cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis B virus is a retrovirus in disguise

Nucleocapsid-pol fusion proteins have been detected by serological screening hepatocellular carcinoma tissues that contain hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA. The existence of these fusion proteins suggests that HBV may synthesize its reverse transcriptase in a fashion analogous to the way that retroviruses synthesize and process a precursor. The accumulation of HBV reverse transcriptase intermediates in tumorous tissues and not in other tissues may be related to the absence of viral core particles and possibly contributes to tumor development.
Regulation of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Receptor Expression in Developing Nervous Systems

: Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a 28-amino acid neuropeptide that has several functions, including the regulation of water and electrolyte secretion, hormone and cytokine release, bronchodilitation, and neurogenesis. VIP effects are mediated by specific G-protein coupled receptors. Three distinct receptor subtypes, with differing affinity for VIP, have been cloned and characterized as receptors 1 and 2 (VPAC1 and VPAC2) and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide receptor (PAC1). Our laboratory has demonstrated that upregulation of VPAC1 in SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells results in marked shift in cell type to the glial lineage with a corresponding loss of neuronal lineage and suppression of xenograft tumor growth.1 To understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for regulation of the VPAC1 gene in neuronal lineage, we have cloned and sequenced 2.6-kb of the 5′-flanking sequences of the human VPAC1 gene. Sequence analysis demonstrated that the human VPAC1 promoter sequence contains putative binding sites for several known transcription factors, including Sp1, NFkB, and cETS-1. To study the temporal and spatial expression pattern of human VPAC1 promoter sequences, we have generated transgenic mice expressing the bacterial β-galactosidase gene under the control of the 2.6-kb 5′-flanking and promoter sequence of the human VPAC1 gene. Transgene expression was detected in brain, spinal cord, and lung in 14-day-old animals. Taken together, these results demonstrate that VPAC1 may play an important role in the nervous system, and suggest a role for VIP in neuronal differentiation.
Sources and distribution of arsenic in the Aberjona watershed, Eastern Massachusetts

Significantly elevated concentrations of arsenic have been found in soils and in riverine and lacustrine sediments in the Aberjona watershed in eastern Massachusetts. From available data we estimate that on the order of 300 metric tons of arsenic are present in contaminated areas of the watershed. The presence of arsenic and other contaminants in industrial areas and at disposal sites in the watershed has led to the designation of two federal and over 20 state hazardous waste sites. Historical records indicate that much of the arsenic in this watershed was generated as a by-product of sulfuric acid and arsenical pesticide manufacturing between 1888 and 1929. By using pesticide and sulfuric acid manufacturing data, as well as historical information on manufacturing techniques and rates of waste generation, we estimate that on the order of 200 to 900 metric tons of arsenic were released as a result of these activities. A significant fraction, approximately 13 metric tons, is believed to have been transported by the Aberjona River from a chemical manufacturing site to the Mystic Lakes 10 km downstream.
Amorphous In-Ga-Zn-O thin-film transistor active pixel sensor x-ray imager for digital breast tomosynthesis.

Purpose: The breast cancer detection rate for digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is limited by the x-ray image quality. The limiting Nyquist frequency for current DBT systems is around 5 lp/mm, while the fine image details contained in the high spatial frequency region (>5 lp/mm) are lost. Also today the tomosynthesis patient dose is high (0.67–3.52 mGy). To address current issues, in this paper, for the first time, a high-resolution low-dose organic photodetector/amorphous In–Ga–Zn–O thin-film transistor (a-IGZO TFT) active pixel sensor (APS) x-ray imager is proposed for next generation DBT systems. Methods: The indirect x-ray detector is based on a combination of a novel low-cost organic photodiode (OPD) and a cesium iodide-based (CsI:Tl) scintillator. The proposed APS x-ray imager overcomes the difficulty of weak signal detection, when small pixel size and low exposure conditions are used, by an on-pixel signal amplification with a significant charge gain. The electrical performance of a-IGZO TFT APS pixel circuit is investigated by SPICE simulation using modified Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) TFT model. Finally, the noise, detective quantum efficiency (DQE), and resolvability of the complete system are modeled using the cascaded system formalism. Results: The result demonstrates that a large charge gain of 31–122 is achieved formore » the proposed high-mobility (5–20 cm{sup 2}/V s) amorphous metal-oxide TFT APS. The charge gain is sufficient to eliminate the TFT thermal noise, flicker noise as well as the external readout circuit noise. Moreover, the low TFT ( 6.67 lp/mm) and a low dose (<0.4 mGy) in next generation DBT systems.« less
Mineral-catalyzed peroxidation of tetrachloroethylene

The treatment of perchloroethylene (PCE) was investigated by the promotion of Fenton-like reactions using the iron oxyhydroxide goethite (α-FeOOH) as the sole source of the iron catalyst. A silica sand-goethite matrix was contaminated with 5 mg L−1 PCE and the oxidative treatments were conducted with 0.15 mM, 2 mM, 5mM, 10mM, 20mM, and 30mM H2O2. Perchloroethylene was effectively degraded within 96 hr and the most efficient treatment stoichiometry was observed using 0.15 mM H2O2 at pH 3. The degree of heterogeneous catalysis was evaluated by conducting oxidation reactions in parellel systems with an equivalent concentration of soluble iron. The results showed that, within the first 24 hr, up to 94% of the PCE degradation was attributed to heterogeneous catalysis. This modified Fenton's process, when used to treat 5 mg L−1 PCE in natural subsurface materials with 2 mM H2O2 at pH 3, resulted in a residual of 0.20 mg L−1 PCE after 96 hr.
Femtosecond pulsed laser ablation of 3CSiC thin film on silicon

A femtosecond pulsed Ti:sapphire laser (pulse width=120 fs, wavelength=800 nm, repetition rate=1 kHz) was employed to perform laser ablation of 1-μm-thick silicon carbide (3CSiC) films grown on silicon substrates. The threshold fluence and ablation rate, useful for the micromachining of the 3CSiC films, were experimentally determined. The material removal mechanisms vary depending on the applied energy fluence. At high laser fluence, a thermally dominated process such as melting, boiling and vaporizing of single-crystal SiC occurs. At low laser fluence, the ablation is a defect-activation process via incubation, defect accumulation, formation of nanoparticles and final vaporization of boundaries. The defect-activation process reduces the ablation threshold fluence and enhances lateral and vertical precision as compared to the thermally dominated mechanism. Helium, as an assistant gas, plays a major role in improving the processing quality and ablation rate of SiC thin films due to its inertness and high first ionization energy.
GaN enhancement/depletion-mode FET logic for mixed signal applications

The first demonstration of enhancement/depletion (E/D)-mode integrated digital circuits in GaN technology is reported. Specifically, the performance of static divide by 2 circuit implemented in direct coupled FET logic and of a 23-stage ring oscillator, implemented in super-buffered FET logic are presented. The reported E/D technology is potentially suitable for fabrication of mixed signal GaN circuits.
A robust automatic bird phrase classifier using dynamic time-warping with prominent region identification

In this paper, we present a novel approach to birdsong phase classification using template-based techniques suitable even for limited training data and noisy environments. The algorithm utilizes dynamic time-warping and prominent (high-energy) time-frequency regions of training spectrograms to derive templates. The algorithm is evaluated on 32 classes of Cassin's Vireo bird phrases. Using only three training examples per class, our algorithm yields a phrase accuracy of 96.23%, outperforming other classifiers (e.g. 85.21% classification accuracy of SVM). In the presence of additive noise (10 dB SNR degradation), the proposed classifier does not degrade significantly, compared to others.
Isotope effects on the mechanism of calcineurin catalysis: kinetic solvent isotope and isotope exchange studies.

Abstract The reaction scheme of calcineurin was examined with kinetic and physical approaches. Proton inventory studies of the calcineurin-catalyzed hydrolysis of para -nitrophenyl phosphate were done to probe the role of proton transfer in the mechanism. Control experiments determined that the solvent did not cause the irreversible inactivation of the enzyme and had no effect on the dependence on metal ion or calmodulin. A solvent isotope effect was observed on the V max K m term, but not the V max term. The isotope effect was modest with a value of 1.35. Proton inventory data could be fit by multiple parameter sets. The parameter sets yielded fractionation factors of 0.73 for a one-proton transfer or 0.85 for a two-proton transfer. These values compare to the value of 0.69 for reactions involving a water molecule or hydroxide coordinated to metal ion. A chemical mechanism consistent with the proton inventory data and other information about calcineurin catalysis is presented. The simplest model for catalysis involves a single proton transfer from water coordinated to metal that is reasoned to occur during association of the substrate with calcineurin. Questions about the reaction intermediate were also addressed. Attempts to monitor a phosphate-water exchange reaction with 31 P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were unsuccessful. Failure to observe an exchange reaction suggests that no phosphoryl enzyme is formed during the progress of the reaction. Together these data are explained by a model in which cleavage of the phosphate ester bond is catalyzed by a water (hydroxide) molecule coordinated to a divalent metal ion without the formation of a covalent intermediate.
Multi-objective control scheme to improve the performance of three-phase grid-connected PV generation

This paper presents transient modeling of a grid connected three phase photovoltaic (PV) system. A multi-objective controller with Power Quality Control (PQC) and Fault Ride Through Control (FRTC) is proposed. Generally, the PQC is activated to perform voltage flicker suppression and harmonic reduction function. During system contingency, FRTC improves the dynamic performance of PV generation by coordination of controls of the PV power electronics interface, DC-DC booster and DC-AC inverter. This paper proposed to integrate a simple Reverse Maximum Power Point Tracking (RMPPT) with FRTC to avoid the overcharging of the DC capacitor bank (coupling capacitor between DC-DC booster and DC-AC inverter) and the risk of increased short circuit current during system fault. The proposed control strategy is tested on an 11 bus system with an 8 MW PV under different simulation scenarios.
Sample size calculations for the two-sample problem using the multiplicative intensity model.

In this paper we propose formulae for calculating the expected number of events or, alternatively, the required trial duration, for clinical trials involving two treatment groups in which patients may potentially experience multiple events and the data will be analysed using a multiplicative intensity (MI) model. We use a partial likelihood-based approach and examine in detail two MI models: one that includes a binary treatment variable as the only covariate and a three-state Markov process model in which a binary time-varying covariate is added to the previous model. For the simpler model, our formula coincides with those derived by Cook using full likelihood methods. We present applications of the derived formulae to chronic granulomatous disease and breast cancer data sets.
Raman-spectral studies of nucleic acids XVII. Conformational structures of polyinosinic acid

Abstract Laser-Raman spectra of poly(rI) show the formation of an ordered complex in aqueous solutions of high ionic strength. This structure exhibits the A-helix geometry, contains stacked bases and is apparently stabilized by specific hydrogen bonding involving hypoxanthine C6=0 groups. Thermal dissociation of the poly(rI) complex (Tm=45 degrees C) yields single-stranded and disordered poly (RI) chains. A disordered structure also occurs for poly (rI) in aqueous solutions of low ionic strength. In oriented films, poly (rI) forms an ordered structure probably the same as that which occurs in solutions of high ionic strength. Raman intensities measured at 815 and 1100 cm-1 in spectra of poly (rI) and poly (rU)-poly (rA)-poly(rU) indicate that the correlation previously established for single- and double-stranded ribopolymer structures is valid also for these multi-stranded structures. X-ray diffraction and model-building studies confirm the A-helix structure.
A Phenomenological Theory of Aging Effects of Metals

A constitutive law is developed for metals which have aging properties. The development of this law is based on the assumption that the mechanical properties of simple aging materials can be mathematically represented by a functional of the strain history, and that this functional depends upon the age of the material. A perturbation technique allows the separation of the nonaging response from the aging effects, and leads to convenient representations for viscoelasticity and plasticity. The mechanical behavior of aging metals is studied by applying the arc length parameterization of the strain history. The final rate independent results are transformed to the time domain for efficient use in engineering applications and in solving boundary value problems.
Induction of gene pattern changes associated with dysfunctional lipid metabolism induced by dietary fat and exposure to a persistent organic pollutant.

Environmental modulators of chronic diseases can include nutrition, lifestyle, as well as exposure to environmental toxicants such as persistent organic pollutants. A study was designed to explore gene expression changes as affected by both dietary fat and exposure to the polychlorinated biphenyl PCB77. Mice were fed for 4 months diets enriched with high-linoleic acid oils (20% and 40% as calories), and during the last 2 months half of each group was exposed to PCB77. Ribonucleic acids (RNA) were extracted from liver tissue to determine gene expression changes using DNA microarray analysis. Our microarray data demonstrated a significant interaction between dietary fat and PCB exposure. Deregulated genes were organized into patterns describing the interaction of diet and PCB exposure. Annotation of the deregulated genes matching these probe sets revealed a significant high-fat mediated induction of genes associated with fatty acid metabolism, triacylglycerol synthesis and cholesterol catabolism, which was down-regulated in animals exposed to PCB77. Many of these genes are regulated by the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPARα), and changes in PPARα gene expression followed the same gene pattern as described above. These results provide insight into molecular mechanisms of how dietary fat can interact with environmental pollutants to compromise lipid metabolism.
Humidity standards for low level water vapor sensing and measurements

Abstract An intercomparison between the two most widely used types of low level humidity standards constituting a permeation-tube standard and an evaporation–diffusion standard is presented. Using a precision chilled-mirror hygrometer as a transfer standard, frost-point temperatures of nitrogen–water-vapor mixtures produced by the standard generators are measured in the water vapor concentration range of 5–70 nmol mol −1 . Measured differences between the standard generators are found to be within the standards’ expanded uncertainties for moisture content of greater than≈15 nmol mol −1 . Below 15 nmol mol −1 , the differences are greater than the combined uncertainties of the standard generators.
Ultrastructural analysis of dynorphin B-immunoreactive cells and terminals in the superficial dorsal horn of the deafferented spinal cord of the rat.

Light microscopic studies have demonstrated important differences in the distribution of enkephalin and dynorphin cells and terminals in the dorsal horn. Most importantly, dynorphin neurons are located in regions almost exclusively associated with the transmission and/or control of nociceptive messages (laminae I, IIo, and V); enkephalin neurons, although located in the same regions, are also found in areas involved in the transmission of nonnociceptive messages, e.g., laminae IIi and III. To determine whether there are also differences in the synaptic organization of the two opioid peptides, we have examined the distribution of dynorphin B immunoreactivity at the ultrastructural level. The studies were performed in colchicine-treated rats that underwent dorsal rhizotomy so that the relationship of dynorphin terminals and cells to primary afferent terminals could be established. Dynorphin B–immunoreactive cell bodies and dendrites in laminae I and IIo receive convergent primary and nonprimary afferent input, which suggests that dynorphin neurons receive a small-diameter, nociceptive input. Dynorphin terminals predominantly contain round, agranular vesicles; some terminals also contain a few dense core vesicles. Most dynorphin terminals are presynaptic to unlabelled dendrites; both asymmetric and symmetrical axonal contacts were noted. Dynorphin-immunoreactive boutons are also presynaptic to unlabelled cell bodies and spines. Twenty-nine percent of dynorphin terminals were associated with axonal profiles, including degenerating primary afferent terminals; only rarely could a synaptic density be detected. Although some degenerating primary afferent terminals were clearly presynaptic to dynorphin-immunoreactive terminals, in most cases, the polarity of the relationship between primary afferents and dynorphin terminals could not be established. These data indicate that synaptic interactions made by and with dynorphin-immunoreactive cells and terminals in the superficial dorsal horn are not very different from those that were previously reported for enkephalin cells and terminals. Thus, it is unlikely that dynorphin terminals provide a significant presynaptic input to primary afferent fibers. On the other hand, the presence of a primary afferent input to dynorphin cell bodies and dendrites in the superficial dorsal horn suggests that dynorphin cells receive a direct input from small-diameter, nociceptive primary afferents. That connection might contribute to the increased levels of dynorphin message and peptide that have been reported in rats experiencing a chronic inflammatory condition. The possibility that dynorphin neurons are associated more with the transmission than the control of nociceptive messages is discussed.
Ga-related photoluminescence lines in Ga-doped ZnO grown by plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy

Low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) and temperature-dependent Hall-effect (T-Hall) measurements were carried out in undoped and Ga-doped ZnO thin films grown by molecular-beam epitaxy. As the carrier concentration increases from 1.8×1018 to 1.8×1020 cm−3, the dominant PL line at 9 K changes from I1 (3.368–3.371 eV) to IDA (3.317–3.321 eV), and finally to I8 (3.359 eV). The dominance of I1, due to ionized-donor bound excitons, is unexpected in n-type samples but is shown to be consistent with the T-Hall results. We also show that IDA has characteristics of a donor-acceptor-pair transition, and use a detailed, quantitative analysis to argue that it arises from GaZn donors paired with Zn-vacancy (VZn) acceptors. In this analysis, the GaZn0/+ energy is well-known from two-electron satellite transitions, and the VZn0/− energy is taken from a recent theoretical calculation.
Rapid and precise absolute distance measurements at long range

The ability to determine absolute distance to an object is one of the most basic measurements of remote sensing. High-precision ranging has important applications in both large-scale manufacturing and in future tight formation-flying satellite missions, where rapid and precise measurements of absolute distance are critical for maintaining the relative pointing and position of the individual satellites. Using two coherent broadband fibre-laser frequency comb sources, we demonstrate a coherent laser ranging system that combines the advantages of time-of-flight and interferometric approaches to provide absolute distance measurements, simultaneously from multiple reflectors, and at low power. The pulse time-of-flight yields a precision of 3 µm with an ambiguity range of 1.5 m in 200 µs. Through the optical carrier phase, the precision is improved to better than 5 nm at 60 ms, and through the radio-frequency phase the ambiguity range is extended to 30 km, potentially providing 2 parts in 1013 ranging at long distances. Using two coherent broadband fibre-laser frequency comb sources, a coherent laser ranging system for absolute distance measurements is demonstrated. Its combination of precision, speed and long range may prove particularly useful for space-based sciences.
Effects of entertainment (mis) education: exposure to entertainment television programs and organ donation intention.

This study investigates antecedents and outcomes of entertainment television consumption in organ donation with the Orientation1–Stimulus–Orientation2–Response (O1-S-O2 -R) model. It reveals that organ donation knowledge seems significantly related to recall of entertainment television programs and attitudes toward organ donation. Meanwhile, recall of entertainment television programs significantly predicts people's perception of medical mistrust, which in turn negatively predicts attitudes toward organ donation, while attitudes toward organ donation significantly predict behavioral intention in signing a donor card. It also suggests significant mediation relationships among the pre-orientation variable, stimulus, post-orientation variable, and attitudinal and behavioral outcomes. This study provides an integrative theoretical framework to study media effects on organ donation and empirical evidence for “entertainment miseducation” (Morgan, Harrison, Chewning, Davis, & DiCorcia, 2007).
Interferometric monitoring and control of silicon incorporation in the diffusion-enhanced silylated resist process

The diffusion enhanced silylated resist or DESIRER process is a well known surface imaging lithographic technique consisting of three steps: exposure, silylation, and dry develop. The success of this method for patterning submicron features depends critically on controlling silicon incorporation in the resist. In this report interferometric data obtained during the resist silylation step and subsequent dry develop etch have been used to correlate silylation parameters and exposure dose with the depth of silicon incorporation. Contrast and linewidth variation as a function of silylation depth have been derived. A kinetics model in conjunction with image intensity simulations has been used to understand the effects of process parameters on pattern quality. The potential of using the interferometric data for process monitoring is also discussed.
The Sterol-sensing Domain (SSD) Directly Mediates Signal-regulated Endoplasmic Reticulum-associated Degradation (ERAD) of 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA Reductase Isozyme Hmg2 *

The sterol-sensing domain (SSD) is a conserved motif in membrane proteins responsible for sterol regulation. Mammalian proteins SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) and HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR) both possess SSDs required for feedback regulation of sterol-related genes and sterol synthetic rate. Although these two SSD proteins clearly sense sterols, the range of signals detected by this eukaryotic motif is not clear. The yeast HMG-CoA reductase isozyme Hmg2, like its mammalian counterpart, undergoes endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation that is subject to feedback control by the sterol pathway. The primary degradation signal for yeast Hmg2 degradation is the 20-carbon isoprene geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, rather than a sterol. Nevertheless, the Hmg2 protein possesses an SSD, leading us to test its role in feedback control of Hmg2 stability. We mutated highly conserved SSD residues of Hmg2 and evaluated regulated degradation. Our results indicated that the SSD was required for sterol pathway signals to stimulate Hmg2 ER-associated degradation and was employed for detection of both geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate and a secondary oxysterol signal. Our data further indicate that the SSD allows a signal-dependent structural change in Hmg2 that promotes entry into the ER degradation pathway. Thus, the eukaryotic SSD is capable of significant plasticity in signal recognition or response. We propose that the harnessing of cellular quality control pathways to bring about feedback regulation of normal proteins is a unifying theme for the action of all SSDs.
The electrical reduction of iron ore

Abstract The application of the electric current as a source of heat energy in the reduction of iron ores would but a short time ago have scarcely been seriously considered. Its possibility has however been more than demonstrated. In this paper, Dr. Richards describes the work of several investigators in the development and operation of this method of manufacturing pig-iron on a practical commercial scale.
Mechanism of K + Channel Block by Verapamil and Related Compounds in Rat Alveolar Epithelial Cells

The mechanism by which the phenylalkylamines, verapamil and D600, and related compounds, block inactivating delayed rectifier K+ currents in rat alveolar epithelial cells, was investigated using whole-cell tight-seal recording. Block by phenylalkylamines added to the bath resembles state-dependent block of squid K+ channels by internally applied quarternary ammonium ions (Armstrong, C.M. 1971. Journal of General Physiology. 58:413-437): open channels are blocked preferentially, increased [K+]o accelerates recovery from block, and recovery occurs mainly through the open state. Slow recovery from block is attributed to the existence of a blocked-inactivated state, because recovery was faster in three situations where recovery from inactivation is faster: (a) at high [K+]o, (b) at more negative potentials, and (c) in cells with type l K+ channels, which recover rapidly from inactivation. The block rate was used as a bioassay to reveal the effective concentration of drug at the block site. When external pH, pHo, was varied, block was much faster at pHo 10 than pHo 7.4, and very slow at pHo 4.5. The block rate was directly proportional to the concentration of neutral drug in the bath, suggesting that externally applied drug must enter the membrane in neutral form to reach the block site. High internal pH (pHi 10) reduced the apparent potency of externally applied phenylalkylamines, suggesting that the cationic form of these drugs blocks K+ channels at an internal site. The permanently charged analogue D890 blocked more potently when added to the pipette than to the bath. However, lowering pHi to 5.5 did not enhance block by external drug, and tertiary phenylalkylamines added to the pipette solution blocked weakly. This result can be explained if drug diffuses out of the cell faster than it is delivered from the pipette, the block site is reached preferentially via hydrophobic pathways, or both. Together, the data indicate the neutral membrane-bound drug blocks K+ channels more potently than intracellular cationic drug. Neutral drug has rapid access to the receptor, where block is stabilized by protonation of the drug from the internal solution. In summary, externally applied phenylalkylamines block open or inactivated K+ channels by partitioning into the cell membrane in neutral form and are stabilized at the block site by protonation.
Hospital Quality, Efficiency, and Input Slack Differentials

Much is yet to be learned about the interaction of cost, efficiency, and quality. It is not clear that cost containment and quality improvement are mutually consistent objectives. Quality improvement can result in greater resource use because it may require more or better resources. Yet, proponents of total quality management (TQM) argue that it is possible to reduce costs and increase quality simultaneously through efficiency gains. In this study, we use an advance in data envelopment analysis (DEA), termed congestion analysis, to ascertain whether some hospitals might be experiencing poor quality that could be corrected by changing the number and mix of inputs. Unlike the basic DEA model or stochastic frontier analysis (SFA), the most prominent frontier methods of estimating hospital efficiency, congestion analysis explicitly considers the possibility that some health care outputs can be undesirable (e.g., patient safety events). An advantage of our approach is that we can measure the percent of total outputs that could be increased, as well as how poor quality affects productivity. Further, by conducting slack analysis, we can determine which measured inputs are inefficient and do not add to quality, as well as which inputs should be increased (and by how much) to enhance quality. In addition to assessing quality and efficiency simultaneously, we can also categorize hospitals into peer groups based on efficiency. Our results have the potential to be actionable by providers and policy makers.
Treatment of refractory ischemic pain from chemotherapy-induced Raynaud's syndrome with spinal cord stimulation.

: We report the successful treatment of refractory ischemic pain from cisplatin-induced Raynaud’s syndrome with spinal cord stimulation after failed pharmacologic management and surgical sympathectomy. Case Report: A 48-year-old man developed ischemic pain of the hands while undergoing cisplatin and gemcitabine chemotherapy for metastatic pancreatic carcinoma. After extensive pharmacologic management and surgical sympathectomy failed to provide adequate analgesia, the patient underwent a percutaneous spinal cord stimulation trial followed by permanent implantation and received significant pain relief prior to succumbing to his illness. Spinal cord stimulation provided effective therapy for refractory ischemic pain, even after failed sympathectomy.
Executive function and PTSD: disengaging from trauma.

Neuropsychological approaches represent an important avenue for identifying susceptibility and resiliency factors relating to the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms post-trauma. This review will summarize results from prospective longitudinal and retrospective cross-sectional studies investigating executive function associated with PTSD. This research points specifically towards subtle impairments in response inhibition and attention regulation that may predate trauma exposure, serve as risk factors for the development of PTSD, and relate to the severity of symptoms. These impairments may be exacerbated within emotional or trauma-related contexts, and may relate to dysfunction within dorsal prefrontal networks. A model is presented concerning how such impairments may contribute to the clinical profile of PTSD and lead to the use of alternative coping styles such as avoidance. Further neuropsychological research is needed to identify the effects of treatment on cognitive function and to potentially characterize mechanisms of current PTSD treatments. Knowledge gained from cognitive and neuroscientific research may prove valuable for informing the future development of novel, more effective, treatments for PTSD. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Three-dimensional nanostructures from porous anodic alumina

We report on the synthesis of unique tetragonal nanostructures from porous anodic aluminum oxide that enables geometrical threedimensional (3D) microdesign of the porous surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy study revealed self-organization of hollow oxide nanostructures into hierarchical arrays. The formation of these structures has a localized nature and is associated with local electrical break-down during hard anodization of aluminum in oxalic acid solution. Moreover, in this communication we propose the mechanism of the nucleation and growth of complex 3D structures from porous anodic alumina.
Reply to “Comment on ‘Advanced Seismic Analyses of the Source Characteristics of the 2006 and 2009 North Korean Nuclear Tests’ by J. R. Murphy, J. L. Stevens, B. C. Kohl, and T. J. Bennett” by H. J. Patton and F. V. Pabian

We would like to thank Patton and Pabian (2014; hereafter referred to as PP14) for their comments and for calling our attention to some of the unresolved issues and uncertainties associated with characterizing the sources of underground nuclear tests in remote and limited access areas based on available seismic and other data resources. Although they raise a number of issues regarding event locations, surface‐wave excitation, and explosion yields, we believe that the results presented in our original paper (Murphy et al. , 2013; hereafter referred to as M13) for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) 2006 and 2009 nuclear tests are generally accurate and within the range of uncertainties for determining the source characteristics of these events. We find a number of the arguments offered by PP14, particularly with regard to absolute event locations and ground truth (GT), causes of anomalous M s observations, and transportability of magnitude–yield relationships to be unconvincing. In the following response, we address the significant points raised by PP14 regarding these various issues and what we view as limitations on their findings. In their comment paper, PP14 argue the following points with regard to the locations reported by M13 for the 2006 and 2009 DPRK nuclear tests: 1. The absolute locations preferred by M13 for the 2006 and 2009 DPRK tests are “not meaningfully” related to tunnel adits identified from satellite imagery. 2. Locations for the 2006 and 2009 DPRK tests preferred by PP14 are offset ∼1.25 km northeast of the locations preferred by M13. 3. The geopositional location approach preferred by PP14 produces absolute geolocations accurate to within 500 m. 4. The DPRK event locations preferred by PP14 correspond to a source depth difference of 110–160 m (deeper than the estimates by M13) for the 2006 test and about the same source depth as M13 for the 2009 test. …
Alpha male chimpanzee grooming patterns: implications for dominance “style”

In social primates, individuals use various tactics to compete for dominance rank. Grooming, displays and contact aggression are common components of a male chimpanzee's dominance repertoire. The optimal combination of these behaviors is likely to differ among males with individuals exhibiting a dominance "style" that reflects their tendency to use cooperative and/or agonistic dominance tactics. Here, we examine the grooming behavior of three alpha male chimpanzees at Gombe National Park, Tanzania. We found that (1) these males differed significantly in their tendency to groom with other males; (2) each male's grooming patterns remained consistent before, during and after his tenure as alpha, and (3) the three males tended to groom with high- middle- and low-ranking partners equally. We suggest that body mass may be one possible determinant of differences in grooming behavior. The largest male exhibited the lowest overall grooming rates, whereas the smallest male spent the most time grooming others. This is probably because large males are more effective at physically intimidating subordinates. To achieve alpha status, a small male may need to compensate for reduced size by investing more time and energy in grooming, thereby ensuring coalitionary support from others. Rates of contact aggression and charging displays conformed to this prediction, suggesting that each male exhibited a different dominance "style."
Von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis. Incidence of iris hamartomata

The results of a prospective survey of the ophthalmic manifestations of neurofibromatosis (NFT) have never been published. We studied the ocular features of NFT in 77 patients (ages 5 weeks to 69 years) among whom the diagnosis was made by nonophthalmic parameters. Of subjects ages 6 years and older, 92% had hamartomatous lesions of the iris, termed Lisch nodules, as distinguished from common iris nevi in nonaffected individuals. The presence of Lisch nodules is correlated to age, but not to number of cafe-au-lait spots, number of neurofibromata, or severity of disease. Lisch nodules appear among prepubertal children and are apparently unique to NFT. They are a valuable criterion by which to diagnose NFT in problematic cases.
Geovisualization of Bibliographic Data Using ArcGIS

This study examined the geographic aspects of literature involving the visualization of bibliographic data published by authors residing in the contiguous United States. ArcGIS was used to visualize networks of cited-citing publications and co-authors for 102 publications based on first author institutional affiliation. Spatial statistics and other tools within ArcGIS were used to explore the clustering of research activity and test the “death of distance” hypothesis among co-authors. Both the “producers” and “consumers” of the scholarly output were found to be clustered. Visual inspection of the thematic maps found research activity concentrated in the following cities: Bloomington, IN, Philadelphia, PA, Sandia, NM, Stillwater, OK, and Tucson, AZ. Over half of the co-authorship (60%) occurred among authors within the same ZIP code. The cited-citing publication network and co-author network maps shared a characteristic pattern indicating that many producers and consumers also co-authored with each other. While the number of co-authored publications in the field of visualization of bibliographic data increased from 1995–2009, the average co-author distance remained unchanged over that period.
Vitamin D's role in cell proliferation and differentiation

Vitamin D has pleiotropic effects that go beyond its traditional role in calcium homeostasis. Hundreds of genes with vitamin D receptor response elements directly or indirectly influence cell cycling and proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Vitamin D compounds also have effects on cell function that are nongenomic. The noncalcemic actions of vitamin D influence normal and pathological cell growth, carcinogenesis, immune function, and cardiovascular physiology. This review examines many of the various mechanisms by which vitamin D alters cellular growth and differentiation and explores cell-specific factors that influence responsiveness to vitamin D.
Factors influencing student academic performance in online high school algebra

This paper describes the effect of teacher comments, students’ demographic information and learning management system utilisation on student final scores in algebra courses in a K–12 virtual learning environment. Students taking algebra courses in a state virtual school in the Midwestern US region during 2007–2008 participated in this study. Student final scores on these courses were collected using tests administered at the end of semester in the virtual school courses. The hierarchical linear modelling technique was used for data analysis to account for the influence of school characteristics on student final scores. The results show these factors have different influences on student final scores in different algebra courses. The discussion of the findings addresses the implications for teaching.
The effects of the melanocortin agonist (MT-II) on subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue in rodents

The melanocortin system is a critical pathway in the regulation of energy balance. In this study, we analyzed the peripheral effects of the synthetic melanocortin agonist melanotan-II (MT-II) in rodents fed a low-fat or high-fat diet. MT-II-treated high-fat diet-induced obese (DIO) mice lost weight and body fat, whereas MT-II-treated low-fat-fed mice maintained their original body weight. Specifically, MT-II treatment led to a general reduction in both visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue in high-fat-fed mice compared with Vehicle (ad libitum) controls. Vehicle-treated pair-fed DIO mice lost an equivalent amount of body weight compared with MT-II-treated mice but retained more adipose tissue. Pair-fed mice showed a reduction in visceral adipose tissue and no effect on subcutaneous adipose tissue compared with MT-II-treated mice. It is surprising that subcutaneous lean mass was significantly reduced in the pairfed mice. The data were replicated in DIO rats and indicated that MT-II treatment led to a generalized reduction in adipose tissue. These results indicate that peripheral MT-II treatment leads to weight loss that affects both the visceral and subcutaneous fat compartments. This finding illustrates the complexity of analyzing weight-reducing compounds. Although the present data suggest that the anorectic effect of MT-II is primarily a consequence of reduced food intake, the body composition data suggest that other mechanisms are involved.
Two Types of Anti-progestins Have Distinct Effects on Site-specific Phosphorylation of Human Progesterone Receptor

Abstract Human progesterone receptor (PR) is phosphorylated on multiple serine residues; three sites (Ser102, Ser294, and Ser345) are inducible by hormone agonist, while at least six others are basally phosphorylated and exhibit a general increase in response to hormone. In this study we have used high performance liquid chromatography phosphopeptide mapping and manual peptide sequencing to investigate how two different progestin antagonists, RU486 and ZK98299, affect site-specific phosphorylation of PR isolated from T47D breast cancer cells. As compared to the progestin agonist R5020, RU486 stimulated a similar increase in overall incorporation of [32P]phosphate per PR molecule (2.5-2.6-fold for PR-A and 2.1-fold for PR-B), and at the site-specific level, RU486 stimulated both the basal and inducible sites to the same extent as R5020. In contrast, ZK98299 produced only a minimal increase in overall phosphorylation (1.2-fold for PR-A and 1.1-fold for PR-B) which was due to a reduced stimulation of the basal sites and failure to induce any of the three hormone-dependent sites. No inappropriate phosphorylation sites were detected in response to either RU486 or ZK98299. In cotreatment studies, ZK98299 blocked the increase in overall phosphorylation of PR induced by R5020, demonstrating that the failure of this antagonist to stimulate specific phosphorylation sites is not due to an inefficient interaction with PR in the intact cell. These results indicate that the biological effects of RU486 are not mediated by an alteration in the phosphorylation state of PR, whereas failure to promote phosphorylation of certain sites may contribute to the antagonist action of ZK98299. Additionally these results support the concept of two mechanistic classes of anti-progestins that affect PR differently in vivo.
In-Plane Biocompatible Microfluidic Interconnects for Implantable Microsystems

Small mammals, particularly mice, are very useful animal models for biomedical research. Extremely small anatomical dimensions, however, make design of implantable microsystems quite challenging. A method for coupling external fluidic systems to microfluidic channels via in-plane interconnects is presented. Capillary tubing is inserted into channels etched in the surface of a Si wafer with a seal created by Parylene-C deposition. Prediction of Parylene-C deposition into tapered channels based on Knudsen diffusion and deposition characterizations allows for design optimization. Low-volume interconnects using biocompatible, chemical resistant materials have been demonstrated and shown to withstand pressure as high as 827 kPa (120 psi) with an average pull test strength of 2.9 N. Each interconnect consumes less than 0.018 mm3 (18 nL) of volume. The low added volume makes this an ideal interconnect technology for medical applications where implant volume is critical.
Physically-valid view synthesis by image interpolation

Image warping is a popular tool for smoothly transforming one image to another. "Morphing" techniques based on geometric image interpolation create compelling visual effects, but the validity of such transformations has not been established. In particular, does 2D interpolation of two views of the same scene produce a sequence of physically valid in-between views of that scene? We describe a simple image rectification procedure which guarantees that interpolation does in fact produce valid views, under generic assumptions about visibility and the projection process. Towards this end, it is first shown that two basis views are sufficient to predict the appearance of the scene within a specific range of new viewpoints. Second, it is demonstrated that interpolation of the rectified basis images produces exactly this range of views. Finally, it is shown that generating this range of views is a theoretically well-posed problem, requiring neither knowledge of camera positions nor 3D scene reconstruction. A scanline algorithm for view interpolation is presented that requires only four user-provided feature correspondences to produce valid orthographic views. The quality of the resulting images is demonstrated with interpolations of real imagery.
Grundzüge einer Theorie staatlicher Sozialpolitik

In der Einfuhrung wurden die Aufgaben der Wissenschaft von der Sozialpolitik bereits dargestellt. In diesem Kapitel sollen aus diesem Aufgabenkomplex zwei Fragestellungen herausgegriffen und mit Hilfe der theoretischen Analyse zu beantworten versucht werden:2 1. wodurch wurde und wird Sozialpolitik notwendig (Theorie der Entstehungsbedingungen staatlicher Sozialpolitik); 2. wodurch wird die Entwicklung der Sozialpolitik in einer Gesellschaft bestimmt (Theorie der Entwicklungsbedingungen).
Induction of fuzzy rules for a distributed traffic signal timing system

A distributed, fuzzy traffic signal timing system is described that utilizes independently controlled traffic signals where each signal employs a fuzzy rule tree to adapt its timing. Fuzzy rules capture the human reasoning ability that is used by a police officer directing traffic. In addition, a system of independent controllers may be capable of providing the benefits of an area-wide traffic control system to communities which can not afford the cost of the centralized control system, commonly in use today. A Simulation tool kit that has been combined with a fuzzy/inductive/adaptive expert system controller is described that can be used to model alternative traffic signal timing system concepts. System evaluation determines the required knowledge sharing among the independent controllers needed to achieve optimal area-wide system performance. Induction is used to generate a fuzzy rule tree for each alternative definition of knowledge sharing evaluated. Given each fuzzy rule tree, a feedback scheme is employed that measures the effectiveness of a decision with respect to the system goals and rewards or punishes the supporting rules, optimizing area-wide traffic control performance. >