cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A synthetic seismicity model for the Middle America Trench

A novel iterative technique, based on the concept of fault segmentation and computed using 2D static dislocation theory, for building models of seismicity and fault interaction which are physically acceptable and geometrically and kinematically correct, is presented. The technique is applied in two steps to seismicity observed at the Middle America Trench. The first constructs generic models which randomly draw segment strengths and lengths from a 2D probability distribution. The second constructs predictive models in which segment lengths and strengths are adjusted to mimic the actual geography and timing of large historical earthquakes. Both types of models reproduce the statistics of seismicity over five units of magnitude and duplicate other aspects including foreshock and aftershock sequences, migration of foci, and the capacity to produce both characteristic and noncharacteristic earthquakes. Over a period of about 150 yr the complex interaction of fault segments and the nonlinear failure conditions conspire to transform an apparently deterministic model into a chaotic one.
Ontogeny and prenatal expression of trefoil factor 3/ITF in the human intestine.

Abstract Background : Trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) or intestinal trefoil factor (ITF), a peptide normally expressed and secreted by goblet cells at the mucosal surface of the small intestine and colon, is important for the maintenance and repair of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Aim : To study the ontogeny and developmental expression of TFF3 in human intestine. Subjects : We examined TFF3 expression in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded intestinal tissues from 24 fetuses (gestational age [GA] 12–23 weeks) and 5 adults by immunohistochemical staining. To determine whether TFF3 is excreted into the fetal intestinal tract, first-passed meconium samples were collected from 43 newborn infants (gestational age 24–41 weeks). The presence of TFF3 was examined by Western blot analysis and the relative levels of TFF3 in the meconium were quantified with a slot blot assay. Results : TFF3 can be detected by immunohistochemistry in human intestine as early as 12 weeks gestation. TFF3 is present in the meconium of newborn infants; no significant difference exists in TFF3 levels in the meconium of premature infants with birth weight (BW) less than 1500 g compared to those with birth weight equal to or more than 1500 g. Conclusion : Premature infant's susceptibility to intestinal mucosal injury is unlikely to be explained by developmental expression of TFF3 in human intestine since secreted TFF3 is not deficient in premature infants.
Frequency and Abundance of Alphaherpesvirus DNA in Human Thoracic Sympathetic Ganglia

Alphaherpesvirus reactivation from thoracic sympathetic ganglia (TSG) and transaxonal spread to target organs cause human visceral disease. Yet alphaherpesvirus latency in TSG has not been well characterized. In this study, quantitative PCR detected varicella-zoster virus (VZV), herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), and HSV-2 DNA in 117 fresh TSG obtained postmortem from 15 subjects. VZV DNA was found in 76 (65%) ganglia from all subjects, HSV-1 DNA was found in 5 (4%) ganglia from 3 subjects, and no HSV-2 was found.
Research to practice: adoption of naltrexone in alcoholism treatment.

Naltrexone, a prescription medication, was approved in December 1994 as an adjunct to counseling in treatment of alcoholism and alcohol abuse, representing the first new medication for alcoholism in several decades. Initial controlled trials indicated that it is effective in preventing relapse, while later trials show mixed results. Although many physicians and others treating alcoholism have found naltrexone to be very helpful in treatment, it is still a technology that has not been used widely. In this study, we examine which clinicians have adopted naltrexone into practice for what reasons, and what clinical and nonclinical factors acted as barriers to its use. In our mail survey of alcoholism treatment clinicians, 80% of physicians and 45% of nonphysicians report prescribing or recommending naltrexone at least rarely, but only 15% of physicians, even among addiction specialists, prescribe naltrexone often. The strongest barriers to adoption of naltrexone were financing and inadequate knowledge about the medication, followed by lack of sufficient evidence regarding effectiveness. Clinicians were most likely to adopt naltrexone if they were affiliated with treatment programs that actively promoted its use. We conclude that in order for a new substance abuse treatment medication to be widely adopted in clinical practice, information about it must be properly directed, clinicians must be convinced of its effectiveness, it must be adequately financed, and the treatment organizations in which clinicians work must promote its use.
A Review of Evidence for the Link Between Sleep Duration and Hypertension

There are lines of evidence from experimental sleep deprivation studies, population-based epidemiological studies, and an interventional study that point to the potential efficacy of adequate quality sleep to prevent and treat hypertension. Experimental sleep restriction has been shown to raise blood pressure and heart rate. Insufficient sleep on a chronic basis can raise average 24-hour blood pressure and lead to structural adaptations that entrain the cardiovascular system to operate at an elevated blood pressure equilibrium and increase the risk for hypertension. Disruptions in the timing and duration of sleep could also disrupt circadian rhythmicity and autonomic balance, which can increase the prevalence of the nondipping pattern, disturb diurnal rhythm of cardiac output, and increase blood pressure variability. Short sleep duration has been found to be associated with higher blood pressure and hypertension in both cross-sectional and longitudinal epidemiological studies. The association appears stronger in middle-aged adults and in women. Experimental sleep extension has been shown to significantly reduce blood pressure in individuals with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension. The observed association between sleep duration and hypertension raises the hypothesis that interventions to extend sleep and improve sleep quality could serve as effective primary, secondary, and tertiary preventive measures for hypertension.
Thalamic, brainstem, and cerebellar glucose metabolism in the hemiplegic monkey

Unilateral ablation of cerebral cortical areas 4 and 6 of Brodmann in the macaque monkey results in a contralateral hemiplegia that resolves partially with time. During the phase of dense hemiplegia, local cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (1CMRG1c) is decreased significantly in most of the thalamic nuclei ipsilateral to the ablation, and there are slight contralateral decreases. The lCMRGlc is reduced bilaterally in most of the brainstem nuclei and bilaterally in the deep cerebellar nuclei, but only in the contralateral cerebellar cortex. During the phase of partial motor recovery, lCMRGlc is incompletely restored in many of the thalamic nuclei ipsilateral to the ablation and completely restored in the contralateral nuclei. In the brainstem and deep cerebellar nuclei, poor to moderate recovery occurs bilaterally. Moderate recovery occurs in the contralateral cerebellar cortex. The findings demonstrate that a unilateral cerebral cortical lesion strongly affects lCMRGlc in the thalamus ipsilaterally and in the cerebellar cortex contralaterally, but in the brainstem bilaterally. Partial recovery of lCMRGlc accompanies the progressive motor recovery. The structures affected include those with direct, and also those with indirect, connections to the areas ablated.
Molecular dynamics simulations of human carbonic anhydrase II: Insight into experimental results and the role of solvation

In this paper, the carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) enzyme active site is modeled using ab initio calculations and molecular dynamics simulations to examine a number of important issues for the enzyme function. It is found that the Zn2+ ion is dominantly tetrahedrally coordinated, which agrees with X-ray crystallographic studies. However, a transient five-fold coordination with an extra water molecule is also found. Studies of His64 conformations upon a change in the protonation states of the Zn-bound water and the His64 residue also confirm the results of an X-ray study which suggest that the His64 conformation is quite flexible. However, the degree of water solvation is found to affect this behavior. Water bridge formation between the Zn-bound water and the His64 residue was found to involve a free energy barrier of 2-3 kcal/mol and an average lifetime of several picoseconds, which supports the concept of a proton transfer mechanism through such a bridge. Mutations of various residues around the active site provide further insight into the corresponding experimental results and, in fact, suggest an important role for the solvent water molecules in the CA II catalytic mechanism.
Den attendance patterns in swift foxes during pup rearing: varying degrees of parental investment within the breeding pair

Parental investment varies in mammalian species, with male care of young being more common in social and monogamous species. Monogamy is commonly observed in canid species, with both males and females, and often ''helper'' individuals, providing some degree of care for the young. Social units of the swift fox (Vulpes velox), a small North American canid species, usually consist of a male- female pair and occasionally helpers. The role of parental investment and behavior in swift fox society is currently poorly understood. We observed swift fox dens during the pup-rearing season in each of 2 years to evaluate attendance and frequency of visits to natal dens by adult males and females. Female foxes remained at dens longer and visited them more frequently than did male foxes. Female attendance and visitation decreased throughout the pup-rearing season as pups became older and more independent. Environmental factors, including climate and its effect on prey, appeared to contribute to differences in fox behavior between the 2 years. We observed only one fox outside of the breeding pair attending a den in each of the 2 years, both of which were males. We concluded that each of these two foxes were living within the social unit of the male-female pair as a trio, but not serving as a helper and contributing to the care of the pups. Our results increased knowledge of the ecology and behavior of the swift fox, a species of conservation concern in the Great Plains of North America.
The role of fetal breathing motions compared with gasping motions in pulmonary airway uptake of intra-amniotic iron dextran

Abstract Objective We hypothesized that normal fetal breathing, not acute asphyxial gasping, results in the movement of iron dextran from the amniotic cavity into the fetal lungs. In addition, the amount of iron dextran moving into the fetal lungs is cumulative with time. Study design Twelve pregnant New Zealand White rabbits at 25 days of gestation were sedated and underwent ultrasound-guided injections of iron dextran into the amniotic cavities of the rabbit fetuses in both horns of each pregnant doe. Oxygen saturation was maintained at >90% in the pregnant does. The 12 does were then equally assigned to four groups on the basis of the duration of fetal exposure to the dextran (0, 8, 16, and 24 hours). At the end of each time point, one half of the fetuses received an intracardiac injection of potassium chloride to induce gasping just before necropsy. Gasping was confirmed by ultrasound scanning. At necropsy, the fetal lungs were evaluated grossly and underwent histomorphometry for iron distribution and quantification in the fetal airways. Results In the animals that received iron dextran, there was no significant difference in iron accumulation at any time point between those animals that did and did not receive potassium chloride, which suggests that acute gasping does not increase the accumulation of amniotic fluid substances in the lungs. The amount of iron in the fetal airways increased significantly with progressive length of exposure. Conclusion We conclude that normal fetal breathing, not acute asphyxial gasping, resulted in the movement of intra-amniotic iron dextran into the fetal lungs and that the amount of substances that move into the fetal lungs accumulated with time.
Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Malfunction: Cumulative Effect of Cost, Radiation, and Turnaround Time on the Patient and the Health Care System

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to reiterate the predominance of CT in evaluating ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunction in terms of cost-effectiveness, reduction of radiation exposure, and turnaround time as the measurement parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This retrospective study included patients 18 years and older with a history of ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion who presented to the emergency department with symptoms of shunt malfunction and underwent shunt series radiography and head CT within 12 hours. Shunt revision occurring contemporaneously with imaging was defined as revision within 48 hours of the original imaging report. The effective radiation dose was calculated by multiplying dose-length product from the scanner with the standard conversion coefficient k (k = 0.0021 mSv/mGy × cm). The turnaround time for patients who underwent both head CT and shunt series radiography was calculated from time of the first study to the time of completion of the last study. RESULTS. There we...
High-dose, brief-duration intravenous infusion of streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction: Description of effects in the circulation☆

Abstract The effects in the circulating blood of a 1-hour intravenous infusion of 1.5 × 10 6 units of streptokinase (SK) were measured during the subsequent 24-hour period in 7 patients with acute myocardial infarction. At the end of the infusion, the activator activity, expressed in SK units, averaged 65 U/ml, all of the plasminogen had disappeared, only a small amount of free plasmin was still present and functionally active α 2 antiplasmin had been reduced to 21% of the preinfusion level. All of the native fibrinogen had been degraded and the thrombin-coagulable protein was composed entirely of fragment X species, but the circulating plasma also contained significant amounts of the more extensively degraded fragments Y, D and E. The biologic half-life of the SK-induced activator activity was 23 minutes and that of the fibrinogen degradation products was 6.3 hours. The lytic effects persisted for 4 hours before any signs of recovery from the hemostatic defect were evident; considerable recovery was present at 25 hours.
Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials Carry Synchronized Frequency Information in Active Cortical Networks

Temporal precision in spike timing is important in cortical function, interactions, and plasticity. We found that, during periods of recurrent network activity (UP states), cortical pyramidal cells in vivo and in vitro receive strong barrages of both excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials, with the inhibitory potentials showing much higher power at all frequencies above approximately 10 Hz and more synchrony between nearby neurons. Fast-spiking inhibitory interneurons discharged strongly in relation to higher-frequency oscillations in the field potential in vivo and possess membrane, synaptic, and action potential properties that are advantageous for transmission of higher-frequency activity. Intracellular injection of synaptic conductances having the characteristics of the recorded EPSPs and IPSPs reveal that IPSPs are important in controlling the timing and probability of action potential generation in pyramidal cells. Our results support the hypothesis that inhibitory networks are largely responsible for the dissemination of higher-frequency activity in cortex.
Evidence for a Dose-Response Relationship between Occupational Noise and Blood Pressure

Abstract In this study, we investigated the role of occupational noise exposure and blood pressure among workers at 2 plants. A noise-exposed plant (plant 1, ≥ 89 dBA) and a less-noise-exposed plant (plant 2, ≤ 83 dBA) were chosen. Exposure was based on department-wide average noise measures; on the basis of job location and adjusting for layoffs during their employment at the plant, a cumulative time-weighted average noise level was calculated for each worker. The study population comprised 329 males in plant 1 and 314 males in plant 2. Their ages ranged from 40 to 63 y (mean ages = 49.6 and 48.7, respectively), and they had worked at least 15 y at the plant. The clinical examination was administered prior to the workday and measured height, weight, pulse, and blood pressure. In addition, we noted medical and personal-habits histories, including alcohol intake and cigarette smoking patterns. We used a questionnaire to determine in-depth occupation, military history, noisy hobbies, and family history of h...
Role of Id-2 in the Maintenance of a Differentiated and Noninvasive Phenotype in Breast Cancer Cells

Id proteins are inhibitors of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors and generally stimulate cell proliferation and inhibit differentiation. We have shown that ectopic expression of Id-1 in murine mammary epithelial cells resulted in loss of differentiation and gain of invasive and proliferative abilities. Moreover, Id-1 was highly expressed in aggressive breast cancer cells in culture and in biopsies from infiltrating carcinomas. In contrast to Id-1, we found that, in vitro and in vivo, Id-2 mRNA and protein were up-regulated as mammary epithelial cells lost proliferative capacity and initiated differentiation. We further determined that this up-regulation of Id-2 was a necessary step toward a fully differentiated phenotype in breast cells. Here we show that one of the components of the extracellular matrix network, laminin, is responsible for the increase in Id-2 expression during differentiation. We also show that Id-2 expression is inversely correlated with the rate of proliferation in murine mammary epithelial cells and that Id-2 is expressed at a higher level in differentiated human breast cancer cells in comparison with very aggressive and metastatic cells. When reintroduced in aggressive breast cancer cells, Id-2 is able to reduce their proliferative and invasive phenotypes and decrease their level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 secretion as well as increase syndecan-1 expression. Moreover, little Id-2 protein expression is detectable in human biopsies from aggressive and invasive carcinomas in comparison with in situ carcinomas. In conclusion, Id-2 expression not only follows a pattern opposite to that of Id-1 during mammary gland development and breast cancer progression but also appears to act as an important protein for the maintenance of a differentiated and noninvasive phenotype in normal and transformed breast cells.
The US DOE/NREL polycrystalline thin film photovoltaics project

Progress in polycrystalline thin films facilitated by the US Department of Energy/National Renewable Energy Laboratory (DOE/NREL) program has included: accelerated growth of the US industrial infrastructure supporting CuInSe/sub 2/ (CIS), CdTe, and Si-film; achievement of a record thin-film CIS power module (4 ft/sup 2/) aperture area efficiency of 9.7%, verified by NREL; improved aperture area efficiency of 8.1%, verified by NREL for a thin-film CdTe module of area near 1 ft/sup 2/; progress in improved CIS/Mo adhesion; a breakthrough total area thin-film CdTe solar cell efficiency of 13.4% verified by NREL; and continued success of multilayer outdoor stability tests of prototype CIS and CdTe modules. These and other technical results are summarized. >
Excising Additional Margins at Initial Breast-Conserving Surgery (BCS) Reduces the Need for Re-excision in a Predominantly African American Population: A Report of a Randomized Prospective Study in a Public Hospital

Margin status is an important prognostic factor for local recurrence after breast conserving surgery (BCS) for breast cancer. We designed a prospective randomized trial to evaluate the effect of shave margins on positive margins and locoregional recurrence (LRR). Patients were randomized to BCS or BCS with resection of 5 additional margins (BCS + M). Tumor margins were classified as negative [>2 mm for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS); >1 mm for invasive carcinoma] based on guidelines at the time of accrual. A total of 75 patients with stage 0–III breast cancer (76 samples) were randomized, mean age 59.6 years with median follow-up 39.5 months. Overall, 21 patients (27.6 %) had positive margins: 14 had undergone BCS and 7 BCS + M (p = 0.005). Of the 21 patients with positive margins, 19 had DCIS on final pathology (OR 7.56; 95 % CI 1.52–37.51).All patients with positive margins were offered re-excision; 11 had negative final margins after re-excision surgery. Overall, 6 patients (8.3 %) developed LRR with recurrence being more common in the BCS group when compared with the BCS + M group (17.2 vs 2.3 %; p = 0.025). Taking additional cavity shave margins at the time of initial excision resulted in a reduction in positive margin rate, a decrease in return to operating room for re-excision, and lower LRR.
Basal myosin light chain phosphorylation is a determinant of Ca2+ sensitivity of force and activation dependence of the kinetics of myocardial force development

It is generally recognized that ventricular myosin regulatory light chains (RLC) are ∼40% phosphorylated under basal conditions, and there is little change in RLC phosphorylation with agonist stimulation of myocardium or altered stimulation frequency. To establish the functional consequences of basal RLC phosphorylation in the heart, we measured mechanical properties of rat skinned trabeculae in which ∼7% or ∼58% of total RLC was phosphorylated. The protocol for achieving ∼7% phosphorylation of RLC involved isolating trabeculae in the presence of 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) to dephosphorylate RLC from its baseline level. Subsequent phosphorylation to ∼58% of total was achieved by incubating BDM-treated trabeculae in solution containing smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase, calmodulin, and Ca2+ (i.e., MLCK treatment). After MLCK treatment, Ca2+ sensitivity of force increased by 0.06 pCa units and maximum force increased by 5%. The rate constant of force development (ktr) increased as a function of Ca...
Accurate high level datapath power estimation

The cubic switching table is a new data structure for estimating datapath switching at a high level. It is constructed during behavioral simulation, and is used to estimate the switching for any particular datapath schedule and binding. Time to extract the estimate from the table is independent of the original simulation size. For n operations in the RTL description, it takes O(n/sup 3/) time to perform the extraction. We show that an exact switching table would require exponential size, but experimental results show that the cubic table is accurate, with typical error under 5%.
Soft shape memory in main-chain liquid crystalline elastomers

The field of shape memory polymers (SMPs) has been dominated by polymeric network systems whose fixing mechanism is based on crystallization or vitrification of the constituent chains, rendering such systems stiff in comparison to elastomers, gels, and living tissues. In this report, we describe the synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline elastomers that exhibit both bulk and surface shape memory effects with compositionally dependent transition temperatures that determine the shape fixing and shape recovery critical temperatures. Main-chain, segmented liquid crystalline elastomers were synthesized using hydrosilylation linking of poly(dimethylsiloxane) oligomers with mesogenic dienes of two compositions and a tetrafunctional crosslinker. Calorimetric and dynamic mechanical analyses revealed two composition-determined thermal transitions for the LCEs, including a glass transition event at low temperatures (33 °C < Tg < 48 °C) and a first-order isotropization transition at higher temperatures (57 °C < Ti < 71 °C), each increasing with an increase in the concentration of the more slender, unsubstituted mesogenic diene, 5H. Despite the existence of a glass transition event, the materials remain soft at low temperature, a finding explained by vitrification of only the mesogen-rich layers within the smectic phase. Shape memory behavior was evaluated quantitatively and revealed excellent shape fixing and shape recovery values, generally in excess of 98%, with the recovery temperature depending on composition in a manner determined by the LCE phase behavior, particularly Tg. The temperature-dependent kinetics of shape memory were analyzed for a selected LCE composition, revealing exponential time dependence with rate constants that depended on temperature in an Arrhenius manner. Finally, the softness of the LCE SMPs was exploited to fix an embossed, micron-scale pattern on the surface and then recover the equilibrium flat state quite completely. We envision application of this surface shape memory phenomenon in the areas of soft lithography, especially microcontact printing and microfluidics.
PTC-VANET Interactions to Prevent Highway Rail Intersection Crossing Accidents

Vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETS) provide distributed real time communication of traffic hazards and road conditions among vehicles in a radio line of sight. We propose using VANETS to securely communicate with positive train control (PTC) systems in order to reduce highway rail intersection (HRI) incidents. This paper illustrates the similarities and differences between the two systems, discusses previous research into the work already done to integrate the two systems, and outlines the additional work necessary to successfully integrate the two systems.
High S/N Keck and Gemini AO imaging of Uranus during 2012-2014: New cloud patterns, increasing activity, and improved wind measurements

Abstract We imaged Uranus in the near infrared from 2012 into 2014, using the Keck/NIRC2 camera and Gemini/NIRI camera, both with adaptive optics. We obtained exceptional signal to noise ratios by averaging 8–16 individual exposures in a planet-fixed coordinate system. These noise-reduced images revealed many low-contrast discrete features and large scale cloud patterns not seen before, including scalloped waveforms just south of the equator, and an associated transverse ribbon wave near 6°S. In all three years numerous small (600–700 km wide) and mainly bright discrete features were seen within the north polar region (north of about 55°N). Two small dark spots with bright companions were seen at middle latitudes. Over 850 wind measurements were made, the vast majority of which were in the northern hemisphere. Winds at high latitudes were measured with great precision, revealing an extended region of solid body rotation between 62°N and at least 83°N, at a rate of 4.08 ± 0.015°/h westward relative to the planet’s interior (radio) rotation of 20.88°/h westward. Near-equatorial speeds measured with high accuracy give different results for waves and small discrete features, with eastward drift rates of 0.4°/h and 0.1°/h respectively. The region of polar solid body rotation is a close match to the region of small-scale polar cloud features, suggesting a dynamical relationship. The winds from prior years and those from 2012–2014 are consistent with a mainly symmetric wind profile up to middle latitudes, with a small asymmetric component of ∼0.09°/h peaking near ±30°, and about 60% greater amplitude if only prior years are included, suggesting a declining mid-latitude asymmetry. While winds at high southern latitudes (50–90°S) are unconstrained by groundbased observations, a recent reanalysis of 1986 Voyager 2 observations by Karkoschka (Karkoschka [2015]. Icarus 250, 294–307) has revealed an extremely large north–south asymmetry in this region, which might be seasonal. Greatly increased activity was seen in 2014, including the brightest ever feature seen in K′ images (de Pater et al. [2015]. Icarus 252, 121–128), as well as other significant features, some of which had long lives. Over the 2012–2014 period we identified six persistent discrete features. Three were tracked for more than 2 years, two more for more than 1 year, and one for at least 5 months and continuing. Several drifted in latitude towards the equator, and others appeared to exhibit latitudinal oscillations with long periods. We found two pairs of long-lived features that survived multiple passages within their own diameters of each other. Zonally averaged cloud patterns were found to persist over 2012–2014. When averaged over longitude, there is a brightness variation with latitude from 55°N to the pole that is similar to effective methane mixing ratio variations with latitude derived from 2012 STIS observations (Sromovsky et al. [2014]. Icarus 238, 137–155).
The Genomic Landscape of Renal Oncocytoma Identifies a Metabolic Barrier to Tumorigenesis

Oncocytomas are predominantly benign neoplasms possessing pathogenic mitochondrial mutations and accumulation of respiration-defective mitochondria, characteristics of unknown significance. Using exome and transcriptome sequencing, we identified two main subtypes of renal oncocytoma. Type 1 is diploid with CCND1 rearrangements, whereas type 2 is aneuploid with recurrent loss of chromosome 1, X or Y, and/or 14 and 21, which may proceed to more aggressive eosinophilic chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC). Oncocytomas activate 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Tp53 (p53) and display disruption of Golgi and autophagy/lysosome trafficking, events attributed to defective mitochondrial function. This suggests that the genetic defects in mitochondria activate a metabolic checkpoint, producing autophagy impairment and mitochondrial accumulation that limit tumor progression, revealing a novel tumor-suppressive mechanism for mitochondrial inhibition with metformin. Alleviation of this metabolic checkpoint in type 2 by p53 mutations may allow progression to eosinophilic ChRCC, indicating that they represent higher risk.
Effects of the right-handed neutrinos on ΔS = 2 and ΔB = 2 processes in supersymmetric SU(5) model

We discuss an extra source of CP and flavor violations in supersymmetric SU(5) grand unified model with the right-handed neutrinos. In such a model, the right-handed down-type squarks R interact with the right-handed neutrinos above the GUT scale, and the renormalization group effect can generate sizable off-diagonal elements in the mass matrix of R. Because of new Yukawa phases which exist in the SU(5) model, these off-diagonal elements have, in general, large CP violating phases. The renormalization group induced off-diagonal elements affect the K and B decays. In particular, in this model, supersymmetric contribution to the K parameter can be as large as the currently measured experimental value, and hence the effect might be seen as an anomaly in the on-going test of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa triangle.
Defective secretion of Prostaglandin F2α during development of idiopathic persistent corpus luteum in mares

Five mares that developed idiopathic persistent corpus luteum (PCL) were compared with 5 mares with apparently normal interovulatory intervals (IOIs). Progesterone (P4) and a metabolite of prostaglandin F2α (PGFM) were assayed daily beginning on the day of ovulation (Day 0). Transition between the end of an initial progressive P4 increase and the beginning of a gradual decrease in P4 occurred on mean Day 6. The gradual decrease in P4 between Days 6 and 12 was less (approached significance, P < 0.06) in the PCL group than in the IOI group. The P4 concentration on Day 12 (before luteolysis in IOI group) was greater (P < 0.05) in the PCL group than in the IOI group. In a post hoc comparison, an interaction (P < 0.04) of group by day for Days 4 to 7 indicated that the end of the progressive increase in P4 was temporally associated with a transient increase in concentration of PGFM in IOI mares but not in PCL mares. Complete luteolysis (P4 < 1 ng/mL) occurred in the IOI mares on Days 13 to 15. Partial luteolysis (mean P4 decrease, 62%) occurred in 3 of the 5 PCL mares. Normalization to the day at the end of the most pronounced P4 decrease in the IOI mares and in the 3 PCL mares with partial luteolysis resulted in a day-by-group interaction (P < 0.05) for PGFM concentration. The interaction was partly from lower PGFM concentration on the day at the end of the pronounced P4 decrease in the 3 PCL mares than in the IOI mares. The peak of a transient PGFM increase and the day at the end of the most pronounced decrease in P4 were synchronized in each IOI mare but not in any of the 3 PCL mares. In the other 2 PCL mares, partial luteolysis did not occur, and a transient increase in PGFM was not apparent. Results tentatively indicated that the relationship between P4 and PGFM may be altered as early as Day 6 in PCL mares and supported the hypothesis that prostaglandin F2α secretion is defective in mares with idiopathic PCL.
Parameters of the Lu 176 Neutron Resonance at 0.142 ev

The total cross section of Lu/sup 176/ was measured over the range of neutron energies from 0.02 to 0.25 ev. The data were taken with a sample enriched to 70.2% in Lu/sup 176/. The resonance at 0.142 ev in Lu/sup 176/ was fitted to a Breit-Wigner single-level formula by the method of shape analysis. Parameters are presented for computing the activation cross section as a function of neutron energy over the region of measurement. (auth)
WELL-BEING OF ADOLESCENTS IN RELATION TO SELF-RESILIENCE AND RELIGIOSITY

The present study is descriptive one and it has been conducted in Ludhiana District of Punjab (India). The sample comprised 200 students of 11 th class (100 boys and 100 girls) of government secondary schools. The data were obtained by using General Well Being Scale by Kalia and Deswal (2012), Self-Resilience Scale by Wagnild and Young (1993) and Religiosity and Spirituality Scale by Hernandez (2011). The obtained data were analyzed by using Pearson’s correlation. The major findings are (i) there exists significant positive correlation between Well-Being and Self-resilience among adolescents and (ii) there exists significant positive correlation between Well-Being and Religiosity among adolescents. The present study is descriptive one and it has been conducted in Ludhiana District of Punjab (India). The sample comprised 200 students of 11 th class (100 boys and 100 girls) of government secondary schools. The data were obtained by using General Well Being Scale by Kalia and Deswal (2012), Self-Resilience Scale by Wagnild and Young (1993) and Religiosity and Spirituality Scale by Hernandez (2011). The obtained data were analyzed by using Pearson’s correlation. The major findings are (i) there exists significant positive correlation between Well-Being and Self-resilience among adolescents and (ii) there exists significant positive correlation between Well-Being and Religiosity among adolescents.
Automatic Pose Tracking and Motion Transfer to Arbitrary 3D Characters

3D character with human motion offers a high end technology for creating compelling contents in graphics. In this paper, we present an automatic system to animate a 3D character with human motion streamed from a single video camera. The traditional mesh animation process is laborious and requires high skills from the users. To mitigate this limitation, a new way for bringing 3D objects to life is introduced that does not need explicit mesh positioning. In our framework, the animation is driven by the captured motion from an ordinary RGB camera. In order to reduce the ambiguity of the estimated 3D pose, a modified spatio-temporal constraint based algorithm is used for articulated gesture estimation across frames while maintaining temporal coherence. Our approach demonstrates promising performance on par with state-of-the-art techniques. We believe the presented animation system will allow a new audience of novice users to easily and efficiently create animation for arbitrary 3D characters.
Randomized phase II study of hepatic arterial embolization of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with micospheres alone (bead block (BB)) versus doxorubicin loaded microspheres (LC bead (LCB))

Purpose: To evaluate whether outcomes of trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) are inferior in patients 465 years old with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent TACE for the treatment of HCC between 2000 and 2010 was performed. Two groups (o1⁄4 65 years and 465 years of age) were compared based on ChildPugh score (CP), tumor/node/metastasis (TNM) stage, hepatitis B (HBV) or C (HCV) positivity, tumor number and size, number of TACE sessions and regimen used. Imaging outcomes were assessed based on modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) to calculate tumor response and time to progression (TTP). Tumor response was defined as Complete or Partial Response. Disease control was defined as Stable Disease, and Complete or Partial Response. A p value o1⁄40.002 was deemed statistically significant. Results: A total of 179 treatments were performed in 97 patients, 42 of whom were 4 65. The groups had similar Child-Pugh status (p1⁄40.91), TNM stage (p1⁄40.37), HBV (p1⁄40.57), HCV (p1⁄40.1), tumor number (p1⁄40.27), tumor size (p1⁄40.61), number of treatments (p1⁄40.03) and drug type (p1⁄40.44). Tumor response was observed in 63.6% (35/55) in patients o1⁄465 and 57.1% (24/42) in those 465 (p1⁄40.52). Disease control was achieved in 69.0% (38/55) of patients o1⁄465 and 73.8% (31/42) in those 465 (p1⁄40.61). The mean time to progression was 245 days for patients o1⁄465 and 130.5 days for those 465 (p1⁄40.11). Conclusion: During a similar follow-up period, the efficacy of TACE for the treatment of HCC in elderly patients is comparable with that in a younger population. TACE should be considered a reasonable locoregional therapeutic option in elderly patients with HCC.
The Effect of Buying Policies on Products and Prices: I:

N Part I of this article, the effectiveness of the sealed-bids buying device used by the Federal Government was compared with the limited-competitive-bids device typically used by large-scale industrial purchasers. As the discussion was limited to markets for homogeneous products, the effects on price alone were traced. In the following pages, the effects of the policies used by the Government and other buyers when buying differentiated products are examined. This involves tracing the effects on products as well as prices.
Impact of pharmacist-driven educational intervention and screening assessment tool on vaccination rates at a hospital-based medical residency clinic

Background: The goal of this study was to evaluate immunization administration compliance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 2009 immunization recommendations for influenza, pneumococcal, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap), and human papillomavirus (HPV) before and after the implementation of pharmacist-driven educational intervention and screening assessment tool. Methods: Phase 1 of the study included a baseline chart review of patients seen during a 4-week period in 2009. Phase 2 of the study, a review of the charts utilizing the same methods as in phase 1, occurred 15 months after the initiation of a pharmacist driven educational intervention and screening assessment. Rates before and after the intervention were compared to determine improvement in immunization rates. The chart reviews included baseline demographics and patient specific indications for the various vaccines. Compliance with the immunization recommendation was defined as having an indication for the vaccine and receiving at this visit or documentation that the patient received it previously within the appropriate time frame. Results: A total of 402 patients were included in the analysis. An overall, increase of 8.8% was seen in immunization rates after the implementation of the pharmacist immunization assessment (pre-intervention 21%, post-intervention 29.8%; p <0.001), with a significant increase seen with influenza, hepatitis B, and Tdap vaccines specifically. Conclusion: The compliance with the CDC immunization recommendations improved with the implementation of a pharmacist driven intervention; however, rates are still low signifying a need for additional educational interventions.
Equations of state for the α and γ polymorphs of cyclotrimethylene trinitramine

Equations of state for the α and γpolymorphs of the energetic molecular crystal cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) have been developed from their Helmholtz free energies. The ion motion contribution to the Helmholtz free energy is represented by Debye models with density-dependent Debye temperatures that are parameterized to vibrational densities of states computed from dispersion-corrected density functional theory. By separating the vibrational density of states into low frequency modes of mainly lattice phonon character and high frequency modes of intramolecular character we were able to significantly improve the description of the heat capacity at low temperatures and the thermal contribution to the pressure. The ion motion contribution to the Helmholtz free energy of the high pressureγpolymorph was constructed from that of the αpolymorph to reproduce the temperature-independent transformation pressure seen experimentally. The static lattice energies for both polymorphs were constructed to reproduce published isothermal compression data. The equations of state have been applied to the prediction of the path of the principal Hugoniot in the equilibrium phase diagram.
Structural optimization of porous media for fast and controlled capillary flows

A general quantitative model of capillary flow in homogeneous porous media with varying cross-sectional sizes is presented. We optimize the porous structure for the minimization of the penetration time under global constraints. Programmable capillary flows with constant volumetric flow rate and linear evolution of flow distance to time are also obtained. The controlled innovative flow behaviors are derived based on a dynamic competition between capillary force and viscous resistance. A comparison of dynamic transport on the basis of the present design with Washburn's equation is presented. The regulation and maximization of flow velocity in porous materials is significant for a variety of applications including biomedical diagnostics, oil recovery, microfluidic transport, and water management of fabrics.
Social Correlates of In-Treatment “Success”: An Analysis of Linked Client Admission/Discharge Records

This paper focuses on social correlates associated with success at the time of discharge from treatment. The population studied was composed of alcohol and drug abuse clients who were receiving substance abuse treatment in publicly supported facilities within a large Eastern state. Using three different criteria of success and controlling for important variables, it assesses the relative importance of several demographic characteristics in predicting treatment success.
Treeing Lacan, or the Meaning of Metaphor

The chain of associations always has more than two links; and the traumatic scenes do not form a simple row, like a string of pearls, but ramify and are interconnected like genealogical trees. (Freud, ‘The Aetiology of Hysteria’) All of what I experienced with my patients, as a third [person] I find again here [in my self-analysis] – days when I drag myself about dejected because I have understood nothing of the dream, of the fantasy, of the mood of the day; and then again days when a flash of lightning illuminates the interrelations and lets me understand the past as a preparation for the present. Freud to Fliess, 27 Oct. 1897 Lacan summons reason and the letter together in the title of his 9 May 1957 lecture at the Sorbonne, ‘The Agency of the Letter in the Unconscious or Reason since Freud’. This joint convocation, made before the Philosophy Group of the Federation des Etudiants es Lettres, seems to imply that the epoch of Freud has effected some historical shift in the ancient relation of logic and language, philosophy and poetry, metaphysics and metaphor. Whether the connective word ‘or’ signifies a conjunction of the two terms, in the sense that western philosophy has always considered language to be the instrument, or even the essence, of reason, or a disjunction, along the lines of Plato's primordial quarrel between mythos and logos, the title does not specify.
Should the States Piggyback on Federal Schedule UTP

There has been much written about Schedule UTP since its announcement by IRS commissioner Shulman in January 2010. However, little has been written about issues other tax administrators may need to consider if they plan on adopting some version of Schedule UTP for their own purposes. State tax administrators are definitely thinking about Schedule UTP. In addition, the Australian Taxation Office has published a draft form for 2012 that is based, in large part, on the IRS Schedule UTP. Although corporations are hoping that most other tax administrators do not adopt some version of Schedule UTP, corporations will likely be disappointed. However, some state tax administrators believe it will be a simple process to adopt Schedule UTP for their purposes. They also could be disappointed. This article discusses several issues surrounding Schedule UTP that state tax administrators may need to consider if they are seriously planning to pursue Schedule UTP. Issues discussed include: Will the IRS Schedule UTP be of much benefit to state tax administrators, or should states consider a state specific Schedule UTP? If a state specific Schedule UTP is adopted, should the states follow the IRS model for Schedule UTP? If not, where might they want to deviate? Will states be able to defend a state specific Schedule UTP against privilege/work product challenges? Should states adopt a specific penalty for failing to adequately complete Schedule UTP?
Sub-micron periodically-poled lithium niobate waveguide for integrated nonlinear optics

We present the first integrable periodically-poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide with a submicron waveguide core that is realized on a silicon nitride thin film lithium niobate platform. Second-harmonic generation based on this device is demonstrated.
A methodology to design a stochastic cost efficient DER scheduling considering environmental impact

Electric power generation and transportation sectors are considered as main sources of gas emission today. Renewable energy and Electric Vehicles (EV) show potential as promising solutions for emission reduction and energy cost saving. However, the integration of renewable energy generation into the electric grid can be difficult, because of the source intermittency and inconsistency with energy usage; uncontrolled EV charging can also impose more burdens on power systems. Those situations can be improved through coordinated charging of EVs and optimized operation of distributed generators (DG) that not only mitigates fluctuations in generation and supply, but also reduces energy cost and the emission of pollutants (CO2, SO2, and NOx). Emerging smart grid also brings new options for Distribution System Operator (DSO) toward efficient and sustainable operation of the network. One of these options is the use of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) including DG, EV, and Demand Response (DR). Operating DER has several advantages for DSO such as having DER close to load centers which reduces total network power loss. Since DSO has several energy sources to satisfy the electric load demand in the network, it is necessary to deploy optimal scheduling for efficient usage of available energy resources. In this paper we discuss a stochastic scheduling in the distribution network considering uncertainty in renewable energy generation. The proposed model can be used to analyse the effect of using DGs and EVs on emission and operation costs of the network. Results clearly shows that cost saving could be achieved with proper planning and coordination of various DERs.