cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An empirical evaluation of the Arizona sexual experience scale and a simple one-item screening test for assessing antipsychotic-related sexual dysfunction in outpatients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder

We examined the reliability and construct validity of the 5-Item Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. In addition, we assessed the performance of two 1-item screening questions to detect sexual dysfunction as defined by a cut-off scoring criteria of sexual dysfunction for the ASEX. One question was a general question about any side effects. The second question asked specifically about sexual dysfunction. Altogether 247 participants with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder provided data at a single interview. Results indicated that the ASEX has good internal consistency and construct validity for the patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. The point-biserial correlations and logistic regression found a high degree of agreement between the one-item specific screening question for sexual dysfunction and the ASEX. Overall, sensitivity (85%), specificity (63.7%), and positive (83%) and negative (67.1%) predictive values for the specific one-item screening question were satisfactory. The single general side effect question performed poorly (sensitivity=11.3%; specificity=92.5%; positive predictive value=76%; negative predictive value=33%). The current findings demonstrate the highly acceptable psychometric properties of the ASEX in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. In addition, a specific one-item screening question is of clinical utility in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
One dimensional density of states in a field induced 2D hole gas

Abstract The field-induced two-dimensional (2D) hole gas in stage two bromine graphite intercalation compounds displays strikingly different properties from the 2D systems in Si inversion layers or GaAs quantum wells: sharp susceptibility spikes vs. quantum Hall effect. We show that in the former case, individual Landau levels have a finite linewidth due to residual one-dimensional band dispersion along the field direction. Hence disorder plays only a small role in this system.
Glomerular ultrafiltration and apical tubular action of IGF-I, TGF-β, and HGF in nephrotic syndrome

Glomerular ultrafiltration and apical tubular action of IGF-I, TGF-β, and HGF in the nephrotic syndrome. In nephrotic glomerulopathies, there is ultrafiltration of high molecular weight forms of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), which are bioactive in tubular fluid and act through apical tubular receptors. Experimental evidence indicates that ultrafiltered IGF-I, HGF, and TGF-β may contribute to increased tubular phosphate and sodium absorption, synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins, and secretion of chemokines such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Through these mechanisms, glomerular proteinuria may contribute to tubulointerstitial pathobiology in nephrotic syndrome.
International Studies Programs: For What Purpose and for Whom? A Rejoinder to Hey

There is little consensus regarding the fundamental components of the international studies (IS) undergraduate curriculum. Indeed, our study (Ishiyama and Breuning, 2004) was undertaken in large part because we hoped to start a conversation about the mission of the IS major. We are therefore delighted to read the response by Jeanne Hey. Despite some differences of opinion, Hey shares a basic understanding of the relationship between international relations (IR) as a subfield of political science and IS, an interdisciplinary field of study primarily focused on a broad range of international and global issues. This distinction is a useful starting point, as it highlights both how IS differs from and is influenced by IR/political science. Where we differ is in the relationships between IS and IR, and between undergraduate curriculum and scholarship. This is not the place to engage in an extensive discussion of the merits of interdisciplinary programs, but we do wish to address Hey's claim that “IS as a research discipline and IS as undergraduate majors share little in common” (see p. 399). The author asserts that this is a desirable state of affairs, because it preserves the interdisciplinarity of the IS major. In addition, Hey claims that IS research is “primarily international relations …
Direct evidence of carbon dioxide sorption on Argonne Premium Coals using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

The direct interaction between CO2 and two Argonne Premium Coals [Pocahontas No. 3 (low-volatile bituminous) and Beulah-Zap (lignite)] was probed by use of attenuated total reflectance−Fourier transform infrared (ATR−FTIR) spectroscopy at 328 K and pressures up to 8.0 MPa. Sorbed CO2 on Argonne Coals was detected at 2335 cm-1 for Beulah-Zap coal and 2332 cm-1 for Pocahontas No. 3 coal. The energy of adsorption (18.8−20.5 kJ/mol), estimated from the Langmuir equation, was consistent with physisorption. The spectral data indicated that only one type of site was available for sorption. No evidence could be found for specific interactions between CO2 and oxygen functional groups in the coals. The CO2−coal sorption isotherm was derived without estimating the CO2 compressibility and adsorbed layer density, both of which are needed in manometric techniques.
Management of asthma in young children.

Asthma and recurrent airway symptoms in a young child can result in significant morbidity and reduced quality of life. There is significant variability in asthma severity. Even for those who will “outgrow” asthma, regular problems can be minimized with appropriate pharmacotherapy, education, and environmental control. Success with primary prevention through environmental control for children at high risk for asthma has been limited. Avoidance of passive tobacco smoke exposure has primary and secondary prevention benefits. An inhaled short-acting bronchodilator should be available for use as needed. Patients with regular symptoms should receive maintenance anti-inflammatory medication. Add-on therapy can be considered for those with inadequate control on inhaled corticosteroid. Physicians should regularly review drug delivery technique and compliance and provide all patients with a written asthma action plan to guide symptom monitoring and medication use. Physicians should also establish a partnership with the child and family, providing self-management training to enhance skills and confidence.
Effects of High Dose Rate Ionizing Radiation on Fused Silica and Sapphire Films

The effects of high dose rate electron beam exposures on the electrical conductivity of fused silica and sapphire films are investigated via modern experimental techniques. Transient measurements have been obtained for dose rates ranging from 3×10 5 rad(Si)/s to 1×10 10 rad(Si)/s and for pulse widths ranging from 50 ns to 500 ns. The data indicate that the radiation-induced conductivity (RIC) has a varying power-law relationship with dose rate (i.e., the power-law relationship for low dose rates is different than for high dose rates) and that the RIC coefficient (k c) increases at lower dose rates, peaks, and then decreases at higher dose rates. It is also shown that the RIC response of each film increases several orders of magnitude during a high-intensity ionizing radiation exposure and is linearly dependent on applied bias. Two-dimensional (2-D) numerical simulations are used to qualitatively capture the observed RIC response and provide insight into the physics of the induced current transients.
Immediate memory for words from main and subordinate clauses at different age levels

A probe-latency task was used to assess accessibility to the words from the first and second clauses of four types of sentences. The sentences contained either independent clauses or main and subordinate clauses. The subjects were 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children, and adults. On sentences with no main-subordinate distinction, word recognition latencies were shorter for second clauses for all groups except 4-year-olds. On sentences with main and subordinate clauses systematically varied over position in the sentence, however, latencies were most often shorter for subordinate clauses, even when they occurred at the beginning of the sentence. The results indicate that a clause is not simply represented in abstract form rather than verbatim form once the complete clause has been heard, but instead the structural role of the clause, as well as other factors, influences accessibility to verbatim form. It is proposed that listeners frequently interpret an asserted main clause more readily than a subordinate clause. This comprehension strategy appears in different forms at different stages of development.
Structural basis of karyotype heterogeneity in Giardia lamblia

The molecular karyotype of a series of Giardia lamblia isolates representing the two major genotypes (Groups 1 and 3) was generated by assigning 13 genetic markers to chromosomes separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The co-localization identified five linked groups of genetic markers in Group 1 isolates. For each of the five linkage groups, there were up to four size variants that hybridized with the same genetic markers. Long range physical maps of the regions flanking the low copy number genetic markers indicated that these size variants were homologous chromosomes. The linkage groups were similar in Group 1 and 3 isolates. The core of each chromosome was stable while the subtelomeres were variable. The location of the ribosomal DNA repeats was variable among the different isolates and they were found in the subtelomeric regions of any of the five linkage groups. The data suggest a functional ploidy of at least four. Hypervariable subtelomeric regions of homologous chromosomes provide the structural basis of the chromosome size heterogeneity that is characteristic of G. lamblia.
How to Play Unique Games Using Embeddings

In this paper we present a new approximation algorithm for Unique Games. For a Unique Game with n vertices and k states (labels), if a (1 - \varepsilon) fraction of all constraints is satisfiable, the algorithm finds an assignment satisfying a 1 - O\left( {\varepsilon \sqrt {\log n\log k} } \right) fraction of all constraints. To this end, we introduce new embedding techniques for rounding semidefinite relaxations of problems with large domain size.
Effects of naltrexone on amphetamine-induced locomotion and rearing: acute and repeated injections

The present experiment investigated the ability of the opiate receptor antagonist naltrexone to block the increased locomotion and rearing produced acutely by amphetamine as well as the sensitization of these responses produced when this drug is administered repeatedly. Rats in different groups received an injection of amphetamine (1.5 mg/kg, IP) or saline preceded 30 min earlier by an injection of naltrexone (0, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0 or 10.0 mg/kg, IP). Naltrexone dose-dependently reduced the rearing but had no effect on the locomotion produced by this dose of amphetamine. The locomotion and rearing observed following saline were not affected. This pattern of results was observed following each of six additional pairs of injections, one pair of injections given every third day. Once, soon (2–4 days) and once, long (9–12 days) after the last injection, all animals were injected with amphetamine (0.75 mg/kg, IP) in the absence of naltrexone (tests for sensitization). Animals having been pre-exposed to amphetamine preceded by naltrexone showed no evidence of sensitized rearing on either test, indicating that naltrexone blocked sensitization of this response to amphetamine. These animals, however, exhibited sensitized locomotion on both tests. These results suggest an important but complex role for dopamine-opioid interactions not only in the production of acute locomotor responding to amphetamine but also in the sensitization of locomotor responding when this drug is administered repeatedly. The present findings also suggest that amphetamine-induced rearing is more dependent than locomotion on neuronal mechanisms involving dopamine-opioid interactions.
The respiratory metabolism of insect flight muscle during adult maturation

Abstract As the maturation of honeybee flight muscle proceeded, distinct patterns in the development of the energetic capabilities of the mitochondria were apparent. Mitochondrial ATPase and ATP-Pi exchange activities were evident in newly emerged bees and exhibited generally parallel increases in activity with increasing age. Respiratory control by ADP concentration, however, was not apparent in mitochondrial preparations from young, 1-day- and 4-day-old bees. Also, phosphorylation linked to the oxidation of succinate, α-glycero-P or pyruvate + malate was either not apparent or at best negligible during this period of adult life. This, however, may be due to an age-related fragility of the mitochondria rather than to an actual lack of these attributes. The mitochondrial α-glycero-P oxidase system appeared to exhibit considerable activity even during the early stages of adult life after emergence. Most likely, the operation of this system is responsible for mediating a significant portion of the energy production for the limited flight activity exhibited by bees during the early stages of adult life. The pyruvate metabolizing system was not fully functional until relatively late in adult maturation (16–20 days after emergence). This would appear to indicate that sustained flight, exhibited by fully matured flying bees, is possible only when the Krebs cycle is in a fully functional state.
Alterations in CD8+ cell distribution in gut-associated lymphoid tissues (galt) of the aging fischer 344 rat: a correlated immunohistochemical and flow cytometric analysis

Abstract The distribution of CD8 + phenotype (cytotoxic/suppressor) T lymphocytes in Peyer;s patches and intestinal lamina propria in young adult (3–6 months) and old (24–29 months) Fischer 344 rats was examined using immunohistochemical and flow cytometric analyses. Flow cytometric analysis confirmed previous reports indicating no change with age in the proportion of Peyer's patch CD8 + cells in the rat. Immunohistochemical analysis showed discrete zones of densely stained CD8 + cells in the interfollicular areas and weakly stained cells within the follicles in Peyer's patches in youngadult animals. In old rats, the number of intensely stained CD8 + cells between the follicles was markedly reduced and positively stained cells were distributed throughout the Peyer's patches. In addition, the population density of CD8 + cells is more diffuse in old animals, the number of CD8 + lymphocytes in the intestinal lamina propria increased 2.5-fold with aging from 533±59 cells/mm 2 in young adult to 1312±83 cells/mm 2 in old rats. The findings suggest that CD8 + cell distribution in the inductive and effector sites of gut associated lymphoid tissue undergoes age-related shifts.
Class of Rotations Induced by Spherical Polygons

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Pattern of statin exposures reported to Texas poison centers, 1998-2004.

Information on the management of potentially adverse exposures to statins is limited. This study examined the pattern of 2331 statin exposures reported to Texas poison control centers during 1998–2004. In particular comparisons were made between exposures among pediatric (age ≤ 5 yr) and adult (age ≥20 yr) patients. The number of exposures increased from 134 in 1998 to 516 in 2004. Of the total exposures, 55% were to statins alone. Of the exposures to statins alone, 57% of the patients were ≤5 yr of age and 22% were ≥60 yr of age. The majority of exposures to statins alone (a) involved female patients (53%), (b) were unintentional (94%), (c) occurred at home (91%), (d) were managed on-site/at home (89%), and (e) had a final medical outcome classified as no effect (94%). Pediatric and adult patients differed with respect to patient gender (45 versus 66% female), exposure reason (100 versus 88% unintentional, 1 versus 75% therapeutic error), exposure site (14 versus 2% at other residence), final medical out...
Is there a ‘California effect’ in US environmental policymaking?

Abstract What determines state environmental policymaking in the US? Vogel (Trading Up: Consumer and Environmental Regulation in a Global Economy, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1995; J. Eur. Pub. Pol. 4 (1997) 556–571) argues that California has been a de facto leader since the early 1970s in terms of automobile emissions standards. In this paper, we investigate the generality of California’s leadership role with respect to changes in overall pollution abatement expenditures. We present a simple model of yardstick competition in abatement costs. Using state-level panel data from 1977 to 1994 on abatement costs, our results indicate at best a minor role for California. Other states, in particular California’s immediate neighbors, do not appear to use California as a guideline.
Surface‐enhanced Raman spectra using silver‐coated paper substrates

Because of the importance of developing an active substrate for surface-enhanced Raman (SER) spectroscopic applications, a silver-coated filter-paper substrate was prepared for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SRS) by using a chemical reduction method at room temperature. Optimization of the silver deposition time was achieved by using p-nitrophenol (PNP) as an analyte. Its performance as an SERS-active substrate was tested using PNP, p-chlorobenzoic acid, m-chlorobenzoic acid and o-chlorobenzoic acid. To overcome the problem of low enhancement when a dipping method was adopted for sample applications, a silver-coated alumina-based substrate was prepared. The new substrate was found to exhibit strong SERS with both the solution and the dipping methods for sample applications of PNP. Using the new substrate, the limit of detection for methyl red was estimated to be 3 ng ml−1.
Diminished radiolabeling efficiency of progenitor cells using indium-111 oxine

Abstract Background: Progenitor cells have enormous potential for forming new blood vessels and myocytes and thereby limiting infarct size and restoring cardiac function after ischemic injury. Nearly all studies following progenitor cell transplantation use post-mortem histochemical analysis to determine the fate of administered cells. The development of a non-invasive imaging approach for in-vivo monitoring would be highly desirable. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the labeling efficacy of indium-111 (In-111) oxine for progenitor cells. Methods: Mature human peripheral leukocytes (WBCs) as well as cytokine mobilized unfractionated and CD34+ selected progenitor cells were labeled with In-111 oxine following preliminary studies to determine optimal labeling conditions. After washes with physiological saline, cells were incubated with In-111 oxine for 20 min. Then, to remove unbound activity, cells were washed with autologous plasma. Results: Radiolabeling efficiency (% of administered activity incorporated into cells) was higher for WBCs than for unfractionated or CD34+ selected cells (Figure). Viability as determined by trypan-blue dye exclusion was > 98% for all cell types. Conclusions: Compared to peripheral WBCs, progenitor cells demonstrate a lower labeling efficiency using In-111 oxine. Nonetheless, CD34+ cells can be labeled with sufficient efficiency to permit non-invasive imaging. Download : Download full-size image
Surface impedance and boundary scattering in metals for the conditions of the anomalous skin depth

The non-local conductivity for a metal satisfying the conditions of the anomalous skin depth is characterized by a logarithmic divergence. It is postulated that this divergence can be directly related to the surface impedance of a semi-infinite metal in the extreme anomalous limit.
Virtual Interactive Musculoskeletal System (VIMS) in orthopaedic translational research

Summary The ability to combine physiology and engineering analyses with computer sciences has opened the door to the possibility of creating the “Virtual Human.” This paper presents a broad foundation for a full-featured biomechanical simulator for the human musculoskeletal system. This simulation technology unites the expertise in engineering sciences and graphic modelling to investigate joint and connective tissue mechanics at the structural level and to visualize the results in both static and animated dynamic forms. Adaptable anatomical models including prosthetic implants and fracture fixation devices and a robust computational infrastructure for static, kinematic, kinetic, and stress analyses under varying boundary and loading conditions are incorporated on a platform, the Virtual Interactive Musculoskeletal System (VIMS), ideal for a cloud computing environment. A deployable database containing long bone dimensions, connective tissue material properties, and a library of skeletal joint system functional activities and loading conditions are also available that can be modified, updated, and expanded. An application software is available that allows end users to perform biomechanical analyses interactively. An example using the forearm and hand bone models plus a unilateral external fixator to study the distal radius fracture reduction in a virtual laboratory environment is highlighted to demonstrate this unique simulation technology in the field of orthopaedics.
Efficacy of dental radiographic practices: options for image receptors, examination selection, and patient selection.

Because of increasing concern about health care expenditures and efficient use of diagnostic tests, standard methods are now being used to evaluate the efficacy of radiographic diagnostic tests in dentistry. Inside this article, standard assessment techniques are reviewed and recommendations for dental radiographic practices are provided. Many technical factors and treatment philosophies affect the way dental radiology is practiced. Some, like minimum tube filtration, are legislated. Others, like proper darkroom techniques, are universally acknowledged as essential. Still others, like the selection of an image receptor and the selection of the type of examination, are the subject of much discussion and debate. This article addresses some of the more controversial options and choices facing dental practitioners by reviewing the standard assessment techniques available to help make appropriate decisions, by summarizing and analyzing available data, and by offering recommendations for practice.
Chain reactions in stirred-flow reactors–a tool for exploring initiation and termination steps independently

It is shown that chain reactions may be studied in stirred-flow reactors under conditions in which the escape of radicals from the reactor competes significantly with the chemical termination reaction. The appropriate rate law permits the independent evaluation of the rate constants of the initiation and termination steps. Such information is of special interest in the study of surface effects on chain reactions.
CONTINUING THE CONNECTION: EMERITI/RETIREE CENTERS ON CAMPUS

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to describe emeriti/retiree centers at two major research institutions that serve retired faculty, retired staff, and their spouse beneficiaries. These on-campus centers provide opportunities to cultivate retirees' connections to the campus community. Highlighted as possible models are 2 programs in different phases of development, 1 in a public and the other at a private university. Examples demonstrate how retired staff and faculty continue to bring value to the university, academe, and society. The article shows that a successful center is aided by many factors, primary among them: (a) senior-level administration fostering an appreciation of retirees as valued members of the campus community, (b) a dedicated departmental budget and mission focused solely on retirees, and (c) retiree involvement in governance and programming.
A set oriented definition of finite-time Lyapunov exponents and coherent sets

The problem of phase space transport, which is of interest from both the theoretical and practical point of view, has been investigated extensively using geometric and probabilistic methods. Two important tools to study this problem that have emerged in recent years are finite-time Lyapunov exponents (FTLE) and the Perron–Frobenius operator. The FTLE measures the averaged local stretching around reference trajectories. Regions with high stretching are used to identify phase space transport barriers. One probabilistic method is to consider the spectrum of the Perron–Frobenius operator of the flow to identify almost-invariant densities. These almost-invariant densities are used to identify almost invariant sets. In this paper, a set-oriented definition of the FTLE is proposed which is applicable to phase space sets of finite size and reduces to the usual definition of FTLE in the limit of infinitesimal phase space elements. This definition offers a straightforward connection between the evolution of probability densities and finite-time stretching experienced by phase space curves. This definition also addresses some concerns with the standard computation of the FTLE. For the case of autonomous and periodic vector fields we provide a simplified method to calculate the set-oriented FTLE using the Perron–Frobenius operator. Based on the new definition of the FTLE we propose a simple definition of finite-time coherent sets applicable to vector fields of general time-dependence, which are the analogues of almost-invariant sets in autonomous and time-periodic vector fields. The coherent sets we identify will necessarily be separated from one another by ridges of high FTLE, providing a link between the framework of coherent sets and that of codimension one Lagrangian coherent structures. Our identification of coherent sets is applied to three examples.
The evolution of relationship marketing

Relationship Marketing is emerging as a new phenomenon. However, relationship oriented marketing practices date back to the pre-Industrial era. In this article, we trace the history of marketing practices and illustrate how the advent of mass production, the emergence of middlemen, and the separation of the producer from the consumer in the Industrial era led to a transactional focus of marketing. Now, due to technological advances, direct marketing is staging a comeback, leading to a relationship orientation. The authors contend that with the evolution of Relationship Marketing, the hitherto prominent exchange paradigm of marketing will be insufficient to explain the growing marketing phenomena of collaborative involvement of customers in the production process. An alternate paradigm of marketing needs to be developed that is more process rather than outcome oriented, and emphasizes value creation rather than value distribution.
Low-Grade Gliomas

Low-grade gliomas represent the most frequent primary brain tumors in children, and are also an important category of brain neoplasms in young adults. They are characterized by slow growth, but often associated with increased morbidity, as well as mortality in the subset that develop histologic progression. Pathologically they correspond to WHO grade I or II and include pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), pilomyxoid astrocytoma variant, angiocentric glioma, diffuse astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, oligoastrocytoma, and pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA). Although all low-grade glioma subtypes may develop in children and adults, and be histologically indistinguishable in these two populations, there are important clinical and molecular differences. As a rule, low-grade gliomas in adults have a greater tendency for histologic progression and more aggressive clinical behavior than those in children. With respect to genetic alterations, activating BRAF alterations and increased MAPK pathway signaling are near universal features of the circumscribed low-grade glioma group (e.g., PA and PXA). Whole exome/genome sequencing efforts and high resolution copy number platforms have also provided important biologic insights in these tumors, with adult low-grade diffuse gliomas containing frequent ATRX, TP53 mutations (astrocytomas), as well as 1p19q co-deletions, CIC, FUBP1 and TERT promoter mutations (oligodendrogliomas). Conversely, alterations in FGFR1, MYB, and MYBL1 are frequent events in pediatric low-grade diffuse gliomas. In this review we summarize our current knowledge of the diagnostic and molecular pathology of these tumors, and explore possible avenues for targeted therapeutics.
Understanding Why Students Drop Out of High School, According to Their Own Reports: Are They Pushed or Pulled, or Do They Fall Out? A Comparative Analysis of Seven Nationally Representative Studies

Research on school dropout extends from early 20th-century pioneers until now, marking trends of causes and prevention. However, specific dropout causes reported by students from several nationally representative studies have never been examined together, which, if done, could lead to a better understanding of the dropout problem. Push, pull, and falling out factors provide a framework for understanding dropouts. Push factors include school-consequence on attendance or discipline. Pull factors include out-of-school enticements like jobs and family. Finally, falling out factors refer to disengagement in students not caused by school or outside pulling factors. Since 1966, most nationally representative studies depicted pull factors as ranking the highest. Also, administrators in one study corroborated pull out factors for younger dropouts, not older ones, while most recent research cites push factors as highest overall. One rationale for this change is a response to rising standards from No Child Left Behind (NCLB), which can be ultimately tested only by future dropout research.
BRCA1 mediates ligand-independent transcriptional repression of the estrogen receptor

Mutational inactivation of BRCA1 confers a cumulative lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancers. However, the underlying basis for the tissue-restricted tumor-suppressive properties of BRCA1 remains poorly defined. Here we show that BRCA1 mediates ligand-independent transcriptional repression of the estrogen receptor α (ERα), a principal determinant of the growth, differentiation, and normal functional status of breasts and ovaries. In Brca1-null mouse embryo fibroblasts and BRCA1-deficient human ovarian cancer cells, ERα exhibited ligand-independent transcriptional activity that was not observed in Brca1-proficient cells. Ectopic expression in Brca1-deficient cells of wild-type BRCA1, but not clinically validated BRCA1 missense mutants, restored ligand-independent repression of ERα in a manner dependent upon apparent histone deacetylase activity. In estrogen-dependent human breast cancer cells, chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed the association of BRCA1 with ERα at endogenous estrogen-response elements before, but not after estrogen stimulation. Collectively, these results reveal BRCA1 to be a ligand-reversible barrier to transcriptional activation by unliganded promoter-bound ERα and suggest a possible mechanism by which functional inactivation of BRCA1 could promote tumorigenesis through inappropriate hormonal regulation of mammary and ovarian epithelial cell proliferation.
Achievable rates for conferencing multiway channels

A generalization of the additive Gaussian two-way channel to M users is considered. Such channels contain implicit feedback in the sense that the channel output signals observed by the different encoders are correlated. While the benefits of feedback are shown to be negligible at high SNR, for moderate SNR, feedback can play a significant role in boosting the sum-rate performance. To highlight this potential gain, the special case of the M-user multiway channel with a common output is considered. By taking insights from Kramerpsilas Fourier MEC, a feedback strategy is introduced and shown to strictly dominate the performance of a pre-log optimal non-feedback strategy. Furthermore, an upper bound is derived to show this feedback strategy achieves the sum-rate capacity beyond a certain SNR threshold. Under per-symbol power constraints, this upper bound can be tightened to show the feedback strategy is sum-rate optimal for all SNR values.
Multi-dimensional prefix matching using line search

With the increasing popularity of firewalls, virtual private networks (VPNs) and quality of service (QoS) routing, packet classification becomes increasingly important in the Internet. The high-performance solutions known so far strongly rely on certain properties of the filter database to match against, such as a small number of distinct prefixes or the absence of conflicts. We present line search as a two-dimensional generalization of the one-dimensional binary search on prefix lengths exploiting the advantage given by the different approach therein. This algorithm also works best on the filter databases that are expected to occur most often, but degrades gracefully when these assumptions no longer hold. We also show how to efficiently extend the algorithm to a complete five-dimensional Internet protocol (IP) and transport header match.
AGSTATS - A statistical analysis program for simple experiments

AGSTATS is statistical analysis program that allows county agents and growers to analyze completely randomized and randomized complete block experiments with a maximum of 15 treatments, six replications, and no missing plots. The user selects the experimental design to be used and is then asked for the number and label of treatments and replications. A row (treatments) and column (replications) table for data entry is displayed. The program allows changes in table headings, replication and treatment labels, and data. Output is a summary table including means, LSD, and CV values that can be stored on disk, printed, or both (...)
Improved cleanup and determination of dialkyl phosphates in the urine of children exposed to organophosphorus insecticides

Analysis of dialkylphosphate urinary metabolites of organophosphorus insecticides has been used to estimate dose in nonoccupationally exposed populations, including children. Analytical methods must continue to be improved in order to accurately and reproducibly measure less than 10 ng/mL of these metabolites. Dialkyl phosphates are commonly determined as their pentafluorobenzyl bromide derivatives via gas chromatography (GC) with flame photometric detection. Presented here is an improved method for precleanup of urine using solid-phase extraction, followed by derivatization and GC analysis. The method includes the quantitative determination of the following dialkyl phosphate metabolites: dimethylphosphate, diethylphosphate, dimethylthiophosphate, diethylthiophosphate, and dimethyldithiophosphate. Additional cleanup of urine samples allows for increasing sample size and improving sensitivity while minimizing interferences and variability associated with derivatization. Sample aliquot size was 5 mL with limits of quantitation of 10 ng/mL of urine for dimethylphosphate and diethylphosphate and 2 ng/mL of urine for dimethylthiophosphate, diethylthiophosphate, and dimethyldithiophosphate. This level of method sensitivity allows for quantitative determination of trace dialkyl phosphates in approximately 75% of individuals in nonoccupationally exposed populations. This streamlined method increases sample throughput, provides a clean extract for analysis, and requires no custom glassware.
Probabilistic advanced reservations for batch-scheduled parallel machines

In high-performance computing (HPC) settings, in which multiprocessor machines are shared among users with potentially competing resource demands, processors are allocated to user workload using space sharing. Typically, users interact with a given machine by submitting their jobs to a centralized batch scheduler that implements a site-specific, and often partially hidden, policy designed to maximize machine utilization while providing tolerable turn-around times. In practice, while most HPC systems experience good utilization levels, the amount of time experienced by individual jobs waiting to begin execution has been shown to be highly variable and difficult to predict, leading to user confusion and/or frustration. One method for dealing with this uncertainty that has been proposed is to allow users who are willing to plan ahead to make “advanced reservations” for processor resources. To date, however, few if any HPC centers provide an advanced reservation capability to their general user populations for fear (supported by previous research) that diminished machine utilization will occur if and when advanced reservations are introduced. In this work, we describe VARQ, a new method for job scheduling that provides users with probabilistic “virtual” advanced reservations using only existing best effort batch schedulers and policies. VARQ functions as an overlay, submitting jobs that are indistinguishable from the normal workload serviced by a scheduler. We describe the statistical methods we use to implement VARQ, detail an empirical evaluation of its effectiveness in a number of HPC settings, and explore the potential future impact of VARQ should it become widely used. Without requiring HPC sites to support advanced reservations, we find that VARQ can implement a reservation capability probabilistically and that the effects of this probabilistic approach are unlikely to negatively affect resource utilization.
Training Older Adults To Use New Technology

Enabling older adults to interact with new technologies is an important immediate and long-term goal for training research. The literature provides general guidance for developing training programs; however, it is important to determine the type of training that works best for younger and older adults, for immediate performance, and for learning. In the present study we assessed the relative benefits of guided action training and guided attention training for younger and older adults learning to use a novel technology system. Guided action training yielded better performance during training for both age groups. However, assessments of learning revealed a clear benefit of guided attention training for both age groups. These data suggest differences in training benefits for immediate performance versus more general learning.
Graphic representation of linear recursive rules

Recursive rules are important to deductive databases. A recursive rule may be compiled into expansions. In this article, the variable-predicate graph (V-P graph) based on the α-graph by loannidis is developed to represent linear recursive function-free rules and their expansions. A naming convention is used for variables and predicates in the V-P graph so that all equivalent recursive rules may map into a unique V-P graph. We propose a graphic construction method (g.c.m.) which derives V-P graphs of expansions directly from the V-P graph of the original rule. This graphic representation reveals some expansion properties not easy to obtain otherwise. We also propose a rule rewriting method in the context of deductive database so that constants, repeated distinguished variables, and/or repeated recursive variables may be removed from recursive rules.
Stress-voiding of narrow conductor lines

The growth of voids in conductor lines that have no applied voltage nor imposed thermal or concentration gradients is examined. Such voids can cause narrow aluminium conductors in silicon ICs to fail spontaneously. Recent attempts to describe void growth mathematically as a stress-driven diffusive phenomenon are reviewed, and an expression for the time dependent void size is derived. The equation is used to explore the many variables of the void-growth problem. >
Trilobite Tagmosis and Body Patterning From Morphological and Developmental Perspectives

SYNOPSIS. The Trilobita were characterized by a cephalic region in which the biomineralized exoskeleton showed relatively high morphological differentiation among a taxonomically stable set of well defined segments, and an ontogenetically and taxonomically dynamic trunk region in which both exoskeletal segments and ventral appendages were similar in overall form. Ventral appendages were homonomous biramous limbs throughout both the cephalon and trunk, except for the most anterior appendage pair that was antenniform, preoral, and uniramous, and a posteriormost pair of antenniform cerci, known only in one species. In some clades trunk exoskeletal segments were divided into two batches. In some, but not all, of these clades the boundary between batches coincided with the boundary between the thorax and the adult pygidium. The repeated differentiation of the trunk into two batches of segments from the homonomous trunk condition indicates an evolutionary trend in aspects of body patterning regulation that was achieved independently in several trilobite clades. The phylogenetic placement of trilobites and congruence of broad patterns of tagmosis with those seen among extant arthropods suggest that the expression domains of trilobite cephalic Hox genes may have overlapped in a manner similar to that seen among extant arachnates. This, coupled with the fact that trilobites likely possessed ten Hox genes, presents one alternative to a recent model in which Hox gene distribution in trilobites was equated to eight putative divisions of the trilobite body plan.
Elementary Differential Systems

The totality of exterior differential forms on an n-dimensional manifold M forms a graded algebra over the ring of smooth functions on M: $$ { \wedge ^*}\left( M \right) = \mathop \oplus \limits_{p = 0}^n \;{ \wedge ^P}\left( M \right)$$ (1) .
Assessing altered motor unit recruitment patterns in paretic muscles of stroke survivors using surface electromyography

Objective. The advancement of surface electromyogram (sEMG) recording and signal processing techniques has allowed us to characterize the recruitment properties of a substantial population of motor units (MUs) non-invasively. Here we seek to determine whether MU recruitment properties are modified in paretic muscles of hemispheric stroke survivors. Approach. Using an advanced EMG sensor array, we recorded sEMG during isometric contractions of the first dorsal interosseous muscle over a range of contraction levels, from 20% to 60% of maximum, in both paretic and contralateral muscles of stroke survivors. Using MU decomposition techniques, MU action potential amplitudes and recruitment thresholds were derived for simultaneously activated MUs in each isometric contraction. Main results. Our results show a significant disruption of recruitment organization in paretic muscles, in that the size principle describing recruitment rank order was materially distorted. MUs were recruited over a very narrow force range with increasing force output, generating a strong clustering effect, when referenced to recruitment force magnitude. Such disturbances in MU properties also correlated well with the impairment of voluntary force generation. Significance. Our findings provide direct evidence regarding MU recruitment modifications in paretic muscles of stroke survivors, and suggest that these modifications may contribute to weakness for voluntary contractions.
Intrinsically Conductive Organo–Silver Linear Chain Polymers [−S–Ag–S–Biphenyl−]n Assembled on Roughened Elemental Silver

A combined experimental and theoretical study of the facile polymerization of biphenyl-4,4′-dithiol (BPDT) to form intrinsically conductive linear chain [−Ag–S–BP–S−]n polymers is described. BPDT readily polymerizes and extrudes on roughened surfaces of elemental silver under ambient conditions. The self-assembled polymers can be sharply imaged through scanning electron microscopy because of their silver content and conductivity. Cyclic current versus voltage measurements (I/V curves) using a scanning tunneling microscope establish that the conductivity is intrinsic, consistent with the metallic conductivity of the linear polymer predicted through density functional theory. Systematic calculations identify that the roughness-catalyzed polymerization is driven by mobile Ag adatoms and adatom-mobilized monomers.
New Insights into the Structural Complexity of C60·2S8: Two Crystal Morphologies, Two Phase Changes, Four Polymorphs

Three new polymorphs of C60·2S8 were discovered. The previously known structure (first reported by Roth and Adelmann in 1993 hereby designated as α) crystallizes in space group C2/c with Z = 4 and changes to a triclinic structure (β) in space group P1 with Z = 4 when the temperature is decreased below 260 K. The room-temperature structure was reinvestigated, and the new, ordered, low-temperature structure is described. A new, concomitant, polymorph (γ) crystallizes in space group P21/c with Z = 4 at room temperature and undergoes a phase change to Pc (δ) with Z = 4 when the temperature is decreased below 180 K. As indicated by geometric and temperature factor changes, it is clear that the low-temperature phases represent an increase in the level of order in the arrangement of C60 molecules. Both of the phase changes are reversible.
Your Second Selves Player-Designed Avatars

Avatars in online games and worlds are seen as players’ key representations in interactions with each other. In this article, we investigate the avatar design and identity play within a large-scale tween virtual world called Whyville.net, with more than 1.5 million registered players of ages 8—16. One unique feature of Whyville is the players’ ability to customize their avatars with various face parts and accessories, all designed and sold by other players in Whyville. Our findings report on the expressive resources available for avatar construction, individual tween players’ choices and rationales in creating their avatars, and online postings about avatar design in the community at large. With the growing interest in player-generated content for online worlds such as Second Life, our discussion will address the role of avatars in identity play and self-representation as well as the social issues that arise within the game world.
The on line monitoring technology of ultrahigh frequency partial discharge in 750 kV main transformer

In Yinchuan Eastern 750 kV Substation put into insulation state on line monitoring system of electric equipment, uses ultrahigh frequency partial discharge technology to realize the monitorning of partial discharge in 750 kV main transformer, introduces the technological characteristic and realizing ways of ultrahigh frequency partial discharge in 750 kV main transformer, analyzes the application effects.
Research Development of the Corrosion of Reinforced Concrete in Saline Soil Environment

The deterioration of reinforced concrete in salt lake and saline soil environment include sulfate ions and magnesium ions attack to the concrete and chloride-induced corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete.The basic principles of deterioration of reinforced concrete in saline environment is introduced,and the research development about the mechanism of corrosion of reinforced concrete in saline environment is reviewed.