cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure and chemistry of crankcase and cylinder soot and tribofilms on piston rings from a Mack T-12 dynamometer engine test

Structure and chemistry of soot extracted from the crankcase and cylinder wall and tribofilms on piston rings of a Mack T-12 engine test were examined. XANES spectra recorded on soot samples indicate the presence of thermo-oxidative and tribochemical decomposition products in engine oil indicative of interaction between piston ring and soot samples. HRTEM indicates the presence of nanoparticles of calcium phosphate compounds, ZnO and Fe2O3 embedded at the surface of the turbostratic soot structure possibly responsible for third body wear. Abrasive grooves were found on the piston ring indicative of abrasive wear mechanism as a dominant wear phenomenon. In addition, significant differences in chemical composition of crankcase soot, cylinder soot and piston ring tribofilms were elucidated.
New solar-neutrino flux calculations and implications regarding neutrino oscillations

The results of new calculations of solar-neutrino fluxes are presented; the fluxes are obtained from detailed solar models that make use of improved opacities and nuclear-physics cross sections. By evaluating known uncertainties in the predicted capture rate for the $^{37}\mathrm{Cl}$ solar-neutrino experiment, we find that the ratio of theoretical to (best-estimate) observed capture rate lies in the range 4.0 to 2.6. These results constitute a strong constraint on models of neutrino oscillations if the entire discrepancy is ascribed to neutrino oscillations.
The relationship between seizure subtype and interictal personality. Results from the Vietnam Head Injury Study.

Summary A wide variety of interictal personality traits has been associated with complex partial (CP) epilepsy. However, the specificity of these behavioural changes to CP epilepsy has been questioned in several controlled studies. To address this issue, we examined personality and behavioural characteristics in 467 Vietnam veterans 15 years post penetrating head injury. Of this sample, 238 (51%) had developed seizure disorders which were classified as follows: 39 simple partial (SP), 59 CP, 76 partial with secondary generalization (PG), and 64 generalized (G). Seizure patients were compared with two demographically matched control groups: 229 penetrating head-injured Veterans without seizures (PHI-C) and 84 uninjured veterans (UC). Dependent measures included self-report and examiner rating scales, and history of psychiatric treatment. Pre-injury intelligence, brain volume loss (CT scan), seizure frequency and duration of epilepsy served as covariates. We found statistically significant increases in interictal psychopathology in the CP, PG and G groups when compared with the two control groups (PHI-C and UC). No group differences were observed across seizure subtypes. These results suggest that interictal personality and behavioural abnormalities are not specific to individuals with CP seizures. Furthermore, the increased psychopathology in seizure groups when compared with the PHI-C group suggests that personality changes cannot be accounted for by structural brain damage alone.
Reliability and Availability Comparison of Common Low-Voltage Industrial Power Distribution Systems

A quantitative reliability and availability comparison has been made of three common circuit arrangements used in industrial power distribution systems. This includes a simple radial system, a primary-selective system, and a secondary-selective system. Published failure rates and outage duration times were used for the reliability data of the electrical equipment. Probability of failure and statistical analysis were used in making the quantitative calculations of the reliability and availability of the three power distribution systems. The simple radial system analyzed had an average forced hours downtime per year that was between 5.9 to 9.0 times larger than a secondary-selective system. The importance of two separate power supply sources from the electric utility has been identified and analyzed. This paper contains an approach that could be used to assist in cost-reliability tradeoff decisions in the design of the power distribution system.
Three-Dimensional Nanoscale Organization of Highly Efficient Low Band-Gap Conjugated Polymer Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells

Scanning probe examination on cross sections of bulk heterojunction blends containing an amorphous conjugated polymer, poly[2,6-(4,4-bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopenta[2,1-b;3,4-b′]-dithiopene)-alt-4,7-(2,1,3-bezothiadiazole)], and [6,6]-phenyl C71-butyric acid methyl ester reveals a structural change in the internal features of hole and electron transporting networks when the film is cast from a solution containing 2% by volume 1,8-octanedithiol. Phase separation of the nanoscalar domains becomes more defined, and the average sizes of hole and electron transporting networks double upon addition of the additive. Devices capable of electron- and hole-only transport show no significant improvement of the charge carrier mobilities. The increase in the size of the domains likely gives rise to less charge recombination.
In vivo characterization of cytotoxic intracellular edema by multicomponent analysis of transverse magnetization decay curves

Rationale and Objectives. We investigated the multicompartmental nature of T2 decay in a specific white matter edema model. Methods. Triethyltin (TET) intoxication was produced in six male New Zealand White rabbits. Images were obtained over the 23-day study duration using a 64-echo Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) sequence (repetition time = 3000 msec, echo time = 20 msec). T2 decay curves were extracted from 0.7 × 0.7 × 3.0 mm 3 voxels in the corpus callosum and contiguous white matter tracts, cortex, thalamic nuclei, hypothalamic nuclei, and the masseter muscles. The curves were fit with biexponential functions. Results. Increased signal intensity in the corpus callosum was evident 2–3 days after the first TET injection. At this time, a substantial slowly relaxing component appeared in the decay curves of the corpus callosum and, to a lesser extent, in the thalamus and hypothalamus. Changes in the rabbits' body weight, general physical condition, and neurologic state paralleled the growth and regression of the second, slowly relaxing component. Conclusion. The appearance and regression of a slowly decaying second component in the T2 decay curve is consistent with the formation and shrinkage of intracellular vesicles in the intramyelin sheaths of central white matter.
Synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids by Penicillium chrysogenum

Abstract Actively growing mycelia of Penicillium chrysogenum produced linoleate and linolenatefrom 1- 14 C-labeled capric, lauric, and oleic acids (50% conversion), palmitic and stearic acids (20%), and slightly from myristic acid (5%,). Absence of substantial label in shorter chain products and location of label in oxidation products indicated that the polyunsaturated acids resulted from direct elongation and desaturation of the substrates. When acetate-1- 14 C was the substrate, the label was found in the 1-position of all unsaturated as well as saturated fatty acids in 1.5 min. Thereafter, label accumulation was mainly in the alkyl portions of the fatty acids. The data suggest that endogenous fatty acids were elongated to C 18 with acetate and desaturated in a sequential pattern: stearate→oleate→linoleate→linolenate. Although myristic acid was not utilized well when added to the medium as substrate, the cellular myristate fraction had a high specific radioactivity when capric-1- 14 C and lauric-1- 14 C acids were substrates. Furthermore, the myristate fraction showed a transient high specific radioactivity after the addition of acetate-1- 14 C to an actively growing culture. Thus, myristate appears to function as an intermediate. Perhaps its failure as a substrate reflects an inferior capacity of myristic acid to form an enzyme-bound intermediate required of a precursor for elongation and desaturation.
Cysteine at position 217 in the intracellular loop 1 plays a critical role in human PTH receptor type 1 membrane translocation and function.

PTHR1 mutants lacking endogenous cysteines in transmembrane and intracellular domains were generated. Mutant receptors were tested for their biological activities and mRNA and cell surface expression levels. C217 in intracellular loop 1 was determined to play a critical role in cell surface translocation and function of the receptor. Introduction: Elucidating the role of different domains of PTH receptor 1 (PTHR1) is essential for understanding the mechanism of ligand–receptor interactions. Here we present a study directed at determining the importance of cysteine residues present in the intracellular and transmembrane (TM) domains of the receptor. Materials and Methods: Mutant receptors were generated by site-directed mutagenesis. Biological activities were characterized by adenylyl cyclase and competition binding assays. RT-PCR, ELISA, and immunofluorescence microscopy were carried out to determine receptor mRNA and protein expression levels. Results: Mutations C460L and C462L in TM7, C568L in the C-terminal intracellular domain of the receptor, and removal of C397 in intracellular loop (ICL)3 by insertion of cleavage sites for Factor Xa did not affect binding affinity of PTH or agonist-induced adenylyl cyclase activity, although maximal responses (ICmax and ECmax) were decreased. However, mutations C217L in ICL1 or both C217L and C568L simultaneously resulted in a decrease in binding and loss of adenylyl cyclase activity. RT-PCR results showed that the observed changes in binding and activity were not caused by changes in mRNA expression. Next, we determined cell surface and total expression of the wildtype and mutant receptors by ELISA. We found that mutations of C460/C462 to L moderately decreased transfer of receptors to the cell surface. However, mutation of C217 to L in the ICL1 drastically reduced cell surface expression. Immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy studies confirmed reduced cell surface expression of receptors containing the C217L mutation. Similar results were obtained when replacing C217 and C460/C462 of the receptor with A instead of L. Conclusions: Our studies indicate that the cysteine at position 217 in ICL1 plays a critical role in translocation to the cell surface and biological function of PTHR1.
Cholinergic Systems and Multiple Cholinergic Receptors in Ocular Tissues

Acetylcholine (ACh), choline acetyltransferases and cholinesterases occur in cornea, iris-ciliary body complex and retina of several vertebrates. In cornea, ACh may serve as a sensory transmitter as well as a local hormone, the function of which is not delineated. The function of ACh as the parasympathetic neurotransmitter at the iris and ciliary body is well established. The muscarinic receptors on the iris smooth muscle are similar to the muscarinic receptors (M2 type in two way classification) at other smooth muscles towards their interaction with agonists and antagonists. Binding studies using radiolabeled antagonists and their displacement by agonists indicate that muscarinic receptors in membranes of iris-ciliary body complex are heterogeneous indicating more than one subtype of muscarinic receptors. A subtype other than M2 receptors may occur at the presynaptic sites of parasympathetic nerves, which have yet to be investigated using specific agonists and antagonists. Cholinergic markers, choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase, differ quantitatively and qualitatively in retinas of different species. However, amacrine cells are cholinergic in all vertebrate species. Although they make up 1% of retinal neurons, they influence the activity of a majority of ganglion cells. Cholinergic effects in ganglia are mediated through nicotinic and muscarinic receptors. Both of these types of cholinergic receptors are heterogeneous. They have yet to be investigated for their subtypes using specific agonists and antagonists. Although the role of cholinergic retinal neurons in the processing of visual information is not known, their input to ganglion cells generally increases the rate of spontaneous activity or the number of action potentials in light-evoked responses. Thus, the cholinergic input seems to modify the overall neuronal input to the ganglion cells from the receptive fields. Endothelial cells of blood vessels contain muscarinic receptors, which are activated by ACh to cause relaxation. Although retinal blood vessels provide recognizable characteristic signs in diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disease, no information is available on the muscarinic receptors of these vessels.
Behavioural ecology of mass recruitment in the army ant Neivamyrmex nigrescens.

Abstract The successful rearing of the army ant Neivamyrmex nigrescens in the laboratory has enabled us to demonstrate that the pheromone trail deposited by recruiting workers is qualitatively different from the ants' exploratory trail. The recruitment trail alone can initiate as strong a mass recruitment response as can a recruiting worker that physically interacts with nestmates. The rapidity with which workers are aroused is due to secondary recruitment. Army ants are able to assemble a critical striking force before food is located, as a result of mass recruitment to new terrain. In addition to feeding behaviour, mass recruitment occurs when army ants emigrate to new nests. In both behavioural contexts, primary and secondary recruiters run more rapidly than exploring ants, and with exaggerated vertical motor patterns.
Regional-Scale Flows in Mountainous Terrain. Part II: Simplified Numerical Experiments

Abstract A series of two- and three-dimensional idealized numerical experiments are conducted to examine the effects of different physical processes upon the development of the thermally driven regional-scale circulations over mountainous terrain simulated in Part I. The goal of this paper is to understand the conditions that enhance or suppress the formation of a westward-propagating density current within the mountain boundary layer. This current evolves from the Front Range mountain-plain circulation and was found in Part I to be responsible for unusual wind phenomena observed at mountaintop locations during the Rocky Mountain Peaks Experiment over western Colorado. The idealized experiments show that the westward-propagating density current is a robust feature under summertime conditions of weak ambient flow and is initiated by differential heating across the Colorado Front Range between the plains and the intermountain region. In addition, the longevity of the thermally driven circulation system indu...
Ultrastructural aspects of the hyphal tip of Sclerotium rolfsii preserved by freeze substitution

The hyphal tip ofSclerotium rolfsii was examined after fixation by freeze substitution. The Spitzenkorper consisted of a dense mass of apical vesicles and microvesicles surrounding a vesicle-free zone. Linear arrangements of microvesicles were occasionally observed within the Spitzenkorper. Abundant microfilaments were seen within the Spitzenkorper region, often in close association with apical vesicles and microvesicles. Microtubules passed through the Spitzenkorper and terminated at the plasmalemma at the extreme hyphal apex. Filasomes were mostly observed within the apical region and were in close proximity to the plasmalemma. Rough ER, mitochondria, microtubules, and vacuoles were abundant in the subapical region and were usually oriented parallel to the long axis of the hypha. Ribosomes were aligned on the outer surfaces of mitochondria. Golgi body equivalents were observed throughout the subapical region and appeared as inflated cisternae of varying shapes and electron opacities. Relationships to other basidiomycetous hyphal tip cells are discussed.
Effects of the diastereoisomers of methylenetetrahydrofolate on the reaction catalyzed by thymidylate synthetase

Abstract Diastereoisomers of methylenetetrahydrofolate were prepared and shown to have equal and opposite CD spectra. In addition to being inactive in the spectrophotometric assay for Lactobacillus casei thymidylate synthetase, the diastereoisomer having the unnatural configuration at carbon 6, does not promote removal of tritium from 5-(3H)-dUMP. It is a competitive inhibitor of the reaction with a K1 of 5 × 10−5 M .
Robust control of forward-looking models

Abstract This paper shows how to formulate and compute robust Ramsey (aka Stackelberg) plans for linear models with forward-looking private agents. The leader and the followers share a common approximating model and both have preferences for robust decision rules because both doubt the model. Since their preferences differ, the leader's and followers’ decision rules are fragile to different misspecifications of the approximating model. We define a Stackelberg equilibrium with robust decision makers in which the leader and follower have different worst-case models despite sharing a common approximating model. To compute a Stackelberg equilibrium we formulate a Bellman equation that is associated with an artificial single-agent robust control problem. The artificial Bellman equation contains a description of implementability constraints that include Euler equations that describe the worst-case analysis of the followers. As an example, the paper analyzes a model of a monopoly facing a competitive fringe.
Returns to holding housing

Abstract A structure of returns is estimated to assess various risks of single family housing investment. The factors used are the term structure, interest rate risk structure, output, and expected and unexpected inflation, as in financial markets. Variables representing the condition of the local real estate market and the income capitalization rate are added because of the inability to diversify away specific local market risk. Empirical results indicate that other than inflation, aggregate factors are not correlated with the return to real estate. The estimated beta for housing is low, between 0.16 and 0.21, but not zero.
The molecular biology of reovirus

The genome of reoviruses consists of ten discrete segments of double-stranded RNA. The molecular weight of three of these, the L segments, is about 2.7 × 106; of another three, the M segments, about 1.4 × 106; and of the remaining four, the S segments, 0.6–0.8 × 106. In addition, reovirions contain about 2,000 molecules of oligonucleotide from 2 to 20 nucleotides long, most of which are very rich in ademine. The protein capsid of reovirions, which consists of an inner core and 92 outer shell capsomeres, is composed of seven species of polypeptides which also fall into three size classes. The size of six of these polypeptides is such that each accounts for the entire information content of one of the genome RNA segments. Reovirus messenger RNA molecules are transcripts of all ten genome RNA segments. Transcription proceeds not only in vivo in the infected cell, but can also take place in vitro. It is then catalyzed by reovirus cores, the polypeptide composition of which is strikingly similar to that of E. coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Transcription both in vitro and in vivo is entirely asymmetric and is conservative with respect to template. The patterns of transcription of the several reovirus genome RNA segments have been determined both in vitro and in vivo and the pattern of translation has been analyzed under in vivo conditions. The results suggest that transcription and especially translation are regulated within infected cells.
On the measurements of regime transition in high‐pressure bubble columns

Two approaches are adopted in this study to identify the flow transition in a bubble column from the homogeneous regime to the heterogeneous regime at pressures up to 15.2 MPa and temperatures up to 78°C. These approaches, which yield essentially identical results, include those based on the standard deviation of the pressure fluctuation and the drift flux model. The experimental results obtained indicate that the regime transition velocity is delayed when the system pressure and temperature increase. The correlation proposed for the transition velocity by Wilkinson et al. (1992) predicts the present results to a reasonable extent, provided that the experimentally measured values for the physical properties of the fluids are used in the correlation. It is clear, however, that an improved correlation or model is needed for a quantitative account of the transition velocity for high-pressure bubble column systems with different gas distributing capability. On a adopte deux approches dans cette etude afin d'etudier la transition de l'ecoulement dans une colonne a bulles du regime homogene au regime heterogene a des pressions allant jusqu'a 15,2 MPa et des temperatures allant jusqu'a 78°C. Ces approches, qui donnent essentiellement les memes resultats, incluent la methode basee sur l'ecart type de la fluctuation de pression et le modele de flux de decalage. Les resultats experimentaux obtenus indiquent que la vitesse de transition du regime est retardee lorsque la pression et la temperature du systeme augmentent. La correlation proposee pour la vitesse de transition par Wilkinson et al. (1992) predit assez correctement les presents resultats, dans la mesure ouon utilise dans la correlation les valeurs mesurees experimentalement pour les proprietes physiques. Il est cependant clair qu'une correlation ou un modele ameliore est necessaire pour une prise en compte quantitative de la vitesse de transition pour des systemes a colonne a bulles a haute pression avec une capacite de distribution de gaz differente.
Potential Benefits of Weight Loss in Coronary Heart Disease

The prevalence of overweight, obesity and insulin resistance in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) exceeds that of the general population. Obesity is associated with a constellation of coronary risk factors that predispose to the development and progression of CHD. Intentional weight loss, accomplished through behavioral weight loss and exercise, improves insulin sensitivity and associated cardio-metabolic risk factors such as lipid measures, blood pressure, measures of inflammation and vascular function both in healthy individuals and patients with CHD. Additionally, physical fitness, physical function and quality of life all improve. There is evidence that intentional weight loss prevents the onset of CHD in high risk overweight individuals. While weight loss associated improvements in insulin resistance, fitness and related risk factors strongly supports favorable prognostic effects in individuals with established CHD, further study is needed to determine if long-term clinical outcomes are improved.
Diagnostic utility of array‐based comparative genomic hybridization in a clinical setting

Array-based comparative genomic hybridization is a recently introduced technique for the detection of submicroscopic genomic imbalances (deletions or duplications) across the entire genome. To assess the potential utility of a widely available array-based comparative genomic hybridization platform that targets specific, clinically relevant, loci across the genome for cytogenetic diagnosis in a clinical setting, we reviewed the medical records of all 373 patients at Children's Hospital Boston who had normal chromosomal analysis and were tested with this targeted array-based comparative genomic hybridization over a 1-year period from November 1, 2004 to October 31, 2005. These patients were tested because of a suspicion of chromosomal abnormalities based on their clinical presentation. Thirty-six patients (9.7%) had abnormal array-based comparative genomic hybridization results. Twenty patients (5.4%) had potentially pathogenetic genomic imbalances and 16 patients (4.3%) had copy number variations that are not believed to be pathogenetic. Thirteen of 234 patients (5.6%) with mental retardation/global developmental delay, 10/114 patients (8.8%) with facial dysmorphism, 5/58 patients (8.6%) with multiple congenital anomalies, and 4/35 patients (11.4%) with both facial dysmorphism and multiple congenital anomalies had potentially pathogenetic genomic imbalances. Targeted array-based comparative genomic hybridization is a clinically available test that is useful in the evaluation of patients suspected of having chromosomal disorders. However, it is best used as an adjunct to chromosomal analysis when a clear genetic diagnosis is unavailable.
General and Specific Factors in Reading Comprehension

(1948). General and Specific Factors in Reading Comprehension. The Journal of Experimental Education: Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 181-186.
Amorphous magnetic wires for medical locator applications

This letter evaluates the feasibility for implanting short segments of Barkhausen wires in treatment volumes of patients requiring radiation therapy. Such locating of deep-seated sites prior to each treatment is not done routinely or is usually achieved through imaging with ionizing radiations. Present therapeutic procedures can result in substantial heterogeneities in the dose distributions or significant doses to surrounding normal tissues, resulting in poorer control of the tumors and/or increased complications. The implants make it possible to accurately locate the wire by way of re-entrant flux measurements, and hence, pinpoint the treatment volume prior to and during treatment.
A deterministic algorithm for constrained enumeration of transmembrane protein folds

A deterministic algorithm for enumeration of transmembrane protein folds is presented. Using a set of sparse pairwise atomic distance constraints (such as those obtained from chemical cross-linking, FRET, or dipolar EPR experiments), the algorithm performs an exhaustive search of secondary structure element packing conformations distributed throughout the entire conformational space. The end result is a set of distinct protein conformations, which can be scored and refined as part of a process designed for computational elucidation of transmembrane protein structures.
Programming and regulation of metabolic homeostasis

Evidence is presented that the rate and equilibrium constants in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation set and maintain metabolic homeostasis in eukaryotic cells. These internal constants determi...
Prolactin response to duration and wavelength of light in prepubertal bulls.

PRL in sera of four prepubertal Guernsey bulls increased 233%, when light periods were lengthened gradually (0.38 h daily for 6 weeks) from 8 to 24 h, but maintenance of continuous illumination caused PRL to decrease within 1 week to concentrations not different from those observed during 8-h light, 16-h dark (8L:16D) photoperiods. To determine the effects of other photoperiods on serum PRL, eight Holstein bulls were exposed to 6 weeks of 8L:16D, followed immediately by 8 weeks of 16L:8D or 20L:4D. Basal PRL averaged 8 ng/ml at the end of the 8L:16D photoperiod. The first detectable increase in PRL occurred within 1 week after photoperiod was shifted from 8 to 16 or 20 h of light/day. Maximal concentrations of 67 and 56 ng PRL/ml serum (P > 0.10) were achieved after 5–8 weeks of exposure to 16L:8D or 20L:4D, respectively. To test effects of wavelength, eight Holstein bulls were exposed to 8L:16D photoperiods of cool-white fluorescent light (370–750 nm) for 15 weeks. Between weeks 5-10, four were exposed t...
Lactate dehydrogenase isozymes of the leopard danio, Brachydanio nigrofasciatus: their characterization and ontogeny

Abstract 1. 1. The tissue specific patterns and ontogeny of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) are reported. 2. 2. While all tissues (eye, brain, heart, intestine, liver, ovary and skeletal muscle) show isozymes of A and B subunit composition, only liver extracts possess isozymes resulting from C subunit synthesis. 3. 3. The A 4 homopolymer appears simultaneously with initial muscle contractility and is correlated with the physiological function of muscular contraction. 4. 4. The activation of the Ldh-C locus is correlated with the first functioning of liver. It is suggested that the state of differentiation of liver cells may be the stimulus required for C locus expression.
Alpha-cluster description of excitation energies in 12C(12C,3 alpha)X at 2.1A GeV.

An \ensuremath{\alpha}-cluster expansion of the Glauber multiple scattering series is used to calculate the energy transfer spectrum to the $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ projectile in the $^{12}\mathrm{C}$${(}^{12}$C,3\ensuremath{\alpha})X reaction at 2.1A Gev. Cluster-abrasion response functions are defined in terms of \ensuremath{\alpha}-cluster wave function and the collision dynamics appropriate for heavy-ion reactions. Comparisons are made to recent quasiexclusive experimental data with good agreement found. Calculations indicate that substructures in a $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ projectile are likely to be true spectators in fragmentation, however, with virtual states of excitation in the projectile ground state making a significant contribution to the fragmentation cross section.
Mice Lacking the Immediate Early Gene Egr3 Respond to the Anti-Aggressive Effects of Clozapine Yet are Relatively Resistant to its Sedating Effects

Immediate early genes (IEGs) of the early growth response gene (Egr) family are activated in the brain in response to stress, social stimuli, and administration of psycho-active medications. However, little is known about the role of these genes in the biological or behavioral response to these stimuli. Here we show that mice lacking the IEG transcription factor Egr3 (Egr3−/− mice) display increased aggression, and a decreased latency to attack, in response to the stressful social stimulus of a foreign intruder. Together with our findings of persistent and intrusive olfactory-mediated social investigation of conspecifics, these results suggest increased impulsivity in Egr3−/− mice. We also show that the aggression of Egr3−/− mice is significantly inhibited with chronic administration of the antipsychotic medication clozapine. Despite their sensitivity to this therapeutic effect of clozapine, Egr3−/− mice display a marked resistance to the sedating effects of acute clozapine compared with WT littermate controls. This indicates that the therapeutic, anti-aggressive action of clozapine is separable from its sedating activity, and that the biological abnormality resulting from loss of Egr3 distinguishes these different mechanisms. Thus Egr3−/− mice may provide an important tool for elucidating the mechanism of action of clozapine, as well as for understanding the biology underlying aggressive behavior. Notably, schizophrenia patients display a similar decreased susceptibility to the side effects of antipsychotic medications compared to non-psychiatric controls, despite the medications producing a therapeutic response. This suggests the possibility that Egr3−/− mice may provide insight into the neurobiological abnormalities underlying schizophrenia.
A hierarchical model of synergistic motor control

Experimental studies of motor control in humans and other animals suggest that complex movements are constructed from a relatively small set of motor primitives representing preferential coordinated activation patterns in groups of muscles. These have been termed synergies. We have previously presented a neurodynamical model of how motor primitives with the observed characteristics of synergies might be encoded in cortico-spinal and spinal neural networks. The model showed that a small basis set of synergies could be used to combinatorially generate linear trajectories in all directions from all points within the posture space of a two-joint, two degree-of-freedom arm. We now present an extension of that model, where useful combinations of these low-level synergies are encoded into higher-level primitives termed hypersynergies, such that the activation of a single hypersynergy with appropriate control parameters allows the generation of an extensive repertoire of movements over large parts of posture space. This repertoire is “exploited” by a cortical motor control system implemented through interacting neural maps. We argue that this system can generate complex movements with relatively simple neural control mechanisms.
Split tRNA genes and their products: a paradigm for the study of cell function and evolution.

The focus of this article is on split tRNA genes and their products, including what is known about the distribution, structure, processing, function, and evolution of the introns. The discussion centers on the split tRNA genes and introns of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Where appropriate, comparisons are made with the genes and introns of other organisms
The Impact of IT Personnel Skills on IS Infrastructure and Competitive IS

The knowledge and skills of information technology IT personnel have become of critical importance as the strategic value of IT in modern organizations has become apparent. In addition to technical skills traditionally expected of IT personnel, organizational, functional, and managerial skills have been increasingly cited as mandatory for these employees. This paper used a well-accepted typology of IT personnel knowledge and skills, and investigated its relationship to desirable technological traits in organizations and to technological variables that have been closely aligned to competitive advantage in organizations. This exploratory examination used the statistical technique of canonical correlation analysis to investigate the relationship between IT personnel knowledge and skills and the flexibility of information systems IS infrastructure. Additionally, the same technique was used to test the relationship between the knowledge and skills of these personnel and measures of IT contribution to competitive advantage. In both cases, the relationships were significant and positive. Implications of these findings and a call for further research into the strategic value of IT personnel knowledge and skills are discussed.
Role of surgery in the management of primary lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract

The role of surgery in the management of primary gastrointestinal lymphoma remains controversial. We retrospectively reviewed the management and outcome of 107 patients with the diagnosis of gastrointestinal lymphoma treated at the UCLA Medical Center during the period 1956-1990. Sixty-four patients underwent surgical exploration at the UCLA Medical Center; 35 of these underwent resection for cure. Sixteen of these 35 patients received no postoperative adjuvant therapy. Twenty-nine patients underwent palliative or "noncurative" resection. There were five postoperative deaths (mortality rate 8%). The overall morbidity rate was 48% There were 3 perforations in a total of 53 patients receiving multiagent chemotherapy. Five-year actuarial survival was as follows: 59% for curative resection alone, 51% for curative resection plus adjuvant therapy, and 28% for "noncurative" resection (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that stage of disease (P<0.01) and resection for cure (P<0.05) were independent predictors of survival. These results suggest that patients undergoing resection for cure have improved survival. The apparent low risk of perforation during chemotherapy, along with the considerable risk of morbidity and mortality associated with operation, suggests that a policy of debulking large tumors prior to chemotherapy is unwarranted.
Student affective reactions to oral language tests

Many factors influence student reactions to tests, including format, length, time constraints, testing environment, familiarity with test format, perceptions of test validity, and student anxiety. The present study assessed the affective reactions of native Brazilian students to different oral EFL test formats (group and pair) in an achievement testing situation. Each student participated in both the group and the pair test formats and completed an affect questionnaire after each test. A principal factor analysis of student responses to the questionnaire revealed two major factors. The first appeared to involve cognitive judgements about the validity of the test and how well students liked the test. The other factor seemed to be emotive, and involved student reports of the anxiety they felt both before and after the test. Similarly, a qualitative analysis of student responses to open-ended items on the questionnaire found that students were mostly concerned about their emotional state, test content, and t...
Age-dependent regulation of mammalian DNA synthesis and cell division in vivo by glucocorticoids.

Abstract The impaired ability to initiate DNA synthesis and cell division in vivo in submandibular glands of aging rats may be the consequence of both decreased sensitivity to isoproterenol treatment and increased susceptibility to regulation by endogenous glucocorticoids.
Wildfire potential evaluation during a drought event with a regional climate model and NDVI

Abstract Regional climate modeling is a technique for simulating high-resolution physical processes in the atmosphere, soil and vegetation. It can be used to evaluate wildfire potential by either providing meteorological conditions for computation of fire indices or predicting soil moisture as a direct measure of fire potential. This study examines these roles using a regional climate model (RCM) for the drought and wildfire events in 1988 in the northern United States. The National Center for Atmospheric Research regional climate model (RegCM) was used to conduct simulations of a summer month in each year from 1988 to 1995. The simulated precipitation and maximum surface air temperature were used to calculate the Keetch–Byram Drought Index (KBDI), which is a popular fire potential index. We found that the KBDI increased significantly under the simulated drought condition. The corresponding fire potential was upgraded from moderate for a normal year to high level for the drought year. High fire potential is often an indicator for occurrence of intense and extensive wildfires. Fire potential changed in the opposite direction for the 1993 flood event, indicating little possibility of severe wildfires. The soil moisture and KBDI evaluations under the drought and flood conditions are in agreement with satellite remotely sensed vegetation conditions and the actual wildfire activity. The precipitation anomaly was a more important contributor to the KBDI changes than temperature anomaly. The small magnitude of the simulated soil moisture anomalies during the drought event did not provide sufficient evidence for the role of simulated soil moisture as a direct measure of wildfire potential.
Dermatology in an Age of Fully Transparent Electronic Medical Records

More than 4 decades have passed since the call for “giving patients their medical records” was first proposed to increase patient engagement in health care delivery.1Today, this vision—once considered radical—is quickly becoming reality, with millions of Americans routinely accessing their medical records through web-based patient portals.1 The electronic health record content that patients can access online is expanding to include physicians’ documentation of patient visits. Recent studies evaluating OpenNotes, a patient-centered initiative enabling online access to providers’ clinical notes, have demonstrated high levels of patient utilization and improved self-reported understanding of care planning and medication adherence, resulting in patients “feeling more in control of their health care.”1 One year after implementation of OpenNotes in 3 diverse health care environments in 2010 (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts; Geisinger Health System in northeastern and central Pennsylvania; and Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington), more than 99% of patients wished to have ongoing online access to clinicians’ notes, paralleled by similar rates of primary care provider satisfaction.1 Open-access notes have since become standard of care at several large health care systems,2 including the Veterans Health Administration; as of January 2014, more than 1.4 million veterans have registered for full online access to their clinical notes.3 However, medical specialties may face distinct challenges consequent to adoption of open-access medical records. As more patients seek—and demand—comprehensive online availability of open-access notes, what will this mean for the field of dermatology? We believe the following issues merit particular attention among dermatologists in the era of medical record transparency.
Tarsoconjunctival crypts: unrecognized cause of chronic mucopurulent conjunctivitis.

Purpose To describe 3 patients with chronic mucopurulent conjunctivitis found to have an unrecognized sequestration of bacteria within tarsoconjunctival crypts of the upper eyelid. Design Review of 3 noncomparative cases. Methods settings: Institutional. study population: Three consecutive patients with tarsoconjunctival crypts. intervention procedure: Marsupialization of the individual crypts. main outcome measures: Resolution of chronic discharge and resolution of signs and symptoms. Results One patient with Stevens-Johnson syndrome and 2 patients with floppy eyelids had chronic mucopurulent conjunctivitis that was refractory to multiple medical and surgical interventions. Retention of a yellowish coagulum within the fistulous tracts of the tarsal conjunctiva was the site of pathologic features in all patients. The diagnosis was confirmed by squeezing out of the coagulum from the fistulous tracts by pinching the eyelid horizontally. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated in 1 patient and Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in the other 2 patients. A Bowman probe could be passed through the fistulous opening to unveil the full extent of the conjunctival tunnels on the epitarsal surface. Each tract was marsupialized, and no relapse was found during a follow-up period of 12 to 96 months. Conclusions Patients with chronic, relapsing, purulent conjunctivitis should have their upper eyelid everted to search for tarsoconjunctival crypts as the source of bacteria-laden coagulum. The formation of the crypts is likely the result of tarsal conjunctiva trauma with lamellar de-epithelialization, followed by re-epithelialization to form an epithelialized tunnel as a potential space for harboring bacteria. Marsupialization of the crypts obliterates the potential space and is curative.
Stable high order methods for solving elliptic equations with large first order terms

Abstract Stable high-order methods are developed for solving elliptic partial differential equations with large first order terms. In particular, second-order and fourth-order methods are developed by stabilizing the central difference method. The methods can solve second-order linear elliptic partial differential equations and are found to be stable and accurate in all tested examples. Results are presented for the two-dimensional convection-diffusion equation involving problems with and without boundary layers. The methods converged for all values of parameters attempted and the results compared favorably with other methods. The methods developed in this paper are accurate, stable, easy to use and applicable to other problems.
Prioritization via Stochastic Optimization

We take a novel approach to decision problems involving binary activity-selection decisions competing for scarce resources. The literature approaches such problems by forming an optimal portfolio of activities. However, often practitioners instead form a rank-ordered list of activities and select those with the highest priority. We account for both viewpoints. We rank activities considering both the uncertainty in the problem parameters and the optimal portfolio that will be obtained once the uncertainty is revealed. We use stochastic integer programming as a modeling framework, and we apply our approach to a facility location problem and a multidimensional knapsack problem. We develop two sets of cutting planes to improve computation. Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2013.1865 . This paper was accepted by Dimitris Bertsimas, optimization.
X-Linked Glycerol Kinase Deficiency in the Mouse Leads to Growth Retardation, Altered Fat Metabolism, Autonomous Glucocorticoid Secretion and Neonatal Death

Glycerol kinase is an X chromosome-encoded enzyme involved in the metabolism of endogenous and dietary glycerolipids. The physiological significance of its activity in mammals is not well understood. Glycerol kinase deficiency in humans occurs as an isolated enzyme deficiency or as part of a contiguous gene deletion syndrome in variable association with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and adrenal hypoplasia congenita. Isolated glycerol kinase deficiency has an inconstant phenotype, ranging from asymptomatic hyperglycerolemia to a severe metabolic disorder with growth and psychomotor retardation. Although intragenic mutations were reported recently, the pathophysiological basis for the phenotypic variability remains unknown. To understand better the physiological significance of glycerol kinase and the pathophysiology of its deficiency, we generated glycerol kinase-deficient mice by gene targeting. Mutant male mice appear normal at birth, but exhibit postnatal growth retardation, altered fat metabolism with profound hyperglycerolemia and elevated free fatty acids, autonomous glucocorticoid synthesis and death by 3-4 days of age. Heterozygous females are healthy and biochemically normal. The biochemical features observed in glycerol kinase-deficient mice provide the basis for further investigations into the pathogenesis of the human disorder.
Building effective critical care teams

Critical care is formulated and delivered by a team. Accordingly, behavioral scientific principles relevant to teams, namely psychological safety, transactive memory and leadership, apply to critical care teams. Two experts in behavioral sciences review the impact of psychological safety, transactive memory and leadership on medical team outcomes. A clinician then applies those principles to two routine critical care paradigms: daily rounds and resuscitations. Since critical care is a team endeavor, methods to maximize teamwork should be learned and mastered by critical care team members, and especially leaders.
Improving dynamic voltage scaling algorithms with PACE

This paper addresses algorithms for dynamically varying (scaling) CPU speed and voltage in order to save energy. Such scaling is useful and effective when it is immaterial when a task completes, as long as it meets some deadline. We show how to modify any scaling algorithm to keep performance the same but minimize expected energy consumption. We refer to our approach as PACE (Processor Acceleration to Conserve Energy) since the resulting schedule increases speed as the task progresses. Since PACE depends on the probability distribution of the task's work requirement, we present methods for estimating this distribution and evaluate these methods on a variety of real workloads. We also show how to approximate the optimal schedule with one that changes speed a limited number of times. Using PACE causes very little additional overhead, and yields substantial reductions in CPU energy consumption. Simulations using real workloads show it reduces the CPU energy consumption of previously published algorithms by up to 49.5%, with an average of 20.6%, without any effect on performance.
An analytical solution to a double-gate MOSFET with undoped body

A one-dimensional (1-D) analytical solution is derived for an undoped (or lightly-doped) double-gate MOSFET by incorporating only the mobile charge term in Poisson's equation. The solution gives closed forms of band bending and volume inversion as a function of silicon thickness and gate voltage. A threshold criterion is derived which serves to quantify the gate work function requirements for a double-gate CMOS.