cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TRPC channel expression during calcium-induced differentiation of human gingival keratinocytes

Summary Background: Extracellular calcium is an important regulator of keratinocyte differentiation. An increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration is required for activation of calcium-induced keratinocyte differentiation. The signaling elements in this differentiation response include the calcium sensing receptor, phospholipase C, release of calcium ions from intracellular stores, and store-operated calcium channels. Nothing is currently known about the calcium-entry channels activated by the increase in external calcium. However, canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) channels have been identified as store-operated calcium channels in several tissues. Objective: To examine the expression of TRPC channels in human gingival keratinocytes (HGKs) in primary culture under both low calcium (basal) and high calcium (differentiating) conditions, and in gingival tissue. Methods: TRPC channel expression was evaluated via RT-PCR, Western blots, and immunohistology. Results: TRPC1, TRPC5, TRPC6 and TRPC7 mRNAs were detected in undifferentiated keratinocytes. Their levels initially increased, then decreased during calcium-induced differentiation. TRPC1 and TRPC6 protein expression reflected these changes. Conclusion: TRPC channels are present in both proliferating and differentiating keratinocytes in primary culture and in gingival tissue. The above expression patterns suggest that these channels may be involved in calcium-induced differentiation of keratinocytes.
Precision Hand Assembly of MEMS Subsystems Using DRIE-Patterned Deflection Spring Structures: An Example of an Out-of-Plane Substrate Assembly

This paper describes a packaging concept for precise hand-assembly of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) subsystems that uses mesoscaled deep-reactive ion etching (DRIE) patterned passive deflection spring clusters. The method is intended for applications that require decoupling of subsystem process flows to simplify device fabrication in order to attain macro three-dimensionality, or for cases where the device requires spatially referenced macro- and microfeatures with good precision. The design considerations for the deflection springs are presented, and a simple reduced-order model of the expected elastic behavior is proposed. The assembly concept is demonstrated with an electrospray array test structure. This test structure assembles perpendicularly two wafer substrates. The performance of the test structure is benchmarked using finite-element simulations and by measurements of the misalignment introduced by the assembly. A floor for the ultimate alignment accuracy of the assembly concept is proposed.
Can the Immunological Response to Botulinum Toxin Trigger Headaches

OnabotulinumtoxinA has recently proved beneficial for the treatment of chronic migraine; even though, headaches are not infrequently reported by patients receiving botulinum toxins for different conditions. Here the author discusses the potential mechanisms on how the immunological response following the application of botulinum toxins may trigger headaches and/or migraine.
γδ T Cells as a Major Source of IL-17 Production During Age-Dependent RPE Degeneration

Purpose. Chronic inflammation is a key factor contributing to the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The goals of the current study were to develop an improved mouse model with retinal pathologic features similar to those of AMD and to characterize the immunoreactive cells in the outer retina and choroid during degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).
An anisotropic model for frequency analysis of arterial walls with the wave propagation approach

Abstract An anisotropic model for calculating natural frequency of arterial walls is proposed in this paper. The first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) is used for the arterial walls, and the wave propagation approach is applied that can easily handle the boundary conditions. Results obtained using this model have been evaluated against those available in the literature and the agreement has been found to be good. Experiments were carried out on a natural rubber latex tube. The relative differences of the first four natural frequencies between the experiment and the theory are less than 7%. The variation of the natural frequency of this tube with the longitudinal and circumferential modes m and n is studied which suggests the first four natural frequencies are with n = 1 and m = 1–4. Simulations show that classical Donnell’s, Love’s and beam theories are not suitable for this thick tube while FSDT results closely agree with the experiment. The anisotropy of circumferential elastic modulus on natural frequencies of the tube is analyzed.
Mortality prediction with a single general self-rated health question. A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Health planners and policy makers are increasingly asking for a feasible method to identify vulnerable persons with the greatest health needs. We conducted a systematic review of the association between a single item assessing general self-rated health (GSRH) and mortality. DATA SOURCES: Systematic MEDLINE and EMBASE database searches for studies published from January 1966 to September 2003. REVIEW METHODS: Two investigators independently searched English language prospective, community-based cohort studies that reported (1) all-cause mortality, (2) a question assessing GSRH; and (3) an adjusted relative risk or equivalent. The investigators searched the citations to determine inclusion eligibility and abstracted data by following a standarized protocol. Of the 163 relevant studies identified, 22 cohorts met the inclusion criteria. Using a random effects model, compared with persons reporting “excellent” health status, the relative risk (95% confidence interval) for all-cause mortality was 1.23 [1.09, 1.39], 1.44 [1.21, 1.71], and 1.92 [1.64, 2.25] for those reporting “good,” “fair,” and “poor” health status, respectively. This relationship was robust in sensitivity analyses, limited to studies that adjusted for comorbid illness, functional status, cognitive status, and depression, and across subgroups defined by gender and country of origin. CONCLUSIONS: Persons with “poor” self-rated health had a 2-fold higher mortality risk compared with persons with “excellent” self-rated health. Subjects’ responses to a simple, single-item GSRH question maintained a strong association with mortality even after adjustment for key covariates such as functional status, depression, and co-morbidity.
The Chernyak-Zhitnitsky wave function and the elastic proton form factor

Abstract The Chernyak-Zhitnitsky wave function allows us to calculate the elastic proton form factor F p 1 . The results of such calculations are, however, not in agreement. In order to clarify the situation we have included higher polynomials and have systematically studied the relevant parameter space. We find that (1) the sum rule wave functions do not give a precise prediction for F p 1 because the knowledge of its lowest moments does not specify the nucleon wave function sufficiently, and that (2) while the general momentum asymmetry is characteristic for all CZ wave functions the detail form depends on the manner in which the higher polynomials are suppressed.
The SIMNET simulation language

Abstract SIMNET is a network-based discrete simulation language that differs from available process languages in that it utilizes exactly four nodes: a source for creating transactions, a queue where waiting may take place, a facility where service is performed, and an auxiliary that is introduced to enhance the modeling flexibility of the language. Each node is provided with sufficient information that defines the exact manner in which a transaction enters, resides in, and leaves the node. The design of the language provides automatic collection of global statistical summary based on either the subinterval or the replication method. It is also possible to execute independent runs with different initial data in a single simulation session. Execution in SIMNET can be carried out interactively or in batch mode. Although SIMNET does not make use of external (FORTRAN) subroutines, the language is capable of modeling complex situations rather conveniently.
FT-IR microscopy of endochondral ossification at 20μ spatial resolution

A Fourier transform infrared spectrometer has been coupled with an optical microscope to study the distribution and characteristics of the mineral phase in calcifying tissues at 20μ spatial resolution. This represents the first biophysical application of this technique. High quality spectra were obtained in a relatively short scan time (1–2 minutes) from thin longitudinal sections of normal and rachitic rat femurs. Substantial spatial variations in the extent and structure of the mineral phase were observed as a function of spatial position both within and beyond the growth plates, as judged by the phosphate vibrations in the 900–1200 cm−1 spectral region. The current experiments reveal the utility of FT-IR micrscopy in identification of sites where mineralization has occurred. In addition to vibrations from the inorganic components, the Amide I and Amide II motions of the protein constituents are readily observed and may be useful as a probe of protein/mineral interactions.
Murine airways contain mature dendritic cells that retain the capacity to activate T cells

Abstract Rationale The current paradigm for antigen processing includes initial uptake by immature dendritic cells (DCs) that mature and migrate to draining lymph nodes (LNs) where they die in the course of antigen presentation. Only a few mature DCs exist in the periphery and those reportedly induce tolerance. Because only little is known about this process in the airways, we characterized the behavior and function of mature and immature DCs in murine airways. Methods Lung DCs were labeled by intranasal administration of FITC-dextran, and were analyzed by flow cytometry based on forward/side scatter characteristics and expression of CD11c as well as MHC Class II, CD86 and CD11b. FITC + and FITC − DCs were separated by FACS and analyzed for capacity to stimulate T cell proliferation. Results Few FITC + lung DCs (80 ± 4% of the total DCs) expressed MHC-II, CD11b, or CD86 (22 ± 3%, 5 ± 1%, 0.5 ± 0.4% of FITC + , respectively) and initiated proliferation in less than 1% of T cells. By contrast, FITC − lung DCs frequently expressed these same maturation markers (80 ± 14%, 46 ± 12%, and 8 ± 2% of FITC − cells, respectively) and induced 7.5 ± 0.4% and 1.9 ± 0.2% net proliferation in CD8 and CD4 T cells, respectively. Conclusion Murine lung contains a resident population of mature as well as immature DCs, and unexpectedly, the mature population is more capable of causing T cell proliferation. This finding suggests that the traditional paradigm for dendritic cell behavior may be reversed in the airway and implies that mature dendritic cells may also promote T cell-dependent events during airway inflammation and immunity.
Fringe field quantification in an LDV probe volume by use of a magnified image

The magnified cross-section of the LDV probe volume fringe field created on a far screen (image plane) with an imaging lens is examined both analytically and experimentally. It is shown that measurements of the image plane fringe field can be used to quantitatively determine the fringe field existing within the probe volume. Because the fringe spacing in the magnified image is more accessible experimentally, both longitudinal- and lateral-coordinate variations in fringe spacing can be determined, permitting a complete mapping of the fringe field. The detailed knowledge of the fringe field thus obtained allows beam quality, alignment, and fringe uniformity to be evaluated with greater precision than is possible with other techniques.
SUBJECT ACCESS TO A MULTILINGUAL MUSEUM DATABASE: A STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH TO THE DIGITIZATION PROCESS. Dr. Allison Siffre Guedalia Kupietzky. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2007, 165 pp., $45.00, ISBN 978-1-59158-444-5

Subject Access to a Multilingual Museum Database is a recent addition to the Third Millenium Cataloging Series, edited by Susan Lazinger and Sheila Inter and published by Libraries Unlimited. The b...
Experimental artifacts which can influence the interpretation of transmission or reflection data in strongly scattering media

Several experimental artifacts which can cause traunsport in strongly scattering media to appear to depart from classically expected behavior are discussed. In particular, scale-dependent transmission data in dielectric media consisting of either alumina or polystyrene spheres that reveal two different absorption lengths are shown to be most likely due to the presence of unscattered or coherent energy. A restricted geometry decreases the attenuation coefficient. This analysis requires the application of the diffusion equation to thin samples, less than four mean free paths in thickness, which in turn requires boundary conditions on the diffuse flux to be rederived. It is shown that in these thin samples, the coherentenergy contribution to the measured transport is probably more important than the thin-sample corrections to diffusive transport.
Conflict Patterns and Family of Origin Conflict in Newly Initiated Remarriages

ABSTRACT The poor marriage material hypothesis explains the high divorce rate in remarriages as a function of the qualities of people who have previously been divorced. This study sought to test whether conflict in the family of origin and in the present marriage could substantiate the poor marriage material hypothesis by discriminating between couples in their first marriage versus those in a marriage with a history of divorce. A sample of 66 newlywed married couples, half in first marriages and half in remarriages, were recruited through marriage licenses and student referrals. Family of origin conflict discriminated between first and remarried couples. Namely, wives' exposure to interparental conflict significantly increased the odds that they were presently married to a husband who had previously been divorced. Differences between first and remarried couples' own conflict patterns were largely unremarkable with the exception of remarried couples seeing their partners as being more compliant and unasse...
Atrial septal defect.

One of the most common adult congenital heart defects (CHD) is the atrial septal defect (ASD), which is a true, direct, and permanent communication between two atria. There are four major types of the ASD: ostium secundum, ostium primum, sinus venosus defect (superior and inferior types), and coronary sinus defect or unroofed coronary sinus (CS) [1, 2].
Non-Uniform Coverage by $n$ -Detection Test Sets

The use of n-detection test sets increases the likelihood of defect detection. With a uniform value of for all the target faults, the expectation is that defects across the circuit will be covered uniformly. This paper demonstrates that this may not be the case by considering the four-way bridging faults detected by n-detection test sets for single stuck-at faults in benchmark circuits. Partitioning the bridging faults into subsets according to their dominated line, the results show that certain subsets have significantly lower bridging fault coverage than others. Thus, certain defect sites are significantly less covered than others. This paper also shows that it is possible to predict which subsets will have low bridging fault coverage based on the numbers of detections of single stuck-at faults under a conventional one-detection test set. This observation leads to a simplified n-detection test generation strategy. It also points to the possibility of using higher numbers of detections for certain single stuck-at faults, or targeting other fault models only at the sites that are expected to be less covered.
A model of the relationship between densities of larvae and adults in an isolated population of Culex tarsalis (Diptera : Culicidae).

The existence of a stable age distribution and the effectiveness of the Malaise trap as an adult sampling device were established for an isolated population of Culex tarsalis Coquillett near the Salton Sea, California. This information was used to model the relationship between the densities of larvae and adults in this population. Because a stable age distribution existed, the mortality between successive instars was calculated from differences in densities of successive instars. These differences were corrected for duration of each stage. The daily egg production and daily adult emergence were calculated from the densities of instar II and pupae, respectively. The adult mortality was calculated as the difference between estimated daily adult emergence and the number of gravid females needed to produce the estimated number of eggs laid per day. The effectiveness of the Malaise trap as an adult sampling device was determined by correlating the number of adults collected per day with the estimated daily adult emergence. Two Malaise traps collected a mean total number of adults equivalent to 22.4 and 22.0% of the estimated mean daily adult emergence.
The total pressure of arsenic over molten gallium arsenide at 1260°C

In the design of Bridgman type growth systems for the growth of GaAs, the use of a hermetically sealed fused quartz ampoule is often required. In addition, if the sample id to be directionally solidified in some manner, the melt is usually held at a temperature above the melting point of 1238°C, such as 1260°C. The literature generally supports the value of 0.97 atm for the total pressure of As over molten GaAs at the melting point, although there is not agreement on the ratio of the As2 and As4 species. However, only Richman [J. Phys. Chem. Solids 24 (1963) 1131] lists any data for the total pressure of aresenic over GaAs at temperatures above the melting point. His data indicate a value of 1.2 atm at 1260δC. In this paper several experiments are reported, which were conducted using a pressurized furnance and any subsequent deformation of the fused quartz ampoule, which at 1260δC is in viscous flow, was observed. Thus, for no deformation of the ampoule to occur, the internal ampoule pressure due to the total pressure of arsenic over the molten GaAs must be balanced by the externally applied pressure. Based on the results of these experiments, a value of 2.2 atm (18 psig) was measured for the total pressure of arsenic over molten GaAs at 1260δC. The value was used to construct ampoules for several different growth systems, all of which yielded successful ampoules with no deformation.
Spectral image reconstruction for transcranial ultrasound measurement

An approach aimed at improved ultrasound resolution and signal strength through highly attenuating media is presented. The method delivers a series of multiple-cycle bursts in order to construct a discrete spectral (frequency domain) response in one dimension. Cross-correlation of this ultrasound A-mode response with its transmitted signal results in time-localized peaks that correspond to scattering locations. The approach is particularly relevant to the problem of transcranial ultrasound imaging, as it combines numerous smaller signals into a single signal whose net power may exceed that which could be achieved using a single burst. Tests are performed with human skull fragments and nylon-wire targets embedded in a tissue phantom. Skulls are oriented to produce both lateral and shear modes of transcranial propagation. A total of nine locations distributed over three ex vivo human skull samples are studied. Compared with pulsed and chirped signals, results indicate more localized peaks when using the multi-cycle approach, with more accurate positioning when combined with the transcranial shear mode.
Improvement in Estimating Snowpack Properties with SSM/I Data and Land Cover Using Artificial Neural Networks

The goal of this study is to develop an algorithm to estimate snow water equivalent (SWE) in Great Lakes area based on a three year time series of SSM/I data along with corresponding ground truth data. An assortment of SSM/I EASE-GRID pixels was selected for time series analysis. The pixels were selected based on the amount of snow, latitude, and land cover. Two types of ground truth data were used: 1 - point-based snow depth observations from NCDC; 2 - grid based SNODAS-SWE dataset, produced by NOHRSC. To account for land cover variation in a quantitative way a NDVI was used. To do the time series analysis, three scattering signatures of GTVN (19V-37V), GTH (19H-37H), and SSI (22V-85V) were derived. The analysis shows at lower latitudes of the study area there is no correlation between GTH and GTVN vs snow depth. On the other hand SSI shows an average correlation of 75 percent with snow depth in lower latitudes makes it suitable for shallow snow. In model development a multi-linear algorithm was defined to estimate SWE using NDVI values along with the location of the pixels as classification criteria. The results show up to 60 percent correlation between estimated and ground truth SWE
SEGMENTATION BASED CODING OF STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE SEQUENCES

A binocular disparity based segmentation scheme to compactly represent one image of a stereoscopic image pair given the other image was proposed earlier by us. That scheme adapted the excess bitcount, needed to code the additional image, to the binocular disparity detail present in the image pair. This paper addresses the issue of extending such a segmentation in the temporal dimension to achieve efficient stereoscopic sequence compression. The easiest conceivable temporal extension would be to code one of the sequences using an MPEG-type scheme while the frames of the other stream are coded based on the segmentation. However such independent compression of one of the streams fails to take advantage of the segmentation or the additional disparity information available. To achieve better compression by exploiting this additional information, we propose the following scheme. Each frame in one of the streams is segmented based on disparity. An MPEG-type frame structure is used for motion compensated prediction of the segments in this segmented stream. The corresponding segments in the other stream are encoded by reversing the disparity-map obtained during the segmentation. Areas without correspondence in this stream, arising from binocular occlusions and disparity estimation errors, are filled in using a disparity-map based predictive error concealment method. Over a test set of several different stereoscopic image sequences, high perceived stereoscopic image qualities were achieved at an excess bandwidth that is roughly 40% above that of a highly compressed monoscopic sequence. Stereo perception can be achieved at significantly smaller excess bandwidths, albeit with a perceivable loss in the image quality.
Milker's nodule in a healthy young woman☆

Milker's nodules (pseudocowpox) are harmless skin lesions most commonly seen in persons whose occupation regularly brings them into close contact with cattle. They are caused by the paravaccinia virus, a member of the poxvirus family. Awareness of their clinical and histopathologic features is important, especially with today's heightened awareness of the threat of biologic warfare, to distinguish them from more worrisome entities such as tularemia and anthrax.
Scientific Workflow Provenance Querying with Security Views

Provenance, the metadata that pertains to the derivation history of a data product, has become increasingly important in scientific workflow environments. In many cases, both data products and their provenance can be sensitive and effective access control mechanisms are essential to protect their confidentiality. In this paper, we propose i) a formalization of scientific workflow provenance as the basis for querying and access control; ii) a security specification mechanism for provenance at various granularity levels and the derivation of a full security specification based on inheritance, overriding, and conflict resolution rules; iii) a formalization of security views that are derived from a scientific workflow run provenance for different roles of users; and iv) a framework that integrates abstraction views and security views such that a user can examine provenance at different abstraction levels while respecting the security policy prescribed for her. We have developed the SecProv prototype to validate the effectiveness of our approach.
The Ends of Anthropology: 2014 in U.S. Sociocultural Anthropology

In this essay, I trace the operations of a moral optimism and a skepticism that lie, uneasily, at the foundation of sociocultural anthropology. As other authors of year-in-review pieces have noted, anthropology is motivated by a moral optimism pointing toward the possibilities of an ethically and politically better life. Equally as fundamental, I argue, is a rigorous skepticism interrogating the shifting conditions that give life to anthropology's possibility. Here, I follow the productive tension between these two stances through the sociocultural anthropology of 2014, loosely grouping that work under the rubrics of “ends,” “immediacy,” “ecology,” and “refusal.” Throughout, I make a push for increased attention to our ethic of skepticism as means of tempering the discipline's moral optimism. [optimism, skepticism, immediacy, connection, year in review, sociocultural anthropology]
Using self-organizing maps for anomaly detection in hyperspectral imagery

Hyperspectral imagery datasets contain tremendous amounts of information. Unfortunately, due to the homogeneity of the Earth's surface many pixels in such imagery function as background and serve to obscure or hide a desired target. In many cases, the primary reason for collecting the hyperspectral imagery is to find a pixel or two representing statistical scene anomalies. Few commercial applications focus on this essential aspect of hyperspectral image processing. More often, the primary focus of commercial image processing packages is the more abundant pixels to the exclusion of the few anomalous pixels. Toward this end we have developed a system based on Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) that cluster the data then evaluates the relationship of the data to the cluster centers. Those pixels located farthest from the cluster centers are found on the outer surface of the convex hull enclosing the hyperspectral dataset. In addition, these outlying pixels represent anomalies within the dataset and their location in proximity to an individual cluster center may merely be serendipitous. This procedure for locating anomalous pixel is demonstrated in a 1998 AVIRIS scene of the Copper Flat porphyry copper deposit. The approach is applicable to other domains besides geology and mineral exploration.
IS TOLERANCE TO UV RADIATION IN ZOOPLANKTON RELATED TO BODY SIZE, TAXON, OR LAKE TRANSPARENCY?

Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has been demonstrated to have damaging effects on zooplankton, but little is known about what factors influence UVR tolerance in nature. Here we examined the relationship between UVR tolerance (the sum of photopro- tection and photorepair processes) and zooplankton taxon, body size, and source lake UVR transparency. Zooplankton of various sizes and taxa from lakes of different UV transparency were exposed to different intensities of a constant artificial UVR source. UVR tolerance was expressed as the UVR dose at which 50% mortality was observed for a given species. Smaller zooplankton species showed a uniformly high UVR tolerance, while larger zoo- plankton varied in their UVR tolerance both among and within species. The smaller rotifers, Keratella in particular, showed a high UVR tolerance while the larger, more transparent rotifer (Asplanchna) showed an intermediate UVR tolerance. Both cyclopoid and calanoid copepod adults were more highly tolerant of UVR than nauplii. Late-instar larvae of the predatory insect Chaoborus were more UVR tolerant than earlier instars. UVR tolerance showed no relationship to the UVR transparency of the source lake. Differential UVR tolerances among zooplankton taxa may alter community and ecosystem structure and function during anticipated changes in underwater UVR environments.
Why are estimates of the terrestrial carbon balance so different

The carbon balance of the world's terrestrial ecosystems is uncertain. Both top-down (atmospheric) and bottom-up (forest inventory and land-use change) approaches have been used to calculate the sign and magnitude of a net terrestrial flux. Different methods often include different processes, however, and comparisons can be misleading. Differences are not necessarily the result of uncertainties or errors, but often result from incomplete accounting inherent in some of the methods. Recent estimates are reviewed here. Overall, a northern mid-latitude carbon sink of approximately 2 Pg C yr−1 appears robust, although the mechanisms responsible are uncertain. Several lines of evidence point to environmentally enhanced rates of carbon accumulation. Other lines suggest that recovery from past disturbances is largely responsible for the sink. The tropics appear to be a small net source of carbon or nearly neutral, and the same uncertainties of mechanism exist. In addition, studies in the tropics do not permit an unequivocal choice between two alternatives: large emissions of carbon from deforestation offset by large sinks in undisturbed forests, or moderate emissions from land-use change with essentially no change in the carbon balance in undisturbed forests. Resolution of these uncertainties is most likely to result from spatially detailed historical reconstructions of land-use change and disturbance in selected northern mid-latitude regions where such data are available, and from systematic monitoring of changes in the area of tropical forests with satellite data of high spatial resolution collected over the last decades and into the future.
The Metabolic Syndrome

The "metabolic syndrome" (MetS) is a clustering of components that reflect overnutrition, sedentary lifestyles, and resultant excess adiposity. The MetS includes the clustering of abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and elevated blood pressure and is associated with other comorbidities including the prothrombotic state, proinflammatory state, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and reproductive disorders. Because the MetS is a cluster of different conditions, and not a single disease, the development of multiple concurrent definitions has resulted. The prevalence of the MetS is increasing to epidemic proportions not only in the United States and the remainder of the urbanized world but also in developing nations. Most studies show that the MetS is associated with an approximate doubling of cardiovascular disease risk and a 5-fold increased risk for incident type 2 diabetes mellitus. Although it is unclear whether there is a unifying pathophysiological mechanism resulting in the MetS, abdominal adiposity and insulin resistance appear to be central to the MetS and its individual components. Lifestyle modification and weight loss should, therefore, be at the core of treating or preventing the MetS and its components. In addition, there is a general consensus that other cardiac risk factors should be aggressively managed in individuals with the MetS. Finally, in 2008 the MetS is an evolving concept that continues to be data driven and evidence based with revisions forthcoming.
Effects of heavy impurity doping on the np product in p-GaAs

Heavy impurity doping has a strong effect on the np product, or n/sup 2//sub ie/, in p-GaAs. The authors' initial work made use of a successive etch technique to extract the electron injection current, in p-n diodes and to measure n/sup 2//sub ie/D/sub n/ up to N/sub A/ approximately=10/sup 19/ cm/sup -3/. The authors have used a new approach, analysis of the collector current in n-p-n homojunction bipolar transistors. Because this approach isolates the current of interest, it offered increased accuracy and allowed the extension of the measurements to N/sub A/ approximately=10/sup 20/ cm/sup -3/. The new measurements confirm the diode-based data below 10/sup 19/ cm/sup -3/ but show that its extrapolation above 10/sup 19/ cm/sup -3/ would yield incorrect results. The authors' previous work on the implications of effective bandgap shrinkage for GaAs-based solar cells is reassessed in light of the more recent data. >
Persistently Anomalous Pacific Geomagnetic Fields

A new average geomagnetic field model for the past 3kyr (ALS3K) helps bridge a large temporal sampling gap between historical models and more traditional paleo- magnetic studies spanning the last 5 Myr. A quasi-static feature seen historically in the central Pacific has the oppo- site sign in ALS3K; its structure is similar to, but of larger amplitude than, that in the time-averaged geomagnetic field for the last 5 Myr. Anomalous geomagnetic fields exist be- neath the Pacific over timescales rangingfrom 10 2 -10 6 years. It is unlikely that bias over such long time scales arises from electromagnetic screening, but conceivable that the Lorentz force is influenced by long wavelength thermal variations and/or localized regions of increased electrical conductiv- ity (associated with compositional anomalies and possibly partial melt). This is consistent with recent seismic obser- vations of the lower mantle.
Reduced rDNA Copy Number Does Not Affect “Competitive” Chromosome Pairing in XYY Males of Drosophila melanogaster

The ribosomal DNA (rDNA) arrays are causal agents in X-Y chromosome pairing in meiosis I of Drosophila males. Despite broad variation in X-linked and Y-linked rDNA copy number, polymorphisms in regulatory/spacer sequences between rRNA genes, and variance in copy number of interrupting R1 and R2 retrotransposable elements, there is little evidence that different rDNA arrays affect pairing efficacy. I investigated whether induced rDNA copy number polymorphisms affect chromosome pairing in a “competitive” situation in which complex pairing configurations were possible using males with XYY constitution. Using a common normal X chromosome, one of two different full-length Y chromosomes, and a third chromosome from a series of otherwise-isogenic rDNA deletions, I detected no differences in X-Y or Y-Y pairing or chromosome segregation frequencies that could not be attributed to random variation alone. This work was performed in the context of an undergraduate teaching program at Texas A&M University, and I discuss the pedagogical utility of this and other such experiments.
Genotypic Monoclonality in Immunophenotypically Polyclonal Orbital Lymphoid Tumors: A Model of Tumor Progression in the Lymphoid System

Molecular genetic (genotypic) analysis elucidates gene rearrangements within lymphocytes that are responsible for either immunoglobulin production in B-lymphocytes or the expression of cell-surface antigen recognition receptors in T-lymphocytes. Molecular genetic analysis is far more sensitive than immunophenotypic methods for the detection of small clones of lymphocytes because as few as 2 to 5% of cells in an infiltrate can be discovered to possess the same rearranged DNA sequences with genetic probes. In truly polyclonal proliferations, each lymphocyte reorganizes its immunoglobulin or T-antigen receptor genes in a unique manner, resulting in an almost infinite number of combinations of genetic rearrangement and the absence of any new hybridizing bands upon Southern blotting. In monoclonal proliferations, a new, homogeneous, nongermline band is identified on Southern blotting because a sufficiently large number of lymphocytes exhibit an identical genetic rearrangement. In a group of five orbital lymphoid tumors that appeared to be benign reactive hyperplasias by light microscopy and that were polyclonal by immunophenotypic methods, three were found by molecular genetic analysis to harbor small clones of B-lymphocytes with new rearrangement bands on Southern blotting. No clonal abnormalities of T-lymphocytes were found in these five lesions, despite the fact that they were the preponderant cells in the tumors. These observations suggest that "reactive lymphoid hyperplasia" of the orbit may be an unstable lesion, owing to a T-cell immunoregulatory imbalance, with the potential for developing clonal expansions of B-lymphocytes that nonetheless usually remain localized to the orbit.
Adenovirus-Facilitated Nuclear Translocation of Adeno-Associated Virus Type 2

We examined cytoplasmic trafficking and nuclear translocation of adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV) by using Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated wild-type AAV, A20 monoclonal antibody immunocytochemistry, and subcellular fractionation techniques followed by DNA hybridization. Our results indicated that in the absence of adenovirus (Ad), AAV enters the cell rapidly and escapes from early endosomes with a t(1/2) of about 10 min postinfection. Cytoplasmically distributed AAV accumulated around the nucleus and persisted perinuclearly for 16 to 24 h. Viral uncoating occurred before or during nuclear entry beginning about 12 h postinfection, when viral protein and DNA were readily detected in the nucleus. Few, if any, intact AAV capsids were found in the nucleus. In the presence of Ad, however, cytoplasmic AAV quickly translocated into the nucleus as intact particles as early as 40 min after coinfection, and this facilitated nuclear translocation of AAV was not blocked by the nuclear pore complex inhibitor thapsigargan. The rapid nuclear translocation of intact AAV capsids in the presence of Ad suggested that one or more Ad capsid proteins might be altering trafficking. Indeed, coinfection with empty Ad capsids also resulted in the appearance of AAV DNA in nuclei within 40 min. Escape from early endosomes did not seem to be affected by Ad coinfection.
Topological transitions in photonic hypercrystals

Photonic hypercrystals represent a new class of artificial optical composites, that has the properties of both the metamaterials and the photonic crystals, as well as some new features not found in these media. In particular, the hypercrystals support an even number of Dirac dispersion cones that originate from the Motti topological transition. The resulting singularity in the photonic density of states has a strong effect on the emissivity of the hypercrystal.
Trophectoderm blastocyst (TE) biopsy results in higher pregnancy rate, lower multiple rate, and fewer cycles to pregnancy in gestational carriers

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of comprehensive chromosome screeniong (CCS) by TE biopsy in gestational surrogacy DESIGN: Retrospective case control study MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from all cycles involving nondonor egg embryo transfers to gestational carriers (GC) at our center from April 2008 to January 2015 were reviewed. FDA screening guidelines were adhered to in all cases. Embryos of the intended parents (IP) were created as per routine IVF protocol. There were a total of 88 embryo transfer cycles. Twenty eight cycles involved the transfer of frozen eupolid blastocysts after TE biopsy. Embryos were screened for all 24 chromosomes by array CGH (group A). Of the remaining 60 cycles (group B), there were 35 fresh, and 25 frozen transfers. One fresh transfer was canceled due to embryo arrest. Paired student t-test and the Chi-squared test of independence were used for statistical analysis. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS:
Evaluating Generated Risk Event Effect Neutralization as a New Mitigation Strategy Tool in the Upstream Industry

Abstract The upstream industry uses diverse risk mitigation approaches to mitigate eventual failures within its facilities. Yet, these approaches could not avert major accidents, on different scales, from happening as they negatively affect the industry. The purpose of this paper is to assess Generated Risk Event Effect Neutralization (GREEN) as a new tool to select suitable risk mitigation approach to prevent prospective failures in upstream industry. More than 200 hundred major accidents in the industry underwent GREEN evaluation and compared with existing risk mitigation approaches used in to mitigate eventual failures. Kuwait's’ Mina Al-Ahmadi explosion was chosen as a case study to apply GREEN. The results of GREEN analyses were compared to both petroleum industry's standards and best practices, as well as the evaluation from the design team at Kuwait's Mina Al-Ahmadi to validate the result.
Ectoparásitos de aves y mamíferos de Costa Rica

A list is given of the ectoparasites of the Dipteran families Streblidae and Hippoboscidae which were collected from bats and birds respectively in Costa Rica.
The Norwood Operation: Relative Effects of Surgeon and Institutional Volumes on Outcomes and Resource Utilization

Background Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is the most expensive birth defect managed in the United States, with a 5-year survival rate below 70%. Increasing evidence suggests that hospital volumes are inversely associated with mortality for infants with single ventricles undergoing stage 1 surgical palliation. Our aim was to examine the relative effects of surgeon and institutional volumes on outcomes and resource utilization for these children.
Analysis of Abnormal Phenomena in Field Examination of SF_6 Gas Humidity Using Dew Point Instrument

Some dew point instruments such as DP3 and DP19 etc.are widely used in the hygrometry of SF6 in Jiangsu province.Due to the impact of field environment temperature and other interfering factors,abnormal phenomena often arises.The article analyses the abnormal phenomena and presents solution method and prevention measures to improve measure accuracy.
Optical Absorbance Sensitivity to Rugged Energy Landscape

Previously we have shown that underdamped long-range intramolecular vibrations exist in proteins using anisotropic absorption in the terahertz frequency range [1,2]. Measurements on free chicken egg white lysozyme (CEWL) and CEWL bound to the inhibitor tri-acetylglucosamine (3NAG) found the anisotropic absorption dramatically changes with inhibitor binding. To associate the spectral features with specific motions that are enhanced or diminished by the binding, we compare the measured spectra to calculations using normal mode analysis (NMA). Starting structures were randomly chosen frames from a molecular dynamics trajectory of a fully hydrated CEWL molecule. For each starting structure, we minimize the energy with small structural perturbations, and then perform NMA using CHARMM. These calculations find that the vibrational density of states (VDOS) is largely unchanged for a given starting structure, whereas the optical absorbance is different for each minimized structure. This variation arises from the sensitivity of the optical absorption to the strength and direction of the transition dipole, which is strongly dependent on the actual displacements for a given mode energy. This suggests that to properly model optical absorbance, one must perform an ensemble average of the calculated spectra, whereas for comparisons with the VDOS measurements, a single minimized structure is sufficient. The VDOS does not appear to be strongly affected by the ruggedness of the energy landscape, whereas the optical absorbance is. Given that strong bands are measured experimentally, the results suggest that in spite of the variation in the optical spectra, there are vibrations that are more prevalent than others, and possibly this biasing towards these motions enhances function. [1] Niessen, K.A., Xu, M., Markelz, A.G. (2015). Biophysical Reviews 7(2): 201-216. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12551-015-0168-4. [2] Acbas, G., Niessen, K.A., Snell, E.H., Markelz, A.G. (2014) Nature Communications 5, 3076 http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms4076.
Appropriate Responses to Public Health Emergencies

Happily, there are also many examples of sound responses to public health emergencies, pandemic or otherwise. A notable example was that of President Theodore Roosevelt’s immediate and effective response to the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. This involved close coordination of private resources along with massive aid from the Departments of War and Navy, using army and naval troops and resources.
On Testing for Impropriety of Multivariate Complex-Valued Random Sequences

We consider the problem of testing whether a complex-valued vector random sequence is proper, i.e., if the sequence is uncorrelated with its complex conjugate. Previous nonparametric approaches to impropriety testing are limited to a sequence of independent random vectors, typically assumed to be Gaussian. In this paper, we extend the results to stationary vector sequences that can be non Gaussian. A binary hypothesis testing approach is formulated and a generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) is derived using the power spectral density estimator of an augmented sequence. An asymptotic analytical solution for calculating the test threshold is provided. The performance of the GLRT is analyzed by deriving an approximate asymptotic distribution of the GLRT statistic under the alternative hypothesis. The results are illustrated via simulations.
Iron and copper based catalysts containing anionic phenolate ligands for atom transfer radical polymerization

Iron and copper complexes with anionic phenolate-bis(pyridyl)amine ligands were synthesized and examined as catalysts for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl (meth)acrylate and styrene. With copper complexes, polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions, M w /M n ~1.2, were prepared. The catalytic performance of copper catalysts was affected by nature of halogen species and by the steric and electronic effects. In iron-mediated ATRP procedures, the number-average molecular weights of the polymers increased with monomer conversion, however, the molecular weight distributions of the resulting polymers were relatively broad M w /M n ~1.7, due to slow deactivation processes.
Constructing entanglement wedges for Lifshitz spacetimes with Lifshitz gravity

Holographic relationships between entanglement entropy on the boundary of a spacetime and the area of minimal surfaces in the bulk provide an important entry in the bulk/boundary dictionary. While constructing the necessary causal and entanglement wedges is well understood in asymptotically AdS spacetimes, less is known about the equivalent constructions in spacetimes with different asymptotics. In particular, recent attempts to construct entanglement and causal wedges for asymptotically Lifshitz solutions in relativistic gravitational theories have proven problematic. We note a simple observation, that a Lifshitz bulk theory, specifically a covariant formulation of Ho\ifmmode \check{r}\else \v{r}\fi{}ava-Lifshitz gravity coupled to matter, has causal propagation defined by Lifshitz modes. We use these modes to construct causal and entanglement wedges and compute the geometric entanglement entropy, which in such a construction matches the field theory prescription.