cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Geant4 evaluation of the Hornyak button and two candidate detectors for the TREAT hodoscope

Abstract The performance of traditional Hornyak buttons and two proposed variants for fast-neutron hodoscope applications was evaluated using Geant4. The Hornyak button is a ZnS(Ag)-based device previously deployed at the Idaho National Laboratory’s TRansient REActor Test Facility (better known as TREAT) for monitoring fast neutrons emitted during pulsing of fissile fuel samples. Past use of these devices relied on pulse-shape discrimination to reduce the significant levels of background Cherenkov radiation. Proposed are two simple designs that reduce the overall light guide mass (here, polymethyl methacrylate or PMMA), employ silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), and can be operated using pulse-height discrimination alone to eliminate background noise to acceptable levels. Geant4 was first used to model a traditional Hornyak button, and for assumed, hodoscope-like conditions, an intrinsic efficiency of 0.35% for mono-directional fission neutrons was predicted. The predicted efficiency is in reasonably good agreement with experimental data from the literature and, hence, served to validate the physics models and approximations employed. Geant4 models were then developed to optimize the materials and geometries of two alternatives to the Hornyak button, one based on a homogeneous mixture of ZnS(Ag) and PMMA, and one based on alternating layers of ZnS(Ag) and PMMA oriented perpendicular to the incident neutron beam. For the same radiation environment, optimized, 5-cm long (along the beam path) devices of the homogeneous and layered designs were predicted to have efficiencies of approximately 1.3% and 3.3%, respectively. For longer devices, i.e., lengths larger than 25 cm, these efficiencies were shown to peak at approximately 2.2% and 5.9%, respectively. Moreover, both designs were shown to discriminate Cherenkov noise intrinsically by using an appropriate pulse-height discriminator level, i.e., pulse-shape discrimination is not needed for these devices.
Interactions Between Ergodic Theory, Lie Groups, and Number Theory

In this paper we discuss the use of dynamical and ergodic-theoretic ideas and methods to solve some long-standing problems originating from Lie groups and number theory. These problems arise from looking at actions of Lie groups on their homogeneous spaces. Such actions, viewed as dynamical systems, have long been interesting and rich objects of ergodic theory and geometry. Since the 1930s ergodic-theoretic methods have been applied to the study of geodesic and horocycle flows on unit tangent bundlesof compact surfaces of negative curvature. From the algebraic point of view the latter flows are examples of semisimple and unipotent actions on finite-volume homogeneous spaces of real Lie groups. It was established in the 1960s through the fundamental work of D. Ornstein that typical semisimple actions are all statistically the same due to their extremal randomness caused by exponential instability of orbits. Their algebraic nature has little to do with the isomorphism problem for such actions: they are measure-theoretically isomorphic as long as their entropies coincide.
Diffuse Emission Nebulae or H II Regions

Energetic ultraviolet light from hot, luminous O- or early B- type stars ionizes nearby interstellar gas, producing bright, extended objects called diffuse emission nebulae or H II regions, for ionized hydrogen. The hot stars ionize the surrounding hydrogen and heat it up to a temperature of about 10,000 degrees. The size of these H II regions depends upon the temperature of the exciting star and the density of the hydrogen. Representative radii, call the Stromgren radii R after the man who first calculated them, are given in the first accompanying table for exciting stars of different spectral class, Sp, absolute visual magnitude, Mv, effective temperature, T eff , and a typical hydrogen density of N H = 1 cm-3.
Tidal Sand Bodies

This section reviews the salient features of sandy tidalites, which are sandy sediments deposited by tidal currents (Klein, 1971). Such sands occur in regions where tidal current systems are dominant. Tidal current systems are known to occur as depositional agents in a variety of water depths ranging from tidal flats at sea level to depths of 2,000 to 2,500 meters (Keller et al., 1973; Shepard et al., 1979; Shepard and Marshall, 1973; Lonsdale et al., 1972; Lonsdale and Malfait, 1974; Shepard et al., 1979). Thus the deposition of sandy tidalites can occur in a variety of coastal settings, including deltas, barrier island complexes (especially tidal inlets), tidal marshes, and tidal deltas. Preservation of tidalites on coastlines is favored in part in mesotidal coasts, and totally in macrotidal coastlines. The dominant coastal setting where such sediments occur is the tidal flats.
Inferring gene interaction networks from ISH images via kernelized graphical models

New bio-technologies are being developed that allow high-throughput imaging of gene expressions, where each image captures the spatial gene expression pattern of a single gene in the tissue of interest. This paper addresses the problem of automatically inferring a gene interaction network from such images. We propose a novel kernel-based graphical model learning algorithm, that is both convex and consistent. The algorithm uses multi-instance kernels to compute similarity between the expression patterns of different genes, and then minimizes the L1 regularized Bregman divergence to estimate a sparse gene interaction network. We apply our algorithm on a large, publicly available data set of gene expression images of Drosophila embryos, where our algorithm makes novel and interesting predictions.
Do risks with the use of erythropoeitin stimulating agents (ESAs) differ by tumor type? Implications concerning survival and thrombosis based on meta-analysis (MA).

10023Background: The use of ESAs in anemia associated with cancer remains controversial. Most studies analyzing ESAs have not estimated risks by tumor type, including the largest MA of 91 randomize...
Economics at the FTC: Non-price Merger Effects and Deceptive Automobile Ads

Economists at the Federal Trade Commission analyze a wide range of activities, practices, and policies in support of the agency’s consumer protection and competition missions as demonstrated by the two economic analyses discussed in this article. The first section of this article describes the economic analysis of a proposed merger’s impact on non-price dimensions of competition in the daily fantasy sports market. The second section builds an economic model to quantify the harm to consumers from deceptive advertising in automobile markets.
Variability in survival and post-cardiac arrest care following successful resuscitation from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Abstract Aim of the study Regionalization of care for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) may improve patient outcomes. We evaluated inter-hospital variations in post-arrest care provision and the relation between hospital case volume and survival in Pennsylvania. Methods This retrospective study (2013–2017) used data from adult OHCA cases in Pennsylvania from the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival. Analysis was performed on hospitals reporting greater than 40 cases/5 years with sustained return of spontaneous circulation upon emergency department arrival and survival to hospital admission. We compared post-arrest treatments across hospitals stratified into arrest volume quartiles. Logistic regression models were used to assess the volume-outcome relationship. Results We analyzed 3512 OHCAs admitted to 48 hospitals. Survival to discharge (24–65%) and neurological recovery (15–56%) were highly varied between hospitals. Compared to lower performing hospitals, hospitals with higher survival rates (≥ 40%) performed significantly more coronary angiographies (32% vs. 26%), stenting (17.5% vs. 13%), and ICD placements (12.5% vs 7.4%). Across volume quartiles, no significant differences were found in percent of treatment provision or outcomes. After adjustment for patient demographics, prehospital and post-arrest care variables, odds of survival and neurological recovery were 43% (OR 1.43; 95% CI, 1.08–1.89) and 51% (OR 1.51; 95% CI, 1.11–2.04) higher in hospitals with greater receiving volumes, respectively. Conclusions Hospital case volume is associated with improved patient outcomes. Inter-hospital variability in OHCA outcomes may potentially be addressed by regionalization of care to high volume centers with higher rates of post-arrest care provision and better patient outcomes.
Two-point boundary value problems for ordinary differential equations, uniqueness implies existence

We consider a family of three point n − 2, 1, 1 conjugate boundary value problems for nth order nonlinear ordinary differential equations and obtain conditions in terms of uniqueness of solutions imply existence of solutions. A standard hypothesis that has proved effective in uniqueness implies existence type results is to assume uniqueness of solutions of a large family of n−point boundary value problems. Here, we replace that standard hypothesis with one in which we assume uniqueness of solutions of large families of two and three point boundary value problems. We then close the paper with verifiable conditions on the nonlinear term that in fact imply global uniqueness of solutions of the large family of three point boundary value problems.
Of impacts, agents, and functions: An interdisciplinary meta-review of smart home energy management systems research

Abstract Smart home energy management technologies (SHEMS) have long been viewed as a promising opportunity to manage the way households use energy. Research on this topic has emerged across a variety of disciplines, focusing on different pieces of the SHEMS puzzle without offering a holistic vision of how these technologies and their users will influence home energy use moving forward. This paper presents the results of a systematic, interdisciplinary meta-review of SHEMS literature, assessing the extent to which it discusses the role of various SHEMS components in driving energy benefits. Results reveal a bias towards technical perspectives and controls approaches that seek to drive energy impacts such as load management and energy savings through SHEMS without user or third-party participation. Not only are techno-centric approaches more common, there is also a lack of integration of these approaches with user-centric, information-based solutions for driving energy impacts. These results suggest future work should investigate more holistic solutions for optimal impacts on household energy use. We hope these results will provoke a broader discussion about how to advance research on SHEMS to capitalize on their potential contributions to demand-side management initiatives moving forward.
Legacies of inequality: the case of Brazil

This research examines the effects of inequality on long-run development within Brazil. I first exploit variation in temperature and precipitation to instrument for the local distribution of land in 1920 using a two stage least squares instrumental variables framework. My instrument is an index quantifying the suitability of local climatic conditions for plantation versus smallholder agriculture. I construct this index using information on the growing conditions of crops within certain plant taxonomies that are more biologically suited for smallholder or plantation production. I argue that this index more fully identifies the optimal environmental conditions for these two types of agricultural production, and I show that it serves as a robust predictor of local land inequality in the year 1920. IV estimates then reveal that greater inequality is associated with less local government spending on welfare and public goods over the 1995-2005 time period, as well as reductions in measures of local government quality and per-child education spending. It is also associated with lower levels of development, as measured by the local Human Development Index (HDI) for the year 2000. Inequality primarily affects the HDI through shorter life expectancies and lower incomes. I argue that the latter is consistent with the agrarian elite obstructing the transition of the local economy from agriculture to industry/services, as historically unequal municipalities contain a greater percentage of workers in the lower-wage agriculture sector, and this sector itself constitutes a larger share of local GDP.
Federated User Account Management

BNL SDCC (Scientific Data and Computing Center) recently deployed a centralized identity management solution to support Single Sign On (SSO) authentication across multiple IT systems. The system supports federated login access via CILogon and InCommon and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to meet security standards for various application and services such as Jupyterhub / Invenio that are provided to the SDCC user community. CoManage (cloud-based) and FreeIPA / Keycloak (local) are utilized to provided complex authorization for authenticated users. This talk will focus on technical overviews and strategies to tackle the challenges/obstacles in our facility.
163 Nice: neoantigen-cytokine-chemokine multifunctional engager for NK cell immunotherapy of solid tumors

Background The effectiveness of natural killer cell-based immunotherapy against solid tumors is limited by the lack of specific antigens and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. To improve the clinical efficacy and specificity of NK cell therapy, we are designing, developing, and characterizing a new generation of multi-specific killer engagers, which consists of a neoantigen-targeting moiety, together with cytokine and chemokine-producing domains. Methods Targeting a neoantigen-an antigen formed specifically in response to tumor genome mutations-enables substantially enhanced tumor specificity to be achieved. We evaluated the responsiveness of NK cells to Wilms Tumor 1 (WT1) antigen in GBM by synthesizing an antibody that is able to recognize the WT1/HLA complex. Incorporation of cytokine (namely IL-2, IL-15, and IL-21)-essential for the maturation, persistence, and expansion of NK cells in vivo-favors the proliferation and survival of NK cells in the tumor microenvironment, thereby leading to more sustained anti-tumor responses. Additionally, our data have indicated that the chemokine CXCL10 plays an important role in the infiltration of immune cells into GBM, yet the chemokine itself is expressed at low levels in GBM. Incorporation of a CXCL10-producing element into our construct further supports NK cell recruitment and may stimulate the recruitment of other immune cells. NK activation through the tri-specific engager is achieved through NKp46-mediated signaling. We are investigating the ability of the tri-functional engager to support and enhance NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against GBM in vitro and in patient-derived GBM xenografts in vivo. Results We hypothesize that taking advantage of our multi-functional engager, NK cells will exhibit, at once, superior persistence, infiltration and antitumor activity, simultaneously addressing three of the main limitations to the use of NK cells in immunotherapy of GBM and other solid tumors. Conclusions N/A Acknowledgements N/A
Screen Printed Perovskite Solar Cells with a Mesoscopic Scaffold and Carbon Electrode without a Hole Transport Layer Fabricated and Characterized in an Undergraduate Research Laboratory

We fabricate and characterize perovskite solar cells with a mesoscopic scaffold of metal oxides and carbon nanomaterials that are screen printed and infiltrated with a perovskite precursor solution. We demonstrate reproducible results with hundreds of samples produced and measured in an undergraduate research laboratory. We combine imaging and analysis techniques with long term light soaking to report the stability of our cells and modules over time and to investigate the degradation mechanisms. Our cells have negligible hysteresis, efficiencies over 12%, and high current densities and open circuit voltages. Fill factors limit our cell performance.
Bloody Transplants! Impact of Prior Sternotomy on Transfusion Rate in Heart Transplantation

Purpose Ventricular Assist device (VAD) patients are at higher risk of bleeding at the time of heart transplant. Moreover, the quantity of packed red cells (RBC) received during the first 24 hours postoperatively correlates with increased mortality. Whether this is related to surgical issues or due to the anticoagulation associated with VADs is unknown. Methods Operative transfusion requirements and demographics data was obtained from our hospital cardiothoracic database for all patients who underwent heart transplantation between 2006 and 2020. Patients were divided into three groups - No previous sternotomy (NPS), VAD explant (VE) and Previous (non-VAD) Sternotomy (PS). Biventricular VAD, total artificial heart explants and multi-organ transplants were excluded. Results 428 patients were included in the analysis. Median age was 54 years (IQR 43-61), 131 patients were female (31%), median eGFR was 78ml/min/1.73m2 (IQR 54-95). 236 patients (54.2%) were in the NPS group, 133 (31.1%) in the VE group and 62 patients (14.6%) in the PS group. There was a strong association between blood transfusion and re-do sternotomy (both VE and PS groups) (p Conclusion Sternotomy patients (with or without VAD explant) demonstrated a higher RBC transfusion requirement compared to clean skin and these patients tended to have a lower renal function post-operatively. The lack of difference in RBC requirement between VE and PS patients suggest that anticoagulated VAD patients who have received Vitamin K do not necessarily have higher bleeding risk than other re-do sternotomy patients.
Inherited Cancer Syndromes

This chapter covers important inherited cancer syndromes affecting the gynecologic tract. Inherited cancer syndromes lead to a genetic predisposition to certain types of cancer, which are often diagnosed at an early age. These syndromes are caused by inherited pathogenic variants in one or more genes, and most are inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. Approximately 5% of endometrial cancers and 10% of ovarian cancers can be attributed to an inherited cancer syndrome, with Lynch syndrome and hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome accounting for the majority. The specific syndromes discussed in this chapter include Lynch syndrome, HBOC syndrome, Cowden syndrome, hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC), Peutz-Jehgers syndrome (PJS), tuberous sclerosis, DICER1 syndrome, rhabdoid tumor predisposition syndrome (RTPS), Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome, and Gorlin syndrome. The prevalence, clinical presentation, genetic basis, and diagnosis of each syndrome as well as the associated gynecologic tumors are discussed. Also presented are the morphology, immunophenotype, and molecular findings for each tumor as well as how these features can vary in sporadic versus syndromic tumors. The pathologist’s role in helping identify patients who may have underlying cancer syndromes is also highlighted.
A hybrid in silico approach reveals novel inhibitors of multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants

The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) has been actively generating SARS-CoV-2 high-throughput screening data and disseminates it through the OpenData Portal (https://opendata.ncats.nih.gov/covid19/). Here, we provide a hybrid approach that utilizes NCATS screening data from the SARS-CoV-2 cytophatic effect reduction assay to build predictive models, using both machine learning and pharmacophore-based modeling. Optimized models were used to perform two iterative rounds of virtual screening to predict small molecules active against SARS-CoV-2. Experimental testing with live virus provided 100 (~16% of predicted hits) active compounds (Efficacy > 30%, IC50 [≤] 15 M). Systematic clustering analysis of active compounds revealed three promising chemotypes which have not been previously identified as inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further analysis identified allosteric binders to host receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, which were able to inhibit the entry of pseudoparticles bearing spike protein of wild type SARS-CoV-2 as well as South African B.1.351 and UK B.1.1.7 variants.
Synchronous audio-visual telemedicine at wills eye hospital during Covid-19

Purpose : To describe the use of synchronous audio-visual telemedicine at Wills Eye Hospital (WEH) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods : A retrospective chart review was performed on visits coded as synchronous, audio-visual telemedicine, covering March 15 to May 15 , 2020. Telemedicine software reported the length of synchronous patient and physician time in the visit. Patient satisfaction surveys were completed at the conclusion of each visit. Results are analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results : During the study period, WEH performed synchronous, audio-visual telemedicine for 495 patients. Patients averaged 51 years of age, with a range from 1 to 98 years. 61% of patients were female and 44% identified as white. The Primary Eyecare Service performed the plurality of evaluations (40%), with the remainder performed by the departments of Ocular Oncology (20%), Cornea (12%), Neuro-Ophthalmology (11%), Oculoplastics (6%), Pediatric Ophthalmology (6%), Glaucoma (5%), and Retina (1%). The most common diagnosis categories were blepharitis or dry eye (10%);stye, chalazion or other eyelid pathology (8%);glaucoma (6%);anterior uveitis (4%);choroidal melanoma (4%);corneal abrasion (3%);allergic conjunctivitis (3%);herpetic dermatitis (3%);viral conjunctivitis (2%);and strabismus (2%). Median synchronous patient-physician time in the visit was 9 minutes. Patients, on average, answered 9.2 out of 10 as their likelihood of recommending the service to a friend. Conclusions : During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, WEH employed synchronous audio-visual telemedicine across a wide range of clinical indications with acceptable operational efficiency and high patient satisfaction.
Investigating polaron dynamics in PM6:Y6 films for use in organic photovoltaics using time-resolved infrared spectroscopy

In the last 10 years, there has been a boom in the organic photovoltaic (OPV) community, with new devices achieving power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of ~18%. This significant increase in device performance is due to a switch from polymer:fullerenes, such as P3HT:PCBM, to polymer:non-fullerenes, like PM6:Y6. These films are often created with the use of solvent additives which, when correctly chosen, increase the device performance. However, because many of these polymer:non-fullerene systems have only recently been developed the exact effect that these solvent additives have on the morphology, performance and electronic properties is not well understood. Here we use a combination of photoluminescence and time-resolved spectroscopy along with grazing-incidence wide-angle x-ray scattering to fully understand what is occurring at both an electronic and morphological level in a series of PM6:Y6 films with varying amounts of acetone used as a solvent additive. From these data we find that acetone changes the degree of mixing and crystal grain size, which leads to changes in polaron yield and recombination, which is reflected in device performance.
Genotypic and phenotypic evaluation of wild cotton accessions previously identified as resistant to root-knot (Meloidogyne incognita) or reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis)

The root-knot nematode (RKN; Meloidogyne incognita) and reniform nematode (RN; Rotylenchulus reniformis) reduce Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) yields nearly 5% annually throughout the United States. Recent work has proved successful in transferring the chromosome 11 (Chr11) and 14 RKN resistance QTL and the chromosome 21 Renbarb2 RN resistance QTL into elite Upland cultivars. The deployment of a limited number of resistance QTL risks the creation of virulent nematode populations; therefore, we set out to phenotypically and genotypically re-evaluate wild G. hirsutum and G. barbadense accessions that had previously been labeled as resistant to RKN and/or RN. Twenty-six (26) G. hirsutum accessions were evaluated for RKN resistance and were genotyped using SSR and SNP markers that corresponded to the Chr11 and Chr14 QTL. Accessions showed a range of RKN resistance phenotypes as measured by eggs g−1 root, gall score, and reproductive factor; however, genotypic analyses revealed that all resistant accessions carried either the Chr11 or Chr14 resistance QTL. For RN resistance, G. hirsutum and G. barbadense accessions were investigated. Genotyping of sixteen (16) G. barbadense accessions with the SSR marker BNL3279 that is linked to the Renbarb2 QTL revealed that resistance in these accessions was due to an allele of Renbarb2. Twenty-one (21) G. hirsutum accessions were evaluated for RN resistance as measured by eggs g−1 root, vermiform nematodes g−1 soil, and reproductive factor. None of the G. hirsutum accessions showed a consistent resistant phenotype across multiple experiments. Our findings emphasize the importance of screening new genetically diverse cotton populations in order to find novel sources of RKN and RN resistance.
Localized measurement of linear polarization rotation parameters in short optical fibers

We present a novel measurement technique for precise longitudinal characterization of polarization parameters in optical fibers based on the modified counter-colliding scanner technique.
Citizen Media and Journalism

Citizen media is defined as a form of journalism that provides an alternative to traditional journalism. It is now an integral part of journalism input, production, dissemination, and consumption. The citizen media that emerged at the end of the twenty-first century is associated with the rapid rise of the Internet and Web 2.0. as a source of broadcasting and public information. Keywords: news production; online journalism; postindustrial journalism; social media
Emigrant or Sojourner? Migration Intensity and Its Determinants

This Working Paper develops the concept of 'migration intensity'--the degree to which a migrant shifts his attachment, association and engagement from his place of origin to the migration destination. Among male Mexican migrants to the United States, Kaufmann finds strong complementarities among remittances, migration patterns, and localized investments in physical, social and human capital. Based on these, he derives an Index of Migration Intensity (IMI). The IMI reveals that the majority of Mexicans have low levels of migration intensity, but migration intensity has been growing over time. Migration intensity varies as expected: education, prior migration experience, foreign family ties, and original residence in communities with few economic opportunities all promote higher migration intensity. From the standpoint of sending countries, low migration intensity has the desirable effects of enhancing positive financial transfers and mitigating the resource losses connected to the human outflow. From the standpoint of receiving countries, low migration intensity may also be desirable, depending on policy goals.
Chronic Nicotine Exposure Systemically Alters MicroRNA Expression Profiles During Post-Embryonic Stages in Caenorhabditis elegans

Tobacco smoking is associated with many diseases. Addiction is of the most notorious tobacco-related syndrome and is mainly attributed to nicotine. In this study, we employed Caenorhabditis elegans as a biological model to systemically investigate the effect of chronic nicotine exposure on microRNA (miRNA) expression profile and their regulated biochemical pathways. Nicotine treatment (20 µM and 20 mM) was limited to the post-embryonic stage from L1 to L4 (∼31 h) period after which worms were collected for genome-wide miRNA profiling. Our results show that nicotine significantly altered the expression patterns of 40 miRNAs. The effect was proportional to the nicotine dose and was expected to have an additive, more robust response. Based on pathway enrichment analyses coupled with nicotine-induced miRNA patterns, we inferred that miRNAs as a system mediates "regulatory hormesis", manifested in biphasic behavioral and physiological phenotypes. We proposed a model where nicotine addiction is mediated by miRNAs' regulation of fos-1 and is maintained by epigenetic factors. Thus, our study offers new insights for a better understanding of the sensitivity of early developmental stages to nicotine.
Physical health, mental health, and behaviour problems among early adolescents in foster care.

Background Adolescents with chronic illness in the general population are at increased risk of mental health and behaviour problems. Depression is also associated with delinquency. Adolescents in foster care are more at risk for chronic illness and mental health issues. We investigated whether adolescents in long-term foster care with chronic illness have associated higher rates of internalizing and externalizing problems and delinquency. We also investigated if depression mediates the relationship between physical health and externalizing behaviours. Methods Data are from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being; adolescents age 11 and older residing in long-term foster care (n= 188). Children whose caregivers reported on the occurrence of a chronic illness were compared using anova on internalizing and externalizing subscale scores and total scores of the Youth Self Report (YSR) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and modified Self-Report of Delinquency (MSRD) scores of delinquency and total number of delinquent acts. Bootstrapping analyses were used to test our hypothesis that depressive symptoms (Children's Depression Inventory) function as a mediator. Results Adolescents with a chronic illness reported greater internalizing (YSR: F= 7.069, P= 0.009; CBCL: F= 4.660, P= 0.032) and externalizing (YSR: F= 5.878, P= 0.016; CBCL: F= 3.546, P= 0.061) problems, a greater number of delinquent acts (6.66, F= 5.049, P= 0.026) and heightened overall delinquency (F= 5.049, P= 0.026). Depression significantly mediated the effects of overall health on delinquency (95% CI, 0.03-1.76). Conclusions It is important to consider the complex interrelationships between physical health, mental health, and behaviour for adolescents in foster care. These findings support the need for comprehensive services for these youths, including specialized assessments and collaboration between protective services and healthcare systems. Language: en
Post-traumatic stress disorder in cancer: a review.

The stressor criterion for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been recently modified to include life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer, as precipitating traumatic events. We sought to examine the empiric evidence for cancer's inclusion as a traumatic stressor. Nine published studies assessing PTSD in cancer survivors and/or family members were identified in the literature. The studies were predominantly small (n<100) and cross-sectional. Study target groups included one or more of the following: children cancer survivors, parents of pediatric survivors and adult cancer survivors. There was considerable inter- and intra-study variability in the type and stage of cancer diagnosed and in the type of treatment regimens participants had undergone. Only three studies utilized a validated PTSD diagnostic tool to evaluate the disorder. Evidence of full-blown PTSD was found for adults and parents, and for children in all but one instance. These results suggest that a PTSD symptom assessment provides valuable clinical information concerning the post-treatment adjustment of cancer survivors and their immediate family members.
Cross-talk between hypoxia and insulin signaling through Phd3 regulates hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism and ameliorates diabetes

Signaling initiated by hypoxia and insulin powerfully alters cellular metabolism. The protein stability of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (Hif-1α) and Hif-2α is regulated by three prolyl hydroxylase domain–containing protein isoforms (Phd1, Phd2 and Phd3). Insulin receptor substrate-2 (Irs2) is a critical mediator of the anabolic effects of insulin, and its decreased expression contributes to the pathophysiology of insulin resistance and diabetes1. Although Hif regulates many metabolic pathways2, it is unknown whether the Phd proteins regulate glucose and lipid metabolism in the liver. Here, we show that acute deletion of hepatic Phd3, also known as Egln3, improves insulin sensitivity and ameliorates diabetes by specifically stabilizing Hif-2α, which then increases Irs2 transcription and insulin-stimulated Akt activation. Hif-2α and Irs2 are both necessary for the improved insulin sensitivity, as knockdown of either molecule abrogates the beneficial effects of Phd3 knockout on glucose tolerance and insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation. Augmenting levels of Hif-2α through various combinations of Phd gene knockouts did not further improve hepatic metabolism and only added toxicity. Thus, isoform-specific inhibition of Phd3 could be exploited to treat type 2 diabetes without the toxicity that could occur with chronic inhibition of multiple Phd isoforms.
Life on Mars: how it disappeared (if it was ever there).

Information available on Mars chemistry suggest that conditions on early Mars may have been suitable for life. This paper examines the possible events that led to the disappearance of life, assuming it existed, from the surface of Mars. The sequence of events leading to life extinction on early Mars assumes the following steps: (1) a decrease of temperature and humidity levels, leading to a selection of microorganisms for tolerance of low temperatures and arid conditions; (2) further deterioration of environment leading to withdrawal of cold-adapted organisms to protected niches under the surface; (3) further cooling producing heavy stresses in these organisms; and (4) further deterioration of the environment resulting in extinction. This sequence of events is considered parallel events documented for the microbial community in the Ross Desert of Antarctica, where TEM examinations of the material detected progressive stages of cell damage and death.
Development of Peptide Antagonists That Target Estrogen Receptor β-Coactivator Interactions

The biological actions of estrogen are manifest through two genetically distinct estrogen receptors (ER alpha and ER beta) that display nonidentical expression patterns in target tissues. The phenotypic alterations in response to estrogens in mice disrupted for either or both of these receptors are not identical, suggesting that each subtype plays a unique role in ER-action. However, the lack of subtype-specific agonists and antagonists has made it difficult to define the processes that are regulated by ER alpha and/or ER beta. Previously, we have reported the identification and characterization of a series of LXXLL-containing peptide antagonists that block estrogen signaling by preventing the association of ER alpha with required coactivators. As expected, given the similarity of the coactivator binding pockets among nuclear receptors, most of the peptide antagonists identified inhibited the activity of multiple receptors. However, by altering sequences flanking the core LXXLL motif, some receptor selectivity was afforded. Building on this observation, we have screened combinatorial phage libraries, expressing peptides in the format X7LXXLLX7, for peptides that interact in a specific manner with ER beta. Using this approach, a series of highly specific, potent peptide antagonists have been identified that efficiently inhibit ER beta-mediated estrogen signaling when introduced into target cells. Interestingly, in cells where both ER subtypes were expressed, these ER beta antagonists were capable of attenuating ER action, suggesting that ER alpha and ER beta do indeed form functional heterodimeric complexes. We believe that suitably formulated versions of these peptides can be used to study ER beta action in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the unanticipated specificity of the peptides identified should serve as an impetus to investigate the use of this approach to develop peptide antagonists of other nuclear receptors and unrelated transcription factors.
Comparison of semiclassical and quantum mechanical angular distributions for nuclear fission and evaporation

There is quite a variety of statistical-model equations in the literature that have been derived with different assumptions and for various classes of nuclear reactions. Some have been obtained by consideration of the quantum mechanics and some by semiclassical approximations thereto. Often it is not clear whether or not the results of certain analyses are clouded by these semiclassical approximations. We consider three statistical models that have been heavily employed in recent years: (1) fission decay from a rigid rotor (2) particle evaporation from a spherical system and (3) fission decay from two uncoupled spheres. Comparisons are made of numerical results from semiclassical and from quantum mechanical equations for certain specific reactions. In addition, some general features are displayed and discussed for the differences between these formalisms. For average spins that are often encountered in heavy ion reactions, the results are very similar. We conclude that major differences in current analyses are not due to the methodology; instead they must center on assumptions concerning the physical nature of the transition-state (or decision-point) configurations and their associated level densities.
Mature semiarid chaparral ecosystems can be a significant sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide

Carbon flux in arid and semiarid area shrublands, especially in old-growth shrub ecosystems, has been rarely studied using eddy covariance techniques. In this study, eddy covariance measurements over a 100-year old-growth chamise-dominated chaparral shrub ecosystem were conducted for 7 years from 1996 to 2003. A carbon sink, from � 96 to � 155gCm � 2 yr � 1 , was determined under normal weather conditions, while a weak sink of � 18gCm � 2 yr � 1 and a strong source of 207gCm � 2 yr � 1 were observed as a consequence of a severe drought. The annual sink strength of carbon in the 7-year measurement period was � 52gCm � 2 yr � 1 . The results from our study indicate that, in contrast to previous thought, the old-growth chaparral shrub ecosystem can be a significant sink of carbon under normal weather conditions and, therefore, be an important component of the global carbon budget.
Statistics As Principled Argument

Contents: Preface. Abelson's Laws. Making Claims With Statistics. Elementary Arguments and the Role of Chance. Magnitude of Effects. Styles of Rhetoric. On Suspecting Fishiness. Articulation of Results: Ticks and Buts. Generality of Effects. Interestingness of Argument. Credibility of Argument.
Genetic relatedness of communally breeding guira cuckoos

. A population of sexually monomorphic, communally breeding guira cuckoos, Guira guira, located near Brasilia, Brazil, was studied during three breeding seasons. Previous studies indicated considerable reproductive conflict among adults over contribution to the incubated clutch. In this study parentage and relatedness among nestlings were evaluated by DNA fingerprinting of samples from four nesting groups. The hypotheses tested were: (1) that guira cuckoo breeding groups consisted of monogamous pairs: and (2) that a single female contributed most of the incubated eggs in each group. The data indicate that nestmates were offspring of different adults. Some adults did not breed. The monogamy hypothesis was not supported by the data. Most related nestlings (78%) appeared to be half-, but not full-siblings. Parentage analyses directly suggested polygynandry in one breeding group and polygamy in another. Only 41% of pairs of nestlings selected at random from the same nest were found to share statistically significant numbers of bands. A single female was not responsible for the majority of young in a nest; however, further research is necessary to evaluate the possibility that dominant females contribute more incubated eggs than do subordinates. The data exemplify a breeding system in which nestling rivalries and reproductive conflict among adults would be expected.
Surfaces with Reversible Hydrophilic/Hydrophobic Characteristics on Cross-linked Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogels

Temperature-sensitive surfaces were prepared by grafting poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogel on the surface of silicone wafers. The silicone wafer substrates were modified by organosilane (vinyltriethoxylsilane). They were further reacted with N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), using N,N‘-methylenebisacrylamide as the cross-linking agent, to generate the cross-linked PNIPAAm layer on the surface of the substrate. The surfaces modified by the cross-linked PNIPAAm layer were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and attenuated total reflectance−Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The reversible hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties of the surface were evaluated by the dynamic contact angle. The morphology of the surface modified by a cross-linked PNIPAAm layer can be turned from “sea island” to “mountain valley” by changing the molar ratio of NIPAAm to BisAAm and by varying the polymerization time. A completely hydrophilic surface (advancing contac...
Wide Boulevards, Narrow Visions: Burnham’s Street System and the Chicago Plan Commission, 1909–1930

Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett's 1909 Plan of Chicago unveiled a comprehensive vision for a street system designed to beautify the city, segregate traffic, and provide for easy circulation. In the planners' view, these attributes would create an environment attractive to business and uplifting to workers. Over the next two decades, the Chicago Plan Commission, an advisory board chartered by the city to implement the Plan, confronted two major challenges to this vision: first, the widespread adoption of the automobile--unanticipated by the Plan, and second, the shifting goals and methods of the officials charged with carrying out the Plan. In the face of these developments, the Chicago Plan Commission radically redefined its street plans to accommodate automobiles, often in contrast to the Plan's proposals--prompting protest from Edward Bennett and others. As a result, the Commission fired Bennett in 1929, signaling the Commission's turn away from the Plan's vision and toward a new view of the role of the street in the city. Language: en
For the minimal surface equation, the set of solvable boundary values need not be convex

One might think that if the minimal surface equation had a solution on a smooth domain D ⊂ Rn with boundary values φ, it would have a solution with boundary values tφ for all 0 ≤ t ≤ 1. We give a counterexample in R2.
Design of infrared wavelength-selective microbolometers using planar multimode detectors

Multimode microbolometers for wavelength-selective infrared detection have been designed using a Genetic Algorithm and an electromagnetic model of the planar antenna. Wavelength selectivity can be varied by changing the distance to a tuning mirror, or by changing only lithographically drawn parameters, with bandwidth narrower than Fabry-Perot microbolometers. The design of a three color system covering the 7-14 micron band is presented.
Effects of electron bombardment on the noise in junction gate field effect transistors

Abstract The effects of electron bombardment on the various noise sources in n -type channel and p -type channel junction gate field effect transistors (JFET's) have been investigated in detail. It is shown that generation recombination ( g - r ) noise is the most sensitive noise source to electron bombardment. The noise frequency spectra obtained after each bombardment level are shown to be characterized by two distinct time constants, one due to traps in the gate channel depletion region and the other due to traps in the channel.
Conjuring funding for services

Funding for programs vanishing? Do requests for new services seemingly appear out of thin air? Conjure funding for new resources through fee-based services. At the University of Oregon, School of Architecture and Allied Arts we have successfully implemented a large-format color printing service that is completely self-funding. By using a pay-to-use funding model we are able to provide on-going digital imaging services to the campus that are unaffected by the ups and downs of grant funding or general budget changes. Fee based funding also gives us the flexibility to create resources for new services and provides a sustainable framework through which they can be maintained. New services that we have been able to add include slide/film scanning, large format document scanning, large format paper trimming, promotional poster printing, additional staff, and better communication with the computing services department. We are now in the process of exploring new services in digital fine art and art reproduction. Seem like magic? Hopefully, our experience developing a digital imaging lab can help inspire you to create a little magic of your own.
Nanometer-resolved interfacial fluidity.

Confined liquids can have properties that are poorly predicted from bulk parameters. We resolve with 0.5 nm resolution the nanoscale perturbations that interfaces cause on fluidity, in thin 3-methylpentane (3MP) films. The films of glassy 3MP are much less viscous at the vacuum-liquid interface and much more viscous at the 3MP-metal interface, compared to the bulk of the film. We find that the viscosity at the interfaces continuously returns to the bulk value over about a 3 nm distance. The amorphous 3MP films are constructed using molecular beam epitaxy on a Pt(111) substrate at low temperatures (<30 K). Ions are gently inserted at specific distances from the substrate with a 1 eV hydronium (D3O+) or Cs+ ion beam. The voltage across the film, which is directly proportional to the position of the ions within the film, is monitored electrostatically as the film is heated at a rate of 0.2 K/s. Above the bulk glass transition temperature (Tg) of 3MP (77 K), the ions are expected to begin to move down through...
NMR studies of dynamics in RNA and DNA by 13C relaxation.

RNA and DNA molecules experience motions on a wide range of time scales, ranging from rapid localized motions to much slower collective motions of entire helical domains. The many functions of RNA in biology very often require this molecule to change its conformation in response to biological signals in the form of small molecules, proteins or other nucleic acids, whereas local motions in DNA may facilitate protein recognition and allow enzymes acting on DNA to access functional groups on the bases that would otherwise be buried in Watson-Crick base pairs. Although these statements make a compelling case to study the sequence dependent dynamics in nucleic acids, there are few residue-specific studies of nucleic acid dynamics. Fortunately, NMR studies of dynamics of nucleic acids and nucleic acids-protein complexes are gaining increased attention. The aim of this review is to provide an update of the recent progress in studies of nucleic acid dynamics by NMR based on the application of solution relaxation techniques. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 86: 348–359, 2007. This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com