cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social selectivity and social motivation in voles

Abstract Selective relationships are fundamental to humans and many other animals, but relationships between mates, family members, or peers may be mediated differently. We examined connections between social reward and social selectivity, aggression, and oxytocin receptor signaling pathways in rodents that naturally form enduring, selective relationships with mates and peers (prairie voles) or peers (meadow voles). Female prairie and meadow voles worked harder to access familiar vs. unfamiliar individuals, regardless of sex, and huddled extensively with familiar subjects. Male prairie voles also displayed strongly selective huddling preferences for familiar animals, but worked hardest to repeatedly access females vs. males, with no difference in effort by familiarity. This demonstrates a fundamental disconnect between motivation and social selectivity in males, and reveals a striking sex difference in pathways underlying social monogamy. Meadow voles exhibited social preferences but low social motivation, consistent with tolerance rather than reward supporting social groups in this species. Natural variation in oxytocin receptor genotype was associated with oxytocin receptor density, and both genotype and receptor binding predicted individual variation in prosocial and aggressive behaviors. These results provide a basis for understanding species, sex, and individual differences in the mechanisms underlying the role of social reward in social preference.
The social (and cultural, and syntactic, and semantic) life of generics

Recent work in linguistics, philosophy, and psychology suggests that the distinction between generic and specific (singular) reference is foundational to concept formation, and hence of special interest to social scientists. Generics provide the first-language learner with external evidence of the integrity of a word/concept cluster, partially filling in the scaffolding of concepts. As such, they are replicators, critical to the transmission of concepts across populations and across time. Generics are tacitly normative. As they refer to the constitutive properties of a concept rather than to its object, they tell us what—in a given social setting—a proper instance of the concept should look like. Generics sustain and reproduce social stereotypes, including—and perhaps especially—ethnoracial, class, and gender stereotypes. (Generics, conceptual formation, ethnography, tokenization, materiality)*
Implementing Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Workflow Using the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group 203 Guidelines.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Updated guidelines for the management of radiation oncology patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (CIED) were released in the last quarter of 2019. Within a multi-site academic radiation oncology practice, a committee was formed to include physicians, nurses, therapists, physicists and dosimetrists to review updated guidelines and refine the current workflow in order to enhance patient safety. MATERIALS/METHODS The multidisciplinary team was created to review the AAPM Task Group 203 (TG-203) guidelines and develop a new standard operating procedure (SOP) for the management of patients with a CIED undergoing radiation therapy treatment. The team recognized the importance of nursing in this process and determined that the process to manage this patient population should be nurse driven. A cardiac device carepath and cardiac device checklist were created within the electronic health record (ARIA). The SOP, care path and checklist were reviewed and approved by the multidisciplinary team to include cardiology. RESULTS Optimized workflow for CIED patients includes identification of these patients at the time of consultation by nursing. The radiation oncology nurse then launches the ARIA care path and encounter to initiate CIED workflow which facilitates communication and care coordination. An alert is placed in the patient's ARIA record and a copy of the CIED card is scanned into ARIA. A consult is then placed with cardiology for recommendations regarding risk level and interrogations schedule. Simulation therapist measures the proximity of the treatment field to the device and documents in ARIA. If CIED is within 3 CM of the field or 5% isodose line the dosimetrist will contour the CIED as a structure and determine DVH/point dose. Physics performs in vivo measurements per TG203 guidelines and documents in ARIA record. Patients are followed throughout treatment to verify interrogation time points are completed. All documentation of this process is performed using ARIA carepaths and checklists as outlined above. CONCLUSION By implementing the AAPM TG-203 guidelines, this multidisciplinary team has been able to create a workflow to enhance patient safety. It has standardized the CIED management across our six campuses and ensures that all key stakeholders are involved in the workflow. Use of ARIA based documentation creates a stream-lined, transparent process that could be easily duplicated within other radiation oncology clinics.
Occupational Functioning of Divorced African American Working Women

Abstract This qualitative study focused on the occupational functioning of divorced African American working women. Semi-structured interviews explored the pre-divorce, divorce, and post-divorce phases of occupational functioning from the women's perspective. Most of the women (67%) reported improved post-divorce work performance.
Interactions of Cannabis and Amphetamine-Type Stimulants

Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATSs) are a large family of substances of abuse, characterized by well-known mood- and performance-enhancing properties. This class encompasses several high-potency stimulants and entactogens, such as the precursor compound d-amphetamine (AMPH), its synthetic N-methylated derivatives methamphetamine (METH) and 3, 4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA, or “ecstasy”), as well as novel designer drugs, based on substituted forms of the natural alkaloid cathinone. ATSs (and in particular METH) are among the most commonly abused substances worldwide, second only to Cannabis sativa; indeed, the rate of concurrent consumption of METH and cannabis has been increasing over the last decade, particularly among adolescents. Anecdotal evidence suggests that marijuana may offset some unpleasant subjective effects of ATSs, such as anxiety and paranoia. Both drugs have been shown to increase schizophrenia vulnerability in young vulnerable individuals, raising the possibility that their concurrent intake may have synergistic effects with respect to the development of psychotic manifestations. In addition, the combination of these two substances may affect their subjective effects and exacerbate their abuse liability. Although current evidence on the neurobiological interactions of cannabis and ATSs remains mostly elusive, initial studies in animal models suggest that the cannabinoid system may play a relevant role in the motivational and addictive properties of ATSs; furthermore, cannabinoids may modify the behavioral effects and even attenuate some untoward long-term consequences of ATSs. In this chapter we review the available evidence on these potential interactions and outline some key mechanisms that may account for the mutual modulatory influence of these substances.
Role of Lipids in Folding, Misfolding and Function of Integral Membrane Proteins

The lipid bilayer that constitutes cell membranes imposes environmental constraints on the structure, folding and function of integral membrane proteins. The cell membrane is an enormously heterogeneous and dynamic system in its chemical composition and associated physical forces. The lipid compositions of cell membranes not only vary over the tree of life but also differ by subcellular compartments within the same organism. Even in the same subcellular compartment, the membrane composition shows strong temporal and spatial dependence on the environmental or biological cues. Hence, one may expect that the membrane protein conformations and their equilibria strongly depend on the physicochemical variables of the lipid bilayer. Contrary to this expectation, the structures of homologous membrane proteins belonging to the same family but from evolutionary distant organisms exhibit a striking similarity. Furthermore, the atomic structures of the same protein in different lipid environments are also very similar. This suggests that certain stable folds optimized for a specific function have been selected by evolution. On the other hand, there is growing evidence that, despite the overall stability of the protein folds, functions of certain membrane proteins require a particular lipid composition in the bulk bilayer or binding of specific lipid species. Here I discuss the specific and nonspecific modulation of folding, misfolding and function of membrane proteins by lipids and introduce several diseases that are caused by misfolding of membrane proteins.
Maturation of isoprenylated proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Multiple activities catalyze the cleavage of the three carboxyl-terminal amino acids from farnesylated substrates in vitro

Eukaryotic polypeptides containing COOH-terminal-CXXX sequences can be posttranslationally modified by isoprenylation of the cysteine residue via a thioether linkage, proteolytic removal of the three terminal amino acids, and alpha-carboxyl methylation of the cysteine residue. Through the development of an indirect coupled assay, we have identified three in vitro activities in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that can catalyze the proteolytic cleavage of the three COOH-terminal amino acids of the synthetic peptide substrate N-acetyl-KSKTK[S-farnesyl-Cys]VIM. One of these is the vacuolar protease carboxypeptidase Y. Using a mutant strain deficient in this enzyme, we find evidence for an additional soluble activity as well as for a membrane-associated activity. These latter activities are candidates for roles in the physiological processing of isoprenylated protein precursors. They are both insensitive to inhibitors of serine and aspartyl proteinases but are sensitive to sulfhydryl reagents and 0.5 mM ZnCl2. The soluble activity appears to be a metalloenzyme, inhibitable by 2 mM o-phenanthroline but not by 1 mM N-ethylmaleimide, whereas the membrane-associated enzyme is inhibitable by 1 mM N-ethylmaleimide but not 2 mM o-phenanthroline. We show that the membrane-bound protease is not an activity of the membrane-bound methyltransferase, because protease activity is observed in membrane preparations that lack the STE14-encoded methyltransferase. The soluble activity appears to be a novel carboxypeptidase of approximately 110 kDa that catalyzes a processive removal of amino acids from the COOH terminus from both the farnesylated and non-farnesylated substrate, but not from three other unrelated peptides. Finally, we find no evidence for non-vacuolar membrane or soluble activities that catalyze the ester hydrolysis of N-acetyl-S-farnesyl-L-cysteine methyl ester.
Scale‐dependent longitudinal patterns in mussel communities

SUMMARY 1. Species richness and assemblage patterns of organisms are dictated by numerous factors, probably operating at multiple scales. Freshwater mussels (Unionidae) are an endangered, speciose faunal group, making them an interesting model system to study the influence of landscape features on organisms. In addition, landscape features that influence species distributions and the scale at which the factors have the greatest impact are important issues that need to be answered to conserve freshwater mussels. 2. In this study, we quantified freshwater mussel communities at 16 sites along three mid-sized rivers in the south-central United States. We addressed the following questions: (i) Are there predictable longitudinal changes in mussel community composition? (ii) What landscape variables best explain shifts in community composition? and (iii) At what scale do landscape variables best predict mussel community composition? 3. After controlling for the influence of longitudinal position along the stream, we compared mussel distributions to a suite of hypothesised explanatory landscape variables across multiple scales – catchment scale (entire drainage area), buffer scale (100-m riparian buffer of the entire catchment) and reach scale (100-m riparian buffer extending 1 km upstream from the sampling site). 4. We found a significant and consistent longitudinal shift in dominant mussel species across all three rivers, with community composition strongly related to distance from the headwaters, which is highly correlated with stream size. After accounting for stream size, variables at the buffer scale were the best predictors of mussel community composition. After accounting for catchment position, mean channel slope was the best explanatory variable of community composition and appeared in all top candidate models at the catchment and buffer scales. Coverage of wetland and urban area were also correlated with community composition at the catchment and buffer scales. 5. Our results suggest that landscape-scale habitat factors influence mussel community composition. Landscape features at the buffer scale performed best at determining community composition after accounting for position in the catchment; thus, further protection of riparian buffers will help to conserve mussel communities.
Medium-Resolution Stellar Spectra in the L Band from 2400 to 3000 cm−1 (3.3 to 4.2 Microns)

We present a brief atlas of L-band (3.3–4.2 μm) spectra for 42 stars plus the Sun and a sunspot observed at a resolving power of R ~ 3000. This contribution is intended to supplement our previous K-band, H-band, and J-band spectral atlases. The L-band data, which cover some or all of the 2400 to 3000 cm-1 (3.3–4.2 μm) region, are mainly for luminous late-type stars. In reducing these data, special care has been taken to remove telluric features, especially water vapor. We identify temperature- and luminosity-sensitive atomic and molecular indices to aid in the classification of stellar spectra in the L band. The data are available electronically.
Luminosity lifetime at an asymmetric e+e− collider

Abstract The dependence of the luminosity on time is discussed for an asymmetric e+e− storage ring collider, with emphasis on single-particle scattering mechanisms for beam loss. The “optimal” filling strategy and average luminosity obtainable are also reviewed.
Fast Dimension Reduction That Preserves Underdetermined Data Clusters

An important technique for object recognition in electro-optics, signal processing, and image understanding is to use a training algorithm to create a data base against which to compare data for objects being tested. The data for each training and test object is represented as a vector in a space of possible high dimension, perhaps in the hundreds or thousands. It is usually desired to project this data onto a space of much lower dimension in such a way that separation of object clusters is preserved. The difficulty with using this approach as it is usually presented is that it leads to inordinately large generalized matrix eigensystems that must be analyzed. Just as drastic is the large amount of data required for implementation. For instance, Fisher's linear discriminant method usually requires having at least as many training vectors as the dimension of the representation space. This is a severe limitation in that it would be preferable to train on reasonable amounts of data, say on samples of 20 data vectors in each class of objects. In this paper, we present a new methodology based on the Fisher linear discriminant method, but for the underdetermined case; that is, for the case of having only relatively small amounts of training data for each cluster of objects. The new algorithm is based partly on the original Fisher algorithm and partly on more recent fast algorithms for matrix factorizations. We also present examples showing application of this algorithm to the problem of automatic target recognition using images from FLIR data.
Use of potassium permanganate as a fixative for virus particles in plant tissues.

Abstract Modifications of the standard potassium permanganate killing and fixing techniques have been made that give excellent preservation of virus particles and aggregates, as well as host cell contents, in ultrasections of plant tissues. Narrow leaf strips of Nicotiana tabacum L. var. Turkish infected with tobacco mosaic virus were immersed in 1.2% KMnO 4 at room temperature for very short periods of time (1–4 minutes). Longer fixation times caused progressively greater destruction of the virus particles and most likely have led to the common belief that KMnO 4 is unsuitable for virus preservation. Slow-speed centrifugation of tissue pieces during fixation accelerated penetration of the fixative. The new procedures should prove useful for in situ studies of viruses and host-virus interrelationships.
Leibniz on ‘prophets’, prophecy, and revelation

During Leibniz's lifetime, interest in the interpretation of the Bible and biblical prophecy became central to the theological and political concerns of Protestant Europe. Leibniz's treatment of this phenomenon will be examined in the light of his views on the nature of revelation and its role in his defence of Christianity. It will be argued that Leibniz's defence of the miracle of revelation (and its vehicle, biblical prophecy) – unlike his arguments on behalf of the core Christian mysteries of the Trinity and Incarnation – is demonstrable by purely natural and scientific means, especially the verification of history.
Early postoperative fear of movement predicts pain, disability, and physical health six months after spinal surgery for degenerative conditions.

Abstract Background context The fear-avoidance model offers a promising framework for understanding the development of chronic postoperative pain and disability. However, limited research has examined this model in patients undergoing spinal surgery. Purpose To determine whether preoperative and early postoperative fear of movement predicts pain, disability, and physical health at 6 months following spinal surgery for degenerative conditions, after controlling for depressive symptoms and other potential confounding variables. Study design/setting A prospective cohort study conducted at an academic outpatient clinic. Patient sample One hundred forty-one patients undergoing surgery for lumbar or cervical degenerative conditions. Outcome measures Self-reported pain and disability were measured with the Brief Pain Inventory and the Oswestry Disability Index/Neck Disability Index, respectively. The physical composite scale of the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) measured physical health. Methods Data collection occurred preoperatively and at 6 weeks and 6 months following surgery. Fear of movement was measured with the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia and depression with the Prime-MD PHQ-9. Results One hundred and twenty patients (85% follow-up) completed the 6-month postoperative assessment. Multivariable mixed-method linear regression analyses found that early postoperative fear of movement (6 weeks) predicted pain intensity, pain interference, disability, and physical health at 6-month follow-up (p Conclusion Results provide support for the fear-avoidance model in a postsurgical spine population. Early postoperative screening for fear of movement and depressive symptoms that do not acutely improve following surgical intervention appears warranted. Cognitive and behavioral strategies may be beneficial for postsurgical patients with high fear of movement and/or depressive symptoms.
Syllable Structure and Sievers' Law in Gothic

While there is general agreement about many aspects of Gothic syllable structure, a number of important issues remain controversial. This paper offers an Optimality Theory analysis, with a focus on the syllabification of intervocalic consonants and consonant clusters. It is argued that Gothic syllabification generally results from the interaction of constraints requiring that syllables have onsets, that syllables may not have complex codas, or codas in general, and regulating the relationship between the input and the output. A family of constraints banning various types of complex onsets is also proposed. With this analysis of Gothic syllabification in hand, a new analysis of Sievers' Law, one of the classic problems of Gothic phonology, is developed. From this perspective, Sievers' Law is contingent on syllable structure and falls out from the interaction of the proposed constraints on syllable structure. It is also argued that the correct underlying representation of the segment affected by Sievers' Law is an archiphoneme, as this enables a better account of the Sievers' Law alternations, their morphological sensitivity, and the exceptions to Sievers' Law. Although alternative analyses are possible, the analysis presented here sidesteps some of the problems they face and is more philologically rigorous. This paper is a substantially revised version of a portion of my doctoral dissertation (Pierce 2002). For their assistance in the preparation of this revised version, I thank James Cathey, San Duanmu, Benjamin Fortson, Robert Kyes, Tomas Riad, Martti Sloan, and Bruce Spencer. I am especially grateful to the two anonymous JGL referees, who provided a number of helpful comments that caused me to rethink much of the analysis, and to Robert Murray for his assistance in his role as editor.
Wireless nanosensors for monitoring concussion of football players

Football players are more to violent impacts and injuries more than any athlete in any other sport. Concussion or mild traumatic brain injuries were one of the lesser known sports injuries until the last decade. With the advent of modern technologies in medical and engineering disciplines, people are now more aware of concussion detection and prevention. These concussions are often overlooked by football players themselves. The cumulative effect of these mild traumatic brain injuries can cause long-term residual brain dysfunctions. The principle of concussion is based the movement of the brain in the neurocranium and viscerocranium. The brain is encapsulated by the cerebrospinal fluid which acts as a protective layer for the brain. This fluid can protect the brain against minor movements, however, any rapid movements of the brain may mitigate the protective capability of the cerebrospinal fluid. In this paper, we propose a wireless health monitoring helmet that addresses the concerns of the current monitoring methods - it is non-invasive for a football player as helmet is not an additional gear, it is efficient in performance as it is equipped with EEG nanosensors and 3D accelerometer, it does not restrict the movement of the user as it wirelessly communicates to the remote monitoring station, requirement of individual monitoring stations are not required for each player as the ZigBee protocol can couple multiple transmitters with one receiver. A helmet was developed and validated according to the above mentioned parameters.
Toward a viable nuclear waste disposal program

The essay deals with the lack of a suitable permanent storage site for the radioactive waste that has been produced by more than 103 open-cycle nuclear reactors in the U.S. The DOE has recently withdrawn the licensing application for the Yucca Mountain Repository leaving the nuclear industry responsible for the safety of more than 800 waste-containing concrete casks currently on the open surface at 34 sites. It also has not undertaken measures to reduce the volume of additional waste produced by both existing and newly planned reactors. The DOE has instead opted to undertake research to develop new cycles that "burn" the radioactive waste. This policy appears subordinated to obvious political pressures. It is short sighted in terms of a practical program to serve the interests of the clean and safe energy requirements of the country. The essay also describes technical initiatives and processes that are recommended for a better solution.
Glucocorticoids stimulate human sgk1 gene expression by activation of a GRE in its 5′-flanking region

In lung and collecting duct epithelia, glucocorticoid (GC)-stimulated Na+ transport is preceded by an increase in the protein kinase sgk1, which in turn regulates the activity of the epithelial Na+...
Meaningfulness: A Third Dimension of the Good Life

This paper argues that an adequate conception of a good life should recognize, in addition to happiness and morality, a third dimension of meaningfulness. It further proposes that we understand meaningfulness as involving both a subjective and an objective condition, suitably linked. Meaning arises when subjective attraction meets objective attractiveness. In other words one’s life is meaningful insofar as one is gripped or excited by things worthy of one’s love, and one is able to do something positive about it. The paper concludes with some speculations about how this conception of meaningfulness might help to explain the conditions under which social volunteering can be especially rewarding.
Two-dimensional analysis of substrate effects in junction f.e.t.s

This letter describes a numerical analysis of substrate effects in j.f.e.t.s. It is shown that the addition of a high-resistivity substrate increases the output conductance considerably, whereas the transconductance is not much affected. The substrate behaves roughly like a parallel resistor.
Quasi-linear electrical potentials in steady-state Joule heating

It is shown that, when account is taken of the temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity of a medium in steady-state conditions, the electrical potential obeys a quasi-linear, second-order partial differential equation. The equation is shown to be easily solved by means of a generalized Kirchhoff transformation, giving coordinate-free solutions in terms of functions which obey Laplace's equation. Steady-state temperatures resulting from the potential are shown to be significantly influenced by the quasi-linear potential when compared with the expected form which assumes the potential to satisfy Laplace's equation.
The Role of Technology in Business Economics

(1994). The Role of Technology in Business Economics. International Journal of the Economics of Business: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 23-26.
Nanocrystalline α-MnO2 Nanowires by Electrochemical Step-Edge Decoration

Nanocrystalline α-MnO2 nanowires are prepared by electrodeposition of MnO2 at step edges on graphite electrodes. MnO2 wires have an adjustable diameter of 40−150 nm, were 10−500 μm in length, and were organized into parallel ensembles of hundreds of wires.
Freedom at Risk: The Kidnapping of Free Blacks in America, 1780-1865

Kidnapping was perhaps the greatest fear of free blacks in pre-Civil War America. Though they may have descended from generations of free-born people or worked to purchase their freedom, free blacks were not able to enjoy the privileges and opportunities of white Americans. They lived with the constant threat of kidnapping and enslavement, against which they had little recourse.Most kidnapped free blacks were forcibly abducted, but other methods, such as luring victims with job offers or falsely claiming free people as fugitive slaves, were used as well. Kidnapping of blacks was actually facilitated by numerous state laws, as well as the federal fugitive slave laws of 1793 and 1850. Greed motivated kidnappers, who were assured high profits on the sale of their victims. As the internal slave trade increased in the early nineteenth century, so did kidnapping.If greed provided the motivation for the crime, racism helped it to continue unabated. Victims usually found it extremely difficult to regain their freedom through a legal system that reflected society's racist views, perpetuated a racial double standard, and considered all blacks slaves until proven otherwise. Fortunate was the victim who received assistance, sometimes from government officials, most often from abolitionists. Frequently, however, the black community was forced to protect its own and organized to do so, sometimes by working within the law, sometimes by meeting violence with violence.Mining newspaper accounts, memoirs, slave narratives, court records, letters, abolitionist society minutes, and government documents, Carol Wilson has provided a needed addition to our picture of free black life in the United States.
Tetris in monolayers: patterned self-assembly using side chain shape

The “kinked” shapes of conjugated alkadiynes constrain chain packing in monolayers on HOPG. Centrally located diyne units permit assembly of 1,5-bis(alkadiyne)anthracene monolayers. Off-center diynes inhibit self-assembly. Shape matched pairs of off-center diyne chains direct self-assembly of compositionally patterned, two component monolayers.
The clinical experience of Acanthamoeba keratitis at a tertiary care eye hospital.

PURPOSE: In recent years, outbreaks of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) have been reported worldwide. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical experience of AK at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. METHODS: A retrospective case review was completed on patients with infectious keratitis whose corneal cultures were positive for Acanthamoeba between January 2000 and December 2008. The clinical characteristics and visual outcomes were examined in those patients with a follow-up period greater than 6 months. RESULTS: Four cases were identified between January 2000 and December 2003, whereas 26 cases were identified between January 2004 and December 2008. Charts before 2004 were unavailable for review. A total of 15 cases between 2004 and 2008 had a follow-up period of greater than 6 months. In these cases, possible risk factors associated with AK included soft contact lens wear (12 of 15 cases), exposure to freshwater or saltwater sources (8 of 15 cases), chronic ocular surface disease (6 of 15 cases), ocular trauma (3 of 15 cases), and concomitant infectious keratitis (2 of 15 cases). Four cases were associated with the use of Advanced Medical Optics Complete MoisturePlus Multi-Purpose Solution. Many cases were recalcitrant to medical therapy alone, necessitating therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty in 8 of 15 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The number of AK cases at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary has increased since 2004. Contact lens wear and exposure to contaminated water sources were potential risk factors for AK. Clinicians should maintain a high clinical suspicion for AK in cases of atypical keratitis with known risk factors for AK.
Practice and payment trends in neurology in 2012

This article describes practice and payment trends among neurologists. Data from the 2012 Practice and Payment Trends survey were compared to results from the 2010 Medical Economics survey. Both surveys were sent to a random sample of 1,000 US practicing neurologists, with a response rate of 32%. Since 2010, there has been an 8% increase in the percent of neurologists working in academic medical centers. Nearly half of neurologists reported working for a hospital-affiliated practice. Wait times have increased 40% for a new patient visit. Only 19% of neurologists indicated procedures as the primary focus of their practice. New delivery models have not yet gained traction with neurologists but the majority (>80%) of neurologists currently use electronic health records in their practice.
Gamma hydroxybutyrate Correlation of serum and cerebrospinal fluid levels with electroencephalographic and behavioral effects

Gamma hydroxybutyrate was administered to adult cats by intravenous infusion at varying dosages while an electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded from electrodes placed stereotactically in the right and left hippocampus and thalamic intralaminar nucleus and from cortical electrodes. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples were assayed for gamma hydroxybutyrate. The first EEG change, slowing with occasional spikes, was seen at serum levels of 75 μg per milliliter. Changes in the recordings progressed through a number of stages, culminating in bursts of poly spiking interspersed among periods of electrical silence first seen at 350 μg per milliliter. Behavior was characterized by a progressively deepening trancelike state punctuated at higher serum levels by spontaneous and stimulus-induced myoclonic jerks. These changes were correlated with serum levels and are more similar to petit mal stupor than any kind of natural sleep-like state previously used to describe them
Exploring microdischarges for portable sensing applications

This paper describes the use of microdischarges as transducing elements in sensors and detectors. Chemical and physical sensing of gases, chemical sensing of liquids, and radiation detection are described. These applications are explored from the perspective of their use in portable microsystems, with emphasis on compactness, power consumption, the ability to operate at or near atmospheric pressure (to reduce pumping challenges), and the ability to operate in an air ambient (to reduce the need for reservoirs of carrier gases). Manufacturing methods and performance results are described for selected examples.
General treatment of tau semileptonic decays by polarized-partial-width measurements.

The most general Lorentz-invariant spin-correlation functions for {tau}{sup {minus}}{r_arrow}{rho}{sup {minus}}{nu}, {ital a}{sup {minus}}{sub 1}{nu}, {ital K}{sup {asterisk}{minus}}{nu}, {pi}{sup {minus}}{nu}, {ital K}{sup {minus}}{nu} are expressed in terms of eight semileptonic parameters. The parameters are physically defined in terms of {tau}-decay partial-width intensities for polarized final states. The parameters are also expressed in terms of a {open_quote}{open_quote}({ital V}{minus}{ital A}) + additional chiral coupling{close_quote}{close_quote} structure in the {ital J}{sup charged}{sub lepton} current, so as to bound effective-mass scales {Lambda} for {open_quote}{open_quote}new physics{close_quote}{close_quote} such as arising from lepton compositeness, leptonic {ital CP} violation, leptonic {ital T} violation, {tau} weak magnetism, weak electricity, and/or second-class currents. The two tests for leptonic {ital CP} violation in {tau}{r_arrow}{rho}{nu} decay are generalized to {tau}{r_arrow}{ital a}{sub 1}{nu} decay and to two additional tests if there are {nu}{sub {ital R}} and {bar {nu}}{sub {ital L}} couplings. For 10{sup 7}({tau}{sup {minus}},{tau}{sup +}) pairs at 10 GeV, from the {l_brace}{rho}{sup {minus}},{rho}{sup +}{r_brace} mode and using the four-variable distribution {ital I}{sub 4}, the ideal statistical percentage errors are, for {xi}, 0.6{percent}, for {zeta}, 0.7{percent}, for {sigma}, 1.3{percent}, and for {omega}, 0.6{percent}. {ital CP} tests are typically {radical}2 worse. Parameters sensitive to leptonic {ital T} violation are {omega}, and the following from the {l_brace}{italmore » a}{sup {minus}}{sub 1},{ital a}{sup +}{sub 1}{r_brace} mode: using {ital I}{sup {minus}}{sub 5} the errors are, for {eta}, 0.6{percent}; using {ital I}{sub 7}, for {eta}{prime}, 0.013; and using {ital I}{sup {minus}}{sub 7}, for {omega}{prime}, 0.002. (Abstract Truncated)« less
Chronic neuron-specific tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression enhances the local inflammatory environment ultimately leading to neuronal death in 3xTg-AD mice.

Inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1beta, appear integral in initiating and/or propagating Alzheimer's disease (AD)-associated pathogenesis. We have previously observed a significant increase in the number of mRNA transcripts encoding the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, which correlated to regionally enhanced microglial activation in the brains of triple transgenic mice (3xTg-AD) before the onset of overt amyloid pathology. In this study, we reveal that neurons serve as significant sources of TNF-α in 3xTg-AD mice. To further define the role of neuronally derived TNF-α during early AD-like pathology, a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector expressing TNF-α was stereotactically delivered to 2-month-old 3xTg-AD mice and non-transgenic control mice to produce sustained focal cytokine expression. At 6 months of age, 3xTg-AD mice exhibited evidence of enhanced intracellular levels of amyloid-β and hyperphosphorylated tau, as well as microglial activation. At 12 months of age, both TNF receptor II and Jun-related mRNA levels were significantly enhanced, and peripheral cell infiltration and neuronal death were observed in 3xTg-AD mice, but not in non-transgenic mice. These data indicate that a pathological interaction exists between TNF-α and the AD-related transgene products in the brains of 3xTg-AD mice. Results presented here suggest that chronic neuronal TNF-α expression promotes inflammation and, ultimately, neuronal cell death in this AD mouse model, advocating the development of TNF-α-specific agents to subvert AD.
Balancing function vs. self defense: The CNS as an active regulator of immune responses

Immunological privilege of the central nervous system (CNS) has often been viewed as the summation of mechanisms that are protective of, but extrinsic to, the CNS. Their primary role has then been seen as isolating the CNS from the organism as a whole. Experiments in recent years indicate that the CNS itself may have an innate immune system comprised of astrocytes and microglia capable of regulating the initiation and progression of immune responses. Thus, immunological privilege should be considered as an intrinsic property of the CNS that could involve direct CNS:immune cell interactions. Malfunctions of these intrinsic mechanisms could play significant roles augmenting or even initiating CNS-directed autoimmunity and inflammation. J. Neurosci. Res. 55:1–8, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Pharmacologic implications of alterations in the metabolism of chloramphenicol.

Abstract In the present study, it was shown that in rats the glucuronide conjugation of chloramphenicol was reduced by 18- to 24-hr fasting and by pretreatment with o - and p -toluic acids. This was reflected in the increased availability of chloramphenicol to produce liver microsomal enzyme inhibition. Eighteen- to 24-hr fasting and administration of o - and p -toluic acids delayed the disappearance of chloramphenicol from the plasma and from the liver and reduced the levels of chloramphenicol glucuronide in the plasma and in the liver tissue. These changes in the inactivation profile were accompanied by potentiation of chloramphenicol-induced prolongation of hexobarbital sleeping time. In fasted rats, glucose administration antagonized the changes observed in chloramphenicol metabolism and its effect on hexobarbital sleeping time. Pretreatment with o -toluamide, which is not conjugated with glucuronic acid, did not have a significant effect on glucuronide conjugation of chloramphenicol. It was also shown that thiamphenicol-induced inhibition of liver microsomal enzymes in vivo , measured in terms of its effect on the prolongation of hexobarbital sleeping time, was not affected either by fasting or by administration of o - and p -toluic acids. Thiamphenicol, an analog of chloramphenicol, is not metabolized by glucuronide conjugation, but is excreted unchanged. These observations indicate that the potentiation of chloramphenicol-induced prolongation of hexobarbital sleeping time in fasted and in o - or p -toluic acid-treated rats was due to the availability of higher amounts of chloramphenicol producing a greater degree of microsomal inhibition.
The role of the university computer center in educational research (with remote hope)

The principal functions of a university are education and research. In this environment these two activities go, or ought to go, hand in hand. In particular, the art of education is, itself, a proper target for research and development at a university. I am not referring here to the activities and programs of schools of education, but to all departments who are in the business of imparting knowledge, skills, attitudes and abilities.
A multi-objective model for warranty cost estimation using multiple products

Abstract The paper considers warranty cost estimation for multiple products. The products are assumed to be substitutes. The decision variables include the price and the warranty time. Several goals are considered at different levels of priorities. Some of these goals may be conflicting to each other. The goals considered include the achievement of a specified market share for each product, limitation on the total warranty cost as a given proportion of total sales, limitation of the warranty reserve for a given product as a proportion of the total warranty reserve for all products and attainment of a minimum level of warranty reserve for a given product as a proportion of the total warranty reserve costs. A goal programming approach is used to solve the formulated problem. An example is illustrated using the proposed formulation and goal achievements are discussed.
Interaction of human cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase E1 with disulfiram

Two equivalents of symmetrically labeled [14C]-disulfiram (tetraethylthiuram disulfide, Antabuse) interact with human liver cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) E1 (E.C. 1.2.1.3) inhibiting ca. 90% of total catalytic activity. Inhibition occurs without labeling of the enzyme but is associated with disappearance of four SH groups per molecule of enzyme. Inhibition is reversible by treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol suggesting that disulfiram oxidizes vicinal enzyme SH groups to disulfides. The radioactivity from disulfiram is recovered as diethyldithiocarbamate. SDS gel electrophoresis indicates that vicinal SH groups involved in the interaction with disulfiram occur on the same subunits. This is also consistent with the fact that introduction of disulfide bonds by disulfiram is not accompanied by a major conformational change as evidenced by fluorescence polarization or circular dichroism. Experiments with o-iodosobenzoate suggest the presence of a third SH group in the vicinity of the two interacting with disulfiram. Inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase by disulfiram is not easily reversible by glutathione which might explain why new protein synthesis is required to regain enzyme activity in vivo.
Energetic ABA and (AB)n thermoplastic elastomers

Linear ABA triblock and (AB)n segmented block copolymers of energetic monomers have been synthesized. The rigid and soft blocks are prepared from 3,3-bis(azidomethyl)oxetane (BAMO) and 3-nitratomethyl-3-methyloxetane (NMMO), respectively. Polymerization of BAMO initiated by triethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate and by spiro(benzoxasilole)/propanediol produced α,ω-monohydroxy-PBAMO (3) and α,ω-dihydroxy-PBAMO (4) of Mn 16,000 and 2,000, respectively, and α,ω-dihydroxy-PNMMO (5) of Mn = 13,000 was synthesized by the latter method. The block copolymers were prepared from the appropriate telechelic polymers and toluene diisocyanate. The PBAMO—PNMMO—PBAMO copolymer 6 has Tm = 82°C, Tg = −3°C, and is strongly phase separated even in the melt. It decomposes sharply within 1°C at 224°C evolving 0.69 kJ/g of heat. Copolymer 6 has excellent mechanical properties with elongation of 683% at break, 5.25 MPa stress, and 82% recovery. The (PBAMO—PNMMO)n copolymer 7 has similar thermal properties and spectroscopic characteristic, but is inferior to copolymer 6 in all rheological and mechanical properties. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Identification of Common and Unique Peptide Substrate Preferences for the UDP-GalNAc:Polypeptide α-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases T1 and T2 Derived from Oriented Random Peptide Substrates

A large family of UDP-GalNAc:polypeptide alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases (ppGalNAc Ts) catalyzes the first step of mucin-type protein O-glycosylation by transferring GalNAc to serine and threonine residues of acceptor polypeptides. The acceptor peptide substrate specificity and specific protein targets of the individual ppGalNAc T family members remain poorly characterized and poorly understood, despite the fact that mutations in two individual isoforms are deleterious to man and the fly. In this work a series of oriented random peptide substrate libraries, based on the GAGAXXXTXXXAGAGK sequence motif (where X = randomized positions), have been used to obtain the first comprehensive determination of the peptide substrate specificities of the mammalian ppGalNAc T1 and T2 isoforms. ppGalNAc T-glycosylated random peptides were isolated by lectin affinity chromatography, and transferase amino acid preferences were determined by Edman amino acid sequencing. The results reveal common and unique position-sensitive features for both transferases, consistent with previous reports of the preferences of ppGalNAc T1 and T2. The random peptide substrates also reveal additional specific features that have never been described before that are consistent with the x-ray crystal structures of the two transferases and furthermore are reflected in a data base analysis of in vivo O-glycosylation sites. By using the transferase-specific preferences, optimum and selective acceptor peptide substrates have been generated for each transferase. This approach represents a relatively complete, facile, and reproducible method for obtaining ppGalNAc T peptide substrate specificity. Such information will be invaluable for identifying isoform-specific peptide acceptors, creating isoform-specific substrates, and predicting O-glycosylation sites.
Pipelining: a technique for implementing data restructurers

In the past several years much attention has been given to the problem of data translation. The focus has been mainly on methodologies and specification languages for accomplishing this task. Recently, several prototype systems have emerged, and now the issues of implementation and performance must be addressed. In general, a data restructuring specification may contain multiple source and target files. This specification can be viewed as a “process graph” which is a network of restructuring operations subject to precedence constraints. One technique used to achieve good performance is that of pipelining data in the process graph. In this paper we address a number of issues pertinent to a pipelining architecture. Specifically, we give algorithms for resolving deadlock situations which can arise, and partitioning the process graph to achieve an optimal schedule for executing the restructuring steps. In addition, we discuss how pipelining has influenced the design of the restructuring operations and the file structures used in an actual system.
The international transfer of organizational technologies

The international transfer of organizational structures and processes—that is, of organizational technologies—is assuming increasing importance both in business and in public policy arenas. This study assessed the applicability to organizational technologies of some of the insights into international technology transfer processes developed through the analysis of the transfer of physical technologies and draws on organization theory to suggest some additional areas for investigation. The article draws extensively on the historical experience of Japan, a society that has been noted for its experience in transferring and adapting foreign organizational technologies, to address these issues.