cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure and development of P-protein in phloem parenchyma and companion cells of legumes

Abstract Phloem parenchyma and companion cells from four species of legumes, Phaseolus vulgaris L., Melilotus alba Desr., Desmodium canadense, L. and Dolichos lablab L., were examined electron microscopically to establish the presence, structure and development of P-protein. P-protein components consisting of granular, fibrillar, tubular or crystalline structures were found in parenchyma cells of all species and in companion cells of M. alba. The earliest stages of P-protein formation were closely associated with dictyosome cisternae, dictyosome vesicles and/or spiny vesicles. After their formation, the P-protein bodies were frequently transformed into one or more structurally different components. Although these components appeared to be developmentally related, their specific associations and transformations differed in each species examined.
Stress analysis of a viscoelastic sphere subjected to temperature and moisture gradients

Abstract A solution is presented for stresses in a viscoelastic sphere under the influence of a radial temperature and moisture distribution. The stress-strain relationships used were those for a continuous Maxwell viscoelastic body with temperature and moisture dependent properties. It was assumed that the material was thermo and hydro rheologically simple. The Boltzman superposition principle was applied and a solution in closed form obtained for any arbitrary temperature and moisture distribution. A numerical solution is used to illustrate the method which would be applicable to a number of biological materials of approximately spherical form.
Explicit formulas for the synthesis of optimum bandpass Butterworth and Chebyshev impedance-matching networks

Explicit formulas for computing the optimum design parameters of the bandpass impedance-matching networks having Butterworth and Chebyshev responses of arbitrary order for a class of most practical RLC load are derived. It is shown that using at most a second-order all-pass function for the equalizer back-end reflection coefficient, a bandpass impedance match is possible if and only if the series inductance of the given load does not exceed a certain critical value. This is in direct contrast to the low-pass situation where we showed earlier that any given RLC load can be matched using at most the rust-order all-pass function. The significance of the present results is that we reduce the design of these practical bandpass impedance-matching networks to simple arithmetic.
Current source density analysis of the hippocampal theta rhythm: associated sustained potentials and candidate synaptic generators.

Abstract Single-electrode depth profiles of the hippocampal EEG were made in urethane-anesthetized rats and rats trained in an alternating running/drinking task. Current source density (CSD) was computed from the voltage as a function of depth. A problem inherent to AC-coupled profiles was eliminated by incorporating sustained potential components of the EEG. ‘AC’ profiles force phasic current sinks to alternate with current sources at each lamina, changing the magnitude and even the sign of the computed membrane current. It was possible to include DC potentials in the profiles from anesthetized rats by using glass micropipettes for recording. A method of ‘subtracting’ profiles of the non-theta EEG from theta profiles was developed as an approach to including sustained potentials in recordings from freely-moving animals implanted with platinum electrodes. ‘DC’ profiles are superior to ‘AC’ profiles for analysis of EEG activity because ‘DC’-CSD values can be considered correct in sign and more closely represent the actual membrane current magnitudes. Since hippocampal inputs are laminated, CSD analysis leads to straightforward predictions of the afferents involved. Theta-related activity in afferents from entorhinal neurons, hippocampal interneurons and ipsi- and contralateral hippocampal pyramids all appear to contribute to sources and sinks in CA1 and the dentate area. The largest theta-related generator was a sink at the fissure, having both phasic and tonic components. This sink may reflect activity in afferents from the lateral entorhinal cortex. The phase of the dentate mid-molecular sink suggests that medial entorhinal afferents drive the theta-related granule and pyramidal cell firing. The sustained components may be simply due to different average rates of firing during theta rhythm than during non-theta EEG in afferents whose firing rates are also phasically modulated.
Origins of the Children's Vaccine Initiative: The intellectual foundations

The Children's Vaccine Initiative (CVI) was created as an attempt to revolutionize the way vaccines are developed for the developing world. It was formed, in part, out of optimism that the scientific advances of the biotechnology revolution could be harnessed to create new and improved vaccines, and in part out of fear that the health needs of the developing world would be ignored by the increasingly profit-oriented vaccine industry that gave low priority to countries lacking a hard currency market. The CVI was founded in 1990/1991 but its intellectual roots came out of ten years of discussion and agitation about the opportunities and dangers that faced the international health community. The article looks at the indispensable role played by pivotal individuals (William Foege of the Task Force for Child Survival, Kenneth Warren and Scott Halstead of the Rockefeller Foundation, James Grant and James Sherry of UNICEF and D. A. Henderson of Johns Hopkins University) without whom the CVI would not have come into existence. While these individuals worked within the confines created by the large social/economic/political changes that shaped the 1980s, their personal goals, often targeted at fairly limited objectives, were crucial in determining the final, rather unlikely, outcome. The role of both individual choice and serendipity in determining major policy decisions are often under-estimated in the social science literature.
A Consumer Perspective of the Investment Services Market

Some thirty million American consumers pursue their financial objectives through individual participation in the stock market. They clearly view the stock market as a savings alternative which offers at least normal returns to persons outside the circle of professional investors. In the absence of data reflecting the performance of personal portfolios it is difficult to assess the validity of this view. However, as an initial step this paper evaluates the performance of the market servicing individual investors. The evidence indicates that noninstitutional investors have reason to question stock brokerage pricing, service and sales practices. Moreover on the basis of more than 1,000 sampled investment recommendations, it appears that investment publications directed at individual investors have failed to identify superior investment alternatives.
Monte Carlo study of self-avoiding surfaces

Two models of self-avoiding surfaces on the cubic lattice are studied by Monte Carlo simulations. Both the first model with fluctuating boundary and the second one with a fixed boundary are found to belong to the universality class of branched polymers. The algorithms as well as the methods used to extract the critical exponents are described in detail. The results are compared to other recent estimates in the literature.
Immigration, education, and the future of the california workforce

In the decades after the second world war, California's highly educated workforce was a central part of the booming California economy, especially in the 1950s and 1960s when large numbers of migrants arrived from the Middle West and the East Coast. Now in the last decade of the twentieth century there is evidence that California's educational advantage may be shifting. The overall levels of education in California's workforce are decreasing relatively, with real implications for the future human capital of California. The data show lower education levels in California and a reversal of previous patterns when California's workforce was more educated than the nation as a whole. The implications for the future of California as a cutting edge economy are less clear, but it is possible that increasingly, California will be competing with other states for the fast-growing and well-paying jobs in the high technology sector. The future of the California workforce will be closely bound up with the education of the immigrant stock already in California and with the continuing flows from Mexico and Central America.
Shuttling device for high‐resolution measurements of relaxation and related phenomena in solution at low field, using a shared commercial 500 MHz NMR instrument

An apparatus is described that can pneumatically move an aqueous liquid NMR sample sealed in a 5 or 8 mm standard tube, from the center of a standard Varian 500 MHz spectrometer and probe out to any position in its fringe field, and back, under computer control. Applications to low-field relaxation and other measurements are discussed briefly, particularly using 31P, and 15N and 13C with proton detection, utilizing the full power of the commercial system for preparation before, and detection after, a relaxation or mixing interval at low field. Transverse relaxation, polarization transfer, and other transverse manipulations are virtually impossible with this apparatus while the sample is at the low (fringe) field, because of the tremendous inhomogeneity of that field. The spectrometer and probe are unmodified commercial products and the apparatus is expected to be usable in any other system or field without much modification. The apparatus is wheeled to the instrument and installed, and later removed without trace, in less than 1 h each way, including a probe change. A pneumatic glass shuttle tube, 22 mm inside diameter, held in an aluminum support tube, is temporarily inserted in place of the upper tube that is supplied by the manufacturer to be inserted into the top of the magnet. A standard thin-walled NMR tube is connected to a plastic piston shuttle that is moved up or down inside the shuttle tube, by low vacuum or pressure applied from the top. The low value of magnetic field, where the relaxation process measured occurs, is determined by a movable mechanical stop whose position is changed manually between runs. The downward path is initiated by a short higher pressure pulse, followed by a long lower pressure interval. The round trip time limit is about 0.2 s, suitable for relaxation rate measurements in the range up to about 10 s−1. Variable-temperature operation uses the regulator of the host instrument. After an overview, a detailed description of all aspects of construction and use is provided. The shuttling apparatus itself is relatively straightforward, but development of a simple sample confinement method was difficult, as expected. Problems of bubble formation and of denaturation of a protein are partly solved, and sample loading and sealing is easy. Pulse programs for this apparatus are easily generated from otherwise standard pulse sequences by addition of a few simple instructions. Operation does not require any special knowledge, nor much extra training. A major result of our program is to show that the sensitivity using such a shuttle can be that of the host instrument, not affected by such possible problems as vibration, and only reduced by the predictable losses due to relaxation during the 200–300 ms round trip shuttle time, and the inability to utilize solvent flipback methods. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Urinary biomarkers: the future looks promising

Soler-Garcia and collaborators show that changing levels of urinary biomarkers associated with the pathology of HIV-associated nephropathy may identify HIV-infected children at greatest risk for this complication. These changes appear relatively early in disease progression and remain responsive to antiviral therapy. Will these trends be borne out in a multicenter study?
Local and non-local force analysis for Wigner function barrier scattering

Abstract The Derivative Propagation Method (DPM) can be used to classify the components of the total force acting upon a trajectory into local and non-local components, without the use of finite differences or function fittings. In this study, the DPM was used to generate and analyze classical local and quantum non-local forces for evolving trajectories given by a phase space Wigner distribution function governed by the Wigner–Moyal equation for Eckart barrier scattering. Solutions were verified with finite difference methods.
Notch-1 Mediated Cardiac Protection following Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Transplantation in Doxorubicin-Induced Heart Failure

Doxorubicin (DOX), an effective chemotherapeutic drug used in the treatment of various cancers, is limited in its clinical applications due to cardiotoxicity. Recent studies suggest that transplanted adult stem cells inhibit DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. However, the effects of transplanted embryonic stem (ES) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are completely unknown in DOX-induced left ventricular dysfunction following myocardial infarction (MI). In brief, C57BL/6 mice were divided into five groups: Sham, DOX-MI, DOX-MI+cell culture (CC) media, DOX-MI+ES cells, and DOX-MI+iPS cells. Mice were injected with cumulative dose of 12 mg/kg of DOX and 2 weeks later, MI was induced by coronary artery ligation. Following ligation, 5×104 ES or iPS cells were delivered into the peri-infarct region. At day 14 post-MI, echocardiography was performed, mice were sacrificed, and hearts were harvested for further analyses. Our data reveal apoptosis was significantly inhibited in ES and iPS cell transplanted hearts compared with respective controls (DOX-MI+ES: 0.48±0.06% and DOX-MI+iPS: 0.33±0.05% vs. DOX-MI: 1.04±0.07% and DOX-MI+CC: 0.96±0.21%; p<0.05). Furthermore, a significant increase in levels of Notch-1 (p<0.05), Hes1 (p<0.05), and pAkt (p<0.05) were observed whereas a decrease in the levels of PTEN (p<0.05), a negative regulator of Akt, was evident following stem cell transplantation. Moreover, hearts transplanted with stem cells demonstrated decreased vascular and interstitial fibrosis (p<0.05) as well as MMP-9 expression (p<0.01) compared with controls. Additionally, heart function was significantly improved (p<0.05) in both cell-transplanted groups. In conclusion, our data show that transplantation of ES and iPS cells blunt DOX-induced adverse cardiac remodeling, which is associated with improved cardiac function, and these effects are mediated by the Notch pathway.
The time-sensitive role of vasopressors during resuscitation of ventricular fibrillation.

For nearly a half-century, guidelines have recommended epinephrine (adrenaline) as an essential adjunct to resuscitation of patients with cardiac arrest. However, the report by Dumas et al. [(1)][1] in this issue of the Journal is one of a growing number of papers questioning the role of this
The role of metals in the enzymatic and nonenzymatic oxidation of epinephrine

The effects of transition metals on nonenzymatic and ceruloplasmin catalyzed epinephrine oxidation were investigated by studying rates of epinephrine oxidation in purified buffers and in the presence of metal chelating agents. We found that epinephrine does not "autoxidize" in sodium chloride solutions prepared with deionized water that was further purified by chromatography over Chelex 100 resin prior to use. Epinephrine was oxidized rapidly in sodium chloride prepared with tap water (1.20 +/- 0.12 nmoles/min) or in deionized water (0.40 +/- 0.80 nmoles/min), but this oxidation was prevented by the addition of Desferal, a potent metal chelating agent. Epinephrine oxidation was enhanced upon the addition of ceruloplasmin, and this oxidation rate could be slowed, but not eliminated, by the addition of Desferal. If epinephrine solutions were preincubated for 72 hours with Desferal prior to ceruloplasmin addition, however, no oxidation was observed. Epinephrine was shown to form colored complexes with both iron and copper at pH 7.0. The Fe(III)-epinephrine complex was much more stable than was the Cu(II)-epinephrine complex. Oxygen consumption studies of ceruloplasmin catalyzed epinephrine oxidation showed that copper was a better promoter of epinephrine oxidation than was iron, suggesting that ceruloplasmin-catalyzed epinephrine oxidation results from adventitious copper bound to the purified enzyme. In light of these results, the physiological relevance of ceruloplasmin catalyzed oxidation of biogenic amines may be minor.
Mechanism of formation of vesicle fused phospholipid monolayers on alkanethiol self-assembled monolayer supports.

We investigated the process of phospholipid vesicle fusion to a hydrophobic surface using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The kinetics of the fusion of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) vesicles to an octadecanethiol (ODT) self-assembled monolayer (SAM) was followed with EIS and found to be slower than previously reported observations by surface plasmon resonance. AFM images of the DMPC layer taken at various stages of completion show they are uniform with topography similar to that of the bare ODT SAM. The AFM was used in contact mode to scrape away a portion of a completed DMPC monolayer and the hole was stable for several hours. Surprisingly, the hole remained stable even after the temperature of the system was raised to 38 °C, well above the gel transition temperature for DMPC of 23 °C. We were unable to scrape holes in the partially completed monolayers. We conclude that in the early stages of monolayer growth the DMPC molecules spread across the ODT surface after vesicle fusion rather than remaining in dense islands. However, when the DMPC monolayer is complete this mobility is lost and the DMPC will not spread into a vacant area.
Molecular Renormalization Group Coarse-Graining of Polymer Chains: Application to Double-Stranded DNA

Coarse-graining of atomistic force fields allows us to investigate complex biological problems, occurring at long timescales and large length scales. In this work, we have developed an accurate coarse-grained model for double-stranded DNA chain, derived systematically from atomistic simulations. Our approach is based on matching correlators obtained from atomistic and coarse-grained simulations, for observables that explicitly enter the coarse-grained Hamiltonian. We show that this requirement leads to equivalency of the corresponding partition functions, resulting in a one-step renormalization. Compared to prior works exploiting similar ideas, the main novelty of this work is the introduction of a highly compact set of Hamiltonian basis functions, based on molecular interaction potentials. We demonstrate that such compactification allows us to reproduce many-body effects, generated by one-step renormalization, at low computational cost. In addition, compact Hamiltonians greatly increase the likelihood of finding unique solutions for the coarse-grained force-field parameter values. By successfully applying our molecular renormalization group coarse-graining technique to double-stranded DNA, we solved, for the first time, a long-standing problem in coarse-graining polymer systems, namely, how to accurately capture the correlations among various polymeric degrees of freedom. Excellent agreement is found among atomistic and coarse-grained distribution functions for various structural observables, including those not included in the Hamiltonian. We also suggest higher-order generalization of this method, which may allow capturing more subtle correlations in biopolymer dynamics.
Effects of an alternative reinforcer on intravenous heroin self-administration by humans

Abstract Five heroin-dependent research volunteers, maintained on divided daily oral morphine doses, participated in an inpatient study designed to evaluate intravenous (i.v.) heroin self-administration when money ($10, $20 or $40) was concurrently available. Each morning participants received a single injection of heroin (placebo, 6.25, 12.5, 25, or 50 mg/70 kg, i.v.) and each afternoon, they had the opportunity to self-administer all or part of the morning dose. Participants responded under a progressive-ratio schedule (50, 100, …, 2800) during a 10-trial self-administration task. During each trial, participants could respond for 1/10th of the sampled heroin dose or 1/10th of a single money value. The progressive-ratio value increased independently for each option. The total amount of heroin and/or money chosen during the self-administration task was administered at the end of the task. Heroin dose-dependently increased ratings of `good drug effect' and `high', impaired task performance and decreased pupil diameter and blood oxygen saturation. Heroin also dose-dependently increased progressive-ratio break point values, which varied as a function of the alternative money amount. Consistent with previous studies, the present results demonstrate that alternative reinforcers, depending on magnitude, are effective in reducing heroin use in opioid-dependent individuals.
Time Course of Changes in Lactate and Free Fatty Acids after Experimental Brain Injury and Relationship to Morphologic Damage

Regional levels of lactate and free fatty acids (FFA) were measured after lateral fluid percussion (FP) brain injury in rats. At 5 min after injury, tissue concentrations of lactate were elevated in the cortices and hippocampi of both ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres. Whereas lactate levels had returned to normal by about 20 min after injury in the penumbra and contralateral cortices, their elevation persisted in the ipsilateral injured cortex and hippocampus for 24 h after injury. Increases in the levels of FFA (particularly stearic and arachidonic acids) were observed in the cortices and hippocampi of both ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres at 5 min after injury; these levels returned to normal in only the penumbra and contralateral cortices by 20 min after injury. Increased amounts of palmitic and oleic acids were also found only in the injured left cortex and ipsilateral hippocampus at 20 min or later after injury. In general, these elevations persisted for as long as 6 to 24 h in the injured cortex and for 2.5 to 24 h after injury in the ipsilateral hippocampus. Histologic studies revealed a similar extent of damage in the cortex between 5 min and 24 h after injury, whereas damage in the CA3 region of the ipsilateral hippocampus increased during that period. These findings suggest a role for lactic acid and FFA, two secondary injury factors, in neuronal cell loss after brain injury.
Annealing atmosphere, magnetic induction, and the number of {110} grains in inhibitor-free 3 pct Si-Fe alloys

Under flowing hydrogen of a lower flow rate or a vacuum, a high magnetic induction, which arises from the decrease in the number of {110}〈uvw〉≠〈001〉 grains, was obtained from annealed strips. This is due to the surface segregation profile of sulfur that is broadened to the longer annealing time range.
Molecular characterization of Phytophthora isolates with non-papillate sporangia causing root rot of raspberry using mtDNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms

The main focus of this study was a group of Phytophthora isolates with nonpapillate sporangia, pathogenic on raspberry, that have been assigned either to P. erythroseptica , atypical P. megasperma , or P. fragariae by different authors. A numerical analysis of their mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction fragment length polymorphisms revealed that these problematic isolates did not show a close genetic relationship to isolates of either P. erythroseptica or P. megasperma . However, mtDNA banding patterns did exhibit a 54–55% similarity with P. fragariae isolates from strawberry, indicating that these raspberry isolates might possibly share a common ancestor with that species. Additional P. megasperma isolates from raspberry, previously characterized as P. megasperma var. megasperma ( Duncan, Kennedy & Seemuller, 1987 ) and belonging to the ‘BHR’ subgroup of P. megasperma ( Hansen et al. , 1986 ), were placed into two discrete molecular groups.
Phase Diagram and Orthogonal Polynomials in Multiple-Well Matrix Models

We investigate a zero-dimensional Hermitian one-matrix model in a triple-well potential. Its tree-level phase structure is analyzed semiclassically as well as in the framework of orthogonal polynomials. Some multiple-arc eigenvalue distributions in the first method correspond to quasiperiodic large-N behavior of recursion coefficients for the second. We further establish this connection between the two approaches by finding three-arc saddle points from orthogonal polynomials. The latter require a modification for nondegenerate potential minima; we propose weighing the average over potential wells.
HPV High Risk and Protective Behaviors: The Effects of Religious Affiliation

The majority of Americans identify themselves as belonging to some religious group. There is a mixed body of literature on whether or not religious affiliation has an influence on engaging in risky behaviors among young adults attending college. This study examined associations between religious affiliation, risky sexual practices, substance use, and family structure among a sample of predominantly white college females attending a southeastern university. Given the high risk of acquiring genital human papillomavirus infection as a result of high risk sexual practices, gaining a better understanding of how religious affiliation can be used to promote healthy sexual behaviors is warranted.
Incidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the US Military Population

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common disease. Its epidemiology has been evaluated previously, mostly in regional populations or in working groups, with an incidence between 1.5 and 3.5 per 1,000 person-years. We studied this diagnosis in the US military population, with the hypothesis that this young population would have a lower incidence of CTS than previously reported in general populations. The Defense Medical Epidemiology Database notes all medical encounters for all US military personnel and maintains the number of all personnel on active duty each year. We queried the database using the International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, code 354.0 (CTS) and analyzed the personnel presenting for initial visits for the years 1998–2006. Multivariate Poisson analysis was performed, controlling for rank, gender, age, and race. The raw incidence of CTS in the US military was 3.98 per 1,000 person-years, in a population of 12,298,088 person-years. Females had a significantly higher incidence of CTS than males, with an adjusted incidence rate ratio of 3.29. CTS incidence increased by age, with the age group ≥40 years having a significantly higher incidence. Additionally, military rank was found to be an independent risk factor for CTS, with rates higher in senior officer and enlisted groups. This suggests that occupational requirements have an effect on CTS within the military. We showed a comparable incidence of CTS between the US military and general population, with a significantly higher female cohort with a diagnosis of CTS. Increased age and advanced rank were risk factors for CTS.
Can we change the disease biology of multiple myeloma

Despite improvements in disease management, multiple myeloma (MM) remains incurable. Conventional treatment methods are unsatisfactory, leading to a pattern of regression and remission, and ultimately failure. This pattern suggests that one of the possible strategies for improving outcomes is continuous therapy to maintain suppression of the surviving tumor cells. Optimal management of MM requires potent agents and modalities with direct tumoricidal activity, which can also provide continuous suppression of the residual tumor to prevent disease relapse. Immunomodulatory agents exert immunomodulatory and tumoricidal effects, and cause disruption of stromal cell support from the bone marrow microenvironment. Therefore continuous therapy with immumomodulatory agents may be able to provide both tumor reduction and tumor suppression, enabling physicians to consider the possibility of incorporating continuous therapy into the treatment paradigm of patients with MM.
Rapid achievement of therapeutic anticoagulation positively affects outcome in patients undergoing cardioversion for persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: Current guidelines recommend anticoagulation with warfarin with documentation of an International Normalized Ratio (INR) of 2-3 for 3 weeks prior to cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Achievement of adequate anticoagulation often takes longer than 3 weeks, increasing the time to cardioversion. Hypothesis: The goal of the study was to quantify the total time elapsed for adequate anticoagulation and to identify differences in time to cardioversion between patients managed by primary care physicians (PCP) compared with those enrolled in a structured anticoagulation clinic (AC). Finally, we assessed the effect on treatment outcome between groups. Methods: A retrospective chart review identified those patients undergoing elective cardioversion who were started on warfarin at our medical center since 1997. The venue of anticoagulation management, time for adequate maintenance of INR, and total time to cardioversion were recorded. A comparison was made between the two groups to identify the effect on treatment outcome. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate any effect comorbidities may have played on maintenance of normal sinus rhythm (NSR) within the treatment groups. Results: Of 83 patients, 48 had warfarin therapy monitored at their PCP and 35 were managed at our AC. Average time to therapeutic INR at AC and PCP was 29.1 ± 9.3 and 50.7 ± 6.8 days, respectively (p = 0.026). Average time to cardioversion at AC and PCP was 60.6 ± 11.2 and 88.7 ± 18.5 days (p = 0.041). At 12 months post cardioversion, 30 of 83 patients maintained NSR. Nineteen of 35 patients (54.3%) managed at AC maintained NSR compared with 11 of 48 patients (22.9%) managed at PCP (RR 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.45–0.84) (p = 0.015). Conclusion: Therapeutic anticoagulation is more quickly achieved in a specialty anticoagulation clinic than at a PCP and positively affects therapy outcome.
Testing Historical Knowledge: Standards, Multiple-Choice Questions and Student Reasoning

This article explores the reasoning employed by high school students to answer a set of multiple-choice history questions. The questions come from New York State's Global History and Geography Regents exam. The Regents exams, together with a particularly well-regarded and ambitious set of content standards, are the cornerstone of the state's standards-based accountability system. Using “think-aloud” and interviews with a small sample (n=13) of urban 10th graders, the knowledge and skills elicited by a small sample of items are explored. This article begins with a discussion of the state standards and the discipline-based knowledge and skills that they describe. It continues with a report on the extent to which the student-participants were exposed to the material included in the administered items by a teacher whose pedagogy was commensurate with state standards. The bulk of the paper focuses on two test items that were particularly effective at discriminating between high and low performers. The reasonin...
Novel 2-imidazoles as potent, selective and CNS penetrant α1A adrenoceptor partial agonists

Abstract A novel series of central nervous system (CNS) penetrant indane 2-imidazoles have been identified as potent, partial agonists of the α1A adrenergic receptor, having good selectivity over the α1B, α1D and α2 sub-types. A key structural motif to impart selectivity is a methylene spacer between the indane and a pendant substituent, which includes heterocycles, sulphones and ethers. Introduction of an ortho-halogen to this group led to a lowering of intrinsic efficacy (Emax).
Interference analysis for highly directional 60-GHz mesh networks: the case for rethinking medium access control

We investigate spatial interference statistics for multigigabit outdoor mesh networks operating in the unlicensed 60-GHz "millimeter (mm) wave" band. The links in such networks are highly directional: Because of the small carrier wavelength (an order of magnitude smaller than those for existing cellular and wireless local area networks), narrow beams are essential for overcoming higher path loss and can be implemented using compact electronically steerable antenna arrays. Directionality drastically reduces interference, but it also leads to "deafness," making implicit coordination using carrier sense infeasible. In this paper, we make a quantitative case for rethinking medium access control (MAC) design in such settings. Unlike existing MAC protocols for omnidirectional networks, where the focus is on interference management, we contend that MAC design for 60-GHz mesh networks can essentially ignore interference and must focus instead on the challenge of scheduling half-duplex transmissions with deaf neighbors. Our main contribution is an analytical framework for estimating the collision probability in such networks as a function of the antenna patterns and the density of simultaneously transmitting nodes. The numerical results from our interference analysis show that highly directional links can indeed be modeled as pseudowired, in that the collision probability is small even with a significant density of transmitters. Furthermore, simulation of a rudimentary directional slotted Aloha protocol shows that packet losses due to failed coordination are an order of magnitude higher than those due to collisions, confirming our analytical results and highlighting the need for more sophisticated coordination mechanisms.
Clearing Away the Self

One of constructionism's chief pragmatic goals is to facilitate relationships that have transformative potential. According to Kenneth Gergen, one important theoretical tool towards that end is relational theory, the construing of human behavior in terms of dialogic processes. We trace the meaning of 'dialogic' and 'transformative' through different con- structionist traditions and argue that these terms are used in a relatively narrow sense, as compared to an alternative approach we are suggesting. Moreover, we propose that the usual narrow construal of these concepts has the unintended consequence of undermining the central constructionist goal of facilitating transformative relationships. We present an empirical example that illustrates (1) how people's conception of their self as a collection of social scripts draws their attention to and reinforces the accretion of scripts; (2) how this accretion can get in the way of trans- formation; and (3) how a broader conception of a 'dialogic' self can open up more direct, transformative relational possibilities.
A mouse model for hand-arm vibration syndrome

Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) occurs in workers who use vibrating hand tools. Symptoms of HAVS include finger paresthesia and numbness, a loss of manual dexterity and grip strength, and vasospasms in the fingers in response to cold. Although the relationship between vibration exposure and HAVS is well-established, it is not clear how vibration causes tissue damage. The purpose of our research is to identify the fundamental physiological mechanisms involved in the development of HAVS. Toward that end, we have developed a vibration exposure system in which mice are placed in a small cage with a rigid floor that vibrates vertically. The system is capable of exposing mice to sinusoidal vibration at 125 to 1250 Hz with accelerations of up to 49 m/s/sup 2/ rms. Exposures last for 4 hours/day, 5 days/week, for up to 24 weeks. Initial results indicate that 11 weeks of 125 Hz vibration did not significantly affect the body weights of the mice, and that 12 and 24 weeks of vibration did not significantly affect the liver, kidneys, or stomach. These results suggest that this model can be used to examine the effect of vibration on the mouse foot and lower leg without confounding effects from systemic damage.
Dependency Revisited: International Markets, Business Cycles, and Social Spending in the Developing World

While increased exposure to the global economy is associated with increased welfare effort in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the opposite holds in the developing world. These differences are typically explained with reference to domestic politics. Tradables, unions, and the like in the developing world are assumed to have less power or interests divergent to those in the OECD—interests that militate against social spending. I claim that such arguments can be complemented with a recognition that developed and developing nations have distinct patterns of integration into global markets. While income shocks associated with international markets are quite modest in the OECD, they are profound in developing nations. In the OECD, governments can respond to those shocks by borrowing on capital markets and spending countercyclically on social programs. No such opportunity exists for most governments in the developing world, most of which have limited access to capital markets in tough times, more significant incentives to balance budgets, and as a result cut social spending at the times it is most needed. Thus, while internationally inspired volatility and income shocks seem not to threaten the underpinnings of the welfare state in rich nations, it undercuts the capacity of governments in the developing world to smooth consumption (and particularly consumption by the poor) across the business cycle.The author would like to thank Steph Haggard, Kristin Bakke, Wongi Choe, Tim Jones, and seminar participants at Duke University, Penn State University, Washington University, MIT, and the University of New Mexico for their helpful comments. Nancy Brune, Mark Hallerberg and Rolf Strauch, and Nita Rudra were very generous in providing their capital account, OECD fiscal, and potential labor power data, respectively.
INCOME EFFECTS OF REDUCING AGRICULTURAL POLLUTION

The value and quantity of agricultural commod- potentially changes farm income levels. For example, ity production in various regions of the United States some states have enacted land use laws to control soil determines farmers' income in each region. Many erosion, increase soil conservation and improve water farmers, businessmen, policy makers and admin- quality simultaneously. One such law, the Iowa State istrators are concerned with the problem of change in Conservancy Law [3], provides legal action against farmers whose soil erodes at rates exceeding a farm income resulting from water quality restraints exceeding a placed on cropland agriculture. This study evaluates predetermined annual allowable level. Cropland use the income change from a series of hypothetical and technologies provide the basic mechanism for national water quality policies by examining the controlling soil erosion and reducing water pollution changes in national and regional gross farm income. from farmlands. Redistribution of crop production Long-run changes in total national income of control- mong roduction technologies and production reling water pollution from farmland by soil loss gions could reduce sediment pollution. For example, restraints are relatively small, as aggregate gross production of cotton or corn on highly erosive land income increases by four to six percent depending on of the Southeast might be moved to western irrigated the level of control studied.' areas where water erosion is a small problem. Hay and the level of control studied.' The changes in regional gross farm income are livestock production could replace row crops in the more extreme since various regions of the country, Southeast, the shift thereby reducing soil loss and including the southern states, are affected differently nonpoint water pollution. But farm incomes in the by potential water quality control. This study utilizes two regions would also be altered, changing both a national modeling system to examine these variables general welfare of farm producers and agribusiness and reports an analysis of potential changes in gross sectors linked to agriculture. farm income caused by environmental restraints placed on agriculture. Environmental goals analyzed GROSS FARM INCOME are national soil conservation ones, with implications
Translational Repression by RNA-Binding Protein TIAR

The RNA-binding protein TIAR has been proposed to inhibit protein synthesis transiently by promoting the formation of translationally silent stress granules. Here, we report the selective binding of TIAR to several mRNAs encoding translation factors such as eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (eIF4A) and eIF4E (translation initiation factors), eEF1B (a translation elongation factor), and c-Myc (which transcriptionally controls the expression of numerous translation regulatory proteins). TIAR bound the 3′-untranslated regions of these mRNAs and potently suppressed their translation, particularly in response to low levels of short-wavelength UV (UVC) irradiation. The UVC-imposed global inhibition of the cellular translation machinery was significantly relieved after silencing of TIAR expression. We propose that the TIAR-mediated inhibition of translation factor expression elicits a sustained repression of protein biosynthesis in cells responding to stress.
Patient Misidentifications Caused by Errors in Standard Bar Code Technology

BACKGROUND: Bar code technology has decreased transcriptionerrorsinmanyhealthcareapplications.However, we have found that linear bar code identification methods are not failsafe. In this study, we sought to identify the sources of bar code decoding errors that generated incorrect patient identifiers when bar codes were scanned for point-of-care glucose testing and to develop solutions to prevent their occurrence. METHODS: We identified misread wristband bar codes, removed them from service, and rescanned them by using 5 different scanner models. Bar codes were reprinted in pristine condition for use as controls. We determined error rates for each bar code–scanner pair and manually calculated internal bar code data integrity checks. RESULTS: Asmanyas3incorrectpatientidentifierswere generated from a single bar code. Minor bar code imperfections, failure to control for bar code scanner resolution requirements, and less than optimal printed barcodeorientationwereconfirmedassourcesofthese errors.Ofthescannermodelstested,theRocheACCUCHEK® glucometer had the highest error rate. The internal data integrity check system did not detect these errors. CONCLUSIONS: Bar code–related patient misidentificationscanoccur.Intheworstcase,misidentifiedpatient results could have been transmitted to the incorrect patient medical record. This report has profound implications not only for point-of-care testing but also for bar coded medication administration, transfusion recipient certification systems, and other areas where patient misidentifications can be life-threatening. Careful control of bar code scanning and printing equipment specifications will minimize this threat to patient safety. Ultimately, healthcare device manufacturers should adopt more robust and higher fidelity alternatives to linear bar code symbologies. © 2010 American Association for Clinical Chemistry
Smart electrodes for ultralarge-area thin film capacitors

A process suitable for preparing metal-insulator-metal thin film capacitors with submicron insulating layers and top electrodes with cm-scale dimensions is presented. Most importantly, this process does not require sophisticated deposition equipment or a clean room environment. The key to large area yield is co-firing the insulator film with a non-dewetting electrode during the dielectric crystallization/densification anneal. We propose a mechanism of electrode dewetting during the high temperature anneal where the metal laterally retreats from geometric asperities that compromise the integrity of the insulating layer. This behavior is driven by surface energy minimization, which promotes metal migration away from the regions of high curvature. This methodology is not material specific, and only requires a top electrode with a large contact angle to the dielectric in question. Using this technique, functional thin film capacitors with 2.5 cm lateral dimensions and 1 μm dielectric thicknesses can be routinely prepared.
Wide-bandwidth, high-resolution ADC scalable to continuous-time operation

A photonic front-end is used with a commercial digital oscilloscope to create a 2-channel, 7-effective bit, 10-GHz input bandwidth ADC that can be scaled to continuous-time operation by adding commercial components for 10 more channels.
Adaptive identification of systems with polynomial parameterizations

Two uniformly asymptotically convergent algorithms for the on-line identification of systems with a polynomial dependence on unknown parameters are described. Such parameterizations occur when a wide class of physical components of the system are the unknown parameters. >
Tubulointerstitial nephritis and cancer chemotherapy: update on a neglected clinical entity

Background. Cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to drug-induced kidney injury during their chemotherapy. Whereas the direct nephrotoxic effects of these drugs are well recognized, that of tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) is less well known, underdiagnosed and often reported only as a functional tubular disorder. The diagnosis of acute TIN is important because of its insidious onset with tubular dysfunction, its potential reversibility if detected early and the possibility of its response to steroid treatment. Methods. We performed a literature review (44 cases) and reviewed our institutional biopsy register (12 cases) of patients on cancer chemotherapy with documented TIN. Biopsies were considered in three groups: acute TIN, chronic TIN and acute on chronic TIN. The outcomes that were evaluated were recovery of kidney function, development of chronic kidney disease and onset of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Results. Ifosfamide, BCG, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and premetrexed were the most commonly implicated drugs. Ifosfamide and premetrexed were associated with worst outcomes. Recovery of kidney function was better in acute TIN (ATIN) (29%) with fewer progressing to ESRD (12.9%) than with chronic TIN (7.6% recovery, 15.3% ESRD). Steroid use appeared to favorably alter outcomes in ATIN (40% recovery) compared with conservative treatment (18.75% recovery). Peak serum creatinine, age, gender and type of malignancy did not influence outcomes. Conclusions. As a potentially reversible lesion that can respond to withdrawal of the suspected agent, and in some cases to a short course of steroid therapy, it is important to consider ATIN in the differential diagnosis of all cases of acute kidney injury in cancer patients on chemotherapy.
Therapeutic Ways with Words

Therapeutic Ways with Words. Kathleen Warden Ferrara. Oxford Studies in Sociolinguistics. New York: Oxford University Press,1994. 199 pp.
Biofilm formation by gram-negative bacteria on central venous catheter connectors : effect of conditioning films in a laboratory model

Human blood components have been shown to enhance biofilm formation by gram-positive bacteria. We investigated the effect of human blood on biofilm formation on the inner lumen of needleless central venous catheter connectors by several gram-negative bacteria, specifically Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Pantoea agglomerans. Results suggest that a conditioning film of blood components promotes biofilm formation by these organisms in an in vitro system.