cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Response of the A-V Node of the Rabbit to Stimulation of Intracardiac Cholinergic Nerves

The cholinergic innervation of the rabbit heart was studied in vitro and in vivo. An isolated preparation, which included the combined atria, S-A node, A-V node and bundle of His, was mounted so that microelectrodes could be placed in either the specialized or nonspecialized tissues. Using a roving monopolar electrode, local transmural electrical stimulation of intracardiac nerves (nerve stimulation) was applied at the A-V or the S-A node. At the A-V node it induced hyperpolarization, reduced the duration and amplitude of action potentials recorded from three regions of the A-V node and the His bundle, whether the preparation was spontaneously beating or electrically driven in either the forward or retrograde direction, and blocked membrane excitation in the nodal and nodal-His regions and to downstream structures. The depressant effects of nerve stimulation were augmented by physostigmine and antagonized by atropine. Addition of acetylcholine to the bath reduced the frequency at which the A-V node conducted, but in the concentrations used did not duplicate the effects of nerve stimulation. The behavior of the S-A node is qualitatively similar to that of the A-V node. In the presence of a sinus rhythm, nerve stimulation applied at the A-V node did not affect the activity of the S-A node, and during artificial atrial drive, nerve stimulation of the S-A node did not affect A-V nodal function, indicating that little or no neural communication exists between the two regions in the isolated preparation. Locally released acetylcholine appears to depress excitability of specialized cells in the central node, independently of the direction of propagation.
A statistical approach for assessment of bronchodilator responsiveness in pulmonary function testing.

Objective Because published criteria for bronchodilator responsiveness are based on population variability and compare only the single best measures before and after intervention, we hypothesized that the variability of the FEV1 and FEV3 of each patient would better determine that patient's responsiveness. Design and interventions Five 3-s forced expiratory maneuvers were used for each of 3 sequential portions of the study: baseline, after nebulized saline solution, and after nebulized albuterol. Setting Clinical pulmonary function laboratory in a county/university teaching hospital. Patients Fifty consecutive adult patients with obstruction referred for routine testing and thought to be able to complete the study. (The primary diagnoses were found to be equally divided between asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema; equal numbers had very severe, severe, moderate, mild, or minimal obstruction.) Measurements and results The primary finding was that 36 patients were found to be responders (consistent and statistically significant FEV1 and FEV3 improvement after albuterol). The 14 identified as nonresponders would have been so categorized by all other published criteria. For assessing responsiveness, we found FEV3 measures preferable to vital capacity measures, because the latter depends on the duration of the maneuver. Conclusions The percentage of responders identified is higher than recognized by any other published criteria. Most criteria would not have identified the responders with very severe or minimal airways obstruction.
AUTOMATED SCORING OF MATHEMATICS TASKS IN THE COMMON CORE ERA: ENHANCEMENTS TO M-RATER IN SUPPORT OF CBAL™ MATHEMATICS AND THE COMMON CORE ASSESSMENTS

The m-rater scoring engine has been used successfully for the past several years to score CBAL™ mathematics tasks, for the most part without the need for human scoring. During this time, various improvements to m-rater and its scoring keys have been implemented in response to specific CBAL needs. In 2012, with the general move toward creating innovative tasks for the Common Core assessment initiatives, in traditional testing programs, and with potential outside clients, and to further support CBAL, m-rater was enhanced in ways that move ETS's automated scoring capabilities forward and that provide needed functionality for CBAL: (a) the numeric equivalence scoring engine was augmented with an open-source computer algebra system; (b) a design flaw in the graph editor, affecting the way the editor graphs smooth functions, was corrected; (c) the graph editor was modified to give assessment specialists the option of requiring examinees to set the viewing window; and (d) m-rater advisories were implemented in situations in which m-rater either cannot score a response or may provide the wrong score. In addition, 2 m-rater scoring models were built that presented some new challenges.
The Shanidar cave Proto-Neolithic human population: aspects of demography and paleopathology

This paper presents bio-anthropological data concerning the Shanidar cave, Proto-Neolithic, Homo sapiens population at the dawn of sedentary life in SW Asia. It was proposed that changes in human organizational systems and perceived environmental contexts, as reflected by ecofacts and tool assemblages, indicating the intensification of harvesting of resources during this Proto-Neolithic cultural component, could have altered existing interrelationships between pathogens, vectors, and human hosts.
Independent versus socially facilitated oceanic migrations of the olive ridley, Lepidochelys olivacea

Sea turtles migrate between feeding and nesting areas that are often geographically separated by hundreds or thousands of kilometers. Observations of their aggregations at sea and at nesting beaches have led to the hypothesis that sea turtles migrate in socially structured groups. While this migratory strategy is common to many marine vertebrates, socially facilitated behavior is not well documented in testudines. In 1990 and 1991, we attached satellite transmitters to olive ridleys (Lepidochelys olivacea Eschscholtz) found ovipositing together during a mass nesting at Nancite Beach, Costa Rica, to determine whether they migrate independently or in groups after they leave the nesting beach. Results showed that the turtles were not spatially associated during the internesting period, were capable of re-establishing themselves as a group during a subsequent nesting emergence, and were not spatially associated during their postnesting migrations to oceanic feeding areas. We suggested that what appear to be socially structured groups of L. olivacea are in fact individual turtles simultaneously using the same habitat.
Genetic Interaction between Mutations in c-Myb and the KIX Domains of CBP and p300 Affects Multiple Blood Cell Lineages and Influences Both Gene Activation and Repression

Adult blood cell production or definitive hematopoiesis requires the transcription factor c-Myb. The closely related KAT3 histone acetyltransferases CBP (CREBBP) and p300 (EP300) bind c-Myb through their KIX domains and mice homozygous for a p300 KIX domain mutation exhibit multiple blood defects. Perplexingly, mice homozygous for the same KIX domain mutation in CBP have normal blood. Here we test the hypothesis that the CBP KIX domain contributes subordinately to hematopoiesis via a genetic interaction with c-Myb. We assessed hematopoiesis in mice bearing compound mutations of c-Myb and/or the KIX domains of CBP and p300, and measured the effect of KIX domain mutations on c-Myb-dependent gene expression. We found that in the context of a p300 KIX mutation, the CBP KIX domain mutation affects platelets, B cells, T cells, and red cells. Gene interaction (epistasis) analysis provides mechanistic evidence that blood defects in KIX mutant mice are consistent with reduced c-Myb and KIX interaction. Lastly, we demonstrated that the CBP and p300 KIX domains contribute to both c-Myb-dependent gene activation and repression. Together these results suggest that the KIX domains of CBP, and especially p300, are principal mediators of c-Myb-dependent gene activation and repression that is required for definitive hematopoiesis.
Tabled evaluation with delaying for general logic programs

SLD resolution with negation as finite failure (SLDNF) reflects the procedural interpretation of predicate calculus as a programming language and forms the computational basis for Prolog systems. Despite its advantages for stack-based memory management, SLDNF is often not appropriate for query evaluation for three reasons: (a) it may not terminate due to infinite positive recursion; (b) it may be terminate due to infinite recursion through negation; and (c) it may repeatedly evaluate the same literal in a rule body, leading to unacceptable performance.We address all three problems for goal-oriented query evaluation of general logic programs by presenting tabled evaluation with delaying, called SLG resolution. It has three distinctive features:(i) SLG resolution is a partial deduction procedure, consisting of seven fundamental transformations. A query is transformed step by step into a set of answers. The use of transformations separates logical issues of query evaluation from procedural ones. SLG allows an arbitrary computation rule for selecting a literal from a rule body and an arbitrary control strategy for selecting transformations to apply.(ii) SLG resolution is sound and search space complete with respect to the well-founded partial model for all non-floundering queries, and preserves all three-valued stable models. To evaluate a query under differenc three-valued stable models, SLG resolution can be enhanced by further processing of the answers of subgoals relevant to a query.(iii) SLG resolution avoids both positive and negative loops and always terminates for programs with the bounded-term-size property. It has a polynomial time data complexity for well-founded negation of function-free programs. Through a delaying mechanism for handling ground negative literals involved in loops, SLG resolution avoids the repetition of any of its derivation steps.Restricted forms of SLG resolution are identified for definite, locally stratified, and modularly stratified programs, shedding light on the role each transformation plays.
Computation in faulty stars [hypercube networks]

The question of simulating a completely healthy hypercube with a degraded one (one with some faulty processors) has been considered by several authors. We consider the question for the star-graph interconnection network. With suitable assumptions on the fault probability, there is, with high probability, a bounded distance embedding of K/sub n/spl times/S/sub n-1/ in a degraded S/sub n/, of congestion O(n). By a different method, a congestion O(log(n)) embedding of S, can be obtained. For the hypercube O(1) congestion has been obtained, but this is open for the star graph. Other results presented include a guaranteed O(n) slowdown simulation if there are sufficiently few faults, and upper and lower bounds for the minimal size of a system of faults rendering faulty every m-substar. >
Pauses in the narratives produced by autistic, mentally retarded, and normal children as an index of cognitive demand

This study investigated the production of different types of speech pauses and repairs in the story narratives produced by autistic, mentally retarded, and normal children, matched on verbal mental age. Ten children in each group were asked to tell the story depicted in a wordless picture book. The narratives were analyzed for frequency of grammatical (between phrase) and nongrammatical (within phrase) pauses, and for several measures of story length and complexity. The main results were that children with autism produced significantly fewer nongrammatical pauses, and that their nongrammatical pausing was correlated with measures of story length and complexity. These findings suggest that the stories told by the autistic children reflect reduced cognitive and communicative demand. The implications of this study for future research on the use of a variety of prosodic characteristics as measures of social cognitive deficit in autism are discussed.
Product quality framework: a vehicle for focusing on product quality goals

Quality focus is generally on process quality, the avoidance and elimination of defects. This is the most relevant for manufacturing processes. In engineering design, there is as much emphasis also on product quality aspects, such as availability, performance, usability, maintainability etc. Current systems and software engineering practice generally puts the burden of optimizing these attributes solely on the knowledge, intuition and ability of architects and designers.The product quality framework provides a systematic approach that includes techniques for specifying, optimizing, analyzing and measuring these attributes. The framework also puts explicit emphasis on tradeoffs between attributes, providing a direct relationship between design and customer concerns. This paper describes the framework and its use as a vehicle for the engineering of high availability systems.
CONTROLLED STOICHIOMETRIC INCORPORATION OF TI(IV) INTO A ZR(IV) PINACOLATE

The first Ti/Zr mixed-metal alkoxide was synthesized by the reaction of equimolar amounts of Ti(OiPr)4 and Zr2(OCMe2CMe2O)2(OCMe2CMe2OH)4 to give TiZr2(OCMe2CMe2O)4(OCMe2CMe2OH)2(OiPr)2. The 1:1 (Ti:Zr) mixed-metal product was obtained by reaction of Ti(OiPr)4 and Zr2(OCMe2CMe2O)2(OCMe2CMe2OH)4 (2:1 mole ratio, respectively) yielding Ti2Zr2(OCMe2CMe2O)6(OiPr)4. Both products were characterized by X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic data (P21/c at −164 °C) for TiZr2(OCMe2OCMe2O)4(OCMe2CMe2OH)2(OiPr)2: a = 12.926(3) A, b = 17.727(4) A, c = 23.144(5) A, β = 102.30(1)° with Z = 4. Crystallographic data (P1 at −170 °C) for Ti2Zr2(OCMe2CMe2O)6(OiPr)4·2CHCl3: a = 10.760(1) A, b = 18.202(3) A, c = 9.827(1) A, β = 166.53(1)° with Z = 1.
The digital orthodontic office: 2001

Abstract The practice of orthodontics has been transformed by the computer revolutionof the 1990s. Digital orthodontics, including digital photographs, radiographs, treatment records, and three-dimensional study models, has created a paradigm shift in practice management. The orthodontic practice of the 1970s and 1980s can be seen in high contrast to the dynamic practice of the new millenium. With treatment records always at the orthodontist's fingertips, orthodontic treatment has streamlined and patient management has reached levels of sophistication never before possible. The Internet and the development of high-speed communication modalities have enabled group practices, with multiple locations, to access records in outlying locations electronically. With proper backup protocols, patient records will never again be lost or misplaced. This paradigm shift will propel orthodontics well into the future.
Homogenization and dimensional reduction of composite plates with in-plane heterogeneity

The variational asymptotic method is used to construct a new model for composite plates which could have in-plane heterogeneity due to both geometry and material. We first formulate the original three-dimensional problem in an intrinsic form which is suitable for geometrically nonlinear analysis. Taking advantage of smallness of the plate thickness and heterogeneity, we use the variational asymptotic method to rigorously construct an effective plate model unifying a homogenization process and a dimensional reduction process. This approach is implemented in the computer code VAPAS using the finite element technique for the purpose of dealing with realistic heterogeneous plates. A few examples are used to demonstrate the capability of this new model.
Methionine Stimulation of Milk Protein Synthesis in Bovine Mammary Cell Cultures

Abstract Dispersed cell cultures of lactating bovine mammary tissue with a complete culture medium were tested for their ability to synthesize milk proteins β -lactoglobulin and β -casein at elevated levels of methionine. An effect showed up to a L-methionine concentration of 50 to 100 μ g/ml which increased synthesis of the proteins to two-fold over that with a L-methionine of about 15 μ g/ml in bovine blood serum and in the usual cell culture medium. Further increases resulted in an apparent inhibitory effect. The effect suggests that L-methionine normally in blood serum and used in cell culture medium may be deficient for maximum milk protein synthesis.
Age cohorts and personal health behavior in adulthood.

Secular trends in morbidity, mortality, and risk factor prevalence highlight the importance of adopting a life-span approach to the study of health-related behaviors. To help address this question, the predictors of nine personal health practices were examined within four adult age cohorts (ages 20-64), using data from Wave 1 of the National Survey of Personal Health Practices and Consequences (N= 3,025). Analyses showed that education and gender were the most consistently important predictors of the nine practices within each cohort. Across all four cohorts, however, no predictor was statistically significant for a majority of the practices. Functional health status, income, subjective health, perceived locus of control, a regular source of health care, and group participations were of relative importance in specific cohorts. Tracking of health practices and their predictors should continue as current cohorts progress through adulthood and into older age. However, it is still an open question whether pre...
Effect of the intensity of wireless telephone conversations on reaction time in a braking response.

Recently, concern has grown about the extent to which wireless telephone use by motor vehicle drivers constitutes a threat to traffic safety. This experiment investigated the effect of the intensity of wireless telephone conversations on reaction time (RT) for a braking response. Using a laboratory station to mimic the foot activity in driving, 16 adults were instructed to release the accelerator pedal and depress the brake pedal as quickly as possible following the activation of a red brake light. Mean RT was measured for 5 conditions which manipulated the intensity of a conversation, i.e., demand for attention, conducted on a wireless telephone. Analysis indicated that wireless telephone use caused a decrement in RT, however, there was no significant effect associated with intensity of the conversation across intensity.
Effects of RNA interference of Trypanosoma brucei structure-specific endonuclease-I on kinetoplast DNA replication

Kinetoplast DNA, the mitochondrial DNA of trypanosomatid protozoa, is a network containing several thousand topologically interlocked DNA minicircles. Kinetoplast DNA synthesis involves release of minicircles from the network, replication of the free minicircles, and reattachment of the progeny back onto the network. One enzyme involved in this process is structure-specific endonuclease-I. This enzyme, originally purified from Crithidia fasciculata, has been proposed to remove minicircle replication primers (Engel, M. L., and Ray, D. S. (1998) Nucleic Acids Res. 26, 4773-4778). We have studied the structure-specific endonuclease-I homolog from Trypanosoma brucei, showing it to be localized in the antipodal sites flanking the kinetoplast DNA disk, as previously shown in C. fasciculata. RNA interference of structure-specific endonuclease-I caused persistence of a single ribonucleotide at the 5' end of both the leading strand and at least the first Okazaki fragment in network minicircles, demonstrating that this enzyme in fact functions in primer removal. Probably because of the persistence of primers, RNA interference also impeded the reattachment of newly replicated free minicircles to the network and caused a delay in kinetoplast DNA segregation. These effects ultimately led to shrinkage and loss of the kinetoplast DNA network and cessation of growth of the cell.
Mujeres, políticas públicas y política: los caminos globales de Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua-El Paso, Texas

En este articulo se abordan temas selectos de politicas publicas, que dividen y unen a las mujeres en la frontera Mexico-Estados Unidos, concentrados en el area metropolitana de Ciudad Juarez-El Paso, que conforma una ?economia interdependiente?, con una poblacion superior a dos millones de personas, cuya mayoria comparte una herencia mexicana. De esta forma, se analiza una perspectiva compleja: la economia global en la que las maquiladoras de Ciudad Juarez estan a la vanguardia; los cambios ideologicos de derecha en los gobiernos de Mexico y Estados Unidos; con gobiernos divididos en filiacion partidista asi como en materia del federalismo, este practicado en forma diferente por ambos, y en los cuales las voces de las mujeres tienen poca notoriedad. Sin embargo, ellas se organizan en grupos que representan sus intereses, aunque sus voces han sido marginadas en la sociedad y en la accion legislativa. Existen pocas organizaciones binacionales de mujeres, con algunas excepciones en los aspectos de salud y violencia.
Cytosolic aggregates perturb the degradation of nontranslocated secretory and membrane proteins

A wide range of diseases are associated with the accumulation of cytosolic protein aggregates. The effects of these aggregates on various aspects of normal cellular protein homeostasis remain to be determined. Here we find that cytosolic aggregates, without necessarily disrupting proteasome function, can markedly delay the normally rapid degradation of nontranslocated secretory and membrane protein precursors. In the case of mammalian prion protein (PrP), the nontranslocated fraction is recruited into preexisting aggregates before its triage for degradation. This recruitment permits the growth and persistence of cytosolic PrP aggregates, explaining their apparent "self-conversion" seen in earlier studies of transient proteasome inhibition. For other proteins, the aggregate-mediated delay in precursor degradation led to aggregation and/or soluble residence in the cytosol, often causing aberrant cellular morphology. Remarkably, improving signal sequence efficiency mitigated these effects of aggregates. These observations identify a previously unappreciated consequence of cytosolic aggregates for nontranslocated secretory and membrane proteins, a minor but potentially disruptive population the rapid disposal of which is critical to maintaining cellular homeostasis.
Localization of the viral and cellular Src kinases to perinuclear vesicles in fibroblasts.

Abstrad Previous studies have shown that the viral oncogene produd, v-Src, is localized to a perinuclear strudure. Here, we demonstrate by immunofluorescence analysis that the perinuclear strudure corresponds to a local concentration of vesicles. Overexpressed normal cellular Src, c-Src, and a temperature-sensitive mutant of v-Src also are associated with these perinuclear vesicles. This perinuclear localization is observed in a variety of cell types using several different antibodies to Src, and it is independent of the fixation method. lmmunoeledron ultracryomicroscopic analysis of rat fibroblast cells transformed by v-Src demonstrates an association of this protein with the limiting membranes of vesicles concentrated in the perinuclear region. These vesicles appear at the eledron microscopic level to be multivesicular bodies on the basis of their size (0.3-1.0 �sm in diameter), large eledron-transparent lumens, and eledron-dense vesicular inclusions. Morphometric analysis indicates that approximately 20% of the total cell v-Src protein is associated with these strudures. This subpopulation of v-Src may have been recovered from the plasma membrane via the endocytotic pathway in a manner analogous to endocytosis of the epidermal growth fador receptor. Localization of the Src tyrosine kinases to these perinuclear endocytotic vesicles may be necessary for oncogenic transformation by v-Src and for normal fundions of c-Src.
Achieving Efficient and Cognitively Plausible Learning in Backgammon

Traditionally, computer applications to game domains have taken a brute-force approach, relying on sheer computational power to overcome the complexity of the domain. Although many of these programs have been quite successful, it is interesting to note that humans can still perform extremely well against them. Thus we are compelled to ask, if no human could match the computational power of most of these programs, are there methods for learning and performance in game domains that more closely reflect human cognition? In response to this question, this paper attempts to model how humans learn and play games by developing a Backgammon-playing algorithm based on cognition. Analysis of this algorithm shows that it is efficient and commensurate with human abilities suggesting that it provides a cognitively plausible theory of learning in Backgammon.
An automated electrostatic discharge computer-aided design system with the incorporation of hierarchical parameterized cells in BiCMOS analog and RF technology for mixed signal applications

Development of an automated ESD design system for analog and Radio Frequency (RF) technologies using a hierarchy of RF-characterized higher order graphical parameterized cells allows for co-synthesis of RF design and ESD evaluation. The auto-generated ESD design system includes CMOS and BiCMOS input and power clamp network layouts, and schematics. Human Body Model (HBM), Machine Model (MM), and Transmission Line Pulse (TLP) results demonstrate the ability to develop automated ESD design systems.
Lack of age-related increase in average glycemia in a non-Westernized sample of rural Yucatec Maya females.

Age-related decline in glucose processing and the associated progressively higher circulating glucose levels are considered well-established biological aging phenomena. However, their occurrence in non-Westernized populations characterized by less mechanization and dietary processing has not been well-studied. This research extends evaluation of lifestyle conditions of diet and physical activity beyond those of Westernized areas and examines aging patterns in blood glucose among rural Yucatec Maya. The purpose is to investigate whether deteriorating glucose processing is intrinsic to human aging, while controlling for body composition in a non-Westernized setting. Data were gathered from 60 nondiabetic Maya women, 40–85 years of age, living in 16 rural villages around Merida, Yucatan. Information regarding personal history, diet, and physical activity was collected through interviews. Body composition was assessed through anthropometric and derived indicators of body size, fat distribution, body mass index, intra-abdominal fat, and total fat and fat-free masses. Glycemia was measured through microvenous samples analyzed for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fructosamine, to demonstrate average circulating glucose under customary living conditions. As indicated by glycation, average glycemia is not higher in older Maya females (age group F for HbA1c = 0.88, P > 0.05; age group F for fructosamine = 0.38, P > 0.05). Further, correlations between age and HbA1c (r = −0.13, P > 0.05) and fructosamine (r = −0.10, P > 0.05) are negative and not significant. The absence of significant, positive age associations with HbA1c and fructosamine persists when effects of body composition are taken into account. Thus, decline in glucose regulation does not appear to be a feature of aging in this non-Westernized sample, suggesting that age-related deterioration in glucose processing is not universal among human populations. Results suggest that relationships of age with glycemia are linked to lifestyle differences. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Brief Report: The Adaptation of Project Northland for Urban Youth

Objective Summarizes the research and intervention design of a new trial to evaluate an adaptation of Project Northland, a multicomponent, community-wide alcohol prevention program for culturally diverse youth living in a large city. The original Project Northland was successful in reducing alcohol use among a sample of mostly White, rural adolescents. Methods We highlight the steps taken to adapt the intervention strategies for culturally diverse inner-city youth, families, and neighborhoods. The research design is a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the adapted Project Northland for reducing the early onset and prevalence of alcohol use among young urban adolescents. Conclusion The information gained from this trial, including the process of adaptation of prevention strategies, will be beneficial for alcohol-use prevention efforts within diverse urban communities across the country.
A Spotty Liver of Pregnancy

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) hepatitis by definition constitutes disseminated herpes simplex infection; it is rare, with only approximately 130 cases reported in the literature. Although HSV hepatitis typically occurs in immunocompromised hosts, pregnancy-especially the third trimester, has been identified as a risk factor for its development. This is likely because of the fact that humoral and cell-mediated immunity decrease throughout pregnancy and nadir in the third trimester with decreased T-cell counts and altered B/T lymphocyte ratios. Here, we report on a patient with HSV 2 hepatitis in a previously healthy 27-year-old woman in her 23rd week of pregnancy. She initially presented with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain and was found to have acute hepatocellular liver injury and a systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Broad-spectrum antibiotics and acyclovir were promptly initiated. Liver biopsy, serum DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as well as a labial ulcer culture and PCR were all positive for HSV 2. The patient recovered completely; however, her fetus did not survive. Review of the literature emphasizes that presentation with disseminated HSV infection typically occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy. This report emphasizes that abdominal pain combined with fever and hepatic dysfunction in pregnancy should prompt immediate consideration of the diagnosis of HSV hepatitis. Furthermore, given the high mortality rate and effective treatment, empiric treatment with acyclovir should be considered early in all potential cases.
Tryptophan Substitutions at the Lipid-Exposed Transmembrane Segment M4 of Torpedo californica Acetylcholine Receptor Govern Channel Gating

Our previous amino acid substitutions at the postulated lipid-exposed transmembrane segment M4 of the Torpedo californica acetylcholine receptor (AChR) focused on the αC418 position. A tryptophan substitution on the αC418 produced a 3-fold increase in normalized macroscopic response to acetylcholine in voltage-clamped Xenopus laevis oocytes (Lee et al., 1994). This result was explained by a 23-fold decrease in the closing rate constant measured from single-channel analysis (Ortiz-Miranda et al., 1996). In this study, we introduce more tryptophan substitutions at different positions of this postulated lipid-exposed segment M4 in order to examine functional consequences at the single-channel level. From a series of amino acid substitutions at αG421, only phenylalanine and tryptophan produced a substantial increase in the open time constant. The lack of response from a tyrosine substitution at the αG421 suggests that the side chain volume is not the main structural element responsible for the effect of trypt...
Evaluating Interagency Coordination Efforts Using a Multidimensional, Interactional, Developmental Paradigm:

Evaluation of interagency coordination is difficult due to the complexity of these efforts. This article provides a paradigm which describes interagency coordination as a multidimensional, interactional, and developmental effort. Five dimensions–climate, resources, policies, people, and process–are identified and defined. The developmental nature of these dimensions is explained through the use of developmental stages and developmental continua. The interactional nature is illustrated through examples. This paradigm can be used in special education as a training tool for those involved in coordination efforts, as a guide for the development and evaluation of interagency coordination efforts, and as a conceptual framework for research.
Proenkephalin‐processing Enzymes in Chromaffin Granules

Our discovery of precursor preference of processing enzymes indicates possible development of future drugs that target specific proteases uniquely associated associated with processing of a particular prohormone. For example, selective processing of PE by the PTP suggests that future evaluation of modulation of PTP through central nervous system drug reagents may modify the endogenous analgesic effects of the enkephalins. With respect to blood pressure, neuropeptide Y (NPY) that is released from sympathetic nerve terminals is a strong vasoconstrictor. Our finding that only PTP (not PC1/3, PC2, or the aspartic proteinase) possesses the ability to convert pro-NPY to NPY suggests that investigation of inhibitors of peripheral PTP in blood pressure regulation should be initiated. Overall, elucidation of the proteolytic components required in prohormone processing will provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of human disease.
Multi-resolution Abnormal Trace Detection Using Varied-length N-grams and Automata

Detection and diagnosis of faults in a large-scale distributed system is a formidable task. Interest in monitoring and using traces of user requests for fault detection has been on the rise recently. In this paper we propose novel fault detection methods based on abnormal trace detection. One essential problem is how to represent the large amount of training trace data compactly as an oracle. Our key contribution is the novel use of varied-length n-grams and automata to characterize normal traces. A new trace is compared against the learned automata to determine whether it is abnormal. We develop algorithms to automatically extract n-grams and construct multiresolution automata from training data. Further both deterministic and multihypothesis algorithms are proposed for detection. We inspect the trace constraints of real application software and verify the existence of long n-grams. Our approach is tested in a real system with injected faults and achieves good results in experiments
Latency insertion method for the analysis of steady state on-chip power distribution networks and transient simulation of lossy interconnects

Process scaling has led to a significant growth in the number or devices on a chip. Consequently, the length and density of interconnects has increased dramatically. Tradional matrix-vector product based circuit simulations such as SPICE are not computationally efficient for analysis of large circuit problems. This work demonstrates that latency insertion method (LIM) algorithm can be extended to incorporate frequency dependent behavior of circuit elements in the simulation. This method is applied to the analysis of steady-state on-chip power distribution network. Experimental results show that LIM outperforms the random walk method, especially for circuits with large numbers of nodes. Also,expansion of the LIM algorithm to the treatment of networks with frequency-dependent parameters is presented. The ability of the expanded algorithm to model lossy interconnects is demonstrated.
Is anterior cingulate cortex necessary for cognitive control

Summary Functional neuroimaging studies in normal humans suggest that dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) plays an important role in cognitive control. This brain area is reliably activated when tasks require the ongoing adjustment of the allocation of attention. The dACC has come to occupy a central role in theories of attention and cognitive control, which hold that dACC either monitors response conflict, signalling the need for adjustments in cognitive processes, or directly mediates such adjustments. However, functional imaging results cannot establish that a brain area is necessary for a particular cognitive process. This requires evidence from loss-offunction studies. Here we assessed cognitive control in four human subjects with damage to dACC and 12 ageand education-matched control subjects using several measures drawn from the functional imaging literature. All four subjects with dACC damage showed normal adjustments in performance following manipulation of response conflict in both Stroop and go‐no go tasks. Furthermore, damage to the dACC did not impair the phenomenon of post-error slowing, nor alter the ability to adjust performance in response to explicit speed or accuracy instructions. Thus, cognitive control, as assessed by four different measures in two different tasks, appears to be intact in these subjects, arguing against a necessary role for dACC in this process.
Natal dispersal patterns of a subsocial spider Anelosimus cf. jucundus (Theridiidae)

Species that alternate periods of solitary and social living may provide clues to the conditions that favor sociality. Social spiders probably originated from subsocial-like ancestors, species in which siblings remain together for part of their life cycle but disperse prior to mating. Exploring the factors that lead to dispersal in subsocial species, but allow the development of large multigenerational colonies in social species, may provide insight into this transition. We studied the natal dispersal patterns of a subsocial spider, Anelosimus cf. jucundus ,i n Southeastern Arizona. In this population, spiders disperse from their natal nests in their penultimate and antepenultimate instars over a 3-mo period. We tracked the natal dispersal of marked spiders at sites with clustered vs. isolated nests. We found that most spiders initially dispersed less than 5 m from their natal nests. Males and females, and spiders in patches with different densities of nests, dispersed similar distances. The fact that both sexes in a group dispersed, the lack of a sex difference in dispersal distance, and the relatively short distances dispersed are consistent with the hypothesis that natal dispersal results from resource competition within the natal nest, rather than inbreeding avoidance in competition for mates. Additionally, an increase in the average distance dispersed with time and with the number of spiders leaving a nest suggests that competition for nest sites in the vicinity of the natal nest may affect dispersal distances. The similar distances dispersed in patches with isolated vs. clustered nests, in contrast, suggest that competition among dispersers from different nests may not affect dispersal distances.
A case for bufferless routing in on-chip networks

Buffers in on-chip networks consume significant energy, occupy chip area, and increase design complexity. In this paper, we make a case for a new approach to designing on-chip interconnection networks that eliminates the need for buffers for routing or flow control. We describe new algorithms for routing without using buffers in router input/output ports. We analyze the advantages and disadvantages of bufferless routing and discuss how router latency can be reduced by taking advantage of the fact that input/output buffers do not exist. Our evaluations show that routing without buffers significantly reduces the energy consumption of the on-chip cache/processor-to-cache network, while providing similar performance to that of existing buffered routing algorithms at low network utilization (i.e., on most real applications). We conclude that bufferless routing can be an attractive and energy-efficient design option for on-chip cache/processor-to-cache networks where network utilization is low.
An analysis of data distribution methods in classifier combination systems

In systems that combine the outputs of classification methods (combination systems), such as ensembles and multi-agent systems, one of the main constraints is that the base components (classifiers or agents) should be diverse among themselves. In other words, there is clearly no accuracy gain in a system that is composed of a set of identical base components. One way of increasing diversity is through the use of feature selection or data distribution methods in combination systems. In this paper, an investigation of the impact of using data distribution methods among the components of combination systems will be performed. In this investigation, five different methods of data distribution will be used and an analysis of the combination systems, using several different configurations, will be performed. As a result of this analysis, it is aimed to detect which combination systems are more suitable to use feature distribution among the components.
Rac/Rho pathway regulates actin depolymerization induced by aminoglycoside antibiotics

Stress stimuli can lead to remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton and subsequent alteration of cell adhesion and permeation as well as cell functions and cell fate. We investigated redox-dependent Rho GTPase-linked pathways controlling the actin cytoskeleton in the inner ear of the CBA mouse, by using aminoglycoside antibiotics as a noxious stimulus that causes loss of sensory cells via the formation of reactive oxygen species. Kanamycin treatment in vivo interfered with the formation of F-actin, disturbed the arrangement of beta-actin in the stereocilia of outer hair cells, and altered the intermittent adherens junction/tight junction complexes between outer hair cells and supporting cells. The drug treatment also activated Rac1 and promoted the formation of the complex of Rac1 and p67phox while decreasing the activity of RhoA and reducing the formation of the RhoA/p140mDia complex. In inner-ear-derived cell lines, expression of mutated Rac1 changed the structural arrangement of F-actin and diminished the immunoreactivity of p140mDia. These findings suggest that actin depolymerization induced by kanamycin is mediated by Rac1 activation, followed by the formation of superoxide by NADPH oxidase. These changes will ultimately contribute to aminoglycoside-induced loss of hair cells.
Effects of natural light on nitrogen cycling rates in the Mississippi River plume

Isotope-dilution experiments with ‘“NH,+ were conducted on near-surface water samples in the Mississippi River plume during May I992 and July 1993 to quantify community cycling rates for ammonium and determine whether regeneration rates are enhanced by light. Experiments done under natural light in May showed ranges of potential uptake and regeneration rates of O-O.4 PM h-l and O-O.18 PM h-l. Samples collected offshore from the Atchafalaya River and the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River in July yielded potential uptake rates of 0.4-1.8 PM h-l under natural light vs. O-O.45 PM h-l in the dark.’ Ammonium regeneration rates ranged from 0.08 to 0.75 PM h-l in the light and from 0.02 to 0.3 PM h-l in the dark. The observed light/dark regeneration-rate differences imply a close coupling between phytoplankton production and ammonium regeneration. The ratio of bacterial cellspecific regeneration to uptake rates increased in the outer regions of the plume, indicating a changing contribution of bacterial-sized organisms to nitrogen cycling processes in different regions of the plume.
No Change in the Incidence of Ampicillin-Resistant, Neonatal, Early-Onset Sepsis Over 18 Years

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of maternal antibiotic exposure on neonatal early-onset sepsis (EOS) rates over an 18-year period. METHODS: A review was performed of infant and maternal records for all culture- proven cases of EOS in infants delivered at the Brigham and Women9s Hospital (Boston, MA) in 1990–2007. RESULTS: Data were analyzed from 335 EOS cases over periods that differed with respect to hospital policy for intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis against group B Streptococcus (GBS): 1990–1992 (no prophylaxis); 1993–1996 (risk-based); and 1997–2007 (screening-based). The overall incidence of EOS decreased over these periods (3.70 vs 2.23 vs 1.59 cases per 1000 live births; P CONCLUSIONS: Predominant use of penicillin G for GBS prophylaxis resulted in decreased incidence of EOS. No change in the incidence of ampicillin-resistant EOS was observed, but resistant cases were associated with peripartum ampicillin exposure. These findings suggest that obstetricians should consider preferential use of penicillin G for GBS prophylaxis.
Abstract W P363: Mechanism of Protection by Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibition in Type 2 Diabetic Stroke

Hyperglycemia worsens stroke, yet rigorous glycemic control does not improve neurologic outcome. An alternative is to target downstream molecular mediators triggered by hyperglycemia. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is a potential mediator of ischemic injury via its metabolism of neuroprotective epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). We previously demonstrated that sEH mRNA is overexpressed in type 1 diabetic (T1D) mice, and specific sEH blockade protects the brain from the deleterious effect of T1D on stroke. We tested the hypothesis that type 2 diabetes (T2D) exacerbates injury following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in part by up-regulating expression of EPHX2 (gene encoding for sEH) and decreasing brain concentrations of neuroprotective EETs. T2D was produced by combined high-fat diet, nicotinamide and streptozotocin in male C57BL/6J mice. T2D and control mice were treated with vehicle or the sEH inhibitor trans-4-[4-(3-Adamantan-1-yl-ureido) -cyclohexyloxy]-benzoic acid (t-AUCB; 1mg/kg, i.p., 7 days), then subjected to 60-min MCAO. Compared to normal chow-fed mice, high fat diet-fed mice exhibited a 1.7 fold upregulation of EPHX2 mRNA in brain (p<0.05, n=7). T2D mice had increased blood glucose levels compared to control mice before, during and after MCAO (p<0.001, n=4-5). Relative laser-Doppler perfusion of the MCA territory after reperfusion was decreased in T2D mice compared to controls (p<0.05, n= 4-5). Vehicle-treated T2D mice sustained larger cortical infarcts than vehicle-treated control mice (p<0.05, n=5-7). t-AUCB decreased fasting glucose levels at baseline and throughout ischemia (p<0.001, n=4-5) and improved cortical perfusion after MCAO (p<0.001, n=4-5) in T2D mice. In line with these improvements, t-AUCB significantly reduced infarct size in T2D mice (p<0.05 vs. T2D vehicle, n= 5-7). We conclude that increasing EETs bioavailability via sEH inhibition improves stroke outcome in T2D in part by improving glycemic status and improving post-ischemic reperfusion in the ischemic territory.
Lobby(Ectomy): Not in Our Tradition

This is a reprise about the relative impracticality of traditional Public Administration (PA) and the practicality of the post-traditional in resolving non-trivial, macro governmental problems. It focuses, as an example, on the accelerating problem of lobbying and fixing-for-a-fee, usually corporate. Lobby(ectomy) = a surgical removal of a lobby.
Integrated genomic analysis of lung adenocarcinomas identifies loss of the MAPK phosphatase gene DUSP4 in most EGFR mutant tumors

7686 Background: Genomic analyses of lung adenocarcinoma have yielded striking advances that are already impacting on clinical management. Further advances in understanding the biological heterogen...
Simulating International Energy Security

Energy security is placed at risk by exogenous supply shocks, in particular political crises and conflicts that disrupt resource extraction and transportation. In this paper, a computational model of the security of international crude oil supplies is described, and its output analyzed. The model consists of country agents, linked geographically and by a data-derived oil trade network. Countries stochastically experience crises, with probabilities and durations drawn randomly from data-fitted distributions. The effect of these crises on secure oil supplies is measured globally and by country, and the effect of conflict contagion and spare production capacity are also estimated. The model indicates that Russia, Eastern Europe, and much of the Global South are at the greatest risk of supply shocks, while American producers are at greatest risk of demand shocks. It estimates that conflict contagion decreases energy security slightly, while spare capacity has minimal effect.