cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alternate loop-back diagnostic tests for wafer-level diagnosis of modern wireless transceivers using spectral signatures

"Wafer-level diagnosis" of RF systems at production test sites is difficult and incurs high investment cost. One possible solution for integrated RF transceivers is to loop-back the transmitted RF signal to the receiver input thereby enabling source and measure capabilities at lower frequencies using DC probe cards integrated to standard low cost test platforms. The design innovations in modern wireless transceivers limit the previously proposed loop-back methods for continuous wave signals for most GSM, ISM, WLAN and Bluetooth applications. To overcome these limitations, a novel loop-back DFT approach is proposed. When used in conjunction with "alternate diagnosis", transmit and receive subsystem specifications can be decoupled from the final looped-back spectral signature. The key highlight of this work is that: measurements made on commercially available TI ISM microwave transceiver TRF6903 are used to demonstrate the production worthiness of the proposed approach for RF systems.
A differential mobility spectrometry/mass spectrometry platform for the rapid detection and quantitation of DNA adduct dG‐ABP

RATIONALE There is continued interest in exploring new analytical technologies for the detection and quantitation of DNA adducts, biomarkers which provide direct evidence of exposure and genetic damage in cells. With the goal of reducing clean-up steps and improving sample throughput, a Differential Mobility Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry (DMS/MS) platform has been introduced for adduct analysis. METHODS A DMS/MS platform has been utilized for the analysis of dG-ABP, the deoxyguanosine adduct of the bladder carcinogen 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP). After optimization of the DMS parameters, each sample was analyzed in just 30 s following a simple protein precipitation step of the digested DNA. RESULTS A detection limit of one modification in 10^6 nucleosides has been achieved using only 2 µg of DNA. A brief comparison (quantitative and qualitative) with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry is also presented highlighting the advantages of using the DMS/MS method as a high-throughput platform. CONCLUSIONS The data presented demonstrate the successful application of a DMS/MS/MS platform for the rapid quantitation of DNA adducts using, as a model analyte, the deoxyguanosine adduct of the bladder carcinogen 4-aminobiphenyl. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A unified submodular framework for multimodal IC Trojan detection

This paper presents a unified formal framework for integrated circuits (IC) Trojan detection that can simultaneously employ multiple noninvasive measurement types. Hardware Trojans refer to modifications, alterations, or insertions to the original IC for adversarial purposes. The new framework formally defines the IC Trojan detection for each measurement type as an optimization problem and discusses the complexity. A formulation of the problem that is applicable to a large class of Trojan detection problems and is submodular is devised. Based on the objective function properties, an efficient Trojan detection method with strong approximation and optimality guarantees is introduced. Signal processing methods for calibrating the impact of interchip and intra-chip correlations are presented. We propose a number of methods for combining the detections of the different measurement types. Experimental evaluations on benchmark designs reveal the low-overhead and effectiveness of the new Trojan detection framework and provides a comparison of different detection combining methods.
C-terminal truncation of RAP1 results in the deregulation of telomere size, stability, and function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract The Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA-binding protein RAP1 is capable of binding in vitro to sequences from a wide variety of genomic loci, including upstream activating sequence elements, the HML and HMR silencer regions, and the poly(G1-3T) tracts of telomeres. Recent biochemical and genetic studies have suggested that RAP1 physically and functionally interacts with the yeast telomere. To further investigate the role of RAP1 at the telomere, we have identified and characterized three intragenic suppressors of a temperature-sensitive allele of RAP1, rap1-5. These telomere deficiency (rap1t) alleles confer several novel phenotypes. First, telomere tract size elongates to up to 4 kb greater than sizes of wild-type or rap1-5 telomeres. Second, telomeres are highly unstable and are subject to rapid, but reversible, deletion of part or all of the increase in telomeric tract length. Telomeric deletion does not require the RAD52 or RAD1 gene product. Third, chromosome loss and nondisjunction rates are elevated 15- to 30-fold above wild-type levels. Sequencing analysis has shown that each rap1t allele contains a nonsense mutation within a discrete region between amino acids 663 and 684. Mobility shift and Western immunoblot analyses indicate that each allele produces a truncated RAP1 protein, lacking the C-terminal 144 to 165 amino acids but capable of efficient DNA binding. These data suggest that RAP1 is a central regulator of both telomere and chromosome stability and define a C-terminal domain that, while dispensable for viability, is required for these telomeric functions.
Dependency and self-criticism as moderators of interpersonal and achievement stress: The role of initial dysphoria.

Previous research has suggested that dependency and self-criticism may increase adverse reactions to interpersonal and achievement negative life events. However, there has been insufficient attention to the rival hypothesis that these effects may result from preexisting symptoms. What appears to be a stress-enhancing effect for dependency or self-criticism may actually be a stress-enhancing effect for prior distress. This research was a prospective investigation of the role of preexisting dysphoria, dependency, and self-criticism in increasing negative reactions to interpersonal and achievement negative life events. Controlling for initial dysphoria in a prospective design, dependent subjects displayed greater increases in dysphoria following interpersonal events, but not achievement events. Highly self-critical subjects also exhibited greater increases in dysphoria following interpersonal events and displayed a trend for achievement events. However, dysphoric persons displayed greater increases in dysphoria following interpersonal, but not achievement events, suggesting that some of the observed effects for dependency and self-criticism could result from prior dysphoria. When the greater vulnerability of dysphoric persons to interpersonal events was controlled statistically, the ability of cognitive variables to predict reactivity to interpersonal events was reduced substantially.
Pulsed Radiation Effects on Thyratron Tubes

Thyratrons may be fired by intense pulses of nuclear radiation. The results of early experiments to characterize this phenomenon are reexamined in the light of the recent experimental results. Evidence is presented that the tube is fired by gas ionization rather than a radiation induced grid voltage transient. Plate voltage is observed to be an important determinant of the firing criteria. A significant time delay also exists between the radiation stimulus and the firing of the tube. General guidelines are presented for designing circuits which are more resistant to the effects of pulse radiation.
Solution of the Schrödinger Equation in Periodic Lattices with an Application to Metallic Lithium

The problem of solving the Schr\"odinger equation in a periodic lattice is studied from the point of view of the variation-iteration method. This approach leads to a very compact scheme if the potential $V(r)$ is spherically symmetrical within the inscribed spheres of the atomic polyhedra and constant in the space between them. The band structure of the lattice is then determined by (1) geometrical structure constants, characteristic of the type of lattice and (2) the logarithmic derivatives, at the surface of the inscribed sphere, of the $s, p, d, \dots{}$ functions corresponding to $V(r)$. By far the greater part of the labor is involved in the calculation of (1), which needs to be done only once for each type of lattice; (2) can be obtained by numerical integration or directly from the atomic spectra. Although derived from a different point of view, this scheme turns out to be essentially equivalent to one proposed by Korringa on the basis of the theory of lattice interferences. The present paper also contains an application to the conduction band of metallic lithium.
The Journey of Becoming a Mother

Nature intends that the physical and hormonal changes of pregnancy insure the growth and development not just of the baby but of the mother. The physical and emotional changes of pregnancy and, then, labor, birth, and breastfeeding play vital roles in guiding women on the journey of becoming a mother. Standard prenatal care and medicalized labor and birth interfere in powerful ways with nature's plan and, consequently, women's ability to negotiate this journey. In this column, these issues are explored, and implications for childbirth education are discussed.
Observations on the dopaminergic nature of hyperthyroid chorea.

Hyperthyroid chorea is felt to be related to an increased response of striatal dopamine receptors to dopamine. This suggestion is supported by the observation that an agent which blocks dopamine receptors improved chorea in a hyperthyroid patient. An inverse relationship between thyroid status and brain dopamine turnover as estimated by CSF HVA levels was demonstrated. This observation suggests that hyperthyroidism increases the sensitivity of dopamine receptors to dopamine. This is the first example of increased receptor site sensitivity in the brain unassociated with a known structural lesion. An analogous mechanism is felt to be related to Huntington's chorea, but in this disease the increased receptor site response is due to structural alterations of the diseased neuron.
Estimation of Thermal Properties in Carbon/Epoxy Composite Materials during Curing

A new procedure for the transient estimation of the thermal properties of thermoset composite materials during curing is presented. This estimation procedure in volves the minimization of a least s...
Participatory action research and young adults with psychiatric disabilities.

Topic Participatory Action Research (PAR) methods are increasingly being used to include people with psychiatric disabilities in the research production process. PAR places a strong emphasis on collaboration between academic researchers and the disadvantaged community, along with strategies for overcoming barriers to collaboration. Purpose The author describes key principles for engaging young adults with psychiatric disabilities as research associates in a participatory action research (PAR) project. Sources used Over the past decade, the author developed substantial knowledge by leading or co-leading five (5) funded PAR projects with young adults with psychiatric disabilities and has integrated this experience with an analysis of relevant publications. Conclusions and implications for practice The key components for achieving successful PAR with young adult researchers align well with the literature on PAR with adults with psychiatric disabilities. Specific adaptations for transition age youth researchers include mentorship from more experienced researchers and the availability of specialized vocational supports.
Understanding attributes affecting meal choice decisions in a bundling context

Abstract This study examined attributes that contribute to consumer meal choice decisions within a prix fixe menu. Drawing on typologies of consumer purchase behavior, factors potentially influencing consumers’ meal choice are identified and empirically tested. The results showed that consumers consider value for price as the most important consideration for their meal bundle choices. The results also indicated that familiar and healthy foods also contribute to the selection process. However, consumers tend to avoid the risk of choosing new menu items.
Visually guided vehicle: a new system for delivering nonlethal effects

The Visually Guided Vehicle uses the newly available microvideo systems combined with a miniature radio control system to allow precision delivery of non-lethal pyrotechnic combined with a miniature radio control system to allow precision delivery of non-lethal pyrotechnic effects at ranges of 1000 to 2500 meters. The man portable device contains a rocket powered, tube launched vehicle which powers to apogee and glides downward into the desired location. This semi-powered design saves significant weight. This paper will highlight the test data, photographs, and videotape of both the electronic components used in the design and the final non-lethal effects made possible by the complete system.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Superstable manifolds of invariant circles and codimension-one Böttcher functions

Let f : X 99K X be a dominant meromorphic self-map, where X is a compact, connected complex manifold of dimension n > 1. Suppose there is an embedded copy of P that is invariant under f , with f holomorphic and transversally superattracting with degree a in some neighborhood. Suppose f restricted to this line is given by z 7→ z, with resulting invariant circle S. We prove that if a ≥ b, then the local stable manifold W loc(S) is real analytic. In fact, we state and prove a suitable localized version that can be useful in wider contexts. We then show that the condition a ≥ b cannot be relaxed without adding additional hypotheses by presenting two examples with a < b for which W loc(S) is not real analytic in the neighborhood of any point.
Progesterone reduces the effect of the serotonin 1B/1D receptor antagonist, GR 127935, on lordosis behavior.

Ovariectomized rats were hormonally primed with 10 μg estradiol benzoate or with estradiol benzoate plus 500 μg progesterone. Rats received a bilateral infusion with 200 ng of the 5-HT1B/1D receptor antagonist, N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)phenyl]-2′-methyl-4′-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)-1-1′-biphenyl-4-carboxamide hydrochloride (GR 127935), into the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN), followed by a 5 min restraint or home cage experience. In estrogen-primed females that had experienced minimal handling between ovariectomy and use in the experiment, infusion with the water vehicle transiently inhibited lordosis behavior, and the 5-HT1B/1D receptor antagonist amplified this inhibition. There were no effects in rats hormonally primed with estrogen and progesterone. Handling for two days before the experiment reduced the effects of the infusions in estrogen-primed rats. However, when a 5 min restraint experience followed infusion with GR 127935, there was a significant decline in lordosis behavior that persisted for 10 to 15 min after the experience. Regardless of the prior experience or type of infusion, the addition of progesterone to the hormonal priming completely prevented the lordosis inhibition. These findings are consistent with prior evidence that progesterone protects against the inhibitory effects of a 5 min restraint experience on lordosis behavior. Moreover, these are the first experiments to demonstrate an inhibitory effect of a selective 5-HT1B/1D receptor antagonist in the VMN on lordosis behavior of estrogen primed, but not estrogen and progesterone primed, ovariectomized rats.
Abstract 2305: Identifying inhibitors of Epithelial-mesenchymal transition to prevent metastasis using global gene expression profile and a systems biology tool

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Acquisition of mesenchymal phenotype by epithelial cells by a process known as “Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)” is considered an initiating event in the process of tumor metastasis. EMT confers certain fundamental abilities to cancer cells that are essential for metastasis which includes the ability to invade, induce immunosuppression, resistance to anoikis and therapeutic agents. The gene expression signature of EMT was shown to correlate with poor differentiation of tumors and patient survival. In addition, EMT was implicated in conferring stem cell like properties to resulting mesenchymal cells, highlighting the relevance of this process in metastasis. Therefore, inhibition of EMT is a rational therapeutic strategy to prevent metastasis. Among the cytokines rich in tumor microenvironment Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a potent inducer of EMT. Utilizing the global gene expression profile following TGF-β-induced EMT in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell line, here we demonstrate a systems biology approach for identifying potential EMT inhibitors. In this approach, a publicly available data base (www.broad.mit.edu/cmap) comprising of gene expression profiles obtained from four different cell lines in response to 164 compounds which include both FDA approved drugs and non-drug bioactive agents, was used to derive negative correlations to EMT gene expression profile using Connectivity map, a pattern matching tool. This analysis identified a list of compounds with significant negative C-scores which may serve as potential EMT inhibitors. The molecules with the highly significant negative C-scores include inhibitors of PI3K (LY294002, Wortmanin), mTOR (Tacrolimus, Sirolimus), HSP90 (Geldanamycin) and COX1/2 (Indomethacin, Aspirin), and a PPAR-γ agonist Troglitazone. With the exception of PI3K inhibitors, the other molecules are potential new EMT inhibitors. PI3K inhibitors were previously demonstrated to inhibit EMT in breast epithelial cells. So far, we validated the ability of Troglitazone, PI3K and mTOR inhibitors to block TGF-β-induced EMT in A549 cells and in all cases we demonstrated that these molecules can selectively block acquisition of mesenchymal phenotype but have no effect on the loss of epithelial phenotype during EMT. Consistently, these molecules also inhibited EMT-induced migration and invasion of A549 cells. Validations of other molecules with significant C-scores are in progress. Above data demonstrates that connectivity maps based systems approach is a viable strategy and identifies inhibitors of PI3K and mTOR and agonists of PPAR-γ as potential therapeutic agents for prevention of metastasis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2305.
A Historical Summary of Alabama's Old Rotation (circa 1896): The World's Oldest, Continuous Cotton Experiment

After more than 110 yr, the Old Rotation experiment on the campus of Auburn University in Alabama continues to document the long-term effects of crop rotation and winter legume cover crops on sustainable cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production in the southeastern United States. Long-term yields indicate that winter legumes are as effective as fertilizer N in producing maximum cotton yields and increasing soil organic carbon (SOC). Higher SOC resulted in higher crop yields. However, rotating cotton with corn (Zea mays L.) in a 2-yr rotation or with corn, winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and soybean [Glycine max. (L.) Merr.] in a 3-yr rotation produced little long-term cotton yield advantage beyond that associated with SOC. Cotton yields without winter legumes nor fertilizer N are only slightly higher than they were 110 yr ago. Nonirrigated corn grain yields in rotation with cotton are typically low for central Alabama and appear limited by N. Yields of all crops on the Old Rotation increased with increasing rates of P and K through the 1950s. Since adoption of in-row subsoiling, high-residue, conservation tillage, and genetically modified cultivars in 1997, all crops have produced their highest, nonirrigated, recorded yields since the experiment began: 1910 kg cotton lint ha -1 in 2006, 14.8 Mg corn grain ha -1 in 1999,6.34 Mg wheat ha -1 in 2001, and 4.50 Mg soybean ha -1 in 2004.
A data parallel algorithm for solving the region growing problem on the connection machine

Abstract Region growing is a general technique for image segmentation, where image characteristics are used to group adjacent pixels together to form regions. This paper presents a parallel algorithm for solving the region growing problem based on the split-and-merge approach, and uses it to test and compare various parallel architectures and programming models. The implementations were done on the Connection Machine, models CM-2 and CM-5, in the data parallel and message passing programming models. Randomization was introduced in breaking ties during merging to increase the degree of parallelism, and only one- and two-dimensional arrays of data were used in the implementations.
The effect of law enforcement stress on organizational commitment

Purpose – This study takes an interdisciplinary research orientation in an attempt to comprehensively investigate the effects of police stress internal to the organization (i.e. role ambiguity, role conflict, supervisor support, group cohesiveness, and promotion opportunities) on organizational commitment, after controlling for the effects of job satisfaction. Existing empirical models have mainly been limited to analyses of the effects of role conflict and role ambiguity on job strain and rely on samples of salespeople, customer satisfaction employees, and retail managers working at private organizations to the neglect of not‐for‐profit organizations.Design/methodology/approach – Therefore, the underlying research hypotheses were tested using responses to 150 surveys from police officers of six law enforcement agencies.Findings – Results indicate that in addition to job satisfaction, supervisor's support, group cohesiveness, and promotion opportunities are the best predictors of organizational commitment...
Comparison of Prostate-Specific Promoters and the Use of PSP-Driven Virotherapy for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men today. Although virus-based gene therapy is a promising strategy to combat advanced prostate cancer, its current effectiveness is limited partially due to inefficient cellular transduction in vivo. To overcome this obstacle, conditional oncolytic viruses (such as conditional replication adenovirus (CRAD)) are developed to specifically target prostate without (or with minimal) systemic toxicity due to viral self-replication. In this study, we have analyzed and compared three prostate-specific promoters (PSA, probasin, and MMTV LTR) for their specificity and activity both in vitro and in vivo. Both mice model with xenograft prostate tumor model and canine model were used. The best PSP was selected to construct a prostate-specific oncolytic adenovirus (CRAD) by controlling the adenoviral E1 region. The efficacy and specificity of CRAD on prostate cancer cells were examined in cell culture and animal models.
Head and neck hemangiomas of infancy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Hemangiomas are the most common benign tumor in infancy, affecting approximately 10% of infants. More than half of hemangiomas involve the head and neck. Increased understanding of hemangiomas has come about from identification of immunohistochemical markers, developmental defects associated with certain hemangiomas, and morphologic and classification schemes (focal versus segmental). RECENT FINDINGS Immunohistochemical markers have been identified which are specific to hemangiomas in all phases of development and involution. Morphologic subtypes and anatomic locations have been identified that place an infant at higher risk for complications from the hemangioma. Hemangiomas associated with other developmental anomalies have been identified, which help guide the treating physician to tease out which infants will need more complete systemic investigations or imaging. Importantly for surgeons, studies have continued to identify which lesions may benefit from early intervention, either surgical or medical. SUMMARY While full understanding of the mechanisms that turn on and turn off hemangiomas of infancy is not complete, progress has been made in identification of markers, subtypes at increased risk for complications, and in treatment. With continued work in these areas, we have increased knowledge of treatment options, optimal timing of surgical intervention, and ultimately, preventive options.
Assessment of the Transfer Penalty for Transit Trips Geographic Information System-Based Disaggregate Modeling Approach

Transit riders negatively perceive transfers because of their inconvenience, often referred to as a transfer penalty. Understanding what affects the transfer penalty can have significant implications for a transit authority and also lead to potential improvements in ridership forecasting models. A new method was developed to assess the transfer penalty on the basis of onboard survey data, a partial path choice model, and geographic information system techniques. This approach was applied to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority subway system in downtown Boston. The new method improves the estimates of the transfer penalty, reduces the complexity of data processing, and improves the overall understanding of the perception of transfers.
Is the world's oxygen supply threatened?

IN an address entitled “Can the World be Saved ?” presented in 1967 at the AAAS Meetings in New York1, Lamont C. Cole expressed concern that the release into the ocean of pesticides and/or other toxic pollutants may, by poisoning the marine diatoms, “bring disaster upon, ourselves” in cutting off 70 per cent or more of the world's supply of photosynthetically produced oxygen. This particular doomsday prophecy has gained momentum very significantly in the ensuing 2 years and is now a recurrent theme in almost any discussion of the environment and its abuses by man. This is true not only of dialogue in the popular press and on television but in scientific circles as well. For example, at a recent symposium on primary productivity held at the State University of New York at Albany (March 12–13, 1970) the subject was invoked repeatedly in discussions following papers dealing with natural photosynthetic processes. Clearly, this has become a matter of serious concern. Is it justified ?
Light diffraction efficiency of acoustic surface waves

Measurements of the angular dependence of the efficiency of light diffraction by acoustic surface waves on crystalline quartz are presented. From these and other measurements on LiNbO(3) it is concluded that the largest diffraction efficiencies obtainable at present from acoustic surface waves are on the order of a few percent except in the special configuration where Bragg diffraction can be utilized. The significance of these measurements with respect to the operation of practical light deflection devices is discussed.
Intracerebral injection of gamma vinyl GABA: method for measuring rates of GABA synthesis in specific brain regions in vivo.

In order to obtain an index of the rate of GABA synthesis in different rat brain regions, we examined the rate of accumulation of GABA after irreversible inhibition of GABA-transaminase. Gamma-vinyl-GABA (GVG), a catalytic inhibitor of GABA-transaminase, was microinjected directly into each of four brain areas: superior colliculus (SC), substantia nigra (SN), frontal cortex (CTX) and caudate-putamen (CP). The subsequent rate of GABA accumulation was linear for at least 90 min in all regions, and was found to be 2–3 times higher in the SC and SN than in the CTX and CP. The nerve terminal contribution to the initial rate of GABA accumulation after GVG was determined by comparing values obtained in the intact SN with those obtained in the SN in which the GABAergic afferent terminals had been destroyed. The initial rate of GABA accumulation in the denervated SN was less than one-half of that measured in the intact SN, indicating that, under normal conditions, both nerve-terminal and non-nerve-terminal (perikarya, glia) compartments contribute to the rate of GABA accumulation after GABA-transaminase inhibition. Our results indicate that the intracerebral injection of GVG is a sensitive and reliable method for studying invivo GABA synthesis in brain. Although the rate of GABA accumulation after GVG is sensitive to changes in the nerve terminal compartment, other GABA compartments may also influence these measurements.
CALHM1 controls the Ca2+-dependent MEK, ERK, RSK and MSK signaling cascade in neurons

Calcium homeostasis modulator 1 (CALHM1) is a Ca(2+) channel controlling neuronal excitability and potentially involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although strong evidence indicates that CALHM1 is required for neuronal electrical activity, its role in intracellular Ca(2+) signaling remains unknown. In the present study, we show that in hippocampal HT-22 cells, CALHM1 expression led to a robust and relatively selective activation of the Ca(2+)-sensing kinases ERK1/2. CALHM1 also triggered activation of MEK1/2, the upstream ERK1/2-activating kinases, and of RSK1/2/3 and MSK1, two downstream effectors of ERK1/2 signaling. CALHM1-mediated activation of ERK1/2 signaling was controlled by the small GTPase Ras. Pharmacological inhibition of CALHM1 permeability using Ruthenium Red, Zn(2+), and Gd(3+), or expression of the CALHM1 N140A and W114A mutants, which are deficient in mediating Ca(2+) influx, prevented the effect of CALHM1 on the MEK, ERK, RSK and MSK signaling cascade, demonstrating that CALHM1 controlled this pathway via its channel properties. Importantly, expression of CALHM1 bearing the natural P86L polymorphism, which leads to a partial loss of CALHM1 function and is associated with an earlier age at onset in AD patients, showed reduced activation of ERK1/2, RSK1/2/3, and MSK1. In line with these results obtained in transfected cells, primary cerebral neurons isolated from Calhm1 knockout mice showed significant impairments in the activation of MEK, ERK, RSK and MSK signaling. The present study identifies a previously uncharacterized mechanism of control of Ca(2+)-dependent ERK1/2 signaling in neurons, and further establishes CALHM1 as a critical ion channel for neuronal signaling and function.
Mathematical model for folding of layering near rigid objects in shear deformation

Abstract The asymmetric arrangement of deformed layering around rigid objects in shear zones is among the most reliable criteria for inferring shear sense in rock. A mathematical model which simulates shear deformation of a ductile medium containing a rigid inclusion gives insight into the genesis of this type of shear sense indicator. The model, which is based on the velocity field solution for viscous flow around a sphere, demonstrates that many common strtuctures can arise in a mechanically passive matrix. As the model simulates increasing shear strain, structures in the matrix pass through distinct evolutionary stages. Similar results have been obtained in experimental models, suggesting that it may be possible to read shear strain magnitude from the geometry of deformed layering near clasts and porphyroclasts in sheared rocks.
Comparative toxicity of solid waste leachates to Daphnia magna

Abstract The comparative acute and chronic toxicities of municipal, industrial, coal-fired power plant, and synthetic fuel solid waste leachates to the aquatic invertebrate Daphnia magna were determined. Seventeen leachates were laboratory-derived by extraction with 0.5 N acetic acid, and one, an arsenic-contaminated groundwater, was naturally derived. The acute toxicity 48-h LC50 estimates (concentrations of the test materials that killed 50% of the test organisms in 48 h) ranged from 0.0005% for a dye waste leachate to > 100% (i.e., undiluted) for a coal gasification waste leachate. The most toxic leachates were derived from a dye waste, a plater's waste, and the arsenic-contaminated groundwater, and the least toxic were from a soybean process cake waste and a coal gasification waste. Of the 16 leachates used in the 28 day chronic toxicity tests, only the arsenic-contaminated groundwater and a municipal sewage sludge significantly affected D. magna reproduction. The former material at 1.0% concentration and the sludge at 0.1% caused about an 88% reduction in the numbers of young produced by exposed females compared with controls. Generally, the industrial waste leachates were more toxic than those from the power plant and synthetic fuel wastes. Because its presence in the test materials interfered with interpretation of the results, acetic acid may not be an appropriate extraction medium for preparation of leachates.
Multiresolution-fractal feature extraction and tumor detection: analytical modeling and implementation

We propose formal analytical models for identification of tumors in medical images based on the hypothesis that the tumors have a fractal (self-similar) growth behavior. Therefore, the images of these tumors may be characterized as Fractional Brownian motion (fBm) processes with a fractal dimension (D) that is distinctly different than that of the image of the surrounding tissue. In order to extract the desired features that delineate different tissues in a MR image, we study multiresolution signal decomposition and its relation to fBm. The fBm has proven successful to modeling a variety of physical phenomena and non-stationary processes, such as medical images, that share essential properties such as self-similarity, scale invariance and fractal dimension (D). We have developed the theoretical framework that combines wavelet analysis with multiresolution fBm to compute D.
Grocery Store Politics: Leading the Rural Community College

Rural America is characterized by decreasing populations, increasing poverty, limited economic growth, and limited access to cultural events. The context of the rural environment makes leading colleges in these locations different than in larger, more urban regions. The research reported here investigated the experience of rural community college leaders to determine more about the phenomenon of how they constructed their leadership given their rural context. Findings indicate less anonymity for rural community college leaders, a reliance on relationship building to accomplish goals, and a smaller local peer network to aid in reflecting upon the duties of the president.
Trends in the management of intertrochanteric femur fractures in the United States 2005-2011.

OBJECTIVES In the last 2 decades, surgical treatment of intertrochanteric (IT) femur fractures has shown a continuing trend towards the increased use of intramedullary nails (IMN) and decreased use of sliding hip screws (SHS). Recent trends in the United States regarding the use of these implants, including charges and reimbursement, have not been investigated. METHODS A national database of Medicare patients (PearlDiver, Inc.) was queried using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for patients with surgical dates from 2005-2011. RESULTS A total of 34,759 SHS or IMN procedures for intertrochanteric femur fractures were identified from 2005-2011. There was a significant increase in the percentage of IMN compared to SHS, from 46.9% IMN in 2005 to 79.1% in 2011. The average charges for IMN and SHS increased. Statistically higher rates of PE (p<0.001), DVT (p<0.001), MI (p<0.001), respiratory failure (p<0.001), UTI (p<0.001), pneumonia (p<0.001), CVA (p<0.001) and blood transfusion (p<0.001) were noted in the IMN group. The SHS group had higher 1 year (4.3% vs 3.8%, p = 0.012) and 2 year (5.8% vs 5.0%, p = 0.002) mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS The previously recognised trend of increasing use of IMN for IT femur fractures has continued. The overall incidence of operative IT femur fractures is not increasing at this time. The cost of IMN remains higher than SHS.
Fabrication of nanoscale gratings with reduced line edge roughness using nanoimprint lithography

Line edge roughness is an important factor contributing to the problem of performance degradation in various nanoscale devices. We have developed two smoothing techniques based on nanoimprint lithography for the fabrication of nanoscale gratings with significantly reduced line edge roughness. Compared with other smoothing techniques reported before, our methods are low-cost, effective, and easy to implement. These technologies have been used for the fabrication of smooth nanochannels for stretching and separating double-stranded DNA molecules. They are also compatible with a wide range of materials and applications, including subwavelength optics, bioanalysis and micro/nano-fluidic systems.
Effects of feeding and light intensity on the response of the coral Porites rus to ocean acidification

Recently, it has been suggested that there are conditions under which some coral species appear to be resistant to the effects of ocean acidification. To test if such resistance can be explained by environmental factors such as light and food availability, the present study investigated the effect of 3 feeding regimes crossed with 2 light levels on the response of the coral Porites rus to 2 levels of pCO2 at 28 °C. After 1, 2, and 3 weeks of incubation under experimental conditions, none of the factors—including pCO2—significantly affected area-normalized calcification and biomass-normalized calcification. Biomass also was unaffected during the first 2 weeks, but after 3 weeks, corals that were fed had more biomass per unit area than starved corals. These results suggest that P. rus is resistant to short-term exposure to high pCO2, regardless of food availability and light intensity. P. rus might therefore represent a model system for exploring the genetic basis of tolerance to OA.
The effect of excessively elastic expectations on exchange-rate volatility in the Dornbusch overshooting model

Abstract Bilson has described the empirical finding that the forward exchange rate overestimates the speed of return to equilibrium as a finding of ‘excessive speculation’, and has drawn implications for the volatility of the exchange rate. The present paper pursues this tack within the sticky-price monetary model made famous by Dornbusch. It is shown theoretically that if the market overestimates the speed of adjustment, the degree of overshooting is reduced. In this sense ‘excessive speculation’ leads to reduced volatility.
Contested Identity and Foreign Policy: Interpreting Russia's International Choices

This paper develops a framework for interpreting state international policy by treating national identity as inherently contested. Building on insights from constructivist literature, it proposes a technique for establishing the meaning of foreign policy action on several interrelated levels: state-based, society-based, and international. The paper illustrates the benefits of the approach by selecting the example of Russia's European diplomacy under President Dmitri Medvedev. By studying how officials themselves justify their policies and how these policies are then perceived in broader social and international settings, we have an opportunity to develop a rich understanding of a particular state action, as well as tentatively assess the chances of this action's success or failure.
Bleeding from esophageal varices exacerbated by splenic arterial-venous fistula: complete transcatheter obliterative therapy.

A cirrhotic patient who had previously undergone both mesocaval shunting and transthoracic esophageal and gastric devascularization with splenectomy (Sugiura procedure) presented with recurring intractable variceal hemorrhage. Diagnostic visceral angiography demonstrated a large splenic arterial-venous fistula and gastroesophageal varices. Transarterial occlusion of the fistula and transhepatic obliteration of the varices successfully done at one sitting prevented further bleeding. Follow-up angiography nine months later revealed persistent occlusion of the previous fistula and no evidence of esophageal varices.
Implementation of Olfactory Bulb Glomerular-Layer Computations in a Digital Neurosynaptic Core

We present a biomimetic system that captures essential functional properties of the glomerular layer of the mammalian olfactory bulb, specifically including its capacity to decorrelate similar odor representations without foreknowledge of the statistical distributions of analyte features. Our system is based on a digital neuromorphic chip consisting of 256 leaky-integrate-and-fire neurons, 1024x256 crossbar synapses, and AER communication circuits. The neural circuits configured in the chip reflect established connections among mitral cells, periglomerular cells, external tufted cells and superficial short axon cells within the olfactory bulb, and accept input from convergent sets of sensors configured as olfactory sensory neurons. This configuration generates functional transformations comparable to those observed in the glomerular layer of the mammalian olfactory bulb. Our circuits, consuming only 45 pJ of active power per spike with a power supply voltage of 0.85V, can be used as the first stage of processing in low-power artificial chemical sensing devices inspired by natural olfactory systems.
A new robust algorithm for fully automated determination of attractor interaction lines in molecules

Abstract A new algorithm for locating bond critical points and attractor interaction lines in molecules is described. The drawbacks of the conventional algorithm, which include occasional divergence and the need for good starting coordinates, are completely eliminated. The new approach employs parametric equations to describe the attractor interaction lines. It requires only the electron density and the Cartesian coordinates of nuclei as input, meaning that all of the bond critical points can be located in a completely automated fashion. The performance of the new algorithm is demonstrated for several medium-size and large molecules.
A novel mechanism for connexin 26 mutation linked deafness: cell death caused by leaky gap junction hemichannels.

Objectives: Mutations in connexin (Cx) 26 are the most common cause of nonsyndromic hereditary hearing impairments. Our goal is to investigate molecular mechanisms responsible for hearing impairment caused by various types of Cx26 mutations. Study Design: Mutant Cxs linked to deafness were expressed in HEK293 cells. The permeability of reconstituted gap junctions (GJs) and hemichannels were studies. Methods: HEK293 cells were used to reconstitute GJs and hemichannels in vitro. Ionic as well as biochemical permeabilities of reconstituted GJs were evaluated. Results: We found two-point substitution mutations located in the first extracellular loop of Cx26, E47K, and G45E affected the GJ functions in dramatically different manners. E47K mutant Cx26 formed nonfunctional GJs that lacked GJ- and hemichannel-mediated biochemical and ionic coupling. In contrast, G45E mutation resulted in apoptosis and cell death within 24 hours of transfection. Increasing concentration of extracellular calcium ([Ca2+]o) rescued the cells in a dose-dependent manner. The rescued cells formed functional G45E GJs permeable to both ions and fluorescent tracer molecules. Conclusions: The primary effect of G45E Cx26 mutation is to cause leaky GJ hemichannels when cells are bathed in normal [Ca2+]o. Our data showed that abnormally open hemichannels with resultant cell death, in addition to GJ and hemichannel uncoupling, is a novel molecular mechanism by which Cx26 mutations may result in hearing impairment. One plausible therapeutic strategy for this type of Cx mutation, therefore, is to manipulate [Ca2+]o and/or the Ca2+-binding affinity of GJ hemichannels.
Another Notch on the belt

In this issue, Joshi and colleagues show that Notch-1 regulates cell cycle by targeting expression of cyclinD3 and Cdk4/6. This article adds to the growing body of literature pointing to aberrant Notch activity as a master controller during T-ALL pathogenesis. T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T
The green tea polyphenol (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits magnesium binding to the C-domain of cardiac troponin C

Cardiac muscle contraction is activated via the single Ca2+-binding site (site II) in the N-domain of troponin C (cTnC). The two Ca2+/Mg2+ binding sites in the C-domain of cTnC (sites III and IV) have been considered to play a purely structural role in anchoring cTnC to the thin filament. However, several recent discoveries suggest a possible role of this domain in contractile regulation. The green tea polyphenol (−)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCg), which binds specifically to the C-domain of cTnC, reduces cardiac myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity along with maximum force and acto-myosin ATPase activity. We have determined the effect of EGCg on Ca2+ and Mg2+ binding to the C-domain of cTnC. In the absence of Mg2+ there was no significant effect of EGCg on the Ca2+–cTnC affinity. Surprisingly, in the presence of Mg2+ EGCg caused an increase in Ca2+ affinity for sites III and IV of cTnC. However, in the absence of Ca2+ the addition of EGCg caused a significant reduction in Mg2+–cTnC affinity. This reduction is presumably responsible for the increase in Ca2+–cTnC affinity produced by EGCg in the presence of Mg2+. We propose that the inhibitory effect of EGCg on myofilament Ca2+ activation may be related to an enhanced Ca2+–Mg2+exchange at sites III and IV of cTnC, which might reduce the myosin crossbridge dependent component of thin filament activation.
Neutron spin structure in the valence quark region

I present in this talk the latest results of the neutron spin physics program at Jefferson Laboratory in Hall A using the highly polarized electron beam and a high pressure polarized 3He target. This program includes among others experiment E99-117 in which the neutron spin asymmetry was measured in the deep inelastic region with high precision. This asymmetry is observed, for the first time, to change sign from negative to positive values between 0.3 < x < 0.6. Furthermore we perform a flavor decomposition of the spin-dependent to spin-independent quark distributions ratios in the nucleon and find that relativistic quark models are in better agreement than pQCD fits using the hadron helicity conservation constraint as x ® 1.
Phospholipase C-β1 is a GTPase-activating protein for Gq/11, its physiologic regulator

Abstract Purified M1 muscarinic cholinergic receptor and G q/11 were coreconstituted in lipid vesicles. Addition of purified phospholipase C-β1 (PLC-β1) further stimulated the receptor-promoted steady-state GTPase activity of G q/11 up to 20-fold. Stimulation depended upon receptor-mediated GTP-GDP exchange. Addition of PLC-β1 caused a rapid burst of hydrolysis of G q/11 -bound GTP that was at least 50-fold faster than in its absence. Thus, PLC-β1 stimulates hydrolysis of G q/11 -bound GTP and acts as a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for its physiologic regulator, G q/11 . GTPase-stimulating activity was specific both for PLC-β1 and G q/11 . Such GAP activity by an effector coupled to a trimeric G protein can reconcile slow GTP hydrolysis by pure G proteins in vitro with fast physiologic deactivation of G protein-mediated signaling.