cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Summary of Revisions Applied to a Turbulence Response Analysis Method for Flexible Aircraft Configurations

A software program and associated methodology to study gust loading on aircraft exists for a classification of geometrically simplified flexible configurations. This program consists of a simple aircraft response model with two rigid and three flexible symmetric degrees-of - freedom and allows for the calculation of various airplane responses due to a discrete one-minus- cosine gust as well as continuous turbulence. Simplifications, assumptions, and opportunities for potential improvements pertaining to the existing software program are first identified, then a revised version of the original software tool is developed with improved methodology to include more complex geometries, additional excitation cases, and additional output data so as to provide a more useful and precise tool for gust load analysis. In order to improve the original software program to enhance usefulness, a wing control surface and horizontal tail control surface is added, an extended application of the discrete one-minus-cosine gust input is employed, a supplemental continuous turbulence spectrum is implemented, and a capability to animate the total vehicle deformation response to gust inputs is included. These revisions and enhancements are implemented and an analysis of the results is used to validate the modifications.
A noninvasive technique for monitoring response to chemotherapy in human acute leukemia

To see whether urine enzyme activities could be used as an index in evaluating the disease status of leukemia patients, we examined the activities of four enzymes: arylsulfatases A(AS-A) and B(AS-B), alkaline phosphatase (AP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). AP and LDH showed no consistent patterns. The activities of AS-A and AS-B correlated well with the patient's clinical status, increasing during progression of disease and decreasing toward normal activities during responses to therapy, as judged from bone marrow cellularity and differential. Among 23 untreated patients with a histologic diagnosis of acute leukemia we found increased activities of the urine enzymes in these proportions: AS-A in 23 patients (100%), AS-B in 22 (95.7%), AP in 7 (30.4%), and LDH in 10 (43.5%). Five patients in remission from acute leukemia had normal activities for all four enzymes. In one patient in remission for more than one year, a rise in urinary arylsulfatase activity preceded observable bone marrow relapse by 4 months. Unlike that of serum of urine lysozyme and serum copper, the determination of urine arylsulfatase activities appears to be a consistent, useful indicator of response to antileukemic therapy. In contrast to the determination of polyamines, the quantitation of arylsulfatase activity is achieved with greater ease and with instrumentation available in most clinical laboratories.
Solution of Dyson's equation employing Siegert boundary conditions

The use of Siegert boundary conditions in a direct solution of the Dyson equation for poles of the one-particle Green's function corresponding to resonances of the ($N\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1$)-particle systems is discussed and the pertinent complex pseudoeigenvalue problem is formulated as an implicit matrix eigenvalue equation. Thus the calculational setup is very similar to the methods employed in calculating atomic and molecular ionization potentials. Particular emphasis is laid upon the asymptotic expansion of the diverging Siegert orbital.
Phase Behavior of Microemulsions Made with n-Alkyl Monoglucosides and n-Alkyl Polyglycol Ethers

The phase behavior of mixtures of water, octane, n-alkyl polyglycol ethers (CiEj), and n-alkyl β-d-glucopyranosides (CmG1) is systematically studied as a function of temperature and composition. The addition of CmG1 to water−octane−CiEj mixtures promotes formation of a three-phase region that is nearly independent of temperature in all mixtures studied. The size and extent of this three-phase region are shown as a function of CmG1 concentration and hydrophobicity and CiEj amphiphilicity. This unique behavior arises from the extremely low oil solubility of the alkyl monoglucosides.
Ca2+ Release through Ryanodine Receptors Regulates Skeletal Muscle L-type Ca2+ Channel Expression

Skeletal muscle obtained from mice that lack the type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR-1), termed dyspedic mice, exhibit a 2-fold reduction in the number of dihydropyridine binding sites (DHPRs) compared with skeletal muscle obtained from wild-type mice (Buck, E. D., Nguyen, H. T., Pessah, I. N., and Allen, P. D. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 7360-7367 and Fleig, A., Takeshima, H., and Penner, R. (1996) J. Physiol. (Lond.) 496, 339-345). To probe the role of RyR-1 in influencing L-type Ca(2+) channel (L-channel) expression, we have monitored functional L-channel expression in the sarcolemma using the whole-cell patch clamp technique in normal, dyspedic, and RyR-1-expressing dyspedic myotubes. Our results indicate that dyspedic myotubes exhibit a 45% reduction in maximum immobilization-resistant charge movement (Q(max)) and a 90% reduction in peak Ca(2+) current density. Calcium current density was significantly increased in dyspedic myotubes 3 days after injection of cDNA encoding either wild-type RyR-1 or E4032A, a mutant RyR-1 that is unable to restore robust voltage-activated release of Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) following expression in dyspedic myotubes (O'Brien, J. J., Allen, P. D., Beam, K., and Chen, S. R. W. (1999) Biophys. J. 76, A302 (abstr.)). The increase in L-current density 3 days after expression of either RyR-1 or E4032A occurred in the absence of a change in Q(max). However, Q(max) was increased 85% 6 days after injection of dyspedic myotubes with cDNA encoding the wild-type RyR-1 but not E4032A. Because normal and dyspedic myotubes exhibited a similar density of T-type Ca(2+) current (T-current), the presence of RyR-1 does not appear to cause a general overall increase in protein synthesis. Thus, long-term expression of L-channels in skeletal myotubes is promoted by Ca(2+) released through RyRs occurring either spontaneously or during excitation-contraction coupling.
Left Ventricular Performance before and after Removal of the Noncontractile Area of the Left Ventricle and Revascularization of the Myocardium

The left ventricular volume and the internal surface areas of noncontractile regions were measured by cineangiocardiography at 60 frames/sec in nine patients with a chronic localized noncontractile area of the left ventricle. Arteriosclerotic heart disease was proven in eight patients by means of coronary arteriography. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, stroke volume, ejection fraction, mean circumferential shortening, and cardiac output were also measured before and after removal of the noncontractile area and revascularization of the myocardium. The noncontractile areas, measured at end-diastole, ranged from 12 to 40% of the internal surface area of the left ventricle. Generally, impairment of the left ventricular function depended on the size of the noncontractile areas. The end-diastolic volume was approximately 150 ml/m 2 when the size of noncontractile areas exceeded 20-25% of the left ventricular surface area (r = +0.72; P P P P Removal of the noncontractile area of the left ventricle and revascularization of the myocardium improved the cardiac performance and increased the sense of well being in these patients.
The use of jail confinement in the disposition of felony arrests

Abstract Although jail confinement is the disposition most frequently employed to incarcerate convicted offenders, research on the use of punishment in the United States consistently has focused on rates of imprisonment in state correctional facilities and ignored the use of jails. The purpose of this study was to examine the use of jails in the sentencing process, the factors that influence their use, and the relationship between jail and prison utilization. Offender Based Tracking System data and census data were employed in this intrastate study of all counties in California and Minnesota. Findings indicated that the average county in the jurisdictions examined used jails at least five times as frequently as prisons to dispose of felony arrests. The use of jails was a function not only of the volume of crime but of the type of crime in a community. Rates of jail utilization and prison utilization were highly correlated; jurisdictional variation was more apparent in the use of jail confinement and probation.
Gas-phase organometallic chemistry. Reactions of Al+ with alkyl halides

Gas-phase ion-molecule reactions of Al+ with several alkyl halides have been examined using an ion beam appratus. Relative product ion abundances are reported as a function of collision energy over the range 0.5–5 eV. Three types of reactions are observed: (1) halide transfer, (2) dehydrohalogenation, and (3) oxidation. Halide transfer from dichloroalkanes yields chloronium ions, which may eliminate HCl to give allyl cations. Dehydrohalogenation results in elimination of HX with Al+ remaining bound to either HX or the alkene which is concomitantly formed. The relative importance of the halide transfer and dehydrohalogenation products is dependent on the reaction thermodynamics and the collision energy. Reaction of Al+ with CH2ClCH2Cl leads to AlCl2+ and C2H4, a process in which the metal is formally oxidized from the +1 to the +3 state.
TUBERCULATE SPORE FORMATION BY THIRTY-TWO STRAINS OF HISTOPLASMA CAPSULATUM.

1. Thirty-two strains ofHistoplasma capsulatum were studied concerning their ability to form tuberculate spores and their conversion into the yeast phase.
Recovering preferences from preferences over nominal gambles

Abstract The main result in revealed preference theory is that under fairly weak assumptions (strict concavity and monotonicity of the utility function), an agent's preferences can be recovered from the entire demand function. This paper addresses the possibility of recovering preferences from less extensive information, given additional maintained restrictions on preferences. Specifically, we explore whether an agent's utility function can be recovered from preferences over nominal gambles (when money is risky in real terms) or from demand for assets whose nominal returns contain common inflation or other risk. The recovery is constructive to the extent that there is a good numerical technique for doing Fourier transforms and inversions, and other numerical computations can be done.
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of human IL-22 bound to the extracellular IL-22R1 chain.

Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a potent mediator of cellular inflammatory responses. Crystals of IL-22 bound to the extracellular high-affinity cell-surface receptor sIL-22R1 have been grown from polyethylene glycol solutions. Crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction analysis were only obtained with mutants of IL-22 and sIL-­22R1 that removed the N-linked glycosylation sites found in the wild-type amino-acid sequences. The crystals belonged to space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 50.43, b = 76.33, c = 114.92 A, β = 92.45°, and diffracted X-rays to 3.2 A resolution. The crystallographic asymmetric unit contained two IL-22–sIL-22R1 complexes, corresponding to a solvent content of approximately 52%.
Pituitary FSH increase in male protein-deficient rats induced by testosterone propionate.

SummaryMale rats were placed on a purified protein-free diet for 10, 21, or 31 days. Ventral prostate weights declined almost immediately, but pituitary FSH concentrations remained at preexisting levels for at least 10 days. After 21 days of deficiency, when FSH stores had become greatly reduced, daily injections of 60 or 400 μg of TP for 10 consecutive days produced partial restoration of ventral prostate weight and pituitary FSH concentrations. The same treatment increased ventral prostate weight, but not pituitary FSH potency, of control rats fed optimal amounts of protein.
Specific immunorecognition by histocompatibility markers: The original polymorphic system of immunoreactivity characteristic of all multicellular animals

The existence of two immunorecognition systems, theH system of cell-mediated immunity and theIg system of antibody-mediated immunity, is proposed. TheH system, based on polymorphism of cell-surface histocom-patibility markers, is postulated to have originated in multicellular invertebrates, probably beginning with coelenterates. Subsequent differentiation and diversification of immunocytes, associated with increasing physiological complexity in phylogeny, are postulated to have led to the addition of a regulatoryIg system at the level of primitive chordates or fishes. Progressive integration of theH andIg systems then provided T-B lymphocyte collaboration and the immunoregulatory network characteristic of higher vertebrates. Experimental tests are suggested for the hypothesis of a two-component system of specificH-marker immunorecognition, leading to nonspecific cytotoxic reactions mediated by nonantibody proteins.
Coexistence of urinary incontinence and major depressive disorder with health-related quality of life in older Americans with and without cancer.

Purpose This study evaluates the prevalence and factors associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) in a population of cancer survivors and the impact of co-occurring MDD and urinary incontinence (UI) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
Serologic markers in the diagnosis and management of pancreatic carcinoma.

The low prevalence of pancreatic cancer remains an inherent obstacle to the development of effective screening tools in an asymptomatic population. However, these difficulties do not warrant nihilism. Development of effective serologic markers still offers the potential for improvement in our diagnostic capabilities. The accurate identification of patients with pancreatic cancer and the exclusion of disease in those with benign disorders remain important goals. While alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and ribonuclease (RNase) can be largely dismissed as useful markers of pancreatic cancer, leukocyte adherence inhibition (LAI), pancreatic oncofetal antigen (POA), and galactosyltransferase isoenzyme II (GT-II) continue to show promise. Each of these markers currently requires further technical improvements to permit more widescale evaluation. The further refinement of monoclonal antibody defined markers such as gastrointestinal cancer antigens (GICA) may provide even more useful markers in the future. The development of effective serologic markers may help identify patients with early disease, and provide an impetus to develop more effective therapeutic strategies. It remains to be seen whether improvements in diagnostic modalities can be translated into improvement in clinical outcome.
An analysis of the non-emptiness problem for classes of reversal-bounded multicounter machines

In this paper, we present an efficient nondeterministic algorithm to decide nonemptiness for reversal-bounded multicounter machines. This algorithm executes in time polynomial in the size of the input and the number of reversals the counters are allowed. Previously the best known upper bound required space logarithmic in the size of the input and linear in the number of reversals. We argue that our algorithm is within some polynomial function of the optimal nondeterministic run time for many classes of these machines. Furthermore, we show that in most cases, the complexity of the nonemptiness problem does not change significantly when the reversal bound is dropped for one of the counters. In addition, we explore the changes in the complexity of the nonemptiness problem for these classes as different parameters are fixed or are given in either unary or binary. Our results yield as corollaries the answers to several unanswered questions regarding the disjointness, equivalence, and containment problems for reversal-bounded multicounter machines. Finally, we use our results to solve several problems regarding deadlock detection and unboundedness detection for systems of communicating finite state machines.
Ethanol-induced increased surface-localized fibrinolytic activity in cultured human endothelial cells: kinetic analysis.

Background: Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with reduced risk for coronary heart disease and this cardioprotection may be due, in part, to increased fibrinolysis. We have previously demonstrated that low concentrations of ethanol (0.1%, v/v) induce the short-term (<1 hr) and sustained, long-term (24 hr) increase in surface-localized fibrinolytic activity; it up-regulates t-PA, u-PA, and the candidate plasminogen receptor (PmgR), annexin II, and gene transcription in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). These studies describe the short- and long-term effects of low concentrations of ethanol on the kinetics of cell-bound 125 I-Iabeled Glu-plasminogen (Glu-Pmg) activation by receptor (R)-bound t-PA, resulting in increased fibrinolytic activity in cultured HUVECs. Methods: Live cultured HUVECs were incubated with varying concentrations of Glu-Pmg (0.25-2 μM) and ethanol (0.025-0.1%, v/v) (in the presence of Aprotinin and α 2 -antiplasmin) and the direct activation of cell-bound 125 I-labeled Glu-Pmg quantitated by measurement of 125 I-labeled M r 20 kDa plasmin light-chain, after reduction/SDS-PAGE. The effects of ethanol on 125 I-labeled Glu-Pmg and t-PA ligand binding were determined by Scatchard analysis (B max , sites/cell). Results: Cell-bound t-PA (endogenous/exogenous) activation of cultured HUVEC-bound 125 I-labeled Glu-Pmg (short- and long-term) obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, both in the absence/presence of low ethanol, as shown by Lineweaver-Burke plot analysis. In the short-term, ethanol (at 0.1%) increased the V max (2.5-fold), k cat (2-fold) and the apparent k cat /K m (4-fold), commensurate with a significant decrease in the apparent K m (6-fold) and increase in 125 I-labeled Glu-Pmg ligand binding, B max (2-fold). In the long-term, ethanol increased the V max (2- to 3-fold), k cat (2.5-fold), apparent k cat /K m (5-fold), and Bmax (2-fold) for 125 I-labeled Glu-Pmg ligand binding, without significantly affecting the apparent K m . Conclusions: Low concentrations of ethanol induce the short- versus long-term increase in surface-localized fibrinolytic activity in cultured HUVECs via different mechanisms. Short-term effects may be mediated by ethanol-induced membrane conformational changes that simultaneously facilitate increased surface-localized HUVEC PmgR availability and fibrinolytic protein/receptor interactions, resulting in the increased affinity of t-PA for Glu-Pmg and the accelerated activation of Glu-Pmg (increased B max , decreased apparent K m ). The long-term effects may be attributed primarily to the ethanol-induced increased availability of both newly synthesized t-PA and PmgR and, hence, the accelerated activation of Glu-Pmg (increased B max ).
Tribological characteristics of diamond-like carbon (DLC) based nanocomposite coatings

Abstract DLC/WC/WS 2 (WCS) nanocomposite coatings having low friction under various sliding conditions were experimentally investigated using a pin-on-disk test instrument. Characterization results confirm that mixed components dominate the sliding behavior of these composite coatings. A simple lubricating layer of graphitic carbon or WS 2 was not found on either the wear tracks or pin surfaces. Instead, both components were present in the surface layers in varying amounts depending upon the load and test environment. Thus, the lubrication mechanisms involved in sliding are more complex than expected. Synergistic effects involving the mixed components account for the extremely low friction coefficients of WCS coatings during dry sliding. Molecular dynamics (MD) calculations were implemented to simulate the sliding behavior of composite materials in a 2D system interacting via Lennard-Jones potentials. Sliding results showed that soft nanoscale particles tended to mix with the base material. The mixed material formed a confined weakened zone at the sliding interface, and this helped to maintain shear localization during steady state sliding. In agreement with experiments, the simulations did not show development of a simple interfacial layer during sliding. Vorticity develops where the strain rate is highest and is responsible for changes in composition and microstructure. Temperature profiles indicate that heat conduction during sliding is consistent with results expected for one-dimensional heat flow from the interface region to distant reservoir regions maintained at a constant low temperature. Hard particles tended to agglomerate.
Images of local tilted regions in strain-relaxed SiGe layers

Abstract Strain-relaxed Si1−xGex films have been investigated using X-ray microdiffraction with a diffracted beam footprint of 0.3 μm×2 μm. Intensity variations in the diffracted beam at different positions on the sample are due to the presence of local tilted regions which are larger in area than the diffracted X-ray beam. These regions are shown to have the same lattice parameter but different orientation with respect to the Si substrate. These regions arise from dislocation pileups, which consist of a larger number of dislocations when larger mismatch strain is relieved.
A unit cell-based design support system for composite structures

A unit cell-based design support system (UCBDSS) for composite structural design is introduced. A unit cell is defined as the smallest representative volumetric element to carry the information of composite constituent materials, heterogeneous structures, homogenized mechanical properties, and appropriate manufacturing processes. The database of various composite unit cells is organized to form a unit cell library (UCL). The UCBDSS can intelligently use the information from the UCL to simplify and automate the composite design process, to increase the design efficiency, and to facilitate the tailored composite structure design. The framework of the UCBDSS, its modules, the development of the UCL, the blackboard architecture for design control, and the UCBDSS working environment for Internet-based design are presented.
Formation of the avian nucleus magnocellularis from the auditory anlage.

In the avian auditory system, the neural network for computing the localization of sound in space begins with bilateral innervation of nucleus laminaris (NL) by nucleus magnocellularis (NM) neurons. We used antibodies against the neural specific markers Hu C/D, neurofilament, and SV2 together with retrograde fluorescent dextran labeling from the contralateral hindbrain to identify NM neurons within the anlage and follow their development. NM neurons could be identified by retrograde labeling as early as embryonic day (E) 6. While the auditory anlage organized itself into NM and NL in a rostral-to-caudal fashion between E6 and E8, labeled NM neurons were visible throughout the extent of the anlage at E6. By observing the pattern of neuronal rearrangements together with the pattern of contralaterally projecting NM fibers, we could identify NL in the ventral anlage. Ipsilateral NM fibers contacted the developing NL at E8, well after NM collaterals had projected contralaterally. Furthermore, the formation of ipsilateral connections between NM and NL neurons appeared to coincide with the arrival of VIIIth nerve fibers in NM. By E10, immunoreactivity for SV2 was heavily concentrated in the dorsal and ventral neuropils of NL. Thus, extensive pathfinding and morphological rearrangement of central auditory nuclei occurs well before the arrival of cochlear afferents. Our results suggest that NM neurons may play a central role in formation of tonotopic connections in the auditory system. J. Comp. Neurol. 498:433– 442, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The case for HER2/neu as a therapeutic target for gynecologic malignancies

Evaluation of: Guzzo F, Bellone S, Buza N et al. HER2/neu as a potential target for immunotherapy in gynecological carcinosarcomas. Int. J. Gynecol. Pathol. 31, 211–221 (2012). Trastuzumab (Herceptin®) is a human monoclonal antibody that is US FDA-approved for the treatment of HER2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer and metastatic gastric cancer. HER2/neu expression has also been observed in other malignancies, notably in subsets of endometrial and ovarian cancers, raising the possibility that trastuzumab may be a viable treatment option in these settings. The current paper reveals that HER2/neu may also be expressed in gynecologic carcinosarcomas, which are rare but aggressive tumors with a high rate of resistance to chemotherapy. Cell lines derived from ovarian carcinosarcomas expressed HER2/neu and were sensitive to trastuzumab ADCC. By contrast, cell lines derived from uterine carcinosarcomas were HER2/neu-negative and insensitive to trastuzumab ADCC. These observations indicate that at least a subset o...
Decoding the Noncoding Transcripts in Human Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a complex disease with a broad spectrum of pathological features. Despite significant advancement in clinical diagnosis through improved imaging modalities and hemodynamic approaches, reliable molecular signatures for better differential diagnosis and for better monitoring of heart failure progression remain elusive. The few known clinical biomarkers for heart failure, such as plasma BNP and Troponin, have been shown to have limited use in defining the etiology or prognosis of the disease1, 2. Consequently, current clinical identification and classification of heart failure remain descriptive, largely based on functional and morphological parameters. Therefore, defining the pathogenic mechanisms for hypertrophic vs. dilated or ischemic vs. non-ischemic cardiomyopathies in the failing heart remain a major challenge to both basic science and clinic researchers. In recent years, mechanical circulatory support using left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) has assumed a growing role in the care of patients with end-stage HF 3. During the earlier years of LVAD application as a bridge to transplant, it became evident that some patients exhibit substantial recovery of ventricular function, structure and electrical properties4. This led to the recognition that reverse remodeling is potentially an achievable therapeutic goal using LVAD. However, the underlying mechanism for the reverse remodeling in the LVAD treated hearts is unclear and its discovery would likely hold great promise to halt or even reverse the progression of heart failure.
Characterization of nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds in soil and sediment by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after fractionation

Abstract Nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds (NCACs) are characterized in soil and sediment by fullscan capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry under electron ionization. The approach makes use of fractionation of methylene chloride extracts based first on partitioning of the basic compounds into acid. The neutral NCACs are then isolated by preparative thin-layer chromatography which serves to separate them from the bulk of the polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. NCACs can then be determined using deuterated internal standards to 100 μ/kg or below. Examples of determinations in sediment and creosotecontaminated soil are given. An advantage of the two-step fractionation scheme is the chemical separation of azaarenes and cyanoazaarenes of the same elemental composition which facilitates identification of compound class and simplifies chromatographic separations.
Abdominal trauma in primary blast injury (Br J Surg DOI: 10.1002/bjs.7268).

This review brings a much needed scholarly assessment of abdominal blast overpressure injury to the surgical community. War always provides a vast learning environment for advancing knowledge of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of injury, and for improving therapeutics. Between periods of significant conflict, however, lessons learned are infrequently captured and the knowledge is rarely institutionalized so that it can be transferred to future generations. Today's era of increasing exposure to terrorist attacks sporadically introduces the civilian medical community to injuries that it has little or no experience of managing. Thus, present-day clinicians are well served by this article on abdominal blast overpressure injury, a type of injury that is dimly perceived by many and misunderstood by most. Although casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan present with abdominal blast overpressure injury only infrequently, changing trends in weapons and tactics may well increase the risk of this type of injury in the future. Explosive devices are more frequently being used against dense civilian populations, often in enclosed spaces where complex blast wave and quasistatic pressures are magnified. In this important paper, the authors correct a host of misconceptions in terms of epidemiology and pathophysiology, and correctly place substantial emphasis on clinical examination. Further, by illuminating the pathophysiology of intramural haematoma and late rupture, they alert clinicians to the importance of clinical follow-up. After the 2005 bombings in London, discussion at the Royal College of Surgeons of England amongst those of us involved in the Definitive Surgical Trauma Skills course concluded that every Hospital Trust should have a training programme to ensure surgical readiness for explosive injuries from terrorist activities. This article would be a staple for such a programme, which should be adopted as a policy by the National Health Service and others interested in providing optimal care for those injured by explosions in civilian or combat settings. Language: en
Work in progress: preliminary analysis of developing team building skills in community college students

"Ability to function in teams", "good team building skills", "teamwork", are all now common phrases in the classifieds. It is increasingly important in society today, both in social and work environments, to be a good team player. But how do we actually develop those skills in our students and ourselves? And how do we evaluate whether our efforts have had a measurable impact on the students so that we can adjust our approach for maximum benefit? This paper presents an assessment tool developed to track and improve students team building skills as well as a brief description of its implementation. An analysis is performed and reported on based on data collected over a year of study in electronics for a group of community college students.
Functional Interaction between Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ and β-Catenin

Studies have demonstrated cross talk between beta-catenin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) signaling pathways. Specifically, activation of PPARgamma induces the proteasomal degradation of beta-catenin in cells that express an adenomatous polyposis coli-containing destruction complex. In contrast, oncogenic beta-catenin is resistant to such degradation and inhibits the expression of PPARgamma target genes. In the present studies, we demonstrate a functional interaction between beta-catenin and PPARgamma that involves the T-cell factor (TCF)/lymphocyte enhancer factor (LEF) binding domain of beta-catenin and a catenin binding domain (CBD) within PPARgamma. Mutation of K312 and K435 in the TCF/LEF binding domain of an oncogenic beta-catenin (S37A) significantly reduces its ability to interact with and inhibit the activity of PPARgamma. Furthermore, these mutations render S37A beta-catenin susceptible to proteasomal degradation in response to activation of PPARgamma. Mutation of F372 within the CBD (helices 7 and 8) of PPARgamma disrupts its binding to beta-catenin and significantly reduces the ability of PPARgamma to induce the proteasomal degradation of beta-catenin. We suggest that in normal cells, PPARgamma can function to suppress tumorigenesis and/or Wnt signaling by targeting phosphorylated beta-catenin to the proteasome through a process involving its CBD. In contrast, oncogenic beta-catenin resists proteasomal degradation by inhibiting PPARgamma activity, which requires its TCF/LEF binding domain.
Fostering Neighborhood Democracy: Legitimacy and Accountability Within Loosely Coupled Systems

This article explores the range of organizations and participatory mechanisms that take on some aspect of the role of neighborhood-based governance (in some way speaking for or acting on behalf of their neighborhoods) in three cities. It describes the extent to which they perform similar or different functions and discusses the strengths and weaknesses presented by the system of relationships as they are currently structured. It also explores two key issues—legitimacy and accountability—in an attempt to distill lessons about the relative roles and effectiveness of these different participatory mechanisms and community organizations and the relationships among them. The article suggests ways that sponsors (including foundations and government) can more effectively engage with neighborhoods and promote neighborhood-based decision making and action and highlights some unanswered questions that might be pursued as part of a larger research agenda to inform the practical pursuit of participatory, community-building strategies.
The roles of inflammation and iron deficiency as causes of anemia

Inflammatory disease as well as iron deficiency may play an important role in the cause of anemia in the United States. We evaluated the relationships between Fe deficiency, inflammatory disease, and anemia using data from of the First National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES I). Fe nutrition index was based on the ratio of serum Fe to Fe-binding capacity (Fe:TIBC) and inflammatory index was based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Groups with the highest prevalence of anemia were younger children, young women, and elderly men. Fe deficiency (low Fe:TIBC) was most common among the anemic children and young women but rare in anemic elderly men. Conversely, inflammation (high ESR) was most common among anemic elderly individuals. The prevalence of anemia was more than twice as high in the lowest than in the highest income group. Relative contributions of Fe deficiency and inflammation to anemia did not differ substantially among income groups.
Thin film silicon nanoparticle UV photodetector

We constructed ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors by room-temperature deposition of Si nanoparticle films on Si p-type substrates. Silicon nanoparticles of 1-nm diameter are dispersed from Si wafers using electrochemical etching. The current-voltage characteristics indicate a photoconductor in series with a diode-like junction with a large enhancement in the forward current under UV illumination. With increasing wavelength, the response drops rapidly, dropping to a few percent at 560 nm. These results point to a sensitive UV detector with good visible blindness where the particle films effectively constitutes a wide-bandgap material.
Comparison of Pentacene and Amorphous Silicon AMOLED Display Driver Circuits

Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays offer distinct advantages over liquid crystal displays for portable electronics applications, including light weight, high brightness, low power consumption, wide viewing angle, and low processing costs. They also are attractive candidates for highly flexible substrates. In active-matrix OLED (AMOLED) displays, a small transistor circuit is used to drive each OLED device. This paper compares the simulated performance of two state-of-the-art AMOLED drivers with a proposed 5 thin-film-transistor (TFT) voltage programmed driver circuit which combines the advantages of the first two configurations. A competitive evaluation is also done between amorphous silicon (alpha-Si) and organic TFTs (OTFTs,) using comparable empirical device models for alpha-Si) and pentacene OTFTs. The 5-TFT circuit is found to match the speed of the 2-TFT while achieving a stability closer to the 4-TFT circuits and demonstrating a better speed-stability tradeoff.
Equilibrium stage calculations

Iterative methods for the determination of stage temperature and interstage flow rates in the equilibrium stage problem are discussed, and the use of the Newton-Raphson method for solution of the systems of simultaneous equations is proposed. It is shown that the complete correction process can be divided into four independent parts, two of which are treated in the paper. The first is equivalent to the constant molal overflow problem in distillation and the second to the constant temperature extraction problem. For each of these cases the necessary partial derivatives describing the effects of temperature and flow rate changes on all material balance equations are developed. Sample problems are briefly discussed to demonstrate the feasibility of the calculation and the fact that quadratic convergence is obtained. Equation derivation is simplified by using matrix notation, which also has the advantage that any interstage flow pattern is allowed.
MiR-322/424 and -503 Are Induced during Muscle Differentiation and Promote Cell Cycle Quiescence and Differentiation by Down-Regulation of Cdc25A

This article describes a novel role of Cdc25A down-regulation during differentiation of proliferating myoblasts.
Causality of U.S. Agricultural Prices and the Money Supply: Further Empirical Evidence

Empirical evidence presented in this study indicates that the results of causality tests of U.S. agricultural prices and the money supply are sensitive to the lag selection. Relying on the minimum final prediction error causality testing technique, a unidirectional causal flow is established from the monetary base to retail level agricultural prices. No such flow is found to exist from M2 to retail agricultural prices. When farm-level agricultural prices are investigated, no causal flow exists from any of the measures of the money supply to farm prices.
Further Characterization of Immunomodulation by a Monoclonal Antibody against Streptococcus mutans Antigen P1

We demonstrated previously that mucosal immunization of mice with Streptococcus mutans coated with the monoclonal antibody (MAb) 6-11A directed against the major surface adhesin protein P1 results in changes in the amount, isotype distribution, and specificity of serum antibodies compared with animals immunized with bacteria only. We now show that the specificity of the mucosal secretory IgA response was also influenced by this MAb. Changes in antibody specificity were associated with changes in biological activity. Serum samples which differed in antibody reactivity with P1 polypeptides generated by partial digestion with N-chlorosuccinimide but not in isotype distribution or overall reactivity with S. mutans or intact P1 demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the ability to inhibit bacterial adherence to salivary-agglutinin-coated hydroxyapatite beads. Serum IgG antibodies against P1 from mice immunized with either S. mutans alone or S. mutans coated with 6-11A were shown to recognize antigenic determinants dependent on the presence of the central proline-rich repeat domain, a segment necessary for the structural integrity of the molecule. However, no statistically significant differences were observed in antibody reactivity with a panel of six partial P1 polypeptides encoded by overlapping spaP subclones, suggesting that the targets of biologically relevant antibodies involve complex epitopes not reconstituted by the recombinant products tested. Lastly, we show that binding of MAb 6-11A to P1 on the surface of S. mutans alters P1's susceptibility to proteolytic digestion. Hence, changes in antigen processing and presentation may contribute to the immunomodulatory effects of this MAb.
Inhibition of oxidative rancidity in frozen cooked fish flakes by tert‐butylhydroquinone and rosemary extract

The antioxidant properties of tert-butylhydroquinone (0·5 g kg−1 + 20 g kg−1 ascorbic acid—TBHQ-AS) and an extract of rosemary (2·5 g kg−1) alone and in combination were determined by their addition as solutions to cooked fish flakes stored at - 20°C. Oxidation was measured by following changes in free fatty acids, thiobarbituric acid number, fatty acid composition and sensory evaluation. The order of effectiveness in inhibiting oxidation was TBHQ-AS > combination > rosemary > untreated control −70°C > untreated control -20°C. Sensory evaluation indicated that green aroma and flavor notes were associated with the rosemary extract, while fish oil notes were associated with untreated samples.
U.S.-Soviet-Chinese Relations: Routine, Reciprocity, or Rational Expectations?

International relations theorists disagree about whether great power behaviors reflect bureaucratic routine or reciprocity. Recently, some have suggested that these behaviors result from great powers' rational expectations rather than from simple routine or reciprocity. The debate is flawed in several respects. The quasi-experimental studies of great power behavior suffer from specification and measurement errors. Furthermore, most studies of great power behavior focus exclusively on the superpowers, without adequately appreciating China's role in world politics. We present an improved analysis that recognizes the potential effects of Chinese behavior and ameliorates the methodological flaws in existing work. The results indicate that the behaviors of the United States, the Soviet Union, and China are a relatively stable mix of bureaucratic routine and reciprocity. The results also indicate complex, asymmetrical connections among U.S.-Soviet, U.S.-Chinese, and Soviet-Chinese relations, consistent with the notion of a strategic triangle.
Quasi Maximum Likelihood Estimation of Multivariate Probit Models: Farm Couples' Labor Participation

Joint estimation of farmers' farm and off-farm work participation requires a multivariate probit model, in which the number of equations is twice the number of household members. Where there are more than two such equations, I suggest a quasi maximum likelihood method which requires only two levels of numerical integration. The method maximizes the use of sample information given this numerical feasibility condition. It is used for estimating a joint participation model of farm couples' farm and off-farm work. The model yields conclusions about comparative advantages of men and women in farm, off-farm, and housework, which cannot be obtained with a more limited setup.
Reusing Mathematical Models in ASCEND

We believe model reuse to be an important mechanism by which the productivity of the modeling process can be improved. In this paper we describe the features that promote, reuse in a mathematical modeling environment called ASCEND (Advanced System for Computations in Engineering Design). Essentially, our approach has been to identify the operations (e.g., refinement, integration) used to reuse models and to provide a collection of operators that reduce the effort required by modelers to perform them. We have implemented this approach in ASCEND using a) a strongly typed modeling language that accomodates a structured model building approach, b) a small collection of operators that employ type inference to support operations such as integration that modelers perform to reuse models, and c) “ports” that enable modelers to work with models using the level of information hiding (e.g., black box, gray box) required to accomplish reuse. Using these features we were able to address the benchmark model reuse problems that have appeared in the literature in a straightforward manner.
All-optical switching of infrared optical radiation using isotropic liquid crystal

Experimental results of the transmission to total-internal reflection switching of a step-on CO/sub 2/ laser beam by a dielectric-clad, isotropic liquid crystal film is presented. The use of the isotropic phase allows for polarization independence of the processes, while maintaining a moderate thermal nonlinearity. Dependence of switching speed on incident angle and energy density is evaluated. Experimental observations of the nonlinear switching effect with microsecond CO/sub 2/ laser pulses are also presented. >
Cutting Edge: Administration of Anti-CD40 Ligand and Donor Bone Marrow Leads to Hemopoietic Chimerism and Donor-Specific Tolerance Without Cytoreductive Conditioning

Transplantation tolerance, defined as allograft acceptance by an immunocompetent recipient in the absence of long-term immunosuppression, has remained an elusive goal in clinical transplantation. Robust experimental tolerance induction strategies have in common methods to induce mixed hemopoietic chimerism. To date, however, chimerism induction across allogeneic barriers has required recipient conditioning with irradiation or cytoablative agents. In this paper we show that B6 recipients of fully allogeneic BALB/c skin grafts treated with repeated doses of donor bone marrow and anti-CD40 ligand (CD40L) develop durable (>300 days), readily detectable (6–12%) multilineage hemopoietic chimerism, indefinite allograft acceptance (>300 days), and donor-specific tolerance to secondary skin grafts. Analysis of the TCR repertoire of treated mice indicates that the underlying mechanisms of tolerance are in part mediated by deletion of donor-reactive T cells. These data demonstrate that durable hemopoietic chimerism and robust transplantation tolerance can be achieved without cytotoxic conditioning using a potentially clinically applicable regimen.
Implementing a Smoke-Free Campus: A Medical Center Initiative

A large 2-campus Medical Center in Western New York, along with several other large area hospitals, planned for and simultaneously implemented successful “Smoke-Free Campus” initiatives in November of 2006. This coordinated initiative required that each system plan accordingly for the development and implementation of policies, training of employees, clinicians, support staff and provision of tobacco treatment services (directly or via referral). In order to efficiently and competently inform each of these aspects of a system-wide initiative, accurate information was needed on the prevalence of tobacco use among employees, staff, faculty, and clinicians in each system. A multi-system surveillance initiative was implemented, using a brief survey for all employees of several of the partnering institutions. Summary data from the baseline measures are discussed. Also presented are Lessons Learned from the year-long planning and implementation phases, including details on topics categorized by the specific sub-committees that coordinated each area (e.g., Policy and Procedure, Communication, Faculty/Staff/Student Issues, Patient Issues (Inpatient and Outpatient), Tobacco Dependence Treatment and Provider/Staff Training). The effort was effective in instituting system-wide changes in all of the participating hospitals in the greater metropolitan area. A community-wide consortium convened each month for a year, and subcommittees within each hospital allowed planners to break up the initiative into manageable pieces. The extended timeline of 1 year was appropriate for overcoming fears, biases, and barriers which then enabled “buy-in” and support from leadership as well as employees.
Radical prostatectomy nomograms in black American men: accuracy and applicability.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Nomograms have been developed to allow the prediction of disease recurrence based on clinical and pathological parameters in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. However, they have been constructed using predominantly white American male (CAM) cohorts. We have previously shown that black American males (AAMs) have worse disease-free survival after radical prostatectomy after controlling for known prognostic factors. We tested the accuracy of prognostic nomograms in a population of AAMs with prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy.Materials and Methods: Materials and Methods: We tested the performance of published preoperative and postoperative prognostic nomograms in a cohort of patients treated with radical prostatectomy as monotherapy for localized prostate cancer at Wayne State University in the prostate specific antigen era. Predictions made with the nomogram were stratified by race and compared with actual outcomes. The summary statistic used to evaluate the...