cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emerging political and demographic divides: State politics, welfare generosity, and adult mortality in U.S. states 1977–2017

Abstract Geographic disparities in adult mortality within the US have grown over the past several decades, but the reasons for these trends remain unclear. In this article, we examine trends in adult mortality (ages 55+) across US states from 1977 to 2017, paying close attention to the shifting geographic pattern of high- and low-mortality states. We find that states in the South tended to fall behind the rest of the country in the 1970s and 1980s, while states in the Great Plains and Mountain West tended to fall behind in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. In contrast, states on the East and West Coasts have tended to see considerable improvement in mortality. We consider the role of state-level per-capita spending on public welfare programs in the mortality experience of states between 1977 and 2017. We use fixed effects models to show that greater state welfare generosity predicts greater yearly reductions in mortality. State shifts toward more generous welfare spending regimes may contribute to significant geographic divergences in adult mortality in the United States.
Lysophospholipid (LPA) receptors in GtoPdb v.2021.3

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors (nomenclature as agreed by the NC-IUPHAR Subcommittee on Lysophospholipid Receptors [55, 19, 82, 129]) are activated by the endogenous phospholipid LPA. The first receptor, LPA1, was identified as ventricular zone gene-1 (vzg-1) [40], This discovery represented the beginning of the de-orphanisation of members of the endothelial differentiation gene (edg) family, as other LPA and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptors were found. Five additional LPA receptors (LPA2,3,4,5,6) have since been identified [82] and their gene nomenclature codified for human LPAR1, LPAR2, etc. (HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee, HGNC) and Lpar1, Lpar2, etc. for mice (Mouse Genome Informatics Database, MGI) to reflect species and receptor function of their corresponding proteins. The crystal structure of LPA1 is solved and indicates that LPA accesses the extracellular binding pocket, consistent with its proposed delivery via autotaxin [13]. These studies have also implicated cross-talk with endocannabinoids via phosphorylated intermediates that can also activate these receptors. The binding affinities to LPA1 of unlabeled, natural LPA and anandamide phosphate (AEAp) were measured using backscattering interferometry (pKd = 9) [83, 104]. Utilization of this method indicated affinities that were 77-fold lower than when measured using radioactivity-based protocols [128]. Targeted deletion of LPA receptors has clarified signalling pathways and identified physiological and pathophysiological roles. Multiple groups have independently published validation of all six LPA receptors described in these tables, and further validation was achieved using a distinct read-out via a novel TGFα "shedding* assay [48]. LPA has been proposed to be a ligand for GPR35 [94], supported by a study revealing that LPA modulates macrophage function through GPR35 [54]. However chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 17 (CXCL17) is reported to be a ligand for GPR35/CXCR8 [76]. Moreover, LPA has also been described as an agonist for the transient receptor potential (Trp) ion channels TRPV1 [87] and TRPA1 [58]. All of these proposed non-GPCR receptor identities require confirmation and are not currently recognized as bona fide LPA receptors.
Nano-crystals of cerium–hafnium binary oxide: Their size-dependent structure

Abstract Cerium oxide (CeO 2 , “ceria”) and hafnium oxide (HfO 2 , “hafnia”) were aqueously co-precipitated and subsequently calcined to allow for homogenization. The size of the (1− x )CeO 2 – x HfO 2 crystallites, determined by the Scherrer equation, varied from 140 nm for x = 0 to 15 nm for x = 0.73. For x ⩽ 0.14, only cubic structures are visible in X-ray diffractograms, and the lattice parameters are consistent with the values expected for structurally cubic solid solutions of hafnia in ceria. At x = 0.26, tetragonal and monoclinic phases nucleated with the former not being observed in the bulk phase diagram for ceria–hafnia. Therefore, the solubility limit of the cubic structure is between x = 0.14 and x = 0.26 for 40–61 nm crystallites, the sizes of these respective compositions. More specifically, for the 40 nm crystallites of x = 0.26 (1 − x )CeO 2 – x HfO 2 , 15% of the hafnia remains in a structurally cubic solid solution with ceria based on the observed cubic lattice parameter. The compositional domain for the cubic fluorite structure in this study is narrower than other nanostructured (1 − x )CeO 2 – x HfO 2 studies, especially studies with crystallite sizes less than 10 nm, but wider than observed in the bulk and helps to expand the size regime over which the relationship between crystallite size and phase stability is known. The extent of this cubic-structure domain is mainly attributable to the intermediate crystallite size and the roughly zero Ce 3+ content as determined by X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy.
Preparing Teachers for Urban Settings: Changing Teacher Education by Changing Ourselves

This article describes the personal and professional changes experienced by a teacher education faculty who embarked on a joint project relating to urban education. The faculty members committed to write book chapters applying their areas of expertise to the challenge of preparing teachers for urban schools. Using qualitative methodology, this research examined the faculty members' discoveries, thoughts, doubts, and reflections at three points during the project. Results showed an evolving perspective on urban education focusing upon understanding the lived experiences of the children in order to provide meaningful education for them. This study may provide insight and encouragement for other teacher education faculties who undertake projects which "push the envelope" of their comfort levels. This article is available in The Qualitative Report: http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol4/iss3/5 Preparing Teachers for Urban Settings: Changing Teacher Education by Changing Ourselves by Colleen Willard-Holt The Qualitative Report, Volume 4, Number 3/4, March, 2000
The Protective Role of Glutaredoxin-1 in Endothelial Barrier Regulation and Atherosclerosis

Vascular oxidative stress is widely invoked as an important pathogenic mechanism for atherosclerosis (AS). Protein S-glutathionylation (P-SSG), the prevalent post-translational oxidative modificati...
“Just Saying No” to Mandatory Pain CME: How Important Is Physician Autonomy?

Few would disagree that continuing medical education (CME) has the potential to improve the overall quality of medical care [1,2]. While CME is required for maintenance of medical licensure in 46 of 50 states [3] …
In vivo phosphorylation dynamics of the Bordetella pertussis virulence-controlling response regulator BvgA.

Summary We have used protein electrophoresis through poly- acrylamide gels derivatized with the proprietary ligand Phos-tag™ to separate the response regulator BvgA from its phosphorylated counterpart BvgA~P. This approach has allowed us to readily ascertain the degree of phosphorylation of BvgA in in vitro reac- tions, or in crude lysates ofBordetellapertussis grown under varying laboratory conditions. We have used this technique to examine the kinetics of BvgA phos- phorylation after shift of B. pertussis cultures from non-permissive to permissive conditions, or of its dephosphorylation following a shift from permissive to non-permissive conditions. Our results provide the first direct evidence that levels of BvgA~P in vivo correspond temporally to the expression of early and late BvgA-regulated virulence genes. We have also examined a number of other aspects of BvgA function predicted from previous studies and by analogy with other two-component response regulators. These include the site of BvgA phosphorylation, the exclu- sive role of the cognate BvgS sensor kinase in its phosphorylation inBordetellapertussis, and the effect of the T194M mutation on phosphorylation. We also detected the phosphorylation of a small but consist- ent fraction of BvgA purified after expression in Escherichia coli.
SOME EXAMPLES HOWTO USE MEASURE CLASSIFICATION IN NUMBER THEORY

We give examples of how classifying invariant probability measures for specific algebraic actions can be used to prove density and equidistribution results in number theory.
The Two Systems of Grammar: Report and Paraphrase

From an attempt to isolate the independent elements of sentence construction, we arrive at two different and separately acting grammatical systems, which contribute to this construction: a system of predicates (with and, or) and a system which can be considered an extension of morphophonemics (which is change purely of phonemic sequences). The predicate system carries all the objective information in the sentence, and the most natural interpretation of its structure is that of giving a report. The morphophonemic system is interpretable as being paraphrastic, and changes at most the speaker’s or hearer’s relation to the report. The grammar of the language as a whole is simply the resultant of these two systems.
The benefits of service rebalancing

Service rebalancing, which provides a way to determine an efficient division of effort between a client and its server, is introduced. Decisions concerning this division of labor are made at runtime rather than at design time. Evaluating the current environment in which the client and server are executing and moving mode between client and server based on this evaluation can enhance the performance of client/server programs. The advantages of service rebalancing include the elimination of a static division between client and server, on-the-fly updating of modules, load balancing, sharing of common code between multiple clients, and the enforcement of neatly modularized programming. Some of the problems and issues related to service rebalancing, including equanimity and the current status of the work, are discussed. >
Developmental regulation of tandem promoters for the major outer membrane protein gene of Chlamydia trachomatis.

Abstract Chlamydia trachomatis has a biphasic developmental cycle which is characterized by qualitative and quantitative changes in protein expression. The molecular mechanisms that mediate these changes are unknown. Evidence for transcriptional regulation of the chlamydial major outer membrane protein gene (omp1) was found by Northern hybridization of RNA isolated sequentially during the chlamydial developmental cycle. Early in the growth cycle a single transcript was detected, which was followed hours later in the cycle by an additional transcript. Mapping of the initiating nucleotide for each transcript suggested that this gene is regulated by differential transcription from tandem promoters.
On tuning the Boyer-Moore-Horspool string searching algorithm

Experiments suggest that recently reported improvements to the Boyer-Moore-Horspool string searching algorithm may be due to compiler effects rather than to properties of the language being searched.
Understanding Route Redistribution

Route redistribution (RR) has become an integral part of IP network design as the result of a growing need for disseminating certain routes across routing protocol boundaries. While RR is widely used and resembles BGP in several nontrivial aspects, surprisingly, the safety of RR has not been systematically studied by the networking community. This paper presents the first analytical model for understanding the effect of RR on network wide routing dynamics and evaluating the safety of a specific RR configuration. We first illustrate how easily inaccurate configurations of RR may cause severe routing instabilities, including route oscillations and persistent routing loops. At the same time, general observations regarding the root causes of these instabilities are provided. We then introduce a formal model based on the general observations to represent and study the safety of route redistribution. Using the model, we prove that given a RR configuration, determining whether the redistributions result in a cycle is NP-hard. Given this complexity, we present a sufficient condition, which can be checked in polynomial time with the proposed analytical model, for ensuring the safety of a RR configuration. Finally, the paper proposes potential changes to the current RR protocol to guarantee safety.
Transgenic Parasites: Improving Our Understanding of Innate Immunity to Malaria

Clinical immunity to Plasmodium falciparum malaria takes years to develop and is never complete. One explanation for these observations is that antigenic variation enables malaria parasites to evade humoral immunity; another is that P. falciparum induces immune dysregulation, which inhibits the development of protective cellular immunity. Research described by D'Ombrain et al. in this Cell Host & Microbe issue probes how the parasite's main virulence factor Pf EMP-1 might significantly alter human innate immune responses.
A guidance framework for facilitating effective engineering student teams and its impact on individual learning

The ability of engineering students to work effectively in teams is a growing need expressed by both industry and academia. Consequently, an engineering student can expect to work on a number of teams during their studies and to have the outcomes of those efforts contribute meaningfully to their individual assessment. It is imperative, then, that those students are provided the guidance necessary to hone the skills of effective collaboration. We have developed a framework of guidance, the cognitive collaborative model, and report on it in this paper. Further, we demonstrate its efficacy in facilitating team mental model convergence and the concomitant improvement in team outcomes. Lastly, and critically, we have investigated whether those improved team experiences and outcomes lead to improvement in individual learning in accordance with the expectations from collaborative and social constructivist learning theories. Counter-intuitively, we find that this is not the case, and we report those results and suggest theoretical foundations for these findings.
Observation of inhibited spontaneous emission.

The radiative decay of the cyclotron motion of a single electron is significantly inhibited when the electron is located within microwave cavity (formed by the electrodes of a Penning trap) rather than in free space. This is the first observation of such inhibited spontaneous emission and the first use of a promising new system for radiative physics. Implications for precision measurements are mentioned.
Determination of obstructive site in obstructive sleep apnea.

Polygraphie du sommeil, fibroscopie et cinedensitometrie. Cette derniere technique pratiquee pendant le sommeil et la veille est la plus utile pour determiner le site de l'obstruction
On the convergence of kernel estimators of probability density functions

The properties of the characteristic function of the fixed-bandwidth kernel estimator of a probability density function are used to derive estimates of the rate of almost sure convergence of such estimators in a family of Hilbert spaces. The convergence of these estimators in a reproducing-kernel Hilbert space is used to prove the uniform convergence of variable-bandwidth estimators. An algorithm employing the fast Fourier transform and heuristic estimates of the optimal bandwidth is presented, and numerical experiments using four density functions are described.
Personal hopefulness: A conceptual review of the relevance of the perceived future to psychiatry

Personal hopefulness, along with the perceived future, has been overlooked by psychiatry until relatively recently. There are cogent reasons why psychiatry should not ignore developments in relation to hope. Concepts related to hope are examined to delineate the components of the perceived future. Hope is defined in terms of its elements, its objects, its subject, its phenomenology and its relationship to despair and reality. The contribution of hope to our understanding of psychiatric and medical disorder and recovery from mental illness are also considered, with special reference to existing notions of depression and anxiety. Institutionalization is characterized as a disorder of personal hopefulness. Implications for potential shifts in current theoretical formulation and practice are anticipated. In particular, a critique of the learned helplessness/optimism formulation is outlined.
On the characterization of distributions by their L-moments

Abstract A distribution with finite mean is uniquely determined by the set of expectations of the largest (or smallest) order statistics from samples of size 1 , 2 , … . However, this characterization contains some redundancy; some of the expectations can be dropped from the set and the remaining elements of the set still suffice to characterize the distribution. The rth L -moment of a distribution is a linear combination of the expectations of the largest (or smallest) order statistics from samples of size 1 , 2 , … , r . We show that a wide range of distributions can be characterized by their L -moments with no redundancy; a set that contains all of the L -moments except one no longer suffices to characterize the distribution.
Toward greater understanding of the pernicious effects of workplace envy

Despite the fact that envy is widely viewed as one of the most pernicious and dysfunctional workplace emotions, research has ignored its longer term consequences. This oversight can largely be attributed to over reliance on the relatively static affective events framework that does not account for how envy-eliciting events can threaten an individual's perceptions of social standing or trigger emotional schema from previous events. Hence, we propose an extension of this framework in order to address these shortcomings and in order to account more fully for the cumulative effects of prior envy-eliciting events. In particular, by integrating insights from social comparison and emotional schema theories into the current framework, we offer a deeper, more fine-grained explanation of the cumulative effects of emotionally congruent envious episodes. We believe that these additional insights will offer a perspective, for researchers and practitioners alike, into how envy-eliciting events can result in more malici...
Physiological Stresses Associated with Manual Handling of Containers of Varied Sizes and Weights: A Case Study

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological strain imposed on individuals engaged in unloading boxes from a truck. The actual operation was performed in one of the local industries, and was videotaped and timed. This operation served as a basis for a simulation study in the authors' laboratory. Six subjects participated in this study. Since the containers utilized in the actual operation varied greatly, empirical distributions derived from the box sizes and weights handled at that industry were developed based on a sample of 466 boxes. The frequency of handling was 20 times/min. The task duration was 30 min. Heart rate and oxygen consumption were recorded every 5 min for a period of 5 min. The results showed that the task performed can be classified as very heavy work compared to industrial tasks reported in the literature. Physiological responses showed a significant increase over time.
Marital Satisfaction of Healthy Differentiated and Undifferentiated Couples

This study examines the impact of differentiation on marital satisfac-tion in healthy like, healthy unlike, unhealthy like, and unhealthy unlike couples. The marital satisfaction scores of the 4 groups were comparedto determine if a significant difference existed among the groups. Re-sults suggested that individuals seek mates with comparable levels of differentiation. Highly differentiated individuals experience greater marital satisfaction whereas undifferentiated persons experience higher levels of marital distress, and the impact of differentiation on maritalsatisfaction is strongerfor women than men.
Covalent bonding and hybridization effects in the corundum-type transition-metal oxides V2O3 and Ti2O3

The electronic structure of the corundum-type transition-metal oxides V2O3 and Ti2O3 is studied by means of the augmented spherical wave method, based on density-functional theory and the local density approximation. Comparing the results for the vanadate and the titanate allows us to understand the peculiar shape of the metal 3d a1g density of states, which is present in both compounds. The a1g states are subject to pronounced bonding-antibonding splitting due to metal-metal overlap along the c-axis of the corundum structure. However, the corresponding partial density of states is strongly asymmetric with considerably more weight on the high-energy branch. We argue that this asymmetry is due to an unexpected broadening of the bonding a1g states, which is caused by hybridization with the egπ bands. In contrast, the antibonding a1g states display no such hybridization and form a sharp peak. Our results shed new light on the role of the a1g orbitals for the metal-insulator transitions of V2O3. In particular, due to a1g-egπ hybridization, an interpretation in terms of molecular orbital singlet states on the metal-metal pairs along the c-axis is not an adequate description.
OLFACTORY RESPONSE OF LARVAE OF DIABROTICA VIRGIFERA VIRGIFERA TO PLANT ROOTS

In laboratory tests, the oligophagous larvae of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae), could not, by olfaction, distinguish the difference between the roots of host and nonhost pants. Tests in a soil olfactometer indicated that the larvae aggregated around an odor source (plant roots) probably by being attracted toward the source rather than by moving randomly, finding the odor source by chance, and then being stopped at the source by an arrestant. The larva of D. v. virgifera. unlike other reported subterranean insects with restricted host ranges, appears not to respond to host-specific allelochemics but only to nonspecific primary metabolites. Thus the larva of D. v. virgifera possibly acquired its restricted host range relatively recently since it behaves similar to a polyphagous species in its host-finding ability. RESUME Reponse olfactive des larves de Diabrotica virgifera virgifera aux racines de vegetaux Au cours d'experiences au laboratoire, les larves oligophages de Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, n'ont pas pu distinguer par olfaction les racines des plantes hotes ou non. Des experiences avec un olfactometre pour sol ont montre que les larves se rassemblent autour de la source odorante (racines de plante) probablement en etant atrirees par la source, plutot qu'en se deplacant au hasard. trouvant la source par chance pour etre arretees aussi par la source agissant comme un fixateur. Les larves de D. v. virgifera, contrairement aux autres insectes hypoges a nombre d'hotes limite etudies jusqu'ici, ne paraissent pas repondre a des substances allelochimiqucs specifiques de l'hote mais uniquement a des metabolites primaires non specifiques. Dans ces condition, la larve de D. v. virgifera, aurait pu acquerir son spectre d'hotes limite au cours d'une periode relativement recente, puisqu'elle se comporte comme une espece polyphage au cours de la decouverte de l'hote.
Comparison of cuffed, uncuffed tracheal tubes and laryngeal mask airways in low flow pressure controlled ventilation in children.

Summary Background : The use of low flow circle systems necessitates a ‘leak free’ breathing system which is commonly achieved by using a cuffed tracheal tube (TT). We hypothesized that low flow circle system anesthesia can equally effectively be achieved by using the LMA in pediatric anesthesia. Methods : Following local ethics committee approval we randomly recruited 45 patients scheduled for elective surgery and requiring mechanical ventilation into three groups (cuffed TT, uncuffed TT and LMA group, n = 15). The size of the TT was determined by means of the formula (age/4) + 4.5 for uncuffed and (age/4) + 4 for cuffed TT whereas the size of the LMA size was dependent on weight. Following induction of anesthesia and muscle paralysis patients were ventilated with pressure controlled ventilation through a pediatric circle system and the lowest fresh gas flow (FGF) determined. Results : The FGF achieved were (median and range) 0.20 (0.2–0.25) l·min−1 for the LMA group, 0.20 (0.2–0.4) l·min−1 for the cuffed TT group and 1.15 (0.2–4.75) l·min−1 for the uncuffed group. The differences between the LMA and cuffed TT compared with the uncuffed TT were significant (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0002, respectively). The difference in FGF between LMA and cuffed TT was not significant. Conclusion : We conclude that pressure controlled ventilation using an LMA is an alternative to a cuffed TT during low flow circle system anesthesia in children. Low FGF is unlikely to be achieved consistently using an uncuffed TT because of a substantial leak.
Neutron correlations in the 41K ground state and T = 1 2p-2h states in 40K

Abstract Differential cross sections have been measured for 41(d, t)40K and 41K(p, d)40K at 15 MeV using a magnetic spectrograph with electronic detection by proportional-counter-scintillator telescopes or semiconductor detectors. Knowledge of the structure of the 40K multiplets ( ν f 7 2 , π d 3 2 −1 ) and ( ν p 3 2 , π d 3 2 −1 ) permits the determination of amplitudes and relative phases for various configurations and neutron correlations in the 41K ground state. Spectroscopic factors for neutron pick-up to states in 40K are strongly influenced by the interference of transition amplitudes. In the (d, t) reaction T= 1, 2p-2h states are also observed.
A novel self-assembled monolayer (SAM) coated microcantilever for low level caesium detection

We report a new sensor concept based on an ion-selective SAM modified microcantilever which can detect caesium ion concentrations in situ in the range 10−11–10−7 M and shows potential for use in developing a new family of real time in situ metal ion sensors with high sensitivity/selectivity and low cost, for chemical and biological applications.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Human μ Opioid Receptor Gene Alter Basal G Protein Coupling and Calmodulin Binding

The μ opioid receptor (MOR) plays a central role in mediating acute and chronic effects of narcotic drugs. Three rare single nucleotide polymorphisms in the hMORgene have been identified that cause amino acid substitutions in the third intracellular (i3) loop of MOR (R260H, R265H, and S268P). Genotyping 252 individuals of the Coriell collection identified one allele encoding the R265H-MOR variant and a new variant encoding D274N-MOR. Variants R260H-, R265H-, and S268P-MOR were constructed and transfected into HEK293 cells. Morphine stimulated G protein coupling of the three receptor variants to a maximal level approaching that of wild type MOR. In contrast, spontaneous, agonist-independent (basal) MOR signaling, proposed to play a role in opioid tolerance and dependence, was significantly reduced for R260H- and R265H-MOR. Moreover, domains within the i3 loop of MOR have been shown to interact with both G proteins and calmodulin (CaM). CaM binding was deficient for variants R265H- and S268P-MOR, suggesting that domains for G protein coupling and CaM binding overlap partially. Morphine pretreatment significantly enhanced basal G protein coupling of wild type MOR, which is thought to result from release of CaM. In contrast basal G protein coupling activity of the three variants was unaffected by morphine pretreatment consistent with diminished CaM regulation, low basal activity, or both. In conclusion, each of the three single nucleotide polymorphisms mapping to the i3 loop of MOR caused substantial changes in basal G protein coupling, CaM binding, or both. Carriers of the mutant alleles might display altered responses to narcotic analgesics.
Gender Ratios in Children with Reading Disability and Their Affected Relatives A Commentary

Commentaire portant sur les differences sexuelles chez l'enfant a propos de problemes de lecture et aux variables qui leur sont associees. Confrontation de donnees a un modele de seuil de risques
Stages of competency for medical procedures.

Summary Background: Basic medical procedures have historically been taught at the bedside, without a formal curriculum. The supervision of basic procedures is often provided by the next most senior member of the health care team, who themselves may have very little experience. This approach does not allow for preparatory reading or deliberate practise of the procedure, and trainees often track the number of completed procedures as the only evidence of competency, without documented assessments of quality. Context: The conscious competence model is a learning paradigm for acquiring a new skill that can be applied to teaching medical procedures. There are multiple stages for effectively learning how to competently perform a procedure, which should not be distilled down into bedside demonstration alone. Learners can be guided through these stages to allow progression towards competency to perform a procedure unsupervised. Innovation: We propose a novel approach that divides procedural education into a four-step process that covers knowledge, experience, technical skill development and competency evaluation. The stages of competency outlined here can be tailored, with incremental expectations for any medical procedure and any level of learner. Implications: This educational paradigm alters the current structure of teaching procedures at any level of medical education, with the goals of better comprehension, skill retention and decreased adverse outcomes. Graded objectives based on learner level can be determined by educators for each clinical procedure. This four-step framework for teaching medical procedures will make the adage ‘see one, do one, teach one’ obsolete.
Chronic musculoskeletal pain and functional status in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: an empirical model☆

An empirical model is proposed and tested on variables hypothesized to influence functional status in 23 children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain. Child psychological adjustment, family psychosocial environment, chronic musculoskeletal pain, and disease activity were entered into multiple regression analyses to statistically predict 4 functional status criterion variables: activities of daily living (ADL), activities involvement, school functioning, and social functioning. Predictor variable relationships were found for all 4 functional status criterion variables, suggesting initial support for this empirical model of functional status in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Specific effects of viruses and antimetabolites on mammalian chromosomes

The apparent localization of chromosomal breakage and other specific effects of viruses and antimetabolites is reviewed. These agents all manifest their effects in the heterochromatic regions of the chromosomes, e.g. the paracentric regions and secondary constrictions. Those cases in which the chemical mode of action of the agent is well elucidated and in which the agent exhibits a specific affinity for a given chromosomal segment may yield information concerning the structure of the chromosome. The significance of this approach to the mapping of chromosome structure and function is discussed. Since all the agents affect mainly heterochromatic regions we must consider the interpretation that the specificity of breakage at localized segments is a property of the chromosome itself rather than of the agent.
Identification of the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II regulatory phosphorylation site in the alpha-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate-type glutamate receptor.

Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase II (CaM-KII) can phosphorylate and potentiate responses of α-amino3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate-type glutamate receptors in a number of systems, and recent studies implicate this mechanism in long term potentiation, a cellular model of learning and memory. In this study we have identified this CaM-KII regulatory site using deletion and site-specific mutants of glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1). Only mutations affecting Ser831 altered the 32P peptide maps of GluR1 from HEK-293 cells co-expressing an activated CaM-KII. Likewise, when CaM-KII was infused into cells expressing GluR1, the Ser831 to Ala mutant failed to show potentiation of the GluR1 current. The Ser831 site is specific to GluR1, and CaM-KII did not phosphorylate or potentiate current in cells expressing GluR2, emphasizing the importance of the GluR1 subunit in this regulatory mechanism. Because Ser831 has previously been identified as a protein kinase C phosphorylation site (Roche, K. W., O'Brien, R. J., Mammen, A. L., Bernhardt, J., and Huganir, R. L. (1996) Neuron 16, 1179–1188), this raises the possibility of synergistic interactions between CaM-KII and protein kinase C in regulating synaptic plasticity.
Evidence for a cascade model of lexical access in speech production

How word production unfolds remains controversial. Serial models posit that phonological encoding begins only after lexical node selection, whereas cascade models hold that it can occur before selection. Both models were evaluated by testing whether unselected lexical nodes influence phonological encoding in the picture-picture interference paradigm. English speakers were shown pairs of superimposed pictures and were instructed to name one picture and ignore another. Naming was faster when target pictures were paired with phonologically related (bed-bell) than with unrelated (bed-pin) distractors. This suggests that the unspoken distractors exerted a phonological influence on production. This finding is inconsistent with serial models but in line with cascade ones. The facilitation effect was not replicated in Italian with the same pictures, supporting the view that the effect found in English was caused by the phonological properties of the stimuli.
Voltage clamp analysis of intact stomatogastric neurons.

Abstract Two-electrode voltage clamp of intact, identified pyloric neurons of the spiny lobster stomatogastric ganglion reveals two major outward currents. A rapidly inactivating, tetraethylammonium- (TEA) insensitive, 4-aminopyridine- (4AP) sensitive, outward current resembles I A of molluscan neurons; it activates rapidly on depolarizations above rest (e.g. −45 mV), delaying both the axonal-sodium and the neuropil-calcium spikes which escape voltage-clamp control. We infer that A-current is distributed both in a space clamped region (on or near the soma) and in a non-space clamped region with access to the generators for sodium and calcium spikes. A calcium-dependent outward current, I O(Ca) , activates rapidly at clamp steps above −25 mV and inactivates at depolarizing holding voltages. Increasing depolarization results in an increase in both I O(Ca) and firing rate but a reduction in the amplitude of the sodium spike current. Blockage of I O(Ca) with Cd 2+ causes little change in spike firing pattern. These observations are consistent with I O(Ca) being activated primarily in the soma and nearby regions which are under good control with a soma voltage clamp (and distant from the Na + -spike trigger zone). While the lack of space clamp limits resolution of charging transients and tail currents, the identification of the major current subgroups can still be readily accomplished, and inferences about the location and function of currents can be made which would not be possible if the cells were space clamped or truncated.
Regulation of the late events in flavivirus protein processing and maturation.

Abstract In order to determine the requirements for secretion of flavivirus structural proteins, we analyzed the expression of several West Nile flavivirus gene cassettes of different lengths in vaccinia virus expression systems. Expression of the longest cassette coding for the 5′-nontranslated region, proteins C through NS2B, and the protease domain of NS3, resulted in secretion of prM-E complexes and cleavage of prM. The presence and proper processing of the NS2A-NS2B-NS3 region appeared to be necessary for prM-E secretion. These proteins were released from cells mostly as membranous complexes which may represent empty viral envelopes. Cleavage of the membrane-associated intracellular form of protein C (Ci) to produce the virion form (Ce) appeared to be critical for release of viral proteins. The presence and proper cleavage of the NS2A-NS2B-NS3 region were also found to be necessary for efficient C-prM cleavage by signalases. The NS2B-NS3 complex was implicated in cleavage of the intracellular form of protein C. Formation of a low level of virus-like particles was detected by electron microscopy. A model for virion formation, suggesting a critical role of the NS2B and NS3 proteins, is discussed.
Indexing continuously changing data with mean-variance tree

Constantly evolving data arise in various mobile applications such as location-based services and sensor networks. The problem of indexing the data for efficient query processing is of increasing importance. Due to the constant changing nature of the data, traditional indexes suffer from a high update overhead which leads to poor performance. In this paper, we propose a novel index structure, the MVTree, which is built based on the mean and variance of the data instead of the actual data values that are in constant flux. Since the mean and variance are relatively stable features compared to the actual values, the MVTree significantly reduces the index update cost. The distribution interval and probability distribution function of the data are not required to be known a priori. The mean and variance for each data item can be dynamically adjusted to match the observed fluctuation of the data. Experiments show that compared to traditional index schemes, the MVTree substantially improves index update performance while maintaining satisfactory query performance.
Mouse model of foreign body reaction that alters the submesothelium and transperitoneal transport.

To address the hypothesis that sterile intraperitoneal (ip) catheters alone promote a progressive foreign body reaction (FBR), silicone catheters were surgically implanted in C57BL mice. Controls (...
Cyclo[n]pyrroles: Size and Site Specific Binding to G-Quadruplexes

Inhibiting the enzyme telomerase by stabilizing the G-quadruplex has potential in anticancer drug design. Diprotonated cyclo[n]pyrroles represent a set of expanded porphyrin analogues with structures similar to that of telomestatin, a natural product known to bind to and stabilize G-quadruplexes. As a first step toward testing whether cyclo[n]pyrroles display a similar function, a series of diprotonated cyclo[n]pyrroles (where n = 6, 7, and 8) was each added to the human telomere repeat sequence d(T(2)AG(3))(4) and examined with mass spectrometry, ion mobility, and molecular dynamics calculations. Nano-ESI-MS indicated that the smaller the cyclo[n]pyrrole, the more strongly it binds to the telomeric sequence. It was also found that cyclo[6]pyrrole bound to d(T(2)AG(3))(4) better than octaethylporphyrin, a finding rationalized by cyclo[6]pyrrole having a 2+ charge, while octaethylporphyrin bears no charge. Ion mobility measurements were used to measure the collision cross section of each d(T(2)AG(3))(4)/cyclo[n]pyrrole complex. Only one peak was observed in the arrival time distributions for all complexes, and the experimental cross sections indicated that only structures with d(T(2)AG(3))(4) in an antiparallel G-quadruplex arrangement and each cyclo[n]pyrrole externally stacked below the G-quartets occur under these experimental conditions. When the cyclo[n]pyrroles were intercalated or nonspecifically bound to the quadruplex, or if conformations different than antiparallel were considered for d(T(2)AG(3))(4), the theoretical cross sections did not match experiment. On this basis, it is inferred that (1) external stacking represents the dominant binding mode for the interaction of cyclo[n]pyrroles with d(T(2)AG(3))(4) and (2) the overall size and charge of the cyclo[n]pyrroles play important roles in defining the binding strength.
Beyond the question of placebo controls: ethical issues in psychopharmacological drug studies

There is a broad range of complex ethical issues in the conduct of psychopharmacological drug studies that go beyond the question of the ethics of placebo controls. However, our empirical knowledge with respect to these issues is very limited. This review, although not exhaustive, highlights an array of ethical issues that arose from discussions within the NIMH Human Subjects Research Council Workgroup. To delineate issues in psychopharmacological drug studies that require debate and would benefit from research leading to the development of empirically-supported guidelines. Information included in this report was drawn from the first author's participation as chair of the NIMH Human Subjects Research Council Workgroup, guidelines for the ethical conduct of research proposed by professional organizations to which the first and third author belong, and relevant research literature. We have focused on general issues relating to informed consent, research with special populations, and long-term treatment studies. Additionally, we raise issues relevant to large research-oriented institutions. The essential ethical challenge in psychopharmacological trials is to balance risks and benefits in the context of the needs and capacities of individual research subjects. The IRB system must become evidence-based and not rely on unproven assumptions. Specific research studies should be undertaken to address many of the issues of informed consent and research ethics postulated in this paper.
Heat transfer in reacting systems: Heat transfer to nitrogen dioxide gas under turbulent pipe flow conditions

Heat transfer rates of both heating and cooling for dissociating nitrogen dioxide gas were experimentally measured under turbulent pipe-flow conditions. The range of the average Reynolds numbers for which these measurements were made was from 6,700 to 22,000. Thermal flux at the inside surfaces of the tubes ranged from 300 to 8,400 B.t.u./hr.-sq. ft. for heating and cooling. Wall temperatures of the heater section were varied from 100° to 400°F. and those of the cooler section were varied from 70° to 140°F. Mixed mean bulk gas temperatures for both heating and cooling were in the range 72° to 190°F. Radial velocity and temperature profiles were measured at various longitudinal positions in the heater section. For this equilibrium gas mixture heat transfer coefficients as high as 14 times those for the gas under frozen equilibrium conditions were obtained. Correlations which should be generally applicable to equilibrium reacting systems have been determined from the experimental data.
Processing body sensor data streams for continuous physiological monitoring

With the recent advancement in the wearable sensor technology, various body sensor network systems are being incorporated in the garments to monitor continuous physiological as well as motor behavior of an individual. The raw physiological time series data coming from on-body sensors requires a thorough analysis for extraction of meaningful information. In addition, extracted information need to be presented/recommended to monitoring personnel/self to derive the high-level interpretation of the physiological state without having domain knowledge.In this paper, we propose a knowledge management system that extracts and conveys the information of the physiological states using individualized factor analysis model. The factor analysis based on the quantitative features extracted from the raw data streams provides the hidden knowledge components in the form of latent factors. We tested this system on the raw electromyogram signals from the hand muscles collected during the continuous monitoring of repetitive hand movements, where the hidden information in the form of intensity level of the activity and the muscle fatigue was extracted from the time and frequency domain features.
On modeling of linguistic information using random sets

This paper discusses the formal connection between possibility distributions (Zadeh [21]) and the theory of random sets via Choquet's theorem. Based upon these relationships, it is suggested that plausible inferences and modeling of common sense can be derived from the statistics of random sets. The analysis of subjectivity in meaning representation of natural languages can be carried out by taking account of covariates of individuals as in the statistical analysis of survival data.
The Relation of Status to Self Esteem: Chain Saw Sociology at the Cutting Edge

Abstract Explanation of the relation of status to self esteem is impeded by the crude and simple concepts most often used in analyzing this relationship. If concepts are the tools of the sociological trade, it is those equivalent to the chain saw that we most often use, and, as a consequence, the complex and subtle relationships that need to be observed in order to explain the effects of social status upon self esteem are obscured. There is also little evidence of any progressive specification of meaning of concepts related to status and self esteem. In this paper, examples of chain saw sociology are discussed and proposals are made for conceptual refinements that might prove helpful in explaining how our self assessments are linked to our social status.
Some effects affecting laser-induced damage of solid dielectrics excited by ultrashort laser pulses

Non-ablative mechanism of femtosecond laser drilling of bulk dielectrics is proposed which is assuming concentrating and condensation of laser-generated vacancies into a void in a center of a laser waist at presence of picosecond photo-excited dense electron-hole plasma. Picosecond diffusive transport of neutral and/or charged vacancies and interstitials in the laser waist is driven by an inhomogeneous transient stress induced in the region via interactions of the dense electron-hole plasma and point defects with center-zone acoustic phonons. Simultaneously, inhomogeneous bandgap renormalization due to a coherent interaction of the plasma with center-zone optical phonons may contribute to the diffusive transport of charged point defects. This mechanism allows estimates of electron-hole plasma densities required for the "mild" micro-void fabrication regime, kinetics of void growth and their characteristic sizes as well as characteristic dimensions of surrounding laser-affected zones, consistent with known experimental results.
Light-controlled self-assembly of reversible and irreversible nanoparticle suprastructures.

Nanoparticles (NPs) decorated with ligands combining photoswitchable dipoles and covalent cross-linkers can be assembled by light into organized, three-dimensional suprastructures of various types and sizes. NPs covered with only few photoactive ligands form metastable crystals that can be assembled and disassembled “on demand” by using light of different wavelengths. For higher surface concentrations, self-assembly is irreversible, and the NPs organize into permanently cross-linked structures including robust supracrystals and plastic spherical aggregates.
The topical anticariogenic effect of daily rinsing with an acidulated phosphate fluoride solution.

Daily during the school week, high school study participants used a rinse containing 1.0 mg fluoride ion per 5 ml in a phosphate solution at pH 4.0. The control group received a placebo solution. At the 24-month examination, about a 25% reduction in caries increments was found in the test participants, compared with the increments observed for the control group.