cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Validity and Reliability of a Radiation Safety Culture Survey Instrument for Radiologic Technologists.

PURPOSE To design and evaluate a survey instrument to quantitatively examine radiologic technologists' perception of radiation safety culture. METHODS A survey instrument with determinants related to radiation actions and dimensions of radiation safety (RADS) was designed through a multisequential process involving content and scale validity and internal reliability. A 6-member panel evaluated content validity, and 425 radiologic technologists participated in the study to determine the reliability of the survey instrument items and determinant scales. RESULTS The 35-items in the survey instrument were found to be valid (content validity index = 0.995) and reliable (α = .94). In addition, 10 determinant scales also were found to be reliable (α = .70-.84). The scales included teamwork in imaging, teamwork across imaging stakeholders, questioning attitude, feedback loops, organizational learning, leadership actions, nonpunitive response, error reporting, radiation policy, and overall perception of radiation safety. DISCUSSION The survey instrument meets recommendations to have a quantitative tool to assess radiation safety culture perception and represents the first instrument of its kind for radiologic technologists. The survey instrument is intended to assess perception of radiation safety culture, but the tool should be paired with clinically relevant outcome data to assess the alignment between radiologic technologist perception and objective radiation safety-related performance indicators. CONCLUSION The RADS survey instrument is a reliable and valid tool to examine radiologic technologists' perceptions of radiation safety culture in medical imaging. Survey use and subsequent process improvement and leadership intervention for areas of deficiency can strengthen radiation safety culture in medical imaging.
A Wattsian Perspective on Life’s Ultimate Riddle: Paradoxes, Double-Binds, and Their Resolution:

Inquiring into the role that paradox and double-binds play within the work of Alan W. Watts, this essay addresses a quintessential theme in Watts’ philosophy: a twofold sense of ontological estrang...
New Frontiers of Multi-Network Mining: Recent Developments and Future Trend

Networks (i.e., graphs) are often collected from multiple sources and platforms, such as social networks extracted from multiple online platforms, team-specific collaboration networks within an organization, and inter-dependent infrastructure networks, etc. Such networks from different sources form the multi-networks, which can exhibit the unique patterns that are invisible if we mine the individual network separately. However, compared with single-network mining, multi-network mining is still under-explored due to its unique challenges. First ( multi-network models ), networks under different circumstances can be modeled into a variety of models. How to properly build multi-network models from the complex data? Second ( multi-network mining algorithms ), it is often nontrivial to either extend single-network mining algorithms to multi-networks or design new algorithms. How to develop effective and efficient mining algorithms on multi-networks? The objectives of this tutorial are to: (1) comprehensively review the existing multi-network models, (2) elaborate the techniques in multi-network mining with a special focus on recent advances, and (3) elucidate open challenges and future research directions. We believe this tutorial could be beneficial to various application domains, and attract researchers and practitioners from data mining as well as other interdisciplinary fields.
Gravitational Baryogenesis and Dark Matter from Light Black Holes

We study a scenario in which the baryon asymmetry is created through Hawking radiation from primordial black holes via a dynamically-generated chemical potential. This mechanism can also be used to generate the observed dark matter abundance, regardless of whether or not the black holes fully evaporate. In the case that evaporation ceases, the observed dark matter abundance is generically comprised of both relic black holes and an asymmetric dark matter component. We show that this two-component dark matter scenario can simultaneously account for the observed baryon asymmetry and the cosmological dark matter, a possibility which evades constraints on either individual candidate.
GNOM v1.0: An optimized steady-state model of the modern marine neodymium cycle

Abstract. Spatially distant sources of neodymium (Nd) to the ocean that carry different isotopic signatures (eNd) have been shown to trace out major water masses, and have thus been extensively used to study large-scale features of the ocean circulation both past and current. While the global marine Nd cycle is qualitatively well understood, a complete quantitative determination of all its components and mechanisms, such as the magnitude of its sources and the paradoxical conservative behavior of eNd, remains elusive. To make sense of the increasing collection of observational Nd and eNd data, we develop the global neodymium ocean model (GNOM) v1, the first inverse model of the global marine biogeochemical cycle of Nd. The GNOM is embedded in a data-constrained steady-state circulation that affords spectacular computational efficiency, which we leverage to estimate biogeochemical parameters via systematic objective optimization. Owing to its matrix representation, the GNOM model is additionally amenable to novel diagnostics that allow us to investigate open questions about the Nd cycle with unprecedented accuracy. The GNOM is open-source and freely accessible, is written in Julia, and its code is easily understandable and modifiable for further developments and experiments.
Supramolecular Detoxification of Neurotoxic Nanofibrils of Small Molecules via Morphological Switch

Insoluble amyloid plagues are likely cytoprotective, but the cellular mechanism remains less known. To model β-amyloid we use a small peptide derivative to generate cytotoxic nanofibrils that cause the death of model neuron cells (i.e., PC12). The use of supramolecular interaction effectively converts the nanofibrils to nanoparticles that are innocuous to cells. This approach also removes the cytotoxicity of the fibrils to other mammalian cells (e.g., HeLa). Preliminary mechanistic study reveals that, in contrast to the fibrils, the particles promote the expression of TNFR2, a cell survival signal, and decrease the expression of TNFR1 and DR5, two extrinsic cell death receptors. As the first use of ligand–receptor interaction to abrogate the cytotoxicity of nanoscale assemblies of small molecules, this work illustrates an effective way to use supramolecular interaction to control the morphology of supramolecular assemblies for modulating their biological activity.
A fast computation algorithm for the decision feedback equalizer in a magnetic recording channel

A novel fast algorithm for computing the decision feedback equalizer settings is proposed. The equalizer filters are computed indirectly, first by estimating the channel, and then computing the coefficients in the frequency domain with the discrete Fourier transform (DFT). Approximating the correlation matrices by circulant matrices facilitates the whole computation with very small performance loss. The performance of the fast algorithm is evaluated through simulation. Results of simulation show the superiority of the proposed scheme.
Transportable orbital tracking, telemetry and command system

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center has implemented an automated ground-based telemetry, command, and Doppler system. Its function is to support the low-earth-orbiting satellite and sounding rocket programs. This fully transportable system can be configured with the capability to provide unmanned satellite support for seven days or operator augmented automated sounding rocket launch and tracking support. An extensive overview of the evolutionary status and functional capabilities of such systems is provided. >
The reliability of molecular weight determinations by dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Forty proteins with polypeptide chains of well characterized molecular weights have been studied by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate following the procedure of Shapiro, Vinuela, and Maizel (Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 28, 815 (1967)). When the electrophoretic mobilities were plotted against the logarithm of the known polypeptide chain molecular weights, a smooth curve was obtained. The results show that the method can be used with great confidence to determine the molecular weights of polypeptide chains for a wide variety of proteins.
Discretionary Pricing and Tax Shifting

Utilizing the assumption that the demand function is not objectively known, the paper develops a pricing model of firm. The model, which emphasizes the discretionary nature of the firm's position a...
Considerations in the design of electron-beam-induced fusion reactor systems

Electrical power generation by controlled fusion may provide a partial solution to the world's long-term energy supply problem. Achievement of a fusion reaction requires the confinement of an extremely hot plasma for a time long enough to allow fuel burnup. Inertial confinement of the plasma may be possible through the use of tightly focused, relativistic electron beams to compress a deuterium-tritium (D-T) fuel pellet. A power balance analysis applied to a conceptual electron-beam fusion power plant indicates that energy gains of between 5 and 16 are required from the fuel pellet for economic feasibility. To deliver an average power of 100 MW(e), the reactor must operate at a pulse rate of approximately 35 Hz, assuming an electron-beam energy of 1 MJ per pulse. The use of a fusion-fission hybrid reactor substantially relaxes the pellet gain requirement, and allows break-even plant operation at near unit pellet gain. Calculations show that x rays and ions will comprise an important part of the total energy release (30 percent for a pellet gain of 7.9). The x-ray radiation has an approximate 350-eV blackbody spectrum. The energy of ions from the gold shell surrounding the D-T fuel lies between 100 and 500 keV. Consideration ofmore » the response of diode and first-wall materials to the incident x-ray and ion fluxes shows that wet walls of lithium or tin over niobium are not desirable, due to spallation or other stress wave damage, engineering complexity, and excessive materials usage and cost. A solid wall protected by a graphite cloth shield offers the maximum protection to the surrounding blanket structure.« less
Stem cells in gels

On 12 September 2014, a Japanese woman in her 70s became the first person to receive a transplant of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)–derived retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) cells. She likely will not be the last, as it seems plausible that the first major application of hiPSC-based therapies will be for macular diseases. Now that safety has been preliminarily established in one person, the next major barriers to cell replacement therapies—whether they involve cells of the eye, brain, heart, or pancreas—will be improving the survival and integration of donor cells. Ballios et al. developed an injectable hydrogel to help stem cells survive when implanted. Macular degeneration is a major cause of visual impairment in older adults, typically arising from atrophy of the RPE and loss of photoreceptors. hiPSCs can be coaxed to form RPE cells and then transplanted into the retina to improve vision in recipient animals. However, efficacy may be limited by the relatively low survival of RPE cells after transplant. In an effort to improve survival of retinal stem cell–derived RPEs following transplantation, Ballios et al . placed the cells within an injectable hyaluronan and methylcellulose (HAMC) hydrogel. The hydrogel-encased cells demonstrated better distribution, survival, and integration within the eye than control cells delivered without hydrogel, and were sufficient to improve visual outcomes in blind mice. The authors suggest that the HAMC hydrogel enhanced survival of mature rods by inhibiting CD44-mediated apoptosis. The HAMC hydrogel may have broad utility beyond the retina. The authors showed significant improvements in the motor deficits of stroke-injured mice treated with HAMC-injected neural stem cells, likely owing to improved survival of the transplanted cells. Moving forward, it will be exciting to test whether HAMC hydrogel is as efficacious in improving survival of hiPSC–derived donor cells, to help translate the many stem cell replacement therapies currently under development. B. G. Ballios et al ., A hyaluronan-based injectable hydrogel improves the survival and integration of stem cell progeny following transplantation. Stem Cell Rep. 10.1016/j.stemcr.2015.04.008 (2015). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.cell.com/stem-cell-reports/abstract/S2213-6711(15)00120-4
New Evidence of FBI “Disruption” Program

'J NCE again, striking proof of the U.S. rulers' hatred and deep fear of even minimal gains in the black freedom struggle has come to light. The new information is contained in previously-secret FBI disruption documents released in March of this year as part of a farreaching civil liberties suit. Filed in 1973 by the Socialist Workers party (SWP) and the Young Socialist Alliance (YSA), the suit seeks an end to all illegal government spying, harassment, and disruption. It is being handled by the Political Rights Defense Fund, a civil liberties group. The 3,100 pages of secret memos outline the FBI Cointelpro ("Counterintelligence program") operation against the socialists that began in 1961. At that time FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover, in motivating Cointelpro against the socialists, wrote in a memo that the SWP "has, over the past several years, been openly espousing its line on a local and national basis through running candidates for public office and strongly directing and/or supporting such causes as Castro's Cuba and integration problems arising in the South." The new memos present only the outlines of the FBI's operation against the socialists because many of the pages, like in other documents forced loose from the FBI, are
Hepatic and cerebral energy metabolism after neonatal canine alimentation.

Summary: Intrahepatic and intracerebral metabolic responses to neonatal fasting or enteric carbohydrate alimentation were investigated among newborn dogs. Pups were either fasted or given an intravenous glucose infusion (alimented) before an enteric feeding of physiologic quantities of either glucose or galactose. These pups were also compared to another group which was completely starved throughout the study period. Gastrointestinal carbohydrate feeding resulted in enhanced hepatic glycogen content among pups after a prior state of fasting. Though there were no differences of glycogen content between glucose or galactose feeding in this previously fasted group, combined intravenous glucose and enteric galactose administration produced the greatest effect on hepatic glycogen synthesis. Intrahepatic fructose 1, 6-diphosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate levels were increased among previously fasted pups fed enteric monosaccharides compared to completely starved control pups, whereas intrahepatic phosphoenolpyruvate and pyruvate levels were elevated after combined intravenous and enteric carbohydrate administration. Of greater interest was the observation that hepatic levels of ATP were significantly elevated among all groups given exogenous carbohydrates compared to the completely starved control group. In contrast to the augmented hepatic glycogen and ATP levels, there were no alterations of cerebral glycogen or ATP after alimentation. Nevertheless, cerebral pyruvate and/or phosphoenolpyruvate concentrations were elevated after enteric or combined intravenous and enteric alimentation compared to the totally starved control pups.
Transition to anomalous relaxation: Localization in a hierarchical potential

A model of classical relaxation in a one-dimensional potential with a hierarchical distribution of barriers is studied. The vanishing of an effective diffusion constant results in a transition of the low-lying states of the master equation from extended to localized, producing a transition from exponential to anomalous decay.
Particle simulation of ion heating in the ring current

Heating of heavy ions has been observed in the equatorial magnetosphere in GEOS 1 and 2 and ATS 6 data due to ion cyclotron waves generated by anisotropic hot ring current ions. A one-dimensional hybrid-Darwin code has been developed to study ion heating in the ring current. Here, a strong instability and heating of thermal ions is investigated in a plasma with a los cone distribution of hot ions. The linear growth rate calculation and particle simulations are conducted for cases with different loss cones and relative ion densities. The linear instability of the waves, the quasi-linear heating of cold ions and dependence on the thermal H(+)/He(+) density ratio are analyzed, as well as nonlinear parallel heating of thermal ions. Effects of thermal oxygen and hot oxygen are also studied.
Human serum immunoglobulin concentrations: prevalence of immunoglobulin deficiencies

Classical antibody deficiency syndromes, such as sex-linked aggammaglobulinemia, are rare and relatively homogeneous in presentation. In the present investigation an unselected group of 3,213 individuals from a community health study was examined in an attempt to estimate the prevalence of the commoner and largely unclassified examples of immunoglobulin deficiencies defined by the lower 2.5 per cent of the population. The prevalence of selective IgA deficiency (an isolated absence of IgA) was 0.097 per cent and that for selective IgM deficiency was 0.03 per cent. No isolated absence of IgG was found. In addition to these deficiency syndromes, concentrations of each of the immunoglobulins were found to be highly correlated to each other.
Gender Issues and Students' Perceptions of Instructors' Immediacy and Evaluation of Teaching and Course

This study reports on relationships between teachers' immediacy and students' evaluations of the course and teacher, and differences among these variables based on teachers' and students' gender. Analysis showed that for 197 undergraduate students (105 women and 92 men) immediacy, course evaluation, and evaluations of their teachers (104 men and 92 women) were positively correlated. There were no differences by gender for immediacy, but three gender differences were found—female instructors received higher teacher and course ratings than their male peers, and female students with male instructors rated the course lower than any other gender grouping.
Comparative Whole Genome Sequencing of Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Sequence Type 8 from Primary Care Clinics in a Texas Community

tudy Objective Our understanding of the molecular dynamics driving the community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) epidemic at the whole genome level is limited. We sought to assess the use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) to evaluate the genomic diversity and genotypic prediction of antimicrobial resistance of CA-MRSA isolates from patients in South Texas. Design Comparative whole genome sequencing. Isolates Thirteen clinical CA-MRSA isolates recovered from patients presenting with skin and soft tissue infections to nine primary care clinics in the South Texas Ambulatory Research Network between 2010 and 2013. Measurements and Main Results Comparative WGS was performed on the 13 MRSA sequence type 8 clinical isolates. We compared the resistome of genes encoding for antibiotic resistance with a phenotypically derived antibiogram using standard antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The strains differed by an average of 72 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) per isolate in the core genome compared with FPR3757 (USA300, reference strain). There were a total of 623 unique SNPs in the core genome (range 47–88 SNPs per isolate). We identified 19 nonsynonymous SNPs in genes encoding proven or putative S. aureus virulence determinants in the core genome. There was complete concordance between genotypic evidence for antimicrobial resistance and the phenotypically derived antibiogram. Conclusion Overall, although these CA-MRSA isolates were similar on the level of clonal type, clinical syndrome, and geographic area, the strains were diverse at the genome level. Furthermore, our findings provide important proof-of-concept information for using WGS as a potential front-end screening tool for antimicrobial resistance predictions.
Antisite defects in Inl−yGayAsl−xPx

Abstract The dependences on alloy compositions x and y are predicted for the deep energy levels of antisite defects in the quaternary alloys Inl−yGayAsl−xPx.
Beam confinement in periodic permanent magnet focusing klystrons

Abstract The confinement of a tightly bunched electron beam is studied in a periodic permanent magnet (PPM) focusing klystron. By analyzing the Hamiltonian dynamics of a train of collinear periodic point charges interacting with a conducting drift tube, an rf field, and an applied PPM focusing field, a space-charge limit is derived for the radial confinement of slightly bunched electron beams, and is shown to be significantly below the well-known Brillouin density limit for an unbunched beam. Several state-of-the-art PPM klystrons developed at SLAC are found to operate close to this limit, shedding some light on the origin of observed beam losses.
Importance of load cell sensitivity in determination of the load dependence of hardness in recording microhardness tests

The behaviour of microhardness under varying load was investigated with an apparatus which measured both load and diamond pyramid motion simultaneously. There have been several experiments with this type of apparatus, which are designed to measure the hardness under load of a material. This type of measurement eliminates the effect of elastic recovery after the diamond is removed from the sample. Two types of load-independent hardness have been proposed on the basis of studies performed on this type of apparatus. The first follows the theory of Tate stating that elastic recovery is responsible for the load dependence of hardness. The second, proposed by Froelichet al. states that the load dependence of hardness is due to surface forces. This investigation used an apparatus similar to that of Froehlichet al. The results indicated that the load-independent hardness of Froehlichet al. was an experimental artifice caused by late detection of the surface, leading to underestimation of the penetration and overestimation of the hardness. Hardness measured under load using the apparatus in the present project was found to be load dependent.
Oxygen consumption of the larvae of the decapod crustaceans, Emerita talpoida (say) and Libinia emarginata leach

Abstract 1. 1. The oxygen consumption ( V o 2 ) of laboratory reared Emerita talpoida and Libinia emarginata was measured at 5°C intervals (15–35°C). 2. 2. The V o 2 of E. talpoida larvae was twice that of similarly sized L. emarginata larvae. 3. 3. The maximum V o 2 for both species was at 25°C. but E. talpoida —older than stage III—had maximum rates at 30°C. 4. 4. E. talpoida cultured at 25 or 30°C had a similar V o 2 . 5. 5. Growth, but not molting, stopped at Stage VI zoea in E. talpoida but the V o 2 diminished after these molts.
NONPARALLEL THERMAL-INSTABILITY OF MIXED CONVECTION FLOW ON NONISOTHERMAL HORIZONTAL AND INCLINED FLAT PLATES

Abstract A linear theory based on the nonparallel flow model is employed to study the onset of longitudinal vortex instability of laminar mixed convection flow over horizontal and inclined flat plates with variable surface temperature, Tw(x) − T∞ = Axn. In the analysis, the streamwise dependence of the disturbance amplitude functions is taken into account. Neutral stability curves as well as the critical values for the parameter G ∗ = Gr ∗ x /Re x ∗ 3 2 and wave number α ∗ are presented for Prandtl numbers Pr = 0.7, 7, 100, and 1000 over a range of the exponent values −0.5 ⩽ n ⩽ 1.0 and inclination angles 0° ⩽ φ ⩽ 85°. For a given Prandtl number and inclination angle, thermal instability is found to decrease as the value of the exponent n increases. Also, for given values of the exponent n and Prandtl number Pr, the critical value of Gr x ∗ /Re x ∗ 3 2 increases with increasing inclination angle from the horizontal. However, the critical wave number α ∗ appears to be unaffected by the inclination angle. The results from the present nonparallel flow analysis are compared with available analytical and experimental results from previous studies. The nonparallel flow analysis that accounts for the streamwise dependence of the amplitude functions is found to have a stabilizing effect as compared with the parallel flow analysis in which the streamwise dependence of the disturbance is neglected.
Discovered Lands, Invented Pasts: Transforming Visions of the American West

"Curious historical artistic data" - art history and Western American art, N. Anderson telling tales on canvas - landscapes of frontier change, W. Cronon the moving finger writes - Western art and the dynamics of change, B.W. Dipple the absent other - women in the land of mountain men, S.P. Prendergast the public life of Western art, M.A. Sandweiss looking backward, looking forward - selected themes in Western art since 1900.
Multiple morphologies of gold-magnetite heterostructure nanoparticles are effectively functionalized with protein for cell targeting.

Nanoparticles composed of a magnetic iron oxide core surrounded by a metal shell have utility in a broad range of biomedical applications. However, the presence of surface energy differences between the two components makes wetting of oxide with metal unfavorable, precluding a “core–shell” structure of an oxide core completely surrounded by a thin metal shell. Three-dimensional island growth followed by island coalescence into thick shells is favored over the two-dimensional layer-by-layer growth of a thin, continuous metal coating of a true core–shell. Aqueous synthesis of gold-coated magnetite nanoparticles with analysis by infrared, energy-dispersive X-ray, and electron energy loss spectroscopies; high-resolution transmission electron microscopy; selected area electron diffraction; and high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy showed two distinct morphologies that are inconsistent with an idealized core–shell. The majority were isolated ~16–22-nm-diameter nanoparticles consisting of ~7-nm-diameter magnetite and a thick deposition of gold, most often discontinuous, with some potentially “sandwiched” morphologies. A minority were aggregates of agglomerated magnetite decorated with gold but displaying significant bare magnetite. Both populations were successfully conjugated to fibrinogen and targeted to surface-activated platelets, demonstrating that iron oxide–gold nanoparticles produced by aqueous synthesis do not require an ideal core–shell structure for biological activity in cell labeling and targeting applications.
Atmospheric entry of nuclear-powered vehicles due to accidental/inadvertent termination of operations

The entries of the radioactive components into earth's atmosphere resulting from an accident or inadvertent abort of a space vehicle powered by nuclear-thermal-rockets are investigated. The study is made for a typical piloted Mars mission vehicle incapacitated by an accident or malfunction during the trans-Mars-injection maneuver due to simultaneous multiple failures of its component systems. The three different accident/abort modes considered are the following: (1) a constant-rate angular pitching motion of the vehicle, (2) a constant-acceleration angular pitching motion of the vehicle, and (3) the rocket engine breaks away from the rest of the vehicle with a finite relative (dispersion) velocity. The speeds and angles of the atmospheric entries are calculated for each mode for different values of the time of the accident, pitching rate, acceleration, and dispersion velocity. For the most severe entry speeds and flight-path angles, the stagnation-point pressures, heat transfer rates, thickness, and mass per unit area of the heat shields necessary to protect the radioactive components from disintegrating, deceleration g-loads, and high ground-impact velocities are calculated. The study points out that the high g-loads and high ground-impact velocities are the most serious problems that must be addressed.
Organization of the human FK506-binding immunophilin FKBP52 protein gene (FKBP4).

Abstract FKBP52 is a widely expressed FK506-binding immunophilin that possesses peptidylprolyl isomerase activity and a tetratricopeptide repeat involved in protein–protein interaction. FKBP52 plays an important role in steroid receptor function and is implicated in other diverse processes, including regulation of transcription, cation channel activity, and gene transfer efficiency. Reported here is the genomic organization of the human FKBP52 gene (FKBP4), which shares all but one of the same exon–intron boundaries as the structurally related immunophilin FKBP51 gene (FKBP5). Approximately 3.5 kb of 5′-flanking DNA of FKBP4 was subcloned into a luciferase reporter vector and was found to exhibit robust activity in T-47D, MCF7, and COS-7 cells. Promoter constructs with only 143 bp of upstream sequence maintained high activity. This region contains a CAAT motif sequence and consensus binding sites for Sp1, heat-shock factor, and MYC-MAX, which are conserved in the rabbit FKBP4 promoter and, when deleted, dramatically reduced promoter activity in T-47D cells.
Oxide Semiconductor Thin Film Transistors on Thin Solution-Cast Flexible Substrates

We report ZnO thin-film transistors (TFTs) fabricated on solution-cast thin polyimide flexible substrates. Plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition was used to deposit ZnO semiconductor and Al2O3 dielectric layers and the highest processing temperature used was 200 °C. The TFTs fabricated on thin polyimide substrates have characteristics very similar to devices fabricated on glass substrates and device characteristics changed little with release from the casting substrate. Typical TFT mobility was >12 $\mathrm{cm}^{2}$/${\rm V} \cdot {\rm s}$ for a gate electric field of 2 MV/cm. Released substrates with the TFTs were flexed between 3.5-mm radius and flat for 50000 cycles with little change in device characteristics. These results demonstrate solution casting of thin polymer layer substrates as a simple path to oxide semiconductor flexible electronics.
Effect of race on thyroid cancer care in an equal access healthcare system.

Abstract Background Thyroid cancer is more likely to present at an advanced age with larger tumor size in black patients. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of race on the presentation, treatment, and survival in an equal access healthcare system. Methods This retrospective study included all black and white patients with thyroid cancer who were treated at a Department of Defense facility from 1986 to 2008. Patients' age, tumor size, lymph node status, treatment, and survival were compared. Results A total of 4,625 patients were identified. There was no difference between black and white patients in regards to age at presentation, tumor size, use of surgical and/or radiation therapy, and overall 5-year survival rate. Black patients had a lower rate of lymph node involvement. Conclusions In an equal access healthcare system, black patients have similar disease presentation, undergo similar treatment, and have the same survival as white patients.
Substance P but not vasoactive intestinal peptide modulates immunoglobulin secretion in murine schistosomiasis.

Abstract Neuropeptides including SP and VIP modulate Ig secretion by in vitro stimulated lymphocyte cultures. It is not known whether these neuropeptides effect the B cell directly, or if they significantly alter humoral immune responses to pathogens. We have previously shown that granulomas derived from schistosome-infected mice contain immunoglobulin secreting B cells (ISC) as well as eosinophils that secrete substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). It therefore seemed plausible that B cells derived from infected animals might respond to these neuropeptides, and that such responses might effect immunoregulatory signals. In this study, we addressed these issues in the murine Schistosoma mansoni model, at the level of immunoglobulin secretion in single B cells. Spontaneous ISC were observed in both splenic and granuloma cell preparations. The addition of SP resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in the number and size of plaques (a 50% reduction was observed at 10 −9 M ). This effect was blocked with SP antagonists. Similar results were observed in T cell-depleted cell cultures. VIP had no effect on ISC number or plaque size. We conclude that SP, but not VIP, decreases spontaneous ISC number and Ig secretion in short-term cultures of spleen and granuloma cells. SP appears to exert its effects at the level of single B cells through a receptor-mediated mechanism and may thus play an immunoregulatory role in schistosomiasis.
Metabolism of glycosaminoglycans in cultured normal and abnormal human fibroblasts.

Abstract Cultured fibroblasts from normal human embryos, Hurler's and Hunter's patients grown in the presence of 35S-sulfate, were harvested at different times and the amounts and specific activities of the “free” and “bound” intracellular and extracellular GAG were measured. Moreover, the incorporation of 35S (as cpm/mg dry cells) into the various GAG fractions was measured as an indication of the synthetic process. The patterns of incorporation of 35S into the intracellular “free GAG” of the three types of cells are similar to those originally described by Fratantoni et al. (1968), but differ considerably from the patterns of 35S incorporation into the intracellular “bound GAG” of the three types of cells. The data obtained indicate that the degradation of the intracellular “bound GAG” may not be defective in Hurler's or Hunter's cells.
Quantum Wave Packet Studies of the C(1D) + H2 → CH + H Reaction: Integral Cross Section and Rate Constant

Using a Chebyshev wave packet method, the initial state-specified (vi = 0, ji = 0) integral cross section and rate constant are obtained for the title reaction on the latest version of the ab initio potential energy surface. All partial wave contributions up to J = 47 are calculated explicitly within the coupled states (CS) approximation. The resulting integral reaction cross section in the collision-energy range of 0.0−0.5 eV displays an oscillatory structure due to numerous long-lived resonances supported by the deep CH2 well. The rate constant up to 800 K is nearly temperature-independent except for an initial rise below 100 K. The calculated rate constant at room temperature is in reasonably good agreement with the latest experimental measurement. In addition, exact calculations including the Coriolis coupling have been carried out for three selected partial waves, J = 2, 4, and 10. In these Coriolis-coupled calculations, a more accurate and efficient scheme is proposed that allows for a significant r...
Regulation of the Immune System by Sex Steroids

Introduction IN THE PAST 10 years there has been a significant increase in studies relating to the function of the immune system. The recent popularity of research in this area is due in part to the awareness by the medical and scientific community of the importance of immune function in the maintenance of a disease-free homeostasis, to technological advances in the field of immunological research, and to the increased availability of funds for investigation in this area. From the rapidly expanding literature in this field it has become increasingly apparent that the immune system interacts with most, if not all, of the body systems. One of the most intriguing of these interrelationships is that which occurs between the immune and reproductive systems and involves interactions of pituitary hormones, gonadal steroid hormones and thymic hormones. Because of the complexity of this area the present review will concentrate on only one aspect of the interaction between the two systems, namely the effects of gon...
Making computers disappear: appliance data services

Digital appliances designed to simplify everyday tasks are readily available to end consumers. For example, mobile users can retrieve Web content using handheld devices since content retrieval is well-supported by infrastructure services such as transformational proxies. However, the same type of support is lacking for input-centric devices, those that create content and allow users to share content. This lack of infrastructural support makes input-centric devices hard to use and less useful.The Appliance Data Services project seeks to explore a vision of an appliance computing world where users move data seamlessly among various devices. Based on this vision, we formulate three principles that guide the design of an architecture that helps realize this vision: bring devices to the forefront, minimize the number of device features, and place functionality in the network infrastructure. We evaluate our implementation of the ADS architecture based on these principles, and build applications using the ADS framework to evaluate the ease with which appliance computing applications can be built using the framework. We find that it is relatively simple to build and extend applications on ADS that make using digital devices easier, which results in the devices themselves becoming more useful.
Effect of cisplatin upon expression of in vivo immune tumor resistance

The major intent of cancer treatment with cytotoxic drugs is direct tumor cell damage, but some of these drugs have been shown to be immunomodulatory. Cisplatin is a widely used cytotoxic drug that has been combined with biological response modifiers in recent clinical trials. To evaluate further whether cisplatin may independently alter the level of host resistance against tumor growth, the drug was tested in the Mc7 sarcoma rat tumor model. The expression of in vivo tumor resistance against Mc7 sarcoma in syngeneic Wistar rats is mediated by circulating non-cytotoxic T lymphocytes. These cells interact specifically with tumor cells to generate cytotoxic effectors locally at the site of a tumor challenge. Activities of these components of expression of tumor resistance were measured in vivo after administration of cisplatin and dose-dependent effects were found. Low-dose cisplatin (0.3 mg/kg) increased the activity of the circulating lymphocytes that mediate tumor resistance, and high-dose cisplatin (9 mg/kg) suppressed both mediator lymphocyte activity and the generation of antitumor effector mechanisms. These studies suggest that low-dose cisplatin may be immunomodulatory and combining it with biological response modifiers might be a useful strategy. However, high-dose cisplatin given with biological response modifiers may negate potential immunomodulatory activities of such agents.
Polymer mechanochemistry: techniques to generate molecular force via elongational flows

Long chain polymers have a unique ability to become highly extended in elongational flow fields. The forces developed along the backbone give rise to scission of the chains near their center. Recently, this unique property of polymers has been adopted to explore new chemical transformations by embedding structural elements into the backbone designed to undergo site-specific bond cleavage, termed mechanophores. Experimental techniques to generate elongational flow fields exist in a variety of different arrangements and have been used to study polymer mechanochemistry in solution. This tutorial review will discuss progress in the field of polymer mechanochemistry as well as survey the techniques used to generate elongational flow fields. Ultrasonication will be highlighted as the technique that has been widely adopted to screen mechanophore reactivity in solution.
Retention of the capsule endoscope: a single-center experience of 1000 capsule endoscopy procedures

Background Retention of the video capsule is the most significant complication associated with capsule endoscopy (CE). There are limited data on incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of capsule retention. Objective We aimed to determine the incidence of capsule retention and to investigate the causes and clinical outcomes of capsule retention. Setting Single tertiary referral medical center. Patients All patients who underwent CE for suspected small bowel disease from June 2002 to March 2006. Methods Retrospective case series. Results Capsule retention occurred in 1.4% of our patients (14/1000). Eleven patients failed to pass the capsule because of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) enteropathy (diaphragm disease). One patient had capsule retention from an obstructing carcinoid tumor. Metastatic ovarian cancer with invasion of the ileum was the cause of retention in another patient. One patient who did not have surgical removal of the capsule because of loss of follow-up had retention caused by a small-bowel tumor suspicious for carcinoid tumor on CT enterography. All patients remained "asymptomatic" from the retained capsules. Thirteen patients underwent elective partial small-bowel resection and capsule removal. No deaths were associated with these surgeries. Eleven patients recovered promptly, whereas 2 patients had mild postoperative ileus. Limitation Retrospective study. Conclusion Retention of the capsule endoscope appears to be infrequent. The most common cause is diaphragm disease resulting from NSAIDs in this study population. In most cases, capsule retention is asymptomatic, and it usually leads to surgical removal, which appears safe and also identifies and treats the underlying small-bowel condition.
Isolation and identification of a diuretic hormone from Zootermopsis nevadensis.

Abstract A diuretic hormone (DH) was isolated from extracts of heads of Zootermopsis nevadensis, a dampwood termite. The peptide has 46 residues, M r = 5,328.2 Da, with the sequence TGAVPSLSIVNPLDVLRQRLLLEIARRRMRQSQDQIQANREMLQTI-NH 2, showing it to be a CRF-related DH. This peptide increases cyclic AMP production in Malpighian tubules of Manduca sexta. We detected another factor in the head extracts which behaved as a more basic peptide on ion exchange chromatography. The latter factor also stimulated cyclic AMP production in the bioassay, but two large scale attempts to isolate this peptide were unsuccessful. We believe the second peptide is acid labile.
Reversible Temperature and Pressure Denaturation of a Protein Fragment: A Replica Exchange Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study

We determine the reversible folding-unfolding of the C-terminal (41-56) fragment of protein G as a function of density and temperature using replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations. We employ a total of 253 replicas, covering the temperature range between 320 and 515 K and the density range between 0.96 and 1.16 g cm(-3). Using the root mean square deviation from the folded structure as a quantitative measure, we are able to obtain the fraction of folded states, and can thus establish the free energy difference between the folded and the unfolded states of the protein fragment as a function of temperature and pressure. For the pressure denaturation the weakening of the hydrophobic interaction between the bulky side chains is found to be crucial at lower temperatures, leading to an apparent destabilization of the folded backbone structure at elevated pressures.
Ischemic placental disease: epidemiology and risk factors.

Abstract Objective Preeclampsia, small for gestational age (SGA) and placental abruption – conditions that constitute the syndrome of “ischemic placental disease” (IPD) – may portend different clinical manifestations of a common underlying pathophysiology. We examined if (i) preeclampsia, SGA and abruption share similar risk profiles; and (ii) if there are any differences in these profiles between patients with IPD that delivered at term and preterm gestations. Study design We utilized data from the US Collaborative Perinatal Project, a multicenter, prospective cohort study (1959–1966), restricted to women that delivered singleton births at ≥20 weeks ( n = 47,495.) We compared risk factors between women with and without IPD as well as preeclampsia, SGA and abruption. Results A strong overlap in risk factors for all 3 conditions was evident. Socio-economic class, income, age, parity, education, race, BMI, marital status, and history of preterm birth were different between preterm and term gestations in women with IPD. Although rates of preeclampsia only, SGA only and preeclampsia with SGA were similar between term and preterm birth, rates of other conditions were higher at preterm gestations, with abruption being the driving condition behind these associations. Conclusions The similar risk profiles for preeclampsia, SGA, and abruption provide compelling evidence to suggest that these conditions may share common pathophysiological mechanisms—ischemic placental disease. Greater homogeneity in risk profiles within preterm than term births suggests that IPD may be a syndrome that has strong underpinnings at preterm gestations.
Evaluation of urinary methoxyphenols as biomarkers of woodsmoke exposure.

Urinary methoxyphenols have been proposed as biomarkers for woodsmoke exposure, but the relationship between exposure and urinary methoxyphenol concentrations has not been characterized. We collected personal particulate matter2.5 and urine samples from 9 adults experimentally exposed to smoke from an open wood fire to characterize this relationship. Personal exposures (PM2.5 mean 1500 μg/m3) varied 3.5-fold. Twenty-two methoxyphenols, levoglucosan, and 17 polynuclear hydrocarbons were quantified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry assays for personal filter samples and urine samples. Most methoxyphenols had measurable preexposure levels. Propylguaiacol, syringol, methylsyringol, ethylsyringol, and propylsyringol had peak urinary concentrations after the woodsmoke exposure. Eight subjects had peak urinary elimination of methoxyphenols within 6 h (t1/2 3−5 h), whereas one had delayed elimination. Several metrics for urinary excretion were evaluated. Analyte concentration was greatly affected by diuresi...