cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear Relationships between Weekly Walking Distance and Adiposity in 27,596 Women

Introduction/Purpose: Data from vigorously active women (runners) suggested that declines in adiposity with weekly running distance were nonlinear and dependent on whether the women are relatively lean or fat. The purpose of the current study is to assess the cross-sectional relationship between the amount of moderate-intensity physical activity (walking distance) and indicators of adiposity. Methods: Cross-sectional analyses (i.e., quadratic polynomial regression, regression for percentiles of adiposity) of body mass index (BMI), body circumferences, and bra cup sizes in 27,596 women. Results: The estimated percent reductions between walking 40-50 km[middle dot]wk-1 and <10 km[middle dot]wk-1 were greatest for BMI, intermediate for waist circumference and cup size, and least for hip and chest circumferences. The relationships of walking distance to BMI and body circumferences were all nonlinear (convex). In addition, the inverse relationship between weekly walking distance and adiposity was greatest at the highest percentile of BMI, body circumferences, and cup size, and least at the lowest percentiles. Thus, the decline in adiposity per kilometer per week increment in walking distance was greatest in overweight mostly sedentary women and least in lean active women. The decline in BMI per kilometer per week of exercise was greater in the walkers than previously reported for runners. However, based on the relationships between walking distance and percentiles of the BMI distribution reported here, we show that the majority of this difference is attributable to the leanness of the runners and greater fatness of the walker. Conclusion: These data suggest that in women the greatest benefit of walking may be among the most obese and that at higher weekly distances the declines in weight associated with walking diminish. Whether these relationships are causal remains to be determined.
Les inhibiteurs d’EGFR dans le cancer bronchique non à petites cellules : plus qu’hier et moins que demain

Resume Certaines des innovations therapeutiques les plus marquantes en pneumologie au cours des dernieres annees incluent les traitements dits « cibles » utilises dans la lutte contre le cancer bronchique non a petites cellules. Parmi ces traitements, les inhibiteurs du recepteur de l’Epidermal Growth Factor (EGFR) occupent une place de choix. Qu’il s’agisse des inhibiteurs de l’activite tyrosine kinase du recepteur, gefitinib et erlotinib ou de l’anticorps monoclonal dirige contre le domaine extracellulaire d’EGFR, le cetuximab, ces nouveaux medicaments sont appeles a occuper une place grandissante dans notre pharmacopee. Cette synthese a pour but de detailler le role d’EGFR dans la cancerogenese bronchique, d’exposer les principales approches therapeutiques visant a en inhiber l’activite, d’en presenter les marqueurs d’activite ou de resistance et de discuter les principales etudes ayant evalue ces nouveaux traitements.
Localization of cardiac L-type Ca2+ channels to a caveolar macromolecular signaling complex is required for β2-adrenergic regulation

L-type Ca2+ channels play a critical role in regulating Ca2+-dependent signaling in cardiac myocytes, including excitation-contraction coupling; however, the subcellular localization of cardiac L-type Ca2+ channels and their regulation are incompletely understood. Caveolae are specialized microdomains of the plasmalemma rich in signaling molecules and supported by the structural protein caveolin-3 in muscle. Here we demonstrate that a subpopulation of L-type Ca2+ channels is localized to caveolae in ventricular myocytes as part of a macromolecular signaling complex necessary for β2-adrenergic receptor (AR) regulation of ICa,L. Immunofluorescence studies of isolated ventricular myocytes using confocal microscopy detected extensive colocalization of caveolin-3 and the major pore-forming subunit of the L-type Ca channel (Cav1.2). Immunogold electron microscopy revealed that these proteins colocalize in caveolae. Immunoprecipitation from ventricular myocytes using anti-Cav1.2 or anti-caveolin-3 followed by Western blot analysis showed that caveolin-3, Cav1.2, β2-AR (not β1-AR), G protein αs, adenylyl cyclase, protein kinase A, and protein phosphatase 2a are closely associated. To determine the functional impact of the caveolar-localized β2-AR/Cav1.2 signaling complex, β2-AR stimulation (salbutamol plus atenolol) of ICa,L was examined in pertussis toxin-treated neonatal mouse ventricular myocytes. The stimulation of ICa,L in response to β2-AR activation was eliminated by disruption of caveolae with 10 mM methyl β-cyclodextrin or by small interfering RNA directed against caveolin-3, whereas β1-AR stimulation (norepinephrine plus prazosin) of ICa,L was not altered. These findings demonstrate that subcellular localization of L-type Ca2+ channels to caveolar macromolecular signaling complexes is essential for regulation of the channels by specific signaling pathways.
The empty sella.

Abstract Objective: To discuss the diagnostic imaging findings of an empty sella in a chiropractic patient with emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of normal and abnormal pituitary appearances. Clinical Features: A 44-year-old woman started having headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea after an argument with her boyfriend. She had been treated for acute torticollis for three weeks when the new symptoms began. Consultation with an internist led to an MRI examination of the cerebellopontine angles to exclude an acoustic neuroma. The MRI demonstrated an enlarged empty sella. There was no history of pituitary tumor or other sellar disease. Intervention and Outcome: There was complete remission of the symptoms after 1 additional dizzy spell that occurred 3 days after the initial symptom. No intervention was performed, but the stress levels in her life had been reduced. Conclusion: An enlarged empty sella can be present without symptoms and can represent an incidental finding on radiography and MRI. However, an enlarged sella seen on lateral cervical spine radiographs should prompt further evaluation to rule out pituitary disease. The normal pituitary has a varied appearance and signal intensity on MRI depending on the patient's age and pregnancy status. (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1999;22:478–82)
On the failure of ellipticity and the emergence of discontinuous deformation gradients in plane finite elastostatics

This investigation concerns equilibrium fields with discontinuous displacement gradients, but continuous displacements, in the theory of finite plane deformations of possibly anisotropic, compressible elastic solids. “Elastostatic shocks” of this kind, which resemble in many respects gas-dynamical shocks associated with steady flows, are shown to exist only if and when the governing field equations of equilibrium suffer a loss of ellipticity. The local structure of such shocks, near a point on the shockline, is studied with particular attention to weak shocks, and an example pertaining to a shock of finite strength is explored in detail. Also, necessary and sufficient conditions for the “dissipativity” of time-dependent equilibrium shocks are established. Finally, the relevance of the analysis carried out here to localized shear failures-such as those involved in the formation of Luders bands-is discussed. Since this paper was submitted for publication, Professor James R. Rice has pointed out to us that the dissipation inequality (6.28), which was in essence postulated in the present work, could have been deduced from the thermodynamic requirement of a positive rate of entropy production together with the energy identity (6.23). It is presumed in such a derivation that the underlying quasi-static time dependent equilibrium shock constitutes an isothermal process.
BioLit: integrating biological literature with databases

BioLit is a web server which provides metadata describing the semantic content of all open access, peer-reviewed articles which describe research from the major life sciences literature archive, PubMed Central. Specifically, these metadata include database identifiers and ontology terms found within the full text of the article. BioLit delivers these metadata in the form of XML-based article files and as a custom web-based article viewer that provides context-specific functionality to the metadata. This resource aims to integrate the traditional scientific publication directly into existing biological databases, thus obviating the need for a user to search in multiple locations for information relating to a specific item of interest, for example published experimental results associated with a particular biological database entry. As an example of a possible use of BioLit, we also present an instance of the Protein Data Bank fully integrated with BioLit data. We expect that the community of life scientists in general will be the primary end-users of the web-based viewer, while biocurators will make use of the metadata-containing XML files and the BioLit database of article data. BioLit is available at http://biolit.ucsd.edu.
Caribbean international circulation: Are Puerto Rican women tied-circulators?

Abstract The Caribbean's proximity to the United States has led to a high degree of interdependence between the region and its all-powerful northern neighbour. The development of traditions of international mobility among people of all classes in Caribbean societies has meant that international circulation between island home and U.S. mainland metropolis appears to be a common strategy in contemporary times. This examination of the multiple-movement behaviour of a sample of Puerto Rican women seeks to unravel the relations between their circulation patterns, their family and contextual situations and their declared motives for undertaking international mobility. The leading question asked in this study is whether this international mobility behaviour of Puerto Rican women is autonomous or dependent upon the movement or decision-making of others. Structural theory suggests the latter is most likely, but behavioural divergence occurs in return movement.
Disentangling the influence of suspects' demeanor and mental disorder on arrest

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the factors that influence officer behavior when encountering suspects of crime who are perceived to have a mental disorder.Design/methodology/approach – This paper utilizes data collected from systematic social observations of street officers during 617 encounters with suspects, including 49 that were perceived to have a mental disorder. Multivariate models are estimated to determine the relative influence mental disorder has on officer decision making.Findings – The paper finds mentally disordered suspects are more likely to demonstrate disrespectful or hostile behavior. The paper also finds that disrespect and hostility increases the likelihood of arrests. However, results also demonstrate that despite behavioral differences, persons with mental disorders are significantly less likely to be arrested by officers. Results support the contention that officers view mental status as a mitigating factor during encounters, and further calls in to question t...
Distinct mechanical relaxation components in pairs of erythrocyte ghosts undergoing fusion.

It was previously reported (Chernomordik and Sowers, 1991) that erythrocyte ghosts which were exposed to a 42 degrees C, 10-min heat treatment would, upon electrofusion, produce over 15-20 s a fusion product with an "open lumen" (i.e., the fusion product became converted to one large sphere), while electrofusion of ghost membranes not so exposed would lead to chains of polyghosts. In phase optics the chains of polyghosts showed a "flat diaphragm" at virtually every ghost-ghost junction (i.e., the ghosts do not appear to be fused even though fluorescent-labeled lipid analogs can laterally diffuse from a labeled ghost to an adjacent unlabeled ghost). In the present study we found that the diameter increase in open lumen- and flat diaphragm-producing fusion processes both had a rapid but short early phase (0-5 s after fusion) which was exponential or nearly so and a slow but long late phase (5-120 s after fusion) which was essentially linear. Heat treatments at 39 or 42 degrees C caused a minor acceleration in only the late phase, while temperatures of 45 or 50 degrees C caused an immediate and dramatic acceleration in the rate of diameter increase (spheres in 1-2 s). Ghost membranes in the presence of glycerol at 20% (v/v) did not form open lumens when exposed to the 42 degrees C (but not the > or = 45 degrees C) heat treatment. This suggested that the heat treatment was denaturing a critical protein. Both of these observations are consistent with the involvement of the spectrin network since it is the only protein in the erythrocyte membrane which is known (Brandts et al., 1977) to have a calorimetric transition over the same temperature range used in our heat treatments. The diameter versus time curves were sensitive to: (i) the residual effects of the fusogenic electric pulse only up to about 1 s after the pulse, (ii) the strength of the dielectrophoretic field after the pulse, but not before the pulse,(iii) the ambient temperature during the measurement.
A novel micromechanics-based approach to the derivation of constitutive equations for local/global analysis of a plain-weave fabric composite

A stress and strain averaging procedure is presented in this paper for local/global analysis of plain-weave fabric composites. Within a representative volume cell, using uniform stress and uniform strain assumptions, the constitutive equations are averaged along the thickness direction. The cell is then divided into many subcells and an averaging is performed again by assuming uniform stress distribution in each subcell to obtain the effective stress/strain relations of the subcell. As a result, a linear system of equations is formed and subsequently solved to distribute the global average strains to each subcell. In this manner, given the average strains, the global average stresses can be determined. Numerical results are generated for engineering constants and compared to other numerical predictions and experimental data. Good agreements are achieved with respect to experimental data and finite-element results.
Off-hour admission and outcomes for patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions.

Background Prior studies have suggested that patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who are admitted during off-hours (weekends, nights and holidays) have higher mortality when compared with patients admitted during regular hours. Methods We analyzed consecutive patients with AMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] and non-STEMI) who were treated with percutaneous coronary interventions from January 1998 to June 2010 at an academic medical center. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between off-hour admission and clinical outcomes adjusted for demographic and clinical variables. Results There were 3,422 and 2,664 patients with AMI admitted during off-hours and regular hours, respectively. Patients admitted during off-hours were more likely to have STEMI (56% vs 48%, P P = .002), and develop shock after presentation (6% vs 5%, P = .004). After multivariable analyses, off-hour admission was not significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.12, 95% CI 0.84-1.49), 30-day mortality (OR 1.12, 0.87-1.45), or 30-day readmissions (OR 1.01, 0.84-1.20) but was significantly associated with composite major complications and any of emergent coronary artery bypass graft surgery, ventricular arrhythmia, stroke/transient ischemic attack, and gastrointestinal/retroperitoneal/intracranial bleeding (OR 1.27, 1.05-1.55, P = .015). There was no significant time trend in the adjusted mortality difference between off-hours and regular hours. The results were not different between STEMI and non-STEMI. Conclusions Patients who were admitted during off-hours did not have higher mortality or readmission rates as compared with ones admitted during regular hours at an academic medical center.
Sustainable in-well vapor stripping: A design, analytical model, and pilot study for groundwater remediation

A sustainable in-well vapor stripping system is designed as a cost-effective alternative for remediation of shallow chlorinated solvent groundwater plumes. A solar-powered air compressor is used to inject air bubbles into a monitoring well to strip volatile organic compounds from a liquid to vapor phase while simultaneously inducing groundwater circulation around the well screen. An analytical model of the remediation process is developed to estimate contaminant mass flow and removal rates. The model was calibrated based on a one-day pilot study conducted in an existing monitoring well at a former dry cleaning site. According to the model, induced groundwater circulation at the study site increased the contaminant mass flow rate into the well by approximately two orders of magnitude relative to ambient conditions. Modeled estimates for 5h of pulsed air injection per day at the pilot study site indicated that the average effluent concentrations of dissolved tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene can be reduced by over 90% relative to the ambient concentrations. The results indicate that the system could be used cost-effectively as either a single- or multi-well point technology to substantially reduce the mass of dissolved chlorinated solvents in groundwater.
“Abomination”—Life as a Bible Belt Gay

Drawing on observation, autoethnography, and audio-taped interviews, this article explores the religious backgrounds and experiences of Bible Belt gays. In the Bible Belt, Christianity is not confi...
A 2-D model that accounts for 3-D fringing in MEMS devices

Abstract MEMS devices such as comb drives and rotary drives are geometrically simple in that each of the components may be represented as a ‘sweep’ of a 2-D cross-section through a given height. This simplicity leads to simpler CAD requirements, geometric robustness, faster visualization, etc. Further, 3-D electrostatic simulation may be simplified to a 2-D problem over the cross-section if one neglects 3-D fringing. Such 2-D simulations provide a quick feedback to the designer on various parameters such as capacitance and electrostatic forces. However, as is well known, 3-D simulations cannot be avoided if fringing is significant, or when these devices need to be fully optimized. Such 3-D simulations unfortunately involve constructing the full 3-D geometry, volume/surface mesh, etc. In this paper, we demonstrate that one can pose and solve a 2-D problem that accounts for 3-D fringing. The proposed technique does not require the construction of the 3-D CAD model or surface/volume mesh. Instead, the 3-D electrostatics problem is collapsed to 2-D via a novel dimensional reduction method. Once the 2-D problem is solved, the full 3-D field and associated charges/forces can be recovered, as a post-processing step. The simplicity and computational efficiency of the technique lends itself well to parametric study and design optimization.
Surface diffusion of H and CO on Cu/Ru(001): evidence for long-range trapping by copper islands

Abstract The surface diffusion of H and Co on Cu/Ru(001) was studied using laser-induced thermal desorption (LITD) techniques. The surface mobilities of H and CO on the Ru(001) surface were both dramatically attenuated by submonolayer copper coverages. At 300 K and Θ H =0.25 ML, the H diffusion coefficient decreased by a factor of ∼30 from D H =8.7 × 10 −7 cm 2 /s on clean Ru(001) to D H =3.0 × 10 −8 cm 2 /s at Θ Cu = 0.09 ML. At fixed copper coverages of Θ Cu = 0.10 ML and Θ Cu = 0.25 ML, the hydrogen diffusion coefficient was negligible at low hydrogen coverages and then increased at higher hydrogen coverages. The copper coverages also increased the hydrogen diffusion activation barrier from E H = 2.8 ± 0.2 kcal mol on clean Ru(001) to E H = 9.8 ± 1.0 kcal mol at Θ Cu = 0.15 ML . The dependence of hydrogen mobility on hydrogen coverage and the increase in diffusion activation barrier at higher copper coverages suggest that hydrogen is trapped by copper on Ru(001). The copper coverage on Ru(001) also reduced the CO diffusion coefficient. At 300 K and Θ CO = 0.41 ML, the CO diffusion coefficient decreased by a factor of 2400 as the copper coverage increased from Θ Cu = 0.00 ML to 0.10 ML. Recent scanning tunneling microscope (STM) studies have revealed that copper forms islands on Ru(001). Monte Carlo simulations of these surface diffusion results are consistent with a trapping interaction between H and the copper islands. The Monte Carlo results also argue for a very long-ranged perturbation of ∼200 A induced by the copper islands. These experimental and theoretical results for dramatic and long-ranged trapping indicate that copper seriously perturbs the surface electronic properties of Ru(001).
Structure and Mechanism of Hydrolysis of the Product of Reaction of Phosphorus Pentoxide and Ethyl Ether

THE product of reaction of phosphorus pentoxide and ethyl ether which has the composition of a metaphosphate ester [PO3(C2H5)]n has been the subject of recent discussion. Ratz and Thilo1 have shown that the product of hydrolysis of this ester could result from the splitting of a mixture of the two following compounds: However, the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum obtained by Van Wazer2 on the crude compound shows the presence of three peaks, the chemical shifts of which are characteristics of terminal (t), middle (m) and branched (b) phosphorus atoms, but in the proportions Pt = 25 per cent, Pm = 72 per cent, Pb = 3 per cent. The inequality of Pb and Pt seemed to rule out the proposed structure.
Biomimetic synthesis of leukotriene A

Abstract A biogenetically patterned conversion of 1 into 2 is described. This transformation has been found to be non-stereospecific with respect to the geometry of the newly generated double bond at C9(10).
Thermodynamics of Arsenic in Glass

Vapor pressures of arsenic trioxide over glass have been determined. From these results, together with analytical data of trivalent and pentavalent arsenic in the glass and the oxygen pressure, the free energies of solution of arsenic trioxide and arsenic pentoxide have been calculated. In a similar way the free energy of formation of Na4As2O7 from the oxides has been determined for comparison.
Alveolar proteinosis. Lobar lavage by fiberoptic bronchoscopic technique.

Lavage limited to an isolated lobe was performed on multiple occasions using a cuffed fiberoptic bronchoscope in a patient with alveolar proteinosis. Sequential ventilation-perfusion scintiphotoscans were used to preselect and follow the functional behavior of the lavaged lobe. Lavage led to functional improvement. The technique of fiberoptic bronchoscopic lobar lavage is simple and may find application in patients in whom lavage of an entire lung may be hazardous.
Effect of insulin on microbial growth.

The ability of insulin to affect the growth kinetics of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was measured. For all organisms, insulin, in the absence of a metabolizable sugar source, i.e., glucose or starch in Mueller-Hinton medium, had no effect on generation time as compared with a homologous control. Response to insulin, in the form of increased or decreased generation times, for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, was dependent on the concentration of insulin, the concentration of glucose present, and the initial concentration of bacteria exposed to the glucose and insulin.
US transplant system.

Sir—As a transplant surgeon in the USA, I have grave concerns with proposed federal regulations regarding organ allocation. I take exception to your July 11 editorial which effectively endorses the proposal by the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The proposed changes in organ distribution would cause patients substantial harm. First, it would reduce the number of people receiving transplants and result in more deaths. Second, it would cause smaller transplant centres to close. The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), which represents the transplant community in the USA, commissioned an independent study of this proposal. Alan Pritsker used a computer model that gauges the impact of alterations to organ distribution policy. His study concluded that over 7 years, the change in policy required to satisfy the DHHS performance goals would result in 1508 fewer people getting transplants and 634 more deaths. On the closing of local transplant centres, you conclude, “smaller programmes could fare well under the new rules”. Proponents of the regulations seem to think otherwise and are more concerned with the fate of their programmes. John Fung, Transplant Director at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said, “Maybe they shouldn’t be doing transplants if they can’t service highrisk patients. They’re only servicing their egos”. The proposals would be detrimental to the greater medical good. Local facilities make diagnoses, life-saving transplants, and extensive rehabilitation available to more people because they live close by. To require people to relocate near large centres limits treatment for low-income people. For 12 years, UNOS has administered the organ-allocation system, striking a delicate balance between helping extremely sick patients and as many patients as possible. Their work is steadily subjected to intense peer review by members of the transplant community. Adjustments are judiciously weighed and implemented when it benefits the medical good. In January, 1998, UNOS implemented guidelines on waiting times and treatment for urgent patients. The guidelines sought to reconcile regional waiting times by establishing more reasonable standards for patients classified as urgent. Since then, the number of urgent liver patients receiving transplants has increased by 20%. The system put in place to distribute organs will never be satisfactory as long as organs are in such short supply. Thankfully, ever since a June hearing before Congress, UNOS and DHHS have had ongoing discussions about organ distribution. The transplant community in the USA remains hopeful that their talks will conclude with the continuance of a transplant system predicated on the judgment of medical professionals and that helps as many patients as possible
Current and future directions of research into prematurity: report of the symposium on prematurity held on 21-22 November 2005.

Current and Future Directions of Research into Prematurity: Report of the Symposium on Prematurity Held on 21–22 November 2005
The Thermal Design of an LSI Single-Chip Package

Theoretical and experimental methods are used to predict the thermal properties of an air-cooled integrated-circuit package with a large LSl type of chip. A previously reported three-dimensional solution to the differential equation for steady-state heat transfer has been extended to include composite media with up to four layers of unequal thickness and thermal conductivity. The theoretical results are used to calculate the detailed thermal characteristics of a 1.3 X 0.6-in package with a 0.17-in square chip. Geometric and physical considerations include the effects of ceramic thickness and thermal conductivity, chip dimensions, lead conduction, and heat-sink variations. An empirical technique is used to determine the forced-convection heat-transfer coefficients for a variety of extruded aluminum heat sinks. The effects of fin length, air velocity, and number of fins per inch are measured.
The mechanism of stomatal action

Recent reviews have denied the applicability of the classical theory of stomatal movement. The newer explanations are shown to be incorrect, and the major objections to the classical theory invalid. Nevertheless, the classical theory needs to be modified. If the decisive factor is assumed to be carboxylic acid (RCOOH) rather than CO2 concentration, all the known facts can be explained. Two predictions of this modified classical theory were vindicated. The proposed relationship of stomatal opening to RCOOH concentration is illustrated schematically.
The Role of "Smart" Infusion Pumps in Patient Safety

"Smart" infusion pumps are medication delivery devices that use a combination of computer technology and drug libraries to limit the potential for dosing errors. The evidence for their impact is limited: they have been shown to prevent some errors but there are minimal data linking the devices to reducing harm. Reasons for the limited impact include poor design leading to usability issues including programming errors, varying degrees of end-user acceptance, and their contingent nature. Iterative user-centered design, coupled with network and real-time monitoring of alerts may enhance the impact of these devices.
Fabrication of highly cross-linked reversed-phase monolithic columns via living radical polymerization.

Abstract New monolithic reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) stationary phases based on single multi-acrylate/methacrylate-containing monomers [i.e., 1,12-dodecanediol dimethacrylate (1,12-DoDDMA), trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM) and pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (PETA)] were synthesized using organotellurium-mediated living radical polymerization (TERP), which was expected to produce more efficient monolithic columns than conventional free-radical polymerization. The rationale behind selection of porogens, relative concentrations of reagents and polymerization conditions are described. The new monolithic columns were applied to the separation of small molecules (i.e., alkylbenzenes) under isocratic conditions. Chromatographic efficiencies as high as 60,200 plates/m (71,300 plates/m when corrected for extra-column variance) were obtained, showing a general improvement over previous RPLC monoliths.
Formation of 24Na in the interaction of 12 GeV protons with isotopes of uranium and lead

Abstract Separated 233 U, 235 U, 238 U and 208 Pb isotopes were bombarded with 11·6 GeV protons and the cross sections for the production of 24 Na determined as 12·3 ± 0·6 mbarn, 12·0 ± 1·0 mbarn, 12·5 ± 2·5 mbarn, and 8·3 ± 0·6 mbarn, respectively. It is concluded that the cross section for the formation of 24 Na from heavy elements is a function of the atomic number of the target but not of its composition.
Working for Chinese and Indian companies overseas: human resource challenges and the nation brand

The rapid growth of China and India as significant outward foreign direct investors has led companies from these emerging economies to look for technically skilled and culturally savvy workers for their operations overseas. This two-part empirical study surveys a sample of 120 soon to graduate students of various ethnicities at a major Canadian West Coast university and follows up with interviews of 12 students from the same group to determine their attitudes to working for Chinese and Indian companies in various countries, the reasons behind these attitudes, and the effect that ties of homophily and their cultural distance from China and India have on these attitudes. The results indicate that there are significant differences in attitudes toward working for Chinese and Indian companies across different ethnicities, and that the concepts of homophily and cultural distance can help partly explain these differences.
Campylobacter jejuni Induces Maturation and Cytokine Production in Human Dendritic Cells

ABSTRACT Campylobacter jejuni is a leading bacterial cause of human diarrheal disease in both developed and developing nations. Colonic mucosal invasion and the resulting host inflammatory responses are thought to be the key contributing factors to the dysenteric form of this disease. Dendritic cells (DCs) play an important role in both the innate and adaptive immune responses to microbial infection. In this study, the interaction between human monocyte-derived dendritic cells and C. jejuni was studied. We found that C. jejuni was readily internalized by DCs over a 2-h period. However, after a prolonged infection period (24 or 48 h) with C. jejuni, only a few viable bacteria remained intracellularly. Minimal cytotoxicity of C. jejuni to dendritic cells was observed. C. jejuni induced the maturation of dendritic cells over 24 h, as indicated by up-regulation of cell surface marker proteins CD40, CD80, and CD86. In addition, Campylobacter-infected DCs triggered activation of NF-κB and significantly stimulated production of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, gamma interferon, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) compared to uninfected DCs. Active bacterial invasion of DCs was not necessary for the induction of these cytokines, as heat-killed C. jejuni stimulated similar levels of cytokine production as live bacteria. Purified lipooligosaccharide of C. jejuni appears to be the major stimulant for the increased production of cytokines by DCs. Taken together, these data indicate that during infection, Campylobacter triggers an innate inflammatory response through increased production of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α and initiates a Th1-polarized adaptive immune response as predicted from the high level of production of IL-12.
Potential Effects of Management Practices on Nitrogen Nutrition and Long-term Productivity of Western Hemlock Stands

Sachs, D. and Sollins, P., 1986. Potential effects of management practices on nitrogen nutrition and long-term productivity of western hemlock stands. For. Ecol. Manage., 17: 25-36. The FORCYTE-10 computer model, developed by J.P. Kimmins and K. Scoullar for Douglasfir forests in British Columbia, was modified to simulate growth and nutrient cycling of coastal western hemlock stands. Initial calibration indicated that predicted yield was extremely sensitive to the rate of mineralization of soil organic matter ( SOM ), variation in SOM C:N ratio with site quality, the soil extractable NO 3- :NH,' ratio, and the decomposition rate and N mineralization pattern of large and medium-size roots and woody debris. The predictions suggested that yield and SOM remain stable under a management system consisting of six successive 90-year rotations. More intensive utilization ( e.g., shorter rotations, whole-tree harvesting and commercial thinning) causes depletion of soil and forest floor nitrogen and a small decline in site productivity in later rotations.
Clinical Stroke Penumbra: Use of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale as a Surrogate for CT Perfusion in Patient Triage for Intra-Arterial Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke Therapy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: CTP may help triage acute stroke patients for IAT, but requires additional contrast agent, radiation, and imaging time. Our aim was to determine whether clinical examination (NIHSS) with NCCT and CTA can substitute for CTP without significantly affecting IAT triage of patients with acute MCA stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed NCCT, CTA, and CTP imaging performed within 8 hours of symptom onset in 36 patients presenting with MCA territory stroke (September 2007–October 2009). Two neuroradiologists reviewed, independently and by consensus, NCCT, CTA, and CTP (CTP group), and 2 different neuroradiologists blinded to CTP reviewed NCCT, CTA, and NIHSS (stroke scale group) to determine IAT eligibility: M1 or proximal M2 occlusion; infarct core 20% infarct core. The stroke scale group estimated infarct core from NCCT and CTA source images and ischemic penumbra from core size relative to NIHSS score and re-evaluated patients after unblinding to CTP. We computed intragroup and intergroup κ scores for IAT treatment recommendation and used the McNemar test to determine whether CTP significantly affected the stroke scale group9s decisions. RESULTS: IAT was recommended in 16/36 (44%) and 17/36 (47%) patients by the CTP and stroke scale groups, respectively, with intragroup κ scores of 0.78 ± 0.11 versus 0.83 ± 0.09. The intergroup κ score was 0.83 ± 0.09. When unblinded to CTP, the stroke scale group revised 2/36 (5.6%) decisions, which was insignificant (P = .48, McNemar test). CONCLUSIONS: NIHSS interpreted with NCCT and CTA may be an effective substitute for CTP-derived measures in the IAT triage of patients with acute MCA stroke. Replacing CTP may potentially reduce radiation and contrast dose and time to treatment.
Distributional Ecology of a Rare, Endemic Stonefly

AbstractRare species are difficult to study or conserve. Beloneuria jamesae Stark and Szczytko (Cheaha Stone) (Plecoptera∶Perlidae) is endemic to the Talladega Mountains, Alabama, USA, rarely collected, and considered imperiled. We collected stonefly larvae at 181 locations and found Cheaha Stone at 33% of these. Species distribution modeling by classification tree analysis identified elevation, stream size, and permanence as key habitat variables. Cheaha Stone was most prevalent in small permanent streams at higher elevation but extended into larger streams with sources at high elevation. Populations occurred infrequently in small streams at lower elevations. The known distribution of Cheaha Stone is protected within public lands, but climate warming and possible increases in drought frequency and severity could restrict the species to fragmented populations in small streams draining the highest summits of this low mountain range. Our georeferenced data and explicit classification tree are foundations fo...
Development of an Analytical Model for Large Space Structures.

Abstract : A methodology is presented for modeling large truss-type structures based on the concept of equivalent continuum. The equivalent effective elastic and dynamic properties of the continuum model in terms of the material and geometric properties of the truss are derived in a simple and straightforward manner. The accuracy of the model is demonstrated in a free vibration problem, when the results are compared to those obtained from the conventional finite element method. Both simply supported and free-free boundary conditions are considered. In addition, the assumptions made in obtaining the continuum solution are discussed. Numerical results clearly indicate the potential of this approach for modeling large repetitive truss-type structures. (Author)
Bottom Layer Turbulence in the Red Sea Outflow Plume

Abstract Turbulence in the Red Sea outflow plume in the western Gulf of Aden was observed with an upward-looking, five-beam, 600-kHz acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP). The “Bottom Lander” ADCP was deployed on the seafloor in two narrow, topographically confined outflow channels south of Bab el Mandeb for periods of 18–40 h at three locations at 376-, 496-, and 772-m depths. Two deployments were taken during the winter season of maximum outflow from the Red Sea and two in the summer season of minimum outflow. These short-term observations exhibit red velocity spectra with high-frequency fluctuations of typically a few centimeters per second RMS velocity during strong plume flow as well as strong subtidal variations. In one winter season event, the plume flow was reduced by a factor of 4 over an 18-h time span. In variance-preserving form, velocity spectra show a separation at frequencies of 0.3–3 cycles per hour between low-frequency and high-frequency signals. The latter show significant coherence ...
Development of human cell lines from multiple organs

: While the majority of carcinogenesis studies have relied on the use of rodent cells in culture, experimental models to define the role of carcinogenic agents in the development of cancers must be established by using a variety of human cells. Unlike rodent cells, normal human cells in culture rarely undergo spontaneous transformation and have generally proven to be resistant to neoplastic transformation by carcinogens. Remarkable progress has been made during the past decade in human cell transformation systems. Malignant transformation of human cells in culture has been achieved by a stepwise process: immortalization and conversion of the immortalized cells to tumorigenic cells. One of the critical initial events in the progression of normal human cells to tumor cells is the escape from cellular senescence, with few exceptions; normal human cells require immortalization to provide a practical system for carcinogenesis studies. Different cell types require different conditions and transforming agents to achieve a useful cell line. The current state of the art in immortalization of human cells will be presented.
σ54 enhancer binding proteins and Myxococcus xanthus fruiting body development

A search of the M1genome sequence, which includes 97% of the Myxococcus xanthus genes, identified 53 sequence homologs of 54 -dependent enhancer binding proteins (EBPs). A DNA microarray was constructed from the M1genome that includes those homologs and 318 other M. xanthus genes for comparison. To screen the developmental program with this array, an RNA extract from growing cells was compared with one prepared from developing cells at 12 h. Previous reporter studies had shown that M. xanthus has initiated development and has begun to express many developmentally regulated genes by 12 h. The comparison revealed substantial increases in the expression levels of 11 transcription factors that may respond to environmental stimuli. Six of the 53 EBP homologs were expressed at significantly higher levels at 12 h of development than during growth. Three were previously unknown genes, and they were inactivated to look for effects on fruiting body development. One knockout mutant produced fruiting bodies of abnormal shape that depended on the composition of the medium.
Biocompatibility of Solid-Dosage Forms of Anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Microbicides with the Human Cervicovaginal Mucosa Modeled Ex Vivo

Topical anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) microbicides are being sought to reduce the spread of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) during sexual intercourse. The success of this strategy depends upon the selection of formulations compatible with the natural vaginal mucosal barrier. This study applied ex vivo-modeled human cervicovaginal epithelium to evaluate experimental solid-dosage forms of the anti-HIV-1 microbicide cellulose acetate 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate (CAP) and over-the-counter (OTC) vaginal products for their impact on inflammatory mediators regarded as potential HIV-1-enhancing risk factors. We assessed product-induced imbalances between interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) and IL-1beta and the natural IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) and changes in levels of IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-8, gamma interferon inducible protein 10 (IP-10), and macrophage inflammatory protein 3alpha (MIP-3alpha), known to recruit and activate monocytes, dendritic cells, and T cells to the inflamed mucosa. CAP film and gel formulation, similarly to the hydroxyethylcellulose universal vaginal placebo gel and the OTC K-Y moisturizing gel, were nontoxic and caused no significant changes in any inflammatory biomarker. In contrast, OTC vaginal cleansing and contraceptive films containing octoxynol-9 or nonoxynol-9 (N-9) demonstrated similar levels of toxicity but distinct immunoinflammatory profiles. IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-8, and IP-10 were increased after treatment with both OTC vaginal cleansing and contraceptive films; however, MIP-3alpha was significantly elevated by the N-9-based film only (P < 0.01). Although both films increased extracellular IL-1RA, the cleansing film only significantly elevated the IL-1RA/IL-1 ratio (P < 0.001). The N-9-based film decreased intracellular IL-1RA (P < 0.05), which has anti-inflammatory intracrine functions. This study identifies immunoinflammatory biomarkers that can discriminate between formulations better than toxicity assays and should be clinically validated in relevance to the risk of HIV-1 acquisition.
Medical removal protection benefits: The special challenges of Beryllium

During the 1990s, the Department of Energy (DOE) established a Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Program and revised regulations for beryllium exposure to DOE and contractor employees. DOE beryllium regulations include “medical surveillance” of potentially exposed workers, along with “medical removal protection benefits” for beryllium-sensitized workers. Medical removal benefits were first introduced into individual standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), beginning with a standard for asbestos in 1972. DOE modeled its medical removal protection benefits for beryllium in part on OSHA standards for lead and cadmium. But DOE also recognized significant differences in the toxicology of beryllium compared to these other metals. We survey OSHA standards for medical removal protection, provide a comparison with beryllium, and identify potential limits in beryllium protection benefits. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of impact of self-power function on emitter turn-off thyristor

Self-power emitter turn-off thyristor (SPETO) is a high power switching device which could provide power for its gate drive during operation. Self-power function reduces the system cost and makes the mechanical structure compact, whereas it may bring extra harmonic when SPETO is to be utilized in high power utilities. In this paper, the impact of self-power function on extra harmonic is analyzed; the ideas to attenuate the impact are presented and verified by the analysis, simulation and experimental results.
A general method for permeabilizing monolayer and suspension cultured animal cells.

Abstract A wide variety of animal cells have been successfully permeabilized to non-penetrating molecules, using lysolecithin. The sizes of molecules that can enter the cells can be controlled by varying the concentration of lysolecithin. The cells become permeable to small molecules and maintain viability following treatment with low lysolecithin concentrations. At higher concentrations the cells become permeable to proteins but do not retain viability. Lysolecithin permeabilization should permit many studies of the effects of non-penetrating compounds on cellular processes.
Discontiguous OFDM considerations for dynamic spectrum access in idle TV channels

Sharing spectrum with systems that employ frequency reuse over large geographical areas (e.g., TV stations) provides an opportunity to improve spectrum utilization. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering such sharing in the TV hands (2004). This technical and regulatory opportunity prompted the IEEE to create a new committee, 802.22, that will develop a wireless regional area network (WRAN) standard for operating on vacant TV channels. This paper quantifies the idle bandwidth in the current TV band assignments; although the TV station information incorporated here is specific to the United States, the methodology and findings should be relevant to a global audience. The methodology for this analysis is distinct from prior literature on spectrum use measurements and offers a complementary perspective. Furthermore, the statistics from the analysis point to the value of systems that can operate on discontiguous portions of the radio spectrum. One approach, a modified form of OFDM here termed Discontiguous OFDM (DOFDM), could be well-suited to this dynamic spectrum access application. This paper provides a preliminary description of a DOFDM prototype and describes special considerations for its implementation
Noise in SIS microwave mixers

It is proposed that the noise in an SIS (superconductor-insulator-superconductor) microwave mixer is shot noise, and that it can be treated in a similar manner to the noise in Schottky barrier diodes. A noise temperature is defined, and how it can be optimized is indicated. An extension of the noise temperature concept of the source is used that makes noise temperatures additive at all frequencies.