cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Relationships Between Mortgage Rates and Capital Market Rate Under Alternative Market Conditions

Mortgage interest rates have become more integrated with other capital market interests rates over recent decades, apparently as a result of the deregulation of financial markets. The link is both imperfect and time-varying. Mortgage rates during some time periods appear to be "sticky" with respect to their adjustment to changes in capital market rates. We examine the relationship between weekly conventional mortgage rates and the interest rates on treasury and corporate securities under differing market conditions. We draw three conclusions based on the analysis. First, deregulation changed the link between mortgage rates and riskless interest rates, which confirms the findings of Goebel and Ma (1993). Second, mortgage rates were cointegrated with risky interest rates even before deregulation. Third, the link between mortgage rates and the risky bond rate can be associated with the behavior of the risk premium in the bond rate. The observed relationship is consistent with the stickiness observed by Haney (1988), and causes a more pronounced stickiness when rates are falling than when they are rising.
Assessment of competency in endoscopy: establishing and validating generalizable competency benchmarks for colonoscopy

Background and Aims The Mayo Colonoscopy Skills Assessment Tool (MCSAT) has previously been used to describe learning curves and competency benchmarks for colonoscopy; however, these data were limited to a single training center. The newer Assessment of Competency in Endoscopy (ACE) tool is a refinement of the MCSAT tool put forth by the Training Committee of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, intended to include additional important quality metrics. The goal of this study is to validate the changes made by updating this tool and establish more generalizable and reliable learning curves and competency benchmarks for colonoscopy by examining a larger national cohort of trainees. Methods In a prospective, multicenter trial, gastroenterology fellows at all stages of training had their core cognitive and motor skills in colonoscopy assessed by staff. Evaluations occurred at set intervals of every 50 procedures throughout the 2013 to 2014 academic year. Skills were graded by using the ACE tool, which uses a 4-point grading scale defining the continuum from novice to competent. Average learning curves for each skill were established at each interval in training and competency benchmarks for each skill were established using the contrasting groups method. Results Ninety-three gastroenterology fellows at 10 U.S. academic institutions had 1061 colonoscopies assessed by using the ACE tool. Average scores of 3.5 were found to be inclusive of all minimal competency thresholds identified for each core skill. Cecal intubation times of less than 15 minutes and independent cecal intubation rates of 90% were also identified as additional competency thresholds during analysis. The average fellow achieved all cognitive and motor skill endpoints by 250 procedures, with >90% surpassing these thresholds by 300 procedures. Conclusions Nationally generalizable learning curves for colonoscopy skills in gastroenterology fellows are described. Average ACE scores of 3.5, cecal intubation rates of 90%, and intubation times less than 15 minutes are recommended as minimal competency criteria. On average, it takes 250 procedures to achieve competence in colonoscopy. The thresholds found in this multicenter cohort by using the ACE tool are nearly identical to the previously established MCSAT benchmarks and are consistent with recent gastroenterology training recommendations but far higher than current training requirements in other specialties.
Comprehensive analysis of efficacy and safety of peroral endoscopic myotomy performed by a gastroenterologist in the endoscopy unit: a single-center experience.

Background and Aims The safety and efficacy of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) when performed by gastroenterologists in the endoscopy unit are currently unknown. The aims of this study were to assess (1) the safety and efficacy of POEM in which all procedures were performed by 1 gastroenterologist in the endoscopy unit, and (2) the predictors of adverse events and nonresponse. Methods All consecutive patients who underwent POEM at 1 tertiary center were included. Clinical response was defined by a decrease in the Eckardt score to 3 or lower. Adverse events were graded according to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy lexicon's severity grading system. Results A total of 60 consecutive patients underwent POEM in the endoscopy suite with a mean procedure length of 99 minutes. The mean length of submucosal tunnel was 14 cm and the mean myotomy length was 11 cm. The median length of hospital stay was 1 day. Among 52 patients with a mean follow-up period of 118 days (range 30-750), clinical response was observed in 48 patients (92.3%). There was a significant decrease in Eckardt score after POEM (8 vs 1.19, P P P = .01). pH impedance testing was completed in 25 patients, and 22 (88%) had abnormal acid exposure, but positive symptom correlation was present in only 6 patients. All patients with symptomatic reflux were successfully treated with proton pump inhibitors. Conclusions POEM can be effectively and safely performed by experienced gastroenterologists at a tertiary care endoscopy unit. Adverse events are infrequent, and most can be managed intraprocedurally. Post-POEM reflux is frequent but can be successfully managed medically.
Replication of mouse mammary tumor virus in tissue culture: I. Establishment of a mouse mammary tumor cell line, virus characterization, and quantitation of virus production

Abstract The establishment of an epithelial cell line (MuMT-73) derived from spontaneous mammary tumors of BALB/cfC3H mice as a source for the continuous production of mouse mammary tumor virus (MuMTV or B particles) is described. Morphological, immunological, and biochemical techniques were used to characterize the virus. It was found that, under conditions of normal cellular growth, the cells produced only type-B particles; no concomitant synthesis of Type-C particles was detected. A unique feature of this cell line is that the cells do not produce detectable amounts of intracytoplasmic type-A particles, but many B particles were found to assemble at the cell surface with gradual development of the nucleocapsid. The kinetics of virus release into tissue culture medium after transfer of cells was studied quantitatively by particle counting and viral reverse transcriptase (RDDP) measurements. When the medium was changed every 24 hr, the cells continuously produced virus at a slow rate for up to 6 to 8 days and thereafter at an increased rate for up to 12 days. After this period, virus production gradually declined but did not decrease to the basal level. During the period of high level virus production, about 30–40% of the cells were found to produce MuMTV antigens. By estimating the total number of virus particles in the culture medium and by counting the number of antigen-positive cells, it was found that over a 20-hr period during optimum virus production a cell would release approximately 800 virus particles. Treatment of the cells with either hydrocortisone or dexamethasone resulted in an increased production of type-B particles. An additional increase in virus production was obtained when the cells were treated with insulin together with either hydrocortisone or dexamethasone.
An outdoor scientific data drone Ground Truthing Test Site

As unmanned aerial systems (UASs) become ever more ubiquitous with National Airspace (NAS) commercial and civilian operations, test sites and proving grounds need to be developed and heavily researched. Small UASs are being used as remote sensing systems, on demand, at the personal level, thus “personal remote sensing” scientific data drones urgently need Ground Truthing Test Sites beyond compliance adherence. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has established six national UAS test sites and there are numerous amounts of indoor test sites found in literature and research; however, the national UAS test sites may be out of range for most researchers or exclusive and indoor test sites lack the variability and testing capabilities for GPS that an outdoor test site has to offer. The Mechatronics, Embedded Systems and Automation (MESA) Lab at the University of California, Merced has begun development of an innovative outdoor test site for small scientific data drones. Careful adherence to FAA regulation is achieved through the use of a hangar and netted structure, ensuring all flights are in an enclosed environment while maintaining an adequate and crucial GPS signal. The convergent thinking, design and development are presented in this paper.
Revision Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for the Treatment of Glenoid Arthrosis

The development of painful glenoid arthrosis is the most common reason for reoperation after replacement of the humeral head. We performed twenty-two revision total shoulder arthroplasties, between 1983 and 1992, for the treatment of painful glenoid arthrosis in shoulders that had a prosthetic replacement of the humeral head. Eighteen shoulders (seventeen patients) were included in the study as their preoperative and operative records were complete and they had been followed for at least two years (mean, 5.5 years; range, 2.3 to 10.0 years). The indications for the hemiarthroplasty were trauma (ten shoulders), osteoarthrosis (four), rheumatoid arthritis (two), and osteonecrosis secondary to the use of steroids (two). The mean interval between the hemiarthroplasty and the total shoulder replacement was 4.4 years (range, 0.8 to 12.7 years). The mean score for pain in the shoulder decreased from 4.3 points before the revision to 2.2 points after it (p = 0.0001). The mean active abduction increased from 94 degrees before the revision to 124 degrees after it (p = 0.01), and the mean external rotation increased from 32 to 58 degrees (p = 0.007). Two shoulders needed another operation after the revision because of a late infection in one and particulate synovitis associated with instability in the other. With the numbers available for study, we did not detect a significant difference in pain relief and range of motion with respect to gender, diagnosis, subluxation, or the presence of periprosthetic radiolucency. Our findings indicate that most patients with painful glenoid arthrosis after a hemiarthroplasty have marked pain relief and improvement in motion after revision to a total shoulder replacement. However, seven of the eighteen shoulders that had this procedure had an unsatisfactory result due to a limited range of motion or the need for a subsequent operation. Therefore, long-term studies are necessary to evaluate the durability of total shoulder replacement in this group of patients.
Devising a New Model-Driven Framework for Developing GUI for Enterprise Applications

The main goal of this chapter is to demonstrate the design and development of a GUI framework that is model driven and is not directly linked to one presentation technology or any specific presentation subsystem of a certain programming language. This framework will allow us to create graphical user interfaces that are not only dynamically customizable but also multilingual. In order to demonstrate this new concept we design in this chapter a new framework called Customizable Enterprise Data Administrator (CEDAR). Additionally, we build a prototype of this framework and a technology-dependent engine which would transform the output of our framework into a known presentation technology.
Use of Inoculated Eggs as a Vehicle for the Oral Rabies Vaccination of Red Foxes (Vulpes fulva)

The ERA vaccine strain of rabies virus propagated on continuous porcine kidney tissue culture cells (PK15) was inoculated into the yolk sac of embryonated chicken eggs for the purpose of oral vaccine distribution. Two inoculated eggs were subsequently fed to each of 12 serologically rabies-negative foxes. Six (50%) of the foxes developed demonstrable rabies serum-neutralizing antibody within 4 weeks of vaccination and resisted challenge to street virus 14 weeks postvaccination. Testing of inoculated eggs for virus stability in the presence and absence of a casein hydrolysate-sucrose stabilizer at 6, 22, and 37 C for up to 15 days revealed no advantage to the stabilizer-vaccine mixture in eggs.
Mutations that affect production of branched RNA-linked msDNA in Myxococcus xanthus.

Abstract A deletion mutation of the gene (msd-msr) for the branched RNA-linked msDNA of Myxococcus xanthus was constructed by replacing the chromosomal 0.7-kilobase (kb) SmaI-XhoI fragment encompassing msd-msr with a 1.4-kb fragment carrying a gene for kanamycin resistance. It was found that this deletion strain (delta msSX) could not produce msDNA, although it still contained another species of msDNA, mrDNA (msDNA, reduced size). No apparent differences between delta msSX and the wild-type strain were observed in terms of cell growth, morphogenesis, fruiting-body formation, or motility. Both a deletion mutation at the region 100 base pairs upstream of msd and an insertion mutation at a site 500 base pairs upstream of msd showed a significant reduction of msDNA production, indicating that there is a cis- or trans-acting positive element in this region. When the 3.5-kb BamHI fragment carrying msd-msr from Stigmatella aurantiaca was inserted into the M. xanthus chromosome, the S. aurantiaca msDNA was found to be produced in M. xanthus.
The triple system for regulating women's reproduction

Analysis of ART and abortion must include the experiences of women at the emerging center of American life, as well as those at the top and bottom of the socioeconomic scale. Our contribution explores the triple system of fertility regulation, analyzing the intersections between fertility and class and using the experiences of women in the middle to add depth to our understanding of women's exercises of autonomy.
Tolerance to morphine microinjections in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) induces tolerance to systemic, but not intrathecal morphine.

Abstract The acquisition and retention of tolerance to the antinociceptive effect of supraspinal morphine on the tail withdrawal reflex was assessed in rats implanted with unilateral cannulae in the periaqueductal gray (PAG). Development of tolerance to daily microinjections of morphine was indicated by the return of the tail flick response within 4 days, followed by the recovery of analgesic sensitivity one week later. After tolerance had developed, the effect of an acute systemic (1.5–4.5 mg/kg) or intrathecal (5–15μg) morphine injection was determined. ‘Cross-tolerance’ was observed between systemic and supraspinal morphine but not between intrathecal and supraspinal morphine. The data indicate that tolerance to chronic intracerebral morphine produces the same behavioral consequences as tolerance to systemic morphine.
Quantum liquid crystals: Orientationally ordered quantum liquids

Abstract We summarize here a theory of quantum liquid crystals: quantum liquids of anisotropic molecules which exhibit macroscopic orientational order. As an exercise, the theory is applied to ortho-hydrogen adsorbed on graphite surface. Parameters in the H2-graphite potential are varied to determine conditions favorable to the existence of orientationally ordered phases.
Prenatal vitamin C and E supplementation in smokers is associated with reduced placental abruption and preterm birth: a secondary analysis

Objective Smoking and pre-eclampsia (PE) are associated with increases in preterm birth, placental abruption and low birthweight. We evaluated the relationship between prenatal vitamin C and E (C/E) supplementation and perinatal outcomes by maternal self-reported smoking status focusing on outcomes known to be impacted by maternal smoking. Design/Setting/Population A secondary analysis of a multi-centre trial of vitamin C/E supplementation starting at 9–16 weeks in low-risk nulliparous women with singleton gestations. Methods We examined the effect of vitamin C/E by smoking status at randomisation using the Breslow–Day test for interaction. Main outcome measures The trial's primary outcomes were PE and a composite outcome of pregnancy-associated hypertension (PAH) with serious adverse outcomes. Perinatal outcomes included preterm birth and abruption. Results There were no differences in baseline characteristics within subgroups (smokers versus nonsmokers) by vitamin supplementation status. The effect of prenatal vitamin C/E on the risk of PE (P = 0.66) or PAH composite outcome (P = 0.86) did not differ by smoking status. Vitamin C/E was protective for placental abruption in smokers (relative risk [RR] 0.09; 95% CI 0.00–0.87], but not in nonsmokers (RR 0.92; 95% CI 0.52–1.62) (P = 0.01), and for preterm birth in smokers (RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.58–0.99) but not in nonsmokers (RR 1.03; 95% CI 0.90–1.17) (P = 0.046). Conclusion In this cohort of women, smoking was not associated with a reduction in PE or the composite outcome of PAH. Vitamin C/E supplementation appears to be associated with a reduction in placental abruption and preterm birth among smokers.
Qualitative evaluation of HIV/AIDS IEC activities in Madagascar

Abstract UNICEF commissioned a qualitative evaluation of a program in which two partners conducted prevention activities concerning HIV/AIDS and STIs amongst youth in Madagascar. The evaluation assessed project activities and conducted a practical exercise in focus group methodology, following a workshop on evaluation techniques. Information was collected from a wide range of people, including 441 participants in 46 focus groups in nine sites. Six sites were areas of project activities and three sites were targeted for future activities. Clubs that integrated HIV/AIDS and STI information into their regular activities were most successful in their information, education and communication activities. A more participatory approach is recommended, to achieve a better match between target groups and messages delivered, and to foster trust and support. Another challenge remaining is to address fears and stigma through advocacy for the care and support of affected people.
The molecular basis of alloreactivity in antigen-specific, major histocompatibility complex-restricted T cell clones

Abstract We have studied the relationship between major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted antigen recognition and alloreactivity by examining T cell receptor (TCR) α and β gene expression in cytochrome c-specific, E k α :E k β (E k )-restricted helper T cell clones derived from B10.A mice. The clones could be segregated on the basis of four distinct alloreactivity patterns. Clones cross-reactive for three different allogeneic la molecules (A s α :A s β [A s ], A b α :A b β [A b ], E k α :E b β [E b ]) expressed the same Vα and Vβ gene segments, generating the distinct alloreactive specificities via unique Vα-Jα and Vβ-Dβ-Jβ joining events. E k α :E s β (E s )-alloreactive B10. A clones expressed the same Vα, Jα, and Vβ segments as an E s -restricted, E k -alloreactive, cytochrome c-specific, H-2-congenic B10.S(9R) clone. This homology between TCRs mediating allorecognition of la molecules and recognition of the same la molecules as restriction elements associated with nominal antigen suggests that MHC-restricted recognition and allorecognition represent differences in the affinity of the TCR-MHC molecule interaction.
The use of cough-CPR in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Abstract A case of a patient with an acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI) and ventricular fibrillation is presented. The patient was resuscitated after cough-cardiopulmonary resuscitation (C-CPR) was administered in the emergency department. The patient received thrombolytic therapy without complication. Cough-CPR is a technique not in widespread use. With the advent of thrombolytic therapy for patients with acute myocardial infarctions, a relative contraindication to thrombolytic therapy is present in patients who receive “standard CPR.” The use of cough-CPR in witnessed dysrhythmias can alleviate this problem. Cough-CPR can also reduce the morbidity of resuscitations.
Supporting family stability: Case studies in custody planning with HIV-affected families

Custody planning programs for HIV-infected parents help families overcome the obstacles to making future plans for their children in the event of the parent's debilitating illness or death. Using the family resiliency model, custody planning is viewed as a form of adaptation to illness which can reduce stress and uncertainty for children and parents. Case studies of four parents' participation in a custody planning program illustrate patterns that can inform service provision, including the role of social services in facilitating that process, while recognizing the uniqueness of each family's experience. As people with HIV are living longer, service needs have shifted to developing and maintaining family adaptation and stability, with custody planning as one component. Service providers with HIV-affected families must recognize the impact of low socioeconomic status on service access and use, with sensitivity to stigma, substance abuse, and mental health.
A simple technique for repositioning the intra-aortic balloon catheter associated with ipsilateral limb ischemia

Occasionally, ipsilateral ischemia develops following the groin insertion of an intra-aortic balloon catheter. Various treatment options have evolved, and include replacing the catheter in the opposite groin, removing it completely, or performing a femorofemoral bypass to deliver blood flow below the catheter. Outlined in this paper is a simple method to restore blood flow to a threatened limb, during femoral artery exploration, in the presence of an intra-aortic balloon. This method is also appropriate for optimal positioning of the balloon catheter prior to femorofemoral bypass.
Bacteriophage P22 lysogenises efficiently at high multiplicities of infection because Salmonella typhimurium DNA synthetic capacity is limited

INFECTIONS of Salmonella typhimurium by wild-type phage P22 generally result in a lytic response at low multiplicities of infection (MOIs) and a lysogenic response at high MOIs1. At MOIs above 5, more than 90% of all cells are lyso-genised. At an MOI of 3, 45% of the infected cells become lysogens whereas at an MOI of 1, only 23% of the infected cells are lysogenised. The regulation of P22 lysogeny has been studied extensively1–7. Three structural genes and a cis-active site in the immunity C (immC) region are required to establish lysogeny. Interaction of gene c1 and c3 products at the c27 site stimulates the production of the c2 represser, and at the same time causes a transient retardation in the expression of lytic genes1,8. A mutant of S. typhimurium, Pox-1, that channels P22 infections at any MOI to lysogeny with an efficiency of 1.0 has a reduced capacity for both host and viral DNA synthesis6. Slowed synthesis of DNA in this mutant results in an overproduction of regulatory proteins relative to the levels of viral DNA in infected cells. This, in turn, results in lysogeny at all MOIs. We now propose that the initial decision between lysis and lysogeny in wild-type cells is also a function of the relative amounts of phage DNA and the phage proteins from the immC region.
The Effects of Monochloramine on Selected Riverine Fishes

Abstract Ten riverine fish species were tested at 10, 20, and 30 C to determine their resistance to monochloramine. The exposure regime consisted of four 40-minute exposures administered at 5-hour intervals over 24 hours. All species exhibited an inverse relationship between temperature and median lethal (LC50) concentrations. LC50 values generally decreased by a factor of two as the exposure temperature increased from 10 to 30 C. LC50 values ranged from 0.35 mg/liter at 30 C for the emerald shiner to 3.00 mg/liter at 10 C for the bluegill. Based on their resistance to monchloramine at 30 C the fish were separated into sensitive and resistant groups. The sensitive group, which included (in decreasing order of sensitivity) the emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides), spotfin shiner (Notropis spilopterus), common shiner (Notropis cornutus), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), white sucker (Catastomus commersoni), and sauger (Stizostedion canadense), had LC50 values ranging from 0.35 to 0.71 mg/liter. The ...
Rapid assembly of photosystem I monolayers on gold electrodes.

Photosystem I (PSI) has drawn widespread interest for use in biomimetically inspired energy conversion devices upon extracting it from plants or cyanobacteria and assembling it at surfaces. Here, we demonstrate that a critically dense monolayer of spinach-derived PSI must be formed on an electrode surface to achieve optimal photocurrents, and we introduce a new method for preparing these dense PSI monolayers that reduces the time required for assembly by ∼80-fold in comparison to that for adsorption from solution. This method consists of applying a vacuum above the aqueous PSI solution during assembly to concentrate PSI and precipitate it into a thick layer onto the surface of various self-assembled monolayers or directly onto the electrode surface. Rinsing with water yields a dense monolayer of PSI that draws ∼100 nA/cm(2) of light-induced current from the gold electrode in the presence of appropriate mediators.
Megaboudins and lateral extension along the leading edge of a crystalline thrust sheet, Hudson Highlands, New York, U.S.A.

Abstract Megascopic lenses of crystalline rock along the leading edge of the Hudson Highland thrust sheet, New York, are boudins that formed as the result of lateral extension during Late Paleozoic compression. These ‘megaboudins’ range from 50 m on each side to 1.2 × 3.2 km and form a NE-trending chain along the northwest side of the Green Pond outlier and Hudson Highlands. The crystalline Hudson Highlands were first thrust northwestward onto shales and siltstones of the Martinsburg Formation during the Middle Ordovician Taconian Orogeny, and later eroded leaving a NE-trending elongate klippe along the leading edge. During subsequent compression, the klippe was laterally extended into a chain of fracture boudins with λ = 3.3. The cleavage and bedding in the surrounding shales and siltstones wraps around the boudins and into the boudin gaps. The cleavage and bedding wrap through 61–114 ° forming shallow to moderately NE-plunging fold axes on the northeast side of the gaps and shallow to moderately SE-plunging fold axes on the southeast side of the gaps. Strike-slip shear indicators at the boudin corners support the mass movement of shale and siltstone. In the wider boudin gaps, conjugate NW-striking normal faults form cross-strike grabens that juxtapose overlying Silurian strata into the gap areas. Fragments of brecciated gneiss from the boudins are also transported into the gap areas along these cross-strike normal faults. The boudins, dextral strike-slip stretching faults along the southeastern margin of the boudins, and asymmetric gap fill geometries are prime criteria for the recognition and characterization of lateral stretching in contractional fold and thrust belts.
Mrc1 Is Required for Normal Progression of Replication Forks throughout Chromatin in S. cerevisiae

Mrc1 associates with replication forks, where it transmits replication stress signals and is required for normal replisome pausing in response to nucleotide depletion. Mrc1 also plays a poorly understood role in DNA replication, which appears distinct from its role in checkpoint signaling. Here, we demonstrate that Mrc1 functions constitutively to promote normal replication fork progression. In mrc1Delta cells, replication forks proceed slowly throughout chromatin, rather than being specifically defective in pausing and progression through loci that impede fork progression. Analysis of genetic interactions with Rrm3, a DNA helicase required to resolve paused forks, indicates that Mrc1 checkpoint signaling is dispensable for the resolution of stalled replication forks and suggests that replication forks lacking Mrc1 create DNA damage that must be repaired by Rrm3. These findings elucidate a central role for Mrc1 in normal replisome function, which is distinct from its role as a checkpoint mediator, but nevertheless critical to genome stability.
The molecular origins of chiral growth in walled cells

Cells from all kingdoms of life adopt a dizzying array of fascinating shapes that support cellular function. Amoeboid and spherical shapes represent perhaps the simplest of geometries that may minimize the level of growth control required for survival. Slightly more complex are rod-shaped cells, from microscopic bacteria to macroscopic plants, which require additional mechanisms to define a cell's longitudinal axis, width, and length. Recent evidence suggests that many rod-shaped, walled cells achieve elongated growth through chiral insertion of cell-wall material that may be coupled to a twisting of the cell body. Inspired by these observations, biophysical mechanisms for twisting growth have been proposed that link the mechanics of intracellular proteins to cell shape maintenance. In this review, we highlight experimental and theoretical work that connects molecular-scale organization and structure with the cellular-scale phenomena of rod-shaped growth.
Examination of Y2Cu2O5 additions on microstructural development in YBa2Cu3O7 − δ superconductors

The role of Y2Cu2O5 on liquid phase flux and microstructure evolution were examined in two series of experiments. The first series of experiments dealt with a low temperature processing ( 1020 dgC) melt powder melt growth process (MPMG). Differential thermal analysis measurements were used to study the impact on liquidus formation reactions, solidification temperatures and kinetics. Microstructural evaluations via SEM, EDS along with TEM and microdiffraction techniques reveal some unique aspects of Y2Cu2O5 additions on the liquid phase matrix and microstructural refinement during processing. The yttrium enrichment of the Pt-Ba-Cu-O phase for MPMG samples was shown along with significant coalescence of such a phase not seen in similar samples with Y2Cu2O5. Extensive liquidus formation occurs allowing for texturing via diffusive couple oxide liquid phase intrusion below the peritecticecomposition.
Tubuloglomerular feedback: new concepts and developments.

Tubuloglomerular feedback: New concepts and developments. Luminal [NaCl] at the macula densa (MD) has two established effects: regulation of glomerular arteriolar resistance through tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) and control of renin secretion. TGF acts as a minute-to-minute stabilizer of distal salt delivery, thereby minimizing the impact of random perturbations in filtration and absorption forces on NaCl excretion. During long-lasting perturbations of MD [NaCl], control of renin secretion becomes the dominant function of the MD. The potentially maladaptive effect of TGF under chronic conditions is prevented by TGF adaptations permitting adjustments in glomerular filtration rate to occur. TGF adaptation is mechanistically coupled to the endpoint targeted by chronic deviations in MD [NaCl], the rate of local and systemic angiotensin II generation. Studies of TGF in transgenic mice are expected to provide further insights into the mechanisms mediating between luminal [NaCl] and afferent arterioles. TGF responses are virtually abolished in mice in which either the AT1A gene or the angiotensin converting enzyme gene is rendered nonfunctional by homologous recombination. In contrast, TGF responses are unaltered in nitric oxide synthase I knockout mice. Thus, an intact renin-angiotensin system appears to be critical for the TGF signaling pathway.
IL-6 Mediated Degeneration of Forebrain GABAergic Interneurons and Cognitive Impairment in Aged Mice through Activation of Neuronal NADPH Oxidase

Background: Multiple studies have shown that plasma levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) are elevated in patients with important and prevalent adverse health conditions, including atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and frailty. Higher plasma levels of IL-6, in turn, increase the risk of many conditions associated with aging including age-related cognitive decline. However, the mechanisms underlying this association between IL-6 and cognitive vulnerability remain unclear. Methods and Findings: We investigated the role of IL-6 in brain aging in young (4 mo) and aged (24 mo) wild-type C57BL6 and genetically-matched IL-6 2/2 mice, and determined that IL-6 was necessary and sufficient for increased neuronal expression of the superoxide-producing immune enzyme, NADPH-oxidase, and this was mediated by non-canonical NFkB signaling. Furthermore, superoxide production by NADPH-oxidase was directly responsible for age-related loss of parvalbumin (PV)-expressing GABAergic interneurons, neurons essential for normal information processing, encoding, and retrieval in hippocampus and cortex. Targeted deletion of IL-6 or elimination of superoxide by chronic treatment with a superoxide-dismutase mimetic prevented age-related loss of PV-interneurons and reversed age-related cognitive deficits on three standard tests of spatial learning and recall. Conclusions: Present results indicate that IL-6 mediates age-related loss of critical PV-expressing GABAergic interneurons through increased neuronal NADPH-oxidase-derived superoxide production, and that rescue of these interneurons preserves cognitive performance in aging mice, suggesting that elevated peripheral IL-6 levels may be directly and mechanistically linked to long-lasting cognitive deficits in even normal older individuals. Further, because PV-interneurons are also selectively affected by commonly used anesthetic agents and drugs, our findings imply that IL-6 levels may predict adverse CNS effects in older patients exposed to these compounds through specific derangements in inhibitory interneurons, and that therapies directed at lowering IL-6 may have cognitive benefits clinically.
Reaction to the Publication of the "Sonetos del amor oscuro"

Si esta obra no se ha perdido, si, para honor de la poesia espanola y deleite de las generaciones, hasta la consumacion de la lengua, se conservan en alguna parte los originales … (1a)1 The publica...
Comparison of Methylene Blue and Methylene Violet for Photoinactivation of Intracellular and Extracellular Virus in Red Cell Suspensions

Previous studies with methylene blue (MB) in red cell suspensions have demonstrated that extracellular, but not intracellular, virus can be readily photoinactivated. To test if the resistance of intracellular virus to inactivation is related to the permanent positive charge of the phenothiazine, a series of uncharged phenothiazine dyes, methylene violet (MV), monodemethylated MV and didemethylated MV, were studied. Values of the sensitivity of intracellular relative to extracellular vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) inactivation for the three dyes (D10 extracellular/D10 intracellular) in buffer were 1.0, 0.60 and 0.33, respectively. In contrast, intracellular virus was resistant to inactivation with MB, with a D10 extracellular/D10 intracellular of 0.05 in buffer. Because virucidal activity of MV was inhibited by the presence of plasma, the red cells (30% hematocrit) were repeatedly washed prior to photoinactivation and storage. Under conditions where MB and MV inactivated approximately 5 log10 of extracellular VSV, intracellular VSV was inactivated by more than 4 log10 with MV compared to 0.88 log10 with MB. These phototreatment conditions did not significantly affect red cell morphology, extracellular pH, ATP or 2,3-diphosphoglycerol levels during 42 days of 1-6 degrees C storage. There was enhanced potassium efflux and hemolysis over values obtained from untreated control; the extent of change from controls was comparable for each phototreatment. These results indicate that the uncharged phenothiazine dye, MV, can inactivate both intracellular and extracellular virus yet exhibit similar in vitro red cell storage properties as MB phototreatment.
INITIAL EXPERIENCE WITH VOLUMETRIC IMRT (RAPIDARC) FOR INTRACRANIAL STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY

Purpose Initial experience with delivering frameless stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) using volumetric intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) delivered with RapidArc is presented. Methods and Materials Treatment details for 12 patients (14 targets) with a mean clinical target volume (CTV) of 12.8 ± 4.0 cm3 were examined. Dosimetric indices for conformality, homogeneity, and dose gradient were calculated and compared with published results for other frameless, intracranial SRT techniques, including CyberKnife, TomoTherapy, and static-beam IMRT. Statistics on setup and treatment times and per patient dose validations were examined. Results Dose indices compared favorably with other techniques. Mean conformality, gradient, and homogeneity index values were 1.10 ± 0.11, 64.9 ± 14.1, 1.083 ± 0.026, respectively. Median treatment times were 4.8 ± 1.7 min. Conclusion SRT using volumetric IMRT is a viable alternative to other techniques and enables short treatment times. This is anticipated to have a positive impact on radiobiological effect and for facilitating wider use of SRT.
COLLUSION AND EQUILIBRIUM SELECTION IN AUCTIONS

We study bidder collusion and test the power of payoff dominance as an equilibrium selection principle in experimental multi-object ascending auctions. In these institutions low-price collusive equilibria exist along with competitive payoff-inferior equilibria. Achieving payoff-superior collusive outcomes requires complex strategies that, depending on the environment, may involve signalling, market splitting, and bid rotation. We provide the first systematic evidence of successful bidder collusion in such complex environments without communication. The results demonstrate that in repeated settings bidders are often able to coordinate on payoff-superior outcomes, with the choice of collusive strategies varying systematically with the environment. Auctions for timber, cars, oil drilling rights and spectrum bandwidth are just a few examples of markets where multiple heterogeneous lots are offered for sale simultaneously. In multi-object ascending auctions, the applied issue of collusion and the theoretical issue of equilibrium selection are closely linked. In these auctions, bidders can profit by splitting the markets. By acting as local monopsonists for a disjoint subset of the objects, the bidders lower the price they must pay. As opposed to the sealed bid auction, the ascending auction format provides bidders with the opportunity to coordinate tacitly on dividing markets and to punish non-collusive bidding. Thus, low-price collusive equilibria co-exist along with high-price competitive equilibria even in a non-repeated setting (Brusco and Lopomo, 2002). If there are complementarities in bidder values across objects, and auctions are repeated, bidders may further benefit by splitting the markets over time and taking turns in buying packages at low prices. These opportunities make the multi-object ascending auction an ideal institution for the study of equilibrium selection. Assuming that communication between the bidders is limited to the bidding, any splitting of the markets must be tacitly coordinated in the early stages of the auction. Thus achieving payoff-superior collusive outcomes requires complex strategies that, depending on the environment, may involve signalling, market splitting and bid rotation. While such tacit coordination is possible in theory, it is an empirical question of whether it may be achieved in practice.
Identification of possible source craters for Martian meteorite ALH84001

Twelve meteorites are currently believed to be samples from the Martian surface. Eleven of these meteorites, called the shergottites, nakhlites, and chassignites (or SNC meteorites), have young formation ages (<EQ 1.3 X 109 yr). The twelfth Martian meteorite, ALH84001, is very ancient (4.5 X 109 yr). The differences in formation ages and composition suggest that these twelve meteorites came from at least two and possibly three or more different source craters on Mars. The eleven SNC meteorites are from a young volcanic area, likely the Tharsis Region in the western hemisphere of Mars. Previous studies have identified up to nine possible source craters for these meteorites. The old Martian meteorite, ALH84001, must be from the ancient terrain of Mars, which covers about 40% of the plane primarily in the southern hemisphere. A search through the 42,283-entry Catalog of Large Martian Impact Craters has produced 23 possible source craters, which upon further photogeologic analysis has been reduced to two strong candidates and six runners-up.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Structure and Morphogenesis of the Ventral Ciliature in Paraurostyla hymenophora

SYNOPSIS. The structure and morphogenesis of the ventral ciliature of Paraurostyla hymenophora (Stokes) are described. The oral primordium apparently originates in association with transverse cirrus #6, from which it migrates anteriorly simultaneous with kinetosomal proliferation. The primordium eventually forms an elongate ciliary field from which the future opisthe's fronto-ventro-transverse (FVT) and undulating membrane primordial fields arise. Concomitantly, the future proter's FVT primordial field is initiated by the disaggregation of frontal cirri #4, #5, and #6. Primordia then develop simultaneously within marginal and ventral cirral rows by a disaggregation of cirri within the respective rows, and do not give rise to new cirri until the FVT fields complete segregation into discrete cirri. Near the completion of cirral production from the FVT primordia, each ventral cirral primordium (VCP) forms the 2 rightmost transverse cirri. Segregation of new cirri within the marginal cirral primordia and VCP then occurs, eventually replacing all old cirri within their respective marginal and ventral cirral rows. At the end of cortical morphogenesis, all old ciliary organelles, with the exception of the adoral zone of membranelles, are either reorganized or replaced. These results suggest an evolutionary affinity between the ventral and marginal cirral rows and raise questions about the control of the developmental competence of individual primordia.
The Summary Informativeness of Stock Trades: An Econometric Analysis

In a security market with asymmetrically informed participants, trades are signals of private information. In this article, new measures of trade informativeness are proposed based on a decomposition of the variance of changes in the efficient price into trade-correlated and -uncorrelated components. The trade-correlated component has a natural interpretation as an absolute measure of trade informativeness. The ratio of this component to the total variance is a relative measure (i.e., a proportion normalized with respect to the total public information). For a sample NYSE-listed companies, trade are found to be more informative for small firms in both absolute and relative senses. From an analysis of intraday patterns, it appears that trades are in absolute terms more informative at the beginning of trading, but slightly less informative in relative terms. Article published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Financial Studies in its journal, The Review of Financial Studies.
AMPA receptor desensitization is the determinant of AMPA receptor mediated excitotoxicity in purified retinal ganglion cells.

Abstract The ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGLuR) have been hypothesized to play a role in neuronal pathogenesis by mediating excitotoxic death. Previous studies on iGluR in the retina have focused on two broad classes of receptors: NMDA and non-NMDA receptors including the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic receptor (AMPAR) and kainate receptor. In this study, we examined the role of receptor desensitization on the specific excitotoxic effects of AMPAR activation on primary retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Purified rat RGCs were isolated from postnatal day 4–7 Sprague–Dawley rats. Calcium imaging was used to identify the functionality of the AMPARs and selectivity of the s-AMPA agonist. Phosphorylated CREB and ERK1/2 expression were performed following s-AMPA treatment. s-AMPA excitotoxicity was determined by JC-1 mitochondrial membrane depolarization assay, caspase 3/7 luciferase activity assay, immunoblot analysis for α-fodrin, and Live (calcein AM)/Dead (ethidium homodimer-1) assay. RGC cultures of 98% purity, lacking Iba1 and GFAP expression were used for the present studies. Isolated prenatal RGCs expressed calcium permeable AMPAR and s-AMPA (100 μM) treatment of cultured RGCs significantly increased phosphorylation of CREB but not that of ERK1/2. A prolonged (6 h) AMPAR activation in purified RGCs using s-AMPA (100 μM) did not depolarize the RGC mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, treatment of cultured RGCs with s-AMPA, both in the presence and absence of trophic factors (BDNF and CNTF), did not increase caspase 3/7 activities or the cleavage of α-fodrin (neuronal apoptosis marker), as compared to untreated controls. Lastly, a significant increase in cell survival of RGCs was observed after s-AMPA treatment as compared to control untreated RGCs. However, preventing the desensitization of AMPAR with the treatment with either kainic acid (100 μM) or the combination of s-AMPA and cyclothiazide (50 μM) significantly reduced cell survivability. Activation of the AMPAR in RGCs does not appear to activate a signaling cascade to apoptosis, suggesting that RGCs in vitro are not susceptible to AMPA excitotoxicity as previously hypothesized. Conversely, preventing AMPAR desensitization through differential agonist activation caused AMPAR mediated excitotoxicity. Activation of the AMPAR in increasing CREB phosphorylation was dependent on the presence of calcium, which may help explain this action in increasing RGC survival.
Cost-effectiveness of alternative green payment policies for conservation technology adoption with heterogeneous land quality

This paper quantitatively analyses the cost-effectiveness of alternative green payment policies designed to achieve a targeted level of pollution control by heterogeneous microunits. These green payment policies include cost-share subsidies that share the fixed costs of adoption of a conservation technology and/or input reduction subsidies to reduce the use of a polluting input. The paper shows that unlike a pollution tax that achieves abatement through three mechanisms, a negative extensive margin effect, a negative intensive margin effect and a technology switching effect, a cost-share subsidy and an input reduction subsidy are much more restricted in the types of incentives they provide for conservation of polluting inputs and adoption of a conservation technology to control pollution. Moreover, they may lead to varying levels of expansion of land under production. Costs of abatement with alternative policies and implications for production and government payments are compared using a simulation model for controlling drainage from irrigated cotton production in California, with drip irrigation as a conservation technology.