cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Eucaryotic DNA primase does not prefer to synthesize primers at pyrimidine rich DNA sequences when nucleoside triphosphates are present at concentrations found in whole cells.

The critical role of NTP concentration in determining where calf thymus DNA primase synthesizes a primer on a DNA template was examined. Varying the concentration of NTPs dramatically altered the template sequences at which primase synthesized primers. At the low NTP concentrations typically used for in vitro experiments (100 microM), primase greatly preferred to synthesize primers at pyrimidine rich DNA sequences. However, when the concentrations of NTPs were increased to levels typically found in whole cells, primers were now synthesized in all regions of the template. Importantly, synthesis of primers in all regions of the DNA template, not just the pyrimidine rich sequences, is the pattern of primer synthesis observed during DNA replication in whole cells. With low concentrations of NTPs (i.e., Vmax/K(M) conditions), primers are only synthesized at the most preferred synthesis sites, namely, those that are pyrimidine rich. In contrast, under conditions of high NTP concentrations, primer synthesis will occur at the first potential synthesis site to which primase binds. Now, the primase x DNA complex will be immediately converted to a primase x DNA x NTP x NTP complex that is poised for primer synthesis.
Evolution of wetting alteration by adsorption from crude oil

Crude oils are complex mixtures of organic molecules, some of which can adsorb onto high-energy surfaces, altering mineral surface wettability. In cores, the extent of wetting alteration varies with oil and brine compositions and saturations as well as with aging time and temperature. Previous studies on flat surfaces have demonstrated rapid interaction between oil components and solid surfaces that can vary with the composition of the intervening brine phase. This study is designed to investigate interactions that occur after initial oil/solid contact. Wettability alternation is assessed by measurement of contact angles between pure fluids after removal of bulk crude oil. The influences of aging time, temperature, and fluid compositions have been considered. Adsorption appears to proceed in two stages. Initial exposure of wet surfaces to oil produces weakly water-wet conditions. Longer aging may produce oil-wet surfaces or, in some cases, a return to more water-wet conditions. This second stage of the adsorption process may continue for days or even weeks and is influenced by temperature and fluid compositions. Desorption of crude oil components can occur when a treated surface is re-exposed to brine.
Parameter estimation applied to physiological systems

Parameter estimation techniques are of ever-increasing interest in the fields of medicine and biology, as greater efforts are currently being made to describe physiological systems in explicit quantitative form. Although some of the techniques of parameter estimation as developed for use in other engineering and scientific problems may be carried over into physiology, it has nevertheless been necessary to re-examine the entire procedure of estimation, from model formulation to computer selection. The results of this re-examination, as set forth in this paper, give some guidance as to the selection of techniques for the estimation of the parameters of physiological systems.
New finishing instruments for composite resins.

A number of abrasive instruments are evaluated for their ability to produce a smooth surface and their effect on the margins of composite resin restorations.
Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis With IL-1 Inhibitors

Extensive evidence from both in vivo and in vitro experiments indicate that IL-1, a prototypic proinflammatory cytokine, is involved in the mechanisms that lead to progressive joint destruction in RA. IL-1Ra, a member of the IL-1 family, binds IL-1 receptors but does not induce any cellular responses. IL-1Ra competitively inhibits the binding of IL-1 to its cell surface receptors and thus, acts as an endogenous anti-inflammatory mediator. However, the results of several studies suggest that a relatively deficient production in IL- 1Ra as compared to that of IL-1 in RA synovium may pre-dispose to the perpetuation of chronic inflammation. Systemic administration of IL-1Ra, or local delivery into the joints by gene therapy, in different experimental animal models of arthritis attenuated the severity of the inflammatory response and reduced articular destruction. In addition, treatment of rheumatoid patients with IL-1Ra led to an improvement in different clinical and biological parameters and to a reduction in the radiological signs of joint erosions. Encouraging results also have been reported in both in vitro and in vivo experimental animal models of arthritis through using other strategies designed to block the effects of IL-1 at the level of production, prevent the binding of IL-1 to its cell surface receptors, or interfere with the effects of IL-1 at the post-receptor level.
Estramustine-related hypocalcemia in patients with prostate carcinoma and osteoblastic metastases

Abstract We describe a patient with androgen-independent prostate cancer in whom hypocalcemia developed during treatment with estramustine. The patient’s total serum calcium level before and after the initiation of estramustine was 8.3 and 4.3 mg/dL, respectively (normal range 8.4 to 10.2). This finding prompted us to review the calcium levels in 135 consecutive patients who were also undergoing treatment with a similar estramustine-containing regimen. We found that hypocalcemia had developed in 20% of these patients during treatment. We speculate that estramustine may cause hypocalcemia by inhibiting the mobilization of calcium and the action of the parathyroid hormone in the skeleton.
Photochemical interaction of polystyrene nanospheres with 193 nm pulsed laser light.

The photochemical interaction of 193 nm light with polystyrene nanospheres is used to produce particles with a controlled size and morphology. Laser fluences from 0 to 0.14 J/cm 2 at 10 and 50 Hz photofragment nearly monodisperse 110 nm spherical polystyrene particles. The size distributions before and after irradiation are measured with a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), and the morphology of the irradiated particles is examined with a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results show that the irradiated particles have a smaller mean diameter (25 nm) and a number concentration more than an order of magnitude higher than nonirradiated particles. The particles are formed by nucleation of gas-phase species produced by photolytic decomposition of nanospheres. A nondimensional parameter, the photon-to-atom ratio (PAR), is used to interpret the laser-particle interaction energetics.
Show me a good time: using content to provide activity awareness to collaborators with activityspotter

In order to study the effect supporting awareness of a colleague's activity on a collaborator's communication intentions, we developed ActivitySpotter. It is a research tool and awareness display that determines a user's current activity through a semantic analysis of documents s/he accesses and shares this information with collaborators. We ran a user study on 22 participants to investigate how accurately ActivitySpotter represents user activity and whether different representations of activity (presence only, topic keywords, or activity labels) influence awareness differently and lead users to change their contact intention. Our findings suggest that activity content awareness can help users glean more about what their collaborators are doing, especially if they are more socially distant, and can afford screen space to have the display showing. This increase in awareness also positively influences users' intentions to communicate in a socially appropriate manner.
Routine Mediastinoscopy and Esophageal Ultrasound Fine-Needle Aspiration in Patients With Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Who Are Clinically N2 Negative: A Prospective Study

Background Despite normal mediastinal (N2) lymph nodes shown on positron emission tomography (PET) and CT, some physicians routinely perform mediastinoscopy and/or endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods A prospective trial on patients with NSCLC who were clinically staged N2 negative by both integrated PET/CT and CT scan. All underwent mediastinoscopy and EUS-FNA and if N2 negative underwent thoracotomy with thoracic lymphadenectomy. Results There were 153 patients (107 men). Of these, 136 patients were clinically staged N0 and 17 patients were clinically staged N1. Of the 136 patients who were staged as N0, 5 patients (3.7%) had positive EUS-FNA results (three in the subcarinal node), and 4 patients (2.9%) had positive mediastinoscopy results (all in the #4R node; one was N3). Six of the remaining 127 patients (4.7%) had N2 disease after resection. Seventeen patients were clinically staged as N1 by integrated PET/CT. Four patients (23.5%) had positive EUS-FNA results (two in the subcarinal node), 3 patients (17.6%) had positive mediastinoscopy results (all in #4R node; two were N2 and one was N3), and none of the remaining 10 patients had N2 disease after resection. Patients with unsuspected N2 disease were twice as likely (relative risk, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.24 to 2.51; p = 0.02) to have a maximum standardized uptake value (maxSUV) > 10 and poorly differentiated cancer (relative risk, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.14 to 2.38; p = 0.03). Conclusion We do not recommend routine mediastinoscopy or EUS-FNA in patients who are clinically staged as N0 after both integrated PET/CT and CT. However, these procedures should both be considered in patients clinically staged as N1 after PET/CT, and/or in those with adenocarcinoma, upper-lobe tumors, or tumors with a maxSUV ≥ 10.
Support-dependent Performance of Size-selected Subnanometer Cobalt Cluster-based Catalysts in the Dehydrogenation of Cyclohexene

The evolution of the chemical state and change in the morphology of subnanometer cobalt clusters during the dehydrogenation of cyclohexene was investigated in terms of metalsupport interactions. The model catalyst systems were prepared by deposition of size selected subnanometer Co27 4 clusters on various amorphous metal oxide supports (Al2O3, ZnO, and MgO), as well as on a carbon-based support (UNCD=ultrananocrystaline diamond). The reactivity, oxidation state, and sintering resistance of the clusters were monitored by temperature programmed reaction (TPRx), in situ grazing incidence X-ray absorption spectroscopy (GIXAS), and grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS), respectively. The reactivity and selectivity of cobalt clusters show strong dependency on the support used, with clusters supported on UNCD possessing the highest activity at 3008C. The evolution of the oxidation state of metal cluster during the reaction reveals that metal-support interaction plays a key role in performance of the subnanometer catalyst. A reversible assembly of clusters into a nanostructure which evolves with reaction temperature was observed on the MgO support.
Automatic construction of anomaly detectors from graphical models

Detection of rare or previously unseen attacks in cyber security presents a central challenge: how does one search for a sufficiently wide variety of types of anomalies and yet allow the process to scale to increasingly complex data? In particular, creating each anomaly detector manually and training each one separately presents untenable strains on both human and computer resources. In this paper we propose a systematic method for constructing a potentially very large number of complementary anomaly detectors from a single probabilistic model of the data. Only one model needs to be trained, but numerous detectors can then be implemented. This approach promises to scale better than manual methods to the complex heterogeneity of real-life data. As an example, we develop a Latent Dirichlet Allocation probability model of TCP connections entering Oak Ridge National Laboratory. We show that several detectors can be automatically constructed from the model and will provide anomaly detection at flow, sub-flow, and host (both server and client) levels. This demonstrates how the fundamental connection between anomaly detection and probabilistic modeling can be exploited to develop more robust operational solutions.
Vaccines and immunotherapeutics for the prevention and treatment of infections with West Nile virus

The emergence of West Nile virus (WNV) in North America in 1999 as a cause of severe neurological disease in humans, horses and birds stimulated development of vaccines for human and veterinary use, as well as polyclonal/monoclonal antibodies and other immunomodulating compounds for use as therapeutics. Although disease incidence in North America has declined since the peak epidemics in 2002-2003, the virus has continued to be annually transmitted in the Americas and to cause periodic epidemics in Europe and the Middle East. Continued transmission of the virus with human and animal disease suggests that vaccines and therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of WNV disease could be of great benefit. This article focuses on progress in development and evaluation of vaccines and immunotherapeutics for the prevention and treatment of WNV disease in humans and animals.
Fracture Mechanics of Binary Sodium Silicate Glasses

The generally accepted explanation for the discrepancy between the theoretical strengths of 106 psi and the commonly observed strengths of 104 psi for glasses lies in the flaw-stress concentration theory originally proposed by Griffith nearly fifty years ago.
Evidence for Endogenous C1q Modulates TNF-α Receptor Synthesis and Autocrine Binding of TNF-α Associated with Lipid A Activation of Murine Macrophages for Nitric Oxide Production

The role of endogenously synthesized complement subcomponent C1q on autocrine binding of tumor necrosis factors (TNF-alpha) and on TNF-alpha receptor (TNF-R) mRNA synthesis by mouse macrophages was investigated. Activation of C3H mouse peritoneal macrophages (C3H-PM phi) by Lipid A induced TNF-alpha and nitric oxide (NO) to kill tumor targets. Such activation also increased macrophage-endogenous C1q synthesis and secretion in a dose-dependent fashion. Antibody for C1q markedly inhibited C3H-PM phi NO production in response to Lipid A, but had no effect on TNF-alpha production. C3H-PM phi treated with C1q or Lipid A displayed increased TNF-R mRNA synthesis and in combination with Lipid A and anti-C1q antibody inhibited TNF-R and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) mRNA synthesis compared with Lipid A only, but had no effect on TNF mRNA synthesis. In vitro treatment of C3H-PM phi with C1q also increased TNF-alpha binding to their surfaces. Taken together, the data indicate that endogenously synthesized C1q is operative in promoting TNF-R mRNA synthesis and resultant autocrine binding of TNF-alpha for induction of NOS in the process of NO-mediated tumor cytotoxicity by Lipid A-activated macrophages.
Malic dehydrogenase in non-inflamed attached gingiva of dogs.

Ultramicrochemical methods were used to assay malic dehydrogenase (M.D.H.) activity in non- inflamed attached gingiva of dogs. Precautions were taken to assure the clinical and histological non-inflamed status of the gingivectomy specimens. Frozen dried sections were dissected under a stereomicroscope into representative morphologically distinct fragments which ranged in weight from 12 to 240 manograms. Quantitative results for various strata of epithelium, connective tissue and whole epithelium were calculated. The mean M.D.H. activities in micromoles of substrate converted, per gram of dry tissue weight per minute at 37° C. were: surface layer, 29; granular layer, 222; spinous layer, 329; basal layer, 598; connective tissue, 71; and whole epithelium, 337. Differences in aerobic metabolism between the present findings in dogs and those reported for rat oral mucosa may in part be due to the type of keratinization in the two species. These differences in M.D.H. activity in dog and rat tissue are compatible with previosuly reported results of investigations of the oxygen consumption of these tissues.
Snow classification from SSM/I data over varied terrain using an artificial neural network classifier

The brightness temperatures (Tbs) observed by the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) radiometer are sensitive to the changes in land surface snow conditions. Previously developed SSM/I snow classification algorithms have limitations and do not work properly for terrain where forests overlay snow cover. In this study, the authors applied unsupervised cluster analysis to define 6 snow classes in Tb observations, assessing both sparseand medium-vegetated region classes. Typical SSM/I Tb signature, in terms of cluster means, of each snow class was determined by calculating the mean Tbs of the corresponding cluster. A single-hidden-layer backpropagation (backprop) artificial neural network (ANN) classifier was designed to learn the 6 Tb patterns. Classification performance, in terms of error rate (%), was as small as 2.4%. This study confirms the potential of using cluster means in ANN supervised learning, and suggests a nonlinear retrieval method towards making the inferences of snow classes from SSM/I data over varied terrain operational. Improvement is expected by identifying more SSM/I Tb signatures of different land surface types to train the ANN classifier.
A compromise aspect-adaptive cylindrical projection for world maps

There are two problems with current cylindrical projections for world maps. First, existing cylindrical map projections have a static height-to-width aspect ratio and do not automatically adjust their aspect ratio in order to optimally use available canvas space. Second, many of the commonly used cylindrical compromise projections show areas and shapes at higher latitudes with considerable distortion. This article introduces a new compromise cylindrical map projection that adjusts the distribution of parallels to the aspect ratio of a canvas. The goal of designing this projection was to show land masses at central latitudes with a visually balanced appearance similar to how they appear on a globe. The projection was constructed using a visual design procedure where a series of graphically optimized projections was defined for a select number of aspect ratios. The visually designed projections were approximated by polynomial expressions that define a cylindrical projection for any height-to-width ratio between 0.3:1 and 1:1. The resulting equations for converting spherical to Cartesian coordinates require a small number of coefficients and are fast to execute. The presented aspect-adaptive cylindrical projection is well suited for digital maps embedded in web pages with responsive web design, as well as GIS applications where the size of the map canvas is unknown a priori. We highlight the projection with a height-to-width ratio of 0.6:1, which we call the Compact Miller projection because it is inspired by the Miller Cylindrical projection. Unlike the Miller Cylindrical projection, the Compact Miller projection has a smaller height-to-width ratio and shows the world with less areal distortion at higher latitudes. A user study with 448 participants verified that the Compact Miller – together with the Plate Carree projection – is the most preferred cylindrical compromise projection.
Application of fuzzy logic to reliability engineering

The analysis of system reliability often requires the use of subjective-judgments, uncertain data, and approximate system models. By allowing imprecision and approximate analysis fuzzy logic provides an effective tool for characterizing system reliability in these circumstances; it does not force precision where it is not possible. Here we apply the main concepts of fuzzy logic, fuzzy arithmetic and linguistic variables to the analysis of system structures, fault trees, event trees, the reliability of degradable systems, and the assessment of system criticality based on the severity of a failure and its probability of occurrence. >
A modified estimating equation approach to correcting for measurement error in regression

SUMMARY A modified estimating equation approach is proposed to correct for measurement error in regression problems. We allow changing measurement error variances and covariances across units, allow the regressors to be fixed, allow estimation of the measurement error variances/covariances and account for uncertainty arising from this estimation, and explicitly model measurement error in the response. Multiple linear, quadratic, Poisson, and logistic regression are considered in detail and it is seen that some previously developed estimators arise as special cases from the proposed approach. A small simulation study is presented for logistic regression.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel phenyl substituted sydnone series as potential antitumor agents

A series of compounds containing an N-(4'-substituted-3'-nitrophenyl)sydnone moiety with potential antitumor activity was prepared based on active analogues. The rationale behind the design of these compounds is presented along with the 4-step synthetic route to the derivatives in the 4'-position of the phenyl sydnone framework. Out of the six novel compounds, the 4'-fluoro derivative has an improved activity against all three cell lines as compared to the earlier leads.
Magnetic field dependence of RF surface impedance

The surface impedance, Z/sub s/, is calculated for type-II superconductors subjected to a static magnetic field and small-amplitude microwave radiation. A complex penetration depth is calculated by using a model of vortex dynamics including a linear pinning restoring force and a viscous drag force. The static magnetic field dependence of the surface resistance, R/sub s/ and the surface reactance, X/sub s/, is found by examining the dependence of the complex penetration depth on the length scales for low-field penetration, pinning penetration, and flux-flow penetration. In turn, from R/sub s/, the static magnetic field dependence of the rate of energy dissipation is found.
Methods to assess in vitro wear of articular cartilage.

New orthopedic implants for focal cartilage defects replace only a portion of the articulating joint and wear against the opposing cartilage surface. The objective of this study was to investigate ...
Effect of activation method on Fe FTS catalysts: investigation at the site level using SSITKA

Abstract Proper activation of Fe catalysts is an important step in determining their activity for the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS). The results of this study reveal for the first time the effect of activation and time on stream (TOS) on intrinsic site activity and concentration of surface intermediates during CO hydrogenation (methanation) on an Fe FTS catalyst. The catalyst was activated under identical conditions but with different pretreatment gases: CO ([CO]), H 2 ([H]), or syngas ([S]). Lifetime ( τ M ) and concentration of methane surface intermediates ( N M ) were measured in situ using isotopic tracing (SSITKA) of CO hydrogenation under methanation conditions (H 2 : CO = 10:1, T =280 °C, P =1.8 atm). Fe phases after activation were found by XRD to be Fe 0 + Fe 3 O 4 for [H] and Fe carbides + Fe 3 O 4 for both [CO] and [S]. Reaction and SSITKA results showed that the rate and abundance of surface intermediates on the [H]-pretreated catalyst developed with TOS, reaching a maximum at ca. 1 h, and then declined to steady-state values at 21 h, still significantly higher than for the other pretreated samples. Activity was shown by SSITKA to be primarily determined by the number of active intermediates (related to the number of surface sites). Measures (1/ τ M ) of the intrinsic site activity on the differently activated catalyst samples were not significantly different, suggesting that the active sites were all identical. Given the similarity in the activity of the sites and the increase in the concentration of active sites (and rate) of [H] and [CO] during the initial reaction period, it can be concluded that the active sites are probably on a (partially?) carburized Fe surface.
Policies: Our Footprints in the Past, Our Signposts for the Future

Clearly established policies can guide our actions and activities and focus our attention. As our beliefs change so do our policies. It is the right as well as the responsibility of each of us as members of the American Occupational Therapy Association to watch for changes in our environment that might affect our thinking or our beliefs regarding our profession's role. Ideas for changes should be brought to the attention of the Representative Assembly, who will then be able to take action on possible policy changes. Our active involvement in this process will ensure that our policies are not just rigid, constraining dictums but are alive and changing with the times and truly reflect our footprints in the past and serve as our signposts for the future.
Very Low–Calorie Diet Mimics the Early Beneficial Effect of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Insulin Sensitivity and β-Cell Function in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Marked improvement in glycemic control occurs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus shortly after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) and before there is major weight loss. The objective of this study was to determine whether the magnitude of this change is primarily due to caloric restriction or is unique to the surgical procedure. We studied eleven subjects who underwent RYGB and fourteen subjects mean-matched for BMI, HbA1c, and diabetes duration who were admitted to our inpatient research unit and given a very low–calorie diet (VLCD) of 500 kcal/day with a macronutrient content similar to that consumed by patients after RYGB. Frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed before and after interventions. Both groups lost an equivalent amount of weight over a mean study period of 21 days. Insulin sensitivity, acute insulin secretion after intravenous glucose administration, and β-cell function as determined by disposition index improved to a similar extent in both groups. Likewise, changes in fasting glucose and fructosamine levels were similar. Based on these data, VLCD improves insulin sensitivity and β-cell function just as well as RYGB in the short term.
A BMO Bound for Eigenfunctions on Riemannian Manifolds

In this short note, we prove a BMO bound on eigenfunctions of the Laplacian on Riemannian manifold. This bound is closely related to a conjecture on the Hausdorff measure of the nodal set.
Circulant weighing matrices

The existence status of previously open cases of circulant weighing matrices will be established using various techniques. The results fill in 52 missing entries in Strassler's table of circulant weighing matrices (Strassler 1997), which considers matrices of order 1---200 with weight k???100.
Learning Markov Networks With Arithmetic Circuits

Markov networks are an effective way to represent complex probability distributions. However, learning their structure and parameters or using them to answer queries is typically intractable. One approach to making learning and inference tractable is to use approximations, such as pseudo-likelihood or approximate inference. An alternate approach is to use a restricted class of models where exact inference is always efficient. Previous work has explored low treewidth models, models with tree-structured features, and latent variable models. In this paper, we introduce ACMN, the first ever method for learning efficient Markov networks with arbitrary conjunctive features. The secret to ACMN’s greater flexibility is its use of arithmetic circuits, a lineartime inference representation that can handle many high treewidth models by exploiting local structure. ACMN uses the size of the corresponding arithmetic circuit as a learning bias, allowing it to trade off accuracy and inference complexity. In experiments on 12 standard datasets, the tractable models learned by ACMN are more accurate than both tractable models learned by other algorithms and approximate inference in intractable models.
Structure of cDNA clones coding for the entire preproα1(III) chain of human type III procollagen: differences in protein structure from type I procollagen and conservation of codon preferences

Two overlapping cDNA clones that cover the complete length of the mRNA for human type III procollagen were characterized. The data provided about 2500 base pairs of sequence not previously defined for human type III procollagen. Two tripeptide sequences of -Gly-Xaa-Yaa- were identified that were not detected previously by amino acid sequencing of human type III collagen. The two additional tripeptide units, together with three previously detected, establish that the alpha 1 (III) chain is 15 amino acids longer than either the alpha 1 (I) or alpha 2 (I) chains of type I collagen. The additional tripeptide units made hydropathy plots of the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of type III collagen distinctly different from those of type I collagen. The data also demonstrated that human type III procollagen has the same third base preference in codons for glycine, proline and alanine that was previously found with human and chick type I procollagen. In addition, comparison of two cDNA clones from the same individual revealed a variation in structure in that the codon for amino acid 880 of the alpha 1 (III) chain was -CTT- for leucine in one clone and -TTT- for phenylalanine in the other.
Paleomagnetism of the Oatka Creek Member of the Marcellus Formation: A Devonian paleopole for North America

This study presents paleomagnetic results from the Oatka Creek Member of the Marcellus Formation. Paleomagnetic specimens were subsampled from a 50.8-mm-diameter subsurface drill core obtained from the Valley and Ridge physiographic province of Pennsylvania. Alternating field (AF) demagnetization techniques demonstrate that the Oatka Creek specimens retain multiple components of magnetization. The lowest-coercivity component, component A, was isolated by peak fields up to 20 mT and has characteristics of a drilling-induced remanence. Component B was isolated over a range of peak AF fields between 20 and 50 mT in the upper 100 m of the core, and points south with intermediate downward inclinations in geographic coordinates. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and rock magnetic experiments yield evidence that suggests component B is a detrital remanent magnetization in magnetite. We corrected these directions for bedding tilt and inclination shallowing and calculated a paleopole at lat. 29.4°, long. 116.9°, A95 = 1.3°, with an age of 388–389 Ma constrained by biostratigraphy and radiometric dating. This paleomagnetic pole could help fill a data gap in the paleomagnetic record for North America that spans the Middle Devonian to Early Mississippian Periods. Component C was isolated throughout the core using AF fields between 50 and 100 mT and points south with shallow downward inclinations in geographic coordinates. Component C directions agree with a chemical remanence in pyrrhotite from a previous paleomagnetic study of the Marcellus Formation. Component C is likely also a chemical remanent magnetization in pyrrhotite acquired during maximum burial temperatures achieved in the Permian, which may have catalyzed pyrrhotite formation. Component D was isolated in specimens from the lower 20 m of the core, using peak AF fields between 20 and 100 mT, and it points north with shallow downward inclinations in geographic coordinates. The lower 20 m of the core shows evidence of significant hydrothermal alteration. The component D directions yield a paleopole in good agreement with the Jurassic reference pole, and a pulse of hydrothermal alteration in the lower portion of the Oatka Creek Member is consistent with other thermal events in the region ca. 180 Ma. Our results indicate that subsurface cores from the Appalachian foreland may provide an opportunity to greatly improve the Paleozoic paleomagnetic record for North America.
A Genomic Study of DNA Alteration Events Caused by Ionizing Radiation in Human Embryonic Stem Cells via Next-Generation Sequencing.

Ionizing radiation (IR) is a known mutagen that is widely employed for medical diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. To study the extent of genetic variations in DNA caused by IR, we used IR-sensitive human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Four hESC cell lines, H1, H7, H9, and H14, were subjected to IR at 0.2 or 1 Gy dose and then maintained in culture for four days before being harvested for DNA isolation. Irradiation with 1 Gy dose resulted in significant cell death, ranging from 60% to 90% reduction in cell population. Since IR is often implicated as a risk for inducing cancer, a primer pool targeting genomic “hotspot” regions that are frequently mutated in human cancer genes was used to generate libraries from irradiated and control samples. Using a semiconductor-based next-generation sequencing approach, we were able to consistently sequence these samples with deep coverage for reliable data analysis. A possible rare nucleotide variant was identified in the KIT gene (chr4:55593481) exclusively in H1 hESCs irradiated with 1 Gy dose. More extensive further studies are warranted to assess the extent and distribution of genetic changes in hESCs after IR exposure.
The Case for Counter-Cyclical Fiscal Capacity

A growing literature has sought to demonstrate when and how government capacity links to performance. This article examines those questions in the area of financial management. A basic challenge for state governments is to maintain budgetary stability and program predictability in face of economic downturns. State governments can best meet this challenge by developing what we call counter-cyclical fiscal capacity. We present the concept of counter-cyclical fiscal capacity as the creation and use of financial tools that help state governments maintain counter-cyclical spending and program stability during revenue shocks. We operationalize the concept in terms of fiscal reserves that are used to mitigate emergency spending cuts and tax increases, and analyze the operation of such reserves over a period that includes recessions in 1991 and 2001. We find evidence of the efficacy of counter-cyclical fiscal capacity, and argue for greater investments in this aspect of government capacity.
Dominance and Leadership in the International EconomyExploitation, Public Goods, and Free Rides

It is often difficult to distinguish dominance from leadership in international economic relations. The latter concept, however, rejects exploitation and implies an often critical function in the provision of public goods. In its absence, the provision of such public goods as a market for distress goods, a steady flow of capital, and a rediscount mechanism may disappear. This stabilization function was provided by the United States in the first postwar decades, but the U.S. now has neither the will nor the international acceptance to play such a role. And a successor is not in sight.
Crypto and empire: the contradictions of counter-surveillance advocacy

Since Edward Snowden’s revelations of US and UK surveillance programs, privacy advocates, progressive security engineers, and policy makers have been seeking to win majority support for countering ...
SEM analysis of insect structures which instigate human allergic reactions.

(1976). SEM Analysis of Insect Structures which Instigate Human Allergic Reactions. Journal of Asthma Research: Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 187-192.
Comparison research on the calculation of short-circuit currents of IEC60909 and PSASP short-circuit module

IEC60909 is an international standard for the calculation of short-circuit currents prepared by International Electrotechnical Commission(IEC), which aims at establishing a general, practicable and concise procedure leading to results.Short-Circuit module(SC) in Power System Analysis Software Package(PSASP) is one of the most widely used programs for the calculating of short-circuit in China.This paper compares their similarities and differences in calculation content, assumptions, equipment model and arithmetic, then illuminates the reason of the different results by a testing example, and points out their different applied conditions.
Long-term decreases in phosphorus and suspended solids, but not nitrogen, in six upper Mississippi River tributaries, 1991–2014

Long-term trends in tributaries provide valuable information about temporal changes in inputs of nutrients and sediments to large rivers. Data collected from 1991 to 2014 were used to investigate trends in total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), nitrate (NO3-N), soluble-reactive P (SRP), and total suspended solids (TSS) in the following six tributaries of the upper Mississippi River: Cannon (CaR; Minnesota (MN)), Maquoketa (MR; Iowa (IA)), Wapsipinicon (WR; IA), Cuivre (CuR; Missouri (MO)), Chippewa (ChR; Wisconsin (WI)), and Black (BR; WI) rivers. Weighted regression on time discharge and season was used to statistically remove effects of random variation in discharge from estimated trends in flow-normalized concentrations and flux. Concentration and flux of TSS declined in all six rivers. Concentration of P declined in four of the rivers, and P flux declined in five rivers. Concentration and flux of N exhibited small changes relative to TP. TN concentration and flux did not change substantially in four of the rivers and decreased in two (ChR, CuR). Nitrate concentration and flux increased in three rivers (ChR, BR, CaR) and remained relatively constant in the other three rivers. General declines in P and TSS suggest that improvements in agricultural land management, such as the adoption of conservation tillage and enrollment of vulnerable acreage into the Conservation Reserve Program, may have reduced surface runoff; similar reductions in N were not observed.
Elliptic Curves over $$\mathbb{C}$$

Evaluation of the integral giving arc length on a circle, namely \(\int dx/\sqrt{1 - x^{2}}\), leads to an inverse trigonometric function. The analogous problem for the arc length of an ellipse yields an integral that is not computable in terms of so-called elementary functions.
Confronting the Dark Side of Video Games

New video games have increasingly allowed players to choose their own destiny (or path of character development) by presenting them with choice of actions from both light and dark sides. Some studies suggested that players who have been exposed to the “dark side” of video games may act out unacceptable social behaviors based on their learning experiences. This issue of the effect of unintentional learning in video games deserves much scrutiny and honest discussion among researcher. Unfortunately, the issue has so far, either been bashed or glossed over by experts on both side of the effect-of-video-games chasm.
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Is Necessary for Ovulation in Female Rhesus Macaques

Although the requirement of pituitary-derived LH for ovulation is well documented, the intrafollicular paracrine and autocrine processes elicited by LH necessary for follicle rupture are not fully understood. Evaluating a published rhesus macaque periovulatory transcriptome database revealed that mRNA encoding leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and its downstream signaling effectors are up-regulated in the follicle after animals receive an ovulatory stimulus (human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG]). Follicular LIF mRNA and protein levels are below the limit of detection before the administration of hCG but increase significantly 12 hours thereafter. Downstream LIF receptor (LIFR) signaling components including IL-6 signal transducer, the receptor associated Janus kinase 1, and the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 also exhibit increased expression in the rhesus macaque follicle 12 hours after administration of an ovulatory hCG bolus. A laparoscopic ovarian evaluation 72 hours after the injection of a LIF antagonist (soluble LIFR) into the rhesus macaque preovulatory follicle and hCG administration revealed blocking LIF action prevented ovulation (typically occurs 36-44 h after hCG). Moreover, ovaries removed 52 hours after both hCG and intrafollicular soluble LIFR administration confirmed ovulation was blocked as evidenced by the presence of an intact follicle and a trapped cumulus-oocyte complex. These findings give new insight into the role of LIF in the primate ovary and could lead to the development of new approaches for the control of fertility.
Soft Failure Mechanisms and PCB Design Measures

This chapter provides guidance for characterizing the soft failure robustness of ICs and boards and offers insight into different types of soft failures. It shows modeled soft failure scenarios, and illustrates counter measures. The chapter helps establish a systematic approach to understanding and handling electrostatic discharge (ESD)-induced soft failures. A weak relationship exists between system level soft failures and IC level testing, such as HBM, MM, CDM, and latch-up. Therefore no conclusions about the soft failure behavior of an IC should be drawn from these tests. A broader classification of soft failure times facilitates the understanding of soft failure scenarios. The following classification is suggested: in-band/out-of-band with respect to voltage; in-band/out-of-band with respect to pulse width; local vs distant errors; and amplified/non-amplified soft failures. The chapter concludes by identifying strategies for robust ESD design, detailing the IC and board information needed to implement these strategies.
Acute Care Management of the HIV-Infected Patient: A Report from the HIV Practice and Research Network of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

Objective Patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) admitted to the hospital have complex antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens with an increased medication error rate upon admission. This report provides a resource for clinicians managing HIV-infected patients and ART in the inpatient setting. Methods A survey of the authors was conducted to evaluate common issues that arise during an acute hospitalization for HIV-infected patients. After a group consensus, a review of the medical literature was performed to determine the supporting evidence for the following HIV-associated hospital queries: admission/discharge orders, antiretroviral hospital formularies, laboratory monitoring, altered hepatic/renal function, drug-drug interactions (DDIs), enteral administration, and therapeutic drug monitoring. Results With any hospital admission for an HIV-infected patient, a specific set of procedures should be followed including a thorough admission medication history and communication with the ambulatory HIV provider to avoid omissions or substitutions in the ART regimen. DDIs are common and should be reviewed at all transitions of care during the hospital admission. ART may be continued if enteral nutrition with a feeding tube is deemed necessary, but the entire regimen should be discontinued if no oral access is available for a prolonged period. Therapeutic drug monitoring is not generally recommended but, if available, should be considered in unique clinical scenarios where antiretroviral pharmacokinetics are difficult to predict. ART may need adjustment if hepatic or renal insufficiency ensues. Conclusions Treatment of hospitalized patients with HIV is highly complex. HIV-infected patients are at high risk for medication errors during various transitions of care. Baseline knowledge of the principles of antiretroviral pharmacotherapy is necessary for clinicians managing acutely ill HIV-infected patients to avoid medication errors, identify DDIs, and correctly dose medications if organ dysfunction arises. Timely ambulatory follow-up is essential to prevent readmissions and facilitate improved transitions of care.
Regulating market entry of low-cost private schools in Sub-Saharan Africa: Towards a theory of private education regulation

Abstract This study provides a comparative assessment of policies governing private schools in twenty countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Findings suggest that current regulatory systems are failing to adequately address the negative externalities and failures of private schooling markets. Insufficient capacity on the part of governments is a contributor to uneven policy implementation and creates opportunities for rent-seeking and corruption. Onerous market entry regulations offer constraints on the growth of official private education markets, but facilitate growth in unofficial markets if demand for education is not being fully met by the supply of government service provision, restricting the government’s ability to provide adequate oversight of private providers.
Suture Button Suspensionplasty

Traditional techniques for surgical treatment of thumb carpometacarpal arthritis require sacrifice either the flexor carpi radialis or abductor pollicis longus tendons. Although loss of these tendons appears to be well tolerated, maintenance of normal anatomy would be preferable. In addition, these techniques require 6-8 weeks of immobilization to allow or healing of the autograft reconstructions to occur. These factors led to the application of a suture button technique to facilitate suspension of the thumb metacarpal while allowing early range of motion. This article describes trapeziectomy with endobutton suspensionplasty, outcomes, and complications of this technique.
Endothelial GqPCR activity controls capillary electrical signaling and brain blood flow through PIP2 depletion

Brain capillaries play a critical role in sensing neural activity and translating it into dynamic changes in cerebral blood flow to serve the metabolic needs of the brain. The molecular cornerstone of this mechanism is the capillary endothelial cell inward rectifier K+ (Kir2.1) channel, which is activated by neuronal activity–dependent increases in external K+ concentration, producing a propagating hyperpolarizing electrical signal that dilates upstream arterioles. Here, we identify a key regulator of this process, demonstrating that phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) is an intrinsic modulator of capillary Kir2.1-mediated signaling. We further show that PIP2 depletion through activation of Gq protein-coupled receptors (GqPCRs) cripples capillary-to-arteriole signal transduction in vitro and in vivo, highlighting the potential regulatory linkage between GqPCR-dependent and electrical neurovascular-coupling mechanisms. These results collectively show that PIP2 sets the gain of capillary-initiated electrical signaling by modulating Kir2.1 channels. Endothelial PIP2 levels would therefore shape the extent of retrograde signaling and modulate cerebral blood flow.
Intimate partner violence, trauma, and mental health need among female community college students

Objective: The impact of interpersonal violence on college students has received considerable attention, yet no studies have been conducted among community college students, who comprise 40% of all...
Hydrogenation and Dehydrogenation Reactions Catalyzed by Iron Pincer Compounds

Abstract The catalytic hydrogenation of unsaturated molecules, such as olefins, ketones, and amides, is an important and widely used reaction in synthetic chemistry and energy-related applications. Similarly, there is also synthetic value in the microscopic reverse dehydrogenation reactions to generate unsaturated compounds. Traditionally, both catalytic hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions have been performed by systems based on relatively rare precious metals. In the last decade, there has been considerable interest in the development of catalysts based on Earth-abundant first-row transition metals, such as iron, which offer advantages in sustainability and in some cases can facilitate novel reactions. The development of catalysts based on first-row transition metals has been enabled in part due to the tunable steric and electronic properties of pincer ligands, and the stability they impart on metal complexes. Here, we describe recent progress in the development of pincer supported iron catalysts for hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions.