cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Depletion of the Transcriptional Coactivator Amplified in Breast Cancer 1 (AIB1) Uncovers Functionally Distinct Subpopulations in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

The transcriptional coactivator Amplified in Breast Cancer 1 (AIB1) plays a major role in the progression of hormone and HER2-dependent breast cancers but its role in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is undefined. Here, we report that established TNBC cell lines, as well as cells from a TNBC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) that survive chemotherapy treatment in vitro express lower levels of AIB1 protein. The surviving cell population has an impaired tube-formation phenotype when cultured onto basement membrane, a property shared with TNBC cells that survive shRNA-mediated depletion of AIB1 (AIB1LOW cells). DNA analysis by exome sequencing revealed that AIB1LOW cells represent a distinct subpopulation. Consistent with their in vitro phenotype AIB1LOW cells implanted orthotopically generated slower growing tumors with less capacity for pulmonary metastases. Gene expression analysis of cultured cells and tumors revealed that AIB1LOW cells display a distinct expression signature of genes in pro-inflammatory pathways, cell adhesion, proteolysis and tissue remodeling. Interestingly, the presence of this AIB1LOW expression signature in breast cancer specimens is associated with shorter disease free survival of chemotherapy treated patients. We concluded that TNBC cell lines contain heterogeneous populations with differential dependence on AIB1 and that the gene expression pattern of AIB1LOW cells may represent a signature indicative of poor response to chemotherapy in TNBC patients.
I Didn’t Match, How Do I Scramble?

The Post-match scramble was replaced by the SOAP (Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program) in 2012. It constitutes the process where programs interview and extend offers to the eligible applicants by creating a preference list in NRMP Registration, Ranking, and Result—R3 system through a series of offer rounds. Herein, we provide the information regarding the eligibility, timelines of the events, and the match outcomes through this process. According to the 2018 NRMP (National Residency Matching Program) data, the total of 464 programs that participated in SOAP offered 1171 positions. Of these positions, 54.7% were PGY-1 only. Out of 1655 offers sent to applicants, 1055 were accepted. In conclusion, 90.1% of SOAP positions are filled, providing a positive outlook toward gaining a residency for all the unmatched applicants.
Palliative Care and Hospice Referrals in Patients with Decompensated Cirrhosis: What Factors Are Important?

Background: Palliative care (PC) and hospice care are underutilized for patients with end-stage liver disease, but factors associated with these patterns of utilization are not well understood. Objective: We examined patient-level factors associated with both PC and hospice referrals in patients with decompensated cirrhosis (DC). Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting/Subjects: Patients with DC hospitalized at a single tertiary center and followed for one year. Measurements: We assessed PC and hospice referrals during follow-up and examined patient-level factors associated with the receipt of PC and/or hospice, as well as associated clinical outcomes. We also examined late referrals (within one week of death). Results: Of 397 patients, 61 (15.4%) were referred to PC, 71 (17.9%) were referred to hospice, and 99 (24.9%) were referred to PC and/or hospice. Two hundred patients (50.4%) died during the one-year follow-up. In multivariable logistic regression, referral to PC was associated with increased comorbidity burden, ascites, increased MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease)-Na score, lack of listing for liver transplant, and unmarried status. Hospice referral was associated with increased comorbidities, portal vein thrombosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. PC referrals were late in 68.5% of cases, and hospice referrals were late in 62.7%. Late PC referrals were associated with younger age and married status. Late hospice referrals were associated with younger age and recent alcohol use. Conclusions: PC and hospice is underutilized in patients with DC, and most referrals are late. Patient-level factors associated with these referrals differ between PC and hospice.
Who Do You Trust? The Consequences of Political and Social Trust for Public Responsiveness to COVID-19 Orders

Non-uniform compliance with public policy by citizens can undermine the effectiveness of government, particularly during crises. Mitigation policies intended to combat the novel coronavirus offer a real-world measure of citizen compliance, allowing us to examine the causes of asymmetrical responsiveness. Analyzing county-level cellphone data, we leverage staggered roll-out to estimate the causal effect of stay-at-home orders on mobility using a difference-in-differences strategy. We find movement is significantly curtailed, and examination of descriptive heterogeneous effects suggests the key role that political and social trust play in producing irregular compliance. Focusing on the components that we argue facilitate trust in government, i.e., one's level of trust in experts, bureaucrats, and politicians who craft and enact policy, we find that Republican-leaning counties comply less than Democratic-leaning ones. However, this partisan compliance gap shrinks when directives are given by Republican leaders, suggesting citizens are more trusting of co-partisan politicians. Furthermore, we find that higher levels of social trust increase compliance; yet, these gains attenuate or intensify depending upon community-level partisan sentiments. Our study demonstrates the influence of political and social trust on citizen welfare, particularly in light of political polarization, and highlights how trust will impact successful containment of the COVID-19 pandemic.
DUCTILITY IMPROVEMENT IN PARTICLE-REINFORCED ALUMINUM COMPOSITES: A DUCTILE-FRACTURE MODEL BASED ON VOID NUCLEATION AND GROWTH

ABSTRACT We studied theoretically the effect of SiC particles on the ductility of SiC/Al composites. We developed a failure model with the assumptions that voids nucleate at the particle-matrix interface and grow to a critical size at fracture. One adjustable parameter, the critical void size, was fit to results of uniaxial tensile tests. The model predicts quantitatively the tensile strain at fracture as a function of the SiC volume fraction. Preliminary comparisons of the model with observation look promising.
A Review of Empirical Research on Transformational School Leadership in China (2010–2019):

Purpose:The purpose of this literature review is to investigate the effectiveness of transformational school leadership (TSL) in Chinese K–12 settings between 2010 and 2019. The main objective is t...
Long-term Variations in Wintertime Arctic Frontal Positions and Their Mercury Anthropogenic Emission Impacts

Abstract Wintertime Arctic frontal positions can be particularly important in determining the inclusion of mercury emissions from anthropogenic sources in the Arctic. Using the streamline confluence method, we constructed a climatology of wintertime (November–March) Arctic frontal positions during 1988–2017, examined their long-term variations, and assessed the impact of such variations on Arctic anthropogenic mercury emissions. The 30-year average positions of wintertime Arctic fronts exhibited similar spatial variability with a latitudinal range of 39°N-67°N over North America and Eurasia. Great interannual variations were found in wintertime Arctic frontal positions with year-to-year shifts spanning up to ~10° latitudes over western North America and East Asia. Statistically insignificant trends were found in Arctic frontal positions over North America and Eurasia. The long-term variations in Arctic frontal positions have partly superseded the impact of a steady decreasing trend in North American anthropogenic mercury emissions over the past decades leading to no significantly detectable trend in North American contribution within the Arctic Dome. A maximum increase of >50% was found in emissions from North American anthropogenic sources within the Arctic Dome corresponding to a ~3° southward shift in Arctic frontal position compared to the 30-year average. In Asia and Europe, the northward shifts in Arctic frontal positions in some winters have counteracted the impacts of increasing and decreasing, respectively, trends in anthropogenic emissions in the past decades, which offset the impact of total Eurasian anthropogenic emissions by 5.3% from 1988 to 2012. This is the first study to examine and quantify the impact of long-term variations in Arctic frontal positions on Arctic anthropogenic emissions of mercury; it provides insight into one most direct, immediate impact of climate change on anthropogenic emissions in the Arctic.
Effects of Woody Compost and Biochar Amendments on Biochemical Properties of the Wind Erosion Afflicted a Calcareous and Alkaline Sandy Clay Loam Soil

Calcareous and sandy soils generally have soil fertility problems, and these problems have been revealed to be improved by applying compost and biochar produced from the distinct biomass. However, ...
Experts’ reasoning about the replication crisis: Apt epistemic performance and actor-oriented transfer

Background: The modern world is rife with complex challenges that require citizens to weigh multiple, conflicting claims and competing methods for discerning truth from falsehood. Such evaluations ...
Machine Learning Using Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging Radiomic Feature Analysis to Predict Ki-67 in World Health Organization Grade I Meningiomas.

BACKGROUND Although World Health Organization (WHO) grade I meningiomas are considered "benign" tumors, an elevated Ki-67 is one crucial factor that has been shown to influence tumor behavior and clinical outcomes. The ability to preoperatively discern Ki-67 would confer the ability to guide surgical strategy. OBJECTIVE In this study, we develop a machine learning (ML) algorithm using radiomic feature analysis to predict Ki-67 in WHO grade I meningiomas. METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed for a cohort of 306 patients who underwent surgical resection of WHO grade I meningiomas. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging was used to perform radiomic feature extraction followed by ML modeling using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator wrapped with support vector machine through nested cross-validation on a discovery cohort (n = 230), to stratify tumors based on Ki-67 <5% and ≥5%. The final model was independently tested on a replication cohort (n = 76). RESULTS An area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.78-0.90) with a sensitivity of 84.1% and specificity of 73.3% was achieved in the discovery cohort. When this model was applied to the replication cohort, a similar high performance was achieved, with an AUC of 0.83 (95% CI: 0.73-0.94), sensitivity and specificity of 82.6% and 85.5%, respectively. The model demonstrated similar efficacy when applied to skull base and nonskull base tumors. CONCLUSION Our proposed radiomic feature analysis can be used to stratify WHO grade I meningiomas based on Ki-67 with excellent accuracy and can be applied to skull base and nonskull base tumors with similar performance achieved.
Faith in the Law – The Role of Legal Arrangements in Religion-Based Conflicts Involving Minorities

This Article examines the conflict-management role conferred upon the law within Western liberal democracies in the context of cultural tensions involving religious minorities. The Article finds that a threatened hegemonic Christian identity and secular illiberal sentiments disguised in liberal narratives often motivated legislative and judicial actions curtailing the freedom of religious minorities in leading liberal democracies. Based on these findings, this Article challenges the shortcomings of existing liberal scholarship to account for the potential bias presented in the liberal preference to facilitate cultural conflicts through legal means. Yet, the Article suggests that law’s limitations as a neutral vehicle in conflict resolution does not necessarily counteract its ability to manage conflicts. The continued attractiveness of law as the principal conflict-resolution device in liberal democracies springs from its political nature, namely the recognition that shifts in political power could translate into legal change.
Enhanced determination of glucose by microchip electrophoresis with pulsed amperometric detection

Abstract The present report describes a new analysis strategy for microchip capillary electrophoresis with pulsed amperometric detection and its application to the determination of glucose. The addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to the mobile phase and detection reservoir stabilized flow rates and enhanced the detection signal for glucose. A higher pH (compared to the running buffer) was used at the waste reservoir in order to improve the detection performance while maintaining good separations. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the use of post-column pH modification using microchip electrophoresis. Under optimum conditions, a linear relationship between the peak current and the concentration of glucose was found between 10 −2 –10 −5 M, with a limit-of-detection of 1.2 μM. In addition, the separation of glucosamine and glucose was performed at pH 7.1 while the detection was performed at pH 11 to demonstrate the ability to use post-column pH modification.
Underidentification of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Females: A Case Series Illustrating the Unique Presentation of this Disorder in Young Women

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is diagnosed more often in males than females, with the male-to-female gender ratio reported to be around 4.3:1 to 5:1. It is possible that the underrecognition of ASD in females partially con-tributes to this uneven ratio. Recent attention has been placed on understanding the processes that give rise to this gender difference in ASD prevalence. Socialization may contribute to the unique presentation of ASD in females, which may underlie this condition’s subsequent underidentification in this group. Objective : The purpose of this case series is to demonstrate how symptoms of ASD may uniquely manifest in females without co-occurring intellectual impairment. Method : An examination of three case examples of young women diagnosed with ASD will illustrate the processes that contribute to the atypical manifestation and underidentification of ASD in females. Results : Across cases, the females in this study demonstrated shared symptom presentations within three domains: 1) unique core symptom manifestation (insistence on sameness, lack of social engagement, and social processing difficulties); 2) heightened psychiatric comorbidities with internalizing disorders (anxiety, depression, and borderline personality traits); and 3) emotional dysregulation. These three domains reflect specific processes that may help to explain the underidentification of ASD in females via diagnostic overshadowing. Conclusions : Consideration of atypical symptom presentations, heightened comorbidities, and emotion regulation difficulties may help with the understanding of why ASD symptoms in females are commonly underidentified or identified later than they are in males. Social difficulties in combination with internalizing psychiatric disorders and emotional dysregulation may lead to the development of a specific symptom presentation in females that obscures the detection of ASD symptoms. Suggestions for clinical practice are made to promote the accurate identification of ASD and to inform case formulation and treatment planning.
Mechanisms of Fear Reduction

Over the past century, numerous theories have been advanced toward a unified account of fear reduction and have achieved various degrees of empirical support. Here, we first provide a brief overview of the basic models that account for fear acquisition, then we provide a review of several of the most prominent theories of fear reduction, and finally, we describe important cutting-edge directions for future research. Keywords: fear; fear reduction; anxiety; behavioral; cognitive; neurobiological; mechanisms
Dissection of Membrane Dynamics of the ARF‐Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor GBF1

ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF)-facilitated recruitment of COP I to membranes is required for secretory traffic. The guanine nucleotide exchange factor GBF1 activates ARF and regulates ARF/COP I dynamics at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–Golgi interface. Like ARF and coatomer, GBF1 peripherally associates with membranes. ADP-ribosylation factor and coatomer have been shown to rapidly cycle between membranes and cytosol, but the membrane dynamics of GBF1 are unknown. Here, we used fluorescence recovery after photobleaching to characterize the behavior of GFP-tagged GBF1. We report that GBF1 rapidly cycles between membranes and the cytosol (t1/2 is approximately 17 ± 1 seconds). GBF1 cycles faster than GFP-tagged ARF, suggesting that in each round of association/dissociation, GBF1 catalyzes a single event of ARF activation, and that the activated ARF remains on membrane after GBF1 dissociation. Using three different approaches [expression of an inactive (E794K) GBF1 mutant, expression of the ARF1 (T31N) mutant with decreased affinity for GTP and Brefeldin A treatment], we show that GBF1 is stabilized on membranes when in a complex with ARF–GDP. GBF1 dissociation from ARF and membranes is triggered by its catalytic activity, i.e. the displacement of GDP and the subsequent binding of GTP to ARF. Our findings imply that continuous cycles of recruitment and dissociation of GBF1 to membranes are required for sustained ARF activation and COP I recruitment that underlies ER-Golgi traffic.
Propagation Rules of Subsystem Codes

We demonstrate propagation rules of subsystem code constructions by extending, shortening and combining given subsystem codes. Given an $[[n,k,r,d]]_q$ subsystem code, we drive new subsystem codes with parameters $[[n+1,k,r,\geq d]]_q$, $[[n-1,k+1,r,\geq d-1]]_q$, $[[n,k-1,r+1,d]]_q$. The interested readers shall consult our companion papers for upper and lower bounds on subsystem codes parameters, and introduction, trading dimensions, families, and references on subsystem codes [1][2][3] and references therein.
Li diffusion in zircon

Diffusion of Li under anhydrous conditions at 1 atm and under fluid-present elevated pressure (1.0–1.2 GPa) conditions has been measured in natural zircon. The source of diffusant for 1-atm experiments was ground natural spodumene, which was sealed under vacuum in silica glass capsules with polished slabs of zircon. An experiment using a Dy-bearing source was also conducted to evaluate possible rate-limiting effects on Li diffusion of slow-diffusing REE+3 that might provide charge balance. Diffusion experiments performed in the presence of H2O–CO2 fluid were run in a piston–cylinder apparatus, using a source consisting of a powdered mixture of spodumene, quartz and zircon with oxalic acid added to produce H2O–CO2 fluid. Nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) with the resonant nuclear reaction 7Li(p,γ)8Be was used to measure diffusion profiles for the experiments. The following Arrhenius parameters were obtained for Li diffusion normal to the c-axis over the temperature range 703–1.151°C at 1 atm for experiments run with the spodumene source: $$ D_{\text{Li}} = 7.17 \times 10^{ - 7} { \exp }( - 275 \pm 11\,{\text{kJmol}}^{ - 1} /{\text{RT}}){\text{m}}^{2} {\text{s}}^{ - 1}.$$ Diffusivities are similar for transport parallel to the c-axis, indicating little anisotropy for Li diffusion in zircon. Similar Li diffusivities were also found for experiments run under fluid-present conditions and for the experiment run with the Dy-bearing source. Li diffusion is considerably faster than diffusion of other cations in zircon, with a smaller activation energy for diffusion. Although Li diffusion in zircon is comparatively rapid, zircons will be moderately retentive of Li signatures at mid-crustal metamorphic temperatures, but they are unlikely to retain this information for geologically significant times under high-grade metamorphism.
Challenging Frameworks for Understanding Teaching Practices in Higher Education: The End or the Beginning?.

Dominant conceptions of teaching in higher education imply that, essentially, there are two types of teaching approaches: the ‘content’ and the ‘student-focused’ approach. Against that background, this paper has a dual purpose. On the one hand, it initiates a critique of the contemporary teaching approaches framework. On the other hand, it offers some suggestions as to an appropriate methodology for researching teaching in higher education, given its critique of the teaching approaches framework. The methodology here is built around a detailed description and analysis of the teaching practices of two lecturers from different disciplinary fields in a Spanish University. Building on an observation of the micro-level of their teaching practices and taking into account students’ experiences, it is suggested that broad a priori categories are always going to be inadequate in capturing teaching practices in higher education.
Case study: use of problem-based learning to develop students' technical and professional skills

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a pedagogy that has attracted attention for many biomedical engineering curricula. The aim of the current study was to address the research question, ‘Does PBL enable students to develop desirable professional engineering skills?’ The desirable skills identified were communication, teamwork, problem solving and self-directed learning. Forty-seven students enrolled in a biomedical materials course participated in the case study. Students worked in teams to complete a series of problems throughout the semester. The results showed that students made significant improvements in their problem-solving skills, written communication and self-directed learning. Students also demonstrated an ability to work in teams and communicate orally. In conclusion, this case study provides empirical evidence of the efficacy of PBL on student learning. We discuss findings from our study and provide observations of student performance and perceptions that could be useful for faculty and researche...
Accounting for the effect of turbulent flow in large-bore fluidized bed pressure probes

Abstract Pneumatic pressure probes have been used to collect information such as bubble frequency, size and presence from fluidized beds. In a common set-up, a probe is inserted into the bed and connected to a pressure transducer via small-diameter tubing. The resistance of the tubing to friction and the effects of dead volume in the probe and transducer can cause the time-varying pressure signals at the transducer to be unrepresentative of the pressure in the bed at the tip of the probe. In these systems, it is assumed by previous models that the flow in the probe system is laminar. The model in this work takes into consideration the effects of turbulent flow in the probe transmission line. A numerical model was constructed and data show that oscillating measurements are possible. Experimental evidence was also collected from a slugging fluidized bed to examine system response.
The diffusion of oxygen on W(001)

The diffusion of oxygen on the W(001) plane has been studied by the field emission fluctuation method as function of coverage, temperature, preanneal and direction of diffusion. Diffusion is complex, showing a number of maxima and minima at a given coverage, and depends on preanneal. It is reversible without anneal only to 600 K. These findings suggest oxygen-induced reconstruction, in agreement with other work. Diffusion is also anisotropic, indicating the existence of ordered reconstructed and unreconstructed domains of preferred orientation. The activation energies E vary from 2 to >8 kcal mol−1 and prefactors D0 are generally very small, as low as 10−10 cm2 s−1. E and D0 increase with coverage for unannealed layers, suggesting that the low values correspond to substrate assisted hopping, with stiffening of the lattice resulting from increases in O coverage. Such stiffening removes low E, low probability hopping events. Prediffusive “flip-flop” characterized by exponentially decaying correlation functions was also observed, with fast and slow components, down to temperatures as low as 78 K, suggesting a tunneling component.
Chart image understanding and numerical data extraction

Chart images in digital documents are an important source of valuable information that is largely under-utilized for data indexing and information extraction purposes. We developed a framework to automatically extract data carried by charts and convert them to XML format. The proposed algorithm classifies image by chart type, detects graphical and textual components, extracts semantic relations between graphics and text. Classification is performed by a novel model-based method, which was extensively tested against the state-of-the-art supervised learning methods and showed high accuracy, comparable to those of the best supervised approaches. The proposed text detection algorithm is applied prior to optical character recognition and leads to significant improvement in text recognition rate (up to 20 times better). The analysis of graphical components and their relations to textual cues allows the recovering of chart data. For testing purpose, a benchmark set was created with the XML/SWF Chart tool. By comparing the recovered data and the original data used for chart generation, we are able to evaluate our information extraction framework and confirm its validity.
A model for detailed chemical kinetics in turbulent nonpremixed jet flames

This paper describes a model that predicts detailed chemical kinetic behavior in turbulent nonpremixed jet flames. The model uses two perfectly stirred reactors to represent regions of uniformly mixed fluid and strained-flames in the jet. Entrainment into these reactors and exchange of fluid between them is governed by relatively simple jet mixing rules that come from dimensional analysis and experimental observations. With the mixing described by these rules, the model can include extensive chemical kinetics at very low computational cost. 29 refs.
Thermal diffusivity of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 single crystals

Abstract We have made direct measurements of the temperature dependence of the thermal diffusivity along all three axes of a single- crystal Bi 2 Ca 2 SrCu 2 O 8 superconductor. We find that the thermal diffusivity is enhanced dramatically along the Cu-O planes below T c . From our results, we estimate a 40% electronic contribution to the diffusivity along the Cu-O planes. At room temperature the total anisotropy in thermal diffusivity is 7:1, while the lattice contribution has only a 4.2:1 anisotropy.
The application of channeling to masked ion beam lithography

Abstract Various orientations of undoped single crystal silicon were examined from the standpoint of transmitted half-angle to determine the best orientation for masked ion beam lithography (MIBL). The effect of boron, present at a level of ∼ 1020/cm3, was also determined. Transmitted angular distributions, for particles of incident energy in the range 80–180 keV, were measured using a moveable silicon surface barrier detector with a resolution of ∼ 3 keV and an acceptance angle of
Phosphorus Excretion Tests in Hyperparathyroidism with Controlled Phosphorus Intake

Phosphorus excretion tests were performed in 27 patients with surgically confirmed hyperparathyroidism with a controlled phosphorus intake of 600 mg/m2/24 hr. Results were compared with previously established normal values. Tubular reabsorption of phosphorus proved to be the most consistently abnormal test, with values below the normal range in 22 of 27 patients. Phosphorus clearance, “phosphorus excretion index,” “theoretical renal phosphorus threshold” and the response to calcium infusion were less consistently abnormal. Supplemental dietary phosphate failed to increase the diagnostic value of the tests. A circadian rhythm of phosphorus excretion was found in all 8 patients with hyperparathyroidism who were studied. All patients had hypercalcemia, although often to a mild degree, and 22 of 27 had hypercalciuria. The finding of normal phosphorus excretion tests in some patients with hyperparathyroidism reduces the diagnostic value of these tests and suggests that there are other homeostatic mechanisms in...
Nitrogen Fixation Associated with Sand Grain Root Sheaths (Rhizosheaths) of Certain Xeric Grasses

Nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) was found to be associated with sand grain root sheaths (rhizoseaths) occurring on the following xeric grasses: Oryzopsis hymenoides (Roem. and Shult.) Ricker, Agropyron dasystachyum (Hook.) Scrib., Stipa comata Trin. and Rupr., and Aristida purpurea Nutt. Acetylene reduction rates associated with whole plant specimens of these species varied from 515 to 920 nmol C2H4/(g dry wt.) × (6 days). Nitrogenase activity was shown to be associated with the rhizosheaths. Bacillus polymyxa-like nitrogen fixers were isolated from the rhizosheaths of each grass. The isolates reduced acetylene and assimilated 15N2.
A rewriting logic approach to operational semantics

This paper shows how rewriting logic semantics (RLS) can be used as a computational logic framework for operational semantic definitions of programming languages. Several operational semantics styles are addressed: big-step and small-step structural operational semantics (SOS), modular SOS, reduction semantics with evaluation contexts, continuation-based semantics, and the chemical abstract machine. Each of these language definitional styles can be faithfully captured as an RLS theory, in the sense that there is a one-to-one correspondence between computational steps in the original language definition and computational steps in the corresponding RLS theory. A major goal of this paper is to show that RLS does not force or pre-impose any given language definitional style, and that its flexibility and ease of use makes RLS an appealing framework for exploring new definitional styles.
Stereoselective synthesis of aminoethylamine aspartyl protease transition state isosteres

A stereoselective synthesis of aminoethylamine aspartyl protease transition state isosteres 10 and 14 is described. The synthetic approach was designed to allow the introduction of functionality at the central core of the inhibitors, which should enable the identification of small molecule inhibitors of diverse aspartyl protease targets.
Synthesis of prostaglandin 6-keto F1α by cultured aortic smooth muscle cells and stimulation of its formation in a coupled system with platelet lysates

Abstract Lysed aortic smooth muscle cells, when incubated with [14C] araachidonate, synthesized only one radioactive product, which was identified as 6-keto-PGF. Formation of this product from smooth muscle cell lysates was stimulated when human platelet extracts were added to the system, and further stimulation was observed when imidazole, as selective inhibitor of thromboxane synthesis, was added to this coupled system. These observations indicate that the cyclooxygenase of the smooth muscle cells was rate-limiting, that the prostacyclin synthetase of these cells can utilize endoperoxides produced by platelets, and that blocking of thromboxane synthesis might, under certain conditions, shunt arachionate metabolism toward prostacyclin formation.
Characterization of Gap Defect States in Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Materials

An enhanced simulation model based on the carrier recombination through these states was developed to characterize the gap defect states in hydrogenated amorphous silicon materials (a-Si:H). The energy dependent density of electron occupied gap states, kN(E), was derived directly from Dual Beam Photoconductivity (DBP) measurements at different bias currents. Through Gaussian de-convolution of kN(E), the energy peaks of the multiple defect states, including both neutral and charged states, were obtained. These energy levels, together with the information on the capture cross sections, were used as known input parameters to self-consistently fit the subgap absorption spectra, the electron mobility-lifetime products over a wide range of generation rates, as well as the energy dependent density of electron occupied gap state spectra. Accurate gap state information was obtained and the nature of the defect states was studied. Simulation results on light degraded hydrogen diluted, protocrystalline a-Si:H show that the density of charged states is 2.3 times that of neutral states. The two states close to the midgap act as effective recombination centers at low generation rates and play key roles in photoconductivity studies.
Backward recall as a function of stimulus similarity

In 2 experiments, S s mastered 8-pair paired-associate lists containing 4 highly similar and 4 dissimilar CCC trigram stimuli paired with 8 single-digit responses. The S s were tested for backward recall after reaching mastery of the list. Backward recall of the similar items was superior to that of the dissimilar items. This outcome was predicted by discrimination net theory. On the similar stimuli, S s recalled all 3 letters about 70% of the time. On the dissimilar stimuli, S s recalled 1, 2, and 3 letters about equally often, and the letter in position 1 was recalled more frequently than those in positions 2 and 3.
Interstellar Sonic and Alfvénic Mach Numbers and the Tsallis Distribution

In an effort to characterize the Mach numbers of interstellar medium (ISM) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence, we study the probability distribution functions (PDFs) of spatial increments of density, velocity, and magnetic field for 14 ideal isothermal MHD simulations at a resolution of 5123. In particular, we fit the PDFs using the Tsallis function and study the dependency of the fit parameters on the compressibility and magnetization of the gas. We find that the Tsallis function fits PDFs of MHD turbulence well, with fit parameters showing sensitivities to the sonic and Alfv?n Mach numbers. For three-dimensional density, column density, and Position-Position-Velocity data, we find that the amplitude and width of the PDFs show a dependency on the sonic Mach number. We also find that the width of the PDF is sensitive to the global Alfv?nic Mach number especially in cases where the sonic number is high. These dependencies are also found for mock observational cases, where cloud-like boundary conditions, smoothing, and noise are introduced. The ability of Tsallis statistics to characterize the sonic and Alfv?nic Mach numbers of simulated ISM turbulence points to it being a useful tool in the analysis of the observed ISM, especially when used simultaneously with other statistical techniques.
Hormonal control of migratory flight in Oncopeltus fasciatus: the effects of the corpus cardiacum, corpus allatum, and starvation on migration and reproduction.

Abstract The effects of starvation on the activity of the corpus allatum (CA) and on migratory flight behavior and as the effect of the corpus cardiacum (CC) on migratory behavior were examined. Juvenile hormone (JH) titer determinations were done on Oncopeltus hemolymph using the Manduca pigmentation bioassay. Starvation resulted in a decrease in measureable JH in Oncopeltus hemolymph over a period of 5–6 days after which time JH titers were undetectable. Flight behavior increased for the first 4–6 days after the beginning of starvation, then decreased to very low levels as JH titers diminished. Topical applications of the JH mimic ZR512 to starved individuals 9 days after starvation restored flight to its former high level. However, implantation of three CC into starved Oncopeltus at this time had no effect on flight. Oviposition was also inhibited by starvation. Feeding Oncopeltus on suboptimal food (green pods) resulted in a significant delay in reproduction and an increase in flight activity similar to that seen in diapausing individuals. Therefore, JH is the primary hormone responsible for the stimulation and coordination of migration and reproduction while the CC appears not to be involved in the stimulation of migratory behavior in this species. Food shortage or suboptimal food appears to be important in initiating the spring migratory flight by maintaining the hemolymph JH titers at a level below the threshold for ovarian development but above that necessary to stimulate migratory flight.
Ribosome Targeting of PKR Is Mediated by Two Double-stranded RNA-binding Domains and Facilitates in Vivo Phosphorylation of Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2

Protein kinase PKR is activated in mammalian cells during viral infection, leading to phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor-2 (eIF-2alpha) and inhibition of protein synthesis. This antiviral response is thought to be mediated by association of double-stranded RNA (ds-RNA), a by-product of viral replication, with two ds-RNA-binding domains (DRBDs) located in the amino terminus of PKR. Recent studies have observed that expression of mammalian PKR in yeast leads to a slow growth phenotype due to hyperphosphorylation of eIF-2alpha. In this report, we observed that while DRBD sequences are required for PKR to function in the yeast model system, these sequences are not required for in vitro phosphorylation of eIF-2alpha. To explain this apparent contradiction, we proposed that these sequences are required to target the kinase to the translation machinery. Using sucrose gradient sedimentation, we found that wild-type PKR was associated with ribosomes, specifically with 40 S particles. Deletions or residue substitutions in the DRBD sequences blocked kinase interaction with ribosomes. These results indicate that in addition to mediating ds-RNA control of PKR, the DRBD sequences facilitate PKR association with ribosomes. Targeting to ribosomes may enhance in vivo phosphorylation of eIF-2alpha, by providing PKR access to its substrate.
Mimicking the end organ architecture of slowly adapting type I afferents may increase the durability of artificial touch sensors

In effort to mimic the sensitivity and efficient information transfer of natural tactile afferents, recent work has combined force transducers and computational models of mechanosensitive afferents. Sensor durability, another feature important to sensor design, might similarly capitalize upon biological rules. In particular, gains in sensor durability might leverage insight from the compound end organ of the slowly adapting type I afferent, especially its multiple sites of spike initiation that reset each other. This work develops models of compound spiking sensors using a computational network of transduction functions and leaky integrate and fire models (together a spike encoder, the software element of a compound spiking sensor), informed by the output of an existing force transducer (hardware sensing elements of a compound spiking sensor). Individual force transducer failures are simulated with and without resetting between spike encoders to test the importance of both resetting and configuration on system durability. The results indicate that the resetting of adjacent spike encoders, upon the firing of a spike by any one, is an essential mechanism to maintain a stable overall response in the midst of transducer failure. Furthermore, results suggest that when resetting is enabled, the durability of a compound sensor is maximized when individual transducers are paired with spike encoders and multiple, paired units are employed. To explore these ideas more fully, use cases examine the design of a compound sensor to either reach a target lifetime with a set probability or determine how often to schedule maintenance to control the probability of failure.
Lithium superacid salts for secondary lithium batteries

Three newly prepared lithium superacid salts were used as salts in polyethylene oxide (PEO) electrolytes.
Parental leave: the impact of recent legislation on parents' leave taking.

We use data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation to examine the impact of leave entitlements on unpaid leave usage by men and women after the birth of a child from 1991 to 1999. The results indicate that legislation providing the right to unpaid leave has not affected men’s leave usage. The results for women are mixed: in some specifications, leave entitlements are associated with increased leave taking or longer leaves, but the results depend on how we define leave coverage. Our results point to the limited impact of unpaid leave policies and the potential importance of paid-leave policies.
Glenoid deficiency: Makin’ somethin’ outa nothin’

An important issue to resolve in the setting of glenoid deficiency is whether implantation of a new glenoid component remains technically feasible. Literature suggests that total shoulder arthroplasty provides better pain relief than hemiarthroplasty alone, however, glenoid implantation in the setting of bone deficiency is a challenging task. Different implant options and surgical techniques are discussed to address this scenario depending on the bony anatomy and amount of bone stock available.
Novel Method for Optical Amplifier Noise Figure Characterization using the Electrical Technique

A novel method is presented allowing for measurement of optical amplifier noise figure using the electrical method. The use of an optical intensity noise-standard combined with a generalized noise figure relation provides a simple method for base-band noise figure characterization.
Liquid-State Theory of Semidilute and Concentrated Polymer Solutions

We present a theory for thermodynamic and equation-of-state properties of polymer solutions over the entire concentration range, and for homopolymer melts, based on analytic polymer reference interaction site model (PRISM) methods. A single polymer is modeled as either an effectively Gaussian thread, or as a Gaussian string which approximately accounts for the effects of a nonzero chain thickness. Both good (athermal) and ϑ solvent conditions are considered within a molecular closure approximation scheme. Good agreement is found with experimentally measured second and third virial coefficients, and with the osmotic pressure and screening length, in dilute and semidilute athermal solutions. Experimentally observed deviations from the power law dependence on chain length (N) of the athermal second and third virial coefficients is interpreted in terms of finite segmental hard core interchain packing effects at low molecular weights; these finite size effects are predicted to vanish in the limit N → ∞. For lo...
Atrophy and dysfunction of parahippocampal white matter in mild Alzheimer's disease

In addition to atrophy of mesial temporal lobe structures critical for memory function, white matter projections to the hippocampus may be compromised in individuals with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD), thereby compounding the memory difficulty. In the present study, high-resolution structural imaging and diffusion tensor imaging techniques were used to examine microstructural alterations in the parahippocampal white matter (PWM) region that includes the perforant path. Results demonstrated white matter volume loss bilaterally in the PWM in patients with mild AD. In addition, the remaining white matter had significantly lower fractional anisotropy and higher mean diffusivity values. Both increased mean diffusivity and volume reduction in the PWM were associated with memory performance and ApoE e4 allele status. These findings indicate that, in addition to partial disconnection of the hippocampus from incoming sensory information due to volume loss in PWM, microstructural alterations in remaining fibers may further degrade impulse transmission to the hippocampus and accentuate memory dysfunction. The results reported here also suggest that ApoE e4 may exacerbate PWM changes.
On the Evaluation of Bessel Functions

Abstract In the present paper we describe an algorithm for the evaluation of Bessel functions J ν ( x ), Y ν ( x ) and H ( j ) ν ( x ) ( j = 1, 2) of arbitrary positive orders and arguments at a constant CPU time. The algorithm employs Taylor series, the Debye asymptotic expansions, and numerical evaluation of the Sommerfeld integral, and is based on the following two observations. (1) The Debye asymptotic expansions, contrary to what appears to be a popular belief, are not expansions in inverse powers of (large) parameter ν but turn out to be uniform expansions in inverse powers of (large) parameter g 1 = ( x - ν) x 1/3 for x > ν and (large) parameter g 2 (ν − x )/ν 1/3 for x x and ν such that both Taylor and Debye expansions do not provide a specified accuracy Bessel functions can be computed at a constant CPU time via (numerical) evaluation of the Sommerfeld integral along contours of steepest descents. In addition, in Appendix B we obtain certain new estimates concerning decay of the functions J ν ( x ) and −1/ Y ν ( x ) of fixed x and large ν, and in Appendix C we show that functions J ν ( x ) of integer ν provide the solution for a certain system of coupled harmonic oscillators.
Endopyelotomy: patient selection, results, and complications.

Summary The popularity of minimally invasive surgicaltechniques, such as endopyelotomy, has increased markedly among urologists in recent years. While it was initially thought that this procedure was best utilized in patients with secondary UPJ obstruction, recent evidence suggests that endopyelotomy should be considered in the majority of cases. The primary contraindication to endoscopic incision of the UPJ is a long stricture, although a large redundant renal pelvis and the presence of crossing lower pole vessels are considered by some to be relative contraindications as well. Although the majority of surgeons have used a percutaneous, antegrade approach to endopyelotomy, successful results also have been reported with a ureteroscopic, retrograde technique. With the development of modified ureterotomes and balloon-cutting devices, the retrograde approach eventually may become the preferred method since no skin incision or external drainage are needed. The role of endopyelotomy in children remainsundefined. While successful results have been reported in infants, the relative morbidity and long-term success of open pyeloplasty in this age group are excellent, thus limiting the relative advantage of an endoscopic approach. However, there may be a role for endopyelotomy in older children and in those patients with secondary obstruction who have failed open surgery. From a technical standpoint, there are several minor variations in surgical technique and postoperative management that are important. The success rate of endopyelotomy using a cold knife or small electrocautery probe appears to be comparable, and the use of cautery may allow for precise control of minor bleeding thus decreasing the risk of complications. However, larger electrodes may induce greater tissue reaction leading to fibrosis and should be avoided. Postoperatively, most authors prefer a tapered double-pigtail stent which allows for adequate internal drainage while avoiding excessive pressure within the distal ureter. While successful results have been reported with stenting intervals of only four days, it is generally recommended that the stent be left in place for a minimum of six weeks following endoscopic incision of the UPJ. Overall, endopyelotomy is associated with shortened hospitalization, more rapid return to normal activity levels, and decreased morbidity compared with open pyeloplasty. The success rates reported with endopyelotomy approach those achieved with open surgery, and it is likely that an endoscopic approach to UPJ obstruction will assume an increasingly greater role in the future.