cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A lognormal distribution-based exposure assessment method for unbalanced data

We present a generalization of existing statistical methodology for assessing occupational exposures while explicitly accounting for between- and within-worker sources of variability. The approach relies upon an intuitively reasonable model for shift-long exposures, and requires repeated exposure measurements on at least some members of a random sample of workers from a job group. We make the methodology more readily applicable by providing the necessary details for its use when the exposure data are unbalanced (that is, when there are varying numbers of measurements per worker). The hypothesis testing strategy focuses on the probability that an arbitrary worker in a job group experiences a long-term mean exposure above the occupational exposure limit (OEL). We also provide a statistical approach to aid in the determination of an appropriate intervention strategy in the event that exposure levels are deemed unacceptable for a group of workers. We discuss important practical considerations associated with the methodology, and we provide several examples using unbalanced sets of shift-long exposure data taken on workers in various sectors of the nickel-producing industry. We conclude that the statistical methods discussed afford sizable practical advantages, while maintaining similar overall performance to that of existing methods appropriate for balanced data only.
Review of The International Textbook of Cardiology

Excerpt To the editor: I appreciate the critical review of my book,The International Textbook Of Cardiology, by Dr. Franch (1). However, I take issue with his remark that ". . . clinical laboratory...
Surgical Management of Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction

Abstract Background: Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) is caused by a spectrum of lesions. This study was performed to determine the outcomes of surgical management of LVOTO. Methods: All patients who had surgery of the LVOT between 2002 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: There were 103 consecutive patients with median age 6.8 years (range 8 days to 62 years). Fourteen patients had simple subaortic membrane. Eighty-nine patients had complex LVOTO including fibromuscular obstruction (n = 53), tunnel obstruction (n = 22), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy/muscular obstruction (n = 15), and anomalies of the mitral subvalvar apparatus (n = 13). There were no early deaths. Mean LVOT gradient decreased from 33 mmHg (range 1 to 108 mmHg) to 6 mmHg (range 0 to 45 mmHg) (p < 0.001). Median follow-up was 3.8 years (range 0.9 to 8.5 years). There were three late deaths. Cumulative survival at one, three, and five years was 96% (95% CI 89% to 99%). All patients are in New York Heart Association classes I-II. Ten patients required reoperation (three for recurrent/residual LVOTO). Freedom from reoperation was 94%, 90%, and 78% at one, three, and five years (95% CI 86% to 98%, 80% to 95%, and 59% to 89%, respectively). No patient with complex LVOTO who had release of the fibrous trigones required reoperation [0% (0/26) vs. 16% (10/63) (p = 0.031)]. Factors associated with increased reoperation risk were interrupted aortic arch (OR 6.4, p = 0.22), atrioventricular septal defect (OR 15.4, p = 0.008), and higher mean LVOT gradient at discharge (OR 1.08, p = 0.023). Conclusions: Utilizing a multitude of operative strategies for surgery of the LVOT results in favorable early and midterm outcomes. Residual LVOTO and original cardiac diagnosis are associated with increased reoperation risk. Release of the fibrous trigones decreases reoperation risk in patients with complex LVOTO. (J Card Surg 2012;27:103–111)
Dynamic programming and the principle of optimality: A systematic approach

Abstract The dynamic programming recursive procedure has provided an efficient method for solving a variety of sequential decision problems related to water resources systems. In many investigations Bellman's principle of optimality is used as a proof for the optimality of the dynamic programming solutions. In this paper the dynamic programming procedure is systematically studied so as to clarify the relationship between Bellman's principle of optimality and the optimality of the dynamic programming solutions. Our main result is that although the principle is valid, in order to use it as a proof for the optimality of the dynamic programming solution certain modeling requirements should be met. The mathematical model presented in this paper provides a convenient framework for the modeling and analysis of dynamic programming problems encountered by in water resources management studies. The results derived here resolve few of the fundamental questions raised in the literature regarding the validity of Bellman's principle of oplimality and the optimality of the dynamic programming solutions.
A specific reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method for analysis of steroids in Y-1 adrenal cell cultures

We have developed a method for analysis of steroids in Y-1 cell cultures using reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) which permits simultaneous separation and determination not only on the end-product steroid but also of other 3-keto steroid intermediates
Spatial and temporal expression of dADAR mRNA and protein isoforms during embryogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

Adenosine Deaminases Acting on RNA (ADARs) function to co-transcriptionally deaminate specific (or non-specific) adenosines to inosines within pre-mRNAs, using double-stranded RNAs as substrate. In both Drosophila and mammals, the best-studied ADAR functions are to catalyze specific nucleotide conversions within mRNAs encoding various ligand- or voltage-gated ion channel proteins within the adult brain. In contrast, ADARs within developing fly embryos have scarcely been studied, in part because they contain little or no editase activity, raising interesting questions as to their functional significance. Quantitative RT-PCR shows that two major developmentally regulated mRNA isoform classes are produced (full-length and truncated), which arise by alternative splicing and also alternative 3'-end formation. In situ localization of specific dADAR mRNA isoforms during embryogenesis reveals that the full-length class is found primarily within the developing germ band and central nervous system, whereas the truncated isoform is mostly located in gut endothelium. Developmental Western immunoblots show that both isoform classes are expressed into protein during embryogenesis. Both the rnp-4f 5'-UTR unspliced isoform and the full-length dADAR mRNA primarily localize in the embryonic germ band and subsequently throughout the developing central nervous system. Previous studies have shown that some rnp-4f pre-mRNAs are extensively edited by dADAR in the adult brain. Computer predictions suggest that intron-exon pairing promotes formation of an evolutionarily conserved secondary structure in the rnp-4f 5'-UTR, forming a 177-nt RNA duplex resembling an editing site complementary sequence, which is shown to be associated with splicing failure and to generate a long isoform. Taken together, these observations led us to explore the possibility that interaction between rnp-4f pre-mRNA and nuclear full-length dADAR protein may occur during embryogenesis. In dADAR null mutants, rnp-4f 5'-UTR alternative splicing is significantly diminished, suggesting a non-catalytic role for dADAR in splicing regulation. A working model is proposed which provides a possible molecular mechanism.
Stress-Induced Dendritic Remodeling in the Prefrontal Cortex is Circuit Specific

Chronic stress exposure has been reported to induce dendritic remodeling in several brain regions, but it is not known whether individual neural circuits show distinct patterns of remodeling. The current study tested the hypothesis that the projections from the infralimbic (IL) area of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA), a pathway relevant to stress-related mental illnesses like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, would have a unique pattern of remodeling in response to chronic stress. The retrograde tracer FastBlue was injected into male rats’ BLA or entorhinal cortex (EC) 1 week prior to 10 days of immobilization stress. After cessation of stress, FastBlue-labeled and unlabeled IL pyaramidal neurons were loaded with fluorescent dye Lucifer Yellow to visualize dendritic arborization and spine density. As has been previously reported, randomly selected (non-FastBlue-labeled) neurons showed stressinduced dendritic retraction in apical dendrites, an effect also seen in EC-projecting neurons. In contrast, BLA-projecting neurons showed no remodeling with stress, suggesting that this pathway may be particularly resilient against the effects of stress. No neurons showed stress-related changes in spine density, contrasting with reports that more dorsal areas of the mPFC show stressinduced decreases in spine density. Such region- and circuitspecificity in response to stress could contribute to the development of stress-related mental illnesses.
NATIVE AND REGENERATED BOVINE ALBUMIN : I. PREPARATION AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES.

1. Whole bovine albumin, homogeneous in diffusion and sedimentation, and essentially homogeneous in electrophoresis, has been prepared by a method involving ammonium sulfate precipitation of the globulins in the cold and of the albumin at room temperature, isoelectric precipitation of the euglobulins, and reprecipitation of the albumin. 2. The product has been characterized by chemical analysis and by viscosity, diffusion, sedimentation, and electrophoresis measurements. The carbohydrate content is 0.38 per cent, the nitrogen content, 15.2 per cent. The molecular shape approximates that of a prolate ellipsoid with an axial ratio of 3.1, assuming 33 per cent hydration; the average molecular weight is 65,000. 3. Bovine albumin is readily denatured by concentrated solutions of urea or guanidine hydrochloride, gross changes in molecular shape resulting. 4. Regeneration of bovine albumin denatured in solutions of 8 M urea or guanidine hydrochloride yields a material closely resembling the native in carbohydrate content, in molecular size and shape, and in electrophoretic properties. However, the regenerated protein differs from the native in susceptibility to tryptic digestion, and, in this respect, appears to be in a denatured state. 5. In 8 M solutions of guanidine hydrochloride a limiting yield of regenerated albumin equivalent to 95 per cent of the original protein is approached. 6. Bovine crystalbumin, a crystalline carbohydrate-free fraction of the whole albumin, appears to be more susceptible to denaturation than whole bovine albumin.
A novel method to determine the engulfment of apoptotic cells by macrophages using pHrodo succinimidyl ester

Apoptotic cell phagocytosis has recently raised considerable interest, particularly due to its intricate molecular mechanisms and negative immunologic impact of incompetent clearance of apoptotic cells. There is a need for simple and reliable methods to clearly determine the internalization of apoptotic cells. Labeling with pHrodo succinimidyl ester (SE), a pH-sensitive fluorescent dye, makes engulfed apoptotic cells detectable due to the increased post-phagocytic light emission. This is a valuable tool for phagocytosis studies via FACS. We designed an ex vivo assay, using apoptotic pHrodo-labeled lymphocytes as prey and anti-CD11b-labeled tissue macrophages. To demonstrate its validity of detecting internalized apoptotic lymphocytes, we used MFGE8(-/-) macrophages, known to have impaired phagocytic ability. Uptake of apoptotic lymphocytes was accelerated and enhanced in splenic macrophages after stimulation with recombinant MFGE8, while peritoneal macrophages were able to compensate for the delayed uptake. This novel assay is a quick and reliable method to evaluate the internalization of apoptotic cells.
The Portrayal of the American Legal System in Prime Time Television Crime Dramas

This is a case study looking at how the legal system is portrayed on prime time network television crime dramas in respect to suspect treatment, the case building process and trial length. Through content analysis, it compared the exaggerations presented in those dramas to real-life accuracies. The Good Wife, Law & Order: SVU, Fairly Legal and Major Crimes were selected to study, and the fourth and seventh episodes of each television program’s season broadcast within a one-year period were watched. It was found that though suspect treatment is portrayed fairly accurately in prime time network television crime dramas, tendencies of exaggeration and inaccuracy exist through the case building process and trial length. These inaccuracies and exaggerations lead viewers to misinterpret the processes of the United States legal system.
Review of Nearctic Apotomis Hubner (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutini).

A review of Nearctic Apotomis Hubner (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutini) is presented. Seventeen species are recognized, of which the following are new: coloradensis, trifida, and spurinfida. Apotomis strigosa Heinrich, 1926 is considered a new synonym of tertiana McDunnough, 1922, and dextrana McDunnough, 1923 of removana Kearfott, 1907. Descriptions, distribution maps, and a key to species are provided. Illustrations of male and female genitalia and photographs of distinctive wing patterns are included. Scanning electron micrographs reveal that setae on digitus of male genitalia are taxonomically important.
The affinity‐seeking of classroom teachers: A second perspective

This study examined strategies reported by 229 elementary and secondary school teachers as things they do to get students to like them and to like the subject matter they teach. The strategies were classified using Bell and Daly's typology of affinity‐seeking strategies, with substantial intercoder agreement in interpreting teachers’ responses according to those previously generated strategy types. The proportional use of various strategies, however, differed significantly from those reported by McCroskey and McCroskey as affinity‐seeking strategies which had been observed by teachers. Results of the present study indicated that teachers’ personal affinity‐seeking efforts differ in character from their subject affinity‐seeking efforts, that they feel less confident in getting students to like their subjects than to like themselves, and that the strategies that teachers consciously use to gain personal and—to an even greater extent—subject matter affinity appear to be drawn from a comparatively narrow rang...
Continuing Medical Education for Sonographers A Brief History and an Update

The requirement for continuing medical education in health care originated in the early 1900s when several investigators in the United States determined that the training physicians were receiving was woefully inadequate. The Flexner Report, which was based on an extensive analysis of how the early medical schools were educating physicians, proposed several radical changes in physician instruction, including a recommendation for postgraduate training. Now known as continuing medical education (CME), this obligation is practically universal in the medical and allied health fields including sonography. Although there are many options for the diagnostic medical sonographer to earn CME credits, the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) instituted a unique program for sonographers to earn credits by providing clinical instruction to sonography students. By using electronic data collection and management systems, it is now easy for sonography program directors to submit their clinical instructors for ...
Representative objects: concise representations of semistructured, hierarchical data

Introduces the concept of representative objects, which uncover the inherent schema(s) in semi-structured, hierarchical data sources and provide a concise description of the structure of the data. Semi-structured data, unlike data stored in typical relational or object-oriented databases, does not have a fixed schema that is known in advance and stored separately from the data. With the rapid growth of the World Wide Web, semi-structured hierarchical data sources are becoming widely available to the casual user. The lack of external schema information currently makes browsing and querying these data sources inefficient at best, and impossible at worst. We show how representative objects make schema discovery efficient and facilitate the generation of meaningful queries over the data.
The rate of aquation of trans-chloro-thioreabis (ethylenediamine) cobalt (III) cation and analogous substituted thiourea complexes

Abstract The kinetics of the aquation of [Co(en) 2 (tu)Cl] 2+ (en = ethylenediamine, tu = thiourea) and some analogous substituted thiourea complexes have been studied at 25°C in 5 × 10 −3 M nitric acid. The reactions are all first order in complex with rate constands varying from 2·0 × 10 −5 to 3·2 × 10 −5 sec −1 . Analysis of these spectra indicate little or no trans products. There was no evidence for a trans intermediate.
Building genuine trust through interpersonal emotion management: A threat regulation model of trust and collaboration across boundaries

I introduce the construct of threat regulation as an agentic interpersonal process for building and maintaining trust. I examine threat regulation as a specific dimension of interpersonal emotion management that fosters trust and effective cooperation by allowing individuals to understand and mitigate the harm that their counterparts associate with cooperating—in particular, harm from opportunism, identity damage, and neglect of their interests. To explicate the microprocesses of threat regulation, I draw on social cognitive theory, symbolic interactionism, and the psychology of emotion regulation.
Double-sided IPEM cooling using miniature heat pipes

Integrated power electronic module (IPEM) planar interconnect technologies offer opportunities for improved thermal management by allowing thermal access to the upper side of the power devices. In this paper, the feasibility of using miniature heat pipes to achieve effective double-sided cooling is investigated by analyzing the complete thermal circuit associated with the power device. A nominal case was modeled using the ANSYS(tm) finite element software in a single-sided and double-sided configuration. The numerical model predicted that the double-sided configuration would result in a 13/spl deg/C reduction in the maximum temperature compared to the single-sided case, for the same 100 W/cm/sup 2/ power dissipation in the semiconductor die. This corresponds to a 15% decrease in the maximum temperature rise relative to ambient or a similar increase in allowable power dissipation. Twenty-eight percent of the heat was removed from the upper side of the IPEM in the double-sided case. An additional benefit associated with double-sided cooling was a significant reduction in the spatial temperature gradients along the surface of the IPEM which would translate to lower thermally induced stress and higher reliability. The sensitivity of the numerical predictions to important parameters; including the dielectric conductivity, contact conductance, and heat sink characteristics are numerically investigated. An experimental fixture was fabricated and used to measure a miniature rectangular heat pipe's performance characteristics and the solder joint resistance at its evaporator and condenser interfaces in order to validate the numerical model inputs and demonstrate the required heat pipe capacity. The tested heat pipe was limited to approximately 80 W/cm/sup 2/ heat flux in a vertical, evaporator-over-condenser orientation. This limit was not observed in a vertical, gravity-assisted orientation for applied heat flux up to 125 W/cm/sup 2/. Equivalent heat pipe resistances of approximately 0.12 and 0.08 K/W were measured in these orientations, respectively. The contact resistance of the indium solder joint was measured and found to be approximately 0.1 cm/sup 2//spl middot/K/W.
Heat flow near the triple junction of an evaporating meniscus and a substrate

In the title problem, the temperature satisfies Laplac's equation within the solid and liquid, and Newton's law of cooling at the liquidvapour phase interface. That boundary condition defines a len...
Doing Gender, Doing Class The Performance of Sexuality in Exotic Dance Clubs

Organizations are not only gendered; they are also classed—that is, they articulate ideas and presentations of gender that are mediated by class position. This article pursues the idea of organizations as gendered and classed by means of a comparative ethnographic analysis of the performance of sexuality in four exotic dance clubs in the Southwestern United States. Strip clubs construct sexuality to be consistent with client class norms and assumptions and with how the clubs and dancers think working-class or middle-class sexuality should be expressed. Class differences are represented as sexual differences in very concrete ways: the appearance of dancers and other staff, dancing and performance styles, and interactions that take place between dancers and customers.
Sexual harassment by males reduces female fecundity in the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata

Under sexual conflict, males evolve traits to increase their mating and reproductive success that impose costs on females. Females evolve counteradaptations to resist males and reduce those costs. Sexual harassment is a form of sexual conflict in which males make repeated, costly attempts to mate. Costs to female foraging or predation risk have been measured in several species, but quantitative measurements of direct fitness costs are rare. In the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata (Fabricius; Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), males harass females, and females resist all mating attempts. We placed bees in large, outdoor cages with various male-biased sex ratios. Harassment rate, nest progression, offspring production, temperature, and food availability were measured daily for 7 days. Harassment rates were highest at intermediate sex ratios. Harassment reduced the number of foraging trips and increased the duration of foraging trips made by females. Females produced offspring at a slower rate when subjected to higher rates of harassment. This shows a direct link from sex ratio to harassment to female fitness under natural conditions. We also discuss an alternative explanation that female resistance is a mechanism for mate choice for high-quality males, which would require that indirect benefits accrue through either daughters or grandsons, because all sons in haplodiploid species arise from unfertilized eggs.
Mechanical regulation of anterior cruciate ligament cell function and gene activity

Two different experiments were used to investigate the healing behavior and gene expression of ligament fibroblasts from the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament under mechanical strain. These studies were performed in order to understand the role mechanical stimulation has on ligament cells. An artificial wound was used to examine the rate of cell migration and cell healing under equibiaxial strain at low frequencies. For the gene activity experiments, the cells were subjected to equibiaxial strain but with high frequency on a flexible growth surface. The levels of mRNA encoding collagen I and III proteins were determined.
From Aspatial to Spatial, from Global to Local and Individual: Are We on the Right Track to Spatialize Segregation Measures?

Today, numerous segregation measures have been proposed, partly reflecting the multi-facet or multi-dimensional nature of segregation, but also the fact that we have different opinions of what segregation entails. Despite many spatial measures have been introduced, approaches to spatialize segregation measures are limited to a few. Therefore, this chapter reflects systemically upon how space was (re)introduced into measuring segregation from multiple fronts. After summarizing the lines of discussion on the dimensions of segregation, the practice of cluster determination using spatial autocorrelation/association measures and their relationships with segregation along the spatial dimension will be critically reviewed. The objective is to identify the critical elements that form the foundation of measuring spatial segregation to be used to develop meaningful spatial segregation measures in the future or to evaluate if a particular spatial measure is effective in capturing the essence of segregation. Thus, using these fundamental characteristics, this chapter also provides an assessment of the state of measuring spatial segregation. Early development of segregation measures was partly driven by the availability of census data. The chapter also assesses new challenges, in particular due to the increasing importance of survey data such as the ACS. On the other hand, individual-level data are becoming more accessible. Distances between individuals may play a more important role in measuring segregation in the future. A brief example of distance-based measure is provided at the end of the chapter.
Vitamin D- and Secosteroid Hormone-Binding Serum Proteins

Although the representatives of the vitamin D group1 are not steroids by strict chemical definition but rather secosteroids, their biogenesis from and close relationship to natural steroids justifies discussion of specific serum proteins that interact with these steroid derivatives. The relatively recent discovery of hydroxylated metabolites of vitamin D3 (for reviews see DeLuea 1979 a, b; Norman 1979 a; DeLuca and Schnoes 1983) has brought this vitamin in a unique manner into the realm of hormones (Structures I–IV); the protein binding of these secosteroid hormones shows a close relationship to steroid hormone interactions with various types of proteins.
Blowing up Singularities in Classical Mechanical Systems

Among smooth dynamical systems, some of the most complicated arise from Newton's equations in classical mechanics. Some of these systems (including many of those studied in elementary physics courses) are integrable, and hence their phase portraits are well understood. But there are many other nonintegrable systems whose phase portraits are still far from being completely understood. Examples of these systems include the well-known n-body problem of celestial mechanics when n > 2. For these systems, the set of time-periodic solutions of the differential equation is typically dense in the phase space of the system, but there are also many other much more complicated types of solutions. These include recurrent solutions, which never close up but which return infinitely often to any prescribed neighborhood of their starting position. Sometimes these solutions wind densely about a torus; other times they fill out a dense subset of an open set in a surface of constant energy. In these cases it may be impossible to tell what type of solution will be generated by a given initial condition, no matter how accurate the analytic, qualitative or numerical techniques one uses. To make matters worse, specific Hamiltonian systems which arise in applications often suffer singularities as well. By a singularity we mean a point where the differential equation itself is undefined. A typical example of a singularity is a collision between two or more of the point masses in the Newtonian n-body problem. At collision, the differential equation breaks down: the velocities of the particles involved become undefined. A singularity or collision can create havoc among nearby solution curves. Solutions which pass near a singularity may behave in an erratic or unstable manner, and solutions which start out close to one another can end up far apart after passing by a singularity. At the other end of the spectrum in dynamical systems are the gradient-like Morse-Smale systems. These systems feature none of the complicated solution curves that appear in Hamiltoman systems. There are never any periodic or recurrent solutions. The only "interesting" solutions are the rest points or equilibrium solutions, and each of these is simple in character; either it is a sink, a source, or a saddle point. Given a particular differential equation of this type, these rest points may often be found exactly, and their character determined explicitly. Moreover, all other
Unexpected Synthesis of a Perfluoroacyl Complex, Cp*Ir(CO)(COC6F11)Br, by Direct Fluoroalkylation of a CO Ligand, and Elimination of Perfluorocyclohexene by Activation of a γ-C−F Bond

Instead of oxidative addition at iridium to form a perfluorocyclohexyl iridium complex, reaction of C6F11Br with Cp*Ir(CO)2 at −78 °C gave a perfluoroacyl complex Cp*Ir(CO)(COC6F11)(Br) by direct fluoroalkylation at a CO ligand. Reduction of the perfluoroacyl complex with KC8 afforded Cp*Ir(CO)2 and perfluorocyclohexene with γ-C−F bond activation.
Status Inconsistency and Marginality in Malaysia

Drawing upon the theory of status inconsistency and the theory of the marginal man, several hypotheses regarding the consequences of occupying an unusual combination of statuses were formulated and tested with data from a large sample survey of Malaysian secondary school students. Hierarchical modeling of incomplete contingency tables revealed that between-group differences on nine dependent variables for 26 status-combinations of race, religion, and origin language were adequately explained by the independent effects of one or more of the statuses. No support was evident for nonadditive representations of inconsistency or marginality as consequences of stressful interaction.
Strain Differences in Susceptibility to Tar-Induced Skin Tumors in Mice

We have already shown that certain strains of mice are more susceptible than others to tumors of the lung, both spontaneous and tar-induced. There is evidence also that these differences in susceptibility segregate out in appropriate crosses as would be expected if they were dependent upon Mendelian units. The present report concerns tar-induced tumors of the skin in mice.The technique was the one usually employed in such experiments.1 A coal tar residue was applied to the skin of the mouse in the interscapular region 3 times per week for 4 months. After a latent period papillomas may arise which sometimes develop into carcinoma or malignant growths may develop without a marked papillomatous stage. The course of the experiment was followed by external examination. The final diagnosis was based upon microscopic sections.Five groups of mice were used. Two were inbred strains which have been employed extensively in previous experiments. There were 100 mice from the agouti strain, No. 1194, and 80 mice from s...
Abstract IA28: Towards a therapy for Angelman syndrome by targeting a long noncoding RNA to active UBE3A

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a single gene disorder characterized by intellectual disability, developmental delay, behavioral uniqueness, speech impairment, seizures, and ataxia. It is caused by maternal deficiency of the imprinted gene UBE3A, encoding an E3 ubiquitin ligase. All patients carry at least one copy of paternal UBE3A, which is intact but silenced by a nuclear-localized long non-coding RNA, UBE3A antisense transcript (UBE3A-ATS). Murine Ube3a-ATS reduction by either transcription termination or topoisomerase I inhibition increased paternal Ube3a expression. Despite a clear understanding of the disease-causing event in AS and the potential to harness the intact paternal allele to correct disease, no gene-specific treatment exists for patients. Here we developed a potential therapeutic intervention for AS by reducing Ube3a-ATS with antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). ASO treatment achieved specific reduction of Ube3a-ATS and sustained unsilencing of paternal Ube3a in neurons in vitro and in vivo. Partial restoration of UBE3A protein in an AS mouse model ameliorated some cognitive deficits associated with the disease. Although additional studies of phenotypic correction are needed, for the first time we developed a sequence-specific and clinically feasible method to activate expression of the paternal Ube3a allele. Citation Format: Linyan Meng, Amanda J. Ward, C. Frank Bennett, Arthur Beaudet, Frank Rigo. Towards a therapy for Angelman syndrome by targeting a long noncoding RNA to active UBE3A. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Noncoding RNAs and Cancer: Mechanisms to Medicines ; 2015 Dec 4-7; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(6 Suppl):Abstract nr IA28.
The Problems of Contemporary Moral Deliberation

This chapter describes and criticizes five styles of moral deliberation in current use, the applied philosophical, the empirical, the instrumental, the mythic, and the aesthetic intuitive, and notes the intense disagreements between and within the practice of each style not only about what proper moral conclusions are, but about why there is disagreement. The central problem behind contemporary moral deliberation is identified as an inadequate model of human cognition.
Space-map-matching-based candidate selection for GPS map matching

GPS map matching is the process to align observed GPS positions with road networks of a digital map. One of the key technique in a state-of-art GPS map matching algorithm is to select candidates for each observed GPS point. Traditional candidate selection algorithms focus on spatial proximity, which is not sufficient in real cases. This paper proposes a novel candidate selection algorithm for GPS map matching, called Space Map Matching (SMM). The SMM constructs a mapping relationship between space and road links based on GPS shifting patterns and driver preferences. Therefore, candidate selection is transformed from a spatial searching process into a mapping relationship looking-up process. Experiments on real datasets prove that the candidate selection algorithm proposed in this paper can outperform traditional algorithms in both accuracy and efficiency.
Acoustic patterning for 3D embedded electrically conductive wire in stereolithography

In this paper, we reported a new approach for particle assembly with acoustic tweezer during three-dimensional (3D) printing for the fabrication of embedded conductive wire with 3D structures. A hexagon shaped acoustic tweezer was incorporated with Digital Light Processing (DLP) based stereolithography (SLA) printer to pattern conductive lines via aligning and condensing conductive nanoparticles. The effect of filler content on electrical resistivity and pattern thickness were studied for copper, magnetite nanoparticles, and carbon nanofiber reinforced nanocomposite samples. The obtained data was later used to produce examples of conductive 3D microstructures and embedded electronic components by using the suggested method.
The Political Logic of Cadre Rotation in Post-Soviet Central Asia

Analysts have frequently discussed “cadre rotation” in post-Soviet Kazakhstan, or the tendency of President Nusaltan Nazarbayev to transfer high-level personnel across regions. Some see it as an el...
Strengthening ice through cyclic loading

New experiments reveal that the flexural strength of fresh water, columnar-grained ice loaded normal to the columns may be increased by about a factor of two upon reversed cyclic loading at a frequency of ~0.1 Hz at stress amplitudes of 1.3–2.6 MPa. The effect is explained in terms of a reduction in deformation-induced stress concentration through the activation of grain boundary sliding, which is evident through boundary decohesion.
Archival Amnesty: In Search of Black American Transitional and Restorative Justice

Archives as memory institutions have a collective mandate to document and preserve a national cultural heritage. Recently, American archives and archivists have come under fire for pervasive homogeneity - for privileging, preserving, and reproducing a history that is predominantly white and further silencing the voices and histories of marginalized peoples and communities. This paper argues that as such, archives participate in a continuing amnesty that prevents transitional and restorative justice for black Americans in the United States. Using the history of lynching in America as a backdrop, this article explores the records and counter-narratives archives need to embrace in order to support truth and reconciliation processes for black Americans in the age of #ArchivesForBlackLives.
Myogenic, Lipogenic, Neural, and Other Mesenchymal Tumors

This chapter is composed of rare primary mesenchymal tumors of bone that demonstrate various differentiation pathways, including those of myogenic, lipogenic, neural, and epithelial derivation. Metastatic carcinoma, by far the most common malignancy in the skeleton, and metastatic sarcoma to bone, a rare event, should be excluded before accepting the diagnosis of a primary bone neoplasm.
Post-CMP Cleaning

Abstract Chemical mechanical planarization has been widely applied to selectively remove materials for topography planarization and device structure formation in semiconductor manufacturing. The selective material removal is achieved by using chemical reaction and mechanical abrasion with slurries containing unique chemical formulations and large numbers of abrasive particles. During polishing, chemical reaction products and mechanical wear debris are generated. Slurry particles and polishing byproducts are pressed onto wafer surface. During wafer transferring from polisher to cleaner, contaminants are adhered onto wafer surface. Post-CMP cleaning is required to remove particles, organic residues, and metallic contaminants from wafers with different surface, chemical, and mechanical properties in various geometric features, without generating scratches, water marks, surface roughness, corrosion, and dielectric constant shift. In this chapter, a review of post-CMP cleaning for various CMP applications is provided with a focus on cleaning technology, cleaning chemistry, and cleaning process. Common defect modes and generation mechanism are discussed. Post-CMP cleaning plays a critical role in meeting stringent CMP defect and device reliability/yield requirement.
Left neck undifferentiated sarcoma with synchronous left kidney renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Parapharyngeal space sarcomas are rare malignancies and most in the reported literature are synovial sarcomas. Here we present the case of a 27-year-old female with a painless, left-sided neck mass who underwent computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging evaluation which demonstrated a benign appearing mass that upon resection unexpectedly proved to be a high-grade undifferentiated sarcoma with rhabdoid features. Staging computed tomography revealed a synchronous renal cell carcinoma with clear cell and papillary features. Despite an extensive genetic work-up no underlying cause linking these two cancers was discovered.
Technology Base Self Service in Hospitality Industry

Technology Base Self Service in Hospitality Industry There are more and more technology based self service (TBSS) encountering people’s daily life, even hospitality industry, where people pay to get service, has began to add TBSS as part of their service. Some people believe this TBSS is the trend for the future, but some others who have experienced this service believe that traditional human touch service (THTS) will be remain as the main service providing channel. While people are wondering what kind of service to provide as they want to get a high return on their investment, they need to have a better understanding on self service technology. In order to understand the values and differences between TBSS and THTS, this paper focused on distinguishing the strengths and weaknesses in both services and comparing these services from the service quality perspective. Through the SWOT analysis and the news and articles reviews, some suggestions had been drawn to improve the service quality and customer satisfaction in the service providing channel in hospitality industry. Technology Base Self Service in Hospitality Industry 3 Table of
Steroids and Injury to the Developing Brain: Net Harm or Net Benefit?

Deleterious effects result from both glucocorticoid insufficiency and excess glucocorticoid tissue exposure in the developing brain. Accumulating evidence suggests a net benefit of postnatal glucocorticoid therapy when administered shortly after the first week of life to premature infants with early and persistent pulmonary dysfunction, particularly in those with evidence of relative adrenal insufficiency. The decision to treat with steroids should ensure maximum respiratory benefit at the lowest possible neurologic risk, while avoiding serious systemic complications. Ongoing clinical trials must validate this approach.
Processing Coordinate Structures

Coordination often involves syntactically like categories. Based on the results of four reading time studies, it is argued here that the syntactic like-category restriction is not grammatical. Coordination of unlike categories can be just as acceptable as coordination of like categories. However, syntactically like category coordination is processed faster than coordination of unlike categories even when the two sentence types are judged to be fully acceptable. Further, parallelism of conjuncts facilitates processing regardless of whether it is parallelism in the category of the conjuncts (a property which the grammar might regulate) or parallelism in the internal structure of the conjuncts (a property which the grammar does not regulate, on anyone's view). Parallelism did not facilitate processing when the structure of a subject and object were manipulated, implying that parallelism effects are largely limited to the conjuncts of a coordinate structure and not due simply to the repetition of a phrase with a particular shape.
Ab initio study of Fe(+)-benzyne

The interaction of Fe(+) with benzyne is studied using the self-consistent-field (SCF), complete active space SCF, and modified-coupled-pair functional levels of theory. The most stable structure is planar, where the Fe(+) has inserted into the in-plane pi bond, although the C-C bond distance suggests that some in-plane pi bonding remains. This system is compared with Sc(+) bonding to benzyne and other ligands.
Improved protactinium spike calibration method applied to 231 Pa– 235 U age-dating of certified reference materials for nuclear forensics

The application of multiple radiochronometers in a forensic investigation of bulk uranium provides increased confidence for interpreting age-dating results. We have developed a streamlined method for the purification of Pa and Th from bulk uranium and have applied this method in analyzing uranium certified reference materials (CRMs) IRMM-1000 and CRM U100, using the 231Pa–235U and 230Th–234U radiochronometers. Our improved 233Pa spike calibration technique has replaced the time-intensive, conventional calibration using geologic rock standards. Paired Pa–U and Th–U age-dating analyses of CRM U100 produce concordant results. In contrast, analyses of IRMM-1000 demonstrate reproducibly-discordant Th–U and Pa–U age-dates.
Medical Image Computing for Translational Biomedical Research

Medical Image Computing (MIC) is an emerging interdisciplinary field at the intersection of computer science, electrical engineering, physics, mathematics and medicine. The field develops computational and mathematical methods for solving problems pertaining to medical images and their use for biomedical research and clinical care. The main goal of Medical Image Computing is to extract clinically relevant information or knowledge from medical images (from Wikipedia). MIC research is traditionally performed in academic settings and results in working prototypes and demos. There is an increasing need for converting such prototypes into tools that can be used for translational biomedical research. Creating such tools requires modular software architecture and effective interdisciplinary teams. Open source platforms are emerging as an effective solution to translation in MI.
Beyond "Treatment Versus Control": How Bayesian Analysis Makes Factorial Experiments Feasible in Education Research.

Background:Researchers often wish to test a large set of related interventions or approaches to implementation. A factorial experiment accomplishes this by examining not only basic treatment–contro...
Simultaneous measurement uncertainty reduction and proppant bank height control of hydraulic fracturing

Abstract In hydraulic fracturing, higher fracturing fluid injection rates can trigger increased stress, thereby creating more microseismic events; particularly, simultaneously occurring multiple microseismic events can reduce measurement errors. This suggests a new state and output estimation scheme that utilizes the dependence between the fracturing fluid injection rate (i.e., manipulated input) and measurement errors. Motivated by this, we propose a novel control framework for measurement uncertainty reduction while achieving the original control task of proppant bank height control in hydraulic fracturing. Initially, using the simulation data from the high-fidelity model of hydraulic fracturing, a reduced-order model is constructed to design a Kalman filter. Then, a model-based feedback control system is proposed to regulate the uniformity of proppant bank height along the optimal fracture length and achieve accurate state and output estimation by manipulating the fracturing fluid pumping schedule that includes the fracturing fluid injection rate and proppant concentration at the wellbore.
Parallel Molecular Evolution in Pathways, Genes, and Sites in High-Elevation Hummingbirds Revealed by Comparative Transcriptomics.

High-elevation organisms experience shared environmental challenges that include low oxygen availability, cold temperatures, and intense ultraviolet radiation. Consequently, repeated evolution of the same genetic mechanisms may occur across high-elevation taxa. To test this prediction, we investigated the extent to which the same biochemical pathways, genes, or sites were subject to parallel molecular evolution for 12 Andean hummingbird species (family: Trochilidae) representing several independent transitions to high elevation across the phylogeny. Across high-elevation species, we discovered parallel evolution for several pathways and genes with evidence of positive selection. In particular, positively selected genes were frequently part of cellular respiration, metabolism, or cell death pathways. To further examine the role of elevation in our analyses, we compared results for low- and high-elevation species and tested different thresholds for defining elevation categories. In analyses with different elevation thresholds, positively selected genes reflected similar functions and pathways, even though there were almost no specific genes in common. For example, EPAS1 (HIF2α), which has been implicated in high-elevation adaptation in other vertebrates, shows a signature of positive selection when high-elevation is defined broadly (>1,500 m), but not when defined narrowly (>2,500 m). Although a few biochemical pathways and genes change predictably as part of hummingbird adaptation to high-elevation conditions, independent lineages have rarely adapted via the same substitutions.
Lespesia archippivora (Diptera: Tachinidae) Survival and Sex Ratios within Monarch Butterfly (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) Hosts

We studied factors associated with survival, sex ratio, and seasonality of the tachinid fly Lespesia archippivora parasitizing monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus). A total of 424 L. archippivora flies were collected from 124 parasitized monarch larvae in 2016 and 2017. The majority of flies emerged during the monarch's 5th larval instar. Both fly survival and brood size were higher for those emerging during the 5th instar relative to flies emerging during the 4th instar or pupal stage. Brood size ranged from 1 to 10 flies, and the proportion of each brood that successfully pupated to emerge as adults increased with brood size. Adults emerging from larger broods were lighter and smaller, which likely impacts subsequent fecundity and survival. Overall sex ratio was skewed towards males, with 222 male and 129 female adults identified. L. archippivora were recovered from monarchs both early in the season and at the end of the season, with a gap from mid-June to mid-July; a pattern consistent with a bivoltine life cycle.