cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ORIGINAL RESEARCH—ENDOCRINOLOGY: Wide Variability in Laboratory Reference Values for Serum Testosterone

ABSTRACT Introduction The laboratory determination of testosterone levels consistent with a diagnosis of hypogonadism is complicated by the availability of multiple testosterone assays and varying reference ranges. Aim To assess current laboratory practices regarding availability of testosterone assays and use of reference values. Methods A telephone survey of 12 academic, 12 community medical laboratories, and one national laboratory. Main Outcome Measures Types of androgen assays offered and determination of reference values. Results All of the academic and eight of the community centers performed total testosterone testing. Free testosterone was performed in‐house by six of the 12 academic and one community center. Testing for bioavailable testosterone, free androgen index, and percent free testosterone was performed in‐house by no more than two centers. There were eight and four different assays used for total and free testosterone, respectively. One national laboratory offered equilibrium dialysis measurement of free testosterone. Of the 25 labs, there were 17 and 13 different sets of reference values for total and free testosterone, respectively. The low reference value for total testosterone ranged from 130 to 450 ng/dL (350% difference), and the upper value ranged from 486 to 1,593 ng/dL (325% difference). Age‐adjusted reference values were applied in four centers for total testosterone and in seven labs for free testosterone. All reference values were based on a standard statistical model without regard for clinical aspects of hypogonadism. Twenty‐three of the 25 lab directors responded that clinically relevant testosterone reference ranges would be preferable to current standards. Conclusions Laboratory reference values for testosterone vary widely, and are established without clinical considerations. Lazarou S, Reyes‐Vallejo L, and Morgentaler A. Wide variability in laboratory reference values for serum testosterone. J Sex Med 2006;3:1085–1089.
Elasticity of Mantle Minerals (Experimental Studies)

Experimental studies using acoustic techniques to measure the elasticity of minerals at elevated conditions of pressure and temperature are critical in attempts to interpret velocity and density models from seismology. Such acoustic experiments can now be performed to pressures of 32 gigapascals at room temperature using opto-acoustic spectroscopy, 1800 kelvin at room pressure using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy, and 19 gigapascals at room temperature and simultaneous pressures of 8 gigapascals and temperatures of 1600 kelvin using ultrasonic interferometry techniques. Examples of the implications of these new data for mantle models include: (1) the 410 km discontinuity can be satisfied by a first-order transformation from olivine to wadsleyite in a petrogical model with only 38-39% olivine, but olivine contents closer to that of pyrolite (57%) are required to match the velocities near the bottom of the transition zone; (2) majorite-rich garnets have high pressure derivatives for the bulk and shear moduli, which may help to explain the anomalously high velocity-depth gradients in the transition zone; (3) the shear modulus and velocity for CaSiO 3 -perovskite is substantially less than those for (Mg,Fe)SiO 3 -perovskite, and thus this Ca-perovskite is not an invisible component in the transition zone and lower mantle; (4) the temperature derivatives of the bulk and shear moduli for MgSiO 3 -perovskite constrain the Si/(Mg + Fe) ratio to 0.78 and the potential temperature to 1500 kelvin for the lower mantle; (5) pressure suppresses the elastic anisotropy of MgO-periclase while temperature enhances it, which suggests that the magnesiowustite phase in the lower mantle may remain distinctly anisotropic.
Characterization of protein adsorption on soft contact lenses: IV. Comparison of in vivo spoilage with the in vitro adsorption of tear proteins

Abstract Tear protein and γ-globulin mixtures were adsorbed on soft contact lenses of different chemical composition, surface quality and water content. The adsorption process was followed by Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). It was found that γ-globulin underwent a conformational and orientational change after its adsorption and the extent of structural change appeared to be proportional to the binding strength of the protein with the hydrogel surface. Electrostatic interactions play a major role in the protein adsorption on lenses containing methacrylic acid. Lysozyme is selectively adsorbed on all of the high water content hydrogels and mucin is the major protein component for the pure PHEMA type of lenses. Studies on in vivo spoiled PHEMA and PVP/MMA lenses indicate that lysozyme is the major adsorbed deposit. Papain cleaning of in vivo spoiled lenses shows that although a portion of the deposits is desorbed, the enzyme itself becomes irreversibly adsorbed to the contact lens which may cause harmful effects to the eye.
Extremal and sign-changing solutions of supercritical logistic-type equations in \mathbb {R}^N

We prove the existence of constant-sign and sign-changing (weak) solutions of the following logistic-type equation in $$\mathbb {R}^N$$ , $$N\ge 3$$ , $$\begin{aligned} u\in \mathcal {D}^{1,2}(\mathbb {R}^N):-\Delta u = \lambda a(x) u - b(x) g(u). \end{aligned}$$ The problem under consideration is treated in a rather weak setting regarding the regularity assumptions on the coefficients a, b and the growth condition on the nonlinear function g on the one hand, as well as the solution space $$\mathcal {D}^{1,2}(\mathbb {R}^N)$$ on the other hand. The nonlinearity g we are dealing with may have supercritical growth which does not allow for an immediate variational approach and which makes the difference to the existing literature. Instead we combine truncation and differential inequality techniques with variational methods and rather involved topological tools to achieve our goal. A sub-supersolution principle for the nonlinear equation in question has been developed as a tool to prove the existence of minimal positive and maximal negative solutions which are used to prove the existence of sign-changing solutions via truncation and variational methods.
Efficient early global relaxation of asteroid Vesta

Abstract The asteroid Vesta is a differentiated planetesimal from the accretion phase of Solar System formation. Although its present-day shape is dominated by a non-hydrostatic fossil equatorial bulge and two large, mostly unrelaxed impact basins, Vesta may have been able to approach hydrostatic equilibrium during a brief early period of intense interior heating. We use a finite element viscoplastic flow model coupled to a 1D conductive cooling model to calculate the expected rate of relaxation throughout Vesta’s early history. We find that, given sufficient non-hydrostaticity, the early elastic lithosphere of Vesta experienced extensive brittle failure due to self-gravity, thereby allowing relaxation to a more hydrostatic figure. Soon after its accretion, Vesta reached a closely hydrostatic figure with 40–200 My after formation, depending on the assumed depth of megaregolith. The Veneneia and Rheasilvia giant impacts, which generated most non-hydrostatic topography, must have therefore occurred >40–200 My after formation. Based on crater retention ages, topography, and relation to known impact generated features, we identify a large region in the northern hemisphere that likely represents relic hydrostatic terrain from early Vesta. The long-wavelength figure of this terrain suggests that, before the two late giant impacts, Vesta had a rotation period of 5.02 h (6.3% faster than present) while its spin axis was offset by 3.0 ° from that of the present. The evolution of Vesta’s figure shows that the hydrostaticity of small bodies depends strongly on its age and specific impact history and that a single body may embody both hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic terrains and epochs.
IRAK (Pelle) family member IRAK-2 and MyD88 as proximal mediators of IL-1 signaling

The interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) signaling pathway leads to nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation in mammals and is similar to the Toll pathway in Drosophila: the IL-1R-associated kinase (IRAK) is homologous to Pelle. Two additional proximal mediators were identified that are required for IL-1R-induced NF-kappaB activation: IRAK-2, a Pelle family member, and MyD88, a death domain-containing adapter molecule. Both associate with the IL-1R signaling complex. Dominant negative forms of either attenuate IL-1R-mediated NF-kappaB activation. Therefore, IRAK-2 and MyD88 may provide additional therapeutic targets for inhibiting IL-1-induced inflammation.
JUDAISM AND NATURAL LAW

The question of the relation between Judaism and natural law is important both for scholars and for reflective persons with an interest in the grounds of Jewish moral thought. There is a rich history of natural law theorizing that has had considerable influence, and there has been a revival of natural law theorizing in the contemporary period. The topic of the present discussion is of more than historical interest; it is a live question of real, current relevance.
In vivo studies on lipogenesis in obese hyperglycaemic (ob-ob) mice: possible role of hyperinsulinaemia.

C57BL/6J ob/ob mice are obese, hyperglycaemic and hyperinsulinaemic, and are relatively insensitive to the action of exogenously administered insulin. These animals convert more of an intravenous dose of radioactive glucose to lipids in both adipose tissue and liver than do control mice. The lipogenic capacities of the intestine, skin and remaining carcass however are not greatly different from those of lean mice. While lean mice respond to intravenous insulin with a marked increase in incorporation of labelled glucose into lipids in adipose tissue, obese mice do not.
Effects of student anonymity-nonanonymity on the factor structure of a teacher rating form

Factor analysis of an instructor rating form administered to three successive student and teacher populations revealed a reasonably consistent factor structure across analyses. In one of the three administrations, students were asked to sign the evaluation form; in this case, substantial changes in proportions of common variance appeared for the first two factors when comparing anonymous versus nonanonymous conditions. Results are discussed in terms of methods for use of student ratings to improve instruction.
Pressure and temperature dependence of the reactions of CH with N2

Abstract Canonical RRKM theory has been applied to the two channels of the reaction CH+N 2 . The transition state parameters used to describe the system were formulated from theoretical potential energy surface parameters and experimental rate constants. Rate constant expressions are presented for the pressure dependent low temperature channel of HCNN adduct formation, and the high temperature prompt NO reaction in which HCN+N are produced by a spin-forbidden surface crossing from a different complex. The expressions fit existing data well and provide a basis for extrapolation to combustion conditions.
Phase-pure evaporation of tin (II) sulfide for solar cell applications

Tin (II) sulfide is a promising earth-abundant thin-film solar absorber material due to its strong absorption and near-optimal bandgap. We demonstrate phase-pure evaporation of SnS in a CdTe-like manufacturing process, achieving phase-pure SnS thin-films through thermal evaporation of SnS powder. We investigate the effects of SnS film thickness and growth rate on film morphology and correlate results with device performance. Working devices are achieved with SnS film thicknesses as low as 370 nm and growth rates of up to 50 A/s, with efficiencies ranging from 1.1% to 2.6% in as-grown films.
Functional obsolescence and an extension of hedonic theory

A model is derived that provides a focus on important cases that were intentially ignored by Rosen. This study focuses on bundles of housing characteristics that are no longer produced profitably. These bundles are functionally obsolete. The costs to cure functional obsolescence are assumed to be proportional to the cure with different constants of proportionality for curing deficiencies and excesses. The hedonic functions consistent with arbitrage equilibrium are derived. The special case in which a characteristic must be entirely removed prior to renovation or modernization is considered. The implications of relaxing the assumptions of linear adjustment costs, homogeneous consumers, and a single industry are discussed. Finally, conclusions are drawn related to what this theory suggests about the forms of hedonic functions.
The perception of moving plaids reveals two motion-processing stages

When viewed through a small aperture, the perceived motion exhibited by a long moving line or grating is ambiguous. This situation prevails because even a perfect machine could only detect motion perpendicular to a moving contour, so motion parallel to a contour is undetectable. The human visual system views the world through an aperture array--the neural receptive fields. Therefore a moving object is viewed through many small apertures and the motion within many of those apertures is ambiguous. This ambiguity may be resolved by monitoring the motion of a distinctive feature, such as a line-end or corner, and attributing to the larger object the motion of the feature. Alternatively, Adelson and Movshon have suggested that moving images are processed in two stages, that is, they are first decomposed into one-dimensional components which are later recombined to generate perceived object motion. For a moving plaid, defined as the sum of two drifting gratings, these alternative models generate different predictions concerning the resolution of the plaid's motion ambiguity. A feature monitor would respond to the motion of the intersections between gratings, whereas the two-stage motion processor would first decompose the plaid into its constituent gratings and subsequently recombine them to generate the perception of a moving plaid. Using speed discrimination to distinguish between the two models, I find that discrimination thresholds reflect the speed of a plaid's component gratings, rather than the speed of the plaid itself. This result supports the two-stage model. Although speed discrimination is limited by component processing, observers cannot directly access component speed. The only perceptually accessible velocity signal is generated by the second-stage pattern processing.
Re: a predictive equation to guide vitamin D replacement dose in patients.

To the Editor: Singh and Bonham's[1][1] study concluded that a majority of patients require higher vitamin D treatment and maintenance doses than are currently recommended. Their statement regarding the need for higher vitamin D doses and serum concentrations is important, especially considering the
Computer Modeling and Experimental Verification of Mold Filling in Counter-Gravity Lost Foam Casting Process

A dynamics of the molten metal-polymeric foam interface has been experimentally observed in “window counter-gravity lost foam casting” of standard GM plates. The observations allowed revealing the effect of the pyrolisis of polymeric foam material on molten metal propagation velocity. FLOW-3D software (Flow Science, Inc.) has been used to simulate liquid metal filling dynamics and the molten metal-polymeric foam interface velocity in foam plates. The effect of the degradation gaseous products on the molten metal-polymeric foam interface velocity was taken into consideration through specially written sub-routing program. The results of the simulations are compared with the experimental data obtained in this study.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
A case-based teaching module combined with audit and feedback to improve the quality of consultations.

BACKGROUND: Medical consultation is an integral part of hospitalist physicians' practice, yet there is no uniform training to achieve competency in this area during residency. OBJECTIVE: To improve the quality of medical consultations performed by hospitalists in an academic medical center. DESIGN: Single group pre-post study design comparing knowledge and behaviors after exposing physicians to an educational intervention. SETTING: Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 2006-2007. PARTICIPANTS: Seven hospitalist faculty members, and 12 internal medicine house-staff members, who served on the medical consultation service during the study period. INTERVENTION: Participants were exposed to an educational intervention consisting of a case-based module teaching the principles of medical consultation, as well as audit and feedback in which they critically reviewed their most recent written consultations. MEASUREMENTS: Pretests and posttests were used to assess knowledge. Performance and physician behaviors were assessed following the intervention; consultations done by hospitalists in the months prior to the educational intervention were scored and compared to their postintervention consultations. Wilcoxon signed rank tests and paired t tests were used for the analyses. RESULTS: Improvement in the median knowledge score (pretest vs. posttest) was significant only for house-staff and not for faculty (10/14 vs. 12/14, P = 0.03 and 11/14 vs. 12/14, P = 0.08, respectively). The quality of consults written by all hospitalists improved after the educational intervention; the mean scores increased from 2.7 to 3.3 (P = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: This curricular intervention including audit and feedback was effective in improving the quality of medical consultations performed by hospitalist physicians. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:486–489. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Relation of cognitive coping and catastrophizing to acute pain and analgesic use following breast cancer surgery

This study investigated the relation of cognitive coping and catastrophizing to acute postoperative pain and analgesic use. Fifty-nine women who had just undergone breast cancer surgery rated their pain on 3 consecutive days and completed a self-report measure of cognitive coping and catastrophizing prior to hospital discharge. Analgesic use over the 3-day period was tabulated from pharmacy records. Based on prior research, it was hypothesized that increased catastrophizing and decreased use of cognitive coping strategies would be associated with greater pain and analgesic use. Results partially confirmed these hypotheses. Catastrophizing, but not cognitive coping, was associated with individual differences in pain intensity and analgesic use. Additional analyses indicated that age was a significant predictor of both catastrophizing and postoperative pain. Specifically, younger patients were more likely to catastrophize and to report increased postoperative pain. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
A Time to Kill: Targeting Apoptosis in Cancer

The process of apoptosis is essential for maintaining the physiologic balance between cell death and cell growth. This complex process is executed by two major pathways that participate in activating an executioner mechanism leading to chromatin disintegration and nuclear fragmentation. Dysregulation of these pathways often contributes to cancer development and resistance to cancer therapy. Here, we review the most recent discoveries in apoptosis regulation and possible mechanisms for resensitizing tumor cells to therapy.
Thermogravimetric studies of benzoylthiourea-modified MCM-41 after adsorption of mercury ions from aqueous solutions.

High-resolution thermogravimetry (HR TG) was used to study the adsorption of mercury(II) ions by modified MCM-41 material and regeneration of the loaded adsorbent with mercury ions by using different eluents. The weight change curves were measured for MCM-41 samples modified with 1-benzoyl-3-propylthiourea ligand loaded with mercury ions. The differential thermogravimetric (DTG) curves were analyzed to investigate the adsorption of mercury ions by the aforementioned multifunctional ligand and to monitor the decomposition of the metal–ligand complexes. A series of experiments performed for different Hg2+ : ligand ratios allowed us to correlate the adsorption data for mercury ions measured by means of UV spectrophotometry with those obtained by HR TG analysis. The DTG results provided additional information about mercury-ligand interactions as well as the thermal stability of mercury–ligand complexes. This study shows that HR TG is a very attractive technique for studying the adsorption of mercury ions on modified nanoporous silicas and monitoring their regeneration. Since the samples used are small, this method seems to be promising for studying adsorption systems of environmental significance.
Mixture design as a first step for optimization of fermentation medium for cutinase production from Colletotrichum lindemuthianum

Cutinase enzymes from fungi have found diverse applications in industry. However, most of the available literature on cutinase production is related to the cultivation of genetically engineered bacteria or yeast cells. In the present study, we use mixture design experiments to evaluate the influence of six nutrient elements on production of cutinase from the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. The nutritional elements were starch, glucose, ammonium sulfate, yeast extract, magnesium sulfate, and potassium phosphate. In the experimental design, we imposed the constraints that exactly one factor must be omitted in each set of experiments and no factor can account for more than one third of the mixture. Thirty different sets of experiments were designed. Results obtained showed that while starch is found to have negative influence on the production of the enzyme, yeast extract and potassium phosphate have a strong positive influence. Magnesium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, and glucose have low positive influence on the enzyme production. Contour plots have also been created to obtain information concerning the interaction effects of the media components on enzyme production.
Biorthogonal wavelets via pseudoframes for subspaces

We present some preliminary results of constructions of biorthogonal wavelets and associated filterbanks with optimality using a tool of pseudoframes for subspaces (PFFS). PFFS extends the theory of frames in that pseudoframe sequences need not reside within the subspace of interests [19]. The flexibility so introduced proves favorably in the construction of biorthogonal wavelets. While past constructions pioneered by Cohen, Daubechies, and Feauveau [7] can be reproduced precisely, results of additional optimalities are also obtained. Some preliminary examples are reported.
In vivo thermal ablation monitoring by echo decorrelation imaging

In the studies reported here, the ability of echo decorrelation imaging to predict thermal ablation in vivo is tested. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was performed on a normal swine liver (N=5) and ultrasound ablation using image-ablate arrays was performed on a rabbit implanted with VX2 tumors (N=3). Echo decorrelation imaging was able to predict ablation and overtreatment with high accuracy for both RFA and ultrasound ablation. The effect of tissue motion was studied by comparing the mean cumulative decorrelation with and without treatment. The mean cumulative decorrelation with treatment was found to be significantly greater than the mean cumulative decorrelation without treatment (p=0.0347 for RFA, p=0.024 for ultrasound ablation). The accuracy of ablation predictions was tested using receiver operating characteristic curves and the area under the ROC curve (AUROC) was significant for ablation and overtreatment for RFA (N=5). However, the AUROC was significant for only detecting ablation for the ultras...
Regulation Adequacy Analysis Under High Wind Penetration Scenarios in ERCOT Nodal

The significant expansion of wind power capacity in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) will increase the amount of ancillary services (AS) necessary to maintain ERCOT system frequency targets. This paper analyzes ERCOT regulation adequacy from a simplified dynamical model of ERCOT validated by empirical data. The model includes a representation of system frequency response characteristics; a stochastic, empirical-based model of wind power expansion; and a model of net load forecast error based on current performances. The simulation uses current ERCOT methodology for determining regulation, and NERC Balancing Authority Standards to examine frequency control performance.
Cooke‐Ravian Volume of Volcanological Papers

A splendid volume entitled Volcanism in Australasia and edited by R. W. Johnson (Elsevier, New York, 1976) introduced many readers to volcanoes of Papua New Guinea. Now, Johnson and the Geological Survey of Papua New Guinea have published an equally splendid sequel that is a tribute to volcanologists Rob Cooke and Elias Ravian, killed during the 1979 eruption of Karkar Volcano. From Bam and Blup Blup to Bagana and beyond, 25 papers in the new work cover a wide variety of topics—including reconnaissance mapping and stratigraphic studies, interpretations of legends and old historical records, detailed studies of Karkar lavas and Rabaul pyroclastic deposits, and documentation of the precursors and characteristics of some recent eruptions. A wide variety of volcanoes is also covered, from small stratovolcanoes and domes to large calderas.
CHARACTERIZATION OF SFP, A BACILLUS SUBTILIS PHOSPHOPANTETHEINYL TRANSFERASE FOR PEPTIDYL CARRIER PROTEIN DOMAINS IN PEPTIDE SYNTHETASES

The Bacillus subtilis enzyme Sfp, required for production of the lipoheptapeptide antibiotic surfactin, posttranslationally phosphopantetheinylates a serine residue in each of the seven peptidyl carrier protein domains of the first three subunits (SrfABC) of surfactin synthetase to yield docking sites for amino acid loading and peptide bond formation. With recombinant Sfp and 16−17-kDa peptidyl carrier protein (PCP) domains excised from the SrfB1 and SrfB2 modules as apo substrates, kcat values of 56−104 min-1 and Km values of 1.3−1.8 μM were determined, indicating equivalent recognition of the adjacent PCP domains by Sfp. In contrast to other phosphopantetheinyl transferases (PPTases) previously examined, Sfp will modify the apo forms of heterologous recombinant proteins, including the PCP domain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Lys2 (involved in lysine biosynthesis), the aryl carrier protein (ArCP) domain of Escherichia coli EntB (involved in enterobactin biosynthesis), and the E. coli acyl carrier protein (...
Through the Eyes of Women: Photovoice and participatory research as tools for reimagining place

In this article, the author explores how one particular group of working-class women living in Belfast, the North of Ireland, experience the place(s) in which they live. The perspective of place that this exploration is embedded in represents the accumulation of multiple person-place relationships that are mediated by the sociopolitical history of the North of Ireland, as well as by the gendered, classed, and religious-mediated contexts in which the women live. The author explores the relationship between place and identity by describing a feminist participatory action research (PAR) project that she engaged in with a group of women living in Belfast (which included the use of photovoice as a tool for investigating people's lives) that provided them with a culturally relevant lens through which to view the relationship between place and the everyday lives of Irish women. Out of that investigation, the author and the women designed a photo-text exhibit that provides knowledge to local and international com...
Process optimization in laser surface structuring of alumina

The efficacy of pulsed Nd:YAG laser for the laser surface structuring (dressing) of porous alumina ceramic was optimized using the Taguchi analytical procedure. The laser processing parameters like the pulse width, repetition rate and the scanning speed were evaluated and the factors essential to optimize the interdendritic porosity and grain size were predicted. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) helped to identify the processing parameters that contributed the most to minimize the porosity and maximize the grain size. The pulse repetition rate was the most significant factor in minimizing the interdendritic porosity while the scanning speed played a vital role in increasing the grain size. The Taguchi method could yield a combination of different process parameters that could be used to optimize the microstructural features.
Assessment of environmental correlates with the distribution of fish stocks using a spatially explicit model

Abstract In this paper, we present a method for assessing the explanatory skill of environmental correlates with the distributions of commercial fish stocks using a simple analytical/numerical, spatially explicit model. We examined three environmental variables, temperature, bottom sediment type, and bottom depth, which have been shown by previous investigators to be environmental correlates of two species of groundfish, Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua ) and haddock ( Melanogrammus aeglefinus ), over Georges Bank, northwest Atlantic Ocean. Comparisons between modeled and observed distributions showed that bottom temperature alone accounts for between 0% and 35% of the total variance in monthly averaged distributions of both species. A smaller amount of the observed variance, 0–20%, is explained by bottom sediment type and bottom depth. As a benchmark, smoothed monthly maps computed by optimal interpolation (OI) of the data explained 15–75% of the observed variance. The model also showed that these same variables account for a smaller percent of the monthly catch variance observed in individual years. This suggests that while the environmental correlates examined can explain some of the variance in the observed distributions, historical monthly distributions are a better predictor of mean monthly distributions as well as monthly distributions within a given year.
MEASUREMENT OF ROUGHNESS AT BURIED SI/SIO2 INTERFACES BY TRANSMISSION ELECTRON DIFFRACTION

We use surface-sensitive reflections to observe roughness at Si/${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ interfaces formed under conditions used in metal-oxide-semiconductor device fabrication. On specially prepared samples, both imaging and diffrac- tion analysis are possible in the same area. We develop a theoretical approach to estimate roughness from diffraction patterns, and validate the approach from a comparison with direct images. The results are for Si(111)/${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ samples, but the method can also be applied to Si(100)/${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ samples. The algorithms will also be useful for the interpretation of x-ray and optical scattering. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Using NASREM for real-time sensory interactive robot control

The Flight Telerobotic Servicer (FTS) is a robotic device which will be used to build and maintain Space Station Freedom. The FTS is expected to evolve from its initial capability of teleoperation toward greater autonomy by taking advantage of advances in technology as they become available. In order to support this evolution, NASA has chosen the NASA/NIST Standard Reference model for Telerobot Control System Architecture (NASREM) as the FTS functional architecture. As a result of the definition of generic interfaces in NASREM, the system can be modified without major impact. Consequently, different approaches to solve a problem can be tested easily. This paper describes the implementation of NASREM in the NIST laboratory. The approach is to build a flexible testbed to enhance research in robot control, computer vision, and related areas. To illustrate the real-time aspects of the implementation, a sensory interactive motion control experiment will be described.
The Effect of Diet on the Toxicity of Vanadium

Abstract Five experiments were conducted with growing chicks to determine the effectiveness of various materials in modifying the toxicity of vanadium. The toxicity of vanadium (as it is measured by growth depression and mortality) was much greater when vanadium was added to a semipurified diet than when it was added to a practical diet containing natural ingredients. When EDTA was added to diets containing 50 and 200 p.p.m. vanadium, the growth depression was reduced from 22.1% and 75.9% to 8.4% and 36.7% respectively, and the mortality was reduced from 80% to 20% among chicks fed 200 p.p.m. vanadium. The addition of 10% lactose to a diet containing 100 p.p.m. vanadium increased the growth depression from 41% to 76.2% and caused 80% mortality. Chromium added to diets containing 100 and 200 p.p.m. vanadium improved the growth and reduced the mortality.
Hit-and-run collision model for the Laramide orogeny, western United States

The formation of the Rocky Mountains, an event referred to as the Laramide orogeny, has presented a dilemma since the introduction of plate tectonics. In scale and tectonic style, the Late Cretaceous–early Tertiary orogeny resembles collisional orogenies such as the Himalayas. However, no collider remains adjacent to the continental margin at the latitude of Laramide features (i.e., California to Washington). Terranes of western British Columbia and southeast Alaska, known together as “Baja BC,” may constitute the colliding plate. Geologic studies and paleomagnetic data suggest that Baja BC collided with North America at the latitude of modern Baja California (the “hit”) and was subsequently translated northward during oblique convergence (the “run”) to its present latitude between 94 Ma and ca. 40 Ma. Northward translation of Baja BC is spatially and temporally coincident with the ca. 80 to 45 Ma Laramide orogeny, suggesting a causal link between the events.
Pregnancy After Organ Transplantation

With the advent of new immunosuppressive agents in the 1980s, transplant recipients are living longer, healthier lives. Women who before did not have a chance to live, much less conceive, are now carrying and delivering healthy children. Obstetric management of such patients is discussed in this article. Two case reports of women who became pregnant after liver and heart transplants are presented. Perinatal nurses in the high-risk arena have the opportunity to collaborate with other health care specialists to care for this new group of patients.
A Hybrid Geometric Phase II/III Clinical Trial Design based on Treatment Failure Time and Toxicity

The problem of comparing several experimental treatments to a standard arises frequently in medical research. Various multi-stage randomized phase II/III designs have been proposed that select one or more promising experimental treatments and compare them to the standard while controlling overall Type I and Type II error rates. This paper addresses phase II/III settings where the joint goals are to increase the average time to treatment failure and control the probability of toxicity while accounting for patient heterogeneity. We are motivated by the desire to construct a feasible design for a trial of four chemotherapy combinations for treating a family of rare pediatric brain tumors. We present a hybrid two-stage design based on two-dimensional treatment effect parameters. A targeted parameter set is constructed from elicited parameter pairs considered to be equally desirable. Bayesian regression models for failure time and the probability of toxicity as functions of treatment and prognostic covariates are used to define two-dimensional covariate-adjusted treatment effect parameter sets. Decisions at each stage of the trial are based on the ratio of posterior probabilities of the alternative and null covariate-adjusted parameter sets. Design parameters are chosen to minimize expected sample size subject to frequentist error constraints. The design is illustrated by application to the brain tumor trial design.
A novel adaptive flicker measurement technique

Abstract An adaptive measurement method is presented for the estimation of interharmonic components causing light flicker. The method provides an alternative technique for the estimation of sinusoidal components of unknown frequency, where well-known methods of processing of stationary signals such as the DFT-based techniques may fail. The proposed technique is based on a recently developed sinusoid-tracking algorithm that is capable of tracking time-variations of the parameters of a nonstationary signal such as its frequency and amplitude. The preliminary stages of demodulation and bandpass filtering combined with dynamic adjustment of the parameters of the sinusoid-tracking algorithm allow for effective estimation of the components that may cause light flicker. The structure of the proposed flicker measurement technique is composed of two parallel branches, each finding the amplitude and frequency of an interharmonic component. Presented computer simulations demonstrate its performance while laboratory experiments verify its in situ functionality. Given the low complexity of the proposed technique, it is well-suited for real-time applications.
Detecting copy number status and uncovering subclonal markers in heterogeneous tumor biopsies

Genomic aberrations can be used to determine cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Clinically relevant novel aberrations can be discovered using high-throughput assays such as Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) arrays and next-generation sequencing, which typically provide aggregate signals of many cells at once. However, heterogeneity of tumor subclones dramatically complicates the task of detecting aberrations. The aggregate signal of a population of subclones can be described as a linear system of equations. We employed a measure of allelic imbalance and total amount of DNA to characterize each locus by the copy number status (gain, loss or neither) of the strongest subclonal component. We designed simulated data to compare our measure to existing approaches and we analyzed SNP-arrays from 30 melanoma samples and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) from one melanoma sample. We showed that any system describing aggregate subclonal signals is underdetermined, leading to non-unique solutions for the exact copy number profile of subclones. For this reason, our illustrative measure was more robust than existing Hidden Markov Model (HMM) based tools in inferring the aberration status, as indicated by tests on simulated data. This higher robustness contributed in identifying numerous aberrations in several loci of melanoma samples. We validated the heterogeneity and aberration status within single biopsies by fluorescent in situ hybridization of four affected and transcriptionally up-regulated genes E2F8, ETV4, EZH2 and FAM84B in 11 melanoma cell lines. Heterogeneity was further demonstrated in the analysis of allelic imbalance changes along single exons from melanoma RNA-Seq. These studies demonstrate how subclonal heterogeneity, prevalent in tumor samples, is reflected in aggregate signals measured by high-throughput techniques. Our proposed approach yields high robustness in detecting copy number alterations using high-throughput technologies and has the potential to identify specific subclonal markers from next-generation sequencing data.
Contributions to the Antimicrobial Spectrum of Hop Constituents

Humulus lupulus (hops) bitter acids, which are well known for their antimicrobial property against Gram-positive bacteria have negligible activity against Gram-negative bacteria. The hop acids are, however, antiprotozoal. Ciliated protozoa were more sensitive to hop acids than amoebae. Plasmodia were also sensitive but at a lower level than to the synthetic anti malarial drugs. Beta resin, tetra iso alpha acid and xanthohumol were studied and the latter was found to be particularly potent against the protozoa. Carbon dioxide enhanced the protozoicidal effect of hop acids. New data were also presented on specific antifungal activities. In agreement with the literature hop had very little antifungal property, however a slight coaction was seen between hop and sorbate on R. nigricans. Carbon dioxide had no enhancing effect on the inhibitory activity of hop against fungi as well as E. coli.
An advanced assessment tool and process

In this paper we describe a tool developed as part of the assessment process used at our university. The tool allows the automatic determination of the degree to which individual students meet the learning objectives that indicate how well students meet both course objectives and program directives. We also describe a portion of our assessment process that helps us perform the difficult step of "closing the loop" to make sure that the results of our data analysis are used to insure continuous program improvement.
Theory of electron band tails and the Urbach optical-absorption edge.

The density of states $\ensuremath{\rho}(E)$ in the tail for an electron in a correlated Gaussian random potential in three dimensions is constructed from first principles by means of a simple physical argument. This yields a linear exponential dependence of $\ensuremath{\rho}$ on $E$ which, for reasonable values of the rms potential fluctuation and correlation length, spans many decades, and occupies most of the experimentally observable energy range. This is suggested as the origin of the fundamental Urbach optical-absorption edge.
Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors targeting HDAC3 and HDAC1 ameliorate polyglutamine-elicited phenotypes in model systems of Huntington's disease

We have previously demonstrated amelioration of Huntington's disease (HD)-related phenotypes in R6/2 transgenic mice in response to treatment with the novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor 4b. Here we have measured the selectivity profiles of 4b and related compounds against class I and class II HDACs and have tested their ability to restore altered expression of genes related to HD pathology in mice and to rescue disease effects in cell culture and Drosophila models of HD. R6/2 transgenic and wild-type (wt) mice received daily injections of HDAC inhibitors for 3 days followed by real-time PCR analysis to detect expression differences for 13 HD-related genes. We find that HDACi 4b and 136, two compounds showing high potency for inhibiting HDAC3 were most effective in reversing the expression of genes relevant to HD, including Ppp1r1b, which encodes DARPP-32, a marker for medium spiny striatal neurons. In contrast, compounds targeting HDAC1 were less effective at correcting gene expression abnormalities in R6/2 transgenic mice, but did cause significant increases in the expression of selected genes. An additional panel of 4b-related compounds was tested in a Drosophila model of HD and in STHdhQ111 striatal cells to further distinguish HDAC selectivity. Significant improvement in huntingtin-elicited Drosophila eye neurodegeneration in the fly was observed in response to treatment with compounds targeting human HDAC1 and/or HDAC3. In STHdhQ111 striatal cells, the ability of HDAC inhibitors to improve huntingtin-elicited metabolic deficits correlated with the potency at inhibiting HDAC1 and HDAC3, although the IC50 values for HDAC1 inhibition were typically 10-fold higher than for inhibition of HDAC3. Assessment of HDAC protein localization in brain tissue by Western blot analysis revealed accumulation of HDAC1 and HDAC3 in the nucleus of HD transgenic mice compared to wt mice, with a concurrent decrease in cytoplasmic localization, suggesting that these HDACs contribute to a repressive chromatin environment in HD. No differences were detected in the localization of HDAC2, HDAC4 or HDAC7. These results suggest that inhibition of HDACs 1 and 3 can relieve HD-like phenotypes in model systems and that HDAC inhibitors targeting these isotypes might show therapeutic benefit in human HD.
Environmental justice and hazmat transport: A spatial analysis in southern California

This paper explores whether the risk of a toxic release during transport is greater in poor and minority neighborhoods using a combination of mapping and statistical methods. Cluster analysis is used to examine the density of facilities and transport spill events as well as test for the spatial covariance between facilities and spills. Strong clustering of transport spills is evident, as well as clustering between factory sites and transport spills. A spatial model demonstrates raised rates of transport spills surrounding clusters of toxic firms. Most spills in Los Angeles occurred within 2 km of an intermodal facility. The last step of the analysis compares risk and facility clustering between neighborhoods and socio-economic groups, finding that hazmat spills during transport disproportionately occur in Latino neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The results clarify the spatial distribution of risk and nuisance from freight in urban landscapes.
Short-Time-Transient Surfactant Dynamics and Marangoni Convection Around Boiling Nuclei

The effects of surfactant concentration on the initial short-time-scale Marangoni convection around boiling nuclei in aqueous solutions have been computationally investigated. The model consists of a hemispherical bubble (1-100 μm radius) on a downward-facing constant-temperature heated wall in a fluid pool with an initial uniform temperature gradient. Time-dependent transport of liquid mass, momentum, energy, and surfactant bulk and surface convection along with the adsorption kinetics are considered. Conditions for bubble sizes, surfactant bulk concentrations, and wall heat flux levels are represented by a range of thermocapillary and diffusocapillary Marangoni numbers (6≤Ma T ≤10 3 , 0≤Ma S ≤8.6×10 5 ) over a micro-scale time period (1 μs-1 ms). With a surfactant in solution, a surface concentration gradient develops at the bubble interface that tends to oppose the temperature gradient and reduce the overall Marangoni convection. The maximum circulation strength, which is dependent on the bubble size, corresponds to a characteristic surfactant adsorption time
A genomic view of alternative splicing

Recent genome-wide analyses of alternative splicing indicate that 40-60% of human genes have alternative splice forms, suggesting that alternative splicing is one of the most significant components of the functional complexity of the human genome. Here we review these recent results from bioinformatics studies, assess their reliability and consider the impact of alternative splicing on biological functions. Although the 'big picture' of alternative splicing that is emerging from genomics is exciting, there are many challenges. High-throughput experimental verification of alternative splice forms, functional characterization, and regulation of alternative splicing are key directions for research. We recommend a community-based effort to discover and characterize alternative splice forms comprehensively throughout the human genome.
Strategies for Cholesterol Lowering at the Worksite

Abstract This case study highlights the use of multi-level nutrition programming to lower employees' blood cholesterol level. Participants in a self-help program of blood cholesterol screening, dietary counseling and follow-up achieved an average blood cholesterol reduction of 26 mg/dl. Educational activities, weight loss groups, and a menu-labeling program in the cafeteria provide additional opportunities for employees to learn about diet and blood cholesterol and to adopt healthy eating behaviors.