cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Upconverting Chelate Cell Assay Development

We report application of upconverting chelates to a cell surface assay. EGFR on A431 cells is labeled using europium DOTA and imaged using an upconversion microscope.
Quality agenda: priorities for action recommendations of the American Academy of Nursing Conference on Health Care Quality.

Abstract The national focus on improving the quality of health care and a growing body of research on quality methods and outcomes have produced both momentum and urgency for action. In a relatively short time, the science of quality methods and outcomes has made substantial strides. Advances in theory development, increasing use of large datasets, and focused studies of major system problems set the stage for change. What we have learned suggests that improving quality will require a complex blend of short-term and long-term action in many areas: building public awareness, improving the science, changing delivery systems, and altering incentives. This paper highlights conclusions and recommendations from the April 2002 Conference on Measuring and Improving Health Care Quality convened by the American Academy of Nursing Expert Panel on Quality Health Care. Strategic priorities for a unified practice, research, and policy agenda to improve quality of health care are identified. Based on critical analysis of research and dialogue among experts and innovators, priorities for action clustered in five areas: (1) The context for the quality agenda; (2) database issues; (3) advancing research; (4) development of clinical information systems; and (5) public visibility. Attention is needed in each of these areas to stimulate ongoing debate and a meaningful agenda for change.
Corrigendum to “The neurovascular retina in retinopathy of prematurity” [Prog. Retin. Eye Res. 28 (2009) 452–482]

The authors regret that an error occurred on p. 464 of the above article. In the last sentence of Section 2.3, the text “outer nuclear layer” should read “inner nuclear layer”. The correct sentence should now read: “Consistent with this hypothesis, OCT results (Hammer et al., 2008) in these same ROP subjects who had participated in the 103 hexagon mfERG study (Fulton et al., 2005) showed that the inner nuclear layer is thicker in ROP subjects than in controls (Section 2.4).” The authors apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Seepage streams out of canals and ditches overlying shallow water tables

Abstract When there is seepage from a canal or ditch overlying a shallow water table, water-logging of the soil at distant points is a distinct possibility. Thus, for given flowfield parameters it is desirous to be able to predict the limit of the drainage capacity which can be handled without producing this condition of water-logging at distant points. A simple numerical scheme is presented for the solution of such problems. This numerical scheme based upon the Baiocchi method and transformation gives a quick, simple, and accurate means of obtaining the discharge and the free-surface location knowing the physical parameters of the particular canal or ditch problem. Thus, the data necessary to investigate the water-logging phenomenon for a particular flow situation can readily be obtained from the application of this numerical approach. The numerical results obtained for specific applications are compared with other published results to similar problems. Also, a discussion is presented concerning the numerical results and the performance of the numerical scheme.
Vestibular Nerve Section

Abstract Introduction: Vestibular nerve section is considered to be the most effective surgical procedure for control of intractable symptoms secondary to labyrinthine and eighth nerve function. This study was developed to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy of vestibular nerve section in patients treated for disabling labyrinthine dysfunction. Methods: A retrospective review of hospital and office records was carried out on 39 patients who underwent vestibular nerve section. All patients received a comprehensive questionnaire to subjectively evaluate efficacy. Results: Questionnaires were returned from 36 of 39 patients. Follow-up averaged 51 months. A decrease in vertiginous attacks was reported by 94% of patients. An improvement in activity tolerance was reported by 30% of patients. Preoperative tinnitus and ear fullness reportedly improved after surgery in 53% and 65% or patients respectively. Complications encountered included cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak (six patients), meningitis (two patients), and intracranial fluid collection (one patient). Conclusion: Vestibular nerve section is a relatively safe and effective method of treatment for intractable vertigo.
A Handheld Device for Intrusive and Nonintrusive Field Measurements of Air Permeability

Air permeability is an easy to measure soil parameter that is of direct importance in gas transport studies. Its values can also be used as indicators of soil hydraulic conductivity. Near the soil surface, both air and water permeability values are important for hydrological and agricultural studies involving, for example, soil aeration and water runoff during rainfall events. We provide a design of a rugged, lightweight, handheld, single-reading device allowing for fast measurements of air permeability near the soil surface. The device makes use of two interchangeable air probes. The contact probe, well documented in the petroleum engineering literature, is proposed as an addition to the traditional insertion probe. The advantages and drawbacks of each probe type are discussed briefly. Central to the in situ measurement of air permeability is the concept of the probe geometric factor. Empirical relationships are presented to make the application of this concept more amenable. Relative differences in air permeability values obtained with the two probes seem to be acceptable for permeability measurements. Even though in most cases contact probe air permeability values were higher than insertion probe values, no clear trend existed. The differences were attributed to differences in soil compaction, bypass flow, and different measurement volumes associated with the two probe types. For the flow rates and pressures encountered during the measurements, the flow rate behaved as a linear function of the pressure gradient. In other words, the assumed Darcy-type equation was applicable.
Exceptional Thermal Stability of Pd@CeO2 Core–Shell Catalyst Nanostructures Grafted onto an Oxide Surface

Monolayer films of highly catalytically active Pd@CeO2 core–shell nanocomposites were grafted onto a planar YSZ(100) (yttria-stabilized zirconia, YSZ) single crystal support that was functionalized with a CVD-deposited layer of triethoxy(octyl)silane (TEOOS). The resulting monolayer films were found to exhibit exceptionally high thermal stability compared to bare Pd nanoparticles with the Pd@CeO2 nanostructures remaining intact and highly dispersed upon calcining in air at temperatures in excess of 1000 K. The CeO2 shells were also shown to be more easily reduced than bulk CeO2, which may partially explain their unique activity as oxidation catalysts. The use of both TEOOS and tetradecylphosphonic acid (TDPA) as coupling agents for dispersing Pd@CeO2 core–shell nanocomposites onto a high surface area γ-Al2O3 support is also demonstrated.
Link prediction applied to an open large-scale online social network

In this paper, we describe experiments examining the practicality of applying link prediction to an open large-scale online social network. We rely on metrics that are strictly topological, making use of one previously identified metric and one of our own. We directly address the open nature of the network through a study of the linking dynamics over time between users and the effect the openness of the network (i.e. users entering/leaving the network) has on our ability to predict new friendship links. We follow users from the time they enter the network to 10 months after joining and examine the effect of applying link prediction at different points. Analysis shows that prediction results are best shortly after users have entered the network and that the precision and recall of link prediction results diminish the longer users have been members of the network. To the best of our knowledge, our analysis is the most comprehensive in terms of analyzing link prediction in an open large-scale online social network.
50 years of multiple scattering theory

Scattering theory is normally used to describe events in which an incoming electron impinges on a cluster of atoms and an outgoing wave is produced. In 1947, Korringa had the remarkable insight that, when the cluster is large enough, the incoming and outgoing waves become superfluous. The multiple scattering of the electron from atom to atom within the cluster describes stationary states. Over the past 50 years, multiple scattering theory has been developed into a powerful tool for calculating the electronic states in ordered solids, disordered solids and magnetic systems. This work started at the Quantum Theory Project in Gainesville and is now being pursued internationally.
The evolutionary psychology of patriarchy: Women are not passive pawns in men's game

We applaud Campbell's cogent arguments for the evolution of female survival mechanisms but take issue with several key conceptual claims: the treatment of patriarchy; the implicit assumption that women are passive pawns in a male game of media exploitation; and the neglect of the possibility that media images exploit existing evolved psychological mechanisms rather than create them.
Evidence for a polynuclear metal ion binding site in the catalytic domain of ribonuclease P RNA.

Interactions with divalent metal ions are essential for the folding and function of the catalytic RNA component of the tRNA processing enzyme ribonuclease P (RNase P RNA). However, the number and location of specific metal ion interactions in this large, highly structured RNA are poorly understood. Using atomic mutagenesis and quantitative analysis of thiophilic metal ion rescue we provide evidence for metal ion interactions at the pro-RP and pro-SP non-bridging phosphate oxygens at nucleotide A67 in the universally conserved helix P4. Moreover, second-site modifications within helix P4 and the adjacent single stranded region (J3/4) provide the first evidence for metal ion interactions with nucleotide base functional groups in RNase P RNA and reveal the presence of an additional metal ion important for catalytic function. Together, these data are consistent with a cluster of metal ion interactions in the P1–P4 multi-helix junction that defines the catalytic core of the RNase P ribozyme.
Biology of grit-blasted titanium alloy implants.

This study describes the biologic integration of grit-blasted titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) implants that were press fit into the distal femoral canal of young adult rabbits and evaluated by histologic, histomorphometric, and biomechanical methods. Polished and aluminum oxide grit-blasted (4.2 ± 0.7 microns surface roughness) solid implants were compared with titanium fibermetal implants. Nondecalcified cross sections were studied by histology, histomorphometry, and electron microscopy in the backscatter mode at 3, 6, and 12 weeks after implantation. Pullout strength was measured at 12 weeks. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and post-hoc Student-Newman-Keuls and Scheffe's tests. The blasted implants had significantly more bone intimately in contact with the implant surface (31%) than the fibermetal (17%), or solid polished implants (15%). By 3 weeks, woven bone had formed directly on the surface of the blasted implants, whereas there was a discrete space between woven bone and the other implants. Active remodeling of bone was shown by fluorochrome uptake at the surface of the blasted implants at 12 weeks after implantation. The strength of fixation of blasted and fiber-metal implants was significantly greater than polished implants at 12 weeks after implantation. Direct attachment of newly formed bone onto the blasted implant surface was confirmed by backscatter electron microscopy. The results of this study indicate that grit-blasted titanium surfaces provide an excellent surface for bone-implant integration.
Misadjustment to anticipated shocks: an example of exchange-rate response

Abstract A simple model for a small open economy is used to illustrate a distinction between over(under)shooting and what is labeled as misadjusting responses of the exchange rate in this paper. If the relative price elasticity of the aggregate demand, d , is greater than 1, then the exchange rate misadjusts when the time interval between the date when the exchange is anticipated for the first time to the realization of the change is longer than a certain minimum, called the minimum lead time. If d is less than 1, then the exchange rate overshoots with sufficiently long lead time when a shift up of real output is anticipated.
The PhEDEx next-gen website

PhEDEx is the data-transfer management solution written by CMS. It consists of agents running at each site, a website for presentation of information, and a web-based data-service for scripted access to information. The website allows users to monitor the progress of data-transfers, the status of site agents and links between sites, and the overall status and behaviour of everything about PhEDEx. It also allows users to make and approve requests for data-transfers and for deletion of data. It is the main point-of-entry for all users wishing to interact with PhEDEx. For several years, the website has consisted of a single perl program with about 10K SLOC. This program has limited capabilities for exploring the data, with only coarse filtering capabilities and no context-sensitive awareness. Graphical information is presented as static images, generated on the server, with no interactivity. It is also not well connected to the rest of the PhEDEx codebase, since much of it was written before the data-service was developed. All this makes it hard to maintain and extend. We are re-implementing the website to address these issues. The UI is being rewritten in Javascript, replacing most of the server-side code. We are using the YUI toolkit to provide advanced features and context-sensitive interaction, and will adopt a Javascript charting library for generating graphical representations client-side. This relieves the server of much of its load, and automatically improves server-side security. The Javascript components can be re-used in many ways, allowing custom pages to be developed for specific uses. In particular, standalone test-cases using small numbers of components make it easier to debug the Javascript than it is to debug a large server program. Information about PhEDEx is accessed through the PhEDEx data-service, since direct SQL is not available from the clients' browser. This provides consistent semantics with other, externally written monitoring tools, which already use the data-service. It also reduces redundancy in the code, yielding a simpler, consolidated codebase. In this talk we describe our experience of re-factoring this monolithic server-side program into a lighter client-side framework. We describe some of the techniques that worked well for us, and some of the mistakes we made along the way. We present the current state of the project, and its future direction.
Surface cells of the ovary and pelvic peritoneum: A histochemical and ultrastructure comparison

Abstract Parmley and Woodruff ( Amer. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 120 , 234–241, 1974) proposed that all tumors derived from surface cells of the ovary could be considered as mesotheliomas. This prompted a comparison of the ultrastructural and histochemical characteristics of surface cells of the ovary and peritoneal mesothelium. Normal surface cells of the ovary tend to be cuboidal or columnar in shape, while mesothelial cells are flat and have a broad cytoplasmic spread. Surface cells have cilia, mesothelial cells do not. Lipid deposits were present in surface cells and absent in peritoneal mesothelium. Pelvic peritoneal cells become columnar when adjacent to grade I serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary. Surface cells of the ovary were positive for 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; peritoneal cells were negative. Surface cells were occasionally mucin positive; peritoneal cells were negative. Surface ovarian cells were positive for alcian blue, pH 2.5 and pH 1.0, indicating presence of sulfated acidic and neutral mucopolysaccharides; peritoneal cells were negative.
Optimal Hovering Kinematics of Flapping Wings for Micro Air Vehicles

This paper presents theoretical and experimental analyses of insect flapping mechanics and aerodynamics, with the aim of developing flapping-wing micro air vehicles. A model of an insect thorax flapping mechanism is developed that includes a quasi-steady aerodynamic model. Computer simulations of the thorax model show insectlike wing kinematics, including passive wing rotation at the end of the stroke. These kinematics are perturbed in a sequence of experiments using a robotic flapping-wing device to determine optimal hovering kinematics. Experiments are supported with numerical optimization based on the aerodynamic model. Apart from optimal kinematics, this study shows negative aerodynamic power required during wing rotation, which explains passive wing rotation at the end of the stroke.
Hydrogenolysis of alcohols: III. Effect of supports on reduced nickel oxide for the conversion of alcohols to ethers☆

Abstract Catalysts prepared from nickel oxide deposited on kieselguhr, silica, silicaalumina, and alumina were reduced and studied for the conversion of primary alcohols. The alcohols studied were n-propanol, n-butanol, 2-methylbutanol, and 2,2-dimethylbutanol (neopentyl alcohol). The exepriments were made in a pulse reactor in the presence of a flow of hydrogen, at atmospheric pressure and at about 190 °. Three main reactions occur in the presence of a nickel-kieselguhr catalyst: (1) reductive dehydroxymethylation, (2) reductive dehydroxylation, and (3) ether formation. The last two reactions are related to the intrinsic acidic sites of the catalyst. Nickel-kieselguhr catalyst containing 6–10% of nickel gave in the case of n-butanol 73% conversion, with 72 mole % of di-n-butyl ether in the product. The presence of Na+ in the catalyst inhibits the formation of ethers, while the dehydroxymethylation reaction increases. A continuous flow reaction at 190 ° demonstrated that nickel-kieselguhr catalyst containing 6% of nickel shows no deterioration after 16 hr of use. At 170 °, with a hydrogen to alcohol ratio of 10 and LHSV of 2, n-butanol reacted to the extent of 89%, with 91% yield of di-n-butyl ether.
Autophosphorylation of Akt at Threonine 72 and Serine 246: A POTENTIAL MECHANISM OF REGULATION OF Akt KINASE ACTIVITY

Activation of the serine/threonine protein kinase Akt is a multistep process. We here propose that the kinase activity of Akt is regulated via autophosphorylation in trans at two putative sites (threonine 72 and serine 246) that lie in the characteristic Akt substrate motif (RXRXX(S/T)). Incubation of Akt immunoprecipitated from transfected cells with a pre-activated Akt recombinant protein and gamma-32P-labeled ATP led to marked incorporation of radioactivity in wild-type Akt but not Akt/T72A/S246A mutant. Western blot analysis using a phosphorylated Akt substrate-specific antibody of Akt immunoprecipitated from transfected cells confirmed the autophosphorylation of wild-type Akt but not Akt/T72A/S246A mutant in insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)-stimulated cells. Autophosphorylation of Akt on Thr-72 and Ser-246 appeared to require prior phosphorylation of Akt on Thr-308 and Ser-473. Compared with wild-type Akt, Akt/T72A/S246A mutant exhibited markedly reduced basal Akt kinase activity and response to cellular stimulation by insulin-like growth factor-1, and also conferred less cellular resistance to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. The findings from these pilot studies suggest that Akt regulates its kinase activity through autophosphorylation. Further investigation of this potential novel regulatory mechanism by which Akt performs its cellular functions is warranted.
High concordance between HercepTest immunohistochemistry and ERBB2 fluorescence in situ hybridization before and after implementation of American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathology 2007 guidelines

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2, ERBB2) is an important critical predictive marker in patients with invasive breast cancer. It is thus imperative to ensure accuracy and precision in HER2 and ERBB2 testing. In 2007, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) proposed new guidelines for immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in-situ hybridization scoring in an effort to improve accuracy and utility of these companion diagnostic tests. The goal of the 2007 guidelines was to improve concordance rates between the diagnostic tests and decrease the number of inconclusive cases. This study examines the impact in concordance rates and number of inconclusive cases based on the recent change in guidelines in a large study cohort. HER2 immunohistochemistry and ERBB2 fluorescence in-situ hybridization were performed on all specimens from our facility from years 2003 through 2010 (n=1437). Cases from 2003–2007 (n=1016) were scored using Food and Drug Administration guidelines, with immunohistochemical 3+ cases staining >10% of tumor cells and fluorescence in-situ hybridization amplification cutoff value of 2.0. The 2007 guidelines were implemented and scored accordingly for cases from 2008–2010 (n=421), with immunohistochemical 3+ cases staining >30% of tumor cells and fluorescence in-situ hybridization amplification cutoff value of 2.2. We compared concordance rates before and after 2007 guidelines. For the 2003–2007 study population, the concordance rate between the assays was 97.6% with a corresponding kappa coefficient (k) of 0.90. For the 2008–2010 study population, concordance rate was 97.6% with a corresponding k of 0.89. There was no significant difference in number of inconclusive rates before and after 2007 guidelines. In our study, implementation of the new ASCO/CAP 2007 HER2 guidelines did not show a significant difference in concordance rates and did not decrease the number of inconclusive cases.
Visible‐Light‐Mediated Thiol‐Ene Hydrogelation Using Eosin‐Y as the Only Photoinitiator

The utility of visible-light-mediated polymerization in tissue engineering has been limited due to the necessary use of potentially cytotoxic coinitiator and comonomer. Here, we report a visible-light-mediated thiol-ene hydrogelation scheme using eosin-Y as the only photoinitiator. Under visible light exposure, rapid and highly tunable step-growth gelation is achieved using PEG-norbornene and a model cross-linker dithiothreitol. In addition to investigating the gelation kinetics and properties of thiol-ene hydrogels formed by this new gelation scheme, we also report high cytocompatibility of these hydrogels using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and pancreatic MIN6 β-cells.
BIST Driven Power Conscious Post-Manufacture Tuning of Wireless Transceiver Systems Using Hardware-Iterated Gradient Search

In this paper, a fast RF BIST-driven post-manufacture tuning methodology for yield improvement of RF transceiver systems is presented. The core algorithms optimize multiple transceiver performance metrics concurrently using a hardware-iterated gradient search algorithm that uses diagnostic BIST data to guide the tuning of circuit and software level parameters. Intelligent “initial guess” values for the circuit and software tuning knobs at the start of the tuning process allow rapid convergence. Power consumption is given key consideration through the tuning process. Further, self-tuning is performed with little or no external tester support. The viability of the proposed scheme has been demonstrated through an experimental RF hardware prototype. Experimental results demonstrate significant yield recovery while allowing up to 10X savings in test/tuning time.
Depleted plural marking in two Afro-Hispanic dialects: Separating inheritance from innovation

Spanish is characterized by number concord in determiner phrases (DPs) and predicate nominals; the plural marker /s/ is attached to all relevant elements in a plural DP. Exceptions to this rule usually involve phonetically motivated processes of /s/-weakening in coda position, and do not result in a functionally different system of plural marking. A distinct pattern is found in two isolated dialects of Spanish spoken in ethnically cohesive Afro-descendent communities where Spanish was originally acquired as a second language by speakers of African languages. In both varieties, characterized by the absence of /s/-reducing phenomena, plural /-s/ tends to be marked only on the first element of plural DPs, usually a determiner. In one of the dialects, spoken in Ecuador, these “stripped plurals” alternate with full multiple plural concord, similar to vernacular Brazilian Portuguese. In the other dialect, spoken in Bolivia, stripped plurals appear to be a recent development, emerging from a more restructured traditional variety in which plural /-s/ was not used at all. A variational analysis of both dialects finds little evidence for spontaneous drift away from canonical multiple plural marking, but rather suggests an evolution from earlier contact-induced interlanguages that exhibited even less systematic plural marking. The appearance of Afro-Hispanic stripped plurals is tentatively correlated with the shift from a depleted definite article system to a configuration more closely resembling modern Spanish. A similar set of circumstances may have contributed to the formation of stripped plurals in vernacular Brazilian Portuguese.
XBP1 is essential for survival under hypoxic conditions and is required for tumor growth

Abstract Hypoxia within solid tumors is a major determinant of outcome afteranticancer therapy. Analysis of gene expression changes during hypoxiaindicated that unfolded protein response genes were one of the mostrobustly induced groups of genes. In this study, we investigated thehypoxic regulation of X-box binding protein (XBP1), a major transcrip-tional regulator of the unfolded protein response. Hypoxia induced XBP1at the transcriptional level and activated splicing of its mRNA, resulting inincreased levels of activated XBP1 protein. After exposure to hypoxia,apoptosis increased and clonogenic survival decreased in XBP1-deficientcells. Loss of XBP1 severely inhibited tumor growth due to a reducedcapacity for these transplanted tumor cells to survive in a hypoxic micro-environment. Taken together, these studies directly implicate XBP1 as anessential survival factor for hypoxic stress and tumor growth. IntroductionHypoxia is a physiologically important endoplasmic reticulum (ER)stress common to all solid tumors. Numerous clinical studies havedemonstrated that tumor hypoxia predicts for decreased local control,increased distant metastases, and decreased overall survival in avariety of human tumors (1). Hypoxia selects for tumors with anincreased malignant phenotype (2) and increases the metastatic po-tential of tumor cells (3). Understanding the role of hypoxia intumorigenesis and its influence on anticancer therapy is crucial toimproving current cancer treatments (4).The ER is an extensive intracellular membrane network that ex-tends throughout the cytoplasm and functions primarily to processnewly synthesized secretory and transmembrane proteins. Accumula-tion of unfolded proteins in this compartment causes ER stress andprolonged ER stress ultimately results in cell death. The cellularresponse to ER stress consists of at least two coordinated pathways:(1) rapid translational arrest mediated by pancreatic ER kinase orPKR-like ER kinase (PERK); and (2) transcriptional activation ofunfolded protein response target genes (5, 6). In addition to cancer (7),the unfolded protein response has therapeutic implications in diseasessuch as diabetes, atherosclerosis, viral infection, conformational dis-eases, and cerebrovascular disease (8).Koumenis et al. (9) previously demonstrated that translationalcontrol of protein synthesis during hypoxia occurs through the acti-vation of PERK. These investigators showed that PERK
Antisense therapy for hepatitis C virus infection

Background: The stability and propagation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is dependent on a functional interaction between the HCV genome and liver-expressed microRNA-122 (miR-122). Miravir- sen is a locked nucleic acid-modified DNA phosphorothioate anti- sense oligonucleotide that sequesters mature miR-122 in a highly stable heteroduplex, thereby inhibiting its function. Methods: In this phase 2a study at seven international sites, we eval- uated the safety and efficacy of miravirsen in 36 patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection. The patients were randomly assigned to receive five weekly subcutaneous injections of miravirsen at doses of 3 mg, 5 mg, or 7 mg per kilogram of body weight or pla- cebo over a 29-day period. They were followed until 18 weeks after randomization. Results: Miravirsen resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in HCV RNA levels that endured beyond the end of active therapy. In the mir- avirsen groups, the mean maximum reduction in HCV RNA level (log10 IU per milliliter) from baseline was 1.2 (P = 0.01) for patients receiving 3 mg per kilogram, 2.9 (P = 0.003) for those receiving 5 mg per kilogram, and 3.0 (P = 0.002) for those receiving 7 mg per kilogram, as compared with a reduction of 0.4 in the placebo group. During 14 weeks of follow-up after treatment, HCV RNA was not detected in one patient in the 5-mg group and in four patients in the 7-mg group. We observed no dose-limiting adverse events and no escape mutations in the miR-122 binding sites of the HCV genome. Conclusions: The use of miravirsen in patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection showed prolonged dose-dependent reductions in HCV RNA levels without evidence of viral resistance. (Funded by Santaris Pharma; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01200420.) 2013 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published
Evidence for a Possible Role for Ca++ in the 3,5,3’-Triiodothyronine Inhibition of Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone-Induced Secretion of Thyrotropin by Rat Anterior Pituitary in Vitro*

The present study was undertaken to determine whether T3 could modify anterior pituitary Ca++ metabolism under basal conditions and in the presence of TRH. Paired hemipituitaries from hypothyroid rats were preincubated with T3 (10-7 M) for 2 h, allowed to accumulate 45Ca++ for the third hour, and repeatedly washed in static incubations or superfused for the next 2 h with isotope-free medium and finally with TRH (10-8 M) for 10 min. T3 treatment had no effect on the basal pattern of isotope loss throughout the 2-h wash period. TRH stimulated 45Ca++ fractional efflux from a basal value of 0.76 ± 0.10% to 1.66 ± 0.38% min-1 (P < 0.02; mean ± SD; n = 9). T3 reduced TRH-stimulated efflux to 1.30 ± 0.20% min-1, while basal values were unaltered (0.70 ± 0.10% min-1). Similarly, T3 inhibited the TSH response to TRH from 480% to 200% of basal secretion. T3 pretreatment also inhibited the basal uptake of 45Ca++ when a La+++ displacement protocol was employed from 1751 ± 36 to 1400 ± 61 cpm/mg pituitary (mean ± SEM;...
Smoothing Point Processes as a Means to Increase Throughput

Unlike the leaky-bucket scheme which regulates the input rate, the filters we study in this paper reduce the variability of interarrival times subject to a maximum delay constraint for each customer. These filters are called smoothing filters for point processes. By considering the output processes of various queueing systems, we show that an infinite-server queue acts as a smoothing filter for a doubly stochastic Poisson process, and a single-server queue with deterministic service times acts as a smoothing filter for a stationary and ergodic point process. Based on the second point, we provide a smoothing algorithm that satisfies a maximum delay constraint. The algorithm is shown to be robust and consistent. We then consider two examples where these filters can be applied to increase throughput: One is the single-server loss system with exponential service times, the other is the leaky-bucket scheme with token buffer size 1. Numerical examples and simulations are also given for comparing the tradeoff between delay and throughput. Our approach is based on the variability ordering and a cut criterion for the majorization ordering. The criterion appears to be new and of independent interest.
Hemoglobin Variants and Hemoglobin A1c Analysis: Problem Solved?

Measurement of glycohemoglobin (GHb) is an integral component of the management of patients with diabetes mellitus (1)(2). Glycation is the nonenzymatic addition of a sugar residue to amino groups of proteins. Numerous proteins in the body are glycated, but GHb in blood is the analyte most widely used clinically to monitor glycemic control. The concentration of GHb is directly proportional to the mean concentration of glucose in the blood and the lifespan of erythrocytes (mean, 120 days). Thus, the GHb concentration represents an integrated value for glucose over the preceding 2–3 months. GHb provides an index of glycemic control that is free of the wide diurnal glucose fluctuations and is unaffected by recent exercise or food ingestion. Two large, prospective, randomized clinical trials demonstrated a strong relationship between hyperglycemia and the development of microvascular complications of diabetes. In the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), which studied patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, respectively (3)(4), glycemic control was assessed by GHb. Both studies established a direct relationship between the GHb concentration and the risk of complications. These findings led the American Diabetes Association to recommend that a primary treatment goal in adults with diabetes should be near-normal glycemia with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 2 million GHb measurements each month …
β-Hydroxydecanoyl Thioester Dehydrase SPECIFICITY OF SUBSTRATES AND ACETYLENIC INHIBITORS

Abstract The enzyme β-hydroxydecanoyl thioester dehydrase, a requisite component of the fatty acid synthetase system of Escherichia coli, catalyzes the reversible interconversion of the thioesters of β-hydroxydecanoic acid, trans-α,β-decenoic acid, and cis-β, γ-decenoic acid. All activities of the dehydrase are strongly inhibited by 3-decynoyl-N-acetylcysteamine. A marked preference for C10 substrates has previously been noted. For further elucidation of dehydrase specificity, kinetic parameters for the enzymatic dehydration and isomerization were determined with a series of substrates varying in chain length from eight to 12 carbon atoms in the acyl moiety. Inhibition constants for β,γ-acetylenic thioesters of the same series were also measured. The data show a remarkable parallelism between the relative activities of substrates and inhibitors as a function of carbon chain length. The inhibitor 3-decynoyl-N-acetylcysteamine appears to be irreversibly bound to the dehydrase.
An Introduction to Quantum Computers

This is a short introduction to quantum computers, quantum algorithms and quantum error correcting codes. Familiarity with the principles of quantum theory is assumed. Emphasis is put on a concise presentation of the principles avoiding lengthy discussions.
Three module lumped element model of a continuum arm section

In this paper, a section of a continuum arm is modeled using lumped model elements (masses, springs and dampers). The model, although an approximation for a continuum structure, can be used to conveniently analyze the dynamics of the arm with selectable tradeoff in accuracy of modeling. Principles of lagrangian dynamics are used to derive the expressions for the generalized forces in the system. Simulation results using the model are compared with the physical measurements of a continuum arm prototype built using McKibben actuators. A brief discussion on how this relatively simple model can be more realizable when compared to other techniques of modeling continuum arms is also presented in the paper.
A Planar Microfabricated Fluid Filter

Many blood tests must be performed on plasma without cellular matter present. In the standard laboratory protocol, pure plasma is obtained through centrifugation. In order to produce a miniaturized blood sensor, a method to separate plasma other than centrifugation is needed. We describe the design, fabrication, and testing of a fluid filter that fulfills this need, and also has some features of general interest. Results from a particular device show that we can easily remove 16/spl mu/m diameter spheres from the fluid. This filter can be reusable, can potentially remove particles as small as 0.1 /spl mu/m, and is easily fabricated.
A double-blind, randomized comparison of low-dose rocuronium and atracurium in a desflurane anesthetic☆

Abstract Study Objectives: To compare the neuromuscular and hemodynamic effects of rocuronium and atracurium when administered during a desflurane-based anesthetic. Design: Randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Patients: 51 adult ASA physical status I and II patients scheduled for general surgical operations. Setting: University-based NCI-designated cancer center. Interventions: Patients received either 0.45 mg/kg rocuronium (n = 28) or atracurium 0.5 mg/kg (n = 23). Induction of anesthesia was accomplished by 2 μg/kg fentanyl intravenously (IV) and 1.5 mg/kg propofol IV and maintained by a nitrous oxide/oxygen desflurane anesthetic. Measurements and Main Results: A neuromuscular monitor was used at the adductor pollicis to monitor and record twitch response to train-of-four electrical stimulation. Baseline heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were measured and again at 2, 5, 10, and 15 minutes after muscle relaxant administration. Patients in the rocuronium group were found to have shorter times to 80%T 1 depression (109 ± 53 vs. 135 ± 47 sec), although those differences did not reach statistical significance ( p = 0.07). Percent of the first twitch (T 1 ) was significantly lower in the patients receiving rocuronium at 60 seconds (53 ± 24 vs. 73 ± 27 sec; p = 0.006) and 90 seconds (25 ± 22 vs. 47 ± 29 sec; p = 0.003) than in the patients receiving atracurium. Duration was shorter in rocuronium-treated patients (25% T 1 recovery=32 ± 12 vs. 54 ± 14 min; p Conclusions: Rocuronium at a dose of 0.45 mg/kg possesses a fairly rapid onset of neuromuscular blockade and has short:intermediate duration of action when used with a desflurane anesthetic. This quality makes it a desirable drug for operations of relatively short duration. Rocuronium at a dose of 0.45 mg/kg has a faster onset and shorter duration than atracurium, at 0.5 mg/kg, when used with a desflurane anesthetic.
The mechanism of electroforming of metal oxide memristive switches

Metal and semiconductor oxides are ubiquitous electronic materials. Normally insulating, oxides can change behavior under high electric fields—through ‘electroforming’ or ‘breakdown’—critically affecting CMOS (complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor) logic, DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and flash memory, and tunnel barrier oxides. An initial irreversible electroforming process has been invariably required for obtaining metal oxide resistance switches, which may open urgently needed new avenues for advanced computer memory and logic circuits including ultra-dense non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) and adaptive neuromorphic logic circuits. This electrical switching arises from the coupled motion of electrons and ions within the oxide material, as one of the first recognized examples of a memristor (memory‐resistor) device, the fourth fundamental passive circuit element originally predicted in 1971 by Chua. A lack of device repeatability has limited technological implementation of oxide switches, however. Here we explain the nature of the oxide electroforming as an electro-reduction and vacancy creation process caused by high electric fields and enhanced by electrical Joule heating with direct experimental evidence. Oxygen vacancies are created and drift towards the cathode, forming localized conducting channels in the oxide. Simultaneously, O 2− ions drift towards the anode where they evolve O2 gas, causing physical deformation of the junction. The problematic gas eruption and physical deformation are mitigated by shrinking to the nanoscale and controlling the electroforming voltage polarity. Better yet, electroforming problems can be largely eliminated by engineering the device structure to remove ‘bulk’ oxide effects in favor of interface-controlled electronic switching.
Electronic funds transfer as a subject of study in technology, society and public policy

The papers presented at this conference have highlighted the major areas of concern about electronic funds transfer, and have indicated how research might be structured to look into these issues. This paper steps back from both the specific agenda of research topics and from the broader consideration of EFT as a phenomenon in order to: (1) address technology as a subject of continuing research effort in the area of technology, society, and public policy, (2) explore the need for continuing policy research, (3) propose an outline for a longitudinal study of EFT, and (4) discuss implementation mechanisms for such a study.
Narrow channel 2-D MESFET for low power electronics

A 2-D MESFET utilizing sidewall Schottky contacts on either side of a very narrow 2-d electron gas channel is described. Record transconductance of 295 and 130 mS/mm have been achieved at room temperature in 1.0 and 0.5 micron wide devices, respectively. We also present accurate 2-D MESFET current-voltage and capacitance-voltage models. These models have been implemented into AIM-Spice which was used to simulate DCFL inverter and ring oscillator circuits. The ring oscillator simulations predict a power-delay product of less than 0.1 fJ/gate at room temperature, suggesting that the 2-D MESFET may be useful for ultra low power electronics applications. >
Contribution of insulin to the translational control of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle by leucine

Enhanced protein synthesis in skeletal muscle after ingestion of a balanced meal in postabsorptive rats is mimicked by oral leucine administration. To assess the contribution of insulin to the prot...
Piezoresistive Cantilever-based Force-Clamp System for the Study of Mechanotransduction in C. Elegans

Understanding how the mechanoreceptor neurons of Caenorhabditis elegans mediate mechanotransduction can unravel how touch works, but new tools are required to quantitatively analyze the relationship between mechanical loading and the physiological response. Here we present a piezoresistive cantilever-based force clamp system that can apply user-defined force profiles to C. elegans. We present a novel MEMS force-clamp system and demonstrate a piezoresistive cantilever with low 1/f noise, low noise floor and high force resolution suitable for these measurements. Initial studies enabled by the system are also discussed.
Profile Curves for Open-Channel Flow

Certain irregularities appearing in the surface profile curves for gradually varied flow are discussed in this paper. These irregularities occur under conditions in which the depth of flow is less ...
The disc syndrome; results of the conservative care of patients with positive myelograms.

1. Twenty-eight patients with the clinical diagnosis of displaced lumbar intervertebral disc, supported by oil myelography, were treated non-operatively and followed. 2. Twenty-nine per cent. remained pain-free for periods longer than a year; 39 per cent. suffered insufficient residual pain to cause disability; 32 per cent. were disabled by recurring attacks or constant pain. 3. The results in this series compare unfavorably with the results obtained in a carefully selected operative series. 4. The chronicity of this disease must be fully appreciated; most of these patients had suffered five years or more. There can be little justification for letting the disease run its course. 5. No evidence has been found by which the course of the condition may be forecast.
Equine Industries Manure Disposal Practices, Variations and Magnitude

ABSTRACT The American Horse Council reported that there are 5.2 million horses in the U.S. with 192,000 in the state of Colorado. Each year one horse produces about 10 tons of manure. The objective of this survey was to look at the manure handling systems of 1.5% of Colorado horse ranches, estimate the possible methane production from horse manure, and examine the potential for pollution as an effect of the manure handling practices. The survey consisted of 2960 horses from 24 ranches. The survey indicated there are two management systems for horses, pasture-range (55.6%) and confinement (44.4%). Within the confinement systems, there are two manure handling systems; compost (decomposing stock pilings) (31.6%) and fresh spread (12.7%). Estimated total manure methane production for the state of Colorado is 3320 tons/yr; and for the U.S. horse population 89,900 tons/yr.
Potential Immunomodulatory Effects of Statins in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Statins are among the most widely prescribed medications in the world. In addition to lowering cholesterol, statins have been shown to have immunomodulatory effects in multiple studies. For example, statins modulate the interaction between T cells and antigen-presenting cells, resulting in decreased T-cell activation and reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines. Statins have also been demonstrated to inhibit the migration of leukocytes across vascular endothelium into tissues. Although most research on the immune effects of statins has been conducted in the context of cardiovascular, rheumatological, or metabolic disease, various studies have shown that statins may have a significant impact on intestinal immunity and mucosal inflammation. Clinical research has suggested that statins may have benefit in inflammatory bowel disease. In this article, we review the effect of statins on the immune system and gastrointestinal tract, highlighting the potential for novel therapeutic applications in inflammatory bowel disease.
Human-Computer Cooperative Problem Solving in Satellite Ground Control:

In the supervisory control of highly automated dynamic systems, the human operator is responsible for monitoring system state and compensating for system failures. Increasingly, the human operator interacts with one or more knowledge-based (e.g., expert) systems that assume responsibility for a portion of the supervisory control task. Thus, supervisory control is shared by both human and machine agent(s). To date, however, there is little research addressing the interaction of human and knowledge-based machine agents in supervisory control. This paper describes research that explores issues in the design of the cooperative human-machine interaction in the control of a complex dynamic system. The paper presents a set of prescriptive principles that define the human-computer interaction in supervisory control systems. In addition, the paper summarizes a case study of a NASA satellite ground control system in which human operators work with an expert system. The prescriptive principles and case study results...
Work and well-being: gender differences in the psychological consequences of employment

Differential exposure and vulnerability to social roles and role characteristics have been suggested as accounts for gender differences in well-being. This paper proposes a refinement of these models that incorporates the indirect effect of roles through intervening social and psychological resources. These reformulated models provide the framework for an analysis of gender differences in the psychological consequences of work that estimates the direct and indirect effects of two job conditions, control and complexity, on two dimensions of well-being. Results reveal patterns of differential exposure, but also suggest some gender differences in the intervening variables through which work conditions influence well-being. These differences occur primarily in the proximate effects of self-esteem and social integration on distress and happiness.