cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Youth Who Achieve Upward Socioeconomic Mobility Display Lower Psychological Distress But Higher Metabolic Syndrome Rates as Adults: Prospective Evidence From Add Health and MIDUS

Background People with higher socioeconomic status generally enjoy better cardiovascular health across the life course than those with lower status. However, recent studies of upward mobility, where a child goes on to achieve higher socioeconomic status than his or her parents, suggest that it entails a tradeoff between better psychological well-being and worse cardiometabolic health. In this study, we consider further evidence of this tradeoff in 2 multidecade studies, asking how upward income mobility relates to subsequent perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and metabolic syndrome. We ask parallel questions about downward mobility. Finally, given shifting patterns of mobility in recent generations, we also consider whether mobility's association with health outcomes differs for individuals born in the middle and later parts of the 20th century. Methods and Results We analyzed prospective data from Add Health (National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health; N=7542) and MIDUS (Midlife in the United States Study; N=1877). In both studies, evidence of the tradeoff was observed. Upward mobility presaged lower perceived stress and fewer depressive symptoms, in combination with higher metabolic syndrome rates. In contrast, downward mobility presaged worse outcomes on all health indicators. The magnitude of the mobility-health associations was similar across cohorts. Conclusions These findings provide evidence that upward income mobility is associated with a tradeoff between well-being and cardiometabolic health. The similarity of the findings across cohorts suggests that this tradeoff is a generalized consequence of ascending the socioeconomic hierarchy, at least for Americans born in the middle and later parts of the 20th century.
Optimization of High-Throughput Methyltransferase Assays for the Discovery of Small Molecule Inhibitors

Methyltransferases (MTases) play diverse roles in cellular processes. Aberrant methylation levels have been implicated in many diseases, indicating the need for the identification and development of small molecule inhibitors for each MTase. Specific inhibitors can serve as probes to investigate the function and validate therapeutic potential for the respective MTase. High-throughput screening (HTS) is a powerful method to identify initial hits for further optimization. Here, we report the development of a fluorescence-based MTase assay and compare this format with the recently developed MTase-Glo luminescence assay for application in HTS. Using protein N-terminal methyltransferase 1 (NTMT1) as a model system, we miniaturized to 1536-well quantitative HTS format. Through a pilot screen of 1428 pharmacologically active compounds and subsequent validation, we discovered that MTase-Glo produced lower false positive rates than the fluorescence-based MTase assay. Nevertheless, both assays displayed robust performance along with low reagent requirements and can potentially be employed as general HTS formats for the discovery of inhibitors for any MTase.
Promoting acid gas separations via strategic alkoxysilyl substitution of vinyl-added poly(norbornene)s

Abstract The development of membranes for the concurrent removal of CO2 and H2S from natural gas continues to elude researchers and frustrate industrial adoption of membrane technologies. A long-observed performance trade-off exists where glassy polymers generally lend themselves to diffusion-controlled CO2/CH4 separations, while rubbery polymers excel in solubility-controlled H2S/CH4 separations. These orthogonal separation preferences complicate materials development in pursuit of a membrane capable of simultaneous acid gas removal from concentrated sour gas feeds with high efficiency. Herein, we report our examination of alkoxysilyl-substituted vinyl-added poly (norbornene)s (VAPNBs) for the removal of CO2 and H2S from simulated natural gas feeds. This study investigates the sour gas separation performance of ten distinct VAPNBs that systematically vary in alkoxysilyl substitution to evaluate their ability to perform this challenging separation. High-pressure mixed gas permeation testing highlights structure-property relationships stemming from previously observed design principles related to side chain polarity and sterics that lead to high H2S/CH4 selectivities, exceptional CO2 and H2S permeabilities, and notable improvements in CO2/CH4 permeation properties compared to a well-studied alkylsilyl VAPNB derivative. By combining permeation analysis and pure gas sorption measurements, changes in the Langmuir contributions were found to be influential on acid gas separation performance. These results provide insight and opportunity to further expand this work in order to bring to market membranes capable of simultaneously removing CO2 and H2S from natural gas.
Relationships between Bond Strength and Spectroscopic Quantities in H-Bonds and Related Halogen, Chalcogen, and Pnicogen Bonds.

A large number of systems were studied that contain either a H-bond (HB) or the closely related halogen (X), chalcogen (Y), or pnicogen (Z) bond. Many of the same relationships between the strength...
Opioid-Mediated HIV-1 Immunopathogenesis

Despite the ability of combination antiretroviral therapy to dramatically suppress viremia, the brain continues to be a reservoir of HIV-1 low-level replication. Adding further complexity to this is the comorbidity of drug abuse with HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders and neuroHIV. Among several abused drugs, the use of opiates is highly prevalent in HIV-1 infected individuals, both as an abused drug as well as for pain management. Opioids and their receptors have attained notable attention owing to their ability to modulate immune functions, in turn, impacting disease progression. Various cell culture, animal and human studies have implicated the role of opioids and their receptors in modulating viral replication and virus-mediated pathology both positively and negatively. Further, the combinatorial effects of HIV-1/HIV-1 proteins and morphine have demonstrated activation of inflammatory signaling in the host system. Herein, we summarized the current knowledge on the role of opioids on peripheral immunopathogenesis, viral immunopathogenesis, epigenetic profiles of the host and viral genome, neuropathogenesis of SIV/SHIV-infected non-human primates, blood-brain-barrier, HIV-1 viral latency, and viral rebound. Overall, this review provides recent insights into the role of opioids in HIV-1 immunopathogenesis. Graphical abstract.
YY1 expression and PD-1 regulation in CD8 T lymphocytes

Abstract During the last decade we have witnessed significant milestones in the treatment of various resistant cancers with various immunotherapeutic strategies. The clinical response rates have been significant in a subset of patients. One of the mechanisms underlying the failure of a subset of cancer patients to respond to the anticancer immune CD8+ CTLs is their surface expression of an inhibitory receptor, programmed cell death 1 (PD1). The interaction of PD1 with its corresponding ligands, PDL1 or PDL2, expressed on the surface of the cancer cells, results in PD1 activation, inducing an inhibitory signaling, resulting in the inactivation of the CD8+ CTLs to perform their effector functions (e.g., cytotoxicity, proliferation, and cytokine production) and resulting in tumor cell escape and growth. The inhibition of the PD1-PDL1/2 interaction by monoclonal antibodies restored the antitumor activities of the CD8CTLs and resulted in tumor regression. Several FDA approved antibodies directed against PD1 or PDL1 have been used therapeutically with significant clinical responses. Another approach to prevent the inhibition mediated by PD1 may be by decreasing the expression of PD1 on the CD8+ CTLs. Several transcription factors have been reported that regulate PD1 expression. The transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1), however, has been reported to regulate several tumor properties, including metastasis, chemoimmuneresistance, and proliferation. Therefore we examined the role of YY1 in the regulation of PD1 expression. The findings revealed that YY1 positively regulates the expression of PD1 both transcriptionally and indirectly by several crosstalk signaling pathways. We speculate that targeting YY1 may have a double sword edge by both inhibiting PD1 expression on CD8+ CTLs and restoring their antitumor activities and on the other hand by inhibiting tumor cell survival, metastasis, and resistance.
Temporal Trends in Hip Fractures: How Has Time-to-Surgery Changed?

Background: Surgical fixation of hip fractures within 24–48 hours of hospital presentation is associated with decreased rates of postoperative morbidity and death, and recently, hospitals nationwide have implemented strategies to expedite surgery. Our aim was to describe how time-to-surgery and short-term complication rates have changed using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2011 to 2017. Methods: We identified more than 73,000 patients aged ≥65 years who underwent surgical fixation. Poisson regression adjusting for comorbidities, surgery type, type of anesthesia, patient sex, and patient age was performed to quantify annual changes in time-to-surgery. Annual changes in 30-day postoperative complications were analyzed using a generalized linear model with binomial distribution. Results: A significant decrease in time-to-surgery was observed during the study period (mean 30 hours in 2011 versus 26 hours in 2017; p <0.001). Time-to-surgery decreased by 2% annually during the 7-year period (0.5 hour/year, 95% CI: -35, -23; p <0.001). The all-cause 30-day complication rate also decreased annually (annual risk difference: −0.35%, 95% CI: −0.50%, −0.20%; p <0.001). For individual complications, we found significant decreases in deep infection (-0.2%, P=0.002), reintubation (-0.3%, P=0.001), urinary tract infection (-2.5%, p <0.001), and death (-1.3%, P=0.03). We found significant but small increases of pulmonary embolism (0.3%, P=0.03) and myocardial infarction (0.1%, P=0.02). Higher rates of complications were associated with increased time-to-surgery (p <0.001). Conclusion: From 2011 to 2017, time-to-surgery for hip fracture decreased significantly, as did short-term postoperative rates of all-cause complications and death. Longer time-to-surgery was associated with increased number of complications. Level of evidence: III
Case 14. Pustular Sezary syndrome

While exfoliative or waxy erythroderma is a part of a triad for Sezary syndrome, it is not always present. Sezary syndrome in most of the case does not present diagnostic problems relying on the presence of more than 1000 clonal cells/mm3 in the peripheral blood. The difficulties arise with the choice of therapeutics in advanced leukemic cases when the cell number reaches more than 100,000 cells/mm3. The aberrant expression of CD30, CD26, and CD25 de novo is an indicator of poor prognosis.
The Neoclassical Theory of Term Structure

This study presents a specification for the neoclassical user cost of capital that reflects dynamic processes for debt maturity structure and for pretax cash flows. Equivalencing levered and unlevered user costs reveals tradeoffs between equilibrium financing rates and underlying processes that satisfy a dynamic no-arbitrage equilibrium condition between debt, equity, and costless reversible real investment. The primary finding is that an increase in debt ratio or loan term associates with an increase in equilibrium financing rate – invariance of the neoclassical user cost to leverage implies an endogenous upward sloped yield curve.
Transcatheter Treatments in PA-VSD-MAPCAs

Angiography and transcatheter interventions play an integral role in the management of tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia and major aorto-pulmonary collaterals (TOF/PA/MAPCAs). This role starts with a complete diagnostic investigation that delineates the anatomy of each source of pulmonary blood flow, as well as the vascular health of each segment of lung. Transcatheter interventions are also used to eliminate unnecessary or potentially harmful sources of pulmonary blood flow, to maximize the health of the distal vasculature and to optimize the anatomy after surgical repair has been completed. In addition, the majority of these patients will have a right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduit as part of their surgical repair, and this will require transcatheter interventions to treat conduit dysfunction in most patients. In this chapter, we will focus on the role of cardiac catheterization in the diagnostic evaluation of TOF/PA/MAPCAs and the role of transcatheter interventions as part of an integrated strategy to manage this complicated disease.
Trauma Operative Procedures: Timing of Surgery and Priorities

Abdominal trauma (AT) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among all age groups. Its true frequency is unknown, as is the incidence of out-of-hospital deaths [1, 2]. Moreover, it has been noted that AT occurs in approximately 25% of major trauma victims, and often involves multiple organ injuries. These involving head and/or thoracic injuries are common, and may complicate AT management [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8].
Sex differences in delta and alpha EEG activities in healthy older adults.

Study objectives To examine sex effects on sleep stages and electroencephalogram (EEG) spectral power in older adults. Design Sleep was polygraphically recorded for 2 consecutive nights, and blood was sampled during the last 24 hours. Setting The University of Chicago Clinical Research Center. Participants Two groups of healthy nonobese older subjects: 10 men (59 +/- 2 years), and 10 postmenopausal women (63 +/- 2 years). Interventions N/A. Measurements and results A spectral analysis of the EEG was performed in the delta and alpha bands. There were no sex differences in sleep stages. Blood sampling resulted in reductions of total sleep time, sleep maintenance, slow-wave sleep, and absolute delta activity that were all larger in women than in men. In absolute values, delta and alpha activities in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep were higher in women than in men, but, for delta activity, the sex differences were larger in REM than in NREM sleep. In women, but not in men, absolute delta activity in REM was decreased during blood sampling and was strongly correlated with absolute delta activity in NREM. Delta activity in REM did not dissipate across the night in either group. When normalized for the activity in REM sleep, the sex difference in delta activity in NREM sleep was reversed, with lower activity in women. Conclusions Sex differences in sleep EEG variables are present in older adults. When normalized, delta activity in older women is lower than in older men, which may be more consistent with sex differences in subjective complaints, in fragility of sleep in the presence of environmental disturbances, and in the relationship to growth-hormone release.
Moving Coframes: II. Regularization and Theoretical Foundations

The primary goal of this paper is to provide a rigorous theoretical justification of Cartan’s method of moving frames for arbitrary finite-dimensional Lie group actions on manifolds. The general theorems are based a new regularized version of the moving frame algorithm, which is of both theoretical and practical use. Applications include a new approach to the construction and classification of differential invariants and invariant differential operators on jet bundles, as well as equivalence, symmetry, and rigidity theorems for submanifolds under general transformation groups. The method also leads to complete classifications of generating systems of differential invariants, explicit commutation formulae for the associated invariant differential operators, and a general classification theorem for syzygies of the higher order differentiated differential invariants. A variety of illustrative examples demonstrate how the method can be directly applied to practical problems arising in geometry, invariant theory, and differential equations.
Colloid characterization by sedimentation field-flow fractionation

Abstract In this paper we report a new sedimentation field-flow fractionation (sedimentation FFF) methodology which can be used to characterize complex colloidal populations whose particles vary in both diameter and density (or chemical composition). By this methodology the outlet stream of the thin FFF channel is split along a specified flow plane to yield two distinguishable flow laminae whose contents enter two different outlet substreams. With a properly adjusted carrier density, the population of colloidal particles, driven by centrifugation, will divide into two subpopulations or classes, which move toward opposite channel walls and thus occupy different laminae. These subpopulations then undergo FFF migration and separation along their respective walls followed by elution into the two different substreams. This process yields the simultaneous fractionation and characterization of both subpopulations with respect to density and particle diameter values. The theory of this new technique has been developed and applicability has been demonstrated by separating and characterizing a mixture of polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate latex beads.
An Intertypic Herpes Simplex Virus Helicase-Primase Complex Associated with a Defect in Neurovirulence Has Reduced Primase Activity

R13-1 is an intertypic recombinant virus in which the left-hand 18% of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) genome is replaced by homologous sequences from HSV-2. R13-1 is nonneurovirulent and defective in DNA replication in neurons. The defect was localized to the UL5 open reading frame by using marker rescue analysis (D. C. Bloom and J. G. Stevens, J. Virol. 68:3761–3772, 1994). To provide conclusive evidence that UL5 is the only HSV-2 gene involved in the restricted replication phenotype of R13-1, we have characterized the phenotype of a recombinant virus (IB1) in which only the UL5 gene of HSV-1 was replaced by HSV-2 UL5. Data from 50% lethal dose determinations and the in vivo yields of virus suggested that IB1 has the same phenotypic characteristics as R13-1. UL5 is the helicase component of a complex with helicase and primase activities. All three subunits of this complex (UL5, UL8, and UL52) are required for viral DNA replication in all cell types. The intertypic complex HSV-2 UL5–HSV-1 UL8–HSV-1 UL52 was purified and biochemically characterized. The primase activity of the intertypic complex was 10-fold lower than that of HSV-1 UL5–HSV-1 UL8–HSV-1 UL52. The ATPase activity was comparable to that of the HSV-1 enzyme complex, and although the helicase activity was threefold lower, this did not interfere with the synthesis of leading strands by the HSV polymerase. One explanation for these findings is that the interactions between the subunits of the helicase-primase intertypic complex that are important for the full function of each subunit are inappropriate or weak.
Integrating Evolutionary Economics into the Microeconomic Principles Course

Is it possible to teach mainstream microeconomic principles which prepare students for upper division economics courses while also exposing them to the well known heterodox dissent of Veblen, Galbraith, Boulding, Myrdal, Schumacher, and others? This article offers a method for presenting in a timely manner key institutionalist counterarguments to neoclassical microeconomics in the logical sequence familiar to those who teach the subject. Such an approach allows the micro principles course to become more of the survey it was originally intended to be for first time economics students and to offer a wider interdisciplinary view into which controversial contemporary economic issues may be more easily introduced, discussed, and understood.
CHROMOSOMAL REARRANGEMENTS AND THE GENETICS OF REPRODUCTIVE BARRIERS IN MIMULUS (MONKEY FLOWERS)

Chromosomal rearrangements may directly cause hybrid sterility and can facilitate speciation by preserving local adaptation in the face of gene flow. We used comparative linkage mapping with shared gene-based markers to identify potential chromosomal rearrangements between the sister monkeyflowers Mimulus lewisii and Mimulus cardinalis, which are textbook examples of ecological speciation. We then remapped quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for floral traits and flowering time (premating isolation) and hybrid sterility (postzygotic isolation). We identified three major regions of recombination suppression in the M. lewisii × M. cardinalis hybrid map compared to a relatively collinear Mimulus parishii × M. lewisii map, consistent with a reciprocal translocation and two inversions specific to M. cardinalis. These inferences were supported by targeted intraspecific mapping, which also implied a M. lewisii-specific reciprocal translocation causing chromosomal pseudo-linkage in both hybrid mapping populations. Floral QTLs mapped in this study, along with previously mapped adaptive QTLs, were clustered in putatively rearranged regions. All QTLs for male sterility, including two underdominant loci, mapped to regions of recombination suppression. We argue that chromosomal rearrangements may have played an important role in generating and consolidating barriers to gene flow as natural selection drove the dramatic ecological and morphological divergence of these species.
Functional Organization of Dorsal Horn Interneurons

Sensory processing in the spinal cord involves interactions among primary afferent fibers bearing information from sensory receptors, interneurons, ascending tract cells conveying sensory messages to the brain, and descending tract cells that modulate the activity in spinal cord circuits. Such interactions are complex and still poorly understood. In this chapter, the interactions between primary afferent fibers and spinal interneurons will be discussed. In Chapters 8–11, the organization of the ascending tracts will be considered. Chapter 12 includes an overview of the sensory channels and of the descending systems that control somatic sensation.
Chapter 27 The Use of Heavy Minerals in the Reconstruction of Ice-Sheet Drainage Patterns: An Example from the Edge of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet

Abstract Heavy-mineral analysis is proven as a powerful tool in reconstructing ice-sheet drainage patterns and has been used in the past in both drift exploration and studies of ice-sheet dynamics. Although ice flow patterns can be extracted from morphological indicators such as striated and grooved bedrock surfaces, clast orientation in tills, or glacial landforms, these properties are not suitable to analyse the sequence of multiple ice-sheet events. Antarctica has been glaciated for the past 34 Myr and has experienced several glacial advances and retreats. Here a case study is presented in which heavy minerals were used to reconstruct East Antarctic glacial events in the Transantarctic Mountains that form an active rift margin. Heavy-mineral analyses demonstrate that the tills in these mountains should be subdivided into at least two end-member petrofacies. The first petrofacies is characterised by tills derived from the highest stratigraphic succession of the Transantarctic Mountains, which were deposited when ice was overriding the mountains. Tills of the second petrofacies originate from erosion and deposition within the glacial troughs that traverse the Transantarctic Mountains, and now form the drainage pathway for the outlet glaciers of the East Antarctic ice sheet. The two petrofacies represent different ice-sheet drainage patterns and the tills were deposited during consecutive stages of denudation of the rift margin.
Phase stabilization of δ-Bi2O3 nanostructures by epitaxial growth onto single crystal SrTiO3 or DyScO3 substrates

We observe that the high-temperature δ-phase of Bi2O3 is stabilized to room temperature by the epitaxial growth of nanostructures onto either (001)-oriented SrTiO3 or (001)p-oriented DyScO3 single crystal substrates. In addition, the morphology can be controlled by the miscut of the substrate. Synchrotron x-ray scattering observations at controlled temperatures and oxygen partial pressures reveal that the δ-Bi2O3 nanostructures are coherently strained to the substrates at room temperature. Annealing the nanostructures at 600 °C causes gradual conversion of the (001)-oriented δ-phase to an unidentified strain-relaxed phase.
Alpha spectrometry applications with mass separated samples

(241)Am has been deposited using a novel technique that employs a commercial inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. This work presents results of high-resolution alpha spectrometry on the (241)Am samples using a small area passivated implanted planar silicon detector. We have also investigated the mass-based separation capability by developing a (238)Pu sample, present as a minor constituent in a (244)Pu standard, and performed subsequent radiometric counting. With this new sample development method, the (241)Am samples achieved the intrinsic energy resolution of the detector used for these measurements. There was no detectable trace of any other isotopes contained in the (238)Pu implant demonstrating the mass-based separation (or enhancement) attainable with this technique.
Multigroup neutron transport with degenerate kernel

Abstract The functional analytic method of Larsen and Habetler [1] is applied to the problem of multigroup neutron transport with degenerate kernel to obtain the eigensolutions of the reduced transport operator. This particular method yields a compact and mathematically rigorous solution of the problem. Applications to the full and half-range problems are indicated.
Surface isoelectric point of evaporated silver films: Determination by contact angle titration

Abstract The dependence of the contact angle on the pH of an aqueous probe liquid has been used to examine the acid-base reactivity of the native oxide of evaporated silver films. The results indicate that the silver films have a surface isoelectric point of ∼10.4, which corresponds to a basic oxide. Thermodynamic formulas are also derived to relate the change in contact angle with the charge density of the surface.
The levels and determinants of household insulation activity

Abstract This paper provides evidence of current levels of household insulation, including storm windows and storm doors. A logistic probability model is used to determine the effect of heating fuel price, climate, and household characteristics (such as age of head and income) on the likelihood that a household will be well insulated or will intend to add insulation in the near future. Households headed by individuals under 50 years of age are better insulated, as are households with annual income greater than $20,000. Middle income families ($15,000–30,000/yr) are the most likely to plan to add insulation, while low income families are least likely. Households with a head over 65 years of age are less likely to plan to add insulation. These findings, in addition to evidence concerning households which are currently poorly insulated and do not plan to add insulation, are used to recommend modification of recently passed energy legislation.
The cellular location of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase: relation to de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidines.

Abstract Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase from rat liver is found to be located on the outer surface of the inner membrane of mitochondria. Dihydroorotate can diffuse freely from the cytosol into the mitochondria. Orotate can also diffuse freely from the mitochondria into the cytosol for futher conversion to UMP. Therefore, no active transport of either dihydroorotate or orotate is required in pyrimidine biosynthesis. The K m for l -dihydroorotate is 5.2 ± 0.6 μ m . pd -Dihydroorotate is not a substrate for the enzyme but is a competitive inhibitor with a K i of 1.4 m m . Of the compounds tested as analogs for dihydroorotate or metabolites related to pyrimidine biosynthesis, orotate is the strongest inhibitor, with a K i of 8.4 μ m . The K i values for 2,4-dinitrophenol and barbiturate are 180 and 56 μ m , respectively.
The impact of banks’ entrepreneurial orientation on strategic control systems

– An organization’s entrepreneurial orientation will relate directly to its efficiency strategies, market development strategies (growth), and its product development strategies (innovation). A firm will develop appropriate strategic control systems according to these chosen strategies. In order to be competitive and balance efficiency, growth and innovation strategies, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the most appropriate strategic controls to implement these strategies. , – The eight variables under study were measured using 22 psychometric survey items obtained from responses of 101 FDIC-registered banks. , – The results show a more entrepreneurial orientation is associated with an efficiency strategy, a market development strategy, and a product development strategy. The efficiency strategy was not associated with formal controls, contrary to expectations. A market development strategy was associated with formal rules, but was not found to be associated with formal targets. Finally, product development strategies was associated with all four strategic control archetypes. , – The limitation of this study is that, it only examined banking institutions, and did not consider long-term financial performance implications. This paper supports and extends current research pertaining to company key success factors. Success requires effectively balancing cost reduction objectives, growth objectives, and innovation objectives, in order to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. A more entrepreneurial orientation necessitates a focus on innovation, traditional growth patterns, as well as cost cutting. , – This paper demonstrates that an organization’s entrepreneurial orientation will relate directly to its efficiency, growth, and innovation strategies. Also, it finds the most effective strategic controls to implement these strategies.
PERSPECTIVES ON SPATIAL ECONOMETRICS: LINEAR SMOOTHING WITH STRUCTURED MODELS

Though standard spatial econometric models may be useful for specification testing, they rely heavily on a parametric structure that is highly sensitive to model misspecification. The commonly used spatial AR model is a form of spatial smoothing with a structure that closely resembles a semiparametric model. Nonparametric and semiparametric models are generally a preferable approach for more descriptive spatial analysis. Estimated population density functions illustrate the differences between the spatial AR model and nonparametric approaches to data smoothing. A series of Monte Carlo experiments demonstrates that nonparametric predicted values and marginal effect estimates are much more accurate then spatial AR models when the contiguity matrix is misspecified.
Soliton transmission control.

The Gordon–Haus limit of long-distance soliton transmission can be partially overcome through the use of linear filters in each amplifier stage. New limits are derived, and they show the possibility of increased bit rates and/or distances of propagation.
The Innocence of My Country: An Older Puerto Rican Woman Living with AIDS

The AIDS status of older Puerto Rican women is seldom addressed in research literature. This article explores AIDS and the actual experiences of an older Puerto Rican woman residing in central Florida. A review of the various stages of her life as well as challenges related to gender, language, family, and culture are explored. The case study enables researchers to gain an understanding of the intricacies of the life journey of an older Puerto Rican woman coping with loss, stigma, and the disease process while living with an AIDS diagnosis.
Abraxane for the Treatment of Gynecologic Cancer Patients With Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions to Paclitaxel

Background: Paclitaxel is used in the treatment of most gynecologic malignancies. It is solubilized in Cremophor EL, a polyoxyethylated castor oil agent responsible for the high rate of paclitaxel-associated hypersensitivity reactions. Abraxane, a newer, Cremophor-free form of albumin bound paclitaxel has demonstrated an activity and an improved toxicity profile in breast and lung cancers. Case Reports: Five patients with gynecologic cancers (2 ovarian, 2 endometrial, and 1 cervical malignancy) received Abraxane after having a hypersensitivity reaction to paclitaxel. All five patients tolerated Abraxane well, experiencing no reactions or major side effects to the drug. Discussion: Abraxane is well tolerated in women with gynecologic cancer who have experienced a paclitaxel-associated hypersensitivity reaction. Further studies are ongoing to determine the clinical activity of Abraxane in the treatment of these malignancies.
Quantitative data quality metrics for 3D laser radar systems

Several quantitative data quality metrics for three dimensional (3D) laser radar systems are presented, namely: X-Y contrast transfer function, Z noise, Z resolution, X-Y edge & line spread functions, 3D point spread function and data voids. These metrics are calculated from both raw and/or processed point cloud data, providing different information regarding the performance of 3D imaging laser radar systems and the perceptual quality attributes of 3D datasets. The discussion is presented within the context of 3D imaging laser radar systems employing arrays of Geiger-mode Avalanche Photodiode (GmAPD) detectors, but the metrics may generally be applied to linear mode systems as well. An example for the role of these metrics in comparison of noise removal algorithms is also provided.
An unsupervised learning technique for artificial neural networks

Abstract A new artificial neural model for unsupervised learning is proposed. Consider first a two-class pattern recognition problem. We use one neuron (possibly higher order) with a sigmoid in the range from −1 to 1. Positive output means class 1 and negative output means class 2. The main idea of the method is that it iterates the weights in such a way as to move the decision boundary to a place of low pattern density. Constraining the length of the weight vector, if the neuron output is mostly near 1 or −1, then this means that the patterns are mostly far away from the decision boundary and we have probably a good classifier. We define a function which measures how close the output is to 1 or −1. Training is performed by a steepest-ascent algorithm on the weights. The method is extended to the multiclass case by applying the previous procedure in a hierarchical manner (i.e., by partitioning the patterns into two groups, then considering each group separately and partitioning it further and so on until we end up with the final classifier).
Effectiveness of Trichogramma spp. in Parasitizing Eggs of Pieris rapae and Trichoplusia ni. 1. Field Studies

Field releases of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley from Brownsville, Texas, were ineffective against either natural, supplemental, or artificially applied egg populations of Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) and Pieris rapae (L.) on cabbage at Columbia, Missouri. Releases of Trichogramma evanescens Westwood on this crop at Columbia were highly effective against P. rapae , but only partially effective against T. ni . Artificially applicd eggs of T. ni and P. rapae were highly parasitized by Trichogramma spp., but many of these applied eggs collapsed prior to complete parasite development.
POTENTIATED BLOOD PRESSURE RESPONSES TO ENERGY DRINK INTAKE IN CAFFEINE NAïVE HEALTHY ADULTS: A DOUBLE BLIND RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY

Energy drink consumption is widespread and rising among young adults. We and others have previously shown that energy drink consumption increases blood pressure, although the reported blood pressure increases among individuals are variable. Previous exposure to caffeine may be implicated in these
Marfe: an edge plasma phenomenon

A tokamak edge phenomenon, dubbed the 'marfe' (for multifaceted asymmetric radiation from the edge), is described. This phenomenon, observed in medium- to high-density Alcator C discharges, is characterized by greatly increased radiation, density and density fluctuations, and decreased temperature in a relatively small volume at the inner major radius edge of the plasma. The marfe appears to be confined to minor radii greater than or of the order of that of the limiter. The affected region is typically above the midplane, extending poloidally for about 30° and toroidally for 360°. The temperature and density of the core plasma are unaffected by the marfe. A simple transport model is used to show that the marfe is the manifestation of a thermal instability, with impurity radiation being the main energy loss mechanism out of the marfe volume. A density threshold nm for marfe onset is observed; nm is found to be an increasing function of plasma current and a decreasing function of intrinsic low-Z impurity levels. Detailed observations from spectroscopy, bolometry, Langmuir probe measurements, interferometry and CO2 scattering are presented.
Cytosine Methylation: Remaining Faithful

DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1) has a higher specific activity on hemimethylated DNA than on unmethylated DNA, but this preference is too small to explain the faithful mitotic inheritance of genomic methylation patterns. New genetic studies in plants and mammals have identified a novel factor that increases the fidelity of maintenance methylation.
Biomechanical properties of paired canine fibulas.

Abstract This paper is concerned with the determination of the side-to-side variations of the biomechanical properties of canine fibulas. It also compares the relation of the fracture lines to the microanatomical structure of bone. Twenty sets of paired canine fibulae were subjected to rapid torsional loading and the torque, deformation, and energy at fracture were recorded. Maximum stress at the fracture was then computed. Micro-radiographs were prepared from cross sections of the fractured specimens. The results show that side-to-side variations in torques show the least scatter, while the side-to-side variations in stresses, deformations, and energies fall over a much larger range. The micro-anatomy of bone failed to significantly influence the route of the fracture line. This data therefore provides a range of normal variation between paired canine fibulae which will enable the use of one of the fibulae as a valid control in experimental procedures which may alter the biomechanical properties of the other fibulae.
In Situ Spectroscopic Approach to Atomic Layer Deposition

There is great need for a mechanistic understanding of growth chemistry during atomic layer deposition (ALD) of films for electronic applications. Since commercial ALD reactors are presently not equipped for in situ spectroscopy, we have constructed a model reactor that enables single-pass transmission infrared spectroscopy to be performed in situ on a layer-by-layer basis. We demonstrate the viability of this approach for the study of aluminum oxide growth on silicon surfaces, motivated by alternative gate oxide applications. Thanks to submonolayer dielectric and adsorbate sensitivity, we can quantify oxide thicknesses and hydroxyl areal densities on thermal and chemical SiO2/Si(100) substrates. Methyl formation and hydroxyl consumption upon initial trimethylaluminum (TMA) reaction can also be followed. We verify that in situ grown Al2O3 films are compatible in structure to films grown in a commercial ALD reactor.
Optimal camera placement for motion capture systems in the presence of dynamic occlusion

Optical motion capture is based on estimating the three-dimensional positions of markers by triangulation from multiple cameras. Successful performance depends on points being visible from at least two cameras and on the accuracy of the triangulation. Triangulation accuracy is strongly related to the positions and orientations of the cameras. Thus, the configuration of the camera network has a critical impact on performance. A poor camera configuration may result in a low quality three-dimensional (3D) estimation and consequently low quality of tracking. This paper proposes a camera configuration metric that is based on a probabilistic model of target point visibility from cameras with "good" views. An efficient algorithm, based on simulated annealing, is introduced for estimating the optimal configuration of an arbitrary set of cameras for a given distribution of target points. The accuracy and robustness of the algorithm are evaluated through both simulation and empirical measurement. An implementation of the method is available for download as a tool for the community [Rahimian and Kearney 2015] (Figure 1).
Sensitivity to Issue Framing on Trade Policy Preferences: Evidence from a Survey Experiment

We explore the impact of issue framing on individual attitudes toward international trade. Based on a survey experiment fielded in Argentina during 2007, which reproduces the setup of earlier studies in the United States, we show that individuals’ position in the economy and material concerns define the strength of priors about international trade, and thereby mitigate their sensitivity to the new dimensions introduced in informational cues. Extending the analysis beyond the United States to a country with different skill endowments allows us to better explore the role of material and non-material attributes on individual attitudes towards trade. We find that skill is a central predictor of support for openness. The effect is strongest for individuals in the service sector and in cities that cater to the producers of agricultural commodities. Our findings suggest that the pattern of support for economic integration reflects the predictions from the recent literature in international economics, which emphasizes trade’s impact on the relative demand for skilled labor regardless of factor endowments. Our findings also amend recent empirical contributions which suggest that socialization is the main factor explaining individual sensitivity to issue framing on trade preferences. We suggest that material conditions associated with income and price effects are crucial, both in shaping trade preferences and in affecting the malleability of attitudes to issue framing. Hence, our results provide a crucial contribution to our general understanding of the attributes shaping susceptibility to political framing in policy debates.
Finite element simulation of flow in deforming regions

Abstract A finite element technique for solving multidimensional flow problems with moving boundaries is developed by means of Galerkin's procedure. The method accounts automatically for continuous grid deformation during simulation, and utilizes finite difference techniques in the time domain. In the absence of grid deformation, the method reduces to the standard Galerkin finite element formulation. Utility of the approach is demonstrated by application to one- and two-dimensional flow problems.
Hydrophobic Metallic Nanorods coated with Teflon Nanopatches by Glancing Angle Deposition

Introducing a hydrophobic property to vertically aligned hydrophilic metallic nanorods was investigated experimentally and theoretically. First, platinum nanorod arrays were deposited on flat silicon substrates using a sputter Glancing Angle Deposition Technique (GLAD). Then a thin layer of Teflon (nanopatches) was partially deposited on the tips of platinum nanorod at a glancing angle of θ = 85o as well as at normal incidence (θ = 0o) for different deposition times. We show that GLAD technique is capable of depositing ultrathin isolated Teflon nanopatches on selective regions of nanorod arrays due to the shadowing effect during GLAD. Contact angle measurements on Pt/Teflon nano-composite have shown contact angle values as high as 138o, indicating a significant increase in the hydrophobicity of originally hydrophilic Pt nanostructures. Finally, a 2D simplified wetting model utilizing Cassie and Baxter theory of heterogeneous surfaces has been developed to explain the wetting behavior of Pt/Teflon nanocomposite.
STZ-induced skeletal muscle atrophy is associated with increased p65 content and downregulation of insulin pathway without NF-κB canonical cascade activation

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM)-induced skeletal muscle atrophy is associated with an increased incidence in morbidity and mortality. Although the precise mechanism of diabetes-induced skeletal muscle atrophy remains to be established, several NF-κB-dependent pro-inflammatory genes have been identified as potential therapeutic targets. Moreover, activation of NF-κB has previously been shown to be required for cytokine-induced loss of skeletal muscle proteins. Therefore, we investigated activation of the NF-κB canonical pathway, concomitant to insulin signaling activation in skeletal muscle from diabetes-induced rats. Ten rats injected with streptozotocin (STZ) 4 weeks prior to tissue extraction were compared to 10 control rats. Using total, cytosolic and nuclear protein extracts from hindlimb muscles: soleus (SOL), extensor digitorum longus (EDL), gastrocnemius (GM) and liver tissue, we assessed key proteins important for the activation of both NF-κB and insulin pathways. Insulin blood concentration decreased to 3.9 ± 1.2 mU/ml following STZ-injection resulting in hyperglycemia (17.9 ± 0.7 mmol/l). SOL, EDL and GM mass decreased, and liver mass increased following STZ injection. NF-κB/p65 content in SOL, GM and liver increased in STZ-injected rats, without any change in IκB degradation or IKK phosphorylation. Muscle NF-κB/p65 remained bound to IκB and did not translocate or bind to DNA. Although the canonical NF-κB cascade was not activated, STZ induced a decrease in insulin pathway proteins including insulin receptor (IR) and substrate (IRS-1) content and phosphorylation compared to control animals. A downregulation of insulin pathway proteins and muscle atrophy occurred in response to STZ administration, and despite increased p65 content, STZ treatment did not activate the canonical NF-κB cascade. Therefore, it is unlikely that hyperglycemia initiates skeletal muscle atrophy via activation of the NF-κB canonical pathway.
Small Angle Electron Scattering from Vacuum Condensed Metallic Films I. Theory

We present the basis of a kinematic theory to account for electron diffraction effects from discontinuous vacuum condensed metallic films in which the separate particles act as scattering centres. The diffraction image depends on the variation in the interparticle spacings and is repeated in several layers of reciprocal space. The treatment is valid for any paracrystalline object.
Dinuclear gold-silver resting states may explain silver effects in gold(I)-catalysis.

The resting state of the gold(I)-catalyzed hydroarylation of 1 changes in the presence of Ag+, with silver free catalysts resting at the dinuclear gold structure 5 and Ag+ containing solutions resting at a heteronuclear species like 6. Adventitious Ag+ (typically from LAuCl activation) can therefore intercept key organogold intermediates and effect the catalysis even when it does not effect the reaction in Au free control experiments.
In Vitro Development of Ova from Prepuberal Cattle

Abstract Ova obtained from superovulated and inseminated calves nine or 17 weeks old were cultured in bovine or rabbit serum, follicular fluid, and synthetic media, Krebs-Ringer-bicarbonate solution, and Ham's F10 medium. Of 184 ova cultured, 45% cleaved in vitro. No significant differences were found among media in their ability to support limited early embryo development. One-celled fertilized ova cleaved more times in culture than ova which had cleaved before collection (P