cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PCIT-health: An innovative intervention for childhood obesity prevention

Childhood obesity remains a major public health issue both in the United States and globally. Obesity is associated with numerous health risks; children with obesity are more likely to experience cardiometabolic problems and remain obese into adolescence and adulthood. Given the prevalence of childhood obesity and the serious health risks associated with it, the development of effective prevention programs for obesity in early childhood is crucial. In this chapter, we describe the theoretical rationale for, and development of PCIT-Health, an innovative child obesity prevention program. PCIT-Health is an adaptation of a selective prevention model of PCIT. The PCIT-Health model maintains the core components of PCIT (behavioral assessment, in vivo coaching, parent–child relationship focus) and includes the addition of a health module (Health-directed Interaction, HDI). Parents and children progress to the HDI phase after completing CDI and PDI. The primary goal of HDI is for parents to generalize the skills they learned in the first two phases to contexts that are relevant to a child’s obesity risk: mealtime and screen time. Like the CDI and PDI phases, the HDI phase begins with a teach session, during which parents receive information about positive (or risk-reducing) parenting around feeding style and feeding practices and parenting around screen time (i.e., media parenting). PCIT-Health has the potential to enhance parenting effectiveness, not only around children’s general conduct problems, but also specifically around interactions during feeding and screen time.
Barriers to bariatric surgery: Factors influencing progression to bariatric surgery in a U.S. metropolitan area

Abstract Background Bariatric surgery is an effective and durable treatment for obesity. However, the number of patients that progress to bariatric surgery after initial evaluation remains low. Objectives The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing a qualified patient's successful progression to surgery in a U.S. metropolitan area. Setting Academic, university hospital. Methods A single-institution retrospective chart review was performed from 2003 to 2016. Patient demographics and follow-up data were compared between those who did and did not progress to surgery. A follow-up telephone survey was performed for patients who failed to progress. Univariate analyses were performed and statistically significant variables of interest were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results A total of 1102 patients were identified as eligible bariatric surgery candidates. Four hundred ninety-eight (45%) patients progressed to surgery and 604 (55%) did not. Multivariable analysis showed that patients who did not progress were more likely male (odds ratio [OR] 2.2 confidence interval [CI]: 1.2–4.2, P Conclusions Multiple patient factors and the self-reported factors of fear of complication and financial hardship influenced progression to bariatric surgery in a U.S. metropolitan population. Bariatric surgeons and centers should consider and address these factors when assessing patients.
Proprioceptive Localization Assisted by Magnetoreception: A Minimalist Intermittent Heading Based Approach

We report a localization method that does not rely on the perception and recognition of landmarks for a robot/vehicle traveling in urban area. This is intended to be a fall back solution when everything else fails due to bad weather or other environmental challenges. The method is also very low cost and does not require intensive computation. Named as proprioceptive localization assisted by magnetoreception (PLAM), it employs a gyroscope and a compass to sense heading changes and matches the heading sequence with a preprocessed heading graph to localize the robot. We track the sensory and map uncertainties and model them in the process to formulate a sequential Bayesian estimation problem framework. Not all cases can be successful because degenerated maps may consist of rectangular grid-like streets and the robot may travel in a loop. To analyze these, we use information entropy to model map characteristics and perform both simulation and experiments to find out typical heading and information entropy requirements for localization. We have implemented our algorithm and tested it with both simulated and physical experiments. The results have confirmed that PLAM can localize vehicles on the map for nondegenerated cases.
Bribes for Sales: Evidence from the Second Set of Books

We study a proprietary dataset detailing the terms of over 1,000 sales transactions to 218 firms by a mechanics importer in an Asian country. Kickbacks are commons: 85 firms demand cash kickbacks in order to make a purchase. We find government firms to be the most corrupt, requiring kickbacks 47% of the time. However, private domestic firms are not free of corruption, with 32% requiring kickbacks. Perhaps most surprisingly, foreign firms, which offer higher salaries and have more educated employees, are more corrupt than domestic private firms: 40% of them take kickback. Japanese firms stand out as particularly corrupt. From the selling firm's perspective, transactions with higher kickbacks also have higher prices and higher markups. These findings suggest specific implications for corporate governance in emerging markets, where corruption is often widespread.
Torsional, Angular, and Deficiency Disorders of the Lower Extremity

This chapter describes (i) the rotational and torsional lower extremity deformities included in the descriptive terms in-toeing and out-toeing that are generally self-correcting with growth and (ii) the relatively few femoral and tibial angular and limb deficiency disorders where the primary sites of deformation occur in the metaphyses and diaphyses that are among the most difficult childhood orthopedic conditions to treat.
Spatial and Temporal Variability of the Alligatorweed Pathogen, Alternaria alternantherae, in Louisiana

Alligatorweed leaf spot is a disease of invasive Alternanthera philoxeroides (Alligatorweed) in the southern US, caused by Alternaria alternantherae. However, little is known about when or where this pathogen naturally occurs. To better understand this species’ life history, we examined temporal (every 2–3 weeks) and spatial (latitudinal) patterns of A. alternantherae occurrence at sites in Louisiana for 2 y. Pathogen presence reflected clear within-year temporal and spatial patterns. Overall, the percentage of leaves infected with A. alternantherae was low during spring each year (0–20% infected) but increased throughout summer (maximum of 50% infected), and plants in northern sites had lower frequency of infection relative to southern sites until later in the year (late summer/early fall) but only in 1 of the 2 years of our study. The mean proportion of leaves infected with A. alternantherae declined with latitude both years (P = 0.01) and variability increased with latitude (P = 0.04), a pattern suggestive of range limitation in northern areas. We estimate a northern distributional limit of 34°N for A. alternantherae in Louisiana, but Alligatorweed occurs farther north. Although we did not directly examine disease impacts to Alligatorweed during the study, they may be greatest in southern areas, where the pathogen is more common early and throughout the growing season, and thus may be less likely to provide control in northern infestations of the invasive Alligatorweed.
When the local is national – A new high-water mark for nationalization in the 2018 United States state legislative elections

The November 2018 state legislative elections continued the recent trend towards increased (dynamic) nationalization. Control of 87 state legislative chambers and many governor’s offices was determ...
Serum cholesterol response to changes in the diet: II. The effect of cholesterol in the diet☆

The series of metabolic ward experiments, with 22 physically healthy men in each, covered dietary cholesterol intakes from 50 to 1450 mg. daily, with all other variables controlled. The serum-cholesterol data, plus the data from comparable experiments reported from 4 other institutions, were analyzed in regard to average serum cholesterol response (Δ Chol., mg./100 ml.) to changed cholesterol intake. Least-squares solution, using serum cholesterol responses in 19 sets of dietary cholesterol comparisons, gives Δ Chol. = 1.5(Z2 − Z1), where the subscripts refer to the diets compared and Z is the square-root of the dietary cholesterol, measured as mg./1000 Cal. The correlation between the average Δ Chol. predicted and that observed is r = 0.95. The serum response was the same over a wide range of dietary fat composition. Ordinary American diets range from about about 150 to 350 mg. cholesterol/1000 Cal. These extremes correspond to an average difference of about 9 mg. of cholesterol/100 ml. of serum if all other variables are constant. Change from 250 mg./l000 Cal. to a cholesterol-free diet will cause an average fall of about 24 mg./100 ml. of serum. But a 50 per cent decrease in dietary cholesterol will produce an average decrease in the serum of only about 7 mg./100 ml. For the purpose of controlling the serum level, dietary cholesterol should not be completely ignored but attention to this factor alone accomplishes little.
Small Bowel Obstruction and the Role of Bedside Ultrasonography Performed by a Pediatric Emergency Physician: A Case Report

Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a relatively uncommon urgent condition that may require surgical treatment. However, initial symptoms of patients who present with SBO are often nonspecific and may be confused with those of more common pediatric illnesses. Although the number of true SBO cases requiring emergency attention is few, distinguishing SBO from the more common less urgent pediatric abdominal conditions is vital for the most effective patient care. Therefore, immediate and accurate identification of this condition is essential in order to avoid delays in diagnosis that may increase morbidity and mortality. We report a case involving a 7-year-old girl who initially presented with abdominal pain and vomiting. A bedside ultrasonography performed by the pediatric emergency physician allowed for the initiation of appropriate, rapid decision making including extensive examination and management. Although bedside ultrasonography has been used in the past to diagnose SBO in adult patients, this is the first report on diagnosing a pediatric patient with SBO utilizing bedside ultrasonography considering criteria that are different from those for children in the past case series. Here, we also review SBO and its diagnostic modalities and the role of the pediatric emergency physician in performing ultrasonography.
Deactivation of Ascaris suum eggs using electroporation and sequential inactivation with chemical disinfection

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through Duke University's Center for WaSH-AID [OPP1148486, OPP1173370]; Duke University's Center for WaSH-AID
The pharmacist’s role in implementation of the ABCDEF bundle into clinical practice

PURPOSE To summarize published data regarding implementation of the ABCDEF bundle, a multicomponent process for avoidance of oversedation and prolonged ventilation in intensive care unit (ICU) patients; discuss pertinent literature to support each bundle element; and discuss the role of the pharmacist in coordinating bundle elements and implementation of the ABCDEF bundle into clinical practice. SUMMARY Neuromuscular weakness and ICU-acquired weakness are common among critically ill patients and associated with significant cost and societal burdens. Recent literature supporting early liberation from mechanical ventilation and early mobilization has demonstrated improved short- and long-term outcomes. With expanded use of pharmacy services in the ICU setting, pharmacists are well positioned to advocate for best care practices in ICUs. A dedicated, interprofessional team is necessary for the implementation of the ABCDEF bundle in inpatient clinical practice settings. As evidenced by a number of studies, successful implementation of the ABCDEF bundle derives from involvement by motivated and highly trained individuals, timely completion of individual patient care tasks, and effective leadership to ensure proper implementation and ongoing support. Factors commonly identified by clinicians as barriers to bundle implementation in clinical practice include patient instability and safety concerns, lack of knowledge, staff concerns, unclear protocol criteria, and lack of interprofessional team care coordination. This narrative review discusses research on bundle elements and recommendations for application by pharmacists in clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS Despite the benefits associated with implementation of the ABCDEF bundle, evidence suggests that the recommended interventions may not be routinely used within the ICU. The pharmacist provides the expertise and knowledge for adoption of the bundle into everyday clinical practice.
Target enzymes are stabilized by AfrLEA6 and a gain of α-helix coincides with protection by a group 3 LEA protein during incremental drying.

Abstract Anhydrobiotic organisms accumulate late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins, a family of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) reported to improve cellular tolerance to water stress. Here we show that AfrLEA6, a Group 6 LEA protein only recently discovered in animals, protects lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), citrate synthase (CS) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) against damage during desiccation. In some cases, protection is enhanced by trehalose, a naturally-occurring protective solute. An open question is whether gain of secondary structure by LEA proteins during drying is a prerequisite for this stabilizing function. We used incremental drying (equilibration to a series of relative humidities, RH) to test the ability of AfrLEA2, a Group 3 LEA protein, to protect desiccation-sensitive PFK. AfrLEA2 was chosen due to its exceptional ability to protect PFK. In parallel, circular dichroism (CD) spectra were obtained for AfrLEA2 across the identical range of relative water contents. Protection of PFK by AfrLEA2, above that observed with trehalose and BSA, coincides with simultaneous gain of α-helix in AfrLEA2. At 100% RH, the CD spectrum for AfrLEA2 is typical of random coil, while at decreasing RH, the spectrum shows higher ellipticity at 191 nm and minima at 208 and 220 nm, diagnostic of α-helix. This study provides experimental evidence linking the gain of α-helix with stabilization of a target protein across a graded series of hydration states. Mechanistically, it is intriguing that certain other functions of these IDPs, like preventing aggregation of target proteins, can occur in fully hydrated cells and apparently do not require gain of α-helix.
Spectral arc length as a method to quantify pharyngeal high-resolution manometric curve smoothness.

Background Pharyngeal high-resolution manometry (HRM) has emerged over the last decade as a valuable assessment tool for oropharyngeal dysphagia. Data analysis thus far has focused primarily on measures of pressure and duration within key anatomic regions. We apply spectral arc length (SPARC), a dimensionless metric for quantifying smoothness felt to indirectly reflect neuromuscular coordination, as a new method of describing manometric curves. We then use it to distinguish swallows from healthy subjects and those with dysphagia related to stroke. Methods Previously collected pharyngeal HRM data from eight subjects with history of stroke and eight age- and sex-matched controls were reviewed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to optimize SPARC inputs. SPARC was then computed for the velopharynx, tongue base, hypopharynx, and upper esophageal sphincter (UES), and the values were compared between the two subject groups. Results Optimized parameter settings yielded an ROC curve with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.953. Mean SPARC values differed between control and stroke subjects for the velopharynx (t = 3.25, p = 0.0058), tongue base (t = 4.77, p = 0.0003), and hypopharynx (t = 2.87, p = 0.0124). Values were similar for the UES (t = 0.43, p = 0.671). Conclusions In this preliminary study, SPARC analysis was applied to distinguish control from post-stroke subjects. Considering alternative methods of analyzing pharyngeal HRM data may provide additional insight into the pathophysiology of dysphagia beyond what can be gleaned from measures of pressure and duration alone.
MCIR1: A patient-derived mantle cell lymphoma line for discovering new treatments for ibrutinib resistance.

Background Despite the unprecedented success of ibrutinib in lymphoma therapy, the development of ibrutinib resistance due to acquired BTK or PLCγ2 mutations has become a new clinical problem. However, not all resistance is mediated by these mutations and these mechanisms are poorly understood due to a lack of study tools that truly recapitulate this clinical scenario. Methods We established a novel patient-derived ibrutinib resistant mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) line named MCIR1. Using immunological, molecular, and cytogenetic approaches, we comprehensively characterized MCIR1 and further demonstrate its utility in the study of resistance mechanisms and treatments to overcome this resistance. Results We show that MCIR1 is a bona fide ibrutinib-resistant MCL cell line with normal BTK-/PLCγ2 but ibrutinib-resistant ERK1/2 and AKT1 signaling. RNA-Seq analysis revealed a robust non-canonical NFkB signaling that drives the ibrutinib resistance. We also demonstrate the potential utility of a MCIR1-based cell and mouse model for the discovery of new treatments to overcome BTK inhibitor resistance. Conclusions We have established the first patient-derived ibrutinib-resistant MCL cell line MCIR1 that lacks BTK or PLCγ2 mutations but exhibits a hyperactive non-canonical NFkB pathway. We further demonstrate its utility in the discovery and validation of new drugs to overcome this resistance.
Why Everybody Loves and Hates Cops

Virtually from the day he enters the police academy, the police officer is the target of ambivalence from just about everyone. He is confronted with ambivalent messages from the public, the police department itself, from his family and friends, and from fellow officers. As described in Chapter 1, ambivalence is the simultaneous feelings of love and hate. The symptoms of ambivalence take the form of “mixed” or “double” messages sent by the ambivalent person to the object of these ambivalent feelings. For example, the police officer may receive feelings of admiration and contempt, affection and hostility, love and hate, from the same individual at almost the same time.
UAV path following using a mixed piecewise-affine and backstepping control approach

This paper combines for the first time piecewise-affine (PWA) and backstepping control approaches applied to path following for a simplified longitudinal model of an Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle (UAV). For controller design purposes, the overall dynamics of the UAV are divided into two sets of dynamics that are in cascade connection. One set of dynamics describes the steering motion of the UAV and another set describes the translational motion of the UAV, where both motions are in the longitudinal plane. Each set is treated separately in the controller design, and stability of the overall system is guaranteed. While assuming the translational velocity constant, a PWA state feedback controller is designed for the dynamics of the steering subsystem of the UAV. The search for the parameters corresponding to the PWA controller and to a globally quadratic Lyapunov function is formulated as an optimization problem subject to linear and bilinear matrix inequality constraints. Then, a backstepping type approach is used to step back from the translational velocity to the input force, where a nonlinear controller is designed for the dynamics of the translational velocity subsystem of the UAV. The proposed method is demonstrated through a numerical example of a UAV performing a loop in the longitudinal plane.
Evaluability Assessment: Clarifying Organizational Support and Data Availability

Evaluability assessment (EA) emerged in the 1970s as a way to ensure a program was ready for summative evaluation. The primary purpose was assessing the presence of measureable program objectives (Trevisan, 2007), yet evaluators conducting EA encountered difficulty with unclear, ambiguous methods (Smith, 2005). To address this concern, the purpose of this study was to clarify two aspects of EA, organizational support and data availability. In practice, organizational stakeholders must support the evaluation project to ensure it is pursued to completion. In addition, the availability of operational data facilitates analysis of the evaluand effect. This qualitative study consisted of interviews with evaluators, organizational stakeholders, and technology personnel followed by thematic analysis. The findings indicate the importance of specific organizational and data related considerations that affect evaluability. The researchers recommend considerations that elaborate upon the existing EA framework. The recommended evaluability considerations assist evaluators in identifying ill-advised evaluations and enhancing the likelihood of success in ongoing studies.
Laboratory astrophysics under the ultraviolet, visible, and gravitational astrophysics research program: Oscillator strengths for ultraviolet atomic transitions

The conditions within astrophysical environments can be derived from observational data on atomic and molecular lines. For instance, the density and temperature of the gas are obtained from relative populations among energy levels. Information on populations comes about only when the correspondence between line strength and abundance is well determined. The conversion from line strength to abundance involves knowledge of meanlives and oscillator strengths. For many ultraviolet atomic transitions, unfortunately, the necessary data are either relatively imprecise or not available. Because of the need for more and better atomic oscillator strengths, our program was initiated. Through beam-foil spectroscopy, meanlives of ultraviolet atomic transitions are studied. In this technique, a nearly isotopically pure ion beam of the desired element is accelerated. The beam passes through a thin carbon foil (2 mg/cu cm), where neutralization, ionization, and excitation take place. The dominant process depends on the energy of the beam. Upon exiting the foil, the decay of excited states is monitored via single-photon-counting techniques. The resulting decay curve yields a meanlife. The oscillator strength is easily obtained from the meanlife when no other decay channels are presented. When other channels are present, additional measurements or theoretical calculations are performed in order to extract an oscillator strength. During the past year, three atomic systems have been studied experimentally and/or theoretically; they are Ar, I, Cl I, and N II. The results for the first two are important for studies of interstellar space, while the work on N II bears on processes occurring in planetary atmospheres.
Stability and error bounds for discrete time frequency weighted balanced truncation

This paper considers the frequency weighted model reduction of discrete time systems. It is first shown that the frequency weighted balanced truncation always produces a stable lower order model if the weighting function is either only in the input or only in the output. This is in sharp contrast with Enns' continuous time results (1984) where certain controllability or observability condition of the reduced model is required to guarantee the stability of the reduced model. We then show that the frequency weighted balanced truncation can be used for relative or multiplicative error model reduction. Moreover, some explicit /spl Lscr//sub /spl infin//, norm error bounds are derived for the relative and multiplicative approximation errors in terms of the weighted singular values. Finally, it is shown that this model reduction method is in fact equivalent to the well known stochastic balance truncation. >
Finding quantum algorithms via convex optimization

In this paper we describe how to use convex optimization to design quantum algorithms for certain computational tasks. In particular, we consider the ordered search problem, where it is desired to find a specific item in an ordered list of N items. While the best classical algorithm for this problem uses log 2 N queries to the list, a quantum computer can solve this problem much faster. By characterizing a class of quantum query algorithms for ordered search in terms of a semidefinite program, we find quantum algorithms using 4log 605 N ≈ 0.433 log 2 N queries, which improves upon the previously best known exact algorithm.
Tectonic Deformation in the New Madrid Seismic Zone: Inferences from Boundary Element Modeling

The lack of instrumental recordings and of obvious fault scarps associated with the 1811–1812 New Madrid earthquakes necessitates examination of more subtle indicators of the geometry and type of faulting responsible for these events. Morphologic and geologic features and the distribution of modern seismicity are used to infer the number, strike, length, width, type of faulting (strike- or dip-slip), and spatial variability of slip for the major faults in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ). This is accomplished through two-dimensional boundary-element modeling of the strain field arising from slip on hypothetical faults that is driven by either coseismic or uniform regional strains. Tectonic deformation is reflected in the seismicity and in morphologic and geologic features including (1) the Lake County uplift, (2) Reelfoot Lake, (3) the deformed rocks of the Blytheville arch, and (4) the St. Francis Sunk Lands. Many of these features can be qualitatively explained as resulting from tectonic deformation due to slip on two left-stepping right-lateral strike-slip faults that are coincident with the northeast-trending zones of seismicity and the Blytheville arch. The morphology appears to be, at least in part, a consequence of major earthquakes that rupture these faults. The locations of the 1811–1812 and largest post-1812 earthquakes and the models are consistent with a process in which the 1811–1812 earthquakes relieved accumulated regional shear strain causing the greatest post-1812 shear strains to exist at the ends of the fault zone. Modeling results also suggest that the numerous small earthquakes in the NMSZ are not aftershocks of the 1811–1812 earthquakes but instead represent continuous localized adjustments to a uniform regional strain field. The Bootheel lineament does not appear to be significant in the shaping the morphology, geologic structure, and pattern of seismicity of the NMSZ. The inferred length of the 1811–1812 earthquake ruptures suggest that their sizes may have been overestimated. Model predicted subsidence within the St. Francis Sunk Lands suggests that tectonic deformation may also influence alluvial processes in the NMSZ.
The Response of Some Freshwater Fish to Isopropyl Methylphosphonofluoridate (Sarin) in Water

The toxic response and behavior of the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), the green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), and the goldfish (Carassius auratus) have been determined on exposure to water solutions of isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate (Sarin). Comparison of the time of response over a wide range of concentrations and at several temperatures for the three species indicates changing rates of reaction to the toxic material. Analysis of the dose-response curves shows that the product of concentration and time of response is not equal to a constant. It is suggested that the point of maximum curvature of the dose-response curve, when plotted on arithmetic paper, be used as a value which would be most consistent for comparing relative toxicities of toxic agents or relative resistance of various species to the same toxic material.
Recent developments in solar energy research and application in Japan

Abstract A ten-year review of solar energy research, development, and applications is given. Work on solar energy in Japan has been promoted and given more widespread support since the founding of the Japanese Association for Applied Solar Energy in 1961. Recent developments summarized in this review article include: air pollution, turbidity, and radiation measurement; agricultural applications; solar water heaters; solar power generation; high-temperature solar furnace work; architectural studies associated with solar radiation and environmental hygiene; and solar simulation.
Closed universe and the first Doppler peak of the cosmic microwave background spectrum

We study universe models that are intrinsically closed and are full of a quintessence scalar field, besides the cold dark matter component. We use these to depict diverse flat cold dark matter models. With the background geometry specified by the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker metric, we include among them the standard cold dark matter, the cosmological constant cold dark matter and the dark energy or quintessence cold dark matter models. After describing these models, we determine the position of the first Doppler peak of the cosmic microwave background anisotropy spectrum for Ω T close to unity; we also study the shift parameter R.
Discovering New Medicines Targeting Helicases Challenges and Recent Progress

Helicases are ubiquitous motor proteins that separate and/or rearrange nucleic acid duplexes in reactions fueled by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis. Helicases encoded by bacteria, viruses, and human cells are widely studied targets for new antiviral, antibiotic, and anticancer drugs. This review summarizes the biochemistry of frequently targeted helicases. These proteins include viral enzymes from herpes simplex virus, papillomaviruses, polyomaviruses, coronaviruses, the hepatitis C virus, and various flaviviruses. Bacterial targets examined include DnaB-like and RecBCD-like helicases. The human DEAD-box protein DDX3 is the cellular antiviral target discussed, and cellular anticancer drug targets discussed are the human RecQ-like helicases and eIF4A. We also review assays used for helicase inhibitor discovery and the most promising and common helicase inhibitor chemotypes, such as nucleotide analogues, polyphenyls, metal ion chelators, flavones, polycyclic aromatic polymers, coumarins, and various DNA binding pharmacophores. Also discussed are common complications encountered while searching for potent helicase inhibitors and possible solutions for these problems.
Degradation of InGaAs-InP heterojunction bipolar transistors under high energy electron irradiation

The DC characteristics of InGaAs-InP single heterojunction bipolar transistors (SHBTs) were studied for the first time under high energy (/spl sim/1 MeV) electron radiation with a cumulative dose up to 5.4/spl times/10/sup 15/ electrons/cm/sup 2/. The following degradation effects were observed for electron doses greater than 10/sup 15//cm/sup 2/: (1) decrease in collector current, (2) decrease in current gain by up to 50%, and (3) an increase in collector saturation voltage by 0.2-0.8 V depending on base current. The increase in collector saturation voltage is attributed to an increase in emitter contact resistance after irradiation. The degradation of collector current and current gain are thought to be due to increased recombination caused by radiation-induced defects in the base-emitter junction.
A design of experiment approach to the selection of CMM form-fitting algorithms

Over the last few years considerable attention has been focused on the form fitting algorithms used in coordinate measuring machine (CMM) software. As a result many new algorithms have been developed. However, their accuracy and applicability have been a subject of discussion and argument. This paper describes a research project aimed at a selection process for the most suitable algorithm for evaluating a given form error, and to improve the accuracy of the result using an error compensation technique.
Relation of the ground substance of the central nervous system to the blood-brain barrier.

BETWEEN the cell bodies, the neuroglial fibres, and the nerve processes of the central nervous system, there are spaces. These spaces are filled with a ground substance of a carbohydrate – protein nature, revealed by staining with the periodic acid – Schiff reagents1. The concept of a blood – brain barrier was formulated when it was discovered that intravenously administered trypan blue stains extensively other organs of the body, but does not stain the brain2. Numerous subsequent investigations have demonstrated that trypan blue, administered intravenously or intraperitoneaily, is a valid test substance for the presence or absence of a blood – brain barrier3.
A Decision-Directed Clustering Algorithm for Discrete Data

This article presents a decision-directed approach for classifying discrete data. In the clustering algorithm, probable clusters are initiated through the use of a sorting scheme based on the estimated probability distribution of the data and an arbitrary distance measure. The subsequent iterative reclassification procedures are directed by the estimated distribution of each class. The distribution estimation adopted is modified from the dependence tree procedure. The algorithm performance is then evaluated through the use of simulated and clinical data. Finally, the algorithm is applied to disease categorization and to signs and symptoms extraction for each disease class.
Temporal and spatial expression of the E5a protein during the differentiation-dependent life cycle of human papillomavirus type 31b.

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are epitheliotropic viruses, and their life cycle is intimately linked to the stratification and differentiation state of the host epithelial tissues. Defining a role for the E5 gene product in the differentiation-dependent viral life cycle has been difficult due to the lack of a suitable culture system. We used the organotypic (raft) culture system to investigate the spatial and temporal expression pattern of the E5 protein during the differentiation-dependent life cycle of HPV-31b. We report the generation of antisera specific to the HPV-31b E5a protein. The HPV-31b E5a protein was detected throughout the viral life cycle in raft cultures as determined by immunostaining analyses, and the protein was localized predominantly to the basal and granular layers. Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor or platelet-derived growth factor receptors, two proteins with which E5 has been shown to interact in cell culture, did not specifically colocalize with E5a expression. However, HPV-31b E5a expression did colocalize with the epithelial differentiation-specific marker filaggrin. The kinetics of E5a protein expression during the complete viral life cycle was analyzed by immunoblotting, and the highest level was found to be coincidental with the onset of virion morphogenesis.
Energy Bands in Ferromagnetic Nickel

The tight-binding method has been employed to calculate energy bands in ferromagnetic nickel. The basis set consisted of atomic wave functions for the $1s$, $2s$, $3s$, $4s$, $2p$, $3p$, and $4p$ states, expressed as linear combinations of Gaussian orbitals, and five individual Gaussian orbitals for each $3d$ state. The Coulomb part of the crystal potential was constructed from a superposition of overlapping neutral-atom charge densities, the atoms being in the ${d}^{9}{s}^{1}$ configuration. The $X\ensuremath{\alpha}$ method of Slater et al. was used to construct an exchange potential. Energy levels were calculated at 1505 points in $\frac{1}{48}\mathrm{th}$ of the Brillouin zone. The results are generally in good agreement with those obtained from other first-principles calculations. The properties for several positions on the Fermi surface are determined and compared with experiment. The spin splitting of the $d$ bands is calculated to be about 0.8 eV. A spin-wave reciprocal effective mass of 0.165 (in atomic units) is obtained.
Importancia del runoff distal en la revascularización endoluminal de la arteria femoral superficial en claudicantes

El tratamiento endoluminal de la patologia oclusiva de la arteria femoral superficial (AFS) en pacientes claudicantes es cada vez mas habitual, pero el papel del runoff de los vasos distales en sus resultados a largo plazo sigue siendo incierto. Se sabe que el runoff afecta de forma negativa a la permeabilidad del implante, pero no se dispone de datos sobre la repercusion del runoff distal en las intervenciones percutaneas de la AFS ni sus implicaciones durante el seguimiento. Examinamos el impacto del runoff de las arterias popliteas y tibiales distales en los resultados a largo plazo de las intervenciones en la AFS por claudicacion. Se realizo la busqueda en una base de datos prospectiva de pacientes sometidos a tratamiento endovascular de la AFS entre 1986 y 2007. Se seleccionaron los pacientes con sintomas 1, 2, y 3 segun la escala de Rutherford, excluyendo aquellos que habian sido sometidos a procedimientos asociados en los vasos distales. Se revisaron las angiografias preoperatorias en todos los casos para evaluar el runoff de las arterias popliteas y distales y se puntuo segun los criterios modificados de la Society for Vascular Surgery para ambos sectores, de manera que una puntuacion elevada indica un peor runoff (minimo 1, maximo 19). Se identificaron 3 grupos de puntuacion del runoff: 10 (deficiente). Se realizaron analisis de supervivencia de Kaplan-Meier para evaluar los criterios de valoracion dependientes del tiempo, asi como analisis de multivariante. Cuatrocientas ochenta y una extremidades de 347 pacientes (70% hombres, media de edad 66 anos) fueron sometidas a tratamiento endovascular de la AFS por claudicacion: 87% presentaban hipertension arterial entre sus antecedentes, 51% diabetes mellitus, 67% hiperlipidemia y 16% insuficiencia renal cronica (1% en hemodialisis). El porcentaje de exito tecnico fue del 92%, con un 63% de las AFS sometidas a angioplastia, 26% a colocacion de stent primario, y un 3% a aterectomia. La mortalidad global fue del 1,1% y la morbilidad global del 17% a los 90 dias de la intervencion. A los 5 anos, los vasos con runoff comprometido o deficiente presentaron significativamente una mayor tasa de recidiva clinica y reestenosis. Los indices de permeabilidad primaria y primaria asistida fueron significativamente peores en los pacientes con runoff deficiente. Sin embargo, la permeabilidad secundaria fue equivalente entre los grupos. El runoff comprometido o deficiente estuvo asociado con una reduccion incremental de la salvacion de la extremidad. Tras las intervenciones percutaneas de la AFS por claudicacion, el runoff permite identificar a los pacientes que sufriran reestenosis y sintomas recurrentes con mayor probabilidad y, lo que es mas importante, aquellos con un mayor riesgo de perdida de la extremidad. La definicion de estos subgrupos permite una clara estratificacion del riesgo de los pacientes con claudicacion y puede ayudar a determinar la frecuencia de seguimiento ambulatorio aconsejable.
Phosphorylation and Stabilization of TAp63γ by IκB Kinase-β

Post-translational modification of the p53 family members is key to their regulation. Here we report the phosphorylation of TAp63γ, but not ΔNp63γ, by IκB kinase β (IKKβ). Activation of IKKβ by γ radiation or tumor necrosis factor-α led to increased TAp63γ protein levels in cells. IKKβ, but not its kinase-defective mutant IKKβ-K44A, led to this observed stabilization of TAp63γ. This stabilization of TAp63γ in response to γ radiation was significantly decreased in the absence of IKKβ. Phosphorylation of TAp63γ blocks ubiquitylation and possible degradation of this protein. We postulate that phosphorylation of TAp63γ by IKKβ stabilizes the TAp63γ protein by blocking ubiquitylation-dependent degradation of this protein.
Does supervision matter? Some hypothesis tests using Indian farm-level data

Abstract A model is developed and estimated to test for heterogeneity of family and hired labor in agricultural production and to estimate the impact of employer supervision on the productivity of hired labor. Plot-level data are used from a rice-growing village in semi-arid tropical India. The hypothesis that family and hired labor are homogeneous inputs was rejected. Results indicate that family member supervision is required to increase hired labor productivity. Output loss attributable to operating at reduced supervision intensity was greater than 10% on over 40% of the plots.
Long-Term Associations between Wind Speeds and the Urban Heat Island of Phoenix, Arizona

Abstract The association between a developing urban heat island and local monthly averaged wind speeds is examined in this investigation. Results from a series of statistical analyses show a significant increase in wind speeds in Phoenix, Arizona during the period of rapid heat island development. The increase in winds is found to be much stronger at 0500 MST than at 1400 MST. Increased instability and the development of a strong heat low circulation in the urban environment are suggested as probable causes for the increased wind speeds.
A Model of Union Participation Among U.S. Blue-Collar Workers

Abstract Although research on union participation was fairly common during the 1980s, little is known about the determinants of U.S. blue-collar workers' participation in their unions. In this study, a model of the processes and behaviors of union participation was tested with data from two U.S. union locals (N = 234 and N = 165) affiliated with the same international union. Structural equation modeling procedures were used to differentiate the influence of various predictors and intervening variables on union participation. Some of the results failed to support hypothesized relationships, whereas others were very consistent with the proposed model. A common model accounted for more variance in union participation in Sample 1 (Midwest) than in Sample 2 (Southeast).
Self‐control and perceived physical risk in an extreme sport

Purpose – A recent discovery related to risk behavior is the finding that neurobiological development of impulse control in young people greatly lags that of cognitive evaluation of risk. This suggests that self‐control could be an important variable in risk perception. The goal of the present study is investigation of the relationship between self‐control and perceived physical risk to self in off‐road motorcycling.Design/methodology/approach – Consistent with the age range in which the developmental lag between impulse control and cognitive evaluation of risk occurs, a sample of subjects aged 18‐24 was chosen. All respondents reported at least some experience in off‐road motorcycling. Subjects filled‐out paper and pencil questionnaires addressing perceived physical risk to themselves, level of experience in the sport, relative skill, expected fun, level of self‐control, and estimated risk for an average other participant in dirt‐biking.Findings – Self‐control exhibited a significant, inverse correlation...
Residual stress and microstructure in quenched and tempered and hot oil quenched carburized gears

The residual stress and microstructure in carburized cases developed by a conventional quench and temper and a hot oil quench were determined for two automotive differential gears. A Ithough the results for the two gears could not be directly compared because of the different geometries, the changes in residual stress produced by hot oil quenching was found to depend on the hardenability of the steels. Hot oil quenched, carburized SAE 4130 drive pinion gears had higher compressive residual stresses than quenched and tempered gears, although the microstructures were similar. The higher compressive stresses are believed caused by 1) the initiation of austenite transformation nearer the core because of the lower thermal gradient, and 2) the elimination of tempering. In contrast, hot oil quenched, carburized SAE 1526 ring gears had lower compressive residual stresses than quenched and tempered gears. The microstructure of the carburized case of quenched and tempered gears was mainly martensitic while bainite was the primary microconstituent in hot oil quenched gears. The lower residual stress in the hot oil quenched ring gears may result from the lower transformation strain associated with the austenite → bainite transformation.
Structural disorder and electronic properties of amorphous silicon

We have performed a first-principles calculation of the electronic energies for amorphous Si using the method of orthogonalized linear combinations of atomic orbitals. The basis functions are the $3s$, $3p$ Bloch sums for each atom in the large quasi-unit-cell orthogonalized to all $1s$, $2s$, $2p$ Bloch sums. All the multicenter integrals and Hamiltonian matrix elements are computed exactly by the Gaussian technique with no empirical parametrization. Applied to a recently constructed periodic random-network structural model, the method yields a band gap of 0.67 eV. An alternative scheme is to employ as basis functions orthogonalized $3s$, $3p$ orbitals centered at sites within a cluster to obtain energy levels and to configurationally average the results over several clusters. This scheme is applied to make similar analyses for the nonperiodic networks of Polk and Boudreaux (as refined by Steinhardt, Alben, and Weaire) and of Connell and Temkin; the calculated band gaps are 2.19 and 1.24 eV, respectively. The general profiles of the density of states for different nets show relatively little variation, but the band gap depends quite sensitively on the details of the structural disorder.
Endplate blocking actions of lophotoxin.

Abstract Effects of lophotoxin (LTX), a neurotoxin isolated from Pacific sea whips Lophogorgia rigida and Lophogorgia chelensis, on neuromuscular transmission were assessed in the rat phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparation using conventional microelectrode recording techniques, and in the frog cutaneous pectoris preparation using two microelectrode voltage clamp techniques. LTX (2-25 microM) produced a progressive, irreversible block of miniature endplate potential (m.e.p.p.) and endplate potential (e.p.p.) amplitude. M.e.p.p. amplitude histograms were shifted markedly in the direction of lower amplitude by LTX. These effects occurred following a latency of 25-40 min. The latency to onset of block was decreased with increasing LTX concentrations. In some preparations, LTX produced a transient increase in m.e.p.p. frequency during the first 5 min of application; however, m.e.p.p. frequency then declined to complete block. The depressant effect of LTX on m.e.p.p. and e.p.p. amplitude progressed to complete block irrespective of the LTX concentration. LTX also blocked the endplate depolarization produced by iontophoretic application of acetylcholine (ACh). The resting membrane potential of skeletal muscle fibres was unaffected by LTX. In voltage clamp experiments, LTX (15 microM) depressed the peak amplitude of the endplate current (e.p.c.) nearly uniformly at potentials between -120 and +60 mV. LTX did not affect the e.p.c. reversal potential or the kinetics of e.p.c. decay suggesting that LTX does not block open ACh channels. E.p.c. block by LTX was also progressive and irreversible. The results indicate that LTX blocks neuromuscular transmission by a postjunctional action. The binding site of LTX may be different from that of ACh.