cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development sensitivity for reconciliation : lessons learned from Rwanda

Reconciliation and development are deeply interconnected in conflict-affected societies. The relationship between them, however, is far from self-evident. This article examines the nature of their interdependence and explores ways in which practitioners of reconciliation and development can integrate these two sets of activities. Examples of relevant concepts in reconciliation and development will be derived from the research I conducted in Rwanda in January 2012. This is supplemented by the practical experience I have gained over the years as a practitioner of reconciliation and development in Africa and elsewhere. In this article, development is defined as a progressive satisfaction of basic human needs, both material and non-material, with the emphasis on those most in need. Reconciliation refers to a sustained communal process that facilitates healing from trauma and closure to revenge. Conceptually, reconciliation is a subtype of conflict transformation. This is a term used to describe an umbrella category of practices that seek to understand conflict sources and contexts in a systematic, multi-angled manner. This understanding is used to redirect the way of relationship-building toward sustainable coexistence. While this article focuses primarily on reconciliation, it also argues that lessons learned from this inquiry apply to conflict transformation in general. This is because reconciliation and conflict transformation both share the core practice of rebuilding human relationships.
Bearing Witness: How Controversial Organizations Get the Media Coverage They Want

Activists need mass media to reach the largest audience possible, but getting media attention is difficult. Although disruptive protests are more likely to get covered by journalists, scholars claim that the resulting coverage is usually undesirable. Getting beneficial coverage presents a tactical dilemma for activists, and an analytical one for scholars. How do activists get the quality of media coverage they want when the tactics getting them attention result in negative coverage? This project contributes to the literature on movements and media in two ways: (1) I offer a new measure of desirable coverage that will be useful to media scholars: graphic description of grievances; (2) I use this measure to show that disruptive and controversial protest tactics may not always result in negative media attention. The new measure of ‘good’ media coverage helped determine conditions under which newspapers provide activists with the coverage they want. I used the Dynamics of Collective Action dataset to analyze ...
Flagellin gene typing of Campylobacter jejuni by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

We developed and studied a molecular typing approach for Campylobacter spp. with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the flagellin gene flaA in C. jejuni. Using polymerase chain reaction, we amplified the flaA gene from strains comprising different HL:O serotypes by using a primer set directed at the conserved 5' and 3' flaA gene sequence to generate a 1.7-kb amplicon. The amplicon was further digested with the restriction enzyme DdeI, and the fragments generated were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. In 43 non-outbreak strains of six common HL serotypes (HL 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, and 36) in the United States, 18 RFLP patterns were observed. In U.S. outbreak strains previously studied by 10 other typing methods, flaA typing correlated with the HL serotype within each outbreak, and six additional flaA types were identified. Our results suggest that RFLP analysis of the flaA gene from Campylobacter spp. has sufficient discrimination to be useful as a practical typing method for clinical and epidemiologic investigations.
Structures and thermochemistry of calcium-containing molecules.

A variety of theoretical procedures, including the high-level ab initio methods G3, G3[CC](dir,full), and W2C//ACQ, have been used to predict the structures and heats of formation of several small calcium-containing molecules (CaH, CaH2, CaO, CaOH, Ca(OH)2, CaF, CaF2, CaS, CaCl, and CaCl2). B3-LYP and CCSD(T) with both the (aug-)cc-pWCVQZ and (aug-)cc-pWCVQ+dZ basis sets are found to give molecular geometries that agree well with the experimental results. The CCSD(T)(riv)/(aug-)cc-pWCVQ+dZ results are found to be the most accurate, with a mean absolute deviation from experiment of just 0.008 A. Zero-point vibrational energies (ZPVEs) and thermochemical corrections are found to be relatively insensitive to the level of theory, except in the case of molecules with highly anharmonic calcium-centered bending modes (CaH2, Ca(OH)2, CaF2, CaCl2), where special procedures need to be employed in order to obtain satisfactory results. Several potential improvements to the W2C method were investigated, most of which ...
Role of spinal serotonin1 receptor subtypes in thermally and mechanically elicited nociceptive reflexes

The ability of 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B agonists to alter a spinal animal's nociceptive threshold was examined using two analgesiometric tests. In the spinal withdrawal reflex test, administration of the selective 5-HT1A agonists ipsapirone, gepirone and PAPP resulted in significant dose-dependent increases in receptive field (RF) area for withdrawal reflexes when compared to predrug baseline values, indicating an increase in nociceptive sensitivity. The average overall percent maximal increase in RF area following administration of 5-HT1A selective compounds was: 80±16% for the ventroflexion reflex, 90±6% for the dorsiflexion reflex and 87±8% for the lateral flexion reflex. Similar to the effects noted with 5-HT1A agonists, administration of 5-HT1B agonists RU24969, mCPP and TFMPP resulted in a hyperalgesic response with an overall percent maximal increase of 43±6% for the ventroflexion reflex, 51±6% for the dorsiflexion reflex and 38±9% for the lateral flexion reflex. In the tail-flick analgesiometric test, administration of the 5-HT1A agonists 8-OH-DPAT and ipsapirone and the 5-HT1B agonists RU24969 and mCPP resulted in a significant dose-dependent increase in tail-flick latencies when compared to predrug baseline values, indicating a decrease in nociceptive sensitivity to noxious thermal stimuli. No differences in magnitude of the effect of the two receptor subtypes were found, indicating that stimulation of either 5-HT1A or 5-HT1B receptors was equipotent in producing the antinociceptive tail-flick response. Administration of the 5-HT1A antagonist meter-goline completely reversed the increase in TFL produced by RU24969, providing further evidence that the effects seen here are mediated by spinal 5-HT receptors. The results of this study indicate that spinal 5-HT1 receptor subtypes may either facilitate or inhibit nociceptive input depending upon the type of nociceptor that is activated, as opposed to the type of receptor subtype that is stimulated.
The meaning of dreams: the need for a standardized dream report

One way to study dream function is to use dream content as an independent variable. Erroneous or inconstant definition of the dream content, however, would undermine its use as a predictor. This study describes a dream interview technique that allows assessment and control of the distorting effect from using, in addition to a single report of manifest content, associative dream content and repetition of the dream report. Dream reports obtained by this technique were rated for the number of references to the following seven variables: death, mutilation, separation, illness, guilt, shame, and falling. The data showed considerable variability in designating the presence or absence of all seven dream content variables, depending on how the dream report itself was defined. It is concluded that to use dream content as an independent variable in the study of dream function, associative content and repetition of the dream report must be systematically controlled.
Single molecule enzymology: watching the reaction

Single molecule optical microscopy can directly monitor substrate turnover by individual enzymes revealing the underlying distribution of reaction rates and enzyme conformations. These techniques are particularly useful for assessing cooperativity in multi-subunit enzymes such as β-galactosidase, and for directly monitoring how ligand and substrate binding alter dynamic equilibria. Recent investigations of HIV reverse transcriptase have reiterated the importance of single molecule microscopy for determining how proteins move on oligonucleotides and how ligands and inhibitors affect motion. Similar investigations of membrane active enzymes allow direct imaging of protein–membrane interactions. For a large variety of systems, single molecule enzymology provides unprecedented images of how enzymes interact with their substrates and the differences between individual enzymes in a population.
Acute Lung Injury in Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective To determine the incidence of acute lung injury (ALI) in comatose patients after isolated traumatic brain injury, to determine whether specific brain lesions diagnosed by cranial computed tomographic scans are associated with ALI, and to determine the outcome of patients with head injuries who developed ALI. Methods Descriptive epidemiology and a case-control study using the Traumatic Coma Data Bank was performed to evaluate clinical features and brain lesions associated with ALI in patients with isolated head trauma. Patients with ALI were defined as those who demonstrated a ratio of partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fractional expired oxygen of 300 or less. Results Twenty of 100 comatose patients developed ALI. Patients with ALI were almost three times more likely to die or survive in a vegetative state (odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-4.9). Specific anatomic brain lesions diagnosed by cranial computed tomographic scans were not associated with ALI. However, patients with more severe injuries, i.e., large nonevacuated mass lesions, and those with midline shift demonstrated a 10- and 5-fold increased risk of ALI (odds ratio, 9.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-217.1; and odds ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-20.0). Conclusions ALI was common in comatose victims with an isolated traumatic brain injury and was associated with an increased risk of death or a severe neurological morbidity. ALI was associated with the global severity of head injury but not with specific anatomic lesions diagnosed by cranial computed tomographic scans.
Sequelae of antireflux surgery in profoundly disabled children

Abstract Between 1976 and 1989 an antireflux operation (193 Nissen; 5 Thal) was performed in 198 children with profound neurological impairment (NI). Etiology of the NI was a syndrome in 24%, congenital in 30%, and acquired in 46%. The most frequent symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), vomiting and pneumonia, were significantly reduced (P
Development of novel tumor imaging agents with phage-display combinatorial peptide libraries.

Abstract Rationale and Objectives Current radiologic methods do not provide sufficient information for unambiguous diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. The present investigation sought to address this deficiency by developing a system for designing novel small molecules targeted against tumor-specific molecules for use as radionuclide imaging agents. Materials and Methods Part of a tumor-specific receptor, purified recombinant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), variant III, extracellular domain (rEGFRvIII-ecd), was used as the target in the selection of EGFRvIII-specific peptide ligands from random peptide bacteriophage (phage) display libraries. After three rounds of screening, phage isolates were tested for binding affinity with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Positive phage were sequenced, and the peptides were synthesized and tested for binding affinity with a surface plasmon resonance assay. Results Affinity screening identified 49 peptide-expressing phage that showed enhanced binding to the variant receptor compared with wild-type EGFR. Free peptides from the two phage isolates exhibiting the most favorable binding were tested for target binding. One of these demonstrated a binding affinity for rEGFRvIII-ecd in the 30-nmol/L range. Conclusion These data suggest that phage display libraries may be very useful in the design of novel, high-affinity tumor imaging agents.
Dislocation Nucleation and Dynamics at Sliding Interfaces

Using large-scale molecular-dynamics simulations in two dimensions, we have observed interesting dislocation generation and dynamics at the interface between two smooth metallic surfaces. sliding relative to one another. The early-time behavior is related to later-time nanocrystalline structure at the interface whose formation is related to velocity-weakening in the coefficient of friction. We discuss the differences between frictional dislocation behavior in two and three dimensions.
Structural modifications in chronic microwire electrodes for cortical neuroprosthetics: a case study

Long-term viability of chronic invasive neural probes is a necessary condition for extracting robust control signals directly from neural tissue. Although immune/tissue response is a leading factor in the degradation of single neuron recording, we investigate a second component of signal degradation connected to the structural changes associated with microwire electrodes chronically exposed to extracellular environments in vivo. Scanning electron microscopy is used to assess the surface modifications to the electrodes after an implantation duration of four weeks in rats. The electrode developed a smooth fracture surface, a reduction of the metal diameter, and pitting in the insulation of the electrode structure. Over the duration of implantation, recording properties of the electrode were marked by a reduction in the peak-to-peak amplitude in neuronal firing.
Helium adsorption on hydrogen-plated graphite

Ebey, Liu and Vilches (J.Low Temperature Physics, in press) have recently analyzed desorption heat capacity data to determine the binding energy of He atoms on a “compound” substrate consisting of one, two or three layers of H2 adsorbed on a graphite surface. Using a Hartree model to derive an effective potential, we calculate theoretical binding energies in these cases and find them in good agreement with experimental data.
Surface area and pore size determination by sorption measurement

Abstract A survey of the instruments available at the Battelle-Institut in Frankfurt for surface area and pore size determination is presented. For automatic sorption measurements, surface area and pore size determinations an apparatus equipped with electronic microbalances has been developed. Routine surface area determinations are carried out with a volumetric instrument after Haul and Dumbgen 1 . Porosimeters, an electron microscope, a microprobe and an X-ray diffraction analyser are available for additional investigations of the surface structure. Optical methods using light and laser radiation have been developed for particle size analysis of fine powders.
Metabolism of a tracer dose of palmitate-l-C14 by liver of normal and diabetic rats perfused with and without the addition of insulin

Livers of fed normal, fasted normal, and alloxan-diabetic rats were perfused in the presence of a tracer dose of palmitate-l-C14 in order to test for a possible effect of insulin added to the medium on the oxidation of endogenous liver lipid. A small (20 per cent) average decrease in the yield of respiratory C14O2 was caused by insulin with livers of fasted normal rats; this occurred when the tracer was infused continuously but not when it was injected into the animal before perfusion, and there was no insulin effect on fat oxidation using fed or diabetic animals. Insulin significantly stimulated fatty acid synthesis, as indicated by the incorporation of acetate-H3 into liver fatty acids in the same livers in which fatty acid oxidation was only slightly inhibited. The possibility that this discrepancy was due to oxidation and synthesis taking place in different cell types was ruled out by a separate set of experiments using acetate-l-C14 in which parenchymal and Kupffer cells were separated magnetically after perfusion. The major conclusion from these experiments is that the prompt decrease in ketogenesis seen after in vivo administration of insulin is not explained by a direct inhibitory action of the hormone on fat oxidation in the liver.
Bombesin does not stimulate pepsinogen release in isolated gastric chief cells

Abstract Bombesin (BN)-related peptides, such as gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), have been shown in vivo to stimulate release of pepsinogen. However, whether this is due to a direct interaction with chief cells is not clear. To clarify this we prepared isolated chief cells (>90% pure) from guinea pig stomach. BN, GRP, or neuromedin B (NMB), at concentrations up to 1 μM, did not stimulate pepsinogen release or affect the stimulation caused by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) (100 nM) or CCK-8 (10 nM), respectively. In addition, BN, GRP, or NMB at a concentration of 1 μM did not increase cAMP nor did they alter the increase in cAMP caused by VIP or secretin. BN (1 μM) did not alter basal cytosolic calcium [Ca2+]i or affect the increase in [Ca2+]i caused by CCK-8 (1 μM). Furthermore, BN, GRP, or NMR at a concentration of 1 μM did not increase the generation of inositol phosphates (IP) or alter the increase in [3H]IP1, [3H]IP2, or [3H]IP3, caused by CCK-8 (1 μM) or carbachol (1 mM). Binding studies demonstrated no saturable binding of either [125I][Tyr4]BN or [125I][ d -Tyr0]NMB using experimental conditions where binding with other peptide ligands to other receptors on chief cells is seen. We conclude that BN-related peptides do not interact directly with specific receptors on chief cells to stimulate or alter stimulated pepsinogen secretion, increase the breakdown of inositol phosphates, or alter [Ca2+]i or cAMP.
Phylogenetic analysis of species of three subgenera of coryphaenoides (Teleostei:Macrouridae) by Peptide mapping of homologs of ldh-a4

Abstract Homologs of muscle-type (A 4 ) lactate dehydrogenase from nine species of Coryphaenoides and one species of Coelorhynchus were compared by tryptic digestion and peptide mapping using reversedphase HPLC. Data on the HPLC profile of peptides from pairwise comparisons were coded as discrete, two state characters and as dissimilarity values. The data were then analysed using Wagner parsimony and leastsquares methods (Fitch-Margoliash), respectively. The four resulting trees agreed in uniting Coryphaenoides ( Nematonurus ) armatus and Coryphaenoides (Chalinura) leptolepis as a monophyletic group, but did not agree on the arrangement of species within the genus Coryphaenoides , and did not support the present subgeneric arrangement of Coryphaenoides . The result for Coryphaenoides (N.) pectoralis did not support a recent suggestion, based on morphology, that this species be assigned to its own monotypic genus, Albatrossia . Peptide mapping as a technique for systematic research appears most useful at the intergeneric level of divergence.
Development of molybdenum-gold proximity bilayers as transition edge sensors for the SPEED camera

Abstract Bolometers are being developed with thermistor elements using Mo/Au proximity bilayers as superconducting transition edge sensor. These bolometers will be used by the Spectral Energy Distribution camera which is being developed to study the spectral energy distribution of high redshift galaxies. The bolometers are fabricated on 11×11 mm 2 suspended 0.5 μm thick low-stress LPCVD silicon nitride films supported by 475 μm thick silicon frames. To obtain the required thermal conductivity, the films are perforated to form central disks suspended by thin legs. Here we discuss the design, fabrication process, and current test results of these bolometers.
Increased yield of antibody-producing murine spleen cell hybridomas from fusions cultured in medium supplemented with mouse serum

Abstract The number of monoclonal antibody-producing murine hybridomas were increased 7–10-fold in three separate fusions when supplementing the FBS-containing, or serum-free, growth factor-containing, culture medium with 5% normal mouse serum. The beneficial effect was seen in fusions of A/J and 129GIX+ spleen cells, from primary and secondary responses, and when using SP2/0 or P3X63Ag8U.1 as the fusion partner.
From General Policy to Legal Rule: Aspirations and Limitations of the Precautionary Principle

The rapid spread of the precautionary principle (PP) demonstrates the need to explicitly address the role of precaution in environmental decision making. Unfortunately, the PP in its current form is limited by the vagueness of, and variations in, the many formulations of the PP. This ambiguity in the meaning of the PP would not be so serious if the PP were limited to a general aspirational policy, but in every jurisdiction that has adopted the PP it has been transformed rapidly into a binding legal rule. As a legal rule, the ambiguity of the PP results in arbitrary application by regulatory agencies and reviewing courts and limits the capability of reviewing courts to perform their function in overseeing agency actions. To improve the explicit application of precaution, we must go beyond the current form of the PP and attempt to define the factors that weigh in favor of more or less precaution for specific risks.
Disproportionation reactions between alkyl and fluoroalkyl radicals. IV. Pentafluoroethyl and ethyl radicals

A new determination of the disproportionation/combination ratio for C2F5 and C2H5 radicals gives a value of Δ(C2F5, C2H5) = 0.24 ± 0.02, independent of temperature. The cross-combination ratio for the two radicals was found to increase with temperature and the significance of this is discussed in evaluating Δ.
Lithosperm inhibition of anterior pituitary hormones.

Summary A cold-water extract of Lithospermum ruderale was injected into White Leghorn chicks for nine days. Body weights decreased slightly but testes and thyroid weights were markedly depressed. Gonadotropin content of anterior pituitaries of donors given 5.0 mg daily of lithosperm was 300% greater, and in the 10.0 mg donors 2670% greater than control. Content in 20.0 mg donors, however, was only 23.8% of the control. Thyrotropin in the 5.0 mg donors was equivalent to the control but in the 10.0 mg donors, was 250% greater. The 20.0 mg donors, however, had only 51.9% as much thyrotropin as the control. It is suggested that, depending upon the amount, lithosperm can inhibit both the release and synthesis of gonadotropins and thyrotropin.
Non-Contact, Sub-Surface Detection of Alloy Segregation in Back-End of Line Copper Dual-Damascene Structures

Alloy seedlayers for copper back-end of line interconnects have become common at technology groundrules of 45 nm and below, due to reliability requirements. The key requirement of the minority alloy component (e.g., Al or manganese, also referred to as the “dopant”) is that it segregates to the copper (Cu)/dielectric cap layer interface in order to promote adhesion between the Cu in the line and the dielectric capping layer. The segregation beneath the dielectric cap has a complex dependence on many process parameters and needs to be monitored across the wafer. In this paper, we present a contactless, in-line, fast, and reliable Kelvin probe technique for the sub-surface detection of alloy segregation in Cu interconnects for sub-22 nm technologies.
Constructing liminal blends in a collaborative augmented-reality learning environment

In vision-based augmented-reality (AR) environments, users view the physical world through a video feed or device that augments the display with a graphical or informational overlay. Our goal in this manuscript is to ask how and why these new technologies create opportunities for learning. We suggest that AR is uniquely positioned to support learning through its ability to support students in developing “conceptual blends”—which we propose extend beyond cognitive spaces to include the layering of multiple ideas and physical materials, often supplied by different conversation participants. We document one case study and trace how the narrative structure of a board game, the physical floor materials (e.g. linoleum), a student’s first-person embodied experiences, the third-person live camera feed, and the augmented-reality symbols become integrated in the activity. As a result, students’ conceptualization of force and friction become fused with a diverse set of intellectual resources. We conclude by suggesting that the framework of liminal blends may inform the design of future AR learning environments and in particular help generate predictions about the ways in which the juxtaposition of certain resources may otherwise produce unexpected results.
Mutation of Vaccinia Virus Gene G2R Causes Suppression of Gene A18R ts Mutants: Implications for Control of Transcription

Abstract This report provides genetic evidence that two vaccinia virus genes, A18R and G2R, both of which affect the fidelity of viral transcription in vivo, interact with each other or act on a common biochemical pathway. Previous experiments with the antipoxviral drug isatin-β-thiosemicarbazone suggest that lethal mutation of gene G2R would compensate for mutations in gene A18R. We therefore tested the hypothesis that gene G2R is an extragenic suppressor of A18R mutations. First, we constructed a recombinant which contains both a G2R deletion mutation and an A18R temperature-sensitive mutation and found that this recombinant was viable. Second, we isolated both cold-sensitive and temperature-insensitive phenotypic revertants of A18R temperature-sensitive mutants and found in both cases that the revertants contained G2R mutations. In the case of the cold-sensitive revertants, we were able to prove that the cold-sensitive phenotype mapped to the G2R gene. Combined with the biochemical data on A18R and G2R, these results imply that the A18R and G2R genes interact with each other either directly or indirectly in a fashion which affects the fidelity of intermediate and late viral transcription.
Longitudinal associations between caregiver burden and patient and spouse distress in couples coping with lung cancer

Purpose While spouses play a vital role in the care of cancer patients, caregiving exerts a physical and psychological toll. Caregiving burden may not only compromise spouses’ quality of life but also the quality of care and support they are able to provide. Consequently, spousal caregiving burden may also negatively impact patients’ psychological adjustment. However, the effect of caregiving burden on patients’ psychological distress is unknown. Thus, this 6-month longitudinal study examined the associations between caregiving burden and distress in both lung cancer patients and their spouses.
On the thermocapillary migration of a growing or shrinking drop

Abstract Prior thermocapillary migration experiments revealed that the rate of migration of a partially miscible drop, slowly moving within a vertical temperature gradient, obeyed in a quasi-static sense a theoretical prediction for an immiscible drop. The hydrodynamic theory for a partially miscible drop is developed here for circumstances where the thermal effects of mass transfer are negligible. Analysis shows that rates of growth or shrinkage in these experiments were too small to affect the flow. Nevertheless, for finite growth of shrinkage rates the migration velocity is given by a quasi-static interpretation of the immiscible theory. Moreover, similar results are found for a partially miscible gas bubble moving under conditions of finite Reynolds and small Marangoni numbers in a zero-gravity environment.
Challenges for Formerly Incarcerated Women: A Holistic Approach to Assessment:

This article describes the development of a practice model for assessing formerly incarcerated women in a one-stop, holistic approach. The gender-specific theoretical framework that enables the women to prioritize steps of reentry is discussed in light of the survival, relational, educational, vocational, treatment, health and mental health needs of recently released women.
A review and reevaluation of the role of serotonin in the modulation of lordosis behavior in the female rat

The role of serotonin (5-HT) in the modulation of sexual receptivity (lordosis) in the female rat is reviewed and reevaluated. The effects on lordosis of drug treatments that decrease or increase the activity and availability of central 5-HT are first discussed, and this is followed by an evaluation of the effects of drugs that act directly at 5-HT receptors. In order to shed light on the physiological significance of effects of serotonergic drugs on lordosis, there is also a review of what is known of changes in levels of serotonergic activity and densities of 5-HT receptors in the female rat brain that take place through the estrous cycle and in response to administration of behaviorally effective doses of gonadal steroids. Serotonin has generally been thought to have a tonic, inhibitory effect on lordosis. However, it is concluded that 5-HT can either inhibit or facilitate lordosis depending on which subtypes of central 5-HT receptors become activated. Because of a lack of consistent or compelling evidence of effects of ovarian hormones on serotonergic activity or 5-HT receptors in critical areas of the brain, it is stated that there is at present no basis to conclude that the effects of pharmacological manipulations of serotonergic activity on lordosis reflect an important, physiological role of 5-HT in the modulation of lordosis behavior in the female rat.
Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Response Element-Binding Protein Phosphorylation and Neuroprotection by 4-Phenyl-1-(4-Phenylbutyl) Piperidine (PPBP)

Background—Previous studies show that the potent, prototypical σ1-receptor agonist 4-phenyl-1(4-phenylbutyl) piperidine (PPBP) prevents cell death after oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) in primary cortical neuronal cultures. We tested the hypothesis that PPBP protects neurons by a mechanism involving activation of the transcription factor cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (CREB). Methods—Primary cultured cortical neurons were exposed to 2 h of OGD and allowed to recover for 24 h, and PPBP treatment was initiated 15 min before the insult in the presence and absence of the σ1-receptor antagonist rimcazole and inhibitors against protein kinases known to activate signal transduction cascades that result in CREB phosphorylation, such as H89 (protein kinase A inhibitor), LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor), U0126 (MEK1/2 inhibitor), or KN62 calmodulin kinase II inhibitor). Neuronal cell death was assayed by lactate dehydrogenase measurement 24 h after OGD. CREB phosphorylation was measured by immunoblot analysis at 30 min, 1 h, and 3 h of reoxygenation. Blots were quantitatively analyzed using Quantity One image analysis software. Results—PPBP increased CREB phosphorylation at 1 h after recovery from OGD, which was abolished by rimcazole (1.7 ± 0.2 in PPBP and 0.8 ± 0.1 in PPBP plus rimcazole with OGD compared with 0.9 ± 0.1 in OGD alone, p-CREB/CREB). The PPBP-induced increase in CREB phosphorylation was blocked by H89 (0.5 ± 0.07) but not U0126, KN62, or LY294002. PPBP treatment prevented OGD-induced cell death and pretreatment with H89 blocked this protection (0.18 ± 0.02 in PPBP and 0.27 ± 0.03 in PPBP plus H89 with OGD compared with 0.33 ± 0.02 in OGD alone, lactate dehydrogenase assay). Pretreatment with LY294002, UO126, or KN62 had no effect on neuronal protection by PPBP. Conclusions—These data suggest that the mechanism of neuroprotection by PPBP may be linked to CREB phosphorylation. The σ1 receptor is distributed in neural and nonneural tissues and is characterized by unique ligand specificity. 1 Its ligand binding site is distinct from the phencyclidine receptor on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor channel complex. 2 σ1 receptor agonists modulate the neuronal response to pharmacologic stimulation of the NMDA receptor 3 and are neuroprotective in animal and neural culture models of cerebral ischemia. 4–8 Mechanistically, the potent and prototypic σ1 receptor agonist, 4-phenyl-1-(4-phenylbutyl) piperidine (PPBP), protects brain by attenuating ischemia- and NMDA-induced nitric oxide (NO) production. 9,
Cascaded versus noncascaded models of lexical and semantic processing: the turple effect

The density of the orthographic neighborhood surrounding an item has been shown to have an inhibitory effect for nonwords in a lexical decision experiment. Four experiments are reported investigating whether a similar pattern holds for a semantic categorization task (animal vs. non-animal). In the first experiment, no effects of neighborhood density were found for nonexemplars, whether they were words or nonwords. The absence of any inhibitory effect for nonwords implies that close orthographic neighbors are ignored. However, the second experiment showed that if the nonword has a neighbor that is an animal name (e.g.,turple), an interference effect is observed, implying that neighbors do exert an effect if they have the right semantic properties. The same items showed no additional interference in lexical decision. These results suggest the involvement of semantic properties very early in the processing cycle. A cascaded processing system monitoring activation in semantic features can explain these results, but cannot explain the frequency effect observed for nonexemplar words or the fact that variation in density is irrelevant when one of the neighbors is an exemplar. It is argued that existing models of semantic categorization must be extended to accommodate these results.
α-L-aspartyl-L-alanine (a neural dipeptide) enhances synaptic transmission

α-L-aspartyl-L-alanine, a dipeptide found in the brain, increases the amplitude of the miniature endplate potentials (MEPPs) in phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparations from rats. The peptide also stimulates the appearance of a population of ‘giant’ MEPPs.
Linkage relationships among molecular markers and storage root traits of carrot (Daucus carota L. ssp. sativus)

A 109-point linkage map consisting of three phenotypic loci (P 1, Y 2, and Rs), six restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), two random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), 96 amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), and two selective amplification of microsatellite polymorphic loci (SAMPL) was constructed for carrot (Daucus carota L. ssp. sativus; 2n=2x=18). The incidence of polymorphism was 36% for RFLP probes, 20% for RAPD primers, and 42% for AFLP primers. The overall incidence of disturbed segregation was 18%. Linkage relationships at a LOD score of 4.0 and θ=0.25 indicated 11 linkage groups. The total map length was 534.4 cM and the map was clearly unsaturated with markers spaced at 4.9 cM. AFLP P6B15 was 1.7 cM from P 1, AFLP P1B34 was 2.2 cM from Y 2, and AFLP P3B30XA was 8.1 cM from Rs.
The synthesis and structural characterization of phenyl tris(3-t-butylpyrazolyl)borato alkyl complexes of magnesium and zinc, [PhTpBut]MgR (R=Me, Et) and [PhTpBut]ZnMe

Abstract Magnesium and zinc alkyl complexes supported by the phenyltris(3- t -butylpyrazolyl)borato ligand, [PhTp Bu t ]MgR (R=Me, Et) and [PhTp Bu t ]ZnEt, have been synthesized by reaction of [PhTp Bu t ]Tl with R 2 M (M=Mg, Zn). Comparison of the structures of [PhTp Bu t ]MMe with those of [Tp Bu t ]MMe indicates that the phenyl substituent on boron has an almost negligible effect on the MgC and ZnC bond lengths.
Exponential hierarchy from dynamical supersymmetry breaking

We present a model in which gauge symmetry is spontaneously broken at tree level (O(10) → SU(5) × sU(1)) and supersymmetry is dynamically broken at an exponentially smaller scale.
Multiple timescales in postural dynamics associated with vision and a secondary task are revealed by wavelet analysis.

Discrete wavelet analysis is used to resolve the center of pressure time series data into several timescale components, providing new insights into postural control. Healthy young and elderly participants stood quietly with their eyes open or closed and either performed a secondary task or stood quietly. Without vision, both younger and older participants had reduced energy in the long timescales, supporting the concept that vision is used to control low frequency postural sway. Furthermore, energy was increased at timescales corresponding to closed-loop (somatosensory and vestibular) and open-loop mechanisms, consistent with the idea of a shift from visual control to other control mechanisms. However, a relatively greater increase was observed for older adults. With a secondary task a similar pattern was observed—increased energy at the short and moderate timescales, decreased energy at long timescales. The possibility of a common strategy—at the timescale level—in response to postural perturbations is considered.
Diffusive Motions in Water and Cold Neutron Scattering

Using a model of liquid water in which a molecule, in its equilibrium position, performs an oscillatory motion for a mean time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{0}$, and then diffuses by continuous motion for a mean time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{1}$, and repeats this sort of motion, the differential scattering cross section for cold neutrons has been calculated. It is found that the shape of the "quasi-elastic" scattering is, in general, not Lorentzian. The formula for the broadening of the quasi-elastic peak assumes a simple form in two limiting cases: In case (i) ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{1}\ensuremath{\gg}{\ensuremath{\tau}}_{0}$, it reduces to the formula derived on the simple diffusion theory; and in case (ii) ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{1}\ensuremath{\ll}{\ensuremath{\tau}}_{0}$, the broadening is the same as in case (i) if ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}^{2}D{\ensuremath{\tau}}_{0}\ensuremath{\ll}1$, and it approaches the asymptotic value $\frac{2\ensuremath{\hbar}}{{\ensuremath{\tau}}_{0}}$, if ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}^{2}D{\ensuremath{\tau}}_{0}\ensuremath{\gg}1$, where $\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\kappa}$ is the momentum transferred to the system and $D$ is the diffusion coefficient of water. The observed value of the broadening can be explained for a value of ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{0}=4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}$ sec. Besides, the theoretical quasi-elastic scattering in case (ii) has certain interesting features which are in general agreement with experiment. In part II of this paper, inelastic scattering (hindered translations only) of cold neutrons has been calculated using two different models of water: (a) a gas model and (b) a Debye model; and the results have been compared with experiment.The general shape of both the quasi-elastic and inelastic scattering of cold neutrons and the magnitude of the diffusive broadening seem to support a quasi-crystalline model of water.
Overlapping prefrontal systems involved in cognitive and emotional processing in euthymic bipolar disorder and following sleep deprivation: A review of functional neuroimaging studies

Prefrontal cortex (PFC) mediated cognitive and emotional processing deficits in bipolar disorder lead to functional limitations even during periods of mood stability. Alterations of sleep and circadian functioning are well-documented in bipolar disorder, but there is little research directly examining the mechanistic role of sleep and/or circadian rhythms in the observed cognitive and emotional processing deficits. We systematically review the cognitive and emotional processing deficits reliant upon PFC functioning of euthymic patients with bipolar disorder and in healthy individuals deprived of sleep. The evidence from two parallel lines of investigation suggests that sleep and circadian rhythms may be involved in the cognitive and emotional processing deficits seen in bipolar disorder through overlapping neurobiological systems. We discuss current models of bipolar highlighting the PFC-limbic connections and discuss inclusion of sleep-related mechanisms. Sleep and circadian dysfunction is a core feature of bipolar disorder and models of neurobiological abnormalities should incorporate chronobiological measures. Further research into the role of sleep and circadian rhythms in cognition and emotional processing in bipolar disorder is warranted.
A New Technique For Linewidth Measurement On 1 Pm Geometry Process Wafers Using Fluorescence

Linewidth measurement of photoresist structures continues to be an integral part of the wafer fabrication process for exposure and development control of all critical process steps. The introduction of 1 pm geometries into a routine production environment, such as the Hewlett-Packard NMOS III VLSI processl, poses formidable measurement problems. Traditional brightfield linewidth measurement techniques, which were adequate for circuit geometries of 3-4 μm and above, have been generally unacceptable for 1 pm complex structures. The principal limitation is that the reflected image profile depends not only on the resist line parameters but also on the optical properties of the substrate and all transmissive sub-layers. As a consequence, even a carefully optimized brightfield measurement system will measure identical resist lines differently due to normal process variations in the substrate and subsurface layers. In-process SEM measurements can be functionally adequate but our experience in routine wafer fabrication has demonstrated severe drawbacks with respect to cycle time, reliability, operator skill and space requirements. To overcome these problems a new technique using fluorescence was investigated. The fluorescence principle was successfully reduced to practice on PMMA photoresist lines, incorporating a bleachable dye (Coumarin 6). The PMMA is the bottom layer resist in a two-layer production photoresist process described by K. Bartlett, et al. 2. The fluorescence technique has all the advantages commonly associated with optical measurements and in addition it virtually eliminates the measurement variations due to the sub-strate and sub-layers. The paper will cover: 1. The parameters of the sample and measurement systems that have an impact on linewidth determination. 2. The experiments and statistical methods to systematically identify problems and optimize critical dimension measurements. 3. The results obtained with brightfield optical metrology. 4. The theory and advantages of fluorescence metrology. 5. The results obtained on production VLSI wafers using fluorescence measurement of critical dimensions
Problem-based learning for nursing: Integrating lessons from other disciplines with nursing experiences

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a philosophy and teaching method that structures knowledge in clinical contexts, strengthens motivation to learn, develops clinical reasoning skills, and enhances self-directed and life-long learning. During the past 30 years, PBL has been implemented in schools of medicine worldwide, including 100 of the 126 schools in the United States. This article reviews the international PBL literature and focuses on the key aspects of this paradigm in educating health professionals: recent history and worldwide diffusion, basic characteristics and rationale, typical case presentation, student and tutor roles, and data-based outcomes. Conclusions from selected meta-analytic studies of assessment are described and discussed. The potential of PBL for nursing education is examined. Key implementation issues are identified, including the challenge to persuade faculty to move from efficient teaching to effective learning.
Dorfman on economic interpretation of optimal control theory: An extension

In the context of a more general model of capital accumulation involving time lags in the response of the state variable (the rate of change of the capital stock) to changes in the values of the decision variables, we establish the main propositions of Optimal Control Theory by means of economic analysis.
GABA agonist-induced changes in motor, oculomotor, and attention measures correlate in schizophrenics with tardive dyskinesia

Saccadic distractibility, Stroop color-word scores, and serial dyskinesia assessments were obtained on 10 schizophrenic patients with tardive dyskinesia during a pharmacologic challenge with placebo or 7 mg muscimol, a potent, direct-acting GABA agonist. Although no significant difference in the measures was evident between conditions, a significant correlation was found between GABA agonist-induced changes in saccadic distractibility and dyskinesia scores where no correlation existed between these measures on placebo. Improvement in saccadic distractibility was also correlated with reduction in attention performance, as measured by Stroop. These effects are not due to sedation. The correlation between dyskinesia and saccadic distractibility is consistent with a model of parallel motor and oculomotor cortico-striatal-thalamic circuits in humans. This work supports the hypothesis that a dysfunction in GABA-mediated neurotransmission may be the basis for tardive dyskinesia.
BTF3 IS EVOLUTIONARILY CONSERVED IN FISSION YEAST

BTF3 is a protein initially identified in HeLa cells that may be involved in the initiation of transcription. Although its specific role in transcription is unclear, BTF3 can form a stable complex with RNA polymerase 11. Recently, BTF3 has also been shown to bind to nascent polypeptide chains. We have cloned a homolog of BTF3 from the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomvces pornbe. This homolog, spBTF3, encodes a putative 151 amino acid protein that shares 72% similarity with human BTF3, 73% similarity with the Caenorhabditis elegans homolog and between 52 and 53% similarity with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologs, EGD1 and BTT1
Establishing a degree of order: obtaining high-resolution NMR structures from molecular alignment.

I would like to thank Eva de Alba for providing structural data as well as Ad Bax and James Baber for their critical comments.
History of Bhutan's prohibition of cigarettes: Implications for neo-prohibitionists and their critics

Abstract Background Recently, cigarette neo-prohibitionists have argued that a cigarette ban can be obtained from a de-facto phase-out of cigarettes based on a combination of effective anti-tobacco regulations and high taxes in conjunction with aggressive application of nicotine replacement therapies. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether these claims were valid in Bhutan, which enacted a national cigarette sales prohibition law in 2004. Did Bhutan from 2004 to 2009 eliminate or nearly eliminate cigarette consumption and avoid a significant cigarette black market and smuggling? Methods This study is a historical, qualitative, descriptive statistical, and archival content overview from 2004 to 2009 of smoking prevalence rates and smuggling and black market trends subsequent to the enactment of the Bhutan Penal Code Act of 2004. Results For adults in Bhutan, tobacco prevalence rates are fairly low compared with other nations but in 2008 remained a serious health issue for those who consumed cigarettes. For minors, tobacco consumption and second hand smoke exposure in 2008 was a significant health issue. In addition, the best available evidence indicates that illegal tobacco smuggling including black market sales due to the sales ban in Bhutan remains robust. Conclusions So far, in Bhutan, cigarette neo-prohibitionist arguments that stringent anti-tobacco tax and regulatory approaches including a sales prohibition will induce tobacco consumption to cease or nearly cease has not occurred. In addition, the best scientific evidence indicates that a harm reduction-oriented nicotine replacement therapy approach will not be entirely effective. The results of this study provide an important lesson learned for health practitioners and advocates considering or advocating, albeit a gradual, but total cigarette ban as public policy.