cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a disease that caused significant morbidity and mortality during the outbreak in 2002–2003. In early 2003, a novel coronavirus was identified as the aetiological agent of SARS and is currently known as SARS-CoV. This virus has since been extensively characterised and studied as a model for acute respiratory infection. SARS-CoV utilises a number of virally encoded proteins to subvert the host immune system and establish infection. The ensuing immune dysregulation often results in prolonged, severe disease and sometimes death that does not always associate with the long-term presence of virus. In addition to being an important respiratory virus model, SARS-CoV is also an important model for emerging infectious diseases as it emerged from natural animal reservoirs. Here we review the epidemiology, clinical disease and virology of this disease-causing virus. Key Concepts: Emerging viruses are able to jump from animals to people and cause infections. Epidemiological controls can slow down respiratory virus epidemics. Understanding viral pathogenesis aids in our ability to fight current and future virus outbreaks. Keywords: SARS-CoV; coronavirus; emerging disease; zoonotic disease; respiratory infection
Preparing Minority Scientists and Engineers

An undergraduate program involving mentorship, summer and other workshops, and targeting high-achieving high school students improves participation of underrepresented minorities in science.
Communication Between Patients and Health Care Providers

Cancer survivors face many challenges resulting from the side effects of treatment, the effects of the cancer itself, and the many emotions that accompany their illness. Cancer survivors often fear recurrence, suffering, or death and feel sad or angry when bad things happen. Discussing emotional issues with patients is challenging. One reason that emotional conversations are so uncomfortable is that formal communication skills training is underemphasized during medical education and training, which primarily focuses on biomedical issues. Discussing difficult questions or concerns takes health care providers out of the familiar biomedical realm and thrusts them into the less comfortable psychosocial realm. However, these challenging conversations can be turned into opportunities to establish trust and rapport with a few key communication strategies. These strategies include exploring patients’ concerns; listening actively; seizing empathic opportunities when emotions arise; engaging in natural, free-flowing conversations; and allowing space (silence) in the conversation. These key strategies can be applied to discussions of a variety of clinical scenarios, including recurrence or fear of recurrence, prognosis, and other difficult conversations.
COASTAL ENGINEERING 2002

*** Available Only Through World Scientific *** http://www.worldscibooks.com/engineering/5165.html This book contains more than 300 papers presented at the 28th International Conference on Coastal Engineering, held in Cardiff, Wales, in July 2002. It is divided into five parts: coastal waves; nearshore currents, swash, and long waves; coastal structures; sediment transport; and coastal morphology, beach nourishment, and coastal management. The papers cover a broad range of topics, including theory, numerical and physical modeling, field measurements, case studies, design, and management. Coastal Engineering 2002 provides engineers, scientists, and planners with state-of-the-art information on coastal engineering and coastal processes.
Reduced-size grafts—The solution for hepatic artery thrombosis after pediatric liver transplantation?

Reduced-size liver grafts (RSG) were developed to alleviate the donor shortage for pediatric patients, particularly those requiring emergency transplantation. In theory, the large size of the hepatic artery available for anastomosis from RSG, as opposed to whole pediatric grafts, is less likely to lead to hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT). Therefore, the authors reviewed their experience with HAT, comparing RSG and whole-liver grafts in pediatric patients undergoing emergency liver transplantation. Despite the severity of illness of the recipients (UNOS status IV), and the intrinsic damage to the graft during reduction, HAT was not seen after RSG for emergency pediatric transplantation. In contrast, 29% of pediatric recipients who received whole grafts for emergency transplantation had HAT. RSG is a safe alternative to whole-liver grafts for pediatric liver transplantation, and may reduce the incidence of HAT.
Integrated otpical monitoring of MEMS for closed-loop control

Robust control and failure assessment of MEMS employed in physically demanding, mission critical applications will allow for higher degrees of quality assurance in MEMS operation. Device fault detection and closed-loop control require detailed knowledge of the operational states of MEMS over the lifetime of the device, obtained by a means decoupled from the system. Preliminary through-wafer optical monitoring research efforts have shown that through-wafer optical probing is suitable for characterizing and monitoring the behavior of MEMS, and can be implemented in an integrated optical monitoring package for continuous in-situ device monitoring. This presentation will discuss research undertaken to establish integrated optical device metrology for closed-loop control of a MUMPS fabricated lateral harmonic oscillator. Successful linear closed-loop control results using a through-wafer optical microprobe position feedback signal will be presented. A theoretical optical output field intensity study of grating structures, fabricated on the shuttle of the resonator, was performed to improve the position resolution of the optical microprobe position signal. Through-wafer microprobe signals providing a positional resolution of 2 μm using grating structures will be shown, along with initial binary Fresnel diffractive optical microelement design layout, process development, and testing results. Progress in the design, fabrication, and test of integrated optical elements for multiple microprobe signal delivery and recovery will be discussed, as well as simulation of device system model parameter changes for failure assessment.
Charles A. Ellwood and the End of Sociology

Charles A. Ellwood was one of the larger than life figures of early American sociology. Into the 1930s he was recognized as the ‘father’ of sociological social psychology. His work theoretically and methodologically paved the way for Symbolic Interactionism. He also saw sociology as a means to an end, that is, to make the world a better place. True sociology could only be thought of in that light. By the 1920s however, sociology was changing. The advent of scientism and statistics amplified factions within the disipline. William F. Ogburn and his students began to push sociology away from the ideas of people such as Ellwood, Ross, Small and many of the early American sociologists. By 1930 a full scale battle was ensuing which Ellwood would lose. The following is an account of Ellwood’s fight with scientism through his publications and correspondence.
An integrative model of internal axoneme mechanics and external fluid dynamics in ciliary beating.

Abstract We present a fluid-mechanical model of an individual cilium which incorporates discrete representations of the dynein arms, the passive elastic structure of the axoneme including the microtubules and nexin links. This model, based upon the immersed boundary method (Peskin, 1977), couples the internal force generation of the molecular motors through the passive elastic structure with the external fluid mechanics governed by the Navier–Stokes equations. Detailed geometric information is available, such as the spacing and shear between the microtubules, the local curvature of individual microtubules and the stretching of the nexin links. In addition, the explicit representation of the dynein motors allows us the flexibility to incorporate a variety of activation theories. In this article, we choose a simple activation theory so that the ciliary beat is not present, but is an emergent property of the interacting components of the coupled fluid–axoneme system. We present numerical results from computer simulations of sliding disintegration and ciliary beating with several different viscosities.
Serendipitous precise and unique staining of cell nuclei.

Frischgefrorene Gewebesektionen verschiedener Gewebe wurden in Kalium-Eisen-Cyanid bei pH 5,2 inkubiert; dabei wurde eine prazise und einzigartige Farbung nur der Zellnuklei beobachtet. Die Ursache dieser selektiven Kernfarbung ist nicht verstandlich, doch stellt sie hochstwahrscheinlich eine Farbung von Ferro-Verbindungen in den Nuklei dar.
Soft tissue flaps

Significant challenges are faced by the oral and and a variety of donor sites available to the surgical maxillofacial reconstructive surgeon. As health care professionals, we are in a constant search for excellence in patient care, education, and research. The objective of this issue of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America is to address the needs of a continually evolving specialty, combined with the stated goal of expected excellence. Rehabilitation of the facial structures is a complex task. Optimal treatment requires the achievement of multiple reconstructive goals: oral competence, effective mastication, functional deglutition, preservation of speech, and an acceptable cosmetic appearance. When we assess the cosmetic needs of a patient, we should address symmetry, color, texture, strength, sensibility, and motor innervation of the tissues to be replaced. Appropriate choice of the harvest site is key in the decision process. We can reach these stated objectives through a systematic prospective analysis by using outcome measures. The goal of academic surgery is to translate research into education and delivery of care. Successful clinical outcomes can be applied to maximize patient management. The success of translational research in the area of reconstruction has resulted in a plethora of techniques
A comparative assessment of the factors associated with station-level streetcar versus light rail transit ridership in the United States

The proliferation of streetcar projects in US cities is one of the most significant transportation developments of recent years, yet little is known about the factors that contribute to streetcar ridership or whether these factors differ from those related to light rail transit use. This study uses multivariate models to examine differences in the factors related to average weekday station boardings on a set of US streetcar and light rail systems. While there are some similarities with respect to population levels and proximity to special generators for ridership on each mode, the results also point to important differences in the role that service characteristics, socioeconomic factors, and land use factors have on station-level ridership. The set of factors associated with light rail boardings suggest light rail’s use by a more utilitarian rider market, while those factors associated with modern streetcars suggest greater use by individuals trying to reach tourism and special activity centre-related des...
Impact in a railway truss bridge

Abstract The aim was to investigate the dynamic interactions between an open deck steel truss bridge and a moving freight train. A non-linear, 100-ton (gross weight 131.5 tons), freight car vehicle model and the 200-ft, open deck, Warren-type steel bridge model were used in this study. Equations of motion for the vehicle, bridge, and bridge/vehicle interactions were also presented. The track irregularities on the approach and the bridge were generated from power spectral density functions for Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) class 4 track (maximum speed 60 mph). Both zero and two percent of the critical damping were assumed for the bridge. Impact percentages in the bridge due to a three, 100-ton freight car train operating at 20, 40, and 60 mph were calculated. These were compared with the data obtained from an earlier field investigation and those specified by the American Railway Engineering Association (AREA) specifications.
Muscle function in hibernating hamsters: A natural analog to bed rest?

Abstract 1. 1. In Experiment I(fall/winter), hamsters exposed to cold and short photoperiod entered hibernation; hamsters exposed to cold and long photoperiod did not. 2. 2. Hibernators had reduced body masses, significantly atrophied skeletal muscles, but increased mass-specific maximum activities of citrate synthase (an indicator of aerobic capacity) and HOAD (an indicator of β-oxidation). 3. 3. In Experiment II (winter/spring), hamsters were similarly exposed to cold and either long or short photoperiods, but none hibernated. 4. 4. No differences occurred in skeletal muscle masses or enzymatic activities of these two nonhibernating groups in Experiment II. 5. 5. Thus, photoperiod per se does not appear to elicit the skeletal muscle changes seen in the hibernating hamsters; nor are these changes comparable to those seen during bed or limb immobilization.
Effect of Stretch on Bladder Smooth Muscle Cells in Three-Dimensional Culture

The bladder is routinely subjected to mechanical stretch from filling cycles; however, abnormal bladder distention can result from pathological conditions such as bladder outlet obstruction. It has been suggested that abnormal mechanical environments in the bladder trigger cellular and molecular changes, such as smooth muscle cell hyperplasia or hypertrophy and alteration of the extracellular matrix (ECM). These cellular and ECM changes can, in turn, deteriorate the function of the bladder by decreasing the contractility and compliance of the tissue [1, 3, 5].Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Skin Manifestations of Internal Disease

Internal diseases can manifest in a myriad of skin dermatoses ranging from single disorders such as calciphylaxis, cryoglobulinemia, amyopathic dermatomyositis, and Raynaud phenomenon, to spectrum disorders such as the neutrophilic dermatoses and morphea. In this article the underlying causes, triggering events, constitutional symptoms, clinical features and presentations, appearance at various stages, and pathogenesis are described. The course of the diseases and probable healing outcomes are outlined. Finally, examination and diagnostic methods, and therapies and treatments are provided.
Latency relationships between loosely coordinated locust flight motor neurons.

During flight the pattern of activity of the motor neurons of the locust wing muscles is normally a precisely controlled score. The elevator motor neurons are active in short synchronous impulse bursts and these alternate with similar bursts in the depressor motor neurons. In experimental preparations the normal coordination may break down, so that electrical stimulation of the nerve cord may elicit a very poorly coordinated response. In these cases, a histogram of the relative latencies of activity in two synergistic elevator motor neurons typically shows three modes, indicating that relative latency tends to assume values near 0 msec, about 6–8 msec, and about 25–35 msec. Simultaneous responses to common input play a major role in causing the peak at 0 msec. Excitatory synaptic interactions between motor neurons, or interneurons which drive them, appear to be responsible for the peak at 6–8 msec. The longest latency peak may be due to firing upon recovery from long-term inhibitory interactions between the synergistic motor neurons. The short-term excitatory feedback interactions between synergistic motor neurons probably are important for the production of the multiple firing in the impulse burst during flight. Long-term inhibitory interactions may limit the activity in this positive feedback system and play a role in terminating each burst.
An Allochthonous Peat Deposit from Southern Florida

An allochthonous beach deposit of peat from southern Florida was investigated with the aid of oriented microtome sections. Because of its strong microlamination and lack of ingrown roots, this peat had a microscopic structure similar to that seen in thin sections of Carboniferous coals. On the other hand, autochthonous peats contained numerous ingrown rootlets and exhibited very little to no apparent bedding. Even after compression, these autochthonous peats did not develop the fine parallel laminations characteristic of many Carboniferous coals. The significance of this investigation lies in its contribution to our knowledge of the microscopic appearance of one type of allochthonously deposited peat. This provides some facts with which to evaluate the relative merits of the various arguments for or against the allochthonous and autochthonous theories of coal formation and also provides a basis for development of new theories.
Energy efficiency of the mycoparasite Sporidesmium sclerotivorum in vitro and in soil.

Abstract The energy content of the mycoparasite Sporidesmium sclerotivorum mycelium was 18,389 J g −1 and 16,334 J g −1 for macroconidia on a dry weight basis. The energy content of Sclerotinia minor sclerotia, the host of the mycoparasite, was 16,485 J g −1 . In liquid culture, the economic coefficient for the conversion of glucose to mycelium (mycelial dry wt ÷ glucose consumed × 100) was 51–60 whereas the mycelial energy coefficient, [mycelial energy (J) ÷ substrate energy (J) × 100] was 65–75. In soil, the conidial energy coefficient [conidial energy (J) ÷ substrate energy (J) × 100] for the conversion of host sclerotial energy to the macroconidia of the mycoparasite was 19.8, which was 2–9 times that for the conversion of glucose in liquid culture. The conidial energy coefficient when grown on a liquid medium on vermiculite was 23.0. S. sclerotivorum , as an obligate parasite of sclerotia in soil, was most efficient in the conversion of energy in a system where there was a high surface: energy ratio. In liquid culture S. sclerotivorum is more efficient than most other fungi.
On the estimation of location parameters in the multivariate one sample and two sample problems

In this paper we consider the problem of estimating the vectors of location parameters in the multivariate one sample and two sample problems. These estimators are obtained through the use of the multivariate rank order statistics such as theWilcoxon or the normal scores statistic considered by the authors inPuri, Sen [1966] andSen, Puri [1967] for the corresponding testing problems. The distribution of these estimators is shown to be symmetric with respect to the parameters being estimated. These estimators are translation invariant, robust and asymptotically normal. Their asymptotic relative efficiencies with respect to the estimators based on the vector of means and medians are discussed by applying the criterion ofWilks generalized variance [Anderson, p. 166]. In particular, it is shown that the estimators based on the multivariate normal scores statistics are asymptotically as efficient as the ones based on the method of least squares when the parent distributions are normal.
Impacting Early Childhood Teachers’ Understanding of the Complexities of Place Value

In order to help children gain a more robust understanding of place value, teachers must understand the connections and relationships among the related concepts as well as possess knowledge of how children learn early number concepts. Unfortunately, teachers’ familiarity with the base-ten number system and/or lack of an understanding of multidigit whole numbers leads to instruction that encourages a superficial understanding of the concepts of our base-ten system rather than instruction that pushes students to go beyond recitation of the value of the digit in the ten's place. This study highlights the attempts of three mathematics educators in reconceptualizing and impacting teachers’ understanding of place value concepts.
Use of Matched Pressure Initial Conditions for Predicting Low-Altitude Rocket Plume Radiation

tanhkH Now this is equivalently 0(0) = R ~' ' (0) where R measures an effective rigidity. In the rigid wall limit we find that 0(0) = 0 and hence (/> vanishes identically; the basic flow, therefore, has no eigensolution s of the discrete c-spectrum. Thus we conclude here that it is the allowance of wall flexibility that gives rise to wavelike perturbations. Discussion and Concluding Remarks The foregoing results for the inviscid shear flow stability over compliant surfaces were obtained to supplement the more detailed viscous studies of Benjamin 1 and Landahl2 using the Orr-Sommerfeld equation. Our work focuses essentially on explicitly obtainable eigenvalue bounds, sufficiency conditions, and dispersion relations for the Benjamin-Landahl membrane model, although, for somewhat restrictive parameter ranges. While the results reported here are not directly applicable to the analysis of finite length plates (panel flutter) per se as contrasted with infinite length membranes, the general methods may be used in conjunction with alternative structural models and with only minor modification. The basic problem, of course, is one for fluid and solid interaction, and a substantial body of more general work appears in the aeroelastic literature. Noteworthy among these are some significant theoretical models for shear flows over flexible boundaries, for example, those pursued by Dowell and his collaborators.4'6 These studies allow for both finite plate dimensions as well as fluid compressibility; their numerical results, moreover, compare favorably with the experiments of Muhlstein et al. 7>8 The analytical approaches adopted here and in Refs. 4-6 are more or less equivalent. The simpler interaction model examined here, though, leads to simple closed-form results, and these may be useful in various applications. Acknowledgments
A highly repeated DNA sequence in Arabidopsis thaliana

Three members of a family of highly repeated DNA sequences from Arabidopsis thaliana have been cloned and characterized. The repeat unit has an average length of 180 bp and is tandemly repeated in arrays longer than 50 kb. This family represents more than one percent of the Arabidopsis genome. Sequence comparisons with tandemly repeated DNA sequences from other Cruciferae species show several regions of homology and a similar length of the repeat unit. Homologies are also found to highly repeated sequences from other plant species. When the sequence CCGG occurs in the repeated DNA, the inner cytosine is generally methylated.
Shall I compare thee? Perceived entitativity and ease of comparison

Abstract A robust finding in the psychological literature is that objects belonging to the same category invite comparison more readily than objects belonging to different categories. However, little attention has been given to whether the type of shared category matters for comparison processes. In this paper, we predicted that the ease with which comparisons are made would vary depending on perceivers’ beliefs about the nature of the category to which the comparison targets belong. Specifically, believing that the targets belong to a high-entitativity group was expected to result in faster comparison times than believing that the targets belong to a low-entitativity group. Study results supported this prediction, indicating that perceived group entitativity plays a significant role in intragroup comparison. These results suggest that it may be important to consider group entitativity as a contextual factor when exploring psychological processes that rely on comparison as a key mechanism.
The effect on glucagon, glucagon-like peptide-1, total and acyl-ghrelin of dietary fats ingested with and without potato.

Introduction: We are interested in the metabolic response to ingested macronutrients and the interaction between macronutrients in meals. Recently, we have determined the insulin and glucose response to ingestion of lard, olive oil, or safflower oil, fat sources varying in fatty acid composition and carbohydrate (CHO), in the form of potato. Objective: Our aim was to determine the effect of these dietary fats ingested alone or with potato on glucagon, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) (7-37 and 7-36 amide), and total and acyl-ghrelin concentrations. Methods: Healthy subjects ingested 25 g fat (lard, olive oil, or safflower oil), 50 g CHO (potato), 25 g fat with 50 g CHO, or water only. Glucagon, GLP-1 (7-37 and 7-36 amide), and total and acyl-ghrelin responses were determined over 4 h. Results: All fats when ingested alone increased glucagon. Glucagon increases were dramatically attenuated when fats were ingested with the potato. GLP-1 increased after all meals, but was greatest when fats were ingested alone. The fat-stimulated increase was completely negated when fats were ingested with potato. Both acyl and total ghrelin decreased when only fats were ingested, as expected. When potato was ingested with any of the fats, the fat-induced decrease in acyl-ghrelin response also was essentially negated. Paradoxically, ghrelin increased when potato alone was ingested. Conclusions: The current data indicate that the glucagon, GLP-1 and ghrelin responses to ingested fats, varying in fatty acid composition, are significantly affected by co-ingestion of CHO. Overall, the interaction between ingested foods in general is likely to be complex.
SU‐FF‐T‐221: Surface Dose Determination with An Interpolation‐Extrapolation Method Using EDR2 Films

Purpose: Kodak EDR2 films have been used for surface dosemeasurements in radiotherapy. However, with the conventional method, the difference of surface percent dosesmeasured with the film and with chamber could be as high as 5%. In this study, a double extrapolation method was used to correct for the overdose response due to the wrapping papers and film itself so that the surface dose can be accurately determined. Method and Materials: In the surface dosemeasurements, multiple EDR2 films were stacked together and placed on the surface of a 30 cm × 30 cm solid water phantom. Efforts were made to ensure the placement was as air tight as possible. Radiation was delivered, and the doses on the films were measured. Two curves were generated from the measureddoses. One is the percent‐depth‐dose curve for the films, the other is the percent‐depth‐dose curve for the wrapping paper, where the later curve was interpolated from the film curve. The surface percent dose was derived by extrapolating the paper curve to zero depth. The surface percent dose was also measured using a parallel plate chamber for comparison. Results: This method has been applied to the surface dosemeasurements for various open fields, oblique fields and IMRT fields. It was found that at zero degree gantry angle the surface percent dosesmeasured using this method were in agreement with the chamber measurements to within 2% for both 6 MV and 23 MV photon beams at all the field sizes for conventional and IMRT beams; the agreement was within 3% at gantry angles other than zero degree. Conclusion: An interpolation‐extrapolation method has been developed to measure the surface doses using EDR2 films. The accuracy of the method is comparable to that of a parallel plate ion chamber for both conventional and IMRT beams.
Private military companies: A second best peacekeeping option?

This article analyses the perils and benefits of outsourcing UN peacekeeping to private military companies (PMCs). Various PMCs have a proven capacity to perform at least some peacekeeping functions. Although experts have expressed serious doubts whether their capacity to do peacekeeping will always translate into the achievement of peace and security, the author contends that PMC peacekeeping should not be dismissed on ideological or moral grounds when the choice is either a PMC operation or none at all. It is, however, imperative that the perils of using PMCs are addressed before peacekeeping is turned over to the private market. In particular, a set of clear mechanisms of accountability, control and transparency of the PMCs needs to be put in place.
Nature of forces stabilizing the transmembrane protein bacteriorhodopsin in purple membrane.

Analysis of the far-ultraviolet solution and the oriented-film circular dichroic (CD) spectra of the purple membrane (PM) has indicated that the α-helical segments of its sole protein bacteriorhodopsin (bR) can undergo a significant tilting from the normal to the membrane plane during light-dependent hydroxylamine-mediated bleaching of the bR. However, this drastic change in tertiary structure is free of any observable secondary structural changes. This phenomenon can provide an excellent means for studying the relative contributions of forces responsible for the stability of this transmembrane protein within the membrane bilayer. Perturbation of the PM by varying degrees of papain digestion (resulting in changes in the bR ranging from only an elimination of the long COOH-terminal tail to the additional eliminations of the short NH 2 -terminal tail and a number of linkage amino acids between the helical segments of the bR) and by chemical cross-linking with dimethyl adipimidate (resulting primarily in the formation of intramolecular cross-links) resulted in a significant increase in this bleaching-induced tilting in all cases except the one in which only the COOH-tail was eliminated. The most severe perturbation (2-wk papain digestion) increased the net tilt angle per segment from 24 to 39° with no indication of any secondary structural changes. Although these perturbations drastically reduced the structural stability of the bR to bleaching, they caused virtually no observable changes in the intramolecular structure of the bR or the supramolecular structure of the PM based on analysis of extensive absorption, linear dichroic, and CD spectra. In addition, study of the bleaching rates for the perturbed PM samples indicated that a linear correlation exists between the calculated initial bleaching rates and the net tilt angles. Considering the forces generally assumed to account for the stability of transmembrane proteins in membranes, ( a ) intersegmental hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions, ( b ) electrostatic interactions between hydrophilic polypeptide segments extending outside the bilayer and the many charged lipid heads of the bilayer, and ( c ) hydrophobic interactions, it is clear that the results of the bleaching experiments eliminate all but perhaps the last as contributing significantly to the bR stability in the PM. Furthermore, they provide more compelling evidence than previously available that the bR is capable of undergoing relatively large retinyldiene-controlled tertiary structural changes and that the chromophoric retinal serves as the most important factor in the native bR structural stability. This dynamic view of the bR bears directly on models proposed for bR function, favoring those in which protein structural metastability, rather than rigidity, is an essential factor. The proteinquake or deformation wave model proposed by this laboratory falls into this category.
Ultrathin silica films immobilized on gold supports: fabrication, characterization, and modification.

A novel method for covalent attachment of ultrathin silica films (thickness <10 nm) to gold substrates is reported. Silica layers were prepared using spin-coating of sol−gel precursor solutions onto gold substrates that were cleaned and oxidized using UV photo-oxidation in an ozone atmosphere. The gold oxide layer resulting from this process acts as a wetting control and adhesive agent for the ultrathin silica layer. Control of silica layer thickness between ∼6 and 60 nm through modification of precursor solution composition or by repetitive deposition is demonstrated. Films were characterized using infrared spectroscopy, ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. For the standard deposition parameters developed here, films were determined to be 5.5 ± 0.75 nm thick, and were stable in aqueous solutions ranging in pH from 2 to 10 for at least 30 min. Films contained nanoscopic defects with radii of ≤2 μm in all cases, at a density of 1.6 defects per 10 μm × 10 μm region, with a weighted...
Identification of FDA-approved Drugs Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells Along With Biomarkers of Sensitivity

Recently developed genomics-based tools are allowing repositioning of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs as cancer treatments, which were employed to identify drugs that target cancer stem cells (CSCs) of breast cancer. Gene expression datasets of CSCs from six studies were subjected to connectivity map to identify drugs that may ameliorate gene expression patterns unique to CSCs. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) was negatively connected with gene expression in CSCs. ATRA reduced mammosphere-forming ability of a subset of breast cancer cells, which correlated with induction of apoptosis, reduced expression of SOX2 but elevated expression of its antagonist CDX2. SOX2/CDX2 ratio had prognostic relevance in CSC-enriched breast cancers. K-ras mutant breast cancer cell line enriched for CSCs was resistant to ATRA, which was reversed by MAP kinase inhibitors. Thus, ATRA alone or in combination can be tested for efficacy using SOX2, CDX2, and K-ras mutation/MAPK activation status as biomarkers of response.
Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of five-membered azasugars as inhibitors of fucosidase and fucosyltransferase: An issue regarding the stereochemistry discrimination at transition states

Abstract Three new 5-membered aza sugars which inhibit bovine α-fucosidase with K i values in the μM range have been prepared based on aldolase reactions.
A new model for the prediction of Dst on the basis of the solar wind

[1] An explicit model for predicting Dst based on solar wind data for the years 1995–1999 gives a good fit with a prediction efficiency of 88%, a linear correlation coefficient between the Dst index and the model of 0.94, and a RMS error of 6.4 nT. The same model applied to the first half of 2000 gave a prediction efficiency of 91%, a linear correlation coefficient of 0.95, and a RMS error of 7.9 nT. The modeled Dst is a sum of three terms that have growth and decay, a dynamic pressure term, an interplanetary magnetic field term, and some offset terms. The main innovations are that the decay terms have different time constants ranging from 5 days to 1 hour and that all the terms except the offsets depend on the angle of the Earth's dipole with respect to the solar wind velocity. This result shows that the magnetosphere is highly predictable and that chaotic behavior within the magnetosphere has little influence on the large-scale currents that determine Dst.
Abstract 2869: Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK) enhances Radiosensitization via inhibition of mTOR pathway in Rapamycin-resistant non-small cell lung cancer cells

Purpose: Most drug resistance cancer cells have resisted to radiation therapy. In this study, we hypothesized that inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) via activation of AMPK could potentially enhance radiosensitization in Rapamycin-resistant non- small cell lung cancer stem cells. Methods: Stem cell marker was detected with CD133 and ALDH antibodies. P-AKT, P-mTOR and P-S6R were detected by Western Blotting. Clonogenic assay was used to determine radiosensitivity. Apoptosis was measured using the Annexin V-fluorescent isothiocyante apoptosis detection kit I (Pharmingen) with flow cytometry in vitro, and cleaved capase 3 by Western botting. Autophagy was determined by punctuate localization of GFP-LC3 fusion protein, which observed under a confocal fluorescence microscope in vitro. ATP levels were measured using Bioluminescence Assay kit CLS II from Roche Scientific (Indianpolis, IN, USA) as per the manufacturer9s protocol. Results: Level of CD133 and ALDH expression which are markers of stem cell, P-Akt, p-mTOR and P-S6R proteins were enhanced in Rapamycin-resistant non- small cell lung cancer stem cells (CSNSCLCSTC) when compared to parental non-small cell lung cancer (H460) cells. Rapamycin-resistant non- small cell lung cancer stem cells mediate less radiation sensitivity when compared with parental cells in clonogenic assay(DER=0.82, p=0.02). However Metformin, activator of AMPK, obviously enhanced sensitivity of Rapamycin-selected non- small cell lung cancer stem cells to radiation (DER=1.2, p=0.01). Therefore, this enhanced radiosensitization was associated with a downregulation of mTOR signaling pathway and an increase in characteristic punctuate localization of GFP-LC3 as a marker for autophagy. Conclusions: These findings may be utilized as a novel strategy to enhance radiation therapy in drug-selected non-small cell lung cancer stem cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2869. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2869
Water intake after stomach loads of NaCl in 30-, 40-, and 50-day-old Mongolian gerbils.

Summary Ninety Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), 15 male and 15 female in each of three age groups (30-, 40-, and 50-day-old), were stomach loaded with either water, 6% NaCl, or 12% NaCl (wt./vol.). No differences were observed in fluid intake or in body weight 24 hours after the load. These data were totally unlike the findings in rats. The lack of intergroup differences were probably attributable to the gerbil's unusual adrenal and kidney structure and hormonal controls.
Thermal Characterization of Bi-Material Microcantilevers: Thermal Conductance and Microscale Convection

Bi–material atomic force microscope cantilevers have been used extensively over the last 15 years as physical, chemical, and biological sensors. As a thermal sensor, the static deflection of bi–material cantilevers due to the mismatch of the coefficient of thermal expansion between the two materials has been used to measure temperature changes as small as 10−5 K, heat transfer rate as small as 40 pW, and energy changes as small as 10 fJ. Bi–material cantilevers have also been use to measure “heat transfer - distance” curves a heat transfer analogy of the force–distance curves obtained using atomic force microscopes. In this work, we concentrate on characterization of heat transfer from the microcantilever. The two quantities that we focus on are the thermal conductance of the cantilever, Gcant (units WK−1 ), and the thermal conductance due to microscale convection from the cantilever to the ambient fluid, Gconv (units WK−1 ). The deflection of the cantilever to changes in its thermal environment is measured using the shift in position, on a position sensitive detector, of a laser beam focused at the tip of the cantilever. By determining the response of the microcantilever to (1) uniform temperature rise of the ambient, and (2) change in power absorbed at the tip, the thermal conductance of heat transfer from the cantilever can be determined. When the experiment is performed at low enough ambient pressure so that convection is unimportant (i 0.1 Pa), Gcant can be measured. When the experiment is performed at atmospheric pressure the heat transfer coefficient due to convection from the cantilever can be determined.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Long-term outcome (38-69 years) of patients born with classical bladder exstrophy

Purpose To assess social, psychosexual and uro/nephrological long-term outcome in patients born with a bladder exstrophy Material and methods 42 consecutive patients born between 1937 and 1968 were treated with ureterosigmoidostomies (Mathisen) and genital reconstruction because of classical bladder exstrophy were identified and reviewed including personal interview, clinical examination, renal imaging (MRI) and renal function assessment. Results 26 patients were male, 16 female. 7 patients were lost to follow-up. In addition 5 girls had died as infants, 1 young man had a fatal motorbike accident and 1 young women died from an unrelated (?)tumour and heroin abuse. 2 patients refused to partake in the study and 1 was too sick to participate (pneumonia). Of the remaining 25 patients (21 male and 4 female) 13 still had ureterosigmoidostomies (all are continent), 11 had some form of a conduit or pouch and 1 has cutaneus ureterostomies. Renal function (n = 21) was normal in 18 patients, 3 had a serum-Crea >200 and 2 had undergone renal transplantation. All but 5 patients had regular check-sigmoidoscopies, 5 had polyps resected, 1 patient suffered from a malignant tumour in the sigmoid, another had a papillary urethral tumour. 21 patients were married, 8 (7 males, 1 female) had their own children. 14 reported normal sexual experiences during puberty, 5 "delayed" and 6 never tried or had disappointing sexual experiences. As adults 14 reported normal sexual activity, 3 intercourse only possible in certain positions, 4 had never tried, 2 impossible, 1 painful and 1 refused to answer. All but 1 of the males reported normal erections (2 with Viagra) and 13 reported normal ejaculations. Socially all patients but 1 were well integrated and fully employed in good positions. Subjectively (from my point of view) they were the most interesting people to interview. Conclusions Patients born with a bladder exstrophy and treated with ureterosigmoidostomies were able to lead very successful lives both socially and sexually.
Influence of Material Properties and Forming Velocity on the Interfacial Slip Characteristics of Cross Wedge Rolling

By means of the explicit dynamic finite element method, the relationship between the tool-workpiece interfacial slip and several cross wedge rolling (CWR) variables is investigated for a flat-wedge CWR process. After defining the components of interfacial slip and area reduction, an experimentally validated finite element model of CWR is introduced. This model is used to analyze a total of 189 distinct operating conditions by varying workpiece material (aluminum 1100, steel 1018 and brass C21000), forming velocity (0.4∼4.0 m/s), area reduction (25 percent, 40 percent and 55 percent) and forming angle (20 deg, 30 deg and 40 deg). The numerical results indicated that forming velocity was an important variable in determining the interfacial slip characteristics of the CWR process analyzed. Additionally, the area reduction and forming angle were found to have a significant influence on the interfacial slip under the conditions considered.
The obstetrician-gynecologist: specialist and primary care physician.

In this time of great pressures to diversify, fractionate, and dilute our training programs, the titles of the presidential addresses of two consecutive presidents of this organization, “Responsibility for excellence”’ and “Personal excellence,“” must remain our first priority. What I consider one of the greatest contributions by our predecessors on the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology was their unification of obstetrics and gynecology into a single specialty. This unification in 1930 was led by Dannreuther, who recognized the critical need to establish standards for the education and training of the obstetrician-gynecologist. The stated purpose of the board was to “elevate standards of obstetrics and gynecology, determine the competency of specialists in obstetrics and gynecology, conduct examinations of voluntary candidates and to serve and protect the public.” These purposes are very similar to the purposes for which the American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology, now The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, was incorporated: “(a) to establish and maintain the highest possible standards for obstetrics and gynecologic education in medical schools and hospitals, obstetric and gynecologic practice and research; (b) to perpetuate the history and best traditions of obstetric and gynecologic practice and ethics; (c) to maintain the dignity and efficiency of obstetric and gynecologic practice in its relation to public welfare and (d) to promote publications and encourage contributions to medical and scientific literature pertaining to obstetrics and gynecology.” Meeting these objectives has brought recognition and respect to our specialty while markedly improving the health care of women. Obstetrics and gynecology has always been a surgical specialty, a medical specialty, and a primary care specialty. As enumerated in the definition of an obstetrician-gynecologist, these are “physicians . . . who
GI tract simulation model of the growing pig

ABSTRACT A physiological computer model of digesta flow (DIGEST) in the GI tract of the growing pig is discussed. Dry matter, as well as liquid flow, is simulated through three compartments of the GI tract (stomach, small intestine and cecum-colon). Absorption of material (solid and liquid) is also simulated by the model. The calibration procedure, sensitivity analysis and validation results are also presented.
Integrated neurobiology of bipolar disorder.

From a neurobiological perspective there is no such thing as bipolar disorder. Rather, it is almost certainly the case that many somewhat similar, but subtly different, pathological conditions produce a disease state that we currently diagnose as bipolarity. This heterogeneity—reflected in the lack of synergy between our current diagnostic schema and our rapidly advancing scientific understanding of the condition—limits attempts to articulate an integrated perspective on bipolar disorder. However, despite these challenges, scientific findings in recent years are beginning to offer a provisional “unified field theory” of the disease. This theory sees bipolar disorder as a suite of related neurodevelopmental conditions with interconnected functional abnormalities that often appear early in life and worsen over time. In addition to accelerated loss of volume in brain areas known to be essential for mood regulation and cognitive function, consistent findings have emerged at a cellular level, providing evidence that bipolar disorder is reliably associated with dysregulation of glial-neuronal interactions. Among these glial elements are microglia—the brain’s primary immune elements, which appear to be overactive in the context of bipolarity. Multiple studies now indicate that inflammation is also increased in the periphery of the body in both the depressive and manic phases of the illness, with at least some return to normality in the euthymic state. These findings are consistent with changes in the HPA axis, which are known to drive inflammatory activation. In summary, the very fact that no single gene, pathway or brain abnormality is likely to ever account for the condition is itself an extremely important first step in better articulating an integrated perspective on both its ontological status and pathogenesis. Whether this perspective will translate into the discovery of innumerable more homogeneous forms of bipolarity is one of the great questions facing the field a
Solution photophysics and electronic structure of polysilanes

Abstract The current state of understanding of the photophysics of poly(di-n-alkylsilane)s in room-temperature solution and of their electronic structure is summarized, with emphasis on contributions from our laboratory. The observations made so far on high-molecular-weight polysilanes, combined with approximate ab initio and semiempirical calculations on oligosilanes, suggest that the dissolved polymer is best viewed as consisting of a series of loosely coupled chromophoric segments of approximately planar all- trans structure, separated by one or more gauche turns. The photophysical events that compete after an initial excitation are fluorescence, intersystem crossing, photochemical reactions, and very rapid energy transfer from shorter to longer chromophoric segments along the polymer backbone. The low-energy one-photon absorption of polysilanes is dominated by a strongly allowed valence sigma-sigma transition, and calculation suggest that weaker valence transitions are hidden underneath it at somewhat higher energies. Based on both theory and experiments, one of these weakly allowed transitions, a sigma-pi, is believed to lie below the sigma-sigma transition in the shortest segments. Tentative assignment to other sigma-sigma transitions is made for two intense two-photon absorptions.