cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison of the performance of compact neutrino detector designs for nuclear reactor safeguards and monitoring.

There has been an increasing interest in the monitoring of nuclear fuel for power reactors by detecting the anti-neutrinos produced during operation. Small liquid scintillator detectors have already demonstrated sensitivity to operational power levels, but more sensitive monitoring requires improvements in the efficiency and uniformity of these detectors. In this work, we use a montecarlo simulation to investigate the detector performance of four different detector configurations. Based on the analysis of neutron detection efficiency and positron energy response, we find that the optimal detector design will depend on the goals and restrictions of the specific installation or application. We have attempted to present the relevant information so that future detector development can proceed in a profitable direction.
A Subthreshold CMOS Continuous-Time Bandpass Filter with Large-Signal Stability

Continuous-time filters implemented in subthreshold CMOS have limited operating range. When processing real acoustic stimuli, input signals exceeding this range will occasionally be encountered. We compare the response of an RLC proto-type bandpass filter based on three transconductors to that of one based on four transconductors. It is found that, in response to large slowly varying input signals, the three-transconductor design tends toward oscillation whereas the four-transconductor design is stable. Simulation and chip measurements of a four-transconductor bandpass filter implemented in a 2-μm process verify these claims. The filter measures 117×416 μm^2, operates on ±1.25 V supplies, and consumes less than 20 nW when tuned to 1 kHz.
The relation between pancreatic secretion and local blood flow: a review.

There is an idea current that rate of blood flow is an important factor in glandular activity, and that variations in secretory rate may be ascribed to concomitant variations in the blood supply to the secreting organ. More specifically, the literature on this subject has given rise to the following views: (1) an increase in secretory activity, no matter how induced, requires an in­ crease in local blood flow; (2) a reduction in such flow reduces the intensity of glandular activity; and (3) an increase in blood flow through a gland, resting or otherwise, can of itself serve as a stimulus to augmented activity. The purpose of this review is to trace the growth of these ideas with reference to the pancreas, and to examine the evidence for and against them. The early evidence will be presented briefly, and then the subject will be discussed from these three points of view individually. EARLY GROWTH OF THE IDEA Before the discovery of the importance of vascular actiVIty for salivary secretion, Claude Bernardi pointed out that during digestion the pancreas became congested and red. Then, in 1875, Heidenhain,2 while making observa­ tions on a dog in which there was a pronounced periodic variationt in the carotid blood pressure, noticed that when the blood pressure rose the pancreatic secretion diminished, and when it fell the secretory activity was increased. This he interpreted as being the result of variations in blood flow through the gland, caused by local vasoconstriction or vasodilatation. Increased glandular activity and vasodilatation appeared to occur simultaneously. Shortly after­ wards (1882), Ki.ihne and Lea,3 using the rabbit, confirmed histologically that increased pancreatic flow was associated with marked capillary dilatation, but they noticed similar dilatation occasionally in lobules of the resting gland. Meanwhile, following an observation of Claude Bernard on the inhibitory effect of retching on pancreatic secretion, Bernstein4 stimulated the central end of a single cut vagus in a dog and observed an inhibition of its pancreatic
All in the Junkab’al: The House in Q’eqchi’ Society

Recent studies examine how individuals create kinship through economic transactions, ritual, and religion. This paper explores how Q’eqchi’ women in San Juan Chamelco, Guatemala generate the logics of kinship through marketing. In Chamelco, the Q’eqchi’ construct kinship through the local category of the junkab’al, ‘family’, literally ‘one home’. Members of Q’eqchi’ junkab’als create the substance of kinship through shared residence and participation in daily life. Chamelco’s women use marketing to establish kinship, incorporating market employees into their junkab’als. Since market positions have been passed down in junkab’als for generations and constitute the family estate, market women seek heirs to perpetuate them. Participation in market exchange allows Q’eqchi’ women to generate their houses and reinforce the junkab’al as a local category. This research examines kinship as a fluid construct, characterized by its interaction with other domains, including marketing.
Differences in Perioperative Outcomes Between Right and Left Hepatic Lobectomy

The safety of hepatic resection is well documented, but outcome studies comparing right and left hepatic lobectomy are sparse, especially in the context of malignancy. This study analyzes the differences in outcomes between right and left hepatic lobectomy in patients with malignant diagnoses. All patients undergoing right and left hepatic lobectomies for malignancy were extracted from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database (2005-2010). The data was analyzed to determine differences in perioperative mortality and morbidity between the two groups. A total of 1680 patients who underwent right or left hepatic lobectomy for malignant diagnoses were identified. Patients undergoing right hepatic lobectomy had a four-fold increase in perioperative mortality, compared to left lobectomy (p 81 years of age. Patients undergoing right lobectomy also experienced a statistically significant increase in morbidity involving several systems (infectious, pulmonary, cardiac and renal). The results of our study demonstrate that patients undergoing right hepatic lobectomy for malignancy experience a significantly higher incidence of mortality and multi-system morbidity when compared to left lobectomy. This information will be crucial for pre-operative risk-stratification of patients undergoing hepatic resection for malignancy.
Developments in the use of soluble ionic polymers as pseudo-stationary phases for electrokinetic chromatography and stationary phases for electrochromatography

This article reviews the development, characterization and application of soluble ionic polymeric materials as pseudo-stationary phases for electrokinetic chromatography and as stationary phases for electrochromatography since 1997. Polymeric pseudo-stationary phases for electrokinetic chromatography, including cationic polymers, anionic siloxane and acrylamide polymers, polymerized surfactants (micelle polymers), and chiral polymers are reviewed. Also reviewed are suspended molecularly imprinted polymer micro-particles. Application of polymeric pseudo-stationary phases with electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection is presented. Recent progress in the development and characterization of physically adsorbed stationary phases for electrochromatography using polymers of the same or similar chemistry is also reviewed.
A hybrid method for simulation factor screening

Factor screening is performed to eliminate unimportant factors so that the remaining important factors can be more thoroughly studied in later experiments. Controlled sequential bifurcation (CSB) and controlled sequential factorial design (CSFD) are two new screening methods for discrete-event simulations. Both methods use hypothesis testing procedures to control the Type I Error and power of the screening results. The scenarios for which each method is most efficient are complementary. This study proposes a two-stage hybrid approach that combines CSFD and an improved CSB called CSB-X. In Phase 1, a prescreening procedure will estimate each effect and determine whether CSB-X or CSFD will be used for further screening. In Phase 2, CSB-X and CSFD are performed separately based on the assignment of Phase 1. The new method usually has the same error control as CSB-X and CSFD. The efficiency, on the other hand, is usually much better than either component method. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2010
The bHLH Class Protein pMesogenin1 Can Specify Paraxial Mesoderm Phenotypes

Abstract A new bHLH gene from mouse that we call pMesogenin1 (referring to paraxial mesoderm-specific expression and regulatory capacities) and its candidate ortholog from Xenopus were isolated and studied comparatively. In both organisms the gene is specifically expressed in unsegmented paraxial mesoderm and its immediate progenitors. A striking feature of pMesogenin1 expression is that it terminates abruptly in presumptive somites (somitomeres). Somitomeres rostral to the pMesogenin1 domain strongly upregulate expression of pMesogenin's closest known paralogs, MesP1 and MesP2 (Thylacine1/2 in Xenopus). Subsequently, the most rostral somitomere becomes a new somite and expression of MesP1/2 is sharply downregulated before this transition. Thus, expression patterns of these bHLH genes, together with that of an additional bHLH gene in the mouse, Paraxis, collectively define discrete but highly dynamic prepatterned subdomains of the paraxial mesoderm. In functional assays, we show that pMesogenin1 from either mouse or frog can efficiently drive nonmesodermal cells to assume a phenotype with molecular and cellular characteristics of early paraxial mesoderm. Among genes induced by added pMesogenin1 is Xwnt-8, a signaling factor that induces a similar repertoire of marker genes and a similar cellular phenotype. Additional target genes induced by pMesogenin1 are ESR4/5, regulators known to play a significant role in segmentation of paraxial mesoderm (W. C. Jen et al., 1999, Genes Dev. 13, 1486–1499). pMesogenin1 differs from other known mesoderm-inducing transcription factors because it does not also activate a dorsal (future axial) mesoderm phenotype, suggesting that pMesogenin1 is involved in specifying paraxial mesoderm. In the context of the intact frog embryo, ectopic pMesogenin1 also actively suppressed axial mesoderm markers and disrupted normal formation of notochord. In addition, we found evidence for cross-regulatory interactions between pMesogenin1 and T-box transcription factors, a family of genes normally expressed in a broader pattern and known to induce multiple types of mesoderm. Based on our results and results from prior studies of related bHLH genes, we propose that pMesogenin1 and its closest known relatives, MesP1/2 (in mouse) and Thylacine1/2 (in Xenopus), comprise a bHLH subfamily devoted to formation and segmentation of paraxial mesoderm.
The Structure of Phenotypic Personality Traits

This personal historical article traces the development of the Big-Five factor structure, whose growing acceptance by personality researchers has profoundly influenced the scientific study of individual differences. The roots of this taxonomy lie in the lexical hypothesis and the insights of Sir Francis Galton, the prescience of L. L. Thurstone, the legacy of Raymond B. Cattell, and the seminal analyses of Tupes and Christal. Paradoxically, the present popularity of this model owes much to its many critics, each of whom tried to replace it, but failed. In reaction, there have been a number of attempts to assimilate other models into the five-factor structure. Lately, some practical implications of the emerging consensus can be seen in such contexts as personnel selection and classification.
Human plasma and Tirilazad mesylate protect stored human erythrocytes against the oxidative damage of gamma-irradiation

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) is a serious condition that under certain circumstances can be lethal in immunosuppressed patients. The risk of TA-GVHD can be reduced in this population by gamma irradiation (gammaRad) of blood components. gammaRad results in production of reactive oxygen species which can damage red blood cells (RBC). Tirilazad mesylate (TM) is a member of the 21-aminosteroids (Lazaroids) family and is a powerful antioxidant. We investigated the ability of TM and human plasma (which contain powerful antioxidants) to protect stored human RBC against the oxidative damage of gammaRad. Fresh intact packed RBC obtained from the normal donors, with and without autologous plasma or TM (0.05 mg mL-1 RBC), were exposed to gammaRad (50 Gy) and stored for 28 days at 4 degrees C. Oxidative damage was assessed by osmotic fragility at 65 mM NaCl concentration (expressed by percentage haemolysis in 65 mM NaCl solution) and lipid peroxidation (measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS). Our results showed that storage and irradiation of untreated intact RBC increased the osmotic fragility at 65 mM NaCl concentration (65.8 +/- 1.3 vs. 51.20 +/- 0.87% haemolysis; irradiated vs. controls, respectively; P = 0.002) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS = 4.47 +/- 0. 12 vs. 3.45 +/- 0.09 microM L-1 RBC; irradiated vs. controls, respectively; P = 0.001). TM protected the intact RBC against radiation-induced haemolysis (35.8 +/- 5.0 vs. 65.8 +/- 1.3% haemolysis; treated vs. untreated irradiated RBC, respectively; P = 0.02) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS = 2.91 +/- 0.2 vs. 4.47 +/- 0.12 microM L-1 RBC; treated vs. untreated irradiated RBC, respectively; P = 0.005). Addition of autologous plasma to packed RBC significantly reduced the extent of radiation-induced haemolysis by more than six-fold (12.45 +/- 0.26 vs. 65.8 +/- 2.2% haemolysis; irradiated RBC with versus without plasma, respectively; P = 0.0001). In conclusion, these results show that irradiation and storage of blood damages RBC via oxidative processes and addition of autologous plasma and/or TM protects RBC against such damage and possibly enhances their storage and survival.
Generalized reciprocals, factors of Dickson polynomials and generalized cyclotomic polynomials over finite fields

We give new descriptions of the factors of Dickson polynomials over finite fields in terms of cyclotomic factors. To do this generalized reciprocal polynomials are introduced and characterized. We also study the factorization of generalized cyclotomic polynomials and their relationship to the factorization of Dickson polynomials.
A statistical study of ions and magnetic fields in the Venus magnetotail

A statistical characterization is made of the combined ion and magnetic field properties of the Venus magnetosheath and magnetotail, on the basis of plasma and magnetic field data from 223 Pioneer Venus orbits; no assumptions are made as to existing regions or their plasma and field characteristics. Plasma is found to flow tailward in all locations, and the magnetotail is highly draped. Weak magnetic field asymmetries are associated with the plasma dropouts. A high-E/q plasma population, previously interpreted as planetary-pickup ions, is found asymmetrically both within the tail and in the adjacent sheath. The Venus tail is filled with plasma that is primarily shocked solar wind, at fluxes that are sometimes undetectable; the tail coexists with a photoion population which generates asymmetries in the bulk plasma and magnetic field properties.
Noise Variance Estimation In Signal Processing

We present a new method of estimating noise variance. The method is applicable for 1D and 2D signal processing. The essence of this method is estimation of the scatter of normally distributed data with high level of outliers. The method is applicable to data with the majority of the data points having no signal present. The method is based on the shortest half sample method. The mean of the shortest half sample (shorth) and the location of the least median of squares are among the most robust measures of the location of the mode. The length of the shortest half sample has been used as the measurement of the data scatter of uncontaminated data. We show that computing the length of several sub samples of varying sizes provides the necessary information to estimate both the scatter and the number of uncontaminated data points in a sample. We derive the system of equations to solve for the data scatter and the number of uncontaminated data points for the Gaussian distribution. The data scatter is the measure of the noise variance. The method can be extended to other distributions.
Treatment and experimental therapeutics of blastomycosis.

In 1894, blastomycosis (Gilchrist’s disease) was first described by Gilchrist as a protozoan infection [1,2]. However, in 1896, Gilchrist and Stokes [3] identified the pathogen as a fungus and named it, Blastomyces dermatitidis. Two years later, the disease was successfully transferred by inoculation of material from a human lesion to a dog [4]. Later, other cases of blastomycosis were reported by physicians, mainly from the Chicago area, and their keen interest in this mycosis led to its recognition at one time as the ‘Chicago disease’. Blastomycosis was originally believed to be endemic to North and Central America (U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Central America) until 1952, when a case was reported from Tunisia in which the pathogen was identified as Scopulariopsis americana, a synonym of B. dermatitidis [5,6]. Later, other cases of blastomycosis in Africa, South America and Asia followed [7-131. In 1968, McDonough and Lewis [14] discovered the ascomycetous state (Ajellomyces dermatitidis) of B. dermatitidis and provided a method for testing further the identity of fungi from North American and African blastomycosis. Recently, some of the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of blastomycosis in Africa, have been reviewed [15]. The exact incidence and epidemiology of blastomycosis is not well understood mainly because of the lack of a reliable immunologic marker from previous infections. Blastomyces (Ajellomyces) dermatitidis is a dimorphic fungus that grows in mammalian tissues as budding cells (yeast phase), and in cultures as a dry, white mold (mycelial form) bearing spherical or ovoid conidia (arthrospores), 2 to 10 pm in diameter [16-l 81. The arthrospores represent the infectious particles of the parasite [19]. Inhalation of these conidia results in primary infection in the
Deformation of antigorite serpentinite at high temperature and pressure

Abstract Deformation experiments were conducted in a Griggs-type apparatus to constrain the rheology of antigorite serpentinite at high temperatures and pressures. Samples deformed at temperatures of 400–625 °C and pressures of 0.85–1.5 GPa experienced semi-brittle deformation resulting in localization on faults at 5% to 25% strain; samples deformed at 300 °C exhibited transitional behavior. The stresses measured for our samples are in good agreement with recent experiments conducted in the Deformation-DIA apparatus. However, our results indicate that steady state ductile flow is not achieved, in contrast with interpretations based on the Deformation-DIA experiments. Extrapolation of our data to geologic conditions suggests that serpentinites may be weak enough during localized frictional sliding to account for slab–wedge decoupling inferred from geologic observations. Experiments conducted above the thermal stability of antigorite, at 700 °C and 1.5 GPa, show evidence for distributed deformation; this observation does not support the hypothesis that intermediate depth earthquakes result directly from dehydration embrittlement. In addition, samples exhibit velocity strengthening from 300 to 700 °C, a frictional behavior that inhibits earthquake nucleation.
Dissociations of language function in dementia: a case study.

Abstract In this report we describe and attempt to characterize the deterioration in semantic knowledge occurring in a victim of a progressive dementing disease. The subject was unable to match even highly familiar naming words with their actual or pictured referents; instead, she consistently overextended verbal labels to closely associated distractors. The alteration in scope of referential meanings suggested by this overextension effect was apparently related to a breakdown in the structure of underlying categories. On a nonverbal match-to-sample procedure, for example, dogs were treated as exemplars of the cat family. Evidence for the breakdown of semantic knowledge was not limited to picture labeling paradigms. Thus, we found that the subject was unable to utilize semantic context in the written disambiguation of spoken homophones but could, at the same time, use even minimal syntactic cues as the basis for proper lexical selection. This last result was consistent with other lines of evidence pointing to the relative preservation of syntactic operations, in marked contrast to the semantic loss. The importance of this dissociation of function in organic pathology is considered from a number of perspectives, including its relevance to models of language organization in the brain.
Alternating (the) Currencies

Abstract This article suggests three key areas to extend the potential of alternative architecture: broadening the ways in which architecture is conceptualized; increasing design versatility by enhancing the awareness of diverse design methods; and expanding the seemingly impossible, conceptually and materially, through representation techniques. The roles of formal and programmatic typologies, extended material possibilities, and the power of learning from other disciplines lie nearby. These considerations are targeted at optimizing both architecture's cultural agency and our spatial imaginations.
Anomalous tyrosine emission at 331 nm in adrenal two iron and two labile-sulfur protein (adrenodoxin): A possible tyrosine exciplex☆

Abstract The tyrosyl residue at position 85 of the polypeptide chain of adrenodoxin (no tryptophan) displayed an anomalous emission maximum at 331 nm which resembled that of tryptophan, whereas the iron and labile-sulfur free apoprotein exhibited a typical emission spectrum of tyrosine with a maximum at 304 nm. The emission spectrum of the reconstituted protein was identical with that of the native protein. The excitation spectrum of apoadrenodoxin was nearly identical with that of the native protein. These results might be suggestive for an exciplex formation of the tyrosyl residue at position 85 and unknown counter-part in adrenodoxin.
An optimal time bound for oblivious routing

The problem of routing data packets in a constant-degree network is considered. A routing scheme is calledoblivious if the route taken by each packet is uniquely determined by its source and destination. The time required for the oblivious routing ofn packets onn processors is known to be Θ(√n). It is demonstrated that the presence of extra processors can expedite oblivious routing. More specifically, the time required for the oblivious routing ofn packets onp processors is Θ(n/√p + logn).
Human hybridoma suppressor factor acts selectively on CD4+ cells

A human thymus cell hybridoma secretes an immunosuppressive lymphokine, referred to as hybridoma suppressor factor (HSF). This factor suppresses polyclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) production as well as Interleukin-2 (IL-2) production in pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Similar suppression of Ig and IL-2 production was observed in reconstituted cultures of CD4+ cells and non-T cells. Here we analysed, further, the mechanism of HSF-mediated suppression of Ig and IL-2 production. We demonstrated that HSF inhibited PWM-induced IL-2 production by CD4+ cells but not by CD8+ cells and its suppressive activity on Ig production was totally abrogated by preabsorption with CD4+ cells, but not by CD8+ cells. These results indicate a subset specific action of HSF.
Adjusting the degrees of freedom for the jackknife

The rule of thumb given by Mosteller and Tukey for obtaining the degrees of freedom which are appropriate for the approximate t-statistic associated with the jackknife is discussed.Examples of possible misapplication of this rule are given.
Price effects of surface street traffic on residential property

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to gauge and compare the impact of surface street traffic externalities on residential properties. Limited previous research indicates that negative externalities dominate for single-family houses. Our objective is to verify that this result applies to our sample, and to determine if the same result extends to multi-unit rental properties. Design/methodology/approach – Hedonic regression is used to analyze data from 9,680 single-family house transactions and 455 multi-unit rental properties to measure the influence of surface street traffic on the price of the two property types. Findings – Houses located adjacent to an arterial street sold at a 7.8 per cent discount, on average, compared to similar houses located on collector streets. Limiting the analysis to houses adjacent to an arterial street (where traffic counts were available), price and traffic count are negatively related. The results for multi-unit rental dwellings are dramatically different. Multi-unit pr...
Gold-plating MHC class II molecules.

Square-planar, four-coordinate metal complexes strip peptides from the binding site of MHC class II molecules. Removal of peptides derived from self-antigens could prevent class II–dependent activation of self-reactive T cells in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Stress-Rupture of S-Glass Epoxy Multifilament Strands

The stress-rupture behavior of filamentary composites is of great concern in many long-term applications. We have begun a program to collect reliable stress-rupture data on very simple composites such as various fiber strands impregnated with an epoxy matrix. We de veloped a tensile test method for fibers, designed a stress-rupture test apparatus and verified its performance, and installed 400 test apparatuses in a controlled-environment building. This paper dis cusses the data collected to date on single-end S-glass/epoxy strands at three load levels: 83.8, 74.5, and 65.2% (based on the average breaking load). Using at least 100 specimens at each load level, we found that the time-to-break values consistently varied by a factor of 1000. The data clearly indicate a shorter life at higher loads. We are collecting data at three lower load levels: 50, 40, 33%. We are attempting to characterize the distribution function of the stress- rupture life but are not yet able to draw any conclusions.
Cross-system agreement among demographic subgroups: DSM-III, DSM-III-R, DSM-IV and ICD-10 diagnoses of alcohol use disorders

Increasing importance is being place on the appropriateness of methodologies for different population subgroups, such as women as well as men, non-Whites as well as Whites, and older and younger individuals. In the alcohol field, this applies to a number of areas, including the agreement between diagnoses of alcohol use disorders by different sets of diagnostic criteria. We tested the agreement between DSM-III, DSM-III-R, DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria for alcohol dependence and abuse in demographic subgroups of a sample of 962 community residents screened for heavy drinking in the previous 12 months. Good to excellent agreement was found for current diagnoses of dependence across all subgroups and classification systems. For past diagnoses, agreement was good across all subgroups for comparisons that did not involve DSM-III, and quite low for comparisons of DSM-III to other classification systems across subgroups. With few exceptions, cross-system agreement for diagnoses of alcohol abuse was poor. This result was also consistent across demographic subgroups. Results suggest that studies can be compared equally well for diagnoses of alcohol dependence subsequent to DSM-III for males and females, Whites and non-Whites, and older and younger respondents. Abuse remains a problematic category psychometrically across all demographic categories, even in this sample of largely untreated household residents.
State-of-the-art Type II antimonide-based superlattice photodiodes for infrared detection and imaging

Type-II InAs/GaSb Superlattice (SL), a system of multi interacting quantum wells was first introduced by Nobel Laureate L. Esaki in the 1970s. Since then, this low dimensional system has drawn a lot of attention for its attractive quantum mechanics properties and its grand potential for the emergence into the application world, especially in infrared detection. In recent years, Type-II InAs/GaSb superlattice photo-detectors have experienced significant improvements in material quality, structural designs and imaging applications which elevated the performances of Type-II InAs/GaSb superlattice photodetectors to a comparable level to the state-of-the-art Mercury Cadmium Telluride. We will present in this talk the current status of the state-of-the-art Type II superlattice photodetectors and focal plane arrays, and the future outlook for this material system.
Who is an Employer in the Triangular Employment Relationship? Sorting Through the Definitional Confusion

Employers in the United States are increasingly utilizing staffing firms, employee leasing firms, temporary employment agencies and other third parties to help manage contingent labor in their organizations. The use of such triangular relationships creates complexities in the rights and responsibilities of each party, partially due to the variation in how U.S. employment law defines employers and employees across statutes. We analyze the various definitions of employee and employer across key U.S. employment statutes (e.g., Civil Rights Act of 1964, ADA, FMLA, FLSA), tests used by the courts in their decision making, and IRS regulations and evaluate the impact of these definitions on the use of contingent employees in triangular relationships. We review existing case law relevant to discrimination and non-discrimination statutes and identify key areas of risk and responsibility for both the individuals employed as contingent workers and firms that use contingent labor. Finally, we offer recommendations for strategically managing contingent labor in the current legal context.
LincRNA-p21 Activates p21 In cis to Promote Polycomb Target Gene Expression and to Enforce the G1/S Checkpoint

Summary The p53-regulated long noncoding RNA lincRNA-p21 has been proposed to act in trans via several mechanisms ranging from repressing genes in the p53 transcriptional network to regulating mRNA translation and protein stability. To further examine lincRNA-p21 function, we generated a conditional knockout mouse model. We find that lincRNA-p21 predominantly functions in cis to activate expression of its neighboring gene, p21 . Mechanistically, we show that lincRNA-p21 acts in concert with hnRNP-K as a coactivator for p53-dependent p21 transcription. Additional phenotypes of lincRNA-p21 deficiency could be attributed to diminished p21 levels, including deregulated expression and altered chromatin state of some Polycomb target genes, a defective G1/S checkpoint, increased proliferation rates, and enhanced reprogramming efficiency. These findings indicate that lincRNA-p21 affects global gene expression and influences the p53 tumor suppressor pathway by acting in cis as a locus-restricted coactivator for p53-mediated p21 expression.
Gravitational vacuum condensate stars

A new final state of gravitational collapse is proposed. By extending the concept of Bose–Einstein condensation to gravitational systems, a cold, dark, compact object with an interior de Sitter condensate pv = -ρv and an exterior Schwarzschild geometry of arbitrary total mass M is constructed. These regions are separated by a shell with a small but finite proper thickness l of fluid with equation of state p = +ρ, replacing both the Schwarzschild and de Sitter classical horizons. The new solution has no singularities, no event horizons, and a global time. Its entropy is maximized under small fluctuations and is given by the standard hydrodynamic entropy of the thin shell, which is of the order kBlMc/, instead of the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy formula, SBH = 4πkBGM2/c. Hence, unlike black holes, the new solution is thermodynamically stable and has no information paradox.
Intimacy and Distance: On Stipe's Queerness

I begin by indicating two thematic areas: the complex relation of the famous U.S. rock group R.E.M. to heterosexist and masculinist traditions of authenticity; and the elusiveness of singer and lyricist Michael Stipe’s words. Then I suggest that these themes can be understood in relation to Stipe’s sexuality, long a matter of speculation, lately described by Stipe as “queer.” I develop these issues by commenting on Stipe’s role as, in his words, a “queer artist.” Though my focus remains on Stipe, this topic falls within a much larger area: the creation and circulation of images of sexual identity through popular music. The question of how pop musicians articulate specific identities—in Stipe’s case, one that might be encapsulated, for much of his career, as “semi-closeted, artistically-expressive queer”—is at the intersection of important and engrossing issues in popular music studies and the study of public discourses on sexualities.
THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL DIFFUSE FUNCTIONS IN CALCULATIONS ON SMALL ANIONS : THE G2(DD) APPROACH

Abstract It is demonstrated that standard basis sets including a single set of diffuse functions are not adequate for calculations on small anions. A new set of diffuse sp-functions is presented and in combination with a simple additivity scheme, they provide very accurate ΔH acid values for the first- and second-row non-metal hydrides. A mean absolute deviation of ca. 2 kJ/mol is observed with the greatest error being 4 kJ/mol.
Laparoscopic splenectomy for splenic masses.

This study aimed to evaluate the perioperative outcomes and pathology of patients undergoing laparoscopic splenectomy for splenic masses. The records for 174 patients who underwent laparoscopic splenectomy from May 1994 to August 2006 were reviewed. Patient demographics, preoperative imaging, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, body mass index (BMI), estimated blood loss (EBL), operative time, spleen size, complications, hospital length of stay (LOS), pathology, and mortality were extracted from the records. Data are expressed as means ± standard deviation. Statistical significance (p 0.05). Laparoscopic splenectomy is appropriate for patients whose indication for surgery is splenic mass. Suspicious splenic masses should be removed due to the relatively high incidence of malignant pathology, most commonly lymphoma.
The passivation of nickel in aqueous solutions-IV. Optical and electrochemical investigations of the anodic behavior of nickel in chloride-containing solutions

The passivation behavior of nickel in 0.15 N Na2SO4 chloride-free solution is compared with that which occurs in a chloride-containing electrolyte. Insitu techniques, such as differential reflectometry and electrochemical polarization, are utilized in this study. The presence of Cl- ions did not alter the composition of the passivating film nor does Cl- alter the mechanisms by which passive film formation occurs. However, Cl− ions delay the growth of a passivating film at pH values of 4 and 8. In these solutions, film breakdown as well as severe pitting occurs subsequent to passivation. In contrast, in solutions of pH 12, the chlorides affect neither the film formation process nor film stability.
Substance use disorder among older adults in the United States in 2020

Aims This study aimed to project the number of people aged 50 years or older with substance use disorder (alcohol/ illicit drug dependence or abuse) in the United States in 2020. Design Logistic regression models were applied to estimate parameters predicting past-year substance use disorder using the 2002–06 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data. We applied these parameters to the projected US 2020 population to estimate the number of adults aged 50 or older with substance use disorder in 2020. Setting Non-institutionalized US residences. Participants Representative sample of the US civilian, non-institutionalized population. Measurements Substance use disorder is classified based on criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition. Findings Due to the large population size and high substance use rate of the baby-boom cohort, the number of adults aged 50 or older with substance use disorder is projected to double from 2.8 million (annual average) in 2002–06 to 5.7 million in 2020. Increases are projected for all examined gender, race/ethnicity and age groups. Conclusions Our estimates provide critical information for policymakers to allocate resources and develop prevention and treatment approaches to address future needs of the US older adult population with substance use disorder.
A Ten-year Follow-up on a Prospective, Randomized Trial of Postoperative Corticosteroids after Trabeculectomy

Abstract Purpose: Patients prospectively enrolled in a clinical trial to evaluate the effect of corticosteroid use after guarded filtration procedure (trabeculectomy) were re-evaluated after 10 years to determine whether (1) there were differences in intraocular pressure (IOP) level and stability of glaucoma between treated and nontreated eyes, (2) surgery had altered the clinical course of the patients, and (3) there was any relation between level of IOP and glaucoma control. Methods: Forty-six eyes of 35 patients were evaluated individually. Stabilization/progression of glaucoma was established based on IOP, clinical evaluation of visual fields, and stereoscopic analysis of disc using ophthalmoscopy and photography. Results: The nonsteroid-treated eyes underwent more additional glaucoma surgeries, were treated with more glaucoma medicines, and had higher IOPs. Glaucoma was stabilized in 82.8% of the steroid-treated eyes and 67% of the nonsteroid-treated eyes. There was a direct correlation between level of IOP and stabilization of optic nerve and visual field in both groups. Conclusion: The use of corticosteroids after guarded filtration procedure was correlated with better glaucoma control. Patients with lower IOPs were more likely to be stabilized than those with higher pressures.
A pontine call site in the domestic cat: Behavior and neural pathways

Abstract Electrical stimulation of the brain of the domestic cat elicited vocalizations from a site in the ventrolateral pons in the region of the medial lemniscus. The evoked vocalizations were analysed by means of sound spectrographs and classified as meows, growls, hisses and meow-growls. The neurol pathways associated with these call sites were traced by following the pattern of fiber degeneration resulting from lesions placed at these sites. A descending fiber pathway was traced to the magnocellular tegmental field, the facial nucleus and the retrofacial nucleus, while an ascending system terminated in the zona incerta, the red nucleus, contralateral oculomotor nucleus, the ventroposterior lateral nucleus of the thalamus and inferior colliculus. It is concluded from these findings and the nature of the behavior evoked that the ventrolateral pontine call site lies on a common pathway for a majority of vocalizations in the cat.
Comparison of Interventions to Reduce Sun Exposure

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is the leading behavioral cause of skin cancer. This study evaluated the efficacy of 2 interventions to reduce UV exposure in college students prior to an opportunity for high-intensity exposure. Participants of 1 college campus were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 interventions prior to their spring holiday spent in a warm, sunny location: (1) a community-based informational campaign, or (2) a combination of the campaign and a cognitive-behavioral small group intervention. Participants of a second college campus served as a comparison group. The cognitive-behavioral group exhibited increased knowledge, more positive attitudes toward UV protection, greater advancement through stages of change, and greater protective clothing use relative to the comparison or community-education groups. The informational campaign had little apparent impact in this study.
Community College Faculty Development Program and Student Achievement

Community college administrators look for strategies to help students. GRASP (Gaining Retention and Achievement for Students Program) is a semester-long faculty development program that coaches community college instructors about simple, effective teaching strategies that promote student academic achievement. GRASP is founded on the belief that academic achievement is based on good teaching, which begins with faculty development. The major assumption for GRASP is that faculty are the single most important factor for student success. GRASP was offered at Dona Ana Community College (DACC). Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, just 40 miles from the border of Mexico, DACC has a student population that is 70% minority. Results for GRASP indicate that overall student success improved by 7.9%, and that overall student retention improved by 4.0% for students participating in GRASP.
Modulation of Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 Expression During Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Preterm Delivery in the Pregnant Mouse:

Preterm delivery is often associated with increased cytokine and chemokine production. These studies characterize the expression of the chemokine monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in mice during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced preterm delivery. Uterine and other tissues were harvested from CD-1 mice on gestational day 15 after intrauterine LPS injection. Quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reactions determined MCP-1 and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA expression during the 24 hours after LPS. MCP-1 protein expression was determined using a cytokine/chemokine protein array, enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay, and immunohistochemistry. Intrauterine LPS injection caused preterm delivery in CD-1 mice between 12 and 24 hours. Expression of MCP-1 mRNA significantly increased at 2 and 6 hours, while TLR4 expression did not significantly change over 24 hours. The MCP-1 protein levels peaked by 2 to 6 hours in maternal serum, liver, lung, kidney, and uterus. Immunohistochemistry confirmed MCP-1 in the myometrium and endometrium. These studies provide evidence suggesting that MCP-1 potentially plays an important role during the proinflammatory immune response, leading to preterm labor in the mouse.
Tracheotomy: timing and techniques.

Purpose of review Until the past 40 years, the timing of tracheotomy was of little concern. It was an emergency procedure developed for the relief of airway obstruction. Following the development of positive pressure ventilation, tracheotomy became an elective procedure. Today, the optimal time for tracheotomy is a subject of dispute and continued investigation. As this operation has become one of the most commonly performed procedures in the intensive care unit, nonoperative dilational methods have gained acceptability. The purpose of this review is to analyze the recent literature and draw insight into the timing and technique of the current state of tracheotomy. Recent findings Individualized assessment of patients should guide the timing of tracheotomy, with a preference toward early tracheotomy. Percutaneous dilational tracheotomy (PDT) can be performed with equivalent safety to open tracheotomy. Bedside open tracheotomy negates the cost-saving benefits of PDT. Endoscopic guidance in PDT decreases complications with needle placement and posterior tracheal wall injury. Major complications of PDT usually are associated with displacement of the tracheotomy tube. Summary Tracheotomy indications have remained unchanged, but the timing of the procedure has advanced to individualized assessment with a predilection for earlier tracheotomy. The traditional operative technique is a much safer procedure today. Percutaneous dilational tracheotomy has become an acceptable alternative with proper patient selection. A multidisciplinary team with a surgeon provides the best care for the patient undergoing percutaneous tracheotomy.
Reconstructing baryon oscillations

The baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) method for constraining the expansion history is adversely affected by nonlinear structure formation, which washes out the correlation function peak created at decoupling. To increase the constraining power of low z baryon acoustic oscillation experiments, it has been proposed that one use the observed distribution of galaxies to 'reconstruct' the acoustic peak. Recently Padmanabhan, White, and Cohn provided an analytic formalism for understanding how reconstruction works within the context of Lagrangian perturbation theory (LPT). We extend that formalism to include the case of biased tracers of the mass in real space and, because the quantitative validity of LPT is questionable, we investigate reconstruction in N-body simulations. We find that LPT does a good job of explaining the trends seen in simulations for both the mass and for biased tracers in real space and comment upon the implications this has for reconstruction.
Effects of low frequency vibration processing on carbon/epoxy laminates

Abstract Low frequency vibration was applied during the pre-gellation period of the cure cycle of vacuum-bagged carbon/epoxy unidirectional tape, (0/90) 4s laminated plates. Decreased void content in excess of 50% and increased laminate densification of 0.5% were measured. Data also indicated an approximate 10% increase in size of the remaining voids.
Crossed-second-order effects in the isotope shift of the ground configuration 4f126s2 of Er I

High-resolution laser-atomic-beam spectroscopy has been applied to study crossed-second-order effects in the isotope shift of the terms 4f126s2 3H and 3F of Er I. A parametric analysis of the cross second-order effects in the isotope shift 170-166Er has been performed. The J dependence of the isotope shift is interpreted through one parameter z4f with a coefficient having the same angular dependence as the spin-orbit interaction. Additional parameters T(SL) with angular coefficients equal to the square of the corresponding expansion coefficients of the wavefunctions are introduced to take account of term-dependent effects.
Study of Diesel Jet Variability Using Single-Shot X-Ray Radiography

The variability of diesel jet structure, both as a function of time and between individual injection events, has important implications on the breakup and mixing of the jet. It is accepted that diesel jets become unstable due to interactions with the ambient gas, leading to breakup of the jet. This concept is the principle behind the Kelvin-Helmholtz and Rayleigh-Taylor models of diesel atomization. Very little information regarding diesel jet variability is available, however, in the near-nozzle region of the diesel jet, where primary breakup of the jet occurs. This is due to the presence of many small droplets, which strongly scatter visible light and render the spray opaque. X-ray radiography has been successfully used in recent years to probe the structure of diesel sprays with high spatial and temporal resolution. All of these previous measurements, however, were ensemble-averaged, measuring only persistent features of the spray. In the current study, measurements are performed at individual measurement points of single diesel injection events. These measurements are taken at several points near the injector exit for a non-hydroground nozzle with a single axial hole at two injection pressures (500 and 1000 bar). The variability of the start of injection, end of injection, and the time history of the spray density during the injection event are examined, as well as how these quantities change for different transverse positions across the jet.© 2007 ASME