cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Specific Pomegranate Juice Components as Potential Inhibitors of Prostate Cancer Metastasis

Pomegranate juice (PJ) is a natural product that inhibits prostate cancer progression. A clinical trial on patients with recurrent prostate cancer resulted in none of the patients progressing to a metastatic stage during the period of the trial. We have previously found that, in addition to causing cell death of hormone-refractory prostate cancer cells, PJ also markedly increases adhesion and decreases migration of the cells that do not die. However, because PJ is a very complex mixture of components and is found in many different formulations, it is important to identify specific components that are effective in inhibiting growth and metastasis. Here, we show that the PJ components luteolin, ellagic acid, and punicic acid together inhibit growth of hormone-dependent and hormone-refractory prostate cancer cells and inhibit their migration and their chemotaxis toward stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF1α), a chemokine that is important in prostate cancer metastasis to the bone. These components also increase the expression of cell adhesion genes and decrease expression of genes involved in cell cycle control and cell migration. Furthermore, they increase several well-known tumor-suppression microRNAs (miRNAs), decrease several oncogenic miRNAs, and inhibit the chemokines receptor type 4 (CXCR4)/SDF1α chemotaxis axis. Our results suggest that these components may be more effective in inhibiting prostate cancer growth and metastasis than simply drinking the juice. Chemical modification of these components could further enhance their bioavailability and efficacy of treatment. Moreover, because the mechanisms of metastasis are similar for most cancers, these PJ components may also be effective in the treatment of metastasis of other cancers.
MEK1,2 response element mediates angiotensin II-stimulated plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 promoter activation.

The MEK1,2 (MAPK/ERK kinase 1 and 2) pathway mediates the up-regulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression in vascular smooth muscle cells by a variety of hormones, including angiotensin II. Transfection of constitutively active MEKK-1, an upstream activator of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways, was used to isolate an enhancer element located between -89 and -50 bp in PAI-1 promoter that was activated by MEKK-1 and selectively blocked by the MEK1,2 inhibitor PD98059. Mutational analysis revealed that the MEKK-1 response element (MRE) contained 2 cis -acting Sp1- and AP-1—like sequences, located between -75 to -70 and -63 to -52 bp, respectively. Overexpression of Sp1 enhanced MEKK-1—induced MRE promoter activity and a dominant-negative c-Fos blocked this Sp1 response. The combination of Sp1 and c-Jun or c-Fos was required to activate this MRE. Angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulation increased c-Fos, c-Jun, and Sp1 binding to the MRE by 100-, 4.9-, and 1.9-fold, respectively, and these responses were inhibited by PD98059 and AT1 receptor antagonist candesartan. Intravenous Ang II infusion in rats increased aortic c-Fos binding to the MRE. This MRE sequence mediated a 4-fold increase of MEK1,2-dependent PAI-1/luciferase mRNA expression by angiotensin II stimulation. This report identifies the MEK1,2 response element that mediates angiotensin II—stimulated PAI-1 promoter activation and shows that activation of this element requires Sp1 and AP-1 co-activation.
High-order computational method applied to the multi-fluid plasma model

High-order accurate finite element methods are important for problems that have strong anisotropies and complicated geometries and for stiff equation systems that are coupled through large source terms. Magnetized plasma simulations of realistic devices using the multi-fluid plasma model are examples that benefit from high-order accuracy. The multi-fluid plasma model only assumes local thermodynamic equilibrium within each fluid, e.g. ion and electron fluids for the two-fluid plasma model. Physical parameters indicate the importance of the two-fluid effects: electron to ion mass ratio, ion skin depth, and ion Larmor radius. The algorithm1 implements a discontinuous Galerkin method with an approximate Riemann solver to compute the fluxes of the fluids and electromagnetic fields at the computational cell interfaces. The multi-fluid plasma model has time scales on the order of the electron and ion cyclotron frequencies, the electron and ion plasma frequencies, the electron and ion sound speeds, and the speed of light. The multi-fluid plasma algorithm is implemented in a flexible code framework (WARPX) that allows easy extension of the physical model to include multiple fluids and additional physics. The code runs on multi-processor machines and is being adapted with OpenCL to many-core systems, characteristic of the next generation of high performance computers. WARPX has demonstrated a three-fluid (electrons, ions, and neutrals) simulation of a plasma sheath formation. Atomic reactions are incorporated that describe the effects of collisions between the species explicitly, allowing for the identification of regions of ionization/recombination, and interspecies momentum and energy transfer. The algorithm is validated with several test problems including the GEM challenge magnetic reconnection problem and the generation of dispersive plasma waves which are compared to analytical dispersion diagrams. The algorithm is applicable to study advanced physics calculations of plasma dynamics including magnetic plasma confinement and astrophysical plasmas. Three-dimensional solutions of the Z-pinch and the field reversed configuration (FRC) magnetic plasma confinement configurations are presented.
Public Attitudes Toward Social Problems: The Impact of Shared Life Experiences in the Community of Residence

The present research addresses the question of why various segments of the public disagree about the causes of social problems. Past research has differentiated individualistic from structural causes and inferred they are associated with certain types of individuals. Middle-income Protestants, for example, have been seen as more apt to attribute poverty to the personal weaknesses and failures of poor people, low-income blacks to see it as generated by such structural forces as economic exploitation and racial discrimination. This line of inquiry has supplied invaluable insights into public opinions about social problems but has not provided a more comprehensive explanation of them. In this study we analyze data from a community survey and show that, in addition to such background characteristics as race, income and education, community of residence is a crucial variable influencing opinions about the causes of social problems. We argue that social processes within individuals' local communities of residence condition their responses to social problems, as well as to other aspects of social life. The main implication discussed is that community of residence should be viewed as an independent moral order acting as a mediating symbolic mechanism through which individuals categorize and try to understand the larger society and the causal forces at work within it.
Selective adherence to antihypertensive medications as a patient-driven means to preserving sexual potency.

Despite the positive effects of pharmacological, diet, and exercise interventions to reduce blood pressure (BP), less than one-third of hypertensive patients achieve adequate BP control as defined by Joint National Committee VII guidelines (Burt et al 1995; Hajjar and Kotchen 2003). A major barrier to adequate BP control is patient nonadherence to medication and failure to institute recommended lifestyle changes. An estimated 20%–80% of patients diagnosed with hypertension do not take their medications as prescribed (Dunbar-Jacob et al 1995; Ogden et al 2006), and nearly 75% of Americans do not adhere to recommended hypertension lifestyle changes such as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet (Brownell et al 1986; Mellen et al 2008). Several qualitative and quantitative studies have been conducted to investigate reasons for nonadherence to antihypertensive medications, focusing on aspects of patients, the disease, and the medications themselves. For example, patients may not take antihypertensive medications as prescribed because they do not experience any adverse symptoms and feel well (Ogedegbe et al 2004). Additionally, patients may not wish to take medication indefinitely or may simply forget to take their medications at times (Svensson et al 2000). Common reasons related to the medications include patients’ beliefs about the necessity or efficacy of the medication, dosing frequency, regimen complexity, and side effects (Svensson et al 2000; Safren et al 2001; Benson and Britten 2002; Ogedegbe et al 2004). Previous studies are limited because researchers have conceptualized side effects in a uniform fashion, rather than distinguishing different side effects and how they may affect adherence. Patients may be willing to live with some side effects and not others and, therefore, some side effects may have an impact on adherence to a greater degree. Another limitation is that in previous studies, the role that spouses play has not been investigated. Although it is often assumed that spouses enhance adherence, spouses can also do things to decrease adherence, such as nagging, punishing the spouse for engaging in undesired behaviors, or requesting the spouse to engage in a specific behavior (Umberson 1987; Tucker and Mueller 2000). Thus, spouses may influence whether patients live with specific side effects or pursue avenues to ameliorate them. In this paper, the results are reported of a secondary data analysis of older hypertensive patients’ experiences with sexual side effects and their consequences for antihypertensive medication adherence. We report also spouses’ perceptions of the effect of sexual side effects on patients. Understanding patients’ experiences with sexual side effects and medication adherence can help identify opportunities for clinical intervention.
MDCT assessment of tracheomalacia in symptomatic infants with mediastinal aortic vascular anomalies: preliminary technical experience.

Background Mediastinal aortic vascular anomalies are relatively common causes of extrinsic central airway narrowing in infants with respiratory symptoms. Surgical correction of mediastinal aortic vascular anomalies alone might not adequately treat airway symptoms if extrinsic narrowing is accompanied by intrinsic tracheomalacia (TM), a condition that escapes detection on routine end-inspiratory imaging. Paired inspiratory–expiratory multidetector CT (MDCT) has the potential to facilitate early diagnosis and timely management of TM in symptomatic infants with mediastinal aortic vascular anomalies.
The Effect of Zinc on the Formation of Ribulose Diphosphate Carboxylase in Phaseolus vulgaris

The effect of Zn on the formation of ribulose diphosphate carboxylase (RuDPCase was investigated in the leaf discs from Zn-deficient Sanilac navy bean plants (Phaseolus rulgaris L.). The incorporation of 14C-leucine into the partially purified RuDPCase was found to be a quantitative equivalent of the level and activity of the enzyme. Zn as ZnSO4 at 10 uM stimulates the formation of RuDPCase by at least 2-fold. Neither CuSO4 nor CdSO4 at the same concentration substitutes for ZnSO4. The enhancement of RuDPCase formation by added Zn is greater with increasing severity of Zn deficiency, suggesting that Zn is a limiting factor in this system. Suppression of the Zn-stimulated formation of RuDPCase by actinomycin D and cycloheximide suggests that the Zn-mediated formation of RuDPCase most likely represents de novo synthesis. Also, the possible site(s) of action of Zn is discussed.
Destruction of the locus coeruleus decreases physical signs of opiate withdrawal

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of the locus coeruleus in the development of opiate dependence. Two groups of rats each were subjected to either a electrolytic lesion of the locus coeruleus or a sham lesion. All animals were implanted with an intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) cannula, and made physically dependent by subcutaneous insertion of two 75-mg morphine (base) pellets. Abstinence was precipitated by i.c.v. administration of methylnaloxonium (31-1,000 ng) 72 h after pellet implantation. Methylnaloxonium administered intracerebroventricularly induced a withdrawal syndrome characterized by the appearance of teeth chattering, mastication, rearing, wet dog shakes, jumping, piloerection, hyperactivity, ptosis and eye twitch. Withdrawal observed in the electrolytic lesion groups was less severe than in sham group. The presence of mastication, rearing, piloerection, hyperactivity, ptosis and eye twitch was significantly lower. These results support the hypothesis that the locus coeruleus has an important role in the expression of the physical signs of opiate dependence.
Waveguide for cold atoms: Spin-1 magnetic particles and a filamentary current.

We consider a waveguide for cold neutral atoms with a magnetic moment proportional to their spin angular momentum. The waveguide consists of a thin wire carrying a constant current. For the spin-1 case, we find bound states for the two-dimensional part of the motion around the wire, and present numerical and approximate analytic results for these bound states. In an experiment, the bound states can decay due to various effects, and we calculate the time scales involved.
On the Product of a Compact Space with an Absolutely Countably Compact Space

We show that the product of a compact sequential T2-space, with an absolutely countably compact T3-space, is absolutely countably compact, and give several related results. For example, we show that every countably compact GO-space is absolutely countably compact, and that the product of a compact T2-space of countable tightness with an absolutely countably compact, ω-bounded T3-space (in particular a countably compact GO-space) is absolutely countably compact.
Resistance of Wild Helianthus Species to an Aphid, Masonaphis masoni

Seven perennial species of wild Helianthus screened in the laboratory for resistance to the aphid Masonaphis masoni (Knowlton) were significantly (5% level) more resistant to M. masoni than either 5 wild annual species or ‘Hybrid 896’. Mortality of M. masoni was 100% on H. x laetiflorus Pers., and H. tuberosus L.
Beyond explicit: pornography and the displacement of sex

Drawing from an eclectic collection of contemporary examples, Helen Hester's Beyond Explicit offers Porn Studies an alternative theoretical framework for analysing the ways in which: … the pornogra...
Reactions of coal with the chlorides of iron, chromium and copper

Abstract The study of X-ray diffraction patterns indicates the possibility of the formation of intercalation compounds in several coals after reactions with FeCl 3 , FeCl 3 ·6H 2 O, CuCl 2 , CuCl 2 ·2H 2 O, and CrCl 2 · 6H 2 O. These reactions were carried out without solvent at temperatures ranging from 215 to 250 °C. X-ray evidence suggests that washing of the products, obtained from these reactions, with dilute acid returns the coal starting material substantially unchanged. X-ray and chemical evidence shows that reaction of FeCl 3 and FeCl 3 ·6H 2 O with coal results in the reduction of some Fe(III) to Fe(II).
Response of corn grain yield to early and late killed red clover green manure and subirrigation

Killing a legume green manure weeks before planting a subsequent grain crop may prevent legume induced water deficits that can be detrimental to a subsequent crop. However, little research has been reported on the effect this strategy has upon a subsequent grain crop. This field study was conducted to determine the effect of time of killing a legume green manure on the yield and N uptake of a subsequent corn (Zea mays L.) crop in subirrigated (SI) and nonirrigated (NI) systems. Three 2-yr cropping systems were studied: (i) wheat (Triticum aestivium L. var. Frankenmuth) (no-greeen manure)-corn; ii) wheat (Red clover IRC, Trifolium pratense L. 'medium'] early-kill)-corn (cv. Pioneer 3751); and (iii) wheat (RC late-kill)-corn. Soil type was Kilmanagh loam (fine-loamy, mixed, nonica, mesic Aeric Haplaquepts). Red clover was established by interseeding into wheat. Red clover was killed either 2 wk (early-kill) or several days (late-kill) prior to planting corn the spring following the year of establishment. Early-kill RC accumulated less N than late-kill RC (50 and 28 lb N/acre in 1993 and 1994, respectively, averaged across irrigation). However, time of kill did not significantly affect ear-leaf N content, grain, or N yield of the following corn crop. Grain yield of corn following red clover with no N fertilizer applied was similar to grain yield with no green manure and 125 lb N/acre (1993) or 187 lb N/acre (1994) applied. Soil water contents were higher in the early- than late-kill RC systems at the time of corn planting in 1993. Subirrigation did not significantly affect corn grain yield in either year. The legume based cropping systems were equally or more profitable than the no green manure system. Results indicate that (i) corn planting should not be delayed in order to allow a green manure to accumulate N or biomass and (ii) killing RC early may be effective for limiting soil water depletion in spring without sacrificing benefits to a following grain crop.
Age and the gender gap in depression.

Women average higher levels of depression than men. This paper tests the hypothesis that the gender gap in depression grows in adulthood as women and men enter and undergo their unequal adult statuses. The emerging gender stratification hypothesis has three parts: (1) The age increment hypothesis states that the difference in depression between women and men increases in successively older age groups at least until retirement age and perhaps throughout the lifetime; (2) The status mediation hypothesis states that rising sex differences in marital status, employment, house-work, child care, and economic strains account for much of the larger gender gap in depression among middle-aged adults than among young adults; (3) The differential change hypothesis states that women's depression drops more slowly than men's in early adulthood, so that the gender gap increases over time as implied by the concurrent differences among age groups. Analyses of three data sets (two from national U.S. samples) support the three component hypotheses.
Drug Use Intervention and Crisis Prevention: Restructuring the School Counselor's Role.

There are many successful drug use intervention models available and development of fresh strategies is limited only by individual and col lective creativity and commitment. The school counselor may be uniquely qualified to facilitate and coordinate long-term and commu nity-based programming that can ensure positive change in our schools and communities.
The influence of the cellular infiltrate on the evolution and intensity of delayed hypersensitivity reactions.

When a delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction is elicted in a sensitive animal at a skin site in which an accumulation of mononuclear cells has been induced by a prior injection of a nonspecific stimulus, those properties characteristic of a DTH reaction, i.e. erythema, edema, and induration, become evident much more rapidly and intensely than a reaction in an unprepared skin site. This rapid, intense reaction has the histology of a classical delayed reaction and persists as long or longer than a classical DTH reaction in the same animal. Two facts are evident from these observations. Firstly, early in the development of a delayed reaction, the slow accumulation of mononuclear cells may be completely independent of the presence of specific antigen. Secondly, there is a reaction between specific antigen and an antibody-like substance which may or may not be attached to cells. The reaction develops so rapidly at a prepared site that the pharmacological mediators which are responsible for edema must be presumed to be released abruptly. A classical delayed reaction is attributable to the time needed for the accumulation of cells in sufficient numbers. It follows that the rate-limiting step in a classical delayed reaction is the process of cell accumulation. The present observations indicate that this process is independent of the presence of specific antigen.
Dynamic aperture evaluation at the current working point for RHIC polarized proton operation

With the updated multipole magnet field errors in the interaction regions (IRs), detailed dynamic aperture studies are carried out around the current RHIC polarized proton (pp) working point. The beam parameters and beta*s are similar to those proposed for the next pp run. The effects on the dynamic apertures from nonlinear corrections, such as multipole field error correction in the IRs, second order chromaticity correction and horizontal third order resonance correction are evaluated. The sextupole components in the arc dipoles and the observed tune ripples are also considered.
Effect of fiber on nonheme iron absorption.

The effect of fiber on the absorption of food iron was examined by performing multiple radioiron absorption tests in normal male and female subjects. In an initial study, we added bran, pectin, or cellulose to muffins prepared with wheat flour. Because of the low values obtained in this study, another study was done in which apple juice containing 50 mg of ascorbic acid was added to the meal to increase iron absorption. When the two sets of data were pooled, mean absorption averaged 2.26% from plain muffins, 1.07% from bran muffins, 1.89% from pectin muffins, and 2.26% from cellulose muffins. Only the effect of bran was statistically significant. We next designed two complex meals that differed maximally in their content of naturally occurring fiber but that were matched with respect to macronutrient, mineral, iron, and ascorbic acid contents. Mean absorptions from the low- and high-fiber meals were significantly different, averaging 6.07% and 2.96%, respectively. These results demonstrate that inhibition of iron absorption is not a universal property of all fiber sources. Moreover, the relatively modest effect of maximally altering the natural fiber content of a meal suggests that fiber is not a major determinant of food iron availability in humans.
The Universality of the Shuffle-Exchange Network

This paper has focused on the realization of every arbitrary permutation with the shuffle-exchange network. Permutation properties of shuffle-exchange networks are studied and are used to demonstrate several universal networks. It is concluded that 3(log2 N) –1 passes through a single-stage regular shuffle exchange network are sufficient to realize every arbitrary permutation where N is network size. A routing algorithm is also developed to calculate control settings of the shuffle-exchange switches for the permutation realization. Three optimal universal networks, namely, expanded direct- connection shuffle-exchange network, multiple-pass omega network, and modified shuffle-exchange network are then exploited for better interconnection purposes. In addition, this work specifies the inherent relationship between the shuffle-exchange network and the Benes binary network so that designers can have a broad prospect.
Expected declines in recruitment of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) in the eastern Bering Sea under future climate change

A statistical model is developed to link recruitment of eastern Bering Sea walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) to variability in late summer sea surface temperatures and to the biomass of major predators. The model is based on recent advances in the understanding of pollock recruitment, which suggest that warm spring conditions enhance the survival of early larvae, but high temperatures in late summer and autumn are associated with poor feeding conditions for young-of-year pollock and reduced recruitment in the following year. A statistical downscaling approach is used to generate an ensemble of late summer temperature forecasts through 2050, based on a range of IPCC climate projections. These forecasts are used to simulate future recruitment within an age-structured stock projection model that accounts for density-dependent effects (stock–recruitment relationship), the estimated effects of temperature and predation, and associated uncertainties. On average, recruitment in 2040 – 2050 should expectedly decline by 32 –58% relative to a random recruitment scenario, depending on assumptions about the temperature relationship, the magnitude of density-dependence, and future changes in predator biomass. The approach illustrated here can be used to evaluate the performance of different management strategies and provide long-term strategic advice to managers confronted with a rapidly changing climate.
Navigating joint projects with dialogue

Dialogue has its origins in joint activities, which it serves to coordinate. Joint activities, in turn, usually emerge in hierarchically nested projects and subprojects. We propose that participants use dialogue to coordinate two kinds of transitions in these joint projects: vertical transitions, or entering and exiting joint projects; and horizontal transitions, or continuing within joint projects. The participants help signal these transitions with project markers, words such as uh-huh, m-hm, yeah, okay, or all right. These words have been studied mainly as signals of listener feedback (back-channel signals) or turn-taking devices (acknowledgment tokens). We present evidence from several types of well-defined tasks that they are also part of a system of contrasts specialized for navigating joint projects. Uh-huh, m-hm and yeah are used for horizontal transitions, and okay and all right for vertical transitions.
Barriers to insulin injection therapy: patient and health care provider perspectives.

ObjectiveTo compare patients’ perceptions of injection-related problems with clinicians’ estimates of those problems. Methods Data were obtained through 2 Internet surveys, one of US adults self-identified as taking insulin to treat diabe- tes and the second of health care professionals who treat people with diabetes who inject insulin, including pri- mary care physicians, endocrinologists, and diabetes educators.ResultsA substantial majority of patients would like to reduce the number of injections they take each day; almost half said that they would be more likely to take their insulin injections regularly if a product were available to ease the pain. A much smaller proportion of patients reported that (1) injections were a serious burden, (2) they were dissatisfied with the way they took insulin, (3) injections had a substantial negative impact on qual- ity of life, (4) they skipped injections they should take, or (5) injection-related problems affected the number of injections they were willing to tak...
Impact of Host Heterogeneity on the Efficacy of Interventions to Reduce Staphylococcus aureus Carriage.

BACKGROUND Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of bacterial infections worldwide. It is most commonly carried in and transmitted from the anterior nares. Hosts are known to vary in their proclivity for S. aureus nasal carriage and may be divided into persistent carriers, intermittent carriers, and noncarriers, depending on duration of carriage. Mathematical models of S. aureus to predict outcomes of interventions have, however, typically assumed that all individuals are equally susceptible to colonization. OBJECTIVE To characterize biases created by assuming a homogeneous host population in estimating efficacy of control interventions. DESIGN Mathematical model. METHODS We developed a model of S. aureus carriage in the healthcare setting under the homogeneous assumption as well as a heterogeneous model to account for the 3 types of S. aureus carriers. In both models, we calculated the equilibrium carriage prevalence to predict the impact of control measures (reducing contact and decolonization). RESULTS The homogeneous model almost always underestimates S. aureus transmissibility and overestimates the impact of intervention strategies in lowering carriage prevalence compared to the heterogeneous model. This finding is generally consistent regardless of changes in model setting that vary the proportions of various carriers in the population and the duration of carriage for these carrier types. CONCLUSIONS Not accounting for host heterogeneity leads to systematic and substantial biases in predictions of the effects of intervention strategies. Further understanding of the clinical impacts of heterogeneity through modeling can help to target control measures and allocate resources more efficiently. Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2016;37(2):197–204
Impact of Word Sense Disambiguation on Ordering Dictionary Definitions in Vocabulary Learning Tutors.

Past research has shown that dictionaries and glosses can be beneficial in computer assisted language learning, particularly in vocabulary learning. We propose that L2 vocabulary learners can benefit from the use of a dictionary whose definitions are sensitive to the provided reading context, and that advances in the natural language processing task of word sense disambiguation can be used to automatically order the definitions of such a dictionary. An in-vivo study was conducted with ESL students to investigate the effect that the order of definitions has on vocabulary learning using REAP, a computer based vocabulary tutor. Our results showed that students benefited from having the algorithmically determined best definitions listed at the top of the definition list. Furthermore, our results suggest that word sense disambiguation may currently be good enough for use in intelligent language tutoring environments.
Qualitative and quantitative screening of amino acids in plant tissues

The comprehensive analysis of metabolites (metabolomics) and expressed proteins (proteomics) in any given biological system forms the center of modern efforts to define the critical functions of biological systems. Because amino acids play important roles in primary and secondary metabolic pathways as well as serving as the building blocks of proteins, they have been important targets for efforts at metabolic profiling. Amino acids have been analyzed using a number of procedures, including separation by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC), and capillary electrophoresis (CE). Mass spectrometry (MS) remains the primary analytical and detection system for metabolic profiling, including amino acid analysis, due to its accuracy and the information content obtained by such analyses, which facilitates the identification and measurement of large numbers of biomolecules. MS methods also add the capability of monitoring isotope distributions of molecules for metabolic flux analysis. Here we describe a GC-MS method that is suitable for analysis of amino acids in sub-milligram quantities of fresh plant material and that is easily adapted to high-throughput screening approaches.
Fatigue Response of a Fracture-Critical Bridge at the End of Service Life

AbstractA fracture-critical bridge along Interstate Highway 35 with a relatively high volume of traffic had exceeded its original design life and was monitored before and after a repair was implemented to strengthen the bridge. Strain gauges and crack propagation gauges were installed at critical locations near existing fatigue cracks identified from annual manual inspections. The initial data were evaluated and indicated that the fatigue life of the bridge had been exceeded, such that the bridge needed to be repaired or replaced. The bridge owner placed the bridge on a fast-track schedule for replacement; however, because it would take 2 to 3 years to complete the bridge, the bridge owner also elected to strengthen the bridge in the interim. The girders were strengthened by installing bolted cover plates between the top flanges of the longitudinal girder and transverse floor beams. The response of the bridge was monitored before, during, and after the bridge was strengthened. In the strengthened conditio...
HYBRID FITNESS IN THE LOUISIANA IRISES: ANALYSIS OF PARENTAL AND F1 PERFORMANCE.

The assumption of hybrid inferiority is central to the two models most widely applied to the prediction of hybrid zone evolution. Both the tension zone and mosaic models assume that natural selection acts against hybrids regardless of the environment in which they occur. To test this assumption, we investigated components of fitness in Iris fulva, I. hexagona and their reciprocal F1 hybrids under greenhouse conditions. The four cross types were compared on the basis of seed germination, vegetative and clonal growth, and sexual reproduction. In all cases, the hybrids performed as well as, or significantly better than, both of their parents. These results suggest that F1 hybrids between I. fulva and I. hexagona are at least as fit as their parents. The results of this study are therefore inconsistent with the assumptions of both the tension zone and mosaic models of hybrid zone evolution.
Bilaterality in primary lymphosarcoma of the breast.

Two patients with primary lymphosarcoma of the breast who developed similar lesions in the contralateral breasts after 8 and 10 years, respectively, are reported. An autopsy of one patient failed to reveal lymphosarcoma elsewhere. A review of the literature produced three similar cases with bilaterality. In primary lymphosarcoma of the breast, bilaterality does not appear to worsen chances for survival.
Direct in situ probe of electrochemical processes in operating fuel cells.

The function of systems and devices in many technologically important applications depends on dynamic processes in complex environments not accessible by structure and property characterization tools. Fuel cells represent an example in which interactions occur under extreme conditions: high pressure, high temperature, in reactive gas environments. Here, scanning surface potential microscopy is used to quantify local potential at electrode/electrolyte interfaces in operating solid oxide fuel cells at 600 °C. Two types of fuel cells are compared to demonstrate two mechanisms of ionic transport at interfaces. Lanthanum strontium ferrite–yttria-stabilized zirconia (LSF-YSZ) and lanthanum strontium manganite–yttria-stabilized zirconia (LSM-YSZ) cross-sectional electrode assemblies were measured to compare mixed ionic electronic conducting and electronic conducting mechanisms. Direct observation of the active zones in these devices yields characteristic length scales and estimates of activation barrier changes.
Stillbirth gestational age as a predictor of recurrence risk.

Objective We evaluated risk of subsequent stillbirth (SB) according to gestational age at initial SB. Study Design We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of women delivering a singleton SB with at least one subsequent pregnancy. Relative risks (RRs) were calculated using an initial SB gestational age of 36 to Results In all, 2,887 mothers and 5,090 subsequent births met inclusion criteria. For the immediately next pregnancy, the linear trend for gestational age was not significant (RR 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.03 to 5.53). However, women with index SBs occurring between 20 and 23 6/7 weeks' gestation had a RR for subsequent stillbirth of 2.9 (95% CI 1.2 to 7.1). When including subsequent pregnancies, the test for trend for gestational age was nonsignificant (RR 1.5; 95% CI 0.3 to 8.7). However, women suffering a stillbirth between 20 0/7 and 23 6/7 weeks' gestation in the index pregnancy had an almost threefold increase in the risk of subsequent stillbirth. Women suffering an index stillbirth between 28 0/7 and 31 6/7 weeks' and after 40 weeks' gestation had a 2.5- to 3.5-fold increased risk of subsequent SB. Conclusions Gestational age at initial SB predicts risk of recurrent SB. This effect is most pronounced in women with very preterm or with postterm pregnancies.
On-Orbit Servicing of Department of Defense and National Security Space Assets

Most high-tech systems are designed, constructed, placed into service, and subsequently maintained and upgraded during the course of their operational life. However, satellite systems in geosynchronous orbit (GEO) have historically been inaccessible for on-orbit servicing. Aside from a select group of human spaceflight servicing activities in low earth orbit (LEO), it has not been possible to refuel a satellite, repair or replace a malfunctioning component, upgrade the system with better technology, or even relocate it to a new orbit or GEO slot. In-situ servicing offers the potential to extend the life, and therefore the utility, of satellites operated by NASA, Department of Defense, other government agencies, and commercial companies. There are a variety of potential architecture concepts that can provide on-orbit servicing capabilities. The recent DARPA/NASA Manned Geostationary Servicing (MGS) study focused on options that provide the capability for extended human habitation, providing extensibility from the GEO hardware to future human spaceflight exploration missions. The study defined a minimum set of elements to assemble an architecture in GEO and accomplish the servicing mission. This paper will summarize the results of the MGS study, identify the specific technologies recommended by the MGS study, and evaluate the applicability of these technologies and capabilities to future Department of Defense (DoD) and National Security Space (NSS) missions. The DoD/NSS mission applicability will focus on two areas: 1) using NASA-developed assets at GEO to perform human and robotic servicing of GEO assets, and 2) using DoD/NSS-developed assets in multiple orbits (LEO, MEO, and GEO) to perform robotic servicing missions.
Behavioral Response of the Larger Black Flour Beetle (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) to Olfactory Cues from Food Sources

Using an olfactometer system without air flow, we tested the attraction of Cynaeus angustus (LeConte) to freshly milled corn flour (with and without the field fungus Cladosponum spp.), agave stem pulp, Brewer’s yeast, Indianmeal moth diet, and whole wheat flour. Results showed that milled corn flour containing Cladosporium spp., Indianmeal moth diet, and agave were significantly more attractive than the other materials. These findings represent a firm basis from which the olfactory attractants may be developed for use in trapping devices to detect C.angustus infestations.
Severe Torsades de Pointes with acquired QT prolongation

Torsades de pointes (TdP) is a fatal polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in association with congenital or acquired QT prolongation. Concomitant electrolyte disturbances and drugs potentiate the development of TdP. We describe a severe case of refractory TdP in the setting of methadone, cocaine, hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia. The successful treatment was achieved with the administration of magnesium, isoproterenol, and electrolyte replacement.
On the significance of the reform and opening up:For the 30th anniversary of reform and opening up

To illustrate China′s reform and opening times,a method was mode from the analyses of historical theory and historical materialism.Looking back on the 30 years of reform and opening up,only reform and opening up can develop China.It is the reform and opening up that has made China′s economic and social progress go forward and create and develop the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics.The Chinese people more consciously follw-the development of China′s reform and opening up and the guiding ideology of science to continue to expand opening to the outside world,to further reform and open up with Chinese characteristics and great cause of socialism.
Inhaled antibiotics: the new era of personalized medicine?

Purpose of review Treatment options for individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) have improved survival significantly over the past two decades. One important treatment modality is inhaled antibiotics to treat chronic infection of the airways. This review includes those antibiotics that are currently in use, those that are in clinical trials. It also includes review of nonantibiotic antimicrobials, a growing area of investigation in CF. Recent findings There are currently three inhaled antibiotics that are approved for use in patients with cystic fibrosis: tobramycin, aztreonam, and colistimethate. Tobramycin and colistimethate now are available as solution and new dry powder formulations, which are helping the treatment burden which has increased in CF. New antibiotics are in trial, although recently two did not meet primary outcomes in large clinical trials. Of particular interest is the development of nonantibiotic antimicrobials, which may allow treatment of intrinsically antibiotic resistant organisms. Summary Inhaled antibiotics remain an important treatment option in cystic fibrosis due to chronic airway infection as a hallmark of the disease. Although there are now multiple options for treatment, improvements in this treatment class are needed to treat intrinsically resistant organisms. New formulation of antibiotics and nonantibiotic antimicrobials are being evaluated to add to our armamentarium.
Practical Ways to Identify Measured Miles

AbstractChange is any addition, deletion, or revision to the general scope of a contract and may require an adjustment to the contract price or contract duration of a design or construction project. Many disputes arise out of changes, and successful resolution of those disputes requires that three elements be evaluated: liability, causation, and resultant injury (damages). A particular type of damage frequently alleged on changed projects is loss of labor productivity. One way to evaluate and quantify loss of labor productivity damages is through use of the measured mile technique. Problems exist with the measured mile approach, however, because there are no generally accepted guidelines for developing and applying the technique. Based on review and synthesis of project management literature and court and appeal board decisions, this paper presents practical considerations in the identification and application of measured miles. The intent is to help contractors, owners, consultants, and other parties ste...
The Multilinguistic Abilities of U.S. Marketing Majors

A number of recent studies have centered on a variety of aspects associated with the importance of foreign language skills in international business. This study used a national sample of 832 marketing majors from 59 colleges and universities to determine their multilinguistic abilities. The results indicate Spanish and French remain the most popular languages when compared to previous studies. Italian, however, has increased in popularity while Japanese has shown marked decreases.
The Shah’s Second European Tour (1878)

In April 1878, Naser ed-Din Shah embarked on his second European tour. This time the official proclamation explained the object of the trip as the royal desire to learn of modern practices useful to the development of the country and the nation’s prosperity. Proceeding overland, he left Tehran on April 2, 1878, first for Qazvin and then Tabriz, the seat of the Persian province of Azarbaijan. In early May, he camped on the banks of Aras River. From this place he proceeded to Yerevan, Tbilisi, and Vladikavkaz, where he boarded a train for Moscow. In St. Petersburg he was hosted by Tsar Alexander II, who entertained the shah at his summer palace at Peterhof. The shah then proceeded to Berlin, where he was welcomed by the German emperor. He visited Baden-Baden, where he stayed for five days. Next, he went to Paris and took up lodging at the Grand Hotel, styled as the “abode of kings.” There, he received the president of France. After 22 days’ stay, he left Paris for Persia on July 2, 1978.1
Process modeling for precision forming of discrete parts: State of the technology and critical issues

This paper presents an overview on the application of FE simulation as a virtual manufacturing tool in designing manufacturing processes for precision parts. The processes discussed include forging, sheet metal forming and hydroforming. Determination of reliable input parameters to simulate a process is a key element in successful application of process simulation for process design in all the mentioned areas. These issues are discussed in detail. Practical examples of application of FE simulation are presented for improvement of the existing metal forming process and/or designing new metal forming process for manufacturing discrete precision parts in forging, sheet metal forming and hydroforming.
Imaging of Blunt and Penetrating Abdominal Trauma

Trauma is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people younger than 45 years of age. Traumatic injury to the abdominal organs, with ensuing exsanguination, is the primary cause of death. Of all abdominal traumatic injuries presenting to hospitals, blunt trauma comprises approximately 90 % and typically results from a motor vehicle collision or a fall. Penetrating trauma accounts for the remaining 10 % and is often a result of a bullet or knife injury. The evaluation of blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma can be one of the most challenging and resource-exhaustive aspects of acute trauma care.
Ensemble classification based on Random linear base classifiers

We propose a simple ensemble classification algorithm, which employs a set of N randomly generated linear classifiers, followed by a selection process based on the performance of these classifiers on the whole set of training data. The top n performers are then linearly combined to form the final classifier. We analyze the VC dimension of the resulting hypothesis set from such a construction procedure, and show that it can be controlled by choosing the parameters N and n. The proposed algorithm enjoys low computational complexity, and for the MNIST dataset and several UCI datasets that we tested, the algorithm compares favorably in generalization error rate or running time to competing algorithms including Random Kitchen Sinks and AdaBoost.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Fatigue and Attentional Disorders

Abstract Fatigue and attention disorders are common in modern society and can cause significant difficulties in the lives of those afflicted. Increases in cognitive fatigue are typically characterized by a decline in attention, difficulties concentrating, and increased reaction times (Caldwell, 2005). In fact, cognitive impairments caused by just moderate levels of fatigue have been shown to exceed those caused by alcohol intoxication at a blood–alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 (Dawson and Reid, 1997). While the cause of the fatigue or attentional symptoms vary, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests a benign form of noninvasive brain stimulation known as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can augment brain activity in a manner that provides therapeutic relief of major symptoms, improves mood, and reduces associated cognitive performance declines.
A Presentation of the Prerequisite Topics and a Module for a Quantum Encryption (QE) Topic in an IS Course

I present a variant of the quantum encryption (QE) algorithm and an elementary outline of the quantum mechanics (QM) axioms and math results that make it work. There are two points in the algorithm where QM plays a role. One is a quote of a deep theorem that makes acceptable sense in light of the outline of axioms. The second is only an application of vector representations in a basis. Another topic appears throughout: discrete probability. Using this insight, I present an outline of a prerequisite topic review module for an IS course introducing QE. Available by email from me are a Java console application interactive QE Simulator, and extensive slide sets on background material at various levels of difficulty. This discussion assumes some familiarity with the very basics of cryptography (one-time-pads, sending in the clear, symmetric keys etc.).