cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Permeation of a straight oil metalworking fluid through a disposable and a chemically protective nitrile glove

Abstract The aim of the present study was to quantify the permeation parameters of a complex water-insoluble straight oil metalworking fluid (MWF) of low volatility through nitrile gloves. The permeation through a chemically protective and a disposable glove was investigated using the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F739-99a method with hexane as the collection medium. Analysis of collection side samples involved gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and gravimetry. The detection breakthrough time for the chemically protective glove was >10 h. For the disposable glove, the detection breakthrough time was 0.7 ± 0.3 h, the lag time was 1.6 ± 0.1 h, the diffusion coefficient was (3.7 ± 0.3) × 10 −9 cm 2 /min, and the steady state permeation rate was 3.5 ± 2.2 μg/cm 2 /min. The disposable nitrile glove can be worn for about 30 min for incidental contact with straight oil MWFs without known carcinogens. The chemically protective nitrile glove should be worn otherwise. The chromatogram for the permeate differed from that of the original MWF, resulting from the faster permeation of lower molecular weight congeners. The combination of chromatography and gravimetry allowed quantifying the permeation parameters of complex water-insoluble non-volatile mixtures.
Microevolutionary change in Arikara Crania: a multivariate analysis.

Measurements of human crania from five archaeological sites were subjected to canonical analysis. The five sites form a temporal sequence, ranging from prehistoric (ca. 1600 A.D.) to late historic (1830 A.D.), and belonging archaeologically to the Coalescent Tradition, which in South Dakota encompasses the historic Arikara Indians and their prehistoric ancestors. One canonical variate in each sex arranges the sites in their appropriate temporal sequence, presumably reflecting systematic microevolutionary change. The hypothesis that the morphological change resulted from gene flow from either White or Mandan Indian sources was tested using a two-group discriminate function. The function is found to effectively discriminate a Mandan sample and prehistoric Arikara, but becomes progressively less effective on the historic Arikara crania. This would suggest that Mandan gene flow into Arikara populations is responsible for the observed temporal variation. A similar analysis using British White crania suggests the possibility of slight White influence, but the effect is minimal compared to Mandan.
Inclusion: Seeking educational excellence for students with disabilities

Abstract The authors of this article examine contemporary issues related to the inclusion of students with disabilities in typical education classrooms. The article begins with pertinent areas of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1990. Definitions of inclusion are provided, and position statements from various professional organizations are addressed. Other sections focus on issues related to inclusion and propose solutions that include cooperative learning and collaboration.
Basic Therapeutic Principles and the Strategy in the Management of the External Anogenital Warts (Condylomas): A Review

Genital warts are a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease involving the anogenital area. They are considered to be benign proliferative conditions as a result of an infection with a low risk human papillomavirus (HPV). The goal of this paper is to review recent available clinical data, and present an overview and strategy in the diagnosis and treatment of genital warts. Med-line search was conducted and published papers related to anogenital warts were reviewed. Treatment results differ and are directly related to the characteristics of the lesion, the patient ’ s immune response and the expertise of the health provider. Smaller lesions are more amenable and respond to local treatment compared to larger and more extensive lesions. Although genital warts are generally a benign disease, however infection with certain types of HPV may increase the risk of premalignant disease. Treatment decisions are based on the number, location, morphology of the lesion and patients ’ co-existent medical conditions and their preferences for available treatment modalities. Important issues in the diagnosis and management of genital warts are discussed and specific recommendations are presented. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jcgo86e
Phosphorus 31 NMR of neuroblastoma clonal lines. Effect of cell confluency state and dibutyryl cyclic AMP.

Phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance is used to study changes in the levels of the major phosphate-containing intermediary metabolites concomitant with induced cellular differentiation in the N-18 and C-46 neuroblastoma clonal lines. The study reveals differences between the31P-NMR profiles of the two clonal lines and also striking differences attendant to dibutyryl cAMP-mediated morphological differentiation in the N-18 clone. Phosphorus-31 NMR would appear to provide a new technique with which to study genetic differentiation.
Matching different size mask to improve stepper throughput effectively

Color filter process is after passivation layer technology. Front end wafers may be produced by different size masks. For example, if front end stepper were 5" mask system, but color filter production line is 6 " mask, throughput will be very slow (6" mask but is 5" layout). Different foundries used different size masks & stepping systems (avoid guard ring) for production caused more complicated for different size masks matching. Color process use high energy, so may impact stepper throughput & Lens quality also. Improve throughput & prolong Lens life are very important for production. Using the matching system we can improve stepper (Example: 5"layout changed to 6" layout on 6" mask) throughput effectively & prolong ASML lens life.
SU-GG-T-95: The Dosimetric Advantages of Varian HD120 MLC Over Millennium120 MLC for Photon External Beam Treatment

Purpose: To compare the dosimetricproperties of the Varian HD120 high definition MLC and Millennium 120 MLC and their performances in IMRTtreatment planning.Method and Materials:Dosimetricproperties of the Varian HD120 high definition MLC (minimum leaf width 2.5 mm) is studied using a Trilogy Tx. The penumbra of the MLC‐formed 10cm × 10cm single field at different depth was determined from the reconstructed 3D dose distribution from geldosimetry. Results are compared with those from EDR2 film measurement at Dmax and 10cm depth. Leakage radiation is measured using a farm ion chamber. The same procedures were performed for a Millennium 120 MLC (minimum leaf width 5 mm) on a 21EX. To compare the dose distributions from the HD120 and the Millennium 120 for the same beam arrangement and optimal fluences, a head‐neck IMRT plan was generated using the Eclipse‐Helios optimization engine. The optimal fluences obtained were applied to both the Trilogy with HD120 and the 21EX with Millennium 120. The resultant dose distributions and the dose‐volume histograms from the two plans were compared. 3D dose distributions from these two plans were also verified using geldosimetry.Results: Smaller penumbra regions were identified for the HD120 using gel and film measurements. The leakage radiation from HD120 is smaller. For the two IMRT plans using the same optimal fluences, the dose distribution with HD120 is more uniform over the PTV. The dose distribution also falls off faster than the one with Millennium 120 in the high dose gradient region, as a result of smaller leaf width and penumbra. The doses received at the critical organs scattering radiation with HD120 are also smaller. Conclusion: HD120 provides better dose conformalities around treatment targets and spares critical organs and normal tissue better than Millennium 120 MLC.
Genetic Algorithm based Resistive Susceptor Design for Uniform Heating During the Induction Bonding Process

In this research work, cut mesh design optimization for the induction bonding process using genetic algorithms (GAs) is investigated to solve the problem of nonuniform heating, which leads to nonuniform temperature fields and temperature gradients exceeding the process window required for bonding. Cut patterns in the metal mesh can redirect the magnetically induced electric currents generated thus changing the temperature distribution. In this work, the heat generation model for determining current and heat generation distribution for a given coil and mesh size, coded as a Mathematica function, was coupled with a simple genetic algorithm. The cost function to be minimized by the GA was the ratio of the maximum heat generation in the mesh to the minimum heat generation. Two studies were performed with the GA-based design optimization: the first with a six sided square mesh and the second using a ten sided square mesh. The best cut mesh designs obtained from the GA were compared with the globally optimal designs, where available, and with the baseline mesh. The GA could not reach the global optima due to the complex nature of the design search space. However, it was determined that the GA was able to reduce the variations in heat generation in the mesh for all cases and delivered significant improvements over the baseline case in reasonable computational time, evaluating less than 2% of the possible cut mesh patterns. Thus the genetic algorithm based design optimization was proven to be a computationally efficient tool in the generation of good cut mesh designs for the induction bonding process.
Developing forecasts for better planning

Abstract Improvements in accuracy do not necessarily result in more valuable forecasts. Forecasts are of little value, no matter how accurate they are, if they are not used. Many planners distrust forecasts. To help ensure that forecasts are used, forecasters have to determine what types of forecasts are needed. Based on interviews with a dozen veteran forecasters and extensive personal experience, the author develops guidelines for improving the value of forecasts by including planners in the forecast development process. Forecasting reports should be simple and easy to interpret. A preliminary report should be distributed for suggestions to resolve possible problems before the final presentation. After the forecasting numbers are distributed, forecasters should follow up to see how forecasts are used. Such group efforts in preparing forecasts typically improve both the accuracy and the acceptability and thus the value of forecasts.
Economic evaluation of salinity, drainage and non-uniformity of infiltrated irrigation water

Abstract Salinity, drainage and non-uniformity of irrigation water are important components in determining optimal water application and related profitability. A crop-water production function assuming steady state conditions is incorporated in a long-run economic model to investigate the combined effects of salinity, irrigation uniformity and different drainage requirements at the field scale for the specific crop. The analysis was conducted for corn and cotton as sensitive and tolerant crops to salinity, respectively. Optimum applied water and associated profits, yield and drainage volumes were computed for each crop. The computations were done for the condition that no drainage system was required and also where a drainage system was required and the drainage water was disposed of to either a free off-farm facility or to an on-farm evaporation pond constructed on productive or non-productive land. The main findings are that type of drainage disposal system affects the optimal values of applied water, profits, yield and drainage volumes, except for uniform water applications and non-saline irrigation water. Another finding is that in the long run, under saline conditions and/or different drainage disposal systems, a sensitive crop such as corn is not profitable and goes out of production. In general the profit levels associated with the various drainage options are in the order of no drainage requirement ⩾ free off-farm facility > on-farm evaporation pond on non-productive land > on-farm evaporation pond on productive land. Uniformity of irrigation water affects values of the analyzed variables and the effects are greatest for the cases of on-farm evaporation ponds. Pumping cost effects are quite small, but water price effects are more significant. Breeding the crops for increased salinity tolerance has little effect when irrigating with water of low salinity and/or low irrigation uniformity.
We're not there yet.

Patient injury due to medical error continues to plague health care delivery. Efforts to eliminate errors or mitigate their effects have largely been thwarted, despite enormous investments of human and financial resources. A survey published in this issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery on the status of medical error in otolaryngology finds that the specialty is not exempt. The authors report that relatively little has changed since the original report by the senior authors published a decade ago. Despite this lack of apparent progress, there is growing awareness that improvements in patient safety will be incremental rather than transformational. The author of this commentary identifies a number of fundamental cultural changes that will be required to achieve transformational change.
Ages and composition of gas trapped in Allan Hills and Byrd core ice

Gas is extracted from large (6–31 kg) Antarctic ice samples to obtain sufficient CO2 for14C measurements with small low-level proportional counters. The14C ages of Byrd core ice are in accord with glaciological estimates ranging from (2.2−1.1+1.4)×103 yr at 271 m depth to more than 8 × 103 yr at 1071 m depth. The CO2 abundances in gas extracted from Byrd core ice range from 0.0216 to 0.051%, with below present-day atmosphere CO2 abundances for ice from 1068 and 1469 m depths. The CO2 abundance in gas from Allan Hills surface ice samples ranges between four and six times the atmospheric value and the CO2 had a specific activity three times that of contemporary carbon. A possible explanation for the anomalously high specific activity is surface melting with the incorporation into CO2 of14C produced by cosmic ray spallation of oxygen in ice. The CO2 abundance in gas extracted from subsurface Allan Hills ice ranged from 0.030 to 0.065%, and the specific activities are below contemporary carbon, indicating ages greater than ∼5×103 yr. The18O/16O ratio of oxygen in the trapped gas is the same as that of atmospheric oxygen and differs markedly from the18O/16O ratio in the ice. The O2, N2, and Ar abundances and isotopic compositions are similar to those in contemporary air, except for positive15N/14N ratios in a few samples.
Timing of serving dessert but not portion size affects young children's intake at lunchtime.

Abstract The purpose of this repeated exposure, randomized, cross-over quasi-experimental study was to determine the individual and combined impact of (a) the timing of serving dessert and (b) portion size of main course in 2–5 year old children (n = 23) on energy intake at lunch in a childcare setting. Children were served two study lunches (fish or pasta, each with dessert) twice a week for 12 weeks that differed in the timing of dessert (served with or after the main course) and portion size of the main course (reference portion or 50% larger portion). Analyses of variance revealed that serving dessert after the meal resulted in higher energy intakes from both the main course and from dessert, and therefore greater total intake at the meal. Portion size of the main course did not influence total energy intake at the meal. Results indicate that the timing of serving dessert affects children’s energy intake regardless of the portion size of the main course. Specifically, serving dessert with the meal reduces total energy intake regardless of the main course portion size. This suggests that offering dessert with the main course may be an effective strategy for decreasing total energy intake at meals in preschool-aged children.
High-throughput platform for design and screening of peptides as inhibitors of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystallization

Abstract Crystal growth modifiers present a versatile tool for controlling crystal shape and size. Our work described here focuses on the design and screening of short peptides as inhibitors of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals using high-throughput approaches. We designed a small library of 13 peptides containing Ala and Asp amino acids arranged in varying sequences that mimic ubiquitous motifs in natural calcium-binding proteins. Peptides were screened using a quick assay to measure their efficacy for inhibiting COM crystallization. Our results show that subtle variations in the placement of Ala and Asp residues in the peptide sequence can have a profound effect on their inhibition potential. We were able to discover peptide sequences that inhibit COM crystallization more effectively than some of the well-known COM inhibitors, such as citrate. Our results also demonstrate that peptides can be engineered to bind to specific faces of COM crystals. Peptide sequences identified in this work are promising candidates for further development as therapies for biomineral-related diseases, such as kidney stone disease. Collectively, our work establishes new paradigms for the design, synthesis, and screening of peptides for controlling crystal habit with the potential to impact a variety of fields, including drug discovery, advanced materials, catalysis and separations.
Two-phase deformations of elastic solids

The systematic treatment of phase transformations in continuous bodies leads, in a natural manner, to the study of deformations whose gradients suffer jump discontinuities. Our main results concern the stability of such two-phase deformations. We define stability using the standard minimum energy criterion in conjunction with variations in deformation that vanish on the boundary. We prove that if a two-phase deformation (with gradient F) is a local minimizer, then given any point p0 of the surface of discontinuity, the piecewise-homogeneous deformation corresponding to the two values F±(P0) of F(P0) is a global minimizer.
Threats to family planning services in Michigan: Organizational responses to economic and political challenges

Title X is the only federal funding specifically for contraception and family planning services. This study identifies the threats and challenges Title X family planning organizations face in Michigan, and examines organizational responses to these challenges. We hypothesized that organizational responses to current challenges, including recent legislation, would differ between organizational types. We used a multiple case study design to examine safety net providers that received Title X funding in 2001. Cases were selected to represent economic and geographic diversity and included a mix of population densities. Key informants at each organization participated in face-to-face, semistructured interviews. Interviews collected data on current challenges, organizational planning processes, and organizational responses. All Title X organizations reported significant challenges, including rising costs, increasing need, and inadequate funding. Private organizations were more concerned about political challenges, especially recent Michigan legislation, than health departments. Organizational type was associated with the type of response. Health departments tended to close clinics or cut services, whereas private organizations recruited insured populations and increased patient fees. Based on these findings, the family planning safety net in Michigan appears to be undergoing significant change. These changes may decrease the availability of affordable family planning services in Michigan.
Molecular Determinants for a Mutant Mu-Opioid Receptor in which Naloxone Acts as a Partial Agonist

The Law group has identified a mutant μ-opioid receptor (MOR), S4.54A, at which traditional opioid alkaloid antagonists become agonists (Yang et al., 2003). Subsequent targeted gene therapy studies using the S4.54A mutant receptor have indicated that naloxone can act as an antinociceptive agent in vivo (Chen et al., 2007). The goal of the work presented here was to understand at the molecular level, the origins of this unusual phenotype. Compounding the unusual nature of this mutant is the fact that S4.54 is a lipid facing residue. Ballesteros and colleagues have reported that the hydrogen bonding capacity of lipid facing Ser/Thr residues in α-helices can be satisfied by an intrahelical hydrogen bond interaction, in either the g- or g+ conformation, between the O-γ atom and the i-3 or i-4 carbonyl oxygen (Ballesteros et al., 2000). Ser/Thr residues in the g- conformation can induce a bend in an α-helix, and we have found that changes in wobble angle and face shift can also occur (Ballesteros et al., 2000). To explore the effect of the S4.54A mutation on the conformation of TMH4, we used the Monte Carlo/simulated annealing technique, Conformational Memories (CM) (Konvicka et al., 1998; Whitnell et al., 2008). CM results showed that the S4.54A mutation alters the conformation of TMH4, such that the top of TMH4 bends into the bundle towards TMH3. When the output S4.54A mutant TMH4 was incorporated into our inactive state MOR model, packing of the TMHs in the TMH3/TMH4 region was altered such that the opioid antagonist, naloxone could no longer stabilize the toggle switch residue, W6.48 in its inactive state conformation. [Support: DA023905, P-Y L; DA021358, PHR]
The Hindu-Muslim Conflict: A Pilot Study of Peacebuilding in Gujarat, India

Deep within the religious-political context of India is the Hindu-Muslim conflict. This tension continues with ever-increasing violent acts being carried out in the name of religion. As recently as February 2002, violence erupted between Hindus and Muslims in the state of Gujarat. Gujarati citizens remain concerned about the reemergence of such violence. As a result, in this pilot, qualitative study, we investigated Hindu and Muslim perceptions about the causes of violence in Gujarat, and individuals' beliefs about solutions for peacebuilding between these two groups. Thirteen main themes emerged from the semistructured interviews (e.g., prior and present Hindu-Muslim relationships, perpetrators of violence, kinds of violence, consequences of violence, hopes for future, solutions for peace). Given these themes, we present preliminary recommendations for peacebuilding between Hindus and Muslims, along with suggestions for future research on this topic.
Jump Distance Increases While Carrying Handheld Weights: Impulse, History, and Jump Performance in a Simple Lab Exercise

This laboratory exercise is designed to provide an understanding of the mechanical concept of impulse as it applies to human movement and athletic performance. Students compare jumps performed with and without handheld weights. Contrary to initial expectation, jump distance is increased with moderate additional weights. This was familiar to Ancient Greek athletes where “halteres” were a part of the original Olympic jumping sports. The effectiveness of this laboratory was assessed with a prelab questionnaire evaluating understanding of the concepts relevant to jumping mechanics and a postlab questionnaire assessing understanding of the same principles in the context of a different but mechanically analogous circumstance, that of throwing. Results indicate that understanding improved significantly as a result of participation in the laboratory exercise.
Disassociation of conjugated proteins in the presence of porous glass

The disassociation of hemoglobin in saline solution in the presence of high surface area, powdered, porous glasss was determined. A porphyrin-protein conjugate was disassociated at the porphyrin-protein bond. No hydrolysis was observed at the peptide bond.
Two-population model for anomalous low-temperature magnetism in geometrically frustrated magnets

Strongly geometrically frustrated magnets are unlike other magnetic materials in that the magnetic susceptibility of such materials appears to follow the Curie-Weiss law down to temperatures well below the Weiss temperature. We present an explanation for this anomalous behavior through a phenomenological model of two separate spin populations. The predictions of this model quantitatively describe the experimental data for a wide variety of lattice topologies and levels of disorder. The apparent dual nature of the ground state in some of these materials and the insensitivity of the ground state to disorder also can be understood within this model.
Global Fit of Torsion–Rotational Transitions in the First Three Torsional States of CH3OD

Abstract A global fit of the observed high-resolution microwave (MW), millimeter-wave (MMW), and Fourier transform far-infrared (FIR) spectra for CH 3 OD has been performed using a reduced torsion–rotational Hamiltonian that is obtained from the one-large-amplitude internal-rotation model. The CH 3 OD data set contains 460 MW and MMW transitions with two or fewer quanta in the torsion, v t ≤ 2, and 2348 Fourier transform FIR transitions with v t ≤ 1 and J ≤ 21. The MW and MMW transitions have been fitted with a root-mean-square (rms) deviation of 0.11 MHz (0.098 MHz for J ≤ 10) while FIR transitions have a rms deviation of 0.0002 cm −1 . These deviations are approximately equal to the experimental uncertainties, indicating that the MW, MMW, and FIR spectral transitions have been fit to experimental accuracy.
Exploring the Gender Gap on the GRE Subject Test in Economics

The 50-point “gender gap” in the Graduate Record Exam scores in economics is explored. Little support is found for explanations based on the notion that men are simply better than women in quantitative areas.
Contributions to dynamics of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (A.C.C.) (I. Zonal transport)

Scaling of the equations of motion of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current indicates that the Rossby number and the Ekman number are 10−4 to 10−5 but the vertical Ekman number may reach unity in the bottom boundary layer. The equations of motion are integrated vertically from the surface to the bottom and averaged over a latitude circle. The resulting equation in the meridional direction is predominantly geostrophic, whereas the main terms of the equation in the zonal direction are the wind stress and the bottom stress. When the vertical eddy viscosity near the bottom is of the order of 102cm2/sec, the total zonal transport through the Drake Passage computed from the balance of the wind stress and the bottom stress equals 260×106m3/sec, the amount determined byReid andNowlin (1970) from observations.
Integrated proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of the Aedes aegypti eggshell

Mosquito eggshells show remarkable diversity in physical properties and structure consistent with adaptations to the wide variety of environments exploited by these insects. We applied proteomic, transcriptomic, and hybridization in situ techniques to identify gene products and pathways that participate in the assembly of the Aedes aegypti eggshell. Aedes aegypti population density is low during cold and dry seasons and increases immediately after rainfall. The survival of embryos through unfavorable periods is a key factor in the persistence of their populations. The work described here supports integrated vector control approaches that target eggshell formation and result in Ae. aegypti drought-intolerant phenotypes for public health initiatives directed to reduce mosquito-borne diseases. A total of 130 proteins were identified from the combined mass spectrometric analyses of eggshell preparations. Classification of proteins according to their known and putative functions revealed the complexity of the eggshell structure. Three novel Ae. aegypti vitelline membrane proteins were discovered. Odorant-binding and cysteine-rich proteins that may be structural components of the eggshell were identified. Enzymes with peroxidase, laccase and phenoloxidase activities also were identified, and their likely involvements in cross-linking reactions that stabilize the eggshell structure are discussed.
Steady oscillations of systems with non-linear and unsymmetrical elasticity

Thesis (Sc. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Aeronautical Engineering, 1937.
Fighting physics: a tough battle

The laws of physics and the Internet's routing infrastructure affect performance in a big way.
Constant-load energy recovery memory for efficient high-speed operation

This paper proposes a constant-load SRAM design for highly efficient recovery of bit-line energy with a resonant power-clock supply. For each bit-line pair, the proposed SRAM includes a dummy bit-line of sufficient capacitance to ensure that the memory array presents a constant capacitive load to the power-clock, regardless of data or operation. Using a single-phase power-clock waveform, read and write operations are performed with single-cycle latency. The efficiency of the proposed SRAM has been assessed through simulations of 128/spl times/256 arrays with 0.25 /spl mu/m process parameters and a 42/58 write/non-write access pattern. Assuming lossless power-clock generation, the proposed SRAM dissipates 37% less power than its conventional counterpart at 400 MHz/2.5 V. When the overhead of power-clock generation is included, the proposed SRAM dissipates at least 27% less power than conventional SRAM.
miR-10b-5p expression in Huntington’s disease brain relates to age of onset and the extent of striatal involvement

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that recognize sites of complementarity of target messenger RNAs, resulting in transcriptional regulation and translational repression of target genes. In Huntington’s disease (HD), a neurodegenerative disease caused by a trinucleotide repeat expansion, miRNA dyregulation has been reported, which may impact gene expression and modify the progression and severity of HD. Methods: We performed next-generation miRNA sequence analysis in prefrontal cortex (Brodmann Area 9) from 26 HD, 2 HD gene positive, and 36 control brains. Neuropathological information was available for all HD brains, including age at disease onset, CAG-repeat size, Vonsattel grade, and Hadzi-Vonsattel striatal and cortical scores, a continuous measure of the extent of neurodegeneration. Linear models were performed to examine the relationship of miRNA expression to these clinical features, and messenger RNA targets of associated miRNAs were tested for gene ontology term enrichment. Results: We identified 75 miRNAs differentially expressed in HD brain (FDR q-value <0.05). Among the HD brains, nine miRNAs were significantly associated with Vonsattel grade of neuropathological involvement and three of these, miR-10b-5p, miR-10b-3p, and miR-302a-3p, significantly related to the Hadzi-Vonsattel striatal score (a continuous measure of striatal involvement) after adjustment for CAG length. Five miRNAs (miR-10b-5p, miR-196a-5p, miR-196b-5p, miR-10b-3p, and miR-106a-5p) were identified as having a significant relationship to CAG length-adjusted age of onset including miR-10b-5p, the mostly strongly over-expressed miRNA in HD cases. Although prefrontal cortex was the source of tissue profiled in these studies, the relationship of miR-10b-5p expression to striatal involvement in the disease was independent of cortical involvement. Correlation of miRNAs to the clinical features clustered by direction of effect and the gene targets of the observed miRNAs showed association to processes relating to nervous system development and transcriptional regulation. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that miRNA expression in cortical BA9 provides insight into striatal involvement and support a role for these miRNAs, particularly miR-10b-5p, in HD pathogenicity. The miRNAs identified in our studies of postmortem brain tissue may be detectable in peripheral fluids and thus warrant consideration as accessible biomarkers for disease stage, rate of progression, and other important clinical characteristics of HD.
The effects of changes in loblolly pine biomass and soil moisture on ERS-1 SAR backscatter

Er young ( ~ the backscatter from the stands, and there was no significant correlation between the backscatter and biomass (r 2 = 0.19). Under dry soil conditions, the backscatter increased about 2-3 dB as the biomass increased from 0.05 kg/m 2 to about 0.51.5 kg/m ~, and the backscatter may be saturated near a 0.5-1.5 kg / m ~ biomass level. The correlation coe~cient between the backscatter and biomass was r 2 = 0.46. When the Santa Barbara microwave canopy backscatter model was applied to simulate the ERS-1 SAR backscatter from the stands over dry ground, modeled and observed backscatter had similar trends with increasing biomass. For these stands, sensitivity analyses using the model showed that as the surface-soil moisture increased, the major contributor to the total backscatter was changed from canopy volume scattering to surface backscatter between 0.4 kg / m 2 and about I kg/m 2. Signal saturating at low standing biomass and high sensitivity to soil moisture conditions limit the value of a short-wave (C-band) and steep local incidence angle (23 °) microwave sensor such as the ERS-1 SAR for forest monitoring.
A pilot surrogate end point biomarker trial of perillyl alcohol in breast neoplasia.

Purpose: Efficient strategies to screen promising agents in early phase development are essential for rapid progress in breast cancer chemoprevention. We report our experience with the natural compound perillyl alcohol (POH) administered in a short-term surrogate end point biomarker (SEB) protocol, using the “window” between diagnostic and definitive surgery. Experimental Design: Eligible patients included those with a diagnosis of atypical ductal hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ , lobular carcinoma in situ , or invasive carcinoma ( 2 ) 2 days before surgery, 16 received escalating doses of POH (1.2 g/m 2 to 4.8 g/m 2 /day) for 2 days before surgery, and 16 served as untreated controls. Exploratory SEB analysis [estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, proliferation, apoptosis, M6P/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-2R, IGF1, IGF2 and transforming growth factor β] was conducted before and after POH. Results: Only a small portion of the population screened entered the study. Reasons for nonparticipation included protocol ineligibility, conflict of timing of surgery, miscellaneous logistical reasons, or patient’s choice. POH administration was well tolerated and did not interfere with surgical management. The power to observe changes in candidate SEB was diminished by a 44% incidence of cases in which the index lesion was not present in the definitive surgical specimen. Conclusions: Preoperative POH exposure was safe and suitable for a more definitive phase II SEB study. Further investigations must overcome logistical obstacles to accrual, and they must focus on approaches to maximize tissue collection and to incorporate genomic analysis of target lesions.
Overexpression of human KCNA5 increases IK V and enhances apoptosis.

Apoptotic cell shrinkage, an early hallmark of apoptosis, is regulated by K+ efflux and K+ channel activity. Inhibited apoptosis and downregulated K+ channels in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell...
Oscillating oil drops, resonant frequencies and low frequency passive seismology

A recent passive seismic technology in the oil industry, sometimes referred to as hydrocarbon microtremor analysis (also low-frequency spectroscopy), claims high correlation in some instances between the presence of hydrocarbons and low-frequency spectral anomalies (elevated spectral energy levels) computed from passively recorded seismic data. These observations have been reported for a number of different geographic locations. One of the difficulties in assessing this method is the lack of a physical basis for explaining the empirically observed effects. A potential explanation that has appeared in the literature can be referred to as the resonant amplification model. The main idea of the model is that, because of capillary effects, an oil drop in a rockpore will oscillate at a resonant frequency when driven by the ambient noise field of the earth. This resonance phenomenon is interpreted as a possible source of the spectral anomaly. I examined this model by numerical simulation but was unable to reprod...
PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE CRUSTAL STRUCTURE ACROSS THE CAMPECHE ESCARPMENT FROM GRAVITY DATA

A possible structure of the earth’s crust across Campeche Escarpment, Gulf of Mexico, was resolved by utilizing the gravity measurements made on the AM no attempts were made to ascertain the geologic events in detail. From this investigation it appears that the escarpment is nontectonic in origin, although the possibility of a crustal fault below the escarpment cannot be ignored.
Sing a Song of Drug Use-Abuse: Four Decades of Drug Lyrics in Popular Music–From the Sixties through the Nineties

Songs dealing with illegal drugs have long dotted popular music. It was not until the aftermath of the sixties youth counterculture, however, that drug lyrics became a recurring musical motif. In the decades since, the lyrical treatment of drugs has undergone change. Heroin and cocaine have largely, though not exclusively, been treated antagonistically, with the animosity toward cocaine becoming more pronounced after crack cocaine was introduced in the mid-1980s. Marijuana, on the other hand, has generally been perceived as innocuous, if not positively assessed, and this treatment has crossed the decades into the nineties. In more recent years, however, the positive assessment of marijuana has undergone change, with younger musicians more likely to decry the harm that drugs do than older musicians do. This prosocial aspect of contemporary popular music has been largely ignored.
Separate nuclear import pathways converge on the nucleoporin Nup153 and can be dissected with dominant-negative inhibitors

Results: Two pathways of nuclear import were found to intersect at a single nucleoporin, Nup153, localized on the intranuclear side of the nuclear pore. Nup153 contains separate binding sites for importin α/β, which mediates classical NLS import, and for transportin, which mediates import of different nuclear proteins. Strikingly, a Nup153 fragment containing the importin β binding site acted as a dominant-negative inhibitor of NLS import, with no effect on transportin-mediated import. Conversely, a Nup153 fragment containing the transportin binding site acted as a strong dominant-negative inhibitor of transportin import, with no effect on classical NLS import. The interaction of transportin with Nup153 could be disrupted by a non-hydrolyzable form of GTP or by a GTPase-deficient mutant of Ran, and was not observed if transportin carried cargo. Neither Nup153 fragment affected binding of the export receptor Crm1 at the nuclear rim. Conclusions: Two nuclear import pathways, mediated by importin β and transportin, converge on a single nucleoporin, Nup153. Dominant-negative fragments of Nup153 can now be used to distinguish different nuclear import pathways and, potentially, to dissect nuclear export.
Clip readjustment in aneurysm surgery after flow evaluation using the ultrasonic perivascular probe: case report

Occlusion or stenosis of a parent vessel or its distal branches is a major cause of poor patient outcome after cerebral aneurysm surgery. Despite great attempts to preserve patency at the time of clip application, intraoperative visual observation may not reveal arterial compromise or occlusion. Quantitative measurement of blood flow in cerebral vessels during aneurysm surgery can help prevent ischaemia and improve patient outcome. We report a case of a large complex middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm in which perivascular microflow probes were used to measure blood flow quantitatively in MCA and its branches before and after aneurysm clipping. Following aneurysm clipping, blood flow in the MCA branches were significantly reduced to less than its initial baseline value with occlusion of the inferior M2 segment. Prompt detection of compromised blood flow gave the surgeon the opportunity to adjust the clip. This adjustment was performed several times until restore MCA flow to its preclipping values. Intraoperative quantitative vessel-flow measurements were safe and may have prevented cerebral ischaemia and neurological deficit to this patient.
Nasal mucosal versus gastrointestinal absorption of nasally administered cocaine.

Objective: Several xenobiotics, including cocaine, are dosed by the nasal route for systemic effects. The aim of this study was to estimate and compare cocaine input into the systemic circulation after oral and nasal dosing, and to determine the relevance of local absorption through the nasal mucosa. Methods: Cocaine was administered to healthy volunteers through the intravenous, oral, and nasal routes. Cocaine serum concentrations were measured at frequent intervals. From these data, the gastrointestinal, nasal, and nasal mucosa input rate functions were determined using nonparametric, subject-specific population deconvolution. Results: After oral dosing, cocaine input into systemic circulation increased slowly and peaked around 45 min after ingestion. The median systemic bioavailability after oral dosing was 33%. After nasal dosing, drug input was substantial even during the first minute and showed two peaks at 10 min and 45 min after ingestion. Since the second peak after nasal dosing closely resembled drug input after oral administration, we hypothesized that, after nasal administration, a part of the dose is swallowed and thereafter absorbed gastrointestinally. The data from the sessions with nasal cocaine administration were reanalyzed assuming the same shape for gastrointestinal drug input as after oral dosing. The fraction absorbed through the nasal mucosa was estimated to be 19% (95% CI: 11–26%). The fraction absorbed through the nasal mucosa contributed 31% (95% CI: 23–37%) of total systemic cocaine exposure. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the main reason addicts prefer nasal to oral cocaine dosing is faster absorption, enhancing the subjective effects rather than higher bioavailability.
An Empirical Evaluation of Explanations for State Repression

The empirical literature that examines cross-national patterns of state repression seeks to discover a set of political, economic, and social conditions that are consistently associated with government violations of human rights. Null hypothesis significance testing is the most common way of examining the relationship between repression and concepts of interest, but we argue that it is inadequate for this goal, and has produced potentially misleading results. To remedy this deficiency in the literature we use cross-validation and random forests to determine the predictive power of measures of concepts the literature identifies as important causes of repression. We find that few of these measures are able to substantially improve the predictive power of statistical models of repression. Further, the most studied concept in the literature, democratic political institutions, predicts certain kinds of repression much more accurately than others. We argue that this is due to conceptual and operational overlap between democracy and certain kinds of state repression. Finally, we argue that the impressive performance of certain features of domestic legal systems, as well as some economic and demographic factors, justifies a stronger focus on these concepts in future studies of repression.
Relipidated tissue factor linked to collagen surfaces potentiates platelet adhesion and fibrin formation in a microfluidic model of vessel injury.

Microfluidic devices allow for the controlled perfusion of human or mouse blood over defined prothrombotic surfaces at venous and arterial shear rates. To mimic in vivo injuries such a plaque rupture, the need exists to link lipidated tissue factor (TF) to surface-bound collagen fibers. Recombinant TF was relipidated in liposomes of phosphatidylserine/phosphatidylcholine/biotin-linked phosphatidylethanolamine (20:79:1 PS/PC/bPE molar ratio). Collagen was patterned in a 250-μm-wide stripe and labeled with biotinylated anticollagen antibody which was then bound with streptavidin, allowing the subsequent capture of the TF liposomes. To verify and detect the TF liposome-collagen assembly, individual molecular complexes of TF-factor VIIa on collagen were visualized using the proximity ligation assay (PLA) to produce discretely localized fluorescent events that were strictly dependent on the presence of factor VIIa and primary antibodies against TF or factor VIIa. Perfusion for 450 s (wall shear rate, 200 s(-1)) of corn trypsin inhibitor (CTI, a factor XIIa inhibitor) treated whole blood over the stripe of TF-collagen enhanced platelet adhesion by 30 ± 8% (p 50-fold increase) as compared to surfaces lacking TF. PS/PC/bPE liposomes lacking TF resulted in no enhancement of platelet deposition. Essentially no fibrin was formed during perfusion over collagen surfaces or collagen surfaces with liposomes lacking TF despite the robust platelet deposition, indicating a lack of kinetically significant platelet-borne tissue factor in healthy donor blood. This study demonstrates a reliable approach to link functionally active TF to collagen for microfluidic thrombosis studies.
Synthesis of diagnosable weighted computer system

In this paper the problem of synthesizing computer system with different reliability weights is considered. Given a set of units and corresponding relative reliability weights, a systematic method is proposed to construct a system capable of WT one-step fault diagnosis, where WT is the sum of weights of the faulty units. The necessary and sufficient conditions for WT one-step diagnosable system are also presented.
A Min–Max Optimization Framework for Designing $\Sigma\Delta$ Learners: Theory and Hardware

In this paper, we present a framework for constructing ΣΔ learning algorithms and hardware that can identify and track low-dimensional manifolds embedded in a high-dimensional analog signal space. At the core of the proposed approach is a min-max stochastic optimization of a regularized cost function that combines machine learning with ΣΔ modulation. As a result, the algorithm not only produces a quantized sequence of the transformed analog signals but also a quantized representation of the transform itself. The framework is generic and can be extended to higher order ΣΔ modulators and for different signal transformations. In this paper, the ΣΔ learning is demonstrated for identifying linear compression manifolds, which can eliminate redundant AD conversion (ADC) paths. This improves the energy efficiency of the proposed architecture compared to a conventional multichannel data acquisition system. Measured results from a four channel prototype fabricated in a 0.5 μm CMOS process has been used to verify the energy efficiency of the ΣΔ learner and to demonstrate its real-time adaptation capabilities that are consistent with the theoretical and simulated results. One of the salient features of ΣΔ learning is its self-calibration property, whereby the performance remains unchanged even in the presence of computational artifacts (mismatch and nonlinearities). This property makes the proposed architecture ideal for implementing practical high-dimensional AD converters.