cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing the effects of disasters and their aftermath on pregnancy and infant outcomes: A conceptual model

Although many studies have examined broad patterns of effects on pregnancy and infant outcomes after disasters, the causes of adverse outcomes are not always clear. Disasters cause interrelated exposure to environmental pollutants, psychological stressors, and lack of health care, and interacts with other social determinants of health. This topical review examines the short- and long-term effects of disasters on pregnancy and how they are mediated by social, behavioral, and environmental effects. In the short term, disasters are associated with physical trauma, adverse environmental exposures, and unstable housing. In the longer term, disasters may lead to relocation, changes in family functioning, and negative economic effects. These aspects of disaster exposure, in turn, lead to lack of access to health care, increased stress and negative mental health outcomes, and negative behavioral changes, including smoking and substance use, poor nutrition, physical overexertion and limited activity, and reduction in breastfeeding. All of these factors interact with social determinants of health to worsen effects on the most vulnerable women, infants, and communities. Few interventions after disasters have been tested. With the increase in disasters due to climate change and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the models of effects of disasters and their human health consequences need increasing refinement, and, more importantly, should be applied to interventions that improve disaster prevention, mitigation, and response.
Oncology Survivorship and Sexual Wellness for Women

Sexual dysfunction is extremely common in cancer survivors. Cancer survivors are living longer, and survivorship issues like sexual functioning are now a part of routine cancer care. Oncology providers need to be as comfortable assessing and addressing these issues as they would any other aspect relating to cancer care. Providers should know how to perform an evaluation for sexual dysfunction, understand basic treatment options, and have appropriate referrals available to ensure that the patient's needs are met. This review provides an overview of sexual dysfunction pertaining to women who are survivors of cancer and articulates areas needing further research.
Multifunctionality and Optimal Environmental Policies for Agriculture in an Open Economy

This paper develops a general equilibrium framework to determine the optimal set of internalizing policies under multifunctionality and relates these policies to trade. When agriculture generates both amenity benefits and pollution, a welfare maximum can be achieved through a combination of a subsidy on agricultural land and a tax on polluting inputs, but the levels of these policies must be selected jointly. To illustrate this interaction, a set of stylized policy simulations of the aggregate U.S. agricultural sector is performed. The estimated optimal subsidy on farmland exceeds its social amenity value by approximately 50%. If opened to international trade, small economies have no incentive to distort environmental policies away from their internalizing levels, but large economies will manipulate domestic policies in order to exploit terms of trade. As a large agricultural exporter, the U.S. could manipulate its environmental policy set to increase world agricultural prices by an estimated 9% over a base case of no environmental policy.
More Like This or Not for Me: Delivering Personalised Recommendations in Multi-user Environments

The television as a multi-user device presents some specificities with respect to personalisation. Recommendations should be provided both per-viewers as well as for a group. Recognising the inadequacy of traditional user modelling techniques with the constraint of television's lazy watching usage patterns, this paper presents a new recommendation mechanism based on anonymous user preferences and dynamic filtering of recommendations. Results from an initial user study indicate this mechanism was able to provide content recommendations to individual users within a multi-user environment with a high level of user satisfaction and without the need for user authentication or individual preference profile creation.
Workflow Applications to Research Agenda: Scalable and Dynamic Work Coordination and Collaboration Systems

A workflow is an activity involving the coordinated execution of multiple tasks performed by different processing entities [KS 95]. These tasks could be manual, or automated, either created specifically for the purpose of the workflow application being developed, or possibly already existing as legacy programs A workflow process is an automated organizational process involving both human (manual) and automated tasks.
Air entrainment and dissipation in breaking waves

WAVE breaking transfers momentum from the atmosphere (winds) to the ocean (currents)1,2 and entrains air in bubbles which are believed to generate and scatter underwater sound3–5. Wave breaking and the associated entrainment of air in bubbles are also thought to be important in heat and gas transfer across the air–sea interface6–8, but the lack of detailed measurements of air entrainment in bubbles has impeded our understanding of the effect of wave breaking on these processes. Here we present measurements of air entrainment by controlled deep-water breaking waves, which show that the bubble plumes generated by breaking waves contain volume fractions of air that are many orders of magnitude greater than expected. Bubble plumes with such large void fractions may be the source of low-frequency sound in the ocean9. We conclude that the processes of surface-wave evolution and air entrainment are dynamically coupled, and that the contribution of bubbles to air–sea gas transfer and to sound propagation may be seriously underestimated if the existence of these plumes of large bubbles is not taken into account.
Intracluster restriction of Fc receptor gamma-chain tyrosine phosphorylation subverted by a protein-tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor.

Abstract This study shows that aggregation of U937 cell high affinity IgG Fc receptor (FcRI) results in the transient tyrosine phosphorylation of FcRI -chain but not the phosphorylation of -chains associated with nonaggregated IgA Fc receptors (FcαR) on the same cells. Thus, normally, tyrosine phosphorylation of -chains is limited to FcR in aggregates. In contrast, aggregation of FcRI in the presence of vanadate induced the sustained tyrosine phosphorylation of FcRI -chains and the rapid and extensive phosphorylation of nonaggregated FcαR -chains and low affinity IgG Fc receptors (FcRII). This global phosphorylation of motifs on nonaggregated FcR was also detected upon aggregation of FcαR or FcRII, which induced the phosphorylation of nonaggregated FcRI -chains. Vanadate prevented dephosphorylation of proteins and increased kinase activity in stimulated cells. Evidence failed to support alternative explanations such as acquisition of phospho- through subunit exchange or a coalescence of nonaggregated with aggregated FcR. It is likely, therefore, that activated kinases interacted with nonaggregated FcR in stimulated cells. Pervanadate induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of -chains in the absence of FcR cross-linking, indicating that the kinases could be activated by phosphatase inhibition and could react with nonaggregated substrates. We conclude that under normal conditions there is a vanadate-sensitive mechanism that prevents tyrosine phosphorylation of nonaggregated FcR -chain motifs in activated cells, restricting their phosphorylation to aggregates.
The Evolution of Proportional Structures in Children with and without Learning Differences.

Children in grades 2 and 4 through 7 of average intelligence with (a) learning disabilities (LD, n=29) and (b) not identified as having learning disabilities (NLD, n=30) were individually tested in a task that investigated the development of proportional structures of thought. Four of the children in the LD group were not classified but were receiving basic skills instruction due to their poor performance in mathematics both on standardized testing and in the classroom. Mathematical knowledge was additionally assessed on the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement-Revised (WJTA-R). In this cross-sectional design, students in both groups coordinated increasingly more complex relationships among the elements of the problem as a function of grade. However, significantly fewer children with LD had constructed second-order logical structures necessary to act on problems using multiplicative and preproportional reasoning. No children in either group demonstrated formal proportional reasoning although a small mino...
Superconducting diode as high-frequency sound detector

The properties of a broadband sound detector utilising microwave-phonon-assisted tunnelling in superconductors are described. Using Al–Pb tunnel diodes at 1.3°K, the sensitivity of the detector to 9.3 × 109 c/s sound waves was found to be approximately 2 × 10−4 V/W cm−2. At high frequencies the sensitivity is expected to increase as the square of the sound frequency.
Effects of TSH on Iodide Transport by MouseThyroid Lobes in Vitro

Thyroidal iodide concentration by in vitro mouse thyroid lobes was studied by determining the equilibrium tissue/medium iodide concentration ratio (T/M[I-]), thyroidal I- influx, and thyroidal I- efflux in the presence and absence of CIO4-. Chronic thyroid stimulation by low dietary iodine increased the T/M[I-], and the increase was linearly related to I- influx. There was no difference in efflux rate when animals fed low and high iodine diets were compared, although the efflux with C1O4- added to block influx was increased by low iodine diet. Addition of TSH in vitro caused a delayed fall in T/M[I-] with a similar TSH concentrationdependence as colloid droplet formation. The TSH effect was mimicked by exogenous cyclic AMP but could be dissociated from stimulation of hormone release by colchicine. Thyroidal I- efflux was increased up to 20-fold by C104-. In the presence of C104- short-term and equilibrium-labeled I- exited at the same rate, but in the absence of C1O4- short-term-labeled I- efflux was cons...
Evaluation of GI bleeding after implantation of left ventricular assist device.

Background Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have revolutionized the management of end-stage heart failure (ESHF). However, unexpectedly high rates of GI bleeding (GIB) have been described, and etiology and outcome remain unclear. Objective To determine the prevalence, etiology, and outcome of GIB in LVAD recipients. Design Retrospective case series. Setting Tertiary care academic university hospital. Patients 154 ESHF patients (55.4 years, 122 men/32 women) with LVADs implanted over a 10-year period. Main outcome measurements Overt or occult GIB prompting endoscopic evaluation ≥7 days after LVAD implantation. Results Over a mean of 0.9 ± 0.1 years of follow-up, 29 patients (19%) experienced 44 GIB episodes. Patients with GIB were older and received anticoagulation therapy before devices were implanted ( P ≤ .02 for each). GIB was overt (n = 31) rather than occult (n = 13), and most patients presented with melena (n = 22, 50%); hemodynamic instability was observed in 13.6%. Each bleeding episode required 2.1 ± 0.1 diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, and a source was localized in 71%. Upper endoscopy provided the highest diagnostic yield; peptic bleeding (n = 14) and vascular malformations (n = 8) dominated the findings. Endoscopy was safe and well tolerated. Overall mortality was 35%, none directly from GIB. Limitation Retrospective design. Conclusions Rates of GIB with LVADs are higher than that seen in other patient populations, including those receiving anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy. GIB episodes are mostly overt and predominantly from the upper GI tract. Endoscopy is safe in the LVAD population.
Introduction to Special Issue on The Missing Psychology in Cultural Anthropology's Key Words

It is common practice in anthropology to use terms with implicit psychological content (such as embodiment). This is consistent with contemporary developments in anthropological theory and practice that lead to a focus on individuals' voices and practices. Nevertheless, many cultural anthropologists are critical of psychology. This introduction considers and responds to some of the usual criticisms. As this introduction describes, the articles that follow each take one term that is widely used by anthropologists (agency, resistance, subjectivity, the imaginary, and the self) and show how the concept could be better illuminated, and some published case study better explained, through the use of person-centered methods and the selective application of psychological theories.
A new polarized atmospheric radiative transfer model

A plane-parallel polarized radiative transfer model is described. The model is used to compute the radiance exiting a vertically inhomogeneous atmosphere containing randomly-oriented particles. Both solar and thermal sources of radiation are considered. A direct method of incorporating the polarized scattering information is combined with the doubling and adding method to produce a relatively simple formulation. Several numerical results are presented for verification and comparison.
An effective broken scan chain diagnosis flow combining software and hardware solutions for systematic failures

Conventional software scan diagnosis using Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools and hardware diagnosis using frequency mapping technique, are established methodologies for broken scan chains fault isolation. This work proposes a diagnostic workflow that integrates both methodologies to enhance accuracy and reduce turnaround time for debug. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of this workflow for systematic fail dies analysis.
A curvilinear extension of the maximum modulus principle.

Abstract The classical maximum principle is extended to the case where at frontier points the assumed global upper limit of the function is replaced by an upper limit along merely an arc, provided that the function does not have infinity as an asymptotic value.
Structural model of the San Bernardino basin, California, from analysis of gravity, aeromagnetic, and seismicity data

[1] The San Bernardino basin is an area of Quaternary extension between the San Jacinto and San Andreas Fault zones in southern California. New gravity data are combined with aeromagnetic data to produce two- and three-dimensional models of the basin floor. These models are used to identify specific faults that have normal displacements. In addition, aeromagnetic maps of the basin constrain strike-slip offset on many faults. Relocated seismicity, focal mechanisms, and a seismic reflection profile for the basin area support interpretations of the gravity and magnetic anomalies. The shape of the basin revealed by our interpretations is different from past interpretations, broadening its areal extent while confining the deepest parts to an area along the modern San Jacinto fault, west of the city of San Bernardino. Through these geophysical observations and related geologic information, we propose a model for the development of the basin. The San Jacinto fault-related strike-slip displacements started on fault strands in the basin having a stepping geometry thus forming a pull-apart graben, and finally cut through the graben in a simpler, bending geometry. In this model, the San Bernardino strand of the San Andreas Fault has little influence on the formation of the basin. The deep, central part of the basin resembles classic pull-apart structures and our model describes a high level of detail for this structure that can be compared to other pull-apart structures as well as analog and numerical models in order to better understand timing and kinematics of pull-apart basin formation.
Biostratigraphic implications of the first Eocene land-mammal fauna from the North American coastal plain

A newly discovered vertebrate fossil assemblage, the Casa Blanca local fauna, comes from the Laredo Formation, Claiborne Group, of Webb County, Texas, and is the first reported Eocene land-mammal fauna from the coastal plain of North America. The mammalian fauna is correlated with the Serendipity and Candelaria local faunas of west Texas, the Uinta C faunas of the Rocky Mountains, the Santiago Formation local fauna of southern California, and the Swift Current Creek local fauna of Saskatchewan. The vertebrate-bearing deposit lies about 32 m above a horizon containing the marine gastropod Turritella cortezi , which ranges from east Texas to northeast Mexico in the lower half of the Cook Mountain and Laredo Formations and is a guide fossil to the Hurricane Lentil in the Cook Mountain Formation. Nannoplankton found in these middle Eocene formations belong to the upper half of Nannoplankton Zone I6 and allow correlation with European beds of late Lutetian to early Bartonian age.
One hundred and forty-five consecutive pancreaticoduodenectomies without mortality.

OBJECTIVE: A review of mortality and morbidity for pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed for 145 consecutive patients who underwent the operative procedure between 1988 and 1991. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: In the past, pancreaticoduodenectomy has carried a high hospital morbidity and mortality. During the 1970s, many considered that the operation should be abandoned. Recent data, however, suggest that a marked drop in both morbidity and mortality have occurred for this operative procedure. METHODS: Among the 145 consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, 108 patients were 69 years of age or younger, and 37 were 70 years of age or older. Four patients were 80 years of age or older. One hundred and seven patients had a malignant neoplasm, whereas 38 patients had benign disease. There were no significant differences in preoperative risk factors when the younger and older, and benign disease and malignant disease groups were compared. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 7.3 hours. Median blood loss was 0, indicating that more than one-half of the patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomies without blood transfusions. There were no significant differences in postoperative complications when the younger and older, and benign disease and malignant disease groups were compared. There was no hospital or 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: With appropriate preoperative selection, virtually any patient in any age group, with benign or malignant disease, can undergo pancreaticoduodenectomy with minimal risk of hospital mortality.
Estimating Surface Soil Water Content in the Red River Valley of the North using Landsat 5 TM Data

Due to poor drainage and flat terrain, a prolonged wet cycle since the early 1990s in the Red River Valley (RRV) of the North has caused frequent flooding in most farmland, delaying or even preventing spring planting. To combat high soil water content, farmers have adopted tile drainage practices. To schedule crop planting or to evaluate the efficiency of tile drainage and its potential impacts on water balance and quality in the watershed, soil water content and its changes need to be monitored. Compared to in situ measurements, the use of remote sensing for soil water content monitoring is affordable and can be applied over a large area repetitively. In this study multispectral reflectance of the soil sample from RRV at the bands of Landsat 5 TM sensor were evaluated for various soil water contents in the laboratory experiments. Empirically, the soil water contents at 5 and 15 cm were found to be best predicted using an exponential model based on the difference of bands 1 and 5. While the 5 cm model better represents remotely sensed soil water content, 15 cm model better represents root zone condition and therefore is more relevant for supporting field management decision. Because it was challenging to measure water content accurately at 5-cm depth in the fields, only 15 cm model was validated. Validation using a total of 70 observations over nine different fields in the RRV showed that the model compared well with the field measurements (r = 0.94) with an average difference less than the model uncertainty of 0.02 cm³/cm³. The 15 cm model has an application range for soil water content between 0.20 and 0.40 cm³/cm³.
Temperature controlled radiofrequency ablation at different sites for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This study seeks to determine the efficacy of temperature controlled radiofrequency tissue ablation (TCRFTA) to alleviate symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and reduce polysomnographic measures of OSA in the first year post-treatment. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Two independent searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE bibliographic databases, and Evidence Based Medicine Reviews to identify publications relevant to OSA and TCRFTA. Effectiveness of TCRFTA was measured separately for application of TCRFTA at the base of tongue and soft palate, and for multilevel intervention using the respiratory disturbance index (RDI), lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), and bed partner’s rating of snoring using a visual analogue scale (VAS snoring). The most recent search was conducted in April 2013. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager Version 5.2 using a relative measure of effect, i.e., ratio of means (RoM). Our initial search resulted in 29 eligible studies, and subsequently, 20 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Substantial and consistent improvement in PSG and subjective outcomes were observed post-TCRFTA in the base of tongue (BOT) and multilevel surgery groups only. Application of TCRFTA at the BOT was associated with a significant reduction in RDI (RoM 0.60, CI 0.47–0.76), ESS (RoM 0.59, CI 0.51–0.67), and VAS snoring (RoM 0.48, CI 0.37–0.62) and increase in lowest oxygen saturation (RoM 1.05, CI 1.01–1.10). Similarly, a significant reduction in RDI (RoM 0.61, CI 0.47–0.80) and ESS (RoM 0.79, CI −0.71 to 0.88) was observed after multilevel TCRFTA, but substantial heterogeneity between these studies was observed. TCRFTA is clinically effective in reducing RDI levels and symptoms of sleepiness in patients with OSA syndrome when directed at the base of tongue or as a multilevel procedure.
An empirical evaluation of the SYNWORK1 multiple-task work environment

SYNWORK1 is a multiple-task work environment that allows up to four tasks (memory search, arithmetic, visual monitoring, and auditory monitoring) to be performed concurrently. Experiments were conducted to evaluate performance and subjective workload for each individual task and all combinations of tasks at two presentation rates. At the slower default rates, the three experiment-paced tasks were not very demanding, and improvements with practice were due primarily to the subject-paced arithmetic task. Doubling the presentation rates made the demands of all tasks more comparable and decreased the influence of arithmetic performance. SYNWORK1 is useful for comparisons between populations of individuals and evaluations of arousal-related variables, and, with modification, could provide a tool for assessing basic issues in multiple-task performance.
MODELS FOR THE STATISTICS AND MECHANISMS OF RESPONSE SPEED AND ACCURACY

Van Breukelen offers a promising method for modeling both response speed and response accuracy. However, the underlying conception of both dependent measures is somewhat flawed, leading the author to conclude that the approach possesses limitations that, under revised assumptions, may not hold. The central misconception, and a set of related misconceptions, is addressed, and it is suggested that this approach holds a good deal of promise for application in the perceptual and cognitive sciences.
Ontogeny of opioid pharmacology and receptors: High and low affinity site differences

The development of the high affinity binding of a variety of opiates and enkephalins is distinct from low affinity binding. During the first 2 weeks after birth, low affinity binding in both brain and spinal cord remains relatively constant while high affinity binding increases up to 3-fold. Differences in the development of analgesic and respiratory sensitivity to opiates are also found. Whereas morphine, beta-endorphin and D-Ala2-Met5-enkephalin-amide depress respiratory rates in 2-day old rats at doses equal to or lower than those active in 14-day old rats, morphine's analgesic ED50 is 40-fold greater in 2-day old than in 14-day old rats. Similarly, beta-endorphin and D-Ala2-Met5-enkephalinamide are analgesic in 14-day old rats but not 7-day old rats. The small effect of spinal transections on morphine analgesia in 14-day old rats suggests that the change in analgesic sensitivity is at a segmental spinal level and not a result of descending pathways. These results suggest an interesting correlation between high affinity binding and analgesia and between low affinity binding and respiratory effects.
Alteration in footshock threshold by low-level septal brain stimulation ☆

Abstract Thirteen male, hooded rats with chronically implanted electrodes in the septal area were trained to bar press for intracranial stimulation (SICS) to determine whether the electrode locus was in a reward zone, and then were tested for footshock threshold in a highly-sensitive startle chamber in the presence and absence of SICS on randomly alternated days. SICS (a) significantly decreased startle responses to all footshock levels, (b) decreased magnitude of startle to footshock, and (c) was least effective in altering footshock threshold when the electrode locus was in a reward zone. Effects (a) and (b) were most prominent in initial test periods, but diminished over subsequent sessions.
Optimal Embedding of Rigid Objects in the Topology Design of Structures

Abstract Extensive published research results exist on the topology design of single-component structures, while multicomponent structural systems have received much less attention. In this article, we present a technique for optimizing the topology of a structure that should be connected to one or more predesigned polygon-shaped components to maximize the stiffness of the overall ensemble. We call it an embedding problem in topology design because predesigned components are to be optimally positioned and oriented within a design region while the connecting structure's topology is optimized simultaneously. Continuous design variables are used to vary the locations of the embedded objects smoothly along with the topology of the connecting structure to apply gradient-based continuous optimization algorithms. A new material interpolation function on the basis of normal distribution function was used for this purpose. An optimality criteria method combined with the steepest descent method was used to minimize...
Does benign prostatic tissue contribute to measurable PSA levels after radical prostatectomy

Objectives To provide insights into the likelihood that benign prostatic tissue represents a source of measurable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after radical prostatectomy. Methods From October 2000 to December 2006, 1308 consecutive men underwent open radical retropubic prostatectomy by a single surgeon. Of these 1308 men, 331 (25.3%) met our criteria for having “extremely” low-risk disease as determined by the preoperative and pathologic factors, including a preoperative PSA level Results At 3 months to 6 years of follow-up (mean 36.2 months), 0.6% and 0.3% of patients had developed a measurable PSA level or biochemical recurrence, respectively. The single patient with biochemical recurrence responded to salvage radiotherapy, strongly suggesting a malignant etiology for the recurrence. Conclusions A measurable PSA level or biochemical recurrence was an extraordinarily rare event in our select group of patients with extremely low-risk disease. These results provide compelling evidence that retained benign prostatic elements are an unlikely source of elevated PSA levels in men who have undergone radical prostatectomy.
Vibrational modes of hydrazine sulfate and deuterium-substituted single crystals

Abstract A single crystal study of hydrazine sulfate and deuterium-substituted hydrazine sulfate utilizing both polarized Raman and FT-IR reflectance spectroscopy is reported. External optic modes of the sulfate ion have been distinguished from those of the hydrazinium ion for the first time. Reflectance spectroscopy allowed the identification of the ν3 modes of the sulfate ion in a spectral region containing the N-H bending and deformation modes of the hydrazinium ion. The spectroscopic data indicate a very slight degree of interionic coupling between the sulfate and hydrazinium ions. Transverse optic modes derived from the reflectance spectra correspond quite well to the frequencies observed in the Raman spectra.
Predictive patch testing for allergic sensitization in man

Abstract We have briefly reviewed the literature on predictive patch testing in man. An important consideration is whether or not predictive patch-testing systems presently employed can fail. We detail the failure of the standard Draize test to predict sensitization to tetrachlorosalicylanilide (TCSA). Modifications of the Draize technique which improve its predictive value are presented. Newer experimental methods including the triple-freeze and maximization tests are discussed.
Semiautomated enzymic micro methods for blood glucose and lactic acid on a single filtrate.

Abstract Methods have been modified and adapted to permit enzymic automated micro analysis of glucose on 0.021 ml of blood, and of lactic acid on 0.0115 ml of blood. By means of a single 1:20 Somogyi filtrate with a final volume of 1–1.4 ml prepared from 0.1–0.15 ml blood, both determinations can be accomplished individually on the autoanalyzer. The range of concentrations of each method has been extended so that glucose may be determined between 5 and 200 mg 100 ml (or higher depending on dilution) and lactic acid between 5 and 125 mg 100 ml . The methods are sensitive, reproducible, and stable. The recoveries and the comparison studies with manual methods are well within the limits of clinical investigation procdures.
Processing nanostructured materials: the need to integrate experimental data with multiscale continuum/non-continuum simulations ☆

The purpose of this presentation is to provide a selective overview of science and engineering aspects of morphology evolution, and to suggest areas where strategic advances will benefit a broad range of specific technologies. Recent advances in experimental and computational approaches for both continuum and non-continuum regions of behavior are presented for the study of additive effects on copper morphology evolution during electrodeposition. In microelectronic applications, deposit quality is determined on the molecular scale by the action of additives. Emphasis is therefore placed on integration of experimental data and qualitative hypotheses with computational strategies in order to understand behavior at the non-continuum level. In addition, emphasis is also given to the linkage of non-continuum simulations with traditional electrochemical engineering tools that use continuum methods to compute potential and current distribution phenomena in macroscopic systems. The use of multiscale, multi-phenomena numerical simulation offers promise for speeding innovation as well as design of advanced technological applications.
Epigenetics of a tandem DNA repeat: chromatin DNaseI sensitivity and opposite methylation changes in cancers

DNA methylation and chromatin DNaseI sensitivity were analyzed in and adjacent to D4Z4 repeat arrays, which consist of 1 to approximately 100 tandem 3.3-kb units at subtelomeric 4q and 10q. D4Z4 displayed hypomethylation in some cancers and hypermethylation in others relative to normal tissues. Surprisingly, in cancers with extensive D4Z4 methylation there was a barrier to hypermethylation spreading to the beginning of this disease-associated array (facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, FSHD) despite sequence conservation in repeat units throughout the array. We infer a different chromatin structure at the proximal end of the array than at interior repeats, consistent with results from chromatin DNaseI sensitivity assays indicating a boundary element near the beginning of the array. The relative chromatin DNaseI sensitivity in FSHD and control myoblasts and lymphoblasts was as follows: a non-genic D4Z4-adjacent sequence (p13E-11, array-proximal)> untranscribed gene standards > D4Z4 arrays> constitutive heterochromatin (satellite 2; P < 10(-4) for all comparisons). Cancers displaying D4Z4 hypermethylation also exhibited a hypermethylation-resistant subregion within the 3.3-kb D4Z4 repeat units. This subregion contains runs of G that form G-quadruplexes in vitro. Unusual DNA structures might contribute to topological constraints that link short 4q D4Z4 arrays to FSHD and make long ones phenotypically neutral.
Differential regulation of DNA methylation versus histone acetylation in cardiomyocytes during HHcy in vitro and in vivo: an epigenetic mechanism

The mechanisms of homocysteine-mediated cardiac threats are poorly understood. Homocysteine, being the precursor to S-adenosyl methionine (a methyl donor) through methionine, is indirectly involved in methylation phenomena for DNA, RNA, and protein. We reported previously that cardiac-specific deletion of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-1 (NMDAR1) ameliorates homocysteine-posed cardiac threats, and in this study, we aim to explore the role of NMDAR1 in epigenetic mechanisms of heart failure, using cardiomyocytes during hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy). High homocysteine levels activate NMDAR1, which consequently leads to abnormal DNA methylation vs. histone acetylation through modulation of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), HDAC1, miRNAs, and MMP9 in cardiomyocytes. HL-1 cardiomyocytes cultured in Claycomb media were treated with 100 μM homocysteine in a dose-dependent manner. NMDAR1 antagonist (MK801) was added in the absence and presence of homocysteine at 10 μM in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of DNMT1, histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1), NMDAR1, microRNA (miR)-133a, and miR-499 was assessed by real-time PCR as well as Western blotting. Methylation and acetylation levels were determined by checking 5′-methylcytosine DNA methylation and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Hyperhomocysteinemic mouse models (CBS+/−) were used to confirm the results in vivo. In HHcy, the expression of NMDAR1, DNMT1, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 increased with increase in H3K9 acetylation, while HDAC1, miR-133a, and miR-499 decreased in cardiomyocytes. Similar results were obtained in heart tissue of CBS+/− mouse. High homocysteine levels instigate cardiovascular remodeling through NMDAR1, miR-133a, miR-499, and DNMT1. A decrease in HDAC1 and an increase in H3K9 acetylation and DNA methylation are suggestive of chromatin remodeling in HHcy.
The effect of transition state stabilization in group 6 d4 tricarbonyl compounds

Abstract Equilibrium constants between 3.9(1.2) × 10−3 and 7.3(1.7) × 10−4M−1 are reported for the reaction of Mo(CO)2DCE)(PR3)2X2 (X = Cl, Br; PR3 = P(C6H4-p-OMe)3, PPh3, PEt3 DCE = 1,2-dichloroethane) with CO to form Mo(CO)3(PR3)2Br2. The equilibrium constant for addition of CO to the unstable species (η5-C5H5)Mo(CO)2(DCE)Cl, obtained by comparison of the rate constant for addition of CO to the dicarbonyl with the known rate constant for CO dissociation from (η5-C5H5)Mo(CO)3Cl, is 2.5(0.9) × 109M−1. Free energy differences are calculated for these compounds and for the previously studied system, Mo(CO)2(o-C6H4Cl2)(S2CNEt2)2. It is concluded that transition state stabilization of Mo(CO)2(Solv)(PR3)2X2 and of Mo(CO)2(Solv)(S2CNEt2)2 (Solv = solvent), which in fact is due to the stability of the 16-electron dicarbonyls, accounts for the observed differences in ligand substitution rates for the tricarbonyl systems.
Comparison of constant-volume sampler and bag mini-diluter emissions measurements of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle:

AbstractThe impending introduction of dual-fuel plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) will impose significant challenges on current vehicle emissions testing equipment and protocols. One reason is the all-electric range and random start of the combustion engine. A second reason is the period of low or zero flow rate of exhaust volume. The present paper systematically evaluates these challenges by testing a Toyota prototype with an industry-standard, constant-volume sampler system in parallel with bag mini diluter equipment. Both systems exhibit technical difficulties when testing the PHEV. Discrepancies between the two methods can be corrected with software manipulations for a charge-sustaining operation. However, there are clear mechanisms of possible error in CO2 emissions collected during charge-depleting operation for both technologies. These findings indicate that alternative methods, including continuous sampling methods, may be required for accurate vehicle certification.
Role of lysine methylation in the activities of elongation factor 1α

Previous work in our laboratory has demonstrated that 19% of the lysine residues in the protein synthesis elongation factor (EF-1 alpha) are methylated when the factor is purified from the mycelial form of the fungus Mucor racemosus. However, the same factor, when purified from spores of M. racemosus, is largely unmethylated. Despite its wide-spread occurrence in a great number of basic proteins, the functional significance of lysine N-methylation remains poorly understood. Spore and mycelial forms of EF-1 alpha were therefore compared in a series of assays to determine their relative affinities for various substrates and cofactors known to interact with the factor during the elongation cycle. The results suggested that hypomethylated and fully methylated EF-1 alpha had equal affinities for GTP, aminoacyl-tRNA, and ribosomes. Also, methylation did not appear to affect the accuracy of translation in an in vitro system. However, experiments did suggest that methylation may affect the ability of the factor to form complexes with other subunits (EF-1 beta gamma) which are known to enhance the overall rate of protein synthesis.
Gender Preference for the Endoscopist Among Hispanics: The Results of a Prospective Study

We aim to assess the gender preferences for endoscopists among Hispanics and factors influencing such preferences. Cross-sectional study in prospectively enrolled Hispanic patients using a pre-endoscopy questionnaire regarding their gender preferences for the endoscopist and the reasons for such preferences. Multivariate logistic regression model was used for the statistical analysis. We enrolled total 200 Hispanic patients (100 males, 100 females) in our study. Their mean age was 51 ± 14 years. 30 % of Hispanics expressed a gender preference for the endoscopist. Gender preference was more common among Hispanic women than men (38 % vs. 22 %, p = 0.014). Gender preference for primary care provider was independently associated with the gender preference for the endoscopist (odds ratio 66, 95 % CI 25–182, p < 0.0001). We found significant number of Hispanic patients with gender preference for the endoscopist (female more than male). The odds of such preferences were strongly associated with the gender preference for the primary care physician.
Identification of pBC218/pBC210 Genes of Bacillus cereus G9241 in Five Florida Soils Using qPCR

The distribution of the virulent plasmid pBC210 of B. cereus that carries several B. anthracis genes and has been implicated in lethal anthrax-like pulmonary disease is unknown. We screened our collection of 103 B. cereus isolates and 256 soil samples using a quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay that targeted three open reading frames putatively unique to pBC210. When tested with DNA from 2 B. cereus strains carrying pBC210, and 64 Gram-positive and 55 Gram-negative bacterial species, the assay had 100% sensitivity and specificity. None of the DNA from the B. cereus isolates yielded positive amplicons but DNA extracted from five soils collected in Florida gave positive results for all three target sequences of pBC210. While screening confirms that pBC210 is uncommon in B. cereus, this study is the first to report that pBC210 is present in Florida soils. This study improves our knowledge of the distribution of pBC210 in soils and, of public health importance, the potential threat of B. cereus isolates carrying the toxin-carrying plasmid. We demonstrated that sequences of pBC210 can be found in a larger geographical area than previously thought and that finding more B. cereus carrying the virulent plasmid is a possibility in the future.
Enhanced Robust Design Simulation and Application to Engine Cycle and Technology Design

Increases in computing power have enabled designers to efficiently use Monte Carlo simulation to perform robust design analyses of engine systems. Unfortunately, the designer is now faced with the problem of being able to generate more data than he is capable of analyzing or understanding in any tractable manner. Traditional filtered Monte Carlo methods involve creating surrogate model representations (such as Artificial Neural Networks) of a physics based model in order to rapidly generate tens of thousands of model responses as design and technology input parameters are randomly varied within user defined distributions. The downside to this approach is that the designer is often faced with a large design space with which he must perform a significant amount of post processing to arrive at probabilities of meeting design requirements.This research enhances the traditional filtered Monte Carlo robust design approach by regressing surrogate responses of joint confidence intervals for metric responses of interest. Fitting surrogate responses of probabilistic confidence intervals rather than the raw response data changes the problem the engineer is able to answer. Using the new approach the question can be better phrased in terms of the probability of meeting certain requirements. For example, one will be able to ask, “What engine overall pressure ratio is needed to achieve a 90% chance of reaching a 25% reduction in TSFC from the current state of the art?” The more traditional approach does not have the ability to include confidence in the process without significant post-processing.The process will be demonstrated using a two-spool axi-centrifugal turboshaft architecture modeled using the Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS) program. The new robust design process will be used to demonstrate the probabilistic impacts of both technology and design variables on choosing a cycle that is robust to both growth in mission requirements and changes in anticipated technology levels as the design matures. More specifically, the research will present engine cycle variables including component pressure ratios and temperatures that provide for high probability of meeting notional system level requirements, such as ESFC, under different levels of technology uncertainty. Technology uncertainty will be defined in terms of available material properties and component efficiency.© 2014 ASME
A strategy for a convergent synthesis of N-linked glycopeptides on a solid support

Oligosaccharides and glycopeptides are of considerable importance in molecular biology and pharmacology. However, their synthesis is complicated by the large number of different linking sites between each saccharide unit, the need for stereochemical control, the chemical sensitivity of the glycopeptide bonds, and the need to harmonize diverse protecting groups. Here, an efficient solid-phase synthesis of three N-linked glycopeptides based on glycal assembly is presented. The peptide domain can be extended while the ensemble remains bound to the polymer. The glycopeptides synthesized here are among the largest N-linked glycopeptides ever accessed by either solution- or solid-phase synthesis.
Task and Size Effects in the Oppel-Kundt and Irradiation Illusions

Abstract The present study examined the effects of type of task and stimulus size on two well-known illusions of perceived size: the Oppel-Kundt illusion and the Irradiation illusion. In Experiment 1, a forced-choice task, in which 87 male and female college observers chose the “longer” of two side-by-side stimuli, was used to determine the relative perceived size of stimuli of different length that were all white, all black, or white with various numbers of black stripes. In Experiment 2, an absolute judgment task, in which 73 male and female college observers reported their direct estimate of a single target's length, was used for the same determinations. For both kinds of perceptual judgment, the Oppel-Kundt illusion is strongly in evidence (p < .001), but the magnitude of the illusion does not increase proportionally with the size of the stimuli. The Irradiation illusion is only found with the forced-choice judgments in Experiment 1. Implications for the generalizability of these illusions to nonlabor...
Magdalena Jaakkola. Spräkgränsen. En studie i tvdsprdkighetens sociologi

En 1809, unueca finnlingva zono estis politike dividita. La tiamaj 7000 finnlingvanoj, kiuj estis aljugitaj al Svedujo kaj dividitaj de la nun rusiginta Finnlando, igis tipa celandlima minoritato.La studo de Jaakkola, tradukita el la finna, pristudas la evoluon de la Torne-valo el feǔda stato - ankoraǔ meze de la 19-a jarcento - en kiu la svedaj regantoj kaj la finnaj kamparanoj interkomunikis per interpretistoj, al la stadio de la filozofio de la 19-a jarcento - unulingva nacia stato, kun persona fidelo de la opa civitano, ankau lingva fidelo. Estis epoko de sveda naciismo kaj suspektemo rilate al la finnlingvanoj de la landlima zono, kun ties naturaj ligoj al la finnoj sub rusa regado.La evoluo iris de tiu diglosio al diglosio kun samtempa dulingvismo; poste al dulingvismo sen diglosio, kiam la finnlingvanoj lernis la svedan por povi labor1 ankau en la sudo. Se la evoluo tiel daurus, neeviteble estigus sveda unulingveco.Nur se la stato sangos sian politikon oni povos eviti la formorton de la finna. Estas kelkaj indikoj de pli liberala sinteno. Ekzemple, oni acetas finnajn bibliotekajn librojn, oni ne plu punas infanojn, kiuj dum lerneja pauzo parolas finne. Sed la instruistoj plej ofte nur scipovas la svedan, kaj instruas per gi. Ne la lernejo nun enkondukas la dulingvecon - la plejmultaj infanoj jam eniras la lernejon, scipovantaj la svedan.La libro entenas valoran statistikon. Mankas tamen atento al la sendube okazinta kaj okazanta translokigo de la lingva limo. La statistikaj unuoj, akceptitaj de Jaakkola, estas administraj, do nenecese socilingvistikaj. Favoraj faktoroj al la finna estas la spektebleco de la finna televido kaj la finna literaturo de loka religia sekto. Per tio, oni normigas la lokan finnan al la finna modelo. Sed la estonteco de la lingvo mem estas necerta.
Sensory biology: it takes Piezo2 to tango.

Summary A trio of papers has resolved an outstanding controversy regarding the function of Merkel cells and their afferent nerve fiber partners. Merkel cells sense mechanical stimuli (through Piezo2), fire action potentials, and are sufficient to activate downstream sensory neurons.
Influence of deposition rate on the formation of growth twins in sputter-deposited 330 austenitic stainless steel films

The authors have studied the influence of deposition rate on the formation of growth twins in sputter-deposited 330 austenitic stainless steel thin films. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the volume fraction of twinned grains increases with increasing deposition rate, whereas the average columnar grain size and twin spacing stay approximately unchanged. These experimental results agree qualitatively with their analytical model that predicts deposition rate dependent formation of growth twins. The film hardness increases monotonically with increasing volume fraction of twinned grains.