cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defining Hospital Settings: The Thorn in the Side of PHM

In this month’s issue of Hospital Pediatrics , Ahuja et al1 examined characteristics of technology-dependent children (TDC) admitted to children’s versus nonchildren’s hospitals. With discharge data from 1408 total hospitals, categorized as 63 children’s hospitals and 1345 nonchildren’s hospitals, they found that the majority of TDC were hospitalized at nonchildren’s hospitals. However, given the proportionately large number of nonchildren’s hospitals, the exposure rate to TDC at nonchildren’s hospitals was lower than at children’s hospitals. Ultimately, these findings highlight several important conclusions. First, TDC are cared for across hospital types; accordingly, all hospitals should know how to assess and stabilize TDC. Second, understanding hospitalization patterns of TDC may help to inform which subpopulations of TDC may benefit from the regionalization of care. Inherent to exploring the latter, however, is the need to have clear and consistent definitions of the terms used to define hospital settings. In the analysis by Ahuja et al1, they dichotomized hospital types using the Healthcare Costs and Utilization Project Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID) from 2012. Within KID, hospitals are stratified by geographic region (ie, northeast, Midwest, west, and south), control (ie, public, private, or proprietary), urban or rural setting, teaching or nonteaching as determined by the American Hospital Association Annual Survey, bed size (ie, small, medium, and large), and “hospital type – freestanding children’s or other hospital.”2 By using an identifier within KID, freestanding children’s hospitals are assigned a unique stratification element that can identify them within the data set. Any children’s hospital that is not freestanding does not possess this specific identifier. Before 2012, children’s hospitals within general hospitals (or nested children’s hospitals) could be selected by using a separate data identifier. Unfortunately, beginning with the 2012 data, that identifier is no longer available; as such, the …
The U.S. Tomato Industry: An Overview of Production and Trade

Tomatoes are one of the world's most consumed vegetable crops. In the United States, domestic production meets about 40% of the total domestic demand for fresh-market tomatoes, with the rest of the demand met by imports, mostly from Mexico and Canada. Since 2000, however, fresh tomato production in the United States has exhibited a steady declining trend. One major reason is the increased competition from Mexico. This 4-page fact sheet written by Zhengfei guan, Trina Biswas, and Feng Wu and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department argues for US government measures to help the domestic tomato industry resolve labor shortages and encourage research and development of labor-saving technologies such as mechanical harvesting to make the US tomato industry more competitive and sustainable. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1027
When Failure is the Only Option: How Communicative Framing Resources Organizational Innovation:

Innovation is valuable for organizational success, yet it presents contradictions for workers who must choose between pursuing novel courses of action or practicing established strategy. One challe...
The Vanderbilt O'Brien Kidney Center.

The Vanderbilt O’Brien Kidney Center (VOKC) is one of the eight National Institutes of Health P30-funded centers in the United States. The mission of these core-based centers is to provide technica...
A Hydrophobic Tissue Clearing Method for Rat Brain Tissue

Hydrophobic tissue clearing methods are easily adjustable, fast, and low-cost procedures that allows for the study of a molecule of interest in unaltered tissue samples. Traditional immunolabeling procedures require cutting the sample into thin sections, which restricts the ability to label and examine intact structures. However, if brain tissue can remain intact during processing, structures and circuits can remain intact for the analysis. Previously established clearing methods take significant time to completely clear the tissue, and the harsh chemicals can often damage sensitive antibodies. The iDISCO method quickly and completely clears tissue, is compatible with many antibodies, and requires no special lab equipment. This technique was initially validated for the use in mice tissue, but the current protocol adapts this method to image hemispheres of control and transgenic rat brains. In addition to this, the present protocol also makes several adjustments to preexisting protocol to provide clearer images with less background staining. Antibodies for Iba-1 and tyrosine hydroxylase were validated in the HIV-1 transgenic rat and in F344/N control rats using the present hydrophobic tissue clearing method. The brain is an interwoven network, where structures work together more often than separately of one another. Analyzing the brain as a whole system as opposed to a combination of individual pieces is the greatest benefit of this whole brain clearing method.
Neuroimaging Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Computerized Tomography in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis, Idiopathic Optic Neuritis, and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

There is considerable enthusiasm about the potential of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging in the diagnosis and care of patients with diseases of the nervous system. Since its introduction into the clinical environment in the early 1980s, NMR has proven to be equal to or better than CT for imaging a wide variety of central nervous system (CNS) diseases [1]. We compared the NMR and CT findings in three CNS diseases in which computer tomography (CT) has previously proven to be of little or no value, namely, multiple sclerosis, isolated idiopathic optic neuritis, and systemic lupus erythematosis [2–8].
The interaction on hypertension between family history and diabetes and other risk factors.

To explore the individual effect and interaction of diabetes and family history and other risk factors on hypertension in Han in Shanghai China. The method of case–control study with l:l matched pairs was used, 342 cases of hypertension and 342 controls were selected and investigate their exposed factors with face-to-face. The method of epidemiology research was used to explore the individual effect and interaction of diabetes and family history and other risk factors on hypertension. The individual effect of family history (OR = 4.103, 95%CI 2.660–6.330), diabetes (OR = 4.219, 95%CI 2.926–6.083), personal taste (OR = 1.256, 95%CI 1.091–1.593), drinking behavior (OR = 1.391, 95%CI 1.010–1.914) and smoking behavior (OR = 1.057, 95%CI 1.00–1.117) were significant (p 0.05). The OR of interaction between FH and DM to hypertension was 16.537 (95%CI 10.070–21.157), between FH and drinking behavior was 4.0 (95%CI 2.461–6.502), FH and sport habit was 7.668 (95%CI 3.598–16.344), FH and personal taste was 6.521 (95%CI 3.858–11.024), FH and smoking behavior was 5.526 (95%CI 3.404–8.972), FH and work/life pressure was 4.087 (95%CI 2.144–7.788). The SI of FH and DM was 2.27, RERI was 8.68, AP was 52.48% and PAP was 55.86%. FH and DM, personal taste, smoking behavior had positive interaction on hypertension, but FH and sport habits, drinking behavior, work/life pressure had reverse interaction on hypertension. FH and diabetes were very important risk factors with significant effect for hypertension. FH and diabetes, personal taste, smoking behavior had positive interaction on hypertension, but FH and sport habits, drinking behavior, work/life pressure had reverse interaction on hypertension.
TNFAIP8 is a novel phosphoinositide-binding inhibitory regulator of Rho GTPases that promotes cancer cell migration

SUMMARY More than half of human tumors exhibit aberrantly dysregulated phosphoinositide signaling, yet how this is controlled remains not fully understood. While somatic mutations of PI3K, PTEN and Ras account for many cases of the hyperactivated lipid signals, other mechanisms for these dysfunctions in cancer are also being discovered. We report here that TNFAIP8 interacts with PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 and is likely to be hijacked by cancer cells to facilitate directional migration during malignant transformation. TNFAIP8 maintains the quiescent cellular state by sequestering inactive Rho GTPases in the cytosolic pool, which can be set free upon chemoattractant activation at the leading edge. Consequently, loss of TNFAIP8 results in severe defects of chemotaxis and adhesion. Thus, TNFAIP8, whose expression can be induced by inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα from tumor microenvironment, represents a molecular bridge from inflammation to cancer by linking NF-κB pathway to phosphoinositide signaling. Our study on the conserved hydrophobic cavity structure will also advise in silico drug screening and development of new TNFAIP8-based strategies to combat malignant human diseases.
Costly Bank Recapitalization with Execution Delay

How should shareholders make dividend and recapitalization policies for a bank when there exists execution delay and fix costs on recapitalizations? What is the optimal time and magnitude of recapitalization if the magnitude of recapitalization is pre-determined at the time of recapitalization-making, instead of at the delayed time of execution? How much impact will the execution delay have on bank policies? To answer these questions, we develop a continuous time model based on the work of Peura and Keppo [The Journal of Business 79(4), 2163-2201, 2006] (henceforth PK) and reformulate the path-dependent problem to a path-independent problem by introducing an additional state variable to record the recapitalization amount. An iteratively numerical algorithm is provided to solve the problem and can be widely applied to other financial models with execution delay or decision lag. Compared to PK, the information loss due to execution delay induces more conservative and rational policies to keep higher level of capital ratio and thus, lowers the bank value.
A combined experimental-analytical modeling study of the artificial aging response of Al–Mg–Si alloys

Abstract The isothermal aging response at 170 °C of three extruded Al–Mg–Si alloys that had been solution-treated and quenched was experimentally tracked to understand the influence of Mg + Si content and the Mg/Si ratio on microstructure and mechanical behavior. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to quantitatively characterize the needle-shaped β'' precipitates in the underaged, peak-aged and overaged conditions; while the alloy with a high Mg + Si content raised the number density of β'' precipitates, a higher Mg/Si ratio increased the number density but decreased the size of β'' precipitates in the peak-aged condition. In the overaged condition, coarsening of β'' precipitates occurred primarily along its length. Single crystal micropillar compression tests were conducted in the naturally-aged, under-aged, peak-aged and over-aged conditions to correlate the microstructure to the critical resolved shear stress (CRSS). In the peak-aged condition, the alloy with the high Mg + Si content and a Mg/Si ratio corresponding to the β'' stoichiometry (Mg5Si6) exhibited the highest CRSS. A precipitation kinetics model that assumed a cylindrical morphology for the β'' phase with a fixed aspect ratio was developed to describe β'' phase microstructure evolution as a function of alloy chemistry, solution treatment temperature and artificial aging parameters. The results from this model served as input to a dislocation-precipitate interaction model to calculate single crystal yield strength. The predictions from these analytical models were validated with experimental results from this study and from the literature and fundamental insights were obtained on the role of microstructural parameters in affecting yield strength for non-spherical precipitates.
Corrections to “Hardware-Assisted Transparent Tracing and Debugging on ARM”

In the above article [1] , in the first-page footnote, the corresponding author should appear as: (Corresponding author: Dr. Fengwei Zhang) instead of (Corresponding author: Zhenyu Ning).
Predicting stability of DNA bulge at mononucleotide microsatellite.

Mononucleotide microsatellites are clinically and forensically crucial DNA sequences due to their high mutability and abundance in the human genome. As a mutagenic intermediate of an indel in a microsatellite and a consequence of probe hybridization after such mutagenesis, a bulge with structural degeneracy sliding within a microsatellite is formed. Stability of such dynamic bulges, however, is still poorly understood despite their critical role in cancer genomics and neurological disease studies. In this paper, we have built a model that predicts the thermodynamics of a sliding bulge at a microsatellite. We first identified 40 common bulge states that can be assembled into any sliding bulges, and then characterized them with toehold exchange energy measurement and the partition function. Our model, which is the first to predict the free energy of sliding bulges with more than three repeats, can infer the stability penalty of a sliding bulge of any sequence and length with a median prediction error of 0.22 kcal/mol. Patterns from the prediction clearly explain landscapes of microsatellites observed in the literature, such as higher mutation rates of longer microsatellites and C/G microsatellites.
The Changing Role and Responsibilities of a Chairman—Letters

To the Editor.— A delightfully written, human, and real commentary on Chairmanship, a valuable message to one and all. Thanks for taking time to write it.
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: review of 500 cases in single surgeon Australian practice

Introduction Reported results and techniques of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) are variable. Our objective was to assess results of weight loss, complications and reflux in a large consecutive series of LSG, describing technical detail which contributed to outcomes. Methods Retrospective review of prospectively collected data of 500 consecutive patients undergoing LSG. Patient demographics, weight loss, complications and functional outcomes were analysed and operative technique described. Results Five hundred patients underwent LSG over 3 years (37 revisional). Mean (range) preoperative body mass index was 45 kg/m2 (35–76 kg/m2). Mean follow-up and length of hospital stay were 14 months (1–34) and 3.8 days (3–12), respectively. All-cause 30-day readmission rate 1.2%. Mean excess weight loss (interquartile range, available patient data) was 43% (22–65%, 423 patients), 58% (45–70%, 352 patients), 76% (52–84%, 258 patients), 71% (51–87%, 102 patients) and 73% (55–86%, 13 patients) at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 months, respectively. There was no mortality. Intraoperative complications occurred in two (0.4%) – splenic bleeding; bougie related oesophageal injury. Early surgical complications in four (1.2%) patients (one staple line leak and three post-operative bleeds). Other early complications occurred in three (0.6%) patients (one pseudomembranous colitis; one central line sepsis; one portal venous thrombosis) and late in four (0.8%) patients (three port-site incisional hernias; mid-sleeve stricture requiring endoscopic dilatation). Gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms decreased from 45 to 6%. Conclusion With attention to detail, LSG can lead to good excess weight loss with minimal complications. Tenants to success include repair of hiatal laxity, generous width at angula incisura and complete resection of posterior fundus.
Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity in Certain Strains of Staphylococcus aureus

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was studied in phage-propagating strains 29, 3A, 6, 81, and 42D of Staphylococcus aureus selected from the five groups in the International-Blair series. Cells were cultivated in Brain Heart Infusion (Difco) under nearly anaerobic conditions and were harvested near the end of the log phase. LDH activity was maximal at the end of the exponential growth period and was measured spectrophotometrically by reduction of p-nitro-blue tetrazolium, with phenazine methosulfate as a coupling agent. Crude enzyme extracts were prepared both by an acetone extraction technique and by sonic treatment. LDH activity for these enzyme preparations was determined by the colorimetric method mentioned and also by measuring the rate of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide reduction at 340 mmu. The order of activity observed, by use of both assay methods, was 29 > 81 > 6 > 3A > 42D. LDH forms (possibly isoenzymes) for each of 15 strains, which represent the five phage-propagating groups of the International-Blair series, were separated by acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Five forms were distinguished and arbitrarily numbered on the basis of their rate of migration, no. 5 being the slowest component. No one strain had more than four, nor fewer than two, LDH forms. Form 3 appeared in 13 of the 15 strains and was followed in frequency by no. 2, 1, 4, and 5.
Compiler Based Scheduling of Java Mobile Agents

This work presents compiler-based scheduling strategies for Java Mobile Agents. We analyze the program using annotations and data sizes. For the different strategies, the compiler produces the best schedule, taking dependence information into account.
Hyperbolic graph generator

Abstract Networks representing many complex systems in nature and society share some common structural properties like heterogeneous degree distributions and strong clustering. Recent research on network geometry has shown that those real networks can be adequately modeled as random geometric graphs in hyperbolic spaces. In this paper, we present a computer program to generate such graphs. Besides real-world-like networks, the program can generate random graphs from other well-known graph ensembles, such as the soft configuration model, random geometric graphs on a circle, or Erdős–Renyi random graphs. The simulations show a good match between the expected values of different network structural properties and the corresponding empirical values measured in generated graphs, confirming the accurate behavior of the program. Program summary Program title: Hyperbolic graph generator Catalogue identifier: AEXC_v1_0 Program summary URL: http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEXC_v1_0.html Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen’s University, Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions: GNU General Public License, version 3 No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 101190 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 771660 Distribution format: tar.gz Programming language: C++. Computer: Any. Operating system: Any. Classification: 6.3, 4.13, 23. Nature of problem: Generation of graphs in hyperbolic spaces. Solution method: Implementation based on analytical equations. Additional comments: Can be used as a command-line tool or installed as a library to support more complex software. Running time: Depends on the number of nodes. A few seconds for the graph in the example provided.
On-line processing and archiving of continuous data flows

Processing intensive continuous flows of data is a challenging problem in many engineering and scientific applications. A scheme is developed which combines archiving of collected data with their real-time processing. This scheme employs new types of hardware components for on-the-fly computations and memory-based reasoning. Implementation of this scheme would require a balanced approach to the issues of VLSI design, feature extraction, and overall organization of information retrieval. >
Proteins Specified by Herpes Simplex Virus XI. Identification and Relative Molar Rates of Synthesis of Structural and Nonstructural Herpes Virus Polypeptides in the Infected Cell

Analyses of polypeptides made in HEp-2 cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 by high-resolution polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the synthesis of at least 49 infected cell polypeptides (ICP) ranging in molecular weight from 15,000 to 280,000. Evidence for virus specificity based on increased rates of synthesis postinfection, immunological specificity, and viral control of mobility and rate of synthesis was available for 47 of the ICP. These 47 polypeptides can account for 75% of the virus genetic information assuming a DNA molecular weight of 10(8) and asymmetric transcription. On the basis of their mobility relative to virion proteins, the ICP were classified as structural (S, 23 polypeptides), nonstructural (NS, 16 polypeptides), and unassigned (U, 10 polypeptides). Analysis of the synthesis of the ICP revealed the following. (i) Rapid posttranslational cleavages of HSV proteins were not detected; in parallel experiments rapid posttranslational cleavages were readily demonstrated in poliovirus-infected cells and these were blocked by protease inhibitors. (ii) Slow posttranslational changes in the mobility of at least two polypeptides were observed. (iii) Analysis of the rates of synthesis of ICP examined at four intervals postinfection revealed regulation of the pattern and amount of ICP synthesized. ICP formed six classes (A to F) differing in their kinetics of synthesis. S and NS ICP were distributed nonrandomly among these classes. Thus, of the sum of S protein amino acid sequences apportioned among these kinetic classes, 47%, constituting class A and comprising "late" structural proteins, were characterized by progressively increasing rates of synthesis until at least 12 h postinfection; whereas "early" structural proteins constituting class C, amounting to 31% of the total amino acid sequences, were synthesized with initially increasing rates until 4 h postinfection and with declining rates thereafter. NS polypeptides and remaining S polypeptides were distributed among the other kinetic classes-B, D, E, and F. Control of protein abundance was evident in that the polypeptides were not made in equimolar amounts. However, S and NS polypeptides could not be differentiated on the basis of their molar rates of synthesis. The bulk of the detected polypeptides did not differ by more than eightfold in their molar rates of synthesis.
Recent advances in immunologic reactivity in otitis media with effusion.

Abstract The role of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity in the development of middle ear disease has not been completely resolved. However, on the basis of our investigations and those of other laboratories, we suggest that approximately two thirds of patients with chronic recurrent otitis media do not have allergies. The other third may have allergic rhinitis, and this allergic rhinitis could play a direct role in producing eustachian tube dysfunction in recurrent otitis media. However, viral infections of the upper respiratory tract may also induce IgE-mediated release of mast cell inflammatory mediators, and could cause otitis media on the basis of viral infection alone. Subtle immunologic deficiencies involving the IgG 2 subclass and other immunoglobulin subclasses may also be lower in otitis-prone children, and this may be a genetically inheri ed disorder. Finally, the possibility of food allergy in otitis media must be considered, particularly in the young otitis-prone child with chronic recurrent otitis media.
Stabilization of quasi-Penning resonances by destabilizing, anty-harmonic potentials of quantum dots to frozen Trojan states

We show that the addition of the anty-harmonic quantum dot potential stabilizes the resonances originally discovered by Clark in crossed electric and magnetic field. Those states are frozen Trojan wavepackets in the laboratory.
The gas-phase photocatalytic mineralization of benzene on porous titania-based catalysts

Photocatalytic degradation of benzene in oxygen-containing gaseous feed streams was investigated using titania and platinized (0.1 wt.-%) titania photocatalysts. The titania catalyst was synthesized using sol-gel techniques. Results of this study indicate that, when using this particular photocatalyst, benzene was oxidized to carbon dioxide and water without forming any detectable organic reaction products in the reactor effluent, although only some of the benzene reacted. Both the overall conversion of benzene and its mineralization were improved by platinizing the titania. When the titania catalyst was platinized, both photocatalytic and thermocatalytic reactions were promoted. Rates of photocatalytic reactions were significantly enhanced at reaction temperatures between 70 and 90°C, while at temperatures above 90°C the rates of thermocatalytic oxidation reactions were noticeably increased. It proved possible to obtain the continuous and essentially complete mineralization of benzene by using the platinized titania catalyst and optimizing such parameters as the reaction temperature, space time, and the concentrations of oxygen and water vapor in the feed stream.
The Impact of Putin's Federative Reforms on Democratization in Russia

An American specialist on Russian politics and federalism examines the democratizing effects, intended and unintended, of President Vladimir Putin's federative reforms. Focus is on the "harmonization" of regional constitutions and legislation with federal laws and the RF Constitution in the name of the "reintegration of Russia's legal space." On the basis of detailed analysis of changes in regional constitutions and laws ensuing from the harmonization policy, the author assesses the impact of this aspect of the reforms on democratization in Russia's regions. Regional issues examined include the separation and balance of power between the executive and legislative branches, political and civil rights, the level of demand for democratic laws and independent judicial review, and the emergence of stakeholders of these reforms within civil society.
Quantification of the binding potential of cell-surface receptors in fresh excised specimens via dual-probe modeling of SERS nanoparticles

The complete removal of cancerous tissue is a central aim of surgical oncology, but is difficult to achieve in certain cases, especially when the removal of surrounding normal tissues must be minimized. Therefore, when post-operative pathology identifies residual tumor at the surgical margins, re-excision surgeries are often necessary. An intraoperative approach for tumor-margin assessment, insensitive to nonspecific sources of molecular probe accumulation and contrast, is presented employing kinetic-modeling analysis of dual-probe staining using surface-enhanced Raman scattering nanoparticles (SERS NPs). Human glioma (U251) and epidermoid (A431) tumors were implanted subcutaneously in six athymic mice. Fresh resected tissues were stained with an equimolar mixture of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted and untargeted SERS NPs. The binding potential (BP; proportional to receptor concentration) of EGFR - a cell-surface receptor associated with cancer - was estimated from kinetic modeling of targeted and untargeted NP concentrations in response to serial rinsing. EGFR BPs in healthy, U251, and A431 tissues were 0.06 ± 0.14, 1.13 ± 0.40, and 2.23 ± 0.86, respectively, which agree with flow-cytometry measurements and published reports. The ability of this approach to quantify the BP of cell-surface biomarkers in fresh tissues opens up an accurate new approach to analyze tumor margins intraoperatively.
Stimulation of Photophosphorylation and Cytochrome c Photooxidation by Pteridines

A number of pteridines were examined for activity in promoting photophosphorylation in broken spinach chloroplasts and in stimulating cytochrome c photooxidation in sonicated chloroplasts. Correlation was found between activities for the 2 reactions. Photophosphorylation promoted by pteridines was inhibited by DCMU and by anaerobic conditions. It is concluded that pteridines may stimulate photophosphorylation by linking photosystem 1 with molecular oxygen and thereby allowing noncyclic electron flow. Aromatic pteridines in both the 2,4-dihidroxy- and 2-amino-4-hydroxy-series were active; substitution at the 6 (or 7) position was a necessary but not sufficient condition for activity in both reactions. Reducing agents increased photophosphorylation activity of aromatic pteridines and an oxidant increased activity of a tetrahydropteridine. It is postulated that pteridines are most active in their semiquinone or unstable dihydro forms.
Mass distributions for the fission of 250Cf

Abstract The yields of 40 fission products for the 249Cf (nth, f) reaction have been determined. The yields are compared with those determined previously and a composite mass distribution is deduced with the average mass for the light group A L equal to 105.9±0.2 and for the heavy group A H equal to 140.0±0.2. The peak-to-valley ratio P V is ∼ 26. Four new yields for the spontaneous fission of 250Cf have also been determined. The characteristics for this mass distribution are A L = 105.4±0.2, A H = 141.6±0.2 , and P V ⪖ 310 .
Dynamic Assembly of TRPC1-STIM1-Orai1 Ternary Complex Is Involved in Store-operated Calcium Influx EVIDENCE FOR SIMILARITIES IN STORE-OPERATED AND CALCIUM RELEASE-ACTIVATED CALCIUM CHANNEL COMPONENTS

Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is a ubiquitous mechanism that is mediated by distinct SOC channels, ranging from the highly selective calcium release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channel in rat basophilic leukemia and other hematopoietic cells to relatively Ca2+-selective or non-selective SOC channels in other cells. Although the exact composition of these channels is not yet established, TRPC1 contributes to SOC channels and regulation of physiological function of a variety of cell types. Recently, Orai1 and STIM1 have been suggested to be sufficient for generating CRAC channels. Here we show that Orai1 and STIM1 are also required for TRPC1-SOC channels. Knockdown of TRPC1, Orai1, or STIM1 attenuated, whereas overexpression of TRPC1, but not Orai1 or STIM1, induced an increase in SOC entry and ISOC in human salivary gland cells. All three proteins were co-localized in the plasma membrane region of cells, and thapsigargin increased co-immunoprecipitation of TRPC1 with STIM1, and Orai1 in human salivary gland cells as well as dispersed mouse submandibular gland cells. In aggregate, the data presented here reveal that all three proteins are essential for generation of ISOC in these cells and that dynamic assembly of TRPC1-STIM1-Orai1 ternary complex is involved in activation of SOC channel in response to internal Ca2+ store depletion. Thus, these data suggest a common molecular basis for SOC and CRAC channels.
In vitro degradation of polyanhydride/polyester core-shell double-wall microspheres.

Abstract Double-wall microspheres (DWMS), comprising distinct polymer core and shell phases, are useful and interesting for controlled-release drug delivery. In particular, the presence of a surface-eroding polymer core may be expected to limit water penetration and, therefore, delay degradation of the core phase and drug release. In this study, solid microspheres and DWMS were fabricated using a surface-eroding polymer (poly[1,6-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane]; PCPH) and a bulk-eroding polymer (poly( d,l -lactide-co-glycolide); PLG). Erosion of the particles was observed by optical and electron microscopy, while polymer degradation was followed by gel permeation chromatography, during incubation in buffer at 37 °C. Degradation and erosion were very different depending on which polymer formed the particle shell. Nevertheless, the relatively thin (∼5 μm) PCPH shells could not prevent water penetration, and the PLG cores completely eroded by 6 weeks of incubation.
F‐Aggregate Centers in Sodium Chloride. I

Thermal aggregation of electron excess color centers in NaCl, x irradiated at 80°K, was studied by observation of changes in optical absorption in pulse annealing experiments. An initial 80 h x irradiation introduced large concentrations of F, F′ and positive hole centers. As annealing temperatures were raised (80 → 235°K) recombination of thermally released positive holes with electrons in F centers produced α centers. Thermal aggregation of F centers occurred above 240°K when α centers become mobile. M+ centers (F2+) form and disappear and M centers (F2) increase rapidly in number near 265°K as a result of the reactions F + α → F2+ and F2+ + e → F2. R+ centers (F3+) form by the reaction F2 + α → F3+ below 320°K and disappear slowly by the reactions F3+ + e → F3 and F3+ + heat → F2 + α, above 330°K. Optical absorption band maxima at 80°K are: M+, 1.22 eV (1015 nm); M1, 1.74 eV (713 nm); R+, 1.80 eV (690 nm); R1, 2.28 eV (543 nm) and R2, 2.07 eV (600 nm). N1 and N2 band systems were observed but were not ...
Evaluation of Legal Risks for E-Commerce in Construction

E-commerce is steadily becoming a reality in the construction industry. However, despite the increasing rate of utilization by owners and contractors alike, the legal implications of using e-commerce in construction have not been studied in depth. This paper fills this gap in literature. It identifies and analyzes the different types of legal risks involved in the use of e-commerce in construction. It also outlines the risk that contractors and professionals may face in their e-commerce implementations. A classification of e-commerce legal risks is also introduced. The legal risks discussed include agency, jurisdiction, contract formation, validity and errors, authentication, attribution, nonrepudiation, privacy, conflict of laws, and conflict between law and technology.
Plasmon nanolaser and circuit

We will review our works on plasmon lasers and circuits. The scaling down of laser will experience ever-increasing radiation loss and stronger divergence. Plasmonics has emerged as one solution for these hurdles.
Caspases cleave and inhibit the microRNA processing protein DiGeorge Critical Region 8

DGCR8 (DiGeorge Critical Region 8) is an essential microRNA (miRNA) processing protein that recognizes primary transcripts of miRNAs (pri-miRNAs) and triggers their cleavage by the Drosha nuclease. We previously found that Fe(III) heme binds and activates DGCR8. Here we report that in HeLa cells, DGCR8 undergoes two proteolytic events that produce two C-terminal fragments called DGCR8C1 and DGCR8C2, respectively. DGCR8C2 accumulates during apoptosis and is generated through cleavage by a caspase. The caspase cleavage site is located in the central loop of the heme-binding domain. Cleavage of DGCR8 by caspase-3 in vitro results in loss of the otherwise tightly bound Fe(III) heme cofactor, dissociation of the N- and C-terminal proteolytic fragments, and inhibition of the pri-miRNA processing activity. These results reveal an intrinsic mechanism in the DGCR8 protein that seems to have evolved for regulating miRNA processing via association with Fe(III) heme and proteolytic cleavage by caspases. Decreased expression of miRNAs has been observed in apoptotic cells, and this change was attributed to caspase-mediated cleavage of a down-stream miRNA processing nuclease Dicer. We suggest that both the Drosha and Dicer cleavage steps of the miRNA maturation pathway may be inhibited in apoptosis and other biological processes where caspases are activated.
The effect of Lewis number on radiative extinction and flamelet modeling

This study investigates the influence of Lewis number on radiative extinction and flamelet modeling. The interaction of Lewis number with different transient effects, such as fluctuating reactant concentrations, fluctuating reactant temperatures, and variable partial premixing, are considered. The results underscore the importance of including the effect of non-unity Lewis numbers and their interaction with chemistry and unsteadiness in improving the predictive capability of flamelet combustion modeling approach, and in precise determination of radiation-induced extinction limits. An increase of Lewis pushes the radiation-induced extinction limit, which occurs at low strain rates, toward higher values of strain rates.
Categoriality and Clustering

The essential meaning of a clause is typically conveyed by a small subset of the-morphemes in that clause, sometimes by only one or two; the information conveyed by the other morphemes is supplementary or already known. Clauses consist of one or more clusters; a cluster is made up of a nucleus (a single morpheme conveying information of central importance to the clause) and any number of satellites (bound morphemes or independent words conveying more peripheral information). Positing such a pragmatic structure for clauses makes it possible to give a unified explanation for apparently diverse morphological and syntactic phenomena in a number of languages.
Pure maple syrup: nutritive value.

Variations in concentrations of sugar, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium of sap from sugar maple (Acer saccharum, Marsh.) trees are related to the time of sap collection and result in variation of the same components in pure maple syrup. Thirty milliliters (one fluid ounce) of pure maple syrup may contain 3 to 6 mg of phosphorus, 10 to 30 mg of potassium, 40 to 80 mg of calcium, and 4 to 25 mg of magnesium.
The psychology behind growth faltering.

Infants and children can regulate their intake reasonably well from an early age to accord with their growth requirements (Fomon et al., 1975). Young children whose growth is faltering have been shown to have a significantly lower energy intake at meal times than control-group children (Drewett et al., 2004). Therefore, when children do not maintain growth at the expected rate and, if there are no medical reasons for growth failure, we might look at various psycho-physiological factors to explain why they are not taking in sufficient food. These factors would be past pain or vomiting associated with eating, poor appetite regulation, missed sensitive periods for food introduction, oral-motor dysfunction, developmental stages in preference acquisition, such as the onset of the neophobic or disgust response, child sensory sensitivity, and parental feeding strategies.
Two polyamine analogs (BE-4-4-4 and BE-4-4-4-4) directly affect growth, survival, and cell cycle progression in two human brain tumor cell lines

1,14-Bis-(ethyl)-amino-5,10-diazatetradecaneN 1,N 11-bis(ethyl)norspermine (BE-4-4-4) and 1,19-bis-(ethylamino)-5,10,15 triazanonadecane (BE-4-4-4-4) are two relatively new polyamine analogs synthesized for use as antineoplastic agents. In human brain tumor cell lines U-251 MG and SF-767, both agents inhibited cell growth, were cytotoxic, induced a variable G1/S block, and depleted intracellular polyamines. Since intracellular polyamine depletion did not always correlate with growth inhibition, cell survival, or cell cycle progression, it cannot completely explain the effects of these agents on growth, survival, and cell cycle progression in U-251 MG and SF-767 cells.
Hg based II–VI compounds on non-standard substrates

The Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is pursuing scalable infrared (IR) material technologies to meet the growing need for large format arrays. A two pronged approach is being undertaken at ARL using II–VI semiconductor materials. The first encompasses the well developed IR material system HgCdTe but grown on large area, extremely lattice mismatched Si(112) substrates. To overcome the high dislocation density associated with the large mismatch within the as-grown material, ARL has successfully pursued a postgrowth thermal cycle annealing (TCA) process to reduce the dislocation density by an order of magnitude. Current results show HgCdTe/Si material can consistently be achieved with dislocation density values on the order of 1 × 106 cm−2. The second approach involves developing HgCdSe material using lattice matched, large area, and commercially available III–V substrates, specifically GaSb. Preliminary results indicate that quality HgCdSe growth by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) can be achieved and that the bandgap of the material can be controlled through the Cd/Se ratio of fluxes used during growth.
“PLEASE PASS THE CHICKEN TITS”: RETHINKING MEN AND COOKING AT AN URBAN FIREHOUSE

Abstract Women, for centuries, have been the primary cooks and nurturers in most cultures. Men rarely represent family primary food providers. My interest in this study lies in what happens when men who are not food professionals develop into this role of primary cooks for a group of people; in this case, the men of an urban firehouse. Men in this scenario perform in roles typically ascribed to both men and women, and when a woman is involved, her presence is mitigated. I found that the men created a unique food system, and while each brought intact a value system and ethnic heritage to the table, these packages became negotiated, most powerfully in the kitchen and at meals. I was interested in how these men performed in roles that, in our mass consciousness and popular culture, we often ascribe to women. How do they shop, cook, and eat? How do they feel about what they are doing? How and why do they choose to cook? What issues do they face with regard to their identity as men, and how does this influence...
Concomitant sclerosing mesenteritis and bile duct fibrosis simulating klatskin’s tumor

Sclerosing mesenteritis is an uncommon benign condition that should be included in the differential diagnosis of abdominal masses. We present the first reported case of this condition in association with idiopathic bile duct fibrosis simulating Klatskin's tumor. A review of the literature regarding both clinical entities is presented.
Large proportion of marine planktonic ciliates found to contain functional chloroplasts

Planktonic ciliates, most importantly tintinnids and oligotrichs (subclass Choreotrichia), are important components of the micro-plankton in coastal waters1. At times, the biomass of ciliates is equivalent to the biomass of larger zooplankters2. The role of ciliates as grazers has been recognized (see ref. 3 for review), but their role as chloroplast-bearing cells has not been widely appreciated4. Many planktonic oligotrichs are pigmented because they sequester chloroplasts derived from a variety of chromophytic algae5–7. We report the first quantitative data on the frequency of chloroplast retention among planktonic oligotrichs and tintinnids. In surface waters during the spring and summer, approximately 42% of the planktonic ciliates have chloroplasts. During the autumn and winter, chloroplast-retaining species are less abundant, but still constitute at least 10% of the combined tintinnid and oligotrich fauna. Water samples containing large numbers of pigmented ciliates have a high chlorophyll content8 and fix carbon9. Although it has been speculated that sequestered chloroplasts in ciliates are functional5–7, we have demonstrated photosynthesis by chloroplast-containing ciliates experimentally. The trophic position of ciliates in planktonic food webs needs to be reconsidered.
Current benzodiazepine issues

This article deals with some of the recent evidence bearing on the issues of the liability of benzodiazepines to lead to abuse, dependence, and adverse behavioral effects. Reviews of epidemiological, clinical and experimental literature indicated that the previous conclusion about abuse of these drugs still holds: the vast majority of the use of benzodiazepines is appropriate. Problems of nonmedical use arise nearly exclusively among people who abuse other drugs. Nevertheless, there are reasons for concern about patients who take benzodiazepines regularly for long periods of time. These drugs can produce physiological dependence when taken chronicaly, and although this does not appear to result in dose escalation or other evidence of “psychological dependence,” physiological dependence can result in patient discomfort if drug use is abruptly discontiniued. Also, physicians are currently prescribing shorter-acting benzodiazepines in preference to longer-acting benzodiazepines. The shorter-acting drugs can produce a more intense withdrawal syndrome following chronic administration. Furthermore, rates of use of benzodiazepines increase with age, and elderly patients are more likely than younger ones to take the drug chronically. The clearest adverse effect of benzodiazepines is impairment of memory. This, too, may be particular concern in older patients whose recall in the absence of drug is typically impaired relative to younger individuals, and who are more compromised following drug administration.
ENU mutagenesis in the mouse electrophoretic specific-locus test. 2. Mutational studies of mature oocytes.

Abstract Experiments were conducted using the biochemical specific-locus test to assess the mutagenicity of N -ethyl- N -nitrosourea (ENU) in mature oocytes of mice. C57B1/6J females were treated with 100 mg/kg ENU by intraperitoneal injection and mated to untreated DBA males for 1 week following treatment. 1447 progeny were screened for evidence of mutations affecting the electrophoretic mobility of 32 different proteins; two mutants were detected by electrophoretic analyses. These results provide evidence that ENU is a germ-cell mutagen in mouse mature oocytes, although the frequency of mutants is somewhat lower than that obtained from spermatogonia treated with the same dose.
Design and Implementation of an Underwater Sound Recording Device

To monitor the underwater sound and pressure waves generated by anthropogenic activities such as underwater blasting and pile driving, an autonomous system was designed to record underwater acoustic signals. The underwater sound recording device (USR) allows for connections of two hydrophones or other dynamic pressure sensors, filters high frequency noise out of the collected signals, has a gain that can be independently set for each sensor, and allows for 2 h of data collection. Two versions of the USR were created: a submersible model deployable to a maximum depth of 300 m, and a watertight but not fully submersible model. Tests were performed on the USR in the laboratory using a data acquisition system to send single-frequency sinusoidal voltages directly to each component. These tests verified that the device operates as designed and performs as well as larger commercially available data acquisition systems, which are not suited for field use. On average, the designed gain values differed from the actual measured gain values by about 0.35 dB. A prototype of the device was used in a case study to measure blast pressures while investigating the effect of underwater rock blasting on juvenile Chinook salmon and rainbow trout. In the case study, maximum positive pressure from the blast was found to be significantly correlated with frequency of injury for individual fish. The case study also demonstrated that the device withstood operation in harsh environments, making it a valuable tool for collecting field measurements.
Intermittency in Fully Developed Turbulence as a Consequence of the Navier-Stokes Equations

Fully developed hydrodynamic turbulence is considered in terms of a steady-state solution to the exact Fokker-Planck equation for the probability functional of the velocity field. The nested intermittency argument of Yaglom is restated in this formulation. A divergent buildup of fluctuations during the energy cascade modifies the ${k}^{\frac{\ensuremath{-}5}{3}}$ inertial subrange spectrum. A physical analogy of the critical exponent $\ensuremath{\eta}$ to the Yaglom intermittency parameter ($\frac{\ensuremath{\mu}}{9}$) is proposed.
Characterization of Micromachined On-Wafer Probes for the 600 - 900 GHz Waveguide Band

A micromachined on-wafer probe has been designed to facilitate the development of integrated circuits in the 600-900 GHz frequency range. The probe tip is fabricated on a 5-micrometer thick high-resistivity silicon substrate using a silicon-on- insulator fabrication process. This letter updates previous work on WR-1.2 wafer probes and presents for the first time the full RF characterization of the probe. These are the first reported on-wafer measurements above 750 GHz.
Interpretation and the limits of interpretability: on rethinking Clifford Geertz's semiotics of religious experience

This paper critically interrogates Clifford Geertz's analysis of religious belief as it relates to both his broader semiotics of culture and his views on how such beliefs are implicated in the formation of particular dispositions, propensities, and habits informing social action. It is argued that Geertz's account of religion can be held to reveal some of the most central assumptions of his social theory, his hermeneutics of culture, and his philosophy of action.