cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction of the N-Terminal Domain of the AMPA Receptor GluR4 Subunit with the Neuronal Pentraxin NP1 Mediates GluR4 Synaptic Recruitment

Synaptogenesis requires recruitment of neurotransmitter receptors to developing postsynaptic specializations. We developed a coculture system reconstituting artificial synapses between neurons and nonneuronal cells to investigate the molecular components required for AMPA-receptor recruitment to synapses. With this system, we find that excitatory axons specifically express factors that recruit the AMPA receptor GluR4 subunit to sites of contact between axons and GluR4-transfected nonneuronal cells. Furthermore, the N-terminal domain (NTD) of GluR4 is necessary and sufficient for its recruitment to these artificial synapses and also for GluR4 recruitment to native synapses. Moreover, we show that axonally derived neuronal pentraxins NP1 and NPR are required for GluR4 recruitment to artificial and native synapses. RNAi knockdown and knockout of the neuronal pentraxins significantly decreases GluR4 targeting to synapses. Our results indicate that NP1 and NPR secreted from presynaptic neurons bind to the GluR4 NTD and are critical trans-synaptic factors for GluR4 recruitment to synapses.
Guided-Ion Beam Studies of Ionic Transition Metal Clusters and Complexes

Guided ion beam methods have been used to study singly charged cationic transition metal species, both clusters and metal-ligand complexes. These methods allow the chemistry of such species to be studied as a function of collision energy, thereby providing a wide range of thermochemical data. Binding energies for cationic clusters of two to about twenty transition metal atoms of titanium, vanadium, chromium, iron, cobalt, nickel, and niobium have been measured. These bond energies show nonmonotonic variations as a function of size that can be interpreted in terms of the electronic and geometric stabilities of the clusters. Reactions of vanadium, chromium and iron cluster cations with molecular deuterium and oxygen have also been conducted and yield thermochemistry for the cluster ions bound to D and O atoms as a function of cluster size. We have also studied a variety of metalligand complexes including most of the first row transition metal cations with CO and H2O ligands. The sequential bond energies for many of these complexes vary nonmonotonically, an observation that can be explained in terms of changes in the electronic structure at the metal center.
Experimental crossing of Aedes (S.) polynesiensis Marks and A. scutellaris malayensis Colless (Diptera: Culicidae).

The Aedes (S.) scutellaris subgroup is comprised of many species and possible subspecific populations distributed throughout a vast area of the South and Central Pacific and southeastern Asia. The genetic relationships of most of these populations are unknown, as experimental cross breeding has been carried out with relatively few of them. This paper presents the results of such studies with Aedes scutellaris malayensis and 3 populations of A. polynesiensis (from Samoa, Tahiti, and Taiaro). The opposite sexesof the 2 specieswere attracted to one another in precopulatory mating activity. In mating choice experiments, the females were inseminated more readily by their own males than by males of the opposite species; however, under proper conditions and when no choice was possible, A. polynesiensis females were inseminated about as frequently by A. s. maloyensis males as were A. s. malayensis females. There was no hatching of any of the eggs produced by the cross-inseminated females of all 3 strains of A. polynesiensis . Cross-insemination of A. s. malayensis females by Tahiti and Taiaro A. polynesiensis males occurred readily, but eggs laid by these females did not hatch. In contrast, although a relatively small proportion of A. s. malayensis females were inseminated by Samoan A. polynesiensis males, these females produced viable eggs, and most of the F1 larvae were reared to the adult stage. It was not possible to obtain an F2 generation by inbreeding the F1 hybrids. Only a few of the F2 eggs hatched. Backcrossing of F1 (M♀ × P♂) hybrids to A. polynesiensis and A. s. malayensis females was unsuccessful. However, backcrossing of the F1 females to A. s. malayensis males was possible, and beginning with this 1st generation of backcross progeny, 2 lines of successivebackcrosses were carried out, one to A. s. malayensis males and the other to A. s. malayensis females. As these progressed, there was an increase in viable egg production, and by the 5th backcross, viable egg production exceeded that of control A. s. malayensis females. Also, inbreeding of the 3rd and 4th backcross generations was successful. There was no hatching of eggs from A. polynesiensis females inseminated by males of the 3rd and 4th backcross generations. Conversely, the females of these generations were able to produce viable eggs after insemination by A. polynesiensis males. It is concluded that A. s. malayensis and A. polynesiensis are specifically distinct. However, introgressive hybridization is possible between some, although not all of the populations belonging to these species. If this is true of species which occur at the extreme eastern and western areas of the A. scutellaris subgroup range, it seems possible that hybrid populations exist in nature and that some of the recognized species are polytypic.
Sulfate-reducing bacterium grows with Cr(VI), U(VI), Mn(IV), and Fe(III) as electron acceptors

A spore-forming sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfotomaculum reducens sp. nov. strain MI-1 has been isolated from heavy metal contaminated sediments. Strain MI-1 grows with Cr(VI), Mn(IV), Fe(III), and U(VI), in addition to various sulfur compounds, as electron acceptors. This organism shares physiological properties with both the sulfate-reducing and metal-reducing groups of bacteria and is the first sulfate-reducing bacterium described that can grow with metals or U(VI) as sole electron acceptors.
An Experimental Investigation of the 30P30N Multi-Element High-Lift Airfoil

High-lift devices often generate an unsteady flow field producing both broadband and tonal noise which radiates from the aircraft. In particular, the leading edge slat is often a dominant contributor to the noise signature. An experimental study of a simplified unswept high-lift configuration, the 30P30N, has been conducted to understand and identify the various flow-induced noise sources around the slat. Closed-wall wind tunnel tests are performed in the Florida State Aeroacoustic Tunnel (FSAT) to characterize the slat cove flow field using a combination of surface and off-body measurements. Mean surface pressures compare well with numerical predictions for the free-air configuration. Consistent with previous measurements and computations for 2D high-lift configurations, the frequency spectra of unsteady surface pressures on the slat surface display several narrowband peaks that decrease in strength as the angle of attack is increased. At positive angles of attack, there are four prominent peaks. The three higher frequency peaks correspond, approximately, to a harmonic sequence related to a feedback resonance involving unstable disturbances in the slat cove shear layer. The Strouhal numbers associated with these three peaks are nearly insensitive to the range of flow speeds (41-58 m/s) and the angles of attack tested (3-8.5 degrees). The first narrow-band peak has an order of magnitude lower frequency than the remaining peaks and displays noticeable sensitivity to the angle of attack. Stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (SPIV) measurements provide supplementary information about the shear layer characteristics and turbulence statistics that may be used for validating numerical simulations.
Tooth Enamel of Latimeria chalumnae (Smith)

IT has been observed1 that the formation of enamel in a small tooth germ of the crossopterygian, Latimeria chalumnae, is external to the dentine, and examination of more material has confirmed this impression. Serial sections through developing teeth, which had been stained as indicated in Table 1, showed quite clearly that the enamel matrix develops externally to the dentine (Fig. 1), and not as a change in the outer layer of the dentine that has already formed, as has been reported in actinopterygians by Kerr2 and in some larval and adult amphibians2,3.
Performance of variable step size methods for solving model separable hamiltonian systems

We compare adaptive step size methods which approximately conserve a separable Hamiltonian with variable step size methods designed to integrate accurately the associated Hamiltonian system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Particularly, we consider integrating the ODEs describing the planar three body problem. We show that, a second order variable step size Verlet method while approximately conserving the Hamiltonian is unable to reproduce the solution accurately or efficiently. We demonstrate the failure of this method on the Henon-Heiles problem. Then, we turn to symplectic variable step size implicit Runge-Kutta (IRK) methods and compare them with variable step size implementations of Runge-Kutta Nystrom (RKN) methods optimized for accuracy only. Our measure of accuracy is the codes' ability to conserve the Hamiltonian whilst computing a qualitatively correct solution. Also, we show that not solving the (nonlinear) IRK equations exactly can lead to nonconservation.
Column fractionation of polymers

Mixtures of fractions of atactic polystyrene dissolved in cyclohexane were resolved by elution from a column at different temperatures. A coarse-grained Ottawa sand was used to minimize the surface area of the support. Comparison with the critical miscibility temperature data of Schultz and Flory shows that the lower molecular weights are eluted from the column at a temperature somewhat below the critical miscibility temperature, as expected, but for molecular weights above 3 × 105 the elution temperature increases abruptly, and even exceeds the critical miscibility temperature. This rapid rise occurred at 1.5 × 105 when the surface area of the support was increased by use of a very fine Celite. We conclude that for the higher molecular weights additional thermal energy is required to desorb the polymer, and hence the partitioning of these species is not determined solely by solubility considerations. Concerning the efficiency of the column extraction, considerable resolution of each component was obtained, and attempts to determine the Mw/Mn ratios of the individual components were at least partially successful. As predicted by theory, for a given molecular weight interval the range of elution temperature was increased fivefold by the use of a mixed solvent, benzene–ethanol, in place of the single poor solvent, cyclohexane. Customary fractionation procedures are very inefficient when applied to high-melting crystalline polymers. For these polymers we investigated selective precipitation upon a column having a temperature gradient, rather than elution from the column. For dilute solutions, amorphous phase separation may precede crystallization, particularly in the case of polymers whose rates of crystallization are low, owing to the presence of bulky side groups. The column precipitation method failed to give improved fractionation of polyacrylonitrile, owing to phase separation of the dimethylformamide–heptane mixture part way down the column. On the other hand, good resolution was obtained for an unfractionated sample of isotactic polystyrene up to 1.5 × 106. Molecular weights above this level were compressed into a narrow band at the top of the column. Thus, if the distribution is extremely broad, a second fractionation with a different solvent:- precipitant ratio may be required. Even so, a single pass through the column resulted in a better resolution than that obtained by a large-scale, two-stage extraction-precipitation procedure, indicating that the column precipitation method does posses an advantage for the fractionation of crystalline polymers.
Mobility criteria of geared five-bar linkages

Abstract This article proposes simple Grashof type criteria to identify the full rotatability of geared five-bar linkages and provides a systematic approach to study the effects of the five-bar loop and gear constraint in the mobility of a geared five-bar linkage. A fully rotatable geared linkage must have a C-C (crank-crank) type host five-bar linkage. All fully rotatable geared linkages are grouped into A, B, and C types according to the joint rotation space of their host linkages. In type A linkages, a gear constraint may have any gear ratio and phase angle unless a change-point position exists. In type B linkages, the gear ratio may be a unit or other values but the phase angle must be properly chosen to achieve full rotatability. In type C linkages, the two terminal gears must rotate with the same speed in the same direction relative to the center link between them and have a proper phase angle. Any geared linkage which does not belong to one of these three types does not have full rotatability. A table summarizing the required phase angle conditions for a fully rotatable geared linkage with a unit gear ratio is also presented.
A novel mutation of STK11 / LKB1 gene leads to the loss of cell growth inhibition in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

To investigate whether genetic alteration of the STK11 (serine/threonine kinase 11)/LKB1 tumor-suppressor gene is involved in the carcinogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the entire encoding exons and flanking intronic sequences of the STK11/LKB1 gene were analysed with direct genomic sequencing of 15 HNSCC specimens. A novel missense mutation with presumed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and 10 polymorphisms were identified in these samples. The novel mutation of STK11/LKB1 at nucleotide position 613 G --> A, which causes the amino-acid substitution from alanine to threonine at residue 205 within the catalytic kinase domain, was identified in cell line RPMI 2650. To further determine whether this point mutation affects the gene function, constructs of the wild type and A205T mutant of the STK11/LKB1 gene expression vectors were created and transfected into RPMI 2650 cells. Our results showed that the reintroduction of the wild-type but not the mutant STK11/LKB1 construct into RPMI 2650 cells induced suppression of the cell growth. The mutation also affected the kinase activity of the Stk11/Lkb1 protein. This led us to conclude that the A205T point mutation of the STK11/LKB1 gene produces functionally inactive proteins. This is the first described mutation of the STK11/LKB1 gene in HNSCC. While the mutation frequency of the STK11/LKB1 gene in HNSCC remains to be determined in future studies, our data strongly suggests that STK11/LKB1 is involved in the carcinogenesis of HNSCC.
Reaction parameters for heavy-ion collisions☆

Abstract These tables present reaction parameters for all combinations of 27 projectile and 16 target nuclei in a laboratory bombarding energy range of 1–50 MeV/u. The reaction parameters are derived from the Fresnel model of heavy-ion scattering, the droplet model, and the rotating liquid-drop model, or from systematics of experimental data.
Design considerations for large industrial semiconductor rectifiers

THE SUCCESS in the use of germanium rectifier cells in low-voltage industrial rectifiers since their introduction in 1952 has created a need for higher voltage rectifiers with comparable advantages in efficiency and low initial and maintenance cost. To obtain higher voltages, germanium cells must be operated in series until such time that higher voltages per single cell are made possible.
The Mandate Is Still Being Honored: In Defense of Weber's Disciples

Address correspondence to W. Richard Scott, Department of Sociology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-2047 (e-mail: scottwr@leland.stanford.edu). In assessing the range and penetration of recent organizational scholarship, Stern and Barley give too much attention and weight to work that appears in the core organizational journals and not enough to work reported in broader social science journals, in journals devoted to specialized arenas such as education and medical care, and to the book literature. A survey of this broader domain suggests that organizational researchers continue to honor Weber's legacy and to explore the impact of societies on organizations and of organizational structures and processes on the functioning of societies.*
Arabic acid and its salts. I. The preparation of arabic acid and sodium arabate powder.

The preparation of arabic acid and sodium arabate in the powdered form is described. The results of viscosity determinations, equivalent weight determinations, optical rotation measurements, and pH titrations showed that no significant change had occurred in the arabic acid molecule on spray-drying.
Production and Chemical Analysis of Cometary Ice Tholins

Abstract Organic heteropolymers that we call here ice tholin II have been produced by plasma discharge irradiation of water/methanol/carbon dioxide/ethane cocondensed ices in a rough simulation of cometary chemistry. The radiation yield of these organic heteropolymers is approximately 10−26g/eV. Intermediate products including polyalcohols, ethers, esters, carboxylic acids, and hydrocarbons are also produced. No detectable polyoxymethylene is generated in this experiment. Preliminary chemical analyses of ice tholin using spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques lead to the conclusion that ice tholin contains a significant degree of polyalcohol functionality, as well as aliphatic hydrocarbon groups and carbonyl-containing groups such as ketones and esters. Ice tholin II shows some spectroscopic similarities to 1:6 ethane/water ice tholin (ice tholin I), but overall the two are chemically distinct. Ice tholins may be difficult to detect in comets due to their low volatility, but nevertheless may have been delivered to the early Earth by cometary impacts and interplanetary dust particles. These polyalcohol-containing molecules would then have been available to participate in prebiotic chemistry, such as the synthesis of acyclic nucleic acid analogues which have been suggested as the first biomacromolecules
Cloning and expression analysis of murine lupin, a member of a novel gene family that is conserved through evolution and associated with Lupus inclusions.

We describe here the first full-length sequence of a member of a novel gene family encoding a protein in the mouse that we call Lupin. Lupin is homologous to a human protein previously called p36, which was purified from α-interferon-treated cells that formed lupus inclusions. Lupus inclusions are dense intracellular deposits found in endothelial cells and lymphocytes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosis and AIDS. Proteins closely related to Lupin exist in evolutionarily divergent species including Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila and zebrafish. At least one other lupin-related gene is expressed in the mouse and in man. Lupin is expressed in mouse embryos and adults, notably in liver, spleen, central nervous system, multiple epithelia and all types of muscle. In skeletal muscle, expression analysis suggests that Lupin associates with the contractile apparatus.
Mechanical Model of Cell Membrane Penetration by Vertical Nanowires

For many therapeutic and scientific applications, direct access into a cell's interior is the key for delivering various biomolecules to alter cell behavior or for intracellular assays. However, the lipid membrane presents a challenging barrier that prevents biomolecular species from entering the cytosol.The recent discovery of cell viability despite penetration by vertical nanowires (NW) has opened new avenues for direct intracellular access. Cells are found to be impaled onto small diameter nanowires without application of any external force. Vertical NW arrays have been reported to serve as a universal and efficient platform for introducing RNA, DNA, proteins and peptides into a broad range of cell types.However, the cell membrane penetration mechanism by vertical nanowires is still unknown. Several recent experiments have shown that the penetration efficiency is greatly reduced with increasing NW diameter. Understanding the penetration mechanism is the key to optimizing the design of nanowires and developing advanced devices based on this technique.In this work a mechanical model is developed to predict cell membrane penetration by vertical nanowires. The tension and strain on cell membranes due to indentation by nanowire are calculated using a model of axisymmetric deformation of elastic membrane indented by a probe with a hemispherical tip. The critical membrane rupture conditions are determined under different failure criteria, either tension or strain. The effects of NW radius, NW aspect ratio and cell membrane stiffness on penetration are investigated based on the mechanical model. Our results provide a practical guide to designing nanowires for applications in cell membrane penetration.
Proprioceptive feedback contributes to the adaptation toward an economical gait pattern

Humans generally prefer gait patterns with a low metabolic cost, but it is unclear how such patterns are chosen. We have previously proposed that humans may use proprioceptive feedback to identify economical movement patterns. The purpose of the present experiments was to investigate the role of plantarflexor proprioception in the adaptation toward an economical gait pattern. To disrupt proprioception in some trials, we applied noisy vibration (randomly varying between 40-120Hz) over the bilateral Achilles tendons while participants stood quietly or walked on a treadmill. For all 10min walking trials, the treadmill surface was initially level before slowly increasing to a 2.5% incline midway through the trial without participant knowledge. During standing posture, noisy vibration increased sway, indicating decreased proprioception accuracy. While walking on a level surface, vibration did not significantly influence stride period or metabolic rate. However, vibration had clear effects for the first 2-3min after the incline increase; vibration caused participants to walk with shorter stride periods, reduced medial gastrocnemius (MG) activity during mid-stance (30-65% stance), and increased MG activity during late-stance (65-100% stance). Over time, these metrics gradually converged toward the gait pattern without vibration. Likely as a result of this delayed adaptation to the new mechanical context, the metabolic rate when walking uphill was significantly higher in the presence of noisy vibration. These results may be explained by the disruption of proprioception preventing rapid identification of muscle activation patterns which allow the muscles to operate under favorable mechanical conditions with low metabolic demand.
Abstract Teaching for a Concrete World: A Lesson from Plato

This article argues that instructors should introduce students to abstract concepts only after they have provided concrete illustrations of them. The advantages of working from the concrete to the abstract are twofold: (1) students have an easier time conceptualizing abstractions from within a particular context, and (2) such a context provides them with a greater motivation to do so. In an effort to mirror the pedagogical approach I defend, I begin by reviewing the manner in which Plato introduces the concept of justice to his readers in Book I of the Republic. I then examine the common model of teaching abstract concepts, demonstrate how an effective alternative differs from this model, and review the education theories that support the alternative model.
Cross-linking of α-chymotrypsin and other proteins by reaction with glutaraldehyde☆

Abstract The rate of inactivation of α-chymotrypsin by reaction with glutaraldehyde increased with increasing pH, but the formation of insoluble and active α-chymotrypsin was most rapid at pH 6.2. The pH values for the most rapid glutaraldehyde insolubilization (pH optima) of other proteins were chymotrypsinogen-A, pH 8.2; bovine serum albumin, pH 4.8; soybean trypsin inhibitor, pH 4.8; lysozyme, pH 10.5; and papain, pH 8.6. With the exceptions of α-chymotrypsin and chymotrypsinogen-A, the pH for the most rapid glutaraldehyde insolubilization of these proteins was the same as their isoelectric points. The proteins, which varied in their initial total lysine content, showed the same percentage decrease in lysine upon insolubilization. Insolubilization of α-chymotrypsin was more rapid the lower the ionic strength of the reaction mixture. When the insolubilization was conducted in the presence of the inhibitor, β-phenylpropionate, or with the monoacetyl derivative of α-chymotrypsin, the insolubilized product was more enzymatically active. Concurrent glutaraldehyde insolubilization of bovine serum albumin and α-chymotrypsin was possible only at a pH between the optimum for each protein. An insolubilized cross-linked mercuripapain-α-chymotrypsin was prepared which possessed the activities of each enzyme.
Transport Properties of Perfluoroalkanes Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation: Comparison of United- and Explicit-Atom Models

We compare the results of an explicit-atom model (Borodin, O.; Smith, G. D.; Bedrov, D. J. Phys. Chem. B 2002, 106, 9912-9922) for perfluoralkanes with those of a united-atom model (Cui, S. T.; Siepmann, J. I.; Cochran, H. D.; Cummings, P. T. Fluid Phase Equilib. 1998, 146 ,5 1-61) in the prediction of transport properties for short perfluoralkanes. The predicted viscosities from the two force fields are compared against each other and with experiment or correlations of experimental data. We find that the explicit-atom model predicts the Newtonian viscosity of short perfluoroalkane molecules in excellent agreement with experimental data and, in most cases, within experimental error, whereas the united-atom model underpredicts the Newtonian viscosity. Additional dynamical properties, including the diffusion coefficients from both models, are also reported.
Optimum Signal-Processing for Pulse-Amplitude Spectrometry in the Presence of High-Rate Effects and Noise

In this paper the idea of a general signal processing system which should satisfy various pulse rate and noise requirements is explored. Optimum processing functions (weighting functions) are considered for an ideal system, and for real conditions where effects like imperfect pole-zero cancellation are present. Time-variant filters of the gain-varying class are used to realize the required optimum weighting functions of finite width. It is shown how nonfinite-width weighting functions of some time-invariant filters can be modified into finite-width functions by switching. These switched-gain time-variant filters are somewhat limited in choice of weighting functions. A general processing system can be realized employing filters with continuously time-variant elements. In particular, a gain-varying element (i.e., an analog multiplier) can be used in conjunction with an integrator to realize arbitrary weighting functions, and therefore the theoretically maximum signal-to-noise ratio. The system is time-variant only for the noise and not for the signal, so that it does not require high precision of the time-variant element. The system output is independent of the gating interval, and does not require precise timing. A method for evaluation of such systems in terms of noise, ballistic deficit and sensitivity to parameter variations is given.
Lithiation of amorphous carbon negative electrode for Li ion capacitor

Abstract Electrochemical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) are well suited to time-dependent electrical power output, but in terms of their overall energy density, these devices are much more limited in comparison to Li ion batteries. However, asymmetric supercapacitors that utilize a lithiated negative electrode and a high surface area positive electrode can result in significant improvements in the overall energy density of the device. Key to the development of a Li x C 6 asymmetric supercapacitor, or Li ion capacitor, is the preparation of the lithiated negative electrode. A common method of accomplishing this is to allow Li ions to intercalate into the carbon material under a spontaneous potential gradient. However, the insertion process can be very slow and may take several hours to reach equilibrium. However, an electrochemically driven lithiation process could significantly decrease the electrode preparation time, which would have great benefits for the development of these devices. Three methods for the insertion of Li into activated carbon electrodes were evaluated in this work that examined the examined the effect of electrochemically-driven lithiation of an activated carbon powder electrode as it may compare to unaided lithiation. In addition, in one of the configurations, the sacrificial Li metal electrode faced the ‘back’ side of the carbon electrode, which provides the advantage in that the cell would not have to be disassembled and re-assembled to evaluate the completed Li capacitor cell, since the positive electrode could readily be added to the cell during the initial assembly. During the lithiation process, the current flow and total charge passed were monitored and an electrochemical impedance analysis was performed to gain insight into the formation of the SEI layer on the carbon surface during the Li insertion process.
A numerically efficient finite element hydroelastic analysis

A finite element hydroelastic analysis formulation is developed on the basis of Toupin's complementary variational principle. Emphasis is placed on the special case of an incompressible fluid model which is applicable to propellant tank hydroelastic analysis. A concise fluid inertia representation results from the assumption of incompressibility and the hydroelastic equations reduce to a simplified form associated with the structure alone. The efficiency of the incompressible hydroelastic formulation in unhanced for both fluid and structure by introduction of harmonic reduction as an alternative to Guyan reduction. The theoretical developments are implemented in the NASTRAN Program and the technique is verified and demonstrated as an efficient and accurate approach with a series of illustrative problems including the 1/8 scale space shuttle external tank.
Measurement of Calcium Channel Inactivation Is Dependent upon the Test Pulse Potential

We have developed two methods to measure Ca2+ channel inactivation in Lymnaea neurons-one method, based upon the conventional double-pulse protocol, uses currents during a moderately large depolarizing pulse, and the other uses tail currents after a very strong activating pulse. Both methods avoid contamination by proton currents and are unaffected by rundown of Ca2+ current. The magnitude of inactivation measured differs for the two methods; this difference arises because the measurement of inactivation is inherently dependent upon the test pulse voltage used to monitor the Ca2+ channel conductance. We discuss two models that can generate such test pulse dependence of inactivation measurements-a two-channel model and a two-open-state model. The first model accounts for this by assuming the existence of two types of Ca2+ channels, different proportions of which are activated by the different test pulses. The second model assumes only one Ca2+ channel type, with two closed and open states; in this model, the test pulse dependence is due to the differential activation of channels in the two closed states by the test pulses. Test pulse dependence of inactivation measurements of Ca2+ channels may be a general phenomenon that has been overlooked in previous studies.
Analyzing cost efficiency of Critical Access Hospitals

Abstract The Critical Access Hospital (CAH) program has been created to protect small, financially vulnerable rural hospitals in the U.S. by granting them Medicare cost-based reimbursement. However, there have been concerns that this type of reimbursement might have a negative impact on the cost efficiency of hospitals that converted to CAH status. This study examines the impact of Medicare cost-based reimbursement, length of participation in the CAH program and other environmental variables on the cost efficiency of CAHs using a two-stage approach. In the first stage, data envelopment analysis is used to estimate cost efficiency of CAHs. In the second stage, cost efficiency is regressed on environmental variables using a parametric bootstrap of a truncated regression. The estimated results suggest that Medicare cost-based reimbursement may increase the cost inefficiency of CAHs and that longer participation in the CAH program increases hospital cost inefficiency but the extent of this inefficiency increase is lower than what previous literature showed.
Subcommissural organ, lateral hypothalamus, and dorsal longitudinal fasciculus in water and salt metabolism

Twenty-two albino rats were divided into three groups for chronic brain electrode implantation. The effects of subsequent stimulation and ablation of the subcommissural organ (SCO), the bilateral lateral hypothalamic nuclei (LH), and the dorsal longitudinal fasciculus (FLD) on volume of water intake, and on concentration of urinary excretion were observed over twenty-two hour periods of free access to water both before and after treatments. It was observed that neither stimulation nor lesion of the SCO resulted in disruption of water intake or of urinary volume and concentration. Similar stimulation of LH potentiated drinking, while similar lesions produced a hypodipsia that necessitated tube feeding. Lesions of LH produced, in addition, marked elevation of urine volume, but no change in urine concentration. Sectioning of the FLD was followed by effects similar to those following lesions of the LH nuclei.
Numerical simulation of particle encapsulation due to liquid thread breakup

Abstract The capillary instability of a liquid thread containing a periodic array of particles along the centerline is considered with reference to micro-encapsulation. The Navier–Stokes equation for axisymmetric flow inside and outside the thread is solved using an immersed boundary method implemented on a boundary-fitted orthogonal curvilinear grid that conforms with the particle shape. Numerical simulations are carried out to investigate the effect of the particle spacing, viscosity ratio, Reynolds number, and waveform of interfacial perturbations. The results show that fluid inertia delays the onset of the instability and may have an important effect on the number and volume of developing pure and encapsulating drops. The effect of the particle size diminishes as the Reynolds number is raised. An insoluble surfactant significantly delays the interfacial amplification and affects the process of thread breakup and the details of particle encapsulation.
A finite difference 3-D Poisson-Vlasov algorithm for ions extracted from a plasma

Abstract A Poisson-Vlasov algorithm has been constructed that solves three-dimensional (3-D) sheath problems. It can be used for accelerator design for intense ion beams extracted from a plasma. It has an advantage over an existing finite element algorithm in that it is much more accurate per unit time spent.
The genetics of inflammatory bowel disease

Through rapid advances, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified almost 100 susceptibility genes which confer an increased risk of developing inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD). This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of the genetics of IBD. We discuss the role of key loci or genes in IBD pathophysiology. Some of the genes implicated have highlighted key pathways including bacterial recognition (NOD2), autophagy (ATG16L1, IRGM) in Crohn’s disease. Other loci including CDH, HNF4A, LAMB1, and ECM1 are significantly associated with ulcerative colitis (UC) and have been linked to modulating epithelial barrier function. Nearly one-third of the described loci or genes are common to both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Several of these are involved in the IL23 signaling pathway (IL23R, IL12B, JAK2, and STAT3). These findings highlight the importance of genetic variability and its interactions with the immune system, gut microbiota, and environmental factors in determining pathogenesis of IBD.
Love at the Office? Understanding Workplace Romance Disclosures and Reactions from the Coworker Perspective

Nonplatonic workplace romances (WR) are common in contemporary organizations. Academic research, although sparse, has pointed to both positive and negative outcomes associated with these relationships. Less attention has been placed on others (i.e., coworkers) perceptions of WR. Prior studies have acknowledged the lack of research examining how coworkers learn of WR. Using qualitative methods, we uncovered two themes concerning how coworkers described WR disclosures and their subsequent reactions, 1) a personal disclosure paired with a positive reaction and 2) an impersonal disclosure paired with a negative reaction. Coworkers' reactions to workplace romances were also influenced by several other factors including the actors involved in the romance, the coworkers' personal views on workplace romances, and the culture of the organization/business unit. These findings are discussed along with theoretical and practical implications.
Forest management in Amazonia: the need for new criteria in evaluating development options

Abstract Sustained management of Amazonian forest is nonexistent on a commercial scale and is in its infancy as a research front. Systems are under trial in Brazil, Surinam, French Guiana and Peru to overcome technical barriers to sustained production. The low priority that has been given to developing and implementing sustainable systems is a reflection of the low weight given to future costs and benefits in presently-used economic calculations. An examination of presently used criteria in Amazonia suggests that they do not lead to development choices that are in the best interests of the region. Problems include: the lack of connection between discount rates applied to future returns and the biological rates limiting forest growth; inappropriate accounting for environmental and social factors; and common property effects — including the distribution of environmental costs. The result is destruction of the forest, along with its potential for sustainable production through forestry management. Alternatives must be evaluated on the basis of their contribution to the well-being of the present residents of the Amazon region and their descendants.
Personal Paradigm Shifts Among ABA and PBS Experts: Comparisons in Treatment Acceptability

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) experts were surveyed to examine their perceptions of treatment acceptability of commonly used decelerative consequence-based behavioral procedures and the factors t...
Metabolic, anthropometric, and psychological characteristics of obese binge eaters

This study examined the relationship of binge eating to a variety of metabolic, anthropometric, and psychological characteristics in 132 obese women seeking weight reduction. Contrary to findings of a reduced resting metabolic rate (RMR) in persons with bulimia nervosa, no significant differences were observed between obese bingers and nonbingers in RMR or thyroid hormones. Nor did the two groups differ significantly in weight, percentage body fat, body fat distribution, or serum lipid levels. Consistent with previous findings, however, binge eaters did score significantly higher in depression and other measures of psychopathology, as assessed by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. They also scored significantly higher in disinhibition and hunger but significantly lower in cognitive restraint. All of these findings await confirmation in subjects diagnosed according to criteria proposed for a new binge eating disorder. The present results, however, provide little support for the hypothesis that binge eating in obese individuals is related to reduced resting energy requirements.
New Horizons for Pediatric Antibiotic Stewardship

Antibiotic resistance remains a major health threat and the overuse of antimicrobials contributes to this serious problem. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are effective in decreasing the inappropriate use of antimicrobials. The development of pediatric ASPs is increasing and these programs have proven effective in optimizing antimicrobial use in children. The value of ASPs is gaining recognition and the expansion of stewardship into additional health care settings is expected. Collaborative efforts are underway among pediatric ASPs to enhance best practices and develop efficient and effective strategies to minimize unnecessary antimicrobial use in children.
Cardiac tumours: diagnosis and management

Patients with cardiac tumours may present with cardiovascular related or constitutional symptoms, but more often than not a cardiac mass is discovered incidentally during an imaging examination performed for an unrelated indication. These incidental masses usually represent thrombi or vegetations, often occurring in a particular clinical milieu.1 If a mass is indeed a tumour, it is most likely malignant secondary to a known malignant process elsewhere, usually from the breast, lung or malignant melanoma. Much less likely, the mass represents a primary cardiac tumour. In this case it is most likely benign, with a nearly 50% likelihood of being a myxoma. Malignant primary cardiac tumours are exceedingly rare and represent only approximately a quarter of primary cardiac tumours. These are most often a variety of sarcoma. Although primary cardiac tumours are rare with an autopsy frequency of only 0.001–0.03%,2 they represent an important group of cardiovascular abnormalities because early and accurate diagnosis may be curative and sometimes avoids unnecessary surgery.1 3 Echocardiography is an ideal initial imaging modality since it is simple, non-invasive, widely available, and low cost. It delineates the morphologic appearance, location and motion of tumours as well as determining the haemodynamic consequences of the tumour, if any. CT and MRI are complimentary techniques that provide additional diagnostic information4 and are useful for staging and treatment planning, particularly when surgical resection is being considered. CT has better spatial resolution than MRI and also provides information about vascularity and calcification. MRI also provides information about vascularity, has better overall tissue characterisation, and does not have the attendant risk of radiation. Clinical symptoms and signs are often determined by location of the tumour rather than its histologic type. Thus, the clinical significance of a ‘benign’ tumour may be just as important as a ‘malignant’ type. Benign …
Software Prediction of Threshold Voltage Shift for Amorphous Silicon TFT-Based Displays

This paper deals with software compensation of threshold voltage shift (VT shift) in amorphous silicon based active matrix OLED displays by use of an external microcontroller. The use of compensating circuits can result in lower aperture ratios, increased power consumption and complex driving methods and is hence unsuitable. The algorithm for software control makes use of quick parameter extraction of device physical parameters, thereby enabling prediction of VT shift corresponding to a data stream seen by a pixel.
caCORE: a common infrastructure for cancer informatics.

Motivation: Sites with substantive bioinformatics operations are challenged to build data processing and delivery infrastructure that provides reliable access and enables data integration. Locally generated data must be processed and stored such that relationships to external data sources can be presented. Consistency and comparability across data sets requires annotation with controlled vocabularies and, further, metadata standards for data representation. Programmatic access to the processed data should be supported to ensure the maximum possible value is extracted. Confronted with these challenges at the National Cancer Institute Center for Bioinformatics, we decided to develop a robust infrastructure for data management and integration that supports advanced biomedical applications. Results: We have developed an interconnected set of software and services called caCORE. Enterprise Vocabulary Services (EVS) provide controlled vocabulary, dictionary and thesaurus services. The Cancer Data Standards Repository (caDSR) provides a metadata registry for common data elements. Cancer Bioinformatics Infrastructure Objects (caBIO) implements an object-oriented model of the biomedical domain and provides Java, Simple Object Access Protocol and HTTP–XML application programming interfaces. caCORE has been used to develop scientific applications that bring together data from distinct genomic and clinical science sources. Availability: caCORE downloads and web interfaces can be accessed from links on the caCORE web site (http://ncicb.nci.nih.gov/core). caBIO software is distributed under an open source license that permits unrestricted academic and commercial use. Vocabulary and metadata content in the EVS and caDSR, respectively, is similarly unrestricted, and is available through web applications and FTP downloads.
Nonlinear Predictor-Based Dynamic Resource Allocation Over Point-to-Multipoint (P2MP) Networks: A Control Theoretical Approach

Most broadband access networks such as passive optical networks (PONs) adopt the point-to-multipoint (P2MP) topology. One critical issue in such networks is the upstream resource management and allocation mechanism. Nonlinear predictor-based dynamic resource allocation (NLPDRA) schemes for improving the P2MP network upstream transmission efficiency have been investigated in an ad hoc manner. In this paper, we establish a general state space model to analyze the controllability and stability of the NLPDRA schemes from the P2MP network system's point of view and propose controller design guidelines to maintain the system stability under different scenarios. Analytical results show that NLPDRA maintains the P2MP network system controllability even when the loaded network traffic changes drastically. We further prove that a P2MP network system with NLPDRA is stable by proper pole placements as the traffic changes. Finally, we provide guidelines to design a optimal compensator to achieve system accuracy.
Application specific non-volatile primary memory for embedded systems

Memory subsystems have been considered as one of the most critical components in embedded systems and furthermore, displaying increasing complexity as application requirements diversify. Modern embedded systems are generally equipped with multiple heterogeneous memory devices to satisfy diverse requirements and constraints. NAND flash memory has been widely adopted for data storage because of its outstanding benefits on cost, power, capacity and non-volatility. However, in NAND flash memory, the intrinsic costs for the read and write accesses are highly disproportionate in performance and access granularity. The consequent data management complexity and performance deterioration have precluded the adoption of NAND flash memory. In this paper, we introduce a highly effective non-volatile primary memory architecture which incorporates application specific information to develop a NAND flash based primary memory. The proposed architecture provides a unified non-volatile primary memory solution which relieves design complications caused by the growing complexity in memory subsystems. Our architecture aggressively minimizes the overhead and redundancy of the NAND based systems by exploiting efficient address space management and dynamic data migration based on accurate application behavioral analysis. We also propose a highly parallelized memory architecture through an active and dynamic data redistribution over the multiple flash memories based on run-time workload analysis. The experimental results show that our proposed architecture significantly enhances average memory access cycle time which is comparable to the standard DRAM access cycle time and also considerably prolongs the device life-cycle by autonomous wear-leveling and minimizing the program/erase operations.