cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uplift Capacity Of Rigid Vertical Metal Piles In Clay Under Inclined Pull

Laboratory model test results for the net ultimate uplift capacity of rigid vertical aluminum piles embedded in saturated or near-saturated clay and subjected to inclined pull have been presented. The length-to-diameter ratios of the piles for these tests were kept at 10, 12 and 15. The load inclination with respect to the vertical varied from zero to 500. Based on the present model test results and the results of existing studies for piles subjected to vertical uplift, an empirical relation has been developed. This relationship can be used to estimate the net ultimate uplift capacity of piles under inclined pull for load inclination e varying from zero to 500. gross ultimate uplift capacity of the pile can be expressed as: Fig. I Rigid metal pile subjected to inclined uplift load INTRODUCTION In many circumstances anchor piles (or tension piles) are used for various types of offshore construction work. Although many theoretical and experimental studies related to the ultimate bearing capacity of various types of piles embedded in sand and clayey soil subjected to downward loading are presently available in literature, published research data for estimation of the holding capacity of similar piles subjected to uplifting load are rather scarce. Laboratory model test results for the ultimate uplift capacity of rough vertical piles embedded in sand and subjected to vertical uplift can be found in the studies of investigators such as Das (1983); Das and Rozendal (1983); Das and Seeley (1975); Das, Seeley and Pfeifle (1977); Esquivel-Diaz (1967); and Ireland (1975). Meyerhof (1973) evaluated the pullout resistance of rough inclined piles embedded in sand and subjected to axial loading. Field test results for the ultimate uplift capacity of vertical cast in situ concrete piles embedded in clayey soils and subjected to axial uplifting load were reported by Mohan and Chandra (1961); Patterson and Urie (1964); Turner (1962); and Sowa (1970). However, for offshore works, the piles generally used are metal piles. Also, due to several combinations of loading conditions, a vertical pile may be subjected to inclined uplifting load. At the present time, experimental studies related to the ultimate uplift capacity of metal piles subjected to inclined loading are practically nonexistent. The purposes of this paper are: (a) to present some recent laboratory model test results for the pullout resistance of rigid model aluminum piles embedded in saturated or near-saturated clay and subjected to inclined loading; and (b) to develop a semiempirical relationship for the uplift capacity of rigid metal piles based on the existing studies and present model test results. ULTIMATE UPLIFT CAPACITY L ! D Saturated clay Undrained shear strength = Cu
Short horizon optimal control of nonlinear systems

An optimal model predictive controller for nonlinear discrete-time systems is considered. A block input-state realization of the system, which transforms it to a square system with equal number of inputs and states, is used to develop a receding horizon optimal controller designed to decrease computational expense in relation to more traditional optimal controllers. A nonlinear feedback control law is designed where a neural network in the feedback loop is used to generate an optimal control input. The generated input approximates a solution that is minimal with respect to a quadratic cost function with parameters governing the final states and the magnitude and variation of the control input, for either regulation or tracking. A local stability and robustness analysis of the controller is also presented. A simulation example shows use of the control method.
Wireless sensor networks: architectures, protocols, and management

Summary form only given. Wireless sensor networks are examples of the paradigm shift taking place in wireless network architectures. A wireless sensor network consists of large numbers of sensors, which are tiny, low-cost, low-power radio devices dedicated to performing certain functions such as collecting various environmental data and sending them to infrastructure processing nodes. The field of wireless sensor networking is also gaining greater interest among not only researchers but also diverse groups such as environmental, public safety, medicine, and military. This tutorial starts with an overview of the wireless sensor networks. A review of the current technologies used for these types of wireless networks is provided next. The focus is on the architectural issues such as topology, routing, and protocols. Finally, the network management issues related to wireless sensor networks are discussed. The tutorial concludes with a discussion of the open research problems in this area.
Phospholipid transfer between vesicles. Dependence on presence of cytochrome P-450 and phosphatidylcholine-phosphatidylethanolamine ratio.

Abstract The rate of transfer of spin-labeled phospholipid from donor vesicles of sonicated 1-acyl-2-(10-doxylstearoyl)- sn -glycero-3-phosphocholine to other vesicles was determined as a function of content of cytochrome P -450 and the phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine ratio in the acceptor vesicles. The transfer rate was measured as an increase in intensity that resulted from a decrease in the line width in the EPR spectrum of the spin-labeled phospholipids as they were transferred to the nonspin-labeled acceptor vesicles. A lowe transfer rate was observed for acceptor vesicles of pure egg phosphatidylcholine vesicles than for vesicles of a mixture of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. The presence of cytochrome P -450 in the acceptor vesicles further increased the transfer rate. Those alterations in the mole ratios of the protein and the two phospholipids that made the bilayer of the reconstituted vesicles more like the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum resulted in an increase in phospholipid-transfer rate. The mole ratios of components that produce high phospholipid-transfer rates were similar to those that in an earlier study produced a 31 P-NMR spectrum characteristic of a nonbilayer phase. These findings suggest that, in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum, phospholipid exchange may be an important element in function and interaction with other intracellular organelles.
Multiplex Tokamak Power Plant

The concept of multiplexing for a fusion power core as an option for producing power is explored. Superconducting, as well as normal magnet, coils in either first or second stability regimes are considered. The results show that multiplex plants with superconducting magnets operating in the second stability regime could be competitive with the single-unit plants in some unit sizes. The key issues that impact the expected benefits of multiplexing must be investigated further. These are factory fabrication, economy of scale, the extent of equipment sharing, inherent safety, maintainability, and utility load management.
Syncope in advanced A-V block induced by micturition.

Abstract A case of syncope in advanced A-V block induced by micturition in a 62-year-old woman is reported. This is a unique phenomenon. One attack was recorded electrocardiographically and was found to be due to ventricular fibrillation induced by frequent premature ventricular beats coinciding with the so-called vulnerable phase of the ventricular cycle of the predominant beats. A possible neurogenic reflex mechanism for producing these attacks and its relation to micturition syncope is discussed.
Supervised patient similarity measure of heterogeneous patient records

Patient similarity assessment is an important task in the context of patient cohort identif cation for comparative effectiveness studies and clinical decision support applications. The goal is to derive clinically meaningful distance metric to measure the similarity between patients represented by their key clinical indicators. How to incorporate physician feedback with regard to the retrieval results? How to interactively update the underlying similarity measure based on the feedback? Moreover, often different physicians have different understandings of patient similarity based on their patient cohorts. The distance metric learned for each individual physician often leads to a limited view of the true underlying distance metric. How to integrate the individual distance metrics from each physician into a globally consistent unif ed metric?We describe a suite of supervised metric learning approaches that answer the above questions. In particular, we present Locally Supervised Metric Learning (LSML) to learn a generalized Mahalanobis distance that is tailored toward physician feedback. Then we describe the interactive metric learning (iMet) method that can incrementally update an existing metric based on physician feedback in an online fashion. To combine multiple similarity measures from multiple physicians, we present Composite Distance Integration (Comdi) method. In this approach we f rst construct discriminative neighborhoods from each individual metrics, then combine them into a single optimal distance metric. Finally, we present a clinical decision support prototype system powered by the proposed patient similarity methods, and evaluate the proposed methods using real EHR data against several baselines.
The Integrated Social Control Model and Ethnicity: The Case of Puerto Rican American Delinquency

Delinquency research has not generally addressed the question raised by ethnographic studies concerning the extent to which the delinquency of specific ethnic groups can be modeled with a general t...
The VP1 subunit of JC polyomavirus recapitulates early events in viral trafficking and is a novel tool to study polyomavirus entry.

JC polyomavirus (JCV) is an important human pathogen that causes the fatal demyelinating disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). In this study we further delineate the early events of JCV entry in human glial cells and demonstrate that a pentameric subunit of the viral capsid is able to recapitulate early events in viral trafficking. We show that JCV traffics to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by 6 h post infection, and that VP1 pentamers arrive at the ER with similar kinetics. Further, this JCV localization to the ER is critical for infection, as treatment of cells with agents that prevent ER trafficking, ER function, or ER quality control reduce JCV infectivity. These pentamers represent a new tool to study polyomavirus entry, and will be particularly useful in studying recently identified polyomaviruses that are difficult to propagate.
CHARACTERIZING THE NORTH PACIFIC JET STREAM FOR UNDERSTANDING HISTORICAL VARIABILITY IN WESTERN UNITED STATES WINTER PRECIPITATION

We examined historical winter-season relationships among precipitation across the western United States, the northern Pacific jet stream (NPJ) across the northern Pacific Ocean basin, and the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon to determine if the NPJ significantly adds to the existing ENSO-based understanding of inter-annual variability in precipitation. The results indicate that the NPJ is significantly related to winter precipitation across a much larger area of the western United States than the ENSO signal. For areas where the ENSO signal is significantly related to precipitation, there generally exists a stronger or more consistent NPJ-precipitation relationship. The position of the NPJ is the most important characteristic of the jet in its relationship with precipitation across the western United States. However, winter precipitation across the northwest, especially for regions of higher elevation, is more significantly related to the strength of the NPJ. The results indicate that there ...
Light-torqued nanomotors free of a surface

We use polarized light to generate light torques for controlling nanoparticles and for producing nanomotors. We report on experiments where we apply light torques to glass nanorods in an optical trap at a known distance from a nearby surface. We tried two different optical traps: (1) a standing wave trap using 20 mW and (2) a single beam trap using 80 mW of light at wavelength 514 nm from an Ar+ laser. The rods studied here are 250-500 nm in diameter and are 1-4 microns long. The motion of the rotating rods is studied and a theoretical model of the motion is presented. The motion can be heavily affected by the presence of a nearby surface. For example, past studies have provided evidence that rotatory motion near a surface can change to rocking motion and vice versa. In this study, we present results of motion free of such surface effects. Studies of the motion of nano-objects are useful in understanding nanorheological phenomena in both biological and inorganic systems.
Venus Express/VIRTIS observations of middle and lower cloud variability and implications for dynamics

[1] We present an analysis of Venus Express Visible and Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer (VIRTIS) data, carried out to characterize the morphological, geographical, and evolutionary trends of the middle and lower cloud features that are observed in the atmosphere of Venus as variations in brightness temperatures in specific near-infrared wavelengths. In this preliminary study, we analyze only data collected over the span of 11 orbits. The mean radiance as a function of latitude is consistent with previous ground-based observations, indicating that the overall global distribution of mean cloud cover is stable, at least on a 10- to 20-year time scale. In contrast with the consistent level of radiance at high latitudes, a significant amount of variability to the radiance exists at lower latitudes, consistent with significant convective activity in the lower and middle cloud decks. The morphology of the holes tends from highly variable orientations of features with aspect ratios of nearly one at low latitudes, to very large aspect ratios and zonally oriented features at higher latitudes. The peak radiance of the holes appears not to demonstrate a latitudinal tendency. There is evidence of more variability to the morphology and radiance of features at lower latitudes. To investigate the evolution of the holes, we examine a sequence of images taken over a 5 h span of a single orbit. If this limited amount of data is representative, then the typical e-folding time scale for the evolution of a hole is about 1 day.
Continuous-Flow Gas-Lift Installation Design Utilizing Production-Pressure-Operated Valve Performance

The variable-gradient design-line method is a widely accepted procedure for spacing gas-lift valves (GLV'S) in a continuous-flow gas-lift (GL) installation. Injection-pressure-operated (IPO) and production-pressure-operated (PPO) GLV's can be used in a variable gradient designed installation. The primary purpose of GLV's is to unload a well to the desired depth of gas injection. If the installation design is based on a constant surface injection-gas pressure (P io ) the GLV's must be opened by an increase in the flowing-production pressure at valve depth (P pfD ) rather than an increase in injection-gas pressure at valve depth (p ioD ). PPO, also called fluid-operated, valves are opened and closed by changes in p pfD . This paper outlines in detail the calculations for a variable gradient continuous-flow installation design procedure based on a constant p io for spacing the unloading PPO valves. The valve spacing and port size selection includes performance characteristics of PPO GLV's. A simplified method for calculating the injection daily volumetric gas rate (q gsc ) throughput of an unbalanced bellows type of PPO valve on the basis of a change in p pfD and the valve bellows-assembly load rate (B Ir ) is given in the Appendix.
A simple approximation for IFR weibull renewal functions

Abstract The renewal function is useful in reliability theory and is often needed to compute optimal maintenance policies. Although the Weibull is frequently the distribution of choice for reliability estimation, it is seldom used in maintenance models. One reason for this is that the renewal function for the Weibull is intractable. Existing methods used to numerically compute or to approximate this function typically involve algorithms that are O(n2) in complexity and have large storage requirements. Although the renewal function converges to a linear expression as t → ∞, these methods become increasingly expensive as t becomes large. In this paper, we present a simple and accurate approximation that has computational complexity that is O(n) with O(1) storage requirements. The approximation is based on the limiting expression of the renewal function and makes use of several well known relations for IFR renewal functions. We demonstrate the usefulness and the accuracy of the approximation with several examples.
“Slinging dope”: The role of gangs and gang members in drug sales

There are two competing views about the role of gangs and gang members in drug sales. The first argues that street gangs are well-organized purveyors of illegal drugs who reinvest the profits from drug sales into the gang. A second approach rejects this notion. Its proponents claim that drug sales by gangs are seldom well-organized and that gang members often act independently of the gang in selling drugs. We examine these two arguments in the context of findings from a three-year field study of street gangs in a large midwestern city. We find that gang members are involved extensively in the sale of drugs, but that sales are seldom well organized. These results are discussed in light of the organizational structure of the gang and the nature of the street drug market.
The Yeast vps Class E Mutants: The Beginning of the Molecular Genetic Analysis of Multivesicular Body Biogenesis

In 1992, Raymond et al. published a compilation of the 41 yeast vacuolar protein sorting (vps) mutant groups and described a large class of mutants (class E vps mutants) that accumulated an exaggerated prevacuolar endosome-like compartment. Further analysis revealed that this “class E compartment” contained soluble vacuolar hydrolases, vacuolar membrane proteins, and Golgi membrane proteins unable to recycle back to the Golgi complex, yet these class E vps mutants had what seemed to be normal vacuoles. The 13 class E VPS genes were later shown to encode the proteins that make up the complexes required for formation of intralumenal vesicles in late endosomal compartments called multivesicular bodies, and for the sorting of ubiquitinated cargo proteins into these internal vesicles for eventual delivery to the vacuole or lysosome.
Electron microscopy of grain boundaries: An application to RE-Fe-B (RE = Pr or Nd) magnetic materials

Abstract To study the grain boundaries of the technologically important RE13.75Fe80.25B6 (RE = Pr or Nd) permanent magnets, we developed a new method using small-angle dark-field imaging based on inner-potential differences at the grain boundaries, combined with high-resolution electron microscopy and nanoscale chemical analysis. In both the Pr- and Nd-based melt-quenched die-upset magnets we consistently observed a very thin Fe-rich amorphized intergranular phase at the boundaries, and this finding may have an impact on our understanding of the coercivity mechanism of these materials. Although the value of the method was demonstrated for transition metal-rare earth intermetallics, it may also be applied to grain-boundary studies in other materials.
Structure–photovoltaic performance relationships for DSSC sensitizers having heterocyclic and benzene spacers

Five new sensitizers based on different spacer groups were designed and synthesized in order to facilitate investigation of the effects of heterocyclic spacers on photovoltaic parameters in DSSCs. It was found that generic issues arising from the electronic nature of heterocyclic units affected voltage parameters, with DP-P giving the highest voltage. On the other hand, higher electron transfer yield across a wide range of the solar spectrum played an important role in enhanced current densities. Best performance was achieved by the thiophene based sensitizer DP-T, resulting in an efficiency of 3.5% with Jsc = 8.19 mA cm−2, Voc = 0.618 V, ff = 0.697.
Anisotropic magnetic susceptibility of rocks under mechanical stresses

The magnetic susceptibility of a rock under a uniaxial compression (σ) decreases along the axis of compression and increases along the direction perpendicular to the axis, with an increase of σ. Thus, the magnetic susceptibility of a compressed rock becomes anisotropic.
Névrite optique inflammatoire dans la maladie des griffes du chat

Resume Les manifestations oculaires et neuro-ophtalmologiques sont relativement frequentes lors de la maladie des griffes du chat. L’association d’une nevrite optique anterieure a des lesions retiniennes suggere le diagnostic de neuroretinite. Un nouveau cas est rapporte.
Blunt visual trauma.

Eye injuries in sports have an estimated incidence near 15%. These injuries can have a wide range of severity with a risk profile that is different for each individual sport. It is important to screen for and protect any functionally one-eyed athletes before athletic participation. Protective eyewear has been proposed in many sports, but outcomes data on its effectiveness are limited. Several blunt visual trauma injuries and their management are reviewed, and tools to have in the sideline bag and a few different ophthalmologic medicines are discussed. Language: en
Diphenidol, A new antiemetic: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Placebo or diphenidol, a new nonphenothiazine antiemetic, was given to 30 patients with severe nausea and vomiting due to conditions including uremia, metastatic cancer, and hepatic decompensation. Diphenidol provided relief from nausea and vomiting that was significantly greater than the relief provided by placebo (P<0.02 and P<0.02). In the dosage required to control the symptoms, diphenidol did not cause any side effects that interfered with other medical treatment. The antiemetic activity of diphenidol appeared to be equivalent to that of the phenothiazines. Moreover, in the recommended antiemetic doses, diphenidol did not cause any of the side effects that can occur with the phenothiazines. Finally, in doses higher than those recommended for antiemetic activity, diphenidol appeared to be useful in controlling prolonged, intractable singultus. This impression should be confirmed by controlled studies.
The receptor-bound "empty pocket" state of the heterotrimeric G-protein alpha-subunit is conformationally dynamic.

Heterotrimeric G-protein activation by a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) requires the propagation of structural signals from the receptor-interacting surfaces to the guanine nucleotide-binding pocket. To probe conformational changes in the G-protein α-subunit (Gα) associated with activated GPCR (R*) interactions and guanine nucleotide exchange, high-resolution solution NMR methods are being applied in studying signaling of the G-protein, transducin, by light-activated rhodopsin. Using these methods, we recently demonstrated that an isotope-labeled Gα reconstituted heterotrimer forms functional complexes under NMR experimental conditions with light-activated, detergent-solubilized rhodopsin and a soluble mimic of R*, both of which trigger guanine nucleotide exchange [Ridge, K. D., et al. (2006) J. Biol. Chem. 281, 7635−7648]. Here, it is shown that both light-activated rhodopsin and the soluble mimic of R* form trapped intermediate complexes with a GDP-released “empty pocket” state of the heterotrimer in...
Synthesis of Cyclic (Co)polymers by Atom Transfer Radical Cross-Coupling and Ring Expansion by Nitroxide-Mediated Polymerization

A novel approach to prepare cyclic polymers via a combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and atom transfer radical cross-coupling (ATRC) is presented. A functional ATRP initiator possessing an alkoxyamine group was synthesized and used to prepare well-defined linear telechelic α-nitroxy,ω-bromo homo- and block copolymers via ATRP and subsequent thermal deprotection of the α-terminal nitroxide function. Cyclization reactions were achieved by intramolecular ATRC under high dilution. Ring expansion of a cyclic polystyrene alkoxyamine prepared by ATRC was conducted via nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP) of styrene and yielded a mixture of linear and cyclic polycondensates. This result is discussed in detail and explained by the persistent radical effect (PRE), thermal initiation, and the occurrence of radical crossover reactions during chain extension via NMP.
Confrontations with Difficult Patients: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Physicians are taught to remain empathic toward, negotiate with, and educate patients. Despite this training, some patients continue to pose management challenges for physicians. As a consequence, fatigue and negative emotions (such as anger, frustration, helplessness, exasperation, resentment, contempt, or even hatred) can develop. At times, doubts about one’s professional identity or personal self-worth can also surface. Tolerance, nonjudgmental listening, use of humor, thoughtful planning for patient encounters, and extra time spent onmanaging difficult patients are often recommended techniques to use in these trying circumstances. Confrontation can also serve as an effective style of communication to provide much needed care for difficult patients. We present the case of a young woman who was suspected of inoculating her intravenous lines with drainage from infected wounds (resulting in recurrent bacteremia). Although the primary team had their suspicions as to the etiology of her recurrent infections, they were uncertain about whether and how to confront her. They posed several questions about the confrontation of the patient, including the following: Who should confront her?Whatwould preparation for a confrontation entail? What communication techniques should be used? When should she be confronted? What content should be contained in the confrontation?Where should the confrontation take place?What were the risks and benefits of the confrontation? We discuss the case and provide guidelines on how confrontations can be therapeutic, improve care, and enhance the doctor-patient relationship.
Electrostatic orientation during electron transfer between flavodoxin and cytochrome c

Various studies have shown that reaction rates between revers-ibly binding electron transfer proteins depend strongly on solution ionic strength1–7. These observations suggest that inter-molecular electrostatic interactions are important in facilitating the formation of a productive reaction complex. A recently examined system involves the reduction of vertebrate cytochrome c by bacterial flavodoxin8,9. Although this is a non-physiological reaction, it proceeds with rates typical for natural partners and is similarly inhibited at high ionic strengths. Here we describe computational studies which examine the role of electrostatics in the formation of a putative reaction complex between flavodoxin and cytochrome c. The results suggest that electrostatic interactions preorient the molecules before they make physical contact, facilitating the formation of an optimal reaction complex.
Concentration of Eigenvalues for Skew-Shift Schrödinger Operators

I analyze the microscopic behavior of the eigenvalues of skew-shift Schrodinger operators, and show that their statistics must resemble the one of the Anderson model rather than the one of quasi-periodic Schrodinger operators.
Early Eocene marine ostracods from the Crescent Formation, southwestern Washington State, USA

Abstract. An assemblage of eleven species of Early Eocene marine intertidal and sublittoral ostracods has been found in the Crescent Formation in the Black Hills, Thurston County, Washington State, USA. The ostracods are subtropical and tropical taxa, such as Bairdoppilata, Cytherella and Neomonoceratina, which are found south of Washington today. Based on the geological age of the formation, the fauna corresponded to the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum. Five new species are recognized: Acanthocythereis olympiana sp. nov., Ambostracon irizukii sp. nov., Bairdoppilata crescentana sp. nov., Coquimba washingtonensis sp. nov. and Cytherelloidea squiresi sp. nov. This new assemblage from the Crescent Formation is the northernmost record of Early Eocene ostracods for the entire Pacific Basin.
The electrical conductivity and optical reflectance of graphite-SbF5 compounds

Abstract Graphite intercalation compounds were prepared from pyrolytic graphite and SbF5 or SbF5-HF mixtures. The compounds were characterized by c-axis thickness increase, gravimetric and X-ray analysis, and in some cases by elemental analysis. Measurements were made of the room temperature, basal-plane, electrical conductivity and the optical reflectance from 0.07 to 2.0 eV. The results of these measurements show clearly that the optical reflectance data for these materials is not amenable to analysis by a simple Drude model and that the maximum a-axis conductivity is approx. 1 3 that of copper.
Gender differences in upper extremity motor performance of older persons.

Background: Motor performance declines with age. Although gender differences in motor strength and speed have been widely reported, the extent to which these differences are maintained in old age has not been well established. Methods: Upper extremity motor performance was assessed in 234 men and 530 women Catholic clergy members aged 65 years or older with no clinical evidence of dementia who were participants in the Religious Orders Study. As part of a uniform clinical evaluation, upper extremity motor performance including strength (grip and pinch dynamometry), movement speed including finger tapping and Purdue pegboard and muscle bulk of the arm were collected. Results: Men were stronger than women at all ages but this difference became less prominent at older ages. Women scored higher on the Purdue Pegboard than men whereas men had faster maximal finger tapping rates than women. Gender differences in speed were not modified by age. Men had greater muscle bulk than women at all ages and these differences were not modified by age. These relationships were not modified by participants with a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease or stroke or by hormone replacement therapy in women. Conclusions: Gender differences in upper extremity speed and muscle bulk appear to be relatively stable with increasing age, whereas gender differences in strength were reduced in the oldest old. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine if men and women differ in the rate of decline of strength in old age.
Control of keratin gene expression by vitamin A in tracheobronchial epithelial cells.

Vitamin A (retinol) treatment induces (and/or enhances) mucous cell differentiation and alters keratin gene expression in cultured airway epithelial cells of human and nonhuman primate origin. We observed that retinol greatly reduced the synthesis of keratins 5, 6, 14, 16, and 17, but slightly enhanced keratins 7, 8, 10, 13, 15, 18, and 19. These changes were also reflected at the mRNA level as demonstrated by cell-free translation and by cDNA cloning of human keratin genes based on differential hybridization. One of these cDNA clones, HT27, isolated from the cDNA library of human tracheobronchial epithelial cells and whose expression in cultured cells was greatly suppressed by retinol, had a nucleotide sequence identical to the C-terminus of keratin 16. The identity of this clone was further confirmed by Western blot analysis using an antibody specific to the 15-amino acid synthetic peptide and the C-terminal sequence. Using this cDNA clone and two known keratin clones, pKA1 (keratins 5 and 6) and pKB2 (...
Improving instruction of future teachers: A multimedia approach that supports implementation of evidence-based vocabulary practices

Abstract Teacher education efforts must prepare future teachers to implement evidence-based practices that are effective for all students. A strand of practices necessary for reading competence is vocabulary instruction; however, teachers spend less time teaching vocabulary as opposed to other literacy skills. In this experimental study, researchers investigated a multimedia-based intervention, which pairs video with a Content Acquisition Podcast (i.e., video plus CAP) to teach preservice teachers ( N = 49) to implement vocabulary practices with struggling students. Those who watched the video plus CAP used significantly more teaching behaviors associated with an evidence-based vocabulary practice during instruction than the comparison group.
Overexpression of p101 activates PI3Kgamma signaling in T cells and contributes to cell survival.

p101, the regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-gamma (PI3Kγ), was recently reported as a common site of retroviral insertion in T-cell lymphomas induced in mice by MoFe2-MuLV, a unique recombinant gammaretrovirus. The common interruption of p101 by retroviral integration suggests that the locus encodes an oncogene whose altered expression is related to the induction of T-cell malignancy. To examine a possible role in the malignant process, p101 was overexpressed in human T-cell lines Molt-4 and Jurkat. Transient overexpression of p101 induced apoptosis in recipient cells; however, stable expression could be established in cells that expressed moderate levels of p101. Constitutive p101 overexpression in those cells conferred significant protection against ultraviolet-induced apoptosis. Protection against apoptotic induction was attributed to p101-mediated activation of the Akt pathway. Constitutive overexpression of p101 enhanced the activity of p110γ and further sensitized it to activation upon stimulation of G protein-coupled receptor. These findings are the first to implicate altered expression of p101 in malignancy, specifically in T-cell lymphoma. The findings further provide insight into the regulation of p110γ, indicating that the stoichiometry of p110γ and p101 are important in regulating PI3Kγ signaling.
Asp295 stabilizes the active-site loop structure of pyruvate dehydrogenase, facilitating phosphorylation of ser292 by pyruvate dehydrogenase-kinase.

We have developed an in vitro system for detailed analysis of reversible phosphorylation of the plant mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, comprising recombinant Arabidopsis thaliana α2β2-heterotetrameric pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1) plus A. thaliana E1-kinase (AtPDK). Upon addition of MgATP, Ser292, which is located within the active-site loop structure of E1α, is phosphorylated. In addition to Ser292, Asp295 and Gly297 are highly conserved in the E1α active-site loop sequences. Mutation of Asp295 to Ala, Asn, or Leu greatly reduced phosphorylation of Ser292, while mutation of Gly297 had relatively little effect. Quantitative two-hybrid analysis was used to show that mutation of Asp295 did not substantially affect binding of AtPDK to E1α. When using pyruvate as a variable substrate, the Asp295 mutant proteins had modest changes in kcat, Km, and kcat/Km values. Therefore, we propose that Asp295 plays an important role in stabilizing the active-site loop structure, facilitating transfer of the γ-phosphate from ATP to the Ser residue at regulatory site one of E1α.
Diffusing Supply Chain Innovations at Hewlett‐Packard Company: Applications of Performance Technology

Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) is a global electronics company that employs an internal, self-funding consulting lab to create supply chain management innovations for its businesses. The lab is challenged to diffuse new technologies effectively across HP's worldwide organizations. This paper outlines how the lab follows Everett Rogers and Diane Dorniant's principles to accelerate the diffusion and adoption of their innovations. Performance technologists are members of the consulting lab, and the paper discusses how their competence in supply chain engineering methods allows them to improve the diffusion process. The performance technologists work with their engineering colleagues to modify innovations to ease diffusion, define the client adoption path, create resources to lead clients through adoption, and improve the diffusion process. Examples of results from the lab's efforts are shown and arguments are presented on why this approach is superior to alternative diffusion techniques that have proven less successful at Hewlett-Packard.
Topical capsaicin selectively attenuates heat pain and A δ fiber-mediated laser-evoked potentials

Cutaneous stimulation with CO2 laser pulses activates A delta of nociceptive afferents and evokes late cerebral potentials (LEPs), the amplitude of which correlates parametrically with the perceived magnitude estimation of laser pulses. Capsaicin is known to desensitize the nociceptive terminals of C fibers. In this double-blind, vehicle-controlled experiment, we tested the hypothesis that topical capsaicin would inactivate A delta afferents and lead to an attenuation of the LEPs. Subjects applied capsaicin cream to the dorsum of one hand and vehicle cream to the other 3 times daily for a period of 5 weeks. At weekly intervals before starting, during administration and after discontinuation of capsaicin, LEPs were recorded and psychophysical thresholds and magnitude estimation for several sensory modalities were determined. The results of this study showed that topical capsaicin significantly and reversibly decreased the magnitude estimation of suprathreshold heat pain, laser pulses and amplitude of the LEPs. There was no statistically significant difference in light touch, deep pain and mechanical pain detection thresholds between the capsaicin- and vehicle-treated hands. It indicated that topical capsaicin caused a definite functional and reversible inactivation of A delta nociceptive afferent transmission. The decline in the magnitude estimation of laser pulses concomitantly with the attenuation of LEP amplitudes supports the hypothesis that some A delta afferents mediate noxious heat in humans. These findings demonstrate the usefulness of LEP in the physiological evaluation of nociceptive pathways and its potential usefulness in objectively documenting the effect of pharmacological treatment on pain perception.
The role of reaction engineering in cancer biology: Bio-imaging informatics reveals implications of the plasma membrane heterogeneities

Recent developments in microscopy have led to revolutionary advances in our knowledge of the spatiotemporal dynamics of proteins in the plasma membrane of living cells and of heterogeneity of the plasma membrane. For example, spatial heterogeneities in the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) distribution in different domains of the plasma membrane are becoming increasingly evident. However, the influence of these heterogeneities on cellular signaling remains elusive despite uncontrolled receptor signaling being implicated in various forms of cancer. Herein, we suggest a reaction engineering, multiscale simulation framework, coined as model based bio-imaging informatics. This framework can fill in the scales’ gap between various experimental methods and analyze the wealth of image informatics to unravel the influence of plasma membrane heterogeneities on the early events of the EGFR signaling, namely EGF binding and EGFR dimerization. An overarching conclusion arising from our work is that the plasma membrane heterogeneities can strongly modulate the amount as well the mechanism of ligand–receptor binding. 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Managing Online Survey Data.

In this chapter we discuss how to download, clean, and transform online survey results in preparation for data analysis.
Pyramidal tract neurons in somatosensory cortex: central and peripheral inputs during voluntary movement

Recordings with pyramidal tract neurons (PTNs) in the primary somatosensory cortex of the monkey show that these neurons have 3 properties in common with PTNs of primary motor cortex: (1) they exhibit discharge prior to the onset of voluntary movement, (2) their discharge frequency varies as a function of strength of muscular contraction, and (3) they show reflex responses to afferent stimuli that occur during movement. These findings support the view that in addition to its widely recognized role in somesthetic perception, somatosensory cortex has a direct role in the control of movement.
Convenient apparatus for preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and its use in purification of three porcine neurophysins.

Abstract A simplified and effective preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis apparatus is described. It has been used to isolate rapidly three porcine neurophysins in sufficient quantities for sequencing studies that are at present in progress.
A Simple EHL Film Thickness Equation for Rolling Element Bearings

Wide use of EHL principles in the field of bearing lubrication has been restricted by the unavailability of the geometry data needed for full solution of the EHL film thickness equations. A project to find an approximate, and yet accurate, equation for rolling element bearings which requires only geometry data available in bearing catalogues resulted in a simple equation containing only the bearing outside diameter. The simple equation and its derivation are presented in this paper together with a number of comparisons of the simple solution with the full EHL solution. In addition, the simple equation is used with typical values of bearing roughness to produce a graphical solution for specific film thickness which can be used either to determine the quality of lubrication in an operating bearing or for lubricant selection. Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASLE/ASME Lubrication Conference in Dayton, Ohio, October 16–18, 1979
Stereotypy in Autism: The Importance of Function

We argue for the utility of a functional definition of stereotypy based on evidence of both sensory automatic and socially mediated reinforcement contingencies in the occurrence of stereotypy in children with autism. A predetermined sensory function of stereotypy is often invoked in the behavioral literature and the term "self-stimulatory behavior" is commonly misused as interchangeable with "stereotypy." We discuss evidence for a variety of potential functional properties of stereotypy. Diagnostic definitions are reviewed and support for both sensory and social functions is outlined. We argue that stereotypies should be described and categorized according to their function, rather than form. Furthermore, treatment decisions should be based on a functional interpretation of stereotypy, which acknowledges its operant and heterogeneous quality in autism.
Commentary on an article by Richard B. Frobell, PhD: "Change in cartilage thickness, posttraumatic bone marrow lesions, and joint fluid volumes after acute acl disruption. a two-year prospective MRI study of sixty-one subjects".

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is an important stabilizer of the knee joint. At the time of ACL disruption, the “bone bruise” sustained during pivot shift and tibial translation has been recognized as a transchondral fracture of varying severity. Little is known, however, about the risk factors of osteoarthritis following initial ACL injury, or the effect on cartilage morphology following the initial transchondral fracture. Because of its direct multiplanar capabilities and superior soft-tissue contrast, as well as the availability of reproducible, standardized, and surgically validated cartilage pulse sequences, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an extremely well-suited tool to provide objective longitudinal evaluation of cartilage changes following ACL disruption. In a young cohort of patients (mean age, twenty-six years) who sustained an ACL tear, the investigators performed a longitudinal, comprehensive, prospective MRI analysis, using standardized three-dimensional pulse sequences to evaluate morphologic changes and cartilage thickness as well as the extent of subchondral bone marrow edema pattern and joint fluid volume. The patients were captured from a prior randomized controlled trial comparing delayed versus acute ACL reconstruction with a clinical rehabilitation regimen alone. The investigation disclosed significant cartilage thickening in the central portion of the medial femoral condyle, associated with an older age at the time of the ACL tear, …
Process Development and Tribochemical Evaluation of Seed Oil Based Antiwear/Antifriction Additive

Antiwear / antifriction additives enhance the ability of lubricant to withstand mechanical stresses of interacting surfaces under boundary lubrication conditions. Majority of the lubricants and additives currently used are petroleum based that are toxic to environment, making it increasingly difficult for safe and easy disposal. There has been an increasing demand for “green” lubricants and lubricant additives in recent years due to concerns about lubricants lost to the environment and increasingly strict government regulations controlling their use.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Elevated homocysteine is associated with reduced regional left ventricular function: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background— An elevated homocysteine (Hcy) level has been reported to be a risk factor for the development of congestive heart failure in individuals free of myocardial infarction. In this study, we aim to investigate the relationship between Hcy levels and regional left ventricular function in an asymptomatic population. Method and Results— Regional peak systolic midwall circumferential strains were calculated from 1178 tagged magnetic resonance imaging studies in participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Left ventricular regions were defined by coronary territories (left anterior descending, left circumflex, right coronary artery). For the 1178 study participants (66±10 years of age, 58% males), the median (interquartile range) of Hcy was 9.1 (9.0 to 9.3). After adjustment for traditional risk factors, race, height, weight, left ventricular end-diastolic mass/volume, serum creatinine, and measures of atherosclerosis, reduced regional myocardial circumferential shortening across s...
Scaled interfacial activity of proteins at a hydrophobic solid/aqueous-buffer interface.

Contact-angle goniometry confirms that interfacial energetics of protein adsorption to the hydrophobic solid/aqueous-buffer (solid–liquid, SL) surface is not fundamentally different than adsorption to the aqueous-buffer/air (liquid–vapor, LV) interface measured by pendant-drop tensiometry. Adsorption isotherms of 9 globular blood proteins with molecular weight (MW) spanning from 10 to 1000 kDa on methyl-terminated self-assembled monolayer surfaces demonstrate that (i) proteins are weak surfactants, reducing contact angles by no more than about 15° at maximum solution concentrations (∼10 mg/mL); (ii) the corresponding dynamic range of spreading pressure Πa < 20 mN/m; and (iii) the maximum spreading pressure Π for these diverse proteins falls within a relatively narrow 5 mN/m band. As with adsorption to the LV interface, we find that concentration scaling substantially alters perception of protein interfacial activity measured by Πa. Proteins appear more similar than dissimilar on a weight/volume basis whereas molarity scaling reveals a systematic ordering by MW, suggesting that adsorption is substantially driven by solution concentration rather than diversity in protein amphilicity. Scaling as a ratio-to-physiological-concentration demonstrates that certain proteins exhibit Π at-and-well-below physiological concentration whereas others require substantially higher solution concentration to attain Π. Important among this latter category of proteins is blood factor XII, assumed by the classical biochemical mechanism of plasma coagulation to be highly surface active, even in the presence of overwhelming concentrations of other blood constituents such as albumin and immunoglobulin that are shown by this work to be among the class of highly surface-active proteins at physiologic concentration. The overarching interpretation of this work is that water plays a dominant, controlling role in the adsorption of globular-blood proteins to hydrophobic surfaces and that energetics of hydration control the amount of protein adsorbed to poorly water-wettable biomaterials. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2005