cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonperfect synchronization of reaction center rehybridization in the transition state of the hydride transfer catalyzed by dihydrofolate reductase.

It has been suggested that the magnitudes of secondary kinetic isotope effects (2° KIEs) of enzyme-catalyzed reactions are an indicator of the extent of reaction-center rehybridization at the transition state. A 2° KIE value close to the corresponding secondary equilibrium isotope effects (2° EIE) is conventionally interpreted as indicating a late transition state that resembles the final product. The reliability of using this criterion to infer the structure of the transition state is examined by carrying out a theoretical investigation of the hybridization states of the hydride donor and acceptor in the Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (ecDHFR)-catalyzed reaction for which a 2° KIE close to the 2° EIE was reported. Our results show that the donor carbon at the hydride transfer transition state resembles the reactant state more than the product state, whereas the acceptor carbon is more productlike, which is a symptom of transition state imbalance. The conclusion that the isotopically substituted...
Enhancement of viral infectivity by cytochalasin

Abstract Cytochalasins B and D enhance the infectivity of poliovirus; a 5-fold increase in viral titer occurs on treatment of cells with 4–6 μg/ml of either congener. At lower concentrations, however, CD is more effective than CB in increasing the infectibility of cells. The enhancement of viral infectivity occurs whether CD is applied to the cells before and during viral attachment, or after penetration has occurred. CD does not affect the attachment, penetration, or elution of radiolabeled poliovirus, and only minimally stimulates uncoating. Enhancement of infectivity progressively declines as the time of addition of cytochalasin after viral penetration is prolonged. We conclude that cytochalasin affects some event(s) early in the eclipse period of polioviral development. Pretreatment of Vero cells with dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′:5′-monophosphate antagonizes the effect of CD on the infectivity of poliovirus. Cytochalasin also increased the infectivity of other RNA viruses including parainfluenza virus. However, no augmentation of infectivity is found with vaccinia, and infectibility with adenovirus is decreased by CD.
Island-size scaling in surface deposition processes

Diffusion-mediated nucleation and growth of islands during deposition occurs essentially irreversibly in a variety of systems. We provide a scaling theory for the full island-size distribution, both with the ratio of surface diffusion to deposition rates and with time. Scaling functions and exponents are determined by simulation and explained analytically by an unconventional rate-equation analysis. Experimental tests for theoretical predictions are discussed, including the scaling of superlattice beam profiles for diffraction studies of heteroepitaxial systems.
Light and electron microscopic analysis of KChIP and Kv4 localization in rat cerebellar granule cells.

Potassium channels are key determinants of neuronal excitability. We recently identified KChIPs as a family of calcium binding proteins that coassociate and colocalize with Kv4 family potassium channels in mammalian brain (An et al. [2000] Nature 403:553). Here, we used light microscopic immunohistochemistry and multilabel immunofluorescence labeling, together with transmission electron microscopic immunohistochemistry, to examine the subcellular distribution of KChIPs and Kv4 channels in adult rat cerebellum. Light microscopic immunohistochemistry was performed on 40-μm free-floating sections using a diaminobenzidine labeling procedure. Multilabel immunofluorescence staining was performed on free-floating sections and on 1-μm ultrathin cryosections. Electron microscopic immunohistochemistry was performed using an immunoperoxidase pre-embedding labeling procedure. By light microscopy, immunoperoxidase labeling showed that Kv4.2, Kv4.3, and KChIPs 1, 3, and 4 (but not KChIP2) were expressed at high levels in cerebellar granule cells (GCs). Kv4.2 and KChIP1 were highly expressed in GCs in rostral cerebellum, whereas Kv4.3 was more highly expressed in GCs in caudal cerebellum. Immunofluorescence labeling revealed that KChIP1 and Kv4.2 are concentrated in somata of cerebellar granule cells and in synaptic glomeruli that surround synaptophysin-positive mossy fiber axon terminals. Electron microscopic analysis revealed that KChIP1 and Kv4.2 immunoreactivity is concentrated along the plasma membrane of cerebellar granule cell somata and dendrites. In synaptic glomeruli, KChIP1 and Kv4.2 immunoreactivity is concentrated along the granule cell dendritic membrane, but is not concentrated at postsynaptic densities. Taken together, these data suggest that A-type potassium channels containing Kv4.2 and KChIP1, and perhaps also KChIP3 and 4, play a critical role in regulating postsynaptic excitability at the cerebellar mossy-fiber/granule cell synapse. J. Comp. Neurol. 484:144–155, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Insertion, deletion robust audio watermarking: a set theoretic, dynamic programming approach

Desynchronization vulnerabilities have limited audio watermarking’s success in applications such as digital rights management (DRM). Our work extends (blind-detection) spread spectrum (SS) watermarking to withstand time scale desynchronization (insertion/deletions) by applying dynamic programming (DP). Detection uses short SS watermark blocks with a novel O(N logN) correlation algorithm. These calculations provide robustness to time shifts and the resulting offsets to the watermarking domain transform. To withstand insertion/deletion, DP techniques then search for sequences of blocks rather than detecting SS watermarks individually. This allows DP techniques to govern the tradeoff between long/short SS blocks for non-desynchronization/desynchronization robustness. However, high dimensional searches and short SS blocks both increase false detection rates. Consequently, we verify detections between multiple, simultaneously embedded watermarks. Embedding multiple watermarks while considering host interference, compression robustness, and perceptual degradation to the host audio is a complex problem, solved using a set theoretic embedding framework. Proposed techniques improve performance by multiple orders of magnitude compared with naive SS schemes. Results also demonstrate the tradeoff between non-desynchronization/desynchronization robustness.
Foreign ownership in Chinese joint ventures: A transaction cost analysis

The transaction cost framework is used to identify the factors that influence the percent ownership of foreign partners in joint ventures with China. The ownership literature is extended and new empirical evidence of the theoretical predictions is presepted. Sociocultural distance, economic risks and industry-related factors are identified as potential factors determining the percent ownership. The findings support the prescribed relationships of the first two factors and not the third, probably due to the fact that old technologies are being transferred to China in a joint venture partnership.
TGF-β1 signaling controls retinal pericyte contractile protein expression

To define the role of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in modulating pericyte contractile phenotype, we have ablated the TGF-β signaling pathway by infection with a retrovirus bearing a TGF-β type II receptor with a truncated C-terminal intracellular kinase domain (DNTβRII). While TGF-β1 blocks pericyte proliferation and induces the expression of vascular smooth muscle contractile proteins in wild-type pericytes, DNTβRII-bearing pericytes are neither growth inhibited by TGF-β1 nor do they accumulate α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) mRNA or protein. TGF-β1 induces expression of the myogenic transcription factor myf-5 and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27; we show that these signaling pathways are disrupted in the DNTβRII-bearing pericytes. These observations demonstrate that the TGF-β1 signaling pathway controls pericyte growth state and contractile phenotype.
Regulation of BCR signal transduction in B-1 cells requires the expression of the Src family kinase Lck

Although found predominantly in the peritoneal and pleural cavities, B-1 cells are also present in other peripheral tissues such as spleen and lung. While similar in surface phenotypes, such as CD5, all B-1 cells are not equivalent in their response to stimuli. Here, we report that the src family kinase Lck is required to confer the BCR hyporesponsiveness typical of CD5+ B-1 cells and appears involved in the maintenance of their unique function. Splenic B-1 cells express CD5 but not Lck and are not hyporesponsive; however, within the peritoneum, these B-1 cells are induced to express Lck and acquire a hyporesponsive phenotype. Peritoneal B-1 cells from lck-deficient mice, while CD5+, no longer exhibit attenuated BCR signaling. Interestingly, lck-null mice exhibited increased natural antibody levels characteristic of B-1 cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate a key role for Lck in modulating the signaling and cellular fate of B-1 B cells.
The tet-off system is more effective than the tet-on system for regulating transgene expression in a single adenovirus vector

Background Control of transgene expression in mammalian cells is desirable for gene therapy and the study of gene function in basic research. This study evaluates the functionality of single adenovirus (Ad) vectors containing a tetracycline-controllable expression system (tet-off or tet-on system). Methods An Ad-mediated binary transgene expression system was generated containing a tet-off or a tet-on system, which introduced the gene of interest with a tetracycline-regulatable promoter and the tetracycline-responsive transcriptional activator gene into the E1 and E3 deletion regions, respectively. The functionality of the Ad-mediated tet-off and tet-on systems was compared under various conditions in vitro and in vivo. Results The Ad vector containing the tet-off system provided negative control of gene expression ranging from 20- to 500-fold, depending on the cell type and condition. In contrast, the Ad vector containing the tet-on system increased gene expression by only 2- to 28-fold and required about two-log orders higher concentration of an inducer (doxycycline) to switch on the gene expression, compared with the Ad vector containing the tet-off system. Conclusion Ad vectors containing the tet-off system are a better choice for regulated gene expression than Ad vectors containing the tet-on system. Single Ad vectors containing the tetracycline-controllable expression system will greatly facilitate in vitro and in vivo analyses of gene function and may be useful for gene therapy. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Management of acute and chronic vascular conditions of the hand

Management of acute and chronic vascular disorders of the hand in patients with vasospastic and vaso-occlusive disorders is a complex problem and requires a multidisciplinary approach. The ischemia-related pain, skin ulcerations, and ultimately the threat of digital gangrene require a concerted effort to improve perfusion using a combination of medications and surgery. The purpose of this work is to review our experience over the past 2 decades with this cohort of patients including the variability of the clinical presentation, a method of classification, and a practical treatment philosophy.
Anxiety disorders in children with epispadias-exstrophy.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the hypothesis that anxiety disorders are common comorbid conditions in children with the epispadias-exstrophy complex. Methods Twenty consecutive outpatient exstrophy subjects ranging in age from 5 to 22 years were assessed using a formalized semistructured psychiatric evaluation and were categorized according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, version IV, criteria. Disorders were identified if subjects endured moderate to severe impairment in their home, academic, and social environments. Results All 20 subjects met the criteria for at least one anxiety disorder; 19 met criteria for more than one anxiety disorder. The adolescent subjects described a gradual waning of some specific symptoms some time after surgical correction of the physical conditions (eg, incontinence) but intensifying sexual anxiety with age. Conclusions The epispadias-exstrophy complex appears to be associated with clinically significant vulnerabilities for anxiety disorders in children.
Amyloid β-protein stimulates trafficking of cholesterol and caveolin-1 from the plasma membrane to the Golgi complex in mouse primary astrocytes

The Golgi complex plays a key role in cholesterol trafficking in cells. Our earlier study demonstrated amyloid beta-protein (Abeta) alters cholesterol distribution and abundance in the Golgi complex of astrocytes. We now test the hypothesis that the Abeta-induced increase in Golgi complex cholesterol is due to retrograde movement of the cholesterol carrier protein caveolin-1 from the cell plasma membrane to the Golgi complex in astrocytes. Results with mouse primary astrocytes indicated that Abeta(1-42)-induced increase in cholesterol and caveolin abundance in the Golgi complex was accompanied by a reduction in cholesterol and caveolin levels in the plasma membrane. Transfected rat astrocytes (DITNC1) with siRNA directed at caveolin-1 mRNA inhibited the Abeta(1-42)-induced redistribution of both cholesterol and caveolin from the plasma membrane to the Golgi complex. In astrocytes not treated with Abeta(1-42), suppression of caveolin-1 expression also significantly reduced cholesterol abundance in the Golgi complex, further demonstrating the role for caveolin in retrograde transport of cholesterol from the plasma membrane to the Golgi complex. Perturbation of this process by Abeta(1-42) could have consequences on membrane structure and cellular functions requiring optimal levels of cholesterol.
Upconversion of lower‐hybrid waves by gyrating ion beams in a plasma

A gyrating ion beam, with ring shape distribution in velocity space, supports negative energy modes near the harmonics of beam gyrofrequency. An investigation of the nonlinear interaction of high-frequency lower-hybrid waves with the negative energy beam cyclotron mode is made. A nonlinear dispersion relation is derived for the coupled modes. It is shown that a gyrating ion beam frequency upconverts the lower-hybrid waves separated by harmonics of the beam gyrofrequency. This process of upconversion may thus provide a tool for the diagnostics of the gyrating ion beams. The process may also be important in the saturation of lower-hybrid waves observed in the auroral zone S3-3 satellite data.
Effect of Dinitrophenol on Agglutinin and Complement Titer

SummarySubcutaneous administration of dinitrophend in varying amounts from 10 nig. to 24 mg./k., over a period of 37 days, had no apparent effect on the production of agglutinins for B. pnmfgpltoszu I3 in rahbits. Large amounts, 30 to 40 mg. per kilo, sufficient to increase the temperature several degrees, did not significantly alter the agglutinin-titers. Similar large doses given after a rest period of from 4 to 11 months failed to cause a secondary rise in titer except in one instance. A very slight decrease in complement-content took place in 2 of 3 experiments following large doses of dinitrophenol. The above results did not encourage more extensive investigation.
Impact resistance and interlaminar fracture toughness of through-the-thickness reinforced graphite/epoxy

Five through-the-thickness stitch configurations are analyzed to determine the effect of impact resistance and interlaminar fracture toughness on T3000/3501-6 graphite/epoxy. The test specimens were stitched with either polyester or Kevlar yarns and with various stitch parameters. Tension and compression mechanical, impact and compression-after-impact, and double cantilever beam tests were conducted. It is observed that the stitched laminates have tension and compression strengths 20-25 percent lower than the strengths of unstitched laminates, the tension strength of stitched laminates is reduced with increasing number of stitches, and the compression strength increases as the number of stitches are increased. The impact data reveal that the Kevlar stitched laminates have less damage than unstitched laminates; the most effective configuration for suppressing impact damage and improving interlaminar fracture toughness consists of Kevlar yarns 1/4 inch apart with eight stitches per inch. The mode 1 critical strain energy release rate for the 1/4 inch Kevlar eight stitch laminate was calculated as 30 times higher than that of the unstitched.
Women, work, and menopause.

Menopause occurs in American women at an average age of 51. At this time in their lives a majority of today’s women work outside the home for pay at least part-time, if not full-time (McKinlay, 1988). There is considerable evidence that women who are working experience fewer symptoms at menopause and are better able to cope with the stresses of family and relationships. On the other hand, there are almost no studies of work performance and the effects of menopausal symptoms or related disease conditions; yet there is reason to believe that many women are negatively affected.
Public Philosophy: Distinction Without Authority

An assumed core of normative ethical principles may constitute a philosophically proper framework within which public policy should be formulated, but it seldom provides any substantive solutions. To generate public policy on bioethical issues, participants still need to confront underlying philosophical controversies. Professional philosophers' proper role in that process is to clarify major philosophical options, to press wider-ranging consistency questions, and to bring more parties into the philosophical debate itself by arguing for particular substantive claims. Though questions of fact that mediate final policy conclusions frequently fall outside philosophical competence, one sort of fact, lack of political support, should seldom cause philosophers to stand aside; philosophers still have an important role as critics of culture, politics, and profession. They have no authority, however, on even the philosophical presuppositions of public policy.
Hiding in plain sight

Comment on Savoldo et al, page [2942][1] Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)–infected B lymphocytes and T cells acheive a homeostatic balance in healthy individuals. Increasing virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) numbers by adoptive immunotherapy may be effective as antitumor therapy but not affect
Mitosis-arresting effects of cigarette smoke condensate on human lymphoid cell lines.

Abstract Whole-smoke condensates from the University of Kentucky reference cigarettes induced partial mitotic arrest in 4 human lymphoid cell lines. Treatment of cells for 3 h with 100 and 200 μg of cigarette-smoke condensate/ml of culture medium increased the frequency of metaphases and decreased the proportion of anaphases in the treated cell populations. Cytoskeletal studies using antitubulin immunofluorescence techniques and transmission electron microscopic studies demonstrated that in early stages of mitosis the formation of aster and the separation of centrosomes in condensate-treated cells were comparable to those of untreated control cells, but the poleward migration of centrosomes was inhibited. Arrested metaphases revealed two centrosomes surrounded by aggregated chromosomes in the center of each cell but the structure of the centrioles, microtubules and the kinetochores appeared normal. The results demonstrate the presence of antimitotic compounds in the tobacco-smoke condensate.
Beam transport modeling of PPM focused THz sheet beam TWT circuit

We report periodic permanent magnet modeling for an efficiently focused sheet beam (∼7:1) transport achieved in a relatively long (40 mm) drift tube. To perform a quick pulsed device (TWT) test, it is planned for a high aspect ratio electron gun (12:1, designed by CPI1 for solenoidal field focused beam) to be used for currently designed PPM focused ∼7:1 aspect ratio sheet beam, with drift tube to act as an aperture to the incoming planar stream of electrons. Extensive simulations have been conducted to elucidate beam trajectory analysis and parasitic beam interception with drift tube walls. Two different permanent magnet materials were considered (a) SmCo (Br =1.15T) and(b) NdFeB (Br =1.4T). For Case (a), we obtained beam transmission of 80% with spacing between parallel magnet stacks of 2.6 mm and for case (b) we obtained beam transmission of ∼73.35% that includes tuning voltage on Focus Electrode, for an increased stack spacing of 4 mm that is crucial, in order to provide sufficient space for the slow wave structure/couplers fabrication. This corresponds to 190 mA transmitted current. Particle in Cell (PIC) simulations were also conducted to analyze beam-wave interaction at a significantly lower current ∼ 90 mA (approx 50% of what anticipated) to analyze a worst case scenario. The currently designed actual PPM B-Field was employed. The PIC simulation result was very promising, showing ∼ 10 dB gain and maximum output of 16 W for an input drive of 1 W at 0.22THz. For 190 mA transmitted current, the anticipated maximum output power is 75 W with a gain of 17 dB.
Physiologic Variations in Venous and Arterial Hemodynamics in Response to Postural Changes at the Thoracic Outlet in Normal Volunteers

Background Hemodynamic changes in vascular flow and waveforms measured across the thoracic outlet (TO) during positional changes may occur in normal individuals. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of significant arterial and venous hemodynamic variation in the limbs of normal volunteers during standardized upper extremity positional changes. Methods Using Doppler ultrasound and photoplethysmography (PPG), we evaluated arterial and venous flow in 100 limbs of 50 normal volunteers in neutral position and in 5 different standardized arm positions, including 90° arm abduction (with head in neutral position, head turned ipsilaterally, and head turned contralaterally), arm extended above the head at 180°, and arm hyperextended at 200°. Results There was great variability in the prevalence of abnormal venous and arterial flow changes depending on the arm position. Venous flow anomalies (loss of flow phasicity resulting in continuous, minimally continuous, or absent flow) were demonstrated in 60% of the limbs. The maneuver producing the greatest prevalence of venous flow abnormality was 90° arm abduction with contralateral head turn (34% of limbs), while arm hyperextension produced the least venous flow abnormalities (25% of limbs). In 13% of the limbs arterial flow abnormalities were found by PPG (absent tracings in 10% and dampened waveform in 5%), while 23% of the limbs showed increased arterial velocities (positional to neutral velocity ratio >2.0). The arm position producing the greatest prevalence of arterial flow anomaly was hyperextension (21% of limbs); while the arm positioning at 90° of abduction with the head in neutral position resulted in no arterial flow abnormalities. Conclusions The prevalence of upper extremity venous and arterial hemodynamic changes varies substantially in different arm positions. Our data suggest that physiologic anomalies in venous flow across the TO during postural changes are very common, while the absence of finger PPG arterial tracings occur in a very small percentage of the population. Abnormal venous flow across the TO with postural changes should be considered a highly prevalent finding in the normal population, and therefore carries little value in the diagnosis of TO syndrome. On the other hand, absence of arterial waveforms measured at the fingers by PPG testing during positional changes occurs in a small percentage of the normal population, and may represent abnormal compression at the TO in patients with upper extremity symptomatology.
Role of the Cytoplasmic Segments of Sec61α in the Ribosome-Binding and Translocation-Promoting Activities of the Sec61 Complex

The Sec61 complex performs a dual function in protein translocation across the RER, serving as both the high affinity ribosome receptor and the translocation channel. To define regions of the Sec61 complex that are involved in ribosome binding and translocation promotion, ribosome-stripped microsomes were subjected to limited digestions using proteases with different cleavage specificities. Protein immunoblot analysis using antibodies specific for the NH2 and COOH terminus of Sec61α was used to map the location of proteolysis cleavage sites. We observed a striking correlation between the loss of binding activity for nontranslating ribosomes and the digestion of the COOH- terminal tail or cytoplasmic loop 8 of Sec61α. The proteolyzed microsomes were assayed for SRP-independent translocation activity to determine whether high affinity binding of the ribosome to the Sec61 complex is a prerequisite for nascent chain transport. Microsomes that do not bind nontranslating ribosomes at physiological ionic strength remain active in SRP-independent translocation, indicating that the ribosome binding and translocation promotion activities of the Sec61 complex do not strictly correlate. Translocation-promoting activity was most severely inhibited by cleavage of cytosolic loop 6, indicating that this segment is a critical determinant for this function of the Sec61 complex.
University of Rochester Child and Family Study: Risk Research in Progress

The University of Rochester Child and Family Study (URCAFS) is a risk research program concerned with cross-sectional and developmental relationships among three areas: parental psychopathology and health, family system functioning and dysfunctioning, and child psychopathology and health. The preliminary findings indicate that both parental psychopathology and family variables predict significantly to independent measures of school functioning of index sons during their childhood and early adolescence. Although the offspring have not yet reached the age of major risk for schizophrenia, 52 percent of the families have one or more offspring either in psychiatric treatment or for whom treatment had been recommended.
Ethics and Lobbying: The Case of Real Estate Brokerage

Members of licensed occupations benefit from legal standards that limit entry into their professions. Is it ethical for these professionals to give political support to these standards? I examined the case of real estate brokers and found that their educational requirements raise average commissions by one quarter of a percentage point, costing consumers $5.4 billion per year without improving the quality of brokerage services. The case raises interesting ethical issues which are difficult to resolve.
Urinary interleukin-8 levels are elevated in subjects with transitional cell carcinoma.

Abstract Objectives Interleukin (IL)-8 is one of several angiogenic factors produced in bladder cancer cell lines. Although many studies have indicated that IL-8 is increased in infectious/inflammatory processes, elevated levels of IL-8 in urine also may be indicative of active transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). Methods Urinary IL-8 levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in subjects with TCC (n = 51), prostate cancer (n = 17), or a history of successfully treated TCC (n = 23) and in healthy subjects (n = 49). In addition, urinary IL-8 levels were measured in 21 subjects before, during, and 1 month after intravesical therapy with bacille Calmette-Guerin or mitomycin C. Results The median urinary IL-8 levels were greater in subjects with TCC (64 pg/mL urine) than in healthy subjects (6 pg/mL urine), subjects with prostate cancer (0.5 pg/mL urine), or subjects with a history of successfully treated TCC (5.0 pg/mL urine). Urinary IL-8 levels were greater in subjects with invasive (high-stage) TCC than in those with low-stage TCC. Furthermore, the postintravesical instillation levels of urinary IL-8 levels were greater in patients whose TCC recurred compared with those whose TCC was in remission. Conclusions IL-8 levels were greater in subjects with TCC compared with those with successfully treated TCC. IL-8 levels increased with TCC stage, indicating that they are greater in more invasive (ie, angiogenic) tumors. A reduction in urinary IL-8 levels after treatment with bacille Calmette-Guerin or mitomycin C may reflect a decrease in bladder cancer cells and/or in other cells that produce IL-8.
Representation of sequences

In this paper, the space of square summable real sequences is considered. Insight is developed into the structure of the space and a method for representation of its elements is described. The method is shown suitable for on-line implementation and is noniterative; it can be used for wave-form design, signal feature extraction, and discrete-time system identification. The applications are exemplified by three simulation studies.
Efficient integration of data mining techniques in database management systems

We propose a new approach for applying data mining techniques, and more particularly supervised machine learning algorithms, to large databases, in acceptable response times. This goal is achieved by integrating these algorithms within a database management system. We are thus only limited by disk capacity, and not by available main memory. However, the disk accesses that are necessary to scan the database induce long response times. Hence, we propose an original method to reduce the size of the learning set by building its contingency table. The machine learning algorithms are then adapted to operate on this contingency table. In order to validate our approach, we implemented the IDS decision tree construction method and showed that using the contingency table helped us obtaining response times equivalent to those of classical, in-memory software.
Modulation of Kir1.1 Inactivation by Extracellular Ca and Mg

Kir1.1 inactivation, associated with transient internal acidification, is strongly dependent on external K, Ca, and Mg. Here, we show that in 1 mM K, a 15 min internal acidification (pH 6.3) followed by a 30 min recovery (pH 8.0) produced 84 ± 3% inactivation in 2 mM Ca but only 18 ± 4% inactivation in the absence of external Ca and Mg. In 100 mM external K, the same acidification protocol produced 29 ± 4% inactivation in 10 mM external Ca but no inactivation when extracellular Ca was reduced below 2 mM (with 0 Mg). However, chelation of external K with 15 mM of 18-Crown-6 (a crown ether) restored inactivation even in the absence of external divalents. External Ca was more effective than external Mg at producing inactivation, but Mg caused a greater degree of open channel block than Ca, making it unlikely that Kir1.1 inactivation arises from divalent block per se. Because the Ca sensitivity of inactivation persisted in 100 mM external K, it is also unlikely that Ca enhanced Kir1.1 inactivation by reducing the local K concentration at the outer mouth of the channel. The removal of four surface, negative side chains at E92, D97, E104, and E132 (Kir1.1b) increased the sensitivity of inactivation to external Ca (and Mg), whereas addition of a negative surface charge (N105E-Kir1.1b) decreased the sensitivity of inactivation to Ca and Mg. This result is consistent with the notion that negative surface charges stabilize external K in the selectivity filter or at the S0-K binding site just outside the filter. Extracellular Ca and Mg probably potentiate the slow, K-dependent inactivation of Kir1.1 by decreasing the affinity of the channel for external K independently of divalent block. The removal of external Ca and Mg largely eliminated both Kir1.1 inactivation and the K-dependence of pH gating, thereby uncoupling the selectivity filter gate from the cytoplasmic-side bundle-crossing gate.
Hardware platform for wireless geophysical monitoring

Geophysical inspection methods are used in many fields to evaluate the integrity of earthen structures (e.g., earth dams, underground tunnels) without drilling or boring. Traditional geophysical surveys are completed manually and, thus, are time consuming, laborious, and expensive; these facts result in infrequent geophysical inspection, which decreases the overall effectiveness of the monitoring goals. Our contribution enables cost effective and continuous geophysical monitoring through the development of a new wireless hardware platform for geophysical measurements. In this work, we present our design specifications and requirements of gsMote, our wireless geophysical hardware platform. We use earth dam management to motivate the development of gsMote. Additionally, we discuss how our gsMote platform enables other geophysical monitoring applications, such as bioremediation.
Mitotic Spindle Regulation by Nde1 Controls Cerebral Cortical Size

Ablation of the LIS1-interacting protein Nde1 (formerly mNudE) in mouse produces a small brain (microcephaly), with the most dramatic reduction affecting the cerebral cortex. While cortical lamination is mostly preserved, the mutant cortex has fewer neurons and very thin superficial cortical layers (II to IV). BrdU birthdating revealed retarded and modestly disorganized neuronal migration; however, more dramatic defects on mitotic progression, mitotic orientation, and mitotic chromosome localization in cortical progenitors were observed in Nde1 mutant embryos. The small cerebral cortex seems to reflect both reduced progenitor cell division and altered neuronal cell fates. In vitro analysis demonstrated that Nde1 is essential for centrosome duplication and mitotic spindle assembly. Our data show that mitotic spindle function and orientation are essential for normal development of mammalian cerebral cortex.
MDMA–induced impairment in primates: antagonism by a selective norepinephrine or serotonin, but not by a dopamine/norepinephrine transport inhibitor

Human MDMA (R,S-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) users display selective cognitive deficits after acute MDMA exposure, frequently attributed to serotonin deficits. We postulated that MDMA will compromise executive function in primates and that an inhibitor of the serotonin transporter (SERT) and the norepinephrine transporter (NET) but not the dopamine (DAT) transporter, will prevent impairment. The potencies of DAT/NET, NET and SERT inhibitors to block transport of [(3)H]MDMA and [(3)H]monoamines were compared in vitro. Subsequently, cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fasicularis) were trained to stable performance in a reversal learning task. Effects of once-weekly oral or i.m. dose of MDMA (1.5 mg/kg, n = 4) on performance were monitored, alone or after pretreatment with inhibitors of the SERT, DAT or NET (prior to i.m. MDMA). 1) Drug potencies for blocking [(3)H]MDMA or [(3)H]monoamine transport were not consistent; 2) Oral MDMA increased error rates in a cognitive task for up to three days following exposure, whereas intramuscular MDMA prevented subjects from performing the cognitive task on the day of administration, but not on subsequent days; 3) The SERT inhibitor citalopram and the NET inhibitor desipramine, but not the DAT/NET inhibitor methylphenidate, reversed the effects of MDMA on task performance and mandibular movements induced by i.m. MDMA and 4) MDMA altered sleep latency. Oral MDMA impairs executive function in monkeys for several days, a finding of potential relevance to MDMA consumption by humans. Reversal of impaired executive function by a NET inhibitor implicates the NET and norepinephrine in MDMA-induced cognitive impairment and may be relevant to therapeutic strategies.
Transformations between delta and forward shift operator transfer function models

For control system analysis and design, and high-speed real-time computation, the transformations between the delta and forward shift operator transfer function models of dynamic physical systems are highlighted. In the fast sampling limit, the delta operator model tends to the analog dynamic system model. This intrinsic property of the delta operator model unifies continuous and discrete time control engineering and paves the way for the design of robust computational algorithms. >
Debt and Foregone Medical Care.

Most American households carry debt, yet we have little understanding of how debt influences health behavior, especially health care seeking. We examined associations between foregone medical care and debt using a population-based sample of 914 southeastern Michigan residents surveyed in the wake of the late-2000s recession. Overall debt and ratios of debt to income and debt to assets were positively associated with foregoing medical or dental care in the past 12 months, even after adjusting for the poorer socioeconomic and health characteristics of those foregoing care and for respondents' household incomes and net worth. These overall associations were driven largely by credit card and medical debt, while housing debt and automobile and student loans were not associated with foregoing care. These results suggest that debt is an understudied aspect of health stratification.
Integer equal flows

The integer equal flow problem is an NP-hard network flow problem, in which all arcs in given sets R"1,...,R"@? must carry equal flow. We show that this problem is effectively inapproximable, even if the cardinality of each set R"k is two. When @? is fixed, it is solvable in polynomial time.
The Effective Isotropic Moduli of Random Fibrous Composites, Platelet Composites, and Foamed Solids

ABSTRACT Bounds on isotropic moduli are derived for composite materials that contain randomly oriented and randomly distributed inclusions, with a specific focus on applications to foamed solids. A transversely isotropic representative volume element (RVE) evenly distributed over all spatial orientations is used in the model development. By relating an applied stress to induced strain, expressions for the Reuss bounds on the elastic moduli are presented. The results are complementary to the Voigt bounds, obtained by other authors. The Reuss and Voigt bounds on the isotropic moduli are evaluated for RVE's of fibrous composites, platelet composites, and foamed solids, producing an envelope of acceptable values for the elastic moduli of these materials. The predicted results are shown to compare favorably against experimental results for the shear modulus of aluminium foams over a range of relative densities and for Young's modulus of short fiber composites.
Higher syringe coverage is associated with lower odds of HIV risk and does not increase unsafe syringe disposal among syringe exchange program clients

Abstract Objective To determine if adequate syringe coverage – “one shot for one syringe” – among syringe exchange program (SEP) clients is associated with injection-related HIV risk behaviors and syringe disposal. Design HIV risk assessments with 1577 injection drug users (IDUs) recruited from 24 SEPs in California between 2001 and 2003. Individual syringe coverage was calculated as a proportion of syringes retained from SEP visits to total number of injections in the last 30 days. Results Participants were divided into four groups based on syringe coverage: Conclusions Individual syringe coverage is strongly associated with safer injection behaviors without impacting syringe disposal among SEP clients. Syringe coverage is a useful measure for determining if IDUs are obtaining sufficient syringes to lower HIV risk.
Building divergent body plans with similar genetic pathways

Deuterostome animals exhibit widely divergent body plans. Echinoderms have either radial or bilateral symmetry, hemichordates include bilateral enteropneust worms and colonial pterobranchs, and chordates possess a defined dorsal‐ventral axis imposed on their anterior‐posterior axis. Tunicates are chordates only as larvae, following metamorphosis the adults acquire a body plan unique for the deuterostomes. This paper examines larval and adult body plans in the deuterostomes and discusses two distinct ways of evolving divergent body plans. First, echinoderms and hemichordates have similar feeding larvae, but build a new adult body within or around their larvae. In hemichordates and many direct-developing echinoderms, the adult is built onto the larva, with the larval axes becoming the adult axes and the larval mouth becoming the adult mouth. In contrast, indirect-developing echinoderms undergo radical metamorphosis where adult axes are not the same as larval axes. A second way of evolving a divergent body plan is to become colonial, as seen in hemichordates and tunicates. Early embryonic development and gastrulation are similar in all deuterostomes, but, in chordates, the anterior‐posterior axis is established at right angles to the animal‐vegetal axis, in contrast to hemichordates and indirect-developing echinoderms. Hox gene sequences and anterior‐posterior expression patterns illuminate deuterostome phylogenetic relationships and the evolution of unique adult body plans within monophyletic groups. Many genes that are considered vertebrate ‘mesodermal’ genes, such as nodal and brachyury T, are likely to ancestrally have been involved in the formation of the mouth and anus, and later were evolutionarily co-opted into mesoderm during vertebrate development. Heredity (2006) 97, 235‐243. doi:10.1038/sj.hdy.6800872; published online 26 July 2006
Some extensions and applications of the new random model for molecular band transmission

The general line shape transmission is derived for the new random model described by Malkmus (1967) for the representation of molecular band transmission. The model is applied to two absorbing paths in series, where an expression is found which is simpler than the corresponding expression for the Goody random model. The new model is also used to give an empirical fit to the ozone transmission measurements of Walshaw (1957).
Loss-Compensated Reference Frame Optimization for Multi-Path Video Streaming

Recent video coding standards such as H.264 offer the flexibility to select reference frames during motion estimation for predicted frames. In this paper, by tracking loss compensation during distortion minimization, we improve upon an earlier proposal to jointly select reference frame, level of QoS and transmission path for each video frame in a multi-path streaming scenario. An algorithm that efficiently calculates the loss compensation value of an earlier correctly decodable frame during error concealment is presented. Results show significant streaming quality improvement when loss compensation is used
Creep Mechanisms of Calcium–Silicate–Hydrate: An Overview of Recent Advances and Challenges

A critical review on existing creep theories in calcium–silicate–hydrate (C–S–H) is presented with an emphasis on several fundamental questions (e.g. the roles of water, relative humidity, temperature, atomic ordering of C–S–H). A consensus on the rearrangement of nanostructures of C–S–H as a main consequence of creep, has almost been achieved. However, main disagreement still exists on two basic aspects regarding creep mechanisms: (1) at which site the creep occurs, like at interlayer, intergranular, or regions where C–S–H has a relatively higher solubility; (2) how the structural rearrangement evolutes, like in a manner of interlayer sliding, intra-transfer of water at various scales, recrystallization of gelled-like particles, or dissolution–diffusion–reprecipitation at inter-particle boundary. The further understanding of creep behavior of C–S–H relies heavily on the appropriate characterization of its nanostructure.
Family Adult Awareness of Adolescents’ Premarital Romantic and Sexual Relationships in Ghana:

This study examined the circumstances under which family adults in Ghana were aware of their adolescent children’s involvement in premarital relationships. It was hypothesized that factors related ...
Greek Geometrical Planetary Models

Higher Greek mathematics is mostly concerned with geometry, so it is not too surprising that the Greek detailed planetary models were geometrical. The aim of such models was at first to mimic the behavior of a planet, which, in the case of Saturn, is indicated in Figure 1, with latitude exaggerated four times.
CHANGES IN PITUITARY LH CONCENTRATION DURING PSEUDOPREGNANCY IN THE RAT.

SummaryThe LH concentration (measured by the ovarian ascorbic acid depletion assay) in the pituitaries of pseudopregnant rats showed a fairly progressive rise from day 1 of the diestrus through day 11. On day 1? the level (2.0 μg/nig dry wt) was equivalent to that seen in cyclic rats in estrus or on day 1 of diestrus. The levels virtually equalled or slightly exceeded those characteristic of proestrus (4.2 μg/mg dry wt) from day 4 through 8. On days 9 through 11, the mean potency (5.4 μg/mg dry wt) somewhat exceeded proestrous levels. On day 12 the LH concentrations (l.5 to 2.0 μg/mg dry wt) were again typical of estrous levels in cyclic rats.
New Literacy Studies: An Alternative Frame for Preparing Teachers to Use Assistive Technology.

Even as research continues to suggest the potential of assistive technology for improving student outcomes, it remains under-utilized in schools. Among numerous challenges to the effective utilization of assistive technology, research has suggested that educators are inadequately prepared to consider and implement the use of such technologies. In this article, we complement the effort to delineate the competencies needed by teachers for this purpose by suggesting that New Literacy Studies can serve as a generative frame to stimulate the dispositions necessary for a strong commitment to the use of assistive technology (AT) and to increase accessibility in the classroom. Specifically, we examine constructs within sociocultural approaches to literacy, multimodality, and critical literacy, thereby strengthening the interconnections between curriculum, pedagogy, and technology-based support for students with disabilities. We offer several implications of this approach for educators and teacher educators.
Upregulation of Gene Expression in Reward-Modulatory Striatal Opioid Systems by Sleep Loss

Epidemiological studies have shown a link between sleep loss and the obesity 'epidemic,' and several observations indicate that sleep curtailment engenders positive energy balance via increased palatable-food 'snacking.' These effects suggest alterations in reward-modulatory brain systems. We explored the effects of 10 days of sleep deprivation in rats on the expression of striatal opioid peptide (OP) genes that subserve food motivation and hedonic reward, and compared effects with those seen in hypothalamic energy balance-regulatory systems. Sleep-deprived (Sleep-Dep) rats were compared with yoked forced-locomotion apparatus controls (App-Controls), food-restricted rats (Food-Restrict), and unmanipulated controls (Home-Cage). Detection of mRNA levels with in situ hybridization revealed a subregion-specific upregulation of striatal preproenkephalin and prodynorhin gene expression in the Sleep-Dep group relative to all other groups. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene expression in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and throughout neocortex was also robustly upregulated selectively in the Sleep-Dep group. In contrast, parallel gene expression changes were observed in the Sleep-Dep and Food-Restrict groups in hypothalamic energy-sensing systems (arcuate nucleus NPY was upregulated, and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript was downregulated), in alignment with leptin suppression in both groups. Together, these results reveal a novel set of sleep deprivation-induced transcriptional changes in reward-modulatory peptide systems, which are dissociable from the energy-balance perturbations of sleep loss or the potentially stressful effects of the forced-locomotion procedure. The recruitment of telencephalic food-reward systems may provide a feeding drive highly resistant to feedback control, which could engender obesity through the enhancement of palatable feeding.