cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ursodeoxycholic acid for primary biliary cirrhosis: final results of a 12-year, prospective, randomized, controlled trial

Abstract OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has any effect on the development of liver decompensation and on survival of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). METHODS: A total of 86 patients with compensated PBC were randomly assigned to receive UDCA (n = 43) or to remain untreated (controls, n = 43). There was no significant difference in the baseline characteristics between the two groups. Mean follow-up was 7.3 ± 3.0 yr in the UDCA and 8.1 ± 3.1 yr in the control group. Fourteen control patients were crossed-over to UDCA therapy after a median of 3.5 yr (range 2–8 yr), at their own request. RESULTS: Liver decompensation developed in 41 patients (22 in the UDCA and 19 in the control group) and liver death or transplantation in 33 (19 in the UDCA and 14 in the control group) patients. There was no significant difference in the probability of development of liver decompensation, liver death, or transplantation (by log-rank test) between UDCA-treated and control patients, whether by an intention-to-treat or by treatment-as-received analysis. CONCLUSIONS: UDCA was not found to have any demonstrable effect on the long-term outcome of PBC and did not improve the survival of PBC patients.
Big data: techniques and technologies in geoinformatics, edited by Hassan A. Karimi, Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press, 2014, 312 pp., US$129.95 hardcover, ISBN 13-978-1466586512

Unprecedented amount of geospatial data have been collectively generated everyday via ubiquitously distributed geosensor networks, location aware devices, and social media. With the rapid increase ...
From Managed Care To Consumer Health Insurance: The Fall And Rise Of Aetna

This paper documents Aetna’s fall as the nation’s largest managed care plan and its subsequent reemergence as a smaller but more profitable multiproduct insurer. The paper emphasizes the transformation in corporate goals, product design, organizational structure, information technology, product mix, premiums, cash flow, net income, and share prices. Disciplined underwriting and pricing have restored the firm to profitability and set the foundation for new growth. The implications for the health care system as a whole are less unambiguously positive.
Processing Integral Dimensions: The Whole View

In the traditional view, integral dimensions are said to be processed as unitary whole and only occasionally analyzed. Converging operations establish that (a) pitch and loudness and (b) hue, saturation, and brightness are true psychological dimensions and yet constitute integral dimensions in just this sense. Recent challenges provided by R. D. Melara, L. E. Marks, and their colleagues are shown to be based on narrow and faulty interpretations of evidence for privileged axes. They are also undermined by strong evidence of the holistic processing of pitch and loudness and of the dimensions of color that emerge within both their own data and the larger literature. The traditional view--including the strong claim that integrality entails mandatory holistic processing--continues to fare very well as an account of a substantial and varied set of findings. Language: en
Effects of acetate on energy metabolism and function in the isolated perfused rat heart

Effects of acetate on energy metabolism and function in the isolated perfused rat heart. Impairment of cardiac contractile function is an important component of acetate associated hypotension during hemodialysis treatments. We examined the effect of acetate on cardiac energy metabolism using the isovolumic isolated perfused heart model. In this preparation, acetate (10 M) caused decreases in tissue ATP concentrations (12.3 ± 0.8 vs. 15.6 ± 1.0 µ mol/g dry at 30 min, P P µ M -10 mM) selectively impaired octanoate and palmityl carnitine supported State 3 respiration in a dose dependent fashion ( P
Ground-state phases of polarized deuterium species.

Microscopic prediction of the ground-state phase of electron-spin-aligned bulk atomic deuterium (Darrow-down) is attempted, based on the variational Monte Carlo method. The accurate pair potential of Kolos and Wolniewicz is assumed, and three versions of Darrow-down are considered, which, respectively, involve one, two, and three equally occupied nuclear spin states. The most definitive results on the zero-temperature equations of state of these systems are obtained with optimized ground-state trial wave functions incorporating Jastrow pair correlations, triplet correlations, and momentum-dependent backflow effects. The species Darrow-down/sub 3/ is bound already at the pure Jastrow level, while the energy expectation value of Darrow-down/sub 2/ dips below zero upon supplementing the Jastrow description by triplets and momentum-dependent backflow. The variational energy of Darrow-down/sub 1/ remains positive under all current refinements of the ground-state trial function. We conclude that the systems Darrow-down/sub 3/ and Darrow-down/sub 2/, if they could be manufactured and stabilized at relevant densities, would be Fermi liquids at sufficiently low temperature; on the other hand, it is likely that Darrow-down/sub 1/ would remain gaseous down to absolute zero.
A comparative analysis of the electrostatic potentials of some structural analogues of 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin and of related aromatic systems

An ab initio STO-5G computational analysis of the electrostatic potentials of four structural analogs of the highly toxic 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and four related aromatic systems (benzo(a)pyrene, benz(a)anthracene and two isomeric benzoflavones) was carried out. The systems, to varying degrees, induce aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity and are believed to interact with the same cytosolic receptor in initiating their biochemical responses. It was found that a high degree of activity appears to require negative potentials that are non-overlapping above all or most of the lateral regions, with an observed optimum range of magnitudes. In systems with central oxygens, it is required that the negative oxygen potentials be small and weak; however, oxygen negative regions in the molecule are not necessary for high activity. The observed differences between the potential patterns of the four aromatic systems and those of TCDD and its active analogs may reflect an inherent dissimilarity in the nature of their interactions with the cytosolic receptor.
Discrete Gabor expansion of discrete-time signals in l 2 Z via frame theory

Abstract This paper presents the Gabor representation for discrete-time signals in l 2 ( Z ) . The frame theory for discrete-time signals is introduced first. In this discrete Gabor expansion, the time-shift parameter N and the frequency-shift parameter M are taken to be integers with M ⩾ N for stable reconstruction. With the assumption that the Gabor analysis function has finite length, many useful formulae can be derived from frame theory. In particular, we discuss discrete-time signal decomposition and reconstruction and an algorithm for computing the dual frame by means of frame theory and time-frequency analysis. Important features of these results is that the decomposition and reconstruction can be easily computed, and perfect reconstruction is achieved. In particular: (1) we develop a frame theory for the discrete-time Gabor decomposition and reconstruction problem in l 2 ( Z ) and derive formulae that can be directly implemented via DSP methods (these results cannot be obtained simply from digitizing the equivalent continuous-time formulation of Daubechies);(2) there are no constraints on the time-shift parameter N and frequency-shift parameter M except M ⩾ N for stable reconstruction, i.e., the oversampling ratio R = M/N is a rational number, while in previous work that also dealt with discrete-time functions, the oversampling ratio can only be chosen from a few numbers dependent on the signal length; (3) the computation of the dual sequence is easy and fast in terms of Eqs. (1.9) and (1.12) (moreover, the matrix equation (1.12) for solving the dual can be separated into submatrix equations (1.15) thereby significantly reducing the computing time by a factor of M); and (4) examples are provided that illustrate the computation of dual frames (analysis sequences), the relationship between the dual frame and parameters M, N, and Q, comparisons with existing results, and the achievement of perfect reconstruction.
Pressure derivatives of the elastic constants of LiF and NaF

Abstract The pressure derivatives of the elastic stiffness constants of LiF and NaF have been measured by the ultrasonic pulse echo technique. The values found are: dC dP dC' dP dB S dP LiF 1.38 3.62 5.14 NaF 0.205 4.79 5.18 The notation C = C44, C' = (C 11 − C 12 ) 2 , and B S = (C 11 + 2C 12 ) 3 has been used. These pressure results have been related to the temperature dependence of the elastic constants and to the thermal expansion. The data for the elastic constants and their pressure variations have also been analyzed in terms of the classical Born model. The theoretical Coulomb contributions have been subtracted from the data and the resulting short-range terms interpreted in terms of nearest and next-nearest neighbor interactions. Particularly useful in this analysis was the elastic stiffness C and its pressure derivative dC dP . The analysis indicates that next-nearest-neighbor interactions are definitely necessary in order to account for the observed experimental values for LiF but not for NaF.
Synthesis of Oligodeoxynucleotides Containing a Single 6α- or 6β-Diastereoisomer of N2-(Estradiol-6-yl)-2‘-deoxyguanosine

DNA damage induced by estrogens is associated with developing breast, ovary, and endometrial cancers. The quinone of 2-hydroxyestrogen (2-OHE), a major estrogen metabolite, produces 2-OHE-derived dG and dA adducts in DNA. N2-[Estradiol-6(α or β)-yl]-2‘-deoxyguanosine [dG-N2-6(α or β)-E2] lacking a 2-OH moiety may also be formed through sulfonation of 6-hydroxyestrogen. To explore the biological properties of such estrogen−DNA adducts, oligodeoxynucleotides modified by estrogen-derived DNA adduct were prepared by chemical synthesis. Initially, 6α- and 6β-aminoestradiol 17-acetate (6α- and 6β-NH2-E2 17Ac) were prepared by reductive amination of 6-oxo-estradiol 3,17-diacetate. The DMT-phosphoramidite derivative of N2-(3,17-diacetoxyestradiol-6α-yl)-2‘-deoxyguanosine and its 6β-isomer were prepared by coupling 5‘-O-(4,4‘-dimethoxytrityl)-2-fluoro-O6-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl]-2‘-deoxyinosine separately with 6α- and 6β-forms of NH2-E2 17Ac, respectively, followed by selective acetylation of the steroidal 3-hydro...
Nanowire sensor applications based on radio frequency phase shift in coplanar waveguide

This paper presents the design and development of a gas sensor based on phase monitoring of reflected waves at radio frequencies for various dichloromethane vapors. Composite thin film with functionalized carbon nanotubes (f-CNT) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was employed as a sensing material on a coplanar waveguide and its impedance was monitored for various concentrations. Conductivity change of the composite due to absorption of dichloromethane vapors was clearly observed by resistance measurements. When the f-CNTs/PMMA composite is exposed to dichloromethane with low vapor concentration, phase monitoring of reflected waves from resistive load exhibited higher sensitivity than resistance measurements. With high sensitivity at radio frequency, a wireless gas sensing network integrated with power divider and antenna is introduced.
Pretreatment of human amnion-chorion with vitamins C and E prevents hypochlorous acid-induced damage.

Abstract Objective: Preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes has been associated with infection, cigarette smoking, and bleeding. Hypochlorous acid (a reactive oxygen species) is central to the body’s response to infection, yet it may damage surrounding tissue while destroying pathogens. We examined in vitro the tissue-damaging actions of hypochlorous acid on the amnion-chorion and the protective role provided by pretreatment with vitamins C and E. Study Design: Amnion-chorion samples were obtained from 4 term pregnancies, cut into segments, and divided into 6 exposure groups. Half were treated in advance with vitamins C and E (Trolox C) and half were treated with buffer solution alone. After rinsing, amnion-chorion samples were exposed to hypochlorous acid at 1 or 10 mmol/L for 4 hours. Histologic and immunocytochemical evaluations were conducted with antibodies for collagen I and IV. Results: Extensive damage to amniotic epithelium and collagen I but not collagen IV resulted from hypochlorous acid exposure and was dose related. Pretreatment with vitamins C and E prevented this damage in all cases. Conclusion: Hypochlorous acid damages the amniotic epithelium and collagen I in the amnion-chorion. The protection against hypochlorous acid–induced damage provided by antioxidant therapy (vitamins C and E) is of therapeutic significance. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;183:979-85.)
TWO-PHASE FLOW PATTERNS AND VOID FRACTIONS IN DOWNWARD FLOW. PART II: VOID FRACTIONS AND TRANSIENT FLOW PATTERNS

Abstract The relationship between void fraction and quality was determined as a function of mass velocity for refrigerant 113 and its vapor in steady-state downward flow. These data were used together with the so-called “dynamic slip” model to determine the product of interfacial drag, C LG , and interfacial area per unit volume, A LG . Visual observations of flow-pattern transitions along with drag disk and void fraction measurements, were made during flow transients. The “dynamic slip” model and the previously calculated values of C LG A LG , were used to determine the appropriate relationship between α and x during the transient. This enables comparison of the transient flow pattern observations with steady-state flow maps. The comparison indicated that the transient data approximately followed the steady-state map but that in most cases the existing flow pattern persists slightly past the steady-state boundary.
Sub-wavelength grating induced spherical wavefront aberrations: A case study

An example of the spherical wavefront aberrations of a one-dimensional sub-wavelength grating anti-reflection coating is presented. The polarization aberration pattern is dominated by astigmatism, and the magnitude is not extreme.
Crystal Structure of Human ZAG, a Fat-Depleting Factor Related to MHC Molecules

Zn-α_2-glycoprotein (ZAG) is a soluble protein that is present in serum and other body fluids. ZAG stimulates lipid degradation in adipocytes and causes the extensive fat losses associated with some advanced cancers. The 2.8 angstrom crystal structure of ZAG resembles a class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) heavy chain, but ZAG does not bind the class I light chain β_2-microglobulin. The ZAG structure includes a large groove analogous to class I MHC peptide binding grooves. Instead of a peptide, the ZAG groove contains a nonpeptidic compound that may be implicated in lipid catabolism under normal or pathological conditions.
Sorting Through the Roles of Beclin 1 in Microglia and Neurodegeneration

Beclin 1 has a well-established role in regulating autophagy, a cellular degradation pathway. Although the yeast ortholog of beclin 1 (Atg6/Vps30) was discovered to also regulate vacuolar protein sorting nearly 30 years ago, the varied functions of beclin 1 in mammalian cells are only beginning to be sorted out. We recently described a role for beclin 1 in regulating recycling of phagocytic receptors in microglia, a function analogous to that of its yeast ortholog. Microglia lacking beclin 1 have a reduced phagocytic capacity, which impairs clearance of amyloid β (Aβ) in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Here we summarize these findings and discuss the implications for beclin 1-regulated receptor recycling in neurodegenerative disease.
Controlling the Formation of Metallic Nanoparticles on Functionalized Silicon Surfaces

With scaling down the size of the features in modern electronic devices, it becomes vital to control surface reactions at the interface for clean deposition on semiconductor substrates. Chemical functionalization of silicon surfaces provides a new approach for tuning the structure and properties of the interfaces formed with this semiconductor. The functionalized surfaces, such as H–Si(100), NH–Si(100), and NH2–Si(100) can be used to prevent surface oxidation at the silicon interface, and OH–Si(100) can be utilized to limit surface diffusion in a reaction with a metal–organic precursor. A model copper metal–organic precursor, copper (hexafluoroacetylacetonato)vinyltrimethylsilane or Cu(hfac)VTMS, was used to grow copper nanostructures by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), as verified by atomic force microscopy (AFM), infrared spectroscopy (MIR-FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) supported with density functional theory calculations (DFT). These methods ...
Active-Site Hydration and Water Diffusion in Cytochrome P450cam: A Highly Dynamic Process

Long-timescale molecular dynamics simulations (300 ns) are performed on both the apo- (i.e., camphor-free) and camphor-bound cytochrome P450cam (CYP101). Water diffusion into and out of the protein active site is observed without biased sampling methods. During the course of the molecular dynamics simulation, an average of 6.4 water molecules is observed in the camphor-binding site of the apo form, compared to zero water molecules in the binding site of the substrate-bound form, in agreement with the number of water molecules observed in crystal structures of the same species. However, as many as 12 water molecules can be present at a given time in the camphor-binding region of the active site in the case of apo-P450cam, revealing a highly dynamic process for hydration of the protein active site, with water molecules exchanging rapidly with the bulk solvent. Water molecules are also found to exchange locations frequently inside the active site, preferentially clustering in regions surrounding the water molecules observed in the crystal structure. Potential-of-mean-force calculations identify thermodynamically favored trans-protein pathways for the diffusion of water molecules between the protein active site and the bulk solvent. Binding of camphor in the active site modifies the free-energy landscape of P450cam channels toward favoring the diffusion of water molecules out of the protein active site.
Intermediate-temperature Polymorphic Phase Transition in KH2PO4: A Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction Study

We have used synchrotron X-ray diffraction to investigate the structural and chemical changes undergone by polycrystalline KH{sub 2}PO{sub 4} (KDP) upon heating within the 30-250 C temperature interval. Our data show evidence of a polymorphic transition at T {approx} 190 C from the room-temperature tetragonal KDP phase to a new intermediate-temperature monoclinic KDP modification (spacegroup P2{sub 1}/m and lattice parameters a = 7.590, b = 6.209, c = 4.530 {angstrom}, and {beta} = 107.36{sup o}). The monoclinic RDP polymorph remains stable upon further heating to 235 C, and is isomorphic to its RbH{sub 2}PO{sub 4} and CsH{sub 2}PO{sub 4} counterparts.
The American Welfare State Decoded: Uncovering the Neglected History of Public‐Private Partnerships

The American welfare system has always been characterized by extensive public-private partnerships in the provision of social services. In addition, government financial support became important to private charitable agencies long before the emergence of nationally administered social welfare programs in the 1930s. Although recent research has acknowledged the expanded use of private organizations to deliver government-sponsored services since the Reagan Era, and focused more fully on public-private arrangements since the welfare reform initiatives of 1996, the larger historical context has received scant attention. This article presents a case study of the public-private organizational and financial arrangements in the provision of relief service both before (up to 1934) and after (1935 and beyond) the emergence of nationally-sponsored programs. The study addresses the following questions: (1) What was the public-private organizational arrangement in the delivery of welfare services prior to the expanded government role initiated with the New Deal Legislation of the mid 1930s? (2) How has this arrangement changed since then? (3) How dependent have private charitable organizations (known today as nonprofits) become on government funding? Findings indicate that the inter-organizational arrangement of government entities contracting services through community organizations remains in place despite the emergence of the welfare state. This study also reveals that government-nonprofit partnerships extend beyond funding in the form of citywide coordinating coalitions. Lastly, although investigation of the distribution of nonprofit income sources in 1929 and 1999 reveals a shift away from private funds (the typical agency now receiving between 7 and 61.4 percent of total revenues from government resources), this has not negated the importance of other private income sources. Thus, even though nonprofit agencies have become more financially dependent on government resources, they have maintained a significant degree of independence.
Intrinsic Signal Imaging of Deprivation-Induced Contraction of Whisker Representations in Rat Somatosensory Cortex

In classical sensory cortical map plasticity, the representation of deprived or underused inputs contracts within cortical sensory maps, whereas spared inputs expand. Expansion of spared inputs occurs preferentially into nearby cortical columns representing temporally correlated spared inputs, suggesting that expansion involves correlation-based learning rules at cross-columnar synapses. It is unknown whether deprived representations contract in a similar anisotropic manner, which would implicate similar learning rules and sites of plasticity. We briefly deprived D-row whiskers in 20-day-old rats, so that each deprived whisker had deprived (D-row) and spared (C- and E-row) neighbors. Intrinsic signal optical imaging revealed that D-row deprivation weakened and contracted the functional representation of deprived D-row whiskers in L2/3 of somatosensory (S1) cortex. Spared whisker representations did not strengthen or expand, indicating that D-row deprivation selectively engages the depression component of map plasticity. Contraction of deprived whisker representations was spatially uniform, with equal withdrawal from spared and deprived neighbors. Single-unit electrophysiological recordings confirmed these results, and showed substantial weakening of responses to deprived whiskers in layer 2/3 of S1, and modest weakening in L4. The observed isotropic contraction of deprived whisker representations during D-row deprivation is consistent with plasticity at intracolumnar, rather than cross-columnar, synapses.
Fast pruned dental caries classifiers

In this paper, we propose two new algorithms that use the pruned fast Fourier transform to generate the input to a backpropagation neural network of a dental caries classifier. The proposed systems eliminate the generation of digital sampling detector lookup table and the extraction of spectral feature vectors using the digital sampling detector. The proposed algorithms greatly reduced the number of complex multiplications and improved the speed-up factors.
Organizational systems used by California capitated medical groups and independent practice associations to increase cancer screening.

BACKGROUND Patients in health maintenance organizations (HMOs) appear to have higher utilization of cancer screening tests than patients with fee-for-service insurance. METHODS The authors surveyed the medical directors of 174 physician organizations in a California network model HMO to obtain information regarding their organizational structure, implementation of guidelines, and use of systems to increase cancer screening. RESULTS The majority of independent practice associations (IPAs) and medical groups (IMGs) in this California HMO had guidelines and office systems aimed at improving cancer screening. These activities were reported more frequently for mammography and Papanicolaou (Pap) smears than for colorectal carcinoma screening. IMGs reported using flow sheets more often than IPAs. Chart audits were performed more frequently for mammography (48% for IMGs and 40% for IPAs) and Pap smears (45% and 40%, respectively) than for colorectal carcinoma screening (38% and 30%, respectively). Approximately 50% of IPAs and IMGs reported mailing reminders to patients for mammography and Pap smears, but only a few did so for colorectal carcinoma screening. Annual fecal occult blood testing was believed by most medical directors to be a reasonable strategy for managed care patients (86% of IPAs and 96% of IMGs); however, fewer believed that screening sigmoidoscopy for patients ages 50–70 years was a reasonable expectation (71% and 78%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The majority of IPAs and IMGs in this California HMO reported using both guidelines and office systems to improve cancer screening rates. Further research is needed to understand the effect of these systems, as well their complex interactions with competing incentives, on cancer screening in managed care patients. Cancer 2000;88:2824–31. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
Analysis of the annular-ring-loaded circular-disk microstrip antenna

A rigorous analysis of the natural resonance frequencies and input impedance characteristics of an annular-ring-loaded (ARL) circular-disk microstrip antenna is presented. Using vector Hankel transforms, the problem is formulated in terms of vector dual-integral equations. Galerkin's method is then used to solve the equations to obtain the resonance frequencies and the current distribution on the conductive patches arising from a probe excitation. Due to the singular nature of the current distribution, the singularity subtraction method has been used to accelerate the convergence of basis function expansions. Experiments for determining resonance frequencies and input impedance characteristics of an ARL circular-disk microstrip antenna with various substrate thicknesses have been made. The theoretical results are in good agreement with the experimental data even when the thickness of the substrate is 0.1 substrate wavelength. It is shown that this theory can be used to analyze some microstrip antennas with an electrically thick substrate, including the analysis of mutual coupling between conductive patches or between the path and the feed of a microstrip antenna. >
Bringing relationships into consumer decision‐making

Abstract The primary purpose of our target article was to stimulate further interest in and research on consumer decision-making in close relationships. In this response, we discuss some of the major comments provided by each set of commentators by highlighting their main points, clarifying some misconceptions, and explaining why our dyadic framework is a logical starting-point for research on how relationships affect consumer decisions.
One‐level Newton–Krylov–Schwarz algorithm for unsteady non‐linear radiation diffusion problem

SUMMARY In this paper, we present a parallel Newton-Krylov-Schwarz (NKS)-based non-linearly implicit algo- rithm for the numerical solution of the unsteady non-linear multimaterial radiation diusion problem in two-dimensional space. A robust solver technology is required for handling the high non-linearity and large jumps in material coecients typically associated with simulations of radiation diusion phe- nomena. We show numerically that NKS converges well even with rather large inowux boundary conditions. We observe that the approach is non-linearly scalable, but not linearly scalable in terms of iteration numbers. However, CPU time is more important than the iteration numbers, and our numerical experiments show that the algorithm is CPU-time-scalable even without a coarse space given that the mesh isne enough. This makes the algorithm potentially more attractive than multilevel methods, especially on unstructured grids, where course grids are often not easy to construct. Copyright ? 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
BCCIP regulates homologous recombination by distinct domains and suppresses spontaneous DNA damage

Homologous recombination (HR) is critical for maintaining genome stability through precise repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and restarting stalled or collapsed DNA replication forks. HR is regulated by many proteins through distinct mechanisms. Some proteins have direct enzymatic roles in HR reactions, while others act as accessory factors that regulate HR enzymatic activity or coordinate HR with other cellular processes such as the cell cycle. The breast cancer susceptibility gene BRCA2 encodes a critical accessory protein that interacts with the RAD51 recombinase and this interaction fluctuates during the cell cycle. We previously showed that a BRCA2- and p21-interacting protein, BCCIP, regulates BRCA2 and RAD51 nuclear focus formation, DSB-induced HR and cell cycle progression. However, it has not been clear whether BCCIP acts exclusively through BRCA2 to regulate HR and whether BCCIP also regulates the alternative DSB repair pathway, non-homologous end joining. In this study, we found that BCCIP fragments that interact with BRCA2 or with p21 each inhibit DSB repair by HR. We further show that transient down-regulation of BCCIP in human cells does not affect non-specific integration of transfected DNA, but significantly inhibits homology-directed gene targeting. Furthermore, human HT1080 cells with constitutive down-regulation of BCCIP display increased levels of spontaneous single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and DSBs. These data indicate that multiple BCCIP domains are important for HR regulation, that BCCIP is unlikely to regulate non-homologous end joining, and that BCCIP plays a critical role in resolving spontaneous DNA damage.
Detection of point targets in image sequences by hypothesis testing: a temporal test first approach

This paper addresses the problem of designing an efficient and effective image sequence processing scheme that will successfully detect very small (point) targets in a cluttered background when both the target and clutter are moving through the image scene. The specific application area was detection of targets such as airplanes in infrared (IR) image sequences of a cloudy sky which have been taken by a stationary camera. In general we assume that targets are typically one to two pixels in extent and move only a fraction of a pixel per frame, are often low amplitude, and are found in scenes which also contain evolving clutter, e.g. clouds. Our algorithm is based on signal processing and detection theory, includes a perfect measurement performance analysis, and can be made computationally efficient compared to other approaches. Thus the algorithm could be applicable to other image sequence processing scenarios, using other acquisition systems besides IR, such as detection of small moving objects or structures in a biomedical or biological imaging scenario or the detection of satellites, meteors or other celestial bodies in night sky imagery acquired using a telescope. We present a GLRT solution, perfect measurement analysis including ROC curves, and results using real-world infrared data.
A high power density 1.75 mm 2 fully integrated closed-loop buck converter with varactor control scheme

A high power density fully integrated DC-DC power converter is realized with improved quality factor on-chip inductor and high frequency switching. The power converter output voltage change is non-linear with Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) at high frequencies, hence a new control scheme with a varactor to adjust output voltage has been proposed in the paper. Detailed analysis of the design and simulation of a 1.75 mm2 fully integrated closed-loop buck converter in TSMC 0.25 mum technology is presented. The power converter takes a 3.3 V DC input and switches at 1.0 GHz to produce an output voltage of 1.5 V supplying 45 mW of power, giving a power density figure of 25.71 kW/m2. The proposed closed-loop DC-DC converter settles in less than 600 ns.
The case for rainfall on a warm, wet early Mars

[1] Valley networks provide compelling evidence that past geologic processes on Mars were different than those seen today. The generally accepted paradigm is that these features formed from groundwater circulation, which may have been driven by differential heating induced by magmatic intrusions, impact melt, or a higher primordial heat flux. Although such mechanisms may not require climatic conditions any different than today's, they fail to explain the large amount of recharge necessary for maintaining valley network systems, the spatial patterns of erosion, or how water became initially situated in the Martian regolith. In addition, there are no clear surface manifestations of any geothermal systems (e.g., mineral deposits or phreatic explosion craters). Finally, these models do not explain the style and amount of crater degradation. To the contrary, analyses of degraded crater morphometry indicate modification occurred from creep induced by rain splash combined with surface runoff and erosion; the former process appears to have continued late into Martian history. A critical analysis of the morphology and drainage density of valley networks based on Mars Global Surveyor data shows that these features are, in fact, entirely consistent with rainfall and surface runoff. The necessity for a cold, dry early Mars has been predicated on debatable astronomical and climatic arguments. A warm, wet early climate capable of supporting rainfall and surface runoff is the most plausible scenario for explaining the entire suite of geologic features in the Martian cratered highlands.
Hyperaspidius venustulus (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): A Rarely Collected Lady Beetle Associated with the Mealybug Dysmicoccus dennoi Kosztarab on Big Cordgrass, Spartina cynosuroides (Poaceae)

Abstract Since its description from North America (America boreali) in 1850, Hyperaspidius venustulus (Mulsant) has been recorded only from an adult at a locale in Georgia and from Miami–Dade County, Florida (number of adults unspecified). Its habits and habitats have remained unknown. This scymnine coccinellid is newly reported from South Carolina on the basis of 43 adults from grasses, mainly big cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides (L.) Roth; Poaceae), in or near brackish marshes and along tidal waterways. Its probable prey on big cordgrass is the mealybug Dysmicoccus dennoi Kosztarab. Near stands of S. cynosuroides, the coccinellid was collected occasionally from marshhay cordgrass (S. patens (Ait.) Muhl.) and from a beardgrass, Andropogon tenuispatheus (Nash) Nash (sensu Weakley 2007), that was infested by the mealybug Trionymus clandestinus McConnell and the eriococcid or felt scale Eriococcus dubius Cockerell. A diagnosis of H. venustulus and color photograph of the adult habitus are provided to facili...
Self-learning neurofuzzy controller

A self-learning fuzzy logic system is given for control of unknown multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) plants. A concise formulation of fuzzy controllers for MIMO plants is presented. Through new terminology and data types, relations among the crisp input vector, the fuzzy basis set for all linguistic input variables, the cardinality vector of fuzzy partitions in all input universes of discourse, the rule base linguistic value set, and the fuzzy inference action vector are established. The fuzzy controller can be cast into neural net structure. The integration of fuzzy logic and a neural network takes advantage of fuzzy data representation, fuzzy inference, parallel processing, and learning ability. The random optimization method is used to train the controller. The training process uses observations of plant input and output behavior, so that a model of the plant is not required.
Independent Regulation of Reovirus Membrane Penetration and Apoptosis by the μ1 φ Domain

Apoptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of reovirus encephalitis. Reovirus outer-capsid protein mu1, which functions to penetrate host cell membranes during viral entry, is the primary regulator of apoptosis following reovirus infection. Ectopic expression of full-length and truncated forms of mu1 indicates that the mu1 phi domain is sufficient to elicit a cell death response. To evaluate the contribution of the mu1 phi domain to the induction of apoptosis following reovirus infection, phi mutant viruses were generated by reverse genetics and analyzed for the capacity to penetrate cell membranes and elicit apoptosis. We found that mutations in phi diminish reovirus membrane penetration efficiency by preventing conformational changes that lead to generation of key reovirus entry intermediates. Independent of effects on membrane penetration, amino acid substitutions in phi affect the apoptotic potential of reovirus, suggesting that phi initiates apoptosis subsequent to cytosolic delivery. In comparison to wild-type virus, apoptosis-defective phi mutant viruses display diminished neurovirulence following intracranial inoculation of newborn mice. These results indicate that the phi domain of mu1 plays an important regulatory role in reovirus-induced apoptosis and disease.
Function and properties of aminoacyl transferase II. II. Subcellular distribution during asynchronous and synchronous growth.

Abstract The diphtheria toxin-catalyzed transfer of the adenosine diphosphoribose moiety of NAD to aminoacyl transferase II in vitro was used to measure the subcellular distribution and total concentration of the enzyme during asynchronous and synchronous growth of HeLa cells in suspension culture. During logarithmic growth phase the amount of transferase II per cell increased rapidly and reached a maximum at mid-log phase. Enzyme content per cell decreased during the rest of log phase and stationary phase with an apparent half-life of approximately 71 hr. Transferase II progressively accumulated on 80S monoribosomes during cell growth but the amount per milligram of polyribosomal protein remained constant. In synchronized cells aminoacyl transferase II was synthesized during the phases M and G1 and apparently remained bound to monoribosomes after these were released from mRNA. The period of transferase II accumulation in the cell corresponded to the time of maximal protein synthesis.
Thailand's international tourism: successes and current challenges

Abstract The international tourism industry in Thailand has established an impressive record of growth over the last decade. Thailand's national development plans call for meeting the challenge of simultaneously attracting both large spending tourists as well as those who are willing to extend the length of their visits. This article finds that these two groups of tourists represent divergent markets in several cases.
AIMing 2 Curtail Cancer

The dysregulation of the relationship between gut microbiota and innate immune homeostasis can lead to a range of complex diseases. In this issue, Man et al. reveal that the intracellular innate sensor AIM2 regulates microbial and stem cell homeostasis in the gut to protect against colorectal cancer.
Predicting Stored Grain Insect Population Densities Using an Electronic Probe Trap

Manual sampling of insects in stored grain is a laborious and time-consuming process. Automation of grain sampling should help to increase the adoption of stored grain integrated pest management. A new commercial electronic grain probe trap (OPI Insector) has recently been marketed. We field tested OPI Insector electronic grain probes in two bins, each containing 32.6 tonnes of wheat, Triticum aestivum L., over a 2-yr period. We developed new statistical models to convert Insector catch into insects per kilogram. We compared grain sample estimates of insect density (insects per kilogram of wheat) taken near each Insector to the model-predicted insect density by using Insector counts. An existing expert system, Stored Grain Advisor Pro, was modified to automatically read the Insector database and use the appropriate model to estimate Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) density from trap catch counts. Management decisions using Insector trap-catch estimates for insect density were similar to those made using grain sample estimates of insect density for most sampling dates. However, because of the similarity in size of R. dominica and T. castaneum, the software was unable to differentiate counts between these two species. In the central and southern portions of the United States, where both species frequently occur, it may be necessary to determine the proportion of each species present in the grain by manual inspection of trap catch. The combination of SGA Pro with the OPI Insector system should prove to be a useful tool for automatic monitoring of insect pests in stored grain.
A new experimental system for combinatorial exploration of foaming of polymers in carbon dioxide: The gradient foaming of PMMA

Abstract A unique foaming system has been developed to explore the consequences of different pressures and temperatures employed in foaming of polymers in supercritical carbon dioxide. The cell employs a temperature gradient field extending over 25 cm. It thereby generates a continuum of temperatures to which a long strip of polymer is exposed at a given CO2 pressure in a single experiment. It allows a powerful combinatorial approach to explore foaming. This manuscript describes the experimental system and demonstrates its utility in gradient foaming of polymers using long strips (25 cm) of poly(methyl methacrylate) in thick sheet (2.1 mm) and thin film (100 μm) forms at nominal pressures of 14, 21, 28, 35 MPa under an imposed temperature gradient extending over 25 cm with a temperature difference from 40 °C to 125 °C. By generating a rich array of sections foamed at different temperatures at a given pressure, the experimental approach provides new insights not only on the pore formation and growth as a function of pressure and temperature, but also on the importance of other factors such as the time allowed or needed for CO2 sorption and escape, and the changes in the softening and vitrification state of the polymer that are important in cell nucleation, growth, or collapse. Progress of the diffusion front, which is readily identified as the boundary between the plasticized and glassy domains, is documented which provides an assessment of the diffusion coefficient as a function of temperature at a given pressure, and as a function of pressure at a given temperature.
Examination of the relative importance of hospital employment in non-metropolitan counties using location quotients

INTRODUCTION The US Health Care and Social Services sector (North American Industrial Classification System 'sector 62') has become an extremely important component of the nation's economy, employing approximately 18 million workers and generating almost $753 billion in annual payrolls. At the county level, the health care and social services sector is typically the largest or second largest employer. Hospital employment is often the largest component of the sector's total employment. Hospital employment is particularly important to non-metropolitan or rural communities. A high quality healthcare sector serves to promote economic development and attract new businesses and to provide stability in economic downturns. The purpose of this study was to examine the intensity of hospital employment in rural counties relative to the nation as a whole using location quotients and to draw conclusions regarding how potential changes in Medicare and Medicaid might affect rural populations. METHODS Estimates for county-level hospital employment are not commonly available. Estimates of county-level hospital employment were therefore generated for all counties in the USA the Census Bureau's County Business Pattern Data for 2010. These estimates were used to generate location quotients for each county which were combined with demographic data to generate a profile of factors that are related to the magnitude of location quotients. The results were then used to draw inferences regarding the possible impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act 2010 (ACA) and the possible imposition of aspects of the Budget Control Act 2011 (BCA). RESULTS Although a very high percentage of rural counties contain medically underserved areas, an examination of location quotients indicates that the percentage of the county workforce employed by hospitals in the most rural counties tends to be higher than for the nation as a whole, a counterintuitive finding. Further, when location quotients are regressed upon data related to poverty, county demographics, and the percentage of the population insured, a relationship between the proportion of the population over 65 years, the percentage of the population living in poverty, the percentage of the population without insurance and county density was found. CONCLUSION The results of the analysis suggest that hospital employment in rural communities is higher than would be expected in the absence of programs that provide external funding to support hospital hiring. The most important public programs providing this support are Medicare and Medicaid. Social Security is another source of federal funding important for rural populations. Sequestration and other cuts in funding could impact rural communities significantly. This can be even worse in states that fail to expand Medicaid and in states that fail to increase Medicaid reimbursements for services important in rural communities.
Transient Turbulent Natural Convection in Vertical Tubes for Indirect Thermal Energy Storage

In this study, turbulent natural convection heat transfer during the charge cycle of a Thermal Energy Storage system was studied computationally and analytically. The storage fluids were supercritical CO2 and liquid toluene which are stored in vertical and sealed storage tubes. A computational model was developed and validated to study turbulent natural convection during the charge cycle. The results of this study show that the aspect ratio of the storage tube (L/D) has an important effect on the heat transfer characteristics. A conceptual model was developed that views the thermal storage process as a hot boundary layer that rises along the tube wall and falls in the center to replace the cold fluid in the core. This model shows that dimensionless mean temperature of the storage fluid and average Nusselt number are functions of a Buoyancy-Fourier number.Copyright © 2015 by ASME