cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rule-based firing for network simulations

We have developed a rule-based firing model that reproduces some of the complexity of real neurons with little computational overhead and isolation of postsynaptic state variables that are likely to be critical for network dynamics. The basic rule remains the same as that of the integrate-and-fire model: fire when the state variable exceeds a fixed threshold. Additional rules were added to provide adaptation, bursting, depolarization blockade, Mg-sensitive NMDA conductance, anode-break depolarization, and others. The implementation is event driven, providing additional speed-up by avoiding numerical integration.
Localization and characterization of rat small intestinal aminopeptidase P and its role in prolyl peptide digestion

Abstract The distribution of aminopeptidase P was examined in rat small intestinal epithelial cells using the substrate Gly-Pro-Hyp. Soluble activity accounted for 65% of the total activity in these cells while 27% was membrane bound and localized to the brush border membrane fraction. Soluble and brush border membrane associated activities differed with respect to their pH optima, kinetic constants, and thermostability indicating that they are due to different enzymes. Both activities, however, exhibited similar sensitivity to several types of inhibitors. Brush border membrane aminopeptidase P was readily inhibited by metal chelating agents and was reactivated by addition of increasing concentrations of Mn2+. The mode of membrane association was investigated by detergent solubilization and enzymatic release of aminopeptidase P. A phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C was the most effective in releasing aminopeptidase P, suggesting that the enzyme is anchored via a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol moiety similar to alkaline phosphatase. These results indicate that aminopeptidase P is a major intestinal brush border membrane enzyme and probably plays an important role in conjunction with other intestinal prolyl peptidases in the digestion of proline containing peptides and proteins.
An evaluation of interactive tabletops in elementary mathematics education

This research examined the effect that a relatively new Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) device, specifically an interactive tabletop, has on elementary students’ attitudes toward collaborative technologies, mathematical achievement, and the gender gap in mathematics. Prior research has shown many positive effects of CSCL technologies on mathematics education, such as increased math performance and an increased interest in math. Further, previous research has shown inconsistent results regarding gender differences in mathematics and has not examined the effect that CSCL technology has on the gender gap. Therefore, the effects of interactive tabletops on math performance, attitudes, and gender differences were examined. This study was conducted using a sample of 53 elementary students. The technology was brought to the classroom twice each week for an entire academic semester. To obtain a more accurate understanding of the influence of the CSCL technology, both self-report data and performance data were collected. Specifically, changes in students’ attitudes and reactions and changes in cognitive learning were measured. The results show that students learn and react favorably towards interactive tabletops. Implications for future research are discussed.
A closed form solution for tre least squares regression problem with linear inequality constraints

In this paper we consider a linear model Y = Xβ+e with linear inequality constraints R'β≥r, where X and R are known and full column rank matrices. The closed form of the inequality constrained least squares (ICLS) estimator is given. We provide two examples which illustrate the use of this closed form in the computation of estimates.
Production Characteristics of Pond‐Raised Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctutus Fed Diets With and Without Animal Protein for Three Growing Seasons1

An experiment was conducted to determlne the long-term effects of an all-plant-protein diet on production characteristics (harvest yield, dressing percentage, and body composition) of catfish Ictalurus punctatus taken from top-harvested, multiple-stocked ponds over a 2.5-yr period of continuous production. Fish in eight 0.08-ha ponds were fed an extruded, 32% protein control diet (CON) containing animal and plant proteins, while fish in eight replicate ponds were fed an isonitrogenous diet containing only plant proteins, primarily from cottonseed meal and soybean meal (APP). Diets were fed once dally to apparent satiation during the growing season. Ponds were top-harvested twice per year in the spring and fall and partially restocked after each harvest. CON-fed fish received 13,335 kg of feed during the 2.5-yr period. APP-fed fish received 13,506 kg of feed. Total yields were 5,562 kg of CON-fed fish and 5,840 kg of APP-fed fish; average annual yields were 3,477 kgha per yr and 3,650 kgha per yr, respectively (P > 0.05). Feed conversion ratios, 2.5 for CON-fed fish and 2.6 for APP-fed Ash, did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). Live weights at harvest averaged 529 g (CON) and 481 g (APP), and were not significantly different. Dressing percentages were 59% for fish fed both diets (P > 0.05). APP-fed fish had less (P < 0.05) visceral fat and less (P < 0.05) muscle lipid than CON-fed fish. Results indicate that a lysine supplemented, all-plant-protein diet containing 40% cottonseed meal and 20% soybean meal is suitable for long-term production of channel catfish in earthen ponds and such a diet can reduce the fat content of pond-reared fish.
Crystal Structure of MraY, an Essential Membrane Enzyme for Bacterial Cell Wall Synthesis

MraY (phospho-MurNAc-pentapeptide translocase) is an integral membrane enzyme that catalyzes an essential step of bacterial cell wall biosynthesis: the transfer of the peptidoglycan precursor phospho-MurNAc-pentapeptide to the lipid carrier undecaprenyl phosphate. MraY has long been considered a promising target for the development of antibiotics, but the lack of a structure has hindered mechanistic understanding of this critical enzyme and the enzyme superfamily in general. The superfamily includes enzymes involved in bacterial lipopolysaccharide/teichoic acid formation and eukaryotic N-linked glycosylation, modifications that are central in many biological processes. We present the crystal structure of MraY from Aquifex aeolicus (MraYAA) at 3.3 A resolution, which allows us to visualize the overall architecture, locate Mg2+ within the active site, and provide a structural basis of catalysis for this class of enzyme.
An evaluation of universal health insurance in the elderly: burden of disease, utilization, and costs in the Republic of Korea.

OBJECTIVE This article evaluates Korea's national health insurance system for the elderly by simultaneously examining disease patterns, demand for care, utilization, costs of care, and facility type. METHODS Claim records (N = 8,306,976) for 1995 to 1997 were obtained from the Youndeoung-Po district for four insurance categories. Utilization is examined using a probit model; a linear regression model is used to compare costs. FINDINGS Insurees averaged 10.6 medical visits per year, most commonly for acute respiratory diseases. The elderly were more likely to seek care for circulatory problems, use more inpatient services, and rely on hospitals for outpatient care. Insurance costs for the elderly poor were markedly higher, and overall care for the elderly was higher per visit. DISCUSSION By simultaneously analyzing utilization rates, disease patterns, and relative costs of care, policymakers may be able to avert a financing crisis. Stronger pricing strategies and better disease targeting would adjust utilization and increase efficiency of health expenditures.
The epistemological basis of religious language

L'A. degage le paradigme epistemologique qui sous-tend la philosophie traditionnelle. Il le critique et en suggere un nouveau qui prenne en compte la critique post-moderne de l'epistemologie, qui restaure la theorie traditionnelle de la verite (realisme, correspondance), qui fournisse une base nouvelle pour la comprehension du langage religieux. En s'interessant au cadre conceptuel derriere le jugement particulier (l'affirmation religieuse) et a la logique qui sous-tend tout langage (le code semantique), on peut apprecier la verite d'un langage religieux d'une maniere plus juste
A formal synthesis of the auriside aglycon.

A highly convergent formal synthesis of the auriside aglycon was achieved. An indene-based thiazolidinethione chiral auxiliary was used for the construction of both the C1−C9 and C10−C17 fragments via acetate aldol reactions. A Meinwald reaction was utilized to install the stereocenter at C2, and a conjugated addition to an ynone was used to construct the C9−C11 enone.
Lithium‐Aluminum Electrode

Lithium--aluminum anodes were investigated as a possible approach to minimizing the lithium dendrite problem in organic electrolyte secondary cells. Electroformation and pyrometallurgical techniques were used in the preparation of the electrodes. The equilibrium emf--composition relationship and the cycling behavior were evaluated. Under certain conditions Li--Al compositions approaching lithium potentials may be used; the voltage penalty required to minimize the dendrite problem is reduced in this way. 3 figures, 2 tables.
Models in Theory and Practice; Some examples, problems, and prospects

Alfonso X of Castile, in addition to commenting on the complexity of astronomical phenomena, probably complained frequently and bitterly about the high (astronomical?) costs of conducting research, paid his astronomers a pittance, required periodic progress reports, reduced his patronage in years following bad crops and increased it in years following successfully-predicted eclipses, bemoaned the infinitesimal rate of progress in comprehending the phenomena, insisted on conventional approaches in the research, assailed his astronomers both for their inability to communicate in terms he could understand and for the absence of "useful" results, and required them periodically to "apply" their knowledge in astrological forecasting and demonstrations to amuse and impress competing patrons. If these conjectures are correct, not much has changed in the relationship between researchers and patrons in the last six or seven hundred years. There have always been problems in the relationship between science and practice. But this issue is motivated by a perception that problems in the relationship between the social sciences and public policy are numerous, more intense, and more persistent than is the case with the relationship between other science and practice. These problems have been the subject of an unprecedented amount of study (see the bibliography of this editorial Introduction for examples). One of the several committees of distinguished scientists investigating these problems recently identified
The effects of flooding and sediments on the structure of a stream midge assemblage

Sediment structure and degree of flooding were shown to affect the distribution and abundance of an assemblage of chironomid midges in a sandy bottom area of a fourth order midwestern stream. There was significant change in midge abundance with time, and the rate of change of abundance was inversely related to the degree of flooding. Abundances ranged from 0.115 to 110 organisms/10 sq. cm. In experimental studies of colonization of different sediments, species demonstrated strong resource partitioning, however, there was no evidence for further intraspecific partitioning of the habitat by instars.
Forecasting foreign exchange rates: an expert judgment approach

Studies have indicated that forecasts by market experts can be more accurate than time series forecasts. This article describes a process for structuring an expert foreign exchange forecast using Saaty's Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The specific example developed is a forecast of the yen/dollar spot exchange rate from the standpoint of a company considering the desirability of arranging for forward exchange cover.
Additional Observations on Variations in Egg Size Among Populations of Streptocephalus Seali (Anostraca)

ABSTRACT We evaluated the interrelationships between egg size, maternal length, and habitat type for the fairy shrimp Streptocephalus seali from a variety of localities. Our analyses demonstrated a correlation between female length and egg size for samples from California, Florida, and Montana, and for pooled data using all samples. However, there was no such correlation for the sample from Louisiana. The regression between egg size and female length for meltpool populations that generally produce larger eggs is significantly different from the regression for the rainpool populations that typically form smaller eggs. Belk (1977) first observed this difference in egg size between meltpool and rainpool populations in a comparison of S. seali from Arizona and Louisiana. We confirmed this difference and extended it to include samples from Alabama, California, Florida, Montana, North Carolina, and Chiapas, Mexico. Other factors demonstrated to significantly affect egg size are habitat latitude, habitat altitude, and the interactive effects of the independent variables evaluated. We concluded that egg-size variations between populations of S. seali inhabiting rainpools and meltpools reveal evolutionary responses to differing ecological situations.
The Livermore Regional Air Quality Model: I. Concept and Development

Abstract By using the Eulerian form of the mass conservation equation integrated vertically from the surface to the base of the inversion, two regional air quality models (LIRAQ-1 and LIRAQ-2) have been developed for use in the San Francisco Bay Area. The models consider the complex topography, changing meteorology and detailed source emission patterns in generating surface and vertical average pollutant concentrations with grid resolutions of 1, 2 or 5 km. The focus of LIRAQ-1 is the treatment of transport and dispersion of relatively nonreactive species, accomplished through use of a sophisticated transport prescription. The LIRAQ-2 model, employing a simpler transport scheme, treats photochemically active pollutants and incorporates a photochemical reaction set involving 19 species.
An Historical Perspective on Individualised Instruction

Abstract Interests in individualised instruction have roots in the early decades of this century. The goal of this article is to indicate the continuing nature of the issues being addressed in individualised instruction (particularly in the USA) and thereby to advance the understanding of those who seek to improve educational opportunities through individualisation of instruction. Two time periods have been chosen to gain an historical perspective on individualised instruction. These revolve around two National Society for the Study of Education yearbooks focused upon individualising instruction, one written in 1925, the other in 1962. One conclusion from this review is that there has been remarkably little gain in either intent or practice of individualised instruction in this century.
Regulation of phenobarbital-inducible cytochrome P450 2B1/2 mRNA by lovastatin and oxysterols in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes

Abstract Lovastatin (LOVA) is a potent inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase widely used in clinical practice. We treated primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes, maintained in a minimal, serum-free medium on Matrigel, a reconstituted basement membrane, with this drug, and found that the amounts of P450 2B2 mRNA detected on Northern blots were increased at the same doses (10 −5 to 3 × 10 −5 M) required for induction of HMG-CoA reductase mRNA, a gene known to be under oxysterol regulatory control. LOVA treatment produced selective effects increasing also the mRNA levels for P450s 2C6, 2C7, 3A1, and 4A1 but not for 1A1, 2A1/2, or NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase. LOVA treatment increased the induction of 2B1/2 mRNA in cells cotreated with either phenobarbital (PB; 10 −4 M) or clotrimazole (CTZ; 10 −5 M), or of 3A1 mRNA in cells cotreated with PB (2 × 10 −3 M), but not dexamethasone (10 −5 M). LOVA treatment did not potentiate the induction of 1A1 or 4A1 mRNA in cells cotreated with β-naphthoflavone (10 −5 M) or ciprofibrate (10 −4 M), respectively. In contrast to the potentiation of 2B1/2 mRNA induction produced by treatments with LOVA in combination with PB or CTZ, cotreatment of hepatocytes with PB and CTZ did not result in increased induction relative to that seen in cells treated with either agent alone. Treatment of hepatocyte cultures with either mevalonate (3 × 10 −4 to 3 × 10 −3 M), the immediate product of HMG-CoA reductase, or 25-hydroxycholesterol (10 −6 to 10 −5 M), a model oxysterol, resulted in dose-dependent suppression of 2B1/2 mRNA induction in cells treated with PB-like inducers. Taken together, our results demonstrate that LOVA is a unique inducer of P450 mRNA in cultured rat hepatocytes and implicate oxysterols as potential intracellular modulators of 2B1/2 induction. We conclude that endogenous metabolic factors including those related to cholesterol biosynthesis are critical in induction of liver cytochromes P450 2B1 and 2B2 by PB and "PB-like" agents.
Approximation by Means of h -Harmonic Polynomials on the Unit Sphere

The h-harmonics are analogues of the ordinary harmonics, they are orthogonal homogeneous polynomials on the sphere with respect to a weight function that is invariant under a reflection group. Two means of associated orthogonal expansions, the de la Vallee Poussin means and an analog of spherical means, are defined and their approximation behaviors are studied. A weighted modulus of smoothness is defined using the modified spherical means and is proved to be equivalent to a weighted K-modulus defined using the differential-difference h-spherical Laplacian. A Bernstein type inequality for the h-spherical Laplacian is also established.
Numerical simulations of grass fires using a coupled atmosphere-fire model: Dynamics of fire spread

[1] Numerical simulations using a coupled atmosphere-fire model (called HIGRAD/FIRETEC) are examined to investigate the dynamics of fire behavior in grasslands, focusing specifically on the relative roles and contributions of radiative and convective heat transfer and the relationships of these processes to the evolution of the solid fuel temperature; the three-dimensional velocity fields in the vicinity of the fire; and the depletion of fuel, fuel moisture, and oxygen. The progression of the fire past a given point in these simulations is divided into a preheating period and an active burning period. The preheating period is characterized by a slowly increasing radiative heating of the fuel that evaporates fuel moisture and raises the temperature of the fuel slightly and by weak convective cooling because the gases flowing over the heated solid fuel are still cooler than the fuel itself. The active burning period is characterized by the presence of a strong pulse of convective heating and continued radiative heating, accompanied by the development of large vertical velocities and a rapid increase in fuel temperature that causes the reaction rates to increase and the fuel to begin to burn, producing heat and increasing the rates of depletion of fuel and oxygen. In all simulations, the magnitude of the convective heat transfer is greater than that of the radiative heat transfer; however, these processes and their relationships to the three-dimensional structure and evolution of the fire are shown to depend both on the ambient wind speed and on the specific location along the fire front (e.g., at the head of the fire where the fire is spreading in the direction of the ambient wind, or on the flank of the fire where the fire is spreading in the direction almost perpendicular to the ambient wind).
Intratumor Heterogeneity and Precision of Microarray-Based Predictors of Breast Cancer Biology and Clinical Outcome

Purpose Identifying sources of variation in expression microarray data and the effect of variance in gene expression measurements on complex predictive and diagnostic models is essential when translating microarray-based experimental approaches into clinical assays. The technical reproducibility of microarray platforms is well established. Here, we investigate the additional impact of intratumor heterogeneity, a largely unstudied component of variance, on the performance of several microarray-based assays in breast cancer. Patients and Methods Genome-wide expression profiling was performed on 50 core needle biopsies from 18 breast cancer patients using Affymetrix GeneChip Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 arrays. Global profiles of expression were characterized using unsupervised clustering methods and variance components models. Array-based measures of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status were compared with immunohistochemistry. The precision of genomic predictors of ER pathway status, r...
Glypican-1 controls brain size through regulation of fibroblast growth factor signaling in early neurogenesis.

Cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) act as co-receptors for multiple families of growth factors that regulate animal cell proliferation, differentiation and patterning. Elimination of heparan sulfate during brain development is known to produce severe structural abnormalities. Here we investigate the developmental role played by one particular HSPG, glypican-1 (Gpc1), which is especially abundant on neuronal cell membranes, and is the major HSPG of the adult rodent brain. Mice with a null mutation in Gpc1 were generated and found to be viable and fertile. The major phenotype associated with Gpc1 loss is a highly significant reduction in brain size, with only subtle effects on brain patterning (confined to the anterior cerebellum). The brain size difference emerges very early during neurogenesis (between embryonic days 8.5 and 9.5), and remains roughly constant throughout development and adulthood. By examining markers of different signaling pathways, and the differentiation behaviors of cells in the early embryonic brain, we infer that Gpc1-/- phenotypes most likely result from a transient reduction in fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling. Through the analysis of compound mutants, we provide strong evidence that Fgf17 is the FGF family member through which Gpc1 controls brain size. These data add to a growing literature that implicates the glypican family of HSPGs in organ size control. They also argue that, among heparan sulfate-dependent signaling molecules, FGFs are disproportionately sensitive to loss of HSPGs. Finally, because heterozygous Gpc1 mutant mice were found to have brain sizes half-way between homozygous and wild type, the data imply that endogenous HSPG levels quantitatively control growth factor signaling, a finding that is both novel and relevant to the general question of how the activities of co-receptors are exploited during development.
The Contribution of Early Communication Quality to Low-Income Children’s Language Success

The disparity in the amount and quality of language that low-income children hear relative to their more-affluent peers is often referred to as the 30-million-word gap. Here, we expand the literature about this disparity by reporting the relative contributions of the quality of early parent-child communication and the quantity of language input in 60 low-income families. Including both successful and struggling language learners from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, we noted wide variation in the quality of nonverbal and verbal interactions (symbol-infused joint engagement, routines and rituals, fluent and connected communication) at 24 months, which accounted for 27% of the variance in expressive language 1 year later. These indicators of quality were considerably more potent predictors of later language ability than was the quantity of mothers’ words during the interaction or sensitive parenting. Bridging the word gap requires ...
The Dynamic Assignment Problem

There has been considerable recent interest in the dynamic vehicle routing problem, but the complexities of this problem class have generally restricted research to myopic models. In this paper, we address the simpler dynamic assignment problem, where a resource (container, vehicle, or driver) can serve only one task at a time. We propose a very general class of dynamic assignment models, and propose an adaptive, nonmyopic algorithm that involves iteratively solving sequences of assignment problems no larger than what would be required of a myopic model. We consider problems where the attribute space of future resources and tasks is small enough to be enumerated, and propose a hierarchical aggregation strategy for problems where the attribute spaces are too large to be enumerated. Finally, we use the formulation to also test the value of advance information, which offers a more realistic estimate over studies that use purely myopic models.
Picosecond DPSS laser technology for OPCPA pumping

We present the design and challenges of a diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) system to amplify picosecond pulses to high pulse energies and high average powers. We discuss our implemented solutions to mitigate thermal effects and present the obtained performance of the picosecond pulse amplification at the multi-10-MW level. Our here presented picosecond DPSS laser is well suited for pumping an optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) system. Several laser technologies have been employed to pump OPCPA systems and we show how our DPSS system compares in performance to the other approaches.
Wind Rose Bias Correction

AbstractWind rose summaries, which provide a basis for understanding and evaluating the climatological behavior of local wind, have a directional bias if a conventional method is used in their generation. Three techniques used to remove this bias are described and are compared for theoretical and observed wind distributions. All three techniques successfully remove the bias, with the simplest of the three performing as well as the more-complex techniques.
Helicobacter pylori update: gastric cancer, reliable therapy, and possible benefits

Helicobacter pylori infection contributes to the development of diverse gastric and extragastric diseases. The infection is necessary but not sufficient for the development of gastric adenocarcinoma. Its eradication would eliminate a major worldwide cause of cancer death, therefore there is much interest in identifying how, if, and when this can be accomplished. There are several mechanisms by which H pylori contributes to the development of gastric cancer. Gastric adenocarcinoma is one of many cancers associated with inflammation, which is induced by H pylori infection, yet the bacteria also cause genetic and epigenetic changes that lead to genetic instability in gastric epithelial cells. H pylori eradication reduces both. However, many factors must be considered in determining whether treating this bacterial infection will prevent cancer or only reduce its risk—these must be considered in designing reliable and effective eradication therapies. Furthermore, H pylori infection has been proposed to provide some benefits, such as reducing the risks of obesity or childhood asthma. When tested, these hypotheses have not been confirmed and are therefore most likely false.
The Usefulness of Financial Ratios as Predictors of Household Insolvency: Two Perspectives

The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of financial ratios as predictors of household insolvency. Financial ratios were developed for 1,934 households using data from the Survey of Consumer Finances. Two statistical methods---logistic regression and a classification tree procedure (CART)---were used for analysis. The 1983 Liquidity ratio was the most important predictor of 1986 insolvency according to the logistic regression while the 1983 Assets/Liabilities ratio was the most important variable in the classification tree. The Gross Annual Debt Payments to Disposable Income ratio was second in importance for each of the two methods. Implications for financial educators, counselors, and planners are offered.
Efficient and Scalable Algorithms for Inferring Likely Invariants in Distributed Systems

Distributed systems generate a large amount of monitoring data such as log files to track their operational status. However, it is hard to correlate such monitoring data effectively across distributed systems and along observation time for system management. In previous work, we proposed a concept named flow intensity to measure the intensity with which internal monitoring data reacts to the volume of user requests. We calculated flow intensity measurements from monitoring data and proposed an algorithm to automatically search constant relationships between flow intensities measured at various points across distributed systems. If such relationships hold all the time, we regard them as invariants of the underlying systems. Invariants can be used to characterize complex systems and support various system management tasks. However, the computational complexity of the previous invariant search algorithm is high so that it may not scale well in large systems with thousands of measurements. In this paper, we propose two efficient but approximate algorithms for inferring invariants in large-scale systems. The computational complexity of new randomized algorithms is significantly reduced, and experimental results from a real system are also included to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of our new algorithms.
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) administration to rats decreases brain tissue serotonin but not serotonin transporter protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein.

Previous experiments conducted in this laboratory showed that administration of high-dose D-fenfluramine (D-FEN) and p-chloroamphetamine (PCA) decreased 5-HT transporter (SERT) binding and tissue 5-HT by 30–60% in caudate and whole brain tissue 2 days and 2 weeks after drug administration. However, protein expression as determined by Western blot analysis did not change in either tissue or time point, except for a 30% decrease in the caudate 2 days after PCA administration. In the present study, we studied the effect of MDMA and 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) on tissue 5-HT levels and the protein expression level of SERT and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a validated neurotoxicity marker. Hypothesis. MDMA administration decreases SERT expression. Methods. Two weeks after MDMA administration (7.5 mg/kg i.p., q 2 h × 3 doses) or 2 weeks after i.c.v. administration of 5,7,-DHT (150 μg/rat), male Sprague-Dawley rats were sacrificed and the caudate, cortex, and hippocampal tissue collected. Western blots for SERT and GFAP were generated using published methods. Tissue 5-HT levels were determined by HPLC coupled to electrochemical detection. Results. MDMA treatment decreased tissue 5-HT in cortex, hippocampus, and caudate by about 50%. However, MDMA treatment had no significant effect on expression level of SERT and GFAP in any brain region. In contrast, 5,7-DHT reduced tissue 5-HT by more than 90%, decreased SERT protein expression by 20–35%, and increased GFAP by 30–39%. Conclusion. These data suggest the MDMA treatment regimen used here does not cause degeneration of 5-HT nerve terminals. Viewed collectively with our previous results and other published data, these data indicate that MDMA-induced persistent 5-HT depletion may occur in the absence of axotomy. Synapse 53:240–248, 2004. Published 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Family Functioning, Eosinophil Activity, and Symptoms in Children With Asthma

Objective We examined prospective connections among parental depressive symptoms, family dysfunction, and eosinophil activity in children with asthma. Methods 81 children with asthma and their parents completed two laboratory visits across a 1-year period. At baseline and 1 year later, parents reported about their depressive symptoms and family dysfunction. We collected peripheral blood in children to measure eosinophil counts and eosinophil cationic protein. Following visits, children recorded their asthma symptoms for 2 weeks. Results After controlling for demographic and biomedical covariates, a significant T1 × T2 Family Dysfunction interaction emerged, suggesting that the links between family dysfunction at T1 and eosinophil counts and activity at T2 depended on family functioning at T2. Parental depressive symptoms were unrelated to eosinophil activity and asthma symptoms. Conclusions These findings suggest that improvements in family functioning are associated with decreases in eosinophil activity, which may contribute to inflammatory processes that affect airway function.
Identifying Incremental Costs For Successive Generations Of Implantable Cardiac Pacemakers

This paper provides an assessment of the incremental expected costs of increasingly sophisticated generations of cardiac pacemaker technology. A decision analytic framework is used to calculate expected costs of pacemaker therapy over a five-year period, taking into account failure rate estimates for the various generations, device replacement costs, hospital fees, physician's fees, follow-up care, and patient lost time in follow-up care. For five years of pacing therapy, the incremental cost difference between nonpro grammable and multiprogrammable is $1887; between multiprogrammable and dual-chamber is $3321; and between dual-chamber and dual-chamber rate-responsive is $676. Incremental benefits were found extremely difficult to quantify, monetarize, or translate to a scale for comparison with costs. However, medical literature indicates a decreasing level of risk for mortality and morbidity, owing to increased hemodynamic benefits from the more recent generations of high technology pacemakers.
Biochemical characteristics of isolated rat liver stellate cells

Hepatic stellate cells play a quantitatively important role in hepatic retinoid metabolism and storage in rats maintained under normal nutritional conditions. Studies were conducted to further explore the biochemical characteristics of hepatic stellate cells. Stellate cells were isolated in high purity and yield from the livers of normal rats. The isolated cells had the morphology expected (on electron micrographs) for stellate cells, and were enriched in retinoids and in the intracellular retinoid-binding proteins. The composition of the stellate cell lipid droplets was examined. These lipid droplets were isolated in high purity and integrity from frozen and thawed stellate cell preparations by differential centrifugation. We estimate that the lipid composition of stellate cell lipid droplets consisted of approximately 42% retinyl ester, 28% triglyceride, 13% cholesterol (total) and 4% phospholipid. Thus, stellate cell lipid droplets contain substantial levels of both cholesterol and triglyceride, in addition to retinyl esters. Stellate cell homogenates were assayed for both retinol-binding protein and transthyretin by specific radioimmunoassays. Within the detection limits of these radioimmunoassays, we were unable to detect the presence of either retinol-binding protein (less than 9 ng per 10(6) cells) or transthyretin (less than 11 ng per 10(6) cells) in the stellate cell preparations. Total RNA, prepared from the isolated stellate cells, was examined by Northern blot analysis for retinol-binding protein mRNA and transthyretin mRNA, using cDNA probes for retinol-binding protein and transthyretin. Within the sensitivity of these assays, retinol-binding protein mRNA and transthyretin mRNA were not detected in stellate cells. These findings suggest that stellate cells do not synthesize or accumulate retinol-binding protein.
Familial Handedness and Access to Words, Meaning, and Syntax during Sentence Comprehension

Abstract We compared right-handed familial dextral (FS − ) and familial sinistral (FS + ) participants who were aged either 10–13 years (children) or 18–23 years (adults). In word probe and associative probe tasks, FS + adults responded faster than all other groups and FS + children responded more slowly than all other groups. In the word probe task, only the FS − adults showed a significant effect of the serial position of the target word. We interpret these differences to support an analysis-by-synthesis model of comprehension in which individuals who differ in familial handedness and age emphasize different linguistic representations during comprehension. In general, FS + individuals focus on words and meaning, while FS − individuals focus on syntactic representations. In FS + individuals, age-related experiences with language produce a shift in responding from compositional meaning to words and their associations. In FS − individuals, age-related experiences with language produce a shift toward responding based more on detailed syntactic representations, including the serial order of words and possibly the structural roles of clauses.
The Claviceps purpurea Gene Encoding Dimethylallyltryptophan Synthase, the Committed Step for Ergot Alkaloid Biosynthesis

Abstract The first pathway-specific step of ergot alkaloid biosynthesis in the fungus, Claviceps purpurea , is catalyzed by the prenyltransferase, 4-(γ,γ-dimethylallyl)tryptophan synthase. Partial sequence information was obtained for the purified enzyme and a degenerate oligonucleotide mixture was used to identify and amplify segments of the gene, dmaW . The complete gene and near-full-length cDNA were cloned and sequenced. The cDNA was cloned in a yeast expression vector in sense and antisense orientations relative to the inducible GAL1 promoter. Extracts of yeast transformants with the sense constructs, but not antisense constructs or cloning vector, catalyzed production of 4-(γ,γ-dimethylallyl)tryptophan. The sequence of dmaW and its cDNA indicated that it encoded a 455 amino acid polypeptide with a predicted molecular mass of 51,824 Da and a putative prenyl diphosphate binding motif.
Strike a pose: Gαq complexes at the membrane.

The heterotrimeric G protein Gα q is a central player in signal transduction, relaying signals from activated G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to effectors and other proteins to elicit changes in intracellular Ca 2+ , the actin cytoskeleton, and gene transcription. Gα q functions at the intracellular surface of the plasma membrane, as do its best-characterized targets, phospholipase C-β, p63RhoGEF, and GPCR kinase 2 (GRK2). Recent insights into the structure and function of these signaling complexes reveal several recurring themes, including complex multivalent interactions between Gα q , its protein target, and the membrane, that are likely essential for allosteric control and maximum efficiency in signal transduction. Thus, the plasma membrane is not only a source of substrates but also a key player in the scaffolding of Gα q -dependent signaling pathways.
Where Have All the Loans Gone? The Impact of Credit Availability on Mortgage Volume

The total number of purchase mortgages originated in 2012 is considerably less than half of peak levels and is down 44% from 2001 levels. The authors estimate that a large portion of the drop—as many as 1.2 million loans in 2012 alone—can be attributed to low credit availability and find that African-American and Hispanic borrowers have been disproportionately affected by the credit box tightening. An overly tight credit box means fewer individuals will become homeowners at exactly the point in the housing cycle when it is advantageous to do so, depriving these individuals of the chance to build wealth. It also means the housing market will recover more slowly, because there is a more limited pool of potential buyers for each home. Ultimately, it hinders the economy through fewer new home sales and less spending on furnishings, landscaping, renovations, and other consumer spending that goes along with home purchases.
CHARACTERISTICS OF NORTH AMERICAN MEAT AND BONE MEAL RELEVANT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF NON-FEED APPLICATIONS

Unmarketable animal tissues are typically processed by rendering plants, which transform them into meat and bone meal (MBM) or similar products. MBM's traditional use as animal feed has become increasingly threatened, but MBM has potential for non-feed applications. Development of new products and processes is hindered by lack of reliable data on many of MBM's chemical and physical properties. MBM samples, as well as data on raw material and process, were collected from 19 rendering facilities in the United States and Canada. A large majority of the raw material was tissue from cattle, swine, and poultry. All facilities surveyed practiced continuous dry rendering; 89% of the facilities use continuous cookers and 11% use falling film evaporators. MBM is high in protein (44.6-62.8%, mfb), but this protein is poorly soluble; at pH 7 solubility ranged from 2.20% to 7.22%. Among all samples, the particles' median geometric mean diameter was 387 m, and the size distribution was broad. The median density of MBM particles was 1.41 (g/mL); median density of MBM in bulk ranged from 0.50 g/mL when loose-filled to 0.68 g/mL when packed. pH values of the samples ranged from 5.89 to 7.19, and samples containing the most cattle tissue had the highest pH. Thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity values for both loose-filled and packed MBM are reported, as well as CIE L*a*b* color values.
Accelerometers and randomness: perfect together

Accelerometers are versatile sensors that are nearly ubiquitous. They are available on a wide variety of devices and are particularly common on those that are mobile or have wireless capabilities. Accelerometers are applicable in a number of settings and circumstances, including important security and privacy domains. In this paper, we investigate the use of accelerometers for the purpose of true random number generation. As our first contribution, we discover that an accelerometer possesses two unique and appealing properties when used as an entropy source. First, contrary to intuition, an accelerometer can derive sufficient entropy even when it is stationary (i.e., not subject to perceivable acceleration). Next, and more importantly, the entropy of a stationary accelerometer can not be reduced in the presence of a variety of environmental variations or even under adversarial manipulations. This means that, unlike other sensors, accelerometers are resistant to changing environments, benign or otherwise. To support this claim, we develop a thorough experimental adversarial model for accelerometers that supply a system with entropy. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first real world model in the context of entropy collection. As our second contribution, we demonstrate the validity of accelerometer based random number generation on an RFID tag, which is a highly resource constrained device. We present the design and implementation of our method on an Intel WISP tag and conduct several novel experiments to evaluate its feasibility. Our results indicate that a high quality 128-bit random number can be extracted using an accelerometer in about 1.5 seconds even when the sensor is in a stationary state. To our knowledge, this is the first random number generation technique that is known to be viable for RFID devices based on general-purpose hardware.
Revisiting the destination lifecycle model

Abstract An air of crisis pervaded tourism during the 90s after the growth decade of the 80s in Lancaster County, the United States. During these two decades, the tourism landscape also underwent significant transformation. This study, based on a mail survey of tourism businesses, focus groups, and other collected data, describes and interprets recent tourism trends. The relevance of Butler's proposed later stages in his destination lifecycle model is examined. The study concludes that Lancaster County is characterized by the coexistence of growth, stagnation, decline, and rejuvenation and that this combination is better termed a stage of maturity. Nevertheless, the potential for significant decline exists in the future if there is no effective strategic planning to promote sustainable tourism.
Influences and mediators of the effect of poverty on young adolescent depressive symptoms

Data from a sample of young adolescents between the ages of 10 and 12 years (N = 898) from the mother–child data set of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth were analyzed in a study of influences that explain the relation between poverty and depressive symptoms measured 2 years later. Other variables that predicted youth depressive symptoms were also identified. Results indicated that neighborhood problems, nonparticipation in outside school and neighborhood activities, residing with mothers who exhibited depressive symptoms, and mother's use of physical punishment were partial mediators of the effect of poverty on depressive symptoms 2 years later. Youth health status, lower levels of school satisfaction, marital-partner conflict, and father's emotional support also predicted depressive symptoms. The findings indicate that youth depressive symptoms are multiply determined and that poverty can adversely affect young adolescents in many ways.
Predictors of non-participation in a randomized intervention trial to reduce environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in pediatric cancer patients

Background Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is associated with the development of serious health consequences in children with cancer due to preexisting disease and treatment-related vulnerabilities. The purpose of the current investigation was to identify predictors of non-participation in a randomized intervention trial to reduce ETS exposure among pediatric cancer patients. Methods One hundred fifty-three families of pediatric cancer patients met study eligibility criteria. Parents of 117 (76%) patients agreed to study participation, whereas 36 (24%) parents declined (non-participants). Data were collected with respect to participant sociodemographic, medical, and treatment-related characteristics. Results Univariate analyses indicated that families whose primary caregivers were females or smokers were more likely to be non-participants in the ETS reduction trial (P = 0.045 and P = 0.009, respectively). Medical features that significantly associated with study non-participation included CNS tumor diagnosis (P = 0.030), no history of chemotherapy (P = 0.012), history of surgery prior to study recruitment (P = 0.036), and having future radiation therapy planned post study recruitment (P = 0.009). Multivariable logistic regression modeling revealed that study non-participation was associated with the primary caregiver being a smoker (OR = 6.48, P = 0.002) or female (OR = 8.56, P = 0.023), and patient CNS tumor diagnosis (OR = 4.63, P = 0.021). Conclusions Although a large percentage of eligible participants enrolled in the ETS reduction trial, findings suggest that future recruitment strategies of families should be tailored to parental smoking status and gender, as well as child diagnosis and treatment. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:644–649. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A generalized method for the evaluation of mutual coupling in microstrip arrays

An analytical method for the evaluation of mutual coupling in microstrip arrays is discussed. The elements of the array are excited by microstriplines printed on or embedded in the substrate. As an example, the mutual coupling between microstrip dipoles electromagnetically coupled to embedded strip transmission lines is evaluated accurately. The presented method is valid in the millimeter range as weft as at microwave frequencies and does not have any substrate limitations. Also, it accounts for conductor thickness and surface wave excitation. Comparison with experimental results shows excellent agreement.