cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies on the mechanism by which a tumor promoter inhibits binding of epidermal growth factor to cellular receptors

This study analyzes the mechanism by which the tumor promoter 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) inhibits binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to its membrane receptors in HeLa cells. Kinetic studies indicate that inhibition of EGF binding occurs within a few minutes after exposure of cells to TPA; delayed addition of TPA causes a reduction in previously bound EGF. With prolonged exposure to TPA, the cells become refractory to TPA inhibition of EGF binding. Evidence was obtained that TPA acts by causing the dissociation of EGF-receptor complexes present on the cell surface and not by increasing the proteolytic degradation or internalization of EGF. Evidence that the TPA inhibition of EGF-receptor binding is not a direct consequence of TPA binding to the "active site" of EGF receptors was obtained by the differential effects of pH, temperature or exposure time and that TPA does not inhibit EGF binding when added to isolated plasma membrane fragments. Studies with a variety of inhibitors suggest that the TPA inhibition of EGF-receptor binding does not require macromolecular synthesis, energy metabolism, or cytoskeletal changes. Taken together, our results suggest that TPA inhibition of EGF-receptor binding results from TPA-induced changes in the membrane microenvironment of EGF receptors.
CW CO2 laser CVD of amorphous hydrogenated silicon (a-Si:H): influence of the deposition geometry

Abstract CW CO2 laser CVD of a-Si:H was performed in a parallel configuration of the substrate and a horizontal CO2 laser beam. The influence of the deposition geometry (substrate position) onto the growth rate, the thickness profile, and the quality of intrinsic films were investigated. Increasing the distance between the vertical substrate and the laser beam beside it accelerated the film growth, changed the film morphology, and convection affected the film thickness profile. In addition, the vertical concentration profiles of disilane and hydrogen in the film forming region were determined by in situ gas analysis. The H2 concentration increase on the top coincides with a low film growth rate.
Ignition Time Delay of Hydrogen-Oxygen-Diluent Mixtures at High Temperatures

The motivation for this study arose from experiments on standing detonation waves wherein the flame front was visibly separated from the shock front. This physical separation corresponds to the ignition time delay. A theoretical analysis of the ignition time delay zone for hydrogen-oxygen-diluent mixtures is presented herein. A reaction scheme consisting of nine reactions, which should be valid for temperatures above about 1100°K, is considered. Assuming the initial mole fractions of H2 and (>2 to be of order unity and taking advantage of inequalities that should be valid to at least 2000 °K, it is possible to integrate the differential equations representing the kinetics. Thus time dependent expressions for all radical and water vapor concentrations behind the shock wave are obtained. A characteristic time, based on the initial concentration of H2 and the fastest reaction rate constant, is introduced. For times much greater than this characteristic time, the equations reduce to very simple forms. In order to arrive at an explicit analytical expression for the ignition time delay, a value for the mole fraction of H, characteristic of this delay time, is introduced. It is found that the delay time is dependent on the temperature, pressure, composition, and reaction rate constant for the rate controlling reaction. There is weak dependence on the reaction rate constants for the initiation reactions. A brief comparison between this theory and some experimental results on standing detonation waves is presented and good agreement found. The theory is also in good agreement with available shock tube results.
Skeletal dysplasias and their effect on the respiratory system

Children with skeletal dysplasia frequently have pulmonary disease which can be life threatening. These pulmonary problems are due to multiple aetiologies including thoracic and craniofacial anomalies predisposing to restrictive lung disease, upper airway obstruction and central apnoea. Recognition of pulmonary disease and early intervention improves the survival and quality of life for these children.
Cleaning Up the Dirty Work: Professionalization and the Management of Stigma in the Cosmetic Surgery and Tattoo Industries

This article considers the similarities between the cosmetic surgery and tattoo industries, focusing on how each has transitioned from a disreputable and deviant industry to achieve varying degrees of mainstream acceptance and success. Specifically, each industry is conceptualized as engaging in “dirty work” requiring practitioners to actively reframe and legitimate their respective industry. Using Event Structure Analysis, I model and compare the development of each industry based on linear historical narratives. The resulting models illustrate the importance of events within each narrative along with their relationship to each other. Findings suggest that the creation of industry-wide professional organizations is integral to changing public perception of a given industry. Furthermore, findings show that the more hierarchical structure of the cosmetic surgery industry, as well as its integration into the medical industry, have helped it to thrive in a manner that contrasts sharply with the more disorgan...
Crossover is not a consequence of neglect: a test of the orientation/estimation hypothesis.

Most patients with neglect demonstrate a crossover effect on line bisection. Crossover refers to a pattern of performance in which long lines (>10 cm) are bisected ipsilateral to brain injury and short lines (<2 cm) are bisected contralateral to brain injury. Crossover bisections on short lines are of interest because they are not predicted by contemporary theories concerning neglect. However, we propose that the effect depends on two independent factors that normally influence bisection performance but are merely exaggerated in neglect—a tendency to overestimate the length of short lines and underestimate long lines and a tendency to orient attention preferentially in one spatial direction. We predicted that both patients with unilateral left and right hemisphere injury would demonstrate crossover on line bisection and that they would overestimate short lines and underestimate long lines upon direct visual inspection. Further, the 2 groups were predicted to demonstrate crossover in opposite directions owing to different lesion-induced biases in attentional orientation. Testing 5 patients with right hemisphere injury and 7 patients with left hemisphere injury confirmed each prediction. Additionally, errors in length estimation were exaggerated among patients with right hemisphere injury, most of whom had neglect. It is concluded that while crossover is accentuated in cases of neglect, it is not a consequence of neglect per se . As such, crossover bisections are not at odds with contemporary neglect theory. ( JINS , 2002, 8 , 107–114.)
Mesolimbic dopaminergic neurones in the rotational model of nigrostriatal function

AT least some of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease are believed to result from the degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurones which normally innervate the striatum. Parkinsonian patients have an abnormally low concentration of dopamine in this region of the basal ganglia1,2, and parkinsonian symptoms can be alleviated by the dopamine precursor L-dopa3. A quantitative animal model which has proved useful in assessing the potential therapeutic value of drugs in the treatment of parkinsonism was described some years ago by Ungerstedt and Arbuthnott4. Rats, in which the nigrostriatal pathway has been destroyed unilaterally by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), were shown to rotate towards the lesioned side when injected with drugs, such as amphetamine, which release dopamine from neurones in the brain, and towards the unlesioned side when injected with L-dopa and dopamine agonists5,6. This contralateral rotation has been attributed to supersensitivity of the denervated striatal dopamine receptors5,6.
BIFURCATIONS TO CHAOS IN OPTICAL BISTABILITY

Recent predictions by Ikeda show novel instabilities in optically bistable devices which can give chaotic behavior. Experiments confirming this prediction are presented. A discussion of the nature of chaos and the rationale for its study is also given.
How vervet monkeys perceive their grunts: Field playback experiments

Abstract Free-ranging vervet monkeys grunt to each other in a variety of social situations: when approaching a dominant or subordinate individual, when moving into a new area of their range, or when observing another group. Like other non-human primate vocalizations, these grunts have traditionally been interpreted as a single, highly variable call that reflects the arousal state of the signaller. Field playback experiments suggest, however, that what humans initially perceive as one grunt the monkeys perceive as at least four. Each grunt carries a specific meaning that seems to depend more on its acoustic properties than on the context in which it occurs. Results suggest that the vocalizations given by monkeys during social interactions may function in a rudimentary representational manner, as if to designate objects or events in the external world.
The value of defibrillator far-field electrograms for ablation of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation

We report a case of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation treated by catheter ablation of the monomorphic initiating premature beat. The initiating focus was identified using intacardiac defibrillator electrograms (EGMs).
Novel Application of Query-Based Qualitative Predictors for Characterization of Solvent Accessible Residues in Conjunction with Protein Sequence Homology

Prediction of relative solvent accessibility (RSA) is a standard first-approach in predicting three-dimensional protein structures. Here we have applied linear regression methods that include various sequence homology values for each residue as well as query residue qualitative predictors, corresponding to each of the twenty canonical amino acids. We fit the 268-protein learning set with a variety of sequence homology terms, including 20 and 6-term sequence entropy, and residue qualitative predictors. Then estimated RSA values are subsequently generated for the 215-protein Manesh test set. The qualitative predictors describe the actual query residue type (e.g. Gly) as opposed to the measures of sequence homology for the aligned subject sequences. This is consistent with our framework of modeling a limited set of discrete and/or physically intuitive predictors. Initial calculations involving normalized RSA values were considered as a likely first attempt, incorporating the notion of fitting an explicit binary characterization of individual residues, either as buried or accessible. Interestingly, the utilization of qualitative predictors showed significant prediction accuracy. Subsequent calculations using the original RSA values gave estimated values that, upon binary classification, indicated accuracies comparable to other first stage methods. Development of a second stage methodology is of current interest.
Variability in fire–climate relationships in ponderosa pine forests in the Colorado Front Range

Understanding the interactions of climate variability and wildfire has been a primary objective of recent fire history research. The present study examines the influence of El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) on fire occurrence using fire-scar evidence from 58 sites from the lower ecotone to the upper elevational limits of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in northern Colorado. An important finding is that at low v. high elevations within the montane zone, climatic patterns conducive to years of widespread fire are different. Differences in fire–climate relationships are manifested primarily in antecedent year climate. Below ~2100 m, fires are dependent on antecedent moister conditions that favour fine fuel accumulation 2 years before dry fire years. In the upper montane zone, fires are dependent primarily on drought rather than an increase in fine fuels. Throughout the montane zone, fire is strongly linked to variations in moisture availability that in turn is linked to climate influences of ENSO, PDO and AMO. Fire occurrence is greater than expected during the phases of each index associated with drought. Regionally widespread fire years are associated with specific phase combinations of ENSO, PDO and AMO. In particular, the combination of La Nina, negative PDO and positive AMO is highly conducive to widespread fire.
Mapping Peptides Correlated with Transmission of Intrasteric Inhibition and Allosteric Activation in Human Cystathionine β-Synthase†

Cystathionine β-synthase plays a key role in the intracellular disposal of homocysteine and is the single most common locus of mutations associated with homocystinuria. Elevated levels of homocysteine are correlated with heart disease, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and neural tube defects. Cystathionine β-synthase is modular and subjected to complex regulation, but insights into the structural basis of this regulation are lacking. We have employed hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry to map peptides whose motions are correlated with transmission of intrasteric inhibition and allosteric activation. The mass spectrometric data provide an excellent correlation between kinetically and conformationally distinguishable states of the enzyme. We also demonstrate that a pathogenic regulatory domain mutant, D444N, is conformationally locked in one of two states sampled by the wild type enzyme. Our hydrogen exchange data identify surfaces that are potentially involved in the juxtaposition of the regulatory an...
Social Problems and Service Needs in a Korean-American Community: Perceptions of Community Residents and Community Key Informants

The aim of this study was to investigate the similarities and differences between Korean residents' and community key informants' perceptions of problems and needs in the areas of immigration, health, social services, emotional/behavioral concerns, and family issues. Both survey and key informant approaches were employed, and a total of 127 residents and 25 community key informants participated. Findings show fairly good agreement between residents and community key informants regarding their respective perceptions of social problems; and significant group differences regarding what services were actually needed. This study serves as a rationale for developing strategies to solve community problems, promote the awareness of social services, and highlight community integration within the Korean community.
Algebraic recurrence relations for the finite-order scattering and transmission functions

Abstract In preceding papers (cf. Bellman et al.(1,2,3,), integral recurrence for the finite-order scattering and transmission functions have been given in connection with integral recurrence relations for the finite order X- and Y-functions with the aid of an initial-value method. In the present paper, it is shown how to find algebraic recurrence relations for the finite-order scattering and transmission functions in terms of finite-order X- and Y-functions without referring to an initial-value method. These recurrence relations are suitable for the numerical computation of the finite-order scattering and transmission functions by use of a digital computer. Furthermore, in Tables 1–3, a numerical example of the finite-order reflection functions for optical thickness 0·2 with albedo = 1 is listed. Table 4 furnishes an example of the cumulative reflection functions for optical thickness 0·2 with three different albedos.
Effects of Gender on Outcomes and Survival Following Repair of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection

Abstract Previous studies have demonstrated gender-related differences in early and late outcomes following type A dissection diagnosis. However, it is widely unknown whether gender affects early clinical outcomes and survival after repair of type A aortic dissection. The goal of this study was to compare the early and late clinical outcomes in women versus men after repair of acute type A aortic dissections. Between January 2000 and October 2010 a total of 251 patients from four academic medical centers underwent repair of acute type A aortic dissection. Of those, 79 were women and 172 were men with median ages of 67 (range, 20-87 years) and 58 years (range, 19-83 years), respectively (p < 0.001). Major morbidity, operative mortality, and 10-year actuarial survival were compared between the groups. Operative mortality was not significantly influenced by gender (19% for women vs. 17% for men, p = 0.695). There were similar rates of hemodynamic instability (12% for women vs. 13% men, p = 0.783) between the two groups. Actuarial 10-year survival rates were 58% for women versus 73% for men (p = 0.284). Gender does not significantly impact early clinical outcomes and actuarial survival following repair of acute type A aortic dissection.
Kerr-Imaged Edge-Curling Wall Effects of Narrow Magnetic Cores

Magnetic cores produced by laminating alternating magnetic/nonmagnetic layers have been shown to eliminate closure domains by linking flux vertically between magnetic layers at the edge of the film. Closure domains, which do not contribute significantly to the permeability, are undesired in patterned magnetic cores for transformers since they reduce the inductance. The inductance of narrow magnetic core transformers was found to drop with increasing frequency. Kerr images of these cores reveal partial closure domains at the edges, which explain the inductance behavior. Edge domain effects are explained based upon energy models of laminated Permalloy strips.
Polychlorinated biphenyls in dated sediments of Milwaukee Harbour, Wisconsin, USA

Abstract A sediment core from Milwaukee Harbour was dated by the Pb-210 and Cs-137 methods and analysed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The mass sedimentation rate of 1·10 g cm−2 year−1 was significantly higher than for Lake Michigan. The Cs-137 inventory of 162·9 dpm cm−2 was 11·7 times higher than that calculated from atmospheric deposition data. There was a significant degree of PCB pollution in the sediments, as evidenced by the fact that the PCB flux was 596 times higher than the average atmospheric input to Lake Michigan. The vertical distribution of PCBs in the relatively undisturbed core followed the available national sales records (1957–1974) remarkably well. In addition, there was a sharp drop in layers from the late 1970s which would be expected in view of the recent curtailment of PCB usage and production. Relatively high levels of Aroclor 1254 point to local electrical component manufacturers. Several users of hydraulic fluids and lubricants containing PCBs have probably also contributed to the increased levels in the harbour sediments.
How do Abl family kinases regulate cell shape and movement

Genetic analysis and studies of normal and leukemia cells in culture have shown that Abl family nonreceptor tyrosine kinases regulate cell morphogenesis and motility. Abl family kinases, which include Drosophila (D-) Abl and the vertebrate Abl and Arg proteins, relay signals from cell surface growth-factor and adhesion receptors to promote cytoskeletal rearrangements. Recent biochemical and crystallographic analyses have clarified the mechanisms by which growth-factor and adhesion receptors might regulate the activity of Abl family kinases. When activated, Abl family kinases can regulate cytoskeletal dynamics by phosphorylating several known cytoskeletal regulatory proteins. In addition, the C-terminal half of Abl family kinases has several domains that bind to cytoskeletal components. Emerging evidence suggests that Abl family kinases can use these domains to directly organize cytoskeletal structure in vivo.
Information technology (IT) and integration in the construction industry

The focus of this paper is on the integration of design and construction activities. We argue that information technology (IT) can effectively promote integration in the construction industry. Recent advances in the field of IT, the increasingly global nature of the construction market and a renewed demand for quality and productivity in construction are making the issue of integration more critical than ever. Design and construction organizations can achieve integration of various construction activities by redesigning many of their organizational functions and processes and IT can facilitate redesigning of these processes. The dynamic nature of construction processes, interdependence of various participating entities and the need for teamwork, flexibility and a high degree of coordination suggest that IT has great potential in the construction industry. The construction industry can make effective use of communication, data accessibility and common systems designed to process data, the three major categ...
Isocyanate-free moisture cure coatings

Novel isocyanate-free moisture curepolyurethane coatings with excellent properties have been formulated and evaluated. These coatings utilize polyols derived from the renewable resource soybean oil and its simple derivatives. The coating is autocatalytic and does not require continuous exposure to moisture for the development of full properties. A series of soybean oil-based polyols were synthesized by treating either the raw oil or epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) by a variety of reagents including long chain fatty acids. In a series of model reactions the above polyols were reacted with various diisocyanate compounds, at molar ratio of NCO/OH=1.5:1–3:1 to obtain prepolymers with residual NCO% of around 1.8. The isocyanate-free moisture curable resin was obtained by coapping the prepolymer with of aminosilane followed by the addition of a small amount of methanol. Typical clearcoat formulations become tack-free in less than an hour, recoatable in about one hour, and reach a functional cure stage in 24 hr at 40% RH and 25°C.
Standardization and validation of an automated algorithm to identify fractionation as a guide for atrial fibrillation ablation.

Background Atrial fibrillation catheter ablation is frequently guided by identification of fractionated electrograms, which are thought to be critical for maintenance of the arrhythmia. Objective automated means for identifying fractionation independent of physician interpretation have not been standardized or validated. Objective The purpose of this study was to standardize and validate an automated algorithm to rapidly identify fractionated electrograms for high-density atrial fibrillation fractionation mapping. Methods Left and right atrial fractionation maps were generated by EnSite NavX 6.0 software, using standardized ablation catheters in eight patients with atrial fibrillation. Two blinded electrophysiologists interpreted all electrograms as either fractionated or not fractionated. A stepwise approach was used to optimize automated settings to accurately identify fractionation. High-density fractionation maps were generated with a 20-pole mapping catheter in eight other patients. Two blinded electrophysiologists interpreted all electrograms as near field or far field. The algorithm was refined to optimize settings to exclude far-field signals and retain near-field signals. The sampling segment length was adjusted to optimize recording time to ensure reproducibility. Results Using 1,514 points, the automated software achieved sensitivity of 0.75 and specificity of 0.80 for identification of fractionated electrograms. Using 725 points collected via multipole catheters with optimal automated settings, 94% of near-field fractionated electrograms were accurately identified. A 6-second sampling length was needed for reproducible fractionation measurements. Conclusion Standardized settings of EnSite NavX 6.0 software with 6-second data collection per point can rapidly and accurately generate high-density fractionation maps independent of physician electrogram interpretation. This may allow for an automated, standardized approach to atrial fibrillation fractionated ablation.
DSP implementation of SISO and MIMO OFDM acoustic modems

Significant progress has been made recently on the use of multicarrier modulation in the form of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) for high data rate underwater acoustic communications. In this paper, we present implementation results of OFDM acoustic modems under both single-input single-output and multi-input multi-output (two transmitters and two receivers) settings. The data rates are 3.2 kb/s and 6.4 kb/s for SISO and MIMO systems, respectively, with QPSK modulation, rate-1/2 channel coding, and signal bandwidth of 6 kHz. Real-time operation has been achieved with impressive margins, using a floating point TMS320C6713 DSP development board. Specifically, with convolutional coding, the processing time for each OFDM block of duration 210 ms is about 38 ms and 77 ms for SISO and MIMO settings, respectively, with the DSP running at 225 MHz. With nonbinary low-density parity-check (LDPC) coding, which gains about 2 dB in error performance relative to convolutional coding, the processing time per block increases to 50 ms and 101 ms for SISO and MIMO settings, respectively. We have also implemented the OFDM acoustic modems using a fixed-point TMS320C6416 DSP development board, where the DSP core runs at 1 GHz. The per-block processing time reduces by two thirds with negligible performance degradation.
Taxes and tradable permits as instruments for controlling pollution : theory and practice

This paper examines the relative merits of two dominant economic instruments for reducing pollution-'green' taxes and tradable permits. Theoretically, the two instruments share many similarities, and on balance, neither seems preferable to the other. In practice, however, most countries have relied more on taxes than on permits to control pollution. The analysis suggests a number of lessons to be learned from country experiences regarding the design and implementation of both instruments. While many, particularly European countries, currently have long-term programs involving environmental taxes, a willingness to experiment with tradable permits seems to be growing, especially given the Kyoto protocol emission targets.
A mutation in Drosophila alters normal connectivity between two identified neurones

The mechanisms involved in producing the vast number of specific connections in the nervous system are unknown. As nerve cells grow during development and seek out their targets there must be some sort of molecular cues for axonal guidance and final target recognition. One strategy for identifying such factors is to locate the genes which code for or control the expression of the molecules. To identify these genes, we have chosen a simple network of eight neurones in Drosophila melanogaster, comprising the giant fibre (GF) system1–3, in which we can detect the effect of mutations on connectivity. We report here the isolation of an X-linked, recessive mutation, bendless (ben), which deletes one process of the GF while leaving other portions functionally unaltered.
Regional changes in constitutive, but not inducible NOS expression in the brains of mice infected with the LP-BM5 leukemia virus

Abstract Potential neurotoxins such as nitric oxide have been implicated in the pathogenesis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) dementia complex. The LP-BM5 murine leukemia-infected mice, which develop immunological and cognitive deficits reminiscent of human HIV-1 infection, were employed to investigate the changes in brain constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Cerebellar and striatal cNOS enzymatic activity increased ≈ 70% as early as 2 weeks after infection, declining to control levels by 12–16 weeks. In contrast, cNOS protein expression in the striatum and cerebellum was decreased 30% at 4 weeks, declining to 50% of control levels by 16 weeks post-infection. Staining intensity for cNOS, but not neuron number was reduced in the cerebral cortex, striatum, ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus and amygdala. Although iNOS protein expression was elevated in splenic monocytes, neither iNOS activity, mRNA nor protein was detected in the brains of mice 12 weeks after infection. These results indicate that neurons decrease cNOS protein expression to compensate for chronic cNOS activation, probably resulting from glutamatergic stimulation. The cNOS activation is contemporaneous with microglial activation in LP-BM5-infected mice, and precedes the development of cognitive deficits. Moreover, the lack of iNOS induction in either infected macrophages or glial elements suggests that iNOS is not necessary for the development of these cognitive deficits.
Local dynamic stability of trunk movements during the repetitive lifting of loads

The local dynamic stability of trunk movements was assessed during repetitive lifting using nonlinear Lyapunov analyses. The goal was to assess how varying the load-in-hands affects the neuromuscular control of lumbar spinal stability. Thirty healthy participants (15M, 15F) performed repetitive lifting at 10 cycles per minute for three minutes under two load conditions: zero load and 10% of each participant's maximum back strength. Short- and long-term maximum finite-time Lyapunov exponents (λ(max-s) and λ(max-l)), describing responses to infinitesimally small perturbations, were calculated from the measured trunk kinematics to estimate the local dynamic stability of the system. Kinematic variability was also assessed using mean standard deviations (MeanSD) across cycles. The results of a mixed-design repeated-measures ANOVA showed that increasing the load lifted significantly reduced λ(max-s) (μ(0%-LOAD)=0.379, μ(10%-LOAD)=0.335, p<.001), but not λ(max-l) (μ(0%-LOAD)=0.46E-03, μ(10%-LOAD)=2.41E-03, p=.055) or MeanSD (μ(0%-LOAD)=2.57, μ(10%-LOAD)=2.89, p=.164). There were no between-subject effects of sex, or significant interactions (α<.05). The present findings indicated improved dynamic spinal stability when lifting the heavier load; meaning that as muscular and moment demands increased, so too did participants' abilities to respond to local perturbations. These results support the notion of greater spinal instability during movement with low loads due to decreased muscular demand and trunk stiffness, and should aid in understanding how lifting various loads contributes to occupational low back pain.
The Internationalization of European Sports Teams and the Issue of National Citizenship: Can Sports Transcend Political Borders?

Heike C. Alberts and Kazimierz J. Zaniewski, Lewiston, Edwin Mellen Press, 2011, xix+158 pp, bibliography, figures, index, US$129.95/£89.95 (paperback), ISBN 0-7734-3941-2/978-0-7734-3941-2 With th...
Comparative study of polyamides from bisacid A2.

Results of a study of the solution polycondensation of seven aromatic diamines with bisacid A2 are reported. The polymer of bisacid A2 with hexamethylene diamine is also synthesized. An evaluation of the polymers based upon wide angle X-ray scattering, infrared analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and mechanical properties has been carried out. Two of the polymers have been wet spun into fibers.
Hypocretin 1/orexin A in the ventral tegmental area enhances dopamine responses to cocaine and promotes cocaine self-administration

Rationale Recent evidence indicates that the hypocretin/orexin system participates in the regulation of reinforcement and addiction processes. For example, manipulations that decrease hypocretin neurotransmission result in disruptions of neurochemical and behavioral responses to cocaine.
THE USE OF LONG GUNS FOR MURDER

Summary.-In 1980, long guns were used relatively more often for murder in states which were more rural and which had a greater proportion of hunters. Linsky, Bachman, and Straus (1995) calculated murder rates by handguns and by long guns for each state in America in 1980-1984 from FBI data. It seems possible that long guns would be more common in states which were less urban and where there were more hunters. Using a data set for the 48 continental contiguous states from Lester (1994), the percentage of firearm murders committed by long guns was associated with the percentage of the urban population in the state, the population density of the state, the number of hunting licenses issued to in-state residents per capita (data file collected by author), and the number of hunters over the age of 18 per capita (Fish & Wildlife Service, 1982) (Pearson ss= -.61, -31, .49, and .41, respectively, two-tailed p<.O5). Incidentally, the absolute murder rate (100,000 population) by long guns was not significantly associated with these variables, while the murder rate using handguns was associated with only the incidence of hunting licenses (r = -.44, p < .05). Thus, long guns were used relatively more often for murder in the more rural states with a higher percentage of hunters.
Experimental and clinical results of grafts in the venous system: a current review.

Abstract A review of recent experimental and clinical studies of grafts in the venous system indicates that: (1) the autogenous vein remains the best material for segmental venous replacement; (2) recanalization can occur with synthetic grafts; (3) early venography should be utilized to aid in the differentiation of recanalization from continued primary patency; (4) distal arteriovenous fistulas can be used temporarily to improve long-term patency rates; (5) systemic inhibitors of platelet aggregation may be useful in selected circumstances; and (6) alteration of the prosthesis—blood interface remains a potential area of investigation. We urge that further studies: (1) recognize the need for thorough and concise reporting of materials and methods, (2) include early and late venographic observations, and (3) critically examine the importance of porosity, prosthesis healing, and endothelium upon early and long-term patency of venous substitutes.
Prevention Training of Paraprofessionals in the Schools: An Examination of Relevancy and Effectiveness

Prevention training programs for paraprofessional school personnel are examined in this article. Prevention training for the reduction of student alcohol and other drug use, incorporating a student well-being model, is described and evaluated. The prevention training, entitled "Enhancing Student Well-Being," took place in two urban school districts with over 200 paraprofessional school personnel participating. The training was evaluated using measures of knowledge gained, self-efficacy, and participant satisfaction. Pre- and post-training differences showed consistent gains in participant efficacy expectations but less consistent gains in outcome expectations and knowledge. Participant satisfaction and self-reports of knowledge enhanced and skill improvement were uniformly high across all training programs. Implications for inservice prevention training of paraprofessionals are discussed.
The free trade frenzy

The World Trade Organization (WTO) sprung to life in January 1995 as a powerful reincarnation of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)—its predecessor in Geneva since 1947. The WTO regulates more than 85% of the world's annual trade of some US$3.6 trillion in “goods,” most of which are listed in the 1,280 pages of the US tariff schedule. This fine‐print bible of “free trade” includes, among other things, 15 pages of candies, 24 pages of footwear and 33 pages of dairy produce. The “free trade” frenzy for peddling these goods is quickly taking over our entire globe.
Comparing the effects of visual-auditory and visual-tactile feedback on user performance: a meta-analysis

In a meta-analysis of 43 studies, we examined the effects of multimodal feedback on user performance, comparing visual-auditory and visual-tactile feedback to visual feedback alone. Results indicate that adding an additional modality to visual feedback improves performance overall. Both visual-auditory feedback and visual-tactile feedback provided advantages in reducing reaction times and improving performance scores, but were not effective in reducing error rates. Effects are moderated by task type, workload, and number of tasks. Visual-auditory feedback is most effective when a single task is being performed (g = .87), and under normal workload conditions (g = .71). Visual-tactile feedback is more effective when multiple tasks are begin performed (g = .77) and workload conditions are high (g = .84). Both types of multimodal feedback are effective for target acquisition tasks; but vary in effectiveness for other task types. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Is there a real benefit to zinc and prebiotic fortified ORS in children under the age of 3 years

Commentary on: A Passariello, G Terrin, G De Marco, et al.. Efficacy of a new hypotonic oral rehydration solution containing zinc and prebiotics in the treatment of childhood acute diarrhea: a randomized controlled trial.J Pediatr2011;158:288–92.e1.
Robust Value Function Approximation Using Bilinear Programming

Existing value function approximation methods have been successfully used in many applications, but they often lack useful a priori error bounds. We propose approximate bilinear programming, a new formulation of value function approximation that provides strong a priori guarantees. In particular, this approach provably finds an approximate value function that minimizes the Bellman residual. Solving a bilinear program optimally is NP-hard, but this is unavoidable because the Bellman-residual minimization itself is NP-hard. We therefore employ and analyze a common approximate algorithm for bilinear programs. The analysis shows that this algorithm offers a convergent generalization of approximate policy iteration. Finally, we demonstrate that the proposed approach can consistently minimize the Bellman residual on a simple benchmark problem.
Striatal dopamine transporter availability with [123I]β-CIT SPECT is unrelated to gender or menstrual cycle

The effect of gender and female menstrual cycle on human striatal dopamine transporters (DATs) was investigated with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using the ligand 2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-[123I]iodophenyl)tropane. Ten female subjects aged 18–40 years (25.3±7.3 years) were scanned twice during the early follicular and the mid-luteal phases to detect any hormone-mediated changes in DAT availability in the striatum or serotonin transporter (SERT) availability in brainstem–diencephalon. Plasma estradiol and progesterone levels were obtained at the time of SPECT and confirmed the expected increases from the follicular to the luteal phases. Finally, in a post hoc analysis of a previously published healthy-subject sample, striatal DAT availability was compared between 70 male and 52 female subjects who ranged in age from 18 to 88 years. In the ten menstrual cycle subjects, DAT availability (V3″) in striatum and SERT availability in brainstem–diencephalon did not differ between follicular and luteal phases. Moreover, change in V3″ for striatum or brainstem–diencephalon was uncorrelated with change in plasma estradiol or progesterone from the follicular to the luteal phase. In the larger healthy-subject sample, there was no significant effect of gender or the interaction of age and gender on striatal V3″. These findings suggest that in using DAT or SERT ligands in the study of neuropsychiatric disorders, matching of female subjects according to a menstrual cycle phase is unnecessary. Although the present investigation did not confirm previous reports of gender differences in striatal DAT availability, controlling for gender in such studies still seems advisable.
A CMOS oversampling D/A converter with a current-mode semi-digital reconstruction filter

Oversampling digital-to-analog (D/A) converters employing sigma-delta modulation noise shaping and single-bit quantization are attractive for use in digital audio applications because of their relaxed reconstruction filtering requirements and their tolerance of component mismatch. However, the use of a two-level D/A interface results in a large amount of out-of-band quantization noise that typically must be attenuated by a carefully designed analog reconstruction filter. This paper introduces a means of simplifying the reconstruction filter design through the use of a semidigital finite-impulse-response (FIR) filter. In particular, it describes an oversampling D/A converter wherein a current-mode semidigital reconstruction filter is used to implement a multilevel D/A interface that attenuates the out-of-band quantization noise without requiring precise component matching. An experimental implementation of the converter achieves a dynamic range of 94 dB and 72 dB attenuation of out-of-band quantization noise for a baseband of 20 kHz. The prototype converter, which consists of a linear interpolator, a second-order noise shaper, and a 128-tap semidigital FIR filter, dissipates 59 mW from a 5-V supply and occupies an active area of 3 mm/sup 2/ when integrated in a 1.2- mu m digital CMOS technology. >
Graph decompositions with application to wavelength add-drop multiplexing for minimizing SONET ADMs

In a synchronous optical network ring, assignment of source-to-destination circuits to wavelengths must respect traffic requirements and minimize both the number of wavelengths and the amount of terminal conversion equipment. When traffic requirements are approximately equal on all source-destination circuits, the assignment can be modeled as a graph decomposition problem. In this setting, techniques from combinatorial design theory can be applied. These techniques are introduced in a simpler form when every source-destination circuit requires one quarter of a wavelength. More sophisticated design-theoretic methods are then developed to produce the required decompositions for all sufficiently large ring sizes, when each source-destination circuit requires one eighth of a wavelength.
Dietary intake of palmitate and oleate has broad impact on systemic and tissue lipid profiles in humans

Background: Epidemiologic evidence has suggested that diets with a high ratio of palmitic acid (PA) to oleic acid (OA) increase risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Objective: To gain additional insights into the relative effect of dietary fatty acids and their metabolism on CVD risk, we sought to identify a metabolomic signature that tracks with diet-induced changes in blood lipid concentrations and whole-body fat oxidation. Design: We applied comprehensive metabolomic profiling tools to biological specimens collected from 18 healthy adults enrolled in a crossover trial that compared a 3-wk high–palmitic acid (HPA) with a low–palmitic acid and high–oleic acid (HOA) diet. Results: A principal components analysis of the data set including 329 variables measured in 15 subjects in the fasted state identified one factor, the principal components analysis factor in the fasted state (PCF1-Fasted), which was heavily weighted by the PA:OA ratio of serum and muscle lipids, that was affected by diet (P < 0.0001; HPA greater than HOA). One other factor, the additional principal components analysis factor in the fasted state (PCF2-Fasted), reflected a wide range of acylcarnitines and was affected by diet in women only (P = 0.0198; HPA greater than HOA). HOA lowered the ratio of serum low-density lipoprotein to high-density lipoprotein (LDL:HDL) in men and women, and adjustment for the PCF1-Fasted abolished the effect. In women only, adjustment for the PCF2-Fasted eliminated the HOA-diet effect on serum total- and LDL-cholesterol concentrations. The respiratory exchange ratio in the fasted state was lower with the HPA diet (P = 0.04), and the diet effect was eliminated after adjustment for the PCF1-Fasted. The messenger RNA expression of the cholesterol regulatory gene insulin-induced gene-1 was higher with the HOA diet (P = 0.008). Conclusions: These results suggest that replacing dietary PA with OA reduces the blood LDL concentration and whole-body fat oxidation by modifying the saturation index of circulating and tissue lipids. In women, these effects are also associated with a higher production and accumulation of acylcarnitines, possibly reflecting a shift in fat catabolism.
A3: A Topology Construction Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks

Topology control is a well-known strategy to save energy and extend the lifetime of wireless sensor networks. This paper introduces the A3 (a tree) algorithm, a simple, distributed, and energy-efficient topology construction mechanism that finds a sub-optimal Connected Dominating Set (CDS) to turn unnecessary nodes off while keeping the network connected and providing complete communication coverage. A3 utilizes a weighted distance-energy-based metric that permits the network operator to trade off the lengths of the branches (distance) for the robustness and durability of the tree (energy). Comparisons with other well-known topology construction mechanisms show the superiority of the proposed scheme in terms of the number of active nodes and energy efficiency. Simulation experiments show that to achieve complete communication coverage, A3 needs only 6% and 41% of the nodes active in dense and sparse scenarios, versus 8% and 43% and 5% and 43% of the EECDS and CDS- Rule-K algorithms, respectively. More importantly, the proposed protocol presents a low linearly bounded worst-case amount of messages per node that limits the overhead and the energy usage compared to a non-linear increase of the EECDS and CDS-Rule- K algorithms.
Maternal butalbital use and selected defects in the national birth defects prevention study.

Background.—Butalbital is a barbiturate contained in combination products with caffeine and an analgesic prescribed for the treatment of migraine and tension-type headaches. Controversy exists as to whether butalbital should continue to be prescribed in the United States because of the potential for abuse, overuse headache, and withdrawal syndromes. Butalbital crosses the placenta but there is limited information about potential teratogenicity. Objective.—To evaluate associations between butalbital and a wide range of specific birth defects. Methods.—The National Birth Defects Prevention Study is an ongoing, case–control study of nonsyndromic, major birth defects conducted in 10 states. The detailed case classification and large number of cases in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study allowed us to examine the association between maternal self-reported butalbital use and specific birth defects. We conducted an analysis of 8373 unaffected controls and 21,090 case infants with estimated dates of delivery between 1997 and 2007; included were birth defects with 250 or more cases. An exploratory analysis examined groups with 100 to 249 cases. Results.—Seventy-three case mothers and 15 control mothers reported periconceptional butalbital use. Of 30 specific defect groups evaluated, adjusted odds ratios for maternal periconceptional butalbital use were statistically significant for 3 congenital heart defects: tetralogy of Fallot (adjusted odds ratio = 3.04; 95% confidence interval = 1.07−8.62), pulmonary valve stenosis (adjusted odds ratio = 5.73; 95% confidence interval = 2.25−14.62), and secundum-type atrial septal defect (adjusted odds ratio = 3.06; 95% confidence interval = 1.07−8.79). In the exploratory analysis, an elevated odds ratio was detected for 1 congenital heart defect, single ventricle. Conclusions.—We observed relationships between maternal periconceptional butalbital use and certain congenital heart defects. These associations have not been reported before, and some may be spurious. Butalbital use was rare and despite the large size of the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, the number of exposed case and control infants was small. However, if confirmed in additional studies, our findings will be useful in weighing the risks and benefits of butalbital for the treatment of migraine and tension-type headaches.