cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Neurobiology of Rett Syndrome

Rett syndrome is a neuropsychiatric disorder with onset in early childhood. Loss-of-function mutations of the X-linked gene encoding methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) are responsible for more than 80% of Rett cases. Despite these recent advances in molecular genetics, little is known about the neurobiology of Rett syndrome and the role of MeCP2 protein in the nervous system. The molecular functions of the MeCP2 protein were primarily studied in nonneuronal cell lines and in vitro systems; MeCP2 binds primarily, but not exclusively, to methylated DNA, and it is thought to regulate gene expression, chromatin composition, and chromosomal architecture. In the brain, MeCP2 appears to be expressed ubiquitously by neurons. There is increasing evidence that the protein is important for maintenance of neuronal chromatin during late development and in adulthood. Levels of MeCP2 expression increase during the course of neuronal differentiation and remain at high levels in the adult brain. Furthermore, genetic studies in mice demonstrated that the selective deletion of the Mecp2 gene in neurons results several weeks later in a Rett-like phenotype, including a reduction in brain weight and neuronal dystrophy. Rett syndrome is not accompanied by a neurodegenerative process and thus perhaps may be amenable to therapeutic intervention at the time of symptom expression.
A New Approach to Thermionic Energy Conversion: Space Charge Neutralization by an Auxiliary Discharge

The characteristics of an auxiliary discharge thermionic energy converter are derived and compared with experimental results. It is shown that the power expended in the auxiliary discharge can be as low as 10 per cent of the power generated by the converter. Thus, efficiencies of about 25 per cent and power output densities as high as 10 w/cm2 can be obtained at temperatures of about 1500°K provided that low work function anodes are developed. The specific advantages of the auxiliary discharge technique over the conventional cesium converters are discussed.
The randomized concentration-controlled trial: an evaluation of its sample size efficiency.

Abstract A randomized concentration-controlled trial (RCCT) is one in which subjects are randomly assigned to predetermined levels of average plasma drug concentration. These target concentrations can be achieved (within reasonable ranges) by an individualized pharmacokinetically controlled dosing scheme. The RCCT is designed to minimize the interindividual pharmacokinetic (PK) variability comparison groups and consequently decrease the variability in clinical response within these groups. In this paper, we investigate the extent of improvement in sample size efficiency that can be gained from the RCCT design in comparison to the traditional randomized dose-controlled trial (RDCT) design. Our investigations involve both theoretical arguments and simulation studies, illustrated with data on PK and pharmacodynamic (PD) characteristics of antiasthma drug theophylline. Aside from safety concerns that strongly suggest the use of RCCT for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, sample size considerations favor the choice of RCCT in many situations, as shown in this paper.
Imaging of the Lumbar Spine Neoplasms

The most common lumbar spine tumors are metastatic disease, myeloma, and hemangioma. Primary osseous lesions of the lumbar spine are unusual. When encountered, they often exhibit characteristic imaging properties, aiding the radiologist to provide a short list of differential diagnoses. We provide a discussion of imaging appearance of lumbar spine neoplasms. Emphasis of this review is on osseous lesions. Few common neurogenic intradural, extraaxial lesions are also discussed.
The electron energy and number densities of the Jovian radiation belt. I.

ABS>A general method is developed for a simultaneous solution of the number density and characteristic energy parameter of the relativistic electrons in the Jovian radiation belt. The number density is eliminated by taking the ratio of the decimetric volume emissivities at two different frequencies computed at a small source volume in the radiation belt. A comparison with the ratio of volume emissivities derived from high spatially resolved observations can be used to determine the energy parameters E/sub o/(r) for the exponential distribution exp (-E/E/sub o/ and gamma (r) for the power-law distribution E-P. Given the magnetic field intensity, these energy parameters can be used to compute the number density n(r). An estimate of the magnetic field is not required for gamma (r). The theoretical ratios of the volume emissivities at frequencies nu / sub 1/ and nu / sub 2/ are computed for both sets of observations with polarization vector perpendicular to the magnetic field line. (auth)
Atomic-Oxygen Undercutting of Protected Polymers in Low Earth Orbit

Hydrocarbon-based polymers that are exposed to atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit are slowly oxidized into volatile gases, which results in their erosion. Atomic-oxygen protective coatings that are both durable to atomic oxygen and effective in protecting underlying polymers have been developed. However, scratches, pin window defects, polymer surface roughness, and protective coating layer configuration can result in erosion and potential failure of protected thin polymer films even though the coatings are themselves atomic-oxygen durable. Issues are presented that cause protective coatings to become ineffective in some cases yet effective in others because of the details of their specific application. Observed in-space examples of failed and successfully protected materials using identical protective thin films are discussed and analyzed. Ground laboratory atomic-oxygen testing was conducted and compared with water vapor transport analyses from a previous study of protective coatings on Kapton® (polyimide), which indicates that vapor-deposited aluminized films are not as protective as sputter-deposited silicon dioxide films because of a greater number of pin window defects. Computational modeling was conducted and indicates that atomic-oxygen atoms trapped between the front and back surface aluminized films cause accelerated undercutting damage.
Instabilities in Josephson ladders with current induced magnetic fields

We report on a theoretical analysis, consisting of both numerical and analytic work, of the stability of synchronization of a ladder array of Josephson junctions under the influence of current induced magnetic fields. Surprisingly, we find that as the ratio of the mutual to self inductance of the cells of the array is increased a region of unstable behavior occurs followed by reentrant stable synchronization. Analytic work tells us that in order to understand fully the cause of the observed instabilities the behavior of the vertical junctions, sometimes ignored in analytic analyses of ladder arrays, must be taken into account.
Explanation in Information Systems

. Explanation of observed phenomena is a major objective of both those who conduct and those who apply research in information systems (IS). Whereas explanation based on the statistical relationship between independent and dependent variables is a common outcome of explanatory IS research, philosophers of science disagree about whether statistical relationships are the sole basis for the explanation of phenomena. The purpose of this paper is to introduce an expanded concept of explanation into the realm of IS research. We present a framework based on the four principle explanation types defined in modern philosophy: covering-law explanation, statistical-relevance explanation, contrast-class explanation and functional explanation. A well-established research stream, media richness, is used to illustrate how the different explanation types complement each other in increasing comprehension of the phenomenon. This framework underlies our argument that explanatory pluralism can be used to broaden research perspectives and increase scientific comprehension of IS phenomena above and beyond the methodological and ontological pluralism currently in use in IS research.
Structural characterization of anti- and syn-allyltricarbonyliron bromide: rotational spectra, quadrupole coupling, and density functional calculations.

Rotational transitions for two distinct structural isomers of allyltricarbonyliron bromide have been clearly observed in the cold molecular beam of a pulsed-beam Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. Rotational transitions exhibiting quadrupole splitting patterns for each isomer were measured for the 79Br and 81Br isotopomers. Both isomers are accidental near-prolate symmetric tops. The measured rotational constants for the 79Br isotopomer are A(anti) = 920.6148(2) MHz, B(anti) = 582.8866(12) MHz, C(anti) = 581.3027(12) MHz, A(syn) = 919.5055(1) MHz, B(syn) = 584.1865(1) MHz, and C(syn) = 581.6392(1) MHz. Analysis of the isotopic substitution data and possible transition assignments indicates that these molecules have Cs symmetry. Both isomers are found to have a dipole component along the a axis. However, the anti isomer has a “c” type dipole component, whereas a “b” dipole component is found for the syn isomer. It was found necessary to carefully analyze both rotational constants and the quadrupole ...
AFP gene expression after acute diethylnitrosamine intoxication is not Afr2 regulated

The level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) gene expression during liver regeneration in mice is regulated by the Afr2 gene. C3H/HeJ mice express 10-fold higher levels of AFP than C57BL/6J mice. We show that AFP gene expression is not Afr2 regulated after intoxication with the carcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Peak levels of AFP gene expression of the 2 strains were identical, although reached at different times following treatment. Analysis of the expression of AFP derived transgenes not subject to Afr2 regulation and genetic analyses showed that the difference in timing of peak AFP gene expression after DEN intoxication was independent of Afr2 regulation.
WIDe-angle GEocoronal Telescope (WIDGET)

We describe the WIDe-angle GEocoronal Telescope, or WIDGET. The telescope is designed to image the cold plasma constituent of the magnetosphere, the plasmasphere, by imaging the He II 304 A emission. It utilizes a spherical normal incidence f/2 mirror with a microchannel plate imaging detector positioned near the focal point of the mirror. The instrument has a 30-deg field of view with a .5-1-deg angular resolution. The mirror has a multilayer coating which, combined with an Al/C filter and the detector response, provides a peak sensitivity of approximately 0.5 ct/sec/Rayleigh/bin at 304 A with a bandpass of about 60 A. The instrument will be flown on a sounding rocket in the Fall of 1992 as a test of its capabilities. It can easily be adapted to different wavelengths (584, 834, and 1216 A) using suitable mirror coatings and filters. In this way, a series of WIDGETs could image different aspects of the inner magnetosphere simultaneously, thus providing a more unified picture of this complex region.
Business managers and moral sanctuaries

‘Moral Sanctuary’ is used in this paper as a metaphor for any theory which makes actions immune from moral criticism. Three arguments favoring moral sanctuaries for business activities are countered. Two of the arguments rest on faulty analogies. One compares business activities to games, another to the behavior of machines. The third rests on the claim that business is a unique activity. This position is rejected by a reductio ad absurdum argument; it entails the immunity of all professional activities from moral judgment. I argue that business managers are accountable to the combined requirements of professionalism and democratic citizenship, notions which are briefly described at the conclusion of the paper.
The critical fields of superconducting palladium hydride

The upper critical field of superconducting PdHx (x = H/Pd) is measured for a range of hydrogen concentrations (0.88 0.92) concentrations it is almost independent of concentration. It is suggested that the lower concentration PdHx may be a mixed phase system. Le champ critique d'en haut du supraconducteur PdHx (x = H/Pd) a ete mesure pour une gamme de concentrations hydrogeniques (0,86 < x < 0,97). Le champ critique d'en haut est observee en fonction de la temperature entre 1,5 et 7,5 K. Il exhibe une croissance lineaire lorsque la temperature se decroǐt. Les observations sont analyse afin d'obtenir le champ critique a T = 0 K en fonction de la concentration. Les observations indiquent qu'il y a deux regimes. Pour les concentrations basses (x < 0,92) le champ critique d'en haut croǐt vite avec la concentration; pour les concentrations plus haut de x = 0,92 il est presque independent de la concentration. On suggere que pour des concentrations basses PdHx est un systeme des phases mixtes.
Immunization with N-propionyl polysialic acid-KLH conjugate in patients with small cell lung cancer is safe and induces IgM antibodies reactive with SCLC cells and bactericidal against group B meningococci.

Purpose Polysialic acid (polySA) is a polymer side chain bound to the neural cell adhesion molecule that is extensively expressed on the surface of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells. In our previous study, a robust antibody response was noted in patients with SCLC after vaccination with 30 μg of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-conjugated N-propionylated (NP-) polySA, but peripheral neuropathy and ataxia were detected in several vaccinated patients. The objectives of the current trial were to establish the lowest optimal dose and to confirm the safety of the induction of antibodies against polySA with the NP-polySA vaccine.
Significance of chloritoid-bearing and staurolite-bearing rocks in the Picuris Range, New Mexico

In the Picuris Range near Taos, New Mexico, the Precambrian Ortega Quartzite and Rinconada Formation are folded together and share a common history. The Ortega contains chloritoid-Al silicate and essentially no staurolite, and the Rinconada contains staurolite-almandine–bearing assemblages with minor graphite. Al silicate–bearing Rinconada rocks locally contain Mn-rich garnet. All the rocks of the area crystallized at temperatures a little above the Al silicate triple point, as indicated by the paragenetic sequence kyanite → andalusite → sillimanite. Analysis of the assemblages in relation to chloritoid, staurolite, and Al silicate stability data, taking into account the mineral compositions and the effect of graphite on fluid composition, shows that all the rocks crystallized at 532 ± 20 °C and about 3,700 b P tot , but P H 2 O / P tot was 0.88 or less in the Rinconada rocks and near 1 in the Ortega rocks. This small difference in P H 2 O appears to be the most important factor in explaining the juxtaposition of chloritoid and staurolite in the two units.
Of yarmulkes and categories: Delegating boundaries and the phenomenology of interactional expectation

Based on ethnographic fieldwork and interviews, this article delineates a process through which members of an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in Los Angeles unintentionally delegate boundary work and membership-identification to anonymous others in everyday life. Living in the midst of a non-Jewish world, orthodox men are often approached by others, both Jews and non-Jews, who categorize them as “religious Jews” based on external marks such as the yarmulke and attire. These interactions, varying from mundane interactions to anti-Semitic incidents, are then tacitly anticipated by members even when they are not attending to their “Jewishness”—when being a “Jew” is interactionally invisible. Through this case, I argue that, in addition to conceptualizing boundaries and identifications as either emerging in performance or institutionally given and stable, the study of boundaries should also chart the sites in which members anticipate categorization and the way these anticipations play out in everyday life.
Effect of maropitant, a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, on the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane during stimulation of the ovarian ligament in cats

Abstract Objective Determine if maropitant decreases the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane during stimulation of the ovarian ligament in cats. Study design Prospective study. Animals Fifteen, female cats weighing 2.5 ± 0.6kg (mean ± SD). Methods Anesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane. The right ovary was accessed via laparoscopy. A suture around the ovary and ovarian ligament was exteriorized through the abdominal wall for stimulation. A stimulus–response curve was created to identify the optimal force for MAC comparisons. In 10 cats, MAC was determined with only sevoflurane (baseline) then after 1 and 5 mg kg −1 intravenous maropitant administration. The stimulation tension force used was 4.9 N. Repeated measures anova was used to compare the groups. MAC was defined as the average of the cross‐over concentrations and reported MAC is adjusted to sea‐level and depicted as mean ± SD. Results The stimulus‐response curve was hyperbolic and plateaued at 4.3 ± 3 N. The optimal tension force chosen to compare MAC was 4.9 N. The baseline sevoflurane MAC was 2.96 ± 0.3%. Maropitant, 1 mg kg −1 , decreased the MAC to 2.51 ± 0.3% (15%, p −1 did not change MAC further when compared to the low dose (2.46 ± 0.4%, p = 0.33). Conclusion and clinical relevance The ovarian ligament stimulation model is suitable to determine MAC during visceral stimulation in cats. Maropitant decreased the anesthetic requirements during visceral ovarian and ovarian ligament stimulation in cats. Maropitant (1 mg kg −1 ) decreases MAC by 15%; a higher dose had no additional effect.
Demographics and Trends in Wheeled Mobility Equipment Use and Accessibility in the Community

This article presents a profile of household-resident U.S. adults using wheeled mobility equipment (WME) in 2005, trends in WME use from 1990 to 2005, and data on accessibility features and problems from 1994-97. Data were obtained from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) and the National Health Interview Survey on Disability (NHIS-D). Compared to the general population, WME users are more likely to be older, female, and in poor health. Forty-four percent are working-aged, with twice the rate of poverty of the general population, and only 17% are employed. Mobility difficulty is the most significant predictor of WME use, but gender, race, poverty, and educational attainment are also significant predictors. From 1990-2005, WME use grew 5% per year, while mobility difficulty declined among the elderly and remained steady among working-age persons. This contrast suggests a reduction in unmet need for WME. In 1994-97, more than half of WME users had difficulty entering or exiting their homes, and one-third had accessibility problems outside their homes. Usage of home modification was low, with substantial unmet need. Regular national data collection on the use of WME and other mobility aids, their financing, and accessibility issues is warranted.
BENZODIAZEPINE RECEPTOR LIGAND ACTIONS ON GABA RESPONSES, BENZODIAZEPINES, CL 218872, ZOPICLONE

The effects on GABA (4-aminobutyric acid) responses of several benzodiazepine and nonbenzodiazepine benzodiazepine receptor ligands were examined using mouse spinal cord neurons in dissociated cell culture. Diazepam, clonazepam and nitrazepam enhanced GABA responses potently at low nanomolar concentrations. Diazepam and clonazepam were most potent with significant enhancement at 1 nM and peak enhancement of 80.7 and 50.2% at 10 nM respectively. Nitrazepam was least potent with no significant enhancement at 1 nM and enhancement of only 20.7% at 10 nM. The benzodiazepine antagonist, Ro 15-1788, blocked enhancement by diazepam but also weakly enhanced GABA responses at low micromolar concentrations, suggesting partial agonist activity. The convulsant benzodiazepine, Ro 5-4864, did not enhance GABA responses at any concentration tested but antagonized GABA responses at 1 microM and above. Diazepam shifted GABA dose-response curves to the left by decreasing the apparent KD but without altering the apparent Vmax (Lineweaver-Burk analysis). Two nonbenzodiazepine anxiolytic/anticonvulsants, CL 218872 and zopiclone, were weak enhancers of GABA responses at high nanomolar concentrations. These results with benzodiazepines, CL 218872 and zopiclone are consistent with their anxiolytic and anticonvulsant profile in vivo and with studies of their effects upon low affinity GABA binding in vitro.
Model Assessment of Cell Membrane Breakdown in Clusters and Tissues Under High-Intensity Electric Pulsing

This paper presents a simulation study of cell membrane electroporation in clusters by high-intensity voltage pulses. The focus is on assessing effects associated with: 1) the variability in shape and randomness of the cells within clusters; 2) the density of clusters; 3) the effects in heterogeneous tissues; 4) the role of pulse width on fractional electroporation for given electrical characteristics; and 5) conductivity and cell shape influences on the electric strength versus pulse duration behavior. Quantitative results are obtained based on two-dimensional, time-dependent, random Voronoi network analyses. The calculations predict that it is harder to electroporate cells in a cluster due to the random orientation of cell boundaries with regard to the applied field. Also, with increasing cellular distortions and shape irregularity, the poration is predicted to require higher voltage amplitudes or longer pulse durations to cause the same effects. Intracellular conductivity was shown to be a primary parameter influencing cell membrane poration, with membrane permittivity having a secondary effect. This has implications for tissue selectivity, especially for ultrashort duration pulsing. Finally, strength-duration (S-D) curves have been obtained, and shown to depend on the relative disorder and randomness within clusters.
Content-based multimedia information management

Summary form only given. All image search engines provide mechanisms to search based on keywords and provide the ability to do content-based searching using querying by pictorial example. In this paper, first we present some results from current image databases. Then we present a new approach to exploring image databases. Most of our current results are drawn from image and video asset management systems designed at Virage. The new approach is based on a navigational paradigm being developed at the University of California, San Diego.
Generating deterministic unordered test patterns with counters

We study the behavior of counter-based schemes as very low hardware overhead built-in mechanisms for reproducing unordered test patterns. We show that a small number of seeds, each defining a test pattern generation session, can result in an economical design in terms of both time and hardware. We present counter-based schemes with a trade-off on the time and hardware overhead. Experimental results on the ISCAS'85 benchmarks and comparisons with other built-in mechanisms show that the proposed schemes constitute a promising technique for effective built-in deterministic test pattern generation.
Hilbert subalgebras of finitely generated algebras, II

Recall that a Hilbert ring (also called a Jacobson ring) is a commutative ring in which every prime ideal is an intersection of maximal ideals. Such rings were considered by Goldman [4] and Krull [6] to obtain an abstract formulation of Hilbert’s Nullstellensatz. They each proved the basic theorem that any finitely generated algebra over a Hilbert ring is again a Hilbert ring. Krull also proved that every co2mtabZy generated algebra over an uncountable field is a Hilbert ring. (This was subsequently generalized by Lang [7] and Gilmer [3].) We consider here an integral domain R which is a &algebra of a finitely generated algebra over a field F, and ask whether R must be a Hilbert ring. We prove that if P is a prime ideal of R, with t.d. R/P + rank P = t.d. R, then R/P is contained in a finitely generated F-algebra (t.d. = transcendence degree over F). Hence P is an intersection of maximals. It follows that if t.d. R 3 and F is countable, then R need not be Hilbert and, indeed, we give a construction showing that R contains a non-Hilbert subalgebra. When F is uncountable, Krull’s theorem shows that R is Hilbert, regardless of its transcendence degree. (For, R has countable dimension as an F-vector space.) We give analogous results for algebras over a discrete valuation ring, and, in the Appendix, establish when all subalgebras of a finitely generated algebra are finitely generated. The author would like to thank his colleague Lance Small for a number of constructive conversations, and George Bergman for some illuminating comments on the examples. In addition he thanks the referee for pointing out the application of Nagata’s work on ideal transforms to the proof of Theorem 1.
The costs and benefits of testing text materials

Tests have been shown to improve the later recall of tested information, a result known as the testing effect. Tests, however, can also impair the later recall of related information, an effect known as retrieval-induced forgetting. Although retrieval-induced forgetting has been demonstrated using a wide variety of materials, recent work suggests that learning information in the context of a coherent text passage may afford protection from retrieval-induced forgetting. In four experiments we explored the conditions under which retrieval-induced forgetting does and does not occur with such materials. We found that two factors—the coherence of the to-be-learned material and the competitiveness of retrieval practice—are important in determining whether retrieval-induced forgetting does or does not occur. Furthermore, even if retrieval-induced forgetting does occur, having the opportunity to restudy the forgotten information can prevent that forgetting from persisting. Taken together, these findings provide g...
The Unnamed and the Defaced: The Limits of Rhetoric in Augustine's Confessiones

L'article traite des Confessions d'Augustin et cherche les raisons pour lesquelles celui-ci refuse de nommer des figures significatives de sa vie dans cette autobiographie. Il conclut qu'Augustin a voulu mettre une distance entre son experience de conversion d'autres histoires pour aligner son nom avec des membres distingues de l'Eglise latine.
Effects of Pharmacist Participation in Intensive Care Units on Clinical and Economic Outcomes of Critically Ill Patients with Thromboembolic or Infarction-Related Events

Objective. To assess the effects of clinical pharmacist participation in the care of critically ill Medicare patients with thromboembolic or infarction-related events (TIE) on clinical and economic outcomes. Methods. In this retrospective database review (September 1, 2004-August 31, 2005), patient data were retrieved from the 2004 Expanded Modified Medicare Provider Analysis and Review database. Outcomes data evaluated included mortality rates, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, total Medicare charges, drug and laboratory charges, and rates of bleeding complications. In addition, outcomes related to the bleeding complications (transfusions, mortality rate) were assessed. Patient outcomes in ICUs with clinical pharmacy services were compared with patient outcomes in ICUs without these services. Clinical pharmacy services were defined as direct patient care services provided by a pharmacist specifically devoted to the ICU; other services such as order processing or drug distribution were not part of these services. A description of ICU pharmacy services was obtained from a 2004 national survey. Results. We identified 141,079 patients with TIE, of whom 7987 also had bleeding complications. In hospitals with ICU clinical pharmacy services, mortality rates in patients with TIE only and TIE with bleeding complications were higher by 37% (odds ratio [OR] 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36-1.46) and 31% (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.13-1.61), respectively, than in ICUs with clinical pharmacy services. Lengths of ICU stay were longer by 14.8% (mean ± SD 7.28 ± 8.17 vs 6.34 ± 7.80 days, p<0.0001) and 15.8% (12.4 ± 13.28 vs 10.71 ± 9.53 days, p=0.008), respectively. The lack of clinical pharmacist participation in a patient's care was associated with extra Medicare charges of $215,397,354 (p<0.001) and $63,175,725 (p<0.0001) and extra drug charges of $26,363,674 (p<0.0001) and $2,610,750 (p<0.001) for TIE only and TIE with bleeding complications, respectively. Without clinical pharmacy services, bleeding complications increased by 49% (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.46-1.60), resulting in 39% more patients requiring transfusions (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.28-1.69); these patients also received more blood products (mean ± SD 6.8 ± 10.4 vs 3.1 ± 2.6 units/patient, p=0.006). Conclusion. Involving clinical pharmacists in the direct care of intensive care patients with TIE was associated with reduced mortality, improved clinical and charge outcomes, and fewer bleeding complications. Hospitals should promote direct involvement of pharmacists in the care of patients in the ICU.
All-optical regeneration for ultra-long fiber links and its prospects for future applications with new modulation formats

We will discuss all-optical regeneration technologies in ultra-long fiber communication links and investigate prospects for spectrally efficient modulation formats. Future modulation schemes with novel regeneration techniques will also be discussed.
Optimal Solution of Scheduling Problems Using Lagrange Multipliers: Part I

This paper presents an algorithm for solving resource-constrained network scheduling problems, a general class of problems that includes the classical job-shop-scheduling problem. It uses Lagrange multipliers to dualize the resource constraints, forming a Lagrangian problem in which the network constraints appear explicitly, while the resource constraints appear only in the Lagrangian function. Because the network constraints do not interact among jobs, the problem of minimizing the Lagrangian decomposes into a subproblem for each job. Algorithms are presented for solving these subproblems. Minimizing the Lagrangian with fixed multiplier values yields a lower bound on the cost of an optimal solution to the scheduling problem. The paper gives procedures for adjusting the multipliers iteratively to obtain strong bounds, and it develops a branch-and-bound algorithm that uses these bounds in the solution of the scheduling problem. Computational experience with this algorithm is discussed.
Norrish Type I surface photochemistry for butyrophenone on TiO2(110).

The photofragmentation of butyrophenone yields benzoate and a propyl radical on oxidized TiO2(110). Oxygen dissociates in native oxygen vacancies to produce reactive oxygen adatoms which react with butyrophenone to create photoactive butyrophenone–O complexes that are sensitive to hole oxidation created upon UV illumination. The same O adatoms also trap one of the primary photoproducts, phenyl-CO, to produce benzoate. The reaction proceeds via a Norrish Type I like process involving α-CC cleavage on the surface, in contrast to the gas phase where a Norrish Type II pathway predominates. The mechanism is probed using mass spectrometry and, for the first time, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Our STM experiments show that there is a 1-to-1 correspondence between the immobile butyrophenone–O complex and formation of a benzoate on the surface. We also demonstrate that the benzoate species is in close proximity to the original butyrophenone complex, indicating that benzoate is produced on a time scale more rapid than diffusion of the photoproducts. While the photoproducts of butyrophenone decomposition are similar to ketone oxidation reported previously, butyrophenone reacts via a different starting ground state, based on STM and density functional theory studies. Specifically, butyrophenone does not produce a dioxyalkylene species, which has been proposed to be the photoactive state for other ketones. Based on a combination of STM experiments and density functional theory, we propose that a peroxy-like configuration where the oxygen adatom stabilizes the butyrophenone through its carbonyl oxygen is the surface intermediate that photodecomposes. These results demonstrate the importance of the excited state in determining the photochemistry of ketones on surfaces.
Biomechanic evaluation of the Rola Stretcher as a passive distraction device.

Abstract Introduction: Many devices have been marketed claiming to increase the mobility of the articulations of the spine with active or passive distraction. In this study, the Rola Stretcher (Unique Relief, Inc, Davenport, Iowa) and an earlier version, the True Back II (True Back, Inc, Clearwater, Fla), were evaluated to see if they have a measurable biomechanic effect on the spine. Methods: Two studies were conducted, each with 6 male participants and 6 female participants, using a stadiometer to accurately measure a person's sitting height. The increase in sitting height after using the True Back II or Rola Stretcher for 10 minutes was compared with that after lying supine for 10 minutes. A third intervention, a firm foam block cut to the same size and shape as the True Back II, was also used in this study. Results: The Rola Stretcher had a significantly greater lengthening effect on the spine compared with supine rest ( P P Conclusion: The True Back II and the Rola Stretcher in particular appear to lengthen the spine after a single use of 10 minutes. The observed discrepancy between the effects in men and women may be an experimental artifact occurring as a result of less effective resetting of the posturing mechanisms in men compared with women. A trend showed the Rola Stretcher to be more effective than the foam block. (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2000:23:252–7)
Distribution modelling to guide stream fish conservation: an example using the mountain sucker in the Black Hills National Forest, USA

1. Conservation biologists need tools that can utilize existing data to identify areas with the appropriate habitat for species of conservation concern. Regression models that predict suitable habitat from geospatial data are such a tool. Multiple logistic regression models developed from existing geospatial data were used to identify large-scale stream characteristics associated with the occurrence of mountain suckers (Catostomus platyrhynchus), a species of conservation concern, in the Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota and Wyoming, USA. 2. Stream permanence, stream slope, stream order, and elevation interacted in complex ways to influence the occurrence of mountain suckers. Mountain suckers were more likely to be present in perennial streams, and in larger, higher gradient streams at higher elevations but in smaller, lower gradient streams at lower elevations. 3. Applying the logistic regression model to all streams provided a way to identify streams in the Black Hills National Forest most likely to have mountain suckers present. These types of models and predictions can be used to prioritize areas that should be surveyed to locate additional populations, identify stream segments within catchments for population monitoring, aid managers in assessing whether proposed forest management will potentially have impacts on fish populations, and identify streams most suitable for stream rehabilitation and conservation or translocation efforts. 4. When the effect of large brown trout (Salmo trutta) was added to the best model of abiotic factors, it had a negative effect on the occurrence of mountain suckers. Negative effects of brown trout on the mountain sucker suggest that management of recreational trout fisheries needs to be balanced with mountain sucker conservation in the Black Hills. However, more spatially explicit information on brown trout abundance would allow managers to understand where the two species interact and where recreational fisheries need to be balanced with fish conservation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pathways to Political Activism among Americans who have Same-Sex Sexual Contact

Empirical systematic studies on political activism among self-identified sexual minorities are sparse and underdeveloped. When using three waves of a random national survey of respondents who have sex with people of the same sex (N = 184), this study tested the predictive capabilities of “resource,” “framing,” and “network” theories of political participation. After running discriminant analysis regressions for electoral and protest activities, the potency of eclectic and integrative models became apparent. With many resource, framing, and network variables reaching statistical significance, the results suggest that activism is partly contingent upon changing political environments and the educational attainment of the respondents, as well as their interpretations of heterosexism, authoritarian principles, the collective efficacy of citizens, the number of civic groups they joined, and the embracing of activist precepts as their own.
A polycystin-1 multiprotein complex is disrupted in polycystic kidney disease cells

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is typified by the accumulation of fluid-filled cysts and abnormalities in renal epithelial cell function. The disease is principally caused by mutations in the gene encoding polycystin-1, a large basolateral plasma membrane protein expressed in kidney epithelial cells. Our studies reveal that, in normal kidney cells, polycystin-1 forms a complex with the adherens junction protein E-cadherin and its associated catenins, suggesting a role in cell adhesion or polarity. In primary cells from ADPKD patients, the polycystin-1/polycystin-2/E-cadherin/β-catenin complex was disrupted and both polycystin-1 and E-cadherin were depleted from the plasma membrane as a result of the increased phosphorylation of polycystin-1. The loss of E-cadherin was compensated by the transcriptional upregulation of the normally mesenchymal N-cadherin. Increased cell surface N-cadherin in the disease cells in turn stabilized the continued plasma membrane localization of β-catenin in the absence of E-cadherin. The results suggest that enhanced phosphorylation of polycystin-1 in ADPKD cells precipitates changes in its localization and its ability to form protein complexes that are critical for the stabilization of adherens junctions and the maintenance of a fully differentiated polarized renal epithelium.
A study of channel avalanche breakdown in scaled n-MOSFET's

The behavior of channel avalanche breakdown in n-MOSFET's miniaturized by isothermal constant field scaling is examined. Both a first-order analytical estimate and a rigorous two-dimensional numerical simulation of electrically wide devices are used to understand the scaling of channel breakdown. A sublinear dependence of snapback and sustaining voltages on channel length is found and explained. In practical terms, this sublinear dependence means that the relative MOS channel breakdown behavior improves for scaled-down devices. The breakdown behavior was verified against experimental data taken on a 1.3-µm n-channel device. In addition, a model is proposed for channel breakdown on unscaled devices that differ only in channel length.
Intrauterine bacterial inoculation induces labor in the mouse by mechanisms other than progesterone withdrawal.

We tested the hypothesis that progesterone (P(4)) withdrawal is the primary mechanism by which intrauterine bacteria induce preterm labor in mice. CD-1 mice on Day 14.5 of a 19- to 20-day gestation were subjected to one of four treatments: 1) intrauterine injection of sterile medium, 2) intrauterine injection of 10(6) heat-killed Escherichia coli bacteria, 3) intrauterine injection of 10(9) heat-killed E. coli, or 4) ovariectomy. Mice were then killed at four time points from 0.75 to 11 h after surgery for serum collection. Separately, animals were pretreated either with s.c. P(4) or with vehicle 2 h before ovariectomy or high-dose bacterial inoculation. Ovariectomy led to a rapid fall in serum P(4) levels of 60% by 1 h and 81% by 8 h compared with levels in controls (P < 0.001). In contrast, intrauterine inoculation with 10(9) bacteria led to a more modest decline in P(4) of only 28% by 8 h (P = 0.24, which was no different from that of 10(6) bacteria, an inoculum below the threshold for preterm delivery). Despite significantly lower levels of P(4) in the ovariectomy group, time to delivery was significantly shorter with 10(9) bacteria intrauterine (24 +/- 5.6 h vs. 19 +/- 3.6 h, P = 0.03). Pretreatment with 1.5 mg P(4) per mouse prolonged the interval to delivery following both ovariectomy and high-dose bacteria, in association with pharmacologically elevated serum P(4) levels. In contrast, physiologic P(4) supplementation (0.375 mg/mouse) prolonged gestation only in the ovariectomy group. We conclude that withdrawal of endogenous P(4) is not the primary cause of labor following intrauterine bacterial inoculation in mice.
Evaluation of PPP2R2A as a prostate cancer susceptibility gene: a comprehensive germline and somatic study.

PPP2R2A , mapped to 8p21.2, codes for the α isoform of the regulatory B55 subfamily of protein phosphatase 2 (PP2A). PP2A is one of the four major serine/threonine phosphatases and is implicated in the negative control of cell growth and division. Because of its known functions and location within a chromosomal region where evidence for linkage and somatic loss of heterozygosity was found, we hypothesized that either somatic copy number changes or germline sequence variants in PPP2R2A may increase prostate cancer (PCa) risk. We examined PPP2R2A deletion status in 141 PCa samples using Affymetrix SNP arrays. It was found that PPP2R2A was commonly (67.1%) deleted in tumor samples, including a homozygous deletion in three tumors (2.1%). We performed a mutation screen for PPP2R2A in 96 probands of hereditary prostate cancer families. No high risk mutations were identified. In addition, we re-analyzed 10 SNPs of PPP2R2A in sporadic PCa cases and controls. No significant differences in the allele and genotype frequencies were observed among either PCa cases and controls or PCa aggressive and non-aggressive cases. Taken together, these results suggest that a somatic deletion rather than germline sequence variants of PPP2R2A may play a more important role in PCa susceptibility.
Localization of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase, Ca2+ pump and other ATPase activities in cardiac sarcolemma

N-Ethylmaleimide was employed as a surface label for sarcolemmal proteins after demonstrating that it does not penetrate to the intracellular space at concentrations below 1.10(-4) M. The sarcolemmal markers, ouabain-sensitive (Na+ +K+)-ATPase and Na+/Ca2+-exchange activities, were inhibited in N-ethylmaleimide perfused hearts. Intracellular activities such as creatine phosphokinase, glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase and the internal phosphatase site of the Na+ pump (K+-p-nitrophosphatase) were not affected. Almost 20% of the (Ca2+ +Mg2+)-ATPase and Ca2+ pump were inhibited indicating the localization of a portion of this activity in the sarcolemma. Sarcolemma purified by a recent method (Morcos, N.C. and Drummond, G.I. (1980) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 598, 27-39) from N-ethylmaleimide-perfused hearts showed loss of approx. 85% of its (Ca2+ +Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+ pump compared to control hearts. (Ca2+ +Mg2+)-ATPase and Ca2+ pump activities showed two classes of sensitivity to vanadate ion inhibition. The high vanadate affinity class (K1/2 for inhibition approx. 1.5 microM) may be localized in the sarcolemma and represented approx. 20% of the total inhibitable activity in agreement with estimates from N-ethylmaleimide studies. Sucrose density fractionation indicated that only a small portion of Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase may be associated with the sarcolemma. The major portion of these activities seems to be associated with high density particles.
Evaluation of the relation between near-surface geological units and ground response in the vicinity of Long Beach, California

abstract Simulataneous recordings of Nevada Test Site nuclear events were made at sites underlain by alluvium in the Long Beach, California, area and at sites underlain by rock in the Palos Verdes and Pasadena areas. These data show peak-ground-velocity alluvium-to-rock ratios as large as 7 and spectral ratios as high as 11 in the period band from 0.2 to 6 sec. Comparison of the low-strain nuclear-explosion data and the San Fernando earthquake strong-motion data at three sites indicates that the alluvium-to-rock spectral ratios derived from the nuclear explosions are similar to those derived from the earthquake. Significant trends exist in the short-period data, indicating higher ground response at sites underlain at the near-surface by materials that have high void ratios and lower ground response with increasing thickness of Quaternary deposits. These results suggest that the short-period response is primarily controlled both by near-surface low-velocity layers and by attenuation in the Quaternary sediments. Comparison of the data of this study with data collected in other areas indicates that the long-period response increase with either increasing depth to basement or with alluvium thickness, when this thickness is greater than 400 m. From previous theoretical studies and these results, ground response in the long-period band is related to those underlying geological structures and major velocity contrasts that control the development of surface waves.
Mechanical trapping in a quadratically coupled optomechanical double disk

We demonstrate a novel approach for trapping mechanical motion and elastic tuning of mechanical rigidity while preserving phonon number, through a giant quadratic optomechanical coupling created from a tunable coupled microdisk resonator.
High-Sensitivity Measurements of Multiple Kinase Activities in Live Single Cells

Increasing evidence has shown that population dynamics are qualitatively different from single-cell behaviors. Reporters to probe dynamic, single-cell behaviors are desirable yet relatively scarce. Here, we describe an easy-to-implement and generalizable technology to generate reporters of kinase activity for individual cells. Our technology converts phosphorylation into a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling event that can be measured by epifluorescence microscopy. Our reporters reproduce kinase activity for multiple types of kinases and allow for calculation of active kinase concentrations via a mathematical model. Using this technology, we made several experimental observations that had previously been technicallyunfeasible, including stimulus-dependent patterns of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation. We also measured JNK, p38, and ERK activities simultaneously, finding that p38 regulates the peak number, but not the intensity, of ERK fluctuations. Our approach opens the possibility of analyzing a wide range of kinase-mediated processes in individual cells.
Optical morphological processing of optical correlator signals

The U.S. Army Missile Command is investigating several optical correlator systems for target acquisition, recognition, and tracking. The correlation signal is often less than ideal and surrounded by a very noisy background. A morphological approach to noise rejection in the correlation plane could enhance the performance of these systems. A morphological algorithm, realized via threshold decomposition, has been tested to provide noise rejection in the correlation plane of an optical correlator system. The peak-signal-to-peak-noise ratio has been greatly enhanced, and this algorithm lends itself to implementation as a real-time (video frame rate) processor.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.