cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Activation of c-Abl Kinase Activity and Transformation by a Chemical Inducer of Dimerization

c-Abl is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that is activated in human leukemias by the fusion of Bcr or Tel sequences to the Abl NH(2) terminus. Although Bcr and Tel have little in common, both contain oligomerization domains. To determine whether oligomerization alone is sufficient to activate c-Abl, we have generated and characterized an Abl protein that can be activated selectively with the chemical inducer of dimerization, AP1510. Mutant Abl proteins with one (c4F1) or two (c4F2) copies of the AP1510 binding motif (FKBP) transformed NIH 3T3 cells in a ligand-dependent manner with the c4F2 protein 60-fold more potent than c4F1. Both chimeric proteins exhibited ligand-dependent dimerization in vivo, suggesting that the increased transformation efficiency of the c4F2 mutant reflects more effective dimerization rather than formation of higher order oligomers. In the absence of ligand, c4F2-expresssing fibroblasts morphologically reverted and arrested in G(1). In Ba/F3 cells, the c4F2 chimera exhibited ligand-dependent kinase activation, transformation to interleukin 3-independent growth, and relocalization of the fusion protein from nucleus to cytoplasm. These results demonstrate that dimerization alone is sufficient to activate the Abl kinase and provide a method to regulate conditionally c-Abl activity that will be useful for studying the normal physiological role of c-Abl and the mechanism of transformation and leukemogenesis.
Alterations in femoral strain, micromotion, cortical geometry, cortical porosity, and bony ingrowth in uncemented collared and collarless prostheses in the dog

The effects of a collared femoral endoprosthesis in uncemented total hip arthroplasty were evaluated in 12 dogs. This experimental study compared the biomechanic and histologic responses between collared and collarless femoral prostheses 4 months after implantation. Implant stability (micromotion) and cortical surface strain were evaluated immediately and 4 months after implantation in a simulated postoperative condition, whereas bone ingrowth, cortical porosity, and cortical remodeling were assessed after 4 months only. There were no significant differences in implant stability or cortical surface strains when the collared and collarless groups were compared acutely or after 4 months (P > .05). There were also no significant differences in percent fill, bony ingrowth, or cortical geometry after 4 months (P > .05). There was a significant increase in cortical porosity measured from the proximal femur after 4 months for both the collared (P = .0002) and collarless groups (P = .009) and when both groups were compared (collarless, 8.2% and collared, 5.8%; P = .03). The results suggest that a collar may be beneficial in decreasing the cortical remodeling that occurs in the proximal femoral cortex after implantation of an uncemented total hip arthroplasty.
Agreement between the gelation and molecular dynamics models of the hydrogen-bond network in water

Numerical results characterizing the clusters of hydrogen-bonded molecules in water as obtained by Geiger, Stillinger and Rahman via a molecular dynamics/percolation simulation are shown to be in excellent agreement with those obtained via the corresponding gelation simulation of the random polycondensation of tetrafunctional units with intramolecular reaction allowed.
Optimal Placement of a Finite-size Facility: A Computational Study of Sequential and Parallel Implementations

Abstract We present a computational study related to the optimal placement of a single, finite-size, rectangular facility in presence of other rectangular facilities. All the facilities interact with each other through the input/output points located on their boundary. The objective is to locate the new facility optimally so as to minimize the total weighted rectilinear distance between the interacting facilities. We explore two different solution procedures: (1) a parallel explicit enumeration procedure using message passing interface (MPI); and (2) the sequential dominance procedure. We test both procedures on randomly generated layouts and compare the benefits of parallelization versus the dominance rules.
ENERGY EXPENDITURE OF SOLDIERS PERFORMING COMBAT TYPE ACTIVITIES

The energy cost of ft number of tactical tasks was measured for soldiers during tactically controlled rather than experimentally controlled tasks. The upper range of energy expenditure rates was 400 to 4:10 kcal per hour during these tactical manoeuvres; incipient physical or heat exhaustion was associated with the few much higher values. The realism of the tactical situation, and an estimate of the contribution made by the heat load and wearing of the gas mask to the energy costs measured is presented. The hypothesis is presented that the upper range of energy expenditure rates for prolonged periods is independent of terrain when men are allowed to work at their own pace, but depends on the total weight carried. The relationship between ventilation volume and energy expenditure in this study is compared with data presented by Liddell and supports the argument that calculation of energy expenditure can be reliably made using a single formula to convert ventilation volume par se, particularly within the pr...
Heptulose phosphate formation in thiamine deficiency and other physiological states.

SummaryIn the rat the systems responsible for heptulose phosphate formation from sugar phosphate and nucleoside were completely developed at birth with the exception of low activity in the liver towards nucleoside. The thiamine-deficient adult rat exhibited a reduction of 50 to 95% of enzyme activity in heptulose phosphate formation in lung, spleen, intestine and pancreas. Subsequently, a supplement of thiamine HCl to the deficient animal restored the enzyme level to normal. The effect on heptulose phosphate formation was less extensive in mice made Vit. B1 deficient by feeding pyrithiamine hydrobromide than it was in rats, but there was a marked decrease in activity towards adenosine. Neither the absence of insulin nor of adrenocorticoid hormone had any effect on heptulose phosphate formation from sugar phosphate and nucleoside. In normal rat and mouse tissues 20 to 45% of heptulose phosphate was due to 3-ketoheptose phosphate, the formation of which was also depressed in Vit. B1 deficient tissue.
Theory of the condensation point

This paper is a report of some studies leading to a new mathematical description of the condensation point for a simple class of models of first-order phase transitions. The paper consists of three main parts. In the first part it is pointed out that, although the conventional droplet model of condensation predicts that the free energy has an essential singularity at the condensation point, this singularity is so weak as to be experimentally unobservable. Furthermore, the analytic continuation of the free energy beyond the singularity describes a metastable phase according to the assumptions of the model. The second part of the paper is devoted to the study of a soluble functional integral that exhibits an essential singularity similar to that found in the droplet model. A method is developed for computing the singular properties of such integrals in cases where it is not possible to evaluate the integrals exactly. In the third part of the paper this method is applied to a simple model of a ferromagnet at temperatures well below the Curie point. Most of the really characteristic features of the droplet model are recovered in this calculation. The detailed results have a bearing on problems of phase coexistence, surface energies, and possibly even condensation rates.
Thin-film evaporative cooling of a side-pumped solid-state laser diode oscillator for space-based lidar applications

A concept for cooling side-pumped laser crystals, using a thin film of evaporating fluid, was investigated for use on future space-based light detection and ranging (LIDAR) instruments. Analyses of the solid crystal domain show that the thin-film cooling scheme will result in improved thermal management of the lanthanide crystal material investigated. Several candidate flow configurations are presented to produce the desired fluid flow across the crystal surface. One-dimensional, axial flow, two-fluid evaporation models were then solved to characterize the fluid and thermal performance of two of the proposed flow configurations. In addition, an incipience model is presented to determine the film thickness constraints necessary to suppress nucleate boiling. The bulk flow model indicates that excellent thermal management of the crystal, low liquid velocities, and low liquid pressure drops are possible with the two axial flow configurations analyzed. The incipience model indicates that liquid film thickness less than 10 microns may be necessary to ensure the complete absence of vapor bubbles in the liquid flowfield. This result indicates a need to develop three-dimensional fluid models for future studies so that more complex flow geometries may be studied.
Interaction of metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and chronic hepatitis C.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most prevalent liver diseases in the Western world. NAFLD represents a wide spectrum of histologic subgroups, with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis as the most aggressive form. The risk of developing NAFLD is strongly associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is a multiple-hit process resulting from hepatic fat deposition that is related to several conditions, including insulin resistance and central obesity. Additional hits, such as oxidative stress or adipocytokines produced by white adipose tissue, can further enhance liver damage leading to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or fibrosis. Although NAFLD is often the primary liver disease of metabolic conditions, it can also exacerbate other liver diseases such as hepatitis C (HCV); indeed, more than 50% of patients with HCV have hepatic steatosis. Hepatic steatosis can be related to host factors (e.g., obesity, metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance) or to...
Effects of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Battery Exhaustion Attacks on Mobile Devices

This paper provides insight into the ramifications of battery exhaustion Denial of Service (DoS) attacks on battery-powered mobile devices. Several IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi, IEEE 802.15.1 Bluetooth, and blended attacks are studied to understand their effects on device battery lifetimes. In the worst case, DoS attacks against mobile devices were found to accelerate battery depletion as much as 18.5%. Also presented in this work is a hybrid Intrusion Detection System (IDS) designed to thwart this form of malicious activity; Multi-Vector Portable Intrusion Detection System (MVP-IDS). MVP-IDS combines host-based device instantaneous current (IC) monitoring with attack traffic signaturing modules.
Awareness of the association between obesity and peri-operative risk among newly diagnosed patients with complex atypical hyperplasia and endometrial cancer

Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate knowledge of obesity-related peri-operative risks in women newly diagnosed with complex atypical hyperplasia and endometrial cancer.
Purification of hemoglobin from red blood cells using tangential flow filtration and immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography

Two methods for purifying hemoglobin (Hb) from red blood cells (RBCs) are compared. In the first method, red blood cell lysate is clarified with a 50 nm tangential flow filter and hemoglobin is purified using immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC). In the second method, RBC lysate is processed with 50 nm, 500 kDa, and 50-100 kDa tangential flow filters, then hemoglobin is purified with IMAC. Our results show that the hemoglobins from both processes produce identical Hb products that are ultrapure and retain their biophysical properties (except for chicken hemoglobin, which shows erratic oxygen binding behavior after purification). Therefore, the most efficient method for Hb purification appears to be clarification with a 50 nm tangential flow filter, followed by purification with IMAC, and sample concentration/polishing on a 10-50 kDa tangential flow filter.
Programmable ultrashort optical pulse delay using an acousto-optic deflector

We present an optical pulse delay (OPD) for delaying ultrashort optical pulses that uses an acousto-optic deflector as an active component. The OPD is designed to correct for chromatic dispersion caused by the significant color spectrum of ultrashort pulses. It is intended to be used as one of the components in a three-dimensional memory system based on pulse-collision addressing in two-photon materials. Calculations show that the OPD should be able to provide 65 arbitrary delays with a random access time of, 1 μs for 100-fs pulses. The power efficiency of the OPD can be as high as 85% and hence permits two units to be cascaded to provide more than 4000 distinct delays. The number of delays and the access time can be optimized such that a fewer number of delays are obtained with a shorter access time, which favors high-speed operations. We provide experimental results that use a Michelson interferometer to measure three different delays, approximately 1 mm apart (equivalent to ∼3-ps time delay), obtained with 130-fs pulses. In addition we include an analysis of the performance of acousto-optic devices for both monochromatic light and ultrashort pulsed lasers. Finally, we provide the design of the optical pulse-delay system for a three-dimensional memory application.
Lie algebras and recurrence relations III:q-analogs and quantized algebras

q-Analogs of the basic structures discussed in ‘Lie Algebras and Recurrence Relations I’ are presented. Theq-Heisenberg-Weyl (qHW) and qsl(2) algebras are discussed in detail. Presently it is known that such structures are very closely tied in with the theory of quantum groups. Among other topics, coherent state representations and their interpretations asq-identities forq-Hermite and Al-Salam-Chihara (q-Meixner) polynomials are discussed. A discussion of Clebsch-Gordan coefficients for a qsu(2)-type algebra is presented.
Experimental Criteria for Living Polymerizations

Seven experimental criteria for living polymerizations are critically reviewed. The limitations of the use of linear plots of Mn (or X;n) versus conversion and linear plots of the number of polymer chains versus conversion are illustrated by an example of alkyllithium-initiated polymerization of styrene by incremental additions of styrene with deliberate termination (5% per incremental monomer addition). The experimental criteria of using narrow molecular weight distribution and the formation of block copolymers are illustrated with practical examples and size exclusion chromatography data. The use of the terms ‘living polymerization with reversible termination’ and ‘living polymerization with reversible chain transfer’ are proposed.
Refrigerated Dough Quality of Hard Red Spring Wheat: Effect of Genotype and Environment on Dough Syruping and Arabinoxylan Production

ABSTRACT Arabinoxylans (AX) are the main nonstarch polysaccharides found in wheat flour. Structural changes of AX in refrigerated dough are linked to deleterious effects on refrigerated dough quality during storage. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of cultivar and growing environment on dough syruping during refrigerated storage in relation to apparent xylanase activity and AX chemistry in hard red spring (HRS) wheat. Eight HRS cultivars that were grown at six locations over two years in North Dakota were evaluated for dough syruping during 15 days of refrigerated storage. When compared with genotypic effect, growing environment had a greater impact on apparent xylanase activity and dough syruping; they were found to have significant associations by log-linear regression analysis. Specifically, wheat samples produced in a dry environment had lower apparent xylanase activity and degree of dough syruping than those from a wet environment. Some HRS cultivars were identified to be consi...
Production of a monoclonal antibody to human liver alkaline phosphatase

A monoclonal antibody to human liver alkaline phosphatase (ALP) has been produced by the mouse-hybridoma method using a partially purified enzyme preparation as antigen. The particular hybridoma secreting the antibody was detected by a screening procedure based on the retention of enzyme activity by the enzyme/antibody complex. The antibody cross-reacts strongly with human kidney and bone ALPs but not with human placental or intestinal ALPs. It also cross-reacts with liver and kidney ALPs from gorilla, chimpanzee and orangutan. It shows no significant reaction, under the conditions used, with liver or kidney ALPs from several lower primates. An antibody affinity column was prepared and shown to be effective for the final stages of liver ALP purification.
Competitiveness of selected Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains in midwestern USA soils

The competitiveness of 19 selected Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains in the midwestern USA was evaluated in field studies during 1984 and 1985. Of the 11 selected strains evaluated in 1984, a range in nodule occupancy of 0.3 to 15.7% was observed across three locations in Illinois and Wisconsin. During the second year of the study, 7 of 12 strains showed nodule occupancy averaging between 14.8 to 26.6% for eight locations in Illinois, Michigan, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Strain An-11 exhibited an average nodule occupancy of 15.7% in 1984 and 26.6% in 1985 which was significantly greater than any of the other 18 strains tested. Estimates of biologically-fixed N via non-nodulating isolines of soybean (Glycine max L.) showed a significant difference between one inoculum treatment (strain An-14) and the noninoculated control for only one location (Plainfield, WI) during the second year of the study. No significant differences in grain yield were observed in either year of the study. The data suggests that selected strains of B. japonicum can be more successfully introduced into midwestern USA soils if they are adapted for the soils and cultivars in that geographic region. Additional Index Words: Nodule occupancy, Antibiotic resistance, N2 fixation, N accumulation. View complete article To view this complete article, insert Disc 5 then click button8
Amplitude stabilization of the Green Bank Telescope fiber optics

Commercially available analog fiber optic links provide the wide bandwidth, interference protection, and isolation for transmission of receiver IF bands to the digital processing equipment for the Green Bank Telescopes. An amplitude stability of 10-4 over periods of several minutes is required for continuum observations and baseline stability for broad spectral line observations. Gain variations of 1 percent were observed in a commercially available direct-modulated Fabry-Perot laser fiber optic link, when stress induced birefringence changes occurred in the fiber. Further investigation revealed gain variations were produced by the polarization dependence of responsivity in the photodetectors. Scale models of the cable wraps revealed that rotation of the laser with respect to the photodiode, due to certain cable wrap designs, is the dominant source of gain instabilities, and a clock spring-type cable wrap reduces this effect. However, the potential for gain variations due to vibration of the structure is not solved by careful cable wrap design. Therefore, an optical level control system is developed to ensure amplitude stability requirements are satisfied. In this system, consisting of a distributed feedback laser diode, a Mach Zehnder intensity modulator, and a high-powered photodetector, the microwave power gain is a function of laser power. The gain is stabilized by detecting the change in average photodetector current and modulating the laser diode bias with a correction voltage. With a second-order control loop, the gain changes resulting from the polarization sensitivity of the photodiode are corrected to better than 10-4.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Multi-Scale Fluid-Structure Interaction Simulations Based on Mesoscopic Approaches

Many challenging fluid-structure interaction problems in nuclear engineering remain unresolved because current CFD methodologies are unable to manage the number of computational cells needed and/or the difficulties associated with meshing changing geometries. One of the most promising recent methodologies for fluid dynamics modeling is the lattice-Boltzmann method — an approach that offers significant advantages over classical CFD methodologies by 1) greatly reducing meshing requirements, 2) offering great scalability, and 3) through relative ease of code parallelization. While LBM often requires increased numerical effort compared to other methods, this can be dramatically reduced by combining LBM with Adaptive Mesh Refinement (LB-AMR).This study describes an ongoing collaboration investigating nuclear fuel-assembly spacer grid performance. The LB-AMR method, used to simulate the flow field around a specific spacer grid design, is capable of describing turbulent flows for high Reynolds numbers, revealing rich flow dynamics in good qualitative agreement with experimental results.Prepared by LLNL under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Electrical performance of laser damaged silicon photodiodes.

Laser induced electrical parameter degradation and morphological damage have been observed in silicon photodiodes. The samples were RCA reach-through avalanche photodiodes and EGG however, the electrical performance was generally insensitive to severe surface morphological damage. The damage behavior indicated that the electrical degradation in photodiodes may be modeled by the introduction of defects into the depletion region by deep melting transients.
Photosensitivity of Neurons Enabled by Cell-Targeted Gold Nanoparticles

Unmodified neurons can be directly stimulated with light to produce action potentials, but such techniques have lacked localization of the delivered light energy. Here we show that gold nanoparticles can be conjugated to high-avidity ligands for a variety of cellular targets. Once bound to a neuron, these particles transduce millisecond pulses of light into heat, which changes membrane capacitance, depolarizing the cell and eliciting action potentials. Compared to non-functionalized nanoparticles, ligand-conjugated nanoparticles highly resist convective washout and enable photothermal stimulation with lower delivered energy and resulting temperature increase. Ligands targeting three different membrane proteins were tested; all showed similar activity and washout resistance. This suggests that many types of ligands can be bound to nanoparticles, preserving ligand and nanoparticle function, and that many different cell phenotypes can be targeted by appropriate choice of ligand. The findings have applications as an alternative to optogenetics and potentially for therapies involving neuronal photostimulation.
SU-E-I-22: Metal Artifact Correction Using KV and Selective MV Imaging

Purpose: To improve the image quality of radiotherapy planning CTs for patients with metal implants or fillings by completing the missing kV projection data with selectively acquired MV data that does not suffer from photon starvation. Using both imaging systems that are available on current radiotherapy devices, streaking artifacts are avoided and the soft tissue contrast is restored, even in areas where the kV photons do not contribute any information. This enables a better delineation of structures of interest in planning CTimages for patients with metal objects. Methods: An algorithm for combining kV and MV projection data from the two on‐board imagers of a radiotherapy device is presented in this work. It only requires selective MV imaging with the high energy X‐rays being collimated onto the metal implants, ensuring that the patient dose does not increase significantly. The algorithm can cope with non‐identical geometries of the two imagers and is based on stitching together kV and MV sinograms by estimating a ratio between them. A numerical head phantom with two dental fillings and two soft tissue patterns was used to quantitatively evaluate the proposed hybrid reconstruction algorithm. A structural similarity index (SSIM) with respect to the ground truth data was computed for two ROIs. Realistic, polychromatic spectra were used for both imagers with 120 keV(p) and 6 MeV(p). The patient dose was limited to about 6 cGy for both acquisitions combined. Results: The reconstruction results yield visually as well as objectively better results (SSIM=74.8%) than a simple sinogram interpolation of the kV data (SSIM=69.7%) or a reconstruction from the original data (SSIM=17.9%). Conclusions: We have successfully implemented a new reconstruction method for hybrid kV‐MV cone beam CT reconstruction that enables a better planning of radiotherapy treatments for patients with metal implants without compromising their safety. This work was funded by NIH grant 1R01CA138426‐01A1.
Risk Factor Two: Age-Appropriate Design of Safe Playgrounds

(2000). Risk Factor Two: Age-Appropriate Design of Safe Playgrounds. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 71, No. 3, pp. 23-25.
On the status of onglides in American English

In many languages the issue arises as to whether an onglide patters as part of the syllable onset or forms the first part of a (rising) diphthong with the immediately following vowel. If it is part of the syllable onset, the structure of a CGV syllable would be as in (1), but if it forms the first part of a diphthong the structure of a CGV syllable could either be as in (2a) with a monomoraic diphthong (where the glide is ‘co-moraic’ with the following vowel) or as in (2b) with a bimoraic diphthong (C = consonant, G = glide, V = vowel, μ = mora, and σ = syllable).
T-lymphocyte specificity differences to horse cytochrome c in different lymphoid cell compartments.

Abstract T-lymphocyte proliferative responses were determined with peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), peritoneal exudate lymphocytes (PEL) and lymph node lymphocytes (LNL) of guinea pigs immunized with horse cytochrome c (HCytc). The proliferative response of PBL activated by peptide 81–104 from animals immunized with HCytc was equal to or better than HCytc while the proliferative response activated by peptide 1–65 was small and no reactivity was seen when peptide 66–80 was tested. In contrast, the proliferative responses of PEL and LNL stimulated by peptide 1–65 approached those activated by HCytc, while peptide 81–104 was far less effective. The differences in the proliferative responses of PBL and PEL activated by peptide 81–104 and peptide 1–65 suggest that different lymphoid compartments may have T-cells directed to different T-cell epitopes displayed on the same antigen. The possible roles of different T-cell clones, antigen processing, and differential induction of suppressor cells are discussed in relation to these findings.
Building a community-based participatory research center to investigate obesity and diabetes in Alaska Natives

The Center for Alaska Native Health Research (CANHR) is a community-based participatory research project aimed at understanding current risk factors for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in Alaska Natives living in Southwest Alaska. We utilize a multidisciplinary approach that includes assessment of genetic, nutritional and behavioral risk factors and their interrelationships with one another in the overall development of disease. The design of the CANHR project involved community participation in the development, implementation and interpretation of research results. We have developed a participatory research program that is designed to be culturally appropriate, relevant to community needs and interests, and respectful to our participants. This manuscript describes the organizational development of our CANHR study and the procedures employed in its progression to date.
Burgers' equation: Galerkin least-squares approximations and feedback control

The standard Galerkin finite-element approximation of Burgers' equation is known to be numerically unstable for small values of viscosity. One way to overcome this difficulty is to use a stabilized finite-element method, such as Galerkin least squares, and this is a standard approach taken in the simulation literature. In this paper, we investigate the effect of a stabilized finite-element approximation of Burgers' equation in the context of feedback control design. The issue at hand is how the additional stabilizing terms affect the resulting controller. We show that the controller designed for the stabilized system varies little from the unstabilized controller.
Extending the graal compiler to optimize libraries

The Graal compiler is an optimizing just-in-time compiler written in Java that works with both the Maxine VM and the HotSpot VM. It allows Java libraries to extend its functionality for example by providing new intermediate representation nodes and new optimization phases. We demonstrate how to write such plug-ins for the Graal compiler.
Determinants of bone mineral density in older men.

Osteoporosis is a significant health problem and contributor to disability and premature mortality among older men. Incidence rates for hip fracture have stabilized in women, but continue to increase in men. A major risk factor for hip fracture is bone mineral density level. The determinants of bone mineral density (BMD) are well defined in women, but not in men. The primary goal of the current research was to increase our understanding of the determinants of BMD of the proximal femur in a large community-based sample of older male volunteers. Eligibility requirements included age of 50 years or older, ambulatory, and not having undergone a bilateral hip replacement. Five hundred twenty-three men, mean age 66.6 years, met all eligibility requirements and participated in the Study of Osteoporotic Risk in Men or STORM. Information on demographics, medical history, anthropometry, leisure-time and occupational physical activity, muscular strength, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary calcium intake, and medication use (thiazide diuretics and glucocorticoids) were obtained by questionnaire, interview, and examination. BMD of the proximal femur (femoral neck, greater trochanter, and Ward's triangle) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry using the Hologic QDR-1000 and QDR-2000. The cross-sectional determinants of BMD included age, blond hair color, current body weight, thiazide diuretic use, historical physical activity, and quadriceps strength. Several variables commonly thought to be determinants of BMD were not related to BMD in this population of older men, including current cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, current leisure-time physical activity, dietary calcium intake, vitamin D use, and caffeine intake. However, failure to find associations among BMD and some of the potential determinants may be due to lack of statistical power. Identification of the determinants of BMD could lead to the development of interventions aimed at maximizing BMD in men and could potentially decrease the risk of hip fractures.
Mental Illness and Nursing Home Reform: OBRA-87 Ten Years Later

OBJECTIVE: This literature review examined data on the effects of nursing home reform initiated by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA), with particular attention to use of antipsychotic medications, use of physical restraints, and preadmission screening. METHODS: Data on the outcomes of the nursing home reform were obtained from a MEDLINE search of peer-reviewed articles from January 1985 through January 1997 and from PsycINFO from 1967 through 1997. Results and conclusions: Survey and observational data suggest that the reform legislation is having the intended impact, especially in reducing the use of antipsychotic medications and physical restraints in nursing homes. Preadmission screening of nursing home residents with mental illness is the most widely criticized component of the reform, and the component that has been the subject of the fewest data-based studies. More data are needed to describe the economic costs of the reform and to link the reform to improvements in nursing home r...
The charge-transfer nature of bitumens

Recent models of the structures of naturally-occurring bitumens, obtained through a variety of physical-chemical techniques, indicate the presence of crystallites composed of stacked layers of alkyl-substituted polynuclear aromatics randomly distributed in a continuous mesomorphic medium. The present studies reveal that bitumens exhibit four vibrational bands, located at 865, 815, 760 cm−1 for aromatic CH out-of-plane bending vibrations, and at 730 cm−1 corresponding to in-plane methylene rocking vibrations. The first three bands exhibit a blue shift proportional in magnitude to the dielectric constant of the polar medium. The presence of complexing reagents such as nitro- or cyano-bearing acceptors effects significant blue shifts which are accompanied by a broadening of the bands. The extent of the aromatic CH bending-vibration shifts was similar to those observed for samples of pure polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, approximately 10–15 cm−1. Polynuclear aromatics within the bituminous matrix behave as donors in charge-transfer processes owing to the presence of the substituted alkyl groups. The blue shift for the donor and the red shift of the acceptor correlate well with molecular orbital m-values, suggesting that the change in vertical energy not only affects the extinction coefficient of a vibrational band, but also influences the force constant of the CH bending mode. Donor-acceptor π-π associations result in polynuclear aromatics stack formation in bitumen crystallites, thus optimizing the extent of interaction. Metalloporphyrins occurring in bitumens also exhibit similar types of association (14–18 kcal/mol∗dissociation energy).
The nature and function of the brown cell in Crassostrea virginica

Abstract This study was undertaken to determine the role of the brown cell in Crassostrea virginica in degradative and detoxification processes. Histopathological and biochemical methods were used to study brown cells in vivo and in vitro before and after treatment with organic and inorganic compounds. Histopathological examination indicated that brown cells in the connective tissue of healthy animals were sparse, and found primarily around sinusoids and in the intertubular connective tissue of the digestive diverticula. Brown cells in the auricle were derived from connective tissue of the auricular muscle bundles and occurred on the surface and within the muscle bundles. In addition, the surface of the pericardial wall was lined with brown cells. At sites of inflammation, an increase in the number and size of brown cells occurred as well as an increase in the number and color density of brown vesicles in the cytoplasm. Brown cell isolates were separated into fractions on a Percoll discontinuous gradient. Fraction 2 contained primarily what appeared to be young brown cells (nonpigmented to lightly pigmented and granular in appearance). The majority of the cells in fraction 3 were brown cells (small to large pigmented vesicles) and fraction 4 was entirely brown vesicles (devoid of a cell membrane). Toluidine blue (soluble dye) accumulated in brown cells in vivo after injection into the visceral mass and in vitro , after addition to brown cell isolates. In com-parison, carmine red (colloidal dye) did not accumulate under the same conditions. It appeared that only soluble substances accumulate in brown cells, and that brown cells are incapable of phago- cytosing yeast cells. Brown cell vesicles fluoresced within 2 hours after addition of FITC-bovine serum albumen and acridine orange to cell isolates and within 24 h after whole animal injection. Cadmium and nickel accumulated in brown cell isolates curvilinearly with solute concentration and uptake was by passive diffusion. Brown cells and brown vesicles possess glutathione reductase, acid phosphatase and lysozyme which indicate the vesicles are lysosomes. Brown cells accumulate soluble foreign material and have the potential to function in detoxification and degradative processes.
Toward Magnetorheological Finishing of Magnetic Materials

Magnetorheological finishing (MRF) is a precision optical finishing process traditionally limited to processing only nonmagnetic materials, e.g., optical glasses, ceramics, polymers, and metals. Here we demonstrate that MRF can be used for material removal from magnetic material surfaces. Our approach is to place an MRF spot on machined surfaces of magnetic WC-Co materials. The resulting surface roughness is comparable to that produced on nonmagnetic materials. This spotting technique may be used to evaluate the depth of subsurface damage, or deformed layer, induced by earlier manufacturing steps, such as grinding and lapping.
Assessing problem solving in expert systems using human benchmarking

Abstract The human benchmarking approach attempts to assess problem solving in expert systems by measuring their performance against a range of human problem-solving performances. We established a correspondence between functions of the expert system GATES and human problem-solving skills required to perform a scheduling task. We then developed process and outcome measures and gave them to people of different assumed problem-solving ability. The problem-solving ability or “intelligence” of this expert system is extremely high in the narrow domain of scheduling planes to airport gates as indicated by its superior performance compared to that of undergraduates, graduate students and expert human schedulers (i.e. air traffic controllers). In general, the study supports the feasibility of using human benchmarking methodology to evaluate the problem-solving ability of a specific expert system.
Chemically Prepared Silver/Alumina Substrate for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

A new silver-coated alumina/glass substrate was prepared by a chemical reduction method at room temperature. The substrate was found to exhibit strong surface-enhanced scatterings for crystal violet (CV), p-nitrophenol (PNP), p-nitrobenzoic acid (PNBA), and pyrene. Optimization of silver deposition time was achieved by using CV as an analyte. Lower limits of detection were determined for these compounds to demonstrate the analytical potential of the new substrate. Enhancement factors of ~106 and ~107 were determined from comparisons of the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) intensities of mono-molecular layers with the normal Raman intensities for PNP and PNBS, respectively. Three different methods of sample applications were adapted and tested. The reusability of the substrates was tested by recording the surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) spectra of CV at different conditions.
The effects of thyrotropin releasing hormone and histidyl-proline diketopiperazine on delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-induced hypothermia

Abstract The effects of central and peripheral administration of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) and its postulated metabolite, histidyl-proline diketopiperazine (HPD) on △9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) induced hypothermia in mice were investigated. Intraperitoneal administration of THC produced hypothermia. The peak response was observed between 1 and 2 hours and the hypothermia lasted for 5 to 6 hours. Intracerebral or intraperitoneal administration of TRH prior to THC injection antagonized the hypothermic response of the latter. Similar effects were produced by histidyl-proline diketopiperazine given intracerebrally. However, HPD was completely ineffective when given intraperitoneally. The antagonism of THC-induced hypothermia by TRH may be mediated by its conversion to HPD in the central nervous system.
Determinants of healthcare provider recommendations for influenza vaccinations.

Objective Investigate determinants of receiving healthcare provider (HCP) recommendations for seasonal and H1N1 influenza vaccinations.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies of the oxidation of aluminium by liquid water monitored in an anaerobic cell.

The oxidation of clean polycrystalline aluminium foil was performed in a previously described anaerobic cell and studied by core level and valence band X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Oxide free sample surfaces were exposed under inert atmosphere at room temperature to increasingly oxidative environments of water vapor and liquid water beginning with an oxide free metal foil each time. Minor oxidative environments were found to produce a film of boehmite with a thinner outer film of gibbsite. Harsher oxidation in liquid water resulted in an oxide film much thicker than that found on the as received sample which contained an inner composition of gamma alumina with an outer film of gibbsite. As expected, the oxide film observed for ultra high purity polycrystalline aluminium foil in the as received state was gibbsite. The valence band of the cleaned metal is discussed in terms of residual surface species. The evaluation and determination of these residual surface species is evaluated following an analysis of two different band structure calculations which use different d orbital exponents. It is found that while the density of states is almost unaltered by changes in the d exponent, the predicted spectrum is substantially changed. The work makes extensive use of valence band X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Taking backtracking with a grain of SALT

SALT is a knowledge-acquisition tool for generating expert systems that can use a propose-and-revise problem-solving strategy. The SALT-assumed method incrementally constructs an initial design by proposing values for design parameters, identifying constraints on design parameters as the design develops and revising design decisions in response to detection of constraint violations in the proposal. This problem-solving strategy provides the basis for SALT’s knowledge representation. SALT guides its interrogation of the domain expert using its identification of weaknesses in the knowledge base.
Thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI)—How does thrombin regulate fibrinolysis?

The thrombin-catalysed conversion of plasma fibrinogen into fibrin and the development of an insoluble fibrin clot are the final steps of the coagulation cascade during haemostasis. A delicate balance between coagulation and fibrinolysis determines the stability of the fibrin clot. Thrombin plays a central role in this process, it not only forms the clot but it is also involved in stabilizing the clot by activating thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI). Activated TAFI protects the fibrin clot against lysis. Here we will discuss the mechanisms for regulation of fibrinolysis by thrombin. The role of the coagulation system for the generation of thrombin and for the activation of TAFI implies that defects in thrombin generation will directly affect the protection of clots against lysis. Thus, defects in activation of TAFI might contribute to the severity of bleeding disorders. Vice versa an increased activation of TAFI due to an increased rate of thrombin generation might lead to thrombotic disorders. Specific inhibitors of activated TAFI or inhibitors that interfere with the generation of thrombin might provide novel therapeutic strategies for thrombolytic therapy. Besides having a role in the regulation of fibrinolysis, TAFI may also have an important function in the regulation of inflammation, wound healing and blood pressure.
Development and Performance Evaluation of an Exhaled-Breath Bioaerosol Collector for Influenza Virus

The importance of the aerosol mode for transmission of influenza is unknown. Understanding the role of aerosols is essential to developing public health interventions such as the use of surgical masks as a source control to prevent the release of infectious aerosols. Little information is available on the number and size of particles generated by infected persons, which is partly due to the limitations of conventional air samplers, which do not efficiently capture fine particles or maintain microorganism viability. We designed and built a new sampler, called the G-II, that collects exhaled-breath particles that can be used in infectivity analyses. The G-II allows test subjects to perform various respiratory maneuvers (i.e., tidal breathing, coughing, and talking) and allows subjects to wear a mask or respirator during testing. A conventional slit impactor collects particles greater than 5.0 μm. Condensation of water vapor is used to grow remaining particles, including fine particles, to a size large enoug...
Molecular Mechanisms of Fibroblast Growth Factor Signaling in Physiology and Pathology

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) signal in a paracrine or endocrine fashion to mediate a myriad of biological activities, ranging from issuing developmental cues, maintaining tissue homeostasis, and regulating metabolic processes. FGFs carry out their diverse functions by binding and dimerizing FGF receptors (FGFRs) in a heparan sulfate (HS) cofactor- or Klotho coreceptor-assisted manner. The accumulated wealth of structural and biophysical data in the past decade has transformed our understanding of the mechanism of FGF signaling in human health and development, and has provided novel concepts in receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling. Among these contributions are the elucidation of HS-assisted receptor dimerization, delineation of the molecular determinants of ligand-receptor specificity, tyrosine kinase regulation, receptor cis-autoinhibition, and tyrosine trans-autophosphorylation. These structural studies have also revealed how disease-associated mutations highjack the physiological mechanisms of FGFR regulation to contribute to human diseases. In this paper, we will discuss the structurally and biophysically derived mechanisms of FGF signaling, and how the insights gained may guide the development of therapies for treatment of a diverse array of human diseases.
Recipient Choice Can Address the Efficiency-Equity Trade-off in Kidney Transplantation: A Mechanism Design Model

In kidney allocation, transplant candidates may have private information about their propensity to enjoy good outcomes after transplantation or about their relative expected improvement in quality of life after transplantation. This paper develops a mechanism design model to investigate the effect of such information asymmetry on the kidney allocation system. In this model, there are n transplant queues corresponding to n candidate types. Candidate types are only observed by the candidates, and each candidate chooses the queue to join by reporting a type. Kidneys have heterogeneous types, and each kidney will be assigned to one of the queues depending on its type. Candidates report their type strategically to join the queue that maximizes their utility. Candidate utility depends on the type of kidney received and the expected waiting time, which is calculated using fluid approximations. We consider two alternative social welfare functions: aggregate utility (emphasizing efficiency) and minimum utility across all candidates (emphasizing equity). The kidney allocation problem is to divide the organ supply among the different queues so that social welfare is maximized, and this problem is solved explicitly under both objective functions. There are three findings: (1) The allocation mechanism induces truth telling by ensuring that candidates who wait longer receive better kidneys; (2) Information rents are earned by high-risk candidates under the efficiency objective and by low-risk candidates under the equity objective; (3) a choice-based kidney allocation system in which candidates choose the type of queue to join leads to outcomes in the middle of the efficiency-equity spectrum.