cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
van der Waals forces between a Cs atom or a CsCl molecule and metal or dielectric surfaces

The interaction protentials between a spherically symmetric atom (Cs) and a highly conducting surface (gold) or a dielectric surface (glass) are investigated by the atomic-beam-deflection technique. The observed beam profile is least-squares fitted to an ${r}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ potential. The derived interaction constant for the gold surface is 0.59 and 0.67 of the values predicted by Bardeen and Mavroyannis, respectively. A glass surface is found to have an interaction constant 0.65 that of gold. The measurements have also been obtained for a polar molecule (CsCl). With a gold surface the observed beam profile is almost identical to that for stainless steel (reported earlier) in spite of their difference in dc conductivity. Further, the observed constant for an insulator (glass surface) is 0.86 that of gold. With gold, the interaction constant obtained for a cesium-halide molecule, with a strong permanent dipole moment, is smaller than that for a Cs atom with zero dipole moment.
Strong suppression of the yellow luminescence in C-doped GaN in air ambient

The authors observed a drastic reduction of the yellow luminescence (YL) intensity in carbon-doped semi-insulating GaN in air or oxygen ambient as compared to the intensity in vacuum. The YL intensity dropped about 300 times while the exciton emission remained almost unchanged. The authors assume that the donor-acceptor-pair transitions involving a gallium vacancy complex in a thin near-surface region cause the strong YL. Oxygen molecules or ions induce the surface states acting as a very efficient channel of nonradiative recombination. The results indicate that carbon may not be involved in the acceptor responsible for the YL band in GaN:C.
A Whole More Than the Sum of Its Synthetic Parts

Synthetic biology is the realization of systems with desired behavior using biological materials. A recent addition to the field is a bipartite consortium of the bacterium Escherichia coli in which...
Detachment Lithography of Photosensitive Polymers: A Route to Fabricating Three-Dimensional Structures

A technique to create arrays of micrometer-sized patterns of photosensitive polymers on the surface of elastomeric stamps and to transfer these patterns to planar and nonplanar substrates is presented. The photosensitive polymers are initially patterned through detachment lithography (DL), which utilizes the difference in adhesion forces to induce the mechanical failure in the film along the edges of the protruded parts of the mold. A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamp with a kinetically and thermally adjustable adhesion and conformal contact can transfer the detached patterns to etched or curved substrates, as well as planar ones. These printed patterns remain photochemically active for further modification via photolithography, and/or can serve as resists for subsequent etching or deposition, such that photolithography can be used on highly nonconformal and nonplanar surfaces. Various 3D structures fabricated using the process have potential applications in MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) sensors/actuators, optical devices, and microfluidics.
Basic Biological Sciences Unstimulated and Stimulated Parotid Salivary Flow Rate in Individuals of Different Ages

Both unstimulated and stimulated parotid saliva samples were collected from 85 healthy, unmedicated individuals between the ages of 23 and 81 years. There were no significant differences in flow rate related to age with either unstimulated or stimulated secretion.
RAG2's non-core domain contributes to the ordered regulation of V(D)J recombination

Variable (diversity) joining [V(D)J] recombination of immune gene loci proceeds in an ordered manner with D to J portions recombining first and then an upstream V joins that recombinant. We present evidence that the non-core domain of recombination activating gene (RAG) protein 2 is involved in the regulation of recombinatorial order. In mice lacking the non-core domain of RAG2 the ordered rearrangement is disturbed and direct V to D rearrangements are 10- to 1000-times increased in tri-partite immune gene loci. Some forms of inter-chromosomal translocations between TCRbeta and TCRdelta D gene segments are also increased in the core RAG2 animals as compared with their wild-type (WT) counterparts. In addition, the concise use of proper recombination signal sequences (RSSs) appears to be disturbed in the core RAG2 mice as compared with WT RAG2 animals.
Requirement for plastoquinone a in the hill reaction of isolated chloroplasts.

In order to avoid the problem of an uncoupling effect in stimulation of potential Hill reaction activity during extraction with heptane. Hill reaction activity was measured with uncoupled spinach chloroplasts. The reactions were also run under aerobic conditions. Under these conditions a correction for a 3-(p-chlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea insensitive, photostimulated O2 uptake reaction is necessary, especially with extracted chloroplasts. The reaction displayed proper Hill reaction stoichiometry in untreated and restored systems if these corrections were made. Plastoquinone A always restored some activity to the extracted chloroplasts but never restored activity to the original level. Additional activity could be restored by the crude extract. It appears that there is a clear requirement for plastoquinone A in the Hill reaction but the restoration of maximum activity depends upon additional factors. The variability of response to plastoquinone A which has been reported in various laboratories may be determined by the degree of extraction of the other materials.
Can We Trust What They Say? Wounded Healers and Other Myths About Child Sexual Abuse Experts

The accusation that leading experts on issues related to child sexual abuse have entered the field in order to pursue personal agendas is one of several personal attacks used to undermine the credibility of the field's experts. Using qualitative data from in-depth interviews, this article examines how 37 well-known authorities on child sexual abuse explain their own motivations for entering the field. In almost all cases, professional rather than personal factors appear to be the primary motivators for the experts' involvement. The article concludes that efforts to discredit child sexual abuse experts may be related to issues of gender and professional status.
Close-up stereo photographs of abyssal bedforms on the Nova Scotian continental rise

Abstract Close-up stereo photographs of the seafloor were taken at five stations on the Nova Scotian rise. Stereo viewing reveals abundant relief with heights in the range 1–50 mm which are not apparent in oblique monoscopic pictures. Objects with dimensions of 0.1 mm can be resolved, and areas up to 1.0 cm 2 can be viewed. Photogrammetric contour mapping at one millimeter intervals of longitudinal ripples gives in-situ dimensions of 12 cm height, 90 cm full width, and 410 cm 2 cross-sectional area. A field of ripples spaced at 5 m with a sediment density of 0.7 g cm −3 contains 5.7 kg dry sediment per m 2 . Seafloor roughness on the scale of centimeters in abyssal, high-energy boundary layers reflects both recent sedimentary and biological processes. The spatial density of eight classes of bed relief varies on scales of tens of kilometers downslope and is consistent with downslope trends in the occurrence of larger bedforms, texture of surface sediments, and bottom boundary layer conditions. Most relief is biogenic, directly or indirectly, and most is streamlined.
Clinical characteristics of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in North America

Background: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) or transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome is an acute cardiac syndrome characterized by transient wall motion abnormalities extending beyond a single epicardial vessel in the absence of significant obstructive coronary artery disease. Aim: This study was to describe the clinical characteristics of TC in North America. Materials and Methods: We identified 10 patients who met the Mayo Clinic criteria for TC using our Electronic Medical Records. We also conducted a systematic review of case series of TC that were done in North America by searching the MEDLINE database. We identified 11 case series that met our eligibility criteria. Results: Our systematic review included 620 patients. Chest pain and ST segment elevation were the cardinal features of this syndrome, but the prevalence was lower than in the European and Asian cohort (50% and 39% as compared with 80% and 70%, respectively). Classic precipitating emotional or physical stress was described in > 80% of patients. Cardiac biomarkers were found to be elevated in >90% of our patients. Conclusions : TC is a worldwide problem and clinical presentation appears to be similar in North American, European, and Asian countries. However, fewer patients in our cohort presented with typical chest pain and electrocardiography (ECG) changes, which might suggest ethnic variations in the syndrome or perhaps a more aggressive diagnostic approach in North American countries.
Phylogenetic relationships in the Hamamelidaceae: Evidence from the nucleotide sequences of the plastid genematK

The Hamamelidaceae is a family that bridges the basal elements of the Rosidae and the “lower” Hamamelidae, thus a better understanding of the phylogeny of the family is important for clarifying evolutionary patterns in the diversification of eudicots. However, subfamilial as well as tribal relationships in the Hamamelidaceae have been controversial. Nucleotide sequences of the chloroplast genematK were used to study the intergeneric relationships of the family. In the phylogenetic trees, constructed using parsimony analysis, the clade containingAltingia andLiquidambar (Altingioideae) is sister to a clade that includes all other Hamamelidaceae.Exbucklandia andRhodoleia form a clade, suggesting a close relationship between the two genera.Disanthus is sister to the monophyletic Hamamelidoideae. The paraphyletic arrangement ofDisanthus, Mytilaria andExbucklandia with respect to the Hamamelidoideae does not support the combination of these genera in one subfamily. In the Hamamelidoideae, thematK phylogeny supports the monophyly of several previously recognized groups with modifications, including the tribes Eustigmateae (incl.Molinadendron), Fothergilleae (excl.Molinadendron andMatudaea), and the subtribe Dicoryphinae. However, the Hamamelideae as traditionally circumscribed is polyphyletic. Apetaly has evolved three times independently in the Hamamelidoideae.
Abuse in Childhood and Adolescence As a Predictor of Type 2 Diabetes in Adult Women

Background: Although child abuse is associated with obesity, it is not known whether early abuse increases risk of type 2 diabetes. Purpose: To investigate associations of child and adolescent abuse with adult diabetes. Methods: Proportional hazards models were used to examine associations of lifetime abuse reported in 2001 with risk of diabetes from 1989 to 2005 among 67,853 women in the Nurses’ Health Study II. Data were analyzed in 2009. Results: Child or teen physical abuse was reported by 54% and sexual abuse by 34% of participants. Models were adjusted for age, race, body type at age 5 years, and parental education and history of diabetes. Compared to women who reported no physical abuse, the hazards ratio (HR) was 1.03 (95% CI0.91, 1.17) for mild physical abuse; 1.26 (1.14, 1.40) for moderate physical abuse; and 1.54 (1.34, 1.77) for severe physical abuse. Compared with women reporting no sexual abuse in childhood or adolescence, the HR was 1.16 (95% CI1.05, 1.29) for unwanted sexual touching; 1.34 (1.13, 1.59) for one episode of forced sexual activity; and 1.69 (1.45, 1.97) for repeated forced sex. Adult BMI accounted for 60% (95% CI32%, 87%) of the association of child and adolescent physical abuse and 64% (95% CI38%, 91%) of the association of sexual abuse with diabetes. Conclusions: Moderate to severe physical and sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence have dose–response associations with risk of type 2 diabetes among adult women. This excess risk is partially explained by the higher BMI of women with a history of early abuse. (Am J Prev Med 2010;39(6):529 –536) © 2010 American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Maintenance of regional histodifferentiation patterns and a spatially restricted expression of type X collagen in rat Meckel's cartilage explants in vitro.

Abstract The major, central portion of Meckel’s cartilage undergoes fibrous transformation and contributes to the sphenomandibular ligament, whereas its distal end undergoes endochondral ossification ultimately giving rise to inner-ear ossicles. This regional histodifferentiation of Meckel’s cartilage is known to be associated with the spatially restricted expression of type X collagen. The objective of this study was to determine if this unique histodifferentiation is regulated by local environmental factors or by a preprogrammed genetic mechanism. Meckel’s cartilage, and condylar cartilage used for comparison, were isolated from 17-day-old rat embryos and from newborn rats, respectively. The cartilage explants were maintained in vitro for 50 days with or without supplementation with 10% fetal bovine serum. When the explants were cultured under serum-free conditions, well-regulated cartilage development was observed. Expression of type X collagen, a differentiation marker for hypertrophic cartilage, was restricted to the distal end of Meckel’s cartilage, whereas type II and IX collagens were found uniformly along the entire explant. Matrix calcification was examined histochemically using alizarin red S staining and found to be restricted to the distal end of Meckel’s cartilage. Both Meckel’s and condylar cartilage cultured with 10% fetal bovine serum developed unregulated dysmorphogenesis. These data suggest that, although Meckel’s cartilage has an intrinsic potential to differentiate to its terminal stage, external regulatory factors can significantly influence its normal development at the molecular level.
Gradient interpenetrating polymer networks. I. Poly(ether urethane) and polyacrylamide IPN

The swelling properties of poly(ether urethane)s and the preparation of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) from a poly(ether urethane) thermoplastic elastomer and hydrogel forming polyacrylamide have been studied. The acrylamide monomer was polymerized with simultaneous crosslink formation, in the presence of the swollen thermoplastic elastomer. Upon removal of the swelling solvent, an IPN was obtained which absorbed water in the manner of a hydrogel but had mechanical properties superior to a hydrogel.
LONG-TERM GROWTH OF CHILDREN WITH IDIOPATHIC NEPHROTIC SYNDROME (NS)

Body growth in NS has been studied mainly during steroid medication(ST) and rarely up to adult stature. In 156 children with NS body height(BH), growth velocity(GV) and skeletal maturation were followed from the onset of disease for >2 yrs and in 37 up to adult height. GV was transiently depressed 1 yr (mean prednisone dose 22g/m2). After stopping ST for >1 yr catch-up growth (GV > 97th c) occured in all 23 children in this group. The growth depressing effect of ST was dose-dependent and more pronounced during puberty than before. Adult BH was reduced by >1SD from the original BH in only 1/18 ST sensitive male but in 8/11 female pts and only after a total prednisone dose >10g/m2. Of 27 ST resistent children 20 presented with BH 1 c curve after stopping ST and in absence of renal failure. In conclusion, growth potential of children with NS is usually conserved except for ST sensitive females treated by high ST and some pts with severe ST resistant NS. These data may have therapeutic implications mainly in males with ST dependent NS.
Feasibility of a targeted breast health education intervention for Chinese American immigrant women.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a targeted educational intervention to increase mammography screening among Chinese American women. DESIGN One-group pre- and post-test quasiexperimental design. SETTING Metropolitan areas of Portland, OR. SAMPLE 44 foreign-born Chinese American women aged 40 years and older. METHODS Participants who had not had a mammogram within the past 12 months were recruited and enrolled to a targeted breast health educational program. Before starting the group session, participants completed a baseline survey, which was administered again 12 weeks postintervention. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Completion of mammography screening test, movement in stage of readiness, mammography and breast cancer knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and perceived common and cultural barriers. FINDINGS The study response rate was high (71%). Of the 42 women who completed the study, 21 (50%) had a mammogram postintervention. The top three reasons for not completing a mammogram at the end of the study were no need or no symptom, busy, and reliance on family for assistance. Mean breast cancer susceptibility scores increased significantly at post-test as theorized (t[40] = -2.88, p < 0.01). Participants were more likely to obtain a mammogram when they had been in the United States for 3-15 years. CONCLUSIONS A targeted program that aims to increase breast health knowledge, improve access, and remove barriers may promote mammography screening among Chinese American immigrant women. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING This promising intervention now being tested under a randomized, controlled design can be adapted to other Asian subgroups. KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION Targeted breast health intervention is feasible for improving mammography screening among Chinese immigrant women. Educating these women about early detection is important, as the first sign of breast cancer usually shows on a woman's mammogram before it can be felt or any other symptoms are present. Immigrant women may be too busy to dedicate proper time to self-care behaviors; therefore, making it easier and faster for them to obtain a mammogram may improve the screening rate.
American Identity in the USA: Youth Perspectives

National identity, how one sees oneself as a member of a given nation, is an important form of social identity. Feelings toward one's country are a matter of both individual and collective concern. In an increasingly diverse world, the issue of identifying with a nation is complex and consequential for individual identity formation as well as collective political identity. How do young people think about what it means to be an American in the United States of America today? Using an in-depth interview approach, I investigate youth experiences in micro-contexts, the local contexts in which young people have concrete experiences that inform their developing identities, to illuminate important elements of the multiple pathways to American identity. Results point toward specific experiences that affect how young people form American identity: attachments to the ideals of America, the mismatch between American ideals and reality, experiences with diversity, opportunities for civic and political participation, ...
Maximum‐likelihood estimation of a hybrid index based on molecular markers

This paper elaborates on a hybrid index that utilizes information from genetic markers to quantify the genetic contribution of hybridizing species to individuals of unknown ancestry. Dominant markers will only lead to reliable and accurate estimates of hybrid index in later generation hybrids. In contrast, codominant markers can be fully resolved and their use is unproblematic. For both types of markers and allele frequencies that differ substantially between parental species (FST ≥ 0.17), a hybrid index based on 35–45 loci will have a nearly minimal confidence interval. Estimates of hybrid index are robust to modest errors in estimates of parental allele frequencies.
Intermediate-grade lymphomas treated with cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin-vincristine-prednisone-bleomycin alternated with cyclophosphamide-methotrexate-etoposide-dexamethasone. Application of prognostic models to data analysis

Background. Numerous treatment strategies have been tried with the aim of improving results for patients with intermediate-grade lymphomas (IGL) over those achieved with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, and bleomycin (CHOP-Bleo), and numerous prognostic models have been developed to identify and separate risk groups. This study reports on a new protocol for Ann Arbor Stages II-IV IGL that consists of CHOP-Bleo alternated with a new regimen of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, etoposide, and dexamethasone (CMED) and radiation therapy and demonstrates the usefulness of prognostic models for identifying risk groups and comparing treatment programs. Methods. One hundred seventy patients with Ann Arbor Stages II-IV IGL were treated with alternating cycles of CHOP-Bleo and CMED for a total of 12 cycles. Involved field radiation therapy was interspersed with courses of chemotherapy for patients with Stage II and Stage III disease. Results were analyzed and compared with those of the authors' previous study of CHOP-Bleo and radiation therapy using the Ann Arbor staging system, their earlier prognostic model, and the recently published International Index. Results. A complete remission occurred in 78% of the patients. The overall 5-year survival rate was 67%. Survival was better for patients with Ann Arbor Stage II disease (80%) than for those with Stage III or Stage IV (67% and 58%, respectively). High tumor burden, above-normal levels of serum lactic dehydrogenase, serum β2-microglobulin, and Ann Arbor Stage IV disease were adverse factors. The International Index and the authors' earlier prognostic model separated four prognostic groups. CHOP-Bleo/CMED was generally well tolerated. Neutropenic fever was the major complication that occurred in 25 patients during treatment. Six of these patients died of sepsis. Conclusions. This study demonstrated that CHOP-Bleo/CMED is a well-tolerated regimen that produced better results than those reported for a former study that used CHOP-Bleo alone. Further, results for CHOP-Bleo/CMED compared favorably with those of other second and third-generation regimens. The study also validated the usefulness of prognostic models and, in particular, the new International Index for identifying risk groups.
Conventional MRI at presentation does not predict clinical response to radiation therapy in children with diffuse pontine glioma.

Diffuse pontine glioma is a pediatric brain tumor with a median survival time of 1 year and few long-term survivors. Conventional MRI has not been shown to predict overall survival. With this dismal prognosis, clinical improvement after radiation therapy might be a more relevant issue. To determine whether initial imaging would predict clinical response. We performed a retrospective review of children with diffuse pontine glioma treated at The Children’s Hospital, Denver, and the University of Colorado–Denver from 1995 to 2008. The 30 children were divided into two groups based on acute clinical response to radiation therapy. Quantitative measurements on presenting MRIs were compared between the groups. Seven of 30 children did not respond to radiation therapy. There were no statistically significant differences in initial imaging characteristics between responders and non-responders. Necrosis and enhancement were more common in responders. Tumor surrounding the basilar artery, compression of the 4th ventricle and extension to the cerebellum were more common in non-responders. Conventional MRI at presentation does not predict clinical response in children with diffuse pontine glioma. Additional studies with larger numbers of patients and other imaging modalities are needed.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Alkanethiol Monolayers with Azobenzene Molecules on the Au(111) Surface

Azobenzene derivatives have potential applications as optomechanical devices and molecular switches. The fabrication of such devices requires attachment of selected molecules to macroscopic surfaces or leads. In this work, we consider heterogeneous systems consisting of a host alkanethiol (dodecanethiol) monolayer with thiol-terminated azobenzene molecules on the Au(111) surface. Studies of the structure and dynamics of the system using classical molecular dynamics simulations reveal a phase transition that is characterized by changes in the tilt angle, heat capacity, and diffusion constant of the host molecules. The results for the pure monolayer are compared to the corresponding heterogeneous systems containing the cis and trans isomers of azobenzene. The temperature dependence of the structure and dynamics of the monolayers is analyzed in detail. Finally, we discuss the implications of our results for the interpretation of recent experiments.
Finite strain behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(ethylene terephthalate)-glycol (PETG)

Abstract Uniaxial and plane strain compression experiments are conducted on amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(ethylene terephthalate)-glycol (PETG) over a wide range of temperatures (25–110 °C) and strain rates (.005–1.0 s −1 ). The stress–strain behavior of each material is presented and the results for the two materials are found to be remarkably similar over the investigated range of rates, temperatures, and strain levels. Below the glass transition temperature ( θ g =80 °C), the materials exhibit a distinct yield stress, followed by strain softening then moderate strain hardening at moderate strain levels and dramatic strain hardening at large strains. Above the glass transition temperature, the stress–strain curves exhibit the classic trends of a rubbery material during loading, albeit with a strong temperature and time dependence. Instead of a distinct yield stress, the curve transitions gradually, or rolls over, to flow. As in the sub- θ g range, this is followed by moderate strain hardening and stiffening, and subsequent dramatic hardening. The exhibition of dramatic hardening in PETG, a copolymer of PET which does not undergo strain-induced crystallization, indicates that crystallization may not be the source of the dramatic hardening and stiffening in PET and, instead molecular orientation is the primary hardening and stiffening mechanism in both PET and PETG. Indeed, it is only in cases of deformation which result in highly uniaxial network orientation that the stress–strain behavior of PET differs significantly from that of PETG, suggesting the influence of a meso -ordered structure or crystallization in these instances. During unloading, PETG exhibits extensive elastic recovery, whereas PET exhibits relatively little recovery, suggesting that crystallization occurs (or continues to develop) after active loading ceases and unloading has commenced, locking in much of the deformation in PET.
Ethics and the Economic Interpretation

Bearing on problem of scope and method, 454. — Both economics and ethics deal with value, 454. — Economics as a pure science has given too little attention to separation of constants from variables, 455. — Sense in which wants can be considered as data, 455. — Economic interpretation as a theory of conduct, 459. — Are human motives predominantly economic, 460. — Are they predominantly instinctive, 466. The adaptation theory, 469. — The pleasure theory, 469. — Economics as a study of the adaptation of means to ends, 472. — What becomes of ethics, 476. — Three kinds of treatment of conduct, 481.
The request for proposal

The library, the vendor, and the consultant have their own roles to play in the RFP process. The library is responsible for identifying its objectives and needs. These must be clearly understood and stated. The vendor's responsibility is to develop a creative solution to the library's particular needs, based on the information provided in the RFP and the functionality currently available. The responsibility of the consultant is essentially to educate. In order to get the system it needs, the library must not abdicate from the decision‐making process. The RFP is only one step in the process of locating a vendor and a system that meet the library's needs.
Optical Power Propagation In Chalcogenide Glass Fibers At 10.6 µm

This paper describes the preparation and characterization of chalcogenide fibers for applications such as imaging and remote optical powering. The fibers were drawn from rod preforms and clad with a UV-cured urethane acrylate coating. The polymer clad fibers were 250 gm in diameter. Extended lengths up to 0.5 km of fiber were achieved that exhibited excellent strength and flexibility.
Solid-phase synthesis of polynucleotides. III. Synthesis of polynucleotides with defined sequences by the block coupling phosphotriester method

Preparation of the three hexadecanucleotides, dGpTpApTpCpApCpGpApGpGpCpCpCpTpT, dCpGpApCpGpApGpCpGpTpGpApCpApCpC and cTpGpCpCpGpGpCpCpApCpGpApTpGpCpG, is described by a rapid and simple solid-phase method on polyacrylamide supports. The synthesis were performed by the extension of the method described in the previous paper using di and trinucleotides of defined sequences as an incoming 3'-phosphodiester unit. Although the coupling yields to form phosphotriester bonds are slightly lower than those for the homothymidylic acid series, pure polydeoxyribonucleotides of defined sequences can be synthesized without any major difficulty.
AN EXCURSION INTO MATHEMATICAL MODELING

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the need for teaching modeling in addition to modeling techniques in the undergraduate mathematics curriculum. It also provides a discussion of how a course whose goal is to teach modeling might be structured.
Evaluation of Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guide Input Parameters for Resilient Modulus of Subgrade Soils in Oklahoma

Resilient modulus ( M r ) of subgrade soil is a key input parameter in all three hierarchical levels of the new mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG). A successful implementation of the MEPDG requires a comprehensive evaluation of M r database(s) for local subgrade soils and its assessment to determine desired input parameters. To this end, a database containing subgrade M r values, index properties, standard Proctor, and unconfined compressive strengths for 712 soil samples from 39 different counties in Oklahoma was developed. A total of five stress-based regression models were evaluated using a statistical software package (“SPSS,” Version 17), and material constants (k1, k2, and k3) for these soils, categorized in accordance with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Classification system, were determined. The goodness of fit and the significance of these models were ranked with respect to their R2 and F values, respectively; the MEPDG recommended octahedral model was found to outperform the others. Furthermore, reasonably good correlations of material constants with routine soil properties were established for Level 2 analysis and design. Typical M r values of common Oklahoma soils for Level 3 analysis and design were also estimated. The findings of this study are expected to help the implementation of the MEPDG in Oklahoma.
REGULATORY ROLES OF CYCLIN DEPENDENT KINASE PHOSPHORYLATION IN CELL CYCLE CONTROL

Abstract Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are universal regulators of cell cycle progression in eukaryotic cells. Cdk activity is controlled by phosphorylation at three conserved sites, and many of the enzymes that act on these sites have now been identified. Although the biochemistry of CdK phosphorylation is relatively well understood, the regulatory roles of such phosphorylation are, in many cases, obscure. Recent studies have uncovered new and unexpected potential roles, and prompted re-examination of previously assumed roles, of Cdk phosphorylation.
The Immune Response and Its Therapeutic Modulation in Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis (BC) is a chronic pulmonary disease with tremendous morbidity and significant mortality. As pathogen infection has been advocated as a triggering insult in the development of BC, a central role for the immune response in this process seems obvious. Inflammatory cells are present in both the airways as well as the lung parenchyma, and multiple mediators of immune cells including proteases and cytokines or their humoral products are increased locally or in the periphery. Interestingly, a defect in the immune system or suppression of immune response during conditions such as immunodeficiency may well predispose one to the devastating effects of BC. Thus, the outcome of an active immune response as detrimental or protective in the pathogenesis of BC may be dependent on the state of the patient's immunity, the severity of infection, and the magnitude of immune response. Here we reassess the function of the innate and acquired immunity in BC, the major sites of immune response, and the nature of the bioactive mediators. Furthermore, the potential link(s) between an ongoing immune response and structural alterations accompanying the disease and the success of therapies that can modulate the nature and extent of immune response in BC are elaborated upon.
TU‐D‐J‐6C‐06: 3D Respiratory Motion Estimation From Slowly Rotating 2D‐Xray Projection Views

Purpose: To more directly model changes in patient configuration due to respiratory motion during gantry rotation for “4D” cone‐beam CT(CBCT).Method and Materials: The process takes advantage of the similarity between the patient at treatment and their model from a prior (planning) CT scan. A reference thorax volume is obtained from a conventional fast CT scanner under breath‐hold conditions. At treatment, a sequence of projection views of the same patient is acquired using a slowly rotating cone‐beam system, which takes 1 minute for a full rotation. Breathing motion over the entire acquisition period is estimated by deforming the reference volume through time to best match the measured projection views. A B‐spline based motion model is used to describe free breathing motion. Optimized parameters of this model (by minimizing a regularized square error cost function) determine the motion of each point of the object at any time within the scanning period. Performance of this approach was evaluated by simulation, in which a 128×128×40 reference thorax volume and a 3D cone‐beam geometry were used to generate 12 projection views of one breathing cycle. Results: Results showed good agreement between the estimated and true motion. A 30‐degree angular rotation during one breathing cycle (5 seconds) yielded a mean absolute estimation error (MAE) of 0.7 mm (maximum 2.1mm). A 360‐degree angular rotation yielded MAE of 0.4mm (maximum 1.3mm). Conclusion: It is feasible to estimate non‐rigid motion from a sequence of slowly rotating projections. Improved accuracy with increased angular range indicates advantages of faster rotation or limited periodicity constraints. Supported by NIHP01‐CA598
Thermal imaging systems modeling: present status and future challenges

The capability to accurately predict the target acquisition performance of thermal imagers is extremely important for several reasons. The predictions can serve as a guide for weapons system development, and they can be used to decide if a particular design will satisfy established requirements. The predictions play an important role in war games and because of this they influence engagement tactics. They also aid in establishment of future weapons system requirements. Target acquisition performance prediction is also an extremely complex task. Several models of thermal imaging system performance have been developed over the years, many of them specialized to only a few military scenarios. The continued improvement in E-O technology combined with the need to predict acquisition performance for a wider range of scenarios have forced an evolution of the models. Systems analysts and model developers have been challenged in several areas related to model development. A brief review of the history of target acquisition model development is followed by an outline of some of the challenges we face at present. Some possible future directions are then discussed.
Plasma-Neutral Heat Transfer in Coaxial RF Argon Discharges

Particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo Collision (PIC/MCC) algorithms comprise a numerical model to assess the discharge characteristics of an RF plasma microthruster concept that exploits an RF capacitively coupled discharge (RFCCD) to heat a propellant. The eects of heat transfer between the discharge and the neutral species on microthruster performance are discussed. Heat transfer within the plasma discharge has been shown to greatly aect the discharge characteristics and thruster performance. Increasing the neutral temperature reduces the amount of power transmitted into the uid through a reduction of the neutral density, and thus reduces eectiv eness of the discharge. The PIC/MCC modeling showed that the power transmitted into the uid increases faster than linear with respect to an increase in applied potential, but the total power absorbed increases on the order of a linear trend. The power transmission eciency is found to be directly proportional to the applied potential, making the discharge more ecien t at higher voltages. The theoretical specic impulse also increases as the applied potential or discharge pressure is increased.
Public Policy Issues Affecting the Homeless in America

The issue of homelessness symbolizes and incorporates some of the most urgent public concerns in the United States today, and for the next several decades. Homelessness represents an intersection of five major public policy areas: first, the issue of growing poverty in the face of industrial prosperity, a widening income gap between rich and poor, and the disparity between educational preparation and occupational requirements; second, the issues raised by lifestyle-related health epidemics such as drug addiction and multi-substance abuse; third, the issue of mental health, which stubbornly remains one of America's major unrecognized health problems, with literally millions of organic, cognitive, personality, and affective disorders left untreated; fourth, the issue of housing, and whether and how the provision of dwellings is central to American requirements for "a human community" and a basic right to "the pursuit of happiness"; and fifth, the multiple issues raised by aging and long-term care, because a...
Use of a Schizosaccharomyces pombe PKA-repressible reporter to study cGMP metabolising phosphodiesterases.

Abstract The Schizosaccharomyces pombe fbp1 gene is transcriptionally repressed by protein kinase A (PKA) that is activated by extracellular glucose via a cAMP-signaling pathway. We previously used an fbp1–ura4 reporter that places uracil biosynthesis under the control of the glucose-sensing pathway to identify mutations in genes of the cAMP pathway. More recently, this reporter has been used in high throughput screens for small molecule inhibitors of heterologously-expressed cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that hydrolyse cAMP to 5′ AMP. Here we show that strains lacking the adenylyl cyclase gene respond to either exogenous cAMP or cGMP to activate PKA, thus regulating fbp1–ura4 expression and other PKA-regulated processes such as conjugation and the nuclear export of an Rst2–GFP fusion protein. Expression of cGMP-specific PDEs or ones that hydrolyse both cAMP and cGMP increases the amount of exogenous cGMP required to activate PKA in order to repress fbp1–ura4 expression, creating conditions that allow detection of inhibitors of these PDEs. As proof of this concept, we screened a collection of compounds previously identified as inhibitors of cAMP-specific PDE4 or PDE7 enzymes for their ability to inhibit the mammalian cGMP-specific PDE5A enzyme. We identified compound BC76, which inhibits PDE5A in an in vitro enzyme assay with an IC 50 of 232 nM. Further yeast-based assays show that BC76 inhibits PDE1, PDE4, PDE5, PDE8, PDE10 and PDE11, thus demonstrating the utility of this system for detecting and characterising inhibitors of either cAMP- or cGMP-metabolising PDEs.
Tests of two methods for identifying founder effects in metapopulations reveal substantial type II error.

Genetic analysis has been promoted as a way to reconstruct recent historical dynamics (“historical demography”) by screening for signatures of events, such as bottlenecks, that disrupt equilibrium patterns of variation. Such analyses might also identify “metapopulation” processes like extinction and recolonization or source-sink dynamics, but this potential remains largely unrealized. Here we use simulations to test the ability of two currently used strategies to distinguish between a set of interconnected subpopulations (demes) that have undergone bottlenecks or extinction and recolonization events (metapopulation dynamics) from a set of static demes. The first strategy, decomposed pairwise regression, provides a holistic test for heterogeneity among demes in their patterns of isolation-by-distance. This method suffered from a type II error rate of 59–100 %, depending on parameter conditions. The second strategy tests for deviations from mutation-drift equilibrium on a deme-by-deme basis to identify sites likely to have experienced recent bottlenecks or founder effects. Although bottleneck tests have good statistical power for single populations with recent population declines, their validity in structured populations has been called into question, and they have not been tested in a metapopulation context with immigration (or colonization) and population recovery. Our simulations of hypothetical metapopulations show that population recovery can rapidly eliminate the statistical signature of a bottleneck, and that moderate levels of gene flow can generate a false signal of recent population growth for demes in equilibrium. Although we did not cover all possible metapopulation scenarios, the performance of the tests was disappointing. Our results indicate that these methods might often fail to identify population bottlenecks and founder effects if population recovery and/or gene flow are influential demographic features of the study system.
Immunocytochemical and Immunogold Localization of Two Prolactin Isoforms in the Same Pituitary Cells and in the Same Granules in the Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

The tilapia pituitary secretes two forms of prolactin (tPRL) and a single growth hormone (tGH). The tPRLs share only 69% sequence identity and are designated tPRL177 and tPRL188 to indicate the number of amino acid residues in each isoform. Our aim was to develop specific antisera for detection of these three related polypeptides. Ten peptides corresponding to unique epitopes on the tPRLs and two peptides of tGH were synthesized using solid-phase methods, conjugated to carrier proteins, and used as immunogens for antibody production in rabbits. Select antisera for the tPRLs were highly specific, exhibiting only 1% cross-reactivity to the alternate tPRL under noncompetitive ELISA conditions at dilutions used in immunocytochemical analysis. The anti-tGH specifically bound to cells in the proximal pars distalis. Production of both tPRLs by a single cell type was indicated by the binding of both anti-tPRL177 and anti-tPRL188 to the same cells in the rostral pars distalis. Ultrastructural analysis of PRL-producing cells stained sequentially using the two different anti-tPRL antibodies labeled with immunogold of two size classes indicated that both tPRLs appear in the same granules. These findings suggest that the biological significance of two forms of PRL in the adult tilapia is not a function of differential regulation of two different classes of PRL cells or differential release of unique secretory granules.
Autophagy and Cell Death: No Longer at Odds

Autophagy has been associated with both cell survival and cell death, but the role of autophagy in cell death has been controversial. In this issue, Berry and Baehrecke (2007) report that autophagy is involved in physiological cell death during Drosophila development and is controlled by similar mechanisms as those that control its function in cell survival.
A comparison between multifocal and conventional VEP latency changes secondary to glaucomatous damage

PURPOSE. To compare latencies of conventional visual evoked potentials (cVEPs) and multifocal VEPs (mfVEPs) in the same patients. Previous reports of prolonged cVEP latency suggest a vehicle for detecting abnormal ganglion cells and for monitoring neuroprotection. METHODS. Seventy-five glaucomatous eyes (47 patients), 75 eyes with suspected glaucoma (46 patients), and 41 control eyes (22 subjects) underwent achromatic automated perimetry and mfVEP and cVEP testing. The mfVEP stimulus was a scaled dart board with 60 sectors; each sector was a pattern-reversing checkerboard. The cVEP stimulus was a reversing checkerboard with checks of either 15 minutes or 60 minutes in width. RESULTS. Relatively few glaucomatous eyes had latencies that fell outside the range of control eyes, and there was little difference between the cVEP and mfVEP results. In the glaucoma group, 12.3% (15 minutes cVEP), 8% (60 minutes cVEP), and 17.3% (mfVEP) of the eyes and 5.3% (15 minutes cVEP), 6.7% (60 minutes cVEP), and 5.3% (mfVEP) of the suspect eyes exceeded the normal range. The glaucomatous eyes had, on average, relatively small increases in latency, compared with the control or suspect groups. Further, the latency of both the mfVEP and cVEP bore no obvious relationship to the mean deviation of the visual field. CONCLUSIONS. Contrary to previous reports, prolonged VEP delays were present in a minority of patients with glaucoma. Either a delayed VEP is not a good indicator of damaged, as opposed to dead, retinal ganglion cells, or there are relatively few patients who exhibit evidence of damaged ganglion cells. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006;47:5331‐5336) DOI:
Computer performance tests employed by the National Bureau of Standards

During the past five years the National Bureau of Standards has collaborated with five government agencies in technical programs that involved the performance testing of complete electronic digital-computing systems. Devising a meaningful evaluation procedure proved to be a surprisingly elusive task. Because digital computers are highly integrated assemblies, there is not much value that the prospective user gains from a detailed check on each of the individual facilities and units.
Log‐normality of environmental sampling data

Abstract In the statistical analysis of the environmental sampling data the empirical observation of the best representation of the data by a log‐normal distribution is theoretically proved. The consequences of this proof in the data analysis is discussed and an example utilizing data from a field study is given to illustrate the appropriateness of using the log‐normal statistics.
The Minnesota interactive statistical system

The Minnesota Interactive Statistical System (MISS) is reviewed as a successful application of on-line minicomputing in an instructional and research context. The MISS system is described with regard to (1) the instructional and research needs which prompted its development, (2) its programming design, (3) its operating system, (4) its computer hardware requirements, and (5) the continued innovative minicomputing development that it has inspired.