cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sprouty 2 Regulates DNA Damage-induced Apoptosis in Ras-transformed Human Fibroblasts

We have reported that expression of Sprouty 2 (Spry2) is necessary for tumor formation by HRasV12-transformed fibroblasts. We now report on the role of Spry2 in the inhibition of UV254 nm radiation-induced apoptosis in HRasV12-transformed human fibroblasts. Silencing Spry2 in this context resulted in increased apoptosis, associated with decreased Akt activation and decreased phosphorylation of HDM2 at Ser-166, which has been shown to stabilize HDM2. As a consequence, when cells with silenced Spry2 were UV-irradiated, they exhibited diminished levels of HDM2 and elevated levels of p53. In agreement with these findings, overexpression of Spry2 in the parental non-transformed fibroblasts led to increased Akt activation and to the stabilization of HDM2. It also led to diminished expression of p53 and decreased apoptosis following UV irradiation. Silencing Spry2 in HRas-transformed cells decreased Rac1 activation, but independent expression of Spry2 in the non-transformed parental cells had no effect on Rac1, suggesting a specific involvement in the activation of Rac1 by Ras. Silencing Spry2 in HRasV12-transformed cells resulted in diminished interaction between HRas and Tiam1, a Rac1-specific nucleotide exchange factor. Expression of constitutively active Rac1 in cells with silenced Spry2 partly reversed the effect of Spry2 down-regulation. Furthermore, loss of Spry2 expression in HRasV12-transformed cells augmented the cytotoxicity of the DNA-damaging, chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin, a process that was also reversed by active Rac1. Together, these data show that Spry2 inhibits apoptosis in response to DNA damage by regulating Akt, HDM2, and p53, by a process mediated partly by Rac1.
Thermodynamic properties of mixed valency compounds II. The heat capacities of Rb2SbBr6 and Cs2SbBr6 and phase transitions in Rb2Sb6

Abstract The heat capacities of Rb 2 SbBr 6 and Cs 2 SbBr 6 were measured from 72 and 66 K respectively to room temperature. The heat capacity of the cesium salt was found to be “normal”, while that of the rubidium salt showed a λ- and “hump-like” λ-transition at 220 and 230 K, respectively. This is explained on the basis of existing hypotheses. The entropies of the two salts at 298.16 K are estimated to be: Rb 2 SbBr 6 , (118.3 ± 4) cal th K −1 mol −1 , and Cs 2 SbBr 6 , (109.0 ± 4) cal th K −1 mol −1 .
Fetal toxoplasmic encephalitis—A type of congenital cerebral disease

Summary Fetal toxoplasmosis is a cause of focal encephalitis, with intracerebral calcification and chorioretinitis. The residual symptoms are convulsions and retardation of mental and neuromotor development. A case is presented with this characteristic clinical picture. Specific complement fixing antibodies were demonstrated in the blood of the patient and mother.
Structure-activity relationships in the acute and delayed neurotoxicity of methyl-and ethylphosphonothionates

Abstract Data on acute toxicity to house flies and mice, and delayed neurotoxicity to hens, are presented for 24 O-alkyl O-halogenated phenyl alkyl and aryl phosphonothionates, providing comparisons of the three sets of major structural parameters involved in the toxic action of these compounds. In the house fly, topical LD50 values showed consistent similarities between phenyl- and methylphosphonothionates with comparable O-alkyl and O-phenyl substitution. The phenyl compounds were consistently less toxic than the methyl compounds and the ratio of LD50 values averaged 3.8. In both series of compounds the LD50 values decreased with increasing halogenation as predicted by summed σ values for the substituents. The degree of steric hinderance on reactivity of the central phosphorus atom was particularly significant in comparisons of phenyl- and methylphosphonothionates. Thus in the methyl series there was only a 4-fold decrease in the LD50 with increase in the size of the O-alkyl group from Me to Et to Pr but with the more bulky phenyl series, this range of increase in the size of the O-alkyl group resulted in a greater than 10-fold decrease in LD50. Similarly, in comparing the effects of 2,6-dichloro with 2,5-dichloro substitution of the O-phenyl group, the two ortho-substituents decreased the LD50 value 3-fold with the methylphosphonothionates and 12-fold with the phenylphosphonothionates. The acute mammalian toxicity of organophosphorus esters is less closely linked to structural parameters, and several compounds were less toxic (respectively more toxic) to mice than structural considerations predict. In hens, organophosphorus ester-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN) was induced by all methylphosphonothionates tested; the 2,5-Cl2 and 2,6-Cl2 compounds were the most effective delayed neurotoxicants. For p-halogenated analogs, the identity of the halogen was less important for methyl- than for phenylphosphonothionates. And, in marked contrast to the phenylphosphonothionates, there was no appreciable difference between the OPIDN potential of O-methyl and O-ethyl methylphosphonothionates. For leptophos and its methylphosphonothionate analog, inhibition of neurotoxic target enzyme (NTE) corresponded with observed symtomatology. When hens were treated with equimolar doses of the two compounds, NTE inhibition reached 80% at 24 hr, but recovery was more rapid in the leptophos-treated hens, which did not become paralyzed, than in the O-2,5-dichloro-4-bromophenyl O-methyl methylphosphonothionate, which progressed to paraplegia.
Precise Detection of Uninitialized Variables Using Dynamic Analysis - Extending to Aggregate and Vector Types

Uninitialized variable is a variable in a program that is declared but is not assigned a definite known value before it is used. Compilers of modern programming languages (like Java) check for their presence, but in languages like C and COBOL, they are a critical reason for incorrect results, wrong data entries, and run-time failures. Tools based on static and dynamic analysis techniques are available that detect use of uninitialized variables. However, the static analysis tools face the issue of false positives (precision) while the dynamic analysis tools are not able to cover all the classes of variables (completeness). In this paper, we present a technique based on dynamic program analysis and results of the prototype tool to detect the first use of uninitialized variables. Using a combination of source and binary instrumentation, the technique is able to track variables of basic types, individual array elements, and fields of structures. We verified the completeness and precision of the technique using two open source case-studies with very large input datasets. We present the comparison of the results with other open source tools. The prototype tool is a clear winner in terms of precision and the coverage of variables, but more work is required to further optimize the size of instrumentation information, and the performance of its analyzer.
Engineering a unimolecular DNA-catalytic probe for single lead ion monitoring.

The binding of proteins and small molecules by DNA is well established, but more recently, DNA molecules have been selected to catalyze biochemical reactions. These catalytic DNAs, or DNAzymes, can be activated by metal ions. In this paper, we take advantage of DNA molecular engineering to improve the properties of DNAzymes by designing a unimolecular probe for lead ion (Pb2+)-catalyzed reaction, achieving in turn, the ability to monitor a single Pb2+ in solution by fluorescence microscopy. Specifically, by applying a unimolecular design, a leaving substrate DNA strand labeled with a fluorophore is linked to a hairpin 8-17 DNAzyme sequence labeled with a quencher. The hairpin structure and the substrate are connected using poly T, which brings the quencher into close proximity with the fluorophore in the inactive state. The intramolecular linkage of the two strands assures efficient quenching of the fluorescence, generating almost zero background. In the presence of Pb2+, however, the leaving substrate fr...
Effects of decision interval on optimal intertemporal portfolios with serially correlated returns

Abstract This paper considers portfolio choice when decisions are made for several future time periods all at once. The risky asset share sequence must be precommitted for the entire decision interval, either constrained (as in Samuelson (1991) ) or not constrained (as in Balvers and Mitchell (2000) ) to be constant across time periods within the interval. For a broad, plausible class of dynamic returns processes, contrary to Samuelson, under log utility the decisions for the more distant future are more conservative. This class is exemplified by autocorrelated ARMA(p,q) processes and finite-state Markov processes. The source of Samuelson’s contrary result is elucidated.
Superposition technique for radiative equilibrium in rectangular enclosures with complex boundary conditions

Abstract Superposition of fundamental solutions is used to find temperature and heat flux distributions in gray walled two-dimensional rectangular enclosures with a gray absorbing-emitting, isotropically scattering medium. The fundamental solutions are temperature and heat flux distributions for enclosures with black boundaries and a step change in temperature over a finite wall interval. They are found using a variation of the conventional zonal method. Detailed heat flux and temperature distributions for basic cases are presented to illustrate the simplicity of the superposition procedure. Based on these results, the effects of surface boundary conditions on the temperature distribution and heat transfer are discussed.
Electron-scale turbulence spectra and plasma thermal transport responding to continuous E × B shear ramp-up in a spherical tokamak

Microturbulence is considered to be a major candidate in driving anomalous transport in fusion plasmas, and the equilibrium E × B shear generated by externally driven flow can be a powerful tool to control microturbulence in future fusion devices such as FNSF and ITER. Here we present the first observation of the change in electron-scale turbulence wavenumber spectrum (measured by a high-k scattering system) and thermal transport responding to continuous E × B shear ramp-up in an NSTX centre-stack limited and neutral beam injection-heated L-mode plasma. It is found that while linear stability analysis shows that the maximum electron temperature gradient mode linear growth rate far exceeds the observed E × B shearing rate in the measurement region of the high-k scattering system, the unstable ion temperature gradient (ITG) modes are susceptible to E × B shear stabilization. We observed that as the E × B shearing rate is continuously ramped up in the high-k measurement region, the ratio between the E × B shearing rate and maximum ITG mode growth rate continuously increases (from about 0.2 to 0.7) and the maximum power of the measured electron-scale turbulence wavenumber spectra decreases. Meanwhile, electron and ion thermal transport is also reduced in the outer half of the plasmas as long as magnetohydrodynamic activities are not important and the L-mode plasmas eventually reach H-mode-like confinement. Linear and nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations are presented to address the experimental observations.
The snapping dipoles of ferroelectrics as a memory element for digital computers

A brief review is given of the memory properties of non-linear ferroelectric materials in terms of the direction of polarization.A sensitive pulse method has been developed for obtaining static remanent polarization data of ferroelectric materials. This method has been applied to study the effect of pulse duration and amplitude and decay of polarization on ferroelectric ceramic materials with fairly high crystalline orientation.These studies indicate that ferroelectric memory devices can be operated in the megacycle ranges.Attempts have been made to develop electrostatically induced memory devices using ferroelectric substances as a medium for storing information. As an illustration, a ferroelectric memory using a new type of switching matrix is presented having a selection ratio 50 or more.
Explaining the concept of health risk versus hazards to consumers

Consumer knowledge and concern about dangers associated with food is high. Communicating about risk and hazard is an interactive exchange of information about risk and non-risk factors pertaining to risk management. Communication is a two way process which involves listening, identifying, and responding to consumer questions. Consumer research provides information essential for designing and evaluating communication efforts. An effectively communication strategy moves people toward a more accurate perception of the likelihood of ill effects and empowers people to make informed decisions relative to potential benefits.
Insecticidal control of cereal aphids and its impact on the epidemiology of the barley yellow dwarf luteoviruses.

Abstract Imidacloprid is a seed-applied nitroguanidine insecticide that has both contact and long-lasting systemic properties. Its direct effects on cereal aphid populations and indirect effects on barley yellow dwarf luteovirus (BYDV) incidence were examined in laboratory and field studies. Adult longevity and fecundity of three aphid species caged on various aged, imidacloprid-treated oat or wheat plants was reduced, although the quantitative efficacy of the compound differed among aphid species. The transmission efficiency of BYDV by aphids to imidacloprid-treated plants was lower, relative to nontreated plants, when plants were 10 days old, but similar to nontreated when plants were 24 days old. In three years of field trials using winter wheat and two years using spring oat, aphid populations were reduced significantly in imidacloprid-treated plots relative to nontreated plots. Although the number of alighting alate aphids did not differ significantly between imidacloprid-treated or nontreated plots, the number of apterous aphids remained significantly lower in the treated plots for the majority of the growing season. BYDV epidemics did not develop in spring oat in either of the two years. BYDV epidemics did develop in the fall in the emerging winter wheat crop. Rhopalosiphum maidis was the predominant aphid migrating into the 1991–1992 crop. The incidence of the BYDV-RMV serotype was three times higher in nontreated plots than in imidacloprid-treated plots. In the 1992–1993 and 1994–1995 seasons, R. maidis and R. padi were the predominant aphids migrating into the crop, although R. padi was the predominant colonizing aphid. The incidence of BYDV-RMV was similar in imidacloprid treated and nontreated plots in 1992–1993, but the incidence of the BYDV-PAV serotype was significantly less in the treated plots. In 1994–1995, the incidence of both BYDV-PAV and BYDV-RMV was higher in the nontreated plots than in the imidacloprid-treated plots. Imidacloprid offers several advantages both in terms of its long-lasting systemic activity and its mode of applicaiton. As a seed treatment, the amount of material applied is minimized, there is little waste and the environmental impacts are reduced. The effectiveness of the compound at reducing the fecundity or reproductive rate of several aphid species may be advantageous in controlling secondary spread of viruses. However, the contact properties of the compound, important in repelling aphids or preventing phloem feeding, may be short-lived, thus reducing its effectiveness in preventing primary spread of the virus into the crop, especially under high aphid and inoculum pressure.
Characterization of Industrial Foams

Applications involving foams in industrial processes are widespread. Often the development of foam is a desired outcome. Foams are used in enhanced oil recovery and drilling operations, in the production of cosmetics, and in the development of new insulation and construction materials. However, in applications such as glass melting and fining or fermentation processes, foam layers act as barriers to heat and mass transfer, and the presence of foam is undesirable. Due to their widespread use and importance, techniques for characterizing foams are of interest. Previously, diffusing-wave spectroscopy has been used to investigate the time evolution and the rheological properties of foams. This paper will describe the use of diffusing-wave spectroscopy to characterize the layer thickness, scattering coefficient, and asymmetry parameter of a foam layer. A model of the propagation of radiation from a steady source and from a sinusoidally modulated source through a non-absorbing foam layer is developed. Relationships between layer thickness, scattering coefficient, asymmetry parameter and the phase shift of the reflected radiative flux are derived based on this model. Model predictions reveal an experimentally viable technique for characterizing industrial foams. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the determination these properties has been heretofore elusive, and the results presented here describe for the first time a non-intrusive method for determining foam properties.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Interfacial structure in thin water layers formed by forced dewetting on Self-Assembled monolayers of Ω-Terminated alkanethiols on ag

A method for the spectroscopic characterization of interfacial fluid molecular structure near solid substrates is reported. The thickness and interfacial molecular structure of residual ultrathin D20 films remaining after forced dewetting on alkanethiolate self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 11 1-mercaptoundecanoic acid (11-MUA), 11-mercaptoundecanol (11-MUD), and undecanethiol (UDT) on Ag are investigated using ellipsometry and surface Raman spectroscopy. The residual film thickness left after withdrawal is greater on hydrophilic SAMs than on hydrophobic SAMs. This behavior is rationalized on the basis of differing degrees of fluid slip within the interfacial region due to different interfacial molecular structure. The v(O-D) regions of surface Raman spectra clearly indicate unique interfacial molecular properties within these films that differ from bulk D20. Although the residual films are created by shear forces and Marangoni flow at the three-phase line during the forced dewetting process, the nature of the films sampled optically must also be considered from the standpoint of thin film stability after dewetting. Thus, the resulting D20 films exist in vastly different morphologies depending on the nature of the water-SAM interactions. Residual D20 is proposed to exist as small nanodroplets on UDT surfaces due tospontaneous rupture of the film after dewetting. In contrast, on 11-MUD and 11-MUA surfaces, these films exist in a metastable state that retains their conformal nature on the underlying modified surface. Analysis of the peak intensity ratios of the so-called "ice-like" to "liquid-like" v(O-D) modes suggests more ice-like D20 character near 11-MUD surfaces, but more liquid-like character near 11-MUA and UDT surfaces. The creation of residual ultrathin films by forced dewetting is thus demonstrated to be a powerful method for characterizing interfacial molecular structure of fluids near a solid substrate under ambient conditions of temperature and pressure.
A numerical analysis of the time evolution of plasma wake structure around a simplified 2D cube satellite model

A two-dimensional numerical model was developed to study the time evolution of wake structure around a cube satellite moving in a plasma with transonic speed. The cube satellite was simplified to be a 2D metal cylinder with a square cross section. An electric potential is then applied to the metal cylinder. The numerical scheme was compared to the analytical solution for a 1D problem before being applied to the 2D model. The study provided an initial understanding of plasma behavior around the 2D cube satellite model when it is in its orbit.
The role of p53 in radiation therapy outcomes for favorable-to-intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

Abstract Purpose: Some prostate cancers may have molecular alterations that render them less responsive to radiation therapy; identification of these alterations before treatment might allow improved treatment optimization. This study investigated whether p53, a potential molecular determinant, could predict long-term radiation therapy outcome in a restricted group of relatively favorable-risk prostate cancer patients treated uniformly with irradiation alone. Methods and Materials: This study included 53 patients previously treated with radiotherapy for favorable-to-intermediate-risk prostate cancer. These patients were selected for relatively low pretreatment PSAs (≤21 ng/mL) and Gleason scores (≤7) to decrease the likelihood of nonlocalized disease, because disease localization was necessary to examine the efficacy of localized radiation therapy. The status of p53 was immunohistochemically assessed in paraffin-embedded pretreatment biopsy specimens, along with appropriate controls. This marker was selected based upon a usable mutation prevalence in early-stage prostate cancer and its potential linkage with radiation response via cell cycle, DNA repair, and cell death pathways. Correlation between p53 mutation and clinical outcome was analyzed in univariate and multivariate fashion and included conventional prognosticators, such as stage, grade, and PSA. Freedom from biochemical failure was determined using American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology criteria. Limitations of prior studies were potentially avoided by requiring adequate posttreatment follow-up (median follow-up in nonfailing patients of 5.1 years), as well as pretreatment PSA and Gleason scores that suggested localized disease, and uniformity of treatment. Results: The total group of 53 favorable-to-intermediate-risk patients demonstrated an actuarial biochemical failure rate of 35% at 5 years. Forty percent of all specimens had a greater than 10% labeling index for p53 mutation, and actuarial biochemical control was found to strongly and independently correlate with p53 status. Patients with higher p53 labeling indices demonstrated significantly higher PSA failure rates ( p Conclusions: ( 1 ) p53 status in pretreatment biopsies strongly predicted for long-term biochemical control after radiation therapy in favorable-to-intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients. ( 2 ) If validated in other independent clinical data sets, p53 status should be considered as a stratification factor in future clinical trials and could be useful in guiding treatment. Abnormal p53 status might favor surgical management, aggressive dose escalation, or p53-targeted therapy.
The influence of insurance status on nonurgent pediatric visits to the emergency department.

. Objective: To compare the effects of HMOs with the effects of other types of private health insurance on nonurgent ED visits in the pediatric population. Methods: Secondary analysis of the emergency component of the 1994 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) on patients aged 15 years or less. Variables of interest included urgency of visit, age, sex, race, ethnicity, method of payment (HMO, private insurance/non-HMO, and others), and chief complaint. A p-value of 0.01 was used as the threshold for significance to offset the effects of increases in variability and significance of p-values and narrow confidence intervals. Results: There were 6,744 observations. The overall rate of nonurgent ED visits was 58%. The rate of nonurgent visits for HMO patients was 51%, for private non-HMO insurance 56%, and for other types of payment (Medicare, Medicaid, patient paid, no charge, and other government) 60%. Chief complaints for nonurgent visits were general symptoms, EENT (ear, eyes, nose, and throat) symptoms, and dermatologic symptoms. After multivariate analysis, the odds ratio for patients with private insurance for a nonurgent visit compared with HMO patients was 1.27, with a 95% CI = 1.07 to 1.51, after adjusting for age, sex, and chief complaint. Conclusion: Pediatric patients with private insurance were more likely to present for emergency care for nonurgent reasons when compared with HMO patients after adjusting for the above listed variables. The reasons for this disparity should be further explored.
Approximation by exponential sums revisited

Abstract We revisit the efficient approximation of functions by sums of exponentials or Gaussians in Beylkin and Monzon (2005) [16] to discuss several new results and applications of these approximations. By using the Poisson summation to discretize integral representations of e.g., power functions r − β , β > 0 , we obtain approximations with uniform relative error on the whole real line. Our approach is applicable to a class of functions and, in particular, yields a separated representation for the function e − x y . As a result, we obtain sharper error estimates and a simpler method to derive trapezoidal-type quadratures valid on finite intervals. We also introduce a new reduction algorithm for the case where our representation has an excessive number of terms with small exponents. As an application of these new estimates, we simplify and improve previous results on separated representations of operators with radial kernels. For any finite but arbitrary accuracy, we obtain new separated representations of solutions of Laplace's equation satisfying boundary conditions on the half-space or the sphere. These representations inherit a multiresolution structure from the Gaussian approximation leading to fast algorithms for the evaluation of the solutions. In the case of the sphere, our approach provides a foundation for a new multiresolution approach to evaluating and estimating models of gravitational potentials used for satellite orbit computations.
Studies on the h-x locus of mice. I. Analysis of poly- morphism.

The results of challenging F1 hybrid male mice derived from strains BALB/c, A/J, C57BL/6J, C57BL/10ScSn and DBA/2J with small male ear skin grafts of paternal strain origin indicate thatH-X is highly polymorphic. Thus, with the exception of the B6 and B10 strains which may share oneH-X allele, each of these strains appears to have a different H-X genotype.
Evidence that the medial and dorsal raphe nuclei mediate serotonergically-induced increases in prolactin release from the pituitary.

Abstract Electrolytic lesions of the medial (MR) or dorsal (DR) raphe nucleus significantly antagonized serum prolactin elevations produced by 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) in rats pretreated with fluoxetine or citalopram, (serotonin (5-HT) uptake blockers). Lesioned animals in which total blockade of serum prolactin elevations was observed also had total blockade of 5-HT accumulation in the median eminence. However, the increase in serum prolactin levels produced by 5-HTP plus 5-HT reuptake blockade in lesioned rats was not significantly different from sham-operated rats if as little as 15–20% of control median eminence accumulation was present. Serum prolactin elevations produced by quipazine, a direct acting 5-HT agonist, were not significantly affected by MR lesions. On the basis of these results, we suggest that: (1) serum prolactin elevations following 5-HT reuptake blockade plus 5-HTP are correlated with 5-HT concentration in the median eminence; (2) lesion-induced antagonism of 5-HTP-induced prolactin elevation is critically dependent upon complete blockade of median eminence 5-HT accumulation; and (3) 5-HT neurons arising from cell bodies located in the MR and DR are necessary for endogenous serotonergically mediated effects on prolactin secretion in the rat.
Two Models for K-12 Hypermediated Earth Systems Science Lessons Based on Internet Resources

An immense collection of daily and archived earth and space science digital images and database information sources are readily accessible to K-12 teachers through the Internet and the World Wide Web. However, these abundant electronic resources are designed for scientists and often need to be modified to benefit students. Advances in hypermedia as an instructional tool for earth system science education provide a mechanism for designing user-friendly and structured classroom units based on this available data. Two models proposed as a foundation for materials development are the Learning Cycle Model and the Investigation/Experimentation Model. A high demand for Internet-based curricular materials development to take advantage of the current technology suggests an educational research agenda to determine which lesson formats are most effective for learners.
An evaluation of the lifeline-rate structure using total welfare as a measure of efficiency

Abstract The claim made by proponents of the lifeline rate that such a rate structure would lead to the efficient allocation of resources, conservation of electricity, and reduction in the cost of electricity to the poor is evaluated. A residential electricity-demand model using marginal price and adjusted income (income less cost of electricity up to the final block) as the explanatory variables, instead of average price, is developed for estimating consumer surplus. Total welfare, defined as the sum of the consumer and producer surpluses, is used as a measure of the efficiency of resource allocation. This study invalidates the efficiency and conservation claims of the lifeline-rate proponents. Its benefit would not extend to all the poor, and some rich would be benefited.
Substance Use Trajectories of Black and White Young Men from Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood: A Two-Part Growth Curve Analysis

This study examined trajectories of substance use among Black and White young men (N = 983) from adolescence to emerging adulthood using two-part growth curve analysis. Controlling for parental socioeconomic status, Blacks were significantly less likely to use alcohol and hard drugs than Whites at age 17 and drank significantly fewer drinks. The alcohol prevalence gap between Blacks and Whites further increased over time. Blacks in the older cohort had higher growth in the frequency of alcohol use than Whites. Blacks and Whites did not differ in prevalence of marijuana use, although Blacks in the younger cohort reported higher growth in prevalence and higher frequency at age 17. Different prevention approaches may be needed to reduce substance use among Blacks and Whites.
Replication of Microstructures by Roll-to-Roll UV-Curing Embossing

The characteristics of pattern replication and releasing in a roll-to-roll ultraviolet- (UV) curing embossing process were investigated. The roll embossing system was designed for large-area continuous embossing, with employment of a fast curing resin, a heat damage protector, and a surface energy reducing coating. A 60° V-groove pattern with a groove period of 30 µm was embossed. It was found that the replication quality was profoundly influenced by the pattern geometry, the pattern direction, and the mold surface energy. In particular, the pattern direction significantly affected the edge sharpness and the surface topography of replicated features. In the parallel groove mode, a significant amount of tearing and sliding occurred, whereas in the transverse groove mode, biting marks were observed on the side wall of the V-groove. A simple mechanical model was used to explain the difference in pattern releasing with different pattern layouts. The replication quality was found to be significantly improved w...
Increasing treatment of ruptured cerebral aneurysms at high-volume centers in the United States.

Object Evidence of better outcomes in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage treated at higher-volume centers might be expected to result in more of these patients being referred to such centers. The authors evaluated the US National Inpatient Sample for the years 2001 to 2008 for trends in patient admissions for the treatment of ruptured aneurysms at high- and low-volume centers. Methods The authors determined the number of ruptured aneurysms treated with clipping or coiling annually at low-volume (≤ 20 patients/year) and high-volume (> 20 patients/year) centers and also counted the number of high- and low-volume centers performing each treatment. Hospitalizations for clipping or coiling ruptured aneurysms were identified by cross-matching International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes for the diagnosis of a ruptured aneurysm (ICD-9-CM 430) with procedure codes for clipping (ICD-9-CM 39.51) or coiling (ICD-9-CM 39.52, 39.79, or 39.72) cerebral ane...
Human phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase genetic polymorphisms and exercise-induced epinephrine release

Phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) catalyzes the synthesis of epinephrine from norepinephrine. We previously identified and functionally characterized common sequence variation in the PN...
Adaptive Estimation and Control Algorithms for Certain Independent Control Axis Misalignments

Actuators are often assumed to be perfectly aligned when designing for a stable closed-loop system. In practice, small actuator misalignments can cause the system to perform poorly, or worse, become unstable. Consequently, adaptive observers can be introduced that build online estimates for the unknown misalignments and recover closed-loop stability. In this paper, the problem where the control axes are independently misaligned in three dimensions is considered. A study of the problem indicates a fundamental geometric difference between in-plane and out-of-plane misalignments. Accordingly, special attention is paid to the case where two axes are independently misaligned. New nonlinear adaptive observers are introduced for both the in-plane and out-of-plane problems that guarantee that the misalignment axis estimates remain unit vectors. Furthermore, a Lyapunov-like stability analysis is performed to show convergence of the misalignment estimates to their true values for a wide range of misalignment angles...
New contrast acquisition: methodological issues and theoretical implications

This article presents data on the acquisition of the low back vowel contrast by native speakers of Canadian English who have moved as adults to the New York City region, examining how these speakers who natively possess a single low back vowel category have acquired the low back vowel distinction of the new ambient dialect. The speakers show remarkable first dialect stability with respect to their low back vowel system, even after many years of new dialect exposure: in minimal pair contexts, nearly all of the speakers continue to produce and perceive a single vowel category. However, in word list and conversational contexts, the majority of speakers exhibit a small but significant phonetic difference between words like cot and caught, reflecting the separation of these word classes in the new dialect to which they are exposed; moreover, the realization of these words shows frequency effects consistent with a lexically gradual divergence of the two vowels. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for theories of phonological representation and change, as well as their methodological implications for the study of mergers- and splits-in-progress.
Experiencia de Pittsburgh con la toxina botulínica A inyectable

Resumen Presentamos la experiencia de un centro durante 6 anos con el uso de la toxina botulinica A (TBON-A) en la vejiga, o en la uretra en 110 pacientes, con diversos trastornos del tracto urinario inferior. Se inyecto a 110 pacientes (edad 19-82 anos) TBON-A en la vejiga (n = 42) o la uretra (n = 68), 35 V, 75 M. Entre los trastornos de la miccion figuraban hiperactividad neurogena del detrusor y/o disinergia detrusor-esfinter, vejiga hiperactiva (VHA), hiperplasia benigna de prostata (HBP), obstruccion del cuello de la vejiga (OCV) y cistitis intersticial (CI). Hasta ahora, 27 pacientes han recibido varias inyecciones (hasta un maximo de 6) a intervalos de ??6 meses. Todos los pacientes que recibieron inyecciones de TBON-A en la vejiga presentaban signos preoperatorios de contracciones involuntarias del detrusor en los estudios urodinamicos. El analisis de los 110 pacientes indica que en el 67,3% la incontinencia disminuyo o desaparecio con el tratamiento. Los diarios indican que los sintomas diurnos y nocturnos de la miccion disminuyeron. TBON-A fue eficaz a los 7 dias y su eficacia se mantuvo durante al menos 6 meses. Las puntuaciones de sintomas en los analisis de CdV, las puntuaciones de sintomas especificos de la enfermedad tambien mejoraron. No ha habido complicaciones a largo plazo. En dos mujeres con esclerosis multiple (EM) e incontinencia urinaria leve por estres en el periodo basal, la perdida de orina por estres aumento tras la inyeccion de TBON-A en el esfinter externo. En una mujer con EM que recibio una inyeccion en la vejiga, el volumen de orina residual aumento de 78 a 155 ml. La paciente no tuvo que someterse a sondaje intermitente. Ls inyeccion de TBON-A es una modalidad de tratamiento segura y prometedora para diversos trastornos del tracto urinario inferior tanto del musculo esqueletico como del musculo liso. En la serie de pacientes estudiados, TBON-A es igual de eficaz en mujeres que en varones. Las inyecciones de TBON-A en la vejiga son eficaces no solo para la hiperactividad neurogena del detrusor, sino tambien para la vejiga hiperactiva. El uso de TBON-A puede incluso considerarse para la CI.
Toward robust learning of the Gaussian mixture state emission densities for hidden Markov models

One important class of state emission densities of the hiddenMarkov model (HMM) is the Gaussian mixture densities. The classical Baum-Welch algorithm often fails to reliably learn the Gaussian mixture densities when there is insufficient training data, due to the large number of free parameters present in the model. In this paper, we propose a novel strategy for robustly and accurately learning the Gaussian mixture state emission densities of the HMM. The strategy is based on an ensemble framework for probability density estimation in which the learning of the Gaussian mixture densities is formulated as a gradient descent search in a function space. The resulting learning algorithm is called “the boosting Baum-Welch algorithm.” Our preliminary experiment results on emotion recognition from speech show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the original Baum-Welch algorithm on this task.
Using ATM in the battlefield

The US Atlantic Command, in collaboration with US Army Communication-Electronics Command Research and Development Engineering Center (RDEC) and the US Army's 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, performed a series of tests, exercises, and warfighter experiments using asynchronous transfer mode (ATM). These exercises were performed under the auspices of the Proteus project and encompassed all echelons of the battlefield from national and strategic levels to forward battalions. The exercises included specialized applications and use of information, including desktop video teleconferencing, collaborative analysis, shared/distributed applications, network management, and data transfers. The exercises also included encrypted data, and ATM cells from T3 speeds down to 16 kbps. The Proteus project includes an ATM testbed and analysis infrastructure, which encompasses facilities at RDEC, the Intelligence Threat Analysis Center, and Booz Allen. The testbed is used to prototype and test ATM system architectures in different scenarios. Also, tests and analysis of ATM characteristics are performed for each scenario in order to find optimum solutions; these solutions are then operationally tested during the exercises. The overall goal of Proteus is to delineate the benefits of using ATM in the battlefield, and which architectures and applications can best assist in providing these benefits to the soldiers in the field. This paper summarizes the results of the test and analyses conducted thus far, the system architectures used during the exercises and the important technical milestones.
Archaeal Pus10 proteins can produce both pseudouridine 54 and 55 in tRNA

Pus10, a recently identified pseudouridine (Psi) synthase, does not belong to any of the five commonly identified families of Psi synthases. Pyrococcus furiosus Pus10 has been shown to produce Psi55 in tRNAs. However, in vitro studies have identified another mechanism for tRNA Psi55 production in Archaea, which uses Cbf5 and other core proteins of the H/ACA ribonucleoprotein complex, in a guide RNA-independent manner. Pus10 homologs have been observed in nearly all sequenced archaeal genomes and in some higher eukaryotes, but not in yeast and bacteria. This coincides with the presence of Psi54 in the tRNAs of Archaea and higher eukaryotes and its absence in yeast and bacteria. No tRNA Psi54 synthase has been reported so far. Here, using recombinant Methanocaldococcus jannaschii and P. furiosus Pus10, we show that these proteins can function as synthase for both tRNA Psi54 and Psi55. The two modifications seem to occur independently. Salt concentration dependent variations in these activities of both proteins are observed. The Psi54 synthase activity of M. jannaschii protein is robust, while the same activity of P. furiosus protein is weak. Probable reasons for these differences are discussed. Furthermore, unlike bacterial TruB and yeast Pus4, archaeal Pus10 does not require a U54 x A58 reverse Hoogstein base pair and pyrimidine at position 56 to convert tRNA U55 to Psi55. The homology of eukaryal Pus10 with archaeal Pus10 suggests that the former may also have a tRNA Psi54 synthase activity.
The Dynamics of Public Support for Coalition Governments

This article investigates the relationship between economic conditions and party support for coalition parties in Denmark and the Netherlands. The article argues that the simple reward-punishment model cannot fully account for changes in citizens' support for parties, given variable economic performance. Using aggregate public support data for political parties, the article shows that citizens differentiate between coalition partners depending on the parties' issue priorities. Instead of blaming or rewarding all coalition parties in a uniform fashion, citizens shift support from one coalition party to another, depending on the perceived competence of a party to deal with particular economic problems. The article finds that the structure of responsibility in parliamentary democracies ruled by coalition governments is more complex than is often assumed. Therefore, it is argued that students of economics and public opinion should pay particular attention to the institutional context in which citizens make ch...
A sensitive skin system for motion control of robot arm manipulators

Abstract This work addresses the implementation issues of sensor-based motion planning system for a robot arm manipulator operating among unknown obstacles of arbitrary shape. In order to realize on-line planning algorithms while protecting the whole arm body from potential collisions with obstacles, the system includes infrared based proximity sensitive skin covering the arm body, computer hardware for signal processing and motion planning, and an interface between the planning and arm control systems. These components are described in detail, and their characteristics are discussed.
Closed-loop controlled inspired oxygen concentration for mechanically ventilated very low birth weight infants with frequent episodes of hypoxemia.

Background. Mechanically ventilated very low birth weight infants often present with frequent episodes of hypoxemia, and maintaining arterial oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (Spo2) within a normal range by manual fraction of inspired oxygen (Fio2) adjustments is difficult and time consuming. Objectives. An algorithm for closed-loop Fio2 control (cFio2) to maintain Spo2 within a target range was compared with continuous manual Fio2(mFio2) adjustments by a nurse in a group of ventilated infants who presented with frequent episodes of hypoxemia. Results. Fourteen infants (birth weight: 712 ± 142 g; gestational age: 25 ± 1.6 weeks; age: 26 ± 11 days; synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation rate: 24 ± 10 b/m; peak inspiratory pressure: 17.5 ± 2.0 cmH2O; positive end-expiratory pressure: 4.3 ± 0.5 cmH2O) were studied for 2 hours on each mode in random sequence. Both modes aimed to maintain Spo2 between 88% and 96%. There were 15 ± 7 and 16 ± 6 hypoxemic episodes/hour (Spo2 5 s) during mFio2 and cFio2, respectively; episode duration was 41 ± 23 and 32 ± 15 s, totaling 19 ± 16% and 17 ± 12% of recording time. There were 13 ± 10 and 10 ± 8 hyperoxemic episodes/hour (Spo2>96%, >5 s) during mFio2 and cFio2,respectively; episode duration was 27 ± 15 and 24 ± 19 s, totaling 15 ± 14% and 10 ± 9% of recording time. Mean Spo2 and Fio2 levels were similar during both modes. The nurse made 29 ± 17 adjustments/hour during mFio2. There was a significant increase in the duration of normoxemia (Spo2 between 88%–96%) during cFio2 (75 ± 13 vs 66 ± 14% of recording time). Conclusion. In this group of infants, cFio2 was at least as effective as a fully dedicated nurse in maintaining Spo2 within the target range, and it may be more effective than a nurse working under routine conditions. We speculate that during long-term use, cFio2 may save nursing time and reduce the risks of morbidity associated with supplemental oxygen and episodes of hypo- and hyperoxemia.
Tandem Amplification of a Chromosomal Segment Harboring 5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-Phosphate Synthase Locus Confers Glyphosate Resistance in Kochia scoparia

Recent rapid evolution and spread of resistance to the most extensively used herbicide, glyphosate, is a major threat to global crop production. Genetic mechanisms by which weeds evolve resistance to herbicides largely determine the level of resistance and the rate of evolution of resistance. In a previous study, we determined that glyphosate resistance in Kochia scoparia is due to the amplification of the 5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-Phosphate Synthase (EPSPS) gene, the enzyme target of glyphosate. Here, we investigated the genomic organization of the amplified EPSPS copies using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and extended DNA fiber (Fiber FISH) on K. scoparia chromosomes. In both glyphosate-resistant K. scoparia populations tested (GR1 and GR2), FISH results displayed a single and prominent hybridization site of the EPSPS gene localized on the distal end of one pair of homologous metaphase chromosomes compared with a faint hybridization site in glyphosate-susceptible samples (GS1 and GS2). Fiber FISH displayed 10 copies of the EPSPS gene (approximately 5 kb) arranged in tandem configuration approximately 40 to 70 kb apart, with one copy in an inverted orientation in GR2. In agreement with FISH results, segregation of EPSPS copies followed single-locus inheritance in GR1 population. This is the first report of tandem target gene amplification conferring field-evolved herbicide resistance in weed populations.
Performance modeling of hybrid optical packet switches with shared buffer

All-optical packet switches (OPS) are considered as a good candidate for future ultra-fast communications as they do not require optical-electronic-optical (O/E/O) conversions. However, currently there is still no practical optical random access memory available, which makes it difficult to reduce packet loss to an acceptable level in OPS. Thus, hybrid optical/electronic switch architectures, such as the switch proposed in [2] which we refer to as the OpCut switch in this paper, are promising alternatives due to their potential to achieve ultra-low packet loss and packet delay. Although there has been extensive work on the performance modeling of different types of electronic and all-optical switches, little work has been done for the performance modeling of hybrid switches. In this paper, we present an efficient analytical model called the aggregation model that comprehensively analyzes various performance metrics of the OpCut switch under different types of traffic. By inductively aggregating more queues in the buffer into a block, the aggregation model can achieve a polynomial complexity to the switch size. We develop the aggregation model for the OpCut switch under both Bernoulli traffic and ON-OFF Markovian traffic. The effectiveness of our model is validated by extensive simulations. The results show that the aggregation model is very accurate in all tested scenarios.