cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA-21 regulates expression of the PTEN tumor suppressor gene in human hepatocellular cancer

Background & Aims: microRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression negatively. Although a role for aberrant miRNA expression in cancer has been postulated, the pathophysiologic role and relevance of aberrantly expressed miRNA to tumor biology has not been established. Methods: We evaluated the expression of miRNA in human hepatocellular cancer (HCC) by expression profiling, and defined a target gene and biologically functional effect of an up-regulated miRNA. Results: miR-21 was noted to be highly overexpressed in HCC tumors and cell lines in expression profiling studies using a miRNA microarray. Inhibition of miR-21 in cultured HCC cells increased expression of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) tumor suppressor, and decreased tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In contrast-enhanced miR-21 expression by transfection with precursor miR-21 increased tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, an increase in cell migration was observed in normal human hepatocytes transfected with precursor miR-21. PTEN was shown to be a direct target of miR-21, and to contribute to miR-21 effects on cell invasion. Modulation of miR-21 altered focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation and expression of matrix metalloproteases 2 and 9, both downstream mediators of PTEN involved in cell migration and invasion. Conclusions: Aberrant expression of miR-21 can contribute to HCC growth and spread by modulating PTEN expression and PTEN-dependent pathways involved in mediating phenotypic characteristics of cancer cells such as cell growth, migration, and invasion.
Settling Removal Rates of PCBs into the Northwestern Atlantic Derived from 238U−234Th Disequilibria

Surface ocean export fluxes of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were deduced utilizing 234Th as an indicator of the removal rates of particle-bound species from coastal, continental shelf, and pelagic surface waters. The fraction of the PCB settling flux that reaches the sediments (the ratio of bottom sediment import flux to 234Th-derived surface ocean export flux) decreased with both water column depth and with aqueous solubility of the congeners, presumably as a result of particle decomposition and/or compound desorption. A sharper decrease in 234Th-derived surface ocean fluxes away from the continental source was seen for congeners with increasing chlorination. This suggests that atmospheric washout followed by particle-mediated settling out of the surface ocean are the predominant processes affecting the PCBs, as opposed to atmospheric hydroxyl radical-mediated decomposition. Based on this limited data set, the largest fraction of each PCB is removed into the open ocean, although higher areal fluxes a...
Analysis of Tangential Slot Blowing on F/A-18 Isolated Forebody

The generation of significant side forces and yawing moments on an F/A-18 fuselage through tangential slot blowing is analyzed using computational fluid dynamics. The effects of freestream Mach number, jet exit conditions, jet length, and jet location are studied. The effects of over- and underblowing on force and moment production are analyzed. Non-time-accurate solutions are obtained to determine the steady-state side forces, yawing moments, and surface pressure distributions generated by tangential slot blowing. Time-accurate solutions are obtained to study the force onset time lag of tangential slot blowing. Comparison with available experimental data from full-scale wind-tunnel and subscale wind-tunnel tests are made. This computational analysis complements the experimental results and provides a detailed understanding of the effects of tangential slot blowing on the flowfield about the isolated F/A-18 forebody. Additionally, it extends the slot-blowing database to transonic maneuvering Mach numbers.
Retrospective analysis of missed advanced adenomas on surveillance colonoscopy.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Miss rates of large polyp/cancer during colonoscopy are reported from tertiary centers where experts do the colonoscopies. This information is important for determining surveillance intervals for repeat colonoscopy, patient safety, and malpractice issues. We evaluated retrospectively the miss rates of advanced adenomas in the setting of a GI fellowship training where most colonoscopies are done by closely supervised fellows. METHODS: We reviewed the 235 patients who had at least one repeat colonoscopy after initial polypectomy, between 1992 and 1999, at the Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Advanced adenomas were defined as polyps 10 mm or greater in size with or without a villous component or high-grade dysplasia. Data of missed advanced adenomas on 122 patients who had complete colonoscopy with satisfactory preparation and the excluded patients are reported. RESULTS: Four advanced adenomas (one had intramucosal cancer) on second colonoscopy and two advanced adenomas on third colonoscopy were missed. The miss rate of advanced adenoma for 232 patients was 1.7%, and the miss rate for the 122 patients with complete colonoscopy and satisfactory colon preparation was 2.5% and 3.3% on second and third repeat colonoscopy, respectively. No cancer was missed. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows an advanced polyp miss rate that is comparable with other studies even in a fellowship training setting. Prospective studies with tandem surveillance colonoscopy are needed to confirm our findings.
On the effect of cesium in photoionization laser plasmas

A number of photoionization mechanisms and how they can be used to generate large-volume laser plasmas are discussed. Reaction rates for two-step photoionization of the cesium atoms as well as formation of molecular ions (Cs 2 +) are estimated. The necessary cross-section data were obtained from related research in thermionic energy converters.
Middle Ear Implants:Historical and futuristic perspective

Abstract Technological advancements are continuously changing the paradigm of human existence. Human beings are constantly engaging in various measures to reduce the extent of sensory and motor impairment. This has been in the form of various devices, e.g. orthopedic prosthesis, visual aids (spectacles) and hearing aids. Countless attempts throughout the centuries have been made in an effort to improve sound amplification in patients. This article seeks to highlights the technological journey of one such implant, the middle ear implant, from its inception to the more technological advanced futuristic proposals. While there are many amplification devices available presently, there still remains a group of patients who have not experienced adequate amplification for their hearing loss and this subset may gain the greatest benefit from middle ear implants.
Polarization Preservation in the AGS

The successful operation of a high energy polarized beam at the Argonne Zero Gradient Synchrotron with the concommitant development of depolarizing resonance correction techniques has led to the present project of commissioning such a beam at the Brookhaven AGS. A description of the project was presented at the 1981 National Accelerator Conference. The current paper presents a more detailed description of how Brookhaven personnel plan to preserve the polarization during acceleration and how they intend to tune through some 50 resonances and reach their goal of a 26 GeV polarized proton beam with greater than 60% polarization. Some aspects of their resonance correction techniques are to cross resonances by fast passage and not rely on spin-flip; to use the slow AGS tune shifting quadrupoles to avoid hitting integer or half-integer resonances at v = 9.0 and 8.5; and to pulse the ring sextupoles in order to flatten the vertical tune profile and keep the total tune shift constant as a function of radius. They are also prepared to use a compensating horizontal (v /SUB x/ ) shift during the correction time should this prove necessary.
Technique for calculating the radiation and scattering characteristics of antennas mounted on a finite ground plane

The problem of an antenna mounted on a conducting body is formulated by using a modification of the isolated thin-wire kernel with the numerical Green's function for the body. This formulation is then employed for the investigation of the problem of a monopole antenna over a finite ground plane. The numerical Green's function for the plate is obtained by applying the finite-difference technique, which has previously been successfully applied to the thin-wire junction problem. A user-oriented Fortran program is developed, and extensive numerical results are reported.
Campylobacter pylori as a pathogenetic factor in duodenal ulcer: the case for.

This debate addresses whether Campylobacter pylori contributes to the development and maintenance of chronic peptic ulcer disease. C. pylori may be both an aggressive factor and may also impair mucosal defence. C. pylori causes the inevitably ulcer-associated gastritis and duodenitis and eradication of the C. pylori infection is associated with resolution of the inflammation and virtual elimination of the problem of duodenal ulcer relapse. A model is suggested that requires two separate factors to combine to cause chronic duodenal ulcer disease with other environmental factors (e.g. smoking) modifying the interaction between C. pylori and genetic susceptibility. Both genetic susceptibility and C. pylori infection are required to produce duodenal ulcer disease; neither alone is sufficient. C. pylori is the most important factor in the pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer disease because it is the only pathogenetic factor that can be easily reversed by medical therapy.
Staring imager minimum resolvable temperature measurements beyond the sensor half sample rate

It is a well-known phenomenon that three- and four-bar patterns can sometimes be resolved with staring sensors even when the bar pattern frequency is beyond the half sample rate of the sensor. When performing a minimum resolvable temperature (MRT) test, for example, the modulation of the target bars can be significant even when the fundamental frequency of the four-bar target is higher than the half sample rate of the sensor. We show that the modulation of a four-bar target goes to zero at 0.6 times the sample rate of the sensor (1.2 times the half sample rate) if the sample phasing is optimized. If the bar pattern contains a larger number of bars, the modulation cutoff approaches the half sample rate of the sensor. Further, we illustrate that, when the sample phase is optimized during the MRT measurement, the MRT performance of a sampled imager can exceed the measured MRT performance of an analog sensor with the same system and component modulation transfer functions.
On Rs, rhotacism and paleophony

In his R-tickle, William Barry (Barry 1997: 35) invites others who may have pondered along similar lines ‘to offer additional complementary or alternative views’. In somewhat belatedly accepting his invitation, I would like to make some remarks on trills, on ‘molar r’, and on rhotacism, followed by some thoughts on the question of the historical primacy of trill, at least within Indo-European.
Radiation Exposure Time during MBSS: Influence of Swallowing Impairment Severity, Medical Diagnosis, Clinician Experience, and Standardized Protocol Use

Guidelines and preventive measures have been established to limit radiation exposure time during modified barium swallow studies (MBSS) but multiple variables may influence the duration of the exam. This study examined the influence of clinician experience, medical diagnosis category, swallowing impairment severity, and use of a standardized protocol on fluoroscopy time. A retrospective review of 739 MBSSs performed on 612 patients (342 males/270 females; age range = 18–96 years) completed in 1 year at the Medical University of South Carolina was performed with IRB approval. All studies were completed by speech-language pathologists trained in the data collection protocol, interpretation, and scoring of the MBSImP™©. Medical diagnosis category, swallowing impairment severity (MBSImP™© score), clinician experience, and fluoroscopy time were the variables recorded for analysis. Fluoroscopy time was not significantly associated with medical diagnosis category (p = 0.10). The severity of the MBSImP™© Oral Total and Pharyngeal Total resulted in statistically significant increases in fluoroscopy time (p < 0.05). Studies by novice clinicians had longer exposure times when compared to those of experienced clinicians (p = 0.037). Average radiation exposure time using the MBSImP™© approach was 2.9 min, with a 95 % confidence interval of 2.8–3.0 min, which was well within the range of exposure times reported in the literature. This study provides preliminary information regarding the impact of medical diagnosis category, swallowing impairment severity, and clinician experience on fluoroscopy time. These findings also suggest that a thorough, standardized protocol for MBSSs did not cause unnecessary radiation exposure time during the MBSS.
Laser destruction of photosensitized superficial malignant tumours

Abstract After intraperitoneal administration the photosensitizing dye acridine orange localized to malignant mouse tumours. Subsequent irradiation with a cw argon laser, at energy levels that did not cause heat damage, produced destruction of these tumours. In nine out of ten mice there was no evidence of regrowth after four months.
Which middleware platform should you choose for your next remote service

Due to the shift from software-as-a-product to software-as-a-service, software components that were developed to run in a single address space must increasingly be accessed remotely across the network. Distribution middleware is frequently used to facilitate this transition. Yet a range of middleware platforms exist, and there are few existing guidelines to help the programmer to choose an appropriate middleware platform to achieve desired goals for performance, conciseness, intuitiveness, and reliability. To address this limitation, in this article, we describe a case study of transitioning an Open Service Gateway Initiative service from local to remote access. In our case study, we evaluate five remote versions of this service, constructed using different distribution middleware platforms. These platforms are implemented by widely-used commercial technologies or have been proposed as improvements on the state of the art. In particular, we implemented a service-oriented version of our own Remote Batch Invocation abstraction. We compare and contrast these implementations in terms of their respective performance, conciseness, complexity, and reliability. Our results can help remote service programmers make informed decisions when choosing middleware platforms for their applications.
Effect of Three Levels of Grain Feeding during the Dry Period on the Incidence of Ketosis, Severity of Udder Edema, and Subsequent Milk Production of Dairy Cows

Summary Sixty-three cows of four breeds were fed different levels of grain during the dry period for 2 yr. One member of each trio received no grain during the 8-wk. dry period, a second member received 6 lb. daily, and the third member received 15 lb. daily. Silage was fed according to body weight and hay was fed ad libitum. After calving, all cows were fed grain according to production. No statistical differences in milk, butterfat, or 4% fat-corrected milk production were obtained in the three groups of cows. Correlation coefficients between body condition ratings at calving and 4% fat-corrected milk and butterfat percentage were all very small and nonsignificant. No statistically significant differences in the severity of udder edema in the three groups were noted at calving or at seven days after calving. Udder edema was significantly correlated with milK production but not with body condition at the time of parturition. Two cases of ketosis occurred in the medium- and high-fed groups and one case occurred on the low level. Blood sugar and ketone levels were about the same on the three levels of grain. No differences in birth weights of the normal Holstein calves were obtained.
Effects of heat release on the structure and stability of a coflowing, chemically reacting jet

It is shown how linear stability analysis and full simulations can be used to study the stability and structure of reacting flows. The small effect of gravity on steady laminar flame heights can be modeled if allowance is made for the density variations due to heat release. It is found that cold transitional jet simulations yield perturbation growth rates which are consistent with the predictions of the inviscid stability theory.
Laser-deposited Ti-Nb-Zr-Ta orthopedic alloys.

The complex quaternary Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta orthopedic alloy has been successfully deposited from a powder feedstock consisting of a blend of elemental titanium, niobium, zirconium, and tantalum powders, using the laser engineered net-shaping (LENS™) process. In the as laser-deposited form, these alloys exhibit a substantially higher tensile strength as compared with more conventionally processed counterparts of similar composition, while maintaining excellent ductility and a low modulus. Furthermore, the as-deposited alloys appear to exhibit a texture, with a substantially large number of grains of the β phase aligning one of their axes nearly normal to the substrate or parallel to the growth direction. The microstructure of the as-deposited as well as tensile-tested alloys have been characterized in detail using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), orientation microscopy (OM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Formation of a high density of shear bands, possibly arising from slip localization due to precipitates of the ω phase in the β matrix, is clearly evident in the tensile-tested sample. The enhanced tensile strength and low modulus in these laser-deposited alloys coupled with the ability to form near-net shape components makes LENS an attractive processing technology for orthopedic implants. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
2202 Kidney Transplant Recipients with 10 Years of Graft Function: What Happens Next?

The ultimate goal of clinical transplantation is for the recipients to achieve long-term survival, with continuing graft function, that is equivalent to that of the age-matched general population. We studied subsequent outcome in kidney transplant recipients with 10 years of graft function. In all, 2202 kidney transplant recipients survived with graft function >10 years. For 10-year survivors, the actuarial 25-year patient survival rate for primary transplant living donor (LD) recipients was 57%; graft survival, 43%. For primary transplant deceased donor (DD) recipients, the actuarial 25-year patient survival rate was 39%; graft survival, 27%. The two major causes of late graft loss were death (with graft function) and chronic allograft nephropathy (tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis). The two major causes of death with function were cardiovascular disease (CVD) and malignancy. For nondiabetic recipients, the mean age at death with function from CVD was 54 ± 13 years; for diabetic recipients, 53 ± 7 years. By 20 years posttransplant, morbidity was common: >40% recipients had skin cancer (mean age for nondiabetic recipients, 53 ± 13 years; for diabetics, 49 ± 8 years), >10% had non-skin cancer (mean age for nondiabetic recipients, 53 ± 16 years; for diabetics, 46 ± 9 years), and >30% had CVD (mean age for nondiabetic recipients, 53 ± 15 years; for diabetics, 47 ± 9 years). We conclude that long-term transplant recipients have a high rate of morbidity and early mortality. As short-term results have improved, more focus is needed on long-term outcome.
PREVALENCE OF CANDIDA IN HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN A NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT. † 1787

PREVALENCE OF CANDIDA IN HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN A NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT. † 1787
The E802 Data Acquisition Complex

The data acquisition architecture planned for experiment E802 is described. A VAX 11/785 will be front-ended by a VME-based array of 68000-family microprocessors, which will be used as intelligent CAMAC crate controllers, event builders, and to augment the computing power of the VAX for on-line analysis of the data.
Wide-field two-dimensional multifocal optical-resolution photoacoustic-computed microscopy

Optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM) is an emerging technique that directly images optical absorption in tissue at high spatial resolution. To date, the majority of OR-PAM systems are based on single-focused optical excitation and ultrasonic detection, limiting the wide-field imaging speed. While 1D multifocal OR-PAM (1D-MFOR-PAM) has been developed, the potential of microlens and transducer arrays has not been fully realized. Here we present the development of 2D multifocal optical-resolution photoacoustic-computed microscopy (2D-MFOR-PACM), using a 2D microlens array and a full-ring ultrasonic transducer array. The 10 mm×10 mm microlens array generates 1800 optical foci within the focal plane of the 512-element transducer array, and raster scanning the microlens array yields optical-resolution photoacoustic images. The system has improved the in-plane resolution of a full-ring transducer array from ≥100 to 29 μm and achieved an imaging time of 36 s over a 10 mm×10 mm field of view. In comparison, the 1D-MFOR-PAM would take more than 4 min to image over the same field of view. The imaging capability of the system was demonstrated on phantoms and animals both ex vivo and in vivo.
Reactions of the cyclopentadienylruthenium tricarbonyl cation with nucleophiles

A convenient preparation of C5H5M(CO)+3 (M = Ru or Fe) from C5H5M(CO)2Cl has been developed. Like C5H5Fe(CO)+3, the cation C5H5Ru(CO)+3 reacts with primary amines to form carbamoyl complexes C5H5Ru(CO)2(CONHR). With hydrazine it yields an unstable carbazoyl derivative C5H5Ru(CO)2(CONHNH2) which rearranges with loss of NH3 to form the isocyanate complex C5H5Ru(CO)2(NCO). Similar reactions take place with methyl substituted hydrazines. The isocyanate complex can also be prepared by the reaction of the cation with N−3. With I− and Cl− the cation yields C5H5Ru(CO)2X; with OCH−3, C5H5Ru(CO)2COOCH3; and with NCS−, C5H5Ru(CO)2(NCS). IR spectra of the new compounds and mechanisms of their reactions are discussed.
First-principles theory of the energetics of He defects in bcc transition metals

Helium defect properties in V, Nb, Ta, Mo, and W were studied using first-principles electronic structure calculations. The most stable position for the He in all bcc metals is a substitutional site; the tetrahedral interstitial position is more favorable than the octahedral position. The formation energy of He substitutional defect is nearly the same for all the metals, while the formation energy of He interstitial defect strongly depends on the electronic structure of the host and insignificantly on its atomic size. The obtained He formation energies were used to calculate He binding energy to the vacancy. For V, Nb, and Ta He-vacancy binding energy is about one-half of the vacancy formation energy; for Mo and W it is about 40% higher than the vacancy formation energy. Both pair potentials and effective-medium theory fall to reproduce the preference order or the relationship between the formation energies. Calculated He formation energies and He-vacancy binding energies improve understanding of He behavior and diffusion mechanisms in metals.
Achieving it consultant objectives through client project success

Improving project performance is an important objective in IS project management. In consultant-assisted IS projects, however, consulting organizations may have additional objectives, such as knowledge acquisition and future business growth. In this study, we examined the relationship between client and consultant objectives and the role of coordination in affecting the achievement of these objectives. A research model was developed and tested using 199 consultant-assisted projects. The results showed that the achievement of consultant objectives was dependent upon the achievement of client objectives and that coordination had a positive impact on both client and consultant objectives.
Shape sensitivity analysis and shape optimization in planar elasticity using the element-free Galerkin method

Abstract This paper demonstrates that the element-free Galerkin (EFG) method can be successfully used in shape design sensitivity analysis and shape optimization for problems in 2D elasticity. The continuum-based variational equations for displacement sensitivities are derived and are subsequently discretized. This approach allows one to avoid differentiating the EFG shape functions. The present formulation, that employs a penalty method for imposing the essential boundary conditions, can be easily extended to 3D and/or non-linear problems. Numerical examples are presented to show the capabilities of the current approach for calculating sensitivities. The flexibility of the EFG method, that eliminates the element connectivity requirement of the finite element method (FEM), permits solving shape optimization problems without re-meshing. The problem of shape optimization of a fillet is used to demonstrate this fact. Smoother stresses and better accuracy for points close to the boundary allow for a better EFG solution compared to published results using the FEM, the boundary element method (BEM) or the boundary contour method (BCM). Furthermore, for the EFG approach, grid-optimization appears unnecessary.
Prolactin in Seminal Fluid

Prolactin appears to modulate male reproduction by regulating hormone receptor levels in the testis and accessory sex organs and by facilitating spermatozoal biochemical processes associated with capacitation. A large portion of immunoreactive prolactin (iPRL) seems to be transported from blood to semen via the accessory sex organs and takes several days to make this transition. The iPRL in semen is heterogeneous in size and a unique portion may be associated with spermatozoa. Data from several clinical studies of seminal fluid prolactin are inconsistent. The variability of patient populations classified as fertile or infertile, the differences in prolactin assays used, and the lack of information about sample processing have been major causes of this difficulty.
Generic antiepileptic drugs.

Generic antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) generally provide safe, effective, lower-cost alternatives to brand-name drugs. To be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), manufacturers must show that generic drugs are comparable to brand-name formulations, meeting bioequivalence, dissolution, and manufacturing quality standards. Bioequivalence for most generic formulations is evaluated by measuring blood pharmacokinetic values in a small, crossover study of adult volunteers taking single doses of brand-name and generic AEDs. Bioequivalence standards require that ratios of average peak drug concentrations (Cmax) and total extent of absorption (area under the curve, AUC) for a test drug be within 80% to 125% of the reference brand-name drug, with a confidence interval of 90%. Bioequivalence of most generic AEDs, however, has not been evaluated in patients with epilepsy or in other special populations such as elderly patients or patients taking multiple AEDs and prodrugs. Moreover, evidence is limited regarding the adequacy of FDA generic standards for AEDs, particularly for “narrow therapeutic ratio” medications such as oxcarbazepine, although two carbamazepine studies are supportive. Most patients can successfully initiate therapy with generic AEDs and can safely switch from brand-name to generic AEDs (and sometimes back again). The FDA, however, has not shown safety in generic-to-generic switches, which could potentially cause drug concentration changes of up to 40%. Less expensive generic formulations will soon be available for most of the “second generation” AEDs—zonisamide, for example, recently had 17 generic formulations approved in the United States—providing substantial savings in health care costs.
On the use of rootfinding ODE software for the solution of a common problem in nonlinear dynamical systems

We discuss how rootfinding, which is built into some ODE software, can be used to generate Poincare sections. An interactive program is also described.
Openness versus intellect: Much ado about nothing?

McCrae (1990) has argued that Openness to Experience is a fundamental dimension of personality that is not well represented among English-language trait adjectives. Presumably, then, studies of personality adjectives will inevitably fail to capture at least one fundamental personality dimension. I argue that the language does contain many adjectives referring to Openness, and that recent studies of the language of personality reveal a large factor clearly related to both Openness and Intellect. These studies support both the Openness construct and the questionnaire version of the five basic factors. Lexical and questionnaire methods appear to converge on a single structural framework for basic personality traits.
Development of a Thin Film Magnetic Moment Reference Material

In this paper we present the development of a magnetic moment reference material for low moment magnetic samples. We first conducted an inter-laboratory comparison to determine the most useful sample dimensions and magnetic properties for common instruments such as vibrating sample magnetometers (VSM), SQUIDs, and alternating gradient field magnetometers. The samples were fabricated and then measured using a vibrating sample magnetometer. Their magnetic moments were calibrated by tracing back to the NIST YIG sphere, SRM 2853.
Compliance of Resilient Denture Liners Immersed in Effervescent Denture Cleansers

Purpose: Six resilient denture liners (RDL) were exposed to two immersion effervescent denture cleansers to evaluate change in compliance over a simulated 1 year time interval. Materials and Methods: Ten samples of each material, Molloplast B, Mollosil, MPDS-SL, Permasoft, Softline, and Sofreliner were exposed to either Fixodent or Efferdent denture cleanser. A cyclic load was applied in a squarewave fashion to derive a load displacement curve to measure compliance at 0, 7, 30, 180, and 360 simulated days. Results: All 12 of the material/cleanser combinations demonstrated a significant change in compliance at each time interval relative to baseline. Mollosil had the greatest increase in flexibility from baseline, and MPDS-SL had the smallest increase in flexibility. In general, chairside materials demonstrated greater change in compliance from baseline compared to laboratory materials. Materials subjected to Fixodent cleanser, when averaged over time, were significantly more flexible than materials exposed to Efferdent cleanser. Conclusions: Exposure of resilient soft liners to two common cleansers resulted in a significant increase in flexibility. This change in flexibility depended slightly, though significantly, on the type of cleanser, and appeared to be more significant with time. In general, chairside materials seemed to change more than laboratory-processed liners. The exception was Permasoft that was fabricated as a laboratory material but behaved like a chairside material. Clinical Significance: The initiator of the polymerization reaction rather than the mode of polymerization may be more important in predicting a change in the flexibility of RDLs. Constituents within the oral environment may be more responsible for changes in RDL flexibility than denture cleansers.
Brain interleukin 1 and S-100 immunoreactivity are elevated in Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease

Interleukin 1, an immune response-generated cytokine that stimulates astrocyte proliferation and reactivity (astrogliosis), was present in up to 30 times as many glial cells in tissue sections of brain from patients with Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease compared with age-matched control subjects. Most interleukin 1-immunoreactive glia in Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease were classified as microglia. The number of interleukin 1 immunoreactive neurons did not appear to differ in Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease compared with control brain. Numerous temporal lobe astrocytes in Alzheimer disease and postnatal Down syndrome were intensely interleukin 1-, S-100-, and glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunoreactive and had reactive structure. Interleukin 1 levels in Alzheimer disease temporal lobe homogenates were elevated, as were the levels of S-100 and glial fibrillary acidic protein, two proteins reportedly elevated in reactive astrocytes. These data suggest that increased expression of S-100 in Down syndrome, resulting from duplication of the gene on chromosome 21 that encodes the beta subunit of S-100, may be augmented by elevation of interleukin 1. As a corollary, the astrogliosis in Alzheimer disease may be promoted by elevation of interleukin 1.
What to look for in a workstation

An overwhelming amount of information about new technology is flooding the computing community on many fronts. The rate of change in available products and features makes decisions about acquiring computing technology a large and complex task, whether the equipment in question is a supercomputer or a workstation. This discussion is addressed to those shopping for workstations, who often face the particular challenge of combining in one person the roles of user, buyer, and support technician for the machine. To help in these decisions, you can read trade journals, advertisements, and vendor literature; attend shows and conferences; and observe a variety of technologies in action, in colleagues' offices and product demonstrations. However, the messages these sources present are wide-ranging, possibly confusing, and often inconsistent.The series of questions that follows can help you develop a coherent description of your needs and make useful comparisons among the options for fulfilling them. Few if any users discover a workstation ideal for their purposes in all respects. Generally you must compromise on one factor to get something you need more in another. Weigh the relative importance of the factors in your decision, thinking about long-term satisfaction as well as immediate concerns. You must live with your decision for some time after you make it.Look for answers to these questions from the consultants available at your institution, users' groups, the vendors of the machines under consideration and their competitors, and anyone else with a stake in your computing environment above all, your colleagues. It is often best to use the same kind of workstation as your colleagues and collaborators, to avoid problems with incompatible programs and data formats. Thus, if your colleagues strongly favor a particular computer, and you do not foresee wanting to perform tasks which that machine cannot handle, your decision process may be quite simple.
The high-pressure, high-shear stress rheology of a polybutene

The shear rheology of a low molecular weight liquid polybutene has been studied under elevated pressure using the Couette geometry. Results can be described by a temperature and pressure shifted Carreau-Yasuda model. An interesting relationship was found between the model parameters and the temperature and pressure coefficients of viscosity.
Induced exudative diathesis in chicks by dietary silver.

Abstract Two experiments were conducted with chicks to compare the effectiveness of vitamin E, selenium and cystine in preventing the deleterious effects of dietary silver. Adding 900 p.p.m. silver to a diet marginal in vitamin E and selenium significantly depressed growth and caused a high mortality during the four-week experiment. Most of the mortality was due to exudative diathesis. Including either 1 p.p.m. selenium or 100 I.U. vitamin E per kg. in the diets with silver prevented the growth depression and mortality. Adding 0.15% cystine stimulated growth, but failed to prevent mortality. In a second experiment, chicks were grown on the diet containing silver with and without cystine to 15 days of age, at which time approximately 50% of the chicks exhibited signs of exudative diathesis. At that time they were either continued en the same diet or fed diets supplemented with selenium or vitamin E. Both vitamin E and selenium reduced mortality during the following two-week period, but vitamin E was more effective than selenium.
SU‐E‐T‐72: Commissioning of a Standardized SRS Cone Set: Determination of the Bolus Gap Factors in a Passively Scattered Proton Beam

Purpose: To determine the proton output factors for an SRS cone set using standardized apertures and varied range compensators (bolus blanks); specifically, to determine the best method for modeling the bolus gap factor (BGF) and eliminate the need for patient specific calibrations. Methods: A Standard Imaging A-16 chamber was placed in a Plastic Water phantom to measure the change in dose/MU with different treatment combinations for a proton SRS cone, using standardized apertures and range compensators. Measurements were made with all apertures in the SRS cone set, with four different range compensator thicknesses and five different air gaps between the end of the SRS cone and the surface of the phantom. The chamber was located at iso-center and maintained at a constant depth at the center of modulation for all measurements. Each aperture was placed in the cone to measure the change in MU needed to maintain constant dose at the chamber, as the air gap was increased with different thicknesses of bolus. Results: The dose/MU varied significantly with decreasing aperture size, increasing bolus thickness, or increasing air gap. The measured data was fitted with the lowest order polynomials that accurately described the data, to create a model for determining the change in output for any potential combination of devices used to treat a patient. For a given standardized aperture, the BGF could be described by its constituent factors: the bolus thickness factor (BTF) and the nozzle extension factor (NEF). Conclusion: The methods used to model the dose at the calibration point could be used to accurately predict the change in output for SRS proton beams due to the BGF, eliminating the need for patient specific calibrations. This method for modeling SRS treatments could also be applied to model other treatments using passively scattered proton beams.
Terminal electron acceptors influence the quantity and chemical composition of capsular exopolymers produced by anaerobically growing Shewanella spp.

Bacterial exopolymers perform various roles, including acting as a carbon sink, a protective layer against desiccation or antimicrobial agents, or a structural matrix in biofilms. Despite such varied roles, little is known about the heterogeneity of bacterial exopolymer production under varying growth conditions. Here we describe experiments designed to characterize the quantity and quality of exopolymers produced by two commonly studied members of the widely distributed genus Shewanella. Electrokinetic, spectroscopic, and electron microscopic techniques were employed to demonstrate that cell surfaces of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 (electrophoretic softness, λ-1, range from 0.4 to 2.6 nm) are associated with less extracellular polymeric material than surfaces of Shewanella putrefaciens 200R (λ-1 range from 1.6 to 3.0 nm). Both species exhibit similar responses to changes in electron acceptor with nitrate- and fumarate-grown cells producing relatively little exopolymer compared to trimethylamine N-oxide (TM...
Concurrent Alcohol and Marijuana Use as a Determinant of Condom Beliefs and Utility Among African American Male Inmates

The objective of this study is to determine the extent to which regular use of marijuana and alcohol may influence African American inmate’s beliefs, views, and practices regarding condoms. In this article, we report and discuss the implications of our findings for the planning of HIV prevention interventions for African American male inmate populations. Relationships between individual condom use and belief variables were examined using linear regression models. All models specified regularity of marijuana or alcohol use with respect to detailed condom use or belief outcomes as predictor variables. Analysis from 126 male inmates recruited from three medium security prisons and one Area Transition Center in Georgia are presented herein. Results note that frequency of marijuana use predicted and was associated with inmate’s reporting how often they use a condom during sex (Beta = −0.261, P < 0.009), suggesting that the more respondents reported smoking marijuana, the less likely they were to indicating using condoms during sex. Regularity of alcohol consumption was almost predictive of inmates indicating that they could always talk to any potential sex partner to make him/her understand why they should use condoms (p < 0.082) and stating that they could always say no to sexual intercourse with someone they had just met even if they were very attracted to that person (p < 0.063).
A thin FinFET Si-fin body structure fabricated with 193nm scanner photolithography and composite hard mask etching technique upon bulk-Si substrate

A thin FinFET bulk Si-fin body structure has been successfully fabricated upon bulk-Si wafers through using 193nm scanner lithography and a composite hard mask etching technique. First, a 100A-thick buffer SiO2 layer was thermally grown upon the bulk silicon layer and subsequently a 1200A-thick SiNx layer and a 1000A-thick TEOS SiO2 hard mask layer was chemically vapor deposited to form a composite hard mask structure of buffer-SiO2/SiNx/TEOS. Second, both 1050A-thick BARC and 2650A-thick photoresist (P/R) were coated and a 193nm scanner lithography tool was used for the Si-fin body layout patterning under relatively high exposure energy. This achieves the ADI (after develop inspection) of 80nm from the original as-drawn Si-fin layout of 110nm. Then, a deep sub-micron plasma etcher was used for an aggressive P/R and BARC trimming down processing and both the capping TEOS and CVD-SiNx with its underlying buffer oxide layers were subsequently etched in other etching plasma chambers, respectively. Resultantly, the AMI (after mask inspection) can reach 60nm. Subsequently, both the P/R and BARC were removed with a nominal plasma ashing as well as a RCA cleaning for the final sub-micron Si-fin plasma etching. Eventually, a 60nm-width and 400nm-height bulk Si-fin body structure can be successfully etched out after a fixed time-mode silicon plasma etching.
Clean absorption-mode NMR data acquisition.

Multi-dimensional Fourier Transform (FT) NMR spectroscopy is broadly used in chemistry[1] and spectral resolution is pivotal for its performance. Phase-sensitive, pure absorption mode signal detection[1a,2] is required for achieving high spectral resolution since an absorptive signal at frequency Ω0 rapidly decays proportional to 1/(Ω0-Ω)2 while a dispersive signal slowly decays proportional to 1/(Ω0-Ω). Hence, a variety of approaches were developed to accomplish pure absorption mode signal detection.[1a,2] Moreover, by use of techniques such as spin-lock purge pulses[3], phase cycling,[1a] pulsed magnetic field gradients,[4] or z-filters,[5] radio-frequency (r.f.) pulse sequences for phase-sensitive detection are designed to avoid ‘mixed’ phases, so that only phase errors remain which can then be removed by a zero- or first-order phase correction.
Primary breast tumor characteristics predicting aggressive nodal involvement

Abstract Background pN3 breast cancer is historically associated with a poor prognosis, but the biology of aggressive nodal involvement or lymphatotropism is not well understood. Methods This retrospective study compares clinical and pathological features for 1347 breast cancer patients with pN0 disease, 560 with pN1 disease, and 100 with ≥10 positive nodes (pN3 [10] disease). Results Compared with pN1 disease, pN3 (10) disease was more frequently associated with T3-4 primaries (9% versus 38%, P ≤ .001), lobular histology (11% versus 22%, P = .01), and inflammatory cancer (1% versus 5%, P = 0.01). pN3 (10) disease was not associated with early-onset or estrogen receptor–negative breast cancer. The 5- and 10-year overall survival for pN3 (10) patients was 64% and 21%, respectively. Conclusions The data indicates that the prognosis for pN3 (10) patients may be improving with current treatment. Molecular pathways governing aggressive lymphatotropism appear to be independent of those associated with early-onset, estrogen receptor–negative breast cancer.
Retention through student teams

The authors report on a program to serve the needs of underprepared freshman Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) majors at Purdue University. The EET Booster Program began in the Fall semester of 1992. This program is an optional class or classes which provides assistance in first year Electrical Circuits and Digital Fundamentals courses for EET majors. Beginning freshmen are recommended for the Booster Program based on SAT scores, the number of semesters and grades earned in high school math, English, and science courses, and a Purdue math composite score. Students are also matched in profile against the previous two freshman classes and how they performed in first year Electrical Circuits and Digital Fundamentals courses. >
Recognizing objects by piecing together the Segmentation Puzzle

We present an algorithm that recognizes objects of a given category using a small number of hand segmented images as references. Our method first over segments an input image into superpixels, and then finds a shortlist of optimal combinations of superpixels that best fit one of template parts, under affine transformations. Second, we develop a contextual interpretation of the parts, gluing image segments using top-down fiducial points, and checking overall shape similarity. In contrast to previous work, the search for candidate superpixel combinations is not exponential in the number of segments, and in fact leads to a very efficient detection scheme. Both the storage and the detection of templates only require space and time proportional to the length of the template boundary, allowing us to store potentially millions of templates, and to detect a template anywhere in a large image in roughly 0.01 seconds. We apply our algorithm on the Weizmann horse database, and show our method is comparable to the state of the art while offering a simpler and more efficient alternative compared to previous work.
All Politics Is Global: Explaining International Regulatory Regimes

All Politics Is Global: Explaining International Regulatory Regimes. By Daniel W. Drezner. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007. 234p. $29.95.Daniel Drezner begins his book by throwing down a gauntlet: “Globalization is responsible for a lot of bad international relations theory” (p. 3). This assertion caused this reviewer to nod in agreement, but it heightened my expectations for what Drezner would produce. These expectations grew as he identified promulgators of “bad international relations theory,” which ranged from commentators, such as Thomas Friedman, to schools of international relations theory, including realism and liberal institutionalism, but especially theories that privilege the agency of nonstate actors in world politics. By and large, the author met this reader's expectations by crafting a rigorous, robust, and accessible analysis of international regulatory regimes.
A phase noise compensation scheme for OFDM wireless systems

Phase noise causes significant degradation in the performance of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) based wireless communication systems. In the proposed compensation scheme, the communication between the transmitter and receiver blocks consists of two stages. In the first stage, block-type pilot symbols are transmitted and the channel coefficients are jointly estimated with the phase noise in the time domain. In the second stage, comb-type OFDM symbols are transmitted such that the receiver can jointly estimate the data symbols and the phase noise. It is shown by computer simulations that the proposed scheme can effectively mitigate the inter-carrier interference caused by phase noise and improve the bit error rate of OFDM systems.