cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inquiry-Based Instruction of Compound Microscopy Using Simulated Paleobiogeography.

The compound microscope is an important tool in biology, and mastering it requires repetition. Unfortunately, introductory activities for students can be formulaic, and consequently, students are often unengaged and fail to develop the required experience to become proficient in microscopy. To engage students, increase repetition, and develop identification skills, we have them use the microscope as a problem-solving tool to examine prepared slides of microfossils and microartifacts from a simulated archeology site to determine its paleobiogeographic history.
Pharmacogenetics of the mycophenolic acid targets inosine monophosphate dehydrogenases IMPDH1 and IMPDH2: Gene sequence variation and functional genomics

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenases, encoded by IMPDH1 and IMPDH2, are targets for the important immunosuppressive drug, mycophenolic acid (MPA). Variation in MPA response may result, in part, from genetic variation in IMPDH1 and IMPDH2. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We resequenced IMPDH1 and IMPDH2 using DNA from 288 individuals from three ethnic groups and performed functional genomic studies of the sequence variants observed. KEY RESULTS We identified 73 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IMPDH1, 59 novel, and 25 SNPs, 24 novel, in IMPDH2. One novel IMPDH1 allozyme (Leu275) had 10.2% of the wild-type activity as a result of accelerated protein degradation. Decreased activity of the previously reported IMPDH2 Phe263 allozyme was primarily due to decreased protein quantity, also with accelerated degradation. These observations with regard to the functional implications of variant allozymes were supported by the IMPDH1 and IMPDH2 X-ray crystal structures. A novel IMPDH2 intron 1 SNP, G > C IVS1(93), was associated with decreased mRNA quantity, possibly because of altered transcription. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These results provide insight into the nature and extent of sequence variation in the IMPDH1 and IMPDH2 genes. They also describe the influence of gene sequence variation that alters the encoded amino acids on IMPDH function and provide a foundation for future translational studies designed to correlate sequence variation in these genes with outcomes in patients treated with MPA.
On an analog of the Riesz theorem and the basis property of the system of root functions of a differential operator in L p : II

We consider an ordinary differential operator of arbitrary order, obtain necessary conditions for the Riesz property of systems of normalized root functions, prove an analog of the Riesz theorem, and use it to obtain sufficient conditions for the basis property of the system of root functions of the given operator in Lp.
Fabrication of 3D nanostructures by multidirectional UV lithography and predictive structural modeling

This paper presents the fabrication and modeling of three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures by automated multidirectional ultraviolet (UV) lithography, which is a fast, cost-effective, manufacturable fabrication method. Multidirectional UV exposure is performed using a static UV light source equipped with a tilt-rotational substrate holder. A glass substrate with a nanopatterned chrome layer is utilized as both a photomask and a substrate, for which a backside UV exposure scheme is used. For the analytical modeling of the shape of fabricated nanostructures, UV exposure dosage, diffraction and refraction effects, and absorption rate are taken into account. For more accurate process predictive models, a commercially available multiphysics simulation tool is used. The structural shapes predicted from analytical calculation and simulation are compared with the fabricated ones for which various 3D nanoscale test structures are fabricated such as an inclined nanopillar array and a vertical triangular slab. Also, nanostructures with multiple heights are successfully implemented from single layer photoresist by controlling the UV exposure dosage and tilt angles. A tripod embedded horn and a triangular-slab embedded horn are demonstrated.
An initial value method for the Ambarzumian integral equation

It is shown that a general class of nonlinear integral equations may be transformed into a Cauchy system. That this leads to an effective numerical scheme is demonstrated by solving the Ambarzumian integral equation. The new method does not involve successive approximations or series expansions.
Prospective randomized trial comparing endovenous laser ablation and surgery for treatment of primary great saphenous varicose veins with a 2-year follow-up.

Background Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) for ablation of the great saphenous vein (GSV) is thought to minimize postoperative morbidity compared with high ligation and stripping (HL/S). Only a few randomized trials have reported early results. This prospective randomized trial compared EVLT (980 nm) and HL/S results at 1 and 2 years after the intervention. Method Patients with symptomatic varicose veins due to GSV insufficiency were randomized to HL/S (100 limbs) or EVLT (104 limbs). Four EVLT procedures failed primarily and were excluded. Phlebectomy and ligature of incompetent perforators were performed whenever indicated in both groups. Patients were re-examined clinically and by duplex ultrasound imaging preoperatively and at 12 days and at 1 and 2 years after treatment. Closure rate, complication rate, time to return to normal activity, the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Symptom Severity Score (AVVSS), the Varicose Venous Clinical Severity Score (VVCSS), and the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 scores were also recorded. Results There were no differences in patient demographics, CEAP class, Widmer class, or severity scores between the groups. Simultaneous interventions did not differ between the groups. Similar times for the return to normal activity and scores for postoperative pain were reported. No major complications after treatment were recorded. HL/S limbs had significantly more postoperative hematomas than EVLT limbs, and EVLT patients reported more bruising. Follow-up at 1 year was 100% for HL/S and 99% for EVLT. Two GSVs in the EVLT group reopened and three partially reopened. No open GSVs occurred in HL/S limbs. Ninety-eight percent of the limbs in both groups were free of symptoms. VCSS, AVVSS, and Short Form-36 scores did not reveal any group differences. At 2 years, no differences compared with 1-year results were observed, except that two more GSVs in the EVLT group were partially reopened. Conclusions Abolition of GSV reflux and improvement in quality of life was similar after HL/S and EVLT. After EVLT, however, two GSVs were found completely reopened and five were partially reopened, which was significantly higher than after HL/S. A prolonged follow-up is ongoing.
CdTe hole lifetime from the photovoltaic effect

Abstract A direct determination of the minority carrier lifetime for n-type semiconducting CdTe is described. The value of 5 × 10 -10 sec is obtained from the spectral response of photovoltaic heterojunctions. These junctions are formed on highly-doped single crystals so that minority carrier production and transport occur principally in field-free regions. This value for hole lifetime differs substantially from earlier estimates for the II–VI compounds.
Harmonic diffeomorphisms between Hadamard manifolds

In this paper, we study the Dirichlet problem at infinity for harmonic maps between complete hyperbolic Hadamard surfaces. We will address the existence and uniqueness questions relating to the problem. In particular, we generalize results in the work of Li-Tam and Wan. 0. INTRODUCTION In a series of papers [L-T 1], [L-T 2] and [L-T 3], the first two authors considered the existence, uniqueness and boundary regularity theory for the Dirichlet problem at infinity for proper harmonic maps between hyperbolic spaces. If we denote Em to be ther m-dimensional hyperbolic space with constant -1 sectional curvature, then using the Poincare' disk model, we can represent Hm by the unit m-disk D}m endowed with the Poincare metric ds2m = 4 ds2 where p denotes the Euclidean distance to the origin and ds2 is the Euclidean metric. The geometric compactification is given by the natural compactification of lEDm by the unit (m 1)-sphere Sm-1. Using this identification, a map from Sm-1 to S`1 can be viewed as a map from infinity of H"m to infinity of Hn. Let us summarize some of the results in [L-T 1], [L-T 2] and [L-T 3] as follows: Theorem (Li-Tam). Let q: S(m-1) -, (n-1) be a C1 map which has nowhere vanishing energy density. Then there exists a unique harmonic extension h Hm H Hn of X which is in CI(lrD"m, EDn"). Also, if X is in Ck,a(S(m-l), s(n-1)), for some 1 < k < m and some 0 < a, then h is in Ck,Y(lD"D, lEDn) for some O < y < a. We would like to mention that the existence part of this theorem for the special case when m = 2 = n and for C3 boundary maps which have nowhere vanishing energy density was independently proved by Akutagawa [A]. Using a different point of view, Wan [W] studied harmonic diffeomorphisms between hyperbolic 2-spaces via their associated Hopf differentials. By using the fact that [C-T] the Gauss map of a constant mean curvature cut in a Minkowski space-time is a harmonic map into hyperbolic space, Wan established that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the set of equivalent classes of constant mean curvature cuts and the equivalent classes of quadratic differentials in H2. Received by the editors December 12, 1994. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 58E20. The authors were partially supported by NSF grant #DMS9300422. c 1995 American Mathematical Society
A new formulation of the effective elastic–plastic response of two-phase particulate composite materials

Abstract In this paper the double-inclusion model, originally developed to determine effective linear elastic properties of composite materials, is reformulated and extended to predict the effective nonlinear elastic–plastic response of two-phase particulate composites reinforced with spherical particles. The resulting problem of elastic–plastic deformation of a double-inclusion embedded in an infinite reference medium subjected to an incrementally applied far-field strain is solved by the finite element method. The proposed double-inclusion model is evaluated by comparison of the model predictions to the available exact results obtained by the direct approach using representative volume elements containing many particles. It is found that the double-inclusion formulation is capable of providing accurate prediction of the effective elastic–plastic response of two-phase particulate composites at moderate particle volume fractions.
A MEMS device for measuring laser power and spot size

We propose a new method for using a MEMS device for measuring the power and spot size of a laser beam. The device consists of a doubly-clamped single crystal silicon micro-beam. A laser beam incident on the microstructure exerts an optical pressure on it and consequently the micro-beam gets strained. Analysis and simulations show that the laser power and spot size can be determined by measuring the strains at two different positions on the microstructure.
Diel Activity of an Estuarine Population of Dungeness Crabs, Cancer Magister, in Relation to Feeding and Environmental Factors

ABSTRACT Dungeness crabs, Cancer magister, were collected at subtidal and intertidal sites during four quarterly 3-day diel sampling periods in June and September 1980, and January and April 1981. During each period, trawls were made during day and night, and high and low tide conditions. Crabs were significantly more abundant at the subtidal site. Crabs left the flats during low tide, causing a slight but insignificant increase in low tide densities in the channel. Crabs were more abundant by day at the subtidal site, but more abundant by night at the intertidal site. This phenomenon was statistically significant in January, and over all data combined, and was concluded to be a response to the availability of food, particularly the shrimps Crangon spp. Crab and shrimp densities on the flats were highly positively correlated in September and January, but negatively correlated in June. Reduced catches during spring sampling were associated with very low salinities at the intertidal site and low tides at the subtidal site. These findings have application in the management of estuarine dredging practices.
Influence of Decision-Makers' Characteristics on Outcome of a Selection Process in Medical School

Summary.-In the evaluation of selection of students for medical school, little systematic effort has been given to the influence of the characteristics of decision-makers on the outcomes of the selection process. This paper addresses that issue by exploring whether decision-makers' demographic, social, or psychological characteristics, either singly or together with companion characteristics of applicants, played a role in the final outcomes of the process. The decisionmakers were interviewers and admission committee members who selected 80 students from a pool of 245 applicants to a B.A.-M.D. degree program. The findings suggest that future work on selection needs to take the characteristics of decision-makers into account to ascertain a more complete evaluation of the process. A review of the literature by Cuca, Sakakeeny, and Johnson (1976) indicates that past research on the selection of students for medical school has largely focused on the characteristics of the applicants themselves as major determinants of the outcomes of the admission process. Investigations of the predictive validity of selection criteria are examples of work with that emphasis. Relatively little systematic attention has been given to the effect which the characteristics of the decision-makers, the interviewers and members of selection committees, might have on the process, although such a concern underlies training programs for interviewers2 and social commentary on the composition of selection committees (Funkenstein, 1970). This paper addresses that gap in the literature. It explores the following question: in what ways do the demographic, social, and psychological characteristics of interviewers and selection committee members, either singly or in conjunction with companion characteristics of applicants, influence the recommendations for admission which they give to applicants? Several well-founded generalizations in the social sciences prompt this study. First, individuals' personalities (Bourne & Ekstrand, 1973) and their positions in the social structure ( Merton, 1957) affect their values, attitudes, and modes of thought. Second, characteristics of interviewers as well as those of respondents can influence results of interviews (Sellitz, Jahoda, Deutsch, & Cook, 1959).
Periodic charge-density modulations on graphite near platinum particles.

We have imaged ten different superstructures on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite near adsorbed platinum particles using a scanning tunneling microscope. These superstructures are localized in small areas near the platinum particles and decay within a distance of 2--5 nm into the graphite lattice. When Fourier transformed, the observed structures contain up to three pairs of first-order Fourier components in addition to those of graphite. These Fourier components have different intensities and phases in different directions, but they have the same period of 1.5a (a is the lattice constant of graphite) and are rotated 30\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} relative to the graphite lattice. We show that the observed features are mainly due to a periodic charge-density modulation superimposed onto the graphite lattice, i.e., the platinum particles perturb the surface charge density of graphite giving rise to the superstructures in the nearby regions.
Investigations of the possible relation of ferrihemic acid to drug resistance in Plasmodium berghei

Abstract (1) Spectrophotometric evidence has been presented that ferrihemic acid (hematin) forms complexes with chloroquine and quinine. (2) Ferrihemic acid interferes with the antimalarial action of both quinine and chloroquine when administered with the drugs to mice infected with Plasmodium berghei . (3) Inhibition by chloroquine of O 2 uptake by P. berghei is lessened by the addition of ferrihemate to the reaction mixtures. (4) These studies afford a possible explanation of the mechanism of antimalarial drug resistance.
Turbulent kinetic energy transport in a corner formed by a solid wall and a free surface

High-resolution DPIV and LDV measurements were made in a turbulent mixed- boundary corner, i.e. a turbulent boundary layer generated by horizontal flow of water along a vertical wall in the vicinity of a horizontal free surface. This work is an extension of an earlier numerical/experimental study which established the existence of inner and outer secondary flow regions in the corner. The inner secondary motion is characterized by a weak, slowly evolving vortex with negative streamwise vorticity. The outer secondary motion is characterized by an upflow along the wall and outflow away from the wall at the free surface. The objective of the current investigation, then, was to understand the combined effects of a horizontal, shear-free, free surface and a vertical, rigid, no-slip boundary on turbulent kinetic energy transport. The context of this work is providing physical insights and quantitative data for advancing the state of the art in free-surface turbulence modelling. Experiments were conducted in a large free-surface water tunnel at momentum-thickness Reynolds numbers, Reθ, of 670 for the DPIV studies, and 1150 for the LDV measurements. A high-resolution, two-correlation DPIV program was used to generate ensembles of vector fields in planes parallel to the free surface. These data were further processed to obtain profiles of turbulent kinetic energy transport terms, such as production and dissipation. In addition, profiles of streamwise and surface-normal velocity were made (as functions of distance from the wall) using two-component LDV. Key findings of this study include the fact that both turbulent kinetic energy production and dissipation are dramatically reduced close to the free surface. Far from the wall, this results in an increase in surface-parallel uctuations very close to the free surface. The degree of this anisotropy and the spatial scales over which it exists are critical data for improved free-surface turbulence models.
The magnitude of radiation force on ultrasound contrast agents

High-speed photography of insonified bubbles with a time resolution of 10 ns allows observations of translation due to radiation force, in addition to the visualization of radial oscillations. A modified version of the Rayleigh-Plesset equation is used to estimate the radius-time behavior of insonified microbubbles, and the accuracy of this model is verified experimentally. The translation of insonified microbubbles is calculated using a differential equation relating the acceleration of the bubble to the forces due to acoustic radiation and the drag imposed by the fluid. Simulations and experiments indicate that microbubbles translate significant distances with clinically relevant parameters. A 1.5 micron radius contrast agent can translate over 5 microns during a single 20-cycle, 2.25 MHz, 380 kPa acoustic pulse, achieving velocities over 0.5 m/s. Therefore, radiation force should be considered during an ultrasonic examination because of the possibility of influencing the position and flow velocity of the contrast agents with the interrogating acoustic beam.
Squared Rank Test Appropriate to Weather Modification Cross-over Desigt

A squared rank test is introduced as a tool for evaluating precipitation data from a commonly employed weather modification experimental design termed a cross-over design. The existence of tied observations is taken into account in obtaining a lkormslized form of the test. An asymptotic comparison is made of distributions for which this squared rank test, the Wilcoxon test and the median test are asymptotically optimum against location alternatives. Also a specific numerical example is given.
Metrology for the Micro-Arcsecond Metrology testbed

The Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) relies on the combination of interferometry with a metrology system capable of measuring picometer relative length changes and micrometer absolute lengths. We are designing the Micro-Arcsec Metrology Test-Bed (MAM) to put these two systems together in a large vacuum tank (12m long, 2.4m in diameter). The interferometer has a 1.8 m baseline and is looking at an artificial star 10 m away. The metrology system is measuring the distances between the interferometer mirrors, the interferometer mirrors and the 'star' (external metrology), and the interferometer arm lengths(internal metrology). We are using two common path laser heterodyne interferometers to monitor each of these distances. The light sources used are two Nd:YAG lasers with different frequencies, f 0 and F 0 + 30 GHz. This allows measurement of relative lengths changes as well as absolute lengths. The design for the heterodyne interferometers is in progress using our experience from 1-D and 3-D metrology experiments performed in the past. Modifications include reducing the cross-talk in the internal metrology and adding a polarizing beamsplitter to the laser light path to compensate for path lengths changes caused by temperature changes.
Alternative Medicine: Is It All in Your Mind?

Therapeutic interventions may trigger nonspecific mechanisms whose effects are not attributable to the specific properties of a given treatment. Recent investigations on the placebo effect as well as other mind-body interactions are helping us to understand some of the underlying mechanisms, as well as beginning to provide us with potentially effective adjuvant treatment strategies for a variety of human diseases.
Inference for Surrogate Endpoint Validation in the Binary Case

Surrogate endpoint validation for a binary surrogate endpoint and a binary true endpoint is investigated using the criteria of proportion explained (PE) and the relative effect (RE). The concepts of generalized confidence intervals and fiducial intervals are used for computing confidence intervals for PE and RE. The numerical results indicate that the proposed confidence intervals are satisfactory in terms of coverage probability, whereas the intervals based on Fieller’s theorem and the delta method fall short in this regard. Our methodology can also be applied to interval estimation problems in a causal inference-based approach to surrogate endpoint validation.
Structural and Hydrodynamic Analysis of a Novel Drug Delivery Vector: ELP[V5G3A2-150]

The therapeutic potential of elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) conjugated to therapeutic compounds is currently being investigated as an approach to target drugs to solid tumors. ELPs are hydrophobic polymers that are soluble at low temperatures and cooperatively aggregate above a transition temperature (TT), allowing for thermal targeting of covalently attached drugs. They have been shown to cooperatively transition from a disordered structure to a repeating type II β-turn structure, forming a β-spiral above the TT. Here we present biophysical measurements of the structural, thermodynamic, and hydrodynamic properties of a specific ELP being investigated for drug delivery, ELP[V5G3A2-150]. We examine the biophysical properties below and above the TT to understand and predict the therapeutic potential of ELP-drug conjugates. We observed that below the TT, ELP[V5G3A2-150] is soluble, with an extended conformation consisting of both random coil and heterogeneous β structures. Sedimentation velocity experiments indicate that ELP[V5G3A2-150] undergoes weak self-association with increasing temperature, and above the TT the hydrophobic effect drives aggregation entropically. These experiments also reveal a previously unreported temperature-dependent critical concentration (Cc) that resembles a solubility constant. Labeling ELP[V5G3A2-150] with fluorescein lowers the TT by 3.5°C at 20 μM, whereas ELP[V5G3A2-150] dissolution in physiological media (fetal bovine serum) increases the TT by ∼2.2°C.
Expression and Cytogenetic Localization of the Human SM22 Gene (TAGLN)

SM22 is a 22-kDa protein identified variously as SM22, transgelin, WS3-10, or mouse p27. Though its precise function is unknown, it is abundant in smooth muscle and so may contribute to the physiology of this widespread tissue. We found that cosmid 16b6 contains the entire 5.4-kb, five-exon human SM22 gene (HGMW-approved symbol, TAGLN), and we cytogenetically localized the gene to chromosome 11q23.2. Northern analysis of human adult tissues showed that SM22 mRNA is most prevalent in smooth muscle-containing tissues, but is also found at lower levels in heart. The human SM22 promoter contains nuclear factor-binding motifs known to regulate transcription in smooth muscle, and human SM22 promoter-luciferase reporter constructs exhibited high transcriptional activity in A7r5 or primary canine aortic smooth muscle cells, but show little activity in nonmuscle COS7 cells. In addition, human SM22 promoter activity increased by two- to threefold upon serum stimulation of nonmuscle cells.
Enthalpies of Reaction of Cp‘Ru(COD)Cl (Cp‘ = C5H5, C5Me5; COD = Cyclooctadiene) with π-Acceptor Chelating Phosphine Ligands

The enthalpies of reaction of Cp‘Ru(COD)Cl (Cp‘ = C5H5, C5Me5; COD = 1,5- cyclooctadiene) with a series of π-acceptor bidentate phosphines, leading to the formation of Cp‘Ru(PP)Cl complexes, have been measured by anaerobic calorimetry in THF at 30 °C. These reactions are rapid and quantitative. Structural studies have been carried out on two complexes in this series. The overall relative order of stability established for these complexes in both Cp and Cp* systems is (PhO)2PNMeNMeP(OPh)2 > Ph2PNMeNMeP Ph2 ≈ (C4H4N)2PCH2CH2P(NC4H4)2 > ((EtO2C)2C4H2N)2PCH2CH2P(NC4H2(CO2 Et)2)2. Present thermochemical data are discussed in terms of the nature of the bonding involved in the present complexes.
Interaction between soil hydrology and boundary-layer development

A two-layer model of soil hydrology and thermodynamics is combined with a one-dimensional model of the planetary boundary layer to study various interactions between evolution of the boundary layer and soil moisture transport. Boundary-layer moistening through surface evaporation reduces the potential and actual surface evaporation as well as the boundary-layer growth. With more advanced stages of soil drying, the restricted surface evaporation allows greater sensible heat flux which enhances boundary-layer growth and entrainment drying.
Interleukin-1-production by monocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) by glass-adherent monocytes from 18 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was measured. Patients were divided into three groups according to disease activity. A deficient production of IL-1 was found in monocytes of SLE patients both without stimulation and after stimulation with 5 μg of lipopolysaccharide. The decreased production correlated with the degree of disease. Addition of phorbol myristate acetate to monocytes caused only partial normalization of the decreased IL-1 production. The IL-1 deficiency in SLE is postulated to be a part of complex abnormalities of cell-mediated immunity in this disease.
Labor/Political Factors for International Firms in Developing Regions

Productivity, in both developed and developing regions, may be considered one of the most important aspects of cost-control operations. However, the duration of contracts managed by international firms in developing countries often drastically exceeds the estimate. This is because the organizations fail to recognize the low labor production in these regions. The aim of this paper is to investigate and compare with the United States the labor production of 31 activities in two different developing countries, Ghana and Nepal. The findings show that the production factors and man-hours per unit, are significantly lower in Ghana indicating that the use of equipment in Ghana is generally more prevalent than in Nepal. Nevertheless, both countries have factors higher than the United States. Overall, the results could be utilized by international designers and constructors to estimate their labor requirements. The effects of labor unions and of governmental instability, which may be especially important in developing regions, are also discussed. In addition, the cost of materials and equipment is taken into consideration.
Colloidal quantum dot based photonic devices

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) have received much attention in the recent times due to their attractive spectral properties leading to wide range of potential applications in bio-imaging/sensing, display, telecommunication and quantum cryptography. The colloidal QDs allow spin-coating based processing, possibility of self-assembly, compatibility with silicon platform and tunability in absorption and emission spectra. While these QDs have become one of the most attractive photonic nanomaterials, they have still not found widespread application in practical photonic devices. This is in part due to the difficulty in incorporating these QDs into photonic structures. Practical ultrafast all-optical switches, modulators, flexible emitters, and room temperature single photon sources using these QDs can be realized if they can be patterned into waveguide or microcavity structures. Enhancement in luminescence, and lasing has been observed from colloidal QDs using different light confining structures [1–8]. Here we present our recent work towards achieving this goal by demonstrating colloidal QD embedded one-dimensional microcavities, microdisks, waveguides, metamaterials, and quasi-periodic photonic crystals.
The histological course of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a longitudinal study of 103 patients with sequential liver biopsies.

Background/Aims The histological course of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains undescribed. Therefore, we examined the liver histology of NAFLD patients who had undergone sequential liver biopsies. Methods Data on 103 patients who underwent serial liver biopsies in the absence of effective treatment were reviewed, and biopsies scored in a blind fashion. Results Mean interval between biopsies was 3.2±3.0 years (range 0.7–21.3). Fibrosis stage apparently progressed in 37%, remained stable in 34% and regressed in 29%. Severity of steatosis, inflammation, hepatocyte ballooning and Mallory's hyaline improved significantly. Aminotransferases decreased significantly between biopsies, paralleling improvement in steatosis and inflammatory features but not fibrosis stage. The rate of fibrosis change ranged from −2.05 to 1.7 stages/year. By multivariate analysis, diabetes ( P =0.007) and low initial fibrosis stage ( P P =0.008) when cirrhotics were excluded. Conclusions Fibrosis in NAFLD progresses slowly over time with considerable variability in the rate of changes among patients. Changes of aminotransferases do not parallel changes in fibrosis stage. Diabetic patients with elevated BMI and low fibrosis stage are at risk for higher rates of fibrosis progression.
Nitric Oxide Signaling and the Regulation of Myocardial Function

Nitric oxide, which is produced endogenously within cardiac myocytes by three distinct isoforms of nitric oxide synthase, is a key regulator of myocardial function. This review will focus on the regulation of myocardial function by each nitric oxide synthase isoform during health and disease, with a specific emphasis on the proposed end-targets and signaling pathways.
AMP-activated protein kinase is negatively associated with intramuscular fat content in longissimus dorsi muscle of beef cattle

Marbling, or intramuscular fat, is an important factor in meat quality. As a key regulator of lipid metabolism, AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) may be associated with intramuscular fat accumulation. Our objective was to evaluate the relationship among AMPK and its associated signaling mediators, with marbling and lean growth in beef cattle. Steers with high intramuscular fat content (High IMF, 5.71±0.36%, n=5) and low intramuscular fat content (Low IMF, 2.09±0.19%, n=5) were selected. High IMF was associated with increased tenderness (P<0.05) and backfat thickness (P<0.01). Muscle weights were higher in Low compared to High IMF (P<0.05). High IMF steers had a reduced AMPK activity (P<0.01), reduced acetyl-CoA carboxylase phosphorylation (P<0.05), and reduced total mTOR (P=0.02) content. Data provide evidence that AMPK is involved in IMF deposition in beef cattle.
Recent progress in quantifying glass-forming ability of bulk metallic glasses

The {gamma} parameter proposed by the authors has prompted a lot of new interests in quantifying glass-forming ability (GFA) of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs). As a result, many different GFA indicators/criteria have been suggested lately. Recent development in this area is summarized herein; it was found that all newly developed parameters can be grouped into three basic categories according to their definitions. Our statistical analysis, particularly the direct comparison with the {sigma} parameter developed by Park et al., shows that the universal GFA indicator ? is still the best in terms of reliability and applicability. In addition, limitations of all the GFA parameters will be discussed, and future focuses in quantifying GFA of metallic systems will also be suggested.
INCARCERATION VS. COMMUNITY‐BASED CORRECTIONS: MORE THAN JUST POLITICS*

Community-based corrections (CBC) is advocated as a solution to many of the problems of contemporary American corrections. Its smallscale, treatment-oriented approach, emphasis on employment and adjustment programs, and stress on greater accessibility are cited increasingly as reforms needed by a system now dominated by overcrowded and highly expensive prisons. Yet, the implementation of CBC programs has been slow and very often little actual reform is evident. This paper offers an explanation for the failure of CBC initiatives using Delaware's experience as a case in point. The domination of American correctional thinking by an ideology of incarceration and the stable-state requirements of prisons are identified as the crucial factors shaping the fate of CBC.
Photolysis of chloride precursors as a method to prepare and characterize the triplet state of fluorenyl-substituted m-xylylene diradicals

Fluorenyl substituted m-xylylene triplet diradicals are conveniently generated from the corresponding dichloride precursors upon photolysis at <100 K in 2-MeTHF glass. Under similar conditions tert-butyl substituted Schlenk type m-xylylene could not be generated from the dichloride precursor 6. Compound 6, however could be dehalogenated with zinc dust in both toluene and 2-MeTHF to produce the triplet diradical.
A panel data analysis of the impacts of regional economic factors, marketing and promotions, and team performance on minor league baseball attendance

Using panel data for the period 2007–2011, this study seeks to identify key economic, promotions, team performance, and other determinants of attendance at minor league baseball games in the Carolina League, which consists of teams from eight metropolitan areas. The PLS, Fixed-Effects estimations identify several promotions that successfully attract fans. These include fireworks displays and both high-value and low-value merchandise promotions, food and drink specials, family/group general admission ticket discounts, and beer discounts. Furthermore, those venues with higher per capita incomes and larger populations tend to have higher attendance levels. There is evidence that higher average ticket prices reduce attendance. There also is evidence that team performance in the form of winning and greater total runs scored per game attracts fans: teams with better win–loss records have higher attendance, as do home teams that play in higher scoring games. There is evidence that home teams committing more fielding errors experience a modest decline in attendance. Attendance appears to be higher on the Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day weekends. Finally, attendance is sensitive to scheduling. Games scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays and during July have much higher attendance, whereas games on Mondays and Tuesdays have much lower attendance.
Graphs of spheres and tori

Abstract In this paper we show how to compute the Euler characteristic of a graph if we know the neighborhood of any vertex of the graph. We build the graphs of the sphere and the torus, and use the obtained formula for the Euler characteristic for the evaluation of the number of vertices. We apply the obtained construction to compute the number of differing elements in tilings of the sphere and the torus.
Next generation data analytics at IBM research

IBM Research has a rich history of innovation in information management with several revolutionary breakthroughs, including the invention of relational databases, advanced text analytics demonstrated by Watson, and the first data mining algorithms to name a few. IBM Research has been committed to contributing to the community via seminal papers, exemplified by several 10-year awards received by IBM researchers. This short abstract is intended as a quick tour of some of the current information management projects, and not meant to be an exhaustive list by any means. There has been many disruptive technological developments over the last decade. The emergence of cloud computing, and several large scale data processing platforms, advances in on-line social media, the explosion of data volumes, and the advances in hardware have all forced us to rethink the information management architectures and platforms. Today, enterprises are dealing with myriad of data modalities (unstructured, semi-structured, and structured) and very complex and diverse analytics on ever-expanding data volumes to drive business decisions. At IBM Research we are reinventing classical data management solutions to this high speed and volume demand (Section 2), building complex analytical platforms for end-to-end analysis of data (Section 3), building technologies for supporting large scale analytics (Section 4) and graph data (Section 5), as well as solutions that exploit new hardware (Section 6).
Microbial metabolites control gut inflammatory responses.

An estimated 100 trillion bacteria populate the human gut and are separated by a single layer of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) from the innate and adaptive immune cells of the lamina propria. Considering that both commensal and pathogenic microbes share many molecular features and that these features are detected by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) displayed by immune cells, it is necessary to understand how appropriate inflammatory responses against pathogens are coordinated in the presence of such high numbers of innocuous bacteria. Current thinking holds that the mucosal immune system tolerates commensal microbes while maintaining the ability to mount a robust protective response against pathogens. This process must operate within the context of a dynamic equilibrium of microbial diversity that rapidly fluctuates in response to an environment of ingested dietary materials (1). Lack of response to pathogenic onslaught leaves the host vulnerable to barrier penetration and systemic infection, whereas aberrant inflammatory responses against the commensal community result in tissue damage and dysbiosis that perturbs the microbial community and facilitates inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It has long been appreciated that commensal bacteria are necessary for digestion of plant-derived starches, bile acid production, and vitamin acquisition. Observations that byproducts of these processes are reduced in IBD patients have led many groups to test whether these microbial metabolites shape intestinal immunity. In PNAS, Chang et al. (2) show that a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), n-butyrate, produced as an end product of bacterial anaerobic fermentation of starches, has potent anti-inflammatory properties and inhibits proinflammatory responses by intestinal macrophages. These data indicate, along with an additional emerging body of evidence, that certain bacterial species communicate with the immune system through their metabolites to influence both the magnitude and the quality of the immune response (Fig. 1).
Crystal Chemistry of Hydrous Calcium Silicates: I, Substitution of Aluminum in Lattice of Tobermorite

Mixtures of 0.8 moles of CaO per mole of SiO2 plus Al2O3 were prepared from lime, kaolin, and tripoli (microcrystalline quartz); the amounts of SiO2 to Al2O3 were varied to give from 0.2 to 20.7% Al2O3 by weight of dry solids. After hydrothermal treatment (170° to 175°C.), the products were examined by differential thermal analysis and by X-ray diffraction. A homogeneous solid identified as the mineral tobermorite (4CaO.5SiO2.5H2O) and containing up to 4 or 5% Al2O3 was obtained. Increasing the amount of Al2O3 in the raw mixture above about 5% resulted in the formation of the hydrogarnet 3CaO.Al2O3.SiO2.4H2O as a second phase. Allowing for the Al2O3 combined in this solid, it was indicated that slightly more Al2O3 was substituted in the tobermorite as the amount was increased in the raw mixture. It is suggested that the Al3+ ions probably assume tetrahedral coordination when substituting for the Si4+ ions.
A review of the use of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) to differentiate among cryptic Anopheles species

Cryptic species complexes are groups of closely related species that are difficult or impossible to distinguish by morphological traits. These complexes are known from a wide variety of arthropods and are common among the well-studied, medically-important insects. For example, many of the anopheline vectors of malaria parasites are members of cryptic species complexes. Complexes typically include both vector and non-vector species, and two or more member species are often found sympatrically. Until the late 1950, only two such Anopheles complexes were known, the A. gambiae complex from Africa and the A. maculipennis complex from Europe. Today, dozens of Anopheles cryptic species complexes are recognized, and accumulating evidence suggests that most important malaria vectors are likely to be members of such complexes. A variety of methods have been developed for identifying the species of individual specimens from these complexes, although until recently only those based on species-specific allozymes and polytene chromosome inversions were widely used. The limitations inherent in these methods have been circumvented with DNA-based procedures, which are especially useful because both sexes and all developmental stages can be identified, and DNA can be recovered from samples stored by a wide variety of simple methods. Several DNA-based identification techniques have been developed, including hybridization assays based on species-specific repeat sequences, and diagnostic PCR fragments produced either by the use of random PCR primers or by amplifying DNA with primers based on known species-specific sequences. In this review we discuss the relative marks of different methods of cryptic species identification, with emphasis on the use of ribosomal DNA as a target for species-diagnostic PCR assays.
The Maximum Likelihood, the Minimum Chi-Square and the Nonlinear Weighted Least-Squares Estimator in the General Qualitative Response Model

Abstract This article deals with the general qualitative response model involving several polytomous variables. An extension of Berkson's minimum chi-square estimator to this model is defined and shown to be not always asymptotically efficient, and the conditions under which it is so are derived. It is also shown that the nonlinear weighted least squares method proposed by Walker and Duncan [11] is equivalent to the method of scoring.
A high-temperature, high-voltage, fast response linear voltage regulator

This paper reports a high-temperature integrated linear voltage regulator implemented in a 0.8-μm BCD (bipolar, CMOS and DMOS)-on-silicon-on-insulator process. This step-down voltage regulator converts an unregulated high input DC voltage to a regulated nominal CMOS voltage (i.e. 5 V) for the low-side buffer (pre-driver) and other digital and analog building blocks of a high-temperature integrated gate driver circuit. An error amplifier inside the regulator has been designed using inversion coefficient methodology, and a temperature stable current reference has been used to bias the error amplifier. The linear regulator provides an output voltage of 5.3 V at room temperature and can supply a maximum load current of 200 mA. The linear voltage regulator integrated circuit has been tested at ambient temperatures from 25 to 200 °C with the input voltage varying from 10 to 30 V. A compensation method (pole swap) that extends the range of the system stability has been implemented and analyzed in detail. The simulated unity gain bandwidth can reach approximately 4 MHz when the load current is 200 mA and the measured transient response time is less than 150 nS when the load current is 50 mA and the ambient temperature is 200 °C.
Preparation And Characterization Of RF Sputtered A-Si:H Films For Optoelectronic Device Applications.

The preparation of hydrogenated amorphous silicon. (a-Si:H) thin films by RF sputtering has been investi-gated. Subsequent characterization of the properties of these films indicates that this manner of deposition is suitable for use in the fabrication of thin-film waveguide photodetectors.
First Industrial Strength Multi-Axial Robotic Testing Campaign for Composite Material Characterization

In this paper we are reporting on the first successful campaign of systematic, automated and massive multiaxial tests for composite material constitutive characterization. The 6 degrees of freedom system developed at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) called NRL66.3, was used for this task. This was the in-augural run that served as the validation of the proposed overall constitutive characterization methodology. It involved accomplishing performing 1152 tests in 12 business days reaching a peak throughput of 212 tests per day. We describe the context of the effort in terms of the reasoning and the actual methods behind it. Finally, we present representative experimental data and associated constitutive characterization results for representative loading paths.© 2012 ASME
Comments on galactic evolution and nucleocosmochronology.

Long-lived nucleochronologies are calculated for several recently proposed models of the chemical evolution of the Galaxy. Special attention is paid to the Re-187/Os-187 chronometer, for which important data have recently become available. It is found that although the rate of star formation does vary with time in the different models, the quantity that is related to the effective net rate of nucleosynthesis is constant for most of the physically plausible recent-evolution models examined. This constant net rate implies that for these models, the age of the Galaxy at the time the solar system formed is twice the mean age of the stable elements. This mean age can be estimated by the parameter 'delta max', in which case the age of the Galaxy is twice this parameter plus the age of the solar system. The present uncertainties in 'delta max' yield an age for the Galaxy of 7 to 20 billion years. However, this range could be significantly reduced by an accurate measurement of the half-life of Re-187 and more knowledge on the effect of stellar temperatures on the Os-186/Os-187 neutron-capture cross-section ratio. In fact, experiments which could be carried out in the next few years can reduce these uncertainties tremendously and enable an age determination to be made which might severely restrict cosmological models.
Row ideals of certain normal ideals

Abstract We relate results of Huckaba and Huneke, and Huneke, Ulrich and Vasconcelos on the structure of the row ideals of certain normal ideals. We also give some contribution to normality as related to a theorem of Huckaba and Huneke, and their counter example to a conjecture of Vasconcelos.