cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 370: Expansion of CTCs from early stage lung cancer patients using a microfluidic co-culture model

Establishing the role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in tumor progression and metastasis depends both on enumeration and on obtaining sufficient numbers of cells for downstream assays. The numbers of CTCs are few in early stages of cancer, limiting detailed molecular characterization. One approach to overcome this limitation is to expand CTCs, i.e. increase their numbers as a result of cell division. Herein, we have developed a novel in-situ capture and culture methodology for ex-vivo expansion of CTCs using a three dimensional co-culture model, simulating a tumor microenvironment to support tumor development. We have successfully identified CTCs isolated from 14 of 19 early stage lung cancer patients. Expanded lung CTCs expressed tumor specific markers and formed spheroids in culture. CTCs derived xenograft demonstrated tumorigenic capability of these cells. Furthermore, CTCs carried mutations of the TP53 gene identical to those observed in the matched primary tumors. Next-generation sequencing further revealed additional matched mutations between primary tumor and CTCs of cancer-related genes. This strategy sets the stage to further characterize the biology of CTCs derived from patients with early lung cancers, thereby leading to a better understanding of these putative drivers of metastasis. Citation Format: Zhuo Zhang, Hiroe Shiratsuchi, Jules Lin, Guoan Chen, Rishindra M. Reddy, Ebrahim Azizi, Shamileh Fouladdel, Andrew C. Chang, Lin Lin, Hui Jiang, Meghna Waghray, Diane M. Simeone, Max S. Wicha, David G. Beer, Gary Luker, Nithya Ramnath, Sunitha Nagrath. Expansion of CTCs from early stage lung cancer patients using a microfluidic co-culture model. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 370. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-370
Impacts of Land Change on Ecosystem Services in the San Antonio River Basin, Texas, from 1984 to 2010

Abstract The San Antonio River Basin (SARB) is an ecologically diverse region in South Texas. The city of San Antonio is located within the basin and is the hub of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). San Antonio, together with other major metropolitan centers in Texas, has experienced rapid population and economic growth over the last thirty years, which accelerated after the implementation of NAFTA in 1994. To assess the environmental implications of this growth in the SARB, we first conducted a land-change analysis using Landsat images from 1984, 1995, and 2010. Then, we analyzed spatiotemporal changes in ecosystem services across the SARB and within three watersheds in Bexar County where the city of San Antonio is located. To estimate changes in ecosystem service values (ESV) during this period, we combined the results of the land-change analysis with a benefit transfer approach using two sets of widely cited ecosystem-service valuation coefficients published in 1997 and 2014 but we modified the urban coefficient from the 2014 publication for low-density and high-density urban areas. When 1997 coefficients were applied, the ESV in the SARB decreased, on average, by $1.2 million/year during 1984–1995 and by $1.8 million/year during 1995–2010. The ESV in Bexar County decreased, on average, by $0.5 million/year and $0.7 million/year during the first and second periods, respectively. When the 2014 coefficients and modified urban value coefficients were applied, the ESV in the SARB decreased, on average, by a 27% more during the first period than when the 1997 coefficients were applied, while, ESV increased during the second period by an average of $2.2 million/year. This temporally opposite trend in ESV change did not occur in Bexar County, however. Using the 2014 coefficients, ESV in Bexar County decreased 5 times more during the first period and decreased 2.5 times more during the second period than when 1997 coefficients were applied. The differences in ESV trends resulting from the two sets of coefficients can be explained primarily by the different coefficients assigned to urban spaces ($0/ha/year in the 1997 study and $7005/ha/year in the 2014 study). Our results suggest that the value placed on urban areas in the 2014 publication, taken from a single case study and intended primarily for large urban parks, substantially overestimates the ESV of urban space. In our study areas, applying this value, even only to urban green space, led to the improbable conclusion that urbanization had a positive overall effect on the delivery of ecosystem services. While open spaces in urban areas do provide valuable ecosystem services, it is highly unlikely that their value exceeds those provided by less modified ecosystems. The ability to confidently use value coefficients when applying benefit transfer methods to estimate ESVs demands rigorous assessments of their broad applicability.
A production economics analysis for quantifying the efficiency of wind turbines

We quantify the productive efficiency of a wind turbine, using power output and environmental variable data, measured either at the turbine or at a meteorological mast near the turbine. The methods described can potentially help with decision makings in asset procurement, maintenance planning, or wind turbine control optimization. The current recommendation from the International Electrotechnical Commission regarding turbine performance evaluation is to use a power curve or power coefficient. What is commonly used in practice is the average performance power curve or power coefficient. When using the power curve to quantify productive efficiency, one crucial shortcoming is the lack of a common best performance benchmark, while the power coefficient approach uses an absolute efficiency measure that is not achievable. We introduce a new approach for efficiency quantification based upon production economics' concepts which provides estimates of a best performance benchmark. Our specific approach has two main components: (a) a best performance power curve is estimated and used together with the average performance curve to show how well a turbine has performed relative to its full potential; and (b) a covariate matching procedure is developed to control for environmental influences for the comparison of turbine performances over different periods. Through a simulation study, we demonstrate that the proposed efficiency is more sensitive to potential changes in the turbine. When analyzing multi-year wind turbine data, we observe that the turbine's efficiency is improving during the first 2 years of operation and then remains relatively constant during years 3 and 4. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exchange Rate Pass-Through and Exposure in the Turkish Economy

This paper examines the impact of exchange rate variations on the export prices and the profitability of the firms, at sectoral and at firm level respectively, in the Turkish manufacturing industry for the period 1995-2007. The data set consists of export unit values, bilateral exchange rates, total revenues, cost of goods sold, value of domestic and foreign sales, and Turkey's export trade partner's GDP's and CPI's. The results show that there is a tendency for local currency price stabilization. The average estimate of exchange rate passthrough to export prices is around 0.6. There is a mixed evidence on the relationship between exchange rate variations and profitability. It is found an apparent variation in the magnitude and direction of exposure across firms. However, these results are not robust to the specification used.
Leader consultation mitigates the harmful effects of leader narcissism: A belongingness perspective

Abstract Drawing from belongingness theory, the present study proposes and empirically tests the impact of leader narcissism on employees’ citizenship and antagonistic behaviors via their organization-based self-esteem (OBSE) depending on conditions of leader consultation behaviors. Survey data collected from 262 leader-employee dyads at a large Chinese information technology company largely supported our predictions. The results show that leader narcissism threatens employees’ OBSE and further exerts negative indirect effects on their promotive voice and helping behaviors and positive indirect effects on their dysfunctional resistance and badmouthing. The results further illustrate that the negative relationship between leader narcissism and employee OBSE and the indirect effects of leader narcissism on the four outcomes via OBSE are significant only under conditions where narcissistic leaders fail to consult with their employees. Such effects turn non-significant in the presence of high leader consultation. Theoretical and practical implications are offered along with limitations and suggestions for future research directions.
Characterization of the Serum Protein Inhibitor of the V.D.R.L. Test

Abstract The V.D.R.L. test for syphilis was used to evaluate the ability of various serum protein fractions to inhibit cardiolipin flocculation tests for syphilis. Serum protein fractions obtained by modifications of the method of Ecker et al. (1) were chromatographed by DEAE or gel filtration and characterized by immunodiffusion and electrophoresis. These experiments indicated that the V.D.R.L. inhibitor substance was in the IgM fraction of serum, although it has not yet been determined whether the inhibitor is an IgM antibody or another component which cofractionates with IgM.
Electronic Band Structure of Bulk and QW Nitrides

The band structure of a given semiconductor is pivotal in determining its potential utility. Consequently, an accurate knowledge of the band structure is critical if the semiconductor in question is to be incorporated in the family of materials considered for serious investigations and device applications. The group III-V nitrides are no exception and it is their direct-band-gap nature and the size of the energy gap what spurred the recent activity. A number of researchers have published band-structure calculations for both Wurzite and zincblende GaN, AlN, and InN. The first Wz GaN band structure found through a pseudo-potential method led to a 3.5 eV direct bandgap. The band structure for ZB GaN has been obtained by a first-principles technique within the local-density functional framework with a direct bandgap of 3.40 eV and a lattice constant of 4.50 A. A treatise of the bad structure in bulk and quantum wells with and without strain will be given below.
Central venous access in oncology patients: A pragmatic approach to minimizing complications following port insertion.

267Background: Subcutaneous venous access devices, specifically implantable ports, are vital in the care of oncology patients. Despite routine use, complications remain prevalent. This retrospective single-institutional review was performed to identify rates of complications following port placement and target areas to improve patient outcomes. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 539 cancer patients who underwent port insertion in a one-year span at University of Florida was conducted. Data examining 18 potentially predictive factors was collected, and multivariate analysis was conducted using logistic regression and odds ratios with standard errors to determine predictive factors. Results: Of 539 patients, 100 (19%) experienced a complication, and 12 (2%) experienced 2 or more complications. An overall lower rate of complications was seen in patients on therapeutic anticoagulation (OR 0.17, p < 0.001) or on antiplatelet agents (OR 0.47, p = 0.02). No patients on therapeutic anticoagulation developed VTE (...
Study on measurement CF4 gas concentration in high voltage electrical equipment by NDIR technology

Based on requirement of accurate measurement of CF4 gas concentration in high voltage electrical equipment especially GIS with SF6 gas insulation, a new method of CF4 gas concentration measurement is designed according to principle of infrared absorption called NDIR. Using the double wavelength red hetero-dyne detection method, the traditional gas chamber structure is greatly improved, and the measurement results are more accurate.
Latitudinal gradients of coniferous tree species, vegetation, and climate in the Sierran-Cascade axis of Northern California

Latitudinal gradients of tree species composition along the Sierran/Cascade axis in northern California were explored by comparing forests of Lassen Volcanic and Yosemite National Parks, USA. A calibration procedure based on canonical correspondence analysis predicted a mean rate of elevational displacement of 172.1 m/° latitude for Lassen sites in Yosemite. This is a steep latitudinal gradient compared with other temperate uplands (which average around 100 m/0 latitude), but it corresponds with the magnitude of the July mean temperature gradient (143 m/0 latitude) and the annual precipitation gradient (230 m/0 latitude). Elevational displacement of basal-area weighted species means showed considerable variation. The range for montane species was 20–153 m/0 latitude; for subalpine species the range was 142–305 m/0 latitude. This disparity is related to differential temperature lapse rates between regions and is reinforced by contrasting biogeographic affinities of montane vs. subalpine species. Whereas it is uniformly hot and dry during the growing season at lower elevations in both regions, growing seasons in the subalpine zone are significantly warmer and drier (at comparable elevations) in Yosemite, the more southerly locale. Furthermore, montane species are principally of Sierran affinity, whereas subalpine are primarily of Pacific Northwestern affinity.
Management and Correlation of Transcutaneous Monitoring With Blood Gases in Extremely Premature Infants on Invasive Mechanical Ventilation

Background: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a potent regulator of cerebral blood flow (CBF). Preterm infants are particularly vulnerable to changes in CBF, due to impaired autoregulation of arterial vessels. The regulation of CO2 levels is important during the management of invasive mechanical ventilation in infants with RDS, as this value frequently changes. Hypercarbia, hypocarbia, and fluctuations in PCO2, are all associated with a variety of adverse events (AEs), many of which occur during the first 72 h of life. However, blood gases cannot be used for continuous monitoring, therefore we implemented a pilot of transcutaneous (Tcom) CO2 monitoring to improve management of this variable. Methods: We prospectively studied infants approximately 28 weeks gestation on invasive mechanical ventilation with Tcom CO2 monitoring. Demographic information was collected along with blood gas results extracted from the medical record. Data downloaded from the Tcom, including monitoring time (MT), CO2 values, date/time, heating power (HP; perfusion measure) and drift were matched with corresponding arterial or capillary blood gas results. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient characteristics and management issues, while the Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to determine the strength of the linear relationship between blood gases and Tcom values (N=250 matched pairs). Results: The median age of all infants (N=12) was 24+4 d (23+6 — 25+6 d), with median weight 622.5 g (IQR 460-840 g), and 7 were male. Data show that the Tcom was ordered immediately post birth in only 2/12 infants. Two infants were placed on the Tcom approximately 2 days post birth; 3 at 3 days post birth; and 5 infants 4-days post birth. Data show above-average technical drift (4-6 mm Hg) during extended monitoring with the Tcom (average 25% of MT). In addition, all subjects experienced significantly high relative HP values ( Conclusions: There were important issues related to sensor management which could have affected the bias of displayed Tcom to blood gas results. While the correlation between blood gases and the Tcom monitor was good, better management may improve this value as there were many outliers. Tcom monitoring is feasible in ELBW infants, but few were placed promptly on the monitor.
Examining Nonlinear Terahertz Photonic and Phononic Excitation with Two-Dimensional Spectroscopy

We use high-field, broadband terahertz (THz) pulses to nonlinearly excite a set of Raman active modes in centrosymmetric crystals. Using two-dimensional (2D) THz spectroscopy we can investigate photonic and phononic excitation and isolate the dominant and secondary nonlinear excitation pathways. We present a general framework for 2D THz vibrational spectroscopy in solid systems that provides important clarification for the growing new field of nonlinear phononics.
Cystatin from Filarial Parasites Suppress the Clinical Symptoms and Pathology of Experimentally Induced Colitis in Mice by Inducing T-Regulatory Cells, B1-Cells, and Alternatively Activated Macrophages

Potential alternative therapeutic strategies for immune-mediated disorders are being increasingly recognized and are studied extensively. We previously reported the therapeutic potential of Brugia malayi derived recombinant cystatin (rBmaCys) in attenuating clinical symptoms of experimental colitis. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the rBmaCys-induced suppression of inflammation in the colon. Our results show that, the frequency of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T-cells was elevated in the colon and mesenteric lymph nodes. Similarly, the peritoneal macrophages recovered from the rBmaCys-treated colitis mice were alternatively activated and displayed reduced expression of TNF-α and IL-6. Another finding was significant increases in IgM+B1a-cells in the peritoneal cavity of mice following rBmaCys-treatment. These findings suggested that the regulatory cell network promoted by the rBmaCys in the colon and associated lymphoid tissues is important for its anti-inflammatory activity in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice.
Drift potential from a solid set canopy delivery system and an axial–fan air–assisted sprayer during applications in grapevines

Solid set canopy delivery system (SSCDS), consisting of fixed spray micro–emitters distributed throughout the tree or vine crop canopy, has the potential to reduce off–target spray drift and deposition because they do not use air–assistance for spray delivery. This study evaluated two different SSCDS configurations and a conventional axial–fan air–assisted sprayer for drift potential in a modified vertical shoot position trained vineyard. The application systems were evaluated using 500 ppm solution of Pyranine 10G® as a fluorescent tracer. Spray was captured on mylar cards and water sensitive paper (WSP) samplers downwind the spray row. Samplers were placed above the canopy and on the floor between the vine rows. Spray material collected on mylar cards was quantified by fluorometry, and coverage was estimated by processing pertinent WSP images. Overall, the air–assisted sprayer had significantly higher losses to the ground and airborne spray drift compared to the two SSCDS configurations. The SSCDS had minimal amounts of spray losses to air (
Expanding the Use of Linked Data Value Vocabularies in PCC Cataloging

The Program for Cooperative Cataloging's 2018–21 strategic plan includes as one of its goals to “expand [the] use of linked data value vocabularies to augment, and where feasible to replace, existi...
Radar target recognition using structured sparse representation

Radar target recognition using structured sparse representation is the focus of this paper. Block-sparse representation and recovery is applied to the radar target recognition problem assuming a stepped-frequency radar is used. The backscatter of commercial aircraft models as recorded in a compact range is used to train and test a block-sparse based classifier. The motivation is to investigate scenarios where the target backscatter is corrupted by extraneous scatterers (similar to the disguise problem), and to investigate scenarios where scatterer occlusion takes place (similar to the face occlusion problem). Additional scenarios of whether the target azimuth position is completely or partially known are also examined.
MG53 suppresses interferon-β and inflammation via regulation of ryanodine receptor-mediated intracellular calcium signaling.

TRIM family proteins play integral roles in the innate immune response to virus infection. MG53 (TRIM72) is essential for cell membrane repair and is believed to be a muscle-specific TRIM protein. Here we show human macrophages express MG53, and MG53 protein expression is reduced following virus infection. Knockdown of MG53 in macrophages leads to increases in type I interferon (IFN) upon infection. MG53 knockout mice infected with influenza virus show comparable influenza virus titres to wild type mice, but display increased morbidity accompanied by more accumulation of CD45+ cells and elevation of IFNβ in the lung. We find that MG53 knockdown results in activation of NFκB signalling, which is linked to an increase in intracellular calcium oscillation mediated by ryanodine receptor (RyR). MG53 inhibits IFNβ induction in an RyR-dependent manner. This study establishes MG53 as a new target for control of virus-induced morbidity and tissue injury. TRIM proteins are known to play critical roles in the context of viral infection. Here the authors establish MG53 (TRIM72) suppresses IFN and inflammation by modulation of ryanodine receptor related intracellular calcium induction.
Instability in Nonlinear Estimation and Classification: Examples of a General Pattern

“Instability” of a statistical operation, Φ, means that small changes in the data, D, can lead to relatively large changes in the data description, Φ(D). A “singularity” is a data set at which Φ is infinitely unstable to changes in the data, essentially a discontinuity of Φ. Near the set, S, of its singularities Φ will be unstable. A general topological theory gives conditions under which singularity will arise and gives lower bounds on the dimension, dim S, of S. dim S is related to the probability of getting data near S. We describe this theory by showing how it manifests itself in several common forms of data analysis and state some of the mathematical results.
Heterotrimeric G proteins promote FLS2 protein accumulation through inhibition of FLS2 autophagic degradation

ABSTRACT FLAGELLIN-SENSITIVE 2 (FLS2) is a plant immune receptor that binds bacterial flagellin to activate immune signaling. This immune signal is transduced by a heterotrimeric G protein complex at the plasma membrane and activates downstream signaling. However, it is unknown whether the heterotrimeric G proteins have functions at other subcellular locations away from the plasma membrane. Here, we show that components of the heterotrimeric G protein complex stabilize FLS2 protein levels by inhibiting the autophagic degradation of FLS2. Using genetic analysis, we determined that mutations of G protein components resulted in reduced immune signaling in part due to decreased FLS2 protein levels. Furthermore, reduction of FLS2 protein levels was caused by elevated proteasomal and autophagic degradation of FLS2. Genetic inhibition of autophagy in G protein mutants rescued FLS2 levels and immunity. Our findings suggest that the heterotrimeric G protein components, in addition to being part of the heterotrimeric G protein complex that transduces signals at the plasma membrane, also function away from the plasma membrane to control FLS2 protein levels. These results expand the functional capacity of the heterotrimeric G protein complexes in plant immunity.
Degenerate Lah–Bell polynomials arising from degenerate Sheffer sequences

Umbral calculus is one of the important methods for obtaining the symmetric identities for the degenerate version of special numbers and polynomials. Recently, Kim–Kim (J. Math. Anal. Appl. 493(1):124521, 2021) introduced the λ-Sheffer sequence and the degenerate Sheffer sequence. They defined the λ-linear functionals and λ-differential operators, respectively, instead of the linear functionals and the differential operators of umbral calculus established by Rota. In this paper, the author gives various interesting identities related to the degenerate Lah–Bell polynomials and special polynomials and numbers by using degenerate Sheffer sequences, and at the same time derives the inversion formulas of these identities.
Glutamate-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (GluCEST) Detects Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to the Motor Cortex

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is used in several FDA-approved treatments and, increasingly, to treat neurological disorders in off-label uses. However, the mechanism by which TMS causes physiological change is unclear, as are the origins of response variability in the general population. Ideally, objective in vivo biomarkers could shed light on these unknowns and eventually inform personalized interventions. Continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) is a form of TMS which has been observed to reduce motor evoked potentials (MEPs) for 60 minutes or longer post-stimulation, although the consistency of this effect and its mechanism continue to be under debate. Here, we use glutamate-weighted chemical exchange saturation transfer (gluCEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at ultra-high magnetic field (7T) to measure changes in glutamate concentration at the site of cTBS. We find that gluCEST signal in the ipsilateral hemisphere of the brain generally decreases in response to cTBS, whereas consistent changes were not detected in the contralateral or in subjects receiving a sham stimulation.
Linguistic Theory in the Framework of a Cognitive Semiotics: Language as Simulation and Linearization of Thought

A cognitive version of semiotics has to reopen the discussion of how to understand language and the possibility of a theory of language. L. Hjelmslev and his French semiotic-linguistic followers, including the great semantician A.-J. Greimas, did not think beyond discourse. By contrast, cognitive linguistics from Langacker to Croft and Evans anchors language in the embodied mind, but has no perspective on discourse other than claiming that culture in general shapes what is not shaped by mind and perception. In one frame, language is everything, and in the other, it is nothing (in itself). Could we instead conceive language as forming a substantial link between culture and the mind-brain? Could we build a theoretical and analytical study of language as a structured architecture of instances that connect culture and mind? In that case, we will have to revisit the models of both semiotic and cognitive linguistics and examine the semiotic functions in language that allow the sharing of meaning to which other animals have no access, the sophisticated connection of communication and thinking that makes human culture possible.This paper shortly presents a few suggestions as to some involved issues, such as the linearization of meaning; the complex semiotic functions of language; semantics in language as ideational simulation; integrative operations in syntax; and proto-concepts.
On the Relationship between Stress and Elastic Strain for Porous and Fractured Rock

On the Relationship between Stress and Elastic Strain for Porous and Fractured Rock Hui-Hai Liu*, Jonny Rutqvist and James G. Berryman Earth Sciences Division Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Berkeley, CA 94720 Submitted to International Journal of Rock Mechanicals & Mining Science & Mining Sciences *Corresponding author. Tel: +1-510-486-6452; fax: +1-510-486-5686. E-mail address: hhliu@lbl.gov
Navigating and Stopping Multi-Parameter Bandit Processes

In recent years, considerable effort has been devoted to the development of a theory for multi-parameter processes. These are stochastic processes that evolve in “time” which is only partially ordered. The multi-parameter theory provides a natural way to formulate problems in dynamic allocation of resources, including discrete and continuous time multi-armed bandits as special cases. Multi-parameter processes that describe a game played by a gambler against a multi-armed bandit are called bandit processes. My talk will focus on two control problems for bandit processes. The first problem, the optimal stopping problem, is that of a gambler who can stop playing at any time. The reward from the game depends only on the state of affairs at the time of stopping, and the gambler’s problem is to choose an optimal stopping time. In the second problem, the optimal navigation problem, the gambler plays forever and seeks to maximize total discounted reward over an infinite horizon.
Reflections: Intellectual Shamans, Sensemaking, and Memes in Large System Change

AbstractThis Reflections piece focuses on the central yet often overlooked role of memes in the change process. Memes are cultural artefacts that pass from one person or group to others, in change, particularly the type of large system change that is needed to bring about a sustainable enterprise economy in the future. Memes are the foundations of belief systems and perspectives within any given system that establish the relationships and behaviours within the system. If left unaddressed in change initiatives, the stubborn persistence of old memes can potentially stall or even prevent significant change. Focusing on memes as a foundation for thinking about organizational and system change may provide a new platform for change agents, who can begin by understanding current memeplex (complexes of memes) within systems and working with system participants to change them in the desired direction. Some academics, considered as intellectual shamans, take on the shamanic mantle of healers, connectors, and, parti...
A Snapshot of Cultural Competency Education in U.S. Dental Schools

During the last decade, cultural competency has received a great deal of attention in health care and the literature of many fields, including education, social services, law, and health care. The dental education literature provides little information regarding status, strategies, or guiding principles of cultural competency education in U.S. dental schools. This study was an attempt to describe the status of cultural competency education in U.S. dental schools. A web-based thirty-question survey regarding cultural competency education coursework, teaching, course materials, and content was sent in 2005 to the assistant/associate deans for academic affairs at fifty-six U.S. dental schools, followed up by subsequent email messages. Thirty-four (61 percent) dental school officials responded to the survey. The majority of respondents (twenty-eight; 82 percent) did not have a specific stand-alone cultural competency course, but indicated it was integrated into the curriculum. Recognition of local and national community diversity needs prompted course creation in most schools. Respondents at almost two-thirds of schools indicated that their impression of students’ acceptance was positive. Teachers of cultural competency were primarily white female dentists. Few schools required faculty to have similar cultural competency or diversity training. Thirty-three of the thirty-four U.S. dental schools responding to this survey offer some form of coursework in cultural competency with little standardization and a variety of methods and strategies to teach dental students.
Functional mapping of the neural circuitry of rat maternal motivation: effects of site-specific transient neural inactivation

The present review focuses on recent studies from our laboratory examining the neural circuitry subserving rat maternal motivation across postpartum. We employed a site-specific neural inactivation method by infusion of bupivacaine to map the maternal motivation circuitry using two complementary behavioural approaches: unconditioned maternal responsiveness and choice of pup- over cocaine-conditioned incentives in a concurrent pup/cocaine choice conditioned place preference task. Our findings revealed that, during the early postpartum period, distinct brain structures, including the medial preoptic area, ventral tegmental area and medial prefrontal cortex infralimbic and anterior cingulate subregions, contribute a pup-specific bias to the motivational circuitry. As the postpartum period progresses and the pups grow older, it is further revealed that maternal responsiveness becomes progressively less dependent on the medial preoptic area and medial prefrontal cortex infralimbic activity, and more distributed in the maternal circuitry, such that additional network components, including the medial prefrontal cortex prelimbic subregion, are recruited with maternal experience, and contribute to the expression of late postpartum maternal behaviour. Collectively, our findings provide strong evidence that the remarkable ability of postpartum females to successfully care for their developing infants is subserved by a distributed neural network that carries out efficient and dynamic processing of complex, constantly changing incoming environmental and pup-related stimuli, ultimately allowing the progression of appropriate expression and waning of maternal responsiveness across the postpartum period.
Case study of a method for reengineering procedural systems into OO systems

This study evaluates a method for reengineering a procedural system to an object-oriented system. Relationships between functions in the procedural system were identified using various coupling metrics. While the coupling metrics used for analysis were helpful in identifying candidate objects, domain expert analysis of the candidate objects was required. The time taken at each step in the process was captured to help determine the effectiveness of the method. Overall the process was found to be effective for identifying objects.
Structure and thermodynamic properties of nitroformic acid, nitroformyl nitrate, and ammonium nitroformate

As part of a series of investigations of molecules with large numbers of nitro groups, the structures and properties of nitroformic acid, NO2CO2H, nitroformyl nitrate, NO2C(O)ONO2, and the ion pair ammonium nitroformate, NH4NO2CO2, have been determined using GX theories (X = 2, 3, 4). Minimum-energy structures, vibrational frequencies, selected bond energies, and enthalpies of formation were determined. The title substances may not have much application as high energy materials like other high-nitro compounds, but they may act as good nitrating agents since certain bonds in the molecules are of low enough energy to suggest high reactivity.
Numerical Analyses of the Induced Electric Field in a Material Sample Placed Within an Energized Rectangular Cavity

The investigation of the heating mechanism of a material sample in an energized electromagnetic cavity requires the understanding of the interaction of the electromagnetic fields with the material sample in a cavity. The key step for this understanding is to quantify the distribution of the induced electric field by solving an Electric Field Integral Equation (EFIE) or a Magnetic Field Integral Equation (MFIE) inside the material sample placed in the cavity. In this study, a complete set of vector wave functions which include both solenoidal and irrotational functions are employed. EFIE and MFIE are derived based on the expansion of these vector wave functions. Due to the slow convergence of the dyadic Green's function, some schemes were developed to improve the convergence rate of the numerical calculation in order to save computation time. Numerical results of some material samples agree well with theoretical estimations.
Effects of intensity and location on sound location discrimination in macaque monkeys

Sound localization performance is degraded at low stimulus intensities in humans, and while the sound localization ability of humans and macaque monkeys appears similar, the effects of intensity have yet to be described in the macaque. We therefore defined the ability of four macaque monkeys to localize broadband noise stimuli at four different absolute intensities and six different starting locations in azimuth. Results indicate that performance was poorest at the lowest intensity tested (25 dB SPL), intermediate at 35 dB SPL, and equivalent at 55 and 75 dB SPL. Localization performance was best at 0° (directly in front of the animal) and was systematically degraded at more peripheral locations (±30° and 90°) and worst at a location directly behind the animal. Reaction times showed the same trends, with reaction times increasing with decreasing stimulus intensity, even under conditions where the monkey discriminated the location change with the same performance. These results indicate that sound level as well as position profoundly influences sound localization ability.
On chen surfaces in a minkowski space time

A-submanifo1ds of a pseudo-Euclidean space Esm+1 are considered. A characterization for them is given. A theorem onA-submanifolds contained in a de Sitter space-time Ssn or an anti-de Sitter space-time Hs−1n is proved. A number of non-trivial examples ofA-surfaces in a Minkowski space-time E14 are studied. Some classification theorems are proved forA-surfaces contained in S13 or H3.
Structure of the Histone Acetyltransferase Hat1: A Paradigm for the GCN5-Related N-acetyltransferase Superfamily

We have solved the crystal structure of the yeast histone acetyltransferase Hat1-acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA) complex at 2.3 A resolution. Hat1 has an elongated, curved structure, and the AcCoA molecule is bound in a cleft on the concave surface of the protein, marking the active site of the enzyme. A channel of variable width and depth that runs across the protein is probably the binding site for the histone substrate. A model for histone H4 binding by Hat1 is discussed in terms of possible sources of specific lysine recognition by the enzyme. The structure of Hat1 provides a model for the structures of the catalytic domains of a protein superfamily that includes other histone acetyltransferases such as Gcn5 and CBP.
Symmetric corticobasal degeneration (S-CBD).

Background Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized pathologically by neuronal loss, gliosis and tau deposition in neocortex, basal ganglia and brainstem. Typical clinical presentation is known as corticobasal syndrome (CBS) and involves the core features of progressive asymmetric rigidity and apraxia, accompanied by other signs of cortical and extrapyramidal dysfunction. Asymmetry is also emphasized on neuroimaging.
An in-situ temperature-sensing interface based on a SAR ADC in 45nm LP digital CMOS for the frequency-temperature compensation of crystal oscillators

Multi-radio (3G/4G/GPS) mobile communication devices impose stringent requirements (≪1ppm) on a crystal oscillator's (XO) frequency stability over a wide temperature range (≫100°C). Furthermore, these devices often subject their internal XOs to sudden temperature ramps caused by power switching during sporadic user activities. In order for applications such as GPS to maintain satellite acquisition under such conditions, a low XO frequency drift rate with temperature (≪50ppb/°C) is strongly desired. Traditionally, a discrete analog temperature-compensated XO (TCXO) is often used for crystal frequency temperature compensation. Recently, an integrated digital TCXO (DTCXO) [1] that uses an on-chip PTAT sensor and a ΔΣ ADC interface was presented. However, this system's accuracy is limited by the proximity-induced temperature difference between the crystal and on-chip sensor. Moreover, the high converter latency (up to 0.1s) [2] imposed by the low bandwidth ΔΣ ADC degrades the system's frequency drift control capability in response to the temperature ramp. The temperature-sensing interface presented in this paper addresses these issues by using: (1) an in-situ crystal temperature sensor; (2) a digitally calibrated SAR ADC; (3) mixed voltage domain (2.5V/1V) SC front-end sampling to accommodate the ADC under a 1V supply; and (4) chopping and digital demodulation to reduce the 1/f noise.
Mode constraints on nonradial pulsations from polarization data

The distortion of the surface of a hot variable star undergoing nonradial pulsation produces a variable polarization. Resultant changes in the Stokes parameters are here calculated analytically in the linear regime as a function of both the pulsation mode (l, m) and the orientation of the stellar rotation axis. It is shown that all of the necessary stellar atmosphere information may be condensed into one simple integral. The analytic form permits a systematic appraisal of the mode-discriminating ability of polarization observations. A suitable systematic approach is outlined and illustrated with reference to the data for BW Vul.
Health Literacy and Medication Adherence in Adolescents

Objective To assess the relationship between health literacy levels and medication adherence in adolescents. Study design A convenience sample of adolescents ages 12-21 years was recruited April-September 2011 at an urban adolescent health center. Health literacy and medication adherence was measured via the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine-TEEN (REALM-TEEN) and Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale. The interrelated effects of age, sex, chronic illness, learning disability, health rating, and health literacy on adherence to medication were explored via the use of regression trees. Results Of 138 adolescents surveyed, 112 (81%) were included in the analysis because they reported ever taking a medication and completed all survey questions. Median participant age was 16.1 years, 94% were African American, and 64% were female. Median REALM-TEEN score was 57 (6th-7th grade; range 0-66). Median ARMS score was 21 (poor; range 0-56). A positive correlation was found between worse adherence (greater ARMS scores) and self-report of a learning disability ( P = .041), and between ARMS scores and having a chronic illness ( P = .003). The ARMS and REALM-TEEN scores were not correlated ( P = .069). Regression tree analysis indicated that adolescents with both a chronic illness and a learning disability had worse ARMS scores (median score 24), compared with adolescents having only a chronic illness (median score 22), independent of health literacy scores. Conclusion Almost one-quarter of adolescents reported having a learning disability and had worse medication adherence independent of health literacy levels. This finding suggests other cognitive factors, beyond reading, may play a role in medication adherence.
Pressure Transient Analysis for Afterflow-Dominated Wells Producing From a Reservoir With a Gas Cap

A method for analyzing afterflow-dominated transient pressure buildup data from a partially penetrating well completed near a gas cap is developed. The gas cap modifies the middle-time regions of pressure curves in a manner such that conventional pressure buildup analysis no longer can be applied. For a damaged well, the method becomes nonunique and requires specification on the well damage to estimate the reservoir transmissibility. 5 refs.
MAKING ENDS MEET: HOW REINVENTION REFORMS COMPLEMENT PUBLIC SERVICE MOTIVATION

Students of public management often argue that imposing market-based logic on public sector organizations can undermine the altruistic motives of public employees. Focusing on the complex relationships between ‘reinventing government’ reforms, bureaucratic red tape, and public service motivation (PSM), we contend that the effects of reinvention reforms on PSM change as a function of the ability of reforms to cut bureaucratic red tape. A series of structural equation models reveal that the relationships between reinvention reforms, bureaucratic red tape, and PSM are much more complex than previously thought. Contrary to conjectures in the mainstream PSM literature, implementing market-like reforms in public organizations positively influences PSM, if one views the reform as minimizing red tape.
Do Nonverbal Emotional Cues Matter? Effects of Video Casting in Synchronous Virtual Classrooms

This study examined the effects of an instructor's use of video casting as a nonverbal emotional cue in synchronous discussion sessions on students' social presence, satisfaction, and learning achievement. A quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effect of video casting in a synchronous virtual classroom. The research setting was a 100% online master's degree program within a university located in the midwestern United States. Thirty-three students participated in the experiment. The results showed a significant positive effect of the video casting on students' feeling of instructor copresence. No significant effect of video casting was found on either students' satisfaction or learning achievement.
DISTRIBUTION OF LABOR INCOMES IN URBAN ZAIRE

The author addresses himself first to the problem that summary measures of wage income inequality, computed for Kinshasa, the main urban area in Zaire, tend to overstate the degree of total labor income inequality among sharing units of comparable size. It is argued that this is true for two main reasons: (1) earnings from female commercial activity are not recorded in the available statistics; and (2) the 1960 UN definition of household upon which the measures of inequality are based understates the size of the actual sharing unit. Data taken from the 1967 Socio-Demographic Survey of Kinshasa and the 1970 household budget study are used to test these hypotheses regarding short-run income inequality. The policy observation is made that, while modernization of the commodity distribution system may provide a disincentive for sharing and a reduction in opportunities for female employment, investment in non-service sectors may equalize the secular income distribution for a given migration cohort. Evidence of unskilled migrants moving from service to non-service sector employment in response to increased labor demand is presented. This is accomplished by supplementing sample survey data with time series on aggregate employment by sector for Kinshasa.
Fitting of Electromagnetic Nucleon Form Factors in a Vector-Dominance Model

By using the Lagrangian theory of vector dominance of Kroll, Lee, and Zumino, a four-parameter fit to the experimental data for the electromagnetic nucleon form factors for spacelike four-momentum transfer squared (${q}^{2}$) is obtained. The isovector, hypercharge, and baryon-number parts of the nucleon-vector-meson vertices are assumed to have phenomenologically ${(1+\frac{{q}^{2}}{{{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}_{I}}^{2}})}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, ${(1+\frac{{q}^{2}}{{{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}_{Y}}^{2}})}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, and ${(1+\frac{{q}^{2}}{{{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}_{N}}^{2}})}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ momentum dependence. The slope of ${{G}_{E}}^{n}$ at ${q}^{2}=0$ is set equal to the Krohn-Ringo value of 0.457 ${(\frac{\mathrm{BeV}}{c})}^{\ensuremath{-}2}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5%$. The result of the fitting is satisfactory for both large and small ${q}^{2}$.
Estrogenic effects of nafoxidine on ovarian-dependent and independent mammary tumor lines in the mouse

Nafoxidine (1-[2-[p-(3,4-dihydro-6-methoxy-2-phenyl-1 -naphthy 1) phenoxy]ethy 1] -pyrrolidine hydrochloride); a triphenylethylene derivative] and estradiol cause translocation of the estrogen receptor to the nucleus, elevate the levels of cytoplasmic progesterone receptors, and do not affect levels of nuclear progesterone receptor in hormone-dependent and -independent MXT-3590 mammary tumor lines. Cytoplasmic and nuclear receptor levels were measured by the dextran-coated charcoal assay and a modified protamine sulfate nuclear exchange assay, respectively. Both estradiol (2.5 μg) and nafoxidine (40 μg) stimulate partial growth in the independent line. These data are the first evidence of the estrogenic effects of a so-called antiestrogen (nafoxidine) on the quantity of progesterone receptors in a hormone-independent experimental mammary tumor. The growth effects of antiestrogens demonstrated here in ovariectomized mice should alert clinicians to be watchful of these effects when using such ds in the trea...