cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of the regulation of EGF receptor gene expression by calcitriol and parathyroid hormone in UMR 106-01 cells.

Mechanisms of the regulation of EGF receptor gene expression by calcitriol and parathyroid hormone in UMR 106-01 cells. Background We have previously demonstrated that parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitriol increase the expression of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) in UMR 106-01 osteoblast-like cells. The effect of PTH is mediated by cAMP and it involves an increase in the level of EGFR mRNA. The present studies were designed to investigate the mechanisms involved in the regulation of EGFR expression by PTH and calcitriol. Methods To examine the mechanism of the effect of calcitriol on EGFR expression, confluent cultures of UMR 106-01 cells were exposed to calcitriol and levels of EGFR mRNA were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In order to study the effect of calcitriol on EGFR gene transcription, a candidate vitamin D-responsive element (VDRE) was identified in the EGFR gene promoter and complimentary 30-mer oligonucleotides spanning this region were tested for binding to recombinant VDR using EMSA. Transcriptional activity in response to calcitriol and PTH was tested in UMR 106-01 cells stably transfected with a luciferase reporter construct containing the full length EGFR gene promoter. The effect of calcitriol on EGFR mRNA stability was examined in transcriptionally arrested cells. Results Treatment with calcitriol resulted in a time and dose dependent increase in EGFR mRNA levels in confluent cultures of UMR 106-01 osteoblast-like cells. Using EMSA, we demonstrated that the putative human EGFR VDRE binds to recombinant VDR in a retinoid X receptor (RXR)-dependent manner; however, calcitriol failed to increase transcriptional activity from a luciferase reporter construct containing the full-length EGFR gene promoter in stably transfected UMR 106-01 cells. Therefore, EGFR mRNA degradation was examined in transcriptionally arrested cells and calcitriol was found to prolong the half life of EGFR mRNA. Treatment of the cultures with PTH resulted in a ninefold increase in luciferase activity after four hours of exposure, a finding that was reproduced by treatment with forskolin. Conclusions These studies demonstrate that the calciotropic hormones PTH and calcitriol increase EGF receptor expression by different mechanisms. The former increases EGFR gene transcription whereas the latter increases EGFR mRNA stability.
Use of magnetorheological elastomer in an adaptive sandwich beam with conductive skins. Part I: Magnetoelastic loads in conductive skins

In this study, the magnetoelastic loads for a vibrating conductive beam exposed perpendicularly to an applied steady magnetic field are addressed analytically by considering the effect of finite dimensions. The dynamic equation of such vibrating beam is presented and a simply supported conductive beam is simulated. The simulation indicates that the magnetoelastic loads affect the dynamic properties of the vibrating beam significantly only when the thickness of the beam is extremely small. This work is the basis for investigating and analyzing the field-controllable dynamic properties of a sandwich beam composed of conductive thin outer skins and a magnetorheological elastomer core, which will be presented in the second part of this research.
Obesity and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (United States)

Few studies have explored the potential association between body mass index (BMI) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) according to histologic subtypes, or have evaluated BMI at different periods in the subject’s life, and the results of these studies have been inconsistent. A population-based, case–control study of 387 patients with NHL and 535 controls conducted in Nebraska between 1999 and 2002. Information on usual adult weight, weight at the ages 20–29, 40–49, and 60–69 years, height, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors was collected by telephone interview. A self-administered semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary intake. Risk was estimated by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for age, total energy intake, physical activity, and other confounding factors. Higher adult BMI was associated with risk of NHL (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 0.9–2.0) comparing the obese group (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) with the normal weight group (BMI = 18.5–24.9 kg/m2). The risk was higher for those who were class 2 obese (BMI ≥ 35.0 kg/m2, OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.0–2.9). The positive association was similar among men and women. An excess risk of NHL was associated with high BMI at ages 40–49 years (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.0–2.5), and to a lesser extent, at ages 20–29 years (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 0.8–2.5). Obesity at ages 40–49 years was also associated with a higher risk of small lymphocytic lymphoma (OR = 4.5; 95% CI = 1.5–13.3), diffuse large B-cell NHL (OR = 1.8; 95% CI = 0.9–3.9) and follicular NHL (OR = 1.8; 95% CI = 0.9–3.5). Obesity is associated with risk of NHL overall. Obesity at ages 40–49 years is also associated with a higher risk of NHL overall, and particularly small lymphocytic, follicular, and diffuse large B-cell NHL.
Ultrasound-guided percutaneous thyroid nodule core biopsy: clinical utility in patients with prior nondiagnostic fine-needle aspirate

Background Five percent to 20% of thyroid nodule fine-needle aspiration (FNA) samples are nondiagnostic. The objective of this study was to determine whether a combination of FNA and core biopsy (CFNACB) would yield a higher proportion of diagnostic readings compared with FNA alone in patients with a history of one or more prior nondiagnostic FNA readings. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of 90 core biopsies (CBs) performed in 82 subjects (55 women and 27 men) between 2006 and 2008 in an outpatient clinic. Results CFNACB yielded a diagnostic reading in 87%. The diagnostic reading yield of the CB component of CFNACB was significantly superior to the concurrent FNA component, with CB yielding a diagnosis in 77% of cases and FNA yielding a diagnosis in 47% (p Conclusion Thyroid nodule CFNACB is safe and clinically useful in selected patients when a prior FNA reading is nondiagnostic. CFNACB is superior to either CB or FNA alone. CFNACB should be strongly considered as an alternative to surgery in individuals with two prior nondiagnostic FNAs.
Diffusion Systems for Evaluation of Biomineralization

A variety of in vitro study methods have been used to elucidate the roles of matrix molecules in biomineralization processes. Among these, gel diffusion-precipitation studies have proved to be an effective tool. This methodology is uniquely capable of characterizing the effects of matrix molecules on mineralization while only using very small quantities of material. Furthermore, gel methods have been extended for use as a mineralization assay system to characterize modified matrix molecules and synthetic analogues. Here we discuss the advantages and limitations of gelatin, agar, agarose, and other systems for studying the mechanisms of biomineralization.
Analysis of misfocus effects in compressive optical imaging

In this paper, we investigate the effect of misfocus on the performance of compressive optical imaging. Misfocus occurs either when a thin object sheet is off the focal plane of the optical system, or when the object is extended along the optical axis (3-D imaging). We derive an upper bound on the error in reconstructing a sparse object object, as a function of magnification and misfocus in the optical system. Our theoretical analysis, along with our numerical results, suggest that compressed sensing is robust to misfocus at modest magnification factors. However, at high magnifications factors, which is typical in optical microscopy, compressive imaging performance degrades considerably.
Double-inducible gene activation system for caspase 3 and 9 in epidermis.

Expression of genes with tight and precise temporal and spatial control is desired in a wide variety of applications ranging from cultured cells and transgenic animals to gene therapy. While current inducible systems, such as RU486 and chemical inducers of dimerization (CID), have improved earlier inducible models (Gossen et al., 1995, Science. 268:1766–1769; Wang et al., 1994, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 91:8180–8184), no single system is perfect at present. One potential drawback of these systems is leakage of transgene expression, causing limitations of each system. We have developed an inducible model containing both RU486 and CID systems, which in addition to inducing caspase activation, has potential applicability specifically to other genes encoding proteins that require a dimerization event for activation. This Double-Inducible Gene Activation System generates two barriers for the target gene expression and protein activation thereby minimizing leakage. genesis 45:194–199, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Ion transport membrane reactors for oxy-combustion – Part I: intermediate-fidelity modeling

Oxy-fuel combustion, particularly using an integrated oxygen ion transport membrane (ITM), is a thermodynamically attractive concept that seeks to mitigate the penalties associated with CO2 capture from power plants. Oxygen separation in an ITM system consists of many distinct physical processes, ranging from complex electrochemical and thermo-chemical reactions, to conventional heat and mass transfer. The dependence of ITM performance on power cycle operating conditions and system integration schemes must be captured in order to conduct meaningful process flow and optimization studies where multiple degrees of freedom are considered. An axially spatially-distributed, quasi two-dimensional model is developed based on fundamental conservation equations, semi-empirical oxygen transport equations obtained from the literature, and simplified fuel oxidation kinetic mechanisms. Aspects of reactor engineering such as geometric structure, flow configuration and the relationship between oxygen transport, fuel conversion and pressure drop are explored. Emphasis is placed on model robustness, modularity, and low computational expense in order to evaluate the myriad of ITM possibilities within a power cycle simulation quickly and accurately. Overall, the model seeks to bridge the gap between detailed CFD studies and overly-simplified black-box models found in ITM-power cycle analyses, and provides a tool for the analysis and design of ITM systems.
Aging and T cell development: interplay between progenitors and their environment.

Thymic involution is the hallmark of hematopoietic aging. Because T cell differentiation is a multistep process that occurs non-cell autonomously, aging defects can occur at multiple points along the developmental pathway, both in the T progenitors themselves and in the thymic stromal cells that support their development. Here we review the evidence for age-related thymopoiesis defects at key steps in the production of naive mature T cells, highlighting the importance of the interaction between stromal aging and progenitor aging.
Stimulus and response repetition effects for naming letters at two response-stimulus intervals

Upper- and lower-case letters of the alphabet were presented sequentially to S using .2-sec and. 7-sec RSIs. Reaction times for naming the letters were recorded for three classes of stimulus events: the letter was identical in form and name to the immediately preceding one (stimulus repetitions); the letter had the same name but a different form than the preceding one (response repetitions); and the letter was different in form and name from the preceding one (nonrepetitions). The results showed a significant advantage of SR over RR that decreased as the RSI increased and depended on the similarity of the upper and lower cases for the particular letters. These results are comparable to those obtained in letter-matching studies. A model to account for the results is proposed.
Magnetic desulphurization of coal

Abstract The rationale for magnetic demineralization of coal depends on the paramagnetism of a portion of the coal minerals, their liberation, and their capture by magnetic forces. Pyrite is especially important, being the major form of sulphur in many commercial coals. An experimental separator consisting of a column, packed with either steel wool or screens, inserted in the bore of a solenoid magnet was employed in the present systematic study of high-gradient magnetic separation techniques in cool-water slurries. Particle size fractions in the range 0–600 μm and slurry velocities up to 4.0 cm/s were studied. Practically all liberated pyritic sulphur was removed magnetically at a field of 20 kOe. Up to 90% of the solid material fed to the separator was recovered. The data confirmed the effects of particle size and slurry velocity that were predicted by a theoretical model, based on the force balance on a mineral particle in the vicinity of a magnetized strand. An economic analysis based on a conceptual continuous magnetic cleaning plant indicates that the process is commercially attractive.
Occupationally derived chemicals in breast milk

Exogenously derived chemicals have been widely reported in breast milk. Chemicals typically found in occupational exposures, including trace metals, solvents, and halogenated hydrocarbons, are reviewed, in terms of milk partition factors, potential infant exposures, and possible infant health effects. In addition to ingestion of a chemical from breast milk, an infant incurs a neonatal body burden of a chemical due to transplacental migration from maternal blood. For trace metals, neonatal blood levels are similar to maternal blood levels. Partition of metals to milk is less efficient, but nevertheless can contribute significantly to an infant's body burden. For lipid-soluble pesticide residues and halogenated biphenyls, neonatal body burden is much less than that of the mother, but transfer to milk is efficient, due to the high proportion of milk fat. It is suggested that potential organic mercury toxicity can be estimated from concentration in maternal blood or milk. For other chemicals, available data are not sufficient to evaluate short- or long-term health effects. However, for many halogenated hydrocarbons, concentrations in normal human milk would permit infant exposure above guidelines for allowable daily intake set by the World Health organization.
Dislocation generation and displacement in single crystals of a Cu-10.5 at.% Al alloy deformed in bending

Abstract Single crystals of the Cu-10.5 at.%Al alloy with the [125]{121}{210} orientation have been deformed by bending about a {121} Taylor axis. Narrow slip bands due to activation of the {111}′101′ glide system appear on the {210} surfaces at the onset of deformation. These have been studied by optical interference and replica electron microscopy. The corresponding internal dislocation distributions have been studied by etch pitting on {111} surfaces. Arrays of edge dislocations with one sign of Burgers vector were observed to extend from the {210} surfaces to the neutral plane on narrow clusters of glide planes. These were formed by sequences of nearly uniformly spaced groups of between 100 and 200 dislocations. The work shows that surface-generated dislocations can be propagated over distances of at least 3.2 mm in these crystals, and excludes the participation of mechanisms depending on the sequential activation of internal sources as an essential feature of the propagation process.
Derivation of a preliminary clinical decision rule to guide the interhospital transfer of patients with traumatic brain injury using a resource utilization outcome

Study objectives: We derive a preliminary clinical decision rule for persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to identify the group of patients requiring specialized tertiary care resources within 72 hours of presentation, using variables readily available to the clinician. Trained medical record abstractors collected data on a retrospective cohort of consecutive persons with serious blunt head injury using a structured data collection instrument from 1999 through 2003. Patients aged 18 to 65 years, transported directly from the scene of injury, evaluated in the emergency department (ED) of a Level I trauma center, and retrospectively identified as having a "serious" head injury (Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] score ≥3) were included in the analysis. Resource-based "high therapeutic intensity" (HTI) measures warranting specialized trauma care were identified a priori (all within 72 hours after ED arrival), including neurosurgical intervention, exploratory laparotomy, intensive care (ventilator support >48 hours, transfusion ≥6 units of packed RBC, vasopressor support), or death. We used classification and regression tree analysis to derive a preliminary decision rule using 19 covariates (patient demographics, comorbid disease, vital signs, laboratory values, and radiographic findings) and cross-validation techniques to estimate rule sensitivity and specificity. Binomial 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are provided for the derivation sample. Results: Five hundred four consecutive trauma patients were identified as having a serious head injury, of whom 258 patients (51%) required at least 1 of the HTI measures. Five variables (emergency medical services [EMS] Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score, ED GCS, serum bicarbonate level, EMS respiratory rate, and ED respiratory rate) had a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 42% for identifying patients requiring 1 of the HTI measures (derivation sample: sensitivity 95% [95% CI 92% to 98%] and specificity 52% [95% CI 46% to 58%]). Conclusion: This preliminary decision rule identified most patients with TBI in the derivation sample requiring urgent tertiary trauma care resources and was much more specific than using a standard injury-based criterion for transfer (eg, head AIS score ≥3). The generalizability of this rule for head-injured patients presenting to nontrauma hospitals will need to be evaluated.
Protein Engineering of the 4-Methyl-5-Nitrocatechol Monooxygenase from Burkholderia sp. Strain DNT for Enhanced Degradation of Nitroaromatics

4-Methyl-5-nitrocatechol (4M5NC) monooxygenase (DntB) from Burkholderia sp. strain DNT catalyzes the second step of 2,4-dinitrotoluene degradation by converting 4M5NC to 2-hydroxy-5-methylquinone with the concomitant removal of the nitro group. DntB is a flavoprotein that has a very narrow substrate range. Here, error-prone PCR was used to create variant DntB M22L/L380I, which accepts the two new substrates 4-nitrophenol (4NP) and 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (3M4NP). At 300 μM of 4NP, the initial rate of the variant expressing M22L/L380I enzyme (39 ± 6 nmol/min/mg protein) was 10-fold higher than that of the wild-type enzyme (4 ± 2 nmol/min/mg protein). The values of kcat/Km of the purified wild-type DntB enzyme and purified variant M22L/L380I were 40 and 450 (s−1 M−1), respectively, which corroborates that the variant M22L/L380I enzyme has 11-fold-higher efficiency than the wild-type enzyme for 4NP degradation. In addition, the variant M22L/L380I enzyme has fourfold-higher activity toward 3M4NP; at 300 μM, the initial nitrite release rate of M22L/L380I enzyme was 17 ± 4 nmol/min/mg protein, while that of the wild-type enzyme was 4.4 ± 0.7 nmol/min/mg protein. Saturation mutagenesis was also used to further investigate the role of the individual amino acid residues at positions M22, L380, and M22/L380 simultaneously. Mutagenesis at the individual positions M22L and L380I did not show appreciable enhancement in 4NP activity, which suggested that these two sites should be mutated together; simultaneous saturation mutagenesis led to the identification of the variant M22S/L380V, with 20% enhanced degradation of 4NP compared to the variant M22L/L380I. This is the first report of protein engineering for nitrite removal by a flavoprotein.
Plasmids and pheromone response of the beta-lactamase producer Streptococcus (Enterococcus) faecalis HH22.

Abstract Streptococcus (Enterococcus) faecalis HH22 is a clinical isolate that produces beta-lactamase and is resistant to various other antimicrobial agents. In this study, HH22 was found to contain three conjugative plasmids and a conjugative transposon. pBEM10 encodes beta-lactamase, gentamicin resistance, and a response to the peptide pheromone cAD1; pAM323 encodes erythromycin resistance; and pAM324 encodes no known resistance. The latter two plasmids respond to pheromones designated cAM323 and cAM324 which are unrelated to other previously characterized pheromones. pBEM10 and pAM323 are the second and third examples of naturally occurring R plasmids that confer a sex pheromone response.
Effects of Defined Mutations in the 5′ Nontranslated Region of Rubella Virus Genomic RNA on Virus Viability and Macromolecule Synthesis

The 5′ end of the genomic RNA of rubella virus (RUB) contains a 14-nucleotide (nt) single-stranded leader (ss-leader) followed by a stem-and-loop structure [5′(+)SL] (nt 15 to 65), the complement of which at the 3′ end of the minus-strand RNA [3′(−)SL] has been proposed to function as a promoter for synthesis of genomic plus strands. A second intriguing feature of the 5′ end of the RUB genomic RNA is the presence of a short (17 codons) open reading frame (ORF) located between nt 3 and 54; the ORF encoding the viral nonstructural proteins (NSPs) initiates at nt 41 in an alternate translational frame. To address the functional significance of these features, we compared the 5′-terminal sequences of six different strains of RUB, with the result that the short ORF is preserved (although the coding sequence is not conserved) as is the stem part of both the 5′(+)SL and 3′(−)SL, while the upper loop part of both structures varies. Next, using Robo302, an infectious cDNA clone of RUB, we introduced 31 different mutations into the 5′-terminal noncoding region, and their effects on virus replication and macromolecular synthesis were examined. This mutagenesis revealed that the short ORF is not essential for virus replication. The AA dinucleotide at nt 2 and 3 is of critical importance since point mutations and deletions that altered or removed both of these nucleotides were lethal. None of the other mutations within either the ss-leader or the 5′(+)SL [and accordingly within the 3′(−)SL], including deletions of up to 15 nt from the 5′(+)SL and three different multiple-point mutations that lead to destabilization of the 5′(+)SL, were lethal. Some of the mutations within both ss-leader and the 5′(+)SL resulted in viruses that grew to lower titers than the wild-type virus and formed opaque and/or small plaques; in general mutations within the stem had a more profound effect on viral phenotype than did mutations in either the ss-leader or upper loop. Mutations in the 5′(+)SL, but not in the ss-leader, resulted in a significant reduction in NSP synthesis, indicating that this structure is important for efficient translation of the NSP ORF. In contrast, viral plus-strand RNA synthesis was unaffected by the 5′(+)SL mutations as well as the ss-leader mutations, which argues against the proposed function of the 3′(−)SL as a promoter for initiation of the genomic plus-strand RNA.
Performance modelling of lead-acid batteries in photovoltaic applications

A test of five lead-acid batteries of four generic types was conducted to determine the effectiveness of an energy storage subsystem model which consists of a lead-acid battery and its associated charge controller used in Sandia's PV power systems simulation code PVFORM. While PVFORM accurately represented an adequately charged battery operating in a system with little excess array energy, considerable care was required in establishing the model's user-defined input parameters to describe the more typical performance of a battery when used with a controller that does not maximize the array's utilization. Causes for this poorer-than-expected battery performance are presented along with their impact on both system design and performance modeling. >
Display of 3-dimensional ultrasonographic images for interventional procedures: volume-rendered versus multiplanar display.

Objective. The goal of this project was to assess the display of 3-dimensional ultrasonographic images as used for interventional procedures, particularly the conspicuity of various targets and interventional devices, comparing volume-rendered (VR) versus multiplanar reformatted (MPR) display approaches. Methods. A series of ultrasonographic phantoms were made from a petroleum gel with cornstarch used to vary the echo texture. Three-dimensional ultrasonographic target and device conspicuity were judged with a 5-point visual rating scale. The MPR image was considered the reference standard. Volume-rendered image conspicuity was judged for combinations of 7 different postprocessing display parameters and compared with MPR images. Results. Definite visualization of the embedded objects occurred in 92% of MPR and 13% of VR test situations (P < .0001). Volume-rendered display was associated with a mean conspicuity degradation of 2.6 on a scale of 0 through 4 (P < .0001) compared with MPR methods. The proportion of satisfactory VR images was greatest in test situations with a large degree of difference of echogenicity between the background medium and the embedded object. The transparent-type postprocessing rendering modes were superior to the surface-type rendering modes (P < .0001). Conclusions. Current 3-dimensional ultrasonographic MPR imaging display in a solid organ environment provides better visualization performance of target and needle conspicuity than VR image display when there are not large differences in the signal levels of targeted structures and devices compared with surrounding tissues. The difficulty in viewing both target and device with VR imaging may
Can Anyone Read Accounting Footnotes Well Enough to Understand Them

Increasingly, people are asked to make investment decisions that affect their retirement. In the past, “experts” in the federal government, pension plans, and/or other money management entities made these decisions. The “expert” investor’s skill set includes the ability to read and understand financial material. While there are many sources of financial information newspapers, mutual fund reports, annual reports and others, the purpose of this study is to determine the reading level of footnotes in financial statements. FASB has issued a Discussion Paper concerning footnote effectiveness ( FASB, 2012) supporting the importance of the clarity of the footnotes. 100 firms’ footnotes were analyzed using Word (from Office 2003 suite) spelling and grammar check. The average Flesch Index reading level of the footnotes was 20.4.This score indicates it is very difficult to read the footnotes. In fact based on the average reading level of adults, a large portion of the U.S. population are unable to understand footnotes.
Post-Keynesian economics and sustainable development

This paper looks at the relationship between sustainable development and economics. Neoclassical economics with its current methodological approach is not well suited to understand or analyse the problem of sustainable development. Post-Keynesian economics – with its focus on macro and policy outcomes, the role of institutions, uncertainty, historical time, and its criticism of gross substitution and ergodicity – has elements within its methodology that makes it better suited to incorporate sustainability into its analysis than neoclassical economics.
Toward a more realistic performance evaluation of interconnection networks

lnterconnection network design plays a central role in the design of parallel systems. Most of the previous research has evaluated the performance of interconnection networks in isolation. In this study, we investigate the relationship between application program characteristics and interconnection network performance using an execution driven simulation test bed: the Reconfigurable Architecture Workbench (RAW). We simulate five topological configurations of a k-ary n-cube interconnect and four different network link models for a 4,096 node SIMD machine, and quantify the impact of the network on two application programs. We provide experimental evidence that such "in-context" simulation provides a better view of the impact of network design variables on system performance. We show that recent results, indicating that low-dimensional designs provide better ICN performance, ignore application requirements that may favor high-dimensional designs. Furthermore, applications that would appear to favor low dimensional designs may not, in fact, be significantly impacted by the network's dimensionality. We experimentally test the results of published performance models comparing the use of a synthetic load to that of a load generated by a typical application program.
Optimizing Letter Design for Donation Requests

Summary.-The possibility that there might be an optimum size and color for selecting the physical appearance of a letter asking for donations to an art museum was examined in this study. University students' self-reports of willingness to give was the dependent variable. Size, color, and their interaction were statistically significant factors. The results were interpreted as supporting the idea that an optimum letter size and color do exist for letters soliciting charitable donations for an art museum. Many worthwhile organizations in the United States are to a large extent dependent upon contributions solicited from the public. Art museums, the Heart Fund, United Way, for example, all derive a significant portion of their income from such contributions. A number of researchers have explored what factors might affect the likelihood of charitable giving on the part of persons who are contacted. Cialdini and Schroeder (4) examined the effectiveness of the phrase "even a penny will help" as did Reingen (9, 10). Essentially, this phrase is thought to legitimate small donations and was reported to increase the probability of donations without decreasing the size of those donations (9). Weyant (12) looked at the effect that the phrase "people like you" might have on giving which was in part prompted by Kraut's 1973 report (7) on the effects of social labeling. Labeling is a social psychological technique wherein a person is somehow made aware that on the basis of their behavior, they have been classified in some way. It has been argued that they wd later act in a manner consistent with that classification (1, 11). Inducing feelings of dependency by creating the perception that others are dependent on a person has been argued as engendering a sense of responsibility to others. Correspondingly, the person should be more willing to help others and so contribute more when asked (2). In the present study, we focused on designing an optimum physical appearance for a letter soliciting funds for an art museum. The finlngs previously mentioned seemed to provide a strong basis for designing an effective content for such a letter. The works by Levy (8) concerning color and emotions and that of Carlson, Charlin, and Miller (3) with regard to emotions and helping behavior suggest the possible importance of color in a letter of
Better Instructions for Use to Improve Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) Sterility

Objective:The objective was to evaluate human-factors-based instructional aids on endoscope reprocessing.Background:The project stems from recent failures in reprocessing (cleaning) endoscopes, con...
Hierarchical database decomposition: a technique for database concurrency control

The classical approaches to enforcing serializability are the two-phase locking technique and the timestamp ondering technique. Either approach requires that a read operation from a transaction be negistered (in the form of either a read timestamp or a read lock), so that a write operation from a concurrent transaction will not interfere improperly with the read operation. However, setting a lock or leaving a timestamp with a data element is an expensive operation. The purpose of the current research is to seek ways to reduce the overhead of synchronizing certain types of read accesses while achieving the goal of serializability.To this end, a new technique of concurrency control for database management systems has been proposed. The technique makes use of a hierarchical database decomposition, a procedure which decomposes the entire database into data segments based on the access pattern of the update transactions to be run in the system. A corresponding classification of the update transactions is derived where each transaction class is 'rooted' in one of the data segments. The technique requires a timestamp ordering protocol be observed for acesses within an update transaction's own root segment, but enables read accesses to other data segments to proceed without ever having to wait or to leave any trace of these accesses, thereby reducing the overhead of concurrency control. An algorithm for handling ad-hoc read-only transactions in this environment is also devised, which does not require read-only transactions to wait or set any read timestamp.
Real-time noncoherent UWB positioning radar with millimeter range accuracy in a 3D indoor environment

In this work, we have successfully developed a stand-alone system for positioning both static and dynamic targets in an indoor environment with approximately 2 mm and 6 mm of 3-D accuracy, respectively. The results are considered a great milestone in developing such technology. 1D and 3D experiments have been carried out and validated using an optical reference system which provides better than 0.3 mm 3D accuracy. Such a high accuracy wireless localization system should have a great impact on many applications that require such high positioning precision.
A simple method for the relief of postpartum perineal pain.

Abstract Sixty-two patients were studied to test the efficacy of Tronothane in relieving perineal discomfort in the immediate postpartum period. In 96.8 per cent of the cases, slight to pronounced relief was obtained. In 46.0 per cent of 50 patients in this series only slight relief was reported with the use of petrolatum.
Preliminary Simulation of a 3D Turbine Stage with In Situ Combustion

This paper presents the preliminary results of the numerical simulation of flow and combustion in a one stage turbine combustor (turbine stage in situ combustion). The main purpose of the simulation is to assess the stability of the in situ combustion with respect to the unsteadiness induced by the rotor-stator interaction. Apart from previous attempts, the salient feature of this CFD approach is the new fuel injection concept that consisting of a perforated pipe placed at mid-pitch in the stator row passage. The flow and combustion are modelled by the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations coupled with the species transport equations. The chemistry model used herein is a two-step, global, finite rate combustion model while the turbulence model is the shear stress transport model. The chemistry turbulence interaction is described in terms of eddy dissipation concept.
Savings Lead to Improved Borrowing: Empirical Analysis of Rural Indian Households

This paper provides evidence that access to saving instruments directly improves access to credit. In a typical framework, households borrow, invest and then repay loan with interest. If households can save without difficulty, they should be able to follow any repayment frequency. However, in reality it is likely that income gets diverted into miscellaneous expenses. If households realize this, then it is possible that they tie the loan repayment schedule to their income schedule. In this paper, I provide a simple model and empirical support to illustrate this point. The results indicate that a household which does not save is 32 percent more likely to tie the repayment schedule of a loan to its income schedule and pays 3.6 percent higher interest rate for a loan. I am able to show this by exploiting the unique 'preferred' loan repayment frequency data available for each household.
Sleep in Adolescents and Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: Associations with Diabetes Management and Glycemic Control

ABSTRACTObjective: To describe sleep in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and explore the association between sleep disturbances, diabetes management and glycemic control. Methods: Adolescents with T1D (n = 159, mean age = 16.4, 43% female, 69% white, mean hemoglobin A1c = 9.3%) completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to assess sleep quantity and quality and sleep disturbances. Frequency of blood glucose monitoring (meter downloads) was used as a measure of diabetes management. Results: Average sleep duration was 7.4 hours, below the recommended duration for this age. Adolescents using insulin pumps reported fewer sleep disturbances and longer sleep duration than those on injections, and older adolescents reported less sleep than younger adolescents. Poorer sleep duration was related to poorer diabetes management, and better self-reported sleep quality was associated with better glycemic control for males but not for females. Conclusions: Assessing for and treating sleep disturb...
Regulation of human gonadotropins. V. Effect of dydrogesterone on serum levels of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones in women.

Abstract Several hormonal parameters of the menstrual cycle were studied in 5 subjects in the months before, during, and after dydrogesterone administration. These included serum LH and FSH concentrations, urinary pregnanediol determinations, and basal body temperatures. In all subjects, an absence of LH and FSH surge at midcycle, lack of elevation of urinary pregnanediol during the luteal phase, and monophasic basal body temperature curves were observed while on dydrogesterone. These data are interpreted as indicating that dydrogesterone causes marked alterations in these hormone patterns as compared with the control months.
Liquefaction at the Meloland Overcrossing During the Imperial Valley Earthquake of 1979

The Meloland Overcrossing is located 0.3 mi from the Imperial fault and was shaken by ground surface motions of up to 0.3 g during the Imperial Valley earthquake of 1979 (magnitude M = 6.4). While there was no significant damage to this instrumented highway bridge or any reported surface evidence of subsurface liquefaction, it is assessed that liquefaction occurred in up to three layers at the site at various times during the first eight seconds of shaking. A modified level ground liquefaction analysis after Seed and others (1983) was used to assess such time dependent development of liquefaction. Results from such evaluations were used to assess and explain anomalies in the lateral and rotational responses of the central pier pile foundation demonstrating that the central pier of the Meloland Overcrossing came periously close to complete collapse during this event. This is contrary to the bridge designer9s belief that this highway bridge performed quite well during the earthquake as characterized solely by the lack of observable damage to the bridge. It is further suggested that the time dependent evaluation of liquefaction demonstrated herein can be used on other projects where one likewise wishes to assess the amount of deformation (e.g., the rotationally induced settlement in the case of Meloland) that is likely to ensue.
Widefield Imaging and Point Spectroscopy for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Oral Precancer

The diagnostic potential and clinical utility of widefield imaging and point spectroscopy are examined based on measurements of patients with precancerous or cancerous oral lesions. Portable clinical instruments for widefield imaging and spectroscopy are described.
Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI in the Evaluation of Carotid Space Paraganglioma versus Schwannoma.

OBJECTIVE To describe the potential role of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI in differentiating carotid space (CS) paraganglioma from schwannoma in the head and neck. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed records of 126 patients who had undergone DCE-MRI between June 2008 and July 2014 and found six patients with histologically verified benign CS tumors. The images were evaluated for tumor T1 and T2 signal characteristics, flow voids, and enhancement pattern. The dynamic data were analyzed for quantitative parameters using extended Toft's model (Ktrans, Kep, Ve, and Vp) and semiquantitative parameters based on time–intensity curve (area under curve, peak enhancement, wash-in, wash-out, signal-enhancement ratio [SER], and time for maximum enhancement [TME]). Due to the small sample size, groups were compared qualitatively. RESULTS Patients with CS paraganglioma (P group, n = 2) and schwannoma (S group, n = 4) were included. All tumors were hypointense on T1W imaging, hyperintense on T2W imaging, and show avid enhancement. One patient with paraganglioma had subtle flow voids. The conventional MR images were insufficient to confidently diagnose tumor type. Both paragangliomas had high peak enhancement and SER, and a short TME, while the schwannomas had relatively low peak enhancement and SER with a longer TME. Ktrans, Kep, and Ve were relatively low in the paragangliomas than in the schwannomas. CONCLUSION DCE-MRI could potentially be used to assist differentiating paraganglioma from schwannoma, when diagnosis is difficult on the conventional MR imaging sequences. Simple assessment of semiquantitative parameters suffices to provide supportive information.
Identification of an EGF/TGF-alpha receptor in primary cultures of guinea pig gastric mucous epithelial cells.

Binding and localization of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were assessed using in vitro primary cultures of guinea pig gastric mucous epithelial cell...
Investigation of surveillance on human infection with avian influenza in Guangzhou in 1997 to 2006

Objective To understand the epidemiological features of human infections with avian influenza for those working in the avian breeding,sales and slaughtering at locations with potentially high epidemics of human case of avian influenza infections.Methods Serum samples were collected from human volunteers with high risk to avian influenza infection.Antibodies specific to avian influenza were tested by micro hemagglutination inhibition assay.Epidemiologieal analysis was conducted on cases potentially infected with H9N2 or H5N1.Results The H9 infection rate among the occupational group dealing with poultry in Guangzhou was 4.56%(0.51%～10.00% )for the perind studied in this report.There was no significant difference among various age groups.One porson infected with avian influenza A(H5N1)at Cuangzhou in 2006 had traveled to multiple live poultry markets before the onset of disease.A poultry slaughterer working in one of these live poultry market had positive anti-H5N1 antibody responses.On the other hand,one person with positive anti-H5N1 and one patient with positive anti- H9N2 did not have history of direct poultry contact.Conclusion H5N1 and H9N2 may cause asymptomatic infections in humans.Beside persons working directly in poultry farms,those involved in avian breeding,sales and slaughtering are also at high risk for avian influenza infection.
A comparison of depression symptoms and histories in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of depression symptoms in an obstetric population. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey of a diverse group of urban and suburban pregnant women was performed. Self-reported depression history, demographics and current depression symptoms measured by a validated survey instrument were obtained. RESULTS: Of 309 women surveyed, 21.3% reported a prior or current diagnosis of depression, 47% reported past symptoms of depression and 21% noted current depression symptoms. Suburban women more often reported histories of depression, as did Caucasians, when compared with other ethnicities. A logistic regression demonstrated that prior diagnosis of depression was the strongest predictor of current depression symptoms (odds ratio 4.39, 95% confidence interval 2.12-9.07). CONCLUSION: Depression is common in pregnant women, and it is important for providers to screen patients, particularly those with a history of a depression diagnosis.
Luminescent Ce(III) Complexes as Stoichiometric and Catalytic Photoreductants for Halogen Atom Abstraction Reactions.

Luminescent Ce(III) complexes, Ce[N(SiMe3)2]3 (1) and [(Me3Si)2NC(RN)2]Ce[N(SiMe3)2]2 (R = iPr, 1-iPr; R = Cy, 1-Cy), with C3v and C2v solution symmetries display absorptive 4f → 5d electronic transitions in the visible region. Emission bands are observed at 553, 518, and 523 nm for 1, 1-iPr, and 1-Cy with lifetimes of 24, 67, and 61 ns, respectively. Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) studies on 1 and 1-iPr revealed the 2A1 excited states corresponded to singly occupied 5dz2 orbitals. The strongly reducing metalloradical character of 1, 1-iPr, and 1-Cy in their 2A1 excited states afforded photochemical halogen atom abstraction reactions from sp3 and sp2 C–X (X = Cl, Br, I) bonds for the first time with a lanthanide cation. The dehalogenation reactions could be turned over with catalytic amounts of photosensitizers by coupling salt metathesis and reduction to the photopromoted atom abstraction reactions.
Addressing psychosocial issues in cancer survivorship: past, present and future

With a burgeoning population of cancer survivors, organizations in the USA and around the world are considering how to address the many long-term and late psychosocial effects of cancer and cancer treatment. This article reviews the changing landscape of survivorship care over the past 50 years, from the time when there were relatively few survivors to the future, when the number of cancer survivors in the USA alone is expected to reach close to 20 million. Institute of Medicine Reports, intra-organizational summits and accrediting standards that have influenced the development of survivorship care plans and programs and the roles of the Internet and smartphone applications along with oncology specialist and primary care providers are discussed.
Spin transport through the metallic antiferromagnet FeMn

We investigate spin transport through metallic antiferromagnets using measurements based on spin pumping combined with inverse spin Hall effects in $\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{i}}_{80}\mathrm{F}{\mathrm{e}}_{20}/\mathrm{FeMn}/\mathrm{W}$ trilayers. The relatively large magnitude and opposite sign of spin Hall effects in W compared to FeMn enable an unambiguous detection of spin currents transmitted through the entire FeMn layer thickness. Using this approach we can detect two distinctively different spin transport regimes, which we associate with electronic and magnonic spin currents, respectively. The latter can extend to relatively large distances (\ensuremath{\approx}9 nm) and is enhanced when the antiferromagnetic ordering temperature is close to the measurement temperature.
Virtual DRI dataset development

The U.S. Army RDECOM CERDEC NVESD MSD’s target acquisition models have been used for many years by the military analysis community for sensor design, trade studies, and field performance prediction. This paper analyzes the results of perception tests performed to compare the results of a field DRI (Detection, Recognition, and Identification Test) performed in 2009 to current Soldier performance viewing the same imagery in a laboratory environment and simulated imagery of the same data set. The purpose of the experiment is to build a robust data set for use in the virtual prototyping of infrared sensors. This data set will provide a strong foundation relating, model predictions, field DRI results and simulated imagery.