cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Tail End of Membrane Insertion

Many membrane proteins are inserted into cellular membranes via a carboxy-terminal tail-anchor segment, but the mechanism of insertion is poorly understood. In this issue of Cell, Stefanovic and Hegde (2007) report the identification and initial characterization of a soluble ATP-dependent receptor for the insertion of newly synthesized tail-anchored membrane proteins.
Effect of Heat Treatment on Hydrogen Trapping in Alloy K-500

Abstract The effect of heat treatment on irreversible hydrogen trapping was investigated for alloy K-500 (UNS N05500) with a goal of providing more detailed insight into factors governing the intrinsic susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement (HE). A potentiostatic pulse technique was used to determine the irreversible trapping constants (k) and hydrogen entry fluxes for annealed, annealed and aged (AA), and 12-h and 16-h direct-aged (DA) specimens of cold-drawn alloy K-500 that had been used earlier to provide as-received (unannealed, cold-drawn) and 8-h DA specimens. The type of heat treatment produced marked differences in irreversible trapping. Intrinsic susceptibility to HE, as defined by k, was increased considerably by annealing. Aging had a negligible effect on the intrinsic susceptibility for the annealed alloy, but resulted in a sizable increase for the unannealed alloy if performed for extended times. Intrinsic susceptibilities for the AA and DA alloys were correlated with the observed resistan...
An Australasian test of the recent African origin theory using the WLH-50 calvarium.

Abstract This analysis investigates the ancestry of a single modern human specimen from Australia, WLH-50 (Thorne et al ., in preparation; Webb, 1989). Evaluating its ancestry is important to our understanding of modern human origins in Australasia because the prevailing models of human origins make different predictions for the ancestry of this specimen, and others like it. Some authors believe in the validity of a complete replacement theory and propose that modern humans in Australasia descended solely from earlier modern human populations found in Late Pleistocene Africa and the Levant. These ancestral modern populations are believed to have completely replaced other archaic human populations, including the Ngandong hominids of Indonesia. According to this recent African origin theory, the archaic humans from Indonesia are classified as Homo erectus , a different evolutionary species that could not have contributed to the ancestry of modern Australasians. Therefore this theory of complete replacement makes clear predictions concerning the ancestry of the specimen WLH-50. We tested these predictions using two methods: a discriminant analysis of metric data for three samples that are potential ancestors of WLH-50 (Ngandong, Late Pleistocene Africans, Levant hominids from Skhul and Qafzeh) and a pairwise difference analysis of nonmetric data for individuals within these samples. The results of these procedures provide an unambiguous refutation of a model of complete replacement within this region, and indicate that the Ngandong hominids or a population like them may have contributed significantly to the ancestry of WLH-50. We therefore contend that Ngandong hominids should be classified within the evolutionary species, Homo sapiens . The Multiregional model of human evolution has the expectation that Australasian ancestry is in all three of the potentially ancestral groups and best explains modern Australasian origins.
Luminescence and ODMR of the spin-triplet state in CaCrO4 and SrCrO4 at 1.4 K

Abstract The luminescence seen from crystals of CaCrO4 and SrCrO4 at ⩽ 4 K is assigned to a spin-triplet state based on the observed zero-field ODMR signals. The zero-field splittings of the emitting triplet state in the two systems have similar |D| values (≈ 18 GHz) but dissimilar |E| values (0.9 and 3.2 GHz for the Ca2+ and Sr2+ salts, respectively).
Frederick II's Knowledge of Greek

DID Frederick II know Greek? Certainly he had the opportunity. Reared in Southern Italy and on the island of Sicily, he no doubt met many members of the Greek-speaking population of those regions. Some were even attached to his court or, at least, served there temporarily as notaries in the royal chancery. A Greek-speaking poet sang his praises in that language and shortly after he issued the Constitutions of Melfi (1231), they were translated into Greek. While it is true that, in writing his treatise on falconry, the De Arte Venandi Cum Avibus, Frederick generally relied on translations of Aristotle made from Arabic rather than Greek, Charles Haskins noted that he did cite the pseudo-Aristotelian Mechanics, which does not appear to have been translated into either Arabic or Latin prior to his time of writing.' Moreover, the close relations between Frederick and the Emperor John Vatatzes of Nicaea John married Frederick's daughter Constance furnish further evidence for close ties between Frederick and his Greek-speaking subjects.2 Ernst Kantorowicz, in his excellent biography, maintained that Frederick was master of the language.3 The great influx of Greeks into Italy dated from the eighth century when they were driven out or fled Greece because of the Iconoclastic persecutions.4 Their influence continued strong as long as Byzantine power in Italy remained a real factor. No doubt, this influence was re-inforced by the continued intercourse among the commercial cities of southern Italy, Sicily, and Greece. The revolts against Byzantine power in the early eleventh century and the subsequent establishment of the Norman principalities led to the eclipse of Byzantine power and reduced the amount of contact which the Greeks of Italy had with their homeland. The Greek language itself, as spoken in southern Italy, entered a gradual process of decay as Latin and Italian words and idioms were adopted.' The literature in the language was sparse and, as Haskins observed, not even the intellectual climate of the court of Frederick II stimulated the production of original work in quantity or of translations from Greek into Latin.6 By the early thirteenth century it would seem that there had been a considerable decline in the knowledge of Greek in southern Italy.7
Managing and incentivizing research commercialization in Chinese Universities

Research shows that there are important institutional underpinnings for building university–industry linkages. This paper aims to understand how China is developing the relevant organizational structures and incentives in its universities. What academic institutions shape the scope and channels of university–industry linkages? What incentives do universities provide to encourage and facilitate faculty engagement with industry? My analysis is accomplished through content analysis of university documents and in-depth interviews with personnel in two top institutions—Fudan University and Shanghai Jiaotong University, supplemented by official statistics. It shows that the hybrid organizational structure to manage technology transfer is a product of historical legacy and institutional learning—parts uniquely Chinese and parts adapted from the West. Faculty incentives also have varied effects. In spite of being enticed to disclose inventions and pursue commercialization, faculty remains keener on scholarly publications.
EXPERIMENTAL OBSERVATION OF PLASMA ELECTRON PRESSURE

In a magnetically supported plasma column the mechanical force parallel to the magnetic field exerted on an electrically floating balance has been measured over the range of 2 to 40 dyn. This measured force agrees with the force computed from the experimentally measured plasma electron density and the electron temperature. The large range of agreement between this measured force and the computed force implies that in this apparatus, at least, the plasma pressure is due to the electrons and it can be measured directly.
Local control of murine subglottis development

Objective To determine if subglottic development is at least partially under local control and to determine which tissue layer(s) is predominantly responsible. Design The suglottises of 12 day-3 CD1 mice were grown in whole organ culture. The 12 subglottises were divided into 3 individual groups: + + +, − + +, and − − −. Group + + + had all tissue layers of the subglottis intact: luminal epithelium, cricoid cartilage, inner and outer perichondrium. Group − + + had all layers intact with the exception of luminal epithelium. Group − − − had all layers removed (luminal epithelium, inner and outer perichondrium) resulting in cricoid cartilage-only rings. All rings were grown in basic medium without the use of growth factors or serum for 15 days. Measurements of the rings were taken before and after organ culture growth. Results Group + + + was the only group that experienced growth. Only luminal growth was statistically significant although all rings experienced growth in both the luminal and external diameter. Group − + + did not experience any growth. Group − − − lost structural integrity with collapse of the ring and did not experience growth of any dimension of the cartilage. Conclusions Growth of the subglottis is under local control but may have additional influences from the outside that were not investigated here. Removal of just the epithelium stunts growth of the entire ring, but preferentially the lumen more so than the external diameter. Removal of all tissue layers around the cricoid cartilage results in a structural collapse of the ring, suggesting that the cartilage in this age group is dependent on surrounding tissues for structural integrity.
5 THE EVALUATION OF TREATMENT IN WILSON'S DISEASE

Copper toxicity In liver, brain and kidney due to a congenital failure of the copper excretory mechanism in the liver is the main problem in patients with M. Wilson. Oral zinc sulphate as only treatment for this disease has successfully been used for several years as alternative therapy for D-Penicillamin which has several serious side effects. Quantitative balance studies comparing both forms of treatment were done in 2 sets of children. During the balance study a standardized hospital diet was used and identical food portions frozen for analysis of each patient. All fecal and urinary excretions were sampled each day for a sevenday period. Additionally normal liverfunction tests and absence of clinical symptoms were found In both groups. Oral challenge with a high dose of D-Penicillamin in one day showed a significant rise in copper excretion in both groups, indicating still incomplete decoppering. Liver biopsy copper content confirmed this finding.
IQGAP1 scaffold-kinase interaction blockade selectively targets RAS-MAP kinase-driven tumors

Upregulation of the ERK1 and ERK2 (ERK1/2) MAP kinase (MAPK) cascade occurs in >30% of cancers, often through mutational activation of receptor tyrosine kinases or other upstream genes, including KRAS and BRAF. Efforts to target endogenous MAPKs are challenged by the fact that these kinases are required for viability in mammals. Additionally, the effectiveness of new inhibitors of mutant BRAF has been diminished by acquired tumor resistance through selection for BRAF-independent mechanisms of ERK1/2 induction. Furthermore, recently identified ERK1/2-inducing mutations in MEK1 and MEK2 (MEK1/2) MAPK genes in melanoma confer resistance to emerging therapeutic MEK inhibitors, underscoring the challenges facing direct kinase inhibition in cancer. MAPK scaffolds, such as IQ motif-containing GTPase activating protein 1 (IQGAP1), assemble pathway kinases to affect signal transmission, and disrupting scaffold function therefore offers an orthogonal approach to MAPK cascade inhibition. Consistent with this, we found a requirement for IQGAP1 in RAS-driven tumorigenesis in mouse and human tissue. In addition, the ERK1/2-binding IQGAP1 WW domain peptide disrupted IQGAP1-ERK1/2 interactions, inhibited RAS- and RAF-driven tumorigenesis, bypassed acquired resistance to the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib (PLX-4032) and acted as a systemically deliverable therapeutic to significantly increase the lifespan of tumor-bearing mice. Scaffold-kinase interaction blockade acts by a mechanism distinct from direct kinase inhibition and may be a strategy to target overactive oncogenic kinase cascades in cancer.
Surgical measures for coronary heart disease (first of three parts).

Postoperative Myocardial Infarction Electrocardiographic evidence of acute myocardial infarction early after operation has been reported in 5 to 40 per cent of patients undergoing elective coronary...
Dimerization of p-substituted benzoic acids

Abstract Infrared spectroscopic studies have been carried out to determine the type and extent of hydrogen bond formation occurring in dilute solutions of benzoic, p-toluic, p-chlorobenzoic, p-iodobenzoic and p-fluorobenzoic acids in CCl4 solution. Association constants were calculated separately from absorbance-concentration data using (a) the free—OH band, (b) the carbonyl dimer band, (c) the carbonyl monomer band, and (d) data from both carbonyl monomer and dimer bands. Results of the different methods of calculation did not differ significantly. At concentrations below 10−3 M, the primary process is self-association to form cyclic dimers. The individual association constants of the various acids did not differ significantly. For the process 2 monomer ⇌ dimer, the average equilibrium constant is 5.89 × 103 M−1 at 25°, and 2.33 × 103 M−1 at 45°. The enthalpy of dimerization is −9.0 kcal/mole of dimer.
Communication and Racial Inequities in Health Care

There are striking inequities in health outcomes between racial and ethnic groups in the United States, with many groups experiencing significantly poorer health outcomes than members of the racial majority, White (non-Hispanic) health care consumers. These disturbing health disparities exist even when controlling for differences in income and health insurance. Racial disparities in health outcomes are related to communication problems within the health care system, which lead to unequal access to health information and inadequate participation in health care decision making. Specific strategies for improving health communication to overcome these problems and to help reduce disparities in health outcomes are suggested.
Factors contributing to the prognostic significance of bone marrow involvement in childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma

To evaluate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cases with bone marrow involvement, we studied 13 lymphoblastic, 15 small noncleaved cell, and 8 large cell cases with tumor cells in their marrow. They represented 16%, 11%, and 9% of consecutive NHL cases with these respective histologic subtypes. The treatment outcome differed significantly according to histologic subtype—the 5-year event-free survivals (EFS ± SE) for large cell NHL, small non-cleaved cell NHL, and lymphoblastic NHL cases were 11 ± 8%, 40 ± 20%, and 62 ± 15%, respectively. Increased serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (>500 U/L) were associated with a poorer EFS (5-year EFS, 0% vs. 50 ± 10%; P < 0.001). Children ⩽5 years of age had a poorer EFS survival than older children (5-year EFS, 14 ± 9% vs. 44 ± 10%; P = 0.03). The degree of bone marrow involvement (<5% vs. ⩾5%) and race were not significantly associated with treatment outcome. Although intensive chemotherapy has substantially improved survival for patients with advanced stage lymphoblastic or small noncleaved cell lymphoma, patients with large cell NHL and associated marrow involvement continue to have a dismal outcome and require novel or more intensive therapy. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Learning physics through play in an augmented reality environment

The Learning Physics through Play Project (LPP) engaged 6–8 year old students (n = 43) in a series of scientific investigations of Newtonian force and motion including a series of augmented reality activities. We outline the two design principles behind the LPP curriculum: 1) the use of socio-dramatic, embodied play in the form of participatory modeling to support inquiry; and 2) progressive symbolization within rich semiotic ecologies to help students construct meaning. We then present pre- and post-test results to show that young students were able to develop a conceptual understanding of force, net force, friction and two-dimensional motion after participating in the LPP curriculum. Finally, we present two case studies that illustrate the design principles in action. Taken together the cases show some of the strengths and challenges associated with using augmented reality, embodied play, and a student invented semiotic ecology for scientific inquiry.
The homogeneity restriction and forecasting performance of VAR‐type demand systems: an empirical examination of US meat consumption

This paper compares the forecast performance of vector-autoregression-type (VAR) demand systems with and without imposing the homogeneity restriction in the cointegration space. US meat consumption (beef, poultry and pork) data are studied. One up to four-steps-ahead forecasts are generated from both the theoretically restricted and unrestricted models. A modified Diebold–Mariano test of the equality of mean squared forecast errors (MSFE) and a forecast encompassing test are applied in forecast evaluation. Our findings suggest that the imposition of the homogeneity restriction tends to improve the forecast accuracy when the restriction is not rejected. The evidence is mixed when the restriction is rejected. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diagnostic tests for geriatric incontinence

A series of simplified diagnostic tests were used in conjunction with a clinical algorithm by a nurse practitioner to assess and plan management for 50 incontinent geriatric females. The simplified tests had a positive predictive value of 91%, a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 80% for detrusor motor instability or hyperreflexia, diagnosed in 70% of these patients by a standard water filling multichannel cystometrogram performed by an experienced urologist. Based on the results of the simplified tests and a straightforward clinical algorithm, the nurse practitioner was able to develop an appropriate management plan for 44 (88%) of the patients. The simplified diagnostic tests, which can be performed in a clinic or at the patient's bedside in a nursing home or hospital, should help primary care health professionals to diagnose one of the most common and treatable causes of incontinence in the elderly, and to identify patients who might benefit from further urologic, gynecologic or urodynamic evaluation.
Experimental hypersensitivity pneumonitis: influence of Th2 bias.

Cultured murine CD4+ cells from Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula sensitized C3H/HeJ (Th1 bias) donors can adoptively transfer murine experimental hypersensitivity pneumonitis (EHP). We sensitized BALB/c mice (Th2 bias) with S. rectivirgula, obtained spleen and lung associated lymph node (LALN) cells, cultured the cells with specific antigen, and attempted adoptive transfer of EHP. We also treated both C3H/HeJ and BALB/c donor mice with IL4 and anti-IFNγ before exposure to S. rectivirgula and then cultured cells from both spleen and LALN before attempted transfer of EHP. We found that cultured spleen and lung associated lymph node cells can adoptively transfer EHP in both C3H/HeJ and BALB/c mice as demonstrated by infiltration of the recipient lungs with CD4+ lymphocytes. Treatment of both mouse strains with IL4 and anti-IFNγ did not change the ability of cultured cells to adoptively transfer EHP. We conclude that EHP induced by S. rectivirgula can occur in animals with either a Th1 or a Th2 bias and is not altered by treatment with IL4 and anti-IFNγ. This suggests that attributes of the antigen and not genetic background or cytokine environment at the site of initial sensitization determines the results of exposure to S. rectivirgula.
Prevention of diisopropylphosphorofluoridate (DFP)-induced skeletal muscle fiber lesions in rat.

The objective of the present investigation was to assess the comparative efficacy of prophylactic treatment with d-tubocurarine (d-TC) (0.075 mg/kg), atropine sulfate (16 mg/kg), and atropine methylnitrate (16 mg/kg), employed singly or in combination against the diisopropylphosphorofluoridate (DFP)-induced myopathy in rat. DFP (1.5 mg/kg, s.c.) produced signs of cholinergic toxicity with predominantly peripheral involvement manifest as severe muscle fasciculations beginning within 5-7 min and persisting in excess of 4-6 h. Maximal muscle fiber necrosis was observed within 24 h. Rats were protected against the apparent behavioural and morphological changes as well as electrophysiological signs of neuromuscular toxicity by all pretreatment agents. Combined pretreatment with d-TC (0.075 mg/kg, s.c.) and atropine methylnitrate (16 mg/kg, s.c.) was found to be most effective in attenuating DFP-induced muscle fiber necrosis as evidenced by complete absence of lesions and the prevention of DFP-induced hyperactivity in nerve and muscle. Significant protection was afforded by all pretreatment agents when given alone. It is suggested that the pretreatment agents act presynaptically by preventing drug-induced backfiring and muscle fasciculations possibly by reducing the release of acetylcholine (ACh). The protective drugs in the concentrations used had no significant effect on the normal characteristics of conduction and transmission.
A Checklist of Soil-Dwelling Bryophytes and Lichens of the South Puget Sound Prairies of Western Washington

Abstract We present a checklist of soil-dwelling bryophytes and lichens for the south Puget Sound prairies based on field investigations of seven prairie sites conducted over the period of 2012–2014. We report a total of 32 terrestrial bryophyte taxa including 27 mosses and 5 liverworts, representing 20 families and 27 genera. We report a total of 32 terrestrial lichen taxa, representing three families and three genera. Four lichens, Cladonia novochlorophaea, Cladonia ciliata var. ciliata, Cladonia ciliata var. tenuis and Cladonia portentosa ssp. pacifica are proposed State-listed lichens considered rare by the Washington Natural Heritage Program. We report one additional species that was not listed on the WNHP rare lichen list, but appears to be rare in Washington: Cladonia concinna. We recommend that Cladonia concinna be added to the Washington Natural Heritage list of rare lichens. We did not find any State-listed bryophytes. We did, however, find one non-native moss, Pseudoscleropodium purum, which ap...
Supply Responses to Digital Distribution: Recorded Music and Live Performances

Changes in technologies for reproducing and redistributing digital goods (e.g., music, movies, software, books) have dramatically affected profitability of these goods, and raised concerns for future development of socially valuable digital products. However, broader illegitimate distribution of digital goods may have offsetting demand implications for legitimate sales of complementary non-digital products. We examine the negative impact of file-sharing on recorded music sales and offsetting implications for live concert performances. We find that file-sharing reduces album sales but increases live performance revenues for small artists, perhaps through increased awareness. The impact on live performance revenues for large, well-known artists is negligible.
Nitroblue tetrazolium dye reduction by earthworm (lumbricus terrestris) coelomocytes: An enzyme assay for nonspecific immunotoxicity of xenobiotics

Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) coelomic leukocytes, or coelomocytes, were shown to have sufficient ability to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium dye (NBT) for potential use as a surrogate biomarker to assess nonspecific immunotoxicity of environmental xenobiotics. NBT reduction is used clinically to evaluate potential of human leukocytes to oxidatively kill phagocytosed microorganisms. Coelomocyte NBT reduction, which exhibited time–response patterns similar to those of human and murine neutrophils and murine macrophages, was sensitive to Cu and/or Pb contaminants in refuse-derived fuel fly ash (RDFF). NBT reduction by coelomocytes from earthworms exposed for 5 d to RDFF:commercial soil mixtures decreased significantly with increasing sublethal RDFF concentrations of 10, 30, 50, and 70%. Compared to soil-exposed controls, dye reduction was significantly suppressed in all but the 10% RDFF group: 40, 59, and 64% of controls, respectively. Differences were significant among experimentals, except between 50 and 70% RDFF. Tissue levels of Cu and Pb accorded with RDFF exposure concentrations in which suppression of NBT reduction occurred. NBT reduction was not significantly suppressed in coelomocytes from earthworms exposed to 70% fly ash that had been acid-washed to remove metals.
Use of bone morphogenetic protein among patients undergoing fusion for degenerative diagnoses in the United States, 2002 to 2012.

Abstract Background context Use of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) as an adjunct to spinal fusion surgery proliferated after Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2002. Major safety concerns emerged in 2008. Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine whether published concerns about the safety of BMP altered clinical practice. Study design/setting The study design involved the analysis of the National Inpatient Sample from 2002 through 2012. Patient sample Adults (older than 20 years) undergoing an elective fusion operation for common degenerative diagnoses were identified using codes from the International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, Clinical Modification . Outcome measures Outcome measures were proportion of cervical and lumbar fusion operations, over time, that involved BMP. Methods We aggregated the data into a monthly time series and reported the proportion of cervical and lumbar fusion operations, over time, that involved BMP. Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average, a regression model for time series data, was used to test whether there was a statistically significant change in the overall rate of BMP use after an FDA Public Health Notification in 2008. Results Use of BMP in spinal fusion procedures increased rapidly until 2008, involving up to 45.2% of lumbar and 13.5% of cervical fusions. Bone morphogenetic protein use significantly decreased after the 2008 FDA Public Health Notification and revelations of financial payments to surgeons involved in the pivotal FDA-approved trials. For lumbar fusion, the average annual increase was 7.9 percentage points per year from 2002 to 2008, followed by an average annual decrease of 11.7 percentage points thereafter (p≤.001). Use of BMP in cervical fusion increased 2.0% per year until the FDA Public Health Notification, followed by a 2.8% per year decrease (p=.035). Conclusions Use of BMP in spinal fusion surgery declined subsequent to published safety concerns and revelations of financial conflicts of interest for investigators involved in the pivotal clinical trials.
Heat accumulation during sequential cortical bone drilling

Significant research exists regarding heat production during single-hole bone drilling. No published data exist regarding repetitive sequential drilling. This study elucidates the phenomenon of heat accumulation for sequential drilling with both Kirschner wires (K wires) and standard two-flute twist drills. It was hypothesized that cumulative heat would result in a higher temperature with each subsequent drill pass. Nine holes in a 3 × 3 array were drilled sequentially on moistened cadaveric tibia bone kept at body temperature (about 37 °C). Four thermocouples were placed at the center of four adjacent holes and 2 mm below the surface. A battery-driven hand drill guided by a servo-controlled motion system was used. Six samples were drilled with each tool (2.0 mm K wire and 2.0 and 2.5 mm standard drills). K wire drilling increased temperature from 5 °C at the first hole to 20 °C at holes 6 through 9. A similar trend was found in standard drills with less significant increments. The maximum temperatures of both tools increased from 0.05). In conclusion, heat accumulated during sequential drilling, with size difference being insignificant. K wire produced more heat than its twist-drill counterparts. This study has demonstrated the heat accumulation phenomenon and its significant effect on temperature. Maximizing the drilling field and reducing the number of drill passes may decrease bone injury.
Schema Model of the Self-Concept

The centrality of the self-concept in maintaining physical and psychosocial well-being is widely recognized in nursing. Despite its importance, progress in the development of an empirically-supported and clinically-relevant theoretical framework has been limited by difficulties in defining and measuring the construct. The schema model of the self-concept is presented as a theoretical framework that has the potential for explaining how the self-concept functions to influence emotional and behavioral responses to events relevant to health and well-being.
Cannabinoid inhibition improves memory in food–storing birds, but with a cost

Food-storing birds demonstrate remarkable memory ability in recalling the locations of thousands of hidden food caches. Although this behaviour requires the hippocampus, its synaptic mechanisms are not understood. Here we show the effects of cannabinoid receptor (CB1-R) blockade on spatial memory in food-storing black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapilla). Intra-hippocampal infusions of the CB1-R antagonist SR141716A enhanced long-term memory for the location of a hidden food reward, measured 72h after encoding. However, when the reward location changed during the retention interval, birds that had received SR141716A during initial learning showed impairments in recalling the most recent reward location. Thus, blocking CB1-R activity may lead to more robust, long-lasting memories, but these memories may be a source of proactive interference. The relationship between trace strength and interference may be important in understanding neural mechanisms of hippocampal function in general, as well as understanding the enhanced memory of food-storing birds.
Maximum power-up current estimation in combinational CMOS circuits

The continuing decrease in feature size and increase in chip density is causing leakage current to be a major contributor to power dissipation in integrated circuits. A viable approach to the reduction of leakage current is to use power cut-off or gating techniques. In power gating, a PMOS sleep transistor is used to turn-on or turn-off the V/sub dd/ source to the circuit block. In combinational circuits, the maximum power up current depends only on the input vector that wakes up the circuit from its sleep mode. In this work, we formulate the problem of estimating the maximum power-up current as an integer linear programming (ILP) problem and use advanced Boolean satisfiability (SAT) and generic ILP solvers. Results indicate that generic ILP solvers are very useful in estimating the maximum power-up current.
Kinetics of β2-Integrin and L-Selectin Bonding during Neutrophil Aggregation in Shear Flow

Activated neutrophils aggregate in a shear field via bonding of L-selectin to P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) followed by a more stable bonding of LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) to intercellular adhesion molecule 3 (ICAM-3) and Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) to an unknown counter receptor. Assuming that the Mac-1 counter receptor is ICAM-3-like in strength and number, rate processes were deconvoluted from neutrophil homoaggregation data for shear rates (G) of 100-3000 s-1 with a two-body hydrodynamic collision model (. Biophys. J. 73:2819-2835). For integrin-mediated aggregation (characteristic bond strength of 5 microdynes) in the absence of L-selectin contributions, an average forward rate of kf = 1.57 x 10(-12) cm2/s predicted the measured efficiencies for G = 100-800 s-1. For a selectin bond formation rate constant equal to the integrin bond formation rate constant, the colloidal stability of unactivated neutrophils was satisfied for a reverse rate of the L-selectin-PGSL bond corresponding to an average bond half-life of 10 ms at a characteristic bond strength of 1 microdyne. Colliding neutrophils initially bridged by at least one L-selectin-PSGL-1 bond were calculated to rotate from 8 to 50 times at G = 400 to 3000 s-1, respectively, before obtaining mechanical stability in sheared fluid of either 0.75 or 1.75 cP viscosity. Thus for G > 400 s-1, the interaction time needed for the rotating aggregates to become stable was relatively constant at 52.5 +/- 8.5 ms, largely independent of shear rate or shear stress. Aggregation data and the colloidal stability criterion can provide a consistent set of forward and reverse rate constants and characteristic bond strengths for a known time-dependent stoichiometry of receptors on cells interacting in a shear flow field.
Commentary: Resolutions of the birthweight paradox: competing explanations and analytical insights

The analyses in Yerushalmy’s paper1 indicated that, among low birthweight infants of less than 2500 g, maternal smoking was associated with lower infant mortality. The results have been replicated in a number of studies and populations, and these seemingly paradoxical associations are now often referred to as the ‘birthweight paradox.’ As can be seen from the present set of commentaries, Yerushalmy’s paper continues to generate discussion and interest even 40 years after its publication. Several explanations have been put forward for this paradoxical association. Here we will review some of these, discuss some relations and differences between the explanations that have been proposed, and then conclude with the question of what, if anything, we can infer about the role of birthweight in governing the associations between maternal smoking and infant mortality.
Room Temperature Carbon Nanotube Based Sensor for Carbon Monoxide Detection

Abstract. Sulfonated single-walled carbon nanotubes have been used in an integrated electrode structure for the detection of carbon monoxide. The sensor responds to 0.5 ppm of CO in air at room temperature. All eight sensors with this material in a 32-sensor array showed good repeatability and reproducibility, with response and recovery times of about 10 s. Pristine nanotubes generally do not respond to carbon monoxide and the results here confirm sulfonated nanotubes to be a potential candidate for the construction of an electronic nose that requires at least a few materials for the selective detection of CO.
Single Atom Cavity-Enhanced Absorption: Steady-State Field in the Strong-Coupling Limit

The standard theory of resonance fluorescence is a weak-coupling theory.1 If \(\bar n\) is the mean photon number for the driving field, g is the atom-field coupling constant, and γ is the Einstein A coefficient, formally, the standrd theory of resonance fluorescence assumes the limit \(\bar n\) → ∞, g/γ → 0, with the ratio of Rabi frequency to atomic linewidth \(2\sqrt {\bar ng/\gamma } \) finite.
Measurement of the Electrical Properties of High Performance Dielectric Materials for Multichip Modules

Multichip modules provide short chip‐to‐chip interconnects in order to take advantage of the high speeds available in integrated circuits. One multichip approach utilises layers of embedded microstrip. In order to achieve the highest possible speed, it is necessary to use metals and dielectrics which have low relative dielectric constants and low loss. Polymer and polyimide dielectric materials hold great promise in MCM applications; however, their high frequency characteristics are often not well known. Since thin film dielectric properties may differ from the bulk properties, it is important to be able to determine the dielectric properties using on‐wafer measurement techniques rather than more conventional techniques. This paper focuses on some of the techniques available and discusses the advantages and shortcomings of different techniques for measuring dielectric properties.
Sexual Differentiation in the Neonate: Rodent vs. Primate Comparisons:

There are some similarities and differences in the process of sexual differentiation during development in rodents and primates. The most obvious difference is in the timing of the critical periods for morphogenesis of the reproductive tract and sexual differentiation of the central nervous system (CNS). In primates these events occur late in the first trimester while in rodents they occur in the perinatal period.The gonadal hormones involved in morphogenesis of the male reproductive tract are identical for all mammalian species studied. Testosterone is the androgen that induces differentiation of the seminal vesicles, vas deferens, and epididymis, while dihydrotestosterone (DHT) promotes differentiation of the external genitalia, urethra, and prostate.Estrogens, derived from aromatization of testosterone, are the proximal determinants of male sexual differentiation of the CNS in rodents. In nonhuman primates, however, a nonaromatizable androgen, DHT, produces the same effect as testosterone on sexually d...
Role of admission gas exchange measurement in predicting congenital diaphragmatic hernia survival in the era of gentle ventilation

Abstract Background/Purpose Neonates with significant congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) require cardiopulmonary support. Management has been characterized by progressive abandonment of hyperventilation. Ability to prognosticate outcomes using measures of ventilation and oxygenation with gentle ventilation remains unclear. We sought to determine whether assessment of gas exchange at the time of NICU admission is predictive of survival in this current era. Methods Neonates with CDH admitted to a Children's Hospital from 1995 to 2006 were evaluated for demographics, blood gas (ABG) measurements and ventilator settings for the first 48hours, and discharge outcome. Results One-hundred-and-nineteen CDH patients were admitted, 88 (74%) survived. Mean admission ABG pCO 2 was higher in infants who died compared to survivors (86±48 versus 49±20, p≤0.001); positive predictive value (PPV) for mortality of pCO 2 ≥80mmHg was 0.71. Mean first hour preductal oxygen saturation (preductalO 2 Sat) was lower in infants who died compared to survivors (81±17 versus 97±5, p 2 Sat 2 and preductalO 2 Sat criteria, and 10 (91%) died, PPV of 0.92. Within hours of admission, pCO 2 and preductalO 2 Sat differences between survivors and nonsurvivors lost significance. Conclusion Admission pCO 2 and preductalO 2 Sat may be useful in predicting survival in neonatal CDH. The differential in gas exchange between survivors and nonsurvivors loses significance with contemporary neonatal care.
Effect of message length and processor speed on the performance of the bidirectional ring-based multiprocessor

This paper presents a comparative study of the performance of the bidirectional ring and the unidirectional ring multiprocessor, with emphasis on the effect of system parameters, specifically, the message length and the relative processor speed. The choice of these parameters may not be optimum due to the performance cost tradeoffs in practice. Our study shows that the use of bidirectional ring is more effective in such suboptimum system configurations and can improve the processor utilization by up to 35%.
A Cyber Physical Systems Perspective on the Real-time and Reliable Dissemination of Information in Intelligent Transportation Systems

Timely and reliable dissemination of traffic-related information to drivers is a key property that intelligent transportation systems (ITS) should support. Numerous impediments stemming due to (a) physical factors, such as mobility and speed of vehicles, density of vehicles, characteristics of the wireless radio channel, and power and bit rate of radio transceivers, and (b) cyber issues, such as MAC layer access point associations and address resolutions (ARP), network layer addressing, routing and handoffs, and transport layer retransmissions lead to unpredictability in the timely and reliable dissemination of information to drivers. This paper presents compelling arguments in favor of new research directions in this area that are based on a cyber-physical systems (CPS) perspective. In particular, this paper makes three contributions. First, it considers a vehicle-centric perspective to survey and study the physics-and cyber-imposed impediments to the timely and reliable dissemination of information. Second, it presents a promising CPS solution to overcome a subset of the impediments discovered. Third, it outlines lessons learned indicating the need for more focused research and realistic testbeds. The evaluations
A 110nA quiescent current buck converter with zero-power supply monitor and near-constant output ripple

A 110nA quiescent current (IQ) buck converter for ultra-low power application is presented. A novel zero IQ pull-down structure, which consists in native NMOS and PJEF, is proposed to achieve zero-power supply monitor and save the total IQ. Implemented in 0.35um CMOS process, the converter realizes 78% efficiency in 1uA load and over 90% for load range from 5uA to 100mA. With adaptive-bias hysteresis comparator according to the load condition, near-constant output ripple is achieved in full load range without any efficiency deterioration.
Maitotoxin activates a nonselective cation channel and a P2Z/P2X7-like cytolytic pore in human skin fibroblasts

Maitotoxin (MTX), a potent cytolytic agent, activates Ca2+ entry via nonselective cation channels in virtually all types of cells. The identity of the channels involved and the biochemical events l...
Putting a Lid on the Melting Pot: Determinants of American Immigration Policy

The closing of the United States to immigrants is arguably the most economically and socially significant policy shift in American history. The U.S. had virtually open borders until 1879, when the first of a series of federal laws prohibiting or limiting immigration of particular groups was passed. By 1924, immigration had been reduced to a small fraction of the peak in the 1890s. During this time frame, 42 major votes were considered in the House and 31 in the Senate to limit immigration. Using data from the U.S. Congressional record, I explain the policy shift in public choice terms: identifying voting patterns that can be explained by shifts in public and elite opinion, the incentives of policymakers, and changing economic conditions. Explanations of the policy shift from previous scholarship are evaluated in light of roll-call voting data and NOMINATE scores. Using multivariate analysis, I find that Congressional ideology was an important factor in the development of immigration restriction policy, with the most restrictive legislation passed when legislators from the rural South joined a Congressional coalition against immigration.
Product Adaptation Practices in the Context of Export Activity: An Empirical Study of Turkish Manufacturing Firms

ABSTRACT This article reports on a study conducted in Turkey to determine the types of product adaptation which exporters perceive to be important in evaluating and selecting foreign markets. It explores the potential differences among exporters when they are compared across export market targeted (principal export destination), export market environment (similarities and differences between Turkey and an export market), and type of export product. The descriptive statistics provided evidence that packaging protection, product constituents, product features and usage, and labelling are relatively important for Turkish firms in adapting their export products. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) results reveal that principal export destination, export market environment, and type of product have moderately substantial independent effects on the selected types of product adaptation. Also, ANOVA was performed to determine which dependent variables are responsible for the statistically significant MANOV...
A CASE OF POSTOPERATIVE RESPIRATORY FAILURE DUE TO MYXEDEMA COMA

Myxedema coma occurs when hypothyroidism is neglected without treatment for a long term. Progressive disturbance of consiousness is the main sign of the disease and results in serious coma.Recently a case of respiratory failure due to myxedema coma after colonic surgery was experienced. A 75-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of lower abdominal fullness. Emergency laparotomy was carried out under a diangosis of volvulus of the sigmoid colon.Postoperatively, endocrine functional tests were ordered because of delayed postanesthetic recovery and primary hypothyroidism was found. She recovered well under administration of thyroid hormone and adrenal corticosteroids in spite of the sudden attack of respiratory failure.Myxedema coma is very rare in surgical cases. The mortality rate is 50-80%, prognosis is very poor. A concealed myxedema coma should be considered before surgery and the immediate administration of thyroid hormone is effective.Endocrine functional test is mandatory when a patient appears delayed recovery from anesthesia and or has a sudden onset of respiratory failure.
Masculinities, Fatherhood, and Desistance From Crime: Moderating and Mediating Processes Involved in Men’s Criminal Conduct

Being male constitutes a risk factor for incarceration. However, research suggests gender may have an indirect effect on men’s criminal behaviors. This author presents the theory that men’s endorse...
Research on Building the Training Index System of the College Physical Education Teachers

This article uses the methods of documentation,expert interview,questionnaire survey and quantitative statistics and other research methods,adopts the judgment matrix based on the expert advice,uses reverse scoring method,and gets the weight factor of each layer to build the college physical education teacher training index system,including five index in the standard layer,14 index in the child criterion layer and 44 index in the scheme layer,and finally determines significance sequence of the index so as to provide theory basis for the teacher training agency.
Simulating human ratings on word concreteness

Psychological measures of concreteness of words are generally estimated by having humans provide ratings of words on a concreteness scale. Due to the limits of this technique, concreteness ratings in current word databases (e.g., MRC) are incomplete due to the limited size of the word samples. In this study, we use available linguistic databases to formulate a computational model to simulate human ratings on word concreteness. The computational model includes Lexical Type, Latent Semantic Analysis Dimensions, Hypernymy Levels, Word Frequency and Word Length. Our results indicate that the model accounts for 64% variance of human ratings.
New Ophthalmic Manifestations of Presumed Rifabutin-Related Uveitis

Rifabutin-related uveitis has been reported in AIDS patients who take a daily dose of 300 to 1800 mg of this drug. Presumed rifabutin-related uveitis is characterized by unilateral or bilateral anterior chamber inflammation with hypopyon accompanied by hyperemia, pain, photophobia, and vitritis. However, retinal manifestations or vitreous cytology of this entity have never been reported. This report describes a patient who had retinal vascular changes associated with uveitis while being treated with oral rifabutin. Fundus photographs and fluorescein angiograms documented resolved retinal vasculitis. Vitreous cytology of this case showed acute inflammatory cells. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of retinal vasculopathy in a patient with rifabutin-related uveitis and the first analysis of the vitreous cytologic aspects of this disease.
T-Cell Receptor Gene Rearrangement Analysis in the Early Diagnosis of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

The authors describe the techniques of T-cell gene rearrangement in the diagnosis and early detection of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Current and future applications of these techniques are discussed.