cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Advances in control of doping and lifetime in single-crystal and polycrystalline CdTe

We demonstrate the controlled alteration of bulk defects in CdTe single crystals and polycrystalline films to achieve high bulk minority-carrier lifetime and p-type doping. Low-temperature photoluminescence measurements confirm that bulk defect chemistry is altered by inserting intentional extrinsic dopants. Group I dopants such as copper display a tradeoff where increased doping decreases lifetime. By incorporating a Group V dopant source such as phosphorus, bulk lifetime values of 20–40 ns with acceptor density values of 0.7–1.0×1016 cm−3 are obtained in single and polycrystalline CdTe crystals. This exceptional combination of long lifetime and high p-type doping in a manufacturable material provides a path to increase open-circuit voltage, fill factor, and efficiency in CdTe photovoltaic devices.
Mesozooplankton production and grazing in the Arabian Sea

Abstract Growth rates, grazing and fecal pellet production by mesozooplankton size classes in the surface 200 m are compared over two inshore/offshore transects in the Northern Arabian Sea during different monsoon seasons. We derived these rate parameters from measured biomass and several empirical models that estimate copepod production from temperature, body weight and food availability. The multivariate regression published by Hirst and Sheader (1997, Marine Ecology Progress Series, 154, 155–165) gave the most reasonable rate estimates when compared to direct grazing measurements as well as published data on copepod ingestion and growth rates. In general, zooplankton rate estimates were highest at the inshore stations where phytoplankton production and zooplankton biomass were maximum. Overall cruise means of zooplankton biomass and rate estimates during the early and late NE Monsoon, Spring Inter-monsoon and SW Monsoon were not significantly different. The estimated zooplankton community (all size fractions) growth rate averaged 0.12 d −1 over all stations during the different monsoon seasons. Although smaller zooplankton size fractions grew faster, slower growing >2 mm zooplankton dominated the zooplankton biomass of the Arabian Sea and this resulted in a lower overall community growth rate. Estimated total carbon (phytoplankton, protozoa and detritus) ingestion averaged 44 mM C m −2 d −1 , which was approximately 40% of primary production. Expressed as a percentage of biomass, we found that zooplankton ingested approximately 40% of their body carbon d −1 . Zooplankton fecal pellet production averaged 13 mM C m −2 d −1 or roughly 12% of primary production. This estimated fecal pellet production was greater than measurements of the export flux during the NE Monsoon and Spring Intermonsoon. However, estimated fecal pellet production was less than measured export flux during the SW Monsoon when sinking phytoplankton likely contributed directly to the export flux. Our data suggest that relative to other ocean basins, the grazing impact of mesozooplankton is significant in the Arabian Sea as a consequence of the high zooplankton biomass, abundance of diatoms, and warm temperatures, which result in high zooplankton metabolic demands and growth rates. The observation that the average zooplankton biomass (110 mM C m −2 ) did not change significantly over the monsoon seasons suggests that zooplankton production (13 mM C m −2 d −1 ) and zooplankton mortality were similar over the study interval.
Platelet autoantigens: Identification and characterization using immunoblotting

Antiplatelet autoantibodies are important in the etiology of idiopathic (or immune) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Studies using immunoblotting techniques have been helpful in identifying the antigenic target proteins for the antibodies. Antibodies against the glycoprotein (GP) IIIa portion of the GPIIb/IIIa complex were the first to be demonstrated by this approach. Similar GPIIIa autoantigens have also been found to be the most frequent targets of ITP antibodies. Not all anti-GPIIIa antibodies are directed against the same epitope on GPIIIa. A subset of anti-GPIIIa antibodies found in patients with an acquired qualitative platelet dysfunction actually interfere with fibrinogen binding to normal platelets. Antibodies directed against targets on GPV have been found in patients with acute ITP of childhood. In patients with ITP associated with lupus erythematosus, antibodies which bind to intracellular proteins of apparent molecular weights of 66 and 108 kDa have been detected. Thus, ITP antibodies can have a variety of target antigens. Study of larger series of patients will determine whether identification of platelet autoantigens correlates with clinical course of ITP.
Global analysis of trans-splicing in Drosophila

Precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) splicing can join exons contained on either a single pre-mRNA (cis) or on separate pre-mRNAs (trans). It is exceedingly rare to have trans-splicing between protein-coding exons and has been demonstrated for only two Drosophila genes: mod(mdg4) and lola. It has also been suggested that trans-splicing is a mechanism for the generation of chimeric RNA products containing sequence from multiple distant genomic sites. Because most high-throughput approaches cannot distinguish cis- and trans-splicing events, the extent to which trans-splicing occurs between protein-coding exons in any organism is unknown. Here, we used paired-end deep sequencing of mRNA to identify genes that undergo trans-splicing in Drosophila interspecies hybrids. We did not observe credible evidence for the existence of chimeric RNAs generated by trans-splicing of RNAs transcribed from distant genomic loci. Rather, our data suggest that experimental artifacts are the source of most, if not all, apparent chimeric RNA products. We did, however, identify 80 genes that appear to undergo trans-splicing between homologous alleles and can be classified into three categories based on their organization: (i) genes with multiple 3′ terminal exons, (ii) genes with multiple first exons, and (iii) genes with very large introns, often containing other genes. Our results suggest that trans-splicing between homologous alleles occurs more commonly in Drosophila than previously believed and may facilitate expression of architecturally complex genes.
Cervical spondylodiscitis from an ingested pin: a case report

In the pediatric literature, only 1 case of cervical spondylodiscitis from an ingested foreign body is reported and this was caused by a blunt radiolucent foreign body. The authors now describe a unique case of a 13-year-old teenaged boy who presented with neck pain 6 days after accidental ingestion of a sewing pin. Uncomplicated removal of this pin was followed in 36 days by the development of cervical spondylodiscitis that failed conservative management and required surgical debridement and arthrodesis. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of this complication in any patient that presents with neck pain after foreign body ingestion.
Representations of bicircular matroids

Abstract A bicircular matroid is a matroid defined on the edge set of a graph. Two different graphs can have the same bicircular matroid. The first result of this paper is a characterization of the collection of graphs having the same bicircular matroid as a given arbitrary graph. A bicircular matroid can be represented by a matrix over the real numbers that has at most two nonzeros per column. Such a matrix can be viewed as an incidence matrix of a graph. The second result of this paper is that given almost any (in a sense to be made precise) collection of graphs G1,…,Gt having the same bicircular matroid M, there exist row-equivalent matrices N1,…,Nt each representing M, such that Ni is an incidence matrix of Gi for 1 ≤ i ≤ t. These results form the basis for an algorithm (presented in a subsequent paper) that under certain conditions converts a given linear-programming problem to a generalized-network flow problem.
Turbidimetric carbamazepine immunoassay on the ADVIA 1650 and 2400 analyzers is free from interference of antihistamine drugs hydroxyzine and cetirizine.

A recent report indicates that hydroxyzine and its active metabolite cetirizine interfere with the particle-enhanced turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay (PENTINA) carbamazepine assay. We studied potential interference of hydroxyzine and cetirizine with the turbidimetric carbamazepine immunoassay on ADVIA® 1650 and ADVIA 2400 (Bayer Diagnostics, Tarrytown, NY) analyzers. Aliquots of drug-free serum pools were supplemented with various concentrations of hydroxyzine and cetirizine representing therapeutic, moderate toxic, as well as very toxic concentrations. These samples were assayed by the turbidimetric carbamazepine immunoassay on two analyzers. To study the interference in presence of the analyte, aliquots of a serum pool prepared from patients receiving carbamazepine were further supplemented with various amounts of hydroxyzine and or cetirizine and apparent carbamazepine concentrations were measured again in order to compare with the value of original pool. No apparent carbamazepine concentration was observed when aliquots of drug-free serum were supplemented with hydroxyzine or cetirizine. Moreover, in the carbamazepine pool, the original carbamazepine concentration compared well when aliquots of this serum pool were further supplemented with hydroxyzine or cetirizine. We conclude that the turbidimetric carbamazepine immunoassay is free from interference of hydroxyzine and cetirizine. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 21:188–192, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sites of modification of human angiogenin by bromoacetate at pH 5.5

Summary Human angiogenin is inactivated by treatment with bromoacetate at pH 5.5. Use of [14C]bromoacetate and tryptic peptide mapping have identified the sites of carboxymethylation as His-13 and His-114, with His-114 reacting 1−1.5-fold more rapidly than His-13. At later stages in the reaction, both His-13 and -114 become modified with His-114 in part forming a bis derivative. Comparison with carboxymethylhistidine derivatives of known structure obtained from bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A indicates that the reaction order is N-1 of His-114 > N-3 of His-13 > N-3 of His-114.
Transition in 26-min U 2 3 5 m of Less Than 23 Electron Volts

The conversion electron spectrum from the decay of 26-min ${\mathrm{U}}^{235m}$ has been examined by both magnetic spectrometry employing preacceleration and by electrostatic spectrometry. The energy distribution is peaked at 0.5 electron volts, with evidence of structure at 5 ev and at 19 ev, leading to an estimated upper limit of 23 ev for the transition energy. Tests of the performance of the apparatus were made with the conversion spectrum of the low-energy transition in 6-hr ${\mathrm{Tc}}^{99m}$, redetermined as 2.15 kev; with the "zero energy" peak of ${\mathrm{Am}}^{241}$ and with the spectrum of photoelectrons excited from silver with ultraviolet light.
On the Theory of Meson Decay

A new derivation of the meson lifetime and of the $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay formula according to Yukawa's theory is given in which the meson field equations are used in their unquantized form. The vectorial meson theory leads to a Fermi $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay theory with the Gamow-Teller selection rules as required by experiment. It is, however, not possible to obtain a quantitative agreement for both meson decay and $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay. When the constants are so adjusted as to give the observed lifetime for $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay, the resulting lifetime of the meson is of the order ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ sec., as compared with about ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ sec. from cosmic-ray observations. It is shown that the uncertainties in nuclear theory do not greatly influence this result, and that most of the conceivable changes in the theory make the theoretical lifetime of the meson shorter and thus the discrepancy greater.
Picturing labor: A visual ethnography of the coal mine labor process 1

Following Marx, Harry Braverman argued that it is not the technical nature of the machine that creates alienation but “invisible” social divisions of labor which produced and control machinery and the labor process. This paper marshals primary source material from a large visual ethnographic study of retired miners, juxtaposing photographs and oral histories in an analysis of coal mining. Photographs of the mining process, which represent the technological processes and divisions of labor are examined alongside coal miners’ accounts of the labor process which include discussions of social relationships including alienation and exploitation. In life, the social and technological relations of labor were inseparable, but only the technological could be photographed. I conclude that photography constitutes an operationalized language incapable of expressing alienation or negation, potential, irrationality, alternative meanings, and so on. This has profound implications in a world where photographic images med...
Immunophenotyping using gold or silver nanoparticle-polystyrene bead conjugates with multiple light scatter

Background The type of antibody-conjugated polystyrene (PS) latex beads for use as light scatter shift agents for targeted lymphocyte populations in whole blood has been expanded to include gold and silver nanoparticle-aminodextran-PS latex bead conjugates with antibodies. The linkers between antibody and colloidal metal were an aminotrithiol ligand or aminodextran polymer molecules. Methods A modified flow instrument, including forward light scatter (FS), side light scatter (SS), light scatter at other intermediate angle ranges, LMALS (10–20°) and UMALS (20–65°) was used for simultaneous bead probe measurements. A conventional flow cytometer was used in simultaneous bead-fluorescent marker experiments. Results Two mutually exclusive cell populations, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, have been simultaneously enumerated in blood by using a mixture of CD4-PS, CD8-Au-PS or CD4-Au-PS, CD8-PS beads, and one laser line, 633 nm, excitation. Similar measurements were made with mixtures of CD4-PS, CD8-Ag-PS or CD4-Ag-PS, CD8-PS beads. Also, simultaneous use of bead and fluorescent markers mixed with whole blood was demonstrated with CD4-PS beads and with the CD4-RD1/CD8-FITC dual marker. Conclusions Enumeration of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes in whole blood by light scatter parameters only compared well with standard analyses with fluorescent markers. In simultaneous bead-fluorescent marker labeling of lymphocytes, the labeled bead had to be mixed first with cells in whole blood. Cytometry 41:298–307, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Faculty and Technology: Implications for Faculty Training and Technology Leadership

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors affecting ICT adoption process and the implications for faculty training and technology leadership. Respondents represented a wide range of academic and professional positions. They identified themselves as Assistant, Associate, and Professor as well as Instructional Designer, Director of Technology, Information Manager, eLearning Manager, Assistant Department Chair, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Consultant. The respondents identified Organizational Support, Leadership, Training and Development, and Resources as the predominate themes affecting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) adoption process in higher education. Evidence from this study offers insights on how higher education administrators and technology leaders could help their faculty and staff to implement appropriate ICT tools and practices to improve student learning.
Effects of stimulation frequency on myocardial extensibility.

Whether a change in myocardial contractility is accompanied by a change in diastolic extensibility was studied by altering stimulation frequency, including paired stimulation, as the inotropic intervention. Isometric and isotonic contractions of isolated cat papillary muscles were examined. Apparent changes in diastolic extensibility were observed with paired stimulation in isometric preparations. Rapid changes were seen only in muscles that had spontaneous aftercontractions between driven beats. These changes were believed not to reflect true extensibility changes but rather a change in timing between the relaxation of a beat driven by a paired stimulus and the onset of an aftercontraction. In continuous isotonic (not afterloaded) preparations, end-diastolic length depended on beat frequency. The muscle crept to a longer length when diastole was prolonged by decreasing the heart rate. In isotonic experiments without aftercontractions myocardial extensibility remained unchanged during paired electrical stimulation and changes in beat frequency.
Preparation and Crystal Structure of (Ph4P)2Te4 · 2 CH3OH

The Zintl phase K4SnTe4 reacts with tetraphenylphosphonium bromide in methanol to give the polytelluride (Ph4P)2Te4 · 2 CH3OH. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with lattice constants a = 2329.6(11) pm, b = 1472.0(6) pm, and c = 1461.9(6) pm with s = 111.34(3)°. Significant structural units are tetratelluride(2−) anions with CH3OH molecules hydrogen bonded to both ends of the anion. Darstellung und Kristallstruktur von (Ph4P)2Te4 · 2 CH3OH Die Zintl-Phase K4SnTe4 reagiert mit Tetraphenylphosphoniumbromid, es entsteht (Ph4P)2Te4 · 2 CH3OH. Die Verbindung kristallisiert monoklin; Raumgruppe C2/c mit a = 2329,6(11) pm, b = 1472,0(6) pm, c = 1461,9(6) pm, s = 111,34(3)°. Signifikante Struktureinheiten sind Tetratellurid(2−)-Anionen, an deren beiden Enden je ein CH3OH-Molekul uber Wasserstoff gebunden ist.
Cultural factors, caloric intake and micronutrient sufficiency in rural Nepali households

Food allocation patterns were analyzed in a quantitative and qualitative study of 105 households in a Village Development Committee community in the western hills of Nepal. In this village food consumption is regulated by a set of beliefs and rules regarding food classifications (hot and cold) local models of illness causation and the status of household members. Staple foods such as rice lentils and bread were distributed fairly equally but side dishes containing higher levels of micronutients (e.g. vegetables meat yogurt) were preferentially allocated to valued family members especially adult men and infants and children of both sexes. Children were more likely to meet their energy requirements than adults of both sexes. As children reach puberty and adolescence and move into adult roles and responsibilities food distribution patterns shift to those prevalent among adults and males are favored in both foods served and their amounts. Adult men remain significantly more likely to consume vegetables and milk than adolescents males and females and lactating women. Adult women and adolescent females were at particular risk of diets deficient in vitamins A and C. These distribution patterns were bolstered not only by gender discrimination but also by dietary restrictions surrounding menstruation pregnancy and lactation.
Exploring Protective Factors among Homeless Youth: The Role of Natural Mentors

This study explored the presence and characteristics of natural mentors among 197 homeless youth and the association between natural mentoring relationships and youth functioning. Few studies have explored protective factors in the lives of homeless youth and how these may buffer against poor health outcomes. Relationships with natural mentors have been shown to have protective effects on adolescent functioning among the general adolescent population, and, thus, warrant further investigation with homeless youth. Results from this study revealed that 73.6% of homeless youth have natural mentoring relationships, split between kin and non-kin relationships. Having a natural mentor was associated with higher satisfaction with social support and fewer risky sexual behaviors. Findings suggest that natural mentors may play a protective role in the lives of homeless youth and should be considered an important source of social support that may enhance youth resilience.
Characterization of Erucamide Profiles in LLDPE Films: Depth-Profiling Attempts Using FTIR Photoacoustic Spectroscopy and Raman Microspectroscopy:

This research focuses on mapping the concentration profile of erucamide in LLDPE film. Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) FTIR and FTIR microspectroscopy (FTIR-mS) have both been used previously to...
Recurrence of esophageal intestinal metaplasia after endoscopic mucosal resection and radiofrequency ablation of Barrett's esophagus: results from a US Multicenter Consortium.

Background & Aims Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an established treatment for dysplastic Barrett's esophagus (BE). Although short-term end points of ablation have been ascertained, there have been concerns about recurrence of intestinal metaplasia (IM) after ablation. We aimed to estimate the incidence and identify factors that predicted the recurrence of IM after successful RFA. Methods We analyzed data from 592 patients with BE treated with RFA from 2003 through 2011 at 3 tertiary referral centers. Complete remission of intestinal metaplasia (CRIM) was defined as eradication of IM (in esophageal and gastroesophageal junction biopsy specimens), documented by 2 consecutive endoscopies. Recurrence was defined as the presence of IM or dysplasia after CRIM in surveillance biopsies. Two experienced gastrointestinal pathologists confirmed pathology findings. Results Based on histology analysis, before RFA, 71% of patients had high-grade dysplasia or esophageal adenocarcinoma, 15% had low-grade dysplasia, and 14% had nondysplastic BE. Of patients treated, 448 (76%) were assessed after RFA. Fifty-five percent of patients underwent endoscopic mucosal resection before RFA. The median time to CRIM was 22 months, with 56% of patients in CRIM by 24 months. Increasing age and length of BE segment were associated with longer times to CRIM. Twenty-four months after CRIM, the incidence of recurrence was 33%; 22% of all recurrences observed were dysplastic BE. There were no demographic or endoscopic factors associated with recurrence. Complications developed in 6.5% of subjects treated with RFA; strictures were the most common complication. Conclusions Of patients with BE treated by RFA, 56% were in complete remission after 24 months. However, 33% of these patients had disease recurrence within the next 2 years. Most recurrences were nondysplastic and endoscopically manageable, but continued surveillance after RFA is essential.
The Concentration Camp in Global Historical Perspective

The global history of the concentration camp demonstrates the density and importance of multiple transnational links in the history of war and terror in the twentieth century. Concentration camps first emerged in the non-Western world within the historical context of colonial rule – which both reinforced the myth of white racial superiority, justified the use of violence against colonized populations and proliferated ideas of ethnic and/or political cleansing. Global connections and transfers moved the concentration camp from the European colonial domains to the European continent itself where the implementation of those practices facilitated the shift to total war and also helped shape a new brutality displayed by European armies toward non-combatants during and after World War I. From Europe those practices and concepts traveled further throughout the world to eventually manifest themselves in many conflicts in the non-Western world. In their intention to seek potent strategies for ending resistance to their rule and enforcing discipline, various Chinese regimes, for instance, combed through the globally available stock of technologies of repression and violence and created concentration camp systems for dealing with their adversaries.
Linear estimation of the parameters of the logistic distribution by selected order statistics for very large samples

The asymptotically best linear unbiased estimate (ABLUE) of the location and scale parameter, assuming both are unknown, based on k=2(1)10 order statistics selected from a large sample is considered. The optimum spacings (O<λ1<λ2<… <λk<1) determining the maximum joint efficiency compared with all BLUE’s based on any other choice of spacings are obtained. Coefficients, variances and efficiencies (relative to the Cramer — Rao lower bounds) of the BLUE’s are given.
Geometric relationships between whitefly feeding behavior and vascular bundle arrangements

This study revealed strong evidence that nymphs of the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows and Perring, are obligate feeders on vascular bundles and that there are large differences between different host plants as to the availability of vascular bundles to silverleaf whitefly nymphs. The relationship between nymphs and leaf vascular bundles was studied using 1) leaf sectioning and 2) techniques of leaf clearing of intact leaves. A geometric model is presented of the feeding relationship of vascular bundle-using homopterans. The relative abundance of vascular bundles was examined in six species of host plants that varied from highly preferred to tolerably acceptable. Included in order of acceptance were cantaloupe, cotton, hibiscus, broccoli, lantana and lettuce. The length of vascular bundle per 1.0 mm 2 of leaf surface ranged from about 10 mm in cantaloupe to 2.8 mm in lettuce. Salivary sheaths were found to connect with vascular bundles in 100% of the intact nymphs examined by the staining and clearing technique. However only 64% of those examined by the sectioning technique appeared to be connected to vascular bundles. This indicates that the sectioning technique leads to a high rate of error, causing an underestimation of the importance of direct contact with vascular bundles. About 50% of epidermal stylet penetrations were through epidermal cells ; the remaining 50% went through intercellular junctions. On cotton leaves, the distance between the point of labial contact with the leaf surface and the nearest point of the vascular bundle rarely exceeded 60 μm. Our studies show that while 50% of lettuce leaf-surface was beyond 60 μm of a vascular bundle, only 10% of cantaloupe leaf surface area was outside of the 60 μm range. In cotton, mean distance from labium to the nearest point of the vascular bundle was 40.9 μm (SEM = 2.66, N = 50, range 0-80 μm). Over 98% of all salivary sheaths went to minor veins (78% to single-filament vascular bundles, nearly 20% to double filament bundles). Fewer than 2% went to bundles with 3 or more filaments.
Systematic valley asymmetry in the central California Coast Ranges

Asymmetry of east-west-trending valleys is a prominent landscape feature in the Salinas Valley and Gabilan Mesa area of the central California Coast Ranges. North-facing side slopes in these valleys are significantly steeper, less dissected and more heavily vegetated than south-facing side slopes. This systematic asymmetry persists throughout terrains of widely varying lithology, structural style, and tectonic history, and it is most strongly developed in areas that are underlain by horizontal to very gently dipping semiconsolidated sedimentary rocks. Asymmetric distribution of fill terraces and beheaded streams and close correlation between valley side-slope angle and valley gradient demonstrate that preferential lateral stream erosion has played a dominant role in the development of this valley asymmetry. For most of the valleys studied, this preferential lateral erosion is not related to tectonic movement; it is caused mainly by the asymmetric operation of slope-wasting processes arising from microclimatic differences on opposing valley side slopes.
Singularity subtraction for evaluation of Green's functions for multilayer media

This paper presents an efficient method to evaluate the two- and three-dimensional multilayered medium Green's functions for general electric and magnetic sources. Without finding any surface poles or steepest descent path, a special subtraction procedure is applied to each term of the Sommerfeld integrands to make them rapidly decreasing functions of krho. The contributions of the subtracted terms are calculated analytically. The remaining integrals are computed adaptively by using Gaussian quadratures. The accuracy of the method has been confirmed by comparison with many examples in literature, and the high efficiency has been verified
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Activates PERK–eIF2α and Sensitizes Cells to Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) promotes both tumor progression and drug resistance, yet few vulnerabilities of this state have been identified. Using selective small molecules as cellular probes, we show that induction of EMT greatly sensitizes cells to agents that perturb endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function. This sensitivity to ER perturbations is caused by the synthesis and secretion of large quantities of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins by EMT cells. Consistent with their increased secretory output, EMT cells display a branched ER morphology and constitutively activate the PERK-eIF2α axis of the unfolded protein response (UPR). PERK activation is also required for EMT cells to invade and metastasize. In human tumor tissues, EMT gene expression correlates strongly with both ECM and PERK-eIF2α genes, but not with other branches of the UPR. Taken together, our findings identify a novel vulnerability of EMT cells, and demonstrate that the PERK branch of the UPR is required for their malignancy.
Parameter study of load combinations in seismic design for UHV transformation devices

For UHV electrical devices, owing to their importance, uniqueness, and relatively high safety margin requirements, their seismic performance has become the focus of engineer's attention. Such devices are prone to generate resonance under the effects of earthquake, which will lead to damage to them. Moreover, most of the major devices have exceed the application scope of seismic design criteria, and values of related parameters of seismic design are different based on different criteria. Therefore, it is necessary that study on relevant problems existing in the seismic design of UHV transformation devices is carried out. In this study, the related clauses in Code for seismic design of buildings (GB50011—2001), Code for design of seismic of electrical installations (GB50260-96) and IEEE Recommended Practice for Seismic Design of Substations (IEEE Std 693) were compared and analyzed, and at the same time, the parameters of load combinations in the seismic design (i.e. every subentry coefficient and safety coefficient) were studied. With the device of some UHV project taken as an example of project study, a practical calculation method that could be applied to analysis of earthquake resistance of UHV transformation devices was proposed, and the analysis result could be referred by related professional personnel.
Control systems on low cost computers

Computing infrastructures for accelerator control systems can now be built using low cost, commodity-type computers. The commonly used EPICS control system toolkit has been adapted to facilitate its deployment on Pentium-based PCs running the Linux operating system, as well as on other inexpensive platforms. Low-cost, reliable enterprise-class computers can be obtained from many commercial vendors for such control system network-based services as Domain Name Service (DNS), Network Information Services (NIS), and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). Control system file servers can also be configured using inexpensive rack-mounted PCs and multiple monitor operator consoles can be built with Linux-based PCs or standard X-windows software with high performance video graphic adapters. At the front end of the control system, input-output controllers can be configured also as PCs running embedded Windows. Several accelerator laboratories, including the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory are taking advantage of these possibilities. This paper will review the use of inexpensive computers in the accelerator community, with particular emphasis on the issues and applications at SNS.
Robust control system design with proportional integral observer

The authors propose a design method for a robust controller including a new type of observer called the proportional integral (PI) observer. The new observer differs from the conventional one by an integration path which provides additional degrees of freedom. This freedom can be used to make the observer-based controller design less sensitive to parameter variation of the system. It is shown that some of the difficulties that can arise in the exclusive pursuit of a design for the conventional observer-based controller from the point of view of system robustness are resolved in a straightforward manner using the PI observer. A systematic robustness recovery procedure is described for the PI observer-based controller design which asymptotically achieves the same loop transfer functions as the fullstate feedback controller implementation. A design example is included and the effectiveness of the method is illustrated by simulation results. >
I-V characteristics of MESFET's with nonuniform carrier distribution

The expression for I - V characteristics of a metal-semiconductor field-effect transistor with nonuniform carrier distribution in the channel is presented along with the calculated values of a typical device structure. This expression was obtained based on the derived expression for the depletion width versus reverse bias voltage of a metal-semiconductor junction.
Elucidating the oxide growth mechanism on platinum at the cathode in PEM fuel cells.

Simulations of platinum oxidation in literature have yet to fully replicate an experimental cyclic voltammogram. In this manuscript a mechanism for platinum oxidation is proposed based upon the results of in operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy, where it was found that PtO2 is present at longer hold times. A new method to quantify extended X-ray absorption fine structure data is presented, and the extent of oxidation is directly compared to electrochemical data. This comparison indicated that PtO2 was formed at the expense of an initial oxide species. From previous literature studies it can be concluded that the rate of platinum oxidation is not a function of only potential and coverage. To that end, the concept of a heterogeneous oxide layer was introduced into the model, whereby place-exchanged PtO2 structures of varying energy states are formed through a single transition state. This treatment allowed, for the first time, the simulation of the correct current–potential behavior at varying scan rates and upper potential limits.
Flying in the face of resistance: antiviral-independent benefit of HIV protease inhibitors on T-cell survival.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection results in excessive apoptosis of infected and uninfected cells, mediated by host and viral factors present in plasma. As HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) have intrinsic antiapoptotic properties, we questioned whether HIV PIs could block HIV-induced CD4+ T-cell death independent of their effects on HIV replication. We demonstrate that HIV PIs block the death of CD4+ T cells induced by HIV glycoprotein 120 (gp120), Vpr, and Tat, as well as host signals Fas ligand, tumor necrosis factor, and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. Using gp120/CXCR4 as a model, we show that the HIV PIs specifically block mitochondrial apoptosis signaling. Furthermore, HIV PIs inhibit CD4+ T-cell death induced by viruses with high-level resistance to PIs (P<0.01) and apoptosis induced by serum of HIV patients with known resistance to HIV PIs (P=0.01). Together, these results show that HIV PIs block CD4+ T-cell death and have a beneficial effect on CD4+ T-cell survival despite PI resistance. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2007) 82, 294–299; doi:10.1038/sj.clpt.6100140; published online 14 March 2007
Uncertainty during Anticipation Modulates Neural Responses to Aversion in Human Insula and Amygdala

Uncertainty about potential negative future outcomes can cause stress and is a central feature of anxiety disorders. The stress and anxiety associated with uncertain situations may lead individuals to overestimate the frequency with which uncertain cues are followed by negative outcomes, an example of covariation bias. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we found that uncertainty-related expectations modulated neural responses to aversion. Insula and amygdala responses to aversive pictures were larger after an uncertain cue (that preceded aversive or neutral pictures) than a certain cue (that always preceded aversive pictures). Anticipatory anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) activity elicited by the cues was inversely associated with the insula and amygdala responses to aversive pictures following the cues. Nearly 75% of subjects overestimated the frequency of aversive pictures following uncertain cues, and ACC and insula activity predicted this uncertainty-related covariation bias. Findings provide the first evidence of the brain mechanisms of covariation bias and highlight the temporal dynamics of ACC, insula, and amygdala recruitment for processing aversion in the context of uncertainty.
Hierarchical zeolite structures with designed shape by gel-casting of colloidal nanocrystal suspensions

Hierarchical zeolite structures with designed shapes were fabricated by a ceramic processing method—gel-casting of colloidal nanocrytal suspensions.
Orienting Response and Memory for Web Advertisements: Exploring Effects of Pop-Up Window and Animation

This study investigated the effects of pop-up windows and animation on online users’ orienting response and memory for Web advertisements. All participants (N = 60) in a mixed-design factorial experiment were exposed to four online portal Web sites, each containing a banner ad that was either animated or static and a pop-up ad that was also either animated or static. Their orienting responses during reception of the online sites were measured via heartbeats using electrocardiogram (ECG). Recall and recognition memory for ads and portal Web sites were measured via a postexposure paper-and-pencil questionnaire. Hypotheses derived from visual attention, motion effect, distinctiveness, bio-informational, and limited-capacity theories were tested. The results fully supported the proposition that pop-up ads elicit orienting responses. Ad recognition was lower whereas ad recall was higher for pop-up ads compared to banner ads. In addition to main effects, the data revealed several interaction effects, with impli...
Clinical Experience with Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Older Patients in the Era of Effective Antiretroviral Therapy

New therapies for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients suggest the need to examine whether these therapies are as effective in older patients as in younger patients. Fifty-two patients aged >/=50 years were compared with 52 patients aged <50 years for changes in CD4(+) counts, viral loads, opportunistic disease, hospitalizations, drug side effects, and death. No differences were found, except for higher rates of candidiasis in younger patients. Antiretroviral therapy seems to be equally effective in older and younger patients.
Examination of various techniques for the acceleration of multivariable optimization problems

Magnetic field optimization problems with three or more variables are often characterized by multiple local minima. Among the favored techniques for dealing with this challenge are to represent the objective function in terms of a small subset of data scattered throughout the search region. Radial basis functions, multivariable splines, and a new class of representative functions are compared for accuracy and speed.
Intimate Partner Victimization Among College Students With and Without Disabilities Prevalence of and Relationship to Emotional Well-Being

Prior research indicates that both college students and individuals with disabilities are at an increased risk of experiencing intimate partner victimization (IPV). However, little is known about IPV risk and its relationship to emotional well-being among the intersection of these two populations. Utilizing a sample of approximately 20,000 college students from the American College Health Association’s (ACHA) National College Health Assessment II (NCHA II), this study focuses on this overlooked intersection by examining IPV among college students with disabilities. Multivariate binary logistic regression models were used to estimate the relationship among disability, IPV, and emotional well-being. College students with disabilities were approximately twice as likely to experience IPV than their counterparts without disabilities. Students with mental disabilities and multiple disability types were found to have the greatest likelihood of experiencing IPV. Victims with disabilities were more likely than vic...
Cryptorchidism and hypospadias.

Purpose: We quantified the burden of cryptorchidism and hypospadias in the United States by identifying trends in the use of health care resources and estimating the economic impact of the disease.Materials and Methods: The analytical methods used to generate these results were described previously.Results: Cryptorchidism is managed almost exclusively in the outpatient setting and insufficient data were available on inpatient health care use. Annual inpatient hospitalizations for hypospadias decreased by 75% between 1994 and 2000 from 2,669 (2.2/100,000 children) to 849 (0.6/100,000). Between 1992 and 2000 there were 611,647 physician office visits (96/100,000 per year) with undescended testis listed as the primary diagnosis. The rate of physician office visits for hypospadias by commercially insured boys younger than 3 years increased significantly from 429/100,000 in 1994 to 655/100,000 in 2002. The annualized rate of 18/100,000 in 1994 to 1996 remained relatively constant during these 3 years. Orchiope...
Diverse gap junctions modulate distinct mechanisms for fiber cell formation during lens development and cataractogenesis

Different mutations of α3 connexin (Cx46 or Gja8 ) andα 8 connexin (Cx50 or Gja8 ), subunits of lens gap junction channels, cause a variety of cataracts via unknown mechanisms. We identified a dominant cataractous mouse line ( L1 ), caused by a missense α8 connexin mutation that resulted in the expression of α8-S50P mutant proteins. Histology studies showed that primary lens fiber cells failed to fully elongate in heterozygous α8 S50P/+ embryonic lenses, but not in homozygous α8 S50P/S50P , α8 -/- andα 3 -/- α8 -/- mutant embryonic lenses. We hypothesized that α8-S50P mutant subunits interacted with wild-typeα 3 or α8, or with both subunits to affect fiber cell formation. We found that the combination of mutant α8-S50P and wild-type α8 subunits specifically inhibited the elongation of primary fiber cells, while the combination of α8-S50P and wild-type α3 subunits disrupted the formation of secondary fiber cells. Thus, this work provides the first in vivo evidence that distinct mechanisms, modulated by diverse gap junctions, control the formation of primary and secondary fiber cells during lens development. This explains why and how different connexin mutations lead to a variety of cataracts. The principle of this explanation can also be applied to mutations of other connexin isoforms that cause different diseases in other organs.
Archimedes, the free Monte Carlo simulator: A GNU package for submicron semiconductor devices on nanoHUB

Archimedes is the GNU package for Monte Carlo (MC) semiconductor devices simulations. Since its very first release in 2005, users have been able to download the source code under the GNU Public License (GPL). Since then, many features have been introduced in this package, including the ability to perform Archimedes simulation on nanoHUB.org. This paper presents the current code status and anticipated developments.
Increased pulmonary responses to acute ozone exposure in obese db/db mice.

Epidemiological studies indicate the incidence of asthma is increased in obese and overweight humans. Responses to ozone (O3), an asthma trigger, are increased in obese (ob/ob) mice lacking the sat...
Low dose of dopamine may stimulate prolactin secretion by increasing fast potassium currents

Dopamine (DA) released from the hypothalamus tonically inhibits pituitary lactotrophs. DA (at micromolar concentration) opens potassium channels, hyperpolarizing the lactotrophs and thus preventing the calcium influx that triggers prolactin hormone release. Surprisingly, at concentrations ∼1000 lower, DA can stimulate prolactin secretion. Here, we investigated whether an increase in a K+ current could mediate this stimulatory effect. We considered the fast K+ currents flowing through large-conductance BK channels and through A-type channels. We developed a minimal lactotroph model to investigate the effects of these two currents. Both I BK and I A could transform the electrical pattern of activity from spiking to bursting, but through distinct mechanisms. I BK always increased the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, while I A could either increase or decrease it. Thus, the stimulatory effects of DA could be mediated by a fast K+ conductance which converts tonically spiking cells to bursters. In addition, the study illustrates that a heterogeneous distribution of fast K+ conductances could cause heterogeneous lactotroph firing patterns.
Water safety among Latino farmworkers in North Carolina

Latinos constitute the vast majority of North Carolina's farmworker population. Drowning is a significant occupational health hazard in agriculture. Recent reports also suggest a disproportionate number of drowning victims in North Carolina are Latinos. Survey data are used to examine the levels of farmworker participation in aquatic activities and water safety behaviors. Over one-third of the farmworkers reported that they did not know how to swim. About one-quarter of the farmworkers reported participation in aquatic activities, with a greater percentage of those knowing how to swim participating in these activities. Recommendations to increase farmworker water safety include providing information through their employers and health outreach workers.
Spatial correlations at different spatial scales are themselves highly correlated in isolation by distance processes.

Although many properties of spatial autocorrelation statistics are well characterized, virtually nothing is known about possible correlations among values at different spatial scales, which ultimately would influence how inferences about spatial genetics are made at multiple spatial scales. This article reports the results of stochastic space-time simulations of isolation by distance processes, having a very wide range of amounts of dispersal for plants or animals, and analyses of the correlations among Moran’s I-statistics for different mutually exclusive distance classes. In general, the stochastic correlations are extremely large (>0.90); however, the correlations bear a complex relationship with level of dispersal, spatial scale and spatial lag between distance classes. The correlations are so large that any existing or conceived statistical method that employs more than one distance class (or spatial scale) should not ignore them. This result also suggests that gains in statistical power via increasing sample size are limited, and that increasing numbers of assayed loci generally should be preferred. To the extent that sampling error for real data sets can be treated as white noise, it should be possible to account for stochastic correlations in formulating more precise statistical methods. Further, while the current results are for isolation by distance processes, they provide some guidance for some more complex stochastic space-time processes of landscape genetics. Moreover, the results hold for several popular measures other than Moran’s I. In addition, in the results, the signal to noise ratios strongly decreased with distance, which also has several implications for optimal statistical methods using correlations at multiple spatial scales.