cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Well-posed boundary conditions for limited-domain models of transient ice flow near an ice divide

When an ice-flow model is constrained by data that exist over only a section of an ice sheet, it is computationally advantageous to limit the model domain to only that section. For example, a limited domain near an ice-core site might cross an ice divide, and have no termini. Accurately calculating ice-sheet evolution in response to spatial and temporal variations in climate and ice flow depends on accurately calculating the transient ice flux crossing the limited-domain boundaries. In the absence of information from outside the limited domain, this is an ill-posed problem. Boundary conditions based only on information from inside the limited domain can produce ice-sheet evolution incompatible with the full ice sheet within which we suppose it to exist. We use impulse-response functions to provide boundary values that are informed by the external ice sheet, without conventionally 'nesting' the limited domain in a full ice-sheet model. Evolution within a limited domain can then be consistent with evolution of boundary conditions is designed for future use in affected the limited domain can be inferred from the full ice sheet. Our treatment of limited-domain an inverse problem in which external changes that data from within the limited domain.
Linear transformation of binary random vectors and its application to approximating probability distributions

A nonsingular linear transformation of binary-valued random vectors y = xA which minimizes a mutual information criterion I(y) is considered. It is shown that a nonsingular A exists such that I(y) = 0 if and only if x has a generalized binomial distribution. Computational algorithms for seeking an optimal A are developed, and dimensionality reduction is discussed briefly. This linear transformation is useful in improving the approximation of probability distributions. Numerical examples are presented.
Real-time PCR method for the quantitative analysis of human T-cell receptor γ and β gene rearrangements

Analyzing the status of T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements has been an essential part of deciphering the stages of thymocyte development, understanding the αβ vs. γδ lineage decision, and characterizing T-cell leukemias. Methods such as PCR and quantitative Southern blotting provide useful information, but also have significant shortcomings such as lack of quantitation in the case of PCR and technical challenges in the case of Southern blotting. Here we describe a real-time PCR method that overcomes many of these shortcomings. This new method shows comparable results for the fraction of unrearranged TCRγ and TCRβ genes in human thymocytes and peripheral blood T cells as Southern blotting, and has the advantages of being simple to perform, highly quantitative, and requiring nanogram quantities of DNA. We also describe a real-time PCR method to quantitate T-cell receptor excision circles formed during TCRβ rearrangements.
Application and crop safety parameters for soil fumigants

Abstract Metam sodium alone and in combination with 1,3-dichloropropene plus 17% chloropicrin (1,3-D+C-17) were evaluated under polyethylene mulch film as alternatives for methyl bromide in tobacco and tomato transplant production for both efficacy against pests and crop safety. Eight different weed species, 10 genera or species of fungi and several agronomic criteria were evaluated at three different sites. In general both the metam sodium alone and in combination with 1,3-D+C-17 were highly efficacious when compared to methyl bromide. Short polyethylene film retention times and short aeration times resulted in poor stands and poor crop vigor while relatively long polyethylene film retention times and long aeration periods at the same rates typically resulted in high stand counts and vigor. Combination treatments were more phytotoxic to germinating seed of tobacco and tomato. Vigor and stand counts of the seedlings were higher as aeration time increased, suggesting phytotoxic residues dissipate with time. Method of application of metam sodium, either injected with chisels or sprayed onto the soil surface and incorporated with a tractor-powered tiller alone or co- applied with 1,3-D+C-17 chisel injected, did not affect the efficacy of the treatments. Caution regarding phytotoxicity must be exercised when seeding into soil fumigated with metam sodium alone or combined with 1,3-D+C-17. Additional work will be required to establish safety periods required prior to transplanting crops into fumigated soil.
A DNA Vaccine Encoding a Codon-Optimized Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E6 Gene Enhances CTL Response and Anti-tumor Activity

The HPV oncoproteins E6 and E7 are consistently expressed in HPV-associated cancer cells and are responsible for their malignant transformation. Therefore, HPV E6 and E7 are ideal target antigens for developing vaccines and immunotherapeutic strategies against HPV-associated neoplasms. Recently, it has been demonstrated that codon optimization of the HPV-16 E7 gene resulted in highly efficient translation of E7 and increased the immunogenicity of E7-specific DNA vaccines. Since vaccines targeting E6 also represent an important strategy for controlling HPV-associated lesions, we developed a codon-optimized HPV-16 E6 DNA vaccine (pNGVL4a-E6/opt) and characterized the E6-specific CD8+ T cell immune responses as well as the protective and therapeutic anti-tumor effects in vaccinated C57BL/6 mice. Our data indicated that transfection of human embryonic kidney cells (293 cells) with pNGVL4a-E6/opt resulted in highly efficient translation of E6. In addition, vaccination with pNGVL4a-E6/opt significantly enhanced E6-specific CD8+ T cell immune responses in C57BL/6 mice. Mice vaccinated with pNGVL4a-E6/opt are able to generate potent protective and therapeutic antitumor effects against challenge with E6-expressing tumor cell line, TC-1. Thus, DNA vaccines encoding a codon-optimized HPV-16 E6 may be a promising strategy for improving the potency of prophylactic and therapeutic HPV vaccines with potential clinical implications.
The welfare effects of U.S. antidumping duties

Antidumping duties are among the most frequently used nontariff barriers to trade. Despite this, empirical analysis of the welfare effects of antidumping duties has been very limited. This paper helps close this gap by computing the welfare effects of 30 U.S. antidumping duties. These effects are computed using a Dixit-Stiglitz type model of preferences in conjunction with data from the International Trade Commission. The paper finds that the import relief provided by antidumping duties is small in comparison to the losses imposed on U.S. consumers.
Solving polynomial equations for chemical problems using Grobner bases

We explain the Grobner basis method for solving simultaneous polynomial equations in several variables and describe some applications to chemical kinetics, stereochemistry, compartmental analysis and other chemical topics.
A cellular model of directionally selective visual motion detection in crayfish tangential cells

Abstract Directional selectivity in tangential cells (Tan1) of crayfish optic lobe is simulated with a single compartment cellular model. The simulation is based upon spatiotemporal asymmetric receptive subfields and antagonistic actions of acetylcholine (ACh) and a delayed GABA signal on Tan1 chloride channels. The interaction is modeled as competitive inhibition of ACh receptor binding. Alternative implementations assume either convergence of columnar inputs to common dendritic sites or discrete interactions at retinotopically distinct sites on the Tan1 dendrite. The “pooled” or convergent model is more directional but the discrete model is probably a better representation of the anatomy.
Social skill in third and sixth grade children: A moderator of lifetime stressful life events and behavior problems?

We investigated relationships among stressful lifetime life events, social skill, and behavior problems in children. Participants were 159 third graders, 138 sixth graders, and their mothers. Mothers reported on their children's life events, social skill, and behavior problems. Children self-reported on their social skill and behavior problems. Increased numbers of stressful life events significantly predicted increased behavior problems in third and sixth graders. Increased social skill significantly predicted decreased behavior problems in third and sixth graders. Social skill served a stress-protective role for third but not sixth graders; third graders with increased life events and better social skill had fewer behavior problems than their less socially skilled peers. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed, and suggestions for future resilience research are presented.
Quantification of Signal Fidelity From OBC Production Data

For multicomponent OBC acquisition, histograms of the instantaneous frequency for the crossline component have been shown to be strong indicators of the signal fidelity when analyzing dedicated signal fidelity tests (Norris, 2004). The use of histograms of instantaneous frequency to quantify the signal fidelity of production OBC data was investigated and found to be a useful indicator when the source-to-receiver offset is not excessive. The technique appears to provide a near-real time means of evaluating OBC signal fidelity from normal production data.
Application of the theory of representation to describe yielding of anisotropic aluminum alloys

Abstract In this paper a rigorous method to extend any isotropic yield criterion such as to describe any type of material symmetry is developed. Using this approach, extensions of Drucker’s [J. Appl. Mech. 16 (1949) 349] isotropic yield criterion to transverse isotropy, cubic symmetries, and orthotropy are presented. Comparison with representative sets of data show that the present theory can successfully describe anisotropy of both the plastic strain ratio and yield of aluminum thin sheets as well as the yield anisotropy of extruded bars.
Synthesis, metal ion binding, and biological evaluation of new anticancer 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole analogs of UK-1

UK-1 is a bis(benzoxazole) natural product displaying activity against a wide range of human cancer cell lines. A simplified analog of UK-1, 4-carbomethoxy-2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole, was previously found to be almost as active as UK-1 against cancer cell lines, and similar to the natural product, formed complexes with a variety of metal ions such as Mg2+ and Zn2+. A series of 4-substituted-2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole analogs of this ‘minimal pharmacophore’ of UK-1 were prepared. The anti-cancer activity of these analogs was examined in breast and lung cancer cell lines. Spectrophotometric titrations in methanol were carried out in order to assess the ability of UK-1 and these analogs to coordinate with Mg2+ and Cu2+ ions. Although none of the new analogs were more cytotoxic than 4-carbomethoxy-2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole, some analogs were identified that display similar cytotoxicity to this simplified UK-1 analog with improved water solubility. UK-1 and all of these new analogs bind Cu2+ ions better than Mg2+ ions, and the nature of the 4-substituent is important for the Mg2+ ion binding ability of these 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazoles. Previous studies of a limited number of UK-1 analogs demonstrated a correlation between Mg2+ ion binding ability and cytotoxicity; however, within this series of 4-substituted-2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazoles the variations in cytotoxicity do not correlate with either Mg2+ or Cu2+ ion binding ability. These results, together with recent ESI-MS studies of Cu2+-mediated DNA binding by UK-1 and analogs, indicate that UK-1 and analogs may exert their cytotoxic effects by interaction with Cu2+ or other transition metal ions, rather than Mg2+, and that metal ion-mediated DNA binding, rather than metal ion binding affinity, is important for the cytotoxic effect of these compounds. The potential role of Cu2+ ions in the cytotoxic action of UK-1 is further supported by the observation that UK-1 in the presence of Cu2+ displays enhanced cytotoxicity to MCF-7 and A549 cells when compared to UK-1 alone.
The Quartic Characters of Certain Quadratic Units

Abstract Criteria are obtained for the quartic residue character of the fundamental unit of the real quadratic field Q((2q) 1 2 ) , where q is prime and either q ≡ 7(mod 8), or q ≡ 1(mod 8) and X2 − 2qY2 = −2 is solvable in integers X and Y.
Connecting Subseasonal Movements of the Winter Mean Ridge in Western North America to Inversion Climatology in Cache Valley, Utah

AbstractA 10-yr record of PM2.5 (particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm), collected in Cache Valley near downtown Logan, Utah, reveals a strong peak in the PM2.5 concentration climatology that is tightly localized in mid-January. The cause of this subseasonal variation in the PM2.5 climatology is investigated through dynamical downscaling and large-scale diagnostics. Climatological analysis of the U.S. winter mean ridge reveals a mid-January subseasonal shift in the zonal direction, likely in response to variations in the Rossby wave source over the central North Pacific Ocean. This displacement of the winter mean ridge, in turn, has an impact on regional-scale atmospheric conditions—specifically, subsidence with local leeside enhancements and midlevel warming over Cache Valley. The analyses of this study indicate that the subseasonal peak of long-term mean PM2.5 concentrations in Cache Valley is linked to the large-scale circulations’ subseasonal evolution, which involves remote forcing in t...
An Adaptive Fast Multipole Boundary Element Method for Poisson-Boltzmann Electrostatics

The numerical solution of the Poisson-Boltzmann (PB) equation is a useful but a computationally demanding tool for studying electrostatic solvation effects in chemical and biomolecular systems. Recently, we have described a boundary integral equation-based PB solver accelerated by a new version of the fast multipole method (FMM). The overall algorithm shows an order N complexity in both the computational cost and memory usage. Here, we present an updated version of the solver by using an adaptive FMM for accelerating the convolution type matrix-vector multiplications. The adaptive algorithm, when compared to our previous nonadaptive one, not only significantly improves the performance of the overall memory usage but also remarkably speeds the calculation because of an improved load balancing between the local- and far-field calculations. We have also implemented a node-patch discretization scheme that leads to a reduction of unknowns by a factor of 2 relative to the constant element method without sacrificing accuracy. As a result of these improvements, the new solver makes the PB calculation truly feasible for large-scale biomolecular systems such as a 30S ribosome molecule even on a typical 2008 desktop computer.
Streaks in skilled performance

Experiments in golf putting and darts demonstrated that skilled performance is streaky. The tendency for outcome sequences to form streaks was greatest when the task difficulty was such that about half the trials were successful. Mixtures of the two activities were also streaky, even when periodic interruption made the individual components resemble a random Bernoulli process. Formal models of sequence structure revealed that waves in hit rate are associated with the appearance of streaks.
Social Media Sites as a Means of Coping with a Threatened Social Identity

Since their inception in the early- to mid-2000s, social media sites (SMS) have burgeoned into a popular leisure pursuit with millions of users worldwide. Defined as Internet-based software programs that facilitate communication among individuals, members use them to exchange information, develop friendships, and find social support. Despite their rapid growth as a leisure time activity, there is a dearth of research exploring use of SMS. Using social identity theory as a framework, this study uses quantitative and qualitative data to explore how people who identified as “Penn Staters” used SMS to connect with others and exchange information during and in the wake of the breaking news of the Sandusky Scandal (SS). As predicted, highly identified Penn Staters used SMS to cope with news of the SS. However, interesting variations in usage based on demographic information are presented and discussed, providing greater insight into this increasingly popular leisure trend.
The Dynamics of Performance Over the Duration of Major League Baseball Long-Term Contracts:

We re-examine incentives in Major League Baseball contracts by considering performance over the duration of the contract. We consider both the incentive to perform in order to maximize the subseque...
Cost-Effective and Scalable DNA Extraction Method from Dried Blood Spots

Background: Dried blood spot (DBS) samples have been widely used in newborn screening (NBS) for the early identification of disease to facilitate the presymptomatic treatment of congenital diseases in newborns. As molecular genetics knowledge and technology progresses, there is an increased demand on NBS programs for molecular testing and a need to establish reliable, low-cost methods to perform those analyses. Here we report a flexible, cost-efficient, high-throughput DNA extraction method from DBS adaptable to small- and large-scale screening settings. Methods: Genomic DNA (g.DNA) was extracted from single 3-mm diameter DBS by the sequential use of red cell lysis, detergent-alkaline, and acid-neutralizing buffers routinely used in whole blood and plant tissue DNA extractions. We performed PCR amplification of several genomic regions using standard PCR conditions and detection methods (agarose gel, melting-curve analysis, TaqMan-based assays). Amplicons were confirmed by BigDye® Terminator cycle sequencing and compared with reference sequences. Results: High-quality g.DNA was extracted from hundreds of DBS, as proven by mutation detection of several human genes on multiple platforms. Manual and automated extraction protocols were validated. Quantification of g.DNA by Oligreen® fluorescent nucleic acid stain demonstrated a normal population distribution closely corresponding with white blood cell counts detected in newborn populations. Conclusions: High-quality, amplifiable g.DNA is extractable from DBSs. Our method is adaptable, reliable, and scalable to low- and high-throughput NBS at low cost ($0.10/sample). This method is routinely used for molecular testing in the New York State NBS program.
General and culturally specific factors influencing black and white rape survivors' self-esteem

Grounded in a culturally inclusive ecological model of sexual assault recovery framework, the influence of personal (e.g., prior victimization), rape context (e.g., degree of injury during last assault), and postrape response factors (e.g., general and cultural attributions, rape related coping) on self-esteem of Black and White college women, who were survivors of attempted and completed rape, were examined. As predicted, Black and White women identified similar general variables (e.g., general attributions) as important in the recovery process. Black women, however, identified a cultural factor (i.e., cultural attributions) as more important in influencing their reactions to the last rape compared to their White counterparts. Using path analysis, findings from this cross-sectional study indicated that severity of the last assault and prior victimization were related to lower self-esteem indirectly through avoidance coping strategies, and victim blame attributions for the latter. Results also suggested that the link between cultural attributions and self-esteem was explained through victim blame attributions, primarily for Black participants. The model accounted for 26% of variance in self-esteem.
A new approach to the diffraction of a surface wave by a semi-infinite grounded dielectric slab

A new approach employing infinite order boundary conditions is used to obtain an approximate solution of the problem of the scattering of a surface wave by a step in a grounded dielectric slab. The infinite order boundary conditions are used to replace certain continuity and boundary conditions in the exact problem and to reduce the exact problem to one amenable to the Wiener-Hopf technique. The basis of construction of the infinite order boundary conditions is described, and the criteria governing their application given. The reformulated problem is solved for various parameter values and compared with the results obtained by a variational technique.
Pretargeting of bacterial endocarditis in rats with streptavidin and 111In-labeled biotin

antibiotics before a diagnosis is established. Therefore, emphasis is placed on methods such as transthoracic echocardiography, Doppler sonography, CT (/) and, most recently, transesophageal echocardiography. All but the last has limited sensitivity to detect small vegetations. Transesopha geal echocardiography has shown improved sensitivity to small lesions, but it is a technology that is costly, is not widely available and creates considerable patient discom fort. The most difficult diagnosis is that of small, hidden vegetations, which are common in patients with a prosthetic valve or calcification of the annulus or valves. The vegeta tions can grow rapidly, leading to valve perforation or abscess (2), thus worsening the patient's prognosis (3). Radionuclide imaging has the potential to provide a sensitive diagnosis of this condition. Previous studies on the radioisotopic detection of inflammatory heart conditions used 67Ga citrate (4,5), WmTc-pyrophosphate (5-7), "'Inlabeled thrombocytes (8) and "Tc-antistaphylococcal anti
The Modalities of Constitutional Argument: A Primer

This piece is a contribution to Linda Edwards's upcoming book "Readings In Persuasion: Briefs That Changed the World" (forthcoming Wolters Kluwer). In it I offer a short primer on the modalities of constitutional argument, as Philip Bobbitt has described them. As someone who teaches Constitutional Law with the primary goal of educating future practitioners, I have always brought Bobbitt’s very practical (while also very theoretical) work into my classroom discussions. I have regularly used the first chapter of Bobbitt’s "Constitutional Interpretation" as an introductory text on the subject, but I have sometimes found the reading to be too long and/or theoretical for first year students. With this in mind, I hope this primer can be a valuable contribution to the practical literature on constitutional argument.
A multi‐level analysis of non‐significant counseling effects in a randomized smoking cessation trial

Aims To determine, in the context of a trial in which counseling did not improve smoking cessation outcomes, whether this was due to a failure of the conceptual theory identifying treatment targets or the action theory specifying interventions. Design Data from a randomized clinical trial of smoking cessation counseling and bupropion SR were submitted to multi-level modeling to test whether counseling influenced real-time reports of cognitions, emotions and behaviors, and whether these targets predicted abstinence. Setting Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, Madison, WI. Participants A total of 403 adult, daily smokers without contraindications to bupropion SR use. Participants were assigned randomly to receive individual counseling or no counseling and a 9-week course of bupropion SR or placebo pill. Cessation counseling was delivered in eight 10-minute sessions focused on bolstering social support, motivation, problem-solving and coping skills. Measurements Pre- and post-quit ecological momentary assessments of smoking behavior, smoking triggers, active prevention and coping strategies, motivation to quit, difficulty quitting and reactions to initial lapses. Findings Counseling prompted avoidance of access to cigarettes, improved quitting self-efficacy, reduced perceived difficulty of quitting over time and protected against guilt and demoralization following lapses. Results also supported the importance of limiting cigarette access, receiving social support, strong motivation and confidence and easing withdrawal distress during cessation efforts. Quitting self-efficacy and perceived difficulty quitting may partially mediate counseling effects on abstinence. Conclusions Smoking cessation counseling may work by supporting confidence about quitting and reducing perceived difficulty quitting. Counseling did not affect other targets that protect against relapse.
Transcriptional landscape of repetitive elements in normal and cancer human cells

Repetitive elements comprise at least 55% of the human genome with more recent estimates as high as two-thirds. Most of these elements are retrotransposons, DNA sequences that can insert copies of themselves into new genomic locations by a “copy and paste” mechanism. These mobile genetic elements play important roles in shaping genomes during evolution, and have been implicated in the etiology of many human diseases. Despite their abundance and diversity, few studies investigated the regulation of endogenous retrotransposons at the genome-wide scale, primarily because of the technical difficulties of uniquely mapping high-throughput sequencing reads to repetitive DNA. Here we develop a new computational method called RepEnrich to study genome-wide transcriptional regulation of repetitive elements. We show that many of the Long Terminal Repeat retrotransposons in humans are transcriptionally active in a cell line-specific manner. Cancer cell lines display increased RNA Polymerase II binding to retrotransposons than cell lines derived from normal tissue. Consistent with increased transcriptional activity of retrotransposons in cancer cells we found significantly higher levels of L1 retrotransposon RNA expression in prostate tumors compared to normal-matched controls. Our results support increased transcription of retrotransposons in transformed cells, which may explain the somatic retrotransposition events recently reported in several types of cancers.
Receptivity: a measure of computer networks' ability to accommodate concurrent communication

A network performance measure, called receptivity, is introduced which quantifies a computer network's ability to accommodate concurrent communication. Receptivity is basically defined as the probability that a rejection of a communication request does not occur, i.e., it is the probability that the network will be receptive to all expected concurrent communication requests. A graph-theoretic result is derived which places upper bounds on the maximum number of concurrently communicating origin-destination pairs which a given computer network can accommodate. The bound is dependent on several important network parameters including the number of network links, the maximum link capacity, and a measure of the network's average minimum hop distance. The upper bound result is used as a basis for estimating receptivity. The estimate for receptivity compares favorably with simulated values of receptivity for several example networks. >
Immunogenicity Studies of Bivalent Inactivated Virions of EV71/CVA16 Formulated with Submicron Emulsion Systems

We assessed two strategies for preparing candidate vaccines against hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) caused mainly by infections of enterovirus (EV) 71 and coxsackievirus (CV) A16. We firstly design and optimize the potency of adjuvant combinations of emulsion-based delivery systems, using EV71 candidate vaccine as a model. We then perform immunogenicity studies in mice of EV71/CVA16 antigen combinations formulated with PELC/CpG. A single dose of inactivated EV71 virion (0.2 μg) emulsified in submicron particles was found (i) to induce potent antigen-specific neutralizing antibody responses and (ii) consistently to elicit broad antibody responses against EV71 neutralization epitopes. A single dose immunogenicity study of bivalent activated EV71/CVA16 virion formulated with either Alum or PELC/CpG adjuvant showed that CVA16 antigen failed to elicit CVA16 neutralizing antibody responses and did not affect EV71-specific neutralizing antibody responses. A boosting dose of emulsified EV71/CVA16 bivalent vaccine candidate was found to be necessary to achieve high seroconversion of CVA16-specific neutralizing antibody responses. The current results are important for the design and development of prophylactic vaccines against HFMD and other emerging infectious diseases.
Distribution of somatostatin immunoreactivity in the human dentate gyrus

In previous immunohistochemical studies in the rat and monkey, a system of somatostatin-positive neurons and fibers was observed in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampal formation. In both species, somatostatin-immunoreactive cell bodies are located primarily in the deep or polymorphic layer of the dentate gyrus, and they give rise to a fiber system that terminates principally in the outer two-thirds of the molecular layer. In the present study, we employed the same antisera and staining procedures to determine whether the organization of the somatostatin system in the human dentate gyrus is similar to that seen in the rat and nonhuman primate. Sections of human postmortem brain material incubated with antisera directed against somatostatin 28 (S320) or somatostatin 28 (S309) demonstrated a heterogeneous population of immunoreactive cells in the hilar region of the human dentate gyrus. Fiber staining was observed both in the hilar region and throughout the molecular layer, but the densest fiber and terminal plexus were observed in the outer two-thirds of the molecular layer. In addition, there were forms of somatostatin-immunoreactive profiles in the human sections that were not previously observed in the rat or monkey. Immunoreactive, grapelike clusters of apparently large, axonal varicosities were commonly observed, for example, as were dendritic profiles containing typical dendritic spines. In general, however, staining for somatostatin immunoreactivity in the human dentate gyrus presented a picture qualitatively similar to that observed in the rat and monkey. Thus, immunohistochemical methods have allowed the analysis of a chemically defined neural system in the human brain that has been extensively studied in rat and monkey brains with both experimental and immunohistochemical methods. That the pattern of labeling in the human sections closely parallels that observed in the experimental animals provides support for the contention that immunohistochemical methods can reliably be employed to determine the normal neuroanatomical organization of the human brain. These methods may also be particularly applicable for the analysis of pathological brain conditions. In particular, alterations of the hippocampal somatostatin system have been associated with both Alzheimer's disease and temporal lobe epilepsy. It would be of interest, therefore, to apply immunohistochemical procedures to determine whether the anatomical organization of the human hippocampal somatostatin system is altered in these diseases.
Read clouds uncover variation in complex regions of the human genome

Although an increasing amount of human genetic variation is being identified and recorded, determining variants within repeated sequences of the human genome remains a challenge. Most population and genome-wide association studies have therefore been unable to consider variation in these regions. Core to the problem is the lack of a sequencing technology that produces reads with sufficient length and accuracy to enable unique mapping. Here, we present a novel methodology of using read clouds, obtained by accurate short-read sequencing of DNA derived from long fragment libraries, to confidently align short reads within repeat regions and enable accurate variant discovery. Our novel algorithm, Random Field Aligner (RFA), captures the relationships among the short reads governed by the long read process via a Markov Random Field. We utilized a modified version of the Illumina TruSeq synthetic long-read protocol, which yielded shallow-sequenced read clouds. We test RFA through extensive simulations and apply it to discover variants on the NA12878 human sample, for which shallow TruSeq read cloud sequencing data are available, and on an invasive breast carcinoma genome that we sequenced using the same method. We demonstrate that RFA facilitates accurate recovery of variation in 155 Mb of the human genome, including 94% of 67 Mb of segmental duplication sequence and 96% of 11 Mb of transcribed sequence, that are currently hidden from short-read technologies.
The importance of including thermal effects in estimating the effectiveness of power reduction techniques

It is shown in this paper that thermal effects have to be an integral part of estimating the effectiveness of power reduction techniques in nanometer scale technologies, and its inclusion always results in higher reduction in power than conventional estimations. Four different power reduction techniques for on-chip buses are used as examples to show the necessity of including thermal effects. Simulation results in a 70nm technology show that thermal-aware estimations of power savings are 17-38% higher than conventional estimations that do not include thermal effects
Failure of Esophageal Peristalsis in Older Patients: Association With Esophageal Acid Exposure

Failure of Esophageal Peristalsis in Older Patients: Association With Esophageal Acid Exposure
Launching of an American Medical College in the Middle East: Educational Challenges in a Multicultural Environment

The graduation of the first class of medical students in May 2008 from the Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q), Cornell University’s branch campus in the Middle East, was the first time that an M.D. degree from an American university was awarded abroad. It marked a milestone in American higher education. The establishment of WCMC-Q is part of a larger strategy to promote education and develop science policies in Qatar and other areas of the Gulf Arab States. Development of WCMC-Q has proceeded according to our institution’s tripartite mission of fostering excellence in medical education, research, and clinical care. In the past 10 years, a thriving pre-medical and medical program has been successfully developed, where the next steps will be to further develop biomedical research capacity. Also, an initiative launched in 2011 to transform its clinical affiliate, the Hamad Medical Center (HMC), along with the opening of a new medical center called Sidra in 2013 which will be focused on women’s and children health, will allow WCMC-Q to integrate its clinical training and research programs with its educational curriculum aimed at training the next generation of physicians. Critical factors in the success of this project include clearly defined educational objectives, a focus on academic quality and guaranteed academic freedom. Challenges include: 1) faculty recruitment and retention, 2) the integration of local high school students into a competitive science program, 3) acceptable training policies defined for academic excellence and, 4) the distance separating WCMC-Q from New York City where Well Cornell Medical College-NY (WCMC) resides. As WCMC-Q continues to grow and expand its long-term mission, it may serve as a model for American universities seeking to establish branch campuses abroad for educational and medical training purposes. The focus of this article describes the development of the educational program in Qatar since its inception, and it reviews critical success factors, the policies aimed at achieving our tripartite mission, and the challenges facing the promotion of medical education in the Gulf region.
Human Acute Leukemia: Increasing Evidence for Involvement of Type-C Rna Tumor Viruses

Type-C RNA tumor viruses have been associated with the development of leukemia/lymphoma in birds, rodents, cats, and subhuman primates. In man, however, morphologically identifiable virus particles have not been definitively identified in cells from patients with these diseases despite extensive searches by skilled electron microscopists. In recent years remarkable progress has been made in the biochemical and immunological characterization of RNA tumor viruses, and by these more sensitive parameters, “foot-prints” of RNA tumor viruses were first identified in human leukemic cells (Gallo, Yang, and Ting, 1970). The viral “footprints” so far identified consist of the two essential replicative components of RNA tumor viruses, intact 70S (or subunit 35S) virus-specific RNA (Baxt, Hehlman, and Spiegelman, 1972; Gallo et al., in press; Gallagher et al., in press) and virus-related RNA-directed DNA polymerase (reverse transcriptase) (Sarngadharan et al., 1972; Todaro and Gallo, 1973; Gallagher et al., submitted for publication).
Eviction and the archive: materials for an archaeology of the Archivo General de Indias

This essay outlines an experimental microhistory of the founding of the Archivo General de Indias (AGI) in Seville, Spain, one that attends to the localized exclusions that characterize this Enlightenment project. If the “archival turn” has highlighted in ethnographic terms the ways in which silences are inscribed in archival practices and protocols, I propose an archaeological approach that looks to the archive's material and architectonic foundations. The critical turn in eighteenth-century historiography was linked to the emergence of the modern, historical archive, and it is at the intersection of these methodological disputes and the geopolitics of imperial competition that the AGI was established. New scholarship by critical historians in northern Europe provoked calls for an official response in Spain, and this task fell to Juan Bautista Munoz. His historiographical defense of Spanish colonialism would lead to not only the publication of his Historia del Nuevo-Mundo but also the founding of the AGI...
Osteocyte Apoptosis Caused by Hindlimb Unloading is Required to Trigger Osteocyte RANKL Production and Subsequent Resorption of Cortical and Trabecular Bone in Mice Femurs.

Osteocyte apoptosis is essential to activate bone remodeling in response to fatigue microdamage and estrogen withdrawal, such that apoptosis inhibition in vivo prevents the onset of osteoclastic resorption. Osteocyte apoptosis has also been spatially linked to bone resorption owing to disuse, but whether apoptosis plays a similar controlling role is unclear. We, therefore, 1) evaluated the spatial and temporal effects of disuse from hindlimb unloading (HLU) on osteocyte apoptosis, receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) expression, bone resorption, and loss in mouse femora, and 2) tested whether osteocyte apoptosis was required to activate osteoclastic activity in cortical and trabecular bone by treating animals subjected to HLU with the pan-caspase apoptosis inhibitor, QVD (quinolyl-valyl-O-methylaspartyl-[-2,6-difluorophenoxy]-methylketone). Immunohistochemistry was used to identify apoptotic and RANKL-producing osteocytes in femoral diaphysis and distal trabecular bone, and µCT was used to determine the extent of trabecular bone loss owing to HLU. In both cortical and trabecular bone, 5 days of HLU increased osteocyte apoptosis significantly (3- and 4-fold, respectively, p 1.5-fold versus Ctrl, p < 0.05) and further increased by day 14. Increases in osteocyte apoptosis and RANKL production preceded increases in bone resorption at both endocortical and trabecular surfaces. QVD completely inhibited not only the HLU-triggered increases in osteocyte apoptosis but also RANKL production and activation of bone resorption at both sites. Finally, µCT studies revealed that apoptosis inhibition completely prevented the trabecular bone loss caused by HLU. Together these data indicate that osteocyte apoptosis plays a central and controlling role in triggering osteocyte RANKL production and the activation of new resorption leading to bone loss in disuse. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Physical Therapy Competencies in Rheumatology

Physical therapists and rheumatologists in the United States were surveyed to determine what they perceived as the necessary competencies in rheumatology for the entry-level physical therapist. Physical therapists in clinical education programs (n = 100), those who belonged to the Arthritis Health Professionals Association (n = 108), and rheumatologists belonging to the American Rheumatism Association (n = 80) responded to a questionnaire consisting of items related to educational variables of interest, professional experience, and 80 competencies. The respondents determined that 35 competencies were absolutely essential, 39 were frequently essential, and 6 were useful but not essential. Identification of these competencies should assist the faculty in physical therapy educational programs to prepare the entry-level physical therapist to be competent to treat arthritis patients.
Risk, Diversification, and Vegetables as an Alternative Crop for Midwestern Agriculture

A quasi-spatial substitution model is developed to investigate the opportunities for Iowa to substitute local vegetable production for that of current distant suppliers. This quasi-spatial equilibrium approach determines not only if crops can be grown profitably at current prices, but whether they would remain profitable after equilibrium price adjustments. Thirteen fresh vegetable crops are studied as alternatives to current row crops such as corn and soybeans. The results indicate that although more than half of these crops could be grown profitably within the state of Iowa, they would replace only about 3,900 acres of current corn and soybean acreage.
Critical problems for bare and reflected slabs and spheres

High-order PN calculations of critical radii are carried out for both bare and reflected spheres in the one-speed model and also of critical half-thicknesses for slabs. Results are compared with pu...
People Smart

To truly succeed in our careers, we must go beyond just being accepted and knowing how to interface—we need people to like us and be willing to help us, and we need to build a successful network of professional contacts. To achieve these goals, we shouldn't outwardly appear to be aggressive, even if we're aggressive in our objective—rather, we should be generous and magnanimous. We must also have a sense of humor and humility. In this installment of our series about the "soft skills" all IT professionals must master to advance their careers, the author focuses on how to be people smart.
The effect of hydrogen/deuterium introduction on photoluminescence of 3C-SiC crystals

The effect of the incorporation and annealing of deuterium in 3C-SiC on its photoluminescence is reported. A 3C-SiC crystal has been implanted with 100 kev deuterium and subsequently annealed at temperatures between 1015 C and 1220 C for 1 to 5 minutes. SIMS depth profiles indicate hydrogen is strongly trapped by defects generated through ion bombardment, but a gradual damage repairing occurs during annealing. Photoluminescence was measured with 488 nm Ar laser excitation for sample temperatures from 89 K to 400 K. The PL peak wavelength of 540 nm at room temperature has shifted to 538 nm at 89 K. The peak PL intensity decreases with measurement temperature while its full width at half maximum (FWHM) exhibits an increasing trend. PL data were taken at five annealing stages. The post-implantation peak PL intensity and its integrated area increase initially with annealing temperature and time. After the final annealing at 1218 C for 2 minute, PL intensity and its integrated area exhibit a decrease in level.
Amorphous and Crystalline Phase Formation by Ion-Mixing of Ru-Zr and Ru-Ti

Ion mixing of multilayered Ru-Zr and Ru-Ti at different compositions and substrate temperatures produced various metastable phases. The applicability of previously proposed rules regarding amorphous phase formation are examined. Effects of point defect in amorphous phase formation by ion mixing are discussed.
Shrinkage characteristics of cement emulsified asphalt stabilized crushed stones

The cement stabilized stone base course can produce dry shrinkage and temperature shrinkage,which would bring reflection crackings.So the cement-emulsified asphalt-compound stabilized stone was put forward as a new base course material,which has stronger anti-shrinkage capability.After analyzing the shrinkage mechanism of semi-rigid base course and the microstructure of the cement emulsified asphalt-stabilized stone,dry shrinking and temperature shrinking of the two blend base course were tested and the shrinkage stress of them was calculated.The cement emulsified asphalt-stabilized stone has the lower dry shrinkage stress and temperature shrinkage stress,so it has better shrinkage performance and can delay base course cracking.
Molecular characterization of the murine orthologue of the human retinal proteoglycan IPM 150.

PURPOSE We recently identified a family of novel human proteoglycans/glycoproteins that are major constituents of the human interphotoreceptor matrix. Two members of this family, designated IPM 150 and IPM 200, have been extensively characterized. Although the IPM is thought to mediate crucial roles in retinal physiology, including retinal adhesion and photoreceptor cell viability, little is known about the roles of specific IPM constituents in these processes. In order to characterize the mouse IPM 150 orthologue, to initiate functional in vivo studies, and as a prerequisite towards future genetic manipulation, we cloned the murine orthologue of human IPM 150 and determined its chromosomal location. METHODS A mouse retinal cDNA library was screened using an IMAGE clone with sequence similarity to human IPM 150. The genomic location of the mouse IPM 150 gene was determined by radiation hybrid analyses. RESULTS We describe here the molecular structure of the murine orthologue of human IPM 150 and place the location of its gene on mouse chromosome 9. Among the tissues examined, expression of IPM 150 appeared to be restricted to the retina. CONCLUSIONS Comparison of the human and murine IPM 150 core proteins revealed that the molecules are generally well conserved, although several potentially significant differences do exist. In addition, two highly conserved domains within the core proteins were identified. The data presented here represent a first step towards the development of experimental murine models, which may eventually be used to elucidate the mechanisms underlying retinal adhesion and photoreceptor survival.
Offshoring at Home? Domestic Use of Shell Companies for Corruption

The recent “Panama Papers” leak has revealed that public figures in several countries use offshore shell companies in order to hide their real wealth behind murky foreign ownership structures. Less well known is the fact that corrupt policy makers also use shell companies in their own home countries that function as intermediaries to divert public resources for private benefit. Based on a qualitative empirical analysis, this paper describes how corporate vehicles are used by corrupt government officials in contemporary Hungary. One can distinguish “live” shell and “empty” shell companies. Live shells are used by governing elites to build clientele networks or to provide monopolistic market positions for oligarchs. Empty shells are technical vehicles used by local government actors to create valuable assets that can be sold for extra profit. Onshore shell entities are shown to be essential organizational structures supporting governmental corruption.