cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Voltage-dependent modulation of cardiac ryanodine receptors (RyR2) by protamine.

Early studies showed that protamine (>20μg/ml) inhibits skeletal RyR1 regardless of the cytosolic Ca2+ levels (Koulen et al., Mol. Biol. Cell. 11:2213–9, 2000). We extended these studies to cardiac RyR2 reconstituted into planar lipid bilayers. We found that protamine (0.2μg/ml) added to the cytosolic surface of RyR2 decreased channel activity. This effect did not depend on cytosolic Ca2+ levels or on the presence/absence of agonists. The action of protamine was complex and involved transition to several substates as well as full block of the channel. Substates did not seem to represent protamine binding to a ryanoid site as they were observed in ryanodine-modified channels. At Vm > 0mV (SR lumen - cytosol) block events were rare and only the substate with the highest level of conductance had high probability. As expected, increasing Vm from 0 to +80mV, decreased the apparent on-rate of protamine-induced substate and increased its off-rate. Unexpectedly, the I-V relationships for the full openings and for the protamine-induced substate were parallel (i.e., the current amplitude drop induced by protamine had the same magnitude at 0 and +80mV). This is not the case with most known conductance modifiers, which induce a drop in the current amplitude that changes proportionally with the amplitude of the full opening. In contrast, the modifications in the RyR2 conduction pathway induced by protamine (conformational changes or partial occlusion of the pore) heavily depended on the electric field. Analogous electrostatic interactions between neighboring RyRs and/or with associated proteins may play a role in the heterogeneity of RyRs current amplitudes frequently observed in multichannel recordings (Supported by NIH R01 GM078665 to JAC).
Review of Formicaricola (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) from ground antbirds (Passeriformes: Formicariidae)

The genus Formicaricola , previously thought to contain 8 species, has been determined to consist of only 2: F. analoides Carriker (type host: Formicarius analis saturatus Ridgway) and F. willisi Oniki and Emerson [type host: Chamaeza campanisona (Lichtenstein)]. Six species described by Carriker are placed as junior synonyms of F. analoides: F. costaricensis (type host: Formicarius analis umbrosus Ridgway), F. mexicana (type host: Formicarius analis moniliger Sclater), F. sanctaemartae (type host: Formicarius analis virescens Todd), F. beni [type host: Formicarius analis analis (d'Orbigny and Lafresnaye)], F. colmae (type host: Formicarius colma amazonicus Hellmayr), and F. chocoana (type host: Formicarius nigricapillus destructus Hartert). Formicaricola analoides is redescribed and illustrated.
EU water policy: Uncertain agendas, shifting networks and complex coalitions

European Union (EU) water legislation is now very extensive in scope and has major cost implications for the member states, for the water industry, and for consumers. Although participation in the policy formulation process was fairly narrowly based in the early development of this programme of legislation, more recently participation has become more extended. The EU water policy process is an example of a rather loose and more open issue network or constellation of actors, rather than a closed and restricted policy community. It is, however, possible to identify a core of central actors within this loose configuration. Even so, the agenda setting process remains unpredictable and issues are processed via the interaction of a series of advocacy coalitions which link epistemic communities of scientists (especially toxicologists) into a wider and more visible political world. Because of the high salience of water policy throughout the Union, issue expansion, rather than issue contraction, is likely to remai...
Grand Master of Reconstruction

Milner offers a beautifully illustrated survey of the life and work of the celebrated paleoartist Charles R. Knight.
Science policy after the cold war: Problems and opportunities

Abstract The ending of the Cold War raises both problems and opportunities for national science policies. Because of the continuing near-anarchy of international relations, military goals will continue to be influencial. The formation of large economic blocs could inspire trade wars in which R&D would be targeted to other parochial purposes. At the same time, the way has been opened for a new era in international scientific cooperation in which resources could be pooled and addressed to global concerns.
Dermatoglyphics of American Blacks.

Dermatoglyphics of 100 male and 100 female phenotypically normal Black Americans living in New York City were analyzed. The significant bimanual asymmetry was noted only for patterns in the second and the third interdigital areas of the palms. The significant sex differences included excess of digital arch patterns in females and higher mean finger ridge counts in males. Distribution of dermatoglyphic characteristics of Black Americans in our study was compared to those of Black Americans studied by Steinberg et al. ('75) and Caucasian Americans studied by Schaumann and Alter ('76). The results show that significant differences in the dermatoglyphics exist not only between the Caucasian and Black subjects but also between the two groups of Black Americans.
“Turbulence”, kinetic temperature, and electron temperature in stellar atmospheres☆

Abstract The phenomenological use of the term “astronomical turbulence” is reviewed and earlier conclusions that the physical nature of the phenomenon is more likely anisotropic mass-motion, or jet-prominences, than the customary aerodynamic turbulence are restated. The primary problem under such conditions is the relative importance of mechanical energy-transport and momentum transport in perturbing the structure of the atmosphere. The problem of the difference between kinetic temperatures of the atoms and electrons is treated, and it is concluded that the difference is negligible in those parts of the stellar atmosphere which are in a statistically-steady state.
Planning the UNLV Lied Library

The Lied Library was planned and constructed over a ten‐year period. During this process, the library staff tried to plan for new technology by making the building as flexible as possible. Although the staff had very little technological or planning experience in the early years, they were able to successfully plan a technologically advanced building. Much of the success of this venture came by researching technology, and constant revision of plans to incorporate changes. Through careful infrastructure planning, no major changes were needed to accommodate technological upgrades. and Kenneth E. Marks
Acetic Acid Reduction to Acetaldehyde over Iron Catalysts: I. Kinetic Behavior

Abstract The vapor-phase reduction of acetic acid by H 2 over both supported and unsupported iron was studied. Typical Fe catalysts increased in activity over a 4- to 5-h period to reach steady state whereas the Fe/carbon catalyst deactivated completely during this initial time on stream. The best catalysts gave selectivities to acetaldehyde between 95 and 100% at low conversions ( 2 pressure increased, but was almost independent of the acetic acid partial pressure. The turnover frequency for acetic acid disappearance to reduction products increased markedly from 0.003 to 0.058 s −1 and the apparent activation energy decreased from about 27 to 16 kcal/mol as the Fe crystallite size increased from 10 to 4000 nm. Highly dispersed 1-nm crystallites on SiO 2 exhibited no hydrogenation activity and gave only decomposition products. Acetic acid reduction over Fe is described well by a Langmuir–Hinshelwood model invoking two types of sites, i.e., one set on metallic Fe atoms that adsorbs and activates H 2 , and the other on an Fe oxide surface that adsorbs acetic acid to form an acetate species. The addition of the second H atom to form acetaldehyde appears to be the rate-determining step.
Critiques and Critical Comments in Educational Research Journals

W hile prepublication refereeing is the traditional route by which the scientific community formally screens and criticizes its primary archival reports, formal postpublication feedback is also an established scientific practice. The present study was undertaken to examine the availability and use of formal postpublication critique channels in journals reporting original research in education. Method A systematic random sample was taken of every tenth reference cited in the 1969 Encyclopedia of Educational Research. The 15 journals most frequently cited were taken as a good representation of high quality journals concerned with research in education. A letter was written to the editor of each of these journals asking for more detailed information on the journal's policy with regard to letters, critical comments, critiques, and rejoinders. Each editor was asked to respond to a checklist questionnaire and to add additional comments as necessary to clarify the journal's policy. All 15 of the editors responded after no more than one follow-up letter. In addition, a content analysis of the journals was performed independently of the information from the editors. All issues of the journals from 1968 and 1969 and the two most recent 1970 issues were examined for evidence of letters to the editor, critical comments, critiques, and rejoinders.
Stuck in the MUC on the long and winding road.

Antibodies that cross react with the tumor antigen MUC1 switch a cellular immune response to a humoral one with implications for the immunotherapy of cancer (pages 315–320).
Influence of the Substrate on the Creep of SN Solder Joints

The creep rate of Sn solder joints is noticeably affected by joint metallization. Cu|Sn|Cu joints have significantly higher creep rates than Ni|Sn|Cu joints, which, in turn, have higher creep rates than Ni|Sn|Ni joints. Replacing Ni by Cu on both substrates increases the creep rate at 333 K (60 °C) by roughly an order of magnitude. The increased creep rate appears with no apparent change in the dominant creep mechanism; the change in the constitutive equation for creep (the Dorn equation) is in the pre-exponential factor. The decreased creep rate on substituting Ni is accompanied by an increase in the hardness of the polygranular solder but a decrease in the nanohardness of the grain interiors. The source of the strong influence of the Ni substrate appears to be the introduction of an array of Ni3Sn4 intermetallic precipitates along the grain boundaries. These precipitates inhibit grain boundary sliding, boundary reconfiguration, and grain growth during creep. The intermediate creep rate of the asymmetric Ni|Sn|Cu joint has two causes: a decrease in grain boundary mobility due to precipitate decoration and a restriction in the free volume of the joint due to rapid intermetallic growth from the substrate on the Ni side. The sources of this anomalous intermetallic growth are discussed.
RADIONUCLIDE DETECTION BY INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA MASS SPECTROMETRY: A COMPARISON OF ATOMIC AND RADIATION DETECTION METHODS

Radionuclide detection by mass spectrometric techniques offers inherent advantages over conventional radiation detection methods. Since radionuclides decay at variable rates (half-lives) and via various nuclear transformations (i.e. emission of alpha-, beta-, and/or gamma-radiation) their determination via radiation detection depends not only on decay systematics but also on detector technology. Radionuclide detection by directatom measurement, however, is dependent only on technique sensitivity and is indifferent to decay mode. Evaluation of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) indicates this method to be superior to conventional radiation detection techniques for many radionuclides. This work discusses factors which influence detection by both methods. Illustrative applications of ICP/MS to the ultra-trace determination of several radionuclides, including129I, are presented.
Aviation Science Students vs. English Composition I

Many composition courses do not fit the specialized requirements of students engaged in professional programs.The author states a case for the publishing of special composition texts and the use of...
Key Role for Scavenger Receptor B-I in the Integrative Physiology of Host Defense during Bacterial Pneumonia

Scavenger receptor B-I (SR-BI) is a multirecognition receptor that regulates cholesterol trafficking and cardiovascular inflammation. Although it is expressed by neutrophils (PMNs) and lung-resident cells, no role for SR-BI has been defined in pulmonary immunity. Herein, we report that, compared with SR-BI+/+ counterparts, SR-BI−/− mice suffer markedly increased mortality during bacterial pneumonia associated with higher bacterial burden in the lung and blood, deficient induction of the stress glucocorticoid corticosterone, higher serum cytokines, and increased organ injury. SR-BI−/− mice had significantly increased PMN recruitment and cytokine production in the infected airspace. This was associated with defective hematopoietic cell-dependent clearance of lipopolysaccharide from the airspace and increased cytokine production by SR-BI−/− macrophages. Corticosterone replacement normalized alveolar neutrophilia but not alveolar cytokines, bacterial burden, or mortality, suggesting that adrenal insufficiency derepresses PMN trafficking to the SR-BI−/− airway in a cytokine-independent manner. Despite enhanced alveolar neutrophilia, SR-BI−/− mice displayed impaired phagocytic killing. Bone marrow chimeras revealed this defect to be independent of the dyslipidemia and adrenal insufficiency of SR-BI−/− mice. During infection, SR-BI−/− PMNs displayed deficient oxidant production and CD11b externalization, and increased surface L-selectin, suggesting defective activation. Taken together, SR-BI coordinates several steps in the integrated neutrophilic host defense response to pneumonia.
Measuring the extent of exfoliation in polymer/clay nanocomposites using real-time process monitoring methods *

Abstract Dielectric and optical transmission measurements obtained during processing of polymer/clay composites yielded quantitative information about the extent of clay exfoliation in the polymer matrix. Measurements were made using an instrumented slit die that was situated at the exit of a twin screw extruder. Nylon 6, 11 and 12 resins were compounded with several organo modified montmorillonite clays. Dielectric and optical data were correlated with off-line transmission electron microscopy. Dielectric observations revealed a large Maxwell–Wagner (MW) relaxation whose characteristic frequency reflects an RC time constant associated with the conduction of ions and the polarization of the resin/clay interface. Optical transmission measurements showed that transmission increased with increasing extent of exfoliation because light scattering due to aggregate clay particles is reduced as the particles exfoliate nanosize silicate flakes. Extent of exfoliation models, based on MW relaxation time and its relationship to interfacial polarization, and based on optical transmission measurements, are developed.
Task Presentation in Pedagogy

This paper addresses task presentation as an instructional event that is part of a larger, more long-term curricular concern. Task presentation is defined. The research from the classroom literature on teacher clarity and presenting information and from the physical education pedagogy research on task presentation is summarized. The paper concludes with a discussion of some of the issues involved in delivering a task presentation within a physical education setting.
Identification and Description of the Tadpole of the Parachuting Frog Rhacophorus catamitus from Southern Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract The Indonesian parachuting frog Rhacophorus catamitus is endemic to the mountains of southern Sumatra. Herein, we describe the larval morphology of this species based on several developmental stages. Tadpoles were collected from localities that ranged in elevation from 1,068–1,680 m in montane primary and secondary growth rainforest habitats. We matched larvae to an adult paratype and a referred specimen using mitochondrial DNA. The tadpole of R. catamitus has a conspicuous black tail tip and a larval morphology similar to most congeners. Characteristics of this body plan include a ventral oral disc, jaw sheaths, several labial tooth rows, dorsolaterally positioned eyes, a single sinistral spiracle, and a median anal tube. All specimens (N = 28) have a large suctorial oral disc with 9–11 tooth rows (6–8 anterior, 3 posterior) that we hypothesize is an adaptation for life in fast-flowing streams. At least two size cohorts of R. catamitus larvae were collected in June 1996, suggesting that this spe...
Crushing Their Dreams? Simulations and Student Idealism

In-class simulations can offer students an excellent opportunity to apply the lessons they have learned in a practical and fun manner. The literature on active learning in international relations demonstrates the many values simulations possess. In running a simulation on the conflict in Darfur, I identified an additional potential value in in-class simulations: they can be a technique for tempering student idealism. Students often fail to appreciate the disconnect between their personal political convictions and the political realities that impede conflict resolution. Simulations allow students to apply theory to practice in a way that encourages students to temper their idealism by acknowledging political realities on the ground. I discuss how a week-long simulation on Darfur encouraged students to balance idealism and realism and understand why reaching agreements in the international community can be so difficult.
Spectral Gaps in One-Dimensional Random Binary Alloys

The electronic spectrum of a one-dimensional random binary alloy is studied. Around certain special energies, spectral gaps appear when the two constituents are sufficiently different. The analytic form of the density of states in the vicinity of a special energy is derived, and a Green's-function method and numerical technique are used to calculate both the density and localizability of states around two of the special energies. Results are presented and their implication for the electronic-conduction properties of the system are discussed.
Subsets of the square with the continuous and order preserving fixed point property

Abstract This study characterizes the convex sets whose complements in the unit square exhibit the fixed point property for mappings which are jointly continuous and order preserving. Hence, one can readily construct simple sets with this fixed point property, but which neither have the fixed point property individually for continuous mappings nor for order preserving mappings. This is the first characterization of any non-trivial set with this property.
Initial insights into bacterial succession during human decomposition

Decomposition is a dynamic ecological process dependent upon many factors such as environment, climate, and bacterial, insect, and vertebrate activity in addition to intrinsic properties inherent to individual cadavers. Although largely attributed to microbial metabolism, very little is known about the bacterial basis of human decomposition. To assess the change in bacterial community structure through time, bacterial samples were collected from several sites across two cadavers placed outdoors to decompose and analyzed through 454 pyrosequencing and analysis of variable regions 3-5 of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene. Each cadaver was characterized by a change in bacterial community structure for all sites sampled as time, and decomposition, progressed. Bacteria community structure is variable at placement and before purge for all body sites. At bloat and purge and until tissues began to dehydrate or were removed, bacteria associated with flies, such as Ignatzschineria and Wohlfahrtimonas, were common. After dehydration and skeletonization, bacteria associated with soil, such as Acinetobacter, were common at most body sites sampled. However, more cadavers sampled through multiple seasons are necessary to assess major trends in bacterial succession.
Molecular dynamics simulation of intragranular Xe bubble re-solution in UO2

Abstract The homogeneous re-solution of Xe fission gas bubbles in UO 2 is investigated by combined Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations. Using a binary collision model, based on the Ziegler–Littmark–Biersack potential [J.F. Ziegler, J.P. Biersack, U. Littmark, The Stopping and Range of Ions in Solids, Stopping and Ranges of Ions in Matter, vol. 1, Pergamon Press, New York, 1984], the recoil energy distribution of fission gas atoms is obtained. An extensive library of fission gas atom displacement cascades is then compiled using molecular dynamic simulations. It used for calculating recoil spectrum averaged quantities. The calculations yield a re-solution parameter for homogeneous re-solution and a displacement distribution of fission gas atoms around the fission gas bubbles. The results disagree considerably from past estimates. The importance of channeling and threshold energy for fission gas escape are discussed.
Variability of the Deep Western Boundary Current at 26.5°N during 2004–2009

Five years of data from a line of dynamic height moorings (DHM), bottom-pressure recorders (BPR), and pressure-equipped inverted echo sounders (PIES) near the Atlantic Ocean western boundary at 26.51N are used to evaluate the structure and variability of the Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC) during 2004–2009. Comparisons made between transports estimated from the DHM þ BPR and those made by the PIES demonstrate that the two systems are collecting equivalent volume transport information (correlation coefficient r¼ 0.96, root-mean-square difference ¼6 Sv; 1 Sv ¼10 6 m 3 s � 1 ). Integrated to � 450 km off from the continental shelf and between 800 and 4800 dbar, the DWBC has a mean transport of approximately 32 Sv and a standard deviation during these five years of 16 Sv. Both the barotropic (full-depth vertical mean) and baroclinic flows have significant variability (changes exceeding 10 Sv) on time scales ranging from a few days to months, with the barotropic variations being larger and more energetic at all time scales. The annual cycle of the deep transport is highly dependent on the horizontal integration distance; integrating � 100 km offshore yields an annual cycle of roughly similar magnitude but shifted in phase relative to that found from current meter arrays in the 1980–1990s, while the annual cycle becomes quite weak when integrating � 450 km offshore. Variations in the DWBC transport far exceed those of the total basin-wide Meridional Overturning Circulation (standard deviations of 16 Sv vs. 5 Sv). Transport integrated in the deep layer out to the west side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge still demonstrates a surprisingly high variance, indicating that some compensation of the western basin deep variability must occur in the eastern basin. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Nonclassical Antimetabolites XX: Simulation of 5′-phosphoribosyl binding IV. Attempted simulation with nucleoside-5′-carbamates

Twenty-two different ways can be envisioned for the mode of binding of the phosphate moiety of a nucleotide to an enzyme depending upon whether one, two, or three phosphate oxygens are involved and the specific groups involved on the enzyme are disregarded. A nucleoside-5′-carbamate should be able to simulate 13 of these possibilities, that is, all the modes of binding involving hydrogen bonds, but not anionic–cationic interactions. 5′- O -Carbamoylthioinosine (XII a ) was synthesized, but failed to simulate the binding of thioinosinic acid (IV) to succinoadenylate kinosynthetase. Similarly, 5′- O -carbamoyl-2′-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (XXIV) was synthesized and failed to simulate the binding of 2′-deoxy-5-fluoro-5′-uridylic acid (VII) to thymidylate synthetase. In conjunction with some previous data, it has been concluded that the most likely mode of binding of nucleotides to these two enzymes involves one hydrogen bond and one anionic–cationic interaction of which there are four possible combinations.
Experiments with the LLNL large-area ICP plasma source

We have constructed a 30" diameter plasma source chamber to explore the problems associated with large-area inductively coupled plasma (ICP) sources with a view towards sources useful for 400 mm semiconductor wafer processing. Our initial source design experiments use a 25" diameter planar inductive coil driven at 13.56 MHz. Plasma data is taken in Ar and N/sub 2/ over the pressure range 3-50 mTorr with powers up to 2000 W. Diagnostics include Langmuir probes, B dot probes, and optical emission spectroscopy. Electrical circuit measurements are compared with results from commercial EM modeling codes. Initial indications are that uniform plasmas suitable for 400 mm wafer processing are attainable.
Effects of Ambient Temperature and Oxygen Concentration on Soot Evolution in Diesel Spray Combustion

A newly developed Forward Illumination Light Extinction (FILE) soot measurement technique was applied in a constant volume spray chamber to study the effects of ambient temperature and oxygen concentration on soot evolution in diesel combustion. The FILE technique with the capability of two-dimensional time-resolved quantitative soot measurement provides the much-needed information to investigate the soot formation mechanism. The ambient temperatures of 1200K, 1000K and 800K were tested to study the temperature effects on soot formation. A decrease of ambient temperature results in a longer ignition delay, which promotes a larger premixed combustion zone combining with higher heat release rates. The change of ambient temperature from 1200K to 800K increases the fuel portion burnt in the premixed combustion period. At 800K, combustion is dominated by the premixed combustion and much less soot is formed. Diesel combustion with 21% and 15% ambient oxygen concentration was also studied. With lower ambient oxygen concentration, the combustion process is basically not changed, but expands into a longer time span with a lower heat release rate. The lower heat release rate results in a lower flame temperature, which benefits the NOx emission control. However, with about the same amount of soot within the flame, and much longer soot life, soot has more chance to escape to the exhaust.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Child maltreatment: promising approaches and new directions.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes the key articles in the field of child maltreatment, addressing abusive head trauma, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and global issues surrounding maltreatment. This topic is salient for both general pediatricians as well as specialists. RECENT FINDINGS: Many articles this year focus on the importance of making an accurate diagnosis when considering child maltreatment, whether in the form of physical or sexual abuse. There is also a focus on understanding the epidemiology of abuse, as some data show a decrease in numbers, which is felt by many in the field to be a misleading impression. SUMMARY: An appreciation of the scope of Child Abuse Pediatrics requires an understanding of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. The authors summarize notable advances in our understanding of these key areas in a review of the year's best literature. Language: en
The Oxygen Content of the Atmosphere in Containers of Dried Milk Packed in Nitrogen

Summary The results confirm those previously obtained by direct measurement of the amounts and composition of the container gases, with respect to the relative importance of time, temperature, and degree of evacuation in reducing the oxygen concentration of the container gases. That the amounts of adsorbed gases do not decrease to a great extent with increases in the value of these factors within practical limits is also indicated by the desorption values obtained. If equilibrium had been attained in each case, the rate of decrease of the final oxygen content in the containers should have been of a logarithmic nature, since the percentage oxygen removed in each evacuation is a constant. However, the rate obtained practically is not of a logarithmic nature, due presumably to the fact that the values for the per cent oxygen in the container atmospheres are not equilibrium values. The relatively high efficiency of a second evacuation stage in decreasing the per cent oxygen content of the container gases is indicated. However, the rate of desorption seems to vary with different dried milks; hence, the efficiency of gasing procedures should be established for the product concerned in each case. In our experience the use of two stages of evacuation at 3mm. pressure with a 3- to 4-day intervening holding period will produce a final oxygen concentration in the container of approximately 1 per cent. Increasing the duration of the holding period will reduce further the final oxygen concentration.
An Interesting Infra-Red Absorption Band in Fused Quartz

To check the calibration of an infra-red spectrometer, we attempted to locate a fairly sharp band of fused quartz reported by Dreisch1 as existing at 2.75 with an intensity of absorption of 75 per cent when a 5 mm. specimen was used, and located by Parlin2 at 2.71 with an intensity of absorption of 55 per cent in a 2 mm. specimen. To our surprise, no such band appeared, although we used several different plate and lens specimens, the thickest sample having a thickness of 5 mm. In the mean-time, a paper by Drummond3 has appeared, presenting a careful plotting of the spectra of crystalline and fused quartz. With 6 mm. samples of the latter, he found a 2.73 band with a 20 per cent absorption. His paper is particularly interesting because it plots for comparison the values of the absorption co-efficient K for fused quartz and for the ordinary and extraordinary rays of crystalline quartz. Throughout the 4–8 region, the graph for fused quartz assumes a kind of average position for the other two, which are qualitatively similar to each other. But in the 3 region there is a profound difference, a fact discovered by Dreisch1, who ascribed it to a destruction of the crystal lattice upon fusion, the inference being that fusion shifts a 3 crystalline band to the new position.
Quantitative Analysis of α-L-Iduronidase Expression in Immunocompetent Mice Treated with the Sleeping Beauty Transposon System

The Sleeping Beauty transposon system, a non-viral, integrating vector that can deliver the alpha-L-iduronidase-encoding gene, is efficient in correcting mucopolysaccharidosis type I in NOD/SCID mice. However, in previous studies we failed to attain reliable long-term alpha-L-iduronidase expression in immunocompetent mice. Here, we focused on achieving sustained high-level expression in immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice. In our standard liver-directed treatment we hydrodynamically infuse mice with plasmids containing a SB transposon-encoding human alpha-L-iduronidase, along with a source of SB transposase. We sought to 1) minimize expression of the therapeutic enzyme in antigen-presenting cells, while avoiding promoter shutdown and gender bias, 2) increase transposition efficiency and 3) improve immunosuppression. By using a liver-specific promoter to drive IDUA expression, the SB100X hyperactive transposase and transient cyclophosphamide immunosuppression we achieved therapeutic-level (>100 wild-type) stabilized expression for 1 year in 50% of C57BL/6 mice. To gain insights into the causes of variability in transgene expression, we quantified the rates of alpha-L-iduronidase activity decay vis-a-vis transposition and transgene maintenance using the data obtained in this and previous studies. Our analyses showed that immune responses are the most important variable to control in order to prevent loss of transgene expression. Cumulatively, our results allow transition to pre-clinical studies of SB-mediated alpha-L-iduronidase expression and correction of mucopolysaccharidosis type I in animal models.
Leadership and Organizational Culture: Sustaining Dialogue between Practitioners and Scholars

Few topics in the study of contemporary public organizations better illustrate the burdens—and potential benefits—of sustaining dialogue between practitioners and scholars than the interplay between leadership, organizational culture, and public sector performance. Following two decades of intensive research and advocacy, the last 10 years have seen diminished scholarly attention to this subject, while efforts to shape culture remain central to the leadership of public organizations. This essay reflects on the 8 Cs of organizational culture: complicated, control, competence, commitments, credibility, conflict, context, and change.
A model for local/mobile radio communications with variable length packets

The authors present an analysis of the throughput of a local/mobile radio communications system using the ALOHA random access protocol with variable length packets. Because of the near/far effect, users near the base station typically have stronger signals than those farther away. This results in the packet capture phenomenon in which a packet captures the base station receiver when its signal-to-interference ratio exceeds some threshold. It is shown that the maximum throughput of the system is considerably higher than that of a conventional ALOHA system. >
Early Developmental Outcome After the Norwood Procedure for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Objective. To assess intellect and adaptive behavior in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) who had undergone at least two surgical stages of the Norwood procedure. Methods. Fourteen children with HLHS >3 years of age participated in the study. The patients underwent intelligence quotient (IQ) testing, and their parents were interviewed regarding their children9s adaptive behavior. Results were compared with those of 10 family controls. Outcomes were studied for possible correlation with perioperative variables. Results. Among the HLHS patients, the median scores for full scale IQ and adaptive behavior were 88 and 91, respectively (normal = 100 ± 15). One child met criteria for mental retardation. Family controls scored generally higher than did HLHS patients, but only differences in adaptive behavior were statistically significant. A negative correlation was found between stage I circulatory arrest time and full scale IQ. Conclusions. Children with HLHS most often function in the low-normal range of intelligence and adaptive behavior. A prolonged circulatory arrest time may result in decreased intellectual function.
The occurrence of influenza A virus on household and day care center fomites.

Abstract Objective The goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of influenza A virus on surfaces in day care and home settings to better assess the potential role of fomites in the transmission of influenza. Methods During two and a half years, 218 fomites were tested from 14 different day care centers. Ten different fomites from bathrooms, kitchens and play areas were sampled. In addition, 92 fomites from eight different homes with children were tested over 6 months. Fourteen different household fomites from bathrooms, kitchens and living areas were sampled. Influenza A viral RNA was detected using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Results Influenza was detected on 23% of day care fomites sampled during the fall and 53% of fomites sampled during the spring. Spring and fall sample data was determined to be statistically different at the 0.05 α-level by Chi-square analysis P P =0.00002. There was no statistical difference found between moist and dry fomites (Chi square P =0.13998). No influenza was detected on home fomites sampled during the summer. In contrast, influenza was detected on 59% of home fomites sampled during March. Conclusions Influenza A virus was detected on over 50% of the fomites tested in homes and day care centers during influenza season.
Synchronizing DEVS/SOA simulator with ping monitoring application

This paper describes our experiences and observations in developing an approach for integrating an external software application -- ping -- into the DEVS/SOA simulation testbed. A prototype implementation of the testbed is under development as part of a project to help automate testing of service-based software systems in accordance with US Department of Defense (DoD) objectives. The "ping" capability is necessary for gathering information on network health such as server availability. The process of invoking ping from Java can be fairly straightforward, but adding this capability to the DEVS/SOA simulation testbed requires far more careful consideration. We describe some of the decisions made in planning the integration, including several design decisions which had to account for issues such as synchronization, the requirements of the project, and elements of the end-user experience. To design the integration, we focused on the fundamental need for synchronizing the ping software application within the DEVS/SOA simulator testbed. The integrated DEVS/SOA Ping prototype demonstrates the kinds of interactions that should be accounted for when planning and executing testing of services. The approach presented in this paper is positioned to aid the design and development of other kinds of simulation-based SOA-based testing environments.
Systemic Signalling in Plant Development

Plants are sessile organisms that communicate extensively with their environment to fine-tune their growth and development. Perception of environmental stimuli often leads to the production of systemic signals that control the development of distant organs and tissues.
Skate Bathyraja spp. egg predation in the eastern Bering Sea

Predation on skate eggs by snails was examined for three skate species at seven nursery sites in three regions (north, middle and south) of the eastern Bering Sea. Mean predation levels were 6.46% for the Alaska skate Bathyraja parmifera, 2.65% for the Aleutian skate Bathyraja aleutica and 22.25% for the Bering skate Bathyraja interrupta. Predation levels were significantly higher at the middle and north sites than the south sites for all species combined. Predation levels decreased with increasing egg-case densities at all nursery sites, and the highest predation levels occurred where egg-case densities were very low. Predated egg-case density increased with increasing snail densities across all nursery sites examined. The Oregon triton Fusitriton oregonensis was the most abundant snail species at all nursery sites and displayed ability to drill holes in the egg case of B. parmifera. Holes left by predatory snails in egg cases of B. parmifera were significantly larger, and of different shape at the middle site compared to the south site. Holes in B. parmifera were also significantly larger than those in egg cases of B. interrupta across all sites examined. Egg cases of B. aleutica possess surface spines that cover the egg case and may inhibit predation by snails at a greater rate than that of the B. parmifera and B. interrupta, which have a smoother egg-case surface.
Perceived image quality of 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratio video displays

With the development of high-definition television (HDTV) systems came the 16:9 (width to height) viewing image aspect ratio. This is compared to the National Television System Committee (NTSC) standard ratio of 4:3 (width to height). This variation in width-toheight aspect ratio has led to the question of which ratio is preferred by the viewing public. The use of a paired-comparison preferencejudgment experiment is described that was designed to determine whether or not significant differences exist in image preference between the two aspect ratios. Observers were asked to choose a preferred image from a set of two (NTSC versus HDTV) of various image sizes over 84 separate trials. Three separate image types were used in the study: a portrait, a landscape, and a still life. The results indicate that image quality perception is a function of image aspect ratio. The HDTV image was preferred for all three image types.
Drug discovery: inhibitors that activate.

Inhibitors of RAF enzymes can suppress or activate the same signalling pathway. The details of how this happens provide a cautionary note for those targeting the pathway for anticancer drug discovery.
Sensitivity of CaM Kinase II to the Frequency of Ca2+ Oscillations

The transduction of many cellular stimuli results in oscillations in the intracellular concentration of calcium ions (Ca2+). Although information is thought to be encoded in the frequency of such oscillations, no frequency decoder has been identified. Rapid superfusion of immobilized Ca2+- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) in vitro showed that the enzyme can decode the frequency of Ca2+ spikes into distinct amounts of kinase activity. The frequency response of CaM kinase II was modulated by several factors, including the amplitude and duration of individual spikes as well as the subunit composition and previous state of activation of the kinase. These features should provide specificity in the activation of this multifunctional enzyme by distinct cellular stimuli and may underlie its pivotal role in activity-dependent forms of synaptic plasticity.
Successful Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection With Direct-Acting Antivirals in a Heart Transplant Recipient: A Case Report

Abstract Background Heart transplant (HT) recipients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are noted to have higher rates of HCV related morbidity and mortality. Treatment of HCV in the past was fraught with low cure rates, increased risk of graft rejection, and medication-related side effects. Case Report We report a case of successful treatment of HCV infection in a HT recipient. The patient was found to have HCV during his pretransplant workup. He underwent uneventful orthotopic HT in 2000. The HCV infection was monitored with regular liver enzymes and the surveillance liver biopsies at 2 and 5 years after HT showed mild but stable liver disease, and he stayed on chronic immunosuppression. He was not offered interferon-based HCV therapy because of the risk of steroid-resistant graft failure and cardiac decompensation. With the availability of the new direct-acting antivirals (DAA) for HCV infection, and worsening of liver fibrosis on noninvasive testing, we treated him with sofosbuvir and simeprevir for 12 weeks. During treatment, he remained clinically stable from a cardiac standpoint and he showed biochemical improvement in his liver and renal functions. Tacrolimus levels remained stable and did not require any dose adjustment. He showed rapid virologic response and subsequently achieved sustained virologic response at 12 weeks. Conclusion DAA use was safe and effective in treating HCV infection in a HT recipient.
Calibration of HDM-4 Models for Estimating the Effect of Pavement Roughness on Fuel Consumption for U. S. Conditions

Fuel consumption costs are an essential part of life-cycle cost analysis. These costs are influenced by vehicle technology, pavement condition, roadway geometrics, environment, speed, and other factors. Many models for the effects of pavement condition on fuel consumption were developed on the basis of data generated years ago in other countries for vehicles that vary substantially from those used currently in the United States. Therefore, new information is needed to help in refining and developing models that would better apply to U. S. conditions. The mechanistic model developed as part of the Highway Development and Management software (HDM-4) is recommended after calibration for predicting fuel consumption. The results of the calibration exercise for U. S. conditions, with field data collected as part of the NCHRP Project 1-45, are presented. The calibrated HDM-4 fuel consumption model was able to predict very adequately the fuel consumption of five different vehicle classes under different operating...
A luciferase transgenic mouse model: visualization of prostate development and its androgen responsiveness in live animals

Numerous mouse models of prostate carcinogenesis have been developed, but hitherto there has been no model in which the prostate gland could be imaged in live animals. The transgenic model generated here targeted mouse prostate gland using a firefly luciferase enzyme under the control of a small but highly active and specific supra prostate-specific antigen (sPSA) promoter. We evaluated postnatal prostate development, involution and androgen-induced restoration of prostate growth in adult transgenic mice using bioluminescence imaging. Results of our study showed that: (i) the prostate gland of male offspring did not yield a significant bioluminescence signal until after sexual maturity. Luciferase was detected in the luminal epithelial cells of the ventral and dorsolateral lobes of the prostate gland and caput epididymis, with little or no activity in 18 other organs evaluated. (ii) While a constant high level of bioluminescence was detected in the mouse prostate from 5 to 35 weeks of age, a slight drop in bioluminescence was detected at 36 to 54 weeks. (iii) Upon castration, the luciferase activity signal associated with mouse prostate detected by a cooled charge-coupled device camera was dramatically reduced. This signal could be rapidly restored to pre-castration levels after androgen administration. Androgen-induced luciferase activity subsided to nearly basal levels 5 days following the last injection. These data demonstrate that a bioluminescent mouse model with luciferase activity restricted to the prostate gland under the control of a (sPSA) promoter can be used on a real-time basis in live animals to investigate the development and responsiveness of the prostate gland to exogenously administered androgen. This model can be extended to detect the responsiveness of the prostate gland to therapy and used as a founder strain to visualize tumors in hosts with different genetic backgrounds.
Compact thermal model for HBT devices

A compact thermal model has been developed to accurately (within 5%) predict the thermal resistance of HBT arrays. The HBT power sources are modeled as spherical heat sources. The temperature distribution and hence the thermal resistance of a single device is modeled first. Method of translation that takes advantage of the linearity of the heat transfer equation is then used to calculate the temperature distribution of an array of devices. The compact model is valid for the typical ranges of die attach thickness and thermal conductivity used. The method has been validated using finite element simulations. The accuracy of the model is also verified using experimental results presented. InGaP/GaAs based HBTs were used for measurements
"More money, more conflict: Family responsibility discrimination, rewards, and work-life conflict"

We contribute to research on family responsibility discrimination by building on the effort-reward imbalance model to consider how a combination of rewards affects an employee’s level of work-life ...
Effect of medium osmolarity on hybridoma growth, metabolism, and antibody production

Osmolarity is an important process variable during the cultivation of mammalian cells in vitro. Cell culture medium is designed to have osmolarity in the range of 260 and 320 milliosmoles (mOsm), basically to mimic the osmolarity of serum at 290 mOsm/kg. Fragmented information on the response of hydridoma cells to elevated osmolarity is available. A decrease in cell growth and an increase in antibody production were reported at high osmolarities. 4,7 Influence of osmolarity on antibody productivity seems to be cell line dependent. 12 Here we report the effects of osmolarity on hybridoma cell growth, metabolism, and antibody synthesis. The osmolarity of the medium was altered by the addition of both ionic and non-ionic substances.