cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A reconstructed metastasis model to recapitulate the metastatic spread in vitro

Metastasis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality from solid tumors. Lack of comprehensive systems to study the progression of metastasis contributes to the low success of treatment. We developed a novel three-dimensional in vitro reconstructed metastasis (rMet) model that incorporates extracellular matrix (ECM) elements characteristic of the primary (breast, prostate, or lung) and metastatic (bone marrow, BM) sites. A cytokine-rich liquid interphase separates the primary and distant sites, further recapitulating circulation. Similar to main events underlying the metastatic cascade, the rMet model fractionated human tumor cell lines into sub-populations with distinct invasive and migratory abilities: (i) a primary tumor-like fraction mainly consisting of non-migratory spheroids; (ii) an invasive fraction that invaded through the primary tumor ECM, but failed to acquire anchorage-independence and reach the BM; and (iii) a highly migratory BM-colonizing population that invaded the primary ECM, survived in the "circulation-like" media, and successfully invaded and proliferated within BM ECM. BM-colonizing fractions successfully established metastatic bone lesions in vivo, whereas the tumor-like spheroids failed to engraft the bones, showing the ability of the rMet model to faithfully select for highly aggressive sub-populations with a propensity to colonize a metastatic site. By applying the rMet model to study real-time ECM remodeling, we show that tumor cells secrete collagenolytic enzymes for invading the primary site ECM but not for entering the BM ECM, indicating possible differences in ECM remodeling mechanisms at primary tumor versus metastatic sites.
Built-in self test methodology for diagnosis of backend wearout mechanisms in SRAM cells

In this paper we present a Built-In Self Test (BIST) methodology for diagnosis of backend time-dependent dielectric breakdown (BTDDB), via voiding due to electromigration (EM), and stress-induced voiding (SIV) in SRAM cells. Our built-in self test methodology consists of two test procedures. First, faulty cells suffering from wearout mechanisms in the SRAM system are isolated. Then, these faulty cells are tested to determine the cause of wearout.
Accumulation, localization, and compartmentation of transforming growth factor beta during endochondral bone development.

Endochondral bone formation was induced in postnatal rats by implantation of demineralized rat bone matrix. Corresponding control tissue was generated by implanting inactive extracted bone matrix, which did not induce bone formation. At various times, implants were removed and sequentially extracted with guanidine hydrochloride, and then EDTA and guanidine hydrochloride. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) in the extracts was quantitated by a radioreceptor assay. TGF beta was present in demineralized bone matrix before implantation, and the concentration had decreased by 1 d after implantation. Thereafter, TGF beta was undetectable by radioreceptor assay until day 9. From day 9-21 the TGF beta was extracted only after EDTA demineralization, indicating tight association with the mineralized matrix. During this time, the content of TGF beta per milligram soluble protein rose steadily and remained high through day 21. This increased concentration correlated with the onset of vascularization and calcification of cartilage. TGF beta was detected only between days 3-9 in the controls; i.e., non-bone-forming implants. Immunolocalization of TGF beta in bone-forming implants revealed staining of inflammatory cells at early times, followed later by staining of chondrocytes in calcifying cartilage and staining of osteoblasts. The most intense staining of TGF beta was found in calcified cartilage and mineralized bone matrix, again indicating preferential compartmentalization of TGF beta in the mineral phase. In contrast to the delayed expression of TGF beta protein, northern blot analysis showed TGF beta mRNA in implants throughout the sequence of bone formation. The time-dependent accumulation of TGF beta when cartilage is being replaced by bone in this in vivo model of bone formation suggests that TGF beta may play a role in the regulation of ossification during endochondral bone development.
A newly characterized human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line (CAC-1) differentiates in response to retinoic acid treatment

A new cell line of poorly differentiated human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells termed "CAC-1" cells has been established. These cells are epithelial, as indicated by positive cytokeratin and negative vimentin staining. They are rounded and possess a high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio, desmosomes, surface microvilli, intercelular lumens, and pleomorphic nuclei containing multiple nucleoli. These cells have been in long-term culture for 2 years. Our previous studies demonstrated that moderately differentiated (RL95-2) cells differentiated in response to retinoic acid treatment, illustrated by their reorganization of actin filaments and cell enlargement (Carter et al., 1996; Anticancer Res. 16, 17-24). CAC-1 cells exhibited a similar response because they also organized actin filaments and enlarged in response to retinoic acid treatment. Concurrently, retinoic acid treatment caused a 40% decrease in cell detachment in an in vitro detachment assay compared to controls. A slight lag in cell growth was observed when CAC-1 cells were treated with 1 microM 13-cis or all-trans retinoic acid during a 12-day growth curve. In addition, we examined the effects of retinoic acid on protein kinase C-alpha (PKC-alpha) and myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS). Treatment with retinoic acid caused cytoplasmic PKC-alpha to increase concomitant with a decrease in PKC-alpha in the membrane. In contrast, MARCKS increased in the membrane in response to retinoic acid treatment. These data indicate that retinoid treatment causes inactivation of PKC-alpha, allowing MARCKS to relocalize to the membrane, where it can cross-link actin filaments. CAC-1 cells represent an ideal model for investigating the effects of retinoids on differentiation induction concomitant with actin reorganization.
The pattern and kinetics in human skin of erythema and mediators during the acute and late-phase response (LPR).

To investigate the kinetics and pattern of allergenically induced mediator release in the human skin, we have studied 24 ragweed- and grass-allergic patients with a blister-chamber technique. Chambers sealed to the skin around a denuded area, formed by unroofing a blister, were challenged with 0.5 ml of either diluent or 10 or 100 times the concentration of allergen required for 4+ early intradermal reaction. Chamber fluids were removed hourly 1 to 8 hours after antigen challenge and examined for the presence of histamine, leukotriene C4 (LTC4), and prostaglandin D2 to compare inflammatory mediator levels with the clinical early response and late-phase response (LPR), as assessed by erythema around the chamber. An initial erythema developed rapidly and began to subside after 1 hour in all patients, but a late-phase local erythema and subcutaneous swelling around the chamber (i.e., greater than 2.5 cm, the outside diameter of the chamber) developed in 13/15 challenges only when the higher concentration of antigen was used. At both allergen concentrations, histamine levels peaked sharply at the first hour (20.6 +/- 2.3 ng/ml) and progressively declined during the next 4 hours by 75%, but remained above control levels for at least 7 hours. Despite high control values, LTC4 levels were significantly elevated (p less than 0.01) 4 to 6 hours after challenge. In visible reactions, maximal LPR around the chamber correlated with LTC4 levels obtained 6 and 7 hours after challenge (p less than 0.05). Prostaglandin D2 rose gradually in antigen-challenged chambers to a peak at 5 to 6 hours. Thus, early rises in histamine were temporally related to the immediate erythema, whereas the arachidonic acid metabolites from both cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways that appeared in the skin after allergen challenge followed kinetics that corresponded to the time course of cutaneous LPR.
Crime control teams: An alternative to the conventional operational procedure of investigating crimes

Abstract Crime control teams (CCT) have been operational in Syracuse, New York, since 1968. The CCT concept of policing places the responsibility of disposing of criminal incidents on a single individual—the CCT officer assigned the initial complaint. The effectiveness of this method of crime investigation, as measured by clearance rate, is compared with the effectiveness of the conventional method in which the responsibility is shared by the patrol officer and the investigator. Specific strategies responsible for the difference in effectiveness are also discussed.
TLR3: a receptor that recognizes cell injury is essential for permeability barrier homeostasis following UV irradiation

The cutaneous permeability barrier is essential for life and perturbations in this barrier are repaired rapidly. After minimal injury to the stratum corneum alterations in the calcium concentration in the outer epidermis are the primary signal inducing this repair response. In this issue, studies demonstrate that Toll-like receptor 3 has an important role in signaling permeability barrier repair following injury induced by UVB irradiation.
Manganese toxicity in yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) seedlings

Manganese supply in nutrient solution was optimum at 5.0 ppm forBetula alleghaniensis seedlings. Growth was retarded below 0.005 ppm and above 25 ppm supply. Foliar Mn concentrations were deficient below 60 ppm, optimum at 440 ppm, and toxic above 1300 ppm. Chloroses of young leaves were associated with deficient Mn, and marginal necroses plus interveinal necrotic spots on older leaves were characteristic of toxic Mn. The results withB. alleghaniensis correspond well to those reported forB. verrucosa.
Persistent E-cadherin expression in inflammatory breast cancer.

E-cadherin is a transmembrane glycoprotein that mediates epithelial cell-to-cell adhesion. Because loss of E-cadherin expression results in disruption of cellular clusters, it has been postulated that E-cadherin functions as a tumor suppressor protein. The role of E-cadherin in inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), a distinct and highly aggressive form of breast cancer, is largely unknown. The aim of our study was to elucidate whether E-cadherin expression contributes to the development and progression of the IBC phenotype and to investigate any differences in E-cadherin expression between IBC and stage-matched non-IBC. Forty-two breast cancer cases (20 IBC and 22 non-IBC) were identified. Strict and well-accepted criteria were used for the diagnosis of IBC. Clinical and pathologic features were studied, and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections were immunostained for E-cadherin, estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR, respectively), and HER2/neu. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test. All IBC uniformly expressed E-cadherin, whereas 15 of the 22 (68%) of the non-IBC expressed the protein (P = .006). Intralymphatic tumor emboli in the IBC cases were also all E-cadherin positive. Two IBC tumors demonstrated invasive lobular histology, and both cases were positive for E-cadherin. Of the non-IBC cases, three were invasive lobular carcinomas, and all were positive for E-cadherin. No association was found between E-cadherin expression and ER, PR status, or HER2/neu overexpression. Our study demonstrates that there is a strong association between E-cadherin expression and IBC and suggests that E-cadherin may be involved in the pathogenesis of this form of advanced breast cancer. In our study, we demonstrate that circulating IBC tumor cells strongly express E-cadherin, thereby providing an important exception to the positive association between E-cadherin loss and poor prognosis in breast cancer.
Optical phenomena at a silver surface with siibmicroscopic bumps

We present results of optical measurements that yield clear evidence of localized-plasmon resonances of uniformly sized, submicroscopic structures on a continuous metal surface. Reflectance and inelastic-light-scattering spectra were measured for a silver surface that has randomly located projections, or “bumps,” 60 nm high and 60 nm wide. The reflectance spectra exhibit two absorption bands corresponding to localized plasmons of the silver bumps, which oscillate in directions parallel and perpendicular to the surface. Addition of Rhodamine-dye molecules to the surface yields marked changes in the reflectance spectra. The intensities of the luminescence and the Raman scattering from the dye layer at the surface increase in approximate proportion to the number density of bumps, confirming the role of these bumps as signal amplifiers in the enhancements of the inelastically scattered light. The intensity and the shape of the luminescence spectra depend on the incident and emitted polarizations in a manner that can be qualitatively understood in terms of the polarization dependence of the localized plasmons.
NMDA receptor antagonists block the effects of light on circadian behavior in the mouse.

We report here the results of experiments designed to evaluate whether NMDA receptors mediate the phase shifting effects of light on the circadian rhythm of wheel-running activity in mice. Intraperitoneal administration of either the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,b]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate (MK-801), or the competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, 3(2-car☐ypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphomic acid (CPP) blocked light-induced phase and delays. Neither drug, by itself, caused any consistent effect on the phase of the rhythm. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the effects of MK-801 on light-induced phase shifts in a retinally degenerate and retinally normal strain of C57 mouse. These data, coupled with previous findings, indicate that excitatory amino acid receptors play an important role in the transmission of light information the retina to the circadian system.
Sardinero and Not a Can of Sardines Soccer and Spanish Ethnic Identities in New York City during the 1920s

Spaniards in New York City during the 1920s used soccer to create and maintain multiple notions of identities centered on supra-national, national, and regional affiliations. Success on the field a...
Comparison of tRNA Motions in the Free and Ribosomal Bound Structures

A general method is presented that allows the separation of the rigid body motions from the nonrigid body motions of structural subunits when bound in a complex. The application presented considers the motions of the tRNAs: free, bound to the ribosome and to a synthase. We observe that both the rigid body and nonrigid body motions of the structural subunits are highly controlled by the large ribosomal assembly and are important for the functional motions of the assembly. For the intact ribosome, its major parts, the 30S and the 50S subunits, are found to have counterrotational motions in the first few slowest modes, which are consistent with the experimentally observed ratchet motion. The tRNAs are found to have on average ∼72–75% rigid body motions and principally translational motions within the first 100 slow modes of the complex. Although the three tRNAs exhibit different apparent total motions, after the rigid body motions are removed, the remaining internal motions of all three tRNAs are essentially the same. The direction of the translational motions of the tRNAs are in the same direction as the requisite translocation step, especially in the first slowest mode. Surprisingly the small intrinsically flexible mRNA has all of its internal motions completely inhibited and shows mainly a rigid-body translation in the slow modes of the ribosome complex. On the other hand, the required nonrigid body motions of the tRNA during translocation reveal that the anticodon-stem-loop, as well as the acceptor arm, of the tRNA enjoy a large mobility but act as rigid structural units. In summary, the ribosome exerts its control by enforcing rigidity in the functional parts of the tRNAs as well as in the mRNA.
Structural Polymorphism of Poly(ethylene oxide)-Poly(propylene oxide) Block Copolymers in Nonaqueous Polar Solvents

The solution properties of water-soluble amphiphiles in nonaqueous polar solvents are important in the elucidation of the effects of solvent quality on self-assembly and also in practical applications where the use of water as a solvent is undesirable. We studied the self-assembly of a poly(ethylene oxide)−poly(propylene oxide) (PEO−PPO) block copolymer (Pluronic P105: EO37PO58EO37) in formamide (as selective solvent for the PEO block) and present here results on the binary concentration−temperature phase diagram and on the microstructure. In addition to formamide-rich and polymer-rich solution regions, four “gel” regions with different microstructures, stable over a wide temperature range (from 20 °C to more than 90 °C), have been identified and characterized by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The PEO−PPO block copolymer in formamide exhibits a thermoreversible transition from a micellar solution to a micellar cubic gel (of Pm3n crystallographic structure) at 25−35 wt % polymer concentrations. At h...
Phosphorus and Risk of Renal Failure in Subjects with Normal Renal Function

Abstract Purpose Whether higher serum phosphorus levels increase risk for kidney disease onset and progression to end-stage renal disease in those with normal renal function is largely unknown. We sought to determine whether higher serum phosphorus levels increase risk for end-stage renal disease within a large ethnically diverse population with normal kidney function. Methods A retrospective longitudinal cohort study was performed in the period January 1, 1998 through December 31, 2008 of adults within a vertically integrated health plan (3.4 million members). The primary objective was to determine risk of incident end-stage renal disease. Baseline and time-averaged phosphorus were used for Cox regressions analyses to calculate hazard ratios (HR) adjusting for age, sex, race, pre-existing hypertension, and diabetes. Results A total of 94,989 subjects were identified in the 11-year observation period. Mean age of the cohort was 50 years, with 61% female, 38% white, 14% black, and 25% Hispanic. Population-based phosphorus quartile ranges were 1.9-3.0 mg/dL, 3.1-3.4 mg/dL, 3.5-3.8 mg/dL, and 3.9-5.7 mg/dL. End-stage renal disease occurred in 130 (0.1%) subjects. Every 0.5-mg/dL phosphorus increase demonstrated an adjusted HR of 1.40 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.84) and HR for mortality of 1.09 (95% CI, 1.06-1.13). Adjusted HRs were 0.64 (95% CI, 0.37-1.11), 0.83 (95% CI, 0.50-1.39), and 1.48 (95% CI, 0.96-2.28) in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartile, respectively, compared with the first phosphorus quartile. Time-averaged serum phosphorus demonstrated a similar relationship across quartiles and as a continuous variable. Conclusion In our large, ethnically diverse cohort of non kidney disease subjects, higher serum phosphorus levels were associated with greater risk for end-stage renal disease and mortality.
Some physiological responses to anoxia in the great plains toad, Bufo cognatus.

Abstract 1. 1. Bufo cognatus subjected to anoxia exhibits bradycardia and arhythmicity of heart beat. 2. 2. Cutaneous vasolidation and skeletal muscle vasoconstriction were also observed. 3. 3. There was a reduction in the amount of hepatic glycogen accompanied by an increase in blood sugar and lactic acid levels. 4. 4. A shift to anaerobiosis with accompanying cardiovascular adjustments and a general lowering of metabolic rate would be adaptive to anurans encountering oxygen stress while diving or burrowing.
Race, Class, and Personal Income: An Empirical Test of the Declining Significance of Race Thesis, 1968-1988

This paper is an empirical test of the “declining significance of race” interpretation of the situation of blacks in the United States. Wilson (1980) argued that class has superseded race as the most important explanatory factor. Other scholars (e.g., Willie 1978) have claimed that race is still an important determinant of life chances for blacks, regardless of social class. This study tests both the “race” and “class” perspectives in regard to racial differences in personal income using data from the 1968 and 1988 Current Population Surveys (March). In both 1968 and 1988, significant differences in personal income between blacks and whites remained after controlling for social class and other demographic variables. However, there was a 5.5 percentage point reduction of the racial effect from 1968 to 1988. Contrary to the assumptions of the declining significance of race thesis, blacks with higher levels of education and occupational status were found to be worse off than less educated, lower status blacks when compared to similar whites. Continuing discrimination across class lines is offered as the best explanation of the findings.
Myocardial Reprogramming Medicine: The Development, Application, and Challenge of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be generated by reprogramming of adult/somatic cells. The somatic cell reprogramming technology offers a promising strategy for patient-specific cardiac regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and drug discovery. iPSCs are an ideal potential option for an autologous cell source, as compared to other stem/progenitor cells, because they can be propagated indefinitely and are able to generate a large number of functional cardiovascular cells. However, there are concerns about the specificity, efficiency, immunogenicity, and safety of iPSCs which are major challenges in current translational studies. In order to bring iPSC technology closer to clinical use, fundamental changes in this technique are required to ensure that therapeutic progenies are functional and nontumorigenic. It is therefore critical to understand and investigate the biology, genetic, and epigenetic mechanisms of iPSCs generation and differentiation. In this spotlight paper the discovery, history, and relative mechanisms of iPSC generation are summarized. The current technological improvements and potential applications are highlighted along with the important challenges and perspectives. Finally, emerging technologies are presented in which improvements to iPSC generation and differentiation approaches might warrant further investigation, such as integration-free approaches, direct reprogramming, and the development of iPSC banking.
Thromboxane A2 mimetic, U46,619, and slowly adapting stretch receptor activity in the rabbit.

Abstract The effect of infusing the thromboxane A 2 mimetic U46,619 on afferent activity from slowly adapting airway stretch receptors (SARs) in the anesthetized rabbit was examined in these experiments. SAR vagal afferent fibers ( n = 29) were identified by their slow adaptation to a sustained (10–15 s duration) lung inflation in the closed-chest, mechanically ventilated animal ( n = 16). Intravenous infusion of U46,619 increased the discharge frequency of the SAR, measured at the end of inspiration, in a dose-dependent manner: by 6.6% and 8.0% at doses of 0.1 and 0.5 μg of U46,619/kg, respectively. This increase in SAR activity was correlated with increases in end-inspiratory tracheal airway pressure (6.4% at 0.1 μg/kg and 9.1% at 0.5 μg/kg). Higher doses of U46,619 could not be administered due to decreases in systemic arterial blood pressure. The increase in SAR activity and tracheal airway pressure was qualitatively comparable to the response to histamine (25 μg/kg), a known bronchoconstrictor. We conclude that intravenous infusion of U46,619 in the anesthetized rabbit at doses that elicit significant hemodynamic effects causes modest bronchoconstriction and comparable increases (less than 10%) in SAR afferent nerve activity. From these data, it appears that U46,619 has no direct effect on SARs, but rather increases SAR activity due to bronchoconstriction.
Rapid screening for cell surface binding monoclonal antibodies.

A procedure is described which allows for rapid detection of cell surface binding or cytoskeleton binding monoclonal antibodies. At the same time this procedure ensures that selected antibodies will be useful in Western blot analysis. This procedure including the cytochemistry and Western blot analysis requires only 100 μl of supernatant and can be done directly from the original 96 well plates into which the fusion was plated. One person can easily assay several hundred supernatants in one day for the ability to stain both cells and selected proteins in Western blot analysis.
The impact of skewness in the hedging decision

The impact of skewness in the hedger's objective function is tested using a model of hedging derived from a third-order Taylor Series approximation of expected utility. To determine the effect of price skewness upon hedging and speculation, analytical results are derived using an example of cotton storage. Findings suggest that when forward risk premiums and price skewness in the spot asset have opposite signs, speculation increases relative to the mean-variance model. When the signs are identical, speculation will decrease, contradicting findings of mean-variance models. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 26:503–520, 2006
A theory of elementary couplings III

Abstract Some recent attempts at constructing a detailed dynamical theory (“compensation theory”) of strong interactions are revised, extended, and systematized. It is hoped that this article, which aims at being self-contained, may serve as an introduction to the subject.
The Influence of N-Ion Irradiation on Superconducting TiN

The influence of disorder on the properties of the B1 phase superconductive compound titanium nitride has been investigated. Following synthesis and characterization of thin films of TiN, the materials were disordered progressively and uniformly by irradiation with nitrogen ions. The superconducting transition temperature T/sub c/ decreased and the low temperature electrical resistivity rho increased as lattice damage was introduced. The dependence of both T/sub c/ and rho on N-ion fluence phi could be described by exponentially saturating functions of phi with similar rate constants. These constants correspond to characteristic damage energy densities of 14 and 12 eV/atom, respectively.
Adjacencies Between the Cycles of a Shift Register with Characteristic Polynomial (1 + x) n

It is shown that the set of cycles of a linear feedback shift register with characteristic polynomial (1 + x)n are at most doubly adjacent.
Ground conductivity considerations

During 1964, RCA developed the H/I conductivity measurement technique as the most appropriate method of determining the effective earth conductivity for the siting of an ELF transmitting system. In the fall of 1964 and the summer of 1965 and 1966, measurements by this technique were carried out at 43 different locations in Northern Wisconsin and Northeast Minnesota. Most of these locations were in the area where the geology was indicative of low conductivity or in areas adjacent to the indicated low conductivity area to determine if the region of low conductivity extended beyond the geological boundary. The measurements indicated a high degree of correlation between low conductivity and those areas for which the surface geology projects a shield area of Pre-Cambrian origin. Twenty-seven sample measurements within the shield area of Northern Wisconsin give an effective value of conductivity of 1.6 \times 10^{-4} mhos/m at 78 Hz with upper and lower standard deviation limits of 1.9 \times 10^{-4} and 1.25 \times 10^{-4} mhos/m, respectively. 1968 measurements along the Test Facility lines give values in agreement with the above.
Visual analytics of inherently noisy crowdsourced data on ultra high resolution displays

The increasing prevalence of distributed human microtasking, crowdsourcing, has followed the exponential increase in data collection capabilities. The large scale and distributed nature of these microtasks produce overwhelming amounts of information that is inherently noisy due to the nature of human input. Furthermore, these inputs create a constantly changing dataset with additional information added on a daily basis. Methods to quickly visualize, filter, and understand this information over temporal and geospatial constraints is key to the success of crowdsourcing. This paper present novel methods to visually analyze geospatial data collected through crowdsourcing on top of remote sensing satellite imagery. An ultra high resolution tiled display system is used to explore the relationship between human and satellite remote sensing data at scale. A case study is provided that evaluates the presented technique in the context of an archaeological field expedition. A team in the field communicated in real-time with and was guided by researchers in the remote visual analytics laboratory, swiftly sifting through incoming crowdsourced data to identify target locations that were identified as viable archaeological sites.
The design and utilization of a microprocessor-controlled absolute spectral response system☆

Abstract A fully automated spectral response system for solar cells has been developed and utilized in the study of CdS/Cu2S and Zn3P2 solar cells. Four types of measurements were carried out: (1) spectral response under bias light conditions to study the effects of light intensity and spectral content on cell response; (2) spectral response on thick absorbing layers to determine their diffusion length and absorption coefficient; (3) spectral response beyond the intrinsic absorption region to determine the internal photoemission barrier height, (4) the response at a given wavelength as a function of the voltage bias and light bias on the cell to determine the voltage dependence of the light-generated current and its effect upon the fill factor of the cell.
New methods for severe plastic deformation processing

Several new concepts for possible methods of severe plastic deformation (SPD) of bulk quantities of materials are presented. The first of these are variations of equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) in which the conventional fixed die is replaced by rotating tools, for the inner die corner, the outer die corner, or both corners. Other methods share some characteristics of ECAE in that they use shearing strains to deform the material; these are reversed shear spinning and transverse rolling. Deformation sequences for a cylindrical or annular workpiece that deform the workpiece while eventually restoring the initial workpiece geometry can be performed by numerous processes. These techniques can be used to accumulate high strains by repeated deformation cycles. These methods offer possible alternatives to ECAE and high-pressure torsion, with potential benefits that include different and larger workpiece geometries, simplified tooling design, lower tooling loads, ease of lubrication, automated or reduced part handling, and, in some cases, potentially continuous operation. It is hoped that these suggestions will prompt new examination of alternative methods for SPD.
A case of thoracopagus: conjoined twins.

A detailed anatomical description of a thoracopagus is presented. The complex venous anomalies were unique in combining absence of the inferior vena cava of one twin with drainage into an atrium of the other twin of its inferior vena cava with all the hepatic veins from the common liver. The other atrium received the entire venous drainage from the upper extremities of both infants.
Large-scale Hydrodynamic Brownian Simulations on Multicore and GPU Architectures

We present here ongoing work to produce an implementation of Brownian dynamics simulation using a matrix-free method with hardware accelerators. This work describes the GPU acceleration of a smooth particle-mesh Ewald (SPME) algorithm which is used for the main part of the computation, previously ported to run on Intel Xeon Phi.
EXPANDED MODEL FOR THE AEROBIC GROWTH OF AEROMONAS HYDROPHILA

The previously published (Palumbo et al. 1991) response surface model for describing the influence of temperature, pH, NaCl, and sodium nitrite on the aerobic growth of Aeromonas hydrophila K144 in BHI broth has been expanded to incorporate additional data. The effects of the variables on A. hydrophila aerobic growth kinetics were modeled by response surface analysis using quadratic and cubic polynomial models of (1) natural logarithm transformation of both the Gompertz B and M parameters and the lag phase duration (LPD) and generation time (GT), and (2) the square root transformation of B and 1/M calculated from 268 cultures (212 of which supported growth) from 81 variable combinations. In addition, the six models generated also were subjected to backward elimination regression analysis to remove nonsignificant variables. Based on examination of the adjusted R 2 values of the resulting 12 models, three were selected for further evaluation by comparing their observed and predicted T 1000 -values (time for a 1000-fold increase in number; this concept incorporates the influence of the variables on both lag and generation times), LPDs and GTs. Using this method of comparison and evaluation, models based on cubic polynomial, natural logarithm transformation of GT and LPD gave the best first estimates of the aerobic growth characteristics of A. hydrophila.
Erosion of SiC-reinforced alumina ceramic composites

Abstract The erosion behaviour of SiC-reinforced alumina-matrix composites containing up to 25 weight % SiC fibres was investigated for a range of erodent particle sizes, velocities and impact angles. Additions of SiC fibres can provide a substantial improvement in the erosion resistance of the base alumina. The basic trends in the data can be explained using existing erosion models, but with suitable modifications to account for the effect of crack-closing pressure due to fibre pull-out on lateral crack propagation.
EFFECTS OF THALLIUM ION ON CELLULAR COMPONENTS OF THE SKIN

Thallium salts have been employed by dermatologists to cause depilation, and dermatologic features are prominent in thallium overdose. These features include alopecia and follicular hyperkeratosis. Administration of thallium to pregnant animals results in limb deformities, similar to those seen after thalidomide embryopathy. These findings suggest that thallium may act on keratinocytes, melanocytes, and endothelial cells. We show that thallium exerts pleiotropic effects on proliferation, cell shape and motility of multiple cell types. These findings may help explain the clinical findings of thallotoxicosis.
Neutron detection with glass scintillators

Abstract A systematic study is made of the characteristics for neutron detection of boron- and lithium-containing glass scintillators. The results of measurements of the optical transmission, the pulse-height distribution, and the time dependence of scintillation intensity are presented. A careful study of the pulse-height distributions for thermal neutrons shows that a major part of the width of the distributions can be accounted for in terms of well-understood statistical fluctuations. Problems associated with the application of the scintillators are considered, with special emphasis on application to time-of-flight neutron spectroscopy. As part of these considerations, a Monte Carlo calculation is performed to obtain a complete understanding of the time uncertainties involved in the capture of neutrons in the scintillators. It is concluded that the lithium glass in an excellent detector of neutrons when large uncertainties in time ( > 0.3 >sec) can be tolerated, the boron glass excels when intermediate accuracy (≈ 30 nsec) in timing is required, but neither kind of glass is suitable for most experiments that require fast timing.
Enhanced survival to endotoxin in guinea pigs fed IV fish oil emulsion

Improved survival to endotoxin has been demonstrated in rats pretreated with cyclooxygenase inhibitors or made essential fatty acid deficient, implying that excessive ω6 fatty acids, possibly through their eicosanoid products, contribute to mortality. Following endotoxin administration, we also have shown improvement in survival with oral diets supplemented with fish oil. This study sought to explore whether parenteral fish oil ameliorates the adverse impact of endotoxin.
Context and individualism: Critical issues for contextualist counsellors

Constructivist and interactionist models have been heralded as part of a new contextualist trend for counselling. They were developed in reaction to traditional organismic agestage theories of development which neglected important environmental influences. This paper will show that these new approaches are limited in the same way that the earlier developmental theories are: that they absolve and discourage looking at destructive social circumstances and arrangements that lead to problems that get defined in individualistic terms. Thoughtful attention to the concepts of “context” and “individualism” is essential to establishing the criteria that a more adequate contextual theory must satisfy.
Risk assessment of transportation systems with network functionality losses

The objective of this paper is to present a seismic risk assessment model for transportation network systems that includes the hazard exposure from ground shaking, liquefaction and landslides. Previous studies consider the risk from physical damage and loss of functionality of the network system due to a single scenario earthquake. The current paper extends these methods to include all possible events for complete risk curve estimation. Functionality loss is presented in terms of lack of connectivity, reduction in traffic flow and increase in travel time or length. The risk is provided in terms of the annual rate of exceeding monetary loss. The model is applied to the transportation network of five counties in the San Francisco Bay Area. The annual risk curve is generated based on the rate of occurrence of possible events and their corresponding loss. The loss due to commuter traffic delay is found to be higher than that from bridges damage.
Discussion of "Predictive Comparison of Joint Longitudinal-Survival Modeling: A Case Study Illustrating Competing Approaches", by Hanson, Branscum and Johnson

The article by Hanson, Branscum and Johnson (HBJ) on “Predictive Comparison of Joint Longitudinal-Survival Modeling: A Case Study Illustrating Competing Approaches” represents an interesting case study exploring the use of various forms of joint models on a specific dataset. The “classical” joint model, first proposed by Faucett and Thomas (1996), had a relatively simple mixed model for the single longitudinal variable and a time-dependent proportional hazards model for the event time. Since that time, this basic model has been extended and generalized in many ways. In the current paper HBJ strive to consider joint models that are flexible andmore non-parametric. They consider splines for the longitudinal model, consider various departures from proportional hazards and have an elegant representation of the baseline survival function usingmixtures of Polya trees. This is a nice addition to the literature on joint models. I also really appreciate the fact that HBJ showed actual longitudinal data for quite a number of fruit flies. I found these graphs very useful for trying to understand what is going on with these data, and in some sense more illuminating than the LPML values in Table 1. Another nice feature of the article is that lots of different models are fit and explicit comparisons made, something that is frequently not done by authors when they suggest new methods. The main point of their paper is that even with these fancier and more flexible models the fit to a specific set of data is not necessarily any better than something much simpler. To make this point HBJ consider a specific dataset and a specific metric for assessing the fit of the model. While it is technically possible to fit a joint model for any longitudinal variable that changes over time, it would probably not make sense if the covariate was external,
Towards a Tool for Measuring Student Role Mastery

The role of “college student” is an uncertain one for all freshmen, but some students come into the education system not sharing the common understanding of how to best enact that role. This study will look at new ways of measuring expertise in, and mastery of the role of college student. I will explore the possibility of using Cultural Consensus as a measuring rod of how well entering students understand this role. Finding such a tool can be of use both in predicting success and in developing specific interventions for those who might otherwise drop out of school.
Linear-time transitive orientation

The transitive orientation problem is the problem of assigning a direction to each edge of a graph so that the resulting digraph is transitive. A graph is a comparability graph if such an assignment is possible. We describe an O(n + m) algorithm for the transitive orientation problem, where n and m are the number of vertices and edges of the graph; full details are given in. This gives linear time bounds for maximum clique and minimum vertex coloring on comparability graphs, recognition of two-dimensional partial orders, permutation graphs, cointerval graphs, and triangulated comparability graphs, and other combinatorial problems on comparability graphs and their complements.
A Cell-Free Translation–Translocation System Reconstituted with Subcellular Fractions from the Wall-less Variantfz;sg;os-1VofNeurospora crassa

Abstract A translation–translocation system reconstituted with subcellular fractions from the wall-less variantfz;sg;os-1VofNeurospora crassareproducesin vitrotranslocation and processing of a secretory protein. The translation extract was isolated from the wall-less variant by gently lysing cells by a freeze–thaw procedure. This method yielded more extract then the method developed previously (R. Addison,J. Biol. Chem.262:17031, 1987) as well as reducing microsomal contamination. The microsomal fraction was isolated from lysed cells using a series of discontinuous sucrose gradients. The resultant microsomes were less inhibitory to translation of various transcripts and consisted of a more homogenous mixture of vesicles then microsomes prepared previously. Polyclonal antibodies directed against a polypeptide of approximately 75 kDa from the microsomes were used in indirect-immunofluorescence microscopy. The resultant fluorescent pattern shows a network of tubulo-reticular structures in a juxtanuclear region, which is the pattern expected of the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
Risk as Value: A Switch of Set Hypothesis

Advisers are expected to be cautious. Typical instructions in research on risky shift induce the adviser role. However, subjects may take the role of the story's hero when they can identify with the hero. It is acceptable for people to be daring when acting for themselves. This hypothesis of a switch of set predicts that subjects should consider themselves more risky than the majority of their peers, a way of expressing the value of risk, when they are similar to the story's hero. High school students rated themselves and the majority on stories dealing with situations common to their age group and on stories dealing with adult problems. Sex of hero was also manipulated. Results supported the hypothesis of a switch of set. Subjects displaced themselves more when the situation was similar to those they might face; in addition, subjects displaced themselves more when the story's hero was of their sex. No sex differences in general tendency to risky displacement were found.
Applications Of The Raman Microprobe In Semiconductor Device Manufacturing

The Raman microprobe "MOLE" (Instruments SA, Metuchen, NJ) allows one to obtain a Raman spectrum from a particle as small as one micron in diameter. The technique depends on the spectral analysis of light scattered from a monochromatically (laser) illuminated sample under a microscope; no vacuum is required, and in-situ analysis is usually possible, with minimal sample preparation. The Raman spectrum obtained from the sample, which may be organic or inorganic, gives molecular information which is useful for identification or quantitative analysis. A brief description of the method will be given, with advantages and disadvantages. Applications to various problems of semiconductor device manufacturing including contamination control, corrosion, silicon morphology, and packaging, will also be presented.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Ethanol: a better preservation technique for Daphnia

Plankton ecologists often kill and fix zooplankton specimens for future study. The standard protocol used by limnologists is a sucrose-formalin solution first recommended by Haney and Hall (1973). This solution is an aqueous solution of 4% formalin (final concentration) and 40 g of sucrose per liter. Commercially available formalin is a 37% by weight, or a 40% by volume, aqueous solution. Thus, a 4% formalin solution is a 1.5% formaldehyde solution. The 4% formalin solution was recommended because it reduced morphological distortion, even of soft animals like Daphnia, while taking advantage of fixation and preservation properties of formalin. Minimum distortion is particularly desirable in studies of size-selective predation or reproductive rates, in which eggs need to stay in the brood chamber of branchiopods. Whereas there are advantages of formalin fixation, there also exists significant human health concerns for formaldehyde exposure. Acute effects of exposure—The effects of greatest interest to limnologists are caused by inhalation and contact. The greatest acute exposure occurs during analysis of samples when the limnologist looks at plankton samples through a microscope, often for hours at a time. Labs are often poorly ventilated, leading to increased exposure through inhalation of formaldehyde vapors. This inhalation is highly irritating to the upper respiratory tract and eyes.
Frictional Response of Sliding Interfaces Subjected to Time Varying Normal Pressures

In the present investigation a plate-impact pressure shear loading device is employed to study frictional characteristics of sliding interfaces subjected to step changes in normal pressure. The present experimental configuration represents a significant improvement over the conventional tribology experiments by allowing the control of interfacial tractions through the use of pressure-shear loading waves instead of manipulating actuator motion. Moreover, the expermental configuration allows critical frictional parameters such as the applied normal pressure, the interfacial slip resistance, and the interfacial slip velocity to be interpreted by using the framework of one-dimensional plane wave analysis. The experimental results, deduced from the response to step changes imposed on the normal pressure at the frictional interface, reinforce the importance of including frictional memory in the development of the rate-dependent state variable friction models. The scope of the above experiments include technologically important combinations of workpiece materials such as 4340VAR structural steel and a commercially available titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V), and tool materials such as tungsten based tool cermets ( WC-Co alloys).
Sommerfeld integration path for double negative metamaterials

In this paper, we discussed mode spectrum of a grounded dielectric slab with DNG medium and its pole loci as the thickness or loss changes. They are more complicated than those of conventional DPS medium, and these complexities suggest a different Sommerfeld integral path for DNG medium.