cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Imaging of multiple sclerosis: Role in neurotherapeutics

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an ever-expanding role in the evaluation of multiple sclerosis (MS). This includes its sensitivity for the diagnosis of the disease and its role in identifying patients at high risk for conversion to MS after a first presentation with selected clinically isolated syndromes. In addition, MRI is a key tool in providing primary therapeutic outcome measures for phase I/II trials and secondary outcome measures in phase III trials. The utility of MRI stems from its sensitivity to longitudinal changes including those in overt lesions and, with advanced MRI techniques, in areas affected by diffuse occult disease (the so-called normal-appearing brain tissue). However, all current MRI methodology suffers from limited specificity for the underlying histopathology. Conventional MRI techniques, including lesion detection and measurement of atrophy from T1- or T2-weighted images, have been the mainstay for monitoring disease activity in clinical trials, in which the use of gadolinium with T1-weighted images adds additional sensitivity and specificity for areas of acute inflammation. Advanced imaging methods including magnetization transfer, fluid attenuated inversion recovery, diffusion, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, functional MRI, and nuclear imaging techniques have added to our understanding of the pathogenesis of MS and may provide methods to monitor therapies more sensitively in the future. However, these advanced methods are limited by their cost, availability, complexity, and lack of validation. In this article, we review the role of conventional and advanced imaging techniques with an emphasis on neurotherapeutics.
Reduction in fitness of female Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) infected with Metarhizium anisopliae.

Bioassays were conducted to document the effects of Metarhizium anisopliae infection on adult female Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) reproduction before death and subsequent survival of offspring. The effect of infection on fecundity was evaluated for females already laying eggs and for newly eclosed females using M. anisopliae isolates ARSEF 7234 and 7711, respectively. Decreased longevity and oviposition compared with controls were observed in females that were already laying eggs when exposed to M. anisopliae ARSEF 7234. Newly eclosed females exposed to M. anisopliae ARSEF 7711 displayed shortened longevity (10.0 ± 0.7 days vs 74.3 ± 6.8 days for controls) and decreased oviposition (1.3 ± 0.7 eggs per ARSEF 7711-exposed female vs 97.2 ± 13.7 eggs per female for controls) compared with controls. Percentages of eggs that did not hatch were greater for both groups of fungal-treated females compared with controls and 60.0% of unhatched eggs contained signs of fungal infection. The percentage of larvae dying within 9 weeks of oviposition was higher for sexually mature females exposed to ARSEF 7234 compared with controls and >40% of dead larvae displayed signs of fungal infection. Thus, for both stages of females and both fungal isolates, fewer surviving larvae were produced after female fungal infection compared with controls. M. anisopliae infection affects female fitness by decreasing female longevity, by decreasing female oviposition before death and through horizontal transmission of M. anisopliae to offspring.
Isolation and characterization of the xenopus laevis cdna and genomic homologs of neuropeptide Y

Abstract We have isolated Xenopus laevis cDNA and genomic clones encoding the neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA and gene using a probe from the human NPY gene. The longest open reading frame in the cDNA encodes a peptide 76% identical to human prepro-NPY and 73% identical to rat prepro-NPY. The putative mature Xenopus NPY (XNPY) peptide is 94% identical to both human and rat peptides. A genomic clone containing 422 base pairs of 5'-flanking sequences and the 5'-end of the mRNA was also isolated. Primer extension analysis was used to map the transcription initiation site of the Xenopus NPY gene. Comparison of the 5 '-flanking sequences of the Xenopus laevis , human, and rat NPY genes resulted in areas of high conservation, including the TATA box and the CT box previously shown to interact with Spl-like proteins. Distribution of the Xenopus NPY message was analyzed by Northern analysis and RNAse protection. XNPY transcripts were not detected in whole developing embryo RNA, but were detected in adult frog brain RNA. We have also conducted preliminary studies of the XNPY promoter, utilizing an XNPY/chloramphenicol acetyl-transferase fusion construct. This study has demonstrated that Xenopus NPY shares a high degree of identity to its human and rat counterparts and that this homology extends to the gene, which contains similar cis -elements positioned near the transcription start site.
Timespace in the workplace: dealing with interruptions

We report tindings from an observational study on the nature of interruptions in the workplace. The results show that in most cases, (64”A), the recipient received some benefit from the interruption. However in just over 40’%. of interruptions the recipient did not resume the work they were doing prior to the interruption. Some implications for time management and communication technology are presented.
The Impact of Culture on Technology and Business: An Interdisciplinary, Experiential Course Paradigm:

In today’s global environment, companies continue to seek new customers and suppliers on an international level. However, the “rules” for doing business can differ from country to country. Business...
Intact Recollection Memory in High-performing Older Adults: ERP and Behavioral Evidence

Numerous behavioral studies have suggested that normal aging has deleterious effects on episodic memory and that recollection is disproportionately impaired relative to familiarity-based recognition. However, there is a wide degree of variability in memory performance within the aging population and this generalization may not apply to all elderly adults. Here we investigated these issues by using event-related potentials (ERPs) to measure the effects of aging on the neural correlates of recollection and familiarity in older adults with recognition memory performance that was equivalent to (old-high) or lower than (old-low) that of young adults. Results showed that, behaviorally, old-high subjects exhibited intact recollection but reduced familiarity, whereas old-low subjects had impairments in both recollection and familiarity, relative to the young. Consistent with behavioral results, old-high subjects exhibited ERP correlates of recollection that were topographically similar to those observed in young subjects. However, unlike the young adults, old-high subjects did not demonstrate any neural correlates of familiarity-based recognition. In contrast to the old-high group, the old-low group exhibited neural correlates of recollection that were topographically distinct from those of the young. Our results suggest that the effects of aging on the underlying brain processes related to recollection and familiarity are dependent on individual memory performance and highlight the importance of examining performance variability in normal aging.
Absence of HIV Transmission From an Infected Dentist to His Patients: An Epidemiologic and DNA Sequence Analysis

Objective. —To determine if a general dentist with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection transmitted HIV to any of his patients. Design. —A cohort study in which all patients treated by a dentist who developed the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were identified and attempts were made to contact all patients for HIV antibody testing. Setting. —A general dentistry clinic operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs in southeastern Florida. Participants. —All patients treated by a dentist during the 5¾ years before he developed AIDS were identified in a computerized registry of dental care. Main Outcome Measures. —Attempts were made to contact all living patients for counseling and HIV antibody testing. Living patients with newly identified HIV infection were interviewed, and DNA sequence analysis was performed to compare genetic relatedness of their HIV to that of the dentist. Death certificates were obtained for deceased patients, and the medical records of those with diagnoses suggestive of HIV disease or drug abuse and those dying under the age of 50 years were reviewed in detail. Results. —There were 1192 patients who had undergone 9267 procedures, of whom 124 were deceased. A review of the death certificates of the deceased patients identified five who had died with HIV infection, all of whom were either homosexuals or users of illicit intravenous drugs. We were able to locate 962 (92%) of the remaining 1048 patients, and 900 agreed to be tested. Infection with HIV was documented in five of the 900 patients, including four who had clear evidence of risk factors for acquiring HIV infection. One patient who had only a single evaluation by the dentist denied high-risk behavior. Comparative DNA sequence analysis demonstrated that the viruses from the dentist and these five patients were not closely related. Conclusion. —This study indicates that the risk for transmission of HIV from a general dentist to his patients is minimal in a setting in which universal precautions are strictly observed. Programs to ensure compliance with universal precautions would appear preferable to programs for widespread testing of dentists. ( JAMA . 1993;269:1802-1806)
Is Fluticasone Propionate Superior to the Other Available Inhaled Steroids

It is now clearly established that inflammation plays a prominent role in the pathogenesis of asthma (1,2). Thus, it is not surprising that there has been increasing emphasis on maintenance anti-inflammatory in all but the mildest asthmatics. Among the various types of maintenance therapy, inhaled glucocorticoid (GC) therapy has become widely utilized. Multiple studies have demonstrated inhaled GC to be effective and safe in both adults and children (3,4). Mainly because of concerns regarding potential systemic toxicity, inhaled glucocorticoid therapy has until recently been reserved for use in patients with moderate to severe asthma. A number of recent studies have suggested that the response to inhaled GC therapy is in part related to the duration of asthma symptoms, i.e., the longer the duration of symptoms, the poorer the response to inhaled GC therapy. The implication from these studies being that inhaled GC therapy should be started early in the course of the disease (5,6). Following this lead, the ...
Selection of primers for optimal taxonomic classification of environmental 16S rRNA gene sequences

Selection of primers for optimal taxonomic classification of environmental 16S rRNA gene sequences
Apparent molar volumes, isobaric expansion coefficients, and isentropic compressibilities, and their HD isotope effects for some aqueous carbohydrate solutions☆☆☆

Abstract The molar volumes, isobaric expansion coefficients, and isentropic compressibilities of solutions of a number of carbohydrates and their deuterated isomers were determined in H 2 O and D 2 O between 288.15 and 328.15 K and over a wide range of solute-to-solvent mole ratios. The results are discussed in terms of the specific hydration model.
Power transformations to symmetry

SUMMARY Power transformations for achieving distributional symmetry are discussed. Estimates of the transformation power are based on general measures of symmetry. They are shown to be consistent and asymptotically normal. Use of the skewness coefficient as a measure of symmetry is shown to be optimal in an important special case. The methods are compared to the likelihood methods of Box & Cox (1964) and alternative methods of Hinkley (1975, 1977). The Box-Cox method or a robust adaptation of it (Carroll, 1980; Bickel & Doksum, 1981) is found to be the generally most suitable method.
COVARIANT QUANTIZATION OF BROKEN TWISTED N=2 SUPERPARTICLE

We have considered a superparticle action consisting of an infinite tower of Siegel superparticle actions plus a term breaking all the twisted N=2 supersymmetries down to the required N=1 supersymmetry. With appropriate gauge choice we arrive at a quadratic gauge-fixed action, which naturally possesses an infinite sequence of twisted N=2 supersymmetries, but the BRST operator picks out the correct physical states for the Brink-Casalbuoni-Schwarz superparticle.
Magnetic monopole detectors based on He(2(3)S).

Magnetic monopole detectors based on the premise that these particles can create the triplet metastable state in helium, He(${2}^{3}$S), exclusively and without ionization are believed to be feasible. In one of these, He(${2}^{3}$S) is detected in an ionization chamber array using both pure helium and a mixture of He+${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ in which Penning ionization occurs. In the second version, resonance ionization spectroscopy is used to selectively ionize He(${2}^{3}$S). In both cases, monopoles with velocities greater than ${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$c can be searched for with both large and reliable detectors.
Single-Molecule Studies of Nucleosome Translocation by the ACF Chromatin Remodeling Complex

The packaging of eukaryotic genomes as chromatin restricts access to the DNA for critical processes such as replication, transcription, recombination, and repair. Thus, eukaryotic cells depend on a dynamic balance between genome compaction and access facilitated in part by chromatin remodeling enzymes (remodelers). Remodelers read epigenetic marks such as histone modifications and use the energy of ATP hydrolysis to assemble, disassemble, reposition, and modify the composition of nucleosomes. Single-molecule techniques enable characterization of transient intermediates formed during the remodeling reaction and can therefore uncover previously unobtainable insights into the mechanisms of chromatin remodeling.In this study, we developed a single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay to study the dynamics of chromatin remodeling by human ACF, a prototypical member of the ISWI family of remodelers. ISWI remodelers are endowed with the ability to create regularly-spaced nucleosome arrays characteristic of transcriptionally silent heterochromatin.With the addition of ACF and ATP, nucleosomes exhibit gradual translocation along the DNA interrupted by kinetic pauses after approximately seven or three base pairs (bp) of translocation, thereby dividing the remodeling process into alternating translocation phases and pause phases. Moreover, we found that ACF is a highly processive and bidirectional nucleosome translocase capable of sliding a nucleosome back-and-forth for an average of 200 bp before dissociating.The nucleosome spacing activity of ISWI remodelers is regulated by two substrate features: (1) length of linker DNA, and (2) histone H4 N-terminal tail. Shortening the linker DNA or altering the H4 tail decrease the catalytic activity of ISWI remodelers with little effect on binding affinity. We discovered that the catalytic defects associated with these substrate modifications are attributed solely to changes in the pause phases and not the translocation phases, providing new insights into how nucleosomal features regulate chromatin remodelers.
Electro-mechanical properties of the piezoelectric polymer PVDF

Abstract A consistent experimental program has been developed to investigate the mechanical and electrical properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The results of the study indicate that this piezoelectric polymer can be characterized as an orthotropic, thermorheologically simple material with constant piezoelectric strain coefficients over the experimental range of stresses, frequencies and temperatures. The mechanical properties of PVDF are time-dependent and, under certain loading and temperature conditions, can be treated using the principles of linear hereditary viscoelasticity.
Intrastriatal injections of the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor, malonate, cause a rise in extracellular amino acids that is blocked by MK-801

Abstract The effects of intrastriatal injections of a reversible inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase, malonate, on the extracellular concentrations of amino acid neurotransmitters were examined using a microdialysis probe that was positioned a fixed distance from an injection cannula. Malonate (2 μmol) caused a 23 ± 5-fold increase in extracellular glutamate (Glu), a 18 ± 6-fold increase in extracellular γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and a modest increase in extracellular aspartate (Asp, 2.9 ± 0.8-fold increase). Administration of the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 (5 mg/kg) prior to injection of malonate almost completely blocked these increases. This study provides direct evidence that inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase causes an increase in extracellular amino acid neurotransmitters and further evidence that bioenergetic defects may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic neurodegenerative diseases through an excitotoxic mechanism.
Dual multiparameter radar observations of intense convective storms: The 24 June 1992 case study

Data from two multiparameter radars are used to diagnose some microphysical characteristics of intense convective storms, in particular, the 24 June 1992 case near Fort Collins and Greeley, Colorado. Dual-polarization and dual-frequency radar measurements from the CSU-CHILL and NCAR/CP-2 radars provided the basis for microphysical interpretations. Supporting in-situ measurements were provided by several T-28 aircraft penetrations of updraft regions.
Building Blocks of Percolation Clusters: Volatile Fractals

We solve for the internal structure of $d$-dimensional percolation clusters. We find that if we randomly choose two points, then the backbone connecting these two points can be described as a randomly constructed "necklace" whose building blocks are $s$-site volatile fractals (they are not stable under a length scale change). We find the blob-size distribution function and calculate the relevant parameters numerically, thereby obtaining the first accurate estimates for the fractal dimension of the backbone in $d=2,3$.
Agents of Death: Explaining the Cambodian Genocide in Terms of Psychosocial Dissonance

Analyzing the Cambodian genocide, this article proposes that the concept of psychosocial dissonance (PSD) can be fruitfully used to understand how individuals come to commit genocidal atrocities. PSD arises when salient cultural models that motivate behavior in contradictory ways (such as the injunction to kill versus prosocial norms) come into conflict. Both the genocidal regime and given individuals will take steps to reduce such PSD. Agents of death are created during the ensuing conversion process
Auditory, Visual, and Multisensory Nonverbal Social Perception in Adolescents with and without Learning Disabilities

Adolescents with and without learning disabilities (14, 16, and 18 years old) were tested to determine whether they differed in auditory, visual, and/or multisensory (combined auditory/visual) social perception abilities. Differences between the two groups in growth of auditory, visual, and multisensory social-perception abilities were also measured. Results of the data analyses revealed that adolescents with learning disabilities were not as adept at understanding nonverbal social information regardless of whether the information was visual or multisensory in nature. Further, nonverbal social-perception ability for both visual and multisensory information improved with increasing age for both populations. Finally, adolescents with learning disabilities continued to demonstrate comparatively poorer social-perception abilities through the 18-year level.
Femorofemoral bypass with femoral popliteal vein.

Background The femoropopliteal vein (FPV) has been used successfully for vascular reconstructions at multiple sites. To date, there have been no studies documenting patency of the FPV graft in the femorofemoral position. Our goal was to assess long-term patency of the FPV graft used for femorofemoral bypass (FFBP). Methods Patients undergoing FFBP over a 10-year period were studied. Those in whom the FPV was used as a conduit were analyzed for runoff resistance score to assess how patients with poor runoff fared. Poor runoff was defined as a runoff resistance score of ≥7 (1 = normal runoff, 10=total occlusion of all runoff vessels). Results Fifty-four patients underwent FPV FFBP as a sole procedure (n = 16, 30%) or as a portion of an aortofemoral reconstruction with a FFBP component (n = 38, 70%). Mean (± SD) follow-up was 47 ± 33 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year primary patencies were 97%, 93%, and 76%. The 5-year assisted primary and secondary patency rates were 85% and 90%. Among 27 patients with poor runoff (runoff resistance score of ≥7), the cumulative 40 month patency rate was 90%. Among patients in whom FPV FFBP was performed as a primary procedure (no aortofemoral component), there were no graft failures. Conclusions FFBP performed with FPV has excellent 1-, 3, and 5-year patency rates. FPV has sustained patency for FFBP in patients with poor runoff.
Liquid-Phase Oxidation of Toluene and p-toluic Acid under Mild Conditions: Synergistic Effects of Cobalt, Zirconium, Ketones, and Carbon Dioxide

In this work, the Co(II)-catalyzed oxidations of toluene and p-toluic acid have been carried out under mild conditions. A synergistic effect was found by using zirconium as a cocatalyst and ketones as promoters. Carbon dioxide, an alternative diluent gas to nitrogen, has a strong activation effect on the oxidation, especially on shortening the induction period. Under certain conditions, the reaction did not work at all with N2/O2 but proceeded effectively with CO2/O2, affording high yields of benzoic acid.
Trend of Current Research on a New Working Style in Welding

A new working style assisted with various computer technologies is reviewed in this article for improving the planing stage and manufacturing stage in welding and joining engineering. A new production system fully supported with some computer systems are introduced at the first section, and specified each relevant systems to planning and the manufacturing stages, separately. The systems have been developed with many computer simulation codes, co-simulation tools, AI tools, and many types of sensing and capturing tools of the welding state data, which can be used in the high current fields. Finally, some typical research results relating to this CAWS are summarized to show the current state of researches including recurrent model of Neural networks, hybrid simulation, and an example of professional skill database.
Short-Term Auditory Memory, Oral Perception, and Experimental Sound Learning

Ten children with high scores on an auditory memory span task were significantly better at imitating three non-English phones than 10 children with low auditory memory span scores. An additional 10 children with high scores on an oral stereognosis task were significantly better at imitating two of the three phones than 10 children with low oral stereognosis scores. Auditory memory span and oral stereognosis appear to be important subskills in the learning of new articulations, perhaps explaining their appearance in the literature as “etiologies” of disordered articulation. Although articulation development and the experimental acquisition of non-English phones have certain obvious differences, they seem to share some common processes, suggesting that the sound learning framework may be an efficacious technique for revealing otherwise inaccessible information.
Detection, isolation and characterization of normorphine and norcodeine as morphine metabolites in man.

Normorphine and norcodeine were identified by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography (t.l.c.) as human urinary morphine metabolites from 24 h urine samples of three patients who had received 190–210 mg morphine sulphate intravenously and from one patient who had chronically received 220 mg morphine sulphate orally per day. Both metabolites were isolated by preparative t.l.c. Comparison of the isolated norcodeine and normorphine with their respective authentic compounds, prepared by chemical synthesis, showed identical melting points, mass fractionation patterns, and chemical ionization spectra, confirming t.l.c. identification.
Reading with children

Abstract Forty children, 8 to 10 years old, and their parents participated in an experiment to assess the effects of adults and children reading together. It was hypothesized that children's interest in reading and reading fluency would be promoted by books that provided a venue for the children to both read and be read to. Two books written for pre-adolescents were adapted so that they contained sections at a simpler reading level alternating with the sections at the more advanced reading level of the original text. The easy sections were read aloud by the children; the advanced sections, by their parents—in an interactive context in which the advanced-level text provided a “scaffold” for the child's reading. Compared to merely listening to their parents read the original stories, children benefitted from taking turns reading the adapted text with their parents in terms of enjoyment, attention, and reading fluency.
Hadronic gas chiral phase transition within generalized chiral perturbation theory

We study the temperature evolution of the [(q) over bar q] condensate below the chiral phase transition. The hadronic gas is described using a virial expansion within generalized chiral perturbation theory. In such a way, we can implement both the large or small chiral condensate scenarios and analyze the condensate dependence on the values of the lightest quark masses.
Improved implanted, planar buried heterostructure lasers through enhanced optical confinement

We fabricated and tested implanted, planar-buried heterostructure, graded-index, separate confinement heterostructure (IPBH-GRINSCH) lasers in various waveguide geometries. These devices were also numerically simulated with a two-dimensional waveguide model. We report improved laser performance that results from a reduced overlap of the optical field with the absorbing regions produced by residual implant damage.
Reconstituting a Native Actin Track for Myosin V Transport

The budding yeast S. cerevisiae is an excellent model system to study cargo transport by myosin V. Cargo is transported from the mother cell to the growing bud exclusively by myosin V, and does not involve microtubule-based motors. We find that yeast myosin V (Myo2p) is non-processive in vitro,in agreement with previous results 1-3. This is surprising given that the cellular role of this motor is long-distance cargo transport. However, these experiments were performed using bare skeletal muscle actin filaments, which differ substantially from the native yeast actin track. Our goal is to reconstitute actin cables in vitro using yeast actin, yeast tropomyosin, and the actin bundling proteins fascin or fimbrin. Both isoforms of yeast tropomyosin stabilize yeast actin, resulting in much longer filaments. Preliminary data indicate that tropomyosin also enhances Myo2p function. TIRF microscopy was used to observe quantum dots transported by multiple Myo2p motors along the actin track. The presence of tropomyosin dramatically increased the run length and frequency of processive runs relative to bare actin filaments. We are currently testing if a single motor is capable of processive movement in the presence of tropomyosin. The effects of actin bundling on Myo2p function will also be assessed. Our results are consistent with the idea that the composition and structure of the actin track can greatly influence the properties of the motor.(1) Hodges et al., Curr Biol 19 (2009); (2) Dunn et al., JCB 178 (2007); (3) Reck-Peterson et al., JCB 153 (2001).
The hepatic galactosyl receptor system: two different ligand dissociation pathways are mediated by distinct receptor populations

Abstract After internalization of 125 I-asialo-orosomucoid (ASOR) by isolated rat hepatocytes, ligand dissociates by two kinetically distinct pathways (Oka and Weigel, J. Biol. Chem. 257 , 10,253, 1983). These slow and fast dissociation pathways correspond to two functionally different subpopulations of cell surface galactosyl receptors designated, respectively, State 1 and State 2 receptors. Freshly isolated cells or cells equilibrated below 24°C express only State 1 receptors. Cells equilibrated at 37°C express both State 1 and State 2 receptors. Ligand dissociation after internalization of surface-bound 125 I-ASOR was measured using the permeabilizing detergent, digitonin. The slow dissociation pathway was mediated by State 1 receptors and was the only pathway expressed by cells which were freshly isolated or had been equilibrated at 24°C. State 2 receptors are expressed at temperatures above about 20°C, and both the fast and slow dissociation pathways occurred in cells equilibrated at 37°C. State 2 receptors therefore mediate the rapid dissociation pathway. Dissociation and subsequent degradation of specifically bound ligand routed in either pathway were complete, respectively, within 3 and 6 hrs.
Authoritative Classroom Management: How Control and Nurturance Work Together

Despite broad recognition that teaching excellence requires meeting students' intellectual and social needs, teachers struggle to manage—and learning theory struggles to explain—the interplay between the academic and social dimensions of classroom life. Drawing from research on parenting and child development, the author offers parenting style theory as an explanatory framework. The author begins by describing the two primary dimensions of parenting style (control and nurturance) and the influence of various styles on children's learning and development. The author then discusses the two primary channels whereby style functions, using case studies of three classrooms to illustrate how control and nurturance interact to influence student engagement and learning. Finally, the author argues that because this theory is intuitive, robust, and comprehensive, it is an important vehicle for advancing understanding of teacher influence on student outcomes and school improvement efforts.
A Tool, Not a Master The Use of Foreign Case Law in Canada and South Africa

Whereas most scholars approach precedent as an issue of compliance, the author argues that judges rely on precedent because of its utility in cutting information costs, decreasing uncertainty, and providing justification. This article explores the utility that foreign precedent had for high court judges in South Africa and Canada in the periods directly following the adoption of new constitutional protections for civil liberties. The analysis reveals that judges in these countries made significant use of both foreign and domestic precedent when dealing with new and/or highly contentious issues and that reliance on foreign precedent declined over time as judges developed an increasing number of indigenous precedents. This consideration of foreign precedent suggests that judges can be important contributors to the process of globalization in the area of human rights law.
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based amino acid analysis.

Abstract Amino acid analysis has been an integral part of analytical biochemistry for more than 50 years. However, its experimental design, which includes derivatization of amino acids followed by some kind of chromatographic separation, has not changed over the years. We have developed a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF)-based method for the quantitative analysis of amino acids. This method does not require any amino acid modification, derivatization, or chromatographic separation. The data acquisition time is decreased to several seconds for a single sample. No significant ion suppression effects were observed with the developed sample deposition technique, and the method was found to be reproducible. Linear responses between the amino acid concentration and the peak intensities ratio of corresponding amino acid to internal standard were observed for all amino acids analyzed in the range of concentrations from 20 to 300 μM, and correlation coefficients were between 0.983 (for arginine) and 0.999 (for phenylalanine). Limits of quantitation were between 0.03 μM (for arginine) and 3.7 μM (for histidine and homocysteine). This method was applicable to the mixtures of free amino acids as well as to HCl hydrolysates of proteins. Furthermore, we have shown that this method can be applied to other biologically important low-molecular weight compounds such as glucose.
Characterization of dual-wavelength seminaphthofluorescein and seminapthorhodafluor dyes for pH sensing under high hydrostatic pressures

Hydrostatic pressure is an important physical parameter in biology, with pressures in the few-hundred-atm range having significant effects on cellular morphology, metabolism, and viability. To ensure valid results when studying pressure effects using fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging methods, metabolic probes need to be characterized for high-pressure use. Of interest is the sensing of pH at high pressures due to the key role that pH plays in cellular function. Despite the availability of pH-sensitive dyes, only a few have been characterized for high-pressure use. Here we present the effects of pressure on the acid-base equilibria of four dual-wavelength seminaphthorhodafluor and seminaphthofluorescein dyes (pK(a)=6.6-7.8). Using phosphate buffers as high-pressure pH references, we investigate the pressure dependence of pK(a) for these dyes and determine the volume change associated with the acid-dissociation reaction. We find that if pressure-induced pK(a) changes are not accounted for during interpretation of emission spectra, systematic errors of up to 0.02 pH units per 100atm would result, comparable to previously measured pressure-induced pH changes in vivo. Results are validated by correctly sensing pH changes in Tris and acetate solutions. Methods presented here are applicable to other metabolic probes utilizing dual-wavelength ratiometric sensing modes.
Components of the CtBP1/BARS-dependent fission machinery

The brefeldin A ADP-ribosylated substrate, a member of the C-terminal-binding protein family that is referred to as CtBP1/BARS, is a dual-function protein that acts as a transcriptional co-repressor in the nucleus and as an inducer of membrane fission in the cytoplasm. In this review, we first discuss the mechanisms that enable CtBP1/BARS to shift between the nuclear transcriptional co-repressor and the cytosolic fission-inducing activities. Then, we focus on the role of CtBP1/BARS in membrane fission. CtBP1/BARS controls several fission events including macropinocytosis, fluid-phase endocytosis, COPI-coated vesicle formation, basolaterally directed post-Golgi carrier formation, and Golgi partitioning in mitosis. We report on recent advances in our understanding of the CtBP1/BARS membrane fission machineries that operate at the trans-side and at the cis-side of the Golgi complex. Specifically, we discuss how these machineries are assembled and regulated, and how they operate in the formation of the basolaterally directed post-Golgi carriers.
A rapid accurate assay for choline kinase.

Abstract A new assay system for the enzyme, choline kinase (ATP:choline phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.32), has been developed. The procedure employed [14C]choline as the substrate. The product, [14C]phosphorylcholine, was separated from the substrate by a simple 30-min paper chromatography step. After development, the area of the chromatogram which contained the phosphorylcholine was cut out, placed directly into a scintillation cocktail, and counted. This assay was tested on a preparation of partially purified yeast choline kinase. The optimum concentrations of ATP and Mg2+ and the Km for choline were determined and found to agree with published values obtained by other assay methods. The new assay was also shown to be useful in measuring choline kinase activity in primate lung tissue homogenates.
Latent Viruses in Chimpanzees with Experimental Kuru

Forty-seven strains of virus have been isolated from sterile long maintained tissue explants from chimpanzees suffering from experimental kuru. Many are new simian viruses, and none have been demonstrated to be a cause of the kuru syndrome.
Valuation effects of security offerings and the issuance process

This study examines the stock price effects of security offerings and investigates the nature of information inferred by investors from offering announcements. Changes in share price are unrelated to characteristics of offerings such as the net amount of new financing, relative offering size, and the quality rating of debt issues. The type of security is the only significant determinant of the price response. The opposite patterns of abnormal stock returns following the announcement of completed versus cancelled offerings suggest that managers issue common stock or convertible debt when in managers' view shares are overpriced.
Impact of the Built Environment on Mental and Sexual Health: Policy Implications and Recommendations

Research related to the intersection of the built environment and health has particularly flourished in the last decade. The authors highlight the theoretical and policy insights that have been made while also noting paucity in this literature as specifically related to mental and sexual health. Overall, the authors discuss policy implications of aspects of the built environment on both mental and sexual health behaviors and outcomes and suggest avenues for future research, program implementation, and policymaking for advancing health equity in these areas.
Bioelectronome. Integrated approach to receptor chemistry, radicals, electrochemistry, cell signaling, and physiological effects based on electron transfer.

Bioelectronome refers to the host of electron transfer (ET) reactions that occur in living systems. This review presents an integrated approach to receptor chemistry based on electron transfer, radicals, electrochemistry, cell signaling, and end result. First, receptor activity is addressed from the unifying standpoint of redox transformations in which various receptors are discussed. After a listing of receptor-binding modes, receptor chemistry is treated with focus on generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), activation by ROS, and subsequent cell signaling involving ROS. A general electrostatic mechanism is proposed for receptor-ligand action with supporting evidence. Cell-signaling processes appear to entail electron transfer, ROS, redox chains, and relays. The widespread involvement of phosphate from phosphorylation may be rationalized electrostatically by analogy with DNA phosphate. Extensive evidence supports important participation of ET functionalities in the mechanism of drugs and toxins. The...
Social network integration: A comparison of same-race and interracial roommate relationships

The purpose of the study was to identify factors that promote the integration of an outgroup member into an individual’s social network, thus enhancing extended contact. White freshmen randomly assigned to either a white or black roommate completed measures of intergroup anxiety and roommate relationship quality at the beginning of their first term at college. At the end of the term, participants reported the extent to which their roommate was integrated into their social network. In general, black roommates were less integrated into the white participants’ social networks than white roommates. However, roommate integration also depended on relationship quality and intergroup anxiety. For those with lower quality roommate relationships, integration was generally low. For those with higher quality relationships, lower intergroup anxiety enhanced the likelihood of the integration of a black roommate relative to a white roommate. The results highlight factors that may facilitate or inhibit extended contact.
Low-voltage electronics for the stimulation of biological neural networks using fully complementary BiCMOS circuits

This paper describes low-voltage neural stimulating circuitry developed using fully complementary BiCMOS (FC-BiCMOS) process technology for providing charge-balanced bipolar stimulating currents to tissue in the central nervous system. The electronics features an FC-BiCMOS buffer, a 7-b biphasic current-output digital-to-analog converter, a 14-b frequency divider, a nonoverlapping two-phase clock generator, and an auto timeout safety scheme while driving any two of eight selected sites from 0 to /spl plusmn/126 /spl mu/A with /spl plusmn/2 /spl mu/A resolution. The circuit area is 1.6 mm/sup 2/ in 3-/spl mu/m features. Micropower circuit techniques allow the probe to dissipate <10 /spl mu/W in standby and operate at 10 MHz from /spl plusmn/2.5 V supplies.
Volumetric imaging of aperture distributions in connected fracture networks

We use x-ray computerized tomographic (CT) imaging to present quantitative aperture data for three-dimensional interconnected fracture networks imbedded in intact opaque rock samples several centimeters in length. X-ray images are obtained by injecting a high-density liquid metal into the fractured rock specimen under lithostatic conditions. The combination of tomographic reconstruction with gravimetric analysis makes it possible for the first time to obtain effective fracture aperture sizes to an accuracy of only several microns, located spatially within 300 microns. The apertures in the fracture network are spatially correlated over distances of 10 mm to 30 mm. The apertures of the intersections of the fractures were not found to be statistically larger in size than for the complete fracture network
Molecular dynamics studies of the human CD4 protein.

A dynamical model for an N-terminal fragment of the human CD4 protein has been determined by computer simulation. The protein has been studied both in vacuo and in solution. Data from both simulations agree moderately well with each other and with the crystal structure. All elements of secondary structure were retained during simulation. Point mutation and sequence replacement studies have shown that a loop in CD4, residues 40–52, is involved in binding with gp120, the human immunodeficiency virus surface glycoprotein.1,2 Our results show that the gp120-binding loop and a few regions which bind to monoclonal antibodies and class II MHC molecules are the most highly motile areas of the protein. These results are consistent with the suggestion that CD4 binds to target molecules by using induced-fit contacts. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Rats display a robust bimodal preference profile for sucralose.

Female Sprague–Dawley rats display considerable variability in their preference for the artificial sweetener sucralose over water. While some rats can be classified as sucralose preferrers (SP), as they prefer sucralose across a broad range of concentrations, others can be classified as sucralose avoiders (SA), as they avoid sucralose at concentrations above 0.1 g/L. Here, we expand on a previous report of this phenomenon by demonstrating, in a series of 2-bottle 24-h preference tests involving water and an ascending series of sucralose concentrations, that this variability in sucralose preference is robust across sex, stage of the estrous cycle, and 2 rat strains (Long–Evans and Sprague–Dawley). In a second experiment involving a large sample of rats (n = 50), we established that the ratio of SP to SA is approximately 35–65%. This bimodal behavioral response to sucralose appears to be driven by taste because rats display a similar bimodal licking response to a range of sucralose solutions presented during brief-access tests. Finally, we have shown that sucralose avoidance is extremely robust as 23-h water-deprived SA continue to avoid sucralose in 1-h single-bottle intake tests. Based on their reduced licking responses to sucralose during brief-access (taste driven) tests, and the fact that their distaste for sucralose cannot be overcome by the motivation to rehydrate, we conclude that SA detect a negative taste quality of sucralose that SP are relatively insensitive to.
Gallstone ileus 20 years after a Kasai procedure using a stapled antireflux valve

We present a case of intestinal obstruction owing to a gallstone ileus in a patient 20 years after a Kasai procedure for biliary atresia in which a stapled antireflux valve was constructed to treat recurrent cholangitis. The etiology of this rare presentation is discussed.
ULE®Glass with Improved Thermal Properties for EUVL Masks and Projection Optics Substrates

Ultra-Low Expansion ULE® Glass is the material of choice for substrates for masks and projection optics mirrors in EUV lithography. A key parameter is the temperature of zero crossover (Tzc), which is the temperature at which the coefficient of thermal expansion (expansivity, α(T)) is equal to zero. As the temperature of the glass departs from Tzc, the absolute value of α(T) increases proportionally to the slope of the expansivity curve. As EUVL matures, substrates will experience wider temperature changes, while higher resolution demands tighter constrains in substrate deformation. We present data showing that through modification of the fictive temperature of the glass, Tf, the expansivity slope can be lowered. This is combined with better control of Tzc, which can be tuned to a narrower range to better match the requirements of each substrate. Depending on the application, performance improvements can exceed 30% with respect to traditional ULE® Glass.
Locality-constrained Low Rank Coding for face recognition

This paper presents Locality-constrained Low Rank Coding (LLRC) as a novel approach for image classification. The widely used Sparse representation based algorithms reconstruct a test sample using a sparse linear combination of training samples. But they do not consider the underlying structure of the data in the feature space. On the other hand, Low Rank representation has been recently used for clustering face images into their respective classes by taking advantage of the low rank structure of the data. LLRC first imposes a locality constraint to choose the training samples that are in the vicinity of the test sample. Then it applies the low rank constraint on these training samples to further choose a subset that belongs to a subspace corresponding to one face class. In this manner, the training samples used to reconstruct a given test sample can be chosen from just one class rather than a mixture of classes, thus enhancing the classification accuracy. We evaluate our algorithm on face image datasets. Our algorithm outperforms sparse representation based algorithms, thus showing that exploiting the structure of data is important. We further demonstrate that both locality constraint and low rank constraint are imperative to obtain superior performance.
49.1: Flexible Flat-Panel Display Designs with Gate Driver Circuits Integrated within the Pixel Area

We have developed a new stylish TFT-LCD. We located gate-driver monolithic circuits in the pixel area. As there are no electronic circuits in the frame area, we can realize a narrow border and round corners or a multi-concave shape, and the frame shape can be easily revised.
On the gradual reflection of weakly nonlinear Stokes waves in regions with varying topography

Coupled equations governing the forward- and back-scattered components of a linear wave propagating in a region with varying depth may be derived from a second-order wave equation for linear wave motion. In this paper previous studies are extended to the case of weakly nonlinear Stokes waves coupled at third order in wave amplitude, using a Lagrangian formulation for irrotationaj motions. Comparison with previous computational and experimental results are made.