cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
International Institutions and Janus Faces: The Influence of International Institutions on Central Negotiators within Two-Level Games

This study addresses two interrelated questions. First, how can we expand the utility of the two-level model by developing the international level of the game, and second, how can this new conceptualization of the two-level game improve our understanding of how chief negotiators create a negotiation strategy? To address these questions, it will be explained how a state formulates its international strategy by taking into account that states participate in international institutions and are bound by their own domestic politics. Specifically, the relationship between chief executive, that executive's perception of bargaining strength relative to the legislature and alliance membership will be framed in a two-level game. By utilizing a two-level model, it will be possible to construct a series of hypotheses that explain, which strategy the chief executive will use at the outset of a negotiation. The hypotheses will be tested by examining the strategies chosen by four heads of state (Francois Mitterrand, George Bush, Margaret Thatcher and Helmut Kohl) towards the Iraqi government in the days after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Overall, this study is meant to be a ``first-cut'' at explaining the choice of strategy during negotiations and addressing the deficiencies of the two-level model.
Topological analysis of chaotic time series

Topological methods have recently been developed for the classification, analysis, and synthesis of chaotic time series. These methods can be applied to time series with a Lyapunov dimension less than three. The procedure determines the stretching and squeezing mechanisms which operate to create a strange attractor and organize all the unstable periodic orbits in the attractor in a unique way. Strange attractors are identified by a set of integers. These are topological invariants for a two dimensional branched manifold, which is the infinite dissipation limit of the strange attractor. It is remarkable that this topological information can be extracted from chaotic time series. The data required for this analysis need not be extensive or exceptionally clean. The topological invariants: (1) are subject to validation/invalidation tests; (2) describe how to model the data; and (3) do not change as control parameters change. Topological analysis is the first step in a doubly discrete classification scheme for strange attractors. The second discrete classification involves specification of a 'basis set' set of periodic orbits whose presence forces the existence of all other periodic orbits in the strange attractor. The basis set of orbits does change as control parameters change. Quantitative models developed to describe time series data are tested by the methods of entrainment. This analysis procedure has been applied to analyze a number of data sets. Several analyses are described.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Comparison of cerebrovascular perfusion after ischemia in normal and atherosclerotic rabbits.

Abstract The degree of vascular obstruction occurring after 15 minutes of complete cerebral ischemia was studied in albino New Zealand white rabbits. Vascular obstruction was significantly greater in animals fed a 0.2% cholesterol diet for 16 weeks as compared with those fed a regular diet. The hypercholesterolemic animals had extensive lipid deposits in their eyes, aortas, and carotid arteries. Preischemic administration of either 20% glucose or mannitol produced a dramatic reduction in vascular obstruction seen following ischemia.
The Trends in multimedia computing

With the rapid development of Web 2.0 and cloud computing concept and applications, there are many unprecedented web-based multimedia applications are emerging today and they pose many new challenges in multimedia research. In this talk, I first summarize the common features of the new wave of multimedia applications which I call Media 2.0. I use 6 D's to describe Media 2.0 principles, namely, Democratized media life cycle; Data-driven media value chain; Decoupled media system; Decomposed media contents; Diminished media boundary between physical and virtual world, and Decentralized media business model. Then I explain what the implications of Media 2.0 to multimedia research are and how we should choose our research topics that could make big impacts. Finally, I use example research projects ranging from media codecs, media systems, media search and media related advertisement from MSRA to demonstrate the ideas I have talked about. I hope these ideas and principles could inspire the audience to come up with new media 2.0 research topics and applications in the future.
Single wall carbon nanotube electrodes for hydrogenated amorphous silicon solar cells

Carbon single wall nanotube (SWNT) films were applied as electrodes to replace the p-layer in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells. Devices were fabricated by transferring vacuum-filtered SWNT films of varying thickness onto a-Si:H layers grown by plasma enhance chemical vapor deposition on Pilkington TEC 15 glass substrates. Cells incorporating SWNTs were illuminated from each side (glass / SWNT). A cell illuminated through a 25 nm thick SWNT film yielded short circuit current density, open circuit voltage, and efficiency of 5.47 mA/cm2, 0.793 V, and 1.46%, respectively. Maximum quantum efficiency of 48% was measured at 475 nm for the same device.
Natural conceptual behavior in squirrel monkeys ( saimiri sciureus ): An experimental investigation

Natural conceptual discriminations have been tested in many different species, including pigeons and a variety of non-human primates. The ability of four male squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) to learn and use the natural concept ‘squirrel monkey’ was investigated in this study. After a training phase, subjects were presented with novel stimuli in transfer and test trials. All subjects performed at a rate significantly above chance on the first test trial (p<.001), indicating that squirrel monkeys can utilize natural concepts in the laboratory.
Assessing Performance Gains Through Global Resource Control of Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

We study the resource allocation and management issues related to heterogeneous wireless systems made up of several radio access technologies (RATs) that collectively provide a unified wireless network to a diverse set of users through co-ordination managed by a centralized global resource controller (GRC). We assume that the user devices are multimodal, which makes it possible for each device to use any available access point (AP)/base station (BS) of a RAT at any given time. Through detailed protocol level simulations performed in ns-2, we show an increase in spectral efficiency of up to 99 percent and an increase in short-term fairness of up to 28.5 percent for two greedy sort-based user device-to-AP/BS association algorithms implemented at the GRC compared to a distributed solution used in practice today where each user makes his/her own association decision. While the increase in overhead due to re-associations for a centralized solution grows only slightly (by up to 4.1 percent) compared to a distributed solution, we find the performance increase in spectral efficiency and short-term fairness attributes come at the cost of an order of magnitude increase (of up to 794 percent) in energy consumption.
M-CSF elevates c-Fos and phospho-C/EBPα(S21) via ERK whereas G-CSF stimulates SHP2 phosphorylation in marrow progenitors to contribute to myeloid lineage specification

The role of hematopoietic cytokines in lineage commitment remains uncertain. To gain insight into the contribution of cytokine signaling to myeloid lineage specification, we compared granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) signaling in Ba/F3 cells expressing both the G-CSF and M-CSF receptors and in lineage-negative murine marrow cells. G-CSF and M-CSF serve as prototypes for additional cytokines that also influence immature myeloid cells. G-CSF specifically activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and induced Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2) phosphorylation, whereas M-CSF preferentially activated phospholipase Cγ2, and thereby extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), to stabilize c-Fos and stimulate CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP)α(S21) phosphorylation. In contrast, activation of Jun kinase or c-Jun was similar in response to either cytokine. Inhibition of ERK prevented induction of c-Fos by M-CSF and reduced C/EBPα phosphorylation and formation of colony-forming unit–monocytes. SHP2 inhibition reduced ERK activation in G-CSF, but not M-CSF, and reduced colony-forming unit–granulocytes, underscoring divergent pathways to ERK activation. Phorbol ester mimicked the effect of M-CSF, activating ERK independent of SHP2. In summary, M-CSF activates ERK more potently than G-CSF, and thereby induces higher levels of c-Fos and phospho-C/EBPα(S21), which may directly interact to favor monopoiesis, whereas G-CSF activates signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and SHP2, potentially shifting the balance to granulopoiesis via gene induction by C/EBPα homodimers and via effects of SHP2 on regulators besides ERK.
Can exercise training improve immune function in the aged

Many strategies have been used to improve immune function in the aged. Unfortunately, many of these interventions have been disappointing, impractical, costly to develop and administer, or accompanied by adverse side effects. Aside from dietary manipulation (caloric restriction without malnutrition or antioxidant supplementation), research involving behavioral preventative or restorative therapies has been lacking. Moderate exercise training has been shown to elicit beneficial outcomes in both the prevention and rehabilitation of many diseases of the elderly. It has been hypothesized that moderate levels of exercise improves, whereas strenuous exercise or overtraining suppresses, various immune function measures. Three general approaches have been implemented to study the impact of exercise on immune functioning in the elderly: (1) cross-sectional studies, (2) longitudinal studies, and (3) animal studies. In general, cross-sectional studies examining highly active elderly have demonstrated improved in vitro T cell responses to polyclonal stimulation when compared to sedentary elderly. This is corroborated by several animal studies that have shown improved splenic T cell responses in vitro. Unfortunately, human prospective studies have failed to demonstrate consistent improvements in various measures of immune function in older adults. However, it should be cautioned that these studies have included small samples followed over a short duration, measuring a limited number of in vitro immune parameters, with some failing to account for potential confounding influences. Although such findings have the potential to be of substantial public health importance, very few systematic studies have been conducted.
Boundary movement of chemotactic bacterial populations

Abstract Analytic expressions are derived for the speeds of motion of the boundaries of chemotactic bacterial populations. In general, these expressions are complicated functions of the rate of growth of the bacteria. However, for slowly growing populations the boundary motion is linear with respect to time.
Adaptive radiation of the ateline primates

Abstract We propose a synthesis of anatomical, behavioral and ecological data in reconstructing the phylogeny and evolution of the ateline primates. The atelines are a monophyletic group divisible into an alouattin lineage, including Alouatta and the Miocene fossil Stirtonia , and an atelin lineage, including Lagothrix and its sister-group, the Ateles-Brachyteles clade. Body size increase was important in the origins of atelines and in their subsequent diversification. Larger body size perimitted an increased reliance on leaves (probably immature) by comparison with other platyrrhines, even in predominantly frugivorous forms. A novel locomotor pattern involving climbing, some forelimb climbing/hauling and hanging by the prehensile tail, which involved the evolution of many features derived for platyrrhines, was present in the first atelines, perhaps also connected with relatively large body size. The last common ancestor (LCA) of atelines, which morphologically resembled Lagothrix more than any other living form, probably lived in fluid multi-male polygynous groups characterized by female dispersal and had a moderate degree of sexual dimorphism. Alouattins became strongly committed to an energy minimizing adaptive strategy based upon a bulky, nutritionally poor diet composed mainly of leaves. Alouatta thus travels relatively little daily, uses a non-acrobatic style of deliberate quadrupedalism, defends resources inexpensively by long distance calling, lives in cohesive polygynous groups that influenced the development of high sexual dimorphism, and has a proportionately small brain size. These are derived characteristics which facilitate their exploitation of a wide variety of habitats, frequently in sympatry with atelins. Ancestral atelins were probably larger than the LCA. They engaged in more forelimb-dominated climbing and probably ranged widely in fluid, polygynous social groups. The least known modern form, Lagothrix , may occupy a hard-fruit feeding niche, in contrast to the soft-fruit specialist Ateles . A lithe, brachiating body plan that resembles hylobatids typifies Ateles and Brachyteles , suggesting a common ancestral foraging strategy involving rapid bursts of energy expenditure. The subsequent evolution of shearing postcanines in Brachyteles , which converges on Alouatta superficially, is interpretated as a derived adaptive compromise possibly related to the greater seasonality of the Atlantic Coastal Forest of southeastern Brazil, where the genus probably arose, in comparison to inland tropical forests. Energy saving features of Brachyteles include contracted home ranges and low intra-group aggression.
Distinguishing signals from noise in eddy current inspection of steam generator tubes

The analysis of eddy current data collected form nuclear steam generator tubes is both very important and very labor intensive. To aid the analysis team we have been developing an automatic data analysis package. It is directed towards multispectral data collected with differential bobbin coil probes. The analysis package calibrates the data against a standard tube, and flags all candidate flaws with a bipolar signature similar to the impulse response of the probe. Three stages of analysis are: preprocessing, wavelet analysis, and fuzzy inference. The wavelet transform is the basis for minimizing the number of false positive s caused by noise while the fuzzy inference system further prunes the false positives. Results from tests thus far indicate that the analyzer generally detects the flaws found by humans, but has difficulty distinguishing between very weak flaw signals from cracks near tube support plates. Further development is underway creating better procedures for support plate regions.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Combined Matrix-Isolation FT-IR and Theoretical Study of the Intrinsic Tautomeric, Vibrational, and H-Bonding Properties of N4-Methoxycytosine

The tautomeric, vibrational, and H-bonding characteristics of N4-methoxycytosine (N4MC) are investigated by a combined experimental, matrix-isolation Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic and computational study. For the theoretical part of the study, the methods RHF, MP2, and DFT(B3LYP) are used with the 6-31++G** basis set. N4MC occurs in a low-temperature Ar matrix exclusively in the oxo-imino form. Two isomers of this tautomer exist. Using IR intensities of characteristic bands, an approximate value of 2.3 × 10-2 is obtained for the isomerization constant KI (anti/syn). Theoretically, two closed H-bonded complexes with water are found for both isomers, i.e., N1−H...O−H...OC2 and N3−H...O−H...OC2, as well as one less stable open complex, N7...H−O and O8...H−O, for the syn and anti isomer, respectively. In the experimental FT-IR spectra, both closed H-bonded complexes are clearly identified based on characteristic H-bonding absorptions predicted by the calculations. Trace amounts of the open complexe...
Seasonal Variability of the 40–50 Day Oscillation in Wind and Rainfall in the Tropics

Abstract Time spectral analysis is performed on long records of wind and precipitation from stations in the tropical Indian Ocean-Pacific Ocean are. The spectra are done separately for winter and summer half-years. Statistically significant spectral peaks in the 40–50 day period range show strong seasonal variability. The 40–50 day peaks in the 200 mb zonal wind spectra are stronger and more prevalent during the Northern Hemisphere winter half-year. Spectral peaks in the 850 mb wind show a preference for summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Precipitation spectra show significant 40–50 day peaks at selected locations in the Indonesian region and along the South Pacific convergence zone in the central Pacific during Southern Hemisphere summer. These oscillations in precipitation are coherent with nearby zonal wind oscillations. No significant oscillations in precipitation were found for stations significantly north of the equator during either half-year. In particular, no significant peaks in precipitation sp...
Scanning Hall probe microscopy of a diluted magnetic semiconductor

We have measured the micromagnetic properties of a diluted magnetic semiconductor as a function of temperature and applied field with a scanning Hall probe microscope built in our laboratory. The design philosophy for this microscope and some details are described. The samples analyzed in this work are Ga0.94Mn0.06As films grown by molecular beam epitaxy. We find that the magnetic domains are 2–4 μm wide and fairly stable with temperature. Magnetic clusters are observed above TC, which we ascribe to MnAs defects too small and sparse to be detected by a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer.
The solution by fast Fourier transforms of Laplace's equation in a toroidal region with a rectangular cross-section

Abstract The fast Fourier transform method is described for Laplace's equation in a toroidal region using the 9-point difference approximation to the Laplacian operator. Numerical results are given which indicate the efficiency and accuracy of the method. Accurate difference approximations are also derived for the determination of the electrostatic field in a toroidal region.
Staging of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

is an increased incidence but not severity of the disease in those of Scandi­ navian or Irish descent. The overall prevalence of sarcoidosis in the United States is approximately 20/100,000 persons. The prevalence in the white population, however, is only 5/100,000, while it is approximately 40/100,000 in the black population, and the highest prevalence is found in the black female. The disease may also be more severe in the black population than in the white population. Honeybourne 29 found that sarcoidosis was more severe in individuals of West Indian origin living in London than in the Caucasian popula­ tion. In support of these observations is the finding that white individuals with sarcoidosis are more likely to present with the acute symptoms often associated with a good prognosis. A variety of symptoms and physical findings may also be associated with either a good or bad prognosis. 23 29 For example, constitutional symptoms such as malaise and weight loss and the physical findings of fever and erythema nodosum in general are associated with a good prognosis. Dyspnea and probably skin sarcoidosis (other than erythema nodosum) are often associated with a worse prognosis. De Remee and Andersen" noted that dyspnea was frequently associated with the presence of advanced sarcoidosis (as detected by chest x-ray films) and evidence of airways obstruction. These patients in general responded poorly to therapy.
LIGA-based family of tips for scanning probe applications

A LIGA based tool-set of tips for various scanning probe applications is under investigation by the LSU (mu) SET. This involves fabrication of `micro-columns' using LIGA, followed by an electrochemical sharpening process. Micro-columns ranging from 1.8 micrometers diameter and 14 micrometers tall to 165 micrometers X 165 micrometers and 1000 micrometers tall have been fabricated. In order to understand the sharpening mechanism, commercially available wires with diameters ranging from 25 - 800 micrometers were sharpened. A computer aided design tool, based on deforming finite elements, was developed to simulate the sharpening process.
Are the visual transients from microsaccades helpful? Measuring the influences of small saccades on contrast sensitivity.

Abstract Like all saccades, microsaccades cause both spatial and temporal changes in the input to the retina. In space, recent studies have shown that these small shifts precisely relocate a narrow (smaller than the foveola) high-acuity retinal locus on the stimulus. However, it has long been questioned whether the temporal modulations resulting from microsaccades are also beneficial for vision. To address this question, we combined spectral analysis of the visual input to the retina with measurements of contrast sensitivity in humans. Estimation of how different types of eye movements redistribute the power of an otherwise stationary stimulus shows that small saccades contribute more temporal power than ocular drift in the low-frequency range, suggesting a specific role for these movements in the encoding of low spatial frequencies. However, an influence on contrast sensitivity was only found for saccades with amplitudes larger than 30′. Contrast thresholds remained highly similar in the presence and absence of smaller saccades. Furthermore, saccades of all amplitudes, including microsaccades, were strongly suppressed during exposure to the stimulus. These findings do not support an important function of the visual transients caused by microsaccades.
Delayed light emission and fluorescence responses of plants to chilling

Abstract Delayed light emission (DLE) of chlorophyll has the same excitation and emission spectra as chlorophyll fluorescence and was formerly called delayed fluorescence. DLE has a much longer time response than true chlorophyll fluorescence and is detectable for times ranging from milliseconds to many minutes. DLE is induced by back reactions of the photosynthetic pathway and therefore requires functional chloroplasts. It is detectable only in the dark following light excitation, yields very low energy, and decays very rapidly. DLE repetitively excited over time, which we term refreshed DLE (RDLE), shows a shoulder and broad peak in our measurements, indicating participation of at least two energy pools. DLE is altered by physiological stresses that affect chloroplasts or photosynthesis, and as illustration, plant species known to be very susceptible or very tolerant to chilling were exposed to chilling temperatures for varying times. RDLE at 0.3 s (the initial shoulder on our curves) rose in response to chilling damage in the susceptible species. The major RDLE peak was greatly inhibited in the susceptible species and showed only small changes in the tolerant species. Fluorescence measurements made on the chilling-tolerant species indicated similar responses and similar coefficients of determination were derived. These results indicate that measurement of precisely timed delayed light emission or of refreshed delayed light emission at a less precisely controlled time can be used to detect chilling stress.
P‐25: Top Gate Amorphous In–Ga–Zn–O Thin Film Transistors Fabricated on Soda–Lime–Silica Glass Substrates

This work presents a comparative analysis of top gate a-IGZO TFTs fabricated on both soda-lime-silica glass and alkali-free borosilicate glass. Low-temperature ALD is selected for the deposition of gate dielectric to minimize a thermal stress. Comparing with TFTs on alkali-free borosilicate glass, TFTs with soda-lime-glass show similar threshold voltage and subthreshold swing, but slightly degraded effective mobility, stability and uniformity. The results of atomic force measurements are provided to explain the uniformity degradation. Author Keywords soda−lime; soda−lime−silica; borosilicate; glass; substrate; thinfilm transistor; TFT; a-IGZO; stability; uniformity
Cartap hydrolysis relative to its action at the insect nicotinic channel.

The insecticide cartap is the bis(thiocarbamate) derivative of 2-(dimethylamino)propane-1,3-dithiol, which on oxidation forms the natural toxicant nereistoxin (NTX) [4-(dimethylamino)-1,2-dithiolane]. Both cartap and NTX are ion channel blockers of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). Cartap was originally proposed to act only after metabolic conversion to NTX and later suggested to block directly without activation. The present study uses a new approach to differentiate these hypotheses, that is, pH effects on channel-blocking activity and hydrolysis rates. As controls, mecamylamine (the classic channel blocker) and NTX are stable and similar in channel-blocking potency ([3H]thienylcyclohexylpiperidine binding assay, honeybee nAChR) at pH 6.1−8.4. In contrast, cartap is >200-fold more effective at pH 7.4 than at pH 6.1, indicating that it undergoes hydrolytic activation. Cartap slowly hydrolyzes to cartap monothiol at pH 6.1 but quickly forms the dithiol and some NTX at pH 7.4. The relationship ...
Detector for metastable helium ions

Abstract We describe a sensitive detector for metastable ( 2 S 1 2 ) helium ions. The detector operates in a magnetic field of 4–16 kG and has an overall efficiency of about 1%. Metastable He+ ions are quenched in an electric field causing them to decay to the ground state ( 1 S 1 2 ) with emission of 304 A radiation. The radiation is detected in a cylindrical photodiode whose active surfaces are made of copper foils coated with MgF2. Multiple photocathodes are used in an arrangement which maximizes the overall efficiency.
Predicting large-signal CML gate delay using Y-Parameters for fast process optimization

A Y-Parameter based Figure-of-Merit (FoM) is proposed that can accurately predict large-signal Current-Mode Logic (CML) gate delay from small-signal S-parameter simulations/measurements. A differential-mode (DM) half circuit of an emitter-coupled differential pair with resistive load is used as the small-signal building block. The FoM is applied to various collector current (IC) and load resistor (RL) combinations obtained from the power-delay curve of a prototype SiGe technology platform. Results of the FoM delay predictions are compared with ring oscillator gate delays. A small-signal model parameter based equation is also proposed that provides physical insight into the components that contribute to the overall CML delay.
Missing links in phenomenological clinical neuroscience: why we still are not there yet.

Purpose of reviewThe phenomenology or systematic study of the patient's subjective experience in neuropsychiatric disorders is widely recognized as important. The methods used, the type of ‘knowledge’ obtained and the relationship of these observations to standard methods of clinical neuroscience, h
EVIDENCE FOR ADHESION MOLECULE AND CYTOKINE INDUCTION IN THE CANINE HEART FOLLOWING CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS |[dagger]| 104

A systemic inflammatory reaction is known to occur in response to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Recent data suggest leukocyte depletion after CPB may enhance myocardial function. To further investigate inflammation within the myocardium after CPB, northern blot analysis was performed for intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) on tissue obtained from dogs undergoing 90 mins of hypothermic CPB (26-28°C) with 60 mins of cardioplegic arrest. After rewarming, dogs were reperfused open chest for 3, 6 or 9 hrs at which time myocardial samples were obtained. Animals undergoing open thoracotomy without CPB served as time-matched controls. Data are summarized in the table below. Positive results for IL-6 and ICAM-1 were concordant in those animals tested for both. IL-6 is known to be important in the induction of myocyte ICAM-1 in other models. ICAM-1 may serve as an adhesion ligand for infiltrating leukocytes. The presence of IL-8 and TNF-α suggest activated infiltrating leukocytes within the myocardium. These preliminary data indicate that inflammation after cardiopulmonary bypass does involve the myocardium. We speculate this inflammatory response may contribute to depressed myocardial function postoperatively.
Refinement and validation of the urethral stricture score in categorizing anterior urethral stricture complexity.

Objective To update, simplify, and validate the UREThRAL Stricture Score (now called the U-score) for anterior urethral strictures, with the goal of using this system as a predictor of surgical complexity. Methods This is a retrospective review of 102 patients (test set) who underwent anterior urethroplasty at Barnes-Jewish Hospital from 2009 to 2012 and a validation set of 96 patients from Northwestern University. The U-score was based on length (1-3 points), stricture number (1-2 points), location (1-2 points), and etiology (1-2 points) for a total ranging from 4 to 9. Excision and primary anastomosis, buccal mucosal graft, and augmented anterior urethroplasty were classified as low complexity, and double buccal mucosal graft, flap, or flap-graft combo were classified as high complexity. Operative time and estimated blood loss were used as surrogates of surgical complexity. Results Mean U-score for low-complexity surgeries was 5.2 and for high complexity surgeries was 7.3. Factors that were associated with high-complexity repairs included stricture etiology (trauma or idiopathic or iatrogenic vs inflammatory or hypospadias; P ≤.0001), number (1 vs >1; P = .003), location (penile vs bulbar; P 5 cm; P P ≤.0001). A linear relationship between U-score and operative time was observed ( P = .0018). U-score did not correlate with estimated blood loss ( P = .82). Among the validation data set, etiology ( P = .0014), location ( P ≤.0001), stricture length ( P ≤.0001), and overall U-score ( P ≤.0001) correlated with surgical complexity. Conclusion The U-score is a validated scale to describe the complexity of anterior urethral strictures that correlates with surgical time and complexity of procedure.
Identification of Functional Domains of Adenylyl Cyclase Using in Vivo Chimeras

Adenylyl cyclase, the effector molecule of the cAMP signaling pathway, is composed of a family of isoforms that differ in their modes of regulation. Many of these modulatory interactions are dependent upon well characterized molecules from various second messenger pathways; however, very little is known about their mechanisms or sites of action on adenylyl cyclase. Chimeras were produced by a novel in vivo mechanism between two differentially modulated adenylyl cyclases to identify their regulatory domains. The basal activity of the type I adenylyl cyclase (AC1) is activated by calcium/calmodulin, inhibited by G protein beta gamma subunits, and insensitive to protein kinase C regulation. In contrast, type II adenylyl cyclase (AC2) is insensitive to calcium/calmodulin regulation and is activated by G protein beta gamma subunits as well as by activated protein kinase C. Expression and biochemical characterization of chimeras between AC1 and AC2 identified a single specific domain of AC1 responsible for calmodulin binding and a small, well defined region near the C terminus of AC2 required for protein kinase C activation.
Performance properties of commercial waxes of different hydrocarbon composition

The melting point ts, strength at 20°C, and volume shrinkage in the range of ts of hydrocarbons of different classes, model mixtures, and solid petroleum waxes of different industrial grades were investigated. The mechanisms and features of the decrease in these characteristics were revealed for synthetic tetracosan (n–C24H50) and n–alkane concentrate for P–1 alimentary wax on addition of up to 20 wt. % of hydrocarbons from other classes. The strength and plasticity carriers in petroleum waxes were established.
Magnetic moment of the first excited state in 133Cs by the Mössbauer effect

Abstract The Mossbauer effect in an external magnetic field of 77.65 kG has been used to determine the magnetic moment of the first excited state in 133 Cs at 81 keV. The result is μ ex = +3.44±0.02 n.m.
Toxicology and overdose of atypical antipsychotic medications in children: does newer necessarily mean safer?

Purpose of reviewAtypical antipsychotic medications (second-generation antipsychotics) have been increasingly used in the treatment of a number of psychotic disorders since their introduction in 1988, with the newest medication introduced in 2002. Justification for their use includes claims of equal
Solitary waves in infrared-active Raman scattering.

The semiclassical quantum-mechanical treatment of Raman scattering with an infrared-active mode is given and solitary wave solutions are derived. Optical attenuation and vibrational damping are taken into account. The soliton properties of the waves are touched upon.
Contribution of endogenous bradykinin to fibrinolysis, inflammation, and blood product transfusion following cardiac surgery: a randomized clinical trial

Bradykinin increases during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and stimulates the release of nitric oxide, inflammatory cytokines, and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), acting through its B2 receptor. This study tested the hypothesis that endogenous bradykinin contributes to the fibrinolytic and inflammatory response to CPB and that bradykinin B2 receptor antagonism reduces fibrinolysis, inflammation, and subsequent transfusion requirements. Patients (N = 115) were prospectively randomized to placebo, e-aminocaproic acid (EACA), or HOE 140, a bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist. Bradykinin B2 receptor antagonism decreased intraoperative fibrinolytic capacity as much as EACA, but only EACA decreased D-dimer formation and tended to decrease postoperative bleeding. Although EACA and HOE 140 decreased fibrinolysis and EACA attenuated blood loss, these treatments did not reduce the proportion of patients transfused. These data suggest that endogenous bradykinin contributes to t-PA generation in patients undergoing CPB, but that additional effects on plasmin generation contribute to decreased D-dimer concentrations during EACA treatment.
Configuration Interaction in Mn II

The theoretical formulas for ${d}^{6}$ and ${d}^{5}s$ are compared with the experimental data of Mn II. The relative positions of these configurations in Mn II allow the magnitude of configuration interaction to be determined accurately without the use of a least-squares calculation. Over-all agreement between theory and experiment is improved by the use of separate parameters in the two configurations and by the introduction of the effects of configuration interaction. The positions of the terms not yet known experimentally are predicted as a help in further analysis of this spectrum. The positions of terms of the ${d}^{5}s$ configuration are believed to be predicted with better than usual accuracy by the use of a correction term proportional to $L(L+1)$.
Separation of a Bacterial Proteinase on Fritted Glass Filters

THE proteinase of Bacillus larvae contains two components separable by paper chromatography in ascending phosphate buffer flow1,2. Preparative separation of the components was achieved with differential adsorption of the complex on cellulose powder and activated alumina. The chromatographiecally mobile component (I) was isolated following adsorption of the immobile component (II) on cellulose. Complete removal of II required several successive treatments with cellulose. The proteinase-containing extract could not be clarified by fritted glass filters without alteration of the properties of II.
Fluorescence polarization measurement of binding of fluorescein to albumin.

Abstract When fluorescein is administered systemically to study its rate of penetration through the blood-ocular barrier, the degree of binding of the fluorophore to albumin may affect the observed results. For this situation in which a fluorescent molecule is bound to a non-fluorescent molecule, various equations have been proposed which describe the relation between binding site, polarization of fluorescence, intensity of fluorescence and dissociation constant. In order to explore their possible usefulness as the basis of a clinical assay method, these equations were critically compared utilizing experimental data on the fluorescein-serum albumin system. Of the three methods of analysis which were studied, the method which required the measurement of only the polarization of the unknown sample gave the best precision and accuracy. Use of this method requires knowledge of the polarization and intensity of fluorescence of the bound and free forms of the fluorophore. At 37°C the polarization for free fluorescein was found to be low, 0·02; the polarization of the fluorescein bound to human albumin high, 0·42; and the ratio of fluorescent intensity of the bound form to the free form was found to be 0·26 at excitation and emission bands centered at 495 and 515 nm, respectively. There was a modest decrease in fluorescein binding when temperature increased or chloride ion concentration increased. Human albumin was found to bind fluorescein more loosely than did bovine. At 37°C in an isotonic medium, the dissociation constant for human albumin and fluorescein was 0·32 μ m and an average of 3·9 mol of binding sites were present per mol of albumin.
Opportunities and strategies to further reduce animal use for Leptospira vaccine potency testing

Abstract Hamsters are routinely infected with virulent Leptospira for two purposes in the regulation of biologics: the performance of Codified potency tests and maintenance of challenge culture for the Codified potency tests. Options for reducing animal use in these processes were explored in a plenary lecture at the “International Workshop on Alternative Methods for Leptospira Vaccine Potency Testing: State of the Science and the Way Forward” held at the Center for Veterinary Biologics in September 2012. The use of validated in vitro potency assays such as those developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Leptospira (L.) canicola , Leptospira grippotyphosa , Leptospira pomona , and Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae rather than the Codified hamster vaccination–challenge assay was encouraged. Alternatives such as reduced animal numbers in the hamster vaccination–challenge testing were considered for problematic situations. Specifically, the merits of sharing challenge controls, reducing group sizes, and eliminating animals for concurrent challenge dose titration were assessed. Options for maintaining virulent, stable cultures without serial passage through hamsters or with decreased hamster use were also discussed. The maintenance of virulent Leptospira without the use of live animals is especially difficult since a reliable means to maintain virulence after multiple in vitro passages has not yet been identified.
Consciousness-Raising Groups in the 1970's

Based on a 1974 nationwide survey, this paper describes the characteristics of 1,669 women in consciousness-raising (CR) groups. Most women in the survey are white, middle- and upper-middle class w...
Differential regulation of cholinergic and peptidergic development in the rat striatum in culture

The development of substance P, somatostatin, and choline acetyltransferase activity was examined in embryonic rat striatum in vivo and in culture. The study was undertaken to help define mechanisms by which diverse neurotransmitter phenotypes may be regulated within the same structure in the brain. Choline acetyltransferase (CAT) was present in striatum before gestational Day 13.5 (E13.5), and enzyme levels increased continually between E13.5 and birth. By contrast, substance P (SP) and somatostatin (SS) did not develop in vivo until E15, and peptide levels fluctuated between E15 and birth, indicating that striatal peptidergic and cholinergic development were regulated differently. To define mechanisms mediating the differential regulation of striatal peptidergic and cholinergic neurons, neurotransmitter development was examined in embryonic striatum in vitro. Cultured striatal neurons from E13.5 embryos expressed substance P and somatostatin de novo after several days in culture, and peptide levels and CAT activity increased significantly in vitro. Each transmitter phenotype was regulated in vitro by a different constellation of environmental factors, and many factors differentially influenced SP, SS, and CAT development. For example, coculture of striatum with a target tissue, the ventral mesencephalon (substantia nigra), increased CAT activity and SP levels but had no significant effect on levels of SS. Moreover, there were widely differing effects on CAT, SP, and SS development of medium conditioned by exposure to a variety of cell types, indicating that the three transmitter systems were regulated by different soluble factors. Potassium-induced membrane depolarization also exerted different effects on the different transmitter traits, elevating CAT activity but decreasing SP and SS. Finally, insulin was required for the survival of SP-containing neurons, but not for the survival of SS- or CAT-containing neurons, indicating that the survival of different populations of striatal neurons was dependent upon different factors. Our observations suggest that different populations of neurons in the striatum are regulated by different mechanisms, so that alterations in the environment may produce strikingly diverse responses in the development of different phenotypic traits within the same structure.
Genetic Mapping of Pharmacogenetic Regulatory Variation

The availability of high-throughput genotyping and sequencing platforms has largely removed technological barriers in the mapping the genetic determinants of drug response in human populations, and the set of validated pharmacogenetic variants is gradually increasing. Like the search for disease-susceptibility variation, however, many of the loci identified to date represent the relatively low-hanging fruit with large phenotypic effects but relatively low predictive power. Yet to be discovered is the larger set of variants, each with considerably weaker phenotypic effects, which together can be used to predict drug response more reliably and identify potential targets for novel drug development. Finding these pharmacogenetic variants is particularly challenging because sample size is typically far too small (and thus statistically underpowered) to detect genetic variants with weak effects. Studies of the genetics of gene expression (also described as expression quantitative locus (eQTL) mapping or genetical genomics) represent a novel approach for identification of functional genetic variants that influence gene expression. In these studies, individual gene transcript abundance as measured from expression microarrays are considered as discrete quantitative traits for genetic mapping that are intermediate to clinical outcomes of interest. Early studies using these methods have demonstrated improved power to detect such regulatory variants and have facilitated mapping of disease-susceptibility variants. The potential use of this approach in the study of pharmacogenetics and for the identification of potentially modifiable drug targets is reviewed here.
Calculation of solubility in titanium alloys from first principles

Abstract We present an approach to calculate the atomic bulk solubility in binary alloys based on the statistical-thermodynamic theory of dilute lattice gas. The model considers all the appropriate ground states of the alloy and results in a simple Arrhenius-type temperature dependence determined by a “low-solubility formation enthalpy”. This quantity, directly obtainable from first principles, is defined as the composition derivative of the compound formation enthalpy with respect to nearby ground states. We apply the framework and calculate the solubility of the A solutes in A–Ti alloys (A = Ag, Au, Cd, Co, Cr, Ir, W, Zn). In addition to determination of unknown low-temperature ground states for the eight alloys, we find qualitative agreements with solubility experimental results. The presented formalism, correct in the low-solubility limit, should be considered as an appropriate starting point for estimation of whether a more computationally expensive formalism is needed.
Characterization of amplicons that suppress the conditional lethal growth phenotype of a Leishmania donovani mutant lacking normal purine salvage mechanisms

Abstract A conditionally lethal mutant of Leishmania donovani that lacks both hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase and xanthine phosphoribosyltransferase exhibits a strikingly restricted growth phenotype, can only survive as the promastigote under pharmacological constraints, and is profoundly compromised in its ability to infect macrophages and mice. Interestingly, the conditionally lethal growth phenotype displayed by these mutant parasites can be suppressed in vitro by selection of strains that have markedly amplified the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase gene on extrachromosomal elements that are unique to these suppressor strains. Employing pulsed field gel electrophoresis, we have now determined that the amplicons in two of these suppressor lines are linear molecules by: (1) their pulse time-dependent mobility; (2) the failure of γ-irradiation to generate new discrete bands; (3) their susceptibility to λ exonuclease digestion; and (4) the presence of telomeric sequences. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis also shows these amplicons to be approximately 200–275 kb in size. However, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analyses demonstrated that the amplification units are ∼40 kb in length, implying that the formation of these amplicons involved additional chromosomal rearrangements or oligomerization.
Cellular distribution of the aquaporins: a family of water channel proteins.

A group of transmembrane proteins that are related to the major intrinsic protein of lens fibers (MIP26) have been named “aquaporins” to reflect their role as water channels. These proteins are located at strategic membrane sites in a variety of epithelia, most of which have well-defined physiological functions in fluid absorption or secretion. However, some aquaporins have been localized in cell types where their role is at present unknown. Most of the aquaporins are delivered to the plasma membrane in a non-regulated (constitutive) fashion, but AQP2 enters the regulated exocytotic pathway and its membrane expression is controlled by the action of the antidiuretic hormone, vasopressin. These pathways of constitutive versus regulated delivery to the plasma membrane have been reconstituted in transfected LLC-PK1 epithelial cells, indicating that the information encoded within the protein sequence is sufficient to allow sorting of newly synthesized protein into distinct intracellular vesicles. Finally, different members of the aquaporin family can be targeted to apical, basolateral or both apical and basolateral plasma membrane domains of polarized epithelial cells. This implies that signals for the polarized targeting of these proteins also is located in non-homologous regions of these similar proteins. Thus, future investigations on the aquaporin family of proteins will provide important information not only on the physiology of membrane transport processes in many cell types, but also on the targeting and trafficking signals that allow proteins to enter distinct intracellular vesicular pathways in epithelial cells. In the case of AQP2, the availability of the transfected cell culture system will allow the intracellular signaling pathway, and the accessory molecules that are involved in this pathway, to be dissected and identified.