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differences in Social Resources and Treatment History Among Diagnostic Groups of Older Adults

Differences in demographic and social characteristics and treatment history of 407 patients age 55 or older were examined in relation to diagnosis. Seven diagnostic groups in three mental health service programs were studied, all of which were characterized by surprisingly high rates of previous treatment (75 percent overall). Patients in the dysthymia, adjustment disorder, and V code groups appeared to be the most similar and to have the greatest psychosocial resources and fewest indicators of chronicity. Schizophrenic and bipolar patients had the least resources and most indicators of chronicity. Substance abuse patients tended to live alone, while those with major depression seemed to have more resources and later onset of their illness than schizophrenic and bipolar patients. About half of those with milder diagnoses had received prior outpatient treatment, suggesting that perhaps past treatment success leads older adults to revisit mental health services.
Enhancing the fault-tolerance of nonmasking programs

In this paper we focus on automated techniques to enhance the fault-tolerance of a nonmasking fault-tolerant program to masking. A masking program continually satisfies its specification even if faults occur. By contrast, a nonmasking program merely guarantees that after faults stop occurring, the program recovers to states from where it continually satisfies its specification. Until the recovery is complete, however a nonmasking program can violate its (safety) specification. Thus, the problem of enhancing fault-tolerance from nonmasking to masking requires that safety be added and recovery be preserved. We focus on this enhancement problem for high atomicity programs-where each process can read all variables-and for distributed programs-where restrictions are imposed on what processes can read and write. We present a sound and complete algorithm for high atomicity programs and a sound algorithm for distributed programs. We also argue that our algorithms are simpler than previous algorithms, where masking fault-tolerance is added to a fault-intolerant program. Hence, these algorithms can partially reap the benefits of automation when the cost of adding masking fault-tolerance to a fault-intolerant program is high. To illustrate these algorithms, we show how the masking fault-tolerant programs for triple modular redundancy and Byzantine agreement can be obtained by enhancing the fault-tolerance of the corresponding nonmasking versions. We also discuss how the derivation of these programs is simplified when we begin with a nonmasking fault-tolerant program.
Mycosis fungoides in pregnancy: remission after treatment with alpha-interferon in a case refractory to conventional therapy: a case report.

Mycosis fungoides complicating pregnancy is rarely encountered. As it is a form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, some of the treatment options are contraindicated in pregnancy, and the disease may become unresponsive to safer conventional therapies. We report a patient who, in her third trimester of pregnancy, failed to respond to the treatment options available. Left with little choice, a trial of &#102 -interferon was undertaken. The patient responded with remission, and prolongation of pregnancy was achieved.
Case study: engineer discovers problem but supervisor wants to ignore

When an engineer suspects that there is a public safety hazard in a project he or she is assigned to, what is the engineer's ethical obligation? If the engineer believes that the possible hazard should be investigated, but his/her supervisor does not, how should the engineer proceed? We examine a realistic case of a disagreement between an engineer and his supervisor. We argue that the engineer's obligations in this case are not obvious, and that we need to draw on both the IEEE code of ethics and the underlying philosophical principles of that code to formulate and justify an ethical response to the situation.
Impact of processing conditions and solder materials on surface mount assembly defects

The conversion to lead-free solder alloys and increasing dynamic warpage due to the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch and thinner microelectronic packaging technology has resulted in a significant increase in the risk of solder joint defects for ball grid array (BGA) components. This paper will review head-and-pillow (HnP) defects observed after surface mount assembly with specific focus on fine-pitch BGA technology on motherboards. The mechanisms related to various aspects of design and materials characteristics that affect the creation of these defects within the solder joints will be discussed. Finally, potential material solutions for eliminating these defects will be reviewed.
Effects of Geometric Constraint on Phase Selection and Segregation in Cast TiAl

Simulations of directional solidification of binary peritectic TiAl alloys through ceramic preforms consisting of narrow straight channels with spacings on the order of the dendritic tip radius were performed with a modified cellular automaton coupled to a finite volume calculation of solute diffusion. Depending upon the channel spacing, the microstructure may be refined after dendritic growth through the preform. As the channel width decreases, the lateral solute diffusion in the liquid is more constrained, changing the morphology of the primary phase from dendritic to cellular. In narrow channels, the liquid concentration gradient ahead of the solid/liquid interface decreases resulted in lower growth velocities and higher undercoolings. For hypo-peritectic TiAl alloys, growth conditions that lead to growth of β dendrites can result in α nucleation and growth in narrow channels due to the geometric constraint on solute diffusion.
Proteomic profiling of a robust Wolbachia infection in an Aedes albopictus mosquito cell line

Summary Wolbachia pipientis, a widespread vertically transmitted intracellular bacterium, provides a tool for insect control through manipulation of host–microbe interactions. We report proteomic characterization of wStr, a Wolbachia strain associated with a strong cytoplasmic incompatibility phenotype in its native host, Laodelphax striatellus. In the Aedes albopictus C/wStr1 mosquito cell line, wStr maintains a robust, persistent infection. MS/MS analyses of gel bands revealed a protein ‘footprint’ dominated by Wolbachia-encoded chaperones, stress response and cell membrane proteins, including the surface antigen WspA, a peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein and a 73 kDa outer membrane protein. Functional classifications and estimated abundance levels of 790 identified proteins suggested that expression, stabilization and secretion of proteins predominate over bacterial genome replication and cell division. High relative abundances of cysteine desulphurase, serine/glycine hydroxymethyl transferase, and components of the α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex in conjunction with above average abundances of glutamate dehydrogenase and proline utilization protein A support Wolbachia genome-based predictions for amino acid metabolism as a primary energy source. wStr expresses 15 Vir proteins of a Type IV secretion system and its transcriptional regulator. Proteomic characterization of a robust insect-associated Wolbachia strain provides baseline information that will inform further development of in vitro protocols for Wolbachia manipulation.
Selective discarding with FEC for ATM-based internetworks

If the reliability provided by the network is lower than that requested by the application, the error and flow control systems in the end nodes must make up for the difference. While most applications use retransmission based schemes to recover lost data, ARQ based closed loop techniques may not be suitable for many new applications. Time sensitive information requiring no loss of data would constitute a major segment of the emerging traffic (interactive web, videophones, CSCW) that typically employ forward error correction (FEC) codes. Such codes send redundant information which help to recover lost data without retransmission. The paper shows that just plain FEC is not enough when one considers the fragmentation effects that take place when legacy networks interwork with ATM. Simple yet powerful buffer management techniques can yield higher throughput, thereby reducing block loss rates. A combination of a gatekeeping operation along with janitor routine that cleans up the buffer to preserve frames on an end to end basis is proposed. A simulation study demonstrates positive results. The proposed schemes even point towards efficient sizing of ATM switch buffers which guarantee no loss transport of real time information.
Hyperphosphataemia and treatment with sevelamer in haemodialysis patients

More than 60% of patients on chronic haemodialysis (HD) have a serum phosphate level above 5.5mg/dl (1.75mmol/1), which recently has been recommended as an appropriate target in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Preventing hyperphosphataemia and elevated Ca x P product not only ameliorates the progression of secondary hyperparathyroidism and bone disease, but also appears to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality from vascular calcifications. Dietary phosphate restriction and the administration of aluminium and calcium salts have been the principal means of phosphate control over the last decade. Unfortunately, the protean disturbances of toxic aluminium accumulation in the body virtually eliminated aluminium from clinical practice. Calcium-based therapy, although well tolerated, results in frequent hypercalcaemia when administered concurrently with vitamin D analogues, despite a decrease in the concentration of dialysate calcium. Sevelamer (Renagel®) has been a novel, non-absorbable calcium- and aluminium-free synthetic polymer. In initial studies, sevelamer reduced serum phosphate, Ca x P product and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in a manner comparable with calcium acetate therapy. However, the effect on PTH levels may prove to be inconsistent. It seems somewhat less effective in binding phosphate than aluminium, although no direct comparisons have been made. In a recent study, it attenuated the progression of vascular calcification in HD patients. It also binds bile acids, resulting in substantially lower low-density lipo-protein cholesterol levels. The major obstacle to its current use is a substantial increase in the cost associated with sevelamer therapy.
A novel subset of fibrocyte-like cells in synovial fluid communicate with CD8 T cells and shape the local inflammatory milieu in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). (HUM3P.253)

We reported previously that children with JIA carry senescent CD31+CD8+ T cells disproportionate with age. Such cells are inflammatory effectors via CD31-driven TCR-independent activation pathway. Here, we hypothesized that these T cells interact with non-hematopoietic cells in the synovial space to perpetuate joint inflammation. JIA patients medically indicated to undergo arthrocentesis were recruited. Synovial aspirates were screened by flow cytometry, and short-term cultures were established. Results showed two subsets of plastic-adherent fibrocyte-like cells (FLC). About 75% were procollagen - CD45 - CD14 - cells that variably expressed CD34. The other ~25% were procollagen + CD45 + CD14 + IL17RA + CD34 - FLC; a finding unlike similar cells reported for adult-onset rheumatoid arthritis. FLC exposed to rIL-17 and/or rTNFα induced production of MMPs that were reversed with corticosteroid, TNFi, anti-IL6R, or experimental NFkB inhibitors. Co-culture of FLC with autologous CD8 T cells resulted in production of the same array of MMPs and inflammatory cytokines that were partially blocked by neutralizing anti-CD31 antibody. These results suggest a FLC-CD8 T cell communication circuit in the maintenance of joint inflammation in JIA. Further understanding of the regulation and/or the consequences of this local cell-cell interaction could shed light into the systemic complications of this childhood disease that impose lifelong health burden. [Supported by Nancy E Taylor Foundation and NIH].
The Social Validity of Bug-in-Ear Coaching: Findings From Two Studies Implemented in Inclusive Early Childhood Environments

Coaching is a promising method for providing professional development, which takes many forms. One such form is real-time coaching through bug-in-ear technology. This study explored the social validity of bug-in-ear coaching when provided as a form of professional development with preservice and in-service early childhood educators. Data from two studies were qualitatively analyzed to describe early childhood educators’ perceptions of the acceptability of bug-in-ear coaching with respect to the learning opportunities provided, feasibility, difficulties, and child-level outcomes. Findings suggest that BIE is deemed to be important and effective at producing educator and child outcomes. Further, educators are satisfied with the intervention and view it to be an acceptable means for receiving professional development.
The Need for a Unified Approach to Price Discovery: CFS and IS Metrics Before and After Reg NMS

We analyse the price discovery process in DJIA stocks before and after the full implementation of Reg NMS in October 2007. The execution channels analysed are NYSE-ARCA, the traditional NYSE system, and NASDAQ. By comparing the changes in Hasbrouck's information share to changes in the Gonzalo-Granger common factor share, we derive implications for the impounding of permanent trends versus the chasing of liquidity-based transitory shocks in the various market centers. Our results show that post-Reg NMS, NASDAQ reduced its chasing of transitory shocks relative to NYSE, and ARCA more often quickly impounded permanent, information-based trends. We offer two different interpretations of information-based trading that arise naturally from these investigations, one involving valuation fundamentals and another involving trading desk assessments of the current state of the market.
Tunable wrinkle and crease surface morphologies from photoinitiated polymerization of furfuryl alcohol.

Addition of a small fraction of hydrophobic photoacid generator (PAG) to furfuryl alcohol provides a facile route to generate wrinkle topology by acid-catalyzed polymerization that is induced by ultraviolet (UV) light. Here, we describe how the primary characteristic parameters, wavelength and amplitude, of these periodic wrinkles can be tuned through control of the thickness of this furfuryl alcohol–PAG solution prior to UV exposure and the environmental humidity. As the initial coating thickness is increased, the wavelength remains unchanged at fixed temperature and PAG concentration, but the amplitude of the wrinkles increases exponentially with increased coating thickness. A wrinkle to crease transition is observed in some cases as the thickness of the solution coating is increased; this behavior is dependent on the PAG selection. Conversely, variation in relative humidity does not significantly impact the amplitude of the wrinkles, but there is a step change in the wavelength of the wrinkles near app...
Angle Gather Extraction For Acoustic And Isotropic Elastic RTM

Angle-domain common image gather is a powerful tool for migration velocity updating and AVA analysis. We present a method to compute the angle gather from the wavefields reconstructed by either acoustic or isotropic elastic RTM. A slowness-based method is employed to decompose both source and receiver wavefields into superposition of local plane waves along different directions. For elastic RTM, Pand Smodes are separated simultaneously with the plane wave decomposition. Local image matrix (LIM), which is a collection of angle-domain partial images, is constructed by cross-correlating the decomposed plane wave components from both source and receiver sides. Finally, the angle gather is obtained by sorting the energy in LIM. Numerical examples show that the technique can successfully extract angle gathers for both acoustic and isotropic elastic medium.
Temperature Effect on Cephalothin Sensitivity of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Nineteen methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from clinical specimens were tested for cephalothin sensitivity by disk diffusion and tube-dilution methods using incubation temperatures of 35 C and 30 C. Resistant colonies were observed to grow within the zones of antibiotic inhibition for 17 of the 19 isolates at 30 C but not at 35 C incubation. Twenty control strains known to be methicillin-sensitive did not show these resistant colonies at 30 C. Five of the methicillin-resistant isolates were sensitive, one of intermediate sensitivity to cephalothin, and the rest were resistent by tube-dilution testing at 35 C. At 30 C, however, two isolates were of intermediate sensitivity, and the rest were resistant to cephalothin by tube-dilution testing. These observations strongly suggest that the 30 C incubation temperature is more reliable in detecting in-vitro resistance of methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus to cephalothin in agar as well as in liquid media.
The Factorisation of Adjoint Polynomials of Kinds of Graphs and Chromatically Equivalence Analysis

In this paper, we give a new method for proving the chromatically non-unique graph by studing factorization their adjoint polynomials. We obtain some structure characteristic of the chromatically equivalent graphs of kinds of graphs.
Not Quite so Crazy After all These Years: Pynchon's Creative Engineer

Critics have not usually been very flattering in their judgment of John Nefastis, the inventor of the Maxwell's Demon machine in The Crying of Lot 49. Edward Mendelson thinks his science is "unbalanced," and regards "the whole effect" of Nefastis's description of his machine as "one of Blavatskian mumbo-jumbo" (Sacred 126, 129). Tony Tanner dismisses Nefastis as "a lunatic" who believes in "a crazy fantasy of his own making" (184). Katherine Hayles describes Nefastis's machine as "a demonic version of the two-cycle engine that drives the novel," and as "a demented attempt to escape universal heat death" (112, 113). Others draw attention to the implications of his name: "unholy, unclean, abominable" (Palmeri 982); "unspeakable to the gods" (Nicholson 101); "perhaps 'nefarious': … evil or impious" (Abernethy 25). Frank Palmeri also rather unkindly suggests that Nefastis's crewcut and Polynesian shirt identify him immediately as an "unmistakable science nerd" (982). Certainly the engineer's reference to "young stuff" and his inappropriate assumption that Oedipa is sexually available do not indicate a highly evolved consciousness.
Emerging Market Consumers: Latvian and Georgian Perceptions of Global Brands

This empirical study explored eight global branding constructs on the purchase intent for ten well-known global brands. The study compared Latvian consumers with consumers from the Republic of Georgia on each construct. Truncated versions of published scales related to consumer ethnocentrism, cosmopolitanism, global–local identity, global consumer culture were used in the study. Also explored were consumer perceptions related to the importance of knowing a brand’s country-of-origin, degree of brand familiarity, degree of brand trust and degree of brand liking.
Beta-Adrenergic Agonists

Treatment of the fetus with adrenergic agonists causes both release of surfactant and fluid reabsorption by the lung. These effects have been investigated in both whole animal preparations and in culture systems. It is likely that endogenous catecholamines also stimulate these processes and thus have an important role in establishing normal lung function at birth. In the first half of this chapter I review the data supporting this hypothesis. Section 8.2 deals with β-adrenergic receptors in lung. In recent years there has been considerable interest and progress in defining the distribution, properties and regulation of these receptors.
Cell Biology on a Chip: A Microfluidic Cell Culture Laboratory

Tissue function is modulated by the spatiotemporal organization of cells and biomolecules on a micrometer scale. In vivo, cells respond to a myriad signaling factors, either in the form of freely-diffusing molecules—e.g. enzymes, nutrients, small ions, growth factors secreted by cells that can be adjacent or as far as several meters for a large mammal—or in the form of relatively immobilized molecules that are anchored to the membrane of adjacent cells (e.g. membrane receptors, cadherins) or bound to extracellular scaffolds, such as the extracellular matrix (ECM) or bone; in addition, cells are also responsive to the physical topography and stiffness of the matrix. All these factors vary locally in smoothly graded or sharp concentration changes at the cellular and sub-cellular scale, as conceptually depicted in Fig. 19.1. This multi-signal changing environment is particularly dynamic during development, wound healing, and cancer.