cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase inhibitor phenylarsine oxide blocks evoked neurotransmitter release by reducing calcium entry through N-type calcium channels.

The effects of the phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase inhibitor, phenylarsine oxide (PAO), on acetylcholine (ACh) release and on prejunctional Ca2+ currents were studied at the frog neuromuscular junction using electrophysiological recording techniques. Application of PAO (30 μM) increased both spontaneous ACh release reflected as miniature end-plate potential (mepp) frequencies and evoked ACh release reflected as end-plate potential (epp) amplitudes with a similar time course. Following the initial increase in epp amplitudes produced by PAO, epps slowly declined and were eventually abolished after approximately 20 min. However, mepp frequencies remained elevated over this time period. PAO (30 μM) also inhibited the perineural voltage change associated with Ca2+ currents through N-type Ca2+ channels (prejunctional Ca2+ currents) at motor nerve endings. Addition of British anti-lewisite (BAL, 1 mM), an inactivator of PAO, partially reversed both the inhibition of epps and the inhibition of the prejunctional Ca2+ current. The effects of PAO on N-type Ca2+ channels were investigated more directly using the whole cell patch clamp technique on acutely dissociated sympathetic neurons. Application of PAO (30–40 μM) to these neurons decreased the voltage-activated calcium currents through N-type Ca2+ channels, an effect that was partially reversible by BAL. In combination, these results suggest that inhibition of neurotransmitter release by PAO occurs as a consequence of the inhibition of Ca2+ entry via N-type calcium channels. The relationship between the effects of PAO on N-type Ca2+ channels in motor nerve endings and in neuronal soma is discussed. British Journal of Pharmacology (2000) 130, 418–424; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0703299
Why do we reject grafts

One of the puzzles in clinical and experimental organ and tissue transplantation has been why it is that, with the exception of transplantation between genetically identical twin pairs, transplantation results in a rapidly progressing immune response to the point of tissue necrosis in a matter of a few days, even though the recipient has not been immunized to the donor. Indeed, the numbers of T lymphocytes predetermined to react against grafts are relatively abundant compared to those that recognize microbial antigens. Cellular, molecular, and genetic studies are now revealing the nature of T-cell recognition, and why it is that we cannot freely exchange tissue grafts.
On generalized Tribonacci sequences and additive partitions

Abstract In this paper we give a partial description of the generalized Tribonacci sequences for which there exists a partition of the positive integers into two sets such that no two distinct elements of the same set sum to an element of the sequence. Prior work in this field considered only the special case of the Tribonacci sequence.
Roosting ecology of the pallid bat, Antrozous pallidus

Daytime roosting behavior of pallid bats ( Antrozous pallidus ) was studied in central Arizona. Bats were present in the area from March or April until November and roosted in cliffs in colonies generally including 20 or more individuals. Pallid bats were highly selective in their choice of roost sites and minimized diurnal energy output by adaptive hypothermia and behavioral thermoregulation. In spring and autumn the bats roosted in vertical crevices responsive to changes in ambient temperatures. Here temperatures remained low and the bats were torpid for much of the day, but when the crevices became heated in the late afternoon the bats were passively warmed prior to emergence. Deep, horizontal crevices were preferred in summer; cliffs function as massive heat sinks, and in summer crevice temperatures remained moderate and relatively stable. Throughout most of the day both the deep parts of the crevices and the body temperatures of the bats remained close to 30°C; at this body temperature pallid bats have unexpectedly low metabolic rates (Trune, 1974). By adjusting their positions and closeness to other bats in the thermal gradient within the crevice, bats dissipate heat early in the day, maintain a low metabolic rate through most of the day and elevate the body temperature prior to emergence in the evening. Of vital importance to pallid bats in the summer are social behaviors that promote communal roosting at “traditional” crevices.
Absolute concentration measurements of CH radicals in a diamond-depositing dc-arcjet reactor.

Laser-induced fluorescence in the CH (B–X) and CH (A–X) electronic transitions is used to measure absolute number density versus position for CH radicals in the plume of a 25-Torr hydrogen/argon/methane (0.8:1:0.005) dc arcjet during the chemical vapor deposition of diamond film. The laser-induced-fluorescence signal is calibrated with argon Rayleigh scattering, and the resultant concentration of the CH radical in the center of the arcjet plume is found to be (3.5 ± 0.8) × 1012 molecules/cm3. The characterization of the plasma plume shows three different regions in the reacting gas: nozzle, plume, and boundary layer. We observe substantial differences in spatial distribution of gas temperature, collisional quenching, and CH number density among these regions.
Metaphor and the Cognitive Representation of Computing Systems

In learning, people develop new cognitive structures by metaphorically extending old ones. The metaphors spontaneously generated by new users will predict the ease with which they can master a computer system. Systems which through their interface suggest inefficacious metaphors will accordingly be more difficult to learn and to that extent unacceptable.
Calculating specific binding for prolactin receptor assays

Abstract Specific binding of [ 125 I]iodo-prolactin and receptor is usually calculated by subtracting the amount of bound radioactivity of assays containing excess unlabeled hormone (competed) from that of noncompeted assays. A proportional method to calculate specific binding of prolactin-receptor or other hormone-receptor interactions is introduced as a replacement for the currently used subtraction method. The proportional method calculates specific binding by multiplying the ratio of free radioactivities of noncompeted and competed assays by the radio-activity retained in the competed assay and subtracting this value from the radioactivity retained by the noncompeted assay. In prolactin-receptor assays greater specific binding is seen when data is calculated by this proportional method rather than the subtraction method. The amount of this increase relates directly to the levels of specific and nonspecific binding. Additionally, the binding characteristics of prolactin and receptor in both equilibrium and kinetic studies are significantly different when specific binding is calculated by the proportional method rather than the subtraction method.
Arthroplasty of the Hand: Radiographic Outcomes of Pyrolytic Carbon Proximal Interphalangeal and Metacarpophalangeal Joint Replacements

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to describe the radiographic outcomes of pyrolytic carbon implants in the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, determine the most common complications, and assess risk factors associated with complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Retrospective review over a 10-year period was performed to identify patients with pyrolytic carbon implants of the PIP or MCP joint. All available radiographs were reviewed and correlated with clinical information. Statistical analysis included calculation of the complication rate, Phi coefficient for variable association with a complication, and Kaplan-Meier survival. RESULTS. Forty-seven implants in 43 patients were reviewed. There were 30 PIP and 17 MCP implants. The mean age of the patients was 56 years. The mean radiographic follow-up was 17.2 months (range, 1–82 months). The indication for arthroplasty included osteoarthritis (55.3%), trauma (27.7%), rheumatoid arthritis (12.8%), and benign neoplasm (...
Spiking mode operation for a uniform-period wiggler

The onset of saturation in a uniform-period wiggler has been examined experimentally and through numerical simulations. Models have been constructed that explain the observations in simple and consistent ways. The models are based upon the development of strong frequency and amplitude modulation of the optical wave as a way to increase extraction efficiency and optical power.
Protecting Cognitive Radio Networks against Primary Users: A Backup Path Approach

The reliability of traffic flows is a serious challenge to cognitive radio networks due to the interruptions from primary users. A backup path scheme is proposed to protect the secondary user traffic flows against the interruptions from primary users. In such a scheme, the traffic flow can be switched to a backup path if the working path is interrupted by primary users. When primary users leave, the traffic flow will be switched back to the working path. The problem of selecting backup paths is formulated as an integer programming problem. Given a backup path, a statistical rule is proposed for switching the traffic flow to the backup path, based on the Bayesian decision framework. The switching rule is implemented on a USRP GNU Radio node based testbed, which consists of a multi-hop cognitive radio network and a primary user. The hardware experiment shows that the system cost, defined as a weighted sum of throughput loss and average packet delay, is reduced by around 50% in a typical setup, compared with the scenario of no backup paths.
Rapid Acquisition of Two-Way Active Avoidance in Inbred Roman Low Avoidance Rats

Two inbred strains of rats, derived from the Roman High Avoidance and Roman Low Avoidance selection lines, were tested for performance on the two-way active avoidance task which had been used during selection. Both inbred strains rapidly acquired the avoidance response and showed nearly perfect avoidance from trial 40 through trial 50. Probably, genes responsible for the low avoidance performance in the RLA strain disappeared during inbreeding.
Effects of U.S. equal employment opportunity and affirmative action programs on women's employment stability

An important labor market issue in the United States is the effect that the Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action programs that were implemented in 1965 have had on the employment of women relative to that of men. Using time series data covering the period 1947–1988, an analysis of this issue is undertaken. The results indicate that women in the 20–54 age group benefitted in terms of greater stability of employment (i.e., less sensitivity to short run variations in employment) over the period 1965–1980 while they lost some of these gains over the period 1981–1988 (corresponding to the tenure of the Reagan Administration). Men in the same age group, on the other hand, experienced the opposite effect. That is, men in the 20–54 age group became more sensitive to short run variations in employment over the period 1965–1980 and less sensitive over the period 1981–1988. The evidence also indicates that the EEO and affirmative action programs had the effect of increasing the share of projected employment of women in the 20–54 age group and in the 55–64 age group while decreasing the share of projected employment of men in the comparable age groups.
Spatial scaling of core and dominant forest cover in the Upper Mississippi and Illinois River floodplains, USA

Different organisms respond to spatial structure in different terms and across different spatial scales. As a consequence, efforts to reverse habitat loss and fragmentation through strategic habitat restoration ought to account for the different habitat density and scale requirements of various taxonomic groups. Here, we estimated the local density of floodplain forest surrounding each of ~20 million 10-m forested pixels of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois River floodplains by using moving windows of multiple sizes (1–100 ha). We further identified forest pixels that met two local density thresholds: ‘core’ forest pixels were nested in a 100% (unfragmented) forested window and ‘dominant’ forest pixels were those nested in a >60% forested window. Finally, we fit two scaling functions to declines in the proportion of forest cover meeting these criteria with increasing window length for 107 management-relevant focal areas: a power function (i.e. self-similar, fractal-like scaling) and an exponential decay function (fractal dimension depends on scale). The exponential decay function consistently explained more variation in changes to the proportion of forest meeting both the ‘core’ and ‘dominant’ criteria with increasing window length than did the power function, suggesting that elevation, soil type, hydrology, and human land use constrain these forest types to a limited range of scales. To examine these scales, we transformed the decay constants to measures of the distance at which the probability of forest meeting the ‘core’ and ‘dominant’ criteria was cut in half (S 1/2, m). S 1/2 for core forest was typically between ~55 and ~95 m depending on location along the river, indicating that core forest cover is restricted to extremely fine scales. In contrast, half of all dominant forest cover was lost at scales that were typically between ~525 and 750 m, but S 1/2 was as long as 1,800 m. S 1/2 is a simple measure that (1) condenses information derived from multi-scale analyses, (2) allows for comparisons of the amount of forest habitat available to species with different habitat density and scale requirements, and (3) can be used as an index of the spatial continuity of habitat types that do not scale fractally.
Monetary Expansion in an Open Economy of Intermediate Size

This paper introduces a monetary asset, perceived as an addition to wealth, into a two-country neoclassical model of accumulation. As domestic monetary expansion changes, demand for the investment good is shifted. This alters the terms and level of trade as well as production and shifts the balanced growth paths of both economies. For a non-specialized world it is found that an increase in domestic monetary expansion will increase the domestic overall capital intensity, decrease the foreign overall capital intensity, and worsen the terms of trade for the country importing the investment good.
Transitions from fetal to fast troponin T isoforms are coordinated with changes in tropomyosin and α-actinin isoforms in developing rabbit skeletal muscle

In adult fast skeletal muscle, specific combinations of thin filament and Z-line protein isoforms are coexpressed. To determine whether the expression of these sets of proteins, designated the TnT1f, TnT2f, and TnT3f programs, is coordinated during development, we characterized the transitions in troponin T (TnT), tropomyosin (Tm), and alpha-actinin isoforms that occur in developing fetal and neonatal rabbit skeletal muscle. Two coordinated developmental transitions were identified, and a novel pattern of thin filament expression was found in fetal muscle. In fetal muscle, new TnT species--whose protein and immunochemical properties suggest that they are the products of a new TnT gene--are expressed in combination with beta 2 Tm and alpha-actinin1f/s. This pattern, which is found in both back and hindlimb muscles, is specific to fetal and early neonatal muscle. Just prior to birth, there is a transition from the fetal program to the isoforms that define the TnT3f program, TnT3f, and alpha beta Tm. Like the fetal program, expression of the TnT3f program appears to be a general feature of muscle development, because it occurs in a variety of fast muscles as well as in the slow muscle soleus. The transition to adult patterns of thin filament expression begins at the end of the first postnatal week. Based on studies of erector spinae, the isoforms comprising the TnT2f program, TnT2f, alpha 2 Tm, and alpha-actinin2f, appear and increase coordinately at this time. The transitions, first to the TnT3f program, and then to adult patterns of expression indicate that synthesis of the isoforms comprising each program is coordinated during muscle specialization and throughout muscle development. In addition, these observations point to a dual role for the TnT3f program, which is the major thin filament program in some adult muscles, but appears to bridge the transition from developmentally to physiologically regulated patterns of thin filament expression during the late fetal and early neonatal development.
Eddy taxonomy methodology around a submerged barb obstacle within a fixed rough bed

Past research in environmental hydraulics has established the consideration that small- and large-scale turbulent eddy structures correspond to fast and slow fluctuations within a velocity time series measured at a fixed location. This work embraces this concept and develops an eddy taxonomy methodology to classify the prominent small- and large-scale eddies in the vicinity of an obstacle within a fixed rough bed. The previously documented visual interpretation technique is used in conjunction with a novel technique, which utilizes the statistical skew parameter, to quantify the moving-average time step at which large-scale eddies may be isolated from small-scale eddies. Thereafter, triple decomposition theory is employed and prominent spatial and temporal scales (i.e., integral length scales and periodicity) of small- and large-scale eddies are calculated. The eddy taxonomy methodology is implemented using acoustic Doppler velocimeter time-series measurements captured in the vicinity of an experimental m...
The Impact of Organizational Personality in the Recruitment of Human Capital for New and Small Firms

New firms often have difficulties recruiting key employees, impacting the growth and viability of the firm. The majority of the literature has examined this difficulty from the hiring firm’s perspective. In this paper, we adopt the job seeker’s perspective and build on work in organization behavior and human resource management to examine job seekers’ preconceived notions and perceptual differences of ascribed organizational personality characteristics based on firm size and age. We empirically find that job seekers attribute certain personality characteristics to startups and these characteristics significantly affect whether seekers will evaluate the attractive of working for these firms on the basis of perceived fit. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
A complex solution framework for the kinetostatic synthesis of a compliant four-bar mechanism

This paper presents a systematic solution framework for the kinetostatic synthesis of compliant four-bar mechanisms. The goal of the kinetostatic synthesis is to find feasible compliant mechanism solutions for a given set of kinematic and force/energy specifications. Similar to the synthesis of rigid body linkages, we first classify kinetostatic synthesis problems into three major categories: function, motion and path generations. The kinetostatic synthesis equations are derived by combining the kinematic synthesis and static equilibrium equations. We then propose a comprehensive framework based on polynomial solvers for obtaining solutions to these synthesis equations. When kinematic and static equations are decoupled, we solve first kinematic equations independently and then solve static equations for springs' stiffness. While they are coupled, we transform them into a polynomial form and solve them simultaneously with polynomial solvers. For this case a parameter continuation is devised to avoid computing for the junk solutions. At last, three representative examples are provided to demonstrate the solution process and verify the solution framework.
Asian ethnicity is associated with a higher trunk/peripheral fat ratio in women and adolescent girls.

Background: Ethnic differences in body fat mass and distribution may develop in childhood and contribute to increased obesity-related disease risk among Asians. We used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to evaluate adiposity measures among adult women and their adolescent daughters, who were of predominantly Japanese and white ethnicity.Methods: We obtained DXA whole body scans for 101 mothers aged 30 years or older and 112 daughters aged 10 to 16 years. The participants were classified as Asian, part-Asian, mixed/other, or white. As a measure of central adiposity, we calculated the trunk/peripheral fat ratio (TPFR). General linear models were used to evaluate differences in adiposity measures by ethnic category.Results: In mothers, TPFR was significantly higher (Ptrend < 0.01) in Asians and part-Asians (1.38 ± 0.42 and 1.32 ± 0.51) than in mixed/others and whites (1.18 ± 0.27 and 1.09 ± 0.21). The trend was similar among daughters (Ptrend < 0.001), with respective values of 1.09 ± 0.18, 0.97 ± 0.17, 0.99 ± 0.16, and 0.87 ± 0.11. Among mothers, gynoid fat mass and peripheral fat mass were significantly lower in Asians than in whites, whereas none of the regional DXA adiposity measures differed by ethnicity in daughters.Conclusions: These results confirm previous reports of greater central adiposity in women of Asian ancestry and indicate that ethnic differences in adiposity are already present in adolescence.
Effects of airstream temperature and humidity on airlicking in the rat

The airlicking behavior of water-deprived rats was studied as a function of the temperature and humidity of the airstream made available to them during 30 min daily sessions. When the airstream was dry, the amount of airlicking was invariant at temperatures varying from 23–45° C. Humidifying the airstream to close to 100% relative humidity decreased airlicking only when the airstream was heated to 39–45° C. This decrease was related to the diminished capacity of warm humid air to cool the orolingual tissues.
A vibrating probe thermal biochemical sensor

Rapid vibration of small enzyme-thermopile biochemical sensors in solution has been observed to substantially improve their thermal noise rejection. Millimeter-order 20 Hz vibratory excursions of a thermal biosensor by a piezoelectric bender element were found to be effective in eliminating the need for temperature controlled dewars, flow streams, or special thermal environments ordinarily required to operate these sensors. Vibrated thermopiles have been made into biochemical sensors by attaching thin membrane hollow fibers to the thermopile sensing region and perfusing the lumen of the fiber with small quantities of an enzyme solution. This process can give the biosensor an extended lifetime by allowing easy replacement of the enzyme. Vibrated enzyme-thermopile biochemical sensors can be realized in a convenient and compact probe-type configuration that is directly immersible into a test solution.
Lethal tricuspid and mitral regurgitation in Marfan's syndrome.

Abstract A 4 3 4 month old white male infant with Marfan's syndrome had presenting clinical signs and symptoms of progressive congestive heart failure due to severe mitral and tricuspid insufficiency which resulted in death. The classic features of Marfan's syndrome that the patient exhibited included arachnodactyly, high-arched palate, floppy ears, iridodonesis and subluxated lenses. Cardiac catheterization and selective angiography documented the diagnosis of severe bilateral regurgitation from the atrioventricular valve. At autopsy, the cystic medial changes seen in Marfan's syndrome were observed in the pulmonary artery and aorta. Myxomatous transformation involving the mitral and tricuspid valves, with similar changes within the annulus, and fibrosis of each valve led to the hemodynamic alterations and demise. In all infants and children with otherwise unexplained valvular regurgitation, occult or overt Marfan's syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Furthermore, in infants and children with any of the clinical features of Marfan's syndrome careful cardiovascular evaluations should be made to detect valvular insufficiency due to fibromyxomatous abiotrophy.
Mitotic segregation of mitochondrial DNAs in human cell hybrids and expression of chloramphenicol resistance.

The relationship between the chloramphenicol (CAP)-resistant phenotype and the mtDNA genotype was investigated in segregating human, HeLa × HT1080, somatic cell hybrids. The parental mtDNAs were quantitated in heteroplasmic cells by using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) detected in Southern blots. CAP-resistant (R) × CAP-sensitive (S) hybrids selected and grown in CAP for brief periods had as little as 25% CAP-R mtDNA. With prolonged selection, the CAP-R mtDNA increased to 90–95%. Hybrids selected and passaged without CAP either retained both mtDNAs or progressively lost one mtDNA (mitotic segregation). The CAP-resistance phenotype of these hybrids changed abruptly when the proportion of CAP-R mtDNAs fluctuated around approximately 10% (threshold effect). Hybrids with greater than 25% HT1080 mtDNA had an additional characteristic. They cloned better with CAP than without. The cloning efficiency in CAP of hybrids having 90% HT1080 mtDNA was more than fivefold greater than the control.
Frequency Domain Analysis of the Fatigue Loads on Typical Wind Turbine Blades

The fatigue analysis of a wind turbine blade typically depends on converting time-series data to a series of load cycles using one of several cyclic counting algorithms. However, many structural analysis techniques yield frequency-domain stress spectra, and a large body of experimental loads (stress) data is reported in the frequency domain. To permit the fatigue analysis of this class of data, a series of computational algorithms based on Fourier analysis techniques has been developed. The principle underlying these algorithms is the use of an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to transform the frequency spectrum to an equivalent time series suitable for cycle counting. In addition to analyzing the fatigue loads along the primary blade axes, this analysis technique also permits the examination of off-axis bending loads. These algorithms, which have been incorporated in the LIFE2 fatigue analysis code for wind turbines, are illustrated and evaluated with data from typical wind turbine blades.
1340 SHOULD SKIN TEMPERATURE SERVOCONTROL PROBES BE SHIELDED FROM THE ENVIRONMENT IN INCUBATORS

1340 SHOULD SKIN TEMPERATURE SERVOCONTROL PROBES BE SHIELDED FROM THE ENVIRONMENT IN INCUBATORS?
The thermal decomposition of coprecipitates and physical mixtures of magnesium-iron oxalates

Abstract Physical mixtures and coprecipitates of magnesium and divalent iron oxalates having molar ratios of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:4 were prepared. Comparisons were made between the thermal decomposition of the physically mixed oxalate and the coprecipitated oxalate having the same composition. Samples were studied by thermogravimetry (TG), thermomagnetometry (TM), differential thermal analysis (DTA), mass spectroscopic evolved gas analysis (EGA), and powder X-ray diffraction from 25 to 1400°C in both oxidizing and inert atmospheres. Coprecipitates were expected to be solid solutions, showing only single weight losses for the dehydration and decomposition steps. This is true for the coprecipitates having more iron present than magnesium. In contrast, the physical mixtures were expected to behave as separate materials, showing two separate weight losses for dehydration and decomposition. This held true except for the dehydration step, which takes place as one weight loss. TM and X-ray diffraction results indicate the coprecipitate forms magnesium ferrite (MgFe 2 O 4 ) more readily than the equivalent physically mixed material. An oxidizing atmosphere was necessary to facilitate the production of magnesium ferrite.
Stein MB, Deutch R. In search of social phobia subtypes: Similarity of feared social situations, Depression and Anxiety 2003;17:94‐97.

The original article to which this Erratum refers was published in Depress Anxiety 2003;17:94–97.
Room temperature polariton lasing in a single ZnO nanowire microcavity

Polariton lasing is observed in a single ZnO nanowire-microcavity at room temperature. The Rabi splitting is 103 meV and the emission is polarized perpendicular to the nanowire c-axis.
Biomechanical evaluation of surgical constructs for stabilization of cervical teardrop fractures

Abstract Background context Cervical flexion teardrop fractures (CFTF) are highly unstable injuries, and the optimal internal fixation construct is not always clearly indicated. Purpose The purpose of the current study was to determine whether the type of fixation construct (anterior, posterior, or combined) or number of joint levels involved in fixation (one or two) affected the relative stability of a CFTF injury at C5–C6. Study design/setting Human cadaveric cervical spine specimens were mechanically tested under displacement control in the intact state and after creation of CFTF at C5–C6 with stabilization using five different instrumentation constructs. Joint stiffness and intervertebral translation of the constructs were compared with the intact state and normalized (instrumented/intact) to assess relative differences across the five constructs. Methods Spine specimens were mechanically tested in the intact state during flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. CFTF was created at C5–C6 by creating an osteotomy at C5 and transecting the posterior ligaments and intervertebral disc. Specimens were tested with anterior, posterior, and combined single-level constructs (C5–C6). Then, a corpectomy was performed at C5, and specimens were retested with the two-level constructs (C4–C6; anterior and anterior-posterior). Joint stiffness and intervertebral translations were computed. Results All five fixation constructs resulted in joint stability that was as good as or better than that of the intact specimens. Relative stiffness of the constructs differed depending upon the motion type considered, though the two-level anterior-posterior construct typically provided the greatest stability. Intervertebral translation along the major axis was reduced the most for both of the combined instrumentation systems, although there were few changes in total intervertebral translation across the five constructs. Conclusions All five constructs restored stability comparable to that of the intact specimens. The significance of the relative differences in constructs for the in vivo spine is unclear and warrants further clinical investigation.
Domain switching induced temperature instabilities in ferroelectric tri-glycine sulfate☆

Abstract Precise determinations of the dielectric constant and temperature very near the phase transition of the ferroelectric tri-glycine sulfate are reported. Measured fluctuations in the temperature and dielectric constant are correlated and explained in terms of changes in domain structure.
Kung-Fu: Synthesis of wheelchair sport and self-protection

Abstract As persons with disabilities enter the mainstream of society, and as the incidence of violent crime in society rises, disabled persons become victims of violent crime more frequently. It is vital for citizens with significant physical limitations to take precautionary steps for their own safety. Martial arts offer time-honored methods of self-protection for members of society who are physically disadvantaged. The case history of a young man with paraplegia is used to illustrate the potential of Kung-Fu as a sport and as a method of training for self-protection and survival.
Length-scale-dependent layer decoupling and critical fluctuations in high-temperature superconductors

The dimensionality of critical fluctuations in high-temperature superconductors in zero applied magnetic field as studied by various methods is addressed here in the context of a recently proposed model for layer decoupling in which the layers become decoupled at the largest length scales first. The results are used to give a coherent picture of the critical behavior of fluctuations in high-temperature superconductors as studied by electronic transport experiments, by specific heat measurements, by Monte Carlo calculations, and by analytical treatments. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Cost‐of‐Illness Studies in the United States: A Systematic Review of Methodologies Used for Direct Cost

Objectives: We undertake a systematic review to examine the methods used by researchers in developing cost-of-illness (COI) studies. This review aims to categorize the approaches that the published literature uses in terms of perspective, scope, components of care analyzed in the literature, data sets, and valuation approaches used for direct cost. It draws conclusions regarding the adequacy of current COI research methods and makes recommendations on improving them. Methods: The online bibliographic information service HealthSTAR (which incorporates MEDLINE) was used to search for COI studies in the research literature published during the period from 2000 to 2004. The search strategy used the term “cost of illness” as a MeSH (medical subject heading) term. Results: The HealthSTAR literature search identified references to 650 articles. Review of abstracts resulted in the identification of 170 of these for a more detailed review. This process identified 52 articles that met all criteria of COI studies. We identified 218 components of care analyzed across the 52 articles. Private-insurance or employer-claims data sets comprised the largest source of utilization and cost information among the studies. Conclusion: Analyzing cost of illness presents useful opportunities for communicating with the public and policymakers on the relative importance of specific diseases and injuries. Our research, however, indicates that COI studies employ varied approaches and many articles have methodological limitations. Without well-accepted standards to guide researchers in their execution of these studies, policymakers and the general public must be wary of the methods used in their calculation and subsequent results.
The S4-S5 Linker Directly Couples Voltage Sensor Movement to the Activation Gate in the Human Ether-á-go-go-related Gene (hERG) K+ Channel

A key unresolved question regarding the basic function of voltage-gated ion channels is how movement of the voltage sensor is coupled to channel opening. We previously proposed that the S4-S5 linker couples voltage sensor movement to the S6 domain in the human ether-a'-go-go-related gene (hERG) K+ channel. The recently solved crystal structure of the voltage-gated Kv1.2 channel reveals that the S4-S5 linker is the structural link between the voltage sensing and pore domains. In this study, we used chimeras constructed from hERG and ether-a'-go-go (EAG) channels to identify interactions between residues in the S4-S5 linker and S6 domain that were critical for stabilizing the channel in a closed state. To verify the spatial proximity of these regions, we introduced cysteines in the S4-S5 linker and at the C-terminal end of the S6 domain and then probed for the effect of oxidation. The D540C-L666C channel current decreased in an oxidizing environment in a state-dependent manner consistent with formation of a disulfide bond that locked the channel in a closed state. Disulfide bond formation also restricted movement of the voltage sensor, as measured by gating currents. Taken together, these data confirm that the S4-S5 linker directly couples voltage sensor movement to the activation gate. Moreover, rather than functioning simply as a mechanical lever, these findings imply that specific interactions between the S4-S5 linker and the activation gate stabilize the closed channel conformation.
POLLINATION AND SEED PREDATION DRIVE FLOWERING PHENOLOGY IN SILENE LATIFOLIA (CARYOPHYLLACEAE)

The development of fruits after pollination places resource demands on plants that may influence the production of subsequent flowers. Pre-dispersal seed predation, resulting in the destruction of developing seeds, may allow resource reallocation to the production of subsequent flowers. Silene latifolia, the white campion, is subject to pre-dispersal seed predation by noctuid moths. In order to determine the potential for resource reallocation in S. latifolia we conducted a greenhouse experiment in which female plants were subjected to three levels of pollination (0%, 50%, or 100%) and simulated pre-dispersal seed predation (0%, 50%, or 100% of total fruit production). We assigned 10 plants to each of the seven treatments (0% pollinated had no fruit); in total, 1490 flowers were measured for flower size and scored for date of flowering and longevity. Flower size decreased over the course of the experiment. Average daily production was 12.2 flowers per plant on non-pollinated plants, but only 4.3 flowers on 100% pollinated plants. Chi-square results showed that simulated seed predation resulted in additional flowering bouts later in the course of the experiment. Time series analysis showed that the time between flowering bouts was also influenced by predation. Plants with 0% predation had an average lag time of 29.5 days, whereas plants with 100% simulated seed predation had a lag period of 20.1 days. Flower longevity of non-pollinated flowers increased in plants that had flowers pollinated but experienced no seed predation. Simulated predation resulted in a decrease in floral longevity. These results suggest that plants reallocate resources to the production of new flowers after the destruction of fruits; thus, flowering phenology is influenced by pollination and seed predation. The relationship between pollinators and flowering phenology is well accepted; these results indicate that seed predators play an equally important role in determining flowering phenology.
Invertebrate food webs along a stream resource gradient

SUMMARY 1. The flow of energy through food webs with similar species can vary with both space and time. The river continuum concept (RCC) provides a useful framework for predicting variability in the biota and food availability along streams. We estimated the flow of organic matter (g m~2 year"1) through food webs, arrayed along a stream, that had different resource inputs. Four sites were sampled along the Little Tennessee River, North Carolina, U.S.A.: two fifth order sites, one sixth and one seventh order site. The dominant resource is leaf detritus in the upstream reach (the upstream fifth order site), algae in the mid-reaches (the downstream fifth and sixth order sites), and suspended material downstream (seventh order site). 2. Eleven genera, contributing from 50 to 66% of the total macroinvertebrate secondary production of each site, were studied. We estimated organic matter flow from resource to consumer by combining previously measured rates of invertebrate secondary production with gut content analyses and assimilation efficiencies. 3. Organic matter flow through food webs increased in a downstream direction, while the structure of the food webs remained constant. The total food consumed by the taxa analysed increased from 34 g m~2 year"1 at the upstream site to 730 g m~2 year"1 at the most downstream site. We estimate that the organic matter consumed by the entire macroinvertebrate community ranged from 66 to 1164 g m~2 year"1. These results indicate that there is variation in the magnitude of organic matter flow through the food webs along this river continuum. 4. The dominant food resource consumed also changed along the gradient. Leaf detritus consumption decreased from 58% of the total consumption upstream to 6% downstream, whereas consumption of amorphous detritus increased from 18 to 64%. The proportion of animal material consumed also increased from 3 to 27%. The total consumption of autochthonous resources (diatoms and filamentous algae) increased along the continuum (from 6.41 to 34.05 g m~2 year"1). We conclude that these results are related to variation in resource availability, dietary shifts and invertebrate secondary production. These results link resource availability to energy flow, a relationship originally suggested by the RCC.
Flow and fracture in drying nanoparticle suspensions

Drying aqueous suspensions of monodisperse silica nanoparticles can fracture in remarkable patterns. As the material solidifies, evenly spaced cracks invade from the drying surface, with individual cracks undergoing intermittent motion. We show that the growth of cracks is limited by the advancement of the compaction front, which is governed by a balance of evaporation and flow of fluid at the drying surface. Surprisingly, the macroscopic dynamics of drying show signatures of molecular-scale fluid effects.
Continuous long-term immunomodulatory therapy in relapsing multiple sclerosis: results from the 15-year analysis of the US prospective open-label study of glatiramer acetate:

The ongoing US Glatiramer Acetate (GA) Trial is the longest evaluation of continuous immunomodulatory therapy in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The objective of this study was to evaluate up to 15 years of GA as a sole disease-modifying therapy. Two hundred and thirty-two patients received at least one GA dose since study initiation in 1991 (mITT cohort), and 100 (43%, Ongoing cohort) continued as of February 2008. Patients were evaluated every 6 months using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Mean GA exposures were 8.6 ±5.2, 4.81 ±3.69, and 13.6 ± 1.3 years and mean disease durations were 17, 13, and 22 years for mITT, Withdrawn and Ongoing cohorts, respectively. For Ongoing patients, annual relapse rates (ARRs) maintained a decline from 1.12±0.82 at baseline to 0.25 ± 0.34 per year; 57% had stable/improved EDSS scores (change ± 0.5 points); 65% had not transitioned to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS); 38%, 18%, and 3% reached EDSS 4, 6, and 8. For all patients on GA therapy (the mITT cohort), ARRs declined from 1.18 ± 0.82 to 0.43 ± 0.58 per year; 54% had stable/improved EDSS scores; 75% had not transitioned to SPMS; 39%, 23%, and 5% reached EDSS 4, 6, and 8. In conclusion, multiple sclerosis patients with mean disease duration of 22 years administering GA for up to 15 years had reduced relapse rates, and decreased disability progression and transition to SPMS. There were no long-term safety issues.
Water transport in graphite/epoxy composites

The diffusive and mechanical behavior of tetraglycidyl diaminodiphenyl methane (TGDDM) resin-based composites and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) resin-based graphite/epoxy composites were investigated during water sorption at different temperatures. The water-absorption kinetics in both systems at 50, 70, 90, and 100°C were fitted by a Fickian diffusion model. However, a Langmuir-type, two-step sorption behavior was observed for water transport in DGEBA-based systems at 50 and 70°C. Using scanning electron microscopy, internal cracks due to water absorption were found in the DGEBA-based samples after conditioning at 90 and 100°C in water, whereas no cracks were detected in TGDDM-based samples conditioned in water at 100°C. Ultrasonic testing did not show significant modulus or density change of the TGDDM-based samples conditioned in water at 100°C. No significant changes of dynamic modulus or damping factor were observed for the TGDDM-based samples redried after immersion in 100°C water, whereas slight changes were observed above 120°C for the samples containing absorbed water. However, both water-containing and redried DGEBA-based samples showed a decrease of dynamic modulus and an ω-transition around 120°C. A single-fiber fragment test revealed that the absorbed water at 80°C reduced significantly the interfacial shear strength of DGEBA/DDA resin-AS4 fiber samples and DGEBA/DDA resin-AU4 fiber samples. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Polypropylene capacitors for snubber applications

With so many types of capacitors available, circuit designers are faced with the challenge of selecting a capacitor that will be suitable for a specific snubber application. It is essential that the designer know the approximate conditions to which the capacitors will be exposed. The most important being peak voltage, temperature, dV/dt, and frequency. The designer may also be faced with constraints such as size, maximum allowable inductance and cost. Once these conditions and constraints are identified the designer can begin the selection process.
Emergency Contraception: Are Pediatric Residents Counseling and Prescribing to Teens?

Abstract Study Objectives (1) To assess pediatric residents' attitudes and practices related to counseling about and prescribing emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) for teens. (2) To determine whether attitudes, counseling, and prescribing practices vary among different levels of residency training. Design Questionnaire. Setting Two large inner-city academic medical centers in New York City. Participants Pediatric residents (PGY 1–3). Main Outcome Measures Attitudes, counseling and prescribing patterns of ECPs by the pediatric residents Results 101/120 residents participated in the survey; 35% PGY1, 38% PGY2, 28% PGY3. Less than a third (26%) reported counseling teens about the availability of ECPs during routine non-acute care visits and just over half (56%) provided ECP counseling during visits for contraception. Only 6% of pediatric residents reported that they prescribed ECPs often, while 42% never prescribed ECPs. The majority of the residents did not think that prescribing ECPs would encourage teens to practice unsafe sex or would discourage compliance with other contraceptive methods (70% and 68%, respectively). However, the majority (67%) also reported that they did not think that ECPs should be available over the counter, without prescription. Further analysis by year of training showed that more junior and senior residents than interns counseled adolescents about ECPs at both routine health care maintenance visits and at visits for contraception (32% vs 15%; 62% vs 42%, respectively), would provide adolescent girls with ECPs to have on hand prior to an episode of unprotected sex (52% vs 31%), and thought that ECPs should be available over the counter (39% vs 20%), P Conclusions Pediatric residents are missing opportunities to prevent unintended teenage pregnancy but they become more likely to counsel about and prescribe ECPs as they progress through residency training.
Neurobiology of receptor-mediated lysophospholipid signaling. From the first lysophospholipid receptor to roles in nervous system function and development

Identification of the first lysophospholipid receptor, LPA1/Vzg-1, cloned by way of neurobiological analyses on the embryonic cerebral cortex, has led to the realization and demonstration that there exist multiple, homologous LP receptors, including those encoded by a number of orphan receptor genes known as "Edg," all of which are members of the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. These receptors interact with apparent high affinity for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) or sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P or SPP), and are referred to based upon their functional identity as lysophospholipid receptors: LPA and LPB receptors, respectively, with the expectation that additional subgroups will be identified (i.e., LPC, etc.). Here an update is provided on insights gained from analyses of these receptor genes as they relate to the nervous system, particularly the cerebral cortex, and myelinating cells (oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells).
Voters and health care in the 2004 election.

Exit polls showed that health care was a second-tier issue in the 2004 presi- dential race and that it was more important to Democratic than Republican voters. Those who considered health care the most important issue in their voting decision voted over- whelmingly for John Kerry. An analysis of national opinion surveys and exit polls shows that Republican and Democratic voters expressed dramatically differing views on key health policy issues. With the exception of malpractice reform and reducing federal health spend- ing, health care is not likely to be a top issue for the Bush administration's second term.