cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Data warehousing and the internet: converging technologies

The technologies of the Internet and data warehousing are converging. This paper explores the synergies of these two revolutionary technologies. The strategic importance of data warehousing is presented through an examination of the applicable technology, growth of the market, and the factors encouraging that growth. The convergence of data warehousing technology and the Internet is discussed and strategic implications for modern businesses are addressed.
WKHA rats with genetic hyperactivity and hyperreactivity to stress: a review

WKHA rats are a homozygous strain of hyperactive rats developed by successive selected inbreedings, starting from a cross of spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats with their normotensive control strain, WKY. WKHA express hyperactivity in a novel environment, as do SHRs, however their blood pressure is normotensive, thus they are potentially a more promising model of hyperactivity than the SHR. WKHA became homozygous in 1990 (20 strict brother/sister inbreedings), and they are currently in the F36 generation. Studies in collaboration with numerous colleagues have allowed us to describe a limited behavioral and neurochemical profile of WKHA rats. Their most prominent behaviors include hyperactivity in a novel environment, and a marked hyperreactivity to stress, both of which are also characteristic of SHRs. They differ from SHRs in other respects: WKHA are less aggressive, habituate more readily to a novel environment, and are less exploratory in a familiar environment than the SHR. Neurochemical studies have revealed changes in brain monoamine function in WKHA rats, particularly in frontal cortical norepinephrine and dopamine uptake, and they show marked changes in neuroendocrine responses in the hypothalamic/pituitary/adrenal axis, as well as altered POMC peptides in the pituitary anterior and posterior lobes. Molecular genetic studies by colleagues in Bordeaux have identified a quantitative trait locus for the hyperactivity/hyperreactivity trait of WKHA rats.
Mirror skyrmions of the vector limit as parity doubled baryons

Abstract Chiral solitons are studied in Georgi's so-called “vector” limit in which chiral SU (2) × SU (2) symmetry is restored, the vector mesons become massless, and their longitudinal components become chiral partners of the pseudoscalars. In this limit there are two sets of solitons carrying baryon number and stable in a large region of parameter space. In the unit baryon number sector there is then an almost degenerate parity doublet whose classical degeneracy gets resolved via tunneling effects at the semi-classical level. Away from the vector limit, for a critical strength of the Skyrme term, a phase transition may occur and the doublet solution may cease to be stable minima. The quantum numbers carried by the mirror solitons are computed using known methods.
Selectivity of ω-CgTx-MVIIC toxin from Conus magus on calcium currents in enteric neurons

Abstract Whole-cell perforated patch clamp recordings were used to analyze selectivity of ω-CgTx-MVIIC toxin for voltage-dependent calcium currents in cultured myenteric neurons from guinea-pig small intestine. ω-CgTx-MVIIC (300 nM) blocked 37 ± 9% of the peak current activated from −80 mV in 15 neurons by mostly affecting the plateau phase of the current. The toxin suppressed peak current activated from −30 mV dose-dependently with an ICso of 70 ± 8 nM. The blockade was complete at toxin concentrations of 1 μM. Thus, it appears that ω-CgTx-MVIIC blocks high voltage activated (HVA) calcium channels in the myenteric neurons unselectively as well as other types of HVA Ca 2+ channels including P and Q channels.
Isotopic Selectivity in Ultrasensitive RIMS

Recent demonstrations of the extremely high efficiency and selectivity of multiphoton resonance ionization(l-5) have stimulated interest in combining this ionization mode with the mass selectivity of mass spectrometry to produce a resonance ionization mass spectrometer (RIMS) with superior isotopic selectivity and sensitivity. Such a measurement system can be functionally categorized into tour components: atomization, ionization, ion manipulation, and ion detection and labeling. It is the purpose of this paper to explore systematically the potential of RIMS as realized with a magnetic sector mass spectrometer.
Latent variable modeling in the hierarchical modeling framework in longitudinal studies: a fully bayesian approach

This paper presents a strategy for specifying latent variable regressions in the hierarchical modeling framework (LVR-HM). This model takes advantage of the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach in terms of modeling flexibility—regression among latent variables—and of the HM approach in terms of allowing for more general data structures. A fully Bayesian approach via Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques is applied to the LVR-HM. Through analyzing the data from a longitudinal study of educational achievement, gender difference are explored in the growth of mathematical achievement across grade 7 through grade 10. Allowing for the fact that initial status effect to rates of change may differ for girls and boys, the LVR-HM is specified in a way that rates of change parameters are modeled as a function of initial status parameters and the interaction between initial status and gender.
AlGaAs/GaAs npn heterojunction bipolar transistors grown by molecular beam epitaxy on Si (311)

AlGaAs/GaAs npn heterojunction bipolar transistors grown by molecular beam epitaxy on Si (311) substrates and fabricated using a self-aligned base contact process are reported. Reflection high energy electron diffraction patterns correlate with antiphase domain-free growth. Preliminary DC measurements for a 70×70 µm2 device reveal a small-signal common-emitter current gain of 10 and a collector-emitter breakdown voltage of 13 V.
Skin Abscess Model for Incision and Drainage

Background: Skin and soft tissue infection diagnosis is increasing dramatically across the nation. All healthcare providers need to be trained in adequate incision and drainage of these lesions. The only descriptions of skin and soft tissue models in the literature involve the use of cadavers or chickens. We devised an inexpensive and easily assembled skin abscess model that will be invaluable for the training of this procedure for all healthcare providers. This relatively realistic skin abscess model can be assembled within minutes using materials that can be purchased in your local grocery or home improvement store. The steps required in the creation of this abscess model will be depicted in the exhibit. Supplies for assembly of the model will be available during the exhibition for participants to build their own abscess and practice incising and draining their abscess. Materials: ? Lotion (white) mixed with food coloring (red, blue, yellow) ? Baby oil gel ? 1” Urethane Foam sheeting ? Heavy cardboard or poster board ? Food handler gloves (Textra Cast Poly) ? Glue gun (low temp) ? Low temp glue gun sticks ?“Smooth Top® Easy Liner®” shelf liner ? Abscess incision and drainage kit. Conclusion: This exhibit will provide a detailed description of how to assemble a quick and easy skin abscess model for incision and drainage. This model can be used in the skills lab to demonstrate and practice this basic procedure.
Central sleep apnea is a predictor of cardiac readmission in hospitalized patients with systolic heart failure.

Abstract Background Hospitalized heart failure patients have a high readmission rate. We sought to determine the independent risk due to central sleep apnea (CSA) of readmission in patients with systolic heart failure (SHF). Methods and Results This was a prospective observational cohort study of hospitalized patients with SHF. Patients underwent sleep studies during their hospitalization and were followed for 6 months to determine their rate of cardiac readmissions; 784 consecutive patients were included; 165 patients had CSA and 139 had no sleep-disordered breathing (SDB); the remainder had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The rate ratio for 6 months' cardiac readmissions was 1.53 (95% confidence interval 1.1–2.2; P = .03) in CSA patients compared with no SDB. This rate ratio was adjusted for systolic function, type of cardiomyopathy, age, weight, sex, diabetes, coronary disease, length of stay, admission sodium, creatinine, hemoglobin, blood pressure, and discharge medications. Severe OSA was also an independent predictor of readmissions with an adjusted rate ratio of 1.49 ( P = .04). Conclusion In this first evaluation of the impact of SDB on cardiac readmissions in heart failure, CSA was an independent risk factor for 6 months' cardiac readmissions. The effect size of CSA exceeded that of all known predictors of heart failure readmissions.
“What's Past Is Prologue”: Reflections of One Academic's Experience at the Federal Trade Commission

University of North Florida (e-mail: GGundlac@unf.edu). Iam grateful for this opportunity to offer personal reflections about the time I spent at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the impact the experience had on my academic career and scholarly contributions to the field of marketing and society. Given Shakespeare’s observation “what’s past is prologue,” much can be learned about the present by reflecting in historical terms on the past. As documented through this narrative, my experience at the FTC served to motivate and shape my career and contributions to competition policy and antitrust law. In the sections that follow, I overview my brief time and role at the FTC and detail questions concerning the intellectual foundations of competition policy and antitrust law that surfaced from the experience. I then describe how those questions motivated my pursuit of doctoral studies in the field of marketing, influenced my scholarly contributions to marketing and society, led me to pursue multidisciplinary expansion of these foundations beyond marketing, facilitated professional relationships that aided in the further development of my work, and resulted in forensic assignments that helped me apply my efforts and contributions to public policy.
High-dose atorvastatin enhances impaired cerebral vasomotor reactivity

The influence of statin therapy on cerebral vasomotor function has not been fully characterized. We report the effects of high-dose atorvastatin therapy on cerebral vasomotor reactivity (VMR) in patients with controlled hypertension and dyslipidemia. We prospectively enrolled 36 patients with controlled hypertension and a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration >100 mg/dL. Atorvastatin 80 mg was given daily for 6 months and then discontinued. VMR was assessed by hypercapnic and hypocapnic transcranial Doppler challenge in both the right and left middle cerebral artery (MCA) at baseline, and after 3 and 6 months of therapy. Forty-five days after statin cessation, a repeat VMR was performed. VMR impairment was defined as ≤70%. Blood pressure, lipid levels, liver function, and creatine kinase level were monitored. Mean patient age was 60 years, 16 were men, and 13 had a previous history of subcortical infarction. Mean LDL cholesterol level before treatment was 154 ± 30 mg/dL. Atorvastatin lowered LDL by 53% at 3 months and by 46% at 6 months. Baseline VMR was 71% ± 21% in the right MCA and 70% ± 19% in the left MCA. No significant effect of atorvastatin on VMR was seen at 3 months and 6 months in the study population as a whole. In the subgroup of patients with baseline VMR impairment, atorvastatin therapy was associated with significantly improved VMR at both 3 and 6 months. This effect persisted for at least 45 days after discontinuation of therapy. Our findings indicate that high-dose atorvastatin therapy can significantly improve impaired cerebral VMR, and that the effects of atorvastatin on VMR persist for 1.5 months after discontinuation of therapy. We found no benefit of atorvastatin therapy in patients with preserved baseline vasoreactivity.
Magnetic, magnetocaloric, and magnetotransport properties of RCo1.8Mn0.2 (R=Er, Ho, Dy, and Tb) compounds

Abstract The magnetic, magnetocaloric, and magnetotransport properties of RCo1.8Mn0.2 (R=Er, Ho, Dy, and Tb) were studied by room temperature X-ray diffraction, magnetization, and resistivity measurements at a temperature interval of 5–400 K and magnetic fields up to 5 T. The Curie temperature of RCo2 was found to increase significantly when 10% Mn was substituted for Co. The effective paramagnetic moments were found to be in reasonable agreement with their theoretical values. A large magnetoresistance (MR) of Δρ/ρo≈−13.5% for R=Ho at T≈153 K for ΔH=5 T has been observed. The maximum relative cooling capacities vary from 467 J/kg at low temperature for R=Er to 202 J/kg at the near room temperature for R=Tb.
Confinement effects in a guided-wave atom interferometer with millimeter-scale arm separation

Guided-wave atom interferometers measure interference effects using atoms held in a confining potential. In one common implementation, the confinement is primarily two dimensional, and the atoms move along the nearly free dimension after being manipulated by an off-resonant standing wave laser beam. In this configuration, residual confinement along the nominally free axis can introduce a phase gradient to the atoms that limits the arm separation of the interferometer. We experimentally investigate this effect in detail, and show that it can be alleviated by having the atoms undergo a more symmetric motion in the guide. This can be achieved by either using additional laser pulses or by allowing the atoms to freely oscillate in the potential. With these techniques, we demonstrate interferometer measurement times up to $72\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ms}$ and arm separations up to $0.42\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{mm}$ with a well controlled phase, or times of $0.91\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{s}$ and separations of $1.7\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{mm}$ with an uncontrolled phase.
An Analysis of the Variability of Cyclones Around Antarctica and Their Relationship to Sea-Ice Extent

ABSTRACT Results of an analysis of the distribution and movement of extratropical cyclones around Antarctica for the period September, 1973, through May, 1975, are presented. Variations in seasonal cyclone frequencies, their preferred longitudinal positions, and the spatial and temporal fluctuations in latitude and pressure are shown, and these indicate good agreement with the known features of Southern Hemisphere climatology. The greatest numbers of cyclones occur during spring and fall, and their most common locations are near coastal embayments. A semiannual oscillation is present in the frequencies, mean latitudes, and mean pressures of the cyclones, although to varying degrees. Longitudinal variations in the intensity of the oscillation are also evident. The belt of maximum cyclone activity exhibits a distinct half-yearly cycle in latitudinal position, although the trough is located some 50 north of the position determined from mean monthly pressures. Harmonic analysis of the spatial variation of thi...
Multivariate genetic analysis of specific cognitive abilities in the Colorado adoption project at age 7

Abstract A multivariate hierarchical model of specific cognitive abilities was fitted to data from 7-year-old adopted and nonadopted sibling pairs in the Colorado Adoption Project in order to assess differential genetic influence on specific mental abilities. Model fitting results and Schmid-Leiman (Schmid & Leiman, 1957) transformations reveal significant heritable variation for verbal, spatial, and memory factors independent of general cognitive ability for the eight ability tests examined. In contrast, environmental influences are primarily measure-specific. The results suggest genetic effects in middle childhood that differentially influence mental ability scores.
Kac-Moody Algebra Is Hidden Symmetry of Chiral Models

The infinite parameter Kac-Moody algebra $\mathsf{C}[t]\ensuremath{\bigotimes}G$, whose elements are loops in $G$ and which is related to the vertex operator for the string model when $G=\mathrm{sl}(2c)$, is identified as the hidden-symmetry algebra of the two-dimensional chiral models. These observations suggest that a Kac-Moody Lie algebra is the hidden symmetry of Yang-Mills fields, a phenomenon which, if true, might lead to complete integrability and nonperturbative information. This algebra, also relevant to integrable soliton theory, may elucidate the classical and quantum inverse method for the chiral theory.
Behavioral aspects of arthritis and rheumatic disease self-management

Chronic diseases such as arthritis and related conditions have no ‘cure’, and thus require ongoing management. The long term nature of chronic disease gives the individual a crucial role, if not the most crucial role, in managing their condition. Day-to-day self-management is extremely important in achieving optimal health outcomes, and indeed, people with arthritis use a variety of strategies to relieve symptoms or manage disease consequences.
Dietary adjustments and nutritional therapy during treatment for Oral-Pharyngeal Dysphagia

Dietary adjustments are an important part of the therapy for dysphagia. Once dysphagia is diagnosed, the patient must be nourished safely while being taught therapeutic and compensatory strategies for dealing with the swallowing disorder. The patient's nutritional status must be maintained despite any limitations on oral intake. Liquids may be thickened and the consistency of solid foods may be adjusted to ensure an adequate diet that is safe for the patient. When the patient cannot eat safely or take adequate amounts of food orally, an alternative feeding method should be instituted.
Relative Growth of Exports of Manufactures of United States and Other Industrial Countries

THE PURPOSE of this paper is to inquire how far factors other than price competitiveness were responsible for variations in the U.S. share of world exports of manufactures over the period from 1953 to 1958. The U.S. share in exports of manufactures from the 11 leading industrial countries declined sharply from 1953 to 1955, rose slightly from 1955 to 1956, and declined thereafter, particularly from 1957 to 1958 (Chart I). However, the sharp fall in the U.S. share between 1953 and 1955 was due primarily to a reduction in military shipments. In any assessment of U.S. export performance, there is a strong case for excluding changes in military shipments, since they are directly associated with changes in military aid and since the great decline in U.S. military shipments after the early 1950's had no counterpart in the exports of the other industrial countries.' When military shipments are excluded, the U.S. share in industrial countries' exports of manufactures declined from 26.5 per cent in 1953 to 25.0 per cent in 1955, rose to 26.2 per cent in 1957, and fell to 23.6 per cent in 1958. However, neither 1953 nor 1957 is an appropriate base year for a comparison of trends in the U.S. share of world exports. Much of the decline in the U.S. share of world trade between 1953 and 1954 was due to the exceptionally rapid increase in German and Japanese exports, which by 1953 had not fully recovered from the effects of the war. In order to lessen the effect of this factor, the average of 1953 and 1954 has been chosen as one benchmark. Again, 1957 was an atypical year, being exceptionally favorable for the United States owing to the effect of the Suez crisis in increasing U.S. exports to Western Europe and limiting Western Europe's exports to certain other areas. Therefore,
Übergangsmetall‐katalysierte Synthese von Arylaminen und Arylethern aus Arylhalogeniden und ‐triflaten: Anwendungen und Reaktionsmechanismus

Oxidative Addition und reduktive Eliminierung sind die zentralen Schritte bei neuen Pd-katalysierten Reaktionen zur Bildung von C-N- und C-O-Bindungen von Arylaminen bzw. -ethern. Im nebenstehenden Mechanismusvorschlag wird ein Amin durch reduktive Eliminierung aus einem vierfach koordinierten 16-Elektronen-Amidoarylkomplex gebildet. Die Verwendung eines chelatisierenden Liganden wie 1,1′-Bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ferrocen (dppf) verringert dabei das Ausmas der konkurrierenden β-Wasserstoffeliminierung. X=Br, I; R, R′=Alkyl, Aryl.
Comprehensive experimental and computational analysis of binding energy hot spots at the NF-κB essential modulator/IKKβ protein-protein interface.

We report a comprehensive analysis of binding energy hot spots at the protein-protein interaction (PPI) interface between nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) essential modulator (NEMO) and IκB kinase subunit β (IKKβ), an interaction that is critical for NF-κB pathway signaling, using experimental alanine scanning mutagenesis and also the FTMap method for computational fragment screening. The experimental results confirm that the previously identified NEMO binding domain (NBD) region of IKKβ contains the highest concentration of hot-spot residues, the strongest of which are W739, W741, and L742 (ΔΔG = 4.3, 3.5, and 3.2 kcal/mol, respectively). The region occupied by these residues defines a potentially druggable binding site on NEMO that extends for ~16 A to additionally include the regions that bind IKKβ L737 and F734. NBD residues D738 and S740 are also important for binding but do not make direct contact with NEMO, instead likely acting to stabilize the active conformation of surrounding residues. We additionally found two previously unknown hot-spot regions centered on IKKβ residues L708/V709 and L719/I723. The computational approach successfully identified all three hot-spot regions on IKKβ. Moreover, the method was able to accurately quantify the energetic importance of all hot-spot residues involving direct contact with NEMO. Our results provide new information to guide the discovery of small-molecule inhibitors that target the NEMO/IKKβ interaction. They additionally clarify the structural and energetic complementarity between "pocket-forming" and "pocket-occupying" hot-spot residues, and further validate computational fragment mapping as a method for identifying hot spots at PPI interfaces.
NWS Tornado Warnings with Zero or Negative Lead Times

Abstract During a 5-yr period of study from 2000 to 2004, slightly more than 10% of all National Weather Service (NWS) tornado warnings were issued either simultaneously as the tornado formed (i.e., with zero lead time) or minutes after initial tornado formation but prior to tornado dissipation (i.e., with “negative” lead time). This study examines why these tornadoes were not warned in advance, and what climate, storm morphology, and sociological factors may have played a role in delaying the issuance of the warning. This dataset of zero and negative lead time warnings are sorted by their F-scale ratings, geographically by region and weather forecast office (WFO), hour of the day, month of the year, tornado-to-radar distance, county population density, and number of tornadoes by day, hour, and order of occurrence. Two key results from this study are (i) providing advance warning on the first tornado of the day remains a difficult challenge and (ii) the more isolated the tornado event, the less likelihood...
The capacity of memory loci in artificial memory

The ancient mnemonic system of artificial memory taught a two-part process. First, a set of successive locations was committed to memory; then lists were memorized through making bizarre associations between successive list items and successive locations. This study measures the capacity of locations in artificial memory. A set of 32 English words were the list items. One, 2, 4, 8, 16, or 32 locations were used, as well as a control condition in which no mnemonic instructions were given. The results approximate a normal ogive, with the 50% point of accurate recall occurring with 8 locations, i.e., four items per location.
The effect of tank colouration on survival, metamorphosis rate, growth and time to metamorphosis freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) rearing

Seedstock-costs of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii can represent >50% of the total production costs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of culture tank colouration on survival, metamorphosis rate, weight and time required to reach the postlarval (PL) stage. Newly hatched prawn larvae were stocked into eighteen 16-L plastic culture tanks at a density of 30 L−1. Tank colours evaluated were red, black, white, blue, green and yellow. Larval prawns were fed brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) nauplii and a supplemental diet. Data indicated that larval tank colour had no significant impact (P>0.05) on the final PL size or days required to reach PL stage. However, total survival was significantly higher (P 0.05) from the red, green or white treatments, but was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the blue treatment. This could have a significant financial impact on commercial hatchery, and growout production, as most larval tanks currently in use are blue or black.
Degradation of native and oxidized beta- and gamma-crystallin using bovine lens epithelial cell and rabbit reticulocyte extracts

In many types of cells, modified proteins are selectively and rapidly removed by various proteolytic systems. In eye lens, as in most cells, there appears to be a multiplicity of proteolytic pathways, including ubiquitin-dependent, ATP-dependent and ATP-independent pathways. Each of these appears to be involved in the degradation of α-crystallins. The objective of this study was to determine if oxidized β-and γ-crystallins would be selectively degraded and which proteolytic systems might be involved, β-and γ-crystallins were oxidized by exposure to 137Cs radiation under N2O. This system generates •OH primarily. Oxidation of β-and γ-crystallins was indicated by decreased protein sulfhydryl content and tryptophan fluorescence, as well as by increased levels of carbonyl and high molecular weight aggregates with increasing radiation dose, γ-crystallin was more susceptible than β-crystallin to oxidation based on loss of native crystallin, increase in aggregates and fragmentation products, and loss of tryptopha...
The threat of nuclear war and rates of suicide and homicide

An index of the likelihood of nuclear war from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was not associated with rates of personal violence in the USA from 1946 to 1986.
Purine Nucleoside and Nucleobase Cell Membrane Transport in Giardia lamblia

Giardia lamblia is dependent on the salvage of preformed purines and pyrimidines. This study investigated purine nucleoside and nucleobase transport utilizing rapid uptake determinations. Nucleoside substrate/velocity curves exhibited the hyperbolic kinetics of a saturable carrier-mediated system. Deoxynucleosides exhibited a much lower affinity for the transporter. Inhibition studies confirmed the relative carrier affinities of these ribonucleosides and deoxyribonucleosides. The nucleobase adenine did not exhibit saturation kinetics at a comparable substrate range, and did not inhibit nucleoside transport. Dipyridamole markedly inhibited nucleoside but not nucleobase transport, confirming the separate entry pathways. When cells were depleted of ATP, the velocity of nucleoside and nucleobase transport was unchanged, indicating that it is a non-energy-dependent process. Three nucleoside analogs, formycin A, adenine arabinoside and 7-deazaadenosine, were studied. Transport kinetics ranged widely among this group and could not completely account for their cytotoxic effect. When the apparent Km and Vmax of the nucleosides were compared, an approximately linear relationship (r2 = 0.95) was noted. This suggests that a high affinity of the nucleoside permease for the substrate retards disassociation of the substrate-carrier complex, slowing net influx.
Involvement of the locus coeruleus in analgesic effects of a low dose of naloxone during the inflammatory process.

We evaluated the effects of systemic administration of a low dose of naloxone in rats with bilateral lesions in the area of the locus coeruleus (LC) under conditions of unilateral inflammation, compared with those in sham-operated rats. In each group, rats received a single s.c. injection of carrageenan (6 mg in 0.15 ml saline), and effects of a low dose of naloxone (5 μg/kg, i.p.) on thermal nociception were examined at 4 h and 7 days following the induction of unilateral hindpaw inflammation. The antinociceptive effect was assessed by prolongation of the paw withdrawal latency (PWL) to noxious thermal stimuli. Prior to induction of inflammation, the low dose of naloxone had no significant effect on PWLs in either the sham-operated or the LC-lesioned rats. Four hours after carrageenan injection, the low dose of naloxone produced prolongation of PWLs in the sham-operated rats but failed to induce antinociception in the LC-lesioned rats. Antinociceptive effects were observed in both groups of rats 7 days after carrageenan injection. These results suggest that the LC is involved in naloxone-induced antinociception during the early phase of inflammation.
KrmL→π0π0γγ in chiral perturbation theory

Abstract We calculate the rate and two-photon spectrum for the decay KrmL→π0π0γγ using chiral perturbation theory. We comment on i implications of the study of this decay.
Lefty-dependent inhibition of Nodal- and Wnt-responsive organizer gene expression is essential for normal gastrulation.

Abstract During gastrulation, diffusible "organizer" signals, including members of the TGFβ Nodal subfamily [1], pattern dorsal mesoderm and the embryonic axes. Simultaneously, negative regulators of these signals, including the Nodal inhibitor Lefty, an atypical TGFβ factor, are induced by Nodal [2–4]. This suggests that Lefty-dependent modulation of organizer signaling might regulate dorsal mesoderm patterning and axial morphogenesis. Here, Xenopus Lefty (Xlefty) function was blocked by injection of anti- Xlefty morpholino oligonucleotides (MO). Xlefty-deficient embryos underwent exogastrulation, an aberrant morphogenetic process not predicted from deregulation of the Nodal pathway alone. In the absence of Xlefty, both Nodal- ( Xnr2, gsc, cer, Xbra ) and Wnt-responsive ( gsc, Xnr3 ) organizer gene expression expanded away from the dorsal blastopore lip. Conversely, coexpression of Xlefty with Nodal or Wnt reduced the ectopic expression of Nodal- ( Xbra ) and Wnt-responsive ( Xnr3 ) genes in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, Xlefty expression in the ectodermal animal pole inhibited endogenous Nodal- and Wnt-responsive gene expression in distant mesoderm cells, indicating that Xlefty inhibition can spread from its source. We hypothesize that Xlefty negatively regulates the spatial extent of Nodal- and Wnt-responsive gene expression in the organizer and that this Xlefty-dependent inhibition is essential for normal organizer patterning and gastrulation.
Antibody responses in normal infants and in infants receiving chemotherapy for congenital neuroblastoma.

Three infants with congenital neuroblastoma received a primary series of diptheria-pertassis-tetanus (DPT) immunizations during and after courses of chemotherapy with immunosuppressive medications. Serum IgG, IgA and IgM levels and antidiphtheria and antitetanus antibody responses were measured and compared with those of normal infants of similar age. Protective levels of antibody were achieved by the study patients as well as by the control group. These results support the view that children with malignancies who are receiving chemotherapy should not be denied immunization with inactivated vaccines.
Forced Migration and Destination Choice: Armenian Forced Settlers and Refugees in the Russian Federation

The Soviet Republic has experienced major population shifts between its 15 states since 1991. Large numbers of refugees and forced migrants are seeking asylum from successor states in Russia. The Federal Migration Service (FMS) of Russia keeps official registers of refugees and forced settlers facilitates resettlement and integrates migrants into society. This study examined the role of the FMS in resettling dislocated persons from Armenia to Russia. Data were obtained from official sources. 49.8% of immigrants to Russia come from the Central Republics. However Armenias refugee and forced migrant population is a larger share of its total population (about 5% compared to 4.4% of Central Asian republics). A 1993 survey revealed that about 70% of the urban populations in Erevan Gyumri and Ashtarak would leave Armenia if the opportunity arose. 50% wanted their children to emigrate. In 1989 and 1993 the top receiving areas in Russia were Krasnodarskii Krai Rostovskaia and Stavropolskii Krai. In 1989 about 60% of the Armenian population in Russia lived in these territories. Ordinary least squares models indicate that 30% of the variance in Armenian resettlement in Russia was predicted by high concentrations of Armenian residents and cost of living. Other structural factors such as unemployment urbanization or new construction were unrelated. Findings suggest that individual choice may be more important in determining residential location than migration policy.
Attenuation and modal dispersion models for spatially multiplexed co-propagating helical optical channels in step index fibers

Abstract Spatial reuse of optical frequencies has been shown to be possible through a novel spatial domain multiplexing (SDM) technique that uses spatial multiplexer at the input end to launch multiple channels of the same wavelength inside a single strand of carrier fiber and then employs spatial filtering methods to de-multiplex the different optical channels at the output end. The individual SDM channels are confined to dedicated spatial locations inside the fiber while traversing through it owing to helical propagation of light. This presents attenuation and dispersion models of such a system. Experimentally obtained beam profile and resultant crosstalk of two such spatially multiplexed co-propagating SDM channels of the same wavelength over standard step index multimode optical fibers are also presented.
Sustainability: from concept to practice

Nature is reacting to the activities of industrial societies in unanticipated and surprising ways. The prospect of global climate change, the thinning of stratospheric ozone, the increasing acidification of rain, snow, and even large bodies of water, and the steady decline in biodiversity have all been linked to the spread of industrial development. Yet the predominant view until recently has been that human activity had little, if any, determinative role in the natural order. Now scientists are increasingly persuaded of the critical impact of human activities on the natural order. This paper takes up the challenge of articulating an alternative technological pathway that can improve society's relationship with the natural environment. The new pathway draws upon one of the most important ideas of the late twentieth century: sustainable development. The concept of sustainable development has become the standard bearer for efforts to redefine technology and society in more environmentally thoughtful, conserving, and equitable ways.
Sortase-conjugation generates a capsule vaccine that protects guinea pigs against Bacillus anthracis

Capsules protect bacteria against phagocytic clearance. Capsular polysaccharides or polyglutamates have evolved also to resist antigen presentation by immune cells, thereby interfering with the production of opsonophagocytic antibodies. Linking capsular material to a carrier protein stimulates its presentation to the immune system. For many conjugate vaccines this is achieved by a process of random chemical cross-linking. Here we describe a new technology, designated sortase-conjugation, which generates a single amide bond between the C-terminal end of a carrier protein and the capsular material. Sortase-conjugation was used to link the poly-d-γ-glutamic acid (PDGA) capsule of Bacillus anthracis to the receptor binding domain (D4) of protective antigen (PagA). When used as a vaccine, PDGA–D4 conjugate elicited robust antibody responses against both capsule and D4. Immunization with PDGA–D4 afforded guinea pigs complete protection against anthrax challenge with wild-type or pagA mutant B. anthracis Ames.
Development of a full body CAD dataset for computational modeling: a multi-modality approach

The objective of this study was to develop full body CAD geometry of a seated 50th percentile male. Model development was based on medical image data acquired for this study, in conjunction with extensive data from the open literature. An individual (height, 174.9 cm, weight, 78.6 ± 0.77 kg, and age 26 years) was enrolled in the study for a period of 4 months. 72 scans across three imaging modalities (CT, MRI, and upright MRI) were collected. The whole-body dataset contains 15,622 images. Over 300 individual components representing human anatomy were generated through segmentation. While the enrolled individual served as a template, segmented data were verified against, or augmented with, data from over 75 literature sources on the average morphology of the human body. Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) surfaces with tangential (G1) continuity were constructed over all the segmented data. The sagittally symmetric model consists of 418 individual components representing bones, muscles, organs, blood vessels, ligaments, tendons, cartilaginous structures, and skin. Length, surface area, and volumes of components germane to crash injury prediction are presented. The total volume (75.7 × 103 cm(3)) and surface area (1.86 × 102 cm(2)) of the model closely agree with the literature data. The geometry is intended for subsequent use in nonlinear dynamics solvers, and serves as the foundation of a global effort to develop the next-generation computational human body model for injury prediction and prevention.
Understanding the structure of consumers’ satisfaction evaluations of service delivery

This paper examines the current state of the literature concerning thestructure (i.e., conceptualization, taxonomy, and operationalization) of consumers’ satisfaction evaluations of a service delivery. In particular, relevant research in medical sociology, community health and marketing is reviewed. In so doing, advances as well as gaps in our current understanding of satisfaction evaluations are delineated. Drawing upon the services marketing, social psychology, and organizational theory literatures, we propose a hypothesis for the multiobject conceptualization of the satisfaction construct. This fills a major gap in previous research. Using data collected from four metropolitan areas, this hypothesis is subjected to empirical verification. Competing hypotheses are explicity considered. The proposed conceptualization is also tested for convergent, discriminant, and nomological validity. Overall, the results support a multidimensional-multiobject model of the satisfaction construct. However, the objects are the major source of variation in satisfaction evaluations, accounting for about 61% of the total variance. In addition, objectbased evaluations yield evidence of convergent, discriminant, and nomological validity. Implications for research into the structure of satisfaction evaluations for health care delivery in particular, and for multidyadic services in general, are discussed.
Intracellular Processing of α1-Antitrypsin

α1-Antitrypsin (AAT) secreted from hepatocytes is an inhibitor of neutrophil elastase. Its normal circulating concentration functions to maintain the elasticity of the lung by preventing the hydrolytic destruction of elastin fibers. Severely diminished circulating concentrations of AAT, resulting from the impaired secretion of genetic variants that exhibit distinct polypeptide folding defects, can function as an etiologic agent for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In addition, the inappropriate accumulation of structurally aberrant AAT within the hepatocyte endoplasmic reticulum can contribute to the etiology of liver disease. This article focuses on the discovery and characterization of a biosynthetic quality control system that contributes to the secretion of AAT by first facilitating its proper structural maturation, and then by orchestrating the selective elimination of those molecules that fail to attain structural maturation. Mechanistic elucidation of these interconnected quality control events recently led to the identification of an underlying genetic modifier capable of accelerating the onset of end-stage liver disease by impairing the efficiency of an initial step in the protein disposal process.
Prey odor discrimination in the varanoid lizards Heloderma suspectum and Varanus exanthematicus

Use of chemical senses to detect prey is believed to be an important component of foraging behavior in actively foraging lizards. Ability to detect prey odors and discriminate them from control odors by tongue-flicking was studied in representatives of two families of lizards having highly forked, elongated, retractile tongues. Responses of gila monsters (Heloderma suspectum) and savannah monitors (Varanus exanthematicus) to deionized water, a control for pungency (cologne), and mouse odor on cotton swabs were studied in experiments using repeated-measures designs and employing the tongue-flick attack score (TFAS) as the primary measure of response strength. TFAS differed among treatments for gila monsters and monitors. Both species had greater TFAS to mouse odors than to either of the control stimuli, but responses to cologne were not statistically distinguishable from those to water. Numbers of tongue-flicks elicited by prey odors were greater than those for control stimuli in V. exanthematicus, but not for H. suspectum. Gila monsters, but not savannah monitors, bit in a significantly greater proportion of tests with prey odors than with control stimuli. Details of responses, including frequency of biting, apparent search behavior in the vicinity of applicators bearing mouse odors, and responses to control stimuli are discussed in relation to the foraging behavior of these two species and their relatives. Evidence from this and other studies suggests that the vomeronasal sense (and perhaps other chemical senses) is an important means of locating and recognizing prey in widely foraging autarchoglossan lizards.
Convergence analysis of blind equalizer in a cosine modulated filter bank-based multicarrier communication system

A recent development in the literature has proposed a cosine modulated filter bank - based multicarrier modulation technique with blind equalization capability. However, convergence studies of the proposed blind equalizer has been carried out through computer simulations only. In this paper, we present a thorough study of the blind equalizer by analyzing its associated cost function in detail. We show that the blind equalizer cost function is characterized by two global minima and two local minima. The analysis shows that although there is a chance that the blind equalizer converges to near one of the local minima, the stochastic nature of the adaptation algorithm will eventually result in a drift of the algorithm and convergence towards one of the global minimum points.
Behavioral treatment of cocaine-dependent pregnant women and TB-exposed patients.

Abstract Health-compromised drug-dependent patients require specialized treatment that addresses both drug use and health risks. This preliminary study examines the efficacy of a contingency management procedure (shaping) on decreasing cocaine use and increasing compliance with the prescribed treatment regimens in two health-compromised cocainedependent populations: (i) tuberculin (TB) exposed patients ( n = 5) (ii) pregnant women ( n = 7). A multiple-baseline across-subjects design was used. There were no contingencies on cocaine use during baseline. During the contingent phase, patients received a monetary reinforcer for (a) successive decreases in the quantity of cocaine and (b) cocaine-free samples. They received a weekly reinforcer if all samples per week met criteria for (a) or (b). During the contingent phase, there was a significant decrease in cocaine metabolite levels and an increase in cocaine-free samples in both populations, with a more robust effect in the TB-exposed group. There was an increase in compliance with prenatal visits among the pregnant women during the contingent phase. Implications for health care are discussed.
The physiologic development of speech motor control: Lip and jaw coordination

This investigation was designed to describe the development of lip and jaw coordination during speech and to evaluate the potential influence of speech motor development on phonologic development. Productions of syllables containing bilabial consonants were observed from speakers in four age groups (i.e., 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds, 6-year-olds, and young adults). A video-based movement tracking system was used to transduce movement of the upper lip, lower lip, and jaw. The coordinative organization of these articulatory gestures was shown to change dramatically during the first several years of life and to continue to undergo refinement past age 6. The present results are consistent with three primary phases in the development of lip and jaw coordination for speech: integration, differentiation, and refinement. Each of these developmental processes entails the existence of distinct coordinative constraints on early articulatory movement. It is suggested that these constraints will have predictable consequences for the sequence of phonologic development.
Hot and cold merger markets

We study mergers and acquisition during the period from 1988 to 2005 and examine the impact of merger market intensity, i.e., merger waves, on the means of payment and the returns to target and acquirer shareholders. We use two proxies to measure the intensity of the merger market—the number of mergers in the trailing 12-month period prior to a merger and the total dollar volume of mergers in the trailing 12-month period prior to a merger—and use these measures to define hot and cold merger markets. We find that stock financing is more common after a stock price run-up for the acquiring firm and in hot merger markets. We also find that the acquisition premium is larger in hot merger markets. Returns to acquiring company shareholders are lower for stock financed mergers and are lower when merger markets are intense. Our results are consistent with the predictions of the behavioral theory for merger waves.
Structural Ordering in Nanotube Polymer Composites

The structural properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) polymer composite interfaces have been studied through molecular dynamics simulations. Polymer (polyethylene) molecules are found to form discrete adsorption layers as a function of radial distance from the axis of the nanotube. The molecules within the adsorption layers prefer to align parallel to the tube axis. A structural order parameter of orientation, SZ, has been investigated in detail and shows a discrete peaking behavior that is in correlation with the peaks in the density distribution function. An increase in the structural order parameter has been shown to contribute to the mechanical modulus of the composite, and the orientationrelated changes have been found to be inelastic in nature. Since their discovery in 1991, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) 1 have been found to have good mechanical properties with high Young’s modulus and unique structure-dependent electronic properties. Using CNTs as nanofibers has been pursued extensively both in experimental and theoretical studies to enhance the mechanical, 2-7 electronic, 8-10 thermal, 11,12 and optical 13 properties of composite materials. The advantages of CNTs as nanofibers include their light weight, high aspect ratio, and large surface area, which are good for physical absorptions or chemical bonding. One of the widely investigated matrix materials is polymers in CNT based nanocomposites. Studies have shown that the additions of only small fractions of CNTs can significantly change the properties of polymer materials. 8-10 The atomic scale structures of CNT composites, especially the relative structures at the polymer matrix and CNT interface, are expected to explain many unique properties found in the nanotube nanocomposites.