cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Ca2+ release through inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors by adenine nucleotides in parotid acinar cells

Secretagogue-stimulated intracellular Ca2+ signals are fundamentally important for initiating the secretion of the fluid and ion component of saliva from parotid acinar cells. The Ca2+ signals have...
Scarcity, Distribution and Growth: Notes on Classical Rent Theory

In the first half of 1983 OPEC was struggling to hold the price of oil near $30 per barrel in the face of dramatic decreases in demand brought on by both price-induced conservation measures and severe world recession. However, the cost of producing oil, even at this late date in the age of convenient fossilfuels, still ranges from afew cents a barrel in the Middle East to $13-$15 per barrel in the North Sea. What does a radical analysis have to say about the forces that permit and regulate the taking of such massive absolute rents? How should the question even be framed? Allthough we are unable to offer a definitive radical study of oil prices over the past decade in this collection (since no one seems to have written it) we are glad to be able to include a prologue to such an analysis. In this essay Leo Cawley outlines some necessary aspects of a Marxian approach to the examination of situations of real or constructed resource scarcity.
Multiple antibiotic changes during the first 72 hours of hospitalization.

ABSTRACT Background Increasing concern about inappropriate antibiotic use prompted us to examine whether our patients were receiving frequent and perhaps unwarranted changes of antibiotic therapy. Methods We evaluated antibiotic prescribing by the physicians in the Emergency Department and by those on the inpatient medical service during the first 72 hours of hospitalization in 119 patients admitted with suspected serious infections to an acute care, university-affiliated, municipal teaching hospital. The appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions was assessed independently and retrospectively by 2 infectious disease specialists (each based at a different hospital) using a 4-grade scale (from 1 = wrong choice to 4 = appropriate). Of their evaluations of the 427 antibiotic regimens given to the 119 patients during 4 defined intervals during their first 72 hours of hospitalization, 90% agreed with each other within 1 grade. Their evaluations were then compared with the selections that had been made at each interval by the prescribing physicians. Results Successive prescribing physicians changed the antibiotic regimens in 77% of cases during the first 24 hours and in 56% during the next 48, often without apparent clinical or microbiologic indications. By 72 hours, the 119 patients had received a mean of 3.1 ± 1.3 (±SD) different antibiotics, and 40 received between 4 and 7. Only 7% of the patients had no change in the regimen prescribed originally. Conclusions Many patients had multiple changes of antibiotics, often unnecessarily, resulting in exposure to too many agents.
A relationship between boron & auxin in C14 translocation in bean plants

Bean plants, Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Black Valentine, were used in experiments designed to test the hypothesis that the role of boron in translocation is indirect, the boron exerting its influence on this process through effect on metabolic activity at sites of utilization. Naphthaleneacetic acid applications to the meristems of boron-deficient plants in the absence of added boron, promoted increased translocation of photosynthetically incorporated C14. It was therefore concluded that the boron deficient plant, prior to phloem necrosis, possesses a translocation system capable of functioning and that it functions at a much reduced capacity because substrates are not being utilized. It is consequently quite clear that boron deficient plants are not limited in growth by sugar deficiency and that boron is not necessary to sugar translocation per se. The relationship between boron and auxin was considered and the suggestion revived that boron is essential to auxin metabolism, possibly synthesis.
Assessing pediatric senior residents' training in resuscitation: fund of knowledge, technical skills, and perception of confidence.

Objective: To describe pediatric housestaff knowledge, experience, confidence in pediatric resuscitations and their ability to perform important resuscitation procedures during the usual training experience. Design and participants: Cohort study of PGY-3 level residents in a ACGME accredited pediatric residency training program at a large, tertiary care children's hospital. Methods: Fund of knowledge was assessed by administering the standardized test from the Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Course in addition to a supplemental short answer test requiring clinical problem-solving skills. Procedural skills were evaluated through observation of the resident performing four procedures during a skills workshop using a weighted step-wise grading sheet. Resident experience and confidence was quantified using an anonymous survey. Results: Ninety-seven percent of residents participated. Residents achieved high scores on the standardized PALS test (93.2% ± 5.5), but performed less well when answering more complicated questions (60.0% ± 9.9) on the short answer test. No resident was able to successfully perform both basic and advanced airway skills, and only 11% successfully completed both vascular skills. Although residents were overall confident in their resuscitation skills, performance in the skill workshop revealed significant deficits. For example, only 18% performed ancillary airway maneuvers properly. None of the residents performed all four skills correctly. Experience in both real and mock resuscitations was infrequent. Residents reported receiving feedback on their performance less than half of the time. Over 89% of them felt that resuscitation knowledge and skill were important for their future chosen career. Conclusion: Pediatric residents infrequently lead or participate in real or mock resuscitations. Although confident in performing many of the necessary resuscitation skills, few residents performed critical components of these skills correctly. Current pediatric residency training may not provide sufficient experience to develop adequate skills, fund of knowledge, or confidence needed for resuscitation.
The effects of cell face curvature and corrugations on the stiffness and strength of metallic foams

The measured mechanical properties of conventional lightweight metallic foams fall far short of those predicted by idealized models for closed cell foams. Their poor mechanical performance can be attributed, to a large extent, to curved and corrugated cell faces present within the foams. Idealized honeycombs and foams with idealized cell structure and curved or corrugated cell edges and faces are modeled using finite elements. The elastic modulus and plastic collapse stress of these honeycombs and foams are calculated relative to those of a comparable cellular material model with flat cell edges and faces. The results are presented in terms of the radius of curvature and the amplitude and frequency of the corrugation.
Climatic change and grain corn yields in the North American Great Plains

A basic parametric crop yield model (YIELD) that uses climatic and environmental data to calculate yield and associated parameters for grain corn (maize) was applied to a transect through the North American Great Plains. This paper continues our examination of the impact of probable climatic change scenarios on crop evapotranspiration and irrigation requirements (Terjung et al., 1984), This study of grain corn yields showed highest yield for the first (or primary) harvest under full irrigation occurring under a sunny and cold scenario in Austin, TX, sunny and cool in Kansas City, KS, and sunny and warm in Bismarck, ND. Lowest irrigated yield was found with cloudy and hot and very dry climate change scenarios. Under rainfed-only conditions, minima were obtained under the sunny-hot and -warm scenarios and very dry conditions.
Overtime: Punchin' Out with The Mill Hunk Herald

Overtime: Punchin' Out with The Mill Hunk Herald. Worker Writer Anthology, 1979-1989. Pittsburgh, PA: Piece of the Hunk Publishers, Inc., 1990.
Effect of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), indomethacin, tamoxifen or estradiol-17β on prostaglandin E (PGE), PGF2α and estradiol-17β secretion in 88 to 90-day pregnant sheep☆ ☆

Treatment with PGF2alpha plus estradiol-17beta aborts 90-day pregnant ewes, whereas PGF2alpha or estradiol-17beta alone does not abort ewes. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate whether tamoxifen, an estrogen receptor antagonist, estradiol-17beta, prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha), indomethacin, or some of their interactions affected ovine uterine/placental secretion of PGF2alpha, estradiol-17beta or prostaglandins E (PGE), because a single treatment with PGF2alpha and estradiol-17beta given every 6 h aborts 90-day pregnant ewes. Concentrations of PGF2alpha in uterine venous blood were increased (P or = 0.05) and averaged 0.4 + 0.04 ng/ml. Profiles of PGE in inferior vena cava blood of 88- to 90-day pregnant ewes treated with vehicle, PGF2alpha, estradiol-17beta, tamoxifen, tamoxifen + PGF2alpha, or estradiol-17beta + PGF2alpha did not differ (P > or = 0.05). Concentrations of PGE in inferior vena cava blood of 88- to 90-day pregnant ewes treated with indomethacin or PGF2alpha + indomethacin were lower (P or = 0.05). It is concluded that treatment with a single injection of PGF2alpha and estradiol-17beta given every 6 h causes a linear increase in PGF2alpha and estradiol-17beta.
On identifying the degree of competitiveness from industry price and output data

Abstract Under the assumption that the industry inverse demand and cost functions are twice continuously differentiable, the index of competitiveness of the industry λ cannot be identified from data on industry price P and output Q and other exogenous variables z 1 , z 2 alone if and only if the industry inverse demand function P = f ( Q , z 1 ) is separable in z 1 but does not take the special form P = Q -1/ λ r ( z 1 )+ s ( Q ).
Teaching the Object‐Oriented Paradigm and Software Reuse: Notes from an Empirical Study

This article describes the authors’ experience in retraining students in the relatively new object‐oriented programming paradigm and in the area of software reuse. Many software development organizations are investigating and, consequently, adopting the object‐oriented paradigm as their design methodology. The justification for the change is that the paradigm promotes software reuse, which, when performed properly, will increase programmer productivity and reduce overall software cost. Development time and effort are lessened. These organizations are turning to academic institutions to train future employees in the areas of the object‐oriented paradigm and software reuse. This has become a major challenge to university computer science departments. We used a senior‐level software engineering course as a training ground for introducing the object‐oriented paradigm and large‐scale component reuse at Virginia Tech. We found that the students were receptive to the new paradigm and “liked” it, but most felt th...
Ion hydration: Implications for cellular function, polyelectrolytes, and protein crystallization

Only oppositely charged ions with matching absolute free energies of hydration spontaneously form inner sphere ion pairs in free solution [K.D.Collins, Ions from the Hofmeister series and osmolytes: effects on proteins in solution and in the crystallization process, Methods 34 (2004) 300-311.]. We approximate this with a Law of Matching Water Affinities which is used to examine the issues of (1) how ions are selected to be compatible with the high solubility requirements of cytosolic components; (2) how cytosolic components tend to interact weakly, so that association or dissociation can be driven by environmental signals; (3) how polyelectrolytes (nucleic acids) differ from isolated charges (in proteins); (4) how ions, osmolytes and polymers are used to crystallize proteins; and (5) how the "chelate effect" is used by macromolecules to bind ions at specific sites even when there is a mismatch in water affinity between the ion and the macromolecular ligands.
The regulation of focal adhesion complex formation and salivary gland epithelial cell organization by nanofibrous PLGA scaffolds

Nanofiber scaffolds have been useful for engineering tissues derived from mesenchymal cells, but few studies have investigated their applicability for epithelial cell-derived tissues. In this study, we generated nanofiber (250 nm) or microfiber (1200 nm) scaffolds via electrospinning from the polymer, poly-l-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA). Cell-scaffold contacts were visualized using fluorescent immunocytochemistry and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Focal adhesion (FA) proteins, such as phosphorylated FAK (Tyr397), paxillin (Tyr118), talin and vinculin were localized to FA complexes in adult cells grown on planar surfaces but were reduced and diffusely localized in cells grown on nanofiber surfaces, similar to the pattern observed in adult mouse salivary gland tissues. Significant differences in epithelial cell morphology and cell clustering were also observed and quantified, using image segmentation and computational cell-graph analyses. No statistically significant differences in scaffold stiffness between planar PLGA film controls compared to nanofibers scaffolds were detected using nanoindentation with atomic force microscopy, indicating that scaffold topography rather than mechanical properties accounts for changes in cell attachments and cell structure. Finally, PLGA nanofiber scaffolds could support the spontaneous self-organization and branching of dissociated embryonic salivary gland cells. Nanofiber scaffolds may therefore have applicability in the future for engineering an artificial salivary gland.
Anterior patch aortic aneurysm model for the study of endoluminal grafts.

Endovascular graft repair for aortic aneurysms has led to concerns regarding the healing characteristics of the graft within a thrombus-lined aneurysm and the effect that collateral flow may have on the endoluminal prosthesis and the aneurysm. An anterior aortic patch aneurysm model that preserved collateral arteries was examined and modified to address these issues. In canines (n = 30) a Dacron knitted patch (n = 27) or a rectus fascia patch (n = 3) was sutured into a 3.5-cm anterior aortotomy. Dacron patch aneurysm diameter was an average of 21.8 2 2.2 mm (mean canine normal aortic diameter 9.06 ± 0.79 mm). Canines underwent angiogram, computed tomography, and/or intravascular ultrasound from 1 to 11 weeks later, at which time an endoluminal prosthesis was deployed and followed 30 to 60 days until harvest. Aneurysms accumulated minimal thrombus through the initial II weeks. Significant stenosis (mean 21.2% 2 19%) occurred at aneurysm necks in association with a patch imbrication suture technique (n = 11...
Creation and Implementation of an Emergency General Surgery Registry Modeled after the National Trauma Data Bank

Background As emergency general surgery (EGS) evolves, an EGS patient-tracking database (EGS registry [EGSR]) similar to the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) will be essential to study outcomes and improve care. The goal of this study was to establish diagnostic ICD-9 codes to define EGS patients. The hypothesis was that creating standardized ICD-9-based inclusion criteria would facilitate patient identification for an EGSR and aid in its ongoing development. Study Design We conducted a retrospective review of EGS admissions over a 9-month period to define ICD-9 diagnostic codes of patients admitted to our EGS service. Subsequently, prospective data were collected into the EGSR by testing ICD-9-based inclusion criteria over 1 month. Patient, hospital, and severity scoring variables, as well as quality assurance information, were identified. Results We identified 959 admissions to the EGS service over 9 months with 306 ICD-9 diagnosis codes that define EGS patients; the prospective population of the EGSR confirmed feasibility of ICD-9-based inclusion criteria. The EGSR captures 107 data points and 33 comorbidities per patient over 11 categories, akin to the 10 NTDB categories. Conclusions Following the model of the NTDB, we have successfully completed creation and initial implementation of an EGSR by using ICD-9-based inclusion criteria. Our comprehensive EGSR creates a prospective data-collection modality to capture and define EGS patients. A uniform patient-tracking EGSR, akin to the NTDB, will advance the science of acute care surgery, improve EGS patient outcomes, and facilitate multi-institutional collaboration.
Extreme Events and the General Circulation: Observations and Stochastic Model Dynamics

Abstract This study explores the dynamical role of non-Gaussian potential vorticity variability (extreme events) in the zonally averaged circulation of the atmosphere within a stochastic framework. First the zonally averaged skewness and kurtosis patterns of relative and potential vorticity anomalies from NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data are presented. In the troposphere, midlatitude regions of near-zero skewness coincide with regions of maximum variability. Equatorward of the Northern Hemisphere storm track positive relative/potential vorticity skewness is observed. Poleward of the same storm track the vorticity skewness is negative. In the Southern Hemisphere the relation is reversed, resulting in negative relative/potential vorticity skewness equatorward, and positive skewness poleward of the storm track. The dynamical role of extreme events in the zonally averaged general circulation is then explored in terms of the potential enstrophy budget by linking eddy enstrophy fluxes to a stochastic representation of...
Phase Behavior of Styrene−Isoprene Diblock Copolymers in Strongly Selective Solvents

The phase behavior of polystyrene−polyisoprene diblock copolymers diluted with solvents strongly selective for polyisoprene was investigated using variable-temperature small-angle X-ray scattering. Tetradecane was employed as a model selective solvent; its addition induced lyotropic order−order transitions, with as many as five ordered phases found in solutions of one diblock as tetradecane content was varied. The mesophases observed for tetradecane solutions of 10 different diblocks can be partially collapsed into a single two-dimensional map of segregation strength vs overall polystyrene content, as if the selective solvent simply alters the volume fraction of the soluble block. Among strongly selective solvents (tetradecane, tributylamine, squalane), measurable and even large differences in diblock−solvent phase behavior are revealed, in both the locations of lyotropic order−order transitions and the thermotropic order−disorder transition. The addition of squalane to polystyrene-rich diblocks actually ...
Carbon dioxide production accompanying development of fruiting bodies of Agaricus campestris

In the development of fruiting bodies of the commercial mush-room,Agaricus campestris, the rupture of the partial veil and exposure of the lamellae, which results in a large increase in surface area, is accompanied by no increase or at most a negligible increase in the respiratory production of carbon dioxide.
From disciplined to disciplinarian: the reproduction of symbolic violence in pre‐service teacher education

This study examines how pre‐service teachers experience being disciplined by their training and trainers, and how that discipline is reproduced in their relationships with students. Using Foucauldian and Bourdieuian frameworks to explore pre‐service teachers’ disciplinary experiences in a US teacher‐education programme, this study explores how participants recreate and resist in their teaching four mechanisms of discipline: surveillance, classification, examination, and initiation. With only nascent skills in instructional design and little opportunity to develop culturally responsive modes of interaction, these teachers often default to discipline as a way of coping with what they deem to be ‘rude’ and ‘off‐task’ students. Increasingly obsessed with the necessity to maintain class control more than inspire achievement, participants often fixate on discouraging misbehaviour more than promoting learning, a practice that produces symbolic violence.
Understanding the Folding Mechanism of an α-Helical Hairpin†

The alpha-helical hairpin is the fundamental building block of the widespread helix-turn-helix DNA binding motif. With two antiparallel helices connected by a reverse turn, the alpha-helical hairpin structure may be regarded as a "supersecondary structural element" and, therefore, could exhibit rather unique folding properties. So far, the folding mechanism of alpha-helical hairpins has not been studied in detail and remains elusive. Herein, we examine the effects of the turn, the hydrophobic cluster, and a disulfide cross-linker on the folding kinetics of a designed alpha-helical hairpin, Z34C, using an infrared temperature-jump (T-jump) method in conjunction with site-specific mutagenesis. Our results show that Z34C folds with an ultrafast rate ( approximately 4.0 x 10(5) s(-1)) and support a folding mechanism in which the rate-limiting step corresponds to the formation of the reverse turn. On the other hand, the hydrophobic cluster and the disulfide cross-linker appear to largely stabilize the native state but not the folding transition state.
Process evidence for the question–behavior effect: Influencing socially normative behaviors

Answering a question about performance of a behavior influences the probability of a person performing a target action in the future. Although this question–behavior effect has been shown across multiple contexts, several theoretical mechanisms have been suggested to drive the effect. While various explanations have been offered for the question–behavior effect, clear process evidence exists only for the theoretical perspectives of cognitive dissonance and attitude accessibility. In a series of experiments the current research tests the question–behavior effect from these two theoretical perspectives using a set of outcome measures not previously examined. Findings suggest that the act of self-prediction regarding socially normative behaviors generates cognitive dissonance, thereby obtaining greater compliance with subsequent requests to perform the behavior as a dissonance reduction strategy. Implications of the reported findings and directions for future research are provided.
Expansion of the Gateway MultiSite Recombination Cloning Toolkit

Precise manipulation of transgene expression in genetic model organisms has led to advances in understanding fundamental mechanisms of development, physiology, and genetic disease. Transgene construction is, however, a precondition of transgene expression, and often limits the rate of experimental progress. Here we report an expansion of the modular Gateway MultiSite recombination-cloning platform for high efficiency transgene assembly. The expansion includes two additional destination vectors and entry clones for the LexA binary transcription system, among others. These new tools enhance the expression levels possible with Gateway MultiSite generated transgenes and make possible the generation of LexA drivers and reporters with Gateway MultiSite cloning. In vivo data from transgenic Drosophila functionally validating each novel component are presented and include neuronal LexA drivers, LexAop2 red and green fluorescent synaptic vesicle reporters, TDC2 and TRH LexA, GAL4, and QF drivers, and LexAop2, UAS, and QUAS channelrhodopsin2 T159C reporters.
A re-investigation of the room-temperature phase of KAlF4: evidence of antiphase domains

A re-investigation of the room-temperature phase of KAlF4 by refining the neutron and X-ray powder diffraction patterns is presented. Using a multi-pattern version of the Rietveld program, it is shown that the occurrence of several broad lines in the diffractograms can be interpreted as coming from antiphase domains issued from opposite rotations of AlF6 octahedra.
Wet deposition of polychlorinated biphenyls to Green Bay, Lake Michigan

Abstract Precipitation was sampled at three sites along the eastern shore of Green Bay, Lake Michigan from April 18, 1989 through May 15, 1990 and analyzed for 86 PCB congeners. The objective was to estimate the wet flux of PCBs to Green Bay as part of the Green Bay Mass Balance Study. The arithmetic mean concentration of ∑-PCBs in precipitation was 2.7 ± 2.1 ng/L and the volume-weighted mean concentration was 2.2 ng/L. No spatial or temporal trends in PCB concentrations were observed among the sites distributed over about 170 km. Assuming 80 cm/yr precipitation to the bay and a surface area of 4200 km2, the wet flux of PCBs to Green Bay is 2.2 ± 1.7 μg/m2-yr or 2 to 16 kg/yr. Mass of PCBs detected in laboratory XAD resin blanks was approximately half of that in the rain samples. When blank corrected, both the rain concentrations and wet flux estimates are reduced to approximately 1 ng/L and 4 kg/yr, respectively.
Artists' resale dividends: Some economic-theoretic considerations

gjenator Edward Kennedy and Rep. Edward Markey have introduced a bill in the Federal legislature which provides, among other things, for a royalty to be paid to the artist in some cases in which works of art are resold by their original and subsequent purchasers. (Chapin and Arthurs, Markey) This is a controversial proposal(l) in which economists have taken some interest. (Stein, Filer, Boich, Colonna and Colonna, Nickson and Colonna) Unfortunately, the economic theory of this proposal has not yet been sufficiently developed to allow valid conclusions to be drawn on its merits.(2) If art works are traded in a "perfectly competitive" economy, along Arrow-Debreu lines, then we maybe assured that the output of art works is then efficient (along with the outputs of all other sorts of goods). However, as one of the foremost authorities on Arrow-Debreu competitive equilibrium theory has pointed out, to attempt to apply that theory to practical questions is to display one's ignorance of it. (Hahn) On the other hand, the efficiency implications of markets other than perfect Arrow-Debreu markets are not, in general, known; each case must be considered on its own merits. No formal analysis of this kind seems to have been done for art markets.(3)
Transported neonates by a specialist team - how STABLE are they.

The study was designed to compare the biochemical characteristics of neonates transported by qualified transport team, before and after stabilization, interventions required and setbacks during these transports. Prospective cohort study of all neonatal transports during a period of 13 months from various maternity and pediatric centers was conducted; 151 babies who fulfilled the criteria were included in the study. 58% of babies <32 wks were hypothermic, 21% of the total babies were hypotensive and a total of 25% of the babies were hypoxic at the referral hospital. Intubation was done by the transport team in 23% of babies and 25 % of the babies were transported on a ventilator. There was a significant improvement in the clinical condition of all these babies in relation to temperature control, sugar control, oxygenation and blood pressure after stabilization.
Electrical and radiation characterization of three SOI material technologies

The authors describe a characterization study of three SOI (silicon-on-insulator) material approaches in development: SIMOX (Separation by IMplanted Oxidation), scaled dielectric isolation, and wafer bonding. The current status of material quality is reviewed, typical CMOS electrical- and radiation-response characteristics are presented, and the viability of the three technologies is assessed.
Cloning and characterization of a lung-specific cDNA corresponding to the gamma chain of hepatic fibrinogen.

Abstract The gene (γ FBG ) encoding the fibrinogen γ chain (γFBG) has been shown to exhibit both tissue-specific and ubiquitous expression. To confirm the identity of the γ FBG transcripts expressed in extrahepatic tissue, lung tissue was chosen as a model of extrahepatic γ FBG gene expression. A ferret lung cDNA clone bank was constructed in λgt11 and several positive plaques were isolated using cross-species hybridization with the rat γ FBG cDNA. Sequence data of the longest clone, designated pFLGγ3, was compared at the nucleotide and deduced amino acid (aa) levels with sequences of γFBG from other species. The results indicated that the identity of the ferret lung-specific γ FBG cDNA to pig, rat, bovine and human γ FBG cDNAs ranged from 78–88%; the similarity of the ferret lung-specific γFBG deduced aa sequence ranged from 84–88% across species. Cysteine aa involved in intra- and inter-chain disulfide-bonded secondary and tertiary structure are absolutely conserved in ferret γFBG. The putative cell-cell adhesion sites for both platelet αIIbβ3 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 receptor binding to ferret γFBG are >90% similar to the corresponding sites in the human γFBG. The results of Northern hybridization indicated that the ferret lung γ FBG mRNA was equivalent in size to the liver γ FBG mRNA; Southern hybridization suggested that ferret γ FBG is a single-copy gene, as is the γ FBG of other species. Lung-specific γ FBG expression was localized to epithelial cells of the large and small airways and chondrocytes by in situ RNA: RNA hybridization. The functional significance of γ FBG expression in lung is not presently known. Since expression of FBG is up-regulated 2–10-fold in the liver during an inflammatory event, it is possible that lung-specific γ FBG expression occurs predominantly during lung disease or injury.
Method for recording electrical activity of the sinoatrial node and automatic atrial foci during cardiac catheterization in human subjects

A method for recording electrical activity of the sinoatrial (S-A) node and automatic atrial foci in human subjects is described. To record S-A nodal electrograms, an electrode catheter was inserted percutaneously into the femoral vein and advanced under fluoroscopic control to the superior vena caval-right atrial junction. The distal terminal of the catheter was placed in the area of the S-A node and the proximal terminal on the free right atrial wall or in the right atrial lumen. Polarity was reversed from the conventional electrocardiographic recording; high amplification (about 100 microV/cm) and selective filters (0.1 to 20 hertz) were used. S-A nodal electrograms recorded with this method in human subjects were similar to electrograms obtained previously from the dog and rabbit and revealed negatively directed diastolic and upstroke slopes preceding the P wave of the electrocardiogram. Sinoatrial conduction time measured from the S-A nodal electrograms in 15 cases was 34.9 +/- 2.1 ms(mean +/- standard error of the mean) for a sinus cycle length of 736.4 +/- 38.6 ms. The coronary sinus electrograms in a patient with coronary sinus rhythm were recorded by the same technique except that the distal terminal of the catheter was placed at the coronary sinus ostium. A negatively directed diastolic slope preceding the P wave was consistently recorded. This method for recording electrograms of the S-A node and ectopic automatic atrial foci should prove useful in (1) assessment of both normal and abnormal S-A nodal function, (2) direct determination of conduction time from the S-A nodal pacemaker to the atrium, and (3) localization of automatic atrial foci.
Tonotopic organization of the human auditory cortex

Neuromagnetic measurements of responses to auditory stimuli consisting of pure tones amplitude-modulated at a low frequency have been used to deduce the location of cortical activity. The evoked field source systematically increased in depth beneath the scalp with increasing frequency of the tone. The tonotopic progression can be described as a logarithmic mapping.
Analytical capabilities of anticoincidence INAA for biological materials

Sensitivities and limits of detection (LODs) for 39 elements were determined for cellulose filters, foods, and biological reference materials by anticoincidence instrumental neutron activation analysis. Compton background reduction improved many LODs by about a factor of 2, but increased LODs for elements whose radioisotopes decay with cascading γ-rays. As and Hg analyses were aided by reduction of Br and Se photopeak intensities, respectively. LODs of 0.03–0.8 μg/kg were achieved for 16 elements in cellulose filters. Typical biological material and food LODs were higher by factors of about 10–600.
Policing in the People's Republic of China: a review of recent literature

Recent literature on policing in the People's Republic of China, though very limited, has encompassed a wide range of topics including police organizations, roles and functions, subculture, policing strategies (such as community policing, campaign style policing, and the comprehensive management approach), and a number of issues and problems (such as abuse of power, accountability, and police citizen relations). These studies serve to establish a foundation for a better understanding of the complex social control in China. The present study summarizes the findings of recent research, identifies its limitations, and discusses the directions and challenges in future research.
Epigenetic regulation of stem cell fate

Stem cell-based regenerative medicine holds great promise for repair of diseased tissue. Modern directions in the field of epigenetic research aimed to decipher the epigenetic signals that give stem cells their unique ability to self-renew and differentiate into different cell types. However, this research is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to writing an 'epigenetic instruction manual' for the ramification of molecular details of cell commitment and differentiation. In this review, we discuss the impact of the epigenetic research on our understanding of stem cell biology.
Auditory trace fear conditioning requires perirhinal cortex

Abstract The hippocampus is well-known to be critical for trace fear conditioning, but nothing is known about the importance of perirhinal cortex (PR), which has reciprocal connections with hippocampus. PR damage severely impairs delay fear conditioning to ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) and discontinuous tones (pips), but has no effect on delay conditioning to continuous tones. Here we demonstrate that trace auditory fear conditioning also critically depends on PR function. The trace interval between the CS offset and the US onset was 16 s. Pre-training neurotoxic lesions were produced through multiple injections of N -methyl- d -aspartate along the full length of PR, which was directly visualized during the injections. Control animals received injections with phosphate-buffered saline. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the lesion volumes demonstrated that the neurotoxic damage was well-localized to PR and included most of its anterior–posterior extent. Automated video analysis quantified freezing behavior, which served as the conditional response. PR-damaged rats were profoundly impaired in trace conditioning to either of three different CSs (a USV, tone pips, and a continuous tone) as well as conditioning to the training context. Within both the lesion and control groups, the type of cue had no effect on the mean CR. The overall PR lesion effect size was 2.7 for cue conditioning and 3.9 for context conditioning. We suggest that the role of PR in trace fear conditioning may be distinct from some of its more perceptual functions. The results further define the essential circuitry underlying trace fear conditioning to auditory cues.
Habeas Corpus, Protection, and Extraterritorial Constitutional Rights: A Reply to Stephen Vladeck’s 'Insular Thinking About Habeas'

This short essay is an exchange with Professor Steve Vladeck's about my Article entitled: Boumediene, Munaf, and the Supreme Court’s Misreading of the Insular Cases, 97 Iowa Law Review 101 (2011). My Article showed that the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Boumediene v. Bush relied on a demonstrably incorrect understanding of key precedents known as the Insular Cases, which arose from actions of the United States military and the new civil governments of the islands acquired by the United States at the turn of the twentieth century — Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Hawaii, and for a time Cuba. This reply to Professor Vladeck discusses how noncitizens outside the sovereign territory of the United States were understood at the time of the Insular Cases to lack protection from the Constitution, both its individual rights provisions and the Habeas Suspension Clause. I also highlight two little-known Supreme Court cases from the era of the Insular Cases which help illuminate the Court's understandings of the Suspension Clause.
BER analysis of MPSK space-time block codes with differential detection

Closed-form expressions of the bit error rate (BER) are derived for space-time block codes based on Alamouti's (1998) scheme and utilizing M-ary phase shift keying modulation with noncoherent differential encoding/decoding. The analysis is carried out for the flat block-fading Rayleigh channel, and the BER expression is an approximation for high signal to noise ratio. Theoretical results are validated by simulations for BPSK and QPSK modulations.
An Hour-Ahead Prediction Model for Heavy-Tailed Spot Prices

Abstract We propose an hour-ahead prediction model for electricity prices that capture the heavy tailed behavior that we observe in the hourly spot market in the Ercot (Texas) and the PJM West hub grids. We present a model according to which we separate the price process into a thin-tailed trailing median process and a heavy-tailed residual process whose probability distribution can be approximated by a Cauchy distribution. We show empirical evidence that supports our model.
Basic mechanisms of catastrophic epilepsy – overview from animal models

Infantile spasms are age-specific seizures of infantile epileptic encephalopathies that are usually associated with poor epilepsy and neurodevelopmental outcomes. The current treatments are not always effective and may be associated with significant side effects. Various mechanisms have been proposed as pathogenic for infantile spasms, including cortical or brainstem dysfunction, disruption of normal cortical-subcortical communications, genetic defects, inflammation, stress, developmental abnormalities. Many of these have been recently tested experimentally, resulting into the emergence of several animal models of infantile spasms. The stress theory of spasms yielded the corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH)-induced model, which showed the higher proconvulsant potency of CRH in developing rats, although only limbic seizures were observed. Models of acute induction of infantile spasms in rodents include the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) model of emprosthotonic seizures, the prenatal betamethasone and prenatal stress variants of the NMDA model, and the γ-butyrolactone induced spasms in a Down's syndrome mouse model. Chronic rodent models of infantile spasms include the tetrodotoxin model and the multiple-hit models in rats, as well as two genetic mouse models of interneuronopathies with infantile spasms due to loss of function of the aristaless X-linked homeobox-related gene (ARX). This review discusses the emerging mechanisms for generation of infantile spasms and their associated chronic epileptic and dyscognitive phenotype as well as the recent progress in identifying pathways to better treat this epileptic encephalopathy.
Intergenerational Justice for Children: Restructuring Adoption Reproduction & Child Welfare

This article takes seriously the idea of intergenerational justice for children, and takes as starting premises that child interests count as equivalent to adult, and that we owe justice not just to existing children but also to the next generation. It argues that intergenerational justice demands a major restructuring of policies throughout the world governing adoption, reproduction, and child welfare. We now encourage the reproduction of more children than we can care for, provide limited child welfare enabling poor parents to care for their children, and discourage adoption of existing children who need homes. These policies are perverse, unfair not just to children but adults as well. Societies that damage their children will have to live with those children when they grow up, children at high risk for crime, substance abuse, unemployment, poverty and for mistreating the next generation. We need to reverse the perverse. We need to change the pronatalist and anti-contraception policies that encourage the reproduction of children who won’t be born healthy or receive nurturing care, and we need to encourage adoption both domestic and international.
Further investigation of a chromosome 15 locus in schizophrenia: Analysis of affected sibpairs from the NIMH genetics initiative

Linkage of a neurophysiological deficit associated with schizophrenia, i.e., the failure to inhibit the auditory P50 response, was previously reported at chromosome 15q14. The marker with the highest pairwise lod score, D15S1360, was isolated from a yeast artificial chromosome containing a candidate gene, the alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene. In the present study, this linkage was further investigated in a subset of the NIMH Genetics Initiative schizophrenia families. These families have not been studied neurophysiologically, as were the families in the original report. Therefore, the DSMIII-R diagnosis of schizophrenia was used as the affected phenotype. Twenty families fulfilled the criteria of at least one sibpair concordant for schizophrenia, along with their two parents or another affected relative outside the nuclear family, available for genotyping. Sibpair analysis showed a significant proportion of D15S1360 alleles shared identical-by-descent (0.58; P < 0.0024). The results further support the involvement of this chromosomal locus in the genetic transmission of schizophrenia.
Competency-Based Training: Objective Structured Clinical Exercises (OSCE) in Marriage and Family Therapy

The field of marriage and family therapy (MFT) has recently engaged in the process of defining core competencies for the profession. Many MFT training programs are adapting their curriculum to develop more competency-based training strategies. The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is widely used in the medical profession to assess clinical competence. These examinations involve using simulated clinical situations as a tool in conducting summative evaluations of trainee competence. This article describes an adaptation of the OSCE procedures for competency-based training of MFT students. Instead of using the procedures as a summative examination as is typical in medical education, this article proposes how to use them as formative exercises in the development of student competence. The development of the OSCE is discussed, including "blueprinting," focused competencies, procedures, and feedback protocols. The article concludes with suggestions of how to continue the development of the OSCE for evaluation in MFT education.
The effect of temperature on the deformation structure of single crystal nickel based superalloys

Results for the temperature dependence of the yield and flow stress were obtained for the superalloys PWA 1480 and CMSX-2. An extended Copley-Kear (1967) model is used to predict flow stresses from the dislocation densities measured at different strains and temperatures. Differences found between the two superalloys include the development of their dislocation structure, their ductility, and their work hardening characteristics.
Efficient Design for Testability Solution Based on Unsatisfiability for Register-Transfer Level Circuits

In this paper, we present a novel and accurate method for identifying design for testability (DFT) solutions for register-transfer level (RTL) circuits. Test generation proceeds by abstracting the circuit components using input/output propagation rules so that any justification/propagation event can be captured as a Boolean implication. Consequently, the RTL test generation problem is reduced to a satisfiability (SAT) instance. If a given SAT instance is not satisfiable, then we identify Boolean implications (also known as the unsatisfiable segment) that are responsible for unsatisfiability. We show that adding DFT elements is equivalent to modifying these clauses such that the unsatisfiable segment becomes satisfiable. The proposed DFT technique is both fast and accurate as it is applicable to RTL and mixed gate-level/RTL circuits and uses exact unsatisfiability conditions to identify the DFT solutions.
An underfeeding study in healthy men and women provides further evidence of impaired regulation of energy expenditure in old age

The effect of aging on energy regulation remains controversial. We compared the effects of underfeeding on changes in energy expenditure and respiratory quotient in young normal weight men and women [YNW, age 25.7 +/- 3.2 y(SD), body mass index (BMI) 23.1 +/- 1.6 kg/m(2)], young overweight men and women (YOW, age 26.1 +/- 3.5 y, BMI 27.7 +/- 2.1 kg/m(2)) and older (OLD) men and women (age 68.4 +/- 3.3 y, BMI 27.4 +/- 3.4 kg/m(2)). The thermic effect of feeding (TEF) during weight maintenance, and changes in resting energy expenditure (REE) and respiratory quotient were determined in response to undereating by an average 3.75 MJ/d for 6 wk. In addition, body composition was measured. No significant differences among the groups were observed in TEF, fasting and postprandial respiratory quotient, or the change in fasting respiratory quotient with underfeeding. However, REE adjusted for fat-free mass and fat mass was significantly lower in OLD subjects compared with YNW and YOW subjects (P < 0.05). In addition, the REE response to weight change was significantly attenuated in the OLD subjects (P = 0.023). These data suggest that the responsiveness of energy expenditure to negative energy balance is attenuated in old age, and provide further support for the hypothesis that mechanisms of energy regulation are broadly disregulated in old age.
Low-volume polyethylene glycol and bisacodyl for bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy: a meta-analysis.

Background Quality of bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy is essential. Studies have shown a reduced volume of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with bisacodyl may improve visualization and tolerability, but results have varied. Therefore, a meta-analysis was performed to analyze the efficacy of a low-volume PEG bowel preparation with bisacodyl for bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy. Methods Multiple databases were searched (June 2012). Only randomized controlled trials in peer-reviewed journals on adult subjects comparing low-volume PEG (2 L) with bisacodyl versus 4 L PEG were included. Meta-analysis for the efficacy of low-volume PEG with bisacodyl and 4 L PEG were analyzed by calculating pooled estimates of number of satisfactory, excellent, and poor bowel preparations as well as adverse patient events (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating). Results Six studies (N=1,540) met the inclusion criteria. No statistically significant differences were noted between low-volume PEG (2 L) with bisacodyl and 4 liters PEG for number of satisfactory (OR 0.86; 95% CI: 0.45-1.63, P=0.64), excellent (OR 1.08; 95% CI: 0.78-1.50, P=0.63), or poor bowel preparations (OR 0.68; 95% CI: 0.35-1.34, P=0.27). A statistically significant decrease in nausea (OR 0.57; 95% CI: 0.36-0.89, P=0.01), vomiting (OR 0.57; 95% CI: 0.40-0.81, P<0.01), and bloating (OR 0.65; 95% CI: 0.49-0.87, P<0.01) was noted for the low-volume PEG with bisacodyl as compared to 4 L PEG. No statistically significant differences were noted between the two groups for abdominal pain (P=0.62). Conclusion Low-volume PEG (2 L) with bisacodyl demonstrates less nausea, vomiting, and bloating without adversely affecting the bowel preparation. Keywords Polyethylene glycol, bisacodyl, colonoscopy, meta-analysis