cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A high-throughput-sequence analysis infrastructure technology investigation framework for the evaluation of next-generation sequencing software

High-throughput sequencing (HTS) is an emerging technology that promises to deliver unparalleled information on genomic variations. As technology evolves and matures, and as a deeper understanding of this technology is gained, new and upgraded tools for analyzing HTS will become available and will need to be evaluated and validated. To facilitate this cumbersome task, we have developed an HTS validation framework into which both in-house-generated synthetic datasets and well-characterized experimental datasets have been incorporated for controlled testing and evaluation of these analysis tools. Currently, the framework can be used to assess algorithms for short-read mapping, variant calling and RNA-Seq-derived gene expression measurements. The framework is deployed in the Amazon EC2 cloud so that it is available to the broader research community. Using our framework, researchers can further validate interfaced applications with preferred parameters, upload their own datasets for processing, and interface new applications with the framework for validation and comparison. We report the performance of several alignment, variant calling and RNA-Seq analytic tools that have been tested with our framework. We also provide feedback on the challenges and benefits of Amazon EC2 deployment.
Placental Syncytiotrophoblast Constitutes a Major Barrier to Vertical Transmission of Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes is an important cause of maternal-fetal infections and serves as a model organism to study these important but poorly understood events. L. monocytogenes can infect non-phagocytic cells by two means: direct invasion and cell-to-cell spread. The relative contribution of each method to placental infection is controversial, as is the anatomical site of invasion. Here, we report for the first time the use of first trimester placental organ cultures to quantitatively analyze L. monocytogenes infection of the human placenta. Contrary to previous reports, we found that the syncytiotrophoblast, which constitutes most of the placental surface and is bathed in maternal blood, was highly resistant to L. monocytogenes infection by either internalin-mediated invasion or cell-to-cell spread. Instead, extravillous cytotrophoblasts-which anchor the placenta in the decidua (uterine lining) and abundantly express E-cadherin-served as the primary portal of entry for L. monocytogenes from both extracellular and intracellular compartments. Subsequent bacterial dissemination to the villous stroma, where fetal capillaries are found, was hampered by further cellular and histological barriers. Our study suggests the placenta has evolved multiple mechanisms to resist pathogen infection, especially from maternal blood. These findings provide a novel explanation why almost all placental pathogens have intracellular life cycles: they may need maternal cells to reach the decidua and infect the placenta.
Effects of Intracellular and Extracellular Calcium Blockers on the Pulmonary Vascular Responses to PGF2α and U46619

In this study, TMB-8, an intracellular calcium antagonist, and verapamil, an extracellular calcium antagonist, were used simultaneously to elucidate the role of calcium in the pulmonary vasopressor response induced by PGF2 alpha and U46619. The pulmonary vasoconstrictor action of these two agonists was evaluated in the canine isolated lung lobe preparation. Lobar arterial pressure was constantly monitored and changes in arterial pressure were recorded as a percentage from baseline. Control responses to PGF2 alpha (42.0 +/- 8.2%) and U46619 (47.2 +/- 7.0%) were obtained prior to the administration of TMB-8 and verapamil. After administration of TMB-8 and verapamil, the PGF2 alpha (7.4 +/- 3.1%) and U46619 (28.8 +/- 6.2%) responses were significantly attenuated. We conclude that the PGF2 alpha pressor response is dependent on a TMB-8-sensitive intracellular calcium pool and a verapamil-sensitive slow-channel calcium influx. In contrast, the degree of attenuation of the U46619 response was similar to the vasopressor response in the presence of verapamil alone, as described previously. This indicates a direct dependence on extracellular calcium. An additional source of calcium insensitive to verapamil and TMB-8 may also be activated and contribute to the pulmonary vasoconstrictor action. These results suggest that each agonist possesses a mechanism of action distinctly different from the other.
Multiple domains of endopin 2A for serpin cross-class inhibition of papain

Abstract The serpin endopin 2A inhibits the cysteine protease papain in cross-class inhibition. This study demonstrates the novel finding that both the non-RSL NH2-domain and the RSL domain with P1–P1′ residues participate in endopin 2A inhibition. Production of a chimeric mutant of endopin 2A with replacement of its NH2-domain with that of endopin 1 resulted in less effective inhibition of papain, indicated by its lower kass association rate constant compared to wild-type endopin 2A. This chimeric mutant formed complexes with papain, but at lower levels compared to that with wild-type endopin 2A. Papain degradation of a portion of the chimeric mutant suggested a role for the NH2-domain in regulating relative amounts of endopin 2A that enter the substrate pathway compared to the serpin inhibitory pathway. Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that the RSL domain with intact P1–P1′ residues was necessary for inhibition. These findings indicate that the NH2-domain and the RSL region both participate in endopin 2A inhibition of papain.
The rate of calcium uptake into sarcoplasmic reticulum of cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle. Effects of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and phosphorylase b kinase.

Abstract Calcium transport into sarcoplasmic reticulum fragments isolated from dog cardiac and mixed skeletal muscle (quadriceps) and from mixed fast (tibialis), pure fast (caudofemoralis) and pure slow (soleus) skeletal muscles from the cat was studied. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and phosphorylase b kinase stimulated the rate of calcium transport although some variability was observed. A specific protein kinase inhibitor prevented the effect of protein kinase but not of phosphorylase b kinase. The addition of cyclic AMP to the sarcoplasmic reticulum preparations in the absence of protein kinase had only a slight stimulatory effect despite the presence of endogenous protein kinase. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase catalysed the phosphorylation of several components present in the sarcoplasmic reticulum fragments; a 19 000 to 21 000 dalton peak was phosphorylated with high specific activity in sarcoplasmic reticulum preparations isolated from heart and from slow skeletal muscle, but not from fast skeletal muscle. Phosphorylase b kinase phosphorylated a peak of molecular weight 95000 in all of the preparations. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinasestimulated phosphorylation was optimum at pH 6.8; phosphorylase b kinase phosphorylation had a biphasic curve in cardiac and slow skeletal muscle with optima at pH 6.8 and 8.0. The addition of erogenous phosphorylase b kinase or protein kinase increased the endogenous level of phosphorylation 25–100%. All sarcoplasmic reticulum preparations contained varying amounts of adenylate cyclase, phosphorylase b and a (b:a = 30:1) , “debrancher” enzyme and glycogen (0.3 mg/mg protein), as well as varying amounts of protein kinase and phosphorylase b kinase which were responsible for a significant endogenous phosphorylation. Thus, the two phosphorylating enzymes stimulated calcium uptake in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of a variety of muscles possessing different physiologic characteristics and different responses to drugs. In addition, the phosphorylation catalyzed by these enzymes occurred at two different protein moieities which makes physiologic interpretation of the role of phosphorylation difficult. While the role of phosphorylation in these mechanisms is complex, the presence of a glycogenolytic enzyme system may be an important link in this phenomenon. The sarcoplasmic reticulum represents a new substrate for phosphorylase b kinase.
Permian dust in Oklahoma: Source and origin for Middle Permian (Flowerpot-Blaine) redbeds in Western Tropical Pangaea

Abstract Analogous to many Permian units globally, the Middle Permian of Oklahoma (Flowerpot Shale and Blaine Formation) contains voluminous fine-grained redbeds. These units have long been interpreted to record marine to marginal-marine deposition owing to minor evaporite/dolomite strata; this interpretation, however, disregards the predominant siliciclastic material. Siltstone predominates, and all siliciclastic material is of inferred aeolian origin owing to the fine and remarkably uniform grain size, internally massive structure, blanket-like geometry, and common palaeosols, especially in the Flowerpot Shale. Previously suggested alternative environments for such abundant fine-grained material, such as distal deltaic deposition, are inconsistent with the absence of key sedimentary structures (e.g., graded beds), associated facies (e.g., channelised units), and vertical or lateral trends (e.g., upward coarsening). The minor claystone and associated evaporite and dolomite facies of the Blaine Formation exhibit evidence for subaqueous deposition, but with aeolian delivery of the siliciclastic component. An aeolian dust origin for the siliciclastic material reinforces the interpretation of generally semiarid conditions for this equatorial region of western Pangaea. Whole-rock geochemical and detrital-zircon geochronological data on the siliciclastic units indicate a mixed provenance that includes a mafic component exhibiting a composition similar to reference populations from the Ouachita orogen. The dominant zircon populations reflect transport from easterly/southeasterly directions, with fewer grains likely derived from basement located to the west. Combining an aeolian delivery with the provenance signal indicates predominant equatorial easterlies during deposition of the study units, and subordinate westerlies, consistent with Pangaean monsoonal circulation. Permian redbeds preserved in many parts of former low-latitude Pangaea bear attributes similar to those of the units documented here, suggesting a possible greater role for dust deposition during this time than previously appreciated.
Quasi-two dimensional density of states and the isotope effect in the superconducting Cu oxides

Abstract Tsuei et al. 1 have pointed out that the correlation between a maximium in T c and a minimum in the oxygen isotope exponent, α, observed by Crawford et al. 2 in La 2−x Sr x CuO 4 and by Franck et al. 3 in (Y 1−x Pr x )Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7 may be understood as a carrier density of states effect, N(E). We point out here that, if the gap equation is treated in the weak coupling approximation, an N(E) with an enhancement in a narrow range of energies which is symmetric about some energy E s is sufficient to give this correlation. We discuss how such an enhancement may arise from a tight-binding description of the CuO planes.
Growth and Surface Structure of Ti-Doped CeOx(111) Thin Films

Well-ordered (111)-oriented ceria thin films with Ti dopant were prepared by simultaneous introduction of Ce and Ti onto Ru(0001) at 700 K with oxygen pressures higher than 2 × 10−7 Torr. XPS data ...
High-pressure effects on organic liquids. Production and infrared spectra of single crystals☆

Abstract Techniques are described for utilizing the elevation of freezing points with increasing pressures to produce, rapidly and simply, single crystals of pure organic compounds. Refinements of microsampling techniques permit in situ infrared spectroscopic studies of these crystals. The methods open a new field of solid-state spectroscopy.
Sigma Profile Database for Predicting Solid Solubility in Pure and Mixed Solvent Mixtures for Organic Pharmacological Compounds with COSMO-Based Thermodynamic Methods

Thermodynamic methods based on COSMO (COnductor-like Screening MOdels), such as COSMO-RS (Real Solvent) and COSMO-SAC (Segment Activity Coefficient), represent significant and recent developments of solvation thermodynamics and computational quantum mechanics. These are a priori prediction methods based on molecular structures and a few parameters that are fixed for all of the compounds. They require no experimental data and rely on sigma profiles specific to each molecule as their only input. A sigma profile is the probability distribution of a molecular surface segment having a specific charge density. Generating sigma profiles by quantum mechanical calculations represents the most time-consuming and computationally expensive aspect of using COSMO-based methods. This article presents a free, web-based VT-2006 Solute Sigma Profile Database for large, pharmaceutical-related solutes, to supplement the published VT-2005 Sigma Profile Database for solvents and small molecules (www.design.che.vt.edu). Togethe...
Challenges and opportunities for developing maize cultivars in the public sector

Maize (Zea mays L.) breeding programs integrating pre-breeding with cultivar development are needed. The objectives of the North Dakota corn breeding program are to adapt exotic and unique germplasm, maximize the genetic improvement of adapted germplasm, and develop unique short-season products for breeding and commercial use. This applied program has significant support from state maize grower organizations, farmers, food and fuel processors, and industry. As a result 25 inbred lines and 17 improved populations, carrying unique alleles not present in the B73 line and the Nested Association Mapping population (NAM) genomes, were released in the past 10 years and six hybrids were identified for commercial purposes. These included the first releases from our NDSU EarlyGEM program to increase the genetic diversity of U.S. northern hybrids and break environmental margins. These are not registered nationally due to exclusive agreements with industry. The strategic location of this research program allows the exploitation of challenging environmental conditions making evolution toward desirable goals faster, discarding unstable and weak maize varieties effectively. There are still several challenges to be addressed though. Retailer companies offer fewer products with more events making maize more vulnerable due to similar genetics. The confidential nature of the maize business limits breeding rights to develop better industry products, which currently reduces the breeding efficiency to identify the most outstanding hybrids for farmers across regions. Maize research, development, and production in marginal regions can be uniquely positioned to lead breeding research for climate changes and the development of the next generation of genetically broad-based elite products. Improvements in intellectual property and re-thinking of breeding rights access are encouraged.
Powered ankle exoskeletons reveal the metabolic cost of plantar flexor mechanical work during walking with longer steps at constant step frequency

We examined the metabolic cost of plantar flexor muscle-tendon mechanical work during human walking. Nine healthy subjects walked at constant step frequency on a motorized treadmill at speeds corresponding to 80% (1.00 m s(-1)), 100% (1.25 m s(-1)), 120% (1.50 m s(-1)) and 140% (1.75 m s(-1)) of their preferred step length (L(*)) at 1.25 m s(-1). In each condition subjects donned robotic ankle exoskeletons on both legs. The exoskeletons were powered by artificial pneumatic muscles and controlled using soleus electromyography (i.e. proportional myoelectric control). We measured subjects' metabolic energy expenditure and exoskeleton mechanics during both unpowered and powered walking to test the hypothesis that ankle plantarflexion requires more net metabolic power (W kg(-1)) at longer step lengths for a constant step frequency (i.e. preferred at 1.25 m s(-1)). As step length increased from 0.8 L(*) to 1.4 L(*), exoskeletons delivered approximately 25% more average positive mechanical power (P=0.01; +0.20+/-0.02 W kg(-1) to +0.25+/-0.02 W kg(-1), respectively). The exoskeletons reduced net metabolic power by more at longer step lengths (P=0.002; -0.21+/-0.06 W kg(-1) at 0.8 L(*) and -0.70+/-0.12 W kg(-1) at 1.4 L(*)). For every 1 J of exoskeleton positive mechanical work subjects saved 0.72 J of metabolic energy ('apparent efficiency'=1.39) at 0.8 L(*) and 2.6 J of metabolic energy ('apparent efficiency'=0.38) at 1.4 L(*). Declining ankle muscle-tendon ;apparent efficiency' suggests an increase in ankle plantar flexor muscle work relative to Achilles' tendon elastic energy recoil during walking with longer steps. However, previously stored elastic energy in Achilles' tendon still probably contributes up to 34% of ankle muscle-tendon positive work even at the longest step lengths we tested. Across the range of step lengths we studied, the human ankle muscle-tendon system performed 34-40% of the total lower-limb positive mechanical work but accounted for only 7-26% of the net metabolic cost of walking.
Acoustic Predictors of Intelligibility for Segmentally Interrupted Speech: Temporal Envelope, Voicing, and Duration.

Purpose Temporal interruption limits the perception of speech to isolated temporal glimpses. An analysis was conducted to determine the acoustic parameter that best predicts speech recognition from...
An unexpected reversal in the stereochemistry of transannular cyclizations. A stereoselective synthesis of (±)-epilupinine.

Abstract The transannular cyclizations of N-benzylhexahydroazec-5-en-2-one and N-benzylhexahydroazon-5-en-2-one using iodine or phenylselenenyl bromide affords substituted quinolizidines and indolizidines, respectively. In the case of the ten-membered ring lactams an unexpected reversal in stereochemistry was observed. These results were confirmed by elaboration of the iodo cycloadduct 4a into (±)-epilupinine.
Single-screen triband FSS with double-square-loop elements

A single-screen double-square-loop (DSL) frequency selective surface (FSS) has been developed to multiplex the three frequency (S, X, and Ku) bands for NASA's CRAF/CASSINI mission. This triband DSL FSS reflects the X-band (7.2 and 8.4 GHz) waves and transmits the S-band (2.3 GHz) and the Ku-band (13.8 GHz) waves. A good agreement between predicted and measured transmission performance is found on a 0.001-in.-thick Kapton with/without a flat Kevlar honeycomb sandwich panel. It is found that the single-screen DSL FSS with/without the Kevlar honeycomb has a resonant frequency of 8.4 GHz for incident angle steered from normal to 45 deg and for both TE and TM polarizations.
α2 Adrenergic and Imidazoline Receptor Agonists Prevent Cue-Induced Cocaine Seeking

Background Drug-associated cues can elicit stress-like responses in addicted individuals, indicating that cue- and stress-induced drug relapse may share some neural mechanisms. It is unknown whether α 2 adrenergic receptor agonists, which are known to attenuate stress-induced reinstatement of drug seeking in rats, also reduce cue-induced reinstatement. Methods Rats were tested for reinstatement of drug seeking following cocaine self-administration and extinction. We first evaluated the effects of clonidine, an agonist at α 2 and imidazoline-1 (I 1 ) receptors, on relapse to cocaine seeking. To explore possible mechanisms of clonidine's effects, we then tested more specific α 2 or I 1 agonists, postsynaptic adrenergic receptor (α 1 and β) antagonists, and corticotropin-releasing factor receptor-1 antagonists. Results We found that clonidine, and the more selective α 2 agonists UK-14,304 and guanfacine, decreased cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking. The specific I 1 receptor agonist moxonidine reduced cue-induced as well as cocaine-induced reinstatement. Clonidine or moxonidine effects on cue-induced reinstatement were reversed by the selective α 2 receptor antagonist RS-79948, indicating a role for α 2 receptors. Prazosin and propranolol, antagonists at the α 1 and β receptor, respectively, reduced cue-induced reinstatement only when administered in combination. Finally, the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor-1 antagonist CP-154,526 reduced cue-induced reinstatement, as previously observed for stress-induced reinstatement, indicating possible overlap between stress and cue mechanisms. Conclusions These results indicate that α 2 and I 1 receptor agonists are novel therapeutic options for prevention of cue-induced cocaine relapse. Given that α 2 receptor stimulation is associated with sedation in humans, the I 1 agonist moxonidine seems to have substantial potential for treating addictive disorders.
The C-Terminal Domain of the β Cell Homeodomain Factor Nkx6.1 Enhances Sequence-Selective DNA Binding at the insulin Promoter†

The Hox-like factor Nkx6.1 is required for the formation and secretory function of insulin-producing β cells, and has the capacity to activate or repress the transcription of relevant target genes in a DNA-context dependent manner. A key determinant of transcriptional activity by Nkx6.1 may be its C terminus, which has been suggested to interfere with DNA binding. To determine how the C terminus modulates homeodomain binding, we assessed the nature of Nkx6.1−DNA interactions at the insulin promoter. By quantitative gel shift analysis, we demonstrate that although the C terminus of Nkx6.1 mitigates the affinity of the homeodomain for DNA slightly (about 2-fold), it enhances the selectivity of the homeodomain for TAAT DNA sequences nearly 10-fold. By reporter gene analysis, this selectivity is also functionally preserved in mammalian cells in vivo. Based on deletional and mutational studies, the sequence selectivity imparted by the C terminus appears to be mediated by a stretch of highly conserved residues ...
Experimental Observation of a “Cheshire Cat”

We apply weak measurements to demonstrate the “Cheshire Cat” phenomenon, in which an object is in one location while its characteristic is in a distinctly different location.
The cardiomyopathy of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy and the function of dystrophin

Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a common X-linked neuromuscular disease which predominantly affects skeletal and cardiac muscle. The absence of dystrophin, the metabolic defect that causes DMD, leads to a peculiar cardiomyopathy which initially affects the posterior wall of the left ventricle. We review evidence that dystrophin deficient myocytes become dystrophic in order of increasing axial stress upon the myocyte. Thus, dystrophin's function may be that of physically reinforcing the sarcolemma against the axial forces exerted upon the myocyte.
Crossover Effects Among Parental Hostility and Parent–Child Relationships During the Preschool Period

Parental hostility may have widespread effects across members of the family, whereby one parent's hostility might disrupt the other parent's ability to maintain a positive relationship with his or her children. The present study prospectively examined crossover effects of parental hostility on parent-child relationship quality in a sample of 210 families. At child ages 3, 4, and 5, mothers and fathers completed questionnaires assessing feelings of hostility. In addition, mother-child and father-child dyadic relationship quality were coded at each age during naturalistic home observations. Results from structural equation analyses indicated that mother and father hostility were relatively stable over the two year period. Further, results were consistent with notions of fathering vulnerability, such that the father-child relationship might be especially susceptible to parental hostility. Possible compensatory processes, wherein mothers may compensate for father hostility, were also explored. Child and parent gender add further complexity to the results, as the father-son relationship appears most susceptible to crossover effects of parental hostility, whereas the father-daughter relationship might be somewhat protected in the early childhood period. Findings from the current investigation highlight the need for broader perspectives on family functioning, considering influences across family subsystems and the effects of both parent and child gender.
Dye-enhanced cataract surgery. Part 1: anterior capsule staining for capsulorhexis in advanced/white cataract.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the use of 2 dyes for staining the posterior capsule to enhance visualization during posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (PCCC). Setting Center for Research on Ocular Therapeutics and Biodevices, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. Methods Indocyanine green 0.5% (ICG) and trypan blue 0.1% were used to stain the posterior capsule for performing PCCC in 8 human eyes obtained postmortem. The eyes were prepared according to the posterior video technique of Miyake–Apple. After CCC and hydrodissection/delineation were performed, the nucleus was carefully delivered by hydroexpression. Cortical cleanup was completed by irrigation/aspiration. The posterior capsule was stained by instilling 1 microdrop of ICG (4 eyes) or trypan blue (4 eyes) in the capsular bag. A PCCC was then performed by 2 independent surgeons (4 eyes/surgeon) not familiar with this technique. Each surgeon also performed PCCC in 2 eyes without the use of dye. Results Both dyes facilitated the performance of PCCC after staining the otherwise transparent posterior capsule. It was easier to differentiate the stained posterior capsule flap from the underlying transparent anterior hyaloid phase of the vitreous. In addition, optic capture of an intraocular lens, with or without anterior vitrectomy, was easily accomplished because of the enhanced visualization by posterior capsule staining. Conclusion Posterior capsule staining can be successfully used to learn and perform the PCCC procedure, combined with optic capture, anterior vitrectomy, or both.
Direct, spatial, and dexterous interaction with see-through 3D desktop

Despite advances in 3D sensing and display technologies, our interactions with desktop interfaces have remained stagnant from the form that evolved under 2D I/O modalities. HoloBook enables users to manage windows with their hands in a 3D physical space. HoloBook is a term for the entire ensemble of necessary components for realizing this spatial operating environment: visualizations of the desktop rendered on a see-through display, technologies and physical design for emulating collocated 3D input and output space.
Lateral Field Excitation Film Bulk Acoustic Resonator as infrared sensor

This paper investigated an infrared (IR) sensitive Lateral Field Excitation (LFE) Film Bulk Acoustic Resonator (FBAR). The resonant frequency of the LFE FBAR decreased when there was IR (peak wavelength at 750nm) illumination on the device. A linear relationship between the resonant frequency and the IR intensity was obtained with a detection limit of 9 µW/mm2. The sensing mechanism is attributed to the fact that the Young's modulus of the resonator material (ZnO) depends on temperature. In general, for a resonator operating in a bulk mode, a change in the Young's modulus translates into a shift of the resonant frequency. Thus, the sensitivity of the FBAR relies on its temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (TCF). Thickness Field Excitation (TFE) FBAR possessed a larger TCF. However, it showed a lower sensitivity to IR compared with the LFE FBAR. This was due to the reflection of IR radiation from the top electrode on the TFE FBAR.
Derivation and characteristics analysis of an acoustics–convection upstream resolution algorithm for the two‐dimensional Euler and Navier–Stokes equations

SUMMARY Therst of a two-paper series, this paper introduces a new decomposition not of the hyperbolicux vector but of theux vector Jacobian. The paper then details for the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations an intrinsically innite directional upstream-bias formulation that rests on the mathematics and physics of multi-dimensional acoustics and convection. Based upon characteristic velocities, this formulation introduces the upstream bias directly at the dierential equation level, before the spatial discretization, within a characteristics-bias governing system. Through a decomposition of the Eulerux divergence into multi-dimensional acoustics and convection-acoustics components, this characteristics-bias system induces consistent upstream bias along all directions of spatial wave propagation, with anisotropic variable-strength upstreaming that correlates with the spatial distribution of characteristic velocities. Copyright ? 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Newborn care by pediatric hospitalists in a community hospital: effect on physician productivity and financial performance.

Objective To describe financial outcomes and physician productivity associated with the inclusion of well-newborn services in a pediatric hospitalist program in a community hospital. Design Retrospective review of professional billing records and physician activity logs for newborn and inpatient care, consultations, and procedures. Setting pediatric hospitalist program in a community hospital during a 24-month period from August 1, 2002, through July 31, 2004. Main Exposures Newborn care. Main Outcome Measures Financial productivity. Results pediatric hospitalists provided daily rounds and on-call services for inpatients and newborns with an average daily census of 3.1 inpatients and 7.9 newborns. Annual work relative value units production was 1508, and gross charges were $162 920 per staffed full-time equivalent. With mean work relative value unit production of 13.8 relative value units per day and average payment rates of $45 per total relative value unit, professional fees from inpatient and newborn care ($873 per day) did not cover salary, benefit, and practice expenses ($1460 per day), necessitating hospital support to cover annual program deficits of $206 744. Without the professional fees derived from newborn care, annual program deficits would have been $345 100, or $95 861 per staffed full-time equivalent. Conclusions Community hospital pediatric hospitalist programs with dedicated 24-hour staffing and a low inpatient census can be expected to operate at a substantial financial deficit if hospitalist care is limited to inpatient care and procedures. Financial performance of these programs may be improved by expanding the role of the pediatric hospitalist to include newborn care.
Drinking, family relations, and authority in early modern Germany.

The ideal of orderly family life in early modern Germany did not exclude drinking. In fact, drinks shared at the family table were closely tied to early modern notions of the marital bond and were also a necessary component of normal work relations. Drinking became a problem only when it threatened the stability of the household. The amount of alcohol involved in such cases might be as little as one drink if the circumstances were unsuitable. On the other hand, drinking that would by our standards be viewed as excessive or chronic could be considered acceptable. Even during and immediately after the period of Reformation, when polemical and prescriptive literature addressing the household was dominated by the problem of sin, drunkenness was rarely treated as a spiritual issue. The primary concern of both authorities and populace was not to protect the health or the rights of individuals but to protect the sanctity of the household and the stability of the community.
Teaching career enhancement awards: An opportunity not to miss

In 1999, the American Physiological Society presented the first of its Teaching Career Enhancement Awards. These awards were designed to parallel the Society’s Research Career Enhancement Awards and provide financial support for individuals to obtain special training, develop new skills, or create
Age, Ethnic and Gender Differences in Physical Fitness of Middle-School Children in East Texas:

This research studied the health-related physical fitness status of boys and girls in Grades 5 and 6 in a rural school district in East Texas in an examination of possible age, ethnic, and gender differences. A three-way multivariate analysis of variance was conducted with gender, ethnicity, and age as the independent variables and nine physical measurements as the dependent variables. Height was the most important discriminating physical measurement, with girls significantly taller than boys at ages 10 and 11 and with boys significantly taller than girls at age 13. Canonical discriminant function separated black children from both Caucasian and Hispanic children in height, weight, mile run, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure.
The COOH-terminal nuclear localization sequence of interferon gamma regulates STAT1 alpha nuclear translocation at an intracellular site

We have recently shown that the nuclear localization of IFN gamma is mediated by a polybasic nuclear localization sequence (NLS) in its C terminus. This NLS is required for the full expression of biological activity of IFN gamma, both extracellularly and intracellularly. We now show that this NLS plays an integral intracellular role in the nuclear translocation of the transcription factor STAT1 alpha activated by IFN gamma. Treatment of IFN gamma with antibodies to the C-terminal region (95-133) containing the NLS blocked the induction of STAT1 alpha nuclear translocation. The antibodies had no effect on nuclear translocation of STAT1 alpha in IFN gamma treated cells. A deletion mutant of human IFN gamma, IFN gamma (1-123), which is devoid of the C-terminal NLS region was found to be biologically inactive, but was still able to bind to the IFN gamma receptor complex on cells with a K(d) similar to that of the wild-type protein. Deletion of the NLS specifically abolished the ability of IFN gamma(1-123) to initiate the nuclear translocation of STAT1 alpha, which is required for the biological activities of IFN gamma following binding to the IFN gamma receptor complex. Thus, the NLS region appears to contribute minimally to extracellular high-affinity receptor-ligand binding, yet exerts a strong functional role in STAT1 alpha nuclear localization. A high-affinity site for the interaction of the C-terminal NLS domain of IFN gamma with a K(d) approx. 3 x 10(-8) M(-1) has been described by previous studies on the intracellular cytoplasmic domain of the IFN gamma receptor alpha-chain. To examine the role of the NLS at the intracellular level, we microinjected neutralizing antibodies raised against the C-terminal NLS domain of IFN gamma into the cytoplasm of cells before treatment of cells with IFN gamma. These intracellular antibodies specifically blocked the nuclear translocation of STAT1 alpha following the subsequent treatment of these cells extracellularly with IFN gamma. These data show that the NLS domain of IFN gamma interacts at an intracellular site to regulate STAT1 alpha nuclear import. A C-terminal peptide of murine IFN gamma, IFN gamma(95-133), that contains the NLS motif, induced nuclear translocation of STAT1 alpha when taken up intracellularly by a murine macrophage cell line. Deletion of the NLS motif specifically abrogated the ability of this intracellular peptide to cause STAT1 alpha nuclear translocation. In cells activated with IFN gamma, IFN gamma was found to as part of a complex that contained STAT1 alpha and the importin-alpha analog Npi-1, which mediates STAT1 alpha nuclear import. The tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1 alpha, the formation of the complex IFN gamma/Npi-1/STAT1 alpha complex and the subsequent nuclear translocation of STAT1 alpha were all found to be dependent on the presence of the IFN gamma NLS. Thus, the NLS of IFN gamma functions intracellularly to directly regulate the activation and ultimate nuclear translocation STAT1 alpha.
A Backlands Saints in the Big City: Urban Transformations of the Padre Cícero Tales

The massive and ongoing exodus to cities from the countryside, a fact of life throughout Latin America today, includes Brazil. Although as late as 1960 that nation was a primarily agricultural country, over two-thirds of the population presently live in urban centers.
The Status of Bombus occidentalis and B. moderatus in Alaska with Special Focus on Nosema bombi Incidence

Abstract Four North American bumble bee species in the subgenus Bombus sensu stricto, including Bombus occidentalis (Hymenoptera: Apidae), are experiencing dramatic declines in population abundance, geographic range and genetic diversity. The prevailing hypothesis concerning their decline is the transmission of the intracellular fungal pathogen. Nosema bombi (Microsporida), and other pathogen species from commercially reared bumble bees to wild populations. While N. bombi incidence has been investigated in the contiguous U.S.A. and Canada, virtually nothing is known about the status of Alaskan bumble bees. This study presents the distribution and relative abundance of B. occidentalis and B. moderatus, two co-occurring species in the subgenus Bombus sensu stricto, in Alaska and the prevalence of N. bombi detected in these species. Bombus occidentalis and B. moderatus accounted for 28% and 4% of the 942 bumble bees surveyed, respectively. Bombus occidentalis was the most abundant species collected in the su...
Bayesian Updating Approach for Real-Time Safety Evaluation with Automatic Vehicle Identification Data

Although numerous studies have attempted to use data from inductive loop and radar detectors in real-time crash prediction, safety analyses that have investigated the use of traffic data from an increasingly prevalent nonintrusive surveillance system have not included the tag readers on toll roads known as "automatic vehicle identification (AVI) systems." This paper (a) compares the prediction performance of a single generic model for all crashes and a specific model for rear-end crashes that used AVI data, (b) applies a Bayesian updating approach to generate full probability distributions for the coefficients, and (c) compares the estimation efficiency of the semiparametric Bayesian modeling with that of logistic regression with frequentist matched case control. A comparison of AVI data collected before all crashes and rear-end crashes with matched noncrash data revealed that rear-end crashes could be identified with a 72% accuracy, whereas the generic all-crash model achieved an accuracy of only 69% whe...
The Credibility of Self-Regulation: Evidence from the Accounting Profession's Peer Review Program

Following the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, self-regulated peer reviews at accounting firms were replaced by independent inspections conducted by the Public Company Accounting and Oversight Board. Critics of self-regulation had argued that the peer review program lacked credibility. This paper tests whether the opinions issued by the peer reviewers provided credible information to clients about audit firm quality. We find audit firms gained clients after receiving clean opinions from their reviewers and lost clients after receiving modified or adverse opinions. This suggests peer review opinions provided credible information about quality differences between audit firms.
Rheo-Optiics for Multicomponent Liquids

The application of techniques in optical rheometry for the study of multicomponent systems is reviewed. Small angle light scattering (SALS) patterns are related to the structure of concentration fluctuations with length scales of the order of the wavelength of light. Scattering techniques such as SALS and scattering dichroism have been applied to monitor the transient evolution of anisotropic concentration fluctuation enhancement during simple shear induced phase separation in a semi-dilute solution of polystyrene (PS) in dioctyl phthalate(DOP). Furthermore, the Onuki- Doi theory relating scattering dichroism and structure factor has been used to verify the consistency between scattering dichroism and anisotropy in structure factor. Infrared polarimetry is a useful technique in probing the transient microstructural orientation of individual chemical species in multicomponent systems. The simultaneous measurement of intrinsic infrared dichroism and birefringence is particularly effective and has been employed to monitor component relaxation dynamics in miscible blends of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(methyl methacrylate). Polarization Modulated Laser Raman Scattering (PMLRS) has been successfully employed to study the orientation dynamics of a polymer melt subjected to transient uniaxial extension. PMLRS provides quantitative information about the time evolution of both the second and fourth moments of the orientation distribution function of molecular segments.
The Therapy Process Observational Coding System-Alliance Scale: Measure Characteristics and Prediction of Outcome in Usual Clinical Practice.

The authors describe psychometric characteristics of the new Therapy Process Observational Coding System-Alliance scale (TPOCS-A; B. D. McLeod, 2001) and illustrate its use in the study of treatment as usual. The TPOCS-A uses session observation to assess child-therapist and parent-therapist alliance. Both child and parent forms showed acceptable interrater reliability and internal consistency; when applied to cases treated for internalizing disorders, both forms were associated with youth outcomes. Child-therapist alliance during treatment predicted reduced anxiety symptoms at the end of treatment. Parent-therapist alliance during treatment predicted reduced internalizing, anxiety, and depression symptoms at the end of treatment. The findings held up well after confounding variables were controlled, which suggests that both child-therapist and parent-therapist alliance play key (and potentially different) roles in the outcome of treatment as usual.
A Space Vector Modulation approach for capacitor voltage balancing of Flying Capacitor Converters

The capacitor voltage balancing is the main technical challenge of a multi-level Flying Capacitor Converter (FCC). This paper proposes a Space Vector Modulation (SVM)-based voltage balancing strategy that takes the advantage of redundant switching states of an n-level FCC to counteract the voltage drift/imbalance. A cost function minimization approach is proposed to choose the proper redundant switching states to carry out the voltage balancing task. Performance of a four-level FCC under the proposed SVM strategy for various operating conditions is studied and evaluated. The studies demonstrate effectiveness of the proposed SVM strategy to control and maintain voltage balance of the capacitors.
Le dede moderne : évolution des paramètres de l’autorité religieuse de l’alévisme dans la Turquie contemporaine

L’article decrit, en la replacant dans son contexte, l’evolution moderne du leadership et de la structure d’autorite dans l’alevisme turc. Au siecle dernier, a la faveur des processus d’urbanisation et de secularisation, l’alevisme turc a subi de profondes transformations. Formant traditionnellement une communaute socioreligieuse endogame en marge de la societe turque du point de vue geographique, politique et religieux, les alevis participent depuis vingt ans, comme jamais auparavant, aux debats publics en Turquie, orchestrant ainsi un renouveau de l’alevisme et forcant l’Etat et la population a reconnaitre leur difference par rapport a l’islam sunnite dominant. Cependant, l’adaptation a des milieux urbains, marquee par un processus interne de secularisation, a fait de la redefinition de l’alevisme une tâche passablement difficile. De plus, en entrant dans l’arene publique, les alevis doivent rendre leur demande de reconnaissance conforme au discours socioreligieux reconnu qui est implicitement sunnite. Compte tenu de ce contexte, l’article se concentre sur les debats internes des alevis au sujet de la transformation de l’institution au coeur de l’alevisme traditionnel, le dedelik, c’est-a-dire la fonction de leader fondee sur la descendance et le charisme. L’auteur montre comment le dedelik, qui traditionnellement sous-entendait un leadership dans les domaines a la fois socioreligieux et representatif, est en voie d’etre divise pour s’adapter a un milieu institutionnellement secularise ou il devient impossible de fusionner la direction des rituels et de la communaute. Par consequent, le dedelik confie ses fonctions non rituelles a une nouvelle elite alevie seculiere qui organise et represente le mouvement aleviste, aujourd’hui largement urbanise et transnational. En comparant les debats internes des alevis sur la necessite d’avoir un « dedelik moderne » et sur la portee de ce changement, debats qui se deroulent en Turquie et dans la diaspora allemande, l’article veut contribuer a une meilleure comprehension non seulement de la redefinition des structures d’autorite des alevis, mais aussi de la facon dont les discours legaux et publics sur la religion influent sur le deroulement de cette redefinition.
The Formation of Cyanate Ion (OCN?) in Interstellar Ice Analogs

Although the 2165 cm~1 (4.62 km) ii XCN ˇˇ IR absorption in interstellar ices was —rst detected over 20 years ago, its assignment has remained controversial, and its mode of formation has seldom been studied. Here we report an extensive laboratory investigation of this bands formation in interstellar ice analogs. Ices with known or suspected interstellar molecules were proton-irradiated at 15¨25 K to simu- late interstellar energetic processing, and their IR spectra were recorded. Reactions for irradiated mix- tures showing an XCN spectral band have been developed based on results with chemically related systems and with over 60 ices examined here. Combined with previous work, our new results leave no doubt that the band produced in the laboratory is due to OCN~, the cyanate anion. Tests of the reac- tions leading to OCN~ are described, and independent methods of producing OCN~ are reported. The results of all of these new experiments help reveal the chemistry underlying this ions formation and establish some of the conditions under which OCN~ might be found in interstellar ices. They also show that energetic processing is an efficient way to produce OCN~ in interstellar ices and that temperature increases to promote acid-base chemistry are unnecessary. Subject headings: ISM: moleculesline: formationline: identi—cationmolecular processes