cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dictyostelium erasure mutant HI4 abnormally retains development-specific mRNAs during dedifferentiation☆

Abstract The Dictyostelium mutant HI4 progresses through morphogenesis normally, but is defective in the reverse program of dedifferentiation. In contrast to dedifferentiating wild-type cells, HI4 cells retain the capacity to rapidly reaggregate well after the “erasure event” employing a nonchemotactic aggregation mechanism involving random collisions and cohesion. They also do not lose contact sites A (gp80) at the prescribed time in the dedifferentiation program. HI4 cells accumulate transcripts of the cysteine protease gene CP2 (formerly referred to as 16G1) and the cohesion glycoprotein gene gp80 at the correct times in the morphogenetic program, but abnormally retain these transcripts at high levels well after the prescribed times at which they are lost in wild-type cells during the reverse program of dedifferentiation. The retention of these mRNAs in HI4 cells after the erasure event is not due to abnormal maintenance of a high level of intracellular cAMP during dedifferentiation. The rapid reduction in the level of gp80 transcript which can be effected by the addition of cAMP prior to the erasure event in wild-type cells is also retained by HI4 cells well after the erasure event. The results suggest that cells possess at least two mechanisms for the reduction of gp80 transcript. One involves the immediate response to cAMP and may function during the forward program of development. The second functions specifically during the reverse program of dedifferentiation. It is this latter, erasure-specific mechanism which is selectively defective in the HI4 variant.
Three-component phase behavior of the sclareol–ethyl lactate–carbon dioxide system for GAS applications

Abstract This paper focuses on the extraction of sclareol from the leaves of Salvia sclarea Lamiaceae, more commonly known as Clary sage. The process involves the extraction of sclareol using a CO2-soluble GRAS solvent such as ethyl lactate, followed by GAS anti-solvent precipitation from ethyl lactate solution with carbon dioxide. The three-component phase behavior of the sclareol–ethyl lactate–CO2 system at various pressures has been determined and indicates a slight cybotactic effect. The ability of thermodynamic models to predict the complex three-component phase behavior of this system is discussed, together with the implications of the thermodynamic behavior of the system on process design.
HORIZONTAL DRIFTS ACCOMPANYING LARGE VERTICAL MOTIONS OF THE NOCTURNAL F REGION.

Abstract A large scale vertical convection of the mid dip-latitude post-midnight F-region of the ionosphere is described; it occurs on about 60 per cent of the local winter nights in each hemisphere in years of solar minimum activity, and less frequently at other times. During the event the F-region moves downward into the region of rapid recombination and most of its ionization may be lost; a portion of it sometimes enters the E-region to form a pre-sunrise E- or sporadic E-layer. Spaced antenna measurements of F-region horizontal motions during these events are interpreted to support the view that the downward motion is driven by neutral air winds in the F-region, rather than by electrostatic fields.
Inactivation of NADPH Oxidases NOX4 and NOX5 Protects Human Primary Fibroblasts from Ionizing Radiation-Induced DNA Damage

Human exposure to ionizing radiation from medical procedures has increased sharply in the last three decades. Recent epidemiological studies suggest a direct relationship between exposure to ionizing radiation and health problems, including cancer incidence. Therefore, minimizing the impact of radiation exposure in patients has become a priority in the development of future clinical practices. Crucial players in radiation-induced DNA damage include reactive oxygen species (ROS), but the sources of these have remained elusive. To the best of our knowledge, we show here for the first time that two members of the ROS-generating NADPH oxidase family (NOXs), NOX4 and NOX5, are involved in radiation-induced DNA damage. Depleting these two NOXs in human primary fibroblasts resulted in reduced levels of DNA damage as measured by levels of radiation-induced foci, a marker of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and the comet assay coupled with increased cell survival. NOX involvement was substantiated with fulvene-5, a NOXs-specific inhibitor. Moreover, fulvene-5 mitigated radiation-induced DNA damage in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells ex vivo. Our results provide evidence that the inactivation of NOXs protects cells from radiation-induced DNA damage and cell death. These findings suggest that NOXs inhibition may be considered as a future pharmacological target to help minimize the negative effects of radiation exposure for millions of patients each year.
Comparison of the degradability of poly(lactide) packages in composting and ambient exposure conditions

The adoption of biodegradable polymeric materials is increasing in food and consumer goods packaging applications, due to concerns about the disposal of petroleum-based polymers and the increasing cost of petroleum-based polymer resins. Currently, poly(lactide) (PLA) polymers are the biggest commercially available bio-based polymeric packaging materials. As the main motivation for adopting biopolymers is environmental, there is a need to address the degradability and environmental performance of biodegradable packages. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the degradation of two commercially available biodegradable packages made of PLA under real compost conditions and under ambient exposure, using visual inspection, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis. A novel technique to study and track the degradability of these packages under real compost conditions was used. Both packages were subjected to composting and ambient exposure conditions for 30 days, and the degradation of the physical properties was measured at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 15 and 30 days. PLA bottles made of 96% l-lactide exhibited lower degradation than PLA delicatessen (‘deli’) containers made of 94% l-lactide, mainly due to their highly ordered structure and, therefore, their higher crystallinity. The degradation rate changed as the initial crystallinity and the l-lactide content of the packages varied. Temperature, relative humidity and pH of the compost pile played an important role in the rate of degradation of the packages. First-order degradation kinetics and linear degradation trends were observed for both packages subjected to composting conditions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cognitive optimization in the development of assistive living systems

This paper presents a preliminary exploration of the characteristics and structure of a cognitive architecture for control of assisted living systems. In this work the key aspects of the cognitive system considered are self-organization, communication, and the use of a priori knowledge. These aspects are used to explore a cognitive approach to optimization, which is considered to be a key aspect of a cognitive system. Test problems are examined in order to determine whether the cognitive structures proposed by psychologists can also perform optimization. The approach followed is to gift the cognitive optimization with a priori knowledge of how to solve optimization problems. This involves adapting and combining traditional optimization techniques, such as the bracketing, gradient search, and branch and bound, into a cognitive architecture. The algorithm is implemented as different processes that communicate and learn from each other by passing messages in order to organize around a solution. This approach is applied to four different problems with different levels of difficulty in order to gain insights into the structure and characteristics of cognitive optimization.
Knowledge and Belief in Artistic Production by Classic Maya Elites

Many of the beautiful pieces of Classic Maya art were produced by elite craftspeople. The study of this production system requires attention to the knowledge and beliefs underlying such activities. The production of art objects necessitated esoteric knowledge of the calendar, history, and religion, which was closely tied to the power and prestige of the elite. Elite artists, however, did not engage in production activities only for political gain. Their involvement in demanding physical work under potentially unpleasant conditions implies a commitment to—or at least conformity with—the cultural values associated with artistic production.
Standardization of the Co-Parenting Behavior Questionnaire

Abstract The co-parenting relationship has received increased attention from researchers and clinicians interested in divorce-related child adjustment. To supplement this growing interest, standardized assessment tools are needed to accurately describe co-parenting behavior. The Co-parenting Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) is a child-report measure of parenting behaviors and competencies specific to the post-divorce environment. Further revision and psychometric analysis were necessary to address the limits imposed by small, unrepresentative samples used in the CBQ's initial development. The purpose of this study was to confirm the factor structure of the CBQ using a large, representative sample. Furthering validation helps to establish the CBQ as a superior measurement tool for assessing co-parenting behavior from a child's perspective. Potential clinical and research applications of this instrument are discussed.
Phylogenetic Relationships of Entomopathogenic Nematodes (Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae) Inferred from Partial 18S rRNA Gene Sequences

Aligned 265-bp sequences of partial 18S rRNA gene were used to infer phylogenetic relationships among entomopathogenic nematodes by using maximum parsimony and likelihood methods. Phylogenetic analyses support Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae belonging to different monophylies. There was more sequence divergence in Steinernema species than in Heterorhabditis species. These results are congruent with the phylogenies based on morphological, life cycle, and distributional evidence. Examination of all trees within 1% of the length of the most parsimonious trees and bootstrap analyses support most relationships among Steinernema species but the relationships among Heterorhabditis species were not supported. We suggest that the partial 18S rRNA gene sequences may be too conserved for phylogenetic inference among Heterorhabditis species, but are well suited for phylogenetic inference within and among closely related families and genera of entomopathogenic nematodes and for inferring phylogenetic relationships among Steinernema species.
Design pattern detection by template matching

In this paper, we adopt a template matching method to detect design patterns from a software system by calculating their normalized cross correlation. Because design patterns document flexible design ideas, there can be various ways of implementing them. In our approach, not only the exact matches of pattern instances are detected from system source code, but also the variations of pattern candidates can be identified. Based on our method, we provide tool support and perform experiments on different large open-source systems.
Response to comments on ‘effect of prior processing on the performance of PH 13-8 Mo stainless steel helicopter components’

The conclusions drawn for this investigation seemed appropriate from the results obtained. It is true that machining may have played a role in the components tested at AATD, but ARL does not feel this was the root cause of the premature “C” rod failures.
Changes in the hydrothermal system at Loihi Seamount after the formation of Pele's pit in 1996

Sulfide and sulfate minerals recovered from Loihi Seamount during PISCES V submersible dives in October 1996 are the first occurrence of high-temperature hydrothermal mineralization documented for ocean island volcanoes. Millimeter- to centimeter-sized particles recovered in talus deposits on the north rim of the newly formed Pele9s pit consist of aggregates of pyrite, marcasite (?), pyrrhotite, wurtzite, and barite. The barite occurs as single, clear, euhedral crystals or as acicular, radial crystal clusters on sulfide or rock fragments. The mineral assemblage and the composition of the sulfide phases are similar to those of hydrothermal sulfide from mid-ocean spreading centers. The sulfide assemblage confirms the presence of high-temperature fluids (>250 °C) in the Loihi hydrothermal system. The sulfide samples are not pieces of broken chimney or basal mound structures, or stockwork from lower levels in the hydrothermal system. The euhedral crystals and homogeneous compositions suggest rapid precipitation from a high-temperature plume injected into cold seawater along fractures and fissures that define the north wall of the new pit crater formed during the seismic swarm in July and August 1996.
Seismic Performance of an Innovative Light-Frame Cold-Formed Steel Frame for Midrise Construction

This paper presents the method and results of a study whose objective was to investigate the seismic performance of a new light- frame cold-formed steel-frame system. The system includes floor trusses, open panels, V-braced panels, columns, and connections. To do this, aseriesofreversed-cyclictestswereconductedonsubassemblies.Theresultsofthisexperimentalprogramprovidedinsightintothebehaviorof the subassemblies under cyclic loading, which in turn provided key information for numerical modeling of the subassemblies and the whole systemaswellasfailuremechanismsoftheframe.Nonlineartimehistoryanalyseswereperformedusinganewformulation fora4-storyframe usingasuiteofearthquakegroundmotionstodemonstratethebehaviorofatypicalV-bracedsysteminamoderateearthquake.Bothtestresults andnumericalanalysisindicatethatthesystemhasgoodductilityasaresultofthescrewedplateconnectionsbetweenthelight-gaugemembers and between the light-gauge members and square columns. The frame system performed very well at four stories making it a viable midrise construction option in seismic regions of the United States and around the world. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000683. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers. CE Database subject headings: Cold-formed steel; Bracing; Earthquake loads; Steel frames; Seismic effects. Author keywords: Cold-formed steel; V-brace; Earthquake loading; Light frame; light-gauge steel; Seismic performance.
Temperature and vegetation effects on soil organic carbon quality along a forested mean annual temperature gradient in North America

Both climate and plant species are hypothesized to influence soil organic carbon (SOC) quality, but accurate prediction of how SOC process rates respond to global change will require an improved understanding of how SOC quality varies with mean annual temperature (MAT) and forest type. We investigated SOC quality in paired hardwood and pine stands growing in coarse textured soils located along a 221C gradient in MAT. To do this, we conducted 80-day incubation experiments at 10 and 301C to quantify SOC decomposition rates, which we used to kinetically define SOC quality. We used these experiments to test the hypotheses that SOC quality decreases with MAT, and that SOC quality is higher under pine than hardwood tree species. We found that both SOC quantity and quality decreased with increasing MAT. During the 301C incubation, temperature sensitivity (Q10) values were strongly and positively related to SOC decomposition rates, indicating that substrate supply can influence temperature responsiveness of SOC decomposition rates. For a limited number of dates, Q10 was negatively related to MAT. Soil chemical properties could not explain observed patterns in soil quality. Soil pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC) both declined with increasing MAT, and soil C quality was positively related to pH but negatively related to CEC. Clay mineralogy of soils also could not explain patterns of SOC quality as complex (2:1), high CEC clay minerals occurred in cold climate soils while warm climate soils were dominated by simpler (1:1), low CEC clay minerals. While hardwood sites contained more SOC than pine sites, with differences declining with MAT, clay content was also higher in hardwood soils. In contrast, there was no difference in SOC quality between pine and hardwood soils. Overall, these findings indicate that SOC quantity and quality may both decrease in response to global warming, despite long-term changes in soil chemistry and mineralogy that favor decomposition.
Replication of genetic loci for sarcoidosis in US black women: data from the Black Women’s Health Study

In the United States, incidence and mortality from sarcoidosis, a chronic, granulomatous disease, are increased in black women. In data from the Black Women’s Health Study, a follow-up of US black women, we assessed two SNPs (rs2076530 and rs9268480) previously identified in the BTNL2 gene (chromosome 6p21), of which rs4424066 and rs3817963 are perfect proxies, to determine if they represent independent signals of disease risk. We also assessed whether local ancestry in four genomic regions previously identified through admixture mapping was associated with sarcoidosis. Finally, we assessed the relation of global percent African ancestry to risk. We conducted a nested case–control study of 486 sarcoidosis cases and 943 age- and geography-matched controls. Both BTNL2 SNPs were associated with risk of sarcoidosis in separate models, but in a combined analysis the increased risk was due to the A-allele of the rs3817963 SNP; each copy of the A-allele was associated with a 40 % increase in risk of sarcoidosis (p = 0.02) and was confirmed by our haplotypic analysis. Local African ancestry around the rs30533 ancestry informative marker at chromosome 5q31 was associated with a 29 % risk reduction (p = 0.01). Therefore, we adjusted our analysis of global African ancestry for number of copies of African alleles in rs30533. Subjects in the highest quintile of percent African ancestry had a 54 % increased risk of sarcoidosis. The present results from a population of African-American women support the role of the BTNL2 gene and the 5q31 locus in the etiology of sarcoidosis, and also demonstrate that percent African ancestry is associated with disease risk.
On some statistical problems requiring purely sequential sampling schemes

As is well known, various problems in statistical inference require sequential multistage or purely sequential sampling schemes for their solution, and some cannot be solved even with purely sequential schemes. In this paper we consider various such problems. In section 2 we show, under a continuity assumption, tha t a purely sequential scheme is required for a confidence interval of a parameter p which excludes a neighborhood of a given value/~0, provided such a confidence interval exists. In section 3 we give a simple proof and a generalization of a result due to Farrell [2] which states tha t for the problem of testing/~ /~0 there exists a sequential sampling scheme with arbi t rary (nonzero) bounds on size and power, i.e. wi th discontinuous power function at/~0. In the next section we consider problems of estimating quantiles and the paper concludes with a brief discussion of the problem of estimating the mean.
Satellite sale update

A senior Department of Commerce official whose connections with the Communications Satellite Corp. (Comsat) regarding the proposed sale of the weather and land satellites (Eos, March 22, 1983, p. 113) have been the subject of congressional inquiry has resigned. Comsat is considered the frontrunner of those looking to purchase the satellites. Guy W. Fiske, Deputy Secretary of Commerce, submitted his letter of resignation on May 10; the resignation became effective May 14. He had been scheduled to testify to two House Science and Technology subcommittees this month on the nature, extent, and propriety of his relationship with Comsat. As Eos went to press, it was unclear whether Fiske would still be asked to testify.
Derived factors in event studies

Abstract We examine the utility of the statistical factor model of the process generating stock returns in the context of event studies. For a variety of estimation procedures and experimental designs we find limited value added relative to the use of a simple market model. We would attribute this finding to misspecification of the statistical factor analysis model, and suspect that there exist more robust procedures for estimating the factor structure of stock returns.
Analysis of the L-type S-potential by means of the stiles-crawford effect in the carp retina

Mit Hilfe des « Stiles-Crawford»-Effektes gelingt es, die Existenz blau-empfindlicher Zapfchen in der Fischretina nachzuweisen, die teilweise fur die S-Potentiale verantwortlich sind.
The Large Marine Ecosystem network approach to WSSD targets

Abstract Since the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, considerable movement has been made by international organizations engaged in ocean affairs towards adopting ecosystem-based assessment and management practices. A decade later, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), another significant milestone was reached with the support, by over 100 countries, for a Plan of Implementation that agreed on several specific ecosystem-related targets including: achievement of “substantial” reductions in land-based sources of pollution by 2006; introduction of the ecosystems approach to marine resource assessment and management by 2010; designation of a network of marine protected areas by 2012; and the maintenance and restoration of fish stocks to maximum sustainable yield levels by 2015. An international financial mechanism, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is assisting developing countries in meeting the WSSD targets by supporting Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) assessment and management projects. Of the 29 LMEs for which published case study information is available on analyses of principal forces driving changes in biomass yields, fishing effort was the primary forcing mechanism in 14 LMEs, climate forcing was the principal factor in 13 LMEs, eutrophication in one case and the data were inconclusive in another. Fishing effort was a secondary driver of change in biomass yields in the 13 LMEs driven by climate forcing. Mitigating actions for reducing fishing effort to promote recovery of lost biomass yield is proving successful in one case study. Actions for improving forecasts of oceanographic conditions affecting fish stocks are underway in four GEF-supported LME projects (e.g., Humboldt Current, Canary Current, Guinea Current and Benguela Current); measures to assess and manage excessive fishing effort are planned for eight LME projects, eutrophication reduction and control in another; and six LMEs with relatively stable decadal biomass yields appear suitable for mandating precautionary total allowable catch levels. The GEF/LME projects include countries that contributed to 45% of global marine biomass yields in 1999.
Life History and Morphology of the Odd Beetle, Thylodrias contractus

Several errors and ambiguities are resolved from previous literature on morphology of the odd beetle, Thylodrias contractus Motschulsky. The life cycle is described, and the current known geographic distribution is assessed. Despite great sexual dimorphism, adults of both sexes have antennae comprising nine segments. All adult females are apterous, and all males possess elytra with metathoracic wings of variable size. Of the total males, 20% are macropterous. Of the remaining males, 89% are micropterous, 10% are brachypterous, and 1% are mesopterous. Living adults are larger than previously reported; mean length of males = 2.9 mm, and that of females = 4.4 mm. The duration of the life cylce is highly elastic, due primarily to the adaptability of the larvae. The typical life cycle lasts 12.8 months, but the range is from 6.5 to >46 months. Males, especially those with long wings, typically have longer larval and pupal stages than do corresponding females.
IL-21 and Sjögren's syndrome

Treatment of Sjogren's syndrome is almost entirely symptomatic. A lack of true understanding of the underlying immunological pathology of the disease prevents directed therapy. Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is elevated in the serum of patients with this disease and is expressed by the lymphocytes infiltrating the salivary glands. The known functions of IL-21 in facilitating differentiation, proliferation, and survival of both B and T cells mesh well with the findings in Sjogren's syndrome. Demonstration of IL-21 as a fundamental aspect of the pathophysiology of Sjogren's syndrome could lead to the development of anti-IL-21 therapy for this disease.
Isoform-specific regulation of myocardial Na,K-ATPase alpha-subunit in congestive heart failure. Role of norepinephrine.

BACKGROUND Myocardial ouabain-binding sites and Na,K-ATPase activity are reduced in congestive heart failure (CHF), but the mechanisms by which CHF reduces the Na,K-ATPase remain unknown. We proposed to investigate whether the changes are accompanied by isoform-specific reductions of the Na,K-ATPase alpha-subunit proteins in CHF and whether similar changes could be produced by exogenous norepinephrine administration. METHODS AND RESULTS CHF was induced in dogs by rapid ventricular pacing at a rate of 225 beats per minute for 8 weeks (protocol 1). A second group of dogs were paced at 100 beats per minute and served as controls. In protocol 2, norepinephrine was infused in normal dogs using a subcutaneous osmotic minipump for 8 weeks. The control dogs received normal saline through the pump. Animals were studied after 8 weeks of pacing or norepinephrine infusion. After the baseline hemodynamics and interstitial norepinephrine concentration had been obtained, the hearts were removed for measuring [3H]ouabain-binding sites and Na,K-ATPase alpha-subunit proteins using isoform-specific monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS Myocardial [3H]ouabain-binding sites were reduced in dogs with CHF and chronic norepinephrine infusion. The Western blot analysis showed that adult canine hearts possess both alpha 1 and alpha 3 isoforms of the Na,K-ATPase alpha-subunit but not the alpha 2 isoform protein. CHF and NE infusion had no effect on the Na,K-ATPase alpha 1-subunit protein but did reduce the alpha 3 isoform protein significantly. In addition, there was a significant inverse correlation between the amount of myocardial alpha 3 isoform protein and interstitial norepinephrine content in the dogs. In contrast, the specific activity of the sarcolemmal marker 59-nucleotidase did not differ among the groups of animals. CONCLUSIONS The reduction of myocardial Na,K-ATPase in CHF is limited to the alpha 3 isoform. Furthermore, because similar changes in myocardial ouabain-binding sites and Na,K-ATPase alpha 3 isoform were produced by chronic norepinephrine infusion, the decrease in the Na,K-ATPase in CHF is most likely mediated via excess sympathetic stimulation.
The forward transient behavior of semi-conductor junction diodes

Abstract The transient behavior of junction diodes in response to a step current in the forward direction is analyzed and the theoretical results verified experimentally. The forward transient of the diode is resolved into junction voltage and bulk resistance components. The former is due to the gradual building up of the excess carrier density near the junction and the latter due to the conductivity modulation. A simplified planar junction model and diffusion equation are used in determining the excess carrier density as a function of time and position. From the excess carrier density function the two transient components may be determined analytically. The theory yields satisfactory explanation of all the observed phenomena: the diode acts inductively for large forward current, capacitively for small current and oscillatory for certain intermediate current. Furthermore, these equations are confirmed with an accuracy of 5 per cent or better by experimental data from germanium and silicon alloyed diodes. Several applications are suggested, for example the design methods to minimize the forward transient and the measurements of lifetime and bulk resistance from the transient observation.
Cell cycle coordination and regulation of bacterial chromosome segregation dynamics by polarly localized proteins

What regulates chromosome segregation dynamics in bacteria is largely unknown. Here, we show in Caulobacter crescentus that the polarity factor TipN regulates the directional motion and overall translocation speed of the parS/ParB partition complex by interacting with ParA at the new pole. In the absence of TipN, ParA structures can regenerate behind the partition complex, leading to stalls and back-and-forth motions of parS/ParB, reminiscent of plasmid behaviour. This extrinsic regulation of the parS/ParB/ParA system directly affects not only division site selection, but also cell growth. Other mechanisms, including the pole-organizing protein PopZ, compensate for the defect in segregation regulation in ΔtipN cells. Accordingly, synthetic lethality of PopZ and TipN is caused by severe chromosome segregation and cell division defects. Our data suggest a mechanistic framework for adapting a self-organizing oscillator to create motion suitable for chromosome segregation.
Zinc availability from beef served with various carbohydrates or beverages

Abstract Two sets of meals containing a beef patty labeled intrinsically with 65Zn and various carbohydrate foods or beverages were fed in random order to adult men and women. Twelve subjects participated in each study. Meals contained 210 g beef and either water, white bread, potatoes, rice, milk, orange juice, or coffee. Whole body zinc retention was monitored for 8 weeks after each meal. Mean Zn absorption in the first study was 28.8% from beef alone, 20.2% from beef and white bread, 17.6% from beef and potato, and 23.8% from beef and rice. Zinc absorption from beef alone was significantly greater than the average absorption from all beef/carbohydrate meals together (p
Fundamental Power and Frequency Limits of Deeply-Scaled CMOS for RF Power Applications

This study compares the RF power performance of 65 nm and 0.25 mum CMOS devices integrated on an advanced 65 nm process, and discusses their power and frequency limitations for the first time. The authors demonstrate output power levels of about 80 mW for 65 nm devices, and 450 mW for 0.25 mum devices when operated at their nominal voltages of 1.0 and 2.5 V respectively. The authors find that output power as well as the maximum frequency is limited by parasitic resistances in the backend. The results provide insight into the performance potential of RF power amplifiers integrated into advanced CMOS technologies in SoC applications
Sustained heating of the ionosphere above thunderstorms as evidenced in “early/fast” VLF events

Quasi-electrostatic (QE) thundercloud fields are proposed to maintain the ionospheric electrons at a persistently heated level well above their ambient thermal energy. Changes in the thundercloud charge (e.g., in lightning discharges) lead to heating/cooling above/below this quiescent level, and are registered as sudden (i.e., ‘fast’ <20 ms) subionospheric VLF signal changes, occurring simultaneously (i.e., ‘early’, <20 ms) with lightning discharges, and referred to as early/fast VLF events [Inan et al., 1993].
The postpericardiotomy syndrome as a cause of pleurisy in rehabilitation patients.

Pleuritic chest pain in patients on a rehabilitation unit may be caused by several conditions. We report 2 cases of postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) as a cause of pleuritic pain. PPS occurs in 10% to 40% of patients who have coronary bypass or valve replacement surgery. The syndrome is characterized by fever, chest pain, and a pericardial or pleural friction rub. Its etiology is believed to be viral or immunologic. The syndrome can be a diagnostic challenge, and an increase in length of hospitalization because of it has been documented. Identified risk factors for PPS include age, use of prednisone, and a history of pericarditis. A higher incidence has been reported from May through July. Many patients undergo a battery of expensive procedures before PPS is diagnosed. The pain is sharp, associated with deep inspiration, and changes with position. Pleural effusions may be present and tend to occur bilaterally. Pericardial effusions are a documented complication. A pericardial or pleural rub may be present and is often transient. Serial auscultation is important. Laboratory work provides clues with a mild leukocytosis and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. However, this does not provide the definitive diagnosis. Cardiac enzymes are not reliably related to the syndrome. An electrocardiogram will show changes similar to those associated with pericarditis. The patient may have a fever, but it is rarely higher than 102.5°F. Complications include pericardial effusions, arrhythmias, premature bypass graft closure, and cardiac tamponade. Treatment consists of a 10-day course of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Multiple‐event relocation of earthquakes on and near the Gorda Ridge

Multiple-event relocation of earthquakes associated with the Gorda ridge and Gorda basin indicates that activity tends to cluster spatially with some suggestion of linear trends in the epicenters of events near the central segment of the ridge, sub-parallel to the ridge axis. Events in the interior of the basin may be related to relic faults formed at the ridge crest that remain zones of weakness in the plate and are subject to periodic reactivation as well as the proposed Gorda fault which crosses the plate in a NW-SE direction.
Hormonal and metabolic effects of neuroglucopenia.

We examined the role of central neuroglucopenia, induced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG), on glucose and amino acid kinetics in conscious dogs. Group 1 received i.c.v. 2-DG at 2.5 mg.kg-1 x min-1 for 15 min. Group 2 received an equal intravenous (i.v.) amount of 2-DG. In the i.c.v. group, plasma glucose levels rose from 106 +/- 4 mg/dl to a peak of 204 +/- 12 mg/dl by 90 min. Blood lactate increased from 689 +/- 1 to 2,812 +/- 5 mumol/l and blood alanine not change from basal (256 +/- 41 mumol/l). The rate of hepatic glucose production, determined isotopically, was increased 2-fold over basal (P < 0.01). Significant increases (P < 0.001) over basal were also noted in plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine, insulin, glucagon and cortisol. Leucine rate of appearance (Ra) showed a 30% decrease from basal to 2.4 +/- 0.05 mumol.kg-1 x min-1 (P < 0.01). In group 2 plasma glucose levels were not altered but plasma cortisol and glucagon showed a modest transient increase above basal (P < 0.05). No significant changes were noted in amino acid kinetics. These findings suggest that periventricular neuroglucopenia, in the absence of peripheral glucose deprivation, is accompanied by hyperglycemia secondary to enhanced hepatic glucose production with decreased glucose utilization and by increased hepatic uptake of gluconeogenic precursors. These, however, were not accompanied by increased whole body proteolysis as was previously seen with generalized glucopenia resulting from insulin-induced hypoglycemia.
Production of highly-charged recoil-ion beams at very low energy

Abstract An apparatus for production of an intense, charge-state separated, recoil-ion beam of very low energy and good collimation has been constructed. In a test experiment, in which 30 MeV C15+ projectiles were used to produce recoil ions, the feasibility of the method was demonstrated. The mass to charge ratio of the beam is selected by means of a Wien-filter, and the beam energy can be varied between 2qeV and 1q keV with a constant charge-state resolution. Presently, the angular definition of the beam is 2.5°, but it can be impoved by at least a factor of 2. Very low energy Ar-ion beams, of intensities usable for secondary slow collision experiments, can be created for charge states ranging from one to nine. For example, beams of Ar4+ and Ar6+ of intensities 2.5 × 104 and 5 × 103 s−1, respectively, can be furnished at energies of 10 q eV, while the corresponding numbers for 2 q eV beams ar approximately five times lower.
Small-scale patterning methods for digital image correlation under scanning electron microscopy

Digital image correlation (DIC) is a powerful, length-scale-independent methodology for examining full-field surface deformations. Recently, it has become possible to combine DIC with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), enabling the investigation of small-scale deformation mechanisms such as the strains accommodated within grains in polycrystalline metals, or around micro-scale constituents in composite materials. However, there exist significant challenges that need to be surmounted before the combination of DIC and SEM (here termed SEM-DIC) can be fully exploited. One of the primary challenges is the ability to pattern specimens at microstructural length scales with a random, isotropic and high contrast pattern needed for DIC. This paper provides a thorough survey of small-scale patterning methods for SEM-DIC and discusses their advantages and disadvantages for different applications.
The moment: a mobile tool for people with depression or bipolar disorder

The Moment is a mobile application for people with depression or bipolar disorder to monitor their emotional ups and downs, reveal their emotional patterns, and eventually find a peaceful way to live with their emotions, rather than fighting with them. The system consists of two main components: a smartphone application for the users to track their feelings and memories about events, and a sensor recording their physiological responses. The data will then be visualized in several ways and can be shared with trusted individuals or mental health professionals. The goal is to make the user more aware of her mood swings and the precursors to them; to reveal patterns of the swings; to provide a record for healthcare providers; to build a library of personalized interventions for future use; and to create an effective network of social supports.
Prototypes as (Design) Tools for Behavioral and Organizational Change A Design-Based Approach to Help Organizations Change Work Behaviors

This article promotes the idea that prototyping, a method regularly employed in the design and development of products and services, is a powerful means to facilitate organizational development and change. The authors present three objectives related to prototyping that facilitate behavioral change within organizations. These objectives include building to think—creating tangible expressions of ideas enables organizational thinking to develop concretely through action; learning faster by failing early (and often)—making things tangible allows small, low-impact failures to occur early, resulting in faster organizational learning; giving permission to explore new behaviors—the presence of a prototype encourages new behaviors, relieving individuals of the responsibility to consciously change what they do. The significance of these objectives is illustrated through reference to client organizational change projects. The article concludes by reflecting on the value of applying this less analytical design-based approach to helping organizations transform the ways they work.
Objective diagnosis of equinus during gait prior to and following a tibial nerve block

A quantitative evaluation technique has been developed to assist the clinician in the diagnosis and treatment of ankle equinus deformity. Specifically, the work focuses on accomplishing two major goals: 1) to develop a reliable set of quantitative criteria to assess the degree of dysfunction of the ankle joint during locomotion in patients with equinus deformity; and 2) to determine the effect of various treatment modalities on the ambulatory performance of patients with equinus deformity. A statistically significant difference in two key gait parameters has been demonstrated between healthy subjects and those with equinus deformity.
Geographic variation of racial/ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer testing among medicare enrollees

BACKGROUND: The Medicare population has documented racial/ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, but it is unknown whether these disparities differ across geographic regions. METHODS: Among Medicare enrollees within 8 US states, we ascertained up-to-date CRC screening on December 31, 2003 (fecal occult blood testing in the prior year or sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy in the prior 5 years). Logistic regression models tested for regional variation in up-to-date status among white versus different nonwhite populations (blacks, Asian/Pacific Islanders [APIs], Hispanics). We estimated regression-adjusted region-specific prevalence of up-to-date status by race/ethnicity and compared adjusted white versus nonwhite up-to-date prevalence across regions by using generalized least squares regression. RESULTS: White versus nonwhite up-to-date status varied significantly across regions for blacks (P = .01) and APIs (P < .001) but not Hispanics (P = .62). Whereas the white versus black differences in proportion up-to-date were greatest in Atlanta (Georgia), rural Georgia, and the San Francisco Bay Area of California (range, 10%-16% differences, blacks<whites); there were no significant white versus black differences in Connecticut, Seattle (Washington) or Iowa. Whereas APIs had significantly lower up-to-date prevalence than whites in Michigan and the California regions of San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose (range, 4%-15% differences, APIs<whites), APIs in Hawaii had higher up-to-date status than whites (52% vs 38% P < .001). White versus Hispanic differences were substantial but homogeneous across regions (range, 8%-16% differences, Hispanics<whites). In contrast to nonwhites, there was little geographic variation in up-to-date status among whites. CONCLUSIONS: Significant geographic variation in up-to-date status among black and API Medicare enrollees is associated with heterogeneous racial/ethnic disparities for these groups across US regions. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Does Classmate Ability Influence Students' Social Skills?.

Empirically, the link between classmate ability and individual-level student achievement has been established. And yet, within the scope of this body of literature, there is a dearth of studies examining if a relationship also persists between classmate ability and non-achievement outcomes – that is, social skills. This article fills this research gap. By utilizing a nationally representative longitudinal dataset from the US (i.e., ECLS-K), the effect of the percentage of classmates performing below grade level is assessed on 5 commonly accepted social skills scales. The findings indicate that kindergarten and 1st-grade students in classrooms with a higher percentage of below-grade-level classmates have greater instances of negative social skills and fewer instances of positive social skills. The results are robust across multiple methodological approaches and tests of validity. Implications for policy and practice are addressed.
THE ATTITUDES TOWARD WOMEN SCALE AND ATTITUDE CHANGE IN COLLEGE STUDENTS

To determine cohort changes in gender-role attitudes, responses to the 15-item form of the Attitudes Toward Women Scale (AWS; Spence & Helmreich, 1972a, 1978) were compared for students at the same university tested in 1972, 1976, 1980, and 1992. In both males and females, members of the 1992 cohort were the most egalitarian, and members of the 1972 cohort were the least egalitarian. In all groups, women were significantly less traditional in their attitudes than men. As has been found in previous studies, detailed analyses of the data from the 1992 cohort revealed that the scale was unifactorial, but that the score distributions were skewed. There was also some indication of ceiling effects at the egalitarian end of the scale, particularly in women. The implications of these latter results for the usefulness of the AWS in current research were explored.
AKAP3 Selectively Binds PDE4A Isoforms in Bovine Spermatozoa

Cyclic AMP plays an important role in regulating sperm motility and acrosome reaction through activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) modulate the levels of cyclic nucleotides by catalyzing their degradation. Although PDE inhibitors specific to PDE1 and PDE4 are known to alter sperm motility and capacitation in humans, little is known about the role or subcellular distribution of PDEs in spermatozoa. The localization of PKA is regulated by A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs), which may also control the intracellular distribution of PDE. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role and localization of PDE4 during sperm capacitation. Addition of Rolipram or RS25344, PDE4-specific inhibitors significantly increased the progressive motility of bovine spermatozoa. Immunolocalization techniques detected both PDE4A and AKAP3 (formerly known as AKAP110) in the principal piece of bovine spermatozoa. The PDE4A5 isoform was detected primarily in the Triton X-100-soluble fraction of caudal epididymal spermatozoa. However, in ejaculated spermatozoa it was seen primarily in the SDS-soluble fraction, indicating a shift in PDE4A5 localization into insoluble organelles during sperm capacitation. AKAP3 was detected only in the SDS-soluble fraction of both caudal and ejaculated sperm. Immunoprecipitation experiments using COS cells cotransfected with AKAP3 and either Pde4a5 or Pde4d provide evidence that PDE4A5 but not PDE4D interacts with AKAP3. Pulldown assays using sperm cell lysates confirm this interaction in vitro. These data suggest that AKAP3 binds both PKA and PDE4A and functions as a scaffolding protein in spermatozoa to regulate local cAMP concentrations and modulate sperm functions.
One torus to rule them all: multi-dimensional queries in P2P systems

Peer-to-peer systems enable access to data spread over an extremely large number of machines. Most P2P systems support only simple lookup queries. However, many new applications, such as P2P photo sharing and massively multi-player games, would benefit greatly from support for multidimensional range queries. We show how such queries may be supported in a P2P system by adapting traditional spatial-database technologies with novel P2P routing networks and load-balancing algorithms. We show how to adapt two popular spatial-database solutions - kd-trees and space-filling curves - and experimentally compare their effectiveness.
'SWeRF-a method for estimating the relevant fine particle fraction in bulk materials for classification and labelling purposes' by Pensis, Luetzenkirchen, and Friede.

The problem of realistically labelling minerals and other substances that contain crystalline silica is an old and difficult one. Pensis et al. (2014) describe a method intended for application under the European Classification and Labelling Regulation (EC, 2008), which in many respects is an advance on earlier methods. They point out that the classification is of hazard and that risk in particular applications must be determined separately, but hazard classification does take into account ‘the forms or physical states in which the substance is placed on the market and in which it can reasonably be expected to be used’ (EC, 2008, Article 5). The hazard from crystalline silica resides in the respirable fraction of the material after it has been made airborne. Pensis et al. propose a method for estimating this by tests without dispersing the material in air. In part of the method, the material is dispersed in a liquid and allowed to sediment for a period. The fraction of suspended material above a certain level is then removed, and on certain assumptions, the crystalline silica in this fraction represents the fraction of respirable silica if the material was dispersed in air. We see three major problems with the sedimentation component of the method (points 1–3 below), but in point 4, we present new results supporting the practicability of one aspect of the method.