cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extracellular Matrix Aggregates from Differentiating Embryoid Bodies as a Scaffold to Support ESC Proliferation and Differentiation

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have emerged as potential cell sources for tissue engineering and regeneration owing to its virtually unlimited replicative capacity and the potential to differentiate into a variety of cell types. Current differentiation strategies primarily involve various growth factor/inducer/repressor concoctions with less emphasis on the substrate. Developing biomaterials to promote stem cell proliferation and differentiation could aid in the realization of this goal. Extracellular matrix (ECM) components are important physiological regulators, and can provide cues to direct ESC expansion and differentiation. ECM undergoes constant remodeling with surrounding cells to accommodate specific developmental event. In this study, using ESC derived aggregates called embryoid bodies (EB) as a model, we characterized the biological nature of ECM in EB after exposure to different treatments: spontaneously differentiated and retinoic acid treated (denoted as SPT and RA, respectively). Next, we extracted this treatment-specific ECM by detergent decellularization methods (Triton X-100, DOC and SDS are compared). The resulting EB ECM scaffolds were seeded with undifferentiated ESCs using a novel cell seeding strategy, and the behavior of ESCs was studied. Our results showed that the optimized protocol efficiently removes cells while retaining crucial ECM and biochemical components. Decellularized ECM from SPT EB gave rise to a more favorable microenvironment for promoting ESC attachment, proliferation, and early differentiation, compared to native EB and decellularized ECM from RA EB. These findings suggest that various treatment conditions allow the formulation of unique ESC-ECM derived scaffolds to enhance ESC bioactivities, including proliferation and differentiation for tissue regeneration applications.
Book Review Symposium

Introduction Debtscapes, Double Agents and Development: Reflections on Poverty Capital It is an honor for me to introduce this series of reflections on Ananya Roy’s important book Poverty Capital: Microfinance and the Making of Development (2010). Her work is an extraordinary inspiration to many geographers, and so it was no surprise that the session about her book at the 2010 meetings of the Association of American Geographers generated a giant audience that spilled out into the corridor. Vicky Lawson, Katherine Rankin, Michael Watts and Stephen Young all provided provocative readings informed by their own diverse ethnographic and intellectual insights into microfinance and millennial development. And to these, Roy responded with more new insights and provocation of her own. The result was a highly energized and engaging encounter which—thanks to the editorial support of Vinay Gidwani—we are now pleased to be able to share with the wider community of Antipode readers. At the conference a number of audience participants remarked on how generative the collective effort at review and criticism had been. Yes, “author meets critics” sessions can degenerate into “author meets sycophants” or “author meets attack dogs” spectacles, but this was neither. Instead, persistent critique—the Spivakian idea that our writings have essential limits that are best made open to the antiessentializing enquiry of others—was enacted with care (and without picky pointscoring about who reads Spivak most correctly). Indeed, this included care about our complicitous double agency as academics, our organic intellectual aspirationscum-cooptations, and our ongoing struggles to think and engage outside of the privileged, albeit besieged and debt-disciplined, box of the university. More substantively, but relatedly, the session further provided reports from the frontlines of development and debt beyond the university. This is a world in which, as Roy argues and as her commentators discuss, academically trained double agents also play an influential role, a world where intellectual debts to Gramsci and Grameen go hand in hand with the financialization of microcredit as microfinance by the world’s biggest banks. And it is a world, therefore, that is better understood and navigated by those who can come to terms with how their own complicities compare with those of other double agents working in capitalist organizations that range from the World Bank to Hezbollah. By recording and amplifying the key notes of the conference conversation the following commentaries provide readers with an opportunity to do some critically comparative self-reflection of their own. Yet by connecting the concern with academic double agency to the double agents of microfinance, the main
O-statistics and their applications

O-statistic distributional properties and nonparametric applications including numerical and graphical data summary, quantile point and interval estimation, and tests of uniformity are presented and discussed in a survey of both published and new results. Initially termed generalized sample quantiles and proposed as smoothed alternatives to the conventional sample quantile, the O-statistics generalize the usual sample order statistics and are obtained by averaging subsample quantiles over all subsamples of a fixed size. The resulting statistics form natural bases for the LU-statistics.
Coronary vascular dysfunction associated with direct current shock injury.

DC shocks for cardioversion and defibrillation cause myocardial injury that may be free radical mediated. To determine if cardiac injury following DC shocks includes impairment of coronary vascular reactivity. 36 dogs (18–32 kg) were anesthetized and a thoracotomy was performed. Either antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD, 15,000 U/kg) plus catalase (55,000 U/kg) or the NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro- L-arginine (L-NNA, 5 mg/kg) was administered IV prior to sham (no shocks) or DC shock treatment, and the results were compared to dogs which did not receive SOD/catalase or L-NNA. In sham dogs, electrodes cradled the heart, but no shocks were delivered. In shock dogs, three 20 Joule DC shocks were delivered to the epicardium using hand-held paddles. Other dogs were allowed a 3-hour recovery period after the shocks. Epicardial microvessels and conduit rings were studied in vitro. Antagonists were not added to the bath of the study vessel. Internal diameter was measured in microvessels after constriction with endothelin. Tension of conduit arteries was measured after constriction with PGF2α. Responses to acetylcholine (Ach, 10–10—10–4 M), bradykinin (10–14—10–6 M), the calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187, 10–12—10–4 M) or nitroprusside (SNP, 10–10—10–4 M) were measured. Bradykinin, A23187 and SNP dependent dilation was not different between vessels from sham and shocked animals. Dilation to Ach was attenuated in vessels from shocked dogs. Superoxide production probably contributed to the impaired dilation to Ach since treatment with SOD/catalase improved dilation. Treatment with L-NNA also improved vascular function after DC shock. DC shocks cause endothelial dysfunction, as demonstrated by impaired dilation to acetylcholine, in both canine coronary microvascular and conduit arteries. Since pretreatment with either SOD/catalase or L-NNA protects against this damage, a free radical mechanism, possibly involving eNOS, may contribute to endothelial dysfunction.
The TREC 2005 robust track

The TREC robust retrieval track explores methods for improving the consistency of retrieval technology by focusing on poorly performing topics. The retrieval task in the track is a traditional ad hoc retrieval task where the evaluation methodology emphasizes a system's least effective topics. The 2005 edition of the track used 50 topics that had been demonstrated to be difficult on one document collection, and ran those topics on a different document collection. Relevance information from the first collection could be exploited in producing a query for the second collection, if desired. As in previous years, the most effective retrieval strategy was to expand queries using terms derived from additional corpora. The relative difficulty of topics differed across the two document sets.
Use of death certificates in epidemiological studies, including occupational hazards: Discordance with clinical and autopsy findings

There has long been evidence of frequent inaccuracy of death certificates, with significant discordance between such designations and clinical and autopsy data. This exists for occupational diseases as well. The use of statistical rates based on death certificates has been seriously questioned despite their utility for total mortality. Programs to supplement death certificate data, particularly in occupational disease studies, may be helpful, and are reviewed.
Formation and structure of a dense octahedral glass.

We have performed in situ x-ray and neutron-diffraction measurements, and molecular dynamics simulations, of ${\mathrm{G}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, an archetypal network-forming glass under pressure. Below 5 GPa, additional atoms encroaching on the first tetrahedral shell are seen to be a precursor of local coordination change. Between 6 and 10 GPa, we observe structures with a constant average coordination of $\ensuremath{\sim}5$, indicating a new metastable, intermediate form of the glass. At 15 GPa, the structure of a fully octahedral glass has been measured. This structure is not retained upon decompression and, therefore, must be studied in situ.
Multiple Time Scale Quantum Wavepacket Propagation: Electron−Nuclear Dynamics

We have developed a multiple time scale (MTS) quantum wavepacket propagation algorithm for the electron−nuclear dynamics in which the electron and nuclear motions are followed simultaneously. The large mass disparity between the electron and the nuclear degrees of freedom poses a problem when one propagates the total wavefunction using a single time step. The standard split operator propagation method requires a small time step to be used for stable propagation of the fast electronic degrees of freedom, which leads to an unnecessarily large number of propagations for slow nuclear motions. A new factorization of the time evolution operator based on the decomposition of the total Hamiltonian into the nuclear part and the electronic Hamiltonian is proposed. The MTS factorization allows one to choose the spatial grid size and the time step appropriate for each subsystem separately. The MTS algorithm is applied to a charge-transfer model for the evaluation of optical spectra and thermal rate constants. It is s...
Novel Chimeric Scaffolds to Extend the Exploration of Receptor Space: Hybrid β-d-Glucose−Benzoheterodiazepine Structures for Broad Screening. Effect of Amide Alkylation on the Course of Cyclization Reactions

New molecular platforms which are hybrids of two scaffoldsnamely, β-d-glucose and benzodiazepine, each able to bind several proteinswere designed, synthesized and functionalized to serve as probes for broad biological screening. Herein, we describe the syntheses and chemical properties of these novel chimeric scaffolds. Attempted cyclization of the functionalized analogues (−)-96 and (−)-97 afforded the corresponding dimers (−)-98 and (−)-99, respectively, under a variety of reaction conditions, even at concentrations of only 0.001 N. Consideration of factors affecting the conformation of amide bonds and their effects on cyclization reactions led us to alkylate the amide bond. As expected, the cyclization of the N-methyl derivative (−)-110 afforded exclusively the unimolecular cyclization product (+)-111. These compounds are only now undergoing broad screening and represent therefore at present a “prospecting library.”
Modified Continuous Suture Technique for Mitral Valve Replacement

A modified continuous suture technique for mitral valve replacement is described which retains desirable features of the less expedient interrupted suture technique. An initial experience with this technique in more than 300 patients has encouraged its continued use.
A Community Assessment of Preschool Providers' Attitudes toward Inclusion.

A community assessment of preschool providers' attitudes was conducted to examine readiness for inclusive preschool participation. Participants included providers from private, community-based preschools, Head Start classes, and Chapter 1 programs. Multiple dimensions of preschool directors' and teachers' attitudes were assessed by examining their general attitudes toward inclusion, their attitudes toward serving children across diverse handicapping conditions and special needs, their perceived abilities and support needs in appropriately serving such children, and their actual behavioral choices when given an opportunity to sign up for inclusion-related activities. The findings indicated that respondents held moderately positive attitudes toward the general concept of inclusion. Providers differentiated between different types of special needs and they based decisions on where children should be served, accordingly. Implications for incremental development of inclusive options are discussed.
Spectrography: volumetric reconstruction from one or two spectral views

Recently, ‘ankylography’ was proposed to perform a 3D reconstruction from a single exposure of a monochromatic radiation beam. This approach appeared very attractive to reveal structures of important objects such as complex proteins that can be glimpsed only once before they are destroyed by a high-intensity x-ray laser beam. However, this approach does not give a unique solution and is highly unstable when the number of voxels is not too small. In this paper, we acquire one or two polychromatic diffractive views with energy-sensitive detectors simultaneously. Specifically, a spectrography system may consist of two spectral coherent imaging chains perpendicular to each other. As a result, multiple Ewald spheres of different radii can be simultaneously measured in the Fourier space, and an image volume can be practically reconstructed. To evaluate the performance of spectrography, the hybrid input-output algorithm is implemented for phase retrieval and improved with a lower dimensional subspace saddle-point optimization technique proposed by Marchesini. For different configurations of the proposed spectrography scheme, extensive numerical tests are conducted, yielding encouraging results.
Path integrals in electromagnetics

In searching for various representations of the electromagnetic fields, some recent interest has been placed on the use of path integrals. These in some sense propagate fields from previous times to sometime of interest by all possible spatial paths appropriate to the time difference to the present. This paper reviews some standard formulations and compares them to the path-integral formulation to give an explicit interpretation for electromagnetics.
Toll-like receptors are critical for clearance of Brucella and play different roles in development of adaptive immunity following aerosol challenge in mice

Brucella spp. cause undulant fever in humans and brucellosis in variety of other animals. Both innate and adaptive immunity have been shown to be important in controlling Brucella infection. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) represent a group of pattern recognition receptors that play critical roles in the host innate immune response, as well as development of adaptive immunity. In the current report, we investigated the role of TLR signaling in the clearance of Brucella and development of adaptive immunity in TLR2-/-, TLR4-/- or MyD88-/- mice following aerosol exposure to B. melitensis 16M. Consistent with previous reports, MyD88 is required for efficient clearance of Brucella from all three organs (lung, spleen and liver). The results reveal Th2-skewed immune responses in TLR2 / mice late in infection and support a TLR2 requirement for efficient clearance of Brucella from the lungs, but not from the spleen or liver. Similarly, TLR4 is required for efficient clearance of Brucella from the lung, but exhibits a minor contribution to clearance from the spleen and no demonstrable contribution to clearance from the liver. Lymphocyte proliferation assays suggest that the TLRs are not involved in the development of cell-mediated memory response to Brucella antigen. Antibody detection reveals that TLR2 and 4 are required to generate early antigen-specific IgG, but not during the late stages of infection. TLR2 and 4 are only transiently required for IgM production and not at all for IgA production. In contrast, MyD88 is essential for antigen specific IgG production late in infection, but is not required for IgM generation over the course of infection. Surprisingly, despite the prominent role for MyD88 in clearance from all tissues, MyD88-knockout mice express significantly higher levels of serum IgA. These results confirm the important role of MyD88 in controlling infection in the spleen while providing evidence of a prominent contribution to protection in other tissues.
Mono- versus dinuclear cobalt complexes of a binucleating Schiff base ligand

Abstract The Schiff base ligand 2,6-bis{2-[(3,5-dimethyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)imino]-methyl}-4-methylphenol (H 3 L), when reacted with COCl 2 forms the monocobaltic complex, HLCoCl ( 5 ). This diamagnetic complex is readily characterized by two- dimensional 1 H NMR spectroscopy. Complex 5 reacts with a second cobalt ion in the presence of sodium benzoate to form LCo II Co III (Cl)(O 2 CC 6 H 5 ). Comparisons are made between this complex and the dicobaltic complex of the analogous polypodal ligand 2, 6-bis{[(2-hydroxyphenyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]-methyl}-4-methylphenol.
Meeting the Needs of Special Format Catalogers: Ideas for Professional Organizations, Library Schools, and Professional Catalogers

SUMMARY Catalogers are essential for cataloging and classification of resources in library catalogs to create a resource discovery tool to aid users in their research and public service librarians to assist users. The number of catalogers in libraries has declined in past decades; and many more are on the cusp of retirement, resulting in an impending loss of collective history. Previous literature addressed catalogers in general, the training and recruitment of catalogers, and the expected retirements of librarians in general. The purpose of this study is to assess the specific needs of nonprint or special format catalogers in relation to education, training, and mentorship. A voluntary online survey conducted in 2004 asked questions about special format catalogers' current work, involvement in professional organizations, source of their training, their opinions of library school education, and demographic questions. The survey results indicate nearly half of all special format catalogers will retire with...
A novel noncontacting waveguide backshort for submillimeter wave frequencies

A novel noncontacting waveguide backshort has been developed for millimeter wave and submillimeter wave frequencies. It employs a metallic bar with rectangular or circular holes. The size and spacing of the holes are adjusted to provide a periodic variation of the guide impedance on the correct length scale to give a large reflection of rf power. This design is mechanically rugged and can be readily fabricated for high submillimeter wave frequencies where conventional backshorts are difficult or impossible to fabricate. Model experiments have been performed at 4 GHz – 6 GHz to empirically optimize the design parameters. Values of reflected power greater than 95% over a 30% bandwidth have been achieved. A specific design is presented which has also been successfully scaled to WR-10 band (75 GHz – 110 GHz). A theoretical analysis is compared to the experiments and found to agree well with the measured data.
Photochemical deposition of spacecraft material outgassing products

Laboratory measurements of photochemical deposition rates of outgassing products from Tefzel insulation have been conducted. We show that outgassing products from Tefzel insulation photodeposit under conditions of surface temperature and arrival rates for which bulk condensation will not occur. Normalized to the sample size, the photodeposition rate exceeds the reported condensable material outgassing rate. The result reported here strongly support the conclusion that photochemical deposition of contaminants from Tefzel is potentially a significant mechanism for degradation of thermal control surfaces on spacecraft.
Drift plastic—An expanding niche for a marine invertebrate?

Beach collection of plastic litter washed ashore at Fort Pierce on the Atlantic coast of Florida showed that, while some of this material may have had a local source, much of the rest originated in the Caribbean. During its pelagic existence the plastic commonly became encrusted by marine organisms. In contrast to the diverse assemblage of organisms associated with pelagic Sargassum, however, the number of species encrusting drift plastic was limited, being dominated primarily by the colonies of the bryozoan, Electra tenella, an organism which may be increasing its abundance and distribution, due to increasing amounts of drift plastic substrata.
Knowledge of and Attitudes Towards Behavioral Health Services Among Older Youth in the Foster Care System

This study examined knowledge of and attitudes toward services among 268 17-year olds with psychiatric diagnoses preparing to exit foster care. A structured interview assessed knowledge of services with vignette scenarios and attitudes with a standardized scale. Descriptive statistics described the extent of knowledge and attitudes among this population and regression analyses examined predictors of these dimensions of literacy. Most youth suggested a help source, but responses often lacked specificity. Gender and depression were the strongest predictors of knowledge and attitudes, respectively. Knowing which aspects of literacy are low, and for whom, can inform education efforts to improve access to care in adulthood.
The GridMapper challenge: how to integrate into manufacturing for reduced overlay error

More sophisticated corrections of overlay error are required because of the challenge caused by technology scaling faster than fundamental tool improvements. Starting at the 45 nm node, the gap between the matchedmachine- overlay error (MMO) and technology requirement has decreased to the point where additional overlay correction methods are needed. This paper focuses on the steps we have taken to enable GridMapperTM, which is offered by ASML, as a method to reduce overlay error. The paper reviews the basic challenges of overlay error and previous standard correction practices. It then describes implementation of GridMapper into IBM's 300 mm fabrication facility. This paper also describes the challenges we faced and the improvements in overlay control observed with the use of this technique. Specifically, this paper will illustrate several improvements: 1. Minimization of non-linear grid signature differences between tools 2. Optimization of overlay corrections across all fields 3. Decreased grid errors, even on levels not using GridMapper 4. Maintenance of the grid for the lifetime of a product 5. Effectiveness in manufacturing - cycle time, automated corrections for tool grid signature changes and overlay performance similar to dedicated chuck performance
Five "C's" of successful startups

Maintaining the balance of commitment, communication, criticism, conjecture, and competition is the basis for bioentrepreneurial success.
THE RISE AND FALL OF A MATHEMATICA-BASED CALCULUS CURRICULUM REFORM MOVEMENT

ABSTRACT In the Fall semester of 1993 the Mathematics Department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania implemented a Mathematica-based calculus curriculum. This paper profiles the preparation done during the year prior to implementation and the curriculum selection process. A summary of the problems encountered in the first year and the resulting modifications for the subsequent semesters are given. Calculus topics where the use of Mathematica and/or the CALCULUS & Mathematica curriculum appear to be particularly beneficial or particularly ineffective are outlined. The paper also summarizes the assessment of the curriculum implementation, some of the factors that contributed to its demise, and strategies to follow for a more successful experience.
Solution Processed TiO 2 Nanotubular Core with Polypyrrole Conducting Polymer Shell Structures for Supercapacitor Energy Storage Devices

Ordered one dimensional polypyrrole conducting polymer structure as a shell over TiO2 nanotube arrays at the core were formed by pulsed current electropolymerization. TiO2 nanotubes with rippled wall structure are designed by action of water in the anodizing medium. This provides open tube structure supporting short diffusion length and increased accessibility of ions involved in redox transition for energy storage. Electrochemical properties evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy show specific capacitance of 34-44 mF.cm-2 and extremely low bulk and charge transfer resistances.
Review articles: Cold agglutinins and hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass:

As hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass has become more commonplace over the past 20 years, so has the problem of management of the patient with cold agglutinins. The perfusionist must understand the implications of the presence of cold agglutinins and formulate a plan to manage each particular patient with the cardiac surgeon.
All-fiber isolator at multi-watt level operation

We experimentally demonstrated an all-fiber optical isolator at 1064nm with 0.5dB insertion loss and 14dB isolation operating at input power of 8W. This result shows that magnetic quasi-phase matching technique is feasible for multi-watt level.
On Nonprimordial Deuterium Production by Accelerated Particles

Deuterium plays a crucial role in cosmology because the primordial D/H abundance, in the context of big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) theory, yields a precise measure of the cosmic baryon content. Observations of D/H can limit or measure the true primordial abundance because D is thought to be destroyed by stars and thus D/H monotonically decreases after BBN. Recently, however, Mullan & Linsky have pointed out that D arises as a secondary product of neutrons in stellar flares that then capture on protons via n + p → d + γ and that this could dominate over direct D production in flares. Mullan & Linsky note that if this process is sufficiently vigorous in flaring dwarf stars, it could lead to significant non-BBN D production. We have considered the production of D in stellar flares, both directly and by n capture. We find that for reasonable flare spectra, n/d 10 and (n + d)/6Li 400, both of which indicate that the n-capture channel does not allow for Galactic D production at a level that will reverse the monotonic decline of D. We also calculate the 2.22 MeV gamma-ray line production associated with n capture and find that existing COMPTEL limits also rule out significant D production in the Galaxy today. Thus, we find that flares in particular and neutron captures in general are not an important Galactic source of D. On the other hand, we cannot exclude that flare production might contribute to recent Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) observations of large variations in the local interstellar D/H abundance; we do, however, offer important constraints on this possibility. Finally, since flare stars should inevitably produce some n-capture events, a search for diffuse 2.22 MeV gamma rays by INTEGRAL can further constrain (or measure!) Galactic deuterium production via n-capture.
Multi-line pulsed CO2 oscillator☆

Abstract For use in laser-induced fusion investigations, a CO2 laser oscillator was developed whose output spectrum contains three simultaneously appearing lines of equal intensity. An etalon filter provided the required wavelength dependent loss.
Scalable multi-agent system for real-time electric power management

A scalable multi-agent paradigm is presented for control of distributed energy resources to achieve higher reliability, higher power quality, and more efficient (optimum) power generation and consumption. A dynamic hybrid multiagent system is proposed in this paper as a means to achieve scalability for control of a large network of power generation, transmission, load, and compensation sources. Example ancillary agents are developed for system stability and harmonic and reactive current compensation.
Simulation of chemotaxis-based sorting of heterotypic cell populations

Cell sorting is a fundamental process that is involved in early embryo development, tumerogenesis and morphogenesis. The sorting of heterotypic cell populations is produced by a variety of inter-cellular actions, e.g. differential adhesion and motility. We recently developed a software system that simulates chemotaxis-based cell aggregation in 2D. The model implemented within the system includes a variety of physiological cell behaviors, such as chemical diffusion/detection, motility, proliferation, adhesion and life cycle stages. In this paper we extend the model to simulate heterotypic cell sorting. This paper provides an overview of the chemotaxis-based aggregation model and describes the parameters and processes utilized to simulate the sorting of two different cell populations based on chemotactic interactions.
A similarity solution for solidification of an under-cooled binary alloy

A similarity solution for solidification of an under-cooled binary alloy melt in a semi-infinite, one-dimensional, insulated slot is devel- oped. It is shown that this solution is a generalization of the known similarity solution for the solidification of an under-cooled pure melt, and is a special case of the similarity solution for solidification of a binary alloy previously presented in the literature. The new solution is used to quantify the effect of the Lewis number (ratio of thermal to solutal diffusivity) on the behavior of solidification. Limits on the amount of under-cooling that will admit a physically meaningful solution are obtained.
Revealing Personal Secrets

Both the health benefits and the potential drawbacks of revealing personal secrets (i.e., those that directly involve the secret keeper) are reviewed. Making the decision to reveal personal secrets to others involves a trade-off. On the one hand, secret keepers can feel better by revealing their secrets and gaining new insights into them. On the other hand, secret keepers can avoid looking bad before important audiences (such as their bosses or therapists) by not revealing their secrets. Making a wise decision to reveal a personal secret hinges on finding an appropriate confidant—someone who is discreet, who is perceived by the secret keeper to be nonjudgmental, and who is able to offer new insights into the secret.
Surface Modification of Silica with Ultrahighmolecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE)

UHMWPE (Ultrahighmolecular Weight Polyethylene) was attached to silica using a two step process, in which the first step involves silanating the silica surface with a 0.5–1.2 mole % vinyltrimethoxysilane-ethylene copolymer (PE-silane), and in which the UHMWPE (M w = 3–6 × 10 6 ) is solution coated onto the silanated silica in the second step. Glass beads (3.6 μm diameter) were cleaned using distilled water or refluxed with 5% aqueous Na 2 S 2 O 8 , to remove metallic surface contaminants, were used for UHMWPE attachments. SEM and optical microscopy showed individual particles. TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) studies confirmed the attachments as well as their stability after attachment. The integrity of the coatings was examined by SEM following treatment with HF, which left thin “skins” of polymer remaining. Both washing methodologies for the glass beads provided similar UHMWPE coatings. Bend bars (10) prepared using UHMWPE coated beads show no adverse drop in moduli and strength.
Demographic and Educational Correlates of Self-Reported Learning among Older Students.

This survey research project examined correlates of perceived educational benefits in a sample of 560 older persons participating in 20 New England Elderhostel programs. While socio‐demographic and educational characteristics of the participants did not account for a large amount of the variance in perceived growth, level of education completed and sex emerged as significant correlates of growth. Persons of lower socio‐economic and educational status reported greater levels of learning than did those with higher levels of income and education.
Underground innovation in USA, Europe, and Japan

Summary form only given. Creative researchers and engineers are often frustrated because management rejects their proposals for technological innovations leading to new products, processes, systems, or services with high business potential. In these circumstances, the employee is faced with three difficult choices: (1) go back to routine work and forget, (2) leave the company to start a new venture (relatively easy in USA, less easy in Europe, very difficult in Japan and Korea); (3) go "underground" with or without management's tacit approval. In this paper we study the little known phenomenon of underground innovation, with case histories from USA, France, and Japan. We define underground innovation as all innovation that takes place outside the regular bureaucratic approval and control channels of the company, according to three types: (1) skunkworks, (2) unauthorized but tolerated innovation, and (3) forbidden innovation. The paper concludes with the analysis of the key success factors for underground innovation to emerge, become officially recognized, and contribute to corporate sales and profits: (1) entrepreneurs and champions; (2) higher level sponsors or protectors; (3) organizational slack; (4) longer range vision of the technology, market and industry trends; and (5) potential to make an important business contribution to the company's strategic objectives.
A Probabilistic Model for Object Recognition, Segmentation, and Non-Rigid Correspondence

We describe a method for fully automatic object recognition and segmentation using a set of reference images to specify the appearance of each object. Our method uses a generative model of image formation that takes into account occlusions, simple lighting changes, and object deformations. We take advantage of local features to identify, locate, and extract multiple objects in the presence of large viewpoint changes, nonrigid motions with large numbers of degrees of freedom, occlusions, and clutter. We simultaneously compute an object-level segmentation and a dense correspondence between the pixels of the appropriate reference images and the image to be segmented.
Multiobjective optimization of hydrocarbon biorefinery supply chain designs under uncertainty

In this work we propose a bi-criterion, multi-period, stochastic mixed-integer linear programming model that address the optimal design and planning of hydrocarbon biorefinery supply chains under supply and demand uncertainties. The model accounts for diverse conversion technologies, feedstock seasonality and fluctuation, geographical diversity, biomass degradation, demand variation, government incentives and risk management. The objective is simultaneous minimization of the expected annualized cost and the financial risk. The financial risk is measured by conditional value-at-risk. The model simultaneously determines the optimal network design, technology selection, capital investment, production planning, and logistics management decisions. Multi-cut L-shaped decomposition approach is implemented to circumvent the computational burden of solving large scale problems. The capabilities of the proposed modeling framework and solution algorithm are illustrated through the optimal design of the hydrocarbon biorefinery supply chain in the State of Illinois.
Structure-activity studies of N,N-dialkyl and cycloalkyl carbamate esters of dimethylethanolamine and choline with nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic properties

Structure-activity studies were performed on a series of newly synthesized N-sub-stituted carbamate esters of choline and dimethylethanolamine which exhibited either or both nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic properties. Substitutions on the carbamyl N consisted of varying lengths of dialkyls, diphenyl, and various heterocycles. The compounds were evaluated for their nicotinic and muscarinic receptor binding properties in rat brain membranes, their effect on muscarinic receptor-activated phosphoinositide (PI) turnover in rat cortical slices, and for muscarinic receptor-mediated intracelluar Ca release in a mouse adrenal carcinoma cell line transfected with an m1 muscarinic cholinergic receptor gene. N,N-diethylcarbamylcholine had the highest affinity for nicotinic cholinergic receptors; the Ki value of 1 × 10−9 M approached that of nicotine and being 1/5 that for the dimethyl analogue. With increasing chain length of the dialkyl substituents the nicotinic affinity progressively decreased, while muscarinic affinity increased. N,N-diphenylcarbamylcholine had a Ki value of 1 × 10−7 M for nicotinic receptors and exhibited nicotinic antagonist activity. Contrary to the results with [3H]-N-methylcarbamylcholine binding, the tertiary derivatives exhibited higher Ki values for [3H]-3-quinuclidinyl benzilate binding than the quarternaries; the tertiary dibutyl and diphenyl had the highest affinities with Ki values of 4 × 10−7 M. The inhibition of muscarinic receptor-mediated PI turnover and release of intracellular calcium were related to the muscarinic antagonist potency of the compounds. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Politically Correct Labels and Schizophrenia: A Rose by Any Other Name?

This study investigated the role of politically correct labels in emotional reactions, attributions regarding illness, behavioral intentions, and knowledge of schizophrenia symptoms. Two samples, undergraduate students and community members, were asked to rate a target individual on various scales using one of four labels varying in "political correctness": consumer of mental health services, person with severe mental illness, person with schizophrenia, and schizophrenic. Results showed that the label "consumer of mental health services" was associated with less negative reactions and was considered to be reflective of a condition more likely to change relative to the other, less politically correct labels. However, this label did not result in greater behavioral intention to interact with persons with a psychiatric disorder. Furthermore, participants receiving this label identified fewer symptoms associated with DSM-IV criteria of schizophrenia and were more likely to attribute responsibility for the condition to the target person, relative to the other labels.
Exploring Nonnatural Evolutionary Pathways by Saturation Mutagenesis: Rapid Improvement of Protein Function

Random point mutagenesis does not access a large fraction of protein sequence space corresponding to primarily nonconservative amino acid substitutions. The cost of this limitation during directed evolution is unknown. Random point mutagenesis over the entire gene encoding the psychrophilic protease subtilisin S41 identified a pair of residues (Lys211 and Arg212) where mutations provided significant increases in thermostability. These were subjected to saturation mutagenesis to test whether the amino acids not easily accessible by point mutagenesis provide even better ``solutions'' to the thermostabilization challenge. A significant fraction of these variants surpassed the stability of the variants with point mutations. DNA sequencing revealed highly hydrophobic residues in the four most stable variants (Pro/Ala, Pro/Val, Leu/Val, and Trp/Ser). These nonconservative replacements, accessible only by multiple (two to three) base substitutions in a single codon, would be extremely rare in a point mutation library. Such replacements are also extremely rare in natural evolution. Saturation mutagenesis may be used advantageously during directed evolution to explore nonnatural evolution pathways and enable rapid improvement in protein traits.
Institute of Medicine. 2009. School Meals: Building Blocks for Healthy Children. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press

The recommended changes in standards for menu planning put forth by the IOM, if effectively implemented, would substantially improve the alignment of school meals with current science-based nutrition recommendations. Specifically, they would moderate energy intake, encourage greater fruit and vegetable consumption, provide additional whole grains and fewer refined grains, limit saturated and trans fats, and gradually reduce sodium intake levels to those recommended by leading nutrition authorities. Stallings concludes, “Since the school meal programs were last updated, we've gained greater understanding of children's nutritional needs and the dietary factors that contribute to obesity, heart disease, and other chronic health problems. The changes recommended in this report are needed to assure parents that schools are providing healthful, satisfying meals.” Copies of the full report are available for purchase at http://www.nap.edu/catalogue.php?record_id = 12751; a free full version, summary version, and podcast of this report are available at http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id = 12751&page = 1. The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 (Public Law 108–265) can be found at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/historical/pl_108-265.pdf.
Degree and time sequence of hypothermic protection against experimental ischemic acute renal failure.

The purpose of this study was to assess the degree, time sequence, and biochemical correlates of hypothermic protection against ischemic acute renal failure. Rats subjected to 40 minutes of bilateral renal artery occlusion (RAO) were made mildly hypothermic (32 degrees-33 degrees C, by cold saline peritoneal lavage) during the following time periods: 1) RAO only, 2) reperfusion only (beginning at 0, 15, 30, or 60 minutes after RAO and maintained for 45 minutes), or 3) during and after (0-45 minutes) RAO. Continuously normothermic (37 degrees C) RAO rats served as controls. The control rats developed severe acute renal failure (blood urea nitrogen [BUN], 95 +/- 4 mg/dl; creatinine, 2.2 +/- 0.1 mg/dl; and extensive tubular necrosis at 24 hours). Hypothermia confined to RAO was highly protective (BUN, 33 +/- 5 mg/dl; creatinine, 0.62 +/- 0.07 mg/dl; and minimal necrosis). Hypothermia partially preserved ischemic renal adenylate high-energy phosphate (ATP and ADP), increased AMP and inosine monophosphate concentrations, and lessened hypoxanthine/xanthine buildup (assessed at end of RAO). Hypothermia confined to the reflow period (beginning at 0, 15, and 30 minutes) was only mildly protective (e.g., BUN, 58-63 mg/dl); the degree of protection did not differ according to the time of hypothermic onset. Lowering reflow temperature to 26 degrees C had no added benefit. Hypothermia that started at 60 minutes after RAO conferred no protection. Combining ischemic and postischemic hypothermia abolished all renal failure (assessed at 24 hours). This study offers the following conclusions: Mild hypothermia can totally prevent experimental ischemic acute renal failure. Hypothermia is highly effective during ischemia, and it is mildly protective during early reflow; these benefits are additive. During early reflow, hypothermic protection is not critically time dependent. By 60 minutes of reflow, no effect is elicited; this absence of effect possibly signals completion of the reperfusion injury process. Hypothermia's protective effects may be mediated, in part, by improvements in renal adenine nucleotide content and, possibly, by decreasing postischemic oxidant stress.
Components of Variance Associated with Service Sire for Milk Yield and Reproductive Traits

Abstract The association of service sire or sire of fetus with three milk yield traits and two reproductive intervals were investigated. Two procedures for estimation of variance components, Henderson's Method 1 and Method 3, were applied to a model of herd-year-season, sire of cow, and service sire. Analyses were for sire of calf born to initiate second lactation and service sire of the cow in second lactation. About 11,000second lactation records on Holstein cows were available after editing for breeding and calving dates. Service sires and sires of cows were required to be in artificial insemination. Estimates by Method 1 for gestation length and days open were 6.0% and −.2% of total variance for sire of calf and 1.0% and 5.4% for service sire in second lactation. Method 1 estimates were consistently larger than Method 3 for milk yield. Variance components expressed as percent of total variance for mature equivalent milk yield in 305 days, 150-day milk yield, and milk yield in remaining days of lactation were 2.7%, 3.1%, and 1.7% for sire of calf and 2.7%, 3.8%, and 1.3% for service sire in second lactation. These same components from Method 3 were .8%, .4%, .8%, and 1.0%, 1.6%, .6%. The differences in estimates may reflect nonrandom use of service sires across herd-year-seasons and sires of cows. About 1% of variance in milk yield was associated with service sires.
Finite groups which are the product of two nilpotent subgroups

Suppose G = AB where G is a finite group and A and B are nilpotent subgroups. It is proved that the derived length of G modulo its Frattini subgroup is at most the sum of the classes of A and B. An upper bound for the derived length of G in terms of the derived lengths of A and B also is obtained.
Implementation of point-of-care testing in an ambulatory practice of an academic medical center.

Objectives: Point-of-care laboratory testing (POCT) offers reduced turnaround time and may promote improved operational efficiency. Few studies have been reported that document improvements from implementing POCT in primary care. Methods: We measured metrics of practice efficiency in a primary care practice before and after implementation of POCT, including the total number of tests ordered, letters and phone calls to patients, and revisits due to abnormal test results. We performed a cost and revenue analysis. Results: Following implementation of POCT, there was a 21% decrease in tests ordered per patient ( P < .0001); a decrease in follow-up phone calls and letters by 89% and 85%, respectively ( P < .0001 and P < .0001); and a 61% decrease in patient revisits ( P = .0002). Estimated testing revenues exceeded expenses by $6.62 per patient, and potential cost savings from improved efficiency were $24.64 per patient. Conclusions: POCT can significantly improve clinical operations with cost reductions through improved practice efficiency.