cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Use and Misuse of Statistics

It would be hard to pen an article on the use and misuse of statistics without leading with the above quote. The quote is often attributed to Mark Twain, but Twain actually claimed to have taken the quote, or at least the idea, from British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. Mark Twain merely popularized the saying in Chapters from My Autobiography, published in the North American Review in 1906, when he wrote “Figures often beguile me, particularly when I have the arranging of them myself; in which case the remark attributed to Disraeli would often apply with justice and force: ‘There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics’” (Mark Twain 1906, “Chapters from My Autobiography”, North American Review).
ENEPIG - How to overcome limitations of pure palladium plating solutions

Electroless nickel/electroless palladium/immersion gold (ENEPIG) is an accepted and well established finish for high performance and high reliability applications in a growing market. With the nickel it provides a reliable diffusion barrier and at the same time is a solderable and bondable surface finish allowing a variety of applications. Nevertheless there are some reasons slowing down the growth of the ENEPIG use in the market in particular in the recent 1.5 years. Due to the recently increasing Pd-price, the process cost became of major interest and cost reduction is one of the main targets in the application of the ENEPIG process. At the same time the electrolytes for electroless palladium plating are well known to be sensitive to wrong handling and contaminations from outside. Target of the development which is presented in this paper was therefore to provide a new Pd-plating solution which can be operated with a low Pd-content and at the same time having a high process robustness. In order to increase the process robustness and to improve the overall bath stability the development focused on the understanding of the complex formation and the reactions in the solution. This paper focuses on the comparison of this new type of Pd electrolyte for pure Pd-deposits with a conventional Pd-plating solution. The new formulation allows to operate the process with half of the original Pd content and with that to reduce the full process costs by almost 50%. At the same time the bath can achieve a far extended bath life compared to the conventional processes in the market without forming any precipitation or plate out. Tests were performed, to evaluate the impact of impurities in the process on the plating performance and the properties of the Pd deposit, which showed, that the bath behaves very robust against contamination. The solder joint reliability and bonding performance of the deposits are compared and evaluated over the full bath life as well as the complete process window. The paper also includes a comparison of the pure Pd deposits versus Pd-P-deposits where both layers are known to have different advantages so that the choice for the one or the other deposit was usually driven by the specific customer needs which shall be fulfilled. The new Pd-finish is compared and rated against the existing Pure Pd and Pd-P finishes in regards to crystal structure, IMC formation, reliability and process handling to provide a fair 1:1 overview over the current solutions for electroless Pd plating.
But a ‘Stage-Play’: A Counter-Reformation View of the Marian Church

This essay studies Robert Persons's understanding of the reforms of Mary i of England within the continental discursive context in which he worked. By describing his critiques of Marian reforms together with similar reformist discourses in France and Spain, it is argued that his ideas represent a common Counter-Reformation polemical stance and a set of normal Catholic assumptions about the ‘political’ and institutional reforms necessary to combat heresy. Persons's thoughts about the ‘political’ reforms within a broader field of spiritual imperatives serve as a reminder that the Counter-Reformation was necessarily about politics despite scholarly emphasis on issues of theology and religious practice.
Understanding the role of glaze layer with aligned images from multiple surface characterization techniques

Abstract A glaze layer that significantly reduces friction and wear has been found on the surface of many Fe-, Cr-, and Ni-based material systems undergoing fretting/sliding at elevated temperature. In this paper, we propose a novel way to understand the role of glaze layer using computer vision algorithms. Two workflows, one for quantitative glaze layer identification and the other for image alignment, have been developed. For glaze layer identification, we used computer vision concepts that considers the color and reflection of glaze layer under optical microscope (OM). For image alignment, we developed a strategy to conduct pixel-to-pixel alignment of images acquired by multiple techniques (e.g., OM, scanning electron microscopy, 3D optical profilers) with sub-pixel error. As such, the correlation between the height map and locations of the glaze layer within the wear scar can be readily determined. These methods are used to evaluate wear scars generated on 310S stainless steel under like-on-like, cylinder-on-flat fretting conditions from 20 °C to 700 °C. The glaze layer is found to always occupy relatively high locations within wear scar. With temperature rise, the projected coverage of glaze layer follows the same increasing trend with three distinguishable stages, and the threshold temperature of the three stages matched with severe-to-mild wear transition. These results provide evidence that severe-to-mild wear transition resulted from spreading of glaze layer coverage, and glaze layer may reduce friction and wear by reducing real contact area.
Psychosocial, Educational, and Cultural Aspects of Cleft Care

Children with cleft face unique psychosocial challenges at all stages of development and treatment.
Outcomes Following Open Reduction Internal Fixation of Ankle Fractures (ORIF) By Podiatric Surgeons.

ABSTRACT Open reduction internal fixation of closed ankle fractures is a common procedure performed by podiatric surgeons. This is the first study to specifically evaluate complication rates of this procedure among podiatric surgeons using a large patient cohort. The rates of podiatric surgical complications were also compared to the complication rates reported in the orthopedic literature. There was no significant difference between podiatric surgeons and orthopedic surgeons with regards to surgical site infection. However, complication rates, including 1-year postsurgery deep vein thrombosis (DVT), malunion, and unplanned revision surgery within 90-day, were lower in our study, compared to the average rates reported in the orthopedic literature. The authors believe that the most important determinant for post ankle surgical complications is related to surgical volume and experience, rather than professional degree type.
Race, Property, and Citizenship

The racial wealth gap is stunning. The net worth of an average white family is nearly ten times greater than that of an African-American family. A 2017 Report finds that, for African-Americans, today’s economy is an extractive one; if existing trends continue, the median African-American family will have a net worth of zero by the middle of the twenty-first century. This article examines these trends in terms of the relationship between race, property, and citizenship. American democracy has long celebrated economic independence as a desired element of citizenship, forging reciprocal bonds between state efforts to promote and protect property ownership and property owners’ greater investment in community and political stability. African-American have long been excluded from these benefits and, in the process, have never fully enjoyed the benefits of American citizenship. The result creates increased vulnerability, not just to white supremacy, but to economic exploitation. In the modern era, this predation has made home ownership, higher education loans, and marriage—the traditional pathways into middle class status—dramatically riskier for African-Americans than for whites. This article shows how the African-American community’s lack of political clout contributes to the lack of regulation and enforcement that allows racially motivated predators to act with impunity, undermining the rule of law and perpetuating racial subordination.
Cinema:Snap: Real-time tools for analysis of dynamic diamond anvil cell experiment data

We developed tools and a workflow for real-time analysis of data from dynamic diamond anvil cell experiments performed at user light sources. These tools allow users to determine the phases of matter observed during the compression of materials in order to make decisions during an experiment to improve the quality of experimental results and maximize the use of scarce experimental facility time. The tools fill a gap in dynamic compression data analysis tools that are real-time, are flexible to the needs of high-pressure scientists, connect to automated processing of results, can be easily incorporated into workflows with existing tools and data formats, and support remote experimental data analysis workflows. Specific analytics developed include novel automated two-peak analysis for overlapping peaks and multiple phases, coordinated views of pressure and temperature values, full-compression contour plots, and configurable views of integrated x-ray diffraction. We present an experimental use case to show how the tools produce real-time analytics that help the scientists revise parameters for the next compression.
Adventures in COVID-19 Policy Modeling: Education Edition.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW To introduce readers to policy modeling, a multidisciplinary field of quantitative analysis, primarily used to help guide decision-making. This review focuses on the choices facing educational administrators, from K-12 to universities in the USA, as they confronted the COVID-19 pandemic. We survey three key model-based approaches to mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 spread in schools and on university campuses. RECENT FINDINGS Frequent testing, coupled with strict attention to behavioral interventions to prevent further transmission can avoid large outbreaks on college campuses. K-12 administrators can greatly reduce the risks of severe outbreaks of COVID-19 in schools through various mitigation measures including classroom infection control, scheduling and cohorting strategies, staff and teacher vaccination, and asymptomatic screening. Safer re-opening of college and university campuses as well as in-person instruction for K-12 students is possible, under many though not all epidemic scenarios if rigorous disease control and screening programs are in place.
Reproducible Research: A Range of Response

This editorial explores statistical methods to improve reproducibility and provide a more reliable foundation for trust in scientific research.
What Program and Student Characteristics Do Recruiters Consider Most Important

(1995). What Program and Student Characteristics Do Recruiters Consider Most Important? Hospitality & Tourism Educator: Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 47-49.
Capturing the aversive state of cephalic pain preclinically.

Objective Preclinical evaluation of headache by behavioral assessment of reward from pain relief. Methods Inflammatory mediators (IMs) or control solution were applied to the rat dura mater to elicit a presumed state of cephalic pain. Hind paw incision was used in separate groups of animals to model noncephalic postsurgical pain. Drugs were given systemically or microinjected within the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM), nucleus accumbens (NAc), or rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC). Peripheral nerve block was produced at the level of the popliteal fossa, and behavior was assessed using evoked sensory stimuli or conditioned place preference (CPP). Immunohistochemistry and brain microdialysis measurements were performed. Results Dural IMs produced long-lasting generalized cutaneous allodynia. RVM lidocaine produced CPP, increased NAc c-Fos, and dopamine release selectively in rats receiving dural IMs; CPP was blocked by intra-NAc α-flupenthixol, a dopaminergic antagonist. Intravenous α-calcitonin gene-related peptide (αCGRP)(8–37) produced CPP and elicited NAc dopamine release selectively in rats treated with dural IMs. Prior lesion of the rACC or treatment with systemic sumatriptan or αCGRP(8–37) abolished RVM lidocaine-induced CPP in IM-treated rats. Sumatriptan treatment blocked NAc dopamine release in IM-treated rats receiving RVM lidocaine. Systemic sumatriptan did not alter pain relief-induced CPP in rats with incisional injury. Interpretation Cephalic pain was unmasked in rats by assessment of motivated behavior to seek relief. Relief of pain activates the dopaminergic reward pathway to elicit negative reinforcement of behavior. Medications clinically effective for migraine headache selectively elicit relief of ongoing cephalic, but not postsurgical, noncephalic pain. These studies provide a platform for exploring migraine pathophysiology and for the discovery of new headache therapies. Ann Neurol 2013;74:257–265
Exercise stress testing programs in the United States: a 1975 status study.

Abstract The purpose of the study was to document the status of exercise stress testing programs in the United States through an analysis of basic program components. A questionnaire was developed and sent to the list of exercise stress testing facilities compiled and published in 1975 by the National Jogging Association. Completed questionnaires were returned by 139 (60%) of the facilities surveyed. The data revealed that: (a) five categories of functional-clinical settings exist; (b) a large majority of programs are located in densely populated areas, were established within the past five years, and rely upon similar funding sources; (c) most of the clients are men over 35 years of age: (d) the YMCAs as a group vary considerably from the other functional settings with respect to certain aspects of program organization; and (e) there are no uniform standards of education and training for professional personnel, except for physicians. It was concluded that the rapid growth and diversity of exercise stress...
Some Enumerations on Non-Decreasing Dyck Paths

We construct a formal power series on several variables that encodes many statistics on non-decreasing Dyck paths. In particular, we use this formal power series to count peaks, pyramid weights, and indexed sums of pyramid weights for all non-decreasing Dyck paths of length $2n.$ We also show that an indexed sum on pyramid weights depends only on the size and maximum element of the indexing set.
Salinity Effect on the Maximal Growth Temperature of Some Bacteria Isolated from Marine Environments

Salinity of the growth medium was found to have a marked effect on the maximal growth temperature of four bacteria isolated from marine sources. Vibrio marinus MP-1 had a maximal growth temperature of 21.2 C at a salinity of 35% and a maximal growth temperature of 10.5 C at a salinity of 7%, the lowest salinity at which it would grow. This effect was shown to be due to the presence of various cations in the medium. The order of effectiveness of cations in restoring the normal maximal growth temperature, when added to dilute seawater, was Na+ > Li+ > Mg++ > K+ > Rb+ > NH4+. The anions tested, with the exception of SO4=, had no marked effect on the maximal growth temperature response. In a completely defined medium, the highest maximal growth temperature was 20.0 C at 0.40 m NaCl. A decrease in the maximal growth temperature was observed at both low and high concentrations of NaCl.
Three Flavor Neutrino Oscillations in Matter: Flavor Diagonal Potentials, the Adiabatic Basis and the CP phase

We discuss the three neutrino flavor evolution problem with general, flavor-diagonal, matter potentials and a fully parametrized mixing matrix that includes $CP$ violation, and derive expressions for the eigenvalues, mixing angles, and phases. We demonstrate that, in the limit that the mu and tau potentials are equal, the eigenvalues and matter mixing angles ${\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{\ensuremath{\theta}}}_{12}$ and ${\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{\ensuremath{\theta}}}_{13}$ are independent of the $CP$ phase, although ${\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{\ensuremath{\theta}}}_{23}$ does have $CP$ dependence. Since we are interested in developing a framework that can be used for $S$ matrix calculations of neutrino flavor transformation, it is useful to work in a basis that contains only off-diagonal entries in the Hamiltonian. We derive the ``nonadiabaticity'' parameters that appear in the Hamiltonian in this basis. We then introduce the neutrino $S$ matrix, derive its evolution equation and the integral solution. We find that this new Hamiltonian, and therefore the $S$ matrix, in the limit that the $\ensuremath{\mu}$ and $\ensuremath{\tau}$ neutrino potentials are the same, is independent of both ${\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{\ensuremath{\theta}}}_{23}$ and the $CP$ violating phase. In this limit, any $CP$ violation in the flavor basis can only be introduced via the rotation matrices, and so effects which derive from the $CP$ phase are then straightforward to determine. We then show explicitly that the electron neutrino and electron antineutrino survival probability is independent of the $CP$ phase in this limit. Conversely, if the $CP$ phase is nonzero and mu and tau matter potentials are not equal, then the electron neutrino survival probability cannot be independent of the $CP$ phase.
Rhodopsin-Regulated Insulin Receptor Signaling Pathway in Rod Photoreceptor Neurons

The retina is an integral part of the central nervous system and retinal cells are known to express insulin receptors (IR), although their function is not known. This article describes recent studies that link the photoactivation of rhodopsin to tyrosine phosphorylation of the IR and subsequent activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, a neuron survival factor. Our studies suggest that the physiological role of this process is to provide neuroprotection of the retina against light damage by activating proteins that protect against stress-induced apoptosis. We focus mainly on our recently identified regulation of the IR pathway through the G-protein-coupled receptor rhodopsin. Various mutant and knockout proteins of phototransduction cascade have been used to study the light-induced activation of the retinal IR. Our studies suggest that rhodopsin may have additional previously uncharacterized signaling functions in photoreceptors.
A review of existing eastern oyster filtration rate models

Abstract Crassostrea virginica, the eastern oyster, is a suspension-feeding bivalve currently at low numbers in Chesapeake Bay, where it was once abundant. Accurately describing the filtration rate of these bivalves is essential to estuarine management and associated efforts to understand the impact of oyster populations on water quality. Here, the filtration rate equations for three existing models ( Cerco and Noel, 2005 , Fulford et al., 2007 , Powell et al., 1992 ) are reviewed. We examine how each of the models define the maximum filtration rate and explore the various limitation factors that modify these maximum rates via environmental conditions that include salinity, temperature, and total suspended solids. Based on the individual model strengths assessed with a model comparison and literature review, we determine a maximum filtration rate of 0.17 (±0.07) m3 g−1 DW day−1 for a 1 g DW oyster to describe this rate process, which is then modified by a combination of limitation factors taken from a variety of sources. These include those described by Fulford et al. (2007) for total suspended solids and salinity, and a newly developed function to describe temperature dependence. Differences in size are incorporated by using a basic allometric formulation where a weight exponent alters filtration rate based on individual oyster size.
Long period oscillations in rotating neutron stars.

THEORETICALLY, the structure of a rotating neutron star can support a variety of oscillations which may coexist with and couple to its surface rotation. Because it seems extremely probable that the pulsar period is kept by the rotating surface of a neutron star, the excitation of such modes would give small periodic modulations in observed pulsar frequencies. Most oscillatory modes have relatively high frequencies. But one does exist, unique to a rotating sphere of neutron superfluid, which has a period of about 4 months—close to the “wobble” reported for the period of the Crab pulsar1. The frequency of the oscillation mode of the rotating superfluid is insensitive to unknown parameters describing the stellar interior.
Quantitative assessment of subcutaneous fibrinolysis in the rat.

Abstract A clot lysis model in the rat was described which was responsive to manipulation of the fibrinolytic system. By employing [ 125 I]-labeled fibrinogen in homologous, plasminogen-deficient plasma, clots were prepared in Teflon-perforated cylinders and were implanted subcutaneously. After a brief lag phase, lysis proceeded essentially linearly with 70% of the clot resolved within 12 days. Enhancement of lysis was achieved with a stimulator of fibrinolysis, stanozolol; and inhibition, with the antifibrinolytic, tranexamic acid. Other drugs affecting blood pressure, inflammation, or connective tissue growth had no effect on lysis. Interstitial fluid collected from empty cylinders and fluid obtained from the recovered clots were monitored for plasminogen, α 2 -antiplasmin, plasminogen activator, and plasminogen activator inhibitor using sensitive and specific assays. All of these fibrinolytic proteins were quantitated relative to their plasma concentrations. The most striking differences between the two fluids and plasma were a threefold higher concentration of the plasminogen activator inhibitor and only traces of free tissue plasminogen activator in the fluids. Nevertheless, significant tissue plasminogen activator was delivered to the clot. It was concluded that lysis occurred via delivery of the fibrinolytic system in interstitial fluid. It is suggested that this model is a technically simple and quantitative screen in vivo for potentially fibrinolytic or antifibrinolytic agents.
What Can Be Learned by Estimating Human Energy Costs

Archaeologists have estimated the human energy costs of various undertakings. Confusion has arisen about the notion of energy “profits”–what must be included in their calculation and what we can learn from such calculations. When it comes to assessing the contribution to sociopolitical hierarchy building of energy profits derived from long-distance transport of food staples, it is the energy expended (both in transport and acquisition of the food staples) that matters. The source of the food that produces the human energy so expended is immaterial. What may be learned from such calculations is whether attempts to understand certain behaviors in terms of economic “rationality” succeed or not.
Phase-Variable Expression of lptA Modulates the Resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides

Phosphoethanolamine (PEA) decoration of lipid A produced by Neisseria gonorrhoeae has been linked to bacterial resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides/proteins (CAMPs) and in vivo fitness during experimental infection. We now report that the lptA gene, which encodes the PEA transferase responsible for this decoration, is in an operon and that high-frequency mutation in a polynucleotide repeat within lptA can influence gonococcal resistance to CAMPs.
PISTEMOLOGICAL CATEGORIES OF SYSTEMS: An Overview and Mathematical Formulation

Abstract Epistemological categories of systems that form the kernel of the general systems problem solver (GSPS) are overviewed and formulated mathematically, using standard notions of category theory. In addition, the history of the GSPS is briefly summarized
Prediction of soil sorption coefficients using a universal solvation model

Using a database of 440 molecules, we develop a set of effective solvent descriptors that characterize the organic carbon component of soil and thereby allow quantum mechanical SM5 universal solvation models to be applied to partitioning of solutes between soil and air. Combining this set of effective solvent descriptors with solute atomic surface tension parameters already developed for water/air and organic solvent/air partitioning allows one to predict the partitioning of any solutes composed of H, C, N, O, F, P, S, Cl, Br, and I between soil and water. We also present linear correlations of soil/water partitioning with 1-octanol/water partition coefficients using the same database. The quantum mechanical calculations have the advantages that they require no experimental input and should be robust for a wide range of solute functionality. The quantitative effective solvent descriptors can be used for a better understanding (than with previously available models) of the sources of different partitioning...
Pyrite footprinting of RNA.

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer RNA structure is mapped by pyrite mediated {sup {center_dot}}OH footprinting. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Repetitive experiments can be done in a powdered pyrite filled cartridge. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer High {sup {center_dot}}OH reactivity of nucleotides imply dynamic role in Diels-Alderase catalysis. -- Abstract: In RNA, function follows form. Mapping the surface of RNA molecules with chemical and enzymatic probes has revealed invaluable information about structure and folding. Hydroxyl radicals ({sup {center_dot}}OH) map the surface of nucleic acids by cutting the backbone where it is accessible to solvent. Recent studies showed that a microfluidic chip containing pyrite (FeS{sub 2}) can produce sufficient {sup {center_dot}}OH to footprint DNA. The 49-nt Diels-Alder RNA enzyme catalyzes the C-C bond formation between a diene and a dienophile. A crystal structure, molecular dynamics simulation and atomic mutagenesis studies suggest that nucleotides of an asymmetric bulge participate in the dynamic architecture of the ribozyme's active center. Of note is that residue U42 directly interacts with the product in the crystallized RNA/product complex. Here, we use powdered pyrite held in a commercially available cartridge to footprint the Diels-Alderase ribozyme with single nucleotide resolution. Residues C39 to U42 are more reactive to {sup {center_dot}}OH than predicted by the solvent accessibility calculated from themore » crystal structure suggesting that this loop is dynamic in solution. The loop's flexibility may contribute to substrate recruitment and product release. Our implementation of pyrite-mediated {sup {center_dot}}OH footprinting is a readily accessible approach to gleaning information about the architecture of small RNA molecules.« less
The evolution of organisations' search strategies for knowledge

How and where organisations search for knowledge and solutions to problems are critical issues in a highly competitive environment. Some organisations have a tendency toward local search, others prefer global search, and yet others attempt to blend both local and global search strategies. What organisations discover through these search strategies and the strategic options they choose are vital to their success. Using institutional theory, we argue that we can better understand organisations' search strategies through a stages of development framework. First, we integrate the institutional theory and organisation development literatures to develop a contingency approach to knowledge search and an understanding of how organisations adopt their search strategies. Second, we suggest that firms employ different search strategies based on their stage of development. These differences in search strategies reflect the role and importance of several organisational factors.
Cofactor requirements for the formic hydrogenlyase, formic dehydrogenase and hydrogenase systems of bacteria.

Abstract 1. 1. Data are presented which demonstrate the stimulatory effect of certain fatty acids on the formic hydrogenlyase, formic dehydrogenase, and hydrogenase enzyme systems in resting cell suspensions and vacuumdried preparations of Aerobacter aerogenes. 2. 2. A substance(s) present in extracts of yeast and liver is required in addition to the fatty acid for the formic hydrogenlyase system. Some of the properties of this factor(s) are given. 3. 3. Under certain conditions of measurement the formic dehydrogenase system is stimulated by acid-hydrolyzed yeast extract.
Recurrent PIK3CA mutations in rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor.

Rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor (RGNT) is a recentlydescribed CNS neoplasm generally involving posteriormidline structures with frequent extension in the fourthventricle [5]. With only one case of postoperative recur-rence reported to date [8], RGNT is considered to havefavorable outcome and the current standard of care issurgical excision without adjuvant therapy. To date, nomolecular alterations have been reported for this tumor.Alterations in the PI3K/AKT pathway are frequent in manycancers [11] and have been reported in CNS tumors [1, 2,6, 7]. Here, we report the identiﬁcation of frequent PIK3CAmutations in a series of RGNTs reviewed at our institution.We searched our medical record database and identiﬁedeight cases of RGNT. The mean age at diagnosis was26 years (range 15–50) and the male:female ratio was 1:1.Clinical data was available for seven patients, with amedian follow-up time of 5 years (range 1–13) (Table 1).Two patients had late recurrences despite gross totalresection. The ﬁrst had a recurrence at 9 years and hasremained stable 1 year after repeat resection. The secondhad a recurrence at 4 years with sacral and intraventriculardissemination and has been stable 2 years after 12 cycles oftemozolomide and cis-retinoic acid. The remaining patientswere recurrence-free at last follow-up.All eight cases showed classic histologic features ofRGNT including rosette-forming oligodendroglia-likecells, localized synaptophysin immunoreactivity withinrosettes, and ﬁbrillary glial background (Fig. 1a, b). Theidentiﬁcation of two cases with recurrence in a relativelysmall series of patients was unexpected and prompted us totest these tumors for known oncogenic mutations. Archivedformalin-ﬁxed parafﬁn-embedded tumor tissue, onlyavailable for four of eight cases, was submitted for massspectrometry array mutation proﬁling (MassARRAY sys-tem, Sequenom, San Diego, CA) with a panel covering 86single nucleotide variant (SNV) hotspots in 14 genes:AKT1 (3), AKT2 (2), AKT3 (2), BRAF (10), EGFR (1),GNAQ (3), GNAS (2), IDH1 (3), IDH2 (3), KRAS (9), MET(11), NRAS (7), PI3KCA (29, in exons 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 18, and20) and RET (1). Sequenom
Comments on the evidence for sharp and gradual optical absorption edges in amorphous germanium

Several investigators have analyzed optical data on amorphous Ge films prepared by evaporation on room-temperature substrates to derive a sharp absorption edge near 0.5 eV. A re-examination of their work shows that the sharp edges, found hitherto, may be artifacts resulting from either experimental or calculational errors and that the preponderance of the current evidence favors a gradual absorption edge. Von einigen Autoren wurden die optischen Daten von amorphen Ge-Schichten, die durch Aufdampfen bei Zimmertemperatur hergestellt wurden, analysiert und daraus eine scharfe Absorptionskante bei 0,5 eV abgeleitet. Eine wiederholte Untersuchung ihrer Arbeiten zeigt, das die scharfen Kanten, die bisher gefunden wurden, Fehleffekte sein konnen, die entweder von experimentellen oder rechnerischen Fehlern herruhren und das die Mehrzahl der gegen wartigen Hinweise fur eine allmahlich ansteigende Absorptionskante spricht.
The clinical management of Type 2 Gaucher disease

Gaucher disease, the inherited deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase, is the most common of the lysosomal storage disorders. Type 2 Gaucher disease, the most severe and progressive form, manifests either prenatally or in the first months of life, followed by death within the first years of life. The rarity of the many lysosomal storage disorders makes their diagnosis a challenge, especially in the newborn period when the focus is often on more prevalent illnesses. Thus, a heightened awareness of the presentation of these rare diseases is necessary to ensure their timely consideration. This review, designed to serve as a guide to physicians treating newborns and infants with Gaucher disease, discusses the presenting manifestations of Type 2 Gaucher disease, the diagnostic work-up, associated genotypes and suggestions for management. We also address the ethical concerns that may arise with this progressive and lethal disorder, since currently available treatments may prolong life, but do not impact the neurological manifestations of the disease.
Substance abuse treatment providers’ involvement in research is associated with willingness to use findings in practice

Using a national sample (n = 571) of substance abuse treatment providers affiliated with the Clinical Trials Network, we examined the contribution of several factors—demographic, attitudes, and involvement in research—toward providers' willingness to use research findings in practice. The sample included medical staff, social workers, psychologists, and counselors. Using a multiple linear regression model, we examined the impact of involvement in research and willingness to use research findings in practice. Providers involved in research were more willing to use findings in practice (p < .001). Latino/Latinas were less willing (p < .05). Providers with favorable attitudes toward evidence-based practices and whose agencies supported professional growth were more willing to use findings (p < .01). Involvement in research may enhance providers' willingness to use findings in practice and improve quality of services. Results underscore the need for providing opportunities for all providers to engage in substance abuse treatment research, particularly racial/ethnic minority providers.
Derivation of the nonlinear Schrödinger Equation for shoaling wave-groups

A nonlinear Schrodinger equation with varying coefficients, describing the evolution of surface wave groups moving over an uneven bottom, is derived from Whitham's modulation equations. The derivation yields new expressions for the wave-induced mean flow field.
Wide excision of perineal Hailey-Hailey disease with healing by secondary intention

In this paper we advocate secondary healing for closure of large perineal wounds following full thickness skin excision for the treatment of Hailey-Hailey disease.
Human amnion membrane as a substratum for cultured peripheral and central nervous system neurons

Abstract We report here on the use of human amnion membrane as a substratum for the culture of neuronal cells. Pieces of amnion membrane were bound to nitrocellulose paper as a supporting material, seeded with neurons, and cultured for 1–4 days. Neurons and neurites were visualized after fixation by immunoperoxidase staining using an anti-neurofilament monoclonal antibody. Neurons from embryonic chick ciliary and dorsal root ganglia and fetal rat hippocampus were cultured on either the basement membrane or stromal surface of the amnion membrane. Neurons adhered to both surfaces but extended neurites only on the basement membrane surface. Neurons survived and continued to grow neurites in serum-free medium for at least 4 days. When cultured for 4 days on the basement membrane surface in the presence of 10% fetal calf serum, the ciliary ganglion neurons survived but neurite growth was markedly inhibited, while dorsal root ganglion neurons survived, hypertrophied and grew an extensive network of neurites. Other experiments addressed the question whether the basement membrane surface had an ability to guide growing neurites. Amnion membranes were folded, frozen, cross-sectioned using a cryostat, and placed on the nitrocellulose to give irregular patterns of basement membrane juxtaposed to the collagenous stroma. Ciliary ganglion neurons after 4 days in culture had initiated and extended neurites in patterns which corresponded and were limited to those areas visualized by indirect immunofluorescence staining using anti-laminin antibodies. Thus, in vivo assembled human amnion basement membranes appear to contain signals that both promote and guide neuritic growth from previously axotomized embryonic peripheral and central nervous system neurons. The amnion membrane represents a novel tool for the culture of neuronal cells in vitro and potentially could be used as a neurite-promoting bridging material in vivo for regeneration studies.
Label-Free Protein Profiling of Adipose-Derived Human Stem Cells under Hyperosmotic Treatment

Our previous work suggested that treatment of cells with hyperosmotic media during 2D passaging primes cells for cartilage tissue engineering applications. Here, we used label-free proteomic profiling to evaluate the effects of control and hyperosmotic treatment environments on the phenotype of multipotent adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) cultivated with a chondrogenic growth factor cocktail. Spectra were recorded in a data-independent fashion at alternate low (precursor) and high (product) fragmentation voltages (MSE). This method was supplemented with data mining of accurate mass and retention time matches in precursor ion spectra across the experiment. The results indicated a complex cellular response to osmotic treatment, with a number of proteins differentially expressed between control and treated cell groups. The roles of some of these proteins have been documented in the literature as characteristic of the physiological states studied, especially aldose reductase (osmotic stress). This protein ac...
Parameter variations of a model of the oscillation of the human corneoretinal potential.

The corneoretinal potential of man changes with a damped oscillation following a stepwise increase in illumination intensity. A general mathematical model describes the oscillation as transfer function with feedback between three or four components. The parameters of the model are estimated for six test subjects with five replicate experiments each. The four component model is favored because of better fit, and evidence of participation of an extraretinal component. In 2 out of 30 evaluations of the response of the corneoretinal potential to light no stable estimates of the parameters are found. In 50 per cent of the experiments more than 97 per cent of the variation of the observations around the mean can be explained by the model, in the remaining experiments at least 88 per cent. Intra- and interindividual variations of the parameter estimates are described.
Micro cryogenic coolers for IR imaging

Joule-Thomson micro cryogenic coolers (MCCs) are a preferred approach for small and low power cryocoolers. With the same heat lift, MCC's power input can be only 1/10 of a thermoelectric cooler's input, and MCC's size can be only 1/10 of a Stirling cooler's size. With futuristic planar MCC and with high frequency MEMS compressors to be developed, its size can be reduced another order of magnitude. Such "invisible" cryocoolers may revolutionize future IR imaging systems. We will review our studies on the feasibility of MCC with an emphasis on: 1) high thermal isolation levels reaching 89,000 K/W; 2) custom-designed gas mixtures with refrigeration capabilities increased by 10X and pressure ratio reduced to only 4:1; 3) compressors with low pressure ratios; and 4) excellent scalability for further size reduction.
Out-of-plane vibrations of thick rings

Abstract Depending on its cross-sectional geometry, a ring can be modelled by at least three different theories. Kirkhope developed a simple ring theory which is applicable to out-of-plane vibrations of rings with small cross-sectional aspect ratio (i.e. compact rings and shell-like rings). For plate-like rings, the present analysis uses a Levinson-type plate theory to analyze the out-of-plane vibrations. Also, a three-dimensional finite-element analysis using NASTRAN shows better agreement than results of Kirkhope’s ring theory and Mindlin’s thick plate theory.
ERYTHROPOIETIN (EPO) AND FUNCTIONAL EPO RECEPTORS ARE EXPRESSED IN THE DEVELOPING HUMAN FETAL CNS † 266

We have previously demonstrated Epo in the spinal fluid of normal preterm and term infants, and EpoR in the spinal cords of human fetuses. Our present objective was to determine which cell types within the fetal CNS express Epo and EpoR, and to assess the function of these receptors. Expression of mRNA for Epo and EpoR was sought by RTPCR in mixed primary cultures of fetal spinal cords as well as in human cell lines of neuronal precursers (NT2) and mature neurons (HNT). Epo was measured by ELISA in spent media from primary cell culture, and immunohistochemistry was used to identify EpoR in cultured neurons and brain sections. Changes in Epo and EpoR expression were sought in spinal cords and brains from fetuses of 7 to 24 weeks postconception by semiquantitative PCR. Differential display PCR was used to determine changes in gene expression resulting from Epo stimulation of the EpoR. Epo and EpoR mRNA were expressed in mixed primary cultures of neural tissues, NT2 and HNT cells, and low levels of Epo (2 mU/mL) were detected by ELISA in media removed from mixed cell cultures. The presence of EpoR was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining of neurons and glia in culture, as well as in fetal brain. Semiquantitative PCR revealed no change in EpoR expression in spinal cords and brain between 7 and 24 weeks gestation. A trend towards decreased Epo expression occurred in spinal cords from 7 to 17 weeks gestation, with an increase in brain Epo noted between 17 and 24 weeks gestation. Epo mRNA transcripts doubled from baseline levels in neurons cultured in conditions of hypoxia. Stimulation of cultured neurons and glial cells by rEpo resulted in changes in gene expression as determined by differential banding patterns. We have isolated and cloned 8 differentially expressed bands resulting from rEpo stimulation, which will require further characterization. We conclude that neurons and glial cells in the developing human fetus express Epo and EpoR, and these receptors appear to be functional.
Studies on a conformational change of tobacco ribulose diphosphate carboxyfase induced by d-ribulose-1,5-diphosphate

Abstract In the presence of d -ribulose diphosphate, crystalline ribulose diphosphate carboxylase from Nicotiana tabacum leaves undergoes a profound change in solubility. The solubility change did not involve a Conformational change in molecular volume exceeding 2% as measured by sedimentation velocity suggesting no gross change in quaternary structure. However, the change in solubility did involve a tertiary structural change wherein some previously buried tyrosyl and tryptophyl residues became exposed, as indicated by difference spectrophotometry. Although the enzyme molecule has 8 binding sites for ribulose diphosphate, the Conformational change is complete after 4 substrate molecules are bound. A cooperative action among the subunits is proposed.
Perception of visible speech: influence of spatial quantization.

Visible speech reading was studied to determine which features are functional and to test several models of pattern recognition. Nine test syllables differing in their initial consonant were presented in intact form or under various levels of spatial quantization. Performance decreased in increasing quantization but remained relatively good at moderate levels of degradation. Different models were tested against the confusion matrices. Six features were identified as functional in distinguishing among the nine consonant – vowel syllables. These features were used as sources of information in a fuzzy-logical model of perception and an additive model. The fuzzy-logical model provided a significantly better description of the confusion matrices, showing that speech reading is analogous to other domains of pattern recognition such as face recognition and facial-affect perception.
Copper resistant human hepatoblastoma mutant cell lines without metallothionein induction overexpress ATP7B

Mutant human hepatoblastoma cell lines resistant to copper toxicity were isolated from mutagenized HuH7. Two copper resistant cell lines (CuR), CuR 23 and CuR 27, had reduced basal expression of metallothionein (MT) messenger RNA (mRNA) and exhibited minimal or no increase in resistance to cadmium or zinc toxicity. Copper uptake, efflux of newly transported copper, glutathione content, and efflux rate were comparable with HuH7, whereas holoceruloplasmin synthesis and secretion were slightly decreased. Subcellular distribution of copper at steady-state showed an increase in organelle and membrane fractions with a reduction in cytosol. Expression of ATP7B mRNA was fivefold increased, and ATP7B protein approximately threefold increased in both CuR 23 and 27. Another cell line, CuR 41, showed increased basal expression of MT and ATP7B mRNA but not ATP7B protein, and resistance to cadmium and zinc toxicity. Copper uptake in CuR 41 was comparable with HuH7, but initial rates of efflux of copper and glutathione were reduced. The synthesis of holoceruloplasmin but not ceruloplasmin peptide was markedly diminished in CuR 41. Subcellular distribution of copper showed an increase in cytosolic and decreased organelle and membrane-associated copper. These data suggest that cellular resistance to copper toxicity was achieved in two independent cell lines without MT induction and that the induction of ATP7B may lead to the enhanced intracellular sequestration of copper by organelles.
A strategy for establishing numeric nutrient criteria for Florida lakes

Abstract We used our knowledge of the factors that determine the nutrient concentrations in Florida lakes to develop a strategy for establishing numeric nutrient criteria for lakes in the State of Florida. Based on previous findings that natural factors were most important in determining the current nutrient concentrations in Florida lakes, we used current distributions of nutrients as a basis for setting criteria. We started with the US Environmental Protection Agency's Florida Lake Regions and grouped similar regions into 6 total phosphorus (TP) zones and 5 total nitrogen (TN) zones that were used to set numeric nutrient criteria for each zone. We propose criteria that will identify the lakes in each zone with the highest concentrations of TP and TN for subsequent investigation to determine the degree anthropogenic sources or natural backgrounds are responsible for their trophic status. To provide special protection to Florida's oligotrophic lakes, site-specific criteria are proposed, with oligotrophic ...
Depth attraction and repulsion of disparate foveal stimuli.

Abstract Interaction in the domain of disparity can be either of the kind where the depth difference between adjacent targets is enhanced, as if the two targets repelled each other in depth, or it may be in the opposite direction, i.e. having the character of attraction. In the fovea, interaction between stimuli is of the latter kind if targets are separated by less than 2–8 min of arc, dependent on their positions and the observer; for further separations, repulsion is exhibited. When disparate neighbors induce a change in depth of a visual feature, only a portion of the effect can be ascribed to monocular localization shifts in the two monocular retinal images. Both attraction and repulsion can occur between targets of opposite contrast. Depth interaction measured by a psychophysical nulling method increases monotonically with disparity in the regions clearly governed by the repulsion and the attraction regimen; in the transition region, repulsion overtakes attraction when the disparity becomes larger. If the concept of “pooling” of disparity is invoked to account for the affinity of seen depth of closely-adjacent stimuli, the signals involved cannot be simply those of light weighted by disparity, but must be associated with individual features.