cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The 23 June 2014 Mw 7.9 Rat Islands archipelago, Alaska, intermediate depth earthquake

On 23 June 2014, the largest intermediate depth earthquake (M_w 7.9) of the last 100 years ruptured within the subducting Pacific plate about 100 km below the Rat Islands archipelago of the Western Aleutian Islands, Alaska. The unusual faulting orientation, strike = 206°, dip = 24°, and rake = −14°, is possibly related to curvature of the underthrust slab and high obliquity of the relative plate motions. The first ~15 s of the rupture generated relatively weak seismic waves, followed by strong energy release for the next 25 s. The seismic moment is 1.0 × 10^(21) Nm, and slip of up to ~10 m is concentrated within a 50 km × 50 km region. The radiated energy is 1.1 to 2.7 × 10^(16) J, assuming attenuation t* of 0.4 to 0.7 s. This type of intraplate faulting can be very damaging for populated regions above subduction zones such as Japan, Taiwan, Chile, and Indonesia.
Mathematics Teaching Assistant Preparation And Development

Teaching assistants (TAs) play vital roles in the mathematics education of undergraduates and may become mathematics professors. From the K-12 literature, it is clear that patterns of teaching practice, as well as beliefs about teaching and learning, form early in teachers' careers. Yet, although there is a large body of research about K-12 teachers, researchers are only beginning to consider the development of TAs. This article is an effort to foster collaboration between K-12 and undergraduate mathematics educators in framing and carrying out research on the nature of TA professional development. This article contains reviews of TA professional development, descriptions of practice- and research-oriented work, analysis of similarities and differences with K-12 mathematics education, descriptions of researchable questions, and potential agendas for future work.
Alternative Translation Initiation in Rat Brain Yields K2P2.1 Potassium Channels Permeable to Sodium

K(2P) channels mediate potassium background currents essential to central nervous system function, controlling excitability by stabilizing membrane potential below firing threshold and expediting repolarization. Here, we show that alternative translation initiation (ATI) regulates function of K(2P)2.1 (TREK-1) via an unexpected strategy. Full-length K(2P)2.1 and an isoform lacking the first 56 residues of the intracellular N terminus (K(2P)2.1Delta1-56) are produced differentially in a regional and developmental manner in the rat central nervous system, the latter passing sodium under physiological conditions leading to membrane depolarization. Control of ion selectivity via ATI is proposed to be a natural, epigenetic mechanism for spatial and temporal regulation of neuronal excitability.
A response to M. Stone: ‘How not to measure the efficiency of public services (and how one might)’

Summary. This is a response to Stone's criticisms of the Spottiswoode report to the UK Treasury which was responding to the Treasury's request for improved methods to evaluate the efficiency and productivity of the 43 police districts in England and Wales. The Spottiswoode report recommended uses of data envelopment analysis (DEA) and stochastic frontier analysis (SFA), which Stone critiqued en route to proposing an alternative approach. Here we note some of the most serious errors in his criticism and inaccurate portrayals of DEA and SFA. Most of our attention is devoted to DEA, and to Stone's recommended alternative approach without much attention to SFA, partly because of his abbreviated discussion of the latter. In our response we attempt to be constructive as well as critical by showing how Stone's proposed approach can be joined to DEA to expand his proposal beyond limitations in his formulations.
Developing an undergraduate mathematical modelling course

The development of an undergraduate mathematical modelling course currently in its fifth iteration at the United States Military Academy is described. The principal purpose of the course designed for sophomores is to provide students the opportunity to practice model construction in an artistic fashion while demonstrating the utility and universality of elementary mathematics. The resolution of issues such as the determination of course prerequisites, choice of model construction or model selection, number and type of student projects, choice of disciplines in which to model, instructor preparation, text selection and development of supporting textual materials is discussed. After a detailed description of the course, the authors discuss lessons learned and evaluate the course.
The Impact of Social Network Structures on Prediction Market Accuracy in the Presence of Insider Information

This paper examines the effects of social network structures on prediction market accuracy in the presence of insider information through a randomized laboratory experiment. In the experiment, insider information is operationalized as signals on the state of nature with high precision. Motivated by the literature on insider information in the context of financial markets, we test and confirm two characterizations of insider information in the context of prediction markets: abnormal performance and less diffusion. Experimental results suggest that a more balanced social network structure is crucial to the success of prediction markets, whereas network structures akin to star networks are ill suited to prediction markets. As compared with other network structures, insider information has less positive effects on prediction market accuracy in star networks. We also find that the bias of the public information has a larger negative effect on prediction market accuracy in star networks.
Atomic spectral overlaps: A mathematical model and its use for studying line shape parameters

Abstract A mathematical model which describes an atomic spectral overlap is presented. The model is developed using hyperfine structure, overlap separation values, and line broadening calculations coupled with relative absorbance measurements of overlap and non-overlap situations. With good hyperfine structure data, the model can be used to determine the a-parameter values for both transitions of the overlap. Even in the absence of high quality data, the model can provide meaningful insights into line shapes, hyperfine structure, and wavelength assignments of overlapping spectral transitions.
Thoracic mechanoreceptors in the wing bases of Heliothis zea (Lepidoptera: noctuidae) and their central projections

Abstract The thoracic mechanoreceptors of the wings and their central projections in the noctuid moth Heliothis zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were investigated using cobalt chloride infiltration methods. The different mechanoreceptors, tegula, campaniform sensilla, and chordotonal organ were identified as being present in the wing bases. The forewing and hindwing bases were innervated by two large nerve trunks (IIN1 and IIIN1, respectively). Terminal projections for both wing bases included massive regions within the fused meso-metathoracic and prothoracic ganglia, as well as direct projections to the suboesophageal ganglia. The terminal fields of IIIN1 were exclusively ipsilateral, whereas those of IIN1 also were contralateral. The relationship of these sensory mechanoreceptors to the neural basis of evasive flight behaviours is discussed.
Access-Based Consumption: The Case of Car Sharing

Access-based consumption, defined as transactions that can be market mediated but where no transfer of ownership takes place, is becoming increasingly popular, yet it is not well theorized. This study examines the nature of access as it contrasts to ownership and sharing, specifically the consumer-object, consumer-consumer, and consumer-marketer relationships. Six dimensions are identified to distinguish among the range of access-based consumptionscapes: temporality, anonymity, market mediation, consumer involvement, the type of accessed object, and political consumerism. Access-based consumption is examined in the context of car sharing via an interpretive study of Zipcar consumers. Four outcomes of these dimensions in the context of car sharing are identified: lack of identification, varying significance of use and sign value, negative reciprocity resulting in a big-brother model of governance, and a deterrence of brand community. The implications of our findings for understanding the nature of exchange, consumption, and brand community are discussed.
Class A scavenger receptor up-regulation in smooth muscle cells by oxidized low density lipoprotein. Enhancement by calcium flux and concurrent cyclooxygenase-2 up-regulation

Oxidative stress caused by phorbol esters or reactive oxygen up-regulates the class A scavenger receptor (SR-A) in human smooth muscle cells (SMC), which normally do not express this receptor. The increase in SR-A expression correlates with activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factors activating protein-1 c-Jun and CCAAT enhancer-binding protein β. Here we show that coincubation of SMC with macrophages or oxidized low density lipoproteins (LDL) from macrophage-conditioned medium activates these same regulatory pathways and stimulates SR-A expression. The increased SR-A gene transcription induced by cell-oxidized LDL up-regulated SR-A mRNA and increased by 30-fold the uptake of acetyl LDL, a ligand for the SR-A. Copper-oxidized LDL also increased SR-A receptor expression. Oxidized LDL with a lipid peroxide level of 80–100 nmol/mg of LDL protein and an electrophoretic mobility ∼1.5 times that of native LDL exhibited the greatest bioactivity. Inhibition of calcium flux suppressed SR-A induction by oxidized LDL. Conversely, calcium ionophore greatly enhanced SR-A up-regulation by oxidized LDL or other treatments that promote intracellular oxidative stress. This enhancement was dependent upon concurrent up-regulation of SMC cyclooxygenase-2 expression and activity and was blocked by the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors NS-398 and Resveratrol. In THP-1 cells, oxidized LDL induced monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation and increased SR-A expression. These findings support a role for mildly oxidized LDL in the redox regulation of macrophage differentiation and SR-A expression and suggest that increased vascular oxidative stress may contribute to the formation of both SMC and macrophage foam cells.
Reputation and Public Administration

This article examines the application of organizational reputation to public administration. Organizational reputation is defined as a set of beliefs about an organization’s capacities, intentions, history, and mission that are embedded in a network of multiple audiences. The authors assert that the way in which organizational reputations are formed and subsequently cultivated is fundamental to understanding the role of public administration in a democracy. A review of the basic assumptions and empirical work on organizational reputation in the public sector identifies a series of stylized facts that extends our understanding of the functioning of public agencies. In particular, the authors examine the relationship between organizational reputation and bureaucratic autonomy.
Basilar membrane mechanics in the 6-9 kHz region of sensitive chinchilla cochleae.

The vibration of the basilar membrane in the 6–9kHz region in the chinchilla cochlea has been studied using a displacement sensitive interferometer. Displacements of 0.7–1.4nm at 0dB sound pressure level have been obtained. At the characteristic frequency (CF), rate-of-growth (ROG) functions computed as the slope of input-output (IO) functions can be as low as 0.1dB∕dB. IO functions for frequencies >CF have ROGs near 0dB∕dB and can have notches characterized by both negative slopes and expansive ROGs, i.e., >1dB∕dB. For frequencies 1.2dB∕dB were found. Cochlear gain is shown to be greater than 60dB in sensitive preparations with a single cochlea having nearly 80dB gain. The compressive nature of the cochlea remains at all levels though it is masked at frequencies >CF when the amplitude of a compression wave exceeds that of the traveling wave. The compression wave produces the plateau region of the mechanical response at high intensities and has a nearly constant phase versus frequency functi...
Control of immune responses by gene immunization

The use of plasmid DNA to elicit immune responses has greatly increased our ability to skew the desired immune response to a particular antigen. DNA immunization elicits potent cell-mediated responses including humoral immunity as well as cytolytic T-lymphocyte immunity. This review will first discuss the overall immune response induced by naked DNA vaccination and will then summarize recent advances in basic research on DNA immunization, which have furthered our understanding of the role of DNA as an adjuvant as well as a carrier of genetic material. Subsequently, we will consider the possible mechanisms by which DNA immunization is able to induce such immune responses and how DNA immunization may be useful in both basic science research and also in future vaccine development in various disease processes. Finally, we will examine the advantages and disadvantages of DNA vaccines as well as safety issues. In conclusion, DNA vaccination shows promise in a number of areas including infectious diseases, allergy and cancer immunotherapies.
Ultrathin GaN nanowires: Electronic, thermal, and thermoelectric properties

We present a comprehensive computational study of the electronic, thermal, and thermoelectric (TE) proper- ties of gallium nitride nanowires (NWs) over a wide range of thicknesses (3-9 nm), doping densities (10 18 -10 20 cm 3 ), and temperatures (300-1000 K). We calculate the low-field electron mobility based on ensemble Monte Carlo transport simulation coupled with a self-consistent solution of the Poisson and Schrodinger equations. We use the relaxation-time approximation and a Poisson-Schro¨ dinger solver to calculate the electron Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity. Lattice thermal cond uctivity is calculated using a phonon ensemble Monte Carlo simulation, with a real-space rough surface described by a Gaussian autocorrelation function. Through- out the temperature range, the Seebeck coefficient increase s while the lattice thermal conductivity decreases with decreasing wire cross section, both boding well for TE applications of thin GaN NWs. However, at room temperature these benefits are eventually overcome by the de trimental effect of surface roughness scattering on the electron mobility in very thin NWs. The highest room-temperature ZT of 0.2 is achieved for 4-nm-thick NWs, while further downscaling degrades it. In contrast, at 1000 K, the electron mobility varies weakly with the NW thickness owing to the dominance of polar optical phonon scattering and multiple subbands contributing to transport, so ZT increases with increasing confinement, reaching 0.8 for opt imally doped 3-nm-thick NWs. The ZT of GaN NWs increases with increasing temperature beyond 1000 K, which further emphasizes their suitability for high-temperature TE applications. PACS numbers: 72.20.Pa, 84.60.Rb.,73.63.Nm, 65.80-g
Increasing the Distance Between the snRNA Promoter and the 3′ Box Decreases the Efficiency of snRNA 3-End Formation

Chimeric genes which contained the mouse U1b snRNA promoter, portions of the histone H2a or globin coding regions and the U1b 3'-end followed by a histone 3'-end were constructed. The distance between the U1 promoter and the U1 3' box was varied between 146 and 670 nt. The chimeric genes were introduced into CHO cells by stable transfection or into Xenopus oocytes by microinjection. The efficiency of utilization of the U1 3' box, as measured by the relative amounts of transcripts that ended at the U1 3' box and the histone 3'-end, was dependent on the distance between the promoter and 3'-end box. U1 3'-ends were formed with >90% efficiency on transcripts shorter than 200 nt, with 50-70% efficiency on transcripts of 280-400 nt and with only 10-20% efficiency on transcripts >500 nt. Essentially identical results were obtained after stable transfection of CHO cells or after injecting the genes into Xenopus oocytes. The distance between the U1 promoter and the U1 3' box must be <280 nt for efficient transcription termination at the U1 3' box, regardless of the sequence transcribed.
SEM metrology damage in polysilicon line and its impact on LWR evaluation

The importance of line-width roughness (LWR)/line-edge roughness (LER) in relation with leakage current has made it a critical process parameter, especially when device downsizes to 32nm era. Critical dimension scanning electron microscope (SEM) is still the most popular tool to characterize LWR in semiconductor manufacturing. However, true LWR metrology by SEM has been a challenge because of metrology noise and induced damage. Method of repeating multi-shot or long scanning time [5-8] on the same field of view have been proposed to effectively eliminate metrology noise caused by SEM tool variation and image processing. By such method, however, line damage (non-conformal critical dimension enlargement) caused by charging is found and damage level depends on the property of surface material, e-beam energy, and total scanning time. In this article, the impact of damage on LWR metrology and optimal metrology condition are studied. Following the proposed method [8], polysilicon lines both with and without oxide mask are investigated under different e-beam energy and number of shot. LWR metrology noise decreases along with e-beam energy and saturates at 1400eV while damage level is proportional to beam energy. In similar way, the larger number of repeating shot, the more effective of noise rejection and the more damage of line will be at the same time. The damage not only increases metrology noise, but also degrades the LWR, that are verified in both simulation and experiment. In the final, the optimal conditions of true LWR metrology by SEM for both polysilicon line with and without oxide mask are proposed.
Achiral tetrahydrosalen ligands for the synthesis of C(2)-symmetric titanium complexes: a structure and diastereoselectivity study.

Achiral tetrahydrosalen ligands have been employed in the synthesis of chiral C2-symmetric titanium complexes. When combined with tetrahydrosalen ligands 2a and 2b, titanium tetraisopropoxide liberated 2 equiv of isopropyl alcohol and generated the (tetrahydrosalen)Ti(O-i-Pr)2 complexes 3a and 3b. These complexes were shown to be C2-symmetric by 1H and 13C{1H} NMR spectrometry and X-ray crystallography. X-ray structures of 3a and 3b indicate that the bonding of the tetrahydrosalen ligand to titanium is different than the bonding of salen ligands to titanium. Whereas salen ligands usually bind to titanium in a planar arrangement, the tetrahydrosalen is bonded with the phenoxide oxygens mutually trans. When bound in this fashion, the nitrogens of the tetrahydrosalen ligand and the titanium become stereogenic centers. The use of titanium complexes of high enantiopurity in the generation of tetrahydrosalen titanium adducts resulted in a maximum diastereoselectivity of 2:1. The diastereoselectivity obtained us...
Gorenstein Flat Covers of Modules over Gorenstein Rings

Abstract A left and right Noetherian ring R is called Gorenstein if both R R and R R have finite injective dimensions. These rings were studied by Bass for the commutative case and Iwanaga for the noncommutative case. In this paper, we define Gorenstein flat modules over a Gorenstein ring. These modules are a generalization of flat modules. After discussing the properties of modules over a Gorenstein ring, we prove that every module over a Gorenstein ring has a Gorenstein flat cover or a minimal right approximation by a Gorenstein flat module in Auslander and Reiten's terminology.
Identification of fiber types in rat skeletal muscle based on the sensitivity of myofibrillar actomyosin ATPase to copper

Experiments are reported demonstrating that differential rates of inactivation of the histochemical staining for myofibrillar actomyosin ATPase in rat skeletal muscle fibers exist following inclusion of low concentrations of Cu2+ in the preincubation medium. This response of rat muscle occurs at near neutral (7.40), acid (4.60), and alkaline (10.30) pH. The response to Cu2+ appears to result from a binding of Cu2+ onto the myofibrillar complex, probably on myosin itself, as it can be reversed by soaking of the pretreated muscle sections in sodium cyanide or the Cu2+ chelator diethyldithiocarbamate. The pattern of modification of the staining pattern following pretreatment with Cu2+ is the mirror image of that produced by pretreatment with acid. The results demonstrate that the inclusion of Cu2+ in the preincubation media for the myofibrillar actomyosin ATPase can be a useful tool to differentiate fiber types. They also support the earlier conclusion that three distinct types of type II fibers can be identified in rat skeletal muscle based on the histochemical staining for myofibrillar actomyosin ATPase.
A local likelihood proportional hazards model for interval censored data.

We discuss the use of local likelihood methods to fit proportional hazards regression models to right and interval censored data. The assumed model allows for an arbitrary, smoothed baseline hazard on which a vector of covariates operates in a proportional manner, and thus produces an interpretable baseline hazard function along with estimates of global covariate effects. For estimation, we extend the modified EM algorithm suggested by Betensky, Lindsey, Ryan and Wand. We illustrate the method with data on times to deterioration of breast cosmeses and HIV-1 infection rates among haemophiliacs.
Tables of minimum cost, linear trend-free run sequences for two- and three-level fractional factorial designs

Abstract For the two- and three-level fractional factorial designs tabled in National Bureau of Standards Applied Mathematics Series publications 48 and 54, plus the resolution V plans developed by Addelman ( Technometrics 7, 1965), we present generator sequences that may be used with the Generalized Foldover Scheme of Coster and Cheng ( Ann. Statist. 16 , 1988) to produce systematic run orders which minimize, or nearly minimize, a cost function equal to the number of times the factors change levels during the time sequence in which the runs are performed and which simultaneously have all factor main effects components orthogonal to a polynomial time trend.
Evaluation of Fetal Hands With Ultrasound During a Routine Obstetric Examination

In this prospective study, 100 second trimester fetuses were assessed to determine the frequency of visualization of the open fetal hands and the three phalanges of the fifth digit during a routine ultrasound examination. Open right hands were seen in 82 (82%) fetuses, and the three phalanges of the right fifth digit were seen in 71 (71%) fetuses. Open left hands were visualized in 80 (80%) fetuses, and the three phalanges of the left fifth digit were seen in 70 (70%) fetuses. Both open hands were seen in 73 (73%) fetuses, and only one open hand was seen in 17 (17%) fetuses. Fetal abnormalities, such as clenched hands with or without overriding fingers, hypoplasia of the middle phalanx of the fifth digit, or clinodactyly of the fifth finger, have been reported to be associated findings of certain fetal chromosomal disorders (e.g., trisomies 13, 18, and 21) and may initiate further genetic evaluation. The present study shows that it is feasible to include the assessment and documentation of fetal hands in ...
Laser thrombolysis using a millisecond frequency-doubled Nd-YAG laser

A frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm with pulse durations of 2, 5, and 10 ms was used to ablate blood clot phantoms. The clot phantoms were prepared with 3.5% (175 Bloom) gel and Direct Red 81 dye to have an absorption coefficient of 150 cm -1 . Ablation thresholds were determined by a fluorescent technique using flash photography to detect the gel surface. The threshold was 15 plus or minus 2 mJ/mm 2 and corresponded to calculated temperatures of 80 plus or minus 10 degrees Celsius. Ablation efficiency experiments were conducted at 20 mJ. Ablation efficiencies were approximately 1.7 plus or minus 0.1 (mu) g/mJ for the millisecond pulses and were comparable to previously published efficiencies for ablation of clot with a 1 microsecond pulsed dye laser.
Inhibition of interferon or soluble immune response suppressor (SIRS) mediated suppression by levamisole.

Soluble immune response suppressor (SIRS), a product of concanavalin A-activated murine T cells, nonspecifically suppresses antibody responses in vitro. SIRS acts via macrophages (Mo) which after exposure to SIRS, release a second factor, Mo-derived suppressor factor (Mo-SF), that is directly responsible for suppression. Mo-SF appears to be modified SIRS since hydrogen peroxide can convert SIRS to Mo-SF directly. Murine fibroblast interferon (IFNβ) also activates suppressor T cells which produce a factor(s) with properties identical to SIRS; thus accounting for at least some of the immunosupressive properties of INFβ. Levamisole (L (−) 2,3,5,6,-tetrahydro-6-phenyl-imidazo [2,1–6] thiazole enhances immune responses in vivo and in vitro and is of value in improving immune responses in clinically depressed hosts. The effects of levamisole on IFNβ- or SIRS-mediated suppression were examined to gain a better understanding of the mechanism of action of this agent. SIRS or IFNβ suppressed PFC responses to 10–20 % of control responses; under optimal conditions, these responses were increased to ∼ 80 % of control levels in the presence of levamisole. To block suppression, levamisole was required during the first 24 h of the 5 day culture. Levamisole did ot inactivate IFNβ, SIRS or Mφ-SF directly, but inhibited production of Mφ-SF by SIRS-treated Mφ and conversion of SIRS to Mφ-SF by peroxide. Kinetic analyses suggested that levamisole acted as a competitive inhibitor of the SIRS-H2O2 reaction. Collectively these data indicate that levamisole inhibits SIRS- or IFNβ-mediated suppression by preventing formation of Mφ-SF and suggest that some immunoenhancin properties of levamisole may be accounted for by interference with nonspecific suppressor T cell pathways.
A Model for Implementing a Concurrent Enrollment Program

This chapter provides guidelines for establishing a partnership between a community college and a single high school or school district. In addition to outlining the steps necessary for developing the program, discussions of how to maintain quality and meet the needs of the individual institutions are included.
Generating equilateral random polygons in confinement II

In this paper we continue an earlier study (Diao et al 2011 J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 44 405202) on the generation algorithms of random equilateral polygons confined in a sphere. Here, the equilateral random polygons are rooted at the center of the confining sphere and the confining sphere behaves like an absorbing boundary. One way to generate such a random polygon is the accept/reject method in which an unconditioned equilateral random polygon rooted at origin is generated. The polygon is accepted if it is within the confining sphere, otherwise it is rejected and the process is repeated. The algorithm proposed in this paper offers an alternative to the accept/reject method, yielding a faster generation process when the confining sphere is small. In order to use this algorithm effectively, a large, reusable data set needs to be pre-computed only once. We derive the theoretical distribution of the given random polygon model and demonstrate, with strong numerical evidence, that our implementation of the algorithm follows this distribution. A run time analysis and a numerical error estimate are given at the end of the paper.
A novel inducible formaldehyde dehydrogenase ofPseudomonas sp. (RJ1)

A novel, pyridine-nucleotide-inducible formaldehyde dehydrogenase activity was detected in cells ofPseudomonas sp. (RJ) propagated on methylamine and oxalate. The pH optimum of the dehydrogenase was 7.0. Dichlorophenol-indophenol or potassium ferricyanide served as an electron acceptor. The rate of reduction of these electron acceptors was shown to be stimulated by phenazine methosulfate. The dehydrogenase was inhibited by parahydroxymercuric benzoate and iodoacetamide. This inhibition suggests that the enzyme contains sulfhydryl groups. The stoichiometry of the reaction in terms of oxygen uptake to formate formation was 0.5, which agrees with the theoretical value.
Hispanic adults' beliefs about type 2 diabetes: clinical implications.

Purpose: This integrative literature review focused on Hispanic adults’ beliefs about type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive, chronic illness with the potential for debilitating complications that disproportionately affect Hispanic adults. By understanding Hispanic adults’ beliefs about type 2 diabetes, health professionals will be able to offer more culturally competent health care. Data sources: Published research reports on Hispanic adults’ beliefs about type 2 diabetes were obtained using multiple computerized databases and by searching reference lists of published reports. A total of 15 research reports comprised this review. Conclusion: While there was some variance among Hispanic subgroups, in general, Hispanic adults’ understanding of the etiology of diabetes was an integration of biomedical causes such as heredity and traditional or folk beliefs such as susto, which is the concept of strong emotions. Hispanic adults believed that diabetes is a serious illness and that they could identify many of the symptoms of diabetes. They identified both biomedical and herbal treatments for diabetes. Negative attitudes toward insulin were common. Religious beliefs also factored into Hispanic adult’s explanatory models of type 2 diabetes. Implications for practice: Hispanic adults have a fairly cohesive explanatory model of diabetes. Healthcare professionals can use this information as a starting point to discuss each individual patient’s explanatory model of illness, clarify misconceptions, and develop an individualized plan of care.
Ouabain resistance conferred by expression of the cDNA for a murine Na+,K+-ATPase α subunit

The molecular basis for the marked difference between primate and rodent cells in sensitivity to the cardiac glycoside ouabain has been established by genetic techniques. A complementary DNA encoding the entire alpha 1 subunit of the mouse Na+- and K+-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) was inserted into the expression vector pSV2. This engineered DNA molecule confers resistance against 10(-4) M ouabain to monkey CV-1 cells. Deletion of sequences encoding the carboxyl terminus of the alpha 1 subunit abolish the activity of the complementary DNA. The ability to assay the biological activity of this ATPase in a transfection protocol permits the application of molecular genetic techniques to the analysis of structure-function relationships for the enzyme that establishes the internal Na+/K+ environment of most animal cells. The full-length alpha 1 subunit complementary DNA will also be useful as a dominant selectable marker for somatic cell genetic studies utilizing ouabain-sensitive cells.
VACANCY MODEL FOR SUBSTITUTIONAL NI-, PD-, PT-, AND AU0 IN SILICON

The vacancy model for the electronic structure in silicon of substitutional transition elements near the end of the 3d, 4d, and 5d series is described and a simplified theoretical treatment for their paramagnetic properties is presented. It is concluded that the complete set of such impurities for which experimental information is available---${\mathrm{Ni}}_{\mathit{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$, ${\mathrm{Pd}}_{\mathit{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$, ${\mathrm{Pt}}_{\mathit{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$, and ${\mathrm{Au}}_{\mathit{s}}^{0}$---are all well described by the model. In making this argument, an alternative, physically more reasonable, analysis is proposed for the electron paramagnetic resonance and electron-nuclear double resonance results on ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{\mathit{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ and ${\mathrm{Pd}}_{\mathit{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ [Solid State Commun. 80, 439 (1991)], which were originally interpreted as conflicting with the model.
Incidence of and risk factors for airway complications following endotracheal intubation for bronchiolitis.

Objective To identify risk factors predisposing to postextubation complications and the incidence of subglottic stenosis following endotracheal intubation for bronchiolitis. Study Design and Setting A review of 144 consecutive infants and children intubated for bronchiolitis between 2000 and 2005 at a regional children’s hospital. Results The mean age at diagnosis was 6.4 months. Follow-up data were available in 93 patients (64.6%), and average length of follow-up was 9.3 months. One hundred and three patients (71.5%) had positive RSV detection. Average duration of intubation was 5.5 days. Twenty-six patients (18.1%) required reintubation during the same admission. Children intubated for less than 3 days and those greater than 12 months of age were more likely to experience postextubation difficulties. Approximately 40% of patients experienced postextubation difficulties. Subglottic pathology was found on endoscopy in 6 patients (4%). There were no cases of long-term subglottic stenosis. Conclusion Immediate postextubation complications are common after bronchiolitis, especially in patients intubated for less than 3 days and greater than 12 months of age. We found no evidence of long-term subglottic stenosis in this population.
The extraction of uranium (VI) from nitric acid solutions by tri-n-octylamine

Abstract The partition of uranium (VI) between nitric acid solutions and solutions of tri-n-octylamine (TOA) in benzene has been investigated under different conditions, and infra-red studies have been made of the organic phase.
High-Resolution Spectrum of the 3ν1Band of Cyanoacetylene Obtained via Infrared/Infrared Double Resonance

Abstract The 3ν 1 band of cyanoacetylene has been recorded with 0.0005 cm −1 resolution using sequential infrared/infrared double resonance excitation. Rotational levels from 0 ≤ J ′ ≤ 6 were measured and used to calculate v 0 , B ′, and[formula]The spectrum is slightly perturbed, with its features showing fractionation into two or three lines due to the onset of intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution.
d-Amphetamine and fixed-interval performance: Effects of establishing the drug as a discriminative stimulus

Abstract The effects of d-amphetamine were examined as a function of conditioning history. The compound (0.5 mg/kg)(1) increased the response rate of rats under a fixed-interval 60-sec schedule, (2) produced greater increases in responding under the fixed-interval schedule when drug administration had been explicitly paired with a fixed-ratio 20 schedule, and (3) decreased responding under the fixed-interval schedule when the drug had been paired with electric shock punishment. Randomly giving amphetamine before fixed-ratio or punishment sessions did not produce such modifications of drug effects under the fixed-interval schedule. These results, like earlier findings, indicate that drug effects can be modified by conditioning history.
Indirect impurity and host mode excitation via far-infrared level-crossing spectroscopy in antiferromagnets

Through the field dependence of its linewidth, the ${\mathit{s}}_{0}$ local mode at 83 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ associated with a ${\mathrm{V}}^{2+}$ impurity in ${\mathrm{FeF}}_{2}$ is used as a novel probe of impurity shell modes, host magnon density of states, and the phonon mixing of the magnon branches at the magnon--acoustic-phonon level crossings. This is the first observation of individual shell modes. ${\mathit{S}}_{\mathit{z}}$-nonconserving and direct exchange interactions contribute to the ${\mathit{s}}_{0}$-local-mode relaxation. The method has general applicability to antiferromagnets.
Percutaneous Transcatheter Aortic Valve Closure Successfully Treats Left Ventricular Assist Device–Associated Aortic Insufficiency and Improves Cardiac Hemodynamics

Objectives This study sought to assess the effectiveness of a novel percutaneous method to treat left ventricular assist device (LVAD)–associated severe aortic insufficiency (AI) in a series of patients determined to be poor reoperative candidates. Background The increased use of continuous-flow LVAD in advanced heart failure has led to marked changes in the management of patients with this condition. However, secondary AI can become a significant complication. Methods Five patients with continuous-flow LVAD and severe post-LVAD AI underwent percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve closure from September to October 2011 at a single quaternary care academic medical center. All patients had LVAD implanted as destination therapy. LVAD parameters, hemodynamics, and echocardiographic measurements were obtained before and after aortic valve closure. Results All patients underwent successful closure with the Amplatzer cribriform device (AGA Medical, Plymouth, Minnesota) via a percutaneous transcatheter femoral approach with a significant reduction of AI from severe to trivial. Cardiac hemodynamics improved, and the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was reduced in all patients. There was no change in mitral or tricuspid regurgitation, LVAD power, or pulsatility index. Conclusions Percutaneous transcatheter closure of the aortic valve effectively treats LVAD-associated AI and reduces pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. This procedure should be considered to treat LVAD-associated AI in patients who are poor candidates for repeat operation. Further data are needed to assess long-term results.
Effects of feather meal at two protein concentrations and yeast culture on production parameters in lactating dairy cows

Abstract Thirty-six early to midlactation Holstein cows were used in a 2 × 3 factorial design to determine effect of three concentrations of hydrolyzed feather meal (0, 3, or 6% of dietary DM) at two protein concentrations (14 or 18% of DM) in TMR on DMI, milk production and composition, and nutrient digestibilities. Diets (DM) contained 50% corn silage and 8% soybean hulls and were balanced with corn meal, soybean meal, and hydrolyzed feather meal. The experiment was conducted over three 28-d periods. Yeast (0 or 57 g/d) was fed continuously to half of the cows throughout all three periods. Concentration of feather meal had no effect on DMI and milk fat percentage at either protein concentration. A curvilinear effect of feather meal on milk production showed 3% feather meal to be beneficial at 14% CP but not at 18% CP. Milk protein percentage was affected adversely by feather meal concentration. Treatment with yeast culture decreased DMI (22.0 vs. 22.9 kg/d), but milk and SCM production and milk fat and protein percentages were not affected. Increasing feather meal had a negative linear effect on CP digestibility and a positive linear effect on NDF digestibility. Increasing dietary CP from 14 to 18% increased CP and NDF digestibilities. Yeast culture tended to increase NDF digestibility. Increasing dietary CP caused increases in blood urea N concentrations; increasing feather meal resulted in curvilinear increases in blood urea N. Dietary yeast culture decreased blood urea N.
Pastors and Congregations at Risk: Insights from Role Identity Theory

Caring for self and getting needs appropriately met can be challenging for some pastors. Depletion and vulnerability to misconduct may happen progressively over time. Role identity theory is used as a lens to understand how some pastors develop an identity that makes it difficult to identify personal problems and ask for help. This article uses a case study to illustrate how role identity theory explains these phenomena.
Stoichiometry issues in pulsed-laser deposition of alloys grown from multicomponent targets

We have examined the degree of congruent transfer in pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) of alloy thin films in phases that are stable over a wide range of compositions. SiGe films were deposited by PLD onto high-purity glassy carbon substrates. We analyzed the average composition of these films using Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), and results show that the deposited films have a higher relative concentration of Ge than the initial targets. We infer that the noncongruent transfer is due to differential scattering in the plume itself. Additionally, the local composition of the particulates was measured by the use of microprobe analysis, and observations of a sintered target of Si and Ge powders and a solidified target of melted Si and Ge were compared. We found that the sintered target produces particulates with a wide range of compositions, whereas the solidified target produces five times fewer particulates with a tighter distribution of compositions. In contrast with the average composition of the films, the average composition of the particulates is the same as that of the targets. These results are discussed in terms of the microstructure of the targets and the melting process at the surface. The implications of these observations for composition determination by laser ablation are discussed.
Role of T Lymphocytes in Leptin-Mediated Myocardial Fibrosis

Obesity affects cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) composition leading to myocardial fibrosis and ultimately diastolic dysfunction. Despite the suggested role of adipokine leptin in obesity-induced myocardial fibrosis, the exact pathophysiologic mechanisms remain unclear. T helper lymphocytes have been shown to play a fundamental regulatory role in cardiac ECM remodeling. As leptin directly regulates T cells responses, we sought to examine the role of leptin in promoting profibrogenic responses in the heart, substantiating the role of leptin-modulated T-helper cells. Female C57BL/6 (WT) and T cell-deficient Rage/e mice were treated with leptin or PBS at 0.3 mg/g/day sc for 4 wk. Leptin-treated WT mice demonstrated an impairment of left ventricular diastolic performance (fig 1) with reduced end-diastolic volume and increased end-diastolic pressure. There was a 19.1% decrease in ventricular filling rate and a 26.3% increase in the slope of the end-diastolic P-V relationship (s) in leptin-treated WT mice compared with respective controls. We also observed a significant decrease in gelatinolytic activity of myocardial matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, suggesting that ECM degradation was diminished. In addition there was an increase in gene and protein expression, and enzymatic activity of lysyl oxidase (LOX), which mediates cross-linking of collagen. These changes in ECM-modifying enzymes coincided with marked increase in myocardial total and cross-linked collagen. Leptin treatment in Rage/e mice resulted in a significant increase in end-diastolic pressure, compared with respective controls. Other parameters showed similar trends as of leptin-treated WT mice, though on a non-significant smaller scale (fig 1). Suppression of MMP-2 and induction of LOX were minimal in Rage/e mice compared with WT counterparts. Correspondingly fibrillar collagen formation and diastolic dysfunction were less prominent in Rage/emice. Our Results suggest a potential role of T lymphocytes in leptin-induced myocardial stiffness and diastolic dysfunction through modulation of ECM-modifying enzymes, mainly MMP-2 and LOX. This study was supported by AHA post-doctoral training to SZ [Figure 1].
Messenger RNA in Prokaryotes

Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are molecules that represent the intermediate step in converting the genetic information carried in a cell's DNA to functional proteins. Structural features of mRNAs control both how effectively their contained data are translated into functional proteins and how rapidly they are destroyed. Keywords: transcription; translation; ribonucleases; polyadenylation; decay
Droplet manipulation on high-opening micro filter meshes

This paper describes reversible EWOD (electrowetting on dielectric) contact angle changes (~ 25deg) in sessile droplets and linear transportation of droplets on micro filter meshes, not flat solid surfaces. A key achievement is that droplets are manipulated on highly opened micro filter meshes (the opening ratio defined by the ratio of area of holes to total mesh area is over ~ 50%). A possible application of these droplet operations will be particle capturing and sampling into droplets on highly-opened micro filter meshes.
Borasilazane polymeric precursors for borosilicon nitride

The reaction of H{sub 3}B {circle dot} S(CH{sub 3}){sub 2} with the (CH{sub 3}SiHNH){sub x} cyclic oligomers obtained by ammonolysis of methyldichlorosilane (CH{sub 3}SiHCl{sub 2}) results in evolution of hydrogen and formation of cross-linked products that contain borazine rings as well as boron atoms that are linked to three nitrogen atoms. Pyrolysis of the products in a stream of argon gives a high yield of a black borosilicon carbonitride, whereas pyrolysis in a stream of ammonia gives white borosilicon nitride in high yield.
Neuroevolution of Controllers for Self-Organizing Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

This paper describes a study in the use of neuroevolution to discover controllers for a simulated mobile ad hoc network. Neuroevolution is a technique whereby an evolutionary algorithm is used to produce artificial neural networks that solve a user-defined task. Here, we use neuroevolution to study a generic coverage-based problem, where agents in the network are to maximize the area covered by the largest connected component of the network. An example application for this work is the discovery of control algorithms for an ocean-monitoring mobile network. While this is a challenging problem domain for neuroevolution, results of our experiments reveal three important characteristics to be considered when using such an approach. Specifically, we found that approaches that implicitly reduce entropy, while explicitly addressing self-organization and scalability, are capable of discovering behaviors that remain stable even when they control networks of different sizes than were evaluated during evolution. This result suggests that neuroevolution may be a viable strategy for discovering controllers for self-organizing multi-agent systems.
Dynamic clustering of evolving streams with a single pass

Stream data is common in many applications, e.g., stock quotes, merchandize sales record, system logs, etc.. It is of great importance to analyze these stream data. As one of the most commonly used techniques, clustering on streams can help to detect and monitor correlations among streams. Due to the unique nature of streaming data, direct application of most existing clustering algorithms fails to deliver efficient results. We introduce a novel model of stream cluster, which employs a weighted distance measure. In addition, we device a novel efficient algorithm which can effectively discover all stream clusters.
The Price of Distributed Design in Optimal Control

We study control design strategies which, when presented with a plant made of interconnected subsystems, construct a sub-controller for each one of them using only a model of this particular subsystem. We prove that, for a class of linear time-invariant, discrete-time systems, any such distributed control strategy must have a worst-case performance at least twice the optimal. The best distributed design strategy is one that results in a deadbeat controller for every plant.
Design of broadband modified folded slot antennas for C-band wireless applications

Recently there has been much interest in slot antennas for microwave and millimeter wave applications. CPW-fed slots are one of the most popular kinds of antennas since they can be easily integrated with microwave integrated circuits (MICs) and monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) (Tsai, H.S. and York, R.A., 1996). Slot antennas have bidirectional radiation patterns. Unidirectional patterns can be achieved with the use of a reflector. This includes the cavity-backed slot design (Yeganeh, S.H. and Birtcher, C., 1993) or slot antennas on PBG (photonic bandgap) substrates (Yang, F. et al., 2000). It has been demonstrated that folded slot antennas have input impedances that can be easily matched with conventional transmission lines (Tsai and York). We present two types of modified folded slot antennas (MFSAs) which provide impedance bandwidths of 44% and 80% respectively within a VSWR of 2:1.