cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of the cellular source of laminin beta2 in adult and developing vertebrate retinae.

The interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM) is a specialized extracellular matrix that surrounds the inner and outer segments of photoreceptors. This matrix contains molecules that may be important in directing photoreceptor differentiation and survival. For example, one molecule that we have previously identified as a component of the IPM, laminin beta2 (formerly known as s-laminin), is implicated in the differentiation of rod photoreceptor cells. Developmentally, laminin beta2 is present before rod birth in a position that is consistent with a role in directing rod differentiation; it is found, in both the rat and skate, in the ventricular space that ultimately becomes the IPM. In this study, we identify the source of laminin beta2 in the adult and developing retina. Both immunohistochemistry in the adult skate retina and in situ hybridizations in the adult rat retina reveal that laminin beta2 is produced by Muller cells. In addition, in the skate but not the rat retina, retinal pigment epithelial cells may be an alternative source of laminin beta2. During development, however, laminin beta2 is present before the birth of Muller glial cells; at this stage of development, laminin beta2 RNA is present within the neuroepithelial layer in a pattern that is consistent with its production by neuroepithelial cells.
Variable-temperature Raman spectro-microscopy for a comprehensive analysis of the conformational order in PEGylated lipids

The investigation of phase transitions and associated changes in the conformational order of lipids is of importance in various research areas dealing with phenomena such as the formation and fusion of vesicles, transmembrane diffusion and membrane interactions with drugs and proteins. In this article, we have focused on the study of thermotropic phase behaviors and associated changes in the conformational order of two newly developed synthetic PEGylated lipids trademarked as QuSomes. In contrast to conventional phospholipids, this new kind of lipid forms liposomes spontaneously upon hydration, without the supply of external activation energy. Variable-temperature Raman spectro-microscopy has been employed in order to plot the transition temperature profiles showing the phase behavior of these new lipids composed of 1,2-dimyristoyl-rac-glycerol-3-dodecaethylene glycol (GDM-12) and 1,2-distearoyl-rac-glycerol-3-triicosaethylene glycol (GDS-23). Furthermore, several spectral indicators were calculated and correlated which allowed for the deduction of various aspects of molecular structure as well as intramolecular motion and intermolecular interactions. To confirm the observations, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was applied and revealed a good agreement with the Raman spectroscopy results. Finally, this information may find application in various studies including the development of lipid-based novel substances and drug delivery systems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trends in adolescent fruit and vegetable consumption, 1999-2004: project EAT.

Background Diets abundant in fruits and vegetables are associated with reduced risk for chronic disease, but intakes of adolescents are often inadequate. To design effective interventions it is important to understand how dietary intake changes longitudinally during adolescence and to monitor progress in the population toward fruit and vegetable consumption recommendations. The objective of this study was to examine longitudinal and secular trends in fruit and vegetable intake among two cohorts of Minnesota adolescents over the period 1999–2004. Methods Measures of fruit and vegetable intake and demographics were completed by 944 boys and 1161 girls who were Project EAT participants in 1999 and 2004. In 2005, mixed linear regression models were used to estimate (1) longitudinal trends among two cohorts of young people during developmental transitions and (2) age-matched secular trends between the two cohorts of young people at middle adolescence. Results Longitudinal trends indicated that adolescents decreased their daily intake of fruit and vegetables by an average of 0.7 servings during the transition from early to middle adolescence and by 0.6 servings from middle to late adolescence. Analyses of age-matched secular trends at middle adolescence showed a mean daily decrease of 0.7 servings among girls and 0.4 servings among boys between 1999 and 2004. Conclusions The large longitudinal and secular declines in fruit and vegetable intakes of adolescents indicate a strong need for further research to understand why consumption is decreasing among adolescents and to develop more effective interventions for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption during this critical developmental period.
Raman ph profiles for nucleic acid constituents. II. 5'-AMP and 5'-GMP ribonucleotides.

Abstract Raman spectra of aqueous solutions of 5′-AMP and 5′-GMP have been recorded as a function of pH. Band intensities and frequencies have been monitored to determine bands which may be considered as diagnostic for the concentration and the p K of the solution species. Quantitative band intensity measurements indicate only a selected number of bands can be considered as diagnostic of the base or the secondary phosphate proton dissociation. The utility of the pH profiles derived from specific band intensity variations for 5′-AMP is discussed in terms of the effect of acidification on solution characteristics of polyadenylic acid.
Pointing fingers at the limiting step in gene targeting

Two groups combine zinc fingers with a nuclease to dramatically stimulate homologous recombination and gene targeting in human and insect cells.
Dogmatism and information gathering in personality impression formation

Abstract Subjects were assigned the task of forming an impression of another person with information being gathered from two conflicting sources. One half were given a positive first impression, and one half were given a negative first impression before allowing them to select additional information. Final ratings were made when S s indicated that they had taken sufficient information. Dogmatic S s took in less information before passing “final judgment,” gave more extreme stability ratings, expressed greater liking for their agreed-with source, and showed a trend toward a preference for explaining away impression-discrepant information rather than to withhold judgment.
System meets user: Problems in matching subject search terms

Abstract Sixty-one undergraduate and graduate students in psychology, economics, and librarianship provided the subject terms they would use to search an academic library catalog in 30 hypothetical search instances. The subject indexing tested was that of the Library of Congress, which is used in most large libraries in the United States. The large number of responses on each search instance enabled an unusually detailed, systematic evaluation of various aspects of the LC approach. Results (including evidence of many inadequacies) were produced on see references, subject/place order, noun/adjective order, specific entry, direct entry, and a priori probability of subject term matching. It was found to be very difficult to develop a good strategy for searching a catalog using LC subject headings. The overriding conclusion was that the LC subject cataloging approach is badly in need of rationalization.
A 30 meter Cassegrain telescope with spherical optics and a 3-deg. field

We present a concept is for a fully steerable, quasi-Cassegrain telescope in which the 36 m pri-mary and secondary mirrors are parts of concentric spheres. The 15-m secondary, supported 36 meters above the primary yields a 3°, Cassegrain focal surface, 7 meters in diameter. Though the spherical aberration is large (about 2 arcminutes), many small fields are fully cor-rected locally. Multiple small units are placed in the focal surface at regions of interest to cor-rect a field of view of a few arcseconds. These can be used for integral field spectroscopy of for direct imaging using adaptive optics. Hundreds of these units could be placed on the focal surface during the day to allow all-night exposures of the desired regions. We believe that this design offers an economical system that can be dedicated for several important types of astronomical observation.
THE INTERNAL SECRETION OF SANDSTROEM’S GLANDS. PARATHYROID HYPOFUNCTION AND ECLAMPSIA

In 1896, Vassale and Generali (1) demonstrated experimentally that the parathyroids, which were discovered in 1890 by Sandstroem, and which were believed to be an embryonic residue of the thyroid, are indispensable to life, the abolition of their function causing death from tetany. Afterwards Massaglia (2) completed this study. Operating on puppies, he was able to remove the thyroid without disturbing the two external parathyroids (sometimes in the dog these glands are situated at the anterior poles of the thyroid). In these experiments the animal later developed myxedema, but never developed tetany. In the litter control the removal of both the external and one of the internal parathyroids produced no morbid symptoms, and the animal remained normal. The experiment shows clearly that the thyroid and Sandstroem’s glands have different functions. The former exerts a trophic action on the metabolic changes of the body; when this function is abolished, myxedema follows. The latter exercise an antitoxic action;
Derivation of threshold voltage and drain current for cylindrical MOSFET and application to a recessed MOSFET

Threshold voltage and drive current for a cylindrical MOSFET have been rigorously derived for the first time. An approximate expression for these quantities is presented for the purpose of analytical calculations. The model has been verified against TCAD simulations. The characteristics of a recessed gate MOSFET is analysed using these models.
Lipopolysaccharide induces prostaglandin H synthase-2 in alveolar macrophages

Prostaglandin H synthase is a key enzyme in the formation of prostaglandins and thromboxane from arachidonic acid. The recent cloning of a second prostaglandin H synthase gene, prostaglandin H synthase-2, which is distinct from the classic prostaglandin H synthase-1 gene, may dramatically alter our concept of how cells regulate prostanoid formation. We have recently shown that the enhanced production of prostanoids by lipopolysaccharide-primed alveolar macrophages involves the induction of a novel prostaglandin H synthase (J. Biol. Chem., (1992), 267, 14547-14550). We report here that the novel PGH synthase induced by lipopolysaccharide in alveolar macrophages is prostaglandin H synthase-2.
Contributions of conserved serine residues to the interactions of ligands with dopamine D2 receptors

Four dopamine D2 receptor mutants were constructed, in each of which an alanine residue was substituted for one of four conserved serine residues, i.e., Ser-193, Ser-194, Ser-197, and Ser-391. Wild-type and mutant receptors were expressed transiently in COS-7 cells and stably in C6 glioma cells for analysis of ligand-receptor interactions. In radioligand binding assays, the affinity of D2 receptors for dopamine was decreased 50-fold by substitution of alanine for Ser-193, implicating this residue in the binding of dopamine. Each mutant had smaller decreases in affinity for one or more of the ligands tested, with no apparent relationship between the class of ligand and the pattern of mutation-induced changes in affinity, except that the potency of agonists was decreased by substitution for Ser-193. The potency of dopamine for inhibition of adenylyl cyclase was reduced substantially by substitution of alanine for Ser-193 or Ser-197. Mutation of Ser-194 led to a complete loss of efficacy for dopamine and p-tyramine, which would be consistent with an interaction between Ser-194 and the p-hydroxyl substituent of dopamine that is necessary for activation of the receptors to occur. Because mutation of the corresponding residues of beta 2-adrenergic receptors has very different consequences, we conclude that although the position of these serine residues is highly conserved among catecholamine receptors, and the residues as a group are important in ligand binding and activation of receptors by agonists, the function of each of the residues considered separately varies among catecholamine receptors.
The Open Borders Debate on Immigration

Global migration raises important ethical issues. One of the most significant is the question of whether liberal democratic societies have strong moral obligations to admit immigrants. Historically, most philosophers have argued that liberal states are morally free to restrict immigration at their discretion, with few exceptions. Recently, however, liberal egalitarians have begun to challenge this conventional view in two lines of argument. The first contends that immigration restrictions are inconsistent with basic liberal egalitarian values, including freedom and moral equality. The second maintains that affluent, liberal democratic societies are morally obligated to admit immigrants as a partial response to global injustices, such as poverty and human rights violations. This article surveys the main philosophical arguments for these positions on immigration and discusses the critical responses to these arguments.
Hydrophobic Mismatch and Lipid Sorting Near OmpA in Mixed Bilayers: Atomistic and Coarse-Grained Simulations

To understand the effects of lipid composition on membrane protein function in a mixture as complex as a biomembrane, one must know whether the lipid composition local to the protein differs from the mean lipid composition. In this study, we simulated the transmembrane domain of a β-barrel protein, OmpA, in mixtures of lipids of different tail lengths under conditions of negative hydrophobic mismatch, i.e., local bilayer thinning. We modeled the influence of OmpA on the local lipid composition both at a coarse-grained (CG) resolution using conventional molecular dynamics, and at an atomistic resolution within the semi-grand canonical ensemble using mutation moves to rapidly approach an equilibrium lateral distribution of lipids. Moderate enrichment of the shorter tail component (either DDPC in DDPC/DMPC mixtures or DMPC in DMPC/DSPC mixtures) extending 2–3 nm away from the protein surface was observed with both the atomistic and CG models. The similarity in trends suggests that the more computationally economical CG models capture the essential features of lipid sorting induced by hydrophobic mismatch.
The association of the IgA levels of serum and whole saliva with the progression of oral cancer

Elevated IgA concentrations in the serum and whole saliva of patients with neoplastic disease have been reported. However, there does not seem to be any information available on the correlation of the secretory immunoglobulins of these patients with the progress of their disease. The whole saliva and sera of 102 cases of squamous carcinoma of the oral mucosa were studied. Patients were subclassified into age-matched groups of primary untreated cancer (21), recurrent cancer (18), and "cured" patients who had been free of disease for at least 9 months (16). A separate group of laryngeal (14) patients was included. Sixteen (16) patients treated by radiation therapy alone were also included to test the effects of radiation on whole saliva IgA. An age-matched group of patients (17) with moderate to severe periodontal disease served as controls. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected for 15 minutes and stored at 0 degrees C. IgA was quantitated by radial immunodiffusion on Hyland and Meloy Laboratory low level plates with 7S and 11S standards. Serum IgA was measured on Hyland plates with serum standards. Protein content of saliva was assayed by the Lowry method. Flow rate was quantitated for the 15-minute collection period. Primary oral and laryngeal cancer patients had a two-fold increase of serum and salivary IgA compared to controls. Recurrent cancer patients had even greater elevation of salivary IgA. Cured patients showed a persistent elevation of serum but a return to normal of salivary IgA. Radiation therapy did not markedly influence the level of salivary IgA. A followup study of 26 patients confirmed this pattern of a drop in whole salivary IgA with cure and a spike with recurrence. It would appear that IgA levels of whole saliva and serum are elevated in oral cancer patients, and that salivary IgA levels may prove useful in distinguishing patients with possible recurrent disease.
Communal nesting and discriminative nursing by captive degus, Octodon degus

When two or more females rear their young in a common nest or burrow (communal nesting), mothers may be challenged to direct care to their own offspring. In a laboratory study on degus, Octodon degus, a communally nesting South American caviomorph rodent, we used a radionuclide (phorphorus-32) to track milk transfer from mothers to their young in nests occupied by two mothers and their litters. Co-nesting pairs consisted of either two unrelated mothers or two sisters. We analysed faecal samples from 2-week-old and 4-week-old young to learn whether mothers would nurse discriminately, favouring their own offspring over their co-nesting partner's offspring. Mothers housed in unrelated pairs nursed their own 2-week-old offspring preferentially (although not exclusively) compared with their co-nesting partner's offspring, whereas mothers housed with a sister nursed indiscriminately, delivering roughly equal amounts of milk to their own offspring and their nieces and nephews. Faecal analyses from 4-week-old young revealed that mothers may nurse co-nesting young indiscriminately, transferring similar amounts of milk to both types of young, regardless of the relatedness of their co-nesting partner. We propose that discriminative nursing as a function of relatedness between co-nesting female degus may be an adaptation to communal nesting when mothers share a burrow that contains many young of different degrees of relatedness.
Disposition and Metabolism of LY2452473, a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator, in Humans

The disposition and metabolism of isopropyl N-[(2S)-7-cyano-4-(2-pyridylmethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]indol-2-yl]carbamate (LY2452473; a selective androgen receptor modulator) in humans was characterized after a single 15-mg (100 μCi) oral dose of [14C]LY2452473 to six healthy male subjects. LY2452473 was absorbed rapidly (time to reach maximum plasma concentration for both LY2452473 and total radioactivity was 2–3 h) and cleared slowly (plasma terminal t1/2 of 27 h for LY2452473 and 51 h for the total radioactivity). LY2452473 and metabolites S5 (acetylamine) and S12 (hydroxylation on the cyclopentene) were major circulating entities in plasma, accounting for approximately 42, 21, and 35% of the total radioactivity exposure, respectively, as calculated from relative area under the concentration versus time curves from zero to 48 h derived from the plasma radiochromatograms. The radioactive dose was almost completely recovered after 312 h with 47.9% of the dose eliminated in urine and 46.6% in feces. Minimal LY2452473 was detected in excreta, indicating that metabolic clearance was the main route of elimination. Multiple metabolic pathways were observed with no single metabolic pathway accounting for more than 30% of the dose in excreta. Metabolite S10 (a diol across the cyclopenta-indole linkage) was the largest excretory metabolite (approximately 14% of the dose). S10 displayed interesting chemical and chromatographic properties, undergoing conversion to the corresponding epoxide under acidic conditions and conversion back to the diol under neutral conditions. An in vitro phenotyping approach indicated that CYP3A4 was the largest contributor to LY2452473 depletion.
Development, Testing, and Validation of a Model-Based Tool to Predict Operator Responses in Unexpected Workload Transitions

One human factors challenge is predicting operator performance in novel situations. Approaches such as drawing on relevant previous experience, and developing computational models to predict operator performance in complex situations, offer potential methods to address this challenge. A few concerns with modeling operator performance are that models need to realistic, and they need to be tested empirically and validated. In addition, many existing human performance modeling tools are complex and require that an analyst gain significant experience to be able to develop models for meaningful data collection. This paper describes an effort to address these challenges by developing an easy to use model-based tool, using models that were developed from a review of existing human performance literature and targeted experimental studies, and performing an empirical validation of key model predictions.
A critical appraisal of erectile function in animal models of diabetes mellitus.

Summary The study of erectile function in diabetic animal models has revealed physiological alterations in neural, vascular, hormonal and endothelial function. The aims of this review are to further elucidate pathophysiological changes induced by diabetes mellitus and to introduce new concepts in the study of erectile dysfunction (ED) in animal models. The recognized pathophysiological mechanisms causing diabetic ED include oxidative stress and hormonal imbalance. The evolving treatments for ED include advanced glycosylated endproduct (AGE) inhibitors, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, hormone replacement, and gene transfer techniques. Our current understanding of how these multiple pathophysiological mechanisms contribute to ED is discussed. In this review, diabetic animal model studies have documented that oxidative stress is a pre-eminent pathophysiological mechanism and several anti-oxidants, such as α-lipoic acid, vitamin E, sodium selenate, melatonin, and ascorbic acid, reverse both neurogenic and endothelial dysfunction in diabetic models. Further, the peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst – FeTMPyP, PKCβ selective inhibitor – LY333531, IkappaB kinase 2 inhibitor – AS602868, AGE inhibitors – aminoguanidine and ALT-711 show promise by exploring different cellular mechanisms in treating diabetic problems. A number of vectors have been used to insert genes to increase the expression of nitric oxide synthase, superoxide dismutase, maxi-K channel (hSlo), neurotrophin-3, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide for the treatment of erectile function. Further investigation of the hormonal treatment of diabetes associated with hypogonadism may improve sildenafil responsiveness in diabetic patients. We are optimistic that novel prevention and treatment strategies for diabetic ED are on the horizon.
Self-tuned remote execution for pervasive computing

Pervasive computing creates environments saturated with computing and communication capability, yet gracefully integrated with human users. Remote execution has a natural role to play, in such environments, since it lets applications simultaneously leverage the mobility of small devices and the greater resources of large devices. In this paper, we describe Spectra, a remote execution system designed for pervasive environments. Spectra monitors resources such as battery, energy and file cache state which are especially important for mobile clients. It also dynamically balances energy use and quality goals with traditional performance concerns to decide where to locate functionality. Finally, Spectra is self-tuning-it does not require applications to explicitly specify intended resource usage. Instead, it monitors application behavior, learns functions predicting their resource usage, and uses the information to anticipate future behavior.
Shaping global agendas on climate risk management and climate services: an IRI perspective

This paper provides a historical overview of the development and mainstreaming of global agendas on climate risk management and climate services from the vantage point of the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), and present two examples that illustrate how efforts to mainstream these agendas shaped both the institute and the broader communities that it sought to engage. In the first example, we trace developments that led to the emergence of a global agenda on climate services, including creation of the Climate Services Partnership (CSP). The CSP is an informal, open network of interested climate information users, providers, donors and researchers, serves as a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration to advance climate service capabilities worldwide. The second example is mainstreaming climate risk management within the international agricultural research-for-development community. The CGIAR research program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) was structured to include a research theme on “Adaptation through Managing Climate Risk,” which put climate risk management on the same footing within the agenda as adaptation to future climate change. We conclude with several lessons drawn from IRI’s involvement in the processes that shaped global agendas around climate risk management and climate services.
Searching for large genomic rearrangements of the BRCA1 gene in a Nigerian population

BRCA1/2 germline mutations predispose to breast and ovarian cancer. Large genomic rearrangements (LGRs) have widened the mutational spectrum of the BRCA1 gene, but the frequencies vary in different populations. In this study, we want to determine the spectrum of LGRs in BRCA1 gene in Nigerian breast cancer patients. The multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assay was used to screen BRCA1 rearrangements in 352 patients who previously tested negative for BRCA1 and BRCA2 point mutations and small insertions/deletions. Positive MLPA result was confirmed and located by long-range PCR. The breakpoints of the candidate rearrangement were characterized by sequencing. A novel deletion of BRCA1 exon 21 (c.5277 + 480_5332 + 672del) was detected in 1 out of 352 Nigerian breast cancer patients (0.3% occurrence frequency). Further analysis of breakpoints revealed that the deletion involves two Alu-elements: one AluSg in intron 20 and the AluY in intron 21. These data suggest that while BRCA1 genomic rearrangement exists, they do not contribute significantly to BRCA1-associated risk in the Nigerian population.
Differential Europe: The European Union Impact on National Policymaking. By Adrienne Héritier, Dieter Kerwer, Christoph Knill, Dirk Lehmkuhl, Michael Teutsch, and Anne-Cécile Douillet. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2001. 368p. $75.00 cloth, $29.95 paper.

National-level policy outcomes produced by European Union–level directives and regulations are much more diverse across member states than one might expect. This is especially true for those undramatic but complex policy areas that lack the salience of high-level negotiations and treaty signings. Adrienne Heritier and her five coauthors investigate the phenomenon of differential national responses to European policymaking in two transportation policy subareas across five states. They focus on the deregulation of road haulage (trucking) and the reform of publicly owned railways in the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy. This allows them to show just how widely national policy outcomes can vary and still be generally in line with European Union (EU) requirements.
They Killed Our Lord: The Perception of Jews as Desecrators of Christianity as a Predictor of Anti‐Semitism

Drawing on religious coping theory, we examined whether the appraisal that Jews desecrate Christian values (the stressor) is linked to anti-Semitic attitudes (the response). Further, we considered whether religious ways of understanding and dealing with this stressor (religious coping) mitigate or exacerbate the ties between religious appraisals of Jews and anti-Semitic responses. College students completed measures of desecration, anti-Semitism, and religious ways of coping with appraisals of Jews as desecrators of Christianity. Greater desecration was associated with greater anti-Semitism, after controlling for demographic variables and dispositional measures (e.g., particularism, pluralism, church attendance, Christian orthodoxy, fundamentalism, and authoritarianism). Religious coping in ways that emphasized expressions of Christian love were associated with lower anti-Semitism; ways of coping that emphasized being punished by God and Jews as demonic were tied to greater anti-Semitism. Perceptions of Jews as desecrators were predicted by higher levels of authoritarianism and religious orthodoxy, less closeness to Jews, greater exposure to messages of desecration, and less exposure to messages that counter the perception of desecration.
Topographic organization of medial pulvinar connections with the prefrontal cortex in the rhesus monkey.

The medial nucleus of the pulvinar complex (PM) has widespread connections with association cortex. We investigated the connections of the PM with the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in macaque monkeys, with tracers placed into the PM and the PFC, respectively. Injections of wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) placed into the PM resulted in widespread anterograde terminal labeling in layers III and IV, and retrograde cellular labeling in layer VI of the PFC. Injections of tracers centered on the central/lateral PM resulted in labeling of dorsolateral and orbital regions, whereas injections centered on caudal, medial PM resulted in labeling of dorsomedial and medial PFC. Since injections of the PM included neighboring thalamic nuclei, retrograde tracers were placed into distinct cytoarchitectonic regions of the PFC and retrogradely labeled cells in the posterior thalamus were charted. The results of this series of tracer injections confirmed the results of the thalamic injections. Injections placed into areas 8a, 12 (lateral and orbital), 45, 46 and 11, retrogradely labeled neurons in the central/lateral PM, while tracer injections placed into areas 9, 12 (lateral), 10 and 24, labeled medial PM. The connections of the PM with temporal, parietal, insular, and cingulate cortices were also examined. The central/lateral PM has reciprocal connections with posterior parietal areas 7a, 7ip, and 7b, insular cortex, caudal superior temporal sulcus (STS), caudal superior temporal gyrus (STG), and posterior cingulate, whereas medial PM is connected mainly with the anterior STS and STG, as well as the cingulate cortex and the amygdala. These connectional studies suggest that the central/lateral and medial PM have divergent connections which may be the substrate for distinct functional circuits. J. Comp. Neurol. 379:313–332, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A multi-level parallel simulation approach to electron transport in nano-scale transistors

Physics-based simulation of electron transport in nanoelectronic devices requires the solution of thousands of highly complex equations to obtain the output characteristics of one single input voltage. The only way to obtain a complete set of bias points within a reasonable amount of time is the recourse to supercomputers offering several hundreds to thousands of cores. To profit from the rapidly increasing availability of such machines we have developed a state-of-the-art quantum mechanical transport simulator dedicated to nanodevices and working with four levels of parallelism. Using these four levels we demonstrate that an almost ideal scaling of the walltime up to 32768 processors with a parallel efficiency of 86% is reached in the simulation of realistically extended and gated field-effect transistors. Obtaining the current characteristics of these devices is reduced to some hundreds of seconds instead of days on a small cluster or months on a single CPU.
Ockham’s razor as inductive bias in preschooler’s causal explanations

A growing literature suggests that generating and evaluating explanations is a key mechanism for learning and development, but little is known about how children evaluate explanations, especially in the absence of probability information or robust prior beliefs. Previous findings demonstrate that adults balance several explanatory virtues in evaluating competing explanations, including simplicity and probability. Specifically, adults treat simplicity as a probabilistic cue that trades-off with frequency information. However, no work has investigated whether children are similarly sensitive to simplicity and probability. We report an experiment investigating how preschoolers evaluate causal explanations, and in particular whether they employ a principle of parsimony like Ockhampsilas razor as an inductive constraint. Results suggest that even preschoolers are sensitive to the simplicity of explanations, and require disproportionate probabilistic evidence before a complex explanation will be favored over a simpler alternative.
Roles of a Fimbrin and an α-Actinin-like Protein in Fission Yeast Cell Polarization and Cytokinesis

Eukaryotic cells contain many actin-interacting proteins, including the a-actinins and the fimbrins, both of which have actin cross-linking activity in vitro. We report here the identification and characterization of both an a-actinin-like protein (Ain1p) and a fimbrin (Fim1p) in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Ain1p localizes to the actomyosin-containing medial ring in an F-actin‐ dependent manner, and the Ain1p ring contracts during cytokinesis. ain1 deletion cells have no obvious defects under normal growth conditions but display severe cytokinesis defects, associated with defects in medial-ring and septum formation, under certain stress conditions. Overexpression of Ain1p also causes cytokinesis defects, and the ain1 deletion shows synthetic effects with other mutations known to affect medial-ring positioning and/or organization. Fim1p localizes both to the cortical actin patches and to the medial ring in an F-actin‐ dependent manner, and several lines of evidence suggest that Fim1p is involved in polarization of the actin cytoskeleton. Although a fim1 deletion strain has no detectable defect in cytokinesis, overexpression of Fim1p causes a lethal cytokinesis defect associated with a failure to form the medial ring and concentrate actin patches at the cell middle. Moreover, an ain1 fim1 double mutant has a synthetical-lethal defect in medial-ring assembly and cell division. Thus, Ain1p and Fim1p appear to have an overlapping and essential function in fission yeast cytokinesis. In addition, protein-localization and mutant-phenotype data suggest that Fim1p, but not Ain1p, plays important roles in mating and in spore formation.
Chronic natriuretic peptide protein therapeutics

The natriuretic peptides (NP) consist of a group of genetically distinct peptides with a 17 amino acid disulfide ring structure that exert important paracrine and endocrine actions in cardiorenal homeostasis. ANP and BNP bind to the natriuretic peptide-A receptor (NPR-A), which via 3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) mediates natriuresis, vasodilatation, renin-aldosterone inhibition, anti-mitogenesis, and positive lusitropism. CNP lacks natriuretic actions, but possesses vasodilating and important growth- and fibrotic-inhibiting actions via the guanylyl cyclase-linked natriuretic peptide-B receptor (NPR-B). CD-NP now represents the first designer NP which, unlike ANP, BNP or CNP, co-activates both NPR-A and NPR-B. In both experimental and human heart failure (HF), investigations have supported the hypothesis that the capacity of the cardiomyocytes to produce and/or release the NP may be overwhelmed in HF due to the increased demands of the system, thus leading to a state of relative deficiency of biologically active endogenous NP. Hence, giving the favorable cardiorenal and humoral proprieties of the NP, their chronic exogenous delivery is now viewed as favorable therapeutic opportunity for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. We have previously reported that subcutaneous (SQ) administration of BNP in experimental HF resulted in improved cardiac output with reduced systemic vascular resistance and cardiac filling pressures. Importantly, we translated these studies to humans and completed a pilot study to establish safety and efficacy of 8 weeks of chronic SQ BNP administration in human symptomatic systolic HF. More importantly, we have recently completed 2 proof of concept studies to assess the biological effects of 12 weeks of SQ BNP administration in patients with preclinical systolic dysfunction and patients with preclinical diastolic dysfunction (Stage B HF). These studies demonstrated that chronic SQ BNP induced a sustained generation of cGMP, which, importantly, was associated with persistent enhanced renal natriuretic response to volume overload. Going beyond BNP, CD-NP (Cenderitide) is in clinical development as an outpatient therapy during the post-acute HF period, to be administered continuously for up to 90 days after hospital discharge via subcutaneous pump with the goals of reducing rehospitalization. Recently, a phase 1 study in HF patients was completed which demonstrated that SQ CD-NP infusion achieved desirable pharmacokinetic levels and was well tolerated. Pre-clinically, we have recently designed an in situ polymer precipitation delivery system suitable for the chronic and sustained release of CD-NP. With the appropriate polymer-gel formulation, CD-NP release could be sustained over 3 weeks, thus inducing prolonged cGMP activation and favourable biological actions. Preclinical and early phase clinical studies have demonstrated the potential beneficial actions of chronic NP therapeutics. Further studies are warranted to determine if these functional responses can be translated into improved clinical outcomes and contribute to delaying the progression of HF.
A Bargaining Theory of the "Edwards' Effect" in the 2007-8 Democratic Presidential Primary

The 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary will be remembered as one of the most competitive races in recent history. Two candidates, Senators Barack Obama (Illinois) and Hillary Clinton (New York), fought an enduring battle to obtain enough delegates/vote-shares to secure the Democratic nomination. Although the Democratic nomination eventually came down to these two contestants, for a while it was a dynamic three-player-race with Senator John Edwards (North Carolina) in the fold. During that time, many people were puzzled by Edwards’ insistence on staying in the race even with no reasonable chance of winning. For this honors thesis, I constructed a theoretical model to explain Edwards’ rationale for staying in the race. My model shows that if Edwards attained a certain percentage of the vote-shares, he could have pushed the election into a backroom negotiation phase given the right external circumstances. In this phase, he could have become the most pivotal contestant, with his relatively low percentage of vote-shares, ironically giving him the most negotiation power. This would have allowed him to come out of the backroom negotiation with a final prize value that would have exceeded the costs he endured. My paper coins this occurrence as 'The Edwards Effect' and explores the conditions for its existence as well as its ramifications.
Langasite SAW temperature and oxygen multi-sensor

We report here a langasite SAW device suitable for sensing temperature and oxygen concentration, with applications such as monitoring the exhaust of oxy-fuel combustion systems. In this paper we report on the observed temperature dependence of oxygen sensitivity, explain the mechanism for this behavior, and present a scheme for temperature compensation.
A REMARK ON THE HIGGS EFFECT IN PRESENCE OF CHERN-SIMONS TERMS

In D=3, a Higgs scalar is shown to transmute a non-dynamical Chern-Simon term into topologically massive, parity-violating, electrodynamics. A similar transmutation also occurs for gravity.
Path Dependent Earnings Response Caused by Capital Gains Tax Trading

This article examines Constantinides-strategy capital gains tax trading during earnings announcements in a Kyle trading market. Capital gains taxes discourage shareholders from selling after a runup. On the other hand, capital loss offsets encourage selloffs after a crash. Accordingly, prices are path dependent and not Martingale: after a runup they are sticky against bad news; after a crash, they resist good news. As the focus of information-based trading, earnings announcements provide a ready setting for exhibiting the interplay of these tax implications with price efficiency.
Atmospheric remote sensing of water vapor, HCl and CH 4 using a continuously tunable Co:MgF 2 laser

A differential-absorption lidar system has been developed which uses a continuously tunable (1.5-2.3 micron) cobalt-doped magnesium fluoride laser as the radiation source. Preliminary atmospheric measurements of water vapor, HCl, and CH4 have been made with this system, including both path-averaged and ranged-resolved DIAL measurements at ranges up to 6 and 3 km, respectively.
Dual Language Bilingual Education Placement Practices: Educator Discourses about Emergent Bilingual Students in Two Program Types.

ABSTRACTThis article explores the placement practices of students into different educational programs in PreK–first grade, including two bilingual education programs and an ESL “mainstream” classroom. We then examine the discourse practices of four third-grade teachers and the school principal. Our findings suggest that initial program placement resulted in a perception that students were tracked by ability, and educator discourses on student ability reflected long-term consequences of these initial placement practices. We conclude with both theoretical implications and practical suggestions for the development of equitable dual language bilingual education program implementation.
Reactive Molecular Dynamics Study of Oxidation of Aggregated Aluminum Nanoparticles

Oxidation behavior of aggregated aluminum nanoparticles (Al-NPs), specifically the combustion propagation, is studied, when only part of the aggregated Al-NPs is heated to 1100 K and the rest of the system is kept at 300 K. Here, multi-million atoms molecular dynamics (MD) simulation reveals the sintering/coalescence phenomena for the different diameters (D = 26, 36 and 46 nm) aggregated systems. Various consuming rates of core aluminum are investigated for different layers and different diameters aggregated systems. The formation of Al2O3 fragments outside the shell (the largest covalently bonded aluminum-oxide cluster) structure is confirmed from AlO and AlO2 intermediates. The smaller size of Al-NPs results in faster trend of transition from Al-rich to O-rich for most outside small clusters. However, more core aluminum reacts with shell oxygen leads to faster decreasing of the ratio of O/Al in the shell fragment for larger Al-NPs system.
EXPERIMENTAL RICKETS IN RATS : VIII. THE EFFECT OF ROENTGEN RAYS.

Rats on a low phosphorus diet cannot be protected from the development of rickets by exposures to soft Roentgen rays such as were employed in this study. Furthermore, rats on a diet containing phosphate in an amount adequate to prevent rickets were not rendered rachitic by exposure to massive doses of Roentgen rays of an intensity sufficient to produce marked destruction of the blood-forming cells of the marrow.
Adrenergic receptors on cerebral microvessels: pericyte contribution

R224-R230, 1989.--[125I]iodocyanopindolol ([125I]ICYP) and [3H]rauwolscine were used to quantitate, respectively, the beta- and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in freshly isolated bovine cerebral microvessels and in pericyte cultures derived from these microvessels. Morphological and immunocytochemical criteria distinguished the pericytes from endothelial cells. Competitive binding studies established the specificity of the radioligand binding. The maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) for [125I]ICYP in the pericytes constituted only 8% of that in the microvessels (3.5 +/- 1.3 vs. 44.4 +/- 6.6 fmol/mg protein). In contrast, the Bmax for [3H]rauwolscine in the pericytes was 50% of that in the microvessels (55.4 +/- 11.8 vs. 111.1 +/- 9.5 fmol/mg protein). The dissociation constants for both [125I]ICYP and [3H]rauwolscine were similar in the two preparations. No alpha 1-adrenergic receptors, as defined by the specific binding of [3H]prazosin, were identified either in the pericytes or microvessels. Overall, our results suggest that pericytes contribute minimally to the total beta-adrenoceptor number of cerebral microvessels, and thus the beta-adrenoceptors must be located predominantly on endothelial cells. However, the contribution of pericytes to the total alpha 2-adrenoceptor number of the microvessels may be substantial.
Effectiveness and stability of plastic films coated with nisin for inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes.

Plastic films were coated with a cellulose-based carrier solution containing nisin, a natural antimicrobial peptide with the potential to inhibit growth of food spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms such as Listeria monocytogenes. Five commercial plastic films with different chemical compositions and surface properties were compared in this study: low-density polyethylene, ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer, and three types of ethylene–methacrylic acid copolymers: Surlyn 1601, Nucrel 0403, and Nucrel 0903. The films were coated with nisin at a concentration of 1,000 IU/cm2. Nisin-coated films were stored at room temperature (21°C) and at 4°C and analyzed weekly for 12 weeks. Antimicrobial activity of the different nisin-coated films against a nisin indicator strain, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris ATCC 14365, and against L. monocytogenes ATCC 19115 was assessed using an inhibition zone assay. Nisin incorporated into the films was recovered by a boiling and extraction procedure, and its activity was quan...
Point-of-care cardiac troponin test accurately predicts heat stroke severity in rats

Heat stroke (HS) remains a significant public health concern. Despite the substantial threat posed by HS, there is still no field or clinical test of HS severity. We suggested previously that circu...
Art as Experience through Dwelling, Lingering, and Loafing

At this point, I move forward from the last two chapters that provided a survey of form, rhythm, and style. I have explored connections between curriculum and poetry, and I have regarded how poetry is situated in a standardized and commodified school.
The Unique Influences of Parental Divorce and Parental Conflict on Emerging Adults in Romantic Relationships

Parental divorce and parental conflict influence children across multiple domains, including risk of divorce in their own marriages. However, parental conflict and divorce, both separately and the interaction between the two, have not often been studied in premarital relationships, especially when considering possible mechanisms mediating these effects. In a large sample of emerging adults (N = 353), we show that when the most plausible mediating mechanisms are simultaneously considered, only relational commitment mediates the influence of parental conflict on outcomes. Parental conflict in the absence of divorce was associated with less commitment and, in turn, less relationship satisfaction and stability in emerging adult children’s romantic relationships, whereas parental conflict was unrelated to outcomes for children whose parents divorced. Implications for theory and preventive interventions are discussed.