cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE PERCEIVED VALUE OF AIRLINE FLIGHT OPERATIONS INTERNSHIP ACTIVITIES AND/OR BENEFITS IN THE PURSUIT OF CAREER GOALS

Collegiate aviation institutions throughout the United States have been involved in airline flight operations internship programs for over 20 years. Collegiate aviation and industry partnerships serve a variety of purposes, including: (a) allowing a student the opportunity to observe and experience the many facets of a commercial air carrier operation, (b) developing a greater awareness of the airline industry for the student, allowing for better-informed career choices and, (c) providing the airline with access to a low-cost, highly qualified, temporary workforce and a potential employee pool. This graduate follow-up study involved students who participated in the Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) Aviation Management and Flight (AVMAF) airline flight operations internship program. The study examined data gathered from students who served as interns at one of six different U.S. major air carriers and one U.S. regional air carrier. Former interns were asked to rate the value 14 specific internship activities/benefits had in the pursuit of their career goals. Former interns were also allowed the opportunity to identify other valuable internship activities and/or benefits not originally mentioned in the survey via open-ended response. Respondent employment demographic data are reported. The most valuable and least valuable internship activities and/or benefits identified by the collective group are reported. The most valuable and least valuable internship activities and/or benefits identified for each airline are reported. Recommendations for improving airline flight operations internship programs are also provided.
A Dynamic Formulation for Planar Motions Using Geometric Kinematics and CAGD

This paper develops a method for dynamic analysis of planar motions that incorporates the kinematic geometry of motion as well as methods from the field of Computer Aided Geometric Design (CAGD). In this way, dynamic forces and the forces of constraint can be directly related to the kinematic geometry of the motion represented in terms of rolling of the two centrodes. The results are useful in dealing with problems associated with mechanics of manipulation as well as classical dynamics of planar bodies.
Phylogeography and subspecies taxonomy of dunlins (Calidris alpina) in western Palearctic analysed by DNA microsatellites and amplified fragment length polymorphism markers

In a circumpolar wader, the dunlin (Calidris alpina), there are 11 named subspecies, but only five mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages have been found. In the present study, we investigated the gene ...
Gaussian-based routines to impute categorical variables in health surveys.

The multivariate normal (MVN) distribution is arguably the most popular parametric model used in imputation and is available in most software packages (e.g., SAS PROC MI, R package norm). When it is applied to categorical variables as an approximation, practitioners often either apply simple rounding techniques for ordinal variables or create a distinct ‘missing’ category and/or disregard the nominal variable from the imputation phase. All of these practices can potentially lead to biased and/or uninterpretable inferences. In this work, we develop a new rounding methodology calibrated to preserve observed distributions to multiply impute missing categorical covariates. The major attractiveness of this method is its flexibility to use any ‘working’ imputation software, particularly those based on MVN, allowing practitioners to obtain usable imputations with small biases. A simulation study demonstrates the clear advantage of the proposed method in rounding ordinal variables and, in some scenarios, its plausibility in imputing nominal variables. We illustrate our methods on a widely used National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs where incomplete values on race posed a valid threat on inferences pertaining to disparities.
Components of glial responses to exogenous and synaptic glutamate in rat hippocampal microcultures

Although glia are known to be sensitive to exogenously applied neurotransmitter substances, little is known about how glia respond to neuronal activity on the millisecond time scale of individual synaptic events. We have explored the electrophysiological effects of excitatory neuronal signaling on glial cells in rat hippocampal microcultures. Exogenous applications of glutamate analogs to islands of glia revealed a large ionotropic AMPA receptor-mediated current and a smaller current mediated by electrogenic glutamate uptake. Glia demonstrated no evidence of NMDA or metabotropic receptor-mediated currents or membrane conductance changes. Despite the dominant contribution of AMPA receptors to exogenous glutamate applications in glia, AMPA receptor currents contributed only approximately 20% to the response of glia to endogenous glutamate release from solitary excitatory neurons. Electrogenic glutamate uptake contributed strongly to glial responses to neuronal stimulation. In addition, some glia exhibited a residual current is response to neuronal stimulation that was not attributable to calcium-dependent transmitter release or to neuronal potassium efflux. These results help provide a context for understanding the role of glial transporters and receptors in nervous system signaling.
Partial purification and characterization of cytidine 5'-diphosphate-diglyceride hydrolase from membranes of Escherichia coli.

Abstract Cytidine 5'-diphosphate (CDP)-diglyceride is hydrolyzed to phosphatidic acid and cytidine 5'-monophosphate by a specific membrane-bound enzyme in cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli. The hydrolase can be extracted from the particulate fraction with Triton X-100 and purified 1,000-fold in the presence of this detergent. Several nucleoside disphosphate diglycerides were synthesized to determine the substrate specificity of the hydrolase. CDP-diglyceride was hydrolyzed preferentially, although uridine 5'-diphosphate-diglyceride, guanosine 5'-diphosphate-diglyceride, and adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP)-diglyceride were also slowly hydrolyzed. Surprisingly, the purified enzyme did not catalyze detectable cleavage of deoxy-CDP (dCDP)-diglyceride. The liponucleotide pool of E. coli contains dCDP-diglyceride and CDP-diglyceride in approximately equal amounts (Raetz and Kennedy, 1973). Water-soluble nucleoside pyrophosphates, such as CDP-choline, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or adenosine 5'-triphosphate are not attacked by this specific hydrolase. Hydrolysis of CDP-diglyceride is strongly inhibited by adenosine 5'-monophosphate and by ADP-diglyceride.
Estimated Number of Infants Detected and Missed by Critical Congenital Heart Defect Screening

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In 2011, the US Secretary of Health and Human Services recommended universal screening of newborns for critical congenital heart defects (CCHDs), yet few estimates of the number of infants with CCHDs likely to be detected through universal screening exist. Our objective was to estimate the number of infants with nonsyndromic CCHDs in the United States likely to be detected (true positives) and missed (false negatives) through universal newborn CCHD screening. METHODS: We developed a simulation model based on estimates of birth prevalence, prenatal diagnosis, late detection, and sensitivity of newborn CCHD screening through pulse oximetry to estimate the number of true-positive and false-negative nonsyndromic cases of the 7 primary and 5 secondary CCHD screening targets identified through screening. RESULTS: We estimated that 875 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 705–1060) US infants with nonsyndromic CCHDs, including 470 (95% UI: 360–585) infants with primary CCHD screening targets, will be detected annually through newborn CCHD screening. An additional 880 (UI: 700–1080) false-negative screenings, including 280 (95% UI: 195–385) among primary screening targets, are expected. We estimated that similar numbers of CCHDs would be detected under scenarios comparing “lower” (∼19%) and “higher” (∼41%) than current prenatal detection prevalences. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial number of nonsyndromic CCHD cases are likely to be detected through universal CCHD screening; however, an equal number of false-negative screenings, primarily among secondary targets of screening, are likely to occur. Future efforts should document the true impact of CCHD screening in practice.
Changes in the conduction of the fetal electrocardiogram to the maternal abdominal surface during gestation

Abstract A technique for recording high-quality vectorcardiograms from the fetus in utero is described. A study was conducted to clarify conflicting views on the mechanism of fetal electrocardiogram (FECG) signal transmission to the maternal abdominal surface during the latter half of gestation. The results of this study support the view that a general pattern of uniform conduction of FECG currents exists between 20 and 28 weeks' gestation in most subjects, that signal magnitudes decrease markedly between 28 and 34 weeks' gestation and conduction tends to behave as if it is nonuniform through the maternal abdominal volume, and that a preferred signal pathway, possibly through the oronasal cavities of the fetus, appears to develop after 34 weeks gestation and continues until term. Two different abdominal FECG lead systems are recommended on the basis of these findings which should maximize the accuracy of FECG monitoring of the preterm fetus.
A performance model for realtime packet processing

A packet processing performance model has been derived from the development of a VLSI packet processor to support CCSDS (Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems) telemetry data processing. The model provides a powerful tool for characterizing the performance of a real-time packet processing system considering data rate, processing speed frame, and packet size. Using this model, a system processing boundary can be determined for a given set of operational conditions. It also points the way to further enhancement and optimization of the system design. >
An Accounting Primer: For Economists Eyes Only!

The following paper outlines some potential reasons for the chasm between accountants and economists, proposes the addition of an accounting-based mini-lecture to the introductory economics course, and offers a description of several key accounting concepts considered essential to the economics curriculum.
Power-law shot noise and its application on modeling of ultrasound echoes

1/f/sup /spl beta//-type spectral behavior has received considerable attention in the past few years because it arises from a wide range of nature phenomena. Several methods have been proposed for modeling a 1/f/sup /spl beta// process. In this paper we consider a power-law shot noise model, and show that, asymptotically, it gives rise to a power-law /spl alpha/-stable process if /spl beta/<1, or to a process with power-law /spl alpha/-stable increments if 1</spl beta/<3. We show that this model applies to ultrasound rf echoes, with the power-law behavior attributed to tissue attenuation.
Toward A Buddhist Theory of Justice

For more than twenty years key thinkers of Engaged Buddhism have used terms like “justice” and “social justice” quite freely. Yet despite more sophisticated discussions of other philosophical topics, Engaged Buddhists have not clearly defined what they mean by the term justice . Given that the term is one with a rich philosophical history in the West and has no direct parallel in Buddhist thought, it is incumbent upon Engaged Buddhist theorists to define what they mean when they use this term if they are to engage in any sort of meaningful dialog on justice and related issues in the international community. In this paper, to illustrate how Engaged Buddhists might begin this important line of work, I would focus on two cases. First, I will discuss John Rawls' theory of "justice as fairness" and compare that with some traditional Buddhist ideas and explore potential Buddhist thinking, responses, and adaptations. Second, I will discuss a relatively new model known as restorative justice in opposition to the pervasive use of retributive models implemented around the globe and consider the ways that Buddhism seems to lend itself quite well to "restorative" models, particularly with regard to criminal justice. Both examples are merely beginning points for discussion used to illustrate how and why Engaged Buddhists ought to participate more directly in global philosophical discourse on justice.
Combined depletion of O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase and glutathione to modulate nitrosourea resistance in breast cancer.

Abstract MCF-7 human breast cancer cells possess high levels of O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase and moderate levels of glutathione, and are more resistant to chloroethylnitrosoureas (CNUs) than cells with low levels of either molecule. The role of each as a component of CNU resistance was assessed using O6-benzylguanine (O6-bG) or O6-methylguanine (O6-mG) to deplete the alkyltransferase and l -buthionine sulfoxamine ( l -BSO) to deplete glutathione. O6-bG and O6-mG potentiated 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-l-nitrosourea (BCNU) cytotoxicity, resulting in a dose modification factor of 5.4 and 2.3, respectively, which reflected the more potent inhibitory effect of O6-bG. l -BSO alone had little effect on the survival of MCF-7 cells following BCNU exposure, but when combined with O6-mG, BCNU cytotoxicity was additive, yielding a dose modification factor of 3.2. O6-bG or O6-mG and l -BSO acted independently, as neither class of inhibitor affected the other's mechanism of CNU resistance. Furthermore, MCF-7 cells overexpressing GSTμ were not more resistant to BCNU than the parent cell line in either the presence or absence of O6-bG or l -BSO. These results indicate that on a relative basis in MCF-7 cells, the alkyltransferase is the cell's first line of defense against CNUs. This suggests that therapeutic trials based on O6-bG-induced biochemical modulation of CNU resistance may increase the efficacy of these chemotherapeutic agents against human malignant cells and that l -BSO may have little additive effect when used with these agents.
High-power LED arrays: special requirements on packaging technology

The market for high power LED solutions is expanding rapidly with the significant efficiency increase of LED chips. This revolutionizes the optoelectronics market, enabling engineers to use LEDs for general lighting applications as well as medical, specialty lighting and automotive solutions, where previously less efficient technologies had to be used. In order to reap the benefits of high power LEDs, however, special requirements concerning thermal management and optomechanical layout have to be met. We will show concepts of thermal management and technological solutions for the choice of different materials and assembly. Furthermore, we will discuss the gain and challenges of chip-on-board solutions using intelligent optical design in specific applications.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a simplified postnatal predictor of outcome ☆

Abstract Background/Purpose The incidence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) approximates 1 in 3000 births, with mortality rates up to 50%. The ability to accurately and easily predict the outcomes of these infants could be a valuable management tool. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a simplified clinical method for predicting survival outcomes in infants born with CDH. Methods The Wilford Hall/Santa Rosa clinical prediction formula (WHSR PF = highest Pao 2 − highest Pco 2 ) was generated from arterial blood gas values obtained during the initial 24 hours of life, but before surgical repair or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, in a local group of infants with CDH identified by prospective and retrospective review. The WHSR PF was validated using a comparative group from the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Study Group (CHDSG). Bivariate, multivariable, and area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) analysis was performed using SigmaStat and SPSS statistical programs (SPSS, Chicago, Ill). Results As initially developed from the local data, the WHSR PF had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 82%, a negative predictive value of 88% and AUC of 0.87. When validated against the CDHSG data, the positive predictive value was 83%, negative predictive value was 66%, and AUC 0.79. Area under the receiver operating curve analysis by the previously published CDHSG predictive equation was 0.76. Conclusion This novel formula is an easy to apply clinical tool with similar or better predictive abilities compared to previous methods of predicting survival in infants born with CDH. Currently, no method appears to have sufficient clinical accuracy for predicting the outcome of an individual infant with CDH. Further studies are indicated.
Binary erasure multiple descriptions: Worst-case distortion

We consider a binary erasure version of the n-channel multiple descriptions problem with no excess rate and no distortion for every k out of n descriptions, i.e., any subset of k messages has a total rate of one and allows for perfect reconstruction of the source. Using a worst-case distortion criterion, we present an explicit coding scheme based on Reed-Solomon codes and, for any n and k, characterize its achievable distortion region when m ≪ k messages are received at the decoder. We prove that this scheme is Pareto optimal in the achievable distortions for all n and k for any number of received messages at the decoder, and is optimal for all n and k when a single message is received. We also provide optimality results for a certain range of values of n and k.
Inactivation of posterior pituitary antidiuretic hormone by the liver.

It has long been recognized that the liver bears some important relation to water metabolism (reviewed by Pick, 1929 and 1946; Ratnoff and Patek, 1942). In experimental liver damage (Adlersberg, 1934; Adlersberg and Fox, 1943) and in liver disease of man (Labby and Hoagland, 1947; Ralli et al., 1945; Leslie et al., 1948) water retention has been reported. The presence of antidiuretic substances in urine has been associated with liver dysfunction (Ralli et al., 1945; Leslie and Ralli, 1947; Hall, Frame and Drill, 1949). The suggestion has been made that this may be the well known neurohypophyseal antidiuretic hormone (ADH) appearing in the urine because it is not effectively inactivated by the damaged liver (Ralli et al. 1945). ADH is inactivated at some body site as judged by the small amounts excreted after injection (Heller and Urban, 1935; Ingram, Ladd and Benlbow, 1939) and the in vitro studies of Heller and Urban (1935) indicate that while kidney and blood inactivate ADH, liver tissue is more effective.
Examining the global reach of the 2008 US economic downturn

This article analyzes how the 2008 US economic downturn propagated through the global trading system, creating an economic contagion around the world. Consistent with previous global crises, the reach and impact of this crisis is not the same across different regions. This article contributes to the literature by examining the effect of dependency on the country of origin of a crisis, openness to international trade, and the role a country plays in the global trading network to explain the variation in the reach and the impact across countries. The article concludes with policy recommendations to avoid future economic contagions or reduce their impact. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterizing aquatic sediment–oil aggregates using in situ instruments

The effects of emulsified crude oil and salinity (15, 30 per thousand ) on the steady state aggregate volume distributions and fractal dimensions were determined for a range of mean velocity gradients, (G(m) =5-50 s(-1)). Aggregation was performed in a 40-L cylindrical tank with a 4-blade paddle mixer. Three-dimensional fractal dimensions (D3) and volume distributions were determined using a procedure integrating data from an electrozone and an in situ light scattering instrument. Two-dimensional fractal dimensions (D2) and derived volume distributions were determined using a recently developed submersible flow cytometer equipped with a digital camera and image analysis software. For latex beads or emulsified crude oil systems, the above listed instruments yielded consistent size distributions and fractal dimensions (D2=1.92 +/- 0.16, D3=2.94 +/- 0.12). Mean volume aggregate diameters determined using the FlowCAM were consistently larger that those determined using the LISST-100 or Coulter Multisizer due to aggregate orientations during measurements. With increasing G(m) values, all colloidal aggregates showed increasing D3 values due to reduced aggregate length. Because of the compactness of all the aggregates (D3 >2), D2 values remained constant at 2. Neither salinity nor sediment type significantly affected D2 values calculated for sediment-crude oil aggregates. However, clay-oil aggregates showed higher D3 values than clay aggregates. This suggests that colloidal oil and mixing shear are the more dominant factors influencing aggregate morphology in nearshore waters. Overall, the data suggests that the analysis methods provide consistent size distribution results. However, because of the shear and salinity of coastal waters, resulting aggregates are too compact to estimate their D3 values using image analysis alone.
A compact neutron spectrometer for characterizing inertial confinement fusion implosions at OMEGA and the NIF

A compact spectrometer for measurements of the primary deuterium-tritium neutron spectrum has been designed and implemented on the OMEGA laser facility [T. Boehly et al., Opt. Commun. 133, 495 (1997)]. This instrument uses the recoil spectrometry technique, where neutrons produced in an implosion elastically scatter protons in a plastic foil, which are subsequently detected by a proton spectrometer. This diagnostic is currently capable of measuring the yield to ∼±10% accuracy, and mean neutron energy to ∼±50 keV precision. As these compact spectrometers can be readily placed at several locations around an implosion, effects of residual fuel bulk flows during burn can be measured. Future improvements to reduce the neutron energy uncertainty to ±15−20 keV are discussed, which will enable measurements of fuel velocities to an accuracy of ∼±25−40 km/s.
Glycemic control and longitudinal testing for exercise microalbuminuria in subjects with type I diabetes.

Abstract There is a need for better and earlier markers of clinical renal damage in subjects with Type I diabetes. In this prospective study, exercise albumin excretion rates (AERs) were studied longitudinally for a 4-year period in 187 young subjects with Type I diabetes. For this time period, 54% of subjects continued to have normal overnight and exercise AERs, 11% had continuously elevated exercise and overnight AERs, 11% developed an elevated exercise AER with the overnight AER remaining normal, and 12% had a normal overnight AER throughout the study, with initially elevated exercise levels later decreasing to normal. This improvement in exercise AER was associated with improved glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA 1 ) values for 64% of the subjects ( p = 0.0004, paired t test). Five percent of subjects, who initially had only an elevated exercise AER, developed a consistently elevated overnight AER. Seven of these nine subjects showed either worsening (>10%) or no improvement in their HbA 1 values from the initial to the final study periods. Five percent of subjects continued to have an elevated exercise and normal overnight AER throughout the study. These results show that the elevated exercise AER represents a definite transitional stage between a normal and an abnormal (>30 μg/min) overnight AER. In addition, a "window" exists during which an elevated exercise AER may be reversed by improved glucose control, but if this improvement does not occur, progression to an increased overnight AER is likely to result.
Effect of boron nitride coating on the tensile strength of Nextel 480TM fiber

Abstract The effect of boron nitride (BN) coating 0.2 μm thick on the tensile strength of Nextel 480 (trade mark of the 3M Company) fiber was investigated. Nextel 480 fiber has an oval cross-section corresponding to a 10.65 μm equivalent diameter. It is essentially a mullite fiber with a chemical composition of 70 wt.% Al 2 O 3 , 28 wt.% SiO 2 and 2 wt.% B 2 O 3 . Statistical analysis of the single fiber tensile strength was done on 50 fibers of both the uncoated and the coated type using a two-parameter Weibull distribution. The mean tensile strength of the BN-coated fiber was 2905 MPa while that of the uncoated fiber was 1766 MPa. Such an increase in the mean tensile strength of the BN-coated fiber was attributed to the surface healing effect of the BN coating. The high temperature chemical vapor deposition process used to coat the fiber with BN will result in thermal stresses. The thermal stresses, calculated using a two-element cylindrical model, showed that the radial stress at the fiber-coating interface was insignificantly small.
SU-FF-I-47: Free in Air Characterization of Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) Dosimeters Using Computed Tomography Radiation Beam Delivery System

Purpose: To study MOSFET radiation response characteristics for CTdosimetry applications, using CT as radiation source.Method & Materials: We used five Thomsen‐Nielsen MOSFETs with reader and wireless communication system to a laptop computer,GELight Speed Ultra‐8 CT scanner, Siemens Sireskop radiographic unit (Polydoros‐SX80), Radcal 9095 dosimeter with 6 cc ionization chamber and kVp sensor, aluminum plates, ready pack films & styrofoam support. Each MOSFET was placed separately at isocenter for characterization. An exposure of approximately 1000 mR (996 mR to 1015 mR) was delivered to each MOSFET. Exposures were determined using 6cc ionization chamber at isocenter, oriented with its long axis parallel to the long axis of CT collimation, to ensure complete irradiation of the chamber. Sensitivity was compared with that of a general purpose overhead x‐ray tube. MOSFET energy dependence, linearity of response, sensitivity with CT X‐ray tube in stationary position and with tube in rotate mode, and angular dependency of MOSFETS was studied. Results:MOSFETS' response (in mV, averaged for 5 MOSFETS) changed by 12% when kVp varied from 80 through 140. Linearity of response was good for all the energies selectable. Sensitivity was obtained in the range of 25.5 to 32.5 mV for the all the MOSFETS studied. The average sensitivity for the five MOSFETs with the overhead x‐ray tube was 26.58 mV/R. The difference in sensitivity between CT tube in stationary position and CT tube in rotate mode was about 3%, compared with that of overhead radiographic tube at 8.2%. The averaged maximum variation of all MOSFETS as a function of tube angle was within 5%. Conclusion: When using MOSFETS for CTdosimetry, use of a CT x‐ray source in rotate mode is recommended for calibration purposes.
Comparative Structural and Molecular Characterization of Streptococcus pneumoniae Capsular Polysaccharide Serogroup 10

Streptococcus pneumoniae serogroup 10 includes four cross-reactive capsular polysaccharide (CPS) serotypes (10F, 10A, 10B, and 10C). In the present study, the structures of CPS10B and CPS10C were determined by chemical and high resolution NMR methods to define the features of each serotype. Both CPS10C and CPS10F had β1–6-linked Galf branches formed from the termini of linear repeating units by wzy-dependent polymerization through the 4-OH of subterminal GalNAc. The only difference between these polysaccharides was the wcrC-dependent α1–2 or wcrF-dependent α1–4 linkages between Gal and ribitol-5-phosphate. The presence of one linkage or the other also distinguished the repeating units of CPS10B and CPS10A. However, whereas these polysaccharides both had β1–3-linked Galf branches linked to GalNAc, only CPS10A had additional β1–6-linked Galp branches. These Galp branches and the reaction of a CPS10A-specific monoclonal antibody were eliminated by deletion of wcrG from the cps10A locus. In contrast, deletion of this gene from the cps10B locus had no effect on the structure of CPS10B, thereby identifying wcrG as a pseudogene in this serotype. The β1–3-linked Galf branches of CPS10A and CPS10B were eliminated by deletion of wcrD from each corresponding cps locus. Deletion of this gene also eliminated wcrG-dependent β1–6-linked Galp branches from CPS10A, thereby identifying WcrG as a branching enzyme that acts on the product of WcrD. These findings provide a complete view of the molecular, structural, and antigenic features of CPS serogroup 10, as well as insight into the possible emergence of new serotypes.
Two-Equation Turbulence Closure Model for Wall Bounded and Free Shear Flows

The κ-ζ model can be used for both wall bounded and free shear flows using one set of model constants
Targeting the IL-6 dependent phenotype can identify novel therapies for cholangiocarcinoma

Background The need for new therapies for cholangiocarcinoma is highlighted by their poor prognosis and refractoriness to chemotherapy. Increased production of Interleukin-6 promotes cholangiocarcinoma growth and contributes to chemoresistance by activating cell survival mechanisms. We sought to identify biologically active compounds capable of ameliorating the phenotypic effects of IL-6 expression and to explore their potential therapeutic use for cholangiocarcinoma. Methodology A genomic signature associated with Interleukin-6 expression in Mz-ChA-1 human malignant cholangiocytes was derived. Computational bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify compounds that induced inverse gene changes to the signature. The effect of these compounds on cholangiocarcinoma growth was then experimentally verified in vitro and in vivo. Interactions with other therapeutic agents were evaluated using median effects analysis. Principal Findings A group of structurally related compounds, nitrendipine, nifedipine and felodipine was identified. All three compounds were cytotoxic to Mz-ChA-1 cells with an IC50 for felodipine of 26 µM, nitrendipine, 44 µM and nifedipine, 15 µM. Similar results were observed in KMCH-1, CC-LP-1 and TFK-1 cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. At a fractional effect of 0.5, all three agents were synergistic with either camptothecin or gemcitabine in Mz-ChA-1 cells in vitro. Co-administration of felodipine and gemcitabine decreased the growth of Mz-ChA-1 cell xenografts in nude athymic mice. Conclusions Computational bioinformatics analysis of phenotype-based genomic expression can be used to identify therapeutic agents. Using this drug discovery approach based on targeting a defined tumor associated phenotype, we identified compounds with the potential for therapeutic use in cholangiocarcinoma.
An investigation into the costs and benefits of reliability of service

The continued movement towards a global economy has contributed to the tremendous growth of competition in many industries. In order for many of these entrants to remain competitively viable, considerable attention must be focused on the impact of service quality, both on the cost side and the demand side. While a considerable literature exists on the impact of service quality and reliability on demand or cost, less work has focused on the explicit impact of service quality and reliability jointly on demand for and the cost of providing services. This paper focuses on a service provider who, faced with competition, must determine the optimal level of service quality to provide in order to maximize profits. Service quality is assumed to impact on both demand for services and the cost of providing service. A reliability constraint is appended to the formulation in order to guarantee that the declared service quality is met. Conditions are developed which characterize optimal solutions. An illustrative example is presented in order to demonstrate how results from the model may be utilized.
The second voltammetric oxidation peak of 7,9-dimethyluric acid

Abstract Voltammetry of 7,9-dimethyluric acid in aqueous solution at a pyrolytic graphite electrode shows that two oxidation peaks are formed. Peak Ia is a 2 e electrooxidation giving a very unstable quinonoid cation. This rapidly hydrates in a phosphate-catalyzed reaction giving a tertiary alcohol which in turn undergoes a ring contraction to 1-carbohydroxy-2,4-dimethyl-2,4,6,8-tetraaza-3,7-dioxo-5-ene-bicyclo-(3.3.0)-octane. The latter is again unstable and hydrates and decarboxylates giving 1,3-dimethylallantoin as the final product. Peak IIa is due to a Kolbe-type 2 e electrooxidation of 1-carbohydroxy-2,4-dimethyl-2,4,6,8-tetraaza-3,7-dioxo-5-ene-bicyclo-(3.3.0)-octane to give a very reactive carbonium ion and CO2. The former species is rapidly hydrated giving 1-hydroxy-2,4-dimethyl-2,4,6,8-tetraaza-3,7-dioxo-5-ene-bicyclo-(3.3.0)-octane, a new compound which has been isolated and characterized by spectral, chemical and electrochemical methods.
Political methodology: A welcoming discipline

(2000). Political Methodology: A Welcoming Discipline. Journal of the American Statistical Association: Vol. 95, No. 450, pp. 651-654.
Thermal decomposition of iodobenzene using I-atom absorption

Abstract The I-atom atomic resonance absorption spectrometric (ARAS) technique has been used in Kr bath gas to study the thermal decomposition kinetics of iodobenzene, C 6 H 5 I, over T - and P -ranges of 1082–1416 K and 103–731 Torr, giving the first order expression, k (±60%) = 1.982 × 10 11 exp(−23120 K / T )s −1 . Two unimolecular theoretical approaches were used to rationalize the data implying E 0 = δ H 0 0 = (66.7 ± 0.7) kcal mol −1 and 〈 δE 〉 down = (447 ± 92) cm −1 .
A layered grid divalent cobalt coordination polymer constructed from ferromagnetically coupled linear trimeric units

Abstract The layered coordination polymer {[Co3(tBuip)2(HtBuip)2(bpmp)]•bpmp}n (1, tBuip = 5-tert-butylisophthalate, bpmp = bis(4-pyridylmethyl)piperazine) has been prepared by hydrothermal methods and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Carboxylate groups of both tBuip and HtBuip ligands construct [Co3(tBuip)2(HtBuip)2]n neutral ribbons with embedded linear {Co3(μ-O)4(μ-OCO)2} trimeric units. Tethering bpmp ligands link the ribbon motifs into [Co3(tBuip)2(HtBuip)2(bpmp)]n grid-like layers. In turn these layers are connected into a supramolecular 3-fold interpenetrated network by hydrogen-bonding mechanisms involving unligated bpmp molecules. Weak ferromagnetic coupling is observed within the trimeric kernels, with some spin canting likely below 3 K.
Localization of stem cell factor mRNA in adult rat hippocampus.

Stem cell factor (SCF) promotes the growth of multilineage hematopoietic cells. SCF is a product of the steel (Sl) locus of the mouse, and it is a ligand for the c-kit <
Quantitative micro-CT

Micro-CT for bone structural analysis has progressed from an in-vitro laboratory technique to devices for in-vivo assessment of small animals and the peripheral human skeleton. Currently, topological parameters of bone architecture are the primary goals of analysis. Additional measurement of the density or degree of mineralization (DMB) of trabecular and cortical bone at the microscopic level is desirable to study effects of disease and treatment progress. This information is not commonly extracted because of the challenges of accurate measurement and calibration at the tissue level. To assess the accuracy of micro-CT DMB measurements in a realistic but controlled situation, we prepared bone-mimicking watery solutions at concentrations of 100 to 600 mg/cm3 K2PO4H and scanned them with micro-CT, both in glass vials and microcapillary tubes with inner diameters of 50, 100 and 150 μm to simulate trabecular thickness. Values of the linear attenuation coefficients μ in the reconstructed image are commonly affected by beam hardening effects for larger samples and by partial volume effects for small volumes. We implemented an iterative reconstruction technique to reduce beam hardening. Partial voluming was sought to be reduced by excluding voxels near the tube wall. With these two measures, improvement on the constancy of the reconstructed voxel values and linearity with solution concentration could be observed to over 90% accuracy. However, since the expected change in real bone is small more measurements are needed to confirm that micro-CT can indeed be adapted to assess bone mineralization at the tissue level.
Regeneration of synaptic connections by sensory neurons in leech ganglia maintained in culture.

Leech ganglia maintained in organ culture were used to follow regeneration and the formation of synaptic connections by individual neurons. From earlier physiological studies on operated animals it is known that the c.n.s. of the leech is able to regenerate and that specific connections can be reformed. The present experiments show that specific regeneration also occurs in vitro but that axons do not simply grow directly back to their targets. (1) Axons were severed by crushing the connectives linking pairs of ganglia at the time of removal from the animal. Light and electron microscopy indicated that the procedure of crushing severed all the axons within the connectives. For several days after the lesion had been made, conduction of impulses from one ganglion to the next was abolished. (2) After 5-10 days in culture, stimulation of the connectives with external electrodes gave rise to impulses that were once again conducted beyond the site of the lesion. Characteristic excitatory and inhibitory synaptic potentials were evoked in identified sensory and motor cells in both ganglia by this indiscriminate stimulation of axons. Electron micrographs of the crushed region showed not only regenerated axons traversing the site of the lesion but also synaptic profiles similar to those seen in the neuropile of normal ganglia. Thus, pre- and post-synaptic specializations had been formed during regeneration in a part of the c.n.s. where they are not normally present. (3) Individual sensory neurons were injected with horseradish peroxidase to reveal the course taken by their regenerating axons. At the site of the crush profuse branching occurred/by 7 days. The arborization of a single axon was highly complex, with many varicosities present on fine branches. After two weeks in culture, one or more of the processes had usually grown beyond the crush and in certain instances had reached the next ganglion. Other branches ran back towards the ganglion in which the cell body was situated. During the period of the experiments (up to 45 days) no retraction of the sprouted fibres or of the arborization at the crush was observed. In addition to sprouting at the site of the lesion considerable sprouting also occurred within the ganglion, close to the cell body. (4) Individual mechanosensory neurons regenerated and would once again evoke synaptic potentials in their original targets after two weeks in culture. Thus, intracellular stimulation of single sensory cells in one ganglion gave rise to synaptic potentials in the appropriate motor neuron of the neighbouring ganglion. Injection of such sensory cells with horse-radish peroxidase showed that their axons had extended beyond the lesion and ramified in the neuropile of the next ganglion. (5) It is concluded that neurons in leech ganglia are able to regenerate and reform appropriate synaptic connections in culture. The degree of precision is hard to assess because of novel synaptic interactions and numerous additional sprouts that develop during regeneration.
Mechanisms of cyclic softening and cyclic creep in low carbon steel

Abstract In order to understand better the mechanism of cyclic softening, a low carbon annealed steel has been first prestrained and then cycled in load control with zero mean stress. Both mechanical results and transmission electron microscopy studies of the defect structures were explored. Cyclic softening and creep were observed to occur in parallel. A new softening parameter, based on the changes in plastic strain amplitude with cycling and designed to discount any superposed cyclic hardening, was defined to describe the softening process and its kinetics. A softening threshold stress was discovered by extrapolating softening results of high load amplitudes to zero softening and was found to be 0.44 of the flow stress of the prestrained metal. This is suggested to be a constant for wavy slip metal and is related to the fatigue limit. The changes in defect structure with softening consisted of (1) reductions in the dislocation content of cell interiors and cell walls, with a consequent sharpening of the walls, (2) changes in the diffuseness of the initial cells into elongated cells or checkerboard cells, without change in cell size, and (3) enlargement of the cell size and development of typical fatigue cells as saturation was attained. The cyclic creep behavior is interpreted by the Bauschinger effect and by back stresses from dislocation clusters having excess dislocations of similar sign. The softening behavior is associated with mutual annihilation of dislocations paired with respect to sign, and rearrangements of the residual dislocations into low energy structures.
Magnetic studies of Ti3O5

Abstract A magnetic study has been carried out on Ti3O5. The magnetic susceptibility shows a semiconductor-to-metal transition at about 187°C. An ESR investigation indicates a hyperfine splitting which is intrepreted as supporting cation-cation interaction in the semiconductor phase.
Cell-free assembly of a polyoma-like particle from empty capsids and DNA

A polyoma-like particle (PLP) is formed when polyoma DNA and purified empty capsids are incubated in a cell-free system. The DNA of this new particle is protected against the action of pancreatic DNase. The density of the purified PLP in CsCl is 1.32 g/cm3, which is intermediate between that of polyoma virions (1.34 g/cm3) and empty capsids (1.29 g/cm3). Purified PLP sediments at 190 S in sucrose and is stable in solutions of high ionic strength. When the DNA is extracted from PLP by the use of detergent and phenol, it is found to be doublestranded with a molecular weight of approximately 1.1 x 10(6). The particles are stable in CsCl at 4 degrees for at least 5 months. Electron micrographs indicate that highly purified PLPs stained with 2% PTA have the same appearance as polyoma capsids. Neither aggregates nor complexes bound by loose ionic bonds appear reasonable to explain these results. The evidence indicates that the DNA of this new polyoma-like particle, made under cell-free conditions, is protected by the capsid.
HLH transcription factor activity in osteogenic cells.

To examine possible mechanisms underlying osteoblast differentiation from mesenchymal stem cells, we investigated bHLH functional activity in cell lines representing different stages of osteoblast maturation. Interaction of nuclear proteins with oligonucleotides corresponding to various bHLH binding sequences (known as E-boxes) was determined in mobility shift assays. Both ADD-1 oligonucleotide, a binding site for transcription factor ADD-1, and OCE-1, an E-box from osteocalcin promoter, produced retarded bands after incubation with nuclear extracts from osteogenic cells. Cells at different stages of osteogenic maturation demonstrated similar patterns and intensity of binding, as did cells treated with different osteogenic inducers. Binding to ADD-1 and OCE-1 was not tissue-specific as it was also observed in fibroblastic 10T1/2 cells. MEF-1 oligonucleotide, the E-box sequence from the muscle creatine kinase enhancer, demonstrated no changes in binding with nuclear extracts from moderately differentiated (W-20) or relatively mature (ROS 17/2.8) cells under any conditions tested. However, in poorly differentiated R1-2J cells, which do not express osteogenic markers unless treated with dexamethasone, induction of differentiation was reflected in transient inhibition of binding to MEF-1. Inhibition of binding was not seen under differentiation-restrictive conditions. Promoter-reporter studies also demonstrated inhibition of MEF-1 driven CAT expression by dexamethasone under differentiation-permissive conditions in R1-2J cells. These data suggest that bHLH gene expression is not required for the early steps of osteogenesis; moreover, inhibition of bHLH protein binding to a MEF1-type E box might be an integral part of osteogenic commitment. J. Cell. Biochem. 65:1–10. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Membrane effects during filtering investigation of membrane effects during filtering of natural surface waters in Missouri

Previous work has demonstrated that suspended clay accumulating on filter paper can act as a membrane and affect chemical concentrations in the filtered water. For this reason, we looked at the possibility of membrane effects altering water chemistry during filtering for Missouri Rivers. Membrane effects during filtering could cause an initial decrease in sample concentrations as the filter cake began acting as a membrane, with a corresponding increase of concentration as the concentration polarization layer was formed behind the filter cake. Samples from five Missouri rivers were tested: the Mississippi River at St. Louis, the Missouri River at Kansas City, the Gasconade River at Jerome, the Osage River at the junction of Highway 63 and 50, and the Meramec River one mile downstream from springs. Three 1-l samples were filtered from each river using a 0.45 \(\mu\)m filter. An unfiltered sample from each river underwent dialysis to determine the actual ion concentrations of the overall sample. None of the filtered samples demonstrated a statistically significant alteration of water chemistry using current filtering techniques in this preliminary study, suggesting that membrane effects due to accumulation of clay particles on filter paper may not be a common problem in Missouri and similar regions.
Automation of protein purification for structural genomics.

A critical issue in structural genomics, and in structural biology in general, is the availability of high-quality samples. The additional challenge in structural genomics is the need to produce high numbers of proteins with low sequence similarities and poorly characterized or unknown properties. ‘Structural-biology-grade’ proteins must be generated in a quantity and quality suitable for structure determination experiments using X-ray crystallography or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The choice of protein purification and handling procedures plays a critical role in obtaining high-quality protein samples. The purification procedure must yield a homogeneous protein and must be highly reproducible in order to supply milligram quantities of protein and/or its derivative containing marker atom(s). At the Midwest Center for Structural Genomics we have developed protocols for high-throughput protein purification. These protocols have been implemented on AKTA EXPLORER 3D and AKTA FPLC 3D workstations capable of performing multidimensional chromatography. The automated chromatography has been successfully applied to many soluble proteins of microbial origin. Various MCSG purification strategies, their implementation, and their success rates are discussed in this paper.
ELECTROCUTION OF A CARIBOU HERD CAUSED BY LIGHTNING IN CENTRAL ALASKA

Fifty-three caribou (Rangifer tarandus) were electrocuted by lightning in the Alaska Range in early June 1972. A giant Lichtenberg pattern, found engraved onto the Arctc tundra terrain at the kill site, is described. It is estimated that an event of this type would be expected to occur in Alaska at a frequency of once every several decades.