cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fatherhood and Immigration: Perceptions of Israeli Immigrant Fathers From Ethiopia and the Former Soviet Union

Social services in multicultural societies often assist families in cultural transitions. These processes are seen as carrying potential risks and threats for families and children. Studies primarily examine immigration as a complex transition that affects the stability and continuity of family roles. This study focuses on the impact of immigration on the role of fathers. Moving away both from the risk theory of immigration and the deficit theory of fatherhood, this study focuses rather on the systemic barriers and obstacles facing immigrant fathers in their new country and the positive opportunities this change represents for them and their families. The study examines the impact of immigration on fatherhood by comparing Ethiopian and former Soviet Union Israeli immigrant fathers' perceptions of fatherhood in the midst of cultural change.
Domesticity, Gender and the 1977 Apple II Personal Computer

ABSTRACTThis paper considers one of the first personal computers to be marketed to a mainstream American audience in the late 1970s: the Apple II. Lewis Mumford's notion of “ideological and social preparation” is adapted to describe this period as a preparatory phase for the later ubiquity and absorbing quality of our relationship with personal computers. In examining the Apple II's design alongside a key marketing image we can discern that domesticity and gender were crucial points of negotiation during this period. In the late 1970s marketing for Apple the image of idyllic domesticity quickly became a major context for computer promotion, a development that had gendered implications. The example of 1930s streamlining in the design of domestic household appliances is used as a parallel with the Apple II's startling application of a plastic case: the concealing plastic exterior simultaneously simplified and obscured the device, transforming it from a “machine” into a “personal appliance.”
Correlation of histology with human papillomavirus DNA detection in the female genital tract.

Abstract Genital condyloma and intraepithelial neoplasia secondary to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection are characterized by perinuclear halos and marked nuclear atypia (koilocytotic atypia) on cytologic and histologic examination. However, at times the histologic findings, including the degree of nuclear atypia, may be suggestive but not absolutely diagnostic of an HPV related neoplasm. HPV DNA sequences were detected in 63 and 56% of colposcopically visible vaginal and cervical lesions, respectively, that were diagnosed as condyloma or intraepithelial neoplasia. HPV DNA sequences were detected in 14 and 47% of vaginal and cervical lesions, respectively, that did not fulfill the histologic criteria of condyloma or intraepithelial neoplasia (i.e., "nondiagnostic"). When examining cervices from patients with no visible lesion and no recent history of an abnormal pap smear, 5.5% had detectable HPV DNA sequences. The histologic findings in this group were equivalent to the virus-negative cases and similar to the "nondiagnostic" cervical lesions. These findings suggest that the detection rate of HPV DNA in "nondiagnostic" tissues is dependent on the site and presence or absence of a visible lesion. The rate is similar in cervical lesions regardless of the histologic findings whereas it is less in vaginal lesions when the histologic criteria of condyloma or intraepithelial neoplasia are not detected.
Infrared infiltration and properties of SCS-6/Ti alloy composites

Liquid infiltration processes are seldom used in the fabrication of titanium matrix composites primarily because of severe interfacial reactions during processing. To minimize fibre-matrix interfacial reactions, a rapid infrared manufacturing (RIM) process has been developed. In this study, SCS-6 fibre reinforced titanium matrix composites were fabricated by the RIM process. Experimental results indicate that composites prepared by the RIM process exhibit small interfacial reaction zones and superior mechanical properties compared to diffusion bonded composites. Interfacial reactions during processing in this composite system have been investigated. Microscopic analyses showed that the carbon-rich coating present on SCS-6 fibres partially dissolved in the alloy during infiltration without forming a continuous reaction product. A physical model has been proposed to explain the dissolution mechanism of the carbon-rich coating. The dissolution rate of the coating at the processing temperature of 1300 °C was calculated to be 1.4×10−6 cm s−1.
Aerosolized ceftazidime prophylaxis against ventilator-associated pneumonia in high-risk trauma patients: results of a double-blind randomized study.

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a frequent complication during recovery of severely traumatized patients. The primary objective of this study was to determine if prophylactic a...
Ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation induced signal transduction in skin photoaging

Summary The purpose of this article is to offer perspective on current understanding of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation-induced signal transduction, with emphasis on membrane-initiated, non-nuclear signaling events. We will describe the role of UV-induced signaling in the mechanism of premature skin aging (photoaging). UV irradiation serves as a universal ligand to active cell surface receptors and to induce assembly of signaling complexes at the plasma membrane. These complexes activate cytosolic protein kinase cascades that relay signals to the cell nucleus, thereby regulating the activity of a variety transcription factors. Key cellular responses are up-regulation of matrix-degrading metalloproteinases, and down-regulation of extracellular matrix biosynthesis. The resultant net deficit of structural integrity of skin connective tissue is one of the major factors that contributes to the phenotype of photoaging. Insights into the molecular mechanisms of UV-induced signal transduction will eventually translate into new, effective methods to prevent UV-induced skin damage.
Forces on intertidal organisms due to breaking ocean waves: Design and application of a telemetry system1

A new telemetry system measures the direction and magnitude of the forces imposed on intertidal organisms by individual breaking waves. Cast epoxy replicas of organisms are mounted on three transducers embedded in an exposed rock surface. Force data are encoded as a frequency-modulated audio signal and transmitted as an FM radio signal a sufficient distance so that the receiving and recording apparatus is safely away from the wave-swept shore. The system measures forces in the range of 0.1–10 N, but can be scaled to fit a variety of applications. The apparatus is simple to build and inexpensive.
Two new species of Bittacidae (Mecoptera) from the Amazonian forest of Southern Colombia

Pazius cinctipes n. sp. and Issikiella amazonica n. sp. are described and illustrated. Both are compared to the most closely related species in their respective small genera. Both are from southernmost Colombia.
Determination of surface stress by Seasat-SASS - A case study with JASIN data

The values of sea surface stress determined with the dissipation method and those determined with a surface-layer model from observations on F.S. Meteor during the Joint Air-Sea Interaction (JASIN) Experiment are compared with the backscatter coefficients measured by the scatterometer SASS on the satellite Seasat. This study demonstrates that SASS can be used to determine surface stress directly as well as wind speed. The quality of the surface observations used in the calibration of the retrieval algorithms, however, is important. This sample of measurements disagrees with the predictions by the existing wind retrieval algorithm under non-neutral conditions and the discrepancies depend on atmospheric stability.
The temperature of flash-cooling has dramatic effects on the diffraction quality of nucleosome crystals

Nucleosome core-particle crystals are routinely flash-cooled in liquid propane at temperatures of approximately 153 K, followed by transfer into a cold nitrogen-gas stream (approximately 93 K). Analysis of diffraction data from crystals flash-cooled at different temperatures shows that the optimal temperature is approximately 153 K. The data quality worsens, with a concomitant reduction in the diffraction limit, at temperatures both higher and lower than 153 K. With some batches of crystals, significant shrinkage of the unit-cell volume is also observed at temperatures of 138 K and lower. The lattice shrinkage is always restricted to the c axis, concurrent with closer packing of two nucleosomes. Direct plunge-cooling of crystals in liquid nitrogen leads to loss of diffraction quality and resolution limit. Thus, in cases where flash-cooling into liquid nitrogen is detrimental to diffraction, optimizing cooling protocols at higher temperatures using liquid propane or other cryogens with similar properties may lead to dramatically improved results. In a related study, it is shown that a nucleosome crystal transported under 'cryocooled' conditions has higher mosaicity and yields inferior data quality in comparison to a crystal cryocooled at the synchrotron. For fragile crystals, transport in mother liquor and/or cryoprotectant followed by subsequent flash-cooling at the synchrotron may be the best procedure.
Hypothalamic stimulation of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion from transplanted pituitaries following exposure to constant light.

The effects of lesions in the basal median hypothalamus and of pinealectomy on the constant light-induced follicular development were evaluated in hypophysectomized rats with pituitary transplants. Adult hypophysec-tomized female rats received 2 pituitary homo-grafts 5–8 days post hypophysectomy. Lesions and pinealectomy along with their respective sham operations were performed 5–7 days after transplantation. Animals were exposed to constant light for 21 days. In some experiments animals received HCG for 3–4 days prior to termination of the experiments. FSH concentrations were evaluated by the Steelman-Pohley method. Constant light induced 22–55% increases in the ovarian weights and 36–50% increments in the uterine weights of hypophysectomized rats with pituitary transplants. No stimulation of uterine weights was obtained without HCG administration. Lesions in the basal median hypothalamus completely prevented the constant light-induced increases in both ovarian and uterine weights, indicating a signific...
Motion of electrons and holes in semiconductors from a many-electron point of view

Abstract The physical properties of a conduction electron or hole in a semiconductor are customarily interpreted in terms of a model in which they are regarded much like free electrons or positrons. The only modifications are the following: the free electron mass m is replaced by an effective mass m ∗ (or some appropriate generalization); and the interaction with an embedded charge q (impurity) is taken as eq/kr , where k is the static dielectric constant of the semiconductor. It will be shown (K ohn Phys. Rev. 105 , 509 (1957); 110 , 857 (1958)) that this model can be strictly derived from the many-electron Schrodinger equation, provided only that the interaction of the carrier with the field produced by the embedded charge is weak enough. The effects of the electron-electron interaction are summed to all orders of perturbation theory, using the techniques of FSpeynman and GSpoldstone. This result constitutes one of the simplest cases of a (finite) mass and charge renormalization.
Inhibition of adipose conversion of 3T3 fibroblasts by tumour promoters

TUMOUR-PROMOTING compounds are not themselves carcinogenic, but can induce skin tumours in mice pretreated with a subcarcinogenic dose of a chemical carcinogen1–3. They have been shown to produce many different biochemical and biological effects on cells3,4, but the mechanism of promotion is not known. Two recent reports describe the effects of the phorbol diester series of tumour promoters on cell differentiation in vitro. Cohen et al.5 observed that 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA; phorbol myristate acetate), a potent promoter, inhibits myogenesis in chick embryo muscle cultures. We have reported6,7 that TPA and other tumour-promoting phorbol diesters inhibit spontaneous and induced differentiation of Friend erythroleukaemia cells in culture. We now describe another cell system, mouse preadipose cells, in which tumour promoters inhibit terminal differentiation, and confirm in these cells our original observation6 that there is a good correlation between the ability of a particular phorbol diester to promote tumours in mouse skin and its ability to inhibit terminal differentiation of cells in culture.
Performance analysis of a thermoelectric cooler with a corrugated architecture

A thermoelectric (TE) cooler architecture is presented that employs thin film thermoelectric elements on a plastic substrate in a corrugated structure sandwiched between planar thermal interface plates. This design represents a hybrid of a conventional bulk TE device and an in-plane thin film TE design. This design is attractive as it may benefit from low cost thin-film processing in a roll-to-roll fashion onto low-cost plastics substrates while maintaining a cross-plane heat flux for large area applications and a geometry that assists in maintaining a significant temperature difference across the thermoelectric elements. First, the performance of a single thermocouple is analyzed and the effect of the parasitic heat loss through the plastic substrate is examined. The performance of an array of thermocouples is then considered and the effects of various geometric parameters are analyzed with particular focus on the packing density of thermoelectric legs. The results show that while the coefficient of performance (COP) is comparable to a conventional bulk element TE cooler, the cooling power density drops off dramatically with a decrease in stacking angle of the legs. A comparison is then made between the heat sink demands of the hybrid TE design and a conventional bulk TE device where it is found that the lower cooling power density of the hybrid TE results in a reduction of heat sink demands as compared to bulk TE modules. The modeled performance suggest that the hybrid TE device may be advantageous in low cooling power density applications over relatively large areas where the low-cost nature of the device is maximized and less elaborate heat sink designs work effectively, cumulatively improving cost competitiveness.
THE LANGUAGE CONCEPTS NEEDED BY COLLEGE FRESHMEN

Author's summary.— An attempt to determine, by a study of foreign language and English textbooks, how many and what grammatical concepts may be expected of a college freshman at entrance.
Application of ICP-MS radionuclide analysis to “Real World” samples of department of Energy radioactive waste

Disposal of Department of Energy (DOE) radioactive waste into repositories such as the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) and the Nevada Test Site (NTS) requires characterization to ensure regulatory and transportation requirements are met and to collect information regarding chemistry of the waste for processing concerns. Recent addition of an inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometer in a radioactive contaminated laboratory at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has allowed the evaluation of advantages of using ICP-MS over traditional techniques for some of these characterization needs. The measurement of long-lived beta nuclides (i.e.99Tc) by ICP-MS has resulted in improved detection limits and accuracy than the traditional counting techniques as well as reducing the need for separation/purification techniques which increase personnel exposure to radiation. Using ICP-MS for the measurement of U isotopes versus the traditional Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer (TIMS) technique has reduced cost and time by more than half while still maintaining the needed accuracy to determine risk assessment of the waste tanks. In addition, the application of ICP-MS to ORNL waste tank characterization has provided the opportunity to estimate non-routine radionuclides (i.e.135Cs and151Sm) and non-routine metals (i.e. Li, Ti, rare earths, etc.) using a rapid low cost screening method. These application methodologies and proficiencies on ORNL waste samples are summarized throughout the paper.
Experimental Evaluation of an Adaptive Controller for a Wind-Driven Pitch Manipulator

The problem of control design for wind-driven manipulators is addressed, and results of an experimental controller evaluation are described. Successful control design is essential to the use of the wind-driven manipulator for simulating aircraft maneuvers in a wind tunnel. Several wind-driven manipulator configurations are described. A second-order nonlinear state model for a pitch only manipulator is derived and validated with experimental data. An adaptive feedback linearization algorithm for the pitch manipulator is described. Experimental results are presented to show actual controller performance.
What is anaphylaxis

Purpose of reviewIn the century since the discovery of anaphylaxis, research has yet to identify the mechanisms that cause a localized allergic response to become rapidly generalized, and particularly why only some sensitized individuals develop the clinical reaction on exposure. The possible compon
Collagen-based wound dressing: Effects of hyaluronic acid and firponectin on wound healing

Our previous studies have shown that a collagen-based wound dressing induces the spatial deposition of wound tissue. This study was conducted to determine the effects of hyaluronic acid and fibronectin on wound healing. These macromolecules play an important role in wound healing, embryonic development and cellular migration in vitro. The effects of the addition of varying levels of fibronectin and hyaluronate to a collagen sponge were studied. Low levels of both hyaluronate and fibronectin modified the structure of the implant, and resulted in increased chemoattraction, replication and collagen deposition in an in vivo wound healing model.
Supernatural power, sexuality, and the paradigm of “women's space” in religion and culture

Many traditional social scientists still hold to the analytical view that dichotomizes magic and religion. By placing magic and religion in discrete categories we underdetermine the extent of “women's space” in religion and culture. In religion women were dipicted as subordinate ritually and spiritually. In magic, things feminine were usually identified with evil and witchcraft. The paradigm of women's space transcends the traditional dichotomy of magic and religion in a way that enhances feminine attributes in magicoreligious systems. Women are unique sources of supernatural power which emanates from their sexuality and reproductive capacities. This study examines several categories of supernatural power that are uniquely feminine and help delimit the paradigm of “espace feminine” or women's space in religion and culture. It takes the view that, as sources of supernatural power, women constitute a unique spiritual resource vital to religion and culture.
Relationship of nutritional factors to the cause, dissolution, and prevention of canine uroliths.

Nutritional factors play a variable role in the etiopathogenesis of canine struvite, ammonium urate, cystine, calcium oxalate, and silica uroliths. Knowledge of these factors allows modification of diets to promote dissolution of selected minerals within uroliths.
Electronic effects in scanning tunneling microscopy: Moiré pattern on a graphite surface.

We observed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) a hexagonal superlattice on graphite with a period of 66 \AA{}. Direct measurement of the angle between lattice vectors confirmed that the superlattice is a Moir\'e pattern caused by a 2.1\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} rotation of the topmost (0001) plane with respect to the bulk. The STM corrugation of 2.6 \AA{} is not due to physical buckling, but to differences in electronic structure between AA-stacked, normal AB-stacked, and rhombohedral CAB-stacked graphite. The high tunneling current of AA-stacked regions is in agreement with the high density of states at the Fermi level calculated for AA graphite. The Moir\'e pattern changes, both the amplitude and the shape, with bias voltage. The observation provides a basis for a comparative study of surface electronic structures with different subsurface layer configuration, which is a vital test of our understanding of STM.
NeatMap - non-clustering heat map alternatives in R

The clustered heat map is the most popular means of visualizing genomic data. It compactly displays a large amount of data in an intuitive format that facilitates the detection of hidden structures and relations in the data. However, it is hampered by its use of cluster analysis which does not always respect the intrinsic relations in the data, often requiring non-standardized reordering of rows/columns to be performed post-clustering. This sometimes leads to uninformative and/or misleading conclusions. Often it is more informative to use dimension-reduction algorithms (such as Principal Component Analysis and Multi-Dimensional Scaling) which respect the topology inherent in the data. Yet, despite their proven utility in the analysis of biological data, they are not as widely used. This is at least partially due to the lack of user-friendly visualization methods with the visceral impact of the heat map. NeatMap is an R package designed to meet this need. NeatMap offers a variety of novel plots (in 2 and 3 dimensions) to be used in conjunction with these dimension-reduction techniques. Like the heat map, but unlike traditional displays of such results, it allows the entire dataset to be displayed while visualizing relations between elements. It also allows superimposition of cluster analysis results for mutual validation. NeatMap is shown to be more informative than the traditional heat map with the help of two well-known microarray datasets. NeatMap thus preserves many of the strengths of the clustered heat map while addressing some of its deficiencies. It is hoped that NeatMap will spur the adoption of non-clustering dimension-reduction algorithms.
Impact of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia diagnosis and treatment on self-esteem and body image

Abstract Most women commonly take an abnormal Pap smear to be indicative of invasive cancer. This fear can permeate their life-style to the degree that it may influence receptivity to medical procedures as well as promote cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) to invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. This longitudinal study was undertaken to provide baseline data on self-esteem and body image as the patient progresses from the initial visit through the postsurgery visit. Twenty patients ranging in age from 15 to 40 years were followed through diagnosis and treatment with colposcopic biopsy showing 25% CIN I, 45% CIN II, and 30% CIN III. Concern for cancer overrode all other concerns except during the postsurgery visit, at which time loss of attractiveness was paramount. Loss of sexual functioning ranked high in all visits. Self-esteem was lowest and anxiety highest during the initial and postsurgery visits. Positive body image was greatest when the results of the biopsy were received and during the postsurgery visit. Patients and sexual partners exhibited similar patterns of anxiety about the medical condition. Psychological repercussions from CIN occurred even prior to diagnosis.
Body-oriented therapy in sexual abuse recovery: A pilot-test comparison

Summary The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of body-oriented therapy, as an adjunct to psychotherapy, for women in recovery from childhood sexual abuse. A two-group randomized design was employed. Eight women were recruited from a community sample and randomly assigned to an experimental group or wait-list control group. The experimental condition involved eight 1-h weekly sessions of body-oriented therapy, a combination of bodywork and the emotional processing of psychotherapy. The study examined changes in somatic and psychological symptoms, and the subjective experience of the intervention using a mixed method approach. Methods included interview, written questionnaire, and self-report outcome measures of psychological symptoms, dissociation, post-traumatic stress, and physical symptoms. Pre–post comparison of the two groups revealed remarkable decreases on SCL-90 global score, PTSD, number and severity of physical symptoms, and a trend toward decreased dissociation for the experimental compared to the control group. Qualitative results revealed the positive impact of body-oriented therapy on sense of inner security and psychotherapeutic progress.
Update on Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Agents in Crohn Disease

Anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) agents, including infliximab, adalimumab, and certolizumab pegol, are effective medications for the management of moderate to severe Crohn disease (CD). They are effective in inducing and maintaining clinical remission, inducing mucosal healing, improving quality of life, and reducing the risk of hospitalization and surgery in adult and pediatric patients with CD. Future research into comparative effectiveness of different agents, as well as better understanding of predictors of response, is warranted to allow optimization of therapeutic response.
Base catalysis by intrazeolitic cesium oxides

Abstract Zeolites X and Y containing intrazeolitic cesium oxide particles are synthesized and characterized by 133 Cs nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, infrared (IR) spectroscopy of adsorbed CO 2 and CO 2 temperature- programmed desorption. The isomerization of 1-butene to give cis/trans ratios of 2-butene above 10 at 150°C shows that these materials are solid base catalysts. At the same reaction conditions, cesium ion-exchanged zeolites X and Y are inactive. The combined physicochemical properties are used to develop structure-property relationships and to rationalize the origin of the strong basicity achieved by the intrazeolitic cesium oxide particles. These novel catalysts offer new possibilities for shape-selective solid superbase catalysis.
Treatment Of Electric Arc Furnace Dust With A Sustained Shockwave Plasma Reactor

In the reprocessing of steel from automotive scrap, lead, cadmium and zinc, which are volatile constituents, vaporize under the extremely high localized temperatures in an electric arc furnace at the points of contact between the graphite electrodes and the charge. These vapors condense to produce a hazardous dust termed electric arc furnace dust (EFD). This study was undertaken to satisfy the need for a mobile system which could be moved from site to site of generators of EFD to avoid transportation of hazardous waste, and to recycle slags and metallic iron products within the plant. A new type of plasma device, the Sustained Shockwave Plasma (SSP) has been developed and tested for treatment of EFD on a laboratory scale (500 g h-1). Batch tests show that EFD can be treated to produce a non-hazardous slag and metallic zinc and lead to recycle.
The extent of vowel-to-vowel coarticulation in English

Abstract This acoustic study investigated the extent and nature of vowel-to-vowel coarticulation in English trisyllabic utterances (/bV1bəbV3b /) where both V1 and V3 were either /a/ or /i/. Primary stress was assigned to either the first or third syllable, and secondary stress was assigned to the other syllable. The study revealed considerable variability among the four speakers in the systematic effects of non-adjacent vowels on one another. The most important result is that coarticulatory effects can, in some instances, extend beyond the bounds that previous research had assumed; both carry-over and anticipatory effects extend from one full vowel, through the medial schwa, and into the midpoint of the other full vowel. In fact, for one speaker, effects of V3 can be seen as early as V1 onset of /a/. This result indicates that the foot does not define the domain over which coarticulatory effects operate. Finally, this study found no evidence of greater carry-over than anticipatory effects.
Mycorrhizal association with native and invasive cordgrass Spartina spp. in San Francisco Bay, ­California

For the first time, hybrids of Spartina al- terniflora × foliosa are reported to form mycorrhizal associations. This is important in light of the invasion dynamics within San Francisco Bay—where Spartina hybrids are invading tidal habitats and causing func- tional changes in the ecosystem. Mycorrhizal associa- tions can positively influence biomass production in invasive Spar tina and may contribute to increased in- vasion success. Of the Spartina hybrids investigated, 83% were mycorrhizal. During hybrid ization, the ability to be mycorrhizal may be contributed by the native S. foliosa, also found to be mycorrhizal, whereas the introduced S. alterniflora is non-mycor- rhizal in its native habitat. Seedlings of Spartina hy- brids inoculated with a commercial mycorrhizal mix showed greater above-ground growth and total bio- mass compared to control plants in the greenhouse. Mycorrhizal associations have the po-tential to influ- ence the invasion trajectory of hybrid Spartina in San Francisco Bay, but additional research is needed.
Biosynthesis of the polysialic acid capsule in Escherichia coli K1. Cold inactivation of sialic acid synthase regulates capsule expression below 20°C*

When neuroinvasive Escherichia coli K1 cells are grown at temperatures below 20 degrees C, they fail to synthesize the alpha-2,8-linked polysialic acid (polySia) capsule. The objective of this study was to use a genetic and biochemical approach to analyse why capsule expression was defective at cold temperatures. The strategy was to construct E.coli K1-derived mutants with defects in activation and degradation of Sia. The inability to degrade Sia because of a defect in the Sia-specific aldolase permitted accurate quantitation of Sia and CMP-Sia. Strains EV5 and EV90 possessed a defective CMP-Sia synthetase and were unable to activate Sia. These mutants were then used to study how synthesis of Sia, CMP-Sia, and the polySia capsule was affected by growth at 15 degrees C. In contrast to wild type strains, the mutants accumulated Sia in considerable quantities (up to 100 nmol mg protein-1) at 37 degrees C. However, no Sia was detected after growth at 15 degrees C. A temperature upshift experiment showed that the intracellular concentration of Sia increased ca. 3-fold within 5-10 min after shift from 15 to 37 degrees C, even in the presence of inhibitors of protein synthesis or transcription initiation. An in vitro assay for Sia synthase showed that Sia was synthesized at 37 degrees C in cell-free extracts from both 37 and 15 degrees C grown cells, but that no synthesis occurred when the same extracts were assayed at 15 degrees C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Inflammation in cardiovascular tissue engineering: the challenge to a promise: a minireview.

Tissue engineering employs scaffolds, cells, and stimuli brought together in such a way as to mimic the functional architecture of the target tissue or organ. Exhilarating advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine allow us to envision in vitro creation or in vivo regeneration of cardiovascular tissues. Such accomplishments have the potential to revolutionize medicine and greatly improve our standard of life. However, enthusiasm has been hampered in recent years because of abnormal reactions at the implant-host interface, including cell proliferation, fibrosis, calcification and degeneration, as compared to the highly desired healing and remodeling. Animal and clinical studies have highlighted uncontrolled chronic inflammation as the main cause of these processes. In this minireview, we present three case studies highlighting the importance of inflammation in tissue engineering heart valves, vascular grafts, and myocardium and propose to focus on the endothelial barrier, the “final frontier” endowed with the natural potential and ability to regulate inflammatory signals.
Urine and plasma levels of fibrinopeptide B in patients with deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism

Abstract Background: Many patients with pulmonary thromboembolism remain undiagnosed, possibly because of the difficulty clinicians have in determining which patients merit work-up with accurate (but expensive) imaging techniques. Objectives: We present the first prospective clinical study of pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) detection using the FPBtot assay, which measures fibrinopeptide B and its first derivative, des-arginine fibrinopeptide B. Methods: Twenty three patients with signs or symptoms of PE or DVT were enrolled in the study prior to the performance of definitive testing. Using a novel immunoassay, FPBtot levels were measured in urine and plasma samples from patients as well as from healthy controls. Urine and plasma FPBtot levels were compared to the diagnostic results, as blindly adjudicated by one of the investigators. Patients were excluded if they withdrew (n=1), had inconclusive diagnostic testing (n=7), or did not give samples (n=2 for urine, n=3 for plasma). Results: The mean FPBtot concentration in the urine of the ‘DVT/PE positive’ group was 78.4±35.2 ng/ml and 2.7±1.9 ng/ml in the ‘DVT/PE negative’ group (p=0.03). The urine FPBtot concentrations in the ‘DVT/PE negative’ group were not significantly different from those in the healthy control group (2.2±0.4 ng/ml, p=0.40). The area under the ROC curve for urine FPBtot concentrations was 97.3±3.8%, suggesting a high degree of diagnostic accuracy. Plasma FPBtot concentrations were not significantly different between groups. Conclusions: Urine FPBtot levels may help detect patients with PE and DVT.
Synthesis of hydrocarbons from dimethyl ether : Selectivities towards light hydrocarbons

ABSTRACT The depleting supplies of non-renewable petroleum reserves, as well as their escalating costs, have directed a great deal of research toward the synthesis of hydrocarbons from coal. Synthesis of methanol from coal-derived synthesis gas is a well established technology, and methanol has been used as a feedstock for the synthesis of gasoline range hydrocarbons and olefins commercially. However, an efficient hydrocarbon synthesis process has been developed at the University of Akron using dimethyl ether as the starting feedstock. This UA/ EPRI' s DTH ( Dimethyl Ether to Hydrocarbons) process has significant advantages over its counterpart methanol conversion process in the areas of heat duties, hydrocarbon selectivities, product yield, and reactor size Lower olefins are the intermediate products in the conversion of dimethyl ether to aromatic hydrocarbons. C2-C4 olefins and paraffins can be selectively produced by varying the operating parameters of the process, viz., temperature, pressure, DME conc...
Lipopolysaccharide is radioprotective in the mouse intestine through a prostaglandin-mediated mechanism

Abstract Background & Aims: The bone marrow and the intestine are the major sites of radiation-induced injury. The cellular response to radiation injury in the intestine or bone marrow can be modulated by agents given before irradiation. Lipopolysaccharide is known to be radioprotective in the bone marrow, but its effect on the intestine is not known. We sought to determine if lipopolysaccharide is radioprotective in the intestine and, if so, to determine the mechanism of its radioprotective effects. Methods: Mice were treated with parenteral lipopolysaccharide or vehicle and then irradiated (14 Gy total body irradiation in a cesium irradiator). The number of surviving intestinal crypts was assessed 3.5 days after irradiation using a clonogenic assay. Results: Parenteral administration of lipopolysaccharide 2-24 hours before irradiation resulted in a 2-fold increase in the number of surviving crypts 3.5 days after irradiation. The radioprotective effects of lipopolysaccharide could be eliminated by coadministration of a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase 2. Lipopolysaccharide was radioprotective in wild-type mice but not in mice with a disrupted cyclooxygenase 2. Parenteral administration of lipopolysaccharide resulted in increased production of prostaglandins in the intestine and in the induction of cyclooxygenase 2 expression in subepithelial fibroblasts and in villous, but not crypt, epithelial cells. Conclusions Lipopolysaccharide is radioprotective in the mouse intestine through a prostaglandin-dependent pathway. GASTROENTROLOGY 2000;118:1106-1116
New dimerized-chain model for the reconstruction of the diamond (111)-(2 × 1) surface

Of the relaxed, graphitic, buckled, and $\ensuremath{\pi}$-bonded-chain-type models for the diamond (111)-(2 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} 1) surface, only the chain model appears to account for the measured surface-band dispersion. The interaction of dangling orbitals which determines the dispersion is large in the chain model because only in this model are the dangling bonds located on nearest-neighbor atoms. The data also suggest a dimerization of the chains.
A Comparison of Regression and Regression-kriging for Soil Characterization Using Remote Sensing Imagery

In precision agriculture regression has been used widely to quantify the relationship between soil attributes and other environmental variables. However, spatial correlation existing in soil samples usually makes the regression model suboptimal. In this study, a regression-kriging method was attempted in relating soil properties to the remote sensing image of a cotton field near Vance, Mississippi. The regression-kriging model was developed and tested by using 273 soil samples collected from the field. The result showed that by properly incorporating the spatial correlation information of regression residuals, the regression-kriging model generally achieved higher prediction accuracy than the stepwise multiple linear regression model. Most strikingly, a 50% increase in prediction accuracy was shown in Na. Potential usages of regression-kriging in future precision agriculture applications include real-time soil sensor development and digital soil mapping.
Coordinated functions of Akt/PKB and ETS1 in tubule formation

SPECIFIC AIMSA precisely coordinated expression of growth factors and their elicited signaling pathways in endothelial cells regulate new vessel formation. Although many signaling components and downstream effectors have been identified, their exact functions in promoting cell motility and tubulogenesis are unresolved. Our specific objective in this study was to determine the roles of two angiogenic regulators, the serine threonine kinase Akt and the transcription factor Ets1.PRINCIPAL FINDINGS1. Ets1 transcription is regulated by VEGF via an Akt-specific pathwayWe sought to determine the mechanism by which VEGF induces the expression of Ets1 in primary endothelial cells (EC), a transcription factor that activates such downstream target genes as metalloproteinases and vimentin, which are important for matrix degradation and cell migration. Using the global transcription inhibitor actinomycin D and nuclear run-on assays, we found that VEGF induces the transcription of ETS1. Since ETS1 activity is generally...
Increases in opioid-mediated swim antinociception following endopeptidase 24.15 inhibition.

Abstract The duration of action and potency of endogenous opioid peptides are limited by proteolytic enzumes such as endopeptidases 24.11 and 24.15. Whereas endopeptidase 24.11 cleaves enkephalin pentapeptides, endopeptidase 24.15 degrades longer-chained opioids including dynorphin A 1–8 and met-enkephalin-Arg 6 -Gly 7 -Leu 8 (MERGL). Inhibitors of endopeptidase 24.11 and 24.15 both increase basal nociceptive thresholds and respective forms of opioid antinociception. Acute exposure to certain environmental stressors can produce antinociception which is opioid mediated; inhibitors of endopeptidase 24.11 potentiate this effect. The present study evaluated whether central administration of a selective inhibitor of endopeptidase 24.15, N-[1-(RS)-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl]-Ala-Ala-Phe-p-aminobenzoate (cFP-AAF-pAB) increased antinociception following intermittent cold-water swims (ICWS) in rats. cFP-AAF-pAB (0.25–25 nmol, ICV) dose-dependently increased ICWS antinociception on the tail-flick and jump tests without affecting basal nociceptive thresholds. The opioid mediation of ICWS antinociception was confirmed by significant reductions in this response following naloxone. These data indicate that longer-chained endogenous opioid peptides participate in the antinociception induced by ICWS.
Surgical treatment of Roux stasis syndrome

We wondered whether the slow gastric emptying of the Roux stasis syndrome could be improved by performing a corrective ‘uncut’ Roux operation. Five dogs had a standard Roux gastrectomy and placement of serosal electrodes on the proximal jejunum and Roux limb. After recovery, baseline myoelectrical and gastric emptying data were collected. The animals then underwent a second operation: take down of the Roux limb, restoration of jejunal continuity, and construction of an ‘uncut’ Roux limb. After the animals recovered, the tests were repeated. The slow frequency of pacesetter potentials (PPs) in the standard Roux limb (mean ± standard error of the mean 14 ± 0.4 cpm) was unchanged after the uncut Roux operation (14 ± 0.5 cpm, P>0.05). However, a greater percentage of PPs propagated aborally in the uncut Roux limb (81% ±4%) than in the standard Roux limb (53% ±7%, P 0.05). Bile acid concentrations in gastric aspirates were minimal after both operations (0.7 ± 0.2 μmol/L vs. 0.6 ±0.1 (μmol/L; P >0.05). The conclusion was that more PPs propagated in the aborad direction in the uncut Roux limb than in the standard Roux limb, but gastric emptying was not speeded by the uncut Roux operation. Both operations were equally effective in preventing bile reflux into the gastric remnant.
Improving traffic operations using real-time optimal lane selection with connected vehicle technology

To better regulate traffic flow and reduce the potential impacts due to uncoordinated lane changes, we proposed a real-time optimal lane selection (OLS) algorithm by using the information available from connected vehicle (CV) technology. Such information includes the location, speed, lane and desired driving speed of individual vehicle agents (VA) on a localized roadway. Microscopic traffic simulation studies show that the proposed algorithm can result in both mobility and environmental benefits for the entire traffic system. Specifically, the application of the OLS algorithm reduces the average travel time by up to 3.8% and the fuel consumption by around 2.2%. In addition, the reduction in emissions of criteria pollutants, such as CO, HC, NOx and PM2.5 ranges from 1% to 19%, depending on the congestion level of the roadway segment. Potential extensions of the proposed OLS algorithm are discussed at the end of this paper.
Coupled CFD and Particle Vortex Transport Method: Wing Performance and Wake Validations

Abstract : The development of a new hybrid CFD approach using fully coupled Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and Particle-based Vorticity Transport Method (PVTM) solvers is summarized in this paper. The methodology is applied to predict the performance and wake parameters of an isolated wing in low speed flow condition. The approach divides the flow field into several regions and uses appropriate flow solvers according to the dominant physical features of the flow in each region. The near body flow field, which is dominated by the effect of viscosity and geometry, is resolved using a 3D compressible RANS solver. The flow field outside of the RANS regions, which is primarily dominated by the vortices being shed from the aerodynamic surfaces, is simulated using a viscous implementation of the Particle-based Vorticity Transport Method. The coupling methodology and the appropriate information being transferred between the two solvers are also outlined. A stability enhancement procedure is implemented for the PVTM analysis. The results obtained using the coupled RANS/PVTM analysis compare well with experimental data, in particular the pressure distribution, sectional load, and tip vortex parameters (swirl velocity, core location, and core size).
Susceptibility of five nontarget organisms to aqueous diazinon exposure.

Diazinon (O,O-diethyl O-[2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4pyrimidinyl] phosphothioate) is an organophosphorus insecticide widely used on various agricultural crops (e.g. fruit trees, corn, and tobacco) and is an active ingredient in many commercial fire ant repellents (EXTOXNET 1996) (Table 1). In 1990 and 1992, approximately 36,000 kg were applied to the Imperial Valley in California. Also, in 1990, approximately 295,000 kg of diazinon was applied to Central Valley, CA (Bailey et al. 1996). Almost 4 million kilograms are produced and used for professional pest control (40%), by private users in homes and gardens (40%), in agriculture (10%), and on turf (10%) in the United States alone (Robertson and Mazzella 1989). Because of its environmental chemistry, as well as its use in urban and agricultural settings, diazinon has a great potential to runoff these areas in either dissolved or sorbed phases (Larson et al. 1997). According to Miles et al. (1978), diazinon can enter the aquatic environment in soil bound form via leaching or direct soil erosion. Once in the aquatic environment, diazinon and other organophosphorus pesticides have the potential to affect ecosystems as far reaching as the marine environment (Galassi 1991).
A Two-Level Generative Model for Cloth Representation and Shape from Shading

In this paper, we present a two-level generative model for representing the images and surface depth maps of drapery and clothes. The upper level consists of a number of folds which will generate the high contrast (ridge) areas with a dictionary of shading primitives (for 2D images) and fold primitives (for 3D depth maps). These primitives are represented in parametric forms and are learned in a supervised learning phase using 3D surfaces of clothes acquired through photometric stereo. The lower level consists of the remaining flat areas which fill between the folds with a smoothness prior (Markov random field). We show that the classical ill-posed problem-shape from shading (SFS) can be much improved by this two-level model for its reduced dimensionality and incorporation of middle-level visual knowledge, i.e., the dictionary of primitives. Given an input image, we first infer the folds and compute a sketch graph using a sketch pursuit algorithm as in the primal sketch (Guo et al., 2003). The 3D folds are estimated by parameter fitting using the fold dictionary and they form the "skeleton" of the drapery/cloth surfaces. Then, the lower level is computed by conventional SFS method using the fold areas as boundary conditions. The two levels interact at the final stage by optimizing a joint Bayesian posterior probability on the depth map. We show a number of experiments which demonstrate more robust results in comparison with state-of-the-art work. In a broader scope, our representation can be viewed as a two-level inhomogeneous MRF model which is applicable to general shape-from-X problems. Our study is an attempt to revisit Marr's idea (Marr and Freeman, 1982) of computing the 2frac12D sketch from primal sketch. In a companion paper (Barbu and Zhu, 2005), we study shape from stereo based on a similar two-level generative sketch representation.