cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Type and Level of College Degree on Managerial Communication Competence

Abstract The conventional wisdom is that managers with business degrees are more competent in communicating than managers with nonbusiness degrees, and that managers with master's degrees are better communicators than those with undergraduate degrees. This study identified the communication areas in which managers are competent and examined the effect of education on the communication competence of managers. Results showed that managers are most competent in small group communication, meetings, interpersonal communication (dyads), and written communication. The type and level of college degree had no significant impact on the managers' communication competence. Implications for management education are discussed.
Kinetics of order-disorder transformations

Abstract A simple theory of the kinetics of order-disorder transformations, based on chemical rate theory, is presented. The theory is constructed entirely in terms of the long range order parameter and reduces to the Bragg and Williams theory at equilibrium. There are several unusual features in the theoretical rate curves. The origin of these characteristics is the order parameter dependence of the energy of ordering. It is shown that ordering must start by fluctuations which are expected to be particularly large for an AB 3 alloy. Thus, the shapes of the ordering curves remind one of nucleation and growth processes, although they are derived entirely from simple rate theory. The theory is shown to be in agreement with the experimentally known qualitative behavior of order-disorder systems. For example, the theory predicts a maximum ordering rate slightly below the critical temperature in agreement with experiment. An improvement of the Bragg and Williams equilibrium theory is also suggested, based on a nonlinear dependence of the ordering energy on the long-range order parameter, which leads to excellent agreement with experiment. The kinetic theory is modified accordingly, resulting in quantitative but not qualitative changes in the predicted rate curves. There are insufficient experimental rate data for a critical quantitative evaluation of the kinetic theory.
Linear prediction filters for linear and nonlinear modeled geomagnetic activity

It is shown that the Faraday loop analogue model of geomagnetic activity exhibits both the directly driven and loading-unloading magnetospheric responses to solar wind input. It is further shown that the directly driven component is a linear response to loading while the loading-unloading response is nonlinear. Linear prediction filters which relate model input to output are discussed. By either allowing or suppressing the loading-unloading model response, filters that relate to nonlinear or linear dynamics, respectively, have been computed. Filters that describe the directly driven response are finite ranged; they asymptote to zero with increasing lag on a time scale that is fixed by the dissipation rate of the model. Filters that describe the nonlinear total response are infinite ranged; they asymptote with increasing lag to large amplitude periodic oscillations. Some implications of these infinite ranged filters are discussed.
Long-term results of abdominal sacrocolpopexy☆

Abstract Objective Our purpose was to determine the long-term results after abdominal sacrocolpopexy. Study design Computer-coded procedure logs identified women who had an abdominal sacrocolpopexy performed from 1985 to 1992. Subjects answered a validated, condition-specific symptom questionnaire, a sexual function questionnaire, and a demographic survey. Failures were defined by reoperation or symptoms. The data were analyzed with use of the Student t test and the Fisher exact test. Results At the time of surgery the subjects (n = 38) had a mean age of 59.2 years (range 40-77 years), parity 4.03 (1-9), BMI 26.5 (18.6-40.2), and stage of prolapse 2.56 (0-4). The mean follow-up interval was 13.7 years (10-17 years). The total number of failures was 10 (26.3%), 4 (10.5%) because of reoperation and 6 (16%) because of symptoms. Symptom distress scores were low and similar between failures and successes. Twelve subjects were available for examination and most defects were noted in the anterior wall. Conclusion This long-term outcome analysis of abdominal sacrocolpopexy found the procedure to be durable with a 74% success rate at a mean follow-up of 13.7 years.
ACROMEGALY PRESENTING IN INFANCY

We report a female child with a growth hormone (GH) secreting pituitary adenoma and hyperprolactinemia, diagnosed at 21 months, but with clinical signs in early infancy. Macrocephaly was noted at 3 months, and by 21 months head circumference was 55 cm (+5.5 SD). Linear growth was accelerated by age 6 months, and at 21 months height was 98 cm (+4.4 SD). CT scans at 21 months showed a pituitary tumor with suprasellar extension. Following complete surgical removal, immunohistochemical staining of the tumor tissue was positive for GH but not prolactin (Prl). Pertinent hormonal data demonstrated the following basal serum levels: Growth velocity has remained normal (6 cm/yr) despite persistently low levels of GH (max 4.3 ng/ml following insulin, L-Dopa and arginine) .TRH stimulation failed to elicit a rise in either GH or Prl. We suggest that increased Prl resulted from hypothalamic damage, and we speculate that it is responsible for normal growth and Somatomedin-C (Sm-C). There has been no recurrence to date (age 3½ yrs). To our knowledge, this is the youngest verified case of acromegaly reported.
Island rotation flap for nasal reconstruction.

Background Nasal reconstruction options are often dictated by size and location of the defect. Local flaps are often considered of little utility for larger or more complex defects. The authors' modification of the island rotation flap allows increased versatility and single-stage reconstruction for many more defects of varied sizes and locations. Methods A retrospective review of all cases of nasal reconstruction using the island rotation flap over a 3.5-year period was undertaken. Results Ninety-two island flap reconstructions were performed for defects ranging from 0.8 to 4.0 cm. For defects smaller than 2.5 cm, there were no cases of flap loss. Five percent of the patients required a second procedure, whereas 95 percent were reconstructed in a single stage. Five percent required treatment for prominent scars. Follow-up was over 2 years. Conclusions The laterally based blood supply of the nasal island rotation flap is reliable and robust. Patients treated with this flap had good healing and good symmetry and required minimal revision. Single-stage reconstruction with this flap requires both proper flap design and extensive undermining of the entire nasal soft-tissue cover. Nasal symmetry is maintained despite the defect and donor flap being on the same side of the nose. The authors present their technique for the island rotation flap for nasal reconstruction and information on its reliability and acceptance.
Psychology Research at Liberal Arts Colleges

þis article examines the research activity in sociology by faculty at liberal arts col-leges. We used Sociological Abstracts to compile a list of journal articles published from 1960 to 1999 for which the first author's affiliation was among the 161 schools classified as liberal arts colleges by the Carnegie Foundation. We rank the colleges by the number of journal publications over the whole time period as well as a subset of the last ten years, and provide information on which journals are the most frequent outlets for liberal arts faculty. Finally, we provide some evidence that this research output is linked to teaching effectiveness.
Mental stress provokes ischemia in coronary artery disease subjects without exercise- or adenosine-induced ischemia.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility that some patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) but negative exercise or chemical stress test results might have mental stress-induced ischemia. The study population consisted solely of those with negative test results. Background Mental stress-induced ischemia has been reported in 20% to 70% of CAD subjects with exercise-induced ischemia. Because mechanisms of exercise and mental stress-induced ischemia may differ, we studied whether mental stress would produce ischemia in a proportion of subjects with CAD who have no inducible ischemia with exercise or pharmacologic tests. Methods Twenty-one subjects (14 men, 7 women) with a mean age of 67 years and with a documented history of CAD were studied. All subjects had a recent negative nuclear stress test result (exercise or chemical). Subjects completed a speaking task involving role playing a difficult interpersonal situation. A total of 30 mCi 99m Tc-sestamibi was injected at one minute into the speech, and imaging was started 40 min later. A resting image obtained within one week was compared with the stress image. Images were analyzed for number and severity of perfusion defects. The summed difference score based on the difference between summed stress and rest scores was calculated. Severity was assessed using a semiquantitative scoring method from zero to four. Results Six of 21 (29%) subjects demonstrated reversible ischemia (summed difference score ≥3) with mental stress. No subject had chest pain or electrocardiographic changes during the stressor. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate all increased between resting and times of peak stress. Conclusions Mental stress may produce ischemia in some subjects with CAD and negative exercise or chemical nuclear stress test results.
The Effects of Locus of Control on Coalition Formation Among College Females

Past research in coalition formation reveals differing strategies between sexes, and that females tend to follow the Anti-Competitive Theory. The present study tries to show that a theory of coalition formation based solely on sex is inadequate and suggests that personality variables be included in explaining this phenomenon. The personality variable chosen for this study was the locus of control. Based on their scores on the locus of control scale, 45 college coeds were placed into three categories of triads: externals, mixed and internals. Each subject was in turn assigned weights of 4, 3, and 2 in playing a dice game where they could form alliances or play individually. Results indicated that both the frequency and the pattern of coalitions formed were significantly influenced by locus of control, thus the findings lend support to the basic reasoning of the researchers.
Prediction and Control of NBTI -- Induced SRAM V ccmin Drift

The paper presents a comprehensive study of the impact of NBTI on SRAM Vccmin stability. The authors describe a novel simulation technique to predict the between - die statistical distribution of Vccmin drift due to NBTI. While the drift is a fundamental phenomenon, it was shown that by cell design and transistor process optimization, the drift can be reduced to tolerable levels
Development of a circadian light source

Solid state lighting presents a new paradigm for lighting - controllability. Certain characteristics of the lighting environment can be manipulated, because of the possibility of using multiple LEDs of different emission wavelengths as the illumination source. This will provide a new, versatile, general illumination source due to the ability to vary the spectral power distribution. New effects beyond the visual may be achieved that are not possible with conventional light sources. Illumination has long been the primary function of lighting but as the lighting industry has matured the psychological aspects of lighting have been considered by designers; for example, choosing a particular lighting distribution or color variation in retail applications. The next step in the evolution of light is to consider the physiological effects of lighting that cause biological changes in a person within the environment. This work presents the development of a source that may have important bearing on this area of lighting. A circadian light source has been developed to provide an illumination source that works by modulating its correlated color temperature to mimic the changes in natural daylight through the day. In addition, this source can cause or control physiological effects for a person illuminated by it. The importance of this is seen in the human circadian rhythm's peak response corresponding to blue light at ~460 nm which corresponds to the primary spectral difference in increasing color temperature. The device works by adding blue light to a broadband source or mixing polychromatic light to mimic the variation of color temperature observed for the Planckian Locus on the CIE diagram. This device can have several applications including: a tool for researchers in this area, a general illumination lighting technology, and a light therapy device.
Unpleasant Surprises Await

New forms of international cooperation will be needed to address the myriad problems that arise when vast numbers of humans migrate.
Single-incision laparoscopic right colectomy in an unselected patient population.

Background Single-incision laparoscopic surgery has become increasingly utilized for colorectal surgery, with the most frequently reported single-incision laparoscopic operation being right hemicolectomy. While current data suggest that single-incision laparoscopic right colectomy is feasible, safe, and roughly equivalent to standard laparoscopic right colectomy, the technique has to date only been described in highly selected patients. Single-incision laparoscopic right colectomy has not yet been assessed in a standard patient population.
Show me the money: contracts and agents in service level agreement markets

Delivering real‐time services (Internet telephony, video conferencing, and streaming media as well as business‐critical data applications) across the Internet requires end‐to‐end quality of service (QoS) guarantees, which requires a hierarchy of contracts. These standardized contracts may be referred to as service level agreements (SLAs). SLAs provide a mechanism for service providers and customers to flexibly specify the service to be delivered. The emergence of bandwidth and service agents, traders, brokers, exchanges and contracts can provide an institutional and business framework to support effective competition. This article identifies issues that must be addressed by SLAs for consumer applications. We introduce a simple taxonomy for classifying SLAs based on the identity of the contracting parties. We conclude by discussing implications for public policy, Internet architecture, and competition.
Asymptotic analysis of the primitive equations under the small depth assumption

Abstract In this article we study the asymptotic behavior of solutions of the primitive equations (PEs) as the depth of the domain goes to zero. We prove that the solutions of the PEs can be expanded as a sum of barotropic flow and baroclinic flow up to a uniformly bounded (in time and space) initial time layer. The barotropic flow is solution of the 2D Navier–Stokes equations with Coriolis force coupled with density. By employing a comparison theorem, the baroclinic flow can be approximated by a quasi-stationary nonlinear GFD-Stokes problem. This article presents a mathematically rigorous justification that the barotropic flow dominates the baroclinic flow in the motion of the atmosphere and ocean.
Integrating Compliance, Communication, and Culture: Delivering Health Care to an Aging Population

Older adults often get lost in the process of assessment, diagnosis and service brokering. If our concern as care providers is to enable older persons to remain independent or in the community for as long as possible, we must tap into their personal values, cultural identity and health beliefs in order to foster enhanced health care communication. To meet the predicted health care needs of this large and diverse older population, care providers and patients will need to reexamine their attitudes and communication skills in order to foster a symbiotic partnership in the delivery of health care.
Luminescent spectral splitting: Efficient spatial division of solar spectrum at low concentration

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential performance of a novel concept for dividing solar radiation into spectral components that separately illuminate photovoltaic (PV) cells of different band gaps using an optical design that (1) is simple, easily manufactured, and extensible to many spectral channels and (2) does not achieve high geometric concentration factors. The concept that we explore leverages the approach of stacked luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) for dividing the solar spectrum using fluorophores that are tuned to different spectral bands. However, whereas multicolor LSCs must perform two functions using the same optical component—spectral division and concentration—we consider the performance of a similar design when only one demand—spectral division—is placed on it. We find that the optical quantum and power efficiencies can be quite high (QE>90%, PE>80%) compared to what one might intuitively expect. When we couple the light output to a simple detailed balance model of a solar cell using experimental performance parameters we find that solar-to-electric conversion could exceed 30% with four junctions, using existing PV materials. While this does not exceed what can be achieved by HCPV designs on multijunction epitaxially grown stacks, the concept presented here has the major advantage of being easily extensible to an arbitrarily large number of spectral channels. Because of this extensibility, the number of junctions in the system is limited only by the availability of PV cells with appropriate band gaps, so significantly higher system efficiencies should be accessible without major revision to the basic design presented here.
Inhibitory cross-talk upon introduction of a new metabolic pathway into an existing metabolic network

Evolution or engineering of novel metabolic pathways can endow microbes with new abilities to degrade anthropogenic pollutants or synthesize valuable chemicals. Most studies of the evolution of new pathways have focused on the origins and quality of function of the enzymes involved. However, there is an additional layer of complexity that has received less attention. Introduction of a novel pathway into an existing metabolic network can result in inhibitory cross-talk due to adventitious interactions between metabolites and macromolecules that have not previously encountered one another. Here, we report a thorough examination of inhibitory cross-talk between a novel metabolic pathway for synthesis of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate and the existing metabolic network of Escherichia coli. We demonstrate multiple problematic interactions, including (i) interference by metabolites in the novel pathway with metabolic processes in the existing network, (ii) interference by metabolites in the existing network with the function of the novel pathway, and (iii) diversion of metabolites from the novel pathway by promiscuous activities of enzymes in the existing metabolic network. Identification of the mechanisms of inhibitory cross-talk can reveal the types of adaptations that must occur to enhance the performance of a novel metabolic pathway as well as the fitness of the microbial host. These findings have important implications for evolutionary studies of the emergence of novel pathways in nature as well as genetic engineering of microbes for “green” manufacturing processes.
Becoming a Leader: Early Career Challenges Faced by MBA Graduates

Leadership development is often cited as an important organizational priority. Despite the criticisms of MBA education, MBA graduates represent one important source of future leaders. Although we h...
JCIT, a production-ready field tested non-proprietary software definable radio

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has developed a multi-channel, multi-mode, multi-band modular communications terminal called the Joint Combat Information Terminal (JCIT). The JCIT is the heart of the communications system for the Army Airborne Command and Control System (A2C2S). The production-ready JCIT has been field tested by the US Marine Corps (USMC) in command and control variants of the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) and Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV). The functionality, expandability, and modularity of JCIT provide state-of-the-art communications for military and civil agencies. Interoperability with SINCGARS, HAVE QUICK, HF, National Satellite Intelligence Broadcasts, military precision GPS, IEEE-802.11, direct broadcast by satellite (DBS/GBS), air traffic control, police, fire, and civil maritime has been demonstrated in the field and in the laboratory. The JCIT architecture was designed to meet current and future military command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C41) requirements. It provides a total communications system solution from the antenna to the user the modules developed for the JCIT are not proprietary. The architecture is built from a common set of hardware and software modules. Software allows the hardware to interoperate with other legacy or future radio systems on operator command hardware and software insertion to meet future requirements is supported by the architecture. The architecture is readily adaptable to new platforms, utilizing unchanged hardware and software modules. Although the architecture is not considered "open" by the industry standards, full Government owned interface control documents exist that allow any third party to build hardware or software components for the system. Eight-channel vehicular/airborne units and two-channel vehicular/manpack units have been built. These units share hardware modules and software applications without modification.
PICOT A Multidomain Scaffolding Inhibitor of Hypertrophic Signal Transduction

See related article, pages 711–719 Unlike the explosive hyperplastic growth that occurs during early embryonic development, neonatal and adult cardiomyocytes undergo hypertrophy as a consequence of a much more subtle increase in the fractional growth rate of the heart. Both physiological and pathological hypertrophy results from mechanical and neurohormonal signals (and their downstream effectors) that tend to increase the rate of cardiac protein synthesis. These growth-promoting pathways are counterbalanced by signaling molecules that tend to inhibit or attenuate the prohypertrophic growth response.1 In this issue of Circulation Research , Jeong et al2 continue to add to a growing list of negative regulators of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and describe how PICOT (protein kinase C–interacting cousin of thioredoxin) may function to inhibit the calcineurin (CnA)–nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) signaling pathway responsible for regulating specific aspects of the hypertrophic phenotype. PICOT was first identified in 2000 by Witte et al in a yeast 2-hybrid screen of protein kinase C (PKC)θ-interacting proteins.3 These authors used full-length, catalytically inactive PKCθ to screen a Jurkat T-cell lymphoma cDNA library. They identified a highly conserved, 37.5-kDa cytoplasmic protein containing at least 2 functional domains. The N-terminal, PKCθ binding domain shared sequence homology with the thioredoxin family of proteins but lacked the conserved Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys motif essential for enzyme activity. The C-terminal domain contained 2 tandem repeats, now called PICOT homology (PIH) domains that are shared by proteins expressed in a …
Is there really an increased incidence of thyroid cancer

Purpose of review Between 1975 and 2009, the incidence of thyroid cancer has increased from 4.9 to 14.3 cases per 100 000 individuals, with a more pronounced increase in women (from 6.5 to 21.4 cases per 100 000 women). In the USA, in 2013, there are now more cases of thyroid cancer than all leukemias, pancreas and liver cancers combined. This review assesses the current evidence around the hypothesis that thyroid cancer is overdiagnosed: cancers are being detected that were never destined to cause a patient harm. Recent findings There is a large reservoir of slow or nonprogressing thyroid cancers; up to one-third of the population may unknowingly harbor a thyroid cancer. At least two activities have contributed to the detection of this reservoir of thyroid cancer: the increasing use of advanced imaging modalities in the recent years (i.e., computed tomography and MRI) and increased rates of thyroid surgery coupled with more aggressive evaluation of excised thyroid glands. Despite the increased incidence of thyroid cancer, mortality has not changed over the last 4 decades. This mismatch between incidence and mortality is most consistent with increased identification of nonlethal disease (overdiagnosis). Summary Thyroid cancer incidence is increasing, although mortality is stable. The major cause of the increased incidence is detection of subclinical disease - overdiagnosis. Patients are still treated aggressively and are exposed to side-effects of treatment without any certainty of benefit. Strategies to avoid unnecessary intervention and to explicitly involve patients in decision-making should be pursued. Research is needed to help predict which cancers are likely to become problematic.
Aberrant mobility phenomena of the DNA repair protein XPA.

The DNA repair protein XPA recognizes a wide variety of bulky lesions and interacts with several other proteins during nucleotide excision repair. We recently identified regions of intrinsic order and disorder in full length Xenopus XPA (xXPA) protein using an experimental approach that combined time-resolved trypsin proteolysis and electrospray ionization interface coupled to a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (ESI-FTICR) mass spectrometry (MS). MS data were consistent with the interpretation that xXPA contains no post-translational modifications. Here we characterize the discrepancy between the calculated molecular weight (31 kDa) for xXPA and its apparent molecular weight on SDS-PAGE (multiple bands from ∼40–45 kDa) and gel filtration chromatography (∼92 kDa), as well as the consequences of DNA binding on its anomalous mobility. Iodoacetamide treatment of xXPA prior to SDS-PAGE yielded a single 42-kDa band, showing that covalent modification of Cys did not correct aberrant mobility. Determination of sulfhydryl content in xXPA with Ellman's reagent revealed that all nine Cys in active protein are reduced. Unexpectedly, structural constraints induced by intramolecular glutaraldehyde crosslinks in xXPA produced a ∼32-kDa monomer in closer agreement with its calculated molecular weight. To investigate whether binding to DNA alters xXPA's anomalous migration, we used gel filtration chromatography. For the first time, we purified stable complexes of xXPA and DNA ± cisplatin ± mismatches. xXPA showed at least 10-fold higher affinity for cisplatin DNA ± mismatches compared to undamaged DNA ± mismatches. In all cases, DNA binding did not correct xXPA's anomalous migration. To test predictions that a Glu-rich region (EEEEAEE) and/or disordered N- and C-terminal domains were responsible for xXPA's aberrant mobility, the molecular weights of partial proteolytic fragments from ∼5 to 25 kDa separated by reverse-phase HPLC and precisely determined by ESI-FTICR MS were correlated with their migration on SDS-PAGE. Every partial tryptic fragment analyzed within this size range exhibited 10%–50% larger molecular weights than expected. Thus, both the disordered domains and the Glu-rich region in xXPA are primarily responsible for the aberrant mobility phenomena.
Live Cell Detection of Specific Messenger RNA for Molecular Analysis of Plaque Formation

The ability to visualize mRNA in single living cells and monitor in real-time the changes of mRNA level and localization in response to shear flow can provide unprecedented opportunities for the molecular analysis of atherosclerosis. We carried out an extensive study of the design of molecular beacons to target BMP-4 mRNA, which plays important roles in proatherogenic development in response to unstable flow conditions. Specifically, we selected an optimal molecular beacon design, and found that the fluorescent intensity from targeting BMP-4 mRNA correlated well with the GFP signal after up-regulating BMP-4 and co-expressing GFP using adenovirus. The knock-down of BMP-4 mRNA using siRNA significantly reduced the beacon signal, further demonstrating detection specificity. We found that, due to target accessibility, molecular beacons designed with different target sequences gave very different signal levels, and establishing molecular beacon design rules has significant implications to live cell mRNA detections, especially to the studies of BMP-4 mRNA in endothelial cells under shear flow.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
2,4‐Dinitrobenzenesulfonyl Chloride

[1656-44-6] C6H3CIN2O6S (MW 266.62) InChI = 1S/C6H3ClN2O6S/c7-16(14,15)6-2-1-4(8(10)11)3-5(6)9(12)13/h1-3H InChIKey = SSFSNKZUKDBPIT-UHFFFAOYSA-N (reagent widely used as a temporary protecting group for amines1) Alternate Names: 2,4-dinitrophenylsulfonyl chloride, dNBS. Physical Data: mp 102 °C; fp 206.6 ± 46.7 °C. Solubility: soluble in most organic solvents. Form Supplied in: white solid, widely available. Stability: stable under normal temperatures and pressures. Preparative Methods: by chlorination of a dilute aqueous solution of freshly prepared 2,4-dinitrophenyl isothiourea hydrochloride.2 In 55–60% yield by interaction of ClSO3H and sodium 2,4-dinitrosulfonate (obtained from 2,4-(O2N)2C6H3Cl and Na2SO3).3 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: handle with care, potentially toxic. Use only in a well ventilated area. Store in a tightly closed container.
A review of mitigation methods for overvoltage in long-cable-fed PWM AC drives

The phenomenon of overvoltage at motor terminals in long-cable-fed PWM AC drives poses a severe stress on motor insulation systems. The overvoltage is typically caused by the high change rate of the inverter output voltage (dv/dt) and the surge impedance mismatch between the inverter, connecting power cable and the motor. This paper presents a comparative survey of the existing methods of overvoltage suppression, which includes passive filters at both motor terminals and inverter terminals. The design methodologies, effectiveness, and practical applicability of these passive filters are discussed through computer simulations based on Ansys/Simplorer 9.0, and the promising approaches are recommended for researchers and industrial users.
“Skittish” Abca2 Knockout Mice Display Tremor, Hyperactivity, and Abnormal Myelin Ultrastructure in the Central Nervous System

The ATP-binding cassette transporter 2 (ABCA2) is an endolysosomal protein most highly expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system tissues and macrophages. Previous studies indicated its role in cholesterol/steroid (estramustine, estradiol, and progesterone) trafficking/sequestration, oxidative stress response, and Alzheimer's disease. Developmental studies have shown its expression during macrophage and oligodendrocyte differentiation, processes requiring membrane growth. To determine the in vivo function(s) of this transporter, we generated a knockout mouse from a gene-targeted disruption of the murine ABCA2 gene. Knockout males and females are viable and fertile. However, a non-Mendelian inheritance pattern was shown among male progeny of heterozygous crosses. Compared to wild-type and heterozygous littermates, knockout mice displayed a tremor without ataxia, hyperactivity, and reduced body weight; the latter two phenotypes were more marked in females than in males. This sexual disparity suggests a role for ABCA2 in hormone-dependent neurological and/or developmental pathways. Myelin sheath thickness in the spinal cords of knockout mice was greatly increased compared to that in wild-type mice, while a significant reduction in myelin membrane periodicity (compaction) was observed in both spinal cords and cerebra of knockout mice. Loss of ABCA2 function in vivo resulted in abnormal myelin compaction in spinal cord and cerebrum, an ultrastructural defect that we propose to be the cause of the phenotypic tremor.
Tunable rf bandpass pass filter with variable resonator coupling

A new tunable filter technique is presented in which the coupling between adjacent resonators of the filter decreases as the tuning frequency is increased thereby maintaining almost constant bandwidth across the tuning range. Varactor diodes can be used for continuous tuning or switched capacitor banks can be used for discrete tuning. Electromagnetic (EM) simulations using low temperature co-fired ceramic technology (LTCC) type resonators have shown that a 50 percent tuning range is achievable with bandwidth variations of +/− 5 percent using this technique. A three pole Chebyshev filter with varactor tuning was bread boarded exhibiting a 17 percent tuning range from 481 to 565 MHz, a 3 dB bandwidth of 106 MHz and a pass-band insertion loss of less than 1 dB.
Representing Idioms: Syntactic and Contextual Effects on Idiom Processing:

Recent work on the processing of idiomatic expressions argues against the idea that idioms are simply big words. For example, hybrid models of idiom representation, originally investigated in the c...
Radiofrequency catheter ablation of Mahaim fibers at the tricuspid annulus.

BACKGROUNDThe purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of radiofrequency catheter ablation of Mahaim fibers at the tricuspid annulus.METHODS AND RESULTSFour patients who fulfilled criteria for having Mahaim fibers and preexcited reciprocating tachycardia underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation. Three patients had atriofascicular connections, and one patient had an atrioventricular connection. The mean age was 27 years (age range, 11-48 years). All patients had highly symptomatic tachycardias, producing syncope in one patient and presyncope in the remaining three patients. Symptoms were present for a mean of 13 years (range, 4-23 years). All pathways conducted only anterogradely, and preexcitation resulted in a left bundle branch block QRS morphology. Adenosine caused block in the accessory pathway in the three patients in whom it was tested. The stimulus to delta interval increased by 75 msec (range, 35-90 msec) during rapid atrial pacing. The atrial insertion of the Mahaim fiber was in the ri...
Fracture and debonding in lithium-ion batteries with electrodes of hollow core–shell nanostructures

Abstract In a novel design of lithium-ion batteries, hollow electrode particles coated with stiff shells are used to mitigate mechanical and chemical degradation. In particular, silicon anodes of such core–shell nanostructures have been cycled thousands of times with little capacity fading. To reduce weight and to facilitate lithium diffusion, the shell should be thin. However, to avert fracture and debonding from the core, the shell must be sufficiently thick. This tradeoff is considered here by calculating the stress fields resulting from concurrent insertion reaction and plastic flow for both spherical and cylindrical hollow core–shell nanostructures. Conditions to avert fracture and debonding are identified in terms of the radius of the core, the thickness of the shell, and the state of charge. The effect of the stress on the electrochemical reaction is also discussed.
Patients, Pathogens, and Protective Immunity: The Relevance of Virus-Induced Alloreactivity in Transplantation

Successful transplantation requires the establishment of an ongoing state in which there is simultaneous inhibition of the undesired T cell-dependent rejection response and yet retention of the ability to develop effective cell-mediated primary and memory responses to pathogens. The complexity of attaining such a precarious state is underscored by the growing body of evidence that alloreactivity can be profoundly influenced by infections that occur before, concurrent with, or subsequent to an organ transplant. In this review, we explore the growing list of mechanisms that have been identified by which pathogen-host interactions might influence rejection, including the degeneracy of TCR recognition leading to cross-reactive immune responses, the effects of pathogens on innate immune mechanisms, and the potential impact of virally induced lymphopenia.
In the Here and Now: Public Policy and Basic Writing.

In 2002, we finished Basic Writing as a Political Act: Public Conversations About Writing and Literacies, based on a two-year investigation of the perception of “basic writing” by those involved in the enterprise of basic writing—students, teachers, and institutions—as well as coverage of basic writing in mainstream newspapers. We concluded our study with some recommendations for curricular change that we thought important and that we both implemented after the book was published. This research was motivated by our commitment to students. We recognized a blind spot in our professional discourse, and we took steps to make sure that student voices were included and honored in discussing definitions of basic writing. In juxtaposing students’ understandings of BW with faculty understandings of BW, we wanted to reveal disagreements among educators about BW and show how students’ often rich understandings of out-of-school literacy could feed a richer notion of classroom experiences for academic writing. Since that time, things have changed for both of us, as they have for the field. At four-year colleges and universities, and even at some two-year colleges, basic writing courses and programs are being mainstreamed into
Diagnosis by AMPLICOR PCR of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in urine samples from women and men attending sexually transmitted disease clinics.

Screening of urine specimens from men for Chlamydia trachomatis infection by a commercial PCR assay (AMPLICOR C. trachomatis Test; Roche Diagnostic Systems, Inc., Branchburg, N.J.) is a sensitive and specific noninvasive diagnostic assay. Since screening of women for C. trachomatis infection with the AMPLICOR C. trachomatis Test has been limited to use with endocervical swab specimens, we conducted an evaluation of the AMPLICOR C. trachomatis Test for the detection of C. trachomatis using female urine samples and compared the results of those obtained by in vitro culture and PCR of endocervical swab specimens. For 713 men we compared the performance of AMPLICOR C. trachomatis Test with urine specimens with that of culture of urethral specimens. For specimens that were PCR positive and culture negative, two additional tests were used to resolve the discrepancies: direct fluorescent-antibody assay (DFA) of sediment from a spun endocervical specimen culture vial and major outer membrane protein-based PCR of the sediment from the endocervical specimen culture vial. Of 525 urine specimens from females, 67 (12.8%) were PCR positive, and 41 (7.8%) endocervical specimens from the 525 women were culture positive. After resolution of the discrepancies, the resolved sensitivity of the urine PCR was 93.3%, whereas the sensitivity of endocervical swab specimen culture was 67.3%. Of 468 female endocervical swab specimens, 47 (10.0%) had a positive PCR result and 33 (7.0%) were culture positive. The resolved sensitivity of the endocervical swab specimen PCR was 86%. Of 415 matched female urine and endocervical swab specimens, there were 49 confirmed infections; 30 (61.2%) specimens were positive by culture of the endocervical swab specimen, 40 (81.6%) were positive by confirmed endocervical swab specimen PCR, 43 (87.8%) were positive by confirmed urine PCR, and all 49 (100%) were positive by either endocervical swab specimen PCR or urine PCR. For men, the resolved sensitivity of the urine PCR was 88%, and the sensitivity of culture was only 50.7%. These results indicate that urine PCR is highly sensitive for the detection of C. trachomatis in both women and men and provides a noninvasive technique for routine screening for chlamydial infection.
A half-space Peierls-Nabarro model and the mobility of screw dislocations in a thin film

In this paper, a half-space Peierls–Nabarro (HSPN) model is proposed to re-examine the mobility of a screw dislocation along a thin film/substrate (half-space) interface. In this configuration, the screw dislocation is subjected to an image force due to the free surface, and we are concerned with the interaction between the dislocation and the free surface. Unlike the original Peierls–Nabarro (P–N) model, the HSPN model takes into account the effect of the image force, which leads to modifications on analytical expression of the Peierls barrier stress. The modified Peierls stress is a function of the thin film thickness, which allows us to accurately predict the mobility of a dislocation in the interface between the thin film and the substrate. Based on the proposed HSPN model, we have found that the Peierls stress of a surface screw dislocation may be about 5–15% less than that in bulk materials.
Cadherin repertoire determines partner-specific gap junctional communication during melanoma progression

Reduced gap junction activity has long been implicated in tumorigenesis. To elucidate the potential role of intercellular communication in melanoma development, we examined gap junctional capability of melanocytic cells from various stages of tumor progression in coculture models using dye transfer assays. Normal melanocytes coupled with keratinocytes by gap junctional formation, whereas melanoma cells did not. Instead, melanoma cells communicated among themselves and with fibroblasts. This switch in communication partners coincided with a shift from E-cadherin to N-cadherin expression during melanoma development. Forced expression of E-cadherin by adenoviral gene transfer in N-cadherin-expressing melanoma cells restored gap junctional compatibility with keratinocytes. Our data suggest that (1) melanocyte transformation is associated with loss of the pre-existing gap junctional activity with keratinocytes but a concomitant gain of communication with a newly juxtaposed cell type, the fibroblasts, (2) the specificity of gap junctional formation during melanoma development is determined by the cadherin profile on the melanocytic cells and (3) the overall gap junctional activity of melanocytic cells is not reduced with transformation.
The Organization of Somatosensory Callosal Projections

Our understanding of the function of the corpus callosum at the psychobiological level has increased enormously over the past 30 years. The now classic study of Myers and Sperry (1953) demonstrated the role of the corpus callosum in the interhemispheric transfer of information. This finding was extended to a much more general and exciting level with the demonstration of a breakdown in the interhemispheric transfer of information related not only to the sensory and motor spheres, but also to more global cognitive functions in man (Gazzaniga et al., 1962, 1965, 1967; Gazzaniga, 1970). However, our understanding of the corpus callosum at the neurophysiological and neuroanatomical levels has not kept pace with these exciting developments. In this chapter I focus on the callosal projections of the somatosensory system of rodents and primates, emphasizing research in which I have been involved. I will attempt to provide a somewhat novel interpretation of the anatomical organization of the corpus callosum based on this research, but I will begin by presenting what I consider to be the consensual view of the relationship between the corpus callosum connections and the somatosensory cortex
A Stitch in Time Saves Caribbeanization: Meta-steering and Strategic Coordination in an Era of Caribbean Trans-regionalism

This article sets out to theoretically explain the Caribbean Community's (CARICOM) integrative stalemate. It argues that this needs to be studied in light of a changing regional, geographic, and geostrategic climate. A shift is occurring from 'endogenous regionalism,' which concentrates on the Caribbean's historical past, to 'exogenous regionalism,' which focuses on creating a borderless Caribbean space and promotes Caribbeanization through the Caribbean Single Market (CSM), which came into force in 2006, and the stalemated Caribbean Single Economy (CSE). I argue that new trans-hemispheric relations are emerging and Caribbean regionalism is now both multi-centric -arising from actions in numerous places rather than a single center- and also multi-temporal. In this context, mature regionalism presages effective governance by focusing on deepening regional structures and institutional arrangements. I argue that trans-regionalism is a multidimensional process that moves away from the spill-over effects of trade policy harmonization and streamlines different political, security, economic, and cultural regimes. I conclude by suggesting that 'meta-steering' in the form of 'strategic coordination' or 'first order response' is but one way to perceive the paused regional project.
A Descriptive Comparison of the Family of Origin of Women Heroin Users and Non-Users

The family, the basic unit of human organization in most societies, perpetuates human and societal existence by performing the classic functions of socialization and biological reproduction. Because families are part of such a powerful agency in the formation of adult attitudes, familial relations are a subject of great interest.Familial relations are also critical in the development of active, productive individuals. William B. Goode (1959) found “emotional maintenance” to be important in modern family dynamics. Seldin (1972) reviewed the family of the addict and found emotional maintenance to be highlighted in the family interaction of urban populations.
Visualization and quantification of gold nanorods distribution in prostatic tumors using microct imaging

One uncertainty in use of gold nanorods for laser photothermal therapy is the non-uniform spreading of gold nanorods in tissue after either systemic delivery or intratumoral injections. High concentration of gold nanorods in certain areas influences the resulted optical absorption of the laser and thermal damage to tumors. This also provides challenges in designing optimal heating protocols via modeling thermal transport in laser photothermal therapy. For successful cancer treatment, the tissue should be heated with minimum thermal dosage to induce tumor cell damage, while minimizing overheating in the surrounding healthy tissues. Thus, one of the main challenges for reliable cancer therapy is to precisely control loading and distribution of gold nanorods in the tumour tissue. The critical mass transport processes are the distribution of gold nanorods after injection to the tumor and the redistribution of gold nanorods during laser treatment. Since tumors are opaque, nanostructure distribution in tissue is often studied either by theoretical modeling approaches1, or via dye enhanced imaging on superficial layers of tumors.2 It is important to find a technique which can directly visualize and analyze three-dimensional nanostructure distribution of tumors. Three-dimensional reconstructions of tumors with the ability to trace gold nanorod spreading have the potential for precise theoretical simulation of temperature fields. Previous studies showed that computer tomography (CT) scan is a promising technique to be utilized to characterize the distribution of intratumorally injected magnetic nanoparticles in tumors 3.© 2012 ASME
Motion of Spherical Drops at Large Reynolds Numbers

The steady motion of a given amount of gas or liquid, in an infinite liquid under the action of buoyancy forces is examined. Surface tension is assumed to be very large in order to maintain the spherical shape of the drop. Velocity and velocity gradients are determined exactly in the limiting case of largeReynolds numbers. The earlier theory ofHarper andMoore is modified to take into account the diffusion of vorticity in the front stagnation region. Although the two theories differ significantly, experimental evidence is not detailed enough to distinguish between the results of both theories.