cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of the immune response. I. Regulatory cell equilibrium in the "virgin" state.

Spleen cells from pairs of inbred mice (age- and sex-matched) were challenged in vitro with a T-independent antigen. The specific plaque-forming cell(PFC) response in cultures containing cells from both donors was not intermediate to the responses of independently cultured donor spleen cells. Instead, a pattern of significant suppression (67 % of pairs tested) or enhancement (22 % of pairs tested) was observed. The suppression or enhancement was antigen-specific and did not represent a general phenomenon within the mixed cultures. A suppressive outcome in mixed cell cultures seems to be associated with cells from the donor with the higher individual PFC response. The converse is true for enhancement. The nonadditive nature of the PFC response in mixed cultures and the frequency of suppression to enhancement (3:1) imply that (a) specific, ongoing immunoregulation occurs even in the naive individual, and (b) this regulation is characterized by regular cycles of specific suppression and enhancement.
A variational formulation of schrödinger-poisson systems in dimension d ≤ 3

This paper is devoted to the analysis of a Schrodinger-Poisson system arising from the modelling of electronic devices. We propose a variational formulation which ensures existence and uniqueness of a solution in a bounded domain with Dirichlet boundary conditions and in the whole space with a periodic potential.
Practical unequivocal synthesis of phosphatidyl-myo-inositols

The direct phosphatidylation of 1d-2,3,4,5,6-penta-O-benzyl-myo-inositol with sn-3-phosphatidic acid and subsequent hydrogenolytic debenzylation produces 1d-1-(sn-3-phosphatidyl)-myo-inositol in excellent yield (>90%) and unequivocal structural and stereochemical purity, and, is readily adaptable for large scale production.
A dual beam laser vibrometer for measurement of dynamic structural rotations and displacements

Abstract A novel non-contacting system for multiaxis vibration measurements (one translation and two angular deflections) is described. The system is based on monitoring the reflections of two laser beams from a planar reflective target. By utilizing the geometry of the beams and their respective reflections: range, pitch and roll of the target can be determined. The theory behind the system is discussed along with the development of a prototype device. Static and dynamic experiments are performed to determine the system's operational limits and utility. The prototype system demonstrated the capability of measuring motions up to 1 kHz with absolute accuracies of 0·04 mm for the translation variable and 0·03 degrees for the rotation variables. Measurement precision of 0·01 mm and 0·01 degrees approached the precision of the test stand and the theoretical resolution limits of the system over a usable workspace of ±2·5 mm and ±5 degrees.
Using graphs of bivariate functions to locally represent and modify surfaces

Abstract: This article develops methods for locally representing and manipulating curved surfaces as graphs of scalar algebraic functions in two variables. Based on two propositions, one from differential geometry and one from algebraic geometry, any surface can be approximated and locally represented as such a function. This representation offers many advantages in terms of its display in computer graphics, the evaluation of its geometric properties and the calculation of intersections with lines and other surfaces. One can locally manipulate the surface, using its intrinsic geometric measures as well as other external constraints. The formulation is extremely fast and allows interactive surface manipulation and display to occur in real or close-to-real time.
Evaluation of computational algorithms suitable for fluid-structure interactions

The objective was to identify and mathematically evaluate suitable methods to transfer information between nonlinear computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and computational structural dynamics (CSD) grids. This data transfer is vital in the field of computational aeroelasticity, where the interpolation method between the two grids can easily be the limiting factor in the accuracy of an aeroelastic simulation. The data to be transferred can include a variety of field variables, such as deflections, loads, pressure, and temperature. For a method to be suitable, it is important that it provide a smooth, yet accurate transfer of data for a wide variety of functional forms that the data may represent. An extensive literature survey was completed that identified current algorithms in use, as well as other candidate algorithms from different implementations, such as mapping and CAD/CAM. The performance of the various methods was assessed on a number of analytical functions, followed by a series of applications that have been or are currently being studied using nonlinear CFD methods coupled with linear representations of the CSD equations (equivalent plate/shell mode shapes and influence coefficient matrices). Two methods, multiquadric-biharmonic and thin-plate spline, are shown to be the most robust, cost-effective, and accurate of all of the methods tested.
The sensitive radius — spatial localization in heavy-ion reaction analyses

Abstract Heavy-ion elastic scattering can be sensitive only to averages of the interaction potential over distances comparable to or greater than the wavelength of the relative motion. Sharply-defined “sensitive radii” emerge only when the assumption of a definite functional radial dependence imposes a relation between average- and point-values of the potentials.
606 ABNORMAL MEMBRANE FUNCTION OF PHAGOCYTES FROM VITAMIK E DEFICIENT RATS

Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) rich in Vitamin E have enhanced rates of chemotaxis and phagocytosis. To determine the effect of Vitamin E deficiency, weanling rats were nutritionally deprived of Vitamin E for two months. Both PMN and peritoneal macrophages (PM) were purified from Ficoll-hypaque gradients. Serum Vitamin E levels were 5.1% of control values. Chemotaxis was markedly impaired by both PMN and PM with values being 68% and 44% of control respectively. Ingestion of opsonized paraffin oil droplets was 44% and 43% of control by PMN and PM respectively. In contrast, those functions and metabolites reflecting an intact microtubule system were normal; e.g. degranulation, as quantitated by the release of the lysosomal enzyme β-glucuronidase into the extracellular media, capping as determined by the lateral migration of surface glycoprotein receptors into polar caps, and glutathione levels. On the other hand, the quantity of lipid membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids that were oxidized as assayed by the formation of malonyldial-dehyde was increased by 1.5 and 2.3 fold in PMN and PM compared to control respectively. These studies indicate that a deficiency in Vitamin E leads to altered pertubation of membrane function and lipid chemistry without altering cytoplasmic microtubule function and glutathione content.
Modeling the adoption rates of manufacturing technology innovations by small US manufacturers: a longitudinal investigation

Abstract This study provides conclusive evidence to support the view that small plants are slower than larger plants to adopt manufacturing innovations. This empirical study based on over 1000 US manufacturing plants engaged in producing discrete products, studies the adoption of manufacturing technologies in small plants relative to large plants between 1993 and 1997. Under the assumption that small manufacturers are disadvantaged, several federal and state programs have been created to assist small manufacturers in acquiring and adopting manufacturing innovations. Through quantification of technology adoption in small manufacturing firms, this study’s findings reveal which manufacturing innovations are in greater need of governmental assistance programs. While small plants are making progress over time in catching up with larger plants in computerized technology use, they are not making similar progress in adopting manufacturing technology innovations in soft technologies. Several propositions for future research and recommendations for public policy are offered.
Chloramphenicol Pharmacokinetics in Hospitalized Patients

The apparent body clearance of chloramphenicol was investigated in 21 hospitalized adult patients on 27 occasions. Apparent body clearance was found to be significantly lower (1.99 +/- 1.49 ml/min per kg) in patients with total serum bilirubin concentrations of >1.5 mg/100 ml than in patients with serum bilirubin concentrations of </=1.5 mg/100 ml (3.57 +/- 1.72 ml/min per kg; P < 0.001). Serum protein binding of chloramphenicol was lower in cirrhotic patients (42.2 +/- 6.8% bound) than in normal adults (53.1 +/- 5.2% bound; P < 0.001). Low binding of chloramphenicol was also found in the serum of premature neonates (32.4 +/- 8.2% bound; P < 0.001). Reduced binding in neonates implies the need for a lower therapeutic range of total chloramphenicol concentration (3.5 to 13.9 mug/ml) compared with the usual adult range (5 to 20 mug/ml). Finally, three case reports are presented which demonstrate marked abnormalities and intrasubject variation in chloramphenicol clearance.
Radar walking speed measurements of seniors in their apartments: Technology for fall prevention

Falls are a significant cause of injury and accidental death among persons over the age of 65. Gait velocity is one of the parameters which have been correlated to the risk of falling. We aim to build a system which monitors gait in seniors and reports any changes to caregivers, who can then perform a clinical assessment and perform corrective and preventative actions to reduce the likelihood of falls. In this paper, we deploy a Doppler radar-based gait measurement system into the apartments of thirteen seniors. In scripted walks, we show the system measures gait velocity with a mean error of 14.5% compared to the time recorded by a clinician. With a calibration factor, the mean error is reduced to 10.5%. The radar is a promising sensing technology for gait velocity in a day-to-day senior living environment.
In vitro phosphorylation of maize leaf phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase.

Numerous polypeptides in a leaf have been shown to undergo covalent modification by phosphorylation, but only a few have been identified to date. The results described herein demonstrate an Atp-dependent seryl phosphorylation of maize leaf PEPCase in comparison to the previously described Adp-dependent threonyl phosphorylation of maize leaf Ppdk (PEPCase and Ppdk have similar native and subunit relative masses). Phosphorylation of PEPCase resulted in a partial inactivation of the enzyme, whereas effector modulation by L-malate and glucose-6-phosphate was relatively unaffected. Both of these C4 mesophyll-cell enzymes are considered to catalyze key reactions during C4 photosynthesis.
One-Carbon Metabolism and Colorectal Cancer: Potential Mechanisms of Chemoprevention

For many years folic acid has been evaluated for its utility as a chemopreventive agent due to its position at the center of the one-carbon metabolic network. This network is responsible for generating precursors to nucleotide synthesis as well as the one-carbon moieties used in DNA methylation reactions, two mechanisms which are frequently disrupted during carcinogenesis. While the use of folic acid for the chemoprevention of colorectal cancer is still controversial, there is evidence that folic acid intake has significant influence on these fundamental cellular mechanisms. Folic acid has a dual role with regards to nucleotide synthesis and colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention; in a healthy colon, adequate folate status is important for nucleotide metabolism homeostasis and the maintenance of DNA integrity, however in a colon harboring premalignant lesions lowered folate status may help to eliminate transformed cells. In addition, folic acid is important for the generation of the one-carbon groups used in DNA methylation reactions, and modulation of folic acid metabolism may be useful in combating the aberrant DNA methylation during carcinogenesis. Interestingly, it has been revealed that decreased folic acid intake can dampen the inflammatory response, which has recently been a popular strategy for colorectal cancer chemoprevention. In this review we discuss the molecular mechanisms influenced by folic acid intake and how they might be relevant to cancer chemoprevention in greater detail.
Phase I/II study of external radio frequency phased array hyperthermia and external beam radiotherapy in the treatment of prostate cancer: Technique and results of intraprostatic temperature measurements

As part of an ongoing Phase I/II study at Duke University Medical Center investigating the toxicity and efficacy of external beam radiotherapy plus hyperthermia for deep-seated, locally advanced or recurrent solid tumors, 12 patients with prostate malignancies (adenocarcinoma--11, leiomyosarcoma--1) were treated with radiotherapy plus hyperthermia. Hyperthermia was given after radiotherapy using a Radio Frequency Phase/Amplitude Control Sigma 60 annular phased array device. All patients had simultaneous temperature measurements made in the rectal lumen and within the prostate during at least one hyperthermia session. Intraprostate thermometers were placed via a unique method described herein using both computerized tomography scan and a rigid sigmoidoscope for guidance. We were able to achieve the desired tumor temperature of > or = 42.5 degrees C in only 1/28 (3.5%) of hyperthermia treatments. Subjective symptoms of pain and/or pressure limited power deposition in 79% of hyperthermia treatments. Higher temperatures were achieved in the distal rectum than in the prostate in all treatments, although the differences were not statistically significant. This temperature differential could not be compensated by using phase and amplitude steering. Rectal temperatures adjacent to the prostate were predictive of prostate temperatures. We conclude that using this regional heating technique we were unable to demonstrate an ability to get an advantageous temperature differential between the prostate and normal tissue. This technique is not useful as an adjuvant to radiation therapy for prostate cancer. The usefulness of other regional heating techniques and devices should be explored.
Underneath the glittering maze: Decorum and décolletage in high fashion, 1937–2004

Abstract This article considers how seemingly rapid changes in apparel styles are really part of long and complex evolutionary patterns that link today's technology and apparel with ancient human practices. We began by replicating Richardson and Kroeber's classic study of evening gowns. Fashion plates in American and European magazines were measured during the period from 1937 through 2004. The length and width of decolletage were measured for 20 fashion plates per year. Results were plotted on graphs and are discussed in a cultural context. For example, we found that bareness of decolletage was moderate in the late 1930s, increased in the early 1950s, decreased again in the late 1960s, and then increased until 2004. Width of decolletage showed a somewhat steeper increase than length of decolletage. We suggest that for the last 67 years decolletage and its regular alternation between modesty and exposure is the centerpiece of evening-wear fashion. Our findings are discussed in light of the fashion theory espoused by Flugel and Sapir. Finally we demonstrate that the relationship between decolletage measurements and their standard deviations remain like those predicted by Richardson and Kroeber in 1940.
Evaluation of Age-0 Survival and Its Effect on Lake Trout Rehabilitation in the Michigan Waters of Lake Superior

Abstract Efforts to rehabilitate lake trout in the upper Great Lakes have met with limited success. One key factor hypothesized to impede progress towards rehabilitation is inadequate age-0 survival (from egg deposition to age-1). We evaluated age-0 survival rates for lean lake trout populations in the Michigan waters of Lake Superior during three periods of significantly different abundance levels and mortality regimes: pre-sea lamprey (1929–1950), sea lamprey-dominant (1951–1962), and current (1988–1993). Current age-0 survival rate was calculated to be 0.00118 which is lower than age-0 survival rates corresponding to the pre-sea lamprey (0.00372) and sea lamprey-dominant (0.00416) periods. Population growth rates of lake trout were found to be extremely sensitive to changes in age-0 survival rates. We found that if the current lake trout population in the Michigan waters of Lake Superior exhibited an age-0 survival rate similar to that of the pre-sea lamprey population, the current population would be increasing in numbers rather than decreasing. As increasing age-0 survival will greatly increase the population growth rate and facilitate the rehabilitation process, we recommend that future research and management efforts place a high priority on evaluating the factors that are currently depressing survival rates of age-0 lake trout in Lake Superior in order to develop strategies to overcome these impediments.
THE RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF THE CARBON ISOTOPES IN PETROLEUM: ISOTOPES IN PETROLEUM

The relative abundance of the isotopes of carbon has been measured in samples of oil and gas from 32 wells in the Silica and Ellinwood Fields of Barton and Rice Counties, Kansas, and 3 wells in Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming, as well as in surface vegetation, hydrocarbons from well cuttings, and carbon dioxide desorbed from soil. For the samples from Silica and Ellinwood Fields, C12/C13=94.1±0.4. Relative abundance appears to be independent of the source of petroleum, but is about 1.6% lower for vegetation. It is concluded that this quantity cannot be used to distinguish sources of petroleum and that its use to determine the origin of soil hydrocarbons requires an accuracy of measurement not hitherto attainable.
Pilot Study Examining the Utility of Microarray Data to Identify Genes Associated with Weight in Transplant Recipients

Purpose/Methods: Obesity, a complex, polygenic disorder and a growing epidemic in transplant recipients, is a risk factor for chronic diseases. This secondary data analysis identified if microarray technologies and bioinformatics could find differences in gene expression profiles between liver transplant recipients with low Body Mass Index (BMI 29; n = 7). Blood was hybridized on Human U133 Plus 2 GeneChip (Affymetrix) and analyzed using GeneSpring Software. Results: Groups were similar in age and race, but not gender. Expression levels of 852 genes were different between the low and high BMI groups (P < 0.05). The majority (562) of the changes associated with high BMI were decreases in transcript levels. Among the 852 genes associated with BMI, 263 and 14 genes were affected greater than 2- or 5-fold, respectively. Following functionally classification using Gene Ontology (GO), we found that 19 genes (P < 0.00008) belonged to defense response and 15 genes (P < 0.00006) belonged to immune response. Conclusion: These data could point the way toward therapeutic interventions and identify those at-risk. These results demonstrate that we can (1) extract high quality RNA from immunosuppressed patients; (2) manage large datasets and perform statistical and functional analysis.
Dynamic epidemiology of group A streptococcal serotypes associated with pharyngitis

Summary Background Despite the past 15 years of heightened awareness of the disease-causing potential of group A streptococci, the possible epidemiological influence of rapid changes in prevalent serotypes has not been fully appreciated. Methods We analysed throat cultures collected as part of routine medical care in a semi-closed community of nearly 500 children and adults between January, 1999, and April, 2000. β-haemolytic streptococci from all positive cultures were characterised by serological grouping, T-agglutination pattern, and serotyping for M protein or opacity factor. Findings We saw an increase in the number of symptomatic individuals with pharyngitis beginning in mid-1999. Between July 1 and Dec 31, 1999, 111 (29%) of 378 throat cultures yielded group A streptococci, 102 (92%) of which were serotype M1. Between Jan 1 and Mar 31, 2000, 126 (45%) of 277 throat cultures yielded group A streptococci. Unexpectedly, 106 (84%) of these throat isolates were serotype M6, and only 16 (13%) were M1. 20 (28%) of the 71 individuals with M1 infection subsequently acquired infection with M6. Interpretation This rapid and almost complete shift in predominance of group A streptococcal serotype in this community draws attention to the dynamic epidemiology of these organisms. This change has important implications for further understanding the epidemiology of group A streptococcal infections, and for the development and use of a vaccine.
A Hidden Markov Model for identifying essential and growth-defect regions in bacterial genomes from transposon insertion sequencing data

Knowledge of which genes are essential to the survival of an organism is critical to understanding the function of genes, and for the identification of potential drug targets for antimicrobial treatment. Previous statistical methods for assessing essentiality based on sequencing of tranposon libraries have usually limited their assessment to strict 'essential’ or 'non-essential’ categories. However, this binary view of essentiality does not accurately represent the more nuanced ways the growth of an organism might be affected by the disruption of its genes. In addition, these methods often limit their analysis to open-reading frames. We propose a novel method for analyzing sequence data from transposon mutant libraries using a Hidden Markov Model (HMM), along with formulas to adapt the parameters of the model to different datasets for robustness. This approach allows for the clustering of insertion sites into distinct regions of essentiality across the entire genome in a statistically rigorous manner, while also allowing for the detection of growth-defect and growth-advantage regions. We evaluate the performance of a 4-state HMM on a sequence dataset of M. tuberculosis transposon mutants. We also test the HMM on several synthetic datasets representing different levels of transposon insertion density and sequence coverage. We show that the HMM produces results that are highly correlated with previous assignments of essentiality for this organism. We also show that it detects growth-defect and growth-advantage genes previously shown to impair or enhance growth when disrupted. A 4-state HMM provides an improved way of analyzing Tn-seq data and assessing different levels of essentiality that enables not only the characterization of essential and non-essential genes, but also genes whose disruption leads to impairment (or enhancement) of growth.
Modified Calcite Deposition Due to Ultrathin Organic Films on Silicon Substrates

In order to study the effect of organic surface chemistry on calcite nucleation, attachment, and growth, calcium carbonate was precipitated in the presence of various ultrathin-film organosilane-modified silicon wafers. The chemistry of the aminosilane surfaces was systematically changed by the coupling of various acidic molecules, without creating a geometric lattice of acidic functional groups. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with image analysis, and X-ray scattering were employed to characterize crystallite density and orientation normal to the surface. Calcite grown on amino-modified surfaces was produced with the equilibrium rhombohedral habit and had the 〈104〉 orientation. Surfaces of the silicon oxide, carboxylate, iminodiacetate, or phosphoramidate tended to favor the orientation of surface crystals along 〈001〉 or near the 〈001〉 axes of the crystal. Primarily this is a result of the affinity of the surface for cations, but functional-group-mediated ion ordering and/or stereochemic...
In vitro initiated secondary anti-hapten response—III separable roles of hapten and carrier in immune paralysis

Abstract Mouse spleen cells sensitized to trinitrophenyl hemocyanin (TNP-KLH) undergo an anti-hapten secondary response when challenged in vitro with antigen. High doses of TNP-KLH induced immune paralysis. KLH alone or TNP on a heterologous carrier caused partial paralysis. If both carrier and hapten components were present but separate, paralysis was increased. IgM and IgG anti-TNP responses were affected equally by carrier paralysis and y anti-θ inactivation of T cells suggesting KLH helper cells are thymus derived. Conversely, hapten had a greater effect on IgG cells as would be expected if it acted directly on antibody-producing cells, selecting among them on the basis of avidity. Reconstitution of the anti-TNP response was observed when KLH paralyzed cells were mixed with TNP paralyzed cells prior to immunogenic challenge, showing that hapten and carrier act on different cells. When recognition was limited to one of the two cell types, paralysis resulted in accordance with predictions made on the basis of a two cell model of immune induction.
An investigation of the microstructures of heat-treated Zircaloy-4

Abstract A TEM/STEM investigation of the microstructure and microchemistry of commercial Zircaloy-4 samples subjected to three different final heat treatments in the laboratory has been conducted to understand the processing-microstructure-corrosion relationships in these alloys. Pronounced differences in the volume fraction, morphology, and chemistry of the intermetallic particles as well as in the α phase microstructure have been observed among the beta-quenched, as-received (stress-relieved) and alpha-annealed samples. The beta-quenched sample exhibits the most uniform microstructure consisting of acicular a phase with lath boundary Sn enrichment and fine intermetallic particle formation. The as-received sample has the most inhomogeneous microstructure made up of annealed and deformed α phases. The relevance of the observed microstructural features to the nodular corrosion susceptibility is discussed in the light of some existing models of modular corrosion.
Control of frontal plane knee laxity during gait in patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis

Objective Patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (OA) adopt an abnormal gait pattern, and often develop frontal plane laxity at the knee. The purpose of this study was to quantify the extent of frontal plane knee joint laxity in patients with medial knee OA and genu varum and to assess the effect of joint laxity on knee joint kinetics, kinematics and muscle activity during gait.
Habitat use by fishes of Lake Superior. II. Consequences of diel habitat use for habitat linkages and habitat coupling in nearshore and offshore waters

Diel migration patterns of fishes in nearshore (15–80 m depth) and offshore (>80 m) waters of Lake Superior were examined to assess the potential for diel migration to link benthic and pelagic, and nearshore and offshore habitats. In our companion article, we described three types of diel migration: diel vertical migration (DVM), diel bank migration (DBM), and no diel migration. DVM was expressed by fishes migrating from benthopelagic to pelagic positions and DBM was expressed by fishes migrating horizontally from deep to shallow waters at night. Fishes not exhibiting diel migration typically showed increased activity by moving from benthic to benthopelagic positions within demersal habitat. The distribution and biomass of fishes in Lake Superior was characterized by examining 704 bottom trawl samples collected between 2001 and 2008 from four depth zones: ≤40, 41–80, 81–160, and >160 m. Diel migration behaviors of fishes described in our companion article were applied to estimates of areal biomass (kg ha−...
A second messenger RNA species of transforming growth factor beta 1 in infarcted rat heart.

Abstract Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is encoded predominantly by a 2.4-kb mRNA in most tissues. However, an additional transcript of 1.9 kb can be detected in rat heart after experimental myocardial infarction caused by ligation of the left coronary artery. This transcript level is significantly higher in infarcted heart tissue than in normal heart tissue, suggesting an important role for this mRNA species in response to injury. Structural characterization of the 1.9-kb mRNA showed that it included the entire coding sequence present in the 2.4-kb TGF-beta 1 mRNA, but also contained an additional nonhomologous 3'-untranslated region (UTR). The junction between the shared and unique 3' sequence in the 1.9-kb mRNA occurred only two nucleotides before the proposed polyadenylation site of the rat TGF-beta 1 2.4-kb mRNA. The unique 3'-UTR and the deduced shortened 5'-UTR in the novel 1.9-kb TGF-beta 1 mRNA suggest different transcriptional and translational regulatory mechanisms under conditions of tissue injury.
Promoting Community for Online Learners in Special Education.

AbstractThis study examined the sense of community in an online course for special education teachers enrolled in a master’s program. The sense of community in an online environment may contribute to students’ success and satisfaction (Knapczyk, Chapman, Rodes, & Chung, 2001). This article provides an example of a process for online community development and implementation that may foster a sense of community among learners, a tool that can be used to measure sense of community and insights from students who responded to this tool. Analysis of survey results from two cohorts of students who completed two sections of an online course in special education shows that the level of community they experienced was “just about right.” This study highlights themes generated that include (a) favored course components (Elluminate sessions, learner-centered activities, and course convenience), (b) factors contributing to sense of community (communication, safe environment, supportive instructor, and opportunities to ...
Allele-specific Mutations Involved in the Pathogenesis of Endemic Gallbladder Carcinoma in Chile

Although gallbladder carcinoma is one of the most frequent neoplasms in Chile, there is limited information about the molecular changes involved in its pathogenesis. We investigated the incidence of ras gene mutations and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the following genes/loci: p53, DCC, rb, 5q 3p, 8p, and 9p. We precisely microdissected 194 relevant areas from paraffin-embedded microslides from 25 gallbladder carcinomas and their accompanying nonneoplastic lesions (which were present in 15 cases) from patients in Chile. The specimens were analyzed by PCR-based assays for LOH, and we designed a RFLP method for ras mutations and immunohistochemistry for p53 protein overexpression. We determined that LOH at p53 (91%), 9p (50%), 8p (44%) and DCC (31%) are frequent events and that LOH at p53, 9p, and DCC are early events, while ras mutations and LOH at 3p, rb, and 5q occurred occasionally. LOH at p53 occurred more frequently and earlier than protein overexpression. The mean number of mutations present in invasive carcinomas was 2.1, and in six cases, LOH at the p53 gene was the sole mutation detected. The same allele was lost in 61 (93%) of 71 nonneoplastic foci as in the corresponding invasive carcinomas for all four mutations studied. The odds of this occurring by chance are approximately 4 x 10(-15). Although clonality cannot be excluded, allelic loss appears to be highly directed, but the mechanism for allele-specific mutations remains to be determined.
Impacts of Inter-Organizational Collaboration on Nonprofit Human Resource Capacity

This empirical study investigates the impacts of inter-organizational collaboration on the human resource capacity of nonprofit organizations. To address complex problems and to better serve their ...
Sterilization of Spores Using a Direct Current Steady State Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Discharge Apparatus

Summary form only given. The paper investigates the efficacy of the atmospheric pressure plasma discharge apparatus in sterilization of spores. The plasma sterilizer was tested on a highly resistant spore producing bacterial strain Geobacillus stearothermophilitis. This particular strain is commonly used in biological indicator strips used to monitor autoclaves and steam sterilizers. The experimental strategies employed include agar plate inoculation, biological indicators, and microscopic evaluation. Tests were also conducted wherein the spores were exposed to an atmospheric pressure plasma discharge in a hydrogen peroxide (30%) environment. Preliminary test results showed 90-100% kill rate (CFU counts) within the range of 3-5 minutes of exposure intervals. The experimental findings are in good agreement with earlier tests conducted on Escherichia coli and Wild type standard Lambdaphage using the same device. The test results in essence establish the effectiveness of the sterilizer across different classes of microorganisms. The portability, ruggedness, versatility of the plasma discharge apparatus (Dual power operability-AC/DC) and reliable sterilization efficiency renders it practical and functional even in remote warfare milieu.
Transport in magnetically-doped magnetic tunnel junctions

We report striking transport behavior of magnetic tunnel junctions which are engineered to incorporate localized magnetic impurities inside the tunnel barrier. Such junctions exhibited zero-bias anomalies (giant conductance dip or equivalently, giant resistance peak) in dynamic conductance curves, and striking bias and temperature dependencies of tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR), i.e., suppression of TMR at zero-bias and the decrease of TMR with decreasing temperature. Logarithmic dependencies of the conductance on bias and temperature agree well with Applebaum's theory describing Kondo-type spin flip scattering between tunneling electrons and impurity spins. The systematic variation of the transport anomalies with oxidation time confirmed that an over-oxidation of the tunnel barrier leads to diffusion of Co (Fe) ions from the bottom electrode into the barrier, which is consistent with the Cabrera-Mott oxidation model.
Recruitment of American Indians and Alaska Natives Into Clinical Trials

Challenges in recruiting American Indians and Alaska Natives into cancer clinical trials are addressed in this article. Researchers, health care providers, and American Indian and Alaska Native patients face significant communication barriers when prevention or treatment trials are designed or implemented. For researchers, the challenges lie in understanding the cultural distinctiveness of individual tribes, coping with the family orientation of Indian subjects, dealing with the lack of standardized research measures, and defining the subject's pathway in seeking and obtaining healing and health care services. For providers, the challenges center on patient-provider communication, illness beliefs, transportation, and sociocultural barriers. This article explores these complex issues and offers recommendations for researchers and health care providers on conducting research in American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
Effects of actuator dynamics in active control of surge with magnetic thrust bearing actuation

Control of surge in centrifugal compressors is accomplished by modulating the clearance of the impeller with a magnetic thrust bearing. The physical mechanism exploited is the sensitivity of the centrifugal compressor characteristic to the tip clearance of the unshrouded impeller. A nonlinear tip clearance controller is designed using backstepping. The controller is designed with the objective that system trajectories remain on the compressor characteristic curve which ensures zero steady state offset of the impeller and maintains the efficiency of the compressor. Special attention is paid to the dynamic effects of the actuator, which is included explicitly in the control synthesis. Results from simulations of the nonlinear model for a single stage high speed centrifugal compressor show that the compressor characteristic curve can be stabilized with acceptable control authority and modest dynamic requirements
Age-related patterns of forest complexity and carbon storage in pine and aspen–birch ecosystems of northern Minnesota, USA

Forest managers are seeking strategies to create stands that can adapt to new climatic conditions and simultaneously help mitigate increases in atmospheric CO2. Adaptation strategies often focus on enhancing resilience by maximizing forest complexity in terms of species composition and size structure, while mitigation involves sustaining carbon storage and sequestration. Altered stand age is a fundamental consequence of forest management, and stand age is a powerful predictor of ecosystem structure and function in even-aged stands. However, the relationship between stand age and either complexity or carbon storage and sequestration, especially trade-offs between the two, are not well characterized. We quantified these relationships in clearcut-origin, unmanaged pine and aspen chronosequences ranging from 130 years in northern Minnesota. Complexity generally increased with age, although compositional complexity changed more over time in aspen forests and structural complexity changed more over time in pine stands. Although individual carbon pools displayed various relationships with stand age, total carbon storage increased with age, whereas carbon sequestration, inferred from changes in storage, decreased sharply with age. These results illustrate the carbon and complexity consequences of varying forest harvest rotation length to favor younger or older forests and provide insight into trade-offs between these potentially conflicting management objectives.
Using Hollywood's greatest film scenes to illustrate concepts of organisational behaviour and management

Great film moments achieve a life of their own. They seem to hang around in the viewer's subconscious mind begging for clarification or, if nothing else, classification. The author proposes using these moments or 'greatest film scenes' for the purpose of illustrating concepts of organisational behaviour and management. A chart is derived that enumerates the top 10 greatest film scenes, associates a relevant management concept or concepts to that scene and then provides a series of citations relevant to the concept. The citations are provided for the purpose of enabling further research.
Regulation of touch receptor differentiation by the Caenorhabditis elegans mec-3 and unc-86 genes

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans possesses six morphologically similar neurons that are responsible for sensing gentle touch to the body. Previous genetic studies identified genes that are necessary for the production and differentiation of these touch cells. In particular, unc-86 encodes a POU-type homeodomain protein needed for the production of the touch cells, while mec-3 encodes a LIM-type homeodomain protein needed for the differentiation of the touch cells. Molecular studies showed that MEC-3 and UNC-86 bind cooperatively to sites in the mec-3 promoter and can synergistically activate transcription from it in vitro. Here we show that UNC-86::MEC-3 hetero-oligomer-binding sites are also found in the promoters of two presumed targets of mec-3, the mec-4 and mec-7 genes, that are necessary for the function of the touch cells. These sites, which are well-conserved in the related nematode C. briggsae, are required for promoter activity. When one of the binding sites is cloned into a heterologous promoter, expression is found in the touch cells and two to four other cells that express mec-3 and unc-86. These data support a model in which touch-cell differentiation is specified, in part, by the UNC-86::MEC-3 hetero-oligomer and not by MEC-3 alone. Ectopic expression of mec-3, driven by a heat-shock promoter, also supports this hypothesis: the acquisition of touch-cell characteristics by several additional cells under these conditions required unc-86. Since the touch-cell lineages express UNC-86 before MEC-3, MEC-3 appears to modify the activity of UNC-86, leading to touch-cell-specific gene expression. Because both UNC-86 and MEC-3 have activation domains, the formation of the hetero-oligomer may create a strong activator. In the modification of UNC-86 function by MEC-3 in the touch cells, these studies provide an example of how the sequential activation of transcription factors can determine cell fate within particular cell lineages.
Dynamic program instrumentation for scalable performance tools

Presents a new technique called 'dynamic instrumentation' that provides efficient, scalable, yet detailed data collection for large-scale parallel applications. Our approach is unique because it defers inserting any instrumentation until the application is in execution. We can insert or change instrumentation at any time during execution by modifying the application's binary image. Only the instrumentation required for the currently selected analysis or visualization is inserted. As a result, our technique collects several orders of magnitude less data than traditional data collection approaches. We have implemented a prototype of our dynamic instrumentation on the CM-5, and present results for several real applications. In addition, we include recommendations to operating system designers, compiler writers, and computer architects about the features necessary to permit efficient monitoring of large-scale parallel systems. >
Review of the Use of Statistics in Selected Areas of Litigation

The growth in the use of statistical assessments as evidence has varied by area of litigation. As we noted in Chapter 1, however, the growth has been more dramatic in areas in which the financial stakes have become higher. Three such areas are employment discrimination, antitrust, and environmental law. This chapter reviews the uses of statistical evidence in these areas, drawing on the experience, knowledge, and interest of the panel members, staff, and consultants.
John D. Mccarthy Lifetime Achievement Award

Editors Note: In 2007, The Center for the Study of Social Movements at the University of Notre Dame began sponsorship of an annual award named for its first recipient, John McCarthy. The John D. McCarthy Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Scholarship of Social Movements and Collective Action has subsequently been presented to Verta Taylor (2008), Mayer Zald (2009), and Doug McAdam (2010). As part of each year's award ceremony, the McCarthy Award winner gives a public lecture that reflects on her or his past contributions to the field of social movement research, while also looking forward to promising lines of future inquiry. The publication in Mobilization of these lectures highlights both the important role recipients have played in shaping the field of social movement research, as well as their unique perspectives on where the field is headed. To this end each award winner has generously collaborated with Mobilization in the publication of an article based on the original McCarthy Award lecture. We ...
Synthetic Peak Discharges for Design Criteria

Method for determining peak discharges at stations where records are too short to afford reliable data or at ungaged locations; method uses multiples of unit hydrograph peaks to describe peak discharges and relates frequency of occurrence of these multiples to average annual volumes of storm runoff; unit hydrograph accounts for basin characteristics, and volume of storm runoff accounts for variations in rainfall and soils.
Reproducibility of a continuous ramp lower body negative pressure protocol for simulating hemorrhage

Abstract Central hypovolemia elicited by application of lower body negative pressure (LBNP) has been used extensively to simulate hemorrhage in human subjects. Traditional LBNP protocols incorporate progressive steps in pressure held for specific time intervals. The aim of this study was to assess the reproducibility of applying continuous LBNP at a constant rate until presyncope to replicate actual bleeding. During two trials (≥4 weeks intervening), LBNP was applied at a rate of 3 mmHg/min in 18 healthy human subjects (12M; 6F) until the onset of presyncopal symptoms. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), stroke volume (SV), total peripheral resistance (TPR), mean middle and posterior cerebral artery velocities (MCAv, PCAv), and cerebral oxygen saturation (ScO 2 ) were measured continuously. Time to presyncope (TTPS) and hemodynamic responses were compared between the two trials. TTPS (1649 ± 98 sec vs. 1690 ± 88 sec; P = 0.47 [ t ‐test]; r = 0.77) and the subsequent magnitude of central hypovolemia (%Δ SV −54 ± 4% vs. −53 ± 4%; P = 0.55) were similar between trials. There were no statistically distinguishable differences at either baseline ( P ≥ 0.17) or presyncope between trials for HR, MAP, TPR, mean MCAv, mean PCAv, or ScO 2 ( P ≥ 0.19). The rate of change from baseline to presyncope for all hemodynamic responses was also similar between trials ( P ≥ 0.12). Continuous LBNP applied at a rate of 3 mmHg/min was reproducible in healthy human subjects, eliciting similar reductions in central blood volume and subsequent reflex hemodynamic responses.
What predicts continued substance use among probationers

Methods Substance-using probationers (N =194) completed baseline and 2-month follow-up interviews. Probationers averaged 35 years-old and were predominately male (69%) and nonwhite (79%). Measures included demographics (e.g., age), treatment/use experience (e.g., ASI drug score), psychosocial functioning (e.g., self-esteem), and criminal justice experience (e.g., lifetime arrests). Hard drug use included opiates, cocaine, barbiturates, amphetamines, hallucinogens, and inhalants. Multinomial regression models examined the relationship between these factors and different category of continued substance use: no use (reference category); hard drug user; marijuana or significant alcohol users only.
Aluminum Nitride Cross-Sectional Lamé Mode Resonators

This paper demonstrates a new class of AlN-based piezoelectric resonators for operation in the microwave frequency range. These novel devices are identified as cross-sectional-Lame-mode resonators (CLMRs) as they rely on the piezoelectric transduction of a Lame mode, in the cross section of an AlN plate. Such a 2-D mechanical mode of vibration, characterized by motion along both the lateral and the thickness directions, is actuated and sensed piezoelectrically through the coherent combination of the $\text{e}_{31 }$ and $\text{e}_{33}$ piezoelectric coefficients of AlN. This special feature enables the implementation of CLMRs with high values of electromechanical coupling coefficient. In particular, we experimentally demonstrated $k_{t}^{2}$ values in excess of 4.6% and 2.5% in CLMRs using, respectively, two or one metallic interdigitated metallic electrodes, and operating around 1 and 2.8 GHz. Furthermore, despite the dependence of the cross-sectional Lame mode on both the thickness and the width of the AlN plate, lithographic tunability of the resonance frequency, by changing only the in-plane dimensions of the device, can be achieved without a substantial degradation of $k_{t}^{2}$ . The capability of achieving high $k_{t}^{2}$ and multiple operating frequencies on the same chip, without additional fabrication costs (lithographic tunability of the resonance frequency), makes this technology one of the best candidates for the implementation of multifrequency and low insertion loss filter banks for reconfigurable radio-frequency front ends. [2015-0244]
The existing problems and improving measure of Fire resisting shutterr design and construction

Fire resisting shutter is one of the important fire prevention space facilities,it is has been widely applied to different kinds buildings.But due to the problems in the design and construction influence the requirements to the fire prevention space facilities and cause the fire spread,the author analysis the problem of the fire resisting shutter and puts forward some measures.