cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison of pain, functional limitations, and work status indices as outcome measures in back pain research

Study design We conducted a prospective study with a 2-year follow-up. Objective To compare pain, functional limitations, and work status indices as measures of outcome among back pain patients. Summary of background data Work status, pain, and functional limitations indices are often considered as interchangeable outcome measures in back pain research. This perspective has been criticized by several authors, who argue that each of these outcome measures reflects a different construct that may vary independently of the others. Methods The study was conducted on 720 patients, who sought care for back pain in primary care settings of a large health maintenance organization in 1989-90, and were interviewed one month and two years later. X2 analyses and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to compare the accuracy of a pain rating and a modified 16-item Roland-Morris score in classifying patients on work status and on the change in work status over time. Results Moderate agreement between the pain and functional limitations measures and work status was observed. Pain and functional limitations change scores agreed moderately with improvement in work status, but were poorly associated with decline in work status. Conclusions Although the pain, functional limitations, and work status indices examined in this study are related, they are not equivalent and should not be regarded as interchangeable. These results argue for a clearer distinction of outcome measures in back pain research.
Decomposition of totally transcendental modules

The main theorem of this paper states that if R is a ring and is a totally transcendental R -module, then has a unique decomposition as a direct sum of indecomposable R -modules. Natural examples of totally transcendental modules are injective modules over noetherian rings, artinian modules over commutative rings, projective modules over left-perfect, right-coherent rings, and arbitrary modules over Σ – α -gens rings. Therefore, our decomposition theorem yields as special cases the purely algebraic unique decomposition theorems for these four classes of modules due to Matlis; Warfield; Mueller, Eklof, and Sabbagh; and Shelah and Fisher. These results and a number of other corollaries about totally transcendental modules are covered in §1. In §2, I show how the results of § 1 can be used to give an improvement of Baur's classification of ω -categorical modules over countable rings. In §3, the decomposition theorem is used to study modules with quantifier elimination over noetherian rings. The goals of this section are to prove the decomposition theorem and to derive some of its immediate corollaries. I will begin with some notational conventions. R will denote a ring with an identity element. L R is the language of left R -modules described in [4, p. 251] and T R is the theory of left R -modules. “ R -module” will mean “unital left R -module”. A formula will mean an L R -formula.
Computer-aided bone age assessment for ethnically diverse older children using integrated fuzzy logic system

Bone Age Assessment (BAA) of children is a clinical procedure frequently performed in pediatric radiology to evaluate the stage of skeletal maturation based on the left hand x-ray radiograph. The current BAA standard in the US is using the Greulich & Pyle (G&P) Hand Atlas, which was developed fifty years ago and was only based on Caucasian population from the Midwest US. To bring the BAA procedure up-to-date with today's population, a Digital Hand Atlas (DHA) consisting of 1400 hand images of normal children of different ethnicities, age, and gender. Based on the DHA and to solve inter- and intra-observer reading discrepancies, an automatic computer-aided bone age assessment system has been developed and tested in clinical environments. The algorithm utilizes features extracted from three regions of interests: phalanges, carpal, and radius. The features are aggregated into a fuzzy logic system, which outputs the calculated bone age. The previous BAA system only uses features from phalanges and carpal, thus BAA result for children over age of 15 is less accurate. In this project, the new radius features are incorporated into the overall BAA system. The bone age results, calculated from the new fuzzy logic system, are compared against radiologists' readings based on G&P atlas, and exhibits an improvement in reading accuracy for older children.
Analog VLSI circuit models for smart flexible structures

The approach to modeling and control of smart flexible structures presented in this paper is based on the claim that an intelligent structure requires an internal knowledge of self which may be acquired from local models of substructure dynamics. This approach employs analog models of the flexible structures in model-based controller designs. These analog models are created using VLSI circuitry and are embedded into the physical structure. The model of a composite structure is formed by interconnecting the analog models of single finite elements. The goal of this research is to devise such analog VLSI circuit models of single elements that can be easily connected together to model flexible structures. The circuit models are highly repetitive and, thus, are amenable to integration on a VLSI chip. A simple finite element circuit model has been integrated on an analog VLSI chip. Results clearly show that the poles of the circuits correspond very closely with the theoretical poles of the beam.
3D mass diffusivity model of liquid metals in the presence of a magnetic field

Abstract The effect of convective contamination for mass diffusivity measurements of liquid germanium with moderate and strong magnetic fields is analyzed in three-dimensional (3D). A steady-state, 3D temperature profile that represents a heat flux at the sidewall varying as cos(θ) in the azimuthal direction is imposed on the cylinder. The temperature non-uniformity-driven convective contamination that leads to approximately 5% greater mass flux, or an allowable temperature non-uniformity is determined for magnetic field strengths of 0.75 and 4.5 T. From the numerical results, the temperature non-uniformity that liquid germanium can tolerate is a tenth of a degree or less for all the cases. The velocities are directly proportional to the temperature non-uniformity in the liquid, with axial velocities usually an order of magnitude higher than the radial and azimuthal velocities. A stronger magnetic field can allow a larger temperature non-uniformity for the same heat transfer condition.
Finite-element analysis of quasi-steady coupled nonlinear heat and electric conduction problems

The finite-element equations for coupled nonlinear heat conduction with phase change and steady current flow in the case where the electric field moves with constant speed are derived. The resulting matrix equations for quasi-static problems are nonsymmetric for the heat conduction part and symmetric for the electric field. The formulation is applied to several classical problems in heat conduction and compared to the more usual transient analysis formulation. It is shown that the quasi-static formulation is many times faster than the equivalent transient analysis. The formulation is then applied to a coupled problem in which the thermal and electrical properties are temperature dependent.
Some collineations in projective planes induced by net collineations

When in a 3-net the three line pencils are permuted, then with some additional requirements the net is mapped onto itself in a way which also induces a map of a coordinatizing loop (Q*), onto another, “isostrophic” loop (Q*, O). Every identity ab = aOb induces a net collineation and, simultaneously, a loop law. This procedure is used for finding collineations of a translation plane such that their existence is a necessary and sufficient condition for the validity of some laws in the multiplicative loop of a coordinatizing quasifield. Proofs can be found in [1, 2, 3].
Peroxisomal Localization of Hypoxia-Inducible Factors and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Regulatory Hydroxylases in Primary Rat Hepatocytes Exposed to Hypoxia-Reoxygenation

Many signals involved in pathophysiology are controlled by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), transcription factors that induce expression of hypoxia-responsive genes. HIFs are post-translationally regulated by a family of O 2 -dependent HIF hydroxylases: four prolyl 4-hydroxylases and an asparaginyl hydroxylase. Most of these enzymes are abundant in resting liver, which is itself unique because of its physiological O 2 gradient, and they can exist in both nuclear and cytoplasmic pools. In this study, we analyzed the cellular localization of endogenous HIFs and their regulatory hydroxylases in primary rat hepatocytes cultured under hypoxia-reoxygenation conditions. In hepatocytes, hypoxia targeted HIF-1α to the peroxisome, rather than the nucleus, where it co-localized with von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein and the HIF hydroxylases. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated that the HIF hydroxylases translocated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in response to hypoxia, with increased accumulation in peroxisomes on reoxygenation. These results were confirmed via immunotransmission electron microscopy and Western blotting. Surprisingly, in resting liver tissue, perivenous localization of the HIF hydroxylases was observed, consistent with areas of low pO 2 . In conclusion, these studies establish the peroxisome as a highly relevant site of subcellular localization and function for the endogenous HIF pathway in hepatocytes.
Optimal MAP Parameters Estimation in STAPLE Using Local Intensity Similarity Information

In recent years, fusing segmentation results obtained based on multiple template images has become a standard practice in many medical imaging applications. Such multiple-templates-based methods are found to provide more reliable and accurate segmentations than the single-template-based methods. In this paper, we present a new approach for learning prior knowledge about the performance parameters of template images using the local intensity similarity information; we also propose a methodology to incorporate that prior knowledge through the estimation of the optimal MAP parameters. The proposed method is evaluated in the context of segmentation of structures in the brain magnetic resonance images by comparing our results with some of the state-of-the-art segmentation methods. These experiments have clearly demonstrated the advantages of learning and incorporating prior knowledge about the performance parameters using the proposed method.
Common Dynamic Behavior of Inactive G-Protein Coupled Receptor Structures for Diffusible Ligands

The crystal structures of three different family A G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) for diffusible ligands, i.e., engineered forms of human β2-adrenergic (B2AR) and adenosine A2A receptors (A2AR), as well as a turkey β1-adrenergic receptor (B1AR) mutant, have recently become available in the literature. Although the overall helical-bundle topology is conserved among these three inactive GPCR structures, several differences emerge from their comparison, particularly at TM1, the extracellular region, the cytoplasmic side of helices TM5-TM7, the ligand-binding pocket, and the long loop regions. Although one cannot exclude the possibility that crystallographic artifacts may be causing some of these structural differences, it remains to be addressed whether these different GPCR structures would share a common dynamic behavior during molecular dynamics simulations in an explicit lipid-cholesterol-water environment. The results of nanosecond-scale simulations of ligand-free inactive crystallographic forms of B2AR, B1AR, and A2AR were analyzed in terms of inter-residue contact variability over time. Contacts that remained in place during most of the simulations were recognized as stable contacts. Among them, the most stable contacts were found to be common among the three GPCR structures, and to involve residues that are conserved among family A GPCRs. We propose that these stable contacts define a common dynamic behavior of inactive GPCR structures for diffusible ligands, and are therefore important for keeping the receptors in an inactive state.
Effect of early experience on the sexual performance of yearling rams

The following study examines the effect of early sexual experience on the sexual performance of yearling rams. Forty-eight rams were given four individual 30 min exposures to estrous ewes at 10 months of age (experimental Ss). Forty-seven male counterparts were given no early heterosexual experience (control Ss). All subjects were maintained in a single all-male group from weaning (3 months of age). At 22 months of age, experienced and control rams were individually exposed to four estrous ewes for 30 min on four occasions at weekly intervals. Sexual behaviors observed included courship, mounting and ejaculation frequencies. Significantly fewer experienced rams than control rams (P < 0.01) failed to show sexual interest in ewes on Test Day 1 (1 of 48 vs. 13 of 47 rams, respectively). In addition, sexually active experienced rams exhibited higher (P < 0.01) rates of ejaculation than sexually active control rams on all four test days (x = 4.17 vs. 3.45 per 30 min, respectively). Follow-up studies on non-performing rams revealed that continuous exposure to ewes usually activated sexual interest in females. It was concluded that lack of exposure to ewes during early development can inhibit the expression of sexual behavior in rams. This effect has not been reported in the sexual development of male cattle and swine.
On eigenvalues of p -adic curvature

We study the eigenvalues of the p-adic curvature transformationson buildings. In particular, we determine the maximal eigenvalues ofthese transformations.
A Questionnaire Measure of Individual Differences in Child Stimulus Screening

The present paper contains reliability and validity data on a new measure of child stimulus screening. "Stimulus screening" characterizes the degree to which an individual automatically and selectively responds to stimulation. Nonscreeners who are less selective process more information and are thus generally more arousable than screeners. A 46-item verbal questionnaire measure of child stimulus screening which employs mother reports was developed over the course of three studies. The scale, which is balanced for response bias with 23 positively worded and 23 negatively worded items, has exhibited a Kuder-Richardson formula 20 reliability coefficient of .92. Child stimulus screening scores based on the questionnaire yielded a statistically significant correlation with mother stimulus screening scores and one approaching significance with father stimulus screening scores. A fourth validational study showed that children who screened less as compared with those who screened more were more aroused and that t...
Primary structure of the human splicing factor asf reveals similarities with drosophila regulators

We described previously the purification of a human protein, called alternative splicing factor (ASF), that can switch utilization of alternative 5' splice sites in an SV40 early pre-mRNA. We now report the isolation of a cDNA, designated ASF-1, that encodes this protein. ASF-1 consists of 248 amino acid residues, including an 80 residue RNA-binding domain at its N-terminus and a 50 residue C-terminal region that is 80% serine plus arginine. ASF-1 produced in E. coli can activate splicing in vitro and switch 5' splice-site utilization, establishing that the recombinant protein is sufficient to supply these activities. Analysis of additional cDNAs revealed that ASF pre-mRNA can itself be alternatively spliced, surprisingly, by utilization of a shared 5' splice site and two closely spaced 3' splice sites. Use of the upstream site results in a second mRNA (ASF-2) in which translation of the downstream exon occurs extensively in an alternative reading frame distinct from ASF-1.
Preparation of single poly(lactic acid) composites

An approach for making poly(lactic acid) (PLA) single-polymer composites (SPCs) on the basis of PLA's slowly crystallizing characteristics was investigated. As a slowly crystallizing polymer, PLA can be processed with standard polymer processing techniques into end-use products with varied crystallinities, from amorphous films to highly crystalline fibers. In this study, amorphous PLA sheets and crystalline PLA fibers/fabrics were laminated and compression-molded to form an SPC at a processing temperature substantially lower than PLA's melting temperature. The effects of the major process conditions on the performance of the SPC were studied. The processing temperature played a profound role in affecting the fiber–matrix bonding properties. As the processing temperature increased, a drastic improvement in the interfacial bonding occurred at a temperature of around 135°C, which indicated the lower boundary of the process window. The compression-molded SPC exhibited enhanced mechanical properties; particularly, the tearing strength of the fabric-reinforced SPC was almost an order higher than that of the nonreinforced PLA. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Determining the general circulation of the oceans: a preliminary discussion.

The classical oceanographic problem of deducing the unknown constant in the dynamic method—the problem of the "level of no motion"—may be treated as a geophysical inverse problem. The unknown "barotropic" velocity may be chosen to satisfy an arbitrary number of conservation laws, subject to perfect geostrophic balance and with explicit use made of the relative errors in the observations. The solution obtained is one of minimum energy. A western North Atlantic region is used to demonstrate the power of the method.
Body Motion Analysis for Multi-modal Identity Verification

This paper shows how “Body Motion Signature Analysis” – a new “soft-biometrics” technique – can be used for identity verification. It is able to extract motion features from the upper body of people and estimates so called “super-features” for input to a classifier. We demonstrate how this new technique can be used to identify people just based on their motion, or it can be used to significantly improve “hard-biometrics” techniques. For example, face verification achieves on this domain 6.45% Equal Error Rate (EER), and the combined verification performance of motion features and face reduces the error to 4.96% using an adaptive score-level integration method. The more ambiguous motion-only performance is 17.1% EER.
Sputtering of lunar regolith simulant by protons and singly and multicharged Ar ions at solar wind energies

Abstract We report preliminary results on sputtering of a lunar regolith simulant at room temperature by singly and multiply charged solar wind ions using quadrupole and time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry approaches. Sputtering of the lunar regolith by solar-wind heavy ions may be an important particle source that contributes to the composition of the lunar exosphere, and is a possible mechanism for lunar surface ageing and compositional modification. The measurements were performed in order to assess the relative sputtering efficiency of protons, which are the dominant constituent of the solar wind, and less abundant heavier multicharged solar wind constituents, which have higher physical sputtering yields than same-velocity protons, and whose sputtering yields may be further enhanced due to potential sputtering. Two different target preparation approaches using JSC-1A AGGL lunar regolith simulant are described and compared using SEM and XPS surface analysis.
Electrical study of crystalline silicon coimplanted with erbium and oxygen

The sharp luminescence at a wavelength 1.54 micrometers from the 4 f shell of the Er 3+ ion in the Si:Er system makes it an excellent candidate for a silicon-based optoelectronic source. To design efficient optoelectronic emitters, it is crucial to understand the excitation and relaxation processes of Si:Er 3+ . Cz silicon substrates were co- implanted with Er and O at Er beam energies of 320 keV, 400 keV and 4.5 MeV. The implanted substrates were subsequently annealed at temperatures between 600 degree(s)C and 1000 degree(s)C for 30 minutes. Spreading resistance profile and capacitance-voltage measurements show that Er and O implantation into Si generates donors. The donor concentration decreases as annealing temperature increases from 800 degree(s)C to 1000 degree(s)C, and the donor profile moves toward the surface due to oxygen outdiffusion. The number of donors shows a linear correspondence with the luminescence intensity. Hall effect and temperature dependent capacitance measurements reveal the presence of energy levels at 40 meV and 160 meV below the conduction band edge. These observations suggest that the donors are likely to be [Si:ErO x ] 0/+ complexes and that they provide the gateway to Si:Er 3+ excitation. The Si:Er photoluminescence intensity (PL) decreases with increasing temperature in two distinct regimes: the PL intensity is weakly dependent on temperature from 4 K to 100 K and, it shows an activation energy of 160 meV above 100 K. We demonstrate that the first regime is governed by the impurity Auger effect and the second regime is dominated by a phonon-mediated back transfer mechanism through charge transfer at [Si:ErO x ] 0/+ related traps in the silicon bandgap.
Oxidative stress–induced apoptosis of endothelial cells

Endothelial cells (ECs) are subjected to oxidative stress during many pathological processes, including ischemia/reperfusion and general inflammation. In the present study, we examined the effects of oxidative stress on rates of apoptosis in EC cultures. We treated large and microvessel ECs with menadione for 1 h in vitro to simulate the most common physiological form of oxidative stress, exposure to O2*-. Capillary ECs were resistant to menadione-induced apoptosis when compared with large-vessel ECs. Treatment with 35 microM menadione resulted in an apoptotic rate of approximately 5% in capillary EC cultures compared with approximately 45% in large-vessel EC cultures. At higher concentrations of menadione (35-75 microM), both types of ECs exhibited a concentration-related increase in apoptosis. Necrotic cell death only became evident at menadione concentrations ranging from 75-100 microM for both cell types. The timing of the apoptotic response to a 1 h menadione exposure was very specific. For both EC types, peaks of apoptosis occurred in two distinct waves, at 6-8 and 18-22 h after treatment. Analysis of the events leading up to the first peak of apoptosis indicated that specific matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were activated, suggesting that MMPs may be involved in initiating the apoptotic process.
Lower bounds to the exact energy

The family of different orders of lower bounds to the exact energy can be represented by where m is the reciprocal of the least upper bound to the eigenvalue of the p-density matrix. The sequence of Ep are given under specified conditions. Lower bounds of different order to the exact eigenvalue of the beryllium atom are computed. The N-1 order lower bound is −14.6911 au as compared to the experimental value of −14.668 au.
A mathematical model describing the subcellular localization of non-membrane bound steroid, seco-steroid and thyronine receptors.

Contrary to classic steroid hormone receptors, unoccupied 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptors appear within the nucleus upon hypotonic homogenization (J. biol. Chem. 255 6799–6805, 1980; Biochem. biophys. res. Commun.98 990–996, 1981). Parallels to recent reports of ecdysteroid and hepatic estrogen receptor behavior and a re-evaluation of data contributing to the concensus that triiodothyronine receptors are intrinsic nonhistone chromosomal proteins suggest that all non-membrane bound unoccupied and occupied hormone receptors may distribute between soluble and nuclear-complexed forms according to the following general expression: Rc ⇋ Rn ⇋ (Rn·N). In this equilibrium, receptor distribution between the soluble fractions of cytosol (Rc) and nucleoplasm (Rn) depends exclusively on the compartmental free water volumes. An equilibrium association constant. kn has been derived which describes the affinity of soluble receptors for nuclear components: KN = (Rn.N RsV1 where Rs = Re + Rn = total soluble receptors and (Rn.N) = receptors complexed to nuclear components, N. This equation predicts that receptor distribution between soluble and complexed forms will be dependent on the relative affinity (KN) for nuclear components. When KN is small (some unoccupied steroid hormone receptors), Eq. (1) is shifted to the left. Parallel derivations can describe the distribution of different receptor species, including transformed receptors or those occupied by ligand, where KN is large and the equilibrium shifts to the right. The model is general enough to accommodate varying KN for different forms of receptors, as well as varying KN for different nuclear binding sites (specific acceptor sites, lower affinity secondary sites and non-specific sites).
Brief paper: An ISS self-triggered implementation of linear controllers

Nowadays control systems are mostly implemented on digital platforms and, increasingly, over shared communication networks. Reducing resources (processor utilization, network bandwidth, etc.) in such implementations increases the potential to run more applications on the same hardware. We present a self-triggered implementation of linear controllers that reduces the amount of controller updates necessary to retain stability of the closed-loop system. Furthermore, we show that the proposed self-triggered implementation is robust against additive disturbances and provide explicit guarantees of performance. The proposed technique exhibits an inherent trade-off between computation and potential savings on actuation.
Advanced Sodium Guide Star Technology Development

Laser guided adaptive optics significantly improve ground-based telescope resolution. We are developing a pulsed, 589nm laser system for this application by sum-frequency mixing 1583nm Er/Yb:doped and 938nm Nd:silica fiber lasers in a periodically poled crystal.
Repair of the corneal epithelial adhesion structures following keratectomy wounds in diabetic rabbits

In corneal tissue from a diabetic patient 15 months after delayed epithelial healing following vitrectomy surgery, electron microscopy revealed a discontinuous basement membrane; immunohistochemically, fibronectin was present in the basement membrane zone. To determine whether alterations in repair of the basement membrane, anchoring fibrils and hemidesmo-somes occur in wounds in diabetics, we studied the pattern of histochemical localization of bullous pemphigoid antigen (the intracellular hemidesmosome plaque component), laminin and type VII collagen (the anchoring fibril collagen) in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits following superficial keratectomy. Ultrastructural studies of basal laminae and hemidesmosomes also were performed. Epithelial wound closure was complete by 66–72 h after 7-mm superficial keratectomies. Type VII collagen localized at the base of the epithelium at the wound periphery by 66 h, appearing as a beaded line underlying the epithelium; at 1 week, as in control rabbits, the localization zone extended across the wound bed. Polyclonal antibodies to laminin and bullous pemphigoid antigen showed similar localization. Small segments of basal laminae were noted by electron microscopy of the wound periphery as early as 66 h post-kera-tectomy. By 2 weeks, an increase in hemidesmosomes associated with segments of discontinuous basal lamina was apparent. No obvious differences in the time or pattern of re-appearance of the adhesion complex in keratectomy wounds could be discerned between normoglycemic and hyperglycemic rabbits. Thus, healing defects in diabetics may be due to factors other than reassembly of adhesion structures.
Prenatal diagnosis and treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) applies to a group of inherited disorders caused by an enzyme deficiency in steroid biosynthesis. The most common form of CAH is 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD), which in its severe form can cause genital ambiguity in females. Affected females experience virilization both physically and psychologically. Steroid 21-OHD can be diagnosed in utero through molecular genetic analysis of fetal DNA. Appropriate prenatal treatment by dexamethasone administration to the at-risk pregnant mother is effective in reducing genital virilization in the fetus, thus avoiding unnecessary genitoplasty in affected females. Current data from large human studies show that prenatal diagnosis and treatment are safe in the short term for both the fetus and the mother. Preliminary data from long-term studies support these results.
Analysis of the CYP1A1 mRNA Dose Response in Human Keratinocytes Indicates that Relative Potencies of Dioxins, Furans, and PCBs are Species and Congener Specific

Reports indicate that toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) based primarily on rodent data do not accurately predict in vitro human responsiveness to certain dioxin-like chemicals (DLCs). To investigate this in cells responsive to dioxins and relevant to chloracne, normal human epidermal keratinocytes were treated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and several DLCs, each with a TEF value of 0.1, representing three classes of congeners. We estimated half maximal effective concentration (EC50)-based donor-specific relative potency (REP) values for cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) messenger RNA (mRNA) induction for TCDD, 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (HxCDD), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF), 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofuran (HxCDF), and 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 126). We also determined EC50-based population-level REP values (n = 4) for CYP1A1 mRNA induction for TCDD, HxCDF, and PCB 126. Furthermore, an alternative factor, the relative threshold factor (RTF) based on the low end (threshold) of the dose-response curve, was calculated. Our results demonstrated that HxCDF had a population-based REP value of 0.98, 9.8-fold higher than its assigned TEF value of 0.1. Conversely, PCB 126 had an REP value of 0.0027 and an RTF of 0.0022, 37-fold and 45-fold less than its assigned TEF of 0.1, respectively. The REP values for HxCDD and TCDF were 0.24 and 0.10, respectively, similar to their assigned value of 0.1. Therefore, although the DLCs tested in the current study all possessed the same assigned TEF value of 0.1, congener-specific differences in REPs and RTFs were observed for human keratinocytes. These congener-specific discrepancies are likely because of differences in interspecies factors that have yet to be defined.
Learning Kernels Using Local Rademacher Complexity

We use the notion of local Rademacher complexity to design new algorithms for learning kernels. Our algorithms thereby benefit from the sharper learning bounds based on that notion which, under certain general conditions, guarantee a faster convergence rate. We devise two new learning kernel algorithms: one based on a convex optimization problem for which we give an efficient solution using existing learning kernel techniques, and another one that can be formulated as a DC-programming problem for which we describe a solution in detail. We also report the results of experiments with both algorithms in both binary and multi-class classification tasks.
α-Lipoic Acid Attenuates Hyperglycemia and Prevents Glomerular Mesangial Matrix Expansion in Diabetes

Previous studies demonstrated that 2 mo of dietary supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid (LA) prevented early glomerular injury in non-insulin-treated streptozotocin diabetic rats (D). The present study examined the effects of chronic LA supplementation (30 mg/kg body wt per d) on nephropathy in D after 7 mo of diabetes. Compared with control rats, D developed increased urinary excretion of albumin and transforming growth factor beta, renal insufficiency, glomerular mesangial matrix expansion, and glomerulosclerosis in association with depletion of glutathione and accumulation of malondialdehyde in renal cortex. LA prevented or ameliorated all of these changes in D. Because chronic LA supplementation also attenuated hyperglycemia in D after 3 mo, its effects on renal injury were compared with treatment of rats with sufficient insulin to maintain a level of glycemic control for the entire 7-mo period (D-INS) equivalent to that observed with LA during the final 4 mo. Despite superior longitudinal glycemic control in D-INS, urinary excretion of albumin and transforming growth factor beta, glomerular mesangial matrix expansion, the extent of glomerulosclerosis, and renal cortical malondialdehyde content were all significantly greater, whereas cortical glutathione content was lower than corresponding values in D given LA. Thus, the renoprotective effects of LA in D were not attributable to improved glycemic control alone but also likely reflected its antioxidant activity. The combined antioxidant and hypoglycemic actions of LA both may contribute to its utility in preventing renal injury and other complications of diabetes.
Our Lady of the Rockies

L'A. retrace l'histoire de la construction, dans les annees 1980, d'une statue monumentale geante, representant la Vierge Marie, par les habitants de la ville de Butte (Etats-Unis, Montana). Il donne d'abord un apercu de l'histoire socioeconomique du Montana (conquete du territoire, relations entre communautes et amerindiens, compagnies commerciales, chercheurs d'or et implantation des villes). Il montre ensuite comment, face a la crise economique, la statue mariale est devenue le symbole de la solidarite et de la communaute ouvriere de Butte.
Tree-structured neural decoding

We propose adaptive testing as a general mechanism for extracting information about stimuli from spike trains. Each test or question corresponds to choosing a neuron and a time interval and checking for a given number of spikes. No assumptions are made about the distribution of spikes or any other aspect of neural encoding. The chosen questions are those which most reduce the uncertainty about the stimulus, as measured by entropy and estimated from stimulus-response data. Our experiments are based on accurate simulations of responses to pure tones in the auditory nerve and are meant to illustrate the ideas rather than investigate the auditory system. The results cohere nicely with well-understood encoding of amplitude and frequency in the auditory nerve, suggesting that adaptive testing might provide a powerful tool for investigating complex and poorly understood neural structures.
Plasmonic nanocavity for interaction with colloidal quantum dots

We propose to use low group velocity modes on a surface plasmon grating to mediate emission from colloidal quantum dots. We demonstrate the modification of emission wavelength and coupling as the grating periodicity is changed.
A new splash and sheet erosion equation for rangelands.

Soil loss rates predicted from erosion models for rangelands have the potential to be important quantitative indicators for rangeland health and for assessing conservation practices. Splash and sheet erosion processes on rangelands differ from croplands, where the process is conceptualized in part as interrill erosion. Previous interrill equations were developed from cropland soils where interrill erosion was conceptualized and modeled for small plots, which are not generally large enough to encompass the relative high spatial heterogeneity of rangelands. Also, interrill erosion is usually modeled as a function of rainfall intensity (I) and runoff rate (q) such that I and q are independent of each other. Splash and sheet erosion is the dominant type of erosion on most undisturbed rangeland hillslopes where there is adequate vegetation, and these important erosion processes need to be addressed to develop an appropriate rangeland erosion model. In this study, we developed a new equation for calculating the combined rate of splash and sheet erosion (D ss ) using a large set of rainfall simulation data from the western United States. The equation we propose: D ss = K ss I 1.052 q 0.592 , where K ss is a splash and sheet erosion coefficient, takes into account a key interrelationship between I and q revealed in the data. This equation was successfully evaluated using independent sets of multiple-intensity experimental data. The new equation should enable improved estimation of water erosion on rangelands in the western United States and in other parts of the world.
COMPARISON OF SINGLE PRODUCT SCALING AND RELATIVE‐TO‐REFERENCE SCALING IN SENSORY EVALUATION OF DAIRY PRODUCTS

Single product scaling and relative-to-reference scaling were compared on the basis of numbers of significant differences among chocolate milks and among vanilla yogurts using both trained and untrained panels. The study involved 920 comparisons among product means with appearance, flavor and mouthfeel attributes. Although there were a greater number of significant t-tests when the relative-to-reference scales were used by both trained and untrained panels, the differences between scale types were minor. Panels showed no advantage with the type of scale they used first. The two methods may be used with equal efficiency for sensory evaluations.
Vertical cavity surface-emitting semiconductor lasers with injection laser pumping

Continuous-wave GaAs/GaAlAs edge-emitting diode lasers were used to pump GaAs/AlGaAs and InGaAs/AlGaAs vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) with resonant periodic gain (RPG) at room temperature. Pump threshold as low as 11 mW, output powers as high as 27 mW at 850 nm, and external differential quantum efficiencies of about 70 percent were observed in GaAs/AlGaAs surface -emitters; spectral brightness 22 times that of the pump laser was also observed. Output powers as high as 85 mW at 950 nm and differential quantum efficiencies of up to 58 percent were recorded for the InGaAs surface-emitting laser. This is the highest quasi-CW output power ever reported for any RPG VCSEL, and the first time such a device has been pumped using an injection laser diode.
THE CLINICAL VALUE OF COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION SERVICES : A REVIEW OF 98 RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIALS

Objective To review all randomized clinical trials addressing the efficacy of clinical information systems and to determine the clinical settings, types of interventions, and effects studied. Data sources Extensive and systematic MEDLINE searches were conducted using a combination of medical subject headings (MeSH) and textword terms to collect trial reports. Manual searches of books and monographs as well as informal contacts were also used. Study selection The eligibility criteria were (1) randomized controlled clinical trial, (2) computerized information intervention in the study group, and (3) effect measured on the process or outcome of care. Data extraction Two research assistants independently abstracted from the selected reports the following structured information: trial sites, computerized interventions, effect variables, and outcomes. Three investigators evaluated the combined list of trial features for setting, intervention, and effect. The statistical analysis included an evaluation of agreement in developing classifications and an analysis of the ratio of positive trial outcomes. Data synthesis Most information services were tested in outpatient care (82%), particularly in primary care (66%). The information intervention targeted the provider in 64% of the trials. The effect was primarily measured for the process of care (76%). Provider prompt/reminder, computer-assisted treatment planner, interactive patient education/therapy, and patient prompt/reminder were significantly successful interventions (sign test, P Conclusions Randomized clinical trials confirm that four generic information interventions are active ingredients of computer systems and can make a significant difference in family medicine (physician and patient reminders, treatment planner, and patient education). To manage care and improve quality, primary care computer systems should incorporate these effective information services.
Short pulse generation via ground and excited state from an external cavity mode-locked quantum dot two section laser diode

We study the characteristics of ground-state and excite-state mode-locked pulse trains generated from an external cavity quantum dot mode-locked laser.
Neuroplasticity after unilateral visual cortex damage in the newborn cat

Anatomical, electrophysiological, and behavioral studies implicate extrastriate cortex as a major contributor to the sparing of visually guided behaviors following lesions of primary visual cortex incurred early in life. Here we report considerable sparing of the ability to detect and localize stimuli in the hemifield contralateral to unilateral early lesions of all contiguous visually-responsive primary and extrastriate cortical regions (occipital, visuoparietal, and visuotemporal cortices). In the adult cat this same lesion induces a dense blindness and cats are unable to orient to any visual stimulus introduced into the contralesional hemifield. In the absence of cortical circuits, the neural sparing identified following the neonatal lesion is based on the superior colliculus and it occurs despite massive retrograde transynaptic degeneration of large numbers of retinal ganglion cells.
An Accurate and Scalable Clock Synchronization Protocol for IEEE 802.11-Based Multihop Ad Hoc Networks

This paper studies the fundamental problem of clock synchronization in IEEE 802.11-based multihop ad hoc networks. Clock synchronization is important for power saving, network throughput, and efficiency of many protocols in an IEEE 802.11-based mobile ad hoc network. The scalability problem of 802.11 timing synchronization has been studied extensively in single hop ad hoc networks, and good solutions are available. These solutions, however, do not perform well in a multihop environment. A few multihop solutions for clock synchronization have been proposed recently, but the performances are still not very good. The maximum clock offset is still more than 200 mus for these protocols. This paper proposes an adaptive protocol through beacon transmission prioritization, frequency adjustment, and construction of dominating set. The frequency adjustment is proved to be bounded. Simulation studies show that the proposed protocol is able to limit the maximum clock offset to under 50 mus after protocol stabilization. The improvement is more than 400 percent over the current solutions. The proposed protocol also shows great long-term stability, and it handles mobility very well.
Selection of Medical School Deans in the US, 1954-1979

A review of biographical data of all persons who served as deans of United States medical schools from 1954 until 1979 indicated that: firstly, clinical faculty continue to dominate deanships; secondly, faculty from fields such as pathology and pharmacology that bridge the traditional dichotomy between pre-clinical and clinical faculty are increasingly being selected as deans; thirdly, clinical specialty fields in which the salaries are very high (with the notable exception of surgery) have consistently contributed few deans; lastly, being a graduate of a highly prestigious medical school is of diminishing value in affecting the likelihood that one will be appointed dean at any medical school, except at highly prestigious medical schools.
Modulation of Learning and Memory in Dahl Rats by Dietary Salt Restriction

The Dahl rat represents a robust animal model of salt-sensitive hypertension, with Dahl S rats being salt sensitive and Dahl R rats (the Dahl S counterparts) being salt resistant for the development of hypertension. Here we evaluate the effect of reduced dietary salt intake on learning and memory in the Dahl rat model. Salt restriction produced a significant impairment in social transmission of food preference and social recognition memory in Dahl S rats without affecting spatial learning. In contrast, social transmission of food preference and social recognition memory remained unaffected in Dahl R rats, whereas navigation performance was significantly improved. This effect on learning and memory was not generalized because sodium restriction did not influence object recognition memory in either Dahl S or Dahl R rats. The significant decrement in select cognitive functions in Dahl S rats produced by salt restriction are in sharp contrast to the well known positive effect of dietary salt restriction in alleviating high blood pressure and associated target organ complications, suggesting that caution must be exercised when weighing the benefits of salt restriction in improving cardiovascular health in salt-sensitive hypertension against the potential undesirable effects of reduced cognitive function.
Conformal doping of 3-D structures using sub-atmospheric CVD films

Applicability of SACVD for doping of 3-D structures was assessed on both flat substrates as well as patterned structures focusing on the optimization of dopant profile within the SACVD film. Boron and phosphorous doped ultra-shallow junctions of 6 and 10nm respectively are obtained with surface concentration in excess of 1E21 at/cc for this intrinsically conformal and damage-free technique
The Case for the Rectangular/Trapezoidal Orchestra

In 1947, Carlo Anti published Teatri Greci Arcaici da Minosse a Pericle. In this book, he formulated what one reviewer termed ‘the dogma of the originally rectangular orchestra’. This directly contradicted over a century of research which had concluded that Greek performance areas began with a completely circular dancing place and gradually changed to an arrangement which used a partial circle backed by a scene house. Over a hundred part-circular orchestras, lastingly embalmed in stone, attest to the accuracy of at least part of this curvilinear hypothesis. All of these stone remains, however, are from the mid-fourth century or later; nothing remains of the wooden theatres in which the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes were first performed.
Viruses and the Microbiota

Every surface of the human body is colonized by a diverse microbial community called the microbiota, yet the impact of this community on viruses is unclear. Recent research has advanced our understanding of how microbiota influence viral infection. Microbiota inhibit infection by some viruses and promote infection by others. These effects can occur through direct and/or indirect effects on the host and/or the virus. This review examines the known effects and mechanisms by which microbiota influence mammalian virus infections. Furthermore, we suggest strategies for future research on how microbiota impact viruses. Overall, microbiota may influence a wide array of viruses through diverse mechanisms, making the study of virus-microbiota interactions a fertile area for future investigation.
Hybrid silicon DQPSK receiver

We present a monolithic 50 Gb/s DQPSK receiver on hybrid silicon, consisting of delay interferometers, phase shifters, balanced InGaAs p-i-n photodetectors, and MIS capacitors. Preliminary measurements of stand-alone PDs show 23–28 GHz 3dB bandwidth.
The moisture-triggered controlled release of a natural food preservative from a microporous metal–organic framework

In this work we demonstrate that allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), a common food flavoring agent and food preservative, can be effectively captured by and released in a controlled manner from a microporous metal-organic framework (MOF). The extent of AITC-MOF interactions is quantitatively measured by orbital overlap population calculations. Controlled release experiments show that loaded AITC can be released by applying higher relative humidity. Further analysis reveals that the underlying mechanism of the controlled release is associated with the transformation of the MOF from a porous to a nonporous structure at high humidity. This study represents the first example of making use of MOF porosity in food preservation.