cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytochemical studies on cytoplasmic RNA-associated basic proteins in oocytes, somatic cells, and ribosomes.

Cytochemical studies on oocytes from representatives of several animal groups, of somatic tissues known to possess high levels of cytoplasmic RNA, and of isolated ribosomes indicated that basic proteins associated with the ribosomes may be stained by the methods currently in use for demonstrating histones. These proteins were resistent to weak acid extraction in fixed material and were labile to acetylation, but pretreatment with hot 5% TCA caused a measurable increase in staining with a modified Sakaguchi reaction. Such proteins were not confined to oocytes, but could be demonstrated with the TCA-alkaline fast green method in mouse pancreas and liver cells, and by the ammoniacal-silver method in all cells with high levels of cytoplasmic RNA. Microspectrophotometric studies onAscidia nigra andClavelina picta oocytes indicated that the highest concentration of cytoplasmic basic proteins was found in smaller oocytes, but the concentration of alkaline fast green stainable cytoplasmic RNA-associated basic proteins decreased in a pattern that differed significantly from that of stainable levels of cytoplasmic RNA. The implications of these findings to current concepts in developmental biology were discussed.
Evaluation of deepwater gas-hydrate systems

The world's offshore continental margins contain vast reserves of gas hydrate, a frozen form of natural gas that is embedded in cold, near-seafloor strata. Published estimates suggest that the energy represented by gas hydrate may exceed the energy available from conventional fossil fuel by a factor of 2 or more. Understanding marine hydrate systems has become critical for long-term worldwide energy planning. Groups in several nations are attempting to evaluate the resource and to define seafloor stability problems across hydrate accumulations.
Electro-thermal Simulation Studies for Pulsed Voltage Induced Energy Absorption and Potential Failure in Microstructured ZnO Varistors

A time-dependent, two-dimensional model is used to study internal heating effects and possible device failure in ZnO varistors in response to a high-voltage pulse. The physics and qualitative trends discussed here should hold for materials with internal microstructured grain boundaries. Our analysis is based on an electro-thermal, random Voronoi network. It allows for the dynamic predictions of internal failure and to track the progression of hot-spots and thermal stresses. Results here show that application of high voltage pulses can lead to the attainment of Bi2O3 melting temperatures in the grain boundaries and an accelerated progression towards failure. Comparisons between uniform and normally distributed barrier breakdown voltage showed relatively small difference. Physically, this is shown to be associated with the applied bias regime and grain size. It is argued that reduction in grain size would help lower the maximum internal stress. This is thus a desirable feature, and would also work to enhance the hold-off voltage for a given sample size.
A standardized sampling protocol for channel catfish in prairie streams

Abstract Three alternative gears—an AC electrofishing raft, bankpoles, and a 15-hoop-net set—were used in a standardized manner to sample channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus in three prairie streams of varying size in three seasons. We compared these gears as to time required per sample, size selectivity, mean catch per unit effort (CPUE) among months, mean CPUE within months, effect of fluctuating stream stage, and sensitivity to population size. According to these comparisons, the 15-hoop-net set used during stable water levels in October had the most desirable characteristics. Using our catch data, we estimated the precision of CPUE and size structure by varying sample sizes for the 15-hoop-net set. We recommend that 11–15 repetitions of the 15-hoop-net set be used for most management activities. This standardized basic unit of effort will increase the precision of estimates and allow better comparisons among samples as well as increased confidence in management decisions.
Axolemma-enriched fractions isolated from PNS and CNS are mitogenic for cultured Schwann cells.

Abstract Axolemma-enriched fractions isolated from myelinated axons of rat and bovine CNS and PNS will stimulate a quiescent population of cultured rat Schwann cells to proliferate. The mitogen in the axolemma-enriched fraction is not lost in the extensive washing used to isolate the membrane fraction and is sensitive to heat and trypsin, suggesting that it is an integral membrane protein or glycoprotein. The axolemma-enriched preparations should provide an adequate source of Schwann cell mitogen for solubilization and purification of this membrane bound mitogen.
Antioxidant activity of grape extracts in a lecithin liposome system

Extracts of 14 different grapes were tested for their antioxidant activities in a copper-catalyzed lecithin liposome oxidation assay and analyzed for their phenolic components by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The total phenolic contents of the grape extracts varied from 176 to 1236 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/L. Extracts of red wine grape varieties contained higher concentrations of phenolics than other varieties. When compared at the same 20 µM GAE basis, the grape extracts inhibited formation of conjugated diene hydroperoxides by 25.1 to 67.9%, and hexanal formation by 49.3 to 97.8%. Extracts of red table grape varieties Red Globe and Emperor and white wine grape varieties Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc gave the highest antioxidant activities. The relative percentage inhibition of conjugated dienes and hexanal correlated with total phenols (r=0.86 and 0.89). HPLC analyses showed that anthocyanins were the most abundant phenolic compounds in extracts of red grapes, and flavonols were most abundant in extracts of white grapes.
Sequence effects on the conformational properties of the amyloid beta(1-28) peptide: Testing a proposed mechanism for the alpha- fwdarw -beta transition

Molecular dynamics simulations have been used to successfully reproduce the observed pH-dependent conformational properties of the amyloid beta(1-28) peptide [Kirshenbaum and Daggett (1995) Biochemistry, 34, 7629-7639]. On the basis of these simulations a mechanism was proposed for the unfolding of the N-terminal portion of the peptide at neutral pH when beginning from the helical conformation. It was proposed that interactions between the side chains of Ser 8 and Glu 11 are important in determining the pH dependence of the helix content. Here we further investigate this proposed mechanism and the residues involved in the conformational transition by performing computational "mutagenesis" studies. On the basis of simulations of the mutant peptides, the importance of the Ser 8-Glu 11 interaction is substantiated, and further details of the conformational transition are elucidated.
Crack-extension resistance of polycarbonate material

Abstract Crack-extension resistance for the polycarbonate material is examined by application of the strain energy density criterion and the incremental theory of plasticity. The energy state ahead of a slow moving crack in a three-point bend specimen is obtained for each load increment and used to determine the crack growth characteristics. The analytical results are displayed by plotting the strain energy density factor S as a function of crack length and compared with available experimental data on the polycarbonate material. Standard deviations and mean errors are computed for the experimentally measured and analytically determined values of S and are shown to be much lower than those based on the J-integral parameter. Modeling of the polycarbonate material by the theory of plasticity still remains much to be desired. Crack growth calculations are performed for a strain hardening parameter α = 0.85 that controls the proportion of isotropic and kinematic hardening. Nevertheless, the criterion dS/da = const. is shown to collate well with the experimental crack growth data.
Fluctuations in prey availability and food limitation for a terrestrial salamander

A Virginia population of the forest-dwelling salamander Plethodon cinereus was repeatedly sampled over four years to determine volume and number of prey ingested under varying conditions of moisture and temperature. The proportion of the population on a daily negative energy budget was estimated by comparing actual foraging success with laboratory determined values of energetic requirements at various temperatures. Prey became “limited” in availability during rainless periods, apparently because salamanders were not able to forage in dry leaf litter. Foraging success increased with increasing rainfall. Food was a “limiting” resource for a majority of the population on most sampling days, as determined by energy budget analysis. While ambient moisture regulated food availability, ambient temperature set the metabolic requirements and assimilation efficiencies for the population. Consequently, food was more limiting on dry, warm days and less so on wet, cool days. These data support the hypothesis that intraspecific competition frequently occurs for a food resource that is periodically limited in availability.
Deliberative Democracy and the Institutions of Judicial Review

Part I. Introduction: 1. An old chestnut is actually two 2. Pathologies of ad hoc triangulation 3. Functions and institutions Part II. Majoritarian Democracy and Minoritarian Constitutionalism: 4. Judicial review as substantially legitimate protection of minority rights 5. Judicial review as procedurally legitimate protection of democracy 6. Moving beyond aggregative majoritarianism and minoritarian constitutionalism Part III. From Majoritarian to Deliberative Theories of Constitutional Democracy: 7. Deliberative democracy: four axes of analysis 8. Constitutionalism: four central elements 9. Constitutional democracy? Part IV. Deliberative Democracy and Substantive Constitutionalism: 10. Keepers of the substantive flame of American exceptionalism 11. Guardians of the moral law in the forum of principle 12. Are substantialist defenses of judicial review self-defeating? Part V. Disagreement and the Constitution of Democracy: 13. Democratic precommitment to judicial review: Freeman 14. Deliberative majoritarianism and the paternalism of judicial review: Waldron 15. Upshot: we need a theory of democratic constitutionalism Part VI. The Seducements of Juristic Discourse as Democratic Deliberation: 16. A division of labor between juristic deliberation and populist aggregation? 17. Actual juristic discourse in the United States system of constitutional adjudication 18. Legal principles and moral-political reasoning Part VII. Constitutionalism as the Procedural Structuring of Deliberative Democracy: 19. A provisional summary: criteria for an adequate theory of constitutional review 20. Guardians of the conditions of procedural legitimacy: Habermas Part VIII. The Institutions of Constitutional Review I: Design Problems and Judicial Review: 21. The problems of designing institutions of constitutional review 22. Independent constitutional courts in a concentrated review system Part IX. The Institutions of Constitutional Review II: Horizontal Dispersal and Vertical Empowerment: 23. Self-review panels in the legislature and regulatory agencies 24. Mechanisms for inter-branch debate and decisional dispersal 25. Easing formal amendability requirements 26. Establishing civic constitutional fora.
A TWO STAGE PROCEDURE FOR ESTIMATING THE SIZE OF A TRUNCATED EXPONENTIAL SAMPLE

Summary Let X1, …, XN be i.i.d. exponential random variables with unknown scale parameter θ. If one can observe only those Xi in (0, T0), an estimate of N based on the J observations obtained has a variance which explodes as θθC. Using θC based on the observations in (0, T0) T is computed and all Xi in (0, T) are observed. An estimate of N based on all observations in (0, T) has a bounded variance where the bound can be adjusted by proper choice of T.
Biopsy versus FDG PET/CT in the initial evaluation of bone marrow involvement in pediatric lymphoma patients

Purpose The objective is to assess the role of 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT versus bone marrow biopsy (BMB) in the initial evaluation of bone marrow (BM) involvement in pediatric lymphoma patients.
Prostagland in synthetase dependent benzo(a)pyrene oxidation: Products of the oxidation and inhibition of their formation by antioxidants

Abstract The products of the arachidonic acid dependent oxidation of benzo(a)pyrene by enzyme preparations from sheep seminal vesicles are the 1,6−, 3,6−, and 6,12− quinones. The metabolites were identified by high performance liquid chromatography and visible spectroscopy. The amount of benzo(a)pyrene converted to quinones by a Tween 20 solubilized preparation during a 15 min period is 43 μM/mg protein. The relative yields of the individual quinones are 1,6 – 25%, 3,6 – 30%, and 6,12 – 45%. Arachidonate dependent benzo(a)pyrene oxidation is strongly inhibited by butylated hydroxyanisole, vitamin E, and diethyldithiocarbamate and moderately inhibited by butylated hydroxytoluene and vitamin C. Epinephrine and lipoic acid are also inhibitors.
STRUCTURAL STUDIES ON THE ION-EXCHANGED PHASES OF A POROUS TITANOSILICATE,NA2TI2O3SIO4.2H2O

A titanosilicate with the ideal formula, Na2Ti2O3SiO4·2H2O, containing unidimensional channels, was synthesized hydrothermally and converted to the hydrogen form by acid treatment. The hydrogen form was partially ion exchanged by sodium ions to obtain a 50% sodium ion exchanged phase. The crystals of the sodium phase, NaHTi2O3SiO4·2H2O, retain the symmetry and unit cell parameters of the parent disodium compound, space group P42/mcm, a = b = 7.832(1) A, c = 11.945(2) A, and Z = 4. The sodium ions are located on the ac faces of the crystal while the water molecules occupy the channels. Ion exchange of the acid form by potassium ions leads to a phase with a maximum potassium to proton ratio of about 2. In the acid, H2Ti2O3SiO4·1.5H2O, and potassium phases, K0.5H1.5Ti2O3SiO4·1.5H2O and K1.38H0.62Ti2O3SiO4·H2O, the a and b axes are doubled while the c-axis dimension is retained. These doubled dimensions were transformed to a primitive tetragonal cell which has a volume twice that of the parent sodium form. Th...
Diel patterns of behavior in juvenile walleye pollock,Theragra chalcogramma

In laboratory experiments, we contrasted the behavior of juvenile walleye pollock under dark and light conditions, comparing group cohesion, activity levels, vertical distribution, and movement into cold water when the water column was thermally stratified. At night the fish displayed a tendency for movement into the upper water column and were less active, with groups more dispersed than during the day. Time spent in cold water under stratified conditions did not differ between day and night. These results are interpreted relative to the potential ecological benefits and costs of particular behaviors, and their application in designing effective sampling surveys of juvenile abundances.
Chronic liver injury in phenoxy herbicide-exposed vietnam veterans

Reports of hepatotoxic injury in Vietnam veterans exposed to phenoxy herbicides (mainly, 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T) initiated a retrospective cohort study of veterans self-reporting exposure to Agent Orange (AO) while serving in Vietnam from 1962 to 1971. Historical, medical, and laboratory information was obtained in a subcohort of 100 randomly selected veterans from a pool of 350 registrants. An occupational work exposure ranking system was designed to estimate individual exposure to phenoxy herbicide and its contaminant, dioxin (TCDD). Job classifications were determined by military job codes. Military application of the herbicides used in Vietnam were derived from the National Research Council Report based on the Herbs tapes. Health examination included tests of body systems affected by TCDD and similar agents, e.g., hemopoietic system, cholesterol/lipid metabolism, hepatic function, and skin lesions. Skin rash was utilized as a marker disease, since no case of true chloracne was found among the cohort. The cohort was divided into those with (R) and without (NR) a reported rash during or after the Vietnam tour. The R group had higher frequency (31%) of abnormal liver studies of all types than the NR group (18%). Of the 14 Vietnam veterans with persistent serum transaminase elevations, 86% reported a rash. Abnormal liver functions correlated with herbicide exposure index in both groups, but was more prominent in the R group. Study of the exposure index components showed that the liver abnormalities were related to the months of exposure and not to job classification or exposure rank. Viral hepatitis and alcoholism among both groups accounted for the association between liver abnormalities and cumulative exposure to AO. These data provide strong supportive evidence that chronic liver abnormalities among Vietnam veterans applying to the AO Registry are mainly due to viral or alcoholic causality and not to herbicides and their TCDD contaminant.
Formation, ion modification, and annealing of VN☆

Abstract The films of vanadium nitride, formed by reaction of N2 gas with previously characterized vanadium films, have been modified using ion beam techniques. Irradiation by N-ions produced decreases in the superconductive transition temperature Tc and electrical resistance ratio RRR, which saturated at 3.6 K and 1.0, respectively. It was found that films with higher Tc values were less susceptible to ion-damage. An isochronal annealing study revealed several annealing stages and nearly complete recovery of Tc. Laser annealing of this brittle material was rather ineffective, however. The results of this work are related to the possible formation of high Tc, B1 phase MoN.
Physiologic load-bearing characteristics of autografts, allografts, and polymer-based scaffolds in a critical sized segmental defect of long bone: an experimental study

Background To address the challenge of treating critical sized intercalary defects, we hypothesized that under physiologic cyclic loading, autografts, allografts, and scaffolds loaded with and without human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) would have different biomechanical characteristics.
Restoration of detectable melatonin after entrainment to a 24-hour schedule in a 'free-running' man

We evaluated a 37-year-old male with a non-24-h sleep-wake disorder. His environment gave him little exposure to bright light. Circadian profiles of temperature, melatonin, thyrotropin, cortisol and testosterone were obtained along with endocrine challenges of the thyroid, adrenal, growth hormone and gonadal axes. Multiple endocrine abnormalities were detected. Testosterone was low and nocturnal thyrotropin levels were erratic. Serum melatonin was undetectable throughout the day and night on multiple occasions, and responses to infusions of TRH, GnRH and GRF-44 were abnormal. Responses to CRH infusion were normal. The patient was successfully entrained to a 24-h schedule by daily exposure to 2500 lux light from 0700h to 0900h, avoidance of light (by wearing dark goggles) from 1800h to 2300h, and strict enforcement of a dark environment from 2300h to 0700h. After entrainment, a normal pattern of nocturnal melatonin secretion was found. GH response to GRF-44 also normalized, although abnormal responses to TRH and GnRH persisted. This case raises the possibility that a complex interaction of light exposure with the circadian system can reversibly suspend pineal gland secretion of melatonin indefinitely. It also suggests that circadian rhythm disorders be considered in the differential diagnosis of abnormal endocrine function.
Transport equations for oscillating neutrinos

We derive a suite of generalized Boltzmann equations, based on the density-matrix formalism, that incorporates the physics of neutrino oscillations for two- and three-flavor oscillations, matter refraction, and self-refraction. The resulting equations are straightforward extensions of the classical transport equations that nevertheless contain the full physics of quantum oscillation phenomena. In this way, our broadened formalism provides a bridge between the familiar neutrino transport algorithms employed by supernova modelers and the more quantum-heavy approaches frequently employed to illuminate the various neutrino oscillation effects. We also provide the corresponding angular-moment versions of this generalized equation set. Our goal is to make it easier for astrophysicists to address oscillation phenomena in a language with which they are familiar. The equations we derive are simple and practical, and are intended to facilitate progress concerning oscillation phenomena in the context of core-collapse supernova theory.
Challenges of General Outcomes Measurement in the RTI Progress Monitoring of Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Learners

The assessment for accurate identification and appropriate instruction of English language learners (ELLs) with learning-related disabilities has remained a chronic source of concern. One source of concern that has gone relatively unchallenged is the use of general outcomes measurement (GOMs). The authors examine the problems and challenges of using outcome measures within the response to intervention (RTI) model in the identification and assessment of ELLs who struggle in schools and are suspected of having learning disabilities. They argue here that, despite its importance as a viable form of assessment, GOMs and, concomitantly, RTI may exhibit risks for these learners. In particular, the unique characteristics of ELLs with and without disabilities are often inadequately addressed in current research and practice. The authors review recent educational research on GOMs with respect to ELLs and present current trends in this body of work, along with discussing suggestions and recommendations.
A Service-Oriented Architecture for Interdisciplinary Product Design Workflow Choreography

Inter-disciplinary collaboration is critical to the success of processes employed in the development of complex products. A Workflow Management System (WMS) formalizes and automates product development process activities at various stages in the product lifecycle. Existing bridges between a WMS and the application systems involved in product development processes focus on intradisciplinary activities and static binding of artifacts to such activities. In this paper, we describe a novel SOA-based approach to bridge the gap between WMS and loosely-integrated domain-specific application systems focused on interdisciplinary process activities and dynamic binding of artifacts to activities. Our approach builds upon service-oriented inter-disciplinary collaboration architecture. Our solution consists of two components: System Data Management (SDM) and a template for integration between a WMS and the SDM. We illustrate our approach using an automotive use case for requirements verification.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Rumor Dynamics in Ethnic Violence

Most scholars believe that rumors spark ethnic violence around the world, yet political scientists have been slow to understand the dynamics of these rumors, including whether they emerge and survive as a matter of course or require certain preconditions. Because empirical observation cannot readily answer this question, we use agent-based modeling to explore whether rumor survival depends on selected group follower and leader characteristics. Our first set of experiments assumes one group. They show that violence-promoting rumors are not inevitable, nor are group leaders necessary for their propagation. But rumor survival peaks when leaders espouse extreme beliefs and interact frequently with their followers. Our second set of experiments assumes rival groups whose members interact on a limited basis. Some of the experiments confirm the one-group conclusions. Others reveal that when one group's leaders persist in advocating moderation, rumor propagation remains low in both groups. Finally, when rival lea...
In-situ monitoring of submicron polysilicon linewidths using diffraction gratings

The measurement of pattern integrity is performed as a part of process control in all wafer manufacturing environments. Typically this measurement is performed off-line on pilot material using a top down scanning electron microscope (SEM). With the advent of sub- micron geometries and small lot wafer fabrication centers, it has become important to monitor the processes on a wafer by wafer basis. An in situ technique using diffraction grating test patterns has been used to monitor the pre-etch and post-etch linewidths on a polysilicon etch chamber. The technique is capable of linewidth measurements to 0.25 microns with pitches as small as 0.7 microns. A comparison of the in situ polysilicon linewidth measurements with off-line SEM measurements shows measurement differences of less than 10% indicating a measurement accuracy on that order. The repeatability of the diffraction technique is shown to be approximately 0.01 micron in comparison to the typical SEM repeatability of 0.025 micron.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Dependence of asymmetrical interference on task demands and hand dominance in bimanual isometric force tasks.

This study investigated the asymmetry of bilateral interference in a bimanual isometric force pulse task and the relation of the degree of interference with the asymmetry of the force levels and the hand dominance. One hand produced force pulses with the same peak force target, while the other hand produced different peak forces in blocked conditions with force target ratios between the hands that ranged from 1:1 to 16:1. There was asymmetric interference between the hands in that the hand performing the same peak forces showed stronger (i.e., higher bias and variable error) interference with the hand performing the different peak force than vice versa. The force–time properties also correlated more strongly when the different peak forces were generated by the left non-dominant than the right dominant hand. With increasing peak force ratios, the extent of interference became stronger and plateaued around the force ratio of 8:1 indicating a boundary condition to the asymmetric interference between hands. The results extend to bimanual isometric force control the dependence of bilateral asymmetric interference on task demands and hand dominance and provide further evidence on the degree of bilateral interference with task asymmetry.
Climatology of Extreme Daily Precipitation in Colorado and Its Diverse Spatial and Seasonal Variability

The climatology of Colorado’s historical extreme precipitation events shows a remarkable degree of seasonal and regional variability. Analysis of the largest historical daily precipitation totals at COOP stations across Colorado by season indicates that the largest recorded daily precipitation totals have ranged from less than 60mmday 21 in some areas to more than 250mmday 21 in others. East of the Continental Divide, winter events are rarely among the top 10 events at a given site, but spring events dominate in and near the foothills; summer events are most common across the lower-elevation eastern plains, while fall events are most typical for the lower elevations west of the Divide. The seasonal signal in Colorado’s central mountains is complex; high-elevation intense precipitation events have occurred in all months of the year, including summer, when precipitationismore likelytobe liquid(as opposedtosnow),whichposesmore ofan instantaneousfloodrisk. Notably, the historic Colorado Front Range daily rainfall totals that contributed to the damaging floods in September 2013 occurred outside of that region’s typical season for most extreme precipitation (spring‐ summer). That event and many others highlight the fact that extreme precipitation in Colorado has occurred historically during all seasons and at all elevations, emphasizing a year-round statewide risk.
Airborne Diazinon Concentrations During and After Outdoor Spray Application

Airborne concentrations of the organophosphate pesticide diazinon were assessed using personal sampling on an applicator and area sampling at several locations within ornamental plant beds sprayed with the chemical. As part of field work testing a prototype pesticide monitor, diazinon was applied to azalea bushes, from a backpack sprayer, on two separate occasions. Personal and area sampling was used to measure concentrations during the application and over multiple time scales after the initial sampling. The area measurements indicated that diazinon concentrations during and immediately after application were similar to the consensus occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 10 μg/m3 for airborne diazinon. Concentrations measured from personal samples worn by the applicator were 57–82% of the occupational limit during the application period. Therefore, an applicator and anyone else near ornamental plants being sprayed with diazinon should use personal protective equipment, including appropriate respiratory pr...
SECRETORY DIARRHEA IN CHILDREN: Newly Recognized Toxins and Hormone-Secreting Tumors

This review of bacterial toxins and hormones that stimulate diarrhea shows that we have learned much concerning the pathophysiology of these diarrheal states; however, we have much yet to learn. It is hoped that research will continue to enlighten us with regard to the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment for these disease processes.
Low Caregiver Health Literacy Is Associated With Higher Pediatric Emergency Department Use and Nonurgent Visits

Abstract Objective We sought to determine the association between low caregiver health literacy and child emergency department (ED) use, both the number and urgency of ED visits. Methods This year long cross-sectional study utilized the Newest Vital Sign questionnaire to measure the health literacy of caregivers accompanying children to a pediatric ED. Prior ED visits were extracted from a regional database. ED visit urgency was classified by resources utilized during the index ED visit. Regression analyses were used to model 2 outcomes—prior ED visits and ED visit urgency—stratified by chronic illness. Analyses were weighted by triage level. Results Overall, 503 caregivers completed the study; 55% demonstrated low health literacy. Children of caregivers with low health literacy had more prior ED visits (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1.5; 95% confidence interval 1.2, 1.8) and increased odds of a nonurgent index ED visit (adjusted odds ratio 2.4; 95% confidence interval 1.3, 4.4). Among children without chronic illness, low caregiver health literacy was associated with an increased proportion of nonurgent index ED visits (48% vs 22%; adjusted odds ratio 3.2; 1.8, 5.7). Conclusions Over half of caregivers presenting with their children to the ED have low health literacy. Low caregiver health literacy is an independent predictor of higher ED use and use of the ED for nonurgent conditions. In children without a chronic illness, low health literate caregivers had more than 3 times greater odds of presenting for a nonurgent condition than those with adequate health literacy.
Down-regulation of protein kinase C inhibits insulin-like growth factor I-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration, and gene expression.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) plays an important role in regulating vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, directed migration, differentiation, and apoptosis. The signaling mechanisms used by IGF-I to elicit these actions, however, are not well defined. In this study, we examined the role(s) of protein kinase C (PKC) in mediating the IGF-I actions in cultured porcine VSMCs. Out of the eleven known members of PKC family, PKC-α, -βI, -e, -η, -λ,θ , and -ζ, were detectable by Western immunoblot analysis in these cells. Further analysis indicated that the subcellular distribution of several PKC isoforms is regulated by IGF-I. While IGF-I stimulated membrane translocation of PKC-η, -e, and -ζ and regulated the cytosolic levels of PKC-βI, it had no such effect on PKC-α and -λ. To examine whether PKC activation is required for the IGF-I-regulated biological responses, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and GF109203X were used to down-regulate or inhibit PKC activity. Both PMA (1 μm) and GF109203X ...
Individual Variation in the Propensity to Attribute Incentive Salience to an Appetitive Cue Predicts the Propensity to Attribute Motivational Salience to an Aversive Cue

It has been proposed that animals that attribute high levels of incentive salience to reward-related cues may be especially vulnerable to addiction. Individual variation has also been observed in the motivational value attributed to aversive cues, which may confer vulnerability to anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There may be a core behavioral trait that contributes to individual variation in the motivational value assigned to predictive cues regardless of emotional valence. To test this hypothesis, we used a Pavlovian conditioned approach procedure to classify rats based on whether they learned to approach and interact with a cue predicting food reward (sign-trackers) or learned upon cue presentation to go to the location of impending food delivery (goal-trackers), and then examined Pavlovian fear conditioning in the same animals. It has recently been proposed that sign-trackers are more vulnerable to substance abuse because they attribute greater incentive motivational value to drug cues. Here we show that sign-trackers also have a tendency to be more fearful of discrete cues that predict footshock. In addition, we found that goal-trackers exhibited greater contextual fear when placed back into the original fear-conditioning context in the absence of temporally discrete cues. These results suggest that there may be a subset of individuals who tend to attribute high levels of motivational salience to predictive cues regardless of emotional valence, which may predispose them to a number of psychiatric comorbidities including PTSD and substance abuse. Other individuals use contexts to appropriately modify their reactions to such salient stimuli.
Information hiding interfaces for aspect-oriented design

The growing popularity of aspect-oriented languages, such as AspectJ, and of corresponding design approaches, makes it important to learn how best to modularize programs in which aspect-oriented composition mechanisms are used. We contribute an approach to information hiding modularity in programs that use quantified advising as a module composition mechanism. Our approach rests on a new kind of interface: one that abstracts a crosscutting behavior, decouples the design of code that advises such a behavior from the design of the code to be advised, and that can stipulate behavioral contracts. Our interfaces establish design rules that govern how specific points in program execution are exposed through a given join point model and how conforming code on either side should behave. In a case study of the HyperCast overlay network middleware system, including a real options analysis, we compare the widely cited oblivious design approach with our own, showing significant weaknesses in the former and benefits in the latter.
Impact of Global Versus Renal-Specific Sympathoinhibition in Aldosterone-Induced Hypertension: Implications for Medical Device-Based Treatment of Resistant Hypertension

See related article, pp 1223–1230 In this issue, Lohmeier et al1 present a series of elegant studies that seek to determine the impact of chronic electric activation of the carotid baroreflex2 or renal nerve ablation3 on aldosterone-induced hypertension in a conscious dog model. These studies have direct relevance to the application of carotid artery and renal nerve device-based treatments for resistant hypertension owing to our current lack of understanding of the mechanisms that determine patient responsiveness to these interventions. The authors provide the first evidence that carotid baroreflex activation (BA), which induces global suppression of sympathetic activity and blood pressure reduction,4,5 evokes an attenuated but persistent reduction in blood pressure during aldosterone-induced hypertension. Significantly, the authors observed no impact of renal-specific sympathoinhibition, achieved via renal denervation, on aldosterone-induced hypertension. The presented data suggest resistant hypertension featuring excess aldosterone may be more successfully targeted therapeutically via BA versus renal nerve ablation, and that the beneficial effect of BA will be reduced in this patient population. Chronic electric activation of the carotid baroreflex and radiofrequency renal nerve ablation evoke global and renal-specific sympathoinhibition, respectively, and lead to persistent reductions in blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension.2,3 However, these approaches are not efficacious in all resistant hypertensive patients. Primary aldosteronism is an exclusion criterion in ongoing trials, but the extent of assessment of patient aldosterone levels in these trials is unclear. This raises the possibility that elevations in aldosterone, a feature common in resistant …
Spatial heterogeneity of local blood flow and metabolite content in dog hearts

Spatial variation (heterogeneity) of myocardial blood flow was studied under basal conditions in relation to four biochemical markers: creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ATP, and glycogen. A total of 508 individual 0.5-g samples from the left ventricular free wall was studied in 12 dogs. Myocardial blood flow was measured by radioactive microspheres (15 micron diam) injected via a pigtail catheter into the left ventricle during light sedation (closed-chest flow measurements); following thoracotomy, a second set of microspheres was injected via a catheter into the left atrium (open-chest flow measurements, n = 5). In 27-54 samples/heart, myocardial blood flow, CK, LDH, protein, ATP, and glycogen were determined, permitting a direct correspondence between local blood flow and metabolic markers in each sample and an assessment of the spatial heterogeneity of flow and metabolite content. Correlations between myocardial blood flow per gram tissue and metabolite concentration per gram tissue in pooled data were weak but significant: partial correlation coefficients were 0.137 for CK (P = 0.024), 0.167 for LDH (P = 0.006), 0.341 for ATP (P less than 0.001), 0.123 for glycogen (P = 0.053), but not significant for protein vs. myocardial blood flow. The coefficient of variation, which defines the extent of spatial heterogeneity, averaged 20% for closed-chest flow measurements, 19% for open-chest flow measurements, 22% for CK, 17% for LDH, 15% for protein, 8% for ATP, and 18% for glycogen; these values are over and above the variability due to the technique error, indicating a definite physiological spatial variability. The correlation between local blood flow and the studied metabolites can only explain a minor portion of the spatial heterogeneity of myocardial blood flow. Although a physiological link between blood flow and metabolite content for small regions of the heart is demonstrated, the true local variability of blood flow may be modulated predominantly by other factors.
In yeast the export of small glycopeptides from the endoplasmic reticulum into the cytosol is not affected by the structure of their oligosaccharide chains.

A “quality control” system associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that discriminates between misfolded proteins and correctly folded proteins is present in a variety of eukaryotic cells, including yeast. Recently, it has been shown that misfolded proteins that are N-glycosylated in the lumen of the ER are transported out of the ER, de-Nglycosylated by a soluble peptide:N-glycanase (PNGase) and degraded by action of the proteasome. It also has been shown that small N-glycosylatable peptides follow a fate similar to that of misfolded proteins, i.e., glycosylation in the lumen of the ER, transport out of the ER, and de-Nglycosylation in the cytosol. These processes of retrograde glycopeptide transport and de-N-glycosylation have been observed in mammalian cells, as well as in yeast cells. However, little is known about the mechanism involved in the movement of glycopeptides from the ER to the cytosol. Here we report a simple method for assaying N-glycosylation/de-N-glycosylation by simple paper chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques using an N-glycosylatable 3 H-labeled tripeptide as a substrate. With this method, we confirmed the cytosolic localization of the de-N-glycosylated peptide, which supports the idea that de-N-glycosylation occurs after the export of the glycopeptide from the lumen of the ER to the cytosol. Further, we found that the variations in the structure of the oligosaccharide chain on the glycopeptide did not cause differences in the export of the glycopeptide. This finding suggests that the mechanism for the export of small glycopeptides may differ from that of misfolded (glyco)proteins.
The Poems Ascribed to Frederick II and "Rex Fredericus"

THIS is the first of three articles dealing with the poems in extant MSS ascribed to the Emperor Frederick II and his sons. In the present article the four poems ascribed to the Emperor and "Rex Fredericus" are for the first time brought together in a critical edition. The second article will offer a critical edition of the poems ascribed to King Enzio. The third article will deal with the question of the authorship of the poems in both groups. The MSS in which the poems are preserved, and the symbols by which those MSS will be designated, are as follows:
Predictable ecology and geography of West Nile virus transmission in the central United States

West Nile virus (WNV) arrived in North America and spread rapidly through the western hemisphere. We present a series of tests to determine whether ecological factors are consistently associated with WNV transmission to humans. We analyzed human WNV cases in the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio in 2002 and 2003, building ecological niche models to associate WNV case occurrences with ecological and environmental parameters. In essentially all tests, both within states, among states, between years, and across the region, we found high predictivity of WNV case distributions, suggesting that one or more elements in the WNV transmission cycle has a strong ecological determination. Areas in the geographic region included in this study predicted as suitable for WNV transmission tended to have lower values of the vegetation indices in the summer months, pointing to consistent ecological differences between suitable and unsuitable areas.
Daily online testing in large classes: boosting college performance while reducing achievement gaps.

An in-class computer-based system, that included daily online testing, was introduced to two large university classes. We examined subsequent improvements in academic performance and reductions in the achievement gaps between lowerand upper-middle class students in academic performance. Students (N=901) brought laptop computers to classes and took daily quizzes that provided immediate and personalized feedback. Student performance was compared with the same data for traditional classes taught previously by the same instructors (N=935). Exam performance was approximately half a letter grade above previous semesters, based on comparisons of identical questions asked from earlier years. Students in the experimental classes performed better in other classes, both in the semester they took the course and in subsequent semester classes. The new system resulted in a 50% reduction in the achievement gap as measured by grades among students of different social classes. These findings suggest that frequent consequential quizzing should be used routinely in large lecture courses to improve performance in class and in other concurrent and subsequent courses.
Against field interpretations of quantum field theory

I examine some problems standing in the way of a successful ``field interpretation'' of quantum field theory. The most popular extant proposal depends on the Hilbert space of ``wavefunctionals.'' But since wavefunctional space is unitarily equivalent to many-particle Fock space, two of the most powerful arguments against particle interpretations also undermine this form of field interpretation.
Risk Factors Associated with Tuberculin Skin Test Positivity among University Students and the Use of Such Factors in the Development of a Targeted Screening Program

The present study evaluated the accuracy of a risk assessment questionnaire (RAQ) for identifying candidates for tuberculin testing. A 33-question RAQ was administered to students before they underwent tuberculin screening at Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond). Test operating characteristics for the complete and abbreviated RAQs compared to tuberculin skin test (TST) results were determined. Of 5382 students screened, 125 (2.3%) had a positive TST result; 113 (90.4%) of these 125 students had >or=1 affirmative response on the RAQ (i.e., a "positive RAQ"). The prevalence of TST positivity among students not born in the United States was 33.2-fold higher than that among students born in the United States. A 2-question RAQ had a sensitivity of 81.6%, a specificity of 91.0%, and positive and negative predictive values of 17.7% and 99.5%, respectively. Risk assessment can be an accurate means of identifying candidates for tuberculin screening.
EFFECTS OF CONCURRENT RESPONSE‐INDEPENDENT REINFORCEMENT ON FIXED‐INTERVAL SCHEDULE PERFORMANCE

In three experiments, behavior maintained by fixed-interval schedules changed when response-independent reinforcement was delivered concurrently according to fixed- or variable-time schedules. In Experiment I, a pattern of positively accelerated responding during fixed interval was changed to a linear pattern when response-independent reinforcement occurred under a variable-time schedule. Overall response rates (total responses/total time) decreased as the frequency of response-independent reinforcement increased. Experiment II showed that the response-rate changes in the first experiment were controlled by the response-reinforcer relation, but the changes in patterns of responding were similar whether concurrently available reinforcement at varying times was response-dependent or response-independent. In the final experiment, the addition of response-independent reinforcement at fixed times to a fixed-interval schedule resulted in changes in both local and overall response rates and in the occurrence of positively accelerated responding between reinforcements. These results suggest that the temporal distribution of reinforcers determines response patterns and that both the response-reinforcement dependency and the schedule of reinforcement determine overall response rates during concurrently scheduled response-dependent and response-independent reinforcement.
Scientific Computing with SciPy for Undergraduate Physics Majors

The physics community is working to improve the undergraduate curriculum to include computer skills that graduates will need in the workforce. At Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, we have added computational tools to our Junior/Senior physics laboratory, PHYS421w Research Methods. The course emphasizes Python software tools (SciPy) for data analysis rather than traditional programming. The course uses real experiments to motivate the mastery of these tools.