cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SCF Cyclin F controls centrosome homeostasis and mitotic fidelity through CP110 degradation

Cyclin F is the founding member of the F-box protein family but its functions are unknown. In contrast to most cyclins, it does not bind or activate cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). Here, a protein essential for centrosome duplication, CP110, is identified as a substrate of Cyclin F. CP110 and Cyclin F associate on centrioles during the cell cycle, and Cyclin F is proposed to limit centrosome duplication by targeting CP110 for degradation. Cyclin F is the founding member of the F-box protein family but its functions are unknown; unlike most cyclins, it does not bind or activate cyclin-dependent kinases. Here the authors identify CP110, a protein essential for centrosome duplication, as a substrate of Cyclin F. CP110 and Cyclin F associate on centrioles during the cell cycle, and Cyclin F is proposed to limit centrosome duplication by targeting CP110 for degradation. Generally, F-box proteins are the substrate recognition subunits of SCF (Skp1–Cul1–F-box protein) ubiquitin ligase complexes, which mediate the timely proteolysis of important eukaryotic regulatory proteins1,2. Mammalian genomes encode roughly 70 F-box proteins, but only a handful have established functions3,4. The F-box protein family obtained its name from Cyclin F (also called Fbxo1), in which the F-box motif (the ∼40-amino-acid domain required for binding to Skp1) was first described5. Cyclin F, which is encoded by an essential gene, also contains a cyclin box domain, but in contrast to most cyclins, it does not bind or activate any cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs)5,6,7. However, like other cyclins, Cyclin F oscillates during the cell cycle, with protein levels peaking in G2. Despite its essential nature and status as the founding member of the F-box protein family, Cyclin F remains an orphan protein, whose functions are unknown. Starting from an unbiased screen, we identified CP110, a protein that is essential for centrosome duplication, as an interactor and substrate of Cyclin F. Using a mode of substrate binding distinct from other F-box protein–substrate pairs, CP110 and Cyclin F physically associate on the centrioles during the G2 phase of the cell cycle, and CP110 is ubiquitylated by the SCFCyclin F ubiquitin ligase complex, leading to its degradation. siRNA-mediated depletion of Cyclin F in G2 induces centrosomal and mitotic abnormalities, such as multipolar spindles and asymmetric, bipolar spindles with lagging chromosomes. These phenotypes were reverted by co-silencing CP110 and were recapitulated by expressing a stable mutant of CP110 that cannot bind Cyclin F. Finally, expression of a stable CP110 mutant in cultured cells also promotes the formation of micronuclei, a hallmark of chromosome instability. We propose that SCFCyclin F-mediated degradation of CP110 is required for the fidelity of mitosis and genome integrity.
MATERNALLY-ADMINISTERED MAGNESIUM SULFATE (MgSO 4 ) DECREASES THE INCIDENCE OF SEVERE NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS (NEC) IN PRETERM INFANTS: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY. † 1501

MATERNALLY-ADMINISTERED MAGNESIUM SULFATE (MgSO 4 ) DECREASES THE INCIDENCE OF SEVERE NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS (NEC) IN PRETERM INFANTS: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY. † 1501
The occurrence in mice of facial and mandibular abscesses associated with Staphylococcus aureus

Swellings affecting the face and jaws of a strain of outbred BSVS mice are described. The swellings consisted of multiple abscesses which were most commonly associated with the mandible. Staphylococcus aureus of a single phage type was isolated from the abscesses. It is suggested that the organisms gained entry through the oral mucosa.
Quantitative regional wall motion analysis with early contrast ventriculography for the assessment of myocardium at risk in acute myocardial infarction

Abstract Background Several techniques have been used to quantify the myocardium at risk, including measurement of regional ventricular function with contrast ventriculography and measurement of perfusion defect size with tomographic technetium-99m-sestamibi imaging. This study evaluates the correlation between these 2 techniques. Methods Twenty-three patients with angiographically documented coronary occlusion and acute myocardial infarctions (10 anterior, 13 inferior) were studied. All patients had contrast left ventriculography at the time of their acute angiogram before any revascularization therapy. Regional wall motion parameters measured with the centerline method were the severity, circumferential extent, and global circumferential extent of hypokinesis and the mean standardized motion in predefined areas. Technetium-99m-sestamibi was injected before reperfusion therapy with measurement of the myocardium at risk using single photon emission computed tomography imaging. Results The tomographic sestamibi-measured myocardium at risk was significantly greater for anterior infarctions compared with inferior infarctions (40% ± 18% vs 14.0 ± 8.5%, P = .0001). The only parameter of regional wall motion to show a significant difference by infarct location was global circumferential extent of hypokinesis (43% ± 25% vs 22% ± 15%, P = .02). The other parameters were not significantly different between anterior and inferior myocardial infarctions. For anterior infarctions, these parameters of regional wall motion correlated with myocardium at risk assessed with sestamibi: global circumferential extent of hypokinesis ( r = .88, P r = .78, P r = –.74, P r = –.70, P Conclusion The assessment of regional ventricular function with contrast ventriculography correlates with the area of myocardium at risk measured with tomographic technetium-99m-sestamibi for anterior, but not for inferior, myocardial infarctions. Therefore, these parameters of regional wall motion are a poor measure of the efficacy of reperfusion therapies.
Mean–variance approximations to expected utility

Abstract It is often asserted that the application of mean–variance analysis assumes normal (Gaussian) return distributions or quadratic utility functions. This common mistake confuses sufficient versus necessary conditions for the applicability of modern portfolio theory. If one believes (as does the author) that choice should be guided by the expected utility maxim, then the necessary and sufficient condition for the practical use of mean–variance analysis is that a careful choice from a mean–variance efficient frontier will approximately maximize expected utility for a wide variety of concave (risk-averse) utility functions. This paper reviews a half-century of research on mean–variance approximations to expected utility. The many studies in this field have been generally supportive of mean–variance analysis, subject to certain (initially unanticipated) caveats.
SEISMOGRAPH EXPLOSIVES AND THE WAR

The effective prosecution of the war requires that all essential materials be made available first, to the armed forces, and second, to vital private industries. If this is not done the entire war effort will bog down. We understand that certain persons, evidently laymen, have recently asked whether the seismograph industry might not be handicapping the war effort by its use of one essential material, namely, explosives. These questions were, of course, brought about by the rather widespread idea that the terms “explosives” and “ammunition” are synonymous. Even so, we are surprised that such questions were raised.
A finite element approach for determining the frequencies and dynamic response of twisted, nonuniform rotating blades with small or no precone

Abstract The differential equations of motion governing the dynamic response of twisted, nonuniform, rotating blades with small or no precone are discretized by a finite element approach. Bending deformations in two directions are considered in the formulation while torsional, axial, and warping deformations are neglected. Coriolis, foreshortening, and other nonlinear effects are not included in the development. Several numerical studies are performed to illustrate the applicability of the finite element formulation and to verify the accuracy of the results. The effect of precone on the natural frequencies of the rotating blade is investigated. The dynamic response of a twisted, nonuniform rotating blade to arbitrarily applied external loading in two directions is also presented.
Resource-aware scheduled control of distributed process systems over wireless sensor networks

This paper presents an integrated model-based networked control and sensor scheduling framework for spatially-distributed processes modeled by parabolic PDEs controlled over a resource-constrained wireless sensor network (WSN). The framework aims to enforce closed-loop stability with minimal information transfer over the WSN. Based on an approximate finite-dimensional system that captures the dominant dynamics of the PDE, a feedback controller is initially designed together with a state observer a copy of which is embedded within each sensor. Information transfer over the WSN is reduced by embedding within the controller and the sensors a finite-dimensional model. Communication is suspended periodically for extended time periods during which the model is used by the controller to generate the necessary control action and by the observers to generate state estimates. Communication is then re-established at discrete times according to a certain scheduling strategy in which only one sensor is allowed to transmit its state estimate at a time to update the states of the models, while the rest are kept dormant. A hybrid system formulation is used to explicitly characterize the interplays between the communication rate, the sensor transmission schedule, the model uncertainty and the spatial placement of the sensors. Finally, the proposed methodology is illustrated through an application to a diffusion-reaction process example.
A unifying theme for agricultural research

The US agricultural and food industry can be modeled holistically as a diversified conglomerate. When analyzed for current fit to a generalized business life cycle stage, it is found to be in the Decline Phase. Major Decline Phase characteristics are found in market share, return on investment, investment intensity, and capital equipment parameters, among others. Only one strategy option for exit from the Decline Phase for US agri-industry is feasible in the light of world food and US economic need. This is to rebuild and grow to the next productivity plateau. Within the framework of a corporate growth strategy, a central theme for supportive research expressed as a set of achievable generalized objectives for forward-oriented research is needed. The theme must be compatible with ‘corporate’ goals and technical goals envisioned in the light of newly emerging technologies. It must also provide sufficient breadth to accommodate a complex, decentralized research system consisting of private, public, and university performers of research, if any semblance of movement towards common goals is to be afforded. A useful core theme for research is presented and tested for utilitarian value in terms of corporate need, structure of the research system, validity in vertical and horizontal integration of research, and impact on innovative potential. Barriers to research success are identified; suggestions for overcoming them are presented.
Protein Quality of Fish in Modified Atmospheres as Predicted by the C‐PER Assay

The nutritional quality of proteins from fillets of fresh rockfish (Sebastes spp) stored in air or in a modified atmosphere (MA) of 80% CO2 and 20% O2 at 4°C was evaluated by the Computed Protein Efficiency Ratio (C-PER) method. This procedure involves determination of in vitro digestibility and the amino acid composition of the samples prior to computation of the C-PER. Casein was used as a standard. Both air-held and MA-held fish showed similar amino acid profiles, but the air-held fish showed lower in vitro digestibility. The C-PER values of both types of samples were higher than the C-PER of 2.50 for standard casein. These results suggest that storage of fish in a modified atmosphere of 80% CO2 and 20% O2 does not result in deterioration in the nutritional quality of the fish proteins.
A provocative internal carotid artery balloon occlusion test with 99mTc-HM-PAO CBF mapping--report of three cases.

The balloon occlusion test (BOT) of the internal carotid artery (ICA), combined with induced hypotension and cerebral blood flow (CBF) mapping, was carried out in three patients with a large or giant aneurysm of the ICA. Occlusion of the ICA for 10 minutes in the normotensive state was followed by 5 minutes of induced hypotension. During the last 2 minutes of hypotensive occlusion, technetium99m-hexamethyl-propyleneamine oxime was administered to study the CBF. All patients tolerated the procedure well. One patient with moderate CBF reduction developed ischemic complications 24 hours after permanent ICA occlusion. Another showed no significant change in CBF and tolerated permanent ICA occlusion well, while the third refused permanent occlusion. The provocative BOT combined with CBF mapping is a promising predictor of complications of ICA occlusion secondary to perfusion abnormalities.
Large Population Limits for Evolutionary Dynamics with Random Matching

A frequent assumption in evolutionary game theory is that the population size is sufficiently large so that matching of players is essentially deterministic and payoffs are determined by the expected value of a random match. This paper studies the assumption in the context of a well known model of Kandori, Malaith, and Rob. As the population size tends to infinity, the stationary distribution of an evolutionary process defined by a class of two strategy–two player games with random matching of players fails to converge to the stationary distribution of the same process with the random match replaced by its expected value.
Anti-viral CD8 T cells and the cytokines that they love

Viral infections cause an immunological disequilibrium that provokes CD8 T cell responses. These cells play critical roles in purging acute infections, limiting persistent infections, and conferring life-long protective immunity. At every stage of the response anti-viral CD8 T cells are sensitive to signals from cytokines. Initially cytokines operate as immunological warning signs that inform of the presence of an infection, and also influence the developmental choices of the responding cells. Later during the course of the response other sets of cytokines support the survival and maintenance of the differentiated anti-viral CD8 T cells. Although many cytokines promote virus-specific CD8 T cells, other cytokines can suppress their activities and thus favor viral persistence. In this review we discuss how select cytokines act to regulate anti-viral CD8 T cells throughout the response and influence the outcome of viral infections.
Postnatal changes in NMDAR1 subunit expression in the rat trigeminal pathway to barrel field cortex.

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type glutamate receptors are constituted of one obligatory subunit (NR1), expressed as eight splice variants combined with one or more of four NMDAR2 subunits. Polyclonal antibodies were produced to an N-terminal domain of the NR1 subunit that recognize all eight splice variants. The antibody was used to localize NR1 in the trigeminal pathway to barrel field cortex in rats. The distribution and density of NR1 changes between birth (postnatal day 0 = P-0) and P-360. The trigeminal nuclei already contain a high level of NR1 immunoreactivity on the day of birth. The ventral posterior lateral, ventral posterior medial, and posterior nucleus, medial division, thalamic nuclei show fluctuations in NR1 immunoreactivity levels, starting at birth with moderate densities in neuropil which decrease at P-7, and peak again in neuronal cell bodies as well as the neuropil at P-21. In the cortex, the density of NR1 in layer VI fluctuates with low points at P-7 and P-40. Superficial cortical layers I, II, and III reach adult levels at P-14 and remain high. NR1 levels decrease sharply in layer IV just prior to P-40 and then slowly recover over the next 3 months to stabilize at moderate levels in the adult. In addition to neuronal expression there is a transient high level of labeling in glial cells with a peak density of staining at P-21. The results emphasize that NR1 subunit expression is finely regulated in rat somatic sensory pathways for periods as long as 7–8 weeks after birth in the barrel field cortex. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Pain referral patterns of the C1-C3 nerve roots: implications for headache disorders and the development of new therapies

The upper cervical nerve roots (C1-3) are increasingly viewed as an important target for therapeutic intervention in headache, but their specific roles in the pathophysiology of head pain remain uncertain. An increased understanding of the role of C1-3 in primary and secondary headache disorders is important for progress with diagnostic and therapeutic interventions involving these structures.
Real-time USB communication in the Quest operating system

This paper describes a real-time USB 2 subsystem for the Quest operating system. Quest is designed for real-time embedded systems. Such systems need to interact with their environment using sensors and actuators. On many embedded platforms today there is support for basic serial, USB 2.0 and 100 Mbps Ethernet. Of these, USB 2.0 supports the highest throughput, while also supporting real-time communication. We show how the Quest USB 2.0 sub-system improves upon some of the deficiencies in USB software stacks in systems such as Linux through experimental evaluation. We demonstrate that the Quest USB sub-system is capable of predictable bandwidth allocation and increased overall performance. By dynamically reordering transaction requests, Quest's USB sub-system is able to avoid unnecessary admission control rejections. Additionally, we are able to provide real-time guarantees for asynchronous USB transactions such as bulk transfers, which are typically treated in a best-effort manner. Real-time guarantees for bulk transactions are necessary for any system interacting with devices that implement bulk endpoints such as in a real-time file system. The paper also introduces an algorithm for USB scheduling that accepts more requests and provides bulk transfer guarantees, for cases where Linux fails.
Thermal and photochemical reactions of NO2 on chromium(III) oxide surfaces at atmospheric pressure

While many studies of heterogeneous chemistry on Cr2O3 surfaces have focused on its catalytic activity, less is known about chemistry on this surface under atmospheric conditions. We report here studies of the thermal and photochemical reactions of NO2 on Cr2O3 at one atm in air. In order to follow surface species, the interaction of 16–120 ppm NO2 with a 15 nm Cr2O3 thin film deposited on a germanium crystal was monitored in a flow system using attenuated total reflectance (ATR) coupled to a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Gas phase products were monitored in the effluent of an ∼285 ppm NO2–air mixture that had passed over Cr2O3 powder in a flow system. A chemiluminescence NOy analyzer, a photometric O3 analyzer and a long-path FTIR spectrometer were used to probe the gaseous products. In the absence of added water vapor, NO2 formed nitrate (NO3−) ions coordinated to Cr3+. These surface coordinated NO3− were reversibly solvated by water under humid conditions. In both dry and humid cases, nitrate ions decreased during irradiation of the surface at 302 nm, and NO and NO2 were generated in the gas phase. Under dry conditions, NO was the major gaseous product while NO2 was the dominant species in the presence of water vapor. Heating of the surface after exposure to NO2 led to the generation of both NO2 and NO under dry conditions, but only NO2 in the presence of water vapor. Elemental chromium incorporated into metal alloys such as stainless steel is readily oxidized in contact with ambient air, forming a chromium-rich metal oxide surface layer. The results of these studies suggest that active photo- and thermal chemistry will occur when boundary layer materials containing chromium(III) or chromium oxide such as stainless steel, roofs, automobile bumpers etc. are exposed to NO2 under tropospheric conditions.
Laser-induced fluorescent micro-structures in silver nanoparticle based films

Abstract An optical method for the formation of micron sized line features within silver nanoparticle based films using focused laser irradiation is developed. The observed light-induced effect is a strong function of light flux producing line features with widths of less than 5 μm, which can be controlled by careful selection of the focused incident beam waist. A potentially useful local feature is generated just outside the region of laser exposure; the film displays significant fluorescence emission across the visible spectrum. The source of the fluorescence is attributed to the presence of hydrated citrate salts that have been decomposed due to local heating and recrystallized as confirmed by electron microscopy and confocal fluorescence spectroscopy.
Management of Hepatitis B Virus Coinfection: HIV, Hepatitis C Virus, Hepatitis D Virus

Coinfection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) is common because of shared modes of transmission. Increasing prevalence of high risk sexual behavior and intra venous drug use (IVDU) contributes to a majority of the cases with coinfection. Occult HBV or prior HBV infection is frequently encountered in patients coinfected with HIV or HCV. Although HBV is a preventable disease, failure to screen and inadequate vaccination in the high risk individuals account for vast under-recognition of the cases with HBV infection. Chronic liver disease from viral hepatitis B and C has emerged as the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide as well as in the United States. This is especially true in cases coinfected with HIV. The potential long term risks of untreated hepatitis include cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There have been several advancements in the understanding of natural history and management options of chronic viral hepatitis. This article discusses and reviews the natural history, epidemiology, and management of HBV patients coinfected with HIV, HCV, or HDV. It includes an updated summary of the outcomes with liver transplantation and post transplant recurrence in the coinfected population with HBV. It also discusses the role of occult HBV in HIV and HCV coinfection respectively.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: electrocardiographic manifestations and other important considerations for the emergency physician

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is one of the most common inherited primary cardiac disorders and the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. With advances in technology, it is now recognized that HCM affects individuals of all ages. Many patients with HCM will have a benign course with few symptoms. Some patients, however, possess risk factors that greatly increase the likelihood of sudden death if their disease remains undiagnosed. Therefore, it is imperative that emergency physicians be familiar with the symptoms and typical electrocardiogram manifestations of HCM. Three illustrative cases are presented with a review of the disease.
The effects of ω3 and ω6 fatty acid-enriched diets on plasma lipoproteins and apoproteins in familial combined hyperlipidemia☆

There is abundant evidence that dietary omega 3 fatty acids effect a favorable change in lipoprotein profiles of normolipidemic individuals. However, there is relatively little information available on the lipoprotein responses of hyperlipidemic individuals at risk for premature coronary artery disease. We studied a group of subjects with familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL), as well as a group of normal controls, on three rigidly controlled diets differing primarily in their fatty acid composition. The normal subjects demonstrated significant reductions in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and total apolipoprotein B (apo B) levels on both an omega 3 (salmon) and omega 6 (safflower) fatty acid-enriched diet when these were compared with a basal diet high in saturated fat. The primary difference in response to the polyunsaturated diets was the potent triglyceride-lowering effect of the salmon diet. The FCHL subjects demonstrated a response to the safflower diet similar to that observed in normals and also manifested a marked triglyceride lowering with the salmon diet. However, total cholesterol and total apo B levels were not lowered by the salmon diet, and LDL cholesterol and apo B levels exhibited an upward trend. Thus, individuals with FCHL, a common disorder associated with premature coronary artery disease, do not appear to have a favorable lipoprotein response to diets enriched in omega 3 fatty acids.
Localized chondrocalcinosis of the lateral tibial condyle presenting as a loose body in a young athlete

Chondrocalcinosis, although very rare in young adults, can occur in some young patients. Although its presenting clinical history or radiographic findings may resemble those of an intraarticular loose body, chondrocalcinosis can occur in young athletes, possibly after repetitive microtrauma, and should be included in the differential diagnosis of calcified intraarticular lesions in the young athlete.
Thioredoxin Reductase Reduces Lipid Hydroperoxides and Spares α-Tocopherol

We investigated whether and how rat liver thioredoxin reductase spares alpha-tocopherol in biomembranes. Purified hydroperoxides of beta-linoleoyl-gamma-palmitoylphosphatidylcholine were decreased 35% by treatment with thioredoxin reductase and 54% by thioredoxin reductase plus E. coli thioredoxin. Thioredoxin reductase also halved the amount of hydroperoxides that had been formed during photoperoxidation of liposomes composed of beta-linoleoyl-gamma-palmitoylphosphatidylcholine, and of emulsions of both cholesterol and cholesteryl linolenate. In erythrocyte ghosts, thioredoxin reductase spared alpha-tocopherol from oxidation by both soybean lipoxygenase and ferricyanide. Thioredoxin reductase also decreased F(2)-isoprostanes in ghosts oxidized by ferricyanide, suggesting that its ability to spare alpha-tocopherol relates to reduction of lipid hydroperoxides.
Current Interventions to Reduce Sexual Risk Behaviors and Crack Cocaine Use among HIV-Infected Individuals

The dual global epidemics of crack cocaine use and HIV have resulted in a large number of people living with HIV who use crack cocaine, many of whom continue to engage in unprotected sex. Crack use also increases the rate of HIV progression. Consequently, there is an urgent need for effective interventions to decrease crack use and unprotected sex and to improve antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence in this population. This article reviews the recent published literature on interventions for reducing crack use and unprotected sex among people living with HIV. Only a few intervention outcome studies targeting exclusively HIV positive crack cocaine users were identified, whereas other studies used a mixed sample. Some interventions focused on reducing crack use and several focused on reducing sex-risk behaviors. Consequently, there is a critical need for efficacious interventions that address crack use, risky sex and ART adherence among people living with HIV.
PREDICTION OF TRADES APPRENTICES’PERFORMANCE ON JOB SAMPLE CRITERIA

A criterion-related validation was conducted to assess the validity of four aptitude tests and five tests of content taken directly from job tasks in predicting job sample performance of apprentices in eight skilled trades. Observed validities were above .40 (corrected for range restriction, validities averaged .52). Though there were large subgroup mean differences on both predictor and criterion measures, there was no evidence of significant differential prediction.
Isolation of the Spectrograms and Rosettes of Insonified Sets of Submerged, Concentric, Thin Shells

The resonance features present, and observable, in the form-functions of submerged, fluid-filled, elastic, thin shells, usually appear combined with smooth, undesirable, background components that tend to obscure them. In order to isolate these features in the frequency domain, at fixed angles of observation, (i.e., the “spectograms”), or in the angular domain, at selected frequencies (i.e., the “rosette” patterns), one usually attempts to suppress the background components by subtracting “suitable” background coefficients. Since the rigid/soft background coefficients of solid elastic bodies/cavities in solids yield unsatisfactory results for thin shells, various other background coefficients have been tried with various levels of success. We present here a more general scattering formulation, valid for many concentric shells, that permits the isolation of these resonance features without having to subtract any type of background coefficients. This resonance feature extraction is achieved either conceptually, or physically, filling the various spaces in between the various concentric shells, with the same fluid present in the outer ambient medium. The extraction of these echo-features is crucial for purposes of active classification by sonar.
Excited state properties of Rh(phi)2(phen)3+ and related complexes: a strong photooxidant

Abstract The excited state properties and reactivity of Rh(phi) 2 (phen) 3+ (phi = 9,10-phenanthrenequinone diimine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) were investigated and compared to those of related rhodium(III) and zinc(II) complexes. At 77 K Rh(phi) 2 (phen) 3+ exhibits LC 3 ππ ∗ dual emission from both phi and phen ligands, whose energies are 2.8 eV and 3.0 eV, respectively, with a biexponential decay that can be fit to 5 ns (98%) and 60 ns (2%) lifetime components. A longer-lived transient is observed by transient absorption both at 77 K and 298 K, which decays monoexponentially with a time constant of 900 ns and 235 ns at each temperature, respectively, in ethanol. The transient can be attained with visible excitation (420 nm to 532 nm) and it is assigned to be intra-ligand charge transfer (ILCT) in nature. It was determined from transient absorption experiments that the ILCT excited state of Rh(phi) 2 (phen) 3+ lies approximately 2.0 eV above the ground state and that it is a powerful oxidizing agent with E 1 2 ([ Rh ] 3+∗/2+ )≈2.0 V versus NHE. The transient absorption experiments with electron donors reveal that the one-electron reduced Rh(phi) 2 (phen) 2+ absorbs at 540 nm with e ≈ 3300 M −1 cm −1 .
Diagnostic Efficiency of the Blacklayer Stalk Nitrate and Grain Nitrogen Tests for Corn

Protecting water quality and maintaining profitable corn (Zea mays L.) production requires diagnostics that can distinguish between N deficiency, sufficiency, and excess. This study evaluates initial recommendations on blacklayer basal-stalk NO 3 -N ranges and critical concentrations for diagnosing N status, and it compares the performance of this test with grain analysis. Observations (428) were collected from 13 N-response experiments. Linear response and plateau (LRP) and binary logistic regression (BLR) were used to characterize the relationships between yield and tissue-test values. With the LRP, stalk NO 3 -N and grain N concentrations separating deficient from sufficient observations were 0.42 and 13.1 g kg 1 , respectively, and the success rates of the two tests were comparable (77 and 75%, respectfully). The BLR also identified critical concentrations, but the values increased with decreasing yields, a desirable decision-rule attribute given that extreme deficiency can result in higher-than-expected tissue concentrations. The success rates of multiple BLR functions using yield and stalk or grain analysis as factors were again comparable (88 and 87%, respectively), but they were significantly greater than with the LRP analysis. Stalk analysis was superior to grain analysis for distinguishing sufficiency from excess. A constant stalk NO 3 -N concentration (1.67 g kg 1 ) separated sufficient from excessive cases, and fertilizer efficiency approached zero at 2.9 g kg 1 . Premature sampling resulted in stalk NO 3 -N levels that were 40 to 600% greater than levels observed after blacklayer formation, with the greatest error occurring when N fertility was low. When not testing for N excess, the advantages of grain analysis are the ease of sampling during harvest and the reduced risk of error associated with premature sampling.
Blood-borne factors regulating microvascular constriction in the rat hippocampal slice.

Abstract Previous work shows that blood serum contains a factor that elicits constriction of large cerebral arteries and may be responsible for cerebral vasospasm in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. However, few studies have considered the action of potential spasmogens on intraparenchymal resistance vessels. We used a common preparation for neurophysiology, the rat hippocampal slice, to study penetrating arterioles and their response to a variety of potential vasoconstrictors. Dilute serum from clotted rat blood evoked profound microvascular constriction when applied to the slice, but plasma incubated with heparin to prevent coagulation was unable to do so. A variety of potential vasoconstrictor substances were tested to see if they could duplicate the effects of serum. Norepinephrine (10 μM), serotonin (one μM) and prostaglandin E2 (one nM) were ineffective in this regard. However, when a stable eicosanoid, throm☐ane B2, was applied at a concentration achieved in the cerebrospinal fluid of subarachnoid hemorrhage patients, it duplicated a portion of the vasoconstriction produced by serum. It is concluded that throm☐ane B2 may account for part of the spasmogenic property of serum and that unidentified molecules in the coagulation pathway may also play a role.
New Immigrant Destinations in Global Context

This article calls for the study of new immigrant destinations in a global context. Although the term “new immigrant destinations” has been primarily associated with the U.S., migration scholars of...
Comparison of hospital costs for single-port and conventional laparoscopic colorectal resection: a case-matched study

Background Whether single-port laparoscopic (SPL) colorectal resection is cost-effective in comparison to conventional laparoscopy remains unclear. The aim of this study is to compare hospital costs for single-port versus conventional laparoscopic colorectal resections.
Deterrence vs. gamesmanship: Taxpayer response to targeted audits and endogenous penalties

Abstract Taxpayers with large amounts of non-third-party-reported income usually self-report at least a portion of it, an act inconsistent with common theories of compliance. I explain this behavior by generalizing the classical evasion theory to realistically account for the endogeneity of audit and payment rates. These taxpayers refrain from more evasion not due to deterrence, but to tilt the odds and payoffs of the evasion gamble. The introduction of this incentive helps explain many empirical findings that seemingly contradict a more restrictive and unrealistic version of the “deterrence paradigm.” I also estimate feasible structural calibrations, the first based on observed compliance behavior, of taxpayers’ perceptions of the relationship between evasion, audit probabilities, and payment rates.
Correlation between computed tomography and surgical findings in retropharyngeal inflammatory processes in children.

Abstract Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) in children is a potentially life-threatening process which often requires immediate surgical intervention. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) is utilized frequently to determine abscess versus cellulitis/phlegmon and aids in determining cases needing surgical drainage. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the accuracy of CT in distinguishing retropharyngeal abscess from cellulitis in children. The medical records of 32 children from 1989 to 1997 suspected of having a retropharyngeal abscess were reviewed. All patients included in the study underwent a CT scan as well as surgical exploration within 48 h of the scan. Two patients required two surgical procedures ( n =34). A comparison between CT results and operative findings was made to determine the accuracy of CT imaging in confirming the presence of RPA versus cellulitis. Suspected diagnosis of abscess or cellulitis/phlegmon on CT was confirmed at surgery in 25 of 34 cases (73.5%). The false positive rate of CT scan was 11.8% (4/34), while the false negative rate was 14.7% (5/34). Based on our results, CT is accurate in differentiating abscess from cellulitis in 73.5% of cases. Clinical findings, as well as radiologic findings, must be considered together prior to surgical drainage of a suspected retropharyngeal abscess in children.
Basic capacities can be modified or circumvented by deliberate practice: A rejection of talent accounts of expert performance

To make genuine progress toward explicating the relation between innate talent and high levels of ability, we need to consider the differences in structure between most everyday abilities and expert performance. Only in expert performance is it possible to show consistently that individuals can acquire skills to circumvent and modify basic characteristics (talent).
The Role of Welfare and Space in the Migration of the Poor

This study investigates whether interstate differences in welfare benefits affected destination choices of low-income households in the United States during the 1985-90 period. It considers place-to-place migration decisions of poor single-parent females within a conditional logit framework. The research develops an array of variables that add a substantial spatial component to the analysis. The empirical results reconcile conclusions of recent academic literature with the views of state policy officials, but in a somewhat unexpected way. This study finds only modest evidence of a welfare magnet effect, and only for contiguous states. On the other hand, the study strongly confirms the importance of space and connections between places when explaining migration of the poor.
Specification test minimization for given defect level

An accepted industry practice for testing of analog and RF circuits is to use specification-based tests. These tests are capable of providing a very low defect level but tend to be long and costly. In this work, we focus on minimizing the specification-based tests without exceeding any given defect level. We use Monte Carlo simulation to determine the probabilities with which a test covers specifications it was not originally intended to cover. These probabilities and the given defect level then define an integer linear programming (ILP) model for eliminating unnecessary tests. This paper gives sufficient evidence of successful implementation of the proposed methodology. A hypothetical example of ten specifications illustrates that depending upon the defect level requirement up to half of the tests may be eliminated. Monte Carlo simulation using spice for probabilistic characterization of tests versus specifications of a commercially available operational amplifier circuit is presented as evidence for the applicability of the technique.
Severe Central Nervous System Damage and Profound Acidosis in Persons Exposed to Pentaborane

Three cases of pentaborane intoxication resulting from a common exposure are presented. These cases were characterized by the rapid onset of seizures and opisthotonic spasms accompanied by severe metabolic acidosis without respiratory compensation. Rhabdomyolysis occurred, serum transaminase levels were elevated, and liver damage was demonstrated histologically. One patient died and another sustained severe neurologic damage. These poisonings are unique with respect to the rapid and devastating neurologic consequences. Pentaborane is an extremely toxic compound and a major hazard not only to exposed workers but also to the medical personnel dealing with them.
Power management in wireless ad hoc networks using AODV

This paper describes our proposed power management schemes, directional local recovery and dynamic power management, to reduce and balance power consumption. We introduce the power variance as a metric to evaluate the performance of power balancing. Using ns-2 and the ad hoc on-demand distance vector routing (AODV) protocol, we compare the performance of AODV with our extension against the original AODV. Simulation results show that our schemes provide substantial energy savings and thus prolong the battery life of mobile nodes while introducing limited increase in end-to-end delay.
Dilution Device for Atomic Absorption Analysis

One of the advantages of atomic absorption analysis is the very high sensitivity of this technique. However, this sensitivity is not always desirable since time is required to dilute samples too concentrated to be measured. Dilution is also required for solutions of high salt content to prevent burner clogging.
The Internal Validity of the Trade-Off Method of Conjoint Analysis

The discovery of consumers' preferences for multiattribute products/services has recently become possible with the development of conjoint measurement techniques. Conjoint analysis uses an individual's preference ranking or rating of some deliberately manipulated constructs of a concept to determine his/her numerically valued preferences for levels of those attributes that comprise the concept. Generally speaking, there are two methods of data collection for conjoint analysis: the full profile and the trade-off methods. This paper calls into question the internal validity of the preferences obtained via the trade-off method. An empirical analysis, which is based on the subjects' preferences for selecting a hospital, clearly shows that the estimates derived from the trade-off method may not reflect consumers' true preferences.
Export, Die, or Subsidize: The International Political Economy of American Agriculture, 1875–1940

The agricultural policies of the New Deal persist to the present day and are a particularly important turning point in the history of the American farm sector. In the period from 1875 to 1940, agricultural policy evolved from a strategy of exporting the domestic surplus, to shrinking production through attrition in the farm population, to subsidizing production and restricting acreage. Although rooted in farm demands upon the political process, this evolution was ultimately driven by both foreign demand and the alternative employment opportunities available to American farmers. While the variables of foreign demand and alternative employment opportunities may be familiar to sociologists and agricultural economists who have studied this period, and certainly to contemporary observers and policy makers acutely aware of their importance, they have not been integrated into a unified framework for explaining agricultural policy, nor have they found their way into recent studies of the politics of American agriculture. This is particularly clear in the case of foreign demand. For instance, Grant McConnell's The Decline of Agrarian Democracy, a classic study of the rise of the Farm Bureau and the organization's role in the formulation of agricultural policy, does not contain a single reference to agricultural developments outside the United States or even to the trade balance of American farmers.
Innocent Threats and the Moral Problem of Carnivorous Animals

The existence of predatory animals is a problem in animal ethics that is often not taken as seriously as it should be. We show that it reveals a weakness in Tom Regan's theory of animal rights that also becomes apparent in his treatment of innocent human threats. We show that there are cases in which Regan's justice-prevails-approach to morality implies a duty not to assist the jeopardized, contrary to his own moral beliefs. While a modified account of animal rights that recognizes the moral patient as a kind of entity that can violate moral rights avoids this counterintuitive conclusion, it makes non-human predation a rights issue that morally ought to be subjected to human regulation. Jennifer Everett, Lori Gruen and other animal advocates base their treatment of predation in part on Regan's theory and run into similar problems, demonstrating the need to radically rethink the foundations of the animal rights movement. We suggest to those who, like us, find it less plausible to introduce morality to the wild than to reject the concept of rights that makes this move necessary to read our criticism either as a modus tollens argument and reject non-human animal rights altogether or as motivating a libertarian-ish theory of animal rights.
Sharing the big apple: a survey study of people, place and locatability

With the advancement in technologies to locate individuals, there has been an emergence of information systems that link People-to-People-to-Geographical-Places, labeled P3-Systems. While various P3-System services have been proposed and deployed, there is limited knowledge on people's desires and attitudes towards such services. We used the P3-Systems framework to guide a survey study of the impact of 'place' on people's social information needs and willingness to share personal location data. At fourteen different place types (Restaurant, Post Office, Etc.) in Manhattan, New York, we surveyed 509 individuals over 3 weeks. The vast majority of respondents expressed a desire for and willing to share their personal location data. E.g., 77% of respondents were willing to reveal their current location to others (17% with complete strangers).
Klotho and aging

The klotho gene encodes a single-pass transmembrane protein that forms a complex with multiple fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors and functions as an obligatory co-receptor for FGF23, a bone-derived hormone that induces negative phosphate balance. Defects in either Klotho or Fgf23 gene expression cause not only phosphate retention but also a premature-aging syndrome in mice, unveiling a potential link between phosphate metabolism and aging. In addition, the extracellular domain of Klotho protein is clipped on the cell surface and secreted into blood stream, potentially functioning as an endocrine factor. The secreted Klotho protein has a putative sialidase activity that modifies glycans on the cell surface, which may explain the ability of secreted Klotho protein to regulate activity of multiple ion channels and growth factors including insulin, IGF-1, and Wnt. Secreted Klotho protein also protects cells and tissues from oxidative stress through a mechanism yet to be identified. Thus, the transmembrane and secreted forms of Klotho protein have distinct functions, which may collectively affect aging processes in mammals.
Experimental studies on the human gait using a tethered pelvic assist device (T-PAD)

This paper presents the prototype of a novel tethered pelvic assist device (T-PAD). This is a purely passive device, consisting of a set of elastic tethers with one end attached to a hip brace worn by a subject walking on a treadmill, and the other end attached to a fixed frame surrounding the subject. T-PAD offers the flexibility of varying the assistance required on the pelvis by changing the configuration of the tether attachment locations, number of tethers and tether elasticity. Experimental studies were conducted using a full and a partial pelvic constraint configuration of T-PAD, with varying tether elasticity. The studies were aimed at observing the effect of T-PAD on the human gait. Results show that T-PAD reduced the range-of-motion for the pelvic angles with increase of tether elasticity. However, it had mixed effects on the range-of-motion of the hip angles, but negligible effect on the knee and ankle joint angles. Overall, T-PAD shows potential as a low-cost pelvic support device with pelvic motion control capabilities, and can work in tandem with existing gait trainers.