cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Collagenase expression in ovarian cancer cell lines

Abstract Background: There are several distinct forms of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) that degrade collagen in the extracellular matrix. Most involved in the metastatic process are collagenases exhibiting specificity for type IV collagen, the collagen that makes up the backbone of the basement membrane. We chose to examine the expression of one type IV collagenase, MMP-9, in several ovarian cancer cell lines. Methods: Under the influence of phorbol esters such as TPA, the fibrosarcoma cell line HT1080 is known to express MMP-9. We examined the effect of TPA on MMP-9 expression with Northern analysis, and on MMP-9 collagenase activity with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis–zymography, in HT1080 cells (positive control) and in six ovarian cancer cell lines: Hey, HeyA8, CAOV3, PA-1, SKOV3, and OVCAR3. Cells were grown to 70% confluence and the growth medium was changed to a serum-free medium for 24 hr. Cells were then treated with 12 ng/mL TPA or its vehicle for an additional 24 hr. Medium was collected for PAGE–zymographic analysis. The cells were lysed and their RNA collected for Northern analysis. Results: PA-1, a teratocarcinoma, expressed more than 10-fold the amount of RNA for MMP-9 than the other lines following TPA treatment. Both Northern analysis and zymography showed that four of the six ovarian cell lines responded to TPA with increased collagenase expression and activity. The other two cell lines showed no MMP-9 activity either before or after TPA treatment. Conclusions: These results suggest that ovarian cancer cell lines express collagenase and that this expression may be regulated by phorbol esters which activate the protein kinase C pathway.
The Franciscan University of Celaya.

The founding of the College of St. Francis at Celaya, near Queretaro in Mexico, later to achieve the status of a Royal and Pontifical University, offers an excellent example of the Franciscan Order’s internal conflict between the strict observance of poverty and its willingness to administer higher educational institutions on a permanent basis.
Electron-stimulated desorption study of oxygen adsorbed on Ag(110). Observation of inclined physisorbed species

Physisorbed molecular oxygen adsorbed on the Ag(110) surface was studied by temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and time-of-flight electron-stimulated desorption ion angular distribution (TOF-ESDIAD). Oxygen molecules in the first physisorbed layer are tilted strongly from the surface normal and are oriented parallel to either the or the azimuthal crystallographic directions of the Ag(110) surface, based on measurements of the trajectory of O+ ions produced by electron impact. In the multilayer regime, oxygen molecules are mainly aligned parallel to the azimuth with an O−O bond direction close to the surface normal. ESD cross sections for both O+ ion formation and for O2 desorption have been measured for the physisorbed species.
Phase-shifting human circadian rhythms with exercise during the night shift

Appropriately timed exercise can phase shift the circadian rhythms of rodents. The purpose of this study was to determine whether exercise during the night shift could phase delay the temperature rhythm of humans to align with a daytime sleep schedule. Exercise subjects (N = 8) rode a stationary cycle ergometer for 15 min every h during the first 3 of 8 consecutive night shifts, whereas control subjects (N = 8) remained sedentary. All subjects wore dark welder's goggles when outside after the night shift until bedtime, and then slept in dark bedrooms. Sleep was delayed 9 h from baseline. Rectal temperature was continuously measured. There were fewer evening-types and more morning-types in the exercise group than in the control group, which should have made phase delay shifts more difficult for the exercise group. Nevertheless, a majority of the exercise subjects (63%) had large temperature rhythm phase delay shifts (> 6 h in the last 4 days relative to baseline), whereas only 38% of the control subjects had large shifts. An ANCOVA showed that, when morningness-eveningness was accounted for (as the covariate), the exercise group had a significantly larger temperature rhythm phase shift than the control group. As expected, there was a correlation between the temperature rhythm phase shift and morningness-eveningness in the control group, with greater eveningness resulting in larger phase shifts. However, there was no such relationship in the exercise group; exercise facilitated temperature rhythm phase shifts regardless of circadian type. These results suggest that exercise might be used to promote circadian adaptation to night shift work.
On Universal Threshold Graphs

A graph G is threshold if there exists a ‘weight’ function w: V(G) → R such that the total weight of any stable set of G is less than the total weight of any non-stable set of G. Let n denote the set of threshold graphs with n vertices. A graph is called n-universal if it contains every threshold graph with n vertices as an induced subgraph. n-universal threshold graphs are of special interest, since they are precisely those n-universal graphs that do not contain any non-threshold induced subgraph.In this paper we shall study minimumn-universal (threshold) graphs, i.e.n-universal (threshold) graphs having the minimum number of vertices.It is shown that for any n ≥ 3 there exist minimum n-universal graphs, which are themselves threshold, and others which are not.Two extremal minimum n-universal graphs having respectively the minimum and the maximum number of edges are described, it is proved that they are unique, and that they are threshold graphs.The set of all minimum n-universal threshold graphs is then described constructively; it is shown that it forms a lattice isomorphic to the n − 1 dimensional Boolean cube, and that the minimum and the maximum elements of this lattice are the two extremal graphs introduced above.The proofs provide a (polynomial) recursive procedure that determines for any threshold graph G with n vertices and for any minimum n-universal threshold graph T, an induced subgraph G' of T isomorphic to G.
A note on similarity-based definitions of possibility and probability

Probability theory is a rigorous theorywhich rests on a firm foundation. The brilliant successes of probability theory are visible to all. What is problematical relates to the basic question: What is probability? There are many answers but no unanimity. What is suggested in this note are definitions of possibility and probability which are based on fuzzy logic. More concretely, the definitions are based on the concept of similarity. Similarity-based definition of probability reduces to the traditional frequency-based definition of probability when similarity is exact.
Is There an Advantage to Repairing Infected Mitral Valves

Abstract Background . The therapy for native mitral valve endocarditis is in evolution. Antibiotics have significantly improved survival rates, but patients with complications of endocarditis may require surgical treatment. Methods . Between January 1985 and December 1995, 146 patients underwent surgical therapy (repair or replacement) for native mitral valve endocarditis. All patients had documented bacterial endocarditis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine predictors of hospital death, long-term event-free survival, and probability of repair. Patients were evaluated in three groups: all patients, patients with acute endocarditis, and patients with chronic endocarditis. Results . There were ten hospital deaths (6.8%). Patients undergoing repair had a lower hospital mortality rate ( p = 0.008) then those having replacement. Event-free survival was improved after mitral valve repair in the overall group ( p = 0.02) and in the group with healed (chronic) endocarditis ( p = 0.05). Although the acute endocarditis group demonstrated an improved event-free survival rate after mitral valve repair versus replacement (74% versus 20% at 6 years), this did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions . We conclude that mitral valve repair is preferable to mitral valve replacement when possible, in patients with complications of endocarditis, as repair results in a lower hospital mortality and an improved long-term survival. (Ann Thorac Surg 1997;63:1718–24)
Simple Low Temperature Diffractometer Specimen Mount

A number of devices for obtaining x-ray diffraction photographs at low temperatures have been described in the literature. Usually, however, these devices have been applied to single crystal cameras (1) or to Debye-Scherrer powder cameras (2). It is the purpose of this note to describe a simple x-ray diffractometer specimen mount in which the temperature may be varied from room temperature to liquid nitrogen or helium temperatures.
Oxygen, carbon and U-series isotopes of aragonites from Vestfold Hills, Antarctica: Clues to geochemical processes in subglacial environments

Aragonites occurring in situ on the gneissic bedrock at Vestfold Hills, an ice-free coastal Antarctic oasis possess morphologic and petrographic characteristics typical of subglacial carbonate precipitates. The {sup 14}C chronology of the samples is invalidated by modern carbon contamination and a {sup 14}C/{sup 12}C reservoir correction of unknown magnitude. In contrast, U and Th isotope analyses suggest that the subglacial deposits can be treated as closed, datable, systems, if allowance is made for the excess {sup 230}Th derived from the small and variable detrital silicate fraction coexisting with the aragonites. The mean {sup 230}Th depositional age of 35,000 {plus minus} 2,000 yrs correlates with late isotope stage 3 of deep sea glacial chronology and represents the time when the Vestfold Hills were partially or completely buried under the advancing East Antarctic ice sheet. The survival of the aragonites following the ice sheet retreat during the Holocene is attributed to the extreme arid climate of the area. The aragonites are anomalously depleted in {sup 18}O and slightly depleted in {sup 13}C relative to SMOW and PDB standards, respectively ({delta}{sup 18}O = 15.7 {plus minus} 0.9{per thousand}; {delta}{sup 13}C = {minus}3.6 {plus minus} 0.4{per thousand}). The melt water with which the aragonitesmore » would have equilibrated at 0{degree}C is about 7 to 9{per thousand} more depleted in {sup 18}O relative to the extant basal ice source ({delta}{sup 18}O = {minus}41{per thousand}). Part of this enhanced {sup 18}O deficiency (i.e. 4 to 6{per thousand}) is ascribed to temporal shifts in {delta}{sup 18}O of the Antarctic ice, the rest to isotope effects of the subglacial hydrology. A model of subglacial aragonite precipitation is proposed on the basis of water flow between warm melting zones and cold freezing zones at the ice sheet sole.« less
Common Factors Aren't So Common: The Common Factors Dilemma

There is apparently little difference in the effectiveness of different kinds of psychotherapy. One explanation is that common factors cut across them. The major schools do not much attend to common factors, however, and it may be that outcome equivalence is due as much to common neglect of common factors as to their use. Five common factors are discussed: the therapeutic relationship, expectations, confronting problems, mastery, and attribution of outcome. Linear conceptions of causality seem to contribute to the problem of selective neglect of common factors, and it is suggested that reciprocal interaction may constitute a more viable way of understanding therapeutic processes. Although technical eclecticism and therapy integration have been proposed as potentially integrating the common factors, eclecticism lacks theoretical coherence, and viable integrations have yet to be offered, although statistical methods for testing them (causal modeling) may exist. To suggest what a productive integration could look like, a clinical example is connected metaphorically to a developmental model of attachment. Strategies for further research are also suggested.
The Mexican Intelligentsia, 1950––1968: Cosmopolitanism, National Identity, and the State

This essay explores the positions of Mexico9s intelligentsia on the nation9s choice of cultural models during the 1950s and 1960s. It traces the consolidation of a hegemonic group of intellectuals who sought to establish a cosmopolitan definition of Mexican culture, and it studies the media and institutions that they used to disseminate their views. It also studies the relationship between the cosmopolitan intellectuals and the State. On the one hand, their internationalism dovetailed with Mexico9s political and economic strategies after World War II; on the other, both their projects and their freedom of expression were sometimes supported and sometimes restricted by the State. Este artiiculo estudia las posiciones tomadas por un grupo de intelectuales mexicanos respecto a los modelos culturales a seguir durante los 50 y 60. Se deslinda la consolidacioon de un grupo hegemoonico de intelectuales que abogaban por una visioon cosmopolita de la cultural nacional, y se estudian los medios y las instituciones por medio de los cuales se diseminaba esta visioon. Tambieen se analiza la relacioon entre los intelectuales cosmopolitas y el Estado: por un lado, la orientacioon internacionalista de aqueellos reflejaba estrategias poliiticas y econoomicas oficiales despuees la segunda Guerra Mundial; por otro, los proyectos y la libertad de expresioon de la inteligencia a veces fueron apoyados y a veces restringidos por el aparato estatal.
Effects of Random Perturbations in Plastic Optical Fibers

REVIEW The most important feature of an optical fiber waveguide is its bandwidth, which defines its information-carrying capacity. A major limitation on the bandwidth of multimode glass and plastic optical fibers is modal dispersion, in which different optical modes propagate at different velocities and the dispersion grows linearly with length. However, in plastic optical fibers, experimental and theoretical results indicate that the modes are not independent but are highly coupled, which leads to a characteristic square-root length dependence and an unanticipated large enhancement of the bandwidth to gigahertz levels. The ever increasing demands for low-cost, high-bandwidth communications media for voice, video, and data transmission in short- and medium-distance applications are generating a new assessment of multimode optical fibers to serve as high-speed fiber links.
Eyewitness Testimony for Physical Abuse as a Function of Personal Experience, Development, and Focus of Study

Participants from grade school through high school viewed a video-taped incident that contained, among other things, a mother striking her child in the head and the force of the blow sending him to the floor crying. Suggestions given before and after were compared in terms of several classes of dependent variables. Previous experience with this type of abuse viewed was also studied. A consistent pattern of results emerged, and several conclusions were offered on the boundary conditions for when and how different types of suggestions can enter testimony, when different developmental effects are observed, what types of tests produce the most testimony with the fewest confabulations, and when and how personal experience with the viewed abuse enter into testimonies. It was concluded that clear answers to fundamental questions can be found when Participant × Memory Procedures × Focus of Study Interactions are systematically explored.
Green Tea Polyphenol Epigallocatechin Gallate Reduces Endothelin-1 Expression and Secretion in Vascular Endothelial Cells: Roles for AMP-Activated Protein Kinase, Akt, and FOXO1

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol, promotes vasodilation by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent activation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase to stimulate production of nitric oxide. Reduction in endothelin-1 (ET-1) synthesis may also increase bioavailability of nitric oxide. We hypothesized that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent transcription factor FOXO1 may mediate effects of EGCG to regulate expression of ET-1 in endothelial cells. EGCG treatment (10 microm, 8 h) of human aortic endothelial cells reduced expression of ET-1 mRNA, protein, and ET-1 secretion. We identified a putative FOXO binding domain in the human ET-1 promoter 51 bp upstream from the transcription start site. Trans-activation of a human ET-1 (hET-1) promoter luciferase reporter was enhanced by coexpression of a constitutively nuclear FOXO1 mutant, whereas expression of a mutant FOXO1 with disrupted DNA binding domain did not trans-activate the hET-1 promoter. Disrupting the hET-1 putative FOXO binding domain by site-directed mutagenesis ablated promoter activity in response to overexpression of wild-type FOXO1. EGCG stimulated time-dependent phosphorylation of Akt (S(473)), FOXO1 (at Akt phosphorylation site T(24)), and AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (AMPK alpha) (T(172)). EGCG-induced nuclear exclusion of FOXO1, FOXO1 binding to the hET-1 promoter, and reduction of ET-1 expression was partially inhibited by the AMPK inhibitor Compound C. Basal ET-1 protein expression was enhanced by short interfering RNA knock-down of Akt and reduced by short interfering RNA knock-down of FOXO1 or adenovirus-mediated expression of dominant-negative Foxo1. We conclude that EGCG decreases ET-1 expression and secretion from endothelial cells, in part, via Akt- and AMPK-stimulated FOXO1 regulation of the ET-1 promoter. These findings may be relevant to beneficial cardiovascular actions of green tea.
First principles calculations of magnetic anisotropy energy of Co monatomic wires

Using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave method, magnetocrystalline anisotropy energies of Co monatomic chains on top of the Cu(001) and Pt(001) substrates, as well as in the free standing cases, were investigated. For the free standing Co monatomic chain, the magnetic moment is found to align perpendicularly to the wire, whereas the magnetization is along the Co wires supported on the Cu and Pt substrates. The origin of this switch was explained in terms of changes in electronic band structures.
A wideband integrate, Amplify, and Dump circuit in 0.13um CMOS for Ultra-wideband applications

Hardware development of a wideband integrate and dump circuit for a new type of Ultra-wideband (UWB) receiver architecture, called a Transform Domain receiver, is described. For this receiver architecture to be realized, a wide bandwidth Integrate Amplify and Dump (IAD) circuit element is introduced. The IAD interfaces to one of several mixers in a Transform Domain receiver and uses four timeperiods: integration, amplification, conversion, and dump to provide signal projection onto a basis function (the filtering operation) with 80dB of resolution while allowing a low-to-medium dynamic range A/D to perform conversion of basis coefficients. The IAD block design in the IBM8RF process is described as well as configuration and evaluation procedures for the constructed IAD device.
Fluorescence Studies of Some Simple Benzene Derivatives in the Near Ultraviolet. I. Fluorobenzene and Chlorobenzene

The vapor phase fluorescence has been studied in the near ultraviolet for a number of benzene mono-derivatives. The fluorescence was excited at vapor pressures of about 10 to 20 mm Hg using in most cases light from condensed sparks. The spark electrodes were selected so that the excitation of the molecules by the light was mainly into the strong absorption region near the O,O band. The fluorescence spectra were photographed on a Bausch and Lomb medium quartz spectrograph using slit widths ranging from 10 to 300μ. The exposure times on Eastman II-O plates were from 6 to 120 hr. The compounds studied are benzene, chlorobenzene, and fluorobenzene. Chlorobenzene was irradiated by light from Cu, Ni, and Bi sparks and the Hg arc, but in no case could any fluorescence be detected. Fluorobenzene, when excited by a tin spark, gives rise to a fluorescence spectrum of about 90 bands in the region 2640–3000A. Prominent ground state fundamental vibrations are found to occur which agree with values from Raman effect measurements. The analysis of the fluorescence spectrum of fluorobenzene is in agreement with that of the absorption spectrum, i.e., the first electronic transition (singlet terms) is an A1↔B1, with the molecules having C2v symmetry. Carbon ring vibrations and hydrogen vibrations appear excited in the fluorescence spectrum. Several progressions of totally symmetric vibrations are identified, and a number of bands are explained as combinations of fundamental vibrations. Symmetry assignments are suggested for some of the fundamental vibrations.
The performance realities of massively parallel processors: a case study

The authors present the results of an architectural comparison of SIMD (single-instruction multiple-data) massive parallelism, as implemented in the Thinking Machines Corp. CM-2, and vector or concurrent-vector processing, as implemented in the Cray Research Inc., Y-MP/8. The comparison is based primarily upon three application codes taken from the LANL (Los Alamos National Laboratory) CM-2 workload. Tests were run by porting CM Fortran codes to the Y-MP, so that nearly the same level of optimization was obtained on both machines. The results for fully configured systems, using measured data rather than scaled data from smaller configurations, show that the Y-MP/8 is faster than the 64 k CM-2 for all three codes. A simple model that accounts for the relative characteristic computational speeds of the two machines, and reduction in overall CM-2 performance due to communication or SIMD conditional execution, accurately predicts the performance of two of the three codes. The authors show the similarity of the CM-2 and Y-MP programming models and comment on selected future massively parallel processor designs. >
MAGNETIC RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY FOR THE NONPALPABLE TESTIS: A COST AND CANCER RISK ANALYSIS

ABSTRACTPurpose:: For the unilateral nonpalpable testis standard management is open surgical or laparoscopic exploration. An ideal imaging technique would reliably identify testicular nubbins and safely allow children to forgo surgical exploration without compromising future health or fertility. Our goal was to perform a cost and risk analysis of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for unilateral nonpalpable cryptorchid testes.Materials and Methods:: A search of the English medical literature revealed 3 studies addressing the usefulness of MRA for the nonpalpable testicle. We performed a meta-analysis and applied the results to a hypothetical set of patients using historical testicular localization data. Analysis was then performed using 3 different management protocols—MRA with removal of testicular nubbin tissue, MRA with observation of testicular nubbin tissue and diagnostic laparoscopy. A cancer risk and cost analysis was then performed.Results:: MRA with observation of testicular nubbin tissue resul...
Practices of Whiteness: Racialization in College Admissions Viewbooks.

US colleges and universities today intensively market themselves in order to compete for prospective students. One of the most widespread marketing tools used to attract students are admissions viewbooks, which are designed to provide potential students with favorable impressions of the many institutions to which they may apply. In this study, we explore how racial diversity is represented in undergraduate admissions viewbooks. Because viewbooks contribute to how prospective students and their families understand higher education and how they comprehend racial diversity in this context, careful examination of the messages contained in viewbooks is of great significance to a range of social justice and equity-related issues in higher education. Our findings, which stem from a critical visual and textual analysis of 20 viewbooks, suggest that viewbooks convey strong messages concerning racial identity that raise critical questions about the state of diversity, race relations, institutional priorities, and t...
Illinois resident attitudes toward recolonizing large carnivores

Large carnivores are recolonizing portions of midwestern North America given harvest protection and the presence of suitable habitat in the region. Perhaps more so than other species, the successful management and viability of large carnivore populations is as dependent on social acceptance as on biological factors. However, knowledge of human attitudes and perceptions toward large carnivores in much of the Midwest remains unknown. We assessed attitudes and perceptions of Illinois citizens about black bears (Ursus americanus), cougars (Puma concolor), and gray wolves (Canis lupus) via a mail survey to provide wildlife managers with an understanding of residents' views prior to formulating carnivore management plans. The survey instrument consisted of questions about large carnivores regarding knowledge and beliefs, experiences and encounters, attitudes toward carnivores and management, and demographic questions and behavioral characteristics. We surveyed residents statewide; the sample drawn was stratified by geographic region (northern, central, and southern) and urban or rural county designation within regions. Because we observed differences in demographic variables between respondents (by mail) and non-respondents (telephone interviewees), we did not pool responses from the 2 groups for analysis; the final response rate for the survey was 13%. More than 70% of survey respondents (n = 791) were male and their average age was 60; 55% were hunters. Approximately 40% were unsure about the population status of large carnivores in Illinois; of the remaining respondents, most (ranging from 20% for black bears to 41% for cougars) believed the presence of all 3 focal species had increased over the past decade. More residents supported protection (43%) and increasing numbers of large carnivores (39%) than opposed them (26%); however, support for black bears was slightly higher than for cougars and wolves. Rural residents and livestock owners were the most likely to want carnivore numbers to decrease and least likely to support their protection; higher levels of education corresponded to positive attitudes toward large carnivores. Our research provides the foundation for well-informed management plans, policy decisions, and educational initiatives for large carnivores in midwestern states where these species appear to be recolonizing following decades of absence. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Automated quantification of distributed landslide movement using circular tree trunks extracted from terrestrial laser scan data

This manuscript presents a novel algorithm to automatically detect landslide movement in a forested area using displacements of tree trunks distributed across the landslide surveyed repeatedly using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). Common landslide monitoring techniques include: inclinometers, global position system (GPS), and interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR). While these techniques provide valuable data for monitoring landslides, they can be difficult to apply with adequate spatial or temporal resolution needed to understand complex landslides, specifically in forested environments. Comparison of the center coordinates (determined via least-squares fit of the TLS data) of a cross section of the tree trunk between consecutive surveys enable quantification of landslide movement rates, which can be used to analyze patterns of landslide displacement. The capabilities of this new methodology were tested through a case-study analyzing the Johnson Creek Landslide, a complex, quick moving coastal landslide, which has proven difficult to monitor using other techniques. A parametric analysis of fitting thresholds was also conducted to determine the reliability of tree trunk displacements calculated and the number of features that were extracted. The optimal parameters in selecting trees for movement analysis were found to be less than 1.5cm for the RMS residuals of the circle fit and less than 1.0cm for the difference in the calculated tree radii between epochs. Automated approach and algorithm using natural features to detect landslide movement.Case study highlighting use of terrestrial laser scanning to analyze landslide movement and coastal erosion.Parametric analysis determining optimal performance of the algorithm based on a few, intuitive user input parameters.
Nucleic acid amplification tests are more accurate and cost-effective than the Chlamydia rapid test for diagnosing genital chlamydia

Commentary on: J Hislop, Z Quayyum, G Flett, et al.. Systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of rapid point-of-care tests for the detection of genital chlamydia infection in women and men. Health Technol Assess2010;14:1–97, iii–iv.
Point detection of pathogens in oral samples.

We have outlined our progress with respect to developing a novel device for monitoring oral samples for bacterial and/or viral pathogens. The system is based on an existing device for measuring drugs of abuse in an oral sample. The sample is collected on an absorbent pad that delivers a metered dose to the cassette. The sample is then separated into 4 channels for the detection of antigen, RNA or DNA, and host antibodies to the pathogen. The detection system involves the Upconverting Phosphor Technology (UPT), whereby the captured pathogen analyte is detected by interrogation of the UPT particles with near-infrared light, and the emitted visible light is detected by the analyzer. Several of the steps in this process have already been worked out for viral and/or bacterial pathogens, and most of the remaining effort will be aimed at integrating these steps into a single microfluidic device while maintaining the current sensitivity.
Deformation rates across the Placerita (Northridge Mw = 6.7 aftershock zone) and Hopper Canyon segments of the western transverse ranges deformation belt

Abstract Aftershocks of the 1994 Northridge ( M w = 6.7) earthquake provide insights into the geometry of the seismic source faults in the San Fernando Valley and the east Ventura Basin and allow the calculation of deformation rates for the region. The Northridge thrust and Santa Susana faults dip in opposite directions, with the Northridge thrust entirely beneath the Santa Susana fault. These opposing reverse faults interact, resulting in a folded active Santa Susana fault and uplift in the footwall block of that reverse fault. Two balanced cross sections suggest thick-skinned deformation of the western Transverse Ranges. The western section, across the Modelo lobe segment of the north-dipping San Cayetano fault and the easternmost surface trace of the south-dipping Oak Ridge fault, is west of any aftershocks of the Northridge earthquake and has been termed the Hopper Canyon segment of the deformation belt. Structural modeling predicts a dip of 46° S on the Oak Ridge fault at seismogenic depths. Horizontal shortening rates are calculated by adding the products of the dip-slip displacements and the cosines of the dips of both faults. The eastern cross section shows the Northridge mainshock, with a 45° south-dipping nodal plane at a depth of 18 km. Aftershocks reach a depth of 20 km. In a thin-skinned paradigm, a hinge should occur at the surface near the Santa Monica Mountains due to rocks moving from a decollement at the brittle-plastic transition and changing dip as they move up the ramp. No hinge of that magnitude occurs there. Calculation of horizontal short-ening rates across this part of the western Transverse Ranges must take into account the displacement on both the Northridge thrust (eastern extension of the Oak Ridge fault) and the Santa Susana fault (Placerita segment). Horizontal shortening rates are 8.2 ± 2.4 mm/yr across the Modelo lobe segment of the San Cayetano fault and the Oak Ridge fault and 5.7 ± 2.5 mm/yr across the Northridge thrust and the Santa Susana fault. These rates are consistent with those based on tectonic geodesy using GPS. Dip-slip displacement rates on the faults are 1.7 mm/yr for the Northridge thrust since 2.3 Ma, 4.1 ± 0.4 mm/yr for the Oak Ridge fault since 500 ka, 5.9 +3.9 / −3.8 mm/yr for the Santa Susana fault since 600 to 2300 ka, and 7.4 ± 3.0 mm/yr for the Modelo lobe segment of the San Cayetano fault since 500 ka. This indicates that the slip rates on the north-dipping, the eastern San Cayetano, and the Santa Susana faults are comparable, but the slip rate on the south-dipping faults decreases eastward; the slip rate on the Oak Ridge fault in the Ventura basin is more than double that of the Northridge thrust.
Towards Applying Interactive POMDPs to Real-World Adversary Modeling

We examine the suitability of using decision processes to model real-world systems of intelligent adversaries. Decision processes have long been used to study cooperative multiagent interactions, but their practical applicability to adversarial problems has received minimal study. We address the pros and cons of applying sequential decision-making in this area, using the crime of money laundering as a specific example. Motivated by case studies, we abstract out a model of the money laundering process, using the framework of interactive partially observable Markov decision processes (I-POMDPs). We address why this framework is well suited for modeling adversarial interactions. Particle filtering and value iteration are used to solve the model, with the application of different pruning and look-ahead strategies to assess the tradeoffs between solution quality and algorithmic run time. Our results show that there is a large gap in the level of realism that can currently be achieved by such decision models, largely due to computational demands that limit the size of problems that can be solved. While these results represent solutions to a simplified model of money laundering, they illustrate nonetheless the kinds of agent interactions that cannot be captured by standard approaches such as anomaly detection. This implies that I-POMDP methods may be valuable in the future, when algorithmic capabilities have further evolved.
Using the CTC tool in establishing Mid-Levels of Expanded Outcomes Framework - A CME Provider Perspective

Existing gaps in the quality of healthcare have led to calls for change by Continuing Medical Education (CME) providers around the world to plan and implement continuing medical education activities based on improving physician competence and performance. This article offers the use of the commitment to practice change (CTC) tool at mid-levels of the expanded outcomes framework using post-only design, for inquiring and promoting physicians’ commitment to practice change, and for assessing the impact of the educational activity.
Graphical Discussion of the Roots of a Quartic Equation

(1922). Graphical Discussion of the Roots of a Quartic Equation. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 51-55.
Genetic Influence of Renal Homografts on the Blood Pressure of Rats from Different Strains

SummaryIn two strains of rats with opposite genetic propensities to hypertension, the effect of renal transplants on the chronic blood pressure response has been studied. 113 rats survived an average of 4 months (range 1-14) after this procedure. Among animals maintained on a low NaCl diet, blood pressure, as compared with appropriate controls, was not significantly affected when the recipient animal and its renal homograft came from the same strain; however, animals from the hypertension-resistant strain with a renal homograft from the hypertension-prone strain had higher pressures whereas hypertension-prone rats with a homograft from the hypertension-resistant strain had lower pressures than their respective controls. Thus, the phenotypic response—blood pressure—was more influenced by the genotype of the renal homograft than by the genotype of the recipient.
Nonlinear theoretical formulation of elastic stability criterion of crystal solids

An elastic stability criterion is generally formulated based on local elasticity, where the second-order elastic constants of a crystalline system in an arbitrary deformed state are required. While simple in formalism, such a formulation demands extensive computational effort in either an ab initio calculation or an atomistic simulation and often lacks clear physical interpretation. Here, we present a nonlinear theoretical formulation employing higher-order elastic constants beyond the second-order ones; the elastic constants needed in the theory are those at a zero stress state or in any arbitrary deformed state, many of which are now available. We use the published second- and higher-order elastic constants of several cubic crystals, including Au, Al, and Cu, as well as diamond-structure Si, with transcription under different coordinate frames, to test the stability conditions of these crystals under uniaxial and hydrostatic loading. The stability region, ideal strength, and potential bifurcation mode of those cubic crystals under loading are obtained using this theory. The results obtained are in good agreement with the results from the ab initio calculation or embedded atom method. The overall good quality of the results confirms the desired utility of this new approach to predict elastic stability and related properties of crystalline materials without involving intense computation.
Nucleosome Repositioning: A Novel Mechanism for Nicotine- and Cocaine-Induced Epigenetic Changes

Drugs of abuse modify behavior by altering gene expression in the brain. Gene expression can be regulated by changes in DNA methylation as well as by histone modifications, which alter chromatin structure, DNA compaction and DNA accessibility. In order to better understand the molecular mechanisms directing drug-induced changes in chromatin structure, we examined DNA-nucleosome interactions within promoter regions of 858 genes in human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) exposed to nicotine or cocaine. Widespread, drug- and time-resolved repositioning of nucleosomes was identified at the transcription start site and promoter region of multiple genes. Nicotine and cocaine produced unique and shared changes in terms of the numbers and types of genes affected, as well as repositioning of nucleosomes at sites which could increase or decrease the probability of gene expression based on DNA accessibility. Half of the drug-induced nucleosome positions approximated a theoretical model of nucleosome occupancy based on physical and chemical characteristics of the DNA sequence, whereas the basal or drug naive positions were generally DNA sequence independent. Thus we suggest that nucleosome repositioning represents an initial dynamic genome-wide alteration of the transcriptional landscape preceding more selective downstream transcriptional reprogramming, which ultimately characterizes the cell- and tissue-specific responses to drugs of abuse.
Urban-Dwelling Community Members’ Views on Biomedical Research Engagement:

In this study, we explore community members' overall understanding and experience with biomedical research engagement. We conducted a qualitative analysis to explore a concept that emerged but was not specifically addressed in a pre-existing dataset obtained using four focus group sessions with 30 urban-dwelling community members. Transcripts were read in an iterative process, and an emergent content analysis was performed. Five main themes were identified: (a) engaging in research to contribute to personal or greater good, (b) hierarchy of trust, (c) the importance of disclosure and transparency, (d) practical barriers to research engagement, and (e) fear of research procedures. Community members view research engagement as a collaborative process whereby community members and researchers are involved in all stages of the investigation. Focusing on research engagement, and not merely participation, may enhance community knowledge of the research process and advance scientific knowledge.
Influences of age and duration of status convulsivus on cytochrome C release in hippocampus

AIM: To explore the influences of age and duration of status convulsivus(SC)on intracellular cytochrome C (cytC) release in hippocampus. METHODS: Convulsive seizures for 30 min or 3 h (30 min SC or 3 h SC) were induced in 80 infant (20 d after birth) and 80 adult Wistar rats (IRs ARs respectively) with lithium-pilocarpine ip. The rats were sacrificed at 6 different time points from the 3 h to 7 d after SC termination. Dynamic change of cytC level in hippocampal cells was investigated by flow cytometry. RESULTS: ① The level of cytC in hippocampal cells increased in the early stage after 30 min SC, and started to decrease 12 h after SC in both IRs and ARs. The peak level was reached 6 h after SC [(32.47±6.28) in IRs and (33.23± 8.66) in ARs)]. Both of them were significantly higher than those of control group (P0.01). ② At the 7th day after 30 min SC, the level of hippocampal intracellular cytC in IRs had decreased to the level of normal controls, while the level in ARs was still higher than that of normal controls (P0.05). At the 1st, the 3rd, and the 7th day after SC, the levels of hippocampal intracellular cytC in IRs were obviously lower than those in ARs. ③ Compared with the same time point after 30 min SC, the levels of hippocampal intracellular cytC after 3 h SC were much higher in different age groups (P0.05). Except the effect of the age- related difference, there was a positive correlation between the duration of SC and hippocampal intracellular cytC content in partial correlation analysis(r=0.66,P0.05). CONCLUSION: ① Severe seizure could induce intracellular cytC release in hippocampus. ② Age and duration of SC were important factors influencing intracellular cytC release. ③ The longer the duration of SC was, the higher cytC level was. ④ Compared with ARs, intracellular release of cytC decreased sooner in IRs after SC, which indicated that there could be an internal protective response against brain damage in premature brain.
ANALYSIS ON THE PARAMETERS AFFECTING WELL COMPLETION PRODUCTIVITY OF A26 HORIZONTAL WELL

The designed well length of A26 horizontal well is up to 1100 meters, and the actual length of the well is up to 842.9 meters. The oil field is with high porosity and high permeability and unconsolidated payzones. According to the sand control criteria of on-site observation,experience,and mechanics calculation et al,the sand production will be the main problem of oil exploitation,and the sand control will be the key points of oil development and formation damage control. So, the A26 horizontal well will be completed with wire-wrapped screen. According to the practical parameters of A26 horizontal well in QHD32-6 oil field, several parameters affecting the natural productivity and wire-wrapped screen well completion productivity have been analyzed, that is very important to guide the commissioning design of the well.
Design and Study of GUI Based on EFI

The extensible firmware interface(EFI) specification provides a standard environment for booting an OS.And NUWA system is a graphics user interface specialized for EFI environment with multi-layer design model.Graphics abstract layer(GAL) and input abstract layer(IAL) are the two abstract layers in NUWA system independent of any hardware.And the codes to implement these two layers initiate the “graphics engine” of NUWA,like the drivers in OS.This paper introduces the implementation of GAL using the EFI drive model.
Process of Geochemical Profile Spectral Curve in System of Digital Regional Geological Survey

The geochemical profile spectral curves are usually drawn in process of sorting out data.On the purpose of transforming traditional manual plotting to computer auto-processing,furthermore collecting with current system of digital regional geological survey.The authors summarize a set of mapping method based on measured profile data,electrical data of element analysis and system of digital regional geological survey Four steps of the procedure of geochemical profile spectral curve are introduced detailedly in the paper,including the treatment of original profile data,the construction of exploratory trench,the production of exploratory trench sketch and compilation and copy of exploratory trench sketch.This method of high practicability with the virtue of convenience and high accuracy.
Alcoholic Steatonecrosis: II. Prospective study of prevalence of Mallory bodies in biopsy specimens and comparison of severity of hepatic disease in patients with and without this histological feature

Liver biopsy was performed during the first 2 weeks in the hospital on 100 consecutively admitted alcoholic patients, whose condition permitted biopsy and who had clinical and biochemical evidence of hepatic disease. Alcoholic hyaline was found in 32 patients. Other histological evidence of parenchymal injury, and clinical and biochemical features, indicated that the hepatic disease was somewhat more severe in patients with than in those without Mallory bodies. However, this prospective study supports the conclusions of a previous retrospective one that the syndrome of "alcoholic hepatitis" can present without Mallory bodies in the liver; that the prognostic significance of the Mallory body per se is limited; and that correlation of clinical severity with histological abnormalities also requires consideration of other changes, particularly necrosis. The authors consider the term alcoholic steatonecrosis, with or without Mallory bodies as more accurately descriptive of the histological features of the syndrome than the commonly used term, alcoholic hepatitis .