cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Topical tacrolimus in the treatment of symptomatic oral lichen planus: A series of 13 patients

Abstract Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a relatively common, chronic inflammatory condition, which frequently presents with symptoms of pain and irritation. OLP is often difficult to manage. Therefore there is a need for more effective and safer therapies for symptomatic OLP. Objective: Our purpose was to determine the effectiveness of topical tacrolimus as therapy for symptomatic OLP. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 13 patients with symptomatic OLP treated with topical tacrolimus between September 1999 and September 2000. Results: Eleven of the 13 patients reported definite symptomatic response to treatment and 2 had no response. Eight patients had a partial response, whereas 3 patients had a complete response with respect to lesion clearance. Seven of the responding patients had no flares with continued treatment. The other 4 patients noted flares soon after stopping the treatment. Side effects were rare and minor. Conclusions: In this retrospective case series of 13 patients, topical tacrolimus was well tolerated and appeared to be an effective therapy to control symptoms and clear lesions of OLP. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2002;46:27-34.)
Antidepressant Utilization, Adherence, and Health Care Spending in the United States: The Case of MDD Patients 2000-2007

Abstract Objective Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been widely adopted in the US as the first-line treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). This study attempted to understand how patient factors and antidepressant choice influenced medication adherence and associated health care expenditures. Study Design A retrospective multiple-year cross-sectional study was conducted. This study used the 2004-2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey database; MDD patients who filled one or more prescriptions of antidepressants were extracted. Data were analyzed using weighted ordinary least squares regressions to examine MDD patient antidepressant adherence (measured by proportional days covered) and impacts of patient factors on associated health care expenditures. Results Sociological factors such as patient ethnicity and health insurance status were associated with differential levels of antidepressant adherence and associated health expenditures. Hispanic ethnicity was associated with the lowest antidepressant adherence among all. Patients covered by insurance were associated with better proportional days covered and spent more on MDD-specific drugs compared with uninsured patients. Use of newer antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors was associated with an increase in MDD-specific drug expenditure. Conclusions Differences in antidepressant adherence and health care spending across patient factors could have important policy implications for health disparity; certain patient populations may be at higher risk for inadequate health care.
Design and synthesis of conformationally constrained Grb2 SH2 domain binding peptides employing α-methylphenylalanyl based phosphotyrosyl mimetics

Previous work has shown that incorporation of either 1-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid (Ac6c) or α-methyl-p-phosphonophenylalanine ((α-Me)Ppp) in the phosphotyrosyl (pTyr) C-proximal position (pY +...
Lymphosarcoma in an infant, with unusual cutaneous manifestations.

Summary A case of lymphosarcoma showing extensive cutaneous involvement in a nine month old female is described. The ephemeral character of the skin tumors in this case was notable. Description d'un cas de lymphosarcome, chez un enfant de sexe feminin, age de neuf mois, avec developpement cutane important. Dans ce cas, le fait remarquable est que les tumeurs cutanees n'ont eu qu'un caractere ephemere.
Postingestive factors in the control of glucose intake by satiated rats

Intake of satiated animals, trained to ingest a nutritive solution according to the schedule suggested by Emits and Corbit (1973) is responsive to postingestive factors. In most animals, oral glucose intake is reduced during gastric or duodenal intubation with nonnutritive Ringer’s solution or with a nutritive glucose solution. Therefore, although the hedonic properties of the solution offered are most likely responsible for the initiation of such drinking, postingestive factors are involved in its termination.
Fracture Analysis of Cracks in Anisotropic Materials Using 3DFAS and ANSYS

The analysis of two and three dimensional fracture mechanics problems in anisotropic materials using ANSYS finite element software and 3DFAS (Three Dimensional Fracture Analysis System) is examined in this study. The methodology uses analytically derived generalized plane strain crack tip fields in anisotropic materials and is implemented into an ANSYS Macro using ANSYS Parametric Design Language. It is shown that quarter-point finite element approach is still a very effective technique for general three dimensional crack problems in homogeneous anisotropic materials. The expressions of the crack tip asymptotic displacement field are summarized and numerical examples of two and three dimensional crack problems in orthotropic, directionally solidified, and single crystal materials are presented. The stress intensity factors are compared with two-dimensional analytical and numerical solutions available in the literature and with numerical solutions obtained from FRAC3D [1, 2], a three dimensional fracture analysis program using enriched finite elements. Very good agreement is obtained between the different numerical techniques or with the analytical solutions.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
A 270ps 20mW 108-bit End-around Carry Adder for Multiply-Add Fused Floating Point Unit

A power and area efficient 108-bit end-around carry adder is implemented using IBM 65nm SOI technology. The adder is used for a multiply-add fused (MAF) floating point unit. Careful balance of the adder structure and structure-aware layout techniques enabled this adder to have a latency of 270ps at power consumption of 20mW with 1V supply.
Effects of a brief staff training procedure on instructors’ use of incidental teaching and students’ frequency of initiation toward instructors

Abstract Incidental teaching is a technique that is used to increase the spontaneous use of language. This study evaluated effects of a brief staff training procedures on instructors’ incidental teaching responses and on student initiations. In three experiments, instructors of children with autism participated in individual or group training sessions under multiple baseline designs. In Experiment 1, three instructors were provided with multiple individualized training sessions that continued until instructors met a performance criterion during subsequent teaching sessions. In Experiment 2, groups of three instructors were provided with a single, 20-min one-to-one training session. Experiment 3 was a large-scale replication of Experiment 2 in which training was presented in a large group. Thus, across experiments, brief staff training in incidental teaching was conducted in a decreasingly individualized manner. Following staff training, there was a systematic increase in the occurrence of incidental teaching responses and of student initiations in each experiment. The findings suggest that brief training is a valid initial step toward improving the likelihood of incidental teaching and level of student initiation. The consistently positive initial effects of training warrant further research to identify methods to increase the magnitude and durability of training effects under such brief staff training procedures.
Ovulation time: A factor in ape fertility assessment

In chimpanzees, ovulation time can be estimated in relation to the time of sexual swelling regression, itself a periovulatory parameter. Correlations of steroid hormone and gonadotropin levels, endometrial morphology, basal temperature, and ovarian morphology consistently suggest a close temporal correlation between ovulation and the last days of maximal sexual swelling. In the gorilla, LH elevations occur during the one to four days of labial swelling, suggesting that ovulation is restricted to this easily detectable phase of the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle of the orang-utan lacks an externally visible periovulatory indicator, such as the sexual swelling, for correlation with ovulation time. Possibly a sharply defined period of female sexual proceptivity could provide a usable periovulatory criterion applicable to captive orang-utans.
On the convergence domains of the p -cyclic SOR

Abstract For the solution of the linear system Ax = b , where A is block p - cyclic , the block SOR iterative method is to be considered. Suppose that the block Jacobi iteration matrix B , associated with A , has eigenvalues whose p th powers are all real of the same sign. The problem of the determination of the precise convergence domains of the SOR method in case A is also consistently ordered was solved by Hadjidimos, Li and Varga by using the Schur-Cohn algorithm. The same convergence domains were later recovered by other approaches too; specifically, Wild and Niethammer and also Noutsos, independently, used hypocycloidal curves. In this manuscript it is assumed that A is not consistently ordered but A T is. By using the Schur-Cohn algorithm we successfully determine, not only: (i) the precise SOR convergence domains, but also (ii) intervals for ϱ ( B ), the spectral radius of B , that directly imply that the optimal value of the SOR relaxation factor ω is equal to 1. In this work new results are obtained, some well-known ones are recovered or confirmed and a number of theoretical examples are investigated further. It is worth noting that among the new results, we derived something not quite expected; specifically, in many cases there exist pairs ( ϱ ( B ), ω ) for which the SOR method associated with the matrix A we consider converges while the corresponding SOR for the p -cyclic consistently ordered matrix A T does not !
Toward a scholarship of practice centered on college student retention

This chapter provides support for a scholarship of practice focused on the translation of research findings into recommendations for policy and practice designed to increase institutional rates of student retention.
Fine structure of the parathyroid gland of the laying hen (Gallus domesticus).

Abstract The parathyroid glands of five laying White Leghorn hens were studied in the electron microscope. The Golgi apparatus was well developed and consisted of dilated cisternac and vesicles. Numerous small prosecretory granules, 0.05 μ in diameter, were observed in the Golgi area, and in the cytoplasm outside the Golgi complex. Few large, approximately 0.1 – 0.4 μ in diameter, electron-dense membrane bound mature secretory granules were observed in the cytoplasm. There were also coated vesicles in the cytoplasm and sometimes they were seen fused with the plasma membrane. It is suggested that most of the secretory product in the actively secreting parathyroid gland of the laying hen is transported as small prosecretory granules from the Golgi apparatus out of the cell and only a minority of them are coalesced to form mature storage granules.
Comparison of Local Interfacial Structures Around 90 and 45-Degree Elbows in Horizontal Bubbly Flows

This study presents a comparison of the geometric effects of 90 deg and 45 deg elbows in horizontal two-phase air-water bubbly flow. Two separate experiments were performed in the horizontal test section made out of 50.3 mm inner diameter glass tubes. The first set of data was collected with a 90 deg elbow installed, and then a 45 deg elbow was added to the existing facility to acquire the second set of data. A total of 15 different flow conditions, all within the bubbly flow regime, were identified for the 90 deg experiment, and very similar flow conditions were extended to the 45 deg experiment. A double-sensor conductivity probe was employed to acquire the local data at seven different axial positions along the test section, out of which four measurement locations are associated with the 90 deg experiment and three with the 45 deg experiment. The data show that the elbows have a significant effect on the development of interfacial structures as well as the bubble interaction mechanisms. Furthermore, there are characteristic similarities and differences between the effects of the two elbows. While the effect of the 45 deg elbow is evident immediately after the elbow, the 90 deg elbow effect tends to propagate further downstream of the elbow rather than immediately after the elbow. Moreover, it is shown that both elbows induce spatial oscillations in the interfacial structures and two-phase flow parameters, but the degree and the nature of oscillations differ. The effects of the elbows are also compared for the axial transport of the two-phase flow parameters.
Assessing source characteristics of PM2.5 in the eastern United States using positive matrix factorization.

Abstract Fine aerosol (PM2.5) measurements obtained from the first year of operation of the nationwide network of PM25 monitors were studied with the factor analysis technique of positive matrix factorization (PMF). PM2.5 mass concentration data were extracted from the Atmospheric Information Retrieval System (AIRS) database of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). PMF was applied to measurements at more than 350 monitoring locations in the eastern half of the United States. Data consisted of PM2.5 24-hr averaged concentrations measured every third day from April through December 1999. The PMF model suggested six factors representing source influences to the PM2.5 mass concentrations at measurement sites. Factor 5, covering much of the Appalachian states, exhibited significant seasonal behavior.
Phase Behavior of PS-PVME Nanocomposites

The influence of nanometer thick, highly anisotropic organically modified layered silicate (montmorillonite) on the phase behavior of deuterated polystyrene (dPS) and poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) is investigated by a combination of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and a two-dimensional combinatorial method based on light scattering and corroborated by single-point static cloud-point light scattering. The presence of layered silicates up to a volume fraction of 0.04 is found to leave the phase diagram essentially unchanged, with the values of the Flory−Huggins χ parameter at high temperatures being nearly independent of added silicate for blends with layered silicates up to a volume fraction of 0.008. These surprising results, in light of the significantly higher polarity of PVME in comparison to PS, allows us to investigate the influence of such layered silicates on the kinetics and morphology of phase separation in polymer blends as detailed in a previous paper.
Eimeria montanaensis n. sp. and E. ernesti n. sp. (protozoa, eimeriidae) from the Rocky Mountain goat Oreamnos americanus.

SYNOPSIS. Oocysts of Eimeria oreamni, E. montanaensis n. sp. and E. ernsti n. sp. were present in a fecal sample collected from a male Rocky Mountain goat Oreamnos americanus in Ravalli County, Montana. Oocysts of E. oreamni were nearly identical to those originally described from this host. Oocysts of E. montanaensis were 15-23 by 13-19 μ (mean 18.9 by 15.2 μ), with sporocysts 8-12 by 4–7 μ(mean 9.9 by 5.2 μ). Oocysts of E. ernsti were 28-37 by 19-26 μ (mean 32.9 by 23.0 μ), with sporocysts 14-20 by 6-9 μ (mean 16.7 by 7.3 μ). A distinct micropyle and micropylar cap were present in E. ernsti.
Universal threshold polarization for depinning of charge-density waves: Applications to blue bronze.

Charge-density-wave response from depinning at low fields and frequencies can be determined from the response in the neighborhood of the pinning frequencies. An abrupt depinning observed at very low temperatures occurs at a threshold field such that the polarization energy becomes larger than the net pinning energy. For both types of depinning, there is a universal threshold polarization per conducting chain, independent of material parameters, but smaller for the abrupt threshold, in agreement with experiment.
Sustained oscillations of ionic constituents of mitochondria.

Abstract Optimum conditions for the oscillations of H+ and K+ concentrations of maximum amplitude and minimum damping factor in pigeon heart mitochondria have been evaluated. Under appropriate conditions, the damping factor falls to 1.5 or even 0.9. Thus, the oscillatory mechanism is essentially of a continuous nature. While oscillations are generally observed in the pH range 6.5–6.0 and at K+ concentrations 5–9 m m , optimum conditions for oscillations are most concisely defined in terms of the K + H + ratio between 0.9 and 1.5 × 104, with a well-defined optimum, in most cases, at 1.2 × 104. Valinomycin concentrations between 90 and 100 ng per milliliter and phosphate concentrations of 2 m m give optimal results. The oscillations have a high temperature coefficient. The time relationships of the parameters H+, K+ have been examined in detail, and the phase shift of K+ is 180 ° with respect to H+. While a clear-cut control of the phase relationships of the oscillations is not yet obtainable with either K+ or H+, additions of the latter at the H+ minimum cause a delay in the K+ response, suggestive of an involvement of H+ concentration in the oscillatory process, but neither K+ nor H+ are identified as controlling intermediates in the oscillation mechanism. The relationship of the oscillations in the isolated mitochondria has been compared with those observed in heart tissue or isolated heart cells, and, while the periods differ considerably, the fact that both are ATP-activated is of interest. It is now apparent that both the mitochondrial and extra-mitochondrial enzyme systems of heart cells are capable of persistent oscillations.
Fundamental physical properties characterizing the hardness of wheat endosperm

Fundamental physical properties of wheat endosperm were characterized in soft and hard common wheats (T. aestivum), and durum wheats (T. durum), and studied in relation to NIR hardness. A positive correlation was observed between NIR hardness and compressive strength (Smax), energy to failure (Wmax), strain to failure (emax), and the tangent modulus of elasticity (E). The Smax values increased asymptotically with increasing NIR hardness. Energy to failure (Wmax), and strain to failure (e.max) increased with increasing NIR hardness, especially in the range of the durum wheats. The tangent modulus of elasticity (E) generally increased with rising NIR hardness values, except for the durum wheats, which fell within the upper range of the hard wheats. Wheat hardness appeared related to differences in both the strength and ductile properties of the endosperm. The compressive strength of wheat endosperm was affected by moisture content, deformation rate, and the direction of the stress forces. Values for (Smax), decreased as the moisture content of the endosperm increased. The decrease was greatest for hard wheats. Varietal differences in values for (Smax), were not significant at moisture levels of 22 % or higher. An increase in deformation rate from 0·5 mm/min to 500 mm/min increased Smax values by 34%. Endosperm strength was 10-fold greater under compression than under tension.
The Dose of Growth Factors Influences the Synergistic Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor on Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4–Induced Ectopic Bone Formation

Although vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to act synergistically with bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)2 and BMP4 to promote ectopic endochondral bone formation via cell-based BMP gene therapy, the optimal ratio of VEGF to either of the BMPs required to obtain this beneficial effect remains unclear. In the current study, two cell types (C2C12, NIH/3T3) were retrovirally transduced to express BMP4 only or both BMP4 and VEGF. The resulting groups of cells were tested for their cellular proliferation, in vitro mineralization capacity, survival potential, and ability to undergo ectopic bone formation when implanted into a gluteofemoral muscle pocket created in severe combined immunodeficient mice. Results showed that VEGF inhibited the in vitro calcification of C2C12 and NIH/3T3 cells transduced to express BMP4. In vivo, C2C12 and NIH/3T3 cells expressing BMP4 and VEGF displayed significantly less bone formation than the same cells expressing only BMP4. In vivo, our results indicated that, when the ratio of VEGF to BMP4 is high, a detrimental effect on ectopic bone formation is observed; however, when the ratio is kept low and constant over time, the detrimental effect that VEGF has on ectopic bone formation is lost. Our studies revealed that VEGF's synergistic role in BMP4 induced ectopic bone formation is dose and cell-type dependent, which is an important consideration for cell-based gene therapy and tissue engineering for bone healing.
Effect of Aging on the Clinical Significance of Fever in Ambulatory Adult Patients

To study the effect of age on ultimate outcome of febrile illness, the authors prospectively studied 1,202 adult patients who came to an emergency room/walk-in clinic setting with temperatures of 101.0 degrees F (38.3 degrees C) or more. The patients were divided into four age categories: 17 to 40 years, 40 to 59 years, 60 to 79 years, and 80 years old or older. Advancing age was significantly (P less than 0.0005) associated with more serious disease, a higher rate of bacterial pathogen isolation, and a higher rate of life-threatening or deadly consequences. Of patients 17-39 years old, 58.2 per cent had viral syndromes, otitis media, or pharyngitis as the causes of fever. Of patients aged 40-59 years, only 20.7 per cent had one of these diseases. However, of patients 60 years old or older, only 4.1 per cent (15 of 370) had viral syndromes, otitis media, or pharyngitis, and the overall rate of hospitalization for this group was 92.5 per cent. The authors conclude that febrile patients 60 years old or older seen in emergency room/ambulatory care settings are extremely likely to have serious diseases. Caution should be exercised before concluding that their fevers are of benign origin.
Transpupillary thermotherapy for small choroidal melanoma

Abstract PURPOSE: To report the treatment of small choroidal melanoma with transpupillary thermotherapy. METHODS: We examined a nonrandomized and uncontrolled series of 14 eyes of 14 patients who were followed up with serial ophthalmoscopy, ultrasonography, and photography. Transpupillary thermotherapy was performed upon documented evidence of tumor growth. RESULTS: After transpupillary thermotherapy, mean follow-up ± SD was 16 ± 6.41 months (range, 7 to 28 months) with 10 eyes followed up for at least 1 year. The mean preoperative tumor height was 1.79 ± 0.59 mm (range, 0.78 to 2.60 mm). Six months after treatment, the mean height was 0.54 mm ± 0.57 mm (range, 0.00 to 1.16 mm). In 10 eyes, the treated lesion flattened entirely with a mean interval between treatment and flattening of 8.7 months (range, 3 to 21 months). Three patients required retreatment for lack of regression or recurrent growth. The average time to retreatment was 11 months (range, 5 to 15 months). No eye was retreated more than once. There were three amelanotic lesions, all treated in a single session without recurrence. Complications consisted of retinal hemorrhage, retinal vascular occlusion, retinal traction, exudative serous neurosensory detachment, vitreitis, and postoperative pain. The sole treatment failure occurred in an eye treated with a juxtapapillary tumor, with recurrence developing from a previously flattened lesion. This eye was enucleated 10 months after the single initial treatment. At the time of writing, there had been no tumor-related death. CONCLUSIONS: Transpupillary thermotherapy may represent a viable treatment alternative for both pigmented and amelanotic small choroidal melanoma. Diligent follow-up is axiomatic because retreatment may be necessary. Recurrent tumors may develop from flat lesions. Juxtapapillary tumors may be at higher risk for recurrence. Definitive statements regarding the role of transpupillary thermotherapy in the management of small choroidal melanoma await 5-year and 10-year morbidity and mortality data.
DEEP HYDRODESULFURIZATION IN HOMOGENEOUS SOLUTION : ACCESS TO A TRANSITION-METAL INSERTION COMPLEX OF 4,6-DIMETHYLDIBENZOTHIOPHENE

Alkylated dibenzothiophenes are among the most difficult compounds to desulfurize in the hydroprocessing of crude oil, and information leading to their efficient removal is of tremendous value. Hom...
Hormonal and metabolic abnormalities in the malnourished cancer patient: effects on host-tumor interaction.

Many common metastatic cancers are associated with marked weight loss at the time of diagnosis. Anorexia clearly plays a major role in weight loss noted. Malnourished patients with localized cancers under metabolic ward conditions fail to gain weight when given apparently adequate calories for anabolism, thus suggesting that these patients are hypermetabolic
Initial clinical experience with contrast-enhanced digital breast tomosynthesis.

Rationale and Objectives Contrast-enhanced digital mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis are two imaging techniques that attempt to increase malignant breast lesion conspicuity. The combination of these into a single technique, contrast-enhanced digital breast tomosynthesis (CE-DBT), could potentially integrate the strengths of both. The objectives of this study were to assess the clinical feasibility of CE-DBT as an adjunct to digital mammography, and to correlate lesion enhancement characteristics and morphology obtained with CE-DBT to digital mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance (MR). Materials and Methods CE-DBT (GE Senographe 2000D; Milwaukee, WI) was performed as a pilot study in an ongoing National Cancer Institute–funded grant (P01-CA85484) studying multimodality breast imaging. Thirteen patients with ACR BI-RADS category 4 or 5 breast lesions underwent imaging with digital mammography, ultrasound, MR, and CE-DBT. CE-DBT was performed at 49 kVp with a rhodium target and a 0.27-mm copper (Alfa Aesar, Ward Hill, MA) filter. Preinjection and postinjection DBT image sets were acquired in the medial lateral oblique projection with slight compression. Each image set consists of nine images acquired over a 50-degree arc and was obtained with a mean glandular x-ray dose comparable to two conventional mammographic views. Between the precontrast and postcontrast DBT image sets, a single bolus of iodinated contrast agent (1 ml/kg at 2 ml/s, Omnipaque-300; Amersham Health Inc., Princeton, NJ) was administered. Images were reconstructed using filtered-backprojection in 1-mm increments and transmitted to a clinical PACS workstation. Results Initial experience suggests that CE-DBT provides morphologic and vascular characteristics of breast lesions qualitatively concordant with that of digital mammography and MR. Conclusion As an adjunct to digital mammography, CE-DBT may be a potential alternative tool for breast lesion morphologic and vascular characterization.
A micromechanical method for predicting the precipitation hardening response of particle strengthened alloys hardened by ordered precipitates

A micromechanical method was developed for predicting the precipitation hardening response of particle strengthened alloys hardened by ordered precipitates based on the microstructure, composition, and heat treatment, and utilizing a minimum number of experimental tests to evaluate the microstructural constants of the overall model. The overall approach was based on incorporating the dislocation particle interaction mechanics, particle growth and coarsening theory, thermodynamics, and particle strengthening mechanisms applicable to precipitation hardened alloys as part of the overall micromechanical method. The method/model evaluates, from a minimum number of experimental tensile tests, microstructural constants necessary in determining the precipitation srengthening response of a particle strengthened alloy. The materials that were used as vehicles to demonstrate and evaluate the model were precipitation hardenable aluminium-lithium-zirconium and nickel-aluminum alloys. Utilizing these demonstration alloys, the method used a total of four tensile tests to evaluate the necessary microstructural constants and thus predict the variation in strength as a function of aging time, aging temperature, and composition, for the underaged, the peak-aged, and the overaged conditions. Predictions of the precipitation strengthening response were made incorporating the Wagner particle distribution model to evaluate the size distributions of particles in the microstructures. The predicted variation of strength with aging practice and composition using the Wagner distribution model compared well with the corresponding experimental yield strength results.
Direct Kerr electro-optic effect in noncentrosymmetric materials

In materials lacking inversion symmetry, both Pockels and Kerr electro-optic effects are simultaneously present, with the former effect generally dominating the latter one. The theoretical findings of this article provide the crystal physics community with concrete tabulated evidence showing that it is possible in principle to selectively bypass contributions from the linear effect(s) and directly obtain information only about the genuine (Kerr-like) quadratic effects in 90% of the noncentrosymmetric point groups. The general idea and treatment used for the electro-optic effect can be extended and adapted to other optical or non-optical (phenomenological) purely quadratic effects in media lacking inversion symmetry.
SPATIAL PATTERNS OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES

Recent foreign direct investment in the U.S. has undergone changes in its geographical location. Previous investment was mostly concentrated in the traditional industrial heartland of the Northeast and Midwest. Now there is a distinct drift to the Sunbelt and Pacific states. This reorientation is occurring faster than for manufacturing as a whole. A combination of regional competition and industrial-mix effects together with the changing national origins of foreign direct investment account for a large share of these changes.
Cloud transcoding for mobile video content delivery

This study analyzes a use case where computer clouds are used in the transcoding of media content and points to their advantages in a low cost media distribution solution such as HTTP Live.
The effect of daughters on partisanship and social attitudes toward women

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Conley, D. and Rauscher, E. (2013), The Effect of Daughters on Partisanship and Social Attitudes Toward Women. Sociol Forum, 28: 700–718. doi:10.1111/socf.12055, which has been published in final form at http://doi.org/10.1111/socf.12055. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
Optofluidic waveguides: I. Concepts and implementations

We review recent developments and current status of liquid-core optical waveguides in optofluidics with emphasis on suitability for creating fully planar optofluidic labs-on-a-chip. In this first of two contributions, we give an overview of the different waveguide types that are being considered for effectively combining micro and nanofluidics with integrated optics. The large number of approaches is separated into conventional index-guided waveguides and more recent implementations using wave interference. The underlying principle for waveguiding and the current status are described for each type. We then focus on reviewing recent work on microfabricated liquid-core antiresonant reflecting optical (ARROW) waveguides, including the development of intersecting 2D waveguide networks and optical fluorescence and Raman detection with planar beam geometry. Single molecule detection capability and addition of electrical control for electrokinetic manipulation and analysis of single bioparticles are demonstrated. The demonstrated performance of liquid-core ARROWs is representative of the potential of integrated waveguides for on-chip detection with ultrahigh sensitivity, and points the way towards the next generation of high-performance, low-cost and portable biomedical instruments.
Translational regulation in response to changes in amino acid availability in Neurospora crassa.

WeexaminedtheregulationofNeurosporacrassaarg-2andcpc-1inresponsetoaminoacidavailability.arg-2 encodesthesmallsubunitofarginine-specificcarbamoylphosphatesynthetase;itissubjecttouniquenegative regulation by Arg and is positively regulated in response to limitation for many different amino acids through a mechanism known as cross-pathway control.cpc-1specifies a transcriptional activator important for crosspathway control. Expression of these genes was compared with that of the cytochrome oxidase subunit V gene, cox-5.AnalysesofmRNAlevels,polypeptidepulse-labelingresults,andthedistributionofmRNAinpolysomes indicatedthatArg-specificnegativeregulationofarg-2affectedthelevelsofbotharg-2mRNAandarg-2mRNA translation. Negative translational effects on arg-2 and positive translational effects on cpc-1 were apparent soon after cells were provided with exogenous Arg. In cells limited for His, increased expression ofarg-2and cpc-1,anddecreasedexpressionofcox-5,alsohadtranslationalandtranscriptionalcomponents.Thearg-2and cpc-1 transcripts contain upstream open reading frames (uORFs), as do their Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologsCPA1andGCN4. We examined the regulation ofarg-2‐lacZreporter genes containing or lacking the uORF start codon; the capacity forarg-2uORF translation appeared critical for controlling gene expression. Fungal amino acid biosynthetic genes and their products are subject to multiple levels of control (12, 26, 29, 30, 48). We examined translational and transcriptional modulation of the expression of two genes involved in Neurospora crassa amino acid biosynthesis,arg-2andcpc-1. Thearg-2gene specifies the small subunit of arginine-specific carbamoyl phosphate synthetase (CPS-A) (41) and was among thefirst metabolic genes identified (58). cpc-1 specifies a transcriptional activator of amino acid biosynthetic genes that positively regulates gene expression in response to amino acid starvation; it resembles
On the aggregate grid load imposed by battery health-conscious charging of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

Abstract This article examines the problem of estimating the aggregate load imposed on the power grid by the battery health-conscious charging of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The article begins by generating a set of representative daily trips using (i) the National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) and (ii) a Markov chain model of both federal and naturalistic drive cycles. A multi-objective optimizer then uses each of these trips, together with PHEV powertrain and battery degradation models, to optimize both PHEV daily energy cost and battery degradation. The optimizer achieves this by varying (i) the amounts of charge obtained from the grid by each PHEV, and (ii) the timing of this charging. The article finally computes aggregate PHEV power demand by accumulating the charge patterns optimized for individual PHEV trips. The results of this aggregation process show a peak PHEV load in the early morning (between 5.00 and 6.00 a.m.), with approximately half of all PHEVs charging simultaneously. The ability to charge at work introduces smaller additional peaks in the aggregate load pattern. The article concludes by exploring the sensitivity of these results to the relative weighting of the two optimization objectives (energy cost and battery health), battery size, and electricity price.
Twenty years of progress: GIScience in 2010

It is 20 years since the term "geographic information science" was suggested to encompass the set of fundamental research issues that surround GIS. Two decades of GIScience have produced a range of accomplishments, in an expanding literature of research results as well as in the infrastructure of research. Several themes are suggested for future research, based both on gaps in what has been accomplished thus far, and on technology trends that will themselves raise research questions.
Evaluation of matched control algorithms in EHR-based phenotyping studies

Display Omitted Appropriate control selection is essential to the success of population studies.Heterogeneous populations in observational data require novel matching methods.In EHR studies, matching by healthcare utilization improves comorbidity detection.Controls matched to inflammatory bowel disease patients identified likely comorbidity. The success of many population studies is determined by proper matching of cases to controls. Some of the confounding and bias that afflict electronic health record (EHR)-based observational studies may be reduced by creating effective methods for finding adequate controls. We implemented a method to match case and control populations to compensate for sparse and unequal data collection practices common in EHR data. We did this by matching the healthcare utilization of patients after observing that more complete data was collected on high healthcare utilization patients vs. low healthcare utilization patients. In our results, we show that many of the anomalous differences in population comparisons are mitigated using this matching method compared to other traditional age and gender-based matching. As an example, the comparison of the disease associations of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease show differences that are not present when the controls are chosen in a random or even a matched age/gender/race algorithm. In conclusion, the use of healthcare utilization-based matching algorithms to find adequate controls greatly enhanced the accuracy of results in EHR studies. Full source code and documentation of the control matching methods is available at https://community.i2b2.org/wiki/display/conmat/.
Are seedlings from small seeds always inferior to seedlings from large seeds? Effects of seed biomass on seedling growth in Pastinaca sativa L.

summary Previous field studies of recruitment in Pastinaca sativa L. indicate that more seedlings from small seeds than from large seeds survive short-term droughts. To explore this phenomenon, the effects of variation in seed biomass in Pastinaca sativa on embryo size and seedling characteristics 10, 20, 30 and 40 days after emergence were investigated. On the basis of most characteristics, seedlings from large seeds should be superior to seedlings from small seeds. Embryo length and cotyledon area were positively related to seed biomass, as were above ground biomass, total leaf area, and root biomass in all harvests. Total seedling biomass was positively related to seed biomass in the 10, 20, and 30 day harvests, but not the 40 day harvest. However, the ratio of maximum root length/total leaf area was negatively related to seed biomass in the 10 and 20 day harvests, suggesting that, under drought conditions, seedlings from small seeds may transpire less water than those from large seeds relative to their ability to reach water supplies. Although seedlings from larger seeds had greater root biomass, this may be of little advantage under drought conditions since approximately 90% of the root biomass is in the upper 10 cm of soil which dries out quickly. The advantage that seedlings from small seeds have under drought conditions is short-lived, lasting about 20 days in the glasshouse and an estimated 60–90 days in the field. This advantage is short-term because the relationship between seed biomass and resource allocation patterns changes during early seedling development.
The effect of performance based incentive plans [IC manufacturing]

This report describes a method to simultaneously achieve and maintain production and quality goals through performance based incentive plans. Historically, at Texas Instruments' DMOS IV wafer fab, the focus on one metric resulted in a loss of another. Achievement or failure to achieve fab goals had no noticeable impact on production specialists. Throughout this time, incentive plans were tried, but their metrics were complicated and not easily recognized by direct labor because they were outside of their immediate line of sight. By modifying, improving, and evolving our incentive program to meet business goals, DMOS IV experienced seven record output quarters over 2 years while improving in all other industry established metrics.
Coexisting clinopyroxene/spinel and amphibole/spinel symplectites in metatroctolites from the Buck Creek ultramafic body, North Carolina Blue Ridge

Buck Creek metatroctolites preserve evidence of three stages in the geologic history of the region: a relict igneous stage; a high-pressure, granulite-facies metamorphic stage; and a hydrous alteration stage. During high-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism, adjacent olivine and plagioclase reacted to produce complex coronitic textures. Relict olivine is surrounded by radial, columnar orthopyroxene, and plagioclase is rimmed by fine-grained symplectite composed of separate grains of clinopyroxene/spinel, tschermakitic amphibole/spinel symplectite and minor clinopyroxene/sapphirine symplectite. Examination of textural relationships in back-scattered electron images and X-ray element maps of the symplectites demonstrates that amphibole/spinel and clinopyroxene/spinel symplectites grew simultaneously at high temperature to replace plagioclase in these rocks. Clinopyroxene/sapphirine symplectite grew in the latest stages of plagioclase replacement in some samples. A successful model for the main corona-forming reaction in sample BC7, 1.00 Pl + 1.72 Ol + 0.17 H 2 O = 0.59 Di + 0.17 Amp + 0.68 Spl + 0.79 Opx, results only if amphibole is included. The model predicts relative volumes of product clinopyroxene, amphibole and spinel that are generally consistent with the proportions in imaged symplectites. Proportions of clinopyroxene-and amphibole-hosted symplectite appear to have been governed by local mass-balance of Na and Al in plagioclase and/or availability of H 2 O. The most successful model for formation of the inner clinopyroxene/sapphirine corona, 1.00 Pl + 1.47 Ol + 0.17 H 2 O = 0.59 Di + 0.17 Amp + 0.30 Spr (10 ox.) + 0.57 Opx, also includes amphibole, which is present in association with clinopyroxene/sapphirine symplectite. Sufficient H 2 O for formation of symplectic amphibole must have been present in the intergranular fluid of relict igneous troctolites or have infiltrated during metamorphism at high P-T conditions.
Impact of pre-lab learning activities, a post-lab written report, and content reduction on evolution-based learning in an undergraduate plant biodiversity lab

Commonplace biodiversity labs in introductory undergraduate biology typically emphasize declarative knowledge. We contend that shifting these labs to emphasize evolution, higher-order cognition, and science reasoning would benefit student learning. Four factors that likely make evolution-based higher-order learning goals difficult to achieve in these labs are: the novelty and quantity of required declarative knowledge, the number of integrated concepts, the theoretical nature of evolution, and limitations on working memory. Thus, we propose that a model to shift learning from lower-order declarative knowledge to evolution-based higher-order integration in these labs would reduce overall lower-order content, increase time efficiency through hands-on pre-lab activities, and increase evidence-based reasoning through written post-labs that emphasize evolution-based higher-order integration. We tested this contention by comparing exam performances of students who did and did not participate in the redesigned lab. A new plant biodiversity lab design was implemented in an introductory undergraduate biology lab class. The lab class was a separate class from the complementary lecture class, but the content-oriented learning goals were similar between the lecture and lab. We compared achievement of students in lecture + lab to those in lecture only with a pre-assessment and a mid-semester exam which contained questions that were both related and unrelated to the plant biodiversity lab learning goals. Students in ‘lecture + lab’ relative to ‘lecture only’ did not perform significantly different on the pre-assessment lower or higher-order questions. On the post-assessment, students in lab + lecture performed significantly better on knowledge questions that were unrelated to lab with an improvement of 5.9%. Moreover, students in lab + lecture also performed significantly better on lab-related knowledge questions and lab-related evolution-based integrative reasoning questions with a range of 6.3 to 11% improvement, compared to students in the lecture only group. The proposed framework was successful in improving student learning for both lower-order declarative knowledge questions and evolution-based questions involving higher-order integration of concepts. In addition, because students in lecture + lab outperformed students in lecture only on questions unrelated to lab content, our proposed model highlights the importance of multiple inquiry-oriented lab experiences in higher education.
Multiple modes of α7 nAChR noncompetitive antagonism of control agonist-evoked and allosterically enhanced currents.

Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors can enhance ion channel currents and downstream effects of α7 stimulation. We investigated the approach of using noncompetitive antagonists to regulate α7 receptor function, potentially distinguishing effects requiring ion channel currents from signaling induced by nonconducting states. Three small readily reversible antagonists, (1S,2R,4R)-N,2,3,3-tetramethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-amine (mecamylamine), N-(2.6-dimethylphenylcarbamoylmethyl)triethylammonium bromide (QX-314), and 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl 4-(butylamino)benzoate (tetracaine), as well as three large slowly reversible antagonists, bis-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl) sebacate (BTMPS), 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl heptanoate (TMPH), and 1,2,4,5-tetra-{5-[1-(3-benzyl)pyridinium]pent-1-yl}benzene tetrabromide (tkP3BzPB), were investigated for their effectiveness and voltage dependence in the inhibition of responses evoked by acetylcholine alone or augmented by the α7-selective PAM N-(5-chloro-2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-N′-(5-methyl-3-isoxazolyl)-urea (PNU-120596). Analyses of the small antagonists on PNU-120596–potentiated single-channel bursts indicated that each agent had a distinct mechanism of inhibition and only that of QX-314 was consistent with simple open channel block. In addition to decreasing channel open times and burst durations, mecamylamine and tetracaine induced unique subconductance states. To determine whether channel-blocking activity alone would be sufficient to prevent cell death, the antagonists were tested for their ability to protect α7-expressing cells from cytotoxic effects of the α7 agonist choline in combination with PNU-120596. Only tetracaine and tkP3BzPB, the two agents that had effects least consistent with simple ion channel block, were fully cytoprotective at concentrations that gave submaximal inhibition of macroscopic currents in oocytes. Further analyses indicated that toxicity produced by PNU-120596 and choline was calcium independent and likely an apoptotic event. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that PAMs may modulate conformational states important for both channel activity and ion channel-independent signaling.