cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the intrinsic regulation of neuropeptide Y release in the mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus circadian clock

Timing of the circadian clock of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is regulated by photic and non-photic inputs. Of these, neuropeptide Y (NPY) signaling from the intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) to the SCN plays a prominent role. Although NPY is critical to clock regulation, neither the mechanisms modulating IGL NPY neuronal activity nor the nature of regulatory NPY signaling in the SCN clock are understood, as NPY release in the SCN has never been measured. Here, microdialysis procedures for in vivo measurement of NPY were used in complementary experiments to address these questions. First, neuronal release of NPY in the hamster SCN was rhythmic under a 14L : 10D photocycle, with the acrophase soon after lights-on and the nadir at midday. No rhythmic fluctuation in NPY occurred under constant darkness. Second, a behavioral phase-resetting stimulus (wheel-running at midday that induces IGL serotonin release) acutely stimulated SCN NPY release. Third, bilateral IGL microinjection of the serotonin agonist, (+/-)-2-dipropyl-amino-8-hydroxyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronapthalene (8-OH-DPAT) (another non-photic phase-resetting stimulant), at midday enhanced SCN NPY release. Conversely, similar application of the serotonin antagonist, metergoline, abolished wheel-running-induced SCN NPY release. IGL microinjection of the GABA agonist, muscimol, suppressed SCN NPY release. These results support an intra-IGL mechanism whereby behavior-induced serotonergic activity suppresses inhibitory GABAergic transmission, promoting NPY activity and subsequent phase resetting. Collectively, these results confirm IGL-mediated NPY release in the SCN and verify that its daily rhythm of release is dependent upon the 14L : 10D photocycle, and that it is modulated by appropriately-timed phase-resetting behavior, probably mediated by serotonergic activation of NPY units in the IGL.
Behavioral Biometrics: Categorization and Review

This work categorizes and reviews behavioral biometrics with the inclusion of future-oriented techniques. A general introduction to this field is given alongside the benefits of this non-intrusive approach. It presents the examination and analysis of the current research in the field and the different types of behavior-centric features. Accuracy rates for verifying users with different behavioral biometric approaches are compared. Privacy issues that will or may arise in the future with behavioral biometrics are also addressed. Finally, the general properties of behavior, the influence of environmental factors on observed behavior and the potential directions for future research in the field of behavioral biometrics are discussed.
THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF WORKER PENSION FUNDS

Increasing concentration of economic power within the corporate sector, as well as the extent of corporate control by a few financial institutions such as commercial banks, have been subjects of intense scrutiny and debate in recent years. However, the role of private and public worker retirement trusts in providing power for institutional investors has not been adequately addressed. Pension fund assets, which were relatively inconsequential prior to 1960, and their investment in and share of total corporate equities minor, have grown to over $l410 billion by the end of 1977. In their analysis of and interest in public and private pension trusts, scholars, employers and even employees have tended to emphasize narrow economic issues such as investment performance. It is the central argument of this article that workers’ funds have become a major source of capital in the American economy, and as such have been used to help create and/or sustain practices that adversely impinge on workers themselves. It is argued that pension assets have contributed to: 1) the increasing power of financial institutions; 2) growth of corporate profits that only minimally benefit some pension plan participants; 3)capital shortages for 'socially useful’ investments; and 4)support of corporate enterprises that refuse basic worker demands including unionization itself. The study further suggests that the rapidly growing pension assets have the potential to serve‘the public interest’ as well as the needs of workers. Threat of withdrawal of funds from selected money managers and corporations, and utilization of share–holder voting rights to influence corporate policies can be potent weapons for organized labor. Since this is an exploratory analysis, the aim of the article is to gather, present and clarify basic information on worker pension trusts and to propose alternative avenues for future research in this critical area.
pH-sensitive, cationic liposomes: A new synthetic virus-like vector

We describe the use of cationic, pH-sensitive liposomes to mediate the efficient transfer of DNA into a variety of cells in culture. Cationic lipids, containing an amine with a pK within the physiologic range of 4.5 to 8, were synthesized and incorporated with dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine into liposomes. Acid conditions promoted DNA-binding, DNA-incorporation, and DNA-induced fusion by these cationic, pH-sensitive liposomes. Transfection efficiency in cultured cells was dependent on endosomal acidification in a manner akin to acidic-induced endosomal release of viruses. These liposomes constitute a promising new class of reagents for gene therapy.
Involvement of corticosteroids in acoustic induction of audiogenic seizure susceptibility in mice.

Genetically seizure-resistant C57BL/6 mice were induced to develop high susceptibility (90%) to audiogenic seizures by prior exposure to auditory stimulation (“acoustic priming”) on day 19 of age. The administration of metopyrone (MP) or aminoglutethimide (AG), two inhibitors of adrenal corticosteroid synthesis, at 5 hrs before acoustic priming, prevented the induction of seizure susceptibility. 11-Deoxy-17-hydroxycorticosterone, an antagonist of glucocorticoid action by blocking glucocorticoid receptors, was also effective in completely preventing the priming effect. Similarly, acoustic priming failed to induce audiogenic seizure susceptibility in adrenalectomized mice. When MP or AG was administered to primed mice at 5 hrs before testing for audiogenic seizures on day 28 of age, they did not affect the elicitation of seizures by sound stimulus in the already susceptible mice. These results indicate that corticosteroids are required in order for the acoustic induction of audiogenic seizure susceptibility to occur.
Film Cooling From a Single Row of Cylindrical Angled Holes With Triangular Tabs Having Different Orientations

The effect of discrete delta (or triangular)-shaped tabs with different orientations on the film cooling performance from a row of cylindrical holes is investigated. The holes are inclined at 35° along the streamwise direction and the tabs are located along the upstream edge of the holes. Three tab orientations are investigated: (1) tabs placed parallel to the film cooled surface covering a part of the hole; (2) tabs oriented downward at –45 degrees; and (3) tabs oriented upwards at 45 degrees. Measurements were carried out in a low-speed wind tunnel using the transient liquid crystal technique. The mainstream velocity and free-stream turbulence intensity in the low speed wind tunnel are 9 m/s and 7% respectively and the mainstream Reynolds number based on hole diameter is around 7,100. Three blowing ratios of 0.56, 1.13, and 1.7 are tested. Results show that the tabs oriented horizontally and those oriented downward provides the highest film effectiveness at blowing ratios of 0.56 and 1.13. At blowing ratio of 1.7, the horizontal tabs have the highest effectiveness. The higher effectiveness (200-300%) and higher heat transfer coefficient (25-30%) with the tabs are caused due to the generation of secondary eddies counter-rotating with respect to the kidney pair; these eddies reduce jet penetration and thus increase film cooling effectiveness.Copyright © 2001 by ASME
Optic nerve lymphoma: Report of two cases and review of the literature

Lymphoma may involve the optic nerve as isolated optic nerve lymphoma or in association with central nervous system (CNS) or systemic lymphoma. We present two biopsy-proven non-Hodgkin lymphomas of the optic nerve and compare our findings with previously reported cases. We discuss the mechanism of metastasis, classification of optic nerve involvement, clinical features, radiologic findings, optic nerve biopsy indications and techniques, histologic features, and treatments. We propose a classification system of optic nerve lymphoma: isolated optic nerve involvement, optic nerve involvement with CNS disease, optic nerve involvement with systemic disease, and optic nerve involvement with primary intraocular lymphoma. Although it is an uncommon cause of infiltrative optic neuropathy, optic nerve metastasis should be considered in patients with a history of lymphoma. The recommended approach to a patient with presumed optic nerve lymphoma includes neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid evaluation as part of the initial workup, then judicious use of optic nerve biopsy, depending on the clinical situation.
The Importance of N-terminal Polycysteine and Polybasic Sequences for G14α and G16α Palmitoylation, Plasma Membrane Localization, and Signaling Function

Plasma membrane targeting of G protein alpha (Galpha) subunits is essential for competent receptor-to-G protein signaling. Many Galpha are tethered to the plasma membrane by covalent lipid modifications at their N terminus. Additionally, it is hypothesized that Gq family members (Gqalpha,G11alpha,G14alpha, and G16alpha) in particular utilize a polybasic sequence of amino acids in their N terminus to promote membrane attachment and protein palmitoylation. However, this hypothesis has not been tested, and nothing is known about other mechanisms that control subcellular localization and signaling properties of G14alpha and G16alpha. Here we report critical biochemical factors that mediate membrane attachment and signaling function of G14alpha and G16alpha. We find that G14alpha and G16alpha are palmitoylated at distinct polycysteine sequences in their N termini and that the polycysteine sequence along with the adjacent polybasic region are both important for G16alpha-mediated signaling at the plasma membrane. Surprisingly, the isolated N termini of G14alpha and G16alpha expressed as peptides fused to enhanced green fluorescent protein each exhibit differential requirements for palmitoylation and membrane targeting; individual cysteine residues, but not the polybasic regions, determine lipid modification and subcellular localization. However, full-length G16alpha, more so than G14alpha, displays a functional dependence on single cysteines for membrane localization and activity, and its full signaling potential depends on the integrity of the polybasic sequence. Together, these findings indicate that G14alpha and G16alpha are palmitoylated at distinct polycysteine sequences, and that the adjacent polybasic domain is not required for Galpha palmitoylation but is important for localization and functional activity of heterotrimeric G proteins.
Some recent results for series system reliability

Asymptotic properties of key test results ate obtained. Some further results on the Lindstrom-Madden method are given, including a binomial-Poisson inequality, together with some numerical examples. Simplified proofs of some results of Pledger and Proschan (1971) and Nevius, Proschan and Sethuraman (1977) are provided and the listing of a FORTRAN program to calculate a lower bound to the 1-α lower confidence limit on the system reliability is given.
Measurements of the equatorial undercurrent in the eastern Pacific

Abstract During the Piquero Expidition (June 26–August 4, 1969) direct measurements of the Pacific Equatorial Undercurrent were made at four longitudes between 115.5° and 93.5°W. Eastward volume transports of the Undercurrent were 19 × 106 m3 sec−1 at 115.5°W and 8 × 106 m3 sec−1 at 93.5°W. Transports of the South Equatorial Current and the Undercurrent were comparable to those measured on Swansong (September–November 1961). Comparison of the Swansong and Piquero measurements with those of Dolphin (April–May 1958) and Eastropac (April 1968) suggests that the Undercurrent transport is less when the southeast trade winds and the South Equatorial Current are strongest. Measurements east of 118°W on all expeditions show higher velocities to the south of the equator than the north. This asymmetry may be due to the southerly component of wind at the equator in the eastern Pacific. Beneath the Undercurrent there was a secondary maximum of east flow at the base of the thermostad; speeds ranged between 12 and 34 cm sec−1 and the thermosteric anomaly at the maximum was near 160 cl ton−1. At 115.5°W there was a divergence in meridional transport in the surface layer (upper 28 m). The magnitude of the integrated poleward transport was approximately equal to the poleward Ekman transport given by the zonal wind stress component. In order to satisfy continuity of mass upwelling of water into the surface layer was required. The computed vertical velocity component is 8 × 10−3 cm sec−1. Current measurementsat the depth of the Undercurrent did not indicate equator-ward flow towards the equator. This is in contrast to the Swansong results. Slopes of the pressure surfaces relative to 500 db indicate that there was no mean zonal pressure force east of 115.5°W. Computation of the longitudinal distribution of maximum east current of the Undercurrent with a simple model indicates that frictional dissipation may be important west of the Galapagos Islands. Low-salinity and high-salinity cores were found north and south of the equator at 115.5°W. The high-salinity core was present west of the Galapagos Islands but the low-salinity core was absent. The high-salinity core was located at the depth of maximum Vaisala frequency. Computation of the coefficient of vertical eddy diffusion of salt gave a value of 4 × 10−2 cm2 sec−1.
Phosphorylation of the rodent negative acute-phase protein alpha 1-inhibitor-III by the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase.

alpha 1-Inhibitor-III (alpha 1I3), a broad range proteinase inhibitor, member of the alpha-macroglobulin family, is abundant in normal rat plasma. Insulin-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of a monomeric 195K glycoprotein (pp195) was observed in wheatgerm agglutinin (WGA)-Sepharose-purified insulin receptor preparations from rat liver and muscle. Phosphorylation of pp195 in vitro required a basic poly-amino acid, i.e. poly-L-lysine. We present evidence identifying pp195 as alpha 1I3. In situ perfusion with saline essentially removed pp195 from rat livers. Addition of normal rat plasma to liver homogenates or to WGA eluates restored insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of pp195; plasma from streptozotocin-diabetic rats was much less effective. Liver-derived pp195 copurified with an abundant plasma protein, with the characteristics of alpha 1I3, on size exclusion and ion-exchange chromatography. An approximately 195K protein, comigrating with alpha 1I3, was markedly diminished in plasma from diabetic rats, a...
Patterns and predictors of health service utilization in adolescents with pain: comparison between a community and a clinical pain sample.

Abstract There is limited research describing the patterns of healthcare utilization in adolescents with chronic pain. This study describes healthcare utilization in a clinical chronic pain sample, and compares the patterns of service use of this group to a community sample with intermittent pain complaints. We also investigated demographic and clinical factors that predicted healthcare visits and medication use in the clinical sample. Data on 117 adolescents (aged 12–18; n = 59 clinical pain sample, n = 58 community) were collected. Caregivers and adolescents reported on sociodemographics, medical visits, current medications, pain, activity limitations, and depression. As hypothesized, the clinical pain sample had higher rates of healthcare consultation on all types of medical visits (general, specialty care, complementary medicine, mental health, OT/PT), and higher medication use compared to the community sample. Regression analyses revealed that higher annual income, greater pain frequency, and higher levels of caregiver-reported activity limitations were associated with a greater number of healthcare visits for the total sample. Within the clinical pain sample, higher pain frequency and greater activity limitations (caregiver report) predicted more specialty care visits. Additionally, higher income and greater levels of depressive symptoms predicted a higher number of prescribed medications. Perspective This study contributes to the limited available data on health service and medication use in a clinical chronic pain sample versus a community sample of adolescents. We also identify clinical factors (pain frequency, parent-reported activity limitations, depressive symptoms) and demographic factors (gender, income) associated with healthcare utilization.
Interfirm Relations in China Group Structure and Firm Performance in Business Groups

The networks of interfirm relations that developed in business groups during China's economic transition have been an important part of the country's economic transition. This article examines the ...
The internal concentration of K+ in isolated rat liver mitochondria.

A simple osmotic method has been developed to determine the internal K+ concentration of mitochondria by determining the concentration of external K+ at constant osmotic pressure at which metabolically inhibited mitochondria neither shrink nor swell. This concentration has been found to correspond to approx. 80–85 mM in freshly isolated mitochondria and considerably lower after additional centrifugation procedures. Since mitochondria are in osmotic equilibrium with the suspending medium (in this case, 0.32 osmolal), and K+ is the primary exchangeable internal ion, a significant proportion of the internal osmotic pressure must be exerted by the sucrose. Results for experiments determining internal K+ after centrifuging mitochondria at various G values confirm the reports of Sitaramam et al. (Sitaraman, V. and Sarma, M.K.J. (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78, 3441–3445 and Sambasivarao, D. and Sitaramam, V. (1983) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 722, 256–270) that centrifugation induces the entry of sucrose in mitochondria isolated in a sucrose medium.
Low-Energy Electron Scattering by Complex Atoms: Theory and Calculations

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews theoretical methods for the quantitative description of electron scattering by atoms with more than one electron, in the low-energy region. Electron scattering by helium provides an excellent comparison between theory and experiment, because many experimental data are available, and relatively accurate theoretical calculations are feasible. The quantitative theory of electron scattering by a complex atom requires consistent treatment of the N-electron target atom and of the (N + 1)-electron scattering system. For a neutral target atom, low-energy scattering is dominated by the long-range polarization potential due to dynamical distortion of the atom by the incident electron. At short range, the external electron becomes part of a transient negative ion, whose specific states produce resonance structures in scattering cross sections. Much of the observed energy-dependent structure in electron-atom scattering arises from such resonances. Energy can be transferred between the incident electron and target atom, inducing transitions from the initial atomic state. As the energy of the incident electron is increased, successively higher excited states of the atom become energetically accessible. Characteristic scattering structures can occur at each excitation threshold. At low energies, only a relatively small number of partial waves (incident electron angular momentum states) contribute significantly to electron scattering. This number increases with incident electron energy and with the strength of the dominant long-range interaction potential.
PILOT PERFORMANCE AND WORKLOAD USING TRAFFIC DISPLAYS TO SUPPORT FREE FLIGHT

Arising from the need to employ innovative solutions to safely and efficiently maintain air traffic separation in increasingly denser skyways, the concept of Free Flight involves shifting some air traffic management responsibilities from air traffic control specialists on the ground to the pilots in the cockpit.
Anaerobic Oxidation of Methane: Mechanisms, Bioenergetics, and the Ecology of Associated Microorganisms

Microbially mediated anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) moderates the input of methane, an important greenhouse gas, to the atmosphere by consuming methane produced in various marine, terrestrial, and subsurface environments. AOM coupled to sulfate reduction has been most extensively studied because of the abundance of sulfate in marine systems, but electron acceptors other than sulfate are more energetically favorable. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene clone libraries derived from microbial communities where AOM occurs show evidence of diverse, methanotrophic archaea (ANME) closely associated with sulfate-reducing bacteria, but these organisms have not yet been isolated as pure cultures. Several biochemical pathways for AOM have been proposed, including reverse methanogenesis, acetogenesis, and methylogenesis, and both culture-dependent and independent techniques have provided some clues to how these communities function. Still, questions remain regarding the diversity, physiology, and metaboli...
Driving self-restriction in high-risk conditions: How do older drivers compare to others?

INTRODUCTION: Many older drivers self-restrict or avoid driving under high-risk conditions. Little is known about the onset of driving self-restrictions or how widespread self-restrictions are among drivers of all ages. METHODS: The Second Injury Control and Risk Survey (ICARIS-2) was a nationwide cross-sectional, list-assisted random-digit-dial telephone survey from 2001 to 2003. National prevalence estimates and weighted percentages of those reporting driving self-restrictions were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore associations between specific self-restrictions and age group, adjusting for other personal characteristics. RESULTS: More than half of all drivers reported at least one driving self-restriction. The most commonly reported restriction was avoidance of driving in bad weather (47.5%), followed by at night (27.9%) and on highways or high-speed roads (19%). A greater percentage of young adult women (18-24years) reported self-restricting in bad weather compared to women in other age groups, and the percentage of drivers self-restricting at night, in bad weather, and on highways or high-speed roads increased steeply after age 64. We found that women, those in low income groups, and those who had driven low annual mileage were more likely to self-restrict. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to assessing self-restrictions among older drivers, a new finding from our study is that self-restrictions are also quite prevalent among younger age groups. Driving self-restrictions may be better understood as a spectrum across ages in which drivers' reasons for restriction change. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Future research on the ability of driving self-restrictions to reduce actual crash risk and prevent injuries is needed. Language: en
Sequence organization and developmentally regulated transcription of a family of repetitive DNA sequences of Xenopus laevis.

Abstract Members of a family of DNA sequences of Xenopus laevis have been cloned and sequenced. Molecular analyses revealed that these sequences are moderately repetitive and dispersed throughout the genome. The sequences of seven clones were compared. Two of the clones lie in the globin gene cluster; one 5' to the adult alpha 1 gene, and the other in the first intron of the tadpole alpha 1 gene. In all clones, the homologous region begins at the same site, but the lengths of the common regions vary from 123 bp to over 320 bp due to heterogeneous 3' ends. Some of the repeats are bracketed by direct and/or inverted repeats, and relatively large palindromes were found 5' to the common region in some clones. These characteristics, and the presence of a repeat 5' to one of a pair of duplicated alpha genes suggests that some family members may be capable of transposition. A number of interesting features were found in the sequences, including multiple elements similar to the yeast autonomously replicating sequence, and a sequence which is about 80% homologous to the first 30 bases of the SV40 enhancer. Transcription studies revealed that homologous transcripts are detectable beginning at neurulation, increase in concentration up to stage 45, and disappear by metamorphosis. Implications of these data are discussed.
Characterization of Hemodynamic Forces Induced by Mechanical Heart Valves: Reynolds vs. Viscous Stresses

Bileaflet mechanical heart valves (BMHV) are widely used to replace diseased heart valves. Implantation of BMHV, however, has been linked with major complications, which are generally considered to be caused by mechanically induced damage of blood cells resulting from the non-physiological hemodynamics environment induced by BMHV, including regions of recirculating flow and elevated Reynolds (turbulence) shear stress levels. In this article, we analyze the results of 2D high-resolution velocity measurements and full 3D numerical simulation for pulsatile flow through a BMHV mounted in a model axisymmetric aorta to investigate the mechanical environment experienced by blood elements under physiologic conditions. We show that the so-called Reynolds shear stresses neither directly contribute to the mechanical load on blood cells nor is a proper measurement of the mechanical load experienced by blood cells. We also show that the overall levels of the viscous stresses, which comprise the actual flow environment experienced by cells, are apparently too low to induce damage to red blood cells, but could potentially damage platelets. The maximum instantaneous viscous shear stress observed throughout a cardiac cycle is <15 N/m2. Our analysis is restricted to the flow downstream of the valve leaflets and thus does not address other areas within the BMHV where potentially hemodynamically hazardous levels of viscous stresses could still occur (such as in the hinge gaps and leakage jets).
Thermal Green's functions in plane anisotropic bimaterials with spring-type and Kapitza-type imperfect interface

By means of the extended version of the Stroh formalism for uncoupled thermo-anisotropic elasticity, two-dimensional Green’s function solutions in terms of exponential integrals are derived for the thermoelastic problem of a line heat source and a temperature dislocation near an imperfect interface between two different anisotropic half-planes with different thermo-mechanical properties. The imperfect interface investigated here is modeled as a generalized spring layer with vanishing thickness: (1) the normal heat flux is continuous at the interface, whereas the temperature field undergoes a discontinuity which is proportional to the normal heat flux; (2) the tractions are continuous across the interface, whereas the displacements undergo jumps which are proportional to the interface tractions. This kind of imperfect interface can be termed a thermally weakly conducting and mechanically compliant interface. In the Appendix we also present the isothermal Green’s functions in anisotropic bimaterials with an elastically stiff interface to demonstrate the basic ingredients in the analyses of a stiff interface.
Methods of Measurement for Semiconductor Materials, Process Control, and Devices

Significant accomplishments include development of a procedure to correct for the substantial differences of transistor delay time as measured with different instruments or with the same instrument at different frequencies; association of infrared response spectra of poor quality germanium gamma ray detectors with spectra of detectors fabricated from portions of a good crystal that had been degraded in known ways; and confirmation of the excellent quality and cosmetic appearance of ultrasonic bonds made with aluminum ribbon wire. Work is continuing on measurement of resistivity of semiconductor crystals; study of gold-doped silicon, development of the infrared response technique; evaluation of wire bonds and die attachment; and measurement of thermal properties of semiconductor devices, delay time and related carrier transport properties in junction devices, and noise properties of microwave diodes.
Synaptic and Vascular Associations of Neurons Containing Cyclooxygenase-2 and Nitric Oxide Synthase in Rat Somatosensory Cortex

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a rate-limiting enzyme for prostanoid synthesis that is present in cortical pyramidal neurons and highly implicated in control of cerebral blood flow during neural activity. We examined the electron microscopic localization of COX-2 and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), a functionally related enzyme, in the somatosensory cortex of rat brain to determine the relevant functional sites. COX-2 immunoreactivity was detected in significantly more somatodendritic than axonal profiles, while nNOS was more often seen in axon terminals. The dendritic COX-2 was localized to endomembranes near synaptic inputs from axon terminals, some of which contained nNOS. Conversely, COX-2 terminals formed asymmetric, excitatory-type synapses with dendrites containing nNOS. The dendritic and axonal profiles containing COX-2 as well as those containing nNOS were minimally separated from penetrating arterioles and capillaries by filamentous glial processes. The perivascular COX-2 labeled terminals were among those that also formed axo-dendritic synapses, suggesting that the release of prostanoids and/or excitatory transmitters from a single terminal may simultaneously affect neuronal activity and cerebral blood flow. Thus, COX-2 has a compartmental distribution in somatosensory cortical neurons consistent with the local neuronal synthesis of prostanoids that are involved in neurovascular coupling and whose actions are modulated by nitric oxide.
Lower bounds for the solution of the discrete algebraic Lyapunov equation

Lower bounds for the determinant and for the trace of the matrix solution of the discrete algebraic Lyapunov equation are presented. The determinant is tighter than bounds in the literature, and the trace supplements them. >
The neural architecture of trustworthiness judgments: judging a book by its cover and content

saw the faces again without the words and had to judge their trustworthiness. One study required participants to make these judgments with or without a time limit. When under a time limit, participants’ judgments of trustworthiness varied less across faces that had been paired with negative, compared to positive, personality traits. However, the time limit did not affect the relation between physical appearance and trustworthiness judgments. A second study found that variance in the stereotypical trustworthiness of a face elicited different amplitudes of the ERPs from the anterior frontal midline location (Fpz) within 200–400 ms. The valence of the paired word was associated with different amplitudes of parietal ERPs at 800–1000 ms. Together, these findings suggest that perceptual infor mation and memory-based information are processed at different rates and by different
Evaluation of atomic level mean force potentials via inverse folding and inverse refinement of protein structures: atomic burial position and pairwise non-bonded interactions.

Two atomic level knowledge-based mean force interaction potentials (KBPs), a centrosymmetric burial position term and a long-range pairwise term, were developed. These were tested by comparing multiple configurations of three structurally unrelated proteins and were found successfully to (i) discriminate native state proteins from grossly misfolded structures in inverse folding tests, (ii) rank identify, using the KBP energy/r.m.s.d. correlation, native from progressively less native-like (compact and dilated) structures generated via molecular dynamics sampling, providing an energy gradient sloping from partially unfolded structures towards near-native states in inverse refinement tests (iii) smooth the overall potential energy surface in the region of dilated non-native structures by countering local minima of the in vacuo molecular mechanical potential and (iv) serve as a local minimum detector during simulated temperature quenching studies. These atomic KBPs discriminated native from non-native structures with greater overall sensitivity than did either a residue-based pairwise interaction potential or an effective solvation potential based on atomic contact volume occupancy. The KBPs presented here are immediately useful as a tool for selecting "good refinement candidates' from an arbitrary collection of protein configurations and may play a role in dynamic computational protein refinement.
Varying femoral tunnels between the anatomical footprint and isometric positions: effect on kinematics of the anterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed knee.

Background: Knee kinematics and in situ forces resulting from anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions with 2 femoral tunnel positions were evaluated.Hypothesis: A graft placed inside the anatomical footprint of the anterior cruciate ligament will restore knee function better than a graft placed at a position for best graft isometry.Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.Methods: Ten cadaveric knees were tested in response to a 134-N anterior load and a combined 10-N·m valgus and 5-N·m internal rotation load. A robotic universal force-moment sensor testing system was used to apply loads, and resulting kinematics were recorded. An active surgical robot system was used for positioning tunnels in 2 locations in the femoral notch: inside the anatomical footprint of the anterior cruciate ligament and a position for best graft isometry. The same quadrupled hamstring tendon graft was used for both tunnel positions. The 2 loading conditions were applied.Results: At 30° of knee flexion, anterior tibial transl...
Core–shell SiO2@LDHs with tuneable size, composition and morphology

We present here a simple method for the synthesis of core–shell SiO2@LDH (LDH: layered double hydroxide) particles using an in situ co-precipitation method without any pretreatment. The LDH composition, the overall particle size and morphology can be tuned giving new opportunities for the development of novel sorbents and catalyst systems.
Orthogonal Polynomials and Combinatorics

An introduction is given to the use of orthogonal polynomials in distance regular graphs and enumeration. Some examples in each area are given, along with open problems.
Current Practice of Psychological Assessment

A survey was conducted to evaluate current psychological testing practice in acute care inpatient settings. Findings indicated that psychologists typically continue to use the standard test battery developed by Rapaport, Gill, and Schafer in the 1940s. We outline an alternative problemoriented approach to assessment that seems better suited for short-term care settings. In this model the primary assessment strategy emphasizes rapid assessment of symptoms and problem areas rather than comprehensive personality assessment. The aims and procedures of psychological testing have been matters of dispute for many years (Meehl, 1954). Authors have presented differing views regarding the importance of assessing situational versus intrapsychic determinants of behavior (Mischel, 1968), the use of a standard battery versus tests selected to focus on a patient's presenting problems (Schafer, 1967), and the relative value of objective versus projective tests (Megaree, 1966). The most common ideological differences about the aim of assessment have centered on whether to construct a comprehensive personological description of the patient or to describe overt problems. We advocate the use of the latter for short-term inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations. A model focusing on the description of overt problems and symptomatology is potentially more beneficial to a patient than are the results of a comprehensive test battery. A focused problem-oriented assessment is a more efficient use of what typically is limited professional staff time and is focused on the immediate clinical problems that require hospital care.
Homocysteine, vitamins, and vascular disease prevention

In mid-20th century United States, deaths from vascular disease reached a peak incidence in 1955, but little was known about the underlying causes of this epidemic of disease. The significance of homocysteine in human disease was unknown until 1962, when cases of homocystinuria were first associated with vascular disease. Analysis of an archival case of homocystinuria from 1933 and a case of cobalamin C disease from 1968 led to the conclusion that homocysteine causes vascular disease by a direct effect of the amino acid on arterial cells and tissues. The homocysteine theory of arteriosclerosis attributes one of the underlying causes of vascular disease to elevation of blood homocysteine concentrations as the result of dietary, genetic, metabolic, hormonal, or toxic factors. Dietary deficiency of vitamin B-6 and folic acid and absorptive deficiency of vitamin B-12, which result from traditional food processing or abnormal absorption of B vitamins, are important factors in causing elevations in blood homocysteine. Numerous clinical and epidemiologic studies have established elevated blood homocysteine as a potent independent risk factor for vascular disease in the general population. Dietary improvement, providing abundant vitamin B-6, folic acid, and cobalamin, may prevent vascular disease by lowering blood homocysteine. The dramatic decline in cardiovascular mortality in the United States since 1950 may possibly be attributable in part to voluntary fortification of the food supply with vitamin B-6 and folic acid. Fortification of the US food supply with folic acid in 1998, as mandated by the US Food and Drug Administration, was associated with a further decline in mortality from vascular disease, presumably because of increased blood folate and decreased blood homocysteine in the population.
EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer: preclinical data and clinical implications

Summary Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death. The identification of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) somatic mutations defined a new, molecularly classified subgroup of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Classic EGFR activating mutations, such as inframe deletions in exon 19 or the Leu858Arg (L858R) point mutation in exon 21 are associated with sensitivity to first generation quinazoline reversible EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations, which are typically located after the C-helix of the tyrosine kinase domain of EGFR, may account for up to 4% of all EGFR mutations. Preclinical models have shown that the most prevalent EGFR exon 20 insertion mutated proteins are resistant to clinically achievable doses of reversible (gefitinib, erlotinib) and irreversible (neratinib, afatinib, PF00299804) EGFR TKIs. Growing clinical experience with patients whose tumours harbour EGFR exon 20 insertions corresponds with the preclinical data; very few patients have had responses to EGFR TKIs. Despite the prevalence and biological importance of EGFR exon 20 insertions, few reports have summarised all preclinical and clinical data on these mutations. Here, we review the literature and provide an update with an emphasis on the structural, molecular, and clinical implications of EGFR exon 20 insertions.
Theoretical and Interpretation Challenges to Using the Author Affiliation Index Method to Rank Journals

We formally review the Author Affiliation Index (AAI) method as originally conceived by David Harless and Robert J. Reilly from the Economics Department at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business and as subsequently developed and interpreted by Gorman and Kanet in their 2005 article. Through this formal review, we first highlight and discuss two important informational inputs that can impact the stability of the AAI scores for journals in any given set of to-be-evaluated journals. We then identify and challenge interpretations related to these scores (one theoretical, one statistical) offered by Gorman and Kanet that result in misleading conclusions about journal quality and that may potentially motivate inappropriate editorial behavior. For important professional decisions of hiring, performance evaluation, promotion, and tenure, we conclude by cautioning against sole reliance on the AAI method for ranking journals and against exclusive interpretation of the score computed via the AAI method as an indicator of journal quality.
The Behavior of Optic Axons on Substrate Gradients of Retinal Basal Lamina Proteins and Merosin

To study the behavior of optic axons to continuously changing concentrations of their substrate, explants from embryonic retina were placed across gradients of retinal basal lamina proteins and merosin. The following growth patterns of axons in response to the substrate gradients were found: (1) Axons that grew up gradients, i.e., from low to high substrate concentrations, became longer and less fasciculated with increasing concentration of the substrate. On shallow basal lamina gradients, the axons also showed a directional response that resulted in guidance to higher substrate concentrations. (2) Axons that grew down gradients, i.e., from high to low substrate concentrations, became shorter and more fasciculated with decreasing concentrations of the substrate. On gradients of merosin, a significant alteration in the axonal growth direction toward higher substrate concentrations was detected. Axons heading down gradients never U turned to higher substrate concentrations. (3) Axons confronted with discontinuous substrates were confined to the borders of the substrate exclusively, whereas axons confronted with substrate gradients were able to cross into the territory beyond the substrate. (4) The growth patterns of axons on substrate gradients of basal lamina proteins and merosin were similar but not identical, indicating that axons may respond to substrate gradients dependent on its chemical composition. The present results show that substrate gradients can regulate length and fasciculation of neurites and have a limited capability to direct axons to higher substrate concentrations.
The Impact of the C.C.F. on Canadian Parties and Groups

The Canadian political system is in a highly fluid condition. Much of the uncertainty, though by no means all, arises from the presence on the scene of a well organized and aggressive third party of the left, the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (C.C.F.). Like Great Britain and the United States, the two countries from which Canada has transplanted most of its political institutions and practices, the northern dominion has followed the two-party stereotype. Party names and the practices of parliamentary government were borrowed from Britain. Geographic and ethnic factors, however, dictated adoption of federalism, and regional factors etched Canadian politics as in the United States. The major parties of Canada demonstrate the American proclivity to sameness, with little differences in principles or policies. The tweedle-dee, tweedle-dum nature of the major parties has caused much consternation among the ranks of the party out of office in searching for campaign issues. The Conservative Party has faced a dilemma on several occasions during the last three decades. Under R. B. Bennett, who was Prime Minister between 1930 and 1935, and John Bracken, who was leader from 1942 to 1948, the Conservatives have appeared to forsake their traditional role and to strike out on a "progressive" line. The Liberals, on the other hand, increasingly turned "conservative," forcing the Conservatives to choose between the "wallpaper" role of ultraconservatism, or the more adventurous 'new deal" part. The Cooperative Commonwealth Federation is a lineal descendant of recurring farmers' movements, of sporadic labor political activity, and of scattered socialist groups. It was launched in 1932, in the depth of the great depression, at a conference held in Calgary, Alberta. In form, the new party was federal in a dual sense: on the provincial level the C.C.F. consisted of member organizations; on
Packing correlations, collective scattering and compressibility of fractal-like aggregates in polymer nanocomposites and suspensions

We employ a small scale Monte Carlo method plus microscopic liquid state integral equation theory to study two models of fractal-like aggregates (single and quenched disordered averaged) as a function of concentration. The models employed are relevant to non-compact carbon black or silica aggregates in polymer nanocomposites and suspensions. When the primary nanoparticles interact as hard spheres the resulting center-of-mass level effective pair potential has a distinctive soft repulsion form which is sensitive to whether geometric disorder at the single aggregate level is included or not. The aggregate fluids show a considerable amount of interpenetration and complex non-hard-sphere packing features in their pair correlation functions. The latter are also different, both qualitatively and quantitatively, for the single versus average aggregate systems. Calculations of the collective static structure factor and compressibility (or inverse bulk modulus) are in qualitative agreement with a recent scattering experiment on suspensions of fumed silica hard fractals. Use of the theoretical structural information in a microscopic dynamical theory of kinetic arrest suggests the presence of multiple length scales and disordered local packing frustrates the emergence of glassy dynamics in these aggregate fluids even at high volume fractions.
Characterization of a low power, short range wireless transceiver

In this paper we describe the tests to characterize a wireless data transceiver, with emphasis on binary FSK (frequency shift keying) transceiver, TRF6901 from Texas Instruments, Inc. The performance analysis of the device is done with respect to one of the applications, TRF/MSP430 demonstration and development kit, consisting of two identical boards programmed to communicate using US (United States) ISM (Industrial Scientific Medical) band frequency at 915 MHz in half-duplex at 38.4 Kbps data rate employing NRZ (non return to zero) base-band coding. The kit employs an inverted F design on-board PCB (printed circuit board) antenna. Our test evaluates the performance of the device with respect to various factors in a free space environment.
Orientation of Amphibians by Linearly Polarized Light

Indoor tests of Bullfrog tadpoles and the eft and adult stages of Eastern Red Spotted Newts under linearly polarized light indicate that these two species can perceive the e-vector for spatial orientation. Other tests out of doors, under clear blue skies after sunset, indicate that both species can use the polarization patterns of the natural sky for orientation. Further, outdoor tests of Bullfrog tadpoles after sunset indicate that the reception of linearly polarized light does not reside in the eyes, but probably is associated with the pineal complex.
Invertible Transductions and Iteration

We study iterated transductions, where the basic transductions are given by a class of length-preserving invertible transducers over the binary alphabet. It is shown that in some cases the resulting orbit relation is rational and we determine the complexity of several natural computational problems associated with the iterated transductions.