cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pristine presolar silicon carbide

We report the results of a study of 81 micrometer-sized presolar SiC grains in the size range 0.5-2.6 m from the Murchison (CM2) carbonaceous chondrite. We describe a simple, nondestructive physical disaggregation technique used to isolate the grains while preserving them in their pristine state, as well as the scanning electron microscopy energy-dispersive X-ray mapping procedure used to locate them. Nine-tenths of the pristine SiCs are bounded by one or more planar surfaces consistent with cubic (3C polytype) crystal faces based on manifest symmetry elements. In addition, multiple polygonal depressions (generally 100 nm deep) are observed in more than half of these crystal faces, and these possess symmetries consistent with the structure of the 3C polytype of SiC. By comparison of these features with the surface features present on heavily etched presolar SiC grains from Murchison separate KJG, we show that the polygonal depressions on pristine grains are likely primary growth features. The etched SiCs have high densities of surface pits, in addition to polygonal depressions. If these pits are etched linear defects in the SiC, then defect densities are quite high (as much as 10 8 -10 9 /cm 2 ), about 10 3 -10 4 times higher than in typical synthetic SiCs. The polygonal depressions on crystal faces of pristine grains, as well as the high defect densities, indicate rapid formation of presolar SiC. No other primary minerals are observed to be intergrown with or overgrown on the pristine SiCs, so the presence of overgrowths of other minerals cannot be invoked to account for the survival of presolar SiC in the solar nebula. We take the absence of other primary condensates to indicate that further growth or back-reaction with the gas became kinetically inhibited as the gas-phase densities in the expanding asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stellar atmospheres (in which most of the grains condensed) became too low. However, we did observe an oxygen peak in the X-ray spectra of most pristine grains, implying silica coatings of as much as several tens of nm thickness, perhaps due to oxidation of the SiC in the solar nebula. We see little or no evidence on the pristine grains of the surface sputtering or cratering that are predicted theoretically to occur in the interstellar medium (ISM) due to supernova shocks. A possible implication is that the grains may have been protected during their residence in the ISM by surface coatings, including simple ices. Residues of such coatings may indeed be present on some pristine SiCs, because many (60%) are coated with an apparently amorphous, possibly organic phase. However, at present we do not have sufficient data on the coatings to draw secure inferences as to their nature or origin. A few irregular pristine SiCs, either fragments produced by regolith gardening on the Murchison parent body or by grain- grain collisions in the ISM, were also observed. Copyright © 2003 Elsevier Ltd
A quantitative study of the volume changes resulting from pressure-induced unfolding of m-phenylene ethynylene foldamers in solid PMMA and PtBMA☆

Abstract We have measured the change of the equilibrium constant with pressure for four foldamers of m -phenylene ethynylene. From the change in ln K over short pressure intervals, we have extracted the change in partial molar volume vs pressure in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polytertbutylmethacrylate (PtBMA). For a given foldamer the ratio of Δ V ′ in the two media is larger for shorter oligomers. The effect of replacing hydrogen by CH 3 in the foldamer is greater in PMMA than in PtBMA. In a given medium, the Δ V ′ per monomer unit is essentially independent of the chain length.
Change in the decomposition mode of 1-propanamine due to the presence of cations in MFI zeolite

The adsorption and thermal analysis of 1-propanamine has been compared over MFI zeolites which contain H, Ga, and In cations. In the case of H+-containing materials, NH3 and propene are simultaneously desorbed above 600 K. This behavior, is well known and characteristic of the Hofmann elimination reaction. However, a distinctly different mode of reaction is observed in the case of Ga and In containing materials. NH3 is released below 600 K, propene and other products are released above 600 K, and a stable residue remains above 800 K. It is suggested that such behavior results from Lewis acid interactions of Ga or In cations with propanamine.
Ulnar Neuropathy of the Elbow

Ulnar nerve entrapment is the second most common compressive neuropathy in the upper extremity because of its anatomy and superficial location. Major aetiological factors in the development of ulnar neuropathy of the elbow are compression, inherent anatomical structures, or lesions within the cubital tunnel. Extrinsic nerve compression may be elicited by acute or recurrent trauma. Nerve mobility may be impeded by congenital deformities. Ulnar nerve dysfunction has been associated with metabolic conditions, certain occupations and athletes involved in repetitive overhead activities. Ulnar nerve injuries may result in both motor and sensory abnormalities. Common symptoms include point tenderness, digital numbness and hand weakness. Evaluation of suspected neuropathy includes physical inspection for muscle atrophy, bony or muscle hypertrophy, deformities, digital clawing and a radiographic examination. Clinical techniques include the elbow flexion test, strength testing of hand intrinsics, flexor carpi ulnaris and digitorum profundus, and Tinel's sign. Sensory testing and McGowan's grading system may confirm the diagnosis and prognosis. Treatment options range from conservative (i.e. rest, splinting, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ice and abstinence) to radical surgical intervention (i.e. decompression, medical epicondylectomy and anterior transposition). In the throwing sport athlete, nerve involvement typically occurs along with other medical elbow problems.
Integrating Content Knowledge-Building and Student-Regulated Comprehension Practices in Secondary English Language Arts Classes

AbstractIn this experimental study we examined the effects of integrating teacher-directed knowledge-building and student-regulated comprehension practices in 7th- to 10th-grade English language arts classes. We also investigated the effect of instructional quality and whether integrating practices differentially benefitted students with lower entry-level reading comprehension. The study was conducted in 6 schools, involving 17 teachers and 921 students. Teachers’ English language arts classes were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 36) or typical practice comparison (n = 29) conditions, and all teachers taught in both conditions. Students in both conditions grew significantly from pretest to posttest on proximal measures of narrative (ES =.09) and expository comprehension (ES =.22), as well as a standardized distal comprehension measure (ES =.46); however, no statistically significant between-group differences were found. Although intervention fidelity did not significantly influence outcomes, observ...
MAKING THE GRADE IN THE PRISON YARD: WHO TAKES ADVANTAGE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING WHILE INCARCERATED?

ABSTRACT Although a multitude of research has focused on the relationship between prison education programming and recidivism, limited research has been devoted to developing and understanding the self-selection process inherent in prison education. This article begins to explain why some inmates participate in prison education and others do not. Analyses rely on a series of logistic regression models constructed by using a representative sample of the U.S. state prison population (Survey of Inmates in State Correctional Facilities 1997) to predict inmate participation in educational programming. Participation in education centers on inmate behaviors during incarceration. Demographic factors and inmate associations with secondary organizations that promote educational pursuits (prior to their current incarceration), however, do not substantially distinguish these two categories of inmates. Suggestions are made on how to motivate inmates to participate in educational programming during incarceration.
Automatic recognition of title page names

Abstract The general question addressed by the study concerns the feasibility of developing automatic name recognition algorithms to distinguish character strings representing names from other character strings occurring on English language title pages. To answer the question, two name recognition algorithms were tested: one to recognize personal names and the other corporate names. The algorithms involved matching title page names with names in authority files and identifying postname markers. The success rates for the corporate and personal name algorithms were 85.8% and 84.5%, respectively, with a precision rate of 89.3% for the latter. The corporate name algorithm worked significantly better for public as opposed to university library data. The personal name algorithm worked significantly better for names deemed to be useful access points in retrieval. The personal name algorithm, further, resulted in significantly higher precision for the public library data, as well as for names that were useful access points. It is anticipated that the algorithms could be even more nearly perfected by increasing the number of names in the authority files, especially names of publishers, colleges, and universities. The findings offer cautious promise for alleviating some of the labor intensive work of cataloging by providing a means for automatically recognizing names on title pages.
Biochemistry of articular cartilage in health and disease.

Articular cartilage covers the ends of long bones in synovial joints, providing smooth articulation and cushioning of the underlying bone during joint movement. The tissue can be viewed as a viscoelastic, composite material composed of collagen type II (and smaller amounts of other collagens) entrapping compressed (underhydrated) proteoglycan aggregates which generate a high osmotic/swelling pressure. This abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) is synthesized and turned over by relatively few cells, the chondrocytes. These cells produce a compartmentalized ECM, the components of which are heterogeneous and vary with anatomical location. They also undergo changes with age and altered functional requirements. Articular cartilage contains no separating basement membranes, nerves, lymphatics, or blood vessels. Access to nutrients and elimination of waste products occur via diffusion through the extracellular matrix. The turnover of collagen is much slower than that of proteoglycans. Products of the metabolic turnover of the matrix macromolecules are released continuously into the synovial cavity and ultimately reach the blood circulation where they can be measured as “markers” of metabolic changes.
Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and salmon: genetics presents hard numbers for elucidating predator-prey dynamics

We used a PCR-based species test and microsatellite genotyping to determine salmonid species composition and quantity of Chinook among Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) prey. Tests were applied to DNA extracted from all salmonid bones recovered from scat (fecal) samples. Condition of bone samples and quantity of DNA varied substantially. Although DNA extraction and species identification was only successful for just over half of the bone samples, 93% of all scat samples had bones that were identified to species. Most often only a single salmonid prey species was evident within a scat sample (39% exclusively coho and 46% exclusively Chinook) but 13% contained bones from more than one species of salmonid. For scat samples that contained Chinook bones, 68% had skeletal remains from the same fish and 32% had bones from more than one individual Chinook, varying in number from two to four individuals per scat. In one case, bones from one individual Chinook were recovered in three different scat samples.
Consistency of magnitude estimations with conceptual data dimensions used for sonification

In two experiments listeners assessed how sounds represented data, as might be used in sonification. In Experiment 1, 209 undergraduates used magnitude estimation to define the relationship between three sound attributes (frequency, tempo, modulation index) and 10 data dimensions (size, temperature, pressure, velocity, number of dollars, urgency, proximity, attractiveness, danger, mass). Polarities and slopes (i.e. power function exponents) are reported and compared to predictions from the literature. In Experiment 2, 226 new participants demonstrated polarities and slopes are stable across a direct replication. Results show that listener expectations depend on both sound and data dimensions in use. While there are some unanimous expectations across listeners, there are also differences due to different mental models formed by participants, which may relate to listening experience. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantifying porewater exchange across the sediment‐water interface in the deep sea with in situ tracer studies

A numerical model of NaBr tracer transport in benthic flux chamber incubations has been developed to simulate temporal changes in chamber water tracer concentrations and applied to four deep sea locations: the California and North Carolina margins, the Ceara rise, and the Cape Verde plateau. Model variables include the chamber volume (which determines the initial tracer concentration), and rates of diffusive and nonlocal exchange across the sediment-water interface. Chamber volume and solute exchange rate estimates were obtained by optimizing the fit between observations and model results using a χ2 statistical scheme. We observe enhanced solute exchange in regions with high organic carbon rain rates, over a wide range of bottom water oxygen concentrations. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that solute exchange rates cannot be assumed constant, even within relatively short deployments. In six of 22 cases, chamber volumes and corresponding benthic solute fluxes derived from model fits were more than 20% greater than values calculated using linear extrapolations of chamber tracer concentration-time relationships. To avoid this discrepancy, future benthic chamber studies should seek to minimize the time interval between tracer injection and sampling while maintaining sufficient time to achieve complete homogenization of the tracer in the chamber waters.
A correlated poisson distribution for correlated events

In this paper we introduce a correlated Poisson distribution (CPD) that incorporates possible nonzero correlation between successive events. The CPD is a two-parameter distribution that reduces to the usual Poission distribution in the case of zero correlation between successive events. Computational experimentation with various data show the usefulness of the CPD in modelling such correlated data.
The infra-red spectrum of water

The Lambert absorption coefficient of water has been measured in the far infra-red spectral region 800 to 50 cm-1. The results, along with earlier measurements in the near infra-red, provide values of the imaginary part k of the refractive index over the spectral range 4400 to 50 cm-1. Kramers-Kronig techniques have been used to obtain values of the corresponding real part n of the refractive index over this spectral range. The values of these constants provide a complete quantitative description of the optical properties of water in the infra-red.
Electron density fluctuations in the equatorial mesosphere: Neutral Turbulence or plasma instabilities?

Electron density fluctuations were measured with rocket borne nose-tip probes launched on August 19, 1994 at 12:08 LT and August 24, 1994 at 10:39 LT from Alcântara, Brazil (2.3°S, 44.4°W) during the MALTED/Guara campaign. The spectral analysis of the fluctuations shows evidence for neutral turbulence in the region of 85 to 90 km for both flights. Falling spheres launched 44 and 13 minutes prior to the main payloads indicate superadiabatic lapse rates in this height region. Also for the two flights, the electron density fluctuations between 90 and 110 km are dominated by the equatorial electrojet which has been observed simultaneously by the 50-MHz CUPRI VHF radar. The in situ data show significant plasma irregularities associated with the electrojet at altitudes well below those that return detectable radar echoes, and where they can interfere with the fluctuations attributed to neutral turbulence.
An individual difference model for the multidimensional analysis of preference data

A model for the analysis of paired comparison data is presented which combines features of the BTL-model with features of the Unfolding model. The model is metric, mathematically tractable, and has an exact algebraic solution. Since it is multidimensional and allows for individual differences, it is thought to be more realistic for some choice situations than either the Thurstone model or the BTL-model. No claim is made that the present model will be appropriate for all conceivable choice situations. Rather, it is argued that the fact that it is explicitly falsifiable is a point in its favor.
Synthesis of a C1−C21 Subunit of the Protein Phosphatase Inhibitor Tautomycin: A Formal Total Synthesis

The synthesis of a C1−C21 subunit of tautomycin is described. The convergent route employs enantioenriched allenylstannane and zinc reagents derived from (S)-3-butyn-2-ol methanesulfonate. These reagents react with appropriate aldehyde segments to yield syn and anti adducts with high diastereoselectivity. The derived lithioalkynes are joined stepwise to a CO equivalent, (MeONMe)2CO, to afford an intermediate ketone which is converted to the core spiroketal moiety of tautomycin upon acid treatment. Chain elongation by another addition of the aforementioned allenylzinc reagent to a spiroketal aldehyde proceeds with high diastereoselectivity to install the remaining stereocenters. The resulting homopropargylic alcohol adduct is converted to a methyl ketone through intramolecular hydrosilylation of the alkyne and Tamao oxidation of the derived five-membered siloxane. This ketone proved identical to an intermediate employed by Chamberlin in a prior total synthesis of tautomycin.
Human periodontal ligament in vitro: cell culture passage effect on collagen gel contraction.

Fibroblasts seeded within a lattice of a Type I collagen gel will exert tension on collagen fibrils and eventually contract the gel, forming a three-dimensional network. Using adult human tissue, the ability of PDL fibroblasts (HPDL) and human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) to contract collagen gels was compared. All cells were grown in monolayer and cell passage was performed as confluency was reached. Gel diameter was measured for a 10-d period after seeding the cells in the matrix. At d 1 through 10, the HGF contracted the gel to a greater extent than the HPDL. HPDL did not contract at a significantly different rate than fibroblasts derived from human sclera or human foreskin. When early passage HPDL and HGF were compared, the early passage HPDL cells contracted gels at a significantly reduced rate. The early passage HPDL cells demonstrated a large population of cells that did not display a normal extension of pseudopodia. However, the late passage HPDL gels contained a majority of cells displaying a normal cellular process extension, suggesting a heterogeneity of the cell population. This data supports the hypothesis that the cell culture monolayer environment may alter the functional characteristics of the HPDL, possibly by selecting against a subpopulation of cells which is present in primary culture and in vivo.
Performance of the Intel iPSC/860 and Ncube 6400 hypercubes

The performance of the Intel iPSC/860 hypercube and the Ncube 6400 hypercube are compared with earlier hypercubes from Intel and Ncube. Computation and communication performance for a number of low-level benchmarks are presented for the Intel iPSC/1, iPSC/2, and iPSC/860 and for the Ncube 3200 and 6400. File I/O performance of the iPSC/860 and Ncube 6400 are compared.
Thin Film Non-Noble Transition Metal Thermophysical Properties

The transient thermoreflectance (TTR) technique coupled with a pump-probe experimental setup enables the observation of thermal transport phenomena on a sub-picosecond time scale. The reflectance from non-noble transition metals (at least one unoccupied d-orbital in the conduction band) can be shown to have a linear dependence when compared to small changes in the electron and lattice temperatures. This thermal dependence can be combined with the parabolic two step (PTS) model to enable measurement of the electron-phonon coupling factor and thermal conductivity of thin film materials. Experimental results are presented for thin film samples of the non-noble transition metals platinum and nickel. Results are presented using laser wavelengths ranging from 740 nm to 805 nm and using a range of laser fluences (ranging from ∼0.35 to 2 J/m2). Over this range of wavelengths and fluences the material properties are shown to be independent of the measurement conditions.
Type specimens of vascular plants in the T. G. Yuncker herbarium of Depauw university (DPU), now deposited at the New York botanical garden (NY)

A list of 226 vascular plant type specimens, representing 220 basionyms, found during the incorporation of the DePauw University Herbarium (DPU) into the New York Botanical Garden Herbarium (NY), is presented. Included are the types from Truman G. Yuncker's numerous expeditions to Honduras and the South Pacific. Lists of the types found in the Piperaceae, Cuscutaceae, and cryptogamic collections are being published elsewhere or have already appeared.
Intra- and inter-population variability and evaluation of the physical development of a young generation.

This study is concerned with long-term anthropometric examinations of children and adolescents aged 3–17 years in Moscow (over 10,500 persons, longitudinal and cross-sectional). Population variability of physical development was analyzed by means of regional estimation tables, which were developed on the basis of a regression analysis (scale of the regression of body mass to body length within a range from M−1σR to M+2σR) and used for individual and group diagnostics taking into account age and sex. Such an approach allowed for the determination of the dynamics of the variability of Moscow schoolchildren from decade to decade (inter-population variability) and variations due to social differences (intra-population variability).
THE STRATEGIC VALUE OF PRICE STRUCTURE

All pricing strategies are composed of two elements: price structures and price levels. Price levels are the actual dollar prices that are set within the structure. But managers who merely set price levels rather than explicit price structures for their products deprive themselves of a valuable strategic tool.
Erratum to: The Evil of Death: A Reply to Yi

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. There were two slight text errors. The correct text information are given below. In the second line of the last paragraph in section "Reply to Yi" right before the "Conclusion", the text should read as: “atypical or, as Yi suggests, are more typical than we appear to suppose”. and In the middle of the same paragraph, the text should read as: “...Note that a proponent of the Brueckner/Fischer approach can accept that it would be rational to regret late birth somewhat, if it really were true that Learning Japanese represents the typical case.” Philosophia (2014) 42:1169 DOI 10.1007/s11406-014-9571-5
Determination of adenosylhomocysteine in urine of immunodeficient children.

Abstract A sensitive anion exchange separative procedure is described for the determination of adenosylhomocysteine in urine. Anionic components of the urine are first removed at a pH of 5 on a short anion exchange column, formate form. The column wash is then adjusted to pH 10 and applied to a longer anion exchange column, bicarbonate form. Elution is carried out with a sodium chloride gradient with the eluant solution containing 0.01 m sodium bicarbonate and 0.01 m sodium tetraborate. Adenosylhomocysteine forms a borate complex, giving an additional negative charge, and the separation of adenosylhomocysteine from adenine is enhanced. Adenine and adenosylhomocysteine in eluant fractions are detected after conversion to the fluorescent etheno derivatives. Using this assay procedure, we have analyzed urine specimens from seven children with severe combined immunodeficiency diseases and from three children with milder immunodeficiency disorders. Three of the children with severe combined immunodeficiency had excretion levels of adenosylhomocysteine (0.6–1.8 nmole/μmole creatinine) that were more than three standard deviations above the excretion levels noted for normal children (0.14 ± 0.07 nmole/μmole creatinine). The possible significance of these findings is discussed.
Development of phase shift masks for extreme ultraviolet lithography and optical evaluation of phase shift materials

Phase Shift Masks (PSM) for Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography (EUVL) have the potential for extending the lithographic capability of EUVL beyond the 32-nm node. The concept of EUV PSM structures can be implemented either by adding absorber structures on top of the Mo/Si multilayers (additive approach) or by partial etching into the multilayers (subtractive approach). Among many technical challenges, evaluating optical constants of absorber materials is the most important issue particularly for PSM by the additive approach (PSM-ADD), while the etch stop capability and the etch selectivity with vertical sidewall profile are the main technical challenges for PSM fabricated by the subtractive method (PSM-SUB). For fast turn around of PSM development, the indirect optical constant evaluation through material analysis is a useful metrology technique. The optical constant of TaSiN extracted from Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS) data agrees well with that obtained from the direct measurement by transmission interferometric technique. For PSM-SUB, the concept of embedding B4C and NiFe etch stop layer (ESL) is verified by measuring reflectivity of the ESL embedded substrates and demonstrating good etch stop capability.
Thermo-fluid analysis of micro pin-fin array cooling configurations for high heat fluxes with a hot spot

Abstract Effect of micro pin-fin shapes on cooling of high heat flux electronic chips with a single hot spot was investigated numerically. Hydrothermal performances of different micro pin-fin shapes were evaluated. Circular shape, hydrofoil shape, modified hydrofoil shape, and symmetric convex shape were the cross section shapes used for micro pin-fins. All cooling configurations had the same staggered arrangements for micro pin-fins. An electronic chip with a 2.45 × 2.45 mm footprint having a hot spot of 0.5 × 0.5 mm at its centre was used for simulations. Uniform heat flux of 2000 W cm−2 was applied at the hot spot. The rest of the chip was exposed to 1000 W cm−2 uniform heat load. The cross section area of the circular shape and hydrofoil shape micro pin-fins was kept the same to have a fair comparison. Convex and hydrofoil shape designs showed significant reduction in the required pumping power as well as the maximum required pressure. In the last case, the height of micro pin-fins was increased from 200 μm to 400 μm to remove 100% of the total heat load via convection, and at the same time keep the maximum temperatures within an acceptable range.
Machine vision algorithm generation using human visual models

The design of robust machine vision algorithms is one of the most difficult parts of developing and integrating automated systems. Historically, most of the techniques have been developed using ad hoc methodologies. This problem is more severe in the area of natural/biological products. In this arena, it has been difficult to capture and model the natural variability to be expected in the products. This present difficulty in performing quality and process control in the meat, fruit and vegetable industries. While some systems have been introduced, they do not adequately address the wide range of needs. This paper will propose an algorithm development technique that utilizes modes of the human visual system. It will address that subset of problems that humans perform well, but have proven difficult to automate with the standard machine vision techniques. The basis of the technique evaluation will be the Georgia Tech Vision model. This approach demonstrates a high level of accuracy in its ability to solve difficult problems. This paper will present the approach, the result, and possibilities for implementation.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Convergence rates for intermediate problems

Convergence rate estimates are derived for a variant of Aronszajn-type intermediate problems that is both computationally feasible and known to be convergent for problems with nontrivial essential spectrum. Implementation of these derived bounds is discussed in general and illustrated on differential eigenvalue problems. Convergence rates are derived for the commonly used method of simple truncation.
Mechanism elucidation for nonstochastic femtosecond laser-induced ionization/dissociation: from amino acids to peptides.

Femtosecond laser-induced ionization/dissociation (fs-LID) has been demonstrated as a novel ion activation method for use in tandem mass spectrometry. The technique opens the door to unique structural information about biomolecular samples that is not easily accessed by traditional means. fs-LID is able to cleave strong bonds while keeping weaker bonds intact. This feature has been found to be particularly useful for the mapping of post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation, which is difficult to achieve by conventional proteomic studies. Here we investigate the laser–ion interaction on a fundamental level through the characterization of fs-LID spectra for the protonated amino acids and two series of derivatized samples. The findings are used to better understand the fs-LID spectra of synthetic peptides. This is accomplished by exploring the effects of several single-residue substitutions.
Description of restricted automata by first-order formulae

The emptiness problem for stack automata is shown decidable by reducing that problem to a solvable decision problem for the predicate calculus. Similar decision procedures are outlined for classes of weaker automata.
Human Services Professionals' Awareness of Human Trafficking

This exploratory study examines the awareness of human services professionals of the problem of human trafficking, and the related federal and state policy responses in Illinois. The purposive sample consists of representatives of member organizations of the Illinois Rescue and Restore Coalition. The findings reveal that the participants' level of awareness of the trafficking policies is correlated with their involvement in trafficking-related trainings. Implications for policy, practice, and research are discussed.
Identification of Rorβ targets in cultured osteoblasts and in human bone

Abstract Control of osteoblastic bone formation involves the cumulative action of numerous transcription factors, including both activating and repressive functions that are important during specific stages of differentiation. The nuclear receptor retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor β (Rorβ) has been recently shown to suppress the osteogenic phenotype in cultured osteoblasts, and is highly upregulated in bone marrow-derived osteogenic precursors isolated from aged osteoporotic mice, suggesting Rorβ is an important regulator of osteoblast function. However the specific gene expression patterns elicited by Rorβ are unknown. Using microarray analysis, we identified 281 genes regulated by Rorβ in an MC3T3-E1 mouse osteoblast cell model (MC3T3-Rorβ-GFP). Pathway analysis revealed alterations in genes involved in MAPK signaling, genes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) regulation, and cytokine-receptor interactions. Whereas the identified Rorβ-regulated ECM genes normally decline during osteoblastic differentiation, they were highly upregulated in this non-mineralizing MC3T3-Rorβ-GFP model system, suggesting that Rorβ may exert its anti-osteogenic effects through ECM disruption. Consistent with these in vitro findings, the expression of both RORβ and a subset of RORβ-regulated genes were increased in bone biopsies from postmenopausal women (73 ± 7 years old) compared to premenopausal women (30 ± 5 years old), suggesting a role for RORβ in human age-related bone loss. Collectively, these data demonstrate that Rorβ regulates known osteogenic pathways, and may represent a novel therapeutic target for age-associated bone loss.
Nanolook at Cancer: Can We Explode It?

Treatment-resistant aggressive tumors that cannot be safely resected, and recur despite chemo- and radio-therapies, cause the lowest survival rate. We report a cell level cancer treatment whose efficacy is self-amplified in cells with cancer aggressiveness.
Corneal collagen cross-linking for ectasia after LASIK and photorefractive keratectomy: long-term results.

Purpose To report the long-term results of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in ectasia after LASIK and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Design Retrospective, interventional cases series. Participants Twenty-six eyes of 26 patients (18 male, 8 female) with postoperative ectasia after LASIK (23 eyes) and PRK (3 eyes) were included with a mean age of 35±9 years at the time of treatment and a mean follow-up of 25 months (range, 12–62 months). Methods All consecutive patients treated with CXL for progressive ectasia after LASIK or PRK at the Institute for Refractive and Ophthalmic Surgery, Zurich, Switzerland between 2004 and 2010 were included. Main Outcome Measures Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), maximum keratometry readings (K max ), minimum radius of curvature (R min ), and 6 corneal topography indices were assessed in this study. Results Mean CDVA before CXL was 0.5 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) units, which improved to a mean of 0.3 logMAR units ( P max after CXL of 50.9±4.9 diopters (D) was significantly lower ( P max of 52.8±5 D. The R min after CXL was increased significantly ( P = 0.006), whereas the index of surface variance ( P = 0.03), the index of vertical asymmetry ( P = 0.04), the keratoconus index ( P = 0.03), and the central keratoconus index ( P = 0.016) were reduced significantly. Conclusions Ectasia after LASIK and PRK was arrested by CXL with stabilization or improvement of CDVA and K max after a mean follow-up of 25 months. There were improvements in 4 topography indices, suggesting a more regular corneal surface. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Comparison of outcomes of hand-assisted laparoscopic to open donor nephrectomy for pediatric recipients.

The purpose of this study is to compare the outcome of pediatric recipients of kidneys procured using a hand-assisted laparoscopic (HALDN group) to an open technique (ODN group). Twenty-eight patients ≤18 yr old (HALDN group) were compared with 17 patients (ODN group). The serum creatinine for HALDN and ODN groups at discharge were 0.93 ± 0.48 and 0.94 ± 0.54 mg/dL (p = 0.917), respectively. The serum creatinine for HALDN and ODN groups at six and 12 months was 1.01 ± 0.44 and 1.11 ± 0.55, and 1.04 ± 0.52 and 1.14 ± 0.46 mg/dL (p = 0.516, p = 0.554), respectively. The eGFR for HALDN and ODN groups at discharge was 108.66 ± 37.23 and 106.1 ± 50.55 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (p = 0.845), respectively. The eGFR for HALDN and ODN groups at six and 12 months was 97.77 ± 28.25 and 81.73 ± 27.46, and 94.56 ± 28.3 and 85.74 ± 30.1 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.085, p = 0.344), respectively. The patient and graft survival for both groups were 100% at 12 months post-transplant. In conclusion, the short-term outcome of recipients of kidneys procured via HALDN is comparable to that of kidneys procured via ODN in pediatric patients.
Special section of Neuropsychology Review on HIV/NeuroAIDS.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, identified in 1981, expanded rapidly to become a worldwide pandemic, estimated recently to have infected 33 million children and adults worldwide and to result in 2.7 million new infections and 2 million HIV-related deaths annually (UNAIDS 2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic). Once a sure and early passage to death, HIV infection has become treatable to the point that survival curve analysis predicts the potential of virtually normal longevity with adequate treatment (Hooshyar et al. 2007). Yet, so many variables, such as comorbidity with drug or alcohol abuse, poor nutrition, re-infection, and poor compliance with treatment regimes, can mitigate the benefit of antiretroviral treatments. Consequently, since its recognition, HIV infection has had a variable course, depending on level of infection, medication treatment history, and history of secondary infections and comorbities. HIV infection is of great relevance to neuropsychologists because of its potential to affect brain function. Through rigorous and longitudinal neuropsychological testing, functional impairments have been identified and linked to affected brain systems. Because HIV-related impairments can be subtle and HIV-infection treatable, impairment detection can require specialized testing and change in status must be considered. Now that HIV-infected individuals have the potential of living a longer, relatively healthy life, it is vital to recognize that treatment progress can be curtailed once again by engaging in risky behavior, such as medication noncompliance, alcohol and drug abuse, and unprotected sex. This special section of Neuropsychology Review was organized by Robert Heaton, who has been at the forefront of neuropsychological endeavors to identify patterns of sparing and impairment in HIV infected groups and factors modulating these patterns. His selection of authors and topics lends an historical (Cysique and Brew) and world perspective (Roberston, Liner, and Heaton) on the evolution of the infection as affecting the CNS (Ellis, Calero, and Stockin), its relevance to cognitive neuropsychology (Woods, Moore, and Grant), and the influence of neuropsychological impairment on activities of daily life (Gorman, Foley, Ettenhofer, Hinkin, and van Gorp). The effects of comorbidities on neuropsychological functioning are detailed (Martin-Thormeyer and Paul) as are sex differences in expression of neuropsychological deficits and comorbidities affecting the course of HIV infection (Maki and MartinThormeyer). Each paper is rich in its review and provides synthetic considerations for an understanding of the behavioral neuroscience of the disease.
On the splitting of the exciton ground state in silicon

Abstract The exciton ground state in silicon is calculated taking into accoun the effect of the split-off valence band. We show that this effect is very important. The anisotropy splitting of the ground state is found to be 0.32 meV, while a previous analysis, which neglected the split-off band, gave 0.46 meV. The new result is in good agreement with recent experimental data.
Selective Ignorance and Multiple Scales in Biology: Deciding on Criteria for Model Utility

Much of the scientific process involves “selective ignorance”: we include certain aspects of the systems we are considering and ignore others. This is inherent in the models that we utilize as proxies for biological systems. Our goal usually is to isolate components of these systems and consider them at only certain temporal and spatial scales. The scales and questions induce different metrics for what might be considered a “good” model. The study of mathematical and computational models is replete with differing views of the terms verification, validation, corroboration, and so on. I have often argued that criteria for determination of model utility should be established prior to model construction, but this is rarely done in the application of models in biology. The question I address is whether it is feasible to develop a general approach to model evaluation, that includes all the forms of models typically applied in biology—animal and cell/tissue culture ones as well as mathematical and computational ones.
NSF Microfabrication Workshops

This is a report on the NSF (National Science Foundation) Microfabrication Laboratory Workshops. This series of workshops was sponsored by the National Science Foundation and held at San Jose State University. The theme of the workshops is that microfabrication experiments can be included in undergraduate laboratory curriculum, even with a very limited budget. Several significant experiments were developed during the workshops. The most popular is a simple photolithography "artwork" exercise that demonstrates the techniques for fabrication of integrated circuits; the investment for this exercise is about the same as for a photography dark room. 165 undergraduate faculty attended the workshops. 142, or 86%, have implemented workshop curriculum improvements at their home universities. About 5000 undergraduate students have performed workshop related experiments; the acceleration rate is about one thousand students per year per year. A surprise finding of the workshops was the large number of existing underutilized integrated circuit labs at universities.
Atmospheric channel transfer function estimation from experimental free-space optical communications data

The performance of terrestrial free-space optical communications systems is severely impaired by atmospheric aerosol particle distributions where the particle size is on the order of the operating wavelength. For optical and near-infrared wavelengths, fog droplets cause multiple-scattering and absorption effects which rapidly degrade received symbol detection performance as the optical depth parameter increases (visibility decreases). Using a custom free-space optical communications system we measured field data in fog within the optical multiple-scattering regime. We investigate the behavior of the estimated channel transfer function using both real field-test data and simulated propagation data based on field-test conditions. We then compare the channel transfer function estimates against the predictions computed using a radiative-transfer theory model-based approach which we also developed previously for the free-space optical atmospheric channel.
563. Correction of Glycogen Storage Disease Type II by Systemic Delivery of an AAV2/8 Vector Containing a Muscle-Specific Promoter

Glycogen storage disease type II (GSD-II; Pompe disease; MIM 232300) is a genetic muscle disorder caused by a deficiency of acid-|[alpha]|-glucosidase (GAA; acid maltase; EC 3.2.1.20), which results in glycogen accumulation, primarily involving the heart and skeletal muscle. Previously, we provided evidence that an AAV2/6 vector containing a muscle-specific creatine kinase (MCK) promoter leads to persistent, high-level human GAA expression and glycogen clearance in the injected muscle in an immunocompetent GAA-KO mouse model. Muscle-restricted expression of hGAA provoked only a humoral (not cellular) immune response. We hypothesized that systemic administration of an AAV2/8 vector containing a MCK promoter could provide long-term efficacy in multiple muscles in GAA-KO mice. We intravenously administered either a low dose (1x1011 vg, n=3) or high dose (1x1012 vg, n=4) of the MCK-containing AAV2/8 vector in adult GAA-KO mice. At 18 weeks post-injection, GAA activity was significantly elevated only for the high-dose group to greater than the level for normal mice in heart (1.5-fold increase) and skeletal muscle (3.2-fold increase). The glycogen content was reduced by 46% and 50% in heart and quadriceps respectively, when compared to untreated, age-matched GAA-KO mice. Periodic acid-Schiff staining of glycogen confirmed correction of glycogen accumulation in individual myofibers of heart and quadriceps of AAV-treated mice. Low-level GAA activity was observed in liver and diaphragm, which is most likely related to lower activity of the MCK promoter in those tissues, because higher copy number of vector genome were present in liver (109.3 vg/cell) and diaphragm (1.63 vg/cell) than that in heart (0.47 vg/cell) and quadriceps (0.99 vg/cell) as determined by quantitative real-time PCR. In order to characterize transgene expression in different types of muscle fibers, an AAV vector encoding GFP under control of the MCK promoter was administered intravenously (1x1012 vg). Expression of GFP was detected in heart, quadriceps and soleus muscles, but not in EDL (extensor digitorum longus) muscle at 18 weeks after vector injection. Fiber-typing confirmed that soleus muscle consists mainly of type I (slow) myofibers, while EDL consists of type IIb (fast) myofiber in GAA-KO mice. In summary, persistent correction of glycogen storage in type I fibers of the heart and skeletal muscle was achieved with an AAV2/8 vector containing a MCK promoter in GAA-KO mice. This approach could be considered for muscle-targeted gene therapy in Pompe disease.
Using Sodium Cation Organization To Study the Phase Behavior of Bicelle Solutions

The 23Na nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra for NaCl dissolved in the nematic phase of dimyristoyl−phosphatidylcholine (DMPC)/dihexanoyl−phosphatidylcholine (DHPC) bicelle solutions at 34 °C ...
One-dimensional λ-ω target patterns: Empirical stability tests

Stability of a class of solutions to reaction-diffusion equations is studied numerically. It is found that the solutions do not persist under a variety of boundary conditions.
Numerical modeling of subgrid heterogeneity in two phase flow simulations

[1] A coarse-scale model governing two-phase viscous dominated flow in heterogeneous porous media is presented. The coarse-scale water transport equation (or saturation equation) is derived from a volume average of the underlying fine-scale saturation equation. A key component of the coarse-scale description is the subgrid model, which appears in the formulation as a nonlinear, nonlocal term in the coarse-scale saturation equation. This subgrid model captures the effects of the unresolved (fluctuating) components of saturation and velocity. An approximation is introduced which allows the nonlocal effect to be estimated using local fine-scale information (computed in a preprocessing step) coupled with global coarse-scale quantities, thus avoiding the need for any global fine-scale calculations. Results using the new model are presented for a variety of heterogeneous permeability fields in two dimensions over a range of fluid viscosity ratios. In all cases considered, computations using the new model are significantly more accurate, relative to the reference fine-scale results, than simulations in which subgrid effects are neglected. Further extensions of the formulation, which would enable the modeling of realistic systems, are discussed.