cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cell Growth Regulation through GM3-enriched Microdomain (Glycosynapse) in Human Lung Embryonal Fibroblast WI38 and Its Oncogenic Transformant VA13

Abstract Cell growth control mechanisms were studied based on organization of components in glycosphingolipid-enriched microdomain (GEM) in WI38 cells versus their oncogenic transformant VA13 cells. Levels of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) and cSrc were 4 times and 2–3 times higher, respectively, in VA13 than in WI38 GEM, whereas the level of tetraspanin CD9/CD81 was 3–5 times higher in WI38 than in VA13 GEM. Csk, the physiological inhibitor of cSrc, was present in WI38 but not in VA13 GEM. Functional association of GEM components in control of cell growth in WI38 is indicated by several lines of evidence. (i) Confluent, growth-inhibited WI38 showed a lower degree of FGF-induced MAPK activation than actively growing cells in sparse culture. (ii) The level of inactive cSrc (with Tyr-527 phosphate) was higher in confluent cells than in actively growing cells. Both processes i and ii were inhibited by GM3 since they were enhanced by GM3 depletion with d-threo-1-phenyl-2-palmitoylamino-3-pyrrolidino-1-propanol (P4). (iii) The high level of inactive cSrc associated with growth-inhibited cells was caused by coexisting Csk in WI38 GEM. (iv) Interaction of GM3 with FGFR was demonstrated by binding of GM3 to FGFR in the GEM fraction, as probed with GM3-coated beads, and by confocal microscopy. In contrast to WI38, both cSrc and MAPK in VA13 were strongly activated regardless of FGF stimulation or GM3 depletion by P4. Continuous, constitutive activation of both cSrc and MAPK was due to (i) a much higher level of cSrc and FGFR in VA13 than in WI38 GEM, (ii) their close association/interaction in VA13 GEM as indicated by clear coimmunoprecipitation between cSrc and FGFR, and (iii) the absence of Csk in VA13 GEM, making GEM incapable of inhibiting cSrc activation.
The Limits of a European Immigration Policy: Elite Opinion and Agendas within the European Parliament

Utilizing data from our surveys of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in 1992–93 and 2003–04, this article samples MEP opinion on immigration-related questions. Its central purpose is to discover if the positions of MEPs on immigration issues have evolved substantially over time and, if so, whether the direction of change supports the supposition that national and partisan orientations are gradually yielding to a consensual and European orientation on immigration-related issues. Our comparative and longitudinal analysis partially confirms that MEP opinion is becoming more consensual. Yet, despite the robust interest of MEPs in forging a common immigration policy, their support for communitarization continues to lag. Specifically, we find that, even as immigration-related issues have become more salient, a preference for having national governments regulate immigration policy has increased, particularly among MEPs from the traditional immigration-receiving countries.
Testis-derived Sertoli cells survive and provide localized immunoprotection for xenografts in rat brain.

Transplantation of neural tissue into the mammalian central nervous system has become an alternative treatment for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease. Logistical and ethical problems in the clinical use of human fetal neural grafts as a source of dopamine for Parkinson's disease patients has hastened a search for successful ways to use animal dopaminergic cells for human transplantation. The present study demonstrates that transplanted testis-derived Sertoli cells into adult rat brains survive. Furthermore, when cotransplanted with bovine adrenal chromaffin cells (xenograft), Sertoli cells produce localized immunoprotection, suppress microglial response and allow the bovine cells to survive in the rat brain without continuous systemic immunosuppressive drugs. These novel features support Sertoli cells as a viable graft source for facilitating the use of xenotransplantation for Parkinson's disease and suggest their use as facilitators (i.e., localized immunosuppression) for cell transplantation in general.
Design theory for a submersible scattering meter

This paper extends the theoretical analysis of an atmospheric polar nephelometer by Pritchard and Elliott1 and applies it to the problem of measuring the volume scattering function of ocean water. Procedures for obtaining the necessary absolute calibrations are also treated theoretically. The analysis yields an equation for the volume scattering function, σ(θ), for each angle θ which requires for its solution a detailed knowledge of the optical properties of a diffusing plastic calibration plate, a somewhat tedious calibration procedure to allow for dependence on the sample volume and on the irradiance input to this volume, and a knowledge of the transmittances of the water used for calibration and the water being measured. The analysis is the foundation for an in situ scattering meter which is currently under construction. No data are given.
On determining the location of complex zeros of solutions of certain linear differential equations

We investigate the location of zeros of solutions for a class of second-order linear differential equations. This class had previously been investigated to determine the frequency of zeros of solutions AMS(MOS): 34A20.
PHASE COMPENSATION FOR FEEDBACK CONTROL OF ENCLOSED SOUND FIELDS

Abstract A method of improving the active control of reverberant sound fields, using phase compensation within a local feedback control loop, is presented in this study. A coupled, feedback model of the reverberant sound field, including in bandwidth transducers, is developed to capture accurately the phase characteristics of the system response, particularly at low-frequencies which dominate closed-loop system performance and stability. Phase compensation is introduced to alleviate problems resulting from in-bandwidth transducers by constraining the open loop system response to emulate positive-real system behaviour over the bandwidth to be controlled. An increase in the dissipation of acoustic energy is observed from the approach presented herein, as opposed to direct output feedback control originally proposed by Olson and May [21].
Numerical Upper Bounds on the {CP} Nonconservation of Neutral Heavy Meson Systems in the Standard Six Quark Model

Using recently obtained bounds on the mixing angles in the standard six-quark model, and calculations of ImGAMMA/sub 12//ReGAMMA/sub 12/ as well as the standard expressions of ImM/sub 12//ReM/sub 12/ for the heavy meson systems D/sup 0/-anti D/sup 0/, B/sup 0/-anti B/sup 0/, and B/sub s//sup 0/-anti B/sub s//sup 0/, upper limits of 4 x 10/sup -3/, 5 x 10/sup -4/, and 7 x 10/sup -4/ are found for the magnitude of the phase-convention-independent quantity 2 Reepsilon/(1 + vertical bar epsilon vertical bar/sup 2/), as a measure of the size of CP nonconservation in these respective systems. 17 references.
Naturalistic and Transcendental Moments in Kant's Moral Philosophy

During the 1760s and 1770s, Kant entertained a naturalistic approach to ethics based on the supposed psychological fact of a human love for freedom. During the critical period, especially in the Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, Kant clearly rejected such an approach. But his attempt at a metaphysical foundation for ethics in section III of the Groundwork was equally clearly a failure. Kant recognized this in his appeal to the “fact of reason” argument in the Critique of Practical Reason, but thereby gave up on any attempt to ground the fundamental principle of morality at all. So it is of interest to see how far we might now proceed along the lines of his original naturalistic approach.
Options for Pharmacological Treatment of Refractory Bipolar Depression

Bipolar disorders of types I and II, even when treated by currently standard options, show a marked excess of depressive morbidity. Treated, type I patients in mid-course or from the onset of illness are ill, overall, 50 % of weeks of follow-up, and 75 % of that unresolved morbidity is depressive. Currently widely held impressions are that bipolar depression typically is poorly responsive to antidepressants, that treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is characteristic of the disorder, and that risk of mania with antidepressant treatment is very high. However, none of these views is supported consistently by available research. TRD may be more prevalent in bipolar than unipolar mood disorders. Relatively intense research attention is directed toward characteristics and treatments of TRD in unipolar depression, but studies of bipolar TRD are uncommon. We found only five controlled trials, plus 10 uncontrolled trials, providing data on a total of 13 drug treatments, all of which involved one or two trials, in 87 % as add-ons to complex, uncontrolled regimens. In two controlled trials, ketamine was superior to placebo but it is short-acting and not orally active; pramipexole was weakly superior to placebo in one controlled trial; three other drugs failed to outperform controls. Other pharmacotherapies are inadequately evaluated and nonpharmacological options are virtually untested in bipolar TRD. The available research supports the view that antidepressants may be effective in bipolar depression provided that currently agitated patients are excluded, that risk of mania with antidepressants is only moderately greater than risk of spontaneous mania, and that bipolar TRD is not necessarily resistant to all treatments.
MULTI-CHANNEL MAGNETOGRAPH OBSERVATIONS. III. FACULAE.

Simultaneous observations of photospheric magnetic fields, Caii K emission, the ‘photospheric network’ and continuum faculae show that these four quantities are correlated in a complicated manner. The photospheric and calcium networks show increasing contrast with increasing magnetic field strength up to field strengths of about 500 G. Higher values of the magnetic field are found only in pores and sunspots. Continuum faculae also show increasing contrast with increasing magnetic field strength (even at the disk center), but this contrast reaches a maximum at field strengths of about 200 G. At higher field strengths, continuum faculae become monotonically darker until pore or spunspot conditions are reached. Measurements of the photospheric network and the continuum faculae over a wide range of μ result in families of limb contrast curves. These curves indicate that the dependence on H is as important as the dependence on μ. They also indicate that the magnetic field has a preferred inclination of about 50°. The facular contrast shows little dependence on resolution. This is interpreted in terms of a geometric model in which faculae are clumps of many individual flux tubes. These tubes are closely packed and unresolvable in the photosphere, but are more widely spaced, and therefore resolvable, in the low chromosphere.
Are researchers bound by child abuse reporting laws

Abstract Objective: To discuss issues concerning mandatory reporting of child abuse in research settings. Method: An overview of existing Federal and State statutes regarding mandatory reporting of child abuse is presented. A critical review of the literature addresses the following issues: (1) whether researchers have a moral duty to place the health and safety of children above concerns about confidentiality and the benefits of obtaining new knowledge; (2) whether the Certificate of Confidentiality preempts reporting requirements; (3) whether researchers who are not health professionals (such as child developmentalists, psychobiologists, neuroscientists) should be required to report; and (4) whether researchers should be required to expand their protocols to include more in-depth investigation of potential abuse. Results: Existing child abuse reporting laws do not specifically designate researchers as among the category of individuals mandated to report suspected child abuse. Currently, Human Subject Protection Committees and Federal funding agencies are tending to interpret reporting laws as applying to researchers, including requiring that research subjects are informed of this responsibility in consenting procedures. It is unclear whether the Certificate of Confidentiality preempts child abuse reporting laws. Conclusion: The authors recommend that legislatures specifically designate researchers as mandated reporters to ensure more uniform reporting practices in research settings. For both investigators and Human Subject Protection Committees, inclusion of researchers among the categories of those mandated to report would also help address issues of immunity from civil and criminal liability for “good faith” reports that turn out to be false and injurious.
Climate stability and the development of agricultural societies

Although Modern Man had developed long before the migration from Africa began ∼ 55,000 years ago no agricultural societies developed until about ∼ 10,000 years ago. In the next 5,000 years agricultures developed independently in at least six regions of the world. It is virtually certain that it was not a chance occurrence that so many new agricultures appeared in the same 5,000 years. What inhibited agriculture world wide for 44,000 years and what changed ∼ 10,000 years ago? Here we suggest that a major factor influencing the development of agricultural societies was climate stability. From the experience of four cultures we estimate that the development of agriculture needed ∼ 2,000 years of climate free from significant climate variations on time scales of a few centuries. Using the Empirical Mode Decomposition technique specifically designed to exhibit the time history of the amplitude of variations in non-stationary time series such as climate proxy records, we find that between 50,000 years ago and the termination of the Younger Dryas ∼ 11,600 years ago there was probably no time span as long as 2,000 years that was free of relatively large century scale variations. Furthermore variations on these time scales appear to have been relatively small since the Younger Dryas (YD) ended, supporting our proposition concerning the importance of climate stability in the history of human culture.
The Global Drug Gap

Global inequities in access to pharmaceutical products exist between rich and poor countries because of market and government failures as well as huge income differences. Multiple policies are required to address this global drug gap for three categories of pharmaceutical products: essential drugs, new drugs, and yet-to-be-developed drugs. Policies should combine “push” approaches of financial subsidies to support targeted drug development, “pull” approaches of financial incentives such as market guarantees, and “process” approaches aimed at improved institutional capacity. Constructive solutions are needed that can both protect the incentives for research and development and reduce the inequities of access.
Effects of Chemical State and of Mechanical Deformation on the Wave-length of X-ray Emission Lines

THE effects of the chemical state of a specimen on the wave-length of the characteristic X-ray lines emitted have regained interest recently, as can be judged by the numerous papers presented on this topic at the 1964 Denver Conference on Applications of X-Ray Analysis. The subject of the influence of chemical bonding on X-ray spectra is not new; it has been dealt with, for example, by Baun and Fischer1 and has been summarized by Faessler2 and Herglotz3. This communication presents some further and rather striking evidence for this ‘chemical shift’.
Pediatric renal cell carcinoma: a complete response to recombinant interleukin-2 in a child with metastatic disease at diagnosis.

Renal cell carcinoma is a rare pediatric malignancy that appears to have a similar clinical outcome in children and adults. We review the experience of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and compare it with the published pediatric series, reporting on seven cases from 1954 to the present. As in earlier pediatric series, we find that Stage I/II patients do well (five of five complete responses with prolonged disease-free survival) with surgical resection. As in other pediatric series, our only Stage III patient died of disease. We also report on a recent case of renal cell carcinoma, metastatic to lymph nodes and lung parenchyma at diagnosis (Stage IV). This patient was treated with high dose continuous infusion recombinant interleukin-2 and had a partial response. The patient attained a complete response following a second laparotomy and two subsequent cycles of recombinant interleukin-2. He is presently well, without evidence of disease, 3 1/2 years after diagnosis. The significance of this form of therapy to advanced renal cell carcinoma in childhood is discussed. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Primary Interaction of Poliomyelitis Virus with Host Cells of Tissue Culture Origin.

Abstract The inorganic salts CaCl2 and MgCl2 promoted the attachment of poliomyelitis virus to monkey kidney tissue culture cells in suspension. The rate of virus attachment was found to be dependent on the concentration of these salts. No attachment was demonstrable at 10−1 M or higher and 10−5 M or lower concentrations of the above salts. Optimal attachment rates occurred at 10−3 M calcium or magnesium chloride. Temperature exerted no significant effect on the virus attachment rate within the range of 37° to 1°. A nonadsorbing system of virus and cells was converted into a rapidly reacting one by the addition of CaCl2 to a final concentration of 10−3 M. These data suggested that the initial binding of poliomyelitis virus to host cells is mediated through electrostatic bonding.
Action-based learning : Goals and attention in the acquisition of market knowledge

Abstract In this article, the authors examine the costs and benefits of action-based learning (i.e., learning that occurs as a by-product of making repeated decisions with outcome feedback). The authors report the results of three experiments that investigate the effects of different decision goals on what is learned and how transferable that learning is across related decision tasks. Contrary to popular wisdom, compared with traditional learning, experiential learning is likely to be a risky proposition because it can be either accurate and efficient or errorful and biased.
EFFECTS OF MULTIPLE ADMINISTRATIONS OF THE MMPI FOR EMPLOYEE SCREENING

Psychological screening has become commonplace in a number of occupational groups. With the growing popularity of screening and the relative scarcity of appropriate personality measures, re-screening individuals with the same inventory is frequent. This paper examines the effect of re-screening with the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) on contract workers (n = 1,997) from the nuclear power industry. Participants completed the Inventory as a part of a routine screening procedure. Each participant provided several profiles as a result of regular employment cycles. Although the differences are generally small, some scales show large enough mean changes to warrant concern when interpreting the profiles of those who have taken the profile multiple times. Although scale reliabilities tend to increase, the usefulness of the Inventory appears to decrease with an increasing number of administrations. The effect is one of increasing normality of test profiles. One interpretation of the results is that candidates for jobs become “test-wise,” and the scores are the result of a combination of responses to the repeated assessment. It becomes increasingly difficult to identify unfit employees with the Inventory. Given these results, further research on retesting effects of the Inventov, as well as other personality measures, is indicated.
A Re-Configurable Test Apparatus for Complex Nonlinear Dynamic Systems

This paper reports the results of an analytical and experimental study to design, analyze, construct, test, and evaluate a re-configurable test-bed to allow the convenient performance of sophisticated experiments in a laboratory setting for investigating a broad category of important nonlinear, time-varying phenomena that are widely encountered in the applied mechanics field. The essential elements of the test apparatus include an electro-dynamic exciter that drives an oscillating mass whose restoring force is easily adjustable from one resembling a linear SDOF mass-spring-damper system with constant coefficients, to one that can represent systems with nonlinear elastic forces, to one that models systems possessing hysteretic properties with precisely-controlled time-varying characteristics. The apparatus design is economical to fabricate, convenient to manipulate, and it provides results that can be accurately replicated under repeated test combinations of system parameters and dynamic loads. The utility of the apparatus to provide an investigational tool for studying the dynamic response of systems with time-varying dry-friction forces that give rise to hysteretic phenomena is demonstrated. Sophisticated on-line system-identification techniques are used to estimate the parameters of reduced-order models that capture the dominant features of the physical model. It is shown that the apparatus under discussion is a useful research tool for investigators conducting studies in physics-based models of generic nonlinear dynamic systems.
Identification of ergonomics interventions used to reduce musculoskeletal loading for building installation tasks.

Abstract Skilled workers in the mechanical and electrical installation (M/EI) building and construction trades experience high rates of disabling work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The M/EI trades involve installing piping; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. In the absence of an ergonomics standard in the United States, some building and construction contractors, including M/EI sector contractors, have implemented various ergonomics interventions on their worksites on a voluntary basis. However, no data were available to determine the type of voluntary control measures being implemented, the task-specific hazards for which control measures needed to be developed or refined, and perceived barriers to improving hazard control. As part of a larger effort to obtain this data, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) organized a stakeholder meeting to gather information regarding ergonomics interventions or ‘best practices’ by M/EI contractors and tradespeople. The attendees included 39 industry representatives, 17 construction ergonomics researchers from government and academia, and four ergonomics consultants with experience in the construction industry. Participants spent more than 50% of time meeting in small trade-specific breakout sessions. According to the participants, tasks common to the three trades included (1) drill holes and shoot fasteners; (2) place and install systems, and (3) lift and carry materials and equipment. Engineering interventions described in the stakeholder meeting included tools, equipment, and engineered building materials; administrative controls largely consisted of training and education programs and modifications of work and management practice. Most participants believed that there were significant limits to the impact individual contractors and tradespeople could have in leading ergonomics improvement in the building and construction industry.
Clinical Outcomes of Patients Receiving Integrated PET/CT-Guided Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Carcinoma

Purpose We previously reported the advantages of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography (PET) fused with CT for radiotherapy planning over CT alone in head and neck carcinoma (HNC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and the predictive value of PET for patients receiving PET/CT-guided definitive radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. Methods and Materials From December 2002 to August 2006, 42 patients received PET/CT imaging as part of staging and radiotherapy planning. Clinical outcomes including locoregional recurrence, distant metastasis, death, and treatment-related toxicities were collected retrospectively and analyzed for disease-free and overall survival and cumulative incidence of recurrence. Results Median follow-up from initiation of treatment was 32 months. Overall survival and disease-free survival were 82.8% and 71.0%, respectively, at 2 years, and 74.1% and 66.9% at 3 years. Of the 42 patients, seven recurrences were identified (three LR, one DM, three both LR and DM). Mean time to recurrence was 9.4 months. Cumulative risk of recurrence was 18.7%. The maximum standard uptake volume (SUV) of primary tumor, adenopathy, or both on PET did not correlate with recurrence, with mean values of 12.0 for treatment failures vs. 11.7 for all patients. Toxicities identified in those patients receiving intensity modulated radiation therapy were also evaluated. Conclusions A high level of disease control combined with favorable toxicity profiles was achieved in a cohort of HNC patients receiving PET/CT fusion guided radiotherapy plus/minus chemotherapy. Maximum SUV of primary tumor and/or adenopathy was not predictive of risk of disease recurrence.
Quantitative phosphoproteomics in nuclei of vasopressin-sensitive renal collecting duct cells

Vasopressin regulates transport across the collecting duct epithelium in part via effects on gene transcription. Transcriptional regulation occurs partially via changes in phosphorylation of transc...
The effect of REM sleep deprivation on motivation for food reward

Prolonged sleep deprivation in rats produces a characteristic syndrome consisting of an increase in food intake yet a decrease in weight. Moreover, the increase in food intake generally precedes the weight loss, suggesting that sleep deprivation may affect appetitive behaviors. Using the multiple platform method to produce rapid eye movement (REM) sleep deprivation, we investigated the effect of REM sleep deprivation (REMSD) on motivation for food reward utilizing food-reinforced operant tasks. In acquisition or maintenance of an operant task, REM sleep-deprived rats, with or without simultaneous food restriction, decreased responding for sucrose pellet reward in comparison to controls, despite the fact that all REM sleep-deprived rats lost weight. Furthermore, the overall response deficit of the REM sleep-deprived rats was due to a within-session decline in responding. REM sleep-deprived rats showed evidence of understanding the contingency of the task comparable to controls throughout deprivation period, suggesting that the decrements in responding were not primarily related to deficits in learning or memory. Rather, REM sleep deprivation appears to alter systems involved in motivational processes, reward, and/or attention.
Disulfide Bonds Are Required for Folding and Secretion of Apolipoprotein B Regardless of Its Lipidation State

Apolipoprotein (apo) B-100, an essential protein for the assembly and secretion of very low density lipoproteins depends on lipid binding (lipidation) for its secretion. Seven of its 8 disulfides are clustered within the N-terminal 21%. The role of these disulfides in the secretion of lipidated or unlipidated truncated forms of apoB was studied in C127 cells expressing apoB-17, apoB-29, or apoB-41. These cells do not express microsomal triglyceride transfer protein yet secrete apoB-41 on triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins while apoB-29 and apoB-17 are secreted with little or no lipid, respectively. Dithiothreitol utilized in pulse-chase studies prevented the cotranslational formation of disulfides and when added posttranslationally reduced native disulfides. As a result, the secretion of reduced apoB forms was blocked and they were retained in the cells. Reduced apoB polypeptides were rescued following removal of dithiothreitol, as they underwent post-translational disulfide bonding, attained their mature form, and were subsequently secreted. Together the data suggest that in C127 cells the formation of native disulfides is critical for the folding and secretion of apoB independent of its length, its requirement for lipidation or microsomal triglyceride transfer protein expression. Therefore, these cells provide an appropriate model to study the folding of apoB in great detail.
Potential emissions reductions from the use of dual-combined heat and power systems in different climate conditions

In this paper, the potential carbon dioxide emissions (CDE) reduction from the use of a combined heat and power system with two power generation units (D-CHP) is examined for a restaurant building in nine different climate conditions. The performance of the D-CHP system is evaluated on the basis of CDE and operational cost savings. In addition, the results from the D-CHP optimised scheme are compared with the optimised results of a base-loaded CHP (BL-CHP) system and a CHP system operated following the electric load (CHP-FEL). Results show that the D-CHP system produces greater savings over BL-CHP and CHP-FEL for most of the locations examined, whether optimised based on CDE or based on cost. Moreover, the effect of the emissions and cost spark spreads for each location on the D-CHP system performance is analysed. Results indicate that higher spark spreads are shown to yield greater savings for all CHP configurations.
Clinical and manometric features of the lower esophageal muscular ring

Abstract OBJECTIVE: In contrast to the well-recognized Schatzki’s ring, the lower esophageal muscular ring remains a poorly defined entity. The purpose of this study is to report on the clinical features of three patients with lower esophageal muscular rings and review the literature on this disorder, to better understand its importance as a cause of dysphagia. METHODS: Three patients presenting to the West Roxbury VA Medical Center were identified as having a contractile, focal narrowing in the distal esophagus by upper GI series. Clinical histories were obtained and endoscopic and manometric evaluations were performed. RESULTS: The three patients had symptoms consisting of chronic, intermittent dysphagia for both liquids and solids. The results of barium swallows and upper endoscopic examinations were similar and revealed a focal, thick constriction of variable luminal diameter located a few centimeters above the squamocolumnar junction. Esophageal motility testing revealed peristaltic, high-amplitude, long-duration, and multiple peaked contractions. Lower esophageal sphincter function was normal. The patients derived partial or only temporary relief of dysphagia with esophageal dilation with rigid dilators. All three patients had significant symptomatic responses to anticholinergic agents. CONCLUSIONS: Lower esophageal muscular rings are an uncommon but important cause of dysphagia. Significant esophageal motility abnormalities can be found in symptomatic patients. Distinguishing the lower esophageal muscular ring from the Schatzki’s ring is important because of differences in the treatment and outcome of the two conditions.
Erratum: Observed Dispersion Relation of Yanai Waves and 17-Day Tropical Instability Waves in the Pacific Ocean [SOLA Vol.6(2010), pp.17-20]

The number (0.26 m) in the caption of Fig. 1 was incorrect. The correct sentence is given here:A 3rd sentence in the Fig. 1 caption.“The curves indicate Yanai wave dispersion relation for equivalent depths of 0.8 m and 0.23 m.”
Mass spectra deconvolution of low, medium, and high volatility biogenic secondary organic aerosol.

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) consists of compounds with a wide range of volatilities and its ambient concentration is sensitive to this volatility distribution. Recent field studies have shown t...
Offering an American Graduate Medical HIV Course to Health Care Workers in Resource-Limited Settings via the Internet

Background Western accredited medical universities can offer graduate-level academic courses to health care workers (HCWs) in resource-limited settings through the internet. It is not known whether HCWs are interested in these online courses, whether they can perform as well as matriculated students, or whether such courses are educationally or practically relevant. Methods and Findings In 2011, the University of Washington (UW) Schools of Medicine and Nursing offered the graduate course, “Clinical Management of HIV”, to HCWs that included a demographic survey, knowledge assessment, and course evaluation. UW faculty delivered HIV clinical topics through ten 2-hour weekly sessions from the perspectives of practicing HIV medicine in developed and developing settings. HCWs viewed lectures through Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro (Adobe Systems, San Jose, CA), and completed online homework on HIV Web Study (http://depts.washington.edu/hivaids/) and online quizzes. HCWs, who met the same passing requirements as UW students by attending 80% lectures, completing ≥90% homework, and achieving a cumulative ≥70% grade on quizzes, were awarded a certificate. 369 HCWs at 33 sites in 21 countries joined the course in 2011, a >15-fold increase since the course was first offered in 2007. The majority of HCWs came from Africa (72%), and most were physicians (41%), nurses (22%), or midlevel practitioners (20%). 298 HCWs (81%) passed all requirements and earned a certificate. In a paired analysis of pre- and post-course HIV knowledge assessments, 56% of HCWs improved their post-course score (p<0.0001) with 27% improving by at least 30%. In the course evaluation, most HCWs rated the course as excellent (53%) or very good (39%). Conclusions This online HIV course demonstrated that opening a Western graduate medical and nursing curriculum to HCWs in resource-limited settings is feasible, popular, and valuable, and may address logistic and economic barriers to the provision of high quality education in these settings.
The hydrogen chemical shielding anisotropies of the methyl halides as measured in smectic liquid crystal solvents

Abstract Hydrogen chemical shielding anisotropies for the methyl halides are measured using the smectic phase liquid crystals 4-n-pentyloxybenzylidene-4′-p-aminoacetophenone (PBAA), and 4-n-hexyloxybenzylidene-4′-p-aminoacetophenone (HBAA). The method enables one to obtained shielding anisotropies from measurements in the smectic phase only and at a single temperature, and essentially eliminates most effects attributed the changes of phase and temperature. A trend is observed for the shielding anisotropies of the methyl halides, with the anisotropy of methyl fluoride being somewhat large and negative, that of methyl chloride and of methyl bromide being small and positive, and that of methyl iodide being somewhat large and positive. The use of 50 mol % (PBAA)-50 mol % (HBAA) mixture enables one to perform measurements in the smectic phase from approximately room temperature to 100°C.
Long-Term Outcomes of Radial Keratotomy, Laser In Situ Keratomileusis, and Astigmatic Keratotomy Performed Consecutively over a Period of 21 Years.

Purpose. To describe a case of 3 refractive procedures performed in one eye over 2 decades. Methods. Case report. Results. A 41-year-old patient presented for refractive surgery evaluation. His ocular history includes bilateral radial keratotomy performed 21 years ago for moderate myopia: spherical equivalence of −4.25 D bilaterally. Postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 20/30; however, over time he developed a hyperopic shift and UCVA decreased to 20/40 in the right eye. Thus, laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) was performed at an outside institution 6.5 years later, and the patient had initial improvement of UCVA to 20/25. Due to a change in refractive error, the patient underwent uneventful astigmatic keratotomy 13 years after LASIK in the right eye, and 1.5 years after surgery best-corrected visual acuity was 20/25 with manifest refraction of − °. Conclusion. We report the outcomes and natural refractive progression in a patient who underwent three corneal refractive procedures over two decades. This case underlines the difficulties of long-term management of post-RK hyperopia and astigmatism.
Quadratic synthhesis of integrated active controls for an aeroelastic forward-swept-wing aircraft

State variable representations of flexible aircraft are obtained using a modeling approach which first defines a mean-reference axis coordinate system. The active system design approach for forward-swept-wing aircraft also expresses structural deformations of the wing in terms of free normal vibration modes relative to this mean reference axis. Calculations which assume quasi-steady incompressible aerodynamics are performed to obtain generalized force expressions for flight conditions. The use of this quadratic synthesis technique shows that increased performance and redundancy over decentralized approaches can be achieved using integrated active longitudinal stability augmentation and aeroelastic stabilization.
Length of postovariectomy interval and age, but not estrogen replacement, regulate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor mRNA levels in the hippocampus of female rats

Estrogens and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors regulate multiple aspects of morphological and functional plasticity in young animals. For example, estrogens increase spine density in the hippocampus, and NMDA antagonists block these effects. Few studies have examined the effects of age, postovariectomy interval, and duration of estrogen replacement in the hippocampus and more specifically on NMDA receptor subunits. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of short- and long-term estrogen replacement or deprivation on mRNA levels of three NMDA receptor subunits, NR1, NR2A, and NR2B, in the hippocampus of aging female Sprague-Dawley rats. Young (3- to 4-month-old) and middle-aged (12- to 13-month-old) rats were ovariectomized for 1 month and then treated with estrogen or vehicle for either 2 days or 2 weeks. Another set of middle-aged and aged (24-to 25-month-old) animals were ovariectomized for 6 months and treated with estrogen or vehicle for 2 days or 2 weeks. RNase protection assay was used to assess changes in the NMDA receptor subunit mRNA levels. Our results demonstrated significant effects of age and length of ovariectomy on NMDA receptor mRNA levels, with little effect of the estrogen status of the animals on these parameters. The largest effect was seen for the length of the postovariectomy interval, with the results demonstrating that rats with a short-term ovariectomy have substantially higher NMDA receptor subunit mRNA levels than animals with long-term ovariectomy. The most dramatic effects of aging were seen for NR1 and NR2B mRNAs in ventral hippocampus, with large age-related increases. These data suggest that age and duration of ovariectomy impact NMDA receptor mRNA levels in the hippocampus, potentially affecting the stoichiometry and/or function of these receptors. These findings have important implications for postmenopausal or hysterectomy/oophorectomy estrogen depletion and replacement in humans.
Systemic immune response to peripheral nerve transplants across major histocompatibility class-I and class-II barriers

The use of peripheral nerve transplantation in limb reconstruction has been limited by tissue rejection. In order to identify the major histocompatibility antigens involved in tissue rejection, mutant strains of inbred mice, differing from the parent strain (C57BL/6) by either major histocompatibility complex Class I (B6.C-H2bml mice) or Class II (B6.C-H2bml2 mice), were used in models of nerve transplantation. One, 2, and 3 weeks after nerve or skin transplantation, the immune response in the recipient animal was monitored with use of lymphocyte-dependent cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity assays. Skin transplants were used for comparison as the gold standard of a nonvascularized graft with an easily observable success or failure. There was no significant cellular immune response by the lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity assay when nerve or skin transplants involved an isolated Class-I or Class-II mismatch, but there was a significant response 2 weeks after transplantations across a combined Class-I and Class-II barrier for nerve (p < 0.04) or skin (p < 0.03). An antibody response to the grafts occurred for both skin and nerve transplants but only when a combined barrier was involved. This preliminary study, using a mouse model, suggests that nerve transplantation may be performed without systemic evidence of rejection with only a partial cross match of the major histocompatibility complexes, thus decreasing the complexity of tissue typing necessary for tissue banking.
Women Graduates of the U. S. Coast Guard Academy: Views from the Bridge

The presence of women at the service academies and on ships has resulted in a growing body of literature. Since the admission of women to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1976, researchers have measured and evaluated attitudes toward the new women cadets and agree that acceptance and integration present problems. Because of the small number of women, these studies have investigated only male perceptions and attitudes. This study, based primarily on interviews, examines the experiences of women who graduated from the academy and received Coast Guard commissions in 1980, 1981, and 1982, the first integrated classes.
Recursive turing machines

The Turing machine model is extended to allow for recursive calls and the basic theory of these machines is developed. The model is also used to study the following additional topics: The time and storage needed to implement recursive algorithms by non-recursive algorithms, the storage needed to implement non-deterministic algorithms by deterministic algorithms, and the implementation of recursive algorithms by means of stack machines. Some attention is given to time bounds but the emphasis is on storage-bounded computations.
1378 CLINICAL TRIAL OF TRACHEAL INSTILLATION OF CALFLUNG LIPID (CLL) AT BIRTH T0 PREVENT HYALINE MEMBRANE DISEASE (HMD)

1378 CLINICAL TRIAL OF TRACHEAL INSTILLATION OF CALFLUNG LIPID (CLL) AT BIRTH T0 PREVENT HYALINE MEMBRANE DISEASE (HMD)
Ten year follow up of patients referred for coronary artery bypass grafting from a single district general hospital

Objective—To determine the status of patients 10 years after referral for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Design—Retrospective analysis of case notes from all patients referred between 1 April 1981 and 31 March 1985. Full information gathered from hospital notes, GP records, and Registrar General for Scotland. Setting—District General Hospital, West Lothian, Scotland. Patients—102 patients referred for CABG during study period. Cardiac surgery was undertaken in Brompton Hospital, London, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, and Western Infirmary, Glasgow. Results—At 10 years after operation 32 patients had died (27 cardiac, five non-cardiac causes). Full data were not available for five patients. Of the 65 remaining patients 24 had no angina, 13 had had a repeat procedure (CABG or angioplasty), and 28 had angina. Conclusions—Long term benefits of CABG surgery is disappointing. Further steps are required to reduce progression of disease in this population. Keywords: coronary artery bypass surgery; repeat procedure; survival; audit
Earth-Resources Technology Satellite: NASA Data-Processing Facility

The earth-resources technology satellite (ERTS) NASA Data-Processing Facility (NDPF) is organized functionally into two units: 1) the telemetry and image data processing (TIDP) where the bulk of all data are transformed into user-oriented media; and 2) The data services laboratory (DSL) where all production scheduling, accounting, cataloging, storage and retrieval, dissemination, and user services will be performed. The NDPF will be a dedicated facility for doing only ERTS processing and will be colocated with the Operations Control Center (OCC) on the top floor of Building 23 at Goddard Space Flight Center. The facility is being planned to be capable of processing a data volume based on continental U. S. coverage plus 1 hour per day of video data obtained from an on-board wide-band video tape recorder.
Combinatorial interaction of light‐responsive elements plays a critical role in determining the response characteristics of light‐regulated promoters in Arabidopsis

We have studied the roles of PhyA, PhyB and CRY1 photoreceptors and the downstream light-signaling components, COP1 and DET1, in mediating high-irradiance light-controlled activity of promoters containing synthetic light-responsive elements (LRE). Promoters with paired LREs were able to respond to a wide spectrum of light through multiple photoreceptors, while the light-inducible single LRE promoters primarily responded to a specific wavelength of light. In addition, our results indicate that Cry1 is involved in PhyB-mediated red-light induction of the G-GATA/NOS101 promoter, and that both Cry1 and PhyB are required for effective repression of the GT1/NOS101 promoter by red or blue light. An interaction between PhyA and PhyB in mediating GT1-GATA/NOS101 promoter light activation was also observed. Furthermore, our data indicate that COP1 and DET1 exert negative control in the dark only on paired LRE promoters but not single LRE promoters. From these results, we conclude that the combinatorial interaction of LREs is essential in determining the ability of light-responsive promoters to be modulated by crucial cellular regulators and to respond to diverse light environments.
Article title misstates the role of pavement sealers

Abstract The claim made in the title of Witter et al. (2014) “Coal-tar-based sealcoated pavement: A major PAH source to urban stream sediments” is not supported by the data presented. The author's use of Pearson correlation coefficients is insufficient to indicate causation. The application of spatial analysis and principle component analysis did not include sealer specific inputs, so provides no basis for the claim. To test the hypothesis that sealers are a source of PAHs in the stream studied, EPA's Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) source evaluation model was applied to Witter's sediment data. CMB found an excellent fit ( R 2 > 0.999) between measured and modeled PAH concentrations when sealers were not included as a potential source. This finding does not support Witter et al. (2014) claim that sealers are a major source of PAHs.
System performance prediction for personal communication systems

A new location reliability formula, based on a path loss model appropriate for microcellular communication, is derived. Also an improved interpolation formula, for the calculation of log-normal shadow fading loss is presented.
Total Dose Effects in CMOS Trench Isolation Regions

A model for inversion in trench isolation is developed using an analytical model to calculate the surface charge density along the trench sidewall. The model shows that the inversion path takes place well below the trench corner for devices with 180 nm feature size. The increased hardness of highly scaled devices is caused by a combination of higher doping levels and a decrease in the lateral charge collection path within the trench.
Microfabricated silicon solid immersion lens

We present the microfabrication of a solid immersion lens from silicon for scanning near-field optical microscopy. The solid immersion lens (SIL) achieves spatial resolution better than the diffraction limit in air without the losses associated with tapered optical fibers. A 15-/spl mu/m-diameter SIL is formed by reflowing photoresist in acetone vapor and transferring the shape into single-crystal Si with reactive ion etching. The lens is integrated onto a cantilever for scanning, and a tip is fabricated opposite the lens to localize lens-sample contact. Using the Si SIL, we show that microfabricrated lenses have greater optical transparency and less aberration than conventional lenses by focusing a plane wave of 633-nm light to a spot close to a wavelength in diameter. Microlenses made from absorbing materials can be used when the lens thickness Is comparable to the penetration depth of the light. Tolerance to errors in curvature and thickness is improved in micromachined lenses, because spherical aberrations decrease with lens diameter. We demonstrate scanning near-field optical microscopy with the Si SIL and achieve spatial resolution below the diffraction limit in air by resolving 200-nm lines with 633-nm light.