cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intercellular communication and the control of growth: XI. Alteration of junctional permeability by the src gene in a revertant cell with normal cytoskeleton.

To learn whether the reduction of cell-to-cell communication in transformation is a possible primary effect of pp60src phosphorylation or secondary to a cytoskeletal alteration, we examined the junctional permeability in transformed cells with normal cytoskeleton. The permeability to fluorescentlabelled mono- and diglutamate was compared in clones of Faras' vole cells—clones transformed by Rous sarcoma virus and reverted from that transformation. One revertant clone (partial revertant), had the high levels of pp60src kinase activity and tumorigenicity of the fully transformed parent clone, but had lost the cytoskeletal alterations of that clone. Another revertant clone (full revertant) had lost the tumorigenicity and most of the pp60src kinase activity, in addition (J.F. Nawrocki et al., 1984,Mol. Cell Biol.4:212). The junctional permeability of thepartial revertant with normal cytoskeleton was similar to that of the fully transformed parent clone with abnormal cytoskeleton. The permeabilities of both were lower than those of thefull revertant and the normal uninfected cell, demonstrating that the junctional change by thesrc gene is independent of the cytoskeletal one.
Gauge/gravity duality for interactions of spherical membranes in 11-dimensional pp-wave

Abstract We investigate the gauge/gravity duality in the interaction between two spherical membranes in the 11-dimensional pp-wave background. On the supergravity side, we find the solution to the field equations at locations close to a spherical source membrane, and use it to obtain the light-cone Lagrangian of a spherical probe membrane very close to the source, i.e., with their separation much smaller than their radii. On the gauge theory side, using the BMN matrix model, we compute the one-loop effective potential between two membrane fuzzy spheres. Perfect agreement is found between the two sides. Moreover, the one-loop effective potential we obtain on the gauge theory side is valid beyond the small-separation approximation, giving the full interpolation between interactions of membrane-like objects and that of graviton-like objects.
A Meta-Analysis of Journal Articles Intersecting Issues of Internet and Gender:

The propagation and mainstream acceptance of the Internet has become a hot topic addressed in media, business, and scholarly environments. The gender implications of technology are studied in various ways across the disciplines of communications, gender studies, and technology and society. This study overviews and summarizes articles dealing with gender implications of the Internet in journals in these fields. The analysis identified 132 articles during the period of 1995–2003 in 28 publications in which frequencies, trends, and potential gaps were assessed using quantitative and qualitative meta-analysis. Most of the research in this area is being done in technology publications (59.7% of articles). Women's usage of the Internet is the most frequently studied level of participation. Results indicates that the survey method was the most predominant, but various qualitative methods are often employed. Notable themes included those of equal access yet unequal participation, the existence of both negative an...
Spectroscopic evidence for a nonrigid—rigid transition in isotopically labelled (benzene) 13

Abstract In a recent report by Easter, Khoury and Whetten, analysis of the ultraviolet (B 2u ←A 1g (6 0 1 )) REMPI spectroscopy of cold (C 6 H 6 ) (C 6 D 6 ) n −1 clusters, n = 12–20, yielded striking conclusions: observed C 6 H 6 resonances derived almost exclusively from molecules in the cluster's interior site; and the 13-cluster is found to have only one dominant isomeric form, giving rise to a single prominent spectral feature. Here we report the evolution of the benzene- h 6 transition in (C 6 H 6 ) (C 6 D 6 ) 12 as a function of distance (time) from the nozzle in the supersonic jet expansion, and present the first experimental evidence for a nonrigid—rigid transition in a single-size molecular cluster. Initially (benzene) 13 condenses in a nonrigid state and solidification into a well-defined configuration occurs during subsequent free jet expansion.
Connoisseur'S Choice: Datolite Dalnegorsk, Primorskiy Kray, Russia

Datolite is an interesting and widely distributed mineral that, although often occurring in handsome specimens, is commonly overshadowed by the wonderfully crystallized zeolites with which it is of...
On surface growth mechanism of soot particles

A sterically resolved kinetic Monte Carlo technique was applied to model surface growth of soot particles under conditions typical of flame environments. The employed elementary surface reaction mechanism was based on analogous reactions of gaseous aromatic species. The simulations indicated that the growth rate of soot particle surface increases rather than decreases with temperature, even when the reaction reversibility is fully accounted for. This implies that the decreasing thermal stability of surface intermediates is unlikely to be responsible for the decline in surface reactivity of soot particles. In contrast, the growth of gaseous aromatics by the same reaction mechanism is impeded by the reversibility of cyclization reactions and was shown to result inzigzag edges, inconsistent with the armchair substrate assumed for the particle surface growth. The inconsistency was resolved by invoking the formation of five-member rings that serve as surface nuclei for the subsequent growth. The computational results also showed that the surface growth rate is proportional to the C 2 H 2 concentration and independent of H at high H concentrations but declines with the decrease in the abundance of hydrogen atoms. This concurs with the previous analysis identifying the decreasing H concentration as one of the primary causes for the decay in the surface reactivity of soot particles.
The causal structure of bond yields

Abstract This paper implements an emerging data-driven method of directed acyclic graphs to study the contemporaneous causal structure among the federal funds rate and U.S. Treasury bond yields of various maturities. Using high frequency daily data from 1994 to 2009, we find that innovations in the two-year Treasury bond yield play a central role. They contemporaneously cause most other bond yields. Therefore, monetary policy makers would benefit from closely monitoring the two-year yield in setting the interest rate target, a result echoing the policy rule suggested by Piazzesi (Journal of Political Economy, 2005). Both Fed and investors should also watch the seven-year bond yield because it explains significant portions of variability in many other yields.
Reliability assessment of the attitude towards computers instrument (ATCI)

Abstract Individual's attitude towards computers is a key component to understanding user's acceptance and satisfaction with computer-based information systems. As such, individuals' attitudes towards computers have been of interest to researchers in a variety of settings for sometime. Therefore, numerous instruments have been developed to assess this construct. We describe these instruments and discuss issues for researchers to consider when selecting an instrument with which to assess attitude towards computers. We find few instruments that are suitable for a general setting or have had their reliability thoroughly assessed. We, therefore, present a reliability assessment of the Attitude Towards Computers Instrument (ATCI), which was designed to be applicable in a wide variety of settings. The reliability assessment includes latent structure (confirmatory factor) analysis, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) analysis and stability (test–retest) analysis. We find that the reliability of the ATCI compares favorably with existing instruments, making it a better choice for many research settings. Reliability analysis such as presented in this paper helps move the information systems field forward by providing researchers with a reliable instrument with which to assess attitude towards computers.
Circulating immune complexes as possible cause for anticomplementary activity in humans with malignant melanoma

Sera from 98 melanoma patients, 20 noncancer patients with immune complex-associated diseases, and 90 normal donors were analyzed for anticomplementary (AC) activity by the complement consumption method. Some of these sera were also tested for immune complex-like materials by the Raji cell radioimmune assay. In addition, serum samples from ten melanoma patients were analyzed serially to correlate the AC activity with clinical course. Significant levels of Ac activity were found in 45% of melanoma sera, 75% of nonmalignant immune complex-associated disease sera, and 10% of normal donors' sera. In some patients, AC activity decreased and became undetectable as their disease progressed. AC-negative serum samples taken from melanoma patients late in the course of disease when the tumor burden was large became anticomplementary when mixed with autologous or allogeneic serum samples taken earlier at the time of little or no tumor burden. The early serum samples contained antibodies against autologous tumor extracts, as shown by a complement fixation test. Absorption of early serum samples with cultured allogeneic melanoma cells reduced their ability to consume complement when mixed with autologous late serum samples, suggesting the presence of free antigen in the latter. The mixed samples of early and late sera and the sera positive in the complement consumption test contained heavy nonmonomeric IgG. Therefore, the AC activity of melanoma sera could be due to tumor-associated antigen-antibody complexes.
Evolution of twenty‐first century knowledge workers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to convey background and historical settings on the evolution of knowledge management research and practices since the late 1990s in programs of The George Washington University (GWU), Washington, DC. The settings aim to support the papers of a special issue of the journal for exploring the future of knowledge workers in the twenty‐first century.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses historical data drawn from dissertations, books, discussions and active participation through a ten‐year community of interest (COI) comprising scholars and practitioners. This COI functions within the Institute for Knowledge and Innovation (GWU‐IKI) and the inputs are augmented with references to literature on KM and knowledge workers.Findings – The overall viewpoint leverages off the theme that the youngest of the workforce generations, the Millennials, born since 1981, are 76 million strong and rapidly coming of age. Furthermore, through a natural process of evolution, they are ...
Estrogens modulate the responsiveness of osteoblast-like cells (ROS 17/2.8) stably transfected with estrogen receptor.

Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of estrogen receptor (ER) in both normal human osteoblast-like and osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cells. The number of ER in cultured osteoblastic cells is very low (200-500 sites/cell). This has complicated characterization of the biological role of estrogens in bone cells. To study the responsiveness of bone cells to estrogens, we established osteoblast-like cell lines expressing higher ER levels. ROS 17/2.8, an osteoblastic cell line, was stably transfected with the cDNA encoding for the mouse ER. After a selection period, positive clones were isolated and evaluated for the presence of ER by both Northern blot analysis and ligand binding assays. Using these techniques, we detected a significant increase in the level of both ER transcript and binding compared to that in wild-type cells. The levels of expressed ER protein were similar to those reported in normal human osteoblast-like cells in primary culture (approximately 2000 sites/cell). To test whether the ...
Multi-electrode assisted corona discharge for electrohydrodynamic flow generation in narrow channels

The present article proposes a multi-electrode discharge, called the assisted corona discharge as a possible solution to the challenges facing the miniaturizing of ionic wind blowers. Ionic wind blowers utilizing a corona to generate electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flow have garnered increased interest as a cooling mechanism for electronic devices. As the size of these devices reduces, miniaturization of EHD blowers becomes essential. This offers many challenges including reducing the operating potentials (voltages), sustaining a stable discharge, and generating appreciable flow rate in a miniaturized configuration. An electrode configuration consisting of multiple collecting electrodes in an asymmetric geometry and electrostatically unbalanced configuration can generate a discharge regime termed an assisted corona discharge. The multiple collecting electrodes increase the overall current production at the corona source, but the discharge onset to both collecting electrodes is only controlled by the closer, primary collecting electrode. The utilization of multiple collectors inside a 4 mm high duct increased flow rates significantly in comparison to a standard corona discharge between a source and single collecting electrode, while also consuming less power, thus increasing efficiency.
Screening for pancreatic cancer in a high-risk population with serum CA 19-9 and targeted EUS: a feasibility study

Background Earlier detection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is needed. Objective To determine whether early pancreatic neoplasia can be detected in a high-risk population by using CA 19-9 followed by targeted EUS. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Two academic medical centers. Patients Eligible patients met age criteria and had at least 1 first-degree relative with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Interventions A serum CA 19-9 was performed on all patients. EUS was performed if the CA 19-9 level was elevated. FNA of identified lesions was performed. Patients with pancreatic cancer detected by using this screening protocol were compared with patients presenting off-protocol for staging data. Medicare reimbursement rates were used to derive cost data. Main Outcome Measurements Detection of early pancreatic neoplasia. Results A total of 546 patients were enrolled. CA 19-9 was elevated in 27 patients (4.9%, 95% CI, 3.2%-7.1%). Neoplastic or malignant findings were detected in 5 patients (0.9%, 95% CI, 0.3%-2.1%), and pancreatic adenocarcinoma in 1 patient (0.2%, 95% CI, 0.005%-1.02%). The patient with pancreatic cancer detected as part of this protocol was 1 of 2 patients presenting to the University of Vermont with stage 1 cancer. The cost to detect 1 pancreatic neoplasia was $8431. The cost to detect 1 pancreatic adenocarcinoma was $41,133. Limitations The sample size is adequate only to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach. Conclusions Potentially curative pancreatic adenocarcinoma can be identified with this screening protocol. Stage 1 pancreatic cancer is more likely to be detected by using this screening protocol than by using standard means of detection.
The incidence and severity of dental trauma in intercollegiate athletes

ABSTRACT Background The use of protective devices such as mouthguards during participation in contact sports may be effective in reducing the incidence or severity of dental injuries. Methods Dental injuries reported to the athletic department at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, were recorded from 1996 through 2005. The authors classified each injury and determined the severity of the injury. Severity was defined in relation to the treatment required and the prognosis of the teeth and supporting tissues involved. Results Fifty-one traumatic dental injuries were reported. Basketball was the sport with the highest injury rate; it had an incidence rate (IR) of 10.6 injuries per 100 athlete-seasons among men, and an IR of 5.0 injuries per 100 athlete-seasons among women. The IR for men's basketball players was five times higher than that for football players for whom mouthguard use is mandatory. Conclusions Given the relatively high incidence of dental injury in basketball and the potential of mouthguard use to reduce the incidence and severity of the trauma, mandatory use of mouthguards among collegiate basketball players should be considered. Clinical Implications Dental professionals have a responsibility to educate patients and the public about the importance of using mouth-guard protection in contact sports.
Factors related to inconsistent condom use with commercial sex workers in northern Thailand.

A successful condom promotion program was implemented throughout Thailand in 1991 to prevent HIV transmission during sex with female prostitutes. The program involves the government distribution of condoms to commercial sex establishments together with a media campaign to promote condom use and sanctions against establishments which show evidence of noncompliance. The reported rates of sexually transmitted disease have declined dramatically over the period 1989-93. The authors studied the factors related to consistent condom use in two cohorts of 21-23 year old military conscripts between 1991 and 1993. The men were interviewed at baseline and every six months until their discharge two years later about their STD and medical history frequency of sex with prostitutes and condom use. Of the 2191 men followed at least 1622 had sex with a prostitute at least once during the two years; at each six-month interval about half visited a prostitute. Among those visiting a prostitute consistent condom use improved from 66.6% during the first six months to 79.1% during the last interval. Lower educational level being unmarried alcohol and/or illicit drug consumption intoxication having sex with prostitutes more than once per month use of antibiotics before sex with a prostitute a history of STD and the beliefs that condom use reduces sexual pleasure and that their prostitute was free of infection were associated with inconsistent condom use. Condom availability did not influence inconsistent use.
P‐49: The Driving Method with Different RGB Driving Voltages for Bistable Displays

A driving method was developed for the flexible bistable displays application. In this paper, we use two methods to improve the drawback of bistable cholesteric liquid-crystals displays (CHLCD). One is a scanning procedure was to increase the refresh time. And the other is the PWM driving method was adopted to increase the gray levels of Ch-LCD.
Is the Z degenerate with an exotic quarkonium

Abstract We propose an explanation for the recently discovered CERN events containing a hard photon, interpreting them as Z → l l γγ decays (l = e, μ , ν ) where one photon is soft and not seen. We suggest that Z mixes with a degenerate bound state of an exotic color fermion and its antiparticle, which decays via “onium” cascade. Predictions include a 1 −− state near 50 GeV with Г ∼ MeV , and many hard photon + multijet events.
NATURAL SELECTION ON SEED-BEETLE EGG SIZE IN NATURE AND THE LABORATORY: VARIATION AMONG ENVIRONMENTS

The size of eggs that evolves within a population will in theory reflect a balance between selection for large eggs and for increased fecundity. Theory also predicts that the intensity of selection for large eggs (via effects of egg size on progeny survival and growth) increases as environmental quality decreases. I took advantage of variation in seed quality among individuals within one population of a single tree species, Cercidium floridum, to (1) quantify variation in the magnitude of selection on seed beetle (Stator limbatus) egg size, and (2) test the hypothesis that the intensity of selection on egg size increases with decreasing host plant quality. The proportion of larvae that failed to penetrate the seed coat varied substantially among individual trees and was used as a measure of seed-coat resistance. The intensities of selection (i) on egg size also varied among trees. This measure i was positively correlated (among trees) with the resistance of seed coats to penetration by larvae of S. limbatus, indicating that that selection is greatest on trees upon which larval survivorship was lowest. This study thus demonstrates that the intensity of selection on egg size increases as larval environmental quality decreases.
Distinct requirements for Ras oncogenesis in human versus mouse cells

The spectrum of tumors associated with oncogenic Ras in humans often differs from those in mice either treated with carcinogens or engineered to sporadically express oncogenic Ras, suggesting that the mechanism of Ras transformation may be different in humans. Ras stimulates primarily three main classes of effector proteins, Rafs, PI3-kinase, and RalGEFs, with Raf generally being the most potent at transforming murine cells. Using oncogenic Ras mutants that activate single effectors as well as constitutively active effectors, we find that the RalGEF, and not the Raf or PI3-kinase pathway, is sufficient for Ras transformation in human cells. Thus, oncogenic Ras may transform murine and human cells by distinct mechanisms, and the RalGEF pathway—previously deemed to play a secondary role in Ras transformation—could represent a new target for anti-cancer therapy.
Is the connectionist notion of subconcepts flawed

The issue of mental representation of symbols has plagued cognitive science for decades and still doesn't have a resolution. The basic dispute is between the symbol system hypothesis of artificial intelligence, whose proponents include Newell and Simon [1], Newell [2], Smith [3], Fodor and Pylyshyn [4] and others, and Smolensky style connectionism [5] where a “high level” concept or symbol is represented by a number of subconcepts (subsymbols). Both sides claim their representational systems to be at the cognitive level, which means the elements used in their representational systems have meaning. In this paper, we take a closer look at Smolensky style connectionism and find it to be flawed in a number of ways. In particular, the cognitive level subconcepts (subsymbols with meaning) used by Smolensky are inconsistent with a number of principles of human learning. We argue that the subsymbolic distributed representation at the non-cognitive neural layer (McClelland and others [6], [7], [8]) is sufficient to represent a concept or symbol and that an additional layer of cognitive level subconcepts (Smolensky [5]) is redundant.
Sialyl Lewisx-containing oligosaccharide attenuates myocardial reperfusion injury in cats.

Neutrophil (PMN) adhesion to the vascular endothelium is an important mechanism of myocardial reperfusion injury. The adhesion process is initially mediated by selectins (e.g., P- and L-selectin), and monoclonal antibodies directed against these adhesion molecules exert cardioprotective activity in ischemia/reperfusion models. The counterreceptors for these selectins are thought to be carbohydrate-containing moieties. In this connection, we studied the effect of a soluble sialyl Lewisx-containing oligosaccharide (SLex-OS) on PMN-endothelial interactions in a feline model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R). SLex-OS (10 mg/kg), administered 10 min before R, significantly reduced myocardial necrosis compared with its vehicle 270 min after reperfusion (6 +/- 1% vs. 35 +/- 4% of area at risk, P < 0.01). The cardioprotection was confirmed by significantly lower plasma creatine kinase activities in SLex-OS vs. vehicle-treated cats (P < 0.01). Cardiac contractility (dP/dt max) of cats receiving SLex-OS was significantly preserved after 270 min of R (97 +/- 2% vs. 78 +/- 5% of initial, P < 0.01). Furthermore, endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine in coronary artery rings isolated from MI/R cats treated with SLex-OS was significantly preserved (73 +/- 7% vs. 22 +/- 6% vasorelaxation, P < 0.01). In vitro PMN adherence to coronary vascular endothelium after 270 min of R was significantly attenuated in the SLex-OS-treated group compared with the vehicle group (14 +/- 5 vs. 91 +/- 12 PMN/mm2, P < 0.01). Our results indicate that a SLex-OS is cardioprotective and preserves coronary endothelial function after MI/R, indicating an important role of sialyl Lewisx in PMN accumulation, endothelial dysfunction, and myocardial injury in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion.
Households, history and black urbanisation: response to Graaff.

In the literature on black urbanisation in South Africa, the notion prevails that specific and conscious state actions ‘contained’ black urbanisation. A sophisticated statement of the contained urbanisation view is found in the work of Charles Simkins. Simkins employed a narrow definition of ‘urban’ settlements; by broadening the definition of urban, Johann Graaff suggested that a much higher proportion of the black population is urbanised (albeit displaced) and concluded, among other things, that relatively few persons would seek to move to other urban places as a result of the removal of influx control. Graaff underestimated the scope of informal urbanisation, in part by arbitrary exclusion of non‐bantustan informal settlements, and in part by the neglect of much of the effectively non‐rural population of many ban tustan districts. However, urbanisation is not in the end a statistical problem. Reclassification of settlements tells us nothing at all of the ways in which the people in those settlements ac...
Face localization via hierarchical CONDENSATION with Fisher boosting feature selection

We formulate face localization as a maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) problem of finding the best estimation of human face configuration in a given image. The a prior distribution for intrinsic face configuration is defined by active shape model (ASM). The likelihood model for local facial features is parameterized as mixture of Gaussians in feature space. A hierarchical CONDENSATION framework is then proposed to estimate the face configuration parameter. In order to improve the discriminative power of likelihood distribution in feature space, a new feature subspace, Fisher boosting feature space, is proposed and compared against PCA subspace and biased PCA subspace. Experiments show that, Fisher boosting algorithm can generate strong classifier with less number of weaker classifiers comparing to conventional Adaboosting algorithm as illustrated in a toy problem, that the face localization with Fisher boosting feature subspace outperforms that with PCA feature subspaces in localization accuracy and convergence rate, and that the design of hierarchical CONDENSATION framework alleviates the local minima problem which is frequently encountered by previous ASM optimization algorithms.
Simultaneous three‐frequency Na lidar measurements of radial wind and temperature in the mesopause region

Using a uniquely constructed acoustooptic frequency shifter to provide three different excitation frequencies, {nu}{sub a} = 652 MHz and {nu}{sub c} = 188 MHz along with {nu}{sub s} = 172 MHz at the spectral slope, the Colorado State Na temperature lidar has been up-graded to permit simultaneous measurements of radial wind and temperature in the mesopause region. Initial observations were made at Ft. Collins, CO (40.6{degrees}N, 105{degrees}W) for three nights in September, 1993 (a total of 20.2 h and 1,204 profiles). With a power-aperture product of 0.06 W-m{sup 2}, the lidar measured RMS uncertainties with spatial and temporal resolutions of 1.5 km and 6 min are assessed to be 1.6 K and 3.1 m/s at the peak of the Na layer. Observational results for the nights of September 3, 4 and 21 (UT) that contain new thermal and dynamical information of the mesopause are presented to show the potential of simultaneous wind/temperature measurements. 13 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.
Women's sports media, self-objectification, and mental health in black and white adolescent females

Recent surveys have suggested that sports media exposure may be linked to adolescents' body perceptions. This study tested this relationship from the perspective of objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997) by surveying and experimenting with 426 adolescent females aged 10–19. Sports magazine reading predicted greater body satisfaction among older adolescents, regardless of whether they participated in sports. Self-objectification in adolescents of all ages predicted mental health risks including body shame, disordered eating, and depression. Participants also viewed a video depicting men's sports, women's lean sports, or women's nonlean sports. For White participants, watching lean sports increased self-objectification, whereas for participants of color, watching nonlean sports had the same effect. Discussion focuses on self-objectification in adolescents and how cultural differences in the female body ideal are reflected in portrayals of female athletes.
High-dose atorvastatin causes a rapid sustained increase in human serum PCSK9 and disrupts its correlation with LDL cholesterol

Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a key regulator of serum LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. PCSK9 is secreted by the liver into the plasma and binds the hepatic LDL receptor (LDLR), causing its subsequent degradation. We first demonstrated that a moderate dose of atorvastatin (40 mg) increases PCSK9 serum levels, suggesting why increasing statin doses may have diminished efficacy with regard to further LDL-C lowering. Since that initial observation, at least two other groups have reported statin-induced PCSK9 increases. To date, no analysis of the effect of high-dose atorvastatin (80 mg) on PCSK9 over time has been conducted. Therefore, we studied the time course of atorvastatin (80 mg) in human subjects. We measured PCSK9 and lipid levels during a 2-week lead-in baseline period and every 4 weeks thereafter for 16 weeks. We observed that atorvastatin (80 mg) caused a rapid 47% increase in serum PCSK9 at 4 weeks that was sustained throughout 16 weeks of dosing. Importantly, while PCSK9 levels were highly correlated with total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, and triglyceride (TG) levels at baseline, atorvastatin (80 mg) completely abolished all of these correlations. Together, these results further suggest an explanation for why increasing doses of statins fail to achieve proportional LDL-C lowering.
Impact Damage and Residual Tension Strength of a Thick Graphite/Epoxy Rocket Motor Case

Impacters of various masses were dropped from various heights onto thick graphite/epoxy filament-wound cylinders. The cylinders represented filament-wound cases made for the booster motors of the Space Shuttle. Tups of various shapes were affixed to the impacters. Some of the cylinders were filled with inert propellant, and some were empty. The cylinders were impacted numerous times around the circumference and then cut into tension coupons, each containing an impact site. The size of the damage and the residual tension strength were measured. For hemispherical tups, strength was reduced as much as 30 percent by nonvisible damage. The damage consisted of matrix cracking and broken fibers. Analytical methods were used to predict the damage and residual tension strength. A factor of safety to account for nonvisible damage was determined. For corner and rod shaped tups, any damage that resulted in strength loss was readily visible.
Predicting the EuroQol Group’s EQ-5D Index from CDC’s “Healthy Days” in a US Sample

Background. Obtaining reliable preference-based scores from the widely used Healthy Days measures would enable calculation of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and cost-utility analyses in many US community populations and over time. Previous studies translating the Healthy Days to the EQ-5D, a preference-based measure, relied on an indirect method because of a lack of population-based survey data that asked both sets of questions of the same respondents. Method. Data from the 2005–2006 National Health Measurement Study (NHMS; n =3 844 adults 35 years old or older) were used to develop regression-based models to estimate EQ-5D index scores from self-reported age, self-rated general health, and numbers of unhealthy days. Results. The models explained up to 52% of the variance in the EQ-5D. Estimated EQ-5D scores matched well to the observed EQ-5D scores in mean scores overall and by age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, education, body mass index, smoking, and disease categories. The average absolute differences were 0.005 to 0.006 on a health utility scale. After estimating mean EQ-5D index scores overall and for various subgroups in a large representative US sample of Healthy Days respondents, the authors found that these mean scores also closely matched the corresponding mean scores of EQ-5D respondents obtained from another large US representative sample with an average absolute difference of 0.013 points. Conclusions .T his study yielded a mapping algorithm to estimate EQ-5D index scores from the Healthy Days measures for populations of adults 35 years old and older. Such analysis confirms it is feasible to estimate mean EQ-5D index scores with acceptable validity for use in calculating QALYs and cost-utility analyses based on the overall model fit and relatively small differences between the observed and the estimated mean scores. Key words: health-related quality of life; EQ-5D; Healthy Days measures; cost-effectiveness analysis. (Med Decis Making 2010;30:000–000)
Distortion weighted motion compensated image coding

A surface distortion measure for a motion-compensated image-coding algorithm is described. The surface distortion measure (SDM) is a function of both the signal variance and the error variance. This functional relationship circumvents a major problem that is associated with using the ratio of these quantities as a quantizer design parameter. When the surface distortion measure is used as the fidelity criterion for the residual quantizer for the algorithm, superior data compression capabilities with little added distortion are achieved. A comparison of the results using both signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the SDM as a fidelity criterion in the coding procedure is presented. >
The Indonesian Economy since 1966: Southeast Asia's Emerging Giant

1. Introduction 2. An overview of economic development since 1966 3. Money and finance 4. Fiscal policy 5. International dimensions 6. The state and public policy: ideology and intervention 7. Agricultural modernisation 8. Industrial transformation 9. The services revolution 10. Poverty, inequality and social progress 11. The regional dimension 12. Conclusion: looking to the future.
Respiratory symptoms and physiologic assessment of ironworkers at the World Trade Center disaster site.

Study objectives To characterize respiratory abnormalities in a convenience sample of ironworkers exposed at the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster site for varying lengths of time between September 11, 2001, and February 8, 2002. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting The Mount Sinai Medical Center, a large tertiary hospital. Participants Ninety-six ironworkers engaged in rescue and recovery with exposure onset between September 11, 2001, and September 15, 2001, who responded to an invitation to undergo respiratory evaluation. Measurements Medical and exposure history, physical examination, spirometry, forced oscillation (FO), and chest radiographs. The relationships of prevalence of respiratory symptoms and presence of obstructive physiology to smoking, exposure on September 11, duration of exposure, and type of respiratory protection were examined using univariate and linear and logistic regression analyses. Results Seventy-four of 96 workers (77%) had one or more respiratory symptoms (similar in smokers [49 of 63 subjects, 78%] and nonsmokers [25 of 33 subjects, 76%]). Cough was the most common symptom (62 of 96 subjects, 65%), and was associated with exposure on September 11. Chest examination and radiograph findings were abnormal in 10 subjects (10%) and 19 subjects (20%), respectively. FO revealed dysfunction in 34 of 64 subjects tested (53%), while spirometry suggested obstruction in only 11 subjects (17%). Lack of a respirator with canister was a risk factor for large airway dysfunction, and cigarette smoking was a risk factor for small airway dysfunction. No other relationships reached statistical significance. Conclusions Respiratory symptoms occurred in the majority of ironworkers at the WTC disaster site and were not attributable to smoking. Exposure on September 11 was associated with a greater prevalence of cough. Objective evidence of lung disease was less common. Spirometry underestimated the prevalence of lung function abnormalities in comparison to FO. Continuing evaluation of symptoms, chest radiographs, and airway dysfunction should determine whether long-term clinical sequelae will exist.
Hybrid control of parabolic PDEs: handling faults of constrained control actuators

This work proposes a hybrid control methodology that integrates feedback and switching for fault-tolerant constrained control of linear parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs) for which the spectrum of the spatial differential operator can be partitioned into a finite "slow" set and an infinite stable "fast" complement. Modal decomposition techniques are initially used to derive a finite-dimensional system (set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) in time) that captures the dominant dynamics of the PDE. The ODE system is then used as the basis for the integrated synthesis, via Lyapunov techniques, of a stabilizing nonlinear feedback controller together with a switching law that orchestrates the switching between the admissible control actuator configurations, based on their constrained regions of stability, in a way that respects actuator constraints and maintains closed-loop stability in the event of actuator failure. Precise conditions that guarantee stability of the constrained closed-loop PDE system under actuator switching are provided. The proposed method is applied to the problem of stabilizing an unstable, spatially unifrom steady-state of a linear parabolic PDE under constraints and actuator failures.
Effects of DEM scale on the spatial distribution of the TOPMODEL topographic wetness index and its correlations to watershed characteristics

Abstract. Topographic wetness indices (TWIs) calculated from digital elevation models (DEMs) are meant to predict relative landscape wetness and should have predictive power for soil and vegetation attributes. While previous researchers have shown cumulative TWI distributions shift to larger values as DEM resolution decreases, there has been little work assessing how DEM scales affect TWI spatial distributions and correlations with soil and vegetation properties. We explored how various DEM resolutions (2, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 50 m) subsampled from high definition LiDAR altered the spatial distribution of TWI values and the correlations of these values with soil characteristics determined from point samples, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) soil units, depths to groundwater, and managed vegetation distributions within a first order basin in the Upper Southeastern Coastal Plain with moderate slopes, flat valleys, and several wetlands. Point-scale soil characteristics were determined by laboratory analysis of point samples collected from riparian transects and hillslope grids. DEM scale affected the spatial distribution of TWI values in ways that affect our interpretation of landscape processes. At the finest DEM resolutions, valleys disappeared as TWI values were driven by local microtopography and not basin position. Spatial distribution of TWI values most closely matched the spatial distribution of soils, depth to groundwater, and vegetation stands for the 10, 20, and 30 m resolutions. DEM resolution affected the shape and direction of relationships between soil nitrogen and carbon contents and TWI values, but TWI values provided poor prediction of soil chemistry at all resolutions.
The Bending Rigidity of Mitotic Chromosomes

The bending rigidities of mitotic chromosomes isolated from cultured N. viridescens (newt) and Xenopus epithelial cells were measured by observing their spontaneous thermal bending fluctuations. When combined with simultaneous measurement of stretching elasticity, these measurements constrain models for higher order mitotic chromosome structure. We measured bending rigidities of B approximately 10(-22) N. m(2) for newt and approximately 10(-23) N. m(2) for Xenopus chromosomes extracted from cells. A similar bending rigidity was measured for newt chromosomes in vivo by observing bending fluctuations in metaphase-arrested cells. Following each bending rigidity measurement, a stretching (Young's) modulus of the same chromosome was measured in the range of 10(2) to 10(3) Pa for newt and Xenopus chromosomes. For each chromosome, these values of B and Y are consistent with those expected for a simple elastic rod, B approximately YR(4), where R is the chromosome cross-section radius. Our measurements rule out the possibility that chromosome stretching and bending elasticity are principally due to a stiff central core region and are instead indicative of an internal structure, which is essentially homogeneous in its connectivity across the chromosome cross-section.
Historical perspectives of The American Association for Thoracic Surgery: David J. Dugan (1910-1998)

David J. Dugan, the 56th president of The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on June 29, 1910 (Figure 1). Growing up in the Midwest, he attended John Carroll University in Ohio, from which he graduated in 1932. He matriculated at St Louis University Medical School, receiving his doctorate in 1936. Interested in general surgery, he completed training at St John’s Hospital in Cleveland in 1939 and embarked on a career in private practice in Lakewood, Ohio. With the involvement of the United States in World War II and 2 years of general surgery practice experience, he entered the Armed Service in September 1942. Dugan was assigned to the thoracic surgery service under the direction of Brian Blades (37th AATS president) at Walter Reed General Hospital. On entering the Army, Dugan and 9 other medical officers were handed instructions for ‘‘Temporary Duty for a period of approximately 6 weeks for the purpose of pursuing a course of instruction in thoracic surgery’’ at the University of Pennsylvania. It is by this route that Dugan began his training in thoracic surgery, a specialty that he ‘‘barely knew existed’’ and a specialty choice that was unsolicited and was ‘‘explained only by the unpredictable wisdom of the United States Army.’’ When the United States entered World War II, thoracic surgery was not yet considered a distinct specialty. Because of its undefined status during theWar, no consultant specializing in thoracic surgerywas formally appointed in any oversea theater. On the basis of subsequent surgical outcomes of the famed Second Auxiliary Surgical Group in the Mediterranean and European theaters, Lyman A. Brewer III (54th AATS president), Paul C. Samson (48th AATS president), Thomas H. Burford (51st AATS president), and others made a compelling case for the establishment of thoracic surgery as a distinct specialty. In the United States, the situation was different. By 1938, the AATS had 14 honorary members, 99 active members, 69 associate members, and 30 senior members. Largely from this AATS group, active and associate members were selected
Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex disease currently affecting a large number of individuals across the world. Historically thought of as an older male disease, the prevalenc...
Detection of Intra-Tumor Self Antigen Recognition during Melanoma Tumor Progression in Mice Using Advanced Multimode Confocal/Two Photon Microscope

Determining how tumor immunity is regulated requires understanding the extent to which the anti-tumor immune response “functions” in vivo without therapeutic intervention. To better understand this question, we developed advanced multimodal reflectance confocal/two photon fluorescence intra-vital imaging techniques to use in combination with traditional ex vivo analysis of tumor specific T cells. By transferring small numbers of melanoma-specific CD8+ T cells (Pmel-1), in an attempt to mimic physiologic conditions, we found that B16 tumor growth alone was sufficient to induce naive Pmel-1 T cell proliferation and acquisition of effector phenotype. Tumor -primed Pmel-1 T cells, are capable of killing target cells in the periphery and secrete IFNγ, but are unable to mediate tumor regression. Within the tumor, Pmel-1 T cells have highly confined mobility, displaying long term interactions with tumor cells. In contrast, adoptively transferred non tumor-specific OT-I T cells show neither confined mobility, nor long term interaction with B16 tumor cells, suggesting that intra-tumor recognition of cognate self antigen by Pmel-1 T cells occurs during tumor growth. Together, these data indicate that lack of anti-tumor efficacy is not solely due to ignorance of self antigen in the tumor microenvironment but rather to active immunosuppressive influences preventing a protective immune response.
Ontological semantics, formal ontology, and ambiguity

Ontological semantics is a theory of meaning in natural language and an approach to natural language processing (NLP) which uses an ontology as the central resource for extracting and representing meaning of natural language texts, reasoning about knowledge derived from texts as well as generating natural language texts based on representations of their meaning. Ontological semantics directly supports such applications as machine translation of natural languages, information extraction, text summarization, question answering, advice giving, collaborative work of networks of human and software agents, etc. Ontological semantics pays serious attention to its theoretical foundations by explicating its premises; therefore, formal ontology and its relations with ontological semantics are important. Besides a general brief discussion of these relations, the paper focuses on the important theoretical and practical issue of the distinction between ontology and natural language. It is argued that this crucial distinction lies not in the (inaccurately) presumed nonambiguity of the one and the well-established ambiguity of the other but rather in the constructed and overtly defined nature of ontological concepts and labels on which no human background knowledge can operate unintentionally to introduce ambiguity, as opposed to pervasive uncontrolled and uncontrollable ambiguity in natural language. The emphasis on this distinction, we argue, will provide better theoretical support for the central tenets of formal ontology by freeing it from the Wittgensteinian and Rortyan retreats from the analytical paradigm; it also reinforces the methodology of NLP by maintaining a productive demarcation between the language-independent nature of ontology and language-specific nature of the lexicons, a demarcation that has paid off well in consecutive implementations of ontological semantics and their applications in practical computer systems.
Optical SETI with NASA's Terrestrial Planet Finder

NASA's space-borne nulling interferometer (the Terrestrial Planet Finder—TPF) will look for the traces of early life in the infrared spectra of extrasolar planets, beginning in roughly 2010. We point out that this instrument, as currently envisioned, will also be sensitive to deliberate laser transmissions from a technologically advanced civilization. A kilowatt-class infrared laser with a 10-m beam director would produce a signal visible to TPF at a range of 15 pc that is distinguishable from astrophysical phenomena and noise.