cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of the nitrosourea analog of thymidine, 3′-[3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosoureido]-3′-deoxythymidine, on Escherichia coli thymidine kinase

Abstract Escherichia coli thymidine kinase (ATP:thymidine 5′-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.21) is irreversibly inactivated by incubation with 3′-[3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosoureido]-3′-deoxythymidine (3′-CTNU). The inactivation of the enzyme followed first-order kinetics even after loss of 96% of the original activity. This indicates that the inactivation process is a one-kill phenomenon and not a generation of less active enzyme. The addition of a preincubated aqueous solution of 3′-CTNU to the enzyme reaction mixture did not inactivate the enzyme. ATP · Mg 2+ but not thymidine protects the enzyme from inactivation by 3′-CTNU. The allosteric regulators, dTTP, dCTP and dCDP also afforded complete protection of the enzyme from inactivation by 3′-CTNU. These data indicate that the dimer form of the enzyme is completely resistant to inactivation by 3′-CTNU, but the monomer form of the enzyme is sensitive. The specificity of the protection is supported by the finding that neither ATP · Mg 2+ nor thymidine protect yeast alcohol dehydrogenase from inactivation by this nitrosourea analog of thymidine.
l-Cysteine and glutathione restore the reduction of rat hippocampal Na+, K+-ATPase activity induced by aspartame metabolites

Studies have implicated aspartame (ASP) ingestion in neurological problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate hippocampal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities after incubation with ASP or each of ASP metabolites, phenylalanine (Phe), methanol (MeOH) and aspartic acid (asp) separately. Suckling rat hippocampal homogenates or pure Na(+),K(+)-ATPase were incubated with ASP metabolites. Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities were measured spectrophotometrically. Incubation of hippocampal or pure Na(+),K(+)-ATPase with ASP concentrations (expected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)) after ASP consumption of 34, 150 or 200mg/kg resulted in hippocampal enzyme activity reduction of 26%, 50% or 59%, respectively, whereas pure enzyme was remarkably stimulated. Moreover, incubation with hippocampal homogenate of each one of the corresponding in the CSF ASP metabolites related to the intake of common, high/abuse doses of the sweetener, inhibited Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, while pure enzyme was activated. Hippocampal Mg(2+)-ATPase remained unaltered. Addition of l-cysteine (cys) or reduced glutathione (GSH) in ASP mixtures, related with high/toxic doses of the sweetener, completely or partially restored the inactivated membrane Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, whereas the activated pure enzyme activity returned to normal. CSF concentrations of ASP metabolites related to common, abuse/toxic doses of the additive significantly reduced rat hippocampal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity, whereas pure enzyme was activated. Cys or GSH completely or partially restored both enzyme activities.
Big blue goes down. The Miller Park crane accident

Abstract The catastrophic collapse of Big Blue on the Milwaukee Brewers baseball stadium retractable roof project could be the most awesome lift accident of all time. The crane, a Lampson TransiLift III with a 340 ft main boom and a 200 ft jib, was setting a 100 × 180 × 16 ft open truss panel roof section weighing close to 500 tons at a lift height of 230 ft. With 11 diesel engines, 6 miles of wire rope and 1150 ton counter weight, the 2100 ton crane was a massive machine, indeed. The accident occurred during 26 mph average winds with gusts in the mid 30’s. Three ironworker fatalities and hundreds-of-million dollar damages resulted from this mishap. The ensuing litigation pitted co-defendants Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the crane lessee/operator versus Lampson, the crane designer/builder, on totally disparate theories for cause and origin of the failure. The paper describes the comprehensive engineering analyses undertaken to disprove the Mitsubishi theories of failure as confirmed by jury verdict. Among the topics discussed are: wind tunnel testing, structural analyses of the boom, metallurgy of failed parts from a critical king-pin assembly, and soils engineering work related to ground loads and displacements during the lift. Crucial role of the SAE J1093, 2% design side load criterion and Lampson’s justification for an 85% crawler crane stability criterion are presented.
Dynamic properties of human visual evoked and omitted stimulus potentials

Abstract Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and omitted stimulus potentials (OSPs) are re-examined in scalp recordings from 19 healthy subjects. The principal finding is a distinction in form, latency and properties between OSPs in the conditioning stimulus range 5 Hz, used in previous studies of selected elasmobranchs, teleost fish and reptiles. We cannot find OSPs between 2 and 5 Hz. The high frequency ("fast," ca. 6- > 40 Hz) and the low frequency ("slow," ca. 0.3–1.6 Hz) OSPs have different forms and latencies but both tend to a constant latency after the omission, over their frequency ranges, suggesting a temporally specific expectation. Fast OSPs (typically N120, P170–230 and later components including induced rhythms at 10–13 Hz) resemble an OFF effect, and require fixation but not attention to the interstimulus interval. Slow OSPs (usually P500–1100) require attention but not fixation; they are multimodal, unlike the fast OSPs. Based on cited data from fish and reptiles, fast OSPs probably arise in the retina, to be modified at each subsequent level. We have no evidence on the origin of slow OSPs. In both ranges not only large, diffuse flashes, but weak, virtual point sources (colored LEDs) meters away suffice. They are difficult to habituate. Both require very short conditioning periods. The transition from the single, rested VEP to the steady state response (SSR) at different frequencies is described. Around 8–15 Hz in most subjects larger SSRs suggest a resonance. Alternation between large and small SSR amplitude occurs around 4 Hz in some subjects and conditions of attention, and correlates with an illusion that the flash frequency is 2 Hz or is irregular. Jitter of the conditioning intervals greatly reduces the slow OSP but only slightly affects the fast OSP. Differences between scalp loci are described.
Accounting firms cautiously maneuver in the new audit environment – a note

Purpose – This paper seeks to discuss the effect that the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act (SOA) had on both the nature of the external audit function and overall audit quality. Additionally, it aims to discuss how audit firms maneuvered through the newly regulated environment, and what their strategic actions are for the future.Design/methodology/approach – This discussion is based on interviews conducted with auditors from nine public accounting firms located in Northeast Ohio, United States of America. The sample consisted of five national and four regional firms, and the interviewees included mostly partners and a few senior managers.Findings – The increased oversight and workload resulting from the SOA requirements has changed the nature of the external audit function to more compliance type work, and the environment has created much anxiety for the auditors. The new reform has significantly impacted the audit environment in terms of: scope of services; client assessment procedures; management and audit committee ...
Process-conditioned investing with incomplete information using maximum causal entropy

Investing to optimally maximize the growth rate of wealth based on sequences of event outcomes has many information-theoretic interpretations. Namely, the mutual information characterizes the benefit of additional side information being available when making investment decisions [1] in settings where the probabilistic relationships between side information and event outcomes are known. Additionally, the relative variant of the principle of maximum entropy [2] provides the optimal investment allocation in the more general setting where the relationships between side information and event outcomes are only partially known [3]. In this paper, we build upon recent work characterizing the growth rates of investment in settings with inter-dependent side information and event outcome sequences [4]. We consider the extension to settings with inter-dependent event outcomes and side information where the probabilistic relationships between side information and event outcomes are only partially known. We introduce t...
Downregulation of TRAF2 Mediates NIK-Induced Pancreatic Cancer Cell Proliferation and Tumorigenicity

Background Increased levels of NF-κB are hallmarks of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and both classical and alternative NF-κB activation pathways have been implicated.
Estimation of stationary structural system parameters from non-stationary random vibration data: A locally stationary model method

Abstract Stationary structural system (building) natural frequency and damping parameters are estimated from a long non-stationary ambient vibration time series record. The non-stationary vibration record is decomposed into continuous, not necessarily equal duration, stationary time series segments by a locally stationary autoregressive (AR) model method. Estimates of the stationary structural system parameters are extracted from each of the locally stationary AR models. The final estimate of the structural system parameters is a time duration weighted average of the estimates in each stationary segment. Under reasonable conditions the theoretical variance of the structural system parameter estimates decreases with the duration of the long non-stationary record. The results of the analysis of a long duration non-stationary record are compared with the results of an earlier approach in which the long duration non-stationary record was decomposed into relatively short fixed duration vibration records and analyzed as stationary time series [1]. The variances of the damping parameter estimates achieved by the current method are one-half to one-quarter of those obtained by the earlier method. The sample variance of the structural system parameter estimates decreases with the reciprocal of the duration of the overall non-stationary record.
Differential Patterns of Accumulation and Retention of Dietary Trace Elements Associated With Coal Ash During Larval Development and Metamorphosis of an Amphibian

We performed an experiment in which larval gray tree frogs (Hyla chrysoscelis) were raised through metamorphosis on diets increased with a suite of elements associated with coal combustion residues (silver [Ag], arsenic [As], cadmium [Cd], chromium [Cr], copper [Cu], mercury [Hg], lead [Pb], selenium [Se], vanadium [V], and zinc [Zn]) at “low” and “high” concentrations. We quantified accumulation of metals at three life stages (mid-larval development, initiation of metamorphosis, and completion of metamorphosis) as well as effects on survival, metabolic rate, size at metamorphosis, and duration and loss of weight during metamorphosis. Most elements were accumulated in a dose-dependent pattern by some or all life stages, although this was not the case for Hg. For most elements, larval body burdens exceeded those of later life stages in some or all treatments (control, low, or high). However for Se, As, and Hg, body burdens in control and low concentrations were increased in later compared with earlier life stages. A lack of dose-dependent accumulation of Hg suggests that the presence of high concentrations of other elements (possibly Se) either inhibited accumulation or increased depuration of Hg. The duration of metamorphosis (forelimb emergence through tail resorption) was lengthened in individuals exposed to the highest concentrations of elements, but there were no other statistically significant biological effects. This study shows that patterns of accumulation and possibly depuration of metals and trace elements are complex in animals possessing complex life cycles. Further study is required to determine specific interactions affecting these patterns, in particular which elements may be responsible for affecting accumulation or retention of Hg when organisms are exposed to complex mixtures of elements.
Pre-mobilization therapy blood CD34+ cell count predicts the likelihood of successful hematopoietic stem cell mobilization.

We examined pre-mobilization blood CD34+ cell count to predict ability to mobilize adequate peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) in 106 cancer patients and 36 allogeneic donors. Mean pre-mobilization therapy blood CD34+ cell count was 3.1 cells x 10(6)/l (s.d. = 3.9, r = 0.3-37) and mean CD34+ cells collected were 5.3 x 10(6) cells/kg/leukapheresis procedure (s.d. = 7.0, r = 0.03-53). Yields correlated with pre-mobilization CD34+ cells x 10(6)/l (r = 0.37, P-value 2.65 cells x 10(6)/l did not achieve the minimum per apheresis, whereas 24% with pre-mobilization values below threshold had inadequate mobilization. Prospectively identifying individuals at risk for mobilization failure would allow for improved treatment planning, resource utilization and time saving.
Discrete Event Simulation of the quantum channel within a Quantum Key Distribution system

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a technology that offers the means for two geographically separated parties to create a shared, unconditionally secure, secret key. QKD is unique in its ability to detect any third-party eavesdropping on the key exchange. While QKD technology offers promise for securing military communications, QKD systems are built using non-ideal components that differ significantly from ideal theoretical implementations. For this reason, there is a need to accurately and efficiently model and simulate different QKD system configurations in order to evaluate their security and performance characteristics. In this paper, we examine two competing ways of modeling a quantum channel within a QKD system: one treats photon packets as wave packets and the other simply as particles with no regard to wave equations. The performance statistics of these simulation models, including speed, memory, and accuracy, are compared with the physical solution and each other to determine the optimal model fo...
Female Labor Force Participation and the Organizational Experiences of Male Workers

Using a sample of 387 male federal employees who responded to a questionnaire, this study tests two theoretical perspectives concerning the effect of women's labor force participation on men's work...
Driven by drink: The role of drinking in the political economy and the case of Early Iron Age France

Abstract The practice of drinking alcoholic beverages has several characteristic important social roles in traditional small-scale societies, particularly in terms of political economy. Cross-cultural survey of ethnographic data reveals that drink is very frequently a fundamental social artifact which plays an integral role in implementing the social relations expressed and created through hospitality. This intimate association with the institution of hospitality, and its frequent ritual and symbolic significance, imbue drinking with a potent social value which is important in its many economic and political roles. It is widely employed in the work-party feast as a mechanism of labor mobilization, and in the implementation of both institutionalized political authority and the informal power associated with leadership in societies without specialized political roles. Moreover, drinking can have a profound influence in producing changes in social relations, and consideration of drinking patterns can be very informative about society and culture in general. The relevance of this anthropological perspective on drinking to the analysis of archaeological data is demonstrated through a model which offers fresh insights for the interpretation of a specific archaeological problem: the process of trade and culture contact between the Greek and Etruscan states and the indigenous peoples of Early Iron Age France.
DNaseI hypersensitivity at gene-poor, FSH dystrophy-linked 4q35.2

A subtelomeric region, 4q35.2, is implicated in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a dominant disease thought to involve local pathogenic changes in chromatin. FSHD patients have too few copies of a tandem 3.3-kb repeat (D4Z4) at 4q35.2. No phenotype is associated with having few copies of an almost identical repeat at 10q26.3. Standard expression analyses have not given definitive answers as to the genes involved. To investigate the pathogenic effects of short D4Z4 arrays on gene expression in the very gene-poor 4q35.2 and to find chromatin landmarks there for transcription control, unannotated genes and chromatin structure, we mapped DNaseI-hypersensitive (DH) sites in FSHD and control myoblasts. Using custom tiling arrays (DNase-chip), we found unexpectedly many DH sites in the two large gene deserts in this 4-Mb region. One site was seen preferentially in FSHD myoblasts. Several others were mapped >0.7 Mb from genes known to be active in the muscle lineage and were also observed in cultured fibroblasts, but not in lymphoid, myeloid or hepatic cells. Their selective occurrence in cells derived from mesoderm suggests functionality. Our findings indicate that the gene desert regions of 4q35.2 may have functional significance, possibly also to FSHD, despite their paucity of known genes.
Verification and Validation Studies for a Piloted Methane-Air Jet Flame

In this paper, verification and validation analysis for a turbulent jet flame is presented. The numerical simulations were performed for a piloted methane-air jet flame in an axisymmetric burner (jet Reynolds number of 22,400). Numerical results were obtained using the finite volume method on structured grids. The verification of the numerical solutions was performed by calculating the Grid Convergence Index (GCI). A set of three different grids is used to calculate the discretization uncertainty where each grid was generated by doubling the number of cells in each direction of the coarser grid. The value of GCI was used to calculate the observed order of convergence of the numerical method for local values of temperature, mass fraction of species and local velocity at various points along the centerline of the flow domain. A detailed chemical mechanism was used with 16 species and 41 reactions. Numerical simulations showed that the fine grid result was in the asymptotic range of convergence. The observed order of convergence was found to be between 1.8 and 4.5. The error band for the Richardson extrapolated value was found to be below 1.3%. The effect of k-e turbulence parameter C2e was investigated and a value of 1.8 was found to be appropriate to match the fine grid results with the experimental data. Finally the numerical results were validated with experimental data using the local measurements of temperature and species mass fractions. Comparison of the computational results with experimental data showed that simulations correctly predict the trends observed in the measurements. Good agreement between experiments and simulations was obtained with the finest grid, which predicted peak temperature within 3.0% of experiment. For the main reaction products of CO2 and H2 O, the peak values are captured within 0.33% and 3% of experiment, respectively.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
A Growing Drop Technique for Measuring Dynamic Interfacial Tension

Abstract A novel, growing drop technique is described for measuring dynamic interfacial tension due to sorption of surface-active solutes. The proposed method relates the instantaneous pressure and size of expanding liquid drops to the interfacial tension and is useful for measuring both liquid/gas and liquid/liquid tensions over a wide range of time scales, currently from 10 ms to several hours. Growing drop measurements on surfactant-free water/ air and water/octanol interfaces yield constant tensions equal to their known literature values. For surfactant-laden, liquid drops, the growing drop technique captures the actual transient tension evolution of a single interface, rather than interval times as with the classic maximum-drop-pressure and drop-volume tension measurements. Dynamic tensions measured for 0.25 mM aqueous 1-decanol solution/air and 0.02 kg/m3 aqueous Triton X-100 solution/dodecane interfaces show nonmonotonic behavior, indicating slow surfactant transport relative to the imposed rates of interfacial dilatation. The dynamic tension of a purified and fresh 6 mM aqueous sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution/air interface shows only a monotonic decrease, indicating rapid surfactant transport relative to the imposed rates of dilatation. Conversely, an aged SDS solution, naturally containing trace dodecanol impurities, exhibits dynamic tensions which reflect a superposition of the rapidly equilibrating SDS and the slowly adsorbing dodecanol.
Methods for the Reduction of Odometry Errors in Over-Constrained Mobile Robots

This paper presents an analysis of odometry errors in over-constrained mobile robots, that is, vehicles that have more independent motors than degrees of freedom. Examples of over-constrained vehicles are the various 6-wheeled Mars Rovers like Rocky-7, Rocky-8, or Fido. Based on our analysis we developed two novel measures aimed at reducing odometry errors. We also developed a novel method that serves as a framework for the implementation of the two new measures, as well as for other, conventional error reducing measures. One of the two new measures, called “Fewest Pulses Measure,” makes use of the observation that most terrain irregularities, as well as wheel slip, result in an erroneous overcount of encoder pulses. The second new measure, called “Cross-coupled Control Measure,” optimizes the motor control algorithm of the robot to reduce synchronization errors that would otherwise result in wheel slip with conventional controllers. The novel method that serves as a framework for other measures is based on so-called “Expert Rules.” In this paper we formulate three expert rules aimed at reducing dead-reckoning errors. Two of these expert rules are related to the foregoing discussion on error reducing measures. The third expert rule adds a gyroscope to the system and we re-examine the effectiveness of the odometry error-reducing measures in the context of this addition. In the work described in this paper we modified a Pioneer AT skid-steer platform by providing it with four independent drive motors and encoders. We implemented our error-reducing measures and the expert rule method on this over-constrained platform and present experimental results.
Correlations in the Vibrations of Atoms in Complex Unit Cells

Correlations in the atomic motions can significantly change the interpretation of thermal effects in structural data. Including correlations of the stretching of the Zr-O bond with transverse O vibrations in the W-O-Zr linkage, in ZrW2O8, can explain the apparent discrepancy between a small σW–Zr2 in EXAFS data and a large O thermal parameter U2. This work also shows that in some cases a small value of σ2 does not always mean that the vibration frequency is high.
Simple foreign exchange market efficiency revisited

Abstract We present empirical evidence supporting the conjecture that rejections of the simple foreign exchange market efficiency hypothesis could result from the use of statistical tests that, while asymptotically valid, may have poor finite sample properties.
Outcomes of infants born to mothers with inflammatory bowel disease: a population-based cohort study

Outcomes of infants born to mothers with inflammatory bowel disease: a population-based cohort study
Testing Orem's theory with Mexican Americans.

Purpose: To examine an ethnographic study using evaluation criteria for theory-testing through verification of personal experience. Organizing Framework: Ten theory-verification criteria developed by Silva and Sorrel (1992) for inductive methods of inquiry. Scope and Sources: A 1995 ethnographic study conducted with Mexican Americans and conceptualized within Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory of Nursing. Twenty Mexican American key informants were from 13 families. Primary data sources were focused observations and a series of ethnographic interviews. The study, purposes, methods, selected findings, confirmability and credibility of study findings, and relevance to Orem's theory are presented in the context of each criterion. Findings: The purpose, design, analysis, and examination of results of the 1995 study sufficiently meet the 10 formative criteria. Because this study can be considered an example of theory verification research, findings are relevant to the development of Orem's theory. Conclusions: Through the use of theory-verification criteria, inductive methods of research can be used to test or verify theory. The testing of nursing theory with diverse populations is an important direction for continued theory development. Use of evaluation criteria can serve as a template for inclusion of diverse perspectives.
Silence, the Utmost in Ambiguity

In his article "Silence, the Utmost in Ambiguity" Mario Perniola presents a historical perspective on the meanings and development of the term "ambiguity" from ancient Greek to the modern age. Perniola's perspective is not a review of different approaches and schools of thought; instead, he presents an alternative philosophical and aesthetic discourse he counter-poses to modern and contemporary cultural positions which he considers useful in order to explain the state of today's art and intellectual discourse. Perniola does so by stressing the significance of silence as the aesthetic attitude that combines contemplation and action. Drawing on the work of Pascal and Gracian and on works by the masters of modern rationalization — Nietzsche, Marx, Freud, Heidegger, and Wittgenstein — Perniola proposes an intellectual disposition that rejects immediate gratifications and the cacophony of today's deluge of information and thus he reclaims attention, selection, and discretion as functions relevant to aesthetic and ethical values. Mario Perniola, "Silence, the Utmost in Ambiguity" page 2 of 9 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 12.4 (2010): Thematic Issue Ambiguity in Culture and Literature. Ed. Paolo Bartoloni and Anthony Stephens
Commonsense reasoning in Prolog

Commonsense reasoning with incomplete knowledge plays an important role in problem solving. Various kinds of non-monotonic logic are the formalizations of this kind of reasoning. In many cases the closed world assumption with negation as failure can achieve the same (or even stronger) conclusions as those of these formalizations. Consequently, it is convenient and effective for Prolog to implement commonsense reasoning.
p47phox deficiency induces macrophage dysfunction resulting in progressive crystalline macrophage pneumonia.

Nicotinamide dinucleotide phosphate oxidase-deficient (p47 phox−/− ) mice are a model of human chronic granulomatous disease; these mice are prone to develop systemic infections and inflammatory diseases. The use of antibiotic (Bactrim) prophylaxis in a specific pathogen-free environment, however, impedes infection in the majority of p47 phox−/− mice. We examined infection-free p47 phox−/− mice between 1 and 14 months of age and found that they developed proliferative macrophage lesions containing Ym1/Ym2 protein and crystals in lung, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen. Here, we show that the lung lesions progressed from single macrophages with intracellular Ym1/Ym2 protein crystals to severe diffuse crystalline macrophage pneumonia without histological evidence of either granulation tissue or pulmonary fibrosis. Ym1/Ym2 is a chitinase-like secretory protein that is transiently induced in alternatively activated macrophages during T-helper (Th)2-biased pathogenesis and during chemical and traumatic inflammation. Bronchoalveolar lavage from p47 phox−/− mice contained significantly higher levels of Th-1 (interferon-γ), Th-2 (interleukin-4), and Th-17 (interleukin-17)-associated cytokines than wild-type mice, as well as copious amounts of interleukin-12, indicating that Ym1-secreting p47 phox−/− macrophages are also integrated into classically activated macrophage responses. These results suggest that p47 phox−/− macrophages are extremely pliable, due in part to an intrinsic dysfunction of macrophage activation pathways that allows for distinct classical or alternative activation phenotypes.
Redrawing the Political Map of Russia: The Duma Election of December 2003

Two experts on the electoral geography of post-Soviet Russia examine the disruption of the relatively stable pattern of political choice evident in the returns from the December 2003 elections to the Russian Duma. The paper documents major shifts, relative to three previous Duma elections, in turnout and the percentage share of vote among major parties and broad party groupings (liberal/reform, nationalist, KPRF/Agrarian, and centrist). Prominent among the latter are the resurgence of nationalist parties, the losses suffered by the communists, the virtual elimination of the reform parties from the national legislative scene, and the consolidation of power by the favorite party of the Kremlin. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: H10, O10, R10. 9 figures, 2 tables, 21 references.
Dual Damascene: a ULSI wiring technology

Escalating density, performance, and (perhaps most importantly) manufacturing requirements associated with ULSI semiconducting wiring, necessitate a metamorphosis in interconnection technology. To meet these needs, an inlaid fully integrated wiring technology called Dual Damascene has been designed and demonstrated at IBM's Essex Junction, Vermont, facility. A subset of the technology's features has been successfully implemented in the manufacture of IBM's 4-Mb DRAM. The Dual Damascene structure achieved is a planar, monolithic-metal interconnect, comprising a vertical metal stud and horizontal metal interconnect, both embedded in an insulator matrix. The complete Dual Damascene technology features a unique process sequence, chemical-mechanical insulator planarization, stacked photolithographic masks, clustered stud and interconnect etch, concurrent stud and interconnect metal fill, and chemical-mechanical metal etchback. >
FLASHBULB MEMORIES OF PERSONAL EVENTS OF 9/11 AND THE DAY AFTER FOR A SAMPLE OF NEW YORK CITY RESIDENTS '

Summary The present study assessed consistency of recollections of personal circumstances of the 9/11 World Trade Center attack and events of the day before (9/10), and the day after (9/12), in a sample of 100 New York City college students. The day before 9/11 represented an ordinary event. A questionnaire was administered twice, 1 wk. and 1 yr. after the 9/11 attack. Students were asked to describe their personal circumstances when hearing about the news of the World Trade Center attack and for the same time of day for 9/10 and 9/12. 18 students returned the follow-up questionnaire. Consistency of initial and follow-up responses for the central categories for both 9/11 and 9/12 of where, who, and activity was very high (9/11: “Where”-100%, “Who”-100%, “What”-94%; 9/12: “Where”-100%, “Who”-100%, “What”-80%). Recollections of 9/10 were significantly less consistent (“Where”-79%, “Who”-71%, “What”-71%). Analysis indicated that students formed vivid, consistent recollections during the events of both 9/11 a...
Glucose transport by human renal Na+/d-glucose cotransporters SGLT1 and SGLT2

The human Na+/d-glucose cotransporter 2 (hSGLT2) is believed to be responsible for the bulk of glucose reabsorption in the kidney proximal convoluted tubule. Since blocking reabsorption increases u...
TSC2 modulates actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesion through TSC1-binding domain and the Rac1 GTPase

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) 1 and TSC2 are thought to be involved in protein translational regulation and cell growth, and loss of their function is a cause of TSC and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). However, TSC1 also activates Rho and regulates cell adhesion. We found that TSC2 modulates actin dynamics and cell adhesion and the TSC1-binding domain (TSC2-HBD) is essential for this function of TSC2. Expression of TSC2 or TSC2-HBD in TSC2−/− cells promoted Rac1 activation, inhibition of Rho, stress fiber disassembly, and focal adhesion remodeling. The down-regulation of TSC1 with TSC1 siRNA in TSC2−/− cells activated Rac1 and induced loss of stress fibers. Our data indicate that TSC1 inhibits Rac1 and TSC2 blocks this activity of TSC1. Because TSC1 and TSC2 regulate Rho and Rac1, whose activities are interconnected in a reciprocal fashion, loss of either TSC1 or TSC2 function may result in the deregulation of cell motility and adhesion, which are associated with the pathobiology of TSC and LAM.
Environmentalism, New Social Movements, and the New Class: A Cross-National Investigation*

Abstract The environmental movement is one of the most successful social movements in recent decades, garnering substantial public support throughout western Europe and the United States. Environmentalism is also considered a key “new social movement” (NSM), assumed to share fundamental characteristics with other NSMs such as the women's, antinuclear, and peace movements. Using the results of a 1990 cross-national survey of western Europe and the United States, we examine three broad suppositions regarding public support for the environmental movement and other NSMs. We first examine the idea that the general public distinguishes between two branches of contemporary environmentalism—the more traditional one of nature conservation and the newer, broader one of general environmental protection—and find that the general publics in 18 nations make little distinction between them. We next examine the degree to which public support for environmental protection is related to support for other NSMs, and find a strong relationship between the two-thereby validating a widely assumed but seldom-tested tenet found in the NSM literature.Finally, we examine the presumed bases of support for environmental protection and other NSMs, particularly the notion that NSM supporters are drawn heavily from the “new class.” We find that demographic variables, including membership in the new class, are poor predictors of support for the goals of NSMs in general and of support for environmentalism in particular.
Adult Age Differences in Personality Traits in the United States and the People's Republic of China

Life experiences for corresponding age cohorts in the United States (US) and the People's Republic of China (PRC) have been dramatically different. If cohort effects account for cross-sectional age differences in mean levels of personality traits, different patterns of age differences should be seen in samples from the US and the PRC. The present study examined scores on scales from the California Psychological Inventory (CPI; Gough, 1987) in US (N = 348, age = 19-92 years) and PRC (N = 2,093, age = 18-67 years) samples. Very similar patterns of age correlations were seen. To compare results to other cross-cultural studies, CPI scales were interpreted in terms of the Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality; an FFM Age-Relatedness Index based on American data accurately predicted CPI age correlations not only in the US but also in the PRC sample. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that there are universal intrinsic maturational changes in personality.
Flow Morphologies of Two Shock-accelerated Unstable Gas Cylinders

Our highly reproducible shock-tube experiments examine the interaction of two unstable, compressible gas cylinders accelerated by a planar shock wave. Flow visualization shows that the evolution of the double-cylinder flow morphologies is dominated by two counter-rotating vortex pairs, the strength and behavior of which are observed to be highly sensitive to the initial cylinder separation. Simulations of the flow based on idealized vortex dynamics predict grossly different morphologies than those observed experimentally, suggesting that interactions at early time weaken the inner vortices. A correlation-based ensemble averaging procedure permits decomposition of the concentration field into mean and fluctuating components, providing evidence that energy is transferred from the intermediate to the small scales at late time.
Disclosure decisions among known and anonymous oocyte donation recipients.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to compare anonymous and known donor mothers' demographics, knowledge about the donor, and disclosure attitudes. Design Cross-sectional survey of oocyte donation parents. Setting Academic medical centers. Patient(s) Women having a child through oocyte donation in the past 12 years. Intervention(s) Subjects completed a survey regarding their oocyte donation experience. Main outcome measure(s) Donor characteristics and disclosure behavior. Result(s) Questionnaires were sent to 524 individuals (262 couples); 157 (92 women and 65 men) were returned yielding a response rate of 31.4% (157/500). The average age of the women was 44.7 years and the average age of the child was 2.89 years. Seventy women used anonymous donors and 20 women used known donors. Significantly more known recipients knew their donors' religion, number of children, hobbies, profession, and photograph. Eighty percent of both groups told others about using a donor to conceive. Regarding telling the child, there were also no significant differences with approximately 10% who have told, 49% plan to tell, 31% are not telling, and 10% are unsure. Conclusion(s) Contrary to conventional wisdom we found no differences in plans to inform the child based on the use of a known or an anonymous donor.
Semiparametric functional mapping of quantitative trait loci governing long-term HIV dynamics

Motivation: Functional mapping has proven to be powerful for characterizing quantitative trait loci (QTL) that control complex dynamic traits. More recently, functional mapping has been extended to identify the host QTL responsible for HIV dynamics by incorporating a parametric bi-exponential function for earlier stages of viral load trajectories. However, existing functional mapping cannot be used to map long-term HIV dynamics because no mathematical functions are available for later stages of HIV dynamic changes. Results: We derived a statistical model for functional mapping of dynamic QTL through characterizing HIV load trajectories during a long-term period semiparametrically. The new model was constructed within the maximum likelihood framework and implemented with the EM-simplex algorithm. It allows for the test of differences in the genetic control of short-and long-term HIV dynamics and the characterization of the effects of viral-host genome interaction. Extensive simulation studies have been performed to test the statistical behavior of this model. The new model will provide an important tool for genetic and genomic studies of human complex diseases like HIV/AIDS and their pathological progression. Availability: Available on request from the corresponding author. Contact: [email protected]
Generation of Plasma Plume From Ge Target by Nanosecond Laser

Properties of the plasma plume in pulsed-laser deposition affect the quality of the deposited film. We show images of laser-produced plasma upon the ablation of a germanium target by a nanosecond laser and compare the shapes of plume at different nitrogen background pressures. Understanding the mechanism of laser-produced plasma is critical to control the quality of the deposited film.
Identifying Factors That Influence Hospitality Students’ Willingness to Work With Older Employees

Ageism and age diversity are emerging challenges for the hospitality and tourism industry. The purpose of this study is to investigate hospitality students’ willingness to work with older employees. The research results showed that students’ willingness to work with older workers was significantly correlated with contact frequency and quality, and aging anxiety. Surprisingly, Asian students are less willing to work with older employees than American students. These findings indicate that hospitality students can have intergenerational issues at their workplace, regardless of their cultural backgrounds. Therefore, it highlights the need for hospitality and tourism programs to adopt pedagogical methods, including intergenerational service learning, to address the issue.
Watershed-Scale Evaluation of a System of Storm Water Detention Basins

The effectiveness of an existing system of storm water detention basins operating at the watershed scale is evaluated. Data utilized in the study were collected from Valley Creek watershed in Chester County, Pa., which has undergone rapid development from the westward spread of suburban Philadelphia. Since the late 1970s, more than 100 storm water detention basins have been constructed in this 62 km2 (24 mi2 ) watershed, each designed on a site-by-site basis. The design objective of these detention basins is to limit a site’s postconstruction peak flow rate to or below its predevelopment level for 2- through 100-year storms. To evaluate the watershed-wide effectiveness of the network of detention basins, all basins were surveyed and included in a hydrologic model of the watershed. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hydrologic Engineering Center’s Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) model was calibrated by using measured rainfall and observed streamflow from a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stream gauge. Res...
Lymphocyte Trafficking Mediated by Vascular Adhesion Protein-1: Implications for Immune Targeting and Cardiovascular Disease

The trafficking, extravasation, and retention of lymphocytes within certain tissues (eg, lymph nodes) seem to be mediated by several classes of specialized adhesion glycoproteins that are expressed on the surface of unique endothelial cells (high endothelial venules [HEVs]) that exist in both the blood and lymph microvessels.1 2 The binding of these endothelial cell adhesion molecules to their corresponding ligands on lymphocytes (L-selectin, α4β7, α4β1, leukocyte function–associated antigen-1 [LFA-1], and CLA-1) tightly controls the kinetics and magnitude of lymphocyte margination, rolling, adhesion, and extravasation, thereby allowing these leukocytes to fulfill their immune surveillance functions and, in some tissues, mature into fully differentiated cells. During inflammation, the recruitment and retention of lymphocytes in affected tissues occur at an accelerated rate, because locally released mediators (eg, cytokines, chemokines, and oxidants) increase the expression of relevant adhesion molecules on both the endothelial cells and leukocytes. Although much progress has been made in our understanding of the molecular determinants of lymphocyte–endothelial cell adhesion in the blood circulation, the identification and characterization of the glycoproteins that mediate this cell-cell adhesive interaction has tended to lag behind equivalent efforts made for neutrophil–endothelial cell adhesion.3 4 5 Nonetheless, the efforts to discover and characterize adhesive determinants on both leukocyte populations have led to the revelation that lymphocytes and neutrophils share several glycoproteins, including β2-integrins (CD11/CD18), and L-selectin. As a consequence of these observations, the initial models that were proposed to explain the coordinated …
Continuous Observability for the Anisotropic Maxwell System

A boundary observability inequality for the homogeneous Maxwell system with variable, anisotropic coefficients is proved. The result implies uniqueness for an ill-posed Cauchy problem for Maxwell's system. Both results are so far known only in the special case of isotropic coefficients, i.e., when Maxwell's system reduces to a vector wave equation. Here the analysis has been carried out for the first-order system directly without references to the wave equation.
Problems with detecting moderators in leadership research using moderated multiple regression

Abstract A number of recent leadership studies have questioned whether situational variables are important moderators of leadership effectiveness. Pessimistic conclusions from these studies regarding situational modifiers challenge the foundations of path–goal and substitutes for leadership theories. However, analysis of this research reveals questionable methodological practices that cast doubt on the validity of these conclusions. This article discusses two methodological issues, elucidates specific flaws in methods used in recent leadership studies, and makes recommendations for the use of moderated multiple regression (MMR) in leadership studies. We argue that low power to detect moderators and inappropriate use of regression methods can account for the lack of confirmatory findings regarding moderators. Comparative analysis using a previously published data set provides strong support for major arguments presented in this article. We conclude that situational variables are important moderators of leadership effectiveness and are detectable using appropriate procedures.
Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections in Children Infected with HIV

We evaluated the prevalence and transmission mode of hepatitis B and C in an inner-city, pediatric cohort of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons, as well as the demographic characteristics of the cohort. Hepatitis B or C was found in 13 (5.8%) of 228 children. This analysis suggests that chronic hepatitis is prevalent and should be routinely screened for in the pediatric HIV-infected population.
Is There an App for That

The complexities that smartphones have introduced into the patient–doctor relationship are considered.
Complete physical simulation of the entangling-probe attack on the BB84 protocol

We have implemented the most powerful individual-photon attack against the Bennett-Brassard 1984 quantum key distribution protocol. Our measurement results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions for the eavesdropper?s Renyi information.
New Approaches to Reduce Staphylococcus Aureus Nosocomial Infection Rates: Treating S. Aureus Nasal Carriage

BACKGROUND:Nosocomial infections cause significant patient morbidity and mortality. The 2.5 million nosocomial infections that occur each year cost the US healthcare system $5 million to $10 million. Staphylococcus aureus has long been recognized as an important pathogen in human disease and is the most common cause of nosocomial infections.OBJECTIVETo describe the epidemiology of S. aureus nosocomial infections that are attributable to patients' endogenous colonization.DATA SOURCESReview of the English-language literature and a MEDLINE search (as of September 1997).DATA SYNTHESIS:The ecologic niche of S. aureus is the anterior nares. The prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriage is approximately 20–25%, but varies among different populations, and is influenced by age, underlying illness, race, certain behaviors, and the environment in which the person lives or works. The link between S. aureus nasal carriage and development of subsequent S. aureus infections has been established in patients on hemodialysis,...
Dynamics of Partial Contact Head Disk Interface

A nonlinear dynamic model is developed to analyze the bouncing vibration of partial contact air bearing sliders, which are designed for the areal density of 1 Tb/in2. In this model, the air bearing with contact is modeled using the generalized Reynolds equation modified with the Fukui-Kaneko slip correction and a recent slip correction for the contact situation. The adhesion, contact, and friction between the slider and the disk are also considered in this model. The adhesion force is calculated using a modified intermolecular force model; the contact force is obtained through an elastic quasi-static contact model that considers the slider and disk roughness. Realistic measured roughness of the slider and the disk are used in the simulation. It is found that minimizing the trailing pad size can reduce the slider's bouncing and crash likelihood. The surface roughness and adhesion have a strong effect on the slider's bouncing vibration, while the friction between the slider and disk is found to have less effect