cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Investigation of Copper Dissolution and Microstructural Development in Lead-Free Solders

Copper dissolution and intermetallic compound (IMC) formation during reflow of soldered joints are critical issues for joint reliability. Most of studies in the literature aimed at the coarsening and growth of the IMC layer of the soldered joints during service and only limited data is available during soldering process. This is particularly true for lead-free solders, which have attracted the attention of researchers just recently. This paper presents an experimental study of copper dissolution and IMC growth of lead-free solders during the reflow process. Solder buttons of either Sn or Sn-3.5wt%Ag were reflowed over a copper (99.9% pure) substrate for various reflow time periods ranging from 10 seconds to 10 minutes. Four reflow temperatures were selected, 232°C, 250°C, 275°C and 300°C for pure tin and 221°C, 250°C, 275°C and 300°C for Sn-3.5%Ag respectively. The average thickness of the grown IMC layer and the amount of copper dissolved during reflow were determined using the images obtained from the metallurgical microscope. The kinetics of IMC growth and Cu dissolution were then quantified and the estimated kinetics parameters can be used to determine the copper dissolution and IMC layer thickness during reflow soldering.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Clinical whole-exome sequencing: are we there yet?

Clinical laboratories began offering whole-exome sequencing in 2011 at a cost between $4,500 and $9,000. Reported detection rates for deleterious mutations range from 25 to 50%. Based on the experience of our clinical genetics service, actual success rates may be lower than estimated rates. We report results from our own experience along with a survey of clinical geneticists to ascertain (i) current success rates for causal gene detection in a clinical setting; (ii) if there are insurance authorization issues; and (iii) if turnaround times quoted by the clinical laboratories are accurate; we also gauge provider opinions toward clinical whole-exome sequencing. We reviewed our results and the results of a survey that was electronically distributed to 47 clinical genetics centers. A total of 35 exome reports were available. If all positive results are collated, we observe a success rate of 22.8%. One result incorrectly identified a known benign variant as pathogenic. Some insurers covered all testing, whereas others denied any insurance coverage. Only three (23.1%) of our reports were available within the laboratory’s quoted turnaround times. More than 50% of clinicians queried in our survey had not ordered whole-exome sequencing at the current time, many stating concerns regarding interpretation, insurance coverage, and cost. Clinical whole-exome sequencing has proven diagnostic utility; however, currently many clinicians have concerns regarding interpretation of results, insurance coverage, and cost. Genet Med 16 9, 717–719.
Reliability and convergent validity of the past-week Modifiable Activity Questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE To examine the reliability and convergent validity of physical activity (PA) and inactivity estimates obtained with the past-week Modifiable Activity Questionnaire (PWMAQ). DESIGN The PWMAQ, an interviewer-administered questionnaire, was administered twice, one week apart, during visits 3 and 4 of six total visits. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) between administrations of the PWMAQ were used to assess the reliability of summary estimates. Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients (ρ) were used to examine the associations of PWMAQ summary estimates with temporally matched and averaged accelerometer data in all participants and then stratified by whether the data were reflective of usual PA. SETTING Data were obtained from the Evaluation of Physical Activity Measures in Middle-Aged Women (PAW) study. SUBJECTS Sixty-six women, mean age 52·6 (sd 5·4) years. RESULTS The reliability of the PWMAQ physical inactivity estimate suggested substantial agreement over one week (ICC = 0·77, 95 % CI 0·57, 0·82; P < 0·0001). With the exception of light-intensity PA, the PWMAQ leisure PA estimate was significantly associated with averaged accelerometer data (ρ = 0·33-0·76; P < 0·05). For both temporally matched and averaged accelerometer data, correlation coefficients were higher between the PWMAQ estimate and moderate-walk- to vigorous-intensity PA in those who indicated that reported activity was reflective of usual PA; however, the association with moderate-lifestyle-intensity PA was higher in those reporting that data were not reflective. CONCLUSIONS The PWMAQ is a reliable and valid measure of leisure PA levels in middle-aged women and supports subsequent studies evaluating this questionnaire in other population subgroups.
The intranuclear distribution of rat uterine estrogen receptors determined after nuclease treatment and chromatin fractionation.

Abstract The intranuclear locations at which rat uterine estrogen receptors interact with chromatin have been probed using digestions performed with DNAase I and micrococcal nuclease. Exposure to nuclease has been controlled to effect limited to extensive digestion of nuclear DNA under conditions which maintain the integrity of the [3H] estradiol—receptor complex. The effect of divalent cation concentration on the release of estrogen receptors from nuclease-treated chromatin was examined and found to be of consequence above 2 mM. Exposure to nuclease released nuclear estrogen receptors from chromatin, with DNAase I being more efficient than micrococcal nuclease in mediating this release. The release of the bulk of nuclear estrogen receptors closely paralleled the nuclease-mediated digestion of chromatin DNA. At l h after exposure to estrogen, substantial quantities of uterine estrogen receptors (80–90%) were distributed in chromatin fractions which, on the basis of fractionation terminology, have been termed ‘transcriptionally inactive’ by convention. Enrichment of estrogen receptors in chromatin which has been termed ‘transcriptionally active’ only occurred with 10–20% of the estrogen receptors. Hence, our findings support a model where, at early times after estrogen exposure, receptors from the rat uterus are enriched to only a minor extent in chromatin to which ‘transcriptional activity’ is generally assigned while the bulk of receptors are localized in chromatin which is generally considered ‘transcriptionally inactive’.
Chemically Tuned Myosin Motors

Heart failure affects 5 million people a year in the United States, results in 300,000 deaths annually, and constitutes the single largest health care cost in the United States. Although some progress has been made in treating heart failure, currently approved drugs have deleterious consequences in some patients, and are ineffective in others. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches are necessary. On page 1439 of this issue, Malik et al. ( 1 ) elucidate the mechanism by which a small molecule enhances the function of cardiac myosin, the major force-generating motor protein of cardiac muscle. The finding has implications for improving cardiac contraction and treating certain heart conditions.
Regulation of Monocyte CD36 and Thrombospondin-1 Expression by Soluble Mediators

CD36 is an 88-kD integral membrane protein expressed on platelets, monocytes, macrophages, certain microvascular endothelia, and retinal pigment epithelium. It functions as an adhesive receptor for thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), collagen, and malaria-infected erythrocytes and as a scavenger receptor for oxidized LDL and photoreceptor outer segments. The CD36-TSP-1 interaction plays a role in cell adhesion and the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages. Because of the potential importance of the CD36-TSP-1 interaction in mediating atherogenic and inflammatory processes, we studied their expression in human peripheral blood monocytes exposed to soluble mediators known to regulate inflammation and atherogenesis. RNase protection assays showed 6- to 12-fold increases in CD36 mRNA in response to interleukin-4, monocyte colony-stimulating factor, and phorbol myristate acetate, while lipopolysaccharide and dexamethasone strongly downregulated CD36 mRNA. The downregulation of CD36 mRNA was associated with the disappearance of surface expression of CD36 antigen and loss of TSP-1 surface-binding capacity. Upregulation of CD36 mRNA was associated with a modest increase in surface antigen expression and a larger expansion of an intracellular pool of CD36. As with CD36, monocytes treated with monocyte colony-stimulating factor showed a rapid increase in TSP-1 mRNA expression. Moreover, while dexamethasone treatment decreased CD36 expression, it resulted in a rapid increase in TSP-1 mRNA, and while PMA increased CD36 mRNA, it rapidly decreased TSP-1 expression. Interferon gamma, which had no effect on CD36 mRNA, rapidly increased steady-state TSP-1 mRNA. Thus, expression of both CD36 and its ligand TSP-1 is regulated by soluble mediators, although certain mediators induce concordant changes and others discordant changes.
Low-energy-electron probing depths in metals.

Thin-film techniques are used in conjunction with spin-polarized electron-energy-loss spectroscopy to measure directly the probing depth of low-energy (\ensuremath{\sim}30 eV) electrons in metals. The data indicate the probing depth in molybdenuum is small (\ensuremath{\sim}1 monolayer) but that it is significantly higher for copper (\ensuremath{\sim}3 monolayers). These differences are consistent with a model in which inelastic scattering is attributed to electron-hole pair excitation. Effects are also observed that might be interpreted in terms of scattering at the interface between substrate and overlayer.
Cantillon on the Cause of the Business Cycles

Richard Cantillon was the first economist to successfully examine the cyclical nature of the capitalist economy. He lived at a time (168?–1734) when the institutions of the modern capitalist economy were first fully and widely established and the first major business cycles occurred. In contrast to the Mercantilists, Cantillon was an astute observer who developed a clear economic understanding of money, banking, international trade, and stock markets because this is where he risked his capital and earned his fortune. He modeled the economy as an interconnected whole and developed what we now know as the circular-flow model of the economy and the price-specie-flow mechanism of international money movements. He discovered that markets were regulated by the movements of prices based on supply and demand and identified equilibrating tendencies with market exchange.
The structure of the specific capsular polysaccharide of Rhodococcus equi serotype 4

The specific capsular polysaccharide produced by Rhodococcus equi serotype 4 was found to be a high-molecular-weight acidic polymer composed of D-glucose, D-mannose, pyruvic acid and a previously unidentified 5-amino-3,5-dideoxynonulosonic (rhodaminic) acid in the proportions 2:1:1:1. Structural analysis, employing a combination of microanalytical methods, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and mass spectrometric techniques, established that the polysaccharide consisted of linear repeating tetrasaccharide units having the sequence of residues shown below. In the native polysaccharide, the rhodaminic acid residues were present as their acetamido derivatives (RhoANAc) and carried 1-carboxyethylidene groups that bridged the O-7 and O-9 positions. Treatment of the capsular polysaccharide with dilute acetic acid and/or anhydrous hydrogen fluoride under hydrolytic/solvolytic conditions, resulted in the formation of four different oligosaccharide species. The 1H and 13C NMR resonances of these oligosaccharide fragments and of the native serotype 4 capsular polysaccharides were fully assigned by homo- and heteronuclear chemical shift correlation methods.
Comparability of a computer-assisted versus written method for collecting health behavior information from adolescent patients.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the comparability of health behavior data obtained from adolescents via notebook computer versus those obtained via written questionnaire. Methods: We interviewed adolescent patients (ages 13–20 years) receiving services at community adolescent health clinics. Participants anonymously completed either a computer-assisted self-interview (CASI) or a self-administered questionnaire (SAQ), both assessing health-protective behaviors, substance use (i.e., tobacco, alcohol, marijuana) and sexual behaviors. From a pool of 671 adolescent participants (348 completing CASI, 323 completing SAQ), we matched 194 SAQ participants with 194 CASI participants on the basis of gender and race. We could not match individually on the basis of age, but were able to match each gender–race subgroup by mean age. Results: Across the majority of health behaviors (i.e., all health-protective behaviors, tobacco use, sexual behaviors), mode of administration made no significant difference in the reporting of information by adolescents. However, girls reported a greater frequency of alcohol use and marijuana use on CASI than on SAQ, whereas boys reported a lower frequency of alcohol use and marijuana use on CASI than on SAQ. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that there may be gender-related differences between modes of anonymous collection of specific adolescent health behaviors such as alcohol and marijuana use. Future studies should incorporate direct questions regarding adolescents' attitude and comfort levels toward completing different modes of data collection.
Charm Photoproduction with Linearly Polarized Photons

The photoproduction of charmed particles by polarized photons is calculated in perturbative quantum chromodynamics. For vector gluons the resulting linearly polarized photon asymmetry is found to be large and negative, therefore providing a distinctive test of the proposed production mechanism. Predictions are also given for scalar and pseudoscalar gluons and the magnitude of the cross section is discussed.
Reactive oxygen species mediate virus-induced STAT activation: Role of tyrosine phosphatases

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of epidemic respiratory tract illness in children in the United States and worldwide. RSV infection of airway epithelial cells induces formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), whose production mediates the expression of cytokines and chemokines involved the immune/inflammatory responses of the lung. In this study, we have investigated the role of ROS in RSV-induced signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) activation and interferon regulatory factor (IRF) gene expression in human airway epithelial cells. Our results indicate that RSV replication induces IRF-1 and -7 gene transcription, a response abrogated by antioxidants. RSV infection induces binding of STAT to the IRF-1 γ-interferon-activated sequence (GAS) and IRF-7 interferon-stimulated responsive element (ISRE). STAT1 and STAT3 bind IRF-1 GAS, whereas STAT1, STAT2, IRF-1, and IRF-9 bind IRF-7 ISRE. Antioxidant treatment blocks RSV-induced STAT binding to both the IRF-1 GAS and IRF-7 ISRE by inhibition of inducible STAT1 and STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation, suggesting that RSV-induced ROS formation is required for STAT activation and IRF gene expression. Although protein tyrosine phosphorylation is necessary for RSV-induced STAT activation, Janus kinase and Src kinase activation do not mediate this effect. Instead, RSV infection inhibits intracellular tyrosine phosphatase activity, which is restored by antioxidant treatment. Pharmacological inhibition of tyrosine phosphatases induces STAT activation. Together, these results suggest that modulation of phosphatases could be an important mechanism of virus-induced STAT activation. Treatment of alveolar epithelial cells with the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium abolishes RSV-induced STAT activation, indicating that NAD(P)H oxidase-produced ROS are required for downstream activation of the transcription factors IRF and STAT in virus-infected airway epithelial cells.
The effect of small amounts of H2O on olivine to ringwoodite transformation growth rates and implications for subduction of metastable olivine

Abstract It has been suggested that in relatively cold subduction zones, the interior of down-going lithospheric plates may be cool enough to inhibit the transformation of olivine to its high-pressure polymorphs, wadsleyite and ringwoodite, resulting in the persistence of metastable olivine in the mantle transition zone. The rapid transformation of this metastable olivine has been identified as a possible cause of deep-focus earthquakes. However, it is known that olivine can incorporate hydrogen at high pressure and this hydrogen may enhance transformation rates. We conducted a series of high-pressure experiments to hydrate and then partially transform olivine to ringwoodite. We measured transformed rim thickness as a function of run duration and fit a linear function to our results to determine transformation growth rates. The addition of H2O to olivine appears to promote olivine to ringwoodite transformation by increasing the growth rate, decreasing the activation enthalpy for growth, and weakening the ringwoodite and/or olivine to allow for dissipation of elastic strain sufficient to maintain constant or near-constant growth rates throughout transformation. The addition of approximately 300 ppmw 2H2O to olivine increases the growth rate of olivine to ringwoodite transformation (at 1100 °C and 18 GPa) by almost a factor of 40 from 4.0 (± 0.8) × 10− 9 ms− 1 to 1.5 (± 0.3) × 10− 7 ms− 1. There is a corresponding decrease in the activation enthalpy of growth from 392 kJ/mol to 237 kJ/mol (assuming activation volume of 0 cm3/mole). Analyses of hydrogen distributions in partially transformed samples suggest that the hydrogen concentration in the bulk of the olivine crystal may be less important than hydrogen at the olivine and ringwoodite interface.
Craniocervical necrotizing fasciitis: an 11-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: We review our experience and present our approach to treating craniocervical necrotizing fasciitis (CCNF).STUDY DESIGN: All cases of CCNF treated at Wayne State University/Detroit Receiving Hospital from January 1989 to April 2000 were reviewed. Patients were analyzed for source and extent of infection, microbiology, co-morbidities, antimicrobial therapy, hospital days, surgical interventions, complications, and outcomes.RESULTS: A review of 250 charts identified 10 cases that met the study criteria. Five cases (50%) had spread of infection into the thorax, with only 1 (10%) fatality. An average of 24 hospital days (7 to 45), 14 ICU days (6 to 21), and 3 surgical procedures (1 to 6) per patient was required.CONCLUSION: Aggressive wound care, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and multiple surgical interventions resulted in a 90% (9/10) overall survival and 80% (4/5) survival for those with thoracic extension.SIGNIFICANCE: This is the largest single institution report of CCNF with thoracic extension id...
Does the Mauthner cell conform to the criteria of the command neuron concept

The relationship between the Mauthner (M) cell action potential of the bullfrog tadpole and the rapid tail-flip was studied with electrophysiological and video-recording techniques. Single action potentials were elicited in the M-cell by vibratory stimulation or electrical stimulation of the eighth cranial nerve. These impulses were followed by a tail-flip to the side contralateral to the M-soma. Similarly, a tail-flip was produced by direct intracellular stimulation of the M-cell. Hyperpolarization of the M-soma blocked orthodromic action potentials and prevented the tail-flip. Therefore, the M-cell action potential appears to be sufficient and necessary to produce a rapid tail-flip which is associated with a naturally observed startle behavior.
Swarms on Sphere: A Programmable Swarm with Synchronous Behaviors like Oscillator Networks

In this paper, we introduce a programmable particle swarm evolving on a sphere called swarm on sphere system. This model is a polynomial dynamical system obtained from a consensus algorithm that exhibits a rich set of synchronous behaviors with close connections to the Kuramoto model of coupled oscillators, coalition formation in social networks, small-words, integer programming problems such as max-cut, and networks of self-synchronous oscillators with applications to synthetic biology. We prove the generalized Kuramoto model can be obtained as a special case of this model in dimension two. Moreover, we provide formal stability analysis of aligned, bipolar, and dispersed synchronous modes of the system. As a byproduct of this stability analysis, we obtain simple algorithms for programming the weights of the swarm enabling it to exhibit various desired patterns of synchrony. Simulation results are provided that demonstrate 3-D in-phase synchrony, coalition formation for interacting agents with mixed-sign couplings, and dispersal behavior with spatial order.
Cyclopolymerization of 3‐phenyl[5]ferrocenophane‐1,5‐dimethylene: Synthesis and electronic properties of a polyferrocenophane

Radical cyclopolymerization of 3-phenyl[5]ferrocenophane-1,5-dimethylene (2) and copolymerization with styrene gave polymers (3 and 4) with [3]ferrocenophane moieties pendant to the backbone. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) on polymer 3 in CH2Cl2 showed two oxidation waves at −0.13 and +0.05 V (versus ferrocene/ferrocenium) and CV on copolymer 4 showed one oxidation potential at −0.03 V. CV on 3 in dimethylacetamide showed only one oxidation potential at −0.10 V. Near-IR spectroscopy of partially oxidized 3 showed a broad intervalence band at ca. 2000 nm, indicative of low-energy barriers to electron hopping. Conductivity measurements on 3 and poly(vinylferrocene) (PVFc) oxidatively doped with iodine vapors under an argon atmosphere showed a maximum conductivity ca. 5 × 10−5 S/cm before the samples cracked, while 4 exhibited a maximum conductivity of 1.6 × 10−6 S/cm. On iodine doping under ambient conditions, polymers 3, 4, and PVFc showed maximum conductivities of 7.6 × 10−4, 9.5 × 10−5, and 5.5 × 10−5 S/cm, respectively. Conductivity measurement were also performed on samples of 3+BF4− with oxidation levels ranging from 8 to 56%. Conductivities of these samples ranged from ca. 10−10 to 10−9 S/cm under vacuum and ca. 10−6 S/cm under ambient conditions, indicating that atmospheric moisture has a strong effect on the conductivity. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 3365–3376, 1997
Activation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-converting Enzyme-mediated Ectodomain Shedding by Nitric Oxide

Ectodomain shedding of cell surface proteins is an important process in a wide variety of physiological and developmental events. Recently, tumor necrosis factor-α-converting enzyme (TACE) has been found to play an essential role in the shedding of several critical surface proteins, which is evidenced by multiple developmental defects exhibited by TACE knockout mice. However, little is known about the physiological activation of TACE. Here, we show that nitric oxide (NO) activates TACE-mediated ectodomain shedding. Using anin vitro model of TACE activation, we show that NO activates TACE by nitrosation of the inhibitory motif of the TACE prodomain. Thus, NO production activates the release of cytokines, cytokine receptors, and adhesion molecules, and NO may be involved in other ectodomain shedding processes.
QoS management on heterogeneous architecture for parallel applications

Quality of service (QoS) management is widely employed to provide differentiable performance to programs with distinctive priorities on conventional chip multi-processor (CMP) platforms. Recently, heterogeneous architecture integrating diverse processor cores on the same silicon has been proposed to better serve various application domains and it is expected to be an important design paradigm of future processors. Therefore, the QoS management on emerging heterogeneous systems will be of great significance. On the other hand, parallel applications are becoming increasingly important in modern computing community in order to explore the benefit of thread-level parallelism on CMPs. However, considering the diverse characteristics of thread synchronization, data sharing, and parallelization pattern, governing the execution of multiple parallel programs with different performance requirements becomes a complicated yet significant problem. In this paper, we study QoS management for parallel applications running on heterogeneous CMP systems. We comprehensively assess a series of task-to-core mapping policies on a real heterogeneous hardware (QuickIA) by characterizing their impacts on performance of individual applications. Our evaluation results show that the proposed QoS policies are effective to improve the performance of programs with highest priority while striking good tradeoff with system fairness.
Genetic influences on induced cleft palate in different strains of mice

This paper reports some of the genetic aspects of induced cleft palate susceptibility in the Strong a mouse compared with another less susceptible strain (C3H) and with their intercrosses. Pregnant females were injected with 1.25 mg of cortisone (Cortone acetate Merck) daily on the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth day of pregnancy and killed on the seventeenth and eighteenth day of pregnancy. The control animals were not treated. In treated animals, cleft palate was induced in 100% of the Strong a offspring and 36.3% in the C3H offspring. In cross matings between these two strains the same dose of cortisone induced 11.7% of cleft palate if the mother was of the Strong a strain and 43.7% if of the C3H strain. The same dose produced cleft palate in 29.7% of the offspring of the F1 generation when mated among themselves and in 42.5% of the white offspring of the F2 generation when mated among themselves. The incidence of induced cleft palate was independent of albinism in the offspring of the F1 and F2 generation. There was no significant correlation between the occurrence of cleft palate and the position in utero, the weight of the affected fetuses or the litter size; however, the more crowded the uterine horn, the more affected fetuses it contained. There was no significant correlation between weight of the mother and number of affected fetuses among her offspring when the effect of litter size was eliminated.
Feasibility of Computerized Adaptive Testing for Collection of Patient-Reported Outcomes After Inpatient Rehabilitation

Abstract Objective To evaluate the feasibility of computer adaptive testing (CAT) using an Internet or telephone interface to collect patient-reported outcomes after inpatient rehabilitation and to examine patient characteristics associated with completion of the CAT-administered measure and mode of administration. Design Prospective cohort study of patients contacted approximately 4 weeks after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Patients selected an Internet or telephone interface. Setting Rehabilitation hospital. Participants Patients (N=674) with diagnoses of neurologic, orthopedic, or medically complex conditions. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measure CAT version of the Community Participation Indicators (CAT-CPI). Results From an eligible pool of 3221 patients, 674 (21%) agreed to complete the CAT-CPI. Patients who agreed to complete the CAT-CPI were younger and reported slightly higher satisfaction with overall care than those who did not participate. Among these patients, 231 (34%) actually completed the CAT-CPI; 141 (61%) selected telephone administration, and 90 (39%) selected Internet administration. Decreased odds of completing the CAT-CPI were associated with black and other race; stroke, brain injury, or orthopedic and other impairments; and being a Medicaid beneficiary, whereas increased odds of completing the CAT-CPI were associated with longer length of stay and higher discharge FIM cognition measure. Decreased odds of choosing Internet administration were associated with younger age, retirement status, and being a woman, whereas increased odds of choosing Internet administration were associated with higher discharge FIM motor measure. Conclusions CAT administration by Internet and telephone has limited feasibility for collecting postrehabilitation outcomes for most rehabilitation patients, but it is feasible for a subset of patients. Providing alternative ways of answering questions helps assure that a larger proportion of patients will respond.
Toll-Like Receptor Signaling in Vertebrates: Testing the Integration of Protein, Complex, and Pathway Data in the Protein Ontology Framework

The Protein Ontology (PRO) provides terms for and supports annotation of species-specific protein complexes in an ontology framework that relates them both to their components and to species-independent families of complexes. Comprehensive curation of experimentally known forms and annotations thereof is expected to expose discrepancies, differences, and gaps in our knowledge. We have annotated the early events of innate immune signaling mediated by Toll-Like Receptor 3 and 4 complexes in human, mouse, and chicken. The resulting ontology and annotation data set has allowed us to identify species-specific gaps in experimental data and possible functional differences between species, and to employ inferred structural and functional relationships to suggest plausible resolutions of these discrepancies and gaps.
Nitrate uptake and reduction in C3 and C4 grasses

ABSTRACT Nitrate uptake and enzymatic reduction are important processes in regulating nitrogen (N) utilization of the plant and in reducing N losses from the plant-soil ecosystem. In turf-type and forage grasses, N can be lost by tissue removal through mowing or grazing and the efficiency of N utilization must be significantly affected by nitrate uptake and reduction in the roots. In the present study, we compared nitrate uptake by the roots and nitrate reduction in roots and shoots of one C4 grass, bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.), and three C3 grasses, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Grasses were grown in a hydroponic system supplied with modified Hoagland's nutrient solutions containing 5.0 or 0.5 mM nitrate. Nitrate uptake was determined by a nutrient depletion method, and nitrate reductase activity (NRA) was determined by an in vivo method. Contrary to a hypothesis that C4 grasses have more active ...
Density-functional theory for superconductors.

A density-functional theory for superconductors at arbitrary temperature is described. It leads to equations of the Kohn-Sham type, which incorporate exchange and correlation effects into the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations for an inhomogeneous superconductor. Further, this formalism yields exchange-correlation corrections to Eilenberger's expression for the thermodynamic potential of a superconductor, and the Ginzburg-Landau equation. Practical aspects of the application of the formalism are discussed.
Identification and Developmental Expression of Two Activin Receptors in Baboon Lung

Abstract Activins are members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily that exert their effects through interacting with specific cell surface TGF-β superfamily receptors (TSRs). To determine whether activins are involved in lung development, we used a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based approach to identify members of the activin receptors from baboon fetal lung mRNAs. Two partial cDNA sequences encoding serine/threonine kinase domains of baboon TSR type I (bTSR1) and type II (bTSR2) were identified by sequencing analysis. bTSR1 displays 96% identity to human activin type I receptor TSR1, whereas bTSR2 shows 80% identity to human activin type II receptor ActRIIB over the kinase domain region. Northern analysis revealed the expression of a 2.1 kb bTSR1 transcript and a 5.0 kb bTSR2 transcript in baboon lung tissues. Both bTSR1 and bTSR2 were expressed throughout embryonic lung development and in adult lung. The expressions of bTSR1 and bTSR2 were developmentally regulated and each had a distinct expression pattern. Furthermore, the expressions of bTSR1 and bTSR2 in fetal baboon lung were altered by oxygen exposure. This study for the first time identifies the presence of the activin receptors in the baboon lung and provides evidence that both bTSR1 and bTSR2 are regulated during lung development, suggesting that activins might play an important role during lung development.
Thrombin downregulates thrombomodulin expression and activity in primary human endothelial cells.

Thrombomodulin (TM) is a cell surface anticoagulant glycoprotein that plays a key role in the protein C pathway. TM expression in endothelial cells may be modulated by a variety of extracellular signals. Most notably, TM has been shown to be downregulated by inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and lipopolysaccharide. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of thrombin on TM expression and activity. Thrombin resulted in reduced TM in primary cultures of human endothelial cells by approximately 40% at the level of mRNA, protein, and activity. These effects were blocked by the thrombin inhibitor hirudin. These results suggest that activation of the coagulation cascade may result in a positive-feedback loop consisting of thrombin-mediated repression of TM-dependent protein C activation.
Restating Under the Radar? Determinants of Restatement Disclosure Choices and the Related Market Reactions

This study investigates determinants of restatement disclosure choices and the related stock price reactions in the post-Sarbanes-Oxley era, a period characterized by high restatement volume and mixed signals from regulators about restatement disclosure requirements. Holding the materiality of restatements constant, we show that firms with greater outside monitoring prior to a restatement announcement are more likely to disclose restatements transparently while firms with more aggressive reporting are less likely to disclose restatements transparently. We also provide evidence that firms’ restatement disclosure choices are influenced by the disclosures of their industry peers and that obscure disclosures attenuate the stock price reaction to restatement announcements. Finally, although we find that the transparency and timeliness of restatement disclosures have improved following a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule designed to improve the quality of restatement disclosures, we also find that some firms continue to disclose severe restatements in the most obscure disclosure venue. This evidence is consistent with SEC concerns about firms “restating under the radar.”
RUNOFF AND LAND USE IN THE DESCHUTES BASIN

ABSTRACT The hydrologic consequences of land resource development are a greater concern in the Deschutes Basin than in most watersheds. The uniform natural flow of the Deschutes River is sustained by groundwater discharge from basaltic lava that underlies much of the basin. Regular streamflow is the principal water supply throughout the basin during the dry summer months, but forest and agricultural resource development are increasingly modifying the natural runoff process and are exerting growing demands on the summer water supply. Estimates of the hydrologic effects of complete timber removal and the maximum development of irrigated agriculture reveal contrasting and severe changes in the quantity and timing of summer runoff. Removal of timber increases runoff by an average of 560,000 acre-feet annually, but fifty-eight percent of the total computed runoff increase occurs during the wet season. Full development of irrigated agriculture decreases runoff by about 386,000 acre-feet annually, and all of the...
Fatty Acid and Chlorophyll Levels of Coastal Bermudagrass during the Day and during Maturation

Lipids were extracted from fresh, field-grown coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) and the fatty acids determined by gas chromatography. Total fatty acid levels (dry weight basis) increased during the day and reached a single maximum at sunset in 2-week-old grass; whereas, in older grass, the fluctuations in fatty acid levels showed two maxima. The first maximum occurred 4 h after sunrise and the second maximum occurred at sunset. Total fatty acid levels, based on dry weight, decreased during the first 6 weeks of growth and changed very little after an additional 4 weeks' growth in bermudagrass leaf blades. Chlorophyll levels (dry weight basis) continuously decreased during the entire growth period (10 weeks). Chlorophyll alb ratios increased at sunset in 2- and 6-week-old grass, but this ratio did not change during the day in subsequent growth stages. The results of these experiments show that stages of maturity affected fatty acid fluctuations during the day as well as total fatty acid and chlorophyll levels in Coastal bermudagrass leaf blades. Chlorophyll alb ratios varied independently of fatty acid levels.
Interparticle interactions in annealed FePt nanoparticle assemblies

Thermal treatment of self-assembled FePt nanoparticles reduces the interparticle distances, resulting in dramatic changes in the type and strength of interparticle interactions. Consequently, magnetic properties such as the hysteresis and magnetization reversal mechanisms are strongly affected. It is suggested that controlled annealing of self-assembled nanoparticles may offer a novel approach for producing hard magnetic nanocomposites.
The Interdependence of the Factors Influencing the Perceived Quality of the Online Learning Experience: A Causal Model:

A structural model of the drivers of online education is proposed and tested. The findings help to identify the interrelated nature of the lectures delivered via technology outside of the tradition...
Single Amino Acid Changes in the Virus Capsid Permit Coxsackievirus B3 To Bind Decay-Accelerating Factor

Many coxsackievirus B isolates bind to human decay-accelerating factor (DAF) as well as to the coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR). The first-described DAF-binding isolate, coxsackievirus B3 (CB3)-RD, was obtained during passage of the prototype strain CB3-Nancy on RD cells, which express DAF but very little CAR. CB3-RD binds to human DAF, whereas CB3-Nancy does not. To determine the molecular basis for the specific interaction of CB3-RD with DAF, we produced cDNA clones encoding both CB3-RD and CB3-Nancy and mutated each of the sites at which the RD and Nancy sequences diverged. We found that a single amino acid change, the replacement of a glutamate within VP3 (VP3-234E) with a glutamine residue (Q), conferred upon CB3-Nancy the capacity to bind DAF and to infect RD cells. Readaptation of molecularly cloned CB3-Nancy to RD cells selected for a new virus with the same VP3-234Q residue. In experiments with CB3-H3, another virus isolate that does not bind measurably to DAF, adaptation to RD cells resulted in a DAF-binding isolate with a single amino acid change within VP2 (VP2-138 N to D). Both VP3-234Q and VP2-138D were required for binding of CB3-RD to DAF. In the structure of the CB3-RD-DAF complex determined by cryo-electron microscopy, both VP3-234Q and VP2-138D are located at the contact site between the virus and DAF.
Anoxia vs. Productivity: What Controls the Formation of Organic-Carbon-Rich Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks?: Discussion

The prevailing explanation for the origin of organic-rich sediments and rocks invokes deposition under conditions of anoxia. However, recent research suggests that high primary production and not water-column anoxia provides the first-order control on the accumulation of organic-rich facies in the modern oceans. Oxygen minima do not appear to have any direct effect on carbon accumulation in continental margin or marginal sea environments. Sediments accumulating in the modern Black Sea, the type euxinic basin, are not particularly enriched in organic matter despite the presence of an anoxic water column, although a sapropel containing extremely high carbon concentrations was deposited during the Holocene at a time when the basin was oxic. Results of a recently published co pled ocean-atmosphere model indicate that during the Cretaceous, thermohaline and surface circulation in the oceans was similar to or more intense than modern conditions, despite the overall equable climate. Such conditions confound the idea that circulation in the Cretaceous Atlantic, for example, was punctuated by oceanic anoxic events brought about by more sluggish circulation. Sporadic temporal and spatial increases in primary production, reflecting changes in the behavior and/or state of the ocean-atmosphere system, constitute a more tenable explanation for the occurrence of modern and Quaternary carbon-rich sediments and Cretaceous black shales. Consequently, the fundamental control on the accumulation of carbon-rich facies in the oceans and marginal seas is not the presence or absence of anoxia.
Signal processing with coupled ferromagnetic dots

This paper demonstrates how magnetically-coupled nanometer-size ferromagnetic dots can be used for information processing. A hierarchy of modeling tools is utilized for efficient simulation and design of these nanomagnet circuits. Based on these tools, we show how the shape and placement of dots can be designed to perform desired logic functions. Experimental investigations of such closely packed nanomagnet arrays are promising.
SeqGene: a comprehensive software solution for mining exome- and transcriptome- sequencing data

The popularity of massively parallel exome and transcriptome sequencing projects demands new data mining tools with a comprehensive set of features to support a wide range of analysis tasks.
Shoulder-hand syndrome and herpes zoster: report of a case with signs of vasodilatation and vasoconstriction in the same hand.

SummaryA case report is given of a woman of 65, who developed first a painful shoulder, then a herpes zoster brachialis of the 6th and perhaps the 5th cervical root, and finally a reflex dystrophy of the hand of the right superior extremity. An osteoarthritis of the cervical spine probably was the primary lesion. A partial remission took place in 8 months. During the acute stage of the disease there was evidence of vasospasm in the thumb, the cutaneous sensibility of which was impaired, and of vasodilatation of the fingers. Two years later the whole hand was found to be colder than the healthy one. In the discussion the case is seen in the light of the hypotheses of Livingston and de Takats concerning vasomotor disturbances in reflex dystrophy.
Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Sexual Violence: Are There Unique Characteristics Associated With Making Partners Have Sex Without a Condom?:

This study examined correlates of making an intimate partner engage in unprotected sex among perpetrators of sexual violence. Based on the Confluence Model, we hypothesized that power and impersonal sex motives would be higher among perpetrators who made a dating partner have unprotected sex. Among a subsample of 78 male college students, significant differences were found for acceptance of verbal pressure, positive attitudes about casual sex, frequency of sexual intercourse, and physical injuries to dating partners. These findings highlight the importance of integrating theories and interventions directed at sexual assault and sexual risk reduction.
Effect of Electrical Stimulation to the Vastus Medialis Muscle in a Patient with Chronically Dislocating Patellae

Lateral subluxation and dislocation of the patella have been attributed to a number of different anatomical and functional abnormalities. These abnormalities include an increase in the “Q” angle above 15 degrees, a high-riding patella (patella alta), an external tibial torsion, a lateral insertion of the patellar tendon, a tilted patella, a low lateral femoral condyle, and a hypoplasia of the vastus medialis muscle.1–3 Regardless of the abnormality, however, conservative treatment is generally directed toward strengthening the quadriceps mechanism by resistive exercise.1–5 Although the quadriceps mechanisms of individuals with patellar problems have been found to generate less knee extension torque than healthy individuals,6 quadriceps femoris muscle strengthening may be accompanied by complications. Even when performed with EMG feedback, resistive exercise may lead to further augmentation of the lateral vector of the quadriceps femoris muscle force.7 Such an augmentation could conceivably increase the tendency of the patella to sublux or dislocate laterally.…
A radiative-transfer inverse-source problem for a sphere.

Abstract A sphere-to-plane transformation technique and the spherical-harmonics method are used to develop a solution to an inverse-source problem for radiative transfer in a spherical body. It is assumed that, with the exception of the inhomogeneous source term, all aspects of the radiation-transport problem are known, and we seek to determine the source term from a specified angular distribution of radiation that exits the surface of the sphere.
brief report: Etymologic Evolution of Emergency Paging Euphemisms

Emergency paging euphemisms such as "code call," "blue 100," or "Dr. Ambu" have the potential to become part of the technical vocabulary of medicine through the human tendency to use words creatively; yet this process may occur with considerable diversity of intended meaning, and a loss of precision in speech or thought may result. This study demonstrates that the informal verbification and further etymologic evolution of a paging euphemism at one medical center has resulted in words which mean different things to different users and listeners.
Short-term practice with customized 3D immersive videogame improves arm-postural coordination in patients with TBI

This paper describes the effects of short-term practice with the custom-made 3D immersive videogame Octopus on arm-postural coordination in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Unlike many other custom-designed virtual environments, Octopus includes an actual gaming component with a system of multiple rewards, making the game challenging, competitive, and fun. While standing, 6 individuals with mild-to-moderate manifestations of TBI practiced reaching and popping virtual bubbles with the left or right hand avatar. The bubbles, blown by the Octopus, followed a specific trajectory. Interception of the bubbles allowed flexible use of the postural segments (trunk and legs) for balance maintenance and arm transport. Participants practiced ten 90-s gaming trials during a single session, followed by a retention test. Whole-body kinematics was analyzed using principal component analysis. As a result of the short-term practice, the participants improved in game performance, arm movement time, and precision, mostly by adapting efficient arm-postural coordination strategies. Of the 6 participants, 5 showed an immediate increase in arm forward reach and single-leg stance time. These results support the feasibility of using the custom-made 3D game for retraining of arm-postural coordination disrupted as a result of TBI.