cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emerging technologies for cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator restoration in all people with CF

2019 will be remembered as a landmark year for the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) community because it marks the year when effective modulator therapy became available for most CF patients[1-3]. effective modulator therapy has the potential to change the trajectory of patients' health and long-term outcomes. These therapies optimize the function of the patients' endogenous mutant Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR), which results in return of CFTR channel function [1,2,4-6]. Although the combination of high throughput screening of small molecule libraries and medicinal chemistry have resulted in amazing new effective modulator therapies for many, it is unlikely that this approach will provide a game changing therapy for all. In part because the response to even the most promising modulator therapy is variable and an area of active investigation. Also, there are about 10% of patients with CF who don't produce a mutant protein to modulate, potentiate or optimize and for these patients such therapies are unlikely to be of significant benefit. Efforts to develop small molecule therapy to promote protein production in patients with nonsense mutations such as PTC124 has proved to be far more challenging than predicted [7]. There is a need to develop new therapeutic approaches that can work for this patient population. These new therapies will be genetic-based therapies that include ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapies, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) therapies and gene editing technologies. Each approach will result in functional CFTR expression in CF affected cells. Ideally, these approaches would require less frequent dosing than effective modulators, which are given daily. For instance, RNA based treatments could be given periodically. Ultimately, treatment with certain gene-altering treatments could be given once in a lifetime and lead to a permanent cure (Figure 1). In this review which is based on Plenary 1 from the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference in 2019 which is based on Plenary 1 from the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference in 2019 we will examine the potential of RNA therapies, gene transfer therapies and gene editing therapies for the treatment of CF[8-13], as well as the challenges that will need to be faced as we harness the power of these emerging therapies towards a one-time cure. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
A Clash of Minds in a Post-Virus World

The COVID-19 pandemic has painfully demonstrated the weakest links of both domestic and global governance. This Article aims to highlight one particular culprit behind the failure of governance: diverging social attitudes and patterns of thinking, not only among human actors but also among state actors. The main thesis of this Article is that the clash of minds in pandemic-related regulatory areas, ranging from mask-wearing to vaccine development, characterizes the dismal performance of pandemic governance. This Article argues that mending the current pandemic governance structure should center on a cultural dimension; that is to say, how to meet minds. The current pandemic forces human civilization, both at the individual and state levels, to overcome the survival instinct and achieve this enlightened mutuality.
Radially Oriented [n]Cyclo-meta-phenylenes.

Molecular compounds with zigzag carbon nanotube geometries are exceedingly rare. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of carbon-based nanotubes with zigzag geometry, best described as radially oriented [n]cyclo-meta-phenylenes, extending the tubularene family of compounds. By the incorporation of edge-sharing benzene rings into the tubularene's radial π-surface, we have uncovered the first step to give rise to the emergence of radial orbital distribution in zigzag nanorings.
Maximizing Utility of Withdrawals in Retirement and the Efficiency of Required Minimum Distributions

We focus on a simplified problem for a risk-averse retiree seeking to maximize utility associated with annual spending and a remaining value at the end of the problem horizon when the funds are extracted from a portfolio that includes a risk-free and a risky asset. To organize discussions about this setting we utilize a novel metric which we label “Efficiency”. This measurement compares the utility derived from annual withdrawals and the final value with a benchmark based upon the maximum sustainable spending rate that could have been chosen under perfect information. We use 10,000 scenarios developed using historical data to evaluate efficiency over a family of spending rules and asset allocations. In the process, we develop insights about the structure of such rules, and asset allocation schemes. The metric used here can be useful by planners and advisors who wish to present a comparison of policies built around upon a single value. Some withdrawal strategies will outperform the benchmark for many investors. In particular, we find that strategies built around Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) rules are surprisingly efficient and also have characteristics that mitigate against some effects of market risk, longevity risk, and sequencing risk. Our findings suggest that advisors and clients will be well served by comparing policies in a consistent way and that we all should more seriously consider withdrawal strategies built around RMD rules.
Signal Transport and Digital Signal Processing for the ALPACA L band Array Feed

The Advanced L band Phased Array Camera for Arecibo (ALPACA) will rely on RF-over-fiber signal transport and hybrid FPGA/GPU signal processing hardware for calibration, beamforming, and imaging. We report on signal transport system development, phase and gain stability requirements, and array signal processing algorithm development.
Improvements in forecasting insurance stock excess returns: Comparing the investor sentiment endurance index with the CAPM and Fama-French models

This study applies the sentiment endurance (SE) index developed by He (2012) to forecast excess returns of insurance stocks. With the exception of the 12-month rolling forecasts of the Fama-French ...
Analysis of single-mode fiber-optic extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric sensors with planar metal mirrors.

We theoretically study the spectral characteristics and noise performance of wavelength-interrogated fiber-optic sensors based on an extrinsic Fabry–Perot (FP) interferometer (EFPI) formed by thin metal mirrors. We develop a model and use it to analyze the effect of key sensor parameters on the visibility and spectral width of the sensors, including the beam width of the incident light, metal coating film thickness, FP cavity length, and wedge angle of the two mirrors. Through Monte Carlo simulations, we obtain an empirical equation that can be used to estimate the wavelength resolution from the visibility and spectral width, which can be used as a figure-of-merit that is inherent to the sensor and independent on the system noises. The work provides a useful tool for designing, constructing, and interrogating high-resolution fiber-optic EFPI sensors.
$16\ \mu \mathrm{m}$ GaAs/AlGaAs Quantum Cascade Laser

In this work we report a new quantum cascade laser design at $16 \mu \mathrm{m}$ wavelength, with high Al concentration waveguides and strongly coupled upper laser states. The new design shows about 50% improvement in current density and at least 140 mW peak optical power.
Theoretical Conceptualization and Action Plan: Contributing Factors and Potential Responses

Theoretical Conceptualization and Action Plan: Contributing Factors and Potential Responses addresses many of the factors believed to contribute to law enforcement officer suicide. Family safety, ready access to firearms, domestic violence issues, substance use and abuse, murder/suicide incidents, and media regarding suicide death are explored. In addition, the chapter examines agency factors, such as pre-employment screening, funeral protocol, and conventions that can be implemented to have a positive impact on law enforcement officer suicides.
Pharmacodynamic analysis and concentration mapping for efficient delivery through the FUS-induced BBB opening in non-human primates in vivo

FUS in conjunction with systemically administered microbubbles has been previously shown to open the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) locally, non-invasively and reversibly in non-human primates. However, a trans-BBB pharmacodynamic analysis has not been performed as of yet. The objective of this study was to perform such an analysis, i.e. permeability, relaxivity and gadolinium concentration mapping, of the NHP brain in vivo in order to further investigate the effect of FUS, and its dependence on the acoustic parameters used for safe and efficient drug-delivery as well as the gray vs. white matter occurrence.
When Do Foreign Banks Finance Domestic Investment? New Evidence on the Importance of Legal and Financial Systems

This paper analyzes how different legal and financial systems affect the composition of loan syndicates, and how the composition, in turn, affects loan pricing. In contrast with previous work on the availability and allocation of external finance, I study the supply of long-term funds to large, illiquid project companies located in 61 countries. Using a sample of 495 loan tranches worth $151 billion, I find that foreign banks provide a greater share of total funds in countries with stronger creditor rights, stronger legal enforcement, less-developed financial systems, and less government ownership of banking assets. I also find that loan spreads and fees are positively related to the fraction of total funds provided by foreign banks. These findings show that both legal and financial systems affect the availability of funds, the pricing of funds, and, presumably, capital investment decisions and economic growth.
Structure of a pentahexosylceramide (Forssman hapten) from canine intestine and kidney.

A pentahexosylceramide isolated from canine kidney and intestine was shown by enzyme hydrolyses, partial acid hydrolysis, permethylation and analysis of the products by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and serological tests to be a Forssman hapten identical in structure with the Forssman glycolipid from horse spleen. The assigned structure was N-acetylgalactosaminyl(α1→3) N-acetylgalactosaminyl(β1→3)galactosyl(α1→4)galactosyl(β1→4)glucosyl-(1→1)ceramide. In the course of this work, mass spectrometry was employed to elucidate the structures of partially methylated alditol acetates derived from hexosamines.
Acetabular ventroversion with double pelvic osteotomy versus triple pelvic osteotomy: a cadaveric study in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To determine which of 3 different plate angles (20°, 25°, 30°) used in double pelvic osteotomy (DPO) would result in the most similar acetabular angle (AA) achieved with a 20° triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) technique in dogs. STUDY DESIGN Experimental anatomic study. ANIMALS Cadaveric canine pelves (n = 8). METHODS Transverse plane computed tomographic images of cadaveric pelves with intact sacroiliac joints, mounted in a custom jig, were made (baseline) and again after DPO (20°, 25°, 30°) and TPO (20°) and pelvic angles measured in 6 transverse planes. Pelvic angles of the 3 DPO techniques were compared with TPO using concordance correlation to determine which DPO angle resulted in an acetabular ventroversion angle closest to TPO. RESULTS Mean ± SD AAs were 32.89 ± 2.23 (baseline), 47.39 ± 4.39 (20° DPO), 51.43 ± 5.06 (25° DPO), 54.75 ± 4.38 (30° DPO), and 50.20 ± 5.76 (20° TPO). Concordance correlations for the AA compared with 20° TPO were 0.027 (baseline), 0.721 (20° DPO), 0.902 (25° DPO), and 0.593 (30° DPO). A concordance correlation of ≥ 0.8 indicates good correlation. CONCLUSIONS A 25° DPO is most similar in acetabular ventroversion to 20° TPO (concordance correlation, 0.902).
The Object of Sexual Desire: Examining the “What” in “What Do You Desire?”

Abstract Introduction Over the past two decades, sexual desire and desire discrepancy have become more frequently studied as have potential pharmaceutical interventions to treat low sexual desire. However, the complexities of sexual desire—including what exactly is desired—remain poorly understood. Aims To understand the object of men's and women's sexual desire, evaluate gender differences and similarities in the object of desire, and examine the impact of object of desire discrepancies on overall desire for partner in men and women in the context of long-term relationships. Methods A total of 406 individuals, 203 men and 203 women in a relationship with one another, completed an online survey on sexual desire. Main Outcome Measures Reports of the object of sexual desire in addition to measures of sexual desire for current partner were collected from both members of the couple. Results There were significant gender differences in the object of sexual desire. Men were significantly more likely to endorse desire for sexual release, orgasm, and pleasing their partner than were women. Women were significantly more likely to endorse desire for intimacy, emotional closeness, love, and feeling sexually desirable than men. Discrepancies within the couple with regard to object of desire were related to their level of sexual desire for partner, accounting for 17% of variance in men's desire and 37% of variance in women's desire. Conclusions This research provides insights into the conceptualization of sexual desire in long-term relationships and the multifaceted nature of sexual desire that may aid in more focused ways to maintain desire over long-term relationships. Future research on the utility of this perspective of sexual desire and implications for clinicians working with couples struggling with low sexual desire in their relationships is discussed. Mark K, Herbenick D, Fortenberry D, Sanders S, and Reece M. The object of sexual desire: Examining the “what” in “what do you desire?” J Sex Med 2014;11:2709–2719.
Experimental study of a 322 MHz v/c=0.28 niobium spoke cavity

The Rare Isotope Accelerator (RIA) will accelerate heavy ions to >400 MeV/u using an array of superconducting cavities. A proposed linac design based on harmonics of 80.5 MHz will require six cavity types to cover the entire velocity range: three quarter wave resonators, one spoke cavity (half wave resonator), and two 6-cell elliptical cavities. A prototype 322 MHz niobium spoke with optimum velocity of 0.28 c has been fabricated. Each spoke would generate over 1 MV at 4 K for acceleration from v/c=0.20 to 0.40. Details of the design and experimental study are presented.
Characteristics of laminar viscous shear-thinning fluid flows in eccentric annular channels

Abstract Laminar fully developed flows of time-independent viscous shear-thinning fluids in straight eccentric annuli are considered. The fluid rheology is modeled by the power-law constitutive equation, which is representative of many industrial process liquids. The annulus models flow channels in process heat exchangers, extruders, and drilling wells, among others. The flow cross-section geometry is mapped into a unit circle by means of a coordinate transformation, and the governing momentum equation is solved by finite-difference techniques using second-order accurate discretization. Numerical solutions for a wide variation of annuli radius ratio (0.2 ≤ r ∗ ≤ 0.8) , inner core eccentricity (0 ≤ e ∗ ≤ 0.8) , and shear index (1 ≥n ≥ 0.2) , are presented. Both fluid rheology and annuli eccentricity are seen to have a strong influence on the flow behavior. The eccentricity causes the flow to stagnate in the narrow gap with higher peak velocities in wide gap, and large azimuthal variations in the velocity field. The fluid pseudoplasticity gives rise to even greater flow maldistribution around the annulus, with non-uniform velocity fields, wall shear-stress distribution, and friction factor characteristics.
Sterility in Zambia

Background : Several regions such as Zambia in sub-Saharan Africa experience very high levels of sterility. Current explanations for high levels of sterility in Zambia have focused on biological determinants and have paid little attention to the plausible effects of social determinants of sterility. Aim : This study has two objectives. The first objective is to examine the extent of sterility in Zambia during 1980 and 1990. The second objective is to assess the contribution of selected social determinants to the current levels of sterility in Zambia. Subjects and methods : Sterility among women in Zambia is calculated for two periods in 1980 and 1990 using census data. The study used parity progression ratios for the calculation of sterility rates. Selected social determinants of Zambian sterility were obtained from the Demographic Health Survey (ZDHS). Net effects of selected social determinants were examined using logistic regression. Results : High sterility levels were found in a few Zambian Provinces...
Gray radiation transport models for two-dimensional binary stochastic media with material temperature coupling using spherical harmonics

Abstract Due to the high computational cost of time-dependent radiation transport calculations, most multi-dimensional simulations of stochastic media have used the lowest angle order approximation, the P 1 approximation. Here spherical harmonics of order n =5 are used to solve the transport equation in two-dimensional binary stochastic media. The results are consistent with earlier P 1 simulations. Transport solutions using constant and temperature-dependent opacities and heat capacities are shown and analyzed. The standard closure poorly approximates the mean radiation field in these test problems. For one physical case, a less common closure is better. To best fit the most general cases, a new procedure is presented. In all cases, the approximate transport solutions work best in dilute systems where one material comprises less than about 10% of the total. The conclusions reached here should be independent of the transport solution method whether one uses spherical harmonics or discrete ordinates.
Quantitative ultrasound and vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women

Quantitative ultrasound is a promising technique to evaluate fracture risk. To test the hypothesis that reduction of one ultrasound measurement, broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), is associated with an increased risk of vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women, we performed a cross-sectional analysis of 442 women aged 55-80 years enrolling in a clinical trial of alendronate. Prior to randomization, we obtained bone mineral density (BMD) measurements of the hip, spine, and whole body, radiographs of lateral lumbar and thoracic spine, and duplicate measurements of calcaneal BUA with a Walker Sonix UBA575. Vertebral fractures were defined by morphometry and semiquantitative reading by a radiologist. After adjustment for potential confounders, the relative risk of vertebral fracture was 1.8 (95% CI 1.4-2.3) for each standard deviation reduction in BUA; for each standard deviation reduction in BMD, the relative risk was 1.7 (95% CI 1.3-2.1) at the femoral neck, and 2.2 (95% CI 1.7-2.9) at the spine. Adjustment for hip, spine, or whole body BMD did not significantly alter the relation between BUA and vertebral fracture. For example, after adjusting for spine BMD, the relative risk of vertebral fracture was 1.5 (95% CI 1.1-2.0) for each standard deviation reduction in BUA. We conclude that low BUA is associated with the presence of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women. The relation between BUA and vertebral fracture is similar to that observed for BMD and vertebral fractures. Furthermore, the relation between BUA and vertebral fracture persists after adjustment for BMD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Chemical Segregation and Reduction of Raman Background Interference Using Drop Coating Deposition

A new application of the recently described drop coating deposition Raman (DCDR) method facilitates the segregation and independent spectral characterization of mixture components. The quality of the normal (un-enhanced) Raman spectra are significantly improved as a result of reduced spectral interference from fluorescent impurities and buffer compounds. Fluorescence of commercial amino acid (O-phospho-L-serine) and protein (myoglobin) samples is reduced by over an order of magnitude using DCDR, more effectively than prolonged photo-bleaching. Furthermore, DCDR is used to obtain high-quality Raman spectra of proteins, lysozyme, and insulin, derived from solutions with up to 1000-fold excess buffer concentration. Possible thermodynamic and kinetic contributions to the observed segregation phenomena are discussed.
Tales of Resistance and Other Emancipatory Functions of Storytelling

Title. Tales of resistance and other emancipatory functions of storytelling. Aim. This paper is the report of a study to explore how the process of storytelling might facilitate women’s emancipatory knowing, using examples from women’s breastfeeding stories. Background. Storytelling, as an interactive process, can give women a way to explain pivotal life events, justify choices, examine reality and find meaning in experiences. Emancipatory functions of storytelling have been identified as contextual grounding, bonding with others, validating and affirming experiences, venting and catharsis, resisting oppression and educating others. Method. Secondary data analysis was conducted in 2008 on breastfeeding stories originally gathered from 13 women from 2002 to 2004 for a feminist hermeneutic study of maternal breastfeeding confidence. The stories were re-examined through the lens of the emancipatory functions of storytelling. Illustrations of contextual grounding, validating and affirming experiences, venting and catharsis and acts of resistance were found in the breastfeeding stories and presented as exemplars of emancipatory knowing. Findings. Women revealed the difficulties they encountered breastfeeding, transforming these experiences as they discovered their meaning. They described collisions that occurred when personal, familial, healthcare professionals’ or cultural expectations differed from their experience. The stories suggested possible liberation from old ideologies about breastfeeding as women redefined the difficulties they encountered. Conclusion. Storytelling has potential as a simple, yet profound, and powerful emancipatory intervention which nurses can use to help women in their care make sense of and transform experiences of health and illness. Storytelling may have global implications for nursing practice and research.
Keeping Adenovirus Away from the Liver

While adenovirus holds many advantages as a vector for gene delivery, much of its full potential has been limited by the tendency of the most commonly used vectors to target the liver upon systemic delivery, resulting in unacceptable toxicity. Recently in Cell , Waddington et al. unmasked the virus-host interactions that lead to hepatic transduction. The results point a way toward avoiding this pathway during development of future generations of adenovirus vectors.
OKT3 first-dose reaction: Association with T cell subsets and cytokine release

OKT3 first-dose reaction: Association with T cell subsets and cytokine release. Use of the monoclonal antibody OKT3 to prevent or treat allograft rejection has become commonplace. Its administration is often complicated by serious side effects, usually occurring within one to two hours after OKT3 is given, and is termed first-dose reaction. The mechanism underlying these signs and symptoms is poorly defined, but may be related to cytokine release Twenty-three kidney or kidney/ pancreas transplant recipients received OKT3 as treatment of acute rejection. Signs and symptoms occurring after the first dose were observed and quantitated prospectively, and a reaction score was calculated. Blood was drawn immediately before, and at 2 and 24 hours after the first dose of OKT3 for determination of interleukin-2 (IL2), interferon-gamma (IFNγ), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) levels, and flow cytometric analysis of T cell subsets. Two groups were defined based on severity of first-dose reaction. Group 1 patients (N = 11) had very mild reactions (reaction score ≤ 3); Group 2 patients (N = 12) had more severe reactions (score ≥ 5). All patients demonstrated a significant rise in serum TNFa from baseline to two hours after OKT3 (9 ± 3 pg/ml to 378 ± 54 pg/ml, P
Ionospheric Joule heating during magnetic storms: MHD simulations

Abstract In this paper we will examine ionospheric Joule heating during magnetic storms using global MHD simulations of the interaction of the solar wind with the magnetosphere. The MHD simulations use solar wind data as a boundary condition, so that we are able to model actual events. Among the events that we have modeled are the November 1998 and January 1997 storms. We will begin by comparing the MHD dissipation rates with those estimated from AE in order to benchmark the simulation. We will then discuss the relationship between the energy dissipated in the ionosphere through Joule heating and the input from the solar wind. We will also investigate the time scale for energy dissipation in order to specify the direct-driving time scales for these events.
Cyclic AMP-independent catabolite repression in bacteria

Until recently, only one mechanism of catabolite repression in bacteria, a mechanism dependent on the cyclic AMP receptor protein of Escherichia coli, was understood in molecular detail. Two cyclic AMP-independent catabolite repression mechanisms are currently under study. One such mechanism, found in E. coli, involves the catabolite repressor/activator (Cra) protein (formerly designated the fructose repressor FruR) which represses sugar catabolic systems and activates sugar anabolic systems. When catabolites bind to Cra, Cra dissociates from the DNA causing catabolite activation and catabolite repression, respectively. The second such mechanism, found in Bacillus subtilis, involves a catabolite-activated, ATP-dependent protein kinase that phosphorylates a specific seryl residue in the small phosphocarrier protein, HPr, of the phosphotransferase system. HPr(ser-P) binds to a transcription factor, CcpA, to promote DNA binding. DNA binding of the complex in turn promotes catabolite repression or catabolite activation, depending on the target operon. The characterization of these novel mechanisms establishes that cyclic AMP-independent catabolite control is operative in bacteria, and that multiple mechanisms of catabolite control evolved independently of each other.
Genes of Escherichia coli O157:H7 that are involved in high-pressure resistance.

Seventeen Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains were treated with ultrahigh pressure at 500 MPa and 23 ± 2°C for 1 min. This treatment inactivated 0.6 to 3.4 log CFU/ml, depending on the strain. The diversity of these strains was confirmed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis, and there was no apparent association between PFGE banding patterns and pressure resistance. The pressure-resistant strain E. coli O157:H7 EC-88 (0.6-log decrease) and the pressure-sensitive strain ATCC 35150 (3.4-log decrease) were treated with a sublethal pressure (100 MPa for 15 min at 23 ± 2°C) and subjected to DNA microarray analysis using an E. coli K-12 antisense gene chip. High pressure affected the transcription of many genes involved in a variety of intracellular mechanisms of EC-88, including the stress response, the thiol-disulfide redox system, Fe-S cluster assembly, and spontaneous mutation. Twenty-four E. coli isogenic pairs with mutations in the genes regulated by the pressure treatment were treated with lethal pressures at 400 MPa and 23 ± 2°C for 5 min. The barotolerance of the mutants relative to that of the wild-type strains helped to explain the results obtained by DNA microarray analysis. This study is the first report to demonstrate that the expression of Fe-S cluster assembly proteins and the fumarate nitrate reductase regulator decreases the resistance to pressure, while sigma factor (RpoE), lipoprotein (NlpI), thioredoxin (TrxA), thioredoxin reductase (TrxB), a trehalose synthesis protein (OtsA), and a DNA-binding protein (Dps) promote barotolerance.
Rasch Analysis Staging Methodology to Classify Upper Extremity Movement Impairment After Stroke

Abstract Objectives To define Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) cutoff scores that demarcate 1 level of upper extremity (UE) impairment from another, and describe motor behaviors for each category in terms of expected FMA-UE item performance. Design Analysis of existing FMA-UE data. Setting University research laboratory. Participants Persons (N=512) 0 to 145 days poststroke, 42 to 90 years of age. Intervention Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures An item response Rasch analysis staging method was used to calculate cutoff scores, which were defined as the Rasch-Andrich threshold values of 2 criterion FMA-UE items derived from an analysis of this sample. The analysis enabled conversion of cutoff scores, in logit units, to FMA-UE points assessed on 30 FMA-UE voluntary movement items (60 possible points). Results The boundary between severe and moderate impairment was defined as −1.59±.27 logits or 19±2 points; and between moderate and mild impairment was defined as 2.44±.27 logits or 47±2 points. A description of expected performance in each impairment level shows that patients with severe impairment exhibited some distal movements, and patients with mild impairment had difficulties with some proximal movements. Conclusions The cutoff scores, which link to a description of specific movements a patient can, can partially, and cannot perform, may enable formation of heterogeneous patient groups, advance efforts to identify specific movement therapy targets, and define treatment response in terms of specific movement that changed or did not change with therapy.
Growth, structure, and microhardness of epitaxial TiN/NbN superlattices

Epitaxial TiN/NbN superlattices with wavelengths/ranging from 1.6 to 450 nm have been grown by reactive magnetron sputtering on MgO(100). Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM) studies showed well-defined superlattice layers. Voided low-angle boundaries, aligned perpendicular to the film plane, were also present. High-resolution images showed misfit dislocations for Λ = 9.4 nm, but not Λ = 4.6 nm. Up to ninth-order superlattice reflections were observed in diffraction, indicating that the interfaces were relatively sharp. Analysis of the first-order x-ray superlattice reflection intensities indicated that the composition modulation amplitude increased and the coherency strains decreased for Λ increased from 2 to 10 nm. Vickers microhardness H was found to increase rapidly with increasing Λ, from 1700 kg/mm2 for a TiN–NbN alloy (i.e., Λ = 0) to a maximum of 4900 kg/mm2 at Λ = 4.6 nm. H decreased gradually for further increases in Λ above 4.6 nm, to H = 2500 kg/mm2 at Λ = 450 nm. The hardness results are compared with theories for strengthening of multilayers.
The isomerization of cis,trans-1,5-cyclodecadiene by RhCl3 · 3H2O in ethanol

Abstract The isomerization of cis,cis-1,6-cyclodecadiene to cis,trans-1,5-; and cis,cis-1,5-cyclodecadiene in the presence of their rhodium complexes seems to indicate an isomerization for which no thermal conversion has been reported. Evidences are presented for the functioning of ethanol as a hydride source in these polymerizations.
The Beginning of History: Remembering and Forgetting as Strategic Issues

Accelerated by the collision of information technology with concerns of the past, issues of “remembering and forgetting” are creating history and shaping the strategic alignments of the future.
On Obtaining Luteinizing and Follicle-Stimulating Hormones from Human Pituitaries

ABSTRACT A method is described for extracting human pituitaries with an alkaline potassium chloride solution to obtain good yields of FSH and LH and to recover GH from the residue, including steps for the further purification of FSH and LH. The LH (3.35 NIH-S1 U&mg) obtained, which was virtually free of FSH, appeared to exist in polymeric forms. Although only one component was detected by the immunologic techniques used, electrophoretic heterogeneity was demonstrated. The several electrophoretic components showed biologic activity. The material was homogeneous by ultracentrifugal analysis, and the sedimentation constant was greater at neutral pH (2.28 S) than at acid pH (1.57 S). The FSH (100 NIH-S1 U&mg) obtained still demonstrated LH activity but appeared as a single component in ultracentrifugation and during starch-gel electrophoresis in EDTA-borate- Tris buffer. Electrophoresis of this FSH in 8m urea-O.1m formic acid revealed 2 components.
Variational approach to the Coulomb problem on a cylinder

We evaluate, by means of variational calculations, the bound state energy E B of a pair of charges located on the surface of a cylinder, interacting via Coulomb potential -e 2 /r. The trial wave function involves three variational parameters. E B is obtained as a function of the reduced curvature C=a 0 /R, where a 0 is the Bohr radius and R is the radius of the cylinder. We find that the energetics of binding exhibits a monotonic trend as a function of C; the known one- and two-dimensional limits of E B are reproduced accurately by our calculation. E B is relatively insensitive to curvature for small C. Its value is ∼1% higher at C=1 than at C=0. This weak dependence is confirmed by a perturbation theory calculation. The high curvature regime approximates the one-dimensional Coulomb model; within our variational approach, E B has a logarithmic divergence as R approaches zero. The proposed variational method is applied to the case of donors in single-wall carbon nanotubes.
Hepatocyte-Specific Deletion of SIRT1 Alters Fatty Acid Metabolism and Results in Hepatic Steatosis and Inflammation

Summary Hepatic metabolic derangements are key components in the development of fatty liver, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis. SIRT1, a NAD + -dependent protein deacetylase, is an important regulator of energy homeostasis in response to nutrient availability. Here we demonstrate that hepatic SIRT1 regulates lipid homeostasis by positively regulating peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor α (PPARα), a nuclear receptor that mediates the adaptive response to fasting and starvation. Hepatocyte-specific deletion of SIRT1 impairs PPARα signaling and decreases fatty acid β-oxidation, whereas overexpression of SIRT1 induces the expression of PPARα targets. SIRT1 interacts with PPARα and is required to activate PPARα coactivator PGC-1α. When challenged with a high-fat diet, liver-specific SIRT1 knockout mice develop hepatic steatosis, hepatic inflammation, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Taken together, our data indicate that SIRT1 plays a vital role in the regulation of hepatic lipid homeostasis and that pharmacological activation of SIRT1 may be important for the prevention of obesity-associated metabolic diseases.
Soft optic phonon mode in ferroelectric Pb5Ge3O11

Abstract A temperature dependent “soft” optic phonon is found in the ferroelectric Pb 5 Ge 3 O 11 . Other details of the optic phonons that transform as the totally symmetric irreducible representation also are reported.
A low-copy-number Sorghum DNA sequence that detects hypervariable EcoRV fragments

A sorghum genomic DNA clone that hybridized on Southern blots in simple but different patterns to fragments produced by digestion of DNA from the parents of an F2 mapping population was hybridized to EcoRV-digested DNA from 53 accessions. Forty-six different fragment patterns were observed, each comprised of from one to ten bands. Much less variability was detected in EcoRI than EcoRV digests of a selected subset of the accessions. Base-sequence analysis of the clone did not reveal a functional identity for the sequence and the clone does not contain repeated sequences often associated with hypervariable loci. Clones such as this will be especially useful in evaluating germplasm diversity and in identifying the potential parentage of hybrids.
Field and laboratory evaluation of soil quality changes resulting from injection of liquid sewage sludge

Soil quality changes resulting from repeated or single injection of liquid municipal sewage sludge were evaluated in terraced cropland in eastern Nebraska, USA. Differences in soil properties among sampling locations were explained primarily by two factors, landscape position and sludge injection. Selected chemical properties (pH, EC, NO3‐N) did not generally differ between landscape positions, but soil organic matter (organic C and N) and microbial activity indices (soil respiration, biomass N, available N, mineralization and nitrification rates) were more sensitive indicators of change. Values of these indicators generally increased down-slope from the upper terrace to the grassed waterway on a west facing slope. A probable similar pattern on the east slope was obscured by repeated application of sludge. Single or repeated (long-term) sludge injection increased the readily decomposable organic matter, ammonium- and available-N in soil (0‐30.5 cm depth). These changes stimulated soil microbial activity as evidenced by increased basal respiration, net mineralization and nitrification rates. Consequently, nitrification of ammonium-N was reflected in soil chemical properties as increased soil nitrate-N (to levels that were more than two times higher than sufficiency levels for corn) and EC and by decreased pH. In-field measurements detected changes in physical properties such as a decrease of infiltration rate caused by sludge injection and soil compaction as a result of traffic operations. Differences between the sites of single and repeated sludge injection were found in soil pH, ammonium-N, organic matter and microbial activity. Recent sludge injection resulted in higher ammonium-N concentration and higher microbial activity in soil, and repeated sludge injection resulted in lower pH and in greater organic matter content. Regardless of these differences in soil properties between the sites of single and repeated sludge application, the overall changes that were caused by sludge injection had both positive and negative effects on soil quality and the sustainability of this management practice. Increase of organic matter content and biological activity improved soil fertility, but excessive amounts of ammonium salts contained in liquid sludge resulted in soil nitrification, excessive nitrate formation and acidification. These processes reduce soil productivity, increase the risk of ground- and surface-water contamination and pose a threat to plant and animal health. # 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Some aspects of Sub-boundary and mobile dislocations during high temperature creep of AISI 316 and 304 stainless steels

Abstract An evaluaion of the dislocation substructure formed in high temperature creep of two austenitic stainless steels suggests that the ratio of the dislocations in the sub-boundaries, ϱSB, to those dislocations, ϱm, within the subgrains is independent of the applied stress and strain once the steady-state creep stage has been reached. The dislocation cell or subgrain size, γ, has been related to the modulus compensated shear stress by the equations: γ ⋍ 12b(τ/G) −1 for the case of subgrains, and γ ⋍ 5 × 10 −2 b(τ/G) −2 for the case of cells, with the transition occurring at a value of τ/G equal to approximately 4.2 × 10−3. The constant b is the Burgers vector.
Rapid synthesis of tantalum oxide dielectric films by microwave microwave-assisted atmospheric chemical vapor deposition

Abstract Microwave-assisted chemical vapor deposition has been used to generate high quality, high- k dielectric films on silicon at high deposition rates with film thicknesses varying from 50 nm to 110 μm using inexpensive equipment. Characterization of the post deposition products was performed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Film growth was determined to occur via rapid formation and accumulation of tantalum oxide clusters from tantalum (v) ethoxide (Ta(OC 2 H 5 ) 5 ) vapor on the deposition surface.
The distinct and developmentally regulated patterns of expression of members of the mouse Cdc25 gene family suggest differential functions during gametogenesis

Cdc25 genes encode protein threonine/tyrosine phosphatases that activate cyclin-dependent kinases. A cDNA encoding the murine homologue of the human Cdc25C gene was isolated in studies designed to identify those genes involved in regulating the mitotic and meiotic cell cycles of developing mouse germ cells. Northern blot and in situ hybridization along with immunoblot analyses were performed to determine the patterns of expression of Cdc25C compared to those of a second Cdc25 family member, Cdc25B. Murine Cdc25C transcripts of 2.1 kb were detected in midgestation embryos and in several adult tissues, including testis and ovary. The highest levels of Cdc25C transcripts were detected in the testis, with low levels of the 2.1-kb transcript and abundant levels of a 1.9-kb transcript that was not detected in the other tissues examined. In the testis, Cdc25C expression was localized in germ cells, specifically in late pachytene-diplotene spermatocytes and round spermatids, whereas Cdc25B expression was most readily detected in the somatic cells. In the ovary, Cdc25C expression was apparent in cumulus granulosa cells, whereas the expression of Cdc25B was detected in both growing oocytes and somatic cells, including the granulosa cells. These results not only indicate that the expression of the murine Cdc25 genes is lineage- and developmental stage-specific in the mouse testis and ovary but also suggest that the Cdc25 genes may have different functions in the germinal and somatic compartments of the ovary and the testis, only some of which are involved in cellular proliferation.
CEOs: Actions and Traits That Result in Profitable Companies

Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) are in leadership positions and have a major impact on company profitability. The problem is that their degree of success ranges from those that always achieve high profits year after year to those that are unprofitable and even bankrupt. It would follow that the consistently profitable CEOs implement different actions and behaviors than non profitable CEOs. Specifically, profitable CEOs seem to maintain the focus of their attention on profitability as a goal. The focus is manifested by creating a profit-oriented corporate strategy and structure. Subordinates and supporting teams are nurtured and motivated to focus on the goal of profitability. Accounting and finance skills are emphasized in critically analyzing daily decisions.
Solution Structure of an Amyloid-Forming Protein During Photoinitiated Hexamer−Dodecamer Transitions Revealed through Small-Angle Neutron Scattering†

Shape-reconstruction analysis applied to small angle neutron scattering (SANS) data is used to determine the in vitro conformations of alpha-chymotrypsin oligomers that form as a result of partial unfolding with a photoresponsive surfactant. In the presence of the photoactive surfactant under visible light, the native oligomers (dimers or compact hexamers) rearrange into expanded corkscrew-like hexamers. Converting the surfactant to the photopassive form with UV light illumination causes the hexamers to laterally aggregate and intertwine into dodecamers with elongated, twisted conformations containing cross-sectional dimensions similar to amyloid protofilaments. Secondary-structure measurements with FT-IR indicate that this photoinduced hexamer-to-dodecamer association occurs through intermolecular beta sheets stabilized with hydrogen bonds, similar to amyloid formation. Traditional structural characterization techniques such as X-ray crystallography and NMR are not easily amenable to the study of these non-native protein conformations; however, SANS is ideally suited to the study of these associated intermediates, providing direct observation of the mechanism of oligomeric formation in an amyloid-forming protein. Combined with photoinitiated hexamer-to-dodecamer associations in the presence of the photoresponsive surfactant, this study could provide unique insight into the amyloidosis disease pathway, as well as novel disease treatment strategies.
Effects of varying dietary compositions using common feed ingredients on growth and feed efficiency of pond-raised channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate various ingredient combinations in a 28% or 32% protein diet for optimum performance of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. All diets contained soybean meal and corn, but with or without cottonseed meal, wheat middlings or fish meal (FM). Channel catfish fingerlings were stocked into 0.04 ha earthen ponds at 18 530 fish ha−1. Fish were fed one of eight diets once daily to apparent satiation for two growing seasons. Results demonstrated that the dietary ingredient composition used had significant effects on fish performance, but magnitude of differences was relatively small. Overall, diets containing FM resulted in greater weight gain (Experiments 1 and 2) and lower feed conversion ratio (Experiment 1) than fish fed all-plant diets. However, certain combinations of plant ingredients provided the similar fish growth as some diets containing FM. There were no significant differences in weight gain between fish fed soybean meal–corn or soybean meal–corn–wheat middlings-based diets with cottonseed meal or FM. The use of wheat middlings in the diet had no significant effects on fish production characteristics.
Stability of Emotional and Behavioral Functioning in Youth with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This study prospectively examined stability of psychological and behavioral functioning in two matched cohorts of youth with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): (1) newly-diagnosed and (2) previously-diagnosed patients. Youth and their parents completed measures of emotional and behavioral functioning at Time 1 and 6-months later. Mean-level analyses indicated that scores at Time 1 and Time 2 were within the nonclinical range. A significant decrease occurred in Internalizing symptoms for previously-diagnosed patients. Both groups demonstrated high levels of profile stability, with no significant differences across groups. Results suggest that emotional and behavioral functioning is generally stable without targeted intervention.
Open source software: intellectual challenges to the status quo

Open source software is making a large impact on many aspects of society including the business community, the computing industry, the entertainment industry and higher education. The computer science education community has been quiet about issues of open source versus closed source and the role of open source code in the advancement of information technology. A survey of recent issues of SIGCSE Bulletin and SIGCSE conference proceedings shows little attention to the role open source software should play in computer science education. We are here to raise the question: "What are the social and ethical responsibilities of computer science faculty regarding open source software?"One set of issues concerns the use of open source software in teaching and the use of open source development models in the teaching of software development. Some basic questions that arise include "Should analysis of open source (and possible contributions to it) be the subject of class assignments?" and "Should open source software development models be taught?"A second set of issues concerns the use of open source software in support of teaching (e.g., using Linux as your standard platform). Some basic questions that arise include "Should we use open source software to support teaching?" and "Are these faculty ethically obligated to make contributions to the open source software base?"In this panel we will identify many of the parties involved in the ethical and social issues surrounding the use of open source in teaching and in the support of teaching, and we will identify the rights and responsibilities we, as faculty, have to the various parties. This panel will initiate a discussion that will identify additional parties and our further professional obligations.