cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Technology Standards - New Technical Barriers to Trade?

At a time when the high-tech industry has increasingly demanded harmonized standards, China has signaled its intention to follow a different direction. China's recent actions seeking to set its own unique standards instead of adopting international standards shifts focus to the impact on international trade and the corresponding legal framework defining responsibilities for State members of the World Trade Organization. While trade barriers of the past - high tariffs and quotas imposed on imports - have been greatly reduced, less obvious impediments normally referred to as non-tariff barriers (NTBs) have in many cases replaced them. One area ripe for the incursion of NTBs concerns technology standards. The WTO's Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade recognizes the important contribution that international standards can make by improving efficiency of production and facilitating the conduct of international trade, but also cautions that standards should not be used to create NTBs. China's WAPI standard provides a test-case for ICT standards and their relationship to the international trade regime. It serves to illustrate standards' dual nature as trade facilitators and indispensable elements of the ICT industry, on the one hand, and as potential measures of protectionism when applied inappropriately, on the other hand. As China's economic power grows and it becomes more adept at playing the standards game, it may find new means for pressing its own concerns in relation to international standards and trade-related issues.
Understanding differences in alcohol consumption and depressed mood between U.S.- and foreign-born Asian and Caucasian college students

The number and proportion of foreign-born individuals in the U.S. population has increased in recent decades. From 1970 to 2007, the foreign-born population more than tripled to approximately 37 million (U.S. Census Bureau, 1997 , 2008 ). Foreign-born students are a key subpopulation of college students. About 23% of U.S. undergraduate college students in 2007-2008 were either born outside of the United States (10%) or were children of at least one first-generation immigrant parent (13%; National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education [NCES], 2012 ). Asian students constitute the majority (30%) of foreign-born undergraduates. Although foreign-born Asian students compose nearly one-quarter of the college population, limited research has examined how rates of alcohol use and depression differ between foreign-born and U.S.-born Asian college students (Gonzalez, Reynolds, & Skewes, 2011 ; Ralston & Palfai, 2012 ). The limited research is worrisome given their increasing rates of college enrollment (U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 ), alcohol consumption (Aud, Fox, & KewalRamani, 2010 ), alcohol abuse and dependence (Grant et al., 2004 ), and underutilization of mental health services (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001 ). Collectively, these factors point to the need for further research tailored to Asian college drinkers.
Modal Analysis of Ananomechanical Antenna Structure in Mhz—Ghzrange

AbstractThis paper investigates different ways to increase and detect high modal frequencies. Our approach is to explore new structural geometries and materials that give rise to easily detectable displacements. A 10.7 long suspended silicon-based antenna beam with 20 pads on each side gives rise to a typical large displacement mode shape at resonant frequency of 545.7 MHz. This typical mode, henceforth known as collective mode, can be detected by magnetomotive technique. The numerical simulations predict higher collective mode frequencies for materials having higher) ratios. We also find that frequency increases considerably if the length of the side pads is reduced. Other geometrical changes such as using single sideway pads on both sides of central beam or varying pad widths may result in high collective mode frequencies. Harmonic analysis predicts that higher collective modes can also be detected as they have net sweep area of the same order as the 1st collective mode.
Towards Universal Principles for Global Animal Advocacy

Globalization now exerts an enormous impact on the human/animal relationship, which has momentous implications for both animal advocacy and the future of animal law. Animal abuse is being outsourced as animal experimentation heads east and agricultural animal production moves south. As a result of, among other things, outsourcing and other impacts of globalization on the industries of animal experimentation and animal agricultural production, parochialism and ‘one state’ strategies will not ultimately be effective in ending animal abuse. Animal advocates and lawyers must therefore construct theories, strategies, principles and campaigns that have resonance around the globe and traverse seemingly impenetrable cultural divides. To accomplish this crossing of cultural boundaries, it is paramount to fashion a common language – one which expresses cross-culturally accepted universal principles. This article proposes a methodology for generating these universal principles for animal advocacy and legal policy proposals, loosely based on Feminist Care Theory, positing that moral principles are based on feelings of compassion, sympathy and empathy. The specific basal notion proposed for grounding these universal principles for animal advocacy and legal policy proposals is the concept of ‘caring’, defined as ‘the suite of feelings and cognitions that an emotionally sound human experiences in response to focusing attention on the suffering of others’. Based on this foundational notion, several examples of uses of animals are analyzed and exemplar universal principles and legal policy proposals are derived.
Adolescents' and Young Adults' Knowledge and Beliefs About Constituents in Novel Tobacco Products.

Introduction Novel tobacco products, such as little cigars, cigarillos, hookah, and e-cigarettes, and their smoke or aerosol contain chemicals which the FDA has determined to be Harmful or Potentially Harmful Constituents. We explored adolescents' and young adults' knowledge and beliefs about constituents in novel tobacco products and their smoke or aerosol, in order to inform risk communication messages. Methods Seventy-seven adolescents and young adults (ages 13-25) participated in 10 focus groups, including 47 novel tobacco product users and 30 susceptible nonusers. Participants were asked to discuss 10 pre-selected constituents found in novel tobacco products and their smoke or aerosol. The first author analyzed the discussion for emergent themes. Results Participants were generally familiar with arsenic, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and nicotine, but unfamiliar with acetaldehyde, acrolein, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanon (NNK), and N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN). All participants had negative beliefs about most constituents, although users had positive beliefs about nicotine. "Unfamiliar" constituents were associated with similarly-sounding words (eg, acetaldehyde sounds like acetaminophen), and some participants recognized words in the chemical names of NNK/NNN (eg, "nitro"). "Familiar" constituents were associated with negative health effects and other common products the constituents are found in. All participants wanted more information about the constituents' health effects, toxicity, and other common products. Most participants were unaware the constituents discussed are in novel tobacco products and their smoke or aerosol. Conclusions Risk communication messages could capitalize on negative associations with familiar constituents, or attempt to educate about unfamiliar constituents, to discourage novel tobacco product use among adolescents and young adults. Implications The results of this study have implications for how the FDA and other agencies can communicate about the risks of novel tobacco products to the general public, which will be particularly important once the Deeming Rule is finalized. Our findings suggest it may be effective to capitalize on the public's negative beliefs about and associations with familiar constituents, or to educate about unfamiliar constituents and their health effects, their concentration and toxicity in novel tobacco products and their smoke or aerosol, and other products they are found in.
Blood vessel location time by Anopheles stephensi (Diptera : Culicidae)

Probing behavior of Anopheles stephensi Liston is characterized by the following: the first probe is longer than subsequent ones, the probability of blood location rises initially and then falls, and blood vessel location is deterministic. The overall probing behavior of An. stephensi, therefore, is similar to that of Aedes aegypti (L.); i.e., differences between them were quantitative and may be accounted for by different levels of salivary apyrase and different experimental vertebrate hosts.
Complex roles of Stat1 in regulating gene expression

Stat1 is a fascinating and complex protein with multiple, yet contrasting transcriptional functions. Upon activation, it drives the expression of many genes but also suppresses the transcription of others. These opposing characteristics also apply to its role in facilitating crosstalk between signal transduction pathways, as it participates in both synergistic activation and inhibition of gene expression. Stat1 is a functional transcription factor even in the absence of inducer-mediated activation, participating in the constitutive expression of some genes. This review summarizes the well studied involvement of Stat1 in IFN-dependent and growth factor-dependent signaling and then describes the roles of Stat1 in positive, negative and constitutive regulation of gene expression as well as its participation in crosstalk between signal transduction pathways. Oncogene (2000).
Aberrant DNA Methylation in Ependymomas

DNA methylation primarily occurs on CpG dinucleotides in mammalian genomes and plays an important role in transcriptional regulations during tissue development and cell differentiation. The alterations in DNA methylation patterns have been observed in a variety of human tumours, including ependymomas. During tumour development and progression, two distinct but concurrent epigenetic abnormalities are commonly observed: localized hypermethylation typically affecting CpG islands and global hypomethylation predominantly occurring in repetitive elements. Over a decade of DNA methylation studies reveal ependymomas are frequently associated with altered DNA methylation of genes involved in cell-cycle regulation, apoptosis control, DNA repair and angiogenic pathways. In addition, a subset of Alu repetitive elements have also demonstrated significant methylation ­aberrations, both methylation gain and methylation loss, particularly in aggressive ependymomas. The assessment of promoter and/or repeat DNA methylation is an important approach in identifying the epigenetic markers for early diagnosis, prognosis and eventual therapeutic targets for ependymoma treatment.
The Natural Logarithm and Exponential

This chapter discusses the natural logarithm and exponential functions. The natural base exponential function and its inverse are two of the most important functions in mathematics. One of the most important ways that exponential functions arise in science and mathematics is as the solution to linear growth and decay laws. These laws simply say that the rate of change of a quantity is proportional to the amount present. This is the differential equation, dy / dt = ky , with a positive constant k if it represents growth and a negative constant if it represents decay. The most noteworthy thing about the formula is that the dependent variable y appears on both sides of the equation.
An active interrogation detection system (ACTINIDES) based on a dual fast neutron/gamma-ray coded aperture imager

We report on the initial characterization efforts for an active interrogation detection system (ACTINIDES) for applications in maritime security. The ACTINIDES concept is based on neutron/gamma-ray detection, measurement and imaging using a coded aperture mask and an array of liquid scintillator detectors. The coded mask is based on a modified uniformly redundant array (MURA) with hybrid mask elements comprised of high-density polyethylene and lead. The detector array is composed of thirty liquid scintillators. Liquid scintillator detectors are sensitive to both neutrons and gamma rays, with discrimination between the two accomplished by measurement of differences in the de-excitation light pulses. The proof-of-concept study of the instrument has been conducted passively in the laboratory; ultimately, the fully scaled-up instrument is designed to be used in tandem with an active interrogator. Results from the full laboratory test campaign will be presented, along with future prospects for work with an active interrogator.
Effective Public Service Communication Networks for Climate Change Adaptation

Climate change adaptation is fundamentally linked to the suitability and adaptability of communication networks to confront consequences of climate change and climate-related extreme events. Communications often receive less attention yet are critical to managing adverse outcomes of climate change by emphasizing human and technological interfaces. Several cases of communication failures and ultimate successes in extreme events are diagnosed uniquely using network concepts. In these cases, communications influenced the magnitude and direction of consequences and illustrate successful learning efforts and best practices across disciplines to address communication deficiencies. The overarching research question is how two critical components of risk communication—messaging and the adequacy of communication technology—can be shaped to support adaptations to climate change to reduce its adverse consequences. Messaging and technologies act together at human-technology interfaces. One case involved the interplay of communication technology, human capacity for understanding warnings, and mortality in a record mid-West tornado, and improvements were recommended at human and technological interfaces for more effective communication. A second case involved communications among weather scientists, government operators, system users, and other groups about transit services in a severe New York City snowstorm, and learning from those experiences contributed to reduced human exposures and addressed operational changes for transit services in subsequent storms. A third case addressed communication failures in getting services to New York City’s populations in record-breaking storm-related flooding of the New York City subway system, which resulted in recommendations about information access and accuracy. The methodological approach follows case-based research techniques supported by network concepts. These failures and the lessons learned provide key, transferrable strategies and methodologies for climate change adaptation in terms of a multi-disciplinary, network approaches for communication. Although many of the analyses emphasize technology for communications improvements, these are embedded in a larger framework of societal and inter-organizational networks that reflect human-technological interfaces.
CatEscape: An Asymmetrical Multiplatform Game Connecting Virtual, Augmented and Physical World

CatEscape is an asymmetrical multi-platform game connecting virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD) users, non-HMD users, together with the tangible physical space. The players have distinct game mechanics and perspectives based on the device they use: a survival game for VR player, an explorer game for augmented reality (AR) player, and a strategy game for tablet player. We use positional tracked portable projector to superimpose virtual objects onto physical environment, where the AR player can actively unveil the hidden dimension in the real world.
Asymptotic Analysis of a Functional-Integral Equation Related to Cell Population Kinetics

A functional-integral equation describes a novel model of cell population, the kinetics of which is governed by unequal division of cell metabolic constituents. Elements of the semigroup theory are applied to determine the asymptotic behaviour of the solution. The semigroup is not compact, so that direct investigation of its spectral properties is necessary.
METER IN AUDEN'S “STREAMS”

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses how theoretical findings can contribute to a critical interpretation of a poem and how, in combination with a more comprehensive analysis, particular scansions may be justified. Although the complexities of Auden's design in Streams have been recognized in genre, syntax, lexicon, and rhyme, they do not appear to have been appreciated in the meter beyond some regularities in syllable count. To understand the nature and function of the metric design, it is useful to note first the more readily recognizable features of the verbal mimesis at other levels. The concept of a stream as representing freedom and variation within boundaries is far from new. But Auden has given this metaphor a new life and a many-textured form by elaborating it and making it the structural center of the poem. This is done in part by playing norms against each other and by developing interlocking patterns of contrast.
Understanding how service learning pedagogy impacts student learning objectives

Service learning (SL) is gaining popularity in business schools as a way to supplement traditional pedagogies. Research indicates that SL improves particular learning outcomes, but little is known ...
Case 48: Is the Patient Extubated?

You are called urgently to the ICU as the nurse can hear air escaping from the mouth of a 35-year-old morbidly obese patient. He is in the ICU recovering from a motor vehicle accident. When you arrive, his oxygen saturation is 84%, HR 110, and BP 130/90. You can easily hear the air escaping from his mouth. The nurse tells you that his oxygen saturation was, until a few minutes ago, 96% on FiO2 of 100%. His face is severely swollen and he has large, thick neck with a diameter over 70 cm. The latter has been shown to indicate a difficult endotracheal intubation [1]. As you are about to let the pilot balloon down to advance the ETT further into the trachea, you discover that the pilot balloon is totally collapsed. You now discover that it will not inflate as it has a hole in it. You are reluctant to change the existing ETT with a tube changer as this may take too much time. Delaying the change of ETT could lead to a dramatic fall in oxygen saturation, with potentially disastrous consequences.
Bariatric Surgery Training

The number of bariatric procedures performed worldwide has increased dramatically over the last decade (1). Factors contributing to this increase include (1) the rising prevalence of obesity in industrialized countries; (2) increasing awareness of the societal costs of this epidemic; (3) the introduction of minimally invasive approaches to bariatric surgery; and (4) a growing body of literature supporting the safety, effectiveness, and durability of bariatric surgery. The United States has the highest prevalence of adult and childhood obesity in the world (2), and the increasing number of bariatric surgeries performed over the last decade is a reflection of this troubling epidemic (Table 7-1).
The 'Capricious Privilege': Rethinking the Origins of Copyright Under the Tudor Regime

This article contributes to the revision of thinking on the origin of author’s copyright by examining the first grant of a printing privilege to an author in the sixteenth century, not with a focus on its value to the author, the humanist scholar Thomas Linacre, but rather on its value to Henry VIII’s regime. The privilege, which applied to a Latin grammar, served Henry VIII’s initiative to foster humanist scholarship in England. The privilege represents early recognition of the power of monopolies in printing rights to incentivize the creation of particular texts. The printing privilege arose when a convergence of factors began to change the economics of book printing, as both supply and demand for printed books increased. Humanist luminaries, like Erasmus and Linacre, created demand for new content from living authors. Yet, the patronage system that largely compensated these authors drove down the prices they were able to get for the sale of their manuscripts to printers and burdened them with obligations to patrons. A close-grained history of Linacre’s privilege, and new evidence in support of dating the privilege before 1517, suggest that Henry VIII used the privilege as a tool, costless to the fisc, to make the publication of Linacre’s Latin grammar textbook more profitable to the author, and thereby to promote an English brand of the New Learning that would increase the prestige of the crown. The advancement of learning has been at the core of Anglo-American copyright since its origins.
310 DELETERIOUS ROLE OF CASPASE 3 AND APOPTOSIS IN POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE.

Increased apoptosis is a feature of polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Caspases 3 and 7 are the major mediators of apoptosis, and caspase 1 is a proinflammatory caspase. We have previously demonstrated that the pancaspase inhibitor IDN-8050 reduces tubular apoptosis and proliferation and slows disease progression in the Han:SPRD rat model of PKD (Tao, Edelstein, PNAS 2005). However, the exact caspases involved in PKD progression and the effect of specific caspase-3 inhibition on apoptosis in PKD is not known. cpk/cpk mice die of PKD and renal failure between 3 and 4 weeks of age. We backcrossed cpk/+ with caspase 3+/− mice to develop heterozygous (cpk/cpk casp-3+/−) and homozygous (cpk/cpk casp-3−/−) double knockout mice. On immunoblot analysis the active form of caspase 3 in the kidney is increased significantly (2.5-fold, p
Reflectometry Based SOH Estimation Scheme for a SiC Buck Converter Having Branched Network

A reflectometry based non-interfering method to identify the degradation of a buck converter built from SiC MOSFET has been proposed in this paper, and spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR) has been applied between gate and source terminal to achieve the in-situ state of health (SOH) estimation. A controlled aging station was used to execute the power cycling method to age the SiC MOSFET. SSTDR reflections were recorded for both the healthy and the aged buck converter, and these recorded values were compared to determine the level of degradation. Through the experiment, it was apparent that a single measurement is sufficient to estimate the degradation level associated to the SiC MOSFET in a live buck converter having complex/branch network. The outcome of this research also proves that the SSTDR based technique can identify the aging of other components in the system. Since the gate terminal always stays at lower potential and easier to access, this technique brings an added advantage to the existing condition monitoring schemes.
Computationally Volume-Hiding Structured Encryption

We initiate the study of structured encryption schemes with computationally-secure leakage. Specifically, we focus on the design of volume-hiding encrypted multi-maps; that is, of encrypted multi-maps that hide the response length to computationally-bounded adversaries. We describe the first volume-hiding STE schemes that do not rely on naive padding; that is, padding all tuples to the same length. Our first construction has efficient query complexity and storage but can be lossy. We show, however, that the information loss can be bounded with overwhelming probability for a large class of multi-maps (i.e., with lengths distributed according to a Zipf distribution). Our second construction is not lossy and can achieve storage overhead that is asymptotically better than naive padding for Zipf-distributed multi-maps. We also show how to further improve the storage when the multi-map is highly concentrated in the sense that it has a large number of tuples with a large intersection. We achieve these results by leveraging computational assumptions; not just for encryption but, more interestingly, to hide the volumes themselves. Our first construction achieves this using a pseudo-random function whereas our second construction achieves this by relying on the conjectured hardness of the planted densest subgraph problem which is a planted variant of the well-studied densest subgraph problem. This assumption was previously used to design public-key encryptions schemes (Applebaum et al., STOC ’10) and to study the computational complexity of financial products (Arora et al., ICS ’10).
Technology Acceptance Model: Assessing Preservice Teachers’ Acceptance of Floor-Robots as a Useful Pedagogical Tool

Institutions of higher education ensure preservice teachers are prepared to meet the needs of K-12 students through multiple layers of support. Along with rigorous coursework, preservice teachers are placed in K-12 environments to ensure they are prepared to address the needs of diverse learners. Preservice teachers: (a) learn content across multiple areas depending on desired level/area of certification; (b) study pedagogical approaches that are effective in addressing K-12 students’ needs; (c) employ research-based strategies in K-12 settings; and, (d) take content and pedagogical exams for certification purposes. However, preservice teachers may be unfamiliar with newer educational technology such as floor-robots, a type of robotics that may support content learning, as well as engage K-12 students in critical thinking and/or problem solving. Increasing preservice teachers’ awareness of new technologies may benefit their future K-12 students. The purpose of this research was to ascertain whether preservice teachers would accept floor-robots as a useful instructional tool to support learning. During an undergraduate education course, thirty-two Hispanic, preservice teachers were introduced to two types of floor-robots to enhance their awareness/use of an unfamiliar educational technology. Researchers in this study had previous experience introducing floor-robots to approximately 250 fourth and fifth graders across two academic school years. Researchers were interested in gauging preservice teachers’ willingness to accept and/or use new technologies as an additional instructional strategy to support K-12 student learning.
Urban Air Mobility System Testbed using CAVE Virtual Reality Environment

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) refers to a system of air passenger and small cargo transportation within an urban area. The UAM framework also includes other urban Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) services that will be supported by a mix of onboard, ground, piloted, and autonomous operations. Over the past few years UAM research has gained wide interest from companies and federal agencies as an on-demand innovative transportation option that can help reduce traffic congestion and pollution as well as increase mobility in metropolitan areas. The concepts of UAM/UAS operation in the National Airspace System (NAS) remains an active area of research to ensure safe and efficient operations. With new developments in smart vehicle design and infrastructure for air traffic management, there is a need for methods to integrate and test various components of the UAM framework. In this work, we report on the development of a virtual reality (VR) testbed using the Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE) technology for human-automation teaming and airspace operation research of UAM. Using a four-wall projection system with motion capture, the CAVE provides an immersive virtual environment with real-time full body tracking capability. We created a virtual environment consisting of San Francisco city and a vertical take-off-and-landing passenger aircraft that can fly between a downtown location and the San Francisco International Airport. The aircraft can be operated autonomously or manually by a single pilot who maneuvers the aircraft using a flight control joystick. The interior of the aircraft includes a virtual cockpit display with vehicle heading, location, and speed information. The system can record simulation events and flight data for post-processing. The system parameters are customizable for different flight scenarios; hence, the CAVE VR testbed provides a flexible method for development and evaluation of UAM framework.
Effects of Effort Training on Effort-Based Impulsive Choice

Because impulsive decision-making is correlated with many maladaptive tendencies, researchers have increasingly studied methods for reducing impulsive choice. These efforts have primarily focused on increasing choices of larger, more-delayed rewards. A second type of impulsive choice is selecting a smaller, less-effortful reward over a larger, more-effortful one. Little nonhuman research has examined experimental methods for reducing effort-based impulsive choice. Within the realm of delay-based impulsive choice, extended exposure to reinforcer delays has proven effective in reducing impulsive choices in rats. The current study took a similar tack by evaluating if reductions in effort-based impulsive choice could be achieved by providing rats with extended exposure to high-effort training, that is, reinforcement contingencies requiring a large number of responses. Male rats were randomly assigned to either a high-effort training (fixed-ratio 50) or low-effort training (fixed-ratio 1) group. Following training, both groups completed a test of effort-based impulsive choice. High-effort training produced a temporary reduction in effort-based impulsive choice. In the same test phase, groups also differed in response run durations (shorter following high-effort training), with larger differences in the initial sessions, which may have contributed to the short-term effect of high-effort training in effort-based impulsive choice.
Confidence intervals of covid-19 vaccine efficacy rates

This tutorial uses publicly available data from drug makers and the Food and Drug Administration to guide learners to estimate the confidence intervals of COVID-19 vaccine efficacy rates with a Bayesian framework. Under the classical approach, there is no probability associated with a parameter, and the meaning of confidence intervals can be misconstrued by inexperienced students. With Bayesian statistics, one can find the posterior probability distribution of an unknown parameter, and state the probability of vaccine efficacy rate, which makes the communication of uncertainty more flexible. We use a hypothetical example and a real baseball example to guide readers to learn the beta-binomial model before analyzing the clinical trial data. This note is designed to be accessible for lower-level college students with elementary statistics and elementary algebra skills. © 2021, National Numeracy Network. All rights reserved.
Verbal art across language and culture: poetry as music

The following proposal for research begins with the observation that in specific contexts of performance poetic language appears to allow for varying degrees of access across language boundaries. This cross-language access, if it can be verified empirically, might be attributed to distinguishing features that differentiate poetic from prosaic discourse, on the one hand, and from musical structure on the other, an important problem in its own right. To approach this research question it is recommended to begin with poetic works as they are performed for a listening audience and to prioritize, at the beginning of the research project, composition and performance from the popular culture, broadly defined, and from the traditional genres of the oral tradition. Another point of reference for this discussion, which follows from the above recommended approach, is the Lerdahl-Jackendoff proposal of analyzing poetry as a kind of musical form.
‘A sufficient and adequate squadron’: The navy, the transatlantic slave trade, and the American commercial empire

From its creation, the Africa Squadron, although tasked with suppressing the slave trade, did more to defend American sovereignty and expand American commercial access along the west coast of Afric...
Antimicrobial Peptide Effectors of Small Intestinal Innate Immunity

This chapter deals with and reviews evidence that α-defensins secreted by mucosal Paneth cells contribute to innate immunity against bacteria in the small intestine. Growing experimental evidence has led to acceptance of the concept that species produce antimicrobial peptides constitutively or inducibly in response to infection. In mammals, antimicrobial proteins and peptide genes are expressed by varied differentiated cell lineages, including epithelial cells and phagocytes. The α-defensins are major constituents of azurophilic granules in mammalian phagocytic leukocytes, and they are released by a limited number of epithelial cell lineages. The α-defensins from human and rabbit neutrophils achieve bacterial cell killing by distinctive membrane disruptive mechanisms. Acquired immune responses to infectious agents mediated by T cells and B cells are initiated by specific antigens and are selective, but lymphocytic responses may not be rapid enough to contain acute infections by rapidly growing microorganisms or by pathogens that infect a naive host. Absorptive enterocytes, goblet cells, and Paneth cells of the small intestine elaborate lineage-specific gene products or exhibit activities that contribute to enteric host defense. Paneth cell granules are rich in antibiotic proteins and peptides, and release of these granules contributes to mucosal defense. Paneth cells emerge during cytodifferentiation of the fetal small intestinal endoderm from an intervillous epithelium that leads to cryptontogeny. The inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, have provided links between altered mucosal barrier function and the intestinal microflora.
Demonstrating the viability of universal quantum computation using teleportation and single-qubit operations

Algorithms such as quantum factoring1 and quantum search2 illustrate the great theoretical promise of quantum computers; but the practical implementation of such devices will require careful consideration of the minimum resource requirements, together with the development of procedures to overcome inevitable residual imperfections in physical systems3,4,5. Many designs have been proposed, but none allow a large quantum computer to be built in the near future6. Moreover, the known protocols for constructing reliable quantum computers from unreliable components can be complicated, often requiring many operations to produce a desired transformation3,4,5,7,8. Here we show how a single technique—a generalization of quantum teleportation9—reduces resource requirements for quantum computers and unifies known protocols for fault-tolerant quantum computation. We show that single quantum bit (qubit) operations, Bell-basis measurements and certain entangled quantum states such as Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger (GHZ) states10—all of which are within the reach of current technology—are sufficient to construct a universal quantum computer. We also present systematic constructions for an infinite class of reliable quantum gates that make the design of fault-tolerant quantum computers much more straightforward and methodical.
Stereotactic interstitial brachytherapy for malignant brain tumors.

Results of recent studies of patients with glioblastoma multiforme show that when these lesions recur after irradiation, they do so most commonly within 2 cm of the original site (Hochberg and Pruitt 1980). Moreover, metastases from malignant gliomas within the central nervous system are uncommon (Erlich and Davis 1978) and systemic metastases are rare (Alvord 1976). Yet, despite the localized nature of many malignant brain tumors, the principal experimental thrust in their treatment has been systemic chemotherapy, a modality for which the traditional target has been metastatic disease (Gutin and Levin 1983).
Abstract W MP88: Worsening Of Stroke Outcome With Age Is Associated With Increased Intestinal Permeability And Peripheral Inflammation

Introduction: Aging remains the biggest risk factor for ischemic stroke. Initial observations into the role of aging on stroke outcome revealed that while aged mice had significantly smaller infarcts compared to young mice, they had greater long-term deficits in behavioral recovery. This study aimed to elucidate the role of systemic factors, such as intestinal stress, underlying the poor outcomes of aging mice after stroke. Methods: Young (8-12 wks) and aged (18-20 mos) wildtype mice were subjected to 90min of right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion. Intestinal permeability was measured with 4kDa FITC-dextran gavage. Mesenteric lymph node (MLNs) homogenates were plated on blood agar to measure bacterial growth. Bacterial endotoxin was measured using a LAL assay. Flow cytometry was used to assess immune cells. Plasma IL-6 was measured by ELISA. Results: Baseline gut permeability increased with age as evidenced by increased FITC-dextran extravasation across the intestinal lumina. Bacterial burden in MLNs and serum bacterial endotoxin levels were also elevated with age (p Conclusion: Our data suggest that the high mortality in aged mice after stroke is secondary to exacerbation of intestinal permeability, increased bacterial translocation, and subsequent induction of sepsis. This data points to gut-targeted interventions as a means to reduce the severity of peripheral inflammation and improve prognosis in aged stroke victims.
Biotin biosynthetic enzymes and the metabolic control of biotin biosynthesis

Biotin is a vital cofactor for many enzymes that facilitate carboxylation, decarboxylation, and transcarboxylation reactions. The biotin biosynthetic network has been well characterized in many microorganisms including E.coli (Eisenberg, 1973), but only recently have the genetic and biochemical components of the Arabidopsis biotin biosynthetic enzymes been discovered. Previous studies (Muralla et al. 2008) describe a chimeric gene locus (BIO3/BIO1) in Arabidopsis that can produce a transcript (BIO3/BIO1 (-10)) encoding dual catalytic activities, that of DAPA aminotransferase and dethiobiotin synthetase. Moreover, this locus could also produce a transcript (BIO3/BIO1 (+10)) that encodes only the penultimate reaction of the pathway, that of dethiobiotin synthetase. This study details the approach taken to identify and further isolate a putative BIO1 protein in Arabidopsis. In addition, the metabolic control that the AtBioF (BIO4), BIO2, bifunctional BIO3/BIO1 (-10), BIO3/BIO1 (+10) and the putative BIO1 proteins have on biotin yield was experimentally assessed. Observations support the hypothesis that DAPA aminotransferase activity is encoded by the bifunctional BIO3/BIO1 locus, and that the reaction is not catalyzed by a monofunctional BIO1 protein. Further analysis must be undertaken to divulge the details of the metabolic control on biotin production.
Carbohydrate craving, mood changes, and obesity.

Carbohydrate craving can cause weight gain in affected people and is present in women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and persons with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The neurotransmitter serotonin regulates carbohydrate intake; its precursor, tryptophan, enhances serotonin release. Animal studies have shown that serotonergic drugs decrease carbohydrate consumption. Three studies of the eating patterns of over 150 obese subjects have shown that carbohydrate craving occurred at specific times, that is, at 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. A serotonergic drug (D-fenfluramine) has been shown to decrease carbohydrate consumption by 40%. Further dietary and pharmacological studies of PMS and SAD are needed to determine serotonin's involvement with symptoms of depressed mood, increased fatigue, and carbohydrate craving.
Relationship of Normal Aortic Valve Cusp Dimensions: A Tool to Optimize Cusp Reconstruction Valvuloplasty.

Outcomes of surgical aortic valvuloplasty hinge primarily on optimal leaflet design. Imprecise valve reconstruction can result in insufficiency or stenosis. Predicting postrepair leaflet parameters from pre- or intraoperative readily measurable valve dimensions could result in improved reconstruction. This study analyzes the relationships between different parameters of the normal aortic valve to establish a method of deriving the optimal dimensions of the reconstructed leaflet following valvuloplasty. Morphologic analysis of the normal aortic valve was performed on 50 autopsy specimens. The following parameters were measured: circumference at ventriculoaortic junction, intercommissural circumferential distance (IC), commissural height, leaflet free-margin length (L1—length of the free margin of each leaflet), cusp attachment length (L2—cusp attachment length at the ventriculoaortic junction), and leaflet height (A—ie, the vertical or cephalocaudal distance along the convex surface of the leaflet from the midpoint of the leaflet free margin to the midpoint of the cusp attachment). Univariate linear regression analysis was used to test the interdependence of leaflet dimensions. The leaflet free-margin length L1 correlated strongly with the corresponding IC: r = 0.74, 0.81, and 0.79 for noncoronary, right coronary, and left coronary leaflets, respectively; P = 0.000. Leaflet height A and cusp attachment length L2 also correlated well with the corresponding IC: A-IC, r = 0.56, 0.74, and 0.66; and L2-IC, r = 0.78, 0.85, and 0.80 for noncoronary, right coronary, and left coronary cusps respectively; P = 0.000. Parameters required to construct an aortic valve leaflet can be reliably derived from the IC, which can be easily measured perioperatively. Using this as a basis for leaflet reconstruction might optimize the leaflet graft design process, compensate for pathologic variations in aortic annulus size and commissural height, and could result in better coaptation of the valve leaflets.
Structure of the stereocilia side links and morphology of auditory hair bundle in relation to noise exposure in the chinchilla.

Stereocilia side links are directly involved in the maintenance of stereociliary bundle integrity in hair cells. The structure of the stereocilia side links and morphology of the auditory hair bundle in relation to noise exposure in the chinchilla was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The outer hair cell (OHC) stereocilia side link was suggested to consist of extracellular, juxta-membrane and thin filamentous regions. Two beaded filaments were folded at their distal ends and fastened in one globule in the center between stereocilia. An intracellular, submembraneous layer appeared to form a bridge between the actin core and the extracellular, juxta-membrane region of the side link. In normal physiological conditions, most OHC stereocilia had a regular distribution of side links, forming a ‘zipper-like’ lattice between stereocilium shafts. Side links of the inner hair cell (IHC) stereocilia had a similar filamentous appearance, but were observed less commonly and had decreased structural organization compared to those of the OHC stereocilia. Ultrastructural analysis of OHC and IHC stereocilia showed that a large number of the side links could survive acoustic stimulation of 114 dB SPL for 2 hrs or 123 dB SPL for 15 min, that resulted in temporarily elevated hearing thresholds in all animals. Disarray, separation, close attachment and fusion of stereocilia were more frequently observed for IHC stereocilia and OHC stereocilia that were poorly connected or that lacked side links. Most disarrayed OHC and IHC stereocilia recovered to a normal erect state with restored orientation of the side links after 14–28 days, which correlated with near-complete recovery of auditory sensitivity. However, direct attachment of plasma membranes, ruptured links, fusion and blebs were seen on some stereocilia even after 28 days and appear to be permanent.
Ultraviolet absorption in thallous halides

Abstract The ultraviolet absorption in TlCl and T1Br has been measured on thin films and fused samples as a function of temperature. The effect of excessive chlorine or thallium on the optical absorption of T1C1 has been studied. The experiments of vysochanskii are discussed in the light of our observations. The first absorption band in TlCl, which peaks at 3.44 eV at −185°C, is absent in films condensed on a cold substrate of KC1 and appears after annealing. It seems that the crystal structure of evaporated films of TlCl changes from the Nad-type to the CsCl-type.
Defining Nursing Interventions

Nurses are giving increasing attention to independent nursing interventions. However, numerous conceptualizations of interventions have evolved and are being used. The purpose of this essay is to examine some of the existing definitions and classification systems for interventions and to provide a rationale for a common universal language for nursing interventions. Definitions and approaches used in five intervention classification systems are examined in relation to inclusion of assessment and evaluation activities, autonomy, level of conceptualization, and inclusiveness of intervention labels. Lack of a common intervention language can deter international collaboration, development of a scientific basis for practice, and reimbursement for nursing services.
Measurement of flow angle and mass flow rate in an unknown flow field using hot film and hot wire probes

A data reduction technique applicable to constant temperature hot film and hot wire probes is presented which is used to determine flow angle and mass flow rate in an unknown flow field over a wide range of flow conditions at supersonic and hypersonic velocities. The technique virtually eliminates the effect of Reynolds number on a probe's flow angle sensitivity. Methods for extrapolating a limited amount of mass flow rate calibration data to include the range of mass flow rate encountered in an experiment are also given. This technique has been applied to data obtained using a hot film probe during surveys in the leeside flow field of a space shuttle orbiter configuration.
Interpreting the evidence: competing paradigms and the emergence of lesbian and gay suicide as a "social fact".

Almost two decades after the American Psychiatric Association acknowledged that homosexuality should no longer be considered a pathological condition, studies continue to show significantly higher rates of suicide, depression, substance abuse, and other indicators of psychological distress among lesbians and gay men than among heterosexuals in the United States. If homosexuality is not, in fact, pathological, then what accounts for such self-destructive behavior? This article examines contending causal theories of homosexual suicide and psychological distress ranging from religious and medical-psychiatric theories that problematize individual behavior to societal explanations that locate the cause in social intolerance and internalized oppression. Illuminating the origins of myths that persist today, it demonstrates how historical, social, and political forces have been instrumental in shaping the scientific and medical response to gay and lesbian psychological distress. Emphasis is on the need to questio...