cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Osteoporosis in ankylosing spondylitis.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a frequent complication of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), even in early stages of the disease, and is associated with elevated levels of biochemical markers of bone turnover, proinflammatory cytokines, and acute-phase reactants. This suggests that systemic inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, may be involved. Various factors that conceivably work in conjunction with one another also cause bone loss in AS (eg, genetic polymorphisms of vitamin D, low levels of osteoprotegerin and sex steroid hormones, and impaired calcium and vitamin D absorption). Dual x-ray absorptiometry for assessing bone mineral density (BMD) has limitations in patients with AS because of unreliability of spinal measurements, particularly in advanced disease with new bone formation. Femoral neck BMD is reduced and correlates with increased risk of vertebral fractures. Hence, measurement of BMD at the femoral neck may provide the most accurate means of detecting osteopenia and OP and could assess fracture risk in AS patients. No guidelines are available for detection and treatment of OP in AS, and most patients are young men, who are less likely to be screened. The only evidence-based recommendation is that optimal control of disease activity in AS prevents bone loss. A recent study showed a beneficial effect of infliximab therapy on bone turnover markers and BMD in AS. Also, bisphosphonates may be useful in managing OP in AS.
LibStatCAT: a library statistical collection assessment tool for individual libraries & cooperative collection development

The following presentation to the Acquisitions Institute at Timberline Lodge focuses on LibStatCAT, a prototype collection assessment tool under development at Portland State University. Our presentation explores the current uses of LibStatCAT, as well as future developments of LibStatCAT as a regional library data farm for comprehensive assessment of library collections and services for individual libraries and cooperative collection development. We share a variety of other collection assessment tools in use at Portland State University Library.
The Influence of Orally and Parenterally Administered Salts of Terephthalic Acid on Oxytetracycline Serum Levels in Chickens

Abstract IT HAS been demonstrated previously that concurrent supplementation of poultry rations with terephthalic acid and oxytetracycline 2 results in higher antibiotic serum levels than those obtained with oxytetracycline alone (Price et al., 1959b; Price and Zolli, 1959a). A possible mode of action by which terephthalic acid potentiates the tetracycline antibiotics has been the subject of a separate report (Price and Zolli, 1959b). In this, it was shown that the relatively soluble sodium salt of terephthalic acid increased oxytetracycline serum levels, whether administered via the gastrointestinal tract or parenterally. Gastrointestinal tract administration was accomplished by injection into a ligated segment of the small intestine, while parenteral administration was by various routes. Although the latter studies were limited, it appeared that the antibiotic serum level response was inversely proportional to the rate of release of the terephthalic acid salt from the site of injection, as less potentiation was obtained from administration of terephthalic …
Preparation of {A2+3} [Te2] (B2+3)-garnets

Abstract The garnets Ca 3 Te 2 Zn 3 O 12 , Ca 3 Te 2 Co 2 ZnO 12 , Cd 3 Te 2 Zn 3 O 12 and Cd 3 Te 2 CoZn 2 O 12 are described. It is shown that the site preference of the Co 2+ ion in the garnet structure depends strongly on the other cations in the lattice.
Biaxial testing of composite cylinders: experimental-theoretical comparison

Abstract An experimental test programme is described in which high-performance, fibre-reinforced composite materials were tested to failure in both uniaxial and biaxial tension. The tests were performed at room-temperature on [± 30 90 ] s quasi-isotropic cylindrical specimens consisting of two types of epoxy resin reinforced with three different fibres: Thornel 75S and Thornel 400 graphite filaments and Kevlar 49 organic fibres. Stress/strain response to failure was obtained for each specimen. The two resins, one room-temperature cured and the other elevated-temperature cured, had negligible effect on composite elastic stiffness; their effect on composite strength was not positively established. The macroscopic elastic stiffnesses of the quasi-isotropic tubular specimens, calculated using lamination theory and lamina properties, were in good agreement with experimental values. Strength data were compared to four strength criteria: two based on laminate uniaxial strength and two based on lamina strengths. Of the four predicted strength envelopes, the laminate interaction diagram, a method based on lamina maximum stress criterion of failure, best fits the experimental data. In addition it was the only approach that identified specific failure modes within the individual layers and the sequence in which they occur prior to complete specimen fracture.
Desorption processes: Supercritical fluid regeneration of activated carbon

Models are developed for isothermal desorption in a fixed bed of adsorbent particles. While more general models require numerical solution of the governing equations, two practically important cases have analytical solutions: (1) an equilibrium desorption model where the rate of desorption is controlled by external and intraparticle mass transfer; and (2) a kinetic model where external and intraparticle mass transfer and a first-order irreversible desorption step control the overall process. Recent experimental data (Tan and Liou, 1988) for the desorption of ethyl acetate from activated carbon with supercritical carbon dioxide are found to fit the local-equilibrium model. Data for the effect of temperature on fractions desorbed indicate a reversal of the temperature dependence of the adsorption isotherm as the supercritical pressure is increased. This phenomenon is analogous to the observed cross-over region for the effect of temperature on the solubility of a solid at supercritical conditions.
Distributed construction of bounded-degree low-interference spanners of low weight

We propose a new low-interference topology for wireless ad hoc networks modeled by Quasi Unit Disk Graphs (qUDGs). Our topology combines two existing structures, the relaxed Greedy structure developed by Damian, Pandit and Pemmaraju, and the low-interference structure developed by Burkhart, von Rickenbach, Wattenhofer and Zollinger. Our main contribution is showing that, when applied on a qUDG G = (V, E), this new structure inherits most properties of the two underlying structures: (a) it is a t(1+e) spanner of G, for any t > 1 and e > 0, (ii) it has optimal interference among all t-spanners for G, (iii) it has O(1) maximum degree, (iv) its total weight is within a factor of O(log n) of the weight of a minimum spanning tree for V, and (v) it can be implemented efficiently in O(log n) rounds of communication.
Oxidative stress suppresses cysteinyl leukotriene generation by mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells.

Abstract Cysteinyl leukotrienes and oxidative stress have both been implicated in bronchial asthma; however, there is no previous study that focused on the ability of oxidative stress to alter cysteinyl leukotriene generation. In this study, treatment of bone marrow-derived mast cells with prostaglandin D2 reduced their ability to generate leukotriene (LT) C4 upon calcium ionophore stimulation but had little effect on LTB4 generation. This effect could be reproduced by a selective agonist of the DP2 receptor, 15R-methyl prostaglandin D2 (15R-D2). 15R-D2 dose-dependently inhibited LTC4 generation with an IC50 of 2 μm, and the effect was not altered by a DP2/thromboxane antagonist or by a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ antagonist. 15R-D2 exerted its suppressive effect via a reduction in intracellular GSH, a mechanism that involved the conjugation of its non-enzymatic breakdown product to GSH. At 10 μm, 15R-D2 reduced LTC4 generation to 10%, intracellular GSH to 50%, and LTC4 synthase (LTC4S) activity to 33.5% of untreated cells without altering immunoreactive LTC4S protein expression or 5-lipoxygenase activity. The effects of 15R-D2 on LTC4S activity could be partially reversed by reducing reagent. The sulfhydryl-reactive oxidative agent diamide suppressed LTC4S activity and induced a reversible formation of covalent dimer LTC4S. LTC4S bearing a C56S mutation was resistant to the effect of diamide. Covalent dimer LTC4S was observed in nasal polyp biopsies, indicating that dimerization and inactivation of LTC4S can occur at the site of inflammation. These results suggest a cellular redox regulation of LTC4S function through a post-translational mechanism.
Activity-based Proteomics of Enzyme Superfamilies: Serine Hydrolases as a Case Study

Genome sequencing projects have uncovered thousands of uncharacterized enzymes in eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. Deciphering the physiological functions of enzymes requires tools to profile and perturb their activities in native biological systems. Activity-based protein profiling has emerged as a powerful chemoproteomic strategy to achieve these objectives through the use of chemical probes that target large swaths of enzymes that share active-site features. Here, we review activity-based protein profiling and its implementation to annotate the enzymatic proteome, with particular attention given to probes that target serine hydrolases, a diverse superfamily of enzymes replete with many uncharacterized members.
The Relative Importance of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors in Pedodiversity

The spatial variability of soils, and thus pedodiversity, can in many instances be linked to measurable, observable variations in environmental factors that control and influence pedogenesis. In addition to these extrinsic factors, recent studies have emphasized the possibility of deterministic chaos, dynamical instability, and divergent self-organization in pedogenesis and soil landscape evolution. These are intrinsic factors, operating within apparently homogeneous landscape units and independently of observable variations in environmental controls. In most soil landscapes, both extrinsic and intrinsic factors are relevant. A method for assessing their relative importance is developed here, based on soil richness-area relationships. A power function relating the number of samples and the number of soil types is a good description of the richness-area relationship for an eastern North Carolina study area. This case study shows that intrinsic variability within homogeneous landscape units is more importan...
The international dimensions of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

From the first-its charter is dated 13 April 1870-the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MMA) saw that it had a role to play in furthering international understanding. The MMA assumed that it would display a collection of art from many countries and many time periods; but the founders surely did not envisage the highly successful exhibitions which have made it a world-renowned cultural center. The era of the MMA’s participation in the mounting and traveling of large international exhibitions began with an immensely successful show, The Great Age of Fresco, in 1969, and continues to the present time. The Museum presents its programs in the spirit of the conviction that Americans-notoriously hazy in the areas of geography and foreign languages-need to take a deeper, fresher, longer look at other countries, regions and cultures. Its teaching role has been a success: the American public has shown an increasing fascination for international culture. The Metropolitan’s activities center around art, and art is, by its very nature, myriad in form and background. The Museum’s most popular shows in terms of attendance and critical attention have reflected an effort to illustrate art’s diversity in time and space. Treasures of Tutankhamun, The Vatican Collections: The Papacy and Art, The Bronze Age of China, The Splendor of Dresden, Masterpieces of Tapestry from the 14th to the 16th Centuries, From the Land qf the Scythians, Treasures of Early Irish Art, Monet’s Years at Giverny, and Treasures from the Kremlin-to name but a few of the number of international exhibitions offered in the 1970s and 1980s-demonstrate, in the words of Phillippe de Montebello, the Director, ‘an attempt, over a period of years, to present works of art from a wide range of different styles or cultures’. Directors of fine museums recognize that temporary exhibitions need to be balanced by permanent installations. Examples abound at MMA, including the Temple of Dendur, the Gubbio Study, and the Wrightsman Rooms. An exquisite example is the installation, as part of one of the largest comprehensive collections of Islamic art in the world, of a paneled room dating from 1707, from the Nur ad-Din house in Damascus. This room allows the viewer not only to see art objects, but also to glimpse the life of a people, in this case, life in a traditional Syrian home in the Ottoman period. The MMA ‘imports’ many kinds of objects beyond art and antiquities: books, catalogues, slides, photographs and films come from all over the world. It also produces and sends out catalogues-some of which are multilingual-reproductions of art works, slides and other materials. The MMA also ‘imports’ experts. When an exhibition requires the oversight of a curator, and that person is not on the staff, the Museum engages him or her on a temporary basis; often those curators are from abroad. For the exhibition entitled Constable’s England, for example, the Metropolitan needed both paintings and a curator. Graham Reynolds, the noted English art historian, was selected as the guest curator, and through his good offices the
Yield strength predictions from the plastic zone around nanocontacts

Abstract Using a simplified version of Johnson’s core model analysis of the plastic zone, one may determine the plastic zone size around a contact or, alternatively, determine the yield strength by measuring the plastic zone. The theoretical model contains three parameters: indentation load, yield strength and zone size so that knowing any two gives the third. This is experimentally demonstrated for a series of single crystals (Fe–3wt%Si, tungsten, zinc) and polycrystals (1100-0 Al, copper and 2024-T6 aluminum). In addition, two of these are evaluated in several work-hardened states. Plastic zone sizes are estimated principally by atomic force microscopy and Zygo interferometry imaging with some verification by transmission electron microscopy. On the theoretical side, verification of the relationship is obtained by elastic–plastic numerical analysis of a bi-material system based upon an Fe–3wt%Si single crystal with a thin oxide film. It is shown that in general predictions are reasonable down to nanometer level contacts except for two cases where an indentation size effect may dominate. The proposed relationship is suggested to be an alternative measure of yield strength compared to the often cited value of H /3, particularly at light contacts.
Shaping Public Opinion through Architecture and Urban Design: Perspectives on Ludwig I and His Building Program for a “New Munich”

As the sovereign of a newly fashioned kingdom facing uncertain prospects, King Ludwig I of Bavaria launched a sprawling building program to transform his capital city, Munich. Ludwig believed that the patronage of art and architecture would enhance his political authority and foster a sense of historical legitimacy in his kingdom. He regarded this building program as a way of expressing and impressing on the public his own views of politics, culture, and history, but the associated financial burden became a source of public discontent, a focal point for political opposition, and, ultimately, a factor in Ludwig's later abdication. Public sentiment and scholarly opinion toward Ludwig nevertheless underwent a broad rehabilitation after his reign. Many soon came to view Ludwig's projects as expressions of the monarch's cultural sophistication and generosity, rather than as instruments of political and ideological calculation.
Live cell imaging and systems biology.

Much of the experimental data used to construct mathematical models of molecular networks are derived from in vitro measurements. However, there is increasing evidence that in vitro measurements fail to capture both the complexity and the individuality found in single, living cells. These limitations can be overcome by live cell microscopy which is evolving to enable in vivo biochemistry. Here, we survey the current capabilities of live cell microscopy and illustrate how a number of different imaging approaches could be applied to analyze a specific molecular network. We argue that incorporation of such quantitative live-cell imaging methods is critical for the progress of systems biology. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2011 3 167–182 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.108 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website
Tubulogenesis in the developing mammalian kidney

How do fibroblasts spontaneously organize into a polarized epithelial tube? This question has fascinated scientists studying the mammalian kidney for more than 40 years. The formation of epithelial tubules in the developing mammalian kidney involves both the aggregation of mesenchymal cells and their conversion into polarized epithelium, as well as the growth and branching morphogenesis of existing epithelium. The interactions among mesenchyme, epithelia and, more recently, the stroma, have been well characterized and provide novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying complex organ development. Cell signaling pathways and transcription factors have been defined through genetic and biochemical assays such that a picture of early kidney tubulogenesis is beginning to emerge.
Postpartum depression recurrence versus discontinuation syndrome: observations from a randomized controlled trial.

Objective To differentiate characteristics of a discontinuation syndrome from a recurrence of major depressive disorder in the context of a randomized trial. Method We performed a randomized clinical trial to compare the efficacy of sertraline versus placebo for the prevention of recurrent postpartum DSM-IV major depressive disorder. Women whose depression did not recur in the initial 17-week active treatment trial were followed through the taper phase (weeks 18-20). At week 17, 3 women assigned to placebo and 8 assigned to sertraline remained in the trial. Nine symptoms that characterize discontinuation syndrome were extracted from the 25-item Asberg Rating Scale for Side Effects (ASE) and assessed weekly during the taper phase. The 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression was used to evaluate depressive symptoms. Results In the taper phase, there were no significant differences between the sertraline- and placebo-treated women on the sum of the ASE-derived symptoms. Both groups had low levels of symptoms on the ASE during the weeks of taper. None of the 3 women assigned to placebo and 2 of the 8 women assigned to sertraline suffered a depressive recurrence within 6 weeks of the end of the study. Conclusions A gradual taper of sertraline (75 mg) over 3 weeks did not lead to discontinuation syndrome; however, the systematic dissection of symptoms resulted in our conclusion that the duration of preventive therapy should be extended to 26 weeks (about 6 months) in subsequent randomized trials, consistent with the treatment guidelines for a single episode of depression.
Nanoscale Science and Engineering: Unifying and Transforming Tools

Nanoscale science and engineering activities are flourishing in the U.S. The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) transforming plan proposed in 1999 led to a synergistic, accelerated and interdisciplinary development of the field, and motivated not only academic researchers but also industry and government organizations. This article presents the genesis of the National Nanotechnology Initiative, its current status and its likely evolution. It is argued that a main challenge and opportunity for engineering resides in design and manufacturing. Four generations of nanotechnology products and their respective manufacturing methods and research foci are identified: Passive nanostructures; active nanostructures; three-dimensional (3-D) nanosystems and systems of nanosystems; and heterogeneous molecular nanosystems. Designing new atomic and molecular assemblies is expected to increase in importance, including macromolecules “by design” nanoscale machines, and directed multiscale selfassembling. Although expectations from nanotechnology may be overestimated in short-term, the long-term implications on healthcare, productivity and environment appear to be underestimated.
Complex packing motifs templated by a pseudo-spherical guest: the structure of β-cyclodextrin–adamantane inclusion compounds

β-Cyclodextrin has been shown to form inclusion compounds with a wide variety of suitably sized guest molecules. In the present study a pseudo-spherical van der Waals guest molecule, adamantane, has been shown to template surprisingly complex packing motifs when incorporated into β-cyclodextrin host frameworks.
Developments in QCD transport theory

Abstract A new transport phenomena in nonabelian plasmas is introduced associated with the dissipation of color excitations. The color diffusion coefficient is shown to be sensitive to the nonperturbative magnetic screening scale. The unexpectedly small color conductivity of a quark gluon plasma is emphasized.
Fiber Optic Delivery System For The Excimer Laser Recanalization Of Human Coronary Arteries In Open Heart Surgery

The first use of excimer laser radiation delivered through a fiber optic cable to recanalize totally occluded right coronary arteries on human patients is described.
Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of mammary adenocarcinomas in the rat

A study of 24 rats implanted in the hind leg with mammary adenocarcinomas and five sham-implanted rats, followed from the second to the eight week postimplantation, showed nuclear magnetic resonance imaging capable of detecting all the tumors without yielding any false-positives in the control rats. The T1 relaxation time of tumors overlapped that of muscle, and the T2 times overlapped fat, but the combination was unique when comparing tumors to muscle and fat. Necrotic regions of the tumor and the bladder contents tended to have very long T1 and T2 relaxation times. The difference in relaxation time between tumors and muscle could be accounted for in terms of water content, which was approximately 8% higher for the tumors. The study corroborates data from previous studies indicating that NMR imaging is a highly sensitive modality, although T1 and T2 times are not exclusive indicators of malignancy.
Lysine uptake by cloned hCAT-2B: comparison with hCAT-1 and with trophoblast surface membranes.

To study the cationic amino-acid transporter hCAT-2B of human placenta, total RNA was harvested from primary cultured trophoblast and from the BeWo choriocarcinoma cell line (b30 clone) and used for reverse transcription (RT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Primers based on published sequences identified expression of mRNA for hCAT-2B. RT-PCR yielded a 2.06 kb hCAT-2B cDNA, which was cloned. hCAT-2B cRNA injection into Xenopus laevis oocytes stimulated saturable lysine uptake (Km ~ 125 mM). In the presence of Na+, uptake was completely inhibited by L-arginine but only partially by neutral amino acids. To compare directly the interaction of hCAT-1 and hCAT-2B with neutral amino acids and sodium, we examined the inhibition of these transporters by L-leucine and L-alanine over a wide concentration range. L-Alanine and L-leucine inhibit uptake by hCAT-2B substantially less completely than uptake by hCAT-1. The interaction of hCAT-2B resembles that of system y+ in the microvillous membrane of human placenta, while that of hCAT-1 is more comparable to that of system y+ in basal membrane. The identification and characterization of the various cationic amino-acid transporters of the human placenta have the potential to increase the understanding of the cellular mechanism of transplacental transfer.
Bacterial preparation of orotidine-5'-phosphate and uridine-5'-phosphate.

THE enzymic syntheses of orotidine-5′-phosphate and uridine-5′-phosphate have been reported by Lieberman et al. 1 and others. A chemical phosphorylation of uridine to form the 5′-phosphates has also been described by Hall and Khorana2. This communication describes the preparation of these previously rare compounds from cultures of E. coli B grown in a salts–glucose medium in the presence of the uracil analogue, as-triazine-3,5-dione, referred to as 6-azauracil.
Gold nanoparticles: Optical properties and implementations in cancer diagnosis and photothermal therapy

Abstract Currently a popular area in nanomedicine is the implementation of plasmonic gold nanoparticles for cancer diagnosis and photothermal therapy, attributed to the intriguing optical properties of the nanoparticles. The surface plasmon resonance, a unique phenomenon to plasmonic (noble metal) nanoparticles leads to strong electromagnetic fields on the particle surface and consequently enhances all the radiative properties such as absorption and scattering. Additionally, the strongly absorbed light is converted to heat quickly via a series of nonradiative processes. In this review, we discuss these important optical and photothermal properties of gold nanoparticles in different shapes and structures and address their recent applications for cancer imaging, spectroscopic detection and photothermal therapy.
Temperature dependent electron relaxation time in the photo-excited triplet state of pyrene-d-10

Abstract Temperature dependent ESR relaxation measurements made on the excited triplet state of pyrene- d -10 show a decrease in T 1e with decrease in temperature from 300°K to 80°K. Optical measurements suggest the relaxation arises from exciton motion in the host crystal fluorene.
Role of the Spike Glycoprotein of Human Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Virus Entry and Syncytia Formation

Little is known about the biology of the emerging human group c betacoronavirus, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Because coronavirus spike glycoproteins (S) mediate virus entry, affect viral host range, and elicit neutralizing antibodies, analyzing the functions of MERS-CoV S protein is a high research priority. MERS-CoV S on lentivirus pseudovirions mediated entry into a variety of cell types including embryo cells from New World Eptesicus fuscus bats. Surprisingly, a polyclonal antibody to the S protein of MHV, a group a murine betacoronavirus, cross-reacted in immunoblots with the S2 domain of group c MERS-CoV spike protein. MERS pseudovirions released from 293T cells contained only uncleaved S, and pseudovirus entry was blocked by lysosomotropic reagents NH4Cl and bafilomycin and inhibitors of cathepsin L. However, when MERS pseudovirions with uncleaved S protein were adsorbed at 4°C to Vero E6 cells, brief trypsin treatment at neutral pH triggered virus entry at the plasma membrane and syncytia formation. When 293T cells producing MERS pseudotypes co-expressed serine proteases TMPRSS-2 or -4, large syncytia formed at neutral pH, and the pseudovirions produced were non-infectious and deficient in S protein. These experiments show that if S protein on MERS pseudovirions is uncleaved, then viruses enter by endocytosis in a cathepsin L-dependent manner, but if MERS-CoV S is cleaved, either during virus maturation by serine proteases or on pseudovirions by trypsin in extracellular fluids, then viruses enter at the plasma membrane at neutral pH and cause massive syncytia formation even in cells that express little or no MERS-CoV receptor. Thus, whether MERS-CoV enters cells within endosomes or at the plasma membrane depends upon the host cell type and tissue, and is determined by the location of host proteases that cleave the viral spike glycoprotein and activate membrane fusion.
Progress in Web-based decision support technologies

World Wide Web technologies have transformed the design, development, implementation and deployment of decision support systems. This article reviews and summarizes recent technology developments, current usage of Web-based DSS, and trends in the deployment of such systems. Many firms use the Web as a medium to convey information about DSS products or to distribute DSS software. The use of Web-based computation to provide product demonstrations or to deploy DSS applications for remote access remains less common. The academic literature on Web-based DSS is largely focused on applications and implementations, and only a few articles examine architectural issues or provide design guidelines based on empirical evidence.
On the utilization of the mean beam length concept in the evaluation of radiative heat transfer in isothermal three-dimensional non-gray system

The mean beam length concept, which is defined traditionally for the evaluation of emission of a gas volume to its surrounding boundary, is generalized to apply to three-dimensional surface–surface and volume–surface radiative exchange with an intervening non-gray N2/CO2/H2O/soot mixture at one atmosphere. The concept is demonstrated to be effective in providing a simple, efficient and accurate approach to compute radiative heat transfer in non-gray three-dimensional mixtures. Using numerical data generated for a rectangular enclosure, the mean beam lengths are shown to depend mainly on the total partial pressure of the absorbing gas and soot volume fraction. The mean beam length’s dependence on the mixture temperature and the fractional proportion of the individual gaseous specie does not have a strong influence on the mixture total absorptance and emittance. The Hottel’s constant mean beam length approach is shown to be accurate only in the prediction of the emittance of a non-luminous mixture (i.e. without soot). For the mixture absorptance and the emittance/absorptance of a luminous mixture, the Hottel’s approach is generally inaccurate. A neural network, MBL-NNET, is developed to correlate the mean beam length data for the mixture in the enclosure. The two neural networks (MBL-NNET and RAD-NNET) are shown to be an effective approach in the evaluation of radiation heat transfer in practical engineering systems.
Thickness-dependent conductivity and photoconductivity of hydrogenated amorphous silicon

Abstract We summarize our recent results on thickness and surface variations in the conductivity and photoconductivity of phosphorus-doped n-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon films. Our principal finding is that thinner films have lower conductivities, higher activation energies and, for a certain range of thicknesses, higher photoconductivities. A speculation is given for the origin of the enhanced photoconductivity in terms of field-assisted carrier separation in the surface barrier region.
Manufacturing and testing of active composite panels with embedded piezoelectric sensors and actuators: wires out by molded-in holes

This work presents manufacturing and testing of active composite panels (ACPs) with embedded piezoelectric sensors and actuators. The composite material employed here is a plain weave carbon epoxy prepreg fabric with about 0.33 mm ply thickness. The piezoelectric patches employed here are Continuum Control Corporation, CCC, (recently Continuum Photonics, Inc) active fiber composite patches with 0.33 mm thickness, i.e. close to the composite ply thickness. Composite cut-out layers are used to fill the space around the embedded piezoelectric patches to minimize the problems associated with ply drops in composites. The piezoelectric patches were embedded inside the composite laminate. High-temperature wires were soldered to the piezoelectric leads, insulated from the carbon substructure by high-temperature materials, and were taken out of the composite laminates employing a molded-in hole technique that reduces the stress concentration as opposed to a drilled hole, and thereby enhancing the performance of the composite structure. The laminated ACP’s were co-cured inside an autoclave employing the cure cycle recommended by the composite material supplier. The curie temperature of the embedded piezoelectric patches should be well above the curing temperature of the composite materials as was the case here. The manufactured ACP beams and plates were trimmed and then tested for their functionality. Vibration suppression as well as simultaneous vibration suppression and precision positioning tests, using PID control as well as Hybrid Adaptive Control techniques were successfully conducted on the manufactured ACP beams and their functionality were demonstrated. Recommendations on the use of this embedding technique for ACPs are provided.
LAPAROSCOPIC PELVIC LYMPH NODE DISSECTION FOR PROSTATE CANCER: COMPARISON OF THE EXTENDED AND MODIFIED TECHNIQUES

AbstractPurpose: We compared the results of extended (obturator, hypogastric, common and external iliac nodes) to modified (obturator and hypogastric nodes only) laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: A total of 189 patients with stage T1 to T3 prostate cancer underwent modified (150) or extended (39) laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection for pelvic nodal assessment before definitive treatment.Results: Twice as many lymph nodes were removed via extended than modified laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection (mean 17.8 versus 9.3). The overall positivity rate was 23 of 189 lymph nodes (12.2%), including 14 of 150 (7.3%) for modified and 9 of 39 (23.1%) for extended dissection (p = 0.02). Two patients (22%) who underwent extended dissection had positive lymph nodes in the external iliac area. Patients who presented with the high risk features of prostate specific antigen (PSA) greater than 20 ng./ml., Gleason score 7 or gre...
Non-Condon effects in the phosphorescence spectrum of a NO- 2 trap in NaNO2/Ag+

Studies of the phosphorescence spectrum of the major NO- 2 trap in NaNO2/Ag+ at < 4K show that non-Condon effects are associated with the progression in the totally symmetric bending mode. These are manifest by different intensity distributions for the contributions of two spin levels of the triplet state to the progression. A standard Franck-Condon analysis of these distributions thereby implies a spin level dependent displacement in the triplet state for the totally symmetric mode. Incorporating a dependence of the electronic transition moment on the normal mode, the different intensity distributions can be explained in terms of more complicated vibrational factors and a spin level independent displacement parameter. The results are qualitatively in agreement with a theoretical model.
Self-reported sitting time in New York City adults, the Physical Activity and Transit Survey, 2010-2011.

INTRODUCTION Recent studies have demonstrated the negative health consequences associated with extended sitting time, including metabolic disturbances and decreased life expectancy. The objectives of this study were to characterize sitting time in an urban adult population and assess the validity of a 2-question method of self-reported sitting time. METHODS The New York City Health Department conducted the 2010-2011 Physical Activity and Transit Survey (N = 3,597); a subset of participants wore accelerometers for 1 week (n = 667). Self-reported sitting time was assessed from 2 questions on time spent sitting (daytime and evening hours). Sedentary time was defined as accelerometer minutes with less than 100 counts on valid days. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the prevalence of sitting time by demographic characteristics. Validity of sitting time with accelerometer-measured sedentary time was assessed using Spearman's correlation and Bland-Altman techniques. All data were weighted to be representative of the New York City adult population based on the 2006-2008 American Community Survey. RESULTS Mean daily self-reported sitting time was 423 minutes; mean accelerometer-measured sedentary time was 490 minutes per day (r = 0.32, P < .001). The mean difference was 49 minutes per day (limits of agreement: -441 to 343). Sitting time was higher in respondents at lower poverty and higher education levels and lower in Hispanics and people who were foreign-born. CONCLUSION Participants of higher socioeconomic status, who are not typically the focus of health disparities-related research, had the highest sitting times; Hispanics had the lowest levels. Sitting time may be accurately assessed by self-report with the 2-question method for population surveillance but may be limited in accurately characterizing individual-level behavior.
Patients willing to try colonoscopy without sedation: associated clinical factors and results of a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Background: Sedation causes most of the complications of colonoscopy. Sedation is used selectively in some countries but is routine in the United States. Methods: Cross-sectional survey and randomized controlled trial were used to identify patient factors associated with willingness to try colonoscopy without sedation and to compare pain and satisfaction scores and willingness to return to the same physician in patients randomized to receive routine sedation versus as needed sedation. A single colonoscopist invited 250 consecutive eligible outpatients to be randomized to routine sedation versus as needed sedation. Seventeen who preferred no sedation and 163 who preferred sedation refused. Seventy accepted and were randomized. Results: Male gender (odds ratio 4.33; 95% CI [2.27, 8.26]), increasing age (odds ratio for 10-year increase 1.28; 95% CI [1.01, 1.06]), and absence of abdominal pain (odds ratio 5.13; 95% CI [1.68, 15.63]) were associated with willingness to be randomized. Total colonoscopy was achieved without sedation in 94% of those who received sedation only as needed. Pain scores were higher in the sedation as needed arm. All 35 patients in the routine sedation arm were "very satisfied". In the sedation as needed arm, 31 of the 34 were "very satisfied" and 3 were "somewhat satisfied". All randomized patients said they would return to the same colonoscopist. Patients in the sedation as needed arm had less decline in blood pressure, less hypoxemia, and lower charges than those in the routine sedation arm. Conclusions: Experienced colonoscopists should consider offering colonoscopy without sedation to selected patients. (Gastrointest Endosc 1999;49:554-9.)
Rhythmic Trafficking of TRPV2 in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus is Regulated by Prokineticin 2 Signaling

The mammalian circadian clock is composed of single-cell oscillators. Neurochemical and electrical signaling among these oscillators is important for the normal expression of circadian rhythms. Prokineticin 2 (PK2), encoding a cysteine-rich secreted protein, has been shown to be a critical signaling molecule for the regulation of circadian rhythms. PK2 expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is highly rhythmic, peaking during the day and being essentially absent during the night. Mice with disrupted PK2 gene or its receptor PKR2 display greatly reduced rhythmicity of broad circadian parameters such as locomotor activity, body temperature and sleep/wake patterns. PK2 has been shown to increase the firing rate of SCN neurons, with unknown molecular mechanisms. Here we report that TRPV2, an ion channel belonging to the family of TRP, is co-expressed with PKR2 in the SCN neurons. Further, TRPV2 protein, but not TRPV2 mRNA, was shown to oscillate in the SCN in a PK2-dependent manner. Functional studies revealed that TRPV2 enhanced signaling of PKR2 in calcium mobilization or ion current conductance, likely via the increased trafficking of TRPV2 to the cell surface. Taken together, these results indicate that TRPV2 is likely part of the downstream signaling of PK2 in the regulation of the circadian rhythms.
Spectral correlation of action potential firing rates after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury

During recovery from hypoxia-ischemic (HI) injury microelectrode recordings of multiple action potentials from thalamus exhibit periodic oscillations. Firing rate variability analysis reveals that spike frequency is periodically modulated by a low frequency oscillation called spindle. This leads to spectral self-coherences among firing rate components during spindle episodes. In an animal model of cerebral injury the authors monitor neural responses from the VPL (ventral-posterior lateral) thalamic nucleus after 3 min of total asphyxia. Spindling episodes of VPL multiple unit responses appear within the first 5 min of recovery. These spindles modulate the multi-unit activity at the rate of approximately 10 Hz. Interspike intervals (ISI) fluctuate from 2 to 10 ms during these burst periods. Frequency coupling occurs between frequencies in the 100 Hz to 300 Hz range (p<0.01) induced by the spindle envelope. Thus, spectral correlation analysis accurately captures the low frequency modulation of action potentials from a short segment of data.
Gender, acculturation, and health among Mexican Americans

This study examines whether the relationship between acculturation and physical health varies by gender among Mexican Americans, and if the mechanisms that mediate the acculturation-health relationship operate differently by gender. Using the 1998–2007 National Health Interview Study, we construct a composite measure of acculturation and estimate regression models for the total number of health conditions, hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. Immigrants with the lowest levels of acculturation are the healthiest, but this association is stronger for men. Medical care plays a central role in accounting for gender and acculturation differences across health outcomes—increased access to and utilization of medical care is associated with worse health, which suggests that better health among recent arrivals (particularly men) partially results from their lack of knowledge about their own poor health.
Host factors that impact the biodistribution and persistence of multipotent adult progenitor cells.

Multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) are marrow-derived pluripotent stem cells with a broad differentiation potential. We sought to identify factors that affect adoptively transferred MAPCs. In vitro, MAPCs expressed low levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens, failed to stimulate CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell alloresponses, and were targets of NK cytolysis. To study in vivo biodistribution, we labeled MAPCs with luciferase for sequential quantification of bioluminescence and DsRed2 for immunohistochemical analysis. C57BL /6 MAPCs were infused intravenously into C57BL /6, Rag-2–/– (T- and B-cell–deficient), and Rag-2–/–/IL-2Rγc–/– (T-, B-, and NK-cell–deficient) mice. In C57BL /6 mice, MAPCs were transiently detected only in the chest compared with long-term persistence in T- and B-cell–deficient mice. NK depletion reduced MAPC elimination. Because the lungs were the major uptake site after intravenous injection, intra-arterial injections were tested and found to result in more widespread biodistribution. Widespread MAPC biodistribution and long-term persistence were seen in irradiated recipients given allogeneic marrow and MAPCs; such MAPCs expressed MHC class I antigens in tissues. Our data indicate that the biodistribution and persistence of reporter gene–labeled MAPCs are maximized after intra-arterial delivery or host irradiation and that T cells, B cells, and NK cells contribute to in vivo MAPC rejection.
Detection of Neuroblastoma cells in CD34+ selected peripheral stem cells using a combination of tyrosine hydroxylase nested RT–PCR and anti-Ganglioside GD2 immunocytochemistry

Abstract A sensitive assay was developed for the detection of neuroblastoma cell contamination in CD34+ selected and unseparated peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) used for autologous transplantation in stage 4 neuroblastoma patients. Specifically, we established a non-radioactive nested cDNA–PCR (nPCR) for detection of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene expression combined with anti-disialoganglioside GD2 immunocytochemistry with the murine monoclonal antibody (MAb) 14G2a. Sensitivities of TH nPCR determined with a number of neuroblastoma cell lines and PBSCs correlated to cell line dependent basal TH gene expression levels and ranged from 1:104 to 1:106. The sensitivity obtained by immunocytochemistry was 1:105. We observed the highest PBSC contamination rate of 47% (18/38) among 38 PBSC specimens exclusively obtained from stage 4 neuroblastoma patients by using TH nPCR and GD2 immunocytochemistry in combination. Furthermore, a clinically applied purging method, CD34+ selection by immunoabsorption (CD34+ purity 42.4%), was used on 16 PBSCs. 10/16 (63%) preparations were contaminated prior to CD34+ selection and 56% (9/16) remained contaminated. A significant reduction of neuroblastoma cell contamination by CD34+ selection was not detectable, but the absolute amount of re-infused tumour cells was decreased due to 100-fold smaller cell counts of CD34+ selected grafts used for transplantation. 22 PBSC preparations were used for transplantation. A Kaplan–Meier analysis showed an event-free survival probability of 0.56 ± 0.22 (n = 9) in the group with contaminated PBSCs versus 0.88 ± 0.12 (n = 8) with no detectable neuroblastoma-cell contamination. Our data suggest that the combined use of TH nPCR and GD2 immunocytochemistry is optimal to detect contamination and monitor purging strategies.
How Does Human Resource Management Influence Organizational Outcomes? A Meta-analytic Investigation of Mediating Mechanisms

Drawing on the ability-motivation-opportunity model, this meta-analysis examined the effects of three dimensions of HR systems—skills-enhancing, motivation-enhancing, and opportunity-enhancing—on p...
Thrombocytopenia Absent Radius Syndrome Associated with Renal Insufficiency

Thrombocytopenia absent radius (TAR) syndrome, associated with small, echogenic kidneys and subsequent end-stage renal disease, was seen in a full-term newborn. In this infant, renal insufficiency may have increased the known risk of bleeding that is associated with TAR syndrome. Renal abnormalities and dysfunction are unusual in TAR syndrome. When they are present, however, treatment with frequent transfusions and early dialysis may be necessary to prevent serious and life-threatening hemorrhagic episodes.
Nondestructive 3D imaging of femtosecond laser written buried structures using optical coherence microscopy

We have demonstrated nondestructive 3D imaging of the femtosecond laser written 3D structures of both index change and optical breakdown within fused silica by using the optical coherence microscopy providing high lateral and depth resolution.
Supervised Learning of Probability Distributions by Neural Networks

We propose that the back propagation algorithm for supervised learning can be generalized, put on a satisfactory conceptual footing, and very likely made more efficient by defining the values of the output and input neurons as probabilities and varying the synaptic weights in the gradient direction of the log likelihood, rather than the 'error'.
A New Nearctic Species of Micropsectra Kieffer Midge (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Abstract. The chironomid midge Micropsectra manistee Taber is described from the western Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Numerous adult males and females were collected in a Malaise trap in late April in a paper birch-red maple-black ash-black cherry woods. The new species belongs to a scarcely studied genus but appears to be most closely related to the flies of the Micropsectra recurvata Goetghebuer species group as indicated by male terminalia.