cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional Compartmentation of Endothelial P2Y Receptor Signaling

The presence of multiple receptors for disparate nucleotides on endothelial cells makes it unclear how the endothelium differentiates among these signals. We propose that endothelial P2Y receptors are organized into cholesterol-rich signaling domains, such as caveolae and respond to nucleotide agonists by mobilizing intracellular calcium. Treatment of endothelial cells with 5 mmol/L beta-methyl-cyclodextrin prevents calcium release in response to the nucleotide receptor agonists 2-methylthio-ATP, ATP, ADP, and UTP, but not the kinin receptor agonist bradykinin, suggesting that depletion of membrane cholesterol disrupts signaling at P2Y receptors and that bradykinin receptors are not prelocalized to cholesterol microdomains in these cells. Direct measurement of cholesterol content after beta-methyl-cyclodextrin treatment of aortic rings reveals a concentration-dependent depletion of cholesterol that parallels functional antagonism of P2Y-mediated relaxation. Nucleotide- and bradykinin-mediated relaxation is disrupted by 5 to 15 mmol/L beta -methyl-cyclodextrin treatment or 1 to 10 microg/mL filipin III in a concentration-dependent fashion. Norepinephrine contracted aorta treated with A23187 relaxes in an endothelium-dependent fashion despite depletion of 84% of membrane-extractable cholesterol. These data indicate that in the basal state, P2Y receptors but not the kinin receptor may be compartmented to cholesterol-dependent signaling domains in guinea pig endothelium and that cholesterol-rich microdomains in these cells can respond to intracellular calcium in an agonist-specific manner. We suggest that the functional organization of cholesterol-rich signaling microdomains allows agonist-specific responses to increases in intracellular calcium and that this property may be a general phenomenon that permits cells to respond disparately to agonists that may signal through common calcium release pathways.
Some properties of viral ribonucleic acid-dependent amino acid incorporation

Abstract The study of tobacco mosaic virus ribonucleic acid and R17 phage ribonucleic acid-dependent amino acid incorporation in the Escherichia coli system revealed the following differences: R17 ribonucleic acid-directed incorporations required higher supernatant concentrations and fewer ribosomes per ribonucleic acid molecule than those directed by tobacco mosaic virus ribonucleic acid; when S-30 preparations were used with NH 4 + instead of K + , R17 ribonucleic acid stimulation increased 10-fold while tobacco mosaic virus ribonucleic acid stimulation only increased 3-fold resulting in a reversal of the relative activities of the two messengers; finally R17 ribonucleic acid incorporations decreased more rapidly after thermal degradation than had been observed previously with tobacco mosaic virus ribonucleic acid. Competition experiments between R17 ribonucleic acid and tobacco mosaic virus ribonucleic acid, and between R17 ribonucleic acid and its thermally degraded derivatives, indicate that these messengers all use the same ribosome site. However no correlation was found between the capacity to bind to ribosomes and messenger activity. Inactivation after bond scission could not be attributed to a loss of binding capacity but rather to a loss of binding specificity.
Generation of lower-hybrid noise by superthermal cross-field ion currents

A kinetic model for generating lower‐hybrid waves by a low‐density, superthermal ion beam directed across a magnetic field is investigated. Growth rate calculations demonstrate the salient features of the process, in particular, the small threshold drift of several background ion thermal speeds required for instability. The mechanism is suitable for collisionless dissipation in systems which evince the characteristics of anomalous resistivity in the presence of relatively small electrical currents.
Mitochondrial Inner-Membrane Fusion and Crista Maintenance Requires the Dynamin-Related GTPase Mgm1

Mitochondrial outer- and inner-membrane fusion events are coupled in vivo but separable and mechanistically distinct in vitro, indicating that separate fusion machines exist in each membrane. Outer-membrane fusion requires trans interactions of the dynamin-related GTPase Fzo1, GTP hydrolysis, and an intact inner-membrane proton gradient. Inner-membrane fusion also requires GTP hydrolysis but distinctly requires an inner-membrane electrical potential. The protein machinery responsible for inner-membrane fusion is unknown. Here, we show that the conserved intermembrane-space dynamin-related GTPase Mgm1 is required to tether and fuse mitochondrial inner membranes. We observe an additional role of Mgm1 in inner-membrane dynamics, specifically in the maintenance of crista structures. We present evidence that trans Mgm1 interactions on opposing inner membranes function similarly to tether and fuse inner membranes as well as maintain crista structures and propose a model for how the mitochondrial dynamins function to facilitate fusion.
Property-by-Property Valuation of Publicly Traded Real Estate Firms

Because the assets held by publicly traded real estate companies are infrequently traded, their values must be estimated to determine the relationship between share prices and net asset values for ...
Self-matrix activity of organotin polyether ester polymers containing alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid

Polymers derived from reacting organotin dihalides and the matrix alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid act as their own matrix agent when performing MALDI MS. Ion fragments containing two and more repeat units are formed. MALDI MS results for the dioctyltin product are reported using other combinations of additives. Addition of sodium sulfate, not a matrix agent, also gives ion fragment clusters containing two repeat units. Use of addition of only alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, a widely used matrix, gives similar results to the use of the matrix-containing polymer itself as does the use of the matrix graphite. The advantage of graphite is that non-interfering ion fragment clusters are not produced. This is the initial report of the inclusion of alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid into a condensation polymer and the use of the polymer itself as a matrix material.
Diffusional transport of toxic materials in membranes studied by fluorescence spectroscopy.

As a nation we are currently concerned with the effects of a multitude of synthetic chemicals on life processes. The diversity of opinions on these issues reflects, in part, a lack of understanding of the molecular aspects of toxicity and bioaccumulation. Integral to these concerns is the effect of toxic materials on cell membranes and the permeability barriers which these membranes impose to xenobiotics.
Antennal sensilla of two female anopheline sibling species with differing host ranges

Volatile odors are important sensory inputs that shape the behaviour of insects, including agricultural pests and disease vectors. Anopheles gambiae s.s. is a highly anthropophilic mosquito and is the major vector for human malaria in sub-Sahara Africa, while Anopheles quadriannulatus, largely due to its zoophilic behaviour, is considered a non-vector species in the same region. Careful studies of olfaction in these sibling species may lead to insights about the mechanisms that drive host preference behaviour. In the present study, the external anatomy of the antenna, the principle olfactory organ in the female mosquito of both species, was examined as an initial step toward more detailed comparisons. Scanning electron and light microscopy were used to examine the antennae ultrastructures of adult female An. gambiae s.s. and An. quadriannulatus. Sensory structures, called sensilla, were categorized and counted; their distributions are reported here as well as densities calculated for each species. Both An. gambiae s.s. and An. quadriannulatus bear five classes of sensilla on their antennae: chaetica (bristles), trichodea (hairs), basiconica (pegs), coeloconica (pitted pegs), and ampullacea (pegs in tubes). Female An. quadriannulatus antennae have approximately one-third more sensilla, and a proportionally larger surface area, than female An. gambiae s.s. antennae. The same types of sensilla are found on the antennae of both species. While An. quadriannulatus has greater numbers of each sensilla type, sensilla densities are very similar for each species, suggesting that other factors may be more important to such olfactory-driven behaviours as host preference.
Efficacy of endovenous ablation of the saphenous veins for prevention and healing of venous ulcers

In many countries, endovenous ablation (EVA) has replaced surgical stripping as the preferred method of eliminating saphenous reflux in symptomatic patients. Studies have examined the success of EVA at saphenous closure and improving leg pain and edema. However, less information is available on the ability of these techniques to promote venous leg ulcer healing or to prevent recurrence. The comparison of surgery and compression with compression alone in chronic venous ulceration (ESCHAR) trial identified the role of saphenous stripping in reducing the rate of ulcer recurrence after healing, supporting this procedure for Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic, and Pathologic (CEAP) clinical class 5 and 6 patients. In patients with venous ulcers, it remains controversial whether EVA procedures provide results similar to those of saphenous stripping in clinically relevant outcomes. This review examines the evidence supporting the use of thermal or nonthermal EVA in patients with healed or active venous ulcers and saphenous insufficiency.
Electron beam induced luminescence of SiO 2 optical coatings

Optical coatings of disordered thin film SiO 2 /SiO x dielectric samples on reflective metal substrates exhibited cathodoluminescence under electron beam irradiation. Measurements of the absolute radiance and emission spectra as functions of incident electron energy, flux and power over a range of sample temperatures are reported. Radiance reached a saturation plateau at high incident electron power. Well below saturation radiance scaled with deposited power, that is linearly with incident power for lower-energy non-penetrating electrons and decreasing with increasing energy for penetrating radiation. Four bands were observed in spectral measurements from 300 nm to 1000 nm. Changes in peak intensity and shifts in peak energies as functions of temperature are described. The observations are explained in terms of a simple disordered band theory model and the transitions that take place between electrons in extended conduction states and localized trapped states associated with structural or compositional defects in the highly disordered insulating materials; this provides a fundamental basis for understanding the dependence of cathodoluminescence on irradiation time, incident flux and energy, and sample thickness and temperature.
Plasmonic light-emission enhancement with isolated metal nanoparticles and their coupled arrays

We present a systematic study of the enhancement of radiative efficiency of light-emitting matter achieved by proximity to metal nanoparticles. Our goal is to ascertain the limits of the attainable enhancement. Two separate arrangements of metal nanoparticles are studied, namely isolated particles and an array of particles. The method of analysis is based on the effective mode volume theory. Using the example of an InGaN∕GaN quantum-well active region positioned in close proximity to Ag nanospheres, we obtain optimal parameters for the nanoparticles for maximum attainable enhancement. Our results show that while the enhancement due to isolated metal nanoparticles is significant, only modest enhancement can be achieved with an ordered array. We further conclude that a random assembly of isolated particles holds an advantage over the ordered arrays for light-emitting devices of finite area.
Exploring Non-Traditional Hardware-Software Interaction

The Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) has created what has become a world-wide standard/debug interface for a variety of hardware devices. The emergence of devices such as the Xilinx Virtex-II Pro FPGA, which closely couple advanced microprocessors with reconfigurable logic, presents an opportunity to expand JTAG's capabilities beyond debugging. We present the design and implementation of a platform that combines JTAG, reconfigurable logic, and advanced processor debug features to create a rich environment for exploring non-traditional interaction between hardware and software. More specifically, we outline several possible configurations, discuss performance, and present possible applications.
Common vs. Uncommon Sexual Acts: Evidence for the Sexual Double Standard

The lack of consistent evidence for the sexual double standard may be related to the rather benign nature of the heterosexual behaviors often studied (e.g., casual sex, premarital sex). College students from the southwestern U.S. evaluated targets who engaged in mixed-gender threesomes (where three people engage in simultaneous sexual acts; Study 1: N = 120) and targets in a monogamous sexual relationship (Study 2: N = 105). Evidence for the sexual double standard was found via effects of targets’ gender among those who engaged in threesomes. Targets who had monogamous sex were evaluated more favorably than the targets who engaged in threesomes. We suggest that the sexual double standard may still exist for uncommon sexual behaviors.
Recanalisation of the closed ductus arteriosus in a critically ill infant with transposition of the great arteries

We describe the case of an infant who was a late presenter of transposition of the great arteries where we proceeded with ductal stenting to improve oxygenation and left ventricle training. Stenting improved the infant’s saturation while keeping the left ventricle well trained for 4 months after the procedure. This report demonstrates that intermediate-term left ventricle training can be achieved via ductal stenting.
A guide towards pre-pregnancy management of defective implantation and placentation

Pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, placental abruption and growth restriction were once thought to represent end-of-pregnancy issues. Currently, the cause of such complications are being increasingly recognised as defective implantation and placentation. The molecular mechanisms responsible for normal and abnormal implantation are an area of active investigation. Screening tests, such as Doppler ultrasound of the maternal uterine arteries and evaluation of markers in the maternal serum, are being assessed to determine if such tests might allow for better recognition and, perhaps, prevention of many pregnancy complications related to abnormal placentation. Many techniques during pregnancy have been used to prevent pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia. Most have been unsuccessful. Ultimately, the solution may reside in pre-pregnancy approaches to improve implantation and placentation. Such approaches are actively being investigated and have promise.
Performance Measurement in U.S. Counties: Capacity for Reform

This study examines the capacity of U.S. counties to undertake performance measurement. Based on a national survey of counties with populations over 50,000, the authors address the following questions: To what extent do counties implement performance measurement? Which capacities must be present for different levels of implementation and success? What can counties do to increase their capacity for performance measurement? And, what is the effect of county structure and functions on the use of performance measurement? This study finds that the success of performance measurement is greatly affected by counties' underlying organizational capacities.
Sifonóforos (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) de aguas superficiales de Isla de Pascua

Planktonic siphonophores sampled out near Easter Island during May 1992 were studied. Samples were taken with Bongo nets towed horizontally during 10 minutes between 5 and 10 meters of depth. A total of 15 species were identified, all of them are first records for the region. The most abundant species was Chelophyes contorta (43%), with a maximum density of 135 ind./1000 m 3 , followed by Bassia bassensis (23%). Other species were scarce and their relative abundance was in all cases lower than 10%.
A GASP simulation study of job-shop scheduling:

The purpose of this paper is to report on a study which involves a simulation of a hypothetical job shop with several machines. The investigation employs GASP-II as a computer language. This simulation study is concerned with: (1) testing a new method of assign ing job due-dates and (2) comparing and evaluating the effect of different processing-time distributions on the performance of a number of scheduling rules.The most significant results of this study are:(1) The shortest-imminent-operation rule is superior to others in reducing job lateness and shop flow time (2) The procedure in which the due-date allowance is proportional to the number of operations and workcontent of the jobs has proved to be beneficial in the case of the non-due-date rules (3) The operation of a job shop using the shortest-imminent-operation and slack-per-remaining-number-of-operations rules is degraded when the processing-time distribution having Erlang parameter K equal to 4 or 8. However, per formance is better when K = 8 tha...
DETERMINISTIC STATISTICAL INDEPENDENCE, NONPERIODIC SYMBOL SEQUENCES AND GIBBS DISTRIBUTIONS

We use maps that generate a hierarchy of partitionings that can be organized onto a complete binary tree to ask the question when does the Gibbs distribution describe the frequency of distribution of iterates of a map over its natural partitioning. We are led to a generalization of Borel’s normal numbers, to symbol sequences where the blocks of symbols of a given length are distributed statistically independently, but with unequal frequencies. This result leads to a new universality principle based upon classes of initial conditions that limits the extent within which one can use an observed f(α) spectrum to infer the underlying dynamical system. An application to a turbulence experiment is discussed as an example. Our method is based upon the generation of symbol sequences by an algorithm and the consequent recovery of the corresponding initial condition by backward iteration of the map. Our analysis illustrates that measure one theorems in mathematics cannot serve as a guide to what should be the outcome of either computation or experiment.
The Role of Parameterized Drag in a Troposphere-Stratosphere-Mesosphere General Circulation Model

This paper discusses simulations of the global circulation up to 0.01 mb obtained using a general circulation model with an imposed zonal wind relaxation that forces the zonal-mean state close to observations. This enables estimates to be made of the zonal drag required to bring general circulation model simulations of the middle atmospheric circulation into line with observations. The diagnosed drag is then compared with results from the Lindzen (1981) parameterization of wave drag from unresolved gravity waves. With reasonable values of the wave input parameters, the parameterization can capture many of the features of the diagnosed drag distribution, but only if some modification of the Lindzen procedure is adopted to allow the region of parameterized wave breaking to extend to lower heights.
Mathematics and Learning Disabilities

Between 5% and 8% of school-age children have some form of memory or cognitive deficit that interferes with their ability to learn concepts or procedures in one or more mathematical domains. A review of the arithmetical competencies of these children is provided, along with discussion of underlying memory and cognitive deficits and potential neural correlates. The deficits are discussed in terms of three subtypes of mathematics learning disability and in terms of a more general framework for linking research in mathematical cognition to research in learning disabilities.
Engendering Inequity? How Social Accounts Create vs. Merely Explain Unfavorable Pay Outcomes for Women

Two studies examined how managers' pay decisions for male and female employees are affected by the opportunity to provide social accounts and how managers think about the value of accounts for men versus women. I theorized that managers would treat social accounts as substitutes for pay for women but not for men, paradoxically leading managers who could behave more procedurally fairly to create gender-based distributive injustice. Study 1 confirms this hypothesis. Practicing managers who learned before making pay decisions that they could provide a social account—here, an explanation of circumstances justifying low raises—paid women less than men and less than women for whom they could not provide this account. Also as hypothesized, when an account was available, experienced managers paid women less than did inexperienced managers. In addition to pay decisions, participants' explicit beliefs about the value of accounts as substitutes for pay (Study 1) and in motivating male and female employees (Study 2) were examined. When participants expected the account to make the employee feel that he or she had been treated with a high level of procedural fairness (Study 1), or the language of the account explicitly acknowledged and apologized for unfair treatment (Study 2), participants assumed that the account would be significantly more valuable for women than for men. This difference was greater for experienced participants than inexperienced ones. I discuss the implications of this “substitutability thesis” and these results for research on justice and gender as well as for achieving gender equity in the workplace.
Prospective motion correction using inductively coupled wireless RF coils.

Purpose: A novel prospective motion correction technique for brain MRI is presented that uses miniature wireless radiofrequency coils, or “wireless markers,” for position tracking. Methods: Each marker is free of traditional cable connections to the scanner. Instead, its signal is wirelessly linked to the MR receiver via inductive coupling with the head coil. Realtime tracking of rigid head motion is performed using a pair of glasses integrated with three wireless markers. A tracking pulse-sequence, combined with knowledge of the markers’ unique geometrical arrangement, is used to measure their positions. Tracking data from the glasses is then used to prospectively update the orientation and position of the imagevolume so that it follows the motion of the head. Results: Wireless-marker position measurements were comparable to measurements using traditional wired radiofrequency tracking coils, with the standard deviation of the difference < 0.01 mm over the range of positions measured inside the head coil. Wireless-marker safety was verified with B1 maps and temperature measurements. Prospective motion correction was demonstrated in a 2D spin-echo scan while the subject performed a series of deliberate head rotations. Conclusion: Prospective motion correction using wireless markers enables high quality images to be acquired even during bulk motions. Wireless markers are small, avoid radiofrequency safety risks from electrical cables, are not hampered by mechanical connections to the scanner, and require minimal setup times. These advantages may help to facilitate adoption in the clinic. Magn Reson Med 70:639–647, 2013. V C 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
RUBBISH OR RITUAL? CONTEXTUALIZING A TERMINAL CLASSIC PROBLEMATICAL DEPOSIT AT BLUE CREEK, BELIZE: A response to “Public Architecture, Ritual, and Temporal Dynamics at the Maya Center of Blue Creek, Belize” by Thomas H. Guderjan

In this paper we present the results of our analysis of the contents and context of a Terminal Classic “problematical deposit” at Blue Creek, in northwestern Belize, and consider the kinds of behaviors, ritual and otherwise, that may have been responsible for it. We argue that the deposit is secondary, and not the result of a termination ritual in which whole vessels are smashed in situ on the front of a monumental structure in the site center. Based on analysis of the ceramics found in the deposit, specifically the number of whole pots and the forms of vessels represented, as well as a careful consideration of the stratigraphic evidence, we hypothesize that this problematical deposit may represent the transported remains of feasting events that occurred elsewhere at Blue Creek. The research that we present here has important implications for understanding the behaviors and events that occurred prior to the abandonment of Maya sites during the Terminal Classic period (a.d. 830/850–1000). Furthermore, we offer a methodology for the interpretation of problematical deposits that too often go unanalyzed and demonstrate that detailed investigation of such deposits contributes to a greater understanding of Maya ritual behavior.
Stable discriminative dictionary learning via discriminative deviation

Discriminative learning of sparse-code based dictionaries tends to be inherently unstable. We show that using a discriminative version of the deviation function to learn such dictionaries leads to a more stable formulation that can handle the reconstruction/discrimination trade-off in a principled manner. Results on Graz02 and UCF Sports datasets validate the proposed formulation.
Developmental stress increases reproductive success in male zebra finches

There is increasing evidence that exposure to stress during development can have sustained effects on animal phenotype and performance across life-history stages. For example, developmental stress has been shown to decrease the quality of sexually selected traits (e.g. bird song), and therefore is thought to decrease reproductive success. However, animals exposed to developmental stress may compensate for poor quality sexually selected traits by pursuing alternative reproductive tactics. Here, we examine the effects of developmental stress on adult male reproductive investment and success in the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). We tested the hypothesis that males exposed to developmental stress sire fewer offspring through extra-pair copulations (EPCs), but invest more in parental care. To test this hypothesis, we fed nestlings corticosterone (CORT; the dominant avian stress hormone) during the nestling period and measured their adult reproductive success using common garden breeding experiments. We found that nestlings reared by CORT-fed fathers received more parental care compared with nestlings reared by control fathers. Consequently, males fed CORT during development reared nestlings in better condition compared with control males. Contrary to the prediction that developmental stress decreases male reproductive success, we found that CORT-fed males also sired more offspring and were less likely to rear non-genetic offspring compared with control males, and thus had greater overall reproductive success. These data are the first to demonstrate that developmental stress can have a positive effect on fitness via changes in reproductive success and provide support for an adaptive role of developmental stress in shaping animal phenotype.
Evaluation of serial urine viral cultures for the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection in neonates and infants

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common cause of congenital infection worldwide. Urine viral culture is the standard for CMV diagnosis in neonates and infants. The objectives of this study were to compare the performance of serial paired rapid shell vial cultures (SVC) and routine viral cultures (RVC), and to determine the optimal number of cultures needed to detect positive cases. From 2001 to 2011, all paired CMV SVC and RVC performed on neonates and infants less than 100 days of age were recorded. Testing episodes were defined as sets of cultures performed within 7 days of one another. A total of 1264 neonates and infants underwent 1478 testing episodes; 68 (5.4%) had at least one episode with a positive CMV culture. In episodes where CMV was detected before day 21 of life, the first specimen was positive in 100% (16/16) of cases. When testing occurred after 21 days of life, the first specimen was positive in 82.7% (43/52) of cases, requiring three cultures to reach 100% detection. The SVC was more prone to assay failure than RVC. Overall, when RVC was compared to SVC, there was 86.0% positive agreement and 99.9% negative agreement. In conclusion, three serial urine samples are necessary for detection of CMV in specimens collected between day of life 22 and 99, while one sample may be sufficient on or before day of life 21. Though SVC was more sensitive than RVC, the risk of SVC failure supports the use of multimodality testing to optimize detection.
Fair Computation of General Functions in Presence of Immoral Majority

This paper describes a method for n players, a majority of which may be faulty, to compute correctly, privately, and fairly any computable function f(x1,... ,xn) where xi, is the input of the i-th. player. The method uses as a building block an oblivious transfer primitive.Previous methods achieved these properties, only for boolean functions, which, in particular, precluded composition of such protocols.We also propose a simpler definition of security for multi-player protocols which still implies previous definitions of privacy and correctness.
Optic flow and geometric field of view in a driving simulator display

This article reports on a study that used a driving simulator to display conditions of high and low optic flow. The study included 30 drivers who were requested to produce vehicle speeds of either 30 or 60 mph with the geometric field of view at 25, 55, or 85 visual degrees. Drivers overestimated the production of 30 by 20 mph. It was also found that the production of speed was highly dependent on the geometric field of view. These results suggest that optic flow presented in a driving simulator display does not correspond with optic flow found in real-world driving.
Natural Flavoring Materials

Foods and other processed consumable products are formulated to have, among other desirable attributes, an attractive flavor. This is achieved by the use of ingredients that are either intrinsically flavorful or produce flavors during the processing or cooking, supplemented as necessary by the addition of flavorings or of materials that stimulate the sense of taste (e.g., salt, sweeteners, acidulants and bittering agents), or produce other gustatory effects (e.g., pungent spices, etc.).
The New Prohibition: A Look at the Copyright Wars Through the Lens of Alcohol Prohibition

Over the past decade, copyright holders and content providers have increased legislative and judicial protection for copyrighted works and have concurrently increased enforcement efforts. Much of this has been directed at curbing massive filesharing. Despite the tremendous amount of resources expended in such efforts, filesharing continues at unabated and never before seen levels. Filesharing continues and enforcement efforts has failed because neither the laws nor the copyright industry’s efforts take into account the immense resistance and civil disobedience engendered by efforts to prevent a considerable segment of society from recognizing the reality of the Internet. Moreover, such enforcement efforts also fail to address the evolving nature of copyright. Rather than continuing to impose on society laws that society feels are both unjust and illegitimate, new copyright laws much reflect current societal morals and norms. These current norms suggest that filesharing is here to stay. As such, this Article offers a different look at the controversy surrounding the filesharing.This Article argues that legislators, commentators, and the copyright industry must entertain laws that embrace filesharing, and seek other ways to incentivize artists and other creators. The Article traces Alcohol Prohibition of the 1920s and 1930s as an historical example of laws that were inconsistent with the vast majority of society’s morals and norms. Looking back, one can see many similarities between the Alcohol and Filesharing Prohibitions. The Article suggests, then, that lessons learned from the failed “noble experiment” of Alcohol Prohibition should be applied to the current filesharing controversy. Doing so, the Article advocates legalizing certain noncommercial filesharing. A scheme along these lines will comport with societal norms and will force new business models to replace outdated and ineffective business models.
Portable Enzyme-Paper Biosensors Based on Redox-Active CeO2 Nanoparticles

Portable, nanoparticle (NP)-enhanced enzyme sensors have emerged as powerful devices for qualitative and quantitative analysis of a variety of analytes for biomedicine, environmental applications, and pharmaceutical fields. This chapter describes a method for the fabrication of a portable, paper-based, inexpensive, robust enzyme biosensor for the detection of substrates of oxidase enzymes. The method utilizes redox-active NPs of cerium oxide (CeO2) as a sensing platform which produces color in response to H2O2 generated by the action of oxidase enzymes on their corresponding substrates. This avoids the use of peroxidases which are routinely used in conjunction with glucose oxidase. The CeO2 particles serve dual roles, as high surface area supports to anchor high loadings of the enzyme as well as a color generation reagent, and the particles are recycled multiple times for the reuse of the biosensor. These sensors are small, light, disposable, inexpensive, and they can be mass produced by standard, low-cost printing methods. All reagents needed for the analysis are embedded within the paper matrix, and sensors stored over extended periods of time without performance loss. This novel sensor is a general platform for the in-field detection of analytes that are substrates for oxidase enzymes in clinical, food, and environmental samples.
Surface Melting and Surface Diffusion on Clusters

Surface melting on clusters is investigated by a combination of analytic modeling and computer simulation. Homogeneous, argon-like clusters bound by Lennard-Jones forces and Cu-like clusters bound by embedded atom’ potentials are the systems considered. Molecular dynamics (MD) calculations have been carried out for clusters with 40–147 atoms. Well below the bulk melting temperature, the surfaces become very soft, exhibiting well-defined diffusion constants even while the cores remain nearly rigid and solid-like. The simulations, particularly animations, of atomic motion reveal that the surface melting is associated not with amorphous, random surface structures in constant, irregular motion, but rather in large-amplitude, organized, collective motion of most of the surface atoms accompanied by a few "floaters" and holes. At any time, a few of the surface atoms move out of the surface layer, leaving vacancies; these promoted particles wander diffusively, the holes also but less so, and occasionally exchange with atoms in the surface layer. This result is the basis for an analytic, statistical model. The caloric curves, particularly the latent heats, show that surface melting of clusters is a "phase change" different from the bulk melting of clusters.
Seasonal Variation in Pheromone-Associated Behavior and Physiology of Ips pini

Both sexes of Ips pini showed marked seasonal variation in laboratory responses to male frass and to standard extracts of frass, and in their respiratory levels. The results indicate a change in the physiological state of overwintering beetles that may be a form of diapause.
Versatile Surfactant/Swelling-Agent Template for Synthesis of Large-Pore Ordered Mesoporous Silicas and Related Hollow Nanoparticles

A surfactant/swelling-agent pair suitable for templating a variety of well-defined large-pore nanoporous silicas was identified. The pair includes a poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide), PEO-PPO-PEO, block copolymer surfactant (Pluronic F127, EO106PO70EO106) with a large fraction of long hydrophilic PEO blocks and a swelling agent (toluene) that strongly solubilizes in micelles of the PEO-PPO-PEO surfactant family. Such a combination affords micellar templates for both spherical and cylindrical mesopores with potential to hinder cross-linking of micelle-templated nanostructures due to stabilization of nanoparticles by long PEO chains. Under low-temperature conditions (11–12 °C), the Pluronic F127/toluene pair affords ultralarge-pore FDU-12 (ULP-FDU-12) silica with face-centered cubic structure of spherical mesopores and related hollow nanospheres, as well as large-pore SBA-15 (LP-SBA-15) with two-dimensional hexagonal structure of cylindrical mesopores and related silica nanotub...
Synthesis, characterization, electrochemistry, electronic structure, and isomerization of mononuclear oxo-molybdenum(V) complexes: the serine gate hypothesis in the function of DMSO reductases

Crystal structures of DMSO reductases isolated from two different sources and the crystal structure of related trimethylamine-N-oxide reductase indicate that the angle between the terminal oxo atom on the molybdenum and the serinato oxygen varies significantly. To understand the significance of this angular variation, we have synthesized two isomeric compounds of the heteroscorpionato ligand (L1OH) (cis- and trans-(L1O)Mo(V)OCl(2)), where the phenolic oxygen mimics the serinato oxygen donor. Density functional and semiempirical calculations indicate that the trans isomer is more stable than the cis. The lower stability of the cis isomer can be attributed to two factors. First, a strong antibonding interaction between the phenolic oxygen with molybdenum d(xy) orbital raises the energy of this orbital. Second, the strong trans influence of the terminal oxo group in the trans isomer places the phenol ring, and hence the bulky tertiary butyl group, in a less sterically hindered position. In solution, the cis isomer spontaneously converts to the thermodynamically favorable trans isomer. This geometric transformation follows a first-order process, with an enthalpy of activation of 20 kcal/mol and an entropy of activation of -9 cal/mol K. Computational analysis at the semiempirical level supports a twist mechanism as the most favorable pathway for the geometric transformation. The twist mechanism is further supported by detailed mass spectral data collected in the presence of excess tetraalkylammonium salts. Both the cis and trans isomers exhibit well-defined one-electron couples due to the reduction of molybdenum(V) to molybdenum(IV), with the cis isomer being more difficult to reduce. Both isomers also exhibit oxidative couples because of the oxidation of molybdenum(V) to molybdenum(VI), with the cis isomer being easier to oxidize. This electrochemical behavior is consistent with a higher-energy redox orbital in the cis isomer, which has been observed computationally. Collectively, this investigation demonstrates that by changing the O(t)-Mo-O(p) angle, the reduction potential can be modulated. This geometrically controlled modulation may play a gating role in the electron-transfer process during the regeneration steps in the catalytic cycle.
Total internal mechanical work of ventricle assessed from quick release pressure-volume curve.

A method is proposed for direct assessment of the total internal mechanical work of the cardiac ventricle from a pressure-volume diagram. First, a quick release pressure-volume curve of the lumped series elasticity of the ventricle is recorded. Next, this curve is transcribed on a pressure-volume loop diagram of a contraction of interst in such a way that the quick release curve passes through the endsystolic pressure-volume data point of the loop. Finally, planimetry of the triangular area bounded by the quick release curve, the isovolumic relaxation segment of the loop and the diastolic pressure-volume curve gives total ventricular mechanical internal work performed on the lumped series elasticity of the ventricle during systole. This method is much simpler and more direct than the conventional analytical method which requires a relatively simple geometric model of the ventricle, a formula for series elasticity with appropriate stiffness constants and a series of mathematical calculations based on many unverified assumptions on the shape, structure and mechanical properties of the ventricle.
Uniting Evidence-Based Evaluation with the ACGME Plastic Surgery Milestones: A Simple and Reliable Assessment of Resident Operative Performance.

BACKGROUND Milestones evaluations in plastic surgery reflect a shift toward competency-based training but have created a number of challenges. The authors have incorporated the smartphone application evaluation tool, System for Improving and Measuring Procedural Learning (SIMPL), that was recently developed by a multi-institutional research collaborative. In this pilot study, the authors hypothesize that SIMPL can improve resident evaluation and also collect granular performance data to simplify compliance with the plastic surgery Milestones. METHODS SIMPL was prospectively piloted with a plastic surgery resident and faculty surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital in this institutional review board-approved study. The study period was a 2-month interval corresponding to the resident's rotation. RESULTS The resident-faculty combination performed 20 cases together. All cases were evaluated with SIMPL. SIMPL evaluations uniformly took under 1 minute to submit. The average time to completed evaluation from surgery completion was 5 hours (<0.5 hour to 12 hours). Concrete, objective, and specific data about resident performance were collected for every case and presented in a concise format. CONCLUSIONS SIMPL is an innovative, evidence-based evaluation system that makes performance assessment feasible for every procedure in which a plastic surgery resident participates. SIMPL's competency-based framework can be easily scaled to facilitate data collection and reporting of mandatory Milestones evaluations at the program and national levels. This technology will support a shared vocabulary between residents and faculty to enhance intraoperative education.
Current compensation techniques for low-voltage high-performance current mirror circuits

This paper presents two current mirror circuits for low-voltage applications. Unlike most current mirrors that use stacked transistors in the output branch to boost the output resistance, the proposed designs use current compensation techniques to achieve high output resistance. By avoiding stacked transistors in the output branch, the minimum output voltages of the proposed circuits are significantly lower compared to those of other current mirror circuits with comparable output resistance. Particularly, the first design emphasizes on reducing the minimum output voltage to an extremely low level of around 20 mV. The second design stresses minimizing implementation cost. Compared to a simple current mirror circuit, the second design requires only one additional transistor but boosts the output resistance by more than 10 times. Both circuit analysis and simulations are presented to examine the performance of the proposed designs.
Bilateral Ureteral Triplication with Crossed Ectopic Fused Kidneys Associated with the Vacterl Syndrome

We report a case of bilateral ureteral triplication associated with crossed ectopic fused kidneys, vesicoureteral reflux and the VACTERL syndrome (Vertebral defects, Anal atresia, Cardiovascular anomalies, Tracheo-Esophageal fistula, Radial and renal anomalies, and Limb defects). The relevant literature is reviewed.
Phospholipase C-ε signaling mediates endothelial cell inflammation and barrier disruption in acute lung injury

Phospholipase C-e (PLC-e) is a unique PLC isoform that can be regulated by multiple signaling inputs from both Ras family GTPases and heterotrimeric G proteins and has primary sites of expression in the heart and lung. Whereas the role of PLC-e in cardiac function and pathology has been documented, its relevance in acute lung injury (ALI) is unclear. We used PLC-e(-/-) mice to address the role of PLC-e in regulating lung vascular inflammation and injury in an aerosolized bacterial LPS inhalation mouse model of ALI. PLC-e(-/-) mice showed a marked decrease in LPS-induced proinflammatory mediators (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, macrophage inflammatory protein 2, keratinocyte-derived cytokine, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor), lung neutrophil infiltration and microvascular leakage, and loss of VE-cadherin compared with PLC-e(+/+) mice. These data identify PLC-e as a critical determinant of proinflammatory and leaky phenotype of the lung. To test the possibility that PLC-e activity in endothelial cells (EC) could contribute to ALI, we determined its role in EC inflammation and barrier disruption. RNAi knockdown of PLC-e inhibited NF-κB activity in response to diverse proinflammatory stimuli, thrombin, LPS, TNF-α, and the nonreceptor agonist phorbol 13-myristate 12-acetate (phorbol esters) in EC. Depletion of PLC-e also inhibited thrombin-induced expression of NF-κB target gene, VCAM-1. Importantly, PLC-e knockdown also protected against thrombin-induced EC barrier disruption by inhibiting the loss of VE-cadherin at adherens junctions and formation of actin stress fibers. These data identify PLC-e as a novel regulator of EC inflammation and permeability and show a hitherto unknown role of PLC-e in the pathogenesis of ALI.
Intrinsic Critical Current and Magnetization of YBa2Cu3O7

Dramatic improvements in critical temperature Tc of superconductors were recently made starting with the discovery of a La-Ba-Cu oxide by Bednorz and Muller [1–3]. Although a large number of reports have been published on both the La (Ba/Sr)CuO4 and YBa2Cu3Ox systems, one concern regarding possible uses of these new superconductors in high magnetic fields is the fact that the reported values of critical current density Jc are very low, e.g., the best value of Jc for YBa2Cu3Ox is ~ 11 A/mm2 [4] at 77 K. This value is at least 2 to 3 orders of magnitude lower than what is required for possible high field applications.
Rights, Safety, and Identity: The Context of Forced Mobility in the MENA

Every human being is born with certain fundamental rights. These rights entitle everyone to a degree of safety for life and existence. Identity is one factor that knits together the fabric of both rights and safety. However, due to differences in geographical and economic landscape, differential opportunities, and political differences these three critical issues — rights, safety, and identity (RSI) — bring differential results to the lives of migrant and refugee populations. Metaphorically, we say that the world has significantly transformed in the second half of 20th century due to the ongoing process of globalization. From a political perspective, some parts of the world are globally marginalized, while others are semiglobalized or advanced. Adaptation of market liberalization and competitiveness are perceived as significant constituent components of globalization (Beblawi and Luciani 1987; Larsson 2001). The notion of globalization may get distorted depending on the premise and location its definition is based on. Some economies perform well in the face of economic interdependence to compete with globalization; some grow faster than globalization itself. This creates an unequal race in the world. This has implications for rights, safety, and identity for refugees and non-refugees alike. Anthony Giddens has defined globalization as “the intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local activities are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa” (1990, 64).