cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vivo CRISPR screening for novel noncoding RNA functional targets in glioblastoma models.

CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)-based genetic screens offer unbiased and powerful tools for systematic and specific evaluation of phenotypes associated with specific target genes. CRISPR screens have been utilized heavily in vitro to identify functional coding and noncoding genes in a large number of cell types, including glioblastoma (GB), though no prior study has described the evaluation of CRISPR screening in GB in vivo. Here, we describe a protocol for targeting and transcriptionally repressing GB-specific long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) by CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) system in vivo, with tumor growth in the mouse cerebral cortex. Given the target-specific parameters of each individual screen, we list general steps involved in transducing guide RNA libraries into GB tumor lines, maintaining sufficient coverage, as well as cortically injecting and subsequently isolating transduced screen tumor cell populations for analysis. Finally, in order to demonstrate the use of this technique to discern an essential lncRNA, HOTAIR, from a nonessential lncRNA, we injected a 1:1 (HOTAIR:control nonessential lncRNA knockdown) mixture of fluorescently tagged U87 GB cells into the cortex of eight mice, evaluating selective depletion of HOTAIR-tagged cells at 2 weeks of growth. Fluorescently tagged populations were analyzed via flow cytometry for hiBFP (control knockdown) and green fluorescent protein (HOTAIR knockdown), revealing 17% (p = 0.007) decrease in fluorescence associated with HOTAIR knockdown relative to control. The described in vivo CRISPR screening methodology thus appears to be an effective option for identifying noncoding (and coding) genes affecting GB growth within the mouse cortex.
Robust Online Selection with Uncertain Offer Acceptance.

Online advertising has motivated interest in online selection problems. Displaying ads to the right users benefits both the platform (e.g., via pay-per-click) and the advertisers (by increasing their reach). In practice, not all users click on displayed ads, while the platform's algorithm may miss the users most disposed to do so. This mismatch decreases the platform's revenue and the advertiser's chances to reach the right customers. With this motivation, we propose a secretary problem where a candidate may or may not accept an offer according to a known probability $p$. Because we do not know the top candidate willing to accept an offer, the goal is to maximize a robust objective defined as the minimum over integers $k$ of the probability of choosing one of the top $k$ candidates, given that one of these candidates will accept an offer. Using Markov decision process theory, we derive a linear program for this max-min objective whose solution encodes an optimal policy. The derivation may be of independent interest, as it is generalizable and can be used to obtain linear programs for many online selection models. We further relax this linear program into an infinite counterpart, which we use to provide bounds for the objective and closed-form policies. For $p \geq p^* \approx 0.6$, an optimal policy is a simple threshold rule that observes the first $p^{1/(1-p)}$ fraction of candidates and subsequently makes offers to the best candidate observed so far.
The Experience of Survival: Determinants of Export Survival in Lao PDR

Summary This paper explores monthly, firm-level customs records from Laos in the period 2005–10. We analyze the role of two important and related determinants of export survival, experience, and networks, which are particularly relevant for developing countries. We go beyond previous studies by disaggregating contract terminations to consider the possibility of upgrades to superior products. Having prior experience with the export product and destination and strong networks of similar firms has a strong positive impact on chances of simple export survival. The likelihood of upgrading is boosted by destination experience but lowered by familiarity with the product.
Segmentation of the Clustered Cells with Optimized Boundary Detection in Negative Phase Contrast Images

Cell image segmentation plays a central role in numerous biology studies and clinical applications. As a result, the development of cell image segmentation algorithms with high robustness and accuracy is attracting more and more attention. In this study, an automated cell image segmentation algorithm is developed to get improved cell image segmentation with respect to cell boundary detection and segmentation of the clustered cells for all cells in the field of view in negative phase contrast images. A new method which combines the thresholding method and edge based active contour method was proposed to optimize cell boundary detection. In order to segment clustered cells, the geographic peaks of cell light intensity were utilized to detect numbers and locations of the clustered cells. In this paper, the working principles of the algorithms are described. The influence of parameters in cell boundary detection and the selection of the threshold value on the final segmentation results are investigated. At last, the proposed algorithm is applied to the negative phase contrast images from different experiments. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated. Results show that the proposed method can achieve optimized cell boundary detection and highly accurate segmentation for clustered cells.
Massive Star Formation

One of the most durable problems in all of astrophysics is how stars are formed. Since the time of LaPlace astromomers have postulated numerous scenerios, but to the present this problem has resisted solution. This is especially true for massive stars. Massive star formation (MSF) has received much less observational and theoretical attention than low mass star formation and as a consequence much less is known about its physics, indeed it could be argued that we know too little to ask the right questions. Some, however, are obvious. For example, the mechanism(s) of cluster formation is still a mystery. In particular, what determines the IMF? What are the roles of fragmentation, differential galactic rotation, and turbulence in regulating the rate, and possibly the IMF, of star formation in molecular clouds? Are bipolar outflows the mechanism for sheding angular momentum from accretion disks? How does matter actually get from an accretion disk onto a protostar? Are massive stars formed entirely by accretion processes or a combination of accretion and stellar mergers? When are stellar winds established, what is their relationship to bipolar outflows, and what role do they play in the formation process?
Immunoenzymology of acetylcholinesterase—III: Effect of F(ab′)2 and Fab portions of anti-acetylcholinesterase globulins on the heat stability of the enzyme

Abstract F(ab′)2, Fab, and Fc fragments were prepared from rabbit antibodies to bovine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase. When in complex with the enzyme, the F(ab′)2 and Fab had no effect on enzymatic activity, but considerably increased the resistance of the enzyme to heat denaturation. This increased stability to heat was observed in both the precipitate and soluble immune complex. Homologous Fc and non-specific globulin, F(ab′)2, and Fab provided no protection.
Investment Shocks: A Source of Fluctuations in a Small Open Economy

This paper contributes to the existing Real Business Cycle (RBC) literature by introducing Marginal Efficiency of Investment (MEI) shocks into small open economic model. Investment shocks are the most important drivers of business cycle fluctuations in small open economy because the fluctuations in all the macroeconomic variables showed a significant response to MEI shocks than productivity shocks. The anticipation of pro-cyclical behavior of the external accounts when the model was augmented with the form of share of consumption in the household utility function, μ, and an appealing, but complex, concave adjustment cost function becomes a standpoint that differentiates this study from other investment shocks literatures. The pattern of the rise in investment in both shocks explains why investment shocks is so important in times of recession and it reveals the main source of fluctuations in a small open economy.
Automating double ring infiltrometer with an Arduino microcontroller

Abstract In this paper, we describe the designed and tested system of automated double ring infiltrometer (DRI) that we have developed using an Arduino microcontroller, a Hall effect sensor, a peristaltic pump, a water level sensor, and a constant-level float valve. The system can be used for infiltration measurements in both single ring falling head and double ring constant head methods. The precise measurements of the current method compared to previous designed systems are not affected by sunlight, and due to the method of flow measurement, remain accurate even for low infiltration values. The set-up has an easy real-time data storage on a micro-SD card without a need of a portable computer in the field. It only requires a single reservoir for both inner and outer rings to which, water can be added anytime needed without affecting the measurements. The system automatically detects when the steady state infiltration rate is reached and concludes the testing and stops measurements. The system is mounted in a portable and weather resistant box and is applied to run DRI testing in the field to check the applicability and accuracy of the portable set-up in field measurements. Manual testing was also performed in the field for comparison with the automated system measurements. Overall system architecture, and the design of hardware and software components are presented in details. The system configuration is illustrated for better understanding of the set-up.
Neuropeptide responses and mechanics of the proximal and distal feline colon in vitro.

Mechanical properties and responses to neuropeptides were compared for proximal and distal feline colonic muscle. Proximal longitudinal (PL), proximal circular (PC), distal longitudinal (DL), and distal circular (DC) muscles were studied in vitro under isometric conditions. Total tension in DL [1.636 +/- 0.009 (SE) kg/cm2] was greater than in DC (0.699 +/- 0.004 kg/cm2) or PC (0.710 +/- 0.005 kg/cm2, P less than 0.05). Longitudinal muscle developed proportionately more active tension than circular muscle at each region (80.9% in DL vs. 54.1% in DC and 77.1% in PL vs. 52.3% in PC, P less than 0.01). Neuropeptides varied in potency and efficacy. Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) was the most potent and efficacious in PL and substance P was the most efficacious in PC muscle (P less than 0.05). Substance P was more efficacious whereas CCK-8 and neurotensin were less efficacious in PC than PL muscle (P less than 0.01). DL muscle did not respond to CCK-8. DC muscle did not respond to CCK-8 or neurotensin. Iso...
Precision and Bias of Cleithra and Sagittal Otoliths Used to Estimate Ages of Northern Pike

Abstract Cleithra are thought to accurately record age information and produce the most reliable age estimates relative to other calcified structures (e.g., scales) for long-lived species of Esocid...
Arginine-specific Regulation Mediated by the Neurospora crassa arg-2 Upstream Open Reading Frame in a Homologous, Cell-free in Vitro Translation System

Translational control mediated by an upstream open reading frame (uORF) in the 5'-leader of the Neurospora crassa arg-2 mRNA was reconstituted in a homologous, cell-free in vitro translation system. A cell-free N. crassa system was developed that required the presence of cap and poly(A) on RNA for maximal translation and that was amino acid-dependent. The 24-codon arg-2 uORF, when placed in the 5'-leader region of capped and adenylated synthetic luciferase RNAs, conferred Arg-specific negative regulation in this system. Improving the uORF translation initiation context decreased luciferase production and only slightly increased the magnitude of Arg-specific regulation. Mutation of uORF Asp codon 12 to Asn, which eliminates Arg-specific regulation in vivo, eliminated regulation in vitro. Elimination of the uORF translation initiation codon also eliminated Arg-specific regulation. Arg-specific regulation in vitro appeared to be reversible. Control of RNA stability did not appear to be a primary component of Arg-specific regulation in vitro. Comparison of the effects of adding Arg to in vitro translation reactions with adding compounds related to Arg indicated that Arg-specific translational regulation was specific for L-arginine.
Role of the conserved AAUAAA sequence: four AAUAAA point mutants prevent messenger RNA 3' end formation.

A small region (220 bases) of SV40 sequence information—141 bases before the polyadenylation site and 79 beyond—are sufficient for cleavage of an messenger RNA precursor (that is, the formation of ...
High-speed non-linear circuit models for p-n junction diodes

Circuit models for both long-base and short-base p-n junction diodes which are valid for non-linear high-speed and high-frequency operations are presented. the diode model consists of a parallel connection of higher-order dynamic elements and includes the conventional diffusion model as a special case. the new dynamic model can be used for simulating arbitrary p-n junction diode circuits under all operating conditions. In particular, it is capable of simulating realistically the diode's reverse transient behaviour and providing an increasingly accurate approximation to the diffusion equation as the order of the model gets higher. the model is also shown to be capable of reproducing the frequency-dependent small-signal characteristics of p-n junction diodes. The model is based mainly upon the device's physical operating principles. Perhaps the most significant implication of the model is the fact that it illustrates the important roles played by higher-order and dynamic elements in highspeed and high-frequency non-linear device modelling.
Two remarks on the gradient method

We display connections between Euler summability, Taylor series, and the gradient method for inversion of linear, symmetric, positive-definite operators on Hilbert space.
Proarrhythmia During Drug Treatment of Supraventricular Tachycardia: Paradoxical Risk of Sinus Rhythm for Sudden Death

The purpose of this review is to summarize available data concerning proarrhythmia during drug therapy for supraventricular tachycardia. Patients were included in this review if 4 elements of treatment were available from the citation: (1) presence or absence of heart disease; (2) type of supraventricular tachycardia; (3) type of antiarrhythmic drug; and (4) type of proarrhythmic event. Citations spanning the years 1922-1995 yielded 56 reports and 195 events meeting the inclusion criteria. Atrial fibrillation was the most common arrhythmia and occurred alone in 76% of patients. Heart disease was present in 96% of patients. Proarrhythmic events were associated with 8 antiarrhythmic drugs in a total of 195 administered regimens. An adverse arrhythmic event was reported most frequently with quinidine (72%). Torsades de pointes was the most common of the documented proarrhythmic events (61%). Although supraventricular tachycardias are rarely in themselves life-threatening, symptoms may be disabling for many patients, and their lifestyle may be measurably improved by the maintenance of sinus rhythm. An algorithm is presented that takes into account the factors that predispose to proarrhythmia; it attempts to minimize the risk of treating these patients with antiarrhythmic drugs.
Inhibition of Fc receptors on a murine lymphoid cell line by cholera exotoxin

AFTER binding to its receptor, Gml ganglioside1,2, cholera exotoxin has been demonstrated to be a potent activator of the adenyl cyclase system in several cell systems. The response to exotoxin is related to an increase in intracellular cyclic 3′, 5′ adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP). Agents that increase intracellular cyclic AMP have been shown to suppress certain immunological responses, including histamine release3, lysosome degranulation4, mitogenic stimulation5, T lymphocyte rosette formation6 and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity7. We now report that cholera exotoxin can inhibit the expression of plasma membrane receptors for the Fc portion of IgG in a murine lymphoid cell system.
The effect of an acute ethanol exposure on the rat brain POMC opiopeptide system.

Abstract Endogenous peptides with a high affinity for opiate receptors located in the central nervous system have been postulated to play a role in the etiology of alcoholism or in other addictive diseases. Effects of different doses of ethanol (EtOH) at different time points post-EtOH administration on hypothalamic and hindbrain beta-endorphin–like peptide (β-EPLP) content in male rats were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). A single EtOH exposure resulted in an increase in hypothalamic and a decrease in the hindbrain β-EPLP levels. In another set of experiments, proopiomelanocortin (POMC) synthesis in the hypothalamus was measured by assaying both POMC primary transcript and mature mRNA. No changes in primary transcript or mature POMC hypothalamic mRNA were detected. Based on the results from this experiment we conclude that an acute EtOH exposure affects the rat hypothalamic POMC opiopeptide system by increasing levels of β-EPLP and this increase in levels is not related to an increase in synthesis.
High-resolution desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for chemical characterization of organic aerosols.

Characterization of the chemical composition and chemical transformations of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) is both a major challenge and the area of greatest uncertainty in current aerosol research. This study presents the first application of desorption electrospray ionization combined with high-resolution mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) for detailed chemical characterization and studies of chemical aging of organic aerosol (OA) samples collected on Teflon substrates. DESI-MS offers unique advantages both for detailed characterization of chemically labile components in OA that cannot be detected using traditional electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and for studying chemical aging of OA. DESI-MS enables rapid characterization of OA samples collected on substrates by eliminating the sample preparation stage. In addition, it enables detection and structural characterization of chemically labile molecules in OA samples by minimizing the residence time of analyte in the solvent. In this study, DE...
International Business Writing Projects: Learning Content Through Process

A project undertaken by members of the marketing and English departments in a midwestern university incorporates writing assignments into an intro ductory course in international business. This discussion of course goals and writing projects shows that attention to writing can increase the amount of time students devote to learning course content.
Low-Cycle Fatigue and Creep Analysis of Gas Turbine Engine Components

Factors that determine the damage of aircraft engines due to low-cycle fatigue and creep during service are numbers and rate of transient acceleration and deceleration, operating ambient temperature, time at temperature, and amount of time at over temperatures. The purpose of this paper is an attempt to define a method for predicting this engine damage and establishing the critical engine parameters to be monitored in conjunction with either an on-board computer or a suitable recording system that can be used on a central computer at the conclusion of a flight. The scope of the paper is limited to an analytical study of a typical fan engine to show the important engine operating parameters leading to limiting the useful engine life due to 1) low-cycle fatigue in the fan turbine disk and 2) combination of low-cycle fatigue and creep in the high-pressure turbine blades and vanes. No attempt was made to analyze the propagation of cracks, the assumption being that initiation of a crack defines a failure. For the purpose of analysis, a typical aircraft mission profile was chosen. Transient data (spool speeds, gas temperature, and pressure, etc.) required for the low-cycle fatigue study were generated by the simulation of engine thrust transients under various flight conditions. Metal temperatures for the various components were next determined by means of a finite difference network analysis program that included transient and steady-state heat transfer by conduction, convection, radiation, and film cooling. The stress-strain analysis was obtained by various special purpose finite element programs. Leading edge of both the high-pressure turbine blade and inlet vane was found to be a critical element. The analysis also shows that stress concentration due to the presence of cooling holes in the blade, which is a common feature in present high-performance cooled engines, should be examined in detail for low-cycle fatigue failure. Notch effects at fir-tree connections between turbine blades and disks also represent potential low cycle fatigue problem area. Bolt holes were found to be the most critical stress concentration area in the fan turbine disk. Holes of this type are common in multistage turbine disks to allow the tie bolts to penetrate for disk attachment. Various engine parameters that control the low cycle fatigue damages in these locations are identified and discussed. To demonstrate the effect of ambient temperature on the low cycle fatigue life of a component, the high pressure turbine inlet vane was chosen as an example. It is shown that the low-cycle fatigue damage corresponding to a rate of power lever movement is a function of the ambient temperature as well as the fuel control system of the particular engine. Areas which need further research to achieve the desired goals are also discussed.
The way i talk to you: sentiment expression in an organizational context

Sentiment is a rich and important dimension of social interaction. However, its presence in computer-mediated communication in corporate settings is not well understood. This paper provides a preliminary study of people's expression of sentiment in email conversations in an organizational context. The study reveals that sentiment levels evolve over time during the process of newcomers' socialization, that sentiment varies according to tie-strength with the recipient, and that sentiment patterns can be indicative of one's position in the corporate social network as well as job performance. These findings shed light on the complex and dynamic nature of sentiment patterns, and would inspire further explorations and applications of sentiment analysis in organizations.
Removable partial denture education in U.S. dental schools.

Purpose: A survey of U.S. dental schools was conducted in 2001 to determine the curricular structure, techniques, and materials used in predoctoral clinical removable partial denture (RPD) programs. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire was mailed to the chairperson of the prosthodontic/restorative departments of 54 U.S. dental schools. Of these, 44 schools returned the completed survey, resulting in a response rate of 82%. Results: Results from this survey show that a large majority of schools are using similar materials in clinical RPDs; for instance, using modeling compound for border molding final impression trays (61%) and using a semi-adjustable articulator for mounting preliminary casts (90%) and final casts (98%). In addition, a large majority of schools are using similar techniques in clinical RPDs, such as border molding the edentulous areas of the final impression tray (80%) and using the altered cast impression technique (59%). A set post-insertion protocol is present for patients who receive partial dentures in the majority of the schools (93%). Only 25% of schools reported incorporating new educational materials such as the use of Portrait artificial teeth at the predoctoral level. Eighteen percent of schools are allowing students to graduate without a set number of RPD clinical requirements as has been traditionally the case. Conclusions: Predoctoral clinical RPD programs vary from school to school, yet a large percentage of schools agree on many topics.
Late Miocene decoupling of oceanic warmth and atmospheric carbon dioxide forcing

Measurements from several ocean cores reveal that ocean warmth persisted throughout the late Miocene epoch despite CO2 levels of only 200–350 p.p.m.v., probably driven by a deep thermocline that isolated climate responses from CO2 variations. Geological records of past climate provide the only opportunity to investigate Earth's response to large variations in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. During the late Miocene, between 12 million and 5 million years ago, atmospheric CO2 levels of only 200 to 350 parts per million by volume were accompanied by almost ice-free conditions in the Northern Hemisphere and the continents were warmer than they are at present, raising questions about the persistence of CO2–climate couplings. Using measurements from several ocean cores, LaRiviere et al. show that ocean warmth persisted throughout the late Miocene, probably driven by a thick thermocline that isolated climate responses from CO2 variations. As the depth of the thermocline declined during the late Miocene, the more familiar relationship between CO2 and climate was established. Deep-time palaeoclimate studies are vitally important for developing a complete understanding of climate responses to changes in the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (that is, the atmospheric partial pressure of CO2, )1. Although past studies have explored these responses during portions of the Cenozoic era (the most recent 65.5 million years (Myr) of Earth history), comparatively little is known about the climate of the late Miocene (∼12–5 Myr ago), an interval with values of only 200–350 parts per million by volume but nearly ice-free conditions in the Northern Hemisphere2,3 and warmer-than-modern temperatures on the continents4. Here we present quantitative geochemical sea surface temperature estimates from the Miocene mid-latitude North Pacific Ocean, and show that oceanic warmth persisted throughout the interval of low ∼12–5 Myr ago. We also present new stable isotope measurements from the western equatorial Pacific that, in conjunction with previously published data5,6,7,8,9,10, reveal a long-term trend of thermocline shoaling in the equatorial Pacific since ∼13 Myr ago. We propose that a relatively deep global thermocline, reductions in low-latitude gradients in sea surface temperature, and cloud and water vapour feedbacks may help to explain the warmth of the late Miocene. Additional shoaling of the thermocline after 5 Myr ago probably explains the stronger coupling between , sea surface temperatures and climate that is characteristic of the more recent Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs11,12.
Long-term home health care for the impoverished frail homebound aged: a twenty-seven-year experience.

The Chelsea-Village Program (CVP) is a long-term home healthcare program for a largely isolated and impoverished frail homebound aged population, based at Saint Vincent's Hospital in New York City. Since January 1973, our CVP teams of physicians, nurses, and social workers have cared for the homebound aged over the long term. Twenty-seven years later, we have made 42,866 home visits to 2264 persons in lower Manhattan, an area of New York City housing a high concentration of older people. Our purpose is to help our patients remain in their own homes and community at the maximum possible level of personal control and to maintain the best attainable health. Additionally, the program is a valuable component of the Hospital's Primary Care Adult Medicine residency program. It also serves as a laboratory for the study of health problems faced by the homebound aged and the solutions to these problems. The program, a medical-social model, has required modest philanthropic investments, dedicated service by physicians, nurses, and social workers, and the support of a hospital with a strong charitable mission. The CVP experience has encouraged the creation of other long-term home healthcare programs across the country, including the Medicaid-supported Nursing Home Without Walls program that spans New York State. Thus, the CVP can be viewed as a model rather than an idiosyncratic non-replicable phenomenon. As such, the program has established that multidisciplinary healthcare teams, in collaboration with a teaching hospital, can provide long-term home health care to homebound older people in the local community. Moreover such a practice is mutually beneficial.
Bilateral representation of language: A critical review and analysis of some unusual cases

Abstract It is well known that for right-handed individuals, language is usually and mostly associated with the left hemisphere activity. The question of the potential bilateral representation of language, however, has been barely approached. The evidence regarding the bilateral representation of language taken from Wada test, PET, fMRI, tractography, and magneto-encephalography is examined. Departing from the modularity concept and data flow computing models, two classifications – topographic and functional – of potential language lateralization patterns are proposed; it is pointed out that language can be bilaterally represented in different patterns, accordingly with the distribution of the main domains (expressive vs. receptive) and their subfunctions; and with respect to different modalities of data flow. Five illustrative cases of bilateral representation of language are presented. It is concluded that language dominance is mostly a matter of hemispheric advantage for a specific cognitive function.
Reduction to generalized hessenberg form and inverse spectral problems

Abstract Lie-algebraic generalizations of Hessenberg matrices are considered. We address the questions under what conditions an element of the classical Lie algebra can be reduced by a similarity transformation to the generalized Hessenberg form. We completely solve an inverse spectral problem for symmetric generalized Hessenberg matrices related to classical Lie algebras.
Implications of the Patient Self-Determination Act for Psychiatric Practice

The U. S. Congress enacted the Patient Self-Determination Act in the wake of the Supreme Court's 1990 decision in the case of Nancy Cruzan, which concerned discontinuing life-sustaining medical treatment for a decisionally incapacitated patient. This statute attempts to promote individual autonomy in medical decision making, particularly concerning life-sustaining medical treatments; it imposes speciflc requirements on organizational health care providers to encourage patients toplan ahead for health care contingencies by executing advance directives such as living wills and durable powers of attorney. The author discusses the ethical principles and public policy considerations undergirding the act and the advance directive movement in general and explores the implications of the act for current and future psychiatric practice in the U. S.
Outcome differences with the use of drug-eluting stents for the treatment of in-stent restenosis of bare-metal stents versus drug-eluting stents

Drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is the standard treatment for patients with bare-metal stent (BMS) in-stent restenosis (ISR) and is associated with low rates of target-vessel revascularization. Outcomes in patients with DES ISR treated using repeated DES placement are less certain. A total of 119 patients who presented with BMS ISR and 119 patients with DES ISR matched for baseline characteristics were evaluated. Both groups of patients were treated using DESs and compared with regard to major adverse cardiac events, including death, myocardial infarction, and target-vessel revascularization, at 1 year. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Compared with patients with BMS ISR, those with DES ISR had similar 1-year rates of death (5.1% BMS ISR vs 3.5% DES ISR; p = 0.75) and myocardial infarction (2.6% BMS ISR vs 3.5% DES ISR; p = 0.72) when treated using DESs. However, at 1 year, patients with DES ISR experienced significantly higher rates of target-vessel revascularization (10.3% BMS ISR vs 22.2% DES ISR; p = 0.01), with a trend toward increased overall major adverse cardiac events, including death, myocardial infarction, and target-vessel revascularization (16.0% BMS ISR vs 25.2% DES ISR; p = 0.08). Stent thrombosis occurred with similar frequency in both groups (2.5% BMS ISR vs 0.8% DES ISR; p = 0.62). In conclusion, DES ISR continues to be a therapeutic challenge because patients with DES ISR treated using DESs experience higher rates of recurrence compared with patients with BMS ISR treated using DESs. The optimal treatment of patients with DES restenosis remains to be defined.
Age changes in affinitive behaviors of baboons

The behavioral development of 96 baboons was systematically recorded from birth to 84 months of age. Eight behaviors were selected as criteria for examining the effects of early rearing experiences (mother-peer vs peer-peer), gender, age, and cohort as possible sources of variance in the development of affinitive behaviors of this species. Stepwise multiple regression was used to analyze the data and provide quantitative descriptions of the relationships between the selected independent variables and the rates of social behavior during maturation. Among the behaviors studied, three types of developmental patterns were identified. Embrace and groom shared the first developmental pattern; muzzle-body and muzzle-muzzle, the second; and contact, hold, huddle, touch, the third. Gender differences were evident in only the first behavior pattern group. Age was a strong predictor of behavioral performance rate in all but huddle. Cohort, or the combined effects of age, body size, and temporal peer grouping, was an important predictive factor in all but contact and muzzle-muzzle behavior. Early rearing experiences did not produce any significant differences in performance of the affinitive behaviors studied. It is suggested that genetic control of maturation shapes the development of these behaviors in baboons, regardless of subtle environmental experiences.
Prediction of mean arterial blood pressure with linear stochastic models

A model-based approach that integrates known portion of the cardiovascular system and unknown portion through a parameter estimation to predict evolution of the mean arterial pressure is considered. The unknown portion corresponds to the neural portion that acts like a controller that takes corrective actions to regulate the arterial blood pressure at a constant level. The input to the neural part is the arterial pressure and output is the sympathetic nerve activity. In this model, heart rate is considered a proxy for sympathetic nerve activity. The neural portion is modeled as a linear discrete-time system with random coefficients. The performance of the model is tested on a case study of acute hypotensive episodes (AHEs) on PhysioNet data. TPRs and FPRs improve as more data becomes available during estimation period.
Imagining the possibilities: qualitative inquiry at the intersections of race, gender, disability, and class

This paper reflects upon the methodology and methods of a qualitative study that examined the lived educational experiences of four African-American women labeled with disabilities and from low socioeconomic backgrounds. This paper offers discussion as to the usefulness of alternate methods of representing data, specifically poetry and narrative, as a means of circumventing dilemmas associated with intersectional research and promoting more equitable research processes for individuals that have been historically marginalized by traditional research methods. How qualitative inquiry may enhance and bring about new insights into the lived experiences of individuals located at marginalized and intersecting discourses is explored.
Optical A/D using Oversampling by Second-Order DSM

A novel photonic analog-to-digital convertor (A/D) based on delta-sigma modulation technique has been investigated and a prototype fiber-optic A/D that operates at 30 MS/s and a binary output of 6 bits of resolution.
The spatial and temporal expression of the α2β1 integrin and its ligands, collagen I, collagen IV, and laminin, suggest important roles in mouse mammary morphogenesis

To begin to determine the role of the α2β1 integrin and its ligands, collagen I, collagen IV, and laminin, in mammary epithelial differentiation in vivo, we determined the expression of these molecules by in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence in the developing mouse mammary gland. Expression of collagen I, collagen IV, and laminin mRNAs in the mammary gland during puberty corresponded to the period of greatest growth of the gland, 4–7 weeks postnatally. Collagen I expression preceded collagen IV expression, both of which preceded laminin expression, suggesting an important temporal sequence of extracellular matrix (ECM) production. When growth of the epithelium ceased in the adult virgin gland, expression of all three mRNAs became undetectable. Following the onset of pregnancy these molecules were re-expressed with the same chronology observed during puberty. Collagen I, collagen IV, and laminin were expressed by stromal cells immediately surrounding the developing ductal epithelium. Surprisingly, we found no expression of ECM components in the epithelial cells, suggesting the mammary epithelium does not synthesize its own basement membrane. The distribution of collagen I was consistent with a role in duct formation, since collagen I was strikingly abundant around larger mammary ducts, but was sparse around growing endbuds or alveoli. Conversely, there was abundant laminin near growing endbuds and around alveoli, and less around large ducts, suggesting its role is different than collagen I. The α2β1 integrin was present on the basal, lateral, and apical surfaces of the mammary epithelium throughout postnatal development and pregnancy. The α2β1 integrin expression was strongest at midpregnancy, suggesting a role for α2β1 integrin in the alveolar formation that occurs at this time. The α2β1 integrin expression decreased dramatically in the lactating gland. Our results suggest that α2β1 integrin interactions with its temporally and spatially regulated ligands, collagen I, collagen IV, and laminin, could play an important role in mammary morphogenesis in vivo.
Cultural Experience in Context: Sense-Making the Arts

Recent research on arts and cultural audiences has attempted to go beyond the traditional social science surveys that assess attitudes or attendance to capture an understanding of how audiences actually experience the arts and what benefits or impacts those experiences provide. The study reported here contributes to this growing body of research by presenting in-depth case studies of four individuals and their chosen cultural experiences at various times through their lives. The authors used Dervin's Sense-Making Methodology to guide the informants through highly structured but open-ended interviews designed to prompt self-reflection and elaboration of what each experience meant to them. Informants were selected from a larger database because of the richness of their interviews and the insight these interviews offer to the understanding of people's engagements with culture. By considering multiple cultural experiences for each informant, it was possible to gain a clearer sense of the context in which thes...
Method to determine the locations of tsunami vertical evacuation shelters

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2011 Great Tohoku Japan earthquake and tsunami focused a great deal of the world’s attention on the effect of tsunamis on buildings and infrastructure. When a tsunami impacts structures in a coastal community, the structures are often not strong enough to withstand the forces and may collapse. Therefore, to maximize the survival probability, people evacuate to higher ground or move outside the inundation zone. However, this is not always possible because of short warning times for near-field tsunamis. Thus, sheltering-in-place or “sheltering-near-place” using vertical evacuation should be considered as an alternative approach to lateral evacuation from a tsunami inundation zone. This paper presents the method and results of a study to develop and demonstrate a methodology that applied genetic optimization to determine optimal tsunami shelter locations with the goal of reducing evacuation time, thereby maximizing the probability of survival for the population in a coastal community. The City of Cannon Beach, Oregon, USA, was used as an illustrative example. Several cases were investigated ranging from a single shelter to multiple shelters with locations of high elevation already in place near the city. The method can provide decision-support for the determination of locations for tsunami vertical evacuation shelters. The optimum location of the shelter(s), which was found to vary depending on the number of shelters considered, can reduce the evacuation time significantly, thereby reducing the number of fatalities and increasing the safety of a community.
Surface Delta Interaction in Deformed Nuclei

The surface delta interaction (SDI) is applied to deformed nuclei. It is shown that the relations among the matrix elements of the SDI derived for spherical nuclei are also valid in the deformed case. The parameter of the SDI can be fixed by the odd-even mass differences or it can be calculated utilizing a self-consistency argument for the density and the shape of the potential. Comparing the matrix elements for the pairing-plus-quadrupole (or octupole) force with the elements for the SDI, one can calculate the strength of the quadrupole and octupole forces from nuclear binding energies. The values so derived are in good agreement with the fits found in the literature for the quadrupole and the octupole parameters.
Processing Optimal Sequenced Route Queries Using Voronoi Diagrams

The Optimal Sequenced Route (OSR) query strives to find a route of minimum length starting from a given source location and passing through a number of typed locations in a specific sequence imposed on the types of the locations. In this paper, we propose a pre-computation approach to OSR query in both vector and metric spaces. We exploit the geometric properties of the solution space and theoretically prove its relation to additively weighted Voronoi diagrams. Our approach recursively accesses these diagrams to incrementally build the OSR. Introducing the analogous diagrams for the space of road networks, we show that our approach is also efficiently applicable to this metric space. Our experimental results verify that our pre-computation approach outperforms the previous index-based approaches in terms of query response time.
Calibration database for the Hubble Space Telescope

We discuss the requirements and design of the calibration data base which supports the processing of Hubble Space Telescope observations. We describe procedures for ensuring that, despite the continuing changes to software and hardware, calibration files to match the instrument configuration for any observation are provided when needed.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Metabolism and excretion of 3H-1,25-(OH)2-vitamin D3 in healthy adults.

The synthesis of very high specific activity 25-OH-vitamin D3 (78 Ci/mmol) has made possible the study of the metabolism and plasma disappearance of 3H after a single dose of 3H-1,25-(OH)2-D3 in quantities that are only 10-20% of the endogenous plasma pool. We studied seven healthy adults who were given doses of 1,25-(OH)2-D3 ranging from 30-2300 pmol. Plasma disappearance was rapid with only 14 ± 2% of administered 3H remaining in the plasma pool 4 h after labeling. Plasma metabolite profiles during the first 4 hshowed only 1,25-(OH)2-D3. Thereafter, significant amounts of other metabolites were detected. The 6-day cumulative excretion of 3H in urine and feces (virtually all associated with metabolites of 1,25-(OH)2-D3) averaged 16 ± 3% and 49 ± 11% of the dose, respectively. Compartmental analysis of the isotope data for two subjects who received the smallest doses of 1,25-(OH)2- D3 indicated that endogenous renal 1,25-(OH)2-D3 synthesis rates approximate 0.8-2.4 nmol/day (0.3-1.0 jug/day).
Glucose dissimilation by Rhizopus.

Abstract 1. 1. When Rhizopus oryzae ferments glucose-1-C14, label appears predominantly in the methyl carbon of lactic acid and in the methyl carbon of alcohol. The carbon dioxide contained only traces of label. 2. 2. When R. oryzae ferments glucose-3,4-C14, label appears in the carbon dioxide and in the carboxyl carbon of lactic acid but not in the ethanol. 3. 3. When R. oryzae oxidizes glucose-1-C14, only traces of label appear in ethanol. The distribution of label in the non-carboxyl carbons of lactic acid is similar to that formed fermentatively. 4. 4. The labeling found indicates that R. oryzae converts glucose to lactic acid aerobically and anaerobically in accordance with the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas scheme. 5. 5. It was further concluded that under the oxidative conditions employed in these experiments the carbon atoms of glucose did not yield lactate via the 4-carbon dicarboxylic acids.
Effect of sub-freezing temperatures on a PEM fuel cell performance, startup and fuel cell components

Abstract The cold-start behavior and the effect of sub-zero temperatures on fuel cell performance were studied using a 25-cm 2 proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The fuel cell system was housed in an environmental chamber that allowed the system to be subjected to temperatures ranging from sub-freezing to those encountered during normal operation. Fuel cell cold-start was investigated under a wide range of operating conditions. The cold-start measurements showed that the cell was capable of starting operation at −5 °C without irreversible performance loss when the cell was initially dry. The fuel cell was also able to operate at low environmental temperatures, down to −15 °C. However, irreversible performance losses were found if the cell cathode temperature fell below −5 °C during operation. Freezing of the water generated by fuel cell operation damaged fuel cell internal components. Several low temperature failure cases were investigated in PEM fuel cells that underwent sub-zero start and operation from −20 °C. Cell components were removed from the fuel cells and analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Significant damage to the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and backing layer was observed in these components after operation below −5 °C. Catalyst layer delamination from both the membrane and the gas diffusion layer (GDL) was observed, as were cracks in the membrane, leading to hydrogen crossover. The membrane surface became rough and cracked and pinhole formation was observed in the membrane after operation at sub-zero temperatures. Some minor damage was observed to the backing layer coating Teflon and binder structure due to ice formation during operation.