cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The evaluation of pragmatic and functionalist aspects in localization: towards a holistic approach to Quality Assurance

Current localization QA models are based on componential error-based approaches to quality evaluation. However, as it is more complex to objectively measure pragmatic issues than language or functionality problems, the communicative-pragmatic adequacy of the target text is normally ignored while assuring that a text "look[s] like it has been developed in-country" (LISA, 2004, p. 11). Consequently, most QA models do not incorporate a category for this type of issue. This paper presents a critical review of the notion of quality in localization and its implications in current QA practices from a functionalist perspective (Nord, 1997). The main goal is to set the foundation for an evaluation process that can account for functionalist and pragmatic inadequacies through the use of localization evaluation corpora. The main issues and applications are illustrated through examples extracted from the 40,000 webpage Spanish Web Evaluation Corpus compiled by the author (Jimenez-Crespo, 2008a). This article is made available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.
Do mesothelin/MUC16 interactions facilitate adenocarcinoma metastases to intracranial meningiomas?

BACKGROUND Meningiomas have been shown to express mesothelin, a high affinity binding site for MUC16, a transmembrane protein on adenocarcinoma cells. The mechanisms underlying adenocarcinoma metastases to meningiomas may provide insight into tumor-to-tumor metastases and adenocarcinoma metastases to leptomeningeal cells. METHODS Two meningiomas containing metastases from adenocarcinomas were identified and evaluated immunohistochemically for the expression and localization of mesothelin and MUC16. RESULTS Both meningiomas show extensive mesothelin immunoreactivity, and the adenocarcinomas metastatic to the meningiomas show mesothelin and MUC16 immunoreactivity at the interface with meningioma. CONCLUSIONS Interactions between MUC16 and/or mesothelin on the cell membrane of adenocarcinoma cells with mesothelin on meningioma cells may facilitate adenocarcinoma metastases to meningiomas and possibly the leptomeninges.
A mild catalytic system for radical conjugate addition of nitrogen heterocycles

The direct addition of pyridine and diazine units to electron-poor alkenes has been achieved via a redox radical mechanism that is enabled by limiting the effective concentration of the hydrogen-atom source. The described method is tolerant of acidic functional groups and is generally applicable to the union of a wide range of Michael acceptors and 6-membered heterocyclic halides.
Combination of Modified Pinch-Burn-Cut (PBC) Technique and Harmonic FOCUS® for Pancreaticoduodenectomy under Preoperative Continuation of Antiplatelets in High Thromboembolic Risk Patients

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the safety and feasibility of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) using modified Pinch-Burn-Cut (PBC) technique and Harmonic FOCUS® under continuation of antiplatelet therapy in patients with high thromboembolic risks. METHODS: Consecutive 78 patients who had undergone PD using combination of modified PBC technique and HF in a tertiary care setting from 2009 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Among which 18 patients with high thromboembolic risks underwent preoperative aspirin continuation and were included in the study. Background and perioperative factors were described with detailed information, and the outcome variables of patients were compared between the pancreatic cancer patients (PC group) and those with the other diseases (non-PC group). RESULTS: The current cohort included 8 patients in PC group and 10 in non-PC group, respectively. The major indication of APT was history of percutaneous coronary intervention for angina pectoris (15/18, 83.3%). The median of operative time and estimated blood loss were 482 min and 511 mL, respectively. There were no differences between the groups in the operative time, blood loss, or the rates of postoperative complications. None suffered from excessive bleeding requiring platelet transfusion intraoperatively, and there is no case with massive intraoperative bleeding (≥ 1,000 mL). Three minor Grade B post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH, 16.7%) and 2 Grade B postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF, 11.1%) occurred postoperatively, but no patient suffered from Grade C PPH/POPF or thromboembolic complications. Operative mortality was zero. CONCLUSION: PD using modified PBC technique and Harmonic FOCUS® can be performed safely and satisfactorily even in APT-burdened patients with high thromboembolic risks. Maintenance of single APT should be considered in patients with high thromboembolic risk, even when PD is performed.
Crowdsourcing low-power wide-area IoT networks

The Internet of Things (IoT) promises to allow everyday objects to connect to the Internet and seamlessly interact with users and other machines. For this vital Internet connection, most current IoT devices use a personal gateway device such as a smartphone or a home WiFi access point. The necessity of configuring and maintaining these gateways presents an additional burden for both users and developers of IoT applications. Our vision for IoT connectivity is to eliminate the need for the personal gateway by developing crowdsourced low-power wide area networks (csLPWAN). Recent technologies such as RPMA, LoRa, and R-FDMA enable links to reach 15km using ISM-band transceivers, making csLPWANs an attractive option. In this paper, we investigate the practicality of csLPWANs and develop the first csLPWAN planning tool, PlanIt, which combines topography-aware RF signal analysis with demographic data to predict LPWAN coverage in specific geographic areas. Using PlanIt, we find that most cities achieve 99% coverage by deploying a single LPWAN base station within the city. To provide better service on the csLPWAN, we propose and evaluate D-QN, a near-optimal MAC protocol to enable efficient bandwidth sharing in highly utilized networks. In the future, csLPWANs could accommodate a heterogeneous set of IoT applications, simplifying the IoT application development cycle, reducing total system cost, improving application reliability, and enhancing the user experience.
A soft computing approach for benign and malicious web robot detection

We propose a method called SMART (Soft computing for MAlicious RoboT detection).The method detects benign and malicious robots, and human visitors to a web server.SMART selects its features on a particular web server by fuzzy rough set theory.A graph-based clustering algorithm classifies sessions into the three agent types.Analyses on web logs suggest state-of-the-art results to detect both robot types. The accurate detection of web robot sessions from a web server log is essential to take accurate traffic-level measurements and to protect the performance and privacy of information on a Web server. Moreover, the irrecoverable risks of visits from malicious robots that intentionally try to evade web server intrusion detection systems, covering-up their visits with fabricated fields in their http request packets, cannot be ignored. To separate both types of robots from humans in practice, analysts turn to heuristic methods or state-of-the-art soft computing approaches that have only been tuned to the specification of a kind of web server. Noting that the landscape of web robot agents is ever changing, and that behavioral patterns and characteristics vary across different web servers, both options are lacking. To overcome this challenge, this paper presents SMART, a soft computing system that simultaneously detects benign and malicious types of robot agents from web server logs and can automatically adapt to the session characteristics of a web server. The results of experiments over some access log file servers, each servicing different domains of the web, demonstrate outperformance of the proposed method on state-of-the-art ones for benign and malicious robot detection.
On the Computation of Robustness Conditions for Systems with Multiple Constrained Uncertainty Sets: The l 1 Setting

Abstract In this paper we address the computational issues related to computing the robustness conditions for systems whose uncertainty set is described by multiple constraints, We show that the infinite dimensional optimization problem whose solutions is used to compute the nonconservative conditions can be solved with arbitrary accuracy by using finite dimensional linear programming.
Insights Into Signaling in Cell-Based Therapy for Heart Disease

Over the past several decades, stem cell therapy for heart disease has been translated from the bench to the bedside and in clinical trials improves cardiac structure and function in both ischemic and nonischemic cardiac disease. Although the regenerative effects of stem cells in cardiac disease are mediated by both paracrine and cell-to-cell contact mechanisms, many of the downstream signaling pathways remain to be fully elucidated. This review outlines what is currently known about the main signaling pathways involved in mesenchymal stem cell and cardiac stem cell survival, proliferation, and migration and mechanisms of action to repair the damaged heart.
SeqyClean: A Pipeline for High-throughput Sequence Data Preprocessing

Modern high-throughput sequencing instruments produce massive amounts of data, which often contains noise in the form of sequencing errors, sequencing adaptors, and contaminating reads. This noise complicates genomics studies. Although many preprocessing software tools have been developed to reduce the sequence noise, many of them cannot handle data from multiple technologies and few address more than one type of noise. We present SeqyClean, a comprehensive preprocessing software pipeline. SeqyClean effectively removes multiple sources of noise in high throughput sequence data and, according to our tests, outperforms other available preprocessing tools. We show that preprocessing data with SeqyClean first improves both de-novo genome assembly and genome mapping. We have used SeqyClean extensively in the genomics core at the Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary STudies (IBEST) at the University of Idaho, so it has been validated with both test and production data. SeqyClean is available as open source software under the MIT License at http://github.com/ibest/seqyclean
Cellular Response to Exponentially Increasing and Decreasing Dose Rates

1354 Objectives The treatment of cancer using targeted radionuclide therapy is of interest to the radiation oncology field due to its potential for killing tumor cells while minimizing dose-limiting toxicities to normal tissue. Ionizing radiation emitted by targeted radionuclide therapy delivers radiation absorbed doses over protracted periods of time with continuously varying dose rates. As RIT becomes a more prominent part of cancer therapy, accurate models for predicting biologically effective dose (BED) or equieffective dose (EQD2α/β) will become essential. This study examines the radiobiological impact of the dose rate increase half-time during the uptake phase of the radiopharmaceutical. Methods V79 Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts were irradiated acutely or with continuously varying dose rates with 137Cs γ-rays for 168 h. The following dose rate patterns were delivered: acute, monoexponentially decreasing (Td=64 h), and exponentially increasing and decreasing with different increase half-times (Ti=2 h and Td=64 h, Ti=8 h and Td=64 h, Ti=24 h and Td=64 h). Cell survival assays were carried out and surviving fractions were calculated. Results Data obtained from survival assays demonstrated that increasing Ti leads to increasing cell sparing. Conventional dose response models (BED and EQD2α/β) were not able to fit the cell survival data; they underestimate both BED and EQD2α/β at high dose rates and overestimate both at low dose rates. Cell cycle analysis suggested that differences in radiosensitivity cannot be attributed to redistribution. Accordingly, the expressions for BED and EQD2α/β were modified empirically with an adaptive response function that fit the experimental data more accurately. Conclusions Our experimental data demonstrates a marked increase in cell survival when the dose rate increase half-time is increased, thereby suggesting an adaptive response arising as a consequence of this phase of the irradiation. We have modified conventional radiobiological models to account for this phenomenon.
Indicators set of labour market that evaluate potential level of LFA region

The paper was created thanks solving the research programme MSM 6007665806. It deals with analysis of choice labour market’s indicators of region Prachatice that falls into LFA. Part of this paper is also the evaluation of issues dealing with employment of population in this region that accrue from questionnaire inquiry.
Overview of Transporters in Pharmacokinetics and Drug Discovery

Transporters play important roles in absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) processes, as well as drug pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD). They are also important in maintaining the homeostasis of endogenous compounds and nutrients in the body. Increasing evidences also suggest that they are important in mediating drug-drug interactions (DDIs). While the significance of transporters in drug pharmacodynamics and DDIs are beyond the scope of this overview, the basic concepts of transporters, their contributions in membrane permeation processes, and their roles in influencing drug ADME pathway and PK will be discussed. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Measuring Radical Innovation Using Interrupted Patent Citation Flows

We propose a network and field based conceptualization of innovation that relies on the effects new inventions have on subsequent uses of discoveries that preceded them to characterize the extent t...
Bayesian methods

The use of Bayesian methods as both an information combination scheme and an updating tool has become widespread, combining or updating prior information with existing information about events. Bayesian methods stem from the application of Bayes' theorem in probability. As will be noted in this chapter, not only do these methods provide ways of handling various kinds of uncertainties, but they also can serve as a link between subjective-based probability theory and fuzzy logic.In the Bayesian paradigm, uncertainty is quantified in terms of a personal or subjective probability following the axioms of probability theory (see Chapter 3, section 3.2.5), The probability of an event X is denoted P (X; H), where H represents the assessor's information, often called the prior information. Prior refers to the knowledge that exists prior to the acquisition of information about event X. Uncertainties combine via rules of probability that stem from the axiomatic behavioristic interpretation of probability (see Chapter 3, section 3.1). The fundamental Bayesian philosophy is that prior information, H, is valuable and can be mathematically combined with information about X and, with such combination, uncertainties can be reduced.Understanding the uses of Bayesian methods begins with the historical development of the theory.
Automatic detection and classification of fish calls in the Northern Gulf of Mexico using energy detectors and a convolutional neural network

Long-term passive acoustic monitoring datasets can require substantial effort for manual analysis; therefore, automatic methods are a more effective way to conduct these analyses and extract calls of interest. In this study, acoustic recordings from the northern Gulf of Mexico, about 60 km north of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill location, collected between July 2010 and May 2017 were analyzed to determine if fish call abundance has changed after the oil spill. An energy detector was created to extract six likely fish calls found in these data and a neural network was subsequently applied to classify the detections into different call categories. Data augmentation and iterative training were used to optimize classification and compensate for the low number of training images for a couple call types. Daily, monthly, and yearly patterns in calls were investigated and a hypothesis was tested that there was an increase in call abundance over time, indicating recovery of fish populations since the oil spill. Such long-term studies demonstrate that PAM can be used as a population assessment tool for fisheries management.
CT and MR imaging evaluation of living liver donors

Preoperative cross-sectional imaging evaluation of potential living liver donors allows to exclude donors with an increased risk for morbidity and mortality, and to assure that a suitable graft for the recipient can be obtained, minimizing the risk of complications in both the donor and the recipient. CT is routinely performed to delineate the anatomy of the liver, relevant vasculature, and liver volumes in whole right or left lateral segment donation. MR imaging is the gold standard for the assessment of biliary anatomy and allows a better quantification of hepatic steatosis compared to CT. Knowledge of normal and variant vascular and biliary anatomy and their surgical relevance for liver transplantation is of paramount importance for the radiologist. The purpose of this review is to outline the current role of CT and MR imaging in the assessment of hepatic parenchyma, hepatic vascular anatomy, biliary anatomy, and hepatic volumetry in the potential living liver donor with short notes on acquisition protocols and the relevant reportable findings.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF HIP MUSCLE ACTIVATION DURING CLOSED-CHAIN REHABILITATION EXERCISES IN RUNNERS.

Background Increased hip adduction and internal rotation during the early stance phase of running have been linked to an increased risk of lower extremity injury. Both the gluteus maximus (GMAX) and gluteus medius (GMED) eccentrically control these motions. GMAX and GMED activation levels during commonly used rehabilitation exercises requires further exploration. Hypothesis/Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare peak surface electromyography (sEMG) amplitudes of GMAX and GMED between three closed-chain rehabilitation exercises: bilateral hip external rotation with resistance band (BER), forward lunge with resistance band (FL), and single-leg rotational squat (SLS). It was hypothesized that the FL would elicit greater peak amplitude in the GMAX and GMED than SLS and BER. Study Design Descriptive, observational cohort study. Methods Twenty-two healthy runners (14 male, 8 female) had sEMG electrodes placed bilaterally on GMAX and GMED. Participants completed three repetitions each of BER, FL, and SLS exercises with sEMG data normalized to the maximal amplitude recorded at each muscle during the running trial (% MRC). Seven inertial measurement units affixed to the lower extremity measured joint kinematics to enable the exercises to be split into eccentric and concentric phases respectively. Results There were no significant differences between exercises during the eccentric phases with all peak amplitudes for GMAX and GMED being less than < 30% MRC. Both the SLS (GMAX: 48.2 ± 45.2% MRC, p = 0.019; GMED: 39.3 ± 24.8% MRC, p < .001) and FL (GMAX: 65.8 ± 58.9% MRC, p < .001; GMED: 52.2 ± 34.9% MRC, p<.001) elicited significantly greater peak amplitudes than BER (GMAX: 21.7 ± 22.3% MRC; GMED: 22.8 ± 21.2% MRC) during the concentric phase. Conclusion Running related injuries have been linked to deficits in GMAX and GMED activation and strength. When averaged bilaterally across 22 healthy runners, peak GMAX and GMED amplitudes during three weight bearing exercises were less than 70% MRC. All three exercises had comparable eccentric peak amplitudes; however, the BER exercise produced a significantly reduced GMAX and GMED amplitude during the concentric phase versus the FL and SLS. The FL and SLS appear equally effective at eliciting peak GMAX and GMED activation. Level of Evidence 3.
Splenic Laceration Post Colonoscopy: A Rare Complication.

Abstract Background The number of colonoscopies performed in the United States is increasing each year. Although the procedure is generally safe and effective, complications can arise. Splenic laceration is an extremely rare complication of colonoscopy. Case Report A 71-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department with abdominal pain and left shoulder pain accompanied by nausea within 24 h of undergoing a colonoscopy. A computed tomography scan showed hemoperitoneum, with findings suggestive of a splenic laceration. Upon laparoscopy, the patient was found to have a splenic laceration with active bleeding. She was treated with splenectomy. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Colonoscopy is one of the most commonly performed outpatient procedures in the United States. As such, being able to recognize potential complications of the procedure is essential. With the number of colonoscopies being performed each year increasing, the emergency physician should be aware of the remote possibility of splenic injury as a cause of abdominal pain whenever a history of recent colonoscopy is elicited from the patient.
TRANSLATION AND STRUCTURE OF THE RNAs OF BROME MOSAIC VIRUS

ABSTRACT. The four RNAs of the multicomponent Brome Mosaic Virus have been translated in wheat embryo cell-free extracts in order to characterize their cistrons. RNAs 1 and 2 are monocistronic; they each direct the synthesis of a single large polypeptide. RNA 3 is dicistronic but only one of its cistrons is translated. RNA 4 is a monocistronic messenger for the coat protein. The 5′ end of RNA 4 begins with m 7 G and a short sequence of A's and U's; these are followed by the initiation codon and codons for the amino acids of the coat protein. RNAs 1, 2 and 3 also have m 7 G at their 5′ terminus. The 3′ region of all four RNAs is remarkably similar in sequence.
Effect of Structural Ordering on the Charge Storage Mechanism of p-Type Organic Electrode Materials.

Understanding the properties that govern the kinetics of charge storage will enable informed design strategies and improve the rate performance of future battery materials. Herein, we study the eff...
Two Latina bilingual teacher candidates’ perceptions of language proficiency and language choice options: Ideological encounters with listening and speaking others

In this interview-based study, we examine two Latina bilingual teacher candidates’ accounts of their experiences as Spanish-dominant, Mexican-national bilingual speakers in social and institutional...
Water quality monitoring with purpose: Using a novel framework and leveraging long-term data.

Abstract Water quality monitoring programs are developed to meet goals including attaining regulatory compliance, evaluating long-term environmental changes, or quantifying the impact of an emergency event. Methods for developing these programs often fail to address multiple aspects of development (hazard identification, parameter selection, monitoring locations/frequency) simultaneously. We develop a framework for monitoring program development that is both versatile and systematic, the Hazard Based Water Quality Monitoring Planning framework, and apply it to the Quabbin watershed in Massachusetts, USA. We use a novel application of dataset deconstruction of long-term water quality datasets and the Seasonal Kendall test for trends to evaluate the effects of sampling frequency on long-term trend detection at several watershed sites. Results showed that when sampling frequency is decreased, ability to detect statistically significant trends often decreases. Absolute error in trend slopes between biweekly (twice monthly) and reduced sampling frequencies was relatively small for specific conductance and turbidity but was high for total coliform, likely due to interannual variation in rainfall and temperature We found that no one sampling reduction method resulted in a consistently lower absolute error compared to the “truth” (biweekly sampling), highlighting the importance of evaluating conditions that may affect water quality at sites in different parts of a watershed. We demonstrate the framework's usefulness, particularly for parameter and sampling frequency selection, using methods that can be readily applied to other watershed systems.
Core Noise: Implications of Emerging N+3 Designs and Acoustic Technology Needs

This presentation is a summary of the core-noise implications of NASA's primary N+3 aircraft concepts. These concepts are the MIT/PW the NASA N+3 concepts and associated core-noise challenges; the historical trends for the engine bypass ratio (BPR), overall pressure ratio (OPR), and combustor exit temperature; and brief discussion of a noise research roadmap being developed to address the core-noise challenges identified for the N+3 concepts. The N+3 conceptual aircraft have (i) ultra-high bypass ratios, in the rage of 18 - 30, accomplished by either having a small-size, high-power-density core, an hybrid design which allows for an increased fan size, or by utilizing a turboelectric distributed propulsion design; and (ii) very high OPR in the 50 - 70 range. These trends will elevate the overall importance of turbomachinery core noise. The N+3 conceptual designs specify the need for the development and application of advanced liners and passive and active control strategies to reduce the core noise. Current engineering prediction of core noise uses semi-empirical methods based on older turbofan engines, with (at best) updates for more recent designs. The models have not seen the same level of development and maturity as those for fan and jet noise and are grossly inadequate for the designs considered for the N+3 time frame. An aggressive program for the development of updated noise prediction tools for integrated core assemblies as well as and strategies for noise reduction and control is needed in order to meet the NASA N+3 noise goals. The NASA Fundamental Aeronautics Program has the principal objective of overcoming today's national challenges in air transportation. The SFW Reduced-Perceived-Noise Technical Challenge aims to develop concepts and technologies to dramatically reduce the perceived aircraft noise outside of airport boundaries. This reduction of aircraft noise is critical to enabling the anticipated large increase in future air traffic.
An Ambitious, Centrist Approach to Global Warming Legislation

A long-term declining cap on emissions, cost control, and strategic use of emission allowances to promote new technology would better curb global warming than current legislative proposals.
Retained placenta incarcerated in the rudimentary horn of a double uterus.

Abstract A case is presented of abruptio placentae complicated by incarceration of the placenta in a rudimentary horn of a bicornuate uterus. This case was further complicated by the patient's refusal to receive blood transfusions because of her religious beliefs. The treatment was a total abdominal hysterectomy post partum.
Empirical studies to identify defect prevention opportunities using process simulation technologies

Discusses results of a multi-year research project to optimize software and systems test quality throughout Motorola. Our approach is to apply process modeling and simulation technologies to evaluate process improvement, automation and defect prevention strategies. Part of our approach is to conduct experiments using process modeling and simulation technologies to evaluate and characterize technological changes meant to improve quality, reliability, efficiency or schedule. We focus on defect prevention specifically, and process and automation strategies that would result in preventing defects.
Dual requirement in yeast DNA mismatch repair for MLH1 and PMS1, two homologs of the bacterial mutL gene.

We have identified a new Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene, MLH1 (mutL homolog), that encodes a predicted protein product with sequence similarity to DNA mismatch repair proteins of bacteria (MutL and HexB) and S. cerevisiae yeast (PMS1). Disruption of the MLH1 gene results in elevated spontaneous mutation rates during vegetative growth as measured by forward mutation to canavanine resistance and reversion of the hom3-10 allele. Additionally, the mlh1 delta mutant displays a dramatic increase in the instability of simple sequence repeats, i.e., (GT)n (M. Strand, T. A. Prolla, R. M. Liskay, and T. D. Petes, Nature [London] 365:274-276, 1993). Meiotic studies indicate that disruption of the MLH1 gene in diploid strains causes increased spore lethality, presumably due to the accumulation of recessive lethal mutations, and increased postmeiotic segregation at each of four loci, the latter being indicative of inefficient repair of heteroduplex DNA generated during genetic recombination. mlh1 delta mutants, which should represent the null phenotype, show the same mutator and meiotic phenotypes as isogenic pms1 delta mutants. Interestingly, mutator and meiotic phenotypes of the mlh1 delta pms1 delta double mutant are indistinguishable from those of the mlh1 delta and pms1 delta single mutants. On the basis of our data, we suggest that in contrast to Escherichia coli, there are two MutL/HexB-like proteins in S. cerevisiae and that each is a required component of the same DNA mismatch repair pathway.
Densification and Shear of Sand during Vibration

The shear strength reduction and density changes that occur in a confined mass of dry, uniformly graded, granular material subjected to horizontal steady-state vibration were quantitatively investigated by testing Ottawa sand and 1/16-in. steel balls in a direct shear apparatus mounted on a shaker table. The samples were first densified until a constant volume state was reached and then sheared while subjected to the same or a less intense vibration. It was found that the constant volume void ratio for samples densified and sheared under the same vibrational conditions; this value decreases with increased vibrational acceleration and is not dependent on frequency. Both the maximum and ultimate coefficients of internal friction decrease with increasing acceleration. Both the interlocking and frictional components of the coefficient are likewise reduced during vibration. An increase of normal pressure tends to counteract the vibrational effects listed above. The behavior noted in these and previous experiments can be explained by mechanisms involving energy barrier concepts.
miR-200b targets Ets-1 and is down-regulated by hypoxia to induce angiogenic response of endothelial cells

The miR-200 family plays a crucial role in epithelial to mesenchymal transition via controlling cell migration and polarity. We hypothesized that miR-200b, one miR-200 family member, could regulate angiogenic responses via modulating endothelial cell migration. Delivery of the miR-200b mimic in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) suppressed the angiogenic response, whereas miR-200b-depleted HMECs exhibited elevated angiogenesis in vitro, as evidenced by Matrigel® tube formation and cell migration. Using in silico studies, miR target reporter assay, and Western blot analysis revealed that v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog 1 (Ets-1), a crucial angiogenesis-related transcription factor, serves as a novel direct target of miR-200b. Knocking down endogenous Ets-1 simulated an anti-angiogenic response of the miR-200b mimic-transfected cells. Certain Ets-1-associated genes, namely matrix metalloproteinase 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, were negatively regulated by miR-200b. Overexpression of Ets-1 rescued miR-200b-dependent impairment in angiogenic response and suppression of Ets-1-associated gene expression. Both hypoxia as well as HIF-1α stabilization inhibited miR-200b expression and elevated Ets-1 expression. Experiments to identify how miR-200b modulates angiogenesis under a low oxygen environment illustrated that hypoxia-induced miR-200b down-regulation de-repressed Ets-1 expression to promote angiogenesis. This study provides the first evidence that hypoxia-sensitive miR-200b is involved in induction of angiogenesis via directly targeting Ets-1 in HMECs.
Computation-Based Reliability Analysis

A reliability analysis method for computing systems is considered in which the underlying criteria for "success" are based on the computations the system must perform in the use environment. Beginning with a general model of a "computer with faults," intermediate concepts of a "tolerance relation" and an "environment space" are introduced which account for the computational needs of the user and the probabilistic nature of the use environment. These concepts are then incorporated to obtain a precisely defined class of computation-based reliability measures. Formulation of a particular measure is illustrated and results, applying this measure, are compared with those of a typical structure-based analysis.
The acoustic impedance of a semi-infinite tube fitted with a conical flange: Part II

The acoustic characteristics of a cylindrical tube of radius ρ0, fitted with a conical flange, of semi-angle O0, are investigated. Let the acoustic potential in the tube be given by O = Ae−ik(x−α) − A′eik(x−α). In this expression the first term represents an incident wave travelling along the tube in the direction of increasing x towards the open end x = 0 and the second term represents the reflected wave. It is shown that, apart from the introduction of the phase shift α = 1/4ρ0 sin O0, the acoustic impedance of the tube is given, to a good approximation, by (A − A′)/(A + A′) = (ikρ0 cos2½O0)/(ikρ0 + sin O0), provided O0 is moderately small. The result is a generalization of a previous investigation [1, Chester 1983]. The earlier restriction to long waves is relaxed in the present work.
Nuclear gyromagnetic ratios. II

The super-regenerative oscillator techniques described in earlier reports have been modified by introduction of a tuned narrow band amplifier with chart recorder and by improvements in magnetic-field regulation. Magnetic resonance frequencies of various nuclei have been compared with the resonance frequencies of ${\mathrm{H}}^{1}$, ${\mathrm{D}}^{2}$, ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$, and ${\mathrm{Sc}}^{45}$, which have been used as "standards." Ratios of the observed resonance frequencies to the proton resonance frequency in the same magnetic field are given for the following nuclear species: ${\mathrm{Be}}^{9}$, ${\mathrm{B}}^{11}$, ${\mathrm{F}}^{19}$, ${\mathrm{Na}}^{23}$, ${\mathrm{Al}}^{27}$, ${\mathrm{P}}^{31}$, ${\mathrm{V}}^{51}$, ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{55}$, ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{63}$, ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{65}$, ${\mathrm{Br}}^{79}$, ${\mathrm{Br}}^{81}$, ${\mathrm{Rb}}^{87}$, ${\mathrm{Nb}}^{93}$, ${\mathrm{I}}^{127}$, ${\mathrm{Cs}}^{133}$, ${\mathrm{La}}^{139}$, ${\mathrm{Tl}}^{203}$, and ${\mathrm{Tl}}^{205}$. The nuclear magnetic moments of these species have been determined in terms of the proton moment from the known spins and the observed frequency ratios after making diamagnetic corrections; values for the nuclear magnetic moments are listed.
Polarization sensitivity in crayfish lamina monopolar neurons

1. Polarization sensitivity (PS) was examined in photoreceptors and lamina monopolar cells (LMCs) in two species of crayfish, Procambarus clarkii and Pacifasticus leniusculus. The measurements were made with intracellular recordings and broad field illumination. 2. PS is about 40% greater in Pacifasticus than in Procambarus (Table 1). In both species the LMC stationary PS profiles (estimated with flashes) are similar to those of receptors (Figs. 1 and 2). Both receptor and LMC sensitivity profiles are well described by cos2θ functions (Fig. 3). PS was observed in all receptors and 78% of LMCs. 3. When stimulated with a rotating polarizer, receptors and LMCs exhibit membrane potential modulation with phase predicted by the stationary PS profile (Fig. 5). In photoreceptors, the polarization-elicited percent modulation falls off steeply as intensity increases. The LMC modulation is stronger than that in receptors and relatively insensitive to the mean intensity (Figs. 6 to 8). For low intensities the LMC modulation is 100%. The LMC dynamic behavior is consistent with either an opponency mechanism or strong but polarization-insensitive lateral inhibition. 4. Receptors and LMCs exhibit steady-state differential sensitivity to stationary e-vector orientation (Fig. 9). 5. About 10% of the LMC neurons exhibit PS maxima separated by 90°. These results imply a nonlinear summation of signals from orthogonal receptor channels (Fig. 10).
Optimizing Synthesis of Na2Ti2SiO7 - 2H2O (Na-CST) and Ion Exchange Pathways for Cs0.4H1.6Ti2SiO7 - H2O (Cs-CST) Determined from in situ Synchrotron X-ray Powder Diffraction

Abstract Observation of wide angle diffraction data collected in situ during synthesis of Na-CST (Na 2 Ti 2 O 3 SiO 4 · 2H 2 O) showed initial crystallization of a precursor phase (SNT) at 30 °C followed by conversion to CST after 1 h at 220 °C. In situ studies of Cs + ion exchange into the H + form of CST showed a site-by-site ion exchange pathway accompanied by a simultaneous structural transition from P4 2 /mbc (cell parameters a = 11.0690(6) A, c = 11.8842(6) A) to P4 2 /mcm (cell parameters a = 7.847(2) A, c = 11.9100(6) A). After approximately 18% Cs + exchange into site designated Cs2 in space group P4 2 /mcm, a site designated Cs1 in space group P4 2 /mcm began to fill at the center of the 8MR windows until a maximum of approximately 22% exchange was achieved for Cs1. Bond valence sums of site Cs1 to framework O 2− are 1.00 v.u., while bond valence sums of site Cs2 to framework O 2− are 0.712 v.u. suggesting Cs1 to have a more stable bonding environment.
Multidisciplinary assessment of child maltreatment: A multi-site pilot descriptive analysis of the Florida Child Protection Team model.

The Florida Child Protection Team (CPT) program is a statewide assessment model that was developed to provide objective multidisciplinary evaluations of complex cases of alleged child maltreatment. However, only limited research has examined the content and quality of CPT assessment practices. In fact, the limited research on the quality and content of child protection assessments in relation to child protection assessment “best practices” is a system wide problem. In the current study, we sought to systematically evaluate the assessment practices of a pilot sample of CPTs. Specifically, we were interested in gaining a better understanding of the population served by CPTs, the types of evaluations offered, the content of the assessments, clinical interpretations and findings, and recommendations. The results show areas in which CPT functions as an effective multidisciplinary assessment team and relative weaknesses in assessment practices that may require changes in CPT policy and/or additional training.
Polishing Pad Surface Morphology and Chemical Mechanical Planarization

Polishing pad surface morphology has been demonstrated to be an important parameter in the optimization of chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) processes. In this work, the mechanical behavior of the asperity layer of a polishing pad and its effect on CMP is modeled. A Greenwood-Williamson microcontact model describes the asperity contact with the wafer. The local strain fields on individual asperities are calculated and then averaged, and an average elastic modulus is extracted to describe the asperity layer. The asperities are assumed to behave as an effective layer subject to this average strain field. The model is implemented on a previously developed locally relevant removal rate model for CMP. Comparison of the modeling results with polishing results obtained using a commercial CMP system shows important improvements in removal rate and uniformity prediction on the wafer-scale.
Solutions to Three Capacitance Problems in Intracellular Single-Electrode Bridge Amplifiers

Measurements of membrane impedance using single-electrode intracellular bridge amplifiers may be seriously distorted even at frequencies as low as 16 Hz by capacitances associated with the current limiting resistor and the electrode. Modifications of the capacity compensation circuit are outlined, which eliminate much of this error, allowing measurements with 108 a conventional micropipets at frequencies as high as 400 Hz.
Disruption of the target G-C base-pair by the HhaI methyltransferase

HhaI MTase binds DNA duplexes containing mismatches at the target base position with higher affinity than that observed for the canonical substrate. The stability of these MTase-DNA complexes inversely correlates with the strength of the base pair that is disrupted upon interaction. This finding may offer a general tool to detect other enzymes that flip bases out of the DNA helix.
Fostering Organizational Trust in North Carolina: The Pivotal Role of Administrators and Political Leaders

Theoretically, organizational trust establishes the framework for productivity. Trust creates an environment that encourages cooperation and allows employees to concentrate their attention on the task. Employing regression analysis with cross-sectional data from the 1994 State Employee Survey, this research examines employee attitudes of organizational trust toward those in top management positions. Demographic controls (education, pay level, race, and gender) exhibit no substantive effect. Attitudes assessing internal job characteristics (benefits, extrinsic rewards, and work environment) demonstrate a relationship in fostering trust. External work characteristics (job satisfaction, supervisory evaluation, and political interference) also emerge as determinants of organizational trust.
Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes mellitus: etiology, evaluation, and management.

Objective: To review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes mellitus (CFRD).Methods: We performed a MEDLINE search of the literature, using the search te...
Outcomes of high pretest probability patients undergoing d-dimer testing for pulmonary embolism: a pilot study.

Abstract ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) D-dimer testing is commonly used in the evaluation of possible pulmonary embolism (PE) in the emergency department, but is not recommended in high pretest probability patients. Whether a negative ELISA D-dimer can safely rule out PE in these patients is not known, as there have been no large studies comparing ELISA D-dimer results and outcomes in high pretest probability patients. This was a prospective observational pilot study of emergency department patients evaluated for PE. Patients evaluated for PE had pretest probability assessed by the Wells PE Score. High pretest probability was defined as: dichotomized Wells Score > 4 points and patients with trichotomized Wells Score > 6 points. Patients had an ELISA D-dimer ordered by the treating physician. Pulmonary embolism was defined as: positive computed tomography scan, high probability ventilation/perfusion scan, positive pulmonary angiogram, or PE on 3-month follow-up. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and likelihood ratios for the ELISA D-dimer. We prospectively enrolled 541 patients who underwent D-dimer testing for PE, of whom 130 patients had Wells Score > 4 and 33 patients had Wells Score > 6 (not mutually exclusive). Of subjects with Wells Score > 4, 23 (18%) were diagnosed with PE and 40 (31%) had a negative D-dimer. No patient with Wells Score > 4 (sensitivity 100%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 82%–100%; specificity 37%, 95% CI 28%–47%) or Wells Score > 6 (sensitivity 100%, 95% CI 63%–100%; specificity 56%, 95% CI 35%–76%) who had a negative D-dimer was diagnosed with PE. The likelihood ratio for a negative D-dimer was 0 for both the Wells > 4, and Wells > 6 groups, however, the upper limits of the confidence interval around the post-test probability for PE were 16% and 33%, respectively, for these high probability groups. In this pilot study, the rapid ELISA D-dimer had high sensitivity and negative predictive value even when applied to patients with high pretest probability for PE. However, with the post-test probability of PE still as high as 16–33% in the negative D-dimer groups, this precludes applying the results to patient care at present. Further testing is warranted to determine whether these findings can be safely incorporated into practice.
The workability of “XD” titanium aluminide alloys with low volume fractions of TiB2

A determination is made of the effect of lowering the volume fraction of titanium diboride on the workability of the Ti-48Al-2Mn-2Nb titanium aluminide alloy. It is found that the workability of the low-TiB2 alloys is similar to that of alloys containing 7.5 TiB2; the improved workability of these alloys is accordingly considered to be due to the control of grain size that is achieved by the dispersion of a hard stable phase. While a volume fraction of 0.5 percent was insufficient for consistent retention of fine grain size, alloys with 1-2 vol pct TiB2 deformed uniformly at high temperatures. 6 refs.
INTERSTELLAR BOUNDARY EXPLORER MEASUREMENTS AND MAGNETIC FIELD IN THE VICINITY OF THE HELIOPAUSE

The combination of the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) all-sky maps of the energetic neutral atom (ENA) fluxes with the Voyager in situ measurements provides a unique opportunity to learn about the physics governing the solar wind interaction with the local interstellar medium. The first IBEX results revealed a sky-spanning "ribbon" of unexpectedly intense emissions of ENAs that had not been predicted previously by any physical model. A number of explanations were proposed to explain the IBEX ribbon, some of them associated with the distribution of the interstellar magnetic field (ISMF) coupled with the interplanetary magnetic field at the heliopause. The position of the ribbon in the sky correlates with the line-of-sight directions perpendicular to the modeled ISMF. In this paper, we analyze such distributions for a variety of ISMF strengths and directions in order to reveal the topology of the surface that may potentially contain the ENA sources creating the ribbon. We also analyze the distributions of total pressure exerted on the heliopause as a result of its draping by the ISMF. The effects of solar cycle variations on the ribbon topology are discussed.
Optical Measurement Of Built-In And Applied Electric Fields In AlxGa1-xAs/GaAs Heterostructures

G. Snyder, Kenneth G. Merkel, and John A. WoollamUniversity of Nebraska -Lincoln, Department of Electrical Engineering209N Walter Scott Engineering Center, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588 -0511ABSTRACTVariable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry (VASE) is used to study the built -in electricfields in Al Gai_xAs /GaAs heterostructures. VASE data, obtained with no electricalcontacts on the sample, contain Franz -Keldysh (FK) lineshapes at the A1GaAs bandgapenergy, which are due to the built -in field across the buried AlGaAs layer. Analysis ofthe lineshapes, using the FK theory together with a multilayer model, yields theapproximate field profile in the layer. This, combined with a numerical solution ofPoisson's equation, provides the approximate doping concentration. In addition,measurements made on samples with electrical contacts are described.
Reliability modeling of engineered barrier systems for nuclear waste: A conditional approach

The lifetime of the Engineered Barrier System (EBS) used for containment of high-level radioactive waste will play an important role in controlling the cumulative release of radionuclides from a geological repository. Essentially, an EBS has two major components: a metal barrier and the waste form (cladding). Since any suitable site is above the static water table, the decay heat generated from this waste is expected to keep the surface temperature of a canister above the boiling point of water for a T random time period. Assuming the Weibull lifetime distribution on each component, we use the conditional approach to derive the lifetime distribution of the EBS. In our model, the oxidization process of the metal barrier (i.e. the lifetime of the metal barrier) starts after this time T and the lifetime of the cladding starts after the lifetime of the metal barrier