cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The physics of V bi -related IV crossover in thin film solar cells: Applications to ink deposited CZTSSe

IV measurements of thin film solar cells often show a crossover between the illuminated and dark curves. Crossover can occur for several different reasons. In this paper, we explore crossover in CZTSSe solar cells fabricated using nanocrystalline ink deposition with selenization and compare it to crossover in ink-based CIGSSe solar cells. Crossover in CIGSSe appears to be related to traps, as is commonly observed, but crossover in CZTSSe appears to be due to a different mechanism. Using numerical simulation, we show that crossover can arise from a simple explanation that is common to solar cells with different structures and closely related to the built-in potential of the device. Using IVT and CV measurements, we show that both simulations and experimental analysis point to a cross-over voltage in our CZTSSe cells that is directly related to the built-in voltage of the device, and which may play a role in limiting the open-circuit voltage.
Differential diagnosis in paradoxical vocal fold movement (PVFM): an interdisciplinary task.

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to contribute to the discussion of differential diagnosis in paradoxical vocal fold movement (PVFM), a disorder frequently associated with episodes of breathing difficulty and stridor. Because of analogous respiratory symptoms, PVFM is often misdiagnosed as asthma. Additional evidence suggests the association of factors such as respiratory struggle during physical exertion, digestive reflux, and respiratory allergies with PVFM, particularly in athletes and young females. Interdisciplinary attention is warranted to avoid unnecessary utilization of medical resources and potential delay in the application of proper treatment. Methods A description of critical points in PVFM differential diagnosis is proposed, featuring the assessment of a seven-year-old female with a history of behaviors considered to exacerbate voice fatigue symptoms. Noticeably, the child has consistently demonstrated tiredness and respiratory difficulties during physical education classes. Past use of oral steroids to reduce respiratory problems was applied with no improvement; short-acting beta 2-agonists have been also tried with mild improvement. Indications of instability and effort associated with respiratory–phonatory functions were demonstrated. Furthermore, there was evidence of GERD and seasonal allergies. Results The literature suggests an association of factors such as respiratory struggle during physical exertion, unwanted vocal effort, GERD, and respiratory allergies in individuals with PVFM, particularly in young females. A diagnosis of PVFM was suggested, in association with paradoxical vocal folds motion caused by respiratory difficulties verified by laryngeal examination. Conclusions In PVFM, the vocal folds adduct during inhalation, thereby restricting the airway opening. Inconsistent vocal folds movement during phonation may also lead to PVFM symptoms. Acute bronchospasm/asthma-like symptoms, as well as additional morbidity may impact accuracy of diagnosis, leading to unnecessary use of asthma medications and office/emergency room consultations.
High temperature stability in lanthanum and zirconia-based gate dielectrics

Gate dielectrics composed primarily of lanthana and zirconia were prepared by reactive evaporation. The stability of the layers during high temperature anneals was investigated. By controlling the oxygen partial pressure during heat treatment, lanthana and zirconia films could be protected against reaction with the underlying Si substrate and against the growth of low-e interface layers. The electrical thickness of the dielectrics could be maintained after a 900 °C exposure. The critical oxygen pressure at 900 °C for low-e interface formation beneath ZrO2 and La2O3 dielectrics was ∼2e−4 Torr. The interfaces that formed beneath the ZrO2 and La2O3 layers are distinctly different. The sub-ZrO2 interface, influenced primarily by phase separation, tends towards pure SiO2, while the sub-La2O3 interface, influenced primarily by silicate formation, tends towards a La–Si–O alloy. For both materials, reducing the oxygen pressure to values below 10−7 Torr resulted in rapid degradation of the metal oxide. This dielec...
The learning and use of gestural signals by young chimpanzees: A trans-generational study

Observations of chimpanzee gestural communication are reported. The observations represent the third longitudinal time point of an ongoing study of the Yerkes Primate Center Field Station chimpanzee group. In contrast to observations at the first two time points, the current observations are of a new generation of infants and juveniles. There were two questions. The first concerned how young chimpanzees used their gestures, with special focus on the flexibility or intentionality displayed. It was found that youngsters quite often used the same gesture in different contexts, and different gestures in the same context. In addition, they sometimes used gestures in combinations in a single social encounter, these combinations did not convey intentions that could not be conveyed by the component gestures, however. It was also found that individuals adjusted their choice of signals depending on the attentional state of the recipient. The second question was how chimpanzees acquired their gestural signals. In general, it was found that there was little consistency in the use of gestures among individuals, especially for non-play gestures, with much individual variability both within and across generations. There were also a number of idiosyncratic gestures used by single individuals at each time point. It was concluded from these results that youngsters were not imitatively learning their communicatory gestures from conspecifics, but rather that they were individually conventionalizing them with each other. Implications of these findings for the understanding of chimpanzee communication and social learning are discussed.
Precise and scalable context-sensitive pointer analysis via value flow graph

In this paper, we propose a novel method for context-sensitive pointer analysis using the value flow graph (VFG) formulation. We achieve context-sensitivity by simultaneously applying function cloning and computing context-free language reachability (CFL-reachability) in a novel way. In contrast to existing clone-based and CFL-based approaches, flow-sensitivity is easily integrated in our approach by using a flow-sensitive VFG where each value flow edge is computed in a flow-sensitive manner. We apply context-sensitivity to both local variables and heap objects and propose a new approximation for heap cloning.We prove that our approach can achieve context-sensitivity without loss of precision, i.e., it is as precise as inlining all function calls. We develop an efficient algorithm and implement a context-, flow-, and field-sensitive pointer analysis with heap cloning support in LLVM. We evaluate the efficiency and precision of our implementation using standard SPEC CPU2006 benchmarks. Our experimental results show that the analysis is much faster than existing approaches, it scales well to large real-world applications, and it enables more effective compiler optimizations.
Synthesis and characterization of thermally‐responsive hydroxypropyl methylcellulose gel beads

Thermally responsive gels of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) were produced in spherical form by a suspension crosslinking technique. The suspension crosslinking of HPMC with divinylsulfone was accomplished by dispersing aqueous polymer droplets, containing all of the reactants, in a continuous organic phase. The gel beads were characterized in terms of their swelling properties and particle size distribution. The swelling degrees at 25°C of different formulations of the gel beads ranged from 12 to 123 times their dry volume and shrank to 4 to 18 times dry volume at 75°C. The spherical beads were made in diameters ranging from 500 to 3000 μ. Bead size generally decreased with use of a larger impeller, suspending at high stirring speeds, or at a lower phase ratio. As bead size decreased, the size distribution also narrowed. When compared with bulk HPMC gels, the gel beads demonstrated the same swelling properties and crosslinked network formation. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 66: 1279–1290, 1997
Anti-Obesity Agents and the US Food and Drug Administration

Despite the growing market for obesity care, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved only two new pharmaceutical agents—lorcaserin and combination phentermine/topiramate—for weight reduction since 2000, while removing three agents from the market in the same time period. This article explores the FDA’s history and role in the approval of anti-obesity medications within the context of a public health model of obesity. Through the review of obesity literature and FDA approval documents, we identified two major barriers preventing fair evaluation of anti-obesity agents including: (1) methodological pitfalls in clinical trials and (2) misaligned values in the assessment of anti-obesity agents. Specific recommendations include the use of adaptive (Bayesian) design protocols, value-based analyses of risks and benefits, and regulatory guidance based on a comprehensive, multi-platform obesity disease model. Positively addressing barriers in the FDA approval process of anti-obesity agents may have many beneficial effects within an obesity disease model.
Strategic improvements for gross anatomy web-based teaching.

Current generations of graduate students have been immersed in technology from their early school years and have high expectations regarding digital resources. To better meet the expectations of Gross Anatomy students at our institution, electronic radiology teaching files for first-year coursework were organized into a web site. The web site was custom designed to provide material that directly correlated to the Gross Anatomy dissection and lectures. Quick links provided sets of images grouped by anatomic location. Additionally, Lab and Study Companions provided specific material for the students to review prior to and after lectures and gross dissections. Student opinions of this education resource were compared to student opinions of the prior year’s digital teaching files. The new content was ranked as more user friendly (3.1 points versus 2.3 points) and more useful for learning anatomy (3.3 points versus 2.6 points). Many students reported that using the web portal was critical in helping them to better understand relationships of anatomical structures. These findings suggest that a well-organized web portal can provide a user-friendly, valuable educational resource for medical students who are studying Gross Anatomy.
Displacement of relict zircons during growth of feldspathic porphyroblasts

Relict zircon crystals are almost invariably present in feldspathic-porphyroblastic schist and gneiss. Rounded sedimentary zircons acquire overgrowths and begin to refacet in higher-grade metamorphic events; however, new euhedral zircons composed of reconstituted material from dissolved residual crystals are thought not to form within or below the amphibolite-granulite transitional facies. Lead-loss and other alteration effects do not destroy or remove traces of the original zircon grains. Zircon distribution within even-grained igneous rock is essentially random, and clastic sedimentary rocks have grains concentrated as heavy minerals in lenses or sheets related to bedding. Variations in these patterns of distribution are found in porphyroblastic schists and gneisses, and they suggest that relict zircons have been physically displaced outward during the growth of feldspathic porphyroblasts. Zircons in all rocks examined increase in concentration within the wrapped-around biotite-rich shells enclosing feldspathic augen and porphyroblasts. At the same time, data show that relict zircons have been systematically removed from the region of porphyroblast growth. Explanations suggesting compaction of matrix and (or) replacement coupled with ionic migration appear inadequate to fully describe the growth of these porphyroblasts and the creation of their wrapped-around shells. Physical displacement due to “force of crystallization” is suggested as a required mechanism during the formation of these porphyroblasts.
The transcendental meditation program's effect on addictive behavior.

Abstract This paper first reviews research associating a decline in addictive behavior in the general population with continued practice of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program and research suggesting that it may be a useful adjunctive treatment modality for those with identified addiction problems. The next section considers possible explanations for these findings, focusing on the implications of research on the general effects of the TM program for affecting situational, social, emotional, cognitive, and physiological variables that relate to addictive behaviors. A final, brief section considers practical issues in implementing TM programs in addiction treatment and preventive settings.
Dehydroxylation and deacetylation of N-hydroxy-N-2-fluorenylacetamide by rat liver and brain homogenates

Abstract Two reactions, dehydroxylation and deacetylation of the proximate carcinogen N-hydroxy-N-2-fluorenylacetamide were studied with liver and brain homogenates, or with a soluble fraction from liver of young or adult male or female rats of two strains. Incubation of N-hydroxy-N-2-[9-14C]fluorenylacetamide with tissue homogenate in 0.2 M Tris buffer (pH 8.1) gave progressively decreasing levels of substrate. The products, N-2-fluorenylacetamide and 2-fluorenamine, were resolved and identified by solvent partition, paper chromatography, ultraviolet spectroscopy, and color tests. Liver homogenate from 2 rat strains was most active, the soluble liver fraction slightly less so, and brain homogenate least. Deacetylation was but dehyroxylation was not inhibited by 0.1 M fluoride. Both reactions proceeded equally well in nitrogen or in air. The dehydroxylase was inactive after 1 h at 37°. The decaylase was somewhat more stable. Linear increases in protein-binding of 14C from the substrate were found. The final level was lower in liver from adult female rats than from males, but was similar with weanling rats. Binding was inhibited somewhat by fluoride and more so by a nitrogen atmosphere. Some of the binding may have been due to the oxidation of amine or hydroxylamine in the presence of tissue. Isotope from synthetic N-2-[ 14 C] fluorenylhydroxylamine and 2-nitroso[9−14C]fluorene bound to serum proteins, liver homogenate or soluble liver fractions, hemoglobin, albumin, γ-globulin, or histones. 2-Nitrosofluorene reacted similarly in air and in nitrogen. It may be the active intermediate.
Calcified intraspinal meningioma detected by computed tomography.

Abstract A case of a small intraspinal calcified meningioma detected by computed tomography is presented. The preoperative diagnosis was suspected by CT and Metrizamide myelography. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgery and pathologic section.
Equitable transit charges for multi-administration telecommunications networks

We study a multi-administration telecommunications network that is an abstraction of an international network. The nodes represent separate telecommunications administrations that are linked such that alternately-routed calls go through one tandem administration. The cost of the group of circuits between a pair of administrations is borne by them; and when a call between the pair is alternately routed through the tandem node, then the two administrations share the call revenue and pay transit fees to the tandem administration. The numbers of circuits between the administrations are selected to yield a least-cost network that provides a desired level of service, in terms of blocking probabilities, over an entire day. We address the problem of determining transit charges for the alternately-routed calls that are equitable for all of the administrations. Our approach is to derive such charges by equating the system-optimal circuit group sizes to certain hypothetical administration-optimal circuit group sizes. This approach may be of use in other system design problems involving cost sharing among several companies.
The influence of heat extraction rate in freezing soils

Abstract The processes that are operative during finegrained soil freezing with no applied surcharge are described and related to the rate of net heat extraction. One-dimensional frost heave experiments were carried out on a Canadian silty soil under various freezing conditions. It was established that the segregational heave rate is strongly dependent on the rate of heat removal. No water flow was observed at heat extraction rates between 0.35 and 0.45 mW/mm 2 . Maximum segregational heave rates occurred at rates of about 0.1 mW/mm 2 . For the same soil, however, significant variations in segregational heave rates were measured for a given heat removal rate during transient freezing. Frost heave predictions using freezing tests at rates of heat extraction representative of field conditions are also discussed.
Opioid receptor imaging and displacement studies with [6-O-[11C]methyl]buprenorphine in baboon brain

Abstract Buprenorphine (BPN) is a mixed opiate agonist-antagonist used as an analgesic and in the treatment of opiate addiction. We have used [6- O -[ 11 C]methyl]buprenorphine ([ 11 C]BPN) to measure the regional distribution in baboon brain, the test-retest stability of repeated studies in the same animal, the displacement of the labeled drug by naloxone in vivo , and the tissue distribution in mice. The regional distribution of radioactivity in baboon brain determined with PET was striatum > thalamus > cingulate gyrus > frontal cortex > parietal cortex > occipital cortex > cerebellum. This distribution corresponded to opiate receptor density and to previously published data (37). The tracer uptake in adult female baboons showed no significant variation in serial scans in the same baboon with no intervention in the same scanning session. HPLC analysis of baboon plasma showed the presence of labeled metabolites with 92% ± 2.2% and 43% ± 14.4% of the intact tracer remaining at 5 and 30 min, respectively. Naloxone, an opiate receptor antagonist, administered 30–40 min after tracer injection at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg i.v., reduced [ 11 C]BPN binding in thalamus, striatum, cingulate gyrus, and frontal cortex to values 0.25 to 0.60 of that with no intervention. There were minimal ( 11 C]BPN can be displaced by naloxone in vivo , and they affirm the feasibility of using this tracer and displacement methodology for short-term kinetics studies with PET. Mouse tissue distribution data were used to estimate the radiation dosimetry to humans. The critical organ was the small intestine, with a radiation dose estimate to humans of 117 nrad/mCi.
TERTIARY AND GENERAL-ORDER COLLISIONS

Abstract The general formalism of scattering theory is extended to cover reactions in which more than two particles exist in the entrance or exit channels, and the behaviour of the scattering matrix in this general case is discussed at arbitrary energies, in particular near thresholds. The energy dependence of observable quantities such as cross-sections and polarizations is given, and the occurrence and origin of the Wigner cusps and their counterpart in the general case are clearly seen; such singularities do not arise from the behaviour of the eigenphase-shifts. Coulomb effects are not considered in the general case.
Bending collapse of thin-walled circular tubes and computational application

This paper focuses on describing the bending collapse behavior of thin-walled circular tubes. In this paper, global energy equilibrium theory is applied to derive the relationship between the applied moment and the bending angle of circular tubes. A general bending collapse mode of circular tubes is referenced for the derivation, and it is assumed that during bending crush, all impact energy is absorbed and distributed along the hinge lines. After obtaining the relationship, it is compared to a published theory of tubular structure's bending resistance, which was obtained from analytical and experimental studies. The derived bending resistance is then applied to generate simplified circular tube models, which have different cross-sections and are made of different materials. Crashworthiness analyses are performed on these simplified models as well as detailed tube models, and the crash results are compared to verify the efficiency of the generated simplified model and the accuracy of the derived tube's bending resistance. All the problems involved in this paper are solved by means of LS-DYNA.
Applied physiology: understanding allergy

Abstract Atopic individuals generate specific IgE antibodies to allergens. When exposed to an allergen, cross-linkage of IgE antibodies bound to mast cells and basophils results in degranulation of the cell with release of preformed mediators and activation of enzymes involved in arachidonic acid synthesis. The patient experiences itching, ery-thema, swelling of the skin and mucous membranes and bronchospasm. The early response to an allergen starts within minutes and has usually resolved within an hour. If the tissue is already inflamed, or the dose of the allergen is large, the early response is followed by a late phase response, maximal at 6–12 h. This involves T cell activation, upregulation of adhesion molecules and eosinophil activation and secretion. Severe allergic reactions can be fatal and the pathophysiology of anaphylactic shock is discussed.
HOW TO DEAL WITH REJECTION:…and Improve Your Grant Success Rate at the Same Time

A library applied for a grant from a federal agency. The grant was designed according to the library's priorities and did not follow the guidelines set by the funding agency. Although the agency asked that all project participants be named prior to submitting the application, the library felt it would be better to gather the people together after the grant award was announced. As a result of that decision, the required group needs—assessment work was ignored as well.
Digitizer Aided Determination of Yield Stress in Semi‐Liquid Foods

The yield stress of semi-liquid foods could be conveniently determined from their apparent viscosity vs shear stress relationship. The data source of these plots were experimentally recorded flow curves which were digitized and processed using a graphics tablet and a computer. The applicability of the procedure was demonstrated in simulated flow curves with known yield stress and in published rheological data where the yield stress was independently determined.
Reductive methylation of insulin: Production of a biologically active tritiated insulin

Reductive methylation of the three amino groups of porcine insulin was accomplished by incubation with formaldehyde and sodium cyanoborohydride. The two amino termini and the epsilon amino group of B29 lysine were each dimethylated within 1 h of incubation. The fully methylated insulin bound more tightly to a reverse phase column than did native insulin, had a slightly more acid isoelectric point, and maintained approximately 50% biological activity when examined with an insulin sensitive cultured cell line. Reductive methylation with sodium cyanoboro [3H] hydride resulted in a [3H] methylated insulin with a specific activity of 6 Ci/mmol.
Past, present, and future of hormonal therapy in recurrent endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Type I cancers are hormonally driven, typically present with a low grade at an early stage, and are of endometrioid histology. These cancers are often cured by surgery, and the rate of recurrence is low. Type II cancers are less differentiated, often appear at a later stage, and are of serous, clear cell, or high grade endometrioid histology. The risk of recurrence in these cancers is much higher than with type I tumors. Isolated pelvic recurrences can be treated with radiation or exenteration, but systemic disease is fatal. It is in these recurrent patients, where prolongation of progression-free survival is the goal, that hormonal therapy can have the greatest benefit. In selected patients, hormonal therapy can be as effective as cytotoxic chemotherapy, without the toxicity and at a much lower cost. Here we review the evidence for treatment of patients suffering from recurrent endometrial cancer with hormonal therapy and explore avenues for the future of hormonal treatment of endometrial cancer. Currently, progesterone is the hormonal treatment of choice in these patients. Other drugs are also used, including selective estrogen receptor modulators, aromatase inhibitors, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists. Hormonal treatment of recurrent endometrial cancer relies on expression of the hormone receptors, which act as nuclear transcription factors. Tumors that express these receptors are the most sensitive to therapy; it is for this reason that patient selection is vitally important to the successful treatment of recurrent endometrial cancer with hormonal therapy.
Stochastic population dynamics in populations of western terrestrial garter snakes with divergent life histories

Comparative evaluations of population dynamics in species with temporal and spatial variation in life-history traits are rare because they require long-term demographic time series from multiple populations. We present such an analysis using demographic data collected during the interval 1978–1996 for six populations of western terrestrial garter snakes (Thamnophis elegans) from two evolutionarily divergent ecotypes. Three replicate populations from a slow-living ecotype, found in mountain meadows of northeastern California, were characterized by individuals that develop slowly, mature late, reproduce infrequently with small reproductive effort, and live longer than individuals of three populations of a fast-living ecotype found at lakeshore locales. We constructed matrix population models for each of the populations based on 8–13 years of data per population and analyzed both deterministic dynamics based on mean annual vital rates and stochastic dynamics incorporating annual variation in vital rates. (1)...
Semaphorin 7A promotes angiogenesis in an experimental corneal neovascularization model.

Purpose: To characterize the involvement of Semaphorin 7A (Sema7a) in corneal neovascularization (NV).Methods: We generated anti-Sema7A antibodies to detect protein expression in corneal fibroblasts. Corneal fibroblast cells were cultured, stimulated with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF or FGF-2), immunostained with anti-Sema7A antibodies, and visualized by confocal microscopy. bFGF pellets were implanted in mouse corneal micropockets for 3–10 days, and corneal sections were immunostained with anti-Sema7A antibodies. Mouse corneas were injected with a Sema7A expression vector or a control vector for 3, 7, and 10 days. Mouse corneas were imaged by slit lamp microscopy, and areas of corneal NV were calculated using the ImageJ program. Mouse corneal sections were also immunostained with anti-macrophage marker (F4/80) and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A antibodies.Results: Our data showed enhanced Sema7A expression levels in bFGF-stimulated cultured corneal fibroblasts. bFGF corneal impl...
Neural organization of the locomotive oscillator

We study the relation of neural development, organization, and activity to behavior. We provide a model of the locomotive oscillator, a neural system supplying alternating stimulation to extensor and flexor muscles creating an oscillatory motion. We propose a protocol by which this neural system starting from unstructured, unconnected neural populations develops structure and function. The protocol is studied by both computer simulation and mathematical analysis. Our main results are 1 The locomotive oscillator self-organizes and maintains its organization, assuming certain properties of the neural populations. 2 Imperfections disturbing the functional adequacy of the neural populations may lead to the deterioration and disappearance of the oscillatory behavior. 3 The locomotive oscillator may fail to organize if the development is not staged in time.
Revised model for early memory T-cell protection against respiratory virus challenge

Evaluation of: Kohlmeier JE, Miller SC, Smith J et al.: The chemokine receptor CCR5 plays a key role in the early memory CD8+ T cell response to respiratory virus infections. Immunity 29(1), 101–113 (2008). Following primary respiratory virus infection, a portion of memory T cells remain in the lung to serve to limit virus replication. However, the systemic population of these memory T cells gradually converts from effector memory T cells to central memory T cells, resulting in a gradual loss of the memory T-cell population in the lung airways, a feature that coincides with decline of the early recall response to virus infection. Kohlmeier and colleagues have identified a crucial role for the C-C chemokine receptor (CCR5) in the accelerated recruitment of memory CD8+ T cells in the lungs of virally infected mice. Their findings redefine the current model for early memory T-cell protection against respiratory virus challenge, and are important for rationale design of cell-mediated vaccines.
Acute pathological effects on rats of orally administered wortmannin - containing preparations and purified wortmannin from Fusarium oxysporum

The pathological effects in rats of orally administered wortmannin, a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium oxysporum, were studied. Weanling rats were fed a wortmannin-containing fungal culture for 4 or 5 days, or were given by intragastric gavage a single, lethal dose of extracts of a wortmannin-containing fungal culture or pure toxin. Haemoglobinuria, necrosis of lymphoid tissues and death occurred in rats fed the fungal culture. Administration by gavage of extracts of the wortmannin-containing culture and of purified wortmannin produced gastric and myocardial haemorrhage. Major microscopic lesions in gavaged rats were haemorrhage in the myocardium and gastric submucosa and necrosis of lymphocytes in the thymus, spleen and gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Necrosis of gastro-intestinal epithelium was not observed. Myocardial haemorrhage was severe, often transmural, and is an unusual lesion that may aid in the diagnosis of wortmannin toxicosis.
Abstract B44: Chromatin structure impacts androgen receptor transcriptional specificity in prostate cancer cell lines

Androgen receptor (AR) regulated gene expression and the phenotypic impact of AR activity varies significantly between different prostate cancer (PC) models. Specifically, in genetically engineered prostate epithelial cells, AR activation causes slowed growth and differentiation whereas in patient‐derived AR‐positive prostate cancer cell lines, AR activity increases proliferation. While the factors modulating AR transcriptional specificity remain poorly understood, recent reports have underscored AR co‐regulators and AR‐dependent enhancer sequences as modulators of AR activity. We hypothesized that differences in chromatin structure may also contribute significantly to AR transcriptional specificity and phenotypic effect. We used genome‐wide DNase I hypersensitivity (HS) analysis coupled with tiled microarrays (DNase‐chip) and ultra‐high throughput sequencing (DNase‐seq) to identify regions of open chromatin that are markers for various gene regulatory elements. DNaseI HS analysis was conducted in both LNCaP cells, which increase their proliferation in response to androgen, and LHSR‐AR cells, a genetically engineered prostate epithelial cell line that differentiates in response to androgen. Each cell line was processed using our established DNaseI HS protocol prior to and after androgen stimulation. For DNase‐chip, hypersensitive sites were identified using a custom microarray that included proximal promoter and adjacent regions of the top 100 genes differentially regulated by AR activation in each cell line. DNase‐seq analysis was conducted on the entire genome of each cell line. Parzen scores based upon the frequency of detected genomic sequence were generated and used as a relative measure of DNA accessibility. Our results demonstrate significant differences in chromatin structure between our two androgen‐responsive models. DNase‐chip analysis of specific genes such as KLK3 displays both overlapping and cell‐type specific regions of chromatin availability that correlate with AR‐regulated expression. KLK3 is differentially transcribed only in LNCaP, not LHSR‐AR, in response to stimulation. Accordingly, a HS site matching a known AR enhancer element is found four kilobases upstream of the KLK3 TSS in LNCaP, but not in LHSR‐AR. While chromatin structure explains some of the differences between these cell lines, it is not sufficient to account for all the differences observed. DNase‐seq analysis in LNCaP cells suggests that there little immediate impact of AR activity on chromatin structure (approximately 77% of peaks are shared between stimulated and un‐stimulated samples). In the proximal promoter regions of AR‐regulated genes, the Parzen score increases in response to stimulation (Wilcoxon p Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(23 Suppl):B44.
Seismic measurements reveal a saturated porous layer beneath an active Antarctic ice stream

Seismic reflection studies recently conducted on ice stream B, part of the marine ice sheet of West Antarctica, show a metres-thick layer immediately beneath the ice in which both compressional (P) and shear (S) wave speeds are very low. These low wave speeds imply that the material in the layer is highly porous and is saturated with water at a high pore pressure. From this, and from arguments presented in an accompanying paper1 to the effect that the layer would be too weak to support the shear stress exerted by the overlying ice, we conclude that the layer is deforming and that the ice stream probably moves principally by such deformation.
Reproducibility Distinguishes Conscious from Nonconscious Neural Representations

What qualifies a neural representation for a role in subjective experience? Previous evidence suggests that the duration and intensity of the neural response to a sensory stimulus are factors. We introduce another attribute--the reproducibility of a pattern of neural activity across different episodes--that predicts specific and measurable differences between conscious and nonconscious neural representations independently of duration and intensity. We found that conscious neural activation patterns are relatively reproducible when compared with nonconscious neural activation patterns corresponding to the same perceptual content. This is not adequately explained by a difference in signal-to-noise ratio.
Exposure to Pornography and Aggression Toward Women: The Case of the Angry Male

This paper reviews research since 1970 into the effects of pornography on men's treatment of, and underlying attitudes toward, women. There is little evidence that exposure to hard-core pornography produces aggressive behavior in men. However, levels of aggression in already angered men are increased by exposure to hard-core materials. I also discuss research into the long-term effects of exposure to pornography and the difference between laboratory-induced anger and deeper anger which is a product of psycho-sexual development. I conclude that anger is a greater social problem than pornography, particularly in men who are unable to resolve that anger and to distinguish it from sexual arousal and control over women.
Black hole thermodynamics and information loss in two dimensions.

Black hole evaporation is investigated in a (1+1)-dimensional model of quantum gravity. Quantum corrections to the black hole entropy are computed, and the fine-grained entropy of the Hawking radiation is studied. A generalized second law of thermodynamics is formulated, and shown to be valid under suitable conditions. It is also shown that, in this model, a black hole can consume an arbitrarily large amount of information.
Comparison of Multistandard and TMS-Standard Calculated NMR Shifts for Coniferyl Alcohol and Application of the Multistandard Method to Lignin Dimers

Coniferyl alcohol is a monomeric building block of lignin, the second most abundant biopolymer. During lignification, the monomer forms a variety of linkages through free radical additions. A large NMR database has been constructed that reports the 1H and 13C chemical shifts for thousands of lignin oligomers. Herein, Boltzmann averaged 1H and 13C GIAO NMR calculations were performed on coniferyl alcohol and four of its dimers, β-O-4, β-β, β-5, and 5-5, to compare the calculated chemical shifts with experiment. Six B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) energy-minimized conformational isomers of coniferyl alcohol were subjected to single-point GIAO NMR calculations. Initially, four NMR shift calculation methods were compared: three were performed using the TMS-standard method at the HF/6-311+G(2d,p), B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,p), and mPW1PW91/6-31G(d) theory levels, and the fourth was performed with a multistandard approach using a mPW1PW91/6-31G(d) theory level. For the multistandard method, benzene was used as the standard for arom...
Dynamics of vibro-rotational CO2 laser transitions in a two-dimensional phase space

Abstract We describe a procedure for carrying out the adiabatic elimination of the fast variables in a model of a molecular laser that takes into account the interaction among the rotational levels. Our method yields a description of laser dynamics in terms of two essential degrees of freedom as in the usual rate equation limit; the accuracy of our results, however, is far superior to that of the traditional rate equations, as we verify by direct numerical integration of the exact and approximate dynamical systems. We also show that the rotational levels are responsible for the appearance of a purely dissipative term within the framework of the Toda potential description.
How Policy Conditions the Impact of Presidential Speeches on Legislative Success

Objective. Although the impact of the president's rhetoric on public opinion remains unfound, it appears to increase the president's success in Congress. This article argues that instead of moving public opinion, presidential speeches act as informational cues for legislators and holds that the impact of the president's public speeches in Congress is conditional on the salience and complexity of the policy voted on by Congress. Method. I use probit methodology to examine the effect of presidential rhetoric on the likelihood of presidential success on House roll-call votes from 1989–2000. An interactive model assesses the conditioning impact a policy's salience and complexity have on the relationship between presidential rhetoric and legislative success. Results. Presidential rhetoric increases the president's legislative success on votes pertaining to policies that are both salient and complex. Conclusion. Presidential rhetoric matters to the president's relationship with Congress, despite the limited impact it appears to have on public opinion.
Habitual sleep patterns and risk for stroke and coronary heart disease: a 10-year follow-up from NHANES I.

Background Habitual sleep patterns may independently affect morbidity and mortality. However, the effect of habitual sleep patterns on the risk for stroke and coronary heart disease is unclear. Methods We evaluated the association between sleep duration and daytime somnolence (often or almost always taking daytime naps) with the incidence of stroke and coronary heart disease in a national cohort of 7,844 adults who participated in the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study. Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to examine these relationships during the 10-year follow-up. Results After adjusting for differences in age, race, gender, education, cigarette smoking, body mass index, serum cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus, the risk for stroke was increased in persons who reported sleeping greater than 8 hours at night compared with persons who slept between 6 and 8 hours (relative risk [RR] = 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1 to 2.0). Daytime somnolence was also associated with stroke incidence (RR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1 to 1.8). Persons who reported both greater than 8 hours of sleep and daytime somnolence were at the greatest risk for stroke (RR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.2 to 3.1). Similar results were also found for coronary heart disease, although the results did not reach statistical significance in the multivariate adjusted model. Conclusions Habitual sleep patterns have significant effects on the risk for stroke.
Systematic review: epidemiology of hepatitis C genotype 6 and its management

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2011; 34: 286–296 Summary Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 6 is common among patients from Southeast Asia and the surrounding regions, where HCV prevalence is also high. HCV genotype 6 has great genetic diversity and different response to antiviral therapy compared with the more commonly known genotype 1. Aim Our goal was to provide a systematic review of the current literature on the epidemiology, classification and treatment of HCV genotype 6. Methods A search using PubMed for ‘hepatitis C’ AND ‘genotype 6’ produced a total of 47 articles, of which 33 articles were found to be relevant and included in this review. Additional articles were identified using the reference lists of these 33 primary articles. Results The prevalence of HCV genotype 6 is estimated to be as high as 50% in some regions of Southeast Asia with demonstrated significance among intravenous drug users and thalassemia major patients. Although previous line probe assays may have misclassified HCV genotype 6 as genotype 1, newer line probe assays can more accurately and reliably determine HCV genotype. Patients infected with HCV genotype 6 respond better to interferon-based therapy compared with those infected with genotype 1, although patient baseline clinical characteristics and side effect profiles are similar between HCV genotype 6 and other HCV genotypes. Conclusions Future studies should seek to clarify issues regarding early predictors for treatment response in patients with HCV genotype 6, and the impact of ethnic and genotypic factors to treatment response in HCV genotype 6 patients.
Need for parenteral iron therapy after bariatric surgery

Abstract Background Malabsorptive bariatric procedures such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion/duodenal switch expose the patient to malnutrition and commonly cause iron deficiency. The optimal replacement and monitoring method remain undetermined. To identify high-risk patients who might need intravenous iron supplementation after bariatric surgery, we evaluated bariatric surgery patients who received parenteral iron at a university hospital-affiliated hematology center. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis and reviewed the records of 165 patients who had received parenteral iron from May 2004 to June 2007. Of the 165 patients, 42 bariatric surgery patients were identified. The type of bariatric procedure and menstrual status of the patients were compared. Results The average patient age was 40 years. Of the 42 patients, 2 were men and 40 were women. Of the 40 women, 32 were premenopausal and 8 were postmenopausal. The patients in the biliopancreatic diversion/duodenal switch group had a significantly lower hemoglobin at presentation ( P = .02), relatively lower ferritin levels, and required more additional parenteral iron treatment after the initial resolution of anemia ( P = .001). The premenopausal women required earlier parenteral replacement ( P = .008) and were at a greater risk of anemia-related hospitalization ( P = .00033). Conclusion The available published studies lack any data regarding parenteral iron replacement needs after bariatric surgery. Our results have identified the need for long-term parenteral iron replacement therapy after malabsorptive bariatric procedures, especially in premenopausal women. Patients who do not respond to oral iron therapy should be referred early for parenteral iron replacement therapy to prevent anemia-related complications and to maintain patients' quality of life. Iron monitoring should continue indefinitely even after the initial repletion of iron stores and the resolution of anemia.
A revision of the species of the Rhizocarpon hochstetteri group occurring in the British Isles

Abstract Abstract: Rhizocarpon hochstetteri s. str. is shown to be an upland/montane species with relatively large ascospores. The name Rhizocarpon infernulum is resurrected for the species with smaller ascospores previously included within R. hochstetteri , but which is probably more closely related to R. cinereovirens . Lectotypes are chosen for a number of taxa, including R. cinereovirens and R. infernulum , and descriptions provided for two new taxa with small hyaline, 1-septate ascospores: R. caesium , which occurs on damp, mildly basic rocks in oceanic areas, and R. infernulum f. sylvaticum occurring on siliceous rocks in damp deciduous woodlands. All these taxa are known also from North America. Rhizocarpon discoense is shown to be a distinct species, not a synonym of R. cinereovirens . The different ascospore dimensions reported for R. hochstetteri by British and European authors are shown to be due to confusion between R. hochstetteri and R. polycarpum . A number of morphological characters are evaluated regarding their relevance to species separation in Rhizocarpon and the name Macrocarpa-green is proposed for the olivaceous pigment present in most species of Rhizocarpon and Porpidia . A key is provided for the species of Rhizocarpon with hyaline, 1-septate ascospores.
Involvement of adult rehabilitation patients in setting occupational therapy goals.

Objective This preliminary study was designed to determine whether occupational therapists involve patients and their families in a goal-setting process and, if so, to identify the methods used. Method Thirty registered occupational therapists practicing in adult physical rehabilitation settings were audiotaped during an initial evaluation. Researchers reviewed corresponding documentation and interviewed each subject. Twenty-three patient and family involvement criteria were generated from standards developed by accreditation commissions and health care professions. Results Data revealed that although subjects did involve patients and families in a goal-setting process, a number of criteria were not attempted, thus much potential for involvement was unrealized. Subjects with scores above and below one standard deviation from the mean were identified to determine which patient participation criteria had the highest discrepancies. Discrepancies included (a) verbal preparation of the patient and family for initial and ongoing treatment, purposes and procedures of evaluation and treatment, and potential outcomes of treatment, (b) attempts to elicit the patient's concerns, and (c) collaboration with the patient to establish treatment goals. Conclusion Factors that might have influenced subjects' use of a patient participation approach included the application of a specific theory or technique, time constraints, patient's age, and assumptions about the patient's cognitive status.