cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis of the Lower Extremity: Premature Aging of Youthful Joints

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) accounts for approximately 12% of lower extremity symptomatic, radiographic osteoarthritis (OA). Traumatic injury can both increase the risk of OA and accelerate the time to onset as compared to the development of OA from other etiologies. Injuries to the ACL and meniscus are the most prominent contributors to the onset of post-traumatic knee OA, each accounting for nearly 25% of serious knee injuries. There is much debate as to whether ACL reconstruction surgery promotes or diminishes the risk of PTOA. While surgery causes further trauma to the knee, it also stabilizes the knee, thereby reducing the risk of future meniscal tear—another substantial contributor to PTOA. Post-traumatic hip OA is most often a result of acetabular fracture, although genetic factors and high-impact sports have also been shown to promote the early onset of OA. While ankle OA is far less common within the population as compared to knee and hip OA, the rate of post-traumatic ankle OA development is substantially greater for persons sustaining ankle injury than for those sustaining hip or knee injuries, likely as a result of the ankle’s anatomic structure. There are currently no treatments available to reverse or prevent further joint degeneration and the onset of OA, and thus, injury prevention is currently the most effective prevention strategy for post-traumatic OA.
Development of a durable ice protective coating for use on rotorcraft

Abstract Ice protective coatings could revolutionize the aviation industry as they could assist or even replace traditional ice protection systems that increase the vehicle weight and power requirements. A major problem for many potential ice protective coatings is durability. This paper explores whether erosion resistant titanium aluminum nitride coatings (TiAlN) can be made ice protective by reducing both surface roughness and coating defects (such as pin holes or scratches). Cathodic arc physical vapor deposition was used to deposit TiAlN on 304 stainless steel. The coatings were polished post deposition using a vibratory polisher to achieve the highest quality coating to date (surface roughness of 12.6 nm). Aircraft representative impact ice adhesion strength testing was conducted using an instrumented centrifugal adhesion testing rig. The test results demonstrated that TiAlN coatings can be made ice protective. Coatings with a surface roughness of 12.6 nm were found to have an ice adhesion strength of 1.4 psi at −8 °C, with a droplet impact velocity of 60 m/s, icing cloud density of 0.9 g/m3, and a droplet median volumetric diameter of 20 μm. The research conducted not only demonstrated the capability to reduce ice adhesion strength by reducing surface roughness, but also showed that as TiAlN coatings became smoother (surface roughness varying from 1690 nm to 12.6 nm) the dependence of ice adhesion strength on temperature decreased. The result presented demonstrates that aircraft ice adhesion strength is a highly mechanical phenomenon as the ice interacts with the surface morphology.
Dynamic Reliability Models

This paper summarizes the results presented at the International Conference on Lifetime Data Models in Reliability and Survival Analysis held at Harvard University in June 1994. A detailed version will appear elsewhere.
To C or not to C, that is the question!*

In this issue of the Journal , Osganian et al. [(1)][1]in Dr. Walter Willett’s group at Harvard University report that women in the Nurses’ Health Study who took vitamin C supplements had a significantly lower risk of incident coronary heart disease (CHD) than women who did not take vitamin C
Heterogeneous Data Integration with Mobile Information Managers

Genomic and protein sequences, and in general molecular biology data, belongs to a relatively new information medium, with its own specific processing algorithms. Integrating such data from heterogeneous sources presents many of the challenges presented by integrating more common multimedia database integration. In this talk we are discussing solutions built as distributed applications because of the need for information sharing and that are easily scalable and reconfigurable in order to accommodate the frequent changes requested by molecular biology researchers. Specifically, we consider Mobile Information Managers (MIMs) which combine a specific approach to generating mediators with some aspects of agent technology, with everything based on a strongly uniform formal foundation.
The promoter of the human monoamine oxidase A gene.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an experiment to show the promoter of the human monoamine oxidase (MAO) A that oxidizes norepinephrine and serotonin and is expressed in a cell type-specific manner. Evidence that MAO A deficient males in a large Dutch kindred suffer from mild mental retardation and occasional episodes of impulsive-aggressive behavior makes it important to understand the way the human MAO A promoter is regulated. In various studies, protein-coding sequences of the human MAO A gene and the DNA region have been isolated and characterized where mRNA synthesis is initiated. The chapter summarizes the representative results of transient expression assays aimed at assessing whether some potential gene regulatory agents affect the expression of luciferase from MAO A promoter reporter constructs when transfected into a mouse L cell line that expresses MAO A. These studies revealed no specific regulatory effects of serum, dexamethasone, or a stable cyclic-AMP analogue on the human MAO A promoter introduced.
Structures of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes

The protein database has > 450 entries with P450 in the title and of these there are approximately 54 unique structures. Although this sample of unique structures is small relative to the large number of P450s in Nature, it now is clear that the overall P450-fold is highly conserved and restricted to P450s and a small handful of other heme–thiolate enzymes. These crystal structures exhibit adaptations that underlie interactions with specific protein partners and in eukaryotes contribute to membrane binding. A handful of structures now have been solved in both the substrate-free open and substrate-bound closed states, and, while the details may differ among P450s, the open/close motion is very similar and involves the same elements of secondary structure. While the open form is more flexible, and thus may sample a number of isoenergetic conformations, highly specific P450s have only one unique substrate-bound conformation. In sharp contrast, for drug-metabolizing P450s, those regions most important for the open/close equilibrium also can adapt to substrates of different sizes, shapes, and chemical properties and is a unique design feature of these nonspecific P450s. Critical to understanding precisely how and which regions are most adaptable in drug-metabolizing P450s are the increasing number of ligand-bound structures.
CAUSES OF INFANT MORTALITY IN CHINA: 1988-1990

Using the data for infant mortality in China in 1988-1990fromthe World Health Organization, this paper offers a preliminary examination of causes of infant mortality in China during the period from 1988to 1990. The major findings of the study are 1) the pattern of Chinese infant mortality is generally consistent with that of most developing countries; 2) diseases of the respiratory system, perinatal mortality and accidents as well as injuries consist of the 3 major categories which all together account for about 80 to 90 percent of overall infant mortality rates; 3) rural infants still die at a higher rate than urban infants; and 4) no significant gender discrepancy exists between male and female infant deaths the different causes. The study shows although Chinese infant mortality rates have declined dramatically during the last few decades, the infant mortality patterns still resemble those in less developed nations. Hence, there is room for improvement in sanitary conditions and public health measures, for economic development and higher living standards, and for advance in medical technology .
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of clostridial bacteraemia in cancer patients

Abstract Clostridial bacteraemia is usually associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. However, clinical characteristics and risk factors for early mortality in this population are poorly described. We retrospectively studied cancer patients with clostridial bacteraemia treated between January 1996 and December 2011. We compared clinical manifestations between patients with solid tumour and haematological malignancy and assessed risk factors for 7-day mortality. In all, 164 cancer patients developed clostridial bacteraemia during the study period—85 (52%) with solid tumour and 79 (48%) with haematological malignancy. Common isolates were Clostridium perfringens (27%), Clostridium septicum (19%) and Clostridium tertium (14%). Solid tumour malignancy patients were more likely to have a focal gastrointestinal source for bacteraemia and were more likely to undergo subsequent surgery. Haematological malignancy patients were more often neutropenic and more often had no focal source of bacteraemia. Seven-day mortality was 20% (33/164) and did not vary based on malignancy type. The adjusted odds ratio of dying within 7 days of clostridial bacteraemia among patients with hypotension (40/164) was 7.2 (95% CI, 2.9–18.1) and in patients with acute haemolysis (7/164) was 10.5 (95% CI, 1.3–85.2). Clostridial species also impacted mortality; no patient with C. tertium bacteraemia died within 7 days. In conclusion, clinical manifestations of clostridial bacteraemia differed between patients with solid tumour and haematological malignancy, but 7-day mortality was similar. Patients with hypotension and haemolysis at time of bacteraemia were at increased risk for early death.
Risk Stratification for Acute Pulmonary Embolism

This article discusses state-of-the-art techniques for predicting risk of death after acute pulmonary embolism (PE), with special attention to how underlying malignancy adversely affects survival after an episode. Current methods of risk stratification generally categorize patients with PE as low-, moderate-, and high-risk for in-hospital adverse outcomes of respiratory failure, circulatory shock, and death. Published risk stratification studies find that patients with PE and an underlying malignancy have a worse prognosis, but no validated risk stratification criteria have been published specifically for these patients. Standard treatment is full-dose heparin followed by oral anticoagulation. The term escalated treatment refers to the use of systemic or intrapulmonary fibrinolytic agents, catheter-based treatment, or surgical embolectomy. Most patients with low-risk PE (normal vital signs and normal serum troponin, brain natriuretic peptide, and normal echocardiography) are treated successfully with standard anticoagulation, and many can be treated as outpatients. In contrast, patients with high-risk PE (systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg and no contraindications) often benefit from escalated treatment. Treatment decisions for patients with moderate-risk PE (normotension with evidence of right ventricular damage or dysfunction) are most controversial. Most patients in this category of risk recover with standard therapy, but some benefit from escalated treatment. Patients with cancer with an incidentally discovered PE should be risk stratified the same as those who have clinically suspected PE.
Analysis of micro-Doppler signature due to indoor human motion using multilevel fast multipole algorithm on GPU cluster

Detecting and tracking human motion in indoor environments are essential for both commercial (vital sign detection of elderly) and military applications (counter terrorism). Small variations in the carrier frequency caused by motion can be detected by Doppler radar systems. The micro-Doppler frequency shift depends on the transmitted frequency and the velocity of the different body parts over time. Different types of motions can be identified and classified from micro-Doppler spectrograms. Due to its bipedal nature, human micro-Doppler signature can be differentiated from others, including those caused by four-legged animals.
Binary interactions of poly(ethylene covinyl alcohol) with poly(4-vinyl pyridine) and poly(n-butyl methacrylate)

The effect of hydrogen bonding on the phase behavior of binary polymer blends of poly(ethylene covinyl alcohol) (EVOH) with poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) and poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (PVPy) was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR/ATR). The association model of Painter, Coleman, and co-workers was used to analyze the effect of hydrogen bonding on miscibility of polymer blends containing EVOH. The equilibrium constants of solvation of EVOH with PVPy are determined from the quantitative analysis of spectra at 60, 100, and 140 °C and compared with previous results available at room temperature. The equilibrium constants of solvation of EVOH with PBMA were similarly determined at 60, 100, and 140 °C. Results for these binary blends are of interest in understanding the roles of compatibilizers and predicting results for multicomponent blend. Because the pyridine nitrogen and the carbonyl oxygen absorb in different regions of the IR spectrum, this choice of com...
Atomic scale characterization of interfacial water near an oxide surface using molecular dynamics simulations

Atomic scale characterization of the structure and dynamics of confined water molecules located near the metal oxide-aqueous interface is carried out using molecular dynamics simulations. Proximity effects on water molecules (H(2)O) near a magnesium oxide surface (MgO(100)) at room temperature are evaluated based on various structural and dynamical correlation functions. Translational and orientational order parameters are used to quantify the extent of ordering of water molecules near the oxide surface. There is significant ordering of water molecules in the two layers close to the oxide interface and the extent of ordering decreases with increasing distance from the oxide-water interface. The characteristic structural features of proximal water molecules near oxide-aqueous interfaces are strongly correlated to their vibrational densities of states. Systematic trends in libration, bending, and stretching bands are correlated with local ordering of water molecules and the hydrogen-bonding network. We find that restricted transverse oscillations result in larger blue shifts in O-O-O bending and O-O stretching bands for water molecules having increased proximity to the interface. The O-H stretching band is red-shifted whereas the libration bands for proximal water are blue shifted with respect to bulk water; the extent of shifts are sensitive to the interface proximity, their local confinement and their hydrogen bonding status.
Gender knowledge in egalitarian and traditional families

In the present paper, a small sample of 27 two-parent families who were self-identified as sharing parenting equally are compared with a more traditional set of 42 two-parent families. Both samples were primarily Caucasian. Children from the egalitarian families adopted gender labels later during the second year of life and showed less sex role knowledge at age 4 than the children in the more traditional families. Fathers in the egalitarian sample were more liberal on the Attitudes Toward Women Scale than fathers in the F-L study. Fathers in the egalitarian sample interacted with their child 50% of the time (on an equal basis with the mothers), while fathers in the F-L sample contributed only 25% of the parent—child interaction. Boys in the F-L sample received more negative reactions, but this was not true in the egalitarian families. The point is made that it is fathers who are behaving differently in the egalitarian sample; the mothers in both samples were very similar in both attitudes and behaviors.
H- and tritium-assisted fracture in N-strengthened, austentitic stainless steel

This study examines hydrogenassisted fracture in the nitrogenstrengthened, austenitic stainless-steel 22Cr-13Ni-5Mn (22-13-5) emphasizing the effects of processing and heat treatment. The effects of tritium and decay helium on fracture of forged 22-13-5 are characterized, and the results show that 22-13-5 is attractive for service in hydrogen environments and help to define the processing and microstructure windows required for acceptable properties.
Empowering teachers to create educational software: A constructivist approach utilizing Etoys, pair programming and cognitive apprenticeship

This study investigates whether a visual programming environment called Etoys could enable teachers to create software applications meeting their own instructional needs. Twenty-four teachers who participated in the study successfully developed their own educational computer programs in the educational technology course employing cognitive apprenticeship and pair programming approaches as the primary instructional strategies. Two educational software programs created by the participating teachers were described in order to explain what they were trying to do using Etoys and how they accomplished their goals. The results of an anonymous survey evaluating the difficulty of and the attitude toward learning Etoys indicate that teachers enjoyed learning Etoys and would like to continue to use it in the future although they found it was slightly more difficult, compared to their self-evaluated computer skill. The strengths and weaknesses of Etoys, the difficult computer programming concepts, and the educational implications of Etoys programming were also discussed.
Acetylcholine and norepinephrine mediate slow synaptic potentials in normal and epileptic neocortex.

Abstract Slow excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) were identified in rat neocortical slices. Such potentials, resistant to blockade of glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA A ) receptors, were partially antagonized by muscarinic or β-adrenergic antagonists separately, and completely blocked when these agents were added in combination. Slow EPSPs were enhanced by a cholinesterase inhibitor or catecholamine reuptake blockers. Spontaneous epileptic discharges induced by picrotoxin also triggered slow EPSPs. Such potentials were pharmacologically identical to those induced by electrical stimulation under normal conditions. A non-conventional mechanism for synaptic transmission is postulated to account for triggering of slow EPSPs by epileptic discharges.
Ureteroscopic management of renal calculi in anomalous kidneys.

Abstract Objectives To review our experience with ureteroscopy in treating patients with renal calculi in anomalous kidneys and to evaluate the efficacy of this approach. Methods Eight patients with renal calculi in anomalous kidneys who were managed by ureteroscopic procedures were identified. Demographic information, preoperative stone burden, operative information (ureteroscope size, lithotrite used, instruments used, duration of surgery, complications, stenting), follow-up imaging, and complications were obtained from the medical record. This information was analyzed to determine the most frequently used instruments and stone-free rates. Results Our cohort consisted of 4 patients with horseshoe kidneys (HSK) and 4 patients with pelvic kidneys (PK) (6 male, 2 female, mean age, 50.6 years). The average preoperative stone burden of the 11 treated calculi was 1.4 cm, with 5 stones located in the renal pelvis, 2 in the upper pole, and 4 in lower pole calyces. A 7.5F flexible ureteroscope, holmium laser lithotripsy, and nitinol baskets and graspers were used in all patients. Six patients had complete clearance of the stone on postoperative imaging (75% HSK, 75% PK), with 88% of patients asymptomatic after their procedure. No patients required additional surgical intervention. Conclusions Flexible ureteroscopy with holmium laser lithotripsy and the use of nitinol baskets and graspers provides a reasonable alternative to shock wave lithotripsy in the management of patients harboring renal calculi in anomalous kidneys. In addition, ureteroscopy can be considered a primary option for managing select patients with symptomatic stones in PKs before a percutaneous surgical approach.
Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix.

Abstract Background. Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix is a rare and aggressive neoplasm for which there are no standardized treatment protocols. Case. A 38-year-old G3P3 Asian female diagnosed with a stage Ib adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix with intermediate risk histologic features received a type III hysterectomy in July 2004. She refused external beam radiotherapy, but agreed to be treated with adjuvant vaginal cuff radiation. She has been closely followed and has no evidence of disease to date. Conclusion. Patients with stage Ib adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix, especially those with histologic features associated with a higher risk of recurrence, should receive aggressive local therapy, following the guidelines established for similarly staged patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.
Should Heart Failure Patients Move to Catalonia

Catalonian incident HF 3 Year estimated hazard ratio Catalonian incident HF ~3.2 The article by Frigola-Capell et al. published in Revista Espanola de Cardiologia reports the findings from a cohort study of 5659 patients with incident heart failure (HF) over a 3-year period in primary care practices (PCP) in the Catalonian region of Spain. The primary focus of this report are patients with a new diagnosis of HF during the 3-year period (incident HF). The cohort in this study required a diagnosis of HF and prescription of diuretics, which increased the likelihood of appropriate classification for the diagnosis of HF. As would be expected, the patients were elderly (mean age of 77) and predominantly female (61%). In this PCP-managed cohort, most patients were receiving an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (78%), but the use of beta-blockers was quite low (34%). We do not know how many had HF with preserved systolic function, in which the benefits of beta-blockers or other HF medications is not established. There was no reported measurement of ejection fraction, blood pressure, or New York Heart Association class, which is major limitation of this type of electronic record research. Based on the population managed by the PCPs, approximately 1.3% of the population had HF either at baseline or developed HF during the 3 years of observation (13 008 HF patients/1 039 342 total patients). This prevalence of HF is lower than population estimates for the US (2.4% in the American Heart Association 2012 update) or the HF estimates reported in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2008 (2.0%). In the US, the prevalence of HF increases with age and is around 7% at 60-79 years and around 12% at 80 years or more, concordant with most incident HF being in the elderly population, as seen in this cohort. The incidence of HF over the 3-year period was quite low (approximately 1.8 per 1000 person-years). In the younger population in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (mean age, 63 years), the incidence of HF was 3.1 per 1000 person years and varied by ethnic group (4.6, 3.5, 2.4, and 1.0 in 1000 personyears for African American, Hispanic, white and Chinese American). In the Kaiser Permanente cohort with age greater than 65 years, the incidence was 1.2 per 1000 person-years with
SELF-THINNING IN EARLY POSTFIRE CHAPARRAL SUCCESSION: MECHANISMS, IMPLICATIONS, AND A COMBINED APPROACH

For two consecutive years (1995 and 1996), the self-thinning processes in nearly pure, even-aged stands of four dominant postfire chaparral species on Santa Monica Mountains, Southern California were quantified through the use of the "upper thinning boundary" and regression lines. During thinning, these species became less dense and more evenly distributed over space, but the total biomass significantly increased; the upper thin- ning boundaries (of total biomass) of all four species were better described by a slope of -1/2. In contrast, regression slopes of either total biomass or mean biomass per individual against density tended to be shallower than the upper thinning lines. The regression slopes were significantly shallower in 1995 than in 1996, indicating that self-thinning became more evident as biomass accumulated. The differences in regression slopes among species suggested that the stands of these four species were developing under different physical or biological regimes. Self-thinning was closely related to successional species replacement, and changes in canopy structure might be the main cause of variations in the biomass- density relationships. Use of both upper thinning line and regressions could greatly improve our understanding of self-thinning processes and their implications for chaparral succession.
Quantitative analysis of the Drosophila segmentation regulatory network using pattern generating potentials.

Cis-regulatory modules that drive precise spatial-temporal patterns of gene expression are central to the process of metazoan development. We describe a new computational strategy to annotate genomic sequences based on their “pattern generating potential” and to produce quantitative descriptions of transcriptional regulatory networks at the level of individual protein-module interactions. We use this approach to convert the qualitative understanding of interactions that regulate Drosophila segmentation into a network model in which a confidence value is associated with each transcription factor-module interaction. Sequence information from multiple Drosophila species is integrated with transcription factor binding specificities to determine conserved binding site frequencies across the genome. These binding site profiles are combined with transcription factor expression information to create a model to predict module activity patterns. This model is used to scan genomic sequences for the potential to generate all or part of the expression pattern of a nearby gene, obtained from available gene expression databases. Interactions between individual transcription factors and modules are inferred by a statistical method to quantify a factor's contribution to the module's pattern generating potential. We use these pattern generating potentials to systematically describe the location and function of known and novel cis-regulatory modules in the segmentation network, identifying many examples of modules predicted to have overlapping expression activities. Surprisingly, conserved transcription factor binding site frequencies were as effective as experimental measurements of occupancy in predicting module expression patterns or factor-module interactions. Thus, unlike previous module prediction methods, this method predicts not only the location of modules but also their spatial activity pattern and the factors that directly determine this pattern. As databases of transcription factor specificities and in vivo gene expression patterns grow, analysis of pattern generating potentials provides a general method to decode transcriptional regulatory sequences and networks.
In-plane deformation of shape memory polymer sheets programmed using only scissors

Abstract This paper describes an unconventional, yet simple method to program sheets of shape memory polymer into a variety of two dimensional (2D) structures. The final shape is “encoded” by physically cutting an initial design out of a pre-strained film. The orientation of the initial cut-out relative to the direction of strain and the subsequent relaxation of strain via heating defines the final shape. The appeal of the approach described here is that an easy, low-cost cutting method can achieve a similar shape memory effect attained by more complex processing techniques. Unlike conventional methods, where the final shape of a shape memory polymer must be defined a priori, the direction of cutting of the polymer defines its final shape without any complex pre-programmed strain profiles. A geometric model relating the resolved 2D polymer shape to the initial shape and strain orientation reveals linear correlation between the model-predicted and experimentally-observed shapes. In addition to demonstrating the principle with simple rectangular shapes, we suggest geometries related to encryption and high aspect ratio fibers.
Prospective analysis of laser photophacofragmentation

Several recent reports have discussed the potential benefits of using the Nd:YAG laser to photofragment the nucleus prior to cataract extraction. We attempted to determine the efficacy and safety of photophacofragmentation prior to cataract surgery. We selected 32 patients for the laser photofragmentation category and 37 patients for the control group. We compared these patients with both phacoemulsification and extracapsular cataract extraction. There was no apparent difference between the four subgroups in endothelial cell loss postoperatively. There was a significant decrease in the amount of ultrasonic time required to remove the cataract for patients who had prior treatment with the YAG laser. However, although this was statistically significant, it did not alter the patient's total surgical time nor the outcome of surgery. We feel that photophacofragmentation introduces needless increased risk to the patient and recommend guarded use of this approach.
Ex PEr T comm EnTary Semiconductor Industry - Best of T imes, Worst of Times, and Still the Best Place to Be in!

Best of times: Semiconductors have been at the heart of most technological progress in the past few decades and have had a profoundly positive impact on the human condition. It is hard to argue when many say that we are living in the ‘golden age of electronics’. Truly speaking, this is only the beginning. The consumerization of electronics, globalization of markets and the human aspiration for a better quality of life is creating u nprecedented opportunities that only the semiconductor industry can help realize. Worst of times: The year 2008 has been an inflexion point in the global economic boom that we have been witnessing since the dot.com bubble burst earlier in the millennium. By many accounts, this is going to be the deepest and longest economic downturn, since the Great Depression of the 1920s, and it is not limited to a few industry sectors or geographical clusters. Across the board, businesses are struggling to survive and looking at opportunities to improve their operating efficiencies through reductions in force, consolidation, divestures, re-focusing and so on. In the west, unemployment is at a multi-decade high and GDP growth rates at a multi-year low. We are yet to feel the full impact of the economy going south, and the social impact that will follow has not even really started. Still the best place to be in: So, what is a young engineer looking to enter the work force supposed to do? What should one focus on at a time like this, to build a successful career in the semiconductor industry? There is no silver bullet for success, but here are a few ground rules that will improve the chances of success manifold. Build a strong foundation: Learn, learn, and learn. This industr y is all about technology and the creative application of technology to solve real needs even before the consumer is able to articulate them. We can argue endlessly over the issue: which changes faster – the technology or the consumer’s expectation. May be both are constantly competing with each other. Build
Enhancers compete with a long non-coding RNA for regulation of the Kcnq1 domain

The imprinted Kcnq1 domain contains a differentially methylated region (KvDMR) in intron 11 of Kcnq1. The Kcnq1ot1 non-coding RNA emerges from the unmethylated paternal KvDMR in antisense direction, resulting in cis-repression of neighboring genes. The KvDMR encompasses the Kcnq1ot1 promoter, CTCF sites and other DNA elements, whose individual contribution to regulation of the endogenous domain is unknown. We find that paternal inheritance of a deletion of the minimal Kcnq1ot1 promoter derepresses the upstream Cdkn1c gene. Surprisingly, Kcnq1ot1 transcripts continue to emerge from alternative sites, evidence that silencing depends, not on the ncRNA, but on the promoter sequence. Detailed analyses of Kcnq1ot during cardiogenesis show substantial chromatin reorganization coinciding with discontinuous RNA production in both wild-type and mutant mice, with loss of imprinting. We show that CTCF binds to both methylated and unmethylated alleles of the KvDMR. Furthermore, we report a multitude of enhancers within the Kcnq1ot1 region, and present conformational dynamics of a novel heart enhancer engaged in Kcnq1 expression. Our results have important implications on tissue-specific imprinting patterns and how transcriptional mechanisms compete to maximize the expression of vital genes, in addition to shifting our perception on the role of the long ncRNA in regulating this imprinted domain.
Temperature dependence of the electrical characteristics of Ag/In0.53Ga0.47As diodes formed at low temperature

Abstract Schottky contacts on n -In 0.53 Ga 0.47 As have been made by metal deposition on substrates cooled to a temperature of 77 K. The current-voltage and capacitance-voltage characteristics showed that the Schottky diodes formed at low temperature had a much improved barrier height compared to those formed at room temperature. The Schottky barrier height, φ B , was found to be increased from ∼0.2 to 0.60 eV with Ag metal. For the low temperature diode, the saturation current density, J 0 , was about 4 orders smaller than for the room temperature diode. A transport mechanism dominated by thermionic emission over the barrier for the LT diode was found from current-voltage-temperature measurement. Thermionic field emission is seen for the higher doped substrate with reverse bias. Deep level transient spectroscopy studies of n -InGaAs low temperature diodes exhibited a bulk electron trap at E c - 0.23 eV. The low temperature process appears to reduce metal induced surface damage and may form an MIS-like structure at the interface.
Genotypic variation in propensity for host alternation within a population of Pemphigus betae (Homoptera: Aphididae)

In a Utah canyon, the aphid Pcmphigus hetcle shows both a complex life cycle, with alternation between a gall-forming phase on cottonwood leaves and a rootfeeding phase on herbs, and a simple life cycle, with year-round residence on roots. In order to determine the extent of clonal variation in life cycle, experiments using multiple sublines of individual clones were carried out in the laboratory and in the field. Previous studies suggested that both genetic and environmental factors underlie life cycle differences among subpopulations of aphids from different sites and different life cycle phases. The current study is the first assessment of clonal variation in propensity for host alternation within a natural population of aphids. In the laboratory experiment, clones showed highly significant differences in reproductive rates and in production of the host-alternating migrants. In agreement with previous findings, clones originating from lineages that had alternated to cottonwood hosts in the previous year had lower average density and produced more migrants than clones originating from lineages that had remained on roots during the previous year. In order to ascertain how clonal variation and site-specific environmental factors affect life cycle variation under natural conditions, clones from laboratory cultures were used to establish experimental colonies at two elevational sites within the canyon. Production of the host-alternating migrants was affected strongly by clone-x-site interaction and was affected slightly by site. Results from both experiments indicate that loss of host alternation in P. hetae could be effected through genetic change, environmental change, or both.
Probability Matching, the Magnitude of Reinforcement, and Classifier System Bidding

This paper juxtaposes the probability matching paradox of decision theory and the magnitude of reinforcement problem of animal learning theory to show that simple classifier system bidding structures are unable to match the range of behaviors required in the deterministic and probabilistic problems faced by real cognitive systems. The inclusion of a variance-sensitive bidding (VSB) mechanism is suggested, analyzed, and simulated to enable good bidding performance over a wide range of nonstationary probabilistic and deterministic environments.
Acinar-islet cells in the exocrine pancreas of the adult cat

Observations on a human pancreas in a case of the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome led us to postulate that secretin is capable of inducing nesidioblastosis (neoformation of islets). In order to test this hypothesis, a group of adult cats was given Pansecrin (Squibb secretin); a control group received normal saline. Acinar-islet cells containing in some cases both zymogen and islet-type secretory granules as well as the endoplasmic reticulum of acinar cells were seen in pancreases of secretin-treated cats. The islet-type secretory granule seen in acinar-islet cells resembled those of alpha-type islet cells.
Sol-gel-derived epitaxial nanocomposite thin films with large sharp magnetoelectric effect.

Nanostructures of multiferroic materials have drawn increasing interest due to the enhanced magnetoelectric coupling and potential for next-generation multifunctional devices. Most of these structures are typically prepared by thin film evaporation approaches. Herein, however, we report a novel sol−gel-based process to synthesize epitaxial BaTiO3−CoFe2O4 nanocomposite thin films via phase separation and enhanced heterogeneous nucleation. The magnetoelectric coupling effect is investigated by examining the temperature-dependent magnetization of the composite film, which manifests as a sharp and significant drop (>50%) of the magnetization at the vicinity of a BaTiO3 ferroelectric phase transition. We propose that the phase transition in BaTiO3 is mediated by the tensile strain due to intimate coupling to CoFe2O4 phase, which has rarely been reported before. The significant coupling effect is attributed to the small substrate clamping, and the large areal distribution of intimate heteroepitaxial interfaces ...
Neurobiological correlates of social conformity and independence during mental rotation.

Background: When individual judgment conflicts with a group, the individual will often conform his judgment to that of the group. Conformity might arise at an executive level of decision making, or it might arise because the social setting alters the individual’s perception of the world. Methods: We used functional magnetic resonance imaging and a task of mental rotation in the context of peer pressure to investigate the neural basis of individualistic and conforming behavior in the face of wrong information. Results: Conformity was associated with functional changes in an occipital–parietal network, especially when the wrong information originated from other people. Independence was associated with increased amygdala and caudate activity, findings consistent with the assumptions of social norm theory about the behavioral saliency of standing alone. Conclusions: These findings provide the first biological evidence for the involvement of perceptual and emotional processes during social conformity.
The Effect of Aerosol on Estimates of Inhalation Exposure to Airborne Styrene

Exposure to volatile organic contaminants usually is attributed to vapors alone; samples are collected on charcoal tubes or by passive dosimeters. This study demonstrated that aerosols, generated during the spraying of polyester resin solution, can contribute significantly to the exposure to volatile organic contaminants. Four spraying experiments were performed during which 64 samples were collected and analyzed to determine the styrene air concentrations. The results from the four spraying experiments showed that aerosols represented 30%±3% of the total air concentration of styrene. The contribution of aerosols to inhalation exposure needs to be considered in other industrial situations where spray processes are used.
Memory for sound, with an ear toward hearing in complex auditory scenes

An area of research that has experienced recent growth is the study of memory during perception of simple and complex auditory scenes. These studies have provided important information about how well auditory objects are encoded in memory and how well listeners can notice changes in auditory scenes. These are significant developments because they present an opportunity to better understand how we hear in realistic situations, how higher-level aspects of hearing such as semantics and prior exposure affect perception, and the similarities and differences between auditory perception and perception in other modalities, such as vision and touch. The research also poses exciting challenges for behavioral and neural models of how auditory perception and memory work.
Talking heads: Stereotypes, status, sex-roles and satisfaction of female and male auditors

Abstract Theorizing that organizations re-produce themselves in their own images, where organizational power resides with “mostly masculine men”, researchers posit that both male and female employees will inevitably reject “feminine” stereotypes and adopt “masculine” stereotypes as conditions of moving up the corporate hierarchy. Identifying behavior as masculine or feminine is a historical and culturally determined activity, promoting and maintaining stereotypes. In this paper, we study the identities imposed on audit specialists, referred to as stereotypical sex role characteristics, over a period of five years in order to discover if different profiles exist for: (1) auditors in partnership positions and auditors in staff positions; (2) auditors who experience high job satisfaction levels and those with low job satisfaction levels; and (3) auditors who remain with their firm of employment and those who find new positions. The analysis reveals that a high stereotypical masculine sex-role orientation was significantly (positively) related to higher occupational status and job satisfaction, and lower turnover. Such results illustrate that behavior is culturally restricted as to what is considered socially appropriate, with inevitably limiting and negative consequences on organizational, personal, and social life.
Bloelectromagnetics Research Activities in Europe [Health Effects]

A recent report issued by EMF-NET offers a lengthy list of European projects on the biological effects of power line and wireless communication electromagnetic fields. The list also includes projects on potential risks related to exposure in the working environment. The EMF-NET project is an initiative of the EC and is titled "Effects of the exposure to electromagnetic fields: from science to public health and safer workplace." This four-year project, which is to conclude in 2008, is one of the most ambitious and all-encompassing programs funded by the EC to date. It targets exposures from a wide range of nonionizing electromagnetic-energy-emitting devices, sources, and systems - including power lines, cellular mobile phones, base stations, broadcasting antennas, and household electrical appliances such as mixers and induction ovens (IH hobs) - as well as various electromagnetic equipment found in industry environments and health care facilities
Build your own 3D scanner: 3D photography for beginners

Over the last decade, digital photography has entered the mainstream with inexpensive, miniaturized cameras for consumer use. Digital projection is poised to make a similar breakthrough, with a variety of vendors offering small, low-cost projectors. As a result, active imaging is a topic of renewed interest in the computer graphics community. In particular, low-cost homemade 3D scanners are now within reach of students and hobbyists with a modest budget.This course provides a beginner with the necessary mathematics, software, and practical details to leverage projector-camera systems in their own 3D scanning projects. An example-driven approach is used throughout; each new concept is illustrated using a practical scanner implemented with off-the-shelf parts. The course concludes by detailing how these new approaches are used in rapid prototyping, entertainment, cultural heritage, and web-based applications.
Improved optimization of FORTRAN object programs

For many years the FORTRAN H Extended compiler has produced highly optimized object programs for IBM System/360 and System/370 computers. A study of the object programs revealed, however, that important additional optimizations were possible, and the compiler has been enhanced accordingly. First, the range of cases handled by the optimization techniques already present in the compiler has been extended. For example, more duplicate computations are eliminated, and more invariant computations are moved from inner to outer loops. Second, several new optimizations have been added, with subscript computation and register allocation receiving particular attention. Third, certain optimization restrictions have been removed. This paper describes these improvements and reports their effects.
Synthesis of pyrazolo 3,4-pyrimidine analogues of the potent agent N-4-2-2-amino-4 3-oxo-7-pyrrolo 2,3-pyrimidin-5-yl ethylbenzoyl-L-glutamic acid (LY231514)

Abstract Several pyrazolo[3,4- d ]pyrimidine analogues of the potent antitumor agent N -{4-[2-(2-amino-4(3 H )-oxo-7 H -pyrrolo[2,3- d ]pyrimidin-5-yl)ethyl]benzoyl}-L-glutamic acid (LY231514, 5) have been prepared. A principal synthetic step proved to be a palladium-catalyzed CC coupling of the 5-halo-substituted pyrazolo[3,4- d ]pyrimidines 12–15 with dimethyl 4-ethynylbenzoyl-L-glutamate (16). An additional pyrazolo[3,4- d ]pyrimidine analogue of 5 possessing an isofolic acid bridge unit (-NHCH2-) was prepared by reductive alkylation of diethyl 4-formylbenzoyl-L-glutamate (31) with 2-methyl-5-amino-4(3 H )-oxo-7 H -pyrazolo[3,4- d ]pyrimidine (30). Only compound 26 proved to have in vitro cell growth inhibitory activity.
Transesophageal echocardiographic detection of cardiac embolic source in cor triatriatum complicated by aortic saddle emboli

Transesophageal echocardiographic findings are described in a case of cor triatriatum with atrial fibrillation complicated with cerebral and aortic saddle emboli. A spontaneous echo contrast confined to the dilated proximal chamber of the left atrium was noted and was presumed to be the embolic source in cor triatriatum.
Measurement of the earth radiation balance as an instrument design problem.

The net radiation balance of the earth is important globally for synoptic scale models and long-term climatic trends. It is important at the mesoscale level because it is a strong driving force on local meteorological phenomena. Both synoptic and mesoscale measurements are possible only from earth orbiting spacecraft, and serious efforts have been made to implement them. They have not achieved sufficient accuracy, precision, and stability to be really meaningful meteorologically. Measuring a small difference between two large numbers—the input to the earth and the earth radiation to space—is quite difficult and compounded by the spectral differences between the two. The instrumental considerations to achieving improvements in net radiation balance are discussed. The ratio of input to outflow, like albedo, is a dimensionless number which is amenable to measurement without recourse to calibrated instruments. If the solar constant is indeed reasonably constant, this ratio, which is more easily measured than an absolute value of either quantity, will be acceptable. Instrument stability, both spectral and absolute, as well as calibration methods and accuracy will be discussed with specific emphasis on estimating how and to what degree they can be improved.