cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Causal Factors of Weld Porosity in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding of Powder-Metallurgy-Produced Titanium Alloys

An investigation was undertaken using gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding on consolidated powder metallurgy (PM) titanium (Ti) plate to identify the causal factors behind observed porosity in fusion welding. Tramp element compounds of sodium and magnesium, residual from the metallothermic reduction of titanium chloride used to produce the titanium, were remnant in the starting powder and were identified as gas-forming species. PM-titanium made from revert scrap, where sodium and magnesium were absent, showed fusion weld porosity, although to a lesser degree. We show that porosity was attributable to hydrogen from adsorbed water on the surface of the powders prior to consolidation. The removal and minimization of both adsorbed water on the surface of titanium powder and the residues from the reduction process prior to consolidation of titanium powders are critical for achieving equivalent fusion welding success similar to that seen in wrought titanium produced via the Kroll process.
Carotid body I1-imidazoline receptors: Binding, visualization and modulatory function

The carotid body is influenced by many neurotransmitter receptors. A novel receptor specific for imidazolines has been implicated in cardiorespiratory regulation in the brain. To test for both I1-imidazoline and alpha2-adrenergic receptors, which also recognize imidazolines, specific [125I]p-iodoclonidine binding to carotid body membranes was characterized. The specific alpha2-agents epinephrine (100 microM) or SK&F 86466 (10 microM) inhibited only a portion of specific [125I]p-iodoclonidine binding in both cat and rabbit carotid bodies, indicating the presence of I1-imidazoline as well as alpha2-adrenergic sites. The distribution of [125I]p-iodoclonidine binding sites was visualized autoradiographically. The cat carotid body was intensely labeled by [125I]p-iodoclonidine, with both I1-imidazoline and alpha2-adrenergic sites expressed. The relevance of I1-imidazoline receptors in modulation of chemosensory discharge was determined in seven cats after alpha2-adrenergic blockade. Clonidine (100 microg/kg) facilitated chemosensory activity particularly under hypoxia. We conclude that I1-imidazoline receptors are expressed within the carotid body and may potentiate chemosensory discharge, in contrast to the inhibitory action of alpha2-adrenergic receptors.
Ecotoxicogenomics to Support Ecological Risk Assessment: A Case Study with Bisphenol A in Fish

Effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on ovarian transcript profiles as well as targeted end points with endocrine/reproductive relevance were examined in two fish species, fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) and zebrafish (Danio rerio), exposed in parallel using matched experimental designs. Four days of waterborne exposure to 10 μg BPA/L caused significant vitellogenin induction in both species. However, zebrafish were less sensitive to effects on hepatic gene expression and steroid production than fathead minnow and the magnitude of vitellogenin induction was more modest (i.e., 3-fold compared to 13,000-fold in fathead minnow). The concentration-response at the ovarian transcriptome level was nonmonotonic and violated assumptions that underlie proposed methods for estimating hazard thresholds from transcriptomic results. However, the nonmonotonic profile was consistent among species and there were nominal similarities in the functions associated with the differentially expressed genes, suggesting potential activation of common pathway perturbation motifs in both species. Overall, the results provide an effective case study for considering the potential application of ecotoxicogenomics to ecological risk assessments and provide novel comparative data regarding effects of BPA in fish.
Prospective transcriptomic pathway analysis of human lymphatic vascular insufficiency: identification and validation of a circulating biomarker panel.

Background In our previous transcriptional profiling of a murine model, we have identified a remarkably small number of specific pathways with altered expression in lymphedema. In this investigation, we utilized microarray-based transcriptomics of human skin for an unbiased a priori prospective candidate identification, with subsequent validation of these candidates through direct serum assay. The resulting multi-analyte biomarker panel sensitively should sensitively discriminate human lymphedema subjects from normal individuals.
Seaside Resorts in the Dominican Republic: A Typology.

Abstract Since the early 1970s, the growing attraction of beaches has led to a proliferation of seaside resorts along the Atlantic and Caribbean shores of the Dominican Republic. The distribution of beach resorts reflects a combination of quality and quantity of natural resources, proximity of urban centers and/or airports, and intensity of development efforts exerted by private entrepreneurs and/or government agencies. Both domestic and international tourism are responsible for beachfront urbanization in the Dominican Republic. At least five discrete types of coastal resorts may be identified: 1) the urban balneario, 2) the domestic destination resort, 3) the “integrated” domestic/international destination resort, 4) the “interactive” enclave resort, and 5) the “self-contained” enclave resort. Each of these resort types is characterized by a particular tourist clientele and a distinctive urban morphologic pattern. Although overlap between types may occasionally blur the distinctions, this typology is pre...
Fundamental aspects in vibration-assisted tapping

Abstract Although tapping has been widely used for thread fabrication, it is often a time-consuming process causing a delay on an automated production line. This study investigates the fundamental aspects in vibration-assisted tapping. It addresses two major mechanisms that are responsible for torque reduction during vibration-assisted tapping, i.e., friction torque reduction and material property change at an enhanced strain rate. Theoretical analyses are conducted to account for the effect of vibration on tapping torque reduction, and verified by the tapping experiments with and without vibration assistance. Taps of three different sizes and vibrations of two different waveforms are used in the tapping experiments. The theoretical results are applicable to vibration-assisted tapping and other machining processes.
GELATINIZATION OF STARCH IN BAKED PRODUCTS

Scanning electron photomicrographs of starch isolated from white bread, sugar cookies, pie crust, angel food cake, cake doughnuts and cinnamon rolls revealed that the proportion of folded and deformed granules, an indication of the extent of gelatinization and pasting, varied from relatively few granules in sugar cookies to virtually all granules in angel food cake. Starch isolated from angel food cake had no birefringence and was about 97% gelatinized as measured enzymatically, while that from sugar cookies was approximately 91% birefringent and was 4% gelatinized. Starches from other baked products studied had residual birefringence and percent gelatinization intermediate to the values for angel food cake and sugar cookies. Thus starch in the baked products studied ranged from essentially completely gelatinized to that which had undergone very little change.
Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance investigation of pyridine, nicotinamide, their cations and related compounds

Abstract Carbon-13 noise decoupled spectra have been obtained for pyridine, nicotinamide, their cations and related compounds and the 13 C chemical shifts reported. This work constitutes the first 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance investigation into the effects in nicotinamide of cation formation, with the p K a values for nicotinamide and pyridine being obtained from an analysis of the chemical shift data. Amide substituent effects are correlated with the dipole moments of the various N-alkyl-and N,N-dialkylnicotinamides.
ProDA: a suite of web-services for progressive data analysis

Online Scientific Applications (OSA) require statistical analysis of large multidimensional datasets. Towards this end, we have designed and developed a data storage and retrieval system, called ProDA, which deploys wavelet transform and provides fast approximate answers with progressively increasing accuracy in support of the OSA queries. ProDA employs a standard web-service infrastructure to enable remote users to interact with their data. These web-services enable wavelet transformation of large multidimensional datasets as well as inserting, updating, and exact, approximate and progressive querying of these datasets in the wavelet domain. We demonstrate the features of ProDA on a massive atmospheric dataset provided to us by NASA/JPL.
The History of Psychosocial Screening Among Cancer Patients

Over the past ten years, the concept of psychosocial screening has received a great deal of attention. Guidelines, recommendations, and standards have been developed to encourage or require that all patients be screened for their distress at the time of diagnosis or when patients commence care in a cancer center for the first time. However, the concept of psychosocial screening has long history in the cancer literature.
Large-scale interferometric fiber sensor arrays with multiple optical amplifiers

We report what we believe to be the first laboratory prototype of a fiber sensor array using multiple low-gain (5dB) remotely pumped amplifiers in a 10-rung ladder structure. Incorporating amplifiers improves the system noise figure to less than 20dB, compared with 32dB in an optimized passive array of the same size. Scalability to more than 300sensors per fiber pair while a high dynamic range (1microrad/ sensitivity) is maintained is demonstrated.
The velocity of sound in liquid cesium from its melting point to 655°k

Abstract The velocity of sound in liquid cesium has been measured from its melting point to 655°K, with an accuracy of 1.5%. The velocity of sound was found to be linear with respect to temperature and is described by the relation: V = 1050–0.2882T meters/second. Comparison is made with some recently published data.
X-ray analysis of growth twins in Bi2Ca1Sr2Cu2O8

Abstract We report on large-area twin structures in Bi 2 Ca 1 Sr 2 Cu 2 O 8 crystals. The twins were growth twins on the (001) basal face with (110) type twin walls. Four-circle X-ray diffraction methods were used to establish the crystallographic relationships between twins. A shear angle of less than 0.1° was experimentally determined, which was significantly less than a theoretical estimate of 0.42° from lattice parameter values. Twin morphology and twin formation are discussed in the context of twin formation.
School Phobia: The Overlap of Affective and Anxiety Disorders

In a group of 26 early adolescent, chronic school refusers, 69% met DSM-III criteria for affective disorder (depression), 62% met criteria for anxiety disorder, and 50% had both depressive and anxiety disorders. Patients with both disorders were more severely symptomatic as indicated by higher scores on rating scales for anxiety and depression. While children and adolescents with depressive disorders frequently reported anxiety symptoms, in general those with anxiety disorders did not commonly describe depression. However, those patients with severe anxiety symptoms reported specific depressive symptomatology, indicating that severe anxiety disorders in children and adolescents may be clinically indistinguishable from depression.
ShowMeHow: translating user interface instructions between applications

Many people learn how to use complex authoring applications through tutorials. However, user interfaces for authoring tools differ between versions, platforms, and competing products, limiting the utility of tutorials. Our goal is to make tutorials more useful by enabling users to repurpose tutorials between similar applications. We introduce UI translation interfaces which enable users to locate commands in one application using the interface language of another application. Our end-user tool, ShowMeHow, demonstrates two interaction techniques to accomplish translations: 1) direct manipulation of interface facades and 2) text search for commands using the vocabulary of another application. We discuss tools needed to construct the translation maps that enable these techniques. An initial study (n=12) shows that users can locate unfamiliar commands twice as fast with interface facades. A second study showed that users can work through tutorials written for one application in another application.
Lens Design And The Ghost Focus Problem In Fusion Lasers

Unique optical design problems occur in the specification of high energy laser systems. The design of each optical component must ensure that no damage will occur in the laser system due to light transmitted, reflected or absorbed by that component. In order to fully assess the possibilities of laser induced damage in the laser system, we use a number of paraxial calculations, real ray traces, and diffraction based calculations. Once problems are identified, solutions must be found to eliminate or minimize damage problems.© (1978) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Jarcho‐Levin syndrome: Unusual survival in a classical case

Spondylothoracic dysostosis, or Jarcho-Levin syndrome, together with spondylocostal dysostosis, constitute a heterogeneous group of rare disorders characterized by short-neck, short-trunk dwarfism and multiple vertebral anomalies at all levels of the vertebral column. The latter include hemivertebrae, fused, hypoplastic, and “butterfly” vertebrae. In most cases of Jarcho-Levin syndrome, the small size of the thorax causes respiratory death in infancy. This report of a Puerto Rican child with spondylothoracic dysostosis and unusually long survival to 11 years exemplifies the nosologic and prognostic difficulties associated with this syndrome. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Small DNA Tumor Viruses: Large Contributors to Biomedical Sciences

Studies of the small DNA tumor viruses (the polyomaviruses, the adenoviruses and the papillomaviruses) have led to fundamental discoveries that have advanced our understanding of basic mammalian cell molecular biology processes such as transcription and DNA replication, uncovered pathways and genes often perturbed in human cancer, and identified bona fide human cancer viruses. In this article we examine the many contributions that have come from the small DNA tumor virus field and provide a recounting of some of the major landmark discoveries.
Comparing sets of circular orientations by modified chi-squared testing

Abstract This paper presents a program for initial pairwise inspection of multiple large sets of orientations, such as paleocurrent measurements, to see which sets are particularly similar, which are particularly different, and which need further examination. To do this, the paper proposes a modified chi-squared test that involves multiple recalculations based on reiterative regrouping of the dataset. This method not only evades problems caused by defining classes from an arbitrary starting point, but also avoids classes with too small an expected membership. It is NOT perfect or ideal, but it provides another way to start to investigate a large amount of paleocurrent data. It is conservative in calling attention to differences, particularly when concerned with small or extremely tightly grouped datasets.
Accelerated partial breast irradiation: Initial experience with the Intrabeam System

Failure after breast conserving surgery (BCS) and total breast irradiation usually occurs at the site of the original tumor. This has caused an increased interest in accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI), because if radiation is delivered directly to the tumor bed there should be better local control. Patients greater than age 50 with core biopsy confirmed invasive ductal carcinoma were enrolled. They had preoperative ultrasound defining margins of less than 3.5 cm. Intraoperative ultrasound was also performed in an effort to ensure good surgical margins. After excision of the tumor, intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) with the Intrabeam System was delivered to the tumor bed. The procedure has been performed on 67 patients. Sixty-one patients had it with the original surgery, while 6 had the procedure after re-exploration of the segmental mastectomy site. Because of the final pathology (surgical margins, tumor biology, and nodal status) 4 patients later had total mastectomy and 11 received total breast irradiation. When total breast irradiation is done the IORT serves as the radiation boost. The cosmetic results have been good to excellent, and there have been no serious surgical or radiation complications. To date there have been no local failures. IORT with the Intrabeam System is feasible, user friendly, versatile, with few complications, good cosmetic results, and great patient acceptance. It is practical and excellent for breast IORT in the community setting.
The effect of intrasplenic ovarian autografts on luteinization in rats treated neonatally with steroid hormones.

Abstract Ovaries of 45 day old female rats, sterilized by an injection of 250 μg of testosterone propionate, were autotransplanted into the spleen. Thirty days later, corpora lutea were present. When estradiol benzoate was used instead of testosterone propionate, under similar conditions, the ovaries failed to form corpora lutea.
THORIUM IN IRON METEORITES: A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

Abstract By means of neutron activation analysis, thorium concentrations in two iron meteorites have been found in the approximate range of from 6 × 10−12 to 20 × 10−12 gTh/g meteorite. These values are lower by at least two orders of magnitude than previously determined levels of thorium concentration in irons. It is possible that the wide divergence of results must be attributed to differences in method, and evidence is presented in support of the validity of the method of neutron activation analysis. If Urey's calculated value for the distribution coefficient of thorium between iron and silicate phases is correct, the present thorium data seem to further substantiate the view that thorium in irons occurs primarily in inclusions or in thorium compounds dissolved in the iron. Comparison with uranium concentrations in irons recently determined by neutron activation analysis suggests moreover that if the thorium is accounted for by inclusions, these inclusions are not primarily silicate in nature; or if thorium is attributable to dissolved thorium compounds, the solubility of thorium compounds is less than that of uranium compounds in the original molten iron phase.
Ratios of Si, C and N uptake by microplankton in the Southern Ocean

Abstract Nutrient uptake ratios and the Si:C:N composition ratios of particulate matter were measured within a diatom bloom located between the Antarctic Polar Front and the edge of the receding pack ice in the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean along 170°W from 2 December 1997 to 3 January 1998. Rates of silicic acid, nitrate, ammonium and urea uptake were measured along with simultaneous estimates of net and gross carbon uptake derived from net oxygen production and 18O gross production rates. Concurrent measures of silica dissolution rates allowed net silicic acid uptake to be estimated. Comparison of integrated rates of gross silicic acid uptake, gross carbon uptake, and total nitrogen (nitrate+ammonium+urea) uptake revealed that gross uptake ratios within the bloom closely matched Redfield proportions. The mole ratio of gross Si uptake to total N uptake averaged 0.96±0.08, indistinguishable from the mean value of 0.90 characteristic of nutrient-replete diatoms in culture. The mean gross Si uptake: gross C mole uptake ratio, 0.20±0.02, was 50% higher than the typical diatom Si:C ratio of 0.13. Gross C:total N uptake mole ratios averaged 5.2±0.4, reasonably close to the Redfield value of 6.6. In contrast, average net uptake ratios were significantly higher than Redfield (C:NO3−=9.1±1.5, Si:C=0.52±0.12, Si:NO3−=3.7±0.4) and exceeded their corresponding gross uptake ratios by 180–380%. On average, net uptake was somewhat enriched in C, and greatly enriched in Si, over gross uptake; ratios of net uptake exceeded corresponding Redfield (C:N) or typical diatom (Si:C, Si:N) ratios by 38% for C:N, by a factor of 4.0 for Si:C and by a factor of 4.1 for Si:N. Thus, there was a transition from the plankton taking up nutrients in nearly Redfield proportions, to particles becoming slightly enriched in C over N and highly enriched in silica relative to organic matter through the combined effects of metabolic losses and food web processes. These results point to the operation of an efficient silicate pump that enriches particles in silica relative to organic matter prior to their export. We hypothesize that low [Fe] accentuated the decoupling between the cycling of silica and organic matter in the bloom. The average [Fe] in the mixed layer (0.13–0.29 nM) falls in a range that has been shown experimentally to dramatically increase Si(OH)4:NO3− uptake ratios by plankton assemblages in our study area. That result, together with the observation that gross uptake ratios of Si(OH)4 to total N were nearly in Redfield proportions, suggests that the main effect of low [Fe] was to increase reliance on regenerated nitrogen sources by inhibiting nitrate uptake. More efficient recycling of particulate nitrogen in surface waters compared to biogenic silica led to the selective depletion of silicic acid over nitrate, creating a positive feedback between [Fe] and the silicate pump, where low [Fe] accelerates the onset of Si limitation and diminishes the export of organic matter relative to silica.
Viable Populations for an Endangered Forest Primate, the Tana River Crested Mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus galeritus)

: Using genetic and demographic models we examined population viability for an endangered forest primate, the Tana River crested mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus galeritus). Estimates of effective population size (Ne) varied widely as a function of the initial size of the breeder population and the values used for male lifetime reproduction success. The least conservative estimates of Ne suggest that the Tana mangabey is at risk of losing genetic variation. Demographic models also suggest that Tana mangabeys have a high probability of extinction over the next 50–100 years given their present population status. Results of both genetic and demographic models are similar: large populations are required. Given the mangabey's restricted range and severe habitat constraints, it would be an unrealistic management goal to strive for population numbers as great as those required by the models. The projections, however, allow us to compare ideal population sizes to real populations and to use the results as a guide to determine future actions necessary for conservation. Resumen: Utilizando modelos geneticos y demograficos examinamos la viabilidad de la poblacion en de un primate en peligro de extincion, habitante de los bosques, el Cercocebus galeritus galeritus (Tana River Crested Mangabey). Los calculos estimados del tamano efectivo de la poblaion (Ne) variaron ampliamente en funcion del tamano inicial de la poblacion reproductiva y de los valores utilizados para el exito reproductivo durante la vida de un macho. Las estima-ciones menos concmadoras del Ne sugieren que C. galeritus galeritus esta corriendo el riezgo de perder su variabilidud genetica Los modelos demograficos tambien sugieren que C. galeritus galeritus tiene una alta probabilidad de extincion durante los siguientes 50–100 anos dado el actual estado de la poblacion. Los resultados de los modelos tanto geneticos como demograficos son semejantes: se requiere de grandes poblaciones. Debido al restringido rango de esta subespecie y a las severas limitaciones del habitat, seriapoco realista tener una meta de manejo encaminada a tener el tamano de las poblaciones tan grande como la que requieren los modelos. Aun asi, las proyecciones nos pamiten comparar el tamano ideal de la poblacion con el tamano real y utilizar los resultados como una guia para determinar las futuras acciones necesarias para la conservacion.
Double-beta decay: Some recent results and developments

A brief review and status of theoretical issues associated with double-beta decay (ββ-decay) is given. The final results of the measurement of 2ν ββ-decay of 100Mo to the first excited 0+ state in 100Ru are presented prior to publication. Corrections to the earlier PNL/USC/ITEP/YPI measurement of 2ν ββ-decay of 76Ge are also given prior to publication. Finally, a status report and first results of the phase-I of the International Germanium Experiment (IGEX) are presented.
Exponent for Hall–Petch behaviour of ultra-hard multilayers

Elastically inhomogeneous multilayer films are being exploited for use as ultra-hard coatings. These films exhibit a strong dependence between the compositional wavelength of the film, Λ, and the hardness, H=KΛ−a+H0 where the scaling exponent a depends on the elastic properties of the individual layers (shear moduli and Poisson ratios). The dislocation pileup model can explain this trend and form a bridge between the microscopic strength of multilayer interfaces and the macroscopic strength of the multilayer. A semianalytic solution to the pileup model of multilayer strength is presented. All parameter dependencies are solved analytically except a single dimensionless coefficient which is found from numerical simulation. The predictions are compared to data from a 2D discrete dislocation model and to experimental Cu/Ni data. Coefficients and exponents are given for some additional material systems.
Surface Compost Effect on Hydrology: In-Situ and Soil Cores

ABSTRACTCompost increases water-holding capacity and total porosity. Improved soil structure may increase volume of macropores, allowing better drainage, air-exchange, and root growth. The purpose of this study was to compare water retention curves and hydraulic conductivity for packed columns with and without additions of surface compost. Columns packed with subsoil (around 60 cm long) had either compost or topsoil added to the surface. Tensiometers and hydra probes monitored soil pressure head and water content during three wetting and evaporation cycles. The columns with compost had significantly smaller bulk density at the surface than columns with topsoil (0.87 versus 1.34 g cm−3). Surface compost amendment resulted in more water when satiated (0.617 versus 0.422 m3 m−3) and at −100 cm head (0.377 versus 0.276 m3 m−3) than for topsoil at the surface, indicating a greater fraction of larger pores for the compost amended. Whole column infiltration rate was significantly faster for columns with compost ...
The interaction of endurance running and ethanol on skeletal muscle mitochondria

Abstract This study was designed to measure the interaction of 8 weeks of endurance running and chronic ethanol consumption upon skeletal muscle mitochondria. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 1 of 4 groups; ethanol diet sedentary (SED-E), ethanol diet trained (RUN-E), control diet sedentary (SED-C), and control diet trained (RUN-C). The ethanol groups, SED-E and RUN-E, consumed 35% of their calories as ethanol in a liquid diet. The trained groups, RUN-C and RUN-E, ran 5 days/wk for 8 weeks and were running 30 m/min for 90 min/day by the last week. The SED-E group had significantly lower body weights and gastrocnemius-plantaris weights than did the other 3 groups. The left ventricular heart weights showed no treatment effects. Mitochondrial respirations and cytochrome content were significantly depressed in the SED-E group and significantly elevated in the RUN-C and RUN-E groups.
Syntactic direction and obviation as empathy-based phenomena: a typological approach

In previous studies, various syntactic/semantic factors (person hierarchy, animacy, topicality, etc.) have been discussed as relevant to linguistic phenomena known as syntactic direction and nominal obviation. This article develops and motivates a uniform analysis of the direct/inverse and obviation marking (DIO-marking), based on the (extended) theory of linguistic empathy. Drawing on data from four languages that belong to different families (Cree, Navajo, Jinghpaw, and Japanese), I discuss that the empathy-based approach (i) provides a uniform analysis of DIO-systems in different languages, as well as the yaru/kureru opposition in Japanese, which have been believed to be controlled by different sets of syntactic/ semantic factors, and (ii) dispenses with construction-specific rules/ constraints such as the person constraint, the possessive constraint, and the ban on multiple proximates within a clause. I also demonstrate that the empathy-based account allows us to model similarities/contrasts among DIO-systems in a comprehensive way, reducing crosslinguistic differences into two planes: (i) the plane of E-marking: how and to what extent empathy relations are encoded, and (ii) the plane of E-ranking: what factors affect (more) empathy relations.
Goulash nationalism: the culinary identity of a nation.

This paper explores the relationship between food, geography and national culture. Food is sustenance and ceremony; it is also malleable, transformable and indelibly linked with global movements. Certain foods, regardless of their origins, become intimately linked with particular cultures and begin to function almost metonymically, in some cases becoming the dominant thing which is known about the culture. This paper presents one of the most iconic culinary specialties of the Hungarian kitchen, gulyasleves and its better known bastard cousin goulash. In interviewing foreign visitors to the city of Budapest about their previous knowledge of the county, the most frequently cited fact was their familiarity with paprika and goulash (the former being the key element demarking a Hungarian meat soup from those found in other Central European kitchens). This highlights the way in which food and foodways, with some unpacking, reveal a rich host of cultural and historical information. In the case of goulash and pap...
The use of antisense oligonucleotides in evaluating survivin as a therapeutic target for radiation sensitization in lung cancer

Elucidating the mechanism of over and under expression of proteins is critical in developing a better understanding of cancer. Multiple techniques are used to examine differential expression of proteins in cells and assess changes in protein expression in response to therapies such as radiation. Reduced expression can be caused by protein inactivation, mRNA instability, or reduced transcription. The following protocol was used to determine the mechanism for the reduced expression of an antiapoptotic factor, survivin, in normal tissues in response to radiation and the defect in cancer cells that prevents this reduction. We also examined ways to overcome survivin over expression in cancer cells in order to sensitize them to radiation. We will focus on the use of antisense oligonucleotides, cell cycle analysis, and luciferase reporter genes.
The hardening hypothesis: Is the ability to quit decreasing due to increasing nicotine dependence? A review and commentary

The “hardening hypothesis” states tobacco control activities have mostly influenced those smokers who found it easier to quit and, thus, remaining smokers are those who are less likely to stop smoking. This paper first describes a conceptual model for hardening. Then the paper describes important methodological distinctions (quit attempts vs. ability to remain abstinent as indicators, measures of hardening per se vs. measures of causes of hardening, and dependence measures that do vs. do not include cigarettes per day (cigs/day).) After this commentary, the paper reviews data from prior reviews and new searches for studies on one type of hardening: the decreasing ability to quit due to increasing nicotine dependence. Overall, all four studies of the general population of smokers found no evidence of decreased ability to quit; however, both secondary analyses of treatment-seeking smokers found quit rates were decreasing over time. Cigs/day and time-to-first cigarette measures of dependence did not increase over time; however, two studies found that DSM-defined dependence appeared to be increasing over time. Although these data suggest hardening may be occurring in treatment seekers but not in the general population of smokers, this conclusion may be premature given the small number of data sets and indirect measures of quit success and dependence in the data sets. Future studies should include questions about quit attempts, ability to abstain, treatment use, and multi-item dependence measures.
Interpretations in Islamic Political Thought: Preliminary Questions and Other Considerations

This paper offers an analysis of many of the presuppositions in interpretations of Islamic political thought. After an initial investigation of some general issues several methodological alternatives will be offered. First and foremost, a general methodology borrowed by Quentin Skinner regarding ‘intentions’ will be employed for our purposes here. Secondly, to supplement Skinner's methods, a method of preliminary questions is offered by which to address Muslim theorists' bodies of works and compel comparative theorists to be more grounded in the overall logic of a particular theorist's worldview.
SU‐GG‐T‐597: General Analytical Solution for Photon Beam Profile Deconvolution

Purpose: To develop a general analytical solution for extracting “true” photon beam profiles with minimal volume averaging effect Method and Materials: We have derived several analytical functions suitable for photon beam profile fitting by examining the physics process of photon dose deposition. Beam profile measured with an ionization chamber can be described by a convolution equation with a detector response function of that chamber. A general analytical solution that minimizes the volume averaging effect of large volume chambers can be developed by linking the photon dose deposition process and beam profile measurement This work demonstrates that when dose deposition kernel and detector response function are carefully selected, photon beam profiles with minimal volume averaging effect can be easily recovered by a simple change of parameters in the analytical fitting function. Specific analytical fitting functions such as Gaussian, sum of multiple Gaussian and Lorentz functions are identified in this work along with solutions to extract the “true” beam profile. Results: Our analysis shows that detector response can be accurately modeled by a Gaussian or Lorentz function, any of three afore‐mentioned analytical fitting functions can accurately extract a “true” photon beam profile from profiles measured with a 3 mm radius ion chamber. The extracted profile perfectly matches profiles measured with a 0.8×0.8 mm2 diode detector.Conclusion: A general solution for minimizing volume averaging effect in a photon beam profile measurement with large size detectors is developed. It is found that three specific fitting functions and corresponding solutions presented in this work are ideal for recovering “true” photon beam profiles.
Initial experience with laparoscopic Chait Trapdoor™ cecostomy catheter placement for the management of fecal incontinence in children: outcomes and lessons learned

Antegrade enemas administered through a percutaneously placed Chait Trapdoor™ cecostomy catheter have resulted in a marked improvement in compliance and outcome of patients with fecal incontinence. The percutaneous technique, however, is a two-step procedure that is not performed under direct vision. This report presents the results and lessons learned from our experience with the laparoscopic approach to placement of Chait cecostomy catheters. Retrospective review of patients who underwent laparoscopic placement of Chait cecostomy catheters from 1999 to 2008. Data collected included patient demographics, primary diagnosis, hospital stay, complications, follow-up duration and outcome. Seventeen patients, mean age 11.8 ± 4.2 years (range 5–17), underwent laparoscopic Chait cecostomy catheter placement over a period of 8 years. Median follow-up was 46 ± 21 months (range 4–67). The primary diagnosis was spina bifida in 82% of patients. There was one intraoperative complication, which consisted of tangential needle placement into the cecum, and required conversion to an open procedure. Mean hospital stay was 3.8 ± 1.5 days (range 2–7). Emergency department visits related to Chait catheter complications were mainly due to catheter dislodgement and breakage. Long-term complications included accidental dislodgement of the catheter in seven patients (41%), mechanical failure of the catheter (breaks/leaks) in six patients (35%), hypertrophic granulation tissue in six patients (35%), wound infections at the catheter site in three patients (18%), complications related to the use of fasteners in two patients (12%) and ventirculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infection in two patients (11.8%). The laparoscopic approach to Chait cecostomy catheter placement is a simple and effective procedure. The rate of long term complications such as catheter dislodgement and mechanical failure, which are responsible for the majority of unplanned ED visits, may be decreased by routine yearly catheter exchanges. VP shunt infections are the most serious complications in this patient population consisting mostly of patients with spina bifida.
Three-dimensional medial shape representation incorporating object variability

The paper presents a novel processing scheme for the automatic computation of a medial shape model which is representative for an object population with shape variability. The sensitivity of medial descriptions to object variations and small boundary perturbations are fundamental problems of any skeletonization technique. These problems are approached with the computation of a model with common medial branching topology and grid sampling. This model is then used for a medial shape description of individual objects via a constrained model fit. The process starts from parametric 3D boundary representations with existing point-to-point homology between objects. The Voronoi diagram of each sampled object boundary is grouped into medial sheets and simplified by a pruning algorithm using a volumetric contribution criterion. Medial sheets are combined to form a common medial branching topology. Finally, the medial sheets are sampled and represented as meshes of medial primitives. We present new results on populations of up to 184 biological objects. For these objects, the common medial branching topology is described by a small number of sheets. Despite the coarse medial sampling, a close approximation of individual objects is achieved.
Development of a method for fabricating polypropylene non-articulated dorsiflexion assist ankle foot orthoses with predetermined stiffness:

Background: A non-articulated plantarflexion resist ankle foot orthosis (AFO), commonly known as a posterior leaf spring AFO, is indicated for patients with motor impairment to the dorsiflexors. The AFO is often custom molded to a patient's lower limb anatomy and fabricated from polypropylene. There are no established guidelines for fabricating this type of AFO with predetermined stiffness of the ankle region for normal walking speeds. Therefore an AFO may not meet the biomechanical needs of the patient.Objectives: Quantify the biomechanical ankle stiffness requirement for an individual with complete dorsiflexor impairment and develop a method for fabricating an AFO with ankle stiffness to meet that requirement.Study Design: Experimental, bench research.Methods: The literature on sagittal biomechanics of non-pathological adults was reviewed to derive the stiffness of the ankle during loading response. Computer models of 144 AFOs were created with geometric variations to account for differences in human an...
Automatic Website Comprehensibility Evaluation

The Web provides easy access to a vast amount of informational content to the average person, who may often be interested in selecting websites that best match their learning objectives and comprehensibility level. Web content is generally not tagged for easy determination of its instructional appropriateness and comprehensibility level. Our research develops an analytical model, using a group of website features, to automatically determine the comprehensibility level of a website. These features, selected from a large pool of website features quantitatively measured, are statistically shown to be significantly correlated to website comprehensibility based on empirical studies. The automatically inferred comprehensibility index may be used to assist the average person, interested in using web content for self-directed learning, to find content suited to their comprehension level and filter out content which may have low potential instructional value.
Mental status change in older surgical patients. Cognition, depression, and other comorbidity.

The authors studied patients age 60 and over to assess the effect of elective surgery as a precipitating factor for cognitive decline over the postoperative year. They found an association between change in test performance and age, physical disability, and number of depressive symptoms. However, persistent decline in Mini-Mental State Exam scores was associated with identifiable factors related to the initial surgery in only 3/251 (1 percent of cases). Depression and new onset of acute illness were confounding factors in the assessment of cognitive decline.
Effect of surface features of amorphous alloys on magnetic behavior

Air pockets were found on amorphous ribbons of Fe-Bi-Si and Fe-B-Si-C with different sizes, shapes, and orientations due to differences in processing conditions. The coercivity decreased and the magnetization in low fields increased as the size of the air pockets decreased. The coercivity was always higher and the magnetization lower for air pockets oriented parallel to the ribbon length. The same trends remained after stress relief annealing. Applications of tensile stress produced changes correlated to differences in air pocket size and orientation. The 60 Hz coercivity, loss, and maximum drive field exhibited the same trends as the dc coercivity with changes in air pocket size and orientation. The difference between H c (60 Hz) and H c (dc) increased with decrease in air pocket size. It is concluded that the air pockets influence the magnetic properties of ribbon by providing wall pinning sites which control the motion of walls present during magnetization reversal and by providing regions in the ribbon with a misorientation in the easy axis.
Comparison of the Low-Speed Frictional Characteristics of Silicon Nitride and Steel Balls Using Conventional Lubricants

The friction behavior of Si 3 N 4 ceramic balls operating under ultra-low-speeds with velocity reversal is investigated. Twenty-one sets of exclusively ultra-low-speed operating conditions were examined that include rotational speeds in the range of.01-1 deg/s, normal loads varying from 81.6 to 185.4 N per ball, and two conventional lubricants: DTE 24 and SAE 20 oil. General trends for the friction torque behavior of ceramic balls were established. Theoretical expressions and empirical correlations are presented for evaluation of the steady torque, T S , and the rest slope, σ. These relationships can be used in Dahl's model to completely characterize the hysteresis friction behavior of ceramic balls. The results of the ceramic ball friction measurements were compared to that of steel balls operating under identical conditions. In addition, a series of experiments was conducted to extend the operating speeds from.01-500 deg/s. Under the conditions tested, the lubrication regimes from boundary to fluid-film were identified.
N2 Heads Are Better than One: Collaborative Learning, Utilizing an Integrated Knowledge Repository, Facilitated through a Massively Multiplayer Online Gaming (MMOG) Paradigm

A massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) framework will be utilized to enhance learning in a distributed collaborative learning environment (CLE). The goal is to create a single interconnected learning environment that spans multiple courses. These online courses will share a reusable knowledge repository that contains information relevant to a field of study. We have selected four interrelated network security courses; computer networks, computer security, computer forensics and emergency management to create a self-sustaining interconnected learning environment. This model can then be utilized in other disciplines. A five- level MMOG game will be developed that requires the collaborative skills of students in multiple courses to engage in problem solving scenarios. As the students' knowledge progresses they will be assigned to increasingly higher levels of problem- solving complexity, incorporated into an engaging 3D gaming framework. It is our hypothesis that students will learn faster and develop more complex interdisciplinary skills utilizing an MMOG than the current method of teaching individual separate courses.
Role of the Cyclic AMP-dependent Protein Kinase in Homologous Resensitization of the β1-Adrenergic Receptor

A fundamental question in biology is how the various motifs in G protein-coupled receptors participate in the divergent functions orchestrated by these molecules. Here we describe a fundamental role for a serine residue at position 312 in the third intracellular loop of the human beta(1)-adrenergic receptor (beta(1)-AR) in endocytic recycling of the agonist-internalized receptor. In receptor recycling experiments that were monitored by confocal microscopy, the agonist-internalized wild-type (WT) beta(1)-AR recycled with a t(0.5) of 14 +/- 3 min. Mutagenesis of Ser(312) to alanine (Ser(312) --> Ala beta(1)-AR) or to the phosphoserine mimic aspartic acid (Ser(312) --> Asp beta(1)-AR) resulted in beta(1)-AR constructs that were pharmacologically indistinguishable from the WT beta(1)-AR. The internalized Ser(312) --> Asp beta(1)-AR recycled efficiently with a t(0.5) of 11 +/- 3 min, whereas the internalized Ser(312) --> Ala beta(1)-AR was not recycled or functionally resensitized through the endosomal pathway. Because this serine is a putative residue for phosphorylation by the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), we examined the role of this kinase in recycling of the internalized beta(1)-AR. Inhibition of PKA biochemically or genetically using a dominant negative PKA construct blocked the recycling of the internalized WT beta(1)-AR. Phosphorylation studies revealed that the beta(1)-AR is partially phosphorylated by PKA and that phosphorylation of the beta(1)-AR by the catalytic subunit of PKA occurs exclusively at Ser(312). Our results identify a new signaling paradigm in which homologous activation of a kinase provides a reversible modification that shifts the itinerary of the internalized receptor toward recycling and resensitization. Therefore, PKA-mediated phosphorylation of G protein-coupled receptors might result in motif-dependent desensitization or resensitization.
A probabilistic framework for assessing drought recovery

[1] A probabilistic framework is proposed to explore drought recovery and its uncertainty based on any ensemble forecast. First, the joint distribution between precipitation and drought index is established from the forecast ensemble using the copula method, which allows arbitrary marginal distributions and fine-tuned correlation structure. Then, questions like “how much precipitation is needed for recovery and its uncertainty?” and “what is the likelihood that a specified drought index threshold be surpassed given specified cumulative precipitation over a fixed period?” are studied. The application investigates how the 2012–2013 drought over central United States may recover during the forecast period from February to July 2013. The ensemble streamflow prediction method is used to create the ensemble forecast, with soil moisture percentile against climatology as the drought index. We find significant uncertainty in drought recovery given the same precipitation, suggesting that a probabilistic analysis will offer important additional information about drought risk.