cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Primary care intervention to reduce alcohol misuse ranking its health impact and cost effectiveness.

Background The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has recommended screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care to reduce alcohol misuse. This study was designed to develop a standardized rating for the clinically preventable burden and cost effectiveness of complying with that recommendation that would allow comparisons across many recommended services. Methods A systematic review of the literature from 1992 through 2004 to identify relevant randomized controlled trials and cost-effectiveness studies was completed in 2005. Clinically preventable burden (CPB) was calculated as the product of effectiveness times the alcohol-attributable fraction of both mortality and morbidity (measured in quality-adjusted life years or QALYs), for all relevant conditions. Cost effectiveness from both the societal perspective and the health-system perspective was estimated. These analyses were completed in 2006. Results The calculated CPB was 176,000 QALYs saved over the lifetime of a birth cohort of 4,000,000, with a range in sensitivity analysis from −43% to +94% (primarily due to variation in estimates of effectiveness). Screening and brief counseling was cost-saving from the societal perspective and had a cost-effectiveness ratio of $1755/QALY saved from the health-system perspective. Sensitivity analysis indicates that from both perspectives the service is very cost effective and may be cost saving. Conclusions These results make alcohol screening and counseling one of the highest-ranking preventive services among the 25 effective services evaluated using standardized methods. Since current levels of delivery are the lowest of comparably ranked services, this service deserves special attention by clinicians and care delivery systems.
Reliability and Validity of the World Health Organization Quality of Life: Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) in a Homeless Substance Dependent Veteran Population.

With the high number of homeless, there is a critical need for rapid and accurate assessment of quality of life to assess program outcomes. The World Health Organization’s WHOQOL-100 has demonstrated promise in accurately assessing quality-of-life in this population. However, its length may make large scale use impractical for working with a homeless population. The World Health Organization Quality of Life—Brief version (WHOQOL-BREF), though providing a shorter instrument and being, theoretically, more manageable has not been evaluated for use with homeless individuals. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the WHOQOL-BREF in 389 homeless veterans. Adequate internal consistency for all domains was found and validity for each domain was supported using the Personality Assessment Inventory. The WHOQOL-BREF provides a reliable, valid, and brief assessment of quality-of-life. Due to the length of the instrument and the domains covered, it could have great utility in the assessment of homeless populations with multiple problem domains.
The natural rate and adjustment to shocks in an efficiency-wage share economy☆

Abstract Will the natural rate of unemployment be lower in the share economy described by Martin Weitzman than in a wage economy? We examine this question for an efficiency-wage quits economy with an equilibrium unemployment rate, a version of Salop's (1979) quits model. Equilibrium unemployment is the same in both economies. Next we examine firms' short-run adjustment to shocks. When labor supply increases, both share-economy firms and wage-economy firms adjust their output levels. In some cases share-economy firms make a smaller adjustment so unemployment will be higher in the share economy. For demand shocks, it is unclear in general which economy will be more stable, although there are special circumstances where the reaction in both economies will be the same.
Cellular and molecular mechanisms in wound healing: Selected concepts

Abstract The interactions among cells, structural and other proteins, and large and small molecules in the dermis is an extremely complex, and largely unknown subject in normal skin, so that these interactions in wounded skin are incapable of complete comprehension at present. The problem is compounded by the further reaction and interaction of formed structures within the dermis, such as blood and lymphatic vessels and nerves of all types, and adnexal structures, as well as interactions with the epidermis, which are separately reviewed in the following chapter. In spite of all of this, there are several areas in which research has provided rather extensive insight into the wound healing process. These areas will now be reviewed. A separate review has been provided in this volume of the results obtained using in vitro systems for studies of the wound healing process (Chapter 6). Wound healing has been traditionally divided into three phases: (1) the inflammatory phase, also known as the exudative, lag, or substrate phase; (2) the fibroblastic phase, also known as the connective tissue or proliferative phase; and (3) the remodeling phase, also known as the resorptive or differentiating phase. Although these phases are somewhat arbitrary, we will use them to organize our approach to the problem, dividing our discussion into the inflammatory phase—to which we shall give emphasis—and later developments. Various aspects of the phases of wound healing overlap extensively.
Mechanistic understanding of monosaccharide-air flow battery electrochemistry

Abstract Recently, an inexpensive monosaccharide-air flow battery configuration has been demonstrated to utilize a strong base and a mediator redox dye to harness electrical power from the partial oxidation of glucose. Here the mechanistic understanding of glucose oxidation in this unique glucose–air power source is further explored by acid–base titration experiments, 13 C NMR, and comparison of results from chemically different redox mediators (indigo carmine vs. methyl viologen) and sugars (fructose vs. glucose) via studies using electrochemical techniques. Titration results indicate that gluconic acid is the main product of the cell reaction, as supported by evidence in the 13 C NMR spectra. Using indigo carmine as the mediator dye and fructose as the energy source, an abiotic cell configuration generates a power density of 1.66 mW cm −2 , which is greater than that produced from glucose under similar conditions ( ca. 1.28 mW cm −2 ). A faster transition from fructose into the ene-diol intermediate than from glucose likely contributed to this difference in power density.
Spatially resolved transitions to autoionizing states

We have observed transitions to autoionizing states in Mg using two short optical pulses. Mg atoms are initially prepared in a high lying Rydberg wave packet with the first ps laser. A second ps laser is then used to excite the inner electron, producing an autoionizing state. The dependence of the transition probability on the delay between the two lasers shows that when the second laser is tuned away from the ionic resonance, the inner electron can make a transition only when the Rydberg wave packet is near the core.
Norbornene-Functionalized Diblock Copolymers via Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization for Magnetic Nanoparticle Stabilization

There are a number of strategies in molecular nanoscience to prepare stabilized magnetic nanocomposites, including the use of polymeric surfactants. Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) was used to prepare a series of novel, well-defined diblock copolymers of bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene 2-carboxylic acid 2-cyanoethyl ester and bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene, consisting of both anchoring and steric stabilizing blocks. Cyanoester groups were incorporated into the norbornene polymers to chelate and stabilize iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles. These polynorbornene-based copolymers were characterized by GPC, along with 1H NMR, FTIR, DSC, and TGA. Nanostructured maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) magnetic ferrofluids were prepared using diblock copolymers as stabilizers in toluene or cyclohexanone, via thermal decomposition of Fe(CO)5 and subsequent oxidation of the iron nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopic images showed a highly crystalline structure of monodispersed γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles, with average particle s...
Design of a combined adaptive optics mirror for fast compensation of low-order aberrations

The compact adaptive optics mirror is described, which allows compensation of wave front distortions related to low-order aberrations such as tip/tilt, focus/defocus, astigmatism, etc. of the laser beam distorted, for example, because of propagation through atmospheric turbulences.
Girls first! Promoting early education in Tibetan areas of China, a case study

This study explores conditions promoting girls' education in ethnic Tibetan pastoral highlands of the Qinghai‐Tibet plateau of western China. Global discourse and cross national evidence on the tra...
Simple Estimation Algorithm for Performance-Seeking Controllers

that the masses ejected are "smart" in the sense that they have enough onboard computation and propulsion capability to effect rendezvous at high velocity. Forward proposed that incoming masses dock with a cradle that had been accelerated along the launcher up to the incoming velocity. Alternatively, a magnet-equipped spacecraft could simply "land" on its EML "rails" roughly analogous to aircraft carrier landings (the velocities are an order of magnitude higher, but electronic reactions are several orders of magnitude higher than human reactions, and the platform is stable). After "landing," the spacecraft would be, essentially, a high-speed maglev rail coach. From certain orbits, a two-way EML-equipped vehicle could generate significant outward velocity without loss of reaction mass—effectively using the planet as its reaction mass. Figure 2 is a point example of this. The general bounds on this concept need to be defined, but one can imagine that, in addition to LI stationkeeping, satellites could be pushed away from planets, or planets away from the sun, without loss of reaction mass—given time and an energy source sufficient to make up for the change in potential energy and any inefficiencies. Forward briefly addressed the possibility of levitation. This might be done by rotating the line of apsides at the periapsis of the orbit of the reaction mass to make the reaction mass reintercept a stationary EML. Around planets with atmospheres, this might also be accomplished by using negative lift near periapsis. In addition, gas might be collected and brought back out to the levitating EML, provided the initial velocity was high enough.
Educational Focuses in Organisational Life Cycles

The increasingly rapid pace of scientific and technological change, combined with unprecedented development of means of communications, poses both challenges and opportunities for the adapting of learning to economic development. On the one hand, this change can increase economic and educational inequalities both within and among countries. On the other hand, the means for faster diffusion of knowledge vastly increases opportunities for specific learning needs, thus enhancing economic development. The need for access, flexibility and quality learning is an essential function of a complex and economically advanced society. The assumptions that people can acquire all the necessary learning in some form from a terminal degree or from compulsory education grade limits are no longer adequate considering the continuous need for social and economic development.
Opting for White: choice, fluidity and racial identity construction in post civil-rights America

Abstract Historically, racial identity for persons with one Black and one White parent assumed the development of a Black identity in accordance with the one-drop rule. However, empirical research on the multiracial population suggests that there exists wide variation in racial identification. We explore the interpretive power of Bonilla-Silva’s Latin Americanization model to explain racial identity construction among a sample of 259 mixed-race respondents. We highlight case studies of individuals who have constructed a White identity in order to illustrate how structural changes in race relations have increased the range of racial identities available to multiracial people. While we observe variation in racial identification among our respondents, their “choices” continue to be differentially available due to their physical appearance and social context.
Topology in scattering

Changing the topology of a physical structure alters the geometry. The authors aim to disentangle these changes and their effects on scattering and so introduce knotted structures which range over topology within restricted geometry. Backscattering differences that correlate specifically with topology are found.
Progestin Permeation through Polymer Membranes I: Diffusion Studies on Plasma-Soaked Membranes

The potential of several commercially available polymeric materials for use in controlled-release drug delivery devices was investigated. Progesterone was used as a model hydrophobic drug. The progesterone permeation rates through polydimethylsiloxane, two polyether urethanes, a hydroxyethyl methacrylate, a polyether urethane-polydimethylsiloxane blend, and a cellulosic membrane were determined. The permeabilities were obtained on nonsoaked membranes and on membranes soaked in plasma for varying times. The purpose of the plasma soaks was to examine the effects of lipid absorption and degradative processes within the membrane on progesterone permeability. This study identified several polymers that show potential for use in controlledrelease drug delivery devices. The plasma treatment studies showed that several polymers may not be acceptable. The plasma soak studies were interpreted in terms of the mechanisms of drug permeation through the membranes.
Programmable PA controller for GSM/GPRS quad-band applications

The programmable analog power amplifier (PA) control loop of a fully-integrated GSM/GPRS quad-band transceiver (Duvuvier et al., 2003) is presented. The control loop is based on a fully-integrated PA controller which meets all ETSI GSM/GPRS requirements. Both the gain and the bandwidth of the PA control loop are programmable as well as the stand-by voltage delivered to the PA. These features, together with a high driving capability (8.4mA @ 2.5V), make this solution capable to interface vast combinations of PAs, couplers and detectors. The proposed PA controller has been integrated in a BiCMOS SiGe 0.35/spl mu/m process and measures 0.33mm/sub 2/. The current consumption from a single 2.8V power supply is 2.8mA without load and 7.2mA in the application (using Hitachi's PF08109 PA).
Psychopathology in cystic fibrosis and anorexia nervosa: a controlled comparison.

Chronic malnutrition can produce psychopathology and eating behavior resembling those found in anorexia nervosa (AN). In order to identify features perhaps unique to AN versus those secondary to malnutrition and delayed pubertal development, we matched ten pairs of patients with AN and cystic fibrosis (CF), respectively. Our hypothesis was that AN patients and their families would exhibit significantly more psychopathology. Both groups were assessed clinically and by a battery of self- and observer report measures. AN showed more psychopathology and their families showed fewer adaptive coping strategies by Manova. Core features of AN such as drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, ineffectiveness, lack of interoceptive awareness, and disordered eating behavior distinguished these two groups equally affected by malnutrition, and pubertal delay (p's ranging from 0.02 to 0.001). This study lends further validity to the distinction of AN from other pathological nutritional states and points to mood disturbance and ego deficits in the AN group, independent of body composition, nutritional, and maturational status.
Interpolation of Binary Series Based on Discrete-Time Markov Chain Models

We consider the problem of interpolating missing observations in a time series modeled by a discretetime Markov chain. The general interpolation scheme involves a finite enumeration of all possible paths (i.e., admissible values for the missing data) and computation of the probability distribution of the paths. Procedures for the selection of a particular path are discussed in terms of a prespecified interpolation objective. In the special case of two-state Markov chains, we investigate an efficient way of enumerating the paths based on the set of sufficient statistics. An example using daily rainfall occurrence series is presented. The hydrologist often faces the problem of incomplete records which must be filled in before the data can be used for operational hydrologic analyses. For instance, streamflow simulation by routing effective rainfall through a conceptual rainfall-runoff model usually requires uninterrupted rainfall records during the simulation period. In the case of nonintermittent time series such as monthly or annual series, one may use parametric models such as autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models to fill in the missing data [-cf. Damsleth, 1980;
Primary production, nutrient dynamics, and accretion of a coastal freshwater forested wetland assimilation system in Louisiana

Abstract This study reports on the response of a tidal, freshwater forested wetland ecosystem to long-term input of secondarily treated municipal effluent from the City of Mandeville, LA. Measurements of hydrology, nutrients, and aboveground net primary productivity were made from September 1998 through March 2002. Accretion measurements were made in October 2000 and October 2004. The major hydrologic inputs to the system were the effluent, precipitation, and back water flooding from Lake Pontchartrain. Nutrient levels were generally low except in the immediate vicinity of the outfall. Mean net primary production of the freshwater forest system was significantly higher downstream of the effluent discharge (1202 g m −2 yr −1 ) compared to the control site (799 g m −2 yr −1 ). Downstream of the outfall, accretion rates were double the rate of relative sea level rise in the area. Removal efficiencies of N and P were as high as 75% and 95%, respectively. The relatively constant flow of secondarily treated municipal effluent buffered the downstream area from salinity intrusion during a region-wide drought. Re-direction of nutrient-enhanced effluents from open water bodies to wetland ecosystems can maintain plant productivity, sequester carbon, and maintain coastal wetland elevations in response to sea-level rise in addition to improving overall surface water quality, reducing energy use, and increasing financial savings.
Characterization of thin film BST tunable capacitors using a simple two port measurement technique

A simple two-port measurement technique was developed based on equivalent lumped element circuit model of capacitor using thin film barium strontium titanate (BST) material. This technique allows one to determine the loss contribution due to dielectric BST and conductor separately. The loss tangent of BST obtained is about 0.012 up to 10 GHz for a 0.24 pF capacitor. 2.4:1 tunability was achieved at the bias voltage of 15 V.
Design considerations of a centralized load controller using thermostatically controlled appliances for continuous regulation reserves

This paper presents design considerations for a centralized load controller to control thermostatically controlled appliances (TCAs) for continuous regulation reserves (CRRs). The controller logics for setting up the baseline load, generating priority lists, issuing dispatch commands, and tuning the simplified forecaster model using measurement data are described. To study the impacts of different control parameter settings on control performance and device lifetimes, a system consisting of 1000 heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) units in their heating modes is modeled to provide a ±1-MW CRR 24 hours a day. Four cases are modeled to evaluate the impact of forecasting errors, minimum HVAC turn-off times, response delays, and consumer overrides. The results demonstrate that a centralized TCA load controller can provide robust, good quality CRRs with reduced communication needs for the two-way communication network and inexpensive load control devices. Most importantly, because the controller precisely controls the aggregated HVAC load shapes while maintaining load diversity, the controllable and measurable load services that it provides can be used for many other demand response applications, such as peak shaving, load shifting, and arbitrage.
The Impact of Pets on Human Health and Psychological Well-Being Fact, Fiction, or Hypothesis?

Because of extensive media coverage, it is now widely believed that pets enhance their owners’ health, sense of psychological well-being, and longevity. But while some researchers have reported that positive effects accrue from interacting with animals, others have found that the health and happiness of pet owners is no better, and in some cases worse, than that of non–pet owners. I discuss some reasons why studies of the effects of pets on people have produced conflicting results, and I argue that the existence of a generalized “pet effect” on human mental and physical health is at present not a fact but an unsubstantiated hypothesis.
Unveiling the Promise of Community Cultural Wealth to Sustaining Latina/o Students’ College-Going Information Networks

This article examines the norms of school failure and illuminates ways in which low-income students of color respond to their needs for educational advancement when conditions to support their coll...
Reproductive aspects of the Atlantic angel shark Squatina dumeril

Atlantic angel sharks Squatina dumeril were collected by fishery-dependent and independent trawls from 2002 to 2008 for reproductive analysis. Female S. dumeril have only one functional ovary (left), with an average litter size of seven pups. The reproductive cycle is at least biennial, though the seasonality of vitellogenesis could not be determined. Gestation is c. 12 months, and embryo data support a seasonal trend in reproduction, with parturition occurring in the spring months (February to June). Mature male S. dumeril have spines on the outer margins of their pectoral fins, and there is an apparent peak in gonad size in the spring. The total length at which 50% of the population is mature is 85.8 and 92.9 cm for females and males, respectively.
Cyclic Changes in the Matrix Metalloproteinase System in the Ovary and Uterus

With each estrous or menstrual cycle, extensive alterations occur in the extracellular matrix and connective tissue of the ovary and uterus. In the ovary, these changes occur during follicular development, breakdown of the follicular wall and extrusion of the oocyte, as well as during the formation and regression of the corpus luteum. In the uterus, the endometrium undergoes dramatic connective tissue turnover associated with tissue breakdown and subsequent regrowth during each menstrual cycle. These changes in the ovarian and uterine extracellular architecture are regulated, in part, by the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) system. This system is comprised of both a proteolytic component, the MMPs, and associated inhibitors, and it is involved in connective tissue remodeling processes throughout the body. The current review highlights the key features of the MMP system and focuses on the changes in the MMPs and the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases during the dynamic remodeling that takes place in the ovary and uterus during the estrous and menstrual cycles.
Gaussian Multiresolution Models: Exploiting Sparse Markov and Covariance Structure

In this paper, we consider the problem of learning Gaussian multiresolution (MR) models in which data are only available at the finest scale, and the coarser, hidden variables serve to capture long-distance dependencies. Tree-structured MR models have limited modeling capabilities, as variables at one scale are forced to be uncorrelated with each other conditioned on other scales. We propose a new class of Gaussian MR models in which variables at each scale have sparse conditional covariance structure conditioned on other scales. Our goal is to learn a tree-structured graphical model connecting variables across scales (which translates into sparsity in inverse covariance), while at the same time learning sparse structure for the conditional covariance (not its inverse) within each scale conditioned on other scales. This model leads to an efficient, new inference algorithm that is similar to multipole methods in computational physics. We demonstrate the modeling and inference advantages of our approach over methods that use MR tree models and single-scale approximation methods that do not use hidden variables.
A unit cell design for construction of quasi-optical power combining oscillator arrays

At millimeter and sub-millimeter-wave frequencies individual solid-state devices have a limited ability to produce enough power for system applications. Therefore, it is desirable to combine the power generated from many individual devices. Here, the design and fabrication of a unit cell for construction of large quasi-optical power combining oscillator arrays will be presented. The oscillator unit cell was designed at 10 GHz and fabricated on a Duroid substrate. The power generated is radiated into free space via a circular slot antenna. The measurement results obtained at 10.02 GHz are presented in this paper.
Myoclonic astatic epilepsy and the use of the ketogenic diet

Myoclonic astatic epilepsy (MAE) is a rare childhood generalized epilepsy syndrome of unknown incidence and etiology. Onset may be explosive with a myriad of different seizure types and children may become severely affected with an epileptic encephalopathy. This disorder may be particularly sensitive to the ketogenic diet (KD). This article will briefly review the background, diagnostic criteria's and our current information regarding the use of dietary therapies in MAE.
EVAC: a virtual environment for control of remote imaging instrumentation

The objective of this project, called the Experimentalist's Virtual Acquisition Console (EVAC), was to demonstrate a prototype system for using virtual environments that would allow a researcher access the hardware in a remote experimental laboratory over high-speed networks, in order to control remote instrumentation. We wanted to give the researcher tools that would not only allow for complete control of the imaging system but also provide the potential for collaboration with researchers at distant sites. We targeted three imaging instruments, all located at the Beckman Institute for Advanced and Technology: a magnetic resonance imaging system, a transmission electron microscope and a scanning tunneling microscope. Our goal was not to control all three instruments simultaneously but rather to demonstrate that our unified virtual environment interface could be adapted to these widely different imaging devices. In building this demonstration, we faced many problems commonly encountered in developing a remote interface to a new instrument. These included the lack of any standard interface to the devices, the necessity of dealing with proprietary software, and the problem of developing a distributed model so that the instruments could be controlled over the network. The EVAC project has illustrated the potential of a virtual laboratory over a high-speed network.
Electric shock does not save snakebitten rats

A team of missionary doctors from Ecuador recently described striking success in the treatment of venomous snakebites with a series of brief, high-voltage, low-current electric shocks applied to the bite site. We designed a randomized, controlled, blinded test of their methods in laboratory rats. Venom of the fer-de-lance, Bothrops atrox , was injected subcutaneously into rats in a series of increasing doses. Half of each dose group then was shocked with a device used by the Ecuadoran group. Envenomated animals developed hemorrhagic ulcers at the injection sites, the size of which was strongly related to venom dose. Electric shock did not influence the development of morbidity or the eventual ulcer size in sublethally envenomated animals, nor did shocks reduce mortality in lethally envenomated animals. We conclude that shocks are without effect on snakebitten rats, and we discuss implications of our findings for the treatment of snakebitten human beings.
Application of COTS for early, low cost, avionics system testbed

The use of flight hardware breadboards to construct an avionics subsystem testbed has been very successfully used on past Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) projects. These testbeds provide valuable early integration experience with the flight hardware and software operating together. Commercial off the shelf (COTS) based test systems are integrated with the flight hardware, breadboards to create an Avionics testbed platform. The breadboard system has typically consisted of custom-built hardware that was quite expensive and time consuming to build and maintain. With level or decreasing NASA budgets, and faster, better, cheaper project mentality, the flight hardware breadboard has become a target of Federal budget cuts. Since the custom breadboards are not financially feasible, but the need for an early development avionics testbed still apparent, the role of the COTS hardware was expanded to include flight avionics functions. As an added benefit, the COTS hardware can be used as the basis for the flight hardware design.
Effects of displacement magnitude and direction of auditory cues on auditory spatial facilitation of visual search.

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the effects of cue error on auditory spatial facilitation (ASF) of visual search. Background: ASF is the reduction in time needed to locate and ...
Catastrophizing: a predictor of persistent pain among women with endometriosis at 1 year

BACKGROUND Endometriosis is the most common gynecological diagnosis among women with chronic pelvic pain, but the underlying mechanisms of endometriosis-associated chronic pelvic pain remain unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the biopsychosocial predictors of pain improvement among women with endometriosis.
Advanced MEMS Development for High Power Sensor Application

This paper describes the first attempt to utilize the MEMS in high power sensing application. We present a design and fabrication of advanced MEMS sensors in high power distribution systems. The developed MEMS is used as a high current power sensor for on-ship and autonomous moving vehicles. We designed and fabricated arrays of low power MEMS switches to handle high power which are magnetically actuated. MEMS provides the much needed optimization with its high speed switching capability compared to mechanical current sensors and improved power handling efficiency over solid-state switches.
Speleothem records of changes in tropical hydrology over the Holocene and possible implications for atmospheric methane

Recent speleothem records from the tropics of both hemispheres document a gradual decrease in the intensity of the monsoons in the Northern Hemisphere and increase in the Southern Hemisphere monsoons over the Holocene. These changes are a direct response of the monsoons to precessiondriven insolation variability. With regard to atmospheric methane, this shift should result in a decrease in Northern Hemisphere tropical methane emissions and increase in Southern Hemisphere emissions. It is plausible that that overall tropical methane production experienced a minimum in the mid-Holocene because of decreased seasonality in rainfall at the margins of the tropics. Changes in tropical methane production alone might, therefore, explain many of the characteristics of Holocene methane concentrations and isotopic chemistry.
xol-1: A gene that controls the male modes of both sex determination and X chromosome dosage compensation in C. elegans

Loss-of-function mutations in the X-linked gene xol-1 cause the feminization and death of XO animals (normally males) by shifting the sex determination and dosage compensation pathways toward their hermaphrodite modes. XO-specific lethality most likely results from the reduction in X chromosome expression caused by xol-1 mutations. Mutations in genes required for the hermaphrodite mode of dosage compensation suppress lethality but not feminization, and restore X chromosome expression to nearly wild-type levels. Mutations in genes that control the hermaphrodite modes of both sex determination and dosage compensation fully suppress both defects. These interactions suggest that xol-1 is the earliest-acting gene in the known hierarchy controlling the male/hermaphrodite decision and is perhaps the gene nearest the primary sex-determining signal. We propose that the wild-type xol-1 gene product promotes male development by ensuring that genes (or gene products) directing hermaphrodite sex determination and dosage compensation are inactive in XO animals. Interestingly, in addition to feminizing XO animals, xol-1 mutations further masculinize XX animals already partially masculinized.
Review of upper airway resistance syndrome: nursing and clinical management

Aims. This study aims to help nurses and nurse practitioners identify and manage paediatric patients with upper airway resistance syndrome. A review of upper airway resistance syndrome is provided, including the signs and symptoms of upper airway resistance syndrome, criteria for diagnosis, recommendations for treatment and implications for nursing in paediatric primary care. Background. Nurses often encounter sleep-related problems in the paediatric primary care setting. Commonly, these problems are well known and include snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea. Upper airway resistance syndrome is a relatively new diagnosis among sleep-related breathing disorders with which nurses and nurse practitioners should be familiar. Upper airway resistance syndrome is characterised by incomplete obstruction of the airway during sleep, leading to increased respiratory efforts and frequent arousals despite normal oxygen saturations. Design. Systematic review. Method. A review of the sleep literature identified articles regarding sleep and/or sleep-related breathing disorders and paediatrics, and upper airway resistance syndrome. Articles published since 2002 were prioritised; however, all articles describing upper airway resistance syndrome since 1993 were considered. Conclusion. Timely recognition of sleep-disordered breathing is crucial to ensuring that patients receive effective and appropriate treatment. Upper airway resistance syndrome should be a part of the differential diagnosis when assessing a child with a sleep-related breathing disorder. Relevance to clinician practice. Nurses and nurse practitioners should become comfortable and skilled in performing a thorough sleep history and physical examination to help identify when a child should receive a sleep study or referral to a specialist.
BiCMOS technology with 60 GHz n-p-n bipolar and 0.25 mu m CMOS

A BiCMOS technology has been developed that integrates a high-performance self-aligned double-polysilicon bipolar device into an advanced 0.25 mu m CMOS process. The process sequence has been tailored to allow maximum flexibility in the bipolar device design without perturbation of the CMOS device parameters. Thus, n-p-n cutoff frequencies as high as 60 GHz were achieved while maintaining a CMOS ring oscillator delay per stage of about 54 ps at 2.5 V supply comparable to the performance in the CMOs-only technology. BiCMOS and BiNMOS circuits were also fabricated. BiNMOS circuits exhibited approximately=45% delay improvement compared to CMOS-only circuits under high load conditions at 2.5 V. >
Conceptual Models for Carbonate Aquifers

The very diverse types of ground-water behavior in carbonate terrains can be classified by relating the flow type to a particular hydrogeologic environment each exhibiting a characteristic cave morphology. The ground water may move by diffuse flow, by retarded flow, or by free flow. Diffuse flow occurs in less soluble rocks such as extremely shaley limestones or crystalline dolomites. Integrated conduits are rare. Caves tend to be small, irregular, and often little more than solutionally widened joints. Retarded flows occur in artesian environments and in situations where unfavorable stratigraphy forces ground water to be confined to relatively thin beds. Network cave patterns are characteristic since hydrodynamic forces are damped by the external controls. Solution occurs along many available joints. Free flowing aquifers are those in which solution has developed a subsurface drainage system logically regarded as an underground extension of surface streams. These streams may have fully developed surface tributaries as well as recharge from sinkholes and general infiltration. Characteristic cave patterns are those of integrated conduit systems which are often truncated into linear, angulate, and branchwork caves. Free Flow aquifers may be further subdivided into Open aquifers lying beneath karst plains and Capped aquifers in which significant parts of the drainage net lie beneath an insoluble cap rock. Other geologic factors such as structure, detailed lithology, relief, and locations of major streams, control the details of cave morphology and orientation of the drainage network.
Topical 3.0% diclofenac in 2.5% hyaluronan gel in the treatment of actinic keratoses.

Background Actinic keratoses (AKs) are epidermal skin lesions with the potential to develop into invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Treatment at an early stage may prevent development of SCC. Current treatment options are highly destructive and associated with significant side-effects. Early studies with topical diclofenac were encouraging and led to its evaluation for the treatment of actininic keratosis. Previous studies have demonstrated that 3% diclofenac in 2.5% hyaluronan gel is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of AK. The present study was designed to further explore the therapeutic potential of this gel. Methods This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved outpatients with a diagnosis of five or more AK lesions contained in one to three 5 cm 2 blocks. Patients received either active treatment (3% diclofenac gel in 2.5% hyaluronan gel) or inactive gel vehicle (hyaluronan) as placebo (0.5 g b.i.d. in each 5 cm 2 treatment area for 90 days). Assessments included the Target Lesion Number Score (TLNS), Cumulative Lesion Number Score (CLNS), and Global Improvement Indices rated separately by both the investigator (IGII) and patient (PGII). Results Results obtained from 96 patients at follow up (30 days after end of treatment) indicated that a significantly higher proportion of patients who received active treatment had a TLNS = 0 compared to the placebo group (50% vs. 20%; P < 0.001). There was also a significant difference between the two groups in CLNS, with 47% of patients in the active treatment group having a CLNS = 0 compared with only 19% in the placebo group (P < 0.001). The proportion of patients with an IGII score of 4 (completely improved) at follow-up was 47% in the active treatment group compared with only 19% in the placebo group (P < 0.001); for PGII these values were 41% vs. 17%, P < 0.001. Both treatments were well tolerated, with most adverse events related to the skin. Conclusions Topical 3% diclofenac in 2.5% hyaluronan gel was effective and well tolerated for the treatment of AK.
The COG database: new developments in phylogenetic classification of proteins from complete genomes

The database of Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins (COGs), which represents an attempt on a phylogenetic classification of the proteins encoded in complete genomes, currently consists of 2791 COGs including 45 350 proteins from 30 genomes of bacteria, archaea and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/COG). In addition, a supplement to the COGs is available, in which proteins encoded in the genomes of two multicellular eukaryotes, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and shared with bacteria and/or archaea were included. The new features added to the COG database include information pages with structural and functional details on each COG and literature references, improvements of the COGNITOR program that is used to fit new proteins into the COGs, and classification of genomes and COGs constructed by using principal component analysis.
Blocking and copolymer heterogeneity in anionic copolymerization in industrial reactors

An analysis is given of the effect of reactor design on the variation of composition and extent of blocking in anionic copolymerization. Batch, pipeline, continuous stirred tank (CSTR), and recycle reactors are contrasted. Specifically, alkyl lithium-polymerized butadiene–styrene and alkyl sodium-polymerized p-methylstyrene–styrene are contrasted to the products of copolymerization of the same monomers by free-radical mechanism. It is shown for both systems that considerably more extensive blocking occurs in a batch reactor when the anionic polymerization mechanism is used. The free-radical copolymers, unlike the anionic copolymers, exhibit compositional heterogeneity in a batch reactor. Carrying out the polymerization reaction in a pipeline reactor gives results equivalent to the batch reactor if there is plug flow. However, if a parabolic profile exists in the reactor, there will be significantly increased compositional drift in the copolymer product and a broadened molecular weight distribution, with little effect on blocking. Recycle reactors, including the recirculating loop variety, seem effective in decreasing blocking. The extent of blocking may be considerably decreased in a wellmixed continuous stirred tank reactor. However, poor mixing will greatly increase both the extent of blocking and the compositional heterogeneity of the product.
Phase coherent femtosecond spectroscopy of reactive and nonreactive molecular liquids

It has recently become possible to observe in real time many elementary molecular motions including intramolecular and intermolecular vibrations.1 Through impulsive stimulated scattering (ISS) of ultrashort pulses, phase coherent motion in electronic ground states can be initiated and monitored. Optical absorption of femtosecond pulses permits observation of phase coherent motion in electronic excited states. Experiments of both types have been carried out on molecular solids, liquids, and gases.1-3 Recent progress in observing and understanding the dynamics of nonreacting and reacting molecules in liquids is reported. The possibilities for impulsive stimulated Raman scattering (ISRS) excitation of large amplitude (>0.1-A) vibrational distortions are also discussed briefly.
Stochastic-Based Convolutional Networks with Reconfigurable Logic Fabric (Abstract Only)

Large-scale convolutional neural network (CNN), well-known to be computationally intensive, is a fundamental algorithmic building block in many computer vision and artificial intelligence applications that follow the deep learning principle. This work presents a novel stochastic-based and scalable hardware architecture and circuit design that computes a convolutional neural network with FPGA. The key idea is to implement a multi-dimensional convolution accelerator that leverages the widely-used convolution theorem. Our approach has three advantages. First, it can achieve significantly lower algorithmic complexity for any given accuracy requirement. This computing complexity, when compared with that of conventional multiplierbased and FFT-based architectures, represents a significant performance improvement. Second, this proposed stochastic-based architecture is highly fault-tolerant because the information to be processed is encoded with a large ensemble of random samples. As such, the local perturbations of its computing accuracy will be dissipated globally, thus becoming inconsequential to the final overall results. Overall, being highly scalable and energy efficient, our stochastic-based convolutional neural network architecture is well-suited for a modular vision engine with the goal of performing real-time detection, recognition and segmentation of mega-pixel images, especially those perception-based computing tasks that are inherently fault-tolerant. We also present a performance comparison between FPGA implementations that use deterministic-based and Stochastic-based architectures.
Massively defective crystalline solutions in fluorite-structure oxides: the systems ThO2-Ln2O3 (Ln=La3+, Gd3+, Yb3+)

Subsolidus phase relations have been defined in three representative rare earth sesquioxide (La2O3, Gd2O3, Yb2O3)-thoria systems over a wide range of compositions by X-ray methods (from phase detection and precision lattice parameter measurements). Characterisation of the point defects in these fluorite structure materials shows good agreement between calculated anion vacancy models and density values measured. Currently accepted crystal chemical generalisations were found to be inadequate to rationalise phase equilibria and crystalline solubility limits in these systems.
Novel agents for the management of castration-resistant prostate cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Over the past 2 years, four new treatments have entered the treatment armamentarium for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Although these novel agents differ in their mechanism of action, they all face the same challenges: patient selection, timing of therapy and the cost/benefit of their use. In this review, we will discuss their development and implications when selecting treatment options for CRPC patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Over the past few years, a better understanding of the biology of CRPC has allowed us to develop rational therapies that have resulted in an improvement in the outcome of prostate cancer patients. Immunotherapy has entered the field and despite its limitations and challenges is here to stay. A better understanding of the long-term complications of androgen deprivation has changed the initial approach to most patients with advanced disease, and bone health has become a major focus in their management. Understanding the importance of the androgen receptor and other ligands has led to a dramatic paradigm shift in the treatment of patients with metastatic disease in which the androgen receptor becomes a central therapeutic target in the disease. Specific adrenal inhibitors and engineered super androgen receptor inhibitors have become the most promising agents in the disease. Similarly, chemotherapy has demonstrated clinical benefit and is now a standard of care in docetaxel-refractory patients. SUMMARY: The management of CRPC patients continues to evolve. Novel treatments recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration have significantly impacted the outcome of CRPC. With the economic impact of their use, selecting the right patient, defining the appropriate timing and sequence of therapy have become critical facts that need to be followed when defining the contemporary treatment options for men with CRPC.
One dimensional polar responses of the electrooptic ceramic PLZT 7/65/35 due to domain switching

The constitutive relations and rate laws proposed by Chen and Peercy [1] have been successfully implemented in describing the one dimensional polar mechanical and dielectric responses of the electrooptic ceramic PLZT 7/65/35 to a slowly varying cyclic electric field. In particular, we examine the consequences of domain switching and determine the results associated with the butterfly and hysteresis loops. The agreement between the numerical and the experimental results is quite good.