cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Domestic Violence and the Victim/Offender Overlap Across the Life Course:

The current article examined the overlap of domestic violence across the life course, connecting childhood abuse and adolescent dating victimization to adult intimate partner victimization, and the connection between these behaviors and adult domestic violence perpetration against partners and children. Using three waves of Add Health data, the study found that childhood and adolescent domestic victimization were directly and indirectly linked to adult intimate partner victimization and that domestic violence perpetration also played a role. These findings indicate that offending must be accounted for in tracking patterns of victimization over the life course and that the overlap must more directly be reconciled in current criminal justice policy.
Genome Sequences of Mycobacteriophages Findley, Hurricane, and TBond007.

ABSTRACT We report here the genome sequences of three newly isolated phages that infect Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155. Phages Findley, Hurricane, and TBond007 were discovered in geographically distinct locations and are related to cluster K mycobacteriophages, with Findley being similar to subcluster K2 phages and Hurricane and TBond007 being similar to subcluster K3 phages.
On Ideographs, Individuals, and Freedom: Henry David Thoreau Meets F.A. Hayek

The national government is embroiled in political gridlock over the federal budget, while the federal bureaucracy struggles with the automatic, and rather draconian, across-the-board cuts mandated by the so-called sequestration initiative. This drama is widely interpreted as the most recent evidence of a more fundamental problem created by the willingness of various political actors to adopt an overtly confrontational posture rather than attempt to build compromises. The argument presented in this essay is an alternative explanation. Working with the writings of Henry David Thoreau and F.A. Hayek, it argues that our current acrimony requires consideration of the possibility that obstructionism should be understood as a form of political freedom within the context of a fully developed and entrenched purposive state.
Pascal’s Principle, a Simple Model to Explain the Emplacement of Laccoliths and Some Mid-crustal Plutons

Abstract The common ratios between the length and thickness for many plutons and laccoliths suggests that there is a scale independent mechanism controlling their shape, and therefore the mechanism of emplacement. It is also widely accepted that intrusions are constructed from magma pulses, and these pulses are often sheet-like. Using Pascal’s principle of transmitting fluid pressures equally everywhere, a simple two-stage model for the emplacement of shallow and mid-crustal intrusions is developed. The initial pulse is sheet-like and expands until the force is equal to the overlying lithostatic load or outlying horizontal stress, similar to a hydraulic press. Examples of shallow crustal intrusions which inflated from sheets are described from the Henry Mountains of Utah. Using Pascal’s principle, the magma pressure required for inflation is similar to the magma pressure determined for dome growth at Mt. St. Helens. This model is applied to mid-crustal plutons which expand from dykes. The Birch Creek pluton of California is used as an example of an inflating pluton based on detailed mapping of internal contacts and fabrics which reveals the transition from initial sheeting to final inflation.
Abstract 20197: A Role for Long Non-Coding RNAs in Atherosclerosis Development

Protein-coding genes account for only 2% of the human genome although greater than 90 % is actively transcribed. LncRNAs, arbitrarily defined as non-coding RNAs greater than 200 bp, represent the l...
ISIFT: extracting incremental results from SIFT

In computer vision, scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) remains one of the most commonly used algorithms for feature extraction, but its high computational cost makes it hard to deploy in real-time applications. In this paper, we introduce a novel technique to restructure the inter-octave and intra-octave dependencies of SIFT's keypoint detection and description processes, allowing it to be stopped early and produce approximate results in proportion to the time for which it was allowed to run. If our algorithm is run to completion (about 0.7% longer than traditional SIFT), its results and SIFT's converge. Unlike previous approaches to real-time SIFT, we require no special hardware and make no compromises in keypoint quality, making our technique ideal for real-time and near-real-time applications on resource-constrained systems. We use standard data sets and metrics to analyze the performance of our algorithm and the quality of the generated keypoints.
Multilevel Factors Affecting Time to Cancer Diagnosis and Care Quality in Botswana

Background Cancer incidence is increasing in Africa, and the majority of patients are diagnosed with advanced disease, limiting treatment options and survival. We sought to understand care patterns and factors contributing to delayed diagnosis and treatment initiation among patients with cancer in Botswana. Patients and methods We recruited 20 patients who were enrolled in a prospective cancer cohort in Botswana to a qualitative substudy that explored cancer care pathways and factors affecting cancer care access and quality. We conducted an in-depth interview with each participant between October 2014 and January 2015, using a a structured interview guide with questions about initial cancer symptoms, previous consultations, diagnosis, and care pathways. Medical records were used to confirm dates or treatment details when needed. Results Individual and interpersonal factors such as cancer awareness and social support facilitated care-seeking behaviors. However, patients experienced multiple delays in diagnosis and treatment because of provider and health system barriers. Health system factors, such as misdiagnosis, understaffed facilities, poor referral communication and scheduling, and inadequate laboratory reporting systems, affected access to and quality of cancer care. Conclusion These findings highlight the need for interventions at the patient, provider, and health system levels to improve cancer care quality and outcomes in Botswana. Results also suggest that widespread cancer education has potential to promote early diagnosis through family and community networks. Identified barriers and facilitators suggest that interventions to improve community education and access to diagnostic technologies could help improve cancer outcomes in this setting. Implications for practice The majority (54%) of patients with cancer in Botswana present with advanced-stage cancer despite universal access to free health care, limiting the options for treatment and decreasing the likelihood of positive treatment outcomes. To reduce time from symptom onset to cancer treatment initiation, causes of delay in cancer care trajectories must be identified. The narratives of the patients interviewed for this study give insight into psychosocial factors, outlooks on disease, lower-level provider delays, and health system barriers that contribute to substantial delays for patients with cancer in Botswana. Identification of problems and barriers is essential for development of effective interventions to mitigate these factors, in order to improve cancer outcomes in this population.
Access to land and permits: Firm-level evidence of impediments to development in transition countries

Abstract I examine how limited access to land and obstacles in gaining business licensing and permits are cited by businesses in transition economies as substantial impediments, feeding into cultures of bribery and corruption and impeding economic development. A theoretical model of limited access to land and permits is presented motivating empirical modeling. Using the EBRD-World Bank BEEPS V survey data for firms in transition economies, both country and firm-specific characteristics are used to explain the reported obstacles and requests for informal payments, or bribes, by government officials. Probit models of reported obstacles, models of the severity of those obstacles, and models of bribe requests by officials are estimated. To account for endogeneity, instrumental variable (IV) models are estimated explaining how predicted land access or permit obstacles influence the likelihood of firms reporting bribes paid to government officials to overcome those obstacles. Results indicate that government restrictions limiting access to land and permits have significant effects on the subjective views of firms. Both country and firm-specific characteristics influence firm responses. Limited access to land and/or business licensing and permits creates an environment in which firms report that they are much more likely to be asked to make informal payments, gifts, or bribes, to get things done.
La novela transnacional en el siglo XXI. Interrogando la teoría de la hibridez/hybridity

This article examines some of the novels written by Daniel Alarcon, Santiago Roncagliolo, Eduardo Gonzalez Viana and Carmen Aguirre in light of “hybridity/hibridez theory” as both posited by Nestor Garcia Canclini and Homi Bhabha. The article shows that Garcia Canclini’s celebratory theory of “hibridez” is not compatible with Homi Bhabha’s theory of hybridity which Bhabha regards as a disavowal and always a loss. The novels under consideration, due to the strong deterritorialization thematized, belong more clearly with Homi Bhabha’s sense of the hybrid than with Canclini’s assertations of creativity and combinatory arts.
Psychotropic Medications in Individuals with Intellectual Disability

The decision to prescribe psychotropic medications to patients with intellectual disability (ID) should be carefully considered because persons with ID are more vulnerable to side effects of medications, including extrapyramidal and metabolic side effects. The strategies and recommendations that follow should be tailored to each individual after a comprehensive and thorough examination of the patient and a discussion about the risks, benefits, potential side effects, and alternative treatment options with the patient and caregiver/guardian.
The Effect of Performance Shares on Executive Incentives

I examine the determinants of performance share awards (PSAs), focusing on the factors associated with the recent increase in PSA use, and the effects of PSA use on key characteristics of compensation, pay levels and pay-for-performance sensitivity. PSAs are equity awards for which the number of shares that vest varies based on performance compared to pre-determined goals. I find that poor Say-on-Pay voting outcomes are associated with more aggressive adoption of PSAs and that PSAs have primarily replaced stock options in equity awards. Compared to stock options, PSAs have not affected ex ante compensation levels (grant date fair value), but have resulted in ex post payouts that are less variable and no lower. Moreover, PSA payouts increase in measures of CEO power. Collectively, these results support the hypothesis that PSAs are being used to disguise compensation rather than improve incentive alignment.
Gated recurrent networks for seizure detection

Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) with sophisticated units that implement a gating mechanism have emerged as powerful technique for modeling sequential signals such as speech or electroencephalography (EEG). The latter is the focus on this paper. A significant big data resource, known as the TUH EEG Corpus (TUEEG), has recently become available for EEG research, creating a unique opportunity to evaluate these recurrent units on the task of seizure detection. In this study, we compare two types of recurrent units: long short-term memory units (LSTM) and gated recurrent units (GRU). These are evaluated using a state of the art hybrid architecture that integrates Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) with RNNs. We also investigate a variety of initialization methods and show that initialization is crucial since poorly initialized networks cannot be trained. Furthermore, we explore regularization of these convolutional gated recurrent networks to address the problem of overfitting. Our experiments revealed that convolutional LSTM networks can achieve significantly better performance than convolutional GRU networks. The convolutional LSTM architecture with proper initialization and regularization delivers 30% sensitivity at 6 false alarms per 24 hours.
Mitochondria at the crossroads of ATM-mediated stress signaling and regulation of reactive oxygen species

The Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase responds to DNA double-strand breaks and other forms of cellular stress, including reactive oxygen species (ROS). Recent work in the field has uncovered links between mitochondrial ROS and ATM activation, suggesting that ATM acts as a sensor for mitochondrial derived ROS and regulates ROS accumulation in cells through this pathway. In addition, characterization of cells from Ataxia-telangiectasia patients as well as ATM-deficient mice and cell models suggest a role for ATM in modulating mitochondrial gene expression and function. Here we review ROS responses related to ATM function, recent evidence for ATM roles in mitochondrial maintenance and turnover, and the relationship between ATM and regulation of protein homeostasis.
Electric Field Driven Torque in ATP Synthase

Dysfunction of mitochondrial enzymes, including ATP synthase, has been implicated in type-2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. Our electric field driven torque (EFT) model of ATP synthase predicts a scaling law relating torque to the number of proton binding sites in the rotor (c-ring) and the proton motive force (pmf) across the mitochondrial inner membrane. When the FO complex of ATP synthase is coupled to F1, the model predicts a critical pmf to drive ATP production. In order to fully understand how the electric field resulting from the pmf drives the c-ring to rotate, it is also important to examine the charge distribution on the protonated c-ring and in the a-subunit, which contains the proton half-channels and acts as a stator. A self-consistent field approach is used in our calculations, based on a refinement of reported ac12 structural data. The calculations reveal changes in pKa for key residues on the a-subunit and c-ring, as well as titration curves and protonation state energy diagrams. Implications for the EFT model will be discussed. Support was provided by R21CA133153 from NHLBI and NCI at NIH and from NSF, and by grant E-1221 from the R. A. Welch Foundation. Additional support was provided by the State of Texas through the Texas Center for Superconductivity and the Norman Hackerman Advanced Research Program.
Size-dependent modeling and performance enhancement of functionally graded piezoelectric energy harvesters

Functionally graded materials (FGMs) are a unique type of composite in which the material properties vary in one or more directions from one material to another. FGMs are usually composed of a metal and a ceramic. One special type of FGM is known as functionally graded piezoelectric materials (FGPM) which can be utilized for energy-harvesting applications. The FGPM of interest in this work is composed of Platinum and PZT. FGMs of these types are especially suited for energy-harvesting applications because the designer can control their material properties, such as the stiffness and natural frequencies of the energy-harvesting system through changes in the FGM composition and material distribution. The variation of the material properties throughout the thickness of the energy harvester causes a shift in the neutral axis of the system. The resulting shift of the neutral axis must be accounted for to obtain effective energy harvester properties and hence the accurate design of the energy-harvesting system. In this work, the effects of small-scale phenomena on the natural frequencies and power density of macro- to nano-scale functionally graded energy harvesters with beam lengths ranging from 62.5 mm to 6.25 μm are investigated and discussed. The modified couple stress theory is employed to account for micro-rotations within the material. Surface elasticity theory is considered to account for the residual stresses on the surface of the energy harvester. Both small-scale effects depend on the material parameters that vary throughout the thickness of the FGM. It is demonstrated that size-dependent effects have a significant influence on the design and performance of effective micro-/nano-energy harvesters. Couple stress and surface elasticity both cause significant increases in the effective stiffness of energy harvesting systems. Therefore, neglecting these effects may lead to underestimation of the harvester’s natural frequencies resulting in ineffective designs.
Serum-Independent Nonviral Gene Delivery to Innate and Adaptive Immune Cells Using Immunoplexes.

Genetic engineering of innate and adaptive immune cells represents a potential solution to treat numerous immune-mediated pathologies. Current immune engineering methods to introduce nucleic acids ...
Mismeasured and unobserved variables

Abstract This chapter overviews the recent progress towards the identification and the estimation of models in which some of the variables are either imperfectly measured or even entirely unobserved, with a special focus on models with nonlinear, nonparametric, nonclassical or nonseparable features. Starting from the basic treatment of nonlinear models with measurement error assuming a known measurement error distribution or validation data availability, we then turn to the methods relying on more readily available auxiliary variables (such as repeated measurements, instrumental variables or general indicators). These models are then extended to fully nonlinear nonparametric and nonseparable factor models and to general latent (i.e. unobserved) variables models, in which the features of the latent variables are indirectly inferred from their effects on observables. We also identify important connections with related fields, such as nonlinear panel data, limited dependent variables, game theoretic models, dynamic models and set-identification.
The viral protein fragment theory of COVID-19 pathogenesis

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is causing the current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that has killed nearly one million people so far. While this is a respiratory virus, surprisingly, it has been recognized that patients with cardiovascular disease are likely to be affected severely and die of COVID-19. This phenomenon cannot be explained by the generally accepted logic that the SARS-CoV-2 infection/replication is the sole determinant of the actions of the virus to define the fate of host cells. I herein propose the viral protein fragment theory of COVID-19 pathogenesis based on my observations in cultured human vascular cells that SARS-CoV-2 spike protein can activate cell signaling events without the rest of the viral components. It is generally thought that SARS-CoV-2 and other single-stranded RNA viruses attach to the host cells through the interactions between surface proteins of the viral capsid and the host cell receptors; the fusion and the entry of the viral components, resulting in the replication of the viruses; and the host cell responses are the consequence of these events. I hypothesize that, as humans are infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus releases (a) fragment(s) of the spike protein that can target host cells for eliciting cell signaling without the rest of the viral components. Thus, COVID-19 patients are subjected to the intact virus infecting the host cells for the replication and amplification as well as the spike protein fragments that are capable of affecting the host cells. I propose that cell signaling elicited by the spike protein fragments that occur in cardiovascular cells would predispose infected individuals to develop complications that are seen in severe and fatal COVID-19 conditions. If this hypothesis is correct, then the strategies to treat COVID-19 should include, in addition to agents that inhibit the viral replication, therapeutics that inhibit the viral protein fragment-mediated cardiovascular cell signaling.
A consistent and conservative Phase-Field method for multiphase incompressible flows

In the present study, we extend the \textit{consistency of mass conservation} and \textit{consistency of mass and momentum transport} to multiphase flow problems including an arbitrary number of immiscible and incompressible fluid phases. These two consistency conditions physically couple the Phase-Field equation, which locates different phases, to the hydrodynamics, and lead to a momentum equation that is Galilean invariant and compatible with kinetic energy conservation, regardless of the details of the Phase-Field equation. After implementing these two consistency conditions, we further illustrate that the 2nd law of thermodynamics and \textit{consistency of reduction} of the entire multiphase model only rely on the properties of the Phase-Field equation. All the consistency conditions are physically supported by the control volume analysis and mixture theory. Then, the multiphase flow model is completed by selecting a reduction consistent Phase-Field equation. Several new techniques are developed to preserve the physical properties of the model after discretization, including the gradient-based phase selection procedure, the momentum conservative method for the surface force, and the correspondences of numerical operators in the discrete Phase-Field and momentum equations. Equipped with these novel techniques, the scheme is consistent and conservative in the sense that it conserves the mass of each phase and momentum, guarantees the summation of the volume fractions to be unity, and preserves all the consistency conditions, on the fully discrete level and for an arbitrary number of phases. The properties of the scheme are all numerically validated. Numerical applications show that the proposed model and scheme are robust and effective to study complicated multiphase dynamics, especially for those including large-density ratios.
Machine learning approach for predicting under-five mortality determinants in Ethiopia: evidence from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey

There is a dearth of literature on the use of machine learning models to predict important under-five mortality risks in Ethiopia. In this study, we showed spatial variations of under-five mortality and used machine learning models to predict its important sociodemographic determinants in Ethiopia. The study data were drawn from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. We used three machine learning models such as random forests, logistic regression, and K-nearest neighbors as well as one traditional logistic regression model to predict under-five mortality determinants. For each machine learning model, measures of model accuracy and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the predictive power of each model. The descriptive results show that there are considerable regional variations in under-five mortality rates in Ethiopia. The under-five mortality prediction ability was found to be between 46.3 and 67.2% for the models considered, with the random forest model (67.2%) showing the best performance. The best predictive model shows that household size, time to the source of water, breastfeeding status, number of births in the preceding 5 years, sex of a child, birth intervals, antenatal care, birth order, type of water source, and mother’s body mass index play an important role in under-five mortality levels in Ethiopia. The random forest machine learning model produces a better predictive power for estimating under-five mortality risk factors and may help to improve policy decision-making in this regard. Childhood survival chances can be improved considerably by using these important factors to inform relevant policies.
Stability of Multi-Microgrids: New Certificates, Distributed Control, and Braess's Paradox.

This paper investigates the theory of resilience and stability in multi-microgrid networks. We derive new sufficient conditions to guarantee small-signal stability of multi-microgrids in both lossless and lossy networks. The new stability certificate for lossy networks only requires local information, thus leads to a fully distributed control scheme. Moreover, we study the impact of network topology, interface parameters (virtual inertia and damping), and local measurements (voltage magnitude and reactive power) on the stability of the system. The proposed stability certificate suggests the existence of Braess's Paradox in the stability of multi-microgrids, i.e. adding more connections between microgrids could worsen the multi-microgrid system stability as a whole. We also extend the presented analysis to structure-preserving network models, and provide a stability certificate as a function of original network parameters, instead of the Kron reduced network parameters. We provide a detailed numerical study of the proposed certificate, the distributed control scheme, and a coordinated control approach with line switching. The simulation shows the effectiveness of the proposed stability conditions and control schemes in a four-microgrid network, IEEE 33-bus system, and several large-scale synthetic grids.
High temperature dimensional reduction of the MSSM and other multiscalar models in the sin 2 θ W = 0 limit

Using dimensional reduction we construct an effective 3D theory of the minimal supersymmetric standard model in the sin{sup 2}{theta}{sub W}=0 limit at finite temperature. The final effective theory is obtained after three successive stages of integration out of massive particles. We obtain the full one-loop relation between the couplings of the reduced theory and the underlying 4D couplings and masses. The procedure is also applied to a general two Higgs doublet model and the next to minimal supersymmetric standard model. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
A Circularity Assessment for Silicon Solar Panels Based on Dynamic Material Flow Analysis

This paper examines the impacts of design, operational, and end-of-life (EOL) waste pathways’ parameters on material circularity in silicon solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. Dynamic material flow analysis (DMFA) quantifies time-series material flows through systems’ life cycle stages to identify hotspots of waste generation, estimate resource needs in the future, and guide sustainable material management. We introduce a DMFA framework based on U.S. electricity demand for the period 2000-2100 to assess stocks and flows of bulk PV materials (i.e., solar glass and aluminum frames). We apply the model to a range of scenarios to understand how material demands depend on selected PV-related parameters, different material circularity strategies, and recent module design trends (e.g., bifacials, large-format-high power modules). Our results enable advanced planning for future materials needs and provide insight into potential opportunities to minimize material waste.
Learning Curves, Costs, and Practical Considerations

Robotic and conventional laparoscopic technology and applications have penetrated pediatric urology over the last 15 years. Understanding the realities of the ability to learn these technologies, how much they cost, and what information can be disseminated to all fledgling minimally invasive surgeons and programs is vital to ensuring optimal patient outcomes. We provide a synthesis of our experience and observations with analysis from the literature about initiating and maintaining a surgical practice adopting new technology.
Liquid water cloud properties during the Polarimeter Definition Experiment (PODEX)

Abstract We present retrievals of water cloud properties from the measurements made by the Research Scanning Polarimeter (RSP) during the Polarimeter Definition Experiment (PODEX) held between January 14 and February 6, 2013. The RSP was onboard the high-altitude NASA ER-2 aircraft based at NASA Dryden Aircraft Operation Facility in Palmdale, California. The retrieved cloud characteristics include cloud optical thickness, effective radius and variance of cloud droplet size distribution derived using a parameter-fitting technique, as well as the complete droplet size distribution function obtained by means of Rainbow Fourier Transform. Multi-modal size distributions are decomposed into several modes and the respective effective radii and variances are computed. The methodology used to produce the retrieval dataset is illustrated on the examples of a marine stratocumulus deck off California coast and stratus/fog over California's Central Valley. In the latter case the observed bimodal droplet size distributions were attributed to two-layer cloud structure. All retrieval data are available online from NASA GISS website.
All hands on deck : Navigating the political waters of off-campus library programs

Abstract Libraries are immersed in politics, from the “office politics” that take place within libraries to the “real” politics associated with local, state, and federal jurisdictions and mandates affecting libraries. Off-campus library programs include not just those politics associated with libraries but by their very nature extend into deeper political waters that are critical to their establishment and success. This paper examines the political shoals, currents, and rip tides associated with offcampus library programs and suggests that awareness and involvement are key ways to avoid running aground.
Sediment transport and topographic evolution of a coupled river and river plume system: An experimental and numerical study

Sediment transfer from rivers to the ocean is the fundamental driver of continental sedimentation with implications for carbon burial, land use dynamics, and unraveling global climate change and Earth history from sedimentary strata. Coastal rivers are dynamically coupled to their offshore plumes at the river mouth creating regions of nonuniform flow that can dictate patterns of erosion and deposition both onshore and offshore. However, there are limited experimental and modeling studies on sediment transport and morphodynamics of coupled river and river plume systems and their response to multiple flood events. To address this knowledge gap, we developed a quasi-2-D, morphodynamic numerical model and conducted exploratory flume experiments in a 7.5 m long flume where a 10 cm wide river channel was connected to a 76 cm wide “ocean basin.” Both the numerical model and the flume results demonstrate that (1) during low-discharge flows, backwater hydrodynamics cause spatial-flow deceleration and deposition in the river channel and the offshore plume area, and (2) during high flows the water surface is drawn down to sea level, resulting in spatial-flow acceleration and bed scour. During high-discharge flows, we also found that the offshore river plume self-channelized owing to both levee formation and bed scour. Our study suggests that coastal rivers may be in a perpetual state of morphodynamic adjustment and highlights the need to link rivers and river plumes under a suite of flow discharges to accurately predict fluvio-deltaic morphodynamics and connectivity between fluvial sediment sources and marine sinks.
Conditional liver-specific expression of simian virus 40 T antigen leads to regulatable development of hepatic neoplasm in transgenic mice.

Abstract Adaptive epigenetic changes and toxicity often accompany constitutive expression of a transgene or knockout of an endogenous gene in mice. These considerations potentially limit the usefulness of transgenic technology in studying the in vivofunctions of a gene. Using conditional gene expression technology, it is possible to override such restrictions to achieve temporal and tissue-specific manipulation of gene expression in vivo. Based on the tetracycline regulatory system, we established a binary transgenic model in which the conditional expression of two transgenes, SV40 T antigen (TAg) and lacZ, can be tightly regulated in the liver by administration of tetracycline. The mouse albumin or mouse major urinary protein promoter was used to achieve liver-specific expression of the tetracycline-responsive transcriptional activator (tTA) in one set of transgenic mice. These mice were crossed with transgenic mice carrying either TAg orlacZ under the control of the tTA-regulated promoter. Analyses of mice transgenic for both tTA and TAg (or lacZ) revealed that the liver-specific expression of the transgenes could be suppressed to undetectable levels and regulated in a reversible fashion by tetracycline administration and withdrawal. Mice with tTA and TAg transgenes developed hepatocellular adenomas and hyperplasia that could be prevented by continuous tetracycline administration. Our report demonstrates the value of this binary transgenic model in studying the physiological functions of any potential genes of interest in a liver-specific manner.
Unexpected Complexity of Poly(A)-Binding Protein Gene Families in Flowering Plants: Three Conserved Lineages That Are at Least 200 Million Years Old and Possible Auto- and Cross-Regulation

Eukaryotic poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) is a ubiquitous, essential factor involved in mRNA biogenesis, translation, and turnover. Most eukaryotes examined have only one or a few PABPs. In contrast, eight expressed PABP genes are present in Arabidopsis thaliana . These genes fall into three distinct classes, based on highly concordant results of (i) phylogenetic analysis of the amino acid sequences of the encoded proteins, (ii) analysis of the intron number and placement, and (iii) surveys of gene expression patterns. Representatives of each of the three classes also exist in the rice genome, suggesting that the diversification of the plant PABP genes has occurred prior to the split of monocots and dicots ≥200 MYA. Experiments with the recombinant PAB3 protein suggest the possibility of a negative feedback regulation, as well as of cross-regulation between the Arabidopsis PABPs that belong to different classes but are simultaneously expressed in the same cell type. Such a high complexity of the plant PABPs might enable a very fine regulation of organismal growth and development at the post-transcriptional level, compared with PABPs of other eukaryotes.
Contribution of transportation investments to county output

Abstract The impact of highway investments on economic development is investigated. Spatial and temporal aspects of transportation investments are studied by analyzing lagged and spillover effects, and the contribution of past output levels to the current output using a dynamic model. County level data from 1990–2000, in New York/New Jersey metropolitan area is used. Results show that the spillover effects decrease with distance from the investment location, that there is a positive time lag effect between the time the investment is made and its impact on output, and that the current level of output depends heavily on past levels.
Introduction of a third meso substituent into 5,10-diaryl chlorins and oxochlorins.

Chlorins/oxochlorins bearing distinct patterns of substituents are valuable compounds in bioorganic and materials chemistry. Treatment of a 5,10-diaryl-substituted chlorin or oxochlorin with TFA-d1 resulted in selective deuteriation of the remaining meso positions (15, 20) rather than any of the β-pyrrolic positions. Electrophilic iodination or bromination of a 5,10-diaryl-substituted chlorin proceeded with high regioselectivity, affording the 5,10-diaryl-15-halo-substituted chlorin. Iodination or bromination of a free base 5,10-diaryloxochlorin gave a mixture of products arising through halogenation at the 15-, 20-, and β-pyrrolic positions, while bromination of a zinc 5,10-diaryloxochlorin selectively gave the 5,10-diaryl-20-bromo-substituted oxochlorin. The Suzuki coupling reaction of a phenyl boronic acid derivative and a 5,10-diaryl-15-iodooxochlorin or 5,10-diaryl-20-bromooxochlorin gave the corresponding 5,10,15- or 5,10,20-triaryloxochlorin. The introduction of a third aryl substituent into the ch...
Creep-rupture behavior of 3Cr–3W–V bainitic steels

Abstract A nominally Fe–3.0Cr–3.0W–0.25 V (3Cr–3WV) steel and this composition with 0.07% Ta (3Cr–3WVTa) were developed for elevated-temperature service in the power-generation and petrochemical industries. Creep-rupture strengths of the new steels to 600 °C exceeded those of the two advanced commercial 2.25Cr steels T23 (Fe–2.25Cr–1.6W–0.25V–0.05Nb–0.07C) and T24 (Fe–2.25Cr–1.0Mo–0.25V–0.07Ti–0.005B–0.07C). Moreover, the strength of 3Cr–3WVTa approached that of modified 9Cr–1Mo (T91) at 650 °C. Elevated-temperature strength in the new steels is obtained from a bainitic microstructure with a high number density of fine needle-like MX precipitates in the matrix. The presence of tantalum promotes a finer MX precipitate in the 3Cr–3WVTa than in the 3Cr–3WV, and it suppresses the coarsening of these fine precipitates during creep.
Influence of Various Insecticides on Yield Parameters of Two Cotton Genotypes

Yield parameters (insect control, lint yield, lint percentage, and micronaire) of 2 cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., genotypes (‘Coker 310’, an adapted cultivar, and an insect nonpreferred strain, OFNRS = okra leaf, frego bract, nectariless, and red stem) varied according to different insecticide spray programs. Insecticides included organophosphates, pyrethroids, organophosphate: pyrethroid combinations, and an experimental molt inhibiting insecticide. Bollworms, Heliothis spp., and the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, were reduced in the OFNRS genotype and yield was significantly higher than Coker 310 during an intense infestation when chemical control was poor. Of 14 insecticide treatments tested, combinations of certain pyrethroids with methyl parathion had greatest efficacy and yield of seed cotton. Fiber properties were influenced by insecticide treatment and date of initial spray application.
A picture archiving and communication system module for radiology

Abstract This paper presents the design and implementation of a clinical picture archiving and communication system (PACS) module within the radiology department of a 700-bed teaching hospital. The system is composed of an integrated network of digital devices used to electronically acquire, store, manage, and display radiological text and image information. Operationally the system behaves as a large queueing network allowing processes to operate concurrently in a coordinated and prioritized fashion. Secondary reviews (radiology conferences and fast case reviews by clinicians) are being conducted from a 512 × 512 CRT viewing station. Preliminary evaluation based on formal survey and usage statistics shows that the system is rapidly being accepted by radiologists and clinicians for the review and processing of digital radiographic images.
Population structure in a south-eastern US freshwater fish, Heterandria formosa. II. Gene flow and biogeography within the St. Johns River drainage

A previous study of gene flow in Heterandria formosa, the least killifish, suggested that populations on the Florida peninsula may be close to equilibrium for migration and genetic drift, but the high average value of Nem calls that conclusion into question. In this study I examine patterns of gene flow at a fine scale within the St. Johns River drainage to test the predictions that (i) Nem within a drainage should be equal or greater than that among drainages, and (ii) gene flow within a drainage should approximate a one-dimensional stepping-stone system at equilibrium. I used four isozyme systems (six loci) that were polymorphic in the previous study to characterize population structure and gene flow. Nem within each river was equal to or greater than the average value reported in the previous study, which strengthens the equilibrium interpretation of the species-wide results. However, the results showed no isolation by distance within two forks of the St. Johns drainage (the upper St. Johns and the Ocklawaha rivers), but significant differentiation between the two forks. This result has two implications: (i) that populations within each river are not at equilibrium; and (ii) that there was a historical barrier to migration between the two forks. There were substantial differences among loci, but an (appropriate) application of Lewontin and Krakauer's test revealed no evidence that locus-specific forces led to a violation of the assumption of neutrality.
Comparison of detectors used in measurement of 10 to 300 keV X-ray spectra

Abstract X-ray spectral measurements in the energy range 10 to 300 keV were made using four detectors (sodium iodide crystal, germanium and silicon semiconductors, and xenon proportional counter). The measured spectra are compared. The resolution of each detector was measured and its effect on the continuum and on the characteristic L and K lines of the target is discussed. The results of Monte Carlo calculations of photopeak efficiency, escape peak losses, and the Compton distribution for each detector are presented. The distortion of incident monoenergetic lines is shown for each type of detector. The region of usefulness of each detector is discussed and an iterative method which utilizes all four types of detectors to deduce the true incident spectrum is described.
Last Word on Point:Counterpoint: Hypoxia is/is not the optimal means of reducing pulmonary blood flow in the preoperative single ventricle heart

to the editor: We thank those who provided commentary on this debate for their insightful remarks ([2][1], [7][2]). Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has been at the forefront in the study and use of various gas mixtures to manipulate pulmonary vascular resistance in the preoperative single
Computerized series solution of relativistic equations of motion.

A method of solution of the equations of planetary motion is described. It consists of the use of numerical general perturbations in orbital elements and in rectangular coordinates. The solution is expanded in Fourier series in the mean anomaly with the aid of harmonic analysis and computerized series manipulation techniques. A detailed application to the relativistic motion of the planet Mercury is described both for Schwarzschild and isotropic coordinates.
Unexpected MRI findings in clinically suspected Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.

In the setting of clinically suspected Legg-Calve-Perthes (LCP) disease and negative/equivocal radiographs, contrast-enhanced MRI can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. To determine the frequency of unexpected causes of hip pain as identified by MRI in children with clinically suspected LCP disease and negative/equivocal radiographs. All pediatric contrast-enhanced MRI examinations of the pelvis and hips performed between January 2000 and February 2009 to evaluate for possible LCP disease in the setting of negative/equivocal radiographs were identified. MRI examinations performed to evaluate for secondary avascular necrosis were excluded. Imaging reports were retrospectively reviewed for unexpected clinically important causes of hip pain. Thirty-six pediatric patients underwent contrast-enhanced MRI examinations for clinically suspected LCP disease in the setting of negative/equivocal radiographs. Twenty-two (61%) imaging studies were normal, while four (11%) imaging studies demonstrated findings consistent with LCP disease. Ten (28%) imaging studies revealed unexpected clinically important causes of hip pain, including nonspecific unilateral joint effusion and synovitis (n = 7, juvenile chronic arthritis was eventually diagnosed in 3 patients), sacral fracture (n = 1), apophyseal injury (n = 1), and femoral head subluxation (n = 1). MRI frequently reveals unexpected clinically important causes of hip pain in children with suspected LCP disease and negative/equivocal radiographs.
The implications of information and communication technology use for the social well-being of older adults

Older adults, comprising a population segment more vulnerable to social isolation during the late life stages, are more likely to be excluded from the benefits of information and communication technologies (ICTs) as well as from the focus of ICT research. Addressing this research gap concerning the currently fastest growing sector of ICT users this study centers on the disparities regarding older adults’ ICT access and use. Because the effects of ICTs cannot be uniform for all users, the digital inequalities older adults experience might have different influences on their social lives when compared to other populations that have been studied in the previous literature. Drawing on surveys from 1780 older adults, ages 60 years and older, residing in six suburbs in the Chicago area, this research links older adults’ digital inequalities to their social well-being. We demonstrate that while socio-economic status remains the major factor affecting their quality of life, social and instrumental ICT uses can als...
On Application of the Weak Galerkin Finite Element Method to a Two-Phase Model for Subsurface Flow

This paper presents studies on applying the novel weak Galerkin finite element method (WGFEM) to a two-phase model for subsurface flow, which couples the Darcy equation for pressure and a transport equation for saturation in a nonlinear manner. The coupled problem is solved in the framework of operator decomposition. Specifically, the Darcy equation is solved by the WGFEM, whereas the saturation is solved by a finite volume method. The numerical velocity obtained from solving the Darcy equation by the WGFEM is locally conservative and has continuous normal components across element interfaces. This ensures accuracy and robustness of the finite volume solver for the saturation equation. Numerical experiments on benchmarks demonstrate that the combined methods can handle very well two-phase flow problems in high-contrast heterogeneous porous media.
Multiple interprofessional education activities delivered longitudinally within a required clinical assessment course.

Objective. To determine if the incorporation of multiple interprofessional educational (IPE) activities delivered as a longitudinal curriculum within a required clinical assessment course changed pharmacy students’ perceptions regarding interprofessional collaboration. Design. Seventy-one third-year pharmacy students participated in Clinical Assessment, a required applications-based course with a laboratory component. Nine separate IPE activities were embedded into the course longitudinally over the semester using various active-learning strategies and simulated patients. The IPE activities required student participation from medical, nursing, and physician assistant students. Assessment. Pharmacy students completed an 18-item validated survey instrument, the Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS), on the first (pre-survey) and last (post-survey) day of the course. After completing the course, scores improved on 16 of 18 survey items that measured pharmacy students’ perceptions of interprofessional collaboration. Conclusion. Incorporating multiple IPE activities longitudinally into a required clinical assessment course significantly changed pharmacy students’ perceptions of interprofessional collaboration.