cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A physical model for earthquakes. I - Fluctuations and interactions. II - Application to southern California

The idea that earthquakes represent a fluctuation about the long-term motion of plates is expressed mathematically through the fluctuation hypothesis, under which all physical quantities which pertain to the occurance of earthquakes are required to depend on the difference between the present state of slip on the fault and its long-term average. It is shown that under certain circumstances the model fault dynamics undergo a sudden transition from a spatially ordered, temporally disordered state to a spatially disordered, temporally ordered state, and that the latter stages are stable for long intervals of time. For long enough faults, the dynamics are evidently chaotic. The methods developed are then used to construct a detailed model for earthquake dynamics in southern California. The result is a set of slip-time histories for all the major faults, which are similar to data obtained by geological trenching studies. Although there is an element of periodicity to the events, the patterns shift, change and evolve with time. Time scales for pattern evolution seem to be of the order of a thousand years for average recurring intervals of about a hundred years.
Sequential Activation of Guide RNAs to Enable Successive CRISPR-Cas9 Activities

Currently, either highly multiplexed genetic manipulations can be delivered to mammalian cells all at once or extensive engineering of gene regulatory sequences can be used to conditionally activate a few manipulations. Here, we provide proof of principle for a new system enabling multiple genetic manipulations to be executed as a preprogrammed cascade of events. The system leverages the programmability of the S. pyogenes Cas9 and is based on flexible arrangements of individual modules of activity. The basic module consists of an inactive single-guide RNA (sgRNA)-like component that is converted to an active state through the effects of another sgRNA. Modules can be arranged to bring about an algorithmic program of sequential genetic manipulations without the need for engineering cell-type-specific promoters or gene regulatory sequences. With the expanding diversity of available tools that use spCas9, this sgRNA-based system provides multiple levels of interfacing with mammalian cell biology.
Differential importance of nucleus accumbens Ox1Rs and AMPARs for female and male mouse binge alcohol drinking

Alcohol use disorder exhausts substantial social and economic costs, with recent dramatic increases in female problem drinking. Thus, it is critically important to understand signaling differences underlying alcohol consumption across the sexes. Orexin-1 receptors (Ox1Rs) can strongly promote motivated behavior, and we previously identified Ox1Rs within nucleus accumbens shell (shell) as crucial for driving binge intake in higher-drinking male mice. Here, shell Ox1R inhibition did not alter female mouse alcohol drinking, unlike in males. Also, lower dose systemic Ox1R inhibition reduced compulsion-like alcohol intake in both sexes, indicating that female Ox1Rs can drive some aspects of pathological consumption, and higher doses of systemic Ox1R inhibition (which might have more off-target effects) reduced binge drinking in both sexes. In contrast to shell Ox1Rs, inhibiting shell calcium-permeable AMPA receptors (CP-AMPARs) strongly reduced alcohol drinking in both sexes, which was specific to alcohol since this did not reduce saccharin intake in either sex. Our results together suggest that the shell critically regulates binge drinking in both sexes, with shell CP-AMPARs supporting intake in both sexes, while shell Ox1Rs drove drinking only in males. Our findings provide important new information about sex-specific and -general mechanisms that promote binge alcohol intake and possible targeted therapeutic interventions.
A randomized phase 1b cross-over study of the safety of low-dose pioglitazone for treatment of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Background Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is one of the most common monogenetic disorders in humans and is characterized by numerous fluid-filled cysts that grow slowly, resulting in end-stage renal disease in the majority of patients. Preclinical studies have indicated that treatment with low-dose thiazolidinediones, such as pioglitazone, decrease cyst growth in rodent models of PKD. Methods This Phase 1b cross-over study compared the safety of treatment with a low dose (15 mg) of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) agonist pioglitazone or placebo in PKD patients, with each treatment given for 1 year. The study monitored known side effects of PPAR-γ agonist treatment, including fluid retention and edema. Liver enzymes and risk of hypoglycemia were assessed throughout the study. As a secondary objective, the efficacy of low-dose pioglitazone was followed using a primary assessment of total kidney volume (TKV), blood pressure (BP) and kidney function. Results Eighteen patients were randomized and 15 completed both arms. Compared with placebo, allocation to pioglitazone resulted in a significant decrease in total body water as assessed by bioimpedance analysis {mean difference 0.16 Ω [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24-2.96], P = 0.024} and no differences in episodes of heart failure, clinical edema or change in echocardiography. Allocation to pioglitazone led to no difference in the percent change in TKV of -3.5% (95% CI -8.4-1.4, P = 0.14), diastolic BP and microalbumin:creatinine ratio. Conclusions In this small pilot trial in people with ADPKD but without diabetes, pioglitazone 15 mg was found to be as safe as placebo. Larger and longer-term randomized trials powered to assess effects on TKV are needed.
Antiochus IV and the Three Horns in Daniel 7

Daniel 7 presents a symbolic vision that describes how Antiochus IV “uprooted” the three horns that represent Seleucus IV and his sons Demetrius I and Antiochus. This study suggests that Rome conspired with Antiochus IV to deliberately sideline Seleucus IV’s direct heir Demetrius I by demanding him as a principal hostage in 175, just before the king would be assassinated. Antiochus IV then presented himself as loyal coregent with his nephew Antiochus while planning the latter’s assassination, which he ordered in 170.
A NEW SPECIES OF EIMERIA (APICOMPLEXA: EIMERIIDAE) FROM THE OLIVE-BACKED POCKET MOUSE, PEROGNATHUS FASCIATUS (RODENTIA: HETEROMYIDAE: PEROGNATHINAE), FROM WYOMING.

Forty-nine olive-backed pocket mice, Perognathus fasciatus were collected during 2011 and 2012 from 4 sites in Wyoming and examined for coccidian parasites. Fifteen (31%) were found to be passing oocysts of a new species of Eimeria Schneider, 1875. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria fasciata n. sp. are ellipsoidal to ovoidal, 23.3 × 20.7 (19–27 × 17–25) µm, with a shape index of 1.1; they typically contain a single, smooth, bubble-like oocyst residuum. Oocysts possess 1–2 polar granules, lack a micropyle, and are bilayered with a thickness of 1.3 µm. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 10.0 × 8.2 (8–12 × 7–10) µm, with a shape index of 1.2; they contain a sporocyst residuum that appears similar to a cluster of 1–8 grapes. The Stieda body is small, appearing flattened to knobby, and there are no subStieda or paraStieda bodies. This new eimerian represents the only coccidian, to date, reported from P. fasciatus, as well as the only species from any heteromyid rodent in Wyoming.
Purposeful retirement expectations and their associations with retirement planning.

Previous research has demonstrated that retirees tend to report lower levels for sense of purpose compared to working adults. However, it remains unclear whether adults show differences in the exte...
Success of Anomia Treatment in Aphasia Is Associated With Preserved Architecture of Global and Left Temporal Lobe Structural Networks

Background and Objective. Targeted speech therapy can lead to substantial naming improvement in some subjects with anomia following dominant-hemisphere stroke. We investigated whether treatment-induced improvement in naming is associated with poststroke preservation of structural neural network architecture. Methods. Twenty-four patients with poststroke chronic aphasia underwent 30 hours of speech therapy over a 2-week period and were assessed at baseline and after therapy. Whole brain maps of neural architecture were constructed from pretreatment diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging to derive measures of global brain network architecture (network small-worldness) and regional network influence (nodal betweenness centrality). Their relationship with naming recovery was evaluated with multiple linear regressions. Results. Treatment-induced improvement in correct naming was associated with poststroke preservation of global network small worldness and of betweenness centrality in temporal lobe cortica...
Potential Role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Pediatric Oncology: The Future of CAM Research – Addressing the “Effectiveness Gaps”

There is paucity of convincing scientific evidence to support practice of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies in pediatric cancer patients even though their use is well documented. However, certain CAM therapies have been proven effective for symptoms that conventional therapies fail to treat, such as nausea, pain, and psychosocial well-being. Rigorous research methods in pediatric oncology need to be followed to build the evidence base in CAM and bridge these effectiveness gaps. A strategy that combines qualitative and quantitative studies to assess CAM therapies in the context they are being used in, with awareness of the unique challenges in pediatric oncology research, will guide future clinical practice. Finally, national and international collaborations among researchers, policy makers, and clinicians will facilitate the regulated use of effective CAM therapies in pediatric oncology.
Thrombotic complications resulting from hypercoagulable states in chronic hemodialysis vascular access.

Abstract Background: Vascular access–related complications are an important cause of morbidity, and they account for 14% to 17% of dialysis patients' hospitalizations with an annual cost in the United States of approximately $1 billion. Previous studies have related the major predisposing factor of thrombotic complications to stenosis of the graft anastomosis. Several recent reports suggest that antiphospholipid antibodies may cause frequent thrombotic complications. The broad spectrum of diseases that cause hypercoagulable states has not been correlated with frequent PTFE graft thrombosis. Study Design: A retrospective case series study was performed to determine the frequency of hypercoagulable states in dialysis patients who had repeated thrombotic complications of their PTFE grafts. Between May 1996 and June 1998, 91 operations were performed on 34 patients with end-stage renal disease. All arteriovenous fistulas were created with PTFE grafts and placed by a single surgeon. All patients were evaluated at operation for anastomotic stenosis, and the majority of patients were studied for hypercoagulable states. Patients with a documented hypercoagulable state were considered for warfarin therapy. Results: Twenty-two individuals (64.7%) developed 67 thrombotic complications. Twelve of the 14 patients tested (85.7%) were shown to have hypercoagulable states of various causes and degrees. Thirteen patients developed multiple thrombotic complications, 11 (81.8%) were tested and proved to be hypercoagulable. Thirty-eight of the thrombotic complications had nonanatomic causes and 28 (41.8%) had hypercoagulability as the only determinable cause. Ten of the 12 hypercoagulable patients (83.3%) were relegated to intermediate to high-intensity warfarin therapy to reduce the incidence of thrombotic events. Hypercoagulable patients not receiving warfarin had a thrombosis rate of 4.0 events per year; patients on warfarin had a rate of 1.2 events per year. Twenty-three thrombotic events occurred in the anticoagulated group all with an International Normalized Ratio (INR) less than 2.7. This incidence of vascular access thrombosis may be prevented when patients are maintained at an optimal INR of 2.7–3.0. Conclusions: Hypercoagulability has been a major etiologic factor in PTFE graft thrombosis. Hypercoagulable states are often found in patients with multiple graft thromboses and in patients with nonanatomic causes for thrombosis. Antiphospholipid antibodies are prevalent in the patients with PTFE graft thrombosis, as well as abnormalities in the Protein-C, Protein-S, and Antithrombin III systems. PTFE graft thrombosis has been a frequent cause of morbidity in patients on hemodialysis, and diagnostic evaluation should include a hypercoagulability profile. Based on our data, warfarin therapy should be instituted when hypercoagulable states are found, unless otherwise contraindicated, and INR maintained at 2.7–3.0 to decrease morbidity and frequency of graft thrombosis.
Plastid Origin and Evolution

Plastids (or chloroplasts in plants) are organelles within which photosynthesis takes place in eukaryotes. The origin of the widespread plastid traces back to a cyanobacterium that was engulfed and retained by a heterotrophic protist through a process termed primary endosymbiosis. Subsequent (serial) events of endosymbiosis, involving red and green algae and potentially other eukaryotes, yielded the so-called ‘complex’ plastids found in photosynthetic taxa such as diatoms, dinoflagellates and euglenids. The field of plastid research also includes nonphotosynthetic organelles (apicoplasts) within the parasitic apicomplexans and the temporary sequestration (‘theft’) of plastids by heterotrophic organisms (kleptoplasty) such as the sea slug Elysia chlorotica. The gain and loss of plastids, and nonlineal gene transfer (associated with endosymbiosis) are key aspects of algal evolution that have decisive impacts on inference of their phylogenetic positions in the tree of life. Deciphering plastid origin therefore provides general insights into the evolution of eukaryote lineages. Key Concepts: The plastid organelle in eukaryotes originated from primary endosymbiosis involving a cyanobacterium. The secondary (and tertiary) plastids show a history of multiple (serial) endosymbiosis involving red and/or green algae. Plastid research is complicated by the presence of nonphotosynthetic plastids in parasitic apicomplexans and by the theft of temporary plastids referred to as kleptoplasty. Understanding plastid origin enhances our understanding of eukaryote evolution. Keywords: plastid; chloroplast; endosymbiosis; eukaryote evolution; photosynthesis; algae; plants
A conceptual framework for agent-based information resource management

The information systems manager is often constrained by main-taining a certain threshold amount of memory for an organization. However, this requires more than technical and managerial resolutions, encompassing knowledge management for the group, eliciting tacit knowledge from the end users, and pattern and time series analyses of utilization for various applications This paper proposes a framework for building an automated intelligent agent for memory management under the client-server architecture. The emphasis is on collecting the needs of the organization and acquiring the application usage patterns for each client involved in real time. Due to dynamic nature of the tasks, incorporation of a neural network architecture with tacit knowledge base is suggested
Energy, macronutrient, and food intakes in relation to energy compensation in consumers who drink different types of milk

To examine whether total fat intake is actually lower in reduced-fat (low-fat and skim) milk drinkers and whether reduced-fat-milk drinkers compensate for energy intake we compared the intakes of foods, energy, and energy-yielding nutrients in reduced-fat-milk drinkers and whole milk drinkers by using the US Department of Agriculture's 1989-1991 nationwide food intake database, the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals. This database represents a national stratified sample population of 15 128 individuals. Of the survey population, approximately one-third consumed whole milk, one-third consumed low-fat milk, one-tenth consumed skim milk, and one-tenth consumed mixed types of milk. The data provided the following information: 1) total fat intake of reduced-fat-milk drinkers is significantly (P < or = 0.05) lower than that of whole milk drinkers; 2) in general, males but not females compensate for energy by increasing their carbohydrate intake; 3) reduced-fat-milk drinkers consume more fruit and vegetables (P < or = 0.05) and less red meat and sweets (P < or = 0.05) than whole milk drinkers; 4) through their reduction in total fat intake, several age groups of skim milk drinkers have achieved the US dietary goal for fat intake, ie, < or = 30% of energy intake from fat; 5) teenagers compensate for energy intake the least of all age groups; and 6) with advancing age, fewer people drink milk and fewer drink whole milk. The data indicate significant sex differences in energy compensation, that reduced-fat-milk drinkers consume significantly (P < or = 0.05) less fat than whole milk drinkers, and that the US dietary goal for fat intake may be practically achieved by consuming reduced-fat foods such as skim milk and limiting intakes of high-fat foods such as red meat.
A fuzzy-logic-based energy optimizer for AC motors

A fuzzy logic energy optimizing controller has been developed to improve the efficiency of motor/drive combinations running at various load and speed conditions. The energy optimizer is complemented by a tachless (without a tachometer) speed controller which controls motor shaft revolutions per minute (RPM) to produce constant output power. Efficiency gains of from 2 to 20% are obtained from laboratory demonstration with commercial motors and drives. The motor shaft RPM is controlled to within 0.5%. >
Distribution of the quantized Hall potential in GaAs-AlxGa1-xAs heterostructures.

We report measurements of the Hall potential distribution in the interior of the two-dimensional electron gas in GaAs-${\mathrm{Al}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$As heterostructures. In the quantized Hall regime, our data provide direct evidence for the existence of extended states in the bulk of a two-dimensional system. Bunching of the potential distribution is observed as a function of the quantizing magnetic field and is attributed to the presence of density gradients as the dominant macroscopic inhomogeneities.
Tumor necrosis factor-α induces increased lung vascular permeability: a role for GSK3α/β.

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that glycogen synthase kinase 3α/β (GSK3α/β) modulates tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF) induced increased lung vascular permeability. Rats were treated with TNF (i.v., ~ 100 ng/ml) or vehicle 0.5 h, 4.0 h and 24.0 h prior to lung isolation. Rats were co-treated with the GSK3α/β inhibitors SB216763 (0.6 mg/kg) or TDZD-8 (1.0 mg/kg). After TNF, the isolated lung was assessed for hemodynamics, wet–dry/dry weight (W–D/D) and extravascular albumin. Extravascular albumin significantly increased at TNF-24 h compared to Control. In the GSK3α/β-inhibited + TNF groups, extravascular albumin was similar to the Control and respective SB216763 and TDZD-8 groups. In separate studies, to assess GSK3α/β-activity, lung lysate was assessed for phospho-GSK3α/β-Ser21/9, total GSK3α/β, un-phospho-β-catenin-Ser33/37 and total β-catenin. In the TNF-4.0 h group, there was no change in GSK3α/phospho-GSK3α-Ser21 but there was an increase in GSK3β/GSK3β-Ser9 compared to Control, indicating GSK3β activation at TNF-4.0 h. GSK3β activation was verified because there was a decrease in un-phospho-β-catenin-Ser33/37/β-catenin in the TNF-4.0 group, a specific outcome for GSK3β activation. In the SB216763 + TNF group, un-phospho-β-catenin-Ser33/37 was similar to Control, indicating prevention of TNF-induced GSK3β activation. In the TNF-24 h group, there were increases in the biomarkers of inflammation phospho-eNOS-Ser 1117 and oxidized protein, which did not occur in the SB216763 + TNF-24 h and TDZD-8 + TNF-24 h groups. In the SB216763 + TNF-24 h and TDZD-8 + TNF-24 h groups, un-phospho-β-catenin-Ser33/37 was greater than in the Control, indicating continued inhibition of GSK3β. The data indicates that pharmacologic inhibition of GSK3β inhibits TNF induced increased endothelial permeability associated with lung inflammation.
Invasive and transcranial photoacoustic imaging of the vascular response to brain electrical stimulation

Advances in the brain functional imaging greatly facilitated the understanding of neurovascular coupling. For monitoring of the microvascular response to the brain electrical stimulation in vivo we used optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM) through the cranial openings as well as transcranially. Both types of the vascular response, vasoconstriction and vasodilatation, were clearly observed with good spatial and temporal resolution. Obtained results confirm one of the primary points of the neurovascular coupling theory that blood vessels could present vasoconstriction or vasodilatation in response to electrical stimulation, depending on the balance between inhibition and excitation of the different parts of the elements of the neurovascular coupling system.
Value of Clinical Diagnosis in Predicting the Quality of Cryopreserved Sperm from Cancer Patients

AbstractPurpose: Cryopreservation of semen from patients with malignant diseases (primarily testicular cancer, Hodgkin's disease and lymphoma) before specific chemotherapy, radiation or surgical therapy has become a realistic option to preserve fertility. Nevertheless, the post-thaw sperm quality in these patients is poor. Whether the clinical diagnosis of malignancy affects the cryopreservation of human sperm is unknown. Such an association could allow post-thaw sperm quality to be predicted.Materials and Methods: We compared the effect of cryopreservation on sperm motility, velocity, linearity, amplitude of lateral head movement, motility index and motile sperm count in specimens from 30 normal men, 34 with testicular cancer, 39 with Hodgkin's disease, and 19 with leukemia and lymphoma who were referred for sperm banking during a 5-year period.Results: The pre-freeze and post-thaw motility, motility index and motile sperm count were significantly lower in all patients than in normal men (p less than 0.0...
Causes and consequences of methamphetamine and MDMA toxicity.

Methamphetamine (METH) and its derivative 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy) are 2 substituted amphetamines with very high abuse liability in the United States. These amphetamine-like stimulants have been associated with loss of multiple markers for dopaminergic and serotonergic terminals in the brain. Among other causes, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction appear to play a major role in the neurotoxicity produced by the substituted amphetamines. The present review will focus on these events and how they interact and converge to produce the monoaminergic depletions that are typically observed after METH or MDMA administration. In addition more recently identified consequences of METH or MDMA-induced oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and mitochondrial dysfunction are described in relation to the classical markers of METH-induced damage to dopamine terminals.
Issues in Biochemical Applications to Risk Assessment: How Do We Predict Toxicity of Complex Mixtures?

used. Then the gravest and most sensitive effect is identified; that is, the effect which is thought to occur at the lowest level (for regulatory action). For example, TCDD is not only potent for carcinogenic effects, but also potent for reproductive effects. However, the acceptance of a low-dose linear nonthreshold response pattern for carcinogens has emphasized the carcinogenic effect of TCDD rather than the reproductive response. So this is one person's view of how one goes about predicting the toxicity of complex mixtures, namely, that there are two approaches: the first is where one identifies the risk from the individual components for which there is data and accumulates the risk. And the other is where the mixture is treated as a single agent and potency variations in composition are taken into consideration (1,2). And that ends my opening remarks. Anybody have comments or views to the contrary?
Fatty acid sensor for low-cost lifetime-assisted ratiometric sensing using a fluorescent fatty acid binding protein

Abstract Elevated free fatty acid (FA) levels lead to insulin resistance, hypertension, and microangiopathy, all of which are associated with type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, deficiencies of FA are indicative of certain neurodegenerative diseases, including autism. Thus, free FA levels are a diagnostic indicator for a variety of disorders. Here we describe the use of a commercially available FA binding protein labeled with acrylodan (ADIFAB), which we modified with a ruthenium metal–ligand complex with the intention of creating a low-cost FA sensor. The dual-labeled FA binding protein was used in lifetime-assisted ratiometric sensing (LARS) of oleic acid. For both steady-state and time-resolved luminescence decay experiments, the protein is responsive to oleic acid in the range of 0.02–4.7 μM. The emission at 432 nm, which is associated with the acrylodan occupying the FA binding site, decreases in intensity and red shifts to 505 nm on the addition of oleic acid. The intensities of the 505-nm peak due to the acrylodan displaced from the binding site by FA and of the 610-nm emission peak of ruthenium remained nearly unchanged. Fitting of the fluorescence decay data using the method of least squares revealed three emitting components with lifetimes of approximately 0.60, 4.00, and 370 ns. Fractional intensities of the emitting species indicate that changes in modulation between 2 and 10 MHz on binding of the protein with oleic acid are due mainly to the 4.00-ns component. The 0.60- and 370-ns components are assigned to acrylodan (505 nm) and ruthenium, respectively. Note that because ruthenium has a lifetime that is two orders of magnitude longer than that of acrylodan, the FA measurements were carried out at excitation frequencies lower than what can be done with acrylodan alone. Thus, low-cost instrumentation can be designed for a practical FA sensor without sacrificing the quality of measurements.
Algebraic eikonal approach to electron-molecule scattering. II: Rotational-vibrational excitations

The algebraic eikonal approach to electron-molecule scattering is applied to electron scattering off HF and HCl, for which rotational-vibrational excitation cross sections were recently measured. Calculations are done with realistic interactions that include improved dipole, quadrupole, and polarization interactions. Good agreement with the data is obtained in the vibrational elastic channels.
Heterojunction bipolar transistors with low temperature Be-doped base grown by CBE

Growth of highly doped p-type InGaAs is required for low contact resistivity demanded by high performance microwave devices. Increasing the doping level in the base of HBTs is known to be reflected in better unity power gain cut-off frequency. Low temperature growth has been shown to significantly enhance the maximum doping levels obtainable in carbon-doped bases of Npn transistors [C.J. Palmstrom et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 64 (1994) 3139]. However, low temperature growth of Be-doped InGaAs has been reported to significantly degrade surface morphology of CBE grown material [T.K. Uchida et al., J. Appl. Phys. 29 (1990) L2146]. In this study the opposite effect was found. As the growth temperature was lowered, the surface morphology improved. Co-optimized normal growth temperature of InP and InGaAs has been previously determined to be 525°C while the low temperature is approximately 460°C. Growth was performed using a Varian Gen II CBE reactor using triethylgallium, trimethylindium, 100% phosphine and 100% arsine as source materials. Elemental Si and Be were used as n- and p-type dopants. A factor of 2 improvement in the doping level was seen with a maximum level of 6 X 10 19 cm -3 measured by the Van der Pauw-Hall technique. A marked improvement in the surface morphology and X-ray spectra accompanies this reduction in temperature from a rough surface at normal temperature to specular at low temperature. SHBTs have been grown using both low temperature base structures and normal temperature base structures. The contact resistivity for the base improves by an order of magnitude (to 4 X 10 -6 Ω.cm 2 ) and the sheet resistance improves by a factor of 6 (to 324 Ω/ ?). DC current gains of 25, a common emitter breakdown of 6 V and a common base breakdown of 9 V are obtained. The unity current cut-off frequency for these heavily doped structures is above 90 GHz for a 4 X 4 μm emitter geometry and the unity power gain cut-off frequency improves by more than a factor of 2 when compared to the lower-doped structure to above 100 GHz. Detailed X-ray investigation of the bulk low temperature InGaAs base and the InGaAs/InP interface will be presented as will explicit HBT structures, s-parameter modeling of the HBT, and high frequency performance limitations.
Incidence of malignancy in hormone therapy users with indeterminate calcifications on mammogram

Objective This was a pilot study to determine whether menopausal hormone therapy users have a higher incidence of indeterminate calcifications on screening mammogram and a higher rate of associated malignancy than nonusers. Study design A retrospective chart review of routine screening mammograms with indeterminate calcifications was conducted to determine the malignancy rate overall and in hormone therapy users and nonusers. A control group of normal screening mammograms was used to determine whether hormone therapy use was representative of the population that undergo screening mammograms and to compare the malignancy rates. Results The rates of hormone therapy use in the study and control groups were similar. The overall malignancy rate was 24.7%; no difference existed between users and nonusers. Comparing estrogen only with estrogen-progestin users demonstrated a malignancy rate of 5.8% and 17.6%, respectively (odds ratio 2.28). Conclusions Hormone therapy users with indeterminate calcifications on screening mammograms are not at an increased risk of malignancy than nonusers. Estrogen-progestin users may be at an increased risk over estrogen-only users.
Adaptive threshold and error-correction coding for robust data retrieval in optical media

Thresholding techniques that account for noise are essential for the efficiency and accuracy of an optical communication or optical data storage system. Various types of noise in the system can result in error. To recover the data from the noisy signal, the error must be corrected by a fast and accurate signal processing algorithm. By considering the crosstalk effect of the neighboring channels, we have devised a multi-level thresholding method to set the threshold values based on the neighboring channel values. We compare the binary characterization performance of a neural network and the local multi-level adaptive thresholding method for decoding noisy transmission images. We show that the multi-thresholding implementation results in an average of 57.42% less binary characterization errors than the artificial neural network across twenty unique mixed noise optical conditions.
Diversity of prokaryotic chromosomal proteins and the origin of the nucleosome

All cells employ architectural proteins to confine and organize their chromosomes, and to prevent the otherwise thermodynamically favored collapse of concentrated DNA into compact structures. To accomplish this, prokaryotes have evolved a variety of phylogenetically unrelated, small, basic, sequence-independent DNA-binding proteins that include histones in Euryarchaeota, and members of the HU family in many Bacteria. In contrast, virtually, all Eukarya employ histones, and recently a metabolism-based hypothesis proposed that the eukaryal nucleus originated from a hydrogen-consuming, histone-containing Archaeon. Histones may have prevailed during the evolution of the Eukarya because of their extended interactions with DNA and, as noted, the histone fold now exists not only in histones but also as a structural motif in eukaryal transcription factors.
Lack of association of 5 SNPs in the vicinity of the insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) gene with late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is a strong biological and positional candidate gene for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previously some studies have examined the role of common variation in the IDE gene with AD risk but the results have been inconsistent. In this study we examined the role of 5 SNPs that define a linkage disequilibrium (LD) block spanning 276 kb around IDE. Our sample comprised up to 1012 late-onset AD (LOAD) cases and 771 older white controls. In addition, we also examined the association of these SNPs with quantitative measures of AD progression, namely age-at-onset (AAO), disease duration and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. None of the SNPs examined in this fairly large case-control sample revealed significant association with AD risk. These SNPs also showed no significant association with AD quantitative traits.
Anisotropic electronic properties of the bronze, CsP8W8O40

Abstract Cesium tungsten phosphate oxide, CsP8W8O40, bronze single crystals were grown by chemical vapor transport with KBr as the transporting agent. Electrical resistivity measurements on oriented crystals with ϱ a ( RT ) = 5.9 × 10 −2 Ω cm , ϱ b ( RT ) = 4.5 × 10 −2 Ω cm , and ϱ c ( RT ) = 5.7 × 10 −3 Ω cm indicate quasi-one-dimensional behavior. A broad transition observed at ∼160 K may be attributed to order-disorder transition associated with the Cs+ ions, or a change of the type of conductivity from hopping type (activated) to band type (nonactivated). Qualitative Seebeck measurements of CsP8W8O40 indicate p-type behavior at room temperature and n-type behavior at liquid N2 temperature. A sharp transition seen at ∼24 K might be due to a charge-density wave instability inherent in a quasi-one-dimensional metal. Magnetic susceptibility data indicate Pauli paramagnetic behavior. The anomalies observed in the resistivity do not show up in the magnetic susceptibility.
Transgenesis in parasitic nematodes: building a better array

In spite of recent progress in the development of transgenesis in parasitic nematodes, several impediments remain before this methodology can become a practical and widely employed tool in parasitology. Recently published studies on transgenesis in the necromenic nematode Pristionchus pacificus from the laboratory of Ralf Sommer highlight several leads that might be valuable as efforts to refine current systems in obligate parasites go forward.
Modal damping of a quadruple pendulum for advanced gravitational wave detectors

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) has begun a major set of upgrades to reach a sensitivity better than 10−19 m/√Hz in the 10Hz to 10 kHz frequency band. This advance is expected to bring gravitational wave observations of relativistic astrophysical events such as black hole mergers and supernovae into the realm of regular astronomy. These upgrades require complex vibration isolation systems to better decouple the test masses from ground disturbances. These high performance systems require correspondingly more complex and aggressive active control loops to meet the increased demand in instrument sensitivity. This paper applies a modal damping technique with state estimation to optimize the trade-off between disturbance rejection and sensor noise amplification. The state estimator design applies a customized cost function around the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) algorithm.
Role of Inositol 1,4,5-Trishosphate Receptors in Pathogenesis of Huntington's Disease and Spinocerebellar Ataxias

Huntington’s disease (HD) and spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disorders. HD is caused by polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion in the amino-terminal region of a protein huntingtin (Htt) and primarily affects medium spiny striatal neurons (MSN). Many SCAs are caused by polyQ-expansion in ataxin proteins and primarily affect cerebellar Purkinje cells. The reasons for neuronal dysfunction and death in HD and SCAs remain poorly understood and no cure is available for the patients. Our laboratory discovered that mutant huntingtin, ataxin-2 and ataxin-3 proteins specifically bind to the carboxy-terminal region of the type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R1), an intracellular Ca2+ release channel. Moreover, we found that association of mutant huntingtin or ataxins with IP3R1 causes sensitization of IP3R1 to activation by IP3 in planar lipid bilayers and in neuronal cells. These results suggested that deranged neuronal Ca2+ signaling might play an important role in pathogenesis of HD, SCA2 and SCA3. In support of this idea, we demonstrated a connection between abnormal Ca2+ signaling and neuronal cell death in experiments with HD, SCA2 and SCA3 transgenic mouse models. Additional data in the literature indicate that abnormal neuronal Ca2+ signaling may also play an important role in pathogenesis of SCAl, SCA5, SCA6, SCA14 and SCA15/16. Based on these results I propose that IP3R and other Ca2+ signaling proteins should be considered as potential therapeutic targets for treatment of HD and SCAs.
Synthesis of bifunctional monodisperse poly(N‐isovaleryl ethyleneimine)

A bifunctional initiator, ethanediyl 1,2-bis(2-isobutyl oxazolinium trifluoromethane sulfonate) was prepared and used for the ring opening polymerization of 2-isobutyl oxazoline. Polymerizations were run in CH3CN at 80 and 60°C and in sulfolane at 80°C. The molecular weight distributions of the poly(N-isovaleryl ethyleneimine)s produced, M/I ≤ 45, approached Poisson distribution.
Improving coherency of runtime integrity measurement

Recent work in software integrity verification provides techniques for measuring integrity at runtime, where a measurement agent observes the memory image of a running process and constructs some meaningful description of the process's current state. Unlike in static and load time measurement architectures, the target of a runtime measurement is running and hence able to change its state. In this setting, an accurate measurement must reflect a coherent state of the target. A coherent measurement must satisfy two properties: atomicity ensures that a measurement corresponds to the state of the target at a particular point in time and quiescence ensures that the target data is in a consistent state, i.e. not a critical section. We address the former property, showing that we can obtain an atomic measurement using a memory copy-on-write strategy, which we have implemented in the Xen hypervisor. We show that this approach achieves significant performance gains in the memory and time impact to the target, when compared with naive strategies for enforcing atomicity.
Efficacy of simple viability models in ecological risk assessment: Does density dependence matter?

One commonly used PVA (population viability analysis) approach applies a diffusion approximation (DA) of population growth to time series of abundance data to estimate population parameters and various metrics of extinction risk. The simplest versions of this PVA assume density-independent population growth, an assumption that is commonly called into question for populations experiencing self-limitation. Using time series data generated from simulations of populations limited by three commonly used forms of density dependence (ceiling, Beverton-Holt, and Ricker) we asked the question: “When do simple density-independent PVA models provide useful guidelines for prioritizing extinction risk despite density-dependence inherent in the underlying real populations?” Simple DA methods severely underestimated maximum growth rates (μmax) used to generate time series data for all three forms of density dependence. These methods also underestimated the intrinsic environmental variability in growth rates, or process ...
A complicated case of vascular Pythium insidiosum infection treated with limb-sparing surgery.

INTRODUCTION Pythiosis is a serious life- and limb-threatening infection endemic to Thailand, but rarely seen in the Western hemisphere. Here, we present a unique case of vascular pythiosis initially managed with limb-sparing vascular bypass grafts complicated by a pseudoaneurysm in our repair.
Pesticide sequestration in passive samplers (SPMDs): considerations for deployment time, biofouling, and stream flow in a tropical watershed

Semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) provide an informative and cost-effective approach for monitoring contaminants in remote tropical streams. Estimation and interpretation of contaminant concentrations in streams derived from SPMDs can vary based on a number of environmental factors, including stream flow, biofouling, and deployment time. In three one-month long trials, SPMDs were concurrently deployed for 4, 15, and 28 days at three stream sites in an extensive agricultural area of southeastern Costa Rica. Water, bottom sediment, and suspended solids grab samples were also collected and several environmental variables were monitored at corresponding time intervals during each month-long study period. At all three sites, SPMD concentrations of the widely used insecticide chlorpyrifos increased with deployment time, with no relationship between SPMD biofouling and pesticide sequestration. Differences in SPMD chlorpyrifos sequestration among sites are likely due to differences in stream chlorpyrifos concentration rather than differences in SPMD sampling rates. The longer exposure period of SPMDs allowed for the detection of lower concentrations of chlorpyrifos, terbufos, and difenoconazole compared to water grab samples. In addition to the use of appropriate performance reference compounds (PRCs), other environmental variables such as stream turbidity, flow regime, stream morphology, and knowledge of pesticide application methods are important considerations for optimizing SPMD deployment and data interpretation in tropical regions.
The foundation of medical ethics.

Thomasma and Pellegrino's [3] focus on the healing relationship as the way to give medical ethics a philosophical foundation contains a number of difficulties. Most importantly, their approach focuses philosophical analysis on an idealized view of the healing relationship in which the ideal of health is seen as an uncontroversial norm in the individual case. medical ethics is then characterized as ‘an intrinsic part of the medical act itself’. Philosophical inquiry seems limited to a description of the practice of medicine in which ethical norms are embodied. Insufficient attention to methodology leaves unclear how this vision is to be achieved in philosophical reflection.
Systematic Risk of the Multinational Corporation

Previous literature suggests that multinational firms decrease their systematic risk owing to the diversification benefit of having cash flows in different countries. It is posited in this article that multinational firms may increase their systematic risk owing to an increase in the standard deviation of cash flows from internationalization, which offsets the lower correlation associated with diversification. Evidence of a significant positive relationship between the level of systematic risk in a firm and the degree of that firm's internationalization is presented. This analysis is consistent with observed practitioner usage of higher discount rates in evaluating international projects.
Preservation of function following complete degloving injuries to the hand: Use of simultaneous groin flap, random abdominal flap, and partial-thickness skin graft

Early total wound coverage is effectively achieved in complete degloving injuries to the hand and digits by preliminary skeletal narrowing and shortening, volar partial-thickness skin grafting, and application of a long, axial-pattern attached groin flap to the dorsum of the hand and remaining phalanges. If the thumb has been skeletonized by the initial trauma, simultaneous use of a circumferential random-pattern abdominal flap ensures complete coverage and earlier mobilization. This combination of techniques is effective in preservation of pinch power and control, hook function of the medial portion of the hand, and general grasp and release attitudes.
A One-Session Intervention for Parents of Young Adolescents: Videotape Modeling and Motivational Group Discussion

Parent training groups frequently show low attendance rates and are often costly to administer. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to develop and evaluate brief, effective interventions that can be delivered in a timely and cost-effective manner. Using two therapeutic components that have demonstrated efficacy, the following study attempted to demonstrate the effectiveness of a brief, 2-hour parenting program. Eighty-one families were randomly assigned to the control or videotape modeling and group discussion (VMG) condition. Self-reports and observer ratings reflected a trend toward greater parental involvement among parents in the VMG condition compared to parents in the control group. Findings from this study are promising and show that even a brief, 2-hour intervention can be effective at motivating parents to change behavior.
Characteristics of intracellular calcium changes required for augmentation of phorbol ester-stimulated pancreatic enzyme secretion.

Abstract Previous studies demonstrated that Ca2+ ionophores augment the pancreatic enzyme secretion caused by phorbol esters. The present study was performed to determine the nature of the cellular Ca2+ effects responsible for the augmentation. Relatively low concentrations (0.3–1.0 μM) of the nonfluorescent Ca2+ ionophore, 4-bromo-A23187 (Br-A23187), did not measurably increase free cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and caused little or no enzyme release from guinea pig pancreatic acini. However, these concentrations of Br-A23187 augmented the amylase release caused by the phorbol ester, 4β-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). This augmentation occurred in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ as long as the intracellular agonist-sensitive pool contained Ca2+. Greater concentrations of Br-A23187 (3–10 μM) alone caused transient increases in [Ca2+]i and transient increases in amylase release. Although not resulting in an increase in [Ca2+]i, the low concentrations of Br-A23187 caused release of Ca2+ from the intracellular agonist-sensitive pool. These results suggest that Ca2+ mediates enzyme release by two distinct mechanisms in the pancreatic acinar cell. First, an increase in [Ca2+]i alone mediates enzyme release. Second, Ca2+ release from the agonist-sensitive pool not resulting in a measurable increase in [Ca2+]i augments enzyme release stimulated by a phorbol ester. The second effect of Ca2+ may be due to a small localized change in cell Ca2+ or an induction of cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations.
Correlation effects in neon studied by elastic and inelastic high-energy electron scattering

New experimental investigations of correlation effects in neon are presented. Elastic differential scattering cross sections are measured with 0.1% precision, using 35 keV incident electrons. Energy analysis is accomplished with a Mollenstedt analyzer. The results, expressed in terms of a delta sigma curve and potential energy quantities, show agreement with straightforward CI theories and disagreement with Bethe-Goldstone predictions. This is in contrast to previous measurements of Duguet et al.