cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dependence of irradiation creep on temperature and atom displacements in 20% cold worked type 316 stainless steel

Abstract Irradiation creep studies with pressurized tubes of 20% cold worked Type 316 stainless steel were conducted in the Second Experimental Breeder Reactor. These studies have shown that as atom displacements are extended above 5 dpa and temperatures are increased above 375°C, the irradiation induced creep rate increases with both increasing atom displacements and increasing temperature. The stress exponent for irradiation induced creep remained near unity. Irradiation induced effective creep strains up to 1.8% were observed without specimen failure.
Remote Optical Switch for Localized and Selective Control of Gene Interference

Near infrared-absorbing gold nanoplasmonic particles (GNPs) are used as optical switches of gene interference and are remotely controlled using light. We have tuned optical switches to a wavelength where cellular photodamage is minimized. Optical switches are functionalized with double-stranded oligonucleotides. At desired times and at specific intracellular locations, remote optical excitation is used to liberate gene-interfering oligonucleotides. We demonstrate a novel gene-interfering technique offering spatial and temporal control, which is otherwise impossible using conventional gene-interfering techniques.
Effects of Reinforcement and Coarse Aggregates on Chloride Ingress into Concrete and Time-to-Corrosion: Part 1—Spatial Chloride Distribution and Implications

Abstract The chloride concentration in concrete required to compromise reinforcing steel passivity and initiate active corrosion, [Cl−]th, is an important service life determinant for reinforced co...
An investigation of fusion zone microstructures of welded aluminum alloy joints

Abstract Fillet weld “T” joints were produced using dissimilar aluminum alloys by a manual arc welding process. In this study, a heat treatable aluminum–magnesium–silicon alloy and a non-heat treatable aluminum–magnesium alloy were joined. The microstructure of the fusion zone was characterized by optical microscopy. Results reveal that the manual welding process produces adequate fusion, while minimizing weld structure defects.
Gene regulation studies of aromatase expression in breast cancer and adipose stromal cells

The expression of aromatase in human breast tumors was studied using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method on 70 breast tissue specimens. An RT-PCR analysis using two oligonucleotide primers derived from exon II of the human aromatase gene revealed that aromatase mRNA was detected in all but three tissue specimens. Furthermore, primer-directed RT-PCR was performed to determine the exon I usage in aromatase mRNA in these breast tumor specimens. The analysis revealed that exons I.3 and PII are the two major exons I present in aromatase mRNA isolated from breast tumors, suggesting that promoters I.3 and II are the major promoters driving aromatase expression in breast cancer and surrounding adipose stromal cells (ASCs). Recently, the regulatory properties of a 696-base pair region that contains promoter II, and is situated immediately upstream of exon II of the human aromatase gene, were investigated. Detailed DNase 1 footprinting analysis, DNA mobility shift assays, and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) functional studies of this genomic region were performed and led to the identification of a segment (B1) that could act as a promoter (probably promoter I.3) in adipose stromal and breast cancer cells. The study further revealed that the B1 region could be divided into two domains which were designated RE1 and RE2. RE1 was found to have the promoter activity, and RE2 was found to regulate the promoter activity of RE1, but in different manners in MCF-7 cells (as an example of breast cancer cells) and in ASCs. RE2 was found to function as a positive regulatory element in MCF-7 cells and as a negative regulatory element in ASCs, respectively. It was also found that in several breast cancer cell lines, including MCF-7, the promoter activities of both promoter II and promoter I.3 were found to be suppressed by a negative regulatory element, a silencer, present in the 162 bp fragment which is located upstream from promoter II and downstream from promoter I.3. The precise position of the silencer element (termed S1) was localized by deletion mutation and DNase 1 footprinting analysis, and the silencing activity of S1 on promoter I.3 (in B1 fragment) was confirmed by CAT plasmid transfection experiments. UV crosslinking experiments are being performed to examine the regulatory proteins interacting with the silencer element. These studies serve as the basis for the further characterization of the regulatory mechanism of aromatase expression in human breast cancer and ASCs.
Neonatal CPAP Transfers in Yorkshire & Humber - Embrace Transport Service

Background & Aims: From a central non-hospital base, the Embrace transport team co-ordinates paediatric & neonatal transfers in Yorkshire & Humber. It completes about 40 transports a week. Embrace transfers babies on CPAP support. Our aim was to review and evaluate our performance and adverse events during stabilisation & transit with regards to neonatal CPAP transfers.
Distribution and Abundance of House Dust Mites, Dermatophagoides spp., in Different Climatic Zones of Southern California

The distribution and abundance of house dust mites, Dermatophagoides spp., were studied in August, October, and December, 1975 in 4 different climatic zones in southern California. During these months, a total of 15 houses were sampled in each climatic zone. Ninety-three percent of the coastal houses were infested with mites, where D. pteronyssinus (Trouessart) dominated (78%) over D. farinae Hughes. Sixty percent of the Riverside (inland valley) houses sampled were infested, where D. farinae was dominant (67%). A 3rd species, D. evansi Fain, Hughes and Johnson, commonly occurring in birds' nests, was found once in a coastal and Riverside house. Densities of both D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae were considerably higher in coastal than in Riverside houses. Live mites were not found in the lightly mite infested houses sampled in the desert (54% positive) and mountains (27% positive). Relative humidity, which varied in houses located in different climatic zones of southern California, was noted to be the principal limiting factor influencing the distribution and abundance of D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae in these zones. Temperatures did not appear to be an important factor influencing distribution and abundance of these mites in the study zones.
Telephone conversational skills training with socially isolated, impaired nursing home residents

We evaluated the effectiveness of a comprehensive training program for enhancing the conversational skills of socially isolated, impaired elderly nursing home residents. A multiple baseline design across behaviors was used to train four subjects (aged 87, 85, 68, and 66), on four content-related conversational components: expressing common courtesies, making positive self-disclosures, asking questions, and making interjections and acknowledgements. Training procedures included instructions, modeling, behavior rehearsal, feedback, and reinforcement. Results showed positive effects with all four subjects; in two cases, changes were significant enough to affect untrained observers' perceptions of the elders' conversational skills.
Electron Transfer in Intermetallic Compounds.

In our discussions of the electronic structure of intermetallic compounds during the last three years brief mention has been made from time to time of the phenomenon of electron transfer [1-3]. The interpretation of the observed interatomic distances in many metallic phases seems to require the assumption that electron transfer has taken place; an example is Al9Co2, for which the distances [4] support the charge distribution [5] Al-2/99Co2+1. The indication by physical properties of a filled-Brillouin-zone structure for FerZn21 also led to the suggestion of electron transfer [2]: about 1/4 electron is indicated to have been removed from each zinc atom and about one electron added to each iron atom. In this paper it is pointed out that the analysis of interatomic distances shows that electron transfer takes place in a great many interatomic compounds, and that the numbers of electrons involved are reasonable, in relation to the changes in valence resulting from loss or gain of electrons and to the partial ionic character of the bonds between unlike atoms and the striving of atoms toward electroneutrality.
HIV restriction in quiescent CD4+ T cells

The restriction of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in quiescent CD4+ T cells has been an area of active investigation. Early studies have suggested that this T cell subset is refractory to infection by the virus. Subsequently it was demonstrated that quiescent cells could be infected at low levels; nevertheless these observations supported the earlier assertions of debilitating defects in the viral life cycle. This phenomenon raised hopes that identification of the block in quiescent cells could lead to the development of new therapies against HIV. As limiting levels of raw cellular factors such as nucleotides did not account for the block to infection, a number of groups pursued the identification of cellular proteins whose presence or absence may impact the permissiveness of quiescent T cells to HIV infection. A series of studies in the past few years have identified a number of host factors implicated in the block to infection. In this review, we will present the progress made, other avenues of investigation and the potential impact these studies have in the development of more effective therapies against HIV.
Detectors For Picosecond Optical Power Measurements

There are many features in addition to time resolution that are desirable for a picosecond optical power measurement system. An interdigitated contact, Schottky barrier silicon photodiode coupled to an electro-optic sampler exhibits a rise time better than 22 picoseconds, a quantum efficiency greater than 30%, a uniform responsivity over its receiving aperture, and a usable spectral response to beyond 2 micrometers.
A finite volume Navier‐Stokes algorithm for adaptive grids

A compact, finite volume, time-marching scheme for the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations of viscous fluid flow is presented. The scheme is designed for unstructured (locally refined) quadrilateral meshes. An earlier inviscid equation (Euler) scheme is employed for the convective terms and the emphasis is on treatment of the viscous terms. An essential feature of the algorithm is that all necessary operations are restricted to within each cell, which is very important when dealing with unstructured grids. Numerical issues which have to be addressed when developing a Navier-Stokes scheme are investigated. These issues are not limited to the particular Navier-Stokes scheme developed in the present work but are general problems. Specifically, the extent of the numerical molecule, which is related to the compactness of the scheme and to its suitability for unstructured grids, is examined. An approach which considers suppression of odd-even mode decoupling of the solution when designing a scheme is presented. In addition, accuracy issues related to grid stretching as well as boundary layer solution contamination due to artificial dissipation are addressed. Although the above issues are investigated with respect to the specific scheme presented, the conclusions are valid for an entire class of finite volume algorithms. The Navier-Stokes solver is validated through test cases which involve comparisons with analytical, numerical and experimental results. The solver is coupled to an adaptive algorithm for high-Reynolds-number aerofoil flow computations.
Improved convergence and complexity analysis of Newton's method for solving equations

A finer optimal convergence condition for the local convergence of Newton's method is obtained using more precise error estimates. A condition for finer computational complexity is also obtained.
Demonstration of a nipi‐diode photovoltaic

The simulation, growth, processing, and characterization of a three-period GaAs n-type/intrinsic/p-type/intrinsic … (nipi) doping solar cell is demonstrated. A V-groove etching process is characterized and used to expose the multiple n-type and p-type layers for electrical connection made by interdigitated grid-finger electrodes. A five-layer photolithographic process flow is developed and used to make 1 × 1 cm2 devices with varying grid-finger separation. Device simulations of the structure indicate that strong rectification can be achieved in the parallel-connected three period nipi GaAs solar cell structure provided the necessary semiconductor doping compensation is achieved in the region near the metal-semiconductor interfaces. Experimentally, the improvements observed in the open circuit voltage, short circuit current, and ideality of the devices following thermal annealing suggests the formation of barriers near the contacts, which support the simulation results. A comparison of the short circuit current and series resistance under illumination indicate a tradeoff between shadowing and series resistance, which may be overcome with modification to the device structure. Ultimately, these results show promise towards the development of high efficiency solar cells or radioisotope batteries, and offer a novel device structure for the incorporation of nano-structures such as quantum wells or quantum dots. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predicting Wheat Quality Characteristics and Functionality Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Cereal Chem. 83(5):529–536 The accuracy of using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for predicting 186 grain, milling, flour, dough, and breadmaking quality parameters of 100 hard red winter (HRW) and 98 hard red spring (HRS) wheat and flour samples was evaluated. NIRS shows the potential for predicting protein content, moisture content, and flour color b* values with accuracies suitable for process control (R 2 > 0.97). Many other parameters were predicted with accuracies suitable for rough screening including test weight, average single kernel diameter and moisture content, SDS sedimentation volume, color a* values, total gluten content, mixograph, farinograph, and alveograph parameters, loaf volume, specific loaf volume, baking water absorption and mix time, gliadin and glutenin content, flour particle size, and the percentage of dark hard and vitreous kernels. Similar results were seen when analyzing data from either HRW or HRS wheat, and when predicting quality using spectra from either grain or flour. However, many attributes were correlated to protein content and this relationship influenced classification accuracies. When the influence of protein content was removed from the analyses, the only factors that could be predicted by NIRS with R 2 > 0.70 were moisture content, test weight, flour color, free lipids, flour particle size, and the percentage of dark hard and vitreous kernels. Thus, NIRS can be used to predict many grain quality and functionality traits, but mainly because of the high correlations of these traits to protein content. Quality characteristics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) whole grain, flour, dough, and bread can be measured by various qualitative and quantitative tests. These measurements are typically used to determine value or used to predict functionality and end use quality. There are standard or recommended measurement methods for many of these quality parameters such as those found in the Approved Methods of AACC International (2000) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Grain Inspection Handbook (USDA 2004). These methods are generally difficult and time-consuming, and most cannot be used to rapidly measure quality characteristics and functionality.
Mentoring: Processes and Perceptions of Sport and Exercise Psychology Graduate Students

Although it has been suggested that the process of mentoring provides a number of benefits to graduate students (Kelly & Schweitzer, 1999), documentation of these benefits is limited within sport and exercise psychology (SEP). Therefore, the present study surveyed SEP graduate students (N = 104) in an attempt to understand their mentoring experiences. Results revealed the presence of both formal and informal professional and peer mentoring. Overall, mentors were perceived positively, but multiple regression analysis showed that mentoring towards professional development was most predictive of positive mentoring evaluations. Peer mentoring was found to exist at a much higher rate than has been found in other disciplines. Participants preferred professional mentoring for areas of research and writing productivity, while peer mentoring contributed to their experience as a graduate student. These results preliminarily support the inclusion of mentoring into SEP graduate school programs.
Examining the Role of Lifestyle and Criminal History Variables on the Risk of Homicide Victimization

This study uses a lifestyle and routine activities (LSRA) approach to examine the offender—victim overlap in the case of lethal victimization. Longitudinal arrest and mortality data from three samples of individuals released from the California Youth Authority (CYA) are used to examine the lifestyle and criminal history factors that influence the risk of homicide victimization. Results from counting process Cox proportional hazards models indicate that gang membership, the period after release from incarceration, violent arrest history, ethnicity and race, county of release, and family criminality are all significantly related to the bivariate and multivariate risk of homicide victimization. However, other lifestyle and criminality factors such as alcohol and drug abuse and total offense history fail to predict the risk of homicide victimization. The article concludes with a discussion of the results in terms of their implications for theory, public policy, and future research needs.
Ultrasonographic fetal parameters and neonatal survival in somatic cell nuclear transfer-derived beef calves

The objectives of this study were to identify prognostic indicators of calf survival in SCNT-derived beef calves. Ultrasonographic parameters of fetal well-being and development, maternal clinical parameters, and neonatal parameters were evaluated as predictors of calf survival in cows carrying SCNT-derived beef fetuses (n = 38). Calf survival was 61.5% (88.2% female and 40.9% male calves; P = 0.0026). Cow respiratory rate and cow temperature were significantly greater in the nonsurviving (NS) group 1 week prepartum. In surviving (S) calves, fetal heart rate (FHR) decreased during the last 2 weeks of gestation (P < 0.01). However, this final deceleration was not observed in NS calves, resulting in higher FHRs in this group (P < 0.0001). Fetal movement and fluid scores did not differ with calf classification. Mean amniotic fluid depth was smaller in S (5.5 ± 0.7 cm) than NS (8.7 ± 1.4 cm) calves (P = 0.0398). However, mean allantoic fluid depth did not differ (P = 0.6120). There was a significant association between the body weight of calf and the diameter of the fetal aorta (P = 0.0115; r(2) = 0.3762). Surviving calves were lighter at birth (P = 0.0028) and were born later (P = 0.007) than NS calves. Calves born vaginally had a smaller fetal aorta (2.1 ± 0.1 cm vaginal and 2.4 ± 0.1 cm Cesarean) (P = 0.0487) and a lighter birth weight (41.4 ± 4.2 kg vaginal and 60.4 ± 2.1 kg Cesarean) (P = 0.0001) than calves born by Cesarean. Also, calves that underwent spontaneous labor (52.2% S and 0% NS; P = 0.0029) had a lighter birth weight (44.9 ± 3.8 kg) than calves that did not initiate labor (61.6 ± 2.2 kg) (P = 0.0004). Frequent ultrasonographic fetal monitoring allowed identification of differences between S and NS calves. Calves without a final decrease in FHR or with a large aortic diameter were more likely to require a Cesarean because of failure to initiate labor or fetomaternal disproportion. Parameters of fetal well-being and development during the last 3 weeks of gestation were first described in SCNT-derived beef calves.
Age and Stratigraphic Relations of the Formosa Reef Limestone (Middle Devonian) of Southwestern Ontario, Canada

The Formosa reef limestone consists of a localized three-dimensional cluster of very pure, massive limestone reefs (bioherms) outcropping as irregular knobs in a roughly elliptical area in southern Bruce and northern Huron counties, Ontario. Outcrop and subsurface evidence indicates that the reefs are small, numerous, scattered over an outcrop area of about 150 square miles, and occur through a Stratigraphic interval of approximately 200 feet within the brown, bituminously laminated dolomite of the Detroit River group (undifferentiated), which is about 240 feet thick in the area.
Materials research and development for the spallation neutron source mercury target

In the Spallation Neutron Source target, the structural material will be exposed to intense pulsed fluxes of high-energy protons and neutrons, which produce radiation damage. These pulsed fluxes also lead to pressure pulses created by beam heating. In turn, the pressure pulses give rise to fluctuating stresses in the 316 LN austenitic stainless steel target vessel, and to cavitation in the liquid mercury spallation target. Corrosion reactions and related changes in mechanical properties also may occur through contact with flowing mercury. We describe the materials research and development program for the spallation target. The program covers the areas of cavitation erosion, radiation effects, and compatibility. Cavitation erosion work includes pressure wave tests at the LANSCE proton accelerator, as well as laboratory tests that simulate aspects of the actual in-beam exposures. Materials irradiations are being carried out in spallation environments at high-energy and high-power proton accelerators. Other experiments are conducted at irradiation facilities that simulate aspects of spallation conditions. Extensive radiation damage and transmutation calculations supplement these experiments. Compatibility work includes both thermal convection and pumped flow loop tests to examine temperature gradient mass transfer, as well as fatigue and tensile tests in contact with Hg. Based on the information developed for radiation effects and compatibility with mercury, our analysis indicates that the target will meet its intended service requirements. In the past year and one half the new issue of cavitation erosion has been included in the program. Both in-beam and laboratory experiments indicate that cavitation erosion may occur in the target. The highest priority activity is now to determine whether cavitation erosion will limit target lifetime to a level below the lifetime limit set by radiation effects.
Reflection and transmission properties of embedded dipoles and PIFAs inside Concrete at 915 MHz

The possibility of using antennas inside a concrete bridge pier is investigated in this work. Dipole and planar inverted-F antennas were simulated both in the presence and absence of steel rebars inside a cylindrical concrete block. Both air dried and saturated concrete samples were considered. It was found that dipole antennas when placed inside a cylindrical concrete block have the desired return loss characteristics. The transmission loss between two dipoles inside dry concrete is between −30 dB to −20 dB for a distance of 251 mm. The loss in free space for the same distance is about −20 dB. The transmission loss is significantly higher when the antennas are placed inside saturated concrete ((−38 to −35 dB). The two dipoles when placed next to steel rebars have very poor return loss characteristics. This is completely alleviated if planar inverted-F antennas are selected instead. The transmission loss with PIFAs for the same distance is about −20 dB for dry concrete and −30 dB for saturated concrete. Clearly if a sensor contains a PIFA and transmits 0 dBm of power the other sensor antenna will receive −38 dBm at a distance of about 10 inches in saturated concrete. Needless to say that sensor sensitivity is usually much smaller than −30 dBm which will allow transmission over greater distances within concrete.
COMPACTIFICATIONS OF PEL-TYPE SHIMURA VARIETIES IN RAMIFIED CHARACTERISTICS

We show that, by taking normalizations over certain auxiliary good reduction integral models, one obtains integral models of toroidal and minimal compactifications of PEL-type Shimura varieties which enjoy many features of the good reduction theory studied as in the earlier works of Faltings and Chai’s and the author’s. We treat all PEL-type cases uniformly, with no assumption on the level, ramifications, and residue characteristics involved.
New Sections and Species of Podocarpus Based on the Taxonomic Status of P. neriifolius (Podocarpaceae) in Tropical Asia

Material previously treated under Podocarpus neriifolius D. Don (Podocarpaceae) has been examined, with eight new species distinguished as P. hookeri de Laub., P. laminaris de Laub. (included within the newly established Podocarpus L'Her. ex Pers. sect. Spathoides de Laub.), P. lenticularis de Laub., P. linearis de Laub., P. marginalis de Laub., P. novoguineensis de Laub., P. oblongus de Laub., and P. vanuatuensis de Laub., and two new varieties as P. ledermannii Pilg. var. expansus de Laub. and P. pseudobracteatus de Laub. var. sicaris de Laub. (included within the newly established Podocarpus sect. Bracteati de Laub.). Belonging to Podocarpus sect. Foliolati de Laub., P. neglectus Blume was validly published but long considered a synonym of P. neriifolius and is recognized again as a species, with three species referred to it in new synonymy: P. discolor Blume, P. leptostachyus Blume, and P. thailandensis A. D. Silba & J. A. Silva. Podocarpus idenburgensis N. E. Gray, previously treated as a synonym of P. ledermannii, is also taxonomically recognized. Two other species are newly synonymized as P. crassigemmis de Laub. with P. archboldii N. E. Gray and P. epiphyticus de Laub. & Silba with P. teysmannii Miq. Five varieties are newly synonymized as P. neriifolius var. membranaceaus Wasscher with P. atjehensis (Wasscher) de Laub., P. neriifolius var. linearis Wasscher with P. hookeri, P. neriifolius var. polyanthus Wasscher with P. teysmannii, P. neriifolius var. penibukanensis Silba with P. confertus de Laub., and P. neriifolius var. staintonii Silba with P. hookeri. Two new sections of Podocarpus are established as Podocarpus sect. Bracteati de Laub. and Podocarpus sect. Spathoides. Species circumspections are accordingly revised for the established sections Podocarpus sect. Acuminati de Laub., Podocarpus sect. Foliolati de Laub., Podocarpus sect. Globuli de Laub., Podocarpus sect. Longifoliolati de Laub., and Podocarpus sect. Macrostachyes de Laub.
Atom-based RF field probe: From self-calibrated measurements to sub-wavelength imaging

In this presentation, we discuss a fundamentally new approach for an electric (E) field probe design. This new approach is significantly different than currently used field probes in that it is based on the interaction of RF-fields with Rydberg atoms (alkali atoms placed in a glass vapor cell are excited optically to Rydberg states). The applied RF-field alters the resonant state of the atoms. The Rydberg atoms act like an RF-to-optical transducer, converting an RF E-field to an optical-frequency response. The RF probe utilizes the concept of Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT). The RF transition in the four-level atomic system causes a split of the EIT transmission spectrum for a probe laser. This splitting is easily measured and is directly proportional to the applied RF field amplitude. The significant dipole response of Rydberg atoms enables this technique to make self-calibrating measurements over a large frequency band including 1–500 GHz. In this paper, we report on our results in the development of this probe. We also discuss two key applications: that is, self-calibrated measurements and sub-wavelength imaging and field mapping.
Founded by Faith: Social Entrepreneurship as a Bridge between Religion and Work

Social entrepreneurship is an increasingly prevalent subcategory of entrepreneurship that is being used to tackle some of society’s most intractable problems. However, it is unclear what motivates individuals to become social entrepreneurs. In a partially-inductive, exploratory study, we examine what drives entrepreneurs to found social ventures. We find that social entrepreneurs often express a common motivation: an aspiration to integrate their religious beliefs and work. Our findings are used to construct a process model that describes how entrepreneurs progressed through five phases: desire, disenchantment, epiphany, bridging, and enlightenment. In doing so, entrepreneurs created social ventures, which served to unite their faith and work.
Ultrasound: The Requisites: Third Edition Barbara S. and Hertzberg William D. Middleton

Ultrasound: The Requisites is a stellar reference textbook co-authored by Barbara S. Hertzberg and William D. Middleton. Both authors have a well-established reputation in the field of ultrasound and are recognized internationally for their competence and knowledge. Maintaining their clear and compelling style of writing, they have succeeded in simplifying complex issues and understanding of crucial concepts. In addition, the extent of work put into the third edition to augment the content with many new illustrations and images is highly commendable.
Abstract 1768: Comprehensive mass spectrometry based metabolomic profiling of blood plasma reveals potent discriminatory classifiers of pancreatic cancer

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Background: Poor outcome of pancreatic cancer (PDAC) necessitates development of early diagnostic method to reduce mortality. In current study, metabolic profiling of plasma samples from selected cancer patients and noncancerous controls was performed to seek novel metabolic biomarkers of PDAC. Comprehensive mass spectrometry based analytical platform were applied for detection of compounds in the plasma from early stage PDAC patients. Methods: Plasma available from the patients involved in the IRB-approved UC Davis Pancreas Registry was utilized. Five histologically proven cases of early stage pancreatic cancer without clinical evidence of distant metastasis [AJCC TNM stages: IB (2) and IIB (3)] and 5 noncancerous cases [3 chronic pancreatitis, 2 normal-based on clinical and follow-up evidences] were chosen from the Registry. Combination mass spectrometry (MS) methods, GC-TOF-, HILIC-LC-ESI-, and RP-LC-ESI-MS were applied for the plasma analysis. Data values obtained were evaluated for principle component analysis (PCA). Further feature selection and ANOVA were conducted after the PCA. Statistical significance was defined as p-value less than 0.05. Feature components with statistically significant classifiers of the PDAC were analyzed further with LTQ-Orbitrap MS for accurate mass measurement. Mass spectra of potential biomarkers thus obtained were spectrally corrected and unique elemental formula was searched against CAS database using the strategy of Explore Substances-Chemical Structure for known compounds. Mass Frontier 5.0 was used for MS/MS fragmentation modeling analysis; with parent compounds that had the best match of MS/MS fragmentation pattern were considered as the molecular structure of the potential biomarkers. Results: The candidate biomarkers included amino acids (N-methylalanine, lysine, glutamine, phenylalanine), fatty acids (arachidonic acid), lipids (lysoPC (18:2), PC (34:2), PE (26:0)), and bile acids (tauroursodeoxycholic and taurocholic acids, deoxycholylglycine, cholylglycine). Conclusion: We have demonstrated that combination of the comprehensive mass spectrometry based metabolic profiling techniques, data mining, and data analysis successfully find potent classifiers for pancreatic cancer in plasma. These metabolites upon validation, selectivity study, and broader cohort study could become clinical biomarkers for early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1768.
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I defects in head and neck cancer : Molecular mechanisms and clinical significance

The potential role of immunological events in the pathogenesis and clinical course of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCCHN) has stimulated interest in the characterization of HLA class I antigen expression in SCCHN lesions, because these molecules play an important role in the interaction of malignant cells with the host's immune system. Therefore in this paper, following a description of the methodology used to analyze HLA class I antigen expression in normal tissues and in malignant lesions, we have reviewed data about the frequency of HLA class I antigen defects in about 500 primary and in about 25 metastatic SCCHN lesions. The mean frequency of total HLA class I antigen loss in primary and metastatic lesions is approx 15% and 40%, respectively. The mean frequency of selective HLA class I antigen loss in primary lesions is approx 37%. This type of abnormality has not been investigated in metastatic lesions so far. The molecular mechanisms underlying HLA class I antigen defects in SCCHN cells have been investigated to a limited extent. The available information suggests that structural defects in β2m genes are rare. In contrast, functional abnormalities of the antigen processing machinery (APM) components are frequent in SCCHN cells. The latter abnormalities are likely to account for the unusual finding that most of SCCHN cell lines are resistant in vitro to HLA class I antigen restricted, tumor antigen (TA)-specific CTL recognition under basal conditions in spite of the expression of TA and HLA class I antigens. CTL recognition of SCCHN cells is restored by incubation with IFN-γ. These in vitro findings provide a mechanism for the association between APM component defects in SCCHN lesions and clinical course of the disease and imply that T cell-based immunotherapy of SCCHN may benefit from the intralesional administration of IFN-γ.
Linking asphalt binder fatigue to asphalt mixture fatigue performance using viscoelastic continuum damage modeling

Fatigue cracking is a major form of distress in asphalt pavements. Asphalt binder is the weakest asphalt concrete constituent and, thus, plays a critical role in determining the fatigue resistance of pavements. Therefore, the ability to characterize and model the inherent fatigue performance of an asphalt binder is a necessary first step to design mixtures and pavements that are not susceptible to premature fatigue failure. The simplified viscoelastic continuum damage (S-VECD) model has been used successfully by researchers to predict the damage evolution in asphalt mixtures for various traffic and climatic conditions using limited uniaxial test data. In this study, the S-VECD model, developed for asphalt mixtures, is adapted for asphalt binders tested under cyclic torsion in a dynamic shear rheometer. Derivation of the model framework is presented. The model is verified by producing damage characteristic curves that are both temperature- and loading history-independent based on time sweep tests, given that the effects of plasticity and adhesion loss on the material behavior are minimal. The applicability of the S-VECD model to the accelerated loading that is inherent of the linear amplitude sweep test is demonstrated, which reveals reasonable performance predictions, but with some loss in accuracy compared to time sweep tests due to the confounding effects of nonlinearity imposed by the high strain amplitudes included in the test. The asphalt binder S-VECD model is validated through comparisons to asphalt mixture S-VECD model results derived from cyclic direct tension tests and Accelerated Loading Facility performance tests. The results demonstrate good agreement between the asphalt binder and mixture test results and pavement performance, indicating that the developed model framework is able to capture the asphalt binder’s contribution to mixture fatigue and pavement fatigue cracking performance.
Ortner's syndrome: a rare cause of hoarseness

An 81-year-old man with a medical history of hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease presented to the ear, nose and throat (ENT) physician with symptoms of hoarseness of voice which had persisted for over 6 weeks. Otolaryngoscopy was negative for obvious malignancy and he was diagnosed as having left vocal cord paralysis with a suspicion of thoracic aorta pathology. CT angiogram showed type B dissecting aortic aneurysm …
Glandular inclusions in pelvic and abdominal para-aortic lymph nodes. A study of autopsy and surgical material in males and females.

The pelvic and abdominal para-aortic lymph nodes from 50 male and 50 female unselected autopsies and from surgical material obtained from 17 males were examined for benign glandular inclusions. In addition, surgically removed lymph nodes with previously diagnosed glandular inclusions from 11 females were reviewed. Serial sections of these lymph nodes revealed glandular inclusions in seven (14%) of the 50 female autopsies. None of these seven patients had malignant tumors. There were no glandular inclusions in any of the lymph nodes obtained from males. Most of the glandular inclusions were in the capsule and cortical portions of the lymph nodes and revealed striking histologic similarities to ovarian germinal inclusion cysts and to oviduct epithelium. Neither endometrial stroma nor areas of hemorrhage were seen in the vicinity of these inclusions. We concluded that these inclusions occurred exclusively in females, and that genital malignancy played no role in their pathogenesis. Although genuine endometriosis can occur in pelvic and abdominal para-aortic lymph nodes, the inclusions described here are more likely akin to ovarian germinal epithelium inclusion cysts and may be due to metaplastic proliferation of peritoneal mesothelium which is a derivative of coelomic epithelium from which the Mullerian system originates.
Wine Drinking and Poem Creation ——Examining wine culture

Wine as an image of poem creation possesses the magic formula to being alive beyond time and space, and various spirit of its culture makes the themes and meanings of poems great different. The amount and process of drinking, and the number of people involved all decide the aesthetic effects of poem, the feelings of poets, and the rhyme of poem. As for the expressions of missing, send-off scene, pastoral scenery, wine drinking has the capacity to producing huge-changing and meaningful effects. Therefore, fickle drinking is the essence of immortal poetry.
Dynamic Scheduling Method and Its Application for Steelmaking and Continuous Casting

Considering unexpected events including time disturb,temperature compensation,abnormal casting and steel grade changing,optimal scheduling plan is not effectively obtained only by manual schedule under the technical constraints of steelmaking and continuous casting(SCC) production.Dynamic scheduling methods,which include local adjusting methods that combine CBR with man-machine interactive and rescheduling method that bases on making batch rule,were presented.The dynamic scheduling framework was established,and the software system was also designed and developed by using these methods.Finally the system was successfully applied to one large steel plant,and realized rapidly optimal dynamic adjusting.
Captopril-Stimulated Renal Vein Renin Measurements in the Diagnosis of Atherosclerotic Renovascular Hypertension

The diagnostic utility of post-captopril renal vein renin (RVR) measurements was quantitated in 43 patients (mean age 62, range 41 to 77 years) undergoing aortography to rule out renovascular hypertension (RVHT), and then compared with that of pre-captopril RVR measurements. Four patterns of post-captopril RVR secretion were defined: 1) unilateral hypersecretion (stenotic/peripheral [S/P] > 2.0) and contralateral suppression (C/P) ( 2.0, C/P > 1.25) (n = 14); 3) bilateral suppression (peripheral plasma renin activity [PRA] < 1.0 ng/mL/h) (n = 12); and 4) "normal" (RVR/PRA < 2.0 bilaterally) (n = 5). Using the radiologic findings as the definitive test, the sensitivity and specificity of post-captopril RVR measurements in detecting unilateral or bilateral renal artery stenoses (85% or greater of lumen) was 61 and 96%, and 92 and 90%, respectively, a significant improvement compared with those of pre-captopril RVR measurements (44 and 62%, and 17 and 93%, respectively). Post-captopril RVR measurements facilitated the diagnosis of both hypersecretion and, when present, contralateral suppression of renin, and therefore, are useful in the diagnosis of atherosclerotic RVHT, and in planning its treatment. However, confirmation by more extensive prospective studies, including treatment outcome, is needed.
Measurement of nanoparticles on parts: Figures of merit of a liquid-borne particle counter

An effective way to evaluate surface cleanliness of semiconductor tool components (parts) is to measure surface particles extracted from parts by liquid-borne particle counter (LPC). In this work, a previously published framework for evaluating commercial LPCs was extended for evaluation of LPC counting particles smaller than 200 nm and with <100% counting efficiency. Key parameters such as counting accuracy, precision, stability, and limit of detection, etc., of a RION KS-42AF were evaluated. Experiments based on PSL count standards indicated that counting accuracy is low at <70% if counting efficiency was not considered. After compensated with counting efficiency, the counter under evaluation showed ≤3% counting error and imprecision. The linear dynamic range is from 15 to 1,000 particles/mL.
P2A-Fluorophore Tagging of BRAF Tightly Links Expression to Fluorescence In Vivo.

The Braf proto-oncogene is a key component of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade and is a critical regulator of both normal development and tumorigenesis in a variety of tissues. In order to elucidate BRAF’s differing roles in varying cell types, it is important to understand both the pattern and timing of BRAF expression. Here we report the production of a mouse model that links the expression of Braf with the bright red fluorescent protein, tdTomato. We have utilized a P2A knock-in strategy, ensuring that BRAF and the fluorophore are expressed from the same endogenous promoter and from the same bicistronic mRNA transcript. This mouse model (BrafTOM) shows bright red fluorescence in organs and cell types known to be sensitive to BRAF perturbation. We further show that on a cell-by-cell basis, fluorescence correlates with BRAF protein levels. Finally, we extend the utility of this mouse by demonstrating that the remnant P2A fragment attached to BRAF acts as a suitable epitope for immunoprecipitation and biochemical characterization of BRAF in vivo.
Optimal Program Testing

In this lesson, we re-formulate the problem of program testing as a mathematically precise optimization problem, and solve the simplest case of the corresponding optimization problem.
Human serum albumin as vehicle for the solubilization of perylene diimides in aqueous solutions

The chemical, physical and photophysical properties of perylene diimides have attracted substantial attention for the potential applications in diverse fields ranging from advanced materials to biomedical applications. Some applications require the diimides to be in aqueous environment where they tend to dissolve poorly. We investigated the use of human serum albumin as a vehicle to increase the aqueous exposure of monomeric perylene diimides. Since studies on the interactions of these compounds with protein is scarce we characterized the binding and the possible effects on the protein. In order to increase the affinity of the dyes to the protein we have used perylene diimides with substituents that replicate the side chains of natural amino acids. The results show that only the dyes containing the side chain of leucine and phenylalanine yield measurable binding. Only the phenylalanine analogue promotes energy transfer with the lone tryptophan residue of albumin indicating different binding modalities for the dyes. In addition, this analogue is the only one which shows photochemical activity that prompts its release from the protein upon laser irradiation.
3 d Charge Density Distribution and Crystal Field in Fe Cl 2 : A Mössbauer Study

Available M\"ossbauer quadrupole-splitting (QS) data for Fe${\mathrm{Cl}}_{2}$ are analyzed in terms of crystal field and covalency parameters. It is shown that the temperature variation of QS in the paramagnetic phase is consistent with a large expansion of the $3d$ electronic charge density distribution (${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{2}=\frac{〈{r}^{\ensuremath{-}3}〉}{{〈{r}^{\ensuremath{-}3}〉}_{0}}\ensuremath{\approx}0.4$) as was previously predicted from the systematics of QS and isomer shift in the halides. The analysis yields a large ratio of 8.4 between the trigonal field component and the spin-orbit coupling constant, which is consistent with the Ising model proposed by Kanamori for the low-temperature magnetic properties of Fe${\mathrm{Cl}}_{2}$.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Cartilage Development and Osteoarthritis

Genome wide studies indicate that vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) is associated with osteoarthritis (OA), and increased VEGF expression correlates with increased disease severity. VEGF is also a chondrocyte survival factor during development and essential for bone formation, skeletal growth and postnatal homeostasis. This raises questions of how the important embryonic and postnatal functions of VEGF can be reconciled with an apparently destructive role in OA. Addressing these questions, we find that VEGF acts as a survival factor in growth plate chondrocytes during development but only up until a few weeks after birth in mice. It is also required for postnatal differentiation of articular chondrocytes and the timely ossification of bones in joint regions. In surgically induced knee OA in mice, a model of post-traumatic OA in humans, increased expression of VEGF is associated with catabolic processes in chondrocytes and synovial cells. Conditional knock-down of Vegf attenuates induced OA. Intra-articular anti-VEGF antibodies suppress OA progression, reduce levels of phosphorylated VEGFR2 in articular chondrocytes and synovial cells and reduce levels of phosphorylated VEGFR1 in dorsal root ganglia. Finally, oral administration of the VEGFR2 kinase inhibitor Vandetanib attenuates OA progression.
Folate receptor-targeted molecular imaging improves identification of malignancy during pulmonary resection: a case report.

During minimally invasive pulmonary resection, both limited visualization and tactile feedback can make localization of pulmonary nodules and assessment for synchronous disease challenging. Intraoperative molecular imaging is an emerging technology that can enhance a surgeon’s ability to detect cancers at the time of resection. In this report, we describe the application of a folate receptor-targeted, near infrared optical contrast agent (OTL38) for the detection of an invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma. During molecular imaging, an otherwise undetectable synchronous nodule was also identified. This finding resulted in intraoperative upstaging and operative plan modifications. This report marks the first successful utilization of a targeted, near infrared intraoperative molecular imaging probe useful for thoracic malignancies. This rapidly evolving technology may enhance the surgeon’s ability to perform a number of oncologic procedures including tumor localization, margin assessment and intraoperative staging.