cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Failure to replicate the 'work ethic" effect in pigeons.

We report six unsuccessful attempts to replicate the “work ethic” phenomenon reported by Clement, Feltus, Kaiser, and Zentall (2000). In Experiments 1–5, pigeons learned two simultaneous discriminations in which the S+ and S− stimuli were obtained by pecking an initial stimulus once or multiple (20 or 40) times. Subsequent preference tests between the S+ stimuli and between the S− stimuli mostly revealed indifference, on average, between the S+ from the multiple-peck (high-effort) trials and the S+ from the one-peck (low-effort) trials, and likewise between the two respective S− stimuli. Using a slightly different procedure that permitted assessment of the relative aversiveness of low versus high effort, Experiment 6 again revealed a pattern of indifference despite showing that pigeons took considerably longer to begin pecking on high- than on low-effort trials. Our findings call into question the reliability of the original findings and the sufficiency of the hypothesized within-trial contrast mechanism to produce them.
Cytokine Signaling: STATS IN PLASMA MEMBRANE RAFTS *

Abstract STAT transcription factors signal from the plasma membrane to the nucleus in response to growth factors and cytokines. We have investigated whether plasma membrane “rafts” are involved in cytokine-activated STAT signaling. Cytokine-free human hepatoma Hep3B cells or cells treated with interleukin-6 (IL-6) or orthovanadate (a general activator of STATs) were fractionated, and plasma membrane raft fractions were obtained by equilibrium sedimentation or flotation through discontinuous sucrose gradients using either non-detergent or detergent-based (saponin or Triton X-100) methods. By Western blotting the plasma membrane raft fractions obtained using either non-detergent or detergent-based methods contained significant amounts of STAT1 and STAT3 (up to ∼10% of the total cytoplasmic amount) as well as the integral raft proteins caveolin-1 and flotillin-1, the IL-6-receptor signal transducing chain gp130, the interferon-γ receptor α chain (IFN-γRα), and the chaperone glucose-regulated protein 58 (GRP58/ER-60/ERp57). Upon activation of signaling by IL-6 or orthovanadate the respective Tyr-phosphorylated STAT species were now also observed in the membrane raft fraction but in a form deficient in DNA binding. The data show pre-association of STATs with plasma membrane rafts in flotation fractions, which also contained caveolin-1 and flotillin-1, and suggest that Tyr phosphorylation may not in itself be sufficient to cause the departure of PY-STATs from plasma membrane rafts. Methyl-β-cyclodextrin, which sequesters cholesterol and disrupts plasma membrane rafts, markedly inhibited IL-6- and IFN-γ-induced STAT signaling. Signaling through specialized raft microdomains may be a general mechanism operating at the level of the plasma membrane through which cytokines and growth factors activate STAT species (the “raft-STAT signaling hypothesis”).
Direct isolation of functional genes encoding cellulases from the microbial consortia in a thermophilic, anaerobic digester maintained on lignocellulose

Gene libraries (“zoolibraries”) were constructed in Escherichia coli using DNA isolated from the mixed liquor of thermophilic, anaerobic digesters, which were in continuous operation with lignocellulosic feedstocks for over 10 years. Clones expressing cellulase and xylosidase were readily recovered from these libraries. Four clones that hydrolyzed carboxymethylcellulose and methylumbelliferyl-β-d-cellobiopyranoside were characterized. All four cellulases exhibited temperature optima (60–65° C) and pH optima (pH 6–7) in accordance with conditions of the enrichment. The DNA sequence of the insert in one clone (plasmid pFGH1) was determined. This plasmid encoded an endoglucanase (celA) and part of a putative β-glucosidase (celB), both of which were distinctly different from all previously reported homologues. CelA protein shared limited homology with members of the A3 subfamily of cellulases, being similar to endoglucanase C from Clostridium thermocellum (40% identity). The N-terminal part of CelB protein was most similar to β-glucosidase from Pseudomonas fluorescens subsp. cellulosa (28% homology). The use of zoolibraries constructed from natural or laboratory enrichment cultures offers the potential to discover many new enzymes for biotechnological applications.
In vivo homologous regulation of μ-opioid receptor gene expression in the mouse

Regulation of the mu-opioid receptor gene by opioid analgesic drugs has not been observed in rats and mice following in vivo treatments that produce tolerance. Although in vivo heterologous regulation of mu-opioid receptor mRNA by non-opioid compounds has been reported, the failure to observe changes in mu-opioid receptor mRNA levels in vivo after treatment with opioid agonists raised the possibility that in vivo homologous regulation by agonists may not occur. Therefore, in the present study, the effect of a high intrinsic efficacy opioid receptor agonist on opioid receptor density, gene expression and tolerance was determined. Mice were infused with etorphine for 7 days using an osmotic minipump, then the pump was removed and studies conducted 16-168 h later. Etorphine (50-250 microg/kg/day) infusion produced significant dose-dependent tolerance to the analgesic (tailflick) effects of etorphine, as well as dose-dependent mu-opioid receptor downregulation in brain at 16 h following the end of the infusion. Mu-opioid receptor density returned to control levels over a 168 h period following the end of etorphine (250 microg/kg/day) infusion. Similarly, the magnitude of tolerance decreased over the same period. Evaluation of changes in brain mu-opioid receptor mRNA 16 h following etorphine infusion indicated that there was dose-dependent increase in steady-state levels, with no significant change in GAPDH mRNA. The increase in mu-opioid receptor mRNA was approximately 55-65% over control at the highest etorphine infusion dose. Mu-opioid receptor mRNA returned to control levels over a 168 h period following the end of etorphine (250 microg/kg/day) infusion. These data suggest that the increase in mu-opioid receptor mRNA following the termination of etorphine treatment may drive the recovery of mu-opioid receptors. These data are the first demonstration of in vivo homologous regulation of mu-opioid receptor gene expression in the mouse by an opioid receptor agonist that produces tolerance and receptor downregulation.
The virology of demyelinating diseases.

Infectious agents have been postulated as causes of multiple sclerosis for over a century. The possible role of a virus or viruses is supposed by data that (1) a childhood exposure is involved and «viral» infections may precipitate exacerbations of disease, (2) experimental infections in animals and natural infections in humans can cause diseases with long incubation periods, remitting and relapsing courses, and demyelination, and (3) Patients with multiple sclerosis have abnormal immune responses to viruses. The pathogenesis of three human demyelinating diseases of known viral etiology is discussed. In progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a papovavirus selectively infects oligodendrocytes and causes focal areas of demyelination
Effect of β-sitostanol (5α-stigmastan-3β-ol) on cholesterol absorption from micellar solutions in jejunal loops urlbar|situ ☆

In situ jejunal loops were infused with micellar solutions of cholesterol with or without beta-sitostanol (5 alpha-stigmastan-3 beta-ol), and the uptake of 14C-cholesterol by the loop was followed for 20 minutes. It was found that beta-sitostanol, given as a 'solution-mix' (a solution resulting from the mixture of two separate micellar solutions of cholesterol and beta-sitostanol), at a concentration of 0.30 mM reduced cholesterol uptake. Substituting cholesterol for beta-sitostanol in the 'solution-mix' had no effect on cholesterol uptake by the loop. beta-Sitostanol at a concentration of 0.30 mM in the 'pre-mix' (a solution resulting from pre-mixing of the two sterols prior to preparation of the micellar solution) condition, had no effect on cholesterol absorption. Taken together, these results suggest that the concentration of beta-sitostanol-containing micelles is the important factor in its suppression of cholesterol absorption.
Division of the pattern-evoked retinal reponse by respiratory acidosis

Analysis in the frequency domain divided the pattern-evoked retinal response (PERR) of the cat into two analog components. A mild respiratory acidosis was produced by raising the end-tidal CO2 from 4-6% to 12-14%. The onset of the acidosis (without hypoxia) was highly correlated with marked decreases in the low-frequency PERR component and in the b-wave of the flash-elicited ERG. The high-frequency PERR component was unchanged relative to the labile low-frequency component (p less than 0.01). The literature has established a firm link between local pH and Muller cell function. These data tend to confirm the hypothesis that the cat's PERR to some grating stimuli of less than 100% contrast may contain separable components of different cellular origin(s).
The Effects of Repeated Exposures to Collision Warnings on Drivers' Willingness to Engage in a Distracting Secondary Task

Collision warnings aid drivers in responding to a collision threat. They have been identified as one solution to mitigate the effects of distractions by helping distracted drivers respond to a hazardous situation. In addition to hazard response, collision warnings have been shown to benefit general driving performance (i.e., headway distance) and may also influence how drivers engage in distracting activities. In this study, participants completed 9 driving scenarios over the course of 3 days while performing a visual-manual secondary task. Participants responded to a total of 9 forward collision events in the presence of a collision warning system. Driving and secondary task performance before and after participants' first and fourth exposure to the collision warning were examined. Results indicate that drivers were less willing to engage in the secondary task and were more conservative in their interactions following a collision warning and that adoption of this safer dual-task strategy increased over time.
Stochastic Dynamics and Deterministic Skeletons: Population Behavior of Dungeness Crab

Ecologists have fiercely debated for many decades whether populations are self-regulated by density-dependent biological mechanisms or are controlled by exogenous environmental forces. Here, a stochastic mechanistic model is used to show that the interaction of these two forces can explain observed large fluctuations in Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) numbers. Relatively small environmental perturbations interact with realistic nonlinear (density dependent) biological mechanisms, to produce dynamics that are similar to observations. This finding has implications throughout population biology, suggesting both that the study of deterministic density-dependent models is highly problematic and that stochastic models must include biologically relevant nonlinear mechanisms.
Judging Transitional Justice A New Criterion For Evaluating Truth Revelation Procedures

Truth revelation procedures are evaluated according to various normative criteria. The authors find the concepts of false conviction and false acquittal more adequate for such evaluation than the conformity with the rule of law and apply a useful classification of truth revelation procedures into incentive-based (ITRs) and evidence-based ones (ETRs). ITRs induce perpetrators and secret agents of the authoritarian regime to reveal the truth about their past, while ETRs rely exclusively on preserved evidence and victims’ testimonies. Using a simple decision-making model, the authors show that while both procedures are sensitive to the problem of falsified evidence, ITRs perform better with respect to revealing the identity of collaborators whose files were destroyed. Finally, they discuss the connection between ITRs and two modes of coming to terms with the past, endogenous and exogenous.
Deletion of the N‐Terminal Domain Alters the Ethanol Inhibition of N‐Methyl‐d‐Aspartate Receptors in a Subunit‐Dependent Manner

Background Ethanol (EtOH) inhibition of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors is poorly understood due in part to the organizational complexity of the receptor that provides ample locations for sites of action. Among these, the N-terminal domain (NTD) of NMDA receptor subunits contains binding sites for a variety of modulatory agents including zinc, protons, and GluN2B selective antagonists such as ifenprodil or Ro-25-6981. EtOH inhibition of neuronal NMDA receptors expressed in some brain areas has been reported to be occluded by the presence of ifenprodil or similar compounds suggesting that the NTD may be important in regulating the EtOH sensitivity of NMDA receptors. Methods Wild-type GluN1 and GluN2 subunits and those in which the coding sequence for the NTD was deleted were expressed in HEK293 cells. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recording was used to assess EtOH inhibition of wild-type and mutant receptors lacking the NTD. Results As compared to wild-type GluN1/GluN2A receptors, EtOH inhibition was slightly greater in cells expressing GluN2A subunits lacking the NTD. In contrast, GluN2B N-terminal deletion mutants showed normal EtOH inhibition while those lacking the NTD in both GluN1 and GluN2B subunits had decreased EtOH inhibition as compared to wild-type receptors. NTD lacking GluN2B receptors were insensitive to ifenprodil but retained normal sensitivity to EtOH. Conclusions These findings indicate that the NTD modestly influences the EtOH sensitivity of NMDA receptors in a subunit-dependent manner. They also show that ifenprodil's actions on GluN2B-containing receptors can be dissociated from those of EtOH. These results suggest that while the NTD is not a primary site of action for EtOH on NMDA receptors, it likely affects sensitivity via actions on intrinsic channel properties.
Hydrology of zero-order basins

Zero-order basins are unchanneled topographic depressions that concentrate surface and subsurface flow and often fail, forming debris flows or other mass movement events. The term “zero-order basins” is awkward, and many hydrologists find themselves using other terms (such as swales, hollows, subhollows, coves, bowls, amphitheaters, etc.) to describe these features. Whichever name you prefer, W. Megahan and R. Ziemer of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (Megahan at Boise, Idaho, and Ziemer at Arcata, Calif.) organized an excellent session for the AGU Erosion and Sedimentation Committee. Current interest in this topic was made evident by the number of people attending the session, which was held on December 11, 1985, in San Francisco, Calif., as part of the AGU Fall Meeting. The session began with a number of talks about the hydrologic characteristics of specific sites.
Using MODIS BRDF and albedo data to evaluate global model land surface albedo

Abstract The land surface albedo in the NCAR Community Climate System Model (CCSM2) is calculated based on a two-stream approximation, which does not include the effect of three-dimensional vegetation structure on radiative transfer. The model albedo (including monthly averaged albedo, direct albedo at local noon, and the solar zenith angle dependence of albedo) is evaluated using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and albedo data acquired during July 2001–July 2002. The model monthly averaged albedos in February and July are close to the MODIS white-sky albedos (within 0.02 or statistically insignificant) over about 40% of the global land between 60°S and 70°N. However, CCSM2 significantly underestimates albedo by 0.05 or more over deserts (e.g., the Sahara Desert) and some semiarid regions (e.g., parts of Australia). The difference between the model direct albedo at local noon and the MODIS black-sky albedo for the near-infrar...
Photoionization of the Xe atom and Xe@C60 molecule

Photoionization of the Xe atom and Xe@C60 molecule have been studied using the random phase approximation with exchange (RPAE) method. The Xe atom was described by relaxed orbitals including overlap integrals. The C60 fullerene has been represented by an attractive short range spherical well with potential V(r), given by V(r) = −V0 for ri < r < ro, otherwise V(r) = 0 where ri and ro are respectively, the inner and outer radii of the spherical shell. The time independent Schrodinger equation was solved using both regular and irregular solutions and the continuous boundary conditions at ri and ro. The results demonstrate improvement to previous calculations for both the Xe atom and Xe@C60 molecule and compare very well with the recent experimental data.
Chemical divides and evaporite assemblages on Mars

Assemblages of evaporite minerals record detailed physical and chemical characteristics of ancient surficial environments. Accordingly, newly discovered regions of saline minerals on Mars are high priority targets for exploration. The chemical divide concept of evaporite mineral formation is used successfully to predict evaporite mineralogy and brine evolution on Earth. However, basaltic weathering largely controls fluid compositions on Mars and the robust predictive capabilities of terrestrial chemical divides cannot be used to interpret Martian evaporites. Here we present a new chemical divide system that predicts evaporite assemblages identified in SNC-type meteorites, ancient evaporites discovered on Meridiani Planum by the Opportunity rover, and Mars Express OMEGA data. We suggest that a common fluid type that has been buffered to different pH levels by basaltic weathering controls the variability among Martian evaporite assemblages and that evaporite mineralogy and brine evolution is essentially established by the initial composition of the dilute evaporating fluid. B) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The role of the arcuate fasciculus in conduction aphasia

In aphasia literature, it has been considered that a speech repetition defect represents the main constituent of conduction aphasia. Conduction aphasia has frequently been interpreted as a language impairment due to lesions of the arcuate fasciculus (AF) that disconnect receptive language areas from expressive ones. Modern neuroradiological studies suggest that the AF connects posterior receptive areas with premotor/motor areas, and not with Broca's area. Some clinical and neurophysiological findings challenge the role of the AF in language transferring. Unusual cases of inter-hemispheric dissociation of language lateralization (e.g. Broca's area in the left, and Wernicke's area in the right hemisphere) have been reported without evident repetition defects; electrocortical studies have found that the AF not only transmits information from temporal to frontal areas, but also in the opposite direction; transferring of speech information from the temporal to the frontal lobe utilizes two different streams and conduction aphasia can be found in cases of cortical damage without subcortical extension. Taken altogether, these findings may suggest that the AF is not required for repetition although could have a subsidiary role in it. A new language network model is proposed, emphasizing that the AF connects posterior brain areas with Broca's area via a relay station in the premotor/motor areas.
ZR Marx Capacitor Life Test and Production Statistics

Following an extensive vendor evaluation1 process, Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) chose General Atomics Electronic Systems to supply 2500 units of 2.6 uF 100 kV Marx Generator capacitors necessary for the refurbishment of the "Z-machine". The new capacitors replace the 1.3 uF 100 kV capacitors originally installed in this large pulse power machine, doubling the energy within the same volume, and permitting the use of existing Marx hardware. Low inductance (< 30 nH), high peak current (170 kA nominal rating), and reliable lifetimes were basic requirements that eliminated alternative technologies. The selected production capacitor, GA-ESI Part Number 32896 and a similar GA-ESI design, P/N 32897, were both life tested at 100 kV and the 32896 at 110 kV 2. Manufacture of the production capacitor design began in the spring of 2003 and was completed in early 2005 with a yield greater than 98%. This paper will review the life data and compare the Weibull distribution of P/N 32896 with one derived from combining the life data from the two similar designs. The production acceptance test failure modes will be discussed and quantified.
β-Carotene enhances plaque detection by fluorescence attenuation in an atherosclerotic rabbit model

Improved detection of plaque during cardiovascular procedures could enhance the outcome of diagnosis and therapy. We evaluated a new method to stain plaque using a special intravenous preparation of beta-carotene (beta-C) in an in vivo model. beta-C was used to enhance the absorption coefficient of plaque and decrease the laser-induced fluorescence emission. Using this approach the difference in fluorescence emission was accentuated between normal artery and atherosclerotic plaque. Twenty-nine NZW rabbits were divided into five groups, each receiving a different intervention. This included the administration of beta-C to rabbits on a normal or a high cholesterol diet, with or without endothelial debridement. Aortae were examined grossly, by histology, and relative total fluorescence was detected at 886 sites using 488 nm or 514 nm laser excitation. At 488 nm excitation, unstained plaque attenuated total fluorescence twice as much as normal controls (7.55 +/- 1.46 vs. 15.06 +/- 3.12; P < 0.0001); beta-C stained plaque attenuated total fluorescence 17 times more than normal controls (0.89 +/- 0.29 vs. 15.06 +/- 3.12; P < 0.0001). Total fluorescence from unstained plaque was eight times greater than plaque stained with beta-C (7.55 +/- 1.46 vs. 0.89 +/- 0.29; P < 0.0001). Results obtained using 514 nm excitation were similar. The attenuation effect persisted up to 8 weeks following beta-C administration. Thus, beta-C stained plaque displayed fluorescence attenuation, which suggests that pretreatment with beta-C may greatly enhance plaque detection. This may be useful as a guide during plaque removal procedures.
Studies in Cyclocopolymerization. XII. Cyclocopolymerization of the Donor:Acceptor Pair 1,4-Diene:Monoolefin Lewis Acid Complex

Abstract Acrylonitrile (AN) is known to form a cyclocopolymer with 1,4-dienes such as divinyl ether (DVE) and 3,3-dimethyl-1,4-pentadiene with radical initiators. Since AN has a high tendency toward homopolymerization, the copolymers are not of regular structure. Lewis acids such as ZnCl2 and Al(Et)3 were used in this paper to increase the e-values of AN and methacrylonitrile (MAN) through complexation. AN, MAN, and 2- and 4-vinylpyridine were copolymerized with DVE and 1,4-pentadiene with Lewis acids. In all cases the rate of copolymerization was much enhanced and the alter-nating tendency of the cyclocopolymer increased with the amount of added Lewis acids. A 1:2 DVE:AN alternating cyclocopolymer was obtained spontaneously or with AIBN with Al(Et)3 in hexane. Also 1:2 alternating cyclocopolymer was successfully obtained in acetone by using a large amount of ZnCl2. The identification of charge-transfer (CT) complex-ation between the DVE and (AN,1 2, ZnCl2 complex, and between the 1-hexene and (AN)2ZnCl2 ...
New species in Cienfuegosia

Cienfuegosia hearnii (from Aden, Arabian peninsula),C. somaliana (from Somalia and Ethiopia),C. ulmifolia (from Argentina and Paraguay), andC. intermedia (from Mexico) are described as new.
Model predictive control via system identification for a hot blast stove

In this paper, a control system is designed for a hot blast stove. Different from thermal models which take the complex form of partial differential equations and algebraic equations, system identification was used to model the dynamics for both the on-gas cycle and on-blast cycle based on the empirical data from No. 17 hot blast stove at Mittal Steel in East Chicago, Indiana, U.S.A. Model predictive control (MPC) was employed to minimize the natural gas usage while satisfying all the constraints. Simulation results verified the applicability of the approach. It is estimated that this proposed controller could save Mittal Steel $100,000 annually.
RAISING CAPITAL FOR MICROFINANCE: SOURCES OF FUNDING AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EQUITY FINANCING

On a worldwide basis, microfinance institutions (MFIs) provide financial services to the poorest households. To date, funding of MFI activities has come primarily from outright donor grants, government subsidies, and often debt capital, including debt with non-market terms favorable to the MFI. These traditional sources of MFI financing may not be sufficient to allow MFIs to provide maximum services. There is a subset of the pool of mainstream equity investors who would consider investing in MFI opportunities, even knowing that they would not expect to earn the full economic rate of return that such investments would otherwise require. However, as part of their investment evaluation process, these investors would ask: What would the market determined required expected rate of return for my MFI investment be? What return on investment (ROI) do I expect to earn on my MFI investment? Is the difference in the above two returns acceptable given my level of social motivation? How will I "monetize" my investment and when? The purpose of this article is to employ modern corporate finance techniques to address these questions.
Quantitation of volatile compounds in heated triolein by static headspace capillary gas chromatography/infrared spectroscopy-mass spectrometry

Static headspace and capillary gas chromatography/infrared spectroscopy-mass spectrometry were used to collect, separate, detect and quantitate the oxidative and thermal decomposition products in heated trilinolein. Trilinolein without added antioxidants was heated in a deep-fat fryer at 190°C for 12 h each day for a total of 24 h until the amount of polymeric material in the oil exceeded 20%. The concentration of the volatile compounds in trilinolein, as well as thep-anisidine values and polymer content, increased with an increase in heating time. After 24 h of heating, the concentrations of the major volatile compounds (>10 ppm) had increased as follows: pentane (33.4–398.7 ppm), pentanal (11.7–73.5 ppm), 1-pentanol (5.2–46.7 ppm), hexanal (67.6–346.1 ppm), (E)-2-hexenal (12.9–87.6 ppm), (E)-2-heptenal (309.6–894.1 ppm), 1-octen-3-ol (35.2–150.2 ppm), formic acid (0–18.7 ppm), hexanoic acid (0–83.8 ppm), heptanal (2.5–29.5 ppm), 2-pentylfuran (29.2–146.9 ppm), (E)-2-octenal (26.4–347.2 ppm), (E)-2-octenal (26.4–347.2 ppm), (E)-2-nonenal (31.6–163.2 ppm), (E,Z)-2,4-decadienal (15.0–320 ppm) and (E,E)-2,4-decadienal (43.1–1137.5 ppm).
The vibrational spectra and assignments of bromoacetic acid and three of its deuterated analogues

Abstract The complete vibrational spectra of solid bromoacetic acid (CH 2 BrCO 2 H) have been recorded along with most of the vibrational spectra of CH 2 BrCO 2 D, CD 2 BrCO 2 D and CD 2 BrCO 2 H. These spectra have been assigned to approximate normal modes of vibration. The results indicate that the bromoacetic acid polymorph stable at ambient conditions is a cyclic hydrogen bonded dimer. As with other acids, the vibrations primarily involving the hydrogen bonded ring system are strongly coupled. Evidence concerning the nature of this coupling, as well as that between these vibrations and those of the -CH 2 Br groups is also presented.
Directional Surface Plasmon-Coupled Emission from a 3 nm Green Fluorescent Protein Monolayer

High-sensitivity detection schemes are of great interest for a number of applications. Unfortunately, such schemes are usually high-cost. We demonstrate a low-cost approach to a high-sensitivity detection scheme based on surface plasmon-coupled emission (SPCE). The SPCE of a monomolecular layer of green fluorescent protein (GFP) is reported here. The protein was electrostatically attached to a thin, SiO(2)-protected silver film deposited on a quartz substrate. The visible, directional emission of GFP was observed at a sharp, well-defined angle of 47.5 degrees from the normal to the coupling prism, and the spectrum corresponded to that of GFP. The SPCE resulting from the reverse Kretschmann configuration showed a 12-fold enhancement over the free space fluorescence. The directional emission was 97% p-polarized. The directionality and high polarization can be coupled with the intrinsic spectral resolution of SPCE to be used in the design miniaturized spectrofluorometers. The observation of SPCE in the visible region of the spectrum from a monolayer of protein opens up new possibilities in protein-based sensing.
Alcohol consumption, hypertension, and total mortality among women.

BACKGROUND Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a reduced risk of total mortality among Caucasian women. Whether moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a reduced risk of total mortality among African-American or hypertensive women is unclear. METHODS We conducted a prospective study among 10,576 black and 105,610 white postmenopausal women from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), without a history of cancer or cardiovascular disease, who completed the baseline examinations in 1994-1998. RESULTS During the mean 8 years of follow-up, 5,608 women died. Moderate drinking (1 to <7 drinks/week) was associated with a lower risk of total mortality among Caucasians (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.72-0.91) and hypertensives (HR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.65-0.87) as compared with lifetime abstention from alcohol. Among African-American moderate drinkers the risk of total mortality was HR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.67-1.3. Current drinking (<1 drink/month or greater) was associated with a lower risk of mortality among Caucasians, including hypertensives and nonhypertensives, and hypertensive African Americans (HR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.54-0.99) but not among nonhypertensive African Americans (HR = 1.31, 95% CI = 0.79-2.16). The stratified comparisons among African Americans were affected by the low prevalence of moderate drinking (14.6%) and the low mortality rate (37.5/10,000) among the nonhypertensive lifetime abstainers. CONCLUSION Moderate drinking is associated with a lower risk of total mortality among Caucasian women. Current drinking is associated with a lower risk of total mortality among Caucasians, regardless of hypertensive status, and hypertensive but not nonhypertensive African-American women. The latter observation was affected by the low mortality rate among the African-American nonhypertensive lifetime abstainers.
Gynecomastia with Ketoconazole

Three of forty men developed bilateral gynecomastia upon ketoconazole treatment. Symptoms abated despite continued therapy. This appears to be a direct drug effect on breast tissue.
Integrated Framework for Design Optimization Under Aleatory and/or Epistemic Uncertainties Using Adaptive-Loop Method

In last two decades, significant attentions have been paid to develop design optimization methodologies under various uncertainties: reliability-based design optimization (RBDO), possibility-based design optimization (PBDO), etc. As a result, a variety of methods of uncertainty-based design optimization have been proposed and are mainly catagorized as: parallel-loop method, serial-loop method, and single-loop method. It has been reported that each method has its own strong and weak points. Thus, this paper attempts to understand various methods better, and proposes to develop an integrated framework for uncertainty-based design optimization. In short, the integrated design framework timely involves three phases (deterministic design optimization, parallel-loop method, single-loop method) to maximize numerical efficiency without losing computational stability and accuracy in the process of uncertainty-based design optimization. While the parallel-loop method maintains numerical stability well with a minimal computation, deterministic design optimization and single-loop method will improve numerical efficiency at the beginning and end of uncertainty-based design optimization. Thus, the proposed method is called adaptive-loop method. It will be shown that integrated framework using the proposed method is applicable for various design optimization methodologies under aleatory or epistemic uncertainties, such as RBDO, PBDO, etc. Examples are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of integrated framework using the adaptive-loop method in terms of numerical efficiency.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Using precomputation in architecture and logic resynthesis

Although tremendous advances have been accomplished in logic synthesis in the past two decades, in some cases logic synthesis still cannot attain the improvements possible by clever designers. This, in part, is a result of logic synthesis not optimizing across register boundaries. We focus on precomputation as a resynthesis technique capable of resynthesizing across register boundaries. By using precomputation, a critical signal is computed earlier in time, thus allowing it to be combinationally optimized with logic from previous pipeline stages. Precomputation automatically discovers some standard circuit transformations like bypassing and lookahead. In addition, precomputation can be used in conjunction with combinational logic synthesis to resynthesize a circuit to obtain better performance. The paper contributes to the understanding and development of precomputation. First, it provides a synthesis algorithm for precomputation. Second, it demonstrates how precomputation can be used to improve sequential logic resynthesis and reports the results of applying a heuristic to a subset of the MCNC benchmarks. Third, it illustrates how precomputation generalizes and unifies bypassing and lookahead-two important and practical architectural transformations often used in processor design and high level synthesis of DSP processors. Finally, it clarifies the relationships among precomputation, retiming, and implicit retiming.
Generalized charge transport model for organic/inorganic material systems

This paper introduces a generalized charge transport model for hybrid organic-inorganic semiconducting systems. The model is formed of five coupled nonlinear partial differential equations consisting of the Poisson's equation and four continuity equations for electrons, holes, excitons, and triplets. The model allows transformation of one particle (electron/hole, excitons, and triplets) to another through a transformation ratio. Variables are electric potential, density of electrons, holes, excitons and triplets. Furthermore, the model is capable of modeling heterointerfaces, density of interfaces traps, dissociation of excitons at the heterointerfaces, and recombination velocities for different particles at the metallic contacts.
Characterization of a Human T Cell Line Reactive to a 52 kDa Islet Protein

A 52 kDa islet protein has recently been identified as the target of autoantibodies in the NOD mouse model of IDDM and humans with IDDM. However, the presence of T cell immunity against the 52 kDa islet protein in IDDM has not been reported. We report the establishment and characterization of a T cell line (19KW) that reacts to purified 52 kDa islet protein (purified p52) from a subject with IDDM. The purified p52 induced a proliferative response as measured by thymidine incorporation in the 19KW T cell line with a stimulating index of up to 48. The proliferative responses were greater with increasing doses of purified p52 (0.1, 0.5, 2.0, and 6.0 μg/well). No reactivity was found to a liver fraction purified in the same manner as 52 kDa protein, BSA, ovalbumin, extracts of rat muscle, fibroblast, adrenal, or pituitary tissue and to a rat exocrine cell tumor. Irradiated PBMC were required as antigen presenting cells (APC) for 19KW reactivity to the purified p52. The addition of anti-HLA DR or anti-HLA DQ antibodies significantly decreased the islet antigen-induced proliferative response. The addition of antibodies to HLA DP and class I MHC had no effect. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the majority of T cells expressed CD4 and CD45RO molecules. T cell receptors Vβ6 and Vβ5.1 were found on 30 and 14% of the CD3+(T cells) 19KW cells, respectively. In conclusion, a purified p52-reactive human T cell line predominantly consisting of TCR Vβ6+and Vβ5.1+cells has been established from a subject with IDDM. Reactivity to the purified p52 is antigen dose-dependent, tissue specific, requires irradiated PBMC as antigen presenting cells, and is HLA DR- and HLA DQ-restricted. T cell lines specifically reactive to p52 may be useful for investigating further the role of this antigen in the pathogenesis of IDDM.
Towards a performance-portable FFT library for heterogeneous computing

The fast Fourier transform (FFT), a spectral method that computes the discrete Fourier transform and its inverse, pervades many applications in digital signal processing, such as imaging, tomography, and software-defined radio. Its importance has caused the research community to expend significant resources to accelerate the FFT, of which FFTW is the most prominent example. With the emergence of the graphics processing unit (GPU) as a massively parallel computing device for high performance, we seek to identify architecture-aware optimizations across two different generations of high-end AMD and NVIDIA GPUs, namely the AMD Radeon HD 6970 and HD 7970 and the NVIDIA Tesla C2075 and K20c, respectively, to accelerate FFT performance. Despite architectural differences across GPU generations and vendors, we identify the following optimizations, when applied individually and in isolation of one another, as being the most effective in accelerating FFT performance: (1) register preloading, (2) transposition via local memory, and (3) 8- or 16-byte vector access and scalar arithmetic. We then demonstrate the efficacy of combining individual optimizations together and find that the most effective combination of optimizations across all architectures encompasses register preloading, transposition via local memory, and use of constant memory. Our study suggests that FFT performance on GPUs is primarily limited by global memory data transfer. Overall, our optimizations deliver speed-ups as high as 31.5 over a baseline GPU implementation and 9.1 over a multithreaded FFTW CPU implementation with AVX vector extensions.
Group therapy for women with substance use disorders: Results from the Women's Recovery Group Study

Abstract Background This Stage II trial builds on a Stage I trial comparing the single-gender Women's Recovery Group (WRG) to mixed-gender Group Drug Counseling (GDC) that demonstrated preliminary support for the WRG in treating women with substance use disorders. The Stage II trial aims were to (1) investigate effectiveness of the WRG relative to GDC in a sample of women heterogeneous with respect to substance of abuse and co-occurring psychiatric disorders, and (2) demonstrate the feasibility of implementing WRG in an open-enrollment group format at two sites. Method In this randomized clinical trial, participants were included if they were substance dependent and had used substances within the past 60 days ( n = 158). Women were randomized to WRG ( n = 52) or GDC ( n = 48); men were assigned to GDC ( n = 58). Substance use outcomes were assessed at months 1–6 and 9. Results Women in both the WRG and GDC had reductions in mean number of substance use days during treatment (12.7 vs 13.7 day reductions for WRG and GDC, respectively) and 6 months post-treatment (10.3 vs 12.7 day reductions); however, there were no significant differences between groups. Conclusions The WRG demonstrated comparable effectiveness to standard mixed-gender treatment (i.e., GDC) and is feasibly delivered in an open-group format typical of community treatment. It provides a manual-based group therapy with women-focused content that can be implemented in a variety of clinical settings for women who are heterogeneous with respect to their substance of abuse, other co-occurring psychiatric disorders, and life-stage.
Mutual Responses in the Midst of an Era: Aaron Copland's The Tender Land and Leonard Bernstein's Candide

ABSTRACT Aaron Copland9s The Tender Land (1954) and Leonard Bernstein9s Candide (1956) both comment sharply on McCarthyism, but their broader political implications are less clear. While the story of each may be read in terms of postwar liberalism, a position itself informed by anticommunist ideology, two crucial ensembles reflect a decidedly leftist perspective. ““The Promise of Living,”” which ends act 1 of The Tender Land , and ““Make Our Garden Grow,”” the finale of Candide , celebrate a grand, utopian ideal——the politically outmoded, progessive ideal of community as a collective forged through common experience and shared labor——in musical terms that evoke the era of the Popular Front. Despite their similarities, however, ““The Promise of Living”” and ““Make Our Garden Grow”” arrive at structurally distinct points in their perspective works and announce different dramatic as well as political ends. Ultimately one community comes together while the other falls apart, and these divergent trajectories speak to the experiences of the composers themselves as representatives of separate political generations. Using achival research, cultural history, and music analysis, I argue that at these moments The Tender Land and Candide reject the conservative and liberal anticommunism of their mutual Cold War context to remember or imagine the possibilities of a vital Left.
Basic Name Connotations and Related Sex Stereotyping

For a total of 703 subjects in three studies, six basic dimensions of name connotations were identified: success, morality, health, warmth, cheerfulness, and masculinity-femininity. Male, compared ...
Advances in inertial confinement fusion at the National Ignition Facility (NIF)

Abstract The 192-beam National Ignition Facility (NIF) at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in Livermore, CA, is now operational and conducting experiments. NIF, the flagship facility of the U.S. Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) Program, will achieve high-energy-density conditions never previously obtained in the laboratory—temperatures over 100 million K, densities of 1000 g/cm 3 , and pressures exceeding 100 billion atmospheres. Such conditions exist naturally only in the interiors of the stars and during thermonuclear burn. Demonstration of ignition and thermonuclear burn in the laboratory is a major NIF goal. To date, the NIF laser has demonstrated all pulse shape, beam quality, energy, and other specifications required to meet the ignition challenge. On March 10, 2009, the NIF laser delivered 1.1 MJ of ultraviolet laser energy to target chamber center, approximately 30 times more energy than any previous facility. The ignition program at NIF is the National Ignition Campaign (NIC), a national collaboration for ignition experimentation with participation from General Atomics, LLNL, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), and the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE). The achievement of ignition at NIF will demonstrate the scientific feasibility of ICF and focus worldwide attention on fusion as a viable energy option. A particular energy concept under investigation is the LIFE (Laser Inertial Fusion Energy) scheme. The LIFE engine is inherently safe, minimizes proliferation concerns associated with the nuclear fuel cycle, and can provide a sustainable carbon-free energy generation solution in the 21st century. This talk will describe NIF and its potential as a user facility and an experimental platform for high-energy-density science, NIC, and the LIFE approach for clean, sustainable energy.
Telomeres and Mitochondrial Function

### Telomere Dysfunction Induces Metabolic and Mitochondrial Compromise Sahin et al Nature. 2011;470:359–365. A new study provides insight into aging and age-related diseases by linking telomere dysfunction to a decline in mitochondrial number and function. Common observation, bolstered by a wealth of epidemiologic evidence, demonstrates that aging is accompanied by a profound increase in the incidence of cardiovascular disease. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie the aging process might, therefore, provide clues and even potential therapeutic targets for cardiovascular disease, as well as a host of other age-related pathologies. Unfortunately, even though there has been substantial progress in our understanding of the aging process, no single theory of why we age has emerged. Early studies analyzing what led to the senescence of cultured human cells focused on the telomere, the specialized region on the end of each chromosome. Each cell division is known to result in the shortening of overall telomere length. After multiple cell divisions, proliferating cells finally erode the telomere down to a critical length. At this point, the cell responds by invoking a DNA damage response not unlike what happens when DNA is damaged by exogenous radiation or chemicals. This damage response culminates in the activation of the tumor suppressor, p53. Once activated, p53 can, in turn, promote growth arrest, cell death, or perhaps most importantly for aging, cellular senescence. While our knowledge of telomere biology was …
Oral findings in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Abstract Oral examinations of 103 consecutive patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were performed. Of these patients, 74 (72%) were heterosexuals and 29 (28%) were homosexual or bisexual men. Lesions that were identified on subsequent examination were recorded separately. Oral candidiasis was the most common finding, occurring in 94 patients. Other findings were herpes simplex ulceration (ten patients), exfoliative cheilitis (nine patients), xerostomia (ten patients), “hairy” leukoplakia (seven patients), and Kaposi's sarcoma (four patients). A patchy, depapillated tongue was seen in six patients, and ulcers with uncertain cause were seen in three patients. Gingival bleeding, perioral molluscum contagiosum, and brown hairy tongue each occurred in one patient. In this study, “hairy” leukoplakia and Kaposi's sarcoma occurred exclusively in homosexual and bisexual men with AIDS, and occurred significantly more frequently in this group than in heterosexual patients with AIDS. There was no significant difference between these groups in the frequency of occurrence of other findings.