cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Static and dynamic mechanical properties of epoxy-based multi-constituent particulate composites

Multi-phase particulate composites consist of individual particles of more than one material dispersed throughout and held together by a polymer binder. The mechanical and physical properties of the composite depend on the properties of the individual components; their loading density; the shape and size of the particles; the interfacial adhesion; residual stresses; and matrix porosity. These multi-phase particulate composites systems, particularly those with high fill densities, have not typically been studied to determine the effects of microstructural features on properties. In this paper, we present our investigation of the influence of particle size and dispersion on the static and dynamic mechanical response of these multi-phase (n>2) polymer-metal composites. The low and high strain rate compressive strengths are determined using an MTS load frame and a split Hopkinson pressure bar, respectively, and the elastic properties were studied using dynamic mechanical analysis. The results are analyzed using a factorial design of experiments to determine the effect of aluminum and nickel volume percent and aluminum particle size on the compressive strength as a function of strain rate.
Human System Integration Ontology: Enhancing Model Based Systems Engineering to Evaluate Human-system Performance

Abstract As we move forward to integrate system descriptive models and system analytical models, there is a key opportunity to integrate other viewpoints into the system model. Specifically, we have the opportunity to extend current modeling semantics and add other disciplines. Current systems engineering practices address human-system integration concerns as an afterthought (i.e., after system architectures have already been created). One primary reason for this deficiency is that people not trained in human factors engineering are unable to communicate with those that are, due to differences in terminology. To better integrate humans into and with systems, new semantics are needed to extend current system modeling representations. The integration of new semantics will allow human elements to be analyzed in a more holistic perspective. This paper looks into identifying core building blocks for creating the ontology for human system interaction, interfaces, and integration. This ontology, once fully developed, will extend current system modeling capabilities that will enable the human element to be analyzed as part of the overall system development process.
Does diacylglycerol regulate KCNQ channels

Some ion channels are regulated by inositol phospholipids and by the products of cleavage by phospholipase C (PLC). KCNQ channels (Kv7) require membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and are turned off when muscarinic receptors stimulate cleavage of PIP2 by PLC. We test whether diacylglycerols are also important in the regulation of KCNQ2/KCNQ3 channels using electrophysiology and fluorescent translocation probes as indicators for PIP2 and diacylglycerol in tsA cells. The cells are transfected with M1 muscarinic receptors, channel subunits, and translocation probes. Although they cause translocation of a fluorescent probe with a diacylglycerol-binding C1 domain, exogenously applied diacylglycerol (oleoyl-acetyl-glycerol and dioctanoyl glycerol) and phorbol ester do not mimic or occlude the suppression of KCNQ current by muscarinic agonist. Blocking the metabolism of endogenous diacylglycerol by inhibiting diacylglycerol kinase with R59022 or R59949 slows the decay of diacylglycerol twofold but does not mimic or occlude muscarinic regulation and recovery of current. Blocking diacylglycerol lipase with RHC-80267 also does not occlude muscarinic modulation of current. We conclude that the diacylglycerol produced during activation of PLC, any activation of protein kinase C that it may stimulate, and downstream products of its metabolism are not essential players in the acute muscarinic modulation of KCNQ channels.
Locating Focused Deterrence Approaches within a Situational Crime Prevention Framework

Situational crime prevention techniques and focused deterrence approaches have been used successfully in recent years to address various crime problems. Although these two crime prevention responses developed separately, we argue that they are in fact compatible and that there is merit in attempting to bridge these areas of research and practice. The following essay describes each approach briefly and demonstrates how focused deterrence approaches embody elements of situational crime prevention. We present arguments for locating focused deterrence approaches within the framework of situational crime prevention, suggesting that such a conceptualization not only provides innovative insight into the implementation of situational crime prevention techniques, but also couches focused deterrence in a framework that uses a methodology for continual improvement and widespread influence.
Ways in which childbearing affects women's employment: evidence from the U. S. 1975 national fertility study.

Abstract The influence of fertility on the proportions working among white married women in the U.S. from 1970 to 1975 is analysed by using longitudinal data from the National Fertility Studies. The intention to have another child is found to have a negative effect independently of the impact of age of youngest child and parity. There is also evidence that childbearing fosters work, particularly at the extremes of the parity distribution. Further investigation of the interaction between the two activities reveals that whereas most childless women work and then have a birth, once childbearing is completed fewer women take advantage of the renewed opportunity to work.
Adsorptive stripping voltammetric measurements of trace levels of uranium following chelation with mordant blue 9.

The chelate of uranium with the azo dye Mordant Blue 9 is shown to be adsorbed and then reduced on the hanging mercury drop electrode. These properties have been exploited in developing a highly sensitive stripping voltammetric procedure for trace determination of uranium. With controlled adsorptive accumulation for 5 min, a detection limit near 2 × 10−10M uranium is obtained. Cyclic voltammetry has been used to characterize the interfacial and redox behaviour. The effect of various operational parameters on the stripping response is discussed. Experimental conditions include use of 1 × 10−6M Mordant Blue 9 in 0.05M acetate buffer (pH 6.5), an accumulation potential of −0.43 V, and a linear potential scan. The response is linear up to 1.2 × 10−7M uranium, and the relative standard deviation at 4.2 × 10−8M is 3.2%. The effects of possible interferences from organic surfactants or metal ions have been investigated.
Not just a rush of blood to the head.

Angiogenesis is a key feature of central nervous system injury. A neovessel-derived signal mediated by prostacyclin triggers axonal sprouting and functional recovery in a mouse model of inflammatory spinal cord injury (pages 1658–1664). Are such angiocrine signals relevant to neurovascular remodeling and recovery in other neurological contexts?
Biological activities of ginkgo extracts

The biological activity of methanolic the extracts of leaves, roots, leaf-derived callus, root-derived callus, ginkolide A, ginkgolide B, bilobalide and a commercial Ginkgo product (Tanakan) was assessed. Bioassays consisted of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-induced potato tumor assay and a Kirby-Bauer microbial sensitivity assay with pure strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus pyogenes. Methanolic extracts of leaves, leaf-derived callus, root-derived callus, bilobalide and Tanakan inhibited tumor formation significantly, but more weakly than the positive control, camptothecin. No activity against E. coli was detected, but extracts from both callus types inhibited the growth of K. pneumonia, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, S. epidermidis and S. pyogenes. All extracts and reference compounds inhibited the growth of S. pyogenes. Leaf and root tissues contained the highest levels of ginkgolide A, as compared to the callus tissues; leaf tissue contained more of all three marker compounds than the callus tissues.
Molecular dynamics investigation of structural phase transitions

Abstract A two dimensional model exhibiting a structural phase transition is described, and results of molecular dynamics calculations on the model are presented. The static properties indicate a second order phase transition and show the growth of large ordered regions as the transition is approached. The spectral function for the order parameter autocorrelation function has an intense central peak near the transition.
Digitalis. X. The infrared absorption spectra of some digitalis glycosides and aglycones.

The infrared absorption spectra of commercial samples of the three lanatosides, their aglycones and their three intermediate glycosides, digitoxin, gitoxin, and digoxin, have been scanned between 2.5 μ and 15 μ using the potassium bromide disk technique. Some of the more pronounced characteristics of these spectra have been noted and their possible significance in the identification and differentiation of these highly important cardiotonic substances has been indicated.
The empathy-altruism association and its relevance to health care professions

It is posited in the empathy-altruism hypothesis that altruistic motivation evoked by empathy is directed toward the ultimate goal of improving another person’s welfare. In this study the empathy-altruism hypothesis was examined. Measures of altruism, empathy, and social desirability were completed by 112 individuals in a university setting. A positive andsignificant association was found between altruism and empathy ( r s = .24, p = .01, 95% CI[.06-.41]). No significant associations were found between social desirability and altruismor between social desirability and empathy. Because the loss of capacity to feel empathymay lead to burnout, disillusionment, and reduced altruistic helping efforts, the clinicalapplicability and implications of these findings are particularly important to health care andother helping professions.
Influence of lithium on second messenger accumulation in NG 108-15 cells

Treatment of NG108-15 cells with bradykinin for 10 min resulted in a reduction of phosphatidylinositol levels with no change in the other inositol lipids. Accompanying this was a small increase in diacylglycerol but no modification in the level of inositol phosphates. Addition of bradykinin to cells incubated for 30 min in buffer containing lithium did not cause a further decrease in the labeling of phosphatidylinositol, but was accompanied by an increase in mass of the three inositol phosphates. The increase was about 150% for inositol monophosphate, 40% for inositol bisphosphate and 80% for inositol trisphosphate. Under these conditions there was a marked increase in the ability of bradykinin to elevate the content of diacylglycerol. Moreover lithium by itself induced an increase in diacylglycerol six times as great as the increase in total inositol phosphates. The excess diacylglycerol may have its origin in phospholipids other than phosphoinositides.
Effects of Delayed Wound Excision and Grafting in Severely Burned Children

Hypothesis Advances in burn treatment including early excision of the wound have increased survival in patients treated at specialized burn centers. We hypothesized that the patients with delayed wound excision and grafting would experience deleterious outcomes. Methods From 1995 to 1999, 157 children with acute burns covering 40% or more of total body surface area and having more than 10% of full-thickness burns were admitted to our institution within 2 weeks of injury. Among them, 86, 42, and 29 patients underwent first operation on days 0 to 2, days 3 to 6, and days 7 to 14 after burn, respectively. Outcomes observed were mortality, number of operative procedures, length of hospitalization, blood transfused, incidence of wound bacterial and fungal contamination, invasive wound infection, and sepsis. Results Demographic data for the groups showed no differences in sex or total body surface area burned. Mortality and number of operative procedures and blood transfusions were not different between groups. Hospitalizations were longer in the delayed groups, which was associated with a higher incidence of significant wound contamination ( P = .008). Invasive wound infection also increased significantly with delay of excision ( P P = .04). Conclusions Delays in excision were associated with longer hospitalization and delayed wound closure, as well as increased rates of invasive wound infection and sepsis. Our data indicate that early excision within 48 hours is optimal for pediatric patients with massive burns.
Rhabdomyosarcoma of the cervix in sisters: with review of the literature

Objectives. Pediatric embryonal heterologous rhabdomyosarcoma of the cervix is a rare tumor. Methods. We present an interesting clinico-pathologic situation of two sisters presenting with pediatric embryonal heterologous rhabdomyosarcoma of the cervix. Results. Pediatric embryonal heterologous rhabdomyosarcomas of the cervix are relatively uncommon. After a Pubmed search from 1952 to present, to our knowledge, this is the only report involving sisters presenting with this disease. Treatment has been extrapolated from collaborative groups such as Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS) Group so that optimal management may be achieved. Conclusions. We urge continued reporting of these rare tumors to enhance understanding if there may be a genetic component associated with them.
Teaching Technology-Structure Contingencies By “Harnessing the Wind”

This article describes a role-playing simulation that demonstrates how organizational structure is influenced by organizational and departmental technologies. Students act as employees of firms that must manufacture either a range of innovative products or a large number of standardized products. The simulation can be used in organizational behavior courses to introduce basic concepts about structure and contingency theory or can be used in organizational theory courses to reinforce more-advanced material regarding production technologies, departmental technologies and interdependencies, competitive strategies, boundary spanning, information technology, and knowledge management.
Developing Social Justice Leaders Through Chi Sigma Iota: A Phenomenological Exploration of Chapter Faculty Advisor Experiences, Part 2

Using a phenomenological approach, the authors explored how outstanding large and small chapters of Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) engage in social justice activities that may promote leadership development among its members. Part 1 of this series of two articles explores this phenomenon from the perspective of Chapter Leaders (CLs). As social justice has been coined the fifth force in the counseling profession (Lee, 2012; Ratts, 2009), the authors provide insights into how social justice activities can enhance leadership development of student counselors and future counselor educators.
Pitfalls of a Minimax Approach to Model Uncertainty

(i) It does not always keep the normative analysis of decision-making distinct from its descriptive analysis, losing sight of the fact that these methods are appealing shortcut approximations, not improvements on, decision-making based on the Savage axioms. (ii) In all the existing applications to monetary policy it analyzes uncertainty about relatively unimportant aspects of models, while making strong, but actually uncertain, assumptions about other, more important aspects.
No nontrivial Hamel basis is closed under multiplication

If H is a Hamel basis for a field $$ {\user2{\mathbb{F}}} $$ over a proper subfield of $$ {\user2{\mathbb{F}}}, $$ then H cannot be closed under the taking of products.
Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility-Spectrometry Spacecraft Pointing Control System - Conceptual design

The Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility-Spectrometry is an orbiting astronomical observatory using grazingincidence optics to focus x-ray images on a liquid-helium-cooled imaging x-ray spectrometer (XRS). It will be launched on a Delta-II launch vehicle into a 650-km, circular, sun-synchronous orbit and will be operated as a national observatory for an expected period of 5 years. This paper describes the conceptual design of the pointing control system (PCS), whose function is to acquire x-ray targets on the XRS detector and maintain a pointing stability of 5.5" (rms) per axis over any 10-min period that excludes a day-night or night-day terminator crossing. The proposed PCS design attempts to use the best features of previous PCS designs, but has several new features not found on other spacecraft. Hence, it can serve as a good starting point and reference for PCS designers of future spacecraft. Error budgets and preliminary simulation results show the soundness of the design approach.
Simple dielectric waveguide bandpass filter

A dielectric waveguide bandpass filter is discussed which consists of two, parallel-coupled, dielectric-waveguide gratings, each grating having a distributed load at one end. This structure gives a narrow, low-loss passband, and around 30 dB of attenuation in the stopband.
Detection of melanomas in patients followed up with total cutaneous examinations, total cutaneous photography, and dermoscopy.

Abstract Background Many factors have been identified as important determinants that increase the risk of malignant melanoma (MM) developing. Patients with classic atypical mole syndrome (CAMS) have multiple such factors and are known to be at high risk for MMs developing. Objective We sought to evaluate the risk for newly diagnosed MMs developing in patients with CAMS and in a heterogeneous group of patients at high risk (ie, those with high-risk non-CAMS [HRNCAMS]) who had 1 or more risk factors: personal history of nonmelanoma skin cancers; family history of melanoma; biopsy specimen–confirmed dysplastic nevi; and meeting 1 or 2 of the 3 CAMS criteria. We also aimed to report our experience treating these patients at high risk with annual total cutaneous examination, total cutaneous photography, and dermoscopy. Methods Consecutive medical records from a private dermatology practice were reviewed. A total of 258 patients were selected who fulfilled the criteria of having: (1) total cutaneous photography as an aid for follow-up; (2) total cutaneous examination at least once per year; (3) at least 6 months of clinical follow-up; and (4) no personal history of melanomas. A total of 160 patients with CAMS and 98 with HRNCAMS were included in this study. The 10-year risk for MM developing in these 2 cohorts was computed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results In the CAMS cohort, 28 new MMs developed in 19 patients resulting in a cumulative 10-year risk of 14% (95% confidence interval: 7-20). In the HRNCAMS cohort, 10 new MMs developed in 9 patients, and the cumulative 10-year risk was 10% (95% confidence interval: 2-17). The difference between the 2 groups was not statistically significant ( P = .91). The MMs diagnosed in both cohorts were either in situ or less than 1 mm in Breslow thickness. There were no MM metastases or MM-related deaths in either cohort during a mean follow-up period of 120 months for the CAMS and 98 months for the HRNCAMS group. Conclusion Both the patients with CAMS and HRNCAMS were at very high risk for MMs developing. The combination of total cutaneous photography, total cutaneous examination, and dermoscopy were used in treating our patients. No MM 1 mm or greater in thickness developed during follow-up in either group.
Objective evaluation of methods to track motion from clinical cardiac-gated tagged MRI without the use of a gold standard

Cardiac-gated MRI is widely used for the task of measuring parameters related to heart motion. More specifically, gated tagged MRI is the preferred modality to estimate local deformation (strain) and rotational motion (twist) of myocardial tissue. Many methods have been proposed to estimate cardiac motion from gated MRI sequences. However, when dealing with clinical data, evaluation of these methods is problematic due to the absence of gold-standards for cardiac motion. To overcome that, a linear regression scheme known as regression-without-truth (RWT) was proposed in the past. RWT uses priors to model the distribution of true values, thus enabling us to assess image-analysis algorithms without knowledge of the ground-truth. Furthermore, it allows one to rank methods by means of an objective figure-of-merit γ (i.e. precision). In this work we apply RWT to compare the performance of several gated MRI motion-tracking methods (e.g. non-rigid registration, feature based, harmonic phase) at the task of estimating myocardial strain and left-ventricle (LV) twist, from a population of 18 clinical human cardiac-gated tagged MRI studies.
Toward Producing the Chukchi–Beaufort High-Resolution Atmospheric Reanalysis (CBHAR) via the WRFDA Data Assimilation System

AbstractThe Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) and its variational data assimilation system (WRFDA) are applied to the Chukchi–Beaufort Seas and adjacent Arctic Slope region for high-resolution regional atmospheric reanalysis study. To optimize WRFDA performance over the study area, a set of sensitivity experiments are carried out to analyze the model sensitivity to model background errors (BEs) and the assimilation of various observational datasets. Observational data are assimilated every 6 h and the results are verified against unassimilated observations. In the BE sensitivity analyses, the results of assimilating in situ surface observations with a customized, domain-dependent BE are compared to those using the WRF-provided global BE. It is found that the customized BE is necessary in order to achieve positive impacts from WRFDA assimilation for the study area. When seasonal variability is incorporated into the customized BE, the impacts are minor. Sensitivity analyses examining the assimila...
Riemannian geometry in spaces with Grassman coordinates

The use of spaces containing Grassman (anticommuting) coordinates (in addition to the usual space-time coordinates) as a framework for unified gauge theories is described. The theory developed represents a local gauge-invariant extension of conventional (global) supersymmetry. Aside from containing the usual general coordinate invariance group of gravitational theory, the gauge supersymmetry group is seen to also encompass other symmetries of particle physics, e.g., electromagnetic (or Yang-Mills) invariance. The role of spontaneous symmetry breaking and the field equations unifying the Einstein, Maxwell, and Dirac interactions are discussed.
How dense are cylindrical brushes grafted from a multifunctional macroinitiator

A series of cylindrical brushes with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PBA) side chains of different lengths was studied to understand the grafting density of brush molecules prepared by the ‘grafting from’ approach. Molecules with PMMA side chains were prepared by grafting MMA from a multifunctional macroinitiator, poly(2-(2-bromoisobutyryloxy)ethyl methacrylate). Molecules with PBA side chains were prepared with poly(2-(2-bromopropionyloxy)ethyl methacrylate) as a macroinitiator. Analysis of the detached side chains showed an incomplete initiation process resulting in longer side chains than expected for complete initiation. Limited initiation (40–80%) was also observed for short PMMA chains using a low molar mass initiator ethyl 2-bromoisobutyrate with CuCl catalyst systems. The lower initiation efficiency was confirmed via visualization of individual molecules by atomic force microscopy. The larger distance between adsorbed brush molecules was consistent with <50% initiation efficiency.
Phytic Acid Protective Effect Against Beef Round Muscle Lipid Peroxidation

Phytic acid, constituting 1–5% of many plant seeds and cereals, can form iron-chelates and inhibit lipid peroxidation. We measured thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), an indication of lipid peroxidation, in beef homogenates to investigate the effects of phytic acid with various homogenizing buffers and at different pH levels. Phytic acid effectively inhibited either iron-induced or non-iron-induced lipid peroxidations. The effect of phytic acid was dose- and pH-dependent. Such inhibition of lipid peroxidation may help prevent deterioration of food quality.
Fixed‐point iteration to nonlinear finite element analysis. Part II: Formulation and implementation

The finite element formulation and implementation of the Fixed-Point Iteration (FPI) to linear/nonlinear structural static or dynamic analysis are developed. The direct and tangent formulations are presented and compared with the Newton–Raphson method (NRM). ‘Modified’ FPI algorithms have also been derived. A graphical interpretation of the method is introduced and suggested to call the FPI ‘the Saw method’. Mixing both the FPI and NRM is shown to be possible and may be useful in some applications. The overall strategies, iterative algorithms, and the appropriate norm convergence criteria necessary to implant the FPI into existing finite element programs are also included in the development. The superiority of the FPI over the NRM as seen from the development and the formulation lies in three major factors. First, the existing assembly process of element matrices is eliminated completely from the nonlinear finite element analysis. Secondly, the Gauss elimination or Crout's method is also eliminated. In the finite element terminology, this means that nonlinear structural static or dynamic responses can he obtained without recourse to the inverse of the structural stiffness matrix. Thirdly, the FPI can also be applied equally to linear structural analysis. Hence, the assembly process and the programming and storage associated with it can be removed from the existing finite element programs. While the FPI can solve problems that the NRM can, it will also be able to handle some engineering problems where the latter cannot. Buckling problems and problems where the force–displacement curve changes curvature are examples where the FPI is expected to be efficient.
Sensitivity of the reflection technique: optimum angles of incidence to determine the optical properties of materials.

The purpose of this study is to develop a technique that will provide the maximum sensitivity of the reflection technique for the determination of the optical properties of materials. Analytical relations are presented that yield the maximum sensitivity of the technique for a given range of angles of incidence and refractive indices. The methods of the reflectance ratio at one and two angles of incidence are compared. The angular range of 75° to 80° was found to be suitable for the maximum sensitivity for the reflectance ratio at one angle of incidence, whereas for the two angles of incidence the ranges 45° to 60° and 75° to 85° are suitable. Furthermore, angular-reflectance measurements on a specular carbon-rod surface at the wavelength of 3.5 μm were used to demonstrate the advantages of inverting full-angular-range data as opposed to one or two angle measurements. The limitations of the measurements at normal incidence and 45° are also assessed.
Separation of prostaglandins, thromboxane, hydroxy fatty acids and arachidonic acid by high pressure liquid chromatography

Abstract Separation of the major metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA) produced by the cyclo-oxygenase and the lipoxygenases was achieved by using reverse phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. Prostaglandins (PGs), thromboxane B2 (TXB2), and AA were separated on a C-18 radial compression column. An initial isocratic elution resolved the PGs and TXB which was followed by a linear gradient in order to elute AA. Variations of the gradient elution shape were required to permit the separation of 12-L-hydroxy-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid, 5–12 and 15-hydroxy-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid. The recovery of the labeled AA and its metabolites was investigated. Use of these separation methods and radiolabeled substrates should permit investigators to obtain reproducibly in one chromatographic run adequate separation and quantitation of both PGs and hydroxy fatty acid systems.
Doctors have patients, governors have citizens

PREFACE: The word “system” suggests a set of activities that come together in a reasonable fashion. If not seamless, they are at least end to end—the interstate highway system, the air traffic control system. The absence of a national health care system in the United States has produced a landscape replete with inconsistencies, redundancies, and—most problematic—gaps. Health care in this country, however, is not without systems. Multiple subsystems exist, governed by public laws and private insurance arrangements. These contending and competing systems collectively determine the size of the health care pie in the country and, effectively, divide it up. Any efforts to reform or coordinate these systems must start with the logic that created them rather than with the sometimes irrational results they generate. Richard Lamm, former governor of Colorado, sat atop a state system for twelve years. The systematized inequities he encountered during his tenure have made him an articulate campaigner for distributio...
Differential mRNA expression and production of interleukin-6 in placental trophoblast and villous core compartments.

PROBLEM Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic protein that functions as an immunoregulatory peptide, growth factor, and endocrine hormone. IL-6 has been shown to be produced in whole placental tissue and isolated trophoblast (TC). In addition, the villous core (VC) compartment of the placenta contains cell types (fibroblasts, macrophages) capable of IL-6 production. Consequently, the present study was designed to determine the relative contribution of the TC and VC compartments to placental IL-6 production. METHOD The VC and TC compartments from term pregnancies were separated using CR-Dispase digestion and Percoll density gradient centrifugation. The VC, TC, and whole placental tissues were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium over a 28-h period. Relative IL-6 mRNA expression was determined by dot blot analysis and secreted IL-6 protein was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS All three tissues demonstrated linear production of IL-6 protein over the culture period. At 28 h, whole placental tissue produced the most IL-6 (5.1 ng +/- 0.8 ng/microgram/protein) followed by TC (4.0 ng +/- 1.3 ng/micrograms) and VC (0.55 ng +/- 0.24 ng/microgram). Although production rates of IL-6 were 8.4-fold higher in TC compared to VC (P < .05), steady-state IL-6 mRNA expression was 3.5-fold higher in freshly isolated VC compared to TC (P < .0001) and 13-fold higher in VC compared to TC (P < .01) after 24 h in culture. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that: (1) the placenta can produce large quantities of immunoreactive IL-6 in vitro, (2) TC produce significantly more IL-6 than VC although both compartments contribute to placental IL-6 production, (3) placental IL-6 production and secretion are probably posttranscriptionally regulated since steady-state IL-6 mRNA expression in VC and TC compartments did not correlate with IL-6 production.
Neurotensin: Distribution of hypothermic response in mammalian and submammalian vertebrates

Abstract Neurotensin (NT), an endogenous tridecapeptide (pGlu-Leu-Tyr-Glu-Asn-Lys-Pro-Arg-Arg-Pro-Tyr-Ile-Leu-OH), is a potent hypothermic agent after central administration in the mouse and rat. The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of NT on thermoregulatory processes in a variety of mammalian and non-mammalian vertebrates: bluegill, frog, lizard, pigeon, ground squirrel, woodchuck, golden hamster, rabbit, guinea pig, gerbil, mouse, rat and monkey. All species except monkey were tested in two ambient environmental temperatures, 23°C and 4°C, except poikilotherms. Animals were injected intracisternally with microgram quantities of NT or vehicle, and body temperature was periodically assessed over a 2 hr period. NT did not induce a significant alteration in body temperature in any of the poikilotherms studied (bluegill, frog, and lizard). At 23°C NT produced a significant hypothermic response in the mouse, rat, gerbil, and monkey with no effect observed in the pigeon, rabbit, guinea pig, golden hamster, ground squirrel or woodchuck. At 4°C, NT produced a significant decrease in body temperature in the mouse, rat, gerbil, guinea pig and golden hamster with no effect evident in the pigeon, rabbit, ground squrrel or woodchuck. Species known to respond to cold by increasing metabolic rate (e.g. mouse and rat) appear to be most responsive to NT. The hypothermic activity of NT in a variety of mammals suggests that the peptide may play a role in thermoregulation.
The use of strain measurements for detecting delaminations in composite laminates

Abstract The use of strain sensors in detecting delaminations in fiber reinforced composite laminates was investigated. Tests were performed with (04/904)s, (06/902)s, and (03/453 - 453)s plates made of Fiberite T300/976 unidirectional graphite-epoxy tape. Strain gauges were mounted on the surfaces as well as inside the plates. The plates were subjected to in-plane compressive loads and the strain responses were measured. The data (1) showed that the locations and sizes of delaminations can be deduced from strain measurements, and (2) indicated the distribution of sensors required to obtain practical results.
GAY NINETIES: ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF HOMOSEXUAL COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGE STUDENTS AND FACULTY

This paper outlines the needs of lesbians and homosexuals in community and junior colleges in terms of heterosexism. An interactionist approach and research Are used to identify sources of heterosexism on campus. Specific solutions to the problem Are addressed. As an invisible and silenced minority, lesbians and homosexual men in community and junior colleges have many needs that are unknown to faculty and administration. The purpose of this paper is to shatter the silence. An overriding need is the elimination of heterosexism on campus. Costs of and solutions to heterosexism will be outlined.
Electrosorbed carbon monoxide monolayers on Pt(1 1 1)

Abstract We review structures of high-density CO monolayers on Pt(1 1 1) surfaces in CO-saturated electrolytes or in gaseous CO at near atmospheric pressure, using surface X-ray scattering (SXS) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). In electrolytes, we confirmed the well-known (2 × 2)-3CO and (√19 × √19)-13CO structures and were able to study the transition between them. For gas-phase studies, we were able to stabilize extremely well-ordered CO monolayers by emersion transfer from an electrochemical cell. We found that the hexagonal close-packed (2 × 2)-3CO structure is the equilibrium phase at room temperature in ∼1 atm CO gas pressure. This commensurate (C) phase transforms continuously to an incommensurate (IC) phase at elevated temperature (a second-order phase transition). We also confirm that the (√19 × √19)-13CO structure is stable at lower CO partial pressure. This C phase transforms discontinuously to an IC phase (a first-order phase transition). A tentative phase diagram and a brief review of structure details of the (2 × 2)-3CO and (√19 × √19)-13CO phases will be presented.
Grad ø perturbations of massless Gaussian fields

We investigate weak perturbations of the continuum massless Gaussian measure by a class of approximately local analytic functionals and use our general results to give a new proof that the pressure of the dilute dipole gas is analytic in the activity.
Sensitivity of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and C-reactive Protein for the Exclusion of Septic Arthritis in Emergency Department Patients

Abstract Background Previous studies in post-operative orthopedic and pediatric patients suggest that erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) testing may be helpful in ruling out septic arthritis. However, these tests have not been evaluated in a population of adult Emergency Department (ED) patients. Study Objective Determine the sensitivity of ESR and CRP in patients with septic arthritis. Methods Retrospective analysis of ED patients with septic arthritis from 2003 to 2008. Eligible patients had an International Classification of Diseases - Ninth Revision diagnosis of pyogenic arthritis (711.0x) plus: positive synovial fluid culture, positive synovial Gram stain, or operative irrigation. Patients were excluded if no ESR or CRP was performed within 24 h. Sensitivity of ESR and CRP at various cutoffs was calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results We identified 167 patients with septic arthritis. We included 143 (86%) who had ESR (n = 140, 84%) or CRP (n = 96, 57%) performed. Mean age was 49 (± 22) years, and 85 (59%) were male. Race was: 125 (87%) white, 4 (3%) black, and 12 (8%) Hispanic. Thirty-five (24%) had infection of prosthetic joints. Synovial cultures were positive in 102 (71%). Sensitivity of ESR was: 98% (95% CI 94–100%) using a cutoff of ≥ 10 mm/h (n = 134) and 94% (95% CI 88–97%) using a cutoff of ≥ 15 mm/h (n = 131). The sensitivity of CRP was 92% (95% CI 84–96%) using a cutoff of ≥ 20 mg/L (n = 88). Conclusion ESR and CRP have sensitivities of > 90% for septic arthritis, but only when low thresholds are used. Further study is required to determine the clinical usefulness of ESR and CRP testing.
Design optimisation of sub-5 nm Head-Disk Interfaces using a two-degree-of-freedom dynamic contact model with friction

The realisation of Tbit/in² areal densities will depend on the successful Head-Disk Interface (HDI) designs that will result in the smallest possible head media spacing. In this study, the effect of HDI roughness on flying/contact dynamics of sub-5 nm HDIs was investigated. Rough surface interfacial and dynamic contact models were used to predict time varying slider motion, from which output responses were generated through regression modelling. Provided that the input disk dynamic microwaviness is low, one could design the interface to have low roughness and area for fully flying or high roughness and area for mild, sustained contact and reduced Bouncing Vibrations (BVs).
Disabling Abl—Perspectives on Abl kinase regulation and cancer therapeutics

Pharmacologic inhibition of the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase in human chronic myeloid leukemia leads to dramatic clinical responses, but relapses occur in advanced stage patients. New findings about Abl kinase domain regulation provide insight into novel strategies for targeted therapy.
Harvesting Domain Specific Ontologies from Text

Ontologies are a vital component of most knowledge-based applications, including semantic web search, intelligent information integration, and natural language processing. In particular, we need effective tools for generating in-depth ontologies that achieve comprehensive converge of specific application domains of interest, while minimizing the time and cost of this process. Therefore we cannot rely on the manual or highly supervised approaches often used in the past, since they do not scale well. We instead propose a new approach that automatically generates domain-specific ontologies from a small corpus of documents using deep NLP-based text-mining. Starting from an initial small seed of domain concepts, our Onto Harvester system iteratively extracts ontological relations connecting existing concepts to other terms in the text, and adds strongly connected terms to the current ontology. As a result, Onto Harvester (i) remains focused on the application domain, (ii) is resistant to noise, and (iii) generates very comprehensive ontologies from modest-size document corpora. In fact, starting from a small seed, Onto Harvester produces ontologies that outperform both manually generated ontologies and ontologies generated by current techniques, even those that require very large well-focused data sets.
Transient response in absorptive bistability

Abstract Measurements of transient response are described for a system composed of multiple beams of atomic sodium passing through a high-finesse optical cavity. For switching from zero to incident laser intensities above the upper turning point of the steady-state hysteresis cycle, a delay in excess of the empty cavity filling time is observed for the time taken to reach steady state. For switching of the incident laser intensity from zero to above the upper turning point, this delay increases to up to 12 times the empty cavity filling time. The results are in qualitative agreement with earlier theoretical work based upon the mean-field theory for plane waves in absorptive bistability.
Support heterogeneity and distribution in the numerical propulsion system simulation project

The numerical propulsion system simulation (NPSS) project has been initiated by NASA to expand the use of computer simulation in the development of new aircraft engines. A major goal is to study interactions between engine components using multiple computational codes, each modeling a separate component and potentially executing on a different machine in a network. Thus, a simulation run is a heterogeneous distributed program controlled by a simulation executive. This paper describes a prototype executive composed of the AVS visualization system and the Schooner heterogeneous remote procedure call (RPC) facility. In addition, the match between Schooner's capabilities and the needs of NPSS is evaluated based on the authors experience with a collection of test codes. This discussion not only documents the evolution of Schooner, but also serves to highlight the practical problems that can be encountered when dealing with heterogeneity and distribution in such applications. >
Qualitative assessment on the three dimensional configuration of the material boundary layer and the core region

Abstract Three dimensional elastic-plastic deformation field in aluminum-6061-T6 specimen with single edge crack is analyzed by the finite element method with displacement formulation. The characteristic configuration and dimensions of the material boundary layer and the core region are estimated based on the comparison of diplacement fields obtained by the numerical method and experimental results by Chiang [Technical Report No. 481, SUNY Stony Brook, September 1986]. What also presented in terms of isochromatic lines are the strain, effective stress, and residual energy patterns developed in the deformation histories. Geometrical configuration of the yield zone in relation to the geometrical constraint experienced by the local material continua is discussed. Redemption for the difference between numerical and experimental results is investigated via embedment of a surface layer with different material behavior parameters and considerations of different load increments and strain hardening characteristics.
An experimental facility for testing loaded structures in a high hydrostatic pressure environment and an application to axially loaded columns

Abstract An experimental facility is described for the testing of structures under a combined axial load and hydrostatic pressure load. This facility was used to determine the effects of hydrostatic pressure (up to 6000 psi) on the load-carrying capacity of slender metal columns. There appeared to be no significant effect in this case.
An examination of the Clinical Impairment Assessment among women at high risk for eating disorder onset

Identifying measures that reliably and validly assess clinical impairment has important implications for eating disorder (ED) diagnosis and treatment. The current study examined the psychometric properties of the Clinical Impairment Assessment (CIA) in women at high risk for ED onset. Participants were 543 women (20.6 ± 2.0 years) who were classified into one of three ED categories: clinical ED, high risk for ED onset, and low risk control. Among high risk women, the CIA demonstrated high internal consistency (α = 0.93) and good convergent validity with disordered eating attitudes (rs = 0.27-0.68, ps < 0.001). Examination of the CIA's discriminant validity revealed that CIA global scores were highest among women with a clinical ED (17.7 ± 10.7) followed by high risk women (10.6 ± 8.5) and low risk controls (3.0 ± 3.3), respectively (p < 0.001). High risk women reporting behavioral indices of ED psychopathology (objective and/or subjective binge episodes, purging behaviors, driven exercise, and ED treatment history) had higher CIA global scores than those without such indices (ps < 0.05), suggesting good criterion validity. These data establish the first norms for the CIA in a United States sample. The CIA is psychometrically sound among high risk women, and heightened levels of impairment among these individuals as compared to low risk women verify the relevance of early intervention efforts.
Forecasting social movements by web buzz analysis

Widespread Internet usage has led to the availability of a cacophony of fact, fiction and opinion composed by all elements of society; events such as the recent panic in Veracruz, Mexico over Twitter chatter of a violent attack on a school demonstrates the societal power of this cacophony. Governments, news organizations and most importantly individuals produce data that represents a stream of consciousness of society, albeit a stream with many competing voices, agendas, and noise. Embedded in this stream are the opinions and activities that will move society and make news.
Parenteral medroxyprogesterone for the management of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone induced hot flashes in men with advanced prostate cancer.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist therapy for advanced prostate cancer can manifest significant side effects affecting quality of life, most notably hot flashes. This study evaluated the effectiveness of parenteral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in reducing the frequency and severity of these hot flashes.Materials and Methods: A multi-institutional retrospective review of hot flashes from LHRH therapy for prostate cancer was conducted. The hot flashes were quantified and the severity was graded (3-point analogue scale) before and after treatment with MPA. Two doses of MPA (400 or 150 mg intramuscularly) were administered. Statistical analysis (Student’s t test) evaluated the quantity of hot flashes, the quality of hot flashes, and dose effectiveness.Results: A total of 48 men (40 at 400 mg, 8 at 150 mg) with a mean age of 71.4 years (range 54 to 87) from 3 institutions were evaluated. There were 91% with symptomatic improvement with MPA, and half (46%) had a complete...
Paleotemperature analysis of tertiary floras

Abstract Mean annual temperature (T) and mean annual range of temperature (A) closely delineate the thermal field that circumscribes the distribution of modern plant communities. The data provide a reliable measure of paleotemperature for Tertiary floras whose composition corresponds to living communities. Previous studies of Tertiary floras in the western United States show a rather regular trend toward lowered temperature and greater extremes with diminishing age. Although some investigators have superimposed major temperature fluctuations] on that trend, those irregularities appear to reflect no more than regional temperature differences stemming from various geographic factors, as well as imprecise temperature criteria selected to estimate paleotemperature.