cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neurotoxin Binding Site on the Acetylcholine Receptor

Publisher Summary The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) at the neuromuscular junction transduces a chemical signal, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine released in response to an action potential at the motor nerve terminal, into an electrical event in the muscle cell that eventually activates the contraction process. In response to acetylcholine, the AChR undergoes a conformational change in which a cation-selective channel is opened, allowing sodium ions to enter and depolarize the cell. Essential functions of the receptor during this process are the binding of acetylcholine to the AChR, the coupling of the binding event to elements of the receptor comprising the channel, the opening of the channel to allow inward passage of cations, and the mechanisms that modulate these steps. Identification of the acetylcholine-binding site on the AChR would increase understanding of the mechanism by which binding of the ligand leads to the changes in the receptor that result in opening of the channel. Localization of this site is greatly facilitated by the use of snake venom curaremimetic neurotoxins, which bind to the receptor with considerably higher affinity than acetylcholine. There is evidence that the toxin-binding site includes the acetylcholine-binding site so that use of the toxins as biological probes should permit characterization of the site on the AChR involved in the binding of acetylcholine. The use of toxins as probes along with techniques employing other ligands, peptide fragments, monoclonal antibodies, synthetic receptor peptides, and genetic engineering are yielding considerable information on the toxin-binding site. In this chapter, current information on the localization of the curaremimetic neurotoxin-binding site on the primary amino acid sequence of the nicotinic AChR is discussed.
Cavity State Manipulation Using Photon-Number Selective Phase Gates

The large available Hilbert space and high coherence of cavity resonators make these systems an interesting resource for storing encoded quantum bits. To perform a quantum gate on this encoded information, however, complex nonlinear operations must be applied to the many levels of the oscillator simultaneously. In this work, we introduce the selective number-dependent arbitrary phase (snap) gate, which imparts a different phase to each Fock-state component using an off-resonantly coupled qubit. We show that the snap gate allows control over the quantum phases by correcting the unwanted phase evolution due to the Kerr effect. Furthermore, by combining the snap gate with oscillator displacements, we create a one-photon Fock state with high fidelity. Using just these two controls, one can construct arbitrary unitary operations, offering a scalable route to performing logical manipulations on oscillator-encoded qubits.
Divorce and Death: A Case Study for Health Psychology

Marital separation and divorce are associated with increased risk for early death, and the magnitude of this association rivals that of many well-established public health factors. In the case of divorce, however, the mechanisms explaining precisely why and how some people are at risk for early death remain unclear. This paper reviews what is known about the association between divorce and risk for all-cause mortality, then discusses four emerging themes in this area of research: the biological intermediaries linking divorce to pathophysiology and disease onset, moving beyond the statistical mean, focusing research on the diathesis-stress model, and studying how opportunity foreclosures may place people on a trajectory toward poor distal health outcomes. These ideas are grounded in a set of public lay commentaries about the association between divorce and death; in this way, the paper seeks to integrate current research ideas with how the general public thinks about divorce and its correlates. Although this paper focuses on divorce, many of the emerging themes are applicable to the study of psychosocial stress and health more generally. Therefore, the study of divorce and death provides a good case study for health psychology and considers new questions that can be pursued in a variety of research areas.
Sluicing as anaphora to issues

Since Merchant 2001, it has been widely agreed that the licensing condition on Sluicing is at least partly semantic in nature. This paper argues that the relevant semantic condition is one of symmetric entailment over a semantics which includes not only truth-conditional information, but also issues in the sense of Groenendijk & Roelofsen 2009. One kind of evidence for the proposal comes from expressions like doubly-negated inde?nites and implicit passive agents which do not license Sluicing despite truth-conditional equivalence to overt inde?nites. In addition to these facts, the paper examines novel data which show that Sluicing is not licensed by even overt inde?nites inside of appositive relative clauses, arguing that these facts (and related facts regarding VP-Ellipsis) follow from the account together with an independently motivated semantics for appositives.
Protein function prediction via Laplacian network partitioning incorporating function category correlations

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of life requires decoding the functions of the proteins in an organism. Various high-throughput experimental techniques have been developed to characterize biological systems at the genome scale. A fundamental challenge of the post-genomic era is to assign biological functions to all the proteins encoded by the genome using high-throughput biological data. To address this challenge, we propose a novel Laplacian Network Partitioning incorporating function category Correlations (LNPC) method to predict protein function on protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks by optimizing a Laplacian based quotient objective function that seeks the optimal network configuration to maximize consistent function assignments over edges on the whole graph. Unlike the existing approaches that have no unique optimization solutions, our optimization problem has unique global solution by eigen-decomposition methods. The correlations among protein function categories are quantified and incorporated into a correlated protein affinity graph which is integrated into the PPI graph to significantly improve the protein function prediction accuracy. We apply our new method to the BioGRID dataset for the Saccharomyces Cerevisiae species using the MIPS annotation scheme. Our new method outperforms other related state-of-the-art approaches more than 63% by the average precision of function prediction and 53% by the average F1 score.
Age discrepancies with the radiocarbon dating of sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.).

When ancient hearths at open archaeological sites do not yield carbonized annual plant remains or other high-quality samples, wood charcoal is commonly used for radiocarbon dating. Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.), a shrub frequently used for fuel across much of the western United States, seems a potentially better candidate for 14C dating than tree wood since the possibility for significant age discrepancy might be less. A comparison of multiple assays from single features reveals that sagebrush can overestimate age more than even tree wood charcoal. A plausible cause of this appears to be persistence of the shrub on the ground surface for an extended interval after death, such that use as fuel almost invariably occurs hundreds of years after fixation of carbon. The potential for age discrepancy may decrease as population density increases because the demand for fuel wood would have resulted in a more rapid turnover of the fuel biomass. This is not true for Archaic period foragers of western North America when population levels were likely quite low and residential mobility quite high.
Secondary Cytotoxic Response In Vitro Against Moloney Lymphoma Cells Antigenically Altered by Drug Treatment In Vivo

Cell-mediated cytotoxic response in vitro to a Moloney strain of murine leukemia virus-induced tumor (LSTRA) altered by 5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)imidazole-4-carboxamide (DTIC) was investigated with the use of mixed-leukocyte tumor cell cultures (MLTC). As assessed by means of a short-term 51Cr-release assay, minimal or no cytolytic activity was generated in primary MLTC. In contrast, high specific cytotoxic response against the altered tumor was obtained in secondary MLTC. Partial cross reactivity was found between the LSTRA and LSTRA/DTIC tumor lines.
Compositional characterization of soil organic matter and hot-water-extractable organic matter in organic horizons using a molecular mixing model

Purpose Microbial decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM) is generally believed to be heterogeneous, resulting in the preferential loss of labile compounds such as carbohydrates and proteins and the accumulation of recalcitrant compounds such as lipids and lignin. However, these fractions are difficult to measure directly in soils. We examined patterns in the biomolecular composition of SOM and hot-water-extractable organic matter (HWEOM) by using a molecular mixing model (MMM) to estimate the content of carbohydrates, protein, lipids, and lignin.
Microfabricated devices for sizing DNA and sorting cells

We have microfabricated devices to size and sort microscopic biological objects, ranging from cells to single molecules of DNA. Sizing is accomplished by fluorescent excitation and detection. The devices are fabricated in a silicone elastomer using a replica method. Single molecules of DNA have been sized to 10 percent accuracy, and manipulation of E. Coli cells has been demonstrated.
Morphologic limiting factors in the temporomandibular joint

T HE TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT is a provocative challenge to the dental profession. Apart from the fact that this joint is ginglymoarthrodial which permits extreme latitude in its movements, its function as a simple hinge joint has never been satisfactorily explained. Every joint in the human body has anatomic structures which impart stability during function. These structures are: (1) the osseous conformation of the articulating ends of the bones of the joints consisting of two opposing curved surfaces which are approximately congruent ; (2) muscles which activate joints and stabilize the joints for power transmission1 ; (3) ligaments which help stabilize the joint by limiting movement; and (4) capsules and discs which form a part of a joint but which do not materially contribute to its stability. No discs are present in some types of joints.
Thomas-Fermi Theory of Excited Atomic States

The usual Thomas-Fermi theory of the atom applies only to ground states. The present paper outlines the general method of extending the theory to excited states and carries out this program in the case of a one-dimensional atom. The treatment is completely self-consistent and yields a nonlinear differential equation which must be solved simultaneously with other equations expressing Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization conditions. Numerical computations show the magnitude of core polarization effects arising from the self-consistent field.
The unification of Ronald W. Shephard's duality theory

Ronald W. Shephard developed four fundamental duality theorems. They relate the following four pairs of representations of the technology: cost function-input distance function, revenue function-output distance function, indirect cost function-indirect input distance function, and indirect revenue function-indirect output distance function. In this paper we show that all eight of these representations are equivalent. The implication of this equivalence is that there are twenty-four duality theorems and four inverse relationships involving Shephard's eight representations of technology.
Recruitment and retention of women in two longitudinal studies of recovery from coronary events: A secondary analysis.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to identify demographic and clinical characteristics of women who refused, dropped out of, or completed 2 longitudinal studies about recovery from coronary events and to identify reasons for refusal or drop out. Design The study was a secondary analysis of data from 2 longitudinal studies on women's recovery from coronary events. Sample The subjects for this study were 254 women recovering from coronary events. Results Demographics did not distinguish refusers from completers or dropouts from completers. Completers were more likely than dropouts to have had surgery and to have diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Reasons for refusal and dropout were identified. Conclusions Clinical and psychosocial variables might play a more important role than demographics in refusal and dropout. Researchers should collect demographic and refusal data at the outset of studies and consider collecting baseline psychosocial data. Researchers should over sample for women without coexisting chronic conditions, and clinicians should educate women about the importance of their participation in studies.
Phase I clinical trial of parenteral hydroxyurea in combination with pelvic and para-aortic external radiation and brachytherapy for patients with advanced squamous cell cancer of the uterine cervix.

Abstract Purpose : Oral hydroxyurea (HU) is a potent radiation sensitizer, but in vitro studies have suggested that prolonged exposure to HU by way of continuous parenteral infusion would enhance clinical efficacy. The objective of this study was to determine the maximal tolerated dose and identify the toxicities of continuous infusion HU in combination with pelvic and para-aortic external beam radiotherapy (RT) and intrauterine brachytherapy in patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Methods : This Phase I study of concomitant RT was designed with an escalating dose schedule of HU administered by continuous infusion. HU was administered parenterally as a continuous infusion, 5 d/wk, during the first 21 days of external radiation, during the final 5 days of external beam RT, followed by another 5-day infusion schedule bracketing the single fraction of brachytherapy. The maximal tolerated dose was defined as the highest dose level at which 3 of 3 or 5 of 6 patients could be treated without dose-limiting toxicity. Results : At dose level 1 (0.25 mg/m2/min), 0 of 4 patients experienced Grade 4 toxicities and 2 patients experienced Grade 3 hematologic toxicities that were not considered dose-limiting. One of the first 4 patients at level 2 (0.375 mg/m2/min) had Grade 3 diarrhea, but the 3 subsequent patients tolerated the dose. At level 3 (0.5 mg/m2/min), 4 of 5 patients failed to complete therapy without a >7-day interruption in HU. Conclusions : The maximal tolerated dose of parenteral HU was 0.375 mg/m2/min when administered with concomitant RT. The most common toxicities were hematologic. A new trial, incorporating concurrent cisplatin, HU, and RT is planned.
Primary malignant tumors of the esophagus other than typical epidermoid carcinoma.

Abstract A review of 1,918 patients with cancer of the esophagus treated at Memorial Hospital from 1926 to 1968 disclosed 66 patients with malignant tumors other than typical epidermoid carcinoma. There were 45 patients with primary adenocarcinoma and 10 patients with variants of epidermoid carcinoma characterized histologically by prominent glandular or spindle cell features. Spindle cell metaplasia occasionally assumed a confusing pseudosarcomatous appearance suggesting leiomyosarcoma or fibrosarcoma when biopsy specimens were composed solely of spindle cell elements. Other unusual tumors of the esophagus included 2 malignant melanomas, 1 mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and I oat cell carcinoma. Primary lymphoma of the esophagus is exceedingly uncommon. Hodgkin's disease in I patient and reticulum cell sarcoma in 2 others later proved to be secondary to mediastinal involvement. The clinical and pathological features of these uncommon esophageal cancers are discussed.
Investigation of the component reactions of oxidative sterol demethylation. Alcohol dehydrogenase

Abstract The alcohol dehydrogenase of microsomal oxidative sterol demethylation is removed from rat liver microsomes by extraction with Tris-acetate buffer. Demethylase activity is reconstituted by addition of either the crude extract or crystalline alcohol dehydrogenase to washed microsomes. The overall reaction catalyzed by the reconstituted system is the same stoichiometrically as that catalyzed by unwashed microsomes. The dehydrogenase of sterol demethylation that catalyzes the oxidation of the primary alcohol may be identical to liver alcohol dehydrogenase.
The Interesting Interplay Between Interneurons and Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis

Adult neurogenesis is a unique form of plasticity found in the hippocampus, a brain region key to learning and memory formation. While many external stimuli are known to modulate the generation of new neurons in the hippocampus, little is known about the local circuitry mechanisms that regulate the process of adult neurogenesis. The neurogenic niche in the hippocampus is highly complex and consists of a heterogeneous population of cells including interneurons. Because interneurons are already highly integrated into the hippocampal circuitry, they are in a prime position to influence the proliferation, survival, and maturation of adult-generated cells in the dentate gyrus. Here, we review the current state of our understanding on the interplay between interneurons and adult hippocampal neurogenesis. We focus on activity- and signaling-dependent mechanisms, as well as research on human diseases that could provide better insight into how interneurons in general might add to our comprehension of the regulation and function of adult hippocampal neurogenesis.
Decorating Personal Places A Descriptive Analysis

This study examined personalization of college dormitory rooms. Walls in college dormitories were photographed on two occasions, at the beginning and end of the first quarter in which new students were in residence. Decorations were content analyzed in terms of the following categories: personal relationships, values, abstract, reference, entertainment, and personal interest materials. The results indicated that most people decorated early in the quarter, decorating increased over time, and students differentially personalized their rooms in terms of the preceding categories. In addition, exploratory analyses were undertaken of modeling among roommates and relationships of decorating to dropout rates from the university.
Leaders, Followers, and Laggards: Adoption of the Us Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in California

Limited quantitative research has been devoted to voluntary climate actions at the local level. It is unclear why some cities act as leaders in the fight against climate change, some act as followe...
Total synthesis and evaluation of vinblastine analogues containing systematic deep-seated modifications in the vindoline subunit ring system: core redesign.

The total synthesis of a systematic series of vinblastine analogues that contain deep-seated structural modifications to the core ring system of the lower vindoline subunit is described. Complementary to the vindoline 6,5 DE ring system, compounds with 5,5, 6,6, and the reversed 5,6 membered DE ring systems were prepared. Both the natural cis and unnatural trans 6,6-membered ring systems proved accessible, with the latter representing a surprisingly effective class for analogue design. Following Fe(III)-promoted coupling with catharanthine and in situ oxidation to provide the corresponding vinblastine analogues, their evaluation provided unanticipated insights into how the structure of the vindoline subunit contributes to activity. Two potent analogues (81 and 44) possessing two different unprecedented modifications to the vindoline subunit core architecture were discovered that matched the potency of the comparison natural products and both lack the 6,7-double bond whose removal in vinblastine leads to a...
Significance of ‘blush’ on computed tomography scan in children with liver injury

Abstract Background/Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine if the presence of "blush" (an indication of active bleeding) on abdominal CT in children with blunt liver injury adversely affected their clinical outcome as has been reported in adults. Methods: The authors reviewed the records of 105 children ages 1 to 16 years with blunt liver injury seen on admission IV contrast CT seen over a 6-year period. Demographic characteristics measured were age, mechanism of injury, and injury severity score (ISS). Clinical outcomes included ICU stay, hospital length of stay (LOS), transfusion requirement (milliliters per kilogram), operations performed, and mortality rate. CT scans were evaluated retrospectively by a radiologist blinded to prior reports, for a "blush" and grade of liver injury. No patient underwent arterial embolization. The authors eliminated children with grade I-II injuries (30 patients), because only one had a blush, and analyzed the 75 patients with severe liver injuries (grades III-V). Those patients without a blush (n = 53) seen on CT were the control group, whereas patients with a blush (n = 22) were the study group. Data were analyzed using the Fisher's Exact and Mann-Whitney U test. The level of significance was set at.05. Results: Patients with a blush had a significantly larger transfusion requirement (17.3 ± 30.5 mL/kg v 5.0 ± 10.9 mL/kg; P =.02) and mortality rate (23% v 4%; P =.02), but the ISS also was significantly greater (25.8 ± 14.5 v 17.5 ± 12.2; P =.019). All other data were similar between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Children with a blush seen on abdominal CT after blunt liver injury have higher transfusion requirements and greater risk of mortality than those without blush. Mortality is primarily related to the severity of their other injuries. J Pediatr Surg 38:363-366. Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Adult-onset idiopathic generalized epilepsy: clinical and behavioral features.

Summary: Purpose: To identify and define clinical and behavioral features of patients with adult-onset idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). Methods: We reviewed the charts of 313 IGE patients at the NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center over the past 5 years to identify patients with adult onset (18 years old or older). We excluded patients with childhood or adolescent symptoms that suggested absence, myoclonic, or tonic–clonic seizures, as well as those with a history of significant head injury or other known causes of localization-related epilepsy. Results: Forty-two (13.4%) patients had a clear onset of IGE in adulthood; average age of onset was early 20s (mean, 23.8 years; range, 18–55 years). Twenty-one patients had adult myoclonic epilepsy (AME, 50%), and three had generalized tonic–clonic seizures on awakening (GTCS-A, 7%). More than two thirds (n = 30) are well controlled with current antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and almost 90% are currently employed (n = 37). One third were diagnosed and treated for mental disorders, including depression (n = 12), anxiety (n = 7), obsessive–compulsive personality disorder (n = 2), and postictal psychosis (n = 1). Conclusions: Adult-onset IGE is associated with a good prognosis. An association may exist between psychological disorders, psychotropic medication, and level of seizure control in adults with IGE.
Effects of superovulation, arachidonic acid or endometrium on release of prostaglandins and synthesis of proteins by bovine trophoblast.

This study was conducted in vitro to examine factors that may regulate prostaglandin release by bovine trophoblast and endometrial slices. Trophoblastic tissues and endometrial slices were recovered from superovulating and normally-ovulating cattle on day 16 or 20 of pregnancy and incubated for 24 h. Release of PGF2α and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2α (PGMF), and incorporation of [14C]-leucine into proteins were quantified and expressed per μg DNA, which gives a measure of cellular activity. Activity of trophoblastic tissue for synthesizing protein was decreased (P<.05) and for releasing PGMF was increased (P<.05) on day 20 compared to day 16 of pregnancy. Neither supercovulation nor day of pregnancy altered trophoblastic activity for releasing PGF2α. Supercovulation increased (P<.05) endometrial release of PGF2α. Endometrial release of PGF2α was less (P<.05) on day 20 than on day 16 of pregnancy. When arachidonic acid (0, 100, 200 or 400 μg) was added at the start of incubation, trophoblastic release of PGF2α changed (P<.05) quadratically with dose of arachidonic acid. When arachidonic acid was added 8 h after the start of incubation, triphoblastic release of PGF2α increased linearly (P<.01) with dose of arachidonic acid. Adding arachidonic acid to incubation medium did not affect trophoblastic or endometrial protein synthesis. Endometrial slices suppressed (P<.05) trophoblastic protein synthesis and release of PGF2α. Apparently, endometrium can modulate trophoblastic release of prostaglandins and synthesis of proteins in vitro, and trophoblastic tissue from supercovulated cattle 16 or 20 days pregnant can be used to study trophoblastic synthesis of prostaglandins and proteins.
Perspectives on Technology and Educational Change

(2010). Perspectives on Technology and Educational Change. Journal of Research on Technology in Education: Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 221-229.
Synaptic transmission and its duplication by focally applied acetylcholine in parasympathetic neurons in the heart of the frog.

Synaptic transmission has been analysed in parasympathetic nerve cells that lie in the transparent interatrial septum of the heart of the frog. Using Nomarski interference optics, one can see much cellular detail, including synaptic boutons in living preparations. 1. On each ganglion cell, the 10 to 20 synaptic boutons are usually derived from a single vagal nerve fibre. These fibres branch extensively to innervate a number of septal ganglion cells. 2. The chemical transmitter, acetylcholine (ACh), liberated by a presynaptic impulse survives for up to 40 ms, setting up an excitatory postsynaptic potential (e.p.s.p.) which triggers one and sometimes two action potentials in the postsynaptic cell. The e.p.s.p. is made up of quantal components, as at the neuromuscular junction. 3. Nerve-evoked e.p.s.p.s can be well matched in amplitude and time course by iontophoretic application of ACh to selected areas of the neuronal membrane. In particular, the miniature e.p.s.p., which is due to the focal release of a small quantity of transmitter, was accurately mimicked by iontophoretic application of ACh. By grading the amount of ACh released from an electrode one could also duplicate the wide variety of nerve-evoked postsynaptic discharges of ganglion cells. 4. The permeability changes initiated in the postsynaptic membrane by applied ACh and the synaptic transmitter appear identical, since the ionic fluxes for both responses have the same equilibrium potential. Also, the receptors which react with the synaptic transmitter are desensitized by applied ACh. 5. Cholinesterase inhibitors (Tensilon and Eserine) have a variable action on different cells, with respect both to nerve-evoked and Ach evoked potentials. The reasons for this variation are unclear, and need further study. 6. Miniature e.p.s.p.s resemble analogous potentials at nerve-muscle junctions and other synapses. A significant proportion of the min e.p.s.p.s is released as multiple units. This proportion is increased in high Ca2+, while single units alone occur in a low Ca2+-high Mg2+ environment. 7. The experiments provide information about the release of ACh from nerve terminals and its action on the postsynaptic membrane of neurons. They are in good agreement with analogous studies on skeletal neuromuscular junctions
An application of tangible interfaces in collaborative learning environments

Over the years, educators and government officials have searched for ways to improve learning in our schools, particularly in the areas of math and science. Many have come to recognize that collaborative activities, learning through play, and teacher guidance can help children to get over their initial fears and even begin to enjoy these subjects. Yet, at the same time, shrinking school budgets are making it harder to support these approaches to learning. Tangible Interfaces for Collaborative Learning Environments (TICLE) was conceived in response to this need [Scarlatos 2002].
Understanding Historical Thinking at Historic Sites.

This article describes the interpretive processes historians engage in when “reading” historic buildings and examines what qualifies as historical thinking about historic buildings and sites. To gather evidence of what historical thinking looks like as it pertains to buildings, 5 practicing historians were recorded as they toured the Old North Church in Boston, Massachusetts. From these protocols, 5 heuristics were identified: origination, intertectonality, stratification, supposition, and empathetic insight. The heuristics described here provide the means through which a wider range of historic materials can be brought into the discussion of what it means to think historically.
A new one‐component anhydride‐cured epoxy with an aliphatic disiloxane dianhydride and metal‐coordinated lewis bases

The use of 1,3-di(5-[2,2,1]-bicyclohexyl-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane, 1, as a curing agent in the presence of typical epoxy resins with Lewis bases as catalysts produces thermosets with HDTs of 320°C. The solubility of 1 in the epoxy resin allows for the preparation of a one-component formulation. A latent catalyst was developed which employs amine complexes of cobalt bis(2,4-pentanedionate). These formulations exhibit long term storage at ambient conditions, yet cure rapidly at 180–200°C.
Observation of quantum interference effects in the frequency domain.

Interference has been observed in the mixing of signal photons produced by spontaneous down-conversion in two nonlinear crystals, when the optical path difference through the interferometer greatly exceeds the coherence length of the light. The interference shows up as a periodic modulation of the spectrum. We demonstrate that the interference is nonclassical and connected with the entangled state of the signal and idler photons, by transferring the long optical delay from the path of the signal photons to the path of the idler photons. Even though the idlers are not interfering directly, the effect is found to be unchanged, but the interference is lost when the idler photons are blocked. We discuss the extent to which one photon carries the modulated spectrum.
Economic utility versus the attitudinal perspective of consumer choice

Abstract Consumer behavior has been extensively researched by economists and social psychologists under the labels of demand theory and attitude theory, respectively. These schools have historically ignored each other's contributions, largely because demand theory has focused on constrained choice while attitude theory has not. However, Warshaw, Sheppard and Hartwick have recently extended attitude theory so that constraints and choice are now endogenous to the model. The points of tangency and distinctiveness between this paradigm and that version of demand theory which is most pertinent to brand choice (i.e., Lancaster economics) are critically discussed, providing a frame of reference for future research at the boundary of economics and social psychology.
Composite Particles of Zero Mass

A neutrino theory of spin-zero particles of zero mass is constructed in terms of bilinear neutrino operators. The restrictions of a two-component neutrino theory are shown to reduce the possible fields from three to one. Further, by using a two-component neutrino theory it is shown that it is impossible by using bilinear expressions to form a theory of light and that using quadrilinear expressions cannot produce a theory of gravitation.
Combined aspirin and sulfinpyrazone in the prevention of recurrent hemodialysis vascular access thrombosis.

We carried out a pilot study in 15 hemodialysis patients with recurrent vascular access thrombosis to examine whether the combination of low dose aspirin (85 mg once daily) and sulfinpyrazone (200 mg three times daily) is safe and effective in the prevention of vascular access thrombosis. Hemostatic measurements were performed prior to and after four weeks of starting the drug combination. Baseline values for fibrinopeptide A were elevated in all patients while those for platelet factor 4, fibrinogen, antithrombin III and protein C were generally within normal limits. A major reduction in the frequency of vascular access thrombosis from 0.114 per month to 0.04 per month was noted during combined drug treatment (p < 0.001). Although in vitro platelet aggregation to various stimuli was markedly suppressed and platelet thromboxane B2 formation was almost completely inhibited in patients on aspirin/sulfinpyrazone, this was not associated with a significant further prolongation of the bleeding time. A relatively high rate of complications, particularly mild gastrointestinal bleeding, was noted in patients on aspirin/sulfinpyrazone that could not be predicted on the basis of pre-treatment hemostatic test results.
Effects of fuzzless cottonseed phenotype on cottonseed nutrient composition in near isogenic cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) mutant lines under well-watered and water stress conditions.

There is no information available on the effect of fuzzless seed trait on cottonseed nutrient composition (minerals, N, S, protein, and oil) under drought stress. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of the fuzzless seed trait on cottonseed nutrients using four sets of near-isogenic lines (NILs). Each set consists of two lines that share the same genetic background, but differ in seed fuzziness (fuzzy, F; fuzzless, N). The near isogenic lines will enable us to compare the effect of the trait without confounding the genotypic background effects. We hypothesized that since the fuzzless trait involved in fiber initiation development, and was reported to be involved in biochemical, molecular, and genetic processes, this trait may also alter cottonseed nutrient composition. Results showed that NIL sets accumulated different levels of minerals in seeds and leaves, and the fuzzless trait (NF) in most of the lines altered seed and leaf mineral accumulations when compared with fuzzy lines (FN) or the control line. For example, K, P, Mg, Cu, and Na concentrations in seeds were higher in MD N and STV N than in their equivalent MD F and STV F lines. Leaf concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, S, B, Cu, and Fe in MD N lines were higher than MD F line. Lower levels of nutrients in seeds and leaves were observed under water stress conditions, especially Ca, Mg, N, and B in seeds. Generally and with few exceptions, seed protein was higher in fuzzy lines that in fuzzless lines; however, seed oil was higher in fuzzless lines than in fuzzy lines. Our research demonstrated that fuzzless trait altered the composition and level of nutrients in seed and leaves in well watered and water stressed plants. Differences in protein and oil between fuzzy and fuzzless seeds may indicate alteration in nitrogen and carbon fixation and metabolism. The differential accumulation of seed nutrients in this germplasm could be used by cotton breeders to select for higher cottonseed quality.
Does cellobiohydrolase II core protein from Trichoderma reesei disperse cellulose macrofibrils

Papain digestion of a Trichoderma ressei cellulase resulted in the generation of a protein, tentatively identified as cellobiohydrolase II core protein (CBH IIcp), that could be separated from the rest of the enzyme by gel filtration. It apparently possessed the ability to disperse cellulose macrofibrils based on our findings that: (1) the amount of CBH IIcp that bound to microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel) was inversely proportional to the Avicel concentration; (2) pretreatment of Avicel with CBH IIcp increased the rate of its hydrolysis by crude cellulase; and (3) dispersion of crystalline cotton linters by CBH IIcp was visually and microscopically apparent.
Designing metal hemispheres on silicon ultrathin film solar cells for plasmonic light trapping

We systematically investigate the design of two-dimensional silver (Ag) hemisphere arrays on crystalline silicon (c-Si) ultrathin film solar cells for plasmonic light trapping. The absorption in ultrathin films is governed by the excitation of Fabry-Perot TEMm modes. We demonstrate that metal hemispheres can enhance absorption in the films by (1) coupling light to c-Si film waveguide modes and (2) exciting localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs). We show that hemisphere arrays allow light to couple to fundamental TEm and TMm waveguide modes in c-Si film as well as higher-order versions of these modes. The near-field light concentration of LSPRs also may increase absorption in the c-Si film, though these resonances are associated with significant parasitic absorption in the metal. We illustrate how Ag plasmonic hemispheres may be utilized for light trapping with 22% enhancement in short-circuit current density compared with that of a bare 100 nm thick c-Si ultrathin film solar cell.
The Effect of Natural Mulches on Crop Performance, Weed Suppression and Biochemical Constituents of Catnip and St. John's Wort

Because of expanding markets for high-value niche crops, opportunities have increased for the production of medicinal herbs in the USA. An experiment was conducted in 2001 and 2002 near Gilbert, IA, to study crop performance, weed suppression, and environmental conditions associated with the use of several organic mulches in the production of two herbs, catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) and St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L. ‘Helos’). Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design and included a positive (hand-weeded) control, a negative (nonweeded) control, oat straw, a flax straw mat, and a nonwoven wool mat. Catnip plant height was significantly greater in the oat straw than the other treatments at 4 wk through 6 wk in 2001; at 4 to 8 wk in 2002, catnip plant height and width was significantly lower in the negative control compared with the other treatments. Catnip yield was significantly higher in the flax straw mat than all other treatments in 2001. In 2002, St. John’s wort yields were not statistically different in any treatments. All weed management treatments had significantly fewer weeds than the non-weeded rows in 2002. Total weed density comparisons in each crop from 2 yr showed fewer weeds present in the flax straw and wool mat treatments compared with positive control plots. There was no significant weed management treatment effect on the concentration of the target compounds, nepetalactone in catnip and pseudohypericin–hypericin in St. John’s wort, although there was a trend toward higher concentrations in the flax straw treatment.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Associated Obstructive Lung Diseases

In the era of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), epidemiologic studies have found that persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have a higher prevalence and incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than HIV-uninfected persons. In comparison with HIV-uninfected persons and those with well-controlled HIV disease, HIV-infected persons with poor viral control or lower CD4 cell count have more airflow obstruction, a greater decline in lung function, and possibly more severe diffusing impairment. This article reviews the evidence linking HIV infection to obstructive lung disease, and discusses management issues related to the treatment of obstructive lung disease in HIV-infected patients.
Audience Segmentation as a Social-Marketing Tool in Health Promotion: Use of the Risk Perception Attitude Framework in HIV Prevention in Malawi

Objectives. We sought to determine whether individuals' risk perceptions and efficacy beliefs could be used to meaningfully segment audiences to assist interventions that seek to change HIV-related behaviors.Methods. A household-level survey of individuals (N = 968) was conducted in 4 districts in Malawi. On the basis of responses about perceptions of risk and beliefs about personal efficacy, we used cluster analysis to create 4 groups within the risk perception attitude framework: responsive (high risk, strong efficacy), avoidance (high risk, weak efficacy), proactive (low risk, strong efficacy), and indifference (low risk, weak efficacy). We ran analysis of covariance models (controlling for known predictors) to determine how membership in the risk perception attitude framework groups would affect knowledge about HIV, HIV-testing uptake, and condom use.Results. A significant association was found between membership in 1 or more of the 4 risk perception attitude framework groups and the 3 study variables...
"Fear communication" via odor in inbred mice.

The application of a treatment to one group of Ss had effects upon another group of Ss not so treated. The effects, largely upon resistance to extinction, were probably mediated by odor. The data suggested that Ss exhibited conditioned and unconditioned responses to odors left by other Ss.
Elevated serum parathyroid hormone is a cardiovascular risk factor in moderate chronic kidney disease.

Over 8% of adults in the United States are estimated to have moderate (stages 3 and 4) chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is increasingly recognized as one of the independent predictors for cardiovascular (CV) disease and related mortality. Secondary hyperparathyroidism with elevated serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) is associated with increased CV mortality in end-stage renal disease and this relationship is unclear in moderate CKD. Medical records of 196 patients at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital with stages 3 and 4 CKD (glomerular filtration rate, GFR 16–59 ml/min/1.73 m2) who had iPTH levels determined from 4/2006 to 9/2007 were reviewed. CV event was defined as occurrence of any of the following during follow-up: myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary/carotid/peripheral artery revascularization, and death due to CV reasons. During median follow-up of 27.2 months, 48 patients had CV events, while 148 patients did not. iPTH was elevated (156.43 ± 107.49) for patients who had CV events compared with those without (109.12 ± 86.54, P = 0.003). Among the covariates studied in the multivariate analysis including history of vascular disease, 25-OH Vit D, corrected calcium, phosphorus levels, calcium–phosphorus product, and GFR, iPTH level was found to have a positive association with CV events during follow-up period (odds ratio = 1.3 for 50 pg/ml change in iPTH, 95% CI: 1.03–1.55, P = 0.02)). Cardiovascular disease history was the only other significant variable with estimated odds ratio of 5.9 (P = 0.002). iPTH level in patients with stages 3 and 4 CKD is associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular events independent of calcium–phosphorous level.
Triage and Management of the Pregnant Hypertensive Patient

Hypertension during pregnancy is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Current thinking on the diagnosis and management of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is presented, along with triage and risk management issues.
Isothermal oxidation of TiAl alloy

Isothermal oxidation behavior of Ti-48.6 at. pct Al alloy was studied in pure dry oxygen over the temperature range 850 °C to 1000 °C. The oxidation was essentially parabolic at all temperatures with significant increase in the rate at 1000 °C. Effective activation energy of 404 kJ/mol was deduced. The oxidation products were a mixture of TiO2 (rutile) and α-Al2O3 at all temperatures. An external protective layer of alumina was not observed on this alloy at any of the temperatures studied. A layered structure of oxides was formed on the alloy at 1000 °C.
Effect of moisture on supercritical fluid extraction of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and phenols from soil using an automated extractor

An automated supercritical fluid extraction system was evaluated with polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and phenols to demonstrate extraction efficiency, collection efficiency, and sample cross contamination. Results showed that 75/25 glass beads/octadecyl silica provided the highest collection efficiency for these classes of compounds. Also, the automated SFE system was used to study the effect of different percentages of water (w/w) in soil on extraction efficiency of fortified PAH and phenols at different temperatures and pressures. Results showed that the presence of (available) water in soil (>10%) does, increase extraction efficiency of higher molecular weight PAH at higher temperature. Also it was demonstrated that temperature rather than pressure had a marked effect on extraction efficiency. The extraction efficiency of phenols from soil which contained 5% of water, using pure supercritical CO2, was higher than those obtained from dry soil or soil containing 1 % water. Extraction of phenols from soil did not show a dependence on pressure or temperature.
On Improving Endurance of Unmanned Ground Vehicles: The ATRV-Jr Case Study

Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) have strict payload limitations, limited free space affecting power supply availability (number of batteries, size and volume) that impact onboard available energy resulting in limited endurance and operational range. This limitation is exacerbated by the addition of extra sensors and other related equipment needed for diverse applications. The ATRV-Jr UGV is considered as a testbed to identify causes of reduced runtime and operational range offering a detailed analysis of component power consumption. A comparative study between Lead Acid, Lithium and Fuel Cell technologies allows for power supply enhancement via i) an optimum design with weight, volume, runtime and rechargeability being major restrictions and concerns, and, ii) the use of lower power sensors and processors without affecting vehicle functionality and operability.
Interactions of hyaluronic acid with serum albumin.

Abstract The Pi peak observed in the electrophoretic patterns of many synovial fluids has been demonstrated to be principally a complex between hyaluronic acid and plasma albumin. It could be best shown at pH 8.6 in veronal buffers. The viscosity of hyalunoric interactions occurred at pH 7.1 to 7.6 in phosphate buffers. The viscosity of hyaluronic acid decreased in phosphate solutions, and the Pi component was not formed with depolymerized hyaluronic acid. Hyalunoric acid also produced abnormal patterns of the globulins when added to blood serum. In their ultracentrifuge patterns, such solutions exhibited small rapidly sedimenting peaks. These results are interpreted as indicating that hyaluronic acid solutions exist in a loose gel structure. In the presence of some proteins, a slowly dissociable bond is formed between the protein and the gel structure. This interaction may be important in the permeability of the inter-cellular ground substance of connective tissue.
Variability of Orientation-Patterned GaAs Optical Parametric Oscillator Performance

OPO performance in 2-micron-pumped OPGaAs samples grown on different templates was found to be comparable, but exhibited significant variation within and between samples. Measured signal and idler wavelength values agreed closely with theory.