cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stabilized Binding of TBP to the TATA Box of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Early (tk) and Late (gC) Promoters by TFIIA and ICP4

We have recently shown that ICP4 has a differential requirement for the general transcription factor TFIIA in vitro (S. Zabierowski and N. DeLuca, J. Virol. 78:6162-6170, 2004). TFIIA was dispensable for ICP4 activation of a late promoter (gC) but was required for the efficient activation of an early promoter (tk). An intact INR element was required for proficient ICP4 activation of the late promoter in the absence of TFIIA. Because TFIIA is known to stabilize the binding of both TATA binding protein (TBP) and TFIID to the TATA box of core promoters and ICP4 has been shown to interact with TFIID, we tested the ability of ICP4 to stabilize the binding of either TBP or TFIID to the TATA box of representative early, late, and INR-mutated late promoters (tk, gC, and gC8, respectively). Utilizing DNase I footprinting analysis, we found that ICP4 was able to facilitate TFIIA stabilized binding of TBP to the TATA box of the early tk promoter. Using mutant ICP4 proteins, the ability to stabilize the binding of TBP to both the wild-type and the INR-mutated gC promoters was located in the amino-terminal region of ICP4. When TFIID was substituted for TBP, ICP4 could stabilize the binding of TFIID to the TATA box of the wild-type gC promoter. ICP4, however, could not effectively stabilize TFIID binding to the TATA box of the INR-mutated late promoter. The additional activities of TFIIA were required to stabilize the binding of TFIID to the INR-mutated late promoter. Collectively, these data suggest that TFIIA may be dispensable for ICP4 activation of the wild-type late promoter because ICP4 can substitute for TFIIA's ability to stabilize the binding of TFIID to the TATA box. In the absence of a functional INR, ICP4 can no longer stabilize TFIID binding to the TATA box of the late promoter and requires the additional activities of TFIIA. The stabilized binding of TFIID by TFIIA may in turn allow ICP4 to more efficiently activate transcription from non-INR containing promoters.
Assessing Public Perceptions of Computer-Based Models

Although there is a solid body of research on both collaborative decision-making and on processes using models, there is little research on general public attitudes about models and their use in making policy decisions. This project assessed opinions about computer models in general and attitudes about a specific model being used in water planning in the Middle Rio Grande Region of New Mexico, United States. More than 1000 individuals were surveyed about their perceptions of computer-based models in general. Additionally, more than 150 attendees at public meetings related to the Middle Rio Grande planning effort were surveyed about their perceptions of the specific Rio Grande-based model. The results reveal that the majority of respondents are confident in their ability to understand models and most believe that models are appropriate tools for education and for making policy decisions. Responses also reveal that trust in who develops a model is a key issue related to public support. Regarding the specific model highlighted in this project, the public revealed tremendous support for its usefulness as a public engagement tool as well as a tool to assist decision-makers in regional water planning. Although indicating broad support for models, the results do raise questions about the role of trust in using models in contentious decisions.
AN ARCHITECTURE FOR INTEGRATED NETWORKS THAT GUARANTEES QUALITY OF SERVICE

SUMMARY A generic architecture for integrated networks that guarantees quality of service is described. The network has a mesh topology and a switching architecture structured according to the concept of asynchronous time sharing. This concept is based on a multiclass network model and asynchronous algorithms for allocating network resources. There are three traffic classes for transporting user information and a fourth class for network management and control. Resource allocation is resolved through time-sharing and space-partitioning algorithms.
THE REAL OPTIONS APPROACH TO VALUATION: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

This paper provides an overview of the real options approach to valuation mainly from the point of view of the author who has worked in this area for over 30 years. After a general introduction to the subject, numerical procedures to value real options are discussed. Recent developments in the valuation of complex American options has allowed progress in the solution of many interesting real option problems. Two applications of the real options approach are discussed in more detail: the valuation of natural resource investments and the valuation of research and development investments.
An algorithm for interpolating the frequency variations of method-of-moments matrices arising in the analysis of planar microstrip structures

This paper presents a new impedance matrix interpolation algorithm, in the context of method of moments, for planar microstrip structures. Three different interpolating functions are implemented depending upon the distance between the basis and testing functions. To demonstrate its efficiency, the technique is applied to several planar microstrip structures, viz. a patch antenna fed by microstrip line and a 4/spl times/4 planar patch array. It is demonstrated that the use of the proposed impedance matrix interpolation scheme can result in significant savings in the computation time with little or no compromise in the accuracy of the solution.
A Labor of Love or Labor Itself Care Work among Adult Brothers and Sisters

Although many have examined care work within families, few have assessed caregiving among adult brothers and sisters. Based on original data, this article lends a multifaceted view of sibling care work by examining the amount and kind of help adults provide to all siblings in their family and the manner in which the social characteristics of sibling care providers, recipients, their shared relationship, and the family of origin shapes caregiving. The authors found that the vast majority of adults provide a wide range of care to their siblings on a yearly, even monthly basis. Gender, age, and social class shape sibling help, whereas race exerts little effect. Unmarried parents receive significantly less help than do their married and childless counterparts. Finally, sibling care work depends on family context: Having a living parent facilitates caregiving among siblings, whereas greater family size forces adults to act judiciously about what and to whom they give.
Gastrin-releasing peptide is a modulatory neurotransmitter of the descending phase of the peristaltic reflex

The physiological role of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and of its cognate receptors in regulating the intestinal peristaltic reflex was examined in a three-compartment flat-sheet preparation of rat colon. Mucosal stimulation applied to the central compartment at high, but not low levels of intensity, induced GRP release in the caudad compartment where descending relaxation was measured, but not into the ascending compartment where ascending contraction was measured or into the central compartment where the stimuli were applied. The selective GRP (BB(2)) receptor antagonist, [D-Phe(6),des-Met(14)]bombesin(6-14), inhibited descending relaxation and VIP release in the caudad compartment induced by high but not by low levels of stimulation applied to the mucosa in the central compartment. The selective neuromedin B (BB(1)) receptor antagonist, BIM-23127, had no effect on descending relaxation or VIP release. Neither the BB(1) nor the BB(2) antagonist had any effect on ascending contraction or substance P release in the orad compartment. Consistent with the effects of the antagonists on the peristaltic reflex, the BB(2) antagonist but not the BB(1) antagonist decreased the velocity of propulsion of artificial fecal pellets through isolated segments of guinea pig distal colon. The results indicate that GRP is selectively released from myenteric neurons in descending pathways during the peristaltic reflex and that it acts via BB(2) receptors to augment the descending phase of the peristaltic reflex and propulsion.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Behavioral Economic Supplement to Brief Motivational Interventions for College Drinking

Objective: Behavioral economic theory suggests that a reduction in substance use is most likely when there is an increase in rewarding substance-free activities. The goal of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the incremental efficacy of a novel behavioral economic supplement (Substance-Free Activity Session [SFAS]) to a standard alcohol brief motivational interviewing (BMI) session for heavy-drinking college students. Method: Participants were 82 first-year college students (50% female; 81.7% White/European American; M age 18.5 years, SD 0.71) who reported 2 or more past-month heavy drinking episodes. After completing a baseline assessment and an individual alcohol-focused BMI, participants were randomized to either the SFAS or to a Relaxation Training (RT) control session. The SFAS was delivered in an MI style and attempted to increase the salience of delayed academic and career rewards and the patterns of behavior leading to those rewards. Results: The combination of an alcohol BMI plus the SFAS was associated with significantly greater reductions in alcohol problems compared with an alcohol BMI plus RT at the 1-month and 6-month follow-up assessments (p .015, p .07), an effect that was partially mediated by increases in protective behavioral strategies. BMI SFAS was also associated with greater reductions in heavy drinking among participants who at baseline reported low levels of substance-free reinforcement or symptoms of depression. Conclusion: These results are consistent with behavioral economic theory and suggest that a single session focused on increasing engagement in alternatives to drinking can enhance the effects of brief alcohol interventions.
Parameter estimation from experimental laboratory data of HSV-1 by using alternative regression method

In this paper, an estimation of model parameters is performed by using the Alternative Regression (AR) approach on an experimental data set of Herpes Simplex Virus type-1 (HSV-1) infection with innate immune response. Throughout the specified course of time, the measurements of monocytes, neutrophils, and viral load were obtained from the corneas of infected mice. C57BL/6 (B6) mice were used at Oakland University, Department of Biological Sciences, and the outcome measurements were divided into training and testing data sets. The HSV-1 nonlinear dynamic model is proposed based on the observed data patterns and biological system information. The simulation results of the proposed model showed that they consistently fit the experimental data set. In addition, the sensitivity test and model validation diagnostics are considered to determine the most significant key parameters that affect the dynamics of the HSV-1 system.
The Reliability of Randomly Generated Math Curriculum-Based Measurements

Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) is a direct method of academic assessment used to screen and evaluate students’ skills and monitor their responses to academic instruction and intervention. Interventioncentral.org offers a math worksheet generator at no cost that creates randomly generated math curriculum-based measures (M-CBMs). In this study, we examined the test–retest reliability and alternate-form reliability of four parallel, randomly generated M-CBMs designed to assess multiple arithmetic skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). The participants (N = 283 sixth-grade students) completed each M-CBM worksheet twice during a semester. According to our results, these M-CBMs have moderate test–retest and alternate-form reliability. Applying the Spearman–Brown Prophecy Formula revealed that aggregating M-CBMs increases the reliability of these measures to acceptable levels for progress monitoring (i.e., above .80).
Solving Systems of Strict Polynomial Inequalities

We present an algorithm for finding an explicit description of solution sets of systems of strict polynomial inequalities, correct up to lower dimensional algebraic sets. Such a description is sufficient for many practical purposes, such as volume integration, graphical representation of solution sets, or global optimization over open sets given by polynomial inequality constraints. Our algorithm is based on the cylindrical algebraic decomposition algorithm. It uses a simplified projection operator, and constructs only rational sample points.
The Reaction of Trimethylamine Dehydrogenase with Electron Transferring Flavoprotein

The kinetics of electron transfer between trimethylamine dehydrogenase (TMADH) and its physiological acceptor, electron transferring flavoprotein (ETF), has been studied by static and stopped-flow absorbance measurements. The results demonstrate that reducing equivalents are transferred from TMADH to ETF solely through the 4Fe/4S center of the former. The intrinsic limiting rate constant (klim) and dissociation constant (Kd) for electron transfer from the reduced 4Fe/4S center of TMADH to ETF are about 172 s−1 and 10 μM, respectively. The reoxidation of fully reduced TMADH with an excess of ETF is markedly biphasic, indicating that partial oxidation of the iron-sulfur center in 1-electron reduced enzyme significantly reduces the rate of electron transfer out of the enzyme in these forms. The interaction of the two unpaired electron spins of flavin semiquinone and reduced 4Fe/4S center in 2-electron reduced TMADH, on the other hand, does not significantly slow down the electron transfer from the 4Fe/4S center to ETF. From a comparison of the limiting rate constants for the oxidative and reductive half-reactions, we conclude that electron transfer from TMADH to ETF is not rate-limiting during steady-state turnover. The overall kinetics of the oxidative half-reaction are not significantly affected by high salt concentrations, indicating that electrostatic forces are not involved in the formation and decay of reduced TMADH-oxidized ETF complex.
Feasibility of Utilizing Ethnic Beauty Salons for Cervical Cancer Screening Education

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using ethnic beauty salons to reach out to Vietnamese and Korean American women for cervical cancer screening education. Participants (N = 62) were conveniently recruited from ethnic beauty salons located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Two feasibility questionnaires were separately administered to cosmetologists and their customers. Findings support the view that ethnic beauty salons can be used as a gateway to reach out to these populations, and cosmetologists have the potential to operate as community lay health workers to deliver cervical cancer screening education aimed at reducing disparities in cervical cancer and screening to their ethnic customers.
Combination Therapies for Lysosomal Storage Disease: Is the whole greater than the sum of its parts?

Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), as a group, are among the most common inherited diseases affecting children. The primary defect is typically a genetic deficiency of one of the lysosomal enzymes, often causing accumulation of undegraded substrates within the lysosome. This accumulation causes numerous secondary effects that contribute to the disease phenotype. Viral-mediated gene therapy (GT) can supply a persistent source of the deficient enzyme. However, with some notable exceptions, GT has been only modestly successful as a single approach. Recently, various therapies have been combined in order to more effectively target the diverse pathogenic mechanisms at work in LSDs. One strategy that has shown promise involves providing a persistent source of the deficient enzyme (GT, stem cell transplantation) while targeting a secondary consequence of disease with a more transient approach (substrate reduction, anti-inflammatories, pharmacological mimetic, etc.). This general strategy has resulted in both additive and synergistic effects. Interestingly, some therapeutic approaches by themselves provide essentially no clinical benefit but contribute greatly to the overall efficacy when used in combination with other treatments. Unfortunately, no therapeutic combination is universally effective. This adds to the difficulty in predicting and identifying combinations that will be most effective for individual LSDs. A better understanding of both pathogenic and therapeutic mechanisms is necessary in order to identify potentially successful combinations. While a single treatment would be ideal, the complex nature of these diseases may unavoidably limit the efficacy of single therapies. In order to more successfully treat LSDs, a shift in focus towards a combination therapy may be necessary.
Investigation of Oxygen Evolution Reaction at LaRuO3, La3.5Ru4O13, and La2RuO5

Abstract Development of electrocatalysts is important for reducing the voltage loss due to the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in metal-air batteries and water electrolyzers. In the present work, the electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen evolution for a series of lanthanum-ruthenium compounds has been investigated by steady-state current-potential measurements in alkaline media to understand the effect of structure, valence state of the transition metal ion, and the role of surface adsorbed hydroxyl species. Compounds of the perovskite family, LaRuO3, La3.5Ru4O13, and La2RuO5, were prepared by the Pechini process and calcined at different temperatures to obtain the desired phases. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of LaRuO3 and La2RuO5 showed shifts of the Ru-3d peaks towards higher binding energies indicative of a highly oxidized surface with possibly high surface hydroxylation. The electrochemical activity of the compounds at 0.8 V vs. NHE was in the order of 10−6 A/cm2 and the mass specific activity was about 80 mA/g. Tafel slopes were in the vicinity of 60 mV/decade for LaRuO3 (orthorhombic) and La3.5Ru4O13 (orthorhombic), and about 80 mV/decade for La2RuO5 (monoclinic). In addition FT-IR results indicate high surface coverage by hydroxide species. The reaction order with respect to OH− ions was found to be lower than unity. It is possible that strong interaction of hydroxide groups with ruthenium at the surface of the electrode makes it difficult to dissociate the Ru-OH bond and prevent further interaction with dissolved OH− even at high overpotentials.
Aerial Surveys of Elevated Hydrocarbon Emissions from Oil and Gas Production Sites.

Oil and gas (O&G) well pads with high hydrocarbon emission rates may disproportionally contribute to total methane and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from the production sector. In turn, these emissions may be missing from most bottom-up emission inventories. We performed helicopter-based infrared camera surveys of more than 8000 O&G well pads in seven U.S. basins to assess the prevalence and distribution of high-emitting hydrocarbon sources (detection threshold ∼ 1–3 g s–1). The proportion of sites with such high-emitting sources was 4% nationally but ranged from 1% in the Powder River (Wyoming) to 14% in the Bakken (North Dakota). Emissions were observed three times more frequently at sites in the oil-producing Bakken and oil-producing regions of mixed basins (p < 0.0001, χ2 test). However, statistical models using basin and well pad characteristics explained 14% or less of the variance in observed emission patterns, indicating that stochastic processes dominate the occurrence of high emissio...
Who Is Teaching Data: Meeting the Demand for Data Professionals.

As data has become critical to our everyday lives, a growing concern with the skills gap required to exploit the data surfeit has arisen; library and information science practitioners and educators have recognized this concern. This paper is intended to identify current trends in library and information science education in response to the rising demand for data professionals. To provide a detailed map of the content of the current curriculum, academic programs and courses that support a data-driven workforce offered by library schools in North America were reviewed. The results of this analysis indicates that various topics are being offered to address skills gaps for data professionals, but there are still insufficient opportunities for students to develop the depth and breadth of knowledge and skills needed to be highly capable data professionals. It is suggested that cross-disciplinary and/or cross-institutional collaboration may be an efficient way to enhance and develop educational and training opportunities for data professionals.
Metastatic Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Scrotum

We report a rare case of basal cell carcinoma of the scrotum presenting with distant metastases. Rationale and treatment with bacillus Calmette-Guerin immunotherapy and subsequent combination chemotherapy are detailed.
Niche divergence between diploid and autotetraploid Tolmiea

PREMISE OF STUDY Polyploidy is common in eukaryotes and is of major evolutionary importance over both short and long time-scales. Compared to allopolyploids, autopolyploids remain understudied; they are often morphologically cryptic and frequently remain taxonomically unrecognized, although there is increasing recognition of the high frequency of autopolyploidy in angiosperms. While autopolyploidy can serve as an instant speciation mechanism, little is known about the ecological consequences of this process. We describe the ecological divergence of a diploid-autotetraploid species pair in Tolmiea. METHODS We investigated whether abiotic niche divergence has shaped the current allopatric distribution of diploid T. diplomenziesii and its autotetraploid derivative, T. menziesii, in the Pacific Northwest of North America. We employed field measures of light availability, as well as niche modeling and a principal component analysis of environmental space. Within a common garden, we also investigated physiological responses to changes in soil moisture. KEY RESULTS Diploid and autotetraploid Tolmiea inhabit significantly different climatic niche spaces. The climatic niche divergence between these two species is best explained by a shift in precipitation availability, and we found evidence of differing physiological response to water availability between these species. CONCLUSIONS We found that spatial segregation of T. diplomenziesii and T. menziesii was accompanied by adaptation to changes in climatic regime. Tolmiea menziesii is not a nascent autotetraploid, having persisted long enough to be established throughout the Pacific Northwest, and therefore both polyploidization and subsequent evolution have contributed to the observed differences between T. menziesii and T. diplomenziesii.
A good farmer pays attention to the weather

Abstract A key message of the 2014 US 3rd National Climate Assessment report is that climate change poses threats to agriculture and will require adaptation and mitigation by farmers. In the upper Midwest, the increase in total precipitation and a 37% increase in very heavy precipitation over the past 40 years are expected to continue and affect the productivity of corn-based cropping systems. The current situation and weather projections suggest that in the future, significant degradation of soil and water resources can be expected. While a number of adaptive management strategies have potential to address soil erosion, poor water quality, and production losses, farmer responses to a changing climate are not well understood. The research presented here examines how farmers’ self-identity as “a good farmer” can translate into specific incremental and transformative adaptations of farming strategies. Analysis of a 2012 survey of 4778 upper Midwest farmers finds that three nodes in the identity control model, the biophysical situation, reflected appraisals comprised of a set of beliefs which are sources of information input, and a farmer’s identities, influence variations in selected adaptive management practices. The biophysical situation (flooding, drought, saturated soils, and/or having a river run through the farm) are significant explanatory variables in seven of the eight models and farmer’s identities, conservationist and/or productivist, are significant in all models. This is evidence that farmers are paying attention to the biophysical situation as well as being guided by their own understandings of themselves as good farmers in making decisions about their farm operation. More research is needed to better understand what activates identities, core values and beliefs and how some values are privileged over others in adaptive decisions. This work suggests that educators and policymakers should focus on interventions, incentives and policies that activate the farmer’s conservationist identity to increase adaptations that protect the agroecosystem in the longer term.
Book Review: Expertise in mathematics instruction: an international perspective. Yeping Li and Gabriele Kaiser (Eds.) (2011)

In their new edited book, Expertise in Mathematics Instruction: An International Perspective, Yeping Li and Gabriele Kaiser survey international perspectives on expertise in mathematics teaching from both a Western and an Eastern perspective. Drawing upon well-known researchers from each of the ten countries surveyed, Li and Kaiser’s book provides a framework for understanding international teaching and examples of international differences in mathematics teaching. In this review, I focus on each section of the book, the strengths and weaknesses of the chapters, and some of the key insights gained from the contents of the book. Although Li and Kaiser note the book’s bias towards the West, they successfully address the cross-national comparisons. However, in my opinion, as an edited anthology, this book has not only outstanding introductions and some very strong chapters, but also contains some weak chapters that seem to have been added to provide length and depth to the topic at hand. Some of the strengths discussed in the book include Chi’s presentation of a framework on expertise and the clear differences in defining experts by region. Specifically, the Western approach to identifying experts is narrowly defined by country and specific practices, whereas the Eastern approaches tend to be general in overarching social standards. Also, although this book is about mathematics instruction, each chapter takes a unique perspective on mathematics education, some without even mentioning instruction, but instead focusing on teaching or curriculum often without a clear explanation about the difference between their approach and the purpose of the book. The book is divided into four sections: Introduction and Research Perspectives, Expertise in Mathematics Instruction in a Western Setting, Expertise in Mathematics Instruction in an Eastern Setting, and Cross-National Comparison and Reflections. Most of the book is focused on mathematics teaching in the five Western and five Eastern countries. The research answers questions for the reader such as: “what are general trends in teaching in different parts of the world?” and “how is expertise defined in mathematics teaching?” Many well-known authors present their research findings and opinions about expertise in different
Joining Aerospace Aluminum 2024-T4 to Titanium by Friction Stir Extrusion

The welding of titanium and aluminum is difficult due to differences in their material properties and the formation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) which can weaken the weld. A new process, Friction Stir Extrusion (FSE), has been used to join dissimilar materials by using Friction Stir Processing to extrude a top sheet of material into a pre-made, concave groove in the bottom sheet of material. FSE has been used to create a strong, mechanically interlocking joint between aluminum 6061 and steel that eliminates IMCs. However, FSE hasn’t been applied to any other material combinations. This current research applies the FSE process to join aluminum 2024-T4 to commercially pure titanium. The process was optimized by adjusting the RPM, traverse rate, and groove geometry. The Al–Ti joints are evaluated based on shear strength and ultimate tensile strength. The groove geometry proved to be the most important parameter as different geometries can enhance the strength by mechanical means and by optimizing the volume and shape of the material extruded. Successful joints were created by the FSE process and can be used as a viable alternative for joining aluminum to titanium.
54 – Models of Endocrine Insufficiency

Much of the knowledge regarding the function of the endocrine system derives from disease states in which either the hormone is over expressed (e.g., hyperthyroid, Cushing's disease) or the gland is destroyed (e.g., type 1 insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, Addison's disease). Once the physiologic effect of the hormone is established, it is possible to administer the hormones to animals or patients with the hormonal defect to establish the role of that particular hormone in maintaining an important aspect of homeostasis. The unraveling of the role of the pancreas in regulating blood glucose concentrations in the latter half of the nineteenth and the first half of the twentieth centuries is the classic example of this approach. This approach has led to the successful treatment of individuals with insufficient endocrine function.
Expressing Personal Opinions in Classroom Interactions: The Role of Humor and Displays of Uncertainty

We set out to uncover how young people deal with the challenges of expressing personal opinions in the classroom. Based on a corpus of video-recorded French L1 lessons in a secondary school in Switzerland, we scrutinize the interactional resources students put to use to do so, among which humor and claims of uncertainty feature as a means of dealing with the potentially delicate nature of opinion expression. We show how the expression of personal opinions and related resources are responded to in the classroom, both by teachers and by peers. The study sheds light onto students’ interactional competence by documenting the accountable ways in which, when expressing personal opinions, they subtly balance between assertiveness and uncertainty in response to the local circumstantial details of the ongoing interaction.
Effect of tungsten concentration on microstructures of Co-10Ni-6Al-(0,2,4,6)W-6Ti (at%) cobalt-based superalloys

Abstract The effects of reducing the W concentration (and concomitantly mass density) of Co-10Ni-6Al-xW-6Ti at% Co-based superalloys, with a γ(f.c.c.) plus γ′(L1 2 ) microstructure, is investigated for a series of alloys with W concentrations of 6 at% (baseline alloy), 4 and 2 at% (W-reduced) and 0 at% (W-free). The γ′(L1 2 ) solvus temperature decreases strongly (by 46 °C per 1 at% reduction in W), while the liquidus and solvus temperatures decrease mildly (3–5 °C per 1 at% W reduction) as measured by differential scanning calorimetry. Scanning electron microscopy was used to image phase formation in all alloys. When aging at 900 or 1000 °C for 256 h, the W reduction does not result in the appearance of additional phases within the grains beyond the γ(f.c.c.) and γ′(L1 2 ) phases present in the original alloy. Grain-boundary precipitates are present for all alloy compositions: W-rich or W-free precipitates after aging at 1000 °C, and coarsened γ′(L1 2 ) precipitates after aging at 900 °C. The composition of grain boundary precipitates were measured with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Vickers microhardness values decrease with decreasing W content, due to a reduction in γ′(L1 2 ) precipitation and reduced solid-solution strengthening.
PID Speed Control of a DC Motor Using Particle Swarm Optimization

This research is based on applying Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to the Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) speed control of a permanent magnet DC motor. The integration of PID control and PSO optimization technique starts by designing the initial PID control gains so that the DC motor angular speed exhibits a given overshoot (OS) and settling time (t s ). Based on these gains, we designed an initial set of particles that were subsequently modified using PSO algorithm with the goal of reducing OS and t s . Simulation results led to the desired swarming since the PID gains converged, causing the OS and t s to get below the desired threshold. Thus, our proposed PID-PSO algorithm was very successful in achieving the optimization goal of reducing OS and t s by means of PSO-optimized PID control.
Pharmaceutical assistance programs for cancer patients in the era of orally administered chemotherapeutics.

IntroductionThe rising cost of cancer drugs may make treatment unaffordable for some patients. Patients often rely on drug manufacturer-administered Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (PAPs) to obtain drugs and reduced or no cost. The overall usage of PAPs within cancer care delivery is unknown.MethodsWe included all cancer patients across an academically affiliated, integrated health system in North Carolina during 2014 (N = 8591). We identified the subset of patients receiving PAP assistance to afford one or more cancer drugs, in order to calculate the proportion of patients receiving PAP assistance, and the retail value of the assistance.ResultsAmong 8591 cancer patients, 215 unique patients submitted a total of 478 successful PAP requests for cancer drugs. 40% of PAP-utilizing patients were uninsured, 23% had Medicaid coverage, 20% had Medicare coverage, 2% were dual Medicare/Medicaid eligible, and 14% were commercially insured. Among all cancer patients who received medical treatment, 6.0% required P...
BER analysis of multi-hop heterodyne FSO systems with fixed gain relays over general Malaga turbulence channels

This work investigates the end-to-end performance of a free space optical amplify-and-forward (AF) fixed-gain relaying system using heterodyne detection over misaligned general Malaga turbulence channels. More specifically, we present exact closed-form expressions for average bit-error rate achievable spectral efficiency non-adaptive/adaptive modulation schemes by employing generalized power series identity of Meijer's G-function. Moreover, asymptotic closed-form expressions are derived to validate our results at high signal-to-noise ratio. In addition, the analytical results have been presented with compare to range of numerical values.
Persistent Cutaneous Infection Due to Mycobacterium Immunogenum, a Relatively Novel Species

Mycobacterium immunogenum is a species of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) that has been recently identified as the cause of cutaneous infections.1-3 Historically, the majority of NTM infections were attributed to contamination of municipal water systems due to inadequate equipment sterilization. Many of these organisms have been found to grow in distilled water and display resistance to chlorine, formaldehyde, mercury, and standard disinfectants.4 In the environment, M. immunogenum has been isolated in swimming pools and adjacent showers.5 A limited number of cutaneous infections with Mycobacterium immunogenum have been reported, and an even smaller number of cases have been reported in immunocompetent individuals. We report a case of a persistent cutaneous infection with M. immunogenum in a previously healthy patient successfully treated with clarithromycin 250 mg twice daily for eight weeks. After treatment, the patient remained free of infection and only a minimal scar remained.
Current clinical practice patterns of self-identified interventional radiologists

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess patterns of procedural, clinical evaluation and management (E/M), and diagnostic imaging services rendered by self-identified interventional radiologists (IRs) across the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Recent Medicare Physician and Other Supplier Public Use and Physician Compare national downloadable files were linked. IRs were defined as physicians self-identifying interventional radiology as their primary specialty on Medicare claims or as a specialty during Medicare enrollment. The primary outcome measure was percentage of work (in work relative value units [WRVU]) attributed to interventional services (both procedural and E/M) per IR. Secondary outcome measures included sociodemographic factors per interventional WRVU quartile and percentage of E/M service units per IR. Statistical analysis included chi-square and t tests and logistic regression. RESULTS. Overall, 3132 physicians nationally self-identified to Medicare as IRs. The distribution o...
A bi-stable feedback loop between GDNF, EGR1, and ERα contribute to endocrine resistant breast cancer

Discovering regulatory interactions between genes that specify the behavioral properties of cells remains an important challenge. We used the dynamics of transcriptional changes resolved by PRO-seq to identify a regulatory network responsible for endocrine resistance in breast cancer. We show that GDNF leads to endocrine resistance by switching the active state in a bi-stable feedback loop between GDNF, EGR1, and the master transcription factor ERα. GDNF stimulates MAP kinase, activating the transcription factors SRF and AP-1. SRF initiates an immediate transcriptional response, activating EGR1 and suppressing ERα. Newly translated EGR1 protein activates endogenous GDNF, leading to constitutive GDNF and EGR1 up-regulation, and the sustained down-regulation of ERα. Endocrine resistant MCF-7 cells are constitutively in the GDNF-high/ ERα-low state, suggesting that the state in the bi-stable feedback loop may provide a 'memory' of endocrine resistance. Thus, we identified a regulatory network switch that contributes to drug resistance in breast cancer.
Assessing the Association Between Blood Loss and Postoperative Hemoglobin After Cesarean Delivery: A Prospective Study of 4 Blood Loss Measurement Modalities.

BACKGROUND:Visual estimation and gravimetric methods are commonly used to quantify the volume of blood loss during cesarean delivery (CD). However, the correlation between blood loss and post-CD hemoglobin (Hb) is poorly studied, and it is unclear whether the correlation varies according to how bloo
Chapter 10 – In Vivo Promoter Analysis in the Adult Central Nervous System Using Viral Vectors

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the use of defective herpes simplex viral (HSV) vector for analysis of the rat preproenkephalin (PPE) promoter. It demonstrates fidelity of regional expression and hormonal inducibility and documents sites of potential importance via deletion analysis. Novel techniques are applied to enhance detection and normalization of data to limit the effect of variables that could potentially confound the interpretation of results obtained from in vivo promoter analysis. Herpes-based viral vectors can be applied in modern neurobiology for at least three purposes: gene transfer into the brain, prolonged expression of antisense RNA, or in vivo promoter analysis. in vitro transcription methodology, treats RNA synthesis as a defined set of chemical reactions outside the context of the cell and is helpful for in avoiding the errors implicit in using the wrong cell types. There are three types of processes that can be studied using in vitro promoter analysis: specificity across brain regions, the steroid hormone estradiol, and sex differences in the magnitude of hormonal induction for progesterone receptor and preproenkephalin. The defective HSV vector possesses many features advantageous for in vivo promoter analysis. This system is plasmid-based that allow adaptation to a wide variety of research applications and permits mutagenesis of promoters in standard in vitro systems. The resulting plasmids are used to rapidly generate viruses for further in vivo studies. Direct gene transfer by microinjection of a viral DNA vector is used for the analysis of the PPE promoter. The chapter also discusses in vivo deletion analysis and hormonal induction of the PPE promoter. In vivo promoter analysis is used to look for regulated expression which, in the present case, is a hormonal effect on the PPE promoter. Estradiol in vivo causes an increase in PPE mRNA levels, with a doubling of mRNA concentration within 1 hour.
Superfluidity in 3He Films

Superfluid 3He films in the thickness regime kF −1 ≪ d < ξ are considered. We find that for smooth boundaries the transition temperature decreases with thickness and, contrary to what is found for s-wave pairing, exhibits only weak oscillatory behavior. Other quantities, such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance frequency shifts, however, show discontinuous jumps. Diffusive boundary scattering has a qualitative influence in the phase diagram: for a specified degree of surface roughness there is a critical thickness dc below which superfluidity disappears. As the thickness decreases towards dc an intermediate region of gapless superfluidity is reached. This region appears to be experimentally accessible. Properties of the gapless state are briefly discussed.
Universal mock theta functions as quantum Jacobi forms

Quantum Jacobi forms were defined in 2016, naturally combining Zagier’s definition of a quantum modular form with that of a Jacobi form. To date, just three examples of such functions exist in the literature. Here, we prove that the universal mock theta function $$g_2$$ , as well as the universal mock theta functions $$K, K_1, K_2,$$ and $$\kappa $$ , gives rise to an infinite family of quantum Jacobi forms $$G_{a,b}(z;\tau )$$ of weight 1 / 2 in dense subsets $${{\mathscr {Q}}}_{a,b} \subseteq {\mathbb {Q}} \times {\mathbb {Q}}$$ . We then use these quantum Jacobi transformation properties to establish polynomial expressions for $$G_{a,b}$$ at pairs of rational numbers, as well as simple closed-form expressions for sums of Mordell integrals.
Like in English and como, como que, and like in Spanish in the speech of Southern Arizona bilinguals:

Aims and Objectives/Purpose/Research Questions:This study analyzes the use of like in English and como, como que, and like in Spanish in the speech of bilinguals from Southern Arizona to assess the...
Temporal partitioning and the effects of climate change on two ecologically similar desert bats

Climate change is predicted to create increasingly arid deserts with fewer and smaller water sources. Because free water is already limiting for arid-adapted animals, reductions in water likely will impact desert species and how they compete for this limited resource. Our objective was to examine how the size of water sources influenced competition between 2 ecologically similar bats, Parastrellus hesperus and Myotis californicus, in the American Southwest. Bats are a highly successful taxon in deserts, although many rely upon access to free water. We examined bat activity observationally over 35 different-sized water sources throughout the Mojave Desert in southwestern Utah, United States, and experimentally reduced the surface area of 2 water sources. Parastrellus hesperus and M. californicus typically occurred at the same water sources, but both species temporally partitioned their use of shared water sources regardless of the surface area of the water. Experimentally reducing surface area of water sources negatively affected drinking behaviors of both species and resulted in higher overall activity, but temporal partitioning still occurred. While loss of water may influence some competitive interactions, mechanisms such as temporal partitioning can potentially allow continued co-use of limited resources by competing species.
Paediatric nasal dermoids: Our experience

Abstract Objectives Nasal dermoids are rare developmental anomalies seen in children. This study reports our experience in a developing country of the clinical and radiological findings as well as the management of nasal dermoids. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed, from 2012 to 2017, for 10 patients admitted for the treatment of nasal dermoids at a tertiary care center. The clinical presentation, preoperative imaging (CT/MRI), surgical approach, intraoperative findings, complications and recurrence were reviewed. Results Ten patients were included in this study, 6 males and 4 females, with an average age of 10.2 years at the time of presentation. Three patients presented with a mass located on the nasal dorsum, 1 had a nasoglabellar mass, 2 patients had a mass located on the nasal dorsum with visible sinus, and 4 patients presented with a sinus on the nasal dorsum, in which 1 patient had a tuft of hair. CT was performed in all the cases. It was not suggestive of intracranial extension in 9 patients, and was non-diagnostic in one patient. Both CT and MRI were performed on 2 patients, with no evidence of intracranial extension. Surgical and radiological findings were concordant in 8 patients (80%). Conclusion Nasal dermoids require preoperative imaging and precise surgical planning to achieve complete removal.
Gene-Editing Techniques

This chapter will broadly cover the newest genome editing technology, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), and CRISPR-associated system (Cas), as a critical tool for a modern research laboratory. Multiplex gene mutagenesis, tissue-specific gene disruption, DNA insertions, transcriptional activation, transcriptional repression, megabase-sized deletions, translocations, and genetic screens are all possible with CRISPR/Cas technology. How CRISPR-genome editing works, its applications, and considerations for best use will be discussed.
The effect of paternal cues in prenatal care settings on men’s involvement intentions

A father's involvement in prenatal care engenders health benefits for both mothers and children. While this information can help practitioners improve family health, low paternal involvement in prenatal care remains a challenge. The present study tested a simple, easily scalable intervention to promote father involvement by increasing men's feelings of comfort and expectations of involvement in prenatal settings through three randomized control trials. Borrowing from social psychological theory on identity safety, the three studies tested whether the inclusion of environmental cues that represent men and fatherhood in prenatal care offices influenced men's beliefs and behavioral intentions during the perinatal period. Men in studies 1 and 3 viewed online videos of purported prenatal care offices, while men in study 2 visited the office in person. Those who viewed or were immersed in a father-friendly prenatal care office believed that doctors had higher expectations of father involvement compared to treatment-as-usual. This perception predicted greater parenting confidence, comfort, and behavioral intentions to learn about the pregnancy and engage in healthy habits, such as avoiding smoking and alcohol during their partner's pregnancy. Study 3 replicated these studies with an online sample of expectant fathers. The results suggest that shifting environment office cues can signal fathering norms to men in prenatal settings, with healthier downstream behavior intentions.
Angel Investor-Entrepreneur Fit: The Nexus of Angel Motivation and Entrepreneur Personality and Passion

Angel investor decision-making is different from that of venture capitalists. Though both groups invest in new ventures, angel investors are more concerned with agency risk, whereas venture capitalists are more concerned with market risk. More so than venture capitalists, angel investors largely succeed or fail based on their ability to make accurate judgments about the entrepreneurs they back—and decide not to back. Importantly, some angel investors appear to have noneconomic motivations to invest in risky startups. This chapter reviews the extant literature on angel investor motivations and decision-making and entrepreneur personality and passion so as to orient researchers on how these research streams may coalesce. The chapter ends with a discussion of both interesting research ideas and practical implications for angel investors and entrepreneurs.