cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a quantum dot mode locked laser functioning as a photonic microwave source

Microwave signals can be photonically generated by a quantum dot, passively mode locked laser. The main advantages of using this microwave source configuration are the small size of the device (approximately 8000×300 microns at a frequency of 5GHz), the stable signal output with low phase noise, the reconfigurability (tunable output power and frequency by controlling the dc biasing) and high optical to electrical conversion efficiency. Although some work on the subject has been published in the past, a detailed description of the microwave properties of the QDMLL is missing. In order for the QDMLL to be used as a microwave source, its microwave functionality need to be studied. In this current work, a QDMLL is characterized in terms of its output microwave impedance, the maximum output microwave power, the resonant frequency, the linewidth of the signal, the phase noise as well as the optical to electrical power convertion efficiency.
Binary translation to improve energy efficiency through post-pass register re-allocation

Energy efficiency is rapidly becoming a first class optimization parameter for modern systems. Caches are critical to the overall performance and thus, modern processors (both high and low-end) tend to deploy a cache with large size and high degree of associativity. Due a large size cache power takes up a significant percentage of total system power. One important way to reduce cache power consumption is to reduce the dynamic activities in the cache by reducing the dynamic load-store counts. In this work, we focus on programs that are only available as binaries which need to be improved for energy efficiency. For adapting these programs for energy-constrained devices, we propose a feed-back directed post-pass solution that tries to do register re-allocation to reduce dynamic load/store counts and to improve energy-efficiency. Our approach is based on zero knowledge of original code generator or compiler and performs a post-pass register allocation to get a more power-efficient binary. We attempt to find out the dead as well as unused registers in the binary and then re-allocate them on hot paths to reduce dynamic load/store counts. It is shown that the static code size increase due to our framework is very minimal. Our experiments on SPEC2000 and MediaBench show that our technique is effective. We have seen dynamic spill loads/stores reduction in the data-cache ranging from 0% to 26.4%. Overall, our approach improves the energy-delay product of the program.
Growth of CdSe Quantum Rods and Multipods Seeded by Noble‐Metal Nanoparticles

parameter is the energy difference between different polymorphs. [12] In the case of CdSe and CdTe, NCs may nucleate with the zinc blende structure, followed by growth of the wurtzite structure [13,14] on these nuclei to produce tetrapods. The energy difference between the two crystal structures is small enough that both are accessible at typical reaction temperatures. This mechanism has been associated with the observation of kinetically promoted tetrapod structures of CdSe
Kenaf/Ramie Composite for Automotive Headliner

An increasing industrial interest is applications of kenaf and ramie fiber nonwovens for making automotive interior trim parts because of their excellent strength and renewability. This paper presents a study on the manufacture and evaluation of the kenaf/ramie nonwoven composite for this automotive end use. Carding, needle-punching, and wet bonding were used to fabricate the composite. End-use performance of the composite, in terms of tensile strength, thermal conductivity, dynamic mechanical property, and bonding structure, was tested using a series of instruments in accordance with the ASTM methods. Bonding performance of the polyvinyl alcohol binder and acrylic copolymer binder was also compared. Research results revealed that the acrylic-copolymer bonded composite was significantly anisotropic in both tensile and bending deformation and the polyvinyl-alcohol bonded composite was significantly anisotropic only in bending deformation. For the acrylic-copolymer bonded composite, increase of padding times helped enhance tensile properties. The acrylic-copolymer bonded composite also exhibited a better performance in dynamic thermal mechanical deformation but indicated insignificant difference of thermal conductivity compared to the polyvinyl-alcohol bonded composite.
Controlling program execution through binary instrumentation

Binary instrumentation has been widely used to observe dynamic program behavior, but current binary instrumentation systems do not allow the tool writer to alter the program execution path. This paper introduces some simple and general mechanisms for a binary instrumentation infrastructure to provide control over the application's execution path, allowing tools to replay or skip parts of the application, and to start or switch between threads. Specifically, the technique provides the following three functionalities for both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications: (1) checkpointing the execution state, (2) resuming execution at a checkpoint, and (3) starting execution at an arbitrary point in the program with a specified architectural state. We describe our implementation of these functionalities in Pin, a dynamic binary instrumentation infrastructure from Intel [5]. We demonstrate the usefulness of our mechanism by describing several binary instrumentation tools that have been built using this interface, including a transactional memory model and a thread scheduler.
Does Removing Coyotes for Livestock Protection Benefit Free‐Ranging Ungulates?

Abstract We studied the effects of coyote (Canis latrans) control for livestock protection on native ungulates during 2003 and 2004 on 7 sites in Utah and Colorado, USA, totaling over 1,900 km2. We found no relationships between coyote control variables and offspring/female deer ratios. However, control effort (no. of hr spent aerial gunning for coyotes) and success (no. of coyotes taken) were positively correlated with numbers of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) observed per kilometer of transect. Our results suggest that coyote control for livestock protection may increase densities of mule deer and pronghorn in areas where it is conducted.
Deep-sea ichnofacies: modern organism traces on and in pelagic carbonates of the western equatorial pacific

Abstract Modern abyssal organism traces were investigated in bottom photographs and box cores collected on Ontong Java Plateau, western equatorial Pacific, in water depths of 1597–4441 m. All the sediments were highly burrowed, white to medium brown, calcareous nannofosil ooze. Trails of echinoids and holothuroids and also surface traces resembling Glockeria were recognized in the photographs. The box cores contained specimens of Chondrites, Planolites, Skolithos, Spiroraphe, Teichichnus and ? Zoophycos . Bioturbation at this locality is intense, and so surface trails and other features appear to be destroyed following burial by the activity of infaunal burrowers.
HIGH‐CAPACITY AND LOW‐CAPACITY GOVERNANCE NETWORKS IN WELFARE SERVICES DELIVERY: A TYPOLOGY AND EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION OF THE CASE OF ISRAELI MUNICIPALITIES

A major argument of this paper is that to enhance the theoretical value of the concept of governance one must focus on how governance networks operate and with what outcomes. To that end, the paper offers a typology of governance-network capacity (GNC). Network capacity is assessed on a continuum from low to high, on the basis of four abilities of public actors: to select non-public collaborators, determine the goals of the network, exercise professional discretion, and recruit new resources. Differences in GNC are discussed in terms of their implications for equality and the degree to which new forms of governing networks create bases for retaining or increasing the inequality between municipalities. The paper presents findings from a study of collaborations between public and non-public actors in 78 governance networks that provide welfare services, operating in six municipalities in Israel.
Lattice Model for the Drape and Bending Properties of Nonwoven Fabrics

A discrete lattice model is presented to study the factors controlling the bending stiffness of nonwoven fabrics. The approach lends itself very easily to a detailed study of the importance of bonding pattern, laydown nonuniformities, fiber length, and orientation distribution. We find that nonwovens with a three-dimensional fiber orientation distribu tion have a much lower bending stiffness that those with a planar distribution. Variations in fiber density across the fabric thickness are also of great importance. Thus, random variations due to nonuniformities in the laydown process typically increase the bending stiffness, whereas the latter can be considerably decreased by concentrating most of the fiber weight within the neutral (or mid-) plane of a fabric. Our results in the limit of full bonding are in good quantitative agreement with those obtained from Freeston and Platt's classic model.
Deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene is independently associated with left ventricular mass and geometric remodeling in systemic hypertension

An insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. LV mass and geometry are related to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Two-dimensional directed M-mode echocardiograms and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were performed in 67 hypertensive subjects. Echocardiographic measurements were assessed in blinded fashion. LV mass index and relative wall thickness were calculated. ACE genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction amplification of deoxyribonucleic acid prepared from leukocytes, using primers that encompass the polymorphic segment. Systolic ambulatory blood pressure was higher in subjects with the II genotype. All other patient characteristics were similar across genotype groups. After adjustment for other covariables, the DD and ID genotypes were associated with significantly higher LV mass index than was the II genotype. Adjusted relative wall thickness was also higher in subjects with the DD genotype than in subjects with the ID and II genotypes. On multiple regression analysis, systolic ambulatory blood pressure, gender, body mass index, and the ACE genotype were each independently related to LV mass index (R2 = 0.53). Systolic ambulatory blood pressure, race, and ACE genotype were each independently related to relative wall thickness (R2 = 0.34). The ACE genotype explained an additional 3% and 4% of the variations of LV mass index and relative wall thickness, respectively. In conclusion, ACE polymorphism accounted for a small but statistically significant proportion of the variation in LV mass and geometry in our hypertensive subjects.
Assessment of Stigma Associated With Stuttering: Development and Evaluation of the Self-Stigma of Stuttering Scale (4S)

Purpose To create a psychometrically sound scale that measures different levels of internalized stigma (i.e., self-stigma) among adults who stutter and to analyze factor structure, reliability, and...
An entity-relationship framework for information resource management

Abstract We outline a framework for information resource management based on the relational and entity—relationship models of data base management. They are enlarged to encompass the variety of information resources now found in many organizations — including data files, data analysis procedures, text files, decision models, expert systems and knowledge bases, and human information resources (both individuals and groups).
Treatment Patterns in Disease-Modifying Therapy for Patients With Multiple Sclerosis in the United States

Abstract Background Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) whose disease activity is inadequately controlled with a platform therapy (interferon beta or glatiramer acetate [GA]) may switch to another platform therapy or escalate therapy to natalizumab or fingolimod, which were approved in the US in 2006 and 2010, respectively. Objective The objective of this study was to describe treatment patterns in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States who were followed for 2 years after initiating a disease-modifying therapy (DMT). Methods A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted to examine treatment patterns of initial DMT use (on initial therapy for 2 years with and without gaps of ≥60 days, medication switching, and discontinuation) among patients with MS who initiated a platform therapy (interferon-β or glatiramer acetate) or natalizumab between January 1, 2007, and September 30, 2009; the first DMT claim was the index. Eligible patients were identified in the MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental databases based on continuous enrollment for 6 months before (preindex period) and 24 months after their index date, with a diagnosis of MS and no claim for a previous DMT in the 6-month preindex period. Demographics at index and clinical characteristics during the preindex period were also analyzed. Results A total of 6181 MS patients were included, with 5735 (92.8%) starting on platform therapy. Natalizumab initiators were more likely to stay on index therapy (32.3% vs 16.9%, P P P = 0.007) and took longer to switch (400.9 days vs 330.7 days, P Conclusions Most MS patients initiating DMT started on platform therapy. Natalizumab initiators tended to stay on index therapy, have fewer treatment gaps, and switch less than platform initiators in the 2 years after treatment initiation. Switching between platform therapies is common despite evidence that MS patients on platform therapy may benefit from switching to natalizumab.
Can We Influence Prescribing Patterns

A variety of programming techniques and methods of training have been employed to change physician behavior. Didactic continuing medical education lectures and clinical guidelines have had minimal impact, although endorsement of national professional guidelines by local opinion leaders appears to have a positive influence on the impact of professional guidelines. Interactive, hands-on workshops, performance reporting, and peer/patient feedback are also effective. Changing prescribing habits has been equally difficult. Drug utilization letters involving both pharmacist and physician have more impact than do letters sent only to the physician. Academic detailing, when properly executed, has been consistently effective. When combined with these strategies, closed formularies become a powerful tool in changing prescribing behavior.
Timing bait applications for control of imported fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Mississippi: Efficacy and effects on non-target ants

An experiment was conducted to assess the efficacy of mid-day (11:00 – 13:00 h) and late evening (18:00 – 20:00 h) broadcast bait (Seige Pro®, 0.73% hydramethylnon) applications against black and hybrid imported fire ants (Solenopsis richteri Forel and S. richteri × invicta, respectively) and their impact on native ant species. It was hypothesized that evening bait applications would have less impact on native ant species that slow or cease foraging at night relative to mid-day applications. Bait was applied to a series of plots in northeastern Mississippi, USA, in summer of 2002 and 2003. Population densities and foraging activity of imported fire ants and native ants were compared between treated and control plots. Population density and foraging activity of imported fire ants were equally suppressed in plots receiving mid-day and evening broadcast bait applications. Population density of Monomorium minimum (Buckley), the little black ant, approached zero in treated plots during 2003 but remained relati...
Automated surveillance and infection control: Toward a better tomorrow

Advances in the use of technology to collect, aggregate, and derive meaning from infection control data have increased the potential for the discipline as a whole. However, many infection control professionals have yet to adapt these tools to practice. This report provides the infection control professional with an introduction to the use of informatics for automated surveillance by defining key terms and describing their interrelationships. Several advantages and disadvantages to adapting automated surveillance are discussed, and future opportunities and challenges to the profession are offered.
Mechanisms of Weight Regain following Weight Loss

Obesity is a world-wide pandemic and its incidence is on the rise along with associated comorbidities. Currently, there are few effective therapies to combat obesity. The use of lifestyle modification therapy, namely, improvements in diet and exercise, is preferable over bariatric surgery or pharmacotherapy due to surgical risks and issues with drug efficacy and safety. Although they are initially successful in producing weight loss, such lifestyle intervention strategies are generally unsuccessful in achieving long-term weight maintenance, with the vast majority of obese patients regaining their lost weight during followup. Recently, various compensatory mechanisms have been elucidated by which the body may oppose new weight loss, and this compensation may result in weight regain back to the obese baseline. The present review summarizes the available evidence on these compensatory mechanisms, with a focus on weight loss-induced changes in energy expenditure, neuroendocrine pathways, nutrient metabolism, and gut physiology. These findings have added a major focus to the field of antiobesity research. In addition to investigating pathways that induce weight loss, the present work also focuses on pathways that may instead prevent weight regain. Such strategies will be necessary for improving long-term weight loss maintenance and outcomes for patients who struggle with obesity.
Opting out while fitting in: How residents make sense of assisted living and cope with community life

Abstract This paper explores how assisted living residents construct personal understandings of congregate settings through the stories they tell. Using the narratives of Dorothy and Estelle, two 91-year-old participants, we examine how linkages between past experiences and present conditions enable residents to make sense of assisted living and cope with membership in a community comprised of diverse interests, backgrounds, and impairments. Our narrative analysis focuses on how individuals strive for continuity or new meaning in the face of chaos or disruption. Both participants characterize life in the facility in terms of prior personal and professional experiences that then inform their current behavior and feelings toward fellow residents. Although they profess to have little in common with these residents, both constitute assisted living in ways that enable them to enjoy their lives within the facility. Implications for studies using narrative analysis to examine transition into and satisfaction with congregate living are examined.
Fast computation of analytical second derivatives with effective core potentials: Application to Si8C12, Ge8C12, and Sn8C12

An improved method is described for the computation of integrals involving effective core potentials. The improved method provides better scalability to higher angular momenta as well as improved speed. The new method is also applied to the determination of the minimum energy structures of Si8C12, Ge8C12, and Sn8C12, main group analogs of the Ti8C12 compounds (known as metcars). Relative energies, geometries, and vibrational frequencies are reported for several novel structures.
Colonic diverticulitis in adolescents: an index case and associated syndromes

Diverticular disease of the colon, a common problem among adults, is diagnosed rarely in children. We report an adolescent patient with sigmoid diverticulitis who required operative treatment. Pediatric patients with the complications of diverticula typically have conditions that result in genetic alterations affecting the components of the colonic wall. Our patient had Williams-Beuren syndrome, although Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome, and cystic fibrosis may also be associated with colonic diverticula in adolescence. Pediatric patients with these disorders who experience abdominal pain should be evaluated for the presence of colonic diverticular complications.
A comparison of various methods for calculating unimolecular reaction rate constants

A test of the Kassel quantum expressions for unimolecular rate constants and densities of vibrational states is described. Rate constants are calculated for nine reactions previously used in such tests, over a wide range of temperatures and pressures. The Kassel expression using the geometric mean of the molecular vibration frequencies is generally found to give better results than that using the arithmetic mean.
An Electrically Driven Gas−Liquid−Liquid Contactor for Bioreactor and Other Applications

An electrically driven gas−liquid−liquid bioreactor is described here, in which an aqueous medium containing a biocatalyst is introduced as a discontinuous phase into an organic-continuous liquid phase containing a substrate to be converted by the biocatalyst. A gas discontinuous phase, which may be needed to provide oxygen or a gaseous substrate to the biocatalyst, is also introduced into the bioreactor. In contrast to previous work on electrically driven contactors, it was found that the electroconvection generated by the electric field between parallel-plate electrodes may be employed to increase the volume fraction of the discontinuous gas phase in the bioreactor, providing the means for enhanced mass transfer. The electrically driven bioreactor was utilized for oil desulfurization experiments with Rhodococcus sp. IGTS8 bacteria as the biocatalyst. The organic phase used in the experiments was hexadecane containing dibenzothiophene, a model sulfur compound, that is oxidatively desulfurized to 2-hydrox...
Training of a minimally invasive bariatric surgeon: Are laparoscopic fellowships the answer?

Background: Fellowships in advanced laparoscopy with emphasis in laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGBP) are available for obtaining experience in performing LGBP. The following is the first report in the literature prospectively documenting a single surgeon's experience with LGBP outcomes following completion of an advanced laparoscopic surgical fellowship. Methods: Outcomes measured prospectively included length of stay, length of operation, complications, reduction in obesity-related co-morbidities, and percentage excess weight loss. Outcomes were analyzed by quartile to see if there was a difference over time. Complications were also compared to outcomes in the literature. Results: 175 patients (147 female, 28 male) underwent LGBP. The mean BMI was 49.2. Mean operative time was 123 minutes, and mean length of stay was 2.2 days. The percentage excess weight loss at 1 year was 73% (n = 79). One patient developed an internal hernia (0.6%) and 1 patient developed an anastomotic leak (0.6%). Postoperative transfusion rate was 4.6%. There were no deep venous thromboses or pulmonary emboli detected. There were no conversions to open, and there was no mortality. Upon quartile analysis, there was no difference in complication rates. Complication rates were comparable to published outcomes in the literature. Conclusion: Fellowships in advanced laparoscopy with emphasis on LGBP provide the optimal training environment for acquisition of skills necessary to safely and effectively perform LGBP. With fellowship training, complication rates were comparable to published outcomes in the literature without a period of higher complications (the learning curve).
Spilling the beans on understanding and memory for idioms in conversation.

Three experiments examine people's understanding and memory for idioms. Experiment 1 indicates that in a conversational context, subjects take less time to comprehend conventional uses of idiomatic expression than unconventional, literal uses. Paraphrase judgment errors show that there is a strong bias to interpret idiomatic expressions conventionally when there is no preceding context; however, subjects interpret literal uses of these expressions correctly when there is appropriate context. Experiment 2 showed that in a free recall task, literal uses of idioms are remembered better than conventional uses of these utterances. Experiment 3 indicated that in conversation, literal and idiomatic recall prompts facilitate memory for literal uses of idioms equally well. The results from these experiments suggest that memory for conventional utterances is not as good as for unconventional uses of the same utterances and that subjects understanding unconventional uses of idioms tend to analyze the idiomatic meaning of these expressions before deriving the literal, unconventional interpretation. It is argued that the traditional distinction between literal and metaphoric language is better characterized as a continuum between conventional and unconventional utterances.
In Vivo Generation of Immature Inner Hair Cells in Neonatal Mouse Cochleae by Ectopic Atoh1 Expression

Regeneration of auditory hair cells (HCs) is a promising approach to restore hearing. Recent studies have demonstrated that induced pluripotent stem cells/embryonic stem cells or supporting cells (SCs) adjacent to HCs can be converted to adopt the HC fate. However, little is known about whether new HCs are characteristic of outer or inner HCs. Here, we showed in vivo conversion of 2 subtypes of SCs, inner border cells (IBs) and inner phalangeal cells (IPhs), to the inner HC (IHC) fate. This was achieved by ectopically activating Atoh1, a transcription factor necessary for HC fate, in IBs/IPhs at birth. Atoh1+ IBs/IPhs first turned on Pou4f3, another HC transcription factor, before expressing 8 HC markers. The conversion rate gradually increased from ∼2.4% at 1 week of age to ∼17.8% in adult. Interestingly, new HCs exhibited IHC characteristics such as straight line–shaped stereociliary bundles, expression of Fgf8 and otoferlin, and presence of larger outward currents than those of outer HCs. However, new HCs lacked the terminal differentiation IHC marker vGlut3, exhibited reduced density of presynaptic Cbtp2 puncta that had little postsynaptic GluR2 specialization, and displayed immature IHC outward currents. Our results demonstrate that the conversion rate of IBs/IPhs in vivo by Atoh1 ectopic expression into the IHC fate was higher and faster and the conversion was more complete than that of the 2 other SC subtypes underneath the outer HCs; however, these new IHCs are arrested before terminal differentiation. Thus, IBs/IPhs are good candidates to regenerate IHCs in vivo.
Printing floating-point numbers quickly and accurately

This paper presents a fast and accurate algorithm for printing floating-point numbers in both free- and fixed-format modes. In free-format mode, the algorithm generates the shortest, correctly rounded output string that converts to the same number when read back in, accommodating whatever rounding mode the reader uses. In fixed-format mode, the algorithm generates a correctly rounded output string using special # marks to denote insignificant trailing digits. For both modes, the algorithm employs a fast estimator to scale floating-point numbers efficiently.
Improving on Shadow Price Information for Identifying Critical Farm Machinery

A method is presented for identifying critical farm machinery in a linear programming context. The method uses a technical coefficient sensitivity analysis formula that overcomes problems associated with direct use of shadow prices for critical machinery identification. Case studies show the formula identifies the benefits of altering machinery generally with less than 10% error.
Treatment of voiding dysfunction following radiation therapy for carcinoma of the prostate

Radiation therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer has made tremendous advances in the past century but is still associated with significant urinary morbidities. These complications are divided into acute and late toxicities. Among the recognized acute toxicities are dysuria and urinary retention. Management differs from late toxicities, which may include urethral strictures, fistulas, and radiation-induced hemorrhagic cystitis. Although identical problems are seen in the absence of radiation, the management of these complications is altered by the additive effect of radiotherapy. This is likely due to progressive obliterative endarteritis triggered by radiation therapy. On the basis of the evolving tissue effects of radiotherapy, each treatment should be individualized and tailored to the patient, form and dosage of radiation, and the tissue quality.
Reliability and criterion-related validity of self-report of syphilis.

Objective To determine the test-retest reliability, sensitivity and specificity, and criterion-related validity of the Risk Behavior Assessment (RBA) syphilis questions. The RBA is a standardized instrument that has been used in several studies of STDs in drug users. Methods For the test-retest reliability study, 219 injection drug users completed the RBA twice within a 48-hour period. To determine criterion-related validity, 207 individuals, who also completed the RBA, were tested with the rapid plasma reagin test (RPR), and 206 individuals were also tested with the Serodia Treponema pallidum particle agglutination test (TP-PA). Results The test-retest reliability for the question "How many times have you been told by a doctor or a nurse that you had syphilis?" was 0.78. The test-retest reliability for the question "In what year were you last treated for syphilis?" was 0.89. For the comparison of self-report with the RPR test, the sensitivity of self-report was 46.2% and the specificity was 95.7%. For the comparison of self-report with the TP-PA test, the sensitivity of self-report was 37% and the specificity was 97.7%. Conclusions Self-reports of syphilis infection history were found to have good reliability, excellent specificity, and moderate sensitivity. These characteristics need to be taken into account in any study using these self-report items.
The Novel Role of Yin Yang 1 in the Regulation of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer Via the Dysregulated NF-κB/Snail/YY1/RKIP/PTEN Circuitry

The majority of cancers develop genetic and molecular strategies to resist conventional cytotoxic therapies as well as escape from the host's immune surveillance. These events lead to tumor persistence and spread through activation of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) program and metastasis. Expression profiling analysis has revealed various tumor metastasis-inducing and metastasis-suppressing genes that regulate the metastatic process and maintain the microenvironment of the tumor cells. EMT in cancer entails the molecular reprogramming and phenotypic changes that characterize the conversion of immobile cancer epithelial cells to motile mesenchymal cells. A hallmark of EMT is the loss of E-cadherin, the epithelial homotypic adhesion molecule, and gain of mesenchymal markers such as vimentin and fibronectin. The molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation of EMT consist, in part, in the constitutive activation of survival signaling pathways such as the nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway. The NF-κB pathway has been implicated directly in the regulation of EMT and indirectly through the transcription and expression of several gene products that participate in the EMT cascade, such as Snail, the metastasis-inducer and E-cadherin suppressor transcription factor. In turn, Snail represses the metastasis-suppressor gene product Raf-kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) that inhibits both the Raf-1/MEK/ERK and NF-κB survival pathways implicated in EMT. Consequently, tumor cells normally exhibit a dysregulated NF-κB/Snail/RKIP circuitry that is intimately involved in the initiation of EMT and maintenance of drug resistance. Additional deregulated gene products in this circuit, such as the metastasis-suppressor phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN; repressed by Snail) and the putative-metastasis inducer Yin Yang (YY) 1 (target of NF-κB) also have been associated in the regulation of EMT. We recently have investigated the direct role of YY1 in the regulation of EMT. This review discusses the molecular regulation of EMT in cancer cells through the activity of the dysregulated NF-κB/Snail/ YY1/PTEN/RKIP circuitry. In addition, we propose YY1 as a potential novel prognostic biomarker for EMT and a therapeutic target for both the prevention of metastasis and the reversal of resistance.
Compressed-liquid densities of two highly polar + non-polar binary systems☆

Abstract The binary systems ethanol + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane and 2-butanol + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane were studied as models for blends of gasoline with biofuels. Their densities were measured with a vibrating-tube densimeter at compressed-liquid states of three compositions of each of the binary systems. The temperature and pressure ranges of the measured data are from 270 K to 470 K, and 0.5 MPa to 50 MPa. There are no compressed-liquid density data for the binary system ethanol + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane in the literature, thus data reported here are compared to literature data at atmospheric pressure in order to establish their quality. No literature data for the system 2-butanol + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane were found, thus data reported here fill a void and help to further the understanding of molecular interactions in binary systems of a polar and a non-polar compound.
Philosophy as a Missing Link between Values and Behavior

Despite the persistence of social scientists, evaluating the relationship between values and behavior has not yielded clear results. Here, a model is proposed to conceptualize and measure a person's operating philosophy. This assesses a different level of the value structure within personality from separate values or clusters of values; it is the evaluative structure within which a person's values exist. Building on major philosophies, such as utilitarianism or humanism, the model assumes that a person has a predominant Pragmatic, Intellectual, or Human Operating Philosophy. In a sample of 801 subjects, each of these operating philosophies had significant associations with a variety of the expected behaviors evident in work and graduate school, such as initiative and empathy, as well as learning styles, skills, and flexibility. Interpretation of the results is offered as a way to understand the relationship between people's values or beliefs and their behavior and approach to learning.
IPCC: How it happens

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme to provide independent scientific advice about climate change. About every 5–6 years, the IPCC compiles assessments on all aspects of climate change, including science, impacts, adaptation, and mitigation, based on peer-reviewed literature. The Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) is being released throughout 2007 (see http://www.ipcc.ch).
Deconstructing the myth of percolation in electrically conductive adhesives and its implications

The modern emphasis on green technologies has caused the electronics industry to seek alternative solutions to lead-based interconnections. Electrically conductive adhesive (ECAs) composed of metallic fillers within a polymer matrix have received the majority of the interest in lead-free interconnect technology. However, ECAs are still unable to meet the demands of high performance consumer electronics. Previous research recognized a critical filler concentration where there is a dramatic increase in conductivity, followed by a plateau. Researchers have labeled this transition as evidence of a percolation, implying a continuous interconnected metallic network. Our work comprised of a series of "proof of concept" type experiments deconstructs the myth of percolation and emphasize the functional role of the polymer matrix. From a theoretical standpoint direct metal to metal contact is not feasible since silver particles coated with short chain acids are easily wet by the polymer matrix. Assembly conducted under low mechanical stresses is unable to displace the adsorbed surfactant to form metallic contact. Moreover, preparation of a high K epoxy (Dielectric Constant ~5.5), Co(III) acetylacetonates (Co(III) AcAcs) doped diglycidyl ether of bisphenol F had unstable conductivities orders of magnitude lower than the control samples; under similar applied DC. Dielectric constant has a minimal effect if metal to metal contact is the dominant charge transport mechanism. However, tunneling through materials with high dielectric constant impedes the tunneling efficiency. We clearly demonstrate that charge transport at the interface occurs via secondary conductivity pathways, dominated by thermally assisted tunneling mechanisms. The importance of these secondary conductivity mechanisms is highly dependent on the particle-thin film dielectric interaction. This revolutionary discovery provides a new approach for scientists and engineers to improve the performance of electrically conductive adhesives through the incorporation of electrically functional matrix materials.
Bangladesh in 2004: The Politics of Vengeance and the Erosion of Democracy

The year 2004 was not typical for Bangladesh; unfortunately, it was worse than usual. The country's fragile democracy suffered serious reversals. Rising political violence and religious militancy, coupled with the government's vindictive attitude and the main opposition party's intransigence, have created an unstable environment that is likely to inflict still further damage on Bangladesh's democracy.
Never Let Them See You Cry Self-Presentation as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Exclusion and Self-Esteem

A debate exists concerning whether exclusion harms self-esteem. We hypothesized that social exclusion does harm self-esteem, but that this effect is evident only when self-presentational concerns to "appear fine" are minimal or people are unable to alter their report of self-esteem. In the first three studies, participants' explicit and implicit self-esteem were measured following an exclusion or comparison condition where self-presentational pressures were likely high. Because respondents can easily control their reports on explicit measures, but not on implicit ones, we hypothesized that exclusion would result in lower self-esteem only when implicit measures were used. Results confirmed this hypothesis. In the final study, self-presentational concerns were directly manipulated. When self-presentational concerns were high, only implicit self-esteem was lowered by exclusion. But, when such concerns were low, this impact on self-esteem was seen on implicit and explicit measures. Implications for the sociometer hypothesis and the recent self-esteem debate are discussed.
Quick and easy analysis of unreplicated factorials

Box and Meyer (1986) introduced a method for assessing the sizes of contrasts in unreplicated factorial and fractional factorial designs. This is a useful technique, and an associated graphical display popularly known as a Bayes plot makes it even more effective. This article presents a competing technique that is also effective and is computationally simple. An advantage of the new method is that the results are given in terms of the original units of measurement. This direct association with the data may make the analysis easier to explain.
Managing health care facility associated pneumonias: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Pneumonias acquired in a healthcare facility have different epidemiology, risk factors, responsible pathogens, treatments and outcomes than those acquired in the community. Patients with such infections generally have greater mortality and incur greater medical costs. Initially, hospitals were regarded as the major site for this paradigm; more recently, long term care facilities, rehabilitation institutions, dialysis centers and outpatient infusion facilities have also been recognized as posing similar risks. Pneumonias that occur in the ICU carry particularly serious implications. In 2005, a joint committee of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Thoracic Society issued guidelines to help diagnose and manage these infections.1 Additional research has shown that these infections are not inevitable and that focused, coordinated efforts can reduce their risk and the subsequent serious consequences.
An Application of the What Works Clearinghouse Standards for Evaluating Single-Subject Research: Synthesis of the Self-Management Literature Base

The use of single-subject research in the development and evaluation of academic, psychological, and behavioral interventions has led to the experimental validation of an array of treatment options for a diverse set of educational challenges. However, the synthesis of these bodies of research has been the subject of considerable debate. In an effort to utilize the findings from studies using single-subject methodologies to identify effective educational practices, the What Works Clearinghouse developed a set of criteria to evaluate the strength of evidence for various strategies. In this article, an application of these standards is demonstrated using a body of self-management intervention studies drawn from a recently published systematic review. The utility of the standards for identifying evidence-based practices validated with single-subject research methods is discussed. In addition, a comparison of the What Works Clearinghouse procedures to previously developed methods for identifying evidence-based...
A Psychoneuroimmunologic Perspective on AIDS Research: Questions, Preliminary Findings, and Suggestions1

Starting with the premise that research questions emanating from the fields of psychoneuroimmunology and behavioral medicine may provide critical information for understanding and treating acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), we provide brief backgrounds on psychoneuroimmunology and on AIDS. Previously, Solomon had generated 25 hypotheses based on the thesis that the immune and central nervous systems are intimately linked. Eight hypotheses from his list are presented as particularly relevant to AIDS. From these hypotheses, we derived a set of 12 new questions to be addressed in research on AIDS. Evidence and illustrations from studies in the literature, from our own research on psychoimmunologic relationships and psychosocial factors related to outcome, and from clinical examples is discussed for each question. Finally, suggestions are offered to address some of the problems in conducting psychoneurologic research.
Quantifying Performance of Cooperative Diversity using the Sampling Property of a Delta Function

In this paper, we present a simple approach to evaluating the performance of amplify-and-forward cooperative diversity. The Q-function can be asymptotically reduced to a delta (impulse) function. We extend the result to cooperative networks in fading channels. The proposed approach introduces a simple technique to evaluate the performance of complex networks by sampling.
Glucagon-Like Peptide-2 and Short-Chain Fatty Acids: A New Twist to an Old Story

The nutritional regulation of intestinal adaptation extends beyond the route of nutrient administration as specific nutrients are known to mediate the adaptive response. Dietary carbohydrates are known to enhance intestinal adaptation in patients with short-bowel syndrome. This review discusses SCFA-induced adaptation in intestinal structure and function in adult rat and neonatal piglet models. Potential mechanisms relate to the salvage of energy as SCFA in the colon, direct mediation of intestinal adaptation by SCFA and stimulated release of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) from enteroendocrine L cells by SCFA. Among the produced SCFA, butyrate appears to be responsible for increasing plasma GLP-2 concentration, in addition to the enterotrophic effects. Emerging evidence reveals that physiological concentrations of butyrate acutely upregulate the expression of key enterocyte-associated nutrient transporters. Focused experiments are needed to carefully identify the critical components of intestinal adaptation and yield conclusions regarding the relative contributions of SCFA and GLP-2 during the various phases of this process.
Decoupling speed and accuracy in an urgent decision-making task reveals multiple contributions to their trade-off.

A key goal in the study of decision making is determining how neural networks involved in perception and motor planning interact to generate a given choice, but this is complicated due to the internal trade-off between speed and accuracy, which confounds their individual contributions. Urgent decisions, however, are special: they may range between random and fully informed, depending on the amount of processing time (or stimulus viewing time) available in each trial, but regardless, movement preparation always starts early on. As a consequence, under time pressure it is possible to produce a psychophysical curve that characterizes perceptual performance independently of reaction time, and this, in turn, makes it possible to pinpoint how perceptual information (which requires sensory input) modulates motor planning (which does not) to guide a choice. Here we review experiments in which, on the basis of this approach, the origin of the speed-accuracy trade-off becomes particularly transparent. Psychophysical, neurophysiological, and modeling results in the `compelled-saccade' task indicate that, during urgent decision making, perceptual information - if and whenever it becomes available - accelerates or decelerates competing motor plans that are already ongoing. This interaction affects both the reaction time and the probability of success in any given trial. In two experiments with reward asymmetries, we find that speed and accuracy can be traded in different amounts and for different reasons, depending on how the particular task contingencies affect specific neural mechanisms related to perception and motor planning. Therefore, from the vantage point of urgent decisions, the speed-accuracy trade-off is not a unique phenomenon tied to a single underlying mechanism, but rather a typical outcome of many possible combinations of internal adjustments within sensory-motor neural circuits.
Luminal glucose does not enhance active intestinal calcium absorption in mice: evidence against a role for Cav1.3 as a mediator of calcium uptake during absorption

Intestinal Ca absorption occurs through a 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3)-regulated transcellular pathway, especially when habitual dietary Ca intake is low. Recently the L-type voltage-gated Ca channel, Cav1.3, was proposed to mediate active, transcellular Ca absorption in response to membrane depolarization caused by elevated luminal glucose levels after a meal. We tested the hypothesis that high luminal glucose could reveal a role for Cav1.3 in active intestinal Ca absorption in mice. Nine-week-old male C57BL/6 J mice were fed AIN93G diets containing either low (0.125%) or high (1%) Ca for 1 week, and Ca absorption was examined by an oral gavage method using a 45Ca-transport buffer containing 25 mmol/L of glucose or fructose. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 6 (TRPV6), calbindin D9k (CaBPD9k), and Cav1.3 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were measured in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. TRPV6 and CaBPD9k expressions were highest in the duodenum, where active, 1,25(OH)2D3-regulated Ca absorption occurs, whereas Cav1.3 mRNA levels were similar across the intestinal segments. As expected, the low-Ca diet increased renal cytochrome p450-27B1 (CYP27B1) mRNA (P = .003), serum 1,25(OH)2D3 (P < .001), and Ca absorption efficiency by 2-fold with the fructose buffer. However, the glucose buffer used to favor Cav1.3 activation did not increase Ca absorption efficiency (P = .6) regardless of the dietary Ca intake level. Collectively, our results show that glucose did not enhance Ca absorption and they do not support a critical role for Cav1.3 in either basal or vitamin D-regulated intestinal Ca absorption in vivo.